26 October 2026 Current Affairs: BRICS Forum & Cyclone Arnab – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Monday, 26 October 2026 included the inauguration of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the NCMC review of Cyclone Arnab preparedness, and TRAI recommendations on application-based linear television distribution. Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 began with the theme “Probity for Prosperity”, and the Department of Commerce extended the RELIEF initiative under the Export Promotion Mission.

Read time: ~10 minutes

Source labels: Each item’s source line ends with one of these labels.

• [Official] — primary or official body (PIB, ministry, regulator, court, official federation); linked where a direct URL was found.
• [Secondary] — reputable report; primary source not located.
• /Developing — a suffix, as in [Official/Developing]: same-day figures or outcomes may still change.

Polity & Governance

Lok Sabha Speaker Inaugurates 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026

Ongoing event: Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26 October 2026 at the historic Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex, New Delhi. The two-day forum (26–27 October) deliberates on the theme “Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development” across four pillars—resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with parliamentary delegations from BRICS member and partner countries. BRICS nations represent nearly half the world’s population. Source: PIB – Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla
• Venue: Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi
• Theme: Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development
• Dates: 26–27 October 2026
• PM Modi interacted with delegations

Static Link: BRICS was formalised in 2009; India held the 2026 Chairship under the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”.

Economy

Commerce Department Extends RELIEF Initiative to 31 March 2027

The Department of Commerce extended timelines under Component II of RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation), a time-bound intervention under the Export Promotion Mission, until 31 March 2027. The extension addresses continued geopolitical disruptions in West Asia affecting maritime logistics. Component II provides 95 per cent risk coverage to encourage ECGC cover for shipments to specified regions, available for policies obtained on or after 16 March 2026. Source: PIB – Department of Commerce extends RELIEF Initiative, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Extended until 31 March 2027
• Component II: 95% risk coverage via ECGC
• Addresses West Asia logistics disruptions
• For Standalone and Whole Turnover Policies from 16 March 2026

Banking & Markets

TRAI Recommends Framework for Application-Based Linear TV Distribution

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released recommendations on an Authorisation Framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution (ALTD) Services on 26 October 2026. ALTD is proposed as a distinct sub-category under Television Channel Distribution Services under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. A light-touch framework includes a national service area, an initial 20-year validity (renewable for 10 years), a processing fee of ₹10,000 and a one-time entry fee of ₹1 lakh, with no recurring authorisation fee. Source: PIB – TRAI releases Recommendations on ALTD Services, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• ALTD under the Telecommunications Act, 2023
• Entry fee: ₹1 lakh; processing fee: ₹10,000
• Validity: 20 years, renewable for 10 years
• Application provider is the primary authorised entity
• Light-touch authorisation, no bank guarantee

Static Link: TRAI was established in 1997 under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997; headquarters in New Delhi.

International Relations

Sonowal Presses Korean Firms for Shipbuilding Partnerships in Busan

Ongoing event: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held high-level engagements in Busan, South Korea, on 26 October 2026, including a World Maritime Day ministerial roundtable with the IMO Secretary-General and ministers from South Korea, Norway and Cyprus. He urged partners to work on practical global shipping rules and partnerships in shipbuilding, shipping, ports and maritime logistics. India aims to become a top-five shipbuilding nation by 2047; a $7.8 billion shipbuilding package was approved in September 2025. Source: PIB – Sarbananda Sonowal woos Korean firms for shipyards, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Engagements in Busan on World Maritime Day
• Focus on shipbuilding partnerships with Korea
• Goal: top-five shipbuilding nation by 2047
• $7.8 billion package approved September 2025

Environment

Cabinet Secretary Chairs NCMC Meeting on Cyclone Arnab Preparedness

Cabinet Secretary Dr T. V. Somanathan chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on 26 October 2026 to review preparedness for Cyclone Arnab. IMD reported the deep depression had intensified into cyclonic storm Arnab, centred about 650 km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam. It is forecast to cross Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by forenoon of 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm with winds of 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph. NDRF and SDRF teams are on standby; fishermen are advised against venturing into the area from 26–29 October. Source: PIB – Cabinet Secretary chairs NCMC meeting on cyclone, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Chaired by Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan
• Cyclone Arnab: landfall forecast 28 October
• Winds: 115–125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph
• Between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam
• Objective: zero loss of life

Science & Tech

TDB-DST Signs ₹116 Crore Agreement with Manastu Space for Green Propulsion

The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology signed an agreement with Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited, Navi Mumbai, for ₹116 crore financial support under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The project, total cost ₹277.63 crore, develops a scalable green propulsion system (hydrogen peroxide-based) for satellites and launch vehicles (5 mN to 300 N thrust), advancing from TRL-6 to TRL-9 via Optionally Convertible Debt. Source: PIB – TDB-DST agreement with Manastu Space, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Support: ₹116 crore under RDI Fund
• Total project cost: ₹277.63 crore
• Green propulsion (hydrogen peroxide-based)
• Advances TRL-6 to TRL-9
• For satellites and launch vehicles

IIT Kharagpur to Establish First Dedicated School of Physical AI

IIT Kharagpur announced plans to establish India’s first dedicated Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI with an investment of ₹35 crore. The tripartite MoU involves the institute, alumnus and philanthropist Vinod Gupta, and the IITKGP Foundation USA. Funding includes ₹12.5 crore from the Vinod Gupta family and ₹10 crore from an anonymous alumnus. The school will focus on physics-informed machine learning, intelligent robotics, autonomous systems, digital twins and scientific AI for safety-critical applications. Secondary reporting: Business Standard, 26 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• India’s first dedicated Physical AI school
• Investment: ₹35 crore
• Named Benjamin Gupta School
• Focus: robotics, digital twins, scientific AI
• MoU with Vinod Gupta and IITKGP Foundation USA

Reports & Indices

MoSPI Tracks 1,853 Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹37.56 Lakh Crore

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Monthly Flash Report on Central Sector Infrastructure Projects as of September 2026. The portal tracks 1,853 ongoing projects with a latest cost of ₹37.56 lakh crore across 17 Central Ministries/Departments. Cumulative expenditure stands at ₹17.73 lakh crore (approximately 47 per cent of project cost). Of these, 780 are mega projects (₹1,000 crore and above) and 1,073 are major projects; 654 projects have achieved over 80 per cent physical progress. Source: PIB – Monthly Flash Report on Infrastructure Projects, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• 1,853 projects worth ₹37.56 lakh crore
• Expenditure: ₹17.73 lakh crore (~47%)
• 780 mega projects (≥₹1,000 crore)
• 654 projects over 80% physical progress
• As of September 2026

ASUSE 2027–28 to Align with Financial Year

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation proposed conducting the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE) 2027–28 from April 2027 to March 2028, shifting from the calendar year to the financial year. New policy-focused questions will capture gender-specific constraints faced by female entrepreneurs for the first time, along with better data on investment trajectories of establishments. Source: PIB – ASUSE 2027–28 to align with financial year, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Survey period: April 2027–March 2028
• Aligns with financial year
• First-time gender-specific questions for female entrepreneurs
• New questions on investment trajectory

Art & Culture

GeM Promotes AABHAR Collection Showcasing Cultural Heritage

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is promoting ‘The AABHAR Collection’, a digital storefront of curated gift items and hampers reflecting India’s cultural heritage. It features 294 product catalogue listings from 10 State and Central Handloom and Handicraft Emporiums, including Cottage Industries, Khadi India, Garvi Gurjari, Himcrafts, Jharcraft, Cauvery, Mrignayani, Marhati, Purbashree and Poompuhar. Seven more emporiums are at an advanced stage of onboarding. Source: PIB – GeM promotes AABHAR Collection, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• 294 product listings
• From 10 handloom and handicraft emporiums
• Supports local artisans and #VocalForLocal
• For government buyers’ official gifting

State-Specific News

Uttar Pradesh CM Inaugurates ₹411 Crore Projects in Kanpur Nagar

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 48 development projects worth over ₹411 crore in the Bilhaur and Bithoor assembly constituencies of Kanpur Nagar on 26 October 2026, on the occasion of Valmiki Jayanti. Certificates were also distributed to beneficiaries of various public welfare schemes. The visit included a stop at Maharishi Valmiki’s Tapobhumi in Bithoor. Secondary reporting: Asianet Newsable / ANI, 26 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• 48 projects worth over ₹411 crore
• In Kanpur Nagar (Bilhaur and Bithoor)
• On Valmiki Jayanti
• Inaugurated by CM Yogi Adityanath

Important Day / Theme

Vigilance Awareness Week 2026

Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 is being observed from 26 October to 1 November 2026 with the theme “Probity for Prosperity” (सत्यनिष्ठा से समृद्धि). The week, linked to the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, began with the administration of the integrity pledge by public servants in Ministries, Departments, CPSEs and PSBs at 11:00 hours on 26 October. The Central Vigilance Commission advised a three-month preventive vigilance campaign focusing on complaint disposal, capacity building and digital initiatives. Source: Central Vigilance Commission circular and observance reports, 26 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Dates: 26 October–1 November 2026
• Theme: Probity for Prosperity
• Integrity pledge on 26 October at 11:00 hours
• Linked to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary

26 October 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan on the theme Strengthening Parliaments for People-Centric Development
• Department of Commerce extended RELIEF Component II (95% ECGC risk coverage) until 31 March 2027
• TRAI recommended light-touch authorisation for ALTD services with ₹1 lakh entry fee and 20-year validity under the Telecommunications Act, 2023
• Sarbananda Sonowal engaged Korean industry in Busan for shipbuilding partnerships toward India’s top-five goal by 2047
• Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan chaired NCMC meeting on Cyclone Arnab, forecast to make landfall as VSCS on 28 October with winds 115–125 kmph gusting to 140
• TDB-DST signed ₹116 crore RDI agreement with Manastu Space for green propulsion technology (total project ₹277.63 crore)
• IIT Kharagpur to establish India’s first Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI with ₹35 crore investment
• MoSPI Flash Report tracks 1,853 Central Sector infrastructure projects worth ₹37.56 lakh crore as of September 2026
• ASUSE 2027–28 proposed from April 2027–March 2028 with first-time gender-specific questions for female entrepreneurs
• GeM promoted AABHAR Collection featuring 294 product listings from 10 handloom and handicraft emporiums
• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated 48 development projects worth over ₹411 crore in Kanpur Nagar
• Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 observed from 26 October to 1 November with the theme Probity for Prosperity

India hosted the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum, the NCMC reviewed Cyclone Arnab preparedness ahead of its 28 October landfall forecast, and TRAI proposed a light-touch framework for application-based linear television distribution.