31 October 2026 Current Affairs: Tax Devolution & National Unity Day – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Saturday, 31 October 2026 included the Union Government’s release of an advance tax devolution of ₹1,09,019 crore to States, the award of the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak to 490 personnel, and the extension of the customs duty exemption on cotton imports. India observed the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel as National Unity Day, while the United Nations marked World Cities Day with the theme Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All.

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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

Supreme Court Directs ECI to Examine Bulk Form 7 Claims in UP SIR

The Supreme Court on 30 October directed the Election Commission of India to examine remaining irregularities in bulk Form 7 submissions during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Uttar Pradesh and file a compliance report. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant asked petitioners to submit a note on unresolved issues. The ECI told the court that bulk Form 7s were found false and not acted upon by electoral officers. Form 7 is used to seek deletion of a name from the draft electoral roll.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu – Supreme Court seeks report from ECI on Form 7 misuse allegations, 31 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Bench headed by CJI Surya Kant
• ECI to examine bulk Form 7 claims in UP SIR
• Form 7 used for voter deletion applications
• ECI said bulk forms were false and not acted upon

Economy

Union Government Releases ₹1,09,019 Crore Advance Tax Devolution to States

The Union Government released an additional instalment of tax devolution amounting to ₹1,09,019 crore to State Governments on 31 October 2026. This is in addition to the regular monthly devolution and is the second additional instalment in the financial year. The release was made in view of the upcoming festive season to enable States to accelerate capital spending and finance development and welfare expenditure. Uttar Pradesh received the highest share at ₹19,208 crore.

Source: PIB – Tax devolution of ₹1,09,019 crore to States, 31 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Amount: ₹1,09,019 crore advance instalment
• Second additional instalment in FY 2026-27
• Highest share: Uttar Pradesh ₹19,208 crore
• Purpose: festive season and capital spending

Government Extends Cotton Import Duty Exemption Till 31 December 2026

Late-reported action: The Department of Revenue issued Notification No. 35/2026-Customs dated 30 October 2026 extending the existing customs duty exemption on cotton imports (Heading 5201) until 31 December 2026. The exemption, earlier available until 31 October 2026, has been extended by two months. The measure aims to augment cotton availability for the domestic textile sector, ease input costs, and support MSMEs and value addition. It covers Basic Customs Duty and Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Cess.

Source: PIB – Extension of cotton import duty exemption, 31 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Notification No. 35/2026-Customs dated 30 October
• Exemption extended to 31 December 2026
• Covers cotton under Heading 5201
• Earlier period: 1 June to 31 October 2026

Science & Tech

ISRO Successfully Launches NVS-03 on GSLV-F18

Late-reported action: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F18 successfully launched the 2,250 kg NVS-03 navigation satellite from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 23:51 IST on 30 October 2026. The satellite was precisely injected into the intended geosynchronous transfer orbit about 18 minutes later. NVS-03 is the third satellite in the second-generation NavIC series and carries an indigenous atomic clock along with L1 signal capability. ISRO confirmed mission success early on 31 October.

Secondary reporting: The Hindu – GSLV places next-generation navigation satellite NVS-03 into orbit, 31 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Launch: GSLV-F18 on 30 October at 23:51 IST
• Satellite: NVS-03, 2,250 kg, NavIC series
• Site: Second Launch Pad, Sriharikota
• Orbit: intended geosynchronous transfer orbit

Awards, Appointments & Obituaries

Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak Awarded to 490 Personnel

The Ministry of Home Affairs awarded the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for 2026 to 490 personnel of States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations. The medal recognises excellence in operations, investigation, exceptional performance, intelligence service and forensic science work. It was instituted by MHA notification dated 1 February 2024 and is announced annually on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The list is available on the MHA website.

Source: PIB – Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak to 490 personnel, 31 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Recipients: 490 personnel
• Instituted: 1 February 2024 notification
• Announced annually on 31 October
• Categories include operations and investigation

Reports & Indices

World Bank Reports Sharp Decline in India’s Extreme Poverty

The World Bank’s India Poverty and Equity Brief: October 2026 stated that extreme poverty (under $3/day) fell from 27.1 per cent in 2011 to 2.6 per cent in 2023. The share living below the lower-middle-income line of $4.20/day (2021 PPP) declined from 57.7 per cent to 16.1 per cent, lifting an estimated 496 million people out of poverty. The report attributed the progress to consumption growth, rising employment (especially among women) and expanded social transfers. Poverty is projected to decline further to 12.1 per cent by 2028 at the $4.20 line.

Secondary reporting: The Economic Times – India lifted 496 million people out of poverty between 2011 and 2023, says World Bank, 31 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Extreme poverty: 27.1% (2011) to 2.6% (2023)
• Lower-middle line: 57.7% to 16.1%
• People lifted: estimated 496 million
• Projection: 14.2% (2026) to 12.1% (2028)

Sports

Manisha Bhanwala Becomes First Indian Woman World Wrestling Champion

Late-reported action: Manisha Bhanwala won the women’s 59 kg freestyle gold at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana on 30 October 2026, defeating USA’s Abigail Nette 8-6 after trailing 0-6. She became the first Indian woman to win a senior World Championships gold and only the second Indian wrestler after Sushil Kumar (2010) to claim a senior world title. India finished the championships with four medals (one gold, two silvers, one bronze), all in women’s freestyle.

Secondary reporting: Reuters – Bhanwala becomes first Indian woman to win wrestling world title, 30 October 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Winner: Manisha Bhanwala, 59 kg freestyle
• Score: 8-6 against Abigail Nette (USA)
• First Indian woman senior world champion
• India’s second senior world title after Sushil Kumar

Important Day / Theme

National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas)

31 October is observed as National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. In 2026, it marked his 151st birth anniversary. The day commemorates his role in the integration of princely states after Independence. Official programmes included tributes at the Statue of Unity and the administration of the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas pledge by Union Ministers and officials.

Source: PIB releases on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, 31 October 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Date: 31 October
• Marks the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Patel
• Also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas
• Theme linked to national integration

World Cities Day

The United Nations observes 31 October as World Cities Day. The 2026 theme is “Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All.” The global observance was held in Fuzhou, China. The day, designated by UN General Assembly resolution 68/239, focuses on sustainable urbanisation, housing and inclusive city development. Up to 3.4 billion people lack access to adequate housing, according to the 2026 concept note.

Source: United Nations – World Cities Day, 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Date: 31 October
• 2026 theme: Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All
• Global observance in Fuzhou, China
• Designated by UNGA resolution 68/239

31 October 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• Supreme Court directed ECI to examine bulk Form 7 claims in UP SIR and file a compliance report.
• Union Government released ₹1,09,019 crore advance tax devolution to States on 31 October.
• Cotton import duty exemption extended to 31 December 2026 by Notification No. 35/2026-Customs.
• ISRO’s GSLV-F18 successfully launched NVS-03 navigation satellite on 30 October.
• Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak awarded to 490 personnel for 2026.
• World Bank reported India’s extreme poverty fell from 27.1% to 2.6% between 2011 and 2023.
• Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win a World Wrestling Championships gold.
• 31 October is National Unity Day, marking Sardar Patel’s 151st birth anniversary.
• World Cities Day 2026 theme is Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All.

The Union Government released ₹1,09,019 crore as an advance tax devolution to States; Manisha Bhanwala became India’s first woman World Wrestling Champion, and the World Bank reported that extreme poverty in India fell to 2.6 per cent by 2023.