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Daily DigestArchive
Current Affairs — Friday, 9 October 2026
33 items
Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu govt to extend free breakfast scheme to middle school students
— CM C. Joseph Vijay's government plans to expand the existing free breakfast programme (launched under the previous Stalin government for primary school students) to middle school level, broadening its reach significantly. (Welfare scheme — exam angle: state education/nutrition policy) - CM Vijay signs 3 key welfare schemes on Day 1
— Chief Minister Vijay signed off on three major welfare announcements including free electricity provisions and gold assistance to women, raising questions about fiscal sustainability of the new TVK government's promises. (State polity — exam angle: TN government schemes) - Tamil Nadu government to continue two-language policy; yet to decide on PM SHRI scheme
— The Vijay government has confirmed continuation of the two-language (Tamil + English) policy and has not yet accepted the Centre's PM SHRI three-language scheme, amid pressure from allies like MDMK's Vaiko. (Exam angle: language policy, Centre-State relations, Article 350A) - Tamil Nadu honours 319 villages for becoming TB-free in Vellore and nearby districts
— The state government recognised villages across the Vellore district cluster under the National TB Elimination Programme, aligning with India's goal of TB-free status by 2025 (now extended targets). (Exam angle: National Health Mission, TB elimination policy) - Madras High Court Registry lodges police complaint for forging court proceedings to deport Bangladesh nationals
— Justice V. Lakshminarayanan directed police investigation with a status report due by November 10, 2026; highlights illegal immigration and judicial integrity concerns. (Exam angle: HC jurisdiction, citizenship/immigration law) - Atomic scientist Kakodkar urges diplomatic community to push for India's NSG membership
— Speaking in Tamil Nadu, former AEC member Anil Kakodkar stressed that India's current NSG waiver allows uranium imports but full membership is critical for long-term energy security. (Exam angle: Nuclear Suppliers Group, India's nuclear policy, civil nuclear deal)
India — National
- RBI's MPC raises repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, reversing recent easing cycle
— After cutting rates by 125 basis points cumulatively (from 6.5% to 5.25%), the Monetary Policy Committee hiked the repo rate on October 7, 2026, citing inflation concerns; borrowers will face higher EMIs. (Exam angle: RBI MPC, monetary policy tools, inflation targeting) - GST Council announces major reforms to ease refunds, registration and reduce litigation
— Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated 99% of GST rate and process issues have been addressed; reforms expected from April; 5 large states opposed ending taxmen's arrest powers. (Exam angle: GST Council, cooperative federalism, indirect tax reform) - Bypoll results for 5 Assembly seats and 1 Lok Sabha constituency, including Madurantakam and Dharapuram in Tamil Nadu
— Vote counting underway for by-elections including two TN seats where TVK's performance is being closely watched, and West Bengal's Nandigram indicating post-BJP-takeover political mood. (Exam angle: Election Commission, by-election procedure) - INDIA Bloc's Day 3 protest reaches Rajghat; march heading to Rashtrapati Bhavan
— Opposition alliance demanded cancellation of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and 2025 Bihar polls, raising constitutional questions about EC's independence. (Exam angle: Election Commission powers, Article 324, protest rights) - Punjab & Haryana High Court directs CBI to probe corruption allegations linked to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's office
— A CBI raid at Mann's camp office followed HC's order; Mann called it a BJP political tactic, underlining tensions between CBI jurisdiction and state governments. (Exam angle: CBI jurisdiction, HC supervisory powers, federal politics) - India condemns attacks on Saudi airports
— India officially termed the attacks "unacceptable," reaffirming its policy of zero tolerance for terrorism and its strong bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia. (Exam angle: India's foreign policy, West Asia relations) - CJP, Left groups allege mass detentions ahead of October 10 protest
— Citizens for Justice and Peace co-convener alleged supporters including national co-in-charge Deepak Baliyan were detained in Rajasthan before a planned protest, raising civil liberties concerns. (Exam angle: Article 19, right to peaceful assembly, preventive detention)
Economy & Finance
- RBI repo rate hiked 25 bps to 5.5% after 125 bps cumulative cuts; signals inflation vigilance
— Former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das underscored that domestic capacity and structural reforms are key amid global uncertainty; the rate reversal signals end of the easing cycle. (Exam angle: MPC composition, inflation targeting framework, repo rate) - GST Council reforms: Gold and silver imports by banks to attract 3% IGST
— The change ensures tax parity between bullion imports through banks/nominated agencies and other routes; part of broader GST rationalisation measures announced at the October 8 Council meeting. (Exam angle: IGST, GST Council, precious metals taxation) - August industrial output grows 8% driven by manufacturing; festive demand in focus
— Strong manufacturing performance boosted India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for August 2026, with analysts watching festive season demand for sustaining momentum. (Exam angle: IIP, Ministry of Statistics, manufacturing sector) - FM Sitharaman urges private sector to lead investment cycle including R&D; calls for focus beyond 'urban elite'
— Finance Minister's remarks signal a policy push for private capex and inclusive growth as public infrastructure spending plateaus; India's trade surplus with the US highlighted as strategically critical. (Exam angle: capital formation, trade policy, EXIM dynamics) - Strait of Hormuz transits hit two-month low after attacks; India's energy imports at risk
— Only seven commodity vessels passed through the strait on October 6 (lowest since July 23), per analytics firm Kpler; India depends heavily on West Asian oil routed through Hormuz. (Exam angle: energy security, India's oil imports, geopolitical risk)
Science & Technology
- ISRO employees' JAC seeks meeting with Chairperson over privatisation concerns
— A Joint Action Committee of ISRO employees stated that fundamental concerns about commercialisation and privatisation raised by staff remain unaddressed despite a video-conference interaction with the Chairperson. (Exam angle: ISRO, space privatisation policy, IN-SPACe framework) - Tamil Nadu may experience El Niño differently from rest of India — climate study
— Research indicates that during strong El Niño years, pressure differentials between the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea can actually drive moist air into coastal Tamil Nadu, potentially increasing rainfall even as other regions face drought. (Exam angle: El Niño, Indian Ocean Dipole, monsoon variability) - Margaret Hamilton, NASA Apollo program software pioneer, dies at 90
— Hamilton, who developed the on-board flight software for Apollo missions and coined the term "software engineering," was honoured by NASA chief Jared Isaacman as a pioneer of human spaceflight. (Exam angle: space history, Apollo programme)
Environment
- State of India's Environment 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks, wildlife conflicts, and pollution monitoring gaps
— The report flags increasing human-wildlife conflict, inadequate air/water pollution monitoring infrastructure, and compounding climate vulnerabilities across Indian states. (Exam angle: MoEFCC, pollution control boards, biodiversity/climate policy) - Food waste identified as a major contributor to climate change
— Studies highlight that food loss and waste account for approximately 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urging policy action on supply chain efficiency and consumer behaviour. (Exam angle: climate targets, SDG 12, Paris Agreement commitments)
Sports
- India's Para Asian Games contingent receives warm send-off; Pramod Bhagat named flag bearer
— Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the team's new jersey; para-badminton star Pramod Bhagat (Paralympic gold medallist) will carry the national flag at the 2026 Para Asian Games. (Exam angle: Para Asian Games, Pramod Bhagat, Sports Ministry) - Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled to India squad for New Zealand series
— Chief selector/analyst noted Bhuvneshwar's consistent IPL performances over two seasons as reason for the senior pacer's return to the national team setup. (Exam angle: BCCI selection, Indian cricket) - Indian government task force formed to revive Formula 1 Grand Prix in India
— The task force is working to address the taxation and financial hurdles that led to the Indian GP being dropped after three editions (2011–2013); Lando Norris expressed enthusiasm for racing in India. (Exam angle: sports infrastructure, GST/taxation policy on events)
Appointments & Awards
- Former UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar appointed Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Calcutta
— Kumar, who served as Vice-Chancellor of JNU before heading UGC, has been appointed to lead the Board of Governors of one of India's premier management institutions. (Exam angle: IIM governance, UGC, higher education administration) - Padma Vibhushan announced for Justice K.T. Thomas
— Retired Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas, known for his independent judgments including in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan. (Exam angle: Padma awards, Supreme Court, Article 124) - Justice J.S. Khehar conferred Padma award; known for judgments that often contradicted government positions
— Former Chief Justice of India J.S. Khehar, who headed the Constitution Bench in the Right to Privacy judgment (2017), receives the recognition. (Exam angle: CJI, Padma awards, Right to Privacy — Article 21) - Justice Manikumar appointed Chairman of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
— The appointment of the retired judge as SHRC chief is significant for human rights accountability at the state level under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. (Exam angle: SHRC, Protection of Human Rights Act, judicial appointments)
International
- EAM Jaishankar visits Côte d'Ivoire on second leg of three-nation Africa tour (Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia)
— Jaishankar emphasised "mutual respect" as the cornerstone of the India–Côte d'Ivoire partnership; the tour reflects India's deepening Africa engagement under its foreign policy priorities. (Exam angle: India-Africa relations, South-South cooperation, MEA) - Europe backs Ukraine 2026 defence funding but imposes stricter anti-corruption conditions
— EU nations agreed to cover Ukraine's defence funding gap but refused front-loading of promised aid, attaching new requirements on taxation transparency and anti-graft measures. (Exam angle: Russia-Ukraine conflict, NATO, European security architecture) - Trump announces no US military strikes on Iran before November 3 mid-term elections; interim ceasefire holds
— A short-lived US-Iran interim agreement signed in June established a 60-day ceasefire framework; Trump's statement signals temporary de-escalation with implications for oil markets and India's energy imports. (Exam angle: US-Iran relations, Strait of Hormuz, India's energy security)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔑 RBI MPC hiked repo rate by 25 bps to 5.5% on October 7, 2026 — reversing the easing cycle that had cut rates by 125 bps (from 6.5% to 5.25%)
- 🔑 Pramod Bhagat (para-badminton, Paralympic gold medallist) named flag bearer of India's Para Asian Games 2026 contingent
- 🔑 M. Jagadesh Kumar (former UGC Chairman) appointed Chairman, Board of Governors, IIM Calcutta; and Justice Manikumar appointed SHRC Chairman under Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993