HAL, NCF and ASI Sign MoA:HAL, NCF and ASI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for undertaking heritage conservation and development works at three prominent heritage sites- Ham
Muziris Heritage Project:Muziris is being planned to be made an international heritage tourism destination
Art Exhibitions and Sales
NGMA Showcases India's Sculptural Legacy:The TAKSHANAM exhibition features over 250 sculptures by 150 participating artists, representing diverse generations, artistic backgrounds, and approaches to sculptural expression
Temple Festivals and Expenditure
Temple Festival Expenses Under Scrutiny:The expenditure for the Hasanamba festival should be kept to a minimum, according to the Minister
Prelims pointers
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
National Culture Fund (NCF)
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Geography
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El Nino and Drought
Telangana Seeks Centre's Aid:Telangana is experiencing a 40% rainfall deficit due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
Southwest Monsoon Droughts Grip Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh:The southwest monsoon in 2026 was the weakest since records began, with a rainfall deficit of 35%.
Himalayan Region Vulnerabilities
Himalayan Disaster Risks Spark Urgent Call:The Indian Himalayan Region is a fragile and disaster-prone mountain ecosystem.
Himalayan Region on High Alert as Nepal Flash Floods Sound Warning:The Himalayan region is vulnerable to glacier instability, landslides, and flash floods, which are amplified by tectonic activity.
IMD and Weather Services
IMD Dedicates Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) dedicates Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System (DSS), an interactive WebGIS-based platform, to the nation on 12th October 2026
Southwest Monsoon Withdrawal
IMD Declares End to Southwest Monsoon Nationwide:The southwest monsoon ended with 759.4 mm of rain, 12.6% below the normal of 868.6 mm according to the IMD
Prelims pointers
Telangana is experiencing a 40% rainfall deficit due to the El Niño weather phenomenon.
The southwest monsoon in 2026 was the weakest since records began, with a rainfall deficit of 35%.
The Indian Himalayan Region is a fragile and disaster-prone mountain ecosystem.
The Himalayan region is vulnerable to glacier instability, landslides, and flash floods, which are amplified by tectonic activity.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) dedicates Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System (DSS), an interactive WebGIS-based platform, to the nation on 12th October 2026
The southwest monsoon ended with 759.4 mm of rain, 12.6% below the normal of 868.6 mm according to the IMD
Karnataka has 217 out of 240 taluks affected by drought, covering 80% of the area.
The normal date for withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from the entire country is October 15.
Indian Society
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Forest Department Actions
Forest Department's Kosmi village demolition sparks CM Shivraj's ire:The demolitions allegedly affected 12 tribal families belonging to the Barela community.
Reservation Policies
Disappointment echoes from SC/ST community over Karnataka High Court's reservation ruling:The total reservation in Karnataka exceeded 56%, violating the constitutional guarantee of equality.
Conversion to Islam does not automatically entitle a person to BC reservation, Supreme Court rules:Conversion to Islam alone does not entitle a person to reservation benefits under the Backward Class category.
Caste-based reservation eligibility hinged on religious conversion status:Conversion from Hinduism to Islam does not automatically entitle a person to reservation under a notified Muslim Backward Class based on pre-conversion caste status.
Caste Abuse Allegations
Caste abuse claims surface in Ranchi as long-standing well dispute escalates:A woman alleged that her neighbour blocked access to a well meant to be shared by three families.
Prelims pointers
Karnataka High Court
Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs)
50% ceiling for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
International Relations
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International Economic Relations
IMF warns of AI market correction, cyber threats to financial system:The IMF has warned of 'elevated' risks to the global financial system.
IMF warns India's economy may be impacted by wealthy nations' debt burden:The IMF has warned that global public debt will exceed 100% of world GDP before 2030.
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman participates in the 114th meeting of the Development Committee Plenary of the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, today:The agenda for the meeting was 'Private Capital Mobilisation and Jobs'.
India-EU Relations
European Commission's Taxation Chief Meets Power Ministry Secretary in New Delhi:The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was discussed during the bilateral meeting.
India-UK Relations
UK-India Animal Health Ties Get Boost as Ministers Eagle and Singh Discuss Cooperation:The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aims to facilitate trade and promote sustainable growth in the animal husbandry and allied sectors.
India-US Relations
US doubles down on hypocrisy as Trump diesel deal with Russia sparks criticism:The Trump administration's diesel deal with Russia is being seen as a breach of a federal law meant to penalize countries trading with Russia.
Regional Cooperation
Rajnath Singh leads India's delegation to SCO Heads of Government summit:
Science and Technology
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Ada Yonath's Legacy
Nobel laureate Ada Yonath's enduring legacy inspires next generation of researchers:Ada Yonath was a Nobel laureate in chemistry, best known for her pioneering work on the structure of ribosomes.
Rogue AI Models
AI models 'going rogue' sparks call for urgent containment measures from top researchers:Over 200 researchers have signed the call to action to address the issue of rogue AI models.
Government Support for Higher Education
Economic Struggles Give Way to Research Ambitions for Ahmedabad's Bhavesh A. Prabhakar:The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (SC) Students (NFSC) Scheme is a government support program for students from SC backgrounds.
Cancer Prevention through Vaccination
Cancer cases linked to infections: study reveals 12% of cases may be preventable through vaccination:About 12% of global cancer cases in 2024 were linked to infections.
Prelims pointers
Ada Yonath was a Nobel laureate in chemistry, best known for her pioneering work on the structure of ribosomes.
The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste (SC) Students (NFSC) Scheme is a government support program for students from SC backgrounds.
Over 200 researchers have signed the call to action to address the issue of rogue AI models.
About 12% of global cancer cases in 2024 were linked to infections.
Ada Yonath was the director of the Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly at the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Security
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Indian Navy and Maritime Security
INS Mangrol Commissioned:INS Mangrol is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) commissioned by the Indian Navy.
International Relations and Trade
PM Modi Discusses Trade and Defence with Canada:The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to conclude negotiations on a comprehensive economic pact between India and Canada.
Customs and Revenue Intelligence
DRI Seizes Gold Smuggling Cargo:The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized around 6.2 kg foreign-origin gold valued at Rs. 9.18 crore.
Prelims pointers
INS Mangrol is powered by three diesel engine-driven waterjet propulsion units.
The pact aims to double bilateral commerce between India and Canada by 2030.
The gold was concealed inside various hardware items, including a floor spring, metal locks, a grease gun, and a door closer.
The modus operandi involved packing hardware items along with other articles in a trolley secured with a number lock.
The trolley was shipped as unaccompanied baggage from Dubai to Trivandrum.
INS Mangrol has over 80% indigenous content.
The ship is equipped to undertake Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), underwater surveillance, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
Three persons were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional organisation that includes India as one of its member states.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to represent India at SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting in Tajikistan:Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit Dushanbe, Tajikistan to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled to be held in Tajikistan.
Prelims pointers
The IMF has warned of 'elevated' risks to the global financial system.
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) was discussed during the bilateral meeting.
The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) aims to facilitate trade and promote sustainable growth in the animal husbandry and allied sectors.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional organisation that includes India as one of its member states.
The 114th meeting of the Development Committee Plenary of the World Bank was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Global public debt will exceed 100% of world GDP before 2030.
The total installed electricity generation capacity in India is 558 GW.
Non-fossil sources account for 308 GW of India's total installed capacity.
Bhavesh A. Prabhakar, a resident of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, received fellowship assistance under the NFSC Scheme in December 2019.
A global study published in 2026 found that 2.3 million new cancer cases worldwide in 2024 were caused by infections.
Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are linked to liver cancer, accounting for 2% and less than 1% of new diagnoses respectively.