Belgian-born scientist Francis Halzen wins Nobel Prize in Physics for neutrino research

Belgian-born scientist Francis Halzen has won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.

The 82-year-old Halzen led an international team that developed IceCube, a neutrino detector at the South Pole that has opened a new way of studying the universe. Neutrinos are tiny, nearly massless particles produced by stars and other cosmic events.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm. The prize carries 12 million Swedish kronor, or about 1.2 million dollars.

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Army Sports Institute Pune athletes win 12 medals at Asian Games

Athletes from the Army Sports Institute (ASI), Pune, won 12 medals at the Asian Games, accounting for 60 per cent of the 20 medals won by Indian Army athletes. A total of 25 ASI athletes were part of the Indian contingent.

In Athletics, Gulveer Singh won three medals, including silver in the 1,500 and 10,000 metres and bronze in the 5,000 metres. Sawan Barwal won silver in the marathon, while Sarvesh Kushare secured silver in the high jump. Dharmveer was part of the bronze-winning 4×400 metre relay team.

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Army Sports Institute Pune athletes win 12 medals at Asian Games

In Boxing, Sub Ankush won gold, while Sub Narender and Hav Kapil won bronze. In Archery, Sub Dhiraj secured two silver medals and set an Asian record with a score of 698 out of 720. Sub Deepak Punia won bronze in the 97-kilogram freestyle wrestling event. The performance highlights the Army Sports Institute’s sustained efforts in athlete development, specialist coaching, sports science and infrastructure under the Army’s Mission Olympics programme.

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Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana to support 4,000 vulnerable households

Nagaland launched the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY-SOBLOK), through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission and the BRAC International.

The three-year MoU was signed in Kohima by NSRLM Mission Director Moa Sangtam and BRAC International India Country Lead Shweta S. Banerjee, in the presence of Commissioner and Secretary, Rural Development, Thavaseelan K, and other officials.

The programme, under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, will support 4,000 extremely vulnerable households in Nagaland and use BRAC’s Graduation Approach to help them move out of poverty.

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Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana to support 4,000 vulnerable households

The programme combines intensive household-level coaching, livelihood development, financial inclusion, access to government entitlements and services, social empowerment and resilience-building through a sequenced and time-bound approach.

Nagaland-SAY will leverage existing community institutions, including Village Level Organisations and Cluster Level Federations, for identifying beneficiaries and providing need-based support.

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Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana to support 4,000 vulnerable households

NSRLM will lead implementation in the state, while BRAC International will provide technical, knowledge and implementation support, including monitoring and evidence generation.

SAY-SOBLOK takes its name from the Nagamese phrase ‘Sob manu logot dangor kaam kora’ which translates to inclusive and collective growth.

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J&K Government raises retirement age of Judicial Officers from 60 to 62 years

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has increased the superannuation age of Judicial Officers in the Union Territory from 60 to 62 years, in line with the Supreme Court’s directions.

The Finance Department subsequently gave its concurrence, while the Council of Ministers approved the proposal on September 22, 2026. The revised retirement age will take effect retrospectively from March 31, 2026, subject to the prescribed conditions and necessary amendments to the relevant rules.

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Three scientists win 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for work on optogenetics

The 2026 Nobel for Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics, a technique that has transformed the study of the brain. The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm announced this today.

To understand how the brain forms memories, feelings, and behaviours has long been a dream for researchers. Per Svenningsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine said, Optogenetics makes it possible to switch on or off the activity of individual nerve cells in a living brain.

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Three scientists win 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for work on optogenetics

According to an official statement, Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, a protein with unique properties. They found that regardless of which cell they put the protein in, those cells became light-sensitive. Hegemann’s research helped reveal how certain microorganisms sense light through specialised proteins. Nagel subsequently helped demonstrate that these proteins could function as light-controlled ion channels.

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Three scientists win 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine for work on optogenetics

Deisseroth is a professor of bioengineering, psychiatry, and behavioural sciences at Stanford University in the US. Hegemann, a German biophysicist, studied light-sensitive proteins in microorganisms. Nagel, a German neuroscientist, contributed to the discovery and characterisation of microbial opsins and demonstrated their potential as light-controlled ion channels.

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HDFC Bank mobilised over Rs 1.5 trn in deposits in July-September quarter

India’s largest private-sector lender, HDFC Bank, mobilised over Rs1.5 trillion in deposits in the July-September quarter (Q2FY27), with its period-end deposits rising 4.9 per cent sequentially and nearly 19 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 33.27 trillion, according to the bank’s quarterly business update.

The bank had mobilised Rs 65,000 crore in deposits in Q1FY27, compared to Rs 2.45 trillion in Q4FY26. Average Casa (current account savings account) deposits grew 10.7 per cent Y-o-Y to Rs 9.71 trillion against Rs 8.77 trillion in the year-ago period.

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HDFC Bank mobilised over Rs 1.5 trn in deposits in July-September quarter

The bank said it has mobilised Rs 1.10 trillion or $11.5 billion through foreign currency non-resident (bank) or FCNR(B) deposits under the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI’s) concessional swap window, which was open from June to August 31. The bank said its overseas branches extended loan facilities worth $5.7 billion against these deposits. In addition, standby letters of credit issued to other banks in respect of loans against these deposits amounted to $3.1 billion.

HDFC Bank’s period-end gross advances in Q2FY27 grew 16.3 per cent Y-o-Y and 5.2 per cent sequentially to Rs 32.19 trillion.

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Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the next Chief of Air Staff

The Government has appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the next Chief of the Air Staff.

He will assume charge in the rank of Air Chief Marshal from the afternoon of October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.

According to Ministry of Defence, Air Marshal Dixit will be the 29th Chief of the Air Staff. A fighter pilot with nearly four decades of service, he has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience on a range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas.

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Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the next Chief of Air Staff

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Dixit has held several key operational and staff appointments. Before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Staff Service College, Bangladesh, and National Defence College, Air Marshal Dixit is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.

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Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the next Chief of Air Staff

During his career, he has commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a fighter training base in the Southern Sector. He has also been involved in several operations and exercises, including Operation Sated Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.

Air Marshal Dixit was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026 for distinguished service.

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Cabinet approves Rs.10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to back growing firms

The Union Cabinet approved Rs.10,000 crore of government commitment to establish the SME Growth Fund (SGF) for providing capital to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and helping them grow into globally competitive businesses.

The initiative is part of the measures announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to strengthen the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) ecosystem by improving access to equity, liquidity and professional support.

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Cabinet approves Rs.10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to back growing firms

The fund is to address a gap in the availability of long-term growth capital for SMEs. While existing funds mostly focus on early-stage businesses and micro enterprises, small and medium businesses often face difficulties in securing the needed financing to expand operations, adopt advanced technologies and enter international markets.

Under the scheme, the government will commit Rs.10,000 crore to an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) established under the SGF framework. The fund will provide long-term equity capital to high-potential SMEs with established business models. It will also consider businesses operating in industrial clusters in Tier-II and Tier-III cities.

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India becomes TDK Ventures' second-largest investment hub globally after US

India has become the second-largest investment destination after the US for San Jose-headquartered TDK Ventures — the venture-capital arm of $14.4 billion Japanese giant TDK Corporation — which started operations in 2019, investing in deeptech startups around the world.

India invested in seven companies in India out of 56 investments made across the world. This is the second-highest number of companies in which India have invested after the US. In other countries, India have invested in one company each in Estonia, Italy, Germany, China, and Japan, and in two firms in Singapore.

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India becomes TDK Ventures' second-largest investment hub globally after US

India invest in very early stage and believe in patient capital, holding our investment up to 10 to 12 years. Most of our investment is in seed capital, A to C Series funding.

TDK Ventures is a wholly owned venture-capital fund of TDK Corporation. Through its subsidiary Amperex Technology Ltd (ATL), TDK Corporation controls over 60 per cent of the global market for lithium-ion batteries, which go into smartphones, laptops, and tablets, with marquee clients like Apple Inc. ATL has also set up a manufacturing plant in India to make batteries for iPhones.

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Cabinet approves setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely, Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment within the broad domains of Transportation and Logistics.

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Cabinet approves setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority

The approval seeks to address the long-standing challenges arising from fragmented planning and implementation across multiple transport-related Ministries and agencies. By fostering greater coordination and multi-modal integration, ITLA is expected to enhance the efficiency, sustainability and effectiveness of transport infrastructure development in India.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

The Ministry of Culture celebrated the nationwide Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) campaign 2026 from 17th September to 2nd October 2026 by organizing a series of cleanliness, awareness and community participation activities across its 43 organizations and cultural institutions. This year’s theme was “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag: Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”.

The campaign witnessed a wide range of activities undertaken by the Ministry’s organizations and field institutions, including transformation of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), Shramdaan drives, awareness programmes, Waste-to-Art initiatives and thematic art competitions.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

These initiatives focused on waste segregation, reduction of single-use plastics, principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3Rs), and environmental conservation.

Through these initiatives, the Ministry of Culture and its organizations promoted a culture of cleanliness, environmental responsibility and Jan Bhagidari, while linking the objectives of Swachhata with the Ministry’s wider mandate of culture and heritage. The activities encouraged officers, staff, students, artists and local communities to contribute actively towards cleaner, healthier and more sustainable public spaces.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

The key achievements of the campaign are as under:

1. 424 Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) were identified & transformed and 128 public places were identified & cleaned with active contribution of more than 10,000 participants.

2. 207 Nukkad Nataks were organized by Zonal Cultural Centres, National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak Akademi and Centre for Cultural Resources & Training, through their regional offices, at various locations across the country, including schools, colleges, and other prominent public places with high footfall.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

3.The Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Culture through its regional circles conducted Cleanliness drives across various monuments and office premises. Driven by Jan Bhagidari, ASI officials and local volunteers performed Shramdaan to remove plastic waste, dry leaves, and littered garbage from monument pathways, lawns, and central areas. Plantation drives were also conducted at selected Monuments in which more than 300 trees were planted.

4.Lalit Kala Akademi, Ministry of Culture organized Waste to Wealth camps on themes “Kabaad se Jugaad” & “Kabaad se Kala” across its regional centres.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

5.The National Science Centre, Delhi organized a similar two-day workshop on Waste to Art (30th September – 1st October 2026) to promote the concept of recycling and creative use of waste materials involving school students.

6.Under the "Swachh Pathshala: Youth for Cleanliness" theme, the Ministry's organizations conducted art competitions and awareness programmes for school and college students, along with 178 demonstration activities and Jal Sanchay Samvad sessions that drew over 2,500 students.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

7.Slogan-Writing & Poster Making Competitions on themes “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag” & “Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat” were organized at Kartavya Bhavan 2, New Delhi with enthusiastic participation from officers & staff of the Ministry.

8.A Shramdaan Drive was organized at the premises of the National Archives of India, New Delhi on 29th September, 2026 with enthusiastic participation from officers & staff of the Ministry.

9.On the occasion of Swachh Bharat Diwas (2nd October 2026), a Shramdaan & Plantation Drive led by Secretary (Culture) was organized at Purana Quila, New Delhi with active participation from officers & staff of the Ministry.

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Ministry Of Culture Successfully Organizes “Swachhata Hi Seva” Campaign 2026 (17th September - 2nd October 2026)

10.Five Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs were organized, during which Safai Mitras across the Ministry’s organizations were enrolled as beneficiaries under various Government schemes.

11.The Swachhta Pledge was administered across organizations of the Ministry, reaffirming the collective commitment towards cleanliness, hygiene and responsible civic participation.

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Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth to inaugurate SAREX-2026 off Paradip coast

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) on 07 October 26, and witness SAR Demo off Paradip coast on 08 October 26 being organized by the Indian Coast Guard. A key highlight of this exercise is the international participation of 32 observers from 30 countries, underscoring the cooperative protocols, strategic importance, and global interoperability of the drill.SAREX-2026 will be one of the largest and most complex SAR exercises ever conducted in the region, deploying 15 Coast Guard ships, two Dornier aircraft, three Advanced Light Helicopters, a Chetak helicopter, IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, two Indian Navy ships, civil/state assets, and shore-based support units.

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Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth to inaugurate SAREX-2026 off Paradip coast

The exercise will simulate a Mass Rescue Operation involving concurrent aeronautical and maritime distress situations; including ditching of a passenger aircraft at sea with 228 persons onboard and its impact with container vessel MV Zumba.

The Indian Coast Guard will also convene the 24th National Maritime Search & Rescue (NMSAR) Board Meeting at Bhubaneswar.

The 24th NMSAR Board Meeting and SAREX-2026 highlight India's resolve to build a faster, technology-enabled and internationally connected SAR framework, in consonance with the vision of SAGAR and the spirit of MAHASAGAR.

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MoD signs Rs 661 crore contract to procure BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers for Indian Navy ships

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) for procurement of BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers for Indian Navy ships under Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category, on October 6, 2026 in New Delhi. Valued at Rs 661.50 crore, the contract was inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh.

With a minimum 68% indigenous content, the project encourages active participation of various Indian industries including MSMEs. The project will generate employment over a period of three years. It also bolsters India’s maritime security architecture and defence capabilities and marks a critical milestone in the ongoing efforts to indigenise advanced military technology.

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National Postal Week 2026 | 9 to 15 October

The Department of Posts (DoP) is celebrating National Postal Week, from 9th to 15th October, commencing with the World Post Day on 9th October.

The theme of this year’s World Post Day is ‘World Post Day: One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities.’

The National Postal Week 2026 will focus on the Department’s continued efforts to make postal services more convenient, accessible and responsive to the evolving needs of citizens

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National Postal Week 2026 | 9 to 15 October

Through initiatives such as N-Gen Post Offices and Jan Sewa Connect Post Offices, the Department is creating modern and inclusive service spaces that are designed to respond to the changing expectations of citizens. At the same time, digital platforms such as the Dak Sewa App and Dak Mitra App are making postal services easier to access and use. These initiatives are contributing towards a more connected, responsive and technology-enabled India Post, equipped to meet the needs of the future.

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Adani Power, Bhutan's DGPC sign pact to develop 770 MW hydropower project

Mumbai: Adani Power and Bhutan's state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed an agreement to jointly develop the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan, as part of a broader 5,000 MW hydropower development partnership between the Adani Group and the Bhutan government.

The project will be developed through a 49:51 equity partnership between Adani Power and DGPC under the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model, with a concession period of 30 years from the date of commercial operation.

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