International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction | 13 October

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, observed on 13 October, is focusing this year on “Resilience Starts at Home.” The message is simple: everyone deserves a home that is safe, affordable and able to withstand the hazards around it.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every 13 October, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.

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Government drafts National Steel Policy-Vision 2047 to transform steel sector

The Government has the draft National Steel Policy-Vision 2047, which provides a long-term policy framework to build a globally competitive, technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable and resource-efficient steel sector. The Policy aims to meet the country’s growing steel requirements while strengthening India’s position in the global steel industry. The policy projects the country’s per capita steel consumption rising to 302 kilograms from the current 116 kilograms, while India’s crude steel production has already increased from 89 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 170 million tonnes in 2025-26. The Policy also projects an increase in the country’s steel exports to 45 MT by 2047.

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Government drafts National Steel Policy-Vision 2047 to transform steel sector

Further, it says that India aims for a near threefold expansion in crude steel-making capacity to 604 million tonnes by 2047 and to raise finished steel demand to 505 million tonnes.

The draft Policy focuses on promoting greater use of steel in infrastructure, housing, transportation, renewable energy, and emerging manufacturing sectors. It also places emphasis on cleaner steel production, seeking to lower average emissions intensity from 2.54 tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of crude steel to 1.54 tonnes by 2047 through measures including greater energy efficiency, renewable electricity, increased scrap use and hydrogen-based steel-making.

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Indian Naval Ship TARKASH To Participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026, Reaffirming India’s Commitment to Maritime Cooperation

Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a frontline guided missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to participate in the ninth edition of India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR) Exercise 2026. The trilateral maritime exercise brings together the Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies with the aim of enhancing interoperability, strengthening maritime cooperation and promoting mutual understanding amongst the participating forces.

IBSAMAR has been conducted biennially since 2008 under the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) framework and has emerged as an important platform for collective training and exchange of operational best practices amongst the three Navies.

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Indian Naval Ship TARKASH To Participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026, Reaffirming India’s Commitment to Maritime Cooperation

The exercise encompasses a broad spectrum of maritime operations, which include surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, naval air operations, maritime interdiction, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), anti-piracy operations, Search and Rescue, Damage Control and Firefighting, as well as professional interactions.

The current edition IBSAMAR IX holds significance in the context of furthering maritime cooperation and security in Indian Ocean Region. The theme of IBSAMAR IX is Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain. It aims to promote collective maritime security and preparedness to address maritime challenges.

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Indian Naval Ship TARKASH To Participate in IBSAMAR IX 2026, Reaffirming India’s Commitment to Maritime Cooperation

The South African Navy will participate with SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I and SAS Adam Kok III, along with SAS Manthatisi submarine. Brazil will participate with BNS Barroso, embarked with one integral Lynx helicopter, whereas the Indian Navy is represented by INS Tarkash embarked with one integral Chetak helicopter.

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Exercise TARANG SHAKTI 2026: Power in Partnership, Strength in Self-Reliance

The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026, marks a significant milestone in India’s growing engagement with partner air forces and its emergence as a key contributor to regional and global security. With the theme ‘Power in Partnership’, the multinational air exercise brings together seven Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs)—Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America—along with 32 observer nations. The participation reflects the growing international interest in India’s operational capabilities, professional standards and expanding aerospace and defence ecosystem.

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Exercise TARANG SHAKTI 2026: Power in Partnership, Strength in Self-Reliance

Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, Tarang Shakti 2026 provided a platform for complex joint missions, exchange of operational experience and enhanced interoperability among participating air forces. The exercise brought together diverse combat, transport, surveillance and air-to-air refuelling capabilities, enabling aircrew, mission planners and support personnel to gain valuable insights into each other’s operational philosophies and procedures. The presence of a large number of observer nations further expanded the exercise’s strategic significance, reinforcing India’s commitment to constructive defence engagement and international cooperation.

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Indian Army launches 'Bharat Rice' for defence forces

The Indian Army launched ‘Bharat Rice’ for the defence forces, at a ceremony graced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi in New Delhi on October 12, 2026. The event also featured the signing of an MoU between the Indian Army and Food Corporation of India (FCI) for utilisation of its infrastructure during operational contingencies. This superior quality rice will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including those in far-flung areas of Ladakh and the North East, instead of being collected by Army depots from local FCI facilities.

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Indian Army launches 'Bharat Rice' for defence forces

In his address, Raksha Mantri described ‘Bharat Rice’ as a bond of trust that begins in the farmer’s field and extends to the soldier’s plate. He stated that the initiative provides a tangible form to the spirit of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ as it embodies a collective resolve where the hard work of a farmer transforms into the strength of a soldier. “This superior-quality rice will be provided in accordance with standard specifications. Furthermore, we are ensuring ergonomic packaging. While this initiative might appear small, it offers immense operational relief to the soldiers responsible for transporting rations to remote and difficult terrains.

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President Murmu appoints six governors; Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar moved to Tamil Nadu & OP Mathur to Keralam

President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Governors for six States. Mr. Om Prakash Mathur, who is currently serving as the Governor of Sikkim, will be the new Governor of Keralam. He will replace the current Governor of Keralam, Mr. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has been appointed as the Governor of Tamil Nadu. Mr. Dushyant Gautam has been appointed as the new Governor of Sikkim. Besides, the President has appointed Mr. Braj Mohan Ram as the Governor of Odisha, Dr. Sudha Yadav as the Governor of Karnataka, and Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen as the Governor of Uttarakhand. Their appointments will take effect from the dates on which they assume charge of their respective offices.

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India’s internet subscriber base crosses 111 crores

India’s internet subscriber base has risen to over 111 crore 41 lakh at the end of June this year, from around 109 crore 28 lakh at the end of March 2026, registering a quarterly growth rate of 96%. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), in its Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report noted that of the total internet subscribers, more than four crore seventy-seven lakh were wired internet subscribers and around one hundred six crore sixty-four lakh were wireless internet subscribers.

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India’s internet subscriber base crosses 111 crores

The Internet subscriber base is comprised of Broadband Internet subscriber base and Narrowband Internet subscriber base. According to the report, the broadband Internet subscriber base increased by 2.03% and the narrowband Internet subscriber base decreased by 0.89% at the end of June 2026. The report also highlighted the growth in India’s telephone subscribers, which increased from around 133 crore at the end of March 2026 to 134 crore at the end of June 2026, registering quarterly growth of 1.31%. India’s overall tele-density also rose from 93.26% at the end of March 2026 to 94.31% at the end of June 2026.

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Prakash Rajpurohit Appointed As Deputy Election Commissioner

Senior bureaucrat Prakash Rajpurohit has been appointed as Deputy Election Commissioner as part of a major bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre.

Rajpurohit, a 2010 batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, has been appointed to the post for a tenure up to April 8, 2030, in place of Sanjay Kumar, according to a Personnel Ministry order.

Vivek Khare, a 1996 batch Indian Telecom Service officer, will be Joint Secretary, National Testing Agency (NTA).

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Prakash Rajpurohit Appointed As Deputy Election Commissioner

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved appointments of 27 civil servants at joint secretary and equivalent levels.

Ravi Shankar, Chittaranjan Dash, P Manoj Kumar and Abhishek Bhagotia have been appointed as joint secretaries in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Mohammed Y Safirulla K and Ritu Sharma will be joint secretaries in the Department of Health and Family Welfare.

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Indian Naval Ship SAHYADRI Arrives at Vladivostok, Russia, For Bilateral Exercise INDRA-2026

Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri arrived at Vladivostok, Russia, on 10 Oct 2026 to participate in Exercise INDRA 2026, a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) scheduled from 13 to 18 Oct 2026. The deployment provides an opportunity for professional engagements and operational interaction between the two navies, furthering maritime cooperation and interoperability. The participation of INS Sahyadri is in consonance with the Government of India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) and builds upon the longstanding defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia.

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Indian Naval Ship SAHYADRI Arrives at Vladivostok, Russia, For Bilateral Exercise INDRA-2026

The deployment also provides an opportunity to carry forward the momentum generated during the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held on 04–05 Dec 2025.

Exercise INDRA 2026 will comprise engagements during the harbour phase followed by coordinated operational activities at sea. The exercise will include a range of professional interactions and maritime evolutions aimed at enhancing mutual understanding, operational coordination and interoperability between the participating navies.

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The National Human Rights Commission, India to celebrate its 33rd Foundation Day on 12th October 2026

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India is organising a function to celebrate its 33rd Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan on 12th October 2026. The Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant will address the event as the Chief Guest in the presence of NHRC, India Chairperson.

The function will be followed by a National Conference on the theme ‘Water as the Elixir of Life: Advancing Human Dignity through the Right to Water.’ The two technical sessions include ‘Protection and Restoration of Water Bodies: Safeguarding the Foundation of the Right to Water’ and ‘Protecting Drinking Water Sources: Ensuring Safe and Sustainable Access to Water for All.’

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Indian Naval Ship SAHYADRI Arrives at Vladivostok, Russia, For Bilateral Exercise INDRA-2026

During the 33-year journey since its inception on 12th October 1993, the NHRC, India has been recommending necessary policy reforms, people-centric governance and implementation and regular monitoring on the ground to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in law enforcement, investigations and welfare schemes/ programmes.

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Ayodhya Ram temple gets FSSAI's top 'Eat Right Place of Worship' rating

Food regulator FSSAI has certified Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra, Ayodhya, as 'Eat Right Place of Worship' for maintaining adequate food safety and hygiene standards. The certificate has been issued as per its guidelines for a period of two years, from October 11, 2026 to October 10, 2028.

According to the FSSAI website, the 'Eat Right Places of Worship' is an initiative to encourage places of worship to adopt and maintain food safety and hygiene. The objective is also to convey food safety messages through such places to people to act as responsible citizens and

ensure proper regulatory compliance of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations made thereunder.

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Ram Lalla idol was consecrated at the Ayodhya temple on January 22, 2024

Americans Robert E. Hall, Michael Woodford win Economics Nobel 2026

The Economics Nobel is being awarded to Robert E. Hall of Stanford University and Michael Woodford of Columbia University for “microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation”, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

This year’s laureates in economic sciences, Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford, have developed new macroeconomic models that have significantly improved our ability to implement effective stabilisation policy. On the basis of these models, well-timed fiscal and monetary policy measures can reduce the economy’s peaks and troughs.

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Americans Robert E. Hall, Michael Woodford win Economics Nobel 2026

The ⁠prestigious award, formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of ‌Alfred Nobel, is the final prize to be given out this ‌year and is worth 12 million Swedish ‌crowns ($1.2 ⁠million).

The economics prize, first awarded ⁠in 1969, is not one of the original five awards created in the 1895 will of industrialist ​and dynamite inventor ‌Alfred Nobel, but was established by Sweden’s central bank.

The Economics Nobel was announced three days after South African jurist Navaneetham ‘Navi’ Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The 2026 Nobel season comes to a close with the announcement of Economics Nobel.

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World Bank Group Mobilizes Record Private Capital for Developing Countries, Driving Job Creation

The World Bank Group mobilized more private capital in fiscal year 2026 than in any year in its history and issued a record volume of guarantees, delivering on a goal shareholders and clients have pressed for years: putting more private capital to work alongside its own financing and expertise in developing economies.

Private capital mobilized by the World Bank Group has more than tripled over the past four years, rising from $35 billion in FY22 to $112 billion in FY26. Combined with the Group’s own financing, that brought total financing and mobilization in developing economies to well over $200 billion in FY26.

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World Bank Group Mobilizes Record Private Capital for Developing Countries, Driving Job Creation

The growth was broad-based. PCM to lower-middle-income countries rose from $14 billion in FY22 to $37 billion in FY26—nearly tripling. In upper-middle-income countries, it increased from $12 billion to $50 billion—more than quadrupling. In low-income countries, among the most challenging settings for private capital, PCM was maintained at about $3 billion. And across Africa, PCM rose from approximately $9 billion to $22 billion, an increase of nearly 150 percent.

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MoEF grants environmental, CRZ clearance for Puri’s greenfield airport

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance for the development of the greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport on 471.348 ha of land in Sipasarubali, Puri District.

MoEF’s approval was based on the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)’s recommendation, which granted both Environmental Clearance and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearance to the project, subject to the following specific conditions.The proposed greenfield airport is being developed in a phase-wise manner near Sipasarubali village on the outskirts of the coastal town of Puri.

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MoEF grants environmental, CRZ clearance for Puri’s greenfield airport

The existing Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA), Bhubaneswar, is situated at an aerial distance of approximately 50 kms and road distance of 67 kms from proposed airport site.

Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had accorded a site clearance certificate for this proposed airport site. The passenger traffic expected for the first phase is estimated to be 4.6 million passengers per annum (MPPA). The proposed project area is 471.348 ha, out of which 353. 862 ha is government land.

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National Household Travel Survey July, 2025 – June, 2026

NSO conducted the first-ever all-India survey on household travel, covering 14,274 villages and 10,377 urban blocks. The survey collected information from 4,92,023 households, covering 20,34,371 persons. Two-wheelers are the predominant mode of transport for commuting to fixed workplaces, accounting for 42.6% of workers. Overnight trips undertaken by households are primarily for social and religious purposes, with buses being the predominant mode of transport. Around 87.6% of students reach their educational institutions within 30 minutes, while 83.4% of workers commute to their fixed workplaces in less than 30 minutes.

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National Household Travel Survey July, 2025 – June, 2026

The average monthly expenditure on commuting to a fixed workplace is Rs.785 per worker. Urban workers incur a substantially higher average monthly cost of Rs.1,044, compared with Rs.612 for rural workers.

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UNDP, Generali Central launch insurance innovation challenge to strengthen MSME resilience

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Generali Central, representing the Generali Group’s general and life insurance businesses in India, on Wednesday launched an insurance innovation challenge to identify and scale solutions that strengthen the resilience of India’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). India has more than 73 million MSMEs, contributing about 30 per cent of the country’s GDP and 44 per cent of its exports, while employing 60 per cent of its workforce. However, climate shocks, supply-chain disruptions, workplace risks and unexpected personal shocks affecting owners and workers are placing these businesses under growing strain.

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UNDP, Generali Central launch insurance innovation challenge to strengthen MSME resilience

Insurance can help MSMEs absorb shocks, remain operational and recover faster. However, coverage remains limited due to low awareness, perceived costs and products that do not always reflect MSMEs’ needs.

The UNDP–Generali Insurance Innovation Challenge aims to close this protection gap by identifying and scaling accessible and relevant solutions. It is seeking proven insurance products and distribution models that address key risks facing MSMEs, including health-related events, business interruption and asset loss.

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SEBI turns bond ratings into a consumer-friendly traffic-light system

In a move to make bond investing easier for retail investors, market regulator SEBI has introduced a mandatory Credit Risk-o-Meter for debt securities. Issuers and Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) must display the colour-coded risk meter in offer documents, abridged prospectuses, private-placement memorandums, advertisements, and the web and mobile platforms of OBPPs. The framework covers listed and proposed-to-be-listed non-convertible securities, commercial papers, securitised debt instruments, security receipts and structured debt or market-linked debentures, whether issued through public issues or private placements. The provisions will come into force 45 days after the October 7, 2026, circular.

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SEBI turns bond ratings into a consumer-friendly traffic-light system

The pictorial representation is not new to the industry. This colour-coded Risk-o-Meter is used in mutual fund disclosures. SEBI introduced product labelling for mutual funds more than a decade ago and subsequently developed the current Risk-o-Meter framework. All mutual fund schemes must display a six-level Risk-o-Meter, ranging from Low to Very High risk, which is recalibrated monthly based on the underlying portfolio. The new bond Credit Risk-o-Meter adopts a similar colour-coded approach, moving from green for the lowest credit risk to red for the highest risk of default.

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SEBI turns bond ratings into a consumer-friendly traffic-light system

While a mutual fund Risk-o-Meter captures multiple risks, including market, interest-rate, liquidity and credit risks, the new Credit Risk-o-Meter focuses exclusively on the credit risk associated with a debt security. It is intended to help small investors understand the risk of an issuer failing to meet its financial obligations.

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Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France’s highest civilian award

Bharti Enterprises founder and chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has been conferred the highest civilian award in France, Chevalier de l'Ordre national de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour), by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Légion d'Honneur is the highest civilian award bestowed by the French Republic.

Mr. Mittal has been conferred the distinction in recognition of his longstanding commitment to deepening economic ties between India and France and his outstanding achievements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

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Sunil Bharti Mittal conferred France’s highest civilian award

Sunil Bharti Mittal has been a friend of France for more than thirty years, since the early days of Airtel in 1992. The insignia will be conferred at a ceremony to be held on October 28, 2026, at the Ambassade de France (Embassy of France in India), New Delhi.

In 2007, Mr. Mittal was conferred the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours.

In 2024, he became the first Indian citizen to be honoured as a Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) by King Charles III.

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World Arthritis Day 2026 | 12 October

World Arthritis Day 2026 is held on October 12, 2026, as organized by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR).

World Arthritis Day (WAD) is a global awareness day dedicated to increasing understanding of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) and their impact. EULAR proudly supports WAD as part of its commitment to advancing research, improving care, and amplifying the voices of people affected by RMDs.

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