India's unemployment rate remains stable at 5% in September

The overall unemployment rate (UR) among persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 5 per cent in September 2026.

According to the National Statistics Office's (NSO) Periodic Labour Force Survey, the overall Unemployment Rate (UR) among persons aged 15 years and above remained steady at 5 per cent compared with August 2026. The UR was 5.2 per cent in September 2025.

Rural UR remained broadly stable at 4.2 per cent, up from 4.1 per cent the previous month, while urban UR edged up marginally from 6.8 per cent to 6.9 per cent. In September 2025, rural UR was 4.6 per cent and urban UR at 6.8 per cent.

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India's unemployment rate remains stable at 5% in September

Overall male UR among persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 4.9 per cent in September 2026, compared with the previous month, continuing the downward or stable trend observed since June 2026.

Among females, the overall UR remained broadly stable at 5.2 per cent, up from 5.1 per cent the previous month. Rural female UR stood at 3.9 per cent, its lowest level in 2026, while urban female UR rose marginally from 8.9 per cent to 9.2 per cent.

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World Food Day | 16 October

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16 to mark the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 1945.

2026 Theme: “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”

The day highlights the need for data, innovation, artificial intelligence, and frontier science to build resilient agrifood systems, reduce food waste, and tackle global hunger and malnutrition. Events and awareness campaigns take place in nearly 150 countries across the globe.

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Govt proposes BS-VII emission norms from April 2029; adds brake, tyre, battery-durability rules

The government has proposed introducing Bharat Stage VII (BS-VII) emission standards for passenger vehicles from April 1, 2029, tightening pollution controls through new limits on exhaust emissions, real-world driving tests and battery durability requirements.

According to a draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the new rules would apply to category M1 vehicles — primarily passenger cars — manufactured from April 2029.

It invited public comments for 30 days before considering the draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

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Govt proposes BS-VII emission norms from April 2029; adds brake, tyre, battery-durability rules

India currently follows Bharat Stage VI standards, introduced nationwide in April 2020, which significantly tightened vehicle-emission requirements and brought the country closer to international regulatory practices.

BS-VII standards would be introduced in phases, with additional requirements taking effect in April 2031 and April 2035, including controls on brake-particle emissions, tyre abrasion and particulate emissions across different powertrain technologies.

The proposal would require manufacturers to demonstrate compliance not only under laboratory conditions but also through real-world driving emissions tests and checks on vehicles already in service.

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Supreme Court mandates insurance on offline railway tickets from October 27

The Supreme Court has issued a mandatory directive that tickets sold across counters at every railway station nationwide must include travel insurance coverage identical to online bookings. A Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan directed the railway authorities to put the order into effect from October 27, 2026.

The order explicitly warned that failure to implement this mechanism would place direct liability squarely on the Railway Board.

“At present, only people purchasing tickets online are provided the benefit of insurance coverage upon payment of a nominal additional amount.

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Supreme Court mandates insurance on offline railway tickets from October 27

The court had granted sufficient time to the authorities to devise a mechanism extending such coverage to persons belonging to the lowest strata of society, who, in most cases, purchase their tickets at the railway reservation counters while undertaking journeys by train,” the court observed, pointing out that the railway had made no progress on providing insurance cover to all passengers.

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Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 78 days to Railway Employees

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved payment of PLB of 78 days for Rs.2009.61 crore to 11,40,770 railway employees, in recognition of the excellent performance by the Railway staff.

Payment of PLB to eligible railway employees is made each year before the Durga Puja/Dusshera holidays. This year also, PLB amount equivalent to 78 days' wages is being paid to about 11.40 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees. The payment of PLB acts as an incentive to motivate the railway employees for working towards improvement in the performance of the Railways.

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Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) for 78 days to Railway Employees

The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs.17,951/- for 78 days. The above amount will be paid to various categories, of Railway staff like Track maintainers, Loco Pilots, Train Managers (Guards), Station Masters, Supervisors, Technicians, Technician Helpers, Pointsman, Ministerial staff and other Group 'C staff.

The performance of Railways in the year 2025-26 was very good. Railways loaded a record cargo of 1670 Million Tonnes and carried nearly 7.41 Billion Passengers.

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Shri Narendra Bhooshan assumes charge as Secretary of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Shri Narendra Bhooshan, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India.

Shri Bhooshan brings with him over three decades of administrative experience across the Central and State Governments, with wide exposure to energy, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, urban development, finance and land-resource management. His appointment as Secretary, MoEFCC follows his tenure as Secretary, Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development.

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Shri Narendra Bhooshan assumes charge as Secretary of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

During his career in the Uttar Pradesh cadre, Shri Bhooshan has held several senior assignments, including Additional Chief Secretary, Energy and Additional Energy Source and Technical Education. Earlier he served as Principal Secretary in the departments of PWD, Infrastructure and Industries Development, I.T. and Electronics, Science and Technology, Panchayati Raj. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer, Greater Noida Authority, besides holding other important charges. Shri Bhooshan also carries substantial field experience, having served as the District Magistrate of Mathura, Firozabad, and Udham Singh Nagar.

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Shri Narendra Bhooshan assumes charge as Secretary of Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

At the Government of India level, Shri Bhooshan has served as Deputy Director General, Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Mission Director, National Food Security Management, and Joint Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation. He has also served as Officer on Special Duty in the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Shri Bhooshan holds a graduate degree in Electronics and a Master's degree in International Development Policy from Duke University, USA. His professional training includes programmes relating to public finance, infrastructure and climate-change preparedness.

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IAS officer Mandeep Bhandari appointed chairperson of CBSE

Mandeep Bhandari, a 2001-batch IAS officer, has been appointed chairperson of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as per a notification issued by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Mr. Bhandari, an officer belonging to the AGMUT cadre, has held key leadership and administrative roles across Jammu & Kashmir and Central government departments. He holds an MBBS degree and has previously served as Joint Secretary (Drugs) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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IAS officer Mandeep Bhandari appointed chairperson of CBSE

Before being appointed as the CBSE chairperson, Mr. Bhandari was principal secretary to the Lt. Governor of J&K and served at the Governor’s Office in Jammu since March 2023. He also held the additional charge of chief executive officer for the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board while serving in J&K.

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India’s Ramsar Site tally reaches 103 with addition of Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (UP)

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, today announced that India’s Ramsar site tally has reached 103, with the designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh as the latest additions to the list.

Sukhna has been assigned Site Number 2602 on the Ramsar List. Ramsar sites are also called Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, an environmental treaty established in 1971.

Located at the edge of Chandigarh at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas, and spread over nearly 565 acres, the wetland supports a range of habitats, including open water, shoreline vegetation, scrub and forest, making it an important refuge for wildlife amid the urban landscape.

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India’s Ramsar Site tally reaches 103 with addition of Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (UP)

it is particularly important for resident water birds and other migrating birds along the Central Asian Flyway, providing feeding, breeding, roosting, and wintering habitats. Notable species include the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina) and the endangered Pallas’ fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus). The shallow littoral habitats also support reptiles such as the endangered black pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii).

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India Post and IndiGo take postcards to the skies with Digital Detox Campaign

In an effort to rekindle the joy of handwritten communication in an increasingly digital world, the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications in collaboration with IndiGo, organised a unique Digital Detox Campaign on 12th October, celebrated as Philately Day during the ongoing National Postal Week celebrations (9th – 15th October). The initiative encouraged travelers to take a break from their digital devices, put their thoughts on paper and reconnect with their loved ones through letter writing.

As part of the campaign, passengers travelling on selected IndiGo flights were presented with specially designed Digital Detox kits containing postcards during their journey.

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India Post and IndiGo take postcards to the skies with Digital Detox Campaign

The campaign connected passengers travelling across Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai, who enthusiastically participated, enjoying the experience of handwritten communication and posting their letters in specially placed India Post Letter Boxes at arrival airports for onward delivery. The initiative featured specially designed postcards showcasing iconic city landmarks from all the cities.

The campaign highlighted the importance of digital detox in reducing screen time, fostering mindfulness and strengthening human connections. Through this initiative, India Post reaffirmed the timeless charm of handwritten letters and its commitment to bringing people closer through meaningful communication.

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HAL approves Rs 23.6 crore for conservation of Hampi, Taj Mahal and Bekal Fort

HAL, NCF and ASI today signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for undertaking heritage conservation and development works at three prominent heritage sites- Hampi in Karnataka, the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and Bekal Fort in Kerala.

HAL has accorded in-principle approval for financial support amounting to Rs 23.60 crore for the projects over the financial years 2026-27 to 2028-29. The proposed initiatives aim to conserve, preserve and enhance visitor amenities at these important heritage sites, contributing to the protection of India’s rich cultural legacy and promoting sustainable heritage tourism.

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HAL approves Rs 23.6 crore for conservation of Hampi, Taj Mahal and Bekal Fort

The projects at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, include interventions in the historic North and South Bazaar areas, with proposed development works extending approximately 270 metres and 250 metres, respectively. The initiatives at the Taj Mahal and Bekal Fort will focus on approved conservation and site-development works in consultation with ASI. The National Culture Fund, established by the Ministry of Culture, facilitates partnerships between the Government and the corporate sector for the conservation and promotion of India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Through this collaboration, NCF will facilitate the implementation of the projects in coordination with HAL and ASI. The projects will be undertaken under the technical guidance and supervision of ASI, ensuring adherence to established conservation principles and prescribed norms.

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HAL approves Rs 23.6 crore for conservation of Hampi, Taj Mahal and Bekal Fort

The partnership reflects HAL’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and its contribution towards safeguarding India’s cultural heritage. It also underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between public institutions and corporate organisations in preserving the country’s invaluable heritage for future generations.

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Govt revises windfall gains tax for petrol and diesel exports

The government increased the windfall gains tax on the export of petrol to Rs 2.5 per litre and reduced the windfall tax on diesel to Rs 8.5 per litre from Rs 16 per litre, effective October 16. The windfall tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remains unchanged. The changes will be effective from October 16.

The windfall gains tax rates are revised every fortnight, depending on the average crude oil prices in the last 15 days.

There was no change in the existing duty rates on petrol and diesel cleared for domestic consumption. The latest revision comes at a time when US-Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war have boosted freight and insurance rates, taking crude oil price around $95 per barrel, according to LSEG shipping and oil price data cited by Reuters.

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India’s merchandise exports to US touch 51 billion dollars during April-September 2026

India’s merchandise exports to the United States rose to around 51 billion dollars during April-September this year, despite tariff-related disruptions. According to the data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry, exports to the US were 45.73 billion dollars in the corresponding period last year.

The negotiations for the proposed India-US trade agreement are moving in the right direction with both countries working towards concluding the deal at the earliest. The Commerce Secretary said that the growth is supported by higher shipments of electronic goods, petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals and agricultural products.

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India’s merchandise exports to US touch 51 billion dollars during April-September 2026

India’s total exports for September 2026 are estimated at 80.75 billion dollars, registering a positive growth of 10.99 percent as compared to September 2025. Total imports for September 2026 are around 94 billion dollars, which is a growth of 8.19 percent vis-à-vis September 2025. Meanwhile, India’s total exports during April-September 2026-27 are estimated at 476.20 billion dollars, registering a positive growth of 13.84 percent. Total imports during April-September 2026-27 are estimated at 551.13 billion dollars, which is a growth of 15.68 percent.

Merchandise exports during September this year were 44.40 billion dollars as compared to 36.08 billion dollars in September last year. Merchandise imports during September this year were 74.61 billion dollars as compared to 69.08 billion dollars in September last year.

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Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More creates history with silver medal at U-23 World Championships in Las Vegas

Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More has created history by clinching a historic silver medal in the Greco-Roman finals at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas today. Competing in the men’s 55kg final, More narrowly lost 12-13 to Georgia’s Koba Karumidze in the final seconds of the bout. This marks India’s first-ever silver medal and first-ever appearance in a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships. Earlier in the week, the two-time U23 bronze medallist secured his place in the history books by advancing through a challenging draw. More opened his campaign with a 10-8 victory over Mexico’s Isaac Marin Mata, followed by an 8-1 win against Iran’s U20 world champion Armin Shamsipour in the quarterfinals using a four-pointer throw. He then defeated Russia’s Malik Gigiev 6-4 in a thrilling semifinal encounter to reach the title match.

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