International Day for the Eradication of Poverty | 17 October

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on 17 October, recognizes that ending poverty is inseparable from protecting human rights, human dignity and peace. Under the 2026–2028 theme “United for Peace and Human Rights,” the 2026 observance focuses on “Safe Homes for All,” highlighting adequate housing as a foundation for security, participation and a life of dignity.

More than 2.8 billion people worldwide face some form of housing inadequacy. People already experiencing poverty and exclusion bear the greatest burden. Without a safe and stable home, access to health care, education, employment and participation in community life becomes far more difficult.

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International Day for the Eradication of Poverty | 17 October

For 2026, the Day calls for action in three key areas:

1. Make safe housing a human-rights priority: Respect, protect and progressively fulfil the right to adequate housing, and give a dignified standard of living the appropriate priority in public policy and budgeting.

2. Design policies with people experiencing poverty: Move beyond token consultation and involve people experiencing poverty and housing exclusion directly in the design, implementation and evaluation of housing policies, recognizing them as rights- and knowledge-holders.

3. Mobilize resources for safe homes for all: Strengthen public financing and other resources needed to expand access to safe, accessible and affordable housing while ensuring that no one is left behind.

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India's exports grow across regions, led by Africa, ASEAN in Apr-Aug

India's merchandise exports recorded healthy growth across regions, including Africa, ASEAN and North-East Asia, in April-August this fiscal, reflecting the impact of market diversification initiatives, according to Commerce Ministry data.

India's shipments to West Asia, impacted by the US-Iran war, are also gradually coming back to pre-crisis levels.

India's exports to West Asia stood at USD 4.2 billion in April, which increased to USD 5.01 billion in August. It was USD 6.48 billion in January 2026. The data showed that India's merchandise shipments to Africa rose 47 per cent to USD 26.19 billion in April-August 2026-27 from USD 17.83 billion in the year-ago period. Africa's share in India's total exports rose to 12.2 per cent during the period under review from 9.7 per cent in the corresponding period last year.

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India's exports grow across regions, led by Africa, ASEAN in Apr-Aug

Exports to East Africa nearly doubled, surging 94 per cent to USD 8.95 billion.

Shipments to the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) increased 53 per cent to USD 5.09 billion, and exports to North Africa grew 33 per cent to USD 4.03 billion. West Africa recorded a 7 per cent rise in the period to USD 5.57 billion.

Similarly, exports to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region grew 56 per cent to USD 23.08 billion, and shipments to North-East Asia rose 37 per cent to USD 21.03 billion in April-August. Exports to South Asia and other European countries increased 24 per cent.

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India's exports grow across regions, led by Africa, ASEAN in Apr-Aug

ASEAN members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Exports of light-duty trucks and medium-duty trucks grew 71 per cent and 67 per cent, respectively, during April-August 2026-27, reflecting strong demand in overseas markets, according to the data.

Optical fibre and cable exports surged 158 per cent to USD 483 million, and electrical control boards nearly doubled to USD 303 million, supported by demand in key markets such as the US, China, Singapore and Poland.

India's total merchandise exports rose 18.51 per cent to USD 259.89 billion in April-September 2026-27 from USD 219.30 billion in the corresponding period last fiscal.

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FCNR(B) deposit inflows weigh on private banks' margins in Q2FY27 results

The margins of leading private banks in the second quarter this financial year came under pressure from the large mobilisation of deposits under Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank), or FCNR (B), mobilised under the Reserve Bank of India’s special window.

However, lenders expect margins to recover over the coming quarters because the funds are being deployed and the turnaround in the interest-rate cycle supports lending yields.

HDFC Bank, the country’s largest private lender, reported a 10-basis point decline in the net interest margin (NIM) to 3.16 per cent in the September quarter from 3.26 per cent in the preceding quarter.

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FCNR(B) deposit inflows weigh on private banks' margins in Q2FY27 results

ICICI Bank, the country’s second-largest private lender, saw its NIM decline by 18 basis points to 4.18 per cent in the quarter from 4.36 per cent in the previous quarter.

The deposits have provided the bank a stable source of funding for three to five years. ICICI Bank has used a portion of the funds to repay existing deposits and support loan growth during the quarter, while the remaining amount will be deployed over the next two quarters

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Pakistan to chair IMF, World Bank boards next year for first time since 1953

Pakistan was named the incoming chair of the Boards of Governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) for 2027, returning to the position for the first time since 1953. Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, who is also Pakistan’s Governor to the World Bank, was formally announced as the incoming chair during the plenary session of the 2026 WBG-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok. The Ministry termed the development a “historic milestone” and said the chairmanship would provide Islamabad an opportunity to contribute to global economic and development discussions and facilitate constructive dialogue among member countries.

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Pakistan to chair IMF, World Bank boards next year for first time since 1953

The IMF-WBG annual meetings, being held from October 12 to 18, have brought together more than 15,000 participants from 191 countries. Pakistan is engaged with the IMF under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). Pakistan is borrowing under the EFF to address its balance-of-payments needs and support economic reforms, while the RSF provides longer-term financing to help the country address climate-related risks and strengthen its resilience.

Pakistan is also expected to receive about $1.2 billion from the IMF, subject to approval by its Executive Board, after IMF staff and Pakistani authorities reached an agreement on the latest reviews of the two loan programmes.

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ISRO completes Gaganyaan separation tests ahead of first uncrewed mission in 2026

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed a series of Crew Module (CM)-Service Module (SM) separation tests for the Gaganyaan programme, validating the design adequacy of the separation system ahead of the first uncrewed mission, G1, which is targeted for launch in 2026.

The Gaganyaan Orbital Module comprises the Crew Module and the Service Module, which are connected through a separation system. Electrical and fluid servicing between the two modules is ensured through umbilical connections. The modules are integrated before launch and function as a single unit from launch until the completion of the on-orbit phase of the mission.

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ISRO completes Gaganyaan separation tests ahead of first uncrewed mission in 2026

Before re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, the Crew Module separates from the Service Module through a series of precisely sequenced events involving pyrotechnic devices and jettisoning systems.

To validate the overall design of the separation system, ISRO conducted the tests at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. The test setup simulated the integrated Crew Module-Service Module assembly and incorporated extensive instrumentation to assess the separation process.

The tests simulated the separation of the two modules, including the severing of multiple umbilical connections between them.

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RBI approves merger of Emirates NBD’s India branches with RBL Bank from December 1

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the amalgamation of the Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. with RBL Bank Limited, with the merger set to take effect from December 1, 2026.

All Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank will function as branches of RBL Bank. The Reserve Bank of India has sanctioned the Scheme of Amalgamation of Indian branches of Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. (Transferor Bank) with RBL Bank Limited (Transferee Bank).

The effective date of the amalgamation shall be December 01, 2026.

The development follows Emirates NBD’s acquisition of a majority stake in RBL Bank, which was completed on June 18, 2026, through a primary capital infusion of approximately USD 2.75 billion, or around Rs 26,000 crore.

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RBI approves merger of Emirates NBD’s India branches with RBL Bank from December 1

The transaction was first announced in October 2025 and was completed after receiving all regulatory approvals and fulfilling the required closing conditions, according to a joint statement issued by the companies.

Following the preferential allotment of shares and completion of the mandatory open offer, Emirates NBD acquired a 60 per cent stake in RBL Bank’s expanded share capital. The transaction was described as the largest foreign direct investment in India’s banking sector, the largest equity fundraise by an Indian bank, and the first acquisition of a majority stake in a profitable Indian bank by a foreign bank.

The investment was expected to strengthen RBL Bank’s balance sheet, improve its capital adequacy and support its long-term growth plans.

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RBI approves merger of Emirates NBD’s India branches with RBL Bank from December 1

The RBI’s latest approval marks a further step in bringing Emirates NBD’s Indian branch operations under RBL Bank. From the effective date, these branches will operate as part of RBL Bank’s branch network.

The amalgamation has been sanctioned under the provisions of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, with December 1, 2026, specified as the effective date.

The RBI statement did not provide further details on changes to customer services or other operational arrangements following the amalgamation.

The share price of RBL Bank closed with a gain of 1.10 per cent to Rs 378.25/share at the national stock exchange.

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World's strongest passports in October 2026

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance. The October 2026 ranking covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), along with additional research by Henley & Partners.

Singapore ranks first in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, making it the world's strongest passport in the latest ranking. Its passport holders can access 193 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance, according to the October ranking report. The country's position reflects the broad travel access available to its citizens across international destinations.

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World's strongest passports in October 2026

Japan shares the second position in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index. South Korea ranks joint second in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, alongside Japan and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates shares the second spot in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index with Japan and South Korea. Sweden ranks third in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index.

India ranks 84th in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, with access to 55 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. The ranking marks a decline from October 2025, when the Indian passport provided access to 57 destinations. India's position remains far below the leading passports in the latest index

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Mizoram woman farmer to receive FAO award

A 35-year-old teacher-turned-farmer from a remote village in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district will receive a United Nations award in Rome for her contribution to agriculture and rural development, after turning strawberry cultivation into a profitable livelihood.

Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, from Sangau in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, has been selected among the “FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development” by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN as part of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026. She is among more than 600 women from 131 countries nominated and among 100 selected for the recognition, and one of two women from India.

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Mizoram woman farmer to receive FAO award

She will receive the award during the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome from October 12 to 16.

Lalrithangi began experimenting with strawberry cultivation in 2024 after learning about successful growers in neighbouring Siaha district.

Starting with about 1,000 saplings on a farm around 5 km from Sangau, she expanded the cultivation and now grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants on two hectares, alongside avocado, banana and other fruits and vegetables. She will receive the award during the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome from October 12 to 16. Starting with about 1,000 saplings on a farm around 5 km from Sangau, she expanded the cultivation and now grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants on two hectares, alongside avocado, banana and other fruits and vegetables.

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India batter Punam Raut announces retirement from international cricket

Indian women's cricket team top-order batter Punam Raut announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect. The 37-year-old Raut has played four Tests, 73 ODIs and 35 T20Is for India between 2009 and 2021.

Raut played a pivotal role in India’s run to the 2017 World Cup final. She amassed 381 runs in nine innings and was the second-highest run-scorer for India after Mithali Raj. Raut made significant contributions against Australia in the group stage and England in the final. While she scored a century against Australia, she produced a resolute 86 from 115 balls in the summit clash.

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CCI approves equity acquisition in FarMart Service by Impact Fund Denmark, BIO, and Orios Fund

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain shareholding in FarMart Service Private Limited by Impact Fund Denmark, Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries SA/NV and Orios Fund III.

The proposed combination relates to the acquisition of certain equity shareholding in FarMart Service Private Limited (FarMart) by Impact Fund Denmark (IFDK), Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries SA/NV (BIO), and Orios Fund IIIa (Orios).

IFDK is a Danish Development Finance Institution (DFI) established according to an act of parliament to promote investments that support sustainable development in developing countries.

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CCI approves equity acquisition in FarMart Service by Impact Fund Denmark, BIO, and Orios Fund

BIO is a public limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Belgium. BIO operates as a DFI established to support the private sector in developing and emerging countries.

Orios is the scheme/sub-fund of Orios Venture Partners Fund III, which is a SEBI-registered category II Alternative Investment Fund.

FarMart is an Indian company primarily engaged in the business of trading, purchasing or selling agricultural products and commodities on a business-to-business basis in India and internationally.

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Mona Agarwal wins gold with Games record, Avani Lekhara takes silver in women’s 10m air rifle SH1 at Asian Para Games.

In the Asian Para Games, Mona Agarwal claimed the gold with a Games record, while Avani Lekhara took the silver in the same event as India opened its medal account with a one-two finish in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 event in Nagoya.

Mona, a bronze-medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, shot a record score of 250.0, edging her more celebrated compatriot Avani by just 0.4 points. Avani, a two-time Paralympic gold-medallist, settled for silver with 249.6. Korea’s Yunri Lee took the bronze in the same event. SH1 classification is for shooters with lower limb impairments.

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Ekta Vishnoi wins 3 Gold medals at World Masters Classic & Equipped Powerlifting Championships in USA

Ekta Vishnoi has won three gold medals at the World Masters Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Nevada, USA. She claimed the top honours in the 57kg category with a combined lift of 362.5kg. She lifted 130 kg in squat, 72.5 kg in bench press and 160 kg in deadlift, finishing ahead of competitors from Canada and Japan. Vishnoi won gold in the squat, deadlift and overall total categories. Ms. Vishnoi an Indian Revenue Service officer, has previously led the Fit India Mission and served as Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India.

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India’s Amruta Pujari wins silver at under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas

India’s Amruta Pujari has won a silver medal in the women’s 72-kilogram category at the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, United States. She lost to Ukraine’s Iryna Zablotska 0-6 in the gold-medal bout to finish second.

Earlier, Komal won a bronze medal in the women’s 59-kilogram category .

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IITM Hosts First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on Climate Science into Services for India Forum (CSSIF)

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), organised the First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting of the Climate Science into Services for India Forum (CSSIF) on 17 October 2026 at its campus in Pune. This meet brought together more than 150 participants from over 80 institutions across various states of the country which comprises of stakeholders from government ministries and departments, operational agencies, research and academic institutions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society and the private sector.

The consultation focused on the role of climate science in developing relevant climate services and strengthening the application of weather and climate information across different sectors.

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IITM Hosts First Stakeholder Consultation Meeting on Climate Science into Services for India Forum (CSSIF)

The meeting focused on connecting climate science with practical services to support policy-relevant information and informed decision-making. Technical sessions covered weather and climate products, climate models, data, and the need for a Climate Services Information System (CSIS) for the nation. The sectoral consultation featured thematic groups addressing Health with a special focus on impact of climate extremes, Energy and Finance, Climate Projections and Service .The thematic sessions provided a platform for brainstorming and interactive discussions on sector-specific climate information needs and applications.

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Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and AcSIR announce partnership to advance Doctoral Research in Earth System Sciences

Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) declared a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a ceremony held on October 13, 2026, at Prithvi Bhawan Headquarters in New Delhi.

Under this landmark agreement, all ten premier research institutes under MoES have been recognized as AcSIR Associated Research Institutes (AcSIR-ARIs). The institutional collaboration integrates MoES’s state-of-the-art research facilities and scientific expertise with AcSIR’s flexible academic framework to offer doctoral (PhD) programs across diverse domains of earth system sciences including atmospheric, ocean, and polar sciences.

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Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and AcSIR announce partnership to advance Doctoral Research in Earth System Sciences

The MoU, which was executed on August 21, 2026, was signed by Dr. Praveen Kumar D., Scientist-G and Mission Director (Mission Mausam), on behalf of MoES, and Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Director, AcSIR. The official declaration and document exchange were conducted in the presence of the Secretary, MoES, along with senior officials and directors from both organizations.

The collaborative effort bridges MoES and its ten institutions with AcSIR, establishing a unified ecosystem for advanced scientific research and educational capacity building across oceanography, atmospheric sciences, hydrology, and planetary systems.

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Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh to Launch Livestock Insurance Portal in New Delhi on 28 September 2026

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, will launch the Livestock Insurance Portal on 28th September, 2026 in New Delhi, marking an important milestone in the digital transformation of livestock insurance services in the country.

The Portal will be launched by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Government of India.

The Portal will provide a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, enabling streamlined policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting, in case of animals insured under the Livestock Insurance Scheme of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

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Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh to Launch Livestock Insurance Portal in New Delhi on 28 September 2026

To promote wider accessibility and ease of use, the Portal will also be available in 11 regional languages apart from Hindi and English, enabling livestock farmers to access information and services in languages familiar to them. The initiative is aimed at making livestock insurance services more transparent, efficient, accessible and technology-driven, while strengthening risk protection for livestock farmers and supporting the sustainability of their livelihoods. The Portal will also facilitate better coordination, real-time monitoring and data-driven management of livestock insurance programmes, contributing to improved service delivery across the country.

The launch represents a significant step towards simplifying livestock insurance processes, strengthening institutional efficiency and bringing inclusive, technology-enabled services closer to livestock farmers.

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LIC launches two new plans

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has introduced two new plans, Bima Platinum and Jeevan Raksha, on the occasion of its 70th anniversary.

LIC’s Bima Platinum is a non-par, non-linked, individual plan offering a combination of savings and protection. It is a limited premium plan with accrual of guaranteed additions at the rate of Rs.70 per Rs.1000 of annual premium paid during the Premium Paying Term (PPT) with the guaranteed additions accruing at the end of each year during the PPT.

The minimum basic sum assured under the plan is Rs.3 lakh. The plan offers regular and booster income benefits.

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LIC launches two new plans

A non-par, non-linked, pure risk plan LIC’s Jeevan Raksha provides financial protection to the insured’s family in case of her/his death during the policy term. Benefits payable on death are guaranteed and fixed irrespective of actual experience. The policy is not entitled to any discretionary benefits like bonus or share in surplus.

The minimum basic sum assured is Rs.5 lakh and maximum is Rs.24 lakh and is subject to acceptance decision as per Board approved underwriting policy

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