6 October 2026
A Press Information Bureau backgrounder on the Asian Games 2026 records India's final tally at 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, a total of 85 medals.
The 20th Asian Games were held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026, under the slogan 'Imagine One Asia'. It was the third time Japan hosted the Games, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
The Games ran for 16 days and featured 43 sports and 71 disciplines, with 1,407 medals awarded across 469 events.
India fielded a 501-athlete contingent across 36 sporting disciplines, with more than 300 athletes making their Asian Games debut. The contingent was led at the opening ceremony on 19 September 2026 by Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat.
Archery gave India the most gold with 5, followed by shooting and boxing with 3 each. Athletics returned India's largest medal haul at 24, made up of 1 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze.
India also won gold in cricket, hockey and kabaddi, two in each sport, and in wrestling, with two, and golf, with one.
The Asian Games are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, which currently has 45 participating countries or regions. Japan is also hosting the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to October 24, 2026.
India's total medals:
85 (21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze)
Edition and host:
20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Dates:
September 19 to October 4, 2026
India's contingent:
501 athletes across 36 sporting disciplines
Most gold for India:
Archery, 5 gold
Why it matters for exams: Medal tallies, host cities and the organising council of the Asian Games are among the most asked sports questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
Asiad Asiad — Another name for the Asian Games, the continental multi-sport event held once every four years.
OCA Olympic Council of Asia — The continental body that organises the Asian Games and currently has 45 participating countries or regions.
Discipline Discipline — A distinct branch within a sport, such as track events within athletics; one sport may contain several disciplines.
7 October 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has compiled and released a document titled 'Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030'.
It is an extension of the earlier 'Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India 2022-2026', which the Ministry's National Statistical Office had released.
The work follows the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting, which is endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission, and the SEEA-Central Framework.
The new document aims to cover, or widen the scope of, subjects such as forest, minerals, soil resources, land, water, carbon stock, environment-related activities, biodiversity and environment statistics.
The 2022-2026 strategy had identified material flow accounts, ocean accounts, energy accounts and thematic accounts for biodiversity and urban areas as the areas to work on.
The areas in the new document are selected mainly on the recommendations in the report 'Green National Account in India: A Framework' and the SEEA-CF framework, and the Ministry links its importance to the System of National Accounts 2025, which recognises natural resource accounting within the national accounting framework. The document is available on www.mospi.gov.in.
Document:
Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030
Previous strategy:
Strategy for Environmental-Economic Accounts in India 2022-2026
Released by:
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (NSO)
Why it matters for exams: Environmental accounting frameworks and the bodies that approve them are standard prelims material on reports and indices.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SEEA System of Environmental-Economic Accounting — An international statistical standard, approved by the UN Statistical Commission, for measuring the environment alongside the economy.
NSO National Statistical Office — The statistical wing of MoSPI that compiles national accounts and large-scale surveys.
7 October 2026
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal called for greater utilisation of the opportunities under the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, delivering the keynote address at an outreach event for major exporters in New Delhi that formed part of the 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit 2026.
TEPA entered into force on 1 October 2025, and leaders from all four EFTA States were in New Delhi to mark the first year of the Agreement.
The European Free Trade Association has four members: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
Under the agreement, EFTA commitments cover 92.2 per cent of tariff lines, which account for 99.6 per cent of Indian exports, while India's commitments cover 82.7 per cent of tariff lines, equal to 95.3 per cent of EFTA exports.
Under Article 7.1, the EFTA States shall aim to increase foreign direct investment into India by USD 50 billion within 10 years of the Agreement's entry into force and an additional USD 50 billion in the succeeding five years.
They shall also aim to facilitate the generation of 1 million jobs in India within 15 years. EFTA members together import goods and services worth over half a trillion US dollars a year.
In force since:
1 October 2025
EFTA tariff lines covered:
92.2 per cent
India's tariff lines covered:
82.7 per cent
Investment commitment:
USD 50 billion in 10 years, USD 50 billion more in the next 5 years
Jobs aimed at:
1 million within 15 years
Why it matters for exams: TEPA is the India trade pact that carries a quantified foreign investment commitment, and its membership and percentage coverage are frequently asked.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
TEPA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement — The India-EFTA pact that cuts tariffs and carries a linked foreign investment commitment.
EFTA European Free Trade Association — A four-member grouping of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, separate from the European Union.
7 October 2026
An Indian parliamentary delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh took part in the second day of the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union at Arusha in Tanzania on 6 October 2026.
Harivansh exercised the Right of Reply to remarks made by Pakistan on Kashmir, saying on the floor of the Assembly that Kashmir is an integral and inalienable part of India.
Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, a member of the IPU Committee on Health, took part in the Committee's sessions and a field visit.
Anurag Singh Thakur attended the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights and the debate on the draft resolution on inclusive social development and the rights of people living with disabilities.
Kamaljeet Sehrawat took part in the Standing Committee on Peace and International Security and in the debate 'Shaping peaceful futures: Parliamentary diplomacy, mediation and dialogue for lasting peace', while Dr Sasmit Patra joined a panel discussion on the role of parliaments in the age of military artificial intelligence.
N. K. Premachandran attended workshops on strengthening parliamentary response to terrorism and on critical minerals for shared prosperity. The delegation also joined a cultural programme hosted by the Indian High Commission and interacted with the Indian diaspora.
Assembly:
153rd IPU Assembly
Venue:
Arusha, Tanzania
Delegation leader:
Harivansh, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha
Why it matters for exams: The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments, and India's participation in its assemblies is regular current affairs material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IPU Inter-Parliamentary Union — The world organisation of national parliaments, which holds assemblies where member parliaments debate and adopt resolutions.
7 October 2026
The eighth e-auction of mementos received by the Prime Minister is currently live, and has been extended until 31 October 2026.
A collection of 16 mementos from Chhattisgarh is on offer.
At the heart of the collection is Dhokra, the traditional lost-wax metal-casting craft with a history of more than 4,000 years in India, with works such as an Elephant Head Nandi, a Standing Nandi and a Madia-Madin Tribal Couple Bust.
The collection also has a traditional ceremonial headgear with a peacock-feather cluster, cowrie shells, metallic discs and brass bells, and a Ramnami Samaj chanting stole covered with repeated inscriptions of 'Ram Ram'.
Contemporary items include a woodcut panel depicting the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, a memento marking the Rajat Jayanti of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha, and models representing institutions in Nava Raipur.
Proceeds from the auction will support the Namami Gange Project. Bids are placed on the PM Mementos e-Auction portal at pmmementos.gov.in, and the release was issued by the Ministry of Culture.
Edition:
8th e-auction
Chhattisgarh items:
16
Last date:
31 October 2026
Proceeds to:
Namami Gange project
Why it matters for exams: The auction links a traditional craft, a welfare scheme and a river-cleaning mission, all of which appear separately in exams.
Kerala PSCSSC
In plain words
Dhokra Dhokra metal craft — A tribal metal-casting craft using the lost-wax technique, practised in Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions.
7 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has appointed Sudhakar Malli as Executive Director with effect from 1 October 2026.
He was earlier Chief General Manager-in-Charge of the Department of Supervision.
As Executive Director he will look after the Department of Supervision, in the area of supervisory assessment.
The Reserve Bank describes him as a career central banker with around three decades of experience, with expertise in the supervision of banks, non-banking financial companies and co-operative banks built over more than two and a half decades.
He holds a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and is a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers.
Post:
Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India
Effective from:
October 1, 2026
Earlier post:
Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Supervision
Why it matters for exams: RBI Executive Director appointments and the central bank's supervisory departments are standard banking-exam questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Department of Supervision Department of Supervision, RBI — The RBI department that supervises banks, non-banking financial companies and co-operative banks.
CAIIB Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers — A professional qualification awarded by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance to bankers.
Background
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India was established on 1st October, 2016 under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
The Code consolidates and amends the laws relating to reorganization and insolvency resolution of corporate persons, partnership firms and individuals in a time bound manner for maximization of the value of assets of such persons.
The Board's own page calls it a unique regulator, because it regulates a profession as well as processes.
It has regulatory oversight over Insolvency Professionals, Insolvency Professional Agencies, Insolvency Professional Entities and Information Utilities.
It writes and enforces rules for corporate insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, individual insolvency resolution and individual bankruptcy under the Code.
It has also been designated as the 'Authority' under the Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation Rules), 2017 for regulation and development of the profession of valuers in the country.
Established:
1st October, 2016
Parent law:
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
Also the 'Authority' under:
Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation Rules), 2017
Why it matters for exams: The date of establishment, the parent Code and the four classes of regulated entities are standard objective questions on India's insolvency framework.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBBI Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India — The Board set up under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
IU Information Utility — Information Utilities are one of the four classes of entities under IBBI's regulatory oversight.
Background
As per Article 279A(1) of the Constitution, the GST Council had to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of the Constitution (One Hundred and First) Amendment Act, 2016.
The notification for bringing into force Article 279A with effect from 12th September, 2016 was issued on 10th September, 2016.
The Union Cabinet approved setting up of the GST Council on 12th September, 2016 and also setting up its Secretariat, with its office in New Delhi.
The Secretary (Revenue) is the Ex-officio Secretary to the GST Council, and the Chairperson of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is a permanent invitee (non-voting) to all its proceedings.
Where any proposal is put to vote, the vote of the Central Government has a weightage of one-third of the total votes cast and the votes of all the State Governments taken together a weightage of two-thirds; the proposal is carried if the total weighted votes in favour are equal to or greater than three-fourths.
The first meeting of the GST Council was held on 22nd and 23rd September, 2016.
Constitutional provision:
Article 279A
Enabling amendment:
Constitution (One Hundred and First) Amendment Act, 2016
Centre's vote weightage:
one-third of the total votes cast
States' vote weightage:
two-thirds of the total votes cast
Threshold to carry a proposal:
three-fourths
First meeting:
22nd and 23rd September, 2016
Why it matters for exams: The weighted voting formula of the GST Council is one of the most frequently asked facts about Indian fiscal federalism.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ex-officio By virtue of office — The Secretary (Revenue) is Secretary to the GST Council by virtue of holding that post.
CBIC Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — Its Chairperson is a permanent, non-voting invitee to GST Council proceedings.
Background
Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha established the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) in January 1954 for a multidisciplinary research programme essential for India's nuclear programme.
After the demise of Bhabha in 1966, AEET was renamed Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Bhabha had earlier established the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and he also established the BARC Training School to meet the manpower needs of the programme.
APSARA achieved criticality on August 4, 1956 and was the first research reactor in Asia to achieve criticality.
Apsara-U (Apsara-Upgraded) was commissioned and achieved its First Approach to Criticality on 10th September 2018, using indigenously developed Low Enriched Uranium fuel in Uranium Silicide form.
Indigenously built Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors form the backbone of the first stage of the Indian nuclear power programme, and plutonium-239 extracted from spent fuel serves as fuel for the Fast Breeder Reactors of the second stage.
AEET set up:
January 1954
Renamed BARC after Bhabha's demise in:
1966
Apsara achieved criticality:
August 4, 1956
Apsara-U First Approach to Criticality:
10th September 2018
Why it matters for exams: The 1954 AEET origin, the renaming after Bhabha and Apsara's 1956 criticality are standard one-mark facts on India's atomic energy programme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AEET Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay — The original name of BARC, set up in January 1954.
PHWR Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor — Indigenously built PHWRs form the backbone of the first stage of India's nuclear power programme.
LEU Low Enriched Uranium — Apsara-U uses indigenously developed LEU fuel in Uranium Silicide form.
Background
Established in 1982, the Wildlife Institute of India offers training programmes, academic courses and advisory work in wildlife research and management.
Its own site describes it as an Autonomous Institute of MoEFCC, Govt. of India, with its campus at Chandrabani, Dehradun.
The Institute is a nodal national agency for research and training in the field of wildlife conservation.
It is a four-star top rated accredited institute as per the Capacity Building Commission amongst all National Civil Service Training Institutes.
Its mandate includes generating quality knowledge in wildlife science and complementing national efforts in wildlife conservation.
Its courses include a two-year course in Wildlife Science, a PG Diploma in Advanced Wildlife Management and a Certificate Course in Wildlife Management for in-service Range Officers and Deputy Range Officers.
The WII-C2C was established in 2015 to realise the objectives of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, 1972 by building capacity on World Heritage.
Established:
1982
Status:
Autonomous Institute of MoEFCC, Govt. of India
Capacity Building Commission rating:
four-star top rated
WII-C2C established:
2015
Why it matters for exams: WII's 1982 founding, its Dehradun base and its role as the nodal agency behind tiger and cheetah monitoring work are recurring exam facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MoEFCC Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — WII is an autonomous institute of this ministry.
WII-C2C The WII centre set up in 2015 for World Heritage capacity building — It works towards the objectives of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, 1972.
Background
The Preamble of the Securities and Exchange Board of India sets out its basic functions as "...to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote the development of, and to regulate the securities market and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto".
The Corporation Finance Department deals with issuance and listing of securities, corporate governance and accounting and auditing standards, corporate restructuring through takeovers and buy backs, the Social Stock Exchange and delisting.
The Alternative Investment Fund and Foreign Portfolio Investors Department handles Alternative Investment Funds, Venture Capital Funds, Foreign Venture Capital Investors, Foreign Portfolio Investors, Designated Depository Participants and Custodians.
The Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities is responsible for corporate bonds, listed debt securities, Real Estate Investment Trusts and Infrastructure Investment Trusts.
The Enquiries and Adjudication Department handles quasi-judicial matters and provides hearings in matters within SEBI's disciplinary jurisdiction.
The Integrated Surveillance Department monitors market activity through market systems, data from other departments and analytical software.
Preamble duty:
to protect the interests of investors in securities
Takeovers, buy backs, delisting:
Corporation Finance Department
REITs and InvITs:
Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities
Market activity monitoring:
Integrated Surveillance Department
Why it matters for exams: The wording of SEBI's Preamble and which department handles REITs, InvITs or surveillance are standard banking and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
REIT Real Estate Investment Trust — Handled at SEBI by the Department of Debt and Hybrid Securities.
FPI Foreign Portfolio Investor — Handled by the Alternative Investment Fund and Foreign Portfolio Investors Department.
Background
The Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research is an autonomous institution established in 1989 by the Department of Science and Technology to commemorate the birth centenary year of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Prof. C. N. R. Rao, FRS, was the founding President of the Centre.
The Centre was registered as a society with Dr. Raja Ramanna, the eminent physicist and former Chairman of the Department of Atomic Energy, as its first Chairman.
It was recognised as an Institution Deemed to be University by the University Grants Commission in 2002.
Research is carried out in Units such as Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Engineering Mechanics, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Theoretical Sciences, New Chemistry, Geodynamics, Neurosciences and Education Technology.
The International Centre for Materials Science at the Centre was established with funding from the Department of Science and Technology.
The Centre has been accredited with NAAC A++ grade, scoring 3.76 out of 4 points, and its campus is at Jakkur, Bengaluru.
Established:
1989
Set up by:
Department of Science and Technology, GoI
Founding President:
Prof. C. N. R. Rao, FRS
First Chairman:
Dr. Raja Ramanna
Deemed to be University:
2002
NAAC accreditation:
A++ grade (3.76 out of 4 points)
Why it matters for exams: The 1989 founding for the Nehru birth centenary, C. N. R. Rao as founding President and Raja Ramanna as first Chairman are precise, repeatable facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NAAC National Assessment and Accreditation Council — It accredited JNCASR with the A++ grade at 3.76 out of 4 points.
FRS Fellow of the Royal Society — The honour held by the Centre's founding President, Prof. C. N. R. Rao.