12 October 2026
The Research, Development and Innovation Fund (RDIF) announced its first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers (SLFMs). The Empowered Group of Secretaries, meeting on October 08, 2026, approved 14 Alternative Investment Funds and 5 Focused Research Organisations. The total RDIF commitment to them is ₹7,131 crore. The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025. The Fund is managed by an Independent Business Unit housed within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science and Technology. The fund managers will channel capital to enterprises working at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.
Second Level Fund Managers approved:
19
Total RDIF commitment:
₹7,131 crore
Scheme size:
₹1 lakh crore
Why it matters for exams: The RDI Fund is India's main financing tool for private-sector research and is linked to the ANRF, both frequent topics in science and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ANRF Anusandhan National Research Foundation — The national body that funds and steers research in India and houses the RDI Fund's business unit.
TRL Technology Readiness Level — A 1-to-9 scale of how close a technology is to real-world use.
12 October 2026
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, and Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Trade, held the 8th India–UK Science and Innovation Council (SIC) meeting in New Delhi. The two jointly inaugurated the BRIC-CDFD–ONT India Genomics Centre of Excellence. The Council's agenda builds on the India–UK Research and Innovation MoU, the Technology Security Initiative and India–UK Vision 2035. Eight projects have been agreed under the DST–Innovate UK industrial research programme. Areas of cooperation include Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, semiconductors, critical minerals and net-zero technologies.
Meeting:
8th India–UK Science and Innovation Council
Projects agreed under DST–Innovate UK:
8
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral science bodies, their meeting numbers and the India–UK Vision 2035 framework are common in international relations and science questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BRIC Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council — The umbrella body for the Department of Biotechnology's research institutes.
CDFD Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics — A Hyderabad-based institute for DNA fingerprinting and genetic diagnostics.
12 October 2026
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. The centre is a collaboration between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Armed Forces Medical Services. AIIMS Bilaspur will take part in studying the health impact of high-altitude conditions. Research will cover low oxygen levels, extreme cold and the health of tribal communities and soldiers in border areas. It will also explore drone-enabled medicine delivery, digital health and artificial intelligence for remote areas.
Location:
Keylong, Himachal Pradesh
Partners:
ICMR, Armed Forces Medical Services, AIIMS Bilaspur
Why it matters for exams: Locations of new national research centres and the bodies behind them, such as ICMR, are standard factual questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ICMR Indian Council of Medical Research — India's apex body for formulating and promoting biomedical research.
12 October 2026
The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed one year of implementation on 11th October 2026. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan addressed an event at the National Agricultural Science Complex, PUSA, New Delhi. Gaya (Bihar) came first, Nagaur (Rajasthan) second and Umaria (Madhya Pradesh) third among the best-performing districts. The scheme covers 100 districts and monitors them against 121 indicators through a dashboard with monthly rankings. The Minister said the Khet Bachao Abhiyan will be held across all States from 22 October to 30 November 2026 to promote balanced fertiliser use.
Districts covered:
100
Indicators monitored:
121
Best-performing district:
Gaya, Bihar
Why it matters for exams: Flagship farm schemes, their coverage and award-winning districts are frequent current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMDDKY Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana — A district-centred farm scheme for 100 districts with low productivity.
12 October 2026
Indian Naval Ship Tarkash, a guided missile stealth frigate, is on an overseas deployment to South Africa to take part in the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime (IBSAMAR) Exercise 2026. IBSAMAR has been held biennially since 2008 under the IBSA framework. The theme of IBSAMAR IX is 'Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain'. South Africa will field SAS Amatola, SAS King Sekhukhune I, SAS Adam Kok III and the submarine SAS Manthatisi. Brazil will be represented by BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter, and INS Tarkash carries a Chetak helicopter.
Edition:
IBSAMAR IX
Held since:
2008 (biennial)
Indian ship:
INS Tarkash
Why it matters for exams: Names, editions and participants of joint military exercises are a staple of defence questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBSA India-Brazil-South Africa Dialogue Forum — A grouping of three large democracies from three continents.
12 October 2026
The second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti was hosted by the Indian Air Force at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026. Its theme was 'Power in Partnership'. Seven countries took part: Australia, Bangladesh, France, Germany, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, along with 32 observer nations. Indigenous platforms including the LCA Tejas and the LCH Prachand participated. The first edition was held in 2024, and the Open Day drew more than 20,000 visitors.
Venue:
Air Force Station Jodhpur
Dates:
26 September to 12 October 2026
Participating countries:
7
Observer nations:
32
Why it matters for exams: India's largest multinational air exercise, its venue and participants are likely defence questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
LCH Light Combat Helicopter — HAL's indigenous attack helicopter, named Prachand.
12 October 2026
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the new office premises of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. IBCA is a treaty-based inter-governmental organisation headquartered in India for the conservation of seven big cats: Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow-Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma. India has pledged an initial contribution of Rs.150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28). So far 29 countries, including India, have joined as members, 5 have opted to be observers and 11 others have consented to join. Dr. S.P. Yadav is the Director General of IBCA.
Big cats covered:
7
Member countries:
29
India's initial contribution:
Rs.150 crore for five years
Why it matters for exams: IBCA is an India-led international body; its seven species and membership figures are classic environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBCA International Big Cat Alliance — An India-headquartered treaty body for conserving seven big cat species.
12 October 2026
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Commission was set up on 12th October 1993. It held a National Conference on the theme 'Water as the Elixir of Life: Advancing Human Dignity through the Right to Water'. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant was the chief guest and said State Human Rights Commissions have a significant role because they are close to the ground. NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian also addressed the function. The CJI also welcomed the launch of the NHRC, India mobile application.
Set up on:
12th October 1993
Chairperson:
Justice V. Ramasubramanian
Foundation Day:
33rd
Why it matters for exams: NHRC's founding date, its chairperson and its statutory basis are standard polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NHRC National Human Rights Commission — A statutory body under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 that inquires into rights violations.
SHRC State Human Rights Commission — The state-level counterpart of the NHRC.
12 October 2026
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitated defence forces athletes who won 27 medals (06 Gold, 11 Silver and 10 Bronze) at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan. A total of 92 Services athletes competed in 19 disciplines. India's overall contingent won 85 medals (21 Gold, 27 Silver and 37 Bronze) and finished fourth. Services athletes contributed 32 per cent of India's medals. Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win Gold in the individual Women's Trap event at the Games. Havildar Sawan Barwal won Silver in the Men's Marathon in a National Record 2:11:37, ending India's 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal.
Services medals:
27 (06 Gold, 11 Silver, 10 Bronze)
India's total medals:
85 (21 Gold, 27 Silver, 37 Bronze)
India's position:
Fourth
Why it matters for exams: Asian Games medal tallies and Indian 'firsts' are likely sports questions this year.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Mission Olympic Wing Mission Olympic Wing — The defence forces' programme for identifying and training athletes for international events.
11 October 2026
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman concluded her official visit to Singapore from October 8 to 11, 2026. She called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The talks reviewed outcomes of the 4th India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including the run-up to Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027. She attended a luncheon hosted by President Tharman and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. With the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the two sides discussed tokenisation of financial assets and central bank digital currencies. She encouraged investors to use the NIIF and GIFT IFSC.
Visit dates:
October 8 to 11, 2026
Mechanism reviewed:
4th India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable
Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship:
2027
Why it matters for exams: India–Singapore ties, the ISMR mechanism and Singapore's 2027 ASEAN chair are relevant to international relations papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ISMR India–Singapore Ministerial Roundtable — A ministerial dialogue between India and Singapore that sets the agenda for their partnership.
GIFT IFSC Gujarat International Finance Tec-City International Financial Services Centre — India's first international financial services centre, at Gandhinagar.
CBDC Central Bank Digital Currency — Digital money issued directly by a central bank.
12 October 2026
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged all States and Union Territories to ensure prominent display of rates charged by Clinical Establishments. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs. The letter refers to the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 and the Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012. Under the Rules, establishments in States and UTs where the Act applies must display rates for each service at a conspicuous place in the local language as well as in English; elsewhere, State and UT frameworks apply. The letter notes that health is a State subject. States were also asked to encourage display of package rates for foreign patients on Medical or Ayush Visas.
Law cited:
Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010
Rules cited:
Clinical Establishments (Central Government) Rules, 2012
Why it matters for exams: The Clinical Establishments Act, 2010 and the State List status of health are frequent polity and health questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ayush Visa Ayush Visa — An Indian visa category for foreigners seeking treatment under traditional systems of medicine.