13 October 2026
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Delegations from all seven members attended: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The ministers approved a BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons, a Plan of Action on Drug Control, an MoU on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing, a Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows and a plan on natural-disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration on security cooperation. Shah urged members to help make operational the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre planned at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Meeting:
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting
Chair:
Amit Shah
Members present:
7
Declaration adopted:
Delhi Declaration
Why it matters for exams: Regional groupings such as BIMSTEC and India's role in them are staple questions in both Kerala PSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — A seven-member grouping of countries around the Bay of Bengal.
13 October 2026
The Indian Navy will commission the indigenous multi-purpose vessel Samarthak at Naval Base Karwar on 16 October 2026. The ship is built by Larsen and Toubro Ltd under the Make in India initiative. It is the first of four Multi-Purpose Vessels being inducted into the Navy. Its roles include maritime surveillance and patrol, low-intensity maritime operations, target deployment and trials, serving as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, limited conversion to a hospital ship, and salvage operations. Its integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems.
Vessel:
Samarthak
Builder:
Larsen and Toubro Ltd
Position in class:
First of 4 Multi-Purpose Vessels
Commissioning:
Naval Base Karwar, 16 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Indigenous naval inductions and the Make in India defence push are frequent questions in defence and current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
HADR Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief — Relief missions that navies carry out after disasters.
13 October 2026
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has stepped up its drive for the Amnesty Scheme, 2026, which regularises the exempt status of Provident Fund trusts with retrospective effect. The amnesty provisions form part of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, notified on 29 June 2026. The window runs for six months from notification and closes on 28 December 2026. It is open to PF trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961 that lack a formal exemption order under Section 17 of the EPF and MP Act, 1952 or Section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Operational guidelines were issued in a circular dated 11 July 2026.
Scheme notified:
29 June 2026
Circular with guidelines:
11 July 2026
Window:
6 months
Closing date:
28 December 2026
Why it matters for exams: Social-security law, EPFO and the Code on Social Security, 2020 are recurring topics in economy, labour and bank-exam current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
EPFO Employees' Provident Fund Organisation — The body that administers provident fund schemes under the Labour Ministry.
13 October 2026
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in October 2021, has completed five years, the Commerce Ministry said on 13 October 2026. The digital platform has integrated more than 1,800 data layers and covers 58 Central Ministries and Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories. The Network Planning Group has evaluated 421 infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹20.23 lakh crore. The platform was developed indigenously by BISAG-N. The release says the government has decided to set up an Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) for research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment in transport and logistics.
Data layers integrated:
more than 1,800
Central Ministries and Departments:
58
Projects evaluated:
421, worth about ₹20.23 lakh crore
Developed by:
BISAG-N
Why it matters for exams: GatiShakti, its institutional set-up and its coverage figures are common in infrastructure and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
BISAG-N Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics — The institute that built the GatiShakti platform.
ITLA Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority — A body the government has decided to set up for research, planning and monitoring in transport and logistics.
13 October 2026
The National Land Monetization Corporation (NLMC) held its first end-to-end e-auction, of land parcels of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), which operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. On Day 1, 150 plots were sold with successful bids totalling ₹366.33 crore against an aggregate reserve price of ₹312.48 crore, an average premium of 17.23%. The highest auction price crossed ₹1.80 lakh per square yard. The second phase, covering the remaining 216 parcels, is on 30 October 2026, with registration closing on 27 October 2026. NLMC works under the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance.
Plots sold on Day 1:
150
Successful bids:
₹366.33 crore
Aggregate reserve price:
₹312.48 crore
Second phase:
216 parcels on 30 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Asset monetisation and public-sector land sales are a live economy topic, and the institution and figures are typical question material.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NLMC National Land Monetization Corporation — A Government of India company that monetises surplus public land.
13 October 2026
The 21st meeting of the Maritime State Development Council was held in Mumbai under Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. It was the first meeting since the Council became a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which was notified on 15 May 2026; the Council was first constituted in 1997. The meeting resolved to implement One Nation One Port Process reforms at all ports and to integrate all ports with the Maritime Single Window (Sagar Setu) by March 2027. States and Union Territories were directed to notify subordinate rules under Section 77 of the Act within three months. Sonowal also launched a Ready Reckoner for implementing ONOP, and two credit risk insurance products for shipbuilders were announced.
Meeting:
21st Maritime State Development Council, Mumbai
Governing law:
Indian Ports Act, 2025 (notified 15 May 2026)
ONOP and Sagar Setu target:
March 2027
Council first constituted:
1997
Why it matters for exams: New port legislation, Centre-State maritime coordination and the One Nation One Port reform are likely topics in economy and governance papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ONOP One Nation One Port Process — A reform to standardise documentation and processes across ports.
13 October 2026
The Supreme Court on 13 October 2026 asked the Delhi government to obtain Intelligence Bureau inputs on a plea by Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted over the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, to be moved from Tihar Jail in Delhi to a prison in Punjab. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale recorded the submission of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Delhi government, that a decision in such a matter cannot be taken without obtaining inputs from the Intelligence Bureau; no transfer was ordered. She opposed the transfer, citing a Ministry of Home Affairs advisory on high-risk prisoners. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves argued for Hawara that the plea sought relocation, not release. The next hearing is on 3 November.
Case:
Jagtar Singh Hawara v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi
Bench:
Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale
Order:
Intelligence Bureau inputs sought; no transfer ordered
Next hearing:
3 November
Why it matters for exams: Prison administration, transfer of prisoners and the role of the Intelligence Bureau in court matters come under polity and governance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
13 October 2026
The Ministry of Ayush released Standard Treatment Guidelines on the Management of Dermatological Disorders on 13 October 2026, on the occasion of the 11th Ayurveda Day. There is a separate document for each of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy, four in all. The guidelines were prepared by the Ayush Vertical of the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. They cover conditions including psoriasis, dermatitis, vitiligo, urticaria and dermatophytosis, addressing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, follow-up and rehabilitation. The protocols were tested with Medical Officers in primary and secondary healthcare in partnership with the Directorate of Ayush, Government of NCT of Delhi.
Documents released:
4, one per system
Systems:
Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy
Occasion:
11th Ayurveda Day
Prepared by:
Ayush Vertical, DGHS
Why it matters for exams: Ayush systems and national health guidelines are standard material in health and current-affairs sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
DGHS Directorate General of Health Services — The technical wing of the Union Health Ministry.
12 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has launched the 116th round of its quarterly Industrial Outlook Survey of the Indian manufacturing sector for Q3:2026-27. The survey collects qualitative responses on demand, financial, employment and price conditions. It assesses sentiment for the current quarter and expectations for the next quarter, Q4:2026-27, and also covers the outlook for the first two quarters of 2027-28. The reference period is October-December 2026. Genesis Management and Market Research Pvt. Ltd. has been authorised to conduct the survey on the RBI's behalf, and findings are published in summary form without revealing respondents' identities.
Survey round:
116th
Quarter:
Q3:2026-27
Reference period:
October-December 2026
Conducting agency:
Genesis Management and Market Research Pvt. Ltd.
Why it matters for exams: RBI surveys and business-sentiment indicators are standard material for economy and bank-exam papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union and the Election Commission on a petition by the Association for Democratic Reforms challenging Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The bench comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana.
Section 16 bars courts from entertaining or continuing civil or criminal proceedings against any person who is or was a Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner, for acts done or purportedly done in the discharge of official duty.
The petition argues the provision creates lifelong blanket immunity with no good-faith condition, no sanction mechanism and no saving clause, and seeks a declaration that it is unconstitutional for violating Articles 14 and 21 and the basic structure of the Constitution.
It also seeks revival of proceedings that ended when Section 16 took effect.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for the petitioner, and the case was tagged with a pending petition by Lok Prahari on the same immunity.
Provision challenged:
Section 16, CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023
Petitioner:
Association for Democratic Reforms
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana
Articles invoked:
Articles 14 and 21
Why it matters for exams: Section 16 of the CEC Act, 2023 and Articles 14 and 21 together make this a direct polity question on election administration and judicial review.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ADR Association for Democratic Reforms — A non-governmental organisation that litigates and publishes on electoral transparency in India.
Notice — A court order asking the other side to respond before the case is heard further.
13 October 2026
India hosted the first ministerial-level meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Ministers and delegations from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand took part, and the Union Home Secretary led the preparatory Senior Officials' Meeting. The fourth BIMSTEC Summit of 2018 had agreed to hold such meetings of Home Ministers, and at the sixth Summit in Bangkok on 4 April 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed India to host the first one. The ministers approved the BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons, the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control covering narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals, a Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Building to Combat Money Laundering and Terror Financing, the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows and Their Prevention and an Action Plan on disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region. Five priority areas of cooperation were set out: drug control, counter-terrorism and legal cooperation, return of fugitive offenders, cybersecurity and cybercrime investigation, and institutional cooperation and capacity building. Amit Shah said a BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre, proposed by the Prime Minister at the sixth Summit, is planned to be set up at Jamnagar in Gujarat, and he urged member countries to take part in making the proposed centre operational. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, which sets out principles of information sharing, mutual legal assistance, extradition and capacity building.
Member countries taking part:
7
Declaration adopted:
Delhi Declaration
Proposed disaster centre:
Jamnagar, Gujarat
Why it matters for exams: A first-ever ministerial mechanism in a regional grouping India leads, with a named declaration and a named centre, is standard material for questions on India's neighbourhood diplomacy.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — A regional grouping of seven countries around the Bay of Bengal.
13 October 2026
The Indian Navy will commission the indigenously built multipurpose vessel Samarthak at the naval base in Karwar on 16 October 2026. Larsen and Toubro Limited built the vessel under the Make in India initiative, and it is the first of four multipurpose vessels being inducted. Samarthak has been designed mainly for maritime surveillance and patrol duties. It can also support low-intensity maritime operations, serve as a target deployment and trials platform, act as a mothership for unmanned autonomous systems, and carry out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The vessel can be partly converted into a hospital and used for rescue work during natural disasters. It carries indigenous weapons, sensors, radar and electronic systems. Its crest shows an Indian elephant rising from the waves, and its motto is Vijayartham Ekanishthata, which the Ministry of Defence renders as meaning that victory is the sole objective.
Commissioning:
16 October 2026, Karwar
Builder:
Larsen and Toubro Limited
Place in class:
First of four multipurpose vessels
Why it matters for exams: Ship names, their builders and their classes are a recurring factual question in defence current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
HADR Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief — Naval missions that deliver relief and rescue after a disaster.