19 October 2026
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant inaugurated the newly constituted Ladakh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Leh on Sunday. Supreme Court judges M M Sundresh, P S Narasimha and Arun Palli and Attorney General for India R Venkataramani attended the function. Hearings at the Leh bench begin on October 21, when a division bench of Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sanjay Parihar is to take up five cases. Justice Parihar will also sit as a single bench on Thursday and Friday. The High Court has identified 75 cases for listing before the Leh bench. The Union government approved the bench in August 2026 and the High Court chose Leh as its seat in Ladakh on October 5. Until now the High Court had only two benches, at Srinagar and Jammu.
Cases identified for the Leh bench:
75
Hearings begin:
October 21
Why it matters for exams: A new High Court bench and the courts of a Union Territory are standard polity and judiciary questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Division bench Division bench of a High Court — A bench of two or more judges hearing a case together.
19 October 2026
Speaking at the inaugural function of the Ladakh bench of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Leh, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said he would make an arrangement to set up a special Supreme Court bench to hear Ladakh region cases pending before the court, sitting on one day. He said those cases should be argued by lawyers from Leh and Kargil, and that advocates could also appear online before the bench from the High Court's Leh bench. He said members of the Leh and Kargil bar should feel integrated with the Supreme Court and its bar. The announcement followed a suggestion by Attorney General R Venkataramani that a Constitution Bench sit in Ladakh.
Sittings of the proposed special bench:
One day
Why it matters for exams: Access to justice in remote Union Territories and the Supreme Court's listing practice are examined under polity.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Constitution Bench Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court — A bench of at least five judges that decides substantial questions of constitutional law.
19 October 2026
The Central Industrial Security Force said it will overhaul its administrative and operational structure to strengthen specialised security management across the critical infrastructure and strategic establishments under its protection. The revised arrangements have been approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and will come into effect on November 1. The reorganisation is meant to align the Force's supervisory structure more closely with the security requirements of different sectors, including power, coal, steel, petroleum and natural gas. The Force announced the change in a statement.
Effective date:
November 1
Approving authority:
Ministry of Home Affairs
Why it matters for exams: The CISF is one of the Central Armed Police Forces and its mandate is a standing question area.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CISF Central Industrial Security Force — A Central Armed Police Force that guards industrial undertakings, airports and other critical installations.
19 October 2026
State-run oil marketing companies have barred ethanol made from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses from their latest procurement tender for the 2026-27 supply year for blending in petrol. The tender was issued on October 16. The government is seeking to protect domestic sugar supplies while sustaining the nationwide petrol-blending programme, and the tender also cuts the incentive for maize-based ethanol. The move follows concerns over domestic sugar availability and rising prices after poor rainfall in key sugar-producing States including Maharashtra and Karnataka raised the risk of lower output. The restrictions mark a shift in feedstock sourcing for the ethanol-blended petrol programme, which has used both grain-based and sugarcane-based ethanol to reduce crude oil imports and cut vehicle emissions.
Tender issued:
October 16
Supply year:
2026-27
Why it matters for exams: The ethanol blending programme, its feedstocks and the sugar economy are regularly examined.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
B-heavy molasses B-heavy molasses — An intermediate sugar mill by-product with a higher sugar content, used to make ethanol.
19 October 2026
Preliminary Reserve Bank of India data on India's balance of payments show a net current account deficit of US$ 5.2 billion in August 2026, against US$ 6.1 billion in August 2025. The net merchandise deficit was US$ 26.6 billion, with exports of US$ 44.7 billion and imports of US$ 71.3 billion. Net services were a surplus of US$ 16.5 billion and net transfers US$ 12.8 billion, while net income was negative US$ 8.0 billion. The capital account was a net inflow of US$ 50.6 billion in August 2026, including net foreign direct investment of US$ 3.3 billion and net foreign portfolio investment of US$ 1.7 billion. For April-August 2026 the current account deficit stood at US$ 18.3 billion, against US$ 12.8 billion a year earlier.
Current account deficit, August 2026:
US$ 5.2 billion
Merchandise deficit, August 2026:
US$ 26.6 billion
Capital account, net:
US$ 50.6 billion
Why it matters for exams: Current account deficit figures and the structure of the balance of payments are core economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Current account Current account of the balance of payments — It records trade in goods and services, transfers and income flows.
19 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions to clarify the Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve requirements. Those requirements were introduced through A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 26 dated October 10, 2026 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 27 dated October 12, 2026. The Reserve Bank said the FAQs are available on its website. The press release carrying the announcement is dated October 15, 2026 and was signed by Chief General Manager Brij Raj.
Circulars that introduced FERR:
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 26 and No. 27
Why it matters for exams: A newly created reserve requirement in the foreign exchange market is likely banking-exam material.
UPSCBank
In plain words
FERR Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve — A reserve requirement for foreign exchange risk introduced by the Reserve Bank in October 2026.
A.P. (DIR Series) Authorised Person (Directions) Series circular — The series in which the Reserve Bank issues foreign exchange directions to authorised dealers.
19 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India announced regulatory measures for the foreign exchange market, saying they were in view of evolving conditions and to ensure the orderly functioning of the market. It issued two circulars, A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 and A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 26. Among the measures, Authorised Dealers shall not permit users to rebook any foreign exchange derivative contract involving the rupee, whether deliverable or non-deliverable, which has been cancelled with any Authorised Dealer after the issuance of the Directions. Rollover of foreign exchange derivative contracts on maturity continues to be permitted, subject to the extant regulatory provisions. The press release is dated October 10, 2026.
Circulars issued:
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 25 and No. 26
Why it matters for exams: Rupee derivative rules and the role of Authorised Dealers come up in banking awareness papers.
UPSCBank
In plain words
Non-deliverable contract Non-deliverable forward contract — A currency forward settled in cash without exchange of the underlying currency.
19 October 2026
India women beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second women's Twenty20 International at Raipur on Sunday, October 18, 2026, to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Zimbabwe, who chose to bat first, were restricted to 102 for eight, and India chased the target of 103 in 8.5 overs. Opener Shafali Verma made 55 off 25 balls, her 22nd half-century in T20Is, and captain Smriti Mandhana was 47 not out; the two added 96 runs for the opening wicket. Off-spinner Niki Prasad took two wickets for seven runs. The win gave Mandhana a series triumph at the start of her full-time captaincy.
Margin:
Nine wickets
Series lead:
2-0 in a three-match series
Venue:
Raipur
Why it matters for exams: Series results and leading players are standard sports general knowledge.
Kerala PSCSSCBank
19 October 2026
Mighty Marathas won the Archery Premier League title, beating Kakatiya Knights 6-2 in the Season 2 final at People's Plaza, Hyderabad, on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Dhiraj Bommadevara closed out the final with an arrow in the inner X-ring, shooting 79 out of 80, while Mike Schloesser shot a perfect 80 out of 80. The Marathas had lost to the Knights in the first qualifier earlier in the day, then beat Prithviraj Yodhas 5-3 in the second qualifier to reach the final. The set scores in the final were 75-75, 77-76, 75-75 and 79-73.
Champion:
Mighty Marathas
Final result:
6-2 against Kakatiya Knights
Venue:
People's Plaza, Hyderabad
Why it matters for exams: Winners of new Indian domestic leagues are asked in sports general knowledge.
Kerala PSCSSC
Background
The Indian Coast Guard traces its journey from a modest beginning in 1977 to becoming a force in maritime security. Its motto is Vayam Rakshamah, meaning We Protect. It is working towards targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft by 2030. The Coast Guard maintains a 24x7 vigil in the Maritime Zones of India, deploying 50 to 60 ships and 10 to 12 aircraft daily so that the seas stay free and secure for the blue economy and for safe maritime transportation. It is the Central Coordinating Authority for Oil Spill response in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone. The majority of its assets are domestically manufactured, with approximately 90% of the capital budget allocated to indigenous assets. The Ministry of Defence and TCIL have entered into an agreement for the Digital Coast Guard mission. Its marine environment campaigns include Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar and Puneet Sagar Abhiyan.
Motto:
Vayam Rakshamah (We Protect)
Beginning:
1977
Targeted force levels:
200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft
Share of capital budget on indigenous assets:
Approximately 90%
Why it matters for exams: Mottos of the three services and the Coast Guard are a favourite one-mark question, and the oil spill role is the Coast Guard's own distinct mandate.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone — The belt of sea, reaching up to 200 nautical miles from the coast, in which a country has rights over resources.
Surface platform Surface platform — Any vessel that floats and operates on the surface of the sea, as distinct from an aircraft.
Blue economy Blue economy — Economic activity that draws on the sea and its resources while keeping them usable in future.
Background
Approximately 59% of India is vulnerable to earthquakes, and the Bureau of Indian Standards has classified the country into four seismic zones based on earthquake risk. Zone V is the most active, including regions like the Himalayas, while Zone II is the least affected. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 led to the formation of the National Disaster Management Authority, the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Management Authorities for efficient disaster response. Earthquakes occur when stress builds up in the Earth's crust, which is made of large plates that move slowly. The 1905 Kangra and 2001 Bhuj earthquakes are among the most catastrophic in India's history: the magnitude 8.0 Kangra earthquake struck Himachal Pradesh and claimed 19,800 lives, and the magnitude 7.9 Bhuj earthquake claimed 12,932 lives and devastated 890 villages. Seismic observatories increased from 80 in 2014 to 168 by February 2025. The BhooKamp app was launched for real-time earthquake updates, and the National Disaster Management Authority's Earthquake Risk Indexing project assesses earthquake risks in 50 cities with plans to cover 16 more.
Share of India vulnerable to earthquakes:
Approximately 59%
Number of seismic zones:
Four
Most active zone:
Zone V
Kangra earthquake:
Magnitude 8.0, 19,800 lives
Bhuj earthquake:
Magnitude 7.9, 12,932 lives
Why it matters for exams: Zone numbering is asked the wrong way round as often as the right way, and the Act of 2005 is the single parent of all three disaster bodies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BIS Bureau of Indian Standards — India's national standards body, which also lays down the seismic zone map used in building codes.
NDRF National Disaster Response Force — The specialist force for disaster response raised under the Disaster Management Act of 2005.
Seismic zone Seismic zone — An area grouped with others of similar expected earthquake intensity for the purpose of building standards.