16 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has released the Scheduled Banks' Statement of Position in India as on September 30, 2026. Total deposits of scheduled commercial banks stood at ₹28,395,692.65 crore and bank credit, excluding inter-bank advances, at ₹22,994,657.51 crore. For all scheduled banks taken together, deposits were ₹28,955,375.06 crore and bank credit ₹23,509,866.26 crore. The statement compares the position with the corresponding reporting Friday of the previous year, October 3, 2025, and with the previous fortnight ended September 15, 2026. The statement is compiled fortnightly from the returns that scheduled banks file with the Reserve Bank.
Deposits of scheduled commercial banks:
₹28,395,692.65 crore
Bank credit of scheduled commercial banks:
₹22,994,657.51 crore
Reporting date:
September 30, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Aggregate deposit and credit figures are the standard way banking questions test the size and growth of the Indian banking system.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
Scheduled bank A bank included in the Second Schedule to the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 — Such banks must meet capital and other conditions and can borrow from the Reserve Bank.
Background
The Union Territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishments of Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, which lie scattered in South India. It is a Union Territory with a legislature and extends over an area of 479 square kilometres. Its total population is 12,44,464 with a literacy rate of 86.55, as per the 2011 Census (Provisional). The main languages spoken are Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and French. Puducherry town, the capital of the Territory and once the headquarters of the French in India, lies on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, bounded on the east by the sea and on the other three sides by Tamil Nadu.
Area:
479 sq km
Population (2011 Census, Provisional):
12,44,464
Literacy rate:
86.55
Four former French establishments:
Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, Yanam
Why it matters for exams: Area, population and literacy of Puducherry and its status as a Union Territory with a legislature are standard Kerala PSC and UPSC facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Union Territory with legislature UT having its own Legislative Assembly — A Union Territory that, unlike most, has an elected Assembly and a Council of Ministers.
15 October 2026
The World Health Organization has confirmed that Egypt remains the first country to hold gold tier status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C, after an assessment of its progress between 2023 and 2025. WHO first granted Egypt that status, stating that Egypt had become the first country to achieve gold tier status on the path to elimination of hepatitis C as per WHO criteria. Achieving the gold tier means a country has fulfilled the programmatic requirements that reduce new hepatitis C infections and deaths to levels that position it to end the epidemic. Egypt reduced the prevalence of hepatitis C from 10 percent to 0.38 percent in just over a decade. Its 100 million seha, or 100 million healthy lives, campaign resulted in the testing of over 60 million people and treatment of more than 4.1 million people, with a 99 percent cure rate among those treated. Locally manufactured direct-acting antiviral treatments were a key factor. Egypt established the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis in 2006 to lead the national response.
Prevalence fall:
10% to 0.38%
People tested:
Over 60 million
People treated:
More than 4.1 million
Cure rate:
99 percent
National Committee set up:
2006
Why it matters for exams: Egypt's hepatitis C model and the WHO gold tier criterion are set in public health and reports questions in both PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Gold tier WHO gold tier status on the path to elimination — A WHO grade given when a country has met the programmatic requirements that cut new hepatitis C infections and deaths enough to end the epidemic.
DAA Direct-acting antiviral — A class of medicines that attacks the hepatitis C virus directly; Egypt manufactured them locally for its campaign.
15 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India released preliminary balance of payments data for August 2026 on 15 October 2026.
The current account recorded a net deficit of US$ 5.2 billion in August 2026, against US$ 6.1 billion in August 2025.
For April-August 2026, the cumulative current account deficit widened to US$ 18.3 billion from US$ 12.8 billion a year earlier.
Net merchandise trade showed a deficit of US$ 26.6 billion in August 2026.
Net services recorded a surplus of US$ 16.5 billion in the month.
The capital account recorded a net inflow of US$ 50.6 billion in August 2026, against US$ 0.5 billion in August 2025.
Current account deficit, August 2026:
US$ 5.2 billion
Cumulative deficit, April-August 2026:
US$ 18.3 billion
Net services surplus, August 2026:
US$ 16.5 billion
Why it matters for exams: Current account deficit figures and the distinction between current and capital accounts are core economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
BoP Balance of Payments — A statement of all economic transactions between residents of a country and the rest of the world.
15 October 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Periodic Labour Force Survey monthly bulletin for September 2026 on 15 October 2026.
The unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above remained steady at 5.0 per cent, down 0.2 percentage points from September 2025.
The Labour Force Participation Rate was 55.5 per cent, against 55.6 per cent in August 2026.
Urban female labour force participation rose from 25.4 per cent to 25.9 per cent, its highest level since October 2025.
The Worker Population Ratio stood at 52.7 per cent, with urban WPR at 47.2 per cent.
The estimates are based on information collected from 3,70,513 persons.
Unemployment rate (15+):
5.0 per cent
Labour Force Participation Rate:
55.5 per cent
Worker Population Ratio:
52.7 per cent
Persons surveyed:
3,70,513
Why it matters for exams: PLFS indicators such as LFPR, WPR and the unemployment rate are directly asked in economy and statistics sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
LFPR Labour Force Participation Rate — The share of the population that is either working or seeking work.
CWS Current Weekly Status — A reference period of the seven days preceding the survey date.
15 October 2026
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry released trade data for September 2026 on 15 October 2026.
India's total exports during April-September 2026-27 are estimated at US$ 476.20 billion, a growth of 13.84 per cent over US$ 418.31 billion a year earlier.
Total imports in the same period are estimated at US$ 551.13 billion, a growth of 15.68 per cent.
Merchandise exports in September 2026 were US$ 44.40 billion against US$ 36.08 billion in September 2025.
The services trade surplus for April-September 2026-27 is estimated at US$ 102.71 billion.
Exports of electronic goods grew 70.44 per cent, the fastest among major categories.
Total exports April-September 2026-27:
US$ 476.20 billion
Total imports April-September 2026-27:
US$ 551.13 billion
Trade balance:
-US$ 74.93 billion
Electronic goods export growth:
70.44 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Half-yearly trade figures and the trade deficit are standard economy questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC prelims.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Merchandise trade Trade in physical goods — Trade in physical goods, as distinct from services trade.
15 October 2026
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index for September 2026 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The index for all urban consumers rose 0.6 per cent for the month on a seasonally adjusted basis, after a 0.4 per cent rise in August.
Over the 12 months ending September the index rose 3.7 per cent before seasonal adjustment, up from 3.4 per cent in August.
The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 per cent for the month, the same as in August, and 2.6 per cent over the year.
The energy index rose 5.2 per cent for the month and 20.4 per cent over the year, with gasoline up 9.1 per cent for the month and 34.2 per cent over the year, while food was unchanged for the month and up 2.5 per cent over the year.
Monthly change:
0.6 per cent
12-month change:
3.7 per cent
All items less food and energy:
2.6 per cent over the year
Gasoline over the year:
34.2 per cent
Why it matters for exams: The split between headline and core inflation, and the role of energy, are standard questions on any inflation release.
UPSCBank
In plain words
CPI-U Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers — The main United States consumer price measure, covering urban households.
Core inflation All items less food and energy — The price index with the most volatile items removed, used to read the underlying trend.
15 October 2026
Yemen's economy remains under strain, having contracted again in 2025 and now facing additional pressures linked to the conflict in the Middle East, the World Bank said on 21 May 2026.
The Spring 2026 edition of the Yemen Economic Monitor, titled Pushing Against the Tide, finds that national real GDP declined by 1.5 per cent in 2025 and is projected to contract by a further 0.5 per cent in 2026.
Oil exports are still blocked, and funding for the UN Response Plan covered only 28 per cent of needs, down from 56.5 per cent in 2024.
Revenues fell to 5.6 per cent of GDP, driven by reduced external grants.
The Yemeni rial in Aden appreciated sharply in August 2025 and has since stabilized, supported by Central Bank measures and external inflows including Saudi financial support.
Nearly three-quarters of the population is estimated to live below the poverty line.
Dina Abu-Ghaida, World Bank Group Country Manager for Yemen, said the economy has limited buffers to absorb new shocks.
Real GDP in 2025:
Declined by 1.5 per cent
Projection for 2026:
A further contraction of 0.5 per cent
UN Response Plan funding:
28 per cent of needs, down from 56.5 per cent in 2024
Revenues:
5.6 per cent of GDP
Report title:
Pushing Against the Tide, Spring 2026 edition
Why it matters for exams: The Yemeni rial, the role of the Central Bank in Aden and the World Bank's growth numbers are the economy questions most likely to be set on Yemen.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Yemen Economic Monitor World Bank Yemen Economic Monitor — The World Bank's periodic review of Yemen's economy, published twice a year.
Rial Yemeni rial — Yemen's currency, which trades at different rates in Aden and in Houthi-held areas.
15 October 2026
The World Health Organization said on 7 October 2026 that significantly more resources are required to scale up its response in Yemen amid escalating conflict.
WHO's immediate funding requirements have increased from $9 million to $31 million, with an additional $700,000 needed to support refugees in Djibouti.
Fighting has mainly occurred on the coast in Lahj governorate near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, in neighbouring Taiz governorate and in Marib governorate in northern Yemen.
As of 2 October there were 959 reported deaths and 4,207 injuries across 10 governorates, according to the Yemeni health authorities.
Trauma stabilization points on the Lahj coast and in Al-Dhale have no partners to operate them, and emergency maternity services have been suspended in Marib and Ras Al-Arah.
Of the nearly 198,000 people uprooted, less than one per cent had received health services as of the previous week.
Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative in Yemen, said the situation is evolving into a complex emergency.
WHO immediate requirement:
Up from $9 million to $31 million
Extra for refugees in Djibouti:
$700,000
Deaths as of 2 October:
959
Injuries as of 2 October:
4,207 across 10 governorates
Why it matters for exams: The casualty count by governorate, the Bab al-Mandeb location of the fighting and the scale of the WHO appeal are all directly quotable facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Governorate Muhafazah — The first-level administrative division of Yemen, comparable to a province.
Complex emergency Complex humanitarian emergency — A crisis in which conflict, displacement and disease outbreaks overlap and strain the response.
15 October 2026
UNESCO has released its 2026 Global Education Monitoring Gender Report, ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October.
The share of girls married before 18 fell globally from 25 per cent in 2000 to 18 per cent in 2025, but it remains 25 per cent in Central and Southern Asia and 31 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2024 an estimated 6 million pregnant girls and young mothers aged 10 to 19 were out of school in sub-Saharan Africa, and fewer than 5 per cent of pregnant and parenting girls in the region return to school.
In India, 59 girls complete upper secondary education per 100 boys in rural areas, while urban areas have achieved parity.
The report finds 58 per cent of countries guarantee the right to education without sex or gender based discrimination and 35 per cent explicitly protect the right to education of pregnant and parenting girls.
Girls married before 18, 2000:
25%
Girls married before 18, 2025:
18%
India, rural upper secondary completion:
59 girls per 100 boys
Countries guaranteeing non-discrimination:
58%
Why it matters for exams: The GEM Gender Report gives India-specific figures inside a global report, which examiners like to pair.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GEM Report Global Education Monitoring Report — UNESCO's annual report tracking progress on education targets worldwide.
Gender parity Gender parity — Equal participation of girls and boys in a stage of education.
15 October 2026
The Kerala State Biodiversity Board has released a policy document titled 'Red List Assessment of Ecosystems and Global Ecosystem Typology of Kerala's Unique Ecosystems'.
Environment Minister Sunny Joseph released the compilation at a function in his chamber in the Secretariat.
The study was taken up as part of the State government's 100-day action plan.
It applies the standards of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Version 2.0 at the State level.
The assessment covers ecosystems from the Western Ghats highlands down to river basins, coastal stretches and wetlands.
The analysis used Google Earth Engine, Sentinel satellite imagery, statistical analysis in R and mapping in QGIS.
Released by:
Kerala State Biodiversity Board
Standard applied:
IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Version 2.0
Minister:
Sunny Joseph, Environment
Why it matters for exams: The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems is distinct from the better-known Red List of species, and a State-level application of it is a likely question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature — The global body that maintains the Red Lists of threatened species and of ecosystems.
QGIS Quantum Geographic Information System — A free mapping and spatial analysis software used widely in environmental studies.
15 October 2026
The Federal Reserve Board released the results of the 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances on 9 October 2026. The survey provides the public and policymakers with detailed insights into the economic condition of American families. Measured from 2022 to 2025 and adjusted for inflation, median family income rose 7 per cent to $82,200 while mean family income fell 6 per cent to $145,200. Median net worth rose 2 per cent to $215,900 and mean net worth rose 7 per cent to $1.24 million. The gap between the median and the mean, and the fact that the two income measures moved in opposite directions, point to gains concentrated at the upper end of the distribution.
Median family income:
Up 7% to $82,200
Mean family income:
Down 6% to $145,200
Median net worth:
Up 2% to $215,900
Mean net worth:
Up 7% to $1.24 million
Why it matters for exams: The difference between median and mean is a standard statistics concept, and this survey gives a live example with exact figures.
UPSCBank
In plain words
SCF Survey of Consumer Finances — A triennial Federal Reserve survey of United States household balance sheets.
Median Median — The middle value, which is unaffected by extreme values at either end.
14 October 2026
A Nature news feature published on 14 October 2026 traces China's rise in science. In 1978 China published fewer than 120 papers in international journals, 0.02 per cent of the global total, according to Elsevier's Scopus. China's overall research and development spending rose roughly 100-fold over three decades and grew by more than 10 per cent a year on average over the past ten years. OECD data show that in 2024 China overtook the United States as the largest gross domestic expenditure on research and development measured at purchasing power parity; at market exchange rates China's spending was about half the United States level in 2024, up from 8 per cent in 2004. China plans to raise research and development expenditure by at least 7 per cent a year through 2030. Basic research took just under 7 per cent of China's research budget in 2024, against 14.4 per cent in the United States, 11.6 per cent in Japan and 14.7 per cent in South Korea; the share reached a record 7.08 per cent in 2025 but missed the previous five-year plan's 8 per cent target. China surpassed the United States in 2023 as the top-ranked country for papers in influential journals, according to the Nature Index, which tracks 178 journals. The feature cautions against reading the purchasing power parity figure as settling the question, because comparing the research and development spending of two countries is complex.
China's papers in 1978:
Fewer than 120, or 0.02 per cent of the global total
R&D growth, last ten years:
More than 10 per cent a year on average
Basic research share 2024:
Just under 7 per cent (US 14.4, Japan 11.6, South Korea 14.7)
Target to 2030:
At least 7 per cent growth a year
Nature Index journals:
178
Why it matters for exams: Gross domestic expenditure on research and development, purchasing power parity and the Nature Index are three technical ideas an examiner can test through one comparison of countries.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GERD Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development — The total a country spends on research and development within its borders in a year.
PPP Purchasing Power Parity — A way of comparing spending across countries by adjusting for what money actually buys locally.
Nature Index Nature Index — A database that ranks countries and institutions by their share of papers in a selected set of journals.
Basic research Basic research — Research aimed at understanding, without an immediate application in view.
14 October 2026
Based on advance estimates, Singapore's economy grew 5.4 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, moderating from 6.2 per cent in the previous quarter.
On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted basis, the economy expanded 1.1 per cent, easing from 1.5 per cent in the second quarter.
The manufacturing sector grew 7.5 per cent year on year, slower than the 12.9 per cent of the previous quarter.
Growth was supported by electronics, precision engineering, transport engineering and general manufacturing clusters, offsetting declines in chemicals and biomedical manufacturing.
The advance estimates were released by Singapore's trade ministry on 14 October 2026.
GDP growth, Q3 2026 (year on year):
5.4 per cent
GDP growth, Q2 2026:
6.2 per cent
Quarter on quarter, seasonally adjusted:
1.1 per cent
Manufacturing growth:
7.5 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Quarterly GDP readings of Asian economies, and the year-on-year versus quarter-on-quarter distinction, are standard economy-paper material.
UPSCBank
In plain words
Advance estimates First estimates published soon after a quarter ends — Early figures that are later revised when fuller data arrive.
14 October 2026
All-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation for September 2026 is 11.39 per cent year on year (provisional), compared with 9.92 per cent in August 2026 (provisional).
The All Commodities index stands at 112.5, up from 110.8 in August 2026.
Year-on-year inflation is 8.67 per cent for Primary Articles, 25.85 per cent for Fuel and Power and 9.76 per cent for Manufactured Products.
The WPI Food Index shows inflation of 8.66 per cent, compared with 7.05 per cent in August 2026.
The series uses the base year 2022-23, and the figures for October 2026 will be released on 16 November 2026.
WPI inflation, September 2026:
11.39 per cent
WPI inflation, August 2026:
9.92 per cent
Fuel and Power:
25.85 per cent
Primary Articles:
8.67 per cent
Manufactured Products:
9.76 per cent
Why it matters for exams: WPI figures and their groups are asked in economy and banking papers, often alongside retail inflation.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
WPI Wholesale Price Index — A measure of price changes of goods at the wholesale stage.
Base year 2022-23 for the current WPI series — The year against which later prices are compared.
14 October 2026
The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkiye's inflation data page records the consumer price index change for September 2026.
The annual change in the consumer price index was 29.73 per cent.
The monthly change was 1.84 per cent.
The figures are compiled and released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), which published them on 5 October 2026.
Annual inflation had been 31.51 per cent in August 2026, so the September reading was the first below 30 per cent since November 2021.
The Central Bank's Monetary Policy Committee states that it aims at a 5 per cent inflation target in the medium term.
Annual CPI change, September 2026:
29.73 per cent
Monthly CPI change:
1.84 per cent
Medium-term target:
5 per cent
Why it matters for exams: Inflation readings of major economies are standard comparison material in economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TurkStat Turkish Statistical Institute — Turkiye's national statistical office, which compiles the consumer price index.
14 October 2026
The World Meteorological Organization said sea-surface temperatures show that El Nino is strengthening and is forecast to peak around December 2026.
Its Global Seasonal Climate Update for October to December 2026 draws on a consensus of 13 national and international centres.
Forecasts give a near-100 per cent likelihood that El Nino will persist through February 2027, and it could be one of the strongest events since at least 1950.
The Nino 3.4 sea-surface temperature anomaly was about +1.6 degrees Celsius in June 2026 and +2.5 degrees Celsius in August 2026.
For October to December 2026 the seasonal average is forecast at about +3.7 degrees Celsius, the highest since observations began. The previous record was +2.6 degrees Celsius from November 2015 to January 2016.
WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said El Nino is firmly established and strengthening rapidly.
The Indian Ocean Dipole is positive and is expected to peak in October, with an October to December anomaly of about +0.5 degrees Celsius.
Forecast Nino 3.4 anomaly (Oct-Dec 2026):
about +3.7 degrees Celsius
Previous record:
+2.6 degrees Celsius (November 2015 to January 2016)
Forecasting centres:
13
Expected peak:
around December 2026
Why it matters for exams: El Nino drives monsoon, drought and flood risk worldwide and is a recurring question in geography and environment papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
WMO World Meteorological Organization — The UN specialised agency for weather, climate and water, based in Geneva.
Nino 3.4 Nino 3.4 region — A box in the central equatorial Pacific whose sea-surface temperature anomaly is the standard measure of El Nino strength.
IOD Indian Ocean Dipole — The difference in sea-surface temperature between the western and eastern tropical Indian Ocean.
13 October 2026
UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo said about 800 million young people entering the labour market in developing economies will not find jobs unless countries act.
Over the next 15 years, 1.2 billion young people will leave school for the labour market, and jobs are projected for only 400 million of them.
He spoke from Bangkok, where he was attending the World Bank Group-IMF Annual Meetings.
UNDP launched an Investment Accelerator to improve investment policies and build pipelines of investment-ready projects.
It also launched a Jobs for Prosperity Facility to identify job-rich sectors and align skills with employers' needs.
Both are backed by partnerships with the World Bank Group, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Young people entering labour market (15 years):
1.2 billion
Projected jobs:
400 million
Without jobs:
800 million
Why it matters for exams: Demographic dividend, youth unemployment and UN development agencies are recurring economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
UNDP United Nations Development Programme — The UN's main development agency; it also publishes the Human Development Report.
EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development — A multilateral development bank founded in 1991, based in London.
13 October 2026
Marking the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, the UN said communities face $228 billion every year to rebuild housing after disasters.
The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) said damage to housing accounts for 43 per cent of the direct cost of cyclones, floods, tsunamis and earthquakes.
Citing the Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll 2026, UNDRR said only 27 per cent of warned people with no household plan or confidence could act on a warning, against 83 per cent of those with both.
Secretary-General António Guterres called safer dwellings the shared responsibility of governments, developers, engineers and communities.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it helped 1.4 million people in 2025 across 39 countries with disaster risk reduction programmes.
Annual housing losses from disasters:
$228 billion
Housing share of direct disaster cost:
43 per cent
People helped by IOM in 2025:
1.4 million in 39 countries
Why it matters for exams: International days, UNDRR and disaster-loss figures feed both disaster-management and environment papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNDRR United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction — The UN office that coordinates global work to reduce disaster risk.
IOM International Organization for Migration — The UN migration agency, which also runs disaster preparedness and recovery work.
13 October 2026
The US Treasury announced enforcement actions imposing more than $1.21 billion in penalties against Bank of America, the second-largest bank in the United States.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) assessed a $1.2 billion penalty, which includes credit for the OCC fine, for failing to mitigate and report risks including Chinese Money Laundering Networks and illicit finance along the southwest border.
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) assessed a $750 million penalty, the largest in its history.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced an $11.6 million settlement over apparent violations of sanctions programmes including those on Iran and Russia.
Treasury called the package the third-largest penalty in its history.
Total penalties:
More than $1.21 billion
FinCEN penalty:
$1.2 billion
OCC penalty:
$750 million
OFAC settlement:
$11.6 million
Why it matters for exams: Anti-money laundering rules, sanctions compliance and regulators such as FinCEN are common in banking and economy papers.
UPSCBank
In plain words
FinCEN Financial Crimes Enforcement Network — The US Treasury bureau that fights money laundering and other financial crime.
OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control — The Treasury office that administers and enforces US sanctions.
OCC Office of the Comptroller of the Currency — The regulator of national banks in the United States.