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.
Background
The average depth of the ocean is about 3,682 metres (12,080 feet).
The deepest part of the ocean is called the Challenger Deep.
It lies beneath the western Pacific Ocean, in the southern end of the Mariana Trench.
The Mariana Trench runs several hundred kilometres southwest of the US territorial island of Guam.
Challenger Deep is approximately 10,935 metres (35,876 feet) deep.
It is named after HMS Challenger, whose crew first sounded the depths of the trench in 1875.
Deepest point:
Challenger Deep, approx. 10,935 metres
Location:
Southern end of the Mariana Trench, western Pacific Ocean
Average ocean depth:
About 3,682 metres
Named after:
HMS Challenger
Why it matters for exams: Ocean depths, trenches and their locations are standard world-geography questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ocean trench Deep narrow seafloor depression — A long, deep depression in the seafloor; the Mariana Trench is one.
Sounding Measuring water depth — HMS Challenger's crew first sounded the depths of the trench.
Background
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) functions under the Department of Defence Research and Development (DD R&D) of the Ministry of Defence.
DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the Technical Development Establishments (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
It was then a small organisation with 10 establishments or laboratories.
Its vision is to empower the nation with state-of-the-art indigenous defence and security technologies and systems.
Strategic systems and platforms developed include the Agni and Prithvi series of missiles, the light combat aircraft Tejas, the multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka and the air defence system Akash.
Its motto is "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam", which means the source of strength is science.
Formed in:
1958
Establishments at formation:
10
Parent department:
Department of Defence Research and Development
Motto:
Balasya Mulam Vigyanam
Why it matters for exams: DRDO's origin, parent department and flagship systems are routine defence and science-and-technology questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DD R&D Department of Defence Research and Development — The department of the Ministry of Defence under which DRDO functions.
Pinaka Multi-barrel rocket launcher — A DRDO-developed multi-barrel rocket launcher named among its strategic systems.
Akash Air defence system — A DRDO-developed air defence system.
Background
The Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA), now the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), was established by Sir Harcourt Butler on 15 November 1911.
The Indian Journal of Medical Research started in 1913 and is now a leading peer-reviewed indexed journal of biomedical research.
The Beri-Beri Enquiry under Sir Robert McCarrison is now known as the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.
The Virus Research Centre set up in Pune is now known as the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
A new blood group, the Bombay blood group, was discovered by Dr H. M. Bhatia and his team in Bombay.
IRFA was renamed the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1949; ICMR describes itself as the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
Founded as IRFA:
15 November 1911
Founder:
Sir Harcourt Butler
Renamed as ICMR:
1949
Indian Journal of Medical Research started:
1913
Why it matters for exams: ICMR's origins, mandate and the institutes that grew out of it are common health and science questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IRFA Indian Research Fund Association — The body established in 1911 that was renamed ICMR in 1949.
Apex body Highest coordinating body — ICMR describes itself as the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
Bombay blood group Rare blood group — A new blood group discovered by Dr H. M. Bhatia and his team in Bombay.
Background
National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC) is an institution of national importance set up by an Act of Parliament, the National Institute of Technology Act 2007, and is fully funded by the Government of India.
Originally established in 1961 as a Regional Engineering College (REC), it was transformed into a National Institute of Technology in 2002.
Its mandate is to provide higher technical education and conduct research in the various branches of Engineering, Science, Technology and Management.
The campus lies at the foothills of the Western Ghats, about 22 kilometres north-east of Calicut city in Kerala.
It stretches over a length of about 1.5 kilometres along the Calicut-Mukkam road, over an area of approximately 120 hectares.
The institute page notes that Calicut, also known as Kozhikode, found a place in world history with the discovery of a sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama.
Established as Regional Engineering College:
1961
Became an NIT:
2002
Legal basis:
National Institute of Technology Act 2007
Location:
About 22 km north-east of Calicut city
Campus area:
Approximately 120 hectares
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's institutions of national importance, their founding history and legal basis are regular Kerala PSC and UPSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Institution of national importance Status given by an Act of Parliament — NITC is one of the institutions set up by the National Institute of Technology Act 2007.
REC Regional Engineering College — The 1961 form of NIT Calicut before it became an NIT.
Background
The Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB), in Thiruvananthapuram, began in 1990 as a small charitable society called the Centre for Development of Education, Science and Technology (C-DEST).
In 1991 C-DEST became a Grant-in-Aid institute of the Government of Kerala and was renamed RGC-DEST, the first institute in the country to be named after Rajiv Gandhi.
On 18 April 1994 the Government of Kerala restructured it into a comprehensive biotechnology centre, the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology.
The foundation stone of the new building was laid on 18 November 1995 by the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao; on 18 November 2002 President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam dedicated the centre to the nation.
On 28 February 2006 Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram announced in the Union Budget that RGCB would be given the status of an autonomous National Institute.
On 2 August 2007 the Union Council of Ministers approved the take over of RGCB from 1 April 2007.
Began as C-DEST:
1990
Restructured as RGCB:
18 April 1994
Foundation stone laid:
18 November 1995 by Narasimha Rao
Dedicated to the nation:
18 November 2002 by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Union take over effective from:
1 April 2007
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's science institutions and their founding milestones are regular Kerala PSC questions on science and technology.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
C-DEST Centre for Development of Education, Science and Technology — The small charitable society from which RGCB grew in 1990.
Grant-in-Aid institute Institute funded by grants from a government — C-DEST became a Grant-in-Aid institute of the Government of Kerala in 1991.
Background
The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) is a multidisciplinary centre of excellence dedicated to research in tropical forests and forestry.
It was established in 1975 and has entered its 50th year of service.
It is located at Peechi P.O., Thrissur District.
KFRI became a constituent institution of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in 2002.
It is accredited as a research centre for PhD programmes by FRI University Dehradun, the University of Calicut and the Cochin University of Science and Technology.
KFRI also serves as the Secretariat for the international network TEAKNET, funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
Established:
1975
Location:
Peechi, Thrissur District
Became a KSCSTE constituent institution:
2002
International network secretariat:
TEAKNET (FAO-funded)
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's research institutions, their founding years and locations are standard Kerala PSC questions on science and the environment.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KSCSTE Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment — KFRI became its constituent institution in 2002.
TEAKNET International network on teak — KFRI serves as its Secretariat; it is funded by the FAO.
13 October 2026
The World Health Organization launched the strategy of the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence for 2026-2030 at the World Health Summit in Berlin, in a release dated 12 October 2026.
The five-year strategy sets the goal that by 2030 every country should be able to detect and understand emerging health threats within 24 hours of their appearance.
The Hub was created in 2021 with foundational support from the German Government and has worked with 160 WHO Member States and 190 partner organizations.
Its Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) system draws on over 4000 experts and is used by over 125 Member States and 30 regional and international organizations.
The Hub's Collaboratory brings together more than 2000 experts, and its Collaborative Surveillance Initiative has been implemented in more than 83 countries.
The strategy rests on five priority initiatives: EIOS, the International Pathogen Surveillance Network, the Collaboratory, the Collaborative Surveillance Initiative and a new Digital Enablers for Public Health Intelligence Initiative.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Hub "has become an integral part of the global health security system" and that the strategy "charts a clear path towards 2030".
Georg Kippels, Parliamentary State Secretary at Germany's Federal Ministry of Health, was present at the opening.
Strategy period:
2026-2030
Detection target by 2030:
within 24 hours
Member States worked with:
160
Partner organizations:
190
Countries with Collaborative Surveillance Initiative:
more than 83
Why it matters for exams: A named WHO strategy with a measurable target and five initiatives, useful for questions on global health surveillance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
EIOS Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources — A WHO system that scans publicly available information for early signals of disease outbreaks.
IPSN International Pathogen Surveillance Network — A WHO network that links laboratories doing genomic surveillance of pathogens.
13 October 2026
The Telangana government has introduced a new security paper for Meeseva certificates to rein in counterfeit certificates and unauthorised duplication.
IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu launched the paper in Hyderabad on Tuesday, October 13.
The paper incorporates 15 advanced security features; details of the features are being withheld for security reasons.
It is designed to resist tearing and withstand exposure to water, and to hold up against wear from routine handling, folding and long-term storage.
Under normal conditions it is also expected to reduce the need for lamination.
Meeseva centres have used a special security paper for printing certificates since 2011, and the new paper replaces that version.
It is expected to be particularly beneficial for birth and death certificates and other important documents that citizens need to preserve for long periods.
Security features:
15
Launched by:
D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT and Industries
Launch date:
October 13, 2026
Special paper in use since:
2011
Why it matters for exams: Meeseva is the State's citizen-services network, so the 15-feature security paper and the minister who launched it are natural State current-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Meeseva Citizen-services centres of the Telangana government — Centres that provide a range of government services across Telangana.
Security paper Specially designed paper for printing certificates — The new version resists tearing and water and carries 15 security features against forgery.
13 October 2026
At the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum 2026 in Dubai, RTA director general Mattar Al Tayer said the authority is studying an integrated underground system to move people, goods and services.
He described a Dubai that moves in three dimensions: the sky, the land and underground.
Dubai records more than 11 million journeys a day, over 7,000 every minute, and its daytime population is expected to double by 2040.
The RTA aims for one in every four journeys in Dubai to be autonomous by 2030.
The first air taxi station is expected in 2026, and plans include the Dh34-billion Metro Gold Line.
The forum also heard that Al Maktoum International Airport is designed to handle up to 260 million passengers a year.
Daily journeys in Dubai:
more than 11 million
Autonomous share target:
one in four journeys by 2030
Metro Gold Line:
Dh34 billion
Why it matters for exams: Dubai's transport targets and the leaders who set them are useful for questions on Gulf infrastructure and the emirates' local governments.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MBRLF Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum — A Dubai forum where government and private-sector leaders discuss the emirate's future plans.
13 October 2026
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has launched a four-week trial of the Glydways automated transit system at Bluewaters.
Each AI-powered electric pod carries four to six passengers, travels at up to 50 km/h and has a range of up to 250 km on one charge.
Every pod has 20 high-resolution LiDAR sensors, radar and high-definition cameras, and runs on dedicated routes that can be built at ground level or elevated.
The system is designed to carry more than 20,000 passengers per hour in both directions.
The developers say capital costs are up to 90 per cent lower and operating costs up to 70 per cent lower than comparable transport systems.
RTA director general Mattar Al Tayer took the first ride on the designated route.
Trial length:
four weeks
Capacity:
more than 20,000 passengers per hour
Range per charge:
up to 250 km
Why it matters for exams: Autonomous transport trials and the authority behind them are standard science-and-technology current-affairs material for a Gulf country.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
RTA Roads and Transport Authority — Dubai's government body for roads and public transport.
LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging — A laser sensor that maps the surroundings of a self-driving vehicle.
13 October 2026
The UAE is waiving intellectual property registration fees for student inventors and People of Determination under Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism began implementing it on 14 September, with full exemptions across 29 industrial property services.
The services cover patents, industrial designs, utility certificates and integrated circuit layouts.
Both groups share 11 exempt services, including patent and industrial design applications and annual protection fees for years two to five; these fees ran from Dh100 to Dh1,000.
People of Determination get nine more exempt services (fees of up to Dh9,000) and student inventors nine others (fees of up to Dh4,500).
Patent applications rose 9 per cent in the first half of 2026, the ministry said.
Instrument:
Cabinet Resolution No. 136 of 2026
Services exempted:
29
In force from:
14 September
Why it matters for exams: Cabinet resolutions, intellectual property and inclusion measures in a Gulf economy are typical current-affairs questions with a clear ministry and a clear number.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
People of Determination The UAE's official term for persons with disabilities — The UAE uses this term in its laws and services for persons with disabilities.
Utility certificate A form of industrial property protection — A lighter patent-like right for inventions, among the services now exempted.
13 October 2026
The Indian Navy is set to commission Samarthak at Naval Base, Karwar on 16 October 2026. Built by Larsen and Toubro Ltd under the Make in India initiative, she is the first of four Multi-Purpose Vessels being inducted into the Navy. Designed primarily for maritime surveillance and patrol, she can also undertake Low Intensity Maritime Operations, serve as a target deployment and trials platform and as an unmanned or autonomous system mothership. She is also capable of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and of conversion to a limited hospital ship. Her integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems. Her crest shows an Indian elephant emerging from the waves, and her motto is 'Victory is Our Sole Aim'.
Commissioning date:
16 October 2026
Place:
Naval Base, Karwar
Builder:
Larsen and Toubro Ltd
Position in class:
First of four Multi-Purpose Vessels
Why it matters for exams: New inductions into the Navy, the shipyard that built them and the base where they are commissioned are routine defence questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
LIMO Low Intensity Maritime Operations — One of the secondary roles listed for Samarthak.
HADR Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief — Relief missions the vessel can also undertake.
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 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 Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on 7 October 2026.
It goes to Henri B. Kagan of France and Kenso Soai of Japan, "for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis".
Some molecules, such as amino acids, exist as two variants that are mirror images of each other, yet living organisms contain only one of them.
Kagan took the first decisive step in 1986; Soai published a key paper in 1995 and in 2003 produced a reaction in which only one mirror image formed.
Their work is decisive for chemists who design reactions for making pharmaceuticals.
The prize amount is 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally.
Laureates:
Henri B. Kagan (France), Kenso Soai (Japan)
Announced:
7 October 2026
Prize amount:
12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally
Why it matters for exams: Nobel laureates, the awarding bodies and the work cited are standard questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Homochirality Same handedness — All amino acids in living cells share one mirror-image form.
Autocatalysis Self-catalysis — A reaction whose product speeds up its own formation.
13 October 2026
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, launched in October 2021, completes five years.
Its geospatial digital platform was developed indigenously by BISAG-N, the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics.
The platform integrates more than 1,800 data layers, covering 58 Central Ministries/Departments and all 36 States/Union Territories.
The Network Planning Group evaluated over 400 infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹20.23 lakh crore.
The PM GatiShakti Public platform, through the Unified Geospatial Interface, was launched in September 2025.
The Government has decided to set up an Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) for long-term transport planning.
Data layers integrated:
more than 1,800
Projects evaluated by NPG:
over 400, worth approximately ₹20.23 lakh crore
Developer:
BISAG-N
Why it matters for exams: GatiShakti is a flagship infrastructure planning framework; its developer, scale and the new logistics authority are likely recall questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BISAG-N Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics — The institute that built the PM GatiShakti geospatial platform.
NPG Network Planning Group — The body that evaluates infrastructure projects on PM GatiShakti principles.
ITLA Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority — The authority the Government has decided to set up (also approved by the Union Cabinet) to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment in transport and logistics.
13 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on 13 October 2026, the forum's debut in India.
He presented the idea of 'Power to Empower', saying the true value of power lies in its purpose.
He said startups have grown from a few hundred in 2014 to over 2.5 lakh, with over 45 percent led by women.
He cited the open-source CoWIN platform as an example of India sharing digital capability with partner countries.
He said India surpassed its target of 40 percent non-fossil installed electricity capacity in November 2021, nine years ahead of schedule.
He said India supplied vaccines to over 100 countries during the pandemic.
Theme of address:
Power to Empower
Startups:
over 2.5 lakh
Non-fossil capacity target met:
November 2021
Why it matters for exams: Questions on digital public infrastructure, the startup ecosystem and India's non-fossil capacity target are common in current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CoWIN COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network — India's open-source platform used to run COVID-19 vaccination.
JAM Trinity Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, Mobile — The link of bank accounts, Aadhaar identity and mobile numbers used for direct benefit transfers.
13 October 2026
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. disposed of WP(PIL) 15/2026, filed by C.R. Neelakandan, on 7 October 2026.
The PIL sought directions to make handling of passenger data at airports comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act and the DPDP Rules, 2025.
The Union said the Data Protection Board has been constituted but is not yet functional.
The court said it expects the Board to be made functional within eight weeks.
Counsel for the Digi Yatra Foundation submitted that, as of now, Aadhaar and Driving Licence can be considered proof of identity; the court said it expects authorities may also consider accepting Voter ID.
Case:
WP(PIL) 15/2026
Time given for Board:
eight weeks
ID proofs that can be considered now:
Aadhaar, Driving Licence
Why it matters for exams: Links the DPDP Act, the Data Protection Board and privacy rights to a live Kerala High Court case.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DPDP Act Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 — The law that governs how personal digital data is processed in India.
Digi Yatra Digi Yatra — A facial-recognition based paperless entry system at airports.
Data Protection Board Data Protection Board of India — The body set up under the DPDP Act to decide data protection complaints.
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.