Current Affairs - October 21, 2026 Current Affairs

Ayush Verma won the gold medal in the men’s shot put F53 category at the Asian Para Games 2026, held in Nagoya, Japan. He achieved a throw of 8.16 metres on his fifth attempt in the seated throwing competition. Iran’s Alireza Hemami secured the silver medal with a throw of 8.09 metres, while Kazakhstan’s Makhambet Serikkaliyev won bronze with 6.81 metres. Ayush also secured a bronze medal in the men’s javelin F53/54 event, making it his second medal at the competition. His gold-medal victory contributed to India’s total of 38 medals, including 10 gold medals.

Malaysia secured first place in the Ipsos Quality of Care Perception Index 2026, followed by Singapore in second place and India in third place. The index, released by Ipsos, a global market research firm, evaluates public perceptions of healthcare quality and experiences across different countries. The survey examined factors such as satisfaction with healthcare services, trust in the healthcare system, access to doctors and pharmacies, and affordability of medical care. In India, 68% of respondents rated healthcare quality positively, while 64% expressed confidence in the system’s ability to provide the best available medical care when needed. However, affordability remained a major concern.

Kerala hosted the fifth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, which began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram. The exercise involves approximately 240 personnel, with around 120 soldiers each from the Indian Army and the Australian Army. Its main objective is to improve interoperability, jointmanship and operational coordination between the two forces. The training focuses on joint sub-conventional operations in island and coastal environments under a United Nations mandate. Activities include tactical drills, surveillance, reconnaissance, protection of vital installations and humanitarian assistance. New Zealand also participated with an observer team for the first time.

October 21 is observed as World Iodine Deficiency Day, also known as World Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, to raise awareness about iodine deficiency and its effects on human health. Iodine is an essential micronutrient required by the thyroid gland to produce hormones that regulate metabolism, growth and brain development. Its deficiency can cause health problems such as goitre, hypothyroidism and impaired mental development, particularly during pregnancy and childhood. In India, the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP) works to prevent and control iodine deficiency disorders. Using adequately iodised salt is one of the most effective ways to prevent iodine deficiency.

Three Indian sites were added to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List in 2026, marking an important step toward their potential nomination for World Heritage status. The newly included sites are the Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang and the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, along with the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh. The first two are natural properties, recognised for their geological formations, volcanic activity and biodiversity. Sirpur is a cultural property known for its archaeological remains, ancient trade routes and multi-faith heritage. Inclusion on the Tentative List is a preliminary step and does not mean a site has already received World Heritage status.

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Limited, manufactured the Nagastra-1 loitering munitions inducted by the Indian Army. The Army received the first batch of 450 units under its Emergency Procurement powers. Nagastra-1 is an indigenous kamikaze drone designed to identify and strike targets with high precision. It uses electric propulsion, which produces a low acoustic signature, and offers GPS-enabled strike precision of approximately two metres. The drone has a man-in-the-loop range of 15 kilometres, an autonomous range of 30 kilometres and a flight endurance of 60 minutes. Its parachute-based recovery mechanism allows retrieval if a mission is cancelled.

October 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day in India to honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties. The day commemorates the sacrifice of ten Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in an attack by Chinese forces at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959. Various police units across India pay tribute to these brave personnel and other police martyrs. The National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, serves as a significant site for the commemoration. The day highlights the courage, dedication and service of police forces in protecting the nation and its citizens.

Zytorvi, containing the active ingredient toripalimab, was approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on October 21, 2026, for the first-line treatment of adults with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). It is an immunotherapy drug that works by inhibiting the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) pathway, helping the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. The approved treatment combines Zytorvi with two chemotherapy medicines, cisplatin and paclitaxel. The approval was supported by findings from the Phase 3 JUPITER-06 clinical trial, which demonstrated improved median overall survival compared with chemotherapy alone.

Bangladesh and Nepal will jointly host the third edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in 2027. The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 21, 2027, and conclude with the final on February 6, 2027. A total of 16 teams will participate in 41 matches across four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Kathmandu. India, the defending champions, have been placed in Group A alongside Ireland, West Indies and Nepal. The competition will feature a group stage, a Super Six stage, semi-finals and the final, providing an international platform for young women cricketers.

Nigeria reported an imported case of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in October 2026, after a female patient who had travelled from Uganda developed symptoms upon reaching the country. The infection was confirmed on October 20, 2026, in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The patient was isolated and received medical care. Health authorities identified 44 contacts for monitoring and initiated contact tracing, disease surveillance and infection prevention measures. The World Health Organisation (WHO) supported Nigeria with investigations and protective equipment for healthcare workers. The case occurred amid a regional outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.