Current Affairs - October 30, 2026 Current Affairs

The SAMHiTA (South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive) Manuscript Digitisation Project was launched at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in October, 2026. The initiative is a collaboration between the India International Centre (IIC), Delhi, and the Gangaramaya Temple, with financial assistance from the Government of India. The project aims to digitise ancient palm-leaf manuscripts to preserve South Asia’s cultural and intellectual heritage, including religious traditions, philosophies, rituals and artistic practices. The project’s memorandum of understanding was signed in July 2026, and its completion is expected by the end of November 2026.

India’s real GDP growth for the second quarter of FY 2026–27 (Q2 FY27) was estimated at 7.35% by the Finance Ministry in its economic report released on October 29, 2026. This estimate represents a slight slowdown compared to the 7.8% growth recorded in the first quarter. The ministry used a nowcasting framework based on indicators such as industrial production, fuel consumption, GST collections, port activity and vehicle sales. The estimate provides an early indication of economic performance rather than an official GDP figure. Global inflation, crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions were identified as potential risks to economic growth.

India’s extreme poverty rate declined significantly from 27.1% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2023, according to the World Bank’s Poverty and Equity Brief for October 2026. This reduction helped approximately 496 million people move out of extreme poverty. The improvement was supported by factors such as increased household consumption, growth in employment opportunities, particularly among rural women, and the expansion of social protection systems. The report also highlighted a decline in poverty measured using the lower-middle-income poverty line of USD 4.20 per person per day, from 57.7% to 16.1% during the same period.

Aditya won the gold medal in the men’s 55kg category at the World Boxing U19 Championships 2026 held in Budva, Montenegro. He defeated Russia’s Islam Magomedov by a score of 4–1 in the final to become the champion. Although Aditya lost the opening round, he made a strong comeback in the subsequent rounds to secure victory. On his way to the final, he defeated boxers from the USA, Serbia, Italy and Azerbaijan. India finished the championship with four medals: one gold, one silver and two bronze. Aditya was India's only gold medallist at the tournament.

The Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme recorded 23.46 lakh authorised hospital admissions, with authorised healthcare expenses amounting to ₹5,668.80 crore, as of October, 2026. Launched on October 29, 2024, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the scheme extends Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) benefits to all senior citizens aged above 70 years, irrespective of their income or socio-economic status. Eligible beneficiaries receive health coverage of ₹5 lakh annually for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. The scheme is implemented by the National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Uttarakhand expanded its total budget outlay to ₹1,19,547.39 crore for the financial year 2026–27 following a supplementary grant of ₹7,844.18 crore. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the budget at Vidhan Sabha Bhawan in Gairsain on October 27, 2026. The budget includes allocations for infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare, education, sports and social welfare. It also provides ₹4,164.32 crore for capital expenditure and ₹3,679.86 crore for revenue expenditure. Major initiatives include funding for the Divya Kumbh Mela infrastructure, farmer welfare schemes, digital education and medical college development.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi launched the 'Science on Wheels' initiative in Himachal Pradesh in October, 2026 to promote practical and interactive science education among students in rural areas. The programme was developed in collaboration with Plaksha University and the Igniting Dreams of Young Minds (IDYM) Foundation, with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It targets students from Classes 6 to 12 and provides six hours of laboratory-based learning per school. The initiative covers 50 schools across Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra districts.

Vijay Sankar, Chairman of the Sanmar Group, has been elected as the President-Elect of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) for 2026–27. The decision was taken by FICCI's National Executive Committee on October 29, 2026. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of FICCI and is expected to succeed Anant Goenka as President following the organisation's Annual General Meeting and Convention scheduled for November 18–19, 2026. Vijay Sankar also serves as Chairman of Chemplast Sanmar Limited.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, received the Chevalier de l’Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour), France’s highest distinction. The award was presented by Dr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening economic relations between India and France. His collaborations with French companies such as AXA and Alcatel-Lucent, along with cooperation with Eutelsat, contributed to this recognition. The honour also acknowledges his long-standing business relationship with France, which began in 1992.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) celebrated the 19th Raising Day of Project ARUNANK at Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh in October 2026. Established in 2008, Project ARUNANK is responsible for maintaining and developing important road networks in the challenging mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. The project plays a significant role in strengthening border infrastructure and supporting the mobility and operational preparedness of the Armed Forces. Its activities also include adopting advanced engineering techniques, slope-protection measures, environmental initiatives and welfare facilities for casual labourers working in difficult geographical conditions.