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Pulses are the main focus of the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, launched on October 11, 2025, with a financial outlay of ₹11,440 crore for the period from 2025–26 to 2030–31. The mission aims to achieve domestic self-sufficiency, reduce import dependence, and improve farmers’ incomes. It targets annual production of 350 lakh tonnes, productivity of 1,130 kg per hectare, and cultivation across 310 lakh hectares by 2030–31. Tur, Urad, and Masur are the priority crops. Key measures include distributing improved seeds, assuring procurement at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), expanding cultivation, and establishing processing units to strengthen the agricultural value chain.

Michael Kremer was appointed as the new Chief Economist of the World Bank Group, with his tenure scheduled to begin on October 1, 2026. He succeeds Indermit Gill in the position and will lead the World Bank’s research division. Kremer is a Nobel laureate who received the 2019 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences jointly with Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. He is a professor at the University of Chicago and heads the Development Innovation Lab. His research mandate includes poverty reduction, healthcare, education and access to clean water.

Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala has been appointed as the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) by the Government of India with the approval of the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He has over 30 years of experience in satellite oceanography, tsunami warning systems, climate services, disaster risk reduction, and coastal hazard management. Before assuming this role, he headed the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) Secretariat under UNESCO-IOC in Perth, Australia. He also played a key role in establishing India's Tsunami Early Warning Centre at INCOIS, significantly strengthening the country's disaster preparedness and ocean science capabilities.

Bisleri International signed a Letter of Association with the Indian Coast Guard (Kerala & Mahe) to strengthen plastic waste management and promote coastal sustainability. The collaboration is being carried out under Bisleri’s flagship sustainability initiative, Bottles for Change (BFC). It focuses on the efficient collection, segregation, and recycling of post-consumer plastic waste while preventing plastic from entering marine ecosystems. Working alongside Green Worms, the initiative aims to improve waste management systems across the coastal regions of Kerala and Mahe, contributing to cleaner coastlines and enhanced environmental conservation.

INS Tarkash, a frontline guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, arrived in South Africa on October 12, 2026, to participate in the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX). The trilateral exercise involves the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa and aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, operational coordination and regional security. Conducted biennially since its inception in 2008, IBSAMAR includes activities such as surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-piracy operations and search-and-rescue drills. INS Tarkash is the second of the three Teg-class stealth frigates built for the Indian Navy by Russia’s Yantar Shipyard and was commissioned on November 9, 2012.

India secured the 57th position in the 2023 Market Distortions Performance Index, improving significantly from 82nd place in 2010 and climbing 25 positions over 13 years. The Competere Foundation credited this progress to major structural and pro-competitive reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), regulatory simplification, and trade facilitation measures. The report highlighted improvements in ownership rights protection, domestic competition, and international competitiveness, reflecting India's efforts to create a more transparent, investment-friendly, and globally competitive economy that supports long-term sustainable growth.

India’s soybean imports reached a record 1.1 million tonnes during the 2025–26 marketing season, compared with approximately 2,000 tonnes in the previous season. The sharp increase was mainly driven by rising domestic soybean prices, which encouraged processing industries to purchase soybeans from international markets. Niger emerged as India's largest supplier, with shipments estimated at more than 430,000 tonnes. India permits the import of only non-genetically modified (non-GM) soybeans under the applicable regulations. Meanwhile, India's soymeal exports declined by approximately half to around 1 million tonnes during the same marketing season, according to the Soybean Processors Association of India (SOPA).

ICICI Lombard was fined ₹1 crore by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for regulatory non-compliance related to outsourcing practices, vendor management, and corporate governance. The lapses were identified during an IRDAI inspection covering the company’s operations in 2019. The insurer failed to properly classify and report event management services involving agents of other insurers as outsourced activities. During FY19, ICICI Lombard had spent ₹709.57 crore under sales, marketing and business support, including around ₹35-37 crore paid to agents of other insurers without proper documentation or classification in its Outsourcing Returns.

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was established on September 26, 1942, as an autonomous body dedicated to advancing scientific and industrial research in India. CSIR was formed as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. Over the years, it has developed into a nationwide research and development network with 37 national laboratories covering areas such as aerospace, chemical sciences, biotechnology, environmental science, ocean science, healthcare, materials and engineering. CSIR’s headquarters is located at Anusandhan Bhavan, New Delhi. September 26 is observed as CSIR Foundation Day, commemorating its establishment in 1942.

October 16 is observed annually as World Food Day to raise awareness about hunger, malnutrition, food security and sustainable agriculture. The date marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1945. The first World Food Day was observed in 1981, following a resolution adopted by FAO member nations in 1979. The theme for World Food Day 2026 focuses on innovation to improve food production, preservation, distribution and access to nutritious diets. The observance also supports Sustainable Development Goal 2, known as Zero Hunger, which aims to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture by 2030.

Lula da Silva, whose full name is Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, won Brazil’s presidential runoff election held on October 25, 2026, securing 51.79% of the valid votes. He defeated his right-wing challenger, Flávio Bolsonaro, who received 48.21%. Lula represents the Workers’ Party (PT) and has a long political career, having first become president in January 2003. After serving two consecutive terms until 2010, he returned to the presidency in January 2023. His new term is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2027. His key challenges include political divisions, economic reforms, environmental protection and international relations.

Turkey became the 71st signatory to the Artemis Accords on August 31, 2026. The agreement was signed by Turkiye’s Minister for Industry and Technology, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, at NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Artemis Accords establish principles for peaceful, transparent, and cooperative exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Turkiye’s participation reflects its growing interest in space exploration and international cooperation. The country is developing its national space program and preparing its first lunar mission, AYAP-1. Turkiye’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, travelled to the International Space Station in 2024 and conducted scientific research.

Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, hosted the Fisheries Investors & Exporters Conclave 2026 on October 23, 2026. The event was organised by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh to promote investment and export opportunities in the inland fisheries sector. During the conclave, the Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines, 2026, were launched, and standard operating procedures for inland-state exports were released. Madhya Pradesh was also designated a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster, utilising its 4.50 lakh hectares of water area to support fisheries development, infrastructure expansion, and export-oriented growth.

Ariha Pangambam created history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at the Aerobic Gymnastics Asian Championships. She secured the gold medal in the senior women’s individual event held in the Philippines from August 4 to 7, 2026. Pangambam finished at the top with an overall score of 19.100, comprising 8.650 in artistry, 7.600 in execution and 2.850 in difficulty. Her achievement marked a significant milestone for Indian aerobic gymnastics at the Asian level. The Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI), established in 1951 and headquartered in New Delhi, is the national governing body for gymnastics in India.

East Bengal won the 2026 Durand Cup by defeating Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the final held in Kolkata, West Bengal, on August 25, 2026. The victory earned East Bengal its record-equalling 17th Durand Cup title, matching Mohun Bagan’s previous record. The triumph also ended East Bengal’s 22-year wait for the prestigious trophy, with their previous title coming in 2004. Edmund Lalrindika was the star performer, scoring a hat-trick, while Bipin Singh also found the net. East Bengal was coached by Antonio Lopez Habas and captained by Mohammed Rashid.

Australia won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 by defeating England by seven wickets in the final at Lord’s Cricket Ground. England scored 150/4 in their allotted 20 overs, with Nat Sciver-Brunt remaining unbeaten on 58. Australia successfully chased the target in just 17.1 overs, led by Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 64 runs and Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive innings, which provided an excellent start. This victory earned Australia a record seventh ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, further strengthening their position as the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

Tamil Nadu notified three elephant corridors in the Hosur Forest Division, covering more than 10,300 hectares, to safeguard critical elephant movement routes between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The designated corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti, Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty, and Billikkal Jawalagiri. The longest is the Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty corridor, covering 6,881.47 hectares and extending for 20.90 km. These corridors are located within the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining reserved forests. The notification aims to maintain forest connectivity, support elephant migration, and reduce habitat fragmentation and human-elephant conflict. It followed directions from the Madras High Court and recommendations from expert committees.

Kerala launched the Digital Square and ARISE initiatives to strengthen Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics education in schools across the state. Implemented by the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) under the General Education Department, the initiatives aim to create a scientific digital culture and establish robotics laboratories in all state syllabus high schools. Students will receive training in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Drone Technology, and Robotics. The programme also expands Little KITEs IT clubs to additional school levels and enforces the Cyber Safety Protocol 2026, helping prepare students with future-ready digital skills.

IIT Patna developed an innovative hybrid magneto-rheometer to advance the testing and application of Magnetorheological (MR) fluids. The research team, led by Prof. Chiranjit Sarkar, developed a custom-built instrument along with nano iron powder-based MR fluids. Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the instrument can measure both rheological properties, such as flow and deformation, and tribological properties, including friction and wear. It can also evaluate performance under simultaneous compression and shear forces. The technology has potential applications in aerospace, defence, healthcare, industrial automation, shock absorbers, vibration control systems, dampers, and actuators.

IIT Guwahati researchers developed E-Eye, a low-cost and portable optical sensing device for rapid on-site detection of water contamination. The device can detect heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, iron and chromium, along with fluoride and E. coli bacteria. It operates using the Beer-Lambert law and measures colour changes in chemical reactions to estimate contaminant concentrations. The device costs around ₹3,500, with an operational cost of about ₹2 per sample. Its performance is comparable to standard laboratory instruments, making it particularly useful for water-quality monitoring in rural areas.