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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Elias George as the Part-time Chairman of Federal Bank on May 25, 2026, for a tenure of three years. Prior to this elevation, he served as an Independent Director on the bank’s board from September 5, 2023, reflecting his continued association with the institution. His professional background includes serving as the CEO of the Kochi Metro Rail project and as Chairman of the Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority. A retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, he brings extensive administrative and infrastructure experience. Federal Bank, headquartered in Aluva, Kochi, is one of India’s established scheduled commercial banks with a long legacy in the banking sector.

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on June 3, 2026, through a notification issued by the Central Government. The appointment was made by the President of India based on the recommendation of the Supreme Court Collegium. She succeeded Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, who retired on June 4, 2026. Before this elevation, she served as a Judge of the Sikkim High Court since April 2015 and held the position of Acting Chief Justice on multiple occasions. She also achieved the distinction of being the first woman from Sikkim to be elevated as a High Court Judge.

OnMeta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with QazPost, Kazakhstan’s national postal operator, on October 13, 2026, in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The partnership aims to integrate OnMeta’s digital payment infrastructure with QazPost’s nationwide physical distribution network. The collaboration will focus on developing digital financial solutions for consumers and businesses, including services related to payments, investing, and digital assets. The partnership was led by Thillainayagam Bharath, Founder and CEO of OnMeta. OnMeta specialises in payment infrastructure, particularly on-ramp and off-ramp solutions that connect traditional financial systems with the digital asset ecosystem.

INS Trishul is a Talwar-class guided-missile stealth frigate of the Indian Navy that arrived at Plymouth, United Kingdom, on October 11, 2026, to participate in the annual bilateral maritime exercise KONKAN-26. Built in Russia, the warship was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 2003 and is part of the Western Fleet based in Mumbai. Exercise KONKAN-26 is conducted jointly by the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation. The exercise includes harbour and sea phases, featuring air defence drills, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck flying operations, firing exercises, and complex seamanship evolutions. It supports the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership under the Vision 2035 framework.

Nipun, the Indian Navy's second indigenous Diving Support Vessel, was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. Constructed with nearly 75% indigenous content, the vessel supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It serves as a mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels during underwater rescue missions and is equipped with advanced saturation diving systems and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for deep-sea salvage and underwater operations. The induction of Nipun significantly strengthens the Indian Navy's underwater rescue and maritime support capabilities.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out three consecutive flight-tests of the Multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system and the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR) on June 10 and 11, 2026. These tests demonstrated India's capability to defend against long-range ballistic missile threats and marked the successful maiden flight-test of the NASM-MR, designed for the Indian Navy. The achievement placed India among a select group of nations capable of engaging Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). Developed indigenously, these advanced missile systems strengthen India's defence preparedness and showcase significant progress in domestic military technology and strategic capabilities.

India’s retail inflation rose marginally to 4.45% in July 2026, compared with 4.38% in June 2026. The increase was mainly driven by higher food prices, with Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) inflation rising to 5.52% from 5.32% in June. The July figures were based on the revised Consumer Price Index (CPI), which uses 2024 as its base year. Rural retail inflation stood higher at 4.84%, while urban inflation was 3.96%. Among major states, Telangana recorded the highest inflation at 6.32% in July.

October 29 is observed as the International Day of Care and Support by the United Nations. The day recognises the importance of care and support systems in society and highlights the contributions of paid and unpaid caregivers. It also promotes awareness of the need for accessible, affordable and quality care services. The observance encourages governments, organisations and communities to strengthen care policies, address inequalities and support people who provide care, including family members and professional caregivers.

October is observed globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) every year, from October 1 to October 31. The campaign aims to promote early detection, timely treatment, and equitable access to quality healthcare for people affected by breast cancer. The official theme for 2026 is “Every story is unique, every journey matters.” The month is also widely known as “Pink October,” reflecting the global effort to spread awareness and support patients and their families. The pink ribbon is the internationally recognised symbol of breast cancer awareness. The observance was established in October 1985 through a partnership between the American Cancer Society and the pharmaceutical division of Imperial Chemical Industries.

World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24 to raise awareness about poliomyelitis and promote efforts to eradicate the disease through vaccination. The day also highlights the importance of immunisation, disease surveillance, and international cooperation in preventing polio. The 2026 theme is “Together, We End Polio,” emphasising the collective responsibility of governments, healthcare professionals, international organisations, and communities. October 24 also marks the birthday of Jonas Salk, who led the team that developed the first injectable polio vaccine. Although wild poliovirus transmission has been eliminated in many countries, continued vaccination remains essential to prevent outbreaks and achieve global eradication.

World Nature Conservation Day is observed every year on July 28 to promote awareness about conserving natural resources, protecting biodiversity, and encouraging sustainable development. The observance highlights the importance of preserving forests, wildlife, rivers, oceans, wetlands, and other ecosystems that support life on Earth. It also draws attention to major environmental challenges such as climate change, deforestation, pollution, and habitat destruction. The day encourages governments, organisations, and individuals to adopt eco-friendly practices and strengthen conservation efforts to ensure environmental stability, economic progress, and a healthier future for coming generations.

World Snake Day is celebrated annually on July 16 to raise awareness about snakes and their importance in maintaining ecological balance. The observance highlights the need to conserve snake species, protect their natural habitats, and educate people about their ecological role. Snakes help control rodent populations, support biodiversity, and maintain healthy food chains. The day also aims to dispel common myths and fears associated with snakes through educational programs and conservation initiatives. Since its recognition in 2009, World Snake Day has encouraged wildlife experts, conservationists, and environmental organisations worldwide to promote snake conservation and foster a better understanding of these important reptiles.

Han Seong-sook was nominated by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung as the new Prime Minister on June 09, 2026. She currently serves as the Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and is the first female Prime Minister nominee of the Lee administration. If approved by the National Assembly, she will become only the second woman to hold the office of Prime Minister in South Korea's history. Before entering government service, Han was the CEO of Naver, a major internet company, and has been entrusted with advancing the country's Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology-driven growth initiatives.

Oscar Whitfield, a 14-year-old British photographer, won the Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award for his black-and-white photograph titled ‘Labour of Love’. The photograph, captured in Zimbabwe, shows a dung beetle carrying a ball of dung from a ground-level perspective. The competition is organised annually by the Natural History Museum in London, United Kingdom, to recognise outstanding wildlife photography and highlight animal behaviour and biodiversity. The 62nd edition received a record 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories. The 2026 competition was notable because both the adult and young overall winners were recognised for black-and-white photographs.

Jorhat, located in Assam, is the site of the newly inaugurated Grainage Building and Cold Storage facility at the Central Silk Board’s Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Rowriah. The facility was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Textiles Pabitra Margherita on October 8, 2026, under the North-East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS). The new infrastructure can produce 30 lakh Disease-Free Layings (DFLs) of mulberry hybrid silkworm seed annually and preserve up to one crore DFLs in cold storage. The project aims to strengthen silkworm seed production, support Assam’s sericulture industry, improve silk quality, and create employment opportunities in the region.

West Bengal has approved the Bhagini Nivedita Scheme to provide financial assistance to unmarried women pursuing higher education. Under this initiative, each eligible beneficiary will receive a total of ₹50,000 over three years in three instalments. The assistance includes ₹17,000 in the first year, ₹17,000 in the second year, and ₹16,000 in the third year. The scheme is scheduled to be implemented across the state from January 2027. The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers to higher education and encourage women to continue their studies. The state government is expected to announce detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures separately.

Khurasani Imli, a unique fruit obtained from the African Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata), is closely associated with the historic town of Mandu in the Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh. It was awarded a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag to recognise its distinct identity, heritage, and strong connection to the region. Mandu hosts India's largest natural cluster of Baobab trees, and the area's specific soil and climatic conditions contribute to the fruit's unique characteristics. The GI Tag protects the authenticity of the product and preserves its cultural, historical, and ecological significance for future generations.

The ICMR i-DRONE study was conducted in Telangana's Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar and the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). The initiative evaluated drone-assisted transport of sputum samples for tuberculosis diagnosis among 840 participants. It reduced the median diagnosis time from 15 days to just 5 days while significantly lowering patients' out-of-pocket expenditure from ₹9,451 to ₹91. The project also established a hub-and-spoke healthcare network connecting Primary Health Centres, sub-centres, and TB units, demonstrating how drone technology can improve healthcare delivery and strengthen medical supply chains.

Agnikul Cosmos received ₹200 crore under an agreement signed with the Technology Development Board (TDB) and the Department of Science & Technology (DST) to develop the fully reusable Agnibaan launch vehicle. The funding is provided through Optionally Convertible Debentures under the Research Development and Innovation Fund. The project aims to advance Agnibaan’s Technology Readiness Level from TRL-4 to TRL-8. The vehicle uses a semi-cryogenic liquid propulsion system with deep-throttling and restart capabilities. Agnikul Cosmos, established in 2017 and headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, is also known for developing the Agnilet, a single-piece 3D-printed rocket engine.

HAL Airport in Bengaluru became the first airport in India to operationalise a satellite-guided helicopter approach procedure on August 7, 2026. The procedure uses Required Navigation Performance Category H (RNP CAT H), a specialised satellite-based navigation system designed specifically for helicopters. Developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), it was validated by HAL test pilots and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The system reduces helicopter approach time from around 12 minutes to approximately 4 minutes and enables accurate flight paths around terrain and urban obstacles. It is particularly useful for air ambulance and search-and-rescue operations.