Current Affairs18 October 2026Current Affairs

15 October 2026 – Most Important Current Affairs

Daily Current Affairs Overview —

Welcome to RozgarRank daily current affairs briefing for . Today's key coverage spans Supreme Court hearings on voter roll revisions, senior healthcare initiatives under Ayushman Vay Vandana, national drone port policy frameworks, Indo-French submarine partnerships, Gaganyaan crew drop trials, and World Students' Day.

Key Highlights of the Day

  • Judiciary: Supreme Court began regular hearings on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) voter petitions.
  • Senior Healthcare: Centre rolled out Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards for citizens aged 70 and above.
  • Air Logistics: National Drone Port Policy Framework released to connect 100 logistics zones.
  • Naval Modernization: India and France finalized contract terms for three additional Scorpène submarines.
  • Space Mission: ISRO successfully completed Gaganyaan Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) in UP.

National Affairs

1. Supreme Court Begins Bench Hearing on Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

The Supreme Court three-judge bench resumed regular hearings on petitions challenging procedural discrepancies and bulk voter exclusions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Delhi and Maharashtra. The bench directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to submit district-level disposal logs.

Expected Question: Which constitutional court is hearing the batch petitions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
Answer: Supreme Court of India

2. Centre Launches 'Ayushman Vay Vandana' Card for Citizens Aged 70 and Above

The Ministry of Health operationalized the Ayushman Vay Vandana card under the expanded Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY framework. The scheme provides ₹5 lakh annual top-up health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of household income.

Expected Question: Which specialized card was introduced under PM-JAY for senior citizens aged 70 and above?
Answer: Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

3. PM Modi Unveils National Drone Port Policy Framework

Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the national guidelines for developing standardized drone hubs and dedicated freight air corridors across 100 logistics zones. The initiative aims to lower medical parcel transit times in hilly and remote geographies.

Expected Question: The new National Drone Port Policy primarily targets freight corridors across how many logistics zones?
Answer: 100 logistics zones

4. Bureau of Indian Standards Notifies AI-Powered Medical Diagnostics Norms

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulated India's first national technical standard (IS 18950) evaluating algorithmic reliability, patient data sovereignty, and error thresholds for AI-assisted diagnostic tools.

Expected Question: Which organization notified standard IS 18950 for AI medical diagnostic software?
Answer: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

5. Central Vigilance Commission Announces Vigilance Awareness Week 2026

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) announced that Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 will be observed nationwide from 27 October to 2 November with a focus on administrative transparency and technological whistleblowing.

Expected Question: Which statutory body observes National Vigilance Awareness Week in India?
Answer: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

International Affairs and Defence

6. India and France Finalize Roadmap for Scorpène Submarine Expansion

The Ministry of Defence approved technical contract terms with France's Naval Group for constructing three additional advanced Kalvari-class (Scorpène) submarines with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) plugs at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

Expected Question: India is building additional Kalvari-class Scorpène submarines in collaboration with which nation?
Answer: France

7. NATO–Indo-Pacific Strategic Forum Convenes in Brussels

A high-level Indian delegation participated in the NATO–Indo-Pacific partners dialogue in Brussels to discuss maritime lane protections, subsea telecommunication cable safety, and cybersecurity cooperation against transnational state-backed actors.

Expected Question: The NATO–Indo-Pacific Strategic Forum 2026 met in which European city?
Answer: Brussels

8. India Delivers 25th Consignment of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza

Under Operation Karuna, the Indian Air Force dispatched a C-17 Globemaster carrying 32 tonnes of critical medical equipment, hygiene essentials, and water purification units to El-Arish airport for onward distribution in Gaza.

Expected Question: Which transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force carried relief materials for Gaza?
Answer: C-17 Globemaster

9. Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 Scheduled in Idaho

The Indian Army and the US Special Forces announced the operational deployment plan for the 15th edition of the joint special forces drill Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 to be conducted in Idaho, USA.

Expected Question: Exercise Vajra Prahar is a joint special forces training exercise between India and which country?
Answer: United States

Economy, Science and Technology

10. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) Inflation Moderates to 1.84% in September

Data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry showed India's wholesale price index inflation easing to 1.84%, aided by stable domestic fuel rates and softening global commodity inputs.

Expected Question: What was India's WPI inflation print for September 2026?
Answer: 1.84%

11. ISRO Completes Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT) for Gaganyaan Crew Module

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted the second integrated parachute air drop test from an altitude of 4 kilometers over the Babina field firing range in Uttar Pradesh.

Expected Question: Which space agency executed the integrated air drop test for the Gaganyaan crew capsule?
Answer: ISRO

12. SEBI Approves Unified T+0 Settlement Framework for Retail Investors

The Securities and Exchange Board of India approved the phased rollout of optional same-day (T+0) settlement across the top 500 National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) equity scrips.

Expected Question: Which capital markets regulator approved the expanded T+0 equity settlement framework?
Answer: SEBI

13. Coal India Surpasses 450 Million Tonnes Production Milestone

State-owned Maharatna firm Coal India Limited (CIL) announced aggregate raw coal extraction crossing 450 million tonnes for the April–October window, marking a year-on-year volume expansion of 7.2%.

Expected Question: Which central public sector enterprise achieved the 450 million tonne fuel extraction mark?
Answer: Coal India Limited (CIL)

State and Regional Affairs

14. Maharashtra Cabinet Clears Dedicated Semi-Conductor Cluster in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The Maharashtra state cabinet cleared land allotments and infrastructure subsidies for a ₹12,000-crore compound semiconductor testing and advanced packaging fabrication facility in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Expected Question: In which district did the Maharashtra Cabinet approve a dedicated semiconductor packaging cluster?
Answer: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

15. Assam Launches 'Mission Basundhara 3.0' for Land Digitization

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated Mission Basundhara 3.0 to provide undisputed digital land ownership titles, survey tribal tracts, and resolve municipal record overlaps.

Expected Question: Mission Basundhara 3.0 is a flagship digital land rights mission of which state government?
Answer: Assam

16. Uttar Pradesh Approves 500-Acre Multimodal Logistics Park Near Jewar Airport

The Uttar Pradesh government sanctioned the master development plan for an integrated multimodal logistics hub adjacent to the upcoming Noida International Airport in Jewar to expedite express industrial freight.

Expected Question: The 500-acre multimodal logistics hub was sanctioned adjacent to which international airport in UP?
Answer: Noida International Airport (Jewar)

Sports, Awards and Important Days

17. World Students' Day Observed on 15 October

World Students' Day was commemorated across institutions on in honor of the birth anniversary of former President of India and aerospace scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Expected Question: World Students' Day is observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of which leader?
Answer: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

18. Global Handwashing Day Observed on 15 October

The United Nations designated Global Handwashing Day was celebrated on with the 2026 theme "Clean Hands for Universal Health", advocating hygiene protocols in schools and rural health centers.

Expected Question: Global Handwashing Day is observed worldwide on which date?
Answer: 15 October

19. Indian Men's Hockey Team Departs for Asian Champions Trophy 2026

The 18-member Indian men's hockey squad departed for the Asian Champions Trophy host arena under captain Harmanpreet Singh, aiming to defend their continental championship title.

Expected Question: Who is the captain of the Indian Men's hockey team for the Asian Champions Trophy 2026?
Answer: Harmanpreet Singh

20. Sahitya Akademi Announces 2026 Bal Sahitya Puraskar in Sanskrit

The Sahitya Akademi conferred the Bal Sahitya Puraskar in Sanskrit on eminent author Dr. Janaki Ballabh for his short-story anthology depicting ancient ecological parables.

Expected Question: The Bal Sahitya Puraskar in Sanskrit for 2026 was awarded to which author?
Answer: Dr. Janaki Ballabh

Quick Recap Table — 15 October 2026

Category Key Event Expected Question Focus
JudiciarySC bench hearing on voter list SIR petitionsForum
HealthcareAyushman Vay Vandana card for 70+ seniorsScheme Name
LogisticsNational Drone Port Policy across 100 hubsNumber of Zones
StandardizationBIS issues IS 18950 for AI diagnostic toolsAgency
GovernanceCVC notifies Vigilance Awareness Week 2026Body
DefenceContract terms finalized for 3 Scorpène submarinesPartner Nation
DiplomacyNATO–Indo-Pacific Forum in BrusselsCity
Humanitarian32 tonnes aid sent to Gaza via C-17 aircraftAircraft
Military DrillExercise Vajra Prahar 2026 in IdahoPartner Nation
EconomySeptember WPI inflation moderates to 1.84%Figure
SpaceISRO executes Gaganyaan crew drop testAgency
Capital MarketsSEBI permits optional T+0 equity settlementSettlement Cycle
EnergyCoal India crosses 450 MT extraction markEnterprise
State ProjectCompound semiconductor hub in SambhajinagarDistrict
Land ReformsAssam unveils Mission Basundhara 3.0State
Infrastructure500-acre logistics park near Jewar airportLocation
Important DayWorld Students' Day (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam)Personality
Important DayGlobal Handwashing DayDate
SportsIndian hockey team departs for Asian Champions TrophyCaptain
LiteratureBal Sahitya Puraskar in Sanskrit to Janaki BallabhAwardee

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which constitutional court is hearing the batch petitions regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?

Ans: Supreme Court of India

Q: Which specialized card was introduced under PM-JAY for senior citizens aged 70 and above?

Ans: Ayushman Vay Vandana Card

Q: The new National Drone Port Policy primarily targets freight corridors across how many logistics zones?

Ans: 100 logistics zones

Q: Which organization notified standard IS 18950 for AI medical diagnostic software?

Ans: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Q: Which statutory body observes National Vigilance Awareness Week in India?

Ans: Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

Q: India is building additional Kalvari-class Scorpène submarines in collaboration with which nation?

Ans: France

Q: The NATO–Indo-Pacific Strategic Forum 2026 met in which European city?

Ans: Brussels

Q: Which transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force carried relief materials for Gaza?

Ans: C-17 Globemaster

Q: Exercise Vajra Prahar is a joint special forces training exercise between India and which country?

Ans: United States

Q: What was India's WPI inflation print for September 2026?

Ans: 1.84%

Q: Which space agency executed the integrated air drop test for the Gaganyaan crew capsule?

Ans: ISRO

Q: Which capital markets regulator approved the expanded T+0 equity settlement framework?

Ans: SEBI

Q: Which central public sector enterprise achieved the 450 million tonne fuel extraction mark?

Ans: Coal India Limited (CIL)

Q: In which district did the Maharashtra Cabinet approve a dedicated semiconductor packaging cluster?

Ans: Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Q: Mission Basundhara 3.0 is a flagship digital land rights mission of which state government?

Ans: Assam

Q: The 500-acre multimodal logistics hub was sanctioned adjacent to which international airport in UP?

Ans: Noida International Airport (Jewar)

Q: World Students' Day is observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of which leader?

Ans: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Q: Global Handwashing Day is observed worldwide on which date?

Ans: 15 October

Q: Who is the captain of the Indian Men's hockey team for the Asian Champions Trophy 2026?

Ans: Harmanpreet Singh

Q: The Bal Sahitya Puraskar in Sanskrit for 2026 was awarded to which author?

Ans: Dr. Janaki Ballabh