Current Affairs — 7 October 2026
A comprehensive daily current affairs digest covering National, International, Economy, Science & Technology, Sports, and Awards — prepared for UPSC, SSC, IBPS, RRB, and all State PSC aspirants.
National Affairs
- RBI MPC 63rd Meeting — Repo Rate Hiked to 5.50%: The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee concluded its 63rd meeting (October 5–7, 2026) under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The repo rate was raised by 25 basis points to 5.50%. Policy stance changed to "calibrated tightening" in response to sustained food and fuel inflation.
- Union Cabinet Approves SME Growth Fund (₹10,000 Crore): The Union Cabinet approved a central government commitment of ₹10,000 crore to establish the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Growth Fund. The fund will channel capital through SEBI-registered AIFs to growth-stage SMEs across manufacturing, technology, services, and strategic value chains.
- PM Modi Marks 25 Years in Governance: Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 25 years of continuous governance, having taken his first oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on 7 October 2001. He reaffirmed the vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
- INDIA Bloc Protest & Detentions in Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and several INDIA bloc MPs were briefly detained by Delhi Police during a protest march to Jantar Mantar. Opposition demanded action on electoral roll revision controversies and ouster of the Chief Election Commissioner.
- Supreme Court — Legislative Privilege vs. Free Speech: The Supreme Court disposed of a 20+ year-old dispute stemming from a 2003 Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution ordering imprisonment of journalists for critical editorials — balancing legislative privilege against constitutional free speech guarantees.
International Affairs
- India–Canada NSA-Level Security Talks: Canada's Senior Diplomatic Advisor David Morrison visited New Delhi (October 5–7) for bilateral NSA-level talks with India's NSA Ajit Doval. Both nations reviewed the shared Security Work Plan on countering transnational crime, terrorism, and cybercrime.
- India–Ghana MoUs Exchanged: During EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar's visit to Ghana, two MoUs were signed — between ZSI and the University of Ghana, and between ICAR and Ghana's CSIR-Crops Research Institute — boosting agricultural research and education cooperation.
Nobel Prizes 2026
- Nobel Prize in Physics 2026 — Francis Halzen: Awarded to Francis Halzen for pioneering contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole and discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos.
- Nobel Prize in Literature 2026 — Anne Carson (Canada): Canadian poet and scholar Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature for extraordinary contributions blending poetry, essay, and translation.
Science & Technology
- NASA Lunar Nuclear Reactor by 2030: NASA announced plans to install a 20 kW nuclear fission reactor near the Moon's south pole by 2030 to power sustained crewed lunar missions.
Sports
- Mohun Bagan Wins IFA Shield (22nd Title): Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated arch-rivals East Bengal FC 1–0 to clinch their record 22nd IFA Shield title in Kolkata's premier football derby.
Quick Revision Table — One-Liners
| # | Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RBI Repo Rate | 5.50% (↑25 bps) — Calibrated Tightening stance |
| 2 | RBI MPC | 63rd Meeting | Governor: Sanjay Malhotra |
| 3 | SME Growth Fund | ₹10,000 Crore — Union Cabinet approved |
| 4 | PM Modi | 25 years in governance (CM Gujarat: 7 Oct 2001) |
| 5 | Nobel Prize Physics 2026 | Francis Halzen — IceCube Neutrino Observatory |
| 6 | Nobel Prize Literature 2026 | Anne Carson — Canada |
| 7 | NASA Lunar Reactor | 20 kW nuclear reactor — Moon south pole — by 2030 |
| 8 | India–Canada | NSA Ajit Doval met David Morrison, New Delhi |
| 9 | India–Ghana MoUs | ZSI–UoGhana & ICAR–CSIR-CRI (Agriculture) |
| 10 | IFA Shield 2026 | Mohun Bagan — 22nd title | Beat East Bengal 1–0 |
Exam Tip: RBI repo rate, Nobel Prize winners (Physics: Francis Halzen | Literature: Anne Carson), and key scheme approvals (SME Growth Fund ₹10,000 cr) are high-frequency topics in UPSC, SSC, IBPS, and State PSC exams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the RBI repo rate decision on 7 October 2026?
Ans: RBI MPC raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% in its 63rd meeting under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. Stance changed to "calibrated tightening".
Q: Who won the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026?
Ans: Francis Halzen won the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026 for contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos.
Q: Who won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2026?
Ans: Canadian poet Anne Carson won the Nobel Prize in Literature 2026.
Q: What is the SME Growth Fund approved on 7 October 2026?
Ans: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to provide growth capital to SMEs through SEBI-registered AIFs across manufacturing, technology, and services.
Q: Who won the 2026 IFA Shield?
Ans: Mohun Bagan Super Giant won the IFA Shield 2026 by defeating East Bengal 1–0, claiming their 22nd title.