Today Current Affairs – 26 October 2026

Today Current Affairs – 26 October 2026

Daily Current Affairs for APSC, ADRE, UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, CUET PG and UGC NET

These current-affairs notes are prepared for your competitive-exam website, GradeYou.in, with an emphasis on recent developments, government announcements, important facts and exam-oriented takeaways. The main reference is the Government of India's Press Information Bureau (PIB), along with other relevant official sources.

### 1\. 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026

Indian Polity & International Relations

The Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26 October 2026. The forum provides a platform for parliamentary representatives of BRICS countries to discuss cooperation, democratic institutions and people-centred development. The event is being held at the Parliament House Complex in New Delhi.

Why is it important?

* It promotes dialogue and cooperation among the legislatures of BRICS member countries.

* It highlights the role of parliamentary diplomacy in international relations.

* It is relevant to questions on BRICS, multilateralism and India's foreign policy.

Exam facts

* Organisation: BRICS

* Venue: Parliament House Complex, New Delhi

* Date: 26–27 October 2026

* Subject: Parliamentary cooperation and people-centred development

Source: Press Information Bureau, Lok Sabha Secretariat.

### 2\. India records its best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games 2026

Sports

India achieved a record performance at the Asian Para Games 2026, winning 114 medals. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Indian contingent secured 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals.

Total medals

### 114

Gold medals

### 30

Silver medals

### 35

Bronze medals

### 49

Exam relevance: Remember the total medal tally and the distinction between the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games. Para-sports involve athletes with eligible disabilities competing under sport-specific classification systems.

Source: Prime Minister's Office, Press Information Bureau.

### 3\. Operation Trident: Anti-narcotics crackdown in Northeast India

Internal Security

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with other enforcement agencies and state police, launched Operation Trident on 23 October 2026. The operation targeted an international drug-trafficking network operating across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, with connections to routes linking India, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs' PIB release dated 25 October, the operation involved simultaneous action at 38 locations.

Key facts reported by the government

* 38 locations were targeted by 38 multi-agency teams.

* 18 people were arrested.

* 1,424 bank accounts were frozen.

* Hawala transactions worth approximately ₹100 crore were identified.

* Properties worth ₹17.82 crore were attached.

* Authorities seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh in cash.

The operation reflects an enforcement approach that targets not only drug seizures but also the financial networks and logistical infrastructure supporting organised trafficking.

Exam relevance: NCB, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, cross-border organised crime, money laundering and Northeast India's strategic border geography.

### 4\. National SARAS Mela 2026 promotes rural women entrepreneurs

Government Schemes & Rural Development

The Ministry of Rural Development highlighted the achievements of women entrepreneurs at the National SARAS Mela 2026 in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on 26 October.

The event provides a marketplace where women belonging to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can showcase and sell handicrafts, textiles, food products and other goods. It also helps them connect with customers, institutions and potential buyers.

The mela is organised under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which supports rural livelihoods through SHGs and related institutions.

### What is a Lakhpati Didi?

A Lakhpati Didi is a woman from an SHG household whose household earns at least ₹1 lakh annually on a sustainable basis, as defined by the initiative.

The initiative aims to strengthen women's economic participation through skills, financial access, diversified livelihoods and market opportunities.

Important exam facts

* Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development

* Mission: DAY-NRLM

* Core institution: Self-Help Groups

* Mela venue: Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada

* Scheduled duration: 13–31 October 2026

* Main objective: Rural livelihoods, women's entrepreneurship and market access

Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Rural Development.

### 5\. RBI inaugurates a Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute

Banking & Economy

On 25 October 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's newly established Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The development is relevant to banking-sector digital infrastructure, secure financial systems and the growing importance of cybersecurity in the financial sector. A data centre supports the storage and processing of information, while cybersecurity training helps build expertise in protecting digital systems from threats.

Why this matters for competitive examinations

* The Reserve Bank of India is India's central bank.

* Cybersecurity is essential for digital banking, payment systems and the protection of financial information.

* Banking infrastructure and financial-sector resilience are important topics for banking examinations, APSC and UPSC.

Source: Prime Minister's Office and Press Information Bureau.

### 6\. Prime Minister congratulates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

International Relations

On 26 October 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on his victory in Brazil's presidential elections, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Brazil is an important partner for India in international forums and South–South cooperation. India and Brazil also cooperate through multilateral groupings, including BRICS and the G20.

Exam facts

* Country: Brazil

* President mentioned in the announcement: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

* Relevant topics: India–Brazil relations, BRICS, G20 and multilateral diplomacy

Source: Prime Minister's Office, Government of India.

### 7\. Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti 2026

Art & Culture

On 26 October, the Prime Minister extended greetings on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. Maharishi Valmiki is traditionally regarded as the author of the Ramayana, one of the foundational epics of Indian literature.

The occasion is relevant to questions on Indian literature, religious traditions, cultural heritage and the development of epic narratives in India.

Important facts

* Personality: Maharishi Valmiki

* Associated work: Ramayana

* Subject area: Indian culture and literature

Source: Prime Minister's Office, Government of India.

### 8\. Immersive Technologies: PIB backgrounder

Science & Technology

The Press Information Bureau listed a backgrounder on Immersive Technologies on 26 October 2026.

Immersive technologies create interactive digital experiences by combining computer-generated environments with the user's perception of the physical or virtual world. The principal technologies include:

* Virtual Reality (VR): Creates a computer-generated environment in which users can experience a simulated world.

* Augmented Reality (AR): Adds digital elements to a view of the real world.

* Mixed Reality (MR): Integrates digital objects with the physical environment, allowing interaction between them.

These technologies have applications in education, healthcare, industrial training, tourism, design and defence.

Exam relevance: Learn the differences between VR, AR and MR, along with their practical applications.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.

### 9\. Catch the Rain campaign

Environment

The Press Information Bureau also listed a backgrounder on Catch the Rain on 26 October 2026.

Catch the Rain is associated with rainwater harvesting and water conservation. Its central message is to collect and conserve rainwater wherever it falls, using appropriate local methods.

Rainwater harvesting can help recharge groundwater, reduce surface runoff and improve water availability. It is particularly relevant to water-stressed regions and areas experiencing seasonal rainfall.

Exam facts

* Main theme: Rainwater conservation

* Key concept: Rainwater harvesting

* Related topics: Groundwater recharge, watershed management and sustainable water use

Source: Press Information Bureau, Government of India.

### 10\. Important Current Affairs MCQs for 26 October 2026

1. Where was the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held?

A. Mumbai

B. New Delhi

C. Bengaluru

D. Hyderabad

2. How many medals did India win at the Asian Para Games 2026?

A. 94

B. 104

C. 114

D. 124

3. Which agency spearheaded Operation Trident?

A. CBI

B. Narcotics Control Bureau

C. NIA

D. RBI

4. DAY-NRLM is associated with which area?

A. Space research

B. Rural livelihoods

C. Urban transport

D. Defence production

5. Maharishi Valmiki is traditionally associated with the authorship of which epic?

A. Mahabharata

B. Ramayana

C. Arthashastra

D. Indica

6. What does VR stand for?

A. Visual Recording

B. Virtual Reality

C. Verified Rendering

D. Virtual Robotics

7. Which institution is India's central bank?

A. SEBI

B. NABARD

C. Reserve Bank of India

D. NITI Aayog

8. Which country is associated with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva?

A. Argentina

B. Brazil

C. Chile

D. Mexico

### Official sources for further reading

* [Press Information Bureau (PIB)] — Government press releases and backgrounders.

* [Prime Minister's Office] — Official announcements and statements.

* [Lok Sabha]) — Parliamentary information.

* [Reserve Bank of India] — Banking and financial-sector information.

* [Ministry of Rural Development]— Rural livelihood schemes and programmes.