Current Affairs 26 October 2026: Asian Para Games, ISRO NavIC

From a record-breaking medal haul at the Asian Para Games to ISRO's upcoming navigation satellite launch, 26 October 2026 brought a mix of sports, science, and governance news that exam aspirants cannot afford to miss.

Top stories of 26 October 2026

India Wins Record 114 Medals at Asian Para Games 2026

India concluded its campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan with a record haul of 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze — surpassing its previous best from the Hangzhou 2023 edition. Para-athletics contributed the most with 65 medals, even though India fielded a smaller contingent of 168 athletes compared to 309 earlier. PM Narendra Modi congratulated the athletes on 25 October 2026, calling it a moment of immense national pride. This is an important sports current-affairs topic for static GK sections.

PM Modi Inaugurates RBI's New Data Centre and Cyber Security Institute in Odisha

PM Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's new Data Centre and Cyber Security Training Institute at Jatni in Odisha's Khordha district on 25 October 2026. Built at a cost of about Rs 169 crore over 18.55 acres, it is RBI's second data centre after Navi Mumbai and will provide secure backup computing for the financial sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra attended the event. This is relevant for Banking exam questions on RBI infrastructure and leadership.

Physicist Ashoke Sen Becomes First Indian to Win Oskar Klein Medal

Theoretical physicist Ashoke Sen has become the first Indian to win the Oskar Klein Medal for 2026. Sen, who holds the ICTS-Infosys Madhava Chair, was recognised for pioneering work on S-duality, black hole entropy counting, and string field theory. He delivered the Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture at Stockholm University's AlbaNova Centre on 22 October 2026. The award is a key 'Awards & Honours' topic for UPSC and SSC exams.

PM Modi's 139th Mann Ki Baat Highlights Organic Farming, Khadi and Digital Healthcare

In the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat on 25 October 2026, PM Modi spoke about sustainable agriculture, traditional industries, organ donation, and digital healthcare. He highlighted the 'Kheti Virasat Mission' promoting organic and natural cotton farming in Punjab's Malwa region through the 'Nav-Trinjan' initiative, and praised the e-Sanjeevani tele-consultation platform. The programme completed twelve uninterrupted years since its launch on Vijayadashami, a useful fact for Polity and Governance sections.

Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav Appointed New Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir

The Government of India appointed Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir via a Ministry of Home Affairs order dated 24 October 2026. He succeeds Atal Dulloo, who retires on 31 October, and takes charge from 1 November 2026. Appointments like this are frequently asked in the 'Persons in News' category.

India to Host 61st CIML Meeting on Legal Metrology in New Delhi

India is hosting the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) for the first time, in New Delhi from 26-28 October 2026. Organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), the event brings together over 100 delegates from member states to discuss measurement standards and digitalisation, with an OIML Strategy Workshop on 27 October. This is useful for questions on international organisations hosted by India.

Veteran Painter and Former Rajya Sabha MP Jogen Chowdhury Passes Away

Eminent modern Indian painter Jogen Chowdhury died in Kolkata on 25 October 2026 at the age of 87, after a prolonged battle with a rare blood cancer called myeloproliferative neoplasm. Known for his distinctive cross-hatched line drawings, he served as a Rajya Sabha MP from West Bengal (TMC) from 2014 to 2020 and was a Padma Bhushan recipient. Obituaries of notable personalities are a common exam topic.

India Ends 72-Year Wait for Asian Table Tennis Mixed Doubles Medal

Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade won India a historic bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Asian Table Tennis Championships 2026 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 23 October 2026 — India's first such continental podium finish since 1954. The world no. 26-ranked pair beat South Korea's Park Ganghyeon-Lee Daeun in the quarterfinals before losing to Japan's top pair in the semifinals. This sports achievement is important for current-affairs sports rounds.

ISRO Set to Launch NVS-03 Navigation Satellite to Revive NavIC on October 30

ISRO is preparing to launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard a GSLV Mk II rocket from Sriharikota on 30 October 2026. Weighing about 2,232 kg, NVS-03 is the third satellite in the second-generation NVS series and the twelfth in India's IRNSS/NavIC system. The launch is critical because ageing satellites and atomic clock failures have reduced NavIC below the four operational satellites needed for independent positioning. This is a key Science & Technology topic for UPSC and SSC.

India-EU Free Trade Agreement Likely to Come Into Force by March 2027: Piyush Goyal

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which concluded negotiations in January 2026, is expected to be formally signed by December 2026 and become operational by February-March 2027. The deal is undergoing legal scrubbing and translation before ratification by EU member states' legislatures. This Economy and International Relations topic is important for Banking and UPSC mains.

That wraps up today's roundup — revise the key facts below to lock in these updates for your next test.

Key facts for exams

• India won a record 114 medals (30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze) at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
• RBI's new Data Centre and Cyber Security Training Institute was inaugurated at Jatni, Khordha district, Odisha, built at a cost of about Rs 169 crore.
• Ashoke Sen is the first Indian to win the Oskar Klein Medal (2026), awarded by Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics.
• PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat completed its 139th episode on 25 October 2026, marking 12 years since its launch on Vijayadashami.
• Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav (1995-batch IAS, AGMUT cadre) is the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir from 1 November 2026, succeeding Atal Dulloo.
• India is hosting the 61st CIML Meeting on Legal Metrology in New Delhi from 26-28 October 2026, for the first time.
• Painter and former Rajya Sabha MP Jogen Chowdhury passed away in Kolkata on 25 October 2026 at age 87.
• Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade won India's first Asian Table Tennis mixed doubles medal (bronze) in 72 years, at Tashkent 2026.
• ISRO will launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard GSLV Mk II from Sriharikota on 30 October 2026 to revive NavIC.
• The India-EU FTA, concluded in January 2026, is expected to be signed by December 2026 and come into force by February-March 2027.

Frequently asked questions

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

India won a record 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze — at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Where has RBI inaugurated its new Data Centre and Cyber Security Training Institute?

RBI's new Data Centre and Cyber Security Training Institute was inaugurated by PM Modi at Jatni in Odisha's Khordha district on 25 October 2026, becoming RBI's second data centre after Navi Mumbai.

Who became the first Indian to win the Oskar Klein Medal?

Theoretical physicist Ashoke Sen became the first Indian to win the Oskar Klein Medal 2026, for his work on S-duality, black hole entropy counting, and string field theory.

Who is the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir?

Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, has been appointed the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, taking charge from 1 November 2026 in place of Atal Dulloo.

What is the purpose of ISRO's NVS-03 satellite launch?

ISRO's NVS-03 satellite, set to launch on 30 October 2026 aboard a GSLV Mk II rocket, aims to revive India's NavIC navigation system by restoring the required number of operational satellites.

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Previous days' current affairs

• Current Affairs 25 October 2026: Cyclone Arnab, ITBP China Face-off
• Current Affairs 24 October 2026: Army Doctrine, India-Poland Trade
• Current Affairs 23 October 2026: SIMBEX Drill, RBI Yield Surge