Current Affairs 27 October 2026: Cyclone Arnab, BRICS Forum

Cyclones, defence deals, courtrooms and corner offices — 27 October 2026 brought a packed news cycle that touches almost every exam syllabus. Here's your one-stop revision capsule.

Top stories of 27 October 2026

Cyclone Arnab Set to Hit Andhra Coast

Cabinet Secretary T.V. Somanathan chaired a National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) meeting on 26 October 2026 to review preparedness for Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal. It is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh/Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October, with wind speeds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph. NDRF, SDRF teams and armed forces assets are on standby, and fishermen have been told not to venture into the sea from 26-29 October. This is important for disaster-management and current-affairs sections across exams.

12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Held in New Delhi

India hosted the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum on 26-27 October 2026 at Samvidhan Sadan's Central Hall under the theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'. Delegations from 21 countries (11 BRICS members and 10 partner nations) attended, led by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with PM Modi meeting delegation heads. Discussions covered resilience, innovation, cooperation, sustainability and legislative oversight of AI. The forum ended with a joint statement and handover of the BRICS Parliamentary Forum chairmanship to China — a key point for international relations and polity questions.

DAC Clears Rs 2.12 Lakh Crore Defence Procurement Plan

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved capital acquisition proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force on 26 October 2026. About 82% of this will be sourced from Indian industry, covering High Mobility Vehicles, Light Multi-Role Helicopters, VSHORADS air-defence systems, counter-drone systems, Long-Range Kamikaze Drones and naval decoy systems — a major boost for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence, frequently tested in SSC/UPSC current affairs.

Navy's 'Swavlamban 2026' Seminar Concludes in Delhi

The Indian Navy's fifth Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, Swavlamban 2026, was held at Manekshaw Centre on 26-27 October 2026 under the theme 'Strength and Power through Innovation & Indigenisation'. Rajnath Singh called for 'Aatmanirbharta 2.0'. More than 4,000 proposals were received, Acceptance of Necessity was accorded for projects worth over Rs 3,500 crore, and contracts worth over Rs 1,900 crore have already been concluded, spanning quantum tech, AI, autonomous systems and hypersonics.

India's Ramsar Wetland Sites Rise to 103

India's Ramsar Convention network has grown to 103 Wetlands of International Importance with the addition of Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh). The count has risen nearly fourfold since 2014 (from 26 to 103), covering over 13.87 lakh hectares, making India first in Asia and third in the world by number of Ramsar sites. Tamil Nadu leads with 20 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 14; Sauj Jheel alone hosts over 30,000 waterbirds, including the vulnerable sarus crane — a high-value environment/ecology fact.

NCB's 'Operation Trident' Smashes Northeast Narco-Hawala Network

The Narcotics Control Bureau's 'Operation Trident' deployed 38 multi-agency teams across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur to raid 38 locations and dismantle a transnational trafficking network linked to the 'Death Triangle Corridor' (India-Myanmar-Bangladesh). The operation uncovered nearly Rs 100 crore in hawala transactions, froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached properties worth Rs 17.82 crore, seized 500 detonators and led to 18 arrests — relevant for internal-security topics in UPSC/SSC.

Anup Bagchi Takes Charge as HDFC Bank's New MD & CEO

Anup Bagchi formally took charge as MD & CEO of HDFC Bank on 27 October 2026 for a three-year term, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan. Bagchi, previously head of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, brings over three decades of experience from the ICICI Group. The appointment, cleared by the board and RBI, is a key banking-awareness update for Banking exam aspirants.

Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav Appointed New J&K Chief Secretary

The Ministry of Home Affairs appointed Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav, a 1995-batch AGMUT-cadre IAS officer, as the new Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, effective 1 November 2026. He succeeds Atal Dulloo, a 1989-batch J&K-cadre IAS officer, who retires on 31 October 2026 — useful for appointments-based questions.

Eminent Painter Jogen Chowdhury Passes Away at 87

Noted modernist painter and former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP (2014-2020) Jogen Chowdhury died in Kolkata on 25 October 2026 at age 87 after battling blood cancer. Known for six decades of line-based figurative art, his honours included the Kalidas Samman (2001), Banga Bibhushan (2012) and Zainul Samman (2016) — a likely art/culture and obituary-based question.

SC: Committee of Creditors Cannot Withdraw an Approved Resolution Plan

In Bank of India vs S.M. Kamal Pasha (26 October 2026), the Supreme Court ruled that a Committee of Creditors cannot withdraw a resolution plan once placed before the Adjudicating Authority under the IBC, even if the debtor's finances later improve. The Rs 172.55 crore plan had been approved during COVID-hit conditions; the Court held withdrawal is permissible only before CoC approval, an important IBC/legal-current-affairs point.

ISRO to Launch NVS-03 Navigation Satellite on October 30

ISRO will launch NVS-03 aboard a GSLV Mk II rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 30 October 2026. With a launch mass of 2,232 kg and 12-year mission life, NVS-03 is the third second-generation NVS satellite for NavIC and carries an indigenous Rubidium atomic clock from the Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad. The launch matters because NVS-02 failed to reach orbit in January 2025, leaving NavIC with only three operational satellites.

That wraps up today's roundup — revise these points regularly as they often reappear in prelims and mains current-affairs sections.

Key facts for exams

• Cyclone Arnab to cross Andhra Pradesh/Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by forenoon of 28 October 2026; winds 115-125 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph.
• 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in New Delhi on 26-27 October 2026; theme: 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'; chairmanship handed to China.
• DAC approved defence procurement worth Rs 2.12 lakh crore on 26 October 2026; about 82% to be sourced domestically.
• Swavlamban 2026 seminar: over 4,000 proposals received; Acceptance of Necessity for projects worth over Rs 3,500 crore; contracts worth over Rs 1,900 crore concluded.
• India's Ramsar wetland sites rise to 103 after adding Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri, UP); India ranks first in Asia, third globally.
• Tamil Nadu has the most Ramsar sites (20), followed by Uttar Pradesh (14).
• NCB's 'Operation Trident' covered Assam, Mizoram, Manipur; 38 teams, 38 locations; Rs 100 crore hawala uncovered; 1,424 bank accounts frozen; 18 arrests.
• Anup Bagchi became MD & CEO of HDFC Bank on 27 October 2026 for a three-year term, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan.
• Dr Sajjan Singh Yadav (1995-batch AGMUT IAS) to be new J&K Chief Secretary from 1 November 2026, succeeding Atal Dulloo.
• Painter and former RS MP Jogen Chowdhury died on 25 October 2026 at age 87; honours include Kalidas Samman (2001) and Banga Bibhushan (2012).
• Supreme Court case: Bank of India vs S.M. Kamal Pasha (26 October 2026) — CoC cannot withdraw an approved resolution plan under IBC.
• ISRO to launch NVS-03 navigation satellite via GSLV Mk II from Sriharikota on 30 October 2026; third satellite in NVS series for NavIC.

Frequently asked questions

Which cyclone is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October 2026?

Cyclone Arnab, a very severe cyclonic storm, is expected to cross the Andhra Pradesh/Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by the forenoon of 28 October 2026, with winds of 115-125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph.

How many Ramsar wetland sites does India have now, and which state has the most?

India now has 103 Ramsar sites after adding Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri, UP); Tamil Nadu has the most with 20 sites, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 14.

Who is the new MD & CEO of HDFC Bank?

Anup Bagchi took charge as MD & CEO of HDFC Bank on 27 October 2026 for a three-year term, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan.

What was the theme of the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held in New Delhi?

The theme was 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development', with the forum held on 26-27 October 2026 and delegations from 21 countries attending.

What satellite will ISRO launch on 30 October 2026 and why is it significant?

ISRO will launch NVS-03, the third second-generation NavIC navigation satellite, via GSLV Mk II from Sriharikota; it is significant because the earlier NVS-02 failed to reach orbit, leaving NavIC with only three operational satellites.

Practise for your exam

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Previous days' current affairs

• Current Affairs 26 October 2026: Asian Para Games, ISRO NavIC
• Current Affairs 25 October 2026: Cyclone Arnab, ITBP China Face-off
• Current Affairs 24 October 2026: Army Doctrine, India-Poland Trade