Daily Current Affairs - 2026-10-05

Today's current affairs digest brings a mix of economic policy, sporting glory, and governance reforms that are high-value for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railway exam aspirants. Here's everything you need to know.

RBI's Monetary Policy Committee Meeting Begins; Rate Decision Due October 7

The Reserve Bank of India's six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) began its bi-monthly meeting on October 5, 2026, with the rate decision due on October 7. The repo rate has remained steady at 5.25% for four consecutive policy reviews, following a cumulative 125 basis point cut through 2025. Economists now widely expect a 25 basis point hike to 5.50%, which would mark the first rate increase since February 2023, driven by rising inflation and high global crude oil prices. Exam relevance: Know the current repo rate, MPC composition (six members), and the rationale behind rate changes—a recurring topic in Banking and UPSC economy sections.

5th Kautilya Economic Conclave Concludes in New Delhi

The three-day 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, held October 3–5, 2026, in New Delhi under the theme 'Resilience in an Age of Flux,' concluded today. Organised by the Institute of Economic Growth with the Finance Ministry, it brought together policymakers and economists from about 30 countries. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed India's economic priorities, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered the concluding address 'India and the World: Adaptive by Design,' and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the event. Exam relevance: Remember the conclave's theme, organisers, and key speakers—conclaves and summits are frequent static GK questions.

Asian Games 2026 Concludes: India Finishes 4th with Best-Ever 85 Medals

• India ended its 2026 Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya, Japan) campaign with 85 medals (21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze), finishing 4th behind China, Japan, and South Korea.
• The women's hockey team ended a 44-year gold drought; the men's hockey team won back-to-back golds.
• The men's cricket team beat Pakistan to retain the title.
• Pranavi Urs (golf) and Kumkum Mohod (recurve archery) became the first Indian women to win individual Asian Games gold in their respective sports.
• Several athletes secured Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quotas.

Exam relevance: India's best-ever medal tally, host city/country, and individual record-breakers are prime sports current affairs questions.

Assam Cabinet Approves 12% Reservation for Ex-Agniveers in Police and Allied Forces

The Assam Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, approved a 12% horizontal reservation for former Agniveers in constable-level posts across Assam Police, Commando Battalions, Jail, Fire Services, SDRF, Forest Guards, and the Excise Department. The benefit applies only to permanent residents of Assam who have served or are serving under the Agnipath scheme. Exam relevance: Track state-wise Agniveer reservation policies—a growing trend relevant to Polity and Current Affairs sections of SSC and state PSC exams.

Uttarakhand Cabinet Clears 24 Proposals, Including Rs 200 Crore Skill Development Scheme

Meeting in Champawat's Banbasa, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved 24 proposals, including a new skill development scheme worth approximately Rs 200 crore, along with several administrative rule changes. The move aims to boost youth employability and modernise governance in the state. Exam relevance: State cabinet decisions, especially welfare and skilling schemes, are common in state-level exam current affairs sections.

Airtel Payments Bank Names Shabnam Sinha as New Chairperson

Airtel Payments Bank appointed Shabnam Sinha as Chairperson for a three-year term effective October 1, 2026, succeeding Sunil Bharti Mittal, who exits after a decade on the board. Sinha, a former World Bank professional with over three decades of experience in development finance and public policy, previously served as an independent director and chaired the bank's Special Committee for Monitoring Frauds. The appointment has RBI approval. Exam relevance: Appointments in banking/financial institutions are a staple of Banking exam current affairs—note names, designations, and effective dates.

DDU-GKY 2.0: Skill Training for 70,000 Rural Youth Begins Across States

Around 70,000 rural youth began skill training in October 2026 under the revamped Deen Dayal Upadhyaya-Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) 2.0, spread across about 2,015 batches in 24 States and Union Territories. Run by the Ministry of Rural Development, the scheme offers NSQF-aligned, placement-linked training under a public-private partnership model, targeting over 9 lakh trainees by 2028. Exam relevance: Know the ministry, target numbers, and scheme objectives—government schemes are a core UPSC/SSC topic.

World Teachers' Day 2026 Observed Globally on October 5

World Teachers' Day was marked on October 5, 2026, with the theme 'Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures,' commemorating six decades of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation on the Status of Teachers. The day is jointly convened by UNESCO, ILO, UNICEF, and Education International. India separately observes National Teachers' Day on September 5, honouring Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Exam relevance: Don't confuse World Teachers' Day (October 5) with India's National Teachers' Day (September 5)—a classic exam trap.

70th National Wildlife Week 2026 Begins Across India

India is observing the 70th National Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8, 2026, under the theme 'Connecting Habitats, Thriving Wildlife,' timed with Gandhi Jayanti. The observance focuses on wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, and human-wildlife coexistence, with events at Corbett Tiger Reserve and across state forest departments. Exam relevance: Note the week number, theme, and dates—environment and conservation themes are regular in UPSC Prelims and SSC GK.

Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Comes Into Force

The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 took effect on October 1, 2026, replacing the 135-year-old Bankers' Books Evidence Act of 1891. The new law creates a technology-neutral framework for admitting both electronic and physical bank records as evidence in courts, arbitrations, and investigations, modernising banking litigation for the digital era. Exam relevance: Legislative replacements of colonial-era laws are a hot UPSC/Banking topic—remember the old vs. new Act names and effective date.

That's your current affairs roundup for October 5, 2026—revise these facts and figures to stay exam-ready!