Daily Current Affairs - 2026-10-11

October 2026 has been eventful for aspirants tracking economy, defence, polity and environment news. Here's a comprehensive roundup of today's key current affairs for UPSC, SSC, Banking and Railway exam preparation.

RBI Hikes Repo Rate to 5.50%, First Increase Since 2023

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee, led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, unanimously raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% on October 7, 2026. This marks the RBI's first rate hike in nearly four years, triggered by broadening inflation and strong domestic growth. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) rate now stands at 5.25%, while the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) and Bank Rate are at 5.75%. The RBI has also signalled that a near-term rate cut is unlikely.

• Remember the current repo rate, SDF, MSF and Bank Rate figures — frequently asked in Banking exams.
• Governor Sanjay Malhotra and the MPC's composition are important for Prelims-level questions.

World Bank Raises India's FY27 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.1%

The World Bank upgraded India's FY27 (year ending March 2027) growth forecast to 7.1%, a rise of 0.5 percentage points from its earlier estimate, in its October 2026 India Development Update. The upgrade cites strength in industry and services, along with robust domestic demand and strong exports, which are helping India absorb the impact of a weaker monsoon and elevated global energy prices.

• India continues to be labelled the world's fastest-growing major economy — a recurring exam fact.
• Note the specific agency (World Bank) and the report name (India Development Update).

Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize

South African jurist Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay, 85, has been awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to peace and international law. A former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and ex-judge of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, she more recently led a UN commission on Gaza. The Nobel Committee praised her efforts to ensure accountability for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. She is the fifth South African Nobel Peace laureate, following Mandela, de Klerk, Tutu and Luthuli.

• Important for International Relations/Awards sections — note her past roles and country.
• Remember other South African Nobel Peace laureates for comparison-based questions.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Named Next IAF Chief

The government announced on October 6, 2026, that Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, currently Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will become the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, taking charge on October 31, 2026. He has logged over 3,500 flying hours and holds qualifications as both an experimental test pilot and flying instructor.

• Key fact for Defence Appointments: he will be the 29th CAS.
• Track the effective date of appointment — commonly tested in SSC/Railway GK sections.

CJI Surya Kant Administers Oath to Three New Supreme Court Judges

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant administered the oath of office to three new Supreme Court judges on October 6, 2026, including Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. This elevation expands the apex court's working strength ahead of pending constitutional and civil matters.

• Track the current sitting strength of the Supreme Court and names of newly appointed judges — a polity staple.

Cabinet Approves Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA)

The Union Cabinet approved setting up the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), a special-purpose vehicle to unify national transport planning across roads, railways, ports, aviation and inland waterways. ITLA will prepare a National Transport Master Plan spanning at least ten years and technically appraise central infrastructure projects worth ₹500 crore or more, aiming to reduce fragmentation among transport ministries.

• Note ITLA's mandate and the ₹500 crore project appraisal threshold — useful for Governance/Economy questions.

EAM Jaishankar Undertakes Five-Day Africa Tour

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Ethiopia from October 6 to 10, 2026, to strengthen India-Africa ties. In Accra, he met Ghana's Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to boost cooperation in trade, defence, pharmaceuticals and technology, and called on Ghana's President. In Addis Ababa, he chaired a Regional Heads of Mission Conference.

• Remember the three countries visited and their capitals for Static GK/International Relations questions.

IAF Concludes Multinational Air Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026

The second edition of Tarang Shakti 2026 ran from September 26 to October 12 at Air Force Station Jodhpur, with over 40 countries participating. Eight nations, including the US, France, Australia and the UAE, deployed assets such as the American F-35 (its first appearance in an Indian exercise), French Rafale, UAE F-16 jets and India's indigenous Tejas. On October 10, fighter aircraft flew in joint formation showcasing interoperability.

• Key defence exercise fact: first-ever F-35 participation in an Indian exercise.
• Note the venue (Jodhpur) and participant count for Defence current affairs sections.

India to Roll Out Critical Minerals Stockpiling Policy

The government is preparing a critical minerals stockpiling policy, expected within a month, covering more than 30 essential minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths. The policy will create strategic buffers—similar to oil reserves—for sectors like defence, electronics, aerospace and renewable energy. Dedicated processing parks are planned in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra, along with support for recycling initiatives.

• Remember the states chosen for critical minerals processing parks — a likely Economy/Geography question.

BNHS Conducts First Nationwide Synchronised Sarus Crane Survey

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) conducted India's first nationwide, synchronised count of the Sarus Crane—the country's tallest flying bird—on October 10-11, 2026. Forest departments, researchers, farmers and citizen scientists participated by visiting wetland habitats. Earlier estimates placed India's Sarus Crane population at around 23,255 birds.

• Note the species' title ('tallest flying bird') and the earlier population estimate for Environment/Ecology questions.

DRDO Conducts Missile Test from New Junput Test Range

A missile test activity window was notified over the Bay of Bengal from October 6 to 9, 2026, centred on DRDO's newly established Junput test range in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district. This marks the first disclosed test at the facility since it became operational. Junput is located about 70-74 km from the existing Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha, adding eastern coast missile-testing capacity.

• Remember the state (West Bengal) and district (Purba Medinipur) of the new test range — a likely Defence/Geography fact.

Supreme Court: Election Commissioners Enjoy Greater Legal Immunity Than Judges

The Supreme Court remarked around October 6, 2026, that Election Commissioners enjoy greater legal immunity than even judges while discharging constitutional functions. The observation came amid proceedings examining the scope of protection available to Election Commission members, a point relevant to understanding the ECI's constitutional status and accountability framework.

• Important for Polity sections dealing with constitutional bodies and their protections.

That wraps up today's current affairs digest — revise these points regularly to stay exam-ready!