Jayakrishnan EduTips Daily Digest (15 October 2026)1) NationalNSAP Extended and Renamed: The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years (2026-27 to 2030-31) with a total outlay of Rs 53,428 crore under the Department of Rural Development, renaming it as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana to benefit 3.20 crore beneficiaries across 36 States/UTs.Revised Divyangjan Pension Norms: Under the revamped Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, monthly disability assistance is revised to Rs 375 (up to 79 years) and Rs 625 (80+ years), lowering the benchmark disability eligibility threshold from 80% to 40% and making it applicable from birth.Five Development Projects in Ladakh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating and dedicating five major infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,350 crore in Ladakh on 15 October 2026, including the New Passenger Terminal Building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (built at Rs 640 crore).Strategic Connectivity and Heritage in Ladakh: Key projects dedicated in Ladakh include the 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project, 40 water bodies under Project Him Sarovar, and India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, Leh.78-Day PLB for Railway Employees: The Union Cabinet approved a 78-day Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) amounting to Rs 2,009.61 crore for 11,40,770 non-gazetted Railway employees (with a maximum ceiling of Rs 17,951 per employee), following a record cargo loading of 1,670 million tonnes in 2025-26.1st BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting: Chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, the maiden meeting of all 7 BIMSTEC member nations adopted the Delhi Declaration on countering transnational crimes and proposed a BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre at Jamnagar, Gujarat and a BIMSTEC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk (BDOMD).HLCDC Digital Portal Launched: Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar, Chairman of the High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes (HLCDC) (constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 26 May 2026), launched an official portal in New Delhi to gather scientific data on demographic shifts and illegal immigration.Sugarcane Sector Committee: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution constituted a special committee to examine pricing, payment mechanisms, and welfare issues relating to sugarcane farmers and the sugar industry.Multi-State Cooperative Audit Norms: The Ministry of Cooperation mandated a new Audit Reporting Framework for Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) to strengthen financial transparency, accountability, and corporate governance.Prakash Rajpurohit Appointed Deputy Election Commissioner: Senior IAS officer Prakash Rajpurohit assumed charge as the Deputy Election Commissioner in the Election Commission of India (ECI).Lakshadweep Achieves 100% Literacy: The Union Territory of Lakshadweep achieved the milestone of 100% literacy under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.Karnataka HC Strikes Down Quota Hike: A Karnataka High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru struck down Sections 3 and 4 of the 2022 State Act that raised SC reservation (15% to 17%) and ST reservation (3% to 7%), ruling that breaching the 50% ceiling violates the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment.2) InternationalIndian Navy Completes Maiden Command of CTF 154: The Indian Navy, led by Commodore Milind M. Mokashi, handed over command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154)—the maritime training task force of the 47-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)—at Manama, Bahrain on 14 October 2026, after delivering 7,800+ training hours across 39 countries since 11 February 2026.1st ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the maiden ASEAN-India Defence Think Tank Forum at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, marking 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.India Accedes to SIOFA: The Central Government approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) to promote sustainable deep-sea fishery resource management in the high seas of the southern Indian Ocean.India–Canada CEPA Momentum: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, emphasising the early conclusion of negotiations on the India–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).India–Brunei 3rd Joint Trade Committee Meeting: India and Brunei Darussalam reviewed bilateral trade, energy, and space cooperation at the 3rd Joint Trade Committee (JTC) Meeting.Finance Minister's Visit to Thailand: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman embarked on an official visit to Bangkok, Thailand (14–18 October 2026) to attend the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings along with G20 and G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings.3) EconomyStrategic Disinvestment of IDBI Bank Approved: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the strategic sale of a 60.72% controlling stake in IDBI Bank (30.48% by Government of India and 30.24% by LIC) to Fairfax Financial Holdings (via 10955230 Canada Inc.) for Rs 52,878.08 crore, marking the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India's financial sector (residual stake: GoI 15% and LIC 19%).WPI Inflation for September 2026: Provisional Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation (revised base year 2022-23) stood at 11.39% in September 2026, with WPI Food Index inflation at 8.66%, Primary Articles at 8.67%, Manufactured Products at 9.76%, and Fuel and Power at 25.85%.CPI Retail Inflation for September 2026: Consumer Price Index (CPI) retail inflation (revised base year 2024) rose to a two-year high of 5.54% in September 2026 (up from 4.83% in August 2026), with food inflation at 7.74%, rural inflation at 6.08%, and urban inflation at 4.88%.Monthly Mutual Fund SIP Inflows Hit Record High: Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions reached an all-time high of Rs 32,490 crore in September 2026 (up from Rs 32,297 crore in August), taking total SIP Assets Under Management (AUM) to Rs 17.86 lakh crore across 28.62 crore folios.RBI Monetary Policy & Banking Updates: Following the 63rd MPC Meeting, the Repo Rate stands at 5.50% (25 bps hike), SDF at 5.25%, and MSF and Bank Rate at 5.75% under a "calibrated tightening" stance; additionally, Paytm Payments Bank Limited has been excluded from the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934.CCI Approves Kids Clinic India Acquisition: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of shareholding in Kids Clinic India Limited (Cloudnine) by NuageLux BidCo S.à r.l.4) Date’s Importance (15 October)World Students' Day (15 October): Celebrated annually on 15 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (born 15 October 1931), the 11th President of India (2002–2007) and "Missile Man of India", promoting scientific temper, innovation, and inclusive education.International Day of Rural Women (15 October): Designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) via Resolution 62/136 in 2007 and first observed in 2008; 2026 Theme: "Rural women and girls: From invisible to invaluable".Global Handwashing Day (15 October): Founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership in 2008 to promote hand hygiene with soap as an effective disease-prevention measure; 2026 Theme: "Clean hands are within reach".White Cane Safety Day (15 October): Observed annually on 15 October (proclaimed in 1964) to celebrate the achievements of visually impaired persons and recognise the white cane as a vital tool of independence and mobility.Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day (15 October): Observed internationally on 15 October to raise awareness and support families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant mortality.Key Historical Milestones on 15 October: Birth anniversary of Mughal Emperor Akbar (15 October 1542 at Umerkot); foundation of Tata Airlines (later Air India) when J.R.D. Tata flew the first mail flight from Karachi to Mumbai on 15 October 1932; birth anniversary of renowned Indian physicist and optics pioneer Prof. Ajoy Ghatak.5) Person of the DayDr. Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen (A.P.J.) Abdul Kalam (15 October 1931 – 27 July 2015): Renowned Indian aerospace scientist and statesman born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, who served as the 11th President of India from 2002 to 2007 and is fondly remembered as the "People's President" and "Missile Man of India".Aerospace and Missile Pioneer: Served as the Project Director of India's first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) at ISRO, which successfully deployed the Rohini satellite into orbit in July 1980, and spearheaded the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), developing Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, and Nag missiles.Nuclear Deterrence Architect: As the first Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (1999–2001) and Chief of DRDO, he played a pivotal leadership role as Chief Project Coordinator in the Pokhran-II nuclear tests (Operation Shakti) in May 1998.Honours and Literary Legacy: Conferred the Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990), Bharat Ratna (1997), Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration (1997), Veer Savarkar Award (1998), and Hoover Medal (2009); authored seminal books including 'Wings of Fire', 'Ignited Minds', 'India 2020', 'Target 3 Billion', and 'Transcendence'.6) SportsAsian Para Games 2026 Flag Bearers: Paralympians Pramod Bhagat (Para-Badminton) and Bhavina Patel (Para-Table Tennis) have been named India's official flag bearers for the Asian Para Games 2026 scheduled in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026.Asian Table Tennis Championships: The Indian Men's Table Tennis Team clinched the Bronze medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships held in Astana, Kazakhstan.India's Campaign at 2026 Asian Games: India finished 4th overall on the medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games with a total of 85 medals (21 Gold, 27 Silver, and 37 Bronze).World Bowls Champion of Champions 2026: Lawn bowls player Putul Sonowal from Assam won the Bronze medal in the Men's Singles category at Barham, Australia, securing India's first-ever medal at the championship.7) Awards12th NLEPC INSPIRE-MANAK Awards 2026: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh felicitated 62 young student innovators (out of 729 national participants) and released the INSPIRE-MANAK 2026 Compendium at the 12th National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC) organised by DST and National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in New Delhi.DoT Sanchar Saathi Police Awards: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced new national, zonal, and state-level awards to honour top-performing States/UTs, District Police, and Police Stations for recovering lost and stolen mobile handsets using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) on the Sanchar Saathi portal.French Legion of Honour: Bharti Enterprises founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal was conferred the title of Knight of France's Legion of Honour (having earlier become the first Indian citizen to receive an honorary KBE from King Charles III in 2024 and the Padma Bhushan in 2007).Israel's Highest Civilian Bravery Award: Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was selected for Israel's highest civilian bravery award for averting a major mid-air aviation disaster.8) Other Important SignificanceTDB–ideaForge Pact for 'YETI' Heavy-Lift UAV: The Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) signed a Rs 151 crore debt-financing agreement (out of a Rs 302 crore total project cost) under the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme with ideaForge to develop 'YETI', an autonomous heavy-lift Vertical Take-Off and Landing Fixed-Wing (VTOL-FW) logistics UAV with a 200 kg payload, 200 km range, and 6,500 m operating altitude.INS Samarthak Commissioning: The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission INS Samarthak, an indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) built by L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 16 October 2026 to bolster maritime trials and target towing capabilities.BHARAT TULIP Digital Platform: Highlighted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the BHARAT TULIP initiative expanded digital market access and e-commerce onboarding for traditional marginalised artisans across India.CEA Brainstorming on AI-Enabled Power Sector: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Ministry of Power hosted an International Conference cum Exhibition titled "Making Indian Power Sector AI Enabled" in New Delhi.AI for Good Build-a-thon 5.0: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) jointly organised the AI for Good Build-a-thon 5.0.DRI Seizes 7,300 Tonnes of Illicit Rock Salt: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) under the Ministry of Finance busted an illegal import syndicate involving over 73,00,000 kg (7,300 metric tonnes) of Pakistan-origin rock salt, arresting four persons.

NationalFirst BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting: India hosted the first meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers in New Delhi. The meeting focused on cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime and illicit financial flows.Delhi Declaration: BIMSTEC member countries adopted the Delhi Declaration to strengthen regional security cooperation and intelligence sharing.BIMSTEC Member Countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.National security cooperation: India emphasised stronger legal cooperation, extradition arrangements and coordinated action against organised crime among BIMSTEC members.PM GatiShakti: The national infrastructure planning platform integrates data from multiple ministries and departments to improve coordinated infrastructure development.Defence and indigenous technology: India continues to focus on strengthening domestic defence research, missile technology and advanced aerospace capabilities.Education and school performance: District-level assessment of school education remains an important focus for evaluating learning outcomes, infrastructure and educational administration.International2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford were announced as the recipients of the 2026 prize for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.Nobel Prize amount: The prize carries 12 million Swedish kronor, to be shared equally between the two laureates.International economic outlook: Global economic growth, inflation, energy prices and rising public debt remain important concerns for policymakers.India–Canada relations: Trade, energy, technology, security and people-to-people cooperation continue to feature in discussions on bilateral relations.Regional security: International cooperation against terrorism, cybercrime, trafficking and illicit financial networks remains a major priority.EconomyIndia’s GDP growth forecast: The International Monetary Fund raised India’s growth forecast for 2026–27 to 7%, from its earlier projection of 6.4%.RBI growth forecast: The Reserve Bank of India’s growth projection for the current financial year stands at 7.1%.Global growth forecast: The IMF projected global economic growth of 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027.India’s merchandise exports: Provisional figures for September 2026 placed merchandise exports at approximately US$34.58 billion.Trade deficit: India’s merchandise trade deficit for September 2026 was reported at approximately US$20.78 billion.Economic growth factors: Strong domestic demand, services-sector activity, structural reforms and a large domestic market were identified as important factors supporting India’s growth outlook.Global economic risks: Higher energy prices, geopolitical conflicts, inflation and uncertainty surrounding technology-sector investment remain key risks to the world economy.Date’s Importance – 14 OctoberWorld Standards Day: Observed annually on 14 October to highlight the importance of international standards in technology, industry, trade, safety and quality.Historical significance: On 14 October 1946, delegates from 25 countries met in London to discuss the creation of an international organisation for standardisation.ISO: The International Organization for Standardization officially began operations on 23 February 1947.India’s national standards body: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is responsible for standardisation, product certification and quality-related activities in India.World Standards Day 2026: The observance recognises the contribution of standardisation to global cooperation, innovation and sustainable development.Person of the DayRobert E. Hall and Michael WoodfordRobert E. HallAmerican economist associated with Stanford University.Known for research in macroeconomics, consumption, labour markets and economic policy.Co-recipient of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences.Michael WoodfordAmerican economist associated with Columbia University.Known for research on monetary policy, macroeconomic theory and price-setting behaviour.Co-recipient of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.Exam facts:Award: 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.Prize amount: 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally.The award recognises research that helps explain how households and businesses make economic decisions and how monetary and fiscal policies can stabilise the economy.SportsAsian Table Tennis Championships 2026: The Indian men’s table tennis team secured a bronze medal at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.Indian table tennis players: The reported Indian team included Achanta Sharath Kamal, G. Sathiyan and Manav Thakkar.Table tennis at the Olympics: Table tennis became an Olympic sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.ITTF: The International Table Tennis Federation was established in 1926.Indian tennis: Indian players continue to compete in international tennis tournaments, including ITF events.Sports and fitness: Community fitness programmes continue to promote physical activity, public health and participation in sports across India.Awards2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: Awarded to Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford for their contributions to the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.Nobel Prize distinction: The Economics prize is formally known as the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It was established by Sweden’s central bank in 1968 and first awarded in 1969.Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India’s highest sporting honour recognises outstanding achievements in sports and games.Other Important SignificanceUPSC NDA and NA Examination II 2026: The written examination results were reported on 14 October 2026, with shortlisted candidates proceeding to the Services Selection Board interview stage.PM GatiShakti: The National Master Plan for multimodal connectivity integrates infrastructure-related information to improve planning and coordination among government departments.Cybersecurity: International cooperation against cybercrime and illicit financial flows remains an important area of national and regional security.Defence technology: Indigenous research and development in aerospace, unmanned systems and missile technology remain important components of India’s defence modernisation.International Monetary Fund (IMF): Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IMF works to promote international monetary cooperation, financial stability and sustainable economic growth.BIMSTEC headquarters: The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation has its Secretariat in Dhaka, Bangladesh.BIS headquarters: The Bureau of Indian Standards is headquartered in New Delhi.ISO headquarters: The International Organization for Standardization is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

1) NationalJantar Mantar and designated protest sites: Delhi’s administration has reportedly removed Jantar Mantar’s status as a designated protest site and identified three alternative locations for demonstrations. This development raises important questions about the right to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(b) of the Indian Constitution.Kerala Assembly resolution: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has reportedly passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The constitutional procedure for removing an Election Commissioner is an important topic for competitive examinations.Manipur-related developments: Various groups in Manipur have called for a shutdown on October 15 to protest the state's 1949 merger with India. The issue relates to the history of Manipur’s integration into the Indian Union.India’s disaster preparedness: October 13 is observed as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, highlighting the importance of disaster management, early-warning systems and resilient infrastructure.Indian sports administration: The Union Sports Ministry is scheduled to review India’s performance at the 2026 Asian Games, including athlete preparation, funding and sports-development programmes.Right to protest: The relationship between public order and fundamental rights remains important for understanding Articles 19(1)(a), 19(1)(b) and 19(2) of the Constitution.2) International2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.Saudi Arabia – Riyadh airport attack: Attacks attributed to Houthi forces have escalated regional security concerns. Reports indicate that the attacks resulted in multiple fatalities, including an Indian national, and disrupted airport operations.Yemen–Djibouti migration tragedy: Reports indicate that 139 migrants died after an overcrowded boat capsized off the coast of Djibouti while travelling towards Yemen. The incident highlights the dangers of irregular migration across the Red Sea region.Russia–Ukraine conflict: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Russian forces struck an energy facility shortly after an energy ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump. The development highlights the continuing challenges in securing a durable ceasefire.India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): The proposed corridor remains an important strategic initiative connecting India with the Middle East and Europe through transport and logistics networks. It is relevant to discussions on trade connectivity and geopolitical cooperation.Global migration and maritime security: Developments around the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait highlight the importance of maritime security for international trade and energy transportation.3) EconomyIndia’s retail inflation rises to 5.54%: India’s Consumer Price Index-based retail inflation increased to 5.54% in September 2026, compared with 4.83% in August 2026.Food inflation: Inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index reached 7.74% in September 2026, indicating increased pressure from food prices.Rural and urban inflation: September retail inflation stood at 6.08% in rural areas and 4.88% in urban areas.RBI inflation target: The Reserve Bank of India’s medium-term inflation target is 4%, with a tolerance band of 2% to 6%.RBI repo rate: The Reserve Bank of India reportedly raised the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% in its latest monetary policy action.Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): The RBI has announced an increase in the minimum daily maintenance requirement for CRR from 90% to 99% of the prescribed requirement, effective from the fortnight beginning October 16, 2026.RBI liquidity management: The central bank has announced an open market operation involving the sale of government securities worth ₹25,000 crore on October 13, 2026, aimed at absorbing surplus liquidity.Measures to support the rupee: The RBI has introduced measures affecting dollar purchases by oil marketing companies and foreign-exchange hedging, with the aim of easing pressure on the Indian rupee.Indian rupee: The rupee appreciated by approximately 96 paise to ₹95.77 per US dollar on October 12, following the announcement of the RBI’s foreign-exchange measures.Factors affecting inflation: Higher food and energy prices, weaker monsoon conditions and international geopolitical tensions are contributing to inflationary pressures.Importance for banking examinations: The latest developments are relevant to questions on monetary policy, repo rate, CRR, CPI, food inflation, open market operations and exchange-rate management.4) Date’s Importance – October 13International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Observed annually on October 13, this international observance promotes awareness of disaster risks and encourages measures to reduce the loss of lives, livelihoods and economic assets caused by disasters.Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030: The day is closely associated with this international framework, which aims to prevent new disaster risks and reduce existing risks through improved preparedness, governance and resilience.World Thrombosis Day: Observed on October 13, the day raises awareness of thrombosis, a condition involving the formation of blood clots within blood vessels.International Plain Language Day: October 13 is also observed as International Plain Language Day, promoting clear, accessible and easy-to-understand communication.5) Person of the DayRobert E. Hall and Michael WoodfordRobert E. HallAmerican economist known for his contributions to macroeconomics, labour economics and economic fluctuations.His research has examined consumption, employment, productivity and business cycles.His work is relevant to understanding how economic activity responds to changes in policy and market conditions.Michael WoodfordAmerican economist known for his influential contributions to monetary economics.His research has helped develop modern theories of monetary policy and the interaction between inflation, expectations and interest rates.His work is particularly relevant to understanding how central banks influence economic activity.Why they are important today: Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford received the 2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.Exam focus: Remember both names, their nationality, their field of research and the connection between their work and macroeconomic stability.6) Sports2026 Asian Games: India finished fourth in the medal standings, winning a total of 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.Asian Games medal highlights: India won nine medals in archery, including a historic gold in the women’s individual recurve event.Asian Games performance review: The Union Sports Ministry and National Sports Federations are scheduled to review India’s performance on October 13, examining athlete preparation, funding and future strategies.India vs West Indies T20I: India secured a victory in the third T20 International against the West Indies. Indian batter Shreyas Iyer praised the bowlers for executing their plans effectively.English Premier League: Manchester City defeated Liverpool 3–0, with Erling Haaland, Jérémy Doku and Rayan Cherki among the goalscorers.Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra batter Ravindra Jadeja scored his 16th first-class century during a Ranji Trophy match.Badminton at the Asian Games: India won one medal in badminton at the 2026 Asian Games, compared with three medals at the previous edition.India’s sporting priorities: The review of the Asian Games performance is expected to examine the effectiveness of athlete-support initiatives, including the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS).7) Awards2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences: Awarded to Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: Awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for pioneering work that contributed to the development of optogenetics.2026 Nobel Prize in Physics: Awarded to Francis Halzen for work involving the use of Antarctic ice to detect neutrinos.2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for research concerning mirror-image molecules.2026 Nobel Prize in Literature: Awarded to Anne Carson, a Canadian writer, poet, essayist and translator, recognised for her innovative literary work.2026 Nobel Peace Prize: Awarded to Navi Pillay, a jurist and former United Nations human rights chief, in recognition of her work promoting international law.Important examination note: The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was established in memory of Alfred Nobel and is formally distinct from the five original Nobel Prize categories established under his will.8) Other Important SignificanceMumbai–Ahmedabad bullet train project: The high-speed rail project continues to be an important Indian infrastructure initiative, aimed at improving intercity connectivity and introducing high-speed railway technology.Special Intensive Revision (SIR): The process of revising electoral rolls has become a significant topic in Indian public affairs. Questions may focus on the Election Commission of India, electoral registration and constitutional provisions relating to elections.Disaster risk reduction: For UPSC and other examinations, revise the Sendai Framework 2015–2030, disaster preparedness, early-warning systems and the role of the National Disaster Management Authority.Monetary policy and inflation: The latest inflation figures and RBI measures make CPI, monetary-policy transmission, repo rate, CRR and open market operations important topics for banking and government examinations.Optogenetics: This scientific technique combines genetic methods and light to control or observe the activity of specific cells, particularly neurons. It has applications in neuroscience and biological research.Microeconomic foundations of macroeconomics: This approach explains economy-wide outcomes, such as inflation and employment, by studying the decisions and behaviour of individual households and firms.International maritime security: The Red Sea and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait are strategically important maritime routes linking the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal. Disruptions can affect shipping costs and global energy markets.