National
UPSC completes 100 years in 2026. The Public Service Commission was established on 1 October 1926 and later evolved into the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), a constitutional body under Article 315.
Special Campaign 6.0 begins on 2 October 2026 and will continue until 31 October 2026, focusing on cleanliness, disposal of pending matters, records management and e-waste management.
Special Gram Sabhas are being held on 2 October to launch the People's Plan Campaign 2026–27 – Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas, focusing on preparation of village development plans.
From 2 October 2026, the validity of exempted FASTags for Divyangjan is linked to the percentage of disability: 5 years for 70–100% disability and 3 years for 40% to below 70% disability.
The CCEA approved an Intelligent Traffic Management System for Delhi at an estimated cost of ₹1,789.52 crore. The project will cover 42 traffic corridors and is planned for completion in 24 months.
India released ₹1,423.30 crore to States and Union Territories over three years for implementation of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
NHAI commenced Tamil Nadu's first barrierless Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at Paranur Toll Plaza on the Tambaram–Tindivanam stretch of NH-179B.
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026 will be held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 October 2026 under the theme “Resilience in an Age of Flux.”
Narendra Bhooshan, a 1992-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, has assumed charge as Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
International
Oxford University retained the No. 1 position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, marking its 11th consecutive year at the top.
The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
India and the Republic of Korea held the 10th Joint Committee Meeting on bilateral defence cooperation in New Delhi. Discussions focused on defence industries, logistics, defence production and joint exercises.
The 9th India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND-2026 is being conducted in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, from 28 September to 11 October 2026.
India finished 10th at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, with its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors winning 6 silver medals.
India is set to face Pakistan in the men's T20 cricket gold-medal match at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Sri Lanka in the semifinal.
Economy
SEBI has directed stock brokers to display investor-awareness and warning messages on their websites and trading applications as part of Project Jagrook.
The RBI has eased bank share-acquisition norms for eligible funds, insurers and pension funds. Eligible investors can seek one-time approval for subsequent acquisitions of up to 10% in a bank.
NSE received SEBI's no-objection certificate to introduce corporate bond index futures. The proposed product requires RBI approval before launch.
The RBI Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to meet from 5 to 7 October 2026.
The current RBI repo rate is 5.25%.
India's projected FY2026–27 GDP growth rate is 6.7% according to the latest RBI projection.
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026 will focus on global economic resilience, fragmentation, technology, trade, finance and India's economic priorities.
The Rabi Marketing Season 2027–28 Minimum Support Prices (MSP) include:
Wheat – ₹2,610 per quintal
Gram – ₹5,958 per quintal
Lentil – ₹7,390 per quintal
Rapeseed & Mustard – ₹6,613 per quintal
Safflower – ₹7,215 per quintal
Date’s Importance – 2 October
Gandhi Jayanti is observed on 2 October every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat.
2 October is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007.
The day commemorates Gandhi's philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha.
2 October 2026 also marks the beginning of Special Campaign 6.0.
2 October 2026 marks the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Person of the Day – Mahatma Gandhi
Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Born: 2 October 1869
Birthplace: Porbandar, Gujarat
Popularly known as: Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi played a central role in India's freedom movement through mass mobilisation and non-violent resistance.
Major movements associated with Gandhi include:
Champaran Satyagraha – 1917
Kheda Satyagraha – 1918
Non-Cooperation Movement – 1920–22
Salt March / Civil Disobedience Movement – 1930
Quit India Movement – 1942
Gandhi's philosophy prominently included Ahimsa, Satyagraha, Swadeshi and Sarvodaya.
2 October is observed internationally as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 in New Delhi.
Sports
India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the men's T20 cricket semifinal at the 2026 Asian Games and qualified for the gold-medal match.
Ishan Kishan scored an unbeaten 80 runs from 46 balls against Sri Lanka.
Jasprit Bumrah took two early wickets in India's semifinal victory.
Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets in five deliveries.
India will face Pakistan in the men's cricket final at the Asian Games.
As of 1 October 2026, India's Asian Games medal tally stood at 62 medals — 10 Gold, 22 Silver and 30 Bronze.
Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurisinkal won India's first sailing medal at the 2026 Asian Games, taking silver in the men's 49er skiff event.
Joshana Chinappa, Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna won the bronze medal in women's team squash.
India is scheduled to compete in several medal events on 2 October, including women's hockey and boxing.
Awards
Singapore Airlines was named the World's Best Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026.
IndiGo was recognised as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
India secured 6 silver medals at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
Smriti Nambiar won a silver medal in Bakery at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 and received the Best of Nation recognition.
The 72nd National Film Awards were announced in 2026, recognising achievements in Indian cinema across categories including Best Feature Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director.
Other Important Significance
2026 marks 100 years since the establishment of the Public Service Commission in India in 1926.
2 October is observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence.
The 2026 Asian Games are being hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 19 September to 4 October 2026.
KAZIND-2026 is the 9th India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise and is being conducted from 28 September to 11 October 2026.
The 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026 will be held in New Delhi from 3–5 October 2026.
The theme of the Kautilya Economic Conclave 2026 is “Resilience in an Age of Flux.”
The next RBI Monetary Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for 5–7 October 2026.
Special Campaign 6.0 will run from 2–31 October 2026, with emphasis on cleanliness, disposal of pending matters, records management and e-waste management.