Daily Current Affairs 29 October 2026

The Union Cabinet has approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) with an outlay of ₹10,000 crore from FY27 to FY40, aiming to establish a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in India.

The scheme includes Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) with an outlay of ₹859 crore, providing a 3% annual interest subvention on eligible capital loans for manufacturers.

It features Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA) with an outlay of ₹8,891 crore for financial support on manufactured containers, and testing and certification assistance with ₹150 crore to support the establishment of common facilities. The initiative aims to boost annual domestic container manufacturing capacity approximately ten-fold, reaching up to 7.5 lakh Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).

The Union Cabinet has approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period from FY27 to FY34. The scheme aims to promote investment, manufacturing, innovation, and exports, thereby strengthening the position of India in the global sports goods sector.

The scheme provides financial support of ₹105 crore to manufacturers for obtaining and renewing certifications from International Sports Federations. It also designates a combined outlay of ₹1,130 crore for interventions aimed at attracting investments and expanding domestic manufacturing.

The Union Cabinet has approved the PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). The scheme will be implemented from the FY27 to FY31, aligning with the timeline of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.

The 5-year program has a total financial outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore, which includes a Central Share of ₹4,869.48 crore and a State Share of ₹2,526.07 crore.

The initiative aims to build capacity and provide digital handholding for nearly 32 lakh elected representatives. It also supports the creation of 2.55 lakh integrated Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) and targets the annual execution of 2.55 lakh online audit plans to enhance transparency and governance.

President Droupadi Murmu has released a ₹200 commemorative coin at Lok Bhavan in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

The coin was issued to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Mata Sahib Hasi Devi Ji, the fifth spiritual head of Shadani Darbar, a prominent Sindhi religious institution.

Union Minister CR Patil has launched the ‘Punah Bharan’ mobile application, developed by BISAG-N in collaboration with the National Water Mission (NWM) to support scientific groundwater recharge planning.

The app enables users to identify potential artificial recharge zones within a radial distance of 3 km and explore suitable recharge structures based on local conditions.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has launched the upgraded version of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) 2.0 Mobile Application to record attendance of workers under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar & Ajeevia Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G). The enhanced app was developed with technical support from the IIT Madras.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) under the Ministry of Finance has introduced a new reporting Form 173A for taxpayers seeking specified Income-Tax exemptions on interest and capital gains earned from government securities.

Effective from October 19, 2026, the form was notified under the Income-tax (Seventh Amendment) Rules, 2026. Form 173A aims to standardise reporting, improve transparency, and strengthen the verification of tax exemption claims.

The CBDT also inserted Rule 281A into the Income-tax Rules, 2026, to facilitate reporting of exemption claims under Schedule IV, Table Serial Numbers 13D and 13E of the Income-tax Act, 2025. Eligibility for this form is applicable to specified Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

BharatCloud, an Indian cloud infrastructure and IT services provider, has signed an MoU with Russia-based Tatarstan IT Park to boost cooperation in AI and cloud infrastructure, alongside enhancing investment and cross-business collaboration between India and Russia.

BSE Ltd (formerly Bombay Stock Exchange) has signed an agreement with MMTC-PAMP, the only London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)-accredited gold and silver refiner in India, to jointly develop and expand the Electronic Gold Receipt (EGR) market.

It is to be noted that EGRs are SEBI-regulated exchange-traded securities that enable investors to hold gold electronically in demat accounts.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Ministry of Education have signed an MoU with UNESCO to promote clean sport values among school-going children across the country.

The partnership will implement the “Sports Values in Every Classroom Toolkit” (SViECT) to embed essential ethical values. It is to be noted that the toolkit was initially developed for students aged 8 to 12.

The Ministry of Culture has signed an MoU with the Bibliotheque nationale de France (BnF) (National Library of France) under the ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’ to enhance institutional cooperation in the preservation, digitisation, research, and dissemination of manuscript and documentary heritage.

The National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) has signed a 5-year MoU with the USA-based Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) to strengthen agricultural research, scientific collaboration, capacity development, and knowledge exchange.

The 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, under the chairmanship of Qohir Rasulzoda, the PM of Tajikistan.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted that India will host the 1st SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026. The meeting also resulted in the implementation of the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation (PMTEC) Action Plan for 2026-2030.

The World Bank Group (WBG) has launched its first comprehensive digital strategy at the inaugural Global AI and Digital Summit 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, aiming to expand digital connectivity, create jobs, and strengthen AI readiness in developing countries.

Additionally, WBG has announced the AI Infrastructure and Readiness Initiative, focusing initially on Africa and Latin America, in partnership with knowledge partners Cassava Technologies and NVIDIA to expand affordable computing access.

The DRDO has initiated the development of man-portable Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) modules through its Hyderabad-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).

These modules are designed to detect, intercept, and analyse signals emitted by enemy radars and other electronic systems.

The 11th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise named “Garuda Shakti” has commenced in Banyuwangi, Indonesia.

The Indian contingent comprises troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent consists of personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces.

The Indian Navy has marked its indigenous auxiliary fleet expansion with a triple ceremony featuring the launch of Yard 142 and the keel laying of Yards 144 and 148.

Yard 142 marks the launch of the first 300-tonne Sullage Barge under this production line. Yard 144 marks the commencement of structural assembly for the third Sullage Barge of its class, and Yard 148 marks the assembly start for the first Bottom Opening Dumb Barge.

The joint ceremony took place at the facility of Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd in Thane, Maharashtra, an MSME shipyard collaborating with an Indian Ship Design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

The Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) has launched “INS Srishti” (Yard 1283), the 4th Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) for the Indian Navy, at the Vaddem facility of GSL in Goa.

The broader NGOPV contract encompasses a total of 11 vessels. Under this contract, GSL is constructing 7 ships in Goa, while Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata is manufacturing the remaining 4 vessels.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh has released the Land Warfare Doctrine during the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi.

The revised doctrine, replacing the December 2018 version, provides a framework to prepare the Indian Army for evolving challenges in future conflicts by integrating advanced technologies.

NASA has selected Indian astronomer Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche from the University of Arizona as the Principal Investigator for the Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in Interstellar Dust (PUFFINS) mission.

The mission operates under the Astrophysics Pioneers programme of NASA, with its launch targeted for 2030 at an estimated cost of ₹168 crore ($20 million).

Anca-Maria Verma has been appointed as the Ambassador-At-Large for India by the Inter-Governmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition (IIMSAM) for a 5-year term starting from October 20, 2026.

Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old British chess prodigy of Indian origin, has become the youngest female International Master (IM) at the European Club Cup in Budva, Montenegro.

She surpassed the 1988 record set by Judit Polgar at the age of 12. Additionally, she became the 7th-youngest player overall to attain the IM title.

Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan has released a book titled “Advantage India: Reshaping the Future for an Equitable World” at Uprashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi, highlighting the transformation, technological progress, and global role of India.

The book is authored by Anil K Antony, National Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and published by Rupa Publications.

World Food Day

Day - October 16

Theme 2026 - “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow”

Observed by - Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Observed since - 1979