MoSPI Committee Recommends Future-Ready Capacity Building for Indian Statistical Service
A committee under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation submitted recommendations to reform capacity building for Indian Statistical Service officers. The proposed framework focuses on competency-based training, data governance, advanced analytics, emerging technologies and strengthening the National Statistical Systems Training Academy.
Key facts
The report was submitted by P. R. Meshram, Chairman of the Committee for Reforming Capacity Building of the Indian Statistical Service.
The report was submitted to Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
The recommendations are aligned with the Competency Based Capacity Building framework of Mission Karmayogi.
The roadmap has three components: the System of Today, the System of Tomorrow and Strategic Recommendations.
The System of Tomorrow includes seven priority capability pillars and a role-linked, competency-based framework.
The framework covers functional, domain and behavioural competencies for different roles.
The National Statistical Systems Training Academy is proposed as the anchor for implementing the training reforms.
The reforms aim to prepare ISS officers for data governance, advanced analytics, emerging technologies and evidence-based policymaking.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Indian Statistical Service, MoSPI, Mission Karmayogi, competency-based capacity building, data governance and institutional training reforms.
Swatik Patil won the bronze medal in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB9 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him and praised his discipline, dedication and sustained efforts.
Key facts
Swatik Patil won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026.
He competed in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB9 event.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Swatik Patil.
The Prime Minister praised Patil’s discipline, dedication and sustained efforts.
The congratulatory message was shared in a post on X by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on sports achievements, para-sports and Indian medal winners at international competitions.
PM Modi Addresses NDTV World Summit 2026 in New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the NDTV World Summit 2026 and discussed the changing global order, reform of multilateral institutions, and India’s role as a bridge-builder for the Global South. He highlighted India’s contributions to global welfare, digital payments, clean energy, technology, employment, and inclusive development.
Key facts
The summit was held in New Delhi under the theme “The World Between Orders”.
The Prime Minister called for reform of multilateral institutions and greater representation for the Global South.
He referred to the concept of Matsya Nyaya, meaning the strong overpowering the weak, as a condition to be prevented in global affairs.
India supplied vaccines and medicines to over 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the address.
India hosted the G20 and BRICS Summits and achieved unanimous Delhi Declarations on both occasions, as stated in the speech.
India crossed 300 gigawatts of non-fossil electricity capacity, according to the address.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s number-one position in real-time digital payments.
He mentioned the creation of over 3.5 crore Lakhpati Didis and a target of 6 crore Lakhpati Didis.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on India’s foreign policy, multilateralism, Global South, G20 and BRICS, renewable energy, digital payments, women-led development, employment schemes, and India’s development goals.
Solairaj Dharmaraj Wins Gold at Asian Para Games 2026
Solairaj Dharmaraj won the gold medal in the Men’s Long Jump T44/T62/T64 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. He also surpassed his own Asian Record, drawing congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Key facts
Solairaj Dharmaraj won gold in the Men’s Long Jump T44/T62/T64 event.
The achievement was recorded at the Asian Para Games 2026.
He surpassed his own Asian Record.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him for the performance.
The Prime Minister’s Office shared the congratulatory message on X.
Exam relevance: Useful for sports current affairs, para-sports, Asian Para Games, and records-related questions in government examinations.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan Launched in Haryana to Promote Balanced Fertiliser Use and Natural Farming
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Taraori in Haryana’s Karnal district. At a Kisan Chaupal, he advocated soil-test-based fertiliser application, natural farming, indigenous cattle conservation and sustainable crop-residue management.
Key facts
The Khet Bachao Abhiyan was launched from Taraori in Haryana’s Karnal district.
The campaign promotes balanced and scientific use of chemical fertilisers based on Soil Health Card recommendations.
Farmers were encouraged to begin natural farming on at least one acre before expanding it.
Jeevamrit, Ghanjeevamrit and Beejamrit were highlighted as inputs used in natural farming.
Discussions covered indigenous cattle, milk prices and sex-sorted semen technology.
Haryana farmers were praised for adopting crop-residue management practices, including the use of Super Seeders.
The Kisan Chaupal enabled farmers to discuss agricultural issues with the minister and agricultural scientists.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on sustainable agriculture, Soil Health Cards, natural farming, crop-residue management, indigenous cattle and agricultural technology.
Tejas Nandkumar Wins Bronze at Asian Para Games 2026
Tejas Nandkumar won a bronze medal in the Men’s 100m Backstroke S7 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him for his achievement.
Key facts
Tejas Nandkumar won the bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026.
The event was the Men’s 100m Backstroke S7 category.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tejas Nandkumar.
The Prime Minister praised his perseverance, hard work and commitment to improvement.
The Prime Minister wished him success in his upcoming competitions.
Exam relevance: Useful for sports current affairs and questions on Indian achievements at international para-sport events.
Dilip Wins Gold in Men’s 400m T47 at Asian Para Games 2026
Dilip won the gold medal in the Men’s 400m T47 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him for defending his title with an improved performance.
Key facts
Dilip won gold in the Men’s 400m T47 event.
The achievement came at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Dilip successfully defended his title.
He recorded an improved performance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Dilip and praised his speed, determination and dedication.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on sports achievements, para-sports and Indian performance at the Asian Para Games.
Khet Bachao Abhiyan launched to promote soil health and balanced farming
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan from Taraori in Haryana’s Karnal district. The campaign focuses on balanced fertiliser use, crop rotation, natural farming and crop-residue management to protect soil health and human well-being.
Key facts
Khet Bachao Abhiyan was launched from Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana.
A nationwide village-level awareness campaign was announced for 22 October to 30 November 2026.
Farmers were advised to use Soil Health Cards for balanced and need-based fertiliser application.
Crop rotation involving pulses such as chickpea, lentil and pigeon pea was recommended to improve soil fertility.
Farmers were encouraged to begin natural farming on at least half an acre of land.
The campaign highlighted the harmful effects of crop-residue burning on air quality, microorganisms and earthworms.
Financial assistance of ₹1,343.06 crore was approved for constructing 28,422 permanent houses for eligible poor families in Haryana under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
The government was stated to be providing fertiliser subsidies exceeding ₹1.5 lakh crore; urea was mentioned at ₹266 per bag and DAP at ₹1,350 per bag.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on agricultural sustainability, soil health, natural farming, crop-residue management, fertiliser subsidies, Soil Health Cards and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
IICA Signs MoU with Association of ARCs in India to Strengthen Insolvency Education and Industry Linkages
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of ARCs in India to strengthen the industry orientation of its Post Graduate Insolvency Programme. The collaboration will focus on capacity building, research, data sharing, internships, placements and joint industry programmes.
Key facts
IICA is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
The Association of ARCs in India represents Asset Reconstruction Companies registered with the RBI.
The MoU aims to deepen industry linkages of IICA’s Post Graduate Insolvency Programme.
The programme develops professionals in insolvency and business turnaround.
The collaboration covers industry-oriented curriculum, capacity building, research and data sharing.
The institutions will explore internships, placement opportunities and an annual joint conference.
The MoU is valid for five years.
Eligible ARCs can act as resolution applicants under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, subject to regulatory conditions.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IICA, Asset Reconstruction Companies, insolvency resolution, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and RBI’s regulatory framework for ARCs.
CCI Approves Integrace’s Acquisition of Universal Nutriscience Share Capital
The Competition Commission of India approved Integrace Private Limited’s acquisition of share capital in Universal Nutriscience Private Limited, along with certain related transactions.
Key facts
The approval was granted by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
Integrace Private Limited will acquire share capital of Universal Nutriscience Private Limited from its existing shareholders.
Integrace is a domestic formulations company focused on orthopaedics and gynaecology.
Integrace has more than 20 products covering pain management, pregnancy and women’s health.
Universal Nutriscience is focused on nutraceutical and lifestyle products.
Integrace is a subsidiary of Morning Waves Investments B.V.
Morning Waves Investments B.V. is an affiliate of Warburg Pincus LLC and/or its affiliates.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Competition Commission of India, corporate acquisitions, nutraceuticals and the pharmaceutical sector.
CCI Approves Maybach Asia Holdings’ Acquisition of Sahrudaya Health Care
The Competition Commission of India approved Maybach Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd.’s acquisition of 100% equity share capital of Sahrudaya Health Care Private Limited. The target operates a multi-specialty hospital network across southern and western India.
Key facts
The Competition Commission of India approved the proposed combination.
Maybach Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. will acquire 100% equity share capital of Sahrudaya Health Care Private Limited.
Maybach Asia Holdings II Pte. Ltd. is a special purpose vehicle incorporated for the transaction.
The acquirer is indirectly owned by investment funds, vehicles and accounts advised and managed by subsidiaries of KKR & Co. Inc.
Sahrudaya Health Care operates 28 hospitals or units with approximately 4,800 beds.
Its network is spread across southern and western India.
The healthcare network provides services across more than 80 clinical specialties.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on the Competition Commission of India, corporate acquisitions, competition regulation and the healthcare sector.
Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 Held in Guwahati to Support Artisans
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organising Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 in Guwahati to provide market access and livelihood opportunities to artisans from across India. The event promotes traditional handicrafts and handloom products, with a focus on the BHARAT-TULIP initiative and artisans linked to three National Corporations.
Key facts
Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 is being held at Farm Gate, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam.
The mela is organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
A total of 75 artisans, including 31 women artisans, are participating.
Around 40 varieties of handloom and handicraft products are being displayed.
The mela promotes BHARAT-TULIP, which supports the marketing of artisans’ products through physical outlets and e-commerce platforms.
The initiative supports artisans associated with NSFDC, NSKFDC and NBCFDC.
The mela focuses on the economic empowerment of Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Safai Mitras and Denotified Tribes.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, artisan livelihood support, traditional handicrafts, handloom promotion, BHARAT-TULIP and the three National Corporations associated with the mela.
Jammu and Kashmir Reviews Welfare Schemes and Anti-Drug Outreach
Union Social Justice and Empowerment Secretary Sudhansh Pant reviewed the implementation of social welfare schemes in Jammu and Kashmir and praised its grassroots outreach and whole-of-government approach to combating drug abuse. The review covered rehabilitation, scholarships, senior citizen welfare, sanitation-worker safety, village development and legal protection for vulnerable groups.
Key facts
The review was jointly chaired by Union Secretary Sudhansh Pant and J&K Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo.
Under the Nasha Mukt J&K 100 Days Abhiyan, more than 7.21 million outreach events were conducted.
Addiction Treatment Facilities handled 66,594 outpatients, while drug de-addiction centres provided care to 1,053 individuals.
Police registered 1,187 FIRs and arrested 1,349 persons in drug-related cases.
Under PM Adarsh Gram Yojana, 419 villages were selected as model villages and 28 were declared Adarsh Grams.
Under PM-YASASVI, 20,611 applications were received against a target of 24,817 for 2026–27 as of October 15, 2026.
Under NAMASTE, 741 sewer and septic tank workers and 5,862 urban waste pickers were profiled.
The proposed Rehabilitation and Socio-Economic Reintegration Scheme for Drug Abuse Victims, 2026, envisages a structured three-year recovery framework.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on Jammu and Kashmir administration, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment schemes, drug-abuse prevention, PM Adarsh Gram Yojana, PM-YASASVI, NAMASTE, welfare delivery and rehabilitation initiatives.
Tripartite MoU to Promote Livelihoods for Scheduled Tribe Youth in Rourkela
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Rourkela, Odisha, to strengthen skill development, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities for Scheduled Tribe youth through the Livelihood Business Incubation Centre.
Key facts
The MoU was signed on 22 October 2026.
The participating organisations were NSTFDC under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, NSIC under the Ministry of MSME, and SAIL's Rourkela Steel Plant under the Ministry of Steel.
The Livelihood Business Incubation Centre at Rourkela was established in 2018.
The centre has been recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Training areas include tailoring, computer operation, electrical work, bakery manufacturing, mushroom farming and beautician services.
The centre's plant and machinery were installed under the ASPIRE scheme of MSME.
More than 600 students have benefited from the centre and established business activities in different trades.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on tribal welfare, livelihood promotion, entrepreneurship development, skill training, public sector collaboration and the ASPIRE scheme.
PM-DAKSH: 1,87,305 Candidates Trained and 96,162 Placed from 2020-21 to 2023-24
PM-DAKSH was launched in 2020-21 as a Central Sector Scheme to provide skill training to disadvantaged groups and promote self-employment and wage employment. From 2024-25, it was subsumed under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana to avoid duplication.
Key facts
PM-DAKSH stands for Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi.
The scheme targets SCs, OBCs, EWS, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers.
It was implemented through NSFDC, NBCFDC and NSKFDC under the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
From 2024-25, PM-DAKSH was merged with PMKVY of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Between 2020-21 and 2023-24, 1,87,305 candidates were trained and 96,162 were placed.
Training institutes are required to provide wage or self-employment to at least 70% of trained candidates.
The scheme had funds allotted amounting to ₹276.47 crore, while actual expenditure was reported as ₹309.5 crore till the stated date.
Exam relevance: Important for questions on Central Sector Schemes, skill development, social justice initiatives, target beneficiaries, implementing corporations and the merger of PM-DAKSH with PMKVY.
AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 Highlights State Policies and Financing for Dual-Use Agriculture
The second day of the AgriVoltaics World Conference 2026 focused on state-level policies, technology, farmer protection and climate finance for combining solar power generation with agricultural cultivation. Odisha announced that it is finalising a dedicated Agrivoltaics Policy 2026 with a target of 1 GW by 2030.
Key facts
Ministers from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar discussed state-level approaches to agrivoltaic deployment.
Uttar Pradesh highlighted solarisation of all 16 lakh agricultural tubewells whose electricity bills have been waived.
Madhya Pradesh reported agrivoltaic cultivation at several locations and completed tendering for battery-storage projects.
Bihar advanced work on approximately 2,700 agricultural feeders and approved financial support for their solarisation.
Odisha is finalising its Agrivoltaics Policy 2026 with a target of 1 GW by 2030.
The proposed Odisha policy would require at least 90% of project sites to remain cultivable and safeguard farmer consent and crop insurance.
The conference examined risk-mitigation instruments, concessional lending and blended finance for agrivoltaic projects.
The Agrivoltaics Pitch-Hub featured early-stage innovators and start-ups developing dual-use agrivoltaic solutions.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on renewable energy, agrivoltaics, PM-KUSUM, agricultural feeder solarisation, state renewable-energy policies, climate finance and sustainable land use.
India-Poland Business Forum Focuses on Investment, Technology and Innovation
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal invited Polish companies to build, innovate and invest in India during the India-Poland Business Forum. He highlighted opportunities in clean energy, advanced manufacturing, digital technology, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and electric mobility.
Key facts
Sarbananda Sonowal is the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
He delivered the keynote address at the India-Poland Business Forum, attended by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
India and Poland elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Poland in August 2024.
India has set a target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity by 2030.
Sonowal estimated the investment opportunity associated with this target at approximately 280 billion to 300 billion euros.
Trade between India and Poland was stated to have reached 6.36 billion US dollars, while Indian investment in Poland exceeded 3 billion US dollars.
Sonowal proposed a Startup Bridge, an Innovation Corridor, and an AI and Quantum Dialogue between the two countries.
He urged Polish firms to use India as a platform for growth and to participate in the India-EU free trade agreement opportunities.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India’s relations with Poland, strategic partnerships, bilateral trade and investment, renewable-energy targets, non-fossil fuel capacity, and emerging technology cooperation.
