Current Affairs 29 October 2026The stories that matter for your exam, most important first

17 stories today, 10 of them must-read. Every story has key points, key facts and practice questions.

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Today's Top 10

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The 10 stories that matter most for your exam, most important first. The list re-ranks through the day as new stories arrive.

#1Science & Tech

4 questions · 3 min

IIT Kharagpur to Establish India's First Physical AI School with ₹35 Crore Fund, IISER Pune and IIMs Adopt AI Policies

IIT Kharagpur is establishing India's first academic institution dedicated to Physical AI, funded with ₹35 crore, to advance interdisciplinary research in AI, physics, and engineering. Concurrently, premier institutes like IISER Pune, IIM Ahmedabad, and IIM Bangalore are formalizing institutional policies to integrate Generative AI into teaching, learning, and assessment, reflecting a strategic shift in higher education.

Full form of IISER: Indian Institute of Science Education and Research

UPSC7

#2BiharSecurity & Defence

4 questions · 3 min

NIA Probe into Pan-India Fake Aadhaar Racket Spanning 11 States, Linked to Bangladeshi and Afghan Passport Fraud

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe a major fake Aadhaar and passport racket with a network across 11 states, operating since 2020 from Bihar's Muzaffarpur. The scam, which poses a national security threat, involved using biometrics of Bangladeshi and Afghan nationals to create fraudulent identity documents through illegally operated Aadhaar centers.

Full form of NIA: National Investigation Agency

BPSC8UPSC7Bihar SI7+1

#3Science & Tech

4 questions · 3 min

AI-Powered Cyberattacks on NBFCs: ₹300 Crore Loss, CERT-In Alerts on Chinese AI Tools

Artificial Intelligence is being weaponized for sophisticated cyberattacks targeting Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India, leading to losses of around ₹300 crore. The nodal cybersecurity agency CERT-In has issued alerts, suspecting the use of Chinese AI toolkits, highlighting a critical vulnerability in financial sector cybersecurity.

Full form of NBFC: Non-Banking Financial Company

Bank9UPSC7

#4Science & Tech

4 questions · 5 min

India Approves CRISPR-edited Rice Varieties DRR Dhan 100 and Pusa DST Rice 1 for Higher Yield, Salt Tolerance

India is leveraging advanced genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding staple crops. In 2025, India became the first country to allow cultivation of gene-edited rice (DRR Dhan 100 & Pusa DST Rice 1), developed by public institutions for 20% higher yield and salt tolerance, aiming to secure food production amidst climate change.

First Gene-Edited Crop Approved: Rice (2025)

UPSC8BPSC7UPPSC7+1

#5Economy

3 questions · 3 min

NPPA Cuts Prices of 543 Cancer Drugs: 73% Reduced, MRP Cap of 30% Trade Margin Effective from 9 November

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has revised the Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) for 543 cancer drug brands/packs. 73% of these (397 drugs) have seen price reductions, with 217 slashed by over 50%. This follows a government order capping the trade margin for 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30% of MRP. The new prices come into effect from 9 November 2026.

Full form of NPPA: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

UPSC7SSC7

#6Uttar PradeshPolity

4 questions · 3 min

Uttar Pradesh Voter List 2026: 17.3% Adult Population Missing Post-SIR, SEC List Shows 16.9 Cr Voters

The final Summary Revision (SIR) voter list for Uttar Pradesh, published in April 2026, shows 13.4 crore voters, leaving a staggering gap of 17.3% (2.8 crore) from the estimated adult population of 16.2 crore. This raises serious concerns about the completeness, equity, and accuracy of electoral rolls ahead of assembly elections, with the State Election Commission's parallel list indicating a much higher voter count of 16.9 crore.

Estimated Adult Population, UP (Mar 2026): 16.2 crore

UPPSC9UPSC8UP SI7+1

#7Economy

4 questions · 2 min

Indian Economy: Growth Forecast at 7-7.1% Amid Strong Indicators, Despite Rupee Weakness and FPIs Outflow

Multiple international agencies project India's GDP growth at 7-7.1% for the year, supported by strong high-frequency indicators like GST collections and IIP. However, persistent challenges include a weakening rupee, significant foreign portfolio investment outflows, and a sluggish private investment cycle.

ADB & Moody's Growth Forecast: 7%

Bank9UPSC7

#8Polity

4 questions · 3 min

Member of Legislative Council (MLC): Powers, Salary (~₹2.66 Lakh/month in UP), Election Process and Constitutional Role

The Member of Legislative Council (MLC) is a member of the upper house in bicameral Indian state legislatures. Their role includes law-making, questioning the government, and representing special constituencies, but with limited powers compared to the Legislative Assembly, especially on money bills. Currently, six states have Legislative Councils: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

Full form of MLC: Member of Legislative Council

UPPSC8UPSC7BPSC7

#9Polity

2 questions · 3 min

Bihar, UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka: 28 Legislative Council Seats Results Show BJP, SP, NDA Gains in 2026 Elections

Elections for 28 Legislative Council (MLC) seats across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka were held through ballot papers, providing a political snapshot ahead of key state assembly elections. The results saw the BJP retain strength, the Samajwadi Party gain in UP, and the Congress failing to win a single seat in Karnataka despite being in power there. The outcome is seen as a key indicator of political alignments and organizational strategies.

Full form of MLC: Member of Legislative Council

UPPSC8BPSC7SSC7+2

#10Polity

4 questions · 3 min

Electoral Roll Purification: SIR Process Identifies 1,600 Suspected Foreign Nationals Across Six States

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, aimed at purifying electoral rolls, has identified only about 1,600 suspected foreign nationals across six states, despite removing millions of names. This highlights a significant data collection inconsistency among states and raises questions about the scale of the issue of foreign nationals on voter lists.

Full form of SIR: Special Intensive Revision

UPSC7

#11JharkhandPolity

4 questions · 3 min

Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Jharkhand to Deploy Over 13,000 Jalmitras in 4,345 Panchayats

Jharkhand government is strengthening rural water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 by appointing three 'Jalmitras' (water friends) in each of its 4,345 panchayats, creating over 13,000 jobs. The initiative, approved by the apex committee led by Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, aims to ensure regular and quality drinking water supply through trained local operators.

Scheme: Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0

JPSC8SSC7JSSC7

#12JharkhandPolity

3 questions · 2 min

Jharkhand Clinical Establishments Act Amendment: Hospitals Under 40 Beds Exempt, Max Penalty Reduced to Rs 1 Lakh

Jharkhand government proposes amendments to the Clinical Establishments Act, 2013 to ease regulatory burden on small private hospitals and nursing homes. Hospitals with less than 40 beds in urban areas and less than 30 beds in rural areas will be exempt from the Act, and the maximum penalty for violations will be reduced from Rs 5 lakh to a range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh.

Full form of CEA: Clinical Establishments Act

JPSC8JSSC7

#13BiharEnvironment

4 questions · 3 min

Bihar Flood Management: ₹1.99 Cr Study for Kosi, Gandak, Sone Plains; ₹11,096 Cr for LT Power Upgrade

The Bihar Cabinet approved multiple development and safety projects, including a ₹1.99 crore flood plain mapping study for the Kosi, Gandak, and Sone rivers with NIH Roorkee, and a ₹11,096.55 crore upgrade to the state's low-tension power distribution system. Other key decisions involve dam safety assessments and land allocation for industrial revival.

Full form of WRD: Water Resources Department (Bihar)

BPSC8BSSC7

#14International Relations

4 questions · 3 min

India-Poland Strategic Partnership: Bilateral Trade Target $10 Bn, Shift from China Amid EU De-risking

Poland is strengthening its strategic partnership with India, aiming to raise bilateral trade from $6 billion to $10 billion. This rebalancing occurs against the backdrop of Poland and the European Union's strategic de-risking from China due to trade imbalances, security concerns, and China's support for Russia. The shift signifies a broader geopolitical realignment where India is emerging as a key partner for European nations seeking to diversify supply chains and reduce dependency on China.

Current India-Poland Trade: $6 billion

UPSC7

#15PunjabSocial Issues

4 questions · 4 min

Punjab's Drug Crisis: 6,060 Trafficking Cases in 2024, 553-km Border Vulnerability and Yudh Nasheyan Virudh Campaign

Punjab's persistent drug crisis, with 6,060 trafficking cases in 2024, is rooted in historical usage, geographical vulnerability, and economic factors. The state's 553-km border with Pakistan and the Golden Crescent region facilitates smuggling, while the AAP government's Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign targets traffickers' finances.

Drug Trafficking Cases (Punjab, 2024): 6,060 (Highest in India)

#16Social Issues

4 questions · 3 min

India's Care Economy: Need for National Framework and Workforce to Achieve Viksit Bharat 2047

India lacks a unified national care ecosystem, with services fragmented across ministries, impacting women's workforce participation. NITI Aayog proposes a National Caregiving Council; the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is consulting States and Union Territories on a National Care Economy Mission, with UNDP supporting the agenda.

Full form of PLFS: Periodic Labour Force Survey

UPSC7

#17International Relations

4 questions · 3 min

India-New Zealand FTA: Duty-Free Access, 5,000 Professional Visas & $20 Billion FDI Target Over 15 Years

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA), now in force, aims to double bilateral trade by 2030 by providing duty-free market access, addressing regulatory barriers, and facilitating professional mobility. Key features include a quota of 5,000 professional visas and a target of $20 billion in FDI from New Zealand over 15 years.

Full form of FTA: Free Trade Agreement

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