Welcome to today’s TNPSC Daily Current Affairs for October 09, 2026.
This comprehensive compilation covers all important events across national politics,
international relations, science & technology, economy, sports, and more.
Sourced from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, and other reputed media.
Perfect for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, and Group 4 exam preparation.

📌 Read in Tamil: தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கே கிளிக் செய்யவும்

🏛️ National Politics & Government

1. NSO Releases Key Findings of India’s First-Ever National Household Travel Survey

In October 2026, the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the key indicators and findings of the National Household Travel Survey (NHTS), India’s first-ever nationwide survey on household travel patterns.

Key points:

• Key Findings: Student Mobility: As per the NHTS, 66.4% of students (65.6% in rural areas; 68.1% in urban areas) aged 6 years and above travel more than 1 km daily to attend their educational institutions.
• Mode of Travel to Educational Institutions: The survey found that walking (37.0%) continues to be the largest mode for students to commute to their educational institutions; followed by Buses (29.5%), and Bicycles (15.8%).
• Workplace Mobility: As per the survey findings, 42.6% (37.1% rural; 52.3% urban) of workers use two-wheelers as the primary mode of transport for commuting to fixed workplaces.
• Commute Cost: The survey revealed that a worker incurred an average monthly expenditure of Rs 785 for commuting to his fixed workplace, while workers in urban and rural areas of the country incurred an average monthly expenditure of Rs 1,044 and Rs 612, respectively.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

2. MoSPI released Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2026-2030

In October 2026, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released its Strategy for Environmental Economic Accounts in India 2026–2030, laying down a roadmap for strengthening India’s environmental accounting framework and improving the integration of environmental and economic data.

Key points:

• 2026-30 Strategy Overview Released by: The Social Statistics Division, under the National Statistics Office (NSO), MoSPI released the document.
• Alignment: India’s environmental accounting efforts are aligned with the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA).
• New Strategy: The new document succeeds the 2022-26 strategy and lists around 10 priority areas for the next five years: forests, water, land, soil, minerals, carbon stock, biodiversity, pollination services, environment-related economic activity and an expanded environment statistics publication.
• The SEEA is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and around 40 global indicators for 9 SDGs can be evaluated using SEEA accounts.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

3. Indian Coast Guard Conducts National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise ‘SAREX-2026’ off Odisha Coast

In October 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) Sanjay Seth, Ministry of Defence(MoD), inaugurated the 12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026), organised by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) off the Paradip coast, Odisha.

Key points:

• About SAREX 2026: Scenario: The exercise simulated a Mass Rescue Operation (MRO) involving simultaneous aeronautical and maritime distress situations, including a passenger aircraft ditching at sea with 228 persons onboard and impacting container vessel MV Zumba.
• Participation: 32 observers from 30 countries will participate, highlighting international cooperation and interoperability in maritime rescue operations.
• Assets: The exercise involves 15 ICG ships, 2 Dornier aircraft, 3 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs), 1 Chetak helicopter, Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft, and 2 Indian Navy ships, along with civil/state assets.
• The exercise, held from 7–8 October 2026, focuses on strengthening coordinated maritime search and rescue preparedness, with participation from Indian defence, civil and international stakeholders.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

4. MoEFCC Grants Environmental and CRZ Clearance for Greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, Odisha

In October 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted Environmental Clearance and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Clearance for the greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport at Sipasarubali, Puri, Odisha, covering 471.348 hectares (ha), based on the recommendation of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

Key points:

• About Shree Jagannath International Airport, Puri: Environment: EAC recommended the clearances with safeguards, while forest clearance allowed diversion of 27.887 hectares with 33 conditions, including 29.939 hectares of compensatory afforestation and wildlife measures based on Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recommendations.
• Development: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will develop the airport through its own investment and prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to determine revised costs, while the earlier estimated project cost was around Rs.
• 5,631 crore under a proposed public-private partnership(PPP) model.
• Connectivity: Located approximately 50 kilometres (km) aerially and 67 km by road from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, the project aims to improve air connectivity to Puri and address airport capacity constraints.
• About AAI: It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, established on 1 April 1995, with Puneet Kansal holding the additional charge as Interim Chairman.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

5. MIB Reconstitutes Press Council of India with 13 Journalist Members

In October 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) reconstituted the Press Council of India (PCI) by nominating 13 journalists, including six editors and seven working journalists, under Section 5 and Section 6 of the PCl Act, 1978.

Key points:

• About Reconstitution of PCI: Composition: PCI is a statutory, autonomous and quasi-judicial body comprising 1 Chairperson and 28 other members, including 13 working journalists (6 editors & 7 others), 6 newspaper-owner representatives, 5 Members of Parliament (MP), and 3 specialised-field representatives from the University Grants Commission (UGC), Bar Council of India (BCI), and Sahitya Akademi.
• Nominations: The six editors are Pradeep Kumar Jain, Sayed Raza Husain Rizvi, Ankur Dua, Aparna Shukla, Raj Parwana/Narender Singh, and Vinod Bajpai, while the seven other working journalists are Vinod Kohli, Geetartha Pathak, Prajnananda Chaudhuri, Kingshuk Pramanik, C.
• Nayak, Prasanna Kumar Mohanty, and Bijoy Kakchingtabam.
• Functions: PCI preserves press freedom, maintains media standards, formulates Norms of Journalistic Conduct, handles complaints, and advises on press-related matters, with the latest nominations completing journalist representation in the 15th Press Council.
• The reconstitution strengthens the representation of working journalists in the statutory body responsible for preserving press freedom and improving media standards.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

6. MoCI Establishes FTA Utilisation Cell to Boost Free Trade Agreement Benefits for Indian Businesses

In October 2026, the Department of Commerce(DoC), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry(MoCI), established a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Utilisation Cell to help Indian entrepreneurs and businesses understand and utilise the benefits and opportunities available under India’s FTAs.

Key points:

• Objective: The cell aims to increase awareness of preferential market access, tariff concessions and export opportunities available under India’s FTAs, enabling domestic businesses to make better use of international trade agreements.
• Implementation: It will work with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), industry associations and state governments to explain FTA provisions to entrepreneurs and help them identify potential markets.
• Market-Specific Action Plans: The Department of Commerce plans to work with EPCs to develop market-specific strategies and action plans for the next 4–5 years, focusing on increasing FTA utilisation and integrating Indian businesses with partner-country markets.
• FTA Network: India has finalized FTAs with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), UAE, Australia, Mauritius, Oman, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, providing businesses access to 32 countries with largely zero-tariff trade opportunities.
• It was announced by Rajesh Agarwal, Secretary, MoCI, during the 2nd India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Prosperity Summit held in New Delhi, Delhi.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

7. Philip Morris India and Litterati Collaborate to Address Littering Through Evidence-Based Solutions

In October 2026, Philip Morris India Trading Private Limited (PM India) partnered with Litterati, a global civic technology company, to launch the first phase of a 12-month anti-littering effort in Delhi under Project Unmesha.

Key points:

• Collaboration: Technology: Litterati will use community science and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled image recognition to identify litter hotspots, map litter composition and establish scientific baselines.
• Solutions: The data will support behaviour change, responsible disposal and waste recovery, contributing to the Swachh Bharat Mission(SBM).
• Clean-Up: #CleanWithBittu removed over 4,000 kilogram (Kg) of litter; 1,600+ kg was diverted for recycling/composting, avoiding 2,200 kg CO₂e emissions.
• Model: The 12-month programme aims to create a replicable, data-driven model combining litter mapping, impact measurement, behaviour change, infrastructure and waste-system strengthening.
• About Project Unmesha: Project Unmesha is a flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program by Philip Morris India focused on environmental stewardship, circularity, and sustainable urban public spaces.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

8. Kerala Government Launched WOMN to Make Women’s Travel Easier

In October2026, Bindhu Krishna, Minister of Women and Child Development (WCD), government of Kerala, officially launched Women on the Move and Menstrual Needs (WOMN), a new women-centric scheme of the state’s WCD department.

Key points:

• Implementation: The scheme will provide sanitary napkins to women at public places during travel, with vending machines installed at 14 KSRTC terminals or depots in the initial pilot phase, with plans to expand to 93 additional depots/terminals across the state.
• Maintenance: Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) supplies the sanitary napkins and trains staff, while KSRTC oversees the vending machines and maintains eco-friendly incinerators for hygienic disposal of used sanitary napkins.
• Affordable Access: Through installed vending machines in buses, women can access sanitary napkin packets and each pack will contain 3 sanitary napkins priced at Rs 10.
• The scheme aims to improve access to menstrual hygiene products for women and girls during travel, at the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal in Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

9. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches Healthcare and Social Welfare Initiatives under ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’

In October 2026, Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu launched a package of healthcare and social welfare initiatives under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ campaign at Thyagraj Stadium, New Delhi, Delhi.

Key points:

• Key Healthcare and Social Welfare Initiatives: ASHA Incentive Hike: The Delhi government doubled monthly incentives for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000, benefiting 6,690 workers engaged in community healthcare.
• Mission ANMOL Expansion: Mission ANMOL (Advanced Newborn Monitoring and Optimal Life Care) expanded newborn screening from 56 to 63 congenital conditions, conducted within 24–72 hours of birth.
• Over 75,000 newborns have been screened, with 700+ receiving treatment.
• Annual coverage is targeted to increase from 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh.
• Organ Transplantation: The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO) headquarters was virtually inaugurated at G.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Polity & Governance (GS Paper 2). Government policies and administration.

🌍 International Affairs

10. Union Minister Piyush Goyal Attends G20 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Milwaukee, USA

Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), attended the Group (G20) Trade Ministers’ Meeting held from September 30 to October 1, 2026 in Milwaukee, the United States of America (USA), as part of his week-long official visit to the USA, under the USA G20 Presidency.

Key points:

• Highlights of the Meeting G20 Consensus: The G20 Trade Ministers reached a consensus on the G20 Statement on the Weaponization of Food through Coercive Trade Actions, reaffirming their commitment to cooperation.
• Food Security: During the meeting, Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasised food security, protection of farmers’ interests and preventing the use of food as a tool of economic or political pressure.
• Key Outcome: The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) released the Joint Ministerial Statement, signed by the 15 participating countries, including India and the USA.
• The meeting focused on global trade challenges, food security, structural excess production capacity, forced labour in supply chains and reforms to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
• Other Signatories: Apart from India and the USA, other signatories include: Argentina, Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea (or, South Korea); Mexico, Poland; Türkiye; the UK.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: International Relations (GS Paper 2). Bilateral and multilateral agreements.

🔬 Science & Technology

11. Kochi-based EyeROV Delivers India’s First Military-Grade ROV to IN

On 7 October 2026, Kochi, Kerala -based marine robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep-tech startup EyeROV (IROV Technologies Private Limited) delivered two EyeROV TROUT military-grade underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems to the Indian Navy (IN), marking the delivery of India’s first indigenously built military-grade ROV.

Key points:

• Highlights of the India’s First Military Grade ROV: Previous Contract: In September 2025, EyeROV secured a Rs 47 crore contract from the IN to supply advanced underwater ROV systems.
• TROUT: EyeROV TROUT is India’s first military-grade underwater ROV, designed, developed, manufactured and qualified in India for naval operations.
• Applications: It supports underwater inspection, surveillance and reconnaissance, search and recovery, detection and robotic intervention.
• Development: TROUT was developed under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) DISC 7 SPRINT Challenge, with the IN as the nodal agency, and underwent extensive field trials and system-level validation.
• The delivery is part of the Navy’s order for 5 TROUT systems.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Science & Technology (GS Paper 3). Achievements of Indians in S&T.

💰 Economy & Banking

12. Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems Signed MoU for Rafale System Manufacturing in India

In October 2026, Hical Technologies Private Limited, a leading Indian aerospace and defence manufacturer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French aerospace and defense major Safran Aerosystems to explore setting up a Joint Venture (JV) in India for the manufacturing of complex systems for the Dassault Rafale systems in India.

Key points:

• Key Details: Key Focus: As per the agreement, the key focus of the proposed JV will be on the production of sophisticated equipment, including complex fluid and fuel systems and related assemblies for Rafale aircraft delivered under Make in India initiative.
• Manufacturing Hub: Hical Technologies’ newly inaugurated aerospace manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru, Karnataka, will support the partnership and expand its manufacturing capacity for aerospace and defence programmes.
• Rafale Ecosystem: The agreement builds on Hical’s existing partnership with Dassault Aviation, supplying control systems for the Rafale programme and expanding its role in the global supply chain.
• Rafale Systems in India: In April 2025, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved India’s procurement of 26 Rafale Marine (M) fighter jets from France, while the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates 36 Rafale fighter jets inducted in 2020 and stationed at Ambala, Haryana, and Hasimara, West Bengal (WB).
• About Hical Technologies: Headquartered in Bengaluru (Karnataka), Hical Technologies has specialization in high-precision electromechanical systems, serving global aerospace and defence platforms.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Economy (GS Paper 3). Banking, monetary policy, fiscal developments.

🏆 Awards & Honours

13. Henri Boris Kagan and Kenso Soai Won 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Work on Asymmetric Organic Synthesis

In October 2026, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to French chemist Henri Boris Kagan and Japanese chemist Kenso Soai for discovering nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis, advancing selective production of molecular mirror images.

Key points:

• About the Laureates: Henri Boris Kagan: Born on December 15, 1930, in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, he is a pioneer of asymmetric catalysis who spent most of his research career at Université Paris-Sud, now part of Université Paris-Saclay, where he is Professor Emeritus.
• Kenso Soai: Born in 1950 in Hiroshima, Japan, he advanced organic chemistry at the Tokyo University of Science, where he serves as an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry.
• The two laureates will equally share the 12 million Swedish kronor (SEK) prize.
• Recognition: Kagan received the Wolf Prize in Chemistry in 2001 and was widely regarded as a major figure in modern organic chemistry, with his 2026 Nobel recognition honouring his foundational 1986 discovery of nonlinear effects.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Awards & Honours. Frequently asked in TNPSC prelims.

14. Mahesh Kakde Becomes 5th Indian to Win Ramanujan Prize for Mathematics

In October 2026, Mahesh Kakde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru(Karnataka), was named winner of 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries for his outstanding work in algebraic number theory.

Key points:

• Background: The prize, named after renowned Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, has been awarded annually since 2005.
• Criteria: The award recognises researchers under the age of 45 from a developing country who have carried out exceptional mathematical research while working under difficult conditions in a developing country.
• Presented by: The prize is presented jointly by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and the International Mathematical Union (IMU) in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of the Government of India (GoI).
• Monetary Prize: The recipient of the award receives a cash prize of USD 10,000.
• With this, Mahesh Kakde became the 5th Indian to receive this honour, after Sujatha Ramdorai (2006); Amalendu Krishna (2015); Ritabrata Munshi (2018); and Neena Gupta (2021).

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: Awards & Honours. Frequently asked in TNPSC prelims.

📘 General Knowledge & Miscellaneous

15. Padma Shri Kathak Dancer Roshan Kumari Passed Away

On 5 October 2026, renowned Indian classical dancer, choreographer and Padma Shri awardee Roshan Kumari, a prominent exponent of the Jaipur gharana of Kathak, passed away at the age of 82 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Key points:

• She was born on 24 December 1937 in Ambala, Haryana,.
• About Roshan Kumari: Early Life & Career: She was born to renowned percussionist Fakir Mohammed and classical and playback singer Zohrabai Ambalewali.
• Contribution: In 1971, she founded Nritya Kala Kendra in Bandra, Mumbai, where she trained several students and promoted the Kathak tradition.
• Awards: She received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Vishwa Unnyyan Samsad (1989), Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar (1990) and Man Patra honour (1993), among other recognitions.
• She received Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 1984 in the field of Art.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

16. Veteran Indian actor and Padma Shri Awardee Nana Patekar Passed Away at 75

On 8 October 2026, veteran Indian actor and filmmaker Nana Patekar passed away at the age of 75 in Goa.

Key points:

• He was known for his work in Hindi and Marathi cinema, theatre and filmmaking.
• About Nana Patekar: Cinema: He made his acting debut in Gaman (1978) and gained recognition for Parinda (1989).
• His notable films included Krantiveer, Agni Sakshi, Welcome, Raajneeti, Ab Tak Chhappan and Natsamrat.
• National Awards: He received three National Film Awards for his performances in Hindi cinema.
• Philanthropy: In 2015, he co-founded the Naam Foundation with Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure to support drought-affected farmers and their families in Maharashtra.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

17. Indian Air Force Day 2026 – October 8

Indian Air Force (IAF) Day, also known as IAF Raising Day, is observed annually across India on 8 October to commemorate the formation of the IAF on 8 October 1932, originally established as an auxiliary air force under the British Empire.

Key points:

• Background: Establishment: The IAF was founded on 8 October 1932 as part of the British Royal Air Force under the name Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF).
• First Flight: The Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF) made its first official flight on 1 April 1933 with six officers and 19 Hawaii Sepoys from the Royal Air Force.
• 2026 Events: The official parade and ceremonial flypast were held on 8 October 2026 at Hindon Air Force Station, Ghaziabad(Uttar Pradesh, UP), with Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of IAF, reviewing the parade.
• 8th October 2026 marks the 94th anniversary of the IAF Day.
• 2026 Theme: “Indian Air Force – Infallible, Impervious and Precise”.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.

18. World Post Day 2026 – October 9

The United Nations (UN)’s World Post Day (WPD) is annually observed across the globe on 9th October to mark the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in Bern, Switzerland.

Key points:

• Background: First Proclamation: In 1969, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress in Tokyo, Japan, adopted a resolution to observe 9th October as UPU Day, commemorating the organisation’s founding anniversary.
• Renaming: In 1984, the UPU Congress in Hamburg, Germany, officially renamed UPU Day as WPD.
• 2026 Theme: “World Post Day: One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities”.

📌 Why it matters for TNPSC: General Knowledge. Important for TNPSC prelims.