Skip to content
Free updates Login

Daily Current Affairs: 19 October 2026

Current affairs of 19 October 2026: India-New Zealand FTA comes into force on 20 October 2026; Jaishankar meets UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Mumbai; SGB 2020-21 Series VII: RBI sets ₹14,614 per unit for early redemption, and 15 more topics. Key facts for every exam, with a quiz.

Take the quiz (15 questions)October 2026
18 TOPICSDaily CurrentAffairs19 October 2026In focus: India-New Zealand FTA comes into force…safalsetu.com

In this issue: 18 topics

National Affairs

  1. Ladakh Bench of J&K and Ladakh High Court Inaugurated at Leh by CJI
  2. Court fee violations: Law Ministry notifies UT adjudication rules 2026

Government Schemes

  1. Namo Bharat Diwas 2026: India’s first RRTS completes three years

Banking & Finance

  1. SGB 2020-21 Series VII: RBI sets ₹14,614 per unit for early redemption
  2. RBI NoC for REC-PFC Merger: Power Lenders Move Closer to Union
  3. Microfinance portfolio falls 7.6% to ₹3.26 trillion: Sa-Dhan

Economy

  1. Crude import bill up 46.3% to $90.6 billion in Apr-Sep 2026: PPAC
  2. MMDR Act 1957 may be replaced by a new comprehensive mining law
  3. Biodiesel Blending: PSU OMCs Sell Diesel With Up to 5% Biodiesel

International Affairs

  1. India-New Zealand FTA comes into force on 20 October 2026
  2. Jaishankar meets UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Mumbai

Agriculture & Rural

  1. Ethanol: Centre sets sugar diversion at zero for ESY 2026-27
  2. Kufri Jamunia: ICAR-CPRI’s biofortified purple potato explained

Science & Technology

  1. Gaganyaan: ISRO clears Crew Module-Service Module separation test

Environment & Ecology

  1. Lightning detection sensors: UP ties up with IITM Pune in 5 districts

Awards & Persons

  1. Denmark Open 2026: Alex Lanier, An Se-young Win Singles Titles
  2. India beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets in 2nd women’s T20I, lead 2-0
  3. World Osteoporosis Day 2026: theme ‘Build, Protect and Strengthen’

National Affairs

Polity & Governance

1. Ladakh Bench of J&K and Ladakh High Court Inaugurated at Leh by CJI

  • CJI Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the Ladakh Bench of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh on 18 October 2026.
  • Venue: High Court Complex, Melangthong, Leh.
  • Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati is Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.
  • Ladakh LG Vinai Kumar Saxena called the day a landmark milestone for accessible justice.
  • The bench spares Ladakh litigants long trips to Srinagar or Jammu for court hearings.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Polity & Governance

2. Court fee violations: Law Ministry notifies UT adjudication rules 2026

  • The Law Ministry has notified the Union Territories Court Fees (Adjudication of Penalties and Appeal) Rules, 2026.
  • The rules put into effect sections 34A and 34B of the Court Fees Act, 1870.
  • These sections were added by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, which replaces jail terms with money penalties for minor lapses.
  • Adjudicating officers will impose penalties; appeals go to a designated appellate authority.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Government Schemes

Economy

3. Namo Bharat Diwas 2026: India’s first RRTS completes three years

  • NCRTC celebrated Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 in New Delhi on 17 October 2026, marking three years of operations.
  • PM Modi inaugurated Namo Bharat on 20 October 2023 on the 17 km Sahibabad-Duhai Depot stretch.
  • The full 82 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was dedicated to the nation on 22 February 2026.
  • Ridership has crossed 4.5 crore; daily ridership is over 1.1 lakh, with a record of about 1.68 lakh.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Banking & Finance

Economy

5. RBI NoC for REC-PFC Merger: Power Lenders Move Closer to Union

  • RBI gave a conditional no-objection certificate (NoC) on 15 October 2026 for the REC-PFC merger.
  • REC Ltd is the transferor company; Power Finance Corporation (PFC) is the transferee company.
  • Boards of both firms cleared the scheme on 28 June 2026 under Sections 230-232 of the Companies Act, 2013.
  • Swap ratio: 88 PFC shares for every 100 REC shares; combined loan book reported above ₹11 lakh crore.
  • Shareholder, creditor and other statutory approvals, possibly including NCLT sanction, are still pending.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Banking & Finance

6. Microfinance portfolio falls 7.6% to ₹3.26 trillion: Sa-Dhan

  • India's microfinance portfolio fell 7.6% to ₹3.26 trillion at the end of June 2026, according to Sa-Dhan.
  • The number of borrowers dropped 15% to 65.4 million; loan accounts fell 19.7% to 100.6 million.
  • Average loan ticket size rose 15% to ₹62,962.
  • Banks held 29.8% of the portfolio (₹79,023 crore); NBFC-MFIs grew 5.2% to ₹46,884 crore.
  • The ₹3 lakh household income limit for microfinance, set four years ago, may be raised to ₹4 lakh or ₹5 lakh.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Economy

Economy

7. Crude import bill up 46.3% to $90.6 billion in Apr-Sep 2026: PPAC

  • India spent $90.6 billion on crude imports in April-September 2026, up 46.3% from $61.9 billion a year earlier.
  • Import volume barely changed: 122.7 MMT versus 121.8 MMT, so the jump was mainly price-driven.
  • Crude import dependence was 88.1%, slightly below 88.3% a year ago; gas import dependency rose to 52.3%.
  • Indian basket crude averaged $116.09 a barrel in September 2026, against $69.61 in September 2025.
  • Petroleum product consumption fell 3.3% to 114.8 MMT; LPG use dropped 15.5%.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Polity & Governance

8. MMDR Act 1957 may be replaced by a new comprehensive mining law

  • The Centre is considering replacing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 with a comprehensive new law (PTI, 18 October 2026).
  • An inter-ministerial panel chaired by the additional secretary in the mines ministry will draft the bill.
  • The panel will study global best practices and consult states and other stakeholders.
  • Under the present law, the Centre regulates major minerals and states regulate minor minerals.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Economy

9. Biodiesel Blending: PSU OMCs Sell Diesel With Up to 5% Biodiesel

  • State-run OMCs IOCL, BPCL and HPCL are selling diesel blended with up to 5% biodiesel at select retail outlets.
  • Such fuel is available mainly in Gujarat, Rajasthan and the Delhi-NCR region.
  • National Policy on Biofuels sets an indicative target of 5% biodiesel blending in diesel by 2030.
  • Blends up to 5% need no disclosure under IS 1460, the BIS standard for automotive diesel, says BDAI.
  • Indian crude basket averaged about $122 a barrel in October, up 77% from about $69 in February.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

International Affairs

Economy

10. India-New Zealand FTA comes into force on 20 October 2026

  • The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement takes effect on 20 October 2026, a date announced on 22 September 2026.
  • It was signed on 27 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi; New Zealand's Parliament cleared it on 16 September 2026.
  • All Indian exports to New Zealand get duty-free entry; India cuts duties on 70% of tariff lines, covering 95% of NZ's export value.
  • New Zealand will facilitate USD 20 billion of investment into India over 15 years.
  • It is India's second trade agreement in Oceania, after the deal with Australia.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
International Relations

11. Jaishankar meets UAE FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Mumbai

  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was scheduled to meet UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Mumbai on 19 October 2026.
  • Talks review the full India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, covering energy, trade and investment, fintech, defence and connectivity.
  • On 20 October, Jaishankar holds talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai.
  • Jaishankar is guest of honour at a celebration marking 250 years of US independence.
  • MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal briefed the media on both visits in New Delhi.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Agriculture & Rural

Economy

12. Ethanol: Centre sets sugar diversion at zero for ESY 2026-27

  • The Centre told oil marketing companies to set sugar diversion for ethanol at zero for the 2026-27 ethanol supply year, which starts in November.
  • Sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses cannot be used; maize, broken rice, damaged foodgrains, surplus FCI rice and C-heavy molasses can.
  • OMCs have invited bids for 11 billion litres of ethanol.
  • Record retail sugar prices and weak monsoon rain in Maharashtra and Karnataka drove the decision.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Agriculture & Rural Development

13. Kufri Jamunia: ICAR-CPRI’s biofortified purple potato explained

  • Kufri Jamunia is a biofortified potato with dark purple skin and purple flesh, developed by ICAR-CPRI and released in 2024.
  • Per 100 g it has 42.75 mg Vitamin C, 2.28 mg zinc and 3.22 mg iron, well above a common yellow potato.
  • It has more ascorbic acid, anthocyanins and carotenoids than Kufri Manik (2021) and Kufri Neelkanth (2018).
  • Yield is 32-35 tonnes per hectare; it is recommended for the North Indian plains.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Science & Technology

Science & Technology

14. Gaganyaan: ISRO clears Crew Module-Service Module separation test

  • ISRO completed ground tests of Gaganyaan Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM) separation at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, reported on 17 October 2026.
  • The tests confirmed the separation design and that avionics, navigation and heat-shield systems survive the separation shock.
  • The uncrewed G1 mission will carry the half-humanoid robot Vyommitra and is targeted for 2026.
  • The first crewed Gaganyaan mission is targeted for 2027.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Environment & Ecology

Environment & Ecology

15. Lightning detection sensors: UP ties up with IITM Pune in 5 districts

  • Uttar Pradesh is installing lightning detection sensors in five districts with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
  • Districts covered: Etah, Meerut, Balrampur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sonbhadra.
  • A ₹1.33 crore Lightning Detection and Early Warning System is coming up in 32 villages of Duddhi block, Sonbhadra.
  • The Relief Commissioner's Office says the aim is to reduce lightning deaths and improve disaster preparedness.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Awards & Persons

Sports

16. Denmark Open 2026: Alex Lanier, An Se-young Win Singles Titles

  • Denmark Open 2026, a BWF Super 750 event, was held from 13 to 18 October in Odense, Denmark.
  • Alex Lanier of France beat home player Anders Antonsen 21-15, 13-21, 21-13 in the men's singles final.
  • Lanier is the first French men's singles player to reach a Denmark Open final in its 90-year history.
  • An Se-young of South Korea won women's singles, defeating Japan's Akane Yamaguchi in the final.
  • PV Sindhu and Lakshya Sen lost in the first round; Satwik-Chirag also exited in round one.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Sports

17. India beat Zimbabwe by 9 wickets in 2nd women’s T20I, lead 2-0

  • India women beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets in the second T20I at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur.
  • Zimbabwe made 102/8; India chased the target in 8.5 overs, finishing on 103/1.
  • Shafali Verma scored 55 off 25 balls; captain Smriti Mandhana was unbeaten on 47 off 25.
  • This is the first bilateral women's cricket series between India and Zimbabwe; India have an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›
Health & Social Issues

18. World Osteoporosis Day 2026: theme ‘Build, Protect and Strengthen’

  • World Osteoporosis Day is observed on 20 October every year, led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF).
  • The 2026 theme is 'Build, Protect and Strengthen Your Bones for Life'; the October social media drive uses #MoveForYourBones.
  • More than 500 million people worldwide live with osteoporosis.
  • About 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men aged 50 or above will suffer an osteoporotic fracture.
Full notes and 3 MCQs ›

Test yourself

15 questions from the news of 19 October 2026, with answers and explanations.

Start the quiz