Daily Current Affairs 15 October 2026
These daily current affairs 15 october 2026 notes bring together the most important developments for competitive examinations. Today’s news covers Economy, Social, Infrastructure, Governance, International, Environment, Defence, Agriculture and Culture.
The major highlights include IDBI Bank stake sale to Fairfax, NSAP renamed PMSS Yojana, 78-day Railway PLB, WPI inflation at 11.39%, Karnataka HC OBC quota ruling and India joining SIOFA.
These current affairs are useful for SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence, UPSC, State PSC and other competitive examinations. Missed yesterday’s update? Read the Daily Current Affairs 14 October 2026 first.
🏦 1. Cabinet Approves Sale of 60.72% IDBI Bank Stake to Fairfax for ₹52,878 Crore
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), at its meeting on 14 October 2026, approved the strategic buyer for IDBI Bank Ltd.:
M/s 10955230 Canada Inc. (parent: Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.)
The buyer will acquire an aggregate 60.72% equity stake for a purchase consideration of about ₹52,878 crore, at a winning bid of ₹81 per share.
- Stake sold by the Government of India → 30.48%
- Stake sold by LIC → 30.24%
- Residual holding after the deal → GoI 15% and LIC 19%; both will withdraw their nominees from the Board
- Benchmark (average fair value from two independent valuers) → ₹75.99 per share
- Valuation methods → Market Multiple Method and Asset Valuation Method
The Expression of Interest was invited on 7 October 2022. Five parties applied, four qualified and two submitted techno-financial bids. Only bidders found “Fit and Proper” by the RBI and cleared by the MHA could take part, and the successful bidder must now present its credentials and a compliance roadmap to the Reserve Bank of India.
Background: the RBI had placed IDBI Bank under the Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework on 5 May 2017 and lifted the restrictions on 10 March 2021. The Government says the deal, once completed, will be the largest FDI in India’s financial sector so far. IDBI was originally set up in 1964 as the Industrial Development Bank of India.
Exam Point
Strategic buyer → Fairfax Financial Holdings (10955230 Canada Inc.)
Stake sold → 60.72% (GoI 30.48% + LIC 30.24%)
Deal value → ₹52,878 crore at ₹81/share
Residual → GoI 15%, LIC 19%
PCA → imposed 2017, lifted 2021
🤝 2. NSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; ₹53,428 Crore till 2030-31
The Union Cabinet on 14 October 2026 approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) of the Department of Rural Development for five years (2026-27 to 2030-31) with an outlay of:
₹53,428 crore
The scheme and its sub-schemes have been renamed:
- NSAP → Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
- IGNOAPS (old age) → Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana
- IGNWPS (widow) → Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana
- IGNDPS (disability) → Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana
- National Family Benefit Scheme → Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana
Under the divyangjan pension, the benchmark disability is now 40% instead of 80%, the minimum age criterion will be “since birth”, and assistance is ₹375 a month for ages 0-79 and ₹625 for 80 years and above. The changes follow the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. About 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States/UTs will benefit.
NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995 to give effect to the Directive Principle in Article 41 of the Constitution (right to public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement).
Exam Connection
New name → Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Outlay → ₹53,428 crore (2026-27 to 2030-31)
Disability benchmark → 40% (earlier 80%)
NSAP launched → 15 August 1995 (Article 41)
🚆 3. 78-Day Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Staff; Maritime Council Meets in Mumbai
The Union Cabinet approved Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equal to:
78 days’ wages for 11,40,770 railway employees
The payout of ₹2,009.61 crore goes to non-gazetted staff such as track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers (guards), station masters, technicians and pointsmen, with a maximum of ₹17,951 per eligible employee. PLB is paid every year before the Durga Puja/Dussehra holidays. In 2025-26 the Railways loaded a record 1,670 million tonnes of cargo and carried nearly 7.41 billion passengers.
In ports, the Maritime State Development Council held its first statutory meeting in Mumbai on 13 October 2026 under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, and set March 2027 as the deadline for the One Nation One Port Process and the Maritime Single Window.
Exam Point
PLB → 78 days, ₹2,009.61 crore
Beneficiaries → about 11.40 lakh
Maximum PLB → ₹17,951
Maritime State Development Council → Mumbai (Indian Ports Act, 2025)
📈 4. WPI Inflation Rises to 11.39% in September; China Trade Deficit Tops $100 Billion
Provisional data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (base year 2022-23) put wholesale inflation for September 2026 at:
11.39% (August: 9.92%)
- Fuel and power → 25.85%
- Manufactured products → 9.76%
- Primary articles → 8.67%
- WPI Food Index → 8.66%
- All-commodities index → 112.5 (August: 110.8)
Crude petroleum and natural gas (57.32%) and mineral oils (40.02%) were among the biggest contributors. WPI figures for a month are released on the 14th of the following month. Separately, India’s trade deficit with China crossed $100 billion in 2026 for the first time.
Exam Connection
WPI Sept 2026 → 11.39%
Fuel and power → 25.85%
WPI base year → 2022-23
China trade deficit → above $100 billion
⚖️ 5. Karnataka High Court Strikes Down OBC Quota Beyond 50% Ceiling
The Karnataka High Court struck down the State’s enhanced OBC reservation because total reservation breached the:
50% ceiling set in Indra Sawhney (1992)
The State government has said it will appeal in the Supreme Court. The Indra Sawhney (Mandal) judgment of a nine-judge Bench held that reservations should not normally exceed 50%, except in extraordinary situations.
Exam Point
Court → Karnataka High Court
Issue → OBC quota above 50%
Precedent → Indra Sawhney (1992)
🎫 6. Supreme Court Mandates Insurance on Counter Train Tickets; 158 Refugees Get Citizenship
The Supreme Court directed Indian Railways to extend insurance cover to tickets bought at counters (offline) on the same terms as online tickets from:
27 October 2026
The Court made compliance mandatory and held the Railway Board directly responsible. In Gujarat, 158 refugees received Indian citizenship in Ahmedabad: 126 under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and 32 through the Collector. The CAA covers Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.
Exam Connection
Offline ticket insurance → from 27 October 2026
Ahmedabad → 158 get citizenship (126 under CAA)
CAA cut-off → 31 December 2014
⛽ 7. Oman Becomes India’s Top LNG Supplier; Marco Rubio to Visit on 17 October
In September 2026, India’s biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas was:
Oman (replacing the USA)
The shift came amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India on 17 October 2026 for energy-focused talks, including a planned visit to Reliance’s refinery in Gujarat.
- India–Canada → PMs agreed on 13 October to push for an early CEPA and double trade by 2030
- India–Russia → Putin signed the law ratifying the temporary labour agreement with India (12 October)
Exam Point
Top LNG supplier (Sept 2026) → Oman
Rubio visit → 17 October 2026
India–Canada → early CEPA, double trade by 2030
🌿 8. Kerala Launches India’s First Ecosystem Red List Assessment
Kerala has begun India’s first Red List assessment of ecosystems using the:
IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework
Unlike the familiar IUCN Red List of species, this framework measures the risk of collapse of entire ecosystems such as forests, rivers, wetlands, mangroves and coastal habitats. The exercise, led by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, is meant to guide conservation and restoration priorities in State planning.
Exam Connection
First ecosystem Red List → Kerala
Framework → IUCN Red List of Ecosystems
Lead agency → Kerala State Biodiversity Board
⚓ 9. Indian Navy Completes First Command of CMF’s Combined Task Force 154
The Indian Navy handed over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, the training arm of the Combined Maritime Forces, at:
Manama, Bahrain (14 October 2026)
This was India’s first-ever command of a task force of the 47-nation CMF, which is headquartered in Bahrain. India took over CTF 154 in February 2026; during its tenure the task force delivered over 7,800 training hours involving personnel from 39 countries.
Exam Point
CTF 154 → training arm of CMF
Handover → Manama, Bahrain
CMF → 47 nations
Training → 7,800+ hours, 39 countries
🐟 10. India to Join Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement as Contracting Party
The Centre approved India’s accession, as a full Contracting Party, to the:
Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA)
India has been a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party of SIOFA since 2022, with limited say in bodies such as the Scientific Committee and the Compliance Committee. Accession will let Indian-flagged vessels fish squid, toothfish, alfonsino and other non-migratory stocks in SIOFA waters and take part in the High Seas Boarding and Inspection Scheme.
The Indian Ocean has two regional fisheries management organisations: the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), of which India has been a member since 1996, and SIOFA. The High Seas make up about 65% of the global ocean.
Exam Connection
SIOFA → India becomes Contracting Party
Earlier status → CNCP since 2022
IOTC → India member since 1996
📑 11. India–Mauritius Tax Treaty Gets Principal Purpose Test; SEBI Proposes Wider Monitoring
The Protocol amending the India–Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, notified on 13 October 2026, adds a:
Principal Purpose Test (PPT)
The PPT denies treaty benefits when obtaining them is one of the principal purposes of a transaction, curbing treaty shopping. The Protocol has been in force since 10 August 2026.
SEBI has proposed making a monitoring agency mandatory for every issue regardless of size. At present it is required for Main Board IPOs only above ₹100 crore. Public comments are invited till 3 November 2026.
Exam Point
India–Mauritius DTAA → Principal Purpose Test
In force → 10 August 2026
SEBI → monitoring agency for all issues (now above ₹100 crore)
🏛️ 12. Greater India Society Turns 100 and Other Important Updates
A centenary conference of the Greater India Society (Brihattar Bharat Parishad) began on 14 October 2026 at the:
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi
The Society was founded in Calcutta in 1926 to study India’s cultural links with the rest of Asia. The Ministry of Culture has a Brihattar Bharat Scheme for 2026-2031.
- ICC T20I batting → Ishan Kishan No. 1, Abhishek Sharma No. 2, Shreyas Iyer career-best No. 4
- Uttarakhand → one-year ban on gutka and pan masala with tobacco or nicotine from 13 October under Section 30(2)(a) of the FSS Act, 2006
- Pope Leo XIV → surgery on 14 October to remove the lower lobe of the right lung (lung adenocarcinoma); Vatican City is the world’s smallest state
Exam Connection
Greater India Society → founded Calcutta, 1926
Centenary venue → IGNCA, New Delhi
ICC T20I No. 1 → Ishan Kishan
Uttarakhand → gutka ban for 1 year
📝 Important One-Liners – 15 October 2026
- The CCEA on 14 October 2026 approved which entity’s Canadian arm as the strategic buyer for IDBI Bank?
→ Fairfax Financial Holdings - What aggregate equity stake in IDBI Bank is being sold to the strategic buyer under the approved transaction?
→ 60.72% - The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been renamed as what?
→ Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana - Under the revised divyangjan (disability) pension of the renamed NSAP, what is the new benchmark disability required?
→ 40% - The Union Cabinet approved Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equal to how many days’ wages for railway employees in October 2026?
→ 78 days - What was India’s WPI-based wholesale inflation for September 2026?
→ 11.39% - The Karnataka High Court struck down the State’s enhanced OBC quota for breaching the 50% ceiling laid down in which Supreme Court case?
→ Indra Sawhney case (1992) - The Supreme Court directed Indian Railways to extend insurance cover to tickets bought at counters (offline) from which date?
→ 27 October 2026 - Which country became India’s biggest supplier of LNG in September 2026, replacing the USA?
→ Oman - Which state has launched India’s first Red List assessment of ecosystems based on the IUCN framework?
→ Kerala - The Indian Navy handed over command of Combined Task Force 154 of the Combined Maritime Forces at a ceremony in which city on 14 October 2026?
→ Manama, Bahrain - India has been approved to join which regional fisheries body as a full Contracting Party, after being a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party since 2022?
→ Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA) - The protocol amending the India–Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, notified on 13 October 2026, inserts which anti-abuse provision?
→ Principal Purpose Test (PPT) - The Greater India Society (Brihattar Bharat Parishad), whose centenary conference began at IGNCA New Delhi on 14 October 2026, was founded in 1926 in which city?
→ Calcutta (Kolkata) - Which Indian batter is ranked No. 1 in the ICC Men’s T20I batting rankings released in October 2026?
→ Ishan Kishan - The first statutory meeting of the Maritime State Development Council, constituted under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, was held on 13 October 2026 in which city?
→ Mumbai - Which state banned gutka and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine for one year from 13 October 2026?
→ Uttarakhand - India’s trade deficit with which country crossed $100 billion for the first time in 2026?
→ China - Which US Secretary of State is scheduled to visit India on 17 October 2026 for talks focused on energy?
→ Marco Rubio - 158 refugees received Indian citizenship in Ahmedabad in October 2026. Under the CAA 2019, eligible migrants must have entered India on or before which date?
→ 31 December 2014
🧠 Quick Revision – 15 October 2026
Economy
Strategic buyer → Fairfax Financial Holdings (10955230 Canada Inc.)
Stake sold → 60.72% (GoI 30.48% + LIC 30.24%)
WPI Sept 2026 → 11.39%
Fuel and power → 25.85%
India–Mauritius DTAA → Principal Purpose Test
In force → 10 August 2026
Social
New name → Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Outlay → ₹53,428 crore (2026-27 to 2030-31)
Infrastructure
PLB → 78 days, ₹2,009.61 crore
Beneficiaries → about 11.40 lakh
Governance
Court → Karnataka High Court
Issue → OBC quota above 50%
Offline ticket insurance → from 27 October 2026
Ahmedabad → 158 get citizenship (126 under CAA)
International
Top LNG supplier (Sept 2026) → Oman
Rubio visit → 17 October 2026
Environment
First ecosystem Red List → Kerala
Framework → IUCN Red List of Ecosystems
Defence
CTF 154 → training arm of CMF
Handover → Manama, Bahrain
Agriculture
SIOFA → India becomes Contracting Party
Earlier status → CNCP since 2022
Culture
Greater India Society → founded Calcutta, 1926
Centenary venue → IGNCA, New Delhi
🎯 Why Daily Current Affairs 15 October 2026 Matter for Exams
For Banking and Economy papers, revise Cabinet Approves Sale of 60.72% IDBI Bank Stake to Fairfax for ₹52,878 Crore; WPI Inflation Rises to 11.39% in September; China Trade Deficit Tops $100 Billion; India–Mauritius Tax Treaty Gets Principal Purpose Test; SEBI Proposes Wider Monitoring.
For Social Justice and Welfare questions, revise NSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; ₹53,428 Crore till 2030-31.
For Railway and Infrastructure questions, revise 78-Day Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Staff; Maritime Council Meets in Mumbai.
For Polity and Governance papers, revise Karnataka High Court Strikes Down OBC Quota Beyond 50% Ceiling; Supreme Court Mandates Insurance on Counter Train Tickets; 158 Refugees Get Citizenship.
For International Relations sections, revise Oman Becomes India’s Top LNG Supplier; Marco Rubio to Visit on 17 October.
For UPSC and State PSC Environment papers, revise Kerala Launches India’s First Ecosystem Red List Assessment.
For Defence exams (CDS, AFCAT, NDA), revise Indian Navy Completes First Command of CMF’s Combined Task Force 154.
For Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD, State PSC), revise India to Join Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement as Contracting Party.
For Art and Culture questions, revise Greater India Society Turns 100 and Other Important Updates.
Read the Exam Point boxes twice and then attempt MCQs: numbers, venues, organisations and first-ever achievements are the facts most often asked.
🔥 5 Facts You Must Remember
Cabinet Approves Sale of 60.72% IDBI Bank Stake to Fairfax for ₹52,878 Crore → Fairfax Financial Holdings (10955230 Canada Inc.)
NSAP Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; ₹53,428 Crore till 2030-31 → Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
78-Day Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Staff; Maritime Council Meets in Mumbai → 78 days, ₹2,009.61 crore
WPI Inflation Rises to 11.39% in September; China Trade Deficit Tops $100 Billion → 11.39%
Karnataka High Court Strikes Down OBC Quota Beyond 50% Ceiling → Karnataka High Court
📖 How to Revise Daily Current Affairs 15 October 2026
Do not try to memorise every number in one sitting. Start with the headings and the Exam Point boxes, because those hold the facts examiners like to test: names of schemes, organisations, venues, amounts and first-ever achievements.
Next, go through the one-liners and say each answer aloud before reading it. Mark the ones you get wrong and revisit them after a day, then again after a week. This spaced revision helps current affairs stay in memory until the exam.
Finally, link each news item to the static syllabus, for example a scheme to its ministry, an exercise to the partner country, or a sports medal to the event and venue. Questions in SSC, Banking and State PSC papers often combine a current event with a static fact.
❓ FAQs – Daily Current Affairs 15 October 2026
What are the top headlines in daily current affairs 15 october 2026?
The key stories are IDBI Bank stake sale to Fairfax, NSAP renamed PMSS Yojana, 78-day Railway PLB, WPI inflation at 11.39%, Karnataka HC OBC quota ruling and India joining SIOFA.
The CCEA on 14 October 2026 approved which entity’s Canadian arm as the strategic buyer for IDBI Bank?
Fairfax Financial Holdings. PIB (14 Oct 2026): M/s 10955230 Canada Inc., whose parent is Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd., was approved as Strategic Buyer for ₹52,878 crore at ₹81 per share; once completed it will be the largest FDI in India’s financial sector.
The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) has been renamed as what?
Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. On 14 Oct 2026 the Cabinet continued NSAP for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with ₹53,428 crore and renamed it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; the old-age pension sub-scheme IGNOAPS became Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana.
What was India’s WPI-based wholesale inflation for September 2026?
11.39%. Provisional data released on 14 Oct 2026 (base 2022-23) put WPI inflation at 11.39%, up from 9.92% in August, driven by fuel and power (25.85%) and higher food prices.
Where can I practise MCQs on 15 October 2026 current affairs?
Attempt the daily current affairs quiz on QuestionPaper4Exam.com, which covers the news items in this post with bilingual explanations.
Sources: Official releases of the Press Information Bureau, including PIB: Strategic restructuring of IDBI Bank and PIB: FAQs on IDBI Bank and PIB: Continuation of NSAP and PIB: PLB for railway employees.
📚 Prepare Smarter with QuestionPaper4Exam
Current affairs preparation becomes easier when you follow:
Read → Revise → Attempt MCQs → Repeat
After reading today’s current affairs, attempt the 15 October Daily Current Affairs Quiz on QuestionPaper4Exam, and keep practising with the Daily Practice section.
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