IMPORTANT DAYS

NHRC 33rd Foundation Day 2026

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, celebrates its 33rd Foundation Day on 12 October 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

• Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant is the chief guest at the celebration, according to the supplied information.

• The NHRC was established on 12 October 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

• The NHRC is a statutory body responsible for protecting and promoting human rights in India.

• Its functions include examining complaints, investigating alleged human rights violations and recommending corrective action to the appropriate authorities.

• The Commission can take up human rights violations suo motu, meaning on its own initiative, without waiting for a formal complaint.

• According to the supplied figures, the NHRC has handled 24,33,716 cases, including 3,100 suo motu cases.

• The Commission has reportedly recommended compensation exceeding ₹274 crore in 9,085 cases, reflecting its role in seeking remedies for human rights violations.

World Arthritis Day 2026

• World Arthritis Day is observed annually on 12 October to raise awareness about arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs).

• The 2026 theme is “Achieve Your Dreams,” promoted by the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR).

• The campaign highlights the aspirations of people living with RMDs, including pursuing education, building careers and participating in family and social life.

• The observance promotes early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, rehabilitation and social inclusion for people affected by these conditions.

• Arthritis refers to conditions that affect the joints and may cause pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement.

• Osteoarthritis is associated with damage and changes in joint tissues, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints.

• RMDs can affect mobility, daily activities, employment and quality of life, making timely medical care and supportive environments important.

• Arthritis and Rheumatism International established World Arthritis Day in 1996 to improve public understanding and support for people living with arthritis.

APPOINTMENTS

President Droupadi Murmu Announces Governor Reshuffle Across Six States

• President Droupadi Murmu announced a reshuffle involving governors across six states on 12 October 2026.

• Braj Mohan Ram was appointed Governor of Odisha.

• Dr Sudha Yadav was appointed Governor of Karnataka, while Dr Dhal Singh Bisen was appointed Governor of Uttarakhand.

• Dushyant Gautam was appointed Governor of Sikkim.

• Om Prakash Mathur, who was serving as Governor of Sikkim, was transferred to Kerala.

• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu.

• The appointments and transfers will become effective when the respective individuals assume charge of their new offices.

• Article 155 of the Constitution of India provides that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Prakash Rajpurohit Appointed Deputy Election Commissioner

• The Centre appointed Prakash Rajpurohit, a 2010-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Rajasthan cadre, as Deputy Election Commissioner.

• The appointment was reported in a Personnel Ministry order dated 10–11 October 2026.

• Rajpurohit succeeds Sanjay Kumar and previously served as Joint Secretary in the Department of Defence Production.

• His tenure as Deputy Election Commissioner is scheduled to continue until 8 April 2030.

• The appointment formed part of a wider administrative reshuffle involving 27 civil servants appointed to joint secretary-level and equivalent positions.

• The Election Commission of India (ECI) is responsible for administering elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils, as well as the offices of President and Vice-President.

• Article 324 of the Constitution of India vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission of India.

• The appointment highlights the role of senior civil servants in election administration and the institutional framework supporting the conduct of free and fair elections in India.

NATIONAL NEWS

Ayodhya Ram Temple Receives FSSAI Eat Right Certification

• The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, received the FSSAI ‘Eat Right Place of Worship’ certification.

• Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), presented the certificate during a ceremony in Ayodhya on 10 October 2026.

• The certification promotes food safety and hygiene in the preparation, storage and distribution of prasad and langar at places of worship.

• The certification process includes preliminary audits, training of food handlers and an independent third-party audit.

• The initiative aims to prevent food contamination and adulteration and improve compliance with prescribed food safety standards.

• The programme encourages places of worship to adopt hygienic food-handling practices and maintain safe conditions for devotees.

• FSSAI is the statutory authority responsible for regulating food safety and standards in India under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

• According to the provided information, the certification is valid until 10 October 2028, giving the temple a two-year certification period.

Lakshadweep Declared India’s First 100% Literate Union Territory

• Lakshadweep was declared a 100% literate Union Territory on 11 October 2026 under the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

• Lakshadweep Administrator Praful Patel announced the achievement after all eligible learners cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

• An initial survey identified 1,113 adult non-literate learners across the islands.

• The Department of Education conducted special teaching programmes to help adult learners acquire basic reading, writing and numeracy skills.

• The literacy initiative included home-based assessments and follow-up tests to evaluate learners’ progress.

• ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society.

• The ULLAS programme promotes adult education through foundational literacy and numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills and continuing education.

• The initiative supports the national goal of improving adult literacy and advancing lifelong learning, particularly among adults who missed formal schooling.

International Big Cat Alliance Opens New Headquarters in New Delhi

• Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) headquarters at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, on 12 October 2026.

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is an international intergovernmental initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation among countries for big-cat conservation.

• IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven big-cat species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.

• The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of IBCA on 29 February 2024.

• The Government of India approved ₹150 crore in budgetary support over five years for the alliance.

• The funding period covers 2023–24 to 2027–28, supporting the alliance’s institutional development and conservation activities.

• According to the provided information, IBCA had 29 member countries, including India, reflecting international participation in big-cat conservation.

• IBCA aims to strengthen habitat protection, scientific research, knowledge-sharing and global cooperation to support the long-term survival of the seven targeted species.

STATE NEWS

Delhi Police Replaces Jantar Mantar with Three Protest Venues

• Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from the list of designated protest and demonstration venues through a circular issued on 12 October 2026.

• The decision followed recommendations from a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) committee tasked with identifying alternative locations for public demonstrations.

• The three newly designated protest venues are Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi.

• Delhi Police will issue a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing demonstrations at the newly designated venues.

• Jantar Mantar is located on Parliament Street in New Delhi and is historically known for its astronomical instruments.

• Jantar Mantar was built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber and founder of Jaipur.

• The monument is part of a series of astronomical observatories constructed by Sawai Jai Singh II to study celestial movements and improve astronomical calculations.

• The reported decision changes the designated locations for protests in Delhi and is relevant to discussions on public demonstrations, crowd management and the regulation of public spaces.

National SARAS Mela 2026 to Promote Rural Women Entrepreneurs

• The first National SARAS Mela 2026 is scheduled to be held from 13 to 31 October 2026 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

• The 19-day event is jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Andhra Pradesh’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP).

• More than 1,500 women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across over 30 States and Union Territories are expected to participate.

• The mela will feature more than 600 stalls showcasing rural products, traditional crafts and local enterprises.

• President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to inaugurate the event on 15 October 2026.

• The SARAS Mela provides rural women entrepreneurs with opportunities to display and market their products and connect with wider markets.

• The initiative supports the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which promotes rural livelihoods through women’s Self-Help Groups.

• The programme contributes to the government’s target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029—women associated with SHGs who earn at least ₹1 lakh annually.

AWARDS

Sunil Bharti Mittal to Receive France’s Legion of Honour

• Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, was named a Knight of France’s National Order of the Legion of Honour, according to the supplied information.

• French President Emmanuel Macron conferred the honour, with the ceremony scheduled for 28 October 2026 at the French Embassy in New Delhi.

• The award recognises Mittal’s contributions to strengthening India–France economic and technological cooperation.

• His contributions include the development of telecommunications, digital infrastructure and satellite communications.

• Mittal’s association with France began in 1992 through a partnership aimed at introducing mobile telephony in India.

• Bharti Enterprises is an Indian business group with interests in telecommunications and other sectors.

• The recognition highlights the role of business leaders in promoting international partnerships, technological development and cross-border investment.

• The Legion of Honour, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, is France’s highest national order of merit.

2026 Economics Nobel Prize

• According to the supplied report, American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford received the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

• They were recognised for their work on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.

• Robert E. Hall is affiliated with Stanford University, while Michael Woodford is affiliated with Columbia University.

• Their research examines how the decisions of households and businesses influence overall economic performance.

• Their work helps explain changes in key macroeconomic indicators, including inflation, employment, output and economic growth.

• The research contributes to economic models used to analyse how individuals and firms respond to changes in prices, income, incentives and economic conditions.

• These models help policymakers assess the effects of monetary policy, including interest-rate changes, and fiscal policy, including government spending.

• The award’s formal name is the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. It was established by Sweden’s central bank in 1968 and was first awarded in 1969.

DEFENCE

Exercise KONKAN-2026

• The Indian Navy’s guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived in Plymouth, United Kingdom, to participate in Exercise KONKAN-2026 with the Royal Navy.

• The bilateral maritime exercise is scheduled from 8 to 15 October 2026.

• The exercise includes cross-deck visits, air-defence drills, anti-submarine warfare exercises, firing serials and seamanship evolutions.

• Its primary objective is to enhance operational coordination, interoperability and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.

• INS Trishul is the second ship of the Talwar class of guided-missile frigates.

• INS Trishul entered service with the Indian Navy in June 2003.

• Exercise KONKAN provides an opportunity for both navies to practise coordinated maritime operations and exchange professional expertise.

• The exercise supports the India–UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and India–UK Vision 2035, strengthening bilateral defence and maritime cooperation.