LEGAL NEWS
FSSAI Draft Amendment on Infant Nutrition 2026
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026.
• The draft proposes prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose to foods intended for infants up to six months of age.
• The proposal seeks to amend the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020.
• Under the existing framework, lactose and glucose polymers are preferred carbohydrate sources in infant nutrition products.
• Sucrose and fructose may currently be used within prescribed limits where their use is permitted.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life.
• FSSAI is a statutory authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, functioning under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The 2026 proposal concerns product composition and remains a draft regulation, while a separate FSSAI consultation paper issued in May 2025 addressed licensing requirements for infant nutrition products.
APPOINTMENTS
Dr. Sudha Yadav Sworn in as Karnataka Governor
• Dr. Sudha Yadav was sworn in as the Governor of Karnataka on 16 October 2026 at Raj Bhavan, Bengaluru. President Droupadi Murmu appointed her on 12 October 2026.
• Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru administered the oath of office and secrecy. Yadav succeeded Thaawarchand Gehlot, who had served as Governor since 11 July 2021.
• Sudha Yadav became the second woman Governor of Karnataka, after V.S. Ramadevi.
• Yadav is a former Lok Sabha member from Mahendragarh, Haryana, and a member of the BJP Parliamentary Board.
• She holds an MSc and a PhD in Chemistry from IIT Roorkee. She entered politics following the death of her husband, Sukhbir Singh Yadav, a BSF Deputy Commandant killed during the 1999 Kargil War.
• Article 153 provides for a Governor for each state, while Article 155 empowers the President to appoint a Governor by warrant under their hand and seal. The same person may serve as Governor of two or more states.
• Article 156 provides that the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President, normally for five years. Article 157 prescribes Indian citizenship and a minimum age of 35 years for appointment as Governor.
• Article 159 prescribes the Governor’s oath or affirmation, administered by the Chief Justice of the state High Court or, in their absence, the senior-most available judge. Under Article 163, the Council of Ministers aids and advises the Governor, while Article 200 deals with the Governor’s options regarding state Bills.
NATIONAL NEWS
Election Commission Announces Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls 2027
• The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule for the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls across 17 States and Union Territories, with 1 January 2027 as the qualifying date, after skipping the annual exercise in 2026.
• The SSR is a routine annual exercise to update electoral rolls by registering new voters, recording changes of residence, correcting details and removing entries of deceased or duplicate electors.
• Article 324 of the Constitution vests the superintendence, direction and control of electoral rolls in the ECI. Section 21(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950 provides for the revision of electoral rolls, including annual revision with reference to a qualifying date.
• The Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 prescribe procedures for electoral registration, claims and objections. Form 6 is used for new voter registration, while Form 8 is used for shifting residence and correcting electoral-roll details.
• Electoral rolls are prepared constituency-wise under the supervision of the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), assisted by Assistant Electoral Registration Officers and Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
• Under SSR, existing electors generally remain on the draft roll without fresh enumeration forms or routine re-verification. Proposed deletions of deceased, shifted or duplicate electors must follow applicable statutory safeguards, including notice and hearing requirements.
• The announced schedule includes polling-station rationalisation by 2 November 2026, publication of draft rolls on 12 November 2026, disposal of claims and objections by 28 December 2026, and publication of final electoral rolls on 4 January 2027.
• SSR differs from Special Intensive Revision (SIR) because SSR primarily updates existing rolls, whereas SIR involves more extensive enumeration and verification of electors. SSR is generally conducted annually, while SIR is undertaken occasionally as directed by the ECI.
STATE NEWS
Sankoo Becomes Ladakh’s Eighth District
• Sankoo officially became Ladakh’s eighth district on 16 October 2026, following an announcement by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
• Sankoo is located in the Suru Valley region of Kargil district. Its creation aims to decentralise administration and improve public-service delivery, particularly in remote areas.
• Before the 2026 reorganisation, Ladakh had two districts: Leh and Kargil. On 27 April 2026, five additional districts—Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass—were approved, taking the total to seven.
• The creation of Sankoo increased Ladakh’s total number of districts to eight: Leh, Kargil, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, Drass and Sankoo.
• The decision fulfilled a long-standing demand of the local population. Anjuman-e-Sahib Zaman was among the organisations involved; its Chief Patron was Syed Mohammad Razvi, also known as Aga Migi Outh, and its Chairman was Sheikh Sadiq Balaghi.
• The district reorganisation was associated with the “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory on 31 October 2019 following the reorganisation of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
• Ladakh is a Union Territory without a Legislative Assembly, administered by a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India. Its district structure supports revenue administration, development programmes and public-service delivery across its high-altitude terrain and dispersed settlements.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Pakistan to Chair WBG and IMF Boards of Governors in 2027
• Pakistan was designated incoming Chair of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2027 on 16 October 2026 during the 2026 Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, was announced as the incoming chair. He also serves as Pakistan’s Governor to the World Bank.
• Pakistan last held the chairmanship in 1953. The chairmanship of the Boards of Governors is distinct from the executive leadership of the institutions: the World Bank Group is led by a President, while the IMF is headed by a Managing Director.
• The IMF and World Bank were established at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference. Their Boards of Governors are the highest decision-making bodies, with each member country represented by a Governor and an Alternate Governor.
• The IMF is headquartered in Washington, DC, United States. Its Executive Board conducts the Fund’s day-to-day business, while the World Bank Group comprises five institutions, including the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).
• Pakistan is engaged in a USD 7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and a USD 1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) arrangement with the IMF.
• The EFF supports countries facing medium-term balance-of-payments problems, while the RSF provides longer-term financing to eligible countries addressing structural challenges, including climate-related risks.
• An additional USD 1.2 billion in IMF financing could be made available to Pakistan following agreement on programme reviews, subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Food Day 2026 – 16 October
• World Food Day (WFD) is observed annually on 16 October to raise awareness about food security, healthy diets and access to safe and nutritious food worldwide.
• The 2026 theme is “Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.”
• The year 2026 marks the 81st anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), established on 16 October 1945.
• World Food Day was instituted in 1979 during the 20th FAO Conference held in Rome, Italy.
• On 5 December 1980, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/35/70, declaring 16 October as World Food Day.
• The first World Food Day was observed on 16 October 1981.
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) leads the global observance of World Food Day and works to improve food security and nutrition worldwide.
• The World Food Day 2026 Global Ceremony was organised by the FAO on 16 October 2026 in Rome, Italy, as part of World Food Week.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2026 – 17 October
• The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (IDEP) is observed annually on 17 October to raise awareness about poverty, promote human dignity and human rights, and encourage efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms.
• The 2026 observance marks the 34th UN-recognised observance of the day, which was first observed in 1993.
• The 2026–2028 theme is “United for Peace and Human Rights.”
• The origin of the day dates back to 17 October 1987, when over 100,000 people gathered at Trocadéro Plaza in Paris, France, to honour victims of extreme poverty, hunger and violence.
• The gathering recognised poverty as a violation of human rights and highlighted the importance of protecting human dignity.
• On 22 December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/47/196, officially declaring 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
• The first UN-recognised observance took place on 17 October 1993. The day encourages international cooperation to address poverty and social exclusion.
• The UN organised the 2026 commemoration on 16 October 2026 at its headquarters in New York, United States.
RANKING AND INDEX
India Ranks 84th in Henley Passport Index 2026
• The October 2026 Henley Passport Index ranked India 84th among 199 passports, with access to 55 destinations without obtaining a prior visa.
• India shares 84th place with Algeria and Mauritania.
• The Henley Passport Index compares 199 passports across 227 travel destinations, ranking them according to the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa.
• The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to assess international travel access.
• India improved from 85th in October 2025 to 84th in October 2026, although its visa-free or equivalent destination access declined from 57 to 55.
• During 2026, India ranked 80th in January, 75th in February, 81st in July and 84th in October.
• Singapore ranked first, with access to 193 destinations. Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates shared second place, with access to 188 destinations each.
• The index counts visa-free entry, visa on arrival, visitor permits and eligible electronic travel authorisations. An e-visa requiring prior approval is generally treated as requiring a visa before travel.
AWARDS
Sangeet Natak Akademi Selects 106 Artists for Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi General Council selected 106 young artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025 at a meeting held in New Delhi from 22 to 26 March 2026.
• The awards are scheduled to be conferred on 19 October 2026 by Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Meghdoot Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
• The Sangeet Natak Akademi, established in 1953, is India’s national academy for music, dance and drama. It functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture.
• The Akademi promotes and preserves India’s performing arts traditions, including classical and folk music, dance, theatre, puppetry and other traditional performance forms.
• The Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar was instituted in 2006 to recognise outstanding young artists below 40 years of age for their achievements in music, dance and drama.
• Each award recipient receives ₹25,000, a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram. The award is named after Ustad Bismillah Khan, the renowned Indian shehnai maestro.
• Ustad Bismillah Khan received the Bharat Ratna in 2001, India’s highest civilian award. Among the 2024 theatre awardees are Prasanna Kumar Soni, Atul Satya Koushik, Bidyut Kumar Nath, Arpita Dhagat and Anirudh Sarkar.
• Awardees from Assam include Minakshi Medhi for Sattriya Dance, Dilip Hira for Folk Music and Bidyut Kumar Nath for Theatre Direction in the 2024 awards. The combined 2024 and 2025 awards recognise 106 young artists across performing arts disciplines.
