NATIONAL NEWS

UNESCO Adds Three Indian Sites to World Heritage Tentative List

• India added three sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List on 20 October 2026.

• The first site is the Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• The second site is the Andaman Subduction Volcanoes, known for their volcanic landscapes and geological significance.

• The third site is the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh.

• The natural sites showcase distinctive geological formations, mud volcanoes, volcanic features and biodiversity.

• Sirpur reflects India’s archaeological heritage, historical trade networks and diverse religious traditions.

• UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List identifies sites that countries may consider nominating for World Heritage status.

• Inclusion on the Tentative List does not confer World Heritage status; it is a preliminary step towards a possible nomination.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra 2026

• Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra were celebrated across India on 20 October 2026, symbolising the victory of good over evil.

• The festival marks the conclusion of the nine-day Navratri festival.

• Ravana Dahan is performed by burning effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghanada at various locations, including Delhi.

• Dussehra commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana, as described in the Ramayana.

• Vijaya Dashami also marks the conclusion of Durga Puja celebrations in many parts of India.

• Durga Visarjan involves the ceremonial immersion of Goddess Durga’s idols in rivers, lakes or designated artificial water bodies.

• Ayudha Puja involves worshipping tools, instruments, books and equipment associated with work and learning.

• The day is considered auspicious for beginning new businesses, education and creative ventures.

Police Commemoration Day 2026

• Police Commemoration Day is observed in India on 21 October every year to honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

• The day commemorates the killing of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh on 21 October 1959.

• The principal ceremony in 2026 is scheduled at the National Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

• The ceremony includes a joint parade and wreath-laying tributes to fallen police personnel.

• The day recognises the courage, sacrifice and service of police forces across India.

• A motorcycle rally involving approximately 90 police riders is planned as part of the 2026 programme.

• The rally’s theme is “Fight Against Drugs,” highlighting awareness against drug abuse and trafficking.

• Police Commemoration Day originated from the deaths of 10 CRPF personnel at Hot Springs on 21 October 1959.

INDEX AND RANKING

Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026: India Ranked 100th

• The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026 was released on 14 October 2026 under the theme “No Security Without Food Security.”

• The report was published by Germany-based Welthungerhilfe (WHH) in collaboration with the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) and Helvetas.

• India ranked 100th among 122 countries, with a GHI score of 24.1, placing it in the serious hunger category.

• The GHI measures hunger using four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and under-five mortality.

• The GHI score ranges from 0 to 100; a lower score indicates a better hunger situation, while a higher score indicates a worse one.

• The global GHI score increased from 17.6 in 2018 to 18.1 in 2026, indicating worsening global hunger trends.

• Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica and Croatia were among 24 countries with scores below 5.0.

• Somalia recorded the highest hunger score at 47.0, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (121st; 39.5), Chad (120th; 38.0), Madagascar (119th; 36.5) and Haiti (118th; 34.4).

SPORTS

Sachin Khilari Wins Gold in Men’s Shot Put F46 at Asian Para Games 2026

• Sachin Khilari won gold in the men’s shot put F46 event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games on 21 October 2026.

• His throw of 15.87 metres set a new Asian Para Games record.

• Mohd Yasser won silver with a season-best throw of 15.06 metres.

• Praveen secured bronze with a throw of 13.83 metres, completing an all-Indian podium sweep.

• Khilari became a two-time Asian Para Games champion in shot put F46, having also won gold at Hangzhou in 2023.

• He is a silver medallist at the Paris Paralympics and recorded throws exceeding 15 metres during the competition.

• In para-athletics classification, F denotes field events and T denotes track events; F46 is for eligible athletes with upper-limb impairments.

• The Asian Para Games are governed by the Asian Paralympic Committee; the first edition was held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010.

Praveen Kumar Wins High Jump Gold at Asian Para Games 2026

• Indian para-athlete Praveen Kumar won gold in the men’s high jump T44/64 event on 21 October 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

• He cleared 2.05 metres, setting a new Asian Para Games record.

• India’s Banti won silver with a personal-best jump of 1.92 metres.

• Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov secured bronze with a jump of 1.86 metres.

• Kumar’s opening clearance of 2.00 metres surpassed the previous Games record of 1.95 metres, set by Giyazov in 2018.

• T44 and T64 are para-athletics classes associated with lower-limb impairments; T64 includes athletes with lower-limb amputation who compete using a prosthesis.

• Kumar won high jump silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

• The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event governed by the Asian Paralympic Committee; its first edition was held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010, and it is held every four years.

Ayush Verma Wins Shot Put Gold at Asian Para Games 2026

• India’s Ayush Verma won gold in the men’s shot put F53 event on 21 October 2026 at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, Japan.

• His winning throw measured 8.16 metres.

• Iran’s Alireza Hemami won silver with 8.09 metres, while Kazakhstan’s Makhambet Serikkaliyev secured bronze with 6.81 metres.

• Verma won his second medal at the Games after securing bronze in the men’s javelin F53/54 event on 20 October.

• Born on 15 July 1991, Verma began competitive para-athletics in 2020 and specialises in F53 shot put.

• He trains under coach Robin Kumar.

• In para-athletics, F denotes field events and T denotes track events; F53 athletes compete in seated throwing events.

• The Asian Para Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18–24 October; as of 21 October, India had won 10 gold medals and 38 medals overall.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

7th Agrivoltaics World Conference Begins in New Delhi

• The 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference began on 21 October 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

• The conference will continue until 23 October 2026.

• Its theme is “Powering the Global South.”

• More than 1,500 participants from over 40 countries are attending the conference.

• The participants include approximately 400 farmers.

• Agrivoltaics, also known as Agri-PV, combines agricultural production with solar electricity generation on the same land.

• It can improve land-use efficiency, supplement farmers’ incomes and support climate resilience.

• Agrivoltaics integrates food production and renewable energy generation on the same land.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

ISRO Targets Mid-2028 Launch of GSAT-7B

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch GSAT-7B by mid-2028 as the Indian Army’s first dedicated communication satellite.

• The satellite will provide secure, round-the-clock communication for troops and military units, including those deployed in remote border areas.

• GSAT-7B will support beyond-line-of-sight communication for military formations, weapon systems, forward-deployed troops and airborne platforms.

• The Indian Army currently relies on the Indian Air Force’s GSAT-7A for satellite-based communication.

• GSAT-7B is planned as a five-tonne geostationary satellite, intended to become India’s heaviest communication satellite.

• A geostationary satellite orbits approximately 35,786 km above the equator and appears fixed relative to the Earth’s surface.

• In March 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹2,963-crore contract with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) for the indigenous design, development and manufacture of GSAT-7B. NSIL is ISRO’s commercial arm.

• The launch was initially planned for November 2027 but is now expected by mid-2028 following technical evaluations. A separate ₹2,563-crore contract for GSAT-7C, intended for the Indian Air Force, was finalised on 15 October 2026.