Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit held in New Delhi
The Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 7 October 2026. The summit, themed Building a USD 100 billion Investment Partnership and creating 1 million jobs in India, featured remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Delegates discussed expanding investment, trade and employment opportunities with the European Free Trade Association members. Leaders highlighted collaboration across sectors such as manufacturing, technology and green energy, aiming to deepen economic ties and promote sustainable growth. The event reflected India’s push to attract foreign investment and create large-scale employment.
Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit held on 7 October 2026 in New Delhi.
Theme focuses on USD 100 billion investment partnership and 1 million jobs.
Address by Prime Minister Modi and Swiss President Parmelin.
Oppurtunities discussed in manufacturing, tech and green energy.
Demonstrates India’s drive to attract FDI and boost employment.
153rd Inter‑Parliamentary Union Assembly held in Tanzania
The 153rd Assembly of the Inter‑Parliamentary Union (IPU) was held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5 to 9 October 2026. An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh participated in plenary sessions, parliamentary forums and bilateral meetings. The IPU Assembly provides a global platform for parliamentarians to discuss international issues, democratic cooperation and matters of common concern. Indian delegates engaged on topics such as health, governance and multilateral cooperation, reflecting India’s active role in promoting democratic values within the IPU framework.
153rd IPU Assembly held in Arusha from 5–9 October 2026.
Indian delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Participants discussed international issues and democratic cooperation.
Indian delegates engaged on health, governance and multilateral topics.
IPU provides a global platform for parliamentary collaboration.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 awarded to Kagan and Soai for asymmetric synthesis
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 was awarded jointly to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for pioneering contributions to asymmetric organic synthesis. Kagan’s work highlighted nonlinear effects in asymmetric synthesis, showing how small differences in catalyst chirality can produce large changes in reaction selectivity. The award underscores advances in controlling three‑dimensional molecular structure during chemical synthesis, with broad implications for pharmaceuticals and materials science. Soai’s early foundational studies also shaped understanding of asymmetric amplification. The prize recognises fundamental science that enables precise construction of chiral molecules essential for modern drugs and functional materials.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai.
Kagan’s work focuses on nonlinear effects in asymmetric synthesis.
Small chirality differences can lead to large selectivity changes.
Prize highlights control of three‑dimensional molecular structure.
Impacts include drug development and advanced materials.
Carlos Alcaraz wins Japan Open men’s singles title in Tokyo
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain captured the men’s singles title at the Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo, marking his second consecutive victory at this event. In the final, he defeated Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic by 7-6(4), 6-4. The win adds to Alcaraz’s growing list of ATP Tour trophies and strengthens his standing among the world’s top players. The Japan Open, played on outdoor hard courts, is a well regarded stop on the fall calendar and helps players prepare for late‑year Masters events. Alcaraz showed strong serving, aggressive returns and smart court movement to close out the match in straight sets. The result may influence rankings and confidence ahead of the Masters season.
Alcaraz won his second consecutive Japan Open title.
Final score was 7-6(4), 6-4 against Jiri Lehecka.
Japan Open is a key ATP Tour event held in Tokyo on outdoor hard courts.
Win strengthens Alcaraz’s position in the late-season rankings.
Match featured solid serving and decisive shot-making by Alcaraz.
Smriti Mandhana named captain of Indian Women’s cricket team
Smriti Mandhana was appointed captain of the Indian women’s cricket team on 6 October 2026, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to step down. Mandhana previously served as Harmanpreet’s deputy and has international captaincy experience, leading India in 18 T20 Internationals and four One Day Internationals. She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League. India’s upcoming home series against Zimbabwe is expected to be among her early assignments as full‑time captain. The leadership change comes at a busy period for Indian women’s cricket, with tournaments across formats on the horizon.
Smriti Mandhana appointed captain on 6 October 2026.
She succeeds Harmanpreet Kaur as captain of the India women’s team.
Mandhana has led India in 18 T20Is and 4 WODIs previously.
She also has WPL captaincy experience with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Upcoming home series against Zimbabwe among early assignments.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed 29th Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, with charge to be taken on 31 October 2026. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. Dixit is an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor with more than 3,500 flying hours. The appointment comes amid ongoing efforts to modernise and strengthen operational readiness in the IAF. As chief, Dixit will oversee ongoing upgrades to aircraft and systems, enhanced joint exercises, and greater integration across defence services. His leadership brings frontline testing and training experience to the top post of the air force.
Dixit named 29th Chief of the Air Staff; takes charge on 31 October 2026.
He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
Dixit has more than 3,500 flying hours as an experimental test pilot.
Role includes modernisation and enhanced operational readiness.
Leadership emphasizes aviation testing, training and joint defence coordination.
Andhra Pradesh launches India’s first 3D-printed rural housing pilot
Andhra Pradesh launched India’s first 3D-printed rural housing pilot in October 2026, under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana‑Gramin, PMAY-G 2.0. The project uses 3D concrete printing to construct rural houses more quickly and efficiently. The pilot aims to assess construction time, cost savings, and durability, while expanding affordable housing for rural communities. If successful, the technology could be scaled to other districts and integrated with existing housing schemes to improve rural living conditions and housing access. This initiative aligns with broader government priorities to modernise infrastructure and promote inclusive development in rural areas.
Pilot launched in Andhra Pradesh under PMAY-G 2.0.
3D concrete printing used to construct rural houses.
Goals include reducing build time and improving efficiency.
Potential for scaling to other districts if successful.
Supports broader push for affordable, inclusive rural housing.
JOSH Teams launched for TB Mukt Bharat campaign
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Joint Squad for Health, or JOSH, Teams nationwide in October 2026 to boost youth participation in the TB Mukt Bharat campaign. The initiative, announced at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and led by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, operates with the Ministries of Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence. The initial rollout covers 55 districts across 11 states and aims to mobilise young people for tuberculosis awareness, prevention and community action. JOSH teams will connect students, volunteers and local communities to strengthen TB control activities.
JOSH Teams launched nationally in October 2026.
Targets 55 districts across 11 states in the initial rollout.
Led by Health Minister J.P. Nadda; collaboration with Youth Affairs and Sports and Defence.
Aims to mobilise youth for TB awareness and prevention.
Part of the TB Mukt Bharat campaign.
Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana
The Nagaland government launched the Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana on 6 October 2026 to provide livelihood support to vulnerable sections of society. The programme is expected to benefit around 4,000 vulnerable households across the state. It focuses on promoting inclusive livelihoods and improving economic opportunities for families requiring additional support. The initiative forms part of Nagaland’s broader efforts to strengthen social protection and livelihood‑based development, aligning with national schemes that aim to empower marginalised communities and improve access to financial and non‑financial services.
Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana launched on 6 October 2026 in Nagaland.
Aims to benefit about 4,000 vulnerable households.
Focus on inclusive livelihoods and enhanced economic opportunities.
Part of broader social protection and livelihood development efforts in Nagaland.
Supports national objectives for marginalised communities.
Jual Oram inaugurates National Conclave on Tribal Constitutional Rights
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Jual Oram inaugurated the National Conclave on Constitutional Rights and Legal Provisions for Tribal Communities in New Delhi on 6 October 2026. The two‑day conclave, organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, gathered more than 75 delegates from around 30 states and union territories. Discussions focused on strengthening constitutional safeguards, improving legal awareness, and ensuring better access to protection, welfare schemes and public services for tribal communities. The event aims to harmonise policy, law and delivery to support inclusive development and uphold tribal rights under the constitution.
National Conclave on Tribal Constitutional Rights opened on 6 October 2026.
Inaugurated by Union Minister Jual Oram in New Delhi.
Two‑day event with 75 delegates from about 30 states/UTs.
Topics include safeguards, legal awareness and access to schemes.
Aims to strengthen policy delivery for tribal communities.
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