WWF-India launches nationwide Green Diwali Campaign
WWF-India launched a nationwide Green Diwali Campaign from 20 October to 8 November 2026, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and run under Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). The programme encourages citizens to avoid firecrackers, use eco-friendly decorations, minimize plastic waste, and adopt sustainable celebrations. The campaign targets 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to promote cleaner air and environmentally responsible celebrations. WWF-India says the initiative will raise awareness of air pollution health impacts and inspire households and businesses to choose greener practices. Partners hope the campaign will become an annual feature of India’s sustainable festival calendar.
Campaign runs 20 October–8 November 2026.
Supported by MoEFCC under Mission LiFE.
Encourages avoiding firecrackers and eco-friendly decorations.
Aims to cut plastic waste and promote sustainability.
India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement comes into force with zero-duty access
On 20 October 2026, the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) came into force, offering zero-duty access to 100 percent of Indian exports entering New Zealand. Signed on 27 April 2026, the pact aims to boost bilateral trade and investment, with anticipated gains for sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, engineering, and agriculture. India will extend tariff concessions on certain New Zealand goods as part of the deal. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the arrangement as a major step in deepening economic ties between the two democracies. The pact aligns with New Delhi’s broader push to diversify export markets and support domestic producers.
FTA entered into force on 20 October 2026.
Zero-duty access to 100% of Indian exports to New Zealand.
Signed on 27 April 2026.
Beneficiary sectors include textiles, leather, footwear, engineering, agriculture.
Tariff concessions will apply to select New Zealand imports.
Japan launches Martian Moons eXploration mission MMX
Japan launched the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission on 20 October 2026 from Tanegashima Space Center, aboard an H3 rocket. MMX aims to collect at least 10 grams of rock and soil samples from Phobos and return them to Earth in 2031. The mission will study Phobos and Deimos to better understand their origins and the broader history of Mars and the solar system. Led by JAXA with CNES and DLR, MMX will deploy a small rover on Phobos to enhance surface analysis. The launch marks a milestone in Japan's space program and international collaboration in planetary science.
MMX launched on 20 October 2026 from Tanegashima Space Center.
Liftoff aboard an H3 rocket.
Aims to return samples by 2031; collect 10 grams minimum.
Study Phobos and Deimos to inform Mars history.
International collaboration includes CNES and DLR; rover on Phobos planned.
MMX: status update after October 20 launch and planned Phobos samples 2031
On 21 October 2026, JAXA announced that the MMX spacecraft completed its initial critical operations and remained healthy following its 20 October launch. Data downlink has begun, and ground teams are validating spacecraft health. MMX, led by JAXA with CNES and DLR, will deploy a rover on Phobos to augment surface studies while collecting rock and soil samples for return to Earth in 2031. The mission’s objective is to examine Phobos’ origin, composition and potential resources, informing future exploration strategies for Mars and its moons. The MMX project marks a milestone in Japan's planetary science program and international collaboration.
Initial critical operations completed; health confirmed (21 Oct 2026).
Launch occurred on 20 Oct 2026 from Tanegashima.
Ground teams validating spacecraft status; data downlink active.
Rover deployment on Phobos planned to enhance surface studies.
Sample return to Earth targeted for 2031; CNES and DLR are partners.
Arshi Gupta becomes world's youngest Rotax MAX Mini Champion
Arshi Gupta, a 10-year-old kart racer from Faridabad, has become the world's youngest driver to win the Rotax MAX Challenge Mini Max title at the FMSCI RMC India National Karting Championship 2026. The event took place in Bengaluru in October 2026, where Gupta competed under Leapfrog Racing. The victory marks her second consecutive national karting title after winning the Micro Max category in 2025, reinforcing her rising status in Indian motorsports. Gupta's involvement with the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme further highlights her profile as a promising talent in youth racing. Her achievement underscores the rapid growth of Indian grassroots motor sports and opportunities for young athletes.
Arshi Gupta is 10 years old and from Faridabad.
Won Rotax MAX Challenge Mini Max at the 2026 India National Karting Championship in Bengaluru.
This is her second consecutive national title (Micro Max in 2025).
Represents Leapfrog Racing.
Associated with the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme.
Deepthi Jeevanji wins gold at Asian Para Games 2026
Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji from Telangana won the gold medal in the women's 400 metres T20 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 23-year-old finished in 56.36 seconds, setting a new Games record. Niina Kanno of Japan took silver with 58.92 seconds. Deepthi’s victory contributed significantly to India’s medal tally at the event, highlighting the country’s rising strength in para-athletics. The win adds to India’s growing performance in global para-athletics and may inspire aspiring athletes in Telangana and across India to pursue elite competition in adaptive sports.
Deepthi Jeevanji represents Telangana, India.
Won gold in women's 400m T20 at the 2026 Asian Para Games.
Time in final: 56.36 seconds, a Games record.
Niina Kanno of Japan won silver with 58.92 seconds.
India strengthened its position in para-athletics at the event.
Ladakh to get its first government medical college in Leh
Ladakh will get its first Government Medical College, with the Union Health Ministry approving its operationalisation in Leh for the 2027–28 academic year. The project includes phased recruitment for 103 sanctioned regular posts and a relaxation of infrastructure-completion requirements to accelerate construction. Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena played a pivotal role in securing the approval, emphasizing improved medical education and healthcare services for the Union Territory. The college will offer MBBS training and related disciplines, enhancing local healthcare access and reducing patient load in the region. The decision aligns with broader efforts to strengthen health infrastructure in border areas.
First Government Medical College for Ladakh to be in Leh.
Operationalisation approved for 2027–28 academic year.
103 regular posts; phased recruitment planned.
Relaxation of infrastructure-completion requirements granted.
IBSAMAR IX, the ninth edition of the trilateral naval exercise involving India, Brazil and South Africa, was conducted in October 2026 off South Africa’s coast, hosted at Simon’s Town. The Indian Navy participated with INS Tarkash, a guided-missile stealth frigate equipped with a Chetak helicopter. The exercise focused on maritime security, interoperability and joint naval operations under the theme Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain. Participants practiced anti-submarine warfare, maritime domain awareness and amphibious maneuvers, reflecting continued cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. The exercise highlighted regional collaboration to safeguard sea lanes and disaster-response capabilities.
IBSAMAR IX involved India, Brazil and South Africa.
Hosted at Simon’s Town, South Africa, in October 2026.
IN participated with INS Tarkash and a Chetak helicopter.
Theme: Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.
Focus areas included anti-submarine warfare and interoperability.
AUSTRAHIND 2026 commences in Thiruvananthapuram
The fifth edition of the India-Australia Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 commenced on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, and will run until 1 November 2026. The exercise involves about 120 personnel from the Indian and Australian Armies, focusing on coastal operations and island environments to enhance interoperability. It includes live-fire and cross-training drills across maritime and land domains, with a focus on intelligence sharing, tactical cooperation, and disaster-response readiness. The exercise highlights defense cooperation between the two countries amid regional security concerns and underscores ongoing strategic ties in the Indo-Pacific region.
Commencement date: 19 October 2026; ends 1 November 2026.
About 120 personnel from Indian and Australian Armies.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Focus: coastal operations, island environments, interoperability.
Features live-fire, cross-training, and disaster-response drills.
Maharashtra's first Annapurti Grain ATM opens in Nashik
Maharashtra opened its first Annapurti Grain ATM in Nashik in October 2026, inaugurated by State Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Minister Chhagan Bhujbal. Developed in collaboration with the United Nations World Food Programme, the facility allows eligible beneficiaries to collect subsidised food grains beyond regular ration-shop hours, improving transparency and convenience under the Public Distribution System. Similar facilities are planned for Nagpur and Thane, signaling a broader rollout of grain-atm technology to streamline distribution and reduce crowds at traditional shops.
First Annapurti Grain ATM opened in Nashik, October 2026.
Inaugurated by Chhagan Bhujbal; collaboration with WFP.
CBDT introduces Form 173A for tax exemption claims
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) introduced Form 173A on 19 October 2026 under the Income-tax (Seventh Amendment) Rules, 2026. The form is mandatory for eligible foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) to claim income-tax exemptions on interest and capital gains from government securities. It requires disclosures of securities holdings, transactions, and income to improve tax transparency and compliance. The new requirement aims to enable better monitoring of tax exemptions granted to specific entities, while noting that exemptions do not apply to ordinary retail investors. Taxpayers should align their reporting processes accordingly. The CBDT said additional guidelines would follow.
Form 173A introduced on 19 October 2026 by CBDT.
Mandatory for FIIs and BIS to claim exemptions on government securities.
Requires disclosures of holdings, transactions and income.
Aims to improve tax transparency and compliance.
Exemptions do not apply to ordinary retail investors.
India to host 61st CIML meeting in New Delhi
India will host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) for the first time in New Delhi from 26 to 28 October 2026. The event is organized by the Department of Consumer Affairs in collaboration with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML). It is expected to attract more than 100 international delegates and experts. Discussions will cover measurement standards, digitalisation, international trade, and consumer protection. The meeting will provide a platform for exchanges on weights and measures, standardisation, and harmonisation of metrology practices across economies, showcasing India’s governance in this field.
61st CIML meeting hosted by India in New Delhi, 26–28 October 2026.
Organised by Department of Consumer Affairs and OIML.
Expected attendance: over 100 international delegates.