Jatin Kumar Nayak assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) on 30 October 2026. Nayak previously served as Executive Director (Finance) at REC Limited and has over 34 years of experience in the power and industrial sectors. IREDA is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, financing renewable-energy and sustainable-development projects across India. His appointment signals governance continuity and strengthened capacity to fund growth in renewable energy, including wind, solar, and hydro projects.
Date of assumption: 30 October 2026.
New CMD: Jatin Kumar Nayak; former ED (Finance) at REC Limited.
IREDA status: Navratna CPSE under MNRE.
Role: Financing renewable energy and sustainable development.
Expected impact: governance, finance, and project-growth acceleration.
Researchers at IIT Kanpur have developed a bamboo-based vibration barrier technology titled A Passive Vibration Screening Arrangement with Bamboo In-filled Wave Barriers. The system uses underground bamboo-filled barriers to dampen ground-borne vibrations from traffic, construction, and industry, protecting nearby buildings and infrastructure. Created by Priyanka Ghosh and Sreyashrao Surapreddi of the Civil Engineering Department, the method emphasizes environmental sustainability and low maintenance. Tests show significant attenuation of vibration transmission in dense urban corridors, with potential adoption in cities seeking quieter, safer environments and reduced structural fatigue for sensitive facilities.
Technology name: Bamboo In-filled Wave Barriers.
Developed by IIT Kanpur; Priyanka Ghosh and Sreyashrao Surapreddi.
Purpose: reduce ground-borne vibrations from urban activities.
Material: bamboo; emphasis on eco-friendliness and low maintenance.
Impact: potential adoption to protect buildings and infrastructure.
Arshdeep Singh becomes first Indian to reach 150 T20I wickets
Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to reach 150 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals, achieving the milestone on 30 October 2026 during the fourth T20I against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, when he dismissed Mitchell Santner. He now has 150 wickets in 103 matches (99 innings), with a bowling average of 20.62 and an economy rate of 8.65. The feat underscores his status as one of India’s premier bowlers in the shortest international format, reflecting consistency across powerplay and death overs. The 2026 season also highlighted his control over variations and yorkers, earning praise from teammates and coaches.
Arshdeep Singh becomes first Indian to take 150 T20I wickets.
Milestone achieved on 30 October 2026 vs New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland.
Cements his status as a leading T20 bowler for India.
Lakshya Sen wins HYLO Open 2026 badminton title
Lakshya Sen won the HYLO Open 2026 men’s singles title in Saarbrücken, Germany, defeating Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie in straight games, 21–17, 21–10. The tournament ran from 27 October to 1 November as part of the BWF World Tour Super 500 series. This was Sen’s second HYLO Open title, his first since 2019, marking an important milestone in his career and a notable achievement for Indian badminton in 2026. His victory reinforces India’s growing presence on the international badminton circuit and could bolster his world ranking and confidence ahead of major events later in the season.
Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest Formula 1 World Champion
Italian racing driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 World Champion at 20 years and 68 days on 1 November 2026 after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna, Antonelli drives for Mercedes and broke Sebastian Vettel’s previous record of becoming champion at age 23 in 2010. The victory also marks Italy’s first F1 title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, reviving a long-established national legacy in motorsport. Analysts highlight his rapid adaptation to high-pressure grands prix and anticipate a long, successful career at the sport’s pinnacle.
Date: 1 November 2026; Champion: Antonelli (Mercedes).
Age at title: 20 years 68 days; youngest champion.
Record: surpasses Vettel’s 23-year-old record (2010).
Country milestone: Italy’s first F1 champion since Ascari (1953).
Outlook: heightened expectations for future seasons.
Chandigarh Police received the President's Police Colour on 1 November 2026 during its 60th Raising Day and Diamond Jubilee celebrations at Police Lines, Sector 26, Chandigarh. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the honour in recognition of the force’s sustained service, dedication to maintaining law and order, and contribution to public safety. Shah also announced additional AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen security in the city as part of a broader modernization of policing infrastructure. The award reflects Chandigarh’s evolving security framework and its focus on advanced surveillance and community policing.
Date: 1 November 2026 during 60th Raising Day and Diamond Jubilee.
President's Police Colour awarded to Chandigarh Police.
Presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Announcement of AI-enabled surveillance cameras for security enhancement.
Recognition of service, law and order maintenance, and public safety.
Dinesh V. Ganvir becomes 55th Director General of GSI
Dinesh Vitthalrao Ganvir assumed charge as the 55th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in November 2026. Previously the Additional Director General and Head of the Central Region in Nagpur, Ganvir brings more than 32 years of experience in geological investigations, mineral exploration, and administration. GSI operates as an attached office under the Ministry of Mines and plays a vital role in mineral exploration, geological research, and mapping. His appointment signals a focus on mineral security, scientific excellence, and the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance India’s resource base and regulatory capabilities.
Appointment: 55th Director General of GSI, November 2026.
Previous role: Additional Director General, Central Region, Nagpur.
Experience: 32+ years in geology and mineral exploration.
GSI role: mineral exploration, mapping, and research under the Mines Ministry.
Strategic aim: strengthen mineral security and technology adoption.
Technology educator Prashant Chaudhary, founder of the CodeYogi Foundation, received the fifth Rohini Nayyar Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Rural Development on 31 October 2026 in New Delhi. The award, presented by Amitabh Kant, former NITI Aayog CEO, carries ₹10 lakh, a citation, and a trophy. Chaudhary was recognised for extending coding, artificial intelligence, and technology education to rural students through smartphones, helping bridge the digital divide. Instituted in 2022 in memory of economist Rohini Nayyar, the prize recognises rural development and inclusive innovation, highlighting how digital literacy can empower communities and advance India’s inclusive-growth objectives.
Date: 31 October 2026; prize presentation in New Delhi.
Recipient: Prashant Chaudhary, CodeYogi Foundation founder.
Prize: Rohini Nayyar Prize with ₹10 lakh, citation, trophy.
Contribution: coding and AI education for rural students via smartphones.
Significance: promotes rural development and inclusive innovation.
Digital Bharat Nidhi signs rural broadband agreement with Tamil Nadu
On 30 October 2026, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Tamil Nadu Government, and Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation (TANFINET) signed a tripartite agreement under the Amended BharatNet Programme in New Delhi. The deal aims to strengthen rural broadband connectivity through fibre infrastructure, providing central government subsidy support for more than five lakh rural households and on-demand broadband for 4,767 villages in Tamil Nadu. The collaboration supports digital inclusion by expanding last-mile connectivity, enabling access to e-services, education, and health information for rural residents and aligning with India’s digital-infrastructure goals.
Date: 30 October 2026; tripartite agreement signed.
Parties: Digital Bharat Nidhi, Tamil Nadu Government, TANFINET.
Under Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP).
Subsidy for over five lakh rural households; 4,767 Tamil Nadu villages covered.
Aims to boost rural digital connectivity and access to services.
Adani Airports, IHCL to operate eight new airport hotels
On 29 October 2026, Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL) signed a multi-hotel operating agreement with The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) to develop eight airport hotels with more than 2,000 rooms across Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Guwahati. IHCL will operate properties under the Taj, Vivanta, Gateway, and Ginger brands. The project includes three Taj hotels, two Vivanta hotels, one Gateway, and two Ginger hotels, enhancing airport hospitality infrastructure and passenger experience. The collaboration aims to create employment opportunities and support transit travel, strengthening India’s airport network and regional tourism potential.
Agreement date: 29 October 2026.
Parties: AAHL and IHCL; eight hotels with 2,000+ rooms.
Locations: Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Guwahati.
Brands: Taj, Vivanta, Gateway, Ginger.
Impact: boosts airport hospitality, employment, and regional tourism.