A quick, revision-friendly roundup of this week's most exam-relevant news.
Awards — Nobel Prizes 2026
- Physics (6 Oct): Francis Halzen (Belgium; University of Wisconsin–Madison) — for decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory at the South Pole and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.
- Chemistry (7 Oct): Henri B. Kagan (France) and Kenso Soai (Japan) — for work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric synthesis (chirality of molecules).
- Literature (8 Oct): Canadian poet and classicist Anne Carson, author of Autobiography of Red (1998), for her "bold and inventive oeuvre".
- Peace (9 Oct): Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, South African jurist of Indian origin and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (2008–2014) — the fifth South African Peace laureate.
- Economics (12 Oct): Robert E. Hall (Stanford) and Michael Woodford (Columbia) — for microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.
Each prize carries SEK 12 million; the prizes are presented on 10 December.
National
- RBI raised the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50% on 7 October 2026 — the first hike since February 2023. The MPC under Governor Sanjay Malhotra changed its stance from "neutral" to "calibrated tightening". SDF stands at 5.25% and MSF/Bank Rate at 5.75%.
Important Days
- Indian Air Force Day (8 Oct) — the IAF's 94th anniversary (established 8 October 1932). The parade was held at Hindan Air Force Station, Ghaziabad, with the ceremonial flypast moved to Varanasi.
- World Mental Health Day (10 Oct) — 2026 theme: "Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change" (World Federation for Mental Health).
Uttarakhand
- Dr Dhal Singh Bisen appointed the 9th Governor of Uttarakhand (12 Oct) by President Droupadi Murmu, succeeding Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd). Bisen is a former Balaghat MP and four-time MLA from Madhya Pradesh.
- Dhami cabinet met in Haridwar (12 Oct) and cleared 13 proposals, including a second medical college for Haridwar and an ESI medical college. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also launched the logo, website and anthem of Haridwar Kumbh 2027.
Quick Revision
- Nobel Physics 2026? — Francis Halzen (IceCube neutrino observatory)
- Nobel Peace 2026? — Navi Pillay
- RBI repo rate after 7 Oct 2026? — 5.50% (stance: calibrated tightening)
- IAF foundation date? — 8 October 1932
- Uttarakhand's 9th Governor? — Dr Dhal Singh Bisen
Check our Current Affairs section every week — we only publish updates verified against reliable sources.