A quick, revision-friendly roundup of this week's most exam-relevant news.
National & International
- The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement came into force on 20 October 2026. It is India's 17th operational FTA. Indian exports get duty-free access across all tariff lines, while dairy stays protected. The deal was signed on 27 April 2026, and New Zealand has committed to facilitating USD 20 billion of investment in India over 15 years.
- "Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026" launched (22 Oct) by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan from Taraori, Karnal (Haryana). It runs until 30 November 2026 and focuses on Soil Health Card–based balanced fertiliser use, crop diversification into oilseeds and pulses, and crop-residue management.
Appointments
- Sunil Kumar named the next Chairman of ONGC (ACC order, 21 Oct). He will take charge on or after 7 December 2026, succeeding Arun Kumar Singh.
Sports
- India won a record 114 medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. This beats the 108 medals won at Hangzhou 2023, and para-athletics alone contributed 65. Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal were India's flag-bearers at the closing ceremony (24 Oct). The next Games will be held in Doha in 2030.
Uttarakhand
- CM Dhami flagged off the "Drug-Free Uttarakhand" walkathon (23 Oct) in Dehradun and urged students and youth to join the anti-drug movement. He said a record 60 lakh pilgrims have done the Char Dham Yatra this year.
- Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line: Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called the 125-km line, which has 12 stations and is about 83% tunnels, "Uttarakhand's lifeline to the future" (23 Oct).
- Green India Mission: the State Forest Development Agency reviewed Uttarakhand's five-year plan under the mission, prioritising activities that create jobs and livelihoods (22 Oct).
Quick Revision
- India–New Zealand FTA in force from? — 20 October 2026 (India's 17th FTA)
- India's medal tally at Asian Para Games 2026? — 114 (30 G, 35 S, 49 B)
- Khet Bachao Abhiyan – Rabi 2026 launched from? — Taraori, Karnal (Haryana)
- Next ONGC Chairman? — Sunil Kumar
- Length of the Rishikesh–Karnaprayag rail line? — 125 km
Check our Current Affairs section every week — we only publish updates verified against reliable sources.