1.
The 57th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister in New Delhi on 8 October 2026, recommended cutting the general penalty from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,000, faster refunds, simpler registration for small e-commerce sellers and wider input tax credit eligibility. It approved in principle an optional scheme for small consumer-facing businesses with turnover up to Rs 5 crore.
Key facts
- Meeting: 57th GST Council, New Delhi, 8 Oct 2026
- General penalty: Rs 25,000 -> Rs 10,000
- In-principle optional scheme for consumer-facing businesses with turnover up to Rs 5 crore
Why it matters for exams: GST Council meetings and their numbered decisions are one of the most-asked economy topics.
Practice MCQ
The 57th GST Council meeting recommended reducing the general penalty from Rs 25,000 to what amount?
- (A) Rs 5,000
- (B) Rs 10,000
- (C) Rs 15,000
- (D) Rs 20,000
Show answer
Answer: (B) Rs 10,000. The Council recommended reducing the general penalty from Rs 25,000 to Rs 10,000 (PIB, Ministry of Finance, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Finance (Release ID 2320934), 8 October 2026
2.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on 8 October. IMC is organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India; this year's theme is "Scale Without Boundaries". Minister Scindia set a goal of 1 billion 5G users by 2030.
Key facts
- Event: India Mobile Congress 2026, 10th edition, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
- Organisers: DoT and COAI; theme "Scale Without Boundaries"
- Stated aim: 1 billion 5G users by 2030
Why it matters for exams: IMC themes and organisers are frequently asked in science and tech questions.
Practice MCQ
What was the theme of India Mobile Congress 2026?
- (A) Future is Now
- (B) Scale Without Boundaries
- (C) Connect, Create, Innovate
- (D) Transformative Tech
Show answer
Answer: (B) Scale Without Boundaries. IMC 2026 was held under the theme "Scale Without Boundaries" (PIB, Ministry of Communications, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Communications (Release ID 2320798), 8 October 2026
3.
The Indian Air Force marked its 94th anniversary on 8 October 2026 with the Air Force Day Parade at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad, reviewed by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh. Three Mi-17 1V helicopters in Dhwaj formation gave an aerial salute.
Key facts
- Occasion: 94th Air Force Day, 8 Oct 2026
- Venue: Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad
- Parade reviewed by: Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff
Why it matters for exams: Air Force Day (8 October) and its anniversary number are standard important-days questions.
Practice MCQ
Which anniversary of the Indian Air Force was celebrated on 8 October 2026?
- (A) 92nd
- (B) 93rd
- (C) 94th
- (D) 95th
Show answer
Answer: (C) 94th. The IAF commemorated its 94th anniversary at AFS Hindan on 8 Oct 2026 (PIB, MoD).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2320862), 8 October 2026
4.
The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) off Paradip, Odisha, on 8 October 2026 under the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board. The theme was "Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety"; 32 observers from 30 countries took part.
Key facts
- Exercise: SAREX-2026, 12th edition, off Paradip, Odisha
- Conducted by: Indian Coast Guard under NMSARB
- Theme: "Leveraging Technology to Strengthen SAR Preparedness and Maritime Safety"; 32 observers from 30 countries
Why it matters for exams: Coast Guard exercises, venues and editions are regular defence questions.
Practice MCQ
SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, was held off which port?
- (A) Kochi
- (B) Paradip
- (C) Chennai
- (D) Visakhapatnam
Show answer
Answer: (B) Paradip. SAREX-2026 was conducted off Paradip, Odisha, on 8 Oct 2026 (PIB, MoD).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2320759), 8 October 2026
5.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the World Bank Group's World Development Report 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence in New Delhi on 8 October. The report sets out a framework for developing economies to harness AI through adoption, adaptation and advancement; the launch was organised by the IndiaAI Mission with the World Bank.
Key facts
- Report: World Development Report 2026 - "The Promise of Artificial Intelligence" (World Bank Group)
- Launched in New Delhi by Ashwini Vaishnaw, 8 Oct 2026
- Framework: adoption, adaptation and advancement of AI
Why it matters for exams: Reports and their publishers are among the most asked items in banking and SSC GA.
Practice MCQ
The World Development Report 2026, launched in New Delhi in October 2026, is published by which organisation?
- (A) IMF
- (B) World Bank Group
- (C) UNDP
- (D) WTO
Show answer
Answer: (B) World Bank Group. WDR 2026: The Promise of Artificial Intelligence is a World Bank Group report (PIB, MeitY, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Electronics & IT (Release ID 2320883), 8 October 2026
6.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026, organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. Five new MoUs were exchanged and nine working-group white papers were released.
Key facts
- Event: 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium 2026, Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
- Organiser: Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA)
- Outcomes: 5 MoUs exchanged, 9 working-group white papers released
Why it matters for exams: India's 6G mission and the Bharat 6G Alliance are emerging science questions.
Practice MCQ
Which body organised the 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium in October 2026?
- (A) TRAI
- (B) Bharat 6G Alliance
- (C) C-DOT
- (D) COAI
Show answer
Answer: (B) Bharat 6G Alliance. The Symposium was organised by the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) (PIB, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Communications (Release ID 2321066), 8 October 2026
7.
The Government approved a cap on trade margins for non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at 30% of the MRP. Prices could fall by up to 70%, saving patients about Rs 2,500 crore a year. A DGHS expert committee will finalise the list and the NPPA will notify it.
Key facts
- Measure: trade margin on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs capped at 30% of MRP
- Expected saving: about Rs 2,500 crore a year; prices down by up to 70%
- Notification by: National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
Why it matters for exams: Drug pricing (NPPA, DPCO) is a recurring health-economy question.
Practice MCQ
Under the October 2026 decision, trade margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs are capped at what share of MRP?
- (A) 10%
- (B) 20%
- (C) 30%
- (D) 50%
Show answer
Answer: (C) 30%. Margins are limited to 30% of the MRP (PIB, Department of Pharmaceuticals, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Release ID 2321092), 8 October 2026
8.
Health Minister J P Nadda launched JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan on 8 October 2026. The first phase covers 55 districts in 11 States and UTs. In 2026, 67,933 panchayats across 697 districts were recognised as TB Mukt.
Key facts
- Initiative: JOSH (Joint Squad for Health) Teams under TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- First phase: 55 districts in 11 States/UTs
- TB Mukt Panchayats in 2026: 67,933 across 697 districts
Why it matters for exams: TB elimination drives and their acronyms are frequent health questions.
Practice MCQ
What does JOSH stand for in the TB elimination initiative launched in October 2026?
- (A) Joint Squad for Health
- (B) Join Our Support for Health
- (C) Jan Outreach for Swasthya and Health
- (D) Joint Operation for Safe Health
Show answer
Answer: (A) Joint Squad for Health. JOSH stands for Joint Squad for Health, launched under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (PIB, MoHFW, 8 Oct 2026).
Source: PIB - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Release ID 2320653), 8 October 2026
