Weekly Current Affairs 28 October 2026

1. 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Held in New Delhi

What happened: The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in New Delhi on 26–27 October 2026. It was organised under the theme “Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development.” The forum adopted a Joint Declaration.

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Why important: The discussions covered parliamentary cooperation, global governance reform, sustainable development and the responsible use of technology.

Exam Tip:

• Event: 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum

• Venue: New Delhi, India

• Dates: 26–27 October 2026

• Theme: Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development

2. India–Singapore Naval Exercise SIMBEX-2026

What happened: The 33rd edition of the Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, SIMBEX-2026, took place at Visakhapatnam and in the Bay of Bengal from 21–26 October.

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Why important: The exercise strengthens maritime cooperation, coordination and operational interoperability between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.

Exam Tip:

• Exercise: SIMBEX

• Countries: India and Singapore

• Location: Visakhapatnam and Bay of Bengal

• First conducted in 1994 as Exercise Lion King

3. India’s Indigenous Submarine AIP System Reaches a Milestone

What happened: On 24 October, the indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system developed by DRDO's Naval Materials Research Laboratory reached the Setting to Work Phase-2 milestone at Hazira, Gujarat.

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Why important: AIP technology helps diesel-electric submarines remain underwater for longer periods without depending on atmospheric oxygen.

Exam Tip:

• AIP: Air Independent Propulsion

• Organisation: DRDO

• Location: Hazira, Gujarat

• Related field: Defence technology and submarine operations

4. India–Russia Naval Exercise INDRA-2026 Concludes

What happened: The India–Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA-2026 concluded in October. Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri departed Vladivostok, Russia, on 20 October following the exercise. The Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy participated.

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Why important: The exercise improves coordination, communication and cooperation between the two countries' navies.

Exam Tip:

• Exercise: INDRA

• Countries: India and Russia

• Indian ship mentioned: INS Sahyadri

• Related subject: Maritime security

5. Cabinet Approves Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme

What happened: On 28 October, the Union Cabinet approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme, with a total outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period 2026 to 2033–34.

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Why important: The scheme aims to promote domestic sports-goods manufacturing, research, innovation, skill development and exports.

Exam Tip:

• Scheme: Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme

• Outlay: ₹1,856.67 crore

• Related initiatives: Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat

6. India Signs ₹770-Crore Radar Contract for the Army

What happened: The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth ₹770 crore with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for improved low-level lightweight radars for the Indian Army on 21 October.

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Why important: These radars support surveillance and detection of low-flying aerial threats, strengthening the Army's air-defence capabilities.

Exam Tip:

• Organisation: BEL

• Full form: Bharat Electronics Limited

• Sector: Defence electronics

• Contract value: ₹770 crore

7. India–Brazil–South Africa Naval Exercise IBSAMAR IX Concludes

What happened: The ninth edition of the IBSAMAR maritime exercise involving India, Brazil and South Africa concluded in October 2026. The exercise involved naval cooperation and coordinated maritime activities.

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Why important: The exercise strengthens maritime cooperation among the three countries and supports security collaboration across the oceans.

Exam Tip:

• IBSAMAR: India, Brazil and South Africa

• Related organisation: IBSA Dialogue Forum

• Focus: Maritime cooperation

8. India–New Zealand Customs Cooperation

What happened: India and New Zealand's customs authorities signed an arrangement for the electronic exchange of origin data under their Free Trade Agreement (FTA), reported on 21 October.

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Why important: Electronic origin-data exchange can help customs authorities verify the origin of traded goods and improve trade facilitation.

Exam Tip:

• FTA: Free Trade Agreement

• Key term: Rules of origin

• Purpose: Trade facilitation and verification

9. Cabinet Approves Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana

What happened: On 28 October, the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for 2026–27 to 2030–31.

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Why important: The scheme is relevant to rural development, village-level governance and efforts to strengthen local development.

Exam Tip:

• Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana

• Approved period: 2026–27 to 2030–31

• Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme

10. International Day of the United Nations

What happened: United Nations Day is observed every year on 24 October, marking the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

Why important: The day highlights international cooperation, peace, security, human rights and sustainable development.

Exam Tip:

• Date: 24 October

• United Nations established: 1945

• Headquarters: New York City, USA

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