NEWS 29-10-2026. News For 30th-Oct (Friday) National 1. Anup Bagchi officially took charge as the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank on 27 October 2026 for a three-year term. He succeeded Sashidhar Jagdishan, who retired a day earlier. 2. The landmark Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand officially came into force on 20 October 2026. The agreement eliminates 100 per cent of tariffs on Indian goods from day one, introduces a target of 20 billion dollars in foreign direct investment into India over 15 years, and provides new visa and mobility commitments for Indian professionals. 3. The 2026 Global Hunger Index report was released in October to track hunger and undernutrition worldwide using indicators like child wasting, stunting, and mortality. The global hunger score worsened due to ongoing regional conflicts and climate shocks, and India ranked 100th out of 122 qualified countries, placing it in the serious hunger category. 4. India ranked 84th globally in the late 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, sharing the exact position with Algeria and Mauritania. The index ranks passports according to the number of global destinations their holders can access visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival, reflecting the current strength of India's global diplomatic ties. International 1. Severe cyclonic storm Arnab made landfall along the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coast on 28 October 2026, causing heavy destruction. The disaster claimed at least five lives in Andhra Pradesh, forced the evacuation of thousands to emergency shelters, and triggered severe rainfall across 17 districts in southern Odisha. 2. The Israel legislative elections held on 27 October 2026 resulted in a political deadlock with no clear winner. With over 90 per cent of the preliminary votes counted by 28 October, neither Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing bloc nor the opposition camp secured the 61-seat majority required to form a government, leaving Arab-led parties as key kingmakers. 3. Historic flash floods caused massive devastation across Spain between 27 and 29 October 2026 due to sudden, intense rainfall. The flooding severely impacted the Valencia region alongside parts of Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha, destroying critical infrastructure and resulting in the tragic deaths of dozens of citizens. 4. A devastating train accident occurred near Toledo, Spain, on 28 October 2026 when a moving high-speed train collided with a stationary passenger train. The crash resulted in 68 deaths and left roughly 100 people wounded, with Spain's transport ministry indicating human error after the moving train was unexpectedly authorized to bypass a red safety signal. Defence 1. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity for capital acquisition proposals worth an unprecedented 2.12 lakh crore rupees. Over 82 per cent of this massive procurement is earmarked for the domestic defence industry to boost self-reliance and procure howitzers, helicopters, and drone systems. 2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally released the Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 during the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi. The new doctrine outlines India's long-term military vision for the next 20 to 30 years, focusing on multi-domain operations, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and making drone operations a mandatory secondary skill for all troops. 3. The Ministry of Defence signed major defence contracts worth approximately 4,106 crore rupees to boost the capabilities of the armed forces. The procurement includes advanced Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy and the next-generation GSAT-7C software-defined communication satellite to enhance the tactical airspace management of the Indian Air Force. 4. The Indian Navy officially commissioned its first multi-purpose vessel, INS Samarthak, on 16 October 2026 at the naval base in Karwar, Karnataka. The ship was indigenously constructed by Larsen and Toubro with over 75 per cent homegrown components and will serve as a testing platform for next-generation naval weapons, sensors, and uncrewed autonomous systems. Sports 1. The 20th Asian Games concluded in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where India delivered an outstanding performance to finish fourth in the final medal standings. The Indian contingent secured a total haul of 85 medals, consisting of 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze, marking India's second-highest medal tally in the history of the tournament. 2. Indian Army sportspersons training under the elite Army Sports Institute made a significant contribution to the national tally by winning 20 medals at the 2026 Asian Games. The Army athletes showcased exceptional sportsmanship and dedication, bringing home six gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals across various individual and team disciplines. 3. The collective strength of the Indian Armed Forces under the Services Sports Control Board resulted in a record haul of 27 medals at the Asian Games, including six gold, 11 silver, and 10 bronze. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hosted a special felicitation ceremony in New Delhi to honour these Services athletes for bringing laurels to the nation. 4. Indian track-and-field athletes dominated their events at the 2026 Asian Games to win a total of 24 medals in athletics. The brilliant performance in various sprints, middle-distance running, hurdles, and throwing events highlighted athletics as India's primary engine for medals and reflected the country's progress in developing world-class sports infrastructure. < < Back