Daily Current Affairs & GK – 22 October 2026
For UPSC, SSC, Banking, IBPS, RRB, NTPC, State PSC and Defence examinations
This edition of Daily Current Affairs and GK for 22 October 2026 covers important national and international developments, economy and banking, science and technology, sports, awards and recognition, important days, and static GK. The article prioritises government announcements from PIB, supported by reliable news and official reference sources.
1. National Current Affairs
1.1 India Launches Nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan on 22 October 2026 from Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana.
The campaign is scheduled to run from 22 October to 30 November 2026. It aims to promote soil health, balanced fertiliser use and sustainable farming practices.
Key highlights:
Encourages farmers to use fertilisers according to soil requirements and Soil Health Card recommendations.
Promotes crop rotation and natural farming to improve soil quality.
Discourages indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Encourages agricultural scientists and experts to conduct village-level awareness programmes.
Promotes responsible management of agricultural land to protect long-term productivity.
During the programme, the minister also announced approval of ₹1,343.06 crore for the construction of permanent houses for 28,422 poor families in Haryana under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
Exam takeaway: Khet Bachao Abhiyan focuses on soil health, balanced fertiliser application and sustainable agriculture.
Source: PIB – Khet Bachao Abhiyan launched in Haryana 【turn733931search2】
1.2 President Droupadi Murmu Participates in Nuakhai Celebrations in Raipur
President Droupadi Murmu participated in Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on 22 October 2026 on the occasion of the Nuakhai festival.
The President highlighted the importance of respecting food, recognising farmers' contributions and protecting natural resources.
Nuakhai is a traditional harvest festival associated particularly with western Odisha. It celebrates the new harvest and expresses gratitude for agricultural prosperity, nature and community life.
The programme also highlighted the role of cultural traditions in promoting social harmony and preserving India's heritage.
Exam takeaway: Nuakhai is a harvest festival closely associated with western Odisha.
Source: PIB – President graces Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan
1.3 MeitY Constitutes Special Technical Team to Probe eMudhra PKI Incident
eMudhra is a licensed certifying authority in India and a global provider of digital trust, public key infrastructure (PKI), and identity solutions based in Bengaluru.
2. International Current Affairs
2.1 India and Poland Agree to Double Bilateral Trade by 2030
India and Poland announced several outcomes during the official visit of the Polish Prime Minister to India in October 2026.
According to the official outcome document released on 22 October, both countries agreed to work towards doubling bilateral trade by 2030.
Major outcomes included:
Trade: A target to double bilateral trade by 2030.
Disaster management: Poland agreed to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
Defence: Both countries agreed to establish a Defence Industry Dialogue.
Counter-terrorism: The countries agreed to hold a dialogue on counter-terrorism.
The developments aim to strengthen economic cooperation, defence collaboration and coordination on international security issues.
Exam takeaway: CDRI stands for Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, an international initiative launched by India in 2019.
Source: PIB – Outcomes of the official visit of the Polish Prime Minister to India
2.2 India and Israel Discuss West Asian Developments
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 22 October 2026.
The two leaders discussed developments in West Asia and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
They also emphasised the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. Prime Minister Modi reiterated India's position that dialogue and diplomacy should guide efforts to resolve regional tensions.
The interaction highlighted the continued importance of diplomatic engagement in India's relations with West Asian countries.
Source: PIB – Prime Minister receives a telephone call from the Israeli Prime Minister
2.3 Indian Navy's First Training Squadron Arrives in the Maldives
Ships belonging to the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrived off Malé, the capital of the Maldives, on 21 October 2026. The Ministry of Defence published the announcement on 22 October.
The squadron comprised:
INS Tir
INS Sujata
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi
The visit formed part of the squadron's long-range training deployment.
Activities included interactions with the Maldives National Defence Force, professional exchanges, training visits and social engagements. The deployment supports maritime cooperation, training and operational coordination between India and the Maldives.
The engagement also aligns with India's regional vision of MAHASAGAR — Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Source: PIB – First Training Squadron arrives in the Maldives
3. Economy and Banking
3.1 National Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign Continues
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Nagpur inaugurated a Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign at Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur, on 21 October 2026. Details were published by PIB on 22 October.
The nationwide campaign, being undertaken in coordination with the Department of Financial Services and the RBI, will continue until 31 December 2026.
Its major objectives are:
Facilitating re-KYC and Central KYC (C-KYC) updates.
Helping eligible customers access financial inclusion and social-security schemes.
Encouraging the addition of nominees to bank accounts and eligible financial products.
Improving awareness of digital fraud and safe banking practices.
Strengthening access to formal financial services.
The initiative aims to ensure that eligible people can access banking and social-security services while keeping their customer records updated.
Exam takeaway: KYC stands for Know Your Customer. Re-KYC refers to updating customer identity and related information when required.
Source: PIB – RBI Nagpur launches Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign
3.2 National Social Assistance Programme Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
The government highlighted the revamped social-assistance framework under Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana in a PIB backgrounder published on 22 October 2026.
The Union Cabinet had approved the continuation of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, with a total outlay of ₹53,428 crore.
The revised framework includes changes to disability pension eligibility and the names of the programme's sub-schemes.
Key facts:
The programme covers social assistance for eligible older people, widows, persons with disabilities and families meeting the applicable eligibility criteria.
Disability-pension eligibility uses the 40% benchmark disability criterion under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, replacing the previous 80% threshold.
The minimum age requirement for disability pension has been removed, extending eligibility to children who meet the other criteria.
Central assistance under the disability pension scheme increases to ₹375 per month for eligible beneficiaries aged 0–79 and ₹625 per month for those aged 80 and above.
The programme continues the existing old-age and widow pension arrangements and family-benefit scheme, subject to applicable conditions.
The reform aims to widen social protection for vulnerable groups.
Exam takeaway: NSAP is now named Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana under the revised framework.
Source: PIB – Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
4. Science and Technology
4.1 India Highlights AI-Guided and Gene-Driven Precision Medicine
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted the growing importance of AI-guided, gene-driven precision medicine during the convocation of Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research in Chennai on 22 October 2026.
Precision medicine uses information about a person's genetics, lifestyle, environment and health characteristics to help tailor prevention and treatment decisions.
Key points highlighted during the address included:
Artificial intelligence can assist in analysing medical information and supporting clinical decisions.
Genomics can help identify genetic factors associated with diseases and responses to treatment.
Personalised healthcare may improve diagnosis and treatment selection for certain conditions.
India has developed capabilities in indigenous vaccine research, gene therapy and medical research.
Doctors must integrate emerging technologies with professional judgement and appropriate clinical practice.
The minister also stressed the importance of preventing lifestyle-related disorders among young people.
Exam takeaway: Precision medicine aims to tailor healthcare decisions to individual patient characteristics rather than relying exclusively on a uniform treatment approach.
Source: PIB – AI-guided, gene-driven precision medicine
5. Sports and Culture
5.1 India Continues Medal-Winning Run at the Asian Para Games 2026
Indian athletes continued to win medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October.
Notable results announced on 22 October included:
Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant Yadav: Bronze in men's doubles SL3–SU5 para-badminton, marking India's first-ever medal in this category at the Asian Para Games.
Bhavina Patel and Shubham Wadhwa: Bronze in mixed doubles Class XD7 para table tennis, securing India's first-ever medal in mixed doubles at the Games.
Kapil Kumar: Silver in men's 400m freestyle S10 swimming.
Jayanti: Silver in women's 400m T47 athletics.
Tejalben Damor: Silver in women's 400m T12 athletics.
Swatik Patil: Bronze in men's 100m breaststroke SB9 swimming.
Manisha Ramadass: Bronze in women's singles SU5 para-badminton, her second consecutive Asian Para Games bronze.
These results demonstrated India's progress across para-athletics, para-badminton, para-table tennis and para-swimming.
Sources: PIB – Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant Yadav, Bhavina Patel and Shubham Wadhwa, Kapil Kumar
6. Awards and Recognition
6.1 Sheetal Devi Defends Gold at the Asian Para Games
Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi won gold in the women's individual para compound archery event at the Asian Para Games 2026, successfully defending the title she won at the previous edition.
Her achievement was recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised her precision, consistency and dedication.
Sheetal Devi's performances have contributed to India's growing reputation in para-archery.
6.2 Swati Chaudhary Wins India's First Women's W1 Archery Medal
Indian para-archer Swati Chaudhary won silver in women's W1 archery at the Asian Para Games 2026.
The medal marked India's first-ever medal in women's W1 archery at the competition.
The achievement was particularly significant because it came on her Asian Para Games debut.
7. Days Observed
7.1 International Stuttering Awareness Day – 22 October
International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD) is observed on 22 October each year to increase understanding of stuttering and promote awareness, acceptance and support for people who stutter.
The 2026 online conference theme was “Shades of Stuttering – What's yours?”
The initiative encourages open discussion about the varied experiences of stuttering and the importance of inclusive communication.
Stuttering (also known as stammering) is a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetitions, prolongations of sounds, syllables, or words, and silent pauses or blocks where speech is momentarily interrupted
Source: International Stuttering Awareness Day – Official website
7.2 18th Anniversary of Chandrayaan-1 Launch (October 22, 2008)
Space research academies commemorated 18 years since the launch of India's maiden lunar probe on a PSLV-C11 rocket from Sriharikota, highlighting its landmark discovery of water and hydroxyl ($OH$) molecules across the lunar poles.
8. Static GK for Exam Preparations
Revise these important facts connected with the day's current affairs.
Topic | Important fact |
|---|---|
Khet Bachao Abhiyan | Campaign promoting soil health and sustainable farming |
Khet Bachao Abhiyan 2026 | 22 October–30 November |
Nuakhai | Traditional harvest festival associated particularly with western Odisha |
CDRI | Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure |
India–Poland trade target | Double bilateral trade by 2030 |
India–Israel relationship | Special Strategic Partnership |
MAHASAGAR | Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions |
RBI | India's central bank |
KYC | Know Your Customer |
NSAP | National Social Assistance Programme |
Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana | Revised name of NSAP |
Precision medicine | Healthcare approach tailored to individual characteristics |
Asian Para Games 2026 | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
International Stuttering Awareness Day | 22 October |
ISAD 2026 theme | “Shades of Stuttering – What's yours?” |
9. Quiz Revision Questions – 22 October 2026
Revise the important current-affairs facts using these direct questions and answers.
Q1. What is the primary objective of Khet Bachao Abhiyan?
Answer: To protect soil health and promote balanced fertiliser use and sustainable farming practices.
Q2. Where was Khet Bachao Abhiyan launched on 22 October 2026?
Answer: Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana.
Q3. Which traditional harvest festival was celebrated during President Droupadi Murmu's programme in Raipur?
Answer: Nuakhai.
Q4. What trade target did India and Poland agree to pursue by 2030?
Answer: Doubling bilateral trade.
Q5. What is the full form of CDRI?
Answer: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Q6. Which three major cooperation initiatives were announced during the India–Poland visit?
Answer: Poland's participation in CDRI, a Defence Industry Dialogue and a counter-terrorism dialogue, alongside the bilateral trade target.
Q7. What is the full form of MAHASAGAR?
Answer: Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Q8. Until when will the Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign continue?
Answer: 31 December 2026.
Q9. What is the revised name of the National Social Assistance Programme?
Answer: Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
Q10. What is the approved outlay for continuing the social-assistance programme for five years from 2026–27?
Answer: ₹53,428 crore.
Q11. What is precision medicine?
Answer: An approach to healthcare that uses individual patient characteristics, including genetic information, to help tailor prevention and treatment.
Q12. Which Indian para-athletes won India's first-ever Asian Para Games medal in men's doubles SL3–SU5 para-badminton?
Answer: Naveen Sivakumar and Surya Kant Yadav.
Q13. Who won gold in the women's individual para compound archery event at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Answer: Sheetal Devi.
Q14. What was the theme of the 2026 International Stuttering Awareness Day online conference?
Answer: “Shades of Stuttering – What's yours?”
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