Daily Current Affairs – 5 October 2026 brings today’s important national, international, economy, defence, environment, governance and sports updates for SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
🇮🇳 National Current Affairs
1. Next-Gen GST Completes One Year
The Government reviewed the first-year outcomes of the Next-Gen GST rate rationalisation introduced on 22 September 2025.
- Core GST structure focuses mainly on 5% and 18% rates.
- A 40% demerit rate applies to specified sin and luxury goods.
- The reform aims to simplify taxation, reduce rate distortions and improve compliance.
- Gross GST collection during H1 FY 2026-27 was reported at about ₹12.46 lakh crore.
Exam Point: Next-Gen GST focuses not only on rate rationalisation but also on technology-driven compliance and easier taxpayer services.
2. India–Switzerland State Visit: Key Outcomes
India and Switzerland announced important outcomes during the State Visit of the President of the Swiss Confederation to India.
- Migration and Mobility Partnership aims to strengthen cooperation while addressing irregular migration and human trafficking.
- Multiple-entry visas of up to 5 years are provided under the framework, subject to applicable conditions.
- An Exchange of Young Professionals agreement provides for exchanges of 300 persons annually from each country, with scope to increase to 500.
3. Great Indian Bustard Conservation
India continued its conservation efforts for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) through captive breeding and scientific recovery programmes.
The species is closely associated with India’s arid and grassland ecosystems, particularly in Rajasthan.
4. Delhi High Court on Valid Visa and Entry into India
The Delhi High Court held that possession of a valid visa does not give a foreign national an inherent or legally enforceable right to enter India.
The judgment distinguishes between grant of a visa and actual admission into India, which remains subject to immigration law and the sovereign powers of the State.
Exam Point: A visa permits a foreign national to seek entry; it does not automatically guarantee admission.
5. Special Campaign 6.0 Continues
Special Campaign 6.0 is being implemented from 2 October to 31 October 2026, focusing on cleanliness, reduction of pendency, record management, space utilisation and scientific disposal of e-waste.
🛡️ Defence Current Affairs
6. India–UAE Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 Begins
The India–UAE Joint Military Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.
- Dates: 5–18 October 2026
- Focus: Mountain Warfare
- Total personnel: 92
- Participants: Indian Army and UAE Army
The exercise includes joint planning, tactical drills, firing practices, drone operations, rock climbing, obstacle training and integrated field exercises.
7. INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish Complete AIME-2026
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish concluded their participation in the second edition of the ASEAN–India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026).
- Venue: Subic Bay, Philippines
- Theme: “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea”
- Objective: Strengthen maritime cooperation, interoperability and mutual understanding between India and ASEAN member states.
8. Indian Navy’s Maritime Capability Highlighted in Visakhapatnam
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh highlighted the Indian Navy’s growing combat capability, indigenous naval capacity and strategic importance in safeguarding India’s maritime interests during his interaction with naval personnel in Visakhapatnam.
He also emphasised the importance of India’s maritime potential for national prosperity, economic growth and strategic strength.
9. Fleet Support Ship Programme to Strengthen Naval Logistics
The Ministry of Defence announced that the first Fleet Support Ship, FSS-1, would be launched at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam, on 6 October 2026.
- FSS-1 is the first of five Fleet Support Ships being built for the Indian Navy.
- Displacement: approximately 43,500 tonnes
- Role: Replenishment of naval warships at sea and extending operational endurance.
10. HAL Koraput to Mark 2,000th Aero-Engine Milestone
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Koraput division was scheduled to mark the delivery of its 2,000th aero-engine, highlighting India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capability.
💰 Economy & Infrastructure
11. Coal Supply to Power Sector Strengthened
Coal India Limited continued measures to strengthen coal availability and distribution to the power sector, supporting energy security and reliable electricity generation.
The Government has been focusing on improved coal logistics, availability and supply-chain efficiency.
12. GST Council Meeting Rescheduled
The 57th GST Council meeting was rescheduled to 8 October 2026.
The meeting is expected to consider procedural reforms relating to GST registration, returns, refunds, input tax credit and dispute resolution.
🌍 International Current Affairs
13. India–ASEAN Maritime Cooperation
The successful conclusion of AIME-2026 reinforced India’s Act East Policy and maritime engagement with ASEAN countries.
The exercise focused on practical cooperation and interoperability between participating naval forces.
14. Switzerland–India Young Professionals Exchange
The India–Switzerland Young Professionals arrangement is designed to allow young professionals to gain temporary work experience in each other’s countries while developing professional and language skills.
The programme provides for 300 exchanges annually per country, with the possibility of increasing the number to 500.
🏆 Sports Current Affairs
15. India Finishes Asian Games 2026 with 85 Medals
India finished the Asian Games 2026 in fourth position with a total of 85 medals.
- Gold: 21
- Silver: 27
- Bronze: 37
India’s strong performance included gold medals in cricket, hockey, archery, wrestling and golf along with several other memorable performances.
⚡ Quick Revision – 5 October 2026
- Next-Gen GST introduced – 22 September 2025
- Core GST rates – 5% and 18%
- Demerit GST rate – 40%
- India–Switzerland Migration and Mobility Partnership – Key bilateral outcome
- Young Professionals exchange – 300 annually per country
- Mountain Guardian 2026 – India–UAE
- Mountain Guardian venue – Chaubatia, Uttarakhand
- Mountain Guardian dates – 5–18 October 2026
- AIME-2026 venue – Subic Bay, Philippines
- AIME-2026 theme – Anchored in Trust, United at Sea
- Indian ships in AIME-2026 – INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
- Fleet Support Ship FSS-1 – 43,500 tonnes
- FSS-1 builder – Hindustan Shipyard Limited
- 57th GST Council meeting – 8 October 2026
- India Asian Games 2026 medals – 85
❓ Daily Current Affairs MCQs – 5 October 2026
1. Which two core GST rates form the main structure of Next-Gen GST?
A) 3% and 12%
B) 5% and 18%
C) 12% and 28%
D) 18% and 40%
Answer: B) 5% and 18%
2. What is the demerit GST rate applicable to specified sin and luxury goods?
A) 18%
B) 28%
C) 35%
D) 40%
Answer: D) 40%
3. India signed which partnership framework with Switzerland to strengthen migration and mobility cooperation?
A) Strategic Mobility Agreement
B) Migration and Mobility Partnership
C) European Mobility Pact
D) Labour Mobility Treaty
Answer: B) Migration and Mobility Partnership
4. Where is Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 being conducted?
A) Ladakh
B) Chaubatia, Uttarakhand
C) Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
D) Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: B) Chaubatia, Uttarakhand
5. Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 is conducted between India and:
A) France
B) UAE
C) Japan
D) Australia
Answer: B) UAE
6. What is the theme of AIME-2026?
A) Together for Peace
B) Anchored in Trust, United at Sea
C) Secure Oceans, Shared Future
D) Maritime India 2047
Answer: B) Anchored in Trust, United at Sea
7. Which Indian naval ships participated in AIME-2026?
A) INS Trishul and INS Tarkash
B) INS Vikrant and INS Kolkata
C) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
D) INS Chennai and INS Shivalik
Answer: C) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
8. AIME-2026 was held at which location?
A) Singapore
B) Subic Bay, Philippines
C) Jakarta, Indonesia
D) Da Nang, Vietnam
Answer: B) Subic Bay, Philippines
9. What is the approximate displacement of Fleet Support Ship FSS-1?
A) 25,000 tonnes
B) 35,000 tonnes
C) 43,500 tonnes
D) 55,000 tonnes
Answer: C) 43,500 tonnes
10. FSS-1 is being built at which shipyard?
A) Cochin Shipyard Limited
B) Garden Reach Shipbuilders
C) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
D) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Answer: C) Hindustan Shipyard Limited
11. What is the rescheduled date of the 57th GST Council meeting?
A) 5 October 2026
B) 7 October 2026
C) 8 October 2026
D) 10 October 2026
Answer: C) 8 October 2026
12. What principle did the Delhi High Court emphasise regarding a valid visa?
A) A visa always guarantees entry
B) A visa automatically grants citizenship
C) A valid visa does not create an absolute right of entry
D) A visa is equivalent to permanent residence
Answer: C) A valid visa does not create an absolute right of entry
13. How many Fleet Support Ships are being built for the Indian Navy under the programme?
A) 3
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6
Answer: C) 5
14. How many total medals did India win at the Asian Games 2026?
A) 75
B) 79
C) 85
D) 90
Answer: C) 85
15. Which Indian Navy ships concluded participation in AIME-2026?
A) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
B) INS Trishul and INS Vikrant
C) INS Tarkash and INS Chennai
D) INS Kolkata and INS Shivalik
Answer: A) INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish
🎯 Exam Takeaway
Today’s most important revision points are Next-Gen GST, India–Switzerland bilateral outcomes, Mountain Guardian – India & UAE, AIME-2026 – ASEAN & India, FSS-1 – 43,500 tonnes, Delhi HC visa ruling and India’s 85-medal Asian Games 2026 performance.
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