Daily Current Affairs – 15 October 2026: Prepare for SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC and State PSC examinations with these important current affairs updates. This edition covers Ladakh infrastructure, IDBI Bank restructuring, social security, railway employees’ bonus, PM GatiShakti and India–ASEAN defence cooperation.
1. Ladakh Development Projects Worth Around ₹3,350 Crore
The Prime Minister was scheduled to inaugurate and dedicate five development projects worth approximately ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh on 15 October 2026. The announced projects cover transport connectivity, hydropower, electricity transmission, heritage conservation and water security.
- Leh Airport: New passenger terminal building.
- Strategic connectivity: The 298-km Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road, providing alternative connectivity to Ladakh.
- Renewable energy: The 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project.
- Power transmission: The 66 kV double-circuit Dah–Hanu–Khaltsi transmission line.
- Heritage: India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, Leh.
Why it matters: The road is important for strategic mobility and access to the Zanskar region, while the energy projects aim to strengthen Ladakh’s electricity infrastructure.
Exam takeaway: Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road is associated with Ladakh; the Petroglyph Conservation Park is located at Sindhu Ghat, Leh.
2. Government Approves Strategic Restructuring of IDBI Bank
On 14 October 2026, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the strategic buyer for the proposed acquisition of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank Ltd.
- Approved buyer: 10955230 Canada Inc., the parent entity of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
- Proposed stake: 60.72% — Government of India stake of 30.48% and LIC stake of 30.24%.
- Purchase consideration: Approximately ₹52,878.08 crore.
- Bid price: ₹81 per share.
The transaction remains subject to applicable regulatory requirements. The approved buyer will need to meet the RBI’s fit-and-proper assessment and other prescribed conditions.
Exam takeaway: IDBI Bank is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. Do not confuse approval of the strategic buyer with completion of the transaction.
3. National Social Assistance Programme to Continue Until 2030–31
The Union Cabinet approved 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 programme is to be renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
- The approval is expected to benefit around 3.20 crore beneficiaries across all 36 States and Union Territories.
- The benchmark disability criterion for disability pension is revised to 40%, from 80% previously.
- The minimum age criterion for disability pension will be since birth.
- Old-age and widow pension schemes and the family benefit scheme will continue in their existing form under the approval.
Background: NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995. It is associated with social assistance to eligible poor households and the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Exam takeaway: Article 41 of the Constitution concerns the right to work, education and public assistance in certain cases, within the State’s economic capacity and development.
4. Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employees
The Union Cabinet approved a Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) equivalent to 78 days’ wages for eligible railway employees for the relevant accounting year.
The PLB is intended to recognise railway employees’ contribution to railway operations and performance. Eligibility and individual payment are governed by the applicable official rules.
Exam takeaway: Remember the key figure announced in the Cabinet decision: 78 days.
5. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan Completes Five Years
Launched in October 2021, PM GatiShakti promotes integrated infrastructure planning by bringing geospatial and infrastructure data from different ministries and departments onto a common digital platform.
- Coverage includes 58 Central Ministries/Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories.
- The platform integrates more than 1,800 data layers.
- The Network Planning Group evaluated over 400 infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹20.23 lakh crore, according to the October 2026 government update.
- The plan supports multimodal connectivity, coordinated project planning and last-mile connectivity.
Exam takeaway: PM GatiShakti is a geospatial, integrated infrastructure-planning initiative launched in 2021.
6. First ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum
The first ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum was held at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi, on 14–15 October 2026. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh addressed the forum on 14 October.
Discussions included maritime security, the Indo-Pacific, defence technology, cybersecurity, space, unmanned systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and defence-industry cooperation.
Exam takeaway: MP-IDSA is based in New Delhi. The forum focuses on strategic dialogue and defence cooperation between India and ASEAN.
7. India–Brunei Trade and Economic Cooperation
India and Brunei Darussalam reviewed bilateral trade and economic cooperation at the third Joint Trade Committee meeting, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s 14 October 2026 update.
Exam takeaway: Brunei Darussalam is a member of ASEAN and is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
8. Important Facts for Competitive Exams
- Ladakh: Union Territory of India.
- Sindhu Ghat: Location of the announced Petroglyph Conservation Park in Leh.
- IDBI Bank: Regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
- LIC: Life Insurance Corporation of India.
- NSAP launch: 15 August 1995.
- PM GatiShakti launch: October 2021.
- MP-IDSA: Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.
- ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz – 15 October 2026
Try these 15 questions before checking the answers.
Q1. What is the approximate value of the five development projects announced for Ladakh?
- ₹1,500 crore
- ₹2,200 crore
- ₹3,350 crore
- ₹5,000 crore
Q2. What is the length of the Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road mentioned in the Ladakh project announcement?
- 198 km
- 248 km
- 298 km
- 398 km
Q3. Where is the announced Petroglyph Conservation Park located?
- Leh
- Kargil town
- Jammu
- Srinagar
Q4. Which entity was approved as the strategic buyer for the proposed IDBI Bank stake acquisition?
- State Bank of India
- 10955230 Canada Inc., parent entity of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
- Reserve Bank of India
Q5. What is the proposed stake being acquired in IDBI Bank?
- 26.00%
- 49.00%
- 51.00%
- 60.72%
Q6. What is the approved outlay for continuing NSAP for five years?
- ₹15,000 crore
- ₹30,000 crore
- ₹53,428 crore
- ₹1 lakh crore
Q7. NSAP was launched in which year?
- 1991
- 1995
- 2000
- 2005
Q8. What benchmark disability percentage was announced for disability pension under the NSAP approval?
- 20%
- 40%
- 60%
- 80%
Q9. How many days’ wages is the approved Railway Productivity Linked Bonus equivalent to?
- 30 days
- 45 days
- 60 days
- 78 days
Q10. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan was launched in which year?
- 2018
- 2019
- 2021
- 2024
Q11. PM GatiShakti covers how many Central Ministries/Departments in the October 2026 update?
- 28
- 36
- 58
- 100
Q12. Where was the first ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum held?
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Chennai
- Guwahati
Q13. What does ASEAN stand for?
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Asian Security and Economic Alliance Network
- Association of South European and Asian Nations
- Alliance for Science, Energy and Agriculture Network
Q14. Which institution regulates IDBI Bank?
- SEBI
- IRDAI
- RBI
- NITI Aayog
Q15. Which Union Territory is the focus of the announced airport, road and hydropower projects?
- Lakshadweep
- Puducherry
- Chandigarh
- Ladakh
Answers with Explanations
- C — ₹3,350 crore. This is the approximate combined value of the five announced Ladakh projects.
- C — 298 km. The Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road provides alternative connectivity to Ladakh.
- A — Leh. The announced conservation park is at Sindhu Ghat, Leh.
- B — 10955230 Canada Inc. It is the parent entity of Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
- D — 60.72%. The proposed stake combines 30.48% held by the Government of India and 30.24% held by LIC.
- C — ₹53,428 crore. The outlay covers five years, from 2026–27 to 2030–31.
- B — 1995. NSAP was launched on 15 August 1995.
- B — 40%. This is the revised benchmark disability criterion announced in the Cabinet approval.
- D — 78 days. The Cabinet approved PLB equivalent to 78 days’ wages for eligible railway employees.
- C — 2021. PM GatiShakti was launched in October 2021.
- C — 58. The plan covers 58 Central Ministries/Departments and all 36 States/UTs.
- B — New Delhi. The forum was held at MP-IDSA in New Delhi.
- A — Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN is a regional organisation in Southeast Asia.
- C — RBI. IDBI Bank is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
- D — Ladakh. The projects focus on transport, energy, heritage and water security in Ladakh.
Quick Revision – 15 October 2026
- Ladakh projects: approximately ₹3,350 crore.
- Nimmu–Padum–Darcha Road: 298 km.
- Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project: 9 MW.
- IDBI Bank proposed stake acquisition: 60.72%.
- Approved strategic buyer’s parent: Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
- NSAP continuation: 2026–27 to 2030–31.
- NSAP approved outlay: ₹53,428 crore.
- NSAP launched: 15 August 1995.
- Railway PLB: 78 days’ wages.
- PM GatiShakti launched: October 2021.
- PM GatiShakti coverage: 58 Central Ministries/Departments and 36 States/UTs.
- ASEAN–India Defence Think Tank Forum: MP-IDSA, New Delhi.
Official Sources
- PMO/PIB – Ladakh development projects
- PIB – IDBI Bank strategic restructuring
- PIB – National Social Assistance Programme
- PIB – Cabinet and Ministry releases
- PIB – PM GatiShakti five-year update
For exam preparation, use the official notifications linked above for final confirmation of dates, eligibility and implementation details.