Daily Current Affairs – 8 October 2026 brings today’s important national, international, economy, banking, defence, science, environment and sports updates for SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC, State PSC and other competitive examinations.
🇮🇳 National Current Affairs
1. Indian Air Force Day 2026
Indian Air Force Day is observed every year on 8 October to commemorate the establishment of the Indian Air Force in 1932.
- Indian Air Force established: 8 October 1932
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- IAF motto: Nabha Sparsham Deeptham – Touch the Sky with Glory
The day honours the service, courage and contribution of Indian Air Force personnel in safeguarding India’s airspace.
2. Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority Approved
The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) as a Special Purpose Vehicle.
The authority is intended to improve coordination among different transport modes and strengthen India’s logistics ecosystem.
Exam Point: ITLA is aimed at improving multimodal transport integration and logistics efficiency.
3. National SC-ST Hub Highlights Inclusive Entrepreneurship
The Government highlighted the role of the National SC-ST Hub in strengthening entrepreneurship among Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs.
The initiative supports capacity building, market access, procurement opportunities and participation of SC-ST enterprises in the formal business ecosystem.
💰 Economy & Banking Current Affairs
4. RBI Raises Repo Rate to 5.50%
The Reserve Bank of India Monetary Policy Committee raised the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%.
- Previous repo rate: 5.25%
- New repo rate: 5.50%
- SDF rate: 5.25%
- MSF rate: 5.75%
- Bank Rate: 5.75%
This was the first repo-rate increase since February 2023.
5. RBI Changes Monetary Policy Stance
The RBI changed its monetary policy stance from Neutral to Calibrated Tightening.
The RBI projected real GDP growth for FY 2026-27 at 7.1% and CPI inflation at 5.2%.
Exam Point: The MPC unanimously approved the 25-basis-point repo-rate increase.
6. World Bank Raises India’s FY27 Growth Forecast
The World Bank raised its forecast for India’s real GDP growth in FY 2026-27 to approximately 7.1%.
The revised forecast reflects resilience in domestic economic activity despite external uncertainties.
🛡️ Defence Current Affairs
7. ₹661 Crore BrahMos Contract Signed
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract worth approximately ₹661 crore for procurement of BrahMos Fire Control Systems and Launchers for Indian Navy ships.
The contract strengthens the combat capability of Indian naval platforms and supports indigenous defence manufacturing.
8. SAREX-2026 Conducted for Maritime Search and Rescue
The National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026) was inaugurated off the Paradip coast.
The exercise focuses on improving coordination and preparedness for maritime search-and-rescue operations involving different agencies and stakeholders.
Exam Point: SAREX is associated with Maritime Search and Rescue.
9. Fleet Support Ships Strengthen Indian Navy Logistics
The Indian Navy’s Fleet Support Ship programme reached an important milestone with the launch and keel-laying activities at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam.
Fleet Support Ships are designed to provide at-sea replenishment, fuel, stores and logistical support to naval vessels, thereby increasing their operational endurance.
10. HAL Koraput Delivers 2,000th Aero-Engine
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Koraput delivered its 2,000th aero-engine, marking an important milestone in India’s indigenous aerospace propulsion manufacturing.
The Koraput division has been associated with aero-engine manufacturing and overhaul activities for several decades.
11. DRDO Conducts High-Altitude Parachute Trial
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden live jump of an Advanced High-Altitude Parachute.
The development is relevant to India’s efforts to strengthen high-altitude air-delivery and specialised defence capabilities.
12. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed Next Chief of Air Staff
The Government appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the next Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
The appointment is an important leadership development for the Indian Air Force.
🌐 International & Science Current Affairs
13. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for discoveries related to asymmetric synthesis, non-linear effects and autocatalysis.
Their work helped deepen scientific understanding of how molecules with specific handedness can be produced and amplified.
Exam Point: The research is closely connected with the chemistry of molecular chirality and asymmetric synthesis.
14. Two Cheetahs Released in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
Two cheetahs were released into the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, making it the state’s third cheetah site after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary.
The expansion strengthens India’s cheetah conservation and species-reintroduction programme.
15. India Strengthens Satellite Communication Framework
The Government stated that India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory.
The framework is intended to support the growth of satellite-based connectivity while maintaining regulatory oversight and fair access.
⚡ Quick Revision – 8 October 2026
- Indian Air Force Day – 8 October
- IAF established – 1932
- IAF motto – Nabha Sparsham Deeptham
- New RBI repo rate – 5.50%
- Repo rate increase – 25 basis points
- RBI policy stance – Calibrated Tightening
- FY27 GDP projection by RBI – 7.1%
- FY27 CPI inflation projection – 5.2%
- ITLA – Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority
- BrahMos contract – ₹661 crore approximately
- SAREX – Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise
- Fleet Support Ship programme location – Visakhapatnam
- HAL Koraput milestone – 2,000th aero-engine
- Next Chief of Air Staff – Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
- Nobel Chemistry 2026 – Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
- New cheetah site in Madhya Pradesh – Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve
❓ Daily Current Affairs MCQs – 8 October 2026
1. Indian Air Force Day is observed on which date?
A) 4 October
B) 8 October
C) 15 October
D) 26 October
Answer: B) 8 October
2. In which year was the Indian Air Force established?
A) 1930
B) 1932
C) 1935
D) 1940
Answer: B) 1932
3. What is the current RBI repo rate after the October 2026 MPC decision?
A) 5.00%
B) 5.25%
C) 5.50%
D) 5.75%
Answer: C) 5.50%
4. What is the RBI’s new monetary policy stance?
A) Accommodative
B) Neutral
C) Calibrated Tightening
D) Expansionary
Answer: C) Calibrated Tightening
5. What is the name of the proposed integrated logistics authority?
A) National Logistics Authority
B) Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority
C) Indian Multimodal Transport Authority
D) National Transport Commission
Answer: B) Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority
6. The BrahMos contract worth about ₹661 crore is related to which service?
A) Indian Army
B) Indian Navy
C) Indian Air Force
D) Coast Guard
Answer: B) Indian Navy
7. SAREX-2026 is associated with:
A) Space research
B) Maritime Search and Rescue
C) Cyber security
D) Mountain warfare
Answer: B) Maritime Search and Rescue
8. Where is Hindustan Shipyard Limited located?
A) Kochi
B) Mumbai
C) Visakhapatnam
D) Chennai
Answer: C) Visakhapatnam
9. Which organisation delivered its 2,000th aero-engine at Koraput?
A) DRDO
B) HAL
C) ISRO
D) BEL
Answer: B) HAL
10. Who has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff?
A) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
B) Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh
C) Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari
D) Air Marshal Sandeep Singh
Answer: A) Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit
11. Who received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026?
A) Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
B) Francis Halzen and Kenso Soai
C) Henri B. Kagan and Francis Halzen
D) Kenso Soai and Peter Higgs
Answer: A) Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
12. The 2026 Nobel Chemistry work is associated with which area?
A) Nuclear fusion
B) Asymmetric synthesis and autocatalysis
C) Gravitational waves
D) Gene editing
Answer: B) Asymmetric synthesis and autocatalysis
13. In which state is Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve located?
A) Rajasthan
B) Gujarat
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Maharashtra
Answer: C) Madhya Pradesh
14. Which of the following was already a cheetah site in Madhya Pradesh?
A) Kuno National Park
B) Kaziranga National Park
C) Gir National Park
D) Bandipur National Park
Answer: A) Kuno National Park
15. What is the main purpose of Fleet Support Ships?
A) Space launches
B) At-sea replenishment and naval logistics support
C) Border surveillance only
D) Fighter aircraft operations
Answer: B) At-sea replenishment and naval logistics support
🎯 Exam Takeaway
Today’s most important revision points are Indian Air Force Day – 8 October, RBI Repo Rate – 5.50%, Calibrated Tightening, ITLA, ₹661 crore BrahMos contract, SAREX-2026, HAL’s 2,000th aero-engine, Ashutosh Dixit – next Chief of Air Staff, Nobel Chemistry 2026 and Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
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