Daily Current Affairs — 2 October 2026
· 22 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
People's Plan Campaign 2026-27 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas' opens with over 2.42 lakh Special Gram Sabhas; the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 replaces the 1891 law; the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave on 'Resilience in an Age of Flux'; National Coastal Mission 2.0 guidelines (₹767 crore); SETU-NSP scholarship app; India hosts the World Congress of Gastroenterology for the first time; No. 17 'Golden Arrows' Squadron turns 75; Captain Smit Machchhar's courage on flydubai FZ1073; THE World University Rankings 2027; PIB chief re-employed; Telangana gets two new gecko species and tops southern states in GST growth; Andhra Pradesh's ₹1 lakh crore 'Rayalaseema Rising' horticulture hub and India's first 3D-printed government houses at Burripalem.
1. Polity & Governance
People's Plan Campaign 2026-27: 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas'
Why in news: On 2 October 2026 (Gandhi Jayanti), the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27 across the country through Special Gram Sabhas. Its theme is 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas' — a plan made by everyone, development for everyone.
Key facts
- Purpose: Gram Panchayats prepare their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) for the financial year 2027-28 with the participation of villagers.
- Scale: More than 2.42 lakh Special Gram Sabhas were scheduled on 2 October on the GPDP Portal and the Panchayat NIRNAY Portal.
- Since 2018: The People's Plan Campaign began in 2018. Since then, over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats have prepared plans and uploaded them on the eGramSwaraj portal.
- Partners: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj runs the campaign with 21 central ministries and departments. Gram Sabha agendas included SVAMITVA, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen, water conservation and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026.
- eGramSwaraj: A digital platform of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for panchayat planning, progress reporting and work-based accounting.
Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Comes into Force
Why in news: The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 came into force on 1 October 2026. It replaces the 135-year-old Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891 of the British period, and modernises how bank records are used as evidence in courts.
Key facts
- Law-making timeline: Passed by the Lok Sabha on 5 August and the Rajya Sabha on 10 August 2026; Presidential assent on 13 August 2026; in force from 1 October 2026.
- Records covered: Technology-neutral: physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based records, including back-up and disaster-recovery sites.
- Certified copies: Certified copies are accepted as evidence without producing the original books. Certification may be manual, digital or by electronic signature.
- Protection for banks: When a bank is not a party to a case, a court must record a special reason in writing before summoning bank officials.
Dhirendra Ojha Re-employed as PIB Principal Director General
Why in news: The President approved the re-employment of Dhirendra Ojha, a 1990-batch Indian Information Service (IIS) officer, as Principal Director General of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on a contractual basis for one year — from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027. He is also the Government of India's Principal Spokesperson.
2. Economy
5th Kautilya Economic Conclave: 'Resilience in an Age of Flux'
Why in news: The fifth edition of the Kautilya Economic Conclave (KEC 2026) is being held in New Delhi from 3 to 5 October 2026 on the theme 'Resilience in an Age of Flux' — how economies can stay strong amid global uncertainty such as energy supply disruptions.
Key facts
- Organisers: Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), New Delhi, in partnership with the Union Ministry of Finance.
- Inaugural address: Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan delivers the inaugural address on 3 October; Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman gives a special address.
- First edition: The conclave was first held in 2022. About 180 participants, including 80+ international experts from around 30 countries, are expected this year.
GST: Records to Remember
Why in news: Following the September 2026 GST data (gross collections ₹2,03,521 crore, up 14.7%), exam-relevant records are worth noting. Monthly figures need not be memorised, but records are often asked.
- Highest-ever month: April 2026 — ₹2.43 lakh crore (₹2,42,702 crore), the all-time monthly record since GST began.
- FY 2025-26 total: ₹22.27 lakh crore for the whole financial year.
- Basics: GST is an indirect tax, introduced by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016 and in force from 1 July 2017 (GST Day). Article 279A provides for the GST Council, chaired by the Union Finance Minister. GST 2.0 (from 22 September 2025) kept 5% and 18% as main slabs and added a 40% special rate.
3. Environment
National Coastal Mission 2.0: Guidelines Released
Why in news: On 30 September 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the implementation guidelines of the National Coastal Mission (NCM) 2.0 in New Delhi. It aims at a 'whole-of-government' approach to protect India's coasts and seas.
Key facts
- Type & outlay: A Central Sector Scheme (fully funded by the Centre) with an outlay of ₹767 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Coverage: 9 coastal states — Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal — and 4 UTs: Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry, Lakshadweep.
- Focus areas: Coastal vulnerability assessment, ecosystem restoration, marine pollution control, biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, coastal and marine spatial planning, research and capacity building — supporting a sustainable blue economy.
- NCM 1.0: The first version ran from 2021-22 to 2025-26; NCM 2.0 subsumes it.
4. Social Sector & Health
SETU-NSP App Simplifies Scholarship Access
Why in news: On 1 October 2026, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted its SETU-NSP mobile app, which brings scholarship services for students onto a single platform. SETU stands for 'Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment'; NSP is the National Scholarship Portal.
- Who benefits: Students applying for pre-matric and post-matric scholarships, especially SC and OBC students.
- Services: One-time registration, online application, document verification, real-time status tracking and payment through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It is also integrated with the UMANG app.
India Hosts the World Congress of Gastroenterology for the First Time
Why in news: The 20th World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG 2026) — the first ever held in India — took place at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi, from 30 September to 3 October 2026. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated it.
Key facts
- Theme: 'Transforming Gastrointestinal Health, Preserving Nature'.
- Hosts: Indian Society of Gastroenterology (ISG) and the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO), a global federation of gastroenterology societies.
- Participation: About 3,000 delegates from 61 countries; '10 Commandments for GI Health' were released on the opening day.
5. Defence
No. 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' Turns 75
Why in news: The Indian Air Force's No. 17 Squadron, known as the 'Golden Arrows', completed 75 years on 1 October 2026 and celebrated its Platinum Jubilee at Air Force Station Ambala (Haryana).
Key facts
- Raised: 1 October 1951 at Ambala; first Commanding Officer Flt Lt Douglas Llewellyn Springett. It began as a tactical reconnaissance unit with 12 Harvard IIB aircraft.
- Aircraft journey: Harvard → Vampire (1955) → Hunter (1957) → MiG-21 (1975) → Rafale (2020). It was re-raised at Ambala in 2019 and became the IAF's first Rafale squadron.
- Operations: Goa liberation (1961), the 1965 and 1971 wars, the Kargil conflict of 1999 (led by Wing Commander B.S. Dhanoa, later Chief of the Air Staff), Balakot (2019) and Operation Sindoor (May 2025).
6. Persons in News & Rankings
Captain Smit Machchhar: Hero of flydubai Flight FZ1073
Why in news: On 30 September 2026, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit by his co-pilot on flydubai flight FZ1073 (Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel). Though seriously injured, he fought back and opened the cockpit door; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, and the plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 174 people on board were saved.
- Gujarat award: On 1 October 2026, Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced the 'Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award' for him, calling him a 'valiant son of Gujarat'.
- Praise: He was praised by the Prime Minister of India and by Israel's Prime Minister. flydubai is an airline based in Dubai, UAE.
THE World University Rankings 2027: Oxford First Again, IISc Leads India
Why in news: Times Higher Education (THE), UK, released its World University Rankings 2027 on 30 September 2026. It ranks 2,297 universities from 118 countries and territories.
THE World University Rankings 2027 — top places| Rank | University | Country |
|---|
| 1 | University of Oxford (11th year in a row) | UK |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | USA |
| Joint 3 | Princeton University and Stanford University | USA |
| Joint 254 | Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru — best in India | India |
7. Telangana Focus
Two New Gecko Species Discovered in Telangana
Why in news: Scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and other institutions have described two new gecko (lizard) species of the genus Hemidactylus from Nalgonda and Warangal districts. The paper was published in the European Journal of Taxonomy on 30 September 2026.
Key facts
- Hemidactylus cairnicola: Found among rocks and stone cairns (stone heaps) near Vardhamani Gudem, Nalgonda district — the name 'cairnicola' means 'dweller of cairns'.
- Hemidactylus koyaorum: Found in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Warangal district; named in honour of the Koya tribal community.
- Significance: Both are close relatives of Hemidactylus treutleri and were identified using body features and DNA (ND2 gene). Reptiles found only in Telangana (endemic) now number six.
Telangana Tops Southern States in September GST Growth
Why in news: Telangana collected ₹5,327 crore GST in September 2026 (₹4,512 crore a year earlier) — a growth of 18%, the highest among the major southern states.
September 2026 GST — southern states| State | Collection | Growth |
|---|
| Telangana | ₹5,327 crore | 18% |
| Karnataka | ₹13,884 crore | 16% |
| Kerala | ₹3,328 crore | 11% |
| Andhra Pradesh | ₹3,599 crore | 6% |
| Tamil Nadu | ₹10,188 crore | −5% |
8. Andhra Pradesh Focus
'Rayalaseema Rising': ₹1 Lakh Crore Global Horticulture Hub
Why in news: On 2 October 2026, AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid the foundation stone of the Global Horticulture Hub – 'Rayalaseema Rising' at Madanapalle, Annamayya district, to make Andhra Pradesh a leader in fruits and vegetables. The foundation of the Indian School of Agriculture was laid at the same event.
Key facts
- Investment: About ₹1 lakh crore in three phases — Centre about ₹40,352 crore; State and private sector about ₹60,000 crore.
- Area target: Horticulture area to grow from 8.41 lakh to 14.41 lakh hectares (6 lakh hectares more); output from 222 to 435 lakh tonnes.
- Coverage: 10 districts, 201 clusters, 303 mandals; about 9.6 lakh farmers to benefit directly.
- Indian School of Agriculture: Modelled on the Indian School of Business, on a 100-acre campus at Madanapalle, with Reliance Industries as partner; Anant Ambani attended the event.
Burripalem: India's First 3D-Printed Houses in Government Housing
Why in news: Andhra Pradesh will use 3D concrete printing for the first time in India in government housing. As a pilot, 100 houses will be built at Burripalem (Tenali constituency, Guntur district) under PMAY-Gramin 2.0 by CSIR–Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. An MoU among the State Housing Department, the Centre and CBRI is planned for 4 October.
- Size: Each house will be 325 square feet, as per central norms.
- 3D concrete printing: An additive-manufacturing method: a robotic or gantry printer builds walls layer by layer from a digital design. It is claimed to be 50–70% faster with 30–60% less material waste.
- CBRI: Headquartered at Roorkee (Uttarakhand) — not Rourkela (Odisha). It is a lab of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR, est. 1942, New Delhi), whose first woman Director General is N. Kalaiselvi.
Also in Andhra Pradesh
- State Apprenticeship Council: The AP government constituted a State Apprenticeship Council (chaired by the Principal Secretary, Skills Development & Training) and a state committee for the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) 2.0. Such councils are provided for under the Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Visakhapatnam exports: Visakhapatnam is Andhra Pradesh's top exporting district in 2025-26, with more than half of the state's merchandise exports (about ₹1.76 lakh crore in all). Visakhapatnam Port handled 48.89% of India's seafood exports in 2025-26.
9. Quick Revision — One-Liners
Practice questions with answers
With reference to the People's Plan Campaign 2026-27, consider the following statements:
- It was launched on 2 October 2026 through Special Gram Sabhas with the theme 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas'.
- Under it, Gram Panchayat Development Plans are prepared for the financial year 2026-27.
- The People's Plan Campaign was first started in 2018.
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the plans made in this campaign are for the next financial year, 2027-28. The campaign began in 2018, and plans are uploaded on the eGramSwaraj portal.
Consider the following statements about the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026:
- It replaces the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891.
- It recognises cloud-based and digital bank records as evidence.
- It came into force on the day it received Presidential assent.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Act got Presidential assent on 13 August 2026 but came into force later, on 1 October 2026, through a notification.
With reference to the National Coastal Mission 2.0, consider the following statements:
- It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in which states share the cost.
- It has an outlay of ₹767 crore for 2025-26 to 2030-31.
- It covers 9 coastal states and 4 Union Territories.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
Answer: (D) 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 1 is wrong: NCM 2.0 is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Centre, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Match the item in news with its location:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Hemidactylus cairnicola | 1. Madanapalle, Annamayya district |
| B. Hemidactylus koyaorum | 2. Nalgonda district |
| C. World Congress of Gastroenterology 2026 | 3. Yashobhoomi, New Delhi |
| D. Global Horticulture Hub – Rayalaseema Rising | 4. Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Warangal |
- A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
- A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
- A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
- A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
Answer: (C) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Explanation: H. cairnicola was found near Vardhamani Gudem in Nalgonda district; H. koyaorum in Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, Warangal; WCOG 2026 was held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi; the Rayalaseema Rising hub is at Madanapalle. Hence A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1.
Match the institution with its place in the THE World University Rankings 2027:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. University of Oxford | 1. Joint 254th |
| B. Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2. 1st |
| C. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru | 3. Joint 3rd |
| D. Stanford University | 4. 2nd |
- A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
- A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
- A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
- A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Answer: (A) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Explanation: Oxford is 1st for the 11th year in a row, MIT 2nd, Princeton and Stanford joint 3rd, and IISc Bengaluru — India's best — joint 254th. Hence A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): No. 17 Squadron 'Golden Arrows' became the first squadron of the Indian Air Force to fly the Rafale.
Reason (R): No. 17 Squadron was originally raised at Ambala in 1951.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
Explanation: Both are true, but R does not explain A. The squadron got Rafales in 2020 after being re-raised at Ambala in 2019; the fact that it was first raised in 1951 does not explain why it was chosen for the Rafale.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): flydubai flight FZ1073 made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on 30 September 2026.
Reason (R): The co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit during the flight.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Both are true and R explains A. Because of the mid-air attack by the co-pilot, the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight was diverted and landed in an emergency at Tabuk; all 174 people on board were saved.
What is the theme of the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave (3–5 October 2026)?
- Growth amid Global Turbulence
- Viksit Bharat through Green Growth
- Prosperity through Partnership
- Resilience in an Age of Flux
Answer: (D) Resilience in an Age of Flux
Explanation: The theme is 'Resilience in an Age of Flux'. The conclave is organised by the Institute of Economic Growth with the Ministry of Finance; it was first held in 2022.
In the SETU-NSP app of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, what does 'SETU' stand for?
- Student Empowerment Through Upskilling
- Scheme for Education and Training of the Underprivileged
- Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment
- Single-window Education Transfer Utility
Answer: (C) Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment
Explanation: SETU stands for 'Scholarship for Educational Transformation and Upliftment'; NSP is the National Scholarship Portal. The app offers registration, application, verification, status tracking and DBT payment on one platform.
By what percentage did Telangana's GST collections grow in September 2026, the highest among major southern states?
- 14.7%
- 18%
- 16%
- 11%
Answer: (B) 18%
Explanation: Telangana collected ₹5,327 crore, up 18%. 14.7% is the national growth rate; Karnataka grew 16% and Kerala 11%.
తెలుగులో సారాంశం (Telugu summary)
డైలీ కరెంట్ అఫైర్స్ — 2 అక్టోబర్ 2026
2.42 లక్షలకు పైగా ప్రత్యేక గ్రామసభలతో 'సబ్కీ యోజన, సబ్కా వికాస్' పీపుల్స్ ప్లాన్ క్యాంపెయిన్ 2026-27 ప్రారంభం; 1891 చట్టం స్థానంలో బ్యాంకర్స్ బుక్స్ ఎవిడెన్స్ యాక్ట్, 2026; 'రెసిలియన్స్ ఇన్ యాన్ ఏజ్ ఆఫ్ ఫ్లక్స్' థీమ్తో 5వ కౌటిల్య ఎకనామిక్ కాన్క్లేవ్; నేషనల్ కోస్టల్ మిషన్ 2.0 మార్గదర్శకాలు (₹767 కోట్లు); SETU-NSP స్కాలర్షిప్ యాప్; తొలిసారిగా భారత్లో వరల్డ్ కాంగ్రెస్ ఆఫ్ గ్యాస్ట్రోఎంటరాలజీ; 75 ఏళ్ల 'గోల్డెన్ ఆరోస్' 17వ స్క్వాడ్రన్; ఫ్లైదుబాయ్ FZ1073లో కెప్టెన్ స్మిత్ మచ్ఛర్ ధైర్యం; THE వరల్డ్ యూనివర్సిటీ ర్యాంకింగ్స్ 2027; PIB చీఫ్ పునర్నియామకం; తెలంగాణలో రెండు కొత్త బల్లి జాతులు, GST వృద్ధిలో దక్షిణాదిలో అగ్రస్థానం; ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్లో ₹1 లక్ష కోట్ల 'రాయలసీమ రైజింగ్' ఉద్యాన హబ్, బుర్రిపాలెంలో దేశంలోనే తొలి ప్రభుత్వ 3D ప్రింటెడ్ ఇళ్లు.
పూర్తి తెలుగు పాఠం కోసం పేజీలో భాష మార్చండి (English / తెలుగు).