Daily Current Affairs — 25 October 2026
· 14 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
MoRTH's draft vehicle-safety rules — emergency braking (AIS-185) and 'black box' Event Data Recorders (AIS-192); cargo at India's non-major ports, with Gujarat's two-thirds share and Andhra Pradesh in second place; Ashoke Sen becomes the first Indian to receive the Oskar Klein Medal; Assam's new Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award goes first to Usha Mangeshkar; Pankaj Advani's 29th world title at the World Billiards Championship; one-year extension for Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh; Punjab's SANGAT mental health clubs in 40 colleges; Lionel Messi receives the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports; Bodhana Sivanandan becomes the youngest female International Master. Followed by 10 practice questions.
1. Transport & Road Safety
MoRTH Draft Vehicle-Safety Rules — Emergency Braking (AIS-185) and 'Black Box' Event Data Recorders (AIS-192)
Why in news: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 (October 2026) that set compliance dates for car safety technologies — Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) and Event Data Recorders (EDRs), the car's 'black box'. The public has 30 days to send objections and suggestions.
⭐ Exam importance: High — road safety rules, the ministry that frames them, the Motor Vehicles Act/CMVR and vehicle categories (M1, N1) are frequent police-exam questions.
Key facts
- Status: These are draft (proposed) rules, not yet final; the final notification will fix the dates.
- EDR ('black box'): Records vehicle data such as speed, braking and seat-belt status in the seconds before, during and after a crash — like an aircraft's flight recorder.
- EDR standard: AIS-192, prepared in line with UN Regulation No. 160; proposed to apply to cars (M1) from 1 October 2029. Reports differ on whether every car must carry one, so watch the final text.
- AEBS: Automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react to an imminent collision; standard AIS-185.
Proposed AEBS timeline (draft)| Date | Requirement |
|---|
| 1 October 2028 | M1 and N1 vehicles offered with AEBS must meet AIS-185 |
| 1 October 2030 | AEBS mandatory for all new M1 models |
| 1 October 2032 | AEBS mandatory for all M1 models, including existing ones |
Static GK link
- Laws: Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (major amendment 2019); the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are framed under it by MoRTH.
- Vehicle categories: M1 = passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats besides the driver; N1 = goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes gross weight.
- AIS: Automotive Industry Standards are drafted by a MoRTH committee with ARAI, Pune, as secretariat, and become binding once notified under CMVR.
- Bharat NCAP: India's own car crash-test star-rating programme, in effect from 1 October 2023.
2. Economy & Infrastructure
Cargo at India's Non-Major Ports — Gujarat Holds About Two-Thirds; Coastal Cargo Rises in H1 2026-27
Why in news: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways data show that India's non-major ports handled 377.90 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in April–September 2026 (H1 of FY 2026-27), up 0.95% year on year. For the full FY 2025-26 they handled 753.07 MT, up 1.44%.
⭐ Exam importance: High — major vs non-major ports, the 12 major ports and the leading maritime States (including Andhra Pradesh) are standard economy and geography questions.
Key facts
- Gujarat leads: Gujarat Maritime Board ports had about 64.5% of non-major port cargo in H1 2026-27 (64.44% in FY 2025-26).
- Coastal vs overseas (H1): Coastal cargo rose 10.78% to 73.25 MT, while overseas cargo fell 1.16% to 304.66 MT.
- Containers (H1): 5.65 million TEUs, up 5.61%.
- States in H1: Maharashtra grew 8.08%; Andhra Pradesh declined 4.63%.
- Major ports FY 2025-26: A record of about 915 MT, roughly 7% higher than 2024-25.
Non-major port cargo by State maritime board, FY 2025-26| State | Cargo (MT) |
|---|
| Gujarat | 485.25 (64.44%) |
| Andhra Pradesh | 116.77 |
| Maharashtra | 70.56 |
| Odisha | 52.95 |
| All non-major ports | 753.07 |
Static GK link
- Constitution: Major ports — Union List (Entry 27); ports other than major ports — Concurrent List (Entry 31).
- Who runs them: 12 major ports are under the Centre and governed by the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021 (replaced the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963); non-major ports are under State maritime boards or State governments.
- Major ports by State: Deendayal/Kandla (Gujarat), Mumbai and JNPA (Maharashtra), Mormugao (Goa), New Mangalore (Karnataka), Cochin (Kerala), V.O. Chidambaranar, Chennai and Kamarajar (Tamil Nadu), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), Paradip (Odisha), Syama Prasad Mookerjee/Kolkata (West Bengal).
- Sagarmala: Port-led development programme launched in 2015.
3. Science & Awards
Ashoke Sen Becomes the First Indian to Receive the Oskar Klein Medal (2026)
Why in news: String theorist Prof. Ashoke Sen of the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS), Bengaluru, delivered the 2026 Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture — 'Gravity from Strings and Strings from Gravity' — at Stockholm University's AlbaNova centre on 22 October 2026 and received the Oskar Klein Medal, the first Indian to do so.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — 'first Indian' awards and the honours of Indian scientists are common one-liners.
Key facts
- Awarded by: Stockholm University together with the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; given every year since 1988 with the Memorial Lecture.
- Past recipients: Chen Ning Yang (first, 1988), Steven Weinberg, Stephen Hawking, Peter Higgs, Edward Witten, Kip Thorne.
- Sen's work: String theory — S-duality, black-hole entropy and string field theory.
Ashoke Sen — earlier honours| Honour | Year |
|---|
| Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | 1994 |
| Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) | 1998 |
| Padma Shri | 2001 |
| Infosys Prize (Mathematical Sciences) | 2009 |
| Fundamental Physics (Breakthrough) Prize | 2012 |
| Padma Bhushan | 2013 |
| Dirac Medal (ICTP) | 2014 |
Static GK link
- Oskar Klein: Swedish theoretical physicist (1894–1977); known for the Klein–Gordon equation and Kaluza–Klein theory (extra dimensions).
- Ashoke Sen: Born 15 July 1956 in Kolkata; ICTS-Infosys Madhava Chair Professor at ICTS-TIFR, Bengaluru.
- ICTS: Centre of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), set up in 2007.
4. Art & Culture
Assam Institutes the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award — Usha Mangeshkar Named First Recipient
Why in news: The Assam Cabinet on 23 October 2026 approved a new Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award and named playback singer Usha Mangeshkar its first recipient. The award is to be presented on 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, at the closing ceremony of Bhupen Hazarika's birth centenary.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — new State awards, their first recipients and Bharat Ratna/Dadasaheb Phalke facts are popular GK questions.
Key facts
- Frequency: Once every three years.
- Value: ₹10 lakh and a citation.
- Eligible fields: Persons of national or international standing in music, arts or cinema.
- Usha Mangeshkar: Veteran playback singer; younger sister of Lata Mangeshkar; cited for her contribution to Indian music and her link with Hazarika's work.
- Not to be confused: The separate Dr Bhupen Hazarika International Solidarity Award is given by the Asam Sahitya Sabha; Usha Mangeshkar received it for 2022.
Static GK link
- Bhupen Hazarika: 'Sudhakantha'; born 8 September 1926 at Sadiya, Assam; died 2011; singer, composer, lyricist and film-maker.
- Honours: Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992), Padma Vibhushan (2012, posthumous), Bharat Ratna (2019, posthumous).
- Bhupen Hazarika Setu: Dhola–Sadiya bridge over the Lohit river in Assam, opened in 2017.
5. Sports
Pankaj Advani Wins the 2026 World Billiards Championship — His 29th World Title
Why in news: Pankaj Advani beat England's Robert Hall 1,906–1,206 in a five-hour final of the World Billiards Championship 2026 at the Landywood Snooker Club, Great Wyrley (near Walsall), England, on 22 October 2026 — his 29th world title across billiards and snooker.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — Indian world champions, title counts and the difference between WPBSA/World Billiards and IBSF events are recurring sports questions.
Key facts
- Organiser: World Billiards, the billiards arm linked to the WPBSA (professional circuit) — not the IBSF (amateur body).
- Format: Points-based: group stage, then knockouts; the final was played over five hours.
- History: Advani's first win in this championship since 2014, when he also beat Robert Hall in the final.
- Women's title: India's Shruthi L won her third straight women's world title, beating Eva Palmius (Sweden) 414–153.
- 28th title: Came at the IBSF World Billiards Championship in Doha, Qatar (November 2024), also against Robert Hall.
Static GK link
- Pankaj Advani: Born 1985 in Pune, based in Bengaluru; Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna) 2006, Padma Shri 2009, Padma Bhushan 2018.
- Billiards vs snooker: English billiards uses three balls; snooker uses 22 balls (15 reds, 6 colours, 1 cue ball).
- IBSF: International Billiards and Snooker Federation — world body for amateur cue sports.
6. Appointments
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Gets a One-Year Extension till 31 October 2027
Why in news: The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) extended the tenure of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh by one year — up to 31 October 2027 or until further orders, whichever is earlier — as per a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order of 24 October 2026. His term was due to end on 31 October 2026.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — key appointments, the ACC and the structure of the Ministry of Defence are regular GK items.
Key facts
- Officer: 1989-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre.
- In office since: Took charge as the 40th Defence Secretary on 1 November 2024, succeeding Giridhar Aramane; earlier Secretary, DPIIT.
- Rules used: Fundamental Rule 56(d) and Rule 16(1A) of the All India Services (Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rules, 1958.
- Earlier extension: In August 2024 the ACC had extended his service beyond superannuation up to 31 October 2026.
Static GK link
- ACC: Appointments Committee of the Cabinet — the Prime Minister (Chairperson) and the Union Home Minister; approves senior appointments in the Union Government.
- Ministry of Defence: Five departments: Defence, Defence Production, Defence R&D, Ex-Servicemen Welfare and Military Affairs (headed by the CDS, created in 2020).
- Defence Secretary: Administrative head of the Department of Defence.
7. States & Social Welfare
Punjab Launches 'SANGAT' Mental Health Clubs in 40 Colleges
Why in news: The Punjab Government launched SANGAT Mental Health Clubs in 40 colleges on 22 October 2026 at Plaksha University, Mohali, as part of the State's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' (War Against Drugs) campaign.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — youth mental health and drug-abuse prevention link directly to policing; State schemes appear as one-liners.
Key facts
- Lead department: Punjab Department of Higher Education, with the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET) and its mental-health initiative Mpower.
- Training: 25 students per college get a 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) course with certification — about 1,000 students in all.
- Aim: Peer support on campus, early recognition of emotional distress and prevention of substance use.
Static GK link
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017: Gives a right to access mental healthcare; Section 115 presumes severe stress in an attempt to suicide, effectively decriminalising it.
- Tele-MANAS: National tele-mental health helpline launched in October 2022; toll-free number 14416.
- Days: World Mental Health Day — 10 October; International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking — 26 June.
8. International Awards
Lionel Messi Receives the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo
Why in news: Argentine footballer Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports at the annual ceremony in the Campoamor Theatre, Oviedo, Spain, on 23 October 2026. He had been named the laureate in June 2026.
⭐ Exam importance: Low — international awards occasionally appear as one-liners; the awarding body and city are the usual asks.
Key facts
- Citation: The jury, chaired by Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, cited his sporting career and his foundation's work for the education and health of disadvantaged children.
- Prize: A Joan Miró sculpture, a diploma, an insignia and EUR 50,000.
- Not the first footballer: Earlier football laureates include Spain's national team (2010) and Iker Casillas with Xavi Hernández (2012).
Static GK link
- The awards: Given by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, Oviedo (Spain), since 1981; renamed from 'Prince of Asturias' in 2014; eight categories.
- Messi: Captained Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title; record eight Ballon d'Or awards; plays for Inter Miami (USA).
9. Sports — Chess
Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Becomes the Youngest Female International Master
Why in news: England's Bodhana Sivanandan, a London schoolgirl of Indian origin, secured her third and final International Master (IM) norm on 23 October 2026 at the European Women's Club Cup in Budva, Montenegro, at 11 years, 7 months and 16 days — younger than Judit Polgar's 1988 record. FIDE's formal confirmation is awaited.
⭐ Exam importance: Low — chess records and FIDE titles occasionally feature in sports GK.
Key facts
- Norms: First norm at the Dole Open, France (July 2026); second at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan (September 2026); third in Budva.
- Old record: Judit Polgar (Hungary) became an IM at 12 in 1988.
- Earlier feat: In August 2025, aged 10, she became the youngest female player to beat a grandmaster in a classical game.
Static GK link
- FIDE: International Chess Federation; founded 1924 in Paris; headquarters Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Titles: Open titles: GM > IM > FM > CM; women-only titles: WGM > WIM > WFM > WCM. IM and GM are open titles, higher than WIM/WGM.
- IM requirement: Three IM norms plus a FIDE rating of at least 2400.
Practice questions with answers
With reference to the draft vehicle-safety amendments issued by MoRTH in October 2026, consider the following statements:
- The standard for Event Data Recorders, AIS-192, is aligned with UN Regulation No. 160.
- AEBS is proposed to be mandatory for all new M1 models from 1 October 2028.
- The changes are proposed as amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: AEBS is proposed for all new M1 models from 1 October 2030 (and all M1 models from 1 October 2032); 1 October 2028 is only the date from which cars offered with AEBS must meet AIS-185. The EDR standard AIS-192 is proposed from 1 October 2029.
Ports under which State's maritime board handled the largest share — about 64% — of cargo at India's non-major ports in FY 2025-26?
- Gujarat
- Andhra Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Odisha
Answer: (A) Gujarat
Explanation: Gujarat Maritime Board ports handled 485.25 MT (64.44%) of the 753.07 MT total. Andhra Pradesh was second (116.77 MT), followed by Maharashtra (70.56 MT) and Odisha (52.95 MT).
Match the major port with the State in which it is located:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Deendayal (Kandla) | 1. Goa |
| B. Paradip | 2. Gujarat |
| C. V.O. Chidambaranar | 3. Tamil Nadu |
| D. Mormugao | 4. Odisha |
- A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
- A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
- A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
- A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
Answer: (C) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
Explanation: Deendayal (Kandla) — Gujarat (2); Paradip — Odisha (4); V.O. Chidambaranar (Thoothukudi) — Tamil Nadu (3); Mormugao — Goa (1). Hence A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1. All 12 major ports come under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Data from an Event Data Recorder helps investigators reconstruct how a road crash happened.
Reason (R): An Event Data Recorder stores vehicle data such as speed and braking for the seconds before, during and after a collision.
- 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 the EDR — the car's 'black box' — preserves speed, braking and similar data around the moment of impact, investigators can reconstruct the crash. MoRTH's draft proposes the EDR standard AIS-192 from 1 October 2029.
In October 2026, Prof. Ashoke Sen of ICTS, Bengaluru, became the first Indian to receive which award?
- Dirac Medal (ICTP)
- Fields Medal
- Max Planck Medal
- Oskar Klein Medal
Answer: (D) Oskar Klein Medal
Explanation: Sen received the Oskar Klein Medal with the Memorial Lecture at Stockholm University on 22 October 2026. The medal is given by Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. He had already won the Dirac Medal (ICTP) in 2014, so that is not a 2026 first.
With reference to the Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award, consider the following statements:
- It has been instituted by the Government of Assam, and Usha Mangeshkar is its first recipient.
- It will be conferred every year.
- Bhupen Hazarika was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2019.
- 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 award is to be given once every three years and carries ₹10 lakh. The Assam Cabinet approved it on 23 October 2026; presentation is on 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Match the person in news (October 2026) with the field:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Pankaj Advani | 1. Chess |
| B. Bodhana Sivanandan | 2. Theoretical physics |
| C. Lionel Messi | 3. Billiards |
| D. Ashoke Sen | 4. Football |
- A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
- A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
- A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
- A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
Answer: (D) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
Explanation: Pankaj Advani — billiards (3): 29th world title; Bodhana Sivanandan — chess (1): youngest female IM; Lionel Messi — football (4): Princess of Asturias Award for Sports; Ashoke Sen — theoretical physics (2): Oskar Klein Medal. Hence A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.
Up to which date has the tenure of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh been extended by the ACC (order of October 2026)?
- 31 October 2026
- 31 October 2027
- 31 December 2027
- 30 June 2027
Answer: (B) 31 October 2027
Explanation: The DoPT order of 24 October 2026 extends his tenure up to 31 October 2027 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. 31 October 2026 was the end date of his earlier extension. He is the 40th Defence Secretary (since 1 November 2024).
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports at a ceremony in Oviedo, Spain.
Reason (R): The Princess of Asturias Awards are presented by the Nobel Foundation.
- 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: (C) A is true, R is false
Explanation: A is true: the ceremony was held at the Campoamor Theatre, Oviedo, on 23 October 2026. R is false: the awards are given by the Princess of Asturias Foundation (Oviedo), which has presented them since 1981; the Nobel Foundation is in Stockholm and has no role.
With reference to Punjab's SANGAT Mental Health Clubs, consider the following statements:
- They are part of the State's 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign and are led by the Department of Higher Education.
- In each participating college, 25 students are trained through a 14-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid course.
- The clubs were launched simultaneously in 400 colleges.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the clubs were launched in 40 colleges on 22 October 2026 at Plaksha University, Mohali — about 1,000 students in all (40 × 25). Partners are the Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower.