Why in News?

Renowned Carnatic percussionist T.K. Murthy, a Padma Shri awardee and Sangeetha Kalanidhi, has been selected for the 2026 Sree Guruvayurappan Chembai Award. The award recognizes his extraordinary contribution to Carnatic music over nearly nine decades.

Key Highlights

• About T.K. Murthy: At 103, he is among India’s senior-most performing artistes and an eminent mridangam player and guru.

• Musical contribution: He has accompanied legendary Carnatic musicians, including Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, M. Balamuralikrishna, K.J. Yesudas, and Lalgudi Jayaraman. He has also trained several renowned mridangam artists.

• Other honors: His recognitions include the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, and the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi title awarded by the Music Academy, Madras.

• Award presentation: The award will be presented on November 6, 2026, during the inaugural ceremony of the annual Chembai Sangeetholsavam at Guruvayur, held as part of the Guruvayur Ekadasi celebrations.

About the Sree Guruvayurappan Chembai Award

• Instituted in 2005 by the Guruvayur Devaswom, the award honors outstanding contributions to Carnatic music.

• It comprises a 10-gram gold medal featuring Lord Guruvayurappan, a cash prize of ₹50,001, a citation, a plaque, and a traditional shawl.

• Vocalist T.V. Gopalakrishnan was its first recipient.

• T.K. Murthy is the 22nd recipient of the award.

The recognition celebrates T.K. Murthy’s lifelong dedication to Carnatic music and his contribution to preserving and passing on India’s rich classical music tradition.

Why in News?

India has proposed $4 billion greenfield shipyard at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

Key Highlights

Strategic investor: HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).

Indian partner: National Shipbuilding & Heavy Industries Park, Tamil Nadu Ltd. (NSHIP-TN).

Expected to become India's largest commercial shipyard.

Significance

• Strengthens India's domestic shipbuilding capacity.

• Promotes technology transfer and skilled workforce training.

• Supports localisation and employment generation.

• Helps meet demand for over 400 vessels expected from Indian public agencies.

• Creates opportunities for ship exports.

• Strengthens India–South Korea maritime partnership.

Why in News?

Ayushman Vay Vandana initiative completed two years on 29 October 2026.

About Ayushman Vay Vandana

• It extends the benefits of Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above.

• Eligibility is irrespective of income or socio-economic status.

• Implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Key Features

• Provides health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.

• Senior citizens aged 70+ in families already covered under AB PM-JAY:

• Receive an additional top-up cover of up to ₹5 lakh annually.

• This additional cover is exclusively for senior citizens.

• It is separate from the existing family cover for members below 70 years.

• Aims to reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation among elderly citizens.

Why in News?

Three ships of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron concluded their official visit to Sri Lanka .

The visit included a joint Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Sri Lanka Navy.

Key Highlights

Participating Indian ships: INS Tir; INS Sujata; ICGS Sarathi

Joint Passage Exercise (PASSEX): The three Indian ships conducted PASSEX with SLNS Nandimithra; Fast Attack Craft P 492

Important Terms

First Training Squadron: Indian Navy squadron involved in naval training and professional exposure for officer trainees.

PASSEX (Passage Exercise): A naval exercise conducted by ships of friendly navies, generally during passage through common waters, to practise coordination and interoperability.

Why in News?

The second edition of ARISE Cities Forum 2026 concluded in New Delhi on 28 October 2026 with the adoption of the Delhi Declaration on Local Action for Global Climate Goals.

The declaration will be taken forward to COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, highlighting the role of cities in global climate governance.

Key Highlights of ARISE Cities Forum 2026

Organisers: ICLEI South Asia, in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), with support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

Theme: From Bharat to Antalya — Commit. Implement. Deliver.

Delhi Declaration 2026: Ten Key Commitments

1. Advance the global climate agenda from Pre-COP31 to COP31.

2. Accelerate climate adaptation and synergies across conventions.

3. Promote circularity through cooperation and collective action.

4. Accelerate the energy transition and support the 1.5°C pathway through subnational action.

5. Prioritise ambitious and just transitions.

6. Institutionalise multilevel climate finance.

7. Strengthen independent science and data systems.

8. Create systematic platforms for multilevel climate action.

9. Promote Global South leadership in urban climate action.

10. Strengthen youth and community leadership in climate action.

Important Concepts and Organisations

ARISE: A forum focused on strengthening the role of cities and local governments in climate action.

ICLEI: an international network of local and regional governments working towards sustainable development.

NIUA: National Institute of Urban Affairs, India.

LGMA Constituency: Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Constituency, representing local and regional governments in the UNFCCC process.

COP31: The 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye.

Why in News?

VISV-2026 has been inaugurated on 30th October.

The event aims to showcase India's indigenous defence capabilities and strengthen international defence partnerships.

Key Highlights

Full form: Vision, Innovation, Synergy, Values (VISV).

Organisers: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).

Theme: Showcasing Defence Capabilities, Strengthening Global Partnerships.

Participants: Representatives from the defence establishment, defence industry, academia and diplomatic community.

Main objective: Familiarise friendly partner nations with India's defence research, development and production capabilities and explore technology-led cooperation.

Why in News?

India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule, Pioxaniliprole, is set for commercial launch under the brand name ‘Pioxazon’ by PI Industries Ltd during the upcoming rabi season. It is expected to benefit farmers growing rice, chili, tomato, and chickpeas.

Key Highlights

• Indigenous innovation: Pioxaniliprole is India's first insecticide molecule discovered domestically.

• Regulatory approval: It has received approval from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) following regulatory studies and field trials.

• Approved crops: rice, chili, tomato, and chickpea.

• Target pests: Yellow stem borer, leaf folder, fall armyworm, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer, and pod borer.

• Development investment: PI Industries reportedly invested around ₹2,000 crore and took over a decade to develop the molecule.

How Does Pioxaniliprole Work?

• Pioxaniliprole belongs to the anthranilic diamide class of insecticides. It targets ryanodine receptors (calcium-release channels) in insect muscles.

• By activating these receptors, it causes an uncontrolled release of calcium, leading to feeding cessation, muscle paralysis, and eventually the death of the target insect pests.

Significance

• Boosts self-reliance: Strengthens India's indigenous agrochemical research and development capabilities.

• Supports farmers: Offers a new crop-protection option against several damaging insect pests.

• Reduces import dependence: Indigenous innovation can strengthen domestic capabilities in advanced pesticide development.

• Promotes agricultural productivity: Effective pest management can help protect crops and reduce yield losses.

Why in News?

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) celebrated the sixth Foundation Day of its incubation centre, AIIA-iCAINE, on 29 October.

Key Highlights

AyushTech Innovate: National Open Ayurveda AI Challenge

Organised by Techfest, IIT Bombay, in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush and AIIA.

Uses AyurParam, an open-source Ayurveda Large Language Model developed by IIT Bombay.

About AIIA-iCAINE

Full form: All India Institute of Ayurveda – Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Established: 29 October 2021.

Ministry: Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

Significance: Recognised as India's first public-sector Ayurveda business incubator.

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Gujarat on 30–31 October 2026 to inaugurate, dedicate and lay the foundation stone for development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore in Banaskantha and over ₹400 crore in Ekta Nagar.

Important facts

PM-KISAN and Horticulture Initiatives

Approximately ₹19,000 crore to be released to farmers across India.

Major Events at Ekta Nagar

Bharat Parv 2026:Inauguration: 30 October 2026.

Continues until 15 November 2026.

Showcases the cultural heritage of States and UTs through folk performances, regional cuisines, handicrafts and tourism attractions.

Reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Ekta Prakash Parv: Festival of illumination promoting national unity, diversity and night tourism.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026

Date: 31 October 2026.

Occasion: 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Theme: Vande Mataram will be the overarching theme of the celebrations.

चर्चा में क्यों?

• केरल के कासरगोड जिले की आठ ग्राम पंचायतें पारंपरिक जल-संरक्षण प्रणाली ‘सुरंगम’ (Surangam) को पुनर्जीवित करने की योजना बना रही हैं।

• इसका मुख्य उद्देश्य भूजल का पुनर्भरण करना(restoration), वर्षा जल का संरक्षण करना और सूखे के समय पानी की उपलब्धता बनाए रखना है।

• इस परियोजना में केंद्रीय भूजल बोर्ड (Central Ground Water Board—CGWB) के केरल क्षेत्रीय कार्यालय के विशेषज्ञों ने सुरंगों की बहाली, संरक्षण और वैज्ञानिक रखरखाव पर संबंधित अधिकारियों के साथ चर्चा की है।

महत्त्वपूर्ण तथ्य

सुरंगम केरल की एक पारंपरिक भूमिगत जल-संग्रह प्रणाली है। इसमें लेटेराइट (Laterite) चट्टानों वाली पहाड़ियों के अंदर क्षैतिज दिशा में सुरंगें बनाई जाती हैं, जिनसे प्राकृतिक रूप से रिसने वाला भूजल(ground water) बाहर निकलता है।

सुरंगम की प्रमुख विशेषताएँ

1. क्षैतिज सुरंगें: इन्हें पहाड़ी के अंदर क्षैतिज दिशा में खोदा जाता है।

2. प्राकृतिक जल प्रवाह: भूजल के रिसाव से पानी सुरंग में प्रवेश करता है।

3. कम ऊर्जा की आवश्यकता: अनुकूल परिस्थितियों में पानी को प्राकृतिक गुरुत्व(natural gravity) के कारण बाहर लाया जा सकता है।

4. स्थानीय तकनीक: यह स्थानीय भूगर्भीय परिस्थितियों और पारंपरिक ज्ञान पर आधारित है।

5. जल संरक्षण: इससे स्थानीय समुदायों को पानी उपलब्ध कराने और जल संसाधनों का बेहतर उपयोग करने में मदद मिल सकती है।

भारत की अन्य पारंपरिक जल संरक्षण प्रणालियाँ

1. सुरंगम (Surangam): केरल: विशेषकर कासरगोड पहाड़ियों में क्षैतिज सुरंग बनाकर भूजल एकत्र करना

2. आहर-पाइन (Ahar-Pyne): बिहार:जल संग्रहण और नहरों के माध्यम से सिंचाई

3. जोहड़ (Johad):राजस्थान: वर्षा जल का संग्रहण और भूजल पुनर्भरण

4. कुल्ह (Kuhl) : हिमाचल प्रदेश: पहाड़ी जलधाराओं से पानी को खेतों तक पहुँचाना

5. जाबो (Zabo): नागालैंड: जल संरक्षण को कृषि, पशुपालन और वन संरक्षण से जोड़ना

6. बांस ड्रिप सिंचाई: मेघालय: बाँस की नलियों से पानी पहुँचाकर सिंचाई करना

Why in News?

Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik led the Indian delegation to SIEW 2026, held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore, from 26–28 October 2026.

The event coincided with the 25th year of Singapore's Energy Market Authority.

India's Renewable Energy Progress

Installed electricity capacity: 558.9 GW as of 30 September 2026.

Non-fossil capacity: Approximately 308 GW, accounting for 55% of total installed capacity.

2030 target: 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based capacity.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Around 53 lakh rooftop solar systems installed, benefiting approximately 63 lakh households.

PM-KUSUM: Nearly 12 lakh standalone solar pumps installed and over 17 lakh grid-connected agricultural pumps solarised, adding around 16.7 GW of decentralised renewable energy capacity and benefiting approximately 30 lakh farmers.

Significance

Regional energy connectivity: Promotes cross-border electricity trade and transmission cooperation.

Clean energy transition: Encourages investment in renewables, battery storage, pumped storage and green hydrogen.

India–Bhutan partnership: Hydropower cooperation supports clean electricity generation and bilateral energy trade.

Energy security: Cooperation on critical minerals, storage and domestic power equipment can strengthen resilient energy supply chains.

Why in News?

The Union Jal Shakti Minister launched the Punah Bharan Mobile Application on 28 October to support scientific groundwater recharge planning.

Key Features

Developed by: BISAG-N(Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics), in collaboration with the National Water Mission (NWM), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

Recharge zone identification: Identifies potential artificial groundwater recharge zones within a radial distance of up to 3 km.

Suitable structures: Helps users explore appropriate artificial recharge structures based on local conditions.

Geospatial technology: Uses rainfall, groundwater levels, groundwater yield, slope and drainage datasets.

Web portal: Provides village-level Artificial Recharge Structure (ARS) zonation maps, GIS tools and thematic layers.

Why in News?

Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members were honoured by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their courage in protecting passengers during an attempted mid-air cockpit attack on 30 September 2026.

Key Highlights

Flight: flydubai FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with over 170 people on board.

Incident: According to the report, the co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe, seriously injuring him.

Crew's response: Passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, while two other flydubai pilots on board helped land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Award: First Class Order of Zayed II, conferred by the UAE President.

Presentation: The medal was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

About the Award

Name: First Class Order of Zayed II.

Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Nature: A high-level civil decoration awarded for distinguished service, courage and notable contributions.

Named after: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the UAE.

Why in News?

On 28 October 2026, two high-speed trains collided in Spain, reportedly killing at least 50 people.

Key Highlights

Location: Near Urda, Toledo province, in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, central Spain, on the Madrid–Seville high-speed railway line.

Trains involved: Renfe AVE and Iryo.

Incident: The Renfe train struck the rear of a stationary Iryo train. Two carriages derailed, with some reportedly falling down an embankment.

Important Facts

Renfe: Spain’s state-owned railway operator.

Iryo: Private high-speed rail operator.

Adif: Spain’s railway infrastructure administrator.

AVE: Alta Velocidad Española — Spain’s high-speed rail service.

Significance

Highlights the importance of railway safety, emergency response and thorough accident investigations to prevent future incidents.