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23 October 2026 Current Affairs

12 stories that matter for your exam, then a 10-question quiz.

By Thervu Editorial Teamதமிழில் படிக்க

Tamil Nadu

1. Tamil Nadu cuts VAT on aviation turbine fuel: 16% in Chennai, 1% at other airports

The Tamil Nadu Commercial Taxes and Registration Department has notified reduced VAT on aviation turbine fuel through three notifications issued on October 23, 2026, under the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax Act. VAT on aviation turbine fuel is now 16% at Chennai airport and 1% at airports outside Chennai. The government says the reduction will benefit airlines, lower ticket costs and make Tamil Nadu more competitive.

Why it matters for exams: This falls under state taxation and the Tamil Nadu government's sector policies, a frequent area in TNPSC Group exams and in the economy section of UPSC Prelims.

Source: dtnext.in

2. CM Vijay announces ₹1,546 crore development projects for Madurantakam and Dharapuram

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced development projects worth an estimated ₹1,546 crore after TVK's victory in the by-elections to the Madurantakam and Dharapuram Assembly constituencies. The package covers drinking water, agriculture, education, healthcare, housing and civic infrastructure, and departments have been told to begin implementation at the earliest. In Dharapuram, a Cauvery-based combined drinking water scheme worth ₹1,439 crore will serve 1,232 rural habitations, and 2,700 house-site pattas are included in the plan. A check dam across the Pukkathurai stream at Athimanam in Madurantakam will cost ₹5 crore.

Why it matters for exams: Constituency-linked development schemes, Cauvery-based drinking water projects and state governance announcements are frequently tested in TNPSC Group exams and in UPSC state-policy topics.

Source: constructionworld.in

3. CM Vijay congratulates Tamil Nadu medallists at 5th Asian Para Games

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay congratulated the state's medallists at the 5th Asian Para Games on Friday, October 23, 2026. He specifically named Naveen Sivakumar, who won the gold medal in the men's singles SL4 event. The congratulations recognise the achievement of Tamil Nadu's para athletes on the Asian stage.

Why it matters for exams: Questions on Asian Para Games results, medal winners and state recognition of sportspersons are common in TNPSC and UPSC General Studies current affairs.

Source: thehindu.com

India

4. Third Regional Review Conference on Forest Rights Act held in Srinagar

The Third Regional Review Conference on the Forest Rights Act, 2006 was held in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, marking the conclusion of the regional review series. The earlier conferences were held in Bengaluru and Kolkata. Nationally, about 54 lakh forest rights claims were received, of which 43.56 lakh (80.64%) had been disposed of and 25.42 lakh titles distributed over nearly 238 lakh acres. Pending claims stood at 10.45 lakh, while 18.13 lakh claims were rejected.

Why it matters for exams: This is frequently tested under Indian polity and governance (tribal welfare and forest legislation), where examiners ask about the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and its implementation figures.

Source: pib.gov.in

5. Upgraded National Mobile Monitoring System for VB-G-RAM-G adds liveness detection and enhanced face verification

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced an upgraded National Mobile Monitoring System for the rural employment scheme VB-G-RAM-G. The upgrade adds liveness detection, anti-tampering features and enhanced face verification to curb fake attendance, building on face authentication first introduced in March 2026. The scheme was launched on July 1 and has 31.23 lakh active worksites. It has provided employment to more than 3.65 crore workers from 2.89 crore rural households.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under the schemes and governance section, where examiners ask about rural employment schemes, their monitoring tools and the ministries or ministers responsible for them.

Source: thehindu.com

6. Draft amendments to driving licence rules propose nationality on licences and a 75% pass mark for online safe-driving test

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. For the first time, driving licences would mention the holder's nationality, with separate colour schemes for Indian citizens and foreign nationals. The draft also proposes a 75% pass mark for the online safe-driving tutorial assessment and dropping affidavits as proof of age or address. Blood group details would become mandatory, and the amendments remain at draft stage pending public feedback.

Why it matters for exams: This is frequently tested under transport and road-safety topics, where examiners ask about the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, driving licence provisions and the ministries that issue them.

Source: freepressjournal.in

7. IndiaAI announces fellowships for undergraduate and postgraduate students

The IndiaAI initiative has announced fellowship support for students pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Eligible undergraduate students can receive up to ₹1 lakh, while eligible postgraduate students can receive up to ₹2 lakh. The fellowship ceiling is set higher for postgraduate students than for undergraduate students.

Why it matters for exams: Fellowship schemes and their eligibility ceilings for students are frequently tested under government schemes and digital/AI initiatives in the Science and Technology and Current Affairs sections.

Source: educationtimes.com

Economy

8. RBI State of Economy bulletin: external sector resilient amid inflation risks

The RBI's State of the Economy report for October described India's external sector as resilient. Merchandise exports grew in double digits in the first six months of FY27, and a sharp contraction in gold imports helped narrow the trade deficit. Geopolitical tensions, supply bottlenecks and El Niño amplified inflationary pressures, leading to a broad-based rise in food prices.

Why it matters for exams: RBI reports, trade deficit drivers and the factors behind inflation such as El Niño and supply shocks are tested in the Indian Economy section.

Source: thehindu.com

Awards

9. Usha Mangeshkar named first recipient of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award

The Assam government has instituted the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award. Eminent singer Usha Mangeshkar has been selected as its first recipient. The announcement was made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Why it matters for exams: National awards instituted by state governments and their first recipients are tested under Awards and Honours in the Current Affairs and Art and Culture sections.

Source: indiatodayne.in

Sports

10. PV Sindhu enters French Open 2026 women's singles semi-finals

PV Sindhu beat Chiu Pin-chian of Chinese Taipei 21-13, 21-14 in the women's singles quarter-final of the French Open 2026 on October 23 at the Arena Grand Paris. Ranked world No. 11, she will play the semi-final on October 24 against either Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia or Hina Akechi of Japan.

Why it matters for exams: Sports questions often test Indian shuttlers' performances in international tournaments, their world rankings, and the venues and opponents involved.

Source: thenewsmill.com

11. Mona Agarwal sets world record and Chao Yang wins double gold at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games

India's Mona Agarwal set a world record score of 357.5 in the women's R8 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event on the final day of shooting at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, surpassing the previous mark of 356 set by Anna Benson of Sweden at the Novi Sad World Cup. She had earlier won the R2 women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 gold on the opening day. India placed third in the shooting Para sport medal table with five medals, including Agarwal's two golds. China's Chao Yang won gold in both the P3 and P4 pistol SH1 events, was the only athlete to win three medals, and China topped the shooting table.

Why it matters for exams: Para sports questions often test world records, medal tallies, and the athletes or nations behind them at Asian and international Para events.

Source: paralympic.org

12. JSW Indian Open 2027 returns to Mumbai with first women's PSA Silver-level event in India

The JSW Indian Open will return for its third edition in Mumbai from February 9 to 13, 2027. For the first time, the women's competition has been upgraded to Silver level on the Professional Squash Association World Tour, making it India's first women's Silver-level PSA tournament. The men's event will continue at Copper level.

Why it matters for exams: Sports questions on squash and major tournaments often test host cities, PSA tour tiers, and first-time achievements in Indian sporting events.

Source: sportstar.thehindu.com

Current affairs quiz: 23 October 2026

10 questions from this day's news. Tap an answer to check it.

0 of 10 answered

  1. 1. Which airport in Tamil Nadu levies 16% VAT on aviation turbine fuel?

  2. 2. Which Chief Minister announced development projects worth ₹1,546 crore for Madurantakam and Dharapuram?

  3. 3. Which Chief Minister congratulated Tamil Nadu's medallists at the 5th Asian Para Games?

  4. 4. Which city hosted the third regional review conference on the Forest Rights Act, 2006?

  5. 5. Which Union Minister announced the upgraded National Mobile Monitoring System for VB-G-RAM-G?

  6. 6. Which ministry issued the draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules?

  7. 7. Which initiative has announced fellowship support for undergraduate and postgraduate students?

  8. 8. Which institution released the State of the Economy report that described India's external sector as resilient?

  9. 9. Which state government instituted the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?

  10. 10. In which venue was PV Sindhu's French Open 2026 women's singles quarter-final against Chiu Pin-chian played?