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29 October 2026 Current Affairs

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

By Thervu Editorial Teamதமிழில் படிக்க

Tamil Nadu

1. TN transfers DG Prisons Sandeep Rai Rathore to Vigilance; K Shankar returns as Prisons chief

The Tamil Nadu government issued transfer orders on 29 October 2026 for two senior IPS officers. Sandeep Rai Rathore, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services, was posted as DGP and Chief Vigilance Officer, Vigilance, Tangedco, Chennai. K Shankar has returned as the Prisons chief. The reshuffle followed the escape of 17 undertrial prisoners from the Thekkampatti sub-jail near Andipatti in Theni district.

Why it matters for exams: This falls under Tamil Nadu administration and governance, covering prison administration, district geography and key IPS postings that TNPSC frequently tests.

Source: legendofficers.com

2. TN Cabinet approves Social Justice Commission to conduct state-wide survey

The Tamil Nadu Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, approved the formation of a Social Justice Commission on 29 October 2026. The commission will conduct a state-wide social justice survey across Tamil Nadu. The decision fulfils a promise made in the Governor's address.

Why it matters for exams: This falls under Tamil Nadu polity and governance, covering cabinet decisions, statutory and state commissions, and promises made in the Governor's address.

Source: dtnext.in

3. CM Vijay awards ₹6.85 crore to para-athletes and launches Sportsmen Development Allowance Scheme

Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay gave cash incentives totalling ₹6.85 crore to nine Tamil Nadu para-athletes who competed at the 5th Asian Para Games in Japan. Thulasimathi Murugesan received ₹1.75 crore for winning one gold and two silver in Para-Badminton. He also launched the Sportsmen Development Allowance Scheme, which provides monthly allowances to 2,600 sportspersons at SDAT hostels and sports centres. Chennai district topped the Chief Minister's Trophy 2026 with 319 medals, including 142 gold.

Why it matters for exams: This falls under sports and governance schemes, covering the Asian Para Games, SDAT programmes, state incentive schemes and Chief Minister's Trophy records that TNPSC and UPSC test.

Source: rediff.com

India

4. C R Patil chairs 19th Ganga Flood Control Board meeting, launches Punah Bharan app

Union Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil chaired the 19th meeting of the Ganga Flood Control Board at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. At the meeting, he launched the Punah Bharan mobile application. The meeting focused on improving flood control along the river Ganga.

Why it matters for exams: This is frequently tested under Indian polity and governance, covering union ministries, river flood management bodies and recent government digital initiatives.

Source: thenewsmill.com

5. NBEMS opens NEET-SS 2026 registration; last date November 18

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) has invited applications for the NEET-Super Specialty (NEET-SS) 2026 exam. Online registration opened on October 29, 2026 at 3 pm through the official NBEMS portal. Candidates can apply until November 18, 2026.

Why it matters for exams: This is frequently tested under national examination bodies and medical education, linking each entrance exam with the agency that conducts it.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

World

6. Israel election: Netanyahu bloc leads, but no bloc reaches 61-seat majority

With 98% of polling stations counted, Benjamin Netanyahu's bloc is projected to win 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset. The opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot is projected at 48 seats, while Arab-led parties are projected to win 19 seats. A majority requires 61 seats, and neither major bloc has reached that threshold. Arab-led parties could therefore become key players in forming the government.

Why it matters for exams: Tested under International Affairs and World Geography, where examiners ask about legislatures, seat counts, majority thresholds and key political leaders.

Source: indianexpress.com

Economy

7. US Federal Reserve holds rates at 3.75%-4.00% in 10-2 vote

The US Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate in the 3.75% to 4.00% range on October 28, 2026. The decision was taken by a 10-2 vote, with Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack dissenting in favour of a 25 basis point hike. US consumer prices rose 3.7% in September from a year earlier. Markets priced a high chance of a rate hike at the December 8-9, 2026 meeting.

Why it matters for exams: Tested under Economy and Banking, where examiners ask about central bank decisions, voting patterns, policy rate terms and inflation indicators.

Source: univest.in

8. Finance Ministry projects FY27 growth at 7.3%; Q2 nowcast at 7.35%

The Finance Ministry's October economic review projects India's growth at 7.3% for FY27 (April 2026 to March 2027), which is higher than the RBI's earlier forecast of 7.1%. The Ministry's nowcasting model estimates GDP growth for Q2 FY27 at 7.35%. Foreign exchange reserves stood at $721 billion as of October 16, enough to cover 10.3 months of imports.

Why it matters for exams: Growth forecasts, nowcasting and forex reserve adequacy are frequently tested under Indian Economy and macroeconomic current affairs.

Source: nationpathindia.com

9. Services production grows in 17 of 19 sub-sectors in August 2026, trial index shows

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released a trial Index of Services Production for August 2026 on October 29, 2026. The index uses 2024-25 as its base year and covers 19 services sub-sectors, of which 17 recorded positive year-on-year growth. Retail Trade led with 19.9% growth, followed by Real Estate and Repair Services at 17.6%, while Air Transport fell 9.6% and Arts, Entertainment and Recreation contracted 4.7%.

Why it matters for exams: Services sector indices, MoSPI releases and sub-sector growth patterns are tested under Indian Economy and statistics topics.

Source: indexbox.io

Awards

10. Sunil Mittal conferred France's Chevalier of the Legion of Honour

Sunil Mittal, founder of Bharti Enterprises, was conferred the Chevalier de l'Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur, France's highest civilian honour. The insignia was presented by French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou in New Delhi on October 29, 2026.

Why it matters for exams: This is frequently tested under international awards and India-France relations in general awareness, where examiners ask about foreign honours and their conferring countries.

Source: aninews.in

11. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, which was jointly awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai. The laureates were recognised for discoveries explaining how molecular asymmetry essential to life emerges through autocatalysis. Their work resolves a century-old mystery about homochirality. The findings also have implications for drug development.

Why it matters for exams: Frequently tested under Science and Technology and Awards and Honours, where examiners ask about Nobel laureates, awarding bodies and the scientific concepts behind the prizes.

Source: en.yenisafak.com

Sports

12. Hylo Open 2026: Lakshya Sen, PV Sindhu, Isharani and Unnati Hooda win openers

Indian shuttlers won their opening matches at the BWF Super 500 Hylo Open 2026, held in Saarbrücken, Germany. Lakshya Sen beat Joakim Oldorff 16-21, 21-9, 21-13, while PV Sindhu defeated UAE's Prakriti Bharath in the Round of 32 in just 32 minutes. Isharani beat Miranda Wilson 21-19, 21-9, and Unnati Hooda defeated World No. 77 Tereza Švabikova 17-21, 21-12, 21-11.

Why it matters for exams: BWF tournament categories and Indian shuttlers' performances at international events are frequently tested under Sports current affairs.

Source: sportscapemagazine.com

Current affairs quiz: 29 October 2026

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

0 of 10 answered

  1. 1. Thekkampatti sub-jail, from which 17 undertrial prisoners escaped, is located in which district?

  2. 2. Which commission has the Tamil Nadu Cabinet approved to form for conducting a state-wide survey?

  3. 3. Thulasimathi Murugesan, who received ₹1.75 crore, won medals in which para sport?

  4. 4. At which venue was the 19th meeting of the Ganga Flood Control Board held?

  5. 5. Which body invited applications for the NEET-SS 2026 exam?

  6. 6. Which business leader was conferred the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur in New Delhi?

  7. 7. Who were jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2026?

  8. 8. How many seats are needed for a majority in the 120-member Knesset?

  9. 9. What range did the US Federal Reserve hold its federal funds rate at in its October 2026 decision?

  10. 10. Which authority's nowcasting model estimated India's Q2 FY27 GDP growth at 7.35%?