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31 October 2026 Current Affairs

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

By Thervu Editorial Teamதமிழில் படிக்க

Tamil Nadu

1. Tamil Nadu raises DA for state employees and pensioners from 60% to 63%

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a 3-percentage-point hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners, taking the rate from 60 per cent to 63 per cent. The revised rate takes effect retrospectively from July 1, 2026. The state expects about 16 lakh beneficiaries and an additional annual expenditure of ₹1,858 crore. The revised rate matches the DA rate announced for central government employees.

Why it matters for exams: DA revisions and their alignment with central DA rates are frequently tested under government employee welfare and public finance topics in TNPSC and UPSC.

Source: nationpathindia.com

2. Tamil Nadu raises upper age limit for direct recruitment to state government jobs by five years

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced a five-year increase in the upper age limit for direct recruitment to state government posts, effective from October 30, 2026 for five years. The Group I general category upper age limit has been raised from 32 to 37 years, and the reserved category limit from 37 to 42 years. For Group II, II-A and Group IV general category posts the limit is now 35 years, while SC, ST and destitute widow candidates in Group IV have a limit of 40 years. The relaxation is over and above existing concessions for BC, BC(M), MBC, DNC, SC, ST and destitute widows.

Why it matters for exams: Age relaxation for TNPSC group examinations is a recurring topic in state-specific current affairs and recruitment-related governance questions.

Source: bwpeople.in

3. Tamil Nadu sanctions ₹109.75 crore for 100% subsidised goat rearing scheme for women

The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned ₹109.75 crore for the 2026-27 financial year for a goat rearing scheme meant for women beneficiaries. Under the scheme, each beneficiary receives five goats or sheep. The subsidy under the scheme is 100 per cent.

Why it matters for exams: Women-centric livelihood and animal husbandry schemes with state allocations are frequently tested under government schemes and rural development topics in TNPSC and UPSC.

Source: theprint.in

4. S Natarajan appointed State Chief Information Commissioner as Tamil Nadu Information Commission is reconstituted

The Tamil Nadu government has reconstituted the Tamil Nadu Information Commission. S Natarajan has been appointed State Chief Information Commissioner to head the commission. The appointment was announced on October 31, 2026.

Why it matters for exams: This appears in polity and governance questions on the Right to Information framework, state information commissions and appointments to statutory bodies in Tamil Nadu.

Source: indianmandarins.com

World

5. G20 foreign ministers end Atlanta meeting without joint communiqué

G20 foreign ministers concluded their Atlanta meeting without a joint communiqué due to disagreements on security issues. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who chaired the meeting, released a chairman's statement instead. Disputes covered Russia's war in Ukraine, the US-Israeli war against Iran, US tariffs and China's actions in the South China Sea. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski attended a G20 meeting for the first time as a guest.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under international relations and current affairs, covering the functioning of the G20, consensus-building and geopolitical flashpoints.

Source: lawstreet.co

6. India and Russia suspend talks on visa-free regime for organised tourist groups

India and Russia have suspended work on an agreement for a visa-free regime for organised tourist groups without reaching a deal. Alexei Klimov, head of the Consular Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced the suspension on October 31. He said India had never before entered into visa-free agreements for organised groups of foreign nationals. The issue had been raised by Russian President Vladimir Putin with PM Narendra Modi as far back as 2019.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under India's bilateral relations and consular/visa policy, especially India-Russia ties and the leaders and officials involved.

Source: ua.news

7. Iranian lawmakers call for NPT withdrawal as Qatari mediators return to Tehran

Several Iranian lawmakers have called for Iran to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. US President Donald Trump said the war on Iran would be wrapped up soon. Qatari mediators returned to Tehran to mediate peace talks between Iran and the US. The US and Israel's war on Iran began on February 28.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under international relations and West Asia, covering nuclear treaties, mediation efforts and the countries involved in the Iran conflict.

Source: aljazeera.com

Economy

8. India to hold talks with liquor firms over bulk Scotch import tariff dispute

India's commerce ministry will hold closed-door talks on Monday with foreign and domestic liquor companies over bulk Scotch imports. Bulk Scotch has been declared ineligible for the tariff cut from 150% to 75% under the India-UK trade pact implemented in July. Around 80% of Scotch whisky imports from Britain by volume arrive in bulk. The Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies has objected, flagging a hit to domestic manufacturing.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under India's trade policy and bilateral trade agreements, especially tariff provisions in the India-UK trade pact and the role of industry bodies.

Source: globalbankingandfinance.com

Sports

9. India wins both finals at first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad

India's men's and women's teams both won the finals of the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, held in Ahmedabad. The men's team beat Bangladesh 56-27 in the semi-final and then defeated Sri Lanka 54-20 in the final. The women's team beat Uganda 35-15 in their final, and neither India side lost a match in the tournament.

Why it matters for exams: This is tested under sports current affairs, covering first-edition international championships and Commonwealth sporting events.

Source: prokabaddi.com

Current affairs quiz: 31 October 2026

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

0 of 10 answered

  1. 1. To what percentage has Tamil Nadu raised the Dearness Allowance for state government employees and pensioners?

  2. 2. What is the revised upper age limit for general category candidates applying for Group I direct recruitment in Tamil Nadu?

  3. 3. What amount has the Tamil Nadu government sanctioned for the 100% subsidised goat rearing scheme for women in the 2026-27 financial year?

  4. 4. Which commission was reconstituted by the Tamil Nadu government with S Natarajan as its State Chief Information Commissioner?

  5. 5. Which country's men's team won the final of the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?

  6. 6. Who chaired the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta and released a chairman's statement?

  7. 7. Who announced the suspension of talks on a visa-free regime for organised tourist groups between India and Russia?

  8. 8. Several Iranian lawmakers called for Iran's withdrawal from which international treaty?

  9. 9. The tariff cut on Scotch from 150% to 75% was introduced under which trade agreement?

  10. 10. What is the additional annual expenditure the state government estimates due to the revised DA hike?