Daily Current Affairs 26th October 2025: Your guide for daily General Knowledge Preparation
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This post contains the daily current affairs 26th October 2025. It includes all National, International, Business & Sports related to Current Affairs 26th October 2025. A brief explanation of every current affair is provided to further enhance your general knowledge. Once you have gone through these Current Affairs, we would recommend you to try 26th October, 2025 Current affairs test.
BUSINESS NEWS
Global Finance Names State Bank of India the “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025”
- The State Bank of India (SBI) has been awarded the “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” title by Global Finance magazine, marking a significant international recognition for India’s banking sector.
- Global Finance, a New York–based publication, annually honors banks that excel in performance, innovation, and customer service.
- For 2025, SBI received two top distinctions:
- World’s Best Consumer Bank
- Best Bank in India
- The award ceremony was held during the World’s Best Banks event, organized alongside the IMF–World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C.
- This honor reflects SBI’s excellence in digital transformation, customer-centric services, and its expanding role in financial inclusion at the global level.
UPI Introduces ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’ Feature for Instant Digital Payments
- The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has introduced a groundbreaking feature, ‘Pay with Mutual Fund’, allowing users to make real-time payments directly from their liquid mutual fund holdings without first transferring money to a bank account.
- The initiative is a collaborative effort supported by ICICI Prudential AMC, Bajaj Finserv AMC, and fintech innovator Curie Money, representing a global-first innovation in retail financial technology.
- The feature enables investors to use liquid mutual fund units as digital wallets, where the equivalent amount is instantly redeemed during a UPI transaction.
- It effectively merges investment and daily transactions, offering both convenience and superior returns.
- Acting like a savings account, it provides market-linked returns of 6–7% annually, exceeding typical bank savings rates.
- The system performs a real-time backend redemption during payments — once the UPI payment is triggered, the required amount is redeemed and instantly transferred to the recipient.
- This process eliminates the intermediate bank transfer, resulting in a seamless and instantaneous payment flow.
- The feature utilizes liquid mutual funds, which invest in low-risk, short-term instruments such as treasury bills and commercial papers — offering safety, rapid redemption, and better yields — and operate under SEBI regulations.
NPCI Launches ‘UPI Help’ – AI Assistant for Simplified Grievance Redressal
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has rolled out ‘UPI Help’, an AI-powered assistant aimed at improving user confidence and experience in digital transactions by simplifying complaint management on UPI.
- The AI tool provides instant support for users encountering failed or delayed payments, unclear transaction statuses, or autopay-related queries.
- It can resolve failed or pending transactions, check real-time payment statuses, and allow users to raise and track complaints
- The assistant also displays a comprehensive view of active UPI Autopay mandates, enabling users to monitor and manage recurring payments efficiently.
- This initiative promotes trust, transparency, and convenience across India’s digital payment ecosystem.
NATIONAL NEWS
Darbar Move Tradition Revived in Jammu and Kashmir
- The Darbar Move, a historic practice of shifting government offices between Srinagar (summer capital) and Jammu (winter capital), has been resumed in winter 2025 after its suspension in 2021.
- Originating in 1872 under Maharaja Gulab Singh, the practice ensures government accessibility during extreme weather conditions.
- As per the 2025 schedule:
- Offices in Srinagar will close on 31 October 2025.
- They will reopen in Jammu on 3 November 2025.
- The Civil Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Office, and 38 departments will fully relocate, while 47 others will operate from temporary camp offices.
- The 2021 suspension occurred due to high operational costs (~₹200 crore) and a shift towards digital governance; the J&K High Court also noted no legal obligation to continue the move.
- The revival is expected to stimulate Jammu’s local economy, benefiting traders, transporters, and hotels.
- Symbolically, the move fosters unity and cultural connection between Jammu and Kashmir.
- Covering a 270 km distance, the process has become more efficient with modern transport and digital systems.
Global MIL Week 2025: “Minds Over AI: MIL in Digital Spaces”
- The Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2025 focuses on the theme “Minds Over AI: MIL in Digital Spaces”, highlighting the importance of human judgment, ethics, and critical thinking in AI-driven environments.
- Scheduled from 24–31 October 2025 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, the event brings together educators, policymakers, journalists, and youth organizations
- The Feature Conference will address how AI impacts information flow and the strategies needed for responsible media engagement.
- MIL refers to the ability to access, evaluate, create, and use information responsibly across all media formats.
- Supported by UNESCO, the initiative promotes policy frameworks, curricula, and global literacy programs to encourage informed digital citizenship.
- The theme underscores:
- Upholding human values and ethical reasoning amid AI influence.
- Recognizing algorithmic manipulation and identifying AI-generated misinformation.
- Promoting digital transparency and accountability.
- Recognized by the UN General Assembly in 2021, MIL Week also tackles digital inequality, misinformation, and the need for science-based, multilingual content.
- It empowers individuals to differentiate facts from falsehoods, engage constructively online, and use information ethically and critically.
Bajrang Setu to Replace Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh
- Bajrang Setu, a newly constructed modern suspension bridge across the Ganga River, is set to open by December 2025, replacing the historic Laxman Jhula (built in 1929), which was closed in 2019 due to safety issues.
- Bridge Specifications:
- Length: 132 meters
- Width: 8 meters
- Cost: ₹60 crore
- Location: Downstream of old Laxman Jhula
- The structure includes a 5-meter steel deck for vehicles and 5-meter glass walkways for pedestrians, offering panoramic river views.
- Construction is 90% complete, with glass panel installation pending; the bridge will be handed over by early 2026.
- Built with earthquake-resistant cables and premium materials, Bajrang Setu ensures long-term durability and pedestrian safety.
- The project is expected to boost tourism, reduce congestion, and create new avenues for local businesses and tour operators.
- It preserves the spiritual and cultural essence of Rishikesh while ensuring minimal ecological disruption during construction.
UIDAI Introduces SITAA Scheme to Advance Aadhaar-Linked Innovation
- The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched SITAA (Scheme for Innovation and Technology Association with Aadhaar) to encourage research, collaboration, and indigenous development in India’s digital identity ecosystem.
- Objectives:
- Enhance the technological framework for identity systems.
- Ensure data privacy, accuracy, and trust.
- Promote domestic innovation in areas such as AI, ML, biometrics, and digital inclusion.
- Collaborations:
- MeitY Startup Hub (MSH): Offers mentorship, incubation, and startup support.
- NASSCOM: Connects industry partners and global networks.
- Innovation Challenges (open until 15 November 2025):
- Face Liveness Detection: Develop SDKs to prevent deepfakes, mask use, and spoofing.
- Presentation Attack Detection: AI/ML systems to detect digital or printed manipulation in identity verification.
- Contactless Fingerprint Authentication: Use smartphone cameras or low-cost sensors for biometric verification with real-time detection.
- The initiative aligns with Digital Public Infrastructure and Atmanirbhar Bharat, aiming to reduce foreign dependency, promote indigenous R&D, and strengthen trust in Aadhaar-enabled services across sectors.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Maldives Achieves “Triple Elimination” of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized the Maldives as the first country to achieve triple elimination — preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.
- WHO attributed this success to the nation’s robust health policies, universal maternal care, and commitment to public health investment.
- The Maldives maintains over 95% antenatal care coverage, near-universal testing, and timely vaccination for newborns.
- Between 2022 and 2023, no infants were born with HIV or syphilis, and a 2023 national survey confirmed zero hepatitis B infections among young children.
- This milestone underscores the country’s dedication to universal health coverage and sets a global benchmark for maternal and child healthcare.
IUCN Report Identifies Climate Change as the Major Threat to Natural World Heritage Sites
- The IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4, released at the IUCN Congress in Abu Dhabi, identifies climate change as the largest global threat, impacting 43% of natural World Heritage sites.
- Other significant pressures include invasive species (30%) and a sharp rise in wildlife and plant diseases from 2% in 2020 to 9% in 2025.
- Covering data from 2014–2025, the report provides the most extensive evaluation of conservation trends worldwide.
- The share of sites with a positive conservation outlook has fallen from 62% in 2020 to 57% in 2025, signaling a worrying decline.
- Biodiversity-rich regions face the highest vulnerability, emphasizing the urgency for climate adaptation and stronger environmental policies.
- Grethel Aguilar serves as the Director General of IUCN.
DEFENCE NEWS
Indian Coast Guard Launches Two Advanced Fast Patrol Vessels
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) unveiled two state-of-the-art Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) — ICGS Ajit and ICGS Aparajit — at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
- These are the 7th and 8th vessels in a series of eight indigenously built FPVs, showcasing India’s maritime self-reliance and technological progress.
- Each vessel:
- Measures 52 meters in length.
- Has a displacement of 320 tonnes.
- Features Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) — a first for this class in India — enhancing maneuverability and propulsion efficiency.
- The addition of these vessels strengthens India’s coastal security and maritime defense capabilities.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
NASA Confirms Discovery of Quasi-Moon 2025 PN7 Orbiting Alongside Earth
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed the discovery of a new quasi-moon, designated 2025 PN7, orbiting near Earth.
- A quasi-moon is not an actual satellite but an asteroid sharing Earth’s orbital path, appearing to travel alongside the planet around the Sun.
- This celestial finding adds to ongoing research on co-orbital bodies that accompany Earth in its solar journey.
North Korea Showcases New Long-Range ICBM During Parade
- During a grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un unveiled the nation’s most powerful Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) — the Hwasong-20.
- The missile is powered by a solid-fuel engine built from carbon fiber composite materials, and has undergone nine ground tests.
- Described as North Korea’s strongest nuclear weapon, the Hwasong-20 is believed to have the range to target the U.S. mainland, underscoring the nation’s advancing missile technology.
OBITUARIES
Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit Passes Away at 93
- Queen Mother Sirikit of Thailand passed away on October 24, 2025, aged 93, following complications from a blood infection.
- Born on August 12, 1932, in Bangkok, she was part of the Chakri dynasty and daughter of Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara, Thailand’s former ambassador to France.
- Renowned for her philanthropic work, she dedicated her life to poverty alleviation, rural development, and preservation of traditional Thai arts.
- Her passing marks the end of an era in Thailand’s modern royal history.
Kancha Sherpa, Last Member of 1953 Everest Expedition, Dies at 92
- Kancha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the historic 1953 Mount Everest expedition led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, passed away at 92 in Kathmandu.
- He spent his later years in his hometown, Namche Bazaar, known as the gateway to Everest.
- The Nepal Mountaineering Association called his death a monumental loss to Nepal’s mountaineering legacy.
- Born in 1932, Kancha began his mountaineering journey at 19 in Darjeeling, where he met Tenzing Norgay, shaping his historic career.
Oscar-Winning Actress Diane Keaton Passes Away at 79
- Diane Keaton, the celebrated Oscar-winning American actress, has died at the age of 79.
- She gained global fame for her role as Kay Adams-Corleone in The Godfather
- Keaton received the 1978 Academy Award for Best Actress for Annie Hall, along with Golden Globe and BAFTA
- She earned three more Oscar nominations for Something’s Gotta Give, Marvin’s Room, and Reds.
- Beyond acting, Keaton also directed films, including Unstrung Heroes (1995), which was featured at the Cannes Film Festival under the Un Certain Regard