Current Affairs 1 October - 3 October 2026: Top 10 News for SSC, Banking & RRB Exams

Introduction

The first three days of October 2026 (1 October – 3 October) delivered a dense, exam-heavy set of developments that every SSC, Banking, RRB, WBCS and UPSC CSE aspirant must revise. The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, produced two of the week's biggest stories — a cricket final against Pakistan that India won by 19 runs, and a women's hockey gold that ended a 44-year drought while booking a direct ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. On the policy front, the Union Cabinet cleared the Rs 1,86,405 crore Green Energy Corridor Phase III and the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs raised minimum support prices for all Rabi crops. Banking saw a high-profile leadership change with Anup Bagchi named HDFC Bank's MD & CEO, while ISRO announced a new NETRA space-object-tracking radar facility near Guwahati, Assam. Below are the top 10 stories of the window, organised category-wise with the exact names, numbers, dates and places examiners love to ask.

Key Facts at a Glance

Date	Event	Key Fact
3 October 2026	Asian Games men's cricket final	India beat Pakistan by 19 runs (211/6 vs 192/6) at Nisshin; golden double after women's title on 22 September
2 October 2026	Asian Games women's hockey final	India beat China 1-0; first gold in 44 years (since 1982); Lalremsiami scored in the 10th minute; LA 2028 berth sealed
1 October 2026	Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase III	Outlay Rs 1,86,405 crore; 135 GW renewable transmission + 50 GWh battery storage; completion by FY 2032-33
1 October 2026	CCEA raises Rabi MSPs for 2027-28	Wheat Rs 2,610/quintal (+Rs 25); biggest hike safflower +Rs 675 to Rs 7,215/quintal
1 October 2026	HDFC Bank names Anup Bagchi MD & CEO	Three-year term from 27 October 2026; succeeds Sashidhar Jagdishan (term ends 26 October)
2 October 2026	AIME-2026 concludes at Subic Bay	2nd ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise; INS Sahyadri & Kulish; theme "Anchored in Trust, United at Sea"
2 October 2026	Asian Academy Creative Awards	Anil Kapoor's "Subedaar" wins Best Feature Film (India); 335 national winners announced
2 October 2026	ISRO NETRA radar facility announced	New facility at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam; ISTRAC is the nodal agency
1 October 2026	Small Savings Scheme rates unchanged	14th straight quarter with no revision; RBI MPC (5-7 October) expected to hike repo to 5.50%
2 October 2026	Gandhi Jayanti	157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi; observed globally as International Day of Non-Violence (UN Resolution 61/271)

National: What did the Cabinet approve on 1 October 2026?

Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase III worth Rs 1,86,405 crore

On 1 October 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase III (GEC-III), a mega transmission project to strengthen India's Intra-State Transmission System for renewable energy. The total outlay is Rs 1,86,405 crore — Rs 1,36,378 crore for transmission infrastructure and Rs 50,000 crore for battery energy storage. The project will create transmission capacity for up to 135 GW of renewable energy along with 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with completion targeted by FY 2032-33; the government will provide Rs 54,082 crore in funding support. GEC-III is the transmission backbone behind India's goal of 900 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2035. For exams, remember the exact outlay, the 135 GW / 50 GWh figures, the FY 2032-33 deadline and the 2035 non-fossil target.

CCEA raises Rabi MSPs for 2027-28: wheat at Rs 2,610 per quintal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved higher Minimum Support Prices for all mandated Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season on 1 October 2026. Wheat MSP rose by Rs 25 to Rs 2,610 per quintal and barley by Rs 136 to Rs 2,286 per quintal. The highest absolute increase went to safflower — up Rs 675 to Rs 7,215 per quintal — followed by rapeseed and mustard (up Rs 413 to Rs 6,613) and lentil/masur (up Rs 390 to Rs 7,390); gram was fixed at Rs 5,958 per quintal. The new MSPs carry a profit margin of 50% to 106% over the all-India weighted average cost of production, in line with the 2018-19 Budget commitment of at least 1.5 times the cost of production. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also approved MSP procurement of pulses and oilseeds worth Rs 5,547.99 crore for Kharif Marketing Season 2026-27. Classic exam questions: the crop with the highest hike (safflower), the wheat MSP figure, and the 1.5-times-cost-of-production principle.

Appointments: Who are the new chiefs at HDFC Bank, South Indian Bank and NIACL?

Anup Bagchi named HDFC Bank MD & CEO from 27 October 2026

On 1 October 2026, HDFC Bank's board approved the appointment of Anup Bagchi as Managing Director & CEO for a three-year term beginning 27 October 2026, following Reserve Bank of India approval under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. Bagchi, currently MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, will succeed Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose term ends on 26 October 2026 after he decided not to seek reappointment; Bagchi was appointed additional director effective 2 October 2026. For banking exams, note the RBI approval under Section 35B, the exact tenure dates and the predecessor's name.

Mahesh Muralidhar Pai takes charge at South Indian Bank; Lavanya R Mundayur to head NIACL

Mahesh Muralidhar Pai took charge as MD & CEO of South Indian Bank from 1 October 2026 for a three-year term, succeeding P R Seshadri. The Department of Financial Services appointed Lavanya R Mundayur as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of New India Assurance (NIACL), serving till superannuation on 31 May 2029. Appointments of bank and PSU chiefs with their exact takeover dates are staple Banking and SSC current-affairs questions.

Defence: What was the AIME-2026 maritime exercise?

2nd ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise concludes at Subic Bay, Philippines

The second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) ran from 28 September to 2 October 2026 at Subic Bay in the Philippines, formally opened by the Philippine Navy together with the Indian Navy. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri (an indigenous stealth frigate) and Kulish (a missile corvette) participated alongside maritime forces from ASEAN member states. Conducted under the theme "Anchored in Trust, United at Sea" in a harbour phase and a sea phase, it was the capstone activity of 2026 — declared the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation — in furtherance of India's Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). Remember: 2nd edition, Subic Bay venue, the two Indian ships, the theme, and the MAHASAGAR/Act East linkage.

Awards: Which Indian film won Best Feature Film at the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2026?

Anil Kapoor's "Subedaar" wins Best Feature Film (India)

On 2 October 2026, the Asian Academy Creative Awards announced its 335 national winners, with Anil Kapoor's "Subedaar" winning Best Feature Film for India. Kapoor plays retired soldier Subedaar Arjun Maurya in the Suresh Triveni action-drama, set in Madhya Pradesh, which released on Amazon Prime Video on 5 March. Kapoor was also nominated in the Best Actor in a Leading Role category, while director Suresh Triveni was nominated for Best Direction (Feature Film). "The Shadow's Edge", fronted by Jackie Chan, won Best Feature Film for Chinese Mainland. International and regional film awards won by Indian productions are regularly asked in SSC and UPSC current-affairs sections.

Cash awards for the women's hockey Asian Games gold

Hockey India announced cash awards of Rs 11 lakh per player and Rs 5.5 lakh per support staff member for the women's hockey team's Asian Games gold, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced matching awards of the same amounts on 3 October 2026. Sports cash-award announcements tied to major victories frequently appear as one-liners in exams.

Sports: How did India beat Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 cricket final?

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to retain men's cricket gold

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 3 October 2026 to retain the gold medal. India posted 211 for 6 in 20 overs after captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bat: opener Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls with seven sixes, and vice-captain Tilak Varma hit an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls. Pakistan finished on 192 for 6, with Hasan Nawaz hitting a defiant 96 off 51 balls; Axar Patel and Washington Sundar took two wickets each for India. The victory completed a golden double for India in Asian Games cricket, after the women's team beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final on 22 September. Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 63 runs to take the men's bronze. For exams, lock in the venue (Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin), the scores, the key performers and the title-retention fact.

Sports: Why is the women's hockey gold historic?

Women's hockey gold after 44 years; LA 2028 Olympic berth sealed

The Indian women's hockey team beat defending champions and Olympic silver medallist China 1-0 in the Asian Games final on 2 October 2026 to win India's first women's hockey gold at the Asian Games in 44 years — since the 1982 edition. Lalremsiami scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute, and India defended resolutely thereafter. The victory also secured India direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. On the same day, wrestler Sujeet Kalkal won the men's 65kg freestyle gold, beating an Olympic champion en route and erasing a 2-9 deficit in the final against Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiev. The 44-year gap, the scorer's name, the Olympic qualification and the wrestling comeback are all classic exam material.

Science & Technology: Where is ISRO building its NETRA radar facility?

ISRO's new NETRA space-tracking radar facility near Guwahati, Assam

ISRO announced on 2 October 2026 that a new radar facility is being set up at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam, as part of its Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) to improve Space Situational Awareness. The ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) is the nodal agency setting up the facility. The foundation stone was laid on 21 September by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of ISRO chairman V Narayanan. Once operational, the facility will support space weather studies, flood monitoring warnings, thunderstorm and lightning nowcasting, and aviation services. ISRO centres in Kerala also announced World Space Week 2026 celebrations from 4 to 10 October on the theme "Rocket Revolution". ISRO facilities, their locations, full forms (NETRA, ISTRAC) and the chairman's name are standard UPSC and SSC science-tech questions; World Space Week (4-10 October, theme "Rocket Revolution") dates and themes are frequently asked too.

Economy: Will the RBI hike the repo rate on 7 October 2026?

Small Savings Scheme rates unchanged for the 14th straight quarter

The Department of Economic Affairs announced on 1 October 2026 that Small Savings Scheme interest rates for Q3 FY27 (October-December 2026) remain unchanged — the 14th consecutive quarter without revision, with rates last changed in Q4 FY24. For banking exams, the count of unchanged quarters and the Q4 FY24 reference point are the facts to remember.

RBI expected to raise repo rate to 5.50% on 7 October

A Reuters poll of 61 economists found nearly 60% expect the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee to raise the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% at its 5-7 October meeting — the first increase since February 2023. August CPI inflation accelerated to 4.82% year-on-year from 4.45% in July, driven by energy and food costs, with crude oil staying above USD 100 a barrel. Repo-rate history, CPI numbers and MPC meeting dates are core Banking, SSC and RRB current-affairs fodder.

Important Days: What was special about 2 October 2026?

Gandhi Jayanti 2026: 157th birth anniversary and International Day of Non-Violence

Gandhi Jayanti was observed across India on Friday, 2 October 2026, marking the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. Banks and stock exchanges (NSE and BSE) remained closed for trading, with commemorative programmes and tributes held nationwide. The same date is observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence, established by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 61/271 adopted on 15 June 2007. Important days with anniversary numbers, UN resolutions and observance dates are guaranteed one-mark questions in every competitive exam.

FAQs

Who won the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final?

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the men's cricket final at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 3 October 2026, scoring 211/6 to Pakistan's 192/6. Abhishek Sharma (61 off 28) and Tilak Varma (51* off 22) starred with the bat, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar took two wickets each. India retained the gold and completed a cricket golden double after the women's title on 22 September.

What is the Green Energy Corridor Phase III approved by the Cabinet?

Green Energy Corridor Phase III, approved on 1 October 2026, is a Rs 1,86,405 crore transmission project to evacuate up to 135 GW of renewable energy with 50 GWh of battery storage, targeted for completion by FY 2032-33. It is the transmission backbone for India's goal of 900 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2035.

Who is the new MD & CEO of HDFC Bank?

Anup Bagchi, currently MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, will take over as HDFC Bank's MD & CEO on 27 October 2026 for a three-year term, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan. The appointment received RBI approval under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

When and where is ISRO setting up the NETRA radar facility?

ISRO announced on 2 October 2026 that a new radar facility under its Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) is being set up at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam, with ISTRAC as the nodal agency. The foundation stone was laid on 21 September by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in the presence of ISRO chairman V Narayanan.

Conclusion

The first three days of October 2026 packed in sport, policy, appointments and science in equal measure. India's cricket and hockey triumphs at the Asian Games — the 19-run win over Pakistan and the 44-year-awaited hockey gold — sit alongside the Cabinet's Rs 1,86,405 crore bet on green transmission, the Rabi MSP revision led by a record safflower hike, and a new leadership line-up across HDFC Bank, South Indian Bank and NIACL. Turn the bolded names, numbers and dates above into one-liners and revise them weekly. For daily current affairs updates, job alerts and free study material, keep following Job Ready Portal.

Last updated: 3 October 2026