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Home› Current Affairs› 31 October 2026
31Oct
Saturday · 2026 · Daily Digest

Daily Current Affairs 31 October 2026

Six exam-ready news topics of the day for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO and GD — written in the one-line fact format the General Awareness section actually asks for, each closing with an Important Facts for Exams slip, plus 9 practice MCQs at the end.

06Topics
9Practice MCQs
90+Exam Facts
10Min Read
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📋 2027 Census ✈️ IAF Vice Chief 🤼 Wrestling Gold 🏦 Banking Committee 📉 Poverty Decline 📡 Broadcast Award 📝 Practice MCQs

Today at a glance

If you have two minutes, read only this. Every line below is a potential one-mark question.

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Economy & Banking Census 31 October 2026

Population Census to Begin on 25 January 2027

  • Population census is scheduled across the country from 25 January to 28 February 2027, according to the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • The announced schedule excludes Manipur, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The excluded areas are described in the report as snow-bound and poll-bound states or areas.
  • Self-enumeration will be available from 10 to 24 January 2027, before the main census period.
  • A revisional round is scheduled for 1 to 5 March 2027.
  • The census covers states and Union Territories, subject to the listed exclusions.
  • The notification was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • The scheduled census period runs for 35 calendar days, from 25 January through 28 February.

Schedule at a Glance

ActivityDates
Self-enumeration10–24 January 2027
Main census period25 January–28 February 2027
Revisional round1–5 March 2027
Excluded areas namedManipur, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir

Exam Note

  • The report identifies the Ministry of Home Affairs as the ministry that issued the census notification.
  • Self-enumeration is scheduled before the main census period.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: Which ministry issued the census notification? A: Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Q: When is self-enumeration scheduled? A: 10–24 January 2027.
  • Q: What is the main census period announced? A: 25 January–28 February 2027.
  • Q: When is the revisional round scheduled? A: 1–5 March 2027.
  • Q: Which Union Territory is among the named exclusions? A: Ladakh.
  • Q: Is Uttar Pradesh included in the announced schedule? A: No; it is among the named exclusions.

Source: News On AIR report

Appointments Defence 31 October 2026

Inderpal Singh Walia Appointed IAF Vice Chief

  • Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia is appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) from 1 November 2026.
  • At the time of the announcement, he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command.
  • Walia is a National Defence Academy alumnus and joined the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on 11 June 1988.
  • He has flown the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft.
  • His command appointments included a frontline fighter squadron and the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE).
  • He also served as Air Officer Commanding at Air Force Station Bareilly and as Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command.
  • His other assignments included heading the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection and serving as defence attaché at Indian missions in Japan and South Korea.
  • Walia received the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2018.
  • He holds three postgraduate degrees in defence and strategic studies and completed advanced command and staff training in the United Kingdom and training at Bangladesh’s National Defence College.
  • He succeeds Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit; the release said Dixit would assume charge as the IAF’s 29th Chief on 31 October 2026.

Appointment Details

PostVice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS)
OfficerAir Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia
Effective date1 November 2026
Previous roleAir Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command
PredecessorAir Marshal Ashutosh Dixit

Service and Honours

  • Walia was commissioned into the IAF fighter stream on 11 June 1988.
  • His reported decorations include the Vayu Sena Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: Who was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff? A: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia.
  • Q: From what date does Walia’s appointment take effect? A: 1 November 2026.
  • Q: Which command was Walia leading before this appointment? A: Eastern Air Command.
  • Q: Which academy did Walia attend? A: National Defence Academy.
  • Q: What is the abbreviation VCAS used for? A: Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
  • Q: In which year did Walia receive the Vayu Sena Medal? A: 2008.
  • Q: In which year did he receive the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal? A: 2018.

Source: PIB release

Sports, Culture & Days Wrestling 31 October 2026

Manisha Bhanwala Wins Historic Wrestling World Gold

  • Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Wrestling World Championships.
  • The championships were held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
  • Manisha won the women’s 59 kg final against American wrestler Abigail Nette by 8–6.
  • She recovered from a 0–6 deficit to claim the title.
  • The victory made her only the second Indian wrestler to win a world championship title.
  • The previous Indian world champion was Sushil Kumar, who won the men’s 66 kg gold in 2010.
  • Manisha reached the final after defeating Kazakhstan’s Altyn Shagayeva in the semifinal.
  • For the first time, three Indian women reached gold-medal finals in the same edition of the championships.
  • Neelam Sirohi, in the 50 kg category, and Kajal Dhochak, in the 76 kg category, won silver medals.
  • Tanmu Sharma also secured a bronze medal at the championships.

Medal and Final Details

WrestlerCategory — Result
Manisha BhanwalaWomen’s 59 kg — Gold; defeated Abigail Nette 8–6
Neelam SirohiWomen’s 50 kg — Silver
Kajal DhochakWomen’s 76 kg — Silver
Tanmu SharmaNot specified in report — Bronze

Historic Context

  • Manisha’s win was India’s first women’s gold at the Wrestling World Championships and the country’s second world title in wrestling.
  • Sushil Kumar had previously won the men’s 66 kg world title in 2010.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: Who became the first Indian woman to win Wrestling World Championships gold? A: Manisha Bhanwala.
  • Q: In which category did Manisha win gold? A: Women’s 59 kg.
  • Q: Where were the championships held? A: Astana, Kazakhstan.
  • Q: What was the score in Manisha’s final? A: 8–6 against Abigail Nette.
  • Q: Who was the previous Indian wrestler to win a world title? A: Sushil Kumar.
  • Q: In which year did Sushil Kumar win the men’s 66 kg world gold? A: 2010.
  • Q: Which two Indian women won silver medals? A: Neelam Sirohi and Kajal Dhochak.

Source: News On AIR report

Economy & Banking Banking Reforms 31 October 2026

High-Level Committee Formed to Review Banking Sector

  • The Government of India constituted a High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat to review India’s banking sector.
  • The committee is tasked with recommending reforms to make banking globally competitive, financially inclusive and supportive of Viksit Bharat 2047.
  • Its formation had been announced by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2026–27.
  • Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N. Patel is the committee’s chairperson.
  • Members named in the announcement are RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu, former Indian Bank MD and CEO Padmaja Chunduru, and former RBI Deputy Governor N. S. Vishwanathan.
  • The Joint Secretary (Banking) in the Department of Financial Services is the committee’s member-secretary.
  • The committee has a six-month tenure.
  • Its terms include assessing banking practices and prudential norms, identifying global best practices and recommending suitable approaches for India.
  • It will review regulatory and legal frameworks covering banks, including Regional Rural Banks and cooperative banks, and assess long-term capital needs including those of development finance institutions and NBFCs.
  • Its remit also includes AI and digital innovation, cyber-risk safeguards, workforce capability, and review of priority-sector lending and the Lead Bank Scheme.

Committee at a Glance

ChairpersonSuresh N. Patel, former Central Vigilance Commissioner
MembersShirish Chandra Murmu, Padmaja Chunduru and N. S. Vishwanathan
Member-secretaryJoint Secretary (Banking), Department of Financial Services
TenureSix months
Announced inUnion Budget 2026–27
PurposeRecommend banking reforms aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047

Key Areas of Review

  • The committee will consider capital needs, credit growth, cost of capital and ways to support private investment.
  • It will also examine financial inclusion, data-based credit delivery, digital innovation and banking-sector skills.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: Who chairs the High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat? A: Suresh N. Patel.
  • Q: Which minister announced the committee in the Union Budget 2026–27? A: Nirmala Sitharaman.
  • Q: What is the committee’s tenure? A: Six months.
  • Q: Which central bank’s deputy governor is a committee member? A: Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu.
  • Q: Which two types of banks are specifically included in its regulatory review? A: Regional Rural Banks and cooperative banks.
  • Q: Which lending framework will the committee review? A: Priority-sector lending.
  • Q: What technology-related areas are included in its remit? A: AI, digital innovation and cyber-risk safeguards.

Source: PIB release

Economy & Banking Poverty and Employment 31 October 2026

India’s Extreme Poverty Falls to 2.6% by 2023

  • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman cited a fall in India’s extreme poverty rate from 27.1% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2023.
  • The figures were highlighted in the World Bank’s October 2026 Poverty and Equity report.
  • The report described India’s poverty reduction as one of the fastest in the world.
  • Over 49 crore people moved above the lower-middle-income poverty line during 2011–2023, according to the minister’s post.
  • Employment in India increased by 13.4 crore people between 2017 and 2023.
  • The reported employment increase was nearly twice the increase in the working-age population over that period.
  • Rural women accounted for much of the employment gain, while rural and urban households both experienced welfare gains.
  • Access to electricity reached 99% of the population, as cited by the Finance Minister.
  • The World Bank report identified strong consumption growth, rising employment—especially among women—and expanded social transfers, including food subsidies, as key drivers.

Key Figures

IndicatorReported figure or period
Extreme poverty rate27.1% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2023
People above lower-middle-income poverty lineOver 49 crore during 2011–2023
Employment increase13.4 crore during 2017–2023
Population access to electricity99%
Source citedWorld Bank Poverty and Equity report, October 2026

Reported Drivers

  • The report cited consumption growth, increased employment and expanded social transfers, including food subsidies.
  • The reported employment gains were particularly notable among women.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: What was India’s reported extreme poverty rate in 2023? A: 2.6%.
  • Q: From what level did the extreme poverty rate fall between 2011 and 2023? A: 27.1%.
  • Q: Which World Bank publication was cited? A: The October 2026 Poverty and Equity report.
  • Q: How many people moved above the lower-middle-income poverty line? A: Over 49 crore.
  • Q: By how many people did employment increase between 2017 and 2023? A: 13.4 crore.
  • Q: What share of the population had access to electricity, as cited? A: 99%.
  • Q: Name one driver of poverty reduction identified in the report. A: Consumption growth, rising employment or expanded social transfers.

Source: News On AIR report

Science & Technology Broadcasting 31 October 2026

Prasar Bharati Engineer Wins ABU Award 2026

  • Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh of Prasar Bharati won the ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026.
  • The award recognised his contribution to broadcast technology and innovation.
  • His innovations include DDPlayout, indigenous automated playout software used by multiple Doordarshan Kendras.
  • He also developed DDSlowMo, a cost-effective slow-motion replay system used at national-level sporting events.
  • The award was presented by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), a regional organisation of broadcasting and media organisations.
  • The 63rd ABU General Assembly and Associated Meetings are being held in Colombo from 30 October to 3 November 2026.
  • The assembly’s theme is “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation”.
  • The five-day gathering includes technical, programme and sports group meetings, as well as the Broadcasting for All Forum, Media Leaders’ Forum and Super Panel.
  • ABU brings together around 224 broadcasting and media organisations across 66 countries, according to the report.

Award and Innovation

Award winnerNongmaithem Nandakumar Singh
AwardABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026
DDPlayoutIndigenous automated playout software
DDSlowMoCost-effective slow-motion replay system
Awarding organisationAsia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)

ABU General Assembly

  • The 63rd General Assembly is taking place in Colombo from 30 October to 3 November 2026.
  • Its theme highlights media, peace and humanity, with a focus on truth, trust and transformation.

Important Facts for Exams

  • Q: Who won the ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026? A: Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh.
  • Q: Which Indian public broadcaster is associated with the award winner? A: Prasar Bharati.
  • Q: What does ABU stand for? A: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.
  • Q: Where is the 63rd ABU General Assembly being held? A: Colombo.
  • Q: What is the theme of the 63rd ABU General Assembly? A: “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation”.
  • Q: What is DDPlayout? A: Indigenous automated playout software used by multiple Doordarshan Kendras.
  • Q: What is DDSlowMo used for? A: Slow-motion replay at sporting events.

Source: News On AIR report

Test Yourself

SSC Current Affairs Quiz — 31 October 2026

9 exam-style questions from today's news. Tap an option to check your answer instantly.

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About this page

Daily Current Affairs 31 October 2026 for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and CPO

This page carries the complete current affairs of 31 October 2026, prepared specifically for candidates preparing for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC GD Constable and other competitive examinations. Every topic on this page is compiled from All India Radio (News On AIR) reports and official Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and written in the short, factual, one-line style that the General Awareness section of SSC papers actually tests — dates, full forms, ministries, venues, appointments and numbers — rather than long news reporting.

The topics covered today are the 2027 population census schedule, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia’s appointment as IAF Vice Chief, Manisha Bhanwala’s historic wrestling gold, the Viksit Bharat banking committee, India’s reported decline in extreme poverty and Prasar Bharati’s ABU broadcast engineering award. Each topic ends with an Important Facts for Exams box, and the page closes with 9 practice MCQs with answers.

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Why daily current affairs matter in the SSC exam

In SSC CGL Tier I, the General Awareness section carries 25 questions of 2 marks each, that is 50 marks out of 200, and it must be completed in a locked 15-minute sectional window under the 2026 pattern. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning, General Awareness rewards recall rather than calculation, so a well-prepared candidate can finish the whole section in seven or eight minutes and carry the saved time as a psychological cushion into the rest of the paper.

Within that section, current affairs typically account for a meaningful share of questions, and the questions are almost always factual one-liners — who launched a scheme, where a summit was held, which ministry implements a programme, what a scheme's full form is. That is exactly why this page is written as short bullet facts rather than paragraphs of analysis.

Topics covered on 31 October 2026 and the sections they belong to

TopicCategoryMost likely question
2027 CensusEconomy & BankingCensus dates and exclusions
IAF Vice ChiefAppointmentsNew IAF Vice Chief
Wrestling GoldSports, Culture & DaysFirst Indian woman wrestling champion
Banking CommitteeEconomy & BankingChairperson and committee mandate
Poverty DeclineEconomy & BankingPoverty rate and World Bank report
Broadcast AwardScience & TechnologyABU award winner and venue

How to use this daily current affairs page effectively

  1. Read the “Today at a glance” box first. A handful of lines, under two minutes. If you are short on time on a busy day, this alone keeps you current.
  2. Then read each topic once, slowly. Do not try to memorise on the first pass — understanding what happened makes the facts stick far better than rote repetition.
  3. Revise only the Important Facts for Exams boxes. These are deliberately written in question–answer shape, so they double as a revision sheet in the last week before the exam.
  4. Attempt the practice MCQs the same day. Active recall on the day you read something is worth several passive re-readings later.
  5. Do a weekly sweep every Sunday. Open the last seven date pages from the archive and read only the fact boxes — that takes about fifteen minutes and covers a full week.
  6. Link every current affair to static GK. When you read about a summit, revise the organisation's headquarters and member capitals at the same time. SSC frequently mixes the two.

Standard categories SSC asks current affairs from

Over the last several exam cycles, current affairs questions in SSC papers have clustered into a predictable set of buckets. Reading with these buckets in mind makes your notes far easier to revise:

Related practice on TrickySSC

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will the announced population census take place?
The main census period is 25 January to 28 February 2027. Self-enumeration is scheduled for 10–24 January, followed by a revisional round from 1–5 March.
Who is the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force?
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia was appointed Vice Chief of the Air Staff. His appointment takes effect on 1 November 2026.
What wrestling record did Manisha Bhanwala achieve?
She became the first Indian woman to win gold at the Wrestling World Championships. She claimed the women’s 59 kg title with an 8–6 comeback win over Abigail Nette.
Who heads the banking committee for Viksit Bharat?
Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N. Patel chairs the committee. It will review the banking sector and recommend reforms aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
What poverty figures did the Finance Minister cite?
Nirmala Sitharaman cited a decline in extreme poverty from 27.1% in 2011 to 2.6% in 2023. The figures were highlighted in the World Bank’s October 2026 Poverty and Equity report.
Who won the ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026?
Prasar Bharati’s Nongmaithem Nandakumar Singh won the award. His innovations include DDPlayout software and the DDSlowMo replay system.
Is current affairs enough to score well in SSC General Awareness?
No. Current affairs are important but static GK — History, Geography, Polity, Economics and Science — still carries the larger share of the General Awareness section. The most reliable approach is to read current affairs daily for about ten minutes and revise static GK chapter-wise alongside, using chapter-wise tests to check retention.
Are these daily current affairs pages free on TrickySSC?
Yes. All daily current affairs pages and the complete date-wise archive are free to read, with no login required. SSC CGL and SSC CHSL previous year papers are also free; the full 100-mock test series is available on the paid plan, with Mocks 1–4 free for everyone.

Last updated: 31 October 2026 · Published by TrickySSC · Compiled from All India Radio (News On AIR) reports and official Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and presented for examination preparation purposes only.