Current Affairs 17 October 2026
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Environment
India’s Ramsar Sites Increase to 103 with Addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel
India’s total number of Ramsar Sites increased to 103 following the designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh as Wetlands of International Importance. Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced the additions on 15 October 2026, highlighting India’s commitment to wetland conservation, biodiversity protection and climate resilience.
The Ramsar Convention, officially known as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, is an international treaty adopted on 2 February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. It provides a framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands. India became a contracting party to the Convention on 1 February 1982. World Wetlands Day is observed annually on 2 February to commemorate the adoption of the Convention.
Defence
Ministry of Defence Signs Contracts for GSAT-7C Satellite and Varunastra Torpedoes
The Ministry of Defence signed two major defence procurement contracts worth approximately ₹4,106 crore on 15 October 2026 for the acquisition of the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy. The contracts aim to strengthen India’s defence communication infrastructure and anti-submarine warfare capabilities while promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.
The GSAT-7C satellite contract, valued at ₹2,563 crore, was signed with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Bengaluru. The Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo contract, worth ₹1,543 crore, was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad. Varunastra is an indigenous, ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL).
Important Days
Mahila Kisan Diwas – 15 October
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, celebrated Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 on 15 October 2026. The theme of Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 was “Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.”
World Food Day – 16 October
World Food Day 2026 was observed on 16 October with the theme “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, highlighting the importance of innovation in achieving global food security, improving nutrition and developing sustainable agricultural systems. The observance emphasised the need to address hunger through climate-resilient agriculture, technological advancements, improved food distribution and inclusive financing.
Miscellaneous
Ramya Anche Selected to Lead NASA’s $20 Million PUFFINS Space Telescope Mission
Bengaluru-born astronomer Ramya Anche has been selected as the Principal Investigator of NASA’s $20 million PUFFINS space telescope mission, which aims to investigate the properties of interstellar dust and its role in the formation of stars and planets. She is an Assistant Research Professor at the Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, United States.
PUFFINS stands for Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in Interstellar Dust. The mission is a Small Satellite (SmallSat) project selected under NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Programme, which supports innovative and relatively low-cost space science missions. PUFFINS is targeted for launch in 2030 and will carry a 10-inch ultraviolet telescope to observe approximately 70 distant stars.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz
Q1. What was the theme of Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026, celebrated by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on 15 October 2026?
A. Empowering Rural Women through Digital Agriculture
B. Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India
C. Women Farmers: Leaders in Climate-Resilient Agriculture
D. Sustainable Agriculture through Women’s Entrepreneurship
Show Answer
Answer: B. Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India
Explanation: Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 was celebrated on 15 October 2026 by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The theme was “Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.” The event was chaired by Atish Chandra, Secretary, DA&FW. Outstanding women farmers were felicitated, and a book titled “Women Farmers of India: Journey from Challenges to Success” was released.
Q2. Varunastra, an indigenous heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo for which the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,543 crore contract in October 2026, was developed by which of the following organisations?
A. Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), Hyderabad
B. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
C. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru
D. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
Show Answer
Answer: B. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
Explanation: Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). On 15 October 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,543 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, for the procurement of Varunastra torpedoes for the Indian Navy.
Q3. India’s total number of Ramsar Sites increased to 103 in October 2026 following the addition of which of the following two wetlands?
A. Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel
B. Deepor Beel and Rudrasagar Lake
C. Ashtamudi Wetland and Sasthamkotta Lake
D. Bhoj Wetland and Kolleru Lake
Show Answer
Answer: A. Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel
Explanation: On 15 October 2026, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav announced that India’s Ramsar Site tally had reached 103 with the addition of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh.
Q4. Who was selected as the Principal Investigator of NASA’s $20 million PUFFINS space telescope mission, targeted for launch in 2030?
A. Priyamvada Natarajan
B. Ramya Anche
C. Nandita Das
D. Annapurni Subramaniam
Show Answer
Answer: B. Ramya Anche
Explanation: Bengaluru-born astronomer Ramya Anche, an Assistant Research Professor at the Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, was selected as the Principal Investigator of NASA’s PUFFINS mission. PUFFINS stands for Polarimetry in the Ultraviolet to Find Features in Interstellar Dust.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding World Food Day 2026:
1. World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October.
2. The theme of World Food Day 2026 was “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct.
Statement 1: World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October to commemorate the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations on 16 October 1945.
Statement 2: The theme of World Food Day 2026 was “Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow”, highlighting the importance of agricultural innovation, climate-resilient farming, sustainable food systems and improved nutrition in addressing global hunger and food insecurity.
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