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15 October 2026 Current Affairs (With PDF)

We bring you the most relevant and important news updates from around the world and India, specially curated for competitive exams and different entrance exams. Today's Current Affairs covers all significant national and international headlines, legal updates, economic news, and environmental highlights to boost your preparation. With our crisp, to-the-point coverage, you can confidently tackle current affairs questions in your exam.

Preventive Detention in India

Why in News?

The detention of individuals by Delhi Police ahead of a protest has renewed discussion about preventive detention, its legal basis and the constitutional safeguards available to protect personal liberty.

What Is Preventive Detention?

Meaning: Preventive detention is the detention of a person without a criminal trial or conviction, with the objective of preventing a reasonably anticipated future threat or harmful act.
Nature: It is preventive rather than punitive; it seeks to avert a potential threat rather than punish a past offence.
Possible grounds: Depending on the applicable law, these may include threats to national security, public order or the security of the State.

Basis	Preventive detention	Punitive detention
Purpose	Prevent an anticipated threat	Punish an offence already committed
Basis	Applicable preventive detention law and prescribed grounds	Criminal law and alleged/proven offence
Trial and conviction	Not required before detention	Ordinarily follows criminal proceedings and conviction
Constitutional safeguards	Article 22 and relevant statutory safeguards	Criminal procedure and constitutional protections

Legal Framework

Article 22 of the Constitution: Specifically addresses safeguards relating to arrest and detention, including special provisions governing preventive detention.
National Security Act (NSA), 1980: Provides a statutory framework for preventive detention on specified grounds.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 — Section 163: Authorises Executive Magistrates to issue urgent orders in cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. It broadly corresponds to former Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Important distinction: Section 163 BNSS is primarily a preventive-order provision; it should not be treated as equivalent to a formal preventive detention order under the NSA or another preventive detention statute.

Constitutional Safeguards Under Article 22

Article 22(4): Ordinarily, preventive detention cannot extend beyond three months unless the applicable constitutional requirements for further detention are satisfied, including the role of an Advisory Board. The Constitution provides specific exceptions and permits Parliament to prescribe relevant procedures.
Article 22(5): The detaining authority must communicate the grounds of detention as soon as may be and provide the earliest opportunity to make a representation against the order.
Article 22(6): Authorities may withhold facts whose disclosure they consider contrary to the public interest.
Judicial review: Courts can examine whether the detention complies with the Constitution and the governing statute, including procedural requirements and the legality of the grounds.

Evolution of Preventive Detention Laws

1. Before Independence

Rowlatt Act, 1919: Allowed detention and other repressive measures against suspected revolutionary activities.
Defence of India Act, 1939: Provided exceptional powers during the Second World War.

2. After Independence

Preventive Detention Act, 1950: An early post-independence law; it expired in 1969.
Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971: Repealed in 1978.
COFEPOSA, 1974: Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act.
National Security Act (NSA), 1980: Provides for preventive detention on specified grounds.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967: Primarily an anti-terrorism and unlawful-activities law; it should not be described as simply interchangeable with preventive detention statutes.

Key Challenges

Threat to personal liberty: Detention without trial raises concerns under Article 21 and requires strict compliance with Article 22.
Broad or vague grounds: Terms such as “public order” and “security of the State” may be applied expansively if not carefully interpreted.
Chilling effect on dissent: The possibility of detention may discourage lawful protest and the exercise of fundamental freedoms.
Limited nature of review: Courts generally do not conduct a full criminal trial in detention proceedings, but can scrutinise the legality of the order, the relevance of the material and compliance with safeguards.
Executive discretion: Detaining authorities must exercise this exceptional power for the purpose authorised by law and on relevant material.

Important Supreme Court Judgments

Case	Key principle
Babulal Parate v. State of Maharashtra (1961)	Concerned the scope of executive powers under Section 144 CrPC; relevant to preventive public-order restrictions, but not a general ruling that all preventive detention powers are unlimited or limited.
Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978)	Procedure affecting personal liberty must be fair, just and reasonable.
Khudiram Das v. State of West Bengal (1975)	Preventive detention orders are subject to judicial review; the authority must apply its mind and act within legal limits.
Shaik Nazneen v. State of Telangana (2022)	Preventive detention should not be used as a substitute for ordinary criminal law where the circumstances do not justify it.
Ameena Begum v. State of Telangana (2023)	Reaffirmed that preventive detention is an exceptional measure and that courts can scrutinise the legality, relevance of grounds and proportionality of its use.

Right to Protest and Public Order

Why in News?

Delhi Police reportedly de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site and identified Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and Central Business District Ground as alternative venues. The development has renewed debate over balancing citizens’ right to peaceful protest with public order, traffic management and residents’ interests.

What Is a Designated Protest Site?

A designated protest site is a public location identified by the authorities for permitted demonstrations.

Purpose: To facilitate peaceful assemblies while managing traffic, public safety, access to essential services and the interests of nearby residents.
Key issue: Regulation of the location and manner of a protest must not become an arbitrary prohibition on peaceful dissent.

Constitutional and Legal Framework

1. Fundamental Rights

Article 19(1)(a): Guarantees freedom of speech and expression.
Article 19(1)(b): Guarantees the right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
Article 19(2): Permits reasonable restrictions on freedom of speech and expression on specified grounds.
Article 19(3): Allows reasonable restrictions on peaceful assembly in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India and public order.

Important distinction: “Law and order” is not separately listed under Article 19(3); the relevant constitutional ground is public order.

2. Relevant Legal Provisions

Section 163, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023: Empowers an Executive Magistrate to issue urgent orders to prevent specified dangers or disturbances. An order ordinarily lasts up to two months, subject to the statutory conditions for extension by the State Government.
Section 168, BNSS: Places a duty on police officers to prevent cognisable offences to the best of their ability.
Section 172, BNSS: Requires compliance with lawful police directions given under the provision and provides specified powers to prevent resistance or disregard of such directions, including limited detention in the circumstances prescribed by law.
Delhi Police Act, 1978: Provides the legal framework for regulating assemblies and processions in Delhi.

3. Special Position of Delhi

Under Article 239AA(3)(a), the Delhi Legislative Assembly does not have legislative power over public order and police. These subjects fall outside its ordinary legislative competence, unlike the position in most States.

Key Supreme Court Judgments

Case	Key principle
Himat Lal K. Shah v. Commissioner of Police (1973)	Authorities may regulate public meetings on streets, but regulation must operate within constitutional limits and cannot be arbitrary.
Ramlila Maidan Incident v. Home Secretary, Union of India (2012)	Examined the use of police force against a gathering and underscored the importance of peaceful assembly and personal liberty under Articles 19 and 21.
Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan v. Union of India (2018)	Addressed protests at Jantar Mantar and the need to balance demonstrators’ rights with residents’ rights and public convenience.
Amit Sahni v. Commissioner of Police (2020)	Held that public roads cannot be occupied indefinitely for protests at the cost of ordinary public movement.
Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020)	Emphasised legality, reasonableness and proportionality when the State restricts fundamental rights.

Key Challenges: Protest Rights vs Public Order

Administrative discretion: Permission and venue rules are necessary for coordination, but overly broad or arbitrary restrictions can undermine the exercise of fundamental rights.
Collective penalisation: Restrictions imposed because of earlier incidents should be based on the circumstances and evidence relevant to the proposed gathering, rather than automatically treating every participant as a threat.
Public convenience and movement: Prolonged road or rail blockades can interfere with commuters’ rights under Article 19(1)(d), access to essential services and other public interests.
Visibility of dissent: Relocating demonstrations far from the institutions being addressed may affect their visibility and practical effectiveness. This is a concern to be weighed alongside security and logistical considerations.
Police accountability: Crowd-control measures, use of force and detention should be lawful, necessary and open to appropriate scrutiny.

Governor of a State

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu appointed new Governors and reshuffled gubernatorial appointments across six Indian States, bringing the constitutional position, appointment process and powers of the Governor into focus.

Constitutional Position

The Governor is the constitutional head of a State and forms part of the State Legislature under Article 168.
The Governor ordinarily acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, except where the Constitution permits discretion.
The office is established under Part VI of the Constitution, primarily Articles 153–162.

Appointment and Tenure

Article 153: Provides for a Governor for each State. The same person may be appointed Governor of two or more States.
Article 155: The Governor is appointed by the President by warrant under the President’s hand and seal.
Article 156: The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. The normal term is five years, but the Governor may continue until the successor enters office.
Resignation: The Governor submits a resignation to the President.
Reappointment: The Constitution does not prohibit the reappointment of a former Governor.

Qualifications and Conditions of Office

1. Qualifications - Article 157

A person must:

Be a citizen of India.
Have completed 35 years of age.

2. Conditions of Office - Article 158

The Governor:

Must not be a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature. If such a member is appointed Governor, the seat is deemed vacant upon entering office.
Must not hold any other office of profit.
Is entitled to the prescribed emoluments, allowances and official residence, subject to constitutional provisions.

Powers and Functions of the Governor

1. Executive Powers

Chief Minister: Appoints the Chief Minister.
Other Ministers: Appoints other ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister.
Advocate General: Appoints the Advocate General of the State under Article 165.
State Administration: Executive action of the State Government is formally expressed in the Governor’s name under Article 166.
Constitutional reporting: Under Article 356, the Governor may submit a report to the President concerning a situation in which the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.

2. Legislative Powers

Summoning and proroguing: Under Article 174, summons the State Legislature, prorogues its sessions and may dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the Legislature: Addresses the Legislature and delivers a special address after a general election and at the commencement of the first session each year under Article 176.
Assent to Bills: Under Article 200, may assent to a Bill, withhold assent, return a non-Money Bill for reconsideration, or reserve a Bill for the President’s consideration, as constitutionally permitted.
Ordinance-making: Under Article 213, may promulgate ordinances when the Legislature is not in session and the constitutional conditions are satisfied.

3. Financial Powers

Annual Financial Statement: Under Article 202, the State Budget is laid before the Legislature in the Governor’s name.
Money Bills: A Money Bill can be introduced in the State Legislative Assembly only on the Governor’s recommendation, under Article 207.
Grants: The Governor’s recommendation is required for demands for grants under Article 203.

4. Judicial Powers

Under Article 161, the Governor may grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, and may suspend, remit or commute sentences for offences falling within the State’s executive power.
This power does not extend to granting a pardon in every category of case; its scope is governed by the Constitution and relevant judicial interpretations.

5. Discretionary Powers

The Governor may exercise discretion in constitutionally recognised circumstances, including:

Appointing a Chief Minister when no party or coalition has a clear majority.
Requiring a floor test where the legislative majority of a government is in doubt, in accordance with constitutional principles.
Reserving certain Bills for the President’s consideration under Article 200.
Sending a report to the President under Article 356 where constitutionally warranted.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR)

Why in News?

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) observed the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on 13 October 2026, with the theme “Resilience Starts at Home.”

About the Day

Established: The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the observance in 1989.
Annual observance: In 2009, the UNGA designated 13 October as the annual date through Resolution 64/200.
Objective: To raise awareness about disaster risks and promote preventive measures, preparedness and resilience rather than relying primarily on emergency response after disasters occur.
Coordinating body: United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

Global Framework: Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction

Period: 2015–2030.
Nature: Voluntary, non-binding international agreement adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan, in 2015.
Predecessors: The Yokohama Strategy (1994) and the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015).
Core principle: States have the primary responsibility for reducing disaster risk, with responsibilities shared across local governments, communities, the private sector and other stakeholders.

Four Priorities for Action

Understanding disaster risk: Improve risk assessment, data collection and public awareness.
Strengthening disaster risk governance: Improve institutions, coordination and accountability.
Investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience: Strengthen infrastructure and protect livelihoods and essential services.
Enhancing preparedness for effective response and recovery: Improve readiness, strengthen response capabilities and “Build Back Better” during recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Seven Global Targets

Substantially reduce disaster mortality.
Reduce the number of people affected by disasters.
Reduce direct economic losses relative to global GDP.
Reduce damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services.
Increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies.
Enhance international cooperation with developing countries.
Increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early-warning systems and disaster risk information.

Important: The target for increasing national and local disaster risk reduction strategies was set for 2020, while the overall framework runs until 2030.

India's Disaster Risk Reduction Framework

Disaster Management Act, 2005: Provides India's principal statutory framework for disaster management.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Chaired by the Prime Minister.
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs): Generally chaired by the respective Chief Ministers.
District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs): Typically chaired by the District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner, with the prescribed co-chairperson.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Specialised force for disaster response operations.
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): Supports disaster-management training, research, documentation and capacity building.

Major Initiatives

National Disaster Management Plan, 2016: Aligned India's disaster-management planning with the Sendai Framework.
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI): Launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 to promote resilient infrastructure systems and strengthen global cooperation, particularly in the face of climate-related hazards.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2026

Why in News?

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel to American economists Robert E. Hall of Stanford University and Michael Woodford of Columbia University for their contributions to the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation.

Key Contributions

Core contribution: Their research strengthened the theoretical foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation by explaining how decisions made by individual households and businesses shape the wider economy.
Policy relevance: Their work helps governments and central banks determine how and when fiscal and monetary policies can moderate economic fluctuations, including recessions and periods of excessive inflation.
Robert E. Hall: Demonstrated the importance of forward-looking household behaviour and expectations in explaining consumption patterns. His work showed that, for forward-looking consumers, changes in consumption should not be systematically predictable.
Michael Woodford: Developed a framework explaining how monetary policy, expectations about future interest rates and credible central-bank communication influence inflation and economic activity.

Role of Expectations in Economic Stabilisation

Households: Consumption decisions depend on expectations about future income and resources. Unexpected changes in information about future resources can influence spending.
Businesses and financial markets: Expectations about future interest rates and inflation affect price-setting, investment and economic decisions.
Policy implications: Clear communication and appropriately timed fiscal and monetary measures can influence expectations and help moderate economic booms and downturns.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences: Background

Official name: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
Instituted: 1968 by Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, in connection with its 300th anniversary.
First awarded: 1969.
First laureates: Ragnar Frisch of Norway and Jan Tinbergen of the Netherlands.
Awarding institution: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
Distinction: It was established after Alfred Nobel’s original prizes and is not one of the five prizes specified in his 1895 will.

Indian and Indian-origin laureates

Amartya Sen (1998): Awarded for contributions to welfare economics.
Abhijit Banerjee (2019): Shared the prize with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty.

Five Years of PM GatiShakti National Master Plan

Why in News?

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) completed five years in 2026, marking progress towards integrated, multimodal and data-driven infrastructure planning in India.

About PM GatiShakti

Launch: 2021.
Nodal department: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Objective: To coordinate infrastructure development, improve multimodal connectivity, identify connectivity gaps, reduce logistics costs and enhance coordination among government departments.
Approach: Uses a common digital platform and geospatial data to facilitate integrated planning across infrastructure sectors.

Key Features

1. Seven Infrastructure Engines

PM GatiShakti focuses on seven engines of economic growth: Roads, Railways, Ports, Waterways, Airports, Mass transport, Logistics infrastructure

2. Integration of Infrastructure Schemes

The plan facilitates coordinated planning across major infrastructure programmes, including:

Bharatmala Pariyojana: Development of highways and road connectivity.
Sagarmala Programme: Port-led development and improved port connectivity.
UDAN: Regional air connectivity.
Other infrastructure initiatives: Helps align projects across ministries and departments to improve connectivity and reduce duplication.

3. Technology-Driven Planning

Integrates geospatial information from different ministries and departments.
Helps identify infrastructure gaps and potential connectivity bottlenecks.
Supports coordinated project planning, monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.
Encourages multimodal transport integration to improve the movement of passengers and freight.

Institutional Framework

PM GatiShakti operates through a three-tier institutional mechanism.

Institution	Composition / leadership	Key function
Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS)	Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary	Provides oversight and reviews implementation and inter-ministerial coordination
Network Planning Group (NPG)	Representatives from infrastructure ministries and departments	Examines project proposals for integrated planning, connectivity and optimisation
Technical Support Unit (TSU)	Domain experts	Provides technical assistance, analytical support and expertise for project evaluation

One-Liners

Dewi: The Indian Embassy in Indonesia introduced ‘Dewi’, an AI-powered avatar, to enhance public outreach by sharing information on Indian culture, tourism, scholarships, business, investment opportunities and consular services, while strengthening India–Indonesia relations.
Exercise KONKAN-26: Indian Navy’s guided-missile stealth frigate INS Trishul arrived at Plymouth, United Kingdom, to participate in KONKAN-26, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy. Launched in 2004, the exercise comprises Harbour and Sea Phases.
Exercise IBSAMAR IX-2026: INS Tarkash, an Indian Navy guided-missile stealth frigate, accompanied by a Chetak helicopter, deployed to South Africa to participate in the India–Brazil–South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR).

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