UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 16 October 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 16 October 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 16 October 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel

October 16, 2026
Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel

Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel Latest News  

India has added Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, bringing its total number of “Ramsar Sites” to 103. 

About Sukhna Wetland

  • Location: It is located at the edge of the city of Chandigarh and at the base of the Outer Himalayas.
  • It is a peri-urban reservoir that plays an important role in regulating sediment and water flows from the surrounding catchment.
  • It supports a range of habitats, from open water to littoral vegetation, scrub and forest, providing habitat for diverse species. 
  • It is particularly important for resident waterbirds and others migrating along the Central Asian Flyway, providing feeding, breeding, roosting and wintering habitats.
  • Fauna: Notable species include the vulnerable common pochard (Aythya ferina) and the endangered Pallas’s fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus). The shallow littoral habitats also support reptiles such as the endangered black pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii). 

About Sauj Jheel 

  • Location: It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
  • It is a shallow lake surrounded by farmland in the floodplain of the Ganga River.
  • It forms part of a larger network of wetlands, contributing to ecological connectivity in the wider landscape, and is close to Saman Bird Sanctuary.
  • Vegetation: The lake supports diverse wetland-associated vegetation, including the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and the wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum).
  • Fauna: Notable waterbird species recorded at the Site include the vulnerable sarus crane (Grus antigone) and greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga). 

Source: PIB

Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel FAQs

Q1: Where is Sukhna Wetland is located?

Ans: Chandigarh

Q2: Where is Sauj Jheel located?

Ans: Uttar Pradesh

Hornbill Festival

October 16, 2026
Hornbill Festival

Hornbill Festival Latest News

Recently, Nagaland has begun preparations for the 27th edition of the iconic Hornbill Festival. 

About Hornbill Festival

  • It was first organized in the year 2000.
  • It aims to promote inter-tribal interaction and preserve Nagaland’s heritage, blending the traditional with the contemporary in a harmonious display of unity.
  • It was initially began as a three-day event, was subsequently expanded to five days and then to ten days, which coincides with Nagaland’s Statehood Day on December 1,
  • It is celebrated at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima in Nagaland.
  • It was named after the Hornbill bird given its association with the socio-cultural life of the Nagas.
  • It is also called the festival of festivals and is held every year.
  • Organised by: It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of the Government of Nagaland.
  • It has evolved into a celebration showcasing the diverse and vibrant cultural and traditional heritage of the tribes of Nagaland.

Source: DD News

Hornbill Festival FAQs

Q1: Hornbill Festival is mainly celebrated in which state?

Ans: Nagaland, India

Q2: Which organisation conducts the Hornbill Festival?

Ans: It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments of the Government of Nagaland.

World Health Summit 2026

October 16, 2026
World Health Summit 2026

World Health Summit Latest News

The WHO Director-General election process ignited its first public candidate conversation on Sunday (11 October) at the 2026 World Health Summit in Berlin recently.

About World Health Summit 

  • It is an international, multi-stakeholder global health forum. 
  • The event takes place annually in the German capital Berlin. 
  • It is organized by the WHS Foundation GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin. 
  • Founded in 2009, it brings together global health stakeholders from all sectors and regions to catalyze collaborative and innovative solutions for key global health priorities.  
  • Key topics include pandemic preparedness, global digital health integration, climate change impacts, and healthcare equity. 
  • In addition to the conference in Berlin, the WHS features annual WHS Regional Meetings held in different parts of the world as well as activities throughout the year.
  • It is distinct from the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). 
  • WHS 2026:
    • Theme: “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health” 
    • It convened more than 4,000 on-site participants from 130 countries and territories, generated over 50,000 livestream views, and featured more than 400 speakers, including 20 ministers and state secretaries, across 76 sessions. 
    • This year's summit fostered cross-sectoral exchange, evidence-based dialogue, and impactful partnerships to explore how to turn innovation into more equitable, resilient, and future-ready health systems.

News: HP

World Health Summit FAQs

Q1: What is the World Health Summit (WHS)?

Ans: The World Health Summit is an international, multi-stakeholder global health forum.

Q2: Where is the World Health Summit held annually?

Ans: It is held annually in Berlin, the capital of Germany.

Q3: Which organisation organises the World Health Summit?

Ans: The WHS Foundation GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, organises it.

Q4: What is the theme of the World Health Summit 2026?

Ans: The theme is “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health.”

Masaya Volcano

October 16, 2026
Masaya Volcano

Masaya Volcano Latest News

Satellite measurements of Nicaragua’s Masaya volcano suggest magma is entering one reservoir as another drains, offering clues that could improve monitoring for future hazards.

About Masaya Volcano

  • It is an active basaltic shield-like caldera volcano located in Nicaragua in Central America, about 20 km southeast of the capital city, Managua. 
  • It forms part of the Central American Volcanic Arc, formed by the subduction of the Cocos Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate. 
  • The large El Ventarrón caldera (6 × 11.5 km) was formed by a series of Plinian eruptions in the past 6000 years. 
  • The caldera contains multiple collapse craters and cinder cones, with the currently active Santiago crater formed between 1850–1853.
  • The volcano is known for its persistent lava lake and high degassing rates. 
  • Activity is typically Strombolian to Vulcanian with ash emissions, lava fountains, and occasional lava flows. 
  • The current activity at Santiago crater includes a convecting lava lake and continuous gas emissions. 
  • At times, Masaya emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide gas. In 1981, sulfur dioxide was released from Santiago Crater at a rate of 500,000 tons per year.  
  • In 1979, Masaya became Nicaragua's first national park. It is officially called Masaya Volcano National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya). 

News: STD

Masaya Volcano FAQs

Q1: In which country is Masaya Volcano located?

Ans: It is located in Nicaragua, in Central America.

Q2: Which volcanic arc does Masaya Volcano form part of?

Ans: It forms part of the Central American Volcanic Arc.

Q3: What geological features are found within the Masaya caldera?

Ans: It contains multiple collapse craters and cinder cones.

Q4: What type of volcanic activity is typically observed at Masaya Volcano?

Ans: Its activity typically ranges from Strombolian to Vulcanian.

JWALA Missile

October 16, 2026
JWALA Missile

JWALA Missile Latest News

JWALA, India's first private-sector micro-missile, is set for trials after successful solid rocket motor tests, strengthening indigenous counter-drone capabilities.

About JWALA Missile

  • JWALA-MK1 is India’s first indigenously developed private-sector micro-missile.
  • It is being developed by IG Defence, a private Indian defence technology company.    
  • It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) engineered specifically as a "hard-kill" interceptor to physically destroy hostile drones/UAVs, offering a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional, expensive air-defence missiles. 
  • The JWALA missile does not operate in isolation. It serves as the physical effector within IG Defence’s wider GRID Defend ecosystem.
    • GRID is an advanced, AI-enabled battle-management network that stitches together various sensors, command structures, and weapons into a single common operational picture. 

JWALA Missile Features

  • The design uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor along with fin control.   
  • It can engage targets from 2 km to 5 km. 
  • Its stated altitude range is 50 metres to 5,000 metres.
  • Accuracy: A circular error probable (CEP) of less than 2 metres at its maximum range.
  • Warhead: A 0.5 to 1.5 kg pre-fragmented high-explosive payload equipped with a proximity fuze for maximum effectiveness against small targets.
  • It is designed to operate in electronic warfare and anti-jamming conditions.

News: BS

JWALA Missile FAQs

Q1: What is JWALA Missile?

Ans: It is India's first indigenously developed private-sector micro-missile.

Q2: Which company is developing the JWALA-MK1 missile?

Ans: IG Defence, a private Indian defence technology company.

Q3: What type of missile is JWALA-MK1?

Ans: It is a short-range surface-to-air missile (SAM).

Q4: What is the primary purpose of the JWALA missile?

Ans: It is designed to physically destroy hostile drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Q5: What is the engagement range of the JWALA missile?

Ans: Its stated engagement range is 2–5 km.

India’s first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) Project

October 16, 2026
India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) Project

India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) Project Latest News

The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) recently launched a pioneering Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) project, marking a first for any Indian State.

About India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) Project

  • It is an initiative launched by Keralam, which aims to transform conservation efforts from isolated species preservation to proactive, landscape-wide ecosystem management.
  • It is sanctioned and funded by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB).
  • This initiative marks the first of its kind for any Indian State.
  • The project is being executed by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) along with MES Asmabi College. 
  • This two-year initiative will map and assess the risk of collapse for critical ecosystems across all 14 districts of the state, spanning high-altitude mountain summits, densely populated midlands, and vulnerable coastal stretches. 
  • The study will utilise the rigorous IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (RLE) framework to assess the health and vulnerability of ecosystems.
  • By examining natural habitats across the State from forests and rivers to coastal belts, the project will pinpoint both climate-driven and human-induced threats. 
  • The spatial data will help local governments and planners to make evidence-based decisions for sustainable infrastructure development and targeted conservation. 

News: TH

India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) Project FAQs

Q1: Which Indian state launched India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) project?

Ans: Keralam launched the project.

Q2: What is the main objective of India's first Red List Assessment of Ecosystems project?

Ans: It aims to shift conservation efforts from isolated species preservation to proactive, landscape-wide ecosystem management.

Q3: Which organisation sanctions and funds the Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) project in Keralam?

Ans: The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB).

Q4: Which types of ecosystems will be examined under the Red List Assessment of Ecosystems (RLE) project in Keralam?

Ans: The project will examine natural habitats, including forests, rivers, high-altitude mountain ecosystems and coastal belts.

Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026 (CP26)

October 16, 2026
Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026

Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026 Latest News

Indian Army’s Assam Regiment troops recently won the Gold Medal at the Exercise Cambrian Patrol 2026, held in Wales, United Kingdom. 

About Exercise Cambrian Patrol

  • It is the British Army’s premier military patrolling event.
  • The exercise is designed to enhance operational capabilities by subjecting participating teams to highly demanding military tasks and assessments.  
  • It is widely known as the “Olympics of Military Patrolling. 
  • It is held annually in Wales and hosted by Headquarters 160th (Welsh) Brigade.
  • The exercise has been running for over 60 years and is the British Army’s principal All Arms Patrol Exercise.
  • It is usually run over 9-10 days in October each year. 
  • It is open to regular and reserve personnel from all three British armed services, as well as military units from other countries.
  • It is a mission focused and scenario-based exercise. 
  • It is not a competition, although patrol performance is assessed throughout based on the Battlecraft Syllabus (BCS) and Individual Training Requirement (ITR), in addition to robustness and leadership. 
  • The exercise is currently made up of eight phases, each of 48 hrs, over 10 days. 
  • Each patrol will cover approximately 60 km (average climb and descent is over 1000 m) carrying no more than 32 kg per person. 
  • Indian Army achievement: The Indian Army’s Assam Regiment won a Gold Medal in CP26, one of 10 teams awarded gold among more than 100 teams.

News: NOA

Exercise Cambrian Patrol FAQs

Q1: What is Exercise Cambrian Patrol?

Ans: It is the British Army’s premier military patrolling event.

Q2: What is Exercise Cambrian Patrol popularly known as?

Ans: It is popularly known as the “Olympics of Military Patrolling.”

Q3: Where is Exercise Cambrian Patrol held annually?

Ans: It is held annually in Wales, United Kingdom.

Q4: Which organisation hosts Exercise Cambrian Patrol?

Ans: Headquarters 160th (Welsh) Brigade hosts the exercise.

Q5: Who can participate in Exercise Cambrian Patrol?

Ans: Regular and reserve personnel from all three British armed services, as well as military units from other countries, can participate.

Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

October 16, 2026
Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

A recent survey camera trap revealed a rich habitat of diverse wildlife, including bears, leopards, mountain goats, and wild boars of Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Location: It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Rivers: The Sanctuary forms the catchment for river Pennar. The Telugu ganga canal flows into the eastern flank of the Sanctuary draining into the ‘Pennar river’.
  • Vegetation: It consists of Southern tropical dry deciduous forest in the hills, scrub forest in the plains, Southern dry mixed deciduous forest, Tropical thorn forests and Tropical dry evergreen forest.
  • Flora: The rare and endangered plants like Red sanders and Sandalwood are important species found in this area. 
    • The riparian vegetation is very rich in floristic value, consisting of Terminalia spp, Syzygium spp, (Jamun), Wild mangoes, Anogeissus latifolia, Phoenix spp, Bamboo, Hardwickia binata, etc.
  • Fauna: It has good representation of species like Common toad, Bullfrog, Common Indian skink, Green vine snake etc.
    • It is the only home and hopes for the rare and endangered bird the Jerdons courser.

Source: DC

Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Where is Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Andhra Pradesh

Q2: Which type of vegetation is found in Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary?

Ans: Southern tropical dry deciduous forest

Varunastra

October 16, 2026
Varunastra

Varunastra Latest News

Recently, the Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth Rs 4,106 crore for the acquisition of a dedicated communication satellite capability, GSAT-7C for the Indian Air Force, and Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy. 

About Varunastra

  • It is a ship launched, heavy weight, electrically-propelled anti-submarine torpedo.
  • It is capable of targeting quiet submarines, both in deep and shallow waters in an intense countermeasures environment. 
  • It was designed and developed by Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • It can be fired from all Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships capable of firing heavy weight torpedoes.

Features of Varunastra

  • It is capable of being launched from surface ships and submarines.
  • Speed: It can achieve speeds in excess of 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) and has a range of 40 km.
  • Capacity: It can carry a 250 kg high-explosive warhead and has a maximum operating depth of 600 metres (2,000 ft). It has long range with multi maneuvering capabilities.
  • The torpedo’s guidance system uses active-passive acoustic homing, wire guidance, and GPS/NavIC satellite guidance.
  • It has conformal array transducers that allow it to look at wider angles than most common torpedoes.
  • It also has an advanced autonomous guidance algorithm with low drift navigational aids, an insensitive warhead that can operate in various combat scenarios, and a GPS-based locating aid.

Source: PIB

Varunastra FAQs

Q1: What is Varunastra?

Ans: Varunastra is a ship launched, heavy weight, electrically-propelled anti-submarine torpedo.

Q2: Which organisation designed the Varunastra?

Ans: It was designed and developed by Vizag-based Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Weather Information Network and Data System

October 16, 2026
Weather Information Network and Data System

Weather Information Network and Data System Latest News

An ambitious Weather Information Network and Data System project by an Agriculture Ministry body to install automatic rain gauges and automatic weather stations in States is proceeding at a crawl due to shortage of land.  

About Weather Information Network and Data System

  • It is a national initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to strengthen weather data infrastructure across India.
  • It is a programme to set up a nationwide network of weather sensors to supply hyper-local weather data.
  • It employs Automatic Weather Stations and Automatic Rain Gauges to collect hyperlocal weather data at the Block and Gram Panchayat levels. 
  • It integrates weather data pooled from IMD, State Governments, and public/private technical organisations into a single, unified national-level WINDS portal.
  • This is mainly to aid in computing insurance estimates and payouts under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
  • It is run by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, and executed through the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC). 

Features of WINDS

  • It harnesses advanced weather data analytics to provide stakeholders with actionable insight to make informed weather decisions on agriculture.
  • WINDS will provide farmers with critical weather-related information and data.
  • The WINDS initiative prioritizes the establishment of a robust network of meteorological stations.
  • The goal of this effort is to create a large network of weather stations that spans the whole nation.
  • The goal is to close the knowledge gap and empower decision-makers, farmers, and stakeholders at the grassroots level.

Source: TH

Weather Information Network and Data System FAQs

Q1: What is Weather Information Network and Data System?

Ans: It is a national initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to strengthen weather data infrastructure across India.

Q2: Weather Information Network and Data System initiated by which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

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