Daily Current Affairs- 1st October 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 1st October 2026

Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 2026 Comes into Force from October 1

In the News: The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 came into force on October 1, 2026, replacing the colonial-era Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891. The new law modernises the rules governing the admissibility and authentication of banking records in legal proceedings, particularly in view of digital banking.

Key Points:

• Replacement of the 1891 Law: The Act replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, which had governed the evidentiary use of bank records for more than a century. The revised framework reflects major changes in banking technology, digital transactions and record-keeping practices.
• Recognition of Digital Banking Records: The law follows a technology-neutral approach and covers records maintained in physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based forms. Properly authenticated electronic banking records can be produced as evidence before courts and other authorities.
• Standardised Certification: The Act simplifies and standardises the certification of copies of banking records. Certification can be undertaken through prescribed manual, digital or electronic authentication mechanisms, reducing procedural difficulties in legal proceedings.
• Scope of Legal Proceedings: The framework applies to court proceedings, arbitrations, investigations and inquiries. It is also relevant to proceedings conducted under India’s new criminal-law framework, including the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
• Protection for Bank Officials: Where a bank is not itself a party to a proceeding, its officials are protected from routine requirements to personally appear merely to prove banking records. This is intended to reduce unnecessary administrative burden on banking institutions.

ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise AIME-2026 Begins in Philippines

In the News: The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, AIME-2026, began at Subic Bay in the Philippines in September 2026. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish participated along with maritime forces from ASEAN member countries.

Key Points:

• Second Edition of AIME: AIME-2026 is the second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise. The inaugural edition was held in 2023, marking an important step in expanding practical maritime cooperation between India and ASEAN countries.
• Indian Naval Participation: India deployed INS Sahyadri, a Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate, and INS Kulish, a missile corvette. Their participation highlights India’s focus on improving naval interoperability with Southeast Asian maritime forces.
• Harbour and Sea Phases: The exercise includes both harbour and sea phases. The harbour phase consists of professional exchanges and operational planning, while the sea phase involves coordinated maritime drills and naval manoeuvres.
• India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation: AIME forms part of India’s wider strategic engagement with ASEAN under the Act East Policy. Maritime security is important because Southeast Asia lies along critical sea lanes connecting the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
• MAHASAGAR Vision: The exercise also complements India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. It emphasises maritime partnerships, regional security and cooperative development.

Rogun Dam Nears World’s Tallest Height

In the News: Construction of the Rogun Hydropower Project in Tajikistan has advanced significantly, with the dam approaching its planned height of 335 metres. Once completed, it is expected to become the world’s tallest dam and one of Central Asia’s most important hydropower projects.

Key Points:

• Location and River: The Rogun Dam is being constructed on the Vakhsh River in Tajikistan. The Vakhsh is a major tributary of the Amu Darya, one of Central Asia’s most important transboundary river systems.
• Planned Height and Capacity: Rogun is designed as a 335-metre-high rockfill dam with a clay core. Its proposed installed power-generation capacity is 3,600 MW through six generating units of 600 MW each.
• Importance for Tajikistan: The project is expected to substantially increase Tajikistan’s renewable-energy capacity and help reduce recurring winter electricity shortages. It is also expected to support electricity exports to neighbouring countries.
• World Bank Support: The World Bank has provided significant financial assistance for the Rogun Hydropower Project. International financing is intended to support construction as well as environmental and social safeguards associated with the project.

California Bans Child Marriage

In the News: California enacted legislation in September 2026 establishing 18 years as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnerships without exceptions. The law removes provisions that had earlier permitted minors to marry under certain circumstances. It will become the 18th state to ban marriage under 18 without exception.

Key Points:

• Minimum Marriage Age: The legislation fixes the minimum marriage age at 18 years and eliminates exceptions based on parental permission. It represents a major change in California’s family-law framework concerning marriage involving minors.
• Assembly Bill 1267: The reform was enacted through Assembly Bill 1267. The legislation removes legal mechanisms that previously allowed persons below 18 years to marry or enter domestic partnerships with parental and judicial involvement. Governor Newsom signed AB 1267 on September 30, and the law takes effect on January 1, 2027.
• Earlier Legal Position: California previously had no fixed statutory minimum age for marriage. Minors could marry after obtaining parental consent and approval from a court, making the state unusual among major US jurisdictions.
• State-Level Regulation: Marriage laws in the United States are largely determined by individual states rather than through a single nationwide marriage code. As a result, legal minimum ages and exceptions have historically varied across different states.

End of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq

In the News: The Global Coalition’s military mission under Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq concluded in September 2026, marking the end of the coalition’s long-running military mission in the country against the Islamic State.

Key Points:

• Launch of Operation: Operation Inherent Resolve was launched in 2014 as the US-led military campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. It was established in response to the rapid territorial expansion of the Islamic State across the two countries.
• Rise of ISIS: The operation followed ISIS’s capture of large territories in Iraq and Syria in 2014, including the Iraqi city of Mosul. The group subsequently declared a self-proclaimed caliphate across areas under its control.
• Role of the Coalition: Coalition activities included air strikes, intelligence support, military training and assistance to Iraqi and Kurdish security forces. These operations contributed to the eventual dismantling of ISIS’s territorial control.
• Security Transition: Following the conclusion of the coalition mission, Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga forces are expected to assume primary responsibility for counter-terrorism and domestic security operations in Iraq.
• ISIS and Daesh: ISIS stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, while Daesh is another widely used designation for the organisation. Although its territorial caliphate was defeated, dispersed cells and networks continue to pose security concerns in parts of the region.

Rohit Sharma Reaches 12,000 ODI Runs and 200 Sixes in One Country

In the News: Indian batter Rohit Sharma crossed the milestone of 12,000 runs in One Day International cricket during India’s ODI series against the West Indies in 2026. He also achieved the landmark of 200 ODI sixes in India.

Key Points:

• 12,000 ODI Runs: Rohit Sharma became one of the few Indian batters to cross 12,000 runs in men’s ODI cricket. He joined an elite group of Indian players that includes Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
• Speed to the Milestone: Rohit reached the 12,000-run mark in relatively few ODI innings compared with several other legendary international batters. The milestone further strengthened his position among India’s most successful ODI batters.
• 200 ODI Sixes at Home: Rohit became the first batter to hit 200 ODI sixes in a single country, achieving the feat in India. His record reflects his reputation as one of the most prolific six-hitters in the history of limited-overs cricket.
• ODI Century Record: Rohit has accumulated more than 30 centuries in ODI cricket, placing him among the leading century-makers in the format. His record as an opening batter has been particularly significant in India’s white-ball cricket history.
• Highest ODI Individual Score: Rohit Sharma holds the record for the highest individual score in men’s ODI cricket. He scored 264 runs against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in 2014 and is also the only batter to have scored three ODI double centuries.