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Current Affairs 21st October 2026
Recent Additions to International Organisations
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NATO: Finland (31st, 2023), Sweden (32nd, 2024)
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SCO: Iran (2023), Belarus (2024)
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BRICS: Indonesia (2025)
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G20: African Union (permanent member, 2023)
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ASEAN: Timor-Leste (11th member, 2025)
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UN Security Council (2026–27): Bahrain, Colombia, DR Congo, Latvia and Liberia
1. India Ranks 3rd in Ipsos Quality of Care Perception Index 2026
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India ranked 3rd globally in the Ipsos Quality of Care Perception Index 2026, behind Malaysia (1st) and Singapore (2nd).
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The leading health concerns were diabetes (40%), mental health (37%) and stress (33%).
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68% of respondents in India rated healthcare quality positively.
2. India to Host First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established in 2001, and India became a full member in 2017.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is headquartered in Beijing, China.
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The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has 10 member countries: China (2001), Russia (2001), Kazakhstan (2001), Kyrgyzstan (2001), Tajikistan (2001), Uzbekistan (2001), India (2017), Pakistan (2017), Iran (2023) and Belarus (2024).
3. Ladakh’s First Medical College to Begin Operations in 2027
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Ladakh’s first Government Medical College will begin operations in Leh from the academic year 2027–28.
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The college will be located at StipukPharka, Leh, Ladakh.
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The project aims to expand medical education opportunities and improve healthcare services in the Union Territory.
4. Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 Begins in Guwahati
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The 8-day Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 began on 21 October 2026 in Guwahati, Assam.
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The mela is organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
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The mela promotes BHARAT-TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme), which supports marketing through physical outlets and e-commerce platforms.
5. AstraZeneca and Oracle Launch AI Clinical Trials in Abu Dhabi
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The initiative was launched in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in collaboration with healthcare company M42.
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The first programme focuses on hypertension (high blood pressure) care and clinical research.
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AstraZeneca developed Vaxzevria (AZD1222), a COVID-19 vaccine developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford.
6. India to host 61st Meeting of International Committee of Legal Metrology
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India will host the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) for the first time in New Delhi.
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The meeting is organised by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, in association with the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).
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CIML is the principal decision-making body that guides the technical and administrative activities of OIML.
7. Nexon Geochem to set up Rs.1,250 crore rare-earth magnet plant in Andhra
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Nexon Geochem, a Hyderabad-headquartered advanced materials company, signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) to establish a rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturing plant.
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The proposed plant will be located at Thondangi in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh.
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These magnets are used in electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, industrial automation, electronics and defence equipment.
8. Amruta Pujari Wins Silver at U-23 World Wrestling Championships
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Amruta Pujari won the silver medal in the women's 72 kg category at the 2026 U-23 World Wrestling Championships held in Las Vegas, USA.
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Amruta Pujari is a wrestler from Maharashtra's Kolhapur district and was 22 years old at the time of the championship.
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In May 2026, she had also won bronze at the U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships in Da Nang, Vietnam.
WHAT HAPPENED TODAY
The Azad Hind Government anniversary is celebrated on 21 October every year. On 21 October 1943, Subhas Chandra Bose established the Provisional Government of Azad Hind (Free India) in Singapore, serving as its Head of State, Prime Minister and Minister of War.
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