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Weekly Wisdom - October 18, 2026

  •   Sun, Oct 18 2026 03:33:13 PM
  •  By Daijiworld Media Network

Mangalore IAS - Current Affairs 2026

 

1. World Development Report 2026

In a time when development progress has dipped to its weakest pace in 75 years, artificial intelligence (AI) offers developing economies a rare path to greater prosperity. World Development Report 2026 provides the first comprehensive assessment of what AI means for these economies—how firms and governments are already using it, what is holding them back, where the largest gains may lie, and how the risks can be managed.

Its central message is both practical and ambitious. Developing countries do not need to build trillion-dollar, all-purpose models to benefit from AI. But importing AI tools is also not enough. Countries must adapt AI to local languages, institutions, data, and development needs; ensure that national systems can work seamlessly with multiple platforms and providers; and steadily build the skills and infrastructure needed to do more.

Low-cost tools—“small AI”—can put scarce expertise within reach of millions, through text messages, voice calls, basic phones, and other technologies that work even where electricity, computing power, and internet access are limited. The gains are already visible. AI is helping to accelerate medical screening, assisting farmers with more accurate weather forecasts, and aiding teachers in creating better lessons for students.

 

2. Wholesale Inflation Rises to 11.39%

The Wholesale Price Index inflation for India climbed to 11.39% in September 2026, as compared to 9.92% in August. It was recorded as the highest figure since the index has been computed with the new base year of 2022-23. The data was announced by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on October 14.

There was a general trend of rising prices of various goods including food items, fuel, and manufactured products. The inflation in fuel and power segment surged considerably while food inflation touched 21 months’ peak.

What is Wholesale Price Index (WPI)?

Wholesale Price Index is an index of the changes in the prices of goods that are not yet delivered to the ultimate consumer. In India, the information on the Wholesale Price Index is published by the Office of the Economic Adviser from DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It mainly focuses on measuring changes in the prices of goods and not the services in the wholesale market.

The current series mentioned in the report considers the year 2022–23 as the base year. Inflation Rate is the measure of percentage change in the index with respect to the same period last year.

 

3. World Health Summit 2026

The World Health Summit 2026 was held in Berlin, Germany, with the new funding pledges, research insights, and innovations tackling some of the world’s health concerns. This summit was held under the theme of “From Crisis to Resilience: Innovating for Health,” the summit attracted policymakers, researchers, international organizations, private sector players, and civil society.

Notable highlights at the summit included a €250 million initiative for women’s health in Bangladesh, a $100 million initiative aimed at reducing stillbirths, and emerging health concerns like the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and nuclear war.

 

4. India’s Passport Rank

According to the October 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index that came out on October 9, India is ranked at number 84, along with Algeria and Mauritania. Despite the improvement from number 85 as was the case with the index published in October 2025, the number of countries where Indians can go without getting their visas beforehand has decreased from 57 to 55.

The current ranking also sees India three spots behind its July 2026 ranking of 81st, thus demonstrating the difference between a passport’s rank worldwide and its actual travel freedom.

 

5. President Murmu Accepts L. Murugan’s Resignation

President Droupadi Murmu has accepted the resignation of L. Murugan from the Union Council of Ministers immediately after taking the advice from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Murugan resigned from his post as he wanted to concentrate more on making the BJP stronger in Tamil Nadu. L. Murugan is the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs and has been a member of the Rajya Sabha since September 2021. This development has brought to light Article 75 (2) of the Constitution of India, which talks about the tenure of Union ministers.

Other provisions as to Ministers

(1) The Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

(1A) The total number of Ministers, including the Prime Minister, in the Council of Ministers shall not exceed fifteen per cent. of the total number of members of the House of the People.

(1B) A member of either House of Parliament belonging to any political party who is disqualified for being a member of that House under paragraph 2 of the Tenth Schedule shall also be disqualified to be appointed as a Minister under clause (1) for duration of the period commencing from the date of his disqualification till the date on which the term of his office as such member would expire or where he contests any election to either House of Parliament before the expiry of such period, till the date on which he is declared elected, whichever is earlier.

(2) The Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.

(3) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People.

(4) Before a Minister enters upon his office, the President shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy according to the forms set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.

(5) A Minister who for any period of six consecutive months is not a member of either House of Parliament shall at the expiration of that period cease to be a Minister.

(6) The salaries and allowances of Ministers shall be such as Parliament may from time to time by law determine and, until Parliament so determines, shall be as specified in the Second Schedule.

 

 

 

 

 

 
  

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Title: Weekly Wisdom - October 18, 2026



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