In short: Today’s Prelims current affairs cover the new Chief of the Air Staff, the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, the Centre’s extra tax devolution to States and more, with static links, a quick revision table and practice MCQs.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Takes Over as Chief of the Air Staff
Why in news: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retired after 42 years of service.
- Career: NDA alumnus commissioned in the fighter stream on 6 December 1986; an experimental test pilot with over 3,500 flying hours, including on the Mirage-2000.
- Key roles: Helped complete the Initial and Final Operational Clearance of the LCA Tejas Mk-I; served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, during Operation Sindoor; was Vice Chief before taking over.
- Successor as Vice Chief: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, from 1 November 2026.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Defence) · GS Paper 3 / Defence
Prelims angle: The Chief of the Air Staff is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet; the President is the Supreme Commander of the armed forces.
Inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise
Why in news: The first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise is being held from 30 October to 3 November 2026, bringing together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
- Theme: “Shared Seas, Shared Security and Shared Prosperity”, building on the 6th BIMSTEC Summit’s theme “BIMSTEC: Prosperous, Resilient and Open”.
- Aims: Better interoperability, maritime domain awareness, coordination and sharing of best practices in the Bay of Bengal.
- Andaman and Nicobar Command: India’s first integrated tri-service command, set up in 2001, is highlighted for its role astride key sea lanes.
- About BIMSTEC: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation; founded in 1997 by the Bangkok Declaration; secretariat in Dhaka.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Defence) · GS Paper 2 / International relations
Prelims angle: BIMSTEC has seven members; two (Nepal and Bhutan) are landlocked. Maldives and Pakistan are not members.
Centre Releases Extra Tax Devolution Instalment of ₹1,09,019 Crore to States
Why in news: The Union Government released an additional instalment of tax devolution of ₹1,09,019 crore to States on 31 October 2026, on top of the regular monthly devolution, ahead of the festive season and to speed up capital spending.
- Second extra instalment: This is the second additional instalment in 2026-27.
- Largest shares: Uttar Pradesh ₹19,208 crore, Bihar ₹10,845 crore, Madhya Pradesh ₹8,010 crore and West Bengal ₹7,866 crore; Sikkim gets the least at ₹365 crore.
- Constitutional basis: Under Article 270, net proceeds of central taxes are shared with States as recommended by the Finance Commission (Article 280).
- Horizontal distribution: Each State’s share is fixed by Finance Commission criteria such as population, area, income distance and forest cover.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Finance) · GS Paper 2 and 3 / Federalism, public finance
Prelims angle: Uttar Pradesh receives the largest share of tax devolution, about 17.6% of this instalment. Cesses and surcharges are not part of the divisible pool.
Customs Duty Exemption on Cotton Imports Extended to 31 December 2026
Why in news: The Government extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports, due to end on 31 October 2026, by two months to 31 December 2026 through Notification No. 35/2026-Customs.
- Purpose: To keep cotton available at competitive prices for the domestic textile industry and ease input costs for MSMEs.
- Balance: The Government says it is weighing industry needs against the interests of domestic cotton farmers.
- Who notifies: The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, issues customs notifications under the Customs Act, 1962.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Textiles) · GS Paper 3 / Agriculture, industry
Prelims angle: Gujarat and Maharashtra are among the top cotton-producing States; cotton is a kharif crop that needs black soil and a frost-free period.
Delhi Records Its Cleanest October in Eight Years
Why in news: Delhi’s average Air Quality Index for October 2026 was 166, the lowest October average in the last eight years, against 223 in October 2025, according to the Environment Ministry.
- January-October 2026: Average AQI 167; 220 “good to moderate” days (AQI below 200), the highest since 2018 except 2020; 84 “poor to severe+” days.
- Particulates: Average PM2.5 of 69 µg/m³ (1 January-29 October), down from 72 µg/m³ in 2025, though still far above the national annual standard of 40 µg/m³.
- Enforcement: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) coordinates action in Delhi-NCR, including GRAP and the new PAVAN-I3C command centre.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) · GS Paper 3 / Environment
Prelims angle: AQI categories: Good 0-50, Satisfactory 51-100, Moderate 101-200, Poor 201-300, Very Poor 301-400, Severe 401-500.
Quick Revision Table
| Item | Key fact to remember | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| New Chief of the Air Staff | Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, 29th CAS | Defence |
| BIMSTEC maritime exercise | First edition, 30 Oct-3 Nov 2026; 7 members; secretariat Dhaka | IR / Defence |
| Extra tax devolution | ₹1,09,019 cr; UP highest; Articles 270 and 280 | Polity / Economy / UP |
| Cotton import duty exemption | Extended to 31 Dec 2026; Notification 35/2026-Customs | Economy / Agriculture |
| Delhi October AQI | 166, lowest October in 8 years; PM2.5 69 µg/m³ | Environment |
Practice MCQs
Q1. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who took over on 31 October 2026, is the:
- 27th Chief of the Air Staff
- 28th Chief of the Air Staff
- 29th Chief of the Air Staff
- 30th Chief of the Air Staff
Show answer
Answer: (c) Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
Q2. Consider the following countries:
1. Bhutan
2. Maldives
3. Myanmar
4. Thailand
Which of the above are members of BIMSTEC?
- 1, 2 and 3 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer
Answer: (b) Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand are members, along with Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Maldives is not a member of BIMSTEC.
Q3. Under which Article of the Constitution are taxes levied and collected by the Union distributed between the Union and the States?
- Article 268
- Article 270
- Article 275
- Article 282
Show answer
Answer: (b) Article 270 provides for sharing the net proceeds of central taxes with States. Article 275 covers grants-in-aid, and Article 282 discretionary grants.
Q4. In the latest additional tax devolution instalment, which State received the largest amount?
- Bihar
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
Show answer
Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh received ₹19,208 crore, the largest share, followed by Bihar (₹10,845 crore).
Q5. Under the National Air Quality Index, an AQI value of 166 falls in which category?
- Satisfactory
- Moderate
- Poor
- Very Poor
Show answer
Answer: (b) The Moderate category covers AQI values from 101 to 200, so Delhi’s October 2026 average of 166 is Moderate.
FAQs
What are the important Prelims current affairs of 31 October 2026?
The key Prelims topics of 31 October 2026 are the new Chief of the Air Staff, the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise, the extra tax devolution to States, the cotton import duty exemption and Delhi’s October air quality.
Who is the new Chief of the Air Staff of India?
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit became the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
Which countries are taking part in the first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise?
All seven BIMSTEC members, namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, are part of the exercise held from 30 October to 3 November 2026.
How much additional tax devolution did the Centre release on 31 October 2026?
The Centre released an additional tax devolution instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore to States, its second extra instalment in 2026-27, with Uttar Pradesh receiving the largest share.
हिंदी सारांश
31 अक्टूबर 2026 के प्रारंभिक परीक्षा करंट अफ़ेयर्स में एयर चीफ़ मार्शल आशुतोष दीक्षित का 29वें वायुसेना प्रमुख के रूप में कार्यभार संभालना शामिल है। बिम्सटेक का पहला समुद्री सुरक्षा अभ्यास 30 अक्टूबर से 3 नवंबर तक हो रहा है, जिसमें सभी सात सदस्य देश भाग ले रहे हैं। केंद्र ने राज्यों को ₹1,09,019 करोड़ की अतिरिक्त कर हस्तांतरण किस्त जारी की, जिसमें उत्तर प्रदेश को सबसे अधिक हिस्सा मिला। कपास आयात पर सीमा शुल्क छूट 31 दिसंबर 2026 तक बढ़ाई गई, और दिल्ली ने आठ वर्षों में अक्टूबर का सबसे कम औसत एक्यूआई 166 दर्ज किया।
Sources: PIB release 2330846; PIB release 2330850; PIB release 2330997; PIB release 2330823; PIB release 2331032.
Related reading on GSMitra: UPSC Prelims Current Affairs 30 October 2026, NavIC and NVS-03 Explained for UPSC, Daily Editorial Analysis 31 October 2026.
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