Daily Current Affairs 21 October 2026: The Hindu Analysis for UPSC, SSC and State PSC

Welcome to today's The Hindu analysis on TryKoach.in. Below are the most exam-relevant stories, grouped by subject.

1. Polity and Governance (GS2)

Conversion and reservation

• On Oct 15, 2026, the Supreme Court upheld the Madras HC's invalidation of Tamil Nadu's 2024 order, which would have let converts from BC, MBC, DNC and SC groups get Backward Class Muslim certificates.
• Conversion does not automatically transfer a person's classification.
• SC status is governed by Art. 341 and Para 3 of the 1950 Order, which limits it to Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.
• Backward-class status runs through Art. 15(4), 16(4) and 342A.
• Related bodies: Mandal, Sachar, Ranganath Misra and Balakrishnan.

Electoral roll revision (SIR)

• Only 1,238 of 4.5 lakh Form 6 applications in Delhi have been disposed of.
• The last date to file claims is Oct 30, and the deadline to dispose of all claims is Nov 30.
• The final roll is due on Dec 4.
• The Hindu's opinion piece also flags the Form 7 deletion process and the Anoop Baranwal case on the selection of election commissioners.
• An audit of ECINET reportedly shows State-wise access can be switched off.

Ladakh

• The Centre's draft proposes a new Article for a U.T.-wide elected body.
• Its laws would take effect only after the Lt. Governor's assent.
• Separately, a regulation creates hill councils in all eight districts.

Other items

• Allahabad HC has directed U.P. to hold panchayat polls within three months under the 27% OBC quota. The "triple test" is at the centre of the debate.