Current Affairs 1 November 2026
34 stories from 31 October–1 November 2026 for UPSC, RBI, SEBI, NABARD, EPFO and PFRDA aspirants: record GST and UPI numbers for October, an additional tax devolution to States, the new CISF command structure, EPFO's 74th Foundation Day, Delhi's cleanest October in eight years, State Foundation Days and India's Commonwealth Kabaddi double.
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Economy
8 storiesGross GST collections rise 22.9 per cent to ₹2.31 lakh crore in October
Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rose 22.9 per cent year-on-year to ₹2,31,290 crore in October 2026, according to government data released on 1 November 2026. Revenue from domestic transactions grew about 16 per cent to ₹1,59,044 crore, while GST on imports jumped about 42 per cent to ₹72,246 crore. Of the total, Central GST accounted for ₹42,935 crore, State GST for ₹51,340 crore and Integrated GST for about ₹1.37 lakh crore. Refunds rose 6.5 per cent to ₹27,934 crore, taking net collections to about ₹2.03 lakh crore, a rise of roughly 26 per cent. October was the second month in a row in which gross collections crossed ₹2 lakh crore, and cumulative gross collections for April–October 2026 stood at about ₹14.77 lakh crore, up 13.2 per cent.
Centre releases additional tax devolution instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore to States
The Union Government released an additional instalment of tax devolution amounting to ₹1,09,019 crore to State Governments on 31 October 2026, over and above the regular monthly devolution. The Ministry of Finance said this was the second additional instalment in the current financial year. The release has been made in view of the upcoming festive season and to help States accelerate capital spending and finance their development and welfare expenditure. Uttar Pradesh received the largest share at ₹19,208 crore, followed by Bihar at ₹10,845 crore, Madhya Pradesh at ₹8,010 crore and West Bengal at ₹7,866 crore. Tax devolution is the sharing of the divisible pool of central taxes with States in line with the recommendations of the Finance Commission.
Commercial LPG price raised by ₹10; ATF costlier by ₹1.37 per litre
State-owned oil marketing companies raised the price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder by ₹10 to ₹2,820 with effect from 1 November 2026. The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) was increased by ₹1.37 per litre to ₹138.50 per litre, the fourth consecutive monthly increase in jet fuel prices. The revisions follow movements in international benchmark prices and the rupee–dollar exchange rate, and prices vary across States because of local taxes such as VAT. The price of domestic LPG used by households was left unchanged at ₹942 per 14.2-kg cylinder. ATF and commercial LPG prices are revised on the first day of every month.
Coal imports decline 5.83 per cent in August 2026
India's total coal imports fell by 5.83 per cent to 104.57 million tonnes (MT) in August 2026, compared with 111.05 MT in August 2025, according to the Ministry of Coal. Imports for blending at domestic coal-based power plants declined sharply by 35.23 per cent, from 4.64 MT to 3.00 MT. Coal imports by power plants as a whole fell by 6.39 per cent, while imports by plants designed to run on imported coal rose marginally by 0.98 per cent. The share of imported coal in the country's total coal consumption declined from 21.20 per cent to 19.30 per cent. Coking coal imports, an important input for the steel industry, decreased by 4.18 per cent to 27.30 MT.
Coal India marks 51st Foundation Day with record October output
Coal India Limited (CIL) marked its 51st Foundation Day on 1 November 2026 after recording its highest-ever monthly production of 67.2 million tonnes (MT) in October 2026. The company's total coal supply in the month reached a record 70.3 MT, while supply to the power sector touched an all-time monthly high of 57.1 MT, each growing about 19 per cent year-on-year. Daily rake loading for the power sector also reached a record 310 rakes. Established on 1 November 1975, CIL produced 79 MT in its first year and 768 MT in 2025-26. The company's production target for 2026-27 has been fixed at 815 MT.
Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express flagged off
Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express from Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru, on 1 November 2026, coinciding with Kannada Rajyotsava. It is the third Vande Bharat Sleeper service in the country, and Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi described it as a major boost to connectivity for Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. The 16-coach train has a capacity of 823 passengers across 11 AC three-tier coaches, four AC two-tier coaches and one First AC coach. It will be operated by South Western Railway as train numbers 27652 and 27651 and will run six days a week. The journey between Bengaluru and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai, will take about 16 hours.
Ministry of Railways showcases features of Bharat-made Bullet Train
The Ministry of Railways on 1 November 2026 released details of the Bharat-made Bullet Train being manufactured at the BEML facility in Bengaluru for the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. The train has a maximum test speed of 280 km/h and an operational speed of 249 km/h. Each eight-car rake, about 202 metres long, will have four motor cars and four trailer cars and carry about 557 passengers. It will have seven standard-class cars with 3×2 seating and one executive-class car with 2×2 seating, and two rakes can be coupled to form a 16-car train in future. The design includes level boarding, seating for persons with reduced mobility and an intelligent on-board control system in each driver's cab.
Bhoomipujan of Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Sindi Railway in Wardha
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari performed the bhoomipujan of a Multi-Modal Logistics Park at Sindi Railway in Wardha district of Maharashtra on 1 November 2026. The park is being developed jointly by National Highways Logistics Management Limited, a special purpose vehicle of the National Highways Authority of India, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority on about 150 acres. It is expected to enable direct exports of cotton, yarn, oranges and vegetables from Vidarbha through the Jawaharlal Nehru Port and to Bangladesh via Haldia. The Minister said the facility could cut transport costs per container from about ₹1.5 lakh to ₹1 lakh. Cold storage, warehouses, exporter clusters and a customs office are planned at the site.
Banking & Markets
1 storyUPI's average daily value crosses ₹1 lakh crore for the first time
The average daily value of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transactions crossed ₹1 lakh crore for the first time in October 2026, reaching ₹1,00,871.30 crore, according to data of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The average daily volume also rose to a record 821.69 million transactions, compared with 802.28 million in September 2026. For the month as a whole, UPI processed 25.47 billion transactions worth about ₹31.5 lakh crore, up from 24.07 billion transactions worth ₹29.37 lakh crore in September. Festive-season spending contributed to the surge in digital payments. UPI was developed by NPCI, an entity regulated by the Reserve Bank of India, and is built on the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure.
Polity & Governance
3 storiesCISF moves to sector-based functional command structure
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) replaced its territorial command system with a functional, sector-based structure with effect from 1 November 2026, with the concurrence of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the new arrangement, supervision is organised by the type of installation rather than by geography. The new sectors are Power-I (New Delhi), Power-II (Kolkata), Coal (Ranchi), Steel (Bhilai), Petroleum and Natural Gas (Guwahati), West Coast Port (Mumbai), East Coast Port (Chennai), and Government Buildings, Museums, Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (New Delhi). They join the Aviation Sectors functioning since 2001 and the Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space Sector operating since 2018. The change is meant to build specialised expertise against threats such as drones, cyberattacks and sabotage at critical infrastructure.
Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees in Thiruvananthapuram
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla will inaugurate the Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and State and Union Territory Legislatures at Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam, on 3 November 2026. The two-day conference will deliberate on the theme 'Audit, Accountability and Good Governance – The Evolving Role of the PAC'. Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament Shri K. C. Venugopal will deliver the welcome address, and the Speaker will give the valedictory address on 4 November. Public Accounts Committees examine government expenditure, largely on the basis of the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. The conference is expected to discuss ways to strengthen legislative oversight of public finances.
Chandigarh Police conferred President's Colour in its Diamond Jubilee year
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah attended the Diamond Jubilee Foundation Day celebrations of Chandigarh Police on 1 November 2026 and graced the conferment of the President's Colour on the force. The President's Colour is awarded to a force in recognition of distinguished service of more than 15 years. Chandigarh was made a Union Territory on 1 November 1966, and its police force, now over 6,000 strong, completes 60 years. The Home Minister noted that the force has filed online charge sheets in 7,590 of the 8,206 cases registered since 4 August 2024 and has achieved a conviction rate of about 85 per cent. As many as 141 new vehicles were also inducted into the Chandigarh Police fleet on the occasion.
International Relations
2 storiesEAM holds bilateral talks on the sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, United States, on 30 October 2026. In his meeting with Canada's Foreign Minister H.E. Ms Anita Anand, the two sides reviewed the steady growth in bilateral cooperation. The ministers agreed that Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's visit to Canada in December would be another building block in the relationship, and the Indian High Commission in Ottawa has said the visit will take place on 11 and 12 December. Dr. Jaishankar also met the Foreign Ministers of Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Germany. His talks with Argentina covered trade, critical minerals, defence and nuclear cooperation.
Union Minister represents India at consecration of 108 Stupas in Bhutan
Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju represented the Government of India at the raising and consecration of 108 Stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan, on 1 November 2026, led by His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. In a single day, thousands of volunteers erected the stupas, each 15 metres tall, along an 11.7-km stretch of the Aie (Mau) River near the border with Assam. His Majesty dedicated Stupa No. 76 to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for his support to the Gelephu Mindfulness City project. During his visit from 31 October to 2 November, Shri Rijiju also met the Prime Minister of Bhutan, H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay. He reaffirmed India's support for the Gelephu project and its role in the development of neighbouring areas in India.
Schemes & Missions
4 storiesEPFO launches WhatsApp services and automatic settlement on 74th Foundation Day
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) celebrated its 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi on 1 November 2026, presided over by Union Labour and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, who chairs the Central Board of Trustees. EPFO services were launched on WhatsApp, allowing members to check their PF balance, last five transactions and passbook details through a verified account. Automatic settlement of Aadhaar-verified inoperative EPF accounts with balances of up to ₹1,000 was also launched, which is expected to benefit about one lakh accounts involving ₹5 crore without members filing claims. EPFO now serves about 8 crore contributory members and 85 lakh pensioners and manages a corpus of nearly ₹32 lakh crore. The average claim settlement time fell to 2.57 days in October 2026 following the CITES 2.01 technology upgrade.
Fifth nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign runs through November
The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) is conducting the fifth nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign from 1 to 30 November 2026. The campaign will cover 2,000 cities and districts across the country, making it the largest DLC campaign so far. Pensioners can submit their annual life certificate digitally, including through Aadhaar-based face authentication, without visiting banks or treasuries. Ahead of the launch, DoPPW officers visited camp sites at treasuries in West Bengal to review arrangements and interacted with pensioners' associations. UIDAI, the Department of Posts, State Level Bankers' Committees and CSC e-Governance Services were asked to support the camps.
SOP for organic fish farming to be launched in Sikkim under PMMSY push
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh will visit Gangtok and Mangan districts of Sikkim on 2 and 3 November 2026. During the visit he will launch a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for organic fish farming and inaugurate projects worth ₹375 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). He will also distribute Kisan Credit Cards to fish farmers and interact with fisheries cooperatives. The visit is part of the mechanism for regular visits of Union Ministers to the North Eastern Region. The Ministry said the region's abundant freshwater resources give it the potential to become a hub for certified organic fishery products.
Meghalaya farmers honoured with Krishi Gaurav Samman 2026 for millet work
Six farmers and agripreneurs from Meghalaya were conferred the Krishi Gaurav Samman 2026 at the Academic Assembly 2026 held at the College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Central Agricultural University (Imphal), at Umiam on 31 October 2026. The awards recognised contributions to agricultural development, conservation of indigenous crops, sustainable farming and rural entrepreneurship. Two of the awardees had earlier been acknowledged by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in the 139th episode of Mann Ki Baat for reviving traditional millet cultivation in the State. The assembly was held on the theme 'Transforming Classrooms through NEP 2020: Integrating Indigenous Wisdom, Culture and Experiential Learning'. It was supported by the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region and the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi).
Health & Nutrition
1 storyVice-President inaugurates National Organ Transplant Games 2026
Hon'ble Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the National Organ Transplant Games 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi, on 1 November 2026. Describing organ donation as a 'Mahadaan', he noted that one deceased organ donor can save up to eight lives and called for dispelling myths about donation. At the event, 570 transplant recipients and donors performed Tadasana together, and the World Book of Records recognised it as the largest such congregation. The Vice-President also released the 'Zindagi Dobara' calendar and felicitated Indian medal winners of the World Transplant Games 2025 held in Dresden, Germany. The Games were organised with the Renal Care Foundation, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO).
Environment
3 storiesDelhi records its cleanest October in eight years with average AQI of 166
Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) for October 2026 was 166, the lowest for the month in the last eight years, against 223 in October 2025, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Between January and October 2026, the city recorded 220 'Good to Moderate' days with AQI below 200, the highest for the period since 2018 except for 2020. The number of 'Poor to Severe+' days fell to 84 from 104 in the same period of 2025. The average AQI from 1 January to 31 October stood at 167, while average PM2.5 concentration up to 29 October was 69 micrograms per cubic metre. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said efforts with stakeholders would be intensified in the coming weeks.
CAQM team reviews paddy straw management in Punjab districts
A team of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) reviewed paddy straw management and stubble-fire control in Sangrur, Patiala and Malerkotla districts of Punjab on 31 October 2026. The team met Deputy Commissioners, senior police officers and officials of the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the Agriculture Department. It visited a paper-making unit in Malerkotla that uses paddy straw as boiler fuel and expects to consume about 17,000 tonnes of straw a year. The officials also saw super seeders and other in-situ machinery at work and visited a paddy straw pellet-making unit. Farmers in a hotspot village assured the team that they would manage straw with machinery instead of burning it.
Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 to open on 2 November
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 2 November 2026. The four-day summit, running until 5 November on the theme 'Invest. Innovate. Inspire.', is expected to draw participants from more than 130 countries, including over 40 Ministers. Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are Country Partners, and 13 States and Union Territories will showcase their renewable energy potential. The summit will be held alongside the 9th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen, and its expo, which builds on the earlier RE-INVEST summits, will feature more than 400 exhibitors.
Science & Tech
1 storyDigi Yatra begins trials for international passengers at seven airports
Digi Yatra has begun trials for international passengers at seven airports, namely Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on 1 November 2026. The trials, running from November to December 2026, allow eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports to use the facility on select international flights of Air India and IndiGo. Passengers must create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential in the Digi Yatra app by scanning the passport, reading its chip through the phone's NFC feature and capturing a selfie. Feedback from the trials will guide a wider rollout in 2027. The platform already has over 26.5 million users and has enabled more than 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports.
Defence
3 storiesINS Trishul calls at Souda Bay, Greece, during Mediterranean deployment
Indian Naval Ship Trishul arrived at Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete on 31 October 2026 during its ongoing deployment to the Mediterranean Sea. During the port call, the crew will interact with senior officers of the Hellenic Navy and the Indian Embassy in Athens and take part in professional discussions, cross-deck visits and cultural exchanges. They will also be familiarised with facilities at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay and the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre. The crew will pay homage at the Souda Bay War Cemetery, and the ship will remain open to visitors. The visit aims to consolidate maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Hellenic Navy.
IAF aerial display marks Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava 2026
The Indian Air Force presented an aerial display over Sendh Lake in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar on 1 November 2026 as part of the Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava celebrations. Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishnu Deo Sai attended as the Chief Guest. The programme featured the Akash Ganga skydiving team, a Mi-17 helicopter demonstrating the deployment of Garud Commandos, and the Sarang Helicopter Display Team. The Sarang team flies the indigenously developed Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv. Another display is scheduled at the same venue on 2 November 2026.
Countdown to Army Day 2027 in Bhopal begins with 'Sankalp Vriksha'
The countdown to the 79th Army Day celebrations began at Shaurya Smarak, Bhopal, on 1 November 2026 with the planting of a 'Sankalp Vriksha' on Madhya Pradesh's 71st Foundation Day. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav planted an Arjun sapling in the presence of Lt Gen Arvind Chauhan, General Officer Commanding, Sudarshan Chakra Corps. The sapling was planted with soil collected from all 55 districts of the State by NCC cadets under the 'Meri Maati' campaign, on the theme 'Ek Bharat Ek Sena Ek Sankalp'. A curtain-raiser video for Army Day 2027 was also unveiled. Bhopal will host the Army Day celebrations for the first time on 15 January 2027.
Appointments
2 storiesShri Dinesh V. Ganvir takes charge as 55th Director General of GSI
Shri Dinesh Vitthalrao Ganvir has assumed charge as the 55th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry announced on 1 November 2026. He joined GSI on 1 July 1994 and has more than 32 years of experience in geological mapping, mineral exploration and engineering geology. Before his elevation, he was Additional Director General and Head of Department of the Central Region at Nagpur, with additional charge of National Mission Head-II. In that role, he was associated with a fivefold increase in investigations for critical and strategic minerals and the handover of 359 geological reports for mineral auctions. GSI, founded in 1851, is one of the oldest scientific organisations of the Government of India.
Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal takes over Eastern Air Command
Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, AVSM, VM, assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command, of the Indian Air Force on 1 November 2026. He was commissioned as a fighter pilot on 14 June 1989 and has over 3,200 hours of flying experience. A specialist in strike and air defence roles, he is a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor and an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the National Defence College. He has served as Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Pakistan and as Director General (Weapon Systems) at Air Headquarters. Before his new appointment, he was Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command.
Sports
2 storiesIndia win both titles at inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship
India won both the men's and women's titles at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on 31 October 2026. The women's team beat Uganda 35-15 in the final, with Sakshi scoring nine points and captain Nidhi Sharma contributing five. The men's team defeated Sri Lanka 54-20, led by Aditya Shinde's Super 10 and eight raid points from Bharat Hooda. The men finished the tournament unbeaten with eight wins in eight matches, including a 56-27 semi-final win over Bangladesh. Both Indian teams thus became the first champions of the event on home soil.
P. V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen reach Hylo Open finals in Germany
P. V. Sindhu and Lakshya Sen reached the women's and men's singles finals of the Hylo Open, a BWF Super 500 badminton tournament in Saarbrucken, Germany, on 31 October 2026. Sindhu beat compatriot Anmol Kharb 21-13, 21-16 in 32 minutes to set up a final against Denmark's Line Hojmark Kjaersfeldt. It was Sindhu's second straight final after her runner-up finish at the French Open the previous week. Lakshya Sen defeated France's Toma Junior Popov 21-17, 21-13 to reach his second final of the season. The finals were scheduled for 1 November 2026.
Important Days
3 storiesStates and UTs celebrate Foundation Day on 1 November
Several States marked their Foundation Day on 1 November 2026, and Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Keralam, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Keralam celebrated Keralappiravi, Karnataka observed Kannada Rajyotsava and Tamil Nadu marked Tamil Nadu Day, all linked to the reorganisation of States on linguistic lines on 1 November 1956. Madhya Pradesh, also formed on 1 November 1956, celebrated its 71st Sthapna Diwas. Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh on 1 November 2000, and Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966. Chandigarh became a Union Territory on the same day in 1966.
Hon'ble President graces Haryana's 'Hirak Jayanti' celebration at Kurukshetra
Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu graced the 'Hirak Jayanti' celebration marking the 60th year of the formation of Haryana at Kurukshetra on 1 November 2026. She said the people of Haryana have made meaningful contributions in fields ranging from the freedom struggle to social change, democracy, literature and science. The President noted that the national campaign 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', launched from Panipat in January 2015, has been a significant initiative for women's empowerment. She welcomed the improvement in the sex ratio at birth in the State in 2025 compared with 2014. She also praised the achievements of athletes from Haryana, especially its daughters, in international sport.
Lakshadweep marks 70th Formation Day; Andaman & Nicobar celebrate Foundation Day
Lakshadweep, India's smallest Union Territory, celebrated its 70th Formation Day on 1 November 2026 with programmes across the islands. The main ceremony was held at Gandhi Square in Kavaratti, where contingents of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Lakshadweep Police and NCC took part in the parade. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands also celebrated their Foundation Day at Sri Vijaya Puram in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma. He described the islands' multicultural society as a living embodiment of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'. Both Union Territories were constituted on 1 November 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act.
Art & Culture
1 storyHon'ble President attends Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh of Swami Shraddhanand
Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu attended the Balidan Shatabdi Samaroh of Swami Shraddhanand at Gurukul, Kurukshetra, on 1 November 2026, marking the centenary of his martyrdom. She recalled his journey from Munshiram to Mahatma Munshiram and finally to Swami Shraddhanand, and his lifelong service to the Vedas and to society. The President said Swami Shraddhanand was a strong advocate of social unity and regarded the eradication of untouchability as essential for India's progress. He revived and strengthened the Gurukul system of education, a cause championed by Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj. The President urged young people to draw inspiration from his life while embracing modern knowledge and innovation.
Quick-revision MCQs
Ten questions drawn from today’s stories. Tap an option to check yourself.
Q1.India's gross GST collection in October 2026 was about:
Answer: C. Gross collections rose 22.9 per cent; net collections after refunds were about ₹2.03 lakh crore.
Q2.The additional tax devolution instalment released to States on 31 October 2026 amounted to:
Answer: B. It was the second additional instalment of the year, released ahead of the festive season.
Q3.Under CISF's new functional command structure, the headquarters of the Steel Sector is at:
Answer: D. Ranchi heads the Coal Sector, while Guwahati heads the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector.
Q4.The average claim settlement time of EPFO in October 2026 fell to:
Answer: A. EPFO also launched WhatsApp services and automatic settlement of small inoperative accounts.
Q5.Who has taken charge as the 55th Director General of the Geological Survey of India?
Answer: C. He was earlier Additional Director General and Head of the Central Region at Nagpur.
Q6.The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit 2026 is being held alongside which session of the International Solar Alliance Assembly?
Answer: B. It is also being held alongside the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen.
Q7.Delhi's average AQI for October 2026, the lowest for the month in eight years, was:
Answer: D. Delhi also recorded 220 'Good to Moderate' days between January and October 2026.
Q8.Which city will host the Army Day celebrations on 15 January 2027 for the first time?
Answer: A. The countdown began with the planting of a 'Sankalp Vriksha' at Shaurya Smarak.
Q9.India's men's team beat which country in the final of the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship?
Answer: C. The men won 54-20; the women beat Uganda 35-15 in their final.
Q10.Which of these States was NOT formed on 1 November 1956?
Answer: B. Haryana was formed on 1 November 1966 and is celebrating its 60th year.
Key facts at a glance
The numbers and names most likely to turn up in Prelims, Phase 1 or a GA section.
| Topic | What to remember | Source, date |
|---|---|---|
| Gross GST, Oct 2026 | ₹2,31,290 crore; +22.9% y-o-y; net ₹2.03 lakh crore | Govt data, 1 Nov |
| Additional tax devolution | ₹1,09,019 crore on 31 Oct 2026; UP highest at ₹19,208 crore | MoF, 31 Oct |
| Commercial LPG / ATF | ₹2,820 per 19-kg cylinder (+₹10); ATF ₹138.50/litre (+₹1.37) | OMCs, 1 Nov |
| UPI, Oct 2026 | 25.47 bn transactions; avg daily value ₹1,00,871 crore | NPCI, 1 Nov |
| Coal imports, Aug 2026 | 104.57 MT; down 5.83%; share 19.30% of consumption | MoC, 1 Nov |
| Coal India | Founded 1 Nov 1975; record 67.2 MT output in Oct 2026; 2026-27 target 815 MT | MoC, 1 Nov |
| Bengaluru–Mumbai VB Sleeper | Third Vande Bharat Sleeper; 16 coaches; 823 passengers; SWR | DD News, 1 Nov |
| Bharat Bullet Train | 280 km/h test, 249 km/h operational; built at BEML Bengaluru | MoR, 1 Nov |
| CISF new structure | Functional sectors from 1 Nov 2026; Steel Sector HQ at Bhilai | MHA, 1 Nov |
| PAC Chairpersons' Conference | Thiruvananthapuram, 3–4 Nov 2026 | Lok Sabha Sectt, 1 Nov |
| EPFO | 74th Foundation Day; ~8 crore members; corpus ~₹32 lakh crore | MoLE, 1 Nov |
| DLC Campaign 5.0 | 1–30 Nov 2026; 2,000 cities/districts | DoPPW, 31 Oct |
| Delhi AQI, Oct 2026 | 166; lowest October in 8 years; 220 good-moderate days (Jan–Oct) | MoEFCC, 31 Oct |
| Bharat RE 2026 | 2–5 Nov, Bharat Mandapam; with 9th ISA Assembly | PMO, 1 Nov |
| Digi Yatra international trials | 7 airports; Nov–Dec 2026; wider rollout 2027 | MoCA, 1 Nov |
| Director General, GSI | Shri Dinesh V. Ganvir (55th DG) | MoM, 1 Nov |
| AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command | Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, from 1 Nov 2026 | MoD, 1 Nov |
| Army Day 2027 | Bhopal, 15 Jan 2027 (79th Army Day) | MoD, 1 Nov |
| Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship | Inaugural edition, Ahmedabad; India won men's and women's titles | AIR, 1 Nov |
| Foundation Days on 1 Nov | MP, Keralam, Karnataka, TN (1956); Haryana (1966); Chhattisgarh (2000) | PIB, 1 Nov |
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), DD News, All India Radio, The Hindu, The Hindu BusinessLine, Business Standard and Times of India.
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