Current affairs 6 November 2026 — a verified daily brief for UPSC, RBI Grade B, SEBI, NABARD and related exams, covering Semicon 2.0, ECMS approvals, RBI G-sec auction, CSE Main result, cancer drug margin caps, the Pralay test and the Asian Champions Trophy.
Current Affairs 6 November 2026
40 stories from 5–6 November 2026 for UPSC, RBI, SEBI, NABARD and EPFO aspirants: the launch of the Semicon 2.0 portal, new ECMS approvals, the RBI's Government Securities auction and data releases, the UPSC Civil Services (Main) written result, the margin cap on anti-cancer medicines, the successful Pralay flight test, Exercise Rahat Mitra and India's Asian Champions Trophy hockey victory.
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Economy
6 storiesSemicon 2.0 launches: applications open for pillars on machines, materials, fabs and ATMP/OSAT
Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the Semicon 2.0 Web Application Portal under the Semicon India Programme on 6 November 2026. Applications are now open for Pillar 2 (machines and materials), Pillar 3 (setting up more fabs) and Pillar 4 (strengthening the ATMP/OSAT industry). The Union Cabinet has approved Semicon 2.0 with a fiscal outlay of ₹1,27,500 crore under the India Semiconductor Mission, and the programme rests on six pillars that also include chip design, research and development, and talent development. Under the first phase, 12 projects were approved across six States with cumulative investment of over ₹1.64 lakh crore, and five of them had begun commercial production by October 2026. The Minister said the new phase aims to attract at least three major equipment manufacturers and five chemicals and gases companies to India.
Twelve more applications approved under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has approved 12 further applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with projected investment of ₹7,503 crore, the Ministry announced on 6 November 2026. The approvals come in addition to 106 applications involving investment of ₹69,548 crore that were cleared earlier. The new projects are expected to generate production worth ₹39,045 crore and about 7,127 direct jobs. They cover products such as multi-layer printed circuit boards, relays, heat sinks, specialty ceramics, copper foil, anode material, cathode active material and polypropylene film. The projects are spread across Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, and the Minister noted that nearly half of the units approved under the scheme belong to the MSME sector.
Mining Ministers' Conference concludes in Goa; coal and mineral exchanges planned
The two-day 4th Conference of Mining Ministers concluded in Goa on 6 November 2026, with representatives of States such as Telangana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala sharing their experiences and concerns. Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy urged the Centre and the States to work together to speed up mineral exploration, strengthen State revenues from mining, improve mine planning and ensure effective mine closure. Mines Secretary Shri Keshav Chandra assured that delays and procedural bottlenecks raised by the States would be addressed through better coordination. Earlier, the Minister said that the Centre plans to launch coal and mineral exchanges soon, with nearly 90 per cent of the preparatory work complete, so that buyers and sellers get a common platform covering iron ore, limestone, bauxite, critical minerals and coal. He also noted that the States' revenue from non-coal mining has risen from about ₹13,000 crore in 2014-15 to over ₹70,000 crore, and that about ₹1.36 lakh crore has accumulated under the District Mineral Foundation.
NHAI issues guidelines to standardise barrier-free Multi-Lane Free Flow tolling
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines to standardise the design and infrastructure of toll plazas on four-lane and wider National Highways, in preparation for wider adoption of barrier-less Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling, the Government said on 6 November 2026. Under MLFF tolling, vehicles are charged without having to stop at physical toll booths, which is expected to remove queues, cut waiting time and reduce fuel consumption. The policy circular prescribes uniform requirements for plaza layout, lane configuration, gantries, lighting, signage and Electronic Variable Message Signs. Because vehicles need not halt, the number of lanes required at a plaza has been rationalised compared with conventional toll plazas. The guidelines apply to all future and under-construction projects, and projects already awarded will adopt the changes through applicable contractual provisions.
India's finished steel consumption reaches 99.3 million tonnes in April–October 2026
According to the monthly summary released by the Ministry of Steel on 5 November 2026, India's finished steel consumption stood at 99.3 million tonnes in April–October 2026, which is 7.5 per cent higher than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Consumption in October 2026 alone was 14.3 million tonnes, up 6.6 per cent year on year. Crude steel production during April–October 2026 was 99.1 million tonnes, a rise of 2.6 per cent, while finished steel production reached 95.5 million tonnes, a rise of 3.9 per cent. Finished steel imports rose to 4.90 million tonnes in the seven months, and India remained a net importer of finished steel in quantity terms for the period. The Ministry also granted a quality control order compliance exemption for 162 grades of semi-finished stainless steel products, valid until 31 March 2027, to address concerns of MSMEs.
Government mandates weekly disclosure of rice and paddy stocks; Bharat Rice allocation increased
The Government of India issued an order on 6 November 2026 directing traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and processors across all States and Union Territories to declare their rice and paddy stocks every Friday on the Food Stock Portal. Stocks must be reported under six categories, namely Basmati rice, non-Basmati premium rice, non-Basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice and paddy, and violators are liable to action under Sections 6 and 7 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Centre has also conveyed its concurrence to Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana to impose stock limits on paddy and rice, which will remain in force up to 31 January 2027. In addition, larger quantities of ‘Bharat Rice’ are being allocated to NAFED, NCCF and Kendriya Bhandar to widen its availability, particularly in the Southern States. The measures are meant to maintain adequate domestic supplies, prevent hoarding and moderate retail prices.
Banking & Markets
6 storiesRBI auction of Government Securities worth ₹36,000 crore fully accepted with no devolvement
In the auction of Government Securities held on 6 November 2026, the Reserve Bank of India accepted the full notified amount of ₹36,000 crore, comprising ₹23,000 crore of the 7.06% GS 2041 and ₹13,000 crore of the 7.43% GS 2076. The cut-off price for the 2041 security was ₹97.07, an implicit yield of 7.3881 per cent, while the 2076 security cleared at ₹95.70, a yield of 7.7708 per cent. Competitive bids received amounted to ₹52,879.80 crore for the 2041 security and ₹20,751 crore for the 2076 security, showing strong demand for the shorter paper. There was no devolvement on Primary Dealers for either security, which the underwriting auction held on the same day had covered. Government securities auctions are conducted by the RBI as the debt manager of the Central Government.
RBI absorbs ₹18,133 crore through 3-day VRRR; Treasury Bill auction of ₹23,000 crore announced
In the 3-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on 6 November 2026 with a notified amount of ₹25,000 crore, the Reserve Bank of India received offers of ₹18,133 crore, all of which were accepted at a cut-off rate of 5.49 per cent, with reversal due on 9 November. The RBI also announced a 4-day Variable Rate Repo auction under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility for 9 November. According to its money market data for 5 November, the overnight segment recorded a weighted average rate of 5.55 per cent, with call money at 5.63 per cent and triparty repo at 5.53 per cent. The Reserve Bank further announced the auction of Treasury Bills worth ₹23,000 crore on 11 November, made up of ₹8,000 crore each in 91-day and 182-day bills and ₹7,000 crore in 364-day bills. Settlement for the Treasury Bill auction will take place on 12 November 2026.
India's forex reserves stand at US$ 717.056 billion as on 30 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India's Weekly Statistical Supplement released on 6 November 2026 showed that India's total foreign exchange reserves stood at US$ 717.056 billion (₹68,08,728 crore) as on 30 October 2026. The reserves were lower by US$ 2.691 billion over the week, while they were higher by US$ 25.949 billion compared with end-March 2026 and by US$ 27.324 billion over the year. Foreign currency assets, the largest component, were US$ 591.118 billion and gold reserves were valued at US$ 102.591 billion. Special Drawing Rights stood at US$ 18.558 billion, and the reserve position in the International Monetary Fund at US$ 4.790 billion. These figures are watched closely because reserves help the central bank manage volatility in the external sector.
NBFC credit grows 15.4 per cent year on year in September 2026, RBI data show
The Reserve Bank of India released data on 6 November 2026 on the sectoral deployment of credit by non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) for September 2026. Credit extended by NBFCs registered year-on-year growth of 15.4 per cent, compared with 13.3 per cent a year earlier. Credit to agriculture and allied activities grew by 17.8 per cent against 5.2 per cent a year ago, while credit to the industry sector slowed to 7.4 per cent from 10.2 per cent. Retail loan growth accelerated to 21.9 per cent from 16.8 per cent, with housing loans, loans against gold jewellery and vehicle loans showing faster growth. Credit growth in the services sector moderated to 17.3 per cent from 23.0 per cent a year earlier.
RBI releases provisional results of the 2025-26 Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets
The Reserve Bank of India on 6 November 2026 released the provisional results of the 2025-26 round of the annual Census on Foreign Liabilities and Assets (FLA) of Indian direct investment entities. A total of 43,123 entities, including companies, limited liability partnerships, alternative investment funds and partnership firms, reported foreign direct investment (FDI) and/or overseas direct investment (ODI) as at end-March 2026. Around 97 per cent of the entities reporting FDI and/or ODI were unlisted, and unlisted companies held about 97.9 per cent of the FDI equity capital at face value. Non-financial companies accounted for more than 90 per cent of FDI equity at face value, and about 96.6 per cent of FDI debt was held by unlisted companies. By market value, manufacturing held the largest share of outstanding FDI equity capital at 50.1 per cent, followed by services at 45 per cent.
RBI constitutes Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets
The Reserve Bank of India announced on 4 November 2026 the constitution of the Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets (TCCFM), in line with the announcement made in its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated 7 October 2026. The Committee will provide a forum for structured engagement with market participants on policy and operational matters related to the money, government securities and foreign exchange markets, as well as the related derivative markets and infrastructure. It will be chaired by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Financial Markets Regulation Department of the RBI. The external members include Shri Ananth Narayan, former Whole Time Member of SEBI and Professor of Practice at IIT Bombay, Shri Shamsher Singh, Chairman of FIMMDA, and Shri Nand Kishore, Managing Director of the Clearing Corporation of India Limited. Its terms of reference cover the functioning, efficiency, liquidity and resilience of these markets.
Polity & Governance
6 storiesNationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 5 launched; nearly 40 lakh certificates in five days
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, launched the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) Campaign 5 at the National Media Centre, New Delhi, on 6 November 2026. He said that nearly 40 lakh DLCs were generated in the first five days of the campaign, against about 25 lakh in the corresponding period last year, a rise of 60 per cent. Adoption of Aadhaar-based face authentication has risen from 61 per cent to nearly 80 per cent, and the campaign will cover nearly 3,000 locations, with doorstep services for elderly pensioners who cannot visit camps. The Minister noted that central government pensioners now number nearly 70 lakh against about 50 lakh working employees, and he called for a healthy synergy between the younger and older generations. EPFO's Madurai office has separately urged EPS-95 pensioners to submit their annual DLC through the Jeevan Pramaan portal, post offices or Common Service Centres, without visiting the Regional Office.
UPSC declares written result of Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026
The Union Public Service Commission announced on 5 November 2026 the result of the written part of the Civil Services (Main) Examination, 2026, which was held from 21 to 30 August 2026. The qualified candidates are eligible for the Personality Test (Interview) for selection to the Indian Administrative Service, the Indian Foreign Service, the Indian Police Service and other Central Services in Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’. Their candidature remains provisional, and they must produce original certificates in support of age, educational qualifications and reservation claims at the time of the interview. The dates of the Personality Tests will be notified in due course, and e-Summon Letters will be made available on the Commission's website, as no physical summon letters will be issued. Qualified candidates must also fill in and submit the detailed application form online, failing which no e-summon letter will be issued to them.
UPSC declares final result of NDA and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026
The Union Public Service Commission declared on 5 November 2026 the final results of the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2026. A total of 617 candidates have qualified, on the basis of the written examination held on 12 April 2026 and the subsequent interviews conducted by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence. They are eligible for admission to the Army, Navy and Air Force wings of the National Defence Academy for the 157th Course and to the Naval Academy for the 119th Indian Naval Academy Course. The candidature of the selected candidates is provisional, and the results of the medical examination have not been taken into account in the merit lists. The marks of the candidates will be made available on the UPSC website after 15 days from the date of declaration of the final results.
TRAI notifies Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on 6 November 2026, and the regulations will take effect from 1 January 2027. They require all service providers to register their interconnect agreements, and any modifications to them, through a portal established by TRAI, replacing the older requirement of printed copies along with a soft copy on a floppy disk or diskette. Agreements in force on 1 January 2027 must be submitted within fifteen days of that date, while new agreements and modifications must be filed within fifteen days of their execution. Documents must be furnished in text-searchable PDF format, and the public can apply online to inspect the Register and obtain copies or extracts of its prescribed portions. The amendment follows a Pre-Consultation Paper issued in April 2025, a Consultation Paper issued on 10 November 2025 and an Open House Discussion held on 28 January 2026.
Regional Passport Office, Pune holds Open House for long-pending passport applications
The Regional Passport Office (RPO), Pune conducted an Open House at its Baner office on 4 November 2026 to address passport applications that had been pending on or before 15 February 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs said on 6 November. Letters were sent to more than 300 applicants inviting them to meet officers and seek redressal of their grievances. Senior officials examined individual cases, facilitated the resolution of several pending applications and explained documentation requirements. Applicants also received guidance on cases involving court proceedings, change of name, change of date of birth, single-parent cases, adoption and adverse police reports. The initiative, carried out in the spirit of ‘Nagariko Devo Bhavah’, is intended to reduce delays and improve transparency in passport issuance.
Shri Binoy Kumar takes charge as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission
Shri Binoy Kumar, a retired IAS officer of the 1983 batch of the Telangana cadre, took charge as Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) on 5 November 2026. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, Shri G. Sai Prasad, at the Secretariat in Amaravati. He will hold office for five years from the date of assuming charge or until he attains the age of 70, whichever is earlier. State electricity regulatory commissions determine tariffs and regulate the power sector within their States under the Electricity Act, 2003. Senior officials of the State energy sector, including the Special Chief Secretary (Energy), conveyed their best wishes to the new Chairman.
International Relations
4 storiesEnvoys of Mali, Myanmar, Madagascar and Equatorial Guinea present credentials to the President
Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu accepted credentials from the envoys of four countries at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 6 November 2026. The Ambassadors who presented their credentials were H.E. Mr Fatoma Thera of the Republic of Mali, H.E. Mr U Aye Min Htwe of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, H.E. Mr Mandehatsara Georget of the Republic of Madagascar and H.E. Mr Miguel Edjang Angue of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. The presentation of credentials is the formal step through which an ambassador is accredited to the head of state of the host country. The ceremony reflects the continuing diplomatic engagement of India with countries of Africa and its neighbourhood.
Shri Jitin Prasada visits Hungary to deepen trade, technology and investment ties
Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Jitin Prasada, visited Hungary from 4 to 6 November 2026 to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, technology and industrial development. He called on the Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly, met the Hungarian Minister of Science and Technology, and visited the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the pharmaceutical company Gedeon Richter and Foxconn's manufacturing operations in Hungary. On 5 November he addressed the India–Hungary Business Seminar in Budapest, attended by more than 100 business representatives, where business-to-business meetings were also held. The Minister highlighted opportunities in electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and emerging technologies. The discussions were placed in the wider context of closer India–European Union economic engagement.
Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri visits Nepal ahead of the Nepal Prime Minister's visit to India
Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri held official engagements in Nepal on 4 and 5 November 2026 and met Hon'ble Prime Minister of Nepal H.E. Balendra Shah in Kathmandu on 5 November. A joint press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the discussions covered possible outcomes and initiatives in the context of the upcoming visit of the Nepali Prime Minister to India. Shri Misri also held talks with his counterpart, Nepal's Foreign Secretary Shri Amrit Bahadur Rai, and met the Finance Minister and the Foreign Minister of Nepal. The talks covered commerce and development partnership, hydropower, physical connectivity, border management, energy and people-to-people ties, along with newer areas such as digital connectivity and artificial intelligence. The Nepali side expressed gratitude for India's humanitarian and technical assistance after the Bhotekoshi floods.
India hosts ASEAN envoys at the Information Fusion Centre for a maritime domain awareness briefing
ASEAN Ambassadors and High Commissioners were hosted at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) on 4 November 2026 for a briefing on maritime domain awareness and maritime security, the Ministry of External Affairs said. The briefing was held as part of the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation. The diplomats were given a first-hand understanding of the Centre's operational capabilities, its multinational liaison officer framework and its role in sharing maritime information in time and coordinating responses to incidents at sea. The discussions highlighted the growing convergence of maritime interests and a shared commitment to a safe, secure and stable Indian Ocean Region, in line with India's Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision.
Schemes & Missions
2 storiesBal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign nears two years; child marriage prevalence falls to 20.1 per cent
A PIB backgrounder issued on 6 November 2026 reviewed two years of the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign, launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development on 27 November 2024 with the aim of making India child-marriage-free by 2030. According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 20.1 per cent of women aged 20–24 years were married before the age of 18, down from 23.3 per cent in NFHS-5 (2019-21). The campaign has conducted 6.85 lakh awareness programmes, reached 12.47 crore participants and recorded 42.01 lakh pledges, while 71,882 Child Marriage Prohibition Officers are reflected on its portal. Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu registered the largest fall of 10.1 percentage points, followed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Bihar and Tripura. The National Observance marking two years of the campaign will be held on 27 November 2026, and the legal base remains the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.
Agreement signed to implement Amended BharatNet Programme in Telangana covering 12,769 Gram Panchayats
Digital Bharat Nidhi of the Department of Telecommunications signed an agreement at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, on 6 November 2026 with the Government of Telangana, BSNL and the State's fibre agencies for implementing the Amended BharatNet Programme in the State under the State-led model. The programme in Telangana covers 12,769 Gram Panchayats, including the upgradation of 1,946 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology, 10,787 Phase II Gram Panchayats and 36 newly created Gram Panchayats. The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,189 crore for the project, which is expected to enable around three lakh rural home fibre connections with subsidy support. The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4 August 2023 to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages. Digital Bharat Nidhi is the successor of the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Health & Nutrition
2 storiesTrade margins on 137 anti-cancer medicines capped at 30 per cent; revised prices from 9 November
A PIB backgrounder issued on 6 November 2026 explained that the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) capped the trade margin on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines, including patented ones, at 30 per cent of the Maximum Retail Price on 17 October 2026. The revised prices take effect on 9 November 2026 and have been worked out from the distributor price of March 2026. By 4 November, 70 companies had reported revised prices for 120 drugs, with average reductions of 20 to 70 per cent, a highest reduction of 96.45 per cent and estimated savings of ₹3,357.49 crore. Trade margin is the difference between the price at which a manufacturer sells to a distributor and the MRP, excluding GST. Citizens can verify prices on the NPPA website and through the Pharma Sahi Daam mobile app.
National tabletop exercise VAJRA-SAT prepares India for Foot-and-Mouth Disease serotype SAT-1
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, together with ICAR-NIVEDI, Bengaluru, concluded the two-day National Tabletop Exercise ‘VAJRA-SAT’ on 6 November 2026, after holding it on 4 and 5 November under the theme ‘Detect Early, Confirm Fast, Contain Together’. The exercise was designed around Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1, which has not been reported in India but has spread beyond Africa to parts of West Asia. It brought together 83 participants from 25 States, three Union Territories and key national institutions, including veterinary laboratories, universities, vaccine manufacturers and border guarding agencies. Through simulated outbreak scenarios, participants examined early detection, laboratory confirmation, animal movement control, emergency vaccination preparedness and risk communication. The exercise concluded with recommendations to strengthen national preparedness against transboundary animal diseases.
Environment
3 storiesCMFRI documents 161 marine mammal strandings along the Indian coast in 2024–25
The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has documented 161 marine mammal stranding cases along the Indian coast during 2024–25, with Goa recording the highest number at 113, followed by Kerala with 13 and Maharashtra with 11. Humpback dolphins accounted for the largest share with 82 cases, followed by Indo-Pacific finless porpoises with 44 cases. The findings were presented at an international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing held at the institute in Kochi. CMFRI has also developed an interactive GIS-based platform that brings together about 1,300 geographical data points covering 32 marine mammal species. The platform shows stranding locations, species identity and possible causes of death, and is expected to help identify priority areas for conservation.
Kochi Declaration calls for a multinational ocean observation system and open ocean data
The three-day international symposium on fisheries and remote sensing at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute concluded in Kochi with the adoption of the Kochi Declaration, the Press Information Bureau reported on 6 November 2026. The Declaration proposes an integrated multinational ocean observation system and free, open and timely access to ocean data to strengthen climate resilience and the sustainable management of marine resources. It was handed over to the Union Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr T. Srinivasa Kumar, for consideration and policy-level action. Addressing the valedictory function, he highlighted the Ministry's Deep Ocean Mission, the Earth system science programme PRITHVI and Mission Mausam. The symposium featured around 250 scientific presentations and more than 300 delegates from 30 countries.
Department of Financial Services wins PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award for rooftop solar
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) achieved 100 per cent solarisation of all feasible buildings under its administrative control, the Ministry of Finance said on 6 November 2026. Of 4,144 buildings, 2,576 were found technically and structurally feasible after assessment of roof-access rights, ownership, shadow profile and load-bearing capacity. Rooftop solar plants have been commissioned on all 2,576 buildings, with a total installed capacity of 61.50 MW. The Department received the PM Surya Ghar Excellence Award, second position, in the category of maximum buildings solarised by Central Ministries and Departments, on 5 November 2026. The award was presented by Hon'ble Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan at the valedictory session of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Science & Tech
1 storyStartup India portal integrated with I-STEM to give startups access to research facilities
The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), launched the API integration of the Startup India Portal with the Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map (I-STEM) Portal on 6 November 2026. The launch took place under the chairmanship of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India. The integration will enable DPIIT-recognised startups to discover and access scientific and testing facilities available across the country. Prof. Sood said it would lower research and development costs, avoid duplication of capital-intensive facilities and improve the use of publicly funded infrastructure. The initiative is expected to be especially useful for deep-tech startups that need prototyping, testing and validation support.
Defence
5 storiesDRDO successfully flight-tests quasi-ballistic missile ‘Pralay’; induction imminent
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the quasi-ballistic missile ‘Pralay’ from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha at around 11:10 a.m. on 5 November 2026. All test objectives were fully met, as confirmed by data captured by range instruments of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The missile has been indigenously developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, and Bharat Dynamics Limited, a Development-cum-Production Partner, has produced the system. The test was conducted as part of user evaluation trials in the presence of officials from DRDO, industry and the Defence Forces, and the induction of the system has now become imminent. Hon'ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, the Defence Forces and industry partners on the achievement.
India–US Tri-Service HADR Exercise Tiger Triumph 2026 concludes at Visakhapatnam
The fifth edition of the bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise Tiger Triumph between India and the United States culminated with a closing ceremony at Visakhapatnam on 5 November 2026. The exercise was conducted from 31 October to 5 November and comprised a Staff Exercise and a Tabletop Exercise, with particular emphasis on joint amphibious operations. Participants exchanged professional expertise on subjects such as cyberspace and medical operations, and applied their plans in a simulated operational environment. The closing ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander of the US Pacific Fleet. Tiger Triumph was first conducted in 2019 and aims to enhance interoperability and defence cooperation between the two countries.
India and Myanmar begin first tri-services HADR exercise ‘Rahat Mitra’ in Chennai
India and Myanmar commenced their maiden bilateral Tri-Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise, ‘Rahat Mitra’, at Chennai on 5 November 2026, the Ministry of Defence said. The exercise is being held from 5 to 6 November under the theme ‘Together for Humanity, Stronger through Partnership’. More than 300 personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries are taking part, and the exercise is coordinated under the aegis of the Indian Navy. It aims to build mutual trust and to improve coordination between the two Defence Forces in disaster response. The exercise reflects India's ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the strategic vision of MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
Maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise concludes at Sri Vijaya Puram
The maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise culminated at Sri Vijaya Puram on 3 November 2026 after engagements held from 30 October, under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, the Ministry of Defence said on 6 November. Indian Naval Ships Taragiri, Karmuk and Saryu, Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King Aung Zeya and Sri Lanka Navy Ship SLNS Gajabahu took part in the exercise. A harbour phase with professional and cultural exchanges was followed by a sea phase off Sri Vijaya Puram on 2 and 3 November. The exercise was held in the spirit of the Delhi Declaration and follows the 4th BIMSTEC Experts Group Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation held in November 2025. The Secretary General of BIMSTEC, H.E. Indra Mani Pandey, was among the dignitaries present.
GRSE delivers ‘Amini’, fifth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, to the Indian Navy
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), a Navratna defence public sector undertaking, delivered the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft ‘Amini’ to the Indian Navy on 5 November 2026. It is the fifth of the eight such craft being built for the Navy and the 119th warship built by GRSE. The ship is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rocket launchers and sonars, and is propelled by waterjets, with a length of about 77.6 metres. It will strengthen the Navy's anti-submarine, coastal surveillance and mine-laying capabilities in littoral waters. The vessel is named after Amini Island in Lakshadweep and revives the name of the earlier INS Amini, a Petya III class corvette decommissioned in 2002.
Sports
2 storiesIndia beat Japan 4–1 to win the Asian Champions Trophy hockey title for a record sixth time
The Indian men's hockey team defeated Japan 4–1 in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy at the Olympian Balbir Singh International Hockey Stadium in Mohali on 5 November 2026, winning a record sixth title. Japan took an early lead through Kazumasa Matsumoto in the third minute and defended resolutely for most of the match. India levelled in the 42nd minute through a penalty corner converted by Shilanand Lakra, after which Dilpreet Singh, Jugraj Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored to seal the result. India finished the campaign unbeaten and retained the title. Malaysia defeated Korea 5–2 earlier in the day to take the bronze medal.
Tanvi Patri wins silver in badminton at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar
Fifteen-year-old Tanvi Patri won the silver medal in the women's singles badminton event at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, losing the final to China's Zhang Yi Xin by 21-15, 13-21, 24-26 on the night of 5 November 2026. The match lasted one hour and 22 minutes, and the Indian shuttler had chances to win the gold medal in the deciding game. She became the first Indian woman shuttler to win an individual silver medal at the Youth Olympics. Before her, H. S. Prannoy in 2010 and Lakshya Sen in 2018 were the only Indian shuttlers to have won individual silver medals at the Games. The Badminton Association of India described the result as a significant milestone for Indian sport.
Art & Culture
3 storiesSacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha draw over 21,000 devotees at Tawang Monastery
More than 21,000 devotees have visited Gaden Namgyal Lhatse, also known as Tawang Monastery, to pay homage to the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha, the Ministry of Culture said on 6 November 2026. The relics have returned to Arunachal Pradesh after a gap of 13 years and were brought from the National Museum, New Delhi, where they are preserved. They were discovered at Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh in 1898, an event regarded as a milestone in the archaeological history of Buddhism. The exposition at Tawang remains open until 7 November, after which the relics will go to Bomdila from 8 to 13 November and to the Golden Pagoda, Namsai, from 14 to 20 November. They are scheduled to return to the National Museum on 21 November 2026.
Ministry of Culture signs MoU with Google Arts & Culture to digitise India's heritage
The Ministry of Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Google Arts & Culture on 5 November 2026 at a virtual ceremony to bring India's cultural heritage to the public through digital tools. The partnership will cover monuments and archaeological sites protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, the collections of national museums, manuscript heritage being documented under Gyan Bharatam, and the crafts and performing arts sustained by the Ministry's institutions. Its central focus is the Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum, which is taking shape in the North and South Blocks of New Delhi, and whose buildings and artefacts will be digitised. The Ministry said the aim is to let India's heritage be explored in Indian languages and on any device. The MoU was signed in the presence of Culture Secretary Shri Vivek Aggarwal and Mr Amit Sood, Vice President and Founder of Google Arts & Culture.
Railways concludes year-long celebrations of 150 years of Vande Mataram
The Ministry of Railways marked the closing week of its year-long celebrations of 150 years of Vande Mataram with a cultural programme at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, on 5 November 2026. The celebrations were organised in four phases, and the fourth and final phase is being observed from 1 to 7 November 2026. The first phase began with a mass singing of Vande Mataram on 7 November 2025, attended by Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw. The second phase was an essay competition on the theme ‘Vande Mataram: The Spirit of Unity in India's Diversity’ held on 22 January 2026, and the third phase comprised a quiz competition and a Tiranga rally. The programme at Rail Bhawan was attended by the Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, Shri Satish Kumar, and senior railway officials.
Quick-revision MCQs
Ten questions drawn from today’s stories. Tap an option to check yourself.
Q1.What is the fiscal outlay of Semicon 2.0 under the India Semiconductor Mission?
Answer: B. Semicon 2.0 has six pillars, and the new web portal accepts applications under Pillars 2, 3 and 4.
Q2.The NPPA has capped the trade margin on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines at what share of the MRP?
Answer: C. The revised prices take effect on 9 November 2026.
Q3.Which DRDO laboratory led the development of the quasi-ballistic missile ‘Pralay’?
Answer: C. Bharat Dynamics Limited, a Development-cum-Production Partner, produced the system.
Q4.Exercise ‘Rahat Mitra’, the first bilateral tri-services HADR exercise, is between India and which country?
Answer: B. It is being held at Chennai from 5 to 6 November 2026 with more than 300 personnel.
Q5.What was the implicit yield at cut-off for the 7.06% GS 2041 in the RBI auction of 6 November 2026?
Answer: A. The 7.43% GS 2076 cleared at a yield of 7.7708 per cent.
Q6.About what share of Indian entities reporting FDI and/or ODI were unlisted, according to the RBI's FLA Census 2025-26?
Answer: C. A total of 43,123 entities reported FDI and/or ODI as at end-March 2026.
Q7.Which team did India defeat 4–1 in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Mohali?
Answer: B. It was India's record sixth title; Malaysia took the bronze medal.
Q8.On which date was the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign launched?
Answer: D. The campaign aims to make India child-marriage-free by 2030.
Q9.Which technology has driven the rise in Digital Life Certificates under the DLC Campaign 5?
Answer: A. Face authentication adoption has risen from 61 per cent to nearly 80 per cent through the Jeevan Pramaan application.
Q10.In which year were the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, now at Tawang Monastery, discovered at Piprahwa?
Answer: D. The relics are preserved at the National Museum, New Delhi, and returned to Arunachal Pradesh after 13 years.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Semicon 2.0 | ₹1,27,500 crore outlay; six pillars; portal live for Pillars 2, 3 and 4 | MeitY, 6 Nov |
| ECMS approvals | 12 applications; ₹7,503 crore investment; ₹39,045 crore production; 7,127 jobs | MeitY, 6 Nov |
| 4th Conference of Mining Ministers | Goa, 5–6 Nov 2026; coal and mineral exchanges planned | Ministry of Mines, 6 Nov |
| Finished steel consumption | 99.3 Mt in Apr–Oct 2026, up 7.5% | Ministry of Steel, 5 Nov |
| Rice stock disclosure | Weekly on Food Stock Portal; stock limits in five Southern States up to 31 Jan 2027 | DFPD, 6 Nov |
| G-sec auction, 6 Nov | ₹36,000 crore accepted; 2041 yield 7.3881%; 2076 yield 7.7708% | RBI, 6 Nov |
| 3-day VRRR, 6 Nov | ₹18,133 crore accepted at 5.49% against ₹25,000 crore notified | RBI, 6 Nov |
| Forex reserves, 30 Oct 2026 | US$ 717.056 billion; down US$ 2.691 billion in the week | RBI WSS, 6 Nov |
| NBFC credit, Sept 2026 | 15.4% y-o-y; retail loans 21.9%; agriculture 17.8% | RBI, 6 Nov |
| FLA Census 2025-26 | 43,123 entities; about 97% unlisted | RBI, 6 Nov |
| TCCFM | Chaired by the Deputy Governor in charge of FMRD | RBI, 4 Nov |
| DLC Campaign 5 | Nearly 40 lakh DLCs in 5 days; face authentication nearly 80% | DoPPW, 6 Nov |
| UPSC CSE (Main) 2026 | Held 21–30 Aug 2026; written result declared 5 Nov | UPSC, 5 Nov |
| NDA & NA (I) 2026 | 617 candidates; NDA 157th Course and 119th INAC | UPSC, 5 Nov |
| TRAI interconnect regulations | Effective 1 Jan 2027; online registration, text-searchable PDF | TRAI, 6 Nov |
| Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat | Launched 27 Nov 2024; prevalence 23.3% (NFHS-5) to 20.1% (NFHS-6) | PIB, 6 Nov |
| Amended BharatNet, Telangana | 12,769 Gram Panchayats; ₹3,189 crore support | DoT, 6 Nov |
| Anti-cancer drug trade margin | 137 drugs capped at 30%; effective 9 Nov 2026 | PIB, 6 Nov |
| VAJRA-SAT | FMD serotype SAT-1 exercise; 83 participants from 25 States | DAHD, 6 Nov |
| Marine mammal strandings | 161 cases in 2024–25; Goa 113 | CMFRI, 5 Nov |
| Kochi Declaration | Multinational ocean observation system; open ocean data | MoES, 6 Nov |
| Pralay missile | Flight-tested 5 Nov 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island; RCI Hyderabad | DRDO, 5 Nov |
| Tiger Triumph 2026 | Fifth edition; 31 Oct–5 Nov; Visakhapatnam | MoD, 6 Nov |
| Rahat Mitra | First India–Myanmar tri-services HADR exercise; Chennai; 300+ personnel | MoD, 6 Nov |
| Amini | Fifth of eight ASW shallow water craft; 119th warship by GRSE | GRSE/MoD, 5 Nov |
| Asian Champions Trophy 2026 | India beat Japan 4–1 in Mohali; record sixth title | Sportstar, 5 Nov |
| Youth Olympic Games, Dakar | Tanvi Patri silver in women’s singles badminton | The Hindu, 6 Nov |
| Piprahwa relics | Discovered 1898; Tawang exposition till 7 Nov; return to Delhi 21 Nov | Ministry of Culture, 6 Nov |
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Reserve Bank of India, Akashvani News, The Hindu, Sportstar (The Hindu) and The Hindu BusinessLine.
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