Context: The Supreme Court faces an unprecedented backlog of 92,318 pending cases at the end of 2025, raising concerns that its constitutional responsibilities are being overshadowed by ordinary appeals.The article advocates a two-tier Supreme Court...

Context: India's retail inflation crossed the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) upper tolerance limit of 6% in October 2026, with economists expecting elevated inflation to continue through the third quarter of FY 2026–27. Factors Driving InflationF...

Context: On November 10, 2026, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) prohibited the export of lithium-ion battery black mass by shifting it from the 'Free' to the 'Prohibited' export category.The move aims to ensure domestic availability of...

Context: The U.S. Secretary of State announced that leaders of the Quad (India, Australia, Japan and the U.S.) are expected to meet in Manila in November 2026, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.This would be the first Quad Leaders' Summit since Do...

Context: Growing use of smartphones, digital learning applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elementary education has raised concerns about their impact on children's intellectual, emotional and social development.The article highlights the...

Context: On October 31, Hyderabad Police rescued 43 women allegedly recruited through an egg-donation trafficking network across different States.The women were reportedly promised ₹20,000–30,000 per donation cycle, with the accused allegedly linked...

Context: India and the U.S. aim to conclude an interim trade deal by the end of FY 2026–27, with the U.S. assuring India of a comparative tariff advantage over competitor countries.Key Provisions of the Proposed DealComparative Advantage: U.S. assure...

Context: India's merchandise exports reached a record $49.47 billion in October 2026, registering 45.03% growth over October 2025.Total exports (goods + services) increased by nearly 30% to $89.99 billion.Key Trade Statistics (October 2026)Indic...

Context: India's Matsya-6000 is scheduled to undergo its first 500-metre trial dive in January–February 2027 in the Bay of Bengal.Matsya-6000: Key FeaturesDeveloped by: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), under the Ministry of Earth Scienc...

Context: Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, currently living in exile in India, has applied for a new Bangladeshi passport and National Identity Card (NID) through the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, triggering speculation about...

Context: The 2025–26 Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has raised concerns not only about the Election Commission of India's (ECI) autonomy, documentary requirements and voter eligibility but also about technological failures leadin...

Context: Mumbai is hosting the largest-ever edition of the Earthshot Prize, bringing together innovators, investors, businesses, policymakers and young people to scale environmental solutions.Five winners will receive £1 million each to accelerate th...

Context: The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh has triggered protests by the Adi tribal community, which fears displacement, submergence of villages and loss of traditional livelihoods.The community claims that at...

Context: The Lieutenant Governor-led administration of Ladakh has announced elections to Hill Development Councils, Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.Panchayat and municipal elections are scheduled for November 21, while Hill Council elections will be...

Context: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly acknowledged an extramarital relationship with Alice Huang, an executive of Singapore-based data-centre company Megaspeed.According to the article, U.S. authorities suspect that Megaspeed may have helped ro...

Context: According to a new study by the Global Carbon Budget, global fossil fuel-based CO₂ emissions are projected to decline by 0.4% in 2026 compared with 2025.India is expected to be the only major emitter to record an increase, with fossil fuel e...

Context: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) sanctioned new infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh amid continuing face-offs with Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) ProjectICBR-I (2005): 27 priority roads;...

Context: The Kurumba language, spoken by an Adivasi community in Kerala, faces the threat of extinction due to declining intergenerational transmission, migration and dominance of Malayalam.Kurumba CommunityLocation: Hilly forest regions of Attappady...

Context: WHO released the Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, highlighting progress and challenges in TB elimination.Global and Indian TB ScenarioIndia: TB mortality declined by 38% since 2015, against the global reduction of 35%.Treatment success rate:...

Context: NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index (IFI), July 2026 ranked Tamil Nadu third, after Gujarat and Maharashtra, assessing States’ readiness to attract and sustain investments.Key constraints identified: Limited international air connecti...

Context: This year's Booker Prize awarded to M. John Harrison's science-fiction novel The End of Everything reflects growing societal anxiety over Artificial Intelligence (AI), its influence on knowledge and its place in society.The novel explor...

Context: At the 18th BRICS Summit (New Delhi, September 13, 2026), the Prime Minister warned against the weaponisation of technology and critical minerals.Rising electrification of transport and other energy-intensive sectors is increasing demand for...

Context: On November 6, 2026, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its March 11, 2026 judgment on determining the creamy layer status of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).The Court upheld the 1993 Office Memorandum (OM), which excludes parental salary and agricu...

Context: The controversy surrounding Bollywood actor Imran Khan's participation in a political protest in Mumbai and the subsequent "Leave India" notice highlights the limitations faced by foreign citizens holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) stat...

ContextThe alleged cultivation of NVIDIA's Chief Executive Officer through a personal relationship by an individual assessed as a Chinese intelligence asset has highlighted the growing intersection of corporate activities, industrial espionage and na...

Context: Zomato founder Deepinder Goyal has launched Temple, a wearable device that claims to monitor cerebral blood flow through a feature called BrainFlow.It aims to show how lifestyle factors such as exercise, sleep and meditation influence blood...

Context: Proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010 have triggered concerns among civil society organisations, Opposition parties and Christian institutions.Government's position: Strengthen transparency, accountabi...

Context: The exclusion of the creamy layer is essential to ensure that the benefits of Other Backward Classes (OBC) reservation reach the genuinely disadvantaged.However, its implementation must be consistent and based on actual social advanceme...

Context: Elon Musk accused Indian business oligarchs of obstructing Starlink's entry into India. The government rejected the allegations, clarifying that all satellite operators must follow the same regulatory framework.Core debate: Beyond telecom co...

Context: The C. Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government abruptly disbanded the Justice Kurian Joseph Committee on Union-State Relations, transferring its mandate to the Tamil Nadu State Law Commission.The decision has raised concerns regarding the con...

Context: The Supreme Court reaffirmed its March 2026 judgment that parental salary income alone cannot determine the creamy layer status of children belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBCs).The judgment clarifies the criteria for excluding socially...

Context: 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commenced in Antalya, Türkiye.Geopolitical context: The United States' withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has intensified demands o...

Context: The World Bank's latest poverty estimates place India's extreme poverty rate at 2.6%.The article questions this estimate, arguing that it may underestimate actual deprivation because income-based poverty measures do not adequately capture wh...

Context: The Supreme Court, in a judgment by a two-judge Bench comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice A.S. Chandurkar, rejected the artificial distinction between arrest and detention for investigation.The Court held that the 24-hour period for...

Context: Following the Supreme Court's temporary relaxation of the firecracker ban, Delhi and several north Indian cities witnessed a sharp deterioration in air quality during Deepavali 2024–26, with AQI reaching the ‘Severe’ category.Several air-qua...

Context: Catastrophic floods in Nepal in August 2026, resulting in thousands of deaths, have been attributed largely to climate change.The article argues that flood victims in Nepal could explore climate litigation against major Greenhouse Gas (GHG)...

ContextIndia hosted the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit, highlighting its progress in achieving near-universal household electrification and developing the world's third-largest renewable energy capacity.Türkiye is hosting COP31, with Australia holdin...

Context: In September 2026, China unveiled a 10-year plan to reform its higher education system in response to AI-driven technological disruption, economic slowdown and worsening employment prospects.The reform aims to address the mismatch between gr...

Context: Following criticism, media investigations and Supreme Court observations, the Election Commission of India (ECI) issued revised directions on November 6, providing procedural relief to voters excluded during the Special Intensive Revision (S...

Context: Midway through FY2026–27, the Union Government faces the possibility of fiscal slippage due to subdued tax revenue growth, slowing capital expenditure and rising subsidy requirements.The Union Budget had targeted a fiscal deficit of 4.3% of...

Context: India's pre-owned vehicle market is expanding rapidly due to lower upfront costs and rising demand among middle-income households.Used cars are expected to outsell new cars, with the used-to-new vehicle sales ratio projected to increase from...

Context: Delhi recorded an extreme spike in PM2.5 pollution during Deepavali (November 8–9, 2026), aggravated by firecrackers and unfavourable winter conditions.PM2.5 PollutionPM2.5: Fine inhalable particles of diameter ≤2.5 micrometres; penetrate lu...

Context: Union Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh proposed replacing Aadhaar with Voter Identity Cards (EPIC), supported by biometric authentication, to identify beneficiaries and make payments under schemes of his Ministry.This would effecti...

Context: On 8 November 2016, the government demonetised ₹500 and ₹1,000 currency notes, withdrawing approximately 86% of currency in circulation by value, with only four hours' notice.The stated objectives were to curb black money, counterfeit curren...

Context: Delhi has implemented its Winter Action Plan from November 1, introducing measures such as restrictions on vehicles below BS-IV emission standards, the No PUCC, No Fuel policy and construction restrictions.Despite these measures, Delhi's air...

Context: India's net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) declined from approximately $40 billion in FY2021 to almost zero in FY2025, raising concerns about the country's ability to attract and retain foreign capital.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releas...

Context: A leaked video of outgoing Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) chief Shatrujeet Kapur created controversy after he described China as India's biggest adversary and disclosed that face-offs with Chinese forces had occurred at several locations...

Context: REACH became the first Indian civil society, non-profit organisation to receive the Kochon Prize for its contribution to combating tuberculosis (TB).About the Kochon PrizeAwarded by: Kochon Foundation (South Korea), in partnership with the S...

Context: Centre mandated weekly disclosure of rice and paddy stocks to curb hoarding and black marketing amid rising rice prices due to deficient and uneven monsoon.Weekly Stock DisclosureOrder: November 6, 2026, by the Union Food Ministry.Entities c...

Context: Despite legislation, Supreme Court directions, government schemes and mechanised cleaning technologies, sanitation workers continue to die while cleaning sewers, septic tanks and other hazardous waste chambers.In a recent incident, four work...

Context: The UN General Assembly (UNGA) designated November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict on November 5, 2001.The day highlights the long-term environmental consequences of arm...

Context: The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has capped trade margins at 30% for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs, reducing the prices of nearly 900 cancer medicine brands by 70–93% in some cases.However, affordable medicines alon...

Context: The Democrats' decisive victory in the November 4 midterm elections has significantly altered the political balance in the U.S. Congress, potentially weakening President Donald Trump's ability to pursue unilateral policies.The New York Times...

Context: A Tokamak is a nuclear fusion device that uses powerful magnetic fields to confine superhot plasma inside a ring-shaped vacuum chamber, enabling fusion reactions.It is one of the most extensively researched approaches to achieving controlled...

Context: The Zero FIR provision under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 allows a victim, particularly in cases of sexual violence, to register an FIR at any police station, irrespective of the territorial jurisdiction...

Context: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has intensified action against stubble burning in Punjab following a recent spike in Delhi's air pollution.Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, attributed the deterioration in...

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved changes to the Agnipath scheme, allowing Agniveers serving in the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force to get additional opportunities for permanent absorption into the armed forces.The changes come as...

Context: The Indian Patent Office has rejected a patent application for BPaL, a combination of three medicines used to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB).The application was filed by the US-based Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Allian...

Context: The US midterm elections have resulted in Democrats gaining control of both Houses of Congress, creating greater political opposition to President Donald Trump's administration.Democrats are expected to intensify Congressional oversight, inv...

Context: DRDO successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, as part of user evaluation trials.Developed by: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).Type: Sho...

Context: The fifth National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) found that more than half of Indian women and about two-thirds of young children are anaemic.Double-Fortified Salt (DFS), fortified with iodine and iron, is proposed as a convenient interventi...

Context: Back-to-back cyclones Arnab (October 28) and Murasu (November 3) struck the Andhra Pradesh coast, causing extensive damage to crops and public infrastructure.Despite significant economic losses, long-term preparedness and swift administrativ...

Context: The 18th BRICS Summit (September 12, New Delhi) reaffirmed members' commitment to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the BRICS Carbon Markets Partnership.The commitment currently focuses on capacity-building and experience...

Context: According to the World Bank's latest Poverty and Equity Brief, India has achieved a significant reduction in extreme poverty, but a large section of the population remains far from a comfortable standard of living.The challenge is shifting f...

Context: Successive Conferences of Parties (COPs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have increasingly branded themselves as 'Implementation COPs'.Turkey has termed COP31 the "COP of the Future: The COP of Implem...

Context: The Democratic Party's victory in the 2026 US midterm elections gave it control of both chambers of the US Congress — the House of Representatives and the Senate.The victory has raised expectations of greater legislative scrutiny of Presiden...

Context: Democratic gains in the U.S. midterm elections gave the party a majority in the House of Representatives and an edge in the Senate, potentially constraining President Donald Trump’s domestic and foreign policy decisions.Implications for Indi...

Context: Union Cabinet approved an additional two-year engagement period for a section of Agniveers, creating another pathway towards regular enrolment in the armed forces.Revised Service FrameworkOriginal provision: Four years of service; up to 25%...

Context: Union Cabinet extended the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for Fast-Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO courts, for five years (April 1, 2026–March 31, 2031).Key FeaturesLaunched: October 10, 2019; initially for one year, subseq...

Context: Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,814 crore scheme to develop domestic lithium and nickel processing capacity, reduce import dependence and counter China's dominance in critical mineral processing.Key FeaturesFinancial Outlay: ₹2,814 crore.Capital...

Context: Union Cabinet approved a ₹17,500 crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme to promote grid-scale energy storage systems during 2026–27 to 2030–31, supporting renewable energy integration and grid stability.Key FeaturesTarget Capacity: 92 Giga...

Context: Reports of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) transgressions in Asaphila, Taksing and Longju areas of Arunachal Pradesh have raised concerns over possible expansion of Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).On October 22...

Context: Months after a controversial election that installed military chief Min Aung Hlaing as Myanmar's civilian President, the military continues its war against anti-coup forces and civilians.More than one lakh people are estimated to have died s...

Context: The Delhi Assembly has passed a law shifting the cut-off date for recognising Jhuggi-Jhopri (JJ) clusters from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025.The Centre estimates that the revised rehabilitation policy could benefit approximately four l...

Context: Census 2027 will retain the 2011 criteria for classifying urban settlements, despite India's changing urbanisation patterns.A settlement is classified as urban if it is either a statutory town notified by the State or satisfies all three cen...

Context: The Supreme Court has progressively strengthened procedural safeguards in death penalty cases to ensure fair sentencing, individualised justice and protection of human dignity.In Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980), the Court upheld the c...

Context: The INDIA bloc organised a rally at Ramlila Maidan, New Delhi, highlighting concerns over electoral integrity, functioning of democratic institutions and government accountability.The rally followed a year-long campaign on electoral integrit...

Context: October 17, 2026 – Sri Lanka experienced a nationwide power grid collapse, plunging around 23 million people into darkness for over five hours.The grid operator directed rooftop solar operators to temporarily switch off their systems, highli...

Context: Election Commission of India (ECI) clarified that voters whose names are missing from the draft electoral roll during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) can submit Form 6 without facing penal action merely due to previous enrolment.Form 6: App...

Context: During India–US trade negotiations, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal reiterated India's opposition to genetically modified (GM) product imports and certain dairy products involving calf-derived ingredients.India's Position on GM a...

Context: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has received access to Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview model under Project Glasswing to conduct controlled experiments on identifying software vulnerabilities.Key Features of Claude Myt...

ContextPM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana: Over 21 lakh of the 65 lakh beneficiary households have received zero electricity bills through rooftop solar installations.India's renewable energy transition is creating new opportunities for energy self-rel...

Context: Constitutional right to privacy – Recognised as a Fundamental Right under Article 21 by the Supreme Court in the Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) judgment.Existing privacy laws have gaps in addressing risks arising from AI-ba...

Context: Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) – Proposed 11.2-GW hydropower and multipurpose project in Arunachal Pradesh.Strategic motivation: China's construction of a proposed 60-GW mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet has raised conc...

Context: Recent elections to 28 Legislative Council seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Karnataka have renewed discussions about the relevance and functioning of Legislative Councils.Legislative Councils constitute the Upper House of State...

Context: India's upcoming Census, being conducted in two phases, with Population Enumeration forming the second phase.Door-to-door Population Enumeration will involve approximately 34 lakh enumerators, primarily government school teachers.The second...

Context: India's booming Initial Public Offering (IPO) market has increased activity in the unofficial grey market, where shares of companies awaiting listing are traded or speculative positions are created.Unregulated trading and widespread publicit...

Context: Kuno National Park Director Uttam Kumar Sharma clarified that satellite collars fitted on cheetahs do not provide continuous live tracking.The clarification followed the death of KNG22, a male cheetah found seriously injured in the Sheopur t...

Context: Centre notified new rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, empowering the government to intervene in airline ticket pricing during extraordinary situations in the public interest.Key ProvisionsGovernment intervention: Centre can...

Context: Supreme Court conditionally permitted certified green crackers during Deepavali to balance religious practices with environmental and public health concerns.Permitted timings: 6–7 AM and 8–10 PM on November 7–8 in Delhi-NCR.No-cracker zones:...

Context: Cyclone Murasu is expected to make landfall in Andhra Pradesh on November 2, 2026, within a week of Cyclone Arnab.Origin: Bay of Bengal. Movement: West-northwestward; expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm.Landfall: Between Nello...

Context: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded in-principle approval to the Indian Navy's next-generation destroyer programme, estimated at ₹80,000 crore.Purpose: Develop stealth-guided missile destroyers to strengthen India's maritime s...

Context: Newly appointed 29th Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, outlined the priorities for modernising and strengthening the Indian Air Force under the VAYU vision.VAYU: Four PrioritiesV – Vigilance and Readiness: Ensure oper...

Context: The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified two boards under the Code on Social Security, 2020 to recommend, monitor and review social security schemes for unorganised, gig and platform workers.National Social Security BoardsUnorganised W...

Context: A helicopter crash on the Badrinath–Dehradun route amid adverse weather killed all six people onboard, highlighting safety concerns in Himalayan pilgrimage tourism.Scale of the ProblemAccidents (2020 onwards): 12 helicopter accidents in Indi...

Context: Declined from 6.1% (2017–18) to 3.2% (2023–24), accompanied by an increase in female workforce participation.However, rising employment does not necessarily ensure dignity, income security, social protection and stable livelihoods.The challe...

Context: Successful launch of GSLV-F18 and healthy status of the NVS-03 satellite have provided relief to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).Recent setbacks: ISRO faced two launch failures involving Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) ro...

Context: Declined across all major fertilisers, including urea, during April–September 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025, despite higher domestic production and imports.Underlying reason: Below-normal monsoon rainfall due to El Niño r...

ContextNational Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA): Brought 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs under Trade Margin Rationalisation (TMR), effective November 9.Key provision: Trade margins capped at 30% of Maximum Retail Price (MRP), excludi...

Context: Draft National Steel Policy: Vision 2047 released by the Ministry of Steel to make India a globally competitive steel producer and increase steel exports to 45 million tonnes (Mt).India's Position: India has emerged as the world's second-lar...

ContextNFHS-6 (2023–24): Usage of hygienic menstrual protection among women aged 15–24 increased to 79.2%, compared to 77.6% in NFHS-5 (2019–21) and 57.6% in NFHS-4 (2015–16).This reflects improved awareness, affordability and accessibility of menstr...