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Current Affairs — Thursday, 5 November 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- CM Vijay inaugurates Odugathur Fire Station in Vellore (virtually)
— The fire station, which had been functioning from a government veterinary clinic premises for nearly three decades, now has a dedicated building; part of CM Vijay's ongoing virtual inauguration of completed projects across TN. - TN government to launch health insurance scheme for the elderly
— Announced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, this new scheme targets senior citizens and signals an expansion of the state's social security coverage under the Vijay government. - Free bus travel for women expanded to deluxe and mofussil buses
— CM Vijay announced the extension of free bus travel beyond ordinary state transport services to cover deluxe and mofussil bus routes, benefiting a wider demographic. - Free Breakfast Scheme to be extended to middle school students
— The scheme, originally covering primary school students (a programme continued from the previous government), will now cover middle school students, expanding nutritional support. - KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to be moved to pension scheme; aid hiked to ₹1,500
— Tamil Nadu government announced restructuring of Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam benefits for elderly women, transitioning them to pension rolls with an enhanced monthly assistance of ₹1,500. - PIL before Madras HC seeks guidelines for police on social media/political speech cases
— A PIL urged the Madras High Court to direct the TN DGP to frame guidelines for registration of criminal cases involving social media posts and political criticism, citing Telangana HC's precedent.
India — National
- Sourabh Chandrakar (Mahadev betting app) granted 8 days CBI custody
— CBI secured custody of Chandrakar, extradited from Oman to Delhi, to interrogate him in connection with alleged 'protection money' paid to government officials; Raipur court granted 8-day custody on November 4. - Union Cabinet approves VISTAR scheme to overhaul India's statistical system
— Three-pronged scheme aims to strengthen data collection, integrate AI, and improve GDP accuracy by capturing unorganised sector data more precisely; significant for economic governance. - Union Cabinet approves ₹14,500 crore VGF scheme for large-scale energy storage
— The Viability Gap Funding scheme will support development of hydro pumped storage plants (PSP), battery energy storage systems (BESS), and alternative energy storage technologies across India. - Centre earmarks ₹2,814 crore for lithium and nickel processing
— Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced the scheme to boost domestic critical mineral processing capabilities and reduce import dependence; key for EV and defence supply chains. - Government proposes immediate suspension of manufacturing licences for substandard drugs
— Proposed amendment to drug regulations would allow suspension of licences pending corrective action, strengthening pharmaceutical quality enforcement. - Cyclone Murasu causes extremely heavy rainfall in Bhadradri, Telangana
— Cyclone Murasu made significant impact on Telangana on November 4; editorial in The Hindu called on states to get Centre's help rebuilding public infrastructure post-cyclone damage. - High Court directs schools to address bullying based on gender identity and sexual orientation
— Court gave directions in a petition concerning the death of a 16-year-old Faridabad student in February 2022, reinforcing schools' duty of care under child protection norms.
Economy & Finance
- Extreme poverty in India halved to 2.6% in 2023, says World Bank
— World Bank data shows extreme poverty (below $2.15/day PPP) fell from approximately 5% to 2.6% in one year, indicating significant gains under government welfare programmes. - Services sector PMI hits 4-month high in October 2026
— New business growth drove improvement in India's services sector activity; PMI data signals cautious optimism in economic recovery. - CBIC mandates immediate scrapping of GST arrests; issues 8 circulars for GST reforms
— Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs directed field formations to halt GST-related arrests ahead of formal legal amendments, alongside issuing eight circulars spelling out registration and notice directives. - Government extends RELIEF scheme as low-margin exporters struggle amid West Asia crisis
— The scheme providing relief to exporters with thin margins has been extended, acknowledging the impact of ongoing West Asia conflict on India's export sector. - Supreme Court upholds states' power to levy additional sales tax
— A seven-judge bench led by CJI Surya Kant held that the Orissa Sales Tax Act reference has become academic since challenged provisions were amended and GST now governs the field.
Science & Technology
- NVS-03 satellite reaches geosynchronous orbit successfully
— ISRO's Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) satellite NVS-03 completed four orbit manoeuvres with a cumulative LAM engine burn of 6,164 seconds, reaching geo-synchronous orbit at 29.98° inclination; the satellite is in good health. - Back-to-back GSLV successes restore ISRO's confidence in the launch vehicle
— Two consecutive successful GSLV missions have helped ISRO rebuild credibility in its workhorse rocket, critical for future navigation and communication satellite launches. - NavIC vs GPS debate explained
— Strategic significance highlighted: India's IRNSS/NavIC concept originated after the US denied GPS access during the 1999 Kargil War; debate on achieving full operational independence from foreign navigation systems is ongoing.
Environment
- Haryana bans firecrackers in NCR districts ahead of Deepavali
— Haryana government restricted firecracker use to green crackers in non-NCR districts and imposed a full ban in NCR districts, citing air quality concerns; relevant to pollution control and NGT mandates. - Bhutan's glacial lake (Sintaphu Tsho) reduced by 73% after GLOF event
— Satellite assessment by a Noida-based geospatial firm revealed a 73% reduction in the lake following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF); a neighbouring supraglacial lake remains larger than its 2016 extent, indicating continuing risk.
Sports
- Indian shooters miss medal at international event in 10m air rifle mixed team
— The pair of Sonam Uttam Maskar and Himanshu Dhillon finished seventh with an aggregate of 632.4, failing to qualify for the four-team final. - PSG sets record for fastest four goals in a Champions League match
— Goals from Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Senny Mayulu, and Fabian Ruiz came within eight first-half minutes; Barcelona also won in another top-of-the-table fixture. - Tamil Nadu move closer to Ranji Trophy victory against Chandigarh
— Bowlers Sonu and Ajith took four-wicket hauls each, bundling Chandigarh out for 94 in the first innings; Tamil Nadu in strong position. - WTA Finals group stage draw: Gauff and Pegula placed in Rybakina's group
— Each player will face the other three in their group over six days; top two advance to the semifinals of the season-ending tournament.
Appointments & Awards
- Late Justice Fathima Beevi honoured with Padma Bhushan
— India's first woman Supreme Court judge (appointed 1989), Justice Fathima Beevi, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan in recognition of her historic contributions to the Indian judiciary. - K. Parasaran conferred Padma Vibhushan
— Eminent jurist and former Attorney General of India K. Parasaran received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour. - Former CJI J.S. Khehar receives Padma award; known for decisions contradicting government
— Padma awardee Justice J.S. Khehar, who served as the 44th Chief Justice of India, was noted for several landmark rulings that went against the government's position. - Governor presents Unit Citations to Air Force Station Avadi and 27 Special Composite Group, NSG
— Tamil Nadu Governor conferred Unit Citations on Air Force Station Avadi and the 27 Special Composite Group of the National Security Guard (NSG) for distinguished service.
International
- US midterm elections 2026: Democrats win full control of Congress in landslide
— Democrats swept both Houses of the US Congress in a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump and the Republican Party; Trump attributed losses partly to the Iran war; House Speaker set to step down. - US midterm result to accelerate India-US trade deal talks but may bring higher tariffs
— Trade experts say losing Congress will push Trump to increase tariff pressure on India; Indian negotiators expected to push for a bilateral trade agreement; Delhi described its posture as "cautiously optimistic." - India-Nepal step up engagement ahead of Balen Shah's maiden visit
— India and Nepal intensified diplomatic engagement ahead of the first official visit by Kathmandu Mayor (now in a prominent role) Balen Shah, signalling strengthening bilateral ties.
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 NVS-03 (NavIC navigation satellite) successfully reached geosynchronous orbit after 4 manoeuvres with 6,164 seconds cumulative LAM burn — ISRO milestone.
- 🔹 World Bank data: India's extreme poverty rate halved to 2.6% in 2023; and Union Cabinet approved ₹14,500 crore VGF scheme for large-scale energy storage (PSP + BESS).
- 🔹 Justice Fathima Beevi (India's first woman SC judge, 1989) awarded Padma Bhushan posthumously; K. Parasaran (former Attorney General) awarded Padma Vibhushan.