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Current Affairs — Friday, 6 November 2026
34 items
Tamil Nadu
- TN government to launch health insurance for the elderly; CM health cover hiked to ₹25 lakh
— The Tamil Nadu Assembly announced a new health insurance scheme for senior citizens, while the existing Chief Minister's health insurance coverage was increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh under CM C. Joseph Vijay's administration. (GS: State welfare schemes, health policy) - Free Breakfast Scheme to be extended to middle school students
— The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government announced expansion of the free breakfast scheme (originally launched under the previous DMK government) to cover middle school students, widening its reach beyond primary schools. (GS: Social welfare, education policy) - KMUT beneficiaries above 60 to be moved to pension scheme; aid hiked to ₹1,500
— Tamil Nadu government announced that Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (KMUT) beneficiaries aged 60 and above will be transitioned to the pension scheme, with financial assistance raised to ₹1,500. (GS: State social security, women welfare) - World Trade Center township planned for Chengalpattu
— A ₹7,000 crore World Trade Center township project is proposed for Chengalpattu district, to be developed in phases over approximately ten years. (GS: Urban infrastructure, investment) - CM Vijay announces compensation for deceased Chennai fishermen
— Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced compensation for three Chennai fishermen who died after their mechanised fishing boat suffered engine failure at sea; four others remain missing near Kothapatnam beach, Andhra Pradesh. (GS: Fishermen welfare, disaster relief) - Devotees banned from climbing Arunachala Hills on Maha Deepam day
— Tiruvannamalai District Collector banned pilgrims from ascending Arunachala Hills during Karthigai Deepam celebrations due to heavy rainfall forecasts, prioritising public safety. (GS: Disaster management, cultural events)
India — National
- Only one local terrorist active in Kashmir; Lateef Ahmad identified as Anantnag attacker
— IGP Sujit Kumar confirmed that 21-year-old Lateef Ahmad of Kulgam, south Kashmir, carried out the Anantnag Lal Chowk attack that killed one policeman; local terrorist count is now at a historic low. (GS: Internal security, J&K) - Nepal PM Balendra Shah to visit India from November 22 — first bilateral trip
— Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited Nepal to set the stage for PM Shah's India visit; Nepal expressed gratitude for India's humanitarian and technical assistance following the Bhotekoshi floods. (GS: India-Nepal relations, foreign policy) - Home Ministry relaxes passport and visa rules for foreign nationals in India
— The Ministry of Home Affairs announced relaxed documentation and procedural norms for foreign nationals, easing entry and stay requirements. (GS: MHA, immigration policy) - Hardeep Singh Puri elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh
— Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri secured a Rajya Sabha seat from Madhya Pradesh without contest, retaining his parliamentary presence. (GS: Parliament, constitutional bodies) - Mines Ministry launches 9th round of critical mineral block auctions; 20 blocks offered
— The Ministry of Mines announced the ninth auction tranche offering 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks; cumulatively, 64 of 100 blocks offered across eight previous tranches have been successfully auctioned. (GS: Mining policy, critical minerals) - Centre earmarks ₹2,814 crore for lithium and nickel processing
— Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy announced the allocation to strengthen domestic processing capabilities for critical battery minerals and reduce import dependence. (GS: Energy security, manufacturing, Atmanirbhar Bharat) - India reduces extreme poverty to 2.6% in 2023, nearly halved — World Bank data
— World Bank data shows extreme poverty in India was halved from the previous year, falling to 2.6% in 2023, though a high prosperity gap persists due to informal work and stagnant wages. (GS: Poverty, economic development)
Economy & Finance
- NPCI defends MDR charges on UPI, tells Supreme Court zero-MDR is unsustainable
— NPCI argued before the Supreme Court that Merchant Discount Rate charges are necessary to maintain the security, resilience, and infrastructure of the UPI ecosystem amid exponential growth. (GS: Digital payments, fintech policy, RBI/NPCI) - ONGC Q2 net profit jumps 57% on higher crude and gas realisations; interim dividend of ₹8/share declared
— The state-owned oil major reported a sharp profit rise driven by improved crude oil and natural gas realisations in Q2 FY27. (GS: PSU performance, energy sector) - CBIC mandates immediate scrapping of GST arrests; issues eight circulars for GST reforms
— The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs directed field formations to halt arrests ahead of legal amendments, issuing comprehensive directives covering registration, notices, and enforcement. (GS: GST, indirect tax reform) - 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 to cushion the impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict on Indian trade. (GS: Export policy, trade, Ministry of Commerce) - CBG blending reaches 1.7% in H1; government targets 3% by year-end
— Compressed Biogas blending into D-PNG and CNG stands at 1.7% in the first half; the government targets 3% this fiscal, 4% in 2027-28, and 5% thereafter, with pipeline connectivity identified as key. (GS: Bioenergy, green fuel policy)
Science & Technology
- ISRO's NVS-03 navigation satellite reaches geosynchronous orbit; declared fully healthy
— ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that NVS-03, the latest NavIC navigation satellite, is fully healthy after four orbit manoeuvres with a cumulative LAM engine burn of 6,164 seconds, reaching GSO at 29.98° inclination. (GS: ISRO, NavIC, space technology) - ISRO's GSLV-F18 mission slow to recover; chairman calls for more resources
— ISRO's editorial analysis highlights that the GSLV-F18 mission recovery is sluggish, calling for additional human and material resources to fulfil ISRO's expanding mandate. (GS: Space technology, GSLV) - Nearly 3-fold jump in serious adverse events caused by medical devices — new government data
— New data reveals a sharp increase in serious adverse events linked to medical devices in India, raising concerns about regulatory oversight under CDSCO. (GS: Health regulation, medical devices)
Environment
- Amazon rainforest is no longer a carbon sink — now a net carbon emitter
— Scientific findings indicate that deforestation and climate stress have turned the Amazon into a net carbon emitter, with significant implications for global climate targets. (GS: Climate change, biodiversity, global carbon cycle) - Haryana bans firecrackers in NCR districts; restricts use to green crackers elsewhere
— Haryana government imposed a complete firecracker ban in NCR-bordering districts and limited usage to certified green crackers in other areas ahead of the festive season to curb air pollution. (GS: Air pollution, NGT directives, environment policy) - Environmental organisation flags dilution of safeguards in Tamil Nadu agricultural land conversion rules
— An environmental body raised concerns that proposed rule changes for converting agricultural land in Tamil Nadu weaken existing ecological safeguards. (GS: Land use policy, environment law, TN)
Sports
- India beats Pakistan 3-0 in SAFF Championship opener
— Suhail Ahmad Bhat (2 goals) and Manglenthang Kipgen scored as India led 3-0 at half-time and went on to defeat Pakistan in their opening SAFF Championship match. (GS: Football, SAFF Championship) - Deepti Sharma in contention for ICC Women's Player of the Month
— All-rounder Deepti Sharma, who scored 49 off 37 balls and took two wickets in recent T20Is, has been nominated for the ICC Women's Player of the Month award. (GS: Cricket, ICC awards) - Urvil Patel smashes unbeaten 210 off 227 balls in Mushtaq Ali Trophy warm-up
— Gujarat's Urvil Patel played a game-changing innings of 210 to anchor his team's massive win over Kerala, boosting his case for the domestic T20 tournament. (GS: Domestic cricket)*
Appointments & Awards
- Justice Fathima Beevi, India's first female Supreme Court judge, passes away; honoured with Padma Bhushan
— Justice M. Fathima Beevi, who made history as the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of India, passed away and was posthumously recognised with the Padma Bhushan for her landmark contributions to the judiciary. (GS: Judiciary, women firsts, Padma awards) - Padma awardee Justice J.S. Khehar — noted for independence from government; had offered to mediate in Ayodhya dispute
— Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar, former Chief Justice of India and Padma awardee, is remembered for rulings that frequently contradicted government positions and his offer to mediate in the Ayodhya matter. (GS: Supreme Court, CJI, Padma awards) - Hardeep Singh Puri elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh
— The Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs secured a Rajya Sabha berth without a contest. (GS: Parliament, appointments) - India-born Nithya Raman wins Los Angeles mayoral election
— Nithya Raman, the first DSA-affiliated LA City Council member, defeated the Democratic incumbent to become Mayor of Los Angeles as the city prepares to host the 2028 Olympics. (GS: Indian diaspora, international)
International
- Nepal PM Balendra Shah's India visit set for November 22; Foreign Secretary Misri lays groundwork
— The visit will be PM Shah's first bilateral trip; discussions are expected to cover flood relief cooperation, trade, and infrastructure connectivity. (GS: India-Nepal bilateral, foreign policy) - Trump predicts deal with Russia on Ukraine and 'all of Europe'
— U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks signal a potential pivot toward Moscow, raising fears in Europe of an unfavourable settlement for Ukraine ahead of ceasefire negotiations. (GS: International relations, geopolitics) - Oil prices hit two-month low after U.S. Democratic midterm gains; Brent crude at $93.5/barrel
— Brent crude fell 1% to $93.5 per barrel after an 8.7% decline in the previous session, partly driven by political uncertainty following U.S. midterm election results. (GS: Energy, global economy)
- Quick Revision:
- 🔹 Justice Fathima Beevi — India's first woman Supreme Court judge, passed away; awarded Padma Bhushan
- 🔹 ISRO NVS-03 reached Geosynchronous Orbit (inclination 29.98°) after 4 manoeuvres; part of NavIC indigenous GPS system
- 🔹 Tamil Nadu CM health insurance coverage raised from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh; Mines Ministry's 9th critical mineral auction offers 20 blocks (64 of 100 successfully auctioned so far)