Your daily UPSC current-affairs edition — a syllabus-wise brief from India's newsrooms, then the day's Prelims MCQs and Mains model answers. Free, ungated, added to every day. Practice the full growing bank (173 MCQs · 400 Mains) →
📰 Today's Current Affairs
Organised by syllabus head — read the brief, then test yourself below
Polity & Governance
Prelims favourite — fix the constitutional provision/Article and the authority involved.
‘Street protests rise when institutions don’t function’ | Gilles Verniers interview Political scientist Gilles Verniers discusses India's Opposition protests, Election Commission neutrality, and the future of Indian electoral politics — The Federal
Israeli President tasks Yashar party leader with forming Israel’s next government Israeli President Isaac Herzog yesterday formally tasked Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government after he secured recommendations from 67 of the 120 elected members of the parliament, compared with 46 — News on AIR · World
TDP-led coalition sweeps Andhra Pradesh local body polls with massive majority The TDP-led NDA scored a sweeping victory in Andhra Pradesh's ZPTC and MPTC elections, winning 499 of 582 ZPTC seats and 5,861 of 7,768 MPTC seats. While the YSRCP emerged as the distant second-largest party, it alleged — Telangana Today
Economy & Finance
Tie this to the indicator and its latest figure; recurs in Prelims & Bank GA.
For the first time since 2017, Sensex and Nifty end Muhurat trading in the red— Times of India
FCNR(B) interest bill to keep dollar hedging costs high Mumbai: A multibillion-dollar FCNR(B) interest bill, coupled with the Reserve Bank of India's new reserve requirement on forex derivatives, is likely to keep dollar hedging costlier for Indian banks, treasury executives — Economic Times
Analysts see Nifty climbing to 25,600, recommend buying on dips The Nifty gained over 8.5% during the week, rising more than 2,500 points from 22,500 and reclaiming the 25,000 mark. Analysts see further upside towards 25,300-25,600, although elevated volatility and overbought conditi — Economic Times
International Relations
Note the country, the grouping/summit and India's stake — GS-II and General Awareness.
19 Indian seafarers stranded in Yemen evacuated, Embassy says The evacuation comes days after India said 14 Indian nationals aboard a yacht involved in an incident off the Yemeni coast were safe — The Hindu
Former Military Chief Eisenkot Begins Tough Task Of Forming Israel’s Next Govt Jerusalem: Former Israeli military chief Gadi Eisenkot began the difficult work of forming a new government on Sunday. He reached out to allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while saying that Netanyahu had pushed — Odisha Bytes
Who is Gadi Eisenkot, Israeli ex-military chief seeking to replace Netanyahu? Who is Gadi Eisenkot? What can his rise mean for Israel and India? From his military career and differences with Netanyahu, here is what you need to know — The Federal
Social Issues & Welfare
Map the scheme to its ministry, target group and outlay — GS-II / RBI ESI.
MP Ramzan hails private university policy as boost for J&K students Welcomes 25% quota for locals SRINAGAR: J&K National Conference Additional General Secretary and MP Choudry Mohammad Ramzan today said the 25 percent reservation in employment and admissions for private universities to b — Kashmir Reader
J&K Police Intensify Public Welfare and Enforcement Drives Across Kashmir, Seize Five Vehicles in Illegal Mining Crackdown Police conduct joint market inspection in Bla 10 kg of prohibited polythene seized, ₹4,000 fine imposed BARAMULLA: In a concerted effort to enforce market regulations and curb the use of prohibited polythene, J&K Police — Kashmir Reader
Reward announced for information on missing Nagole brothers Nagole police have announced a Rs 20,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of two brothers, aged eight and six, who have been missing since October 31. Five special teams have been formed and CCTV footage — Telangana Today
Environment & Ecology
Prelims staple — link the species/site/treaty and its protection status.
Delhi air quality ‘very poor’ morning after Diwali, capital chokes with AQI at 366 The Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday morning stood at 366 under ‘very poor’ category as of 6:15 am, as per the Sameer app and HT Pollution Dashboard — Hindustan Times
Delhi gasps for breath on Diwali AQI climbs to 376, ‘severe’ air quality looms NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality was in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, but set to worsen after Diwali celebrations in the evening. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) for — Kashmir Reader
Air pollution over 50 times WHO limit in parts of Delhi as people defy ban on firecrackers on Deepavali The overall air quality of Delhi continued to be in the “very poor” category while many parts of the city continued to reel under “severe” air quality — The Hindu
Science & Technology
Remember the agency (ISRO/DRDO), the mission name and its first/largest tag.
Delhi air quality ‘very poor’ morning after Diwali, capital chokes with AQI at 366 The Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday morning stood at 366 under ‘very poor’ category as of 6:15 am, as per the Sameer app and HT Pollution Dashboard — Hindustan Times
AI people-count introduced at N Kol pandal— TOI · Kolkata
🔴LIVE : Massive Clash At US Diwali Event! Racism Against Indians Sparks Outrage! | RTV 🔴LIVE : Massive Clash At US Diwali Event! Racism Against Indians Sparks Outrage! | RTV #diwalicelebrations #usdiwalievent ►For More News Updates, Visit : https://www.rtvtelugu.com https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va9lQh — Odisha Reporter
Defence & Security
Note the platform/exercise, indigenous content and the forces involved.
Reds gone, but 'dimagi Naxals' still instigating people: PM Modi— Times of India
Fire engulfs Jammu’s Nehru Market, guts around 12 shops Another blaze was reported in the border district of Kathua, where, a store room at the district police lines went up in flames — The Hindu
Infiltrators lurking across the border, will send them back from the same way they enter: Adhikari Blaming the previous Trinamool Congress government for non-cooperation with the border guarding forces, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that a wonderful coordination has been achieved between the West Bengal police — The Hindu
Geography & Disaster Management
Locate it on the map; recall the physical feature or the agency (NDMA).
Midterm disaster sparks MAGA rebellion as Trump loyalists question his role in Republican losses WASHINGTON: As Republicans faced a nationwide drubbing in Tuesday’s midterm elections, supporters streamed out of a Dallas ballroom where they’d hoped to toast a win for US Senate candidate Ken Paxton, a favorite of Pres — Kashmir Reader
Soybean yield drops 20-22% in Pune district, other crops also hit by drought; decline found through crop-cutting experiments carried out in past few weeks— TOI · Pune
Alarm bells ring in hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani with less rainfall till Sept, drought shrinks region’s signature crop strawberry acreage by 40%— TOI · Pune
Reports, Indices & Summits
Near-certain GA question — the publisher, India's rank and the metric.
Delhi air quality ‘very poor’ morning after Diwali, capital chokes with AQI at 366 The Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday morning stood at 366 under ‘very poor’ category as of 6:15 am, as per the Sameer app and HT Pollution Dashboard — Hindustan Times
Delhi gasps for breath on Diwali AQI climbs to 376, ‘severe’ air quality looms NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality was in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, but set to worsen after Diwali celebrations in the evening. The average Air Quality Index (AQI) for — Kashmir Reader
Bhubaneswar Chokes on Diwali Night as AQI Soars Past 1,200 On the night of Diwali 2026 (November 8), Bhubaneswar’s air quality plunged into the hazardous zone as high-intensity firecrackers filled the skies with smoke. Real-time readings showed the Air Quality Index (AQI, US sca — Pragativadi
Art, Culture & History
Link the site/art form to its state, period and UNESCO/GI status.
Delhi: 71 fire stations, 50 quick response vehicles and 20 motorcycle units deployed to tackle fire incidents during Diwali The festival of lights, Diwali, is being celebrated across the country today with full enthusiasm and zeal. The festival, which marks the victory of good over evil, is celebrated by lighting diyas and decorating houses. — News on AIR
Indian-Origin Lawmakers Condemn Disruption of Diwali Event in Seattle Reacting to the incident, Krishnamoorthi said the festival of Diwali, which symbolises the victory of light over darkness, should also serve as a reminder of the need to stand against hatred and discrimination targeting — Deccan Chronicle
Manipur govt releases Rs 5.88 crore for over 58,000 conflict-hit IDPs ahead of Diwali, Ningol Chakouba Imphal, November 8 (IANS): In view of the Diwali and Ningol Chakouba festivals, the Manipur government on Sunday released more than Rs 5.88 crore from the State Emergency Fund to provide financial assistance to 58,863 el — Morung Express
Awards & Sports
Quick recall — the winner, the field/event and the host/venue.
NOA holds safeguarding in sports workshop in Chümoukedima Chümoukedima, November 8 (MExN): The Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) organised a Safeguarding in Sports Workshop at the Hokato Hotozhe Auditorium, NSPG 2026 Games Village, Chümoukedima, on Sunday, bringing together ov — Morung Express
Anuj Shrivatri becomes India's 100th grandmaster Nearly four decades after Viswanathan Anand became country’s 1st grandmaster, Indian chess reached a historic milestone as its grandmaster count touched 100. — HT Sports
Maharashtra's Shravee Deore Wins Girls' Singles And Doubles Titles At Under-16 National Tennis Championship— Free Press Journal
Persons & Appointments
Classic who's-who — the person, the post, the predecessor and the body.
Another Retired Calcutta HC Judge Resigns From Bengal SIR Tribunal Citing Personal Reasons Kolkata: Retired Calcutta High Court judge Justice Biswajit Basu has stepped down from West Bengal’s appellate panels dealing with electoral-roll objections under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), becoming the fourth — Odisha Bytes
AP SSC exam fee payment schedule announced for March 2027 exams: Check complete details here The Andhra Pradesh Directorate of Government Examinations has announced the fee payment schedule for SSC Public Examinations scheduled for March 2027. Schools can pay without a late fee from November 11 to 25, followed b — TOI Education
Odisha Revenue Secy Expresses Anguish Over Young ORS Officer’s Bribery Arrest; Seeks Zero Tolerance Towards Corruption Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the arrest of a young Odisha Revenue Service (ORS) officer over bribery, Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Revenue and Disaster Management, Arabinda Kumar Padhee has written an emotional lette — Odisha Bytes
🧠 Prelims MCQs
15 current-affairs questions · tap an option to reveal the explanation
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Q1.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently forecast favourable conditions for the advance of the southwest monsoon. With reference to the IMD, consider the following statements: 1. It is headquartered in New Delhi. 2. It was established in 1875. 3. It functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 4. The normal date of onset of the southwest monsoon over Kerala is 1 June. How many of the statements given above are correct?
The IMD, set up in 1875 and headquartered at New Delhi, functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences — not the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — so statement 3 is wrong. The normal onset date over Kerala is 1 June, making statements 1, 2 and 4 correct.
Q2.Jio Platforms recently entered the global top 20 of the WIPO PCT patent rankings. With reference to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), consider the following statements: 1. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. 2. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is administered by the World Trade Organization. 3. It publishes the Global Innovation Index. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
WIPO is a UN specialized agency based in Geneva and is the body that administers the Patent Cooperation Treaty, so statement 2 (attributing it to the WTO) is wrong. WIPO also publishes the Global Innovation Index, making statements 1 and 3 correct.
Q3.Tushar Mehta was recently re-appointed Solicitor General of India. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. The office of the Solicitor General of India is provided for in the Constitution. 2. The Attorney General for India is appointed by the President under Article 76. 3. The Solicitor General assists the Attorney General and is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Only the Attorney General is a constitutional office (Article 76); the Solicitor General is a statutory post not mentioned in the Constitution, so statement 1 is wrong. The AG is appointed by the President under Article 76 and the SG is appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, making statements 2 and 3 correct.
Q4.With Iran set to resume oil exports under a new framework, attention has returned to West Asian energy geography. Consider the following statements: 1. Iran is a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). 2. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Aden. 3. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Iran and the Musandam exclave of Oman. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Iran was among the five founding members of OPEC in 1960, and the Strait of Hormuz indeed lies between Iran and Oman's Musandam exclave, so statements 1 and 3 are correct. The strait connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman (not the Gulf of Aden), making statement 2 wrong.
Q5.The International Day of Yoga was observed across the country, including by the armed forces in the North-East. Consider the following statements: 1. It is observed on 21 June, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. 2. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. 3. The Ministry of AYUSH is the nodal ministry for its observance in India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
21 June is the summer solstice and the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, and the UNGA proclaimed the International Day of Yoga through a resolution adopted in 2014 (first observed in 2015). The Ministry of AYUSH is the nodal ministry, so all three statements are correct.
Q6.The Prime Minister recently commissioned three indigenously built warships. Consider the following pairs: Warship : Description 1. INS Surat : Guided-missile destroyer 2. INS Nilgiri : Scorpene-class submarine 3. INS Vaghsheer : Stealth frigate How many of the pairs are correctly matched?
INS Surat is a Project 15B guided-missile destroyer, so pair 1 is correct. INS Nilgiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate and INS Vaghsheer is a Project 75 Scorpene-class submarine — their descriptions have been swapped, so pairs 2 and 3 are wrong; only one pair is correctly matched.
Q7.India's space economy is projected to grow nearly five-fold over the next decade. With reference to India's space sector, consider the following statements: 1. IN-SPACe is an autonomous nodal agency under the Department of Space. 2. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is a public sector undertaking under the Department of Space. 3. The Department of Space functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
IN-SPACe is the autonomous single-window nodal agency and NSIL is the commercial PSU, both under the Department of Space, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Department of Space is an independent department under the direct charge of the Prime Minister, not the Ministry of Science and Technology, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q8.Devotees gathered at the Kamakhya Temple for the Ambubachi Mela. Consider the following statements: 1. The Kamakhya Temple is located on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam. 2. It is regarded as one of the Shakti Peethas. 3. The Ambubachi Mela is essentially a Kumbh-style bathing ritual held on the banks of the Ganga. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
The Kamakhya Temple stands on the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati and is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Ambubachi Mela marks the goddess's annual menstruation and is unconnected to any Ganga bathing ritual, so statement 3 is wrong.
Q9.A Manipur militant was recently arrested in a case under the UAPA after two decades. With reference to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, consider the following statements: 1. It was originally enacted in 1967. 2. Its 2019 amendment empowered the Central Government to designate an individual as a terrorist. 3. Offences under the Act are investigated exclusively by the Central Bureau of Investigation. 4. The Act falls under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Law and Justice. How many of the statements given above are correct?
The UAPA was enacted in 1967 and its 2019 amendment allowed the Centre to designate individuals as terrorists, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. It is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (not Law and Justice) and is investigated by agencies such as the NIA and state police rather than exclusively the CBI, so statements 3 and 4 are wrong.
Q10.Telangana was recently rated a 'Top Performer' in the Centre's States' Startup Ranking. With reference to the Startup India framework, consider the following statements: 1. The States' Startup Ranking is conducted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). 2. The DPIIT functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 3. An entity is recognized as a startup for up to ten years from its date of incorporation. 4. To retain recognition, a startup's annual turnover must not have exceeded ₹100 crore in any financial year. How many of the statements given above are correct?
The States' Startup Ranking is run by DPIIT, which is under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. DPIIT norms recognize an entity as a startup for up to ten years from incorporation and require that annual turnover not exceed ₹100 crore in any financial year, so statements 3 and 4 are also correct — all four hold.
Q11.Consider the following pairs: Item : Descriptor 1. Sukhendu Sekhar Roy : BJP 2. Sushmita Dev : TMC 3. Prakash Chik Baraik : BJP Which of the pairs is/are correctly matched?
Sukhendu Sekhar Roy and Prakash Chik Baraik are correctly matched with the BJP, while Sushmita Dev is correctly matched with the TMC.
Q12.With reference to the news item on NEET-UG 2026 results, consider the following statements: 1. The qualifying rate for women was higher than that for men. 2. The top scorer in the re-test was a woman. 3. The re-test was conducted to address issues with the original exam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct; the qualifying rate for women was higher than that for men. Statement 2 is also correct; the top scorer in the re-test was a woman. Statement 3 is not correct; the re-test was not conducted to address issues with the original exam.
Q13.With reference to the news item on the Indian-origin man stabbed in the US, consider the following statements: 1. The victim was a Muslim. 2. The attack was motivated by religious intolerance. 3. The US government has taken steps to prevent such attacks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct; the victim was a Muslim. Statement 2 is also correct; the attack was motivated by religious intolerance. Statement 3 is not correct; the US government has not taken steps to prevent such attacks.
Q14.With reference to the news item on the NIA chargesheet, consider the following statements: 1. Hafiz Saeed is accused of orchestrating the cross-border conspiracy. 2. LeT and TRF are charged as legal entities for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the attack. 3. The NIA has collected sufficient evidence to prove the charges. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct; Hafiz Saeed is accused of orchestrating the cross-border conspiracy. Statement 2 is also correct; LeT and TRF are charged as legal entities for their role in planning, facilitating, and executing the attack. Statement 3 is not correct; the NIA has not stated that it has collected sufficient evidence to prove the charges.
Q15.With reference to the news item on the monsoon session, consider the following statements: 1. The government aims to reintroduce its ambitious women's reservation bill in the upcoming monsoon session. 2. Speaker Om Birla's decision on defecting MPs could bolster the ruling alliance's numbers. 3. The government is confident of passing key bills in the monsoon session. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct; the government aims to reintroduce its ambitious women's reservation bill in the upcoming monsoon session. Statement 2 is also correct; Speaker Om Birla's decision on defecting MPs could bolster the ruling alliance's numbers. Statement 3 is not correct; the government is not confident of passing key bills in the monsoon session.
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