Current Affairs

1

UPSC · Science and Technology

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Hard

Match the institutions in List I with their principal contributions to the cobalt–nickel recovery collaboration described in the November 2026 release.

Match List I with List II

List I	List II
1. Heavy Water Board (HWB)	A. Industrial experience
2. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)	B. Technological expertise
3. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI)	C. Scientific and research capabilities

A1-C, 2-A, 3-B B1-A, 2-B, 3-C C1-B, 2-A, 3-C D1-B, 2-C, 3-A

2

UPSC · Science and Technology

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Hard

Match the research cargo announced for NASA’s CRS-25 mission with its intended application. Select the correct code.

Match List I with List II

List I	List II
1. DNA-inspired particles manufactured in space	A. Improving crew radiation safety
2. Human muscle cells and medications	B. Potential improvement in drug delivery
3. Compact radiation sensor	C. Testing therapeutics for muscle loss

A1-B, 2-C, 3-A B1-C, 2-B, 3-A C1-B, 2-A, 3-C D1-A, 2-C, 3-B

3

UPSC · Environment

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Hard

Regarding India’s announced COP31 priorities, consider the following statements: 1. Climate finance should be predictable, largely public and concessional, without adding to the debt burden. 2. Global Goal on Adaptation indicators should be compulsory conditions for access to finance. Which of the statements is/are supported by the official briefing?

A2 only BNeither 1 nor 2 C1 only DBoth 1 and 2

4

UPSC · Science and Technology

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

What inference is supported by the Aditya-L1 VELC study of a coronal mass eruption reported in November 2026?

AVELC observed only the solar surface, while the corona was excluded from the analysis BThe inferred CME shape was independent of both observations and three-dimensional modelling CThe observations establish uniform expansion despite changes in the line-of-sight velocity DNon-uniform expansion can produce asymmetric geometry relevant to space-weather prediction

5

UPSC · Environment

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

The discussion at AAR 2026 stressed moving algal research from laboratories to field applications. Which project best fits the environmental approach described?

ALinking algal research with wastewater treatment and circular-economy applications BDeveloping only marine navigation charts from algal distribution records CReplacing wastewater assessment with a programme concerned only with crop seed certification DLimiting the programme to taxonomy while excluding field-level environmental applications

6

UPSC · Polity

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Under the notified VB–G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. A grievance cannot be refused registration merely because of its language or procedural deficiency. 2. Only grievances submitted through the digital platform may be registered. Which statement(s) is/are correct?

ANeither 1 nor 2 BBoth 1 and 2 C2 only D1 only

7

UPSC · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

The biopharma-startup roundtable discussed shared laboratories, testing facilities and clinical-trial facilities. Which policy rationale most directly follows from the release?

AReplace research validation with automatic marketing permission for all applicants BReduce the infrastructure cost faced by startups and help innovations scale CShift funding entirely from shared research infrastructure to import-only distribution DMake each early-stage startup finance and build every testing facility independently

8

UPSC · Health

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Which principle is consistent with the Good Clinical Practice framework described at AIIMS Nagpur’s ICMR-INTENT workshop?

ACredible data and ethical protection of participants are complementary requirements BA favourable expected scientific result is sufficient to dispense with informed consent CAn ethics review removes investigators’ continuing responsibility for participant safety DSource documentation may be replaced entirely by informal recollection after the trial

9

UPSC · International Relations

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

The WTO report reproduces an EU investigation notice inviting questionnaire replies and written evidence from interested parties. What can be concluded from this procedural stage alone?

AEvery exporter has already been found responsible for injury BAn investigation is gathering information; the notice alone does not establish a final adverse finding CThe notice itself proves that a permanent import ban has taken effect DOnly EU producers are permitted to submit any views

10

UPSC · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Why did the MoSPI–UN Women conference emphasise gender-disaggregated statistics and state-level analysis rather than relying only on national aggregate participation figures?

AA national participation total alone captures wage disparities and unpaid-care burdens BHealth-sector indicators alone are sufficient to assess women’s employment pathways CStatistics on account ownership alone fully measure access to credit and markets DThey can reveal gaps in employment quality, wages, unpaid care and access to opportunities

11

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

For monetary-policy analysis, what does the RBI’s November 2026 Inflation Expectations Survey of Households primarily contribute?

AInterest-rate expectations obtained exclusively from scheduled commercial banks BActual retail prices collected only from a fixed basket of stores CWholesale transaction prices reported only by manufacturing firms DSubjective household assessments of price movements and expected inflation

12

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

At the PMAY-G Reform Samvad, why did lenders view scheme beneficiaries as a potentially viable rural-housing credit segment?

AThe dialogue recommended removing beneficiary verification from the appraisal process BBeneficiary verification, government assistance and tracked construction milestones can reduce costs and perceived risk CThe proposal relies on replacing all public assistance with unsecured private credit DLenders proposed ignoring seasonal incomes when designing repayment schedules

13

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Easy

The Commerce Minister’s November 2026 briefing reported USD 480 billion in April–September exports against a USD 1 trillion annual target. What export value would be needed in the remaining six months to meet that target?

AUSD 1,480 billion BUSD 480 billion CUSD 520 billion DUSD 500 billion

14

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Which combination of constraints did the biopharma-startup roundtable seek to address to support the commercialisation of innovations?

AOnly shortages of retail bank branches in urban districts BSlow approvals, limited finance and the cost of specialised infrastructure COnly the absence of export incentives for agricultural commodities DOnly fluctuations in customs duties on finished consumer goods

15

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Under EPFO Goa’s special Employees’ Enrolment Campaign, which past-period contribution relief was described for declaring eligible previously unenrolled workers?

AAll past-period employee contributions were waived even if already deducted from salaries BThe relief applied only to workers who were already enrolled before the campaign CEmployers could declare workers only after paying the maximum penal damages without concession DThe employee share need not be paid for past periods where it had not been deducted from salaries

16

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Easy

Which account-service initiative was launched at EPFO’s 74th Foundation Day, according to the November 2026 release?

AAutomatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts BMandatory conversion of active EPF balances into fixed deposits at commercial banks CClosure of access to electronic PF passbooks for all members DAutomatic transfer of all EPS pensions into EDLI insurance accounts

17

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Easy

According to the Rural Development Department’s November 2026 report, who bore the premiums when PMJJBY and PMSBY coverage was extended to its contractual employees, including Safai Karamcharis?

AThe Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation as part of an EPS contribution BThe contractual employees through deduction of the entire premium from wages CThe employees’ trade unions through a mandatory levy DThe Department of Rural Development

18

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

The proposed HIL land e-auction described by NLMC is an example of which public-sector financial strategy?

ARestructuring of sovereign external debt through a multilateral credit line BRefinancing of household housing loans through a central-bank liquidity facility CMonetisation of surplus or underutilised non-core public-sector land assets DRecapitalisation of public-sector banks by issuing deposit insurance certificates

19

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

Why was retail-level tasting and consumer feedback important in the trial export of Arunachal Pradesh kiwi to Dubai?

ATo assess market acceptance, quality expectations and packaging before expanding commercial shipments BTo substitute the foreign retail price for all future domestic procurement decisions CTo fix one standard package without considering retailer or consumer response DTo treat the first shipment as sufficient proof of permanent overseas demand

20

Banking · Economy

Current Affairs · 03 Nov 2026 · Medium

At the MoSPI–UN Women conference, which issue was identified as necessary for strengthening women’s enterprises and financial inclusion?

AReplacing gender-disaggregated data with national totals alone BBetter access to credit, markets and sustainable livelihoods CExcluding women’s unpaid-care burdens from analysis of work and wages DCounting account openings as the sole measure of all livelihood outcomes