Listen: current affairs, 1 November 2026

Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak awarded to 490 police personnel on National Unity Day

The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak was awarded to 490 police personnel on National Unity Day 2026. The medals recognise excellence in police work and are announced each year on 31 October.

Why it matters: Names and years of police and gallantry medals are regular Awards questions.

Centre releases additional ₹1,09,019 crore tax devolution to states

The Finance Ministry released an additional instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore to states ahead of the festive season to speed up capital spending. Uttar Pradesh got the most at ₹19,208 crore (about 17.6%), followed by Bihar (₹10,845 crore) and Madhya Pradesh (₹8,010 crore).

Why it matters: Centre-state fiscal transfers (tax devolution under Finance Commission awards) are a recurring Polity/Economy topic.

Govt extends customs duty exemption on cotton imports till 31 December 2026

A Department of Revenue notification dated 30 October extends the cotton import duty exemption by two months, to 31 December 2026. The exemption had been granted in May for five months, up to 31 October 2026.

Why it matters: Trade-policy measures on agricultural commodities and textiles are useful for Economy and Mains GS-3.

RBI October Bulletin: only about 74% of 125 bps rate cuts passed on to fresh loans

The RBI's October 2026 Bulletin found that the weighted average lending rate on fresh rupee loans fell 93 bps against the 125 bps repo cut between February 2025 and March 2026, a pass-through of about 74%. It also noted rising global inflation risks from West Asia tensions, while India's high-frequency indicators remained resilient.

Why it matters: Monetary policy transmission and WALR are important Banking and Economy concepts.

RBI central board meets; repo rate stands at 5.50% after October hike to 'calibrated tightening'

The RBI's 625th Central Board meeting, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, reviewed economic conditions and risks to the outlook on 30 October. In the 7 October policy the MPC unanimously raised the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50% and shifted its stance from neutral to 'calibrated tightening'. The SDF rate is 5.25% and the MSF rate and Bank Rate are 5.75%.

Why it matters: Repo/SDF/MSF rates and policy stance are core Banking and Economy exam facts.

Nepal PM's India visit planned; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to visit Kathmandu

As plans are made for the Nepal Prime Minister's visit to India, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to visit Kathmandu. The visit is part of preparations for the bilateral engagement.

Why it matters: India-Nepal relations under the Neighbourhood First policy are frequent International Relations topics.

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 2026: PM Modi pays tribute to Sardar Patel on 151st birth anniversary

PM Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at the Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar (Gujarat), on 31 October, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. He also attended the Ekta Diwas parade, which highlighted the end of armed Naxalism in 2026, and administered the Oath of Unity. The cultural programme's theme was 'Vande Mataram'.

Why it matters: Days, anniversaries and the Statue of Unity are common static-current crossover questions.

8th Pay Commission completes Mumbai consultations; one year of operation on 3 Nov

The 8th Central Pay Commission held stakeholder consultations in Mumbai on 22-23 October 2026. It completes 12 months of operation on 3 November 2026 and has until about May 2027 to submit its recommendations. The 7th CPC fitment factor was 2.57, and no 8th CPC fitment factor has been announced.

Why it matters: The 8th CPC's constitution, tenure and chairperson (Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai) are likely static-GK and current-affairs questions.

Cabinet approves 3% DA/DR hike, taking rate to 63% from 1 July 2026

The Union Cabinet on 28 October approved a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, raising the rate from 60% to 63% effective 1 July 2026. The 8th Pay Commission has not yet announced a fitment factor, while employee bodies are demanding a minimum basic pay of ₹69,000.

Why it matters: DA hikes and the 8th CPC timeline are regularly asked in economy and government-scheme sections.

Recruitment watch: RRB NTPC (5,236), TNPSC Group 4 (6,274), UP TGT (17,735) and more open

Currently open notifications include RRB NTPC with 5,236 posts (last date 13 Nov 2026), Railway Station Master with 1,265 posts (25 Nov), TNPSC Group 4 with 6,274 posts (5 Nov) and UP TGT with 17,735 posts (23 Nov). OUSSSC is also hiring for 7,268 Constable, Firefighter and Driver posts (last date 12 Nov 2026), and OPSC for 89 Scientific Officers.

Why it matters: Aspirants should track these closing dates, with several deadlines falling in the first half of November.

Govt launches 2026-27 festive-season capex push and sets up panel on RELIEF scheme uptake for exporters

The Centre has set up a panel to improve uptake of the RELIEF scheme for exporters. Separately, it has cut the MRPs of trade-margin-capped cancer medicines by up to 93%. Both were reported by Business Standard on 31 October 2026.

Why it matters: Export-support schemes and drug price controls are useful for the Schemes and Economy sections.

ISRO's GSLV-F18 successfully launches NVS-03 navigation satellite for NavIC

ISRO's GSLV-F18 lifted off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, carrying the 2,232-kg NVS-03 and placed it in Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit after about 18 minutes of flight. It was the 20th flight of the GSLV and NVS-03 is the third satellite of the next-generation NavIC series. ISRO plans NVS-04 and NVS-05 to build a seven-satellite constellation.

Why it matters: NavIC (India's regional navigation system) and GSLV launches are staple Science & Tech and Prelims questions.