Current affairs · 4 November 2026

Current affairs — 4 November 2026

The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 12 updates.

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Appointments

  • Key office-holders snapshot for 2026: CJI Surya Kant, CDS N. Raja Subramani, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra

    Surya Kant has been Chief Justice of India since 24 November 2025. N. Raja Subramani took over as Chief of Defence Staff on 31 May 2026. Sanjay Malhotra has been RBI Governor since 11 December 2024, and C. P. Radhakrishnan Vice-President since 12 September 2025.

    Why it matters: Names of current constitutional and key office-holders are asked in almost every general-awareness paper.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. Four important government leaders hold top positions in India right now.
    2. Surya Kant is the Chief Justice, N. Raja Subramani leads the Defence forces, Sanjay Malhotra runs the RBI, and C. P. Radhakrishnan is Vice-President.
    3. These people took over at different times to lead their departments and make important decisions for the country.
    4. Every Indian citizen is affected by their work because they control law, army, money, and government.
    5. You must remember these four names because exams always ask questions about who holds which top job in India.
    UPSCSSCBankingDefenceState PSCsource ↗

Defence

  • Explained: How India is strengthening J&K's LoC security grid with drones and anti-infiltration tech

    A Deccan Herald explainer on 4 November discusses how India is bolstering the Line of Control security grid in Jammu & Kashmir using drones, fog-penetrating surveillance and anti-infiltration measures. The topic ties into border management and internal security preparedness.

    Why it matters: Border management and technology in internal security are common GS-III and defence exam themes.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. India is using new technology like drones and special cameras to make the Line of Control border in Jammu and Kashmir safer and more secure.
    2. The Indian government and border security forces are putting these new tools and methods to work along the Line of Control.
    3. This is being done to stop people from illegally crossing the border and to catch them before they enter Indian territory.
    4. People living in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir are affected because this changes how security and checkpoints work around them.
    5. For exams, remember that India uses drones and anti-infiltration technology to strengthen border security at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    UPSCDefenceState PSCsource ↗

Economy

  • RBI raised repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50% in October, shifted to 'calibrated tightening'

    On 7 October 2026 the RBI's MPC raised the policy repo rate by 25 bps to 5.5%, the first hike since 2023, and changed its stance to 'calibrated tightening'. Retail inflation had risen for 10 straight months, touching 4.8% in August versus the 4% target. The RBI projects FY27 headline inflation at 5.2%; the next MPC decision is scheduled for 4 December 2026.

    Why it matters: Repo rate, MPC stance, the inflation target (4% ±2%) and the policy calendar are core banking and economy topics.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The RBI increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, making borrowing more expensive for banks and people.
    2. The RBI's monetary policy committee made this decision because prices of things have been rising for ten months straight.
    3. The RBI changed its stance to 'calibrated tightening', which means it will carefully control inflation by raising rates step by step.
    4. Regular people will find loans for homes, cars, and businesses become more costly, and savings accounts may give slightly better interest.
    5. The repo rate, inflation target of 4%, and MPC decisions are important topics for government exams about how the economy works.
    UPSCBankingSSCState PSCsource ↗

International

  • India-EU free trade agreement and India-US tariff deal: key 2026 trade milestones

    India and the European Union reached a free trade agreement on 27 January 2026. Separately, the US announced a trade agreement with India reducing US tariffs on Indian exports to 18%, in exchange for India stopping purchases of Russian oil.

    Why it matters: Trade agreements and tariff rates are important for international relations and economy sections.

    UPSCSSCBankingState PSCsource ↗

National

  • Bihar: MLC polls expose first friction between two ruling NDA allies

    Deccan Herald reports on 4 November that Legislative Council (MLC) elections in Bihar have caused the first signs of discontent between the two ruling allies. The same listing carries political developments on the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc's rally and demands for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner (currently Gyanesh Kumar, in office since 19 February 2025).

    Why it matters: Legislative Councils (Article 169, MLC elections) and the CEC's office are standard polity topics.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. Bihar's Legislative Council elections have shown the first disagreement between the two ruling parties in the government.
    2. The ruling allies in Bihar's NDA coalition had this friction during the MLC election process.
    3. This happens because the two partners in the ruling alliance have different interests in choosing council members.
    4. Common people see this as a sign that the government partners may not always work together on all decisions.
    5. For exams, remember that MLC elections can cause tension between ruling coalition partners who share power.

    Bihar

    UPSCState PSCsource ↗
  • Cabinet approved renaming Kerala as 'Keralam' and raising Supreme Court strength from 34 to 38

    The Union Cabinet approved the renaming of Kerala as 'Keralam' on 24 February 2026. On 5 May 2026 it cleared a proposal to increase the number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38.

    Why it matters: State renaming (Article 3/4) and the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength (Parliament by law) are static-linked polity facts.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Union Cabinet approved two big changes: renaming Kerala to Keralam and adding more judges to the Supreme Court.
    2. The first decision changes the official name of the state, and the second decision is about the highest court of India.
    3. The state name change happens under constitutional rules, and adding judges makes the Supreme Court stronger to handle more cases.
    4. People in Kerala will see their state called Keralam officially, and more Supreme Court judges means faster court decisions for all Indians.
    5. Remember: State renaming needs Cabinet approval under constitutional articles, and Supreme Court judge strength can only be increased by Parliament through law.

    Kerala

    UPSCSSCState PSCsource ↗

Pay & Jobs

  • 8th Pay Commission completes one year; ~6 months left in its 18-month tenure

    The 8th Central Pay Commission was constituted by Gazette Notification on 3 November 2025 and has now completed its first year. About six months remain in its 18-month tenure, and no revision of salaries or pensions has been issued yet. Its latest website notification is dated 21 September 2026 (Mumbai visit); implementation is generally assumed to be from 1 January 2026.

    Why it matters: Pay commission constitution, chairperson (Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, first woman to head a CPC) and tenure are recurring exam facts.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. A group called the 8th Pay Commission started its work one year ago and has about six months left to finish.
    2. It is led by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, who is the first woman to head this type of commission.
    3. This commission decides how much salary and pension government workers should get, but no new decision has been announced yet.
    4. When it finishes its work, millions of government employees and retired workers will get changes in their monthly payments.
    5. For exams, remember that pay commissions are set up by the government to review and revise salaries and pensions.
    UPSCSSCBankingRailwaysGeneralsource ↗
  • BPSC TRE-4.0 notification out for 32,388 school teacher posts

    The Bihar Public Service Commission has released the notification for the Bihar School Teacher Recruitment Examination (TRE-4.0) covering 32,388 posts, with online applications open. Other large teacher drives currently open include UPESSC TGT (17,735 vacancies) and the Karnataka GPSTR recruitment (15,000 posts, last date extended to 16 November).

    Why it matters: Large vacancy counts in state teacher recruitment are useful for planning and appear in job-oriented current affairs.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. Bihar Public Service Commission released a notification to hire 32,388 school teachers through an exam called TRE-4.0.
    2. This recruitment drive is for schools in Bihar state, and students can apply online right now.
    3. Many teacher posts are empty in schools, so the government is filling these positions through this large recruitment process.
    4. Students who want to become teachers in Bihar schools can apply for these jobs if they meet the qualification requirements.
    5. Remember that BPSC TRE-4.0 has 32,388 teacher vacancies and this is one of several big teacher recruitment drives happening across India.

    BiharKarnataka

    TeachingState PSCsource ↗
  • RRB NTPC 5,236 posts and other recruitments with November deadlines

    The Railway Recruitment Boards' NTPC notification covers 5,236 undergraduate and graduate posts, with a listed last date of 13 November 2026. Other open drives include BEL Probationary Engineer (350 posts, last date 18 November), BHEL Artisan (660), Station Master (1,265, last date 25 November) and ONGC Apprentice (3,047 vacancies).

    Why it matters: Aspirants should track closing dates and vacancy counts of ongoing central recruitments.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. Railway Recruitment Boards opened applications for 5,236 posts for undergraduate and graduate candidates.
    2. Railways, BEL, BHEL, and ONGC are running different recruitment drives at the same time.
    3. These are government jobs, so many people apply for them and deadlines matter a lot.
    4. Job seekers preparing for government exams need to apply before the last dates pass.
    5. RRB NTPC has a November 13 deadline, and other departments have different dates in November.
    RailwaysSSCGeneralsource ↗
  • Union Cabinet approves 3% DA/DR hike to 63% effective 1 July 2026

    The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Modi approved an additional DA/DR instalment of 3%, raising the rate from 60% to 63% of basic pay/pension with effect from 1 July 2026. It benefits about 48.54 lakh central government employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners (over 1.17 crore beneficiaries), with an annual burden of about ₹10,016.10 crore. Arrears for July–October are to be paid along with the October salary, ahead of Diwali on 8 November.

    Why it matters: DA at 63% is the latest rate; DA/DR computation and the burden on the exchequer are frequent static and current-affairs questions.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The government decided to give central workers and retired people 3% more money added to their pay starting July 2026.
    2. This affects about 48 lakh government employees and 68 lakh pensioners across India.
    3. The extra money is called DA or DR, which means a part of basic pay goes up when prices of things become expensive.
    4. When you get a government job or pension, your monthly money will increase by this DA amount from next year.
    5. DA/DR hike to 63% is an important topic for government exams as it shows how government helps workers when cost of living rises.
    SSCRailwaysBankingGeneralsource ↗

Sci-Tech

  • Gaganyaan G1 uncrewed test flight and TDS-01 launch targeted for November 2026

    ISRO's first uncrewed orbital test flight of the Gaganyaan capsule (G1) on an LVM-3 is listed as projected for November 2026 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, though no firm date is confirmed. TDS-01, a technology demonstration satellite carrying payloads for the Institute for Plasma Research and CSIR-CEERI, is also listed for November on a PSLV-XL. GSAT-32 is projected for December.

    Why it matters: Gaganyaan is India's human spaceflight programme, and launch vehicles, sites and payloads are frequent exam questions.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. ISRO plans to send an uncrewed Gaganyaan spacecraft to orbit for the first time in November 2026.
    2. The spacecraft will fly on an LVM-3 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
    3. This test flight will check if the Gaganyaan capsule works safely before humans travel in it later.
    4. This matters to India's space programme because it is a step toward sending Indian astronauts to space.
    5. Gaganyaan is India's human spaceflight programme, and exam questions often ask about its launch vehicles and sites.
    UPSCSSCDefenceState PSCsource ↗
  • ISRO's EOS-05 (GISAT-1A) launched on GSLV-F17 in September 2026

    ISRO launched the Earth observation satellite EOS-05 on GSLV-F17 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 3 September 2026 (UTC), as reported on 4 September. The 2,367 kg satellite is the second in the GISAT (GEO Imaging Satellite) series. The launch was seen as an attempt to mend ISRO's recent faulty launch streak.

    Why it matters: GISAT series, GSLV variants and recent launch outcomes are standard science and technology current affairs.

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. ISRO sent a new Earth observation satellite called EOS-05 into space using a rocket named GSLV-F17.
    2. The satellite was launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 3, 2026.
    3. This satellite helps take pictures of Earth from a fixed position in space to study land and weather.
    4. Scientists and weather experts use such satellites to track crops, floods, and natural resources across India.
    5. GISAT series satellites and GSLV rockets are important topics for government exams testing space technology knowledge.
    UPSCSSCDefencesource ↗

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