Listen: current affairs, 4 November 2026

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.