Listen: current affairs, 8 November 2026

Army holds seminar on leveraging space for land forces

On 3 November 2026 the Indian Army organised 'Emerging Battlefield: Leveraging Space for Land Forces' at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. Experts from the Armed Forces, ISRO, DRDO, industry and academia discussed secure satellite communications, space domain awareness and indigenous space technologies to reduce dependence on foreign systems.

Why it matters: Space-based military capability and the Defence Space Agency are growing themes in security studies.

Centre's capital expenditure up 12.7% to ₹6.55 lakh crore in H1 FY27

The Centre's capital expenditure rose 12.7% year on year to ₹6.55 lakh crore in April–September 2026-27, per official data cited by Mint on 6 November 2026. A PIB backgrounder of 7 November described India as the sixth-largest chemicals producer in the world and fourth-largest in Asia, with the sector valued at about USD 220 billion.

Why it matters: Capex trends and sectoral rankings feed GS-3 and Banking awareness questions.

RBI raised repo rate to 5.50% in October, first hike since 2023

On 7 October 2026 the RBI, led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, raised its key policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, its first hike since 2023. Retail inflation had risen for ten straight months, touching 4.8% in August against the 4% medium-term target. A later wrap notes the RBI cut its FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and raised the inflation projection to 5.1%, citing West Asia conflict and crude volatility. Some brokerages expect another hike in December.

Why it matters: Current repo rate, MPC stance and growth/inflation projections are core Banking and Prelims facts.

India and EU conclude negotiations on India's association with Horizon Europe

The European Commission and India concluded negotiations on India's association with Horizon Europe, the EU's EUR 93.5 billion research and innovation funding programme (reported 6 November 2026). Formal negotiations began on 17 July 2026, following exploratory talks launched on 6 February 2026. Once signed and ratified, the association is envisaged to take effect in January 2027. It builds on the 2001 India-EU S&T Cooperation Agreement (renewed until 2030) and the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda towards 2030 adopted at the 27 January 2026 EU-India Summit.

Why it matters: India-EU ties and science diplomacy are recurring UPSC Prelims and GS-2 topics.

India, Guyana sign three agreements at CHOGM; new US$500 million Line of Credit extended

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Guyana President Irfaan Ali signed three agreements on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda. They cover Quick Impact Projects grant assistance, MSE manufacturing projects, and cooperation on digital public infrastructure including a UPI-like system in Guyana. India also extended a new US$500 million Line of Credit to Guyana.

Why it matters: UPI exports, Lines of Credit and CHOGM are favourite topics for international relations questions.

8th Pay Commission completes one year; report not yet submitted

The 8th Central Pay Commission, constituted by Gazette notification on 3 November 2025 and chaired by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai, completed its first year with no revision of salaries or pensions announced yet. The commission has 18 months to report (about May 2027), and the Lok Sabha was told on 10 August 2026 that no report had been submitted. The NC-JCM staff side has demanded a fitment factor of 3.833 and minimum basic pay of ₹69,000, against today's ₹18,000. The fitment factor and implementation date are undecided.

Why it matters: Pay commission timelines and the fitment-factor debate directly affect the pay of central government posts.

Current DA stands at 63% from 1 July 2026

Dearness Allowance for central government employees is 63% with effect from 1 July 2026, per a tracker of the latest DA release. That release covered about 48.54 lakh employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners.

Why it matters: The latest DA rate and beneficiary numbers are a regular pay and allowances fact.

Railway recruitment open: RRB Station Master (1,215) and NTPC Undergraduate (1,688) posts

RRB is accepting applications for Station Master (CEN 08/2026) with 1,215 vacancies for graduates, last date 25 November 2026. RRB NTPC Undergraduate (CEN 07/2026) has 1,688 vacancies for 12th-pass candidates, last date 13 November 2026. Other listed drives include UPSSSC Junior Engineer (1,156 posts) and Central Railway Apprentice (2,861 posts, last date 2 December).

Why it matters: Live railway vacancies with approaching deadlines are immediate action items for aspirants.

NPPA trade-margin cap on 137 anti-cancer drugs: revised prices effective 9 November

The Department of Pharmaceuticals said on 7 November 2026 that revised prices of anti-cancer medicines take effect from 9 November 2026. This follows the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority's cap on trade margins for 137 anti-cancer drugs. Estimated annual savings for patients are ₹3,502 crore.

Why it matters: NPPA, drug price control and health policy are common in Prelims and GS-2.

ISRO's NVS-03 completes orbit manoeuvres, strengthening NavIC

ISRO launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite on 30 October 2026 at 11:51 PM IST aboard GSLV-F18 from Sriharikota. On 4 November ISRO announced four orbit manoeuvres had been completed. The satellite adds an Indian-made atomic clock and an L1 signal to the NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) system, with coverage extending about 1,500 km beyond India's boundary.

Why it matters: NavIC, GSLV and atomic clocks are standard Sci-Tech and space-programme questions.

India beat New Zealand in 2nd ODI at Wellington to lead series 2-0

India beat New Zealand by 4 runs (DLS method) in the 2nd ODI at Wellington on 7 November 2026 and lead the series 2–0.

Why it matters: Recent bilateral series results appear in sports sections of SSC and Railways exams.