Piyush Goyal Calls for Global Outreach for Bharat Mobility Global Expo
At the curtain-raiser for the expo’s third edition, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal urged the mobility industry to use the event to connect with global markets and expand exports. He highlighted the expo’s role in bringing together India’s mobility value chain and said it could grow into one of the world’s largest events of its kind.
Key facts
The third edition of Bharat Mobility Global Expo was discussed at a curtain-raiser in New Delhi.
The Minister urged industry stakeholders to pursue international markets and export opportunities.
The expected attendance cited was 10 lakh visitors, including a target of at least 25,000 international visitors.
The Minister said India’s export target for the year was $1 trillion and cited approximately $480 billion in exports by September.
He reported around 22% growth in the engineering sector’s exports.
The expo brings together sectors including vehicles, tyres, steel, chemicals, electronics and auto components.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on India’s manufacturing and export ambitions, the mobility industry, and trade-exhibition platforms that bring together multiple sectors.
Vayo SAATHI Seeks Volunteers to Support Senior Citizens
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has invited people aged 18 and above to volunteer through Vayo SAATHI, part of the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan. Volunteers can help senior citizens with social participation, digital services, welfare information and community support.
Key facts
Vayo SAATHI is part of the Vayo Samman Rashtriya Abhiyan, a national intergenerational bonding campaign under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana.
Citizens aged 18 years and above can register as volunteers.
The initiative’s name stands for Support, Awareness, Assistance, Training, Health and Inclusion.
Volunteers can register through the SAMAVESH portal or the JEEVAN mobile application.
The campaign follows the 5C model: Connect, Converse, Co-create, Contribute and Continue.
Volunteers may help older persons access digital services, welfare information and community support.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on social justice, welfare of senior citizens, intergenerational solidarity and government initiatives under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 Promotes Artisans and Records Sales of ₹64.52 Lakh
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organising Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, to provide artisans and beneficiaries from disadvantaged communities a platform to showcase and market their products. Four participating corporations recorded cumulative sales of about ₹64.52 lakh between November 1 and 9, 2026.
Key facts
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is organising the mela at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi.
The mela is scheduled to continue until November 15, 2026.
It provides a platform for artisans and beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes, OBCs, Safai Karamchari communities and persons with disabilities.
Four participating corporations recorded cumulative sales of approximately ₹64.52 lakh from November 1 to 9, 2026.
The exhibition features more than 130 stalls showcasing handicrafts, handloom products and other indigenous goods.
The Ministry supports participants with free stalls, travel expenses, daily allowances and transportation for goods.
The Ministry has organised Shilp Samagam Melas since 2022; more than 1,000 artisans from SC, OBC and Safai Karamchari communities have benefited.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on social justice, inclusive entrepreneurship and government support for livelihoods among disadvantaged communities. The participating corporations and their target groups may also be useful for government-exam preparation.
National Overseas Scholarship Supports Scheduled Caste Student at UCL
A student from Maharashtra received financial assistance under the National Overseas Scholarship during FY 2025–26 to pursue an MSc in Construction Economics and Management at University College London. The support covered specified tuition and maintenance costs, airfare, visa fees, insurance and other admissible academic expenses.
Key facts
The National Overseas Scholarship is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The beneficiary belongs to the Scheduled Caste community and is from Maharashtra.
He received assistance during financial year 2025–26 to study at University College London in the United Kingdom.
He is pursuing an MSc in Construction Economics and Management.
The reported assistance included £39,800 towards tuition fees and a £9,900 maintenance allowance.
The support also covered airfare, visa fees, insurance and other admissible academic expenses.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government support for higher education, social justice and educational opportunities for Scheduled Caste students.
NAMASTE Scheme Supports Safer Work for a Sanitation Worker
A case study described by the Press Information Bureau says a sanitation worker from Pondicherry Municipality received personal protective equipment and safety training under the NAMASTE Scheme in 2025. The worker reported improved health, fewer work absences and higher monthly income.
Key facts
NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
In 2025, the worker received a PPE kit and training on safe sanitation practices.
The kit included protective overalls, heavy-duty gloves, gumboots, a face mask and a safety helmet.
The worker’s reported monthly income rose from approximately Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 16,000–18,000.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government initiatives, sanitation-worker safety and occupational health. The scheme’s name, implementing ministry and stated support measures are relevant for government-exam preparation.
The Department of Military Affairs and its establishments conducted the sixth edition of the Special Campaign from 2 to 31 October 2026, focusing on cleanliness, administrative efficiency, record management and public grievance disposal.
Key facts
The campaign covered 8,507 sites and simplified 324 rules and processes.
Scrap and e-waste disposal generated approximately ₹89.68 crore.
Officials reviewed 5,28,443 physical files and weeded out 16,837 files.
Record management freed 3,53,291 square feet of space.
The campaign disposed of 2,905 public grievances and 466 grievance appeals.
Air Force Station Tambaram rejuvenated nine heritage shallow wells, yielding an additional one lakh litres of water per day.
INS Shivaji installed a biomass-based gasifier steam cooking system with a foliage processing capacity of one tonne, in collaboration with IIT Mumbai.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on defence administration, government campaigns, public grievance redressal, record management and resource conservation.
Odisha highlights millet-led agricultural development at national event
A national event on agro-biodiversity, climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems began in Bhubaneswar on 10 November 2026. Discussions highlighted Odisha’s millet initiatives, cultivation targets, indigenous varieties and plans to strengthen research and market links.
Key facts
The two-day event commenced in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 10 November 2026.
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat highlighted the potential of Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan as a model for millet-based agricultural transformation.
The stated target is to expand millet cultivation from 1.79 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares by 2047, with a production target of 8 lakh metric tonnes.
Odisha procured 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi during KMS 2024–25; the target for 2025–26 is 8 lakh quintals.
The excerpt notes 163 documented finger millet landraces and names Kalia, Bati, Mami and Bharathi as traditional varieties.
Proposals discussed included promoting minor millets, supporting FPOs and women’s SHGs, and improving processing and market links.
The event discussed stronger research collaboration with ICAR-IIMR and a Centre of Excellence on Millets at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on Odisha’s agriculture, millets, agrobiodiversity, climate-resilient farming and state-level agricultural initiatives.
MSME Ministry Discusses Increasing Procurement from SC/ST MSEs with CPSEs
The Ministry of MSME held a round table with 30 Central Public Sector Enterprises in New Delhi to review the 4% procurement target from SC/ST MSEs and discuss ways to improve their access to public procurement.
Key facts
The discussion was held on 5 November 2026 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
The Government’s Public Procurement Policy mandates 4% procurement from SC/ST MSEs.
Thirty CPSEs participated, including BHEL, BEL, NTPC, AAI, BEML and Coal India Ltd.
The meeting discussed procurement challenges, best practices and coordination among CPSEs, GeM and NSSH.
The MSME Ministry highlighted the National SC-ST Hub scheme and the Entrepreneur Awareness & Special Vendor Development Program.
GeM cited dedicated marketplace filters to help identify SC/ST MSE sellers.
The Ministry stated that public procurement from SC/ST MSEs in FY 2025–26 had increased more than 36 times since the scheme’s inception.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on public procurement policy, MSME support, the National SC-ST Hub and government measures to promote inclusion in public procurement.
Nasha Mukt Yuva, Viksit Bharat Quiz Sees Over 25,600 Participants
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the online quiz under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan to raise awareness of substance-use harms and encourage youth participation. It is open to all citizens until November 25, 2026.
Key facts
The quiz was launched on October 26, 2026, by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Participation had crossed 25,600 citizens as of November 10, 2026.
The quiz is open to all citizens through the MY Bharat portal until November 25, 2026.
It has 20 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 10 minutes.
Participants who successfully submit the quiz receive a participation certificate.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was launched on August 15, 2020, and now covers all districts.
The Abhiyaan aims to reduce drug demand through prevention, awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and community participation.
Exam relevance: Relevant for questions on government initiatives, drug demand reduction and youth-focused public awareness programmes.
New AIIMS established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) recorded approximately 6.01 crore OPD consultations across the reported years, including up to October 2026. The expansion aims to improve access to specialised tertiary healthcare and strengthen medical education and research.
Key facts
The new AIIMS recorded over 6 crore OPD consultations as of 31 October 2026.
Of 22 new AIIMS approved under PMSSY, 18 are fully functional.
Reported OPD consultations rose from 50.03 lakh in 2021-22 to 144.96 lakh in 2025-26.
The new AIIMS recorded 97.41 lakh OPD patients during 2026-27 up to October 2026.
Services include OPD and IPD care, emergency and trauma services, diagnostics, medical education and research.
The institutions have expanded undergraduate, postgraduate and nursing education opportunities.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on PMSSY, public health infrastructure, tertiary healthcare and medical education in India.
Delhi Launches Recreational Cruise Service on the Yamuna
Delhi inaugurated its first recreational Yamuna River Cruise service on the Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch. Developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India with Delhi government agencies, the service uses an electric vessel and is part of a wider river tourism project.
Key facts
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the service in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The cruise operates along the Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna.
The service uses a 30-seater electric vessel for an approximately 6-kilometre round trip.
The Yamuna is designated as National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016.
The project was developed by IWAI in collaboration with Delhi government agencies.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on inland waterways, sustainable transport, tourism infrastructure and Delhi current affairs. The National Waterway designation and implementing agencies may be useful for general studies and government-exam questions.
Department of Defence Production Completes Special Campaign 6.0
The Department of Defence Production reported completing Special Campaign 6.0, which focused on cleanliness, reducing administrative pendency, e-waste disposal and improving office spaces. The stated dates for its two phases appear inconsistent.
Key facts
The Department of Defence Production reported the successful completion of Special Campaign 6.0.
The campaign aimed to institutionalise cleanliness and reduce pendency in offices under the Department.
A special focus was placed on collecting, segregating and disposing of e-waste.
Other activities included improving office cleanliness, using available space efficiently and disposing of scrap and redundant materials.
The campaign also addressed record management and the disposal of pending references, files and other matters.
The excerpt lists a preparatory phase from 15 to 31 October 2026 and an implementation phase from 2 to 31 October 2026.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on administrative reforms, cleanliness initiatives, e-waste management and improving government office efficiency.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Ram Nath Thakur took part in a Khet Bachao Abhiyan programme in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The programme promoted soil conservation, natural farming and sustainable agricultural practices.
Key facts
The programme was held at Subhasnagar in Swarupnagar Block, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
It was organised by ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology (ICAR-NINFET).
Ram Nath Thakur urged farmers to limit chemical fertiliser use and adopt natural farming.
He encouraged farmers to use Soil Health Cards for informed fertiliser application.
The minister highlighted the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras in providing technical guidance and extension services.
The source says the nationwide Khet Bachao Abhiyan ran from October 22 to November 30, 2026.
Exam relevance: Relevant to agriculture and environment topics, including soil health, natural farming, Soil Health Cards and the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
ESSC Meeting Reviews Deep-Sea Exploration and Earth Science Programmes
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh chaired the Earth System Sciences Council’s second General Body Meeting and called for clearer, citizen-centred communication of scientific achievements. The meeting reviewed the work of five constituent institutions and progress in deep-ocean exploration, weather forecasting, ocean services and polar research.
Key facts
The meeting reviewed the FY 2025–26 annual reports and audited accounts of five ESSC institutions: NIOT, INCOIS, NCESS, IITM and NCPOR.
The Deep Ocean Mission update included progress on MATSYA-6000, a human submersible designed for a depth rating of 6,000 metres.
Indian aquanauts completed dives to 4,025 metres and 5,002 metres aboard the submersible Nautile during an Indo-French expedition.
IITM reported advances in weather and climate forecasting, including the Bharat Forecasting System and the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
INCOIS provides marine advisories, fishing-related information and swell-surge inundation forecasts.
NCPOR’s work includes the 45th Indian Antarctic Expedition, involving 95 members, and the 16th Indian Arctic Expedition.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India’s Earth science institutions, the Deep Ocean Mission, weather forecasting, ocean information services and polar research.
At the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council’s third Foundation Day, Union Minister Jitendra Singh called for stronger collaboration among scientific institutions and greater industry participation in biotechnology. The event highlighted BRIC’s national network, growth in India’s bioeconomy and biotechnology startups, and new support for biomanufacturing and research training.
Key facts
BRIC celebrated its third Foundation Day at BRIC–National Institute of Immunology.
BRIC brings together 13 biotechnology institutions across 11 cities in a decentralised national network.
The Minister said India’s bioeconomy had grown from about USD 10 billion to more than USD 195 billion.
He said the biotechnology startup ecosystem had expanded from around 50–60 startups to more than 11,000.
Wellcome Trust announced a grant of up to ₹21.7 crore for a five-year immersion training programme for more than 250 iBRIC+ PhD scholars.
BRIC and the UK’s Centre for Process Innovation signed a Letter of Intent on biomanufacturing collaboration and biofoundry development.
The Minister highlighted biofoundry hubs in Mohali, Hyderabad, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.
Exam relevance: Relevant to science and technology, biotechnology policy, research institutions, bioeconomy and India–UK scientific collaboration.
NFSC Fellowship Supports a Scheduled Caste Research Scholar
The National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme has helped a Ph.D. scholar from Darjeeling meet research and living expenses, access essential resources and participate in academic activities.
Key facts
The scholar is a Scheduled Caste research scholar from Darjeeling, West Bengal, pursuing a Ph.D.
He has received Fellowship, House Rent Allowance and Contingency support through the NFSC Scheme since November 2022.
The assistance received so far totals Rs 18,41,870.
The support helped him obtain a laptop, reliable internet access and research materials.
It also helped cover fieldwork, travel and conference and seminar registration costs.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on government support for higher education and Scheduled Caste students. The excerpt provides an individual beneficiary example, not general scheme eligibility or benefit rules.
The Department of Posts and IndiGo organised the second edition of Digital Detox, an in-flight postcard-writing activity for Diwali. The campaign ran on 15 IndiGo flights covering 11 destinations and encouraged passengers to send handwritten festive greetings.
Key facts
The Department of Posts, under the Ministry of Communications, collaborated with IndiGo.
Digital Detox 2.0 was the initiative’s second edition.
The activity was conducted across 15 IndiGo flights and 11 destinations.
Destinations included Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Varanasi.
Passengers received kits containing postcards, greeting cards and DIY postcards.
The initiative encouraged handwritten communication and mindful engagement.
Exam relevance: Relevant as an example of public outreach by the Department of Posts and its collaboration with a private airline.
The Ministry of Home Affairs concluded Special Campaign 6, held from 2 to 31 October 2026, to improve cleanliness and office management, clear pending matters and address public grievances. The campaign covered MHA offices and affiliated organisations across the country.
Key facts
The campaign’s preparatory phase began on 15 September 2026.
Implementation ran from 2 to 31 October 2026.
The campaign covered the MHA and its attached and subordinate offices nationwide.
The number of sites identified for cleanliness activities increased from 6,757 to 7,963.
A one-day intensive drive was held on 13 October 2026.
Activities included tree planting, cleanliness drives and removal of old and redundant records.
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances hosted the campaign portal for progress reports.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on administrative reforms, cleanliness initiatives, public grievance redressal and the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs and DARPG.
Round 3 Opens under Coal and Lignite Gasification Promotion Scheme
The Ministry of Coal concluded Round 2 of the ₹37,500 crore scheme after receiving two applications from NTPC Limited. Round 3 opened on 10 November 2026, with applications due by 11 January 2027.
Key facts
The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026.
The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹37,500 crore.
Round 2 concluded with two applications from NTPC Limited.
The applications envisage producing urea, methanol and dimethyl ether (DME).
Round 3 opened on 10 November 2026.
The deadline for Round 3 applications is 11 January 2027.
The stated national target is 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on government initiatives, the coal sector, industrial production and India’s energy-related targets.
The NSO’s PLFS bulletin reports labour force and employment indicators for rural and urban India under the Current Weekly Status framework. It records a year-on-year rise in overall LFPR and estimates that an average of 57.9 crore people aged 15 years and above were employed during the quarter.
Key facts
The PLFS is conducted by the National Statistical Office under MoSPI.
From January 2025, the survey provides monthly and quarterly estimates for rural and urban India under the Current Weekly Status framework.
Overall LFPR for people aged 15 years and above rose from 55.1% in July–September 2025 to 55.5% in July–September 2026.
Overall WPR increased by 0.5 percentage points year-on-year; rural WPR rose by 0.9 percentage points.
The rural unemployment rate was 4.3% in July–September 2026, compared with 4.4% a year earlier.
An average of 57.9 crore people aged 15 years and above were employed during the quarter: 40.5 crore male and 17.4 crore female.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on India’s labour force statistics, employment indicators, survey methodology and the role of the NSO and MoSPI.
