Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Visit Manila for ASEAN and East Asia Summits
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Manila on 16–17 November 2026 and participate in the 23rd ASEAN-India Summit and the 21st East Asia Summit, hosted by the Philippines.
Key facts
The visit is at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The Philippines is hosting the summits as ASEAN Chair for 2026.
Both summits are scheduled for 17 November 2026.
The ASEAN-India Summit will review the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the ASEAN-India Plan of Action 2026–2030.
India and ASEAN are observing 2026 as the ASEAN-India Year of Maritime Cooperation.
India and ASEAN will mark 35 years of Dialogue Relations and five years of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2027.
Exam relevance: Relevant to international relations, India's Act East Policy, ASEAN engagement and regional cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
PM Modi Addresses Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference 2026, highlighting agricultural modernization, crop diversification, technology and measures intended to improve farmers’ incomes. He also cited government support for solar pumps, soil testing, livestock vaccination and farmer-producer organisations.
Key facts
Modi said agriculture is a key pillar of the vision for a Viksit Bharat.
He cited annual agricultural exports exceeding ₹4 lakh crore and said India ranks first globally in production of milk, pulses, jute, rice and millets.
He highlighted crop diversification and growth in dairy, eggs, fisheries, honey and horticulture.
He said PM KUSUM had provided nearly 12 lakh solar pumps to farmers.
He cited more than 8,400 soil testing laboratories and over 725 Krishi Vigyan Kendras across India.
He said 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations are helping small farmers connect with value addition, food processing and export markets.
Exam relevance: Relevant to agriculture and rural development, including crop diversification, farm technology, farmer organisations and government support measures.
PM Highlights Agricultural Growth and Farmer Income at Kisan Tak Bharat Conference
Addressing the Kisan Tak Bharat Agriculture Conference, the Prime Minister emphasised agricultural modernisation, diversified farm incomes and the role of technology and government initiatives in supporting farmers. The speech cited growth in agricultural output, exports and rural infrastructure.
Key facts
The Prime Minister said India’s agricultural sector recorded average annual growth of more than 4% during the past decade.
He said India exports agricultural products worth more than ₹4 lakh crore annually.
Under PM-KUSUM, nearly 12 lakh solar pumps had been distributed, according to the address.
The address said India had more than 8,400 soil-testing laboratories and over 750 Krishi Vigyan Kendras.
It stated that more than eight crore farmers’ animals had received free vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease.
The Prime Minister called for farmers to diversify beyond wheat, rice and sugarcane.
Exam relevance: Relevant to agriculture, rural development and government schemes. The figures and initiatives may be useful for questions on agricultural growth, farm diversification, solar irrigation and agricultural extension services.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed changes to the Rent a Cab framework to lower entry barriers, simplify licensing and strengthen passenger safety and support.
Key facts
The proposed minimum fleet would fall from 50 cabs to 5, with at least 2 cabs at each place of operation.
Operators may be allowed to offer cabs with or without drivers.
A single licence valid across a State or Union Territory would replace separate main and branch licences.
The proposal sets a 60-day timeline for licence grants and renewals, and a 30-day deemed-approval mechanism for changes to cabs or operating locations.
Cabs would be required to have location tracking and first-aid kits; child restraint systems are listed as optional.
Operators would have to provide 24-hour grievance support, emergency repairs and towing.
Exam relevance: Relevant to transport regulation, ease of doing business, passenger safety and the role of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
India Reports 38% Decline in TB Mortality Since 2015
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 records a 38% decline in India’s estimated TB mortality since 2015 and a 94% treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB. The excerpt attributes progress to screening, improved diagnostics, patient support and community participation under India’s TB elimination efforts.
Key facts
The WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 was released on 12 November 2026.
India’s estimated TB mortality declined by 38% between 2015 and 2025, compared with a global decline of 35%.
India’s estimated TB mortality rate fell from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh in 2025.
The reported treatment success rate for drug-susceptible TB was 94%.
The 100-day campaign launched on 24 March 2026 focused on screening in 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and wards, congregate settings and vulnerable populations.
The excerpt reports that 67,933 Panchayats were declared TB Free in 2025.
Domestic resources met 96% of the TB programme’s funding requirements.
Exam relevance: Relevant to public health and government programmes, including questions on the National TB Elimination Programme, TB mortality indicators, screening campaigns and community-based health interventions.
Second National Tribal Literary Festival inaugurated in New Delhi
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs inaugurated the two-day second National Tribal Literary Festival at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. Held during Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas Pakhwada, the festival focuses on tribal literature, languages and oral traditions, and their preservation and documentation.
Key facts
The festival was inaugurated on 12 November 2026 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
It is being held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi as a two-day event.
The festival brings together tribal writers, poets, researchers and language experts.
The programme explores tribal expression from oral traditions to contemporary literature.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said the Ministry would collaborate with the Sahitya Akademi and other organisations to promote and preserve tribal literature.
The source says the festival is intended to continue as an annual feature during future Pakhwada periods.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, tribal heritage and language preservation, and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas-related initiatives.
First Regional Conference on Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 Held in Tiruchirappalli
The Union Jal Shakti Minister addressed the first regional conference on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 in Tiruchirappalli on 12–13 November 2026. The conference brought together representatives of seven southern States and Union Territories to discuss implementation, sustainable water services and reforms, including operation and maintenance.
Key facts
The conference was organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation with the Government of Tamil Nadu.
Participants represented Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
The Minister said tap-water connections had reached approximately 16 crore rural households under the Mission.
The approved timeline for completing remaining works is December 2028; States were urged to complete them by December 2027 wherever feasible.
JJM 2.0 aims to shift the focus from infrastructure creation to assured and sustainable drinking-water service delivery.
The conference highlighted operation and maintenance, institutional accountability, source sustainability and community-led water conservation.
The excerpt reports that eight Low Temperature Thermal Desalination plants have been established in Lakshadweep.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on flagship rural drinking-water programmes, Centre–State cooperation, water conservation, local governance and sustainable public-service delivery.
NITI Aayog Releases Impact Assessment of PLI Schemes
NITI Aayog released a sector-wise assessment of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, prepared with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad as knowledge partner. The report examines outcomes across 14 sectors and says nearly 70% of targeted segments are on track.
Key facts
The report assesses PLI Schemes across all 14 sectors notified by the Government of India.
IIM Ahmedabad contributed as the report’s knowledge partner.
The assessment examines investment, additional production, exports and employment generation.
The report identifies Pharmaceuticals, Mobile Manufacturing under LSEM, Food Processing, Telecom, White Goods, Automobiles and Drones as sectors showing notable progress.
The report describes Drones as an early implementation success.
High Efficiency Solar PV Module manufacturing capacity has expanded significantly, according to the report.
Nearly 70% of targeted segments are reported to be on track.
The report highlights deeper MSME participation, harmonized data systems and sustained ecosystem development as areas for continued focus.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on industrial policy, manufacturing, government schemes, exports, employment and the role of NITI Aayog. The 14-sector scope and reported implementation findings may be useful for economy and governance examinations.
Andhra Pradesh’s Maritime Infrastructure and Shipbuilding Push
At the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Visakhapatnam, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal outlined plans to expand Andhra Pradesh’s ports and develop shipbuilding and ship repair. The proposals include port projects, a proposed shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam and investment in maritime infrastructure.
Key facts
The 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 was held in Visakhapatnam on November 12–13.
Four greenfield port projects are under construction at Mulapeta, Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam and Kakinada SEZ.
A proposed greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam has in-principle approval under the National Shipbuilding Mission.
The Dugarajapatnam cluster envisages investment of approximately ₹30,000 crore and targeted annual capacity of 1.2 million gross tonnes.
Projects worth more than ₹560 crore had their foundation stone laid at Visakhapatnam Port, according to the excerpt.
Visakhapatnam Port handled a record 91.17 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2025–26, with approximately 10% growth over the previous year.
The minister identified Andhra Pradesh as a potential maritime gateway to ASEAN, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Exam relevance: Relevant to state infrastructure, port-led development, logistics, shipbuilding and maritime policy. The initiatives also connect with the National Shipbuilding Mission, Sagarmala and India’s maritime development plans.
Bhagni Nivedita Chhatri Niwash is a hostel initiative in Krishnanagar, Agartala West, intended to support OBC girl students pursuing higher education. The project is implemented by Tripura’s Rural Development Department on behalf of the OBC Welfare Department, with support from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Key facts
The hostel is located in Krishnanagar, Agartala West, Tripura.
It is intended to provide accommodation to OBC girl students pursuing college and university education.
The planned capacity is 54 seats.
Project information reports 20 current residents or beneficiaries.
Tripura’s Rural Development Department is implementing the project on behalf of the OBC Welfare Department.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the funding and supporting agency.
Planned amenities include electricity, sanitation, safe drinking water and security arrangements.
Exam relevance: Relevant to Tripura state current affairs and questions on educational infrastructure, OBC welfare, and Centre-State support for education.
Over 20.48 Lakh Defence Pensioners Submit Digital Life Certificates
More than 20.48 lakh defence pensioners had submitted Digital Life Certificates under Nationwide DLC Campaign 5.0 by 11 November 2026. The campaign runs nationwide from 1 to 30 November and promotes Aadhaar-based face authentication for pensioners.
Key facts
Nationwide DLC Campaign 5.0 is being conducted from 1 to 30 November 2026.
The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare coordinates the campaign.
The Controller General of Defence Accounts, under the Ministry of Defence, is conducting outreach for defence pensioners.
As of 11 November 2026, over 20.48 lakh defence pensioners had submitted Digital Life Certificates.
More than 80% of the digital life certificates were generated using Aadhaar-based Face Authentication Technology.
In November 2025, the Defence Accounts Department generated over 20.94 lakh certificates during DLC Campaign 4.0.
The SPARSH initiative had onboarded 35.11 lakh defence pensioners as of October 2026.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on digital governance, pension administration, Aadhaar-based authentication and government outreach initiatives.
Nutrient-Based Subsidy Rates Approved for Rabi 2026–27
The Government approved Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for the Rabi 2026–27 season. The scheme links subsidies to fertiliser nutrient content and aims to support affordable access and balanced nutrient use. The season’s tentative outlay is about ₹62,370.02 crore.
Key facts
The NBS Scheme has been in effect since 1 April 2010.
Subsidies under the scheme are linked to the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur content of fertilisers.
The Government approved the Rabi 2026–27 NBS rates on 11 November 2026; they apply from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027.
The tentative outlay is approximately ₹62,370.02 crore, compared with ₹37,952.29 crore for Rabi 2025–26.
The Government will continue special provisions to ensure DAP availability at ₹1,350 per bag.
NBS subsidies disbursed for indigenous and imported P&K fertilisers exceeded ₹2.79 lakh crore between 2022–23 and 2025–26.
Major fertiliser stocks stood at 235.21 lakh tonnes on 10 November 2026, up from 173.46 lakh tonnes a year earlier.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on agricultural subsidies, fertiliser policy, balanced nutrient use and government support for farmers. The NBS Scheme is relevant to agriculture and government-scheme topics.
Tribal medicinal-plant conservation and livelihoods project launched
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and CSIR-NBRI launched a three-year project to conserve medicinal-plant biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods in 16 tribal hotspots across 13 States and Union Territories.
Key facts
The project was launched on 12 November 2026 at the Central University of Odisha, Koraput.
It aims to document approximately 200–300 medicinal plant species and scientifically propagate 30–40 rare, endangered and threatened species.
The initiative plans to establish 16 community nurseries and 16 seed banks.
It envisages distributing 40,000–50,000 quality planting materials.
Fieldwork in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, engaged 146 tribal knowledge holders across 12 villages.
The project aims to involve tribal farmers, traditional healers, women and rural youth in conservation and enterprise development.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on tribal welfare, biodiversity conservation, medicinal plants, traditional knowledge and sustainable livelihoods. It also highlights collaboration between the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and a CSIR research institute.
NAMASTE Scheme Supports Safety and Livelihood of a Sanitation Worker in Puducherry
A sanitation worker from Oulgaret Municipality, Puducherry, received personal protective equipment and safety orientation through the NAMASTE Scheme after being identified as a beneficiary in 2025. The Press Information Bureau account reports improvements in his working conditions, health, attendance and monthly earnings.
Key facts
NAMASTE stands for National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem.
The scheme is under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The beneficiary, whose name was changed to Muthuvel, is a 58-year-old sewer-line cleaner from Oulgaret Municipality, Puducherry.
He received a PPE kit including gloves, gumboots, overalls, a face mask and a safety helmet.
He also received orientation on safe sanitation practices and the use of protective equipment.
The account says his monthly earnings rose from approximately ₹9,000–10,000 to ₹13,000–14,000.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government initiatives, sanitation-worker safety, occupational dignity and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
DRI Seizes 12.87 Tonnes of Red Sanders at Chennai Port
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted an export container at Chennai Port and seized 12.87 metric tonnes of Red Sanders valued at approximately Rs. 7.72 crore. Three people were arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling operation.
Key facts
The container was intercepted at Chennai Port during 9–11 November 2026 before it was loaded onto a vessel.
It was declared to contain paper laminate rolls, but examination found 12.87 metric tonnes of Red Sanders logs concealed with cover cargo and gravel stones.
The seized Red Sanders and cover cargo were valued at approximately Rs. 7.72 crore.
A search of a private godown recovered the original declared cargo, an industrial weighing scale and traces of Red Sanders.
Three key members of the syndicate were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
Red Sanders is listed in CITES Appendix II and Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The source states that Red Sanders exports from India are prohibited under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Exam relevance: Relevant to wildlife conservation, CITES, customs enforcement and the legal framework governing trade in protected species.
DRI Seizes 22 kg of Cocaine from Passenger Arriving from Sierra Leone
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 22 kg of cocaine from a foreign female passenger arriving from Sierra Leone in New Delhi. The drugs were concealed in a briefcase marked as diplomatic mail, and the passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.
Key facts
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 22 kg (net) of cocaine.
The passenger was arriving from Sierra Leone in New Delhi.
The cocaine was found in 22 packets concealed in layers of plastic wrapping inside a briefcase.
The briefcase bore markings including “Diplomatic Mail” and “Do Not Open Without Authority”.
The passenger produced documents that DRI described as apparently forged and claimed the consignment belonged to a United Nations diplomatic courier.
The seizure and arrest were made under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on the DRI, drug-trafficking enforcement and the NDPS Act, 1985.
President Droupadi Murmu interacted with meritorious Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) students and alumni at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The programme, organised by NESTS under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, highlighted EMRS’s role in supporting tribal students’ education and encouraged them to contribute to their communities while preserving their cultural heritage.
Key facts
The interaction was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, on 12 November 2026.
The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, organised the programme.
It was part of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada 2026, commemorating Bhagwan Birsa Munda’s 151st birth anniversary.
A total of 146 meritorious EMRS students and alumni from across India participated.
Participants included Class X and XII toppers and students admitted to institutions including IITs, NITs, NLUs, NIFT and government medical colleges.
President Murmu encouraged students to preserve their tribal heritage and contribute to the development of their villages and communities.
The President felicitated tribal welfare officials, five District Magistrates and principals of five best-performing EMRS; awards also recognised best-performing tribal startups.
Exam relevance: Relevant to questions on tribal education, EMRS, NESTS and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as well as initiatives promoting inclusive development and educational opportunities.
Environment Minister Meets LeadIT Industry Members and Project Partners
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav met industry representatives and research institutions in New Delhi ahead of India’s participation in UNFCCC COP31. The discussion focused on collaboration for low-carbon technology and industrial transition. LeadIT 3.0 was described as an implementation-oriented phase of the initiative.
Key facts
The interaction was held in New Delhi on 12 November 2026.
Participants included companies from steel, cement and transport, along with academic research institutions.
The Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) was launched by the Governments of India and Sweden in 2019 at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, with support from the World Economic Forum.
LeadIT is a public-private partnership with 19 countries and 33 companies as members, according to the source.
India and Sweden announced a renewed mandate for LeadIT in May 2026.
The source states that LeadIT 3.0 is planned to be launched on 17 November 2026 at a LeadIT Industry Leaders Roundtable at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
Exam relevance: Relevant to climate diplomacy, public-private partnerships and industrial decarbonisation. The initiative’s India–Sweden cooperation and planned LeadIT 3.0 launch may be useful for environment and international-relations current affairs.
NFSC Fellowship Supports Ph.D. Research in Genetics and Plant Breeding
A research scholar completed a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding with approximately ₹11 lakh in financial assistance under the National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) Scheme during 2022–2025. The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Key facts
The NFSC Scheme supports higher education and advanced research for students from Scheduled Caste communities.
The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The scholar received approximately ₹11 lakh in assistance during 2022–2025.
She completed a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding.
She is currently a Market Supervisor at APMC Kangra in Himachal Pradesh.
Exam relevance: Useful for questions on government support for higher education, social justice initiatives and educational inclusion for Scheduled Caste students.
