UPSC Current Affairs, 4 November 2026
10 stories from the news of the day, each in short with why it matters for Prelims and Mains. Practise their UPSC-style questions and take the daily quiz in CAShorts.
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NationalGS2
Draft Drugs Rules amendment: drug makers to authorise a batch-release person
In a draft notification dated 28 October 2026, the Union Health Ministry proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945. Applicants for drug manufacturing licences would have to authorise a qualified, experienced person for batch release. Records would be kept for every batch, with a prescribed Batch Release Certificate. The changes would apply three months after final publication.
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EnvironmentPrelimsGS3
India seeks COP31 decision to launch Climate Finance Work Programme
India will seek a decision at COP31 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to start a Climate Finance Work Programme, the Union Environment Minister said on 3 November 2026. COP31 meets in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November. India holds that climate finance is developed countries' obligation under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement.
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Sci-TechPrelimsGS2
NITI Aayog launches India S&T Scoreboard to benchmark States' science
NITI Aayog launched the India S&T Scoreboard in New Delhi on 3 November 2026. The interactive platform compares States and Union Territories on their science and technology base, from universities and R&D institutions to deep tech startups and incubators. It also tracks research publications and patents from FY2021 to FY2024, judging quality, impact and collaboration.
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EconomyGS3GS2
Centre can direct airlines on fares in extraordinary situations
New rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 were published in the Gazette on 31 October 2026. They let the Centre direct airlines in writing on fares in extraordinary situations, in the public interest. Airlines must also file tariffs with the DGCA, publish them and show the full fare with its parts. No fare cap is set.
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DefencePrelimsGS3
Indian Navy frees hijacked fishing vessel Azini from pirates off Somalia
The Indian Navy freed the hijacked fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates off Somalia, the Ministry of Defence said on 3 November 2026. All 20 crew members were rescued with no casualties after an operation of over 48 hours. A mission-deployed warship, a maritime reconnaissance aircraft and Marine Commandos airdropped by an Indian Air Force C-17 took part.
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Sci-TechPrelimsGS3
North Central Railway commissions Kavach 4.0 on Karchana-Mirzapur, reaching 785 km
The North Central Railway (NCR) has brought Kavach 4.0, India's indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, into service between Karchana and Mirzapur, a 69.5-km stretch of the Delhi-Howrah route. The zone's Kavach network now covers 785 route kilometres. Kavach brakes a train automatically when the loco pilot fails to, guarding against signals passed at danger, overspeeding and collisions.
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PolityGS2Prelims
Supreme Court sets aside Rajasthan SEC's voter awareness refusal: no monopoly
The Supreme Court on 2 November 2026 set aside the Rajasthan State Election Commission's (SEC) refusal to let civil society groups run voter awareness campaigns before panchayat polls. It directed the SEC to reconsider the request for phase 3 of the polls within two days. The Court made clear that election authorities hold no monopoly over voter awareness.
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PolityGS2Prelims
Supreme Court sets time limits for rehabilitating rescued bonded labourers
The Supreme Court on 2 November 2026 held that the State's duty to bonded labourers does not end when they are freed. It asked the Centre to frame one national procedure for paying rescued workers financial aid within seven days of release. The Centre must also consider a better-funded rehabilitation scheme within three months.
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PolityPrelimsGS2
Home Ministry plans FRROs in every State capital by 2027
The Ministry of Home Affairs said on 2 November 2026 that it aims to set up a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in every State capital by 2027. Five new offices have opened since 2025, two of them this year, and three more have been notified. India now has 20 FRROs, per the Ministry.
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EnvironmentGS2Prelims
Supreme Court allows certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR on 7-8 November
The Supreme Court has eased the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR for Deepavali 2026. Certified green crackers may be burst on two days, 7 and 8 November, in short morning and evening slots. Makers need certification from CSIR-NEERI and PESO. Crackers stay barred near hospitals, health centres and schools, and the full ban then returns.
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