UPSC Current Affairs, 8 November 2026
7 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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EnvironmentPrelimsGS2
CAQM invokes GRAP Stage III across Delhi-NCR at AQI 382
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region on 6 November 2026. Delhi's daily average AQI was 382, and forecasts pointed to 'Severe' air within days. Curbs on dusty construction, mining, stone crushers and older vehicles now add to the Stage I and II actions.
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NationalPrelimsGS3
India holds VAJRA-SAT drill for FMD serotype SAT-1 spreading in West Asia
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and ICAR-NIVEDI held VAJRA-SAT, a national tabletop exercise on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype SAT-1, in Bengaluru on 4-5 November 2026. It prepared for a serotype India has not yet recorded, which is now circulating in parts of West Asia. Teams from 25 States and three Union Territories worked through simulated outbreaks.
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PolityPrelimsGS2
Election Commission lets SIR-excluded electors return through enumeration forms
The Election Commission of India on 6 November 2026 let electors dropped from Special Intensive Revision draft rolls return through a fresh enumeration form instead of Form 6. They had been marked Absent, Shifted, Dead or Duplicate (ASDD). The order covers Delhi and six States. Restored electors get back their old EPIC numbers.
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DefencePrelimsGS3
DRDO flight-tests quasi-ballistic missile Pralay in user trials off Odisha
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) flight-tested Pralay, a quasi-ballistic missile, on 5 November 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, in user evaluation trials. Range instruments of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, confirmed all objectives were met. Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, developed the missile and Bharat Dynamics Limited produced it.
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EnvironmentPrelimsGS3
Forest Advisory Committee recommends in-principle forest clearance for 1,000-MW Naying project
The Union Environment Ministry's Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recommended in-principle forest clearance for the 1,000-MW Naying Hydroelectric Project of NEEPCO on the Siyom river in Arunachal Pradesh. The recommendation, made at its meeting on 23 October, covers 470.8 hectares of unclassed forest. Under the forest rules, the Central Government decides whether to grant approval.
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EnvironmentPrelimsGS2
Agasthyamalai: SC bars temporary residents, outsiders from Forest Rights Act claims
The Supreme Court ruled on 6 November 2026 that silk cotton growers who live temporarily in the Agasthyamalai forests, or wholly outside them, are not forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006. Tamil Nadu's own affidavit counts 232 temporary residents and 2,767 outside cultivators. The Court gave the State 30 days to form its remaining gram sabhas.
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World & IRPrelimsGS3
India and EU conclude talks on India's association with Horizon Europe
The European Commission and India have concluded negotiations on India's association with Horizon Europe, the EU's EUR 93.5 billion research and innovation programme for 2021-2027. The agreement still has to be signed. Once it takes effect, Indian researchers and organisations can receive funding directly and lead collaborative projects under the programme's Pillar II. India will pay into the programme.
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