9 sourced news briefs · 13 practice MCQs
This study edition contains original summaries of sources linked below. Updates described as proposals, plans or announcements are not presented as completed outcomes.
Practice MCQs ↓
Defence & Maritime Security
1. Defence Ministry contracts eight next-generation corvettes
On 2 November the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹53,866.50 crore with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for eight Next Generation Corvettes of the Indian Navy. These are acquisition and construction contracts; the eight vessels have not yet been commissioned.
Important exam facts
- GRSE is to build five corvettes and GSL is to build three.
- The contracts cover eight indigenously designed Next Generation Corvettes.
- The proposed ships will support surface, air and sub-surface operations and maritime protection.
Static GK connection: Revise the Indian Navy, shipbuilding public-sector units, the corvette class of warship and Make in India defence production.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Defence, 2 November 2026
Rural Development & Governance
2. Rural ministry notifies grievance-redressal rules under VB–G RAM G
The Ministry of Rural Development announced that it had notified the VB–G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026. The notification sets out a multi-tier mechanism, digital grievance tracking and escalation in connection with the rural employment and livelihoods scheme; the announcement describes the rules, not proof that all grievances have already been resolved.
Important exam facts
- The rules provide multiple grievance-submission channels, mandatory registration and escalation.
- The announced enquiry period is seven working days.
- The stated grievance-resolution time limit is 15 days.
Static GK connection: Compare the structure of rural employment-related grievance redressal with accountability, administrative appeals and digital public-service delivery.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Rural Development, 2 November 2026
Economy & Energy
3. Captive and commercial coal mines report October output growth
A Ministry of Coal statement published on 2 November reported 22.03 million tonnes of production from captive and commercial mines in October 2026, against 15.49 million tonnes in October 2025. It also reported October dispatches of 21.11 million tonnes, compared with 15.48 million tonnes a year earlier.
Important exam facts
- October coal output at captive/commercial mines: 22.03 MT, approximately 42% higher year on year.
- October dispatches: 21.11 MT, approximately 36% higher year on year.
- The release said the number of operational captive and commercial coal mines had reached 87.
Static GK connection: Revise coal production versus dispatch, captive mining, commercial coal blocks and the supply chain of thermal-power generation.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Coal, 2 November 2026
International Relations & Trade
4. India and EU review trade and green-technology cooperation
The Commerce Ministry stated on 2 November that Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal had held meetings in Brussels with European Commission officials. Discussions covered market access, trade facilitation, supply-chain resilience, development cooperation, sustainable development and green technologies. The report described talks, not a newly concluded trade agreement.
Important exam facts
- The meetings were held in Brussels, Belgium.
- Topics included market access, supply chains, sustainable development and clean energy.
- Officials represented European Commission departments including DG TRADE, DG INTPA and DG TAXUD.
Static GK connection: Revise India–European Union relations, the European Commission, trade negotiations, customs cooperation and sustainable trade.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Commerce & Industry, 2 November 2026
History & Culture
5. Sacred Piprahwa relics received at Tawang Monastery
The Ministry of Culture reported that sacred relics of the Buddha from the National Museum in New Delhi were received at Tawang Monastery on 2 November. The relics exposition in Arunachal Pradesh is planned across Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai during the 31 October–21 November window.
Important exam facts
- The exposition involves the Ministry of Culture, Arunachal Pradesh, the National Museum and the International Buddhist Confederation.
- The three named Arunachal Pradesh centres are Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai.
- The relics were brought from the National Museum, New Delhi.
Static GK connection: Link the Piprahwa relics with early Buddhism, Buddhist archaeology, the National Museum, and Arunachal Pradesh geography.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Culture, 2 November 2026
Cyber Security & Education
6. Air Force schools introduce child digital-safety programme
The Ministry of Defence reported that 42 Air Force Schools joined the ScrollControl child digital-safety programme. The release said 261 teachers completed a cyber-crime intervention certification to help protect children from online harms and preserve digital evidence where needed.
Important exam facts
- Participating Air Force Schools: 42.
- Teachers trained and certified: 261.
- Issues identified include online grooming, financial fraud, AI misuse and gaming-related harms.
Static GK connection: Revise cyber hygiene, child online protection, digital evidence preservation and India's cyber-crime reporting and school safety framework.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Defence, 2 November 2026
Tribal Affairs & Public Health
7. Tribal healers attend national public-health orientation in Hyderabad
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and ICMR-NIHR, Bhubaneswar, organised a national orientation programme for tribal healers at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, during 1–2 November. The programme is linked to the Janjatiya Health Institutional Transformation initiative and focuses on strengthening public-health connections with tribal communities.
Important exam facts
- The location is Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
- The initiative is described under Janjatiya Health Institutional Transformation (JanHIT).
- The official release listed participants from nine states or union territories, including Tamil Nadu.
Static GK connection: Connect the initiative with tribal welfare, public-health outreach, institutional collaboration and ICMR's research and capacity-building role.
Source: PIB / Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 2 November 2026
Agriculture & Environment
8. Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan Rabi 2026 focuses on soil health
A government backgrounder released on 2 November explained Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan (KBA) – Rabi 2026, a campaign scheduled from 22 October to 30 November. Its stated aims include balanced fertiliser use, soil-health awareness and sustainable nutrient management through cooperation among agriculture departments, research institutions and field staff.
Important exam facts
- Campaign window: 22 October–30 November 2026.
- The campaign's slogan is Swasth Dhara, Samriddh Kisan.
- A 2 November backgrounder described an ongoing effort, rather than a new campaign launched that day.
Static GK connection: Revise soil-health cards, balanced NPK fertilisation, sustainable agriculture, soil nutrients and the role of extension services.
Source: PIB Backgrounder / Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan, 2 November 2026
International Days & Press Freedom
9. UN marks day to end impunity for crimes against journalists
The United Nations observes the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists on 2 November. Its official information page links the observance to UN General Assembly resolution 68/163 and to the 2013 killing of two French journalists in Mali. The 2026 programme includes a global commemoration and discussion of journalist safety.
Important exam facts
- UN General Assembly resolution: 68/163.
- Annual observance date: 2 November.
- The commemorated 2013 incident occurred in Mali.
Static GK connection: Revise the United Nations General Assembly, press freedom, accountability and the protection of journalists under international human-rights principles.
Source: United Nations / International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists
Practice MCQs
1. Which public-sector shipbuilders were awarded contracts for eight Next Generation Corvettes on 2 November 2026?
- HAL and BEML
- GRSE and GSL
- BHEL and SAIL
- NTPC and ONGC
Show answer and explanation
B. GRSE and GSL — The Defence Ministry named Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) as the contracted builders.
2. How are the eight new corvettes allocated between GRSE and GSL?
- Four each
- Six and two
- Five and three
- Seven and one
Show answer and explanation
C. Five and three — The 2 November contract apportions five corvettes to GRSE and three to GSL; it does not mean they are commissioned yet.
3. Under the rural grievance rules announced on 2 November, what is the stated enquiry completion period?
- Two calendar days
- Seven working days
- Thirty working days
- Six months
Show answer and explanation
B. Seven working days — The Ministry of Rural Development release specifies completion of an enquiry within seven working days.
4. What grievance-resolution limit is highlighted in the VB–G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules announcement?
- 15 days
- 60 days
- 90 days
- One year
Show answer and explanation
A. 15 days — The release highlights a 15-day grievance resolution time limit with registration, tracking and escalation channels.
5. What was the reported October 2026 coal output from captive and commercial mines?
- 11.49 million tonnes
- 15.49 million tonnes
- 22.03 million tonnes
- 42.03 million tonnes
Show answer and explanation
C. 22.03 million tonnes — The Ministry of Coal reported 22.03 MT for October 2026, compared with 15.49 MT in October 2025.
6. Where did the India–European Commission trade-cooperation meetings reported on 2 November take place?
- Geneva
- Brussels
- Jakarta
- Nairobi
Show answer and explanation
B. Brussels — The Commerce Ministry release placed the high-level discussions with Commission officials in Brussels, Belgium.
7. Which trio of locations was announced for the Buddhist relic exposition in Arunachal Pradesh?
- Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai
- Leh, Kargil and Dras
- Ajanta, Ellora and Nashik
- Sarnath, Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar
Show answer and explanation
A. Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai — The Culture Ministry named Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai as the three centres hosting the relic exposition.
8. How many Air Force Schools joined the newly reported child digital-safety programme?
- 12
- 24
- 42
- 261
Show answer and explanation
C. 42 — The programme involved 42 Air Force Schools, while 261 was the reported number of trained and certified teachers.
9. The tribal-healer public-health orientation programme was held at which location?
- Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad
- Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh
- CSMT, Mumbai
- Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi
Show answer and explanation
A. Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad — The Ministry of Tribal Affairs named Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad as the programme venue for 1–2 November.
10. Which institution collaborated with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the tribal-healer programme?
- ICMR-NIHR, Bhubaneswar
- Reserve Bank of India
- National Highways Authority of India
- Securities and Exchange Board of India
Show answer and explanation
A. ICMR-NIHR, Bhubaneswar — The event was organised with ICMR–National Institute of Health Research, Bhubaneswar, under the JanHIT initiative.
11. Which statement correctly describes Khet Bachaao Abhiyaan – Rabi 2026?
- It is a military shipbuilding tender
- It is a soil-health and sustainable nutrient-management campaign
- It is a new aviation passenger identity card
- It is a World Bank annual meeting
Show answer and explanation
B. It is a soil-health and sustainable nutrient-management campaign — The campaign concerns soil health, balanced fertiliser application and farm nutrient-management practices.
12. Which United Nations General Assembly resolution proclaimed 2 November as the day to end impunity for crimes against journalists?
- Resolution 68/163
- Resolution 1514 (XV)
- Resolution 377 (V)
- Resolution 217 A (III)
Show answer and explanation
A. Resolution 68/163 — UN General Assembly resolution 68/163 established the observance to promote accountability and journalist safety.
13. The 2 November India–EU discussions should be classified as which kind of development?
- A completed free-trade agreement signed that day
- A formal merger of the European Union and India
- Trade and partnership talks without a claimed final agreement
- India's accession to the European Commission
Show answer and explanation
C. Trade and partnership talks without a claimed final agreement — The Commerce Ministry described high-level meetings on trade facilitation and cooperation, not a newly signed final agreement.
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