10 sourced news briefs · 16 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 ↓
Economy and External Sector
1. April–October total exports estimated at US$568.84 billion
The Commerce Ministry estimated India's combined merchandise and services exports at US$568.84 billion during April–October 2026-27, 16.66% higher than the corresponding period a year earlier. Merchandise exports were US$309.06 billion and services exports were estimated at US$259.78 billion. The release explicitly notes that October services figures are estimates because the latest RBI services data available were for September.
Important exam facts
- Combined exports in October 2026 were estimated at US$89.99 billion, up 29.90% year-on-year.
- October merchandise exports were US$49.47 billion, while merchandise imports were US$89.35 billion.
- April–October combined imports were estimated at US$662.19 billion, leaving an overall trade deficit of US$93.35 billion.
- Electronic-goods exports rose 62.70% year-on-year in October 2026 to US$6.64 billion.
Static GK connection: Revise balance of trade, current account components, merchandise versus services trade, and the difference between provisional estimates and final official data.
Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry: India's Foreign Trade, 13 November 2026
Science and Technology
2. COSMOS-Mysuru inaugurated as India's first LED dome planetarium
The Prime Minister inaugurated the COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium in Karnataka and described it as India's first LED dome planetarium. The facility was developed with the involvement of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the University of Mysore. It is intended to support astronomy education and public engagement with science rather than serve as an astronomical observatory.
Important exam facts
- The planetarium is located in Mysuru, Karnataka.
- The Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the University of Mysore were among the institutions associated with its construction.
- A planetarium simulates the night sky for education, while an observatory uses instruments to collect astronomical observations.
- The inauguration took place on 13 November 2026.
Static GK connection: Revise the distinction between planetariums and observatories, the role of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, and major Indian space-science missions such as Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1.
Source: Prime Minister's Office: Inauguration of COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium, 13 November 2026
Telecommunications and Regulation
3. TRAI reports enforcement against over 124,000 spam-linked telecom resources
TRAI released its quarterly update on action against unsolicited commercial communications for July–September 2026. Telecom service providers reported 1.529 million UCC complaints, of which 0.723 million were actionable. Enforcement included temporary barring, one-year disconnections, sender blacklisting and blocking of SMS headers.
Important exam facts
- The national subscriber base stood at about 1.349 billion on 30 September 2026.
- A total of 110,325 telecom resources were barred for 15 days for a first violation.
- Another 13,777 resources were disconnected for one year for repeated violations.
- TRAI reported 374 senders blacklisted for one year and 3,725 SMS headers blocked.
- Consumers may use the TRAI DND app to set promotional preferences and report UCC.
Static GK connection: Revise TRAI's statutory role under the TRAI Act, 1997, unsolicited commercial communications, telecom service providers and the purpose of the Do Not Disturb framework.
Source: TRAI quarterly highlights on unsolicited commercial communications, 13 November 2026
Defence and International Relations
4. Indian contingent departs for India–Sri Lanka exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2026
A 170-member Indian Defence Forces contingent departed for Sri Lanka for the 12th edition of Exercise MITRA SHAKTI. The bilateral exercise is scheduled at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, from 13 to 26 November 2026. The departure is completed, while the training programme itself is scheduled across the stated dates.
Important exam facts
- The Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Rajputana Rifles and also includes Indian Air Force personnel.
- The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment under a United Nations mandate.
- MITRA SHAKTI is an annual bilateral exercise held alternately in India and Sri Lanka.
- Training includes urban patrolling, convoy protection, area ambush and combined-arms operations.
Static GK connection: Revise India–Sri Lanka relations, bilateral military exercises, interoperability and the role of United Nations mandates in peace-support and counter-terrorism training scenarios.
Source: Ministry of Defence: Indian contingent departs for MITRA SHAKTI 2026, 13 November 2026
Polity and Governance
5. Goa announces self-enumeration schedule for Census 2027
The Directorate of Census Operations, Goa, announced that online self-enumeration for the Population Enumeration phase of Census 2027 would run from 16 to 30 November 2026. Field population enumeration is planned from 1 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, followed by a revisional round. These are scheduled census operations, not completed results.
Important exam facts
- Goa's revisional round is scheduled from 5 to 9 January 2027.
- The census reference time for Goa is 00:00 hours on 5 January 2027.
- Self-enumeration is an optional digital route for residents to submit census information.
- The Directorate of Census Operations works under the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India.
Static GK connection: Revise the Census Act, 1948, Union List responsibility for census, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, and the distinction between enumeration dates and the reference date.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs: Goa Census 2027 self-enumeration schedule, 13 November 2026
Internal Security and Law
6. MHA extends UAPA ban on Islamic Research Foundation
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that it had extended the declaration of the Islamic Research Foundation as an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The official release attributes the extension to alleged activities involving communal hostility, separatism and support for terrorism. The measure is an executive action under the statutory UAPA framework and remains subject to the procedures and safeguards prescribed by that law.
Important exam facts
- The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was enacted in 1967.
- Under Section 3 of the UAPA, the Central Government may declare an association unlawful by notification.
- An unlawful-association declaration is reviewed through the statutory tribunal mechanism under the Act.
- The extension was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 13 November 2026.
Static GK connection: Revise reasonable restrictions on associations under Article 19, the UAPA's unlawful-association framework and the role of a tribunal in reviewing a government notification.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs: Extension of IRF ban under UAPA, 13 November 2026
International Relations and Science
7. India and Italy envisage a joint research call for 2027
India and Italy concluded their second Science and Innovation Dialogue in Rome and discussed a joint call for research proposals in 2027. The call remains planned rather than launched. Proposed priority fields include artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and big data; clean technology, hydrogen and renewable energy; and advanced biotechnology and biomedical research.
Important exam facts
- The bilateral science and technology agreement was first signed in 1978 and renewed in 2003.
- India–Italy relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2023.
- The Joint Strategic Action Plan covers 2025–2029.
- More than 150 joint projects have been implemented through the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation.
Static GK connection: Revise India–Italy relations, strategic partnerships, science diplomacy, joint calls for proposals and the difference between an announced research call and a funded project.
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology: India–Italy scientific cooperation, 13 November 2026
Health Policy and Regulation
8. NPPA orders monitoring of revised prices for 137 anti-cancer drugs
The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority directed State Drug Controllers to monitor Trade Margin Rationalisation for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs. Revised prices took effect on 9 November following a Gazette order dated 17 October. Manufacturers, sellers, hospitals and medical institutions must follow and display the updated price lists; violations may trigger overcharging proceedings.
Important exam facts
- The measure covers 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs.
- Trade Margin Rationalisation seeks to limit excessive margins in the supply chain rather than place every drug under scheduled-price control.
- State Drug Controllers were asked to submit action-taken reports by 16 November 2026.
- Overcharging action may be taken under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
- Updated prices are available through the Pharma Sahi Daam app and portal.
Static GK connection: Revise NPPA, the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, scheduled and non-scheduled formulations, ceiling prices and trade-margin rationalisation.
Source: Department of Pharmaceuticals: Monitoring TMR on 137 anti-cancer drugs, 13 November 2026
Consumer Protection and Digital Governance
9. CCPA penalises Ola over misleading pre-ride payment prompts
The Central Consumer Protection Authority imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on ANI Technologies, operator of Ola, and ordered it to discontinue pre-ride prompts seeking an extra payment described as a tip or add-on. The authority held that suggesting payment could improve the chance of faster ride confirmation was misleading, an unfair trade practice and a dark pattern.
Important exam facts
- CCPA is established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
- The direction covers prompts, pre-set amounts and interface designs seeking payment above the upfront fare before a journey is completed.
- The order refers to the Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023.
- Consumers may lodge complaints through the National Consumer Helpline number 1915.
Static GK connection: Revise the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the powers of CCPA, misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices and dark patterns in digital interfaces.
Source: CCPA: Penalty on Ola for pre-ride tip feature, 13 November 2026
Public Health
10. WHO report records 38% decline in India's TB mortality since 2015
The Health Ministry highlighted findings of the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026 showing that India's estimated TB mortality rate fell 38% between 2015 and 2025, from 28 to 18 deaths per lakh population. It also reported a 94% treatment-success rate for drug-susceptible TB. These figures show progress but do not mean tuberculosis has been eliminated.
Important exam facts
- The reported global decline in TB mortality over the comparison period was 35%.
- The TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has screened more than 25 crore people.
- The campaign reported more than 11 crore chest X-rays and 3 crore molecular tests.
- Nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic TB cases were detected through intensified screening.
- In 2025, 67,933 Panchayats were declared TB-free under the programme's criteria.
Static GK connection: Revise the National TB Elimination Programme, airborne transmission, molecular diagnosis, drug-sensitive versus drug-resistant TB and the role of WHO's annual global TB report.
Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: India's TB mortality progress, 13 November 2026
Practice MCQs
1. India's estimated combined merchandise and services exports during April–October 2026-27 were:
- US$309.06 billion
- US$487.59 billion
- US$568.84 billion
- US$662.19 billion
Show answer and explanation
C. US$568.84 billion — The Commerce Ministry estimated combined exports at US$568.84 billion for April–October 2026-27.
2. Which export category grew 62.70% year-on-year in October 2026?
- Electronic goods
- Engineering goods
- Gems and jewellery
- Organic and inorganic chemicals
Show answer and explanation
A. Electronic goods — Electronic-goods exports rose 62.70% to US$6.64 billion in October 2026.
3. COSMOS-Mysuru is best described as India's first:
- Solar radio telescope
- LED dome planetarium
- Neutrino observatory
- Space-launch complex
Show answer and explanation
B. LED dome planetarium — The facility inaugurated in Mysuru was described as India's first LED dome planetarium.
4. How many UCC complaints were registered during July–September 2026 according to TRAI's quarterly update?
- 0.374 million
- 0.723 million
- 1.349 million
- 1.529 million
Show answer and explanation
D. 1.529 million — TRAI reported 1.529 million registered complaints, of which 0.723 million were actionable.
5. Exercise MITRA SHAKTI is a bilateral military exercise between India and:
- Bangladesh
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
Show answer and explanation
C. Sri Lanka — MITRA SHAKTI is the annual India–Sri Lanka bilateral military exercise.
6. The 12th edition of MITRA SHAKTI 2026 is scheduled at:
- Maduru Oya
- Trincomalee
- Pune
- Port Blair
Show answer and explanation
A. Maduru Oya — The exercise is scheduled at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.
7. Goa's self-enumeration window for the Population Enumeration phase is scheduled for:
- 1–15 November 2026
- 16–30 November 2026
- 1–31 December 2026
- 5–9 January 2027
Show answer and explanation
B. 16–30 November 2026 — The Directorate of Census Operations announced self-enumeration from 16 to 30 November 2026.
8. The constitutional subject of census falls in which legislative list?
- Union List
- State List
- Concurrent List
- Residuary State List
Show answer and explanation
A. Union List — Census is a Union subject, administered through the Registrar General and Census Commissioner under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
9. Which law empowers the Central Government to declare an association unlawful?
- National Security Act, 1980
- Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
- Official Secrets Act, 1923
- Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958
Show answer and explanation
B. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 — Section 3 of the UAPA, 1967 provides for declaring an association unlawful by notification.
10. The new India–Italy joint research call discussed in Rome is envisaged for:
- 2026
- 2027
- 2028
- 2030
Show answer and explanation
B. 2027 — The two sides discussed a joint call for research proposals in 2027; it had not yet been launched.
11. Which of the following is among the proposed India–Italy research priorities?
- High-performance computing
- Deep-sea mineral licensing
- Civil aviation tariff setting
- Foodgrain procurement
Show answer and explanation
A. High-performance computing — Artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and big data are among the proposed priority fields.
12. Trade Margin Rationalisation monitoring announced by NPPA covers how many non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs?
- 37
- 75
- 100
- 137
Show answer and explanation
D. 137 — NPPA directed monitoring of revised prices for 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs.
13. Which order provides the basis for overcharging proceedings in the NPPA anti-cancer drug action?
- Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945
- Medical Devices Rules, 2017
- Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013
- Pharmacy Practice Regulations, 2015
Show answer and explanation
C. Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 — The release states that violations may attract overcharging proceedings under DPCO, 2013.
14. The Central Consumer Protection Authority was created under which legislation?
- Competition Act, 2002
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Show answer and explanation
B. Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — CCPA is a statutory authority established under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
15. What penalty did CCPA impose on Ola for the pre-ride tip or add-on feature?
- ₹1 lakh
- ₹5 lakh
- ₹10 lakh
- ₹25 lakh
Show answer and explanation
C. ₹10 lakh — CCPA imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty and directed discontinuation of the prompts.
16. According to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, India's estimated TB mortality declined by what percentage since 2015?
- 18%
- 28%
- 35%
- 38%
Show answer and explanation
D. 38% — The report highlighted a 38% decline in India's estimated TB mortality between 2015 and 2025.
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