Daily Current Affairs — 3 November 2026
· 16 min read · TS Police Hub (Anvil Edtech)
TASK and AWS to train one lakh Telangana students in AI and cloud for free; AP urban local body polls at 62.16% turnout as Cyclone Murasu delays counting; the Nilekani exam-reforms task force reportedly extended to January 2027; Pune Metro projects of about ₹21,800 crore; Navy frees the hijacked vessel Azini off Somalia; Tiger Triumph 2026 opens at Visakhapatnam; NITI Aayog's India S&T Scoreboard; Aditya-L1 sees an uneven solar eruption; Assam's proton therapy centre; International Day for Biosphere Reserves; MINURSO left without a mandate after a veto; Bhutan's 108 stupas at Gelephu; the 5th Rohini Nayyar Prize. Followed by 10 practice questions.
1. Telangana
Telangana's TASK and AWS Sign Pact to Train One Lakh Students in AI and Cloud Computing for Free
Why in news: On 2 November 2026 in Hyderabad, the Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK) signed an agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS), in the presence of IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, to train one lakh students in AI and cloud computing free of cost.
⭐ Exam importance: High — a State skilling programme with clear numbers (one lakh students, 643 colleges, 900+ courses) that suits Telangana-specific questions.
Key facts
- Who and how many: One lakh students of the 643 colleges affiliated with TASK; faculty of these colleges will also be trained.
- What is taught: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data engineering, machine learning and generative AI, with hands-on practice on the AWS Cloud Console.
- Extras for each student: One year of free access to more than 900 digital courses on AWS Skill Builder, and discount vouchers for global certification exams.
- Beyond engineering: Separate learning tracks for arts and commerce (non-STEM) students; TASK plans special job fairs for students who complete the training.
- Cost: Reported as free for students, colleges and the State government.
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- TASK: A not-for-profit body of the Telangana government under the IT, Electronics & Communications Department. It began in 2004 as IEG/JKC and was renamed TASK in 2014.
- AWS in Telangana: AWS already runs a cloud data-centre region in Hyderabad; in July 2026 the CM attended the groundbreaking of an Amazon data centre at Bharat Future City.
2. Andhra Pradesh
AP Urban Local Body Polls: 62.16% Turnout; Cyclone Murasu Delays Counting in Prakasam and Bapatla
Why in news: Votes for the second ordinary elections to Andhra Pradesh's urban local bodies, polled on 1 November 2026, were counted on 3 November. The State Election Commission (SEC) had to push back counting in Prakasam and Bapatla districts because of Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu, and postponed the Chirala count to 6 November.
⭐ Exam importance: High — AP local-body elections with official turnout figures, plus the constitutional basis of State Election Commissions (Articles 243K and 243ZA).
Turnout at a glance (SEC final statement, 1 November 2026)| Item | Figure |
|---|
| Urban local bodies in the statement | 92 (in a few, only some wards went to the polls) |
| Wards | 3,453 |
| Voters / votes polled | 96,89,061 / 60,22,411 |
| Overall turnout | 62.16% |
| Highest | Chimakurthy (Prakasam) — 84.36% |
| Lowest | Tirupati — 46.85% |
| Big corporations | GVMC 56.32%; Vijayawada 55.37%; Guntur 56.15% |
Key facts
- Cyclone and the count: Citing heavy rain and high winds from Murasu, the SEC moved the start of counting in Prakasam and Bapatla from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and in Prakasam again to 1:00 PM. Other districts began at 8:00 AM.
- Chirala: The Bapatla Collector reported winds of nearly 100 km/h and an inundated counting centre, so the Chirala municipality count was postponed to 6 November 2026 (Friday). Parishad (MPTC/ZPTC) polling in the district was due on 5 November.
- Next step: The SEC has notified indirect elections for Deputy Mayors of Vijayawada, Greater Visakhapatnam and 10 other corporations (special meeting on 9 November), and for Vice-Chairpersons of 75 municipalities/nagar panchayats.
- Results: Press reports said the ruling TDP-led alliance won most of the bodies; a consolidated party-wise statement was not yet on the SEC website when checked.
- Murasu aftermath (provisional): Murasu crossed near Ongole early on 3 November and was forecast to weaken to a deep depression by that night. Press reports put early crop damage at over 52,000 hectares and at least two deaths; official assessment awaited.
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- State Election Commission: Article 243K (panchayats) and Article 243ZA (municipalities), added by the 73rd and 74th Amendments, vest local-body elections in the SEC. The AP SEC for the residuary State was constituted on 30 January 2016; the State Election Commissioner is Anil Chandra Punetha.
- ECI vs SEC: The Election Commission of India (Article 324) runs elections to Parliament, State legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President; it has no role in municipal or panchayat polls.
3. National — Polity & Governance
Nilekani-Led Task Force on Examination Reforms Reportedly Gets Time till January 2027
Why in news: The Centre has extended the term of the six-member High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms, chaired by Nandan Nilekani, till January 2027, PTI reported on 1 November 2026 citing sources. The panel has received over 50,000 suggestions.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — national exam reform after the NEET-UG 2026 leak; the members' names are asked in State exams.
The six members (announced 26 July 2026)| Member | Background |
|---|
| Nandan Nilekani (Chair) | Infosys co-founder; first UIDAI chairman |
| S. Somanath | Former ISRO Chairman |
| Tapan Deka | Former Director, Intelligence Bureau |
| V. Kamakoti | Director, IIT Madras |
| Anita Karwal | Former School Education Secretary |
| Amrit Lal Meena | Logistics expert |
Key facts
- Mandate: To recommend reforms that make public examinations trustworthy, transparent and leak-proof, with maximum use of technology.
- Status of the extension: Reported by PTI from official sources; no Gazette or ministry order was found. The government has also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on the panel's progress.
- NEET in CBT mode: The Centre has said NEET will be held as a computer-based test (CBT) from 2027.
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- Earlier panel: In 2024 a High-Level Committee under former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan reviewed the National Testing Agency (NTA) and suggested computer-based or hybrid exams.
- Anti-leak law: The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 punishes paper leaks with up to 10 years in jail and fines up to ₹1 crore.
4. National — Economy & Schemes
Pune Metro Projects Worth About ₹21,800 Crore Inaugurated and Launched
Why in news: On 3 November 2026 the Prime Minister, by video conference, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of Pune Metro projects worth about ₹21,800 crore, including the Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar corridor built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — urban transport and PPP; national metro figures are useful one-liners.
Key facts
- Hinjawadi–Shivajinagar: Links the Hinjawadi IT hub to the city centre and is built under the PPP model; a new line launched the same day will link old and new parts of Pune.
- National network: The release puts India's metro network at nearly 1,200 km in 26 cities, carrying over one crore passengers a day.
- Maharashtra: About 175 km of metro is in service in the State, with over 680 km under construction.
- Urban Challenge Fund: Approved in February 2026 with ₹1 lakh crore of Central assistance to draw urban investment.
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- First metro: India's first metro, in Kolkata, began in 1984. Hyderabad Metro Rail is a large metro project built on the PPP model.
5. National — Science, Space & Defence
Indian Navy Frees Hijacked Fishing Vessel 'Azini' off Somalia; All 20 Crew Safe
Why in news: The Defence Ministry said on 3 November 2026 that the Indian Navy, in an operation lasting over 48 hours, freed the fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates off north-eastern Somalia and rescued all 20 crew with no casualties.
⭐ Exam importance: High — anti-piracy operations and Navy–Air Force jointness are regular defence questions.
Key facts
- The threat: Azini was hijacked in October; the Navy feared it would be used as a 'mother ship' to launch attacks on merchant ships.
- How: A mission-deployed warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft tracked the vessel and used non-kinetic measures to stop its escape; Marine Commandos (MARCOS) were airdropped by an IAF C-17 aircraft.
- Message: The Navy called it proof of its role as First Responder and Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.
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- Anti-piracy record: India began anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. In March 2024 the Navy freed the bulk carrier MV Ruen from Somali pirates, also with a C-17 airdrop of MARCOS.
Tiger Triumph 2026 — Fifth India–US Tri-Service HADR Exercise Opens at Visakhapatnam
Why in news: The opening ceremony of Tiger Triumph 2026, the fifth India–US bilateral tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, was held at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam, on 2 November 2026.
⭐ Exam importance: High — a named India–US exercise hosted in Andhra Pradesh, with a first-time NDRF role.
Key facts
- Format: This year it is a Tabletop Exercise (TTX), focused on joint planning and coordination for large-scale HADR operations and Combined Joint All-Domain Operations.
- Presided by: Rear Admiral Vishal Bishnoi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, and Rear Admiral Joaquin J. Martinez de Pinillos, Vice Commander, US Pacific Fleet.
- Participants: Indian Navy, Army and Air Force with Special Forces of all three Services; an NDRF team takes part for the first time. The US side includes Space, Cyber, Medical and Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists.
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- Tiger Triumph: First held in 2019 on India's east coast. Other India–US exercises: Yudh Abhyas (Army), Malabar (Navy, with Japan and Australia), Cope India (Air Force), Vajra Prahar (Special Forces).
- Eastern Naval Command: Headquartered at Visakhapatnam; the Eastern Fleet is based there.
NITI Aayog Launches the India S&T Scoreboard — Telangana 5th in Patent Applications
Why in news: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri unveiled the India S&T Scoreboard (sts.niti.gov.in) in New Delhi on 3 November 2026, an interactive platform comparing the science and technology ecosystem of States and UTs.
⭐ Exam importance: High — a new national index with clear Telangana and AP ranks.
Ranks shown on the Scoreboard (latest year)| State | Research publications (FY2024) | Patent applications (FY2024) |
|---|
| Tamil Nadu | 1st — 44,611 | 1st — 16,048 |
| Telangana | 8th — 15,253 | 5th — 5,200 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 11th — 10,417 | 6th — 4,603 |
| India (total) | 2,23,005 | 62,934 |
Key facts
- What it covers: S&T ecosystem (higher education institutions, R&D institutions, deep-tech startups, incubators) and outputs (publications, patents), with quality, impact, collaboration and open-access indicators across Academia, Government R&D Labs and Industry.
- Data sources: Publications from Web of Science/InCites; patent applications from Clarivate's Derwent World Patents Index.
- Aim: Evidence-based policy and benchmarking of States under 'cooperative and competitive federalism'.
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- NITI Aayog: Set up on 1 January 2015 in place of the Planning Commission; the Prime Minister is its Chairperson. Its Member (S&T) is Abhay Karandikar.
Aditya-L1's VELC Shows a Solar Eruption Expanding Unevenly
Why in news: Scientists of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, using the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) on Aditya-L1 and NASA's SDO, showed that a coronal mass ejection (CME) of 5 August 2024 expanded asymmetrically, not like a simple bubble (DST release, 3 November 2026).
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — Aditya-L1 payloads and space weather are standard science questions.
Key facts
- Finding: The CME expanded non-uniformly and took an asymmetric shape; this can change its speed and arrival time at Earth. The study is in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.
- How VELC sees it: It records spectra of the 530.3 nm green coronal line from highly ionised iron (plasma near 1.8 million K); the Doppler shift gives plasma speed along the line of sight.
- Built by: VELC, the primary payload, was built by IIA at its CREST campus, Hosakote, with ISRO support.
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- Aditya-L1: India's first space-based solar observatory; launched by PSLV-C57 on 2 September 2023; placed in a halo orbit around the Sun–Earth L1 point (about 1.5 million km from Earth) in January 2024; carries 7 payloads.
6. National — Environment & Geography
International Day for Biosphere Reserves (3 November) — India Has 18, 13 on UNESCO's List
Why in news: The International Day for Biosphere Reserves was observed on 3 November 2026; a PIB backgrounder of 2 November listed India's 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, 13 of them in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
⭐ Exam importance: High — biosphere reserves, their States and WNBR years are asked every year; AP's Seshachalam is on the list.
Selected Biosphere Reserves (PIB list)| Reserve | State | In WNBR? |
|---|
| Nilgiri (first, 1986) | Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka | Yes, 2000 (India's first in WNBR) |
| Seshachalam (2010) | Andhra Pradesh | No |
| Cold Desert (2009) | Himachal Pradesh | Yes, 2025 (latest) |
| Great Rann of Kutch (2008) | Gujarat | No |
| Panna (2011, newest notified) | Madhya Pradesh | Yes, 2020 |
| Manas; Dibru-Saikhowa; Dehang-Dibang | Assam; Assam; Arunachal Pradesh | No |
Key facts
- The 13 in WNBR: Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarbans, Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarhi, Similipal, Achanakmar-Amarkantak, Great Nicobar, Agasthyamalai, Khangchendzonga, Panna and Cold Desert.
- Three zones: Core (strict protection), buffer (research, education, regulated tourism) and transition (settlements and sustainable livelihoods).
- Global network: 797 biosphere reserves in 145 countries, per PIB; India's 13 are the most in South Asia.
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- Origins: UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme began in 1971. The Day was proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference at its 41st session in 2021.
- Funding in India: The Environment Ministry supports reserves through the centrally sponsored 'Biodiversity Conservation' sub-scheme of 'Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems'.
7. National — Society, Health & Culture
Assam Signs Pact for a ₹600 Crore Proton Therapy Centre at GMCH, Guwahati
Why in news: The Assam government signed an agreement with IBA Particle Therapy India Pvt. Ltd. on 31 October 2026 to set up a proton therapy centre for cancer at the State Cancer Institute of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), described as India's first proton therapy facility set up by a State government.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — health technology with a 'first' claim that needs careful wording.
Key facts
- Cost and funding: About ₹600 crore: ₹315 crore as a World Bank loan under the ASSIST project and ₹285 crore from the State.
- Machine: A ProteusONE system from Belgium's Ion Beam Applications (IBA); IBA will train doctors, medical physicists and technicians.
- Read the 'first' carefully: It is the first set up by a State government, not India's first public-sector proton centre: Tata Memorial Centre (under the Department of Atomic Energy) has run one at ACTREC, Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) since 2023.
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- Why protons: Protons release most of their energy at a set depth (the Bragg peak), so the tumour gets the dose while healthy tissue beyond it is spared; this helps children and tumours near vital organs.
- Other centres: Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, Chennai (private, 2019) and ACTREC, Kharghar (Tata Memorial Centre).
8. International
UN Mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO) Left Without a Mandate After a Russian Veto
Why in news: On 30 October 2026 the UN Security Council failed to adopt two rival drafts to extend MINURSO, whose mandate was due to expire on 31 October 2026, leaving the future of the 35-year-old peacekeeping mission in limbo.
⭐ Exam importance: High — a rare veto, the P5 veto rule and an African territorial dispute all in one item.
The two votes (30 October 2026)| Draft | Vote | Result |
|---|
| US draft (S/2026/868) | 11 for, 1 against (Russia), 3 abstentions | Failed — Russian veto |
| Russian draft (S/2026/870) — rollover to 31 October 2027 | 3 for (China, Somalia, Russia), 1 against (US), 11 abstentions | Failed |
Key facts
- The dispute over 'R': The US said the veto was used to keep the letter 'R' (for referendum) in the mission's name, though no referendum has been held; Russia said the US text would reverse the settlement process and impose a one-sided solution.
- Origin: MINURSO was set up by Security Council resolution 690 (1991) to prepare a referendum in which the people of Western Sahara would choose between independence and integration with Morocco.
- Parties: Morocco, which offers autonomy under its sovereignty (2007 plan), and the Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, which hosts Sahrawi refugees in the Tindouf camps.
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- Veto rule: A substantive Council resolution needs 9 of 15 votes and no 'no' vote from any of the five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the UK, the US). An abstention is not a veto.
- Geography: Western Sahara is a former Spanish territory on Africa's Atlantic coast, bordering Morocco, Algeria and Mauritania; the Atlas Mountains run through Morocco to its north.
Bhutan Raises 108 Stupas in a Day at Gelephu Mindfulness City; Stupa No. 76 Dedicated to India's Prime Minister
Why in news: Under Project 108, Bhutan raised and consecrated 108 Jangchub Chortens (stupas) along the Mau Chhu in Gelephu Mindfulness City on 1 November 2026. The King dedicated Stupa No. 76 to India's Prime Minister; Union Minister Kiren Rijiju represented the Government of India.
⭐ Exam importance: Medium — India–Bhutan ties and Gelephu Mindfulness City, which lies on the Assam border.
Key facts
- The stupas: Each about 15 m tall, placed 108 m apart along a corridor of about 12 km on the Mau Chhu; raised by volunteers in a single day.
- The day: It coincided with Lhabab Duechen (the Buddha's descent from heaven) and the anniversary of the King's coronation.
- Guests: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and the Fourth King attended, with Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Kiren Rijiju (Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs), the 17th Karmapa and other Buddhist leaders.
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- Gelephu Mindfulness City: A special administrative region announced by the King in December 2023 at Gelephu in southern Bhutan, near the Assam border.
- Bhutan basics: Follows Vajrayana Buddhism; known for Gross National Happiness; India–Bhutan hydropower projects include Chukha, Tala, Mangdechhu and Punatsangchhu.
9. Awards, Appointments & Important Days
Technology Educator Prashant Chaudhary Wins the 5th Rohini Nayyar Prize
Why in news: Prashant Chaudhary, a Dehradun-based technology educator and founder of the CodeYogi Foundation, received the 5th Rohini Nayyar Prize for outstanding contribution to rural development at a ceremony at the India International Centre, New Delhi, on 31 October 2026.
⭐ Exam importance: Low — a private award, but its amount and age limit are easy one-liners.
Key facts
- Work: CodeYogi teaches practical AI and technology skills on family smartphones in Indian languages, without labs or computers; reported reach of over 3.5 lakh students in nine States.
- Presented by: Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.
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- The prize: ₹10 lakh with a citation and trophy, given every year since 2022 by the Nayyar Foundation for Social and Economic Purpose in memory of economist-administrator Dr Rohini Nayyar; open to rural-development practitioners up to 40 years of age.
Practice questions with answers
With reference to Biosphere Reserves in India, consider the following statements:
- India has 18 notified Biosphere Reserves, of which 13 are in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
- Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve in Andhra Pradesh is part of UNESCO's World Network.
- The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve was added to UNESCO's World Network in 2025.
- 1 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Seshachalam (notified 2010) is a national Biosphere Reserve but is not in UNESCO's network; Cold Desert (Himachal Pradesh) is the latest Indian entry, in 2025.
With reference to the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), consider the following statements:
- It was established by Security Council resolution 690 in 1991.
- In October 2026 a US-drafted renewal won 11 votes but failed because of a Russian veto.
- A Russian draft for a one-year technical rollover was then adopted.
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (A) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Russian draft got only 3 votes in favour, with a US 'no' and 11 abstentions, so it also failed.
With reference to the 2026 urban local body elections in Andhra Pradesh, consider the following statements:
- The overall turnout was 62.16%.
- Tirupati recorded the highest turnout among the bodies.
- Counting of votes in Chirala municipality was postponed to 6 November 2026 because of Cyclone Murasu.
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (C) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Tirupati had the lowest turnout (46.85%); the highest was Chimakurthy in Prakasam district (84.36%).
With reference to the India S&T Scoreboard launched in November 2026, consider the following statements:
- It was launched by NITI Aayog.
- Telangana is ranked above Andhra Pradesh in both research publications and patent applications.
- Tamil Nadu tops the States in both research publications and patent applications.
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (D) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: All three are correct. Telangana is 8th in publications and 5th in patent applications; Andhra Pradesh is 11th and 6th; Tamil Nadu is 1st in both (44,611 publications; 16,048 patent applications).
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The VELC payload on Aditya-L1 can measure how fast coronal plasma moves towards or away from the observer.
Reason (R): VELC records spectra of the 530.3 nm coronal green line, and the Doppler shift of this line gives line-of-sight velocity.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (A) Both A and R are true, and R explains A
Explanation: Both are true and R explains A: the shift of the green line to shorter or longer wavelengths shows plasma moving towards or away from us, which is how VELC revealed the asymmetric CME of 5 August 2024.
Consider the Assertion (A) and Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The proton therapy centre planned at GMCH, Guwahati, will be India's first proton therapy facility in the public sector.
Reason (R): Tata Memorial Centre, which functions under the Department of Atomic Energy, already runs a proton therapy facility at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.
- Both A and R are true, and R explains A
- Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
- A is true, R is false
- A is false, R is true
Answer: (D) A is false, R is true
Explanation: A is false and R is true. The Guwahati centre is described as the first set up by a State government; the Tata Memorial Centre facility at ACTREC, Kharghar, already works in the public sector.
Match the event in the news with its place:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Opening of Tiger Triumph 2026 | 1. Gelephu |
| B. Project 108 stupas | 2. New Delhi |
| C. Proton therapy centre set up by a State government | 3. Visakhapatnam |
| D. 5th Rohini Nayyar Prize ceremony | 4. Guwahati |
- A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
- A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
- A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
- A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
Answer: (C) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
Explanation: Tiger Triumph opened at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam (3); Project 108 is at Gelephu, Bhutan (1); the proton centre is at GMCH, Guwahati (4); the prize was given at the India International Centre, New Delhi (2). Hence A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.
Match the person with the role in the news:
| List I | List II |
|---|
| A. Nandan Nilekani | 1. Founder, CodeYogi Foundation |
| B. Ashok Kumar Lahiri | 2. Chair, task force on examination reforms |
| C. Kiren Rijiju | 3. Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog |
| D. Prashant Chaudhary | 4. Represented India at Project 108 in Bhutan |
- A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
- A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
- A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
- A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
Answer: (A) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
Explanation: Nilekani chairs the exam reforms task force (2); Lahiri, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, unveiled the S&T Scoreboard (3); Rijiju represented India at Gelephu (4); Chaudhary founded CodeYogi (1). Hence A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.
In the November 2026 rescue of the hijacked fishing vessel Azini off Somalia, which aircraft airdropped the Navy's Marine Commandos?
- P-8I Poseidon
- IAF C-17 Globemaster III
- IAF C-295
- Dornier 228
Answer: (B) IAF C-17 Globemaster III
Explanation: An IAF C-17 airdropped the MARCOS, as in the MV Ruen rescue of March 2024. A maritime reconnaissance aircraft helped track the vessel, but it did not drop the commandos. All 20 crew were rescued.
UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, under which Biosphere Reserves are recognised, was launched in:
- 1972
- 1986
- 1971
- 1992
Answer: (C) 1971
Explanation: The MAB Programme began in 1971. 1986 is when India notified its first Biosphere Reserve (Nilgiri); 1972 is the Stockholm Conference and 1992 the Rio Earth Summit.