November 1, 2026Daily Current Affairs Digest
Global Energy Security & Geopolitics (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, the Minister of External Affairs warned at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta that energy market distortions and deliberate attacks on energy infrastructure threaten global economic stability.
Key Details:
- Crude Oil & LPG Dependency: India is 87.9% import dependent for crude oil (242 MMT) and 60% dependent for domestic LPG consumption, with 90% of LPG imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Secondary Sanctions: Legislative risks include the Lindsey O. Graham Act 2026 (US tariff imposition on countries purchasing Russian oil) and the Stop Harbouring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act 2024.
- Shift in Oil Sources: India's share of crude imports from Iran fell from 10.6% (FY 2018-19) to 0%, while Russia's share rose from 0.3% (FY 2020-21) to 35.8% (FY 2024-25).
- G20 Institutional Architecture: Formed in 1999 post-Asian financial crisis and elevated to Summit level in 2008; African Union became a permanent member during India's 2023 Presidency. G20 declarations are non-binding.
"What is India's import dependency for crude oil and LPG, and which strategic choke point handles 90% of its LPG imports?"
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India's Renewable Energy & Critical Mineral Sourcing (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, the Government of India highlighted milestones in renewable capacity expansion alongside a ₹200 crore investment to acquire five lithium blocks in Argentina's Lithium Triangle.
Core Objectives:
- PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Install rooftop solar panels on 1 crore households under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, providing up to 40% subsidy and saving ₹75,000 crore annually in electricity costs.
- National Green Hydrogen Mission: Produce 5 MMT of Green Hydrogen by 2030 and add 125 GW renewable capacity; India's first Green Hydrogen plant is operational in Jorhat, Assam.
- Installed Capacity Milestone: Total installed renewable capacity surpassed 254 GW (crossing 50% non-fossil capacity of total installed power capacity), with Solar (133-150 GW) as the largest contributor.
Target Beneficiaries:
- Domestic Energy Sector: Domestic households reducing power bills, and domestic industries securing critical lithium supplies from the Lithium Triangle (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia).
"What are the core targets of the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and the National Green Hydrogen Mission?"
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Thermal Power Plant Emission Regulations & CPCB Directives (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) issued directives ordering industrial units in Delhi-NCR without confirmed orders for Air Pollution Control Devices (APCDs) to immediately shut down.
Key Details:
- TPP Statutory Categorization for FGD:
- Category A: TPPs within 10 km radius of National Capital Region (NCR) or cities with 1 million-plus population.
- Category B: TPPs within 10 km radius of critically polluted areas or non-attainment cities.
- Category C: Remaining TPPs throughout the country.
- Financial Penalties for Delay: Penalty of ₹0.2/unit for delays up to 180 days, ₹0.3/unit for 181–365 days, and ₹0.4/unit for delays beyond 1 year.
- National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Targets a 40% reduction in PM levels by 2025-26 (from 2017 levels) across 102 non-attainment cities (with 131 cities ranked for performance).
"How are Thermal Power Plants categorized under CPCB directives for Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) compliance?"
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Stubble Burning & Secondary Atmospheric Pollutants (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, air quality assessments in Northwest India highlighted the combined impact of stubble burning and secondary inorganic aerosol formation during winter inversion.
Key Details:
- Legislative Driver: The Punjab Preservation of Sub-Soil Water Act, 2009 mandated delaying paddy sowing/transplanting to June to align with monsoons, leaving a narrow 10–15 day window before wheat sowing and forcing stubble burning of 29 million metric tons of paddy straw in Punjab, Haryana, and Western UP.
- Crop Variety Strain: Heavy cultivation of the PUSA-44 variety (taking 150–160 days to harvest) exacerbated residue clearing pressures.
- Atmospheric Chemistry: Reaction between Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Ammonia (NH3) accounts for 1/3rd of PM 2.5 mass.
- Ammonium Sulphate: The nationwide concentration of Ammonium Sulphate is 11.9 mg/m³, representing 34% of PM 2.5 mass, with 60% of precursor SO2 originating from Thermal Power Plants.
"Which secondary inorganic aerosol derived from SO2 and ammonia accounts for 34% of winter PM 2.5 mass in Northwest India?"
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Transboundary River Conservation & Indian Water Governance (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, comparative environmental analysis highlighted the Rhine Action Programme 1987 as a benchmark model for addressing India's persistent inland river pollution.
Publishing Body: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) & Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Core Findings / India's Rank:
- CPCB 2024 Polluted Stretches: Identified 371 polluted stretches across 279 rivers, with less than 25% cleaned; Ministry of Jal Shakti records 296 remaining polluted stretches.
- BOD Non-Compliance: 817 out of 1,920 monitored river locations exceeded the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) threshold of 3 mg/L.
- Groundwater Contamination: CGWB 2024 report showed Nitrate levels above permissible limits in 19.8% of 15,259 monitoring samples.
- International Benchmark (RAP 1987): Established by the ICPR following the 1986 Sandoz chemical spill in Basel (Switzerland), successfully restoring keystone species like Salmon across 6 riparian nations (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, Netherlands).
"How many polluted river stretches were identified in CPCB's 2024 report, and what international framework serves as a conservation benchmark?"
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Jangchub Chortens & Buddhist Sacred Architecture (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, plans were finalized to enshrine Indian-origin Buddhist relics in 108 Jangchub Chortens along the Mau Chhu River in Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City.
Definition:
- Jangchub Chortens: Stupas of Enlightenment commemorating the Buddha's attainment of supreme enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.
- Zung: Sacred internal contents (relics, dharanis, mantras) placed inside a stupa, representing the living embodiment of Buddha's enlightened body.
- Dharanis: Sacred ritual scrolls/incantations; Thangkas: Traditional Tibetan Buddhist scroll paintings.
Significance:
- Textual & Epigraphic Foundations: Referenced in the Brahmajala Sutta (Shramana sect), Rummindei Pillar Inscription of Ashoka, and Digha Nikaya of Sutta Pitaka (Chattaro Mahanimita and Samavega).
- Ashokan Stupa Classification: Includes Saririka Stupas (body relics), Prateyaka Buddhas (stupas for Buddha's disciples), and Chaitya (stupas built over funeral pyres/chita).
"What do Jangchub Chortens commemorate in Buddhist architecture, and what is the function of sacred 'Zung' placed inside them?"
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Article 51A & Scientific Temper Jurisprudence (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, Supreme Court observations underscored that developing "scientific temper" under Article 51A(h) is a vital constitutional duty for citizens to counter misinformation and defend democratic discourse.
Key Details:
- Constitutional Placement: Part IV-A, Article 51A (clauses a through k); non-justiciable in nature.
- Legislative History: Incorporated via the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 based on the Swaran Singh Committee recommendations (initially 10 duties).
- 86th CAA 2002: Added the 11th duty (Article 51A(k)) requiring parents/guardians to provide education opportunities to children aged 6–14 years.
- Constituent Assembly Perspectives: K.T. Shah argued the draft gave excessive weight to rights over obligations; Pattabhi Sitaramayya emphasized that free speech must coexist with social responsibility.
- Scientific Temper (Article 51A(h)): Obligates citizens to develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
"Which constitutional amendment introduced Fundamental Duties under Article 51A, and which clause specifically mandates developing a scientific temper?"
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Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code Reforms (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) introduced new rules requiring Resolution Professionals to present project-wise completion status for multi-project real estate companies.
Key Details:
- Insolvency Definition: Inability to pay interest or principal amount for a default period of 90 days; minimum default threshold for invoking CIRP under Section 4 is ₹1 Crore.
- Statutory Workflow & Limits: NCLT must decide admission within 14 days; CIRP timeline is 180 days + 90 days extension (Max 330 days).
- Committee of Creditors (CoC): Requires a 66% majority vote to approve resolution plans or proceed with Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP).
- PRS Legislative Research Performance Data (2025): Resolution plans approved in 19% of cases; liquidation in 43% of cases; average CIRP duration took 602 days; average recovery rate stood at 33% of admitted claims.
- New Reform Proposals: Introduction of creditor-initiated insolvency, group/cross-border insolvency frameworks, and a 3-month statutory deadline for NCLAT appeals.
"What majority voting threshold is required by the Committee of Creditors (CoC) to approve a resolution plan under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code?"
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Epigenetic Gene Silencing & Hepatitis B Therapeutics (November 2026)
Why in News / Context: In November 2026, clinical trial updates highlighted CRMA-1001, an experimental epigenetic silencer achieving functional suppression of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in hepatocytes.
Definition:
- Epigenetic Gene Silencing: The process of switching off gene expression through chemical modifications (such as DNA methylation) without altering the underlying DNA sequence.
- CRMA-1001 Mechanism: Combines CRISPR and mRNA technology to direct methylation machinery specifically to cytosine bases in the HBV viral genome inside hepatocytes, suppressing viral DNA expression without destroying host tissue.
Significance:
- Functional Cure for HBV: Offers a durable pathway to suppress HBV DNA to undetectable levels where traditional antivirals fail to clear viral DNA templates.
- Related Gene Silencing Modalities: siRNA (Small Interfering RNA) targets mRNA to prevent harmful protein translation (e.g., Inclisiran, which silences PCSK9 to lower LDL cholesterol in liver cells).
"How does CRMA-1001 utilize epigenetic gene silencing to achieve functional suppression of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)?"
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