Indian Navy frees hijacked fishing vessel Azini off Somalia; all 20 crew rescued
Armed pirates hijacked the fishing vessel Azini off north-eastern Somalia in October 2026. In an operation lasting over 48 hours, the Indian Navy freed the vessel and rescued all 20 crew unhurt. Marine Commandos (MARCOS) were airdropped by an IAF C-17, amid fears the pirates would use the vessel as a ‘mother ship’ against merchant shipping.
India elected President of the International Solar Alliance for a third straight term
India was elected President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a third consecutive term at the 9th ISA Assembly in New Delhi, and France was re-elected Co-President. India committed about ₹225 crore (USD 25 million) to the USD 200 million Africa Solar Facility. The ISA is also taking the PM-KUSUM solar-pump model to member countries.
Exam points
India: ISA President for a 3rd consecutive term; France Co-President
USD 25 million to the Africa Solar Facility
ISA launched by India and France at COP21 Paris (2015); HQ Gurugram
India’s asks for COP31 in Antalya: a Climate Finance Work Programme
COP31 of the UNFCCC meets in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. India’s main ask is a decision to start a Climate Finance Work Programme, treating finance as a developed-country obligation under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. India also wants the Global Stocktake to be Party-driven and indicators for the Global Goal on Adaptation to be voluntary.
Exam points
COP31: Antalya, Türkiye, 9–20 November 2026
India seeks a Climate Finance Work Programme (Paris Agreement Art. 9.1)
Wants a Party-driven, non-punitive Global Stocktake
IndiaAI Mission releases home-grown foundation models EKA-1 and Dhir
The IndiaAI Mission (MeitY) released indigenous AI models on 3 November 2026. EKA-1 by Soket Labs has 26.3 billion parameters and covers all 22 Scheduled Indian languages plus English. Dhir 2B and Dhir 5B by ZenteiQ AiTech are lightweight open-source assistants that can run offline, even on mobile phones.
Exam points
EKA-1 (Soket Labs): 26.3 billion parameters, 22 Indian languages + English
NITI Aayog launches the India S&T Scoreboard for States and UTs
NITI Aayog launched the India S&T Scoreboard on 3 November 2026, the first integrated science and technology dashboard for States and UTs, at sts.niti.gov.in. It was unveiled by Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri. It combines data on institutions, R&D, deep-tech start-ups and incubators with outputs such as research papers and patents.
Exam points
First integrated State/UT S&T dashboard
Unveiled by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri
The fifth edition of Tiger Triumph, the India–US tri-service humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise, opened on 2 November 2026 at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam. This year it is a tabletop exercise focused on joint planning. An NDRF team is taking part for the first time.
Nadi Sanjivani: river silt from Bihar to be used in National Highways
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Government of Bihar signed an MoU under the Nadi Sanjivani initiative for scientific desilting of rivers and water bodies, with the silt used to build National Highways. 243 lakh cubic metres will go into 16 ongoing NH projects in Bihar.
Exam points
Initiative: Nadi Sanjivani (MoRTH + Bihar)
243 lakh cubic metres of silt for 16 NH projects
Aims to cut flooding and save construction material
Puri International Cruise Terminal announced; target to double coastal freight share by 2047
Paradip Port Authority and the Odisha government will develop the Puri International Cruise Terminal at about ₹1,500 crore. The government aims to raise the share of coastal and inland waterway shipping in freight from 6% to 12% by 2047. The Cruise Bharat Mission targets 1 million sea-cruise passengers by March 2029.
Exam points
Puri International Cruise Terminal: ~₹1,500 crore (Paradip Port + Odisha)
Coastal & waterway freight share: 6% → 12% by 2047
Cruise Bharat Mission: 1 million cruise passengers by 2029
TRAI moves telecom interconnection to IP-based, LSA-level links from January 2027
TRAI released the Telecommunication Interconnection (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on 3 November, effective 1 January 2027. Interconnection moves to the Licensed Service Area (LSA) level, and all new interconnections must be IP-based. Existing E1/TDM points must migrate to IP within three years.
Exam points
Effective 1 January 2027
Interconnection at Licensed Service Area (LSA) level
All new interconnections IP-based; legacy E1/TDM to migrate in 3 years
Draft Drugs Rules amendments: more import points, qualified person for batch release
The Health Ministry published two draft amendments to the Drugs Rules, 1945 on 3 November 2026. Proposed Rule 43A adds import points including ICDs in five states, SEZ Bommasandra and Noida International Airport. Manufacturers would have to name a qualified person for batch release and issue a prescribed Batch Release Certificate.
Exam points
Amends the Drugs Rules, 1945
New import points incl. Noida International Airport
Mandatory qualified person and Batch Release Certificate
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