Cabinet adds a two-year second engagement, opening a path for all Agniveers to become regular soldiers
The Union Cabinet approved a second engagement of two years under the Agnipath Scheme for the 75% of Agniveers not selected for regular service after four years, subject to their willingness. After those two years, all such Agniveers will be offered enrolment as regular soldiers, subject to willingness and selection criteria. As before, 25% of each batch is offered regular service on merit after four years.
Exam points
Second engagement: 2 more years for the 75% not retained
Afterwards, all Agniveers offered regular enrolment (subject to criteria)
Agnipath launched in June 2022; initial tenure 4 years
Cabinet approves ₹14,500 crore VGF scheme for 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage
The Cabinet approved a Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme of ₹14,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 to build 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage. It covers 60 GWh of pumped hydro storage, 30 GWh of battery storage (BESS) and 2 GWh of alternative technologies. BESS projects must meet a 40% domestic content requirement.
Exam points
Outlay ₹14,500 crore; 92 GWh of storage
60 GWh pumped hydro + 30 GWh BESS + 2 GWh other
40% domestic content for BESS; tariff-based bidding
Fast Track Special Courts scheme extended to 2031 and expanded to 850 courts
The Cabinet extended the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO courts, for five years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. The total outlay is ₹3,788.04 crore, with the Central share of ₹2,353.15 crore coming from the Nirbhaya Fund. Courts will rise from 779 to 850.
Cabinet approves VISTAR, a ₹4,371 crore scheme to overhaul official statistics
VISTAR — Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research — is a central sector scheme of MoSPI for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore. The 8th Economic Census will be held under it, and MoSPI plans 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle.
Cabinet approves ₹2,814 crore capex support for lithium and nickel processing plants
The Cabinet approved the Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing with ₹2,814 crore over FY 2026-27 to 2030-31. It gives a 30% capital subsidy for four plants — two lithium plants of at least 30 kt each and two nickel plants of at least 50 kt each. Cobalt is expected as a by-product of nickel processing.
Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 to replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937 from January 2027
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 were notified under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 and take effect on 1 January 2027, replacing the Aircraft Rules, 1937. They have 220 rules in eight chapters and six schedules covering registration, airworthiness, licensing, aerodromes and operations. Penalties range from ₹10,000 to ₹1 crore.
Exam points
220 rules, 8 chapters, 6 schedules
Replaces Aircraft Rules, 1937; effective 1 January 2027
India and Canada hold their first Defence Dialogue
India and Canada held their inaugural Defence Dialogue virtually on 3 November 2026 at Joint Secretary level. Priority areas are defence industrial cooperation, military-technical cooperation and defence R&D. It implements the Modi–Carney Joint Statement of 2 March 2026, which agreed to set up a defence dialogue.
Exam points
First India–Canada Defence Dialogue: 3 Nov 2026 (virtual)
Annual Survey of Industries 2024-25: manufacturing corporate sector GVA up 9.28%
MoSPI released Volume I and the summary results of the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2024-25 for the factory sector. The manufacturing corporate sector, which holds over 89% of total GVA, grew its GVA by 9.28%. Persons engaged rose 7.57% and factories in operation rose 3.45%.
Keralam Resolution: Public Accounts Committees back an audit-para monitoring system in every legislature
The Conference of Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of Parliament and State/UT legislatures, held at Thiruvananthapuram on 3–4 November 2026, adopted the Keralam Resolution. It commits PACs to a digital oversight system such as the Audit Para Monitoring System in every State/UT and standard timelines for Action Taken Notes.
Exam points
Venue: Thiruvananthapuram, 3–4 Nov 2026
Keralam Resolution: digital audit-para monitoring in all legislatures
Draft rule: instant licence suspension when a drug is declared Not of Standard Quality
The Union Health Ministry proposed that a drug manufacturing licence be suspended immediately once a Government Analyst declares a drug Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) on key tests such as assay, dissolution or sterility. Today a show-cause process is needed first, during which the drug can stay in the market. Schedule M is also to be aligned with WHO standards.
Exam points
Immediate licence suspension for NSQ drugs (draft)
We use Google Analytics cookies to see how LearnFrenzy is used and make it better, and Google AdSense to keep it free.
No analytics or ad cookies are set until you accept. Privacy Policy
·