DRDO flight-tests Pralay quasi-ballistic missile in user trials; induction imminent
DRDO flight-tested the Pralay quasi-ballistic missile on 5 November 2026 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha as part of user evaluation trials, meeting all objectives. Developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Pralay has a range of 150–500 km. DRDO says induction is imminent.
Exam points
Pralay: surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile, range 150–500 km
Centre releases ₹1,09,019 crore tax devolution instalment to states ahead of schedule
The Union Government released a monthly tax devolution instalment of ₹1,09,019 crore to the states on 5 November 2026, instead of the normal date of 10 November. Tax devolution is the states’ share of the divisible pool of central taxes, as recommended by the Finance Commission.
Exam points
Instalment: ₹1,09,019 crore, released on 5 Nov 2026
Normal date was 10 November
States’ share decided by the Finance Commission (Article 280)
1857 Martyrs’ Memorial inaugurated at Ambala Cantonment
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Martyrs’ Memorial of the First War of Independence of 1857 at Ambala Cantonment, Haryana, on 5 November 2026. Built at ₹594 crore on 22 acres, it has 22 galleries using virtual reality, holography and interactive projection. Ambala marks the sepoy unrest of 10 May 1857, the day the uprising broke out at Meerut.
Exam points
Memorial at Ambala Cantonment, Haryana; cost ₹594 crore
Over 65 crore gold articles now carry a HUID under mandatory hallmarking
More than 65 crore gold articles have received a six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) since mandatory hallmarking began in 2021, the Bureau of Indian Standards said (data as of 15 October 2026). BIS-registered jewellers rose from 43,153 to 2,36,624. Mandatory hallmarking started on 23 June 2021 in 256 districts and now covers 392 districts.
Exam points
65 crore+ gold articles with HUID
HUID: 6-digit alphanumeric code
Mandatory hallmarking from 23 June 2021; now 392 districts
Tranche IX of critical mineral auctions launched at the Mining Ministers’ conference in Goa
At the 4th Conference of Mining Ministers in Goa, the Ministry of Mines launched Tranche IX of critical and strategic mineral block auctions (20 blocks in 8 states) and Tranche III of Exploration Licence auctions (11 blocks in 6 states). Rules notified on 16 October 2026 cut the minimum number of technically qualified bidders in a second-round auction from three to two.
Exam points
Tranche IX: 20 critical mineral blocks in 8 states
Exploration Licence Tranche III: 11 blocks in 6 states
Star cluster UBC 63 is actually two clusters after a close flyby, Indian study finds
Researchers from Gauhati University and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics found that the open star cluster UBC 63, about 4,892 light years away, is two clusters — UBC 63A (about 21 million years old) and UBC 63B (about 562 million years old). They passed close to each other about 6 million years ago. The study used ESA’s Gaia data.
TRAI recommends a satellite network provider authorisation and direct-to-device services
TRAI recommended a new Satellite Communication Network Provider Authorisation under Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. Holders would sell satellite network capacity as a service to licensed operators, not to end users, for up to 20 years. TRAI also backed satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services, with an authorisation fee of 8% of AGR.
Exam points
New authorisation under Telecommunications Act, 2023
Validity up to 20 years; capacity sold to licensed operators
Advisory lists 22 VB-G RAM G works for fodder and livestock infrastructure
The Department of Rural Development and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying jointly advised States/UTs to use the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 for fodder security and livestock infrastructure. The advisory picks 22 of the Act’s 375 permissible works, such as fodder banks, pastures, cattle shelters and Azolla tanks, and asks states to spend at least 5% of programme expenditure on them.
Exam points
22 of 375 permissible works chosen for fodder and livestock
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