India and Lebanon hold their first Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi
India and Lebanon held their first-ever Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on 9 November 2026. Secretary (CPV & OIA) Sripriya Ranganathan led the Indian side, and Ambassador Abdel Sattar Issa, Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, led the Lebanese delegation. The two sides reviewed political, economic and cultural ties and named trade and investment, digital public infrastructure and pharmaceuticals as priority areas. The next round will be held in Lebanon.
Exam points
First India–Lebanon Foreign Office Consultations: New Delhi, 9 November 2026
Priorities: trade and investment, digital public infrastructure, pharmaceuticals
Lebanon: capital Beirut; the next round will be held in Lebanon
Round 3 of ₹37,500 crore coal gasification scheme opens; NTPC files both Round 2 bids
The Ministry of Coal opened Round 3 of the ₹37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects on 10 November 2026. Round 2 closed with two applications, both from NTPC Limited, for projects producing urea, methanol and dimethyl ether. Round 3 applications can be submitted until 11 January 2027, and selected applicants will be declared on 23 February 2027. The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 13 May 2026.
Exam points
Outlay ₹37,500 crore; approved by the Union Cabinet on 13 May 2026
Round 3: applications till 11 January 2027; results on 23 February 2027
National target: 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030
M. John Harrison wins the Booker Prize 2026 for ‘The End of Everything’
British author M. John Harrison won the Booker Prize 2026 for his novel ‘The End of Everything’, announced at Old Billingsgate in London on 9 November 2026. At 81, he is the oldest winner in the history of the prize, and the Booker Prize Foundation called him the first winner to emerge from the science-fiction world. He receives £50,000 and a trophy, presented by the 2025 winner, David Szalay.
Exam points
Booker Prize 2026: M. John Harrison (UK) for ‘The End of Everything’
Oldest winner in the prize’s history, at 81; prize money £50,000
UPSC CSE Mains 2026: 2,526 qualify for interview; DAF-II window open 11–25 November
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the written result of the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026 on 5 November 2026, with 2,526 candidates qualifying for the Personality Test (interview). The Mains were held from 21 to 30 August 2026. Qualified candidates must submit the Detailed Application Form (DAF-II) on upsconline.nic.in between 11 and 25 November 2026 (till 6 pm). Interviews will be held at Dholpur House, New Delhi, on dates to be notified.
Exam points
2,526 candidates qualify for the Personality Test (interview)
DAF-II: 11–25 November 2026 (till 6 pm) on upsconline.nic.in
Interviews at UPSC, Dholpur House, New Delhi; dates to be notified
Jaishankar and Lavrov discuss Ukraine peace efforts ahead of the Abu Dhabi talks
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 9 November 2026. They discussed the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives, ahead of the resumption of US-backed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi. The Russian Foreign Ministry said bilateral cooperation was also discussed. The call came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Exam points
Phone call on 9 November 2026: S. Jaishankar and Sergey Lavrov
Focus: the Ukraine conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives
Russia–Ukraine peace talks due to resume in Abu Dhabi, UAE
G7 foreign ministers meet on 9–10 November under France’s 2026 presidency
Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) met on 9 and 10 November 2026 under France’s G7 presidency, their second formal meeting of the year. The agenda covered crisis response, humanitarian supply chains, AI security and the first meeting of the G7+ Ports Network, which aims to fight drug trafficking through port security. A dedicated session on 10 November included Ukraine’s foreign minister. France also invited Brazil, Egypt, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
Exam points
G7 presidency 2026: France; foreign ministers met on 9–10 November
New: first meeting of the G7+ Ports Network against drug trafficking
G7: US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan (+ EU)
World Science Day for Peace and Development observed on 10 November
World Science Day for Peace and Development is observed every year on 10 November. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the day in 2001, and it was first celebrated worldwide in 2002. The day highlights the role of science in society and the need to involve the public in debates on emerging scientific issues. UNESCO was founded in 1945 and is headquartered in Paris.
Exam points
Observed on 10 November; proclaimed by UNESCO in 2001
National Education Day: 11 November marks the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
India observes National Education Day on 11 November, the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, independent India’s first Education Minister. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (now the Ministry of Education) declared the day in 2008. Azad was born on 11 November 1888 in Mecca, served as Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 and was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1992. Schools and colleges mark the day with seminars, essay-writing and debates.
Exam points
11 November: birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (born 1888)
India’s first Education Minister, 1947–1958
Observed since 2008; Bharat Ratna (posthumous) in 1992
Armistice Day, 11 November: the fighting of World War I ended on this day in 1918
11 November is observed as Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day in Commonwealth countries. On 11 November 1918, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice in a railway carriage in the forest of Compiègne, France, and the fighting of World War I stopped at 11 am that day. The war formally ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. India Gate in New Delhi was built as a memorial to Indian soldiers who died in the First World War.
Exam points
Armistice signed on 11 November 1918 at Compiègne, France; fighting stopped at 11 am
World War I formally ended with the Treaty of Versailles (1919)
India Gate, New Delhi: memorial to Indian soldiers of World War I
Rain washes out the third ODI in Hamilton; India keep a 2–0 lead over New Zealand
The third One Day International (ODI) between New Zealand and India at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on 10 November 2026 was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. India had won the toss and chosen to bowl before rain returned. India keep their 2–0 lead in the five-match series, so New Zealand can at best draw it. The last two matches will be played at Mount Maunganui.
Exam points
Third ODI: Seddon Park, Hamilton, 10 November 2026; no result
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