TRAI sets first-ever ceilings on IP interconnection port charges
TRAI issued the Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on 9 November, effective 1 January 2027. For the first time they cap annual charges for IP-based interconnection ports: ₹5.6 lakh per 1 Gbps port and ₹42.3 lakh per 10 Gbps port.
Trade margin cap on 137 anti-cancer drugs takes effect; prices cut by up to 96%
NPPA’s cap of 30% trade margin on 137 non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines took effect on 9 November 2026. 85 companies reported revised MRPs for 1,364 formulations, and 679 brands cut prices by more than 50%. The largest single cut was 96.45%, with estimated consumer savings of ₹3,540.38 crore a year.
Exam points
Trade margin capped at 30% on 137 anti-cancer drugs
India is the 6th-largest chemicals producer; three PCPIRs draw ₹3.4 lakh crore
India is the world’s 6th-largest and Asia’s 4th-largest chemicals producer, with a sector worth about USD 220 billion that is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030. The three operational Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) — Dahej, Visakhapatnam–Kakinada and Paradeep — have drawn ₹3.4 lakh crore of investment.
E20 petrol: all 893 oil company samples meet the BIS standard
All 893 E20 petrol samples tested by IOCL, BPCL and HPCL across 27 States/UTs had 19–21% ethanol, within IS 17021, the BIS standard for E20. In Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26, which ended on 31 October 2026, PSU oil companies blended 1,134 crore litres of ethanol — about 20% of petrol sales.
OMSS rice sale target doubled to 50 LMT; weekly stock disclosure made mandatory
The Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) target for rice in 2026-27 was doubled from 25 to 50 lakh metric tonnes after 25 LMT was sold by 31 October. An order of 6 November 2026 requires traders, wholesalers, retailers, big chain retailers and millers to declare rice and paddy stocks every Friday on the Food Stock Portal.
Exam points
OMSS(D) rice target: 25 → 50 LMT
Weekly stock declaration every Friday
OMSS sells FCI stock in the open market to cool prices
The Semicon 2.0 portal went live for Pillars 2, 3 and 4 of the ₹1,27,500 crore programme, covering machines and materials, more fabs, and ATMP/OSAT units. MeitY approved 12 more applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS), taking the total to 118 with expected investment of ₹77,051 crore.
Exam points
Semicon 2.0 outlay: ₹1,27,500 crore
ECMS approvals: 118; investment ₹77,051 crore
First ECMS approvals for copper foil and cathode active material
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)
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
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
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
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
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%.
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.
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
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
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