🏛 Polity & Governance
Cabinet clears ₹76,000-crore semiconductor mission expansion
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved Phase 2 of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore. The expansion focuses on 28nm and below fabrication units, with state co-funding agreements signed with Gujarat and Karnataka. Tata Electronics' Dholera fab is the first beneficiary, expected to commence operations in 2027.
The mission's first phase (2021-2026) approved 4 semiconductor units and 65 OSAT (assembly & test) facilities. Phase 2 doubles the financial commitment and adds advanced node fabrication. Goal: India to be among top 5 semiconductor manufacturing nations by 2030.
Supreme Court issues guidelines on bail for undertrials under BNSS Section 479
A two-judge bench led by Justice Surya Kant directed all High Courts to ensure undertrial prisoners eligible under BNSS Section 479 are released within a month. The ruling addresses the chronic over-crowding in Indian jails, where ~75% of inmates are undertrials.
BNSS 479 (replacing CrPC 436A) mandates the release of undertrials who have completed half of the maximum sentence prescribed for their offence. The Court directed states to file monthly compliance reports.
RBI holds repo rate at 6.5%, cuts CRR by 50 bps
The Monetary Policy Committee voted 5-1 to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the eighth consecutive meeting. However, the MPC cut the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 50 basis points to 4%, releasing approximately ₹1.16 lakh crore into the banking system.
FY27 GDP growth forecast revised to 6.6% (from 6.7%), while inflation forecast retained at 4.5%. The Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) stays at 6.25% and the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) at 6.75%.
Padma Awards 2026 announced — 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, 113 Padma Shri
The President of India approved the Padma Awards 2026 for 139 distinguished persons. Notable Padma Vibhushan recipients include Suchitra Mitra (posthumous, music) and L. Subramaniam (music). Padma Bhushan: singer Usha Uthup, scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, writer Yashpal Sharma. Padma Shri spans diverse fields from para-athletes to traditional craftsmen.
Padho UPSC — Full explainer on BNSS reforms
Detailed breakdown of all 39 BNSS sections that differ from CrPC, with PYQ questions and practice MCQs.
💰 Economy
India signs FTA with Oman — 98% of exports to get duty-free access
India and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Muscat. Under the agreement, 98% of India's exports to Oman will enter duty-free, while 95% of Oman's exports to India get reciprocal access.
This is India's first comprehensive trade deal with a GCC nation. Bilateral trade currently stands at $12.4 billion. The deal is expected to boost trade to $20 billion by 2028.
FY26 fiscal deficit projected at 4.9% of GDP, on track
The CAG's mid-year review confirms the fiscal deficit for FY26 is on track at 4.9% of GDP, aligning with the Budget 2025 target. Revenue collection has grown 11.2% YoY (April-March), driven by GST (12% growth) and direct tax (10.5%).
Indian rupee at 84.12/USD — RBI defends with $3.2B intervention this week
The rupee closed at 84.12 against the US dollar, marginally weaker for the week. RBI intervened with an estimated $3.2 billion in spot market sales to defend the currency. Forex reserves at $668 billion remain healthy.
🌏 International Relations
India to host G20 Education Ministers' meet in 2027 — Bengaluru
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed India will host the G20 Education Ministers' summit in 2027 in Bengaluru. Focus areas: digital learning, gender equity in STEM, AI in education, micro-credentials. India will use this platform to position the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) as a model for developing nations.
India-EU FTA talks reach advanced stage, deal eyed by Q4 2026
The 14th round of India-EU FTA negotiations concluded in Brussels. Both sides reported "substantial progress" on tariff schedules. Sticking points remain on dairy, automobile and digital trade. Indian Commerce Minister indicated a possible Q4 2026 closure if "political will is sustained".
🚀 Science & Technology
ISRO's Gaganyaan crew module passes critical re-entry test (TV-D2)
ISRO successfully conducted the TV-D2 in-flight abort test from Sriharikota, validating the Gaganyaan crew module's re-entry and parachute systems at supersonic speeds. The module splashed down 10km off the coast and was recovered within 90 minutes.
This is the third major Gaganyaan milestone in 2026. The first crewed flight is now expected in late 2027, with three astronauts (G-1) drawn from a pool of four trained at IAF's test pilot school.
IIT Kharagpur launches Bangla-GPT — first regional LLM for governance
IIT Kharagpur unveiled Bangla-GPT, a 4-billion-parameter language model trained on 40 lakh Bangla documents. Designed for government, education and legal applications in West Bengal. Open-source release expected in Q3 2026. Funded under BHASHINI (Digital India's language mission).
🏆 Awards
National Sports Awards 2026 — Khel Ratna to two athletes
The President will confer the Khel Ratna (highest sporting honour) on two athletes — gymnast Pranati Nayak and chess GM D. Gukesh — on 29 August 2026 (National Sports Day). 32 athletes nominated for Arjuna Awards. The Khel Ratna includes ₹25 lakh cash prize.
🏏 Sports
India retains Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, beats China 1-0 in final
The Indian men's hockey team retained the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, defeating China 1-0 in the final at Rajgir. Jugraj Singh scored the only goal off a 51st-minute penalty corner. This is India's fifth title in the tournament.
🗺 State news
Maharashtra Assembly election — 66.05% voter turnout, Mumbai records lowest
The Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha elections recorded an overall turnout of 66.05%. Vidarbha region led with over 70%, while Mumbai City recorded just 53%. Counting on 23 November. Notable: the 65-and-above turnout was historically high at 71%.
TSPSC Group 1 Mains results — 503 qualify for interview
TSPSC officially announced Group I Mains results. 503 candidates qualified for the interview round. Total notified vacancies: 563. Interview schedule will be released within 2 weeks.
WBCS Prelim 2026 notification — 1,123 vacancies, exam in March
West Bengal Public Service Commission issued notification for 1,123 vacancies under WBCS Executive 2026. Online applications open next week. Prelim exam scheduled for 9 March 2026.
TNPSC Group 2 notification — 1,728 vacancies, prelims April 2026
Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission released notification for Group II & IIA exam with 1,728 vacancies. Prelim exam on 21 September 2026.
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