01st-02nd November, 2026

1. UNEP Recognises India’s Ganges River Dolphin Recovery Programme as a World Restoration Flagship
2. Quad Ministers Pledge Over $85 Million to Support Trusted AI Across Indo-Pacific
3. EAM Meets EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas on Sidelines of G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta
4. Prasar Bharati Wins ABU Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award 2026
5. India and Nepal Agree to Strengthen Border Security Through Sharing, Coordination and Surveillance
6. Indian Tourists Seamlessly Make Online Payments in UAE and Singapore
7. India Wins 14 Medals at 46th International Tammer Boxing Tournament in Finland
8. Hylo Open 2026: Lakshya Sen & PV Sindhu Win Men’s and Women’s Singles Titles
9. Indian Army’s Biten Singh Wins Ironman 70.3 Goa 2026, Sets New Course Record
10. Vice President CP Radhakrishnan Inaugurates National Organ Transplant Games 2026
11. India Clinches Both Men’s & Women’s Titles at Inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad
12. Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Launches BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026 in Imphal
13. Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 to Begin at Dilli Haat
14. Tripura Seeks Centre’s Support for Development of Rudrasagar Lake
15. West Bengal to Set Up School of Magic and Historical Museum
16. PM Modi to Inaugurate Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 in New Delhi Today
17. India’s First Swadeshi Bullet Train Design Ready: Ashwini Vaishnaw
18. EPFO Celebrates 74th Foundation Day, Highlights 74-Year Journey in Social Security
19. INS Trishul Makes Port Call at Greece’s Souda Bay
20. Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to Inaugurate 74th EPFO Foundation Day Tomorrow
21. VP Radhakrishnan Interacts with Tamil Nadu Youth Delegates of Yuva Sangam Phase-VII
22. India Hosts BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
23. Government Extends Customs Duty Exemption on Cotton Imports Till December 31

National News

EPFO Celebrates Its 74th Foundation Day

• What: The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) celebrated its 74th Foundation Day at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Set up: 1952
  • Central Provident Fund Commissioner: Ramesh Krishnamurthi
  • Chairman, Central Board of Trustees (EPF): Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya
  • New initiatives:
    • WhatsApp services: Members can check their PF balance, last five transactions and passbook on EPFO’s verified WhatsApp service, and get help with PMVBRY requirements.
    • Automatic settlement: Aadhaar-verified inoperative EPF accounts with balances up to ₹1,000 will be settled without a claim, which is expected to benefit about one lakh accounts worth ₹5 crore.
  • CITES 2.01:
    • Under this tech system, the average claim settlement time fell to 2.57 days in October 2026.
    • The primary purpose of CITES 2.01 (Centralised IT Enabled System) of EPFO is to replace fragmented regional databases with a single, unified national system.

Yuva Sangam Phase-VII under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• What: Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan met Tamil Nadu’s young delegates taking part in Yuva Sangam Phase-VII at Uprashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Organised by: Ministry of Education, under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative
  • About: Yuva Sangam promotes national integration through cultural and educational exchanges among young people.

Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo 2026 in New Delhi

• What: PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo (Bharat RE) 2026, a four-day summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Theme: “Invest. Innovate. Inspire.”
  • Country Partners: Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom
  • Held alongside: The 9th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH)
  • Background: Bharat RE builds on RE-INVEST, India’s flagship renewable energy investment summit.

State News

National Organ Transplant Games 2026 in New Delhi

• What: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the National Organ Transplant Games (NOTG) 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Organiser: Renal Care Foundation, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • World Transplant Games (WTG): It is an international multi-sport event held every two years by the World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) for organ transplant recipients, living donors and donor families. The 2025 edition was held in Dresden, Germany.

Manipur Launches BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026

• What: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh launched the weeklong BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026, organised by the Government of Manipur, at Khuman Lampak, Imphal.
• Why: To encourage people to save water and energy, avoid single-use plastic and reduce waste.
• Tell me more:
  • Inspired by: Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), launched by PM Narendra Modi
  • BRICS: India chaired the BRICS (18th Edition) for the fourth time in 2026, having previously held the Chairship in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, New Delhi

• What: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is holding the 15-day Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. It gives artisans from disadvantaged communities and aspirational groups a platform to sell their traditional crafts.
• Tell me more:
  • Theme: “Prakash aur Parampara – Jyoti Se Jyoti Jalayen”
  • Shilp Utsav: For the first time, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are jointly organising it, with about 150 stalls under Bharat TULIP and Purple Fest.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • Bharat TULIP (Traditional Artisans’ Upliftment Livelihood Programme): It sells products made by aspirational groups to buyers in India and abroad through e-commerce platforms.
  • Purple Fest: It celebrates the talent and achievements of persons with disabilities and promotes their inclusion.

Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura

• Static Fact: Rudrasagar Lake, in Sepahijala district, is Tripura’s only Ramsar site. It is a natural freshwater lake and wetland. It has Neermahal, the only water palace in Eastern India, at its centre
• Why in news: Tripura’s Higher Education Minister asked the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti for help to restore the lake and develop it for tourism.

West Bengal to Set Up Magic School and Museum

• The West Bengal Information and Cultural Affairs Department will set up a magic school and a museum on the history of magic as a performing art.

International News

Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, US

• What: The foreign ministers of the Quad countries (India, the US, Japan and Australia) met in Atlanta on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. It was their third meeting this year, after New Delhi and Manila.
• Tell me more:
  • Key outcomes:
    • AI: The Quad will give over $85 million to support access to trusted AI across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad AI Accelerator.
    • Critical minerals: The US committed $10 million for facilities in India and ASEAN countries that recover minerals from e-waste and scrap.
    • Maritime: The ministers called for protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), without tolls on ships.
    • Infrastructure: The Quad is modernising Fiji’s ports’ infrastructure at Suva, Lautoka and Rokobili. A $20 million Quad project is also improving Palau’s digital infrastructure.
    • Business: They announced the first-ever Quad Business Leaders’ Forum, which will connect industry and governments of the four countries.
  • Upcoming:
    • Sea Dragon 2027: The Quad will hold its first exercise under the Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration initiative at this exercise to improve information sharing and maritime domain awareness.
    • Early 2027: The first Quad Maritime Domain Awareness Track 1.5 Symposium will be held under the Quad Maritime Training Initiative (MAITRI).
    • Disaster response: Australia, Japan and the US will send observers to India’s Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise (AJHE-26).
  • Progress reviewed:
    • 2nd Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission: Representatives of all four countries sailed from Chennai to Perth aboard an Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel.
    • 1st Quad Fuel Security Forum: It was held in September and focused on strategic petroleum reserves and fuel stocks.
  • Next Quad Leaders’ Summit: Manila, Philippines
  • India–US: EAM S Jaishankar held bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G20 meeting.

G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 2026 in Atlanta, US

• What: The US, as G20 President, hosted the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, in the 250th year of US independence.
• Tell me more:
  • Chair: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
  • Focus areas: Energy security, supply chain resilience and geopolitical tensions, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab
  • India at the meeting:
    • Proposal: India proposed a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative for recycling and reusing critical minerals.
    • ACITI: EAM S Jaishankar met the Foreign Ministers of Australia and Canada on the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership to ensure cooperation between the three countries on technology and innovation.
    • India–Liberia: The two countries have launched a joint initiative to protect seafarers.
    • India-US: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas.
  • G20 Leaders’ Summit 2026: Miami, US (14–15 December)
  • G20 Presidency 2027: United Kingdom
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • CHOGM 2026: The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 1 to 4 November, and Jaishankar will attend it after this G20 meeting.

Banking and Economy

NIPL Enables UPI Bookings in UAE and Singapore

• What: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), partnered with companies in the UAE and Singapore so that Indian visitors can book attractions online using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps.
• Tell me more:
  • Announced by: Ministry of Finance

• UPI accepted in 10 countries: Singapore, UAE, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Greece
• 11th country: Uzbekistan will be next, once the commercial agreement is finalised.

Finance Ministry Extends Cotton Import Duty Exemption

• What: The Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports by two months, to 31 December 2026, to ensure enough cotton for the domestic textile industry and ease its input costs.
• Tell me more:
  • Earlier exemption: Announced in May 2026 for five months, until 31 October 2026
  • Industry view: The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) said the move will help the sector reach its target of USD 100 billion in textile and apparel exports by 2030.
  • CITI Chairman: Ashwin Chandran

Reports and Indices

UNEP, FAO and CBD Release “Nature’s Comeback” Report

• What: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) released the report “Nature’s Comeback – Scaling Ecosystem Restoration for People and Planet” at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17).
• Tell me more:
  • About the report: It is the first global check of progress towards restoring about 1 billion hectares (ha), and towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework target of bringing 30% of degraded ecosystems under restoration by 2030.
  • Global trend: 252 million ha across 149 countries are being restored, creating over 1 million green jobs. China has the largest land area under restoration (127.4 million ha), while progress in freshwater, marine and coastal ecosystems is far behind.
  • India: The report lists India’s Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) recovery programme among 35 UN World Restoration Flagships for restoring ecosystems and creating jobs. India’s Comprehensive Action Plan 2022–2047 guides long-term dolphin conservation.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration: The UN General Assembly declared 2021–2030 as this decade, and UNEP and FAO lead it.

Defence News

10th India–Nepal SSB–APF Coordination Meeting in Kathmandu

• What: India’s Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Nepal’s Armed Police Force (APF) held their 10th Coordination Meeting in Kathmandu and agreed to strengthen security along the India–Nepal border.
• Tell me more:
  • Smart border management: Both forces discussed using technology at the border, such as CCTV cameras, baggage scanners, metal detectors and drones.
  • Disaster response: They discussed holding a joint swift-water rescue exercise at Kurintar, Nepal.
  • Meetings held since: 2012
  • 11th meeting: New Delhi, 2027 (provisionally agreed)

INS Trishul Calls at Souda Bay, Greece

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trishul made a port call at Souda Bay, Greece, during its deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, to strengthen maritime cooperation with Greece’s Hellenic Navy.

BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in Sri Vijaya Puram

• What: India is hosting the BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with ships from BIMSTEC member countries.
• Tell me more:
  • Announced at: The 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand, by PM Narendra Modi
  • 1st BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting:
    • Earlier, India hosted this meeting in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
    • Delhi Declaration was adopted at the meeting to reaffirm members’ commitment to regional security.
    • Five initiatives were approved at the meeting:
      • BIMSTEC Convention against trafficking in persons
      • BIMSTEC plan of action on drug control
      • MoU on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing
      • Plan of action on illicit financial flows
      • Plan of action on natural disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC): It links South Asia and Southeast Asia, and its members make up 22% of the world’s population.

Awards

Prasar Bharati Wins Two ABU Prizes 2026

• What: Prasar Bharati won two awards at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Prizes 2026 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
• Tell me more:

• 63rd ABU General Assembly: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Theme: “Media for Peace and Humanity: Truth, Trust, and Transformation”
• WAVES OTT: Prasar Bharati showcased its streaming platform, which was launched in November 2024.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • ABU: It is a regional body of about 224 broadcasting and media organisations from 66 countries. The ABU Secretariat is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sports

46th International Tammer Boxing Tournament Held in Tampere, Finland

• What: India topped the medal tally at the Tammer Tournament 2026, a boxing event in Tampere, Finland, with 4 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze medals.
• Tell me more:
  • Winners: The gold medals were won by Aarti Dhariyal (women’s 54 kg), Ankushita Boro (women’s 65 kg), Arundhati Chaudhary (women’s 70 kg) and Pawan Bartwal (men’s 55 kg).
  • Organised by: Tampere Boxing Association
  • First Edition: 1977

Hylo Open 2026 Badminton Tournament in Saarbrücken, Germany

• What: India won both singles titles at the Hylo Open 2026 badminton tournament (BWF Super 500 Category), held at the Saarlandhalle in Saarbrücken, Germany.
• Tell me more:
  • Women’s singles: PV Sindhu
  • Men’s singles: Lakshya Sen

6th Ironman 70.3 Goa Triathlon at Miramar, Goa

• What: Biten Singh of the Indian Army won the men’s title at the 6th Ironman 70.3 Goa triathlon, held along Miramar beach in Goa, and set a new course record.
• Tell me more:
  • Women’s winner: Marina Shliakhtina (Russian)

1st Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad

• What: India won both the men’s and women’s titles at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Tell me more:
  • Men’s final: India (captain: Surjeet Singh) beat Sri Lanka.
  • Women’s final: India (captain: Nidhi Sharma) beat Uganda.
  • Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad
  • Organised by: Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI)

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