# UPSC current affairs, 4 November 2026 URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/ Publisher: upsc.help (Pratidin), free and open-source UPSC Civil Services current affairs. Not affiliated with UPSC. Every fact was checked against the source reports by a separate review before publishing. ## Stories ### Cabinet approves ₹2,814 crore capex scheme for lithium and nickel processing plants URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/critical-mineral-processing-capex-scheme/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/critical-mineral-processing-capex-scheme.md) Source: PIB, Government release. UPSC papers: GS3, GS2 **In one line:** The Centre will pay up to 30% of the capital cost of two lithium and two nickel processing plants, so that India refines the battery minerals it now imports. Prelims facts: - The Cabinet approved a ₹2,814 crore capex support scheme for critical mineral processing on 4 November 2026, for 2026-27 to 2030-31. - It gives a 30% capital subsidy to two lithium plants (at least 30,000 tonnes each) and two nickel plants (at least 50,000 tonnes each). - Subsidy caps are ₹500 crore per lithium beneficiary and ₹900 crore per nickel beneficiary; cobalt will be recovered from nickel. - Winners are chosen by least-cost bidding after a technical test, and paid in three target-linked tranches. - It complements the National Critical Mineral Mission (January 2025) and the ₹1,500 crore recycling scheme (September 2025). ### Weeks before Ganga Water Treaty expires, India says Joint Rivers Commission is the forum URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/ganga-water-treaty-jrc-renewal/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/ganga-water-treaty-jrc-renewal.md) Source: The Hindu, Page 10. UPSC papers: GS2, GS1 **In one line:** The 30-year Ganga Water Treaty ends on 12 December 2026, and India says renewal will be discussed through the existing Joint Rivers Commission, not a new track. Prelims facts: - The Ganga Water Treaty, signed on 12 December 1996 for 30 years, ends on 12 December 2026 unless renewed by mutual consent. - On 3 November 2026 the MEA called the Joint Rivers Commission the structured mechanism for all cross-boundary rivers, including the Ganga. - Sharing applies at Farakka from 1 January to 31 May in ten-day periods; at 70,000 cusecs or less the split is 50:50. - Each side is guaranteed 35,000 cusecs in alternate three ten-day periods between 11 March and 10 May. - India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers; the Joint Rivers Commission dates from 1972. ### CERT-In gets access to Anthropic's Mythos AI model, plans slow, cautious testing URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/cert-in-mythos-access-testing/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/cert-in-mythos-access-testing.md) Source: Indian Express, Page 13. UPSC papers: GS3 **In one line:** India's cyber agency has access to a restricted AI model that finds software flaws, and will test it slowly in a closed setting. Prelims facts: - CERT-In has access to Anthropic's restricted Mythos model and will test it slowly in a closed setting, IT Ministry sources said on 3 November 2026. - CERT-In was formed in 2004 and derives its role from Section 70B of the IT Act, 2000. - Anthropic announced Claude Mythos Preview on 7 April 2026 and limited access to partners under Project Glasswing. - A MeitY official said other models CERT-In uses now reach 80 to 85% of Mythos's capability, up from about 60%. - Officials favour sector-specific AI rules, with TRAI's draft requiring board-approved AI policies and incident reporting in telecom. ### Explained: Why Nagaland wants the Protected Area Permit regime scrapped before Hornbill URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/nagaland-pap-scrap-demand-explained/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/nagaland-pap-scrap-demand-explained.md) Source: Indian Express, Page 15. UPSC papers: GS3, GS2 **In one line:** Nagaland is pressing the Centre to permanently withdraw the Protected Area Permit for foreigners, reimposed in December 2024, before the Hornbill Festival opens on 1 December 2026. Prelims facts: - The Protected Area Permit for foreigners is issued under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, made under the Foreigners Act, 1946. - The PAP was lifted for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram in 2011 and reimposed by the MHA in December 2024 over security concerns. - Nagaland seeks permanent withdrawal before the 27th Hornbill Festival, which runs from 1 to 10 December at Kisama near Kohima. - The Inner Line Permit, rooted in the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, applies to Indian citizens, not foreigners. - The ILP is in force in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur (added in December 2019). ### India to push for predictable climate finance and an equitable transition at COP31 URL: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/india-cop31-antalya-priorities/ (Markdown: https://upsc.help/current-affairs/2026-11-04/india-cop31-antalya-priorities.md) Source: The Hindu, Page 12. UPSC papers: GS3, GS2 **In one line:** At COP31 in Antalya (9 to 20 November 2026), India will press developed countries to deliver predictable, largely public climate finance and resist new top-down targets. Prelims facts: - COP31 of the UNFCCC is in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. - India's top priority is a Climate Finance Work Programme on developed countries' obligation under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement. - India wants Global Goal on Adaptation indicators to stay voluntary and not condition access to finance. - The NCQG agreed at COP29 (Baku, 2024) targets at least $300 billion a year by 2035, within a wider $1.3 trillion aim. - India will coordinate with the G77 and China, LMDC and BASIC, and opposes unilateral measures such as carbon border taxes.