EconomyPIB, Government releaseGS3GS2Must read
On 4 November 2026 the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a Capital Expenditure Support Scheme for Promoting Critical Mineral Processing with an outlay of ₹2,814 crore. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media on the decision. The scheme runs for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. It will give a capital subsidy of 30% of eligible investment to set up domestic plants that convert lithium and nickel ores or intermediates into high-purity compounds. Cobalt is to be recovered as a by-product of nickel production.
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).
Read the full story, model answer and deep dive
International relationsThe Hindu, Page 10GS2GS1Must read
At his weekly media briefing on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about the Ganga Water Treaty with Bangladesh, which expires on 12 December 2026. He said the two countries have a joint rivers commission and "it is the structured mechanism for discussion on all cross-boundary rivers, including Ganga". He gave no update on renewal. Asked whether Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would visit, he said India has extended an invitation and would share any update. He also said India is following the protests by garment workers in Bangladesh, where the manufacturers' body says 670 of about 4,000 registered factories have shut.
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.
Read the full story, model answer and deep dive
Science and technologyIndian Express, Page 13GS3
IT Ministry sources said on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, that the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has gained access to Mythos, an AI model developed by Anthropic, and will test what it can do. Access to the model is limited to a small group of trusted organisations because its cyber capabilities could be misused if widely released. CERT-In is expected to use it to find vulnerabilities and strengthen its response to emerging threats, but first to understand its capabilities, uses and risks. "We will see how best we can use it," the sources said, adding that the process would be slow because "the cure should not be worse than the problem".
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.
Read the full story, model answer and deep dive
Polity and governanceIndian Express, Page 15GS3GS2
With the Hornbill Festival due to open on 1 December 2026, the Nagaland government is pressing the Centre to fully withdraw the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime. The PAP is a permit that foreign nationals need, in addition to a visa, to enter notified areas between the Inner Line and the international border. It is issued under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, made under the Foreigners Act, 1946. Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland fall wholly under this regime. In 2011 the Centre lifted the PAP requirement for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram to boost tourism. In December 2024 the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed it in all three States, citing security concerns over the influx of foreigners from neighbouring countries.
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).
Read the full story, model answer and deep dive
Environment and geographyThe Hindu, Page 12GS3GS2Must read
At a media briefing in New Delhi on 3 November 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav set out India's priorities for the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. Climate finance is India's top priority. India wants COP31 to start a Climate Finance Work Programme on developed countries' obligation under Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement, and says finance should be predictable, largely public, concessional and not debt-creating. India will coordinate with the G77 and China, the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) and BASIC, and promised a "constructive, bridge-building role" aimed at moving "from commitments to implementation and support".
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.
Read the full story, model answer and deep dive