Current Affairs Quiz - November 2026

Notes:
India hosted the BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise 2026 at Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to strengthen maritime cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries. The exercise includes three days of Tabletop Exercises, followed by a two-day Harbour Phase, with ships from BIMSTEC member countries participating. It aims to strengthen maritime cooperation, improve operational coordination and enhance interoperability among participating countries.

Notes:
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) awarded the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 to 490 personnel from various States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs). The medal recognises excellence in police operations, outstanding investigation, intelligence services and forensic science. It aims to promote high professional standards, recognise exceptional performance and boost the morale of police and security personnel. The medal was instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a notification dated 1 February 2024.

Notes:
The Tamil Nadu government launched the Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme to promote rural women’s empowerment and economic independence. Under the scheme, 30,000 eligible rural women will receive five goats or sheep each. The beneficiaries will receive livestock under a 100% government subsidy. The state government has allocated ₹109.75 crore for the implementation of this scheme. The initiative aims to promote sustainable livelihoods, self-employment and income generation through livestock rearing. The scheme seeks to strengthen the rural economy while improving the financial independence of vulnerable sections of society.

Notes:
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the National Organ Transplant Games 2026 on 1 November 2026 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi. The Games celebrate the courage, determination and resilience of organ transplant recipients. Organ donation was described as Mahadaan, highlighting its importance in saving human lives. Tributes were paid to deceased organ donors and their families for giving others a second chance at life. The Zindagi Dobara calendar was released during the event. Indian medal winners of the World Transplant Games 2025, held in Dresden, Germany, were felicitated.

Notes:
Russia recently test-fired an R-30 Bulava submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM) from a submerged nuclear-powered submarine in the Sea of Okhotsk. Bulava (RSM-56) is a Russian intercontinental, nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile. It is designed for deployment on Russia’s Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines. The missile forms an important component of Russia’s sea-based nuclear deterrence capability. It is a three-stage missile that uses solid propellant in its first two stages and liquid fuel in its third stage. It is designed to carry Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles (MIRVs).

Notes:
Archaeologists recently discovered two 12th-century Chola-period bronze-alloy sculptures of Nataraja and Sivakami during excavations in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. Nagapattinam was an important coastal port and cultural centre during the Imperial Chola period. The Chola bronze tradition flourished between the 9th and 13th centuries. Chola bronzes are renowned for their sophisticated metal craftsmanship, artistic excellence and religious significance. The newly discovered sculptures feature distinctive iconographical characteristics and intact pedestals. This discovery highlights Nagapattinam’s artistic, religious and cultural importance during medieval South Indian history.

Notes:
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retired after 42 years of service. Before his appointment, he was serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the IAF on 6 December 1986. He has completed more than 3,300 hours of flying on aircraft such as Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar and transport aircraft.

Notes:
Indian armwrestlers won 20 medals (4 gold, 2 silver and 14 bronze) at the 47th World Armwrestling and 28th World Para Armwrestling Championships 2026 in New Delhi. India secured fourth position in the overall medal standings, behind Russia, Kazakhstan and Türkiye. India hosted these championships for the first time, with participation from more than 1,700 athletes representing over 60 countries. The event was organised by the People’s Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the aegis of the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF).

Notes:
Manisha Bhanwala became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Senior World Wrestling Championship. The event was held in Astana, Kazakhstan. She won the gold medal in the women’s 59 kg category, defeating USA’s Abigail Elizabeth Nette by 8–6 in the final. Manisha made a remarkable comeback after trailing 0–6 to secure the historic victory. With this achievement, she became the first Indian woman to win gold in women’s wrestling at this global championship. India finished the competition with four medals: one gold, two silver and one bronze. Kajal Dhochak and Neelam Sirohi won silver medals, while Tanu Sharma secured bronze in the 72 kg category.

Notes:
The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) designated November 2026 as the ‘Grievance Resolution Month’. The primary objective of this nationwide initiative is to expedite the resolution of long-pending insurance disputes, improve policyholders’ access to effective grievance redressal mechanisms, and ensure systemic improvements in claim settlements. Under this drive, insurers are mandated to address the underlying root causes of recurring grievances rather than focusing solely on closing complaint files administratively, thereby reinforcing policyholder protection across the Indian insurance sector.