1.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said at the Young Leaders Discourse Forum, Kirori Mal College, New Delhi on 3 November 2026 that India has set an export target of USD 1 trillion for the current year.
Key facts
- Highest-ever exports of USD 863 billion last year
- Exports grew 14 per cent in April-September, reaching USD 480 billion
- USD 520 billion needed in the remaining six months to meet the target
Why it matters for exams: Trade figures and export targets are regular economy questions in SSC, bank and railway exams.
Practice MCQ
What export target has India set for the current year, as stated by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on 3 November 2026?
- (A) USD 900 billion
- (B) USD 1 trillion
- (C) USD 863 billion
- (D) USD 520 billion
Show answer
Answer: (B) USD 1 trillion. PIB (Commerce & Industry, 3 Nov 2026): India set an export target of USD 1 trillion; USD 900 billion would have been a 5 per cent rise and USD 863 billion was last year's exports.
Source: PIB - Ministry of Commerce & Industry (Release ID 2331990), 3 November 2026
2.
Scientists of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), under the Department of Science and Technology, used data from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) on Aditya-L1 with NASA's SDO to show that a coronal mass eruption (CME) expands asymmetrically.
Key facts
- Aditya-L1 was launched in September 2023 and operates at the Sun-Earth L1 point with 7 payloads
- VELC is the primary payload; it observes the corona in the 530.3 nm green emission line
- The CME studied occurred on 5 August 2024; the study appeared in Astrophysical Journal Letters
- VELC was designed and fabricated by IIA with support from ISRO
Why it matters for exams: India's first solar mission and its payloads are frequent science and tech questions.
Practice MCQ
Which is the primary payload of Aditya-L1 that was used to study the asymmetric expansion of a CME?
- (A) SUIT
- (B) VELC
- (C) ASPEX
- (D) PAPA
Show answer
Answer: (B) VELC. PIB (Science & Technology, 3 Nov 2026): the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) is the primary payload of Aditya-L1.
Source: PIB - Ministry of Science & Technology (Release ID 2331935), 3 November 2026
3.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Government of Bihar signed an MoU in New Delhi on 3 November 2026, in the presence of Nitin Gadkari and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, for scientific desilting of rivers and water bodies and use of the silt in National Highway projects.
Key facts
- Initiative is named 'Nadi Sanjivani'
- 243 lakh cubic metres of silt to be used in 16 ongoing NH projects
- 835 lakh cubic metres proposed for 27 future projects
Why it matters for exams: Government MoUs and initiatives on rivers and highways appear in static-current sections.
Practice MCQ
Under which initiative did MoRTH and Bihar sign an MoU for desilting water bodies and using silt in National Highways?
- (A) Namami Gange
- (B) Nadi Sanjivani
- (C) Jal Jeevan
- (D) Bharatmala
Show answer
Answer: (B) Nadi Sanjivani. PIB (MoRTH, 3 Nov 2026): the MoU envisions 'Nadi Sanjivani' to integrate river restoration, flood management and highway construction.
Source: PIB - Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (Release ID 2332058), 3 November 2026
4.
NITI Aayog launched the India S&T Scoreboard on 3 November 2026 at the Civil Services Officers' Institute, New Delhi. It was unveiled by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri.
Key facts
- Interactive platform giving an integrated view of the science and technology landscape of States and UTs
- Brings ecosystem, publication and patent data together with trends over years
- Meant for evidence-based policymaking and benchmarking across States/UTs
Why it matters for exams: Reports and portals launched by NITI Aayog are commonly asked in exams.
Practice MCQ
Who unveiled the 'India S&T Scoreboard' launched by NITI Aayog on 3 November 2026?
- (A) Prof. Abhay Karandikar
- (B) Ashok Kumar Lahiri
- (C) Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh
- (D) Umesh V. Waghmare
Show answer
Answer: (B) Ashok Kumar Lahiri. PIB (NITI Aayog, 3 Nov 2026): the Scoreboard was unveiled by Vice Chairman Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri.
Source: PIB - NITI Aayog (Release ID 2332136), 3 November 2026
5.
The opening ceremony of the 5th edition of the India-US bilateral tri-service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise Tiger Triumph 2026 was held at the Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam on 2 November 2026.
Key facts
- Conducted as a Tabletop Exercise (TTX) this year
- Aims at interoperability and planning for large-scale HADR operations
- An NDRF team participates for the first time in this edition
Why it matters for exams: Defence exercises, their partners and venues are standard current-affairs questions.
Practice MCQ
Exercise Tiger Triumph 2026 is a bilateral HADR exercise between India and which country?
- (A) Japan
- (B) United States
- (C) France
- (D) Australia
Show answer
Answer: (B) United States. PIB (Defence, 3 Nov 2026): Tiger Triumph is the India-US bilateral tri-service HADR exercise; the 5th edition opened in Visakhapatnam.
Source: PIB - Ministry of Defence (Release ID 2331900), 3 November 2026