Current Affairs - November 1, 2026 Current Affairs

Anil Menon, an Indian-origin NASA astronaut, conducted his fourth career spacewalk at the International Space Station (ISS), marking the 100th US spacewalk at the orbital laboratory. He performed the mission alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk. Their primary objective was to install a new roll-out solar array to enhance the ISS's power-generation capabilities. Menon was selected as part of NASA's 2021 Astronaut Candidate Class and reported for active duty in January 2022. He previously served as a flight surgeon for NASA and SpaceX and has accumulated over 1,000 hours as a certified flight pilot.

Sikkim hosted the first-ever Himalayan Yak Festival in Gnathang Valley to promote yak conservation and high-altitude tourism. The festival was organised by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department of the Government of Sikkim. Its major objectives include implementing yak conservation strategies across the Himalayan region, supporting sustainable livelihoods for pastoral communities in border villages, and boosting the local economy through tourism. Sikkim became India's 22nd state through the 36th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1975. It is also recognised as the world's first 100% organic state, achieving this distinction in 2016.

December 31, 2026, is the extended deadline for the ESIC New Amnesty Scheme 2025. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), functioning under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, extended the scheme by an additional three months beyond its original closing date of September 30, 2026. The scheme aims to help employers and insured persons settle pending disputes under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Act. It provides an opportunity for out-of-court settlements, reduces litigation backlogs, and promotes ease of doing business by offering relief from damages under specified settlement conditions.

The Bank of England (BoE), the central bank of the United Kingdom, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to strengthen regulatory cooperation concerning clearing corporations. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation and information exchange regarding Central Counterparties (CCPs) recognised by SEBI. It also allows the Bank of England to rely on SEBI's regulatory and supervisory activities while safeguarding the financial stability of the UK. Established in 1694 and headquartered in London, the Bank of England plays an important role in the UK's financial system.

Srishti is the name of the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), Yard 1283, launched at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The vessel is indigenously designed and constructed by GSL as part of India's efforts to strengthen its naval capabilities and promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The Sanskrit word “Srishti” means “Creation” or “Act of Creating”. The vessel is designed to perform maritime surveillance, Search and Rescue (SAR), anti-piracy operations, and protection of offshore assets. It can also undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, supporting India's maritime security objectives.

Nasscom partnered with the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to launch the "Tech Connect for Traders and MSMEs – Accelerating Digital Transformation" program. The initiative aims to equip traders across India with essential digital skills and improve their global competitiveness. The training focuses on key areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and digital marketing. The programme primarily targets small traders and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to support their digital transformation. NASSCOM was established in 1988 and serves as the apex non-profit industry association representing India's Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector.

3% is the additional increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners approved by the Union Cabinet. The revision is effective from July 1, 2026, and aims to compensate beneficiaries for rising living costs due to inflation. The increase is calculated based on the accepted formula of the 7th Central Pay Commission, raising the existing DA and DR rate of 60% of Basic Pay or Pension by 3 percentage points to 63%. The decision benefits approximately 48.54 lakh employees and 68.71 lakh pensioners, with an estimated annual financial impact of ₹10,016.10 crore.