Current Affairs - November 5, 2026 Current Affairs

Guyana is the country to which India has extended a USD 500 million Line of Credit to support development projects in roads, healthcare and defence. The announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during his meeting with Guyana's President Dr Irfaan Ali on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. The two countries also discussed cooperation in Digital Public Infrastructure, including the functioning of a UPI-like digital payment system. Their agreements cover manufacturing projects, Quick Impact Projects and development assistance, further strengthening India's bilateral partnership with Guyana.

100 Gbps is the maximum data transmission speed achieved by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, using a newly developed silicon photonic chip. The achievement was made possible through topological photonics, which helps terahertz waves travel around designed obstacles with minimal signal loss. The researchers demonstrated this speed using a power splitter based on photonic Klein tunnelling. The technology operates in the 310–360 GHz frequency range and could contribute to developing compact, high-speed communication circuits for future 6G networks. It also offers potential for more efficient terahertz signal transmission.

November 5 is observed every year as World Tsunami Awareness Day to promote global awareness of tsunami risks and strengthen disaster preparedness, particularly in coastal communities. The United Nations General Assembly officially designated this day on December 22, 2015. The date was inspired by the Japanese story of Inamura-no-hi, in which a villager used burning rice sheaves to warn people about an approaching tsunami in 1854. The day encourages individuals and communities to recognise natural tsunami warning signs, understand evacuation procedures, strengthen early warning systems and take timely action to minimise loss of life and property.

Lt Gen IS Rathore assumed charge as the 43rd Commandant of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME), Secunderabad, on November 1, 2026. He succeeded Lt Gen Neeraj Varshney, who retired from service on October 31, 2026. Lt Gen IS Rathore is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and possesses extensive operational and technical experience. MCEME, located in Secunderabad, Telangana, is a premier technical training institution of the Indian Army. It serves as the primary training centre for the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and specialises in maintaining and managing advanced military equipment and electronic systems.

Article 22(2) of the Indian Constitution guarantees protection against prolonged and unlawful detention by requiring that an arrested person be produced before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time required for travel to the court. The Supreme Court clarified that this 24-hour period begins from the moment a person's liberty is actually restricted, rather than the time of formal arrest registration. This protection prevents authorities from delaying formal arrest to extend custody unlawfully. No person can be detained beyond the prescribed period without the authority of a Magistrate. Article 22(2) is part of the Fundamental Rights under Part III of the Constitution.

Dinesh V Ganvir, formerly known as Dinesh Vitthalrao Ganvir, assumed charge as the 55th Director General of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) on November 1, 2026. He joined the GSI in 1994 and previously served as Additional Director General and Head of Department for its Central Region in Nagpur. During his career, he contributed significantly to mineral exploration, including the management of critical mineral blocks and geological reports. His priorities include strengthening exploration of critical and strategic minerals, reducing India's import dependence, developing landslide early warning systems and promoting advanced geoscientific research. The GSI was established in 1851 and is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.

2031 is the year until which the Union Cabinet has extended the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) Scheme, including exclusive POCSO Courts. The scheme will continue for another five years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, with a total financial outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore. The Central Government will contribute ₹2,353.15 crore, while States and Union Territories will provide ₹1,434.89 crore. The scheme aims to expedite trials of pending rape and child sexual abuse cases by establishing 850 special courts and strengthening the delivery of timely justice to victims.

Nirmala Lakshman, an Indian author, journalist and Director of The Hindu Group, won the Sharjah Award for Best International Non-Fiction Book for her book The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community. The award was presented on November 4, 2026, by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority. Published by Aleph Book Company in January 2025, the book explores the history, society, literature, politics, religion, art and cultural identity of the Tamil community across centuries. The award recognises outstanding contributions to international non-fiction literature.

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, a major Japanese financial institution, acquired a minority stake in India's asset management firm One Planet Partners (OPP) on November 2, 2026. This strategic investment aims to strengthen Japanese participation in India's growing industrial sectors. The partnership will support the launch of OPP's first private equity fund, targeting investments of over ₹3,000 crore. The fund will focus on three major sectors: energy transition projects, manufacturing initiatives and mobility solutions. Its first close is scheduled for 2027. The collaboration also includes establishing a Separately Managed Account (SMA) to facilitate investments in promising growth companies.

Chhattisgarh is transforming its Legislative Assembly into a paperless institution under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), as part of the Union Government's Digital India initiative. The transformation aims to establish a zero-paper e-Chamber within three months. The Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS) will serve as the nodal agency for implementing the project, with technical support from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NIC Services Incorporated (NICSI). Tablets and digital devices will be installed at every MLA's desk, enabling electronic access to questions, notices, agendas and other legislative documents. The initiative will improve transparency, efficiency and accessibility.