Current Affairs - November 8, 2026 Current Affairs

Sikkim is the state where the Centre of Excellence for the conservation and development of the indigenous Siri cattle breed was announced in November 2026 by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh. The initiative aims to preserve and improve this traditional cattle breed, which is native to Sikkim and Bhutan and well adapted to high-altitude mountainous regions. The minister also laid the foundation stone for the Siri Bull Mother Farm at Chuchachen in Pakyong district. Additionally, the introduction of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) technology will support genetic improvement and the multiplication of superior cattle breeds, strengthening dairy development in the state.

Hyderabad hosted the 1st International Maize Conference 2026 from November 2 to 4, 2026, at the JD Convention Centre. The conference focused on increasing maize production, promoting breeding innovations and strengthening the sustainability of the maize sector. Its theme was "Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel and Sustainability in the Changing World (M4FS)." The conference also highlighted India's target of increasing maize production from the current 55 million tonnes to 75 million tonnes over the next decade. It emphasised technological innovation, farmer-centric research and the promotion of maize as an ethanol feedstock for energy security.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on 4th November 2026 for the first generic version of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable medicine used for HIV prevention. Lenacapavir is a first-in-class HIV-1 capsid inhibitor that helps prevent infection by targeting the virus at multiple stages of its lifecycle. It is administered twice a year and is used as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). The medicine is intended for distribution across 120 countries outside the United States under a voluntary licensing agreement with Gilead Sciences. Initial supplies are expected by the end of 2026.

Armenia hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Yerevan. During the conference, held in November 2026, the Union Environment Minister released the I-OECM Guidelines 2026. These guidelines aim to recognise Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and support India's commitment to the 30×30 biodiversity target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The framework focuses on conserving biodiversity-rich areas beyond legally protected networks, including sacred groves, biodiversity parks and community-managed conservation sites. Armenia's capital is Yerevan, and its national currency is the Armenian Dram.

71% of returning Indian universities experienced a decline in their regional standings in the QS Asia University Rankings 2027. The rankings revealed that although India had 325 institutions listed, making it the second-highest represented country after Mainland China, most Indian universities faced a drop in their positions. Only 18% of returning institutions improved their rankings, while 11% maintained their previous positions. IIT Delhi emerged as India's highest-ranked institution at 66th place, followed by IISc Bangalore at 79th. These results highlight the challenges faced by Indian universities in maintaining their competitiveness across Asia.

Pedro Alliana became the President of Paraguay on 6th November 2026 following the impeachment of Santiago Peña. He is a Paraguayan politician and a prominent member of the Colorado Party, which has played a significant role in the country's politics. Before assuming the presidency, Alliana served as Vice President of Paraguay. His elevation to the highest office followed a major political development involving the removal of Santiago Peña. As president, he faces important responsibilities, including maintaining political stability, strengthening the economy and addressing challenges affecting the country's governance.

Jammu And Kashmir is the Union Territory where the new Seismological Observatory was inaugurated in Kishtwar district by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on November 2, 2026. This facility is the fourth seismological observatory in the region, joining the existing stations in Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur. It is equipped with digital seismic instruments that transmit real-time earthquake data to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) monitoring centre in New Delhi around the clock. The observatory will strengthen earthquake monitoring, improve scientific data collection and support disaster preparedness in this earthquake-prone region.

Fibe received Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and launched UPI services on its application on 5th November 2026. The approval allows Fibe to facilitate UPI transactions in partnership with Payment Service Provider (PSP) banks. The service is available to all consumers across India, including individuals who are not existing borrowers of the platform. Users can link their bank accounts, use RuPay credit cards for transactions and connect eligible credit lines to UPI. Fibe was established in 2015 under the name EarlySalary and was rebranded in 2022. Its headquarters is in Pune, Maharashtra.

Nepal celebrates Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, as one of its major Hindu festivals. In 2026, the five-day celebration takes place from 7th to 11th November. The festival honours animals such as crows, dogs, cows and oxen, and includes the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Important celebrations include Kaag Tihar, Kukur Tihar, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika. The final day, Bhai Tika, celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters. Tihar also showcases Nepal's rich cultural traditions through Deusi-Bhailo songs, colourful decorations and family gatherings.

Harmanpreet Singh achieved the milestone of scoring his 250th international goal for the senior Indian men's hockey team during the Asian Champions Trophy Punjab 2026 semifinal against South Korea. The achievement took place on November 4, 2026, in Mohali. Harmanpreet Singh, popularly known as "Sarpanch Sahab", serves as the captain of the Indian men's national hockey team. In the same match, India secured an impressive 8-1 victory over South Korea, earning a place in the tournament final. The match was played at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.