Daily Current Affairs — 04 November 2026
Daily Current Affairs · 04 November 2026
10 fully-analysed topics · 30 bilingual MCQs · 3 embedded videos · built for UPSC Prelims & Mains
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Indian Polity MCQ Quiz · भारतीय राजव्यवस्था प्रश्नोत्तरी
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Economy
SC on Balancing Informational Privacy and Press Freedom
The Supreme Court of India has sought a response from the Union Government on a petition by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA).
- Classification as 'Data Fiduciaries': The DPDP Act, 2023 lacks specific exemptions for journalistic activities
- Under the DPDP Act, 2023, a Data Fiduciary is an entity that decides why and how personal data is processed, either alone or with others.
- Originally, Section 8(1)(j) exempted personal information from disclosure unless the authorities were satisfied
- The DPDP Act has removed this public-interest qualification
Show 1 more facts
- Restricting access to asset disclosures and tender records could shield public officials from corruption scrutiny and weaken investigative journalism.
Which of the following statements about SC on Balancing Informational Privacy and Press Freedom is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Polity
Right to Information (RTI) Act
According to a report, the backlog of appeals or complaints under the Right to Information (RTI) Act is steadily increasing in Information Commissions every year.
- Pendency of Cases: At present, nearly 3.15 lakh complaints or appeals pending with 26 information commissions across India.
- The number of appeals and complaints pending in 2019 was 2,18,347 which increased to 3,14,323 in 2022.
- The highest number of pending cases were in Maharashtra followed by Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, etc.
- Two out of 29 information commissions across the country are completely defunct
Show 6 more facts
- The commissions did not impose penalties in 95% of the cases where penalties were potentially imposable.
- Only 11 information commissions out of 29 provide e-filing facility for RTI applications or appeals, but only five are functional.
- About: The Right to Information Act 2005 mandates timely response to citizen requests for government information.
- The basic object of the Right to Information Act is to empower the citizens
- It provided that the Chief Information Commissioner
- It provided that the salary, allowances and other service conditions of the Chief Information Commissioner
With reference to Right to Information (RTI) Act, consider the following statements:
- Pendency of Cases: At present, nearly 3.15 lakh complaints or appeals pending with 39 information commissions across India
- The number of appeals and complaints pending in 2019 was 2,18,347 which increased to 3,14,323 in 2022
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Polity
Balancing Censorship and Freedom of Speech
The Union government's increasing use of the Information Technology (IT) Rules.
- India's digital censorship landscape is shifting through IT Rules amendments and tools like the Sahyog Portal
- Ensuring transparency and adhering to the Proportionality Test is crucial for democratic integrity.
- Weaponization of Legal Provisions: The critics argue that the government is leveraging Sections 69A and 79(3)(b) of the IT Act
- Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, authorizes the Central Government to block online information to protect national sovereignty, security
Show 6 more facts
- Under Section 79(3)(b), intermediaries lose their "safe harbour" protection if they fail to expeditiously remove or disable access to unlawful
- About: Censorship is the suppression of speech
- Constitutional Limits: Censorship in India is legally bound by the "Reasonable Restrictions" clause under Article 19(2) of the Constitution
- A 2026 Amendment to the IT Rules, 2021 requires platforms to remove flagged harmful AI-generated content (like deepfakes) or "Synthetically Generated
- OTT platforms, exempt from CBFC jurisdiction, are regulated by the IT Rules, 2021
- Films are rated as U (Universal), UA (Parental Guidance), A (Adults Only), or S (Specialized audiences)
2. How did Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015) judgment impact online speech? The Supreme Court struck down Section 66A for being vague
Which of the following statements about Balancing Censorship and Freedom of Speech is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
1st International Maize Conference 2026
The 1st International Maize Conference 2026, themed "Maize Revolution for Food, Feed, Fodder, Fuel.
- Production Target: India's maize production has reached approximately 55 million tonnes
- 5F Approach: Proposed expanding the traditional 4F framework (Food
- Maize Research and Innovation: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) highlighted the development of 329 maize hybrids over the past five
- Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain Aspergillus fungi, posing risks to human and animal health.
Which of the following statements about 1st International Maize Conference 2026 is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
History
Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 92nd foundation day on 16th July 2020.
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was established on 16 July 1929 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- It is an autonomous organisation under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE)
- It is headquartered at New Delhi. With 102 ICAR institutes
- It is the apex body for coordinating, guiding and managing research and education in agriculture including horticulture, fisheries
Show 4 more facts
- The ICAR has played a pioneering role in ushering Green Revolution and subsequent developments in agriculture in India through its research
- The 'Kisan Diwas' or National Farmers Day is observed across the country on 23rd December to celebrate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh
- Dr. Norman E. Borlaug was the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work in global agriculture
- The World Food Prize is also known as the "Nobel Prize for Food and Agriculture". Dr
Which of the following statements about Indian Council of Agricultural Research is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
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Economy
Green Revolution in Maize
Recently, India's maize industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a basic feed crop to a crucial component in the fuel and industrial sectors.
- This shift is indicative of a broader green revolution
- Tripling Production: Since 1999-2000, India's maize production has more than tripled, increasing from 11.5 million tonnes to over 35 million tonnes
- Maize is the third most important cereal crop in India after rice and wheat. It accounts for around 10% of total food grain production in the country.
- Major Export Destinations: Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka are key markets for Indian maize.
Show 6 more facts
- Maize is a primary energy source in livestock feed, with 55-65% of broiler feed and 15-20% of cattle feed comprising maize.
- Starch and Ethanol: Maize grains, containing 68-72% starch, are used in industries such as textiles, paper, and pharmaceuticals
- Self-Pollinating vs. Cross-Pollinating: Unlike self-pollinating wheat and rice
- The Green Revolution in maize has been, and continues to be, a private sector-led one
- The starch in maize is a mixture of two polymers
- Normal maize starch has 30% amylose and 70% amylopectin, while IARI's waxy maize hybrid has 93.9% amylopectin
With reference to Green Revolution in Maize, consider the following statements:
- This shift is indicative of a broader green revolution
- Tripling Production: Since 1996-2000, India's maize production has more than tripled, increasing from 11.5 million tonnes to over 35 million tonnes
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Environment
Satellite Tracking Limitations in Cheetah Conservation
The death of KNG22, a 19-month-old cheetah associated.
- Tracking Technology: Monitoring teams at Kuno use a combination of GPS-enabled satellite collars
- VHF Radio Telemetry: Enables field teams equipped with radio receivers to locate animals more precisely within the transmitter's reception range.
- Missed transmissions can extend gaps between updates to 12–18 hours, highlighting that satellite collars do not provide continuous real-time tracking.
Which of the following statements about Satellite Tracking Limitations in Cheetah Conservation is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
Environment
Project Cheetah and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary
Madhya Pradesh plans to introduce a female cheetah to Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, aiming to establish it as a second home for cheetahs after Kuno National Park, as a part of Project Cheetah.
- About: India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, extinct in the country for over 70 years
- As a statutory body NTCA established the Cheetah Project Steering Committee in 2023 to supervise
- The birth of Namibian cheetah cubs in India after 75 years is a significant milestone in the reintroduction effort.
- Over 350 'Cheetah Mitras' are involved to educate locals and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Show 6 more facts
- Ecosystem: Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary features savanna, open grasslands, dry deciduous forests, and riverine areas
- Topography: Includes hills, plateaus, and the Gandhi Sagar Dam
- Historical Sites: The sanctuary includes sites like Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhuj Nala rock shelters, Bhadkaji rock paintings, and Hinglajgarh Fort.
- Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are part of the felidae family and are among the oldest big cat species.
- They are the world's fastest land mammals, found in parts of Africa and Asia.
- Male cheetahs live in coalitions or with siblings, while females are mostly solitary except when raising cubs.
With reference to Project Cheetah and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, consider the following statements:
- About: India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, extinct in the country for over 28 years
- As a statutory body NTCA established the Cheetah Project Steering Committee in 2023 to supervise
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Economy
Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of few everyday technologies that have had the kind of revolutionary impact on civilian.
- About: The GPS, initiated by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1973, comprises three main segments, Space: Detailing the space segment, the 24
- The SPS standard tells application developers and users anywhere in the world what they can expect from the GPS system.
- GPS operates through satellite-transmitted radio signals at specific frequencies (L1 and the L2 frequencies at 50 bits/second)
- Error adjustments, including relativistic effects on satellite clocks
Show 6 more facts
- Satellites maintain precise time for GPS by using atomic clocks
- Several countries operate their own Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) alongside the GPS
- As of May 2023, the minimum number of satellites (four) could facilitate ground-based navigation
- The NavIC satellites use rubidium atomic clocks and transmit data in the L5 and the S bands, with newer satellites also transmitting in the L1 band.
- GAGAN's primary purpose is "safety-of-life civil aviation applications catering to the Indian airspace" and for providing "correction
- IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
Global Positioning System (GPS) is one of few everyday technologies that have had the kind of revolutionary impact on civilian
Which of the following statements about Global Positioning System is correct?
Correct. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute.
Not quite. The three wrong options each change one thing from the source: a figure, the institution involved, the direction of change, or a qualifier turned into an absolute. The green option is the correct one.
History
MINURSO’s 35-Year Mission Ends
Recently, the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) entered its liquidation phase after the UN Security Council.
- MINURSO: Established in April 1991 under UNSC Resolution 690 (1991) to implement a UN-brokered settlement plan between Morocco
- Ceasefire Breakdown (2020): Hostilities resumed in November 2020
- UN Security Council Standoff: Russia vetoed a US-backed draft resolution favouring Morocco's autonomy proposal
- Colonial History: Formerly a Spanish colony, Western Sahara witnessed Morocco's Green March in 1975 and Spain's formal withdrawal in 1976
Show 3 more facts
- Morocco's Claim: Morocco claims sovereignty over Western Sahara and administers most of the territory
- Polisario Front: A pro-independence movement seeking an independent Sahrawi state
- International Status: Western Sahara remains on the UN list of Non-Self-Governing Territories
With reference to MINURSO’s 35-Year Mission Ends, consider the following statements:
- MINURSO: Established in April 1991 under UNSC Resolution 690 (1991) to implement a UN-brokered settlement plan between Morocco
- Ceasefire Breakdown (2020): Hostilities resumed in November 2025
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source.
Not quite. Check each statement on its own before looking at the options. One of the two alters a figure, an institution or the direction of change stated in the source. The green option is the correct one.
Indian History MCQ Quiz · भारतीय इतिहास प्रश्नोत्तरी
A second members-only subject quiz – lock in today's study session
Current affairs alone will not clear Prelims. Close the day on the static syllabus with this members-only quiz.
