Daily Current Affairs - 5 November 2026

# Daily Current Affairs - 5 November 2026

The 5 November 2026 Daily Current Affairs edition covers five substantive decisions and regulatory developments reported after the previous edition's research cutoff. The topics span critical-mineral processing, grid-scale energy storage, official statistics, civil-aviation regulation and fast-track courts. The Daily Current Affairs Quiz - 5 November 2026 contains ten source-backed MCQs.

Critical Mineral Processing Support

The Union Cabinet approved the Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing with an outlay of ₹2,814 crore over five years, from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme targets domestic processing of lithium and nickel ores or intermediary products into high-purity compounds. Cobalt may also be recovered as a by-product of nickel production.

The scheme provides a capital subsidy of 30% of eligible investment for four processing plants: two lithium plants with a minimum capacity of 30 kilotonnes each and two nickel plants with a minimum capacity of 50 kilotonnes each. Support is capped at ₹500 crore per lithium beneficiary and ₹900 crore per nickel beneficiary. Beneficiaries will be selected through technical qualification followed by financial bidding, with the least-cost support sought by bidders determining selection. Incentives will be released in three tranches linked to specified milestones.

Source: Cabinet approval on critical-mineral processing support.

Grid-Scale Energy Storage Funding

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹14,500 crore Viability Gap Funding scheme for grid-scale energy storage systems during FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31. The scheme supports 92 GWh of storage capacity that is yet to be commissioned.

The approved capacity mix comprises 30 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems, 60 GWh of Pumped Storage Projects and 2 GWh of emerging storage technologies. The release also specifies a domestic-content requirement for Battery Energy Storage Systems to encourage indigenous manufacturing and reduce import dependence. The policy objective is to integrate renewable energy, improve grid stability and support reliable round-the-clock power.

Source: Cabinet approval on grid-scale energy storage.

VISTAR Statistical Transformation Scheme

The Cabinet approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR) as a central sector scheme for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore.

VISTAR is designed to build a dynamic and future-ready official statistical architecture with better timeliness, data granularity, interoperability and AI-ready datasets. Its design includes data cataloguing, machine readability, sharing protocols and privacy by design. MoSPI also plans new metrics, including a Headline Index of Services Production and an Index of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.

The scheme will use alternate data sources such as mobile-phone, scanner and e-commerce data to complement traditional surveys. Its Support for Statistical Strengthening component, known as SSS 2.0, provides funding to State and Union Territory governments through a redesigned, deliverable-linked framework.

Source: Cabinet approval of VISTAR.

Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026

The Government notified the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. The new rules replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Part IX of the Aircraft Rules, 1920, but will come into force on 1 January 2027.

The rules contain 220 rules arranged in eight chapters and six schedules covering aircraft registration, airworthiness, personnel licensing, aerodrome operations, air-navigation services, flight operations, safety management, regulatory oversight, enforcement and penalties. They introduce a graded penalty structure with ten severity levels, along with appeals, hearings and reasoned orders.

The framework also addresses aircraft design and certification, fractional ownership and the IDERA mechanism. In conjunction with the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, IDERA supports a time-bound process for deregistration and export of eligible aircraft under the Cape Town Convention framework. The rules are notified, but their legal operation begins on the stated future effective date.

Source: PIB backgrounder on Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026.

Fast Track Special Courts Continuation

The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), including exclusive POCSO Courts, for five years from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. The scheme has a total outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore, comprising a central share of ₹2,353.15 crore and a State/UT share of ₹1,434.89 crore. The central share will be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.

The extended scheme provides for expansion from 779 functional FTSCs to 850 courts. Each court is supported by one dedicated Judicial Officer, one Special Public Prosecutor and six support staff. The scheme was originally launched on 2 October 2019 in the context of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Supreme Court directions concerning rape and POCSO cases.

Source: Cabinet approval for FTSC continuation.

Quick Revision Table

Exam Focus

For critical minerals, remember the distinction between processing capacity and mining, and the scheme's two-stage technical and financial selection. For energy storage, separate Battery Energy Storage Systems from pumped storage and note the domestic-content requirement. For VISTAR, revise interoperability, privacy by design, alternate data and SSS 2.0. For aviation, distinguish notification from commencement and remember the relationship between the new rules and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. For FTSCs, revise the Centrally Sponsored Scheme structure, Nirbhaya Fund financing and the dedicated staffing model.

Source Chronology and Editorial Gate

The strongest objection to the retained topics is that all were approved or notified on 4 November rather than 5 November. That is acceptable because the edition cutoff is 5 November and each source records a substantive development after the 4 November edition cutoff. The aviation item is explicitly described as notified but not effective until 1 January 2027. The storage item is described as planned capacity, not commissioned capacity.

FAQs

What does the critical-mineral scheme support?

It supports domestic processing facilities for lithium and nickel, with cobalt potentially recovered as a by-product.

What is the storage scheme's capacity target?

It supports 92 GWh of yet-to-be-commissioned grid-scale storage: 30 GWh BESS, 60 GWh pumped storage and 2 GWh emerging technologies.

Is Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 already in force?

The rules have been notified, but the source states that they come into force on 1 January 2027.

How many FTSCs are targeted under the continuation?

The approved continuation provides for expansion from 779 functional courts to 850 courts.

Revision Notes

• Critical minerals: ₹2,814 crore; 30% capital subsidy; two lithium and two nickel plants; milestone-linked tranches.
• Storage: ₹14,500 crore VGF; 92 GWh; 30 BESS, 60 pumped storage and 2 emerging technologies.
• VISTAR: ₹4,371.10 crore; official statistics architecture; alternate data; SSS 2.0.
• Aviation: 220 rules; eight chapters; six schedules; effective 1 January 2027; IDERA.
• FTSCs: ₹3,788.04 crore; Nirbhaya Fund central share; 850-court target; dedicated staffing.