1. TVK Special General Council Meeting Declares Vijay as CM Candidate
Polity and National Issues
- Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) held its special general council meeting in Mamallapuram, unanimously declaring party president Vijay as the chief ministerial candidate for the 2026 Assembly elections and granting him full authority on alliances.
- Vijay accused Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of “dirty politics” over the Karur stampede tragedy that killed 41, criticizing the government’s hasty inquiry commission and misinformation spread by officials.
- The TVK council passed 12 resolutions condemning the DMK government for rising crimes against women, poor law and order, and failure to protect fishermen from Sri Lankan arrests.
- In Salem, seven supporters of PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss were arrested for attacking MLA R. Arul’s loyalists during a clash, highlighting internal party rifts.
- The Tamil Nadu government plans consultations on November 6 for a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on political rallies, amid concerns over violence in public gatherings.
- NITI Aayog’s Agri-Tech roadmap targets 20% yield boost via AI and IoT, with Tamil Nadu pilots for crop monitoring to address rural distress.
- Supreme Court urged awareness on POCSO Act misuse in marital cases, emphasizing education for boys and men on consent and legal provisions.
2. India-UK Launch Science & Technology Partnership Dashboard
International Relations
- India and the UK unveiled their first Science & Technology Partnership Dashboard, highlighting growing ties in research and innovation for mutual challenges like climate and health.
- India reaffirmed CTBT commitment amid US nuclear test resumption plans, pushing for global disarmament in UN discussions.
- The third India-Norway Partnership Initiative approved Phase IV for 2025-26, focusing on maternal health in underserved regions.
- G20 inequality report calls for inclusive growth; India advocates equitable policies against elite capture in emerging economies.
- Doha Summit adopted a landmark declaration on social development, with India emphasizing poverty reduction through schemes like PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana.
- Maldives enforces world’s first generational tobacco ban, banning sales to those born after 2010; India monitors for public health implications.
- India supported East Timor’s ASEAN inclusion for Indo-Pacific economic and security integration.
3. Government Stake in Vodafone Idea Rises to 49%
Economy
- The Indian government now holds nearly 49% in Vodafone Idea after converting ₹36,950 crore dues into equity, bolstering the telecom firm’s financial stability.
- Telangana positions itself in emerging tech with new initiatives, aiming to attract investments in AI and semiconductors.
- IIT Madras launched ‘Startups for All’ platform to enhance data accessibility and innovation for entrepreneurs.
- QS Asia University Rankings 2026: IIT Delhi ranks 59th globally (down 15 spots), leading Indian institutions.
- NITI Aayog’s Agri-Tech plan integrates AI-IoT for 20% productivity rise, with Tamil Nadu focusing on real-time farmer analytics.
- Lancet report: PM2.5 caused 1.7 million deaths in India (2024), costing 9.5% GDP; urges green transitions.
- October festive retail projects 6.8% Q4 GDP growth, with CPI data on November 12 to guide policies.
4. Indian Army Conducts Vayu Samanvay-II Drone Exercise
Defence
- Southern Command’s Vayu Samanvay-II exercise focused on drone interoperability for air-land operations, enhancing multi-domain warfare capabilities.
- ISRO’s CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) launch bolsters military comms for naval-army coordination in the Indian Ocean.
- Defence Minister calls for IAEA oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear program, upholding no-first-use policy.
- India-US defence pact advances space and cyber interoperability for Indo-Pacific security.
- Chenab Rail Bridge progress aids border logistics in J&K for rapid troop mobilization.
- Monetary Policy Committee supports defence budgets via fiscal stability for indigenous systems.
- National e-Vidhan digitizes assemblies for swift procurement and veteran welfare decisions.
5. CITES Advises Halt on Endangered Species Imports to India
Environment and Science
- CITES verification mission recommends pausing imports of critically endangered animals like gorillas and snow leopards to Vantara center until stronger checks are in place.
- Gogabeel Lake in Bihar designated as India’s 94th Ramsar site, supporting migratory birds and flood mitigation; Tamil Nadu leads with 20 sites.
- IMD forecasts light to moderate rain in Chennai and north Tamil Nadu from November 5, reviving northeast monsoon till November 10.
- OpenAI’s IndQA benchmark tests AI on India’s languages and cultural contexts, aiding localized tech development.
- Marine Fisheries Census 2025 begins, targeting 1.2 million fisher households for sustainable management via digital enumeration.
- Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada (Nov 1-15) celebrates tribal heritage with cultural events and welfare drives nationwide.
- 248 million Indians lifted from multidimensional poverty (2011-2023); social protection covers 64.3% population.
