Welcome to TNPSCPrepPro’s daily current affairs notes for 28 October 2026. This edition covers cyclone preparedness, national highway toll concessions, science and technology, parliamentary cooperation and industrial statistics.
These topics are useful for revising Indian polity, geography, economy, environment, science and technology, and government schemes for TNPSC examinations.
Select a topic to read the notes, exam points and quick facts.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is observing Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada from 1 to 15 November 2026. The nationwide programme honours the contributions of tribal communities and freedom fighters, particularly Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
The fortnight will conclude with Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on 15 November, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Government of India designated 15 November as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021.
The 2026 programme is intended not only as a commemorative event but also as an opportunity to improve awareness of government schemes and take welfare services to tribal communities. More than 300 projects, two national digital initiatives and over 160 State-level activities have been planned.
Observance: Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada.
Period: 1–15 November 2026.
Concluding day: 15 November – Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
Remembered personality: Bhagwan Birsa Munda, also known as Dharti Aaba.
Nodal ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Digital initiatives planned: Jan-HIT Portal and National FRA Digital Platform.
Jan-HIT: A tribal health data initiative developed with ICMR.
National FRA Digital Platform: Intended to digitise the forest rights claims process under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
This topic is relevant to Indian history, tribal movements, social justice and welfare administration. Aspirants should connect Birsa Munda with the tribal resistance movement and understand the objectives of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Official source: Ministry of Tribal Affairs – Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2026
The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is scheduled to mark its 74th Foundation Day in New Delhi on 1 November 2026. The event is being organised under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya was announced as the chief inaugurator. The programme is expected to include the launch of new digital and service-related initiatives to make provident fund services more accessible.
Among the initiatives announced ahead of the event are automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts with balances up to ₹1,000 and the provision of EPFO services through WhatsApp. The Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2026 are also scheduled to recognise the work of EPFO offices and personnel.
Editorial status note: These initiatives were announced in the official preview of the event. Check the Ministry’s post-event release before describing them as formally launched.
Organisation: Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Foundation Day: 1 November.
2026 milestone: 74th Foundation Day.
Administrative ministry: Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Event venue: New Delhi.
Initiative announced: Automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts with balances up to ₹1,000.
Digital service initiative: EPFO services through WhatsApp.
Awards: Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2026.
EPFO is a major institution in India’s organised-sector social security framework. Its provident fund, pension and insurance-related functions are relevant to questions on labour welfare, social security and statutory organisations.
Official source: PIB – EPFO to Celebrate 74th Foundation Day
The Government of Tamil Nadu has announced the introduction of dedicated Natural Farming Markets in Uzhavar Sandhais (farmers’ markets) from 1 November 2026.
The initiative is intended to provide certified organic and natural farmers with dedicated stalls to sell their produce directly to consumers. It also aims to improve consumer access to naturally cultivated vegetables and fruits.
The announcement states that the markets will be introduced across Uzhavar Sandhais in Tamil Nadu. The Coimbatore District Administration has also published information about the planned rollout in its district press releases.
State: Tamil Nadu.
Commencement date announced: 1 November 2026.
Market location: Uzhavar Sandhais.
Beneficiaries: Certified organic and natural farmers.
Main objective: Direct marketing of naturally cultivated produce.
Expected consumer benefit: Better access to vegetables and fruits produced through natural farming.
This development connects agriculture with sustainable farming, local markets and farmer income. Aspirants should understand the role of farmers’ markets in reducing intermediaries and improving direct marketing opportunities.
Official source: Coimbatore District Administration – Press Releases
The Union Government released an additional ₹1,09,019 crore to State Governments on 31 October 2026. The announcement is relevant to the 1 November current-affairs edition because the funds are intended to support State-level spending and development activities.
According to the Ministry of Finance, this instalment is in addition to the regular monthly tax devolution. It is the second additional instalment released during the financial year.
The transfer is intended to help States accelerate capital expenditure and meet development and welfare-related spending requirements.
Tamil Nadu received ₹4,466 crore under this release.
Total additional tax devolution: ₹1,09,019 crore.
Release date: 31 October 2026.
Responsible ministry: Ministry of Finance.
Recipient: State Governments.
Purpose: Support capital expenditure, development and welfare spending.
Tamil Nadu’s allocation: ₹4,466 crore.
Uttar Pradesh’s allocation: ₹19,208 crore, the highest among the listed States.
Goa’s allocation: ₹398 crore, the lowest among the listed States.
Tax devolution is an important feature of fiscal federalism in India. It concerns the distribution of the divisible pool of Union taxes between the Union and the States. TNPSC aspirants should revise the role of the Finance Commission and the constitutional framework governing tax distribution.
Official source: PIB – Additional Tax Devolution to State Governments
The first BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise is being conducted from 30 October to 3 November 2026 in the Bay of Bengal. The exercise marks an important step towards strengthening maritime cooperation among BIMSTEC member countries.
The participating countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The exercise aims to improve coordination, maritime domain awareness and operational cooperation among the participating nations.
The exercise also highlights the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the role of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Command, the country’s first integrated tri-service command.
Organisation: BIMSTEC.
Full form: Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
Exercise: Inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise.
Dates: 30 October–3 November 2026.
Region: Bay of Bengal.
Member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Key objectives: Maritime security, interoperability, maritime domain awareness and coordination.
India’s relevant command: Andaman and Nicobar Command.
Special fact: Andaman and Nicobar Command is India’s first integrated tri-service command.
The Bay of Bengal is important for trade routes, connectivity and regional security. This exercise is relevant to international relations, India’s neighbourhood policy and maritime security.
Official source: PIB – Inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been appointed as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) with effect from 1 November 2026. Before this appointment, he was serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command.
He succeeds Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit in the position of Vice Chief. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026.
Air Marshal Walia is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and has served in several operational and staff positions in the Indian Air Force.
Appointment: Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
Officer: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia.
Effective date: 1 November 2026.
Previous position: Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command.
Service: Indian Air Force.
Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
NDA: National Defence Academy.
Appointments to senior defence positions are relevant to defence organisation and current national affairs. Aspirants should distinguish the Chief of the Air Staff from the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
Official source: PIB – Appointment of Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia
The date 1 November is significant in India’s political and administrative history. The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 came into effect on 1 November 1956 and reorganised State boundaries, largely on linguistic lines.
The date is associated with the formation or reorganisation of several States. Karnataka observes Kannada Rajyotsava on this day, marking the unification of Kannada-speaking regions in 1956. Kerala and Andhra Pradesh also mark their State formation anniversaries on 1 November. Madhya Pradesh was reorganised on the same date in 1956.
Other important State formation anniversaries on 1 November include Haryana (1966) and Chhattisgarh (2000).
States Reorganisation Act: 1956.
Effective date: 1 November 1956.
Main basis of reorganisation: Linguistic considerations.
Karnataka: Kannada Rajyotsava; Kannada-speaking regions unified in 1956. The State was then known as Mysore and was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
Kerala: Formed on 1 November 1956.
Andhra Pradesh: Formed on 1 November 1956.
Madhya Pradesh: Reorganised on 1 November 1956.
Haryana: Formed on 1 November 1966.
Chhattisgarh: Formed on 1 November 2000, following its separation from Madhya Pradesh.
This topic is important for Indian polity, the linguistic reorganisation of States and the history of modern India. Aspirants should remember the distinction between a State’s formation, reorganisation and later renaming.
Official sources:
| Topic | Key fact to remember |
|---|---|
| Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada | 1–15 November 2026 |
| Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas | 15 November – birth anniversary of Birsa Munda |
| EPFO Foundation Day | 74th Foundation Day on 1 November 2026 |
| EPFO initiative announced | Automatic settlement of eligible inoperative accounts up to ₹1,000 |
| Natural Farming Markets | Dedicated stalls in Tamil Nadu Uzhavar Sandhais |
| Additional tax devolution | ₹1,09,019 crore |
| Tamil Nadu tax devolution | ₹4,466 crore |
| BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise | 30 October–3 November 2026 |
| BIMSTEC membership | Seven countries |
| Vice Chief of the Air Staff | Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia |
| States Reorganisation Act | 1956; effective from 1 November 1956 |
| Chhattisgarh Formation Day | 1 November 2000 |
Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada: 1–15 November 2026.
Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas: 15 November, the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.
EPFO: 74th Foundation Day on 1 November 2026.
Tamil Nadu: Natural Farming Markets announced for Uzhavar Sandhais.
Additional tax devolution: ₹1,09,019 crore; Tamil Nadu allocation: ₹4,466 crore.
BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise: Bay of Bengal, 30 October–3 November.
BIMSTEC has seven member countries.
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia: Vice Chief of the Air Staff from 1 November.
States Reorganisation Act, 1956: Effective from 1 November 1956.
Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000.
For each current-affairs topic, remember three things: the institution, the location and the key fact. After reading the article, attempt the MCQs without referring to the answers. Revisit incorrect questions during your next revision session.
Editorial note: This article is an original educational summary based on the government references linked above. Forecasts, schedules and policy implementation dates can change; consult the latest official updates before using time-sensitive details in an examination.
Strengthen your preparation with topic-wise notes, quick revision and practice questions.
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