Current Affairs 01 November 2026: ISRO NVS-03, India Poverty Fall

Welcome to SeatBeat's Daily Current Affairs for aspirants of UPSC, SSC, Banking and Railway exams. Here are the key developments you must note today.

Top stories of 01 November 2026

ISRO launches NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard GSLV-F18

On October 30, 2026, ISRO launched the NVS-03 satellite on a GSLV rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Weighing about 2,250 kg, NVS-03 is the third of India's second-generation navigation satellites and is designed to strengthen NavIC, India's regional satellite navigation system covering India and surrounding regions. The next-generation NVS series carries indigenous atomic clocks and additional signal bands for improved accuracy. This is important for science & technology and space-related questions in exams.

Cabinet approves ₹40,000-crore project for 8 Next-Generation Corvettes

The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared a project worth over ₹40,000 crore to build eight Next-Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata will build five vessels and Goa Shipyard Limited three. Each corvette will displace about 2,000 tonnes, reach speeds of around 30 knots and carry over 70% indigenous content, with the first ship expected by 2030 to replace ageing Khukri- and Kora-class corvettes. Relevant for defence and indigenisation (Make in India) topics.

World Bank: India's extreme poverty falls from 27.1% to 2.6%

The World Bank's latest Poverty and Equity Brief said India's extreme poverty rate fell from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 2.6% in 2023, among the fastest declines globally, lifting about 496 million people out of extreme poverty. The decline was driven by strong consumption growth, rising employment including among women, and expanded social transfers such as food subsidies. The share below the $4.20-a-day lower-middle-income line fell from 57.7% to 16.1%. A key economy and social development data point for exams.

Jaishankar warns against ignoring terror threats at G20 Foreign Ministers' meet

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted in the United States on October 30-31, 2026. He warned that tactical calculations should not lead to overlooking the dangers of terrorism, argued that military solutions are not working and that diplomacy must be given a chance, and flagged the need to protect civilian shipping and freedom of navigation. He also took part in a Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting on the sidelines. Important for international relations.

Cabinet clears ₹7,395-crore PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana

The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with an outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Centre will contribute ₹4,869.48 crore and states ₹2,526.07 crore, benefiting over 2.55 lakh panchayats and around 32 lakh elected representatives. It focuses on capacity building, development planning, financial management and digital platforms like eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Useful for polity and governance questions.

Centre notifies National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment notified the National Social Security Board for unorganised, gig and platform workers under the Code on Social Security, 2020. Chaired by the Union Labour Minister, the Board will design, recommend and monitor welfare schemes, with members from central and state governments, aggregator companies, employers, workers' unions and civil society. The Code provides life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, and old-age protection. A significant step towards formal social security for the gig workforce.

Centre notifies Census 2027 schedule; enumeration from January 25

The Registrar General of India notified the Census 2027 schedule, with population enumeration from January 25 to February 28, 2027, followed by a revisional round from March 1-5. A self-enumeration option will be available from January 10-24, and enumerators will ask 40 questions in the door-to-door phase. Poll-bound states Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Uttarakhand and Punjab will be covered earlier, with their self-enumeration portal going live on November 16, 2026. This will be India's first digitally conducted census.

PM-KISAN 24th installment released to farmers

The 24th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme was released on October 30, 2026, transferring ₹2,000 directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts. Under PM-KISAN, eligible landholding farmer families receive ₹6,000 per year in three equal installments through Direct Benefit Transfer, benefiting more than 9 crore farmers including women. Beneficiaries had to complete e-KYC and other verification to receive the payment.

Bihar Museum ranked 9th globally, No. 1 in Asia

Patna's Bihar Museum was ranked 9th in the 2026 edition of the World's 100 Best Museums list published by the Germany-based travel publication Worth a Journey. It emerged as Asia's highest-ranked museum and India's only entry in the global top 100, placing ahead of institutions such as the Louvre and The Met. One of the largest museums in South Asia, it houses history galleries, contemporary art and displays on the ethnic groups of Bihar. A notable art & culture current affairs item.

Chola-era bronze idols of Nataraja and Sivakami unearthed in Nagapattinam

The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology unearthed bronze-alloy idols of Lord Nataraja and Goddess Sivakami, with their pedestals, during excavations in Nagapattinam on October 30, 2026. The Nataraja idol is about 110 cm high in the Ananda Tandava posture, while the Sivakami idol is 82 cm tall in the Tribhanga posture. Their iconography suggests they date to around the 12th century AD during the Chola period, and it was the first time the department found bronze idols in its excavations. The idols were sent to Chennai for chemical treatment and analysis.

That wraps up today's current affairs. Revise these facts daily to stay ahead in your exam preparation.

Key facts for exams

• NVS-03 launched aboard GSLV-F18 from Sriharikota on October 30, 2026; weighs ~2,250 kg; strengthens NavIC.
• 8 Next-Generation Corvettes project worth over ₹40,000 crore; GRSE builds 5, Goa Shipyard 3; first ship by 2030.
• India's extreme poverty fell from 27.1% (2011-12) to 2.6% (2023); ~496 million lifted out of poverty (World Bank).
• Jaishankar attended G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in the US, October 30-31, 2026.
• PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana outlay ₹7,395.55 crore (2026-27 to 2030-31); benefits 2.55 lakh panchayats.
• National Social Security Board notified under Code on Social Security, 2020, for gig and platform workers.
• Census 2027 enumeration January 25 to February 28, 2027; India's first digital census; 40 questions.
• PM-KISAN 24th installment of ₹2,000 released October 30, 2026; over 9 crore farmers benefit.
• Bihar Museum, Patna ranked 9th globally and No. 1 in Asia in World's 100 Best Museums 2026.
• Chola-era bronze idols of Nataraja (110 cm) and Sivakami (82 cm) unearthed in Nagapattinam; ~12th century AD.

Frequently asked questions

Which satellite did ISRO launch aboard GSLV-F18 in October 2026?

ISRO launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite, the third of India's second-generation navigation satellites, weighing about 2,250 kg to strengthen NavIC.

What did the World Bank say about India's extreme poverty?

The World Bank's Poverty and Equity Brief said India's extreme poverty fell from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 2.6% in 2023, lifting about 496 million people out of extreme poverty.

Which shipyards will build the 8 Next-Generation Corvettes for the Indian Navy?

GRSE (Kolkata) will build five corvettes and Goa Shipyard Limited three, under a project worth over ₹40,000 crore, with the first ship expected by 2030.

When will Census 2027 enumeration take place?

Population enumeration will run from January 25 to February 28, 2027, with a revisional round from March 1-5; it will be India's first digitally conducted census.

Where was the Bihar Museum ranked in the World's 100 Best Museums 2026?

Patna's Bihar Museum was ranked 9th globally and No. 1 in Asia, India's only entry in the top 100, in the list by Germany-based Worth a Journey.

Practise for your exam

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Previous days' current affairs

• Current Affairs 31 October 2026: ISRO NVS-03, Vande Bharat Sleeper
• Current Affairs 30 October 2026: ISRO NVS-03 Launch, DA Hike to 63%
• Current Affairs 28 October 2026: Cyclone Arnab, ESTIC 2026