Current Affairs 12 November 2026: Inflation 6.21%, Stand-Up India

Current affairs 12 November 2026 brings two exam-favourite topics — inflation and government schemes. Read each story slowly, note the numbers, and you will be ready for both Prelims GK and economy questions.

Top stories of 12 November 2026

Retail inflation jumps to 6.21%, crosses RBI's 6% ceiling

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said India's CPI retail inflation rose to 6.21% in October 2026, up from 5.49% in September. This is the first time since October 2024 that inflation crossed the Reserve Bank of India's upper limit of 6%. Costlier vegetables, fruits and edible oils pushed it up; rural inflation was 6.68% and urban 5.62%. Remember for exams: the RBI's inflation target band is 2% to 6%, and CPI data comes from MoSPI. When prices breach the band, questions on RBI's rate policy often follow.

Cabinet extends Stand-Up India Scheme till March 2031

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, extended the Stand-Up India Scheme up to 31 March 2031. A credit guarantee corpus of ₹4,111 crore will support 2.5 lakh more women, SC and ST entrepreneurs. Keep these facts: the scheme (launched in 2016) gives bank loans above ₹10 lakh and up to ₹1 crore, with the guarantee covering 85% of the loan. Since 2016 it has helped over 2.75 lakh women/SC/ST entrepreneurs. Scheme years, launch dates and target groups are common one-mark questions.

Cabinet clears ₹77,101 crore package: Noida Metro and new museum

The Cabinet also approved projects worth about ₹77,101 crore. This includes an 8.45-km extension of the Noida Metro Aqua Line (Noida Sector 51 to Greater Noida Sector 4) for ₹2,390 crore, adding five elevated stations. It cleared the ₹3,230-crore Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum at the North and South Block complex in New Delhi. For exams, remember the museum's name and that it will come up at the North and South Block in New Delhi.

Bharat Summit 2.0 begins in Hyderabad

The second Bharat Summit, themed 'Forging a New World', opened at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). It runs from 12 to 14 November, with around 1,000 delegates from nearly 70 countries. It is being hosted in Telangana. Note the theme, the host city Hyderabad, and the state Telangana — summit themes and venues are frequently asked.

India wins women's 25m pistol team gold at ISSF World Championship

At the ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha, Qatar, India's women's 25m pistol team of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker and Divya Thadigol Subharaju won gold with a score of 1761-68x. Niveditha Veloor Nair took individual bronze in the women's 25m standard pistol. For exams, link the event (ISSF World Championship), the host city Doha, and the gold-winning shooters' names.

DRDO notifies missile flight-trial window off Odisha coast

DRDO issued a fresh NOTAM and NAVAREA VIII warning for experimental flight trials near its Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Odisha coast. Trials off Baleshwar are set for 11, 12 and 13 November. This follows DRDO's recent successful test of the indigenous Pralay missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island. Remember: ITR Chandipur, Odisha, and the Pralay missile for defence GK.

Bihar reopens Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27 applications

This one is for you, Bihar students. The Bihar Education Department has reopened online applications for the Post-Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme 2026-27. Students from BC, EBC, SC and ST categories can apply from 12 November to 30 November. It gives financial help to students in higher education. If you or a friend missed the earlier deadline, this fresh window is a chance to apply.

Sunil D'Souza becomes Voltas Chairman; Noel Tata Chairman Emeritus

Tata Group company Voltas Limited named Sunil D'Souza as its new Chairman from 12 November 2026. He was earlier Managing Director of Whirlpool India and succeeds Noel Tata, who became Chairman Emeritus. Tata Investment Corporation named Bahram Vakil its new Chairman. Appointment questions love new names paired with the company — note Voltas is a Tata Group company.

India-US trade deal expected by December G20 summit

Reports say the India-US trade agreement may be concluded when PM Modi and US President Donald Trump meet in December. The US had moved to cut its reciprocal tariff on Indian imports from 25% to 18% under a proposed framework. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said talks had largely 'concluded', and the pact could be finalised on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in December. Note the tariff numbers and the G20 timing.

Today's small task: revise the key facts below, say the numbers aloud once, then attempt today's quiz.

Key facts for exams

• October 2026 CPI retail inflation: 6.21% (September was 5.49%); RBI target band 2%–6%.
• Inflation data released by MoSPI; rural 6.68%, urban 5.62%.
• Stand-Up India Scheme extended till 31 March 2031; corpus ₹4,111 crore; launched 2016; guarantee covers 85%.
• Cabinet package worth ₹77,101 crore; Noida Metro Aqua Line extension 8.45 km (₹2,390 crore); Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum ₹3,230 crore in New Delhi.
• Bharat Summit 2.0 theme 'Forging a New World', at HICC, Hyderabad, Telangana; 12–14 November; ~70 countries.
• ISSF World Championship 2026 in Doha: India women's 25m pistol team gold — Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker, Divya Thadigol Subharaju.
• DRDO trials off Baleshwar near ITR Chandipur, Odisha; Pralay missile tested from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island.
• Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27 reopened: apply 12–30 November for BC, EBC, SC, ST.
• Sunil D'Souza new Voltas Chairman; Noel Tata becomes Chairman Emeritus; Bahram Vakil heads Tata Investment Corporation.
• US cut reciprocal tariff on Indian imports from 25% to 18%; India-US deal expected at December G20 summit.

Frequently asked questions

What was India's retail inflation in October 2026?

India's CPI retail inflation rose to 6.21% in October 2026, up from 5.49% in September, crossing the RBI's 6% upper limit for the first time since October 2024.

Till when has the Stand-Up India Scheme been extended?

The Union Cabinet extended the Stand-Up India Scheme up to 31 March 2031, with a ₹4,111 crore credit guarantee corpus to support 2.5 lakh more women, SC and ST entrepreneurs.

Where is the Bharat Summit 2.0 being held?

Bharat Summit 2.0, themed 'Forging a New World', is being held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) in Telangana from 12 to 14 November 2026.

Who won the women's 25m pistol team gold at the ISSF World Championship 2026?

India's team of Esha Singh, Manu Bhaker and Divya Thadigol Subharaju won gold in Doha with a score of 1761-68x.

What is the last date for the Bihar Post-Matric Scholarship 2026-27?

Eligible BC, EBC, SC and ST students can apply online from 12 November to 30 November 2026 after the Bihar Education Department reopened applications.

Practise for your exam

Current affairs questions come in every General Studies paper. Take a free mock test — timed, with your score and solutions.

Previous days' current affairs

• Current Affairs 11 November 2026: Digital Arrest Scams, Bihar AI Mission
• Current Affairs 10 November 2026: 100th Chess GM, Arpita Singh
• Current Affairs 9 November 2026: Agniveer Rule, Energy Storage

Featured images: Photo: Fredericknoronha, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source); Photo: Rameshng, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source); Photo: Donald Hobern from Copenhagen, Denmark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source)