Current Affairs 5 November 2026: Mineral Scheme, Bihar Languages

Current affairs 5 November 2026 brings you a big Cabinet day in Delhi plus a key Bihar education decision. Read each point slowly, note the numbers, and you are ready for your next test.

Top stories of 5 November 2026

Cabinet approves ₹2,814-crore critical mineral processing scheme

On November 4 the Union Cabinet cleared a ₹2,814-crore Capex Support Scheme to process critical minerals like lithium, nickel and cobalt in India itself. It runs five years, FY27 to FY31, and covers all 24 critical minerals the government has identified. The aim is to cut import dependence and build self-reliance for batteries, electronics and clean energy. Remember these minerals power EV batteries; the figure ₹2,814 crore and the count of 24 minerals can be asked directly.

Cabinet clears ₹14,500-crore VGF scheme for 92 GWh energy storage

The same day the Cabinet approved a ₹14,500-crore Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme to build 92 GWh of grid-scale energy storage from 2026-27 to 2030-31. This includes 60 GWh pumped hydro, 30 GWh battery storage and 2 GWh of other technologies, with battery projects needing at least 40% domestic content. It supports renewable energy and India's estimated 411 GWh storage need by 2031-32. Keep the term "VGF" and the 92 GWh target in mind for economy and energy questions.

Cabinet approves ₹4,371-crore VISTAR scheme to modernise statistics

The Cabinet also cleared the VISTAR scheme — 'Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research' — with ₹4,371.10 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31. It will use AI and digital tools to modernise official statistics and fund 59 surveys in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, up from 43 before. The scheme has three parts, including the Economic Census. Note the full form of VISTAR and the jump from 43 to 59 surveys.

Indian Railways posts record October freight of 145.07 million tonnes

Indian Railways recorded its highest-ever October freight loading at 145.07 million tonnes in October 2026, up 8.32% from 133.93 million tonnes a year earlier, as per figures of November 4. Food grains loading rose 26.3% and domestic coal 16.0%. Cumulative April-October loading reached 978.78 million tonnes, 4.67% higher year-on-year. For Railways exams, remember this is a record October and the two big drivers — food grains and coal.

India ranks third in Hurun Gazelle Index 2026

India has overtaken the UK to become the world's third-largest base of potential future unicorns, with 51 'gazelle' startups in the 2026 ASK Private Wealth Hurun India Gazelle Index released on November 3, up from 47. The US (302) and China (278) stayed on top. Gazelles are firms founded in or after 2000, valued between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion. FinTech led with 13 firms, and Bengaluru, NCR and Mumbai held 71%. Remember India's rank of third and the US-China top two.

IndiaAI Mission unveils EKA-1 and Dhīr foundation models

On November 3 the IndiaAI Mission released home-grown AI foundation models — EKA-1 from Soket Labs and Dhīr (2B and 5B) from ZenteiQ. EKA-1 has 26.3 billion parameters and covers all 22 scheduled Indian languages plus English, for maths, coding and reasoning. The Dhīr models support English and 10 Indian languages and can run offline. They will be available through platforms like AIKosh. Note the names EKA-1 and Dhīr and the '22 scheduled languages' point.

ILO report: India 32nd of 34 Asia-Pacific economies in women managers

The ILO report 'Women in Business and Management: Scaling Success', released on November 3, found women hold just 11-12% of managerial posts in India, ranking it 32nd of 34 Asia-Pacific economies, ahead only of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Indian women earn about 28% less per hour than men. Across Asia-Pacific women were one in five managers, versus a global 30.5%. For current affairs and social-issue questions, link ILO with this report and India's rank.

Dhinidhi Desinghu wins India's first-ever Youth Olympics swimming medal

Sixteen-year-old Bengaluru swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu won bronze in the women's 100m freestyle at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, clocking a national-record 56.27 seconds. She became the first Indian swimmer ever to win a medal at the Youth Olympics and India's first swimming medallist on any global stage. For sports GK, remember 'first Indian swimming medal at Youth Olympics' and the venue Dakar 2026.

Bihar to introduce regional languages in classes 1 and 2

The Bihar government will introduce regional languages in classes 1 and 2 of all state-run schools from the next session, following the National Education Policy's push for mother-tongue learning. SCERT is preparing textbooks in six languages — Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, Bajjika and Surjapuri — and nearly 1.2 crore textbooks are being printed to help children grasp Hindi, English and Mathematics. For BPSC TRE and STET, remember the six languages, SCERT's role and the NEP link.

Today's task: revise the Key facts below, write the three Cabinet scheme figures in your own words, then attempt today's quiz.

Key facts for exams

• Critical mineral processing scheme: ₹2,814 crore, FY27-FY31, covers all 24 critical minerals.
• Energy storage VGF scheme: ₹14,500 crore for 92 GWh (60 GWh pumped hydro, 30 GWh battery, 2 GWh others); 40% domestic content for batteries.
• VISTAR scheme: ₹4,371.10 crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31, funds 59 surveys (up from 43).
• Indian Railways October 2026 freight: record 145.07 million tonnes, up 8.32%.
• Hurun Gazelle Index 2026: India third with 51 gazelles; US (302) and China (278) top.
• IndiaAI models: EKA-1 (Soket Labs, 26.3 billion parameters, 22 languages) and Dhīr (ZenteiQ).
• ILO report: India 32nd of 34 Asia-Pacific economies in women managers (11-12%).
• Dhinidhi Desinghu: first Indian swimming medal at Youth Olympics, bronze in 100m freestyle, 56.27s at Dakar 2026.
• Bihar: regional languages in classes 1 and 2; six languages — Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, Bajjika, Surjapuri.

Frequently asked questions

What is the amount of the critical mineral processing scheme approved by the Cabinet?

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,814-crore Capex Support Scheme on November 4, 2026, running FY27 to FY31 and covering all 24 identified critical minerals.

How much energy storage capacity will the ₹14,500-crore VGF scheme create?

It will develop 92 GWh of grid-scale storage — 60 GWh pumped hydro, 30 GWh battery and 2 GWh alternative technologies — between 2026-27 and 2030-31.

Which regional languages will Bihar introduce in classes 1 and 2?

SCERT is preparing textbooks in six languages — Maithili, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Angika, Bajjika and Surjapuri — from the next academic session.

Who won India's first-ever Youth Olympics swimming medal?

Dhinidhi Desinghu, a 16-year-old Bengaluru swimmer, won bronze in the women's 100m freestyle at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games with a national-record 56.27 seconds.

What was Indian Railways' October 2026 freight loading?

Indian Railways recorded its highest-ever October freight loading at 145.07 million tonnes, an 8.32% rise over October 2025.

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 4 November 2026: Tiger Triumph, ISSF Gold
• Current Affairs 3 November 2026: Pune Metro, Navy Corvettes
• Current Affairs 2 November 2026: BPSC TRE 4.0, GST Record