UPSC / PCS / PSSSB
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS
THE HINDU | NEWS & EXPLAINED ANALYSIS
The Hindu Current Affairs — 4 November 2026
Prepare for UPSC CSE 2027, Punjab PCS, PPSC and PSSSB with DRONA IAS Academy, Patiala.
Our Approach: Why in News → Static GK → Prelims Trap → Mains Practice → 10 MCQs.
Language: English notes with Punjabi classroom explanation.
TODAY’S 8 MOST IMPORTANT NEWS
01. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve & Madras High Court
Why in News?
A reported Madras High Court order concerning unauthorised resorts in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve has highlighted the conflict between tourism development and wildlife conservation.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Location: Erode district, Tamil Nadu.
- Project Tiger: Launched in 1973.
- NTCA: National Tiger Conservation Authority.
- Wildlife (Protection) Act: 1972.
- Core Area: Prioritises inviolate tiger habitat.
- Buffer Area: Supports conservation alongside compatible activities.
- Article 48A: Environmental protection.
- Article 51A(g): Environmental Fundamental Duty.
02. Strait of Hormuz & Indian Shipping Security
Why in News?
A reported drone attack on a commercial vessel off Oman, involving Indian seafarers, has highlighted the security risks to international shipping in West Asia and India’s energy-security concerns.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Strait of Hormuz: Connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
- Iran and Oman: Border the strategic strait.
- UNCLOS: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
- Maritime Chokepoint: Narrow route crucial for shipping.
- Energy Security: Reliable and affordable energy supply.
- Freedom of Navigation: Important principle of maritime law.
- Indian Ocean Region: Major trade and strategic zone.
03. India–Bangladesh Ganga Water Treaty
Why in News?
The India–Bangladesh Ganga water-sharing framework remains important for bilateral cooperation, agricultural water availability and management of transboundary rivers. The exact development reported on 4 November should be confirmed from the original newspaper.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Ganga Water Sharing Treaty: Signed in 1996.
- Parties: India and Bangladesh.
- Farakka Barrage: Located in West Bengal, India.
- Padma: Name associated with the Ganga in Bangladesh.
- Treaty Duration: 30 years.
- Joint Rivers Commission: Bilateral river cooperation.
- Dry-Season Flows: Central to water-sharing arrangements.
- Transboundary Rivers: Rivers shared by multiple countries.
04. South India Getting Wetter — Climate Study
Why in News?
A climate-classification study associated with IMD and IITM examines long-term changes in peninsular India’s climatic zones. The reported hot semi-arid area declined from approximately 30% to 16%, while tropical savannah conditions expanded.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- IMD: India Meteorological Department.
- IITM: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
- Köppen–Geiger: Climate classification system.
- BSh: Hot semi-arid climate.
- Aw: Tropical savannah climate.
- Climate Normals: Long-term averages.
- Climate Change: Long-term shifts in climate patterns.
- Weather: Short-term atmospheric conditions.
05. Public Accounts Committee & CAG
Why in News?
Discussions on parliamentary financial oversight and the functioning of Public Accounts Committees have highlighted the need for effective scrutiny of public expenditure and audit findings.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Article 148: Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
- Article 149: Duties and powers of CAG.
- Article 151: Audit reports.
- PAC: Public Accounts Committee.
- PAC Membership: 22 members — 15 Lok Sabha and 7 Rajya Sabha.
- PAC Chairperson: Conventionally from the Opposition.
- CAG: Independent constitutional authority.
- PAC: Parliamentary financial committee.
06. Voter ID & Welfare Authentication
Why in News?
Reported discussions about using identity documents and biometric authentication for welfare delivery have raised questions about beneficiary verification, privacy, efficiency and exclusion risks.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- EPIC: Electors Photo Identity Card.
- ECI: Election Commission of India.
- Aadhaar: Unique identity framework.
- UIDAI: Unique Identification Authority of India.
- Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
- Puttaswamy Judgment, 2017: Privacy as a Fundamental Right.
- DBT: Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Biometric Authentication: Identity verification using biological characteristics.
07. Cyclone Murasu & Andhra Pradesh
Why in News?
Reports of Cyclone Murasu affecting coastal Andhra Pradesh have brought attention to storm warnings, evacuations, crop damage and coastal disaster preparedness. Official cyclone details should be cross-checked against IMD bulletins.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- IMD: India Meteorological Department.
- NDRF: National Disaster Response Force.
- NDMA: National Disaster Management Authority.
- Disaster Management Act: 2005.
- Tropical Cyclones: Develop over warm ocean waters.
- Storm Surge: Abnormal rise in coastal sea level.
- Bay of Bengal: Cyclone-prone region.
- Early Warning: Supports evacuation and preparedness.
08. Bihar Independent MLCs & Anti-Defection Law
Why in News?
A reported controversy involving independently elected Bihar MLCs and their relationship with a political party has raised questions about the distinction between formal party membership and political support under the Anti-Defection Law.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Tenth Schedule: Anti-Defection Law.
- 52nd Amendment, 1985: Inserted the Tenth Schedule.
- 91st Amendment, 2003: Strengthened anti-defection provisions.
- Independent Member: Joining a party after election attracts disqualification.
- Nominated Member: Separate six-month party-joining rule.
- Speaker or Chairman: Decides disqualification petitions.
- Kihoto Hollohan, 1992: Judicial review is available.
- Article 191: State Legislature membership disqualifications.
SEPARATE EDITORIAL ANALYSIS
National Urbanisation Policy & Census 2027
Central Issue
India’s urbanisation creates challenges involving housing, infrastructure, transport, public services and urban planning. Census 2027 can provide important demographic information for evidence-based policy. This section is a thematic analysis; confirm its inclusion as a dated newspaper editorial before attributing it to The Hindu.
Important Static GK & Prelims Facts
- Census: Population and demographic enumeration.
- Census Act: 1948.
- Article 243Q: Constitution of Municipalities.
- 74th Constitutional Amendment: Urban Local Bodies.
- Twelfth Schedule: Municipal functions.
- Urban Planning: Land use, transport, housing and infrastructure.
- Urban Governance: Coordination among local, State and Union authorities.
QUICK REVISION — 4 NOVEMBER 2026
Sathyamangalam; Tamil Nadu; Project Tiger 1973; NTCA.
Persian Gulf; Gulf of Oman; UNCLOS; Maritime Security.
1996; Farakka Barrage; West Bengal; Bangladesh.
Köppen–Geiger; BSh; Aw; IMD; IITM.
Articles 148, 149, 151; PAC 22 Members.
EPIC; Aadhaar; UIDAI; Article 21; Privacy.
IMD; NDMA; NDRF; Storm Surge.
Tenth Schedule; 52nd Amendment; Kihoto Hollohan.
Census 2027; 74th Amendment; Twelfth Schedule.
10 UPSC / PCS / PPSC / PSSSB PRACTICE MCQs
Test Your Understanding — 4 November 2026
Click each question to reveal the correct answer and explanation.
Q1. Consider: (1) Project Tiger began in 1973. (2) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is in Tamil Nadu. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. Project Tiger was launched in 1973 and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is located in Tamil Nadu.
Q2. Consider: (1) Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. (2) It is an important energy-shipping route. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. Hormuz is a strategic maritime chokepoint for oil and gas shipments.
Q3. Consider: (1) The Ganga Water Treaty was signed in 1996. (2) Farakka Barrage is in Bangladesh. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
The treaty was signed in 1996. Farakka Barrage is in West Bengal, India.
Q4. Consider: (1) Köppen–Geiger classifies climates using long-term climatic characteristics. (2) A decline in semi-arid area means every year must receive more rainfall. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Climate classification uses long-term patterns. It does not establish that rainfall must increase every year.
Q5. Consider: (1) Article 148 concerns the CAG. (2) PAC examines public expenditure and audit findings. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. The CAG audits public accounts, while PAC scrutinises relevant reports and expenditure.
Q6. Consider: (1) EPIC is a voter identity card. (2) Biometric authentication is always error-free. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
EPIC is the Electors Photo Identity Card. Biometric authentication can sometimes fail.
Q7. Consider: (1) IMD issues cyclone warnings. (2) Storm surge is an abnormal rise in coastal sea level. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. IMD forecasts cyclones, and storm surge refers to an abnormal rise of coastal seawater.
Q8. Consider: (1) An independently elected legislator joining a party after election attracts disqualification. (2) Nominated legislators have a six-month party-joining window under the Tenth Schedule. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are correct. The Tenth Schedule treats independently elected and nominated members differently.
Q9. Consider: (1) Union CAG audit reports are submitted to the President. (2) PAC is directly established by Article 148. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Article 151 provides for submission of Union audit reports to the President. Article 148 concerns the CAG, not the PAC.
Q10. Consider: (1) NTCA is a statutory body under wildlife-protection law. (2) Core and buffer areas of tiger reserves have identical legal restrictions in every case. Which is correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
NTCA has statutory status. Core and buffer areas have distinct management arrangements.
