🗞️ Why in News Alongside today’s deep dives on the eight Next Generation Corvettes contracted with GRSE and GSL and the Supreme Court on the Ravva foreign arbitral awards, the 2 November 2026 roundup covers the Supreme Court setting aside the Rajasthan State Election Commission’s refusal of a voter awareness campaign, the VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026, October’s GST collections, Coal India’s highest-ever monthly output and Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu heading for the south Andhra Pradesh coast. Also: Digi Yatra trials for international flyers, India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster at Soreng, Bhutan’s 108 Stupas at Gelephu, the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar from Oman and Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 title.

Supreme Court Sets Aside Rajasthan SEC’s Refusal of a Voter Awareness Campaign

The Supreme Court on 2 November 2026 set aside the Rajasthan State Election Commission’s refusal to let a civil society group run voter awareness campaigns before the State’s Panchayati Raj elections, and directed the Commission to reconsider the request within 48 hours, Bar & Bench reported. The Bench comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana. This is a direction in a pending petition, not a final ruling on the merits.

  • The order: “The State Election Commission, Rajasthan, is directed to reconsider the petitioners’ request for permitting them to conduct voter awareness campaigns as per the list appended to the application. Let them decide within 48 hours. Their earlier order is set aside,” CJI Kant ordered.
  • The reasoning: the Commission could not prevent other organisations from conducting voter awareness programmes merely because it was organising similar activities itself. “You cannot restrict people from doing it. They will be your helping hand. If they indulge in any corrupt practice in the name of voter awareness, you are there to regulate. But you cannot take over or monopolise voter awareness exercises,” Justice Bagchi said.
  • The petition: filed by social activist Aruna Roy, represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan. He told the Court the campaign, conducted since 2004, educates voters about their rights, including the None of the Above (NOTA) option, and discourages them from accepting money or other inducements for votes.
  • Prohibitory orders: the authorities had relied on orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), imposed across Jaipur during the election period. Justice Bagchi said these did not bar meetings held with prior permission: “You must specify the place, date and time of the proposed programme. You cannot seek general permission.”
  • The elections: polling for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members is scheduled for 14 November in the final phase, and for Sarpanch and Panch posts on 16 November, across 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 Gram Panchayats; more than 4.03 crore voters are reportedly eligible.
  • Constitutional basis: Article 243K vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections to the Panchayats in a State Election Commission, consisting of a State Election Commissioner appointed by the Governor; Article 243ZA does the same for the Municipalities.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Direction: Rajasthan SEC’s refusal set aside; it must reconsider the request within 48 hours (Supreme Court, 2 November 2026).
  • Section 163, BNSS: the power to issue orders to prevent disturbances, cited by the authorities in Jaipur.
  • What the Court did not do: it did not itself permit the campaigns; the SEC decides afresh.

VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026 Notified

The Ministry of Rural Development announced on 2 November 2026 that it has notified the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin): VB-G RAM G - Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026, “establishing a structured, multi-tier and time-bound mechanism for addressing grievances relating to the implementation of the Scheme”, PIB said.

  • Three tiers: State Governments are to set up the mechanism at the Gram Panchayat, Block and District levels. The District Programme Coordinator will oversee grievance redressal at the district level.
  • Four channels: in person to the Grievance Redressal Officer; by speed post, with proof of delivery; through the central Digital Public Infrastructure; and by telephone, helpline or another mode the State sets.
  • Registration: on the same day, or the next working day if that is not feasible, with an acknowledgement giving the registration number, date and receiving authority. “No grievance can be refused registration on the grounds of its format, language, manner of submission or any procedural deficiency.”
  • Timelines: the enquiry is to be completed within seven working days of receipt, and the grievance resolved within 15 days of receipt.
  • Escalation and appeal: a grievance unresolved within 15 days is escalated to the next higher level; appeals are filed and disposed of in accordance with Schedule I to the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Rules: VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026; notification announced by the Ministry of Rural Development on 2 November 2026.
  • Deadlines: enquiry in 7 working days; resolution in 15 days; then escalation to the next level.
  • Tiers: Gram Panchayat, Block, District; District Programme Coordinator at the district level.

GST Collections Rise About 23% to Over ₹2.31 Lakh Crore in October 2026

Gross Goods and Services Tax collections rose about 23% year-on-year to over ₹2.31 lakh crore in October 2026, the second-highest level, as festive buying boosted domestic demand, according to government data released on 1 November, as reported by PTI (The Hindu, 2 November 2026). All figures below are from that report.

  • The record context: October is the second consecutive month in which gross GST crossed ₹2 lakh crore, second only to the record of about ₹2.43 lakh crore in April. The 22.9% growth is the fastest pace of gross collections in the current fiscal year.
  • Domestic and imports: gross collections from domestic sales rose 16% to over ₹1.59 lakh crore; revenue from imports climbed 42% to ₹72,246 crore.
  • Components: Central GST ₹42,935 crore, State GST ₹51,340 crore and Integrated GST over ₹1.37 lakh crore.
  • Refunds and net: refunds rose 6.5% to ₹27,934 crore; net GST collections rose 26% to over ₹2.03 lakh crore.
  • April-October 2026: gross collections grew 13.2% to over ₹14.77 lakh crore; net collections rose 13% to over ₹12.69 lakh crore.

📌 Facts Corner

  • October 2026 gross GST: over ₹2.31 lakh crore, up 22.9%; second only to April’s about ₹2.43 lakh crore (PTI).
  • Net GST, October 2026: over ₹2.03 lakh crore, up 26%; refunds ₹27,934 crore (PTI).
  • Import GST: up 42% to ₹72,246 crore; domestic up 16% (PTI).

Coal India Records Its Highest-Ever Monthly Output and Supply in October 2026

Coal India Limited (CIL) recorded its highest-ever production of 67.2 million tonnes (MT) in October 2026, the Ministry of Coal said on 1 November 2026, CIL’s Foundation Day. That surpassed the previous record of 62.47 MT in October 2024, a year-on-year growth of 19%.

  • Total supply: 70.3 MT, the highest in any month, against the earlier record of 69.4 MT in March 2026.
  • Supply to the power sector: 57.1 MT, against the earlier record of 56.5 MT in May 2024.
  • Rail evacuation: daily rake loading for the power sector reached 310 rakes, the highest in any month, above the previous 302.8 rakes a day in March 2025.
  • The company: established on 1 November 1975; production rose to 768 MT in FY 2025-26, and the target for FY 2026-27 is 815 MT.

📌 Facts Corner

  • CIL, October 2026: production 67.2 MT (record, up 19%); supply 70.3 MT; to power sector 57.1 MT; 310 rakes a day.
  • CIL: established 1 November 1975; 768 MT in FY 2025-26; FY 2026-27 target 815 MT.

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu Expected to Cross the South Andhra Pradesh Coast

Severe Cyclonic Storm “Murasu” over the west-central Bay of Bengal lay centred at 1130 hours IST on 2 November 2026 near latitude 14.2°N and longitude 81.1°E, about 120 km east-southeast of Nellore and 170 km northeast of Chennai, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its bulletin of 1430 hours IST. It had moved west-northwestwards at 14 kmph over the previous six hours. The RSMC New Delhi issued a cyclone warning for Andhra Pradesh and the adjoining north Tamil Nadu coasts.

  • Expected track: IMD said the storm is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, with wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph, between midnight (2330 hours IST) of 2 November and the early hours (0400 hours IST) of 3 November.
  • Weakening forecast: a Cyclonic Storm by 1130 hours IST on 3 November and a Deep Depression by 1130 hours IST on 4 November, per IMD’s forecast table.
  • Storm surge: a peak surge of 1.0 to 1.5 m above astronomical tides is expected during the night of 2 November to the early hours of 3 November, the maximum over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam districts.
  • Red alert: IMD put five districts, SPSR Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Bapatla and Krishna, on red alert for 2 November, The Hindu reported.
  • The name: “Murasu”, a Tamil word meaning war drums, is one of India’s submissions to the rotating list of names for cyclones in the region, The Hindu reported.
  • A second storm in a week: Cyclone Arnab crossed near Narsapur in West Godavari on 28 October; Andhra Pradesh puts its losses at ₹4,600 crore, The Hindu reported.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Murasu: a Severe Cyclonic Storm (IMD); expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast on the night of 2 to 3 November 2026.
  • Name: Tamil for war drums; India’s submission to the regional list (The Hindu).
  • Surge: 1.0 to 1.5 m above astronomical tides; maximum over Bapatla, Krishna and Prakasam (IMD).

Digi Yatra Trials for International Passengers at Seven Airports

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on 1 November 2026 that Digi Yatra trials will allow eligible Indian nationals holding e-passports to use Digi Yatra at designated airport touchpoints on select international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo. The trials are scheduled to run from November to December 2026.

  • Seven airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar.
  • How it works: a passenger must create an e-passport-based Verifiable Credential (VC) through the Digi Yatra mobile application, which involves scanning the passport’s machine-readable zone, reading its chip and taking a selfie.
  • Not a replacement: the facility is “intended to complement, and not replace, existing travel processes”.
  • Next steps: feedback from the trial will inform the planning of a wider rollout in 2027. Digi Yatra has over 26.5 million users and has enabled more than 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports; a further 25 domestic airports are planned to be covered by 2027.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Digi Yatra international trials: November to December 2026; seven airports; e-passport holders on select Air India and IndiGo flights.
  • Trial, not rollout: a wider rollout is being planned for 2027.

Soreng, Sikkim: India’s First Organic Fisheries Cluster Under PMMSY

Soreng District, Sikkim, is “India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster launched under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)”, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying said on 2 November 2026, during a visit by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh to Sikkim.

  • The cluster: it focuses on “ecologically healthy fish farming without the use of harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides, with special emphasis on Amur carp, Indian Major Carps (IMC) and Trout”.
  • Cluster approach: under PMMSY, 34 fisheries production and processing clusters have been notified across the country, including organic fisheries clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.
  • Launches: the Minister launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Organic Certification of Fisheries in the Northeastern region and inaugurated projects worth ₹375 lakh under PMMSY: hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage, and technologies such as Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS).
  • Trout and the ITBP: Sikkim has entered an MoU with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) for institutional procurement of locally produced Rainbow Trout; the proposed arrangement envisages regular supply to ITBP establishments.

📌 Facts Corner

  • First organic fisheries cluster under PMMSY: Soreng District, Sikkim; species focus Amur carp, Indian Major Carps and Trout.
  • PMMSY clusters: 34 notified nationally, including organic clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.

Bhutan Raises 108 Stupas at Gelephu; Stupa No. 76 Dedicated to PM Modi

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju represented the Government of India at the raising and consecration of 108 Stupas in Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan, led by the King of Bhutan on 1 November 2026, PIB said.

  • The scale: in a single day, thousands of volunteers erected 108 Stupas, each 15 metres tall and separated by 108 metres, on an 11.7 km stretch along the Aie (Mau) River within Gelephu Mindfulness City, near the border with Assam.
  • Stupa No. 76: dedicated by the King of Bhutan to Prime Minister Narendra Modi “for his commitment and steadfast support to the Gelephu Mindfulness City”. It is Bhutan’s dedication, not an Indian gift.
  • The visit (31 October to 2 November 2026): Rijiju had an audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, met Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, and reaffirmed India’s support for the Gelephu Mindfulness City.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Gelephu Mindfulness City: Bhutan, near the Assam border; 108 Stupas raised on 1 November 2026 along the Aie (Mau) River.
  • Stupa No. 76: dedicated by the King of Bhutan to PM Narendra Modi.

Sourabh Chandrakar Extradited from Oman in the Mahadev App Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with other central agencies, secured the extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar, the promoter of the Mahadev App illegal betting syndicate, from the Sultanate of Oman, the CBI said on 1 November 2026.

  • How: “Based on the Red Corner Notice issued against Sourabh Chandrakar, he was located and detained by the Royal Oman Police.” The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sent formal extradition proposals to Oman; once extradition was granted, a CBI team escorted him back from Muscat.
  • The cases: he is wanted in two CBI cases, with chargesheets filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Indian Penal Code provisions on criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery, and the Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act, and in an ED case in which a prosecution complaint has been filed.
  • Next: the CBI said he would be produced before the CBI Special Judge, Raipur, the next day.

📌 Facts Corner

  • Sourabh Chandrakar: Mahadev App promoter, extradited from Oman (CBI, 1 November 2026) after a Red Corner Notice.
  • Charges: Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; IPC; Chhattisgarh Gambling (Prohibition) Act; plus an ED case.

Kimi Antonelli Becomes the Youngest-Ever Formula 1 World Champion

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes became the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion, claiming the 2026 title with third place in the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November 2026, formula1.com reported. Max Verstappen won the race from Lewis Hamilton. The 20-year-old started fourth at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez and needed only to finish ninth in the 71-lap race to claim his maiden title.

📌 Facts Corner

  • 2026 F1 World Champion: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), aged 20, the youngest ever; title sealed at the Mexico City Grand Prix, 1 November 2026.

Today’s Deep Dives in Brief

  • Next Generation Corvettes (2 November 2026): the Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth Rs 53,866.50 crore with GRSE (five ships) and GSL (three) for eight Next Generation Corvettes, which the Ministry of Defence calls the first project in which the ships will be indigenously designed by the Indian Navy and built by DPSUs selected through a competitive process.
  • Ravva arbitral awards (2 November 2026): the Supreme Court dismissed the Centre’s appeal against the Delhi High Court judgment of 1 July 2026 that permitted enforcement of foreign arbitral awards of 2004 and 2016 in favour of Vedanta and Ravva Oil (Singapore), Bar & Bench reported.

Also in the News

  • Buddha relics at Tawang (31 October; conference on 2 November). The Piprahwa relics of Shakyamuni Buddha from the National Museum, New Delhi, were received by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu at Tawang on 31 October 2026, in the presence of Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, PIB said. The International Buddhist Confederation and the State Government were to hold an international conference, “Buddhism: Dissemination in the Himalayan Region and Beyond”, at Tawang on 2 November. The exposition coincides with Lhabab Duchen; the relics are scheduled to return to the National Museum on 21 November.
  • Commerce Secretary in Brussels (around 30 October). Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal met three European Commission Directors-General, of DG TRADE, DG INTPA and DG TAXUD, and joined a BusinessEurope roundtable on 30 October, PIB said on 2 November. The two sides agreed to maintain close engagement “to address the remaining procedural and implementation-related issues”, and the customs talks covered “preparations for the implementation of the India-EU FTA”.

From earlier editions

UPSC Relevance

Paper Syllabus theme Today’s hook
GS1 Important geophysical phenomena such as cyclones Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu
GS1 Indian culture; Buddhist heritage Piprahwa relics at Tawang
GS2 Elections; local bodies; judiciary SC on the Rajasthan SEC and voter awareness
GS2 Welfare schemes; grievance redressal and accountability VB-G RAM G Grievance Redressal Rules, 2026
GS2 India and its neighbourhood Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan
GS2 Bilateral and regional agreements Commerce Secretary’s talks in Brussels
GS3 Mobilisation of resources; indirect taxes GST collections for October 2026
GS3 Infrastructure: energy Coal India’s record output and supply
GS3 Infrastructure: airports; technology in governance Digi Yatra international trials
GS3 Agriculture and allied sectors Organic Fisheries Cluster, Soreng; PMMSY
GS3 Disaster management Murasu forecast, storm surge, red alerts
GS3 Internal security; money laundering; organised crime Extradition of Sourabh Chandrakar

📌 Facts Corner, Knowledgepedia

Prelims, statement-ready facts:

  • Rajasthan SEC: Supreme Court set aside its refusal of a voter awareness campaign on 2 November 2026; 48 hours to reconsider.
  • VB-G RAM G Grievance Rules, 2026: three tiers (Gram Panchayat, Block, District); enquiry in 7 working days, resolution in 15 days.
  • GST, October 2026: gross over ₹2.31 lakh crore, up 22.9%; net over ₹2.03 lakh crore, up 26% (PTI).
  • Coal India, October 2026: production 67.2 MT, the highest ever; supply 70.3 MT; CIL established 1 November 1975.
  • Murasu: Severe Cyclonic Storm in the Bay of Bengal; expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast, 2 to 3 November 2026.
  • Digi Yatra: international trials at seven airports, November to December 2026, for e-passport holders.
  • Soreng, Sikkim: India’s first Organic Fisheries Cluster under PMMSY; 34 PMMSY clusters notified nationally.
  • Gelephu Mindfulness City: Bhutan, near the Assam border; 108 Stupas raised on 1 November 2026.
  • Kimi Antonelli: youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion (2026, Mercedes).

Prelims, the traps:

  • Set aside, not allowed: the Supreme Court did not permit the Rajasthan campaign; the SEC must decide afresh within 48 hours.
  • Trial, not rollout: international Digi Yatra is a November to December 2026 trial; a wider rollout is planned for 2027.
  • Expected, not done: Murasu’s landfall was a forecast as of IMD’s bulletin of 2 November.
  • Bhutan’s dedication: Stupa No. 76 was dedicated by the King of Bhutan to PM Modi; it is not an Indian gift.
  • Gross and net GST: October’s ₹2.31 lakh crore is gross; net, after refunds, is over ₹2.03 lakh crore.

Mains, arguments and keywords:

  • Free and fair local elections: civil society voter education complements, and does not compete with, the SEC’s own drives.
  • Grievance redressal as accountability: registration without format barriers, fixed timelines and escalation make a job guarantee enforceable.
  • Energy security: record coal supply to power plants against the need to cut emissions and improve coal logistics.
  • Organic aquaculture: certification and traceability open premium markets for small fish farmers in the Northeast.

Interview, be ready for:

  • “Should a State Election Commission be able to stop civil society voter awareness drives?” Weigh regulation against citizens’ freedom to educate voters.

Sources: Bar & Bench, 2 November 2026 (Rajasthan SEC); PIB, 2 November 2026 (VB-G RAM G Rules); The Hindu (PTI), Delhi print edition, 2 November 2026 (GST); PIB, 1 November 2026 (Coal India); IMD National Bulletin No. 14, 2 November 2026 and The Hindu, Delhi print edition, 2 November 2026 (Murasu); PIB, 1 November 2026 (Digi Yatra); PIB, 2 November 2026 (Soreng); PIB, 1 November 2026 (Bhutan); CBI, 1 November 2026 (Chandrakar); formula1.com, 1 November 2026 (Antonelli); PIB, 2 November 2026 (Tawang); PIB, 2 November 2026 (Brussels).

Cite this page: Current Affairs Today 2 November 2026: UPSC News Roundup — Ujiyari.com | Free UPSC & State PCS Current Affairs