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Home› Current Affairs› 5 November 2026
05Nov
Thursday · 2026 · Daily Digest

Daily Current Affairs 5 November 2026

Five exam-ready news topics of the day for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS, CPO and GD — written in the one-line fact format the General Awareness section actually asks for, each closing with an Important Facts for Exams slip, plus 8 practice MCQs at the end.

05Topics
8Practice MCQs
80+Exam Facts
8Min Read
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📊 Cabinet Approvals 🪖 Agniveer Extension 🗳️ US Midterms ⚖️ CEC Immunity Case 📡 6G Silicon Chip 📝 Practice MCQs

Today at a glance

If you have two minutes, read only this. Every line below is a potential one-mark question.

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Cabinet Decisions Statistical System 5 November 2026

Cabinet Approves VISTAR and Critical Mineral Processing Schemes

  • The Union Cabinet approved the VISTAR Scheme for 2026–27 to 2030–31, with an outlay of over ₹4,371 crore.
  • VISTAR stands for Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research.
  • The scheme covers statistical and data-management activities of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • VISTAR aims to modernise India’s official statistical system through more timely, granular and interoperable data.
  • Its planned work includes large-scale surveys, methodological research, digital transformation and national data governance.
  • The Cabinet also approved the Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing.
  • The critical-mineral scheme has a financial outlay of ₹2,814 crore over five years.
  • It will provide capital-expenditure support to establish and operationalise domestic critical-mineral processing facilities.
  • The scheme addresses risks from processing being concentrated in a few global locations, including supply disruption and price volatility.
  • Domestic processing is intended to support supply-chain resilience, economic security and decarbonisation targets.

Approval at a glance

InitiativeVISTAR Scheme
VISTAR period2026–27 to 2030–31
VISTAR outlayOver ₹4,371 crore
VISTAR ministryMinistry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Critical-mineral schemeCapex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing
Critical-mineral outlay and duration₹2,814 crore over five years

Important Facts for Exams

  • What is the full form of VISTAR? — Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research.
  • Which ministry’s statistical activities are covered by VISTAR? — Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
  • What is the VISTAR scheme period? — 2026–27 to 2030–31.
  • What is the purpose of the VISTAR Scheme? — To upgrade India’s official statistical system.
  • Which scheme supports domestic critical-mineral processing facilities? — Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing.
  • What is the duration of the critical-mineral processing scheme? — Five years.
  • What is the main supply-chain concern addressed by the critical-mineral scheme? — Processing concentration in a few global locations.

Source: News On AIR report

Cabinet Decisions Agnipath 5 November 2026

Cabinet Approves Two-Year Extension for Agniveers

  • The Union Cabinet approved an additional two-year engagement period for Agniveers who were previously due to leave after four years.
  • The extension applies to the 75% of Agniveers who were earlier set to exit after their initial service period.
  • After the extra two years, Agniveers who are willing to continue may be enrolled in the Armed Forces.
  • The report also states that 25% of Agniveers are to be enrolled in the regular forces on merit.
  • The extended engagement will come with higher remuneration, according to the report.
  • The first batch of Agniveers was nearing completion of its original four-year tenure.
  • The Army’s feedback on Agniveers’ performance over the four-year period was reported as positive.
  • Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani briefed the media after the Cabinet meeting in New Delhi.
  • The Agnipath Scheme was introduced on 14 June 2022.
  • Recruitment under Agnipath has expanded to almost all districts across the country, and the process was described as more transparent and streamlined.

Service extension details

Original service periodFour years
Additional engagement approvedTwo years
Group offered the additional period75% previously due to exit
Further enrolmentWilling Agniveers may enrol after the added period
Regular-force enrolment noted in the report25%, based on merit
Agnipath introduction date14 June 2022

Important Facts for Exams

  • When was the Agnipath Scheme introduced? — 14 June 2022.
  • How long was the original Agniveer service period? — Four years.
  • What additional engagement period did the Cabinet approve? — Two years.
  • What proportion of Agniveers was previously due to exit and is now offered the extra engagement? — 75%.
  • How is the 25% regular-force enrolment described in the report? — Enrolment based on merit.
  • Who briefed the media on the Cabinet decision? — Chief of Defence Staff General N. S. Raja Subramani.
  • Where was the Cabinet meeting briefing held? — New Delhi.

Source: News On AIR report

International Relations US Elections 5 November 2026

Democrats Win Control of Both Houses in US Midterms

  • The Democratic Party secured control of both chambers of the US Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
  • Democrats won at least 228 seats in the 435-member House of Representatives, above the 218-seat majority mark.
  • In the Senate, Democrats won 54 seats and Republicans won 44, with two seats still undecided in the reported results.
  • The results ended Republican control of both chambers, according to the report.
  • Democratic gains included traditionally Republican states such as Texas, South Carolina, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio.
  • The report identified inflation and rising fuel prices among the key economic campaign issues.
  • The prolonged US-Israeli war with Iran and its effects on global energy supplies also featured as a campaign issue.
  • Control of both chambers gives Democrats greater scope to scrutinise the administration, investigate and block proposals or presidential nominations.
  • President Donald Trump remained in office and retained executive powers, including the ability to veto legislation.

Congress and reported results

Lower chamberHouse of Representatives
House seats and majority mark435 seats; 218 for a majority
Democratic House resultAt least 228 seats
Upper chamberSenate
Senate result reportedDemocrats 54; Republicans 44; two undecided
President after the midtermsDonald Trump remained in office

Important Facts for Exams

  • Which party won control of both chambers in the 2026 US midterms? — The Democratic Party.
  • What is the lower chamber of the US Congress? — The House of Representatives.
  • How many seats are in the US House of Representatives? — 435.
  • How many seats make a majority in the 435-member House? — 218.
  • How many Senate seats had Democrats won in the reported results? — 54.
  • Who remained President of the United States after the midterm elections? — Donald Trump.
  • Which two chambers make up the US Congress? — The House of Representatives and the Senate.

Source: News On AIR report

Appointments Election Commission 5 November 2026

Supreme Court Seeks Replies on Election Commissioners’ Immunity

  • The Supreme Court of India sought responses from the Centre and the Election Commission of India on a petition challenging legal immunity for election commissioners.
  • The petition challenges Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
  • Section 16 bars civil and criminal proceedings for acts performed by the CEC and Election Commissioners in the discharge of official duties.
  • The petitioner argued that the immunity is blanket in scope and has no exception for acts allegedly committed without good faith.
  • The plea said voters, candidates and citizens could be left without legal recourse against alleged wrongful or mala fide actions.
  • The petitioner argued that safeguards against frivolous complaints and prior judicial scrutiny could protect commissioners without fully barring legal remedies.
  • The notice was issued by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana.
  • The Court’s notice sought responses; the report did not state that the Court had ruled on the provision’s constitutional validity.

Case details

CourtSupreme Court of India
Provision challengedSection 16
Relevant lawChief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Act, 2023
Respondents asked to replyCentre and Election Commission of India
Provision’s subjectCivil and criminal proceedings for official-duty acts
Bench headChief Justice of India Surya Kant

Important Facts for Exams

  • Which section is under challenge? — Section 16.
  • Which Act contains Section 16? — Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
  • Which court sought responses on the petition? — The Supreme Court of India.
  • Which two bodies were asked to respond? — The Centre and the Election Commission of India.
  • What kind of proceedings does Section 16 bar for official-duty acts? — Civil and criminal proceedings.
  • Who headed the bench mentioned in the report? — Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
  • Did the report say the Supreme Court had delivered a final ruling? — No; it had sought responses.

Source: News On AIR report

Science & Technology 6G 5 November 2026

Silicon Chip Demonstrates Low-Loss Terahertz Transmission

  • Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed a silicon photonic-crystal chip for terahertz signals.
  • JNCASR is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • The chip demonstrated data transmission at up to 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) across a deliberately created obstacle.
  • The demonstration could help develop compact terahertz circuits for future sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks.
  • The tested frequency range was 310–360 GHz; terahertz frequencies lie between microwaves and infrared light.
  • The photonic crystal used carefully patterned triangular holes in a thin silicon layer, with a structure inspired by graphene’s honeycomb lattice.
  • Adding one obstacle caused about 1–2% signal loss; two obstacles in sequence caused about 2–3% loss.
  • In high-speed tests, the double-obstacle and omega-shaped devices transmitted at 48 Gbps and 60 Gbps, respectively.
  • A power splitter supported 100 Gbps using QAM-32 modulation, which encodes information through signal amplitude and phase.
  • The research was published in the journal *Advanced Materials* and was led by JNCASR assistant professor Abhishek Kumar.

Research at a glance

Research institutionJNCASR, an autonomous DST institute
TechnologySilicon photonic crystal using topological photonics
Demonstrated maximum data rate100 Gbps
Test frequency range310–360 GHz
100 Gbps devicePower splitter using QAM-32 modulation
JournalAdvanced Materials

Important Facts for Exams

  • Which institute developed the terahertz chip? — Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR).
  • JNCASR is an autonomous institute of which department? — Department of Science and Technology.
  • What maximum data rate did the power splitter support? — 100 Gbps.
  • Which modulation method was used for the 100 Gbps power-splitter test? — QAM-32.
  • What frequency range was tested? — 310–360 GHz.
  • What is the name of the journal in which the study appeared? — Advanced Materials.
  • Terahertz frequencies lie between which parts of the electromagnetic spectrum? — Microwaves and infrared light.

Source: PIB release

Test Yourself

SSC Current Affairs Quiz — 5 November 2026

8 exam-style questions from today's news. Tap an option to check your answer instantly.

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About this page

Daily Current Affairs 5 November 2026 for SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and CPO

This page carries the complete current affairs of 5 November 2026, prepared specifically for candidates preparing for SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC GD Constable and other competitive examinations. Every topic on this page is compiled from All India Radio (News On AIR) reports and official Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and written in the short, factual, one-line style that the General Awareness section of SSC papers actually tests — dates, full forms, ministries, venues, appointments and numbers — rather than long news reporting.

The topics covered today are the VISTAR and critical-mineral processing approvals, the Agniveer service extension, the 2026 US midterm results, the Supreme Court challenge to Election Commissioner immunity, and JNCASR’s terahertz chip for future 6G networks. Each topic ends with an Important Facts for Exams box, and the page closes with 8 practice MCQs with answers.

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Why daily current affairs matter in the SSC exam

In SSC CGL Tier I, the General Awareness section carries 25 questions of 2 marks each, that is 50 marks out of 200, and it must be completed in a locked 15-minute sectional window under the 2026 pattern. Unlike Quantitative Aptitude or Reasoning, General Awareness rewards recall rather than calculation, so a well-prepared candidate can finish the whole section in seven or eight minutes and carry the saved time as a psychological cushion into the rest of the paper.

Within that section, current affairs typically account for a meaningful share of questions, and the questions are almost always factual one-liners — who launched a scheme, where a summit was held, which ministry implements a programme, what a scheme's full form is. That is exactly why this page is written as short bullet facts rather than paragraphs of analysis.

Topics covered on 5 November 2026 and the sections they belong to

TopicCategoryMost likely question
Cabinet ApprovalsCabinet DecisionsVISTAR full form and ministry
Agniveer ExtensionCabinet DecisionsAgnipath extension and duration
US MidtermsInternational RelationsParty controlling both US chambers
CEC Immunity CaseAppointmentsSection 16 of the 2023 Act
6G Silicon ChipScience & TechnologyJNCASR chip’s data rate

How to use this daily current affairs page effectively

  1. Read the “Today at a glance” box first. A handful of lines, under two minutes. If you are short on time on a busy day, this alone keeps you current.
  2. Then read each topic once, slowly. Do not try to memorise on the first pass — understanding what happened makes the facts stick far better than rote repetition.
  3. Revise only the Important Facts for Exams boxes. These are deliberately written in question–answer shape, so they double as a revision sheet in the last week before the exam.
  4. Attempt the practice MCQs the same day. Active recall on the day you read something is worth several passive re-readings later.
  5. Do a weekly sweep every Sunday. Open the last seven date pages from the archive and read only the fact boxes — that takes about fifteen minutes and covers a full week.
  6. Link every current affair to static GK. When you read about a summit, revise the organisation's headquarters and member capitals at the same time. SSC frequently mixes the two.

Standard categories SSC asks current affairs from

Over the last several exam cycles, current affairs questions in SSC papers have clustered into a predictable set of buckets. Reading with these buckets in mind makes your notes far easier to revise:

Related practice on TrickySSC

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the full form of VISTAR?
VISTAR means Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research. It is a scheme covering statistical and data-management activities of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
What did the Cabinet approve for Agniveers?
The Cabinet approved an additional two-year engagement period for Agniveers who were earlier due to leave after four years. The report says willing Agniveers may enrol in the Armed Forces after the added period.
Who won control of the US Congress in the 2026 midterm elections?
The Democratic Party secured control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The reported results showed at least 228 Democratic House seats and 54 Democratic Senate seats, with two Senate seats undecided.
What is Section 16 of the Election Commissioners Act about?
Section 16 of the 2023 Act bars civil and criminal proceedings against the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners for acts done in the discharge of official duties. The Supreme Court sought responses on a petition challenging its constitutional validity.
Which institute developed the low-loss terahertz chip?
The chip was developed by researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR). JNCASR is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
What data rate did the terahertz chip demonstrate?
The power-splitter device supported data transmission at 100 Gbps using QAM-32 modulation. The study tested the devices in the 310–360 GHz frequency range.
Is current affairs enough to score well in SSC General Awareness?
No. Current affairs are important but static GK — History, Geography, Polity, Economics and Science — still carries the larger share of the General Awareness section. The most reliable approach is to read current affairs daily for about ten minutes and revise static GK chapter-wise alongside, using chapter-wise tests to check retention.
Are these daily current affairs pages free on TrickySSC?
Yes. All daily current affairs pages and the complete date-wise archive are free to read, with no login required. SSC CGL and SSC CHSL previous year papers are also free; the full 100-mock test series is available on the paid plan, with Mocks 1–4 free for everyone.

Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Published by TrickySSC · Compiled from All India Radio (News On AIR) reports and official Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases and presented for examination preparation purposes only.