In short: The most exam-relevant PIB news of 1 November 2026: Digi Yatra begins international trials, coal imports fall as Coal India sets output records, and the new Air Chief unveils the VAYU vision.
Today’s PIB at a Glance
| # | News | Syllabus | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digi Yatra Begins Trials for International Passengers at Seven Airports | GS Paper 3, Technology | Core topic ★★★ |
| 2 | Coal Imports Fall 5.83% in August as Coal India Posts Record October Output | GS Paper 3, Energy | Core topic ★★★ |
| 3 | New Air Chief Sets Out ‘VAYU’ Vision for the Indian Air Force | GS Paper 3, Defence | Important ★★☆ |
| 4 | Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Flagged Off | GS Paper 3, Railways | Important ★★☆ |
| 5 | EPFO Marks 74th Foundation Day; Launches WhatsApp Services and Auto-Settlement of Inoperative Accounts | GS Paper 2, Social security | Important ★★☆ |
| 6 | Conference of Public Accounts Committee Chairpersons to Meet in Thiruvananthapuram | GS Paper 2, Parliament | Important ★★☆ |
| 7 | Vice-President Opens National Organ Transplant Games 2026 | GS Paper 2, Health | Good to know ★☆☆ |
1. Digi Yatra Begins Trials for International Passengers at Seven Airports
Key points
- The trials cover Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports, for Indian nationals with e-passports on select Air India and IndiGo international flights.
- Passengers create an e-passport based Verifiable Credential in the app by scanning the passport’s Machine Readable Zone, reading its chip through NFC and taking a selfie.
- The credential is stored in the passenger’s own Digi Yatra wallet on the phone and is used at terminal entry, security hold areas and boarding gates.
- The facility only adds to existing checks; passengers must still carry documents and clear immigration and airline document checks.
- Digi Yatra now has over 26.5 million users and has handled more than 110 million journeys across 39 domestic airports, with 25 more airports planned by 2027.
Concerns and safeguards
- Facial recognition raises privacy risks, because biometric data, if misused or leaked, cannot be changed like a password.
- The system follows a decentralised model in which personal data stays on the user’s phone and airport systems are meant to purge it after the flight.
- Reports of passengers being pushed to enrol at airport counters have raised questions about whether consent is always free and informed.
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 now requires consent, purpose limitation and data deletion, which will apply to the international rollout as well.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Infrastructure (airports); awareness in IT; GS Paper 2: Government policies and interventions.
Key facts
| Trial airports | 7 (Delhi to Amritsar) |
|---|---|
| Users | Over 26.5 million |
| Wider rollout | Planned in 2027 |
Static Connect
- Digi Yatra Foundation is a not-for-profit company owned by the Airports Authority of India and major airport operators; it runs the platform.
- e-passports carry an embedded chip with the holder’s biometric data, following ICAO standards.
- Article 21 includes the right to privacy (K.S. Puttaswamy, 2017), which tests any use of facial recognition by the State.
Prelims pointers
- Digi Yatra international trials: November-December 2026, seven airports.
- Credential type: e-passport based Verifiable Credential stored on the user’s phone.
Mains takeaway: Biometric travel can cut queues and costs, but public trust depends on voluntary use, data minimisation and enforceable privacy rules.
Source: PIB release 2331200
2. Coal Imports Fall 5.83% in August as Coal India Posts Record October Output
What the import data show
| Item | Aug 2025 | Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total imports | 111.05 MT | 104.57 MT |
| Imports by power plants | 22.77 MT | 21.32 MT |
| Imports for blending (domestic plants) | 4.64 MT | 3.00 MT |
| Coking coal imports | 28.49 MT | 27.30 MT |
| Share of imports in coal use | 21.20% | 19.30% |
- Imports for blending at domestic-coal power plants fell by 35.23%, the sharpest fall, as more domestic coal became available.
- Imports by plants designed to run on imported coal rose slightly, by 0.98%, since these plants cannot easily switch fuel.
Coal India’s record month
- CIL produced 67.2 MT in October 2026, its highest monthly output, and supplied a record 70.3 MT of coal, both up about 19% over October 2025.
- Supply to the power sector reached a record 57.1 MT, and daily rake loading for power plants touched 310 rakes.
Why it matters
- Lower imports save foreign exchange and protect power supply from global price spikes, which matters when energy markets are unsettled.
- Coking coal for steel will remain largely imported, because Indian coking coal has high ash and is limited in quantity.
- Rising coal output sits uneasily with climate goals, so the policy aim is to use coal for energy security while non-fossil capacity grows.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Infrastructure (energy); GS Paper 1: Distribution of key natural resources.
Key facts
| Coal imports, Aug 2026 | 104.57 MT (down 5.83%) |
|---|---|
| CIL output, Oct 2026 | 67.2 MT, highest ever |
| Import share in use | 19.30% |
Static Connect
- Coal India Limited was formed in 1975 and has its headquarters in Kolkata; it is a Maharatna company.
- Coking coal is used to make coke for blast furnaces in steel plants; thermal (non-coking) coal is burnt in power plants.
- Most of India’s coal is Gondwana coal, found in the Damodar, Mahanadi and Godavari valleys.
Prelims pointers
- Largest coal-producing company in India: Coal India Limited.
- Coking coal is mostly imported because domestic reserves are limited and high in ash.
Mains takeaway: Cutting thermal coal imports improves energy security, but India must plan a fair transition for coal regions as clean energy expands.
Source: PIB release 2331073 · PIB release 2331230
3. New Air Chief Sets Out ‘VAYU’ Vision for the Indian Air Force
The four pillars
| Letter | Meaning | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| V | Vigilance, Victory and Readiness | High operational readiness and restoring combat strength to sanctioned levels |
| A | Aatmanirbharta | Indigenous platforms, sensors and weapons |
| Y | Yukti | Innovation in doctrine and technology, including AI-enabled command and counter-drone systems |
| U | Unity of Effort | Jointness with the Army, Navy and national agencies |
- The pillar on unity links to the national theme of ‘JAI’, standing for Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation.
- He began his tenure by paying homage at the National War Memorial and receiving a Guard of Honour in New Delhi.
Why it matters
- Restoring squadron numbers is urgent because ageing MiG-21 and other fleets have retired faster than new Tejas jets have arrived.
- The stress on counter-drone systems and AI-enabled command reflects lessons from recent conflicts, where cheap drones and fast data links shaped air battles.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Security forces and their mandate.
Static Connect
- The National War Memorial in New Delhi, near India Gate, was inaugurated in 2019.
- Integrated theatre commands would place units of all three services under one commander for a geographic area.
Prelims pointers
- IAF vision ‘VAYU’: Vigilance, Aatmanirbharta, Yukti, Unity of Effort.
- 29th Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
Mains takeaway: A clear service vision helps align procurement, training and doctrine, especially as the forces move towards joint theatre commands.
Source: PIB release 2331212
4. Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express Flagged Off
Key points
- Sleeper services began on the Howrah-Guwahati corridor in January 2026, and the Varanasi-New Delhi sleeper train was flagged off on 31 October.
- The new train links India’s IT and start-up hub with its financial capital and serves stations in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
- The Vande Bharat trains are semi-high-speed trainsets designed in India and built at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, and other units.
Why it matters
- Overnight sleeper trains compete with short flights on busy routes and can move business travellers at lower cost and emissions.
- Indigenous trainsets support Make in India and could become an export product for rail systems abroad.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 3: Infrastructure (railways).
Static Connect
- The Integral Coach Factory, Chennai (Perambur) built the first Vande Bharat train, flagged off in 2019 between New Delhi and Varanasi.
- Semi-high-speed trains in India run at up to about 160 km/h, while high-speed rail such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor is designed for 320 km/h.
Prelims pointers
- First Vande Bharat Sleeper corridor: Howrah-Guwahati (January 2026).
- Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper flagged off on 1 November 2026.
Mains takeaway: Modern overnight trains can shift travel from air to rail, but punctuality and track upgrades decide whether they succeed.
Source: PIB release 2331297 · PIB release 2331258
5. EPFO Marks 74th Foundation Day; Launches WhatsApp Services and Auto-Settlement of Inoperative Accounts
Key points
- The Labour Minister launched EPFO services through WhatsApp, so that members can get information and updates on a common messaging app.
- Automatic settlement of eligible inoperative EPF accounts was started, with the first batch covering one lakh accounts worth about ₹5 crore.
- The Minister asked officers to place worker welfare at the centre of new technology, under the slogan ‘Seva is our Sanskaar’.
Why it matters
- Large sums lie unclaimed in inoperative accounts of workers who changed jobs or died, and automatic settlement returns that money to members or families.
- EPFO covers mainly formal workers, so its reach still leaves out most of the informal workforce, which depends on schemes under the Code on Social Security, 2020.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 2: Welfare schemes and institutions for vulnerable sections.
Static Connect
- The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 created the EPF; EPFO works under the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- The Central Board of Trustees, chaired by the Union Labour Minister, is EPFO’s apex decision-making body.
Prelims pointers
- EPFO corpus: about ₹32 lakh crore; members: over 8 crore.
- EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees is chaired by the Union Labour Minister.
Mains takeaway: Digital services and automatic settlement can make social security easier to claim, which builds trust among workers.
Source: PIB release 2331157
6. Conference of Public Accounts Committee Chairpersons to Meet in Thiruvananthapuram
Key points
- The two-day conference has the theme ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance: The Evolving Role of the PAC’.
- Chairpersons and members of PACs from Parliament and the States will share experience on following up audit findings.
- The Chairperson of Parliament’s PAC will give the welcome address, and the Speaker will deliver the valedictory address on 4 November.
Why it matters
- The PAC examines the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on government spending, so it is the main legislative check on how public money is used.
- Many CAG reports are discussed late or not at all, which weakens accountability, so better follow-up by PACs is a recurring reform demand.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 2: Parliament and State legislatures; constitutional bodies (CAG).
Static Connect
- Parliament’s PAC has 22 members: 15 from the Lok Sabha and 7 from the Rajya Sabha; ministers cannot be members.
- By convention since 1967, the PAC chairperson is from the Opposition; the CAG acts as its ‘friend, philosopher and guide’.
- The CAG is appointed under Article 148, and its reports are laid before Parliament under Article 151.
Prelims pointers
- PAC strength: 22 (15 Lok Sabha + 7 Rajya Sabha).
- Conference theme: Audit, Accountability and Good Governance.
Mains takeaway: Strong, Opposition-led PACs that act on audit findings are central to legislative control over the executive’s spending.
Source: PIB release 2331150
7. Vice-President Opens National Organ Transplant Games 2026
Key points
- The Games were organised with NOTTO, the Renal Care Foundation and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, and honoured medal winners from the World Transplant Games.
- About 570 transplant recipients and donors set a world record for the largest Tadasana yoga gathering.
- The Vice-President asked people to clear myths about organ donation, since the gap between patients waiting and organs available is large.
Exam Connect
Syllabus: GS Paper 2: Issues relating to health.
Static Connect
- The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994 regulates organ donation and bans trade in organs; NOTTO works under the Health Ministry.
Prelims pointers
- NOTTO: National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, under the Health Ministry.
Mains takeaway: Higher deceased organ donation needs awareness, trained hospital staff and a trusted, transparent allocation system.
Source: PIB release 2331147
Quick Bites for Prelims
- New GSI chief: Dinesh V. Ganvir took charge as the 55th Director General of the Geological Survey of India, an attached office of the Mines Ministry founded in 1851. (PIB)
- 108 Stupas in Bhutan: Kiren Rijiju represented India at the consecration of 108 stupas, each 15 metres tall, in Gelephu Mindfulness City near the Assam border; one stupa was dedicated to the Indian Prime Minister. (PIB)
- INS Trishul in Greece: The frigate called at Souda Bay, Crete, during its Mediterranean deployment, including visits to the NATO Maritime Interdiction Operational Training Centre. (PIB)
- Multi-Modal Logistics Park, Sindi: Work began on an MMLP at Sindi Railway near Wardha, built by NHAI’s NHLML with JNPA on 150 acres, to export Vidarbha cotton and oranges via JNPA and Haldia. (PIB)
- Haryana at 60: The President attended the Hirak Jayanti of Haryana at Kurukshetra; the State was carved out of Punjab on 1 November 1966, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched at Panipat in 2015. (PIB)
- Bharat Renewable Energy Summit: The four-day summit, themed ‘Invest. Innovate. Inspire.’, opens on 2 November at Bharat Mandapam alongside the 9th ISA Assembly and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen. (PIB)
Practice Questions
Prelims MCQs
Q1. With reference to Digi Yatra, consider the following statements:
1. It uses facial recognition to verify passengers at airport touchpoints.
2. Under the international trials, the credential is created using an e-passport.
3. It replaces immigration checks for international passengers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (a)
- Statement 1 is correct. Digi Yatra matches the passenger’s face with a stored credential at entry, security and boarding.
- Statement 2 is correct. The trial credential is built from the e-passport’s MRZ and chip data plus a selfie.
- Statement 3 is incorrect. The facility complements, and does not replace, immigration and airline document checks.
Q2. Consider the following statements regarding coal in India:
1. Coking coal is mainly used in thermal power plants.
2. India’s domestic coking coal generally has high ash content.
3. Coal India Limited is the largest coal producer in India.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b)
- Statement 1 is incorrect. Coking coal is used to make coke for steel blast furnaces; power plants use non-coking (thermal) coal.
- Statement 2 is correct. High ash and limited reserves are why India imports most of its coking coal.
- Statement 3 is correct. CIL produced a record 67.2 MT in October 2026 alone.
Q3. With reference to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, consider the following statements:
1. It consists of members from both Houses of Parliament.
2. A minister can be elected as its member.
3. It examines the audit reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b)
- Statement 1 is correct. The PAC has 15 Lok Sabha and 7 Rajya Sabha members.
- Statement 2 is incorrect. Ministers cannot be members of the PAC.
- Statement 3 is correct. Scrutiny of CAG reports on appropriation and finance accounts is its main task.
Q4. The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) functions under which Ministry?
- Ministry of Finance
- Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b)
- Option (a) is incorrect. The Finance Ministry oversees banks and pension regulation through PFRDA, not EPFO.
- Option (b) is correct. EPFO works under the Labour Ministry, and its Central Board of Trustees is chaired by the Labour Minister.
- Option (c) is incorrect. Corporate Affairs deals with company law.
- Option (d) is incorrect. Social Justice deals with welfare of disadvantaged groups, not provident funds.
Q5. Which of the following States was formed on 1 November 1966?
- Himachal Pradesh
- Haryana
- Meghalaya
- Chhattisgarh
Show answer and explanation
Answer: (b)
- Option (a) is incorrect. Himachal Pradesh became a full State in 1971.
- Option (b) is correct. Haryana was carved out of Punjab on 1 November 1966 and marked its 60th year in 2026.
- Option (c) is incorrect. Meghalaya became a full State in 1972.
- Option (d) is incorrect. Chhattisgarh was formed on 1 November 2000.
Mains Practice Questions
Q. Facial recognition at airports promises convenience but raises concerns about privacy and consent. Examine with reference to Digi Yatra. (GS Paper 3, 250 words)
Approach: Describe Digi Yatra and its scale (26.5 million users, international trials); list benefits (faster processing, lower costs); discuss privacy, consent, data retention and function creep; cite Puttaswamy and the DPDP Act, 2023; suggest independent audits and opt-out options; conclude.
Q. Falling coal imports and record domestic output improve India’s energy security but complicate its climate goals. Discuss. (GS Paper 3, 250 words)
Approach: Use the August import data and CIL’s October record; explain gains (forex, supply security) and the coking coal gap; discuss emissions and the 2070 net-zero goal; suggest a just transition for coal regions; conclude on a balanced energy mix.
FAQs
Where are the Digi Yatra international trials being held?
The Digi Yatra international trials are being held at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Cochin, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports from November to December 2026.
By how much did India’s coal imports fall in August 2026?
India’s coal imports fell by 5.83% in August 2026 to 104.57 million tonnes, and the share of imports in total coal use dropped to 19.30%.
What does the IAF’s VAYU vision stand for?
VAYU stands for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness; Aatmanirbharta; Yukti, or innovation; and Unity of Effort with the other services and agencies.
What is the theme of the PAC Chairpersons’ Conference 2026?
The theme of the conference in Thiruvananthapuram is ‘Audit, Accountability and Good Governance: The Evolving Role of the PAC’.
हिंदी सारांश
1 नवंबर 2026 को डिजी यात्रा ने सात हवाई अड्डों पर अंतरराष्ट्रीय यात्रियों के लिए परीक्षण शुरू किए, जिसमें ई-पासपोर्ट से पहचान बनाई जाती है। अगस्त 2026 में भारत का कोयला आयात 5.83% घटा और कोल इंडिया ने अक्टूबर में 67.2 मिलियन टन का रिकॉर्ड उत्पादन किया। नए वायुसेना प्रमुख ने ‘VAYU’ विज़न प्रस्तुत किया। बेंगलुरु-मुंबई वंदे भारत स्लीपर ट्रेन शुरू हुई। EPFO ने 74वाँ स्थापना दिवस मनाया और व्हाट्सऐप सेवाएँ शुरू कीं। लोक लेखा समितियों के अध्यक्षों का सम्मेलन तिरुवनंतपुरम में होगा और राष्ट्रीय अंग प्रत्यारोपण खेल 2026 का उद्घाटन हुआ।
Sources: PIB release 2331200; PIB release 2331073; PIB release 2331230; PIB release 2331212; PIB release 2331297; PIB release 2331258; PIB release 2331157; PIB release 2331150; PIB release 2331147; PIB release 2331156; PIB release 2331224; PIB release 2331076; PIB release 2331235; PIB release 2331227; PIB release 2331222.
Related reading on GSMitra: PIB News Today: 1 November 2026, UPSC Prelims Current Affairs 31 October 2026, NavIC and NVS-03 Explained for UPSC.
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