In short: Today’s Prelims current affairs cover the ₹14,500 crore energy storage scheme, the extension of Fast Track Special Courts, a capex scheme for lithium and nickel processing, VISTAR, India’s I-OECM Guidelines, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, draft rules on substandard drugs and a terahertz chip for 6G, with static links, a quick revision table and practice MCQs.
Cabinet Approves VGF Scheme for 92 GWh Grid-Scale Energy Storage
Why in news: The Union Cabinet approved a Viability Gap Funding scheme of ₹14,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31, for storage projects with an estimated investment of ₹97,600 crore.
- Capacity: 60 GWh hydro pumped storage, 30 GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and 2 GWh alternative technologies.
- Allocation: Tariff-based competitive bidding; BESS projects must have a minimum Domestic Content Requirement of 40%.
- Need: The country will require 411 GWh of grid-scale storage by 2031-32.
Source: PIB (Cabinet) · GS Paper 3 / Energy
Prelims angle: GW measures power and GWh measures energy; pumped storage is the largest component of this scheme.
Fast Track Special Courts Scheme Extended to 2031
Why in news: The Cabinet continued the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO courts, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031, with an outlay of ₹3,788.04 crore.
- Funding: The central share of ₹2,353.15 crore comes from the Nirbhaya Fund.
- Courts: Up from 779, including 399 exclusive POCSO courts, to 850.
- Record: 4,02,457 cases have been disposed of since the launch on 2 October 2019, in 29 States and UTs.
Source: PIB (Cabinet) · GS Paper 2 / Judiciary
Prelims angle: The scheme is implemented by the Department of Justice and followed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Capex Scheme for Lithium and Nickel Processing
Why in news: The Cabinet approved the Capex Support Scheme to Promote Critical Mineral Processing, with an outlay of ₹2,814 crore for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31.
- Support: 30% capital subsidy for four plants: two lithium (at least 30 kt each) and two nickel (at least 50 kt each).
- Caps: ₹500 crore per lithium beneficiary and ₹900 crore per nickel beneficiary.
- Selection: Technical screening, then the lowest capital support sought.
Source: PIB (Cabinet) · GS Paper 3 / Industry, resources
Prelims angle: Cobalt is expected as a by-product of nickel production; the MMDR Act was amended in 2023 for critical minerals.
VISTAR: Upgrading India’s Official Statistics
Why in news: The Cabinet approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics and Research (VISTAR), a central sector scheme with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore.
- Components: Statistical operations, Support for Statistical Strengthening, and the Economic Census.
- Surveys: 59 are planned in the 16th Finance Commission cycle, against 43 major surveys earlier.
- Census: The 8th Economic Census will cover non-farm establishments down to Gram Panchayat and Ward level.
Source: PIB (Cabinet) · GS Paper 2 / Governance
Prelims angle: A central sector scheme is fully funded by the Centre; PLFS and HCES are surveys conducted by MoSPI.
India Releases I-OECM Guidelines at CBD COP-17
Why in news: The Environment Minister released the Guidelines for Designation of India’s Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures, 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Meaning: Areas outside legally protected or conserved areas that deliver lasting in-situ conservation of biodiversity.
- Examples: Biodiversity parks, sacred groves, community irrigation tanks, seagrass beds and fisheries seasonal ban areas.
- Status: Recognition does not make a site a protected area and does not change its ownership or legal status.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Environment) · GS Paper 3 / Biodiversity
Prelims angle: OECMs support Target 3 (30×30) of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; the NBA is based in Chennai.
Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 Replaces the Aircraft Rules, 1937
Why in news: A PIB backgrounder explained the new aviation rules notified under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, which come into force on 1 January 2027.
- Structure: 220 rules in eight chapters and six schedules.
- Industry: Clearer aircraft design and certification, and a framework for fractional ownership.
- Leasing: With the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, which implements the Cape Town Convention framework, IDERA provides for time-bound deregistration.
Source: PIB Backgrounder · GS Paper 3 / Infrastructure
Prelims angle: Indian aircraft carry the nationality mark VT; operational airports rose from 74 in 2014 to 166 in October 2026.
Draft Rules on Immediate Suspension for Substandard Drugs
Why in news: The Health Ministry proposed amending the Drugs Rules, 1945 to suspend a manufacturing licence immediately when a drug is declared Not of Standard Quality on specified critical parameters.
- Parameters: Assay, dissolution, related substances, impurities and sterility.
- Revocation: Only after root cause analysis and verified Corrective and Preventive Action.
- Schedule M: A separate draft aligns Grade A microbial limits with WHO guidelines.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Health) · GS Paper 2 / Health
Prelims angle: Schedule M of the Drugs Rules deals with Good Manufacturing Practices; the DCGI heads CDSCO.
Silicon Chip Carries Terahertz Waves Across Barriers for Future 6G
Why in news: Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) showed data transmission of up to 100 Gbit/s across an engineered barrier on a silicon chip.
- Method: A photonic crystal that mimics graphene’s honeycomb lattice, using the effect called photonic Klein tunnelling.
- Result: A single barrier added only about 1-2% loss in the 310-360 GHz range.
- Terahertz waves: They lie between microwaves and infrared light and offer wide bandwidth.
Source: PIB (Ministry of Science and Technology) · GS Paper 3 / Science
Prelims angle: JNCASR, in Bengaluru, is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
Quick Revision Table
| Item | Key fact to remember | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Energy storage VGF | ₹14,500 crore; 92 GWh (60 PSP, 30 BESS, 2 others) | Energy |
| FTSC scheme | 850 courts to 2031; Nirbhaya Fund for central share | Polity |
| Critical mineral capex | ₹2,814 crore; 30% subsidy; lithium and nickel | Economy |
| VISTAR | MoSPI scheme; 3 components; 8th Economic Census | Governance |
| I-OECM Guidelines | Recognised by NBA; support the 30×30 target | Environment |
| Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam | In force 1 Jan 2027; replaces 1937 Rules | Infrastructure |
| NSQ drugs draft | Immediate licence suspension; root cause analysis | Health |
| Terahertz silicon chip | JNCASR; 100 Gbit/s; photonic Klein tunnelling | Science |
Practice MCQs
Q1. The scheme for Fast Track Special Courts, extended to March 2031, has its central share funded from:
- PM CARES Fund
- Nirbhaya Fund
- National Investigation Fund
- Contingency Fund of India
Show answer
Answer: (b) The central share of ₹2,353.15 crore comes from the Nirbhaya Fund.
Q2. In the Viability Gap Funding scheme for grid-scale storage, the minimum Domestic Content Requirement for BESS projects is:
- 20%
- 30%
- 40%
- 50%
Show answer
Answer: (c) BESS projects must meet a minimum Domestic Content Requirement of 40%.
Q3. With reference to the scheme for critical mineral processing approved in November 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It covers both lithium and nickel plants.
2. Beneficiaries are selected on the basis of the lowest capital support sought.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both are correct: two lithium and two nickel plants are covered, and technically qualified bidders are chosen on the least-cost criterion.
Q4. Which of the following can be an illustrative site under India’s I-OECM Guidelines, 2026?
1. Sacred groves
2. Biodiversity parks
3. Fisheries seasonal ban areas
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (d) All three are listed as illustrative sites in the Guidelines.
Q5. The nationality mark on the registration of Indian civil aircraft is:
- IN
- BH
- VT
- AI
Show answer
Answer: (c) Aircraft registered in India must display the nationality mark VT, followed by a hyphen and three assigned capital letters.
FAQs
What are the important Prelims current affairs of 4 November 2026?
The key Prelims topics of 4 November 2026 are the energy storage VGF scheme, Fast Track Special Courts, the critical mineral capex scheme, VISTAR, I-OECM Guidelines, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, draft drug rules and a terahertz chip.
What is the VISTAR scheme?
VISTAR is a central sector scheme of ₹4,371.10 crore run by MoSPI to upgrade official statistics, including surveys, support to States and UTs, and the 8th Economic Census.
What are OECMs?
Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures are areas outside legally protected or conserved areas that still deliver lasting in-situ conservation of biodiversity, without any change in ownership or legal status.
When do the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 come into force?
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 come into force on 1 January 2027 and replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937, under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
हिंदी सारांश
4 नवंबर 2026 के प्रारंभिक परीक्षा करंट अफ़ेयर्स में मंत्रिमंडल की 92 गीगावाट-घंटा ऊर्जा भंडारण के लिए ₹14,500 करोड़ की योजना प्रमुख है। फास्ट ट्रैक विशेष न्यायालय योजना मार्च 2031 तक बढ़ी और इनकी संख्या 850 होगी। लिथियम और निकेल प्रसंस्करण के लिए ₹2,814 करोड़ और सांख्यिकी प्रणाली के लिए VISTAR योजना स्वीकृत हुई। पर्यावरण मंत्री ने I-OECM दिशानिर्देश जारी किए, भारतीय वायुयान नियम 2026 पर PIB की टिप्पणी आई, घटिया दवाओं पर तत्काल लाइसेंस निलंबन का प्रस्ताव आया और JNCASR के वैज्ञानिकों ने 6G के लिए टेराहर्ट्ज़ चिप विकसित की।
Sources: PIB release 2332474; PIB release 2332483; PIB release 2332476; PIB release 2332480; PIB release 2332733; PIB release 2332687; PIB release 2332796; PIB release 2332613.
Related reading on GSMitra: UPSC Prelims Current Affairs 3 November 2026, Agnipath Changes Explained for UPSC, Daily Editorial Analysis 4 November 2026.
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