News 08-11-2026. News For 09th-Nov (Monday) Summary of October National News 1. The India–New Zealand FTA came into effect, granting zero-duty access to 100% of India's qualifying goods exports to New Zealand. The agreement also includes commitments to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India over 15 years and improve professional mobility. 2. The World Bank, in its India Development Update, projected India's GDP growth at 7.1% for FY 2026–27, supported by domestic demand and exports. It also recognised India among the top 10 emerging-market performers in AI readiness. 3. India ranked 100th out of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index with a score of 24.1, placing it in the serious hunger category. The index assesses undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting and child mortality. 4. India hosted the eighth Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi under the theme A World in Play: Defining the New Levers of Power. Global leaders discussed economic development, trade, technology and geopolitical challenges. 5. ISRO successfully launched the NVS-03 satellite aboard GSLV-F18 from Sriharikota. It is the third satellite in India's next-generation navigation series, designed to strengthen NavIC, India's indigenous satellite navigation system. The satellite also carries an Indian-made atomic clock. International News 1. Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their pioneering work on optogenetics, a technique using light to control genetically modified cells, especially neurons. 2. Physicist Francis Halzen received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics for his contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos. 3. South African jurist and human rights advocate Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. 4. The first BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting was held in New Delhi. Member countries adopted the Delhi Declaration to strengthen cooperation against terrorism, drug trafficking, organised crime, cybercrime and illegal financing. 5. New Delhi hosted the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum under the theme Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development. The participating countries adopted a joint declaration supporting UN Security Council reforms, stronger Global South representation and cooperation against terrorism. 6. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus in Cebu, Philippines. He emphasised counter-terrorism, freedom of navigation and regional security, while proposing a defence Youth Bridge to strengthen India–ASEAN cooperation. Defence News 1. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak, the Navy's first indigenous multipurpose vessel, at Karwar, Karnataka. Built by Larsen & Toubro with over 75% indigenous content, the vessel supports surveillance, weapons testing and unmanned systems. 2. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for defence procurement proposals worth approximately ?2.12 lakh crore. Around 82% was earmarked for Indian industry, covering advanced artillery, helicopters, air defence and unmanned systems. 3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine during the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi. The doctrine addresses evolving warfare challenges, future readiness, modern technology and integrated multi-domain operations. 4. The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth approximately ?4,106 crore: ?2,563 crore with NewSpace India Limited for the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force, and ?1,543 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited for indigenous Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes for the Indian Navy. 5. The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, for another six months in designated disturbed areas of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. 6. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1), named Surya, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited, Visakhapatnam. The vessel is part of a five-ship programme and will support replenishment of Indian Navy warships at sea, extending their operational endurance. Sports News 1. India finished fourth at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. Athletics contributed 24 medals, followed by shooting with 15 and archery with nine. 2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated Services athletes for their record 27-medal haul at the 2026 Asian Games, comprising six gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals. This was the Services' best-ever performance at the Games. 3. Shubman Gill was named ICC Men's Player of the Month for September 2026, while Shafali Verma received the Women's award. Gill secured the honour for a record fifth time, and Shafali won it for the second time. 4. Eighteen-year-old Anushka Yadav won gold at the 65th National Open Athletics Championships in New Delhi with a throw of 66.53 metres, breaking the previous meet record of 64.42 metres. 5. India won both men's and women's titles in Ahmedabad. The men's team defeated Sri Lanka 54–20, while the women's team beat Uganda 35–15. < < Back