Welcome to TamilDigit's daily current affairs update for 2 November 2026. This post collects the most important national, state and international news of the last 48 hours and explains each item in simple English for aspirants of TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, RRB, Banking and State PSC exams.
Today's news is heavy on numbers – record GST and UPI figures, Coal India's best-ever October, and a new Vande Bharat sleeper route – and on appointments, with a complete change of guard at the top of the Indian Air Force. Tamil Nadu also had a big weekend: the first annual Tamil Nadu Day, 30 new special courts and a rare find of Chola-era bronzes. Every item ends with the static GK point that examiners like to ask about. Practise the 10 MCQs at the end and note the key numbers in your current affairs notebook.
At a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Biggest economy story | October 2026 gross GST collection of about ₹2.31 lakh crore, up nearly 23% |
| Digital payments record | UPI average daily value crossed ₹1 lakh crore for the first time |
| New IAF chief | Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit – 29th Chief of the Air Staff |
| New train | Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper – first sleeper in South India |
| Tamil Nadu | First annual Tamil Nadu Day; 26 POCSO + 4 NDPS special courts sanctioned |
| Defence diplomacy | First-ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise in the Bay of Bengal |
Science and Technology
1. NVS-03 restores NavIC to its minimum operational strength
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO after the GSLV-F18 rocket placed the NVS-03 navigation satellite into its designated orbit from Sriharikota on the night of 30 October 2026. With NVS-03 in service, NavIC is back to its minimum operational configuration of four satellites. ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan described NavIC as a strategic national asset that also helps track trains, road vehicles and ships. The mission came 56 days after the previous GSLV flight – the shortest gap ever between two GSLV missions.
Defence and Security
2. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as 29th CAS
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. Commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986, he is an NDA alumnus, qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot. He earlier served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. On taking over, he outlined a 'VAYU' vision – Vigilance and readiness, Atmanirbharta, Yukti (ingenuity) and Unity of effort – and said restoring combat squadron strength is a priority.
3. Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia becomes Vice Chief of the Air Staff
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia took over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 1 November 2026. He was earlier AOC-in-C of the Eastern Air Command and has flown the MiG-21, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI.
4. Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal heads Eastern Air Command
Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal took over the Eastern Air Command, headquartered at Shillong, from Air Marshal Walia. A fighter pilot commissioned in 1989, he has more than 3,200 flying hours and has served as Air Attaché in Pakistan.
5. First-ever BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise
India is hosting the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise from 30 October to 3 November 2026 with all seven member countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The focus area is the Bay of Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Command – India's first integrated tri-service command – plays a key role.
6. NSA Ajit Doval visits Vietnam
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval reached Hanoi for an official visit under the India–Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded during Vietnamese President To Lam's visit to India in May 2026. Both sides are working on a Joint Vision Statement on defence partnership towards 2030.
7. CISF moves to a sector-based command structure
From 1 November 2026 the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) replaced its eight geographic sectors with domain-based sectors such as Coal (Ranchi), Steel (Bhilai), Petroleum & Natural Gas (Guwahati), West Coast Port (Mumbai) and East Coast Port (Chennai). The total number of sectors stays at 11. The change was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Economy and Banking
8. October GST collection crosses ₹2.31 lakh crore
Gross GST collections for October 2026 rose about 23% to roughly ₹2.31 lakh crore, driven by festive demand – the strongest growth in about four years. Net collections after refunds were about ₹2.03 lakh crore. Import-related collections grew much faster than domestic collections.
9. UPI average daily value crosses ₹1 lakh crore
According to NPCI data, UPI processed a record 25.47 billion transactions worth ₹31.53 lakh crore in October 2026. For the first time, the average daily value crossed ₹1 lakh crore (about ₹1.02 lakh crore per day). Both volume and value are all-time highs, boosted by Deepavali spending.
10. Coal India records its best-ever October
Coal India Limited celebrated its 52nd Foundation Day on 1 November (it was set up on 1 November 1975, headquartered in Kolkata). In October 2026 it produced 67.2 million tonnes, its highest for any October, and its offtake of 70.3 million tonnes was the highest for any month on record.
11. ₹1,09,019 crore extra tax devolution to states
The Union Government released an additional instalment of tax devolution worth ₹1,09,019 crore to states. Uttar Pradesh received the largest share. Tax devolution follows the formula recommended by the Finance Commission.
12. CCI clears Adani Energy–IntelliSmart deal
The Competition Commission of India approved the acquisition of IntelliSmart Infrastructure by Adani Energy Solutions, a deal reported at about ₹3,050 crore. IntelliSmart works on smart electricity meters.
Transport and Governance
13. Bengaluru–Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper flagged off
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the Bengaluru (SMVT)–Mumbai (CSMT) Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on 1 November 2026. It is India's third Vande Bharat sleeper and the first in South India. It covers about 1,100 km in roughly 16 hours with 16 coaches and 823 berths, and is operated by the South Western Railway.
14. Digi Yatra trials for international passengers
Digi Yatra began trials for international passengers at seven airports – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin and Amritsar. The trials run through November–December 2026, with a wider rollout planned for 2027. Digi Yatra uses facial recognition, and credentials are stored in the passenger's own phone wallet.
15. Chandigarh to be India's first drug-free city
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Chandigarh will become India's first drug-free city, as part of the national campaign against drug abuse.
Tamil Nadu News
16. Tamil Nadu Day observed on 1 November
Following a government order of 31 October 2026, Tamil Nadu observed 1 November as Tamil Nadu Day, organised by the Tamil Development Department in Chennai. Prizes were given to 179 students who recited the full Thirukkural, and 76 scholars received Tamil Chemmal awards. On 1 November 1956, the Madras State was reorganised under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 – it gained Kanyakumari district and Sengottai taluk.
17. 30 new special courts for POCSO and NDPS cases
The Tamil Nadu government sanctioned 30 new special courts – 26 under the POCSO Act (12 Special Courts and 14 Additional Special Courts, at a cost of ₹46.59 crore) and 4 under the NDPS Act at Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Chennai. With this, POCSO courts in the state will reach 52.
18. Late Chola bronzes unearthed in Nagapattinam
The State Department of Archaeology announced the discovery of a Nataraja bronze (110 cm, Ananda Tandava pose) and a Sivakami bronze (82 cm) during excavations in Nagapattinam district, which began on 3 August 2026. They are provisionally dated to the 12th century CE (Late Chola period).
19. BharatNet agreement for 4,767 villages
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DoT), the Tamil Nadu government and TANFINET signed an agreement under the Amended BharatNet Programme. It covers connectivity to 4,767 villages and supports more than 5 lakh rural home fibre connections.
International and Environment
20. 9th International Solar Alliance Assembly in New Delhi
The 9th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly is being held in New Delhi along with the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit & Expo. Separately, Bhutan built 108 stupas in nine hours and dedicated one of them to Prime Minister Modi, reflecting close India–Bhutan ties.
Practice MCQs (10 Questions)
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Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit succeeded Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
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PM Modi noted that NavIC is back to four satellites, its minimum operational configuration.
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NPCI data showed average daily value of about ₹1.02 lakh crore.
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It is the third sleeper service and the first in South India.
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Eastern Air Command is headquartered at Shillong, Meghalaya.
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26 POCSO courts (12 Special + 14 Additional) and 4 NDPS courts – 30 in all.
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Coal India celebrated its 52nd Foundation Day on 1 November 2026.
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BIMSTEC members: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
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ISA headquarters is in Gurugram, Haryana.
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The Madras State (Alteration of Name) Act, 1968 took effect on 14 January 1969.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
The first two days of November 2026 brought record economic numbers, a leadership change in the Indian Air Force and several Tamil Nadu-specific developments. Questions on new appointments, record figures and 'first-ever' events are very common in competitive exams, so note them carefully.
Come back tomorrow for the next daily update, and practise the quiz again before your weekly revision.
Disclaimer: TamilDigit is a private educational website and is not affiliated with any government body. This content is compiled from official and reliable sources for information only. In case of any conflict, the official notification or publication is final.
Sources: SSBCrack Exams – Defence Current Affairs 2 Nov 2026; NEXT IAS – Headlines of the Day 2 Nov 2026; Athiyaman Team – TNPSC Current Affairs 2 Nov 2026
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