Pragnya Daily · 6:00 am IST
Every morning our editors scan The Hindu, Indian Express, Times of India, PIB, Down To Earth, RBI, ministries, the World Bank, IMF and UN agencies, and turn the 10 most exam-relevant stories into syllabus-mapped analysis with infographics, Prelims MCQs and Mains model answers.
Today's edition
8 analysed stories
#1The Supreme Court has affirmed that speedy trial is a fundamental right and that the Constitution has primacy over special laws. The principle means that stringent statutory bail restrictions cannot be applied in isolation from Article 21’s protection against prolonged pretrial incarceration; relief remains dependent on the circumstances of the case.
#2According to the supplied report headline, the Supreme Court has held that the 24-hour deadline for production before a magistrate begins with actual detention, rather than a later recorded arrest. The principle protects personal liberty by preventing police from postponing judicial scrutiny through delayed arrest documentation. Article 22(2) excludes necessary journey time from this deadline.
#3NPCI has defended before the Supreme Court a reported framework imposing merchant discount rate charges of up to 0.4% on UPI person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000, arguing that universal zero MDR is financially unsustainable. According to its submission, person-to-person transfers and merchant payments up to ₹2,000 remain free. The dispute concerns how to finance payment infrastructure and cybersecurity without undermining affordability, merchant acceptance and legal safeguards.
#5The Centre told the Supreme Court on November 5, 2026 that it was considering a special committee to review the UGC’s 2026 campus equity regulations. The regulations remain stayed, with the 2012 framework continuing in force; the central challenge is to tackle caste discrimination through clearly defined protections and fair, effective grievance procedures.
#6India and Nepal have intensified diplomatic engagement ahead of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s reported visit to India from November 22 to 24, 2026. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s Kathmandu meetings focused on potential outcomes in connectivity, hydropower, trade and other areas, while Nepal acknowledged India’s flood assistance. The visit offers an opportunity to strengthen Neighbourhood First through practical cooperation while managing the unresolved boundary dispute.
#7The Union Cabinet has approved VISTAR, a ₹4,371 crore scheme to modernise India’s statistical system during 2026-27 to 2030-31. It combines expanded surveys, digitalisation and AI, State-level capacity building, and the 8th Economic Census to improve data quality, informal-sector measurement and evidence-based policymaking.
#8The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹14,500-crore viability gap funding scheme to support 92 GWh of new grid-scale energy storage during 2026-27 to 2030-31. Covering pumped storage, batteries and alternative technologies, it seeks to improve project viability and renewable-energy integration; its success will depend on sound procurement, environmental safeguards and resilient supply chains.
#9ISRO reported that NVS-03 reached its intended geosynchronous orbit after successful orbit-raising manoeuvres and remained healthy. The mission supports renewal of India’s NavIC regional navigation system, but pending payload testing and commissioning mean that orbital success alone does not establish restoration of standalone positioning services.
Free UPSC daily current affairs quiz — 10 questions, new every day at 8 am IST.
