4 November 2026 Current Affairs: Cabinet Approvals – Daily GK for UPSC, SSC, Banking & Railway Exams

Key current affairs developments for Wednesday, 4 November 2026 included Union Cabinet approvals for Fast Track Special Courts, VISTAR, critical minerals processing and grid-scale energy storage. The RBI constituted the Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets, and the Cabinet approved a two-year extension pathway for Agniveers.

Read time: ~8 minutes

Source labels: Each item’s source line ends with one of these labels.

• [Official] — primary or official body (PIB, ministry, regulator, court, official federation); linked where a direct URL was found.
• [Secondary] — reputable report; primary source not located.
• /Developing — a suffix, as in [Official/Developing]: same-day figures or outcomes may still change.

Polity & Governance

Cabinet Extends Fast Track Special Courts Scheme to 2031 with ₹3,788 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Fast Track Special Courts, including exclusive POCSO Courts, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031. The total outlay is ₹3,788.04 crore, with Central share of ₹2,353.15 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund and State/UT share of ₹1,434.89 crore. It provides for the operationalisation of up to 850 FTSCs, up from the existing 779, based on the pendency of rape and POCSO cases. Each court gets a dedicated judicial officer, special public prosecutor and six support staff. The courts have disposed of 4,02,457 cases since launch in 2019. Source: PIB – FTSC Scheme continuation, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Outlay: ₹3,788.04 crore till 31 March 2031
• Target: 850 FTSCs from current 779
• Central share funded from the Nirbhaya Fund
• Disposed 4,02,457 cases since 2019

Static Link: Fast Track Special Courts were launched on 2 October 2019 following the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Supreme Court directions.

Chairpersons Adopt Keralam Resolution at PAC Conference

Chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees of Parliament and State/UT Legislatures unanimously adopted the Keralam Resolution on 4 November 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram. The eight-point resolution focuses on digital monitoring systems such as the Audit Para Monitoring System, a peer-learning portal, standardised timelines for Action Taken Notes, and stronger collaboration with the C&AG. It encourages state PACs to meet at least three times a month and form sub-committees to clear backlogs. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the valedictory session and called for a common digital audit monitoring platform for state legislatures. Secondary reporting: The Hindu BusinessLine, 4 November 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Adopted on 4 November 2026 in Thiruvananthapuram
• Eight-point framework for PAC oversight
• Calls for APMS and peer-learning portal
• Encourages a minimum of three sittings per month

Economy

Cabinet Approves ₹2,814 Crore Capex Support for Critical Mineral Processing

The Union 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. It targets processing of lithium and nickel ores into high-purity compounds, with cobalt as a by-product of nickel processing. Capital subsidy of 30% of eligible investment is available for four plants: two lithium (minimum 30 kt each, capped at ₹500 crore) and two nickel (minimum 50 kt each, capped at ₹900 crore). Selection is through a two-stage technical qualification and financial bidding process. The scheme supports electric mobility, BESS, electronics, defence and speciality steel. Source: PIB – Critical Mineral Processing Scheme, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Outlay: ₹2,814 crore over five years
• Four plants: two lithium, two nickel
• 30% capital subsidy with per-project caps
• Supports EVs, batteries and defence sectors

Banking & Markets

RBI Constitutes Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets

The Reserve Bank of India announced the constitution of the Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets (TCCFM) on 4 November 2026. It follows the announcement in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated 7 October 2026. The Committee is chaired by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Financial Markets Regulation Department. External members include Ananth Narayan (former SEBI Whole Time Member), Ridham Desai (Morgan Stanley India), and representatives from FIMMDA, SBI, Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, Citibank India and CCIL. It will advise on policy and operational matters related to money, G-sec, forex and derivative markets and market infrastructure. Meetings will be held at least once a quarter. Source: RBI – TCCFM constitution, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Constituted on 4 November 2026
• Chaired by the DG in charge of FMRD
• Focus: money, G-sec, forex and derivatives markets
• Announced earlier on 7 October 2026

Static Link: The Reserve Bank of India was established on 1 April 1935 under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.

Schemes & Missions

Cabinet Approves ₹14,500 Crore VGF for 92 GWh Grid-Scale Energy Storage

The Union Cabinet approved the Viability Gap Funding Scheme for Development of Grid-Scale Energy Storage Systems with support of ₹14,500 crore for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31. It aims to develop 92 GWh of yet-to-be-commissioned capacity: 60 GWh pumped storage, 30 GWh battery energy storage systems and 2 GWh emerging technologies. Total estimated investment is ₹97,600 crore. The scheme is expected to create capacity equivalent to 170% of present grid-scale storage and help meet the 411 GWh requirement by 2031-32. A mandatory domestic content requirement applies for BESS to promote indigenous manufacturing. Source: PIB – Grid-Scale Energy Storage VGF, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• VGF outlay: ₹14,500 crore
• Capacity: 92 GWh (60 PSP + 30 BESS + 2 emerging)
• Estimated total investment: ₹97,600 crore
• Helps meet 411 GWh target by 2031-32

Cabinet Approves VISTAR Scheme with ₹4,371.10 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet approved the Viksit Bharat Initiative for Statistical Transformation, Analytics & Research (VISTAR) as a central sector scheme for FY 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹4,371.10 crore. It aims to establish a dynamic, real-time and AI-ready official statistical architecture. The scheme covers all statistical and data management activities of MoSPI, including 59 surveys over the 16th Finance Commission cycle and the 8th Economic Census. Components include comprehensive statistical operations, capacity building and economic census support to states. Source: PIB – VISTAR Scheme approval, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Outlay: ₹4,371.10 crore till 2030-31
• Funds 59 surveys and 8th Economic Census
• Builds AI-ready statistical datasets
• Covers MoSPI data activities

Defence

Cabinet Approves Two-Year Extension Pathway for Agniveers

The Union Cabinet approved an additional two-year engagement period for the 75% of Agniveers not selected for regular service after their initial four-year tenure. After the extension, they can be considered for enrolment as regular soldiers subject to willingness and selection criteria. The 25% merit-based regular absorption continues as originally envisaged. Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani announced the decision. The second engagement offers higher remuneration and enhanced Seva Nidhi benefits. Around 18,300 Agniveers from the first batch were due to exit by 31 December 2026. Secondary reporting: The Hindu, 4 November 2026; primary not located · [Secondary]

Exam Points:

• Two-year extension for remaining 75% Agniveers
• Pathway to regular enrolment after extension
• 25% merit absorption remains unchanged
• Applies to batch exiting December 2026

Environment

Late-reported action: Environment Minister Releases I-OECMs Guidelines at CBD COP-17

Late-reported action: Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released the Guidelines for Designation of India’s Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (I-OECMs), 2026, on 3 November 2026 at a side event of CBD COP-17 in Yerevan, Armenia; the PIB release was issued on 4 November 2026. The guidelines, prepared by MoEFCC with the National Biodiversity Authority, provide a framework to recognise areas outside legally protected areas that deliver sustained biodiversity outcomes. They cover terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine ecosystems. Four mandatory criteria include non-protected status, defined boundaries and governance under government frameworks or recognised local institutions. Source: PIB – I-OECMs Guidelines release, 4 November 2026 · [Official]

Exam Points:

• Released on 3 November 2026 at CBD COP-17
• Framework for conservation outside protected areas
• Prepared by MoEFCC and NBA
• Covers terrestrial, freshwater and marine sites

4 November 2026 Current Affairs: One-Liner Revision

• Cabinet extended FTSC scheme to 31 March 2031 with ₹3,788.04 crore outlay for up to 850 courts.
• PAC Chairpersons adopted the eight-point Keralam Resolution in Thiruvananthapuram on 4 November.
• Cabinet approved ₹2,814 crore Capex Support Scheme for lithium and nickel processing plants.
• RBI constituted the Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets on 4 November.
• Cabinet cleared ₹14,500 crore VGF for 92 GWh grid-scale energy storage till 2030-31.
• Cabinet approved VISTAR scheme with ₹4,371.10 crore outlay for surveys and Economic Census.
• Cabinet approved two-year extension pathway for 75% of Agniveers after four-year tenure.
• Late-reported: Environment Minister released I-OECMs Guidelines on 3 November at CBD COP-17.

The Union Cabinet cleared ₹14,500 crore for 92 GWh energy storage and ₹3,788 crore for Fast Track Special Courts, while the RBI set up a Technical Consultative Committee for Financial Markets and approved a two-year extension route for Agniveers.