Cabinet approves five-year extension of Stand-Up India Scheme, targets 2.5 lakh new entrepreneurs

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Stand-Up India Scheme for five years, until March 31, 2031. The extended scheme aims to provide financial assistance to an additional 2.5 lakh entrepreneurs from women, Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) communities, strengthening entrepreneurship and promoting inclusive economic growth. The Cabinet has also approved a Credit Guarantee Corpus of ₹4,111 crore to support the scheme’s lending framework and improve access to institutional finance for eligible borrowers.

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Cabinet approves five-year extension of Stand-Up India Scheme, targets 2.5 lakh new entrepreneurs

Launched in April 2016, the Stand-Up India Scheme has so far facilitated loans to more than 2.75 lakh women, SC and ST entrepreneurs. Under the scheme, eligible women, SC and ST entrepreneurs can obtain loans to set up new, or greenfield, enterprises. The financial assistance is available for businesses in the manufacturing, services and trading sectors, as well as activities allied to agriculture. The loan may be provided either as a composite facility combining working capital and a term loan or as a term loan. The eligible loan amount ranges from above ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore and can cover up to 85 per cent of the project cost.

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Cabinet approves five-year extension of Stand-Up India Scheme, targets 2.5 lakh new entrepreneurs

To strengthen lender confidence and facilitate credit flow, the scheme provides credit guarantee coverage of 85 per cent of the loan amount. A standard guarantee fee of 0.50 per cent is applicable. With a target of reaching at least 2.5 lakh additional beneficiaries over the next five years, the extended Stand-Up India Scheme aims to deepen financial inclusion and contribute to broad-based economic development.

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Goa's Palolem Beach Is Asia's Best For 2026, Ranks 6th Globally

Palolem Beach in South Goa has been named Asia’s best beach for 2026, securing the sixth position in the world’s top 25 beaches. Palolem Beach in South Goa has been named the best beach in Asia and ranked sixth in the world in Beach.com’s Global Beach Index 2026. It is the only Asian beach to feature in the global top 25. The ranking draws on expert nominations, thousands of visitor reviews, NASA water colour and clarity data, and 18 standardised parameters covering beach quality, amenities, accessibility, climate and overall experience. The nearest railway station is Canacona, located a few kilometres from the beach. Dabolim Airport is approximately 60–65 km away, while Manohar International Airport also serves travellers visiting Goa.

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UAE launches digital ATA Carnet system, becoming first country outside Europe to adopt paperless customs process

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) launched the electronic ATA Carnet (eATA Carnet) system, becoming the first country outside Europe to adopt the digital customs facility. The system allows businesses to issue and process ATA Carnets electronically, reducing reliance on paper documents for the temporary movement of goods across international borders. Dubai Chamber of Commerce, which has served as the UAE's National Guaranteeing and Issuing Association for ATA Carnets since 2011, is leading the implementation in coordination with customs authorities and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

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UAE launches digital ATA Carnet system, becoming first country outside Europe to adopt paperless customs process

The chamber is among only 13 chambers worldwide, out of 1,200 ICC-member chambers, to have implemented the electronic system. Since the UAE joined the ATA Carnet system on April 1, 2011, a total of 63,591 carnets have been issued and received for goods and commodities valued at AED 54.4 billion until 2025. In 2025 alone, Dubai Chamber of Commerce issued and received 5,960 ATA Carnets covering goods worth AED 5.6 billion. The number of carnets increased by 11.2 per cent compared with the previous year, while their total value rose by 30 per cent.

H.E. Ahmed Abdullah bin Lahej Al Falasi, Acting Director General of Customs at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security

Dr Abdulla Busenad, Director General of Dubai Customs

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Bihar’s Ranivas Mound declared monument of national importance

An ancient mound in Bihar's East Champaran district has been declared an archaeological site of national importance through a central government notification. The site – Ranivas Mound, at Kesariya – is spread over 1.63 acres and is under the ownership of the Bihar government, reads the gazette notification dated November 4 that was issued by the Ministry of Culture. A copy of the notification was affixed at a conspicuous place as required under sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958.

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India ends home World Armwrestling Championship with 59 medals; Russia tops standings

The 47th World Armwrestling & 28th World Para Armwrestling Championship 2026 concluded on Friday with a closing ceremony at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, East Delhi. It was hosted by the People's Armwrestling Federation of India (PAFI) under the World Armwrestling Federation (WAF). Hosted in India for the first time, the Championship brought more than 1,700 athletes, officials and supporters from over 60 countries to New Delhi. Hadjitodorov, Jhangiand Dabass presented the Ambassadors with awards and mementos, and the Ambassadors presented medals to the final medallists. Russia finished as overall champions, with Kazakhstan second and Turkey third.

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India ends home World Armwrestling Championship with 59 medals; Russia tops standings

Six athletes won senior gold on both arms: Melek Celik and Esra Kiraz (Turkiye), Ulbossyn Elmurat and Yerdualet Nurmakhan (Kazakhstan), and Irina Driaeva and Tengizi Natsvlishvili (Georgia). India finished with 59 medals (9 Gold, 19 Silver, 31 Bronze). Para athletes contributed 26 medals (2 Gold, 10 Silver, 14 Bronze), placing India fifth on the para medal table. Sub-junior, junior and youth athletes added 20 medals (3 Gold, 8 Silver, 9 Bronze), and masters and grand masters won 12 (4 Gold, 1 Silver, 7 Bronze). The senior category added 1 Bronze. Jincymol Sebastian won Grand Master Women 80 kg on both arms. Yogesh Choudhary and Shoukath VT each took Right-arm gold and Left-arm bronze.

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India ends home World Armwrestling Championship with 59 medals; Russia tops standings

In the senior finals, Madhura K N won bronze in Women 70 kg Right. The Championship ran from October 29 to November 6, 2026, with every bout streamed live by Official Streaming Partner Swen. The World Armwrestling Championship moves to Canada next year. In India, the Pro Panja League Poonawalla Gold Edition II follows in Pune on November 28, 2026, featuring World Championship medallists Yogesh Choudhary, Harkomal Singh Gill and Aabhas Rana.

Charles Osei Asibey- President, Armwrestling Federation of Africa (AFA) and Vice President, World Armwrestling Federation (WAF).

Preeti Jhangiani - President, PAFI, Vice President, AAF and Co-founder, Pro Panja League.

Parvinn Dabass - Co-founder, Pro Panja League.

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Moody's raises India's FY27 growth estimate to 7% on broad-based momentum

Moody's Ratings on 11 Nov said the Indian economy is expected to grow at a higher rate of 7 per cent in the current fiscal, led by broad-based economic momentum and energy supply shock resilience. In its Global Macro Outlook 2027-28, Moody's, however, said that near-term risks to growth persist as household consumption remains vulnerable to "intensifying and broadening price pressures", with headline inflation close to the upper end of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) 2-6 per cent target range, while a deficient South-West monsoon and strengthening El Nino conditions will weigh on agricultural output and rural demand.

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Moody's raises India's FY27 growth estimate to 7% on broad-based momentum

Robust consumption, improving investment dynamics and strong macroeconomic fundamentals imply that the economy appears well positioned to sustain growth near 7% over the medium term. A sustained private investment boom that materially boosts manufacturing, employment and productivity could lift growth rates above Moody's baseline projections. High frequency indicators, including robust capital goods production and imports, accelerating industrial credit growth and rising capacity utilisation, suggest that India may be at the cusp of a new private capex cycle after several years of corporate and banking- sector balance sheet repair

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Sonia Gandhi's book 'Belonging' released: Key revelations from her memoir

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, was officially released on November 10, 2026, following a lengthy delay and a pre-publication controversy that spanned several months. Published by HarperCollins India, the 544-page memoir offers a deeply personal account of significant episodes in Gandhi's life, from the assassination of her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, to her battle with cancer and the reasons she declined the prime minister's post in 2004. The book also revisits some of the contentious episodes in independent India's history, including Operation Blue Star in 1984, the Emergency in 1975, and the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition.

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Mizoram, SBI sign MoU for digital revenue collection by Village Councils

The Mizoram government and State Bank of India (SBI) on Tuesday signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable Village Councils to collect Own Source Revenue (OSR) through digital payments using the SAMARTH portal and payment gateway. The agreement was signed in the presence of Rural Development and Administration Minister Prof Lalnilawma at the Minister’s Office Chamber here. RD&AD Director Lalngura Tlau signed on behalf of the state government, while SBI Deputy General Manager Manish Uppal signed for the bank. Lalnilawma said Mizoram is the first state in the Northeast and the third in the country to sign such an agreement with SBI on SAMARTH.

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Mizoram, SBI sign MoU for digital revenue collection by Village Councils

Village Councils with better OSR performance would be eligible for performance grants under the 16th Finance Commission, he said. Under the Mizoram Village Council Act, 2025, Village Councils can collect various taxes and other revenues from residents. The new payment gateway will allow residents to make such payments online, with transactions recorded and available for monitoring through the SAMARTH portal. Lalnilawma said that the initiative would encourage healthy competition among Village Councils to improve revenue generation and contribute to the objectives of Viksit Bharat 2047.

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Messi becomes first player to win back-to-back MLS Golden Boot awards

Lionel Messi has become the first player to win back-to-back Golden Boot awards in Major League Soccer after leading his club Inter Miami to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference. MLS defending champions Miami earned a wasteful 3-3 draw against Charlotte on the final day of the regular season on 7 Nov. Messi’s 26 goals this season were enough to make him the first to successfully defend the top goal-scoring honour. Petar Musa of Dallas was second with 22 goals but did not score in his club’s 3-1 home victory over Colorado.

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Messi becomes first player to win back-to-back MLS Golden Boot awards

The 39-year-old finished with 29 goals the previous season, becoming the second player in league ⁠⁠⁠⁠history to score at ⁠⁠⁠⁠least 25 times in back-to-back years. Messi recently retired from international football after an illustrious 21-year career with the 2022 world champions, but recently signed a contract extension ⁠⁠with the MLS club through 2028.Inter Miami are the holders of the MLS Cup, which they won in Messi’s second season with the club in 2025. Messi’s men will face Columbus to begin the MLS playoffs.

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Irdai sets up working groups to align risk-based capital regime with Ind AS

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) on 10 Nov constituted two working groups, comprising representatives from life and non-life insurers, to develop a framework for aligning the proposed risk-based capital (RBC) regime with Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS). The life insurance working group will be convened by Jamuna Choudhary, while Parmeshwar Shelke will convene the non-life group. The life insurance group includes chief financial officers or appointed actuaries of LIC, SBI Life, HDFC Life, ICICI Prudential Life, Bajaj Life, Tata AIA, Kotak Life, Bandhan Life and Aditya Birla Life, along with Munich Re and the Institute of Actuaries of India.

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Irdai sets up working groups to align risk-based capital regime with Ind AS

The non-life group comprises similar representatives from New India Assurance, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj General, SBI General, Tata AIG, Niva Bupa, IndusInd General and Kiwi General, along with Swiss Re and the Institute of Actuaries of India. Two groups would work in close coordination, to ensure a consistent approach across the industry. Currently, insurers follow a factor-based solvency regime.The groups will recommend whether the converged framework should be adopted for actuarial valuation of assets and liabilities under Sections 13 and 49 of the Insurance Act, 1938, and assess the need for recalibrating stress factors.

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Kiren Rijiju visits Saudi Arabia, signs Haj-2027 agreement; India’s pilgrim quota fixed at 1,75,025

Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju concluded an official visit to Saudi Arabia from November 6 to 9, during which India and the Kingdom signed the bilateral Haj Agreement for 2027, confirming a quota of 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims. As part of the visit, Rijiju held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, at the Jeddah Superdome on November 9. The meeting was attended by the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and the Joint Secretary (Haj) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs. Following the discussions, the two sides signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement between India and Saudi Arabia for Haj-2027, with India’s country quota confirmed at 1,75,025.

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Kiren Rijiju visits Saudi Arabia, signs Haj-2027 agreement; India’s pilgrim quota fixed at 1,75,025

On November 8, the Union Minister attended the inauguration of the 6th Hajj Conference and Exhibition and participated in the Ministerial Conference chaired by Dr. Al-Rabiah. Rijiju also joined visiting ministers in an interaction with Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region. During the visit, the minister attended the Noor-e-Diwali celebration at India House in Jeddah. Rijiju also chaired a review meeting with officials from the Consulate General of India, the Ministry of Minority Affairs and the Haj Committee of India to assess preparations for Haj-2027.

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RBI tightens cyber oversight of non-bank payment system operators

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 5 Nov issued a consolidated cyber security rulebook for all non-bank payment system operators (PSOs). The revised Master Directions on Cyber Resilience and Digital Payment Security Controls apply to entities including the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), card networks, payment aggregators, prepaid payment instrument (PPI) issuers and white-label ATM operators (WLAOs), among others.

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RBI starts 3 surveys to capture inflation expectations, consumer confidence

Reserve Bank on Nov 3 announced three key surveys to capture inflation expectations of households and gauge consumer confidence in the country- the studies that provide input for bi-monthly monetary policy. The central bank has announced the launch of the November 2026 round of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH).The survey aims at capturing subjective assessments on price movements and inflation, based on their individual consumption baskets. The study will be conducted across 19 cities -- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram.

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RBI starts 3 surveys to capture inflation expectations, consumer confidence

Urban Consumer Confidence Survey seeks qualitative responses from households regarding their sentiments on the general economic situation, employment scenario, price level, households' income and spending. This survey too is conducted in 19 cities.

Rural Consumer Confidence Survey collects current perceptions and one-year-ahead expectations of households on the general economic situation, employment scenario, overall price situation, own income and spending from the households residing in the rural and semi-urban areas across 31 states/ UTs. All three surveys are conducted regularly.

The results of the surveys provide useful inputs for monetary policy. The next bi-monthly monetary policy meeting is scheduled for December 2 to 4, 2026.

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President Droupadi Murmu Honours India’s Cleanest Cities at Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26

President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday felicitated the winners of the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26 at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, recognising cities for their performance in urban sanitation and cleanliness. The awards were organised by the Department of Urban Development (DoUD) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). A total of 60 national awards were announced across categories, including Swachh Shehar Jodi, Super Swachh League, Swachh Shehar in five population categories, Swachh River Front Town, Swachh Coastal Town, Clean Himalayan City and State First Swachh City.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns, tech giant appoints Colette Kress as Interim CEO

Nvidia Corporation co-founder Jensen Huang has stepped down as president, chief executive officer (CEO) and board member on 12 Nov. Nvidia's chief financial officer (CFO), Colette Kress, has been appointed as the interim CEO while the technology giant considers its next leadership steps. Kress will continue to serve as the company's executive vice-president and CFO. It also named former Synopsys CEO and board member Harvey Jones as its first-ever board chairman. Huang co-founded Nvidia in 1993 and is the chipmaker's fourth-largest shareholder, holding a stake of about 3.61%. Nvidia shares fell more than 10% in premarket trading, weighing on the broader market.

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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigns, tech giant appoints Colette Kress as Interim CEO

Nvidia was founded on April 5, 1993, by Jensen Huang, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. The three engineers wanted to develop advanced 3D graphics technology for the gaming and multimedia markets. The company made a major breakthrough in 1999 with the launch of the GeForce 256, which Nvidia described as the world's first GPU. GPUs handle complex graphics calculations, freeing central processing units (CPUs) to perform other tasks. A landmark moment came in 2012, when researchers used Nvidia GPUs to train AlexNet, a neural network that achieved a significant breakthrough in image recognition at the ImageNet competition.

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PLI Scheme for Medical Devices extended up to 2035–36; Fresh applications invited

The Government of India has invited fresh applications under the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices (PLI-MD), which has now been extended up to 2035–36. Approximately Rs 2700 Cr outlay available under the Scheme will be utilized for the purpose. The applicants can submit applications through an online portal, which would be operational in the next 10 days. Launched in 2020-21, the PLI-MD scheme has led to domestic manufacturing of over 60 high end medical devices and components, including X-ray tubes and detectors, 1.5T MRI, LINAC, CT scanners, mammography machines, Cathlab, orthopaedic and cardiac implants, dialyzers etc till date. The scheme has resulted in production valued at over ₹16,000 crore.

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PLI Scheme for Medical Devices extended up to 2035–36; Fresh applications invited

The applicants shall be allowed 3 years for setting up their manufacturing facilities in any of the 4 Target Segments (TS) viz. medical consumables, disposables and implants (TS 1), Critical components (TS2), high-end medical devices which are presently at a nascent stage of domestic manufacturing (TS3), and high-end medical devices that are presently only assembled in the country (TS4). The tapering incentive rate would be averaging ~5% for TS1, ~9% for TS2 & TS3, and 6% for TS4. In the Consumables and Disposables segment, the focus shall be on creating manufacturing scale and world class quality. In the TS 3 & 4, priority shall be given for value chain integration, so that there is an overall increase in competitiveness and quality of Made in India devices.

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