UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 2 November 2026

Western Sahara: UN Peacekeeping Mission to End After 35 Years

November 2, 2026

Western Sahara Latest News

Recently, the UN chief said that the 35-year-old UN peacekeeping mission in the Western Sahara region (MINURSO) will come to an end after the Security Council failed to renew its mandate.

About Western Sahara

Western Sahara is a vast, sparsely-populated desert region in Northwest Africa.
It is part of the Maghreb region of North and West Africa.
Bordering Countries: It shares its land borders with Morocco and Algeria to the north and northeast respectively, and Mauritania to the east and south.
Water Body: It also has a long coast with the Atlantic Ocean in the West and Northwest.
It is a region rich in phosphates and other minerals and has a lucrative fishing industry on its Atlantic coast.

United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO)

It was established in 1991 to support the settlement proposals and ceasefire reached by Morocco and Frente Polisario.
Since the establishment of the Mission, MINURSO headquarters has been located in Laayoune, the main city in Western Sahara.
Focus: It contributes to peace and stability in Western Sahara by monitoring, investigating and reporting on the ongoing situation, and working with the parties to reduce tensions as they arise.

Source: Reuters

Western Sahara FAQs

Q1: Western Sahara shares border with which countries?

Ans: It shares its land borders with Morocco and Algeria to the north and northeast respectively, and Mauritania to the east and south.

Q2: Which mineral is abundantly found in Western Sahara?

Ans: It is a region rich in phosphates.

Project 18A: India Moves Ahead with ₹80,000 Crore Next-Generation Stealth Destroyers

November 2, 2026

Project 18A Latest News

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence, has recently accorded in-principle approval to the futuristic warships under Project 18A.

About Project 18A

It is the Indian Navy’s Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD) programme.
The proposed programme, estimated to cost around ₹80,000 crore, aims to develop a new generation of stealth-guided missile destroyers.
Conceived as a successor to the Visakhapatnam-class (P-15B) destroyers, the P-18 class destroyers are engineered to counter emerging threats — from anti-ship ballistic missiles to submarine warfare.
It is overseen by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) in collaboration with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

Project 18A Features

With an estimated displacement exceeding 13,000 tonnes, the P-18 will rank among the largest destroyers ever operated by the Indian Navy, significantly larger than the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers (7,400 tonnes).
- Under international classification, warships above 10,000 tonnes fall into the cruiser category — a segment that India currently does not possess.
- Project 18 will mark India’s entry into this class of warships.
The warships are expected to have nearly 75% indigenous content.
It features Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP).
Cruising Range: 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots; endurance 45+ days.
One of the most notable features of the design is the planned incorporation of up to 144 vertical launch system (VLS) cells capable of firing a diverse range of missile systems, including
- the long-range BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) supersonic cruise missiles for anti-ship and land-attack roles,
- the Barak-8 ER (Extended Range) surface-to-air missiles with intercept capabilities beyond 150 km;
- and the upcoming LR-LACM (Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile).
For terminal defence, the ships will deploy four 30-mm rapid-fire CIWS and at least one high-energy laser-based directed-energy weapon for defeating UAV swarms and supersonic sea-skimming missiles.
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities include twin triple-torpedo launchers (Varunastra heavy torpedoes), rocket-assisted ASW mortars, and advanced towed-array sonar systems.
Additionally, a 127-mm/62 caliber main gun (likely the Oto Melara or indigenous upgrade) provides naval gunfire support.
The ships will be able to carry unmanned underwater vehicles and kamikaze drones, used for surveillance, detecting mines, and attacking submarines.
It is also expected to feature an advanced sensor and radar architecture centred on long-range multi-domain tracking systems capable of detecting and tracking targets at distances of up to 500 kilometres.
The stealth enhancements include an enclosed X-shaped mast, radar-absorbent materials, optimized hull form, and infrared signature suppression (IRSS) for exhaust systems.

News: TH

Project 18A FAQs

Q1: What is Project 18A?

Ans: It is the Indian Navy's Next-Generation Destroyer (NGD) programme aimed at developing advanced stealth-guided missile destroyers

Q2: Which organisation oversees the design of Project 18A destroyers?

Ans: The Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB).

Q3: What is the estimated displacement of Project 18A destroyers?

Ans: More than 13,000 tonnes.

Q4: Which propulsion technology is expected to be incorporated into Project 18A destroyers?

Ans: Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP).

Q5: What is the expected cruising range of Project 18A destroyers?

Ans: Approximately 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots.

National Programme for Dairy Development: New Milk Testing Lab to Open in Sikkim

November 2, 2026

National Programme for Dairy Development Latest News

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying is set to inaugurate a microbiology laboratory for the Sikkim Milk Union under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).

About National Programme for Dairy Development

It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India.
It was launched in 2014 and has been restructured/ realigned in July 2021 for implementation from 2021-22 to 2025-26 to strengthen dairy infrastructure and dairy cooperative systems.
It aims to enhance quality of milk and milk products and increase share of organized procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Components of National Programme for Dairy Development
- Component A: It focuses on strengthening of infrastructure for quality milk testing equipment as well as primary chilling facilities for State Cooperative Dairy Federations/ District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union/SHGs/Milk Producer Companies/Farmer Producer Organizations.
- Component ‘B’: It aims to increase sales of milk and dairy products by increasing farmer’s access to organized markets, upgrading dairy processing facilities and marketing infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of producer owned institutions.

Source: PIB

National Programme for Dairy Development FAQs

Q1: Which is the nodal ministry for National Programme for Dairy Development?

Ans: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

Q2: What is the aim of the National Programme for Dairy Development?

Ans: It aims to enhance quality of milk and milk products and increase share of organized procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.

Exostoma nasibarbatum: Scientists Discover New Catfish Species in Manipur

November 2, 2026

Exostoma nasibarbatum Latest News

A new species of rare glyptosternine catfish, named Exostoma nasibarbatum, has been recently identified in Manipur.

About Exostoma nasibarbatum

It is a new species of catfish.
It was discovered in Manipur, during a survey of the Bupal stream, a tributary of the Dujang River in the Chindwin river system along the Myanmar border.
It inhabits fast-flowing, turbulent streams characterised by boulders and rocky substrates.
The species has several morphological adaptations that enable it to survive in fast-flowing waters.
- These include a strongly flattened head and body, enlarged paired fins with adhesive striae, and flattened maxillary barbels that aid attachment to rocky substrates.
The species has been named nasibarbatum in reference to its prominent nasal barbel, which extends beyond the posterior margin of the orbit.
- The name combines the Latin words nasus, meaning nose, and barba, meaning beard, referring to the elongated, tactile sensory organ located near the nostril.
It belongs to the genus Exostoma.
- Exostoma is a genus of sisorid catfishes native to Asia.
- Sisorid catfishes are freshwater catfishes belonging to the family Sisoridae, under the order Siluriformes.
- 23 valid species are currently recognised within the genus, distributed across major river systems in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
- Of these, seven are considered valid species in the Chindwin-Irrawaddy drainage.

News: AT

Exostoma nasibarbatum FAQs

Q1: What is Exostoma nasibarbatum?

Ans: It is a newly discovered species of catfish.

Q2: In which Indian state was Exostoma nasibarbatum discovered?

Ans: Manipur.

Q3: What type of habitat does Exostoma nasibarbatum inhabit?

Ans: Fast-flowing, turbulent streams characterised by boulders and rocky substrates.

Q4: Which morphological adaptations help Exostoma nasibarbatum survive in fast-flowing waters?

Ans: A strongly flattened head and body, enlarged paired fins with adhesive striae, and flattened maxillary barbels.

Shey Phoksundo Lake: 6 Indian Tourists Reported Missing After Heavy Snowfall in Nepal

November 2, 2026

Shey Phoksundo Lake Latest News

Six Indian tourists have gone missing during a trek to Nepal's Shey-Phoksundo Lake recently, following heavy snowfall in the region.

About Shey Phoksundo Lake

It is an alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake located in the Dolpa district of Nepal.
It sits at an altitude of 3,611 meters (11,849 feet) and covers an area of about 4.94 sq.km.
The lake is believed to have been formed some 30,000–40,000 years ago.
It is a landslide-dammed lake, formed when a massive mountain collapse blocked a river valley, resulting in the accumulation of water.
It is one of the deepest lakes of Nepal. The maximum depth of the lake is 145 meters, making it one of the deepest high-altitude lakes on the entire globe.
It has a distinctive Y-shaped appearance.
The lake's outlet forms Suligad Waterfall, also known as Phoksundo Waterfall, approximately 167 metres high, regarded as the highest waterfall in Nepal.
Its clear, mineral-rich water glimmers in bright blue and turquoise, changing shades with the weather and time of day.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2007 and falls within Shey Phoksumdo National Park.
The Dolpo people have lived around Shey Phoksundo Lake for generations and continue to practice the ancient Bon religion.
- Bon is one of the oldest spiritual traditions of Tibet, predating Buddhism for thousands of years.
Ringmo village, with as many as 20 stupas and a Bon Gompa (temple) also named Ringmo, is located on the southern end of the lake.
Both Bon and Tibetan Buddhism are practised in the region.

News: FP

Shey Phoksundo Lake FAQs

Q1: Where is Shey Phoksundo Lake located?

Ans: In the Dolpa district of Nepal.

Q2: What type of lake is Shey Phoksundo Lake?

Ans: An alpine freshwater oligotrophic lake.

Q3: How was Shey Phoksundo Lake formed?

Ans: It is a landslide-dammed lake formed when a massive mountain collapse blocked a river valley, leading to the accumulation of water.

Q4: Which waterfall is formed by the outlet of Shey Phoksundo Lake?

Ans: Suligad Waterfall, also known as Phoksundo Waterfall.

Q5: Which indigenous community has traditionally lived around Shey Phoksundo Lake?

Ans: The Dolpo people have lived around Shey Phoksundo Lake for generations.

Gelephu Mindfulness City: Bhutan’s 2,500 Sq Km Smart City Project Near India

November 2, 2026

Gelephu Mindfulness City Latest News

Bhutan’s King recently dedicated one of the 108 Buddhist stupas erected in a nine-hour construction feat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a mark of appreciation for India’s support for the country’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) project.

About Gelephu Mindfulness City

It is a transformative project to create a new city in the foothills of the Himalayas in Bhutan.
This visionary city aspires to redefine urban development by placing mindfulness, well-being, sustainability, and cultural integrity at its core.
The GMC project has been envisioned by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Located in Bhutan’s southern plains bordering the State of Assam in India and spanning over 4,046 sq.km., or 10% of Bhutan, GMC was established by Royal Charter in February 2024 as a highly autonomous Special Administrative Region (SAR).
Through this Royal mandate, GMC is accorded full executive and legislative powers, with an independent judiciary, to govern the SAR separate from the Royal Government of Bhutan.
Under the direct guidance of the King, GMC will be run by global and local talents to build an advanced economy by adopting and adapting the best governing policies and business practices from around the world.

Gelephu Mindfulness City Features

The masterplan for "Gelephu Mindfulness City" shows a low- to-mid-rise metropolis built around a series of inhabitable bridges.
Each of the bridges was designed to be combined with cultural, educational, recreational and infrastructure functions.
Each bridge will "house" key features of the city: a new international airport, a university, a health-care facility for Eastern and Western medicine, a hydroponic greenhouse, a cultural center, a spiritual center, a market for local goods and a hydroelectric dam, according to the plan.
The planned city will have eleven "ribbonlike neighborhoods" that incorporate the area's 35 rivers and streams.
Neighborhoods will be designed like mandalas, with repeated patterns organized around a central public space.
To protect against flooding, paddy fields will be built along the rivers, “forming urban terraces that cascade down from the hills to the valley,”. These will further function as biodiversity corridors for local flora and fauna.
The GMC will have two protected areas – a national park and a wildlife sanctuary.

News: TH

Gelephu Mindfulness City FAQs

Q1: What is Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC)?

Ans: It is a major urban development project in Bhutan aimed at creating a sustainable, well-being-oriented city integrating mindfulness, modern economic development and cultural values.

Q2: Where is Gelephu Mindfulness City located?

Ans: In the southern foothills of the Himalayas in Bhutan.

Q3: Gelephu Mindfulness City is located along the border of Bhutan with which Indian state?

Ans: Assam.

Q4: What is the administrative status of Gelephu Mindfulness City?

Ans: A highly autonomous Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Bhutan.

Q5: What is the distinctive architectural feature of the Gelephu Mindfulness City?

Ans: A low- to mid-rise metropolis organised around a series of inhabitable bridges.

Psoriasis: Why the Immune System Causes Scaly Skin Patches and Inflammation

November 2, 2026

Psoriasis Latest News

Patients with psoriasis have an increased risk for cataracts and cataract surgery, with the risks for these outcomes varying by treatment modality, according to a recent study.

About Psoriasis

It is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells.
This buildup of cells causes scaling on your skin’s surface.
It causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.
It can be painful, interfere with sleep, and make it hard to concentrate.
Causes:
- The cause of psoriasis is not fully understood. It is believed to be caused by genetics, the immune system, and the environment.
- Psoriasis occurs because the overactive immune system speeds up skin cell growth.
- Normal skin cells completely grow and shed (fall off) in a month.
- With psoriasis, skin cells do this in only three or four days. Instead of shedding, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the skin.
Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups include:
- Emotional stress.
- An infection (streptococcal infection).
- A skin injury like cuts, scrapes, or surgery.
- Certain medications, such as lithium and beta-blockers.
- Changes in body temperature due to the weather.
Is psoriasis hereditary?
- Yes, there is a strong family link to psoriasis.
- If you have a family member affected by psoriasis, you are more likely to be affected by it too, due to shared genes.
- The way psoriasis is inherited is complex and not completely understood.
Is psoriasis contagious? Psoriasis is not contagious.
Symptoms:
- The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while.
- Symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person, but some common ones are:
  - Patches of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch or burn.
  - Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds.
  - Thick, ridged, pitted nails.
  - Poor sleep quality.
- Some patients have a related condition called psoriatic arthritis, which can be characterized by stiff, swollen, or painful joints; neck or back pain; or Achilles heel pain.
Treatment:
- It has no cure. Treatments aim to
  - reduce inflammation and scales;
  - slow the growth of skin cells;
  - remove plaques;
- Common psoriasis treatments include:
  - Steroid creams.
  - Moisturizers for dry skin.
  - Medication to slow skin cell production (anthralin).
  - Medicated lotions or shampoos.
  - Vitamin D3 ointment.
  - Vitamin A or retinoid creams.

News: MED

Psoriasis FAQs

Q1: What is psoriasis?

Ans: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells.

Q2: Which parts of the body are most commonly affected by psoriasis?

Ans: The knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.

Q3: How does an overactive immune system contribute to psoriasis?

Ans: It speeds up skin cell growth, causing cells to accumulate on the skin's surface.

Q4: Is psoriasis hereditary?

Ans: Yes. There is a strong family link, and genetic factors increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

Q5: Is there a permanent cure for psoriasis?

Ans: No. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help manage its symptoms.

Tawang Monastery Welcomes Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha in Arunachal Pradesh

November 2, 2026

Tawang Monastery Latest News

Recently, the sacred relics of Lord Buddha were accorded a traditional religious reception at the historic Gaden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery).

About Tawang Monastery

Location: It is located in the mountains of the eastern Himalayan range in Arunachal Pradesh.
It is also known as Gaden Namgyal Lhatse which means "the divine paradise of complete victory".
It was founded in the 17th century by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso.
It is a magnificent example of Mahayana Buddhism and is the largest monastery in India.
It is an important centre of monastic learning, religious practice and cultural continuity.

Structure of Tawang Monastery

The most imposing building of the monastery is the assembly hall known as Dukhang.
It is a three-storied building standing on the northern side of the court and houses the template and the Labrang (The establishment of the Abbot.).
The inner walls of the Dukhang are painted with murals of various divinities and saints. The altar occupies the entire northern wall of the hall.
On the left of the alter is the silver casket wrapped in silk containing the Thangkas of Goddess Sri Devi (Palden Lhamo) the principle deity of the monastery, which was given to Merak Lama by the 5th Dalai Lama.
A colossal richly gilded statue of Lord Buddha occupies the middle of the northern side.
It is seated on a lotus throne flanked by his two Principal attendants Maudgalyayana and Sariputra, each with a staff and begging bowl in hand.

Source: PIB

Tawang Monastery FAQs

Q1: Where is Tawang Monastery located?

Ans: Arunachal Pradesh

Q2: When was the Tawang Monastery established?

Ans: It was founded in the 17th century by Merak Lama Lodre Gyatso.