Current Affairs 08 November 2026: Key Updates with MCQs

 

Current Affairs 08 November 2026: Key Updates with MCQs

India and the European Union have concluded negotiations for India's association with the Horizon Europe research programme, while Indian diplomat Shivani Gupta has been elected to a key United Nations budget committee. These are among the major developments covered in Current Affairs 08 November 2026.

This daily current affairs update covers national and international news, science and technology, defence, sports, awards and important developments relevant to UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, Defence and State PSC examinations. Each news item includes important facts and an exam-focused point for quick revision.

Last Updated: 08 November 2026, 09:43 AM IST | Updated by JobSearchKing Editorial Team

Quick Highlights

Topic	Date	Key Update
India-EU Relations	7 November 2026	Negotiations concluded for India's association with Horizon Europe.
UN Appointment	7 November 2026	Shivani Gupta elected to ACABQ for 2027-2029.
Defence	7 November 2026	IAF's IL-76MD landed at Nyoma Airfield, Ladakh, at 13,629 feet.
Science	7 November 2026	New flowering plant Begonia siangensis reported from Arunachal Pradesh.
Sports	7 November 2026	India defeated New Zealand by four runs in the second ODI.
Chess	6 November 2026	V. Pranav won the FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship.
Awards	5 November 2026	France honoured Dr Devi Shetty with the National Order of Merit.
Education	6 November 2026	CBSE released the Class 10 and 12 examination date sheet for 2027.
Ayodhya	7 November 2026	Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated Deepotsav 2026.

National Current Affairs

1. India and European Union Conclude Horizon Europe Negotiations

Date: 7 November 2026

India and the European Union have successfully concluded negotiations for India's association with Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation programme.

The programme provides a framework for international research cooperation. India's association is expected to allow Indian researchers, academic institutions and industries to participate in funding calls through collaborative research projects.

Horizon Europe covers areas such as healthcare, digital technology, industry, space, climate, energy, mobility, food and the bioeconomy.

Important Facts:

• Programme: Horizon Europe.
• Organisation: European Union.
• Programme period: 2021-2027.
• Programme budget: €93.5 billion.
• India-EU Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation was signed in 2001.

Why It Matters: The association can strengthen scientific collaboration, research funding opportunities and the development of advanced technologies between India and European countries.

Exam Angle: Questions may ask which organisation operates Horizon Europe and which areas are covered by its research programme.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Science and Technology.

2. Shivani Gupta Elected to UN Budgetary Committee

Date: 7 November 2026

Indian diplomat Shivani Gupta has been elected to the United Nations Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for the 2027-2029 term.

She will serve a three-year term beginning in January 2027. The committee examines the administrative and financial matters of the United Nations and reviews resource-related proposals.

Important Facts:

• Name: Shivani Gupta.
• Organisation: United Nations.
• Committee: Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).
• Term: 2027-2029.
• Number of members: 21.
• Parent body: United Nations General Assembly.

Exam Point: ACABQ is a subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly. Its members are elected for three-year terms.

Source: Akashvani News.

3. Ayodhya Celebrates Deepotsav 2026

Date: 7 November 2026

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Deepotsav 2026 celebrations at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

The tenth edition of the festival featured the illumination of millions of earthen lamps, cultural performances based on the Ramayana and the Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat.

The event also highlighted Ayodhya's cultural heritage and the role of local artisans, performers and other communities in organising the celebration.

Important Facts:

• Event: Deepotsav 2026.
• Location: Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
• Inaugurated by: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
• Venue: Ram Ki Paidi.
• Edition: 10th.

Exam Angle: Remember the location of Deepotsav and the constitutional office held by its chief guest.

Source: Press Information Bureau, Vice-President's Secretariat.

Science, Technology and Environment

4. New Flowering Plant Begonia siangensis Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Date: 7 November 2026

Researchers from the Thackeray Wildlife Foundation have reported a new wild flowering plant species named Begonia siangensis from the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.

The plant was discovered during field exploration in the Siang River basin in 2024. It grows near a shaded mountain stream and is characterised by pale-pink flowers and creeping stems.

Researchers have provisionally assessed the species as Data Deficient under the IUCN conservation assessment framework because information about its population and distribution remains limited.

Important Facts:

• Scientific name: Begonia siangensis.
• Location: Upper Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Research organisation: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation.
• Provisional conservation category: Data Deficient.
• Habitat: Shaded stream habitat in the Siang River basin.

Exam Point: Data Deficient is an IUCN category used when available information is insufficient to assess the extinction risk of a species.

Source: Research Matters.

Defence Current Affairs

5. IAF's IL-76MD Makes Highest-Altitude Landing at Nyoma

Date: 7 November 2026

The Indian Air Force's IL-76MD heavy-lift transport aircraft successfully landed at Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh at an altitude of 13,629 feet.

According to the Indian Air Force, this was the highest-altitude landing achieved by an IL-76MD aircraft anywhere in the world.

The achievement highlights the operational capabilities of the aircraft and the skills required to operate heavy transport aircraft in high-altitude conditions.

Important Facts:

• Aircraft: IL-76MD.
• Operator: Indian Air Force.
• Airfield: Nyoma Airfield.
• Location: Ladakh.
• Reported altitude: 13,629 feet.
• Aircraft category: Heavy-lift transport aircraft.

Exam Angle: Remember Nyoma Airfield, Ladakh, and the aircraft type associated with this landing record.

Source: Akashvani News.

Sports Current Affairs

6. India Defeats New Zealand in Second ODI

Date: 7 November 2026

India defeated New Zealand by four runs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the second ODI of the five-match series at Wellington, New Zealand.

New Zealand were bowled out for 134 runs in 41 overs in a rain-affected match. India's bowlers played a major part in restricting the home team.

Gurnoor Brar took four wickets for 30 runs and was named Player of the Match. Daryl Mitchell scored 55 runs for New Zealand, while KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 26 for India.

Important Facts:

• Teams: India and New Zealand.
• Match: Second ODI.
• Venue: Wellington, New Zealand.
• Winner: India.
• Margin: Four runs under the DLS method.
• Player of the Match: Gurnoor Brar.
• Gurnoor Brar's figures: 4/30.

Exam Point: The DLS method is used to calculate revised targets in limited-overs cricket when weather or other interruptions reduce playing time.

Source: International Cricket Council.

7. V. Pranav Wins FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship

Date: 6 November 2026

Indian Grandmaster V. Pranav won the Open section of the FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship held in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.

Pranav scored 10.5 points from 13 rounds to secure the title. He had also won a silver medal in the World Junior Rapid Championship.

Important Facts:

• Winner: V. Pranav (Pranav Venkatesh).
• Championship: FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship.
• Venue: Al Ain, UAE.
• Score: 10.5 points out of 13 rounds.
• Earlier achievement: Silver medal in World Junior Rapid.

Exam Angle: FIDE stands for International Chess Federation. It was founded in Paris in 1924.

Source: The Times of India.

Awards and Honours

8. France Honours Dr Devi Shetty with National Order of Merit

Date: 5 November 2026

France honoured Indian cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty with the Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite, also known as the Knight of the National Order of Merit.

The honour was presented in Bengaluru in recognition of his medical and logistical support to the French Consulate and the French community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Devi Shetty is the founder and chairman of Narayana Health.

Important Facts:

• Award: Knight of the National Order of Merit.
• Recipient: Dr Devi Prasad Shetty.
• Country: France.
• Presentation: Bengaluru.
• Reason: Support to the French community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Institution: Narayana Health.

Exam Point: France's National Order of Merit was established on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. It ranks below the Legion of Honour.

Source: ThePrint, PTI.

Education and Important Updates

9. CBSE Releases 2027 Board Examination Date Sheet

Date: 6 November 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the date sheet for the Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for the 2027 examination session.

According to the published schedule, examinations for both classes are scheduled to begin on 16 February 2027.

Important Facts:

• Board: Central Board of Secondary Education.
• Examination session: 2027.
• Classes: 10 and 12.
• Starting date: 16 February 2027.
• Official website: cbse.gov.in.

Exam Angle: Questions may ask for the full form of CBSE and the starting date of the 2027 board examinations.

Source: CBSE Official Website.

Quick Revision: 08 November 2026

Topic	Important Fact
Horizon Europe	European Union research and innovation programme.
ACABQ	21-member subsidiary body of the UN General Assembly.
Begonia siangensis	New flowering plant reported from Arunachal Pradesh.
Nyoma Airfield	13,629 feet altitude.
IL-76MD	Indian Air Force heavy-lift transport aircraft.
India-New Zealand ODI	India won by four runs using DLS.
FIDE	International Chess Federation.
Dr Devi Shetty	France's Knight of the National Order of Merit.
CBSE Board Exams 2027	Scheduled to begin on 16 February 2027.

Current Affairs MCQs: 08 November 2026

Q1. Horizon Europe is the flagship research and innovation programme of which organisation?
A. United Nations
B. European Union
C. World Bank
D. ASEAN
Correct Answer: B. European Union

Q2. Shivani Gupta was elected to which United Nations committee?
A. UN Human Rights Council
B. International Law Commission
C. ACABQ
D. UNICEF Executive Board
Correct Answer: C. ACABQ

Q3. ACABQ is a subsidiary body of which organisation?
A. UN General Assembly
B. World Health Organization
C. UNESCO
D. International Court of Justice
Correct Answer: A. UN General Assembly

Q4. Begonia siangensis was reported from which Indian state?
A. Assam
B. Sikkim
C. Meghalaya
D. Arunachal Pradesh
Correct Answer: D. Arunachal Pradesh

Q5. At which airfield did the IAF's IL-76MD achieve its highest-altitude landing?
A. Leh Airfield
B. Nyoma Airfield
C. Srinagar Airport
D. Thoise Airfield
Correct Answer: B. Nyoma Airfield

Q6. Which Indian bowler was named Player of the Match in the second ODI against New Zealand on 7 November 2026?
A. Axar Patel
B. Auqib Nabi
C. Gurnoor Brar
D. Anshul Kamboj
Correct Answer: C. Gurnoor Brar

Q7. Who won the FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship 2026?
A. V. Pranav
B. R. Praggnanandhaa
C. D. Gukesh
D. Arjun Erigaisi
Correct Answer: A. V. Pranav

Q8. France conferred which honour on Dr Devi Prasad Shetty?
A. Legion of Honour
B. Order of Arts and Letters
C. Padma Shri
D. Knight of the National Order of Merit
Correct Answer: D. Knight of the National Order of Merit

Q9. When are the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations scheduled to begin in 2027?
A. 1 February 2027
B. 16 February 2027
C. 1 March 2027
D. 15 March 2027
Correct Answer: B. 16 February 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the important current affairs of 08 November 2026?

Important updates include India-EU negotiations on Horizon Europe, Shivani Gupta's election to ACABQ, the IAF's Nyoma landing record, India's ODI victory over New Zealand and the discovery of Begonia siangensis.

2. What is Horizon Europe?

Horizon Europe is the European Union's flagship research and innovation funding programme for 2021-2027, with a budget of €93.5 billion.

3. Who is Shivani Gupta?

Shivani Gupta is an Indian diplomat elected to the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for the 2027-2029 term.

4. Where is Nyoma Airfield located?

Nyoma Airfield is located in Ladakh. It was the site of the Indian Air Force's reported highest-altitude landing by an IL-76MD aircraft.

5. Who won the FIDE World Junior Blitz Championship 2026?

Indian Grandmaster V. Pranav won the Open section of the championship in Al Ain, UAE.

6. When will the CBSE 2027 board examinations begin?

The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations are scheduled to begin on 16 February 2027.

Sources referred: PIB, Akashvani News, Akashvani Defence News, Research Matters, ICC, The Times of India, ThePrint (PTI), CBSE.