Daily Current Affairs | 3 November 2026 — Today’s official-source briefing covers a major Indian Navy anti-piracy operation, Pune’s next metro expansion, a proposed change to medicine-import gateways, digital court filing and a fisheries certification initiative in the Northeast. Completed actions, proposals and events scheduled later today are distinguished.
1. Indian Navy rescues all 20 crew members of fishing vessel Azini
The Ministry of Defence reported on 3 November that the Indian Navy liberated fishing vessel Azini from armed pirates after an operation lasting more than 48 hours. All 20 crew members were rescued safely; the official statement reported no casualties or injuries. The vessel had been hijacked off Somalia’s north-eastern coast and was considered a potential pirate “mother ship” capable of supporting attacks on merchant vessels.
The Navy deployed a mission-positioned warship and a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Persistent surveillance helped locate and track the vessel; calibrated non-kinetic measures restricted its movement. Marine Commandos were brought in through a precision airdrop by an Indian Air Force C-17 aircraft. The episode illustrates maritime domain awareness, inter-service coordination and India’s role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
Official source: Ministry of Defence / PIB release on Azini (3 November). Read the Azini rescue and maritime-security explainer.
2. Pune Metro: Line 3 inauguration and Phase-II foundation stone scheduled today
The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate Pune Metro Line 3 (Pink Line) and lay the foundation stone for Phase-II corridors through video conference at 12:30 p.m. on 3 November 2026. At the time this briefing was prepared, the event was scheduled—not yet described as completed.
- Line 3: approximately 23 km from Maan to District Court, linking the Hinjewadi IT hub with Shivajinagar; project cost above ₹8,300 crore.
- Operations: the corridor is planned to be operated entirely by women train operators; about 30% of its electricity requirement is envisaged from solar power.
- Phase II: Lines 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A, estimated at ₹13,500 crore. Lines 2A/2B together cover about 12.75 km; Line 4 is about 25.52 km (Kharadi–Khadakwasla) and Line 4A about 6.12 km (Nal Stop–Manik Baug).
- Integration: proposed interchanges at Swargate, Nal Stop and Kharadi Bypass, with links to the existing network and intercity bus services.
Exam angle: urban transport, multimodal integration, public investment, gender-inclusive employment and renewable-energy use in infrastructure. PMO’s project-wise facts and corridor lengths.
3. Health Ministry proposes additional authorised import gateways
On 3 November, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed an amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945. The draft seeks to add Inland Container Depots (ICDs), a Special Economic Zone and an international airport to the authorised entry network for imports of drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. It is a proposal for consultation, not a final rule in force.
The locations proposed include ICD Sonipat, Piyala and Harsaru in Haryana; ICD Dadri in Uttar Pradesh; ICD Gandhidham/Mundra in Gujarat; ICD Sanath Nagar and Thimmapur in Hyderabad, Telangana; ICD Whitefield in Bengaluru, Karnataka; SEZ Bommasandra in Karnataka; and Noida International Airport for air imports of drugs. The Ministry invited objections and suggestions through the address/email stated in the official release and draft Gazette notification.
Why it matters: authorised gateways affect customs logistics, regulatory inspection and the movement of healthcare products. The proposal does not waive product registration, import licences, quality requirements or other applicable controls. Candidates should remember the distinction between a draft amendment and a notified rule. MoHFW release and Gazette route; read the Rule 43A import-gateway explainer.
4. eFiling 3.0 workshop under the eCourts Mission Mode Project
The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, announced a workshop titled “eFiling 3.0: From Process to Practice” for 4 November 2026, 2 p.m. onwards at Hall No. 5, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal is expected to grace the event; Supreme Court eCommittee members are also expected to attend.
Technical sessions by the National Informatics Centre will cover eCourts applications, Single Sign-On, the eCourts Services mobile app and eFiling facilities for government pleaders and departments. This is a capacity-building workshop, not a claim that every court or litigant has already migrated to a fully paperless process. Official Department of Justice / PIB notice.
5. Sikkim fisheries: certification, infrastructure and institutional market linkage
During Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh’s visit to Sikkim on 2–3 November, the government highlighted Soreng’s organic fisheries cluster under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), launched a Standard Operating Procedure for organic fisheries certification in the Northeastern region and inaugurated projects worth ₹375 lakh. Infrastructure includes hatcheries, feed mills, cold storage and systems such as Biofloc and Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS). Kisan Credit Cards and state-scheme assistance were also highlighted, alongside an MoU between Sikkim and ITBP for procurement of locally produced Rainbow Trout.
Use the timeline carefully: Soreng’s organic cluster had already been declared in 2025; the November 2026 development adds certification procedures and market/infrastructure support. PMMSY is a Central fisheries scheme, while Mukhya Mantri Matsya Uthpadhan Yojana is a Sikkim initiative. PIB visit and project release · Department of Fisheries cluster dashboard.
Candidate action: UGC-NET December 2026 correction window
NTA opened the one-time application correction facility on 2 November. It closes 4 November 2026 at 11:50 p.m. Registered candidates should verify permitted fields, avoid prohibited changes to mobile/email/address/photo/signature and save the final corrected form. Read the UGC-NET correction guide and official NTA notice.
Quick static-GK revision
- Azini operation: Indian Navy + maritime reconnaissance + IAF C-17 + Marine Commandos; 20 crew rescued.
- Pune: Line 3 Pink Line, Maan–District Court, 23 km; Phase II includes 2A, 2B, 4 and 4A.
- Rule 43A: Drugs Rules, 1945; today’s text is a draft proposal, not final legislation.
- eCourts: Department of Justice (Ministry of Law and Justice); NIC conducts technical sessions.
- PMMSY: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
Possible MCQ areas
Questions may test the Azini rescue’s platforms and crew count; Pune Metro Line 3 endpoints, length and solar share; the distinction between a draft rule and a notified amendment; eFiling 3.0’s institutional location; and PMMSY versus Sikkim’s state fisheries scheme.
Official sources and related study
- Ministry of Defence: Azini rescue
- PMO: Pune Metro projects
- MoHFW: proposed import gateways
- Department of Justice: eFiling 3.0
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Editorial note: Scheduled events and draft proposals are labelled as such. Check the issuing authority for any subsequent update after publication.
