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NEW Hindustan Times Fri 13 Nov 2026 08:30:07 PM

CCPA fines Ola ₹10 lakh for pre-ride tips, calls feature an unfair trade practice

SUMMARY

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) fined Ola ₹10 lakh for implementing a pre-ride tipping feature, deeming it an unfair trade practice. CCPA found that prompting passengers to tip drivers before the ride begins could influence service quality, create pressure on consumers, and manipulate ride allocation. The authority ruled this practice violated consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, as it misled users into believing tips were necessary for better service.

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Relevant For: Prelims Current Affairs

Focus Area Unfair trade practice Gig Economy Consumer court

Basic Concepts

NEW Mint Fri 13 Nov 2026 05:47:49 PM

Paytm gets RBI nod for digital wallet business: When can users add money and make payments through Paytm Wallet again?

SUMMARY

Paytm's parent subsidiary received an in-principle authorization from the Reserve Bank of India to issue prepaid payment instruments and digital wallets. However, users cannot add money or transact immediately. The company must complete a mandatory cybersecurity audit and secure final regulatory certification from the central bank within a six-month window.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Indian Economy

Focus Area Digital wallets PPI RBI supervision fintech regulation cybersecurity

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 05:16:04 PM

Chinese company linked to Alice Huang obtained banned Nvidia chips: report

SUMMARY

A Chinese data center firm linked to former Nvidia executive Alice Huang reportedly acquired U.S.-restricted chips via a Singapore-based partner and Dell. The servers were pledged as financial collateral, exposing vulnerabilities in export controls designed to prevent advanced artificial intelligence hardware from reaching restricted Chinese markets.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area Semiconductor supply chain AI chips export restrictions technology security

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 05:15:11 PM

UN nuclear watchdog urges Iran to take 'steps' towards inspections

SUMMARY

The UN nuclear watchdog has urged Iran to take gradual technical steps to restore inspections and monitoring at its key facilities. Highlighting serious concerns over unverified enriched uranium stockpiles and restricted access to clandestine sites, the IAEA emphasized that restoring transparency is vital to addressing mounting international proliferation concerns.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area Nuclear inspections uranium enrichment IAEA NPT JCPOA UN Security Council

Basic Concepts

NEW Dainik Bhaskar Fri 13 Nov 2026 04:53:10 PM

PSLV के PS3 स्टेज का ग्राउंड टेस्ट सफल:इसरो ने डिजाइन में बदलाव किया; पिछले 2 मिशन इसी स्टेज में फेल हुए थे

SUMMARY

भारतीय अंतरिक्ष अनुसंधान संगठन (ISRO) ने पीएसएलवी (PSLV) रॉकेट के तीसरे चरण (PS3) का ग्राउंड टेस्ट सफलतापूर्वक पूरा कर लिया है। पिछले दो मिशन इसी स्टेज में तकनीकी खराबी के कारण असफल हुए थे, जिसके बाद इसरो ने इसके डिजाइन में महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव किए थे। यह सफल परीक्षण इन सुधारों की सटीकता और विश्वसनीयता को साबित करता है, जिससे भविष्य के अंतरिक्ष अभियानों की सुरक्षा और सफलता सुनिश्चित होगी।

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area PSLV ISRO Solid Rocket Propulsion Satellite Launch Vehicles

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 04:16:07 PM

China's Defence Ministry says it maintains dialogue with the U.S.

SUMMARY

China's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Beijing and Washington maintain ongoing military dialogue and practical communication across various levels. Emphasizing the importance of strategic stability, the Chinese spokesperson highlighted recent engagements through the Crisis Communication and Prevention Working Group aimed at preventing miscalculations and implementing presidential consensus.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Current Affairs

Focus Area PLA Indo-Pacific Command Crisis Communication Working Group APEC

Basic Concepts

NEW Firstpost Fri 13 Nov 2026 04:16:03 PM

‘No different from ours’: India invites Pakistan for SCO civilisational forum meet in Delhi

SUMMARY

India has invited Pakistan and other Shanghai Cooperation Organisation members to attend the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum in New Delhi. Highlighting shared heritage, the event marks a notable diplomatic outreach aimed at fostering cultural connections, with the final confirmation of Islamabad's ministerial participation currently pending.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - II International Relations

Focus Area Multilateral diplomacy civilisational ties regional cooperation people-to-people relations strategic engagement

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:53:03 PM

Iran says it struck U.S. military radar in Bahrain

SUMMARY

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its forces targeted and destroyed a United States early-warning radar installation in Bahrain. According to state media, the retaliatory strike followed an enemy attack on a telecommunications tower in Iran's southern coastal city of Sirik, further escalating ongoing regional tensions between Tehran and American military forces in the Gulf.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Current Affairs

Focus Area West Asia Conflict US Military Presence Drone Warfare military escalation maritime trade security India's energy interests

Basic Concepts

NEW Gadgets 360 Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:51:12 PM

Google Rolls Out Gemini 4 Hydrogen for Faster Coding and Agentic AI Workflows

SUMMARY

Google launched Gemini Four Hydrogen, a high-speed artificial intelligence model optimized for rapid coding and multi-step agentic workflows. Featuring a one-million-token context window, the efficient model runs faster while utilizing fewer tokens. It is rolling out globally across the Gemini app, Google Search, AI Studio, and various developer enterprise tools.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area AI-driven productivity employment impact responsible AI India's AI ecosystem

Basic Concepts

NEW Ndtv Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:30:11 PM

AI Startup Pays Humans $45 An Hour To Babysit Robots On Night Shifts

SUMMARY

Humanoid robotics startup Figure AI advertised a night-shift coordinator position paying up to forty-five dollars an hour to oversee and troubleshoot autonomous robots. The role highlights a transitional reality in physical AI: despite advanced capabilities, these machines still require human supervisors to manage overnight operations, handle failures, and ensure safety.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area Artificial Intelligence Robotics Automation Future of Jobs Human-Machine Interaction

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:30:04 PM

Russia says four killed in major Ukraine drone barrage

SUMMARY

Four people were killed in Russia's Volgograd region following what Moscow reported as one of the largest Ukrainian drone swarms of the conflict. Russian defense officials claimed to have intercepted nearly 1,200 drones across multiple regions, while local authorities confirmed that the strikes caused infrastructure damage and casualties in southern Russia.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - II Current Affairs

Focus Area Drone Warfare Russia-Ukraine Conflict Volgograd UAV NATO Black Sea

Basic Concepts

NEW Hindustan Times Fri 13 Nov 2026 03:28:19 PM

From selling vegetables with his mother to becoming an IPS officer: Sharan Kamble’s inspiring UPSC journey

SUMMARY

Sharan Kamble overcame extreme poverty, studying under kerosene lamps and selling vegetables with his mother, to become an IPS officer. After completing his education at IISc Bangalore, he bravely rejected a lucrative twenty-lakh rupee corporate job offer to pursue public service, ultimately clearing the competitive UPSC examinations to serve his country with remarkable dedication.

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Relevant For: Society & Social Justice

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 02:53:03 PM

U.S. lawmakers summon Nvidia former CEO after affair with suspected spy

SUMMARY

Huang, who has been married to his wife Lori for over 40 years, admitted Sunday to an affair, reportedly with Alice Huang, a former senior executive at Singapore-based data center company Megaspeed. The two are not related. U.S. intelligence reportedly circulated a memo this spring alleging she was an asset of China’s Ministry of State Security. Beijing has rejected the allegations.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Science & Technology

Focus Area AI Chip Security Technology Espionage Semiconductor Supply Chain US-China Rivalry Export Controls

Basic Concepts

NEW The Hindu Fri 13 Nov 2026 02:30:04 PM

COP31: Himalayan flash floods should push all to act ‘faster and fairer’ on climate change: UN climate chief

SUMMARY

UN climate chief Simon Stiell urged nations to act "faster and fairer" on climate change after devastating Himalayan flash floods highlighted climate crisis impacts. Speaking ahead of COP31, he stressed vulnerable regions face escalating disasters, demanding stronger global commitments on emissions cuts, climate finance, and adaptation to protect at-risk communities worldwide.

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Relevant For: Prelims + Mains GS - III Environment & Ecology

Focus Area Himalayan Ecosystem COP31 UNFCCC Paris Agreement GLOF IPCC Climate Finance

Basic Concepts

NEW Mint Fri 13 Nov 2026 02:16:15 PM

Astro-tourism is on the rise in India: Travellers look beyond hills and beaches; how much does a ‘cosmic trip’ cost?

SUMMARY

Astro-tourism is rapidly gaining popularity across India as travellers move beyond conventional hill stations and beaches to experience dark skies, meteor showers, and the Milky Way. Driven by destinations like Hanle, Spiti Valley, and Sariska, cosmic trips range from ₹1,200 for single-evening stargazing sessions to ₹80,000 for curated multi-day astronomy expeditions.

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Relevant For: Mains GS - III Indian Economy

Focus Area Astro-tourism Dark Sky Reserve Light Pollution Sustainable Tourism Astronomy

Basic Concepts