This is the current affairs 5 to 8 November 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Which political party secured a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the results of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections?
a. Republican Party
b. Democratic Party
c. Libertarian Party
d. Green Party
Answer: b. Democratic Party
(The Democratic Party won both houses and secured a majority, dealing a setback to Trump and his Republicans.)
– A major political upset was witnessed in the midterm elections held in the USA. The opposition Democratic Party won both houses of the U.S. Congress—the House of Representatives and the Senate—and secured a majority.
– This is a major setback for U.S. President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.
System of Government: Parliamentary vs. Presidential System
– India (Parliamentary System): In India, the people do not directly elect the Prime Minister. The people elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Lok Sabha, and the party or alliance that has a majority forms the government. If the government loses its majority in the Lok Sabha, the government also falls.
– USA (Presidential System): The election of the President and the election of Parliament (Congress) are separate. Even if the President’s party loses seats in the midterm elections, the President’s term remains fixed at four years (the President does not leave office).
How Many Houses Are There in the U.S. Congress (Parliament)?
– Lower House: House of Representatives
– Upper House: Senate
Comparison of the Lower House with India
– Lok Sabha in India: Term of five years. Elections are held for all 543 seats at the same time.
– House of Representatives in the USA: Term of two years. Elections are held for all 435 seats during the midterm elections. Elections are held at a scheduled time every two years.
Comparison of the Upper House with India
– Rajya Sabha in India: The current total strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245 seats. Its maximum strength can be 250. Members are indirectly elected by Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs). 225 members are elected by the State Legislative Assemblies. 8 members are elected from Union Territories (Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu and Kashmir), and 12 members are nominated by the President. One-third of the seats are renewed every two years. In India, Rajya Sabha seats are allocated according to the population of each state (for example, Uttar Pradesh has more seats, while smaller states have fewer).
– Senate in the USA: Every state in the USA has equal rights (whether a state is small or large, each state has two Senators, making a total of 100 seats). Senators are directly elected by the people. Elections are held for approximately one-third of the seats (33–36) every two years, including during the midterm elections.
Difference in the Term “Midterm Elections”
– In India, “midterm elections” are held when a government falls before completing its five-year term and elections have to be conducted again ahead of schedule.
– In the USA, “midterm elections” are not emergency elections; they are scheduled elections held, as prescribed by the rules, exactly midway through the President’s four-year term (after two years).
Conduct of Elections
– India: The responsibility for conducting elections across the country lies with an independent institution, the Election Commission of India (ECI). The rules are the same throughout the country.
– USA: There is no single central election commission. All 50 states conduct elections according to their own rules and procedures.
Impact of the Elections: What Difference Does It Make to the Government?
– In India: If the ruling party loses its majority in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister has to resign.
– In the USA: If the President’s party loses its majority in Congress in the midterm elections, the President remains in office. However, passing new laws, approving the budget and implementing government policies become very difficult because of the opposition’s majority.
Impact of This Election on President Trump
– Budget and Funds: The budget for any government scheme or work is approved by Parliament (Congress).
– New Laws: Only Parliament can make laws; the President cannot make laws on their own.
– Major Appointments: The names of Supreme Court judges, Cabinet ministers and ambassadors must be approved by the Senate.
– Foreign Treaties and War: Implementing treaties with other countries and declaring an official war are powers held by Parliament.
Independent Powers (Where the President Does Not Need Parliament)
– Executive Orders: Issuing direct orders to implement rules/policies without Parliament.
– Military Action: As Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, ordering immediate military action or drone strikes in an emergency.
– Veto Power: Rejecting any bill or law passed by Parliament.
– Power of Pardon: Pardoning or reducing the federal sentence of any person.
Why Is the Term of the House of Representatives Only Two Years?
– In 1787, when the Constitution of the USA was being written, the American revolutionaries had just gained freedom from British tyranny. They did not want a king or dictator to emerge in their new government at any cost.
– Protection Against Arbitrary Decisions Like Those of the British Parliament: At that time, the British Parliament had a term of seven years. American leaders believed that such a long term would make representatives complacent, distance them from the people and lead them to act arbitrarily (like dictators).
– Keeping a Check on King-like Power: They feared that if the President of the USA became powerful and Parliament also remained aligned with him for a long period, the President could become a dictator like the King of Britain. Therefore, the term of the lower house (House) was kept at only two years so that the people could hold the government accountable every other year.
– “No Taxation Without Representation”: This was the main slogan of the American Revolution against the British. They believed that unless the people had direct and continuous control, the government would become dictatorial. Therefore, a two-year term was chosen to make the lower house directly accountable to the people at all times.
– Keeping It Under the Direct Control of the People: The framers of the Constitution wanted at least one house of the government to remain closely connected with the people’s voice and sentiments. With a two-year term, representatives always remain concerned that if they work against the people, they may be voted out in the very next election.
Balance of Power (Checks and Balances):
– Senate (6 years): For experience, stability and long-term policies.
– House (2 years): To raise immediate public issues and everyday problems.
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2. Which Indian museum secured the 9th position globally and the 1st position in Asia in the ‘World’s 100 Best Museums 2026’ list?
a. Bihar Museum, Patna
b. National Museum, New Delhi
c. Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad
d. Indian Museum, Kolkata
Answer: a. Bihar Museum, Patna
– The list of ‘World’s 100 Best Museums 2026’ was released by Germany’s travel guide and digital magazine ‘Worth a Journey’.
– Bihar Museum ranks first in the continent of Asia.
– A total of 3,800 museums from 142 countries were assessed for this ranking.
About Bihar Museum
– Bihar Museum, located on Bailey Road in Patna, was inaugurated in 2015.
– It was developed with the objective of displaying the historical heritage preserved in the old Patna Museum in a better way.
– It was designed by Japanese architect Fumihiko Maki, winner of the Pritzker Prize, and Mumbai-based Opolis Architects.
– Instead of a single large block, the design features a series of interconnected pavilions hanging downwards, wrapped in weathering corten steel.
– It has received a five-star GRIHA rating for sustainable design.
– This museum in Patna has surpassed the famous Louvre Museum in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
What Is in the Collection?
– The museum houses artefacts related to the history of ancient India up to 1764.
– It has a collection of historical objects, sculptures, coins, manuscripts and folk art.
– Its galleries are arranged according to different historical periods, including heritage related to the Maurya, Mughal and Sur dynasties.
– One of the major attractions of Bihar Museum is the Mauryan-period statue of the Didarganj Yakshi.
– This statue was discovered near Patna in 1917.
– In addition, a gallery has been created to impart knowledge to children in an interesting way.
– The Diaspora Gallery of Bihar Museum depicts Bihar’s presence and influence beyond the geographical boundaries of the state.
– This gallery explains that Bihar’s cultural identity is not limited to the state but is also connected with broader social and historical experiences.
Museum from Mexico Ranked First
– The ‘Museo Nacional de Antropología’ in Mexico City secured first place.
– This museum preserves historical artefacts from the Indus Valley Civilization to the Maurya, Gupta and Pala periods, as well as priceless heritage such as the approximately 2,500-year-old Didarganj Yakshini.
These Museums Are in the Top Rankings
1. Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City, Mexico
2. Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
3. Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebæk, Denmark
4. State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
5. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
9. Bihar Museum, Patna, India
10. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, United States
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3. Between India and which country was the joint military exercise ‘Garuda Shakti 2026’ conducted?
a. Malaysia
b. Indonesia
c. Singapore
d. France
Answer: b. Indonesia (Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia)
– Location: The 11th edition of the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise ‘Garuda Shakti 2026’ was held in Banyuwangi (East Java, Indonesia).
– Duration: The exercise was conducted from 27 October to 5 November 2026 (10 days).
– Participating contingents: India: Parachute Regiment (Special Forces / Para SF); Indonesia: Special Forces (Kopassus).
– Main objective of the exercise: To enhance mutual coordination and interoperability in counter-terrorism operations, special helicopter operations, urban and jungle warfare skills, and precision strike techniques.
– Significance: The exercise has strengthened strategic and defence relations between India and Indonesia and promoted security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Military Exercises Between India and Indonesia
– Garuda Shakti (Army)
– Samudra Shakti (Navy)
– IND-INDO CORPAT (Navy)
Note: Only the ‘Garuda’ exercise is conducted between the air forces of India and France, whereas ‘Garuda Shakti’ is an exercise between the armies of India and Indonesia.
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4. Cristiano Ronaldo retired from international football on November 5, 2026; which country did he play for?
a. Kazakhstan
b. Portugal
c. Spain
d. Italy
Answer: b. Portugal
– 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo said that after the November international break, he would return Portugal’s No. 7 jersey to the team.
– Ronaldo’s journey began on 20 August 2003 against Kazakhstan.
– At that time, he was only 18 years old.
– He played 234 matches for Portugal.
– He scored a record 146 goals.
– He also has 46 assists to his name.
– An assist means making the final pass to the player who scores a goal.
First Player to Play in 6 World Cups
– Ronaldo played his first World Cup in Germany in 2006.
– After that, he was also part of Portugal’s team in the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 tournaments.
– He also became the first player in the world to score goals in six different World Cups.
– In 2016, Portugal won the Euro Cup trophy for the first time under Ronaldo’s captaincy.
– Under his captaincy, Portugal also won the UEFA Nations League title in 2019 and 2025.
– Ronaldo plays for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.
– He will continue to play in club matches.
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5. Name the Indian winner of the 2026 Sharjah Award in the ‘Best International Non-Fiction Book’ category for the book ‘The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community’.
a. Yaseen Abu Ali
b. Vaidehi Thakur
c. Nirmala Lakshman
d. Prabhjot Kaur
Answer: c. Nirmala Lakshman
– Nirmala Lakshman is an author, journalist and Director of The Hindu Group.
– She won this award in the Best International Non-Fiction Book category for her book ‘The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community’.
– The award was presented on 4 November 2026 by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority.
– The 45th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair was held from 4 to 15 November 2026 at Expo Centre Sharjah in the UAE.
About ‘The Tamils: A Portrait of a Community’
– Publisher: Aleph Book Company
– Year of Publication: January 2025
– Subject: The history, society and cultural identity of the Tamil people.
Sharjah International Book Fair Awards (SIBF)
– These awards recognise achievements in writing and publishing.
– They are organised annually by the Sharjah Book Authority as part of the Sharjah International Book Fair.
– The Sharjah Awards have two categories: Best International Fiction Book: Recognises outstanding fiction published in English.
Best International Non-Fiction Book: Recognises notable non-fiction works published in English.
– The prize in each category is AED 50,000.
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6. The Soreng district of which Northeastern state was designated as India’s first organic fisheries cluster under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)?
a. Meghalaya
b. Assam
c. Arunachal Pradesh
d. Sikkim
Answer: d. Sikkim
– Soreng district of Sikkim was designated as the first organic fisheries cluster on 2 November 2026.
– This means Soreng has been developed as a special centre for organic fisheries, where fish farming is promoted through environment-friendly methods.
– Union Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced this on 2 November 2026.
– The major fish species include Amur carp, Indian major carp and trout.
– The objective is to promote fish farming without harmful chemicals, antibiotics and pesticides.
– The government has notified 34 fisheries production and processing clusters across the country, including organic clusters in Sikkim and Meghalaya.
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7. Which country was elected as the president of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a third consecutive term?
a. China
b. Indonesia
c. India
d. Brazil
Answer: c. India
– India’s Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, announced this on 3 November 2026.
– India has been elected President for the third time for the 2026–2028 term.
– France has been re-elected as Co-President.
– Currently, the ISA has 130 signatory and member countries.
What Is the International Solar Alliance?
– The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a treaty-based international intergovernmental organisation. Its objective is to bring transformation in the field of solar energy. The ISA headquarters is located in Gurugram, Haryana.
– The ISA was established by India and France in Paris on 30 November 2015.
– Initially, countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn were eligible to become members of the International Solar Alliance.
– Later, the ISA Framework Agreement was amended, under which all United Nations member states can now become members.
Objectives of the ISA
– To work for the efficient consumption of solar energy.
– To reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
– To facilitate access to energy.
– To ensure energy security.
– To promote energy transition.
– To promote solar energy for an environment-friendly future.
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8. What did Collins Dictionary choose as the Word of the Year 2026?
a. Gen Z
b. Mogging
c. Maxxing
d. Affordability
Answer: b. Mogging (This slang word means to shine or outdo someone else.)
– This slang word means to shine or outdo someone else.
– It has become popular among Gen Z and Gen Alpha people.
– The Word of the Year is selected every year to reflect changing trends in our language due to social media, online culture and the influence of the younger generation.
– The word ‘mogging’ is often used humorously to show that someone stands out from everyone else because of their looks, confidence, presence or performance.
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9. Which documentary film, based on the women’s movement in Bihar, received the UN SDG Action Award 2026 in the ‘Creativity’ category?
a. Mothers of Courage
b. The Masungi Story
c. Ladies First
d. Gulabi Gang
Answer: a. ‘Mothers of Courage’
– It is an 8-minute documentary film based on a grassroots movement led by women in rural areas of Bihar.
– The main objective of this documentary is to prevent child marriage, promote girls’ education and empower women.
– The film is part of the ‘Shikshagraha’ movement.
– Under this initiative, more than 1.19 million citizens have been connected through ‘Shiksha Chaupal’ in 14 districts of Bihar.
– The documentary was honoured at a ceremony held in Rome, the capital of Italy, on 29 October 2026.
– The documentary film was directed by Vandana R. Jaykumar.
– It was produced by ‘Butterfly Effect Media’.
– The documentary received this award after being selected from more than 7,000 entries received from 190 countries and territories.
– The documentary shows how mothers and women leaders have played a role in bringing change to their communities.
What Is the UN SDG Action Award?
– It is a global honour given to individuals, groups and organisations doing exceptional and innovative work towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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10. When was World Tsunami Awareness Day celebrated?
a. 3 November
b. 5 November
c. 7 November
d. 9 November
Answer: b. 5 November
– This day is observed to raise awareness about tsunamis and to share new ideas for reducing risks.
Theme for 2026:
– Be Tsunami Ready: Resilience starts with you.
– World Tsunami Awareness Day has been observed following an initiative by Japan.
– The first World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed worldwide on 5 November 2016.
– The United Nations General Assembly declared it on 22 December 2015.
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11. When is the International Day to Prevent Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict observed?
a. 3 November
b. 4 November
c. 5 November
d. 6 November
Answer: d. 6 November
– This day was declared by the United Nations in 2021.
– According to UNEP, conflicts over the control of natural resources are likely to double in the coming time.
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12. When is National Cancer Awareness Day celebrated?
a. 07 November
b. 08 November
c. 09 November
d. 10 November
Answer: a. 07 November
– According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is the second leading cause of death globally.
– On 7 November 2014, former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan announced that 7 November would be observed every year as National Cancer Awareness Day.
Who Collects Data on Cancer Incidence?
– The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) was established in 1965. It is an agency of the World Health Organization (WHO).
– This agency also collects and publishes data on the causes of cancer and cancer incidence across the world.
Note: World Cancer Day is observed on 4 February.
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13. When is Infant Protection Day celebrated?
a. 10 November
b. 08 November
c. 09 November
d. 07 November
Answer: d. 07 November
– This day is observed to spread awareness about measures taken to save the lives of infants and provide them with adequate protection and care.
– In India, the infant mortality rate in 2022 was 27.695 deaths per 1,000 live births.
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14. When is World Radiography Day celebrated?
a. 6 November
b. 7 November
c. 8 November
d. 10 November
Answer: c. 8 November
– World Radiography Day is observed to honour the discovery of X-rays.
– In 1895, Professor Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays.
– For this discovery, he was also awarded the first Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901.
– X-rays play an important role in detecting diseases in the medical field.
– They help doctors identify many types of problems.
– X-rays have helped make disease diagnosis easier and painless.
– The first World Radiography Day was observed in 2007.
– This day is observed with the cooperation of the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists.
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