Current Affairs 09 November 2026

Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a chemical compound consisting of hydrogen and oxygen. It is a colourless liquid commonly used as an oxidising agent, disinfectant, and bleaching agent.

Recently, police in Pocharam village, Telangana, apprehended a milk trader for allegedly adulterating milk with hydrogen peroxide and milk powder before supplying it to Hyderabad.

Important Facts About Hydrogen Peroxide

• Chemical formula: H₂O₂.
• Molecular mass: 34 g/mol.
• Nature: Strong oxidising agent.
• Chemical bond: Contains an oxygen–oxygen (O–O) peroxide linkage.
• Decomposition: Breaks down into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂).
• Catalyst: Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) accelerates its decomposition.
• Uses: Disinfection, bleaching of textiles and paper pulp, and wastewater treatment.
• Food safety: Hydrogen peroxide must not be added to milk as an unauthorised adulterant. Such adulteration can pose health risks.

DRDO Successfully Conducts Flight Tests of Pralay Quasi-Ballistic Missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile on 5 November 2026, from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

The missile was developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a defence public sector undertaking, participated in the development and production of the missile system.

What Is the Pralay Missile?

Pralay is an indigenously developed quasi-ballistic missile designed for precision strikes against designated targets. A quasi-ballistic missile follows a modified ballistic trajectory and can manoeuvre during flight, making its path less predictable than that of a conventional ballistic missile.

Exercise Malabar 2026

Exercise Malabar 2026, a multilateral naval exercise involving India, the United States, Japan and Australia, commenced on 5 November 2026 and was scheduled to continue until 12 November 2026 in Japan.

The exercise was hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with activities centred around Funakoshi and Yokosuka Naval Base. The sea phase was planned in the waters south of Japan’s Kanto region.

The Indian Navy deployed INS Sahyadri, an indigenously built guided-missile stealth frigate belonging to its Eastern Fleet, to participate in the exercise.

About Exercise Malabar

Exercise Malabar is a multilateral maritime exercise involving the navies of four Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) countries: India, the United States, Japan and Australia.

Cristiano Ronaldo Announces Retirement from International Football

Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) has announced his retirement from international football, according to the supplied report, bringing an end to a remarkable international career spanning more than two decades. Ronaldo represented Portugal in six FIFA World Cup editions, from 2006 to 2026, and played a crucial role in establishing Portugal as a major force in international football. His international record stands at 234 appearances and 146 goals, both men’s international football records.

Mohammed Shami Announces Retirement from Test Cricket

Veteran Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami announced his retirement from Test cricket on 6 November 2026, bringing an end to his 13-year Test career. The 36-year-old pacer confirmed his decision through an Instagram post.

Shami represented India in 64 Test matches and claimed 229 wickets. He announced that he would continue playing white-ball cricket, including One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 cricket.

REACH Becomes First Indian Civil Society Non-Profit to Win Kochon Prize 2026

The Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH) has been awarded the Kochon Prize 2026 for its contributions to combating tuberculosis (TB) in India.

REACH became the first civil society, non-profit organisation from India to receive this international recognition for its work in tuberculosis prevention, care and community engagement.

The Kochon Prize is presented by the Kochon Foundation, an independent South Korean non-profit foundation, in partnership with the Stop TB Partnership. It recognises individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the global fight against tuberculosis.

Q1. With reference to the Pralay missile, consider the following statements:
1. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the indigenously developed Pralay quasi-ballistic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, in November 2026.
2. The Pralay missile was developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) as a development and production partner.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2

Q2. Which Indian Navy warship participated in Exercise Malabar 2026, hosted by Japan?
A. INS Shivalik
B. INS Sahyadri
C. INS Satpura
D. INS Nilgiri

Q3. Which football legend announced his retirement from international football in November 2026 after scoring a record 146 goals in 234 appearances for his country?
A. Lionel Messi
B. Neymar Jr.
C. Cristiano Ronaldo
D. Luka Modrić

Q4. Which of the following is NOT a common application of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)?
A. Disinfection and sterilisation
B. Bleaching of textiles and paper pulp
C. Treatment of wastewater
D. Preservation of drinking milk by direct addition

Q5. Which Indian non-profit organisation became the first civil society organisation from India to receive the Kochon Prize 2026 for its contributions to combating tuberculosis?
A. Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI)
B. Resource Group for Education and Advocacy for Community Health (REACH)
C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
D. National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC)

Q6. Which Indian fast bowler announced his retirement from Test cricket in November 2026 after taking 229 wickets in 64 Test matches?
A. Ishant Sharma
B. Umesh Yadav
C. Mohammed Shami
D. Bhuvneshwar Kumar