Daily Current Affairs: 13 November 2025

Headline: Servier India launches subsidised biomarker testing for IDH-mutated AML and cholangiocarcinoma

Bullet Points:

• Initiative offers a customised biomarker test panel for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) across India at subsidised rates
• IDH1 and IDH2 mutation tests for both cancers provided free of cost to patients in the government sector
• Partnership involves Servier India, MedGenome and Strand Life Sciences to expand molecular testing access beyond urban centres
• Programme launched under Servier Care patient-support platform providing financial assistance and subsidised diagnostics where legally permissible
• Early molecular testing aims to guide precision oncology treatment decisions and improve survival rates in AML and CCA

Headline: Bharat-Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav inaugurated at University of Colombo

Bullet Points:

• The week-long Bharat-Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav was inaugurated at the University of Colombo.
• The festival is jointly organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, the Central Sanskrit University, and the India-Sri Lanka Foundation.
• The event brings together scholars, monks, and students from India and Sri Lanka to celebrate Sanskrit as a shared civilisational legacy.

Headline: Tata Power to build India’s largest 10 GW solar wafers & ingots plant

Bullet Points:

• Tata Power plans to set up the country's largest solar wafers and ingots manufacturing plant with a capacity of 10 gigawatts
• The facility will complete Tata Power's presence across the manufacturing chain; the company already has 4.9 GW of integrated cell and module-making capacity
• The project aligns with the Indian federal government's push for increased use of locally made ingots and wafers to cut reliance on imports from China
• Tata Power is exploring the use of federal and state financial support for the new factory and will finalize investment details within the next two months
• Separately, Tata Power is considering entering nuclear power generation as India targets at least 100 GW of nuclear projects by 2047

Headline: India improves to 9th in 30-year global Climate Risk Index, reporting 80,000 deaths and $170 bn loss

Bullet Points:

• India’s long-term Climate Risk Index rank improved from 8th (1994-2023) to 9th (1995-2024), while its single-year rank improved from 10th in 2023 to 15th in 2024
• Germanwatch environmental think-tank released the 2023 edition of the CRI report on the sidelines of COP30 in Belem
• India recorded over 80,000 fatalities and nearly $170 billion in economic losses from 430 extreme weather events between 1995 and 2024
• Cyclones Hudhud (2014) and Amphan (2020) and the 2013 Uttarakhand floods were specifically cited as high-impact events
• Recurring heat waves with temperatures around 50 °C in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2015 were highlighted as major climate-related mortality drivers

Headline: Sergio Gor Sworn-in as US Ambassador to India

Bullet Points:

• Sergio Gor has been sworn in as the US Ambassador to India.
• He previously served as the White House personnel director.
• The US Senate had confirmed Gor in October to serve as the next United States ambassador to India.
• In August, Trump had promoted Gor, Director of Presidential Personnel, to be the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
• Gor began his political career working as a spokesman for Republican lawmakers and in 2013, he became communications director for Senator Rand Paul’s PAC, RANDPAC.

Headline: Tata Trusts appoints Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat as Trustees

Bullet Points:

• Neville Tata, son of chairman Noel Tata, has been inducted to the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).
• He will serve for a term of three years.
• Neville Tata is already on the board of the JRD Tata Trust, Tata Social Welfare Trust and RD Tata Trust.
• He later went on to lead Zudio, the value fashion brand.
• Bhaskar Bhat, a group veteran and former Titan managing director, has been inducted to the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).
• He will serve for a term of three years.
• Bhaskar Bhat is an IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus.
• During his 17-year tenure as managing director, he steered Titan to expand beyond watches into eyewear, jewellery, fragrances, accessories and sarees (Taneira).

Headline: 6th India-Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX begins in Hanoi

Bullet Points:

• Exercise VINBAX is a bilateral military exercise between India and Vietnam aimed at enhancing inter-operability and sharing best practices in UN peacekeeping operations.
• The opening ceremony was presided over by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Deputy Chief of General Staff of Vietnam, Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan.
• The 6th edition aims to enhance interoperability and share best practices in UN peacekeeping operations, to strengthen defence cooperation.

Headline: UIDAI's New Behavioural Insights Initiative for Children's Aadhaar Biometric Updates

Bullet Points:

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has announced a new behavioural insights initiative to boost Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) among children.
• The move aims to make Aadhaar updation smoother and more accessible for young Aadhaar holders.
• UIDAI has waived all charges for biometric updates in Aadhaar for children.
• The free update policy is effective from October 1, 2025, and will remain in force for one year.
• UIDAI has partnered with Behavioural Insights Limited (BIT) to identify and remove behavioural, logistical, and awareness barriers that prevent children and parents from completing Aadhaar updates on time.
• Children must update their fingerprints, iris, and photo when they turn 5 years and again at 15 years of age.
• Parents or guardians can visit any Aadhaar Enrolment Centre with the child’s Aadhaar number to complete the biometric update.
• The list of authorised centres is available on the Bhuvan Aadhaar portal.

Headline: MoSPI Proposes New Methodology for IIP Index, Revising Base Year and Replacing Closed Units

Bullet Points:

• The statistics ministry has proposed replacing factories that have closed or changed their production lines in the new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series.
• Under the proposed methodology, inactive units would be substituted with active ones that have at least 12 months of overlapping data.
• Substitution will be performed for factories with no output or production data for three consecutive months.
• In the current IIP series, the weight of closed factories is around 8.9%, as per the discussion paper.
• The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is revising the IIP base year to 2022-23 from 2011-12.
• In the current series, manufacturing accounts for 77.633 weight, followed by mining at 14.373 and electricity at 7.994.
• India's industrial output eased slightly to 4% in September from 4.1% in August.
• The MoSPI has invited feedback on the proposed methodology by November 25.

Headline: Amit Shah Launches Digital Apps for Urban Co-op Banks and Sets Expansion Targets

Bullet Points:

• Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched two mobile applications — Sahakar Digi Pay and Sahakar Digi Loan — for urban cooperative banks.
• The objective of these apps is to promote digital payment adoption, which is described as "essential for their survival in an increasingly cashless economy."
• The government's efforts include professionalising urban cooperative banks (UCBs) and cooperative credit societies.
• A target was set to onboard 1,500 urban cooperative banks to the digital platform within two years.
• The minister set an ambitious target for NAFCUB — to establish at least one additional UCB in every town with a population exceeding two lakh within five years.
• The federation (NAFCUB) was directed to convert successful cooperative credit societies into UCBs.
• Since the formation of a separate cooperation ministry in 2021-22, the central government has undertaken several policy reforms to modernise the sector.
• Model bylaws for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) were framed, which all states adopted, enabling PACS to computerise and expand services.

Headline: India Inaugurates First 3 MWh Vanadium Flow Battery at NTPC NETRA

Bullet Points:

• India’s largest Vanadium Redox Flow Battery system was inaugurated at NTPC NETRA, Greater Noida.
• The 3 MWh system represents India’s largest vanadium flow battery installation and was developed in-house by NTPC NETRA.
• Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, vanadium flow batteries use liquid electrolytes, allowing them to store energy for extended durations with enhanced safety, longer life cycles, and scalability.
• The project marks a major step forward in the nation’s journey towards long-duration energy storage solutions, enhancing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.
• The adoption of vanadium flow battery technology aims to diversify India’s energy storage materials beyond lithium and strengthen supply chain resilience by reducing dependence on imported components.
• NTPC NETRA has positioned itself at the forefront of India’s long-duration energy storage innovation.
• NTPC Ltd.’s clean energy research portfolio now spans green hydrogen, carbon capture, waste-to-energy, and energy storage technologies, in alignment with India’s target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030.

Headline: INS Savitri Strengthens India–Mozambique Naval Ties During Port Call at Beira

Bullet Points:

• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Navy, arrived at Port Beira, Mozambique, as part of its ongoing deployment in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• The visit of INS Savitri forms part of India’s broader diplomatic initiative, the ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
• During the four-day port call, naval personnel from both countries will engage in joint training exercises and professional interactions designed to improve coordination in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance operations.
• The exercises include: VBSS (Visit, Board, Search and Seizure) drills, focused on counter-piracy and anti-smuggling operations Damage control and firefighting exercises to strengthen onboard emergency response capabilities Navigation and EEZ patrol coordination training, enhancing interoperability in maritime surveillance Professional discussions between officers of both navies on operational best practices.
• Beyond military cooperation, INS Savitri’s crew will engage in a variety of community outreach programmes to promote goodwill and people-to-people ties between India and Mozambique.
• Commissioned in 1990, INS Savitri is part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet and serves as a versatile Offshore Patrol Vessel designed for maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling, and HADR operations.
• Key highlights of India–Mozambique defence cooperation include: Hydrographic surveys conducted by the Indian Navy to assist Mozambique in charting its coastal waters Training of Mozambican naval personnel at Indian naval institutions under defence cooperation programmes Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, including cyclone and flood relief efforts Counter-piracy and anti-trafficking patrols in the Mozambique Channel.

Headline: 6th National Water Awards 2024: Maharashtra adjudged Best State

Bullet Points:

• National Water Awards 2024 instituted by Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti
• Objective: "to promote awareness on water conservation and highlight grassroots efforts aligned with the government's 'Jal Samridh Bharat' vision"
• 46 winners across 10 categories (Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School/College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution, Best Civil Society, Best Individual)

Headline: India’s Net Direct Tax Collection Rises 7% to ₹12.92 Trillion in Apr-Nov 2025

Bullet Points:

• Net direct tax collection grew 7% year-on-year to ₹12.92 trillion between April 1 and November 10.
• Refund issuances declined by 18% to ₹2.42 trillion during the same period.
• Net corporate tax collections stood at ₹5.37 trillion, up from ₹5.08 trillion in the corresponding period of FY 2024-25.
• Non-corporate tax receipts, including personal income tax, rose to ₹7.19 trillion from ₹6.62 trillion a year ago.
• Gross direct tax collections before refunds amounted to ₹15.35 trillion, reflecting a 2.15% increase from the previous year.
• The government has set a target of ₹25.20 trillion in direct tax collections for FY 2025-26, representing a 12.7% increase over the previous year.

Headline: India operationalises Nyoma airbase near China border; Army conducts 'Poorvi Prachand Prahar' exercise in Arunachal Pradesh

Bullet Points:

• Nyoma airbase, located about 35 km from the LAC in eastern Ladakh, was operationalised with a Rs 230 crore upgrade
• The upgrade included a 2.7-km rigid-pavement runway, new ATC complex, hangars, crash bay and accommodation
• IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh formally inaugurated the base by flying in a C-130J 'Super Hercules' aircraft
• The airbase will facilitate rapid movement of troops, weapons and supplies to Pangong Tso, Demchok and Depsang areas
• Concurrently, Indian Army's 3 Spear Corps along with IAF and ITBP elements are conducting 'Poorvi Prachand Prahar' exercise in high-altitude terrain of Mechuka, Arunachal Pradesh

Headline: Global Tuberculosis Cases Decline for First Time Since Pandemic, Funding Gaps Threaten Progress

Bullet Points:

• Tuberculosis, or TB, remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers, claiming over 1.2 million lives and affecting an estimated 10.7 million people last year.
• Cases are on a downward trajectory for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.
• Global funding for TB has stagnated since 2020, with just $5.9 billion available in 2024 – far below the $22 billion annual target for 2027.
• Between 2023 and 2024, the global rate of people falling ill with TB declined by nearly two per cent, while deaths fell by three per cent.
• As of last year, over half of the population worldwide is covered by rapid testing, 54 per cent up from 48 per cent in 2023.
• Additionally, treatment saw a success rate of 88 per cent, according to the report.
• Between 2015 and 2024, the WHO African Region managed to reduce the indecent rate by 28 per cent and deaths from the illness went down by 46 per cent.

Headline: India's Recent Hockey World Cup Results and Tournament Details

Bullet Points:

• Despite hosting the last two FIH Men’s World Cup at home, India failed to finish on the podium even once.
• In the 2018 edition they were eliminated in the quarterfinals and finished sixth in the standings.
• In 2023 they were knocked out by New Zealand in the crossovers stage and finished ninth overall.
• Belgian hockey coach Pascal Kina believes India have a fair chance to finish among the three medallists during the 2026 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
• Lancers, who failed to put up a good show at the last edition of HIL and finished sixth in the standings.
• Antoine has been part of the Belgian team that has won 2018 World Cup.
• Antoine has been part of the Belgian team that has won ... the Olympic gold in Tokyo.

Headline: The Destructive Impact of the Invasive Cane Toad and Conservation Efforts

Bullet Points:

• The cane toad (Rhinella marina) is recognized as one of the most invasive destructive species globally.
• Originally from Central and South America, cane toads were introduced to other regions, such as Australia, to manage beetle pests affecting sugarcane crops.
• Cane toads possess a powerful toxin called bufotoxin, released from glands behind their eyes, which is lethal to many animals, including native wildlife and pets.
• Predators like quolls, goannas, snakes, and crocodiles have experienced catastrophic population declines after ingesting cane toads.
• Female cane toads exhibit rapid reproduction, laying between 8,000 and over 30,000 eggs per clutch and potentially breeding multiple times annually.
• In new environments, cane toads face few natural predators and are highly adaptable, thriving in diverse habitats from cities to farmlands.
• Conservation efforts in Western Australia include training native crocodiles to avoid eating cane toads, which has significantly reduced crocodile deaths.
• Scientists are also researching gene-edited tadpoles that consume other cane toad eggs as a potential strategy to control their populations.

Headline: India-Russia to Deepen Nuclear Cooperation at Upcoming Summit

Bullet Points:

• The upcoming 23rd India-Russia annual summit is scheduled for December.
• The summit is expected to significantly advance bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, with a special focus on small and modular reactors (SMRs) and greater localisation of nuclear plant equipment.
• Discussions ahead of the summit involved Rosatom director general Alexei Likhachev and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, director general of the department of atomic energy (DAE).
• A detailed review of progress at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu was conducted.
• Units 1 and 2 of KNPP were connected to India’s national power grid in 2013 and 2016.
• Units 5 and 6 — part of the project’s third phase — are actively under construction.

Headline: IEA Global Energy Outlook 2025: India to Drive Global Oil Demand Growth to 2035

Bullet Points:

• India’s energy demand is projected to rise by an average of 3% annually till 2035, the fastest among all emerging markets and developing economies.
• India’s oil use is expected to rise from 5.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2024 to 8 mbpd by 2035.
• India’s oil import dependency is set to climb from 87% in 2024 to 92% by 2035.
• India’s refining capacity is expected to grow from 6 mbpd in 2024 to 7.5 mbpd by 2035.
• India’s natural gas demand is projected to nearly double to 140 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2035.
• India’s coal production will increase by around 50 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce) by 2035.
• India’s carbon emissions are likely to peak around 2040 at roughly 3.4 gigatonnes per year.

Headline: Malabar gliding frog builds foam nest above water instead of laying eggs in water

Bullet Points:

• Species: Malabar gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) – "Known as the Malabar gliding frog, this vivid green amphibian"
• Location: Western Ghats, India – "High in the misty forests of the Western Ghats in India"
• Key behaviour: Constructs foam nest above ponds/streams – "the female selects a tree branch or leaf positioned directly above a pond or slow-moving stream"
• Nest details: White frothy foam up to ~3 inches diameter, holds ~200 eggs – "This nest can reach around three inches in diameter" and "the female deposits up to 200 eggs"
• Ecological role: Indicator of clean water and balanced habitat – "Frogs are indicators of environmental health; their presence suggests clean water and a balanced habitat"

Headline: Shafali Verma Honoured by Haryana CM with Cash Prize and Brand Ambassador Role

Bullet Points:

• India's Women's World Cup-winning team member Shafali Verma was felicitated by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
• She was honoured with a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1.50 crore and a 'Grade A' sports gradation certificate.
• Shafali was appointed as the brand ambassador by the Haryana State Women's Commission.
• The 21-year-old Shafali was named 'player of the final' for her 87 runs with the bat and 2/36 with the ball in the team's 52-run win against South Africa.
• She was picked as a replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal and called into the India squad on the eve of the semifinal against Australia.

Headline: CNS Admiral Tripathi visits US to strengthen maritime partnership; Exercise Malabar 2025 underway

Bullet Points:

• Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, embarked on an official visit to the United States aimed at further enhancing the longstanding maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy.
• During his visit, Admiral Tripathi is scheduled to hold discussions with senior officials of the US Department of War and meet top US naval leadership, including Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, and Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT), Admiral Stephen T. Koehler.
• The CNS's visit coincides with the multilateral naval exercise, Exercise Malabar 2025.
• Exercise Malabar 2025 is a major Indo-Pacific maritime drill aimed at strengthening interoperability and coordination among the four partner nations--India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
• Exercise Malabar 2025 is held in the West Pacific training area from November 10 to 18.
• First established as a bilateral India-US exercise in 1992, Exercise Malabar has since evolved into a key maritime activity of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), involving Australia, Japan, India, and the United States.

Headline: DoPPW Clarifies Inclusion of Daughter's Name in Family Pension Records

Bullet Points:

• The Department of Pension and Pensioners' Welfare (DoPPW) clarified rules regarding the inclusion of daughters' names in family details for central government employees and pensioners.
• As per the rule, every government employee or pensioner must provide details of all family members, including daughters, whether or not they are eligible for family pension.
• The eligibility for family pension would be decided after the demise of the pensioner/family pensioners in accordance with the existing rules.
• This clarification is covered under Rule 50 (15) of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 2021.
• Rule 50 (15) mandates government servants to disclose family information, including spouse, all children, parents, and disabled siblings, in Form 4 upon entering service and to submit updated information before retiring.
• The details of son or daughter, whether or not eligible for family pension on the date of submission, must be included in Form 4.

Headline: Kerala Retains Top Achiever Status in National Ease of Doing Business Rankings 2024

Bullet Points:

• Scheme Name: Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024 national Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ratings released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Government of India
• Kerala’s Achievement: State secured “Top Achiever” position in the “Fast Movers” category with 99.1 per cent reform implementation score, up from 91 per cent last year
• Evaluation Weightage: 70 per cent weightage to investor feedback and 30 per cent to reform completion
• Implementing Coordination: 22 government departments and agencies led by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC)

Headline: Google Gemini AI sued for allegedly tracking Gmail, Chat, Meet without consent

Bullet Points:

• Google Gemini AI accused of secretly activating across Gmail, Chat, and Meet
• Complaint filed in federal court in San Jose, California under case Thele v. Google LLC, 25-cv-09704
• Users must manually disable Gemini in privacy settings to prevent access to entire Gmail history
• Alleged violation of California Invasion of Privacy Act which prohibits surreptitious recording of confidential communications

Headline: All About China’s Hongqi Bridge That Collapsed Just Months After Reopening

Bullet Points:

• The 758-meter-long Hongqi Bridge in Sichuan’s Maerkang city collapsed on Tuesday, just months after reopening.
• Authorities had closed it a day earlier after cracks and terrain shifts were detected; no casualties were reported.
• The incident occurred along a national highway linking China’s heartland with Tibet.
• Police closed the bridge to all traffic on Monday afternoon after cracks appeared on nearby slopes and roads and shifts in the mountain terrain raised safety concerns.
• Conditions worsened on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a landslide that caused the approach bridge and roadbed to collapse into the river below.
• The bridge was part of the G317 national highway, an important route connecting central China to Tibet.
• Built by the state-backed Sichuan Road & Bridge Group, the bridge was designed as a cantilevered two-lane beam bridge, standing about 625 meters above the gorge floor with piers reaching 172 meters in height.
• The bridge was constructed to improve connectivity and boost economic activity in western China’s rugged terrain.
• It was part of a broader effort to upgrade infrastructure along the G317 corridor, linking areas around the Shuangjiangkou Dam reservoir to the Tibetan Plateau.

Headline: World Pneumonia Day observed on 12 November: 2025 Theme 'Child Survival'

Bullet Points:

• World Pneumonia Day is observed every year on 12 November.
• The theme for 2025 is 'Child Survival', highlighting pneumonia as the leading infectious cause of death among children under five.
• The day was first marked on 12 November 2009, initiated by the Global Coalition Against Child Pneumonia.

Headline: ‘Operation Bullion Blaze’: Melting units and illegal shops raided in Mumbai, gold worth Rs 15 crore seized

Bullet Points:

• The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted raids on two facilities allegedly involved in melting gold and two unregistered shops linked to the network.
• The action was named ‘Operation Bullion Blaze’ and resulted in the seizure of 11.88 kg of gold valued at Rs 15 crore.
• DRI arrested 11 people, including the mastermind behind the racket, his father, employees, delivery boys, and an accountant.
• The accused have been identified as N V Thakkar, V Thakkar, S S Joshi, S Joshi, A S Kesarkar, V V Kadam, P Kumar, S Narale, V H Rabari, SP Tripathi, and S P Rathod.
• The syndicate smuggled gold into India to melt in covert furnaces and illegally sold the refined bullion on the grey market.
• During the raid, 6.35 kg of gold was recovered on the spot, and an additional 5.53 kg of gold bars was seized from one of the shops.
• A total of 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold and 8.72 kg of silver worth Rs 13.17 lakh were seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
• All accused failed to produce valid documents for possession of gold and silver and were remanded in judicial custody after being produced in court.

Headline: PM Modi's Bhutan Visit: Strengthening Bilateral Ties, Hydropower, Connectivity, and MoUs

Bullet Points:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a two-day state visit to Bhutan.
• Discussions focused on energy, trade, technology, and connectivity.
• India reaffirmed its “unwavering support” for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, including the Economic Stimulus Programme.
• The 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project was inaugurated.
• Both countries agreed to resume work on the main dam of the 1,200 MW Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project.
• Bhutan welcomed India’s announcement of a concessional Line of Credit worth INR 40 billion for energy projects.
• An MoU for two railway links—Gelephu-Kokrajhar and Samtse-Banarhat—was signed in September this year.
• Bhutan expressed appreciation for India’s efforts to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and fertilisers.
• Three Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit: Cooperation in Renewable Energy, Cooperation in Health and Medicine, and Institutional linkages between the PEMA Secretariat and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS).

Headline: IIT Guwahati Scientists Develop Material for Fuel Adulteration Detection and Oil Spill Cleanup

Bullet Points:

• Scientists at IIT Guwahati have created a new material.
• This material is known as Phase-Selective Organogelators (PSOGs).
• It can detect kerosene mixed with petrol, a common adulteration.
• The material also absorbs oil spills from water, forming a gel for easy removal.
• PSOG molecules are designed through a process called hierarchical supramolecular self-assembly to selectively trap oils such as kerosene and diesel.
• The research team includes Prof. Gopal Das from IIT Guwahati’s Department of Chemistry, and his scholars, Ms. Rubi Moral and Mr. Oiyao Appun Pegu.
• Their findings were recently published in Chemical Engineering.

Headline: 3.6 magnitude earthquake shakes Assam's Dima Hasao

Bullet Points:

• A 3.6 magnitude earthquake struck Assam's Dima Hasao district on Wednesday afternoon at 12:40 pm IST.
• The tremor originated at a depth of 30 km, with its epicenter recorded at latitude 25.19°N and longitude 92.92°E.
• No damage or injuries have been reported so far.

Headline: India grants land in Varanasi for Bhutanese monastery and guesthouse

Bullet Points:

• India will grant land in Varanasi for construction of a Bhutanese monastery and guesthouse
• The monastery will be built near the banks of the Ganga and serve as a centre for spiritual learning, cultural exchange, and pilgrimage
• India extended a Rs 4,000-crore line of credit to support Bhutan’s development projects
• The 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project was formally inaugurated
• India and Bhutan signed three new agreements on renewable energy collaboration, mental-health research, and medical capacity-building

Headline: Infosys Prize 2025 Honors Six Researchers for Scientific Advancement

Bullet Points:

• The Infosys Prize 2025 was announced for six researchers across six categories: Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences.
• Each laureate will receive a gold medal, a citation, and a prize purse of $100,000.
• The prize honours young Indian researchers for their contributions to scientific advancement, recognising researchers under the age of 40 from 2024.
• Anjana Badrinarayanan from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, was awarded in Life Sciences for her work on genome maintenance and DNA repair mechanisms using live-cell imaging.
• Sushant Sachdeva from the University of Toronto received the Engineering and Computer Science prize for his study into mathematical optimisation and algorithmic theory.
• Sabyasachi Mukherjee from TIFR, Mumbai, was recognized in Mathematical Sciences for linking Kleinian group dynamics and holomorphic map iteration.
• Karthish Manthiram from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) won in Physical Sciences for developing sustainable electrochemical routes for key industrial chemicals using renewable electricity.
• Winners based outside of India are required to spend 30 days at a host institution in India as part of the Infosys Prize Residency programme to encourage collaboration.

Headline: Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in India’s EEZ: Key Features

Bullet Points:

• Name: Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) notified by Government of India
• Announced in: Union Budget 2025-26
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
• Objective: "create an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries from India's EEZ and high seas, with a special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands"
• Key provision: "prioritise Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea fishing operations and management of technologically advanced vessels"
• Export boost: "promoting value addition, traceability, and certification"
• Innovation: "introduction of the mother-and-child vessel concept, which will allow mid-sea transshipment under strict monitoring in line with Reserve Bank of India regulations"
• Support measures: "training, international exposure visits, and capacity-building initiatives across the value chain -- including processing, branding, and marketing"
• Credit access: "through flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)"
• Prohibited practices: "LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling"
• Conservation tools: "Minimum legal fish sizes and Fisheries Management Plans"
• Alternate livelihoods: "Mariculture activities like sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation"
• Digital system: "fully digital Access Pass system ... through the ReALCRaft portal for mechanised vessels"
• Traceability: "Integration with MPEDA and EIC will facilitate traceability and eco-labelling for global seafood exports"
• Safety & security: "mandate transponders and QR-coded ID cards to enhance sea safety and coastal security"

Headline: Watershed Mission: Revival of 150-Year-Old Waterbody in Andhra Pradesh

Bullet Points:

• Scheme Name: Watershed Mission (under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana); Implementing Ministry: Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
• Objective: “Conservation of both water and soil” and “save water and ensure water security for future generations”
• Key Features: 21-acre tank revived at cost of Rs 1.20 crore; 5-acre plantation with 250 coconut trees, walking track, open-air theatre, open gym for multipurpose community use

Headline: JSW Energy commissions India's largest green hydrogen plant in Karnataka under PLI scheme

Bullet Points:

• JSW Energy Limited has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant at Vijayanagar in Karnataka.
• The plant marks the start of commercial operations under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme – Tranche I.
• The company stated the facility is India’s largest green hydrogen plant.
• Located next to the JSW Steel facility, the plant will supply green hydrogen directly to JSW Steel’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) unit for low-carbon steel production.
• Under a seven-year offtake agreement with JSW Steel Ltd, the plant will deliver 3,800 tonnes per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen and 30,000 TPA of green oxygen.
• The facility is part of JSW Energy’s 6,800 TPA allocation under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme managed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
• JSW Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with JSW Steel to gradually scale up supply to 85,000–90,000 TPA of green hydrogen and 720,000 TPA of green oxygen by 2030.
• These developments align with India’s plan to achieve around 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Headline: NHA–ICMR–DHR Renew MoU to Strengthen Evidence-Based Reforms in Ayushman Bharat

Bullet Points:

• Parties: National Health Authority (NHA), Department of Health Research (DHR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) renewed the MoU signed in November 2019.
• Objective: "bolster evidence-based decision-making across the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)".
• New inclusion: "For the first time, the MoU’s scope will also include supporting the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)" by evaluating digital health interventions like EHRs, telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics and health data exchanges through HTAIn.
• Key collaboration areas: Costing of healthcare services using National Costing Initiative data; institutionalizing Standard Treatment Workflows (STWs) to reduce practice variation; and conducting operational/implementation research on barriers in rural areas, fraud prevention and supply-chain issues.

Headline: Collins Aerospace opens $100 million advanced manufacturing facility in Bengaluru

Bullet Points:

• Collins Aerospace (RTX subsidiary) inaugurated the Collins India Operations Center (CIOC) on a 26-acre site at KIADB Aerospace Park, Bengaluru.
• The facility will manufacture seats, lighting and cargo systems, temperature sensors, communication and navigation systems, water solutions, and evacuation slides for global markets.
• It incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies such as artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, and robotics.
• Employment is projected to exceed 2,200 people by 2026.
• The $100 million investment forms part of RTX’s broader $250 million commitment to India, with the remaining $150 million allocated to engineering and test development centers and Pratt & Whitney India engineering center.

Headline: Guwahati Gateway Terminal and Jetty: India’s First Modern River Ferry Terminal

Bullet Points:

• Name: Guwahati Gateway Terminal and Jetty – India’s first modern river ferry terminal on the Brahmaputra River.
• Launched by: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
• Key Features: 100-seat waiting lounge, structured boarding zones, and an observatory deck.

Headline: India's First MWh-Scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Inaugurated at NTPC NETRA

Bullet Points:

• India’s largest and first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system was inaugurated.
• The VRFB system has a capacity of 3 MWh.
• The system was inaugurated at NETRA, the R&D Centre of NTPC at Greater Noida.
• This project aims to provide long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions, enhancing renewable energy integration and grid resilience.
• The Vanadium Redox Flow Battery is described as a contemporary technology with the potential to emerge as an alternative for more traditional lithium ion-based batteries.
• The inauguration was performed by Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs.
• NTPC NETRA is also engaged in pioneering R&D work in Carbon Capture, Green Hydrogen, Energy Storage and Waste-to-Energy Technologies.

Headline: President Droupadi Murmu's State Visit to Angola

Bullet Points:

• President Droupadi Murmu has commenced a historic state visit to Angola.
• She received a ceremonial welcome in Luanda.
• This is the first-ever visit by an Indian head of state to the country.
• The visit marks 40 years of diplomatic relations between India and Angola.
• Discussions will focus on deepening cooperation in areas such as energy, agriculture, trade, technology, infrastructure, defence, and investment.
• President Murmu is scheduled to address the Angolan parliament and meet members of the Indian community.
• She will attend Angola’s 50th Independence Day celebrations on November 11.

Headline: RBI Recognizes SRPA as First SRO for Payment System Operators

Bullet Points:

• The Reserve Bank of India has recognised the Self-Regulated PSO Association (SRPA) as the first Self-Regulatory Organisation for Payment System Operators.
• In October 2025, the RBI recognised the Finance Industry Development Council (FIDC) as the SRO for NBFCs.
• The RBI granted SRO status to the FinTech Association for Consumer Empowerment (FACE) in August 2024.
• The recognition follows the RBI’s Framework for Recognition of a Self-Regulatory Organisation (SRO) for Payment System Operators, issued in October 2020.
• The recognition also follows the Omnibus Framework for Recognition of SROs for Regulated Entities of the Reserve Bank released in March 2024.
• According to the 2020 framework, an SRO must be a not-for-profit entity comprising only regulated payment system participants, both banks and non-banks.
• Once recognised, an SRO like SRPA is tasked with setting behavioural and professional standards for its members, resolving inter-PSO disputes, and acting as the collective voice of the payments industry in consultations with the RBI and other authorities.
• An SRO will also monitor member compliance and report violations of RBI guidelines or the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.

Headline: IndiGo plans codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines

Bullet Points:

• IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Southern Airlines to establish a codeshare and cooperation agreement aimed at improving air connectivity between India and China.
• The partnership, subject to regulatory approvals, will allow passengers to book seamless travel on both airlines’ networks with single-ticket convenience and through check-in services.
• IndiGo started direct daily flights from Delhi to Guangzhou.
• IndiGo resumed flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, marking commencement of direct air connectivity between India and China after more than five years.
• Direct flights were operational between the two countries till early 2020 before being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Services remained suspended in view of the eastern Ladakh border row.
• Following the recent diplomatic initiatives, it was decided to resume the direct flights between the two countries.

Headline: Tamil Nadu Government Targets More Beaches for Blue Flag Certification

Bullet Points:

• The Tamil Nadu government has selected 10 other beaches in Tamil Nadu to pursue global certification.
• These targeted beaches include four in Chennai, two in Cuddalore, and one each in Villupuram, Nagapattinam, Ramanathapuram, and Tuticorin.
• The initiative involves the commitment of the state government and the local community in maintaining global eco-standards.
• The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Forests is involved in this effort, with congratulations extended to them and the Chengalpattu district administration.
• The objective is to make beaches clean, safe, inclusive, and sustainable.

Headline: Shailesh Chandra elected President of OICA, becomes first Indian to head the global auto body

Bullet Points:

• Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director & CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, elected President of OICA effective November 1.
• He becomes the first Indian to head the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA), the Paris-based global association of vehicle manufacturers.
• Chandra succeeds John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (USA).

Headline: Khaled El-Enany elected as 12th Director-General of UNESCO

Bullet Points:

• Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz elected 12th Director-General of UNESCO with 172 votes in his favor.
• He will officially take office on 15 November, succeeding Audrey Azoulay for a four-year term.
• First Director-General from an Arab nation; previously Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and Tourism and Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism with the World Tourism Organization.

Headline: Vivek Singla appointed as MD and CEO of Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL)

Bullet Points:

• Vivek Singla has been appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Power Exchange India Limited (PXIL).
• He brings more than 35 years of experience across the power sector, covering generation, transmission, distribution, power management, renewable power and green energy.
• Prior to joining PXIL, he served as President and Head of Green Hydrogen and Transmission Businesses at ReNew Power.

Headline: ISRO conducts crucial asymmetric parachute test for Gaganyaan crew module

Bullet Points:

• ISRO validated the Gaganyaan crew module’s parachute system under an asymmetric two-main-chute scenario released from an IAF IL-76 at 2.5 km altitude over Babina Field Firing Range, Uttar Pradesh.
• The 7.2-tonne capsule mass simulator demonstrated structural integrity and stable descent when only two of the three main parachutes were intentionally deployed.
• Gaganyaan’s parachute suite comprises 10 chutes: two for heat-shield separation, two drogue chutes, three pilot chutes, and three main chutes—only two of which need to function for safe landing.
• The test specifically examined load distribution during asymmetric disreefing, described by ISRO as “one of the most critical load scenarios expected during an actual mission descent.”
• Three uncrewed test flights will follow, each carrying the half-humanoid robot Vyomitra (“space friend”) to gather data ahead of the first crewed mission targeted for early 2027.

Headline: World Quality Week 2025 observed from November 10–14 with the theme “Quality: Think Differently.”

Bullet Points:

• The University of the West Indies UWI Five Islands Campus will join the global celebration of World Quality Week from November 10–14, 2025, under the theme “Quality: Think Differently.”
• The World Quality Week initiative is led by the Chartered Quality Institute.
• The initiative aims to promote continual improvement and raise awareness of quality management across education and other sectors.

Headline: National Cybersecurity Exercise “Cyber Bharat Setu” Inaugurated in Tripura; State Launches New Cyber Security Policy and Awareness Campaign

Bullet Points:

• **Cyber Bharat Setu:** A National Cybersecurity Exercise organized by the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT), Government of Tripura, in collaboration with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• **Objective of Cyber Bharat Setu:** Aims to strengthen cyber awareness, readiness, and response capabilities of the State, envisioning a Cyber Resilient Bharat by bridging regional cybersecurity capabilities, fostering innovation, and promoting proactive defence and response strategies.
• **Key Features of Cyber Bharat Setu:** The two-day workshop focuses on strengthening cyber resilience through expert-led training, hands-on drills, and simulated scenario-based exercises, incorporating advanced sessions and simulation-based components.
• **Tripura Cyber Security Policy, 2025 (TCSP 2.0):** A forward-looking and transformative policy launched by Shri. S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, Government of India, during the event.
• **Objective of TCSP 2.0:** Formulated to build a resilient, adaptive, and citizen-centric cyber ecosystem, serving as a guiding framework for securing the State’s IT and ICT systems, strengthening institutional mechanisms, and promoting collaborative actions.
• **Tripura Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 (TCSAM, 2025):** A month-long campaign launched with the theme “Cyber Jagrit Tripura” and an unveiled mascot named “Raksha Mitra”.
• **Objective of TCSAM 2025:** Aims to strengthen cyber hygiene and awareness among citizens, students, and the government workforce, observed across the State by the Directorate of IT, Govt. of Tripura.