Daily Current Affairs: 18 November 2025

Headline: RBI Draft ECB Reforms Eye 10% Tier-1 Cap for Bank Acquisition Finance

Bullet Points:

• India Inc’s M&A deal value in H1 2025 stood at USD 50.5 billion, according to EY data cited in the article.
• Under the draft RBI norms, Indian banks can extend acquisition-finance ECBs only up to 10% of their Tier-1 capital; lenders are asking for this ceiling to be raised to 20%-40% of net worth.
• At the current 10% limit, domestic banks have less than USD 30 billion (about Rs 2.5 lakh crore) available for acquisition financing.

Headline: MoRTH targets awarding 10,000 km of NH projects in FY 2026

Bullet Points:

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
• Objective: Award 10,000 km of National Highway projects in FY 2026, up from 6,000 km awarded in FY 2025
• Key procedural reform: 90% land acquisition must be completed before awarding projects under BOT/HAM modes, mirroring EPC requirement
• Financial outlay: MoRTH received ₹2,87,333 crore in Union Budget 2025-26, with ₹2.72 lakh crore as capital expenditure

Headline: Shah Rukh Khan honoured with commercial tower named 'Shahrukhz' in Dubai

Bullet Points:

• Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed gratitude for a commercial tower in Dubai being named 'Shahrukhz'
• The tower is developed by Danube Properties and will feature a statue of the actor at the entrance in his signature pose
• Shah Rukh Khan noted that Dubai has always been a special place for him and called the tower a symbol of how far belief and hard work can take you

Headline: Tata Memorial Breakthrough: India-led Study Shows Radiation Therapy Reduces Bladder Cancer Recurrence

Bullet Points:

• An India-led research study has shown that radiation therapy after surgery safely reduces the risk of relapse for bladder cancer.
• It is a post-operative treatment used for patients with high-risk, muscle-invasive bladder cancer to reduce the risk of recurrence in the pelvic area.
• Dr Vedang Murthy, professor of Radiation Oncology at Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), is the principal investigator of the bladder adjuvant radiotherapy trial.
• The Bladder Adjuvant Radiotherapy (BART) trial is the largest randomised trial in the world to evaluate the role of radiation therapy after bladder cancer surgery.
• The trial enrolled more than 150 patients across four cancer centres in India between 2016 and 2024.
• Results showed a marked reduction in potentially painful local cancer recurrences among patients who received radiation after surgery, without an increase in side effects.
• The study observed a consistent 12–15% absolute improvement with radiotherapy in disease-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival.

Headline: 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025

Bullet Points:

• The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025.
• Over 240 films from 81 countries will be screened, including 13 world premieres, 4 international premieres, and 46 Asian premieres.
• A record 2,314 submissions were received from 127 countries.
• More than 50 women directors will feature in this year’s edition.
• OTT awards will continue to honour excellence in streaming and web content.
• Initiatives include strengthening anti-piracy laws, simplifying film certification, and introducing a new CBFC ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ certificate for multilingual films.
• IFFIesta, a parallel cultural extravaganza, will offer music, food, art, and interactive experiences to encourage youth and public engagement.
• Generative AI is viewed as "a creative partner shaping the future of storytelling."
• The Gala Premieres segment will feature 18 titles, including 13 World Premieres, 2 Asia Premieres, 1 India Premiere, and 2 Special Showcase screenings.
• The International Programming includes 160 films, 80+ award-winning festival titles, and 21 Oscar-nominated films.
• Japan is the Country of Focus, Spain is the Partner Country, and Australia is the Spotlight Country.
• The festival will host 15 competitive and curated segments, including International Competition, Best Debut Feature Film of a Director, ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal, and special showcases like Macabre Dreams, Docu-Montage, Experimental Films, UNICEF Section, and Restored Classics.

Headline: Ambaji Marble of Gujarat receives GI Tag from Union Government

Bullet Points:

• GI Tag granted by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Union Government
• Registration done under the name of Ambaji Marbles Quarry and Factory Association
• Ambaji Marble is known for its milky white colour, durability and natural beauty

Headline: GCC Approves Landmark One-Stop Travel System

Bullet Points:

• The Gulf Cooperation Council has approved a landmark one-stop travel system designed to streamline movement across member states.
• the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain selected to pilot the initiative starting in December 2025.
• the trial will initially apply to air travel between the two countries.
• The new system will allow Gulf citizens to complete all travel procedures including immigration, customs and security checks at a single checkpoint.
• The initiative relies on a shared electronic platform that allows member states to coordinate procedures and share data.
• The initiative complements the GCC Grand Tours Visa, a Schengen-style unified tourist visa with its pilot launch set for the fourth quarter of 2025.
• the Gulf Railway Authority has confirmed that GCC countries are continuing efforts to complete the regional rail network according to schedule, with December 2030 set as the final deadline for completion.

Headline: Himachal's Raulane Festival: A 5,000-year-old celebration of mystical fairies

Bullet Points:

• The Raulane festival is a 5,000-year-old festival celebrated in Kinnaur's Himalayas.
• It honors celestial fairies called Saunis, who are believed to protect villagers during harsh winters.
• During the festival, men, disguised as a symbolic bride (Raulane) and groom (Raula), perform a slow, devotional dance at the Nagin Narayan temple.
• The faces of the participants remain wrapped in heavy Kinnauri woollens, and their hands vanish into thick gloves, turning them into ritual figures.
• Villagers believe the disguised pair becomes a vessel, a messenger, and a bridge to the Sauni spirits or fairies.
• The land of Kinnaur, where the festival is celebrated, is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous civilisations.

Headline: National Epilepsy Day 2025: History, Significance, Awareness And Support

Bullet Points:

• National Epilepsy Day is observed every year on November 17 in India.
• The day was first initiated by the Epilepsy Foundation of India, formed by Dr Nirmal Surya in 2009 in Mumbai.
• The day aims to raise awareness, fight stigma, improve treatments and protect the rights of epilepsy patients.
• Epilepsy is described as a neurological disorder in which electrical activity in the brain becomes abnormal, causing repeated seizures.
• Common signs include temporary loss of awareness, uncontrollable muscles, confusion, disturbed sensual perceptions and psychic symptoms like fear or hallucination.
• The two primary seizure categories are Focal Onset Seizure and Generalised Onset Seizures.
• Awareness activities include public events and workshops emphasising that epilepsy is treatable and not a social stigma.
• Support efforts focus on ensuring proper care and creating an inclusive environment for patients.

Headline: International Students’ Day observed on 17 November: History and Significance

Bullet Points:

• International Students’ Day is commemorated on 17 November each year.
• The day traces its origin to the 1939 Prague crackdown when Nazi forces executed nine student leaders and sent over 1,200 students to concentration camps.
• In 1941, the International Students’ Council in London officially proclaimed 17 November as International Students’ Day with support from more than 50 nations.

Headline: Centre approves 17 projects worth ₹7,172 cr under Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme

Bullet Points:

• 17 projects approved under Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with ₹7,172 crore investment
• Total approved projects under ECMS now 24, involving vendors like Jabil Circuit India, Aequs Consumer Products, Uno Minda, ASUX Safety Components India, Zetfab India, TE Connectivity India, and Meena Electrotech
• Projects span categories: camera module, connectors, multi-layer PCB, oscillators, enclosures across nine states
• Cumulative production value expected: ₹65,111 crore
• Scheme outlay: ₹22,919 crore over six years with one-year gestation period, offering investment, turnover-linked, and capex-linked incentives

Headline: Karnataka launches KEO, an AI-ready, open-source PC developed in-state to bridge digital divide

Bullet Points:

• KEO (Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source) is an AI-ready personal computer designed and developed entirely within Karnataka by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT in collaboration with KEONICS.
• The device runs on an open-source RISC-V processor with a Linux-based operating system and includes an on-device AI core enabling local AI applications without internet access.
• KEO comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the DSERT syllabus to assist students in low-connectivity regions.
• It features 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, and audio support, and is preloaded with learning, programming, and productivity tools.
• KEO will be formally unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, with pricing to be announced during the event.

Headline: Tom Cruise receives his first Oscar, an honorary award

Bullet Points:

• Tom Cruise accepted an honorary Oscar at the 16th annual Academy Governors Awards.
• He stated from the podium that 'Making films is not what I do, it is who I am.'
• Cruise has been Oscar-nominated for acting roles in 'Born on the Fourth of July,' 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Magnolia,' and for producing and starring in 'Top Gun: Maverick.'
• Director Steven Spielberg praised Cruise for 'saving cinema's ass' after he insisted on releasing 'Top Gun: Maverick' in theaters.
• Director Alejandro G. Iñárritu presented the award to Tom Cruise.

Headline: Noted Odia playback singer Humane Sagar passes away at 34

Bullet Points:

• Full Name and Role: Humane Sagar, renowned playback singer known for his contribution to Odia cinema
• Event Details: Passed away on Monday evening after undergoing intensive treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar for the past three days
• Career Achievement: Winner of the reality TV show Voice of Odisha on Tarang TV in 2012; breakthrough song was the title track of the feature film Ishq Tu Hi Tu

Headline: Telangana's Draft Bill on Gig Workers: Objectives and Key Features

Bullet Points:

• The state cabinet approved the draft Bill on the ‘Telangana Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration, Social Security, and Welfare) Act, 2025'.
• The move is aimed at giving Telangana a strategic edge by positioning it as a national leader in gig economy governance, expanding social protection for a rapidly growing segment of workers, and reinforcing the state's vision of inclusive digital era growth.
• The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen labour relations, reduce disputes among platform workers, and encourage greater formalisation and data-driven policymaking.
• If enacted, it will become India's first operational gig worker law.
• Officials stated that Telangana's Bill is regarded as one of the most comprehensive and mature frameworks in India, combining registration, welfare, and algorithmic transparency.

Headline: UK Designated Country Partner for 2025 Hornbill Festival

Bullet Points:

• The government of Nagaland has announced a formal partnership with the British Council, designating the UK as the country partner for the 2025 Hornbill Festival.
• The agreement was signed by Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and Alison Barrett MBE, country director India, British Council.
• Scottish artist Ruairidh Maclean (RuMac) will perform on Dec 2 as part of the festival.

Headline: Luke Littler becomes youngest world No. 1 after Grand Slam of Darts triumph

Bullet Points:

• Luke Littler has become the youngest darts world number one at 18.
• He defeated Luke Humphries in the Grand Slam of Darts final.
• The 18-year-old English sensation defeated the defending world number one, Luke Humphries, by 16-11 in the final.
• He lifted the title for the second straight year.
• His dominant 16-9 semi-final victory over Danny Noppert had already guaranteed his rise to the top of the PDC world rankings.
• Littler’s rise has been so quick that he overtook Michael van Gerwen’s record, who was 24 when he first reached world No. 1.
• The Grand Slam of Darts took place in Wolverhampton.

Headline: Ex-Murugappa Group Chairman Arunachalam Vellayan passes away

Bullet Points:

• Arunachalam Vellayan, former Chairman of the Murugappa Group and Chairman Emeritus of Coromandel International, died on Monday after a prolonged illness.
• He served as Chairman of Coromandel International Ltd and EID Parry Ltd, and on the boards of Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd, EXIM Bank and Indian Overseas Bank.
• He led industry bodies such as the Southern India Chamber of Commerce, Fertiliser Association of India, Indian Sugar Mills Association, and All India Cycle Manufacturers Association, and was Chairman of the Board of Governors of IIM-Kozhikode.

Headline: India Exports First Jet Fuel Cargo to US West Coast Amidst Refinery Disruptions

Bullet Points:

• India has made its first-ever export of jet fuel to the US West Coast, supplying Chevron.
• A 60,000-metric-ton (472,800 barrels) shipment departed from Reliance Industries' Jamnagar port between October 28 and 29.
• The export opportunity arose due to supply constraints in Los Angeles, following an operational disruption at Chevron's El Segundo refinery in southern California, a 285,000 barrel-per-day facility.
• Repairs at the El Segundo jet fuel production facility are expected to conclude in early 2026.
• As of November 7, US West Coast jet fuel inventories were at their lowest in three months, registering 11.12 million barrels.
• US West Coast jet fuel prices exceeded Singapore's spot free on board prices by $10 per barrel.
• Jet fuel exports from Northeast Asia to the US West Coast reached five-month peaks of roughly 600,000 tons in the previous month.

Headline: Sun Pharma seals partnership with AstraZeneca to market SZC second brand in India

Bullet Points:

• Sun Pharmaceuticals has inked a second brand partnership with AstraZeneca India arm to sell Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) brand in the country.
• AstraZeneca will market the therapy under the global brand name Lokelma, while Sun Pharma will promote and distribute it as Gimliand.
• AstraZeneca will retain the intellectual property rights to SZC and hold the Marketing Authorization along with the import license of the molecule.
• The financial terms of the agreement and the therapy's market price have not been disclosed.
• SZC is a non-absorbed, inorganic, potassium-binding crystalline compound used to treat hyperkalemia in adults.
• In 2024, AstraZeneca’s Lokelma clocked net sales of $542 million (over ~Rs 4,600 crore).

Headline: ISSF World Championships: Gurpreet Singh loses world title on inner 10s, India finish third

Bullet Points:

• Gurpreet Singh narrowly missed world championship gold in the 25m Centre Fire Pistol, securing a silver medal on inner-10 count.
• He had to settle for silver, losing the gold to Ukraine's Pavlo Korostylov on inner-10 count after both shooters finished with identical totals at the Olympic Shooting Range.
• This is Gurpreet's second individual World Championships medal, his previous being a silver in the 2018 25m Standard Pistol event.
• France's Yann Pierre Louis Fridrici secured the bronze.
• India wrapped up the World Championships in third place with 13 medals — three gold, six silver and four bronze.
• China dominated the overall standings with 12 gold, while South Korea finished second with seven gold.
• Gurpreet delivered a spirited comeback over the two-day competition, producing a superb 296-10x (98, 99, 99) in the rapid section after finishing ninth in the precision stage with 288-8x (95, 97, 96).
• Korostylov won gold thanks to 29 inner 10s and a flawless 100 in the final rapid series.
• India's Harpreet Singh, second after the precision round (291-10x), slipped to ninth overall after a disappointing rapid score of 286-6x.
• India's medal haul featured gold from Samrat Rana (10m Air Pistol) and Ravinder Singh (50m Standard Pistol).

Headline: Sonali S Jeet Iyengar conferred with 10th "ATAL Shastra" MARKENOMY & InWENA Lifetime Achievement award 2025

Bullet Points:

• Eminent multidisciplinary Fine Artist, museologist, sculptor, art restorer Sonali S Jeet Iyengar received the twin awards 10th "ATAL Shastra" MARKENOMY & InWENA Lifetime Achievement award 2025.
• The award function was held at the Indian Merchants Chamber (IMC) in Mumbai.
• She has contributed works of art to various energy sectors of Urja, energy, power, nuclear power plant, MBPT Mumbai Port Trust Authority of India, CAI, CIRCOT.
• She received awards from Central Railways' UNESCO World Heritage for art sculptures at CSMT Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) & Hiramanek Star report Artist Of The year Award 2025 award.

Headline: China's Chang'e-6 Space Mission Discovers Tiny Iron Oxide Crystals On Moon

Bullet Points:

• Chinese researchers have made a major scientific breakthrough by identifying tiny crystals of Iron oxide, commonly known as hematite and maghemite, in lunar soil for the first time.
• The finding comes from samples brought back by China's Chang'e-6 mission.
• China's space agency, Shandong University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have reported the discovery of micrometre-sized Iron oxide crystals in lunar soil, present in the form of hematite and maghemite.
• These tiny particles were found in samples from the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, one of the Moon's oldest and largest impact zones.
• According to the research published in Science Advances, this discovery is direct evidence that Iron oxide is present on the lunar surface.
• It disproves the notion that the Moon's atmosphere is so reducing that such oxidizing minerals cannot form there.
• According to the study, hematite may have been formed by massive impacts on the Moon.

Headline: Ukraine to acquire French Rafale fighter jets and air defence systems

Bullet Points:

• Ukraine will get up to 100 of France's Rafale F4 fighter jets as well as advanced air defence systems in a major deal.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the letter of intent with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at an air base near Paris.
• Deliveries of the Rafale F4's are planned to be completed by 2035.
• The joint production of interceptor drones is starting this year.
• This is a strategic agreement which will last for 10 years starting from the next year.
• Ukraine would also get 'very strong French radars', eight air defence systems and other advanced weaponry.
• Financial details are yet to be worked out, but reports say France plans to attract EU financing and also access frozen Russian assets.

Headline: Mohammed Lateef Khan conferred Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award 2025

Bullet Points:

• Mohammed Lateef Khan, Founder-Chairman of MS Education Academy, received the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award 2025.
• The award was presented by Mohammed Azharuddin, Minister for Minority Welfare, at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad.
• The honour comprises a cash prize of Rs. 2,25,000, a citation, and a memento.

Headline: Amla Ashok Ruia receives Ramoji Excellence Award 2025 for Rural Development

Bullet Points:

• Amla Ashok Ruia, known as 'Water Mother,' was honoured with the 'Excellence in Rural Development' award at the inaugural Ramoji Excellence Awards 2025.
• The award was presented by Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, in the presence of Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy, AP CM N Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.
• Through her Aakar Charitable Trust, Ruia has restored livelihoods and water security in drought-prone villages via innovative water-harvesting initiatives.

Headline: Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death by Bangladesh tribunal over 2024 protest crackdown

Bullet Points:

• A special International Crimes Tribunal 1 (ICT) in Dhaka found Sheikh Hasina guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death.
• Hasina was tried in absentia; she is currently in exile in India.
• The tribunal issued three categories of punishment across five charges: two death sentences and one imprisonment until natural death.
• Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan was also sentenced to death; former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun received five years in prison.
• The court directed the government to pay compensation to protesters killed or wounded in the July 2024 movement.
• Hasina called the verdict 'politically motivated' and said it was delivered by 'a rigged tribunal established and presided over by an unelected government'.
• The ICT was originally set up by Hasina herself in 2010 to investigate 1971 war crimes.
• Human Rights Watch and other critics have previously raised concerns about fair-trial standards and the use of the death penalty by the tribunal.
• India has not responded to extradition requests; analysts say India is unlikely to extradite Hasina.
• The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, made prosecuting Hasina a key promise.

Headline: India Pavilion Inaugurated at Dubai Air Show 2025 to Promote Defence Technology Cooperation

Bullet Points:

• Event: Dubai Air Show 2025 – India Pavilion inaugurated by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth
• Participants: Indian delegation includes senior defence officers, MEA & Armed Forces reps; global aerospace firms and 100+ air forces
• Focus: Promoting defence technology and manufacturing cooperation; HAL, DRDO and Indian startups showcase advanced technology

Headline: India Signs First Long-Term US LPG Import Deal to Boost Energy Security

Bullet Points:

• Indian public sector oil companies have signed a one-year deal to import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States.
• The deal is for imports of around 2.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LPG for the contract year 2026.
• This volume represents close to 10 per cent of India's annual LPG imports and will be sourced from the US Gulf Coast.
• The purchase has been benchmarked to Mount Belvieu, a key pricing point for global LPG trade.
• Teams from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) held discussions with major American producers.
• The Government of India absorbed a burden of over Rs 40,000 crore to shield consumers from international price shocks, ensuring Ujjwala consumers paid Rs 500-550 per cylinder against an actual cost of over Rs 1,100.

Headline: US to designate Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles as terrorists

Bullet Points:

• The US State Department announced that Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles will be designated a terrorist organisation.
• The US intends to consider the group a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) from 24 November.
• The US alleges that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro leads the Cartel de los Soles.
• This designation is described as the Trump administration's latest effort to reduce drug trafficking and put pressure on Maduro.
• The US has sent the largest military deployment to the Caribbean in decades.
• The US has carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels.
• The US government increased a reward for information leading to Maduro's arrest to $50m (£37.2m).

Headline: Srikant Bolla receives Ramoji Excellence Award 2025 in Youth Icon category

Bullet Points:

• Srikant Bolla was awarded the Ramoji Award of Excellence in the Youth Icon category at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.
• Bolla is the founder of Bollant Industries, which employs over 500 people including a quarter who are specially-abled.
• He was the first international blind student admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Headline: Tributes paid to 1962 war heroes at Arunachal's Gelling on Kepang La Day: November 17

Bullet Points:

• Kepang La Day was commemorated at Gelling in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district to honour soldiers who died in the 1962 Battle of Kepang La.
• Tuting-Yingkiong MLA Alo Libang paid tribute to the soldiers, saying "their sacrifice continues to inspire generations."
• Libang recalled that "during the Sino-India War, Chinese troops had entered India through the Kepang La Pass, where at least 11 Indian soldiers were martyred."
• He noted the pass "once served as a path for barter trade" and that "the Adis, Galos, Misings, and other tribes of the state are believed to have migrated through this pass into India."
• Libang stated that "despite its importance, Kepang La still lacks road connectivity and basic infrastructure" and urged the state government to develop tourism facilities there.

Headline: Ashi Hill battlefield trek culminates 63rd Walong Day series, honouring 1962 heroes' sacrifice

Bullet Points:

• The final Battlefield Trek of the 63rd Walong Day Commemoration was conducted from Ashi Hill to Tri Jn Post, Arunachal Pradesh.
• The event witnessed the participation of 20 civilians, along with Indian Army personnel.
• Ashi Hill holds special significance in the annals of the Battle of Walong, where Indian troops fought gallantly against numerically superior Chinese forces.
• Tri Jn Post stands as a symbolic site of the first counterattack launched by the Indian Army during the 1962 War.
• The trek served as a heartfelt tribute to the heroes who defended the nation's honour and inspired generations with their unmatched valour.
• The Battlefield Trek Series underscores the Indian Army's ongoing effort to honour its heroes, promote historical awareness, and instil patriotism among the youth.

Headline: Government Initiatives for Tribal Welfare and Development

Bullet Points:

• In 2021, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was officially commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
• The Shri Govind Guru Chair for Tribal Language Promotion Centre has been established at the Birsa Munda Tribal University; this centre will study the dialects of tribal communities such as Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Kokani, Santhal, Rathwa, Nayak, Dabla, Chaudhary, Kokna, Kumbhi, Warli, and Dodia; stories and songs associated with these communities will be preserved.
• To address the development of the most backward among the tribal communities, the PM-JANMAN scheme was launched from Khunti in Jharkhand, and ₹24,000 crore is being spent on this initiative.
• The Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan is scripting a new chapter of development in backward tribal villages; over 60,000 villages across the country have joined this campaign; under this campaign, Gram Sabhas have been made the pivot of development.
• In the past five to six years alone, the central government has allocated over ₹18,000 crore for Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country; 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) dedicated to Tribal students worth around ₹1,900 crores were inaugurated.
• The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand, provides free medical treatment benefits up to ₹5 lakh to crores of tribal brothers and sisters across the country.
• A nationwide campaign is currently underway to address and manage sickle cell disease effectively, and under this initiative, six crore tribal brothers and sisters across the country have already been screened.

Headline: AMRIT Pharmacy Initiative: 10 Years of Affordable Medicines

Bullet Points:

• Scheme Name: AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) pharmacies, implemented by HLL Lifecare Ltd.
• Launch: First outlet opened at AIIMS, Delhi in 2015; network now spans 255 outlets across 24 States and 4 UTs.
• Objective: Provide life-saving and essential medicines and implants at 50–90% discount to reduce treatment costs, especially for low-income patients.
• Achievement: Over 6.85 crore patients benefited; medicines worth >Rs 17,000 crore (MRP) dispensed, saving patients ~Rs 8,500 crore cumulatively.
• Future Plan: Expand network to 500 outlets, aiming to place an AMRIT pharmacy in every medical college and district hospital.

Headline: India Skills Report 2026: Women’s Employability Surpasses Men at 54% vs 51.5%

Bullet Points:

• Women’s employability rate stands at 54%, surpassing men’s rate of 51.5% for the first time in five years.
• Computer science graduates record 80% employability and IT engineers 78%, driven by AI, data analytics, and automation roles.
• Commerce graduates’ employability rose sharply to 62.81% from 55% the previous year, reflecting BFSI and Fintech hiring surges.

Headline: IPC–Jharkhand Pharmacy Council MoU to Strengthen Pharmacovigilance and Medicine Safety

Bullet Points:

• MoU signed between Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad and Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC) to promote safe and rational medicine use in Jharkhand.
• Objective: build capacity of registered pharmacists in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, pharmacovigilance, materiovigilance and safe medicine use.
• Key feature: strengthen utilisation of the National Formulary of India (NFI) as standard reference across Jharkhand healthcare facilities for rational dispensing.
• Initiatives include awareness programmes for hospital and community pharmacists, mandatory NFI use in institutional pharmacy settings, and joint observance of National Pharmacovigilance Week.

Headline: 3rd International Ayurveda Conference held in Brazil, marks 40 years of Ayurveda

Bullet Points:

• The 3rd International Ayurveda Conference was jointly organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) and Conayur, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• The two-day event was held from November 14-15, 2025, under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).
• The conference commemorated 40 years of Ayurveda in Brazil and brought together experts, practitioners, scholars, and students from across Latin America and India.
• The deliberations centered on the theme 'Diversity and Inclusion in Ayurveda: Caring for Everybody and Every Being'.
• Organizers announced that Ayurveda has now been included in the Brazilian Classification of Occupations, marking a historic recognition for the system.
• Ambassador of India to Brazil, Dinesh Bhatia, highlighted the growing collaboration between India and Brazil in traditional systems of healthcare.

Headline: Five young Assamese talents receive 'Sons of the Soil Emerging Achievers Award' 2025

Bullet Points:

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the awards to Sukrita Baruah (Media & Communication), Sanghamitra Kalita (Entrepreneurship), Isharani Baruah (Sports), Himjyoti Talukdar (Art & Culture), and Dr. Debjani Borah (Conservation)
• The ceremony was hosted by Care Luit in Tezpur and also conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on Arun Nath, Ravi Shankar Ravi, Mainuddin Ahmed, Lakhimi Baruah, and Simanta Das
• Sonowal linked the awardees' achievements to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of collective progress and urged Assam's youth to draw inspiration from them

Headline: Science City Kolkata’s climate-change gallery "On The Edge?" wins CIMUSET Award

Bullet Points:

• Award-winning entity: National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) for its permanent gallery "On The Edge?" at Science City, Kolkata
• Award bestowed by: CIMUSET (International Committee for Museums and Collections of Science and Technology) during the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai
• Gallery specifications: 10,000-square-foot permanent gallery addressing human-induced climate-change causes, impacts, mitigation and adaptation
• Key technologies used: immersive exhibits, augmented reality, virtual reality, and an interactive LED wall to convey climate impacts and solutions
• Visitor outreach: over one million visitors since inauguration on January 11, 2025, with regular student-group outreach promoting climate literacy

Headline: Keerthy Suresh appointed UNICEF India Celebrity Advocate

Bullet Points:

• Keerthy Suresh has been appointed as a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF India
• She will leverage her platform to raise awareness on key issues such as mental health, education, and gender equality
• UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey stated: "UNICEF India is pleased to partner with the esteemed actor Keerthy Suresh."

Headline: India Unveils First Indigenous High-Precision Diode Laser for Quantum Tech

Bullet Points:

• India has launched its first indigenously developed high-precision and compact diode laser. "India has taken a historic step toward technological self-reliance with the launch of its first indigenously developed high-precision and compact diode laser."
• The device was created by Prenishq Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Delhi and supported by the National Quantum Mission (NQM). "Created by Prenishq Pvt. Ltd., a deep-tech startup incubated at IIT Delhi and supported by the National Quantum Mission (NQM)"
• The diode laser was launched on 3 November 2025 during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025). "The launch of the diode laser on 3 November 2025 during the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025)"
• The precision diode laser is tailored for the demanding requirements of quantum experiments, higher-education laboratories, and advanced scientific applications. "The precision diode laser developed by Prenishq is tailored for the demanding requirements of quantum experiments, higher-education laboratories, and advanced scientific applications."
• Its engineering delivers high beam quality with ultra-narrow linewidths and superior long-term power and frequency stability. "Its exceptional engineering delivers: High beam quality with ultra-narrow linewidths Superior long-term power and frequency stability"
• The laser has the ability to operate across a broad wavelength range—from ultraviolet to near-infrared—making it a versatile backbone for multiple quantum systems. "With the ability to operate across a broad wavelength range—from ultraviolet to near-infrared—the laser becomes a versatile backbone for multiple quantum systems"
• In photonic quantum computing, stable and tunable diode lasers are essential for controlling qubits encoded in photons. "In photonic quantum computing, stable and tunable diode lasers are essential for controlling qubits encoded in photons."
• The device features a small form factor, low power consumption, and a temperature-controlled design, ensuring reliability even in varying environmental conditions. "The device features a small form factor , low power consumption , and a temperature-controlled design , ensuring reliability even in varying environmental conditions."
• The development was enabled through national initiatives and incubators, including DST-NIDHI PRAYAS, National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS), and National Quantum Mission (NQM). "The effort has been enabled through multiple national initiatives and incubators, including: DST-NIDHI PRAYAS National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS) National Quantum Mission (NQM)"

Headline: International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime observed on 15 November

Bullet Points:

• Celebrated annually on 15 November, the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime acts as a worldwide call to action against crimes that cross borders and compromise human rights, security, and peace.
• Emphasizing the expected 2025 theme, “Global Cooperation for a Safer World: Strengthening Unity Against Transnational Organized Crime,” is: Sharing cross-border intelligence is accelerated.
• The origins of this celebration are in the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), sometimes referred to as the Palermo Convention, approved by the UN General Assembly, Palermo, Italy, November 15, 2000.
• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) coordinates worldwide initiatives and supports member nations through research, policy development, and capacity building.
• The main forms of transnational organized crime include: Human trafficking, drug smuggling, cybercrime, arms trafficking, environmental crimes, and money laundering.

Headline: National Press Day observed on November 16 in India

Bullet Points:

• National Press Day is observed on November 16 in India every year.
• National Press Day is observed to honour the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI).
• The PCI was set up as an independent entity to ensure journalism is free from outside meddling in order to maintain its high ethical standards.
• The establishment of the PCI came from the recommendations of the First Press Commission of 1956.
• The PCI was then established a decade later, on November 16, 1966.
• Newspapers like the Amrita Bazar Patrika, Kesari and Jugantar, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion against British rule.