Daily Current Affairs: 21 November 2025

Headline: First Gen Z-themed revamped Campus Post Office inaugurated at IIT Delhi

Bullet Points:

• India Post inaugurated the first Gen Z-themed revamped Post Office at IIT Delhi, marking a milestone in its modernisation journey.
• The transformation is part of a national initiative to revamp 46 existing Post Offices located within educational campuses by 15.12.2025.
• A student franchise model has been launched at IIT Delhi, offering hands-on exposure to postal operations and nurturing entrepreneurship.

Headline: Anurag Arora appointed as senior director and general manager for Dell Technologies India consumer business

Bullet Points:

• Anurag Arora joined Dell in 2020 and brings nearly three decades of experience across sales, product management, distribution, large-format retail and e-commerce.
• He will be responsible for driving growth, strategy and channel performance across the consumer segment in India.
• The company stated his mandate comes as the shift toward AI-enabled PCs is accelerating in India.

Headline: Setback to India's Efforts for Basmati Rice GI Tag Abroad

Bullet Points:

• India's efforts to obtain exclusive market rights for basmati rice faced setbacks in New Zealand and Kenya.
• The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda) is the nodal authority for implementing the GI tag.
• Apeda sought a certification mark from the Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (IPONZ) in February 2019.
• The New Zealand High Court dismissed Apeda’s appeal against the dismissal of its application for a certification trade mark for India’s basmati rice.
• Kenya’s Court of Appeal dismissed Apeda’s plea against a Kenya High Court ruling against its opposition to the registration of a trade mark with Basmati as a component by Kenya’s Krish Commodities.
• The New Zealand High Court upheld the decision that the basmati growing area (BGA) comprises India and Pakistan, and granting certification trade mark protection for Indian basmati would unfairly prevent rice grown in the Pakistan part of the BGA from being sold in New Zealand.
• Kenya’s Court of Appeal stated that basmati has not been registered or formally recognised in Kenya, which meant Apeda lacked the legal footing to object.
• Basmati received the GI tag in India in 2016.

Headline: Demat Accounts Hit Record 21 Crore on IPO Boom and Market Rally

Bullet Points:

• Total live demat accounts in NSDL and CDSL reached a record 21 crore last month, up from 20.7 crore the previous month.
• New demat accounts opened in October rose 22% to over 30 lakh, compared with 24.6 lakh in September.
• In October, 33 companies raised ₹39,140 crore through IPOs on the main board and SME platform.
• LG Electronics and Tata Capital led the fundraising, mopping up ₹11,600 crore and ₹15,511 crore respectively.
• The Sensex and Nifty gained nearly 3% in October, while the BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices advanced 4% and 3% respectively.
• The top 25 brokers collectively lost around 57,000 accounts, with total active accounts declining to 4.52 crore in October.

Headline: Smallest Nations Qualify for 2026 World Cup, Curacao Sets New Record

Bullet Points:

• Curacao secured its first-ever place at the World Cup, becoming the smallest nation in history to qualify.
• Home to roughly 150,000 people, Curacao surpasses Iceland’s previous record as the least populous country ever to reach the tournament.
• Haiti will return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
• Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time, sealing qualification with a commanding 3—0 victory over Eswatini.
• Panama booked its place on football’s biggest stage, returning after its World Cup debut in 2018.
• Croatia have reached the World Cup semi-finals in both 1998 and 2022, and were finalists just eight years ago.
• Uruguay has lifted the World Cup twice, in 1930 and 1950.
• Qatar reached the 2026 finals on merit, after competing at the last World Cup as hosts.

Headline: NABARD and IAMAI launch Earth Summit 2025-26 to foster rural innovation

Bullet Points:

• The summit is themed 'Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change'.
• It will be held across three cities: Hyderabad (20-21 Nov 2025), Gandhinagar (5-6 Dec 2025), and New Delhi (Feb 2026).
• The initiative aims to bridge gaps between technology, finance, agriculture, and climate action for rural transformation.
• Activities include hackathons, startup-investor connects, exhibitions, and product showcases.
• The summit will demonstrate how India’s Digital Public Infrastructure can scale inclusive innovation across the Global South.

Headline: Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) gets new leadership

Bullet Points:

• M Salman Baseer has been elected as the chairman of the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA).
• M C Kariappa has been elected as the vice-chairman of the KPA.
• The KPA is the apex body of coffee growers in the state.
• The KPA is one of the country’s most influential growers’ groups.
• The KPA will work under the new leadership to address issues facing Karnataka’s coffee sector.
• Other members elected to the KPA executive committee include Yeshwant R Gurjer, Sameer Gurjer, A P Rajaram, A Namitha Rao, P M Pavan Monnappa, K P Appaiah, A Nanda Belliappa and Krishanth Chowdlu.

Headline: Indian Army Secures IPR for New Coat Combat (Digital Print)

Bullet Points:

• The Indian Army has secured the intellectual property rights for a new coat combat (digital print).
• The 'New Coat Combat' has been designed and developed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, as a consultancy project under the aegis of the Army Design Bureau.
• It is a three-layered garment that integrates combat functionality with comfort and protection.
• The Army introduced the new coat combat (digital print) in January 2025.
• The design was registered with the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, Kolkata, under Design Application No. 449667-001, dated February 27, 2025 and published in the Official Journal of the Patent Office on October 7, 2025.
• The exclusive intellectual property rights (IPR) for both the design and camouflage pattern 'rest solely' with the Indian Army.
• The new coat combat ensemble includes an outer layer, an inner jacket and a thermal layer.
• This IPR registration aligns with the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and the Army's initiative of Decade of Transformation (2023-2032).

Headline: International Jury for IFFI 2025 Announced

Bullet Points:

• The International Jury for IFFI 2025 will be chaired by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
• Graeme Clifford (Australia) is a member of the International Jury.
• Remi Adefarasin (UK) is a member of the International Jury.
• Katharina Schüttler (Germany) is a member of the International Jury.
• Chandran Rutnam (Sri Lanka) is a member of the International Jury.

Headline: World Children's Day 2025 observed on 20 November: Theme 'Listen to children, amplify their voices'

Bullet Points:

• World Children's Day is commemorated every 20 November, the date on which the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed.
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child is described as 'the most widely ratified treaty in history.'
• The 2025 observance highlights the call to 'listen to children' and 'amplify their voices as they stand up for their rights.'

Headline: India-Japan Joint Crediting Mechanism highlighted at COP30 as key to equitable climate action

Bullet Points:

• India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement in August this year
• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav stated that the JCM aligns with India’s Nationally Determined Contributions and long-term low-emission development strategy
• Japan’s Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara announced that JCM now covers 31 partner countries with over 280 projects under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement

Headline: G20 Johannesburg Summit: India to push terrorism concerns

Bullet Points:

• Event: G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa
• India’s participation: PM Modi to speak in all three sessions and attend IBSA Leaders’ Meeting hosted by South Africa
• India’s stated objective: “Terrorism is a very important subject for India… Every issue of importance to us will be highlighted. We are discussing the Declaration for the Summit.” – MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela

Headline: Government Appoints New Secretary-Rank Officers

Bullet Points:

• Govt appointed seven new secretary-rank officers, including the new heads for oil, telecom and agriculture ministries.
• Neeraj Mittal, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, [was appointed] as petroleum secretary, replacing Pankaj Jain.
• Amit Agrawal moves to the Department of Telecom.
• Manoj Joshi... will move to pharmaceuticals from the department of land resources.
• V Vidyarthi will move from tourism to the department of empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• Srivatsa Krishna [will replace V Vidyarthi] in tourism.
• Atish Chandra... has been named officer on special duty in the department of agriculture and farmers welfare, and will take over as secretary at the end of Feb, when Devesh Chaturvedi retires.
• Pankaj Jain, who was named member secretary of the Eighth Pay Commission.
• Chennai Port Trust chairman Sunil Paliwal has been named chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India.

Headline: Indian women boxers win four gold medals at World Boxing Cup Finals 2025

Bullet Points:

• Indian women boxers achieved a remarkable feat at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025.
• They secured four gold medals in Greater Noida.
• Minakshi Hooda, Preeti, Arundhati Choudhary, and Nupur emerged victorious in their respective categories.
• Minakshi Hooda set the tone for the hosts, producing a dominant 5-0 win over Fozilova Farzona in the women’s 48kg final to open India’s tally.
• Preeti Pawar followed soon after with another clean sweep, outclassing Italy’s Sirine Charaabi 5-0 to claim gold in the 54kg division.
• Arundhati Choudhary then made it three golds for India by defeating Uzbekistan’s Zokirova Aziza 5-0 in the 70kg final.
• Nupur Sheoran capped India’s session with a fourth gold, also winning 5-0, as she overpowered Uzbekistan’s Sotimboeva Oltinoy in the 80+kg category.
• India also secured a silver medal, narrowly missing a fifth gold.
• Jadumani fell short against Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov in the 50kg contest and settled for silver.
• Earlier in the tournament, 15 Indian boxers had advanced to the finals, which was the highest representation by any country in this eight-only event.

Headline: BSL inks technology transfer pact with DRDO for military-grade steel production

Bullet Points:

• Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) partnered with the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) of DRDO.
• The agreement is a licensing agreement for transfer of technology (LAToT) for manufacturing steel sheets.
• BSL is granted a non-exclusive license to utilise the technology for manufacture of DMR 249A steel sheets.
• The DMR 249A steel sheets are vital for India's defense initiatives, including advanced naval vessels like INS Vikrant, INS Nilgiri, INS Kiltan, INS Mahendragiri & INS Vindhyagiri.
• Over 46,500 tonnes of DMR 249A steel have been produced so far for key naval defence platforms.
• The agreement was signed in Hyderabad.

Headline: Google India rolls out on-device scam detection and homomorphic encryption push as DPDP Rules take effect

Bullet Points:

• Google India showcased privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) such as federated learning, homomorphic encryption, and differential privacy as core to implementing the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
• A new scam-detection feature on Pixel phones uses Gemini Nano to analyse calls in real time entirely on-device without recording audio or sending data to Google.
• Android 11+ users will see a prominent alert when attempting to share screens with unknown contacts to combat digital arrest scams, developed with Google Play, Navi, and Paytm.
• Google introduced Enhanced Phone Number Verification (ePNV), a SIM-based secure protocol replacing SMS OTP flows.
• Google Pay displays over one million fraud warnings weekly and Google Play Protect blocked 115 million sideloaded app installs that abuse sensitive permissions for financial fraud.

Headline: Seychelles admitted as 6th full member of Colombo Security Conclave

Bullet Points:

• Seychelles becomes the sixth full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) after the 7th NSA-level meeting in New Delhi.
• The CSC now comprises Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Seychelles; Malaysia attended as a guest for the first time.
• NSA Ajit Doval hosted the meeting; Seychelles delegation led by Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces, Republic of Seychelles Defence Forces.

Headline: First India-born cheetah Mukhi gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park

Bullet Points:

• India-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
• Mukhi is the sole surviving cheetah cub born in India at Kuno, a landmark for the country’s cheetah reintroduction project.
• Mukhi was born on March 29, 2023, to Namibian cheetah Jwala.
• The father of the cubs is also said to be of Indian origin, believed to be one of the males born to Asha.
• Mukhi survived maternal abandonment, dehydration from extreme summer heat, and a serious injury, requiring hand-rearing and rehabilitation.
• Uttam Kumar Sharma is the Director of Kuno National Park and Project Cheetah.
• At present, India has 34 cheetahs, including 10 adults and 24 cubs, following the reintroduction of 20 individuals from southern Africa in 2022 and 2023.

Headline: Google opens largest AI infrastructure hardware engineering centre outside US in Taiwan

Bullet Points:

• Alphabet's Google opened its largest artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure hardware engineering centre outside of the United States.
• The new AI infrastructure hardware engineering centre is located in Taiwan.
• Taiwan President Lai Ching-te stated that Google was showing its commitment to long-term investment in Taiwan.
• The technology developed and tested in Taipei is deployed in Google data centres around the world, which in turn power Google devices.
• Aamer Mahmood, Google Cloud's vice president of platforms infrastructure engineering, said the centre is an investment in an ecosystem and a testament to Taiwan's place as an important centre for global AI innovation.
• Taiwan is home to the world's largest contract chipmaker, TSMC, whose chips are widely used by companies like Nvidia that are driving the global AI boom.

Headline: Turkiye to host COP31 in Antalya after deal with Australia

Bullet Points:

• COP31 presidency awarded to Turkiye, summit to be held at Antalya Expo Center
• Australia withdraws bid; will instead co-host pre-COP31 negotiations with Pacific nations
• Both Australia and Turkiye fall under the Western Europe and others regional group for COP rotation

Headline: UAE Executes First Government Payment Using Digital Dirham via mBridge Platform

Bullet Points:

• The Dubai Department of Finance and Ministry of Finance conducted the first government payment using the Digital Dirham issued by the Central Bank of the UAE.
• The settlement concluded in under two minutes without intermediaries involved.
• In January 2024, UAE authorities executed an international value transfer using Digital Dirham technology via the mBridge system, routing funds to Chinese recipients.

Headline: CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute partner on India's first indigenous CRISPR therapy 'BIRSA 101' for Sickle Cell Disease

Bullet Points:

• Technology: Indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy named 'BIRSA 101' engineered with enFnCas9 platform developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
• Target: Designed as a 'precise genetic surgery' to potentially cure Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) that disproportionately affects India's tribal populations in central and eastern regions
• Affordability: Projected to cost 'only a fraction' of global gene therapies that typically run Rs 20–25 crore, ensuring wider accessibility
• Public-private partnership: Formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement exchanged between CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SIIPL) to manufacture and scale the therapy
• Policy link: Launch supports the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aiming for a 'Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047' through universal screening, prevention and management across 278 affected tribal districts

Headline: Southern Railway Launches First Coast-to-Coast Parcel Express Train Service

Bullet Points:

• Southern Railway for the first time would operate ‘coast-to-coast’ parcel express train service across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• This initiative, a first of its kind by the Indian Railways, marks a significant step toward strengthening regional parcel mobility.
• Aimed at providing fast and cost-effective parcel movement.
• The unique feature of this service is earmarking of dedicated parcel coaches to each destination, ensuring organised parcel handling and management.
• The train accommodates a wide range of commodities including white goods, perishables, consumer products and industrial materials.
• The parcel service would be operated on Fridays from Mangaluru Central and on Tuesdays from Royapuram, Chennai.
• The service would stop at Salem, Erode, Uttukkuli, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur and Kasaragod ensuring smooth and efficient loading and unloading across major commercial centres.
• The first service of ‘Parcel Express’ is scheduled to leave at 3.10 pm on December 12 from Mangaluru Central Railway Station.
• The train would comprise of “high capacity parcel vans — 10 coaches and luggage cum brake van – 2 coaches”.
• As an eco-friendly alternative, the service promotes sustainable logistics by encouraging a shift from road to rail.
• Real time monitoring of the train service is involved, guaranteeing consistent, punctual and well-coordinated service delivery.

Headline: NITI Aayog Releases Report on Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks

Bullet Points:

• NITI Aayog today released a report on 'Water Budgeting in Aspirational Blocks'.
• The report marks a significant effort to take forward local water budgeting for effective water management and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for Viksit Bharat@2047, emphasising the necessity for sustainable and equitable water security across diverse landscapes of India.
• Water Budgeting is a structured approach for estimating water demand across key sectors: human, livestock, agriculture, and industry, while accounting for supplies from multiple sources such as runoff, surface water, groundwater, and water transfers.
• The water budgeting exercise uses a web-based platform Varuni to enhance the block-level water security planning and for an integrated water management.
• The report highlights the need for adopting customised strategies across 18 Aspirational Blocks with different endowments of water availability, spread across 8 agro-climatic zones of the country in 11 States.
• The water budget provides insights for each block related to its water demand-supply scenario, challenges and recommendations and identifying suitable measures for enhancing water security.
• NITI Aayog collaborated with GIZ India to prepare the report.

Headline: Samsung–UNGCNI ‘DigiArivu’ Initiative to Strengthen STEM Education in Tamil Nadu

Bullet Points:

• Initiative Name: ‘DigiArivu–Empowering Students Thru Tech’ launched by Samsung in partnership with United Nations Global Compact Network India.
• Objective: Strengthen digital science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in Tamil Nadu.
• Coverage: 10 government schools in Kancheepuram and Ranipet districts; expected to benefit over 3,000 students.
• Key Provisions: Upgrade school infrastructure, enable STEM and digital learning, train teachers, and support holistic student development.

Headline: Project Gaja-Lok: Unveiling the Cultural Majesty of Elephants

Bullet Points:

• The culture ministry unveiled 'Project Gaja-Lok', a novel initiative celebrating the cultural and ecological significance of Asian elephants.
• This program will feature an exhibition from November 19-25, hosted by INTACH.
• A thematic exhibition marks the launch, showcasing ancient relics and artworks that depict elephants as icons of power and wisdom.
• With a roundtable scheduled on November 20, experts will discuss human-elephant dynamics, ecological challenges, and transnational cooperation.

Headline: US approves sale of Excalibur Projectiles and Javelin Missile Systems to India

Bullet Points:

• Defence items: M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery projectiles (216 rounds) and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile systems (100 rounds, 1 fly-to-buy missile, 25 Lightweight Command Launch Units)
• Total value: USD 93 million — Excalibur package USD 47.1 million, Javelin package USD 45.7 million
• Principal contractor: RTX Corporation (for Excalibur); no offset agreement known at this stage
• Objective stated by DSCA: "support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to strengthen the U.S.-Indian strategic relationship" and "improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats"
• Additional items: Portable Electronic Fire Control Systems, propellant charges, training aids, simulation rounds, technical manuals, lifecycle support, logistics and programme support

Headline: RBI adds seven more names to alert list of unauthorised forex trading platforms

Bullet Points:

• The Reserve Bank of India has expanded its alert list of unauthorised online forex trading platforms by adding seven more names, bringing the total count to 95.
• The newly added platforms are Starnet FX, CapPlace, Mirrox, Fusion Markets, Trive, NXG Markets, and Nord FX.
• According to the RBI, all entities on the list are neither permitted to conduct foreign exchange transactions under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, nor cleared to run electronic trading platforms for forex dealings.

Headline: Michelle Bachelet conferred Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024

Bullet Points:

• Michelle Bachelet is the first and only woman President of Chile.
• She is a former Chief of UN Human Rights and served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022.
• She also served as the first executive director of UN Women from 2010 to 2013.

Headline: Roger Federer Elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Bullet Points:

• Roger Federer has been voted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
• He is a 20-time Grand Slam champion.
• His career brought 103 tournament titles.
• He held a record 310 weeks ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles.
• He won Olympic gold and silver medals.
• He will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island, next August.
• His 20 majors included eight Wimbledon crowns, six Australian Opens, five US Opens, and one French Open triumph at Roland Garros.
• He won Olympic gold in doubles for Switzerland at Beijing 2008 and singles silver at London 2012.
• He won the Davis Cup in 2014.
• He retired in 2022 after a final appearance at the Laver Cup in London.

Headline: IRS officer Sandip Pradhan appointed as whole-time member of Sebi

Bullet Points:

• Govt appoints IRS officer Sandip Pradhan as member Sebi
• The government on Thursday appointed Indian Revenue Service officer Sandip Pradhan as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India ( Sebi ) for a period of three years.
• Pradhan replaces Ashwani Bhatia, who demitted office after completion of his term as a whole-time member.
• The government hereby appoints Sandip Pradhan , IRS (IT:1990), Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Pune, as Whole Time Member of the Sebi
• He would be the second IRS officer serving as a whole-time member, as his batchmate Kamlesh Chandra Varshney has been with the capital markets regulator since September 2023.
• Pradhan rejoined his parent department, the Central Board of Direct Taxes, after serving as Director General, Sports Authority of India (SAI) till September 2024.
• Before his appointment at the SAI, Pradhan had worked as the director general of the Sports Authority of Gujarat for four years (2013-17).

Headline: Falcon 9 launches Sentinel-6B satellite to extend 30-year sea-level record

Bullet Points:

• Sentinel-6B satellite launched by Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
• Joint U.S.-European mission involving NASA, ESA, European Commission, NOAA, Eumetsat, CNES
• Spacecraft will operate in 1,336-kilometer orbit at 66-degree inclination, weighing 1,190 kilograms
• Extends unbroken sea-level record dating to 1992 TOPEX-Poseidon mission; current rise rate ~4 mm/year
• Data improves hurricane forecasts and supports SpaceX booster recovery weather models

Headline: Sarayu Velpula Becomes India's 26th Woman Grandmaster

Bullet Points:

• Sarayu Velpula became India's 26th Woman Grandmaster on 18/11/2025.
• She scored her final norm at First League of Central Serbia.
• Her first WIM, WGM, and IM-norms were scored at Pontevedra Masters 2023 in July.
• She earned her second WGM-norm at Paris IdF Masters in July 2025.
• She crossed 2300 in the September 2023 FIDE Rating list, achieving a published rating of 2386.
• Her peak rating is 2443.
• She joins the Indian team at the FIDE World Women's Team Championship 2025 in Linares, Spain.
• Her trainer is IM N Krishna Teja.
• Pravaha foundation has been supporting Sarayu’s journey from March 2025.

Headline: Naturopathy Day observed on 18 November: Theme 2025 - "Losing weight naturally through Naturopathy"

Bullet Points:

• Naturopathy Day is observed in India every year on 18 November to promote a healthy lifestyle through the drugless, holistic system of medicine known as Naturopathy.
• The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India, officially declared this day in 2018 to raise awareness about natural healing practices and overall well-being.
• The official theme for Naturopathy Day 2025 is "Losing weight naturally through Naturopathy".

Headline: World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW) 2025 observed from 18 – 24 November with theme “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”

Bullet Points:

• World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW) is observed from 18 – 24 November. (Proof: "This week (18 – 24 November) marks World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week (WAAW)")
• It is a WHO-led initiative. (Proof: "a WHO-led initiative")
• The initiative aims to improve understanding of antimicrobial resistance and promote best practices that help prevent the further emergence and spread of resistant infections. (Proof: "to improve understanding of antimicrobial resistance and promote best practices that help prevent the further emergence and spread of resistant infections.")
• The WHO theme for 2025 is “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future.” (Proof: "The WHO theme for 2025 is “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,”")
• The theme emphasizes the urgent need for coordinated, cross-sector action as AMR continues to impact health systems, food production, the environment, and global economies. (Proof: "emphasising the urgent need for coordinated, cross-sector action as AMR continues to impact health systems, food production, the environment, and global economies.")
• The WHO calls on governments, healthcare professionals, civil society, veterinarians, farmers, environmental sectors and the public to turn commitments into concrete, measurable action. (Proof: "The WHO calls on governments, healthcare professionals, civil society, veterinarians, farmers, environmental sectors and the public to turn commitments into concrete, measurable action.")

Headline: World Day for Preventing and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse observed on November 18

Bullet Points:

• The World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Violence is marked every year on November 18.
• This observance was established in 2022 by the UN General Assembly.
• On November 7, 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/8, officially designating November 18 as the World Day.
• The observance aims to raise awareness of child sexual abuse, strengthen global action, and support survivors in their journey toward healing and justice.
• The theme for the 2025 commemoration is “Strengthening the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse Through Evidence-Based Policy Making.”

Headline: Women’s Entrepreneurship Day observed annually on November 19

Bullet Points:

• Every year on November 19 , the global observance known as Women’s Entrepreneurship Day honors the vision, creativity, and achievements of women who launch and lead businesses, innovate, and drive economic and social change.
• Founded in 2014 by Wendy Diamond through the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO), the day seeks to spotlight the contributions of female entrepreneurs worldwide, support their journeys, and help remove barriers they face.
• The idea emerged as a response to the fact that although women perform a large share of work globally, they often have less access to economic opportunities, leadership roles, and capital.
• Wendy Diamond launched the inaugural Women’s Entrepreneurship Day in November 2014, with events held in 144 nations on that first year.
• Over time the day has grown into a movement supported by events, awards (such as the WEDO Pioneer Awards), and advocacy for policies, funding, and networks that help women-owned businesses thrive.
• Celebrating Women’s Entrepreneurship Day matters because empowering women entrepreneurs has far-reaching benefits—not only for the individuals themselves, but also for economies, communities, and innovation.
• It also draws attention to ongoing barriers such as unequal access to finance, fewer mentorship opportunities, social norms, and digital divides—highlighting the need for action and systemic change.

Headline: India's First Quantum City Unveiled in Bengaluru, ISRO Announces New Launchpads and Missions

Bullet Points:

• The plan for India’s first Quantum City or Q-city was unveiled at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 by Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology NS Boseraju.
• The Q-city is proposed to be established over 6 acres in Hesarghatta.
• Under the Karnataka Quantum Mission, the government has allocated an investment of Rs 1,000 crore for the Q-city.
• The Q-city will house advanced research laboratories, a quantum hardware park, cryogenic testing facilities, quantum cloud clusters, and a deep tech startup zone, hosting end-to-end services from research to commercialisation.
• The government approved Rs 1,136 crore to establish the Quantum Supremacy Centre in Bengaluru.
• Work is underway to establish the Swiss and Karnataka Quantum Collaboration Centre.
• ISRO Chairman, Dr V Narayanan, stated that two new ISRO launchpads are on the cards — in Sriharikota and Kulasekarapattinam.
• LVM3-M6 and Bluebird Block-2 Mission are the upcoming commercial mission projects of ISRO.
• Fiber optic pressure, temperature, and level sensors and HMC and Nano technology-based sensors are major new developments in progress at ISRO.