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Sunday, Nov 23

Daily Current Affairs: 23 November 2025

Your consolidated report for 23 November 2025

Headline: India resumes tourist visas for Chinese citizens after five-year suspension

Bullet Points:

  • India has resumed issuance of tourist visas to Chinese citizens worldwide, ending a five-year suspension imposed following the 2020 Galwan clash.
  • The decision followed a July order to resume tourist visas for Chinese nationals.
  • Direct passenger flights between India and China were resumed under a January 2025 agreement.
  • The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage, halted for five years, was revived in June 2025 with the first group of Indian pilgrims crossing into Tibet.
  • PM Modi visited China on August 31 for the SCO Summit in Tianjin, marking his first visit in seven years.

Similar Headlines

IndiGo plans codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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.
PM Modi attends SCO Summit in Tianjin, China; Tianjin Declaration condemns terrorism and addresses global issues (Start of September) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 1, 2025) concluded a “productive” visit to China during which he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and held bilateral talks with world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
  • The SCO declaration signed by all members strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • The Tianjin Declaration, signed and adopted by all members including India, Pakistan, and Russia, also condemned terrorist attacks on Jaffer Express and Khuzdar in Pakistan.
  • At the SCO summit, all member states except India also reaffirmed their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would accelerate the building of a SCO development bank at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin on Monday, as he seeks to expand the organization’s influence and scope.
  • Kyrgyzstan takes over the presidency of the grouping and will host the next meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States next year.
  • The SCO members, including India, expressed deep concern and strongly condemn “actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”.
PM Modi Concludes China-Japan Tour, Attends SCO Summit (Start of September) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to New Delhi on Monday evening.
  • He concluded his four-day visit to Japan and China.
  • The visit spanned from August 29 to September 1.
  • In China, PM Modi attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit.
  • The SCO Summit was held on August 31 to September 1.
  • PM Modi held bilateral meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Union Home Ministry Order on Stay for Persecuted Minorities (Start of September) ▼
  • Members of minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- who came to India till December 31, 2024, to escape religious persecution will be allowed to stay in the country without passport or other travel documents, according to the Union Home Ministry.
  • The significant order was issued under the just-implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
  • A person belonging to a minority community in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan -- Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians -- who were compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution and entered the country on or before December 31, 2024 without valid documents, including a passport or other travel documents, or with valid documents, including a passport or other travel documents, and the validity of such documents have expired" will be exempted from the rule of possessing a valid passport and visa, according to an order issued by the Home Ministry.
  • According to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act ( CAA ), which came into force last year, members of these persecuted minorities who came to India on or before December 31, 2014, will be granted Indian citizenship.

Headline: India–EU Cross-Border Payments: UPI–TIPS Link Enters Realisation Phase

Bullet Points:

  • The Reserve Bank of India stated that the process of interlinking UPI with the Eurosystem’s TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) platform has entered the realisation phase.
  • The proposed link is expected to facilitate cross-border remittances between India and the Euro Area and benefit users across both jurisdictions.
  • The RBI noted that it will continue working with the European Central Bank alongside NPCI International Payments Limited on technical integration, risk management, and settlement mechanisms required to operationalise the link.

Similar Headlines

NPCI Raises Daily UPI P2M Transaction Limit to Rs 10 Lakh for Specified Categories (Mid of September) ▼
  • The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has raised the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) transaction limits for person-to-merchant (P2M) payments to up to Rs 10 lakh in 24 hours for specified categories, effective from Monday.
  • The NPCI maintained the person-to-person (P2P) limit at Rs 1 lakh per day.
  • Under the revised framework, for capital market and insurance payments, the per-transaction limit has been hiked from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh, with a daily limit of Rs 10 lakh.
  • Government e-Marketplace transaction limits, including earnest money deposits and taxes, have been increased to Rs 5 lakh per transaction, up from Rs 1 lakh.
  • Per-transaction limits for travel bookings, loan repayments, and EMI collections have also been increased to Rs 5 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.
  • Credit card bill payments are permitted for up to Rs 5 lakh in a single transaction, though the 24-hour limit is set at Rs 6 lakh.
  • For loan and EMI collections, users can now pay Rs 5 lakh per transaction with a daily total of Rs 10 lakh.
  • For jewellery purchases, the UPI limit has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per transaction and Rs 6 lakh per day.
  • Banking services like term deposits through digital onboarding are now capped at Rs 5 lakh both per transaction and per day, compared to the earlier Rs 2 lakh.
  • A higher limit for UPI transactions is only allowed for verified merchants.
Unity Bank and BharatPe launch India's first EMI-driven credit card on RuPay network (End of August) ▼
  • The Unity Bank BharatPe Credit Card is offered on the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) RuPay network.
  • The card has a zero-fee structure with no joining charges, annual fees, processing charges, or foreclosure penalties.
  • It offers flexible EMI options of up to 12 months.
  • The card provides unlimited flat 2% rewards (Zillion Coins) on every transaction upon EMI conversion, redeemable via the BharatPe app.
NPCI International-BENEFIT pact links India’s UPI with Bahrain’s Fawri+ for instant cross-border remittances (Mid of November) ▼
  • NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Bahrain’s BENEFIT signed an agreement to connect India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with Bahrain’s Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFTS) Fawri+ service for real-time cross-border remittances.
  • The collaboration is established under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).
  • NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) and Clearcorp Dealing Systems (India) Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL), launched forex services on Bharat Connect by integrating with CCIL’s FX-Retail Platform.
RBI rolls out 10-point support package to shield Indian economy from US tariff shock (End of August) ▼
  • Nearly 55% of India’s $86 billion exports to the US are expected to be impacted by the new tariffs.
  • The RBI has already reduced the repo rate by 100 basis points this year.
  • Priority assistance will be given to the most exposed sectors—gems and jewellery, textiles, auto components, shrimps and MSMEs—in terms of credit access and liquidity relief.
  • The RBI is holding direct consultations with exporters this week to assess ground-level challenges.
  • Existing local-currency trade settlement agreements cover the Maldives, Mauritius, Indonesia and the UAE, with more partnerships planned to reduce dollar dependence.
  • The central bank is prepared to deploy Open Market Operations or Operation Twist if bond yields rise sharply.

Headline: India-Israel launch FTA negotiations in Tel Aviv

Bullet Points:

  • India and Israel signed Terms of Reference to begin Free Trade Agreement negotiations
  • Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Israel’s Minister of Economy Nir Barkat co-chaired the India-Israel Business Summit themed 'Gateway to Growth' in Tel Aviv-Yafo
  • Proposed FTA plus the existing bilateral investment treaty aim to expand market access, capital flows, trade in goods and services, and remove business obstacles

Similar Headlines

India-Israel Bilateral Investment Treaty Signed to Boost Trade and Investment (Start of September) ▼
  • India and Israel signed a bilateral investment agreement, making Israel the first OECD member to adopt India's new investment treaty model.
  • The agreement replaces the 1996 version, which was terminated in 2017 as part of India's policy on investment treaties.
  • The treaty is expected to boost investments by providing greater certainty and protection for investors, facilitating growth of trade and mutual investments.
  • The agreement includes provisions to safeguard investments against expropriation, ensure transparency, and enable smooth transfers and compensation for losses.
  • The treaty will help boost investment from both countries, estimated at $800 million.
India-EFTA Trade Pact to Come into Force from October 1 (Start of September) ▼
  • The free trade agreement between India and four-European nation bloc EFTA will come into force from October 1.
  • The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
  • For the first time, India has laid down legally binding provisions on trade and sustainable development in a free trade agreement.
  • Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion in 15 years from the grouping.
  • The investment commitment would facilitate the creation of one million direct jobs in India.
  • The agreement improves access to the Indian market for Swiss goods and services, with India granting Switzerland improved market access for 94.7 per cent of existing exports (2018-2023, excluding gold).
  • The pact contains a provision in which the contracting parties confirm their rights and obligations under other international agreements, including in the areas of trade, environment, social affairs and human rights.
India-EFTA Trade Pact (TEPA) to Come into Force from October 1 (Mid of September) ▼
  • The agreement is named the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA). "The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024."
  • The pact is between India and the four-European nation bloc EFTA. "The free trade agreement between India and four-European nation bloc EFTA..."
  • The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. "The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland."
  • The agreement will come into force from October 1. "The free trade agreement between India and four-European nation bloc EFTA, which will come into force from October 1..."
  • The two sides signed the agreement on March 10, 2024. "The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024."
  • India has received an investment commitment of $100 billion in 15 years from the grouping. "Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of $100 billion in 15 years from the grouping..."
  • The investment commitment would facilitate the creation of one million direct jobs in India. "...which would facilitate the creation of one million direct jobs in India."
  • India is allowing several products such as Swiss watches, chocolates and cut and polished diamonds at lower or zero duties. "...allowing several products such as Swiss watches, chocolates and cut and polished diamonds at lower or zero duties."
  • India grants Switzerland improved market access for 94.7 per cent of existing exports (2018-2023, excluding gold). "India grants Switzerland improved market access for 94.7 per cent of existing exports (2018-2023, excluding gold)."
  • For the first time, India has laid down legally binding provisions on trade and sustainable development in a free trade agreement. "For the first time, India has laid down legally binding provisions on trade and sustainable development in a free trade agreement."
India-Japan ink critical minerals cooperation pact during 15th Annual Summit in Tokyo (Start of September) ▼
  • Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India’s Ministry of Mines and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in the mineral resources sector.
  • Agreement announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tokyo for the 15th India-Japan Annual Summit with counterpart Shigeru Ishiba.
  • Partnership aims to diversify critical mineral supply chains, support India’s net-zero emission targets, and bolster energy, food, and national security.

Headline: Sixth International Agronomy Congress (IAC–2025) inaugurated in New Delhi

Bullet Points:

  • Event: Sixth International Agronomy Congress (IAC–2025) organised by Indian Society of Agronomy in collaboration with ICAR, IARI, NAAS and TAAS
  • Theme: ‘Re-envisioning Agronomy for Smart Agro-Food Systems and Environmental Protection’
  • Inaugurated by: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Similar Headlines

NSC Seed Processing Units & Online Booking Platform: Key Features (End of October) ▼
  • Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated six NSC vegetable & flower seed processing-cum-packaging units (4-tonnes/hr capacity each) located at Pusa (New Delhi), Bareilly, Dharwad, Hassan, Suratgarh and Raichur.
  • Launched 'Seed Management 2.0' and an online seed booking platform to increase farmers' accessibility and transparency in seed supply.
  • Objective is to ensure supply of quality seeds to farmers, curb counterfeit seeds and boost agricultural productivity of small and marginal farmers.
South India Natural Farming Summit: Key Details and Features (Mid of November) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Coimbatore on Nov 19 to inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex here.
  • Modi will speak during the summit, organized by the farmers' associations in Tamil Nadu.
  • The Prime Minister will interact with 50 scientists specializing in organic agriculture.
  • The three-day summit will feature an exhibition with 300 stalls, interactive sessions by eminent scientists and policymakers, live demonstrations and a focus on youth and women engagement.
India-Sri Lanka Hold First Joint Working Group Meet on Agriculture (Start of November) ▼
  • The first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Agriculture between India and Sri Lanka was held.
  • The deliberations between the two sides focused on deepening collaboration across a wide spectrum of themes critical to sustainable agriculture and rural livelihoods.
  • The meeting marked a milestone in India-Sri Lanka relations by setting a framework for structured dialogue and collaboration in the agriculture and allied sectors.
  • The session was co-chaired by Dr. Devesh Chaturvedi , Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) , Government of India, and Mr. D. P. Wickramasinghe , Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation , Government of Sri Lanka.
  • Key themes for collaboration included: Farm mechanization and technology transfer, Seed sector development and genetic resource exchange, Promotion of organic and natural farming systems, Agri-entrepreneurship development, Soil health management and precision agriculture, Climate-resilient agriculture and drought-mitigation practices, Market access and trade facilitation for agri-products, and Agricultural education and skill development.
  • The JWG also explored frontier areas of cooperation such as: Digital agriculture platforms, Crop insurance schemes, Support for agri-startups and innovation hubs, and Development of rural value chains and supply chain infrastructure.
  • Both nations underscored the importance of joint research programs , scientific exchange , and capacity-building initiatives to promote innovation-led growth.
  • It was agreed that the JWG mechanism would convene regularly to monitor progress, share updates, and identify new areas of cooperation.
Bharat International Rice Conference 2025 to be held in Delhi, aiming to boost India's global leadership in rice exports (Start of November) ▼
  • The event, named "Bharat International Rice Conference 2025" (BIRC 2025), is set to be held in Delhi.
  • The conference will take place at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, on October 30-31.
  • It is "Organised by the Indian Rice Exporters’ Federation (IREF) in collaboration with APEDA" and in "partnership with the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry."
  • The event "aims to position India as a global hub for rice exports and innovation."
  • "Ministers from the Philippines, Myanmar, The Gambia, and Ghana are also expected to participate."
  • BIRC 2025 "will introduce India’s first AI-based rice sorting technology."
  • The conference "aims to tap Rs 1.80 lakh crore in new rice import markets and facilitate Rs 25,000 crore in export MoUs and contracts."
  • "India is the world’s largest exporter of rice, shipping approximately 20.1 million metric tonnes worth $12.95 billion in FY 2024-25 to over 172 countries."
  • "E&Y and S&P Global are knowledge partners, while IRRI-SARC, Varanasi, is the research partner."
  • "Partner countries include the Philippines, Myanmar, Niger, Comoros, Jordan, Liberia, The Gambia, and Somalia."

Headline: India finishes with nine golds at World Boxing Cup Finals

Bullet Points:

  • Indian boxers claimed medals in all 20 weight categories, finishing with nine gold, six silver and five bronze.
  • Seven women and two men delivered the golds for the host.
  • The host closed its World Boxing Cup Finals campaign on a high at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Indoor Stadium in Greater Noida on Thursday.
  • Minakshi (48kg) set the tone with another dominant show, outclassing three-time Asian Under-22 champion Farzona Fozilova 5-0.
  • Nikhat (51kg) produced a clear 5-0 victory over Worlds quarterfinalist Guo Yi Xuan.
  • Jaismine (57kg) edged Paris Olympics bronze medallist Wu Shih Yi 4-1.
  • Young Olympian Preeti Pawar delivered one of the wins of the day, upsetting Worlds medallist Sirine Charaabi 5-0 in the 54kg final.
  • Arundhati Choudhary (70kg) earned a hard-fought 5-0 win over Worlds bronze medallist Aziza Zokirova.
  • Nupur edged Oltinoy Sotimboeva 3-2 in a scrappy 80+kg final.
  • Parveen Hooda bt Ayaka Taguchi (Jpn) 3-2.
  • Former World youth champion Sachin Siwach (60kg) claimed a significant title with a 5-0 win over Worlds and Olympics medallist Munarbek Seiitbek Ullu.
  • Hitesh (70kg) added another gold with a tight 3-2 victory over Nurbek Mursal.

Similar Headlines

Indian women boxers win four gold medals at World Boxing Cup Finals 2025 (End of November) ▼
  • 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.
World Boxing Championships 2025 begin in Liverpool under new World Boxing body (Start of September) ▼
  • The World Boxing Championships 2025 opened on 4 September at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena.
  • The event is the first world championship conducted by the newly-formed World Boxing and features over 550 boxers from 65 nations competing in 20 weight divisions (10 men and 10 women).
  • Indian boxers Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) and Nikhat Zareen (51 kg) headline India’s squad, which also includes Pooja Rani (80 kg), Narender Berwal (90+ kg), Hitesh Gulia (70 kg) and Abhinash Jamwal (65 kg).
  • Algerian Olympic champion Imane Khelif is barred from competing after refusing World Boxing’s mandatory PCR-based genetic sex-verification test and has appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
  • Taiwanese Olympic gold-medallist Lin Yu-ting withdrew from the tournament, citing delays in World Boxing’s response to her gender-test submission.
Mehak Sharma and Lovepreet Singh Secure Medals as India Concludes Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 with 13 Medals (Start of September) ▼
  • The Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2025 concluded on Saturday, August 30, at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
  • India finished the championships with a total of 13 medals.
  • Mehak Sharma claimed a silver medal in the women's 86 kg category, lifting a total of 253 kg (110 kg snatch + 143 kg clean and jerk).
  • Lovepreet Singh secured a bronze medal in the 110 kg+ category, with a total lift of 380 kg (175 kg snatch + 205 kg clean and jerk).
  • Olympian Luniarra Sipaia of Samoa won the gold medal in the women's 86 kg category with a 261 kg lift.
  • Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sanele Mao of Samoa took the gold medal in the 110 kg+ category with a total of 401 kg.
  • Indian gold medalists included Ajith Narayana (71kg), Ajaya Babu Valluri (79kg), and Mirabai Chanu (48 kg).
  • Indian silver medalists included Muthupandi Raja (65kg), Dilbag Singh (94kg), Soumya Sunil Dalvi (48 kg), Sneha Soren (53 kg), Bindyarani Devi (58 kg), Nirupama Devi (63 kg), and Mehak Sharma (86+ kg).
  • Indian bronze medalists included Harjinder Kaur (69 kg) and Vanshita Verma (86 kg).
India wins record 48 medals at 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama (Start of November) ▼
  • India claimed 48 medals overall—13 gold, 18 silver, 17 bronze—at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.
  • The girls’ kabaddi team defeated Iran to secure India’s first gold of the Games.
  • Priteesmita Bhoi set a world youth record in the girls’ 44 kg clean and jerk to win India’s first individual gold.
  • Khushi earned India’s first medal of the event, a bronze in girls’ kurash.
  • Ranjana Yadav provided India’s first athletics medal with silver in the 5000 m race walk.
  • On the final day India captured 15 medals, including seven golds—four from boxing and three from beach wrestling.

Headline: China building world’s first floating artificial island designed to withstand nuclear blasts

Bullet Points:

  • China is constructing what researchers say will be the world’s first mobile, floating artificial island built to survive a nuclear explosion.
  • The platform is a 78,000-tonne semi-submersible, described by Chinese scientists as a “far-sea floating mobile island”.
  • It is designed to support long-term deep-sea research and is expected to enter service in 2028.
  • The structure will accommodate up to 238 people for about four months without needing supplies.
  • The island measures 138 metres long and 85 metres wide, with a twin-hull structure that can operate in rough seas and withstand extremely strong typhoons.
  • Its nuclear-resistant structure uses a “sandwich” panel made from metamaterials, designed to turn a sudden shockwave into a slower, controlled compression.
  • The facility is listed as a national scientific infrastructure project under China’s 14th five-year plan, with specifications referring to a Chinese military standard for nuclear protection.

Similar Headlines

Great Nicobar Project: Key Features and Strategic Importance (Mid of September) ▼
  • Name: Great Nicobar Project; spear-headed by NITI Aayog with ANIIDCO (Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation).
  • Objective: Build an International Container Transshipment Terminal (deep-sea port at Galathea Bay), a dual-use greenfield international airport, a 300,000-400,000-person township, and a 450-MVA gas-and-solar energy plant.
  • Strategic relevance: Positions India near the Strait of Malacca/Six Degree Channel, offering an alternative to Chinese-controlled ports and enhancing real-time surveillance and response for the Andaman & Nicobar tri-services command.
China Achieves First Thorium-Uranium Fuel Conversion in Operational Molten-Salt Reactor (Start of November) ▼
  • China has successfully achieved the first-ever thorium to uranium nuclear fuel conversion in a Thorium Molten Salt Reactor (TMSR), confirming the technical feasibility of thorium utilization in a molten-salt reactor nuclear energy system.
  • The experimental TMSR was built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (SINAP) in collaboration with other Chinese institutions and is currently the only operational molten-salt reactor in the world loaded with thorium fuel.
  • Molten-salt reactors are fourth-generation advanced nuclear energy systems that use high-temperature molten salt as a coolant, boasting inherent safety features, cooling without water, running at atmospheric pressure, and delivering a high-temperature output.
  • The TMSR program was launched in 2011, achieving major progress from laboratory research to the engineering verification of core materials, equipment and technologies, with domestically developed core equipment and an independent supply chain.
  • SINAP aims to construct a 100-megawatt demonstration project and realize its demonstration application by 2035, working with leading energy companies to consolidate the TMSR industrial and supply chains and accelerate technology iteration and engineering application.
Russia tests nuclear-powered underwater drone ‘Poseidon’ defying Trump (End of October) ▼
  • "Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered underwater drone, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday, defying US President Donald Trump’s warnings..."
  • "President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced that Russia has successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered submersible drone, Poseidon, which he described as having unlimited range."
  • "The Russian leader said there was “no way to intercept” the drone torpedo, which, according to Putin, can travel at a speed higher than conventional submarines and reach any continent in the world."
  • "The device can operate at a depth of more than one kilometre (0.6 mile) and travel at speeds of up to 70 knots while remaining undetectable, according to a source in the Russian military-industrial complex quoted by state news agency TASS."
  • "First tested in 2018, it is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead of up to two megatons, the source told TASS."
  • "Putin on Sunday oversaw a test of another advanced nuclear-capable weapon – the Burevestnik cruise missile, which he said had an “unlimited range”."
  • "The US president last week scrapped a planned summit with Putin in Budapest over what he cast as the Russian leader’s unwillingness to compromise to end the conflict."
China begins sea trials for Type 076 amphibious assault ship 'Sichuan' (Mid of November) ▼
  • China has begun sea trials for its new Type 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan.
  • On Friday, the Sichuan departed from the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai at around 9 am (local time), beginning its maiden voyage into designated waters for its first trial.
  • The vessel’s displacement is described as exceeding 40,000 tonnes by some Chinese media, though earlier assessments have cited a figure around 50,000 tonnes.
  • The inclusion of electromagnetic launch and recovery equipment is the most distinctive aspect of the new class.
  • This feature makes the Type 076 the second ship in the Chinese fleet equipped with this technology and the first amphibious assault vessel anywhere to use it.
  • The potential for the Sichuan to serve as a launch and recovery platform for such UAVs is one of the reasons it is frequently described in international assessments as the world’s first drone-capable amphibious assault ship equipped with carrier-grade launch systems.

Headline: Larry Page Becomes Third Richest Person Globally Following Google AI Model Launch

Bullet Points:

  • Larry Page is Google’s cofounder.
  • He became the third richest person in the world, overtaking Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
  • His net worth jumped after the launch of Google’s new AI model, Gemini 3.
  • Page owns about 6% of Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
  • After the stock surge settled, Page’s wealth is now $249 billion.

Similar Headlines

Larry Ellison Briefly Becomes World's Richest Person Amid Oracle's Financial Surge (Mid of September) ▼
  • Ellison's wealth surged to $393bn (£290bn) on Wednesday morning, surpassing Musk's $385bn (£284bn), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
  • The jump came after shares in Oracle, which make up a significant part of Ellison's fortune, soared more than 40%.
  • The company projected as part of its quarterly earnings report on Tuesday that revenue from its cloud business will jump 77% this year, to $18bn, with further growth expected in the coming years.
  • Oracle signed four multibillion-dollar contracts with customers in the last quarter and anticipates several more deals in the months ahead, chief executive Safra Catz said on Tuesday.
  • Elon Musk could receive a pay package worth over $1tn (£740bn) if he hits a list of ambitious targets over the next decade, the board of the electric car firm has proposed.
  • Ellison funded the bulk of a $8bn bid by his son to acquire Paramount, which owns CBS and MTV.
Apple Reaches $4 Trillion Market Cap; Nvidia Nears $5 Trillion (End of October) ▼
  • Apple briefly surpassed a $4 trillion market value on Tuesday, ending the trading day at $3.99 trillion.
  • Nvidia's market valuation reached $4.88 trillion as of Tuesday's close.
  • Microsoft's market value stood at $4.03 trillion on Tuesday, driven by news that its stake in OpenAI would be worth $135 billion.
  • Apple has gained 7.5% in 2025, compared to Nvidia’s 50%, Alphabet’s 42%, and Meta Platforms’ 28%.
  • The S&P 500 has risen 18% for the year.
  • Wall Street analysts expect Apple to report more than $100 billion in quarterly revenue when it reports earnings on Thursday.
Hurun Research Institute Report: Mumbai Ranks Third, New Delhi Ninth Among Top Billionaire Cities Globally (Mid of November) ▼
  • New York tops the list with 119 billionaires.
  • London is second with 97 billionaires.
  • Mumbai secured third place with 92 billionaires.
  • According to a recent report by the Hurun Research Institute, shared by World of Statistics on social media platform X, the cities with the highest number of billionaires include New York, London, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Moscow, New Delhi, and San Francisco.
  • India’s capital, New Delhi, also made it to the global top ten, ranking ninth with 57 billionaires.
G20 Report Details Surge in Wealth for India's Richest 1% and Global Inequality at 'Emergency' Levels (Start of November) ▼
  • India’s richest 1 per cent expanded their wealth by 62 per cent between 2000 and 2023, according to a report commissioned by the South African Presidency of the G20.
  • The study, led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, described inequality as having reached “emergency” levels that now threaten democracy, economic stability and climate progress.
  • The top 1 per cent globally captured 41 per cent of all new wealth created between 2000 and 2024, while the bottom half of humanity received only 1 per cent.
  • In China, the top 1% have grown their share of wealth by 54% over the period of 2000–2023.
  • The G20 Extraordinary Committee of Independent Experts on Global Inequality proposed establishing an International Panel on Inequality (IPI), modelled on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), to monitor inequality trends and guide global policymaking.
  • Global poverty reduction has stalled since 2020, with 2.3 billion people now facing food insecurity and 1.3 billion impoverished by health costs.

Headline: UAE Ranks Third Globally in Humanitarian Aid for 2025

Bullet Points:

  • The UAE has been recognized as the world's third-largest humanitarian donor for 2025.
  • The UAE contributed $1.46 billion in aid for 2025.
  • This significant contribution was confirmed by UN OCHA (UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) through its Financial Tracking Service (FTS).
  • Only two entities, the United States and the European Union, contributed more globally than the UAE.
  • The UAE’s contribution of $1.46 billion represents 7.2% of the total aid recorded by the United Nations for 2025.
  • The total global contributions tracked by the UN for 2025 reached $20.28 billion.

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PM Modi attends SCO Summit in Tianjin, China; Tianjin Declaration condemns terrorism and addresses global issues (Start of September) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (September 1, 2025) concluded a “productive” visit to China during which he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and held bilateral talks with world leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
  • The SCO declaration signed by all members strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack.
  • The Tianjin Declaration, signed and adopted by all members including India, Pakistan, and Russia, also condemned terrorist attacks on Jaffer Express and Khuzdar in Pakistan.
  • At the SCO summit, all member states except India also reaffirmed their support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping said China would accelerate the building of a SCO development bank at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin on Monday, as he seeks to expand the organization’s influence and scope.
  • Kyrgyzstan takes over the presidency of the grouping and will host the next meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States next year.
  • The SCO members, including India, expressed deep concern and strongly condemn “actions that have led to numerous casualties among the civilian population and a catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip”.
EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025: Top Donors and Trends (Start of November) ▼
  • India’s most generous individuals have collectively donated ₹10,380 crore in 2025, according to the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025, which features 191 philanthropists, including 12 new entrants.
  • Shiv Nadar & family, founder of HCL Technologies, stands at the top with an annual donation of ₹2,708 crore, retaining his title of India’s Most Generous for the fourth time in five years.
  • The top 10 philanthropists on the list collectively donated ₹5,834 crore, a 26% increase from last year, representing 56% of total donations.
  • Mukesh Ambani and family secured the second spot with an annual donation of ₹626 crore, reflecting a 54% year-on-year increase.
  • Gautam Adani and family, in fifth position, donated ₹386 crore through the Adani Foundation, reflecting a 17% increase from last year.
  • Rohini Nilekani emerged as the most generous woman philanthropist on the list, ranking eighth with donations worth ₹204 crore.
  • Education remains the most supported cause, with 107 philanthropists contributing a cumulative ₹4,166 crore towards educational initiatives.
  • The number of individuals donating over ₹100 crore annually has grown from just two in 2018 to 18 this year.
  • Based on the city of residence, Mumbai leads with 28% of philanthropists, followed by New Delhi at 17% and Bengaluru at eight percent.
  • Reliance Industries contributed ₹1,309 crore towards CSR, exceeding its mandated spend by ₹261 crore.
13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments co-chaired by Piyush Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (End of September) ▼
  • Co-chairs: Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, managing director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
  • Agenda includes review of India-UAE CEPA, Double Taxation Treaty, and UAE-India Central Bank matters
  • Exploration of investment opportunities in maritime and space sectors identified as having strong growth potential
World First Aid Day 2025 observed on second Saturday of September: Theme "First Aid and Climate Change" (Mid of September) ▼
  • World First Aid Day is held annually on the second Saturday of September and was established by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the year 2000.
  • World First Aid Day 2025 falls on Saturday, 13 September 2025.
  • The theme for 2025 is "First Aid and Climate Change", highlighting how climate-induced events like heatwaves, floods, and storms demand updated first aid readiness.

Headline: India's Forex Reserves Rise by $5.54 Billion to $692.57 Billion, Driven by Gold Holdings

Bullet Points:

  • India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 5.543 billion for the week ended 14 November.
  • The total foreign exchange reserves reached USD 692.576 billion.
  • This rise followed a decline of USD 2.699 billion in the previous reporting week, when reserves had slipped to USD 687.034 billion.
  • The surge was largely driven by gold holdings, which rose by USD 5.327 billion, taking the total to USD 106.857 billion.
  • Foreign currency assets (FCAs) saw a modest rise of USD 152 million, bringing the total to USD 562.29 billion.
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) increased by USD 56 million to USD 18.65 billion.
  • The reserve position in the IMF was higher by USD 8 million, reaching USD 4.779 billion.

Similar Headlines

India’s forex reserves fall by $4.38 billion to $690.72 billion for week ending August 22 (End of August) ▼
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.38 billion to $690.72 billion for the week ended August 22, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday.
  • The reserves had surged by $1.48 billion to $695.10 billion for the week ending August 15.
  • The reserves had touched a record high of $704.885 billion in end-September 2024.
  • For the week ended August 15, foreign currency assets (FCAs) — the largest component of the reserves — declined by $3.65 billion to $582.25 billion.
  • Gold reserves were up/down by $665 million, standing at $66.58 billion during the reporting week.
  • SDRs in the last week also dropped by $46 million to reach at $18.73 billion.
  • India’s reserve position with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was down by $23 million at $4.73 billion, as per the data.
India’s Gold Imports Triple to Record USD 14.72 bn in October, Trade Deficit Widens (Mid of November) ▼
  • Gold imports surged about threefold to a record USD 14.72 billion in October compared to USD 4.92 billion in October 2024.
  • Cumulative gold imports during April-October this fiscal rose 21.44 per cent to USD 41.23 billion from USD 34 billion a year ago.
  • High gold imports pushed the country’s trade deficit to a record USD 41.68 billion in October.
  • Gold accounts for over 5 per cent of India’s total imports.
  • Switzerland is the largest source of gold imports with about 40 per cent share, followed by the UAE (over 16 per cent) and South Africa (about 10 per cent).
  • Imports from Switzerland jumped by 403.67 per cent to USD 5.08 billion during October.
  • Silver imports in October 2025 jumped by 528.71 per cent to USD 2.71 billion.
RBI adds seven more names to alert list of unauthorised forex trading platforms (End of November) ▼
  • 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.
India posts $2.4 billion current account deficit in Q1 FY 2025-26, RBI data show (Start of September) ▼
  • India’s current account recorded a deficit of $2.4 billion (0.2% of GDP) in Q1 FY 2025-26, according to the Reserve Bank of India statement.
  • This compares with a surplus of $13.5 billion (1.3% of GDP) in the preceding quarter.
  • In the same quarter of the previous year, India had a current account deficit of $8.6 billion (0.9% of GDP).

Headline: Government to Release New National Accounts Series with FY 2022-23 as Base Year

Bullet Points:

  • The government will release a new series of national accounts on February 27, 2026, with fiscal year 2022-23 as the base year.
  • An Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics (ACNAS) under the chairmanship of professor B.N. Goldar has been constituted to advise MoSPI.
  • The Ministry has planned to release discussion papers on national accounts to apprise users of the changes in the new series.

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India's Q2 FY26 Growth Forecasts by SBI, ET, and RBI; GST Collections Detailed (Mid of November) ▼
  • A research report by the State Bank of India (SBI) predicts India’s economy to have expanded by about 7.5% in the second quarter of FY26.
  • An ET poll of 12 economists suggested India’s economic growth likely quickened to 7.3% in the second quarter.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) is scheduled to release the official figures on November 28.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected September quarter growth at 7%.
  • GDP rose 7.8% in the April–June quarter, which was the fastest pace in five quarters.
  • GST rationalisation shifted to a two-rate structure of 5% and 18% from September 22.
  • Gross domestic GST collections for November 2025, based on October 2025 returns, may be around ₹1.49 lakh crore, reflecting a year-on-year rise of 6.8%.
  • Including ₹51,000 crore from IGST and cess collected on imports, total GST receipts for November could cross ₹2 lakh crore.
  • The share of leading indicators that reflect growth in consumption and demand rose to 83% in the second quarter, up from 70% in the first quarter.
Crisil Retains India FY26 GDP Growth at 6.5%, Flags US Tariff Risks (Start of September) ▼
  • Crisil kept India’s FY26 real GDP growth forecast at 6.5 per cent, same as the 6.5 per cent recorded in FY25.
  • India’s real GDP grew 7.8 per cent in April-June quarter of FY26, while nominal GDP rose 8.8 per cent annually in the same quarter.
  • The US imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India effective 27 August, and S&P Global projects global growth to slow to 2.9 per cent in 2025 from 3.3 per cent in 2024.
  • The RBI has cut the repo rate by 100 bps so far in 2025 and will reduce the cash reserve ratio in four tranches between September and December.
  • The government’s FY26 GDP forecast range is 6.3-6.8 per cent, and Crisil expects private consumption—boosted by a healthy monsoon, agricultural outlook, rate cuts, income-tax relief and expected higher rural-scheme spending—to drive growth.
India's GDP Projected to Grow 7.2% in Q2 FY26 by Ind-Ra; Consumption Key Driver (Mid of November) ▼
  • India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) has projected India’s GDP to expand by 7.2% in the second quarter (July–September) of FY26.
  • The Indian economy recorded a 5.6% growth in Q2 of FY25 and 7.8% growth in the April–June quarter of the current fiscal.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) is scheduled to release the official GDP numbers for Q2 FY26 on November 28.
  • Ind-Ra identified private consumption as a leading growth driver from the demand side and the resilient services sector along with favourable base-led goods exports growth in manufacturing as supply-side drivers for Q2 FY26.
  • Retail inflation has eased faster than anticipated by both Ind-Ra and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • Ind-Ra estimates private consumption to have grown 8% year-on-year in Q2 FY26, compared to 7% in Q1 and 6.4% in Q2 FY25.
  • The agency stated that investment demand grew 7.5% year-on-year during Q2 FY26.
  • Ind-Ra cautioned that nominal GDP growth may have dipped below 8% year-on-year in Q2 FY26.
India's Q2 FY26 GDP Projections and Economic Indicators (Mid of November) ▼
  • A report by SBI projected India’s GDP growth at 7.5 per cent for the second quarter.
  • The rating agency ICRA expects a lower GDP print of 7 per cent for the quarter.
  • For Q3 and Q4, RBI projected 6.4% and 6.2% respectively.
  • The SBI Research estimates FY26 GDP growth at 7.3%–7.5%.
  • Gross domestic GST collections for November 2025 are expected to be around Rs 1.49 lakh crore, registering 6.8 per cent YoY growth.
  • The share of leading indicators reflecting growth in consumption and demand increased to 83 per cent in Q2, compared with 70 per cent in Q1.
  • The actual Q2 GDP print is likely to be announced on November 28.

Headline: CAQM revises Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi-NCR

Bullet Points:

  • Implementing body: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
  • Key revision: Several Stage IV measures now apply at Stage III (e.g., 50% physical staffing in public/private offices, work-from-home for remainder)
  • Additional shift: Stage II measures moved to Stage I (uninterrupted power supply, synchronized traffic flow, media advisories, augmented CNG/electric bus & metro services, differential off-peak fares)
  • Further shift: Stage III measures moved to Stage II (staggered office timings for GNCTD, NCR state governments, and Central Government offices in Delhi-NCR)

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Delhi's Economic Growth and Per Capita Income Trends (2011-12 to 2024-25) (End of August) ▼
  • The gross state domestic product (GSDP) and per capita income of Delhi registered an annual growth of more than 5% and 7%, respectively, in the last decade.
  • The report was recently released by the Delhi government's Directorate of Economics and Statistics.
  • At constant prices, Delhi's GSDP contribution to national GDP was 3.94% in 2011-12 and is estimated to be at 3.79% in 2024-25.
  • Delhi's GSDP at constant (2011-12) prices was expected to increase from Rs 3,43,798 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 7,11,486 crore in 2024-25 with an annual average growth rate of 5.86% during the 13-year period between 2011-12 to 2024-25.
  • At current prices, Delhi's GSDP was expected to increase from Rs 3,43,798 crore in 2011-12 to Rs 12,15,003 crore in 2024-25, an annual average growth rate of 10.34% during 2011-12 to 2024-25.
  • Delhi's GSDP (at constant prices) contracted by 8.96% during 2020-21 due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Advance estimates suggest that Delhi's economy is expected to witness real GSDP expansion of 6.21% in 2024-25 and real growth of 9.16% in 2023-24.
  • Delhi's per capita income for 2024-25 at current prices has been worked out at Rs 4,93,024 as against Rs 4,59,408 during 2023-24 showing a growth of 7.32%.
  • In real terms, the per capita income of Delhi was calculated at Rs 2,83,093 in 2024-25 as against Rs 1,85,001 in 2011-12, revealing an average annual growth rate of 3.46%.
  • Delhi's per capita income at current prices was estimated to be 2.4 times higher as compared to the national level during 2024-25.
Delhi Faces Severe Heat Stress, Vulnerable Populations and Specific Wards Identified (Start of September) ▼
  • Delhi’s rising temperatures are causing severe heat stress, impacting public health, livelihoods and infrastructure.
  • A decadal assessment (2015-24) by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that Delhi temperatures departed from its normal on 42 out of 50 occasions in the summer months (March to July).
  • An ongoing CSE assessment has revealed that almost 76 per cent of Delhi has been facing heat stress during the summer months (April, May, June) since a decade, from 2015 to 2024.
  • Vulnerable groups, including children, elderly, women, the poor, homeless, construction workers, street vendors, artisans, automobile mechanics, ragpickers, sanitation workers and gig workers, are among people most at risk of heat stress.
  • A ward-wise drill-down revealed that 10 wards have 100 per cent of their area under heat stress, and 78 wards have more than 90 per cent of their area under heat stress, with the average green cover in these areas being less than 1.5 per cent.
  • The CSE's cumulative vulnerability assessment reveals that nearly a third of the wards in Delhi fall within the moderate to very high vulnerability categories, with Matiala being the only ward in the Very High vulnerability category.
  • Long-term solutions to build heat resilience include urban planning and design, ward-level vulnerability assessment, retrofitting of buildings and public places with passive cooling solutions, increasing tree cover, and water-sensitive urban design and planning.
  • Cool roofs can lower indoor temperatures by up to 5°C, and water-sensitive urban design and planning combined with active systems like evaporative wind towers have the potential to reduce ambient temperature by 3-8°C.
Delhi's Air Quality Enters 'Red Zone' Amidst Severe Pollution (Start of November) ▼
  • Delhi's air quality has entered the 'red zone' with AQI crossing 400, making it the country's second most polluted city.
  • With a 24-hour average AQI of 361, Delhi became the country’s second most polluted city, according to CPCB data.
  • Several areas, including Wazirpur (420), Burari (418), and Vivek Vihar (411), recorded 'severe' pollution levels.
  • In the NCR, Noida (354), Greater Noida (336), and Ghaziabad (339) also reported hazardous air.
  • Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage 3 has not been enforced yet because, according to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the city’s air quality this November has remained comparatively better than the same period last year.
  • Officials credited this improvement to timely and coordinated actions across departments, including intensified dust control, road cleaning, anti-smog operations, and stricter checks on vehicles and industrial emissions.
  • The air quality early warning system for Delhi has forecast that the city’s air will stay in the ‘very poor’ category for the coming days.
Government Initiatives for Tribal Welfare and Development (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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: Government to propose 100% FDI cap in insurance sector; Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 listed for Winter Session

Bullet Points:

  • The government will introduce the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Winter session of Parliament to raise the FDI limit in insurance from 74% to 100%.
  • The bill seeks to amend the Insurance Act 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act 1999.
  • So far, the insurance sector has attracted Rs 82,000 crore in FDI.
  • The Securities Markets Code Bill, 2025 will merge the SEBI Act 1992, Depositories Act 1996 and Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act 1956 into a single framework.

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India's FDI Landscape: Inflows, Outflows, and Sectoral Shifts Highlight Systemic Lacunae (Start of September) ▼
  • Gross FDI inflows reached $81 billion in FY 2024-25, an increase of 13.7% from the previous year.
  • FDI inflows fell to $71 billion in FY 2023-24 after peaking in FY 2021-22, before recovering slightly.
  • In the four years after the COVID-19 pandemic, gross inflows recovered at an annual rate of 0.3%, while disinvestments and repatriations by foreign investors grew at 18.9% annually.
  • During the post-pandemic period, India saw $308.5 billion in gross FDI inflows, but foreign investors withdrew or repatriated $153.9 billion.
  • After adjusting for outward FDI by Indian companies, the net retained capital within India fell to $0.4 billion.
  • Disinvestments surged by 51% to $44.4 billion in FY 2023-24 and rose again in FY 2024-25 to $51.4 billion.
  • Net FDI in May 2025 was down 98% to $35 million due to lower gross inflows and higher repatriation.
  • The manufacturing sector's share of total FDI dropped to 12% due to incredible outflows.
  • FDI outflows by Indian firms grew from $13 billion in FY 2011-12 to $29.2 billion in FY 2024-25.
  • Maharashtra and Karnataka accounted for 51% of FDI in India in FY25, as stated by the government.
  • Around half of India’s FDI outflows are directed toward developed economies.
Finance Ministry Issues Notification for 100% FDI in Insurance Sector (Start of September) ▼
  • The finance ministry issued a notification on August 29 paving the way for quick implementation of 100% foreign investment in the insurance sector.
  • The notification pertains to the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Amendment Rules, 2025.
  • These rules seek to replace the existing limit of 74% foreign investment with 'as stipulated by the Insurance Act, 1938'.
  • Foreign investment proposals of the Indian insurance company shall be allowed on the automatic route, subject to verification by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.
  • In the February budget, the Centre announced that the FDI limit for the insurance sector will be raised from 74% to 100%.
  • The enhanced limit will be only allowed for companies who invest their entire premiums in India.
  • The proposed Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill also has provisions for composite licences and allowing foreigners as key managerial personnel in Indian insurance firms.
  • The Indian insurance sector is projected to grow at 7.1% annually over the next five years.
US and Singapore together accounted for over one-third of India’s FDI in FY25: RBI FLA census (End of October) ▼
  • The United States and Singapore together accounted for over one-third of the FDI in India during 2024-25.
  • Out of 45,702 responding entities, 41,517 reported foreign direct investment and/or overseas direct investment in their balance sheet for March 2025.
  • The US share of total FDI during 2024-25 was 20 per cent, followed by Singapore (14.3 per cent), Mauritius (13.3 per cent), the UK (11.2 per cent) and the Netherlands (9 per cent).
  • Total FDI in 2024-25 stood at Rs 68,75,931 crore, up from Rs 61,88,243 crore in the preceding year.
  • The manufacturing sector held the highest share of total FDI equity capital at market value (48.4 per cent) and at face value (37.8 per cent).
  • Outward direct investment in 2024-25 was Rs 11,66,790 crore, with Singapore (22.2 per cent), the US (15.4 per cent), the UK (12.8 per cent) and the Netherlands (9.6 per cent) as top destinations.
  • Growth of ODI in rupee terms (17.9 per cent) outpaced that of FDI (11.1 per cent) in 2024-25, bringing the inward-to-outward DI ratio to 5.9 times from 6.3 times a year earlier.
Kerala Secures Rs 850 Crore FDI and Implements Building Rule Reforms (Start of November) ▼
  • Kerala government has secured a Rs 850 crore foreign direct investment (FDI) from UAE-based Al Marzooqi Holdings FZC.
  • The investment is for the Meridian Tech Park project at Technopark Phase III in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • The Meridian Tech Park is designed to create over 10,000 jobs.
  • The state government recently introduced comprehensive reforms to the building rules to streamline construction approvals and enhance ease of doing business.
  • The Floor Space Index (FSI) for government-owned IT parks has been raised from 4 to 7.
  • The coverage area for government-owned IT parks has increased from 60 per cent to 70 per cent.
  • For commercial structures, the maximum area eligible for instant permits has been raised from 100 sq m to 250 sq m.

Headline: Punjabi singer Harman Sidhu dies in road accident

Bullet Points:

  • Harman Sidhu, 36, died after his car collided with a canter truck in Punjab’s Mansa district.
  • He was best known for the 2007 duet “Paper Te Payar” with Miss Pooja.
  • Other popular songs include “Mela”, “Sari Raat Parhdi”, “Thakevan Jattan Da” and “Pai Gaya Payar”.

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Noted Odia playback singer Humane Sagar passes away at 34 (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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
Noted alt-country singer-songwriter Todd Snider passes away (Mid of November) ▼
  • Todd Snider, a beloved figure in American roots music, died at age 59.
  • His label announced the death on Saturday, stating he had been hospitalized with pneumonia in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
  • Snider's recent tour was cancelled after he was assaulted in the Salt Lake City area and later arrested following an incident at a hospital.
'Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan' Campaign: India's Zero-Fatality Road Safety Initiative (Mid of September) ▼
  • Campaign Name: 'Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan' launched by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
  • Objective: Reduce road fatalities to zero and halve road accidents by 2030
  • Key Partners: Zomato and Uber are supporting and integrating the campaign through their platforms to promote responsible driving
Veteran actor-singer Sulakshana Pandit passes away at 71 (Start of November) ▼
  • Sulakshana Pandit died due to cardiac arrest around 7 pm while being taken to Nanavati hospital.
  • She debuted in films with Uljhan in 1975 opposite Sanjeev Kumar and later worked with top stars like Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna.
  • As a playback singer she sang hits including “Tu hi saagar tu hi kinara”, “Pardesiya tere desh mein”, “Bekrar dil tut gaya”, “Baandhi re kahe preet”, and “Somvaar ko hum mile”.

Headline: World Fisheries Day 2025 to be celebrated on 21st November with the theme 'India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports'

Bullet Points:

  • World Fisheries Day 2025 will be celebrated on 21st of this month at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • The theme for this year is India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.
  • The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that the event will host participants from across the country and abroad, with delegations from nearly 27 countries attending the event, underscoring country’s deepening global partnerships in the Blue Economy.
  • The Department of Fisheries will launch a national traceability framework.

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Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Five Years of Inclusive Growth & Sustainability in Fisheries (Mid of September) ▼
  • The scheme, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), was launched on September 10, 2020.
  • Its vision is to make the fisheries sector ecologically sustainable, economically robust, and socially inclusive, bridging long-standing gaps in production, quality, technology, and post-harvest infrastructure.
  • The scheme has been extended through 2025–26, maintaining its original structure and funding patterns.
  • Over ₹21,274 crore worth of fisheries development projects have been approved and scheduled for implementation, with ₹9,189 crore as the central share.
  • Infrastructure investments include ₹17,210 crore approved for harbours, cold storage, markets, and other crucial post-harvest facilities.
  • Over 26 lakh fishers, micro-enterprises, and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) have been registered on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP).
  • Nearly 4.76 lakh Kisan Credit Cards have been issued to fishers and fish farmers, and ₹3,214 crore has been disbursed to support fisheries and related activities.
  • The PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY) was launched in 2024 as a sub-scheme with a ₹6,000 crore budget.
  • PM-MKSSY aims to formalize the sector, expand insurance, and improve value chain resilience.
  • National fish production surged to a record 195 lakh tonnes in 2024–25, marking a 104% increase since 2013–14, propelling India to the position of the world’s second-largest fish producer.
WTO overfishing-subsidy ban takes effect after 20-year negotiation (Mid of September) ▼
  • Agreement prohibits governments from subsidising overfished stocks and fishing beyond national jurisdictions
  • Deal required formal ratification by two-thirds of WTO members; achieved after Brazil, Kenya, Tonga and Vietnam ratified
  • Poorer states gain access to a dedicated fund to ease transition into compliance
  • Global fishing subsidies total roughly $35.4 billion annually, with China, EU, US, South Korea and Japan listed as top subsidisers
  • Current rules expire in four years unless more comprehensive provisions are negotiated
National Marine Fisheries Census 2025: India’s First Fully Digitised Census (Start of November) ▼
  • Scheme Name: National Marine Fisheries Census 2025, inaugurated by Union Minister George Kurian at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
  • Objective: Ensure registration of fishermen on the National Fisheries Digital Platform to access benefits under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana.
  • Key Features: First completely digital marine fisheries census; utilises VyAS Bharat and VyAS Sutra mobile apps for real-time data collection; spans 45 days across 1.2 million fisher households nationwide.
National Marine Fisheries Census: Household Enumeration and Digital Tools Launch (End of October) ▼
  • The initiative is the "5th Marine Fisheries Census (MFC)-2025", with its household enumeration phase set for an official launch on Friday.
  • Union Minister of State for Fisheries George Kurian will officially launch the initiative and a related national workshop at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
  • The MFC 2025 will cover "more than 1.2 million fisher households across India’s coastal states and Union Territories, providing crucial data for sustainable fisheries management and policy planning."
  • The Census is coordinated by the "Department of Fisheries under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with CMFRI as the nodal agency and Fishery Survey of India (FSI) as the operational partner."
  • The data collection exercise will last for "45-day" and is "Conducted once every five years by the CMFRI", collecting "detailed information on marine fishers, their households, fishing crafts, and gears."
  • The MFC 2025 is described as the "first-ever fully digital and geo-referenced marine fisheries census", utilizing "Customised mobile and tablet-based applications developed by CMFRI" for data collection.
  • Two major digital tools, "Vyas Bharat and Vyas Sutra apps — developed by CMFRI" will be released to streamline data collection and analysis.
  • A "National Marine Fisheries Data Centre at CMFRI" will also be inaugurated, which "will serve as a central repository for comprehensive fisheries data across India."

Headline: Azim Premji honoured with ISB Research Catalyst Award

Bullet Points:

  • Azim Premji was honoured with the Research Catalyst Award.
  • He is the founder-chairman of Wipro Ltd.
  • The award was presented by the Indian School of Business (ISB) at the ISB Insights Forum 2025 in Mohali.
  • The award recognises his "outstanding contributions to India’s research ecosystem."
  • The award recognises individuals whose "vision, generosity, and commitment have strengthened the nation’s knowledge ecosystem, enabled cutting-edge inquiry, and inspired a culture of evidence-based problem-solving for societal progress."

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Mohammed Lateef Khan conferred Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award 2025 (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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.
INSPIRE Award Standard Scheme: Objectives, Features, and Participation (Mid of September) ▼
  • The scheme is named "INSPIRE Award Standard Scheme" and is under the "Ministry of Science and Technology's scheme" / "Department of Science and Technology, Government of India".
  • The main objective of this scheme is "to promote creativity and innovation in children."
  • Students from "class 6 to 10 can participate" in the scheme.
  • Eligible students must be from "any government, government aided or private recognised school."
  • "Selected students are given financial assistance of ₹ 10,000 to develop their idea as a model."
  • The process involves models being exhibited "at the district level," then sent to "the state level exhibition," and finally displayed in the "National Level Exhibition (NLEPC)."
  • "Out of these, the top 60 ideas are displayed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President himself confers national awards and honours on the children."
  • Ideas should be based on "novelty, practicality, social utility and environmental friendliness, for example, affordable irrigation technology, equipment for the disabled, energy saving solutions, models related to environmental protection etc."
  • "Each school can nominate ideas of a maximum of 5 students."
  • Teachers/headmasters register students "through the online portal (E-MIAS Portal)."
Camel International Award 2025 conferred on NRI businessman Younus Ahamed (Start of September) ▼
  • The Arabian World Records instituted the Camel International Award 2025.
  • Palakkad-born NRI businessman Younus Ahamed, executive director of Middle East Dotspace Coworking, received the honour.
  • Sheikh Matar Bin Huwaiden Al Ketbi, chairman of Sharjah Camel Racing Club, presented the award in Dubai.
Infosys Prize 2025 Honors Six Researchers for Scientific Advancement (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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: India's Average Temperature Rises by 0.9 Degrees Celsius in Last Decade, Driving Extreme Weather Events

Bullet Points:

  • India's average temperature rose by nearly 0.9 degrees Celsius in the last decade (2015-2024) compared to the early 20th century (1901-1930).
  • The hottest day of the year warmed by 1.5-2 degrees Celsius in western and northeast India since the 1950s.
  • The research was conducted by climate scientists Chirag Dhara (Krea University), Aditi Deshpande (Savitribai Phule Pune University), Roxy Mathew Koll (Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology), Padmini Dalpadado (Institute of Marine Research, Norway), and Mandira Singh Shrestha (International Center for Integrated Mountain Development, Nepal).
  • This warming is driving a surge in extreme weather events, with the number of warm days increasing by 5-10 days per decade.
  • The tropical Indian Ocean is warming at a rate of 0.12 degrees Celsius per decade, one of the fastest in the world.
  • Marine heatwaves are projected to occur for nearly 200 days per year by 2050, from merely 20 days per year in recent decades.
  • The Arabian Sea has become a hotspot for intense tropical cyclones, with the maximum intensity of pre-monsoon cyclones increasing by 40 per cent in recent decades.
  • Historical one-in-a-hundred-year extreme sea-level events are projected to become an annual occurrence by mid-century.

Similar Headlines

Climate Change Performance Index 2026: Denmark leads as India drops 13 places (Mid of November) ▼
  • CCPI 2026 published at UN COP30 Climate Summit lists Denmark (80.52 pts) in 4th place as top-ranked country; top three ranks remain vacant as no nation achieved 'very high' rating
  • India fell 13 positions—from 10th to 23rd—with a score of 61.31, now classed as a 'medium' performer
  • Report jointly released by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network
  • Saudi Arabia ranks lowest at 67th (11.9 pts); Iran 66th, United States 65th and China 54th also placed among bottom performers
  • Index evaluates countries on GHG emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy
Delhi Faces Severe Heat Stress, Vulnerable Populations and Specific Wards Identified (Start of September) ▼
  • Delhi’s rising temperatures are causing severe heat stress, impacting public health, livelihoods and infrastructure.
  • A decadal assessment (2015-24) by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that Delhi temperatures departed from its normal on 42 out of 50 occasions in the summer months (March to July).
  • An ongoing CSE assessment has revealed that almost 76 per cent of Delhi has been facing heat stress during the summer months (April, May, June) since a decade, from 2015 to 2024.
  • Vulnerable groups, including children, elderly, women, the poor, homeless, construction workers, street vendors, artisans, automobile mechanics, ragpickers, sanitation workers and gig workers, are among people most at risk of heat stress.
  • A ward-wise drill-down revealed that 10 wards have 100 per cent of their area under heat stress, and 78 wards have more than 90 per cent of their area under heat stress, with the average green cover in these areas being less than 1.5 per cent.
  • The CSE's cumulative vulnerability assessment reveals that nearly a third of the wards in Delhi fall within the moderate to very high vulnerability categories, with Matiala being the only ward in the Very High vulnerability category.
  • Long-term solutions to build heat resilience include urban planning and design, ward-level vulnerability assessment, retrofitting of buildings and public places with passive cooling solutions, increasing tree cover, and water-sensitive urban design and planning.
  • Cool roofs can lower indoor temperatures by up to 5°C, and water-sensitive urban design and planning combined with active systems like evaporative wind towers have the potential to reduce ambient temperature by 3-8°C.
Projected Rainfall Changes Already Occurring in India, New Climate Models Needed (Start of September) ▼
  • Recent studies reveal that projected rainfall changes due to global warming, expected by 2040, are already occurring in India.
  • Current global and regional climate models may need to be upgraded to keep pace with the accelerated warming and consequent changes.
  • The frequency of extreme rainfall events across the country is increasing, contrary to CMIP6 climate models which expected this increase during the latter part of the 21st century.
  • Data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for June shows 502 daily rainfall events above the very heavy (>115.6 mm) category in 2025, the highest in the past five years.
  • A research paper led by James Hansen pointed out that global warming has accelerated since 2010 by more than 50 per cent compared to the 1970-2010 rate of 0.18°C per decade.
  • Scientists warn about 'point of no return' scenarios, such as the sudden shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which are not well represented in current climate models.
  • An alternative approach for climate modelling is proposed, based on ongoing observations driving the climate modelling processes, greater use of paleoclimate understanding, and more observations from the Arctic and Southern Oceans and polar ice changes.
UN and WMO Reports Highlight Record Global Temperatures and Climate Crisis Escalation (Start of November) ▼
  • This year is set to be among the hottest on record, sinking the world even deeper into the climate crisis and threatening “irreversible damage,” the United Nations says in a new report.
  • Years 2023, 2024 and 2025 are set to be the hottest years ever recorded, with this year on track to be the second or third hottest ever in 176 years of record keeping, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said in the report.
  • Concentrations of greenhouse gases have grown to new record highs, locking in more heat for the future, while the past 11 years, 2015 to 2025, will individually have been the 11 warmest years.
  • It will be virtually impossible to limit global warming to 1.5C [2.7F] in the next few years without temporarily overshooting this target, WMO chief Celeste Saulo said, referring to the 2015 Paris climate accords.
  • The mean near-surface temperature during the first eight months of this year stood at 1.42C (2.5F) above the pre-industrial average, according to the WMO report.
  • The UN Environment Programme confirmed that emissions of greenhouse gases increased by a further 2.3 percent last year, an increase driven by India, followed by China, Russia and Indonesia.
  • The Arctic sea ice extent, after the winter freeze this year, was the lowest ever recorded, and the Antarctic sea ice extent tracked well below average throughout the year.

Headline: Australia's Under-16 Social Media Ban: Key Provisions and Objectives

Bullet Points:

  • The new Australian law, which takes effect on 10 December, will block under-16s from using major social media platforms.
  • The ban also applies to TikTok, YouTube, X, Reddit and several other platforms.
  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the measure as a “world-leading” ban intended to “let kids be kids”.
  • Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said it was designed to protect teenagers “from pressures and risks they can be exposed to while logged in to social media accounts”.
  • Under the new law, social media platforms that fail to take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-16s from accessing their services could face fines of up to A$50 million.
  • Teenagers who believe they meet the age requirement can challenge the decision by submitting a “video selfie” for facial age estimation or by providing a government-issued ID such as a driver’s licence.

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South Korea Enacts Nationwide Ban on Phones in School Classrooms (End of August) ▼
  • South Korea has passed a bill banning the use of mobile phones and smart devices during class hours in schools nationwide.
  • The law will come into effect from the next school year in March 2026.
  • The objective is to curb smartphone addiction, which lawmakers, parents, and teachers argue affects students' academic performance, ability to build friendships, and participation in activities, as well as concerns about bullying on social media and harmful effects on brain development and emotional growth.
  • The law gives teachers the power to stop students from using their phones on school premises and asks schools to educate students about the proper use of smart devices.
  • Exemptions are allowed for students with disabilities or special educational needs using assistive devices, and for use for educational purposes or during emergencies.
  • The bill was introduced by Cho Jung-hun, an MP from the opposition People Power Party.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025: Key Features and Objectives (End of August) ▼
  • Scheme/Policy Name: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 — "President Droupadi Murmu on Friday gave her assent to The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025"
  • Objective: "to encourage e-sports and online social games while prohibiting harmful online money gaming services, advertisements, and financial transactions related to them"
  • Key Prohibition: "The Bill seeks to completely ban offering, operating, or facilitating online money games, irrespective of whether based on skill, chance, or both"
  • Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — "the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will establish a dedicated framework" for promotion of e-sports
  • Penalty for Offering/Facilitating: "imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine of up to Rs one crore"
  • Penalty for Advertising: "imprisonment up to two years and/or a fine up to Rs 50 lakh"
  • Penalty for Financial Transactions: "imprisonment up to three years and/or a fine up to Rs one crore"
  • Repeat Offence Penalty: "imprisonment of three to five years and fines up to Rs two crore"
  • Enforcement Powers: "The Central government may authorise officers to investigate, search, and seize digital or physical property linked to offences"
  • Expected GST Impact: "annual losses to the exchequer are expected to be around Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 crore"
Nepal bans 26 social media platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube (Start of September) ▼
  • The K.P. Sharma Oli government announced a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.
  • The decision came after these platforms failed to comply with Nepal’s registration requirements.
  • The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ordered the Nepal Telecommunication Authority to make inactive all non-registered social media sites until they are registered.
  • The government had set August 28 as the final registration date with a seven-day grace period.
  • The ban is based on a recent Supreme Court ruling and the government’s Directives Relating to the Regulation for Usage of Social Media.
  • Free speech advocates criticized the move, arguing it is more about silencing dissent than regulation.
  • Ujjwal Acharya, director of the Center for Media Research, described the step as a mistake and warned it would harm Nepal’s democratic reputation.
  • Nepal previously blocked TikTok in November 2023; the ban was lifted in August 2024 after TikTok agreed to register locally.
  • The Oli government has faced accusations of being increasingly hostile toward online critics.
  • Public backlash online described the ban as 'unwise' and 'a case of the government shooting itself in the foot.'

Headline: Arunachal Pradesh Government's Initiative for Securing GI Tags for Indigenous Products

Bullet Points:

  • The traditional Arunachal Pradesh Dao has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique cultural and geographical heritage.
  • The certification was granted by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, as part of the Arunachal Pradesh government's aggressive pursuit of GI registrations.
  • The GI tag aims to safeguard authenticity by ensuring only Daos produced in Arunachal Pradesh using traditional methods bear the label, enhance economic opportunities for artisans, promote tourism and branding, and preserve endangered skills.
  • The government plans to support artisans through specialized training programs, branding initiatives, improved marketing linkages, and collaborations with organizations like NABARD for post-GI marketing and skill development, aligning with its “Brand Arunachal” initiative.
  • The state hosted its first GI Mahotsav in New Delhi in 2025, displaying certified products to a national audience, as part of its broader strategy to empower rural artisans and boost the local economy.

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Arunachal Pradesh: India's Orchid State and New Orchid Discovery (Start of September) ▼
  • Gastrochilus pechei, an orchid previously known to bloom only in Myanmar, has been recorded in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Arunachal Pradesh is often referred to as the Orchid State of India.
  • Arunachal Pradesh boasts approximately 60% of the country’s orchid varieties.
Arunachal Pradesh to host inaugural Sun Rise Festival in Dong village (Start of September) ▼
  • The inaugural Sun Rise Festival will be hosted in Dong village, Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the five-day festival, which will run from December 29 to January 2.
  • The festival aims to boost eco-tourism and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.
  • Set against the backdrop of India's easternmost village, the festival will showcase adventure, nature, and culture.
  • Visitors will get to witness the first sunrise of the New Year at the festival.
Supreme Court Directs Jharkhand to Declare Saranda Forests as Wildlife Sanctuary and Conservation Reserve (Mid of November) ▼
  • The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to declare the Saranda forests as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve.
  • The directive prohibits any mining activity within a one-km radius of the boundary of the declared sanctuary and conservation reserve.
  • The bench directed the state government to notify the area comprising 126 compartments as notified in 1968 notification, excluding six compartments, as a wildlife sanctuary within three months from the date of the judgment.
  • The Supreme Court stated that the state cannot run away from its duty to declare the extent of 31,468.25 hectares as Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, overruling the state’s plan to declare only a part of the forest as sanctuary.
  • The bench directed the state “to give wide publicity to the fact that by this judgment, neither the individual rights nor the community rights of the tribals and the forest dwellers in the said area would be adversely affected” and that “in view of the provision of… the Forest Rights Act, all rights of tribals and forest dwellers, both individually as well as of community, shall stand protected”.
  • The directive is based on “the mandate of Articles 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, Section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act, and particularly in the light of the report of the Wildlife Institute of India”.
  • The top court reiterated its direction that “mining within the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and within an area of 1 km from the boundary of such National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary shall not be permissible.”
  • The National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-31 “recognises the need to enhance the protected area network (broadly including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, community reserves etc.) and to demarcate boundaries for protected areas” and “further stresses on in situ conservation of threatened species, and the need for immediate conservation measures including the protection of critical habitations”.
Haryana Government Notification on ‘Dictionary Meaning of Forest’: Key Provisions and Impact (End of August) ▼
  • Policy Name: Haryana Government Notification dated August 18 defining the “dictionary meaning of forest” issued by the Environment, Forest and Wildlife department.
  • Key Provisions: A patch of land is deemed a ‘forest’ only if it is ≥5 hectares in isolation or ≥2 hectares in contiguity with government-notified forests and has a canopy density of 0.4 (40%) or more; linear/compact/agro-forestry plantations and orchards outside notified forests are explicitly excluded.
  • Objective: To operationalise the Supreme Court’s March 4 directive for States/UTs to define “forest” and complete surveys of forest lands under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
  • Implementing Body: State- and district-level expert committees constituted by the Haryana government to identify forest areas and submit GIS-based reports to the Centre.

Headline: Shardul Thakur to captain Mumbai in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy

Bullet Points:

  • Shardul Thakur will lead Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy, commencing on November 26 in Lucknow.
  • Mumbai are the defending champions, having won the SMAT title last season under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy.
  • Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube are available for Mumbai’s league-stage matches.

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Indian Oil Mumbai wins 42nd Indian Oil Servo Surjit Hockey Trophy (Start of November) ▼
  • Indian Oil Mumbai defeated Indian Railways Delhi 2-1 in the final.
  • The final was held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.
  • Indian Oil Mumbai scored both goals through penalty corners.
  • Indian Railways Delhi scored a field goal.
  • Indian Oil Mumbai received a cash prize of Rs. 5.51 lakh and the winner’s trophy.
  • Indian Railways Delhi received Rs. 2.50 lakh and the runner-up trophy.
  • Talwinder Singh of Indian Oil was named best player of the tournament.
  • Olympian Harmanpreet Singh of Punjab Police was declared best scorer and awarded Rs. 51,000.
Raahul VS becomes India’s 91st Grandmaster after winning 6th ASEAN Individual Championship (Start of November) ▼
  • Raahul VS became India's 91st Grandmaster after winning the 6th ASEAN Individual Championship with a round to spare.
  • Raahul VS is 21 years old and had previously attained the International Master title in 2021.
  • Illamparthi AR became India’s 90th Grandmaker a week earlier after achieving his final norm at the Bijeljina Open 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • S Rohith Krishna became India’s 89th Grandmaster in August after making his final GM norm at the Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup in Kazakhstan.
Shafali Verma Honoured by Haryana CM with Cash Prize and Brand Ambassador Role (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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.
Mohammed Lateef Khan conferred Maulana Abul Kalam Azad National Award 2025 (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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: Key Features and Specifications of the HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft

Bullet Points:

  • The Tejas is primarily a single-seat fighter aircraft, though the Indian Air Force uses a twin-seat trainer version as well.
  • The Technology Demonstrator-1 (TD-1) completed its first test flight in 2001, while the Second Series Production (SP2) aircraft under the Initial Operational Clearance ( IOC ) category carried out its maiden flight on 22 March 2016.
  • Reports state that the Tejas can handle a maximum payload of 4,000 kg.
  • It is a single-engine, single-pilot aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of around 13,300 kg.
  • According to available details, the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas is classified as a 4.5-generation fighter capable of carrying out multiple roles.
  • As per reports, Tejas is considered one of the smallest and lightest aircraft in its category, made possible by its compact design and extensive use of composite materials.
  • The government recently approved the purchase of 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the IAF, as reported in August.

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Collins Aerospace opens $100 million advanced manufacturing facility in Bengaluru (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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.
India Pavilion Inaugurated at Dubai Air Show 2025 to Promote Defence Technology Cooperation (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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
National Aviation Safety Centre: India to Establish First-of-its-Kind Regional Training Hub (End of October) ▼
  • Scheme Name: National Aviation Safety Centre – "the first of its kind institution in the region to train investigators and aviation professionals modelled on global best practices"
  • Objective: "to train aircraft accident investigators and aviation professionals" and "build world-class safety infrastructure and human capital"
  • Implementing Authority: Civil Aviation Ministry (announced by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha)
  • Key Provision: Government is "doubling" the number of professionals in regulatory and investigation roles
  • Institutional Support: Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will continue to classify occurrences and conduct detailed accident investigations
Dubai to Launch World's First Urban Aerial Taxi Network in 2026 (Mid of November) ▼
  • Dubai is set to launch the world's first comprehensive urban aerial taxi network in 2026.
  • The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has named four priority vertiport locations: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.
  • The RTA, in partnership with US-based Joby Aviation, successfully completed the UAE's first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight.
  • This breakthrough flight saw the air taxi lift off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and land 17 minutes later at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
  • The primary vertiport hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is being constructed by Skyports Infrastructure, is 60% complete, and will be seamlessly connected to the Emirates Metro Station.
  • The vehicle at the heart of the service is the fully electric Joby S4 air taxi, designed to carry a pilot and four passengers.
  • The Joby S4 air taxi boasts a maximum speed of 320 km/h and has a flight range of 160 km on a single charge.
  • The trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take only 10 to 12 minutes by air, a journey that currently takes approximately 45 minutes by car.

Headline: India-Afghanistan Air Cargo Link Reactivated

Bullet Points:

  • Kabul–Delhi and Kabul–Amritsar air freight corridors have been 'activated' and are ready for use
  • India completed its formalities; flights begin once Afghanistan submits remaining documents
  • Afghan carriers continue regular passenger flights to Delhi while Indian airlines cannot fly to Afghanistan due to Pakistan's closed airspace

Similar Headlines

US withdraws sanctions waiver for India-developed Chabahar port in Iran (End of September) ▼
  • The United States is withdrawing the sanctions waiver granted to Iran’s Chabahar port, which is being developed by India.
  • The 2018 waiver was provided during the first term of President Donald Trump.
  • Chabahar is Iran’s first deepwater port, located at the mouth of the Gulf of Oman.
  • The port is of strategic importance to India, offering an alternative route that bypasses Pakistan for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia.
  • Chabahar is also part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • India’s investment is restricted to the Shahid Beheshti port within the Chabahar project.
  • India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a trilateral agreement in April 2016.
  • The revocation of the sanctions exception, issued under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act (IFCA), is effective September 29, 2025.
  • The withdrawal will adversely impact India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Afghan Commerce Minister visits India to deepen trade ties and seek investments (Mid of November) ▼
  • A high-level delegation led by Taliban’s Industry and Commerce Minister Alhaj Nooruddin Azizi is visiting India for five days.
  • He is expected to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and discuss deepening of trade ties between India and Afghanistan.
  • On Wednesday, Azizi visited the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025.
  • This visit is the first by an Afghan minister to ITPO since 2021, set against escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions, including border closures disrupting exports.
  • Afghanistan is seeking Indian investments in its mining sector and hydroelectric projects, and exploring avenues to bypass Pakistan for enhanced connectivity.
  • Key Indian exports to Afghanistan include pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, food items like sugar, tea, and rice, while imports feature agricultural products and minerals.
  • Recent diplomatic steps have included upgrading India’s Kabul mission to full embassy status in October 2025.
India, Nepal Ink New Rail Transit Deal to Boost Multimodal Trade (Mid of November) ▼
  • India and Nepal signed a Letter of Exchange (LoE) amending the Protocol to the Treaty of Transit.
  • The agreement, exchanged during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi, will facilitate the movement of rail-based freight between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), including bulk cargo under an expanded definition.
  • This liberalization extends to key transit corridors: Kolkata-Jogbani, Kolkata–Nautanwa (Sunauli), and Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa (Sunauli).
  • The Jogbani–Biratnagar rail link, constructed with grant assistance from the Government of India, was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Ministers of India and Nepal on 1 June 2023.
India’s April-October 2025 exports up 4.84% YoY at US$ 491.80 billion; October trade deficit widens to US$ 21.80 billion (Mid of November) ▼
  • Cumulative exports (merchandise & services) April-October 2025: US$ 491.80 billion vs US$ 469.11 billion in April-October 2024, a 4.84% rise.
  • October 2025 total exports: Rs. 6,46,243 crore (US$ 72.89 billion), down 0.68% YoY; imports rose 14.87% to Rs. 8,39,610 crore (US$ 94.70 billion), yielding a trade deficit of Rs. 1,93,279 crore (US$ 21.80 billion).
  • October 2025 merchandise exports: Rs. 3,04,813 crore (US$ 34.38 billion); merchandise imports: Rs. 6,74,348 crore (US$ 76.06 billion).
  • October 2025 services exports estimated at Rs. 3,41,518 crore (US$ 38.52 billion), higher than the previous year.
  • Electronic goods exports October 2025 up 19.05% YoY; meat, dairy & poultry 30.87%; marine products 11.08%; cashew 126.85%; coffee 10.91%.
  • April-October 2025 merchandise exports: Rs. 22,54,181 crore (US$ 254.25 billion); services exports: Rs. 21,06,118 crore (US$ 237.55 billion).
  • Services exports growth April-October 2025: 9.75%.
  • April-October 2025 imports: Rs. 50,53,177 crore (US$ 569.95 billion), up 5.74% YoY.
  • Non-petroleum & non-gems & jewellery exports April-October 2025: Rs. 18,03,344 crore (US$ 203.40 billion).
  • Major export destinations with strong October 2025 growth: China, Spain, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania.

Headline: SC says Governors cannot delay state bills indefinitely, but rejects fixed timelines for assent

Bullet Points:

  • The Supreme Court stated that no timeline can be prescribed by courts for the grant of assent by the Governor or the President.
  • The court clarified that constitutional authorities cannot sit over bills passed by state legislatures indefinitely.
  • The bench held that Governors must decide within a 'reasonable period' while upholding their constitutional discretion.
  • The court upheld that the Governor has discretion under Article 200 and need not act solely on the aid and advice of the Cabinet.
  • The Governor has three constitutional options under Article 200: to assent, to reserve the bill for the President, or to withhold assent and return it with comments.
  • The court emphasized that the Governor is not a mere 'rubber stamp' in the legislative process.
  • The court clarified that judicial review can be invoked only when the bill becomes law, and the discharge of functions by the Governor or the President is not justiciable.
  • In cases of prolonged, unexplained inaction, courts may issue a limited mandamus directing the Governor to act.
  • The court observed that constitutional authorities function like interdependent cogs in a clock, with checks and balances essential to prevent paralysis.

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Supreme Court Rules No Timelines for Governors on Bills (End of November) ▼
  • The Supreme Court held that the Court cannot impose any timelines for decisions of the President and the Governor on granting assent to Bills under the Constitution.
  • A Constitutional bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai issued its opinion while answering 13 questions referred to it by the President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143 of the Constitution.
  • The Supreme Court refused to accept the preliminary objections raised by opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala to maintainability of Presidential Reference.
India Shrimp Tariff Act: Proposed Legislation by US Senators (End of September) ▼
  • **Name of Legislation:** "US senators Bill Cassidy and Cindy Hyde-Smith introduced the India Shrimp Tariff Act"
  • **Introduced by:** "US senators Bill Cassidy and Cindy Hyde-Smith"
  • **Primary Objective:** "to protect Louisiana's shrimp and catfish industries against the allegedly cheaper imports from India."
  • **Stated Rationale:** "According to the senators, Indian shrimp was 'dumped' on the US market with minimal regulation."
  • **Intended Outcome:** "Senator Cassidy's common-sense legislation will help put our domestic industry on a more level playing field, and I will work with him to move this hill forward for the benefit of Gulf Coast shrimpers and everyone who enjoys domestic shrimp."
  • **Implied Provision:** "If the India Shrimp Tariff Act proposes to put additional tax on the 50%, they can't kill us one more time."
SC questions governors' authority to withhold assent to money bills (End of August) ▼
  • The Supreme Court Constitution Bench, led by CJI BR Gavai, raised concerns that interpreting Article 200 to allow governors to withhold assent could enable even money bills to be withheld.
  • Justice Narasimha observed: 'Because, at the threshold, the Governor withholds the Bill. There is a problem because with this power, even a money bill can be withheld.'
  • Solicitor General Tushar Mehta for the Centre said: 'Article 207 requires a governor's nod for introducing a money bill. So there's no scope for withholding by the governor once introduced.'
  • Senior advocate Harish Salve for Maharashtra argued: 'The substantive provision of Article 200 does not say that the governor cannot withhold a money bill.'
  • Salve added: 'If what is approved finally does not accord with what was recommended by the governor, the governor can withhold assent.'
  • Mehta reiterated: 'governors hold four options under Article 200 and that withholding assent leads to the bill falling through.'
  • The hearings arise from a Presidential reference under Article 143(1) made by President Droupadi Murmu after the Court’s April 8 ruling that imposed timelines on governors and the President to act on state bills.
  • Kerala and Tamil Nadu have challenged the maintainability of the reference, calling it an indirect attempt to revisit binding precedents.
Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly's Bills and Policies Praised by President Murmu (Start of November) ▼
  • The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill.
  • The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is in accordance with the policy directives of the Constitution makers under Article 44 of the Constitution.
  • Over 550 bills have been passed in the Uttarakhand Assembly, including the Uttarakhand Lokayukta Bill.
  • Other bills passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly include the Uttarakhand Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Bill.
  • The Anti-Cheating Bill was also passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly.
  • These bills were inspired by transparency, morality, and social justice.

Headline: Government appoints Amit Agrawal as new telecom secretary

Bullet Points:

  • Amit Agrawal has been appointed as the new secretary in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
  • Prior to this appointment, he was serving as the Pharmaceutical Secretary.
  • He is a 1993-batch Chhattisgarh cadre Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer.
  • Agrawal previously served as chief executive officer of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
  • He is a graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.
  • Neeraj Mittal, the outgoing Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, has been shifted to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

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Government Appoints New Secretary-Rank Officers (End of November) ▼
  • 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.
Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia assumes charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance, IAF (Start of September) ▼
  • Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, AVSM, VSM took over as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance (AOM) at IAF Headquarters, New Delhi on 1 September 2025.
  • Commissioned in the Aeronautical Engineering (Electrical) stream of the IAF in September 1988, he has 37 years of service.
  • He is an Electrical Engineering graduate from GEC Jabalpur, holds a Doctorate from Bhopal University, and is an alumnus of BITS Pilani and Madras University.
  • He has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2016 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2025.
  • As AOM, he will oversee the entire maintenance infrastructure of the IAF and spearhead indigenization under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Amit Khare appointed Secretary to Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan (Mid of September) ▼
  • Retired IAS officer Amit Khare, who currently serves as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was appointed secretary to Vice-President (V-P) CP Radhakrishnan.
  • He is a retired 1985-batch officer of Jharkhand cadre.
  • His appointment is on a contract basis for three years.
  • Khare had previously served as Union Higher Education Secretary and Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary.
  • As Higher Education Secretary, he worked on the National Education Policy.
  • He played a role in exposing the fodder scam as district collector of West Singhbhum from 1995 to 1997.
S Sankarasubramanian appointed as Chairman of Fertiliser Association of India (Start of November) ▼
  • S Sankarasubramanian, MD and CEO of Coromandel International Limited, appointed as Chairman of FAI
  • Elevated from previous role as co-chairman by FAI board
  • Brings over 30 years of experience in fertiliser industry, particularly in phosphatic and potassic sector

Headline: FSSAI Orders Immediate Removal of Beverages Misusing ‘ORS’ Label

Bullet Points:

  • Implementing Authority: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has ordered the immediate removal of beverages misusing the ‘ORS’ label.
  • Objective: To ensure the immediate removal of fruit-based beverages, ready-to-serve drinks, energy drinks, electrolyte drinks, and similar products that use the term “ORS” in their brand or product names.
  • Key Provision: No food product, whether fruit-based, non-carbonated, or ready-to-drink, can use the term “ORS” in the trademarked name or in any form, including as a prefix or suffix, as this violates the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
  • Enforcement Mechanism: FSSAI instructed officers to carry out immediate inspections across retail and online platforms to identify non-compliant products, remove them from sale, and take regulatory action against the companies involved.
  • Standard for ORS: The term “ORS” is reserved only for formulations meeting World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for oral rehydration solutions.
  • Judicial Support: The Delhi High Court refused to intervene in FSSAI’s order, noting that counterfeit or misleading ORS-labeled products pose a serious public health risk and that public health must take precedence over commercial considerations.

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India Leads Global Alcohol Market Growth: TBA Volume Up 7% in H1 2025, IWSR Data Shows (Start of November) ▼
  • India posted the highest growth in total beverage alcohol (TBA) consumption among 20 key global markets, with TBA volume rising 7% year-on-year during the January–June 2025 period to cross 440 million 9-litre cases.
  • Indian whisky dominated the spirits category, registering a 7% rise to over 130 million 9-litre cases, while vodka grew 10%, rum 2%, and gin and genever 3%.
  • Premium and above alcohol categories in India rose 8% by both volume and value in the first half of 2025, with ready-to-drink beverages growing 11%, beer at 7%, and spirits at 6%.
  • IWSR forecasts India to become the fifth-largest alcohol market globally by volume, expected to overtake Japan by 2027 and Germany by 2033.
India Re-Elected to Codex Executive Committee (Mid of November) ▼
  • India has been unanimously re-elected to the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC) for the Asia region.
  • This re-election occurred during the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48).
  • India’s leadership in global food safety and trade standards is ensured until 2027.
  • The Indian delegation was led by FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani.
  • India pushed for stronger data systems, updated global databases for additives and pesticide residues, and the use of AI tools to speed up Codex work.
  • Key highlights included the Adoption of the Standard for Fresh Dates and the Forwarding of the Standard for Fresh Curry Leaves.
  • Other approvals included new guidelines for pesticide reference material, an updated aflatoxin code for peanuts, and nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors.
  • The Revival of the Cashew Kernel Standard was noted as a major boost for India’s exports.
  • India also supported global standards for laver products and camel milk.
IPC–Jharkhand Pharmacy Council MoU to Strengthen Pharmacovigilance and Medicine Safety (Mid of November) ▼
  • 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.
FAIFA slams exclusion of farmers from COP11; 36 million livelihoods at risk, urges govt action (Mid of November) ▼
  • The Federation of All India Farmer Associations (FAIFA) condemned the exclusion of farmers and their representatives from the upcoming 11th Conference of the Parties (COP11) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
  • The COP Secretariat continues to deny participation to stakeholders whose livelihoods are directly affected by the discussions, despite repeated appeals from farmer organisations.
  • FAIFA called this exclusion “undemocratic and one-sided,” stating it undermines principles of inclusivity and transparency.
  • FAIFA President PS Murali Babu said farmers are victims of policy decisions made without their voice.
  • The COP Secretariat cited that farmers’ interests are “not aligned” with FCTC objectives for their exclusion.
  • FAIFA called this reasoning illogical and discriminatory, pointing out that Articles 17 and 18 of the FCTC explicitly mandate protection of tobacco farmers’ livelihoods.
  • India is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of Flue-Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco.
  • The trend of policy isolation poses a severe risk to over 36 million people dependent on tobacco cultivation, curing, trading, and allied sectors.
  • FAIFA urged the Government of India’s delegation to COP11 to uphold the interests of India’s farming community and ensure no unilateral decisions harm farmers’ livelihoods.
  • The federation appealed to the WHO and FCTC Secretariat to recognise farmers’ right to be heard in all decisions affecting their future.

Headline: IMD issues cyclone alert over Bay of Bengal, heavy rain likely in Andaman

Bullet Points:

  • India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued alert due to cyclonic circulation over Bay of Bengal likely to intensify
  • Heavy to very heavy rainfall (07-20 cm) very likely at one or two places in Nicobar Island; heavy rainfall (07-11 cm) expected in Andaman Island
  • Squally weather with surface wind speed 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph very likely over Andaman Sea
  • Local Cautionary Signal-3 issued at Port Blair Port; fishermen advised not to venture into Andaman Sea till November 23
  • Directorate of Shipping Services likely to reschedule or cancel inter-island vessels and harbour/ferry services at short notice for safety

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Philippines hit by 'intense' typhoon as nearly a million evacuate (Mid of November) ▼
  • Typhoon Fung-wong made landfall in the Philippines with sustained winds of around 185 km/h and gusts of 230 km/h.
  • More than 900,000 people have been evacuated.
  • Two people have died: one person drowned and a woman was found trapped under debris in Catbalogan City.
  • The eye of the storm hit Aurora province in Luzon.
  • The storm weakened to a typhoon and was over La Union in western Luzon by 02:00.
  • The country's meteorological service warned of destructive winds and 'high-risk of life-threatening' storm surges.
  • Almost 300 flights have been cancelled and several airports closed.
  • More than 200mm of rain is forecast for parts of Luzon, with 100–200mm expected in Metro Manila.
  • Typhoon Fung-wong comes days after Typhoon Kalmaegi, which left nearly 200 people dead and over 100 still missing.
  • The Filipino government declared a state of calamity across the country after Typhoon Kalmaegi and in preparation for the coming storm.
India's Humanitarian Aid Initiative for Hurricane-Hit Jamaica and Cuba (Start of November) ▼
  • **Initiative Type:** India's humanitarian aid and HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) relief materials.
  • **Announced By:** External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar.
  • **Beneficiaries:** Hurricane-hit Jamaica and Cuba.
  • **Purpose:** To assist friends in recovery and reconstruction after natural disasters.
  • **Key Component:** The relief material includes an Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube.
  • **Other Relief Materials:** Rehabilitation support items, food & daily utilities, medicines, medical equipment, power generators, shelter support and hygiene kits.
  • **Dispatch Method:** An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight was dispatched from India.
PM Modi Announces Financial Assistance and Relief Measures for Flood-Hit Punjab (Mid of September) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for flood-hit Punjab.
  • An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the seriously injured in the floods and natural calamity was announced.
  • There will be advance release of the second instalment of SDRF (State Disaster Response Fund) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
  • Recovery measures include rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing relief through the PMNRF (PM National Relief Fund), and distributing mini kits for livestock.
  • The Union Government will work closely with the state governments in this difficult time and extend all possible assistance.
NDMA and J&K SDMA Launch Survey to Study Cloudbursts and Flash Floods in Himalayas (Start of September) ▼
  • a comprehensive survey has been started by National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA ) in collaboration with Jammu & Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (J&K SDMA) to gauge the causes of cloudburst and flash floods, tracing the source of gushing water and seeking remedial measures.
  • Satellite mapping is also being done by ISRO to see Himalayan tops, whether any glacial lake, not accessible but flooding
  • The survey by NDMA and J&K SDMA has started the survey to find the source of water, ground situation in the Himalayas , reason for such huge flow of water, causative factors and the future remedial measures to prevent such huge infrastructural damage and life losses. Multi-disciplinary approach has been taken,” Mishra said.
  • In the Himalayan areas, it was seen in Uttarkahand’s Dharali that collapse of boulders and landmasses coming out with slurry materials and houses were destroyed and washed out. If there is too much flood, cloudburst and Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLAF)-when glaciers melt and lakes are in a half-melted state, due to micro-seismicity, overflowing of lakes happen. It is multi-augmented type of disaster that is taking place,” Mishra, who is also Director of National Centre for Seismology & Advisor to Ministry of Earth Sciences OP Mishra told ET.
  • When seismic plates move, it leads to earthquakes and such slurry materials come out. The proxies of climate change show that the modulation of seismicity is also responsible for such cloudbursts and flash floods for this reason. It is happening in polar regions, leading to the increase in melting of the ice and reduction of ice thickness. Thickness of the ice sheet decreases means lithospheric load is decreasing. Too many earthquakes are happening,” Misha said, adding, “There is bumping of earth crust and micro seismicity is taking place. This generates immense energy and it cracks the entire rock masses. Himalaya is a very seismogenic zone-central Himalayas, Kashmir Himalayas and Uttarakhand and Himachal Himalayas.”
  • If recurrent losses of lives and destruction of properties happen, construction of disaster-resilient houses, bridges and power plants with proper engineering solutions is the way. A protective plan is important.
  • With advanced technology, houses should not be built in these regions, closer to Himalayan foothills.

Headline: India-France sign overarching R&D pact for future defence challenges

Bullet Points:

  • Agreement signed by DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat and France’s National Armaments Director Lt Gen Gael Diaz de Tuesta at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi
  • Enables joint R&D, sharing of know-how, joint training, and co-held intellectual property rights
  • Key cooperation areas: aeronautical platforms, unmanned vehicles, advanced materials, cybersecurity, AI, space, navigation, advanced propulsion, sensors, quantum tech, underwater tech

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India, Israel ink pact on defence cooperation during 17th JWG meeting (Start of November) ▼
  • India and Israel Tuesday signed a pact on defence cooperation.
  • The MoU was signed during the 17th meeting of Joint Working Group (JWG) on defence cooperation.
  • The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Director General of Israeli Ministry of Defense Maj Gen (Res) Amir Baram in Tel Aviv.
  • The MoU will enable the sharing of advanced technology and would promote co-development and co-production.
  • A wide range of areas for cooperation have been identified in the MoU, which include strategic dialogues of mutual interest, training, defence industrial cooperation, and capabilities including science and technology, research & development, and technological innovation, artificial intelligence and cyber security cooperation.
India and Vietnam Sign Agreements to Expand Defence Cooperation (Mid of November) ▼
  • India and Vietnam inked a pact to set up a framework for submarine search, rescue and support mechanism in case of any eventualities.
  • The two sides also signed a letter of intent LoI to strengthen bilateral defence industry collaboration.
  • The documents were signed after the two sides held the 15th edition of India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue DPD in Hanoi.
  • A Memorandum of Agreement MoA was signed for 'mutual submarine search, rescue support and cooperation'.
  • The letter of intent on strengthening defence industry cooperation aims to promote transfer of technology, prioritise core-technology domains and to undertake joint cooperation in research.
India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Defence Tech & Maritime Security Pacts (Start of September) ▼
  • India and Singapore decided to deepen defence technology cooperation in quantum computing, AI, automation and unmanned vessels.
  • Singapore acknowledged India's interest in the Malacca Straits patrol, recognising India as a 'contiguous state' due to the Andaman Islands.
  • Both sides agreed to strengthen Maritime Domain Awareness cooperation between their Information Fusion Centres, including via International Liaison Officers.
Rajnath Singh at ADMM-Plus: Indo-Pacific must stay open and free from coercion (Start of November) ▼
  • Event: ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Participants: ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the US
  • India currently co-chairs the ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle