Daily Current Affairs: 24 November 2025

Headline: National Cashew Day observed on November 23

Bullet Points:

• National Cashew Day is celebrated every year on November 23 to honour the cashew nut.
• Cashews originally come from Brazil, where indigenous tribes first discovered the cashew tree.
• Portuguese explorers carried cashews to India and Africa in the 1500s.
• India became one of the world’s biggest cashew processors by the 20th century.
• Cashews grow outside the fruit, attached to the cashew apple, and each cashew apple grows only one single cashew nut.

Headline: Arunodoy Dohutia surrendered as top leader of United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I).

Bullet Points:

• Arunodoy Dohutia surrendered before a joint team of Assam Police and Assam Rifles along the Indo-Myanmar border.
• He deposited war-like stores at the time of surrender.
• He is expected to be taken to Delhi for further investigation.

Headline: Shramik Kalyan Divas: Cheques Presented for Excellence

Bullet Points:

• Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal participated in the Shramik Kalyan Divas (Workers’ Welfare Day) at Chabua in Dibrugarh on November 22.
• The event commemorated the birth anniversary of Santosh Kumar Topno, a prominent leader from the tea garden community from Assam.
• During the event, Sonowal presented cheques to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated excellence across various sectors, including education, healthcare, welfare of tea garden workers, and infrastructure development in tea garden areas.

Headline: Astronomers Spot Possible Primordial Cluster Beyond Neptune

Bullet Points:

• Astronomers believe they may have discovered evidence of a mysterious structure far beyond Neptune, hidden deep inside the Kuiper Belt.
• The Kuiper Belt extends approximately 30 to 50 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun and contains icy remnants left behind during the solar system's formation.
• A team of scientists from Princeton University, led by astrophysicist Aamir Siraj, has identified a new structure at a distance of approximately 43 AU.
• They believe it could be a 'primordial cluster'—a group of icy objects that has existed virtually unchanged since the early solar system.
• The extremely calm and stable orbits of these objects indicate the region's antiquity and minimal disruption.
• This discovery could help explain how giant planets formed and gradually reached their current orbits.
• The new structure shows even lower eccentricity than the previously identified 'kernel' region, suggesting it may be even older and more stable.
• According to Princeton researchers, the classical belt's structure should be understood as consisting of three major components: a 'hot' component and two 'cold' components called the core and the kernel.

Headline: Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn wins Grand Sumo Tournament

Bullet Points:

• Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn on Sunday became the first from his nation to win a tournament of the traditional Japanese sport.
• The 21-year-old won the Kyushu tournament after a tie-breaking victory over grand champion Hoshoryu from Mongolia.
• Known by his ring name Aonishiki Arata, he speaks fluent Japanese.
• Yavhusishyn arrived in Japan three years ago after fleeing Ukraine and has climbed the sumo ranks at record speed.
• The Japan Sumo Association will soon hold a special meeting to promote him to “ozeki”, the second-highest ranking.
• He left Ukraine after Russia’s February 2022 invasion and arrived in Japan two months later.
• He sought refuge in Germany before moving to Japan, and his parents stayed in Germany.
• Yavhusishyn became the second Ukraine-born professional sumo wrestler when he made his debut in July 2023.
• His promotion to sumo’s upper divisions was the fifth fastest since the current system of six tournaments a year was introduced in 1958.
• The ambitious wrestler said he now has his sights on reaching the top of the sumo hierarchy.

Headline: India, Australia, and Canada Form New Trilateral Technology and Innovation Alliance

Bullet Points:

• India, Australia and Canada agreed to form a new trilateral technology and innovation alliance called the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.
• The three sides agreed to strengthen their ambition in cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to complement existing bilateral initiatives.
• The initiative will draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and have an emphasis on green energy innovation and building resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
• It will deepen their respective ambition and strategic collaboration towards net zero and drive further diversification of supply chains towards a secure, sustainable, and resilient future.
• The Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of our citizens.
• They agreed that officials should convene in the first quarter of 2026 to take the initiative forward.
• Separately, Modi met his British counterpart Keir Starmer and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
• Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, Modi called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters and proposed setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team.

Headline: 'Resilience can't be built in silos': PM Modi proposes critical minerals, satellite data initiatives at G20

Bullet Points:

• PM Modi proposed a G20 initiative to enhance clean energy transitions by boosting recycling, easing supply chain pressures, and advancing joint research on critical minerals.
• He suggested forging a partnership to make satellite data more accessible and interoperable, proposing the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make G20 space agencies' data available to developing countries for various activities.
• Modi emphasized strengthening global cooperation to deal with natural disasters, stating that 'resilience cannot be built in silos' and advocating for greater collaboration.
• He called for the G20 to promote comprehensive strategies linking nutrition, public health, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness to build a stronger global security system.
• India established the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G20 Presidency and advocates for a 'development-centric' approach to disaster resilience, which is India's vision behind setting up the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• India proposed a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to promote recycling, urban mining, second-life batteries, and related innovations, aiming to strengthen clean energy transitions and supply chain security.
• During the New Delhi G20 Summit, a resolution was made to triple renewable energy and double the energy efficiency rate by 2030, requiring developed countries to fulfill their commitments to provide affordable climate finance and technology.
• Modi highlighted the Deccan Principles on Food Security adopted during India's presidency as a basis for creating a G20 roadmap on food security and called for greater collective action on the climate agenda to strengthen food security.
• He sought a greater voice for the Global South in global governance structures, noting that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of G20 in the New Delhi Summit was a major step forward that must be taken beyond G20.
• A declaration adopted at the G20 Leaders' Summit underlined solidarity, equality, and sustainability as key pillars of inclusive growth, also prominently mentioning energy security, climate action, and disaster resilience and response.
• G20 members comprise the world's major economies, representing 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world's population.
• South Africa is hosting the G20 Summit, marking the first time it is held on the African continent and the fourth consecutive summit of the grouping to be held in the Global South, following Brazil (2024), India (2023), and Indonesia (2022).

Headline: Tropical Cyclone Fina threatens Darwin with destructive winds and flooding

Bullet Points:

• Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said Fina, a Category 3 cyclone sitting in the Van Diemen Gulf with wind gusts up to 165 kilometres per hour (102 miles per hour), was forecast to hit the region’s remote Tiwi Islands and Cape Hotham on Saturday afternoon.
• It would then likely pass north of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, on Saturday as a “severe tropical cyclone”.
• Weather bureau senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said that while the cyclone was not expected to make landfall, it would bring “widespread heavy rainfall and damaging-to-locally destructive winds” to Darwin, which has a population of about 140,000 people.
• Kirsten Engels, the Northern Territory Emergency Operations Centre incident controller, urged everyone in affected areas to activate their household emergency plans and move to public shelters if needed.
• The warning for Darwin conjures painful memories of Cyclone Tracy, which destroyed much of the city on Christmas Day in 1974, killing 71 people, in one of Australia’s worst-ever natural disasters.

Headline: Uranium found in breast milk in 6 Bihar districts

Bullet Points:

• A study conducted between October 2021 and July 2024 detected Uranium (U238) in all breast milk samples analysed from 40 mothers aged 17-35 in Bhojpur, Samastipur, Begusarai, Khagaria, Katihar and Nalanda.
• Uranium concentrations ranged from 0 to 5.25 g/L, and there is no permissible limit for uranium in breast milk.
• Khagaria recorded the highest average contamination, Nalanda the lowest, while Katihar showed the single-highest reading.
• Nearly 70% of infants faced exposure levels associated with potential non-carcinogenic health risks.
• The source of the uranium contamination remains unclear, and the Geological Survey of India is also trying to find out.
• Uranium can cause cancer, neurological disorders, affect the growth of children, kidney damage, neurological impairment, cognitive delays, and increase the risk of cancer later in life.
• Bihar's environmental conditions, including heavy dependence on groundwater, discharge of untreated industrial effluents, and long-term use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, have already led to contamination with arsenic, lead and mercury in biological samples.
• Infants are especially vulnerable to uranium because their organs are still developing, they absorb toxic metals more readily, and their low body weight amplifies exposure.
• Despite the alarming results, the researchers strongly emphasised that breastfeeding should continue, as it remains irreplaceable for immunity and early development, and should be discontinued only on medical advice.
• The study calls for urgent biomonitoring, rigorous water-quality testing, and immediate public-health intervention.

Headline: Oman makes history with launch of first national communications satellite, OmanSat-1

Bullet Points:

• Oman is set to launch its first communications satellite, OmanSat-1, in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space.
• The satellite will expand secure communications across Oman and the region, support critical sectors, and develop local expertise.
• OmanSat-1 will be based on Airbus’ OneSat platform, featuring full digital flexibility that allows reconfiguration while in orbit.
• The satellite will operate in the high-capacity Ka frequency band, covering Oman, including its economic waters, as well as regions across the Middle East, East Africa, and Asia.
• Space Communications Technologies, a company owned by the Oman Investment Authority, will act as both the national operator after launch and the executive arm during the design and manufacturing phases.
• OmanSat-1 will strengthen Oman’s digital sovereignty, allowing the country to provide secure and independent communications and data services.
• The project focuses on local capacity building, integrating local companies into the supply chain and collaborating with universities to boost scientific research.
• OmanSat-1 is a cornerstone of the National Space Policy (2023–2033), aimed at positioning Oman as a regional hub for space services.
• The satellite aligns with Oman Vision 2040, emphasizing innovation and advanced technology as central pillars in developing a diversified, knowledge-based economy.

Headline: Indian Women Clinch Inaugural Blind T20 Cricket World Cup

Bullet Points:

• India won the inaugural T20 Blind Women's World Cup after defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the final at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.
• India restricted Nepal to 114 for 5 after opting to bowl.
• India coasted to 117 for 3 in just 12 overs to win the title.
• Nepal managed only a single boundary in their innings.
• Phula Saren top-scored for India in the run chase with 44 not out.
• India had beaten Australia in the first semifinal.
• Nepal had won against Pakistan in the second semifinal.
• Co-hosts Sri Lanka won only one game—against the USA—out of five preliminary round games.
• Pakistan's Mehreen Ali scored over 600 runs in the tournament, including a 78-ball 230 against Sri Lanka and 133 against Australia.

Headline: Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 row: Chandigarh’s unique status, and why Punjab opposes proposed change

Bullet Points:

• The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 proposed to include Chandigarh under Article 240, which would pave the way for the city to get an independent administrator, altering its current status where the Governor of Punjab holds additional charge as its Administrator.
• Chandigarh holds a unique status as a Union Territory and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, an arrangement established after Haryana was carved out under The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, with properties divided in a 60:40 ratio.
• Punjab opposes the proposed change and stakes sole claim to Chandigarh because it was built as a replacement for Lahore, the united Punjab’s capital after Partition, and the Centre had announced in 1970 that the capital project area of Chandigarh should, as a whole, go to Punjab, a claim Punjab considers undisputed.

Headline: PM Modi Tamil Nadu Visit LIVE Updates: Natural Farming Summit, PM-KISAN release, Stalin’s Metro row

Bullet Points:

• PM Modi will inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore.
• PM Modi will release over Rs 18,000 crore to farmers under the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN, benefiting 9 crore farmers nationwide.
• PM Modi will arrive in Coimbatore at 1:30 pm from Puttaparthi after attending the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
• The summit will promote natural and regenerative farming, strengthen market linkages for FPOs and rural entrepreneurs, and showcase innovations in organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging, and indigenous technologies.
• More than 50,000 farmers, experts, and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states are expected to attend the summit.
• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the Centre of denying Metro rail projects to Madurai and Coimbatore, calling it “political revenge” against an Opposition-ruled state.
• Stalin wrote an open letter to the PM seeking urgent support for the state’s bumper harvest and monsoon-related needs ahead of Modi’s Coimbatore visit.
• The Tamil Nadu BJP launched the “#VanakkamModi” campaign, calling PM Modi “a true friend of every farmer.”
• IMD has issued fresh alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy showers through the week in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
• Chennai could see heavier rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with parents advised to stay in touch with schools for updates.

Headline: Government Notifies Amendments to the Capital Gains Accounts Scheme, 1988 to Enable Electronic Payments and Digital Processes

Bullet Points:

• The CBDT vide Notification No. 161/2025 dated November 19, 2025 has notified the Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025.
• The Scheme now formally incorporates section 54GA, allowing depositors claiming exemption on account of shifting of industrial undertakings from urban areas to Special Economy Zones to use CGAS accounts.
• A detailed definition of “electronic mode” has been inserted, enabling deposits through Credit/Debit Cards, Net Banking, IMPS, UPI, RTGS, NEFT and BHIM Aadhaar Pay.
• All earlier references to “cheque or draft” have been expanded to include electronic mode of payment across application and deposit processes.
• The effective date of deposit for exemption purposes will now be the date on which the electronic payment is received by the deposit office, subject to realization.
• Depositors may now use electronic statements of account in place of physical passbooks for operations such as withdrawals, transfers, or account closure.
• Closure of CGAS accounts shall only be executed electronically using digital signature or electronic verification code (EVC) starting 1 April 2027.
• The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) is assigned responsibility for prescribing procedures for Form G and Form H filing, forwarding digitally filed forms to jurisdictional Assessing Officers, specifying the standards for EVC generation, and ensuring secure storage, archival, and retrieval of electronically submitted forms.
• Forms A and C have been updated to include section 54GA, provide fields for transactions made via electronic modes, and insert new fields for RTGS/IMPS/NEFT transaction details under the deposit office section.

Headline: Steel Ministry launches ‘SARAL SIMS’ for simplified import registration

Bullet Points:

• The Steel Ministry has introduced a new facility, ‘SARAL SIMS’, to streamline compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS) for small consignments and export-linked imports.
• The new system allows a single annual number for multiple imports and reduces regular SIMS fields for easier compliance.
• The system will be available from November 21, 2025.
• Importers will need to declare only the total intended quantity of import to receive a SARAL SIMS number, which can be used for multiple consignments during the financial year.
• The facility is available for imports of consignments up to 10 MT, with an annual cap of 1,000 MT under ‘SARAL SIMS for small import’.
• It is also available for imports made under Advance Authorisation, SEZ and EOU routes under ‘SARAL SIMS for export purposes’, with no quantity limit.
• For 2025-26, the threshold for small imports will be 500 MT until April 2026, with the annual cap of 1,000 MT applying from 2026-27.
• Importers will need to file an annual return by April 30 of the following financial year, detailing actual imports made under SARAL SIMS.
• Importers can import against a SARAL SIMS number generated in a financial year until April 30 of the next year.
• If an importer exceeds 1,000 MT of actual imports in a financial year under the small import category, they must shift to regular SIMS for the remainder of that year and cannot return to SARAL SIMS for that period.
• The registration process under regular SIMS has been revised, cutting the number of required fields from 56 to 20.
• The ministry has revoked the requirement for clarification or NOC for non-QCO steel grades, allowing importers to generate SIMS numbers for such grades directly through the portal.
• The changes are intended to simplify registration and support ease of doing business.

Headline: India & France ink pact for joint R&D. The aim—to develop solutions for future defence challenges

Bullet Points:

• Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) Thursday signed a technical agreement to deepen bilateral collaboration in the field of research and development.
• The agreement, signed by DRDO chief Samir V. Kamat and France’s armaments director Gael Diaz de Tuesta, is an overarching pact enabling joint R&D, not tied to any one project.
• This strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for future defence challenges, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.
• The agreement provides a formal framework for joint research and training programmes, testing activities, exchange of information, organisation of workshops, seminars etc. to enhance the skill and knowledge in defence R&D.
• Under the agreement, the transfer of equipment, know-how and technologies will be available to both countries.
• Key areas of cooperation outlined in this agreement include aeronautical platforms, unmanned vehicles, advanced materials for defence applications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, navigation, advanced propulsion, advanced sensors, quantum technologies, underwater technologies and other areas of mutual interest, the statement said.
• Both countries are looking at declaring 2026 as the ‘India-France year of innovation’ which will not be limited to just pure defence.
• France was India’s first strategic partner and an agreement to this effect was signed on 26 January 1998.

Headline: GeM–UN Women Sign MoU to Empower Women Entrepreneurs in Public Procurement

Bullet Points:

• The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Women.
• The partnership aims to integrate more women entrepreneurs from the informal sector into India’s public procurement ecosystem.
• The MoU was signed at GeM’s headquarters in the Jeevan Bharti Building, New Delhi.
• The MoU places a strong emphasis on advancing GeM’s Womaniya initiative.
• The Womaniya initiative is designed to increase procurement from women-led enterprises and expand government market access for women entrepreneurs and SHGs.
• Smt. Kanta Singh, Country Representative, UN Women India, and Shri Ajit B. Chavan, Additional CEO, GeM, officially signed the MoU.
• GeM serves as the national online procurement portal for Central Government Ministries, State Governments, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), and Autonomous bodies.
• UN Women will contribute strategic expertise and global best practices by designing training tools and recommending global models of gender-responsive procurement.
• GeM will complement these efforts through capacity-building training for women-led enterprises and sensitisation workshops for government buyers.
• The MoU directly contributes to SDG 5: Gender Equality and Empowerment of All Women and Girls.
• The initiative also aligns with the Government of India's broader missions, including Skill India, Startup India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and Digital India.
• The GeM–UN Women MoU marks a transformative step toward building an inclusive, equitable and gender-responsive public procurement ecosystem in India.

Headline: Govt scraps sign-on/sign-off and shore leave pass for crew of Indian flag ships engaged in coastal trade

Bullet Points:

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has scrapped the coastal sign-on/sign-off and shore leave pass (SLP) procedures for crew and supernumerary of Indian flag ships solely engaged in coastal trade, dredgers, barges and research vessels operating within port limits.
• The shore access of crew, supernumerary of Indian flag coastal vessels plying exclusively on local routes shall, henceforth, be regulated by the port authorities.
• The move follows demands from the shipping industry to ease the procedures as Indian seafarers were facing difficulties with the existing immigration process.
• The Home Ministry has asked the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to direct the port authorities concerned to keep a record/data of the crew, supernumerary of the Indian flag coastal run vessels.
• The Bureau of Immigration shall conduct periodical surprise inspections and seek crew lists from the Indian flag coastal run vessels, dredgers, barges, research vessels and similar types/categories of vessels operating within port limits.

Headline: Central Bank of Oman unveils new currency symbol for Omani Rial

Bullet Points:

• The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has unveiled an official symbol for the Omani Rial.
• This marks a major national milestone and standardizes the currency’s representation across financial, commercial, and digital platforms.
• The symbol reflects Oman’s rich heritage and economic maturity.
• It aligns with Oman Vision 2040, strengthening global recognition, investor confidence, and the Sultanate’s position as a growing financial hub.
• Ahmed Ja’afar Al Musalmi, Governor of the Central Bank of Oman, described the adoption of the symbol as a strategic initiative.
• The symbol will facilitate international exchange operations by ensuring the currency is immediately recognizable.
• Its design draws inspiration from Oman’s rich heritage, linking Oman’s economic past with its contemporary ambitions.
• The CBO anticipates that the new symbol will strengthen global recognition of the Omani Rial and support Oman’s growing economic integration with the world.

Headline: Fintech firm Easebuzz receives RBI nod for full-service payment aggregator operations

Bullet Points:

• Fintech firm Easebuzz has secured authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a full-service Payment Aggregator.
• The authorisation covers online, offline, and cross-border transactions.
• Easebuzz is now among only three Indian payment fintechs to hold all three key licenses.
• This approval enables Easebuzz to provide merchants with end-to-end payment capabilities, including online payment acceptance, in-person payments through POS devices and UPI soundboxes, and cross-border inward and outward transactions.
• Rohit Prasad, MD & CEO of Easebuzz, stated that the move stresses the RBI’s “progressive approach” in enabling innovation across integrated payment ecosystems.
• Easebuzz currently serves more than 2.5 lakh merchants.
• It processes around 3 million transactions per day.
• Its annualised Gross Transaction Value stands at over $50 billion.
• For FY2024-25, the company reported revenue of ₹656 crore and a net profit of ₹19 crore.
• Easebuzz continues to focus on sector-specific SaaS integrations as part of its long-term strategy.
• Its verticalised solutions cater to sectors such as education, insurance, NBFCs, travel, e-commerce, retail, government and real estate, embedding payment capabilities via SaaS APIs to digitise and streamline financial workflows.

Headline: Glitter of Mathura poshak, symphony of Meerut bugle put UP on top of GI list

Bullet Points:

• UP maintained its dominance in GI-tagged goods with 79 GI products, surpassing Tamil Nadu’s 69.
• Mathura zari poshak and Meerut bugle received fresh GI tags.
• Mathura zari attire is linked to Lord Shri Krishna and involves generations of artisans.
• Thousands of women artisans contribute to Mathura’s zari embroidery.
• Meerut bugle played a role in the 1857 freedom struggle and is still used by army, police and schools.
• Meerut manufactures about 10 major traditional instruments, including bugles, trumpets and drums.
• Khazani Welfare Society applied for Mathura zari poshak GI with support from Mathura district administration and SIDBI.
• Meerut Vadya Yantra Nirmata Vikreta Vyapari Welfare Association applied for Meerut bugle GI with NABARD UP and Meerut district administration backing.
• Rajni Kant, GI Man of India, oversaw the legal process for both registrations.

Headline: Chitra Talwar appointed Part-Time Chairperson of Jana Small Finance Bank (JSFB)

Bullet Points:

• Chitra Talwar has been appointed as Part-Time Chairperson of Jana Small Finance Bank effective February 8, 2026.
• She succeeds R Ramaseshan who is retiring after completing the maximum tenure of eight years.
• Her tenure as Part-Time Chairperson is until January 30, 2028.
• The appointment has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India.

Headline: ISRO Successfully Tests Boot-Strap Mode Start on CE20 Cryogenic Engine

Bullet Points:

• ISRO successfully demonstrated the boot-strap mode start test of the CE20 Cryogenic engine.
• The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark -3 (LVM3) rocket.
• The test was conducted for 10 seconds under vacuum conditions at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri on November 7.
• The CE20 cryogenic engine is already qualified for operation at thrust levels between 19 and 22 tonnes with a single start in flight and is cleared for use in the Gaganyaan missions.
• Under normal conditions, the engine ignition begins under tank head pressure, followed by a turbopump start up using a stored gas start-up system.
• For future missions, multiple in-flight restarts of the CE20 engine will be required for mission flexibility, towards multi-orbit missions.
• With the current configuration, each restart requires an additional start-up gas bottle and associated systems, leading to a reduction in vehicle payload capability.
• Achieving boot-strap mode start, where the engine builds up to steady operation without external start-up assistance, is essential.
• During the test, a multi-element igniter was employed in both the thrust chamber and gas generator to facilitate boot-strap starting.
• In this test, following the ignition of the thrust chamber, the gas generator was ignited under tank head conditions, and the turbopumps were started without the use of the start-up system.
• Boot-strap mode build-up and steady-state operation of the engine were successfully demonstrated.
• ISRO has successfully demonstrated boot-strap mode starting of a gas-generator cycle cryogenic engine without any auxiliary start-up system, perhaps for the first time in the world.
• This achievement is a significant milestone towards enhancing the restart capability and mission flexibility of future LVM3 flights.

Headline: National Integration Day observed on November 19

Bullet Points:

• National Integration Day is observed on November 19th.
• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi.
• Indira Gandhi was the first female prime minister of India.
• The observance extends into a week-long ‘Qaumi Ekta’ [National Integration] week from November 19th to 25th.
• The primary goal of National Integration Day is to foster a sense of unity, peace, and brotherhood among all citizens.
• Activities like the Inter State Youth Exchange Programme (ISYEP) are conducted to encourage interaction among young people.

Headline: World Heritage Week observed from November 19-25, 2025

Bullet Points:

• World Heritage Week will be observed from November 19 to 25.
• The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) will observe World Heritage Week in association with Art Kanara Trust.
• Ganesh Amin Sankamar, an author and Tulu scholar, will deliver a talk titled ‘Tulu Bhashe Bokka Baduku’.
• Numismatic collector M. Prashanth Shet will present on ‘Marked by History: The Western Ganga Dynasty Coins’.
• Yakshagana artist and PhD scholar Shruti Bangera will speak on ‘Streevesha in Yakshagana: Female Impersonation Tradition in Indian Performing Arts’.
• The art exhibition ‘Namma Ooru Namma Nela’ will be inaugurated in the presence of Tharanath Gatti Kapikad, Chairman of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.
• A 2023 documentary titled ‘The Word and The Teacher: Journey of Ferdinand Kittel as a Lexicographer’ will be screened, presented by filmmaker Prashant Pandit.