National Affairs

PM Narendra Modi Visits Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu to Anchor Welfare and Spiritual Milestones

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a high-profile visit to Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN) on November 19, 2025, to honor spiritual legacies and drive agricultural financial transfers.

• Andhra Pradesh (Centenary Celebrations): In Puttaparthi, the PM visited the holy shrine and Mahasamadhi of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba to mark his Centenary Celebrations. To honor the spiritual leader's legacy, the PM released a commemorative ₹100 coin alongside a special set of postage stamps.
• Tamil Nadu (South India Natural Farming Summit): In Coimbatore, the PM officially inaugurated the South India Natural Farming Summit 2025.
• PM-KISAN Cash Outflow: Coinciding with the summit, the PM released the 21st installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme. This triggered a direct benefit transfer (DBT) exceeding ₹18,000 crore distributed across the bank accounts of over 9 crore farmer beneficiaries nationwide.

Ministry of Finance Notifies Capital Gains Accounts Scheme (CGAS) 2025

The Ministry of Finance has notified the Capital Gains Accounts (2nd Amendment) Scheme, 2025, bringing a structural digital overhaul to the decades-old 1988 framework. The scheme allows taxpayers to temporarily safeguard capital gains in designated bank accounts to maintain tax exemptions while acquiring or constructing new property.

• Modern Electronic Clearings: The updated scheme formally integrates modern digital payment channels. Taxpayers can now make deposits via credit/debit cards, net banking, IMPS, UPI, RTGS, NEFT, and BHIM Aadhaar Pay.
• Paperless Operations & Bank Expansion: Digital account statements are now legally equivalent to physical passbooks for verification and withdrawals. Furthermore, the definition of a "Deposit Office" has expanded to include 19 private sector and small finance banks alongside traditional public sector banks and IDBI Bank, allowing non-rural branches to accept deposits.
• Mandatory Digital Closures: Effective April 1, 2027, the closure of any CGAS account must be completed entirely through electronic filing, authenticated via a digital signature or an electronic verification code (EVC).
• Exemption Under Section 54GA: The scope of the CGAS has been widened to encompass Section 54GA, enabling exemptions on unutilized capital gains derived from shifting an industrial undertaking out of urban locations into Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Ministry of Steel Launches ‘SARAL SIMS’ to Streamline Imports

The Ministry of Steel has rolled out ‘SARAL SIMS’, a refined registration pipeline operating under the automated Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS).

• Eligible Items: The framework governs steel and iron imports categorized under Chapters 72, 73, and 86 of the Indian Trade Classification (Harmonized System) 2022.
• Single Annual Registration: Through a dedicated portal, importers only need to declare their total intended import volumes for the year. This generates a unified SARAL SIMS number valid for multiple cargo consignments across the financial year, eliminating repetitive paperwork.
• Small Import Caps: For smaller consignments (under 10 metric tonnes), a general annual threshold of 1,000 MT is established. However, for the transition period of FY 2025-26, small imports under SARAL SIMS are capped at 500 MT up to April 2026.
• Mandatory Returns: Importers must submit consolidated annual returns detailing actual imports against their generated registrations by April 30 of the following financial year.

India and France Partner to Jointly Build Advanced Defense Technologies

India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) of France signed a milestone Technical Agreement at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi.

• The Signatories: The pact was executed by Dr. Samir V. Kamat (Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO) and Lt. Gen. Gael Diaz de Tuesta (National Armaments Director, DGA-France).
• High-Tech Domains: The roadmap establishes joint engineering, data-sharing, and training frameworks across critical fronts: Aerospace platforms, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Advanced Propulsion, Material Sciences, and Quantum Computing.
• Intellectual Property Protection: The agreement builds a unified framework to manage shared Intellectual Property (IP) and co-developed technical assets.
• Strategic Vision: Aligned with the India–France Defence Industrial Cooperation Roadmap, the bilateral partners are reviewing plans to designate 2026 as the ‘India–France Year of Innovation’, celebrating a strategic tech alliance that began in 1998.

India’s First Indigenous CRISPR Gene Therapy ‘BIRSA 101’ Launched for Sickle Cell Disease

Union Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, launched India’s pioneering indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy, BIRSA 101, designed to combat Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). The breakthrough therapy is dedicated to Bhagwan Birsa Munda to honor his 150th birth anniversary.

How BIRSA 101 Works at the Genetic Source: Patient stem cells carrying the destructive sickle mutation are harvested, modified using the engineered platform, and reinfused into the patient to synthesize healthy, normal red blood cells.

• Development & Technology: The therapy was developed by the CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) utilizing its advanced proprietary enFnCas9 CRISPR platform.
• Target Population: This development holds immense clinical value for tribal populations residing in central and eastern India, who statistically face the highest historical burden of SCD.
• Scaling and Affordability: CSIR-IGIB signed a commercial technology transfer pact with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture and scale the enFnCas9 platform, ensuring the therapy remains cost-effective and globally accessible.

GeM and UN Women Sign Accord to Empower Women-Led Public Procurement

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UN Women India to boost the representation of women entrepreneurs within public procurement systems.

• The Strategic Alignment: Signed by Smt. Kanta Singh (Country Representative, UN Women India) and Ajit B. Chavan (Additional CEO, GeM) in New Delhi, the deal supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5: Gender Equality).
• Womaniya Initiative Support: The partnership aims to build structural market access through GeM’s Womaniya program. UN Women will design targeted training curricula, establish validation standards, and document success stories.
• Local Market Integration: GeM will scale localized onboarding workshops, expand the Womaniya #VocalForLocal Outlet Store, and assist female entrepreneurs in securing MSME Udyam registrations while linking them with state research laboratories for product validation.

MHA Abolishes Shore Leave Passes and Sign-On/Off Rules for Domestic Waters

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) executed a major ease-of-doing-business reform by abolishing the mandatory sign-on, sign-off, and Shore Leave Pass (SLP) requirements for seafarers and supernumerary staff working on Indian-flagged vessels operating exclusively within domestic waters.

• The Bureaucratic Relief: This removes a two-decade-old policy that forced domestic sailors to undergo immigration-style processing and renew shore leave permits every 10 days.
• New Oversight Architecture: Port authorities will now directly manage and regulate landward access for crews. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) under the MHA will pivot to conducting unannounced inspections and collecting electronic crew logs to maintain safety standards.

International Affairs

US Designates Saudi Arabia as 20th Major Non-NATO Ally

United States President Donald Trump officially designated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) during a bilateral summit at the White House with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia is the 20th nation to secure this strategic status.

• Defense privileges: The designation accompanies a comprehensive defense agreement that yields priority access to surplus US military inventories, collaborative defense research opportunities, and defense equipment loans. The status delivers extensive military privileges but does not bind either country to mutual security defense pacts.
• Aviation & Infrastructure Deals: The US administration approved the future sale of advanced F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets to Saudi Arabia. Concurrently, both nations signed agreements to expand joint work across civil nuclear power infrastructure, critical mineral chains, and artificial intelligence.
• Economic Capital Commitments: To cement economic ties, Saudi Arabia pledged to increase its total capital investments in the United States from USD 600 billion to USD 1 trillion.

Banking, Finance & Economy

Central Bank of Oman Unveils Unified Currency Symbol for Omani Rial

The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) unveiled an official, unified currency symbol for the Omani Rial, aiming to standardize the currency’s presence across global banking systems, electronic payment gateways, and international trade networks.

• Oman Vision 2040 Integration: CBO Governor Ahmed Ja’afar Al Musalmi highlighted that the introduction of this visual symbol anchors Oman’s identity within the digital commerce space, aligning with the national modernization benchmarks set under Oman Vision 2040.

Fintech Scaleup Easebuzz Receives Complete Payment Aggregator License from RBI

Indian fintech platform Easebuzz has secured final regulatory authorization from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, to function as a full-service Payment Aggregator (PA).

• Triple License Status: This clearance makes Easebuzz the third payment fintech firm in India to successfully secure all three distinct PA licenses, permitting it to manage digital payments across online, offline, and cross-border financial corridors.
• Merchant Ecosystem Metrics: The enterprise maintains an active operational portfolio servicing over 2.5 lakh merchants, averaging 3 million daily transactions, and controlling an annualized Gross Transaction Value (GTV) exceeding USD 50 billion.

Awards & Recognitions

UP’s Mathura Zari Poshak and Meerut Bugle Secure Geographical Indication (GI) Tags

The Geographical Indications Registry, operating under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), granted prestigious GI tags to two iconic products from Uttar Pradesh.

• The Mathura Zari Poshak: A traditional textile art form renowned for its intricate embroidery utilizing fine metallic threads (zari), predominantly crafted by lineage artisans around the Braj region.
• The Meerut Bugle: A historically significant brass instrument that dates back to the late 19th century, when Nadir Ali & Company established India's first dedicated bugle manufacturing unit in Meerut.
• Legal Standing: Governed under India's Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, these certifications offer intellectual property protection for a period of 10 years, renewable sequentially.

Mexico's Fátima Bosch Crowned Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand

Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 at the conclusion of the 74th edition of the international pageant, held at the Impact Challenger Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Historical Legacy: She was crowned by her predecessor, Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of Denmark (Miss Universe 2024). Bosch is the fourth Mexican representative to claim the crown, following wins in 1991, 2010, and 2020.
• The Pageant Standings: The event was organized under the central theme “The Power of Love”. Praveenar Singh (representing Thailand) finished as the 1st runner-up, followed by Stephany Abasali (Venezuela) as the 2nd runner-up. India's representative, Manika Vishwakarma (Rajasthan), secured a placement in the Top 30.
• Indian Judicial Presence: Olympic medalist and badminton icon Saina Nehwal served on the official global judges' selection panel. The upcoming 75th silver-jubilee edition of the Miss Universe pageant will be hosted by Puerto Rico in 2026.

Appointments & Resignations

Chitra Talwar Appointed Part-Time Chairperson of Jana Small Finance Bank

Jana Small Finance Bank Limited has announced the appointment of Chitra Talwar as its incoming Part-Time Chairperson, with the official term commencing on February 8, 2026.

• Succession Details: Talwar succeeds R. Ramaseshan, who will officially complete his maximum statutory permissible eight-year tenure on February 7, 2026.
• Professional Background: Talwar brings over 30 years of consumer market expertise across major multinational brands including Britannia and PepsiCo. She has served on the board of Jana Small Finance Bank as an Independent Director since January 2020.

Science & Technology

ISRO Successfully Tests Self-Sustained Boot-Strap Start of CE20 Cryogenic Engine

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) completed a successful 10-second vacuum-condition demonstration of the boot-strap mode start of its heavy-duty CE20 cryogenic engine at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility within the ISRO Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

• The Technical Concept: During the test, ISRO ignited the CE20’s primary thrust chamber and gas generator using a specialized multi-element igniter. This design allows the engine's high-speed turbopumps to spin up dynamically without relying on external, ground-based auxiliary power systems, achieving a self-sustained "boot-strap" operational cycle.
• Mission Criticality: This advance is vital for launching intricate multi-orbit satellite missions that require multiple in-flight engine restarts. Standard launch setups require heavy, separate gas canisters for each restart, which cuts into available payload capacity. The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the LVM-3 rocket and is fully qualified for upcoming crewed Gaganyaan space flights.

Important Days & Themes

World Toilet Day — November 19

Observed annually under UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/67/291, the day raises awareness about global sanitation access, public health infrastructure, and human dignity.

• 2025 Theme: “Sanitation in a changing world”
• Key Global Events: Sulabh International, in coordination with the World Toilet Organization, inaugurated a 3-day World Toilet Summit 2025 in New Delhi.
• National Awareness Framework: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched two nationwide campaigns: ‘Toilet Paas Hai’ and ‘Main Saaf Hi Achha Hoon’, designed to promote clean hygiene habits across urban centers.

International Men’s Day — November 19

Marking its 27th global observation, International Men's Day focuses on highlighting positive male role models and addressing men's health, mental well-being, and social contributions.

• 2025 Theme: “Celebrating Men and Boys”
• Historical Milestone: Initially revived in 1999 by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh in Trinidad and Tobago, the day was first observed in India on November 19, 2007, championed by men's rights organizations like the Save Indian Family network.

National Integration Day (Quami Ekta Diwas) — November 19

Observed annually across India to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, India’s first female Prime Minister. November 19, 2025, marks her 108th birth anniversary.

• Qaumi Ekta Week (November 19–25): The day initiates a week-long national integration program dedicated to fostering secularism and communal harmony:
  • November 19: National Integration Day
  • November 20: Welfare of Minorities Day
  • November 21: Linguistic Harmony Day
  • November 22: Weaker Sections Day
  • November 23: Cultural Unity Day
  • November 24: Women’s Day
  • November 25: Conservation Day
• National Flag Day: The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs, directs the Communal Harmony Campaign throughout this week, culminating in Communal Harmony Flag Day on November 25.

World Heritage Week — November 19–25

Organized annually by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) under the Ministry of Culture, this week-long initiative focuses on preserving and celebrating India's architectural monuments and cultural sites.

• UNESCO Inscriptions: As of late 2025, India boasts 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (comprising 35 cultural, 7 natural, and 2 mixed sites), with the Maratha Military Landscapes newly inscribed as the nation’s 44th site.
• Monument Preservation: The ASI provides statutory protection to approximately 3,698 historic structures under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958, with Uttar Pradesh holding the largest state-wise share of protected monuments.