NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. MoL&E Chairs National Conference on Labour & Employment; Launches Digital Tools

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), chaired the two-day ‘National Conference on Labour & Employment and Industry Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories (UTs)’ in New Delhi.

• Timeline: The conference was organized from November 11 to 12, 2025.
• Objective: To build a coordinated national framework for labour reforms that benefit both workers and industries, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth across India.
• Core Focus: Encouraging states to align their local employment schemes with the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
• Digital Tools Launched:
  • Digital Labour Chowk applications: Improving tracking and welfare delivery.
  • Online BOCW Cess Collection Portal: Enhancing transparency and efficiency in the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) sector.
• Labour Chowk Facilitation Centres (LCFCs): The Minister showcased the model of LCFCs. Designed to replace unsafe informal gathering points, these centres provide shelter, water, sanitation, and direct access to welfare services like worker registration and health camps.

2. Cabinet Approves EPM and CGSE Schemes Worth ₹45,060 Crore to Boost Exports

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved two major initiatives with a total outlay of ₹45,060 crore to strengthen India’s export ecosystem and ease liquidity pressures for exporters, particularly MSMEs.

• Export Promotion Mission (EPM):
  • Objective: A flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness, targeting MSMEs, first-time exporters, and labour-intensive sectors.
  • Implementing Agency: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), will manage operations via a dedicated digital platform integrated with existing trade systems.
• Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE):
  • Objective: Provides 100% credit guarantee coverage via the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional credit facilities up to ₹20,000 crore.
  • Validity: The scheme is functional through March 31, 2026, implemented by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) through the NCGTC.

3. Union Cabinet Approves Rationalisation of Royalty Rates for Four Critical Minerals

The Union Cabinet approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals—Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, and Zirconium—to boost domestic production, encourage transparent auctions, and minimize import reliance.

Security Resolution: The Union Cabinet also passed a resolution condemning the terrorist car explosion near the Red Fort in New Delhi on November 10, 2025, commending the swift response of security and medical personnel while reaffirming India's zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.

• Shift to Ad Valorem: Graphite, which was the only critical mineral with a fixed rate per tonne (set since September 2014), will now follow an ad valorem structure (based on the value of the transaction) to absorb price variations across different grades.
• Policy Alignment: The decision directly supports the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM) and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

4. Punjab Becomes First State to Fully Implement Amended BharatNet Scheme

Punjab has officially become the first state in India to achieve full implementation of the Amended BharatNet Scheme, successfully establishing high-speed broadband connectivity across all gram panchayats in the state.

• The Recognition: K.A.P. Sinha, Chief Secretary of Punjab, received the implementation award from Ajay Kumar Kararha, Chief General Manager of BSNL Punjab Circle, in Chandigarh.
• Infrastructure Footprint: Deployment rolled out from the Harsha Chinna block of Amritsar and is active across 22 blocks. The project involved laying approximately 1,000 km of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and 400 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).
• S-NOC Operationalization: Punjab is the first state to launch a functional State Network Operations Centre (S-NOC) to monitor network health under the amended project.
• Coverage Status: High-speed internet has already been successfully delivered to 43 designated shadow areas, pushing the state toward 100% rural digital connectivity.

5. BSF Commissions "Durga Drone Squadron" – First All-Women Drone Operations Unit

The Border Security Force (BSF) has commissioned its first all-women drone operations unit, named the ‘Durga Drone Squadron’, at the School of Drone Warfare (SDW) located within the BSF Academy in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.

• Leadership: The specialized deployment is overseen by Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General of the BSF, and guided by Dr. Shamsher Singh, Additional DG and Director of the BSF Academy.
• Operational Mandate: The unit integrates trained women personnel into active drone-based surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and advanced counter-drone defensive tactics along India’s sensitive western and eastern international borders.

6. CSIR and NICDC Sign MoU to Drive Innovation Across Industrial Corridors

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi to integrate scientific research with large-scale industrial infrastructure.

• Signatories: Dr. Vibha Malhotra Sawhney (Head of Technology Management Directorate, CSIR) and Vikas Goel (General Manager of CS & Marketing, NICDC).
• Smart Cities Integration: The framework will establish dedicated R&D hubs, industrial incubators, and specialized innovation centres inside upcoming smart cities.
• Technical Priority Areas: Focuses on Industrial Automation & Robotics, Digital Manufacturing & Aerospace, Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, Advanced Materials, and Infrastructure Engineering to align with Make in India and Startup India.

7. Adani Ports Becomes India's First Transport Utility to Join TNFD Network

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) has joined the global Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) as an official "Adopter," pledging to initiate standardized nature-related disclosures beginning in Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26).

• First in Sector: APSEZ is the first integrated transport utility in India to adopt the framework.
• Corporate Accountability: Under the TNFD structure, APSEZ will map and report its ecological dependencies, environmental impacts, and nature-related risks as a core component of its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) roadmap.
• Conservation Footprint: Prior to adoption, APSEZ has afforested over 4,200 hectares of mangroves and conserved 3,000+ hectares of vital ecosystems, standing as India’s top private contributor to mangrove restoration.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

8. WHO Global TB Report 2025: India Registers Steepest Drop but Holds Highest Global Burden

The World Health Organization (WHO) released its Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2025, revealing that while India is leading global declines in incidence rates, it continues to account for the highest total volume of cases globally.

• India's Progress: India's TB incidence rate dropped 21%, falling from 237 per lakh population in 2015 down to 187 per lakh population in 2024. This is nearly double the global decline rate of 12%. However, the country has missed its domestic target of reducing incidence to 77 cases per lakh by 2025.
• Global Burden: TB remains one of the world's most fatal infectious diseases, claiming 1.2 million lives and infecting 10.7 million individuals in 2024.
• The Highest Contributors: Eight countries shoulder 67% of the entire global caseload:

[Global TB Caseload - Top Contributors]
India (25%) ──> Indonesia (10%) ──> Philippines (6.8%) ──> China (6.5%) ──> Pakistan (6.3%)

• Regional Landscape: The South-East Asia (SEA) region registered the highest global share of TB cases at 34%, followed by the Western Pacific (27%) and Africa (25%).

BANKING & FINANCE

9. DFS Launches Startup Common Application Journey on Jan Sammarth Portal

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, introduced the “Startup Common Application Journey” on the Jan Sammarth portal. This creates a unified digital window for startups to secure credit directly across all 12 Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

• Launch Details: Unveiled by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of DFS, during the PSBs Review Meeting in New Delhi. It was co-developed by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the PSB Alliance.
• Financial Scope: Startups can access credit up to ₹20 crore under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), managed by the NCGTC under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Special interest concessions are included for women entrepreneurs.
• Automated Data Integration: The portal features real-time validation of core databases including PAN, GST, Udyam registration, Income Tax Returns (ITR), and credit bureau scores to streamline approvals.
• PSB Financial Performance (Q2FY26): Cumulative net profits for the 12 PSBs reached ₹49,456 crore for July–September 2025, marking a 9% Year-on-Year growth compared to ₹45,547 crore in Q2FY25.

10. Federal Bank Launches 'Bharat Surotsav' Cultural Initiative in Chennai

Federal Bank Limited unveiled the official poster for its signature cultural initiative, ‘Bharat Surotsav’, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• The Launch Event: The multi-city fusion festival series will hold its inaugural live edition at the Madras Music Academy, Chennai.
• Objective: Designed as an immersive music and dance intellectual property (IP) to celebrate India’s classical and contemporary artistic heritage while fostering regional pride. Featured artists include Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai, the Agam Band, Charumathi Raghuraman, and Ravi Chari.

11. PhonePe Partners with OpenAI to Integrate ChatGPT Features across India

Fintech leader PhonePe Limited announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI to deploy advanced ChatGPT features across its expanding digital ecosystem in India.

• Platform Coverage: Generative AI capabilities will be integrated directly across the PhonePe consumer app, the PhonePe for Business app, and the Indus Appstore.
• User Utility: The integration will offer consumers real-time, AI-driven conversational assistance for daily activities like travel planning, smart shopping, and customized digital transaction help.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

12. Moody's Projects Steady 6.5% GDP Growth Track for India Through 2027

Global credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings published its latest ‘Global Macro 2026’ report, forecasting steady but subdued global economic progress, with India maintaining its position as a primary emerging market growth engine.

• Growth Forecast: India's GDP expansion is projected at 7% for 2025, 6.4% in 2026, and 6.5% through 2027.
• Inflation Outlook: Domestic inflation is projected to remain steady at 3.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
• Global Comparison: Global GDP growth is expected to slow down to 2.5–2.6% over 2026–27 (from 2.9% in 2024). Advanced economies will hover around 1.5% expansion, while emerging markets will lead with close to 4% growth by 2027.
• Trade Dynamics: India's macro economy demonstrates resilient resistance to external shocks. Overall exports grew 6.75% in September 2025, successfully offsetting an 11.9% drop in shipments targeting the United States.

13. Swan Defence Signs USD 220 Million Deal for Norwegian Chemical Tankers

Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) signed a commercial Letter of Intent (LoI) with Norwegian shipping firm Redereit Stenersen AS for the construction of six advanced IMO Type II chemical tankers valued at USD 220 million.

• Option to Scale: The contract features an option for six additional sister vessels, elevating the prospective project value up to USD 400 million.
• Technical Specifications: Each vessel will feature an 18,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) capacity, built to Ice Class 1A standards at SDHI’s shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat.
• Green Marine Integration: Designed by Marinform AS (Norway) and StoGda Ship Design (Poland), the vessels feature a hybrid propulsion system combining diesel-electric power with advanced battery capabilities. The architecture allows seamless future conversion to methanol or LNG fuel and supports energy upgrades up to 5,000 kWh.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

14. NITI Aayog Policy Chair Pushpinder S. Puniha Joins Blue Ocean Advisory Board

Pushpinder S. Puniha, currently the Chairperson of the Consultative Group on Tax Policy at NITI Aayog, has been appointed to the Advisory Board of UK-based Blue Ocean Corporation, a global supply chain consulting firm.

• Strategic Role: His addition aims to guide Blue Ocean’s enterprise expansion in India, aligning corporate strategy with national regulatory reforms in fiscal policy, supply chain modernization, and professional skill development.
• Profile Nuance: A veteran public policy expert with over 30 years of fiscal management experience, Puniha formerly served as the National Head of the Faceless Assessment scheme in the Indian income tax system and as the Head of the Income Tax Investigation Vertical for Mumbai.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

15. IIT Bombay Develops India's First Patent-Winning Quantum Diamond Microscope

Researchers at the Photonics and Quantum Engineering (P-Quest) Lab at IIT-Bombay have developed India's first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM). The milestone breakthrough has secured India its first patent in this deep-tech quantum sensing domain.

• Project Framework: Developed under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and led by Professor Kasturi Saha. The breakthrough was announced at the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025) in New Delhi.
• The Technology: The QDM uses Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centres (atomic defects where a nitrogen atom sits next to a missing carbon atom) inside a diamond crystal to detect and visually map magnetic fields.
• The Mechanism: The NV defects remain stable at room temperature and are highly sensitive to microscopic changes. By deploying the Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) method, changes in light emissions are measured to create wide-area, 3D images of magnetic fields at the nanoscale.
• Key Applications: Non-destructive mapping of hidden current paths in multilayer microchips, materials safety assessment, and advanced neuroscience imaging.

SPORTS

16. Logo and Mascots Unveiled for 2025 Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), in partnership with the Rajasthan State Sports Council, unveiled the official logo, mascots, torch, and jersey for the 5th edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 at the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur.

• Schedule & Scale: The games will take place from November 24 to December 5, 2025, hosting over 7,500 athletes from nearly 200 Indian universities competing across 24 sports disciplines.
• New Additions: Canoeing, Kayaking, Cycling, and Beach Volleyball make their competitive debut this year.
• Host Cities: For the first time, Rajasthan is hosting the national event across seven cities: Jaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bikaner.
• Visual Elements:
  • Logo: Features a blend of Hawa Mahal, Ranthambore Fort, sand dunes, and windmills styled in a signature pink palette paying homage to the "Pink City."
  • Mascots: “Khamma” (a camel representing endurance, speed, and agility) and “Ghani” (derived from the traditional greeting Khamma Ghani, embodying warmth and hospitality).

IMPORTANT DAYS

17. Public Service Broadcasting Day – November 12

Public Service Broadcasting Day, or ‘Jan Prasaran Divas’, is observed across India on November 12 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's first and only live radio broadcast.

• Historical Context: On November 12, 1947, Mahatma Gandhi visited the All India Radio (AIR) studios at Broadcasting House, New Delhi, to address displaced refugees from Pakistan partitioned and camped at Kurukshetra, Haryana.
• Declaration: The day was officially conceptualized and declared in 2001 through efforts by Suhas Borker (Convenor of Jan Prasar). The 2025 commemorative event was held at the C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi.

18. World Pneumonia Day – November 12

World Pneumonia Day is observed globally on November 12 to accelerate public health action against pneumonia, a highly preventable respiratory disease that remains a leading cause of death worldwide.

• 2025 Theme: “Child Survival” – emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced nutrition, clean air access, immediate medical attention, and robust vaccination programs to protect infants.
• The Burden: According to recent data from the Global Burden of Disease, pneumonia claims over 2.5 million lives annually. It remains the leading infectious cause of mortality among children under five, causing 14 lakh child deaths each year (approximately 18% of the global total). UNICEF notes that a child dies from pneumonia every 39 seconds.
• Global Frameworks: Supported by WHO, UNICEF, and the Every Breath Counts Coalition, which operates as a public-private partnership aimed at ending preventable pneumonia deaths entirely by 2030.