NATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates ESTIC 2025; Launches ₹1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The flagship event serves as an anchor for charting India’s long-term scientific roadmap.

• Massive Innovation Fund: During the inaugural ceremony, the PM launched a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme Fund designed to scale up high-end research pipelines across the country.
• ANRF Operationalized: The conclave marked the official operationalization of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), established under the ANRF Act, 2023, to coordinate national research strategies.
• Vision & Framework: The event was held under the guidance of the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India and organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad. The PM also unveiled a dedicated vision document and coffee table book titled “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement and Empowerment”.

2. India’s First Digital Tribal Museum Inaugurated in Chhattisgarh

On the occasion of Chhattisgarh’s 25th State Foundation Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Memorial and Tribal Freedom Fighters Museum in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar. The facility stands as India's first fully digital tribal museum.

• Honoring a Pioneer: The museum is named after Veer Narayan Singh, the landlord of Sonakhan and Chhattisgarh’s first martyr freedom fighter, who sacrificed his life resisting British colonial oppression.
• Technical Infrastructure: Built over 10 acres with an investment of ₹50 crore, the state-of-the-art complex features nearly 650 sculptures spread across 14 interactive galleries. It integrates advanced Visual Effects (VFX), interactive digital projections, touch screens, and QR codes.
• Artistic Architecture: The main entrance showcases intricate wood carvings executed by local Sarguja artisans. It features digital replicas of ancient Sal, Mahua, and Saja trees whose simulated leaves use electronic scripts to narrate the histories of 14 historic tribal revolts. The PM also launched the museum's online portal and an e-book titled ‘Aadi Shourya’.

3. MeitY Unveils "India AI Governance Guidelines" to Ensure Responsible Tech Adoption

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) officially released the “India AI Governance Guidelines – Enabling Safe and Trusted AI Innovation” under the aegis of the IndiaAI Mission. The framework was unveiled by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, in New Delhi.

• Balanced Oversight: Drafted by a high-level expert panel chaired by Prof. Balaraman Ravindran of IIT Madras, the guidelines introduce a phased, multi-stakeholder model. It prioritizes data privacy, public trust, and industrial safety by aligning with existing legal structures rather than enacting entirely new legislation.
• Summit Precursor: The release acts as a strategic curtain-raiser for the upcoming India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in New Delhi on February 19–20, 2026.
• Hackathon Outcomes: During the launch forum, MeitY announced the winners of the IndiaAI Hackathon for Mineral Targeting, a joint initiative run by the Applications Development Pillar of the IndiaAI Mission and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) under the Ministry of Mines.

4. India Formally Concludes Strategic Military Presence at Ayni Airbase in Tajikistan

India has completed its multi-year military drawdown from the Ayni Airbase (also known as the Gissar Aerodrome), located approximately 15 kilometers west of Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe. While active operational withdrawals began in late 2022, the complete restructuring and exit protocol was wrapped up in October 2025.

• Shifting Geopolitical Realities: The strategic withdrawal stems from structural changes in Central Asian security frameworks. Key factors include the expiration of the original bilateral operational agreement in 2022, the collapse of the Northern Alliance, and the complete geopolitical takeover of neighboring Afghanistan by the Taliban.
• Historical Legacy: Signed in 2002, the joint pact established Ayni as India’s first and only overseas military facility. The Indian Air Force (IAF) alongside the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had collectively invested between USD 70 million and USD 100 million to rebuild the Soviet-era asset, modernizing its runway infrastructure to a length of 3,200 meters. India's initial regional installation was set up at Farkhor in 1998, which operated until 2008.

5. EESL to Deploy India's Largest Geothermal Pilot Project in Andhra Pradesh

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a public sector joint venture operating under the Ministry of Power, announced plans to establish India’s largest Geothermal Energy Technology (GET) pilot project in Andhra Pradesh.

• Double-Hub Deployment: The eco-friendly energy system will be rolled out across two major tourism corridors in the state: Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam.
• Engineering Framework: The infrastructure project utilizes Earth Air Tunnel (EAT) Systems and Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP). These systems tap into the earth's stable underground temperatures at depths of 7 to 8 meters to provide sustainable heating and cooling for large commercial complexes.
• Commercial Benefits: The project is projected to slash baseline HVAC energy consumption by over 50% while significantly lowering commercial greenhouse gas emissions. It offers an efficient asset payback window of just 3 to 4 years, making it an ideal blueprint for sustainable tourism infrastructure.

6. IIT Ropar Partners with iDG10 Solutions for Subsea Pipeline Design Programme

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar signed a strategic 5-year (60-month) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with iDG10 Solutions Private Limited to set up India’s first industry-anchored subsea pipeline design technology (SPDT) collaboration.

• Signatories: The agreement was inked by Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director of IIT Ropar, and Silvi Francis Farnand, A&P Director and Co-founder of iDG10 Solutions.
• Indigenization Focus: The program aims to build native capabilities in deep-water pipeline architecture and marine validation systems. It combines IIT Ropar's research infrastructure with iDG10's proprietary engineering software. The structured training model includes 5 days of intensive classroom instruction coupled with a mandatory 21-day live industrial project.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

1. 17th India–Israel Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation Meets in Tel Aviv

The 17th session of the India–Israel Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation convened in Tel Aviv, Israel, to review and expand the strategic defense architecture between the two nations.

• High-Level Leadership: The bilateral meet was co-chaired by India's 40th Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, and the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD), Major General (Res) Amir Baram. The Indian delegation also held side-talks with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
• New Strategic Framework: The session concluded with the signing of a comprehensive MoU on Defence Cooperation. The agreement updates bilateral protocols to establish a unified framework for the co-development and co-production of military hardware, joint training protocols, and regular strategic dialogues.
• Target Domains: The updated cooperation framework focuses heavily on high-tech defense spaces: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, military R&D, industrial manufacturing setups, and coordinated counter-terrorism responses.

2. UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025: Global GHG Emissions Hit Record 57.7 GtCO₂e

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published the 16th edition of its annual climate assessment, titled ‘The Emissions Gap Report (EGR) 2025: Off Target-Continued Collective Inaction Puts Global Temperature Goal at Risk’.

• Unprecedented Emissions Volume: Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions climbed to an all-time high of 57.7 Gigatonnes of Carbon Dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e), representing a 2.3% surge over the previous year.
• India Logs Highest Absolute Increase: The report highlights that India recorded the world's largest absolute year-on-year increase in emissions (+0.165 GtCO2e), followed by China, Russia, Indonesia, and the United States. In terms of percentage growth rates, Indonesia led at 4.6%, followed closely by India at 3.6% and China at 0.5%.
• Per Capita and Temperature Trajectories: While India's per capita emissions remain well below the global benchmark of 6.4 tonnes CO2e, heavy emitters like the US, Russia, China, and the European Union (EU) continue to exceed it. The EU stood out as the only major economic bloc to register an absolute drop in total emissions.
• The 1.5°C Reality Check: The report warns that current Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) put the planet on a trajectory for a 2.3°C to 2.5°C temperature rise by 2100. To hit the Paris Agreement's 2°C and 1.5°C safety targets, global emissions must drop by 35% and 55% respectively by 2035, relative to 2019 baselines.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

NVIDIA Joins India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA); Group Secures USD 850 Million in Fresh Funding

Global semiconductor powerhouse NVIDIA Corporation has officially joined the India Deep Tech Alliance (IDTA) as a founding member and strategic technology advisor.

• Capital Injection: Alongside NVIDIA's entry, the alliance announced USD 850 million (approx. ₹7,100 crore) in fresh capital commitments from its corporate members to support India's research-driven startup ecosystem.
• Strategic Structure: Launched in September 2025 with an initial USD 1 billion commitment, the IDTA operates as a collaborative voluntary network. Members independently deploy capital over a 5-to-10-year investment horizon rather than utilizing a pooled fund structure.
• Industrial Concentration: The alliance directs funding toward deeply technical, high-barrier fields: Semiconductors, Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Space Tech, Robotics, and Advanced Materials Engineering.
• Expanding Membership: NVIDIA joins an established coalition of venture funds. The alliance's founding ranks include Celesta Capital, Accel, Blume Ventures, Gaja Capital, and Premji Invest, alongside newly onboarded members such as Qualcomm Ventures, Activate AI, InfoEdge Ventures, Chiratae Ventures, and Kalaari Capital.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

1. Swachh Survekshan Rankings: Madurai Named Dirtiest City with 10L+ Population

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) released its updated Swachh Survekshan 2025 rankings, tracking urban cleanliness, waste processing efficiency, and sanitation infrastructure across more than 4,500 cities nationwide.

• The Bottom Rank: In the population category above 10 lakhs, Madurai (Tamil Nadu) was ranked as the dirtiest city in India, scoring 4,823 out of a maximum 12,500 points.
• Data Breakdown: While Madurai secured high marks for surface cleanliness in commercial markets and residential zones, its overall score was pulled down by low metrics in core municipal processing. The city scored just 4% in waste generation versus processing capacity, 3% in public toilet sanitation, 37% in door-to-door municipal collection, 26% in source segregation, and 25% in the remediation of legacy dumpsites.

2. Dr. Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan Wins Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award 2025

Dr. Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has been selected for the 3rd Manohar Parrikar Yuva Scientist Award.

• Pioneering Research: Dr. Gopalakrishnan was recognized for his contributions to computational materials science. His work uses atomic-level simulations and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the discovery and design of advanced alloys for use in aerospace, electronics, and renewable energy storage.
• Award Structure: Instituted by the Government of Goa in 2022 in memory of former Defence Minister and Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, the award features a cash prize of ₹5 lakh—the highest monetary purse among national science and technology honors for young researchers. The prize will be presented on December 13 during the Manohar Parrikar Vigyan Mahotsav at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa.

3. Himachal Pradesh Wins 'People First Integration Award' for DigiLocker Excellence

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) honored the Government of Himachal Pradesh with the “People First Integration Award” during the National Workshop and Conference on DigiLocker held in New Delhi.

• Seamless E-Governance: The award was presented to Ashish Singhmar, Secretary of HP's Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDT&G), by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan.
• Integration Metrics: The honor recognizes Himachal Pradesh's successful digital integration of 51 distinct HIMSeva (e-district) services, alongside its proprietary HimParivar and HimAccess Card identity protocols, directly into the centralized DigiLocker platform. This integration cuts out administrative paperwork and secures instant virtual document delivery for citizens.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ESA and Arianespace Launch Copernicus Sentinel-1D Satellite Aboard Ariane 6 Rocket

The European Space Agency (ESA) and launch provider Arianespace successfully deployed the Copernicus Sentinel-1D Earth-Observation Satellite (EOS) into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).

• Mission Metrics: Designated as flight VA265, the satellite was launched from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. This marks the 356th launch in Arianespace's history and the 4th operational flight of Europe's new Ariane 6 launch vehicle.
• Constellation Completion: Manufactured by Thales Alenia Space, Sentinel-1D is the fourth and final satellite of the initial first-generation Copernicus Sentinel-1 radar imaging network.
• Radar Capabilities: The satellite carries an advanced C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) operating between 4 and 8 GHz. The sensor provides high-resolution, all-weather radar imaging of the Earth's surface, tracking environmental changes, sea ice dynamics, and disaster impact zones day or night regardless of cloud cover.

OBITUARIES

Veteran Political Leader and Former Karnataka Minister H.Y. Meti Passes Away at 79

Senior Indian National Congress leader, former Karnataka Cabinet Minister, and Member of Parliament Hullappa Yamanappa (H.Y.) Meti passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 79.

• Grassroots Tenure: Born in 1946 in Bagalkot district, Meti was a prominent leader representing the Kuruba community in northern Karnataka. He began his political career in local governance as a Gram Panchayat Chairman before entering state politics in the late 1980s under the mentorship of former Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde.
• Legislative and Ministerial Roles: Meti was elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly five times, representing the Guledgudda constituency in 1989, 1994, and 2004, and later the Bagalkot constituency in 2013 and 2023. He served as the state's Forest Minister (1994–1998) and Excise Minister (2016).
• Parliamentary Service: In 1996, he won election to the Lok Sabha, representing the Bagalkot constituency during the 11th Parliament. In 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the Bagalkot Urban Development Authority (BUDA).

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2025 – November 5

The United Nations observed the 10th anniversary of World Tsunami Awareness Day (WTAD) on November 5, 2025, focusing on global safety readiness, coastal infrastructure defense, and early warning protocols.

• 2025 Theme: “Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness”.
• Historical Background: The United Nations General Assembly formally designated this observance on December 22, 2015, through Resolution A/RES/70/203, following an official proposal from Japan. The initiative aligns directly with the international targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).
• Why November 5? The date honors the historical Japanese legend of “Inamura-no-hi” (The Burning of the Rice Sheaves). On November 5, 1854, village leader Goryo Hamaguchi saved his community from a devastating tsunami by setting fire to his own harvested rice crops to warn villagers to evacuate to higher ground.
• Global Event: To mark the anniversary, the UNDRR Regional Office for Arab States (UNDRR-ROAS), in collaboration with UNESCO Egypt and the Egyptian government, organized the Multi-Hazard Resilience Forum in Cairo.

STATE NEWS

1. Kerala Signs ₹850 Crore FDI Pact to Build Meridian Tech Park in Technopark Phase III

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the signing of a formal Letter of Intent (LoI) with UAE-based investment company Al Marzooqi Holdings FZC for a ₹850 crore Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to develop the Meridian Tech Park in Thiruvananthapuram.

• Twin-Tower Infrastructure: The specialized tech park will be built on a 3.5-acre land parcel within the existing 90-acre Technopark Phase III campus. The design features twin 21-story commercial towers delivering over 1 million square feet of built-up tech infrastructure.
• High-Density Green Design: The project utilizes high-density vertical architecture enabled by a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 7 zoning classification. Built as an energy-efficient hub, the park is targeting a LEED Platinum Certification. Once fully operational, the development is projected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in information technology and allied sectors.

2. Maharashtra Becomes First Indian State to Sign High-Speed Internet Deal with Starlink

The Government of Maharashtra signed a strategic Letter of Intent (LoI) with Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited (a subsidiary of SpaceX) to deploy satellite-based broadband services across the state. The move makes Maharashtra the first state in India to partner directly with the satellite provider.

• Targeting Remote Districts: The deployment targets remote, low-connectivity districts where traditional optical fiber installation faces geographic constraints, specifically focusing on Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv.
• Infrastructure Touchpoints: Starlink terminals will be installed across rural schools, primary healthcare centers, district disaster control rooms, forestry outposts, coastal police check-posts, and passenger ferry transport networks.
• Technical Compliance and Architecture: The agreement remains contingent on final commercial clearances from the central Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Starlink completed field validation and security compliance testing in Mumbai on October 30–31, 2025. The company plans to set up nine gateway earth stations across India—including Mumbai, Noida, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, and Kolkata—and has applied for a 600 Gbps transmission allocation via its first-generation satellite constellation.