NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. AIIA Pharmacology Lab Achieves Triple ISO Certification from BIS: The Pharmacology Laboratory of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, has achieved a major milestone by receiving triple ISO certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — IS/ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), IS/ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management), and IS/ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety Management).The certification highlights AIIA’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and workplace safety, enabling the institute to implement an Integrated Management System (IMS) that streamlines Ayurvedic research processes and enhances compliance with ethical and environmental standards.
2. Manohar Lal Inaugurates National Urban Conclave 2025: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, inaugurated the National Urban Conclave 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The two-day event focuses on “Sustainable Urban Development and Governance”, bringing together policymakers, urban planners, and experts to discuss key urban issues.Key initiatives unveiled include the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) to reclaim land from legacy waste, the Urban Invest Window (UiWIN) to attract private investment for urban infrastructure, and the Swachh Bharat Mission – Knowledge Management Unit (KMU) to facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing.DRAP targets 214 high-impact dumpsites, UiWIN provides access to long-term financing from institutions like the World Bank and ADB, and KMU serves as a national platform for learning.
3. CIL and DVC Sign ₹21,000 Crore Joint Venture to Set Up 1,600 MW Power Project in Jharkhand: Coal India Limited (CIL) and Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) have signed a ₹21,000 crore joint venture agreement to develop a 1,600 MW thermal power project in Jharkhand, aimed at strengthening India’s energy infrastructure.The project will be established as a jointly owned company between the two PSUs, combining CIL’s coal supply expertise with DVC’s operational experience in power generation.This initiative aligns with the government’s focus on energy security and industrial growth, supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ mission by enhancing domestic power production capacity.
4. UIDAI Partners with Behavioural Insights Ltd to Boost Biometric Updates for Children Aged 5 and 15 Years: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with Behavioural Insights Ltd (BIT) to promote Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for children aged 5 to 15 years, using behavioural insights to overcome awareness and logistical challenges.The MoU, signed by Tanusree Deb Barma (UIDAI) and Ravi Gurumurthy (BIT), aims to design and implement behaviour-based interventions to encourage timely Aadhaar biometric updates, ensuring seamless access to Aadhaar-linked public services.UIDAI has waived all MBU charges for the 7–15 age group from October 1, 2025, benefiting around six crore children, with the waiver remaining effective for one year to increase participation in biometric updates.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM Modi and Bhutan’s King Inaugurate 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydropower Project, Boosting India–Bhutan Energy Partnership: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, the largest fully operational hydropower plant in Bhutan, financed through a 30% grant and 70% loan from India.The project increases Bhutan’s hydropower capacity by nearly 40%, strengthening its renewable energy sector — where 99% of electricity generation is from hydropower, most of which is exported to India.India remains Bhutan’s largest investor and trading partner, supporting the Himalayan nation with ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion) under its Five-Year Plan, new solar energy collaborations, and a planned $454 million cross-border railway project linking Bhutan with India’s railway network.
2. PM Modi Highlights India–Bhutan Ties Rooted in Peace, Progress, and Trust: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the India–Bhutan relationship as one rooted in emotions, peace, and progress, describing it as a partnership of trust and development during his meeting with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in Thimphu.Both leaders discussed connectivity, spiritual ties related to Buddhism, and the historic hydropower partnership that began under Bhutan’s Fourth King in the 1970s. They also signed an MoU on renewable energy cooperation, covering solar, wind, biomass, green hydrogen, and energy storage.India announced a ₹4,000 crore line of credit to Bhutan, while the Bhutanese King led special prayers for India, PM Modi, and the victims of the recent Delhi incident, highlighting the deep emotional and cultural bond between the two nations.
3. India and Saudi Arabia Sign Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2026: Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju signed the Bilateral Hajj Agreement 2026 in Jeddah during his official visit to Saudi Arabia, confirming a quota of 1,75,025 Indian pilgrims for Hajj 2026 after a detailed meeting with Saudi Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah.Both sides discussed coordination, logistics, facilities, transportation, accommodation, and health support to ensure a smooth and safe pilgrimage experience, reaffirming their commitment to streamlining the Hajj process for Indian pilgrims.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Rezang La Memorial Stamp Unveiled by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: A commemorative postal stamp honouring the legendary bravery of the 13th Battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was unveiled in New Delhi, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Battle of Rezang La. The event brought together the Ministry of Defence, the Postal Department, and the makers of an upcoming war drama inspired by the 1962 heroism. The newly released ‘My Stamp’ pays homage to the battalion’s extraordinary courage during the 1962 conflict. Centred on the iconic Rezang La War Memorial in Ladakh, the stamp reflects the sacrifice of Major Shaitan Singh and his troops, who fought in extreme sub-zero conditions against overwhelming odds. The stamp launch coincided with promotional activities for ‘120 Bahadur’, an upcoming film portraying the events at Rezang La. Lead actor and producer Farhan Akhtar, along with director Razneesh Ghai and the production team, attended the ceremony. The film aims to bring the historic battle to contemporary audiences and is scheduled for theatrical release on November 21.
SPORTS
1. India Shines with Two Golds at Asian Archery Championships: India’s compound archers delivered a strong medal-winning performance at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka, securing two gold medals and one silver. The women’s team and the mixed team produced composed finishes, while the men’s team narrowly missed the top podium spot. The women’s compound trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Deepshikha, and Prithika Pradeep edged past Korea in a tight 236–234 final. Their consistent shooting, including standout ends of 59 and 58 points, proved decisive. The team displayed superior precision and composure in the closing stages. The men’s compound team of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, and Prathamesh Bhalchandra Fuge earned silver after a narrow 229–230 loss to Kazakhstan. The contest remained close until the final arrows, with the Kazakh combination of Dilmukhamet Mussa, Bunyod Mirzametov, and Andrey Tyutyun maintaining a slim lead.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India Launches Digital Layout Map and Census 2027-Houselist Apps to Begin First-Ever Digital Population Census: The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India launched two mobile apps — Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027-Houselist — to facilitate India’s first digital Population Census, scheduled for 2027.A pre-test for the House Listing and Housing Operations (HLO) phase will be conducted from November 10 to 30, 2025, covering 30 questions related to housing amenities in selected areas across the country.The DLM app digitally records details like building coordinates, structure type, usage, and landmarks, ensuring accuracy, real-time monitoring, and complete digitization of layout maps — replacing the earlier paper-based system used till 2011.A Self-Enumeration Portal (https://test.census.gov.in/se) was made available from November 1 to 7, 2025, allowing citizens in pre-test areas to submit their information online before field visits by enumerators.
2. Tidco Space Propellant Park Near Kulasekarapattinam Launch Centre: Tamil Nadu is advancing its aerospace ambitions with a major industrial initiative near the upcoming Isro launch site at Kulasekarapattinam. The state-owned Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation has earmarked extensive land parcels in Tuticorin district to support space propulsion, manufacturing and allied services. The new launch complex at Kulasekarapattinam is emerging as India’s second rocket launch centre. Its south-facing coastal location allows direct trajectory launches over the sea, particularly advantageous for Small Satellite Launch Vehicle missions. The absence of the fuel-intensive dogleg manoeuvre required at Sriharikota is expected to reduce mission costs by nearly one-third. Authorities have allocated a significant area for developing a specialised propellant manufacturing ecosystem. The proposed park will be situated at least 25 kilometres from the launch centre to meet safety standards for handling energetic materials. Land acquisition procedures are scheduled to begin shortly, forming a key component of the wider aerospace corridor development plan.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. SEBI Revises Anchor Investor Rules, Increases IPO Allocation and Participation Limits from November 30, 2025: SEBI has increased the total reservation for anchor investors in IPOs from 33% to 40%, with 33% for mutual funds and 7% for insurance companies and pension funds, aiming to broaden domestic institutional participation.For IPOs with an anchor portion above ₹250 crore, the number of allowed anchor investors has been increased from 10 to 15 per ₹250 crore, with a minimum allotment of ₹5 crore per investor, ensuring wider allocation.SEBI has merged Category I and II discretionary allotments into a single category for allocations up to ₹250 crore, under the revised ICDR norms effective from November 30, 2025, to encourage long-term institutional investment in IPOs.
2. CCI Approves Lence Pte. Ltd.’s Acquisition of up to 20% Stake in AWL Agri Business Limited: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed acquisition of 11% to 20% shareholding in AWL Agri Business Limited (formerly Adani Wilmar Limited) by Lence Pte. Ltd.Lence Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilmar International Limited, already holds a 43.94% stake in AWL and is part of the Wilmar Group, which has business interests in India through AWL and Shree Renuka Sugars Limited.The acquisition aims to strengthen Wilmar Group’s stake in AWL Agri Business Limited, which operates across edible oils, food, FMCG, and industry essentials like soaps and cleaners.
3. Pralhad Joshi Unveils NGHM Logo and Announces ₹100 Crore Biomass-Based Green Hydrogen Initiative at ICGH 2025: Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the 3rd International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH 2025) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, emphasising that the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) is driving India’s clean energy transformation, job creation, and global leadership in green hydrogen.The Minister launched the official NGHM logo, selected from over 2,500 entries, and announced a ₹100 crore Call for Proposals for pilot projects using biomass and waste materials to produce green hydrogen under the Mission, to be implemented through BIRAC.Under NGHM’s SIGHT programme, incentives have been sanctioned for 3,000 MW electrolyser manufacturing and 8.62 lakh MTPA green hydrogen production, with India achieving the world’s lowest green ammonia price at ₹49.75 per kg; additional investments support projects in green steel, hydrogen vehicles, and bunkering facilities.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Kovalam Beach Secures Blue Flag Certification for Fifth Consecutive Year: Kovalam Beach in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu has been awarded the prestigious International Blue Flag certification for the fifth consecutive year, meeting the global standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), Denmark.The beach first earned the Blue Flag recognition on September 21, 2021, becoming Tamil Nadu’s first Blue Flag-certified beach. During 2024–25, it recorded a footfall of over 5.5 lakh visitors, reflecting its growing appeal as a sustainable eco-tourism destination.Encouraged by this achievement, the Tamil Nadu government has launched initiatives to obtain Blue Flag certification for 10 more beaches, including Palavakkam, Thiruvanmiyur, and Uthandi beaches.
2. Hungarian-British Author David Szalay Wins Booker Prize 2025 for Novel ‘Flesh’: Hungarian-British author David Szalay won the Booker Prize 2025 for his novel ‘Flesh’, receiving a £50,000 award at a ceremony held at Old Billingsgate, London.Flesh spans decades, from a Hungarian housing estate to London’s elite mansions, and follows an emotionally detached man whose life unravels due to events beyond his control. It is Szalay’s sixth work of fiction.David Szalay, born in Montreal to a Hungarian father and Canadian mother, grew up in London and has previously authored novels including All That Man Is, Spring, The Innocent, and the short story collection Turbulence.
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