Daily GK Update- 22nd Nov, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NBA Releases ₹40 Crore to Boost Red Sanders Conservation in Andhra Pradesh: The National Biodiversity Authority has released ₹36 crore to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department and ₹1.48 crore to the Andhra Pradesh State Biodiversity Board for conserving Red Sanders, taking India’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) disbursements to over ₹110 crore.Red Sanders, known for its deep red timber, grows naturally only in specific parts of the Eastern Ghats, mainly in Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Prakasam and Kurnool districts of Andhra Pradesh.A total of ₹87.68 crore was generated through regulated access to auctioned/seized Red Sanders wood, while over ₹49 crore has already been disbursed to forest departments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and to farmers (₹3 crore to 198 farmers in AP and ₹55 lakh to 18 farmers in Tamil Nadu).

 

2. Ministry of Steel Launches ‘SARAL SIMS’ to Simplify Steel Import Registration for Small Importers: The Ministry of Steel has launched ‘SARAL SIMS’ to simplify compulsory registration under the Steel Import Monitoring System, especially for small importers and export-linked imports under Advance Authorisation, SEZ, and EOU routes.Under SARAL SIMS, importers need to declare only the total intended annual quantity, after which they receive a SARAL SIMS number that allows multiple steel consignments to be imported in that year without needing separate SIMS numbers for each consignment.If actual imports under SARAL SIMS exceed 1000 MT in a financial year, importers must shift to the regular SIMS system, and once shifted, they cannot return to SARAL SIMS for that financial year; for FY 2025-26, a temporary lower threshold of 500 MT applies until April 2026.The regular SIMS process has also been simplified by reducing required data fields from 56 to 20, and importers must file an Annual Return detailing actual imports under SARAL SIMS by 30th April of the next financial year.

 

3. “Humara Shauchalaya, Hamara Bhavishya” Campaign Launched to Strengthen Rural Sanitation Nationwide: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation launched the nationwide campaign “Humara Shauchalaya, Hamara Bhavishya” on World Toilet Day 2025, running from 19 November to 10 December, to promote the importance of toilets and safe sanitation for a cleaner future.The campaign focuses on functionality assessment, repair, and aesthetic improvement of rural toilets—both Community Sanitary Complexes (CSCs) and Individual Household Latrines (IHHLs)—in line with the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen).It aims to raise awareness, especially in schools, on hygiene practices, proper faecal waste handling, and strengthening community participation (Jan Bhagidari) for sustaining ODF and ODF Plus achievements.States and UTs are tasked with engaging local personalities, community groups, youth organizations, and schoolchildren, while also recognizing sanitation workers and distributing IHHL sanction letters during the campaign.

 

4. Four Labour Codes come into force from today, reforming 29 existing laws: The Centre has implemented all four Labour Codes — Code on Wages (2019), Industrial Relations Code (2020), Code on Social Security (2020), and OSHWC Code (2020) — effective 21 November 2025, replacing 29 Central labour laws.The new framework expands minimum wage entitlement, timely wage payment, appointment letters, and extends social-security coverage, including to gig and platform workers.Under the Social Security Code, ESI coverage becomes pan-India, applicable even to establishments with one hazardous worker; women can work night shifts across sectors with safety measures.Fixed-term employees get benefits equal to permanent workers, including gratuity after one year; improved protections are provided for contract, migrant and older workers with mandatory annual health check-ups.Compliance is simplified through single registration, single licence, and single return, with an inspector-cum-facilitator model; Industrial Tribunals and dispute mechanisms are streamlined for faster resolution.

 

5. 21st November – National Philosophy Day: National Philosophy Day is observed on 21st November to promote critical thinking, intellectual dialogue, and reflection on ethical, social, and cultural issues. Theme 2025 – Philosophy and Global Dialogue in the Digital Era The day highlights the importance of philosophy in shaping human values, encouraging clarity of thought, reason-based decision-making, and moral responsibility.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. GeM–UN Women Sign MoU to Strengthen Women Entrepreneurs’ Participation in Public Procurement: GeM, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and UN Women signed an MoU to empower women entrepreneurs—especially from the informal sector—by integrating them into India’s public procurement system through training, validation support, and global best practices.

UN Women will create training modules, promote the Womaniya platform, share success stories, encourage Udyam registration, and support onboarding of women-led businesses while mobilising women trainers.GeM will conduct capacity-building workshops, train government buyers, provide vernacular learning material, engage women trainers, and link women entrepreneurs with R&D labs to boost product development, gender-responsive procurement, and SDG-5 outcomes.

 

2. 21st November – World Hello Day: World Hello Day is observed every year on 21st November to promote peace, communication, and dialogue between people worldwide.The day encourages individuals to say “Hello” to at least 10 people as a simple act to show that conflicts can be resolved through discussion rather than violence.Started in 1973, World Hello Day was created in response to the Yom Kippur War to emphasize the importance of peaceful communication.

 

3. Malaysia to Ban Social Media for Users under 16: Malaysia will implement a nationwide restriction prohibiting users under 16 from accessing social media platforms starting next year, becoming part of a growing global movement to regulate children’s online activity. The decision aims to curb cyberbullying, scams and exploitation amid rising concerns over digital safety. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that Malaysia is studying international models, including those in Australia, to enforce strict age limits. Authorities emphasise the need to protect minors from online risks such as harassment, financial fraud and child sexual abuse. The government expects platforms to comply with the new age requirement by next year. Several countries are tightening controls on youth access to digital platforms. Australia will begin disabling accounts belonging to users under 16, while multiple European nations — including France, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Greece — are jointly testing an age verification framework. The trend reflects broad concern over the mental health impact of social media on teenagers.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. India–France Sign Key DRDO–DGA Agreement to Boost Joint Defence Technology and R&D Cooperation: DRDO (India) and the Directorate General of Armaments (France) signed a technical agreement to strengthen joint defence research, development, testing, training, and information exchange for future defence needs.The agreement enables the transfer of technology, equipment, and know-how between both nations and includes collaborative programmes such as workshops, seminars, and joint R&D activities.Key cooperation areas include aeronautics, unmanned systems, advanced materials, cybersecurity, AI, space technologies, navigation, propulsion, sensors, quantum technologies, and underwater systems, aiming to develop next-generation defence solutions.

 

2. Indian Navy Commissions Indigenous Anti-Submarine Vessel Mahe: The Indian Navy will commission Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, marking a major milestone in India’s drive toward naval self-reliance. The ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai signifies the induction of a new generation of fast, compact and highly indigenous shallow-water combatants. The event will be hosted by Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, with the Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi presiding. This commissioning underscores joint service cooperation at a time of growing emphasis on maritime security. Mahe has been conceived as a “Silent Hunter” for the Western Seaboard. With its blend of stealth, agility and firepower, the vessel is equipped to detect and neutralise submarines, undertake coastal patrols and secure vital approaches to Indian ports. Its capabilities position it as a key asset for dominating littoral zones where mobility and rapid response are crucial.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Roger Federer Elected to International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2026: Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer, the first man to win 20 Grand Slam singles titles, has been elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) Class of 2026 in his first year of eligibility.Federer, who retired in 2022 after winning 103 career titles, was the only player to receive the required 75% votes in the player category for the 2026 induction.The official induction ceremony will take place in August 2026 at Newport, Rhode Island, marking a major honour in his legendary tennis career.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India hosts the second Regional Open Digital Health Summit (RODHS) 2025: The Regional Open Digital Health Summit 2025 (RODHS 2025) opened in New Delhi, bringing together leaders from India and South-East Asia to discuss how Digital Public Infrastructure, open standards, and technologies like Generative AI can strengthen Universal Health Coverage.Speakers from NeGD, WHO, UNICEF, NHA, and Ministry of Health emphasised the urgency of collaboration, interoperability, equity, and secure digital systems—highlighting India’s platforms such as ABDM, CoWIN, Aadhaar, and UPI as models of scalable Digital Public Infrastructure.Multiple sessions focused on key themes including open standards (FHIR), foundational DPI (identity, payments, registries, data exchange), interoperability, governance reforms, and AI-driven health innovation, with representatives from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Maldives.The first day showcased Generative AI use cases—from AI diagnostics to multilingual patient engagement—demonstrating how scalable digital tools can transform healthcare and reinforcing the region’s commitment to equitable, secure, and interoperable digital health systems.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India Releases Top 100 NBFCs Ranking 2025 Based on AUM: India’s NBFC sector remains a major pillar of the financial system, with total assets reaching ₹45 trillion in 2025, driven by strong growth in consumer credit, MSME financing, vehicle loans, gold loans, and digital lending models. India’s Top 100 NBFCs Ranking 2025 has been released by Elets Technomedia and The Banking & Finance Post, based entirely on Assets Under Management (AUM) using audited data from FY24–FY25.sA rigorous, transparent methodology was used, sourcing data from balance sheets, annual reports, credit rating rationales, and regulatory filings, ensuring credibility and comparability across institutions.Power Finance Corporation (PFC) topped the ranking with an AUM of ₹11.78 lakh crore, followed by REC, Bajaj Finance, LIC Housing Finance, and Tata Capital, reflecting the dominance of large, diversified lenders in India’s NBFC ecosystem.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Chhattisgarh’s 12 Districts Win National Water Awards for Outstanding Water Conservation Efforts: Twelve districts of Chhattisgarh received national recognition at the 6th National Water Awards and Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari 1.0 Awards, with President Droupadi Murmu felicitating them for exemplary water conservation and community-driven initiatives.Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Mahasamund, Balodabazar–Bhatapara, Balod, Bilaspur, Durg, Balrampur, and others secured top rankings across multiple categories for constructing lakhs of water structures and promoting public participation. Several districts received major incentives, including ₹2 crore for Rajnandgaon and Balod, ₹1 crore for Balodabazar–Bhatapara, and ₹25 lakh each for Bilaspur, Durg, and Balrampur, recognising their large-scale water conservation achievements.