NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Justice Surya Kant to Take Oath as 53rd Chief Justice
of India: Justice Surya
Kant assumed office as the 53rd Chief Justice of
India, succeeding Justice Bhushan R. Gavai, with President Droupadi Murmu
administering the oath for his 14-month tenure.Born in Haryana in 1962, he
began his legal career in 1984, became Haryana’s youngest Advocate General in
2000, served as Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, and was elevated
to the Supreme Court in May 2019.As CJI, his priorities include reducing
pendency in Supreme Court and lower courts, promoting alternative dispute
resolution, encouraging community mediation, and constituting Constitution
Benches of 5, 7, and 9 judges for long-pending matters.India’s courts face a
backlog of 5.29 crore pending cases, with 4.65 crore in district/subordinate
courts, 63.3 lakh in High Courts, and 86,742 in the Supreme Court, emphasizing
the need for judicial efficiency.
2. Sandip Pradhan Appointed as Whole-Time Member of SEBI: The government has appointed Sandip
Pradhan, Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Pune, as
a Whole-Time Member of SEBI for a three-year terWith this appointment,
SEBI’s Whole-Time Members include Amarjeet Singh, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, and
now Sandip Pradhan, as per the Ministry of Finance notification.The appointment
was made under the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992, and relevant service
rules, and will be effective from the date he assumes charge or until further
orders.
3. Centre Announces Major Secretary-Level Reshuffle
Across Key Ministries: The
Centre executed a major secretary-level reshuffle,
appointing Neeraj Mittal (IAS, 1992 batch) as the new Petroleum &
Natural Gas Secretary, replacing Pankaj Jain, who has moved to the Eighth
Central Pay Commission.Amit Agrawal, Pharmaceuticals Secretary, has been
shifted as the new Telecommunications Secretary, while Manoj
Joshi (Land Resources Secretary) will now serve as Pharmaceuticals
Secretary.Tourism Secretary Vidyavathi has been appointed
as Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with
Disabilities, and senior IAS officer Srivatsa Krishna will take charge as
the new Tourism Secretary.Atish Chandra has been appointed OSD in Agriculture,
set to take over as Agriculture Secretary in 2026, while Anju Rathi Rana
becomes Member Secretary of the 23rd Law Commission, and Rajiv Mani’s tenure as
Legislative Secretary has been extended till July 31, 2028 with additional
charge of Legal Affairs.
4. 24 November – Lachit Divas: Lachit Divas, celebrated on November
24, honours the birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan, a revered Assamese
military leader.Lachit Borphukan is celebrated for his fearless leadership in
the Battle of Saraighat (1671), where the Assamese army achieved a historic
victory over the Mughals.The day serves as a reminder of Assamese pride, valor,
and the importance of regional heritage, inspiring current and future
generations with his legacy.
5. Dharmendra Dies at 89: Veteran actor and Padma Bhushan (2012)
awardee Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 in Mumbai, leaving
behind a six-decade-long legacy with over 300 films, including classics like
Sholay, Phool Aur Patthar, and Chupke Chupke.Fondly known as Bollywood’s
He-Man, he was praised by filmmakers and political leaders alike for his
charismatic presence, versatile performances, and kind-hearted nature.Born in
1935 in Ludhiana, Dharmendra also served as a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
from 2004–2009.Dharmendra’s notable awards include the Filmfare Lifetime
Achievement Award (1997) and the National Film Award for Best Popular Film for
Ghayal (1990). He has also received lifetime achievement awards from the
International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) (2007) and Zee Cine Awards (2005).
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Samsung and UN GCNI Launch ‘DigiArivu’ to Boost
Digital and STEM Education in Tamil Nadu: Samsung and United Nations Global Compact
Network India (UN GCNI) launched ‘DigiArivu’, an education
programme to strengthen digital and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
Mathematics) education in Tamil Nadu.The initiative will upgrade school
infrastructure, enable STEM and digital learning, train teachers, and support
student development in 10 government schools across Kancheepuram and Ranipet
districts.The programme is designed using UN GCNI research, inputs from Samsung
employees in Sriperumbudur, and feedback from local community members and state
government schools.
2. MeitY Launches CSIC 1.0 to Boost Indigenous
Cybersecurity Innovation and Student Participation: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan launched
the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 in New Delhi to
expose students to real-world cybersecurity threats and boost India’s cyber
resilience.CSIC 1.0 aims to promote indigenous, research-driven cybersecurity
solutions by encouraging participation and innovation from India’s academic
ecosystem under the Information Security Education and Awareness Project.
3. China Builds World’s First Nuclear-Blast-Resistant
Floating Island: China is
building the world’s first artificial floating island
— a 78,000-tonne semi-submersible, twin-hull platform capable of
surviving nuclear blasts and sustaining 238 people for four months without
resupply.The structure, comparable in size to the Fujian aircraft carrier, is
officially named the Deep-Sea All-Weather Resident Floating Research Facility
and is expected to become operational by 2028.The island, developed after a
decade of research, measures 138m × 85m, with its main deck 45m above the
waterline, serving as China’s advanced “far-sea floating Mobile Island.”
4. India Becomes World’s 3rd-Largest and Fastest-Growing
Quick Commerce Market: India has
become the world’s 3rd-largest quick commerce (qcom) market, behind only
China and the US, and is projected to be the fastest-growing among the top
three with a 15.5% CAGR (2025–2030).
India received $6.8 billion in qcom funding over the
past decade — higher than Germany, the UK, and Türkiye — and its revenues are
expected to double from $5.38 billion (2025) to $11.08 billion (2030).India’s
user base is projected to reach 65 million qcom consumers, giving it a 7%
global share, while China and the US together continue to dominate with over 78%
of global revenues.
Major Indian players like Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart,
Flipkart Minutes, and BigBasket have expanded to 70–100+ cities, operating
4,600+ dark stores and serving around 20 million active shoppers.
5. 24 November – World Conjoined Twins Day: World Conjoined Twins Day is observed on
24 November to raise global awareness about conjoined twins and the
medical, social, and emotional challenges they face.The day highlights the
importance of advanced surgical care, early diagnosis, and improved support
systems for families of conjoined twins.The observance aims to promote
compassion, inclusion, and understanding, ensuring conjoined twins receive
equal opportunities and dignified healthcare.
6. Larry
Page Becomes World’s Second-Richest Person: Google co-founder Larry Page has climbed to the
position of the world’s second-richest individual, driven by a powerful surge
in Alphabet’s market value amid a global rally in artificial intelligence. His net worth now stands at $255
billion, according to the Forbes Real Time Billionaires List. Shares of
Alphabet have risen more than 83 per cent in six months and nearly 88 per cent
over the past year, closing recently at $318.5 apiece. The company’s valuation
has reached approximately $3.82 trillion, placing it within reach of the $4
trillion benchmark. Analysts attribute this momentum to strong quarterly
performance and positive reception of Google’s Gemini 3 AI model. Page’s wealth
has expanded dramatically over the past two years. From $114 billion in 2024,
his fortune jumped to $144 billion earlier this year and has now surged to $255
billion. A single-day rise of nearly 6 per cent contributed to this milestone,
reflecting investor enthusiasm for Alphabet’s accelerating AI strategy.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. BEL & Safran Sign JV to manufacture HAMMER
Precision Weapon in India: Bharat
Electronics Limited and Safran Electronics and Defence of
France signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement in New Delhi,
for the production of Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range
(HAMMER) Smart Precision Guided Air-to-Ground Weapon.The partnership will
localise manufacturing, supply, and maintenance for the Indian Air Force and
Navy, with indigenisation progressively increasing to 60%. Production transfer
will occur in phases, with BEL handling final assembly, testing, and quality
assurance of the combat-proven HAMMER system used on platforms like Rafale and
LCA Tejas.
2. China
Launches Shenzhou 22 in Emergency Rescue Mission: China has carried out an emergency
spaceflight by launching the unmanned Shenzhou 22 spacecraft to ensure a safe
return route for astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station. The mission was
activated after a damaged re-entry vehicle left the current crew temporarily
without a way back to Earth. A Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province at 12:11 p.m. on 25 November.
The China Manned Space Agency confirmed that
Shenzhou 22 successfully entered its planned orbit. The spacecraft is now
docked with Tiangong, securing an evacuation route for the crew stationed there
since 1 November. The emergency deployment followed an earlier setback when the
Shenzhou 20 return capsule suffered a cracked window, believed to have been
caused by space debris. That damage forced a nine-day delay in the astronauts’
return to Earth. They were ultimately brought home aboard Shenzhou 21, which
had arrived to deliver the replacement crew, leaving the new occupants without
an immediate escape vehicle.
3. India-France
Defence Deal to Produce HAMMER Smart Weapons in India: India and France have
advanced their defence partnership with a new agreement to co-produce the
HAMMER air-to-ground precision weapon system in India. The move strengthens New
Delhi’s strategy of boosting domestic capability in high-technology armaments
while reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Bharat Electronics Limited and
Safran Electronics & Defence have signed a pact to manufacture the HAMMER
weapon system in India. The collaboration focuses on localisation of
production, supply chains and long-term maintenance support. The Ministry of
Defence confirmed that the system will be adapted for different mission
profiles and operated from multiple fighter platforms. The HAMMER system will
be integrated with India’s Rafale fighters as well as the indigenous Tejas
light combat aircraft. Designed to provide stand-off capability, the weapon
allows precision strike on fortified targets while keeping the aircraft outside
hostile air-defence envelopes. Its modular design enables flexible deployment,
making it suitable for varied combat scenarios.
SPORTS
1. Jammie
Booker Wins World’s Strongest Woman Competition 2025: The 2025 World’s
Strongest Woman competition in Texas triggered a major debate after American
athlete Jammie Booker won the title. Many athletes and spectators claimed the
winner was a biological male, sparking concerns about fairness in women’s
strength sports. Runner-up Andrea Thompson’s reaction on the podium intensified
the discussion and pushed the issue into global headlines. Andrea Thompson’s
visible displeasure, captured as she stepped down from the podium, became the
defining moment of the event. Her three-word muttered remark signalled
frustration, and within hours strongwoman athletes and coaches publicly
questioned the fairness of the competition. Many stated that women’s divisions
must be reserved for individuals born female. Three-time champion Rebecca
Roberts said she and several others were not aware of Jammie Booker’s
background. She emphasised that strength events rely on transparent rules and
insisted that changes should not be made without notifying athletes. Thompson
liked Roberts’ post, which quickly gained support from fans who named her the
“true” champion.
2. Rohit
Sharma Named Brand Ambassador for ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has
been appointed the brand ambassador for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The
announcement was made by ICC chairman Jay Shah during the tournament’s schedule
reveal, marking a historic moment as Rohit becomes the first active cricketer
to hold this ambassadorial role. Jay Shah highlighted Rohit’s long-standing
influence in T20 cricket, noting his presence in all nine editions of the
tournament and his leadership during India’s title-winning campaign in 2024.
The decision underscores Rohit’s stature as one of the sport’s most
accomplished and recognisable figures. Rohit expressed deep gratitude, calling
the role a major privilege and honour. He emphasised the uniqueness of being
named an ICC ambassador while still an active player, recognising the trust
placed in him by global cricketing authorities.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. MeitY Launches CSIC 1.0 to Boost Indigenous Cybersecurity
Innovation and Student Participation: MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan launched the Cyber Security
Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 in New Delhi to expose students to
real-world cybersecurity threats and boost India’s cyber resilience.CSIC 1.0
aims to promote indigenous, research-driven cybersecurity solutions by
encouraging participation and innovation from India’s academic ecosystem under the Information
Security Education and Awareness Project.
2. PM
Modi to Launch Skyroot’s Multi-Launch Vehicle Facility: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi will virtually inaugurate Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus in
Hyderabad on November 27, marking a major boost for India’s private space
sector. The facility is designed to accelerate the country’s capability to
build, test and deploy multiple launch vehicles. The newly developed 2-lakh
square feet campus will support end-to-end processes for orbital-class rockets,
including design, integration and testing. With an intended capacity to produce
one orbital rocket every month, the centre is expected to strengthen India’s
growing commercial launch ecosystem and enhance competitiveness in global space
markets. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister will also unveil Vikram-I,
Skyroot’s first orbital rocket capable of launching satellites into space. The
company earlier made history by launching Vikram-S, India’s first privately
built sub-orbital rocket. Founded by Pawan Chandana and Bharath Dhaka, both IIT
alumni and former ISRO professionals, Skyroot has become a key player in India’s
emerging private space industry.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Greenex Environmental Partners With Norway’s EPD Global: Pune-based Greenex Environmental has entered a strategic collaboration with Norway’s EPD Global to expand Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) services for Indian manufacturers. The partnership aims to strengthen sustainability reporting, improve market readiness and enhance global competitiveness, especially for export-oriented industries and MSMEs. Under the memorandum of understanding, Greenex Environmental will assess the environmental impact of products manufactured in India, while EPD Global will publish the final Environmental Product Declarations. This arrangement combines Norwegian certification expertise with strong Indian technical capabilities, ensuring internationally compliant, transparent product-impact reporting for manufacturers. The initiative supports India’s broader transition towards low-carbon, sustainable manufacturing. As countries tighten environmental norms, EPDs are becoming integral to demonstrating responsible production and meeting emerging global standards. The partnership is also expected to create skilled employment in environmental assessment and accelerate the shift towards cleaner industrial practices.
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