Daily GK Update- 30th Nov, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. University of Liverpool to Launch First Foreign Campus in Bengaluru, Admissions Open for 2026: The University of Liverpool, U.K.-based, has confirmed the location of its first foreign campus in Bengaluru, which will operate from Alembic City near Whitefield.Admissions for the 2026 academic year are now open, offering undergraduate programmes in Computer Science, Business Management, Accounting & Finance, Biomedical Sciences, and, for the first time at a U.K. campus in India, Game Design.The campus aims to bring world-class UK-accredited education to India, fostering India-UK collaboration through research in sustainability, digital transformation, and health sciences, while providing a state-of-the-art learning environment for students.

 

2. India’s Largest MSW–to–CBG in Nagpur is scheduled to become operational by March 2026: Nagpur is set to achieve a national milestone with the upcoming commissioning of India’s largest municipal solid waste-to-compressed biogas plant based on dry anaerobic digestion technology. The project at Bhandewadi is progressing steadily and is expected to be fully operational by March 2026, marking a transformative shift in urban waste management. The plant spans 30 acres of municipal land and has reached cold commissioning despite construction delays caused by an extended monsoon. Authorities have granted a four-month extension, allowing phased hot commissioning to begin soon. The facility represents a key initiative supported by central and state leadership with strong administrative oversight. Developers have built a 1,500 MTPD processing capacity against the mandated 1,000 MTPD, anticipating future waste growth. The dry fermentation technology, proven through an on-site pilot in 2024, allows efficient digestion of India’s mixed waste stream. This design places the plant among the world’s largest dry anaerobic digestion facilities and a first in India at such scale.

 

3. C-DOT and IIT Roorkee Join Hands to Establish Centre of Excellence for Advanced Communication Technologies: C-DOT signed an MoU with IIT Roorkee to collaborate on advancing research and innovation in cutting-edge communication technologies.Under this MoU, C-DOT will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Roorkee to accelerate indigenous R&D and capacity building.The CoE will focus on joint research and prototype development in areas such as 5G/6G, RF-Sub-THz ICs, sensors, millimeter-wave beamforming antennas, V2X communication, and energy-efficient wireless technologies.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025: The World Telecommunication Development Conference 2025 in Baku concluded on 28 November with global participation from ministers, policymakers and industry leaders. Held every four years, the conference charted the strategic roadmap for worldwide telecommunications development, drawing more than 2,300 delegates from across regions. India participated under the leadership of the Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, who outlined India’s vision on universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation. India assumed major leadership positions, including Conference Vice-Chair and key roles in coordination, innovation and study group activities. The delegation engaged extensively through bilateral meetings and ministerial dialogues, underscoring India’s global digital partnerships. India contributed substantially to resolutions that aim to expand digital inclusion. Key efforts included extending smart sustainable city concepts to rural regions under Resolution 85 and strengthening innovation ecosystems under Resolutions 89 and 90. These resolutions support emerging technologies, local innovators and meaningful connectivity through capacity-building and public–private collaboration.

 

2. Chef Vijay Kumar Named Global Indian of the Year 2025: Chef Vijay Kumar has been honoured as the Global Indian of the Year at CNN-News18’s Indian of the Year Awards 2025, marking a defining moment in his rapidly rising international career. The recognition comes shortly after his major win at the James Beard Foundation Awards, where he was declared Best Chef: New York State. Kumar’s journey began in the small farming village of Natham in Tamil Nadu. His culinary philosophy is shaped by childhood memories, firewood cooking, foraged ingredients and family recipes passed down by his mother and grandmother. This deep cultural grounding continues to influence his work in global kitchens. The latest honour places Kumar alongside notable nominees from diverse fields. His recent James Beard victory was hailed as a breakthrough for South Indian cuisine on the global stage. Experts note that his rise follows a lineage of influential Tamil-origin culinary figures, strengthening international appreciation for regional Indian food traditions.

 

3. Sri Lanka Declares Emergency Amid Cyclone Ditwah Devastation: Sri Lanka has declared a nationwide state of emergency after Cyclone Ditwah caused extensive loss of life, large-scale displacement, and severe infrastructural damage. The government aims to accelerate relief coordination, rescue deployment, and medical support as the island continues to battle flooding, high winds, and communication breakdowns. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake invoked emergency regulations to streamline the mobilisation of troops, police, health personnel, and civil defence units. The move follows appeals from opposition parties and medical associations calling for urgent state intervention. The regulations are designed to enable faster decision-making and coordinated disaster management across affected districts. India has scaled up relief support, supplying nearly 27 tonnes of essential materials by air and sea. Two military transport aircraft delivered 21 tonnes of supplies on Saturday, following an earlier consignment of six tonnes. India has also deployed two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 NDRF personnel, while Chetak helicopters from INS “Vikrant” joined aerial rescue operations.

 

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Western Air Command Holds Commanders’ Conference 2025: The Western Air Command concluded its two-day Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on 28 November 2025, bringing senior leadership together to review operational readiness and future capability development. The event centred on the theme “विकासशील सक्षम भारतीय वायु सेना” and highlighted the Indian Air Force’s drive toward self-reliance and enhanced preparedness. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh presided over the conference and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour on arrival. He stressed the need to strengthen air warriors’ training, leadership development and welfare measures. Emphasising morale as an operational asset, he urged adherence to the IAF’s core values of Mission, Integrity and Excellence. Key sessions examined the strategic relevance of indigenous technologies. The Principal Scientific Adviser, Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, underlined the need for a technologically self-reliant Air Force to safeguard national sovereignty. DRDO’s Director General (Aero), Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon, highlighted advancements in autonomous aerial systems, airborne surveillance platforms and space-enabled ISR as critical future enablers.

 

2. INS Vikrant Leads India’s Participation at International Fleet Review 2025 in Colombo: India has deployed its first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, alongside the indigenously built frigate INS Udaygiri, to the International Fleet Review 2025 in Colombo. Hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy from 27 to 29 November 2025, the event marks both vessels’ maiden overseas deployment and reinforces India’s maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region. INS Vikrant’s participation reflects India’s growing naval self-reliance and its intent to showcase indigenous capability on a global platform. Its presence at a major multilateral maritime event underlines India’s commitment to cooperative security and regional stability. The deployment also highlights India’s alignment with partner navies in the wider Indian Ocean community. During the three-day event, both ships will join key fleet review activities including ceremonial inspections, a city parade, community outreach programmes, and structured professional interactions. Public-access hours will allow visitors to board the ships, enhancing naval diplomacy and fostering people-to-people engagement across the region.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha Qualifies for 2026 Australian Open Doubles: Indian tennis player Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha has earned a major breakthrough by qualifying for the 2026 Australian Open men’s doubles main draw. Partnering Thailand’s Pruchya Isaro, he secured the spot after winning the Asia-Pacific Wildcard Playoff in a commanding performance. The Indo-Thai pair delivered consistent results throughout the event, culminating in a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Seita Kusuhara and Katsuki Nakagawa. Their 6-4, 6-3 win in the final secured the coveted wildcard to Melbourne Park, marking a career-defining moment for the Indian player. The qualification marks Poonacha’s first Grand Slam main-draw appearance. The 30-year-old has spent much of his career competing on the ATP Challenger and ITF circuits, where he reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 98 and captured six Challenger titles. The opportunity in Australia now places him alongside elite international doubles teams.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. India Launches ₹720-Crore Quantum Fabrication Facilities Across Premier Institutes Under National Quantum Mission: The government announced ₹720 crore quantum fabrication and central facilities across IIT Bombay, IISc Bengaluru, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Delhi under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), marking a major step toward India’s technological sovereignty in quantum science.These facilities will support quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum materials, and will remain open to academia, industry, start-ups, and strategic sectors, enabling indigenous development of advanced quantum hardware.IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IISc Bengaluru, and IIT Delhi will serve as key anchors for quantum sensing, metrology, quantum computing fabrication, and quantum materials, helping build India’s next-generation deep-tech ecosystem and skilled quantum workforce.

 

2. KIA Becomes India’s First Airport to Achieve Level 3 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation: Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has become the first airport in India to achieve Level 3 Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation (AEA) by Airports Council International, highlighting its leadership in inclusive travel.Under its ‘B-Included’ initiative, BIAL has introduced accessible facilities, digital tools, inclusive services, and even employed Persons with Disabilities in frontline roles, ensuring accessibility in every part of the airport experience.KIA progressed rapidly from Level 1 (Dec 2024) to Level 3 (Nov 2025) within a year, backed by extensive training, sensitisation programmes, and digital inclusivity measures like the UX4G Internet Accessibility Widget and dedicated PRM/PwD support.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. MoSJE–DWBDNC and MoRD–DAY NRLM Sign Landmark MoU to Empower De‑Notified: The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) – through the Development and Welfare Board for De-Notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC) – and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) – through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) – signed a key MoU to integrate DNT Self-Help Groups into the NRLM ecosystem, strengthening inclusive development and social justice for marginalised communities.Over the next three years, more than 5,000 DNT Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be mainstreamed into various NRLM structures, gaining access to credit, capacity building, livelihood value chains, and institutional support.A dedicated “DNT Sakhi” cadre has been introduced, with each Sakhi supporting around 30 families, ensuring effective coordination, outreach, and sustained livelihood development.

 

2. IDFC FIRST Bank Partners with FPSB India to Strengthen Financial Planning Standards and Professional Upskilling: IDFC FIRST Bank has signed an MoU with FPSB India as an Approved Corporate Partner (ACP) to strengthen professional standards in financial planning and enhance upskilling opportunities for its management and private banking teams.The partnership, signed under FPSB India’s ACP initiative, aims to promote financial planning excellence, professional certification, and ethical standards across India’s financial services industry. FPSB India is the country’s premier financial planning body, committed to establishing, maintaining, and promoting high professional standards in financial planning across India.It offers the globally respected CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) certification, known for its rigorous competency and ethical requirements, and represents over 3,215 CFP® professionals in India, connected to a worldwide network of 230,648+ CFP® professionals.

 

3. ADB Approves $400 Million RBL Program to Boost Road Connectivity and Inclusive Growth in Maharashtra: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million results-based lending (RBL) program to enhance road connectivity across 34 districts in Maharashtra, focusing on climate-vulnerable and economically lagging regions like Marathwada and Vidarbha.The project will improve state highways and rural roads totaling nearly 2,927 km, benefiting over 1.7 million people, including residents of 80+ villages and 410 rural communities, by linking them to markets, logistics hubs, healthcare, education, and essential services.Using the RBL approach, implementing agencies can pool resources, align efforts, and achieve shared results, promoting balanced and inclusive economic growth in Maharashtra through better access to rural villages, post-harvest centers, and social infrastructure.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. Baba Kalyani Wins Indian of the Year 2025 in Business: Baba Kalyani, chairman and managing director of Bharat Forge, has been honoured with the Indian of the Year 2025 award in the Business category. The recognition celebrates his decisive role in advancing India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and strengthening the nation’s global industrial presence. Kalyani received the award for his contribution to expanding India’s “Make in India” footprint in the defence sector. Through Bharat Forge and its defence arm, Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited, he has shaped one of the country’s leading private defence ecosystems. His efforts have supported the production and export of advanced artillery systems to international markets. Reflecting on his career, Kalyani highlighted three pivotal turning points: his early years at a military boarding school, formative guidance in the business world, and the landmark policy shift in 2014 that opened defence manufacturing to private industry. A decade later, Indian-made artillery guns reached European buyers, symbolising the impact of these reforms.