Current Affairs November 2025

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Roundup (November 26 – November 30, 2025)

Governance & Polity (GS Paper 2)

• Constitution Day initiatives emphasise citizen-centric governance (Nov 26): Government departments conducted nation-wide campaigns highlighting constitutional values, digital inclusion, and rights-based service delivery.
• Parliamentary Panel reviews Digital Public Infrastructure (Nov 28): A committee examined challenges in scaling DPI systems like Aadhaar, UPI, and ABHA, stressing cybersecurity, privacy safeguards, and interoperability.

Economy (GS Paper 3)

• GST revenue shows strong growth in November (Nov 30): Provisional data indicated robust indirect tax performance driven by manufacturing and services, signalling resilient economic activity.
• Centre announces reforms for logistics sector (Nov 27): A new policy update focused on multimodal integration, reducing cost-to-GDP ratio, and expanding digital tracking of freight corridors.

Environment & Agriculture (GS Paper 3)

• India prepares for COP30 negotiations (Nov 29): Pre-COP consultations highlighted India’s stance on climate finance, adaptation support, and technology transfer for developing nations.
• Rabi season sowing progress (Nov 26–30): Early agricultural data showed improved acreage due to favourable winter temperatures and better irrigation coverage.

Science & Technology (GS Paper 3)

• ISRO conducts key test for reusable launch vehicle (Nov 27): Engineers completed a crucial ground test for RLV technology aimed at reducing launch costs and enabling high-frequency missions.
• National Cybersecurity Grid upgrade announced (Nov 29): Government revealed a plan to integrate state-level CERTs with a centralised real-time cyber threat monitoring system.

International Relations (GS Paper 2)

• India–ASEAN security dialogue held virtually (Nov 28): Discussions focused on maritime cooperation, counter-terrorism, digital trade, and enhancing defence training exchanges.
• UN General Assembly debates AI ethics (Nov 29): India reiterated the need for equitable AI governance frameworks and transparency among major tech-producing nations.

Culture & Ethics (GS Paper 1 & 4)

• Constitution Day celebrations highlight civic ethics (Nov 26): Schools and institutions held events promoting constitutional morality, public duty, and ethical citizenship.
• UNESCO heritage awareness drives launched (Nov 30): Cultural bodies emphasised safeguarding local art forms, monuments, and intangible cultural traditions.

Prelims & Data Points

• Constitution Day: Observed on Nov 26 every year.
• GST revenue growth update: Released Nov 30, 2025.
• ISRO RLV test update: Conducted Nov 27, 2025.
• India–ASEAN dialogue: Virtual meet held Nov 28, 2025.
• National Cybersecurity Grid upgrade: Announced Nov 29, 2025.

Summary Table

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Roundup (November 19 – November 25, 2025)

Governance & Polity (GS Paper 2)

• Justice Surya Kant sworn-in as 53rd Chief Justice of India (Nov 24): Justice Surya Kant took oath at Rashtrapati Bhavan, succeeding BR Gavai, with focus expected on clearing key Constitution Bench matters.
• Launch of national-level AI course under IndiaAI Mission (Nov 19): Government introduced “YUVA AI for ALL,” a free 4.5-hour AI-literacy course aimed at boosting digital inclusion and awareness.

Economy & Social Policy (GS Paper 3 / GS Paper 2)

• India–Europe payment systems to be interlinked (Nov 21): RBI and the European Central Bank agreed to begin the initial phase of linking UPI with European payment networks, enabling low-cost cross-border transfers.
• Fisheries & aquaculture sector highlighted (Nov 21): National discussions emphasised sustainable expansion of fisheries to bolster rural economy and export potential.

Defence & Security (GS Paper 3)

• Indian Navy commissions Mahe-class ASW craft (Nov 24): The first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft was commissioned in Mumbai, strengthening coastal defence and naval indigenisation.

Health, Digital Infrastructure & Welfare (GS Paper 2 & 3)

• Regional Open Digital Health Summit held in New Delhi (Nov 19–20): The NHA, WHO SEARO, UNICEF and NeGD focused on interoperable digital health systems for the Global South.
• World Toilet Day highlights sanitation challenges (Nov 19): WHO stressed that billions still lack access to safe sanitation, underscoring public-health and WASH infrastructure gaps.

Prelims & Data Points

• Justice Surya Kant becomes CJI: Nov 24, 2025.
• UPI–Europe interlinking announced: Nov 21, 2025.
• YUVA AI for ALL launched: Nov 19, 2025.
• Mahe-class ASW craft commissioned: Nov 24, 2025.
• Regional Open Digital Health Summit: Nov 19–20, 2025.

Summary Table

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Roundup (November 12 – November 18, 2025)

Governance & Polity (GS Paper 2)

• Bihar Assembly Election Results (Nov 14): The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a landslide victory, winning a large majority of seats in the Bihar Legislative Assembly.
• RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s Jaipur Visit (Nov 12–15): As part of the centenary-year celebrations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bhagwat visited Jaipur for four days to meet volunteers, attend a symposium, and release a commemorative book.

Economy (GS Paper 3)

• Proposal to Revamp Industrial Output Measurement (Nov 11): The Statistics Ministry proposed replacing closed factories in the IIP sample with active ones and updating the base year to 2022–23 to improve data accuracy.

Environment & Agriculture (GS Paper 3)

• India Reaffirms Climate Commitments at COP 30 (Nov 12): India reiterated its stance on climate justice and equitable responsibility, stressing the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” during COP 30 in Brazil.

Science & Technology (GS Paper 3)

• First MWh-Scale Vanadium Flow Battery Commissioned (Nov 12): NTPC NETRA inaugurated a 3 MWh vanadium redox flow battery, bolstering India’s long-duration energy storage capacity.
• India Becomes 6th-Largest Patent Filer (Nov 18): India filed over 64,000 patent applications, underscoring its growing innovation and R&D ecosystem.

International Relations (GS Paper 2)

• Malabar Naval Exercise 2025 Begins (Nov 12): India, the US, Japan, and Australia commenced the Malabar naval exercise, signalling strengthened strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Culture & Ethics (GS Paper 1 & 4)

• Centenary Reflections of the RSS (Nov 12–15): During Mohan Bhagwat’s Jaipur visit, discussions centred on integral human philosophy, organisational legacy, and national identity.

Prelims & Data Points

• Bihar Election Result: NDA’s decisive win (Nov 14).
• Industrial Output Measurement Reform: Shift in IIP methodology and base year.
• Vanadium Flow Battery: 3 MWh system inaugurated at NTPC NETRA.
• Patent Filings: India becomes 6th-largest filer.
• Malabar Exercise: Quad navies commence war games.
• RSS Centenary Event: Key symposium and book launch in Jaipur.

Summary Table

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Roundup (November 5 – November 11, 2025)

Governance & Polity (GS Paper 2)

• Visit of the Prime Minister to Bhutan (Nov 11): The Prime Minister undertook a two-day State visit to Bhutan to strengthen bilateral ties, attend the Global Peace Prayer Festival and meet the King; outcomes focused on connectivity, cultural ties and strategic cooperation.
• Government response after Delhi explosion (Nov 10–11): In the wake of the powerful car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort area, central and Delhi authorities invoked stringent investigation provisions and coordinated security and relief measures.

Economy (GS Paper 3)

• NITI Aayog panel flags Quality Control Orders (Nov 10): A high-level review found that proliferation of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) has increased compliance costs for MSMEs and exporters, prompting calls to rationalise or suspend several orders.
• Government signals easing QCO burden (Nov 10–11): Following industry pushback and panel recommendations, the Centre indicated steps to review and possibly ease implementation to reduce disruption to supply chains.

Environment & Agriculture (GS Paper 3)

• No major national headlines in this domain this week: (Focus remained on governance, security and regulatory/economic issues.)

Science & Technology (GS Paper 3)

• Debate on Gen-AI & government-led LLMs intensifies (Nov 7–10): As India advances the IndiaAI Mission, opinion pieces and policy discussions highlighted concerns about data privacy, use of foreign AI tools in official workflows and the push for indigenous LLMs.

International Relations (GS Paper 2)

• India–Bhutan ties highlighted during State visit (Nov 11): The visit underscored the special strategic partnership, people-to-people links and cooperation on regional peace initiatives such as the Global Peace Prayer Festival.

Culture & Ethics (GS Paper 1 & 4)

• Public solidarity and ethical diplomacy (Nov 11): Following the Delhi explosion, gestures of solidarity (including international/partner-state prayers and statements) illustrated ethical diplomacy and cross-border empathy in crisis.

Prelims & Data Points

• PM’s State visit to Bhutan: Nov 11–12 (audience with the King; Global Peace Prayer Festival).
• Delhi car explosion near Red Fort: Powerful blast on Nov 10; multiple fatalities and ongoing national investigation.
• NITI Aayog on QCOs: Panel flagged over-proliferation and recommended suspension/rationalisation of many Quality Control Orders (report surfaced Nov 10).
• Government to review QCO implementation: Signals from Centre on easing industry burden (Nov 10–11).
• Debate around IndiaAI & Gen-AI policy: Ongoing commentary on safeguarding government data and promoting indigenous LLMs (Nov 7–10).

Summary Table

UPSC Weekly Current Affairs Roundup (October 29 – November 4, 2025)

Governance & Polity (GS Paper 2)

• Strengthening India-EU & Cyprus ties (Oct 30): The External Affairs Minister emphasised deepening India’s cooperation with the EU and Cyprus, underlining a broader foreign-policy shift.
• Export rebate review panel constituted (Oct 30): The Government of India set up a committee under Neeraj Kumar Gupta to rationalise export-rebate schemes (RoDTEP & RoSCTL) for FY25 onwards.

Economy (GS Paper 3)

• Major ship-building & port investment launched (Oct 29): The Prime Minister launched initiatives worth ₹2.2 lakh crore to boost India’s maritime sector and port efficiency.
• Electronics component parks approved (Oct 29): The Government approved INR 5,532 crore investment for 7 electronics-component manufacturing plants under ECMS.

Environment & Agriculture (GS Paper 3)

• Fertiliser subsidy revision for Rabi 2025-26 (Oct 29): The Cabinet approved new Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic & potassic fertilisers, covering the Rabi season.

Science & Technology (GS Paper 3)

• Urban planning policy debate escalates (Oct 29): Discussions ranged around the need for India’s urban planning paradigm to shift from land-use regulation to economic growth-oriented cities.

International Relations (GS Paper 2)

• India seeks U.S. sanctions waiver extension for Chabahar Port (Oct 29): India requested the extension of the U.S. sanctions waiver for the Chabahar port project, crucial for regional connectivity via Iran.
• Historic women’s World Cup semifinal win (Oct 30): India defeated Australia in a record-breaking chase to enter the Women’s Cricket World Cup final — marking a boost to India’s global sports diplomacy.

Culture & Ethics (GS Paper 1 & 4)

• No specific headline flagged this week in culture/ethics domain.

Prelims & Data Points

• Maritime sector investment announced: ₹2.2 lakh crore package (Oct 29).
• Electronics component plan value: ₹5,532 crore (Oct 29).
• Chabahar sanctions waiver extension requested: Oct 29
• India beats Australia to enter Women’s World Cup final: Oct 30.
• Export-rebate review committee constituted: Oct 30.

Summary Table