National Affairs
1. Delhi announces staggered office timings to curb pollution
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced staggered working hours for government and MCD offices to tackle rising air pollution during winter. The move aims to reduce vehicular congestion and improve air quality in the national capital.
2. Karnataka introduces paid menstrual leave policy
Karnataka became the first Indian state to approve 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually for women employees. The initiative promotes gender equality, workplace inclusivity , and health-conscious labour policies.
3. PM launches NexCAR19 – India’s first CAR T-cell therapy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched NexCAR19 , India’s first indigenously developed CAR T-cell therapy , marking a breakthrough in cancer treatment . Developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative , it strengthens India’s position in advanced healthcare innovation.
4. PM flags off four new Vande Bharat Express trains
PM Modi inaugurated four new Vande Bharat Express trains from Varanasi , advancing India’s railway modernization efforts and improving high-speed connectivity between key cities.
5. COP30 Climate Summit to be held in Brazil
The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) will take place in Belém, Brazil , in November 2025 . The summit will focus on climate adaptation , shifting global attention from emission reduction to addressing climate impacts such as floods, droughts, and rising sea levels.
6. India prepares for 2026 All India Tiger Estimation (AITE)
India is gearing up for the 2026 All India Tiger Estimation , the world’s largest wildlife survey using advanced AI-driven camera traps and satellite monitoring to assess tiger population and habitat health.
7. Manika Vishwakarma to represent India at Miss Universe 2025
Manika Vishwakarma , aged 22, from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan , is representing India at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand , showcasing India’s presence in global cultural platforms.
8. Raahul VS becomes India’s 91st Chess Grandmaster
Raahul VS earned the title of India’s 91st Grandmaster (GM) after his victory at the 6th ASEAN Individual Championship 2025 . His achievement highlights India’s growing dominance in international chess.
9. Sheetal Devi makes history in Indian archery
Sheetal Devi , an 18-year-old para-archer from Jammu and Kashmir , became the first Indian para-athlete to be selected for an able-bodied national archery team , setting a historic benchmark for inclusivity in sports.
10. SBI achieves historic $100 billion market cap milestone
The State Bank of India (SBI) crossed $100 billion in market capitalization and ₹100 trillion in total business , becoming the first Indian bank to achieve this dual milestone. This underscores the strong growth of India’s public sector banking system .
11. India outlines vision for global-class banks
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasized the need to create large, globally competitive Indian banks , aligning with India’s long-term economic growth and financial reform agenda .
12. RBI proposes lower risk weights for NBFC infrastructure lending
The RBI has proposed reducing risk weights on high-quality infrastructure projects financed by Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to stimulate long-term project financing and private investment in the infrastructure sector.
13. RBI releases new House Price Index (HPI)
The Reserve Bank of India publishes its House Price Index (HPI) quarterly, based on transaction-level property registration data , providing a benchmark for real estate valuation trends across major Indian cities.
14. Digital payments dominate India’s financial landscape
According to the RBI Half-Yearly Payment System Report (June 2025) , digital payment transactions accounted for 7% of total volume but an impressive 97.5% of total value in CY 2024 , reflecting India’s strong shift toward digital transactions.
15. INS Ikshak commissioned into the Indian Navy
The INS Ikshak , the third ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) [SVL] class , was commissioned at Kochi on 6 November 2025 . The vessel will enhance India’s maritime survey and ocean mapping capabilities.
16. Pharmacology Lab of AIIA earns BIS certifications
The Pharmacology Laboratory of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi , received IS/ISO 9001:2015, 14001:2015, and 45001:2018 certifications from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) — covering quality, environmental, and occupational safety management standards.
17. 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference inaugurated in Gurugram
The 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference & Exhibition 2025 was inaugurated by Union Minister Manohar Lal in Gurugram , focusing on sustainable transport, smart city infrastructure , and urban planning innovations.
18. BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Conference held in Kochi
The first biennial BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) Conference took place in Kochi (Nov 4–6, 2025), reinforcing India’s leadership in Blue Economy cooperation and marine science research in the Bay of Bengal region .
19. CCI approves majority acquisition in Aadhar Housing Finance
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved BCP Asia II Holdco VII Pvt. Ltd. acquiring up to 80.15% shareholding in Aadhar Housing Finance Limited (AHFL) , signaling a major international investment in India’s housing finance sector.
20. Mahindra & Mahindra sells stake in RBL Bank
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) sold its 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for ₹678 crore ($77.1 million) , earning a 62.5% return on its 2023 investment, reflecting strong private sector equity performance.
International Affairs
21. Bangladesh joins the N. Water Convention
Bangladesh became the first South Asian country to join the UN Water Convention (2025) , aimed at securing transboundary water resources and ensuring sustainable water management across borders.
22. US conducts Minuteman III ICBM test
The United States conducted a test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III ICBM (GT-254) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California , to validate the readiness of its land-based nuclear deterrent .
23. China commissions third aircraft carrier – Fujian
China officially commissioned its third aircraft carrier , the Fujian , marking a major advancement in naval modernization and expansion of maritime power .
Science & Obituaries