🇮🇳 National News
Playback singer Palak Muchhal has secured a Guinness World Record for facilitating over 3,800 heart surgeries for underprivileged children through her Palash Charitable Foundation.
- She donates 100% of her stage earnings along with personal contributions.
- Supports pediatric cardiac surgeries.
- Aids families of Kargil martyrs and helps disaster victims.
- Her model of philanthropy — combining celebrity outreach, sustained funding, and active involvement — has earned recognition in both Guinness and Limca Book of Records.
Punjab is now the first Indian state to completely implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme, extending broadband connectivity to almost all villages and covering 43 shadow areas.
- With only one village pending, the initiative enhances border surveillance.
- Boosts e-governance and expands e-health services.
- The state’s rollout serves as a replicable model for reducing the rural digital divide through high-speed fibre networks.
PM Narendra Modi participated in Bhutan’s holy Kalachakra (Wheel of Time) ceremony in November 2025, reinforcing spiritual diplomacy between the nations.
- The Tibetan Vajrayana ritual symbolizes peace, harmony, and impermanence.
- Features mandala creation, prayers, and empowerment rites.
- Modi’s presence, alongside King Jigme Khesar and Je Khenpo, highlighted India–Bhutan cultural ties.
- Supported by the launch of the Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project and deeper cooperation in energy, defence, and connectivity.
India will soon receive 8 cheetahs from Botswana as part of Project Cheetah, aimed at reviving the species that went extinct in India in 1952.
- Announced during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Botswana.
- The initiative supports genetic diversification and strengthens wildlife conservation.
- Deepens ecological and diplomatic partnership.
- This comes after the earlier translocation of cheetahs from Namibia (2022).
The Union Cabinet has approved the CGSE, providing up to ₹20,000 crore in collateral-free credit to MSME and non-MSME exporters.
- Backed by a 100% guarantee from the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC).
- Managed by the Department of Financial Services.
- Improve export liquidity
- Encourage market expansion
- Enhance global competitiveness
- Support India’s US $1 trillion export goal
Implementation will be overseen by a committee headed by the DFS Secretary, working with Member Lending Institutions (MLIs).
After 38 years, Maharashtra’s Agriculture Department has introduced a refreshed logo with the slogan “Sashwat Sheti, Samruddha Shetkari” (Sustainable Farming, Prosperous Farmer).
- Selected through a public contest with 1,700+ entries.
- The new emblem mirrors the state’s move toward sustainable, tech-driven agriculture.
- Aims to uplift farmer morale, promote agri-entrepreneurship, and blend traditional practices with modern innovation.
24 authors across Indian languages have been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025 for excellence in children’s literature.
- Award ceremony: 14 November 2025, Triveni Auditorium, New Delhi
- Presided over by Madhav Kaushik with Varsha Das as Chief Guest.
- Each winner receives ₹50,000 and a bronze plaque.
- An Awardees’ Meet on 15 November at Ravindra Bhawan will facilitate discussions and literary interactions.
Several sporting icons have been recommended for Padma Awards 2026 in recognition of their achievements and contributions to Indian sports.
- Padma Vibhushan: Abhinav Bindra, Leander Paes
- Padma Bhushan: Neeraj Chopra, Gagan Narang
- Padma Shri: Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, and other emerging talents
These recommendations honour Olympic achievements, Grand Slam victories, and significant contributions to Indian sports.
India’s RUDRA Brigade conducted Operation Akhand Prahar in Jaisalmer, showcasing futuristic desert warfare capabilities.
- The exercise integrated drones, AI-enabled surveillance, and indigenous defence technologies.
- As India’s first all-arms combat formation, RUDRA exhibited rapid mobility, precision operations, and joint-service coordination.
- Reflects Atmanirbharta and modernised defence strategy.
💼 Business & Economy
India and Bahrain have launched instant cross-border payments by linking UPI with Bahrain’s Fawri+ system.
- Implemented by NPCI International and BENEFIT.
- Under supervision of RBI and the Central Bank of Bahrain.
- Enables low-cost, real-time remittances.
- Supports fintech collaboration, benefits Bahrain’s Indian diaspora, and accelerates UPI’s global expansion strategy.
🔬 Science & Technology
India’s first Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) was unveiled at ESTIC 2025, developed by the P-Quest Group, IIT Bombay.
- Uses nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds.
- Can map 3D magnetic fields.
- Useful in neuroscience, materials science, and semiconductor diagnostics.
- Led by Prof. Kasturi Saha.
- Contributes to the National Quantum Mission.
- Marks India’s first patent in quantum magnetic imaging.
Kunchala Kaivalya Reddy, a 17-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, has been chosen for a 4-year astronaut training programme (2026–2029) with Titans Space Industries, targeting a 2029 Earth-orbit mission.
- Selected from 150 candidates across 36 countries.
- Her achievement inspires youth — especially girls — to pursue careers in astrophysics, aerospace, and astronomy.
📅 Important Days
World Diabetes Day is observed annually on 14 November to promote awareness on diabetes prevention, care, and management.
- Commemorates the birth anniversary of Sir Frederick G. Banting, co-discoverer of insulin.
- 2025 Highlight: WHO emphasized affordable access to diabetes medicines and care.
- Established in 1991 by IDF & WHO; declared a UN Day in 2006.
- Diabetes results from insufficient insulin secretion, leading to high blood glucose.
- Insulin discovery (1921) involved Banting, Best, Macleod, and later purification by Collip.
- Insulin remains a lifesaving therapy for people with high blood sugar levels.
Children’s Day is celebrated annually on 14 November to honour Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister.
“For Every Child, Every Right”
- Affectionately called Chacha Nehru, he believed children are the true strength of a nation.
- Born in 1889 to Motilal Nehru.
- Elder brother to Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, the first woman President of the UNGA.
- After his death in 1964, Parliament designated 14 November as Children’s Day.
The day is marked with educational programs and awareness campaigns focused on children’s welfare and rights.
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