Daily Current Affairs

• India has slipped to 85th place, offering visa-free access to 57 countries.
• Marks a drop of five positions from the previous ranking.
• The rankings reflect the growing strength of Asian passports and a widening global mobility divide.

• Sunapur Beach has bagged the Blue Flag tag for the third year in a row.
• Puri Beach has achieved this distinction for the seventh time.

• Awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).
• Assesses beaches on 33 rigorous parameters that include water purity, safety systems, environmental management, and initiatives promoting ecological awareness.
• This achievement highlights India’s focus on promoting sustainable tourism, with 13 beaches across the country earning recognition this year.

• Tungbuk — a culturally significant string instrument
• Pumtong Pulit — a traditional bamboo flute

• This recognition strengthens both the heritage value and economic opportunities for the Lepcha community of Sikkim.
• The GI tags were formally awarded on 5 November 2025 at the 1st Tribal Business Conclave.
• The initiative received strong support from NABARD, which played a crucial role in documenting and facilitating the GI registration process.

• Duration: 16 to 27 November 2025
• Key aircraft participating:
• Su-30 MKI jets from India
• Rafale fighter jets from France

The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, conduct tactical drills, and strengthen air combat training, further deepening the India–France defence partnership and improving India’s strategic air capabilities in global scenarios.

• Side Scan Sonar for seabed mapping
• Underwater cameras
• Deep-learning-based target recognition for identifying underwater threats
• Advanced underwater acoustic communication, enabling data exchange between multiple AUV units

• Designed for autonomous mine countermeasure missions.
• Increases operational safety and efficiency.
• Recent field trials have proven their core functionalities.
• The system is expected to enter production in the coming months.

• Theme: “Technology, Trust and Trade”
• Attracted over 2,500 participants from 77 nations.
• Focus sectors: Electronics, defence, space, and aerospace.

• The Andhra Pradesh government aims to secure investments worth USD 0.5 trillion and create 50 lakh jobs.
• Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the state’s commitment to speed, efficiency, and real-time approval systems to support faster business growth.

• John Furner, currently serving as the CEO of Walmart U.S., will assume the role of global CEO from 1 February 2026.
• This transition is designed to ensure continuity in leadership as the company continues to navigate a rapidly evolving retail environment.
• Driven by digital innovation, omnichannel retail strategies, and shifting consumer behaviors.

• More than 55% of applications originate from Indian residents, highlighting an increase in homegrown innovation.
• Marks India’s shift from being largely a technology adopter to a technology creator with a strong global footprint.
• India has advanced in the Global Innovation Index (GII), rising from 81st position to 38th over recent years.

• A rapidly expanding start-up ecosystem
• Government initiatives supporting innovation
• Strong focus on applied sciences
• Simplified patent filing procedures

These achievements align with national missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

• The project will begin with a 500-metre demo module designed for short-term underwater stays.
• The full-scale lab will resemble an underwater version of the International Space Station (ISS).
• Would surpass all existing underwater labs, including the Aquarius Reef Base (19m, USA).

• Titanium pressure-resistant structures
• Panoramic 360° observation windows
• Advanced communication and life-support systems

• Marine biodiversity & ecosystems
• Biotechnology and drug discovery
• Geological and tectonic studies
• Human physiology under extreme pressure

The initiative forms part of India’s Vision 2047 and the Deep Ocean Mission.

• Made her debut in the landmark film “Neecha Nagar” (1946), which won the Cannes Palme d’Or.
• Over her extensive career spanning more than 70 years, she worked with stalwarts such as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand.

• Shaheed
• Do Bhai
• Godaan
• Arzoo

She also remained active in modern cinema, appearing in films such as “Kabir Singh” (2019) and “Lal Singh Chaddha” (2022).