Source: News on Air Context: Agriculture and Farmersâ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the governmentâs focus on promoting integrated farming practices for the benefit of marginal farmers during the Sixth International Agronomy Congress in New Delhi. Key Highlights: Significance:
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 22 November, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz22 November, 2025 National Affairs 1. Centre Notifies Four New Labour Codes Source: PIB Context: The Central Government has officially notified all four Labour Codes, replacing 29 old labour laws (some from the 1930sâ1950s). These Codes are being projected as a big step toward modernising Indiaâs labour market. The Four Labour Codes Key Objectives of the Labour Codes Labour Codes and Key Features (India, 2025) Code on Wages, 2019 Industrial Relations Code, 2020 Code on Social Security, 2020 Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020 Significance 2. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Source: TH Context: Indiaâs ICDS marks 50 years since its 1975 launch, continuing as a key programme for child nutrition, early learning, and maternal health. About ICDS History Aims Key Features Banking/Finance 1. Indiaâs UPI to be Interlinked with Eurosystemâs TIPS for Cross-Border Payments Source: BS Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL), and the European Central Bank (ECB) have agreed to begin the realisation phase of linking Indiaâs Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) system of the Eurozone. Key Highlights: About TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) Key Features: 2. SEBI Board to Review Mutual Fund & Stock Broker Regulations Source: TH Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will review its mutual fund (MF) and stock broker regulations at its upcoming board meeting on December 17, 2025. Key Focus Areas: Purpose: 3. Credit-Deposit (CD) Ratio Source: BS Context: Indiaâs commercial banksâ credit-deposit (CD) ratio has crossed 80%, a level often viewed as the upper bound of the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs (RBI) comfort zone. CD ratio indicates the proportion of loans extended by banks relative to their deposits. Current CD ratio (fortnight ended October 31, 2025): 80.21%. Historically, 75â80% is considered a comfortable range. About Credit-Deposit (CD) Ratio Purpose/Significance: This ratio helps assess banking sector health and the availability of credit to the economy. Reasons for Rise in CD Ratio Impact of Monetary Policy 4. Insurance Reforms Set to Boost Sector Growth Source: BL Context: The Government has listed the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 for the Winter Session of Parliament. The bill aims to accelerate growth, deepen insurance penetration, improve ease of doing business, and fulfill the FY26 Budget announcement of raising FDI limit in insurance from 74% to 100%. Key Provisions of the Bill Rationale Agriculture 1. eâNAM Expansion: Digital Empowerment of Indian Farmers Source: BL Context: The Government of India continues to strengthen eâNAM (National Agriculture Market), a digital platform connecting APMC mandis nationwide. The expansion aims to provide better price discovery, transparency, and market access to farmers while integrating modern digital agri-services. Key Highlights: eâNAM (National Agriculture Market) What it is: Key Features: Facts To Remember 1. IAFâs Tejas crashes at Dubai Air Show; pilot dead An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during the Dubai Air Show on Friday , claiming the life of the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal. 2. Govt to Launch First Retail Investment in National Highways via InvIT The Union Government will issue national highway (NH) units for retail investors under its first public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in February 2026. 3. National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 Concludes in New Delhi The two-day National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 concluded today in New Delhi. 4. India Sees 21% Drop in TB Cases, 25% Fall in Mortality India has achieved a significant decline in both TB incidence and mortality, driven by strengthened surveillance, early detection and expanded treatment coverage. 5. World Television Day Highlights Role of Television in India Today is World Television Day. The Day recognises television as a vital medium in informing, educating, and influencing public opinion, and in fostering communication and global understanding. The day is observed globally on November 21 6. First India-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh First India-born cheetah gives birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 21 November, 2025
Daily Current Affairs Quiz21 November, 2025 National Affairs 1. Assent of the President (for central bills) or the Governor (for state bills) Source: Times of India Context: A five-judge bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai clarified that Article 142 of the Constitution cannot be used to grant âdeemed assentâ to Bills pending with governors or the President. The bench overruled a previous two-judge bench decision in Tamil Nadu, which had attempted to impose timelines for assent and enforce judicial oversight. Article 142 âThe Supreme Court in the exercise of its jurisdiction may pass such decree or make such order as is necessary for doing complete justice in any cause or matter pending before it, and any decree so passed or order so made shall be enforceable throughout the territory of India.â Key Features Consent of a Bill (Presidential Assent) Once a Bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament (or just the State Legislature for state bills), it must receive the assent of the President (for central bills) or the Governor (for state bills) before it becomes law. This is called âassentâ. Presidentâs Powers on a Bill (Article 111) The President has four options when a Bill is presented: Governorâs Role on State Bills (Article 200) When a Bill is passed by a State Legislature, the Governor has several options before it becomes law: Key Points 2. Hamara Shauchalaya, Hamara Bhavishya Campaign Source: PIB Launched by: Ministry of Jal Shakti on World Toilet Day 2025 Objective: A national initiative to upgrade and sustain rural sanitation facilities, promote maintenance, and encourage community responsibility in Gram Panchayats. Key Features 3. Geological Survey of India (GSI) Source: News on Air Context: Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy will inaugurate the Geological Survey of Indiaâs (GSI) international seminar in Jaipur as part of its year-long commemoration of 175 years of service to the nation. About GSI Established: 1851 Key Functions 4. Second Regional Open Digital Health Summit (RODHS) 2025 Source: PIB Context: The Regional Open Digital Health Summit 2025 (RODHS 2025) got underway in New Delhi on 19 November, bringing together senior government officials, international development organisations, and health technology innovators from across the South-east Asia Region. Host: IndiaLocation: New DelhiDuration: Three daysPartners: WHO-SEARO, UNICEF, and regional governmentsParticipants: Member nations of WHO South-East Asia Region About the Summit Objectives Key Features 5. Coastal Security Exercise âSagar Kavachâ Source: TH Context: The two-day joint coastal security exercise, âSagar Kavachâ, to assess the preparedness and alertness of stakeholders involved in coastal security commenced. Location: Tamil Nadu â Cuddalore & Villupuram districtsFrequency: BiannualHost: Indian Coast GuardParticipants: Multi-agency involvement including coastal police, military, paramilitary, and civil agencies Objective Key Features Sports 1. India Wins 20 Medals at World Boxing Cup Finals Source: IE Context: India ended the World Boxing Cup Finals at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Indoor Stadium with its best-ever medal haul, winning medals in all 20 categories. Total Medals Won Star Performers (Gold Medalists) Gender Boxer Weight Category Opponent Score Women Minakshi Hooda 48 kg Farzona Fozilova (Uzbekistan) 5â0 Women Nikhat Zareen 51 kg Guo Yi Xuan (China) 5â0 Women Preeti Pawar 54 kg Sirine Charrabi (Italy) 5â0 Women Jaismine Lamboria 57 kg Wu Shih Yi (Chinese Taipei) 4â1 Women Parveen Hooda 60 kg Ayaka Taguchi (Japan) 3â2 Women Arundhati Choudhary 70 kg Aziza Zokirova (Uzbekistan) 5â0 Women Nupur Sheoran 80+ kg Oltinoy Sotimboeva (Uzbekistan) 3â2 Men Sachin Siwach 60 kg Munarbek Seiitbek Uulu (World & Olympic medallist) 5â0 Men Hitesh Gulia 70 kg Nurbek Mursal (Kazakhstan) 3â2 Banking/Finance 1. Banks Seek More Flexibility in RBI Acquisition Financing Guidelines Source: FE Context: RBI Acquisition Financing Guidelines To regulate financing of acquisitions by banks and NBFCs in India, ensuring that lending is prudent and does not compromise financial stability. The guidelines cover loan structures, risk assessment, and exposure limits for funding acquisitions of companies or corporate entities. Key Concerns Highlighted by Banks Capital Exposure Limits Minority and Staggered Acquisitions Eligibility Restrictions Profitability & Debt-Equity Requirements Equity Contribution Nuances 2. Digital Gold Source: Mint Context: Digital gold allows investors to buy fractions of physical gold electronically, which is stored in secure, insured vaults. Unlike gold ETFs or EGRs, digital gold currently falls outside the ambit of Sebi and RBI, creating a regulatory vacuum. Investors face counterparty, liquidity, and pricing risks, as oversight on purity, quantity, and vault management is not mandated for all providers. What is Digital Gold? Digital Gold is a financial product that allows investors to buy, sell, and hold gold in an electronic or digital form, without the need to physically store the metal. Ownership is backed by physical gold stored securely by a certified vaulting partner. Recent Developments 3. Sebi Issues Warning Against Unregistered Online Bond Platforms Source: IE Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Wednesday warned the public against dealing with unregistered online bond platform providers (OBPP) as they lack supervisory oversight. Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) are regulated entities that provide an electronic platform for issuance, trading, and settlement of corporate bonds, government securities, and other debt instruments. These platforms aim to enhance transparency, liquidity, and ease of access for retail and institutional investors in the debt market. OBPPs were formalized under SEBI regulations to promote digital bond markets and widen participation. Key Features Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) in India are governed as follows: These regulations provide the framework for: 4. SEBI Moves to Include REITs in Benchmark Indices Source: BS Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is taking steps to deepen the integration of infrastructure financing with capital markets. This comes against the backdrop of Indiaâs ambitious National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) and ongoing reforms to improve liquidity and investor participation in Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs). Key Highlights: Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) REITs are investment vehicles that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate. Investors can buy units of a REIT, similar to buying shares in a company, and earn
Government May Widen PMJJBY & PMSBY Coverage
Source: Mint Context: The Centre is considering raising the insurance cover under the flagship schemes: Proposed Changes Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Eligibility: Coverage: Objective: Key Features: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) Eligibility: Coverage: Objective: Key Features:
YUVA AI for ALL â National AI Literacy Initiative
Source: PIB Context: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission, has launched âYUVA AI for ALLâ, a first-of-its-kind free course that introduces the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to all Indians, especially the youth. Launched By: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), under the IndiaAI Mission Course Overview: Objectives: Key Features / Modules: Significance:
BIRSA 101 Gene Therapy
Source: PIB Launch: Indiaâs first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)Developed By: CSIRâInstitute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (IGIB)Industry Partner: Serum Institute of India (SIIPL) â for technology transfer, scale-up, and affordable deploymentNamed After: Birsa Munda, on his 150th birth anniversary Objective How BIRSA 101 Works Key Features
Gujarat Hosts a Wild Tiger in Ratanmahal Sanctuary
Context: For the first time in decades, a wild tiger has permanently settled in Gujaratâs Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, staying for nine continuous months. Gujarat now hosts all three big catsâAsiatic lion, Indian leopard, and tigerâwithin a shared natural landscape, a unique ecological milestone in India. About Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary Location: History: Key Ecological Features
ISRO Tests Bootstrap Mode Start on CE20 Cryogenic Engine
Source: ET Context: ISRO has successfully demonstrated the bootstrap mode start of the CE20 cryogenic engineâwhich powers the upper stage of the LVM3 rocketâmarking a major step toward enhancing mission flexibility and multiple-restart capability for future launches. Key Details of the Test: Test Conducted Under Vacuum What Is Bootstrap Mode Start? Why This Matters Enables Multiple In-Flight Restarts Future missionsâespecially multi-orbit deployments and complex space manoeuvresârequire the CE20 engine to restart multiple times. Reduces Weight and Increases Payload Capacity Key for Advanced Missions
IRDAIâs Bima Gram API
Source: TH Context: The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has introduced the Bima Gram API to digitally strengthen insurance penetration in rural India. The pilot phase has been successfully completed. Key Features of Bima Gram API Digital Validation of Rural Policies Reduction of Manual Processes Enhanced Speed & Reporting Efficiency Creation of Baseline Datasets
NBFCs Seek Reforms in Debt Recovery & Funding Framework
Source: ET Context: During the pre-Budget meeting with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, representatives of the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector, especially NBFCs, presented key demands aimed at improving liquidity, recovery efficiency, and deposit mobilisation. Key Demands Made by NBFCs Dedicated Refinance Window for NBFCs Amendments to SARFAESI Act Current Issue Proposal Remove TDS on Non-Individual Borrowers Education Loan Deduction Benefit for NBFCs