Source: TH Context: The G-20 Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the first time in Africa. The event was notable for the U.S. boycott, even as leaders adopted a new G-20 declaration on climate change. Key Highlights: Modi’s Call to Reassess Global Growth Parameters Australia–Canada–India Technology & Innovation (ACITI) Partnership New G-20 Initiatives Proposed by India U.S. Boycott and Its Impact Climate Change Declaration About G20 History & Formation
COP30 Summit
Source: TH Context: The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) to the UNFCCC concluded in Belem, Brazil, with a new consensus agreement titled Global Mutirão. The summit focused on financing, equity, fossil fuels, and deforestation—longstanding points of contention between developed and developing nations. Key Outcomes of COP30 Key Outcome Details / Purpose Two Global Road Maps COP30 President Andrei Lago announced: 1. Road Map to Halt & Reverse Deforestation 2. Road Map for a Just & Orderly Transition Away from Fossil Fuels Purpose of Road Maps • Reduce global dependence on fossil fuels • Mobilise global resources for climate action • Ensure action is just, planned, and equitable Global Mutirão Consensus Agreement “Global Mutirão: Uniting humanity in a global mobilisation against climate change” addressing key contentious issues Climate Finance (Article 9, Paris Agreement) • Developed nations must provide funds to developing countries for clean energy transition • Push for predictable, adequate, and accessible climate finance Trade-Restrictive Climate Measures Advance cooperation on unilateral trade-restrictive measures (e.g., carbon border taxes) affecting developing-country exports Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Countries urged to update and strengthen NDCs to align with 1.5°C target Focus on bridging ambition–implementation gap 1.5°C Gap Acknowledgement that current commitments are insufficient Countries urged to scale up mitigation, adaptation, and finance India’s Position at COP30 India supported:
African Grey Parrots
Source: TH Context: An investigation through RTI applications by The Hindu revealed that State Forest Departments across India have no official records of African grey parrot trade, despite their widespread presence in pet markets. The species is Endangered (IUCN) and listed under CITES Appendix I, requiring the highest level of protection. About the Species Legal Requirements for Breeding (CITES Appendix I) To breed African grey parrots legally in India, one must have:
ANMI Urges SEBI to Focus on Investor Education & Eligibility Norms
Source: TH Context: The Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI) has submitted recommendations to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) amid rising retail losses in the Futures & Options (F&O) segments. There is currently debate around reducing expiry days in derivatives contracts but the ANMI believes the real issue lies elsewhere. Key Recommendations from ANMI Futures & Options (F&O) Key Features: Feature Futures Options Obligation Both parties must execute the contract on expiry Only buyer has right; seller has obligation Risk Unlimited potential loss/gain Loss limited to premium paid (for buyer) Premium No upfront cost (except margin) Buyer pays a premium upfront Settlement Cash or physical delivery Usually cash-settled in India Usage Hedging & speculation Hedging, speculation, or income strategies Terminology The Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI)
Sebi to Discuss Capping Broker Fees with Mutual Fund Heads
Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) plans to meet top executives of asset management companies (AMCs) to discuss a proposal to cap broker fees for executing trades by mutual funds. This is part of Sebi’s broader initiative to overhaul mutual fund costs charged to investors, known as the Total Expense Ratio (TER). Proposed Cap on Broker Fees Total Expense Ratio (TER) Overhaul Total Expense Ratio (TER) The Total Expense Ratio (TER) is the annual fee charged by a mutual fund to manage and operate its scheme. It is expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average assets under management (AUM) and includes all costs related to fund management. Components of TER TER generally includes: TER does not include brokerage or transaction costs for buying and selling securities, which are accounted for separately in fund disclosures.
Payout APIs
Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is investigating a sharp rise in money laundering through bank payout APIs, misused by unregulated Technology Service Providers (TSPs) posing as fintech companies. These entities exploit bulk-payment APIs to transfer large sums without KYC, OTP, or standard checks. What Are Payout APIs? A Payout API (Application Programming Interface) is a software interface provided by banks that allows businesses or authorized entities to automatically send money to multiple recipients in a fast, secure, and scalable manner. Unlike traditional bank transfers where you manually enter details and authenticate each transaction (e.g., using OTPs), a payout API allows bulk transfers programmatically, making it ideal for payroll, vendor payments, or refunds. Key Features Types of Payout APIs
Easebuzz Receives RBI Nod to Operate as Full-Service Payment Aggregator
Source: BS Context: Fintech firm Easebuzz has been authorised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a full-service payment aggregator (PA), enabling online, offline, and cross-border payment services for merchants across India. What is a Payment Aggregator (PA)? A Payment Aggregator (PA) is a financial entity that facilitates digital payments for merchants by collecting and processing payments from multiple payment instruments (like credit/debit cards, UPI, net banking, wallets) without the merchant having to set up individual arrangements with each bank or payment method. They act as intermediaries between customers, banks, and merchants, simplifying online and offline transactions. Key Features Types of PAs RBI Eligibility Criteria for Payment Aggregators (PAs)
From Gene Modification to Genome Editing: India’s Agricultural Revolution
Source: IE Context: India’s journey in crop biotechnology has been slow with traditional genetically modified (GM) crops, but genome editing (GE) is emerging as a game-changer. While GM crops introduce foreign genes, GE precisely edits a plant’s own genome, offering higher yields, better nutrition, and disease resistance without transgenic concerns. Key Developments: Limited Progress on GM Crops Emergence of Genome Editing (GE) How GE Works Policy and Regulatory Support Target Crops and Genes Domestic Innovation Strategic Significance Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Genome Editing (GE) Key Difference: GM crops usually involve foreign DNA, while genome editing modifies existing DNA with precision.
Government Pushes Integrated Farming for Marginal Farmers
Source: News on Air Context: Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan highlighted the government’s 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 1930s–1950s). These Codes are being projected as a big step toward modernising India’s 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: India’s 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. India’s UPI to be Interlinked with Eurosystem’s 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 India’s 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: India’s commercial banks’ credit-deposit (CD) ratio has crossed 80%, a level often viewed as the upper bound of the Reserve Bank of India’s (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, 75–80% 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. e‑NAM Expansion: Digital Empowerment of Indian Farmers Source: BL Context: The Government of India continues to strengthen e‑NAM (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: e‑NAM (National Agriculture Market) What it is: Key Features: Facts To Remember 1. IAF’s 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.
