- On 17 November 2025, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) unveiled two key innovations. ‘ColoNoX’ – India’s first nitric‑oxide releasing wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers, developed by BARC & Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd. ‘BARC–B1401’ – India’s first rare‑earth Certified Reference Material (CRM) for mineral exploration and research.
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- On 19 November 2025, the Indian Army announced that it had secured Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for its newly introduced Coat Combat (Digital Print). This advanced three‑layered garment, designed by the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi under the Army Design Bureau, enhances comfort and mobility for soldiers.
- On 19 November 2025, NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) signed a strategic partnership with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute in New Delhi. The collaboration aims to strengthen financial literacy, ethics, and governance across India’s innovation ecosystem. It will support Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs), Atal Incubation Centres (AICs), Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs), and early-stage startups.
- On 19 November 2025, India launched its first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), named “BIRSA 101” after tribal freedom fighter Bhagwan Birsa Munda. Developed by the CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), the therapy was unveiled by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh.
- On 18 November 2025, the Cambridge Dictionary named “Parasocial” as its Word of the Year 2025. The term refers to one‑sided emotional connections with celebrities, influencers, fictional characters, or even AI. Its usage spiked in June 2025 after a viral incident involving YouTube streamer IShowSpeed.
- On 18 November 2025, fintech firm PayGlocal received the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) final approval. It was authorised to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border – Inward & Outward (PA-CB-I&O). This licence enables facilitation of both inbound and outbound online payments for businesses and consumers.
- On 18 November 2025, SAIF Partners (Elevation Capital) sold a 1.86% stake in One97 Communications Ltd. (Paytm). The transaction was worth ₹1,556 crore, executed via open market bulk deals. Post-sale, SAIF’s holding reduced from 15.33% to 13.47% in the company. This marks a partial exit by one of Paytm’s earliest backers, reflecting its strong market valuation.
- On 19 November 2025, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed an MoU with Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi. The pact was signed by Shri Rakesh Desai (Deputy Director General, TEC) and Dr. Abhijit Mitra (Assistant Professor, IIIT Delhi). Aim: To collaborate on Sixth Generation (6G), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Optical Communication, and Non‑Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) for telecom standardisation.
- On 20 November 2025, Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and United Nations Women (UN Women) India signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) in New Delhi. It aims to boost participation of women entrepreneurs in India’s public procurement system. The pact focuses on training, capacity building, and easier access to the GeM portal.
- On 18 November 2025, India’s defence‑tech startup Sagar Defence won the “Accelerating the Autonomous Robotics Revolution” challenge under the VISTA Track at Dubai Airshow 2025. The company earned a USD 5,000 prize for its innovative concept “Genesis”, an AI‑powered “boat‑in‑a‑box” module that can retrofit existing vessels to make them semi‑autonomous, fully autonomous, or remotely operated.
- On 20 November 2025, India hosted the 7th Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) NSA meeting in New Delhi. It was organised by the Government of India and chaired by NSA Ajit Doval. Aim: to strengthen cooperation on maritime security, counter‑terrorism, cyber security, organised crime, and disaster relief. Highlights: Seychelles announced full membership, Malaysia joined as Guest, and members agreed on capacity building & information sharing.
- On 18 November 2025, Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched the Trade Intelligence and Analytics (TIA) Portal) in New Delhi. The portal was developed by the Department of Commerce to provide real-time trade insights. It offers 270+ analytics across 28 dashboards, covering commodities, markets, and competitor analysis. The aim is to help exporters, MSMEs, and startups utilise FTAs and diversify India’s trade basket.
- On 16 November 2025, the world observed the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims (WDR). This annual day, initiated by UN Resolution 60/5 (2005), honours those killed or injured in road crashes. The 2025 theme was “Remember – Support – Act”, stressing safer roads and support for affected families.
- On 17 November 2025, the world observed the first-ever World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, led by the World Health Organization (WHO). The day marks progress toward the Global Strategy to Eliminate Cervical Cancer as a Public Health Problem, launched in 2020. It highlights the 90-70-90 targets: 90% girls vaccinated against HPV, 70% women screened, and 90% treated.
- On 20 November 2025, Nitish Kumar was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time. The ceremony took place at Gandhi Maidan, Patna, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA leaders. This historic milestone came after the NDA’s landslide victory in the 2025 Assembly elections, winning 202 of 243 seats.
- On 18 November 2025, the Karnataka Planters Association (KPA) held its 67th Annual General Meeting in Chikmagaluru. M Salman Baseer was chosen as the new Chairman, with M C Kariappa as Vice‑Chairman. A refreshed Executive Committee was also formed to represent coffee growers.
- On 19 November 2025, Dell Technologies India appointed Anurag Arora as Senior Director & General Manager, Consumer Sales. He brings over 28 years of experience in sales, retail, and e‑commerce. His role is to drive growth, strategy, and omnichannel presence for Dell’s consumer business.
- On 19 Nov 2025, Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and ex‑UN Human Rights Chief, received the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 in New Delhi. The award was presented by Sonia Gandhi on behalf of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust. It honoured her lifelong work for human rights, gender equality, and global peace.
- On 19 Nov 2025, Fátima Bosch of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 in Guadalajara, Mexico. She became the fifth Mexican woman to win the prestigious title. India’s Manika Vishwakarma impressed with her performance and secured a place in the Top 12 finalists.
- On 19 Nov 2025, at the 76th National Book Awards in New York, Rabih Alameddine won the Fiction Prize and Patricia Smith the Poetry Prize. Alameddine’s novel portrays family bonds amid Lebanon’s turbulence, while Smith’s work reflects racial and social struggles. Other winners included Omar El Akkad (Nonfiction), Daniel Nayeri (Young People’s Literature), and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara (Translated Literature).
Questions:
Q.1 Who won the Fiction category at the 76th National Book Awards (2025)?a) Rabih Alameddine
b) Omar El Akkad
c) Patricia Smith
d) Gabriela Cabezón Cámara
Answer: a) At the 76th National Book Awards in New York, Rabih Alameddine won the Fiction Prize and Patricia Smith the Poetry Prize.
Q.2 Who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for the tenth time on 20 November 2025?
a) Tejashwi Yadav
b) Sushil Modi
c) Nitish Kumar
d) RCP Singh
Answer: c) Nitish Kumar reached a historic tenth term after NDA’s victory.
