1. National Police Excellence Awards on Unity Day
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The Ministry of Home Affairs instituted the ‘Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak’ on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary, awarding 1,466 police personnel from States, Union Territories, CAPFs, and CPOs for exemplary professionalism, courage, and integrity in security operations.
- The award underscores national efforts to enhance morale and recognize contributions to internal security, aligning with initiatives to strengthen law enforcement across diverse regions.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat’s Narmada district, paying tribute to Patel’s role in unifying princely states post-independence.
- The event featured a unity pledge and highlighted the All-India Services as the “Steel Frame of India,” essential for administrative cohesion in a federal structure.
- The government launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative, involving Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Education, and Tribal Affairs to foster democratic leadership among students via experiential learning.
- This program, aligned with National Education Policy 2020, simulates Gram Sabhas in schools like JNVs and EMRSs to build participative citizenship skills.
- The Marine Fisheries Census 2025 commenced as India’s first fully digital, geo-referenced survey of marine communities, using ICAR–CMFRI’s VYAS app for socio-economic data.
- It aids sustainable fisheries policy and coastal development, promoting federal coordination under Article 263 for resource equity.
- Concepts: Article 263: Facilitates Centre-State coordination, crucial for initiatives like the fisheries census to ensure balanced federal resource management.
2. Delhi Vehicle Ban to Combat Winter Smog
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The Commission for Air Quality Management enforced a ban on pre-2015 commercial goods vehicles entering Delhi under GRAP Stage II, targeting winter pollution spikes with border checks.
- This measure addresses deteriorating AQI levels, emphasizing urban sustainability amid seasonal smog challenges.
- Kerala declared itself free from extreme poverty during a ‘Kerala Piravi’ Assembly session, becoming the first Indian State to achieve this via targeted welfare, reducing multidimensional poverty near zero.
- The milestone highlights effective scheme implementation, offering a model for national poverty alleviation efforts.
- The Population Census 2027’s self-enumeration module testing began on November 1, enabling digital data entry with enumerator aid, marking India’s first caste-inclusive digital census.
- Urban trials focus on inclusive data for policy, enhancing demographic planning in diverse regions.
- Bengaluru initiated a zero-waste campaign, engaging communities in recycling and infrastructure upgrades to curb urban solid waste.
- It supports Swachh Bharat Mission, promoting sustainable urban living through awareness drives.
- Concepts: Sustainable Development Goal 11: Targets sustainable cities, evident in interventions for air quality and waste management to foster resilient communities.
3. India-US Deepen Indo-Pacific Defence Ties
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- India and the US unveiled a 10-year Defence Partnership Framework in Kuala Lumpur, enhancing collaboration in land, maritime, air, space, and cyberspace for Indo-Pacific stability.
- Signed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at ADMM-Plus sidelines, it advances 2016’s Major Defence Partner status with tech sharing and joint R&D.
- The framework positions India as a US priority for defence innovation, amid ongoing trade talks targeting a November deal despite tariff tensions.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reviewed the India-Cyprus Joint Action Plan 2025-2029 with Constantinos Kombos, emphasizing trade, security, and cultural exchanges.
- Discussions covered India-supported Middle East humanitarian corridors post-ceasefire, with Cyprus flagging potential violations.
- PM Modi, at Chhattisgarh Rajat Mahotsav, stressed India’s first-responder role in global crises, echoing 1921 Congress resolutions for proactive foreign policy.
- This reinforces India’s commitment to disaster aid and multilateral engagement in international forums.
- Concepts: Indo-Pacific Strategy: Bolsters platforms like ADMM-Plus for a rules-based order, addressing regional security amid geopolitical shifts.
4. Festive Boost Drives GST Revenue Surge
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s gross GST collections climbed 4.6% YoY to ₹1.96 trillion in October, fueled by festive demand and robust business activity, with net collections at ₹1.95 trillion post-refunds.
- This reflects economic resilience, supporting fiscal consolidation amid global uncertainties.
- A 30% duty on yellow peas imports from November 1 safeguards domestic pulse farmers, stabilizing prices and advancing Atmanirbhar Bharat in agriculture.
- The levy promotes food security by protecting local production from cheap imports.
- Marine exports surged 15.6% to $4.83 billion in H1 2025, with gains in Vietnam (100.4%), Belgium (73%), and Thailand (54.4%), diversifying markets beyond traditional partners.
- Jewellery exports to UAE jumped 37.7% to $1.93 billion, offsetting US tariff risks via emerging destinations like Mexico and China.
- ACC’s Q2 net profit soared five-fold to ₹1,119 crore, aided by tax write-backs and peak September sales volumes in cement.
- The sector anticipates further boosts from GST cuts and rising economic sentiment.
- Concepts: Fiscal Federalism under GST: Article 246A enables Centre-State revenue coordination, essential for equitable growth in a diverse economy.
5. Landmark 10-Year US Defence Pact Signed
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- India and the US inked a 10-year Major Defence Partnership Framework, prioritizing interoperability, tech transfer, and joint exercises in the Indo-Pacific amid tariff negotiations.
- The pact fosters co-development in AI and quantum tech, building on prior agreements for strategic alignment.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke at the 12th ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur on “15 Years of ADMM-Plus,” stressing ASEAN-India maritime security cooperation.
- Sideline talks at the second ASEAN-India Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting focused on regional stability and counter-terrorism.
- India issued NOTAM for a major IAF exercise in the Northeast (bordering China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh) from November 6-20, simulating multi-threat air defence scenarios.
- The drill integrates tri-services for rapid response, enhancing border readiness.
- DRDO transferred eight technologies to industry at SAMANVAY 2025 in Bengaluru, including the Self Reliance Kit (SRK) for TEJAS MK-1A, with 2026 deployment trials.
- This boosts indigenous production, reducing import dependency in aerospace.
- Concepts: Article 51(c): Directs promotion of international peace, underpinning pacts like the US framework for global and regional stability.
