- IAF PILATUS PC-7 TRAINER AIRCRAFT CRASHES NEAR CHENNAI
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- An Indian Air Force Pilatus PC-7 Mk II basic trainer aircraft crashed near Tambaram, Chennai, during a routine training sortie on November 14, 2025.
- The pilot ejected safely using the parachute, with no casualties or damage to civilian property reported.
- The aircraft belonged to the Air Force Academy and was on a training mission from Hyderabad.
- A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.
- This incident highlights ongoing safety protocols in IAF training operations.
- Concepts: Zero-Error Syndrome in military aviation; Role of Directorate General of Civil Aviation in joint probes.
2. INDIA’S CARBON EMISSIONS GROWTH SLOWS TO 1.4% IN 2025
SUBJECT: ECONOMY & ENVIRONMENT (NATIONAL ISSUES)
- According to the Global Carbon Project report released on November 14, 2025, India’s CO2 emissions rose by only 1.4% this year, down from 4% in 2024.
- The slowdown is attributed to favourable monsoon boosting hydropower and accelerated renewable energy adoption.
- India’s per capita emissions remain among the lowest globally, despite being the third-largest emitter.
- This aligns with India’s NDC commitments under Paris Agreement for peaking emissions by 2030.
- Good monsoon reduced reliance on coal-based power, aiding energy transition.
- Concepts: Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs); Carbon Budget and equity in climate action.
3. PUNJAB BECOMES FIRST STATE TO FULLY IMPLEMENT AMENDED BHARATNET SCHEME
SUBJECT: NATIONAL ISSUES
- Punjab achieved 100% coverage under the revised BharatNet programme on November 14, 2025, connecting all gram panchayats with high-speed broadband.
- The amended scheme focuses on last-mile connectivity through public-private partnerships.
- It enables digital services like e-governance, education, and telemedicine in rural areas.
- Punjab’s success serves as a model for other states under the Digital India initiative.
- Total investment in Punjab phase exceeded ₹2,000 crore, boosting rural economy.
- Concepts: Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF); Broadband as a public utility under NDCP 2018.
4. LAUNCH OF COHORT CONNECT 2025 UNDER PHENOME INDIA PROGRAMME
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Union Minister for Science & Technology launched Cohort Connect 2025, a national platform for longitudinal health studies, on November 14, 2025, at Bhubaneswar.
- It integrates major cohort studies to generate India-specific data on genetics, lifestyle, and disease patterns.
- Aims at precision medicine, predictive healthcare, and evidence-based public health policies.
- Supported by CSIR and DBT, it addresses gaps in Indian population-specific health research.
- Focus on non-communicable diseases, nutrition, and environmental impacts.
- Concepts: Precision Medicine Initiative; Role of longitudinal studies in epidemiology.
5. SUPREME COURT DISMISSES TAMIL NADU’S PLEA ON MEKEDATU RESERVOIR AS PREMATURE
SUBJECT: POLITY (TAMIL NADU)
- On November 13-14, 2025, the Supreme Court termed Tamil Nadu’s suit against Karnataka’s proposed Mekedatu dam across Cauvery as premature.
- The Bench noted no construction has begun and CWMA/Cauvery Water Regulation Committee is seized of the matter.
- Tamil Nadu argued violation of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award and final SC verdict.
- Karnataka maintains the project is for drinking water and power, not irrigation storage.
- Interstate river disputes continue under Article 262 and Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
- Concepts: Federalism in water sharing; Role of Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
