1. CYCLONE DITWAH PROMPTS RED ALERTS AND SCHOOL HOLIDAYS IN TAMIL NADU
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in coastal districts including Cuddalore, Mayiladuthurai, Villupuram, Chengalpattu, and Puducherry on November 29, 2025, as Cyclone Ditwah intensifies over the southwest Bay of Bengal and moves towards north Tamil Nadu coasts.
- Schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam regions have declared a holiday for November 29, with evacuations underway in vulnerable areas like Nagapattinam and Ramanathapuram to mitigate flood risks.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin reviewed preparedness, deploying Tamil Nadu Disaster Response Force teams to Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Pudukottai districts, while requesting additional NDRF battalions and armed forces support from the Centre.
- The cyclone has already caused over 100 deaths and widespread landslides in Sri Lanka, prompting India to dispatch relief materials via IAF aircraft, highlighting cross-border humanitarian coordination.
- IMD forecasts wind speeds up to 90 kmph and rainfall exceeding 200 mm in isolated spots till December 1, urging fishermen to avoid seas and residents to follow evacuation protocols.
- Concepts: Disaster Management Act, 2005 – Establishes NDMA, SDMAs, and DDMAs for multi-level response, emphasizing prevention and recovery under Entry 17 of the State List.
- Federalism in Crises: Central-state collaboration via NDRF underscores cooperative federalism, balancing state autonomy with national resources for effective disaster mitigation.
2. ASSAM ASSEMBLY PASSES BILL BANNING POLYGAMY AMID NATIONAL DECLINE
SUBJECT: POLITY
- The Assam Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Assam Compulsory Registration of Muslim Marriages and Divorces (Repeal) Bill, 2025, effectively banning polygamy by repealing the 1935 Act, with penalties up to seven years imprisonment for violations.
- Data from the National Family Health Survey indicates polygamy affects less than 2% of Indian marriages, down from 5.8% in 2005-06, and is most prevalent among tribal communities in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
- The bill aligns with similar moves in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, aiming to promote gender equality and uniform civil code principles, while exempting consensual live-in relationships.
- Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma hailed it as a step towards women’s empowerment, noting it will apply only to Muslims as other communities are already covered under Hindu Marriage Act provisions.
- Opposition parties supported the measure but urged safeguards for cultural practices among indigenous groups, with the government assuring consultations with tribal councils.
- Concepts: Article 44 – Directive Principle urging a Uniform Civil Code to promote equality, intersecting with personal laws under the Concurrent List.
- Gender Justice: The ban invokes constitutional morality to eliminate discriminatory practices, drawing from Supreme Court rulings like Shayara Bano on triple talaq.
3. INDIA DISPATCHES RELIEF TO FLOOD-HIT SRI LANKA AS CYCLONE DITWAH RAVAGES ISLAND
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- India airlifted 20 tonnes of emergency supplies including medical kits, tarpaulins, and food via IAF C-130J from Chennai to Colombo, following Prime Minister Modi’s offer of comprehensive aid amid Sri Lanka’s state of emergency declaration.
- Over 56 deaths and 200 injuries reported from landslides and floods in central Sri Lanka’s Kothmale region, with more than 200 mm rainfall expected, prompting closure of government offices and schools nationwide.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed condolences and assured continued support, emphasizing the Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision for regional resilience.
- The crisis underscores vulnerabilities in the Indian Ocean, with Cyclone Ditwah—named by Yemen—now shifting towards Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, affecting bilateral maritime cooperation.
- UN agencies praised India’s rapid response, highlighting it as a model for South Asian solidarity, while Colombo reciprocated by sharing real-time weather data with IMD.
- Concepts: Gujral Doctrine – Non-reciprocal aid to smaller neighbours to build trust, integrated with Indo-Pacific strategy for disaster diplomacy.
- Strategic Autonomy: Relief efforts reinforce India’s multi-alignment, countering external influences in the region without formal alliances.
4. INDIA’S Q2 FY26 GDP SURGES TO 8.2%, FASTEST IN 18 MONTHS AMID RUPEE WOES
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s real GDP expanded by 8.2% year-on-year in July-September 2025, exceeding estimates of 7.3%, driven by 7.9% private consumption growth and robust public investment, per NSO data released November 28.
- Services sector led with over 9% expansion, while manufacturing grew 7.5%; however, exports faced headwinds from U.S. tariffs, contributing to a widened current account deficit.
- Rupee depreciated to a record low of 84.75 against USD amid FII outflows of $2.5 billion in November, yet Sensex and Nifty closed near highs at 82,500 and 25,100, buoyed by domestic resilience.
- IMF revised FY26 growth forecast to 6.8%, lauding contained inflation at 4.2% and formal job creation, but flagged urban demand softening and global trade risks.
- Rural consumption at 7.9% offset urban slowdown, supported by MSP hikes and remittances; forex reserves at $650 billion provide a buffer against volatility.
- Concepts: Balance of Payments – Depreciation reflects import pressures under IMF Article VIII, with RBI interventions maintaining stability via forex swaps.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: GDP surge aligns with PLI schemes, targeting $2 trillion exports by 2030 through MSME integration and supply chain diversification.
5. RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTER OFFERS FULL S-500 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO INDIA
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- During bilateral talks in Moscow, Russia proposed complete technology transfer for the S-500 Prometheus air defence system, capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles at 600 km range, to bolster India’s multi-layered shield.
- The offer, ahead of the December 4-5 Putin-Modi summit, includes joint production under Make in India, focusing on countering aerial threats from Pakistan and China amid border tensions.
- Indian Army’s third Chanakya Defence Dialogue in Delhi concluded on November 28, emphasizing AI integration, theatre commands, and reforms for a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
- HAL reaffirmed Tejas LCA’s safety post-Dubai Airshow crash, with only two incidents in 24 years; plans ramp-up to 12 units in 2025 and 20 annually from 2026 via Nashik and Bengaluru lines.
- DRDO’s RFP for Digital Twin framework on Aero Engine HUMS under TDF aims to cut IAF maintenance downtime by 30%, enhancing predictive analytics for indigenous platforms.
- Concepts: CDS Act, 2020 – Enables integrated theatre commands under Article 33, promoting jointness against hybrid threats like cyber and drone warfare.
- Strategic Partnerships: S-500 ToT diversifies imports, achieving 75% indigenisation targets in $95 billion defence budget for self-reliance.
