1. India’s Foundational Numeracy Gap Hinders Economic Prospects
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2025 reveals only 28% of Class 5 students can perform basic division, widening rural-urban divides and threatening 10-12% GDP losses by 2047.
- States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show proficiency below 20%, exacerbated by teacher shortages and outdated curricula despite NEP 2020 mandates.
- The government plans a National Numeracy Mission, integrating AI tools and community tutoring to align with Skill India goals.
- Vulnerable groups, including girls and migrant children, face amplified risks, with dropout rates linked to numeracy failures at 15%.
- Concepts: Right to Education Act, 2009 – Envisions free, equitable education, yet implementation gaps underscore the need for outcome-based funding.
- A multi-stakeholder approach, including CSR investments, is vital to harness India’s demographic dividend for inclusive growth.
2. India Makes Historic Debut at WorldSkills Asia 2025 in Taipei
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- A 25-member Indian team, comprising youth from ITIs and polytechnics, competes in 15 trades like robotics and sustainable construction at the event from November 24-28.
- Aligned with the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, the participation benchmarks skills against 22 Asian nations, targeting medals in green tech categories.
- PM Modi hailed it as a step toward Viksit Bharat, with potential to attract FDI in vocational training hubs.
- Over 1,200 participants vie for excellence, fostering regional collaboration on SDG 4 (quality education).
- Concepts: Article 51 – Directs promotion of international cooperation, extending to skill diplomacy for enhancing India’s soft power.
- Victories here could elevate India’s global ranking, from 24th in 2022 to top-10 by 2030.
3. FDI Inflows Dip to $16.2 Billion in H1 FY26 Amid Global Volatility
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- Net FDI fell 8% YoY to $16.2 billion for April-September 2025, hit by FII outflows of $10 billion and US election uncertainties.
- Sectors like renewables drew $4.5 billion via PLI incentives, but e-commerce faced repatriation pressures.
- Government eases norms in space and atomic energy, aiming for $80 billion annual inflows by 2030.
- Rupee stabilized at 84.5/USD, supported by forex reserves at $680 billion.
- Concepts: Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules, 2019 – Streamlines approvals, boosting investor sentiment.
- Policy predictability and green corridors could reverse trends, positioning India as a resilient emerging market.
4. India-France JV for HAMMER Precision Munitions Takes Off
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- BEL and Safran inked a ₹3,500 crore deal to co-produce 1,500 HAMMER missiles in Hyderabad, with 65% tech transfer for laser/GPS variants.
- The system will arm Rafale jets, reducing import costs by 50% and enabling exports to QUAD partners.
- Integration trials slated for Q1 2026, enhancing IAF’s standoff capabilities amid LAC standoffs.
- The pact builds on 2024 iDEX collaborations, fostering R&D in smart munitions.
- Concepts: Make-II Procedure – Encourages private sector innovation, aligning with offsets for global supply chain resilience.
- This deepens strategic ties, positioning India as a defense exporter in the multipolar world.
5. Tamil Nadu Cabinet Greenlights Space Industrial Policy 2025
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- The policy targets ₹15,000 crore investments by 2030, establishing clusters in Sriperumbudur for satellite assembly and launch pads, partnering with ISRO and private firms.
- Incentives include 30% capital subsidies and skill hubs training 1 lakh youth in aerospace tech, focusing on EVs and remote sensing.
- It aims for 25% of India’s space GDP share, countering Andhra’s rival hubs with Tamil Nadu’s manufacturing edge.
- Launch includes a ₹500 crore fund for MSMEs, projected to generate 60,000 jobs in Tier-2 cities like Coimbatore.
- Concepts: Article 246 – Allocates industry to State List, enabling tailored policies under concurrent Union frameworks like IN-SPACe.
- This fosters federal innovation, elevating Tamil Nadu’s role in the $13 billion national space economy.
