National News

Supreme Court Rules No Timelines for Governors on Bills

• On 20 November 2025, the Supreme Court of India ruled that neither the President nor state Governors can be bound by fixed timelines for granting assent to legislation under Articles 200 and 201.
• The five‑judge Constitution Bench emphasized that while action must be taken within a reasonable time, rigid deadlines would amount to judicial amendment of the Constitution.
• The decision reinforces federalism, preserves executive discretion, and ensures judicial review as the remedy for undue delays, balancing legislative urgency with constitutional safeguards.

56th IFFI Begins in Goa: A Grand Celebration of Global Cinema and Cultural Exchange

• The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) opened in Goa on November 20, 2025, launching an eight-day celebration of global cinema, cultural exchange, and India’s creative strength.
• Featuring world premieres, Indian Panorama films, masterclasses, and the WAVES Film Bazaar, IFFI 2025 brings together filmmakers and artists worldwide.
• The star-studded inauguration, attended by L. Murugan, Pramod Sawant, Sanjay Jaju, and Shekhar Kapur, reinforces India’s growing influence in the creative economy, with special highlights like the UNICEF × IFFI showcase on children’s rights.

Game-Changer for Coastal Shipping! Government Removes Key Rules

• The Government of India has abolished sign-on, sign-off, and Shore Leave Pass (SLP) requirements for Indian-flagged coastal vessels, easing long-standing immigration-like procedures for seafarers.
• Announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the reform applies to coastal ships, dredgers, barges, and research vessels, shifting crew-record oversight to port authorities while the Bureau of Immigration conducts surprise checks.
• The move, welcomed by Sarbananda Sonowal, boosts maritime efficiency, reduces red tape, and supports India’s broader Sagarmala vision to strengthen coastal shipping.

Dr L Murugan Inaugurates WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 at IFFI Goa

• Dr L Murugan inaugurated the WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 at IFFI Goa on 20 November 2025, strengthening India’s position in the global film market.
• Held from 20–24 November, the 19th edition brings together filmmakers, producers, OTT platforms, and festival curators, offering platforms like the Co-Production Market, Screenwriters’ Lab, and Viewing Room.
• With participation from 30+ countries, the Bazaar boosts emerging creators, regional cinema, and international co-productions, enhancing India’s cultural diplomacy and global cinematic presence.

Historic Labour Reform: Centre Implements All Four Labour Codes

• The Government of India has officially implemented the Four Labour Codes—the Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code, Social Security Code, and OSH & Working Conditions Code—from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 old labour laws.
• The reform aims to provide better wages, expanded social security, mandatory appointment letters, timely wage payment, women’s safety and night-shift access, nationwide ESIC coverage, and annual health checkups for workers.
• These Codes simplify compliance through single registration, single license, and single return, while ensuring protections for gig workers, platform workers, MSME employees, contract workers, women, youth, and migrant workers.
• The move marks a major step toward a future-ready workforce, global-standard labour governance, and an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

State News

Switzerland and Ireland Named Country Partners for Hornbill Festival 2025

• Nagaland has named Switzerland and Ireland as country partners for Hornbill Festival 2025 (1–10 Dec, Kisama Heritage Village), joining the UK to enhance the festival’s global appeal; the partnerships, confirmed after meetings between CM Neiphiu Rio and the respective ambassadors, aim to promote cultural diplomacy, tourism, creative collaboration, and economic growth, showcasing Naga heritage and multi-ethnic performances on an international platform.

Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission Opens Separate Courtroom to Ensure Faster Hearings

• Punjab has launched the first-ever dedicated courtroom under a State Scheduled Castes Commission to handle SC-related cases, inaugurated by Chairperson Jasvir Singh Garhi in November 2025.
• The initiative aims for faster hearings, timely case disposal, and enhanced efficiency, with a planned Online Court System to allow virtual appearances, improving access to justice for SC complainants, especially from remote areas, and setting a model for other states.

International News

Turkey to Host COP31 Climate Summit After Compromise with Australia

• Turkey is set to host COP31 climate summit in 2026 under a compromise with Australia, following a prolonged contest over hosting rights from bids submitted in 2022.
• Under the emerging arrangement, Turkey will host the summit, while Australia will lead intergovernmental negotiations.
• A pre-COP event is planned in the Pacific, reflecting ongoing diplomatic efforts to balance regional interests and maintain momentum in global climate diplomacy.

Seychelles Becomes New Member of Colombo Security Conclave

• Seychelles has joined the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) as a new member during the 7th NSA-level meeting in New Delhi chaired by Ajit Doval on November 20, 2025, joining Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh; Malaysia participated as a guest.
• The meeting focused on maritime safety, counter-terrorism, cyber security, transnational crime, and disaster relief, with Doval emphasizing the Indian Ocean as a shared heritage and the collective responsibility to ensure its stability, security, and safety.

India Expands Visa‑on‑Arrival for UAE Nationals to Cochin, Calicut, Ahmedabad

• In November 2025, India expanded its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility for UAE nationals to nine airports, adding Cochin, Calicut, and Ahmedabad to the existing six.
• Eligible visitors with a prior Indian visa can stay up to 60 days (double entry) for tourism, business, medical treatment, or conferences, paying a ₹2,000 fee.
• The move enhances people-to-people ties, regional connectivity, tourism, and trade, while UAE citizens with Pakistani lineage remain ineligible.

Appointment News

Bajaj Appoints Jitendra Gohil as CIO to Lead New Alternative Investment Fund

• Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd. appointed Jitendra Gohil as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), moving from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers, to strengthen its presence in India’s $169 billion alternative investment (AIF) industry.
• Gohil brings two decades of experience in portfolio management, macroeconomics, and wealth advisory, supporting Bajaj’s expansion plans under Lakshmi Iyer with new funds, HNI-targeted products, and team-building initiatives.

Awards News

Miss Universe 2025: Mexico’s Fátima Bosch Crowned Winner, India’s Manika Vishwakarma in Top 12

• The 74th Miss Universe 2025 pageant, held in Thailand, concluded with Mexico’s Fátima Bosch winning the coveted crown after outperforming over 100 contestants. Thailand’s Praveenar Singh emerged as Runner-Up, while India’s Manika Vishwakarma secured a spot in the Top 12 with her advocacies for inclusive education, mental wellness, and artistic expression.
• The event featured star performances by Jeff Satur, hosting by Steve Byrne, and judging by global experts including Saina Nehwal.
• Upholding values of leadership, diversity, and social impact, the Miss Universe Organisation continues its legacy of empowerment. The next edition, Miss Universe 2026, will be hosted in Puerto Rico.

Rabih Alameddine & Patricia Smith Crowned at National Book Awards 2025

• The 76th National Book Awards 2025 in Manhattan celebrated global literary excellence and cultural critique, honoring Rabih Alameddine (Fiction), Patricia Smith (Poetry), Omar El Akkad (Nonfiction).
• Daniel Nayeri (Young People’s Literature), and Gabriela Cabezón Cámara (Translated Literature), with George Saunders and Roxane Gay receiving honorary awards, highlighting literature’s role in addressing identity, resilience, social issues, and inclusivity.

Defense News

India Hits Highest-Ever Defence Production—What It Means

• India achieved a historic milestone in defence self-reliance in FY 2024‑25, with defence production reaching ₹1.54 lakh crore and exports soaring to ₹23,622 crore.
• Driven by Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, reforms have boosted private sector and MSME participation, R&D, and indigenous manufacturing.
• With over 460 licensed defence companies, India is now exporting to 80+ countries and aims to reach ₹3 lakh crore production and ₹50,000 crore exports by 2029, strengthening its position as a global defence manufacturing hub.

US Approves Strategic $93 Million Missile Sale to India

• The US approved $93 million (~₹775 crore) military sales to India, including FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles and M982A1 Excalibur precision-guided artillery.
• Enhancing India’s precision strike, mobile anti-armour capability, and Indo-US defence cooperation, while supporting military modernisation and regional strategic deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Sports News

Shai Hope’s Legendary Feat—Centuries Against All Test Nations

• Shai Hope became the first batter in ODI history to score hundreds against all 11 other Full Member nations with his 109 vs New Zealand at Napier on November 19, 2025, reaching 19 ODI centuries in 142 innings (second-fastest West Indian to 6000 runs).
• Surpassing Brian Lara for most tons as a West Indies captain, and joining MS Dhoni with 6 centuries as a keeper-captain, highlighting his record-breaking consistency, leadership, and modern ODI greatness.

Science & Technology News

Google Opens Major AI Hardware Engineering Centre in Taiwan

• Google has launched its largest AI infrastructure hardware engineering centre outside the US in Taipei, Taiwan, tripling its local engineering team and focusing on AI chips like TPUs for cloud and machine learning workloads.
• The facility strengthens Taiwan’s role in the global AI supply chain and signals deeper US-Taiwan tech partnership, amid geopolitical tensions with China.
• The investment enhances tech sovereignty, secure AI development, and builds a robust AI innovation ecosystem on the island.

TCS + TPG = India’s Next Big AI and Data Centre Revolution

• TCS partners with TPG in an ₹18,000 crore JV to launch HyperVault AI Data Centre Ltd., aiming to build AI-focused and sovereign data centres in India, with TCS holding 51% and TPG up to 49%, tapping into India’s booming AI infrastructure demand (current 1.5 GW, projected 10 GW by 2030) and enhancing data sovereignty, high-skilled jobs, and global tech competitiveness.

Important Days News

National Philosophy Day 2025: Theme, History, Significance, and Inspiring Quotes

• National Philosophy Day 2025, observed on November 20, celebrates the global UNESCO-recognized day dedicated to wisdom, critical thinking, and dialogue, with the theme “Philosophy and Global Dialogue in the Digital Era.”
• The day highlights philosophy’s role in fostering reasoning, ethics, cross-cultural understanding, and mutual respect, reminding us of the enduring influence of thinkers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, and Chanakya, while promoting reflection on life’s fundamental questions in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

World Television Day 2025: History, Significance, Theme and Inspiring Quotes

• World Television Day 2025, observed on November 21, celebrates television’s enduring influence on global communication, education, and cultural connection, as recognized by the United Nations.
• Established in 1996, the day highlights TV’s role in shaping public opinion, promoting media literacy, and supporting peacebuilding in an era challenged by digital misinformation.
• From India’s first broadcasts in 1959, to color TV in 1982, to the 1990s satellite boom, television remains a trusted, unifying medium that informs, empowers, and connects people across the world.