Daily Current Affairs: 12th November, 2025

National News

Prime Minister’s Visit to Bhutan: Key Outcomes and Agreements Announced

• During the Prime Minister’s visit to Bhutan in November 2025, India and Bhutan inaugurated the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, agreed to resume work on 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-I, granted land in Varanasi for a Bhutanese Temple/Monastery, planned an Immigration Check Post at Hatisar, and extended an INR 4000 crore Line of Credit.
• Three MoUs were signed on Renewable Energy, Health & Medicine, and Mental Health collaboration with NIMHANS to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

India Unveils First MWh-Scale Vanadium Flow Battery at NTPC NETRA

• India inaugurated its first MWh-scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) at NTPC NETRA, Noida, a 3 MWh system aimed at long-duration energy storage to enhance renewable energy integration and grid stability.
• Inaugurated by Shri Manohar Lal on November 11, 2025, the project strengthens India’s clean energy transition by providing a non-flammable, long-life, and scalable storage solution, reducing dependence on lithium imports.
• NETRA also showcases green hydrogen, carbon capture, waste-to-energy, and microgrid innovations, underlining India’s push for technological self-reliance in the energy sector.

UIDAI Partners with Research Firm to Boost Aadhaar Biometric Updates for Children

• The UIDAI has partnered with Behavioural Insights Limited (BIL) to boost Mandatory Biometric Updates (MBU) for children at ages 5 and 15, aiming to ensure accurate Aadhaar credentials.
• The collaboration will use behavioural strategies to raise awareness, simplify the update process, and address compliance barriers.
• Additionally, UIDAI has announced a one-year fee waiver for these updates to encourage participation and improve authentication success rates for minors.

India Improves Its Rank in Global Climate Risk Index 2025

• India has improved its position in the Global Climate Risk Index (CRI) 2025, ranking 15th (from 10th) in the annual index and 9th (from 8th) in the long-term index, reflecting stronger climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
• Released by Germanwatch during COP30 in Belem, Brazil, the report credits India’s progress to initiatives like the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), State Action Plans, and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), showcasing India’s growing capacity in risk mitigation, early warning systems, and climate adaptation.

International News

Bharat–Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav Inaugurated at University of Colombo

• India and Sri Lanka jointly launched the Bharat–Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav in Colombo on 10 November 2025, celebrating their shared civilisational heritage and strengthening cultural-educational ties.
• Organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, Central Sanskrit University, and the India–Sri Lanka Foundation, the week-long festival features workshops, lectures, cultural performances, and student interactions to promote Sanskrit as a living language and cultural bridge.

Sergio Gor Sworn In as US Ambassador to India

• Sergio Gor was sworn in as the US Ambassador to India on November 11, 2025, in a ceremony attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, marking a new phase in Indo-US strategic relations.
• At 38, Gor—former Director of Presidential Personnel—brings strong political and administrative experience, with priorities focused on strengthening Indo-Pacific security, boosting bilateral trade, and diversifying supply chains.
• His appointment underscores Washington’s commitment to deepening defence, digital, and economic cooperation with India.

Banking News

Amit Shah launches Digital Apps For Urban co-op Banks

• Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched Sahakar Digi Pay and Sahakar Digi Loan apps to digitally modernize urban cooperative banks (UCBs), aiming to onboard 1,500 banks in two years and ensure at least one UCB per town with population over 2 lakh within five years.
• The move supports digital adoption, easier credit access, and financial inclusion, while building on past sector reforms that reduced NPAs from 2.8% to 0.6%.
• The initiative highlights the growing importance of technology in cooperative banking and strengthens UCBs’ role in supporting young entrepreneurs and economically disadvantaged groups.

Business News

Tata Power Plans India’s Largest Solar Wafers & Ingots Plant

• Tata Power plans to set up India’s largest solar wafers and ingots plant with a 10 GW capacity, completing its solar manufacturing chain and strengthening the domestic supply of upstream components.
• The facility will complement its existing ~4.9 GW cell and module capacity and reduce import dependence, particularly from China.
• This project supports Make in India, renewable energy self-reliance, and government incentives for solar manufacturing.
• A final decision on investment and location will be made in the next two months.

Economy News

Net Direct Tax Collection Rises in April-November 2025

• India’s net direct tax collections rose 7% YoY to ₹12.92 lakh crore in April–November 2025, driven by stronger corporate and personal income tax inflows and an 18% drop in refunds.
• Gross collections reached ₹15.35 lakh crore, while corporate tax receipts grew to ₹5.37 lakh crore and personal/non-corporate taxes to ₹7.19 lakh crore.
• STT collections stayed flat at ₹35,682 crore. With the government targeting ₹25.20 lakh crore for FY25, achieving it will require enhanced tax compliance and base expansion in the coming months.

MoSPI’s Revision of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP)

• The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has announced a base revision of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), updating the base year to 2022‑23 and substituting non‑reporting or closed factories to improve accuracy.
• Around 8.9% of the current sample will be replaced with operational units, ensuring continuity with a 12-month data overlap.
• MoSPI is also revising the methodology and product basket, adding modern industries like vaccines and LED bulbs. A discussion paper has been released, inviting stakeholder feedback until 25 November 2025.

Appointments News

Tata Trusts Appoints Neville Tata & Bhaskar Bhat as Trustees of  This Tata Trust

• The Tata Trusts inducted Neville Tata (son of chairman Noel Tata) and veteran executive Bhaskar Bhat as trustees of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) on 11 November 2025, signaling generational transition and governance reform.
• The move also revised trustee Venu Srinivasan’s tenure from a lifetime to a fixed three-year term, following Maharashtra government regulations. Neville Tata’s appointment introduces next-generation leadership, while Bhaskar Bhat brings decades of experience.
• These changes strengthen strategic oversight, succession planning, and transparency in India’s most influential philanthropic and corporate governance platform.

Shailesh Chandra Becomes First Indian to Lead OICA

• Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles & Tata Electric Mobility, has become the first Indian president of OICA (Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles), marking India’s rising influence in global automotive regulations, EV adoption, and mobility standards.
• His presidency aims to harmonise safety norms, promote EV infrastructure, ensure cybersecurity, and advance sustainable battery practices, giving India a strategic voice in shaping international vehicle standards.

Awards News

6th National Water Awards Winners For 2024 Announced

• The 6th National Water Awards 2024 will be presented by President Droupadi Murmu on November 18, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, recognizing 46 winners across 10 categories for excellence in water conservation and management.
• Maharashtra won Best State, followed by Gujarat and Haryana, while awards were also given to top districts, ULBs, institutions, industries, villages, schools, WUAs, civil societies, and individuals.
• The awards promote innovative water practices, community engagement, and support India’s SDG 6 goals.

Defense News

INS Savitri Arrives in Mozambique For India–Mozambique Maritime Cooperation

• INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Indian Navy, arrived at Port Beira, Mozambique, on November 10, 2025, to strengthen India–Mozambique maritime cooperation under the SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• The visit includes joint naval exercises, such as EEZ surveillance, VBSS drills, and damage control training, along with community outreach activities like medical camps, open ship visits, Yoga sessions, and sports events.
• The deployment reinforces India’s role as a Preferred Security Partner in the Indian Ocean Region.

6th India-Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX Begins in Hanoi 

• The 6th India-Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX commenced in Hanoi, Vietnam, aiming to strengthen defence cooperation, interoperability, and UN peacekeeping capabilities.
• The opening ceremony was presided over by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Chief of General Staff Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan.
• The exercise highlights the deepening strategic and military partnership between the two nations and reinforces India’s commitment to regional security and defence diplomacy.

Science & Technology News

Servier India Launches Free Biomarker Testing for Cancer