Daily Current Affairs 26th November, 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

State News

Andhra Pradesh to Get 3 New Districts; Total Rises to 29

Assam Tables Bill to Ban Polygamy; Proposes Jail for Offenders

Goa Tops Digitisation in SIR Forms; Kerala Lags Far Behind

• The Election Commission’s second round of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 12 States/UTs shows strong progress in enumeration but uneven digitisation, with 99.07% forms collected but only 47.35% digitised as of 24 November 2025.
• Goa (76.89%) and Rajasthan (72.20%) lead in digitisation, while Kerala (~23%) and Uttar Pradesh (26.6%) lag due to technical glitches, heavy workload, and BLO fatigue.
• Despite challenges, the exercise remains crucial for improving voter-roll accuracy, eliminating duplication, and ensuring transparent, efficient elections, with the draft roll due on 9 December 2025.

International News

Gavi, UNICEF Secure Affordable Malaria Vaccine Deal

• Gavi and UNICEF announced a breakthrough pricing deal for the R21/Matrix-M™ malaria vaccine, reducing the dose price to US$ 2.99 to expand access, protect 7 million children, save US$ 90 million, and enable 30 million more doses.
• Backed by IFFIm financing, this initiative targets high-burden African countries, addresses the global malaria crisis (263 million cases, 597,000 deaths in 2023), and promotes vaccine equity and sustainable malaria control.

Banking News

SEBI Proposes Changes to Basic Services Demat Accounts Norms

• SEBI released a draft circular proposing key changes to Basic Services Demat Accounts (BSDA) norms.
• The regulator suggested excluding Zero-Coupon, Zero-Principal (ZCZP) bonds from the valuation of securities used to determine BSDA eligibility, as these bonds are non-tradable and offer no returns, often inflating investors’ portfolios artificially. Additionally, delisted securities would be treated like suspended securities, focusing BSDA eligibility on active, tradable holdings.
• The move aims to enhance financial inclusion, ensure genuine small investors benefit from low-cost demat accounts, and provide clearer regulatory guidance.

India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast Raised to 7% by Ind-Ra

• India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) has raised India’s FY26 GDP growth projection from 6.3% to 7%, citing strong Q1 FY26 growth of 7.8%, robust domestic demand, resilient manufacturing, and steady investment activity.
• The upgrade reflects subdued external risks, despite US tariff hikes and an export slowdown to the US. Q2 GDP data, due on 28 November 2025, will provide further clarity on the economic trajectory.
• The revision underscores India’s improving domestic momentum and resilience amid global trade challenges.

BHIM Launches “UPI Circle Full Delegation” Empowering Families and Young Adults

• NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) launched UPI Circle Full Delegation on the BHIM app, allowing a primary user to authorize trusted people—family, staff, or dependents—to initiate and complete UPI payments with a monthly limit of ₹15,000 and validity of 1 month to 5 years.
• This feature benefits senior citizens, young adults, and small business owners by enabling safe, controlled digital payments while maintaining transparency and user oversight.
• Users set limits, verify identity, and retain full control via UPI PIN, promoting financial inclusion and convenience for those less comfortable with digital transactions.

Economy News

Private Company Sales Grow 8% in Q2 FY26: RBI Report

• India’s private sector recorded a strong uptick in Q2 FY26, with overall sales growth rising to 8%, driven by robust performances in manufacturing, IT, and non-IT services, according to the RBI’s latest report.
• The manufacturing sector led with 8.5% growth, boosted by automobiles, food products, chemicals, and electrical machinery, though rising raw-material costs (↑9%) added pressure.
• The IT sector grew 7.8%, while non-IT services surged 10.6%, led by wholesale and retail trade.

Awards News

RCMS Bank Honoured as Best Profit-Making Cooperative Bank

• Rani Channamma Mahila Sahakari (RCMS) Bank has been awarded Best Profit-Making Bank in Belagavi District for 2025.
• The accolade, presented during the 72nd All India Cooperative Week in Haveri by the Karnataka State Urban Cooperative Banks Federation, recognises the bank’s consistent financial performance, strong governance, and efforts to empower women entrepreneurs.
• The award was received by Chairperson Preeti Kore Daddwad, highlighting RCMS Bank’s role as a model cooperative institution in Karnataka.

Defense News

NCC Celebrates 78th Raising Day with Nationwide Tributes and Service Campaigns

• The National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrated its 78th Raising Day on November 23, 2025, following a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial on November 22, attended by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DG NCC Lt Gen Virendra Vats, and three tri-service girl cadets.
• Founded in 1948 with 20,000 cadets, NCC has grown into the world’s largest uniformed youth organisation with 20 lakh cadets, covering 713 of 780 districts.
• Celebrations highlighted NCC’s legacy in youth leadership and national service, including community initiatives such as blood donation camps, tree plantations, cleanliness drives (Swachhta Hi Sewa), and anti-drug awareness (Nasha Mukti Abhiyaan).

India-Nepal Joint Military Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX Begins in Pithoragarh

• The 19th India–Nepal joint military exercise, SURYAKIRAN-XIX 2025, commenced on November 25, 2025, in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, running until December 8, 2025.
• Both countries have deployed 334 personnel each (Indian Army – ASSAM Regiment; Nepal Army – DEVI DATTA Regiment) to enhance operational coordination and regional defence cooperation.
• The exercise focuses on Sub-Conventional Operations under UN Chapter VII, including jungle warfare, counter-terrorism, HADR, medical response, and environmental conservation.

Schemes News

Andhra Pradesh Launches ‘Rythanna Meekosam’ to Empower Farmers

• Andhra Pradesh launched the farmer-focused initiative ‘Rythanna Meekosam’ on November 24, 2025, aiming to enhance water security, demand-based cultivation, agri-tech adoption, food processing, and provide comprehensive government support under its Five-Point Formula.
• Inaugurated by Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu in Krishna district, the programme (running Nov 24–29, with workshops on Dec 3) seeks to modernise agriculture, improve productivity, reduce manual labour via mechanisation and drone usage, strengthen market linkages, and provide financial stability through schemes like PM-Kisan Annadata Sukhibhava, which has disbursed over ₹3,200 crore to 68 lakh farmers.

Sports News

India Clinches Women’s Kabaddi World Cup Title Again

• India’s women’s kabaddi team won the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025, defeating Chinese Taipei 35–28 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, successfully defending their title.
• Led by Captain Ritu Negi and Vice-Captain Pushpa Rana, with standout performances from Sanju Devi, Champa Thakur, Bhawna Thakur, and Sakshi Sharma, India showcased strong defense, tactical raids, and disciplined gameplay.
• Head Coach Tejaswi and Assistant Coach Priyanka’s strategies were key in both the semi-final win over Iran (33–21) and the final triumph, cementing India’s status as a global kabaddi powerhouse.

Ten‑Year‑Old British Chess Prodigy Stuns at Women’s Event

• Ten-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan from Harrow, London stunned the chess world by winning eight consecutive games at the UK Women’s Blitz Championship in Royal Leamington Spa, earning a spot among the top 50 female blitz players globally.
• She is the youngest ever Woman International Master (WIM) and aims to become the youngest Grandmaster in history.
• Praised as a “generational talent”, Bodhana’s rapid calculation, composure, and strategic skill in blitz chess have set her apart from much older, experienced competitors.

Rohit Sharma Named Tournament Ambassador for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

• Rohit Sharma has been appointed tournament ambassador for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co‑hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026.
• A key figure in India’s T20 legacy—with 4,231 T20I runs at an average of 32.01 and strike rate 140.89, and pivotal in India’s 2007 win (player) and 2024 win (captain)—Rohit will represent the tournament brand, engage fans, support promotional campaigns, and strengthen host nation outreach.
• His role highlights continuity, leadership, and cricketing legacy as India defends its title on home soil.

Important Days News

National Milk Day 2025: Honouring the White Revolution and Driving India’s Dairy Future

• On Nov 26, 2025, India celebrated National Milk Day to honour Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, highlighting India’s transformation into the world’s largest milk producer, contributing nearly 25% of global output.
• The day recognised achievements in dairy production, livestock care, and initiatives like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for conservation and improvement of indigenous breeds.
• India’s milk production has surged to 239.3 million tonnes (2014–2024), supporting over 8 crore farmers and ensuring nutrition, income security, and rural empowerment.

National Constitution Day 2025: Honouring India’s Democratic Blueprint

• National Constitution Day (Samvidhan Divas) is observed annually on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949.
• On Constitution Day 2025, India marked 75 years since this historic event, honouring the efforts of the Constituent Assembly and especially Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee.
• The day promotes constitutional literacy, emphasizing fundamental rights, duties, democracy, equality, liberty, and fraternity, and reinforces the Constitution as a living guide for governance and civic responsibility. It was officially declared a national observance on 19 November 2015.

Obituaries News

Viola Ford Fletcher: The Last Witness of Tulsa Race Massacre Dies at 111

• Viola Ford Fletcher, the last known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at 111, marking the end of a living link to the devastation of Greenwood’s “Black Wall Street.”
• Known as “Mother Fletcher,” she spent decades sharing eyewitness accounts of the massacre—where over 300 Black residents were killed and 35 blocks destroyed—and tirelessly advocating for racial justice and reparations, even testifying before U.S. Congress and joining the Justice for Greenwood lawsuit.

German Actor Udo Kier Dies at 81: A Legacy of Over 250 Films Across Five Decades

• German actor Udo Kier, famed for his magnetic and often villainous roles, passed away on November 24, 2025, in California at the age of 81.
• Born in Cologne in 1944, Kier appeared in over 250 films across Europe and the US, including cult classics like Mark of the Devil, Flesh for Frankenstein, Blood for Dracula, and Suspiria.
• He collaborated with visionary directors such as Lars von Trier, Werner Herzog, and Dario Argento, leaving a lasting mark in both arthouse and Hollywood cinema, with memorable roles in Blade, Armageddon, and Johnny Mnemonic.
• Kier’s legacy is celebrated for his intense screen presence, versatility, and five-decade-long contribution to global cinema.