Daily Current Affairs News: 18th November, 2025

National News

India’s New Data Privacy Rules Are Here: What You Need to Know About DPDP 2025

• The Government of India notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025 on 14 November 2025, completing the implementation of the DPDP Act, 2023, establishing a citizen-centric legal framework for privacy protection and responsible digital data use.
• Key features include phased 18-month compliance, mandatory consent notices, personal data breach protocols, citizen digital rights, grievance mechanisms, and a fully digital Data Protection Board, with penalties up to ₹250 crore for serious violations.

Sixteenth Finance Commission Submits Report for 2026–31 To President

• Sixteenth Finance Commission submits its report for 2026–31 to the President, outlining tax distribution, grants-in-aid, disaster financing, and local body funding.
• Chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya, the XVIFC recommendations cover vertical and horizontal devolution of resources, performance-based grants for education, health, sanitation, and green initiatives, and strategies for fiscal federalism.
• The report, prepared after extensive consultations with Union & State governments, local bodies, experts, and institutions, is divided into two volumes and will be tabled in Parliament under Article 281.

International News

Cervical Cancer Claims Over 3.5 Lakh Lives Annually Globally: WHO

• On the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, WHO highlighted that cervical cancer claims over 3.5 lakh lives annually, with 90% of deaths in low- and middle-income countries, stressing that the disease is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and early screening.
• In India, where over 80,000 cases occur yearly, the HPV vaccine is yet to be nationwide under UIP, though Sikkim and Bihar have initiated limited rollout, and innovations like AIIMS’s ₹100 rapid test kit are boosting early detection efforts toward the 90–70–90 global elimination targets.

Economy News

India’s GDP Growth Likely Slowed to 7% in Q2 FY26

• India’s GDP growth is projected to slow to 7% in Q2 FY26 from 7.8% in Q1, as per ICRA, mainly due to weaker services (7.4% vs 9.3%) and agriculture (3.5% vs 3.7%) performance, while the industrial sector led growth at 7.8%.
• The slowdown reflects moderated government spending, subdued services exports ($101.6 bn, 8.7%), and weather-related farm setbacks.
• ICRA warns that without higher capital expenditure and reduced tariff uncertainties, GDP may fall below 7% in H2 FY26.

Gold Imports Triple to Record USD 14.72 Billion in October 2025

• India’s gold imports tripled to a record USD 14.72 billion in October 2025, driven by festival and wedding season demand, pushing the trade deficit to an all-time high of USD 41.68 billion.
• Major sources included Switzerland (40%), UAE (16%), and South Africa (10%), while gold prices surged to ₹1.29 lakh/10g in Delhi.
• Despite strong domestic consumption, gems and jewellery exports fell 29.5%, and silver imports also jumped 528.7% to USD 2.71 billion, reflecting industrial demand.

India’s Unemployment Rate Holds at 5.2 % in October 2025

• India’s unemployment rate remained steady at 5.2% in October 2025, with rural unemployment slightly easing to 4.4% and urban unemployment rising to 7.0%, highlighting regional disparities in the labour market.
• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) reached 55.4%, and the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) climbed to 52.5%, reflecting improved engagement of the workforce.
• Female participation rose to 34.2%, signaling positive trends in women’s labour force involvement, though urban job creation and gender employment gaps remain areas of concern.

Awards News

Ramoji Excellence Awards 2025 Celebrate Nation-Builders with a Grand Tribute

• The Ramoji Excellence Awards 2025 honoured seven nation-builders at Ramoji Film City on 17 November, celebrating excellence in journalism, rural development, social service, art & culture, science & technology, women empowerment, and youth leadership.
• Held in memory of Sri Ramoji Rao, the event also featured the launch of the Ramoji Dictionary, highlighting his commitment to language, culture, and knowledge.
• The ceremony, graced by top national dignitaries, showcased values of service, innovation, and nation-building, reflecting Ramoji Rao’s enduring legacy.

National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 Announced

• The National Gopal Ratna Awards 2025 were announced by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD) to honor top dairy farmers, cooperatives, and artificial insemination technicians (AITs) on National Milk Day, 26th November 2025.
• Recognizing excellence in indigenous breeds, dairy innovation, and breeding efficiency; winners in the farmer and cooperative categories receive up to ₹5 lakh, while AITs receive certificates and mementos.

Thota Tharani Conferred France’s Prestigious Chevalier Award

• Veteran art director Thota Tharani was conferred the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by France on 13 November 2025 at Alliance Française, Chennai, recognising his four-decade contribution to Indian cinema, art, and cultural storytelling.
• Tharani, known for films like Nayakan, Sivaji, and Ponniyin Selvan, joins elite Indian icons like Kamal Haasan and Aishwarya Rai in receiving this prestigious civilian arts honour.

Appointments News

Keerthy Suresh Becomes UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate for Child Rights

• National Award–winning actor Keerthy Suresh has been appointed as UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate, where she will champion child rights, mental health, and emotional well-being, using her nationwide influence to raise awareness and support vulnerable children.
• UNICEF India highlighted her strong public connect and commitment to social causes, while Keerthy emphasized the importance of nurturing environments for children to thrive.

Defense News

Indian Army & IAF to Induct 16 Indigenous Laser-Based Drone Defence Systems

• India’s Army and Air Force are set to induct 16 DRDO-developed laser-based drone defence systems (IDDS Mk-II) with 10-kW lasers capable of neutralising enemy UAVs at 2 km, doubling the previous range.
• Developed under DRDO’s Direct Energy Weapons programme (CHESS), these systems have successfully disabled swarm and fixed-wing drones during field trials in Kurnool and are part of India’s response to rising cross-border drone threats.
• Future upgrades include 30-kW lasers (5 km range), high-energy microwave, and EMP weapons for multi-layered, cost-effective aerial defence.

India–UK Joint Military Exercise ‘AJEYA WARRIOR-25’ Begins

• India and the UK kicked off the 8th edition of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-25 on 17 November 2025 at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, bringing together 240 troops to train under a UN-mandated counter-terrorism framework.
• With a focus on semi-urban warfare, joint mission planning, and tactical interoperability, led on the Indian side by the Sikh Regiment—further strengthening India-UK defence cooperation.

Indian Navy Unveils Crest of Mahe-Class Warship

• Indian Navy unveils the crest of INS Mahe, the first Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft, ahead of its commissioning in Mumbai, highlighting India’s naval indigenisation and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• The crest features the Urumi sword from Kerala’s martial art, symbolizing stealth, precision, and lethality, with rising waves representing India’s maritime vigilance.
• Named after the historic town of Mahe, the ship’s motto, “Silent Hunters”, reflects its anti-submarine warfare role in shallow/coastal waters, blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge operational capability.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DRDO Ink MoU to Advance Smart Defence Tech

• Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and DRDO signed an MoU on 17 November 2025 in New Delhi to collaborate on smart defence technologies, advanced chip design, encryption, and logistics research, aiming to boost national security innovation and Aatmanirbhar defence capabilities.
• The partnership includes joint R&D, capacity building, and workshops to develop cutting-edge solutions linking civilian logistics expertise with military tech.

Sports News

Marco Bezzecchi Clinches MotoGP 2025 Finale in Valencia

• Marco Bezzecchi clinched the MotoGP 2025 Valencia Finale, becoming the first Aprilia rider to secure back-to-back wins and finishing 3rd in the championship—a historic milestone for both him and Aprilia Racing.
• He dominated from pole position, holding off Raul Fernandez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, while Alex Marquez ended a strong season despite champion Marc Marquez’s injury absence.
• The race highlighted Aprilia’s rise and the emergence of new MotoGP contenders heading into 2026.

India Tops Asian Archery Championships 2025

• India dominated the Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka, topping the medal table with a record 10 medals (including 6 golds), led by historic recurve golds from Ankita Bhakat and Dhiraj Bommadevara, ending South Korea’s 12-year dominance.
• Strong team victories in both recurve and compound events showcased India’s rising depth, marking a new era in Asian archery and reflecting the impact of improved training systems, infrastructure, and youth development.