Daily current affairs:November 20, 2025

Long Description : Bihar is set to witness another political milestone as Janata Dal (United) leader Nitish Kumar prepares to take oath as Chief Minister for the 10th time, supported by the BJP and allied parties. This development reinforces his central role in Bihar politics and highlights the continuing importance of coalition arrangements at the state level. For exam perspective, it links to topics such as federalism, coalition governments, role of regional parties and governor’s role in government formation. It also offers context for questions on political stability, anti-defection concerns and changing alliance patterns in Indian states.

Long Description : The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas celebrations at Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh, an event aimed at honouring the contributions of tribal communities and freedom fighters in India’s independence struggle. The programme stresses government focus on tribal welfare, education and inclusion under various central schemes. For exams, this is relevant under topics like tribal policy, welfare schemes, recognition of tribal heroes, and constitutional safeguards for Scheduled Tribes. It can also be connected with questions on inclusive development, ST-specific schemes and the symbolism of commemorative days instituted by the Union government.

Long Description : The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, is undertaking a visit to Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from 20 to 22 November 2025. The itinerary includes participation in events related to education, tribal welfare and cultural programmes, reflecting the constitutional role of the President as head of state and a key figure in outreach to states. For aspirants, this news can be linked to topics such as the President’s constitutional position, federal relations and outreach to Scheduled Areas. It may also be used in Mains answers on inclusive development, especially in the context of tribal and backward regions.

Long Description : The Regional Open Digital Health Summit 2025 (RODHS 2025) began in New Delhi with India as host, bringing together stakeholders from governments, multilateral bodies and tech partners to discuss open, interoperable digital health systems. The summit aims to advance digital public goods in health, strengthen data-driven decision-making and promote regional cooperation in achieving universal health coverage. For exams, this connects to national digital health initiatives, digital public infrastructure, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the use of technology in public health governance. It can also feature in questions on SDGs, health systems strengthening and India’s role in regional health cooperation.

Long Description : India Post inaugurated its second revamped Gen Z–themed Post Office at Delhi University, focusing on youth-centric design, self-service facilities and integration with digital payment options. The initiative aims to rebrand traditional postal services by combining physical infrastructure with e-commerce support, parcel services and financial products. For exam aspirants, this reflects modernization of government services, digital inclusion and public sector adaptation to changing consumer behaviour. It is relevant for questions on postal reforms, financial inclusion, India Post Payments Bank and how traditional institutions contribute to Digital India and e-governance objectives.

Long Description : A government daily bulletin at 3:00 PM on 20 November 2025 reports detailed state-wise data for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase II enumeration being conducted from 4 November to 4 December 2025. The data note very high coverage of population across states and union territories, with figures on registered entries and percentages of completion. For exams, this is important in the context of electoral rolls, preparation for upcoming elections, and the administrative process of revision of rolls under the Representation of the People Act. It also illustrates large-scale data management and federal coordination between the Centre and states.

Long Description : A draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has been released for public consultation, with stakeholders invited to submit comments by a notified deadline. The draft aims to update the Electricity Act framework, potentially addressing issues such as distribution reform, consumer rights, renewable energy integration and regulatory strengthening. For competitive exams, this is closely connected to infrastructure governance, energy policy, centre–state relations in the power sector and reforms to address DISCOM losses. It can be used in Mains answers on energy transition, ease of doing business in power, and the role of reform legislation in improving service delivery and financial sustainability.

Long Description : The government has invited comments on draft amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The proposed changes aim to refine obligations of social media intermediaries and digital media platforms, likely tightening due diligence, grievance redress and content moderation responsibilities. For aspirants, this falls under governance, cyber regulation, fundamental rights (especially Article 19), and balancing free speech with regulation of harmful content. It may also be cited in questions on data governance, misinformation, safe internet practices and the evolving legal framework for digital platforms in India.

Long Description : Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh has launched the country’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for treating sickle cell disease. Developed through collaboration between Indian research institutions, the therapy targets the genetic mutation responsible for the disease, aiming to provide a potentially curative option instead of lifelong symptom management. For exams, this is significant under biotechnology, gene editing, health sector reforms, and the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission. It also raises ethical and regulatory aspects of gene therapy in India, including safety, affordability, and accessibility for vulnerable tribal populations where sickle cell prevalence is high.

Long Description : The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced a joint CSIR–ISRO Space Meet 2025 in Bengaluru, focusing on human spaceflight, microgravity experiments and advanced space technologies. The meet aims to align national laboratories with India’s human spaceflight roadmap, fostering innovation in life sciences, materials and space medicine. For aspirants, this is relevant for topics like Gaganyaan, Atmanirbhar Bharat in space, and synergy between research institutions. It can also be linked to questions on strategic technologies, dual-use applications, and how space programmes contribute to national prestige and scientific capacity.

Long Description : ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3, in its fifth operational flight (LVM3-M5), has successfully launched CMS-03, a multi-band communication satellite weighing about 4,400 kg, to a geosynchronous transfer orbit. CMS-03, also known as GSAT-7R, will provide secure communication services over a wide oceanic and land region including the Indian subcontinent, enhancing strategic and defence communications. This mission demonstrates India’s capability to launch heavier satellites from domestic launch pads, reinforcing self-reliance in space technology. For exams, it links to India’s space programme, strategic communications, Make in India in high-technology sectors and LVM3’s role after Chandrayaan-3.

Long Description : The Reserve Bank of India has updated its “Digital Rupee (e₹) – FAQs”, explaining how the central bank issues retail e₹ to banks and non-banks, who then provide wallets to customers under ongoing pilots. The document, updated as on 20 November 2025, reiterates that the e₹ pilot for retail users has been live since December 2022 and continues to operate in selected locations and institutions. For aspirants, this is crucial under topics like Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), monetary policy instruments, payment systems and financial inclusion. Questions may focus on differences between e₹ and UPI, legal tender status and implications for banking intermediation.

Long Description : RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, speaking at an event, clarified that the Reserve Bank does not aim for a fixed rupee exchange rate and that recent rupee depreciation mainly reflects higher demand for dollars and global trade developments. He emphasised that India’s foreign exchange reserves are comfortable, allowing room to manage external risks and negotiate trade deals, including with the United States, without undue pressure. For exams, this ties into external sector management, current account deficit, exchange-rate policy (managed float), and the role of forex reserves. It is particularly relevant for questions on macroeconomic stability, monetary policy communication, and India’s trade strategy.

Long Description : Economic indicators released by financial dailies show that India’s core sector growth remained weak in October, marking the softest performance in over a year. At the same time, a Union Bank report projects the current account deficit may widen to around 1.7% of GDP in FY26, while an SBI analysis suggests that monthly GST collections in November could surpass ₹2 lakh crore, supported by nominal growth and compliance. For exams, these data points matter for understanding trends in infrastructure output, external vulnerability and indirect tax performance. They can be cited in answers on growth–inflation dynamics, fiscal health and structural reforms in the core sectors.

Long Description : A defence ministry press note records India’s highest-ever defence production of about ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024–25, underscoring progress under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. Indigenous production is reported at over ₹1.27 lakh crore, and the country aims to achieve ₹1.75 lakh crore in the current fiscal and ₹3 lakh crore by 2029, along with rising defence exports. For exams, this is vital for topics on self-reliance in defence, Make in India, strategic autonomy and export promotion. It can be used in Mains answers on defence industrial base, FDI in defence and public–private partnership in strategic sectors.

Long Description : A joint industry analysis indicates that India’s pharmaceutical exports are close to the USD 30 billion mark, backed by the rise of CRDMOs and global capability centres that support innovation, R&D and complex generics. The sector is increasingly focusing on speciality products, biosimilars and regulated markets, moving beyond volume-based generics. For exam purposes, this is important under India’s export basket, knowledge-based industries, and health diplomacy. It also links to discussions on R&D investment, intellectual property issues and India’s role as the “pharmacy of the world”, especially after the pandemic and in the context of global supply-chain diversification.

Long Description : Ahead of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, Indian Test captain Shubman Gill has been sidelined due to injury, prompting the team management to hand the captaincy to wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. This leadership change comes at a crucial stage in the series and reflects Pant’s growing responsibility in red-ball cricket after his comeback. For exam candidates, this is a factual update relevant for sports-based questions in prelims of SSC, banking and state exams. It can also feature in personality-based questions on contemporary sports figures and leadership changes in Indian cricket.

Long Description : After India’s defeat to South Africa, former India batter Robin Uthappa defended head coach Gautam Gambhir, arguing that responsibility for on-field performance lies with players and that coaching outcomes must be judged over a longer period. The debate reflects heightened scrutiny of team management following high-profile series and tournaments. In competitive exams, such sports news often appears in one-liner questions about recent controversies, appointments and key figures. It can also be used to illustrate media pressure, sports administration issues and the role of coaching staff in modern professional cricket.