News of The Day – 19th November 2025

News of The Day – 19th November 2025

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1: History)

• About Queen of Jhansi
  • key 1857 uprising figure.
• Symbol of anti-colonial resistance, women’s leadership.
• Relevance: Nationalism, freedom struggle themes.

• About Anti-defection Law.
• Concerns Anti-defection petitions under the Tenth Schedule. 
• The Speaker exercises quasi-judicial powers; SC stresses “reasonable time” for decisions.
• Implications for anti-defection law effectiveness and legislative stability.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About Finance Commission
• Covers tax devolution formula, grants-in-aid, fiscal consolidation roadmap.
• Focus on vertical/horizontal distribution, local body finances, disaster funding.
• Crucial for Centre-State fiscal relations.

( GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About ‘YUVA AI for ALL’
  • National free online AI literacy programme for youth
• Modules: ML basics, ethics, generative AI, DPIs.
• Aims to improve digital skills and AI-aware workforce.

(GS-2: Polity and  Governance)

• What is Digital Arrest ? 
• Current mechanism to handle Cybercrime.
  • Provision and Issues.
• SC urges decision on ratifying UN Cybercrime Convention as digital extortion cases rise.
• Calls for SOPs for police, public advisories, and cross-border cooperation.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About PDS and its significance.
• New PDS reforms include AI-based grievance capture, real-time stock monitoring.
• Aim: Transparency, leak reduction, improved beneficiary experience.

• About India-Africa Relation: Current status
• India-Africa ties require renewed focus on connectivity, development finance, and capacity-building.
• Key areas: digital public infrastructure, climate cooperation, maritime security, pharma, agritech.
• China’s expanding footprint necessitates proactive Indian engagement.

(GS 2: IR)

• About Global Happiness Index
• Global Happiness Rankings criticised for Western-centric indicators.
• Determinants: social support, freedoms, economic security, health. 
• India’s low rank is tied to inequality, unemployment, and mental health burdens.
• Relevance: Need for holistic welfare metrics beyond GDP.

(GS-2: IR)

• About Codex
  • Codex sets global food standards under FAO-WHO.
• India gets a unanimous mandate.
• Strengthens India’s role in global food governance and SPS negotiations.

(GS-2: IR)

• About Trump’s Gaza Plan
  • Plan includes ceasefire mechanism, humanitarian corridor, demilitarisation outline.
• Challenges: Palestinian political split, Israeli security concerns, regional backlash.
• Silver lining: Opens window for broader peace talks under UN framework.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025
  • NIC 2025 replaces NIC 2008; aligns with global ISIC Rev.4. 
  • Adds categories for AI, green tech, digital services.
• Significance: Enables accurate GDP measurement, labour surveys, industrial policy design.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About PM Fasal Bima Yojna
• PMFBY expansion: includes wild animal damage and flood-induced paddy submergence.
• Benefits: Better risk coverage, farmer income protection.

( GS-3: Economy)

• About LPG and its uses.
• India’s LPG import status.
• Impact of Import from U.S.
  • Diversifies India’s LPG supply beyond the Middle East.
• Enhances energy security, reduces geopolitical risks.

( GS-3: S&T)

• About National Action Plan on AMR 2.0
• Focus areas: One Health surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, diagnostics.
• AMR rising globally; India among highest antibiotic consumers.
• Supports WHO Global AMR Strategy.

(GS-3: S&T)

• About Earth System Sciences Council (ESSC)
  • ESSC coordinates India’s earth system science programmes.
• Manages climate modelling, monsoon research, ocean & cryosphere studies.
• Key for disaster prediction and climate resilience.