NOVEMBER 2025 – CURRENT AFFAIRS DIGEST FOR UPSC (Prelims + Mains)
Introduction
Current Affairs forms a crucial component of the UPSC Civil Services Examination, covering Prelims, Mains, and the Interview. November 2025 witnessed significant developments across governance, foreign policy, economy, environment, science & technology, and socio-political issues. This monthly digest compiles all major updates in a structured, UPSC-friendly format to help aspirants with comprehensive revision and conceptual clarity.
Exam Relevance
- GS Paper 1: Important geophysical phenomena, society, heritage-linked events
- GS Paper 2: Governance updates, policy changes, Supreme Court judgments, International Relations
- GS Paper 3: Economy, S&T, Environment, Disaster Management
- Prelims: Government schemes, facts, reports, ecology, S&T breakthroughs
- Essay/Interview: Current socio-political and economic themes
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Cabinet & Government Decisions
1. India launches “National Solar Rooftop Mission 2.0” (2026–2030)
- Target: 50 GW rooftop solar capacity
- Focus: Residential households + MSMEs
- Incentives: Up to 40% subsidy for small households
- Linked to: Panchamrit commitments
2. National Logistics Policy – Implementation Review Report 2025 released
- Logistics cost reduced from 13% to 11.7% of GDP
- Improvements in multimodal connectivity under PM Gati Shakti
3. Government approves “National Digital Agriculture Stack (NDAS)”
- Aim: Farmer-centric data integration
- Components: Soil data, crop prediction models, credit scoring for farmers
Judiciary & Constitutional Developments
1. Supreme Court upholds legal validity of ‘One Nation, One Election’ framework
- Conditional approval: Requires constitutional amendments
- Emphasized need for logistical preparedness
- Major UPSC relevance: Federalism, Election reforms
2. SC directs Centre & States to submit a uniform police reform compliance report
-
Reassessment of Prakash Singh guidelines implementation
Defence & Internal Security
1. India successfully conducts test of Agni-V MIRV variant (user trial)
- Range: 5,000–5,500 km
- MIRV capability: Multiple warheads independently targeting
- Strengthens nuclear deterrence
- Linked To: NFU policy, Credible minimum deterrence
2. Coastal Surveillance Network Phase-III launched
- New radars + AIS receivers
- Focus: Arabian Sea & Bay of Bengal security
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India–World Relations
1. India–EU sign “Digital Partnership Roadmap 2025–2030”
- Key areas: AI governance, secure 5G/6G systems, semiconductor collaboration
- UPSC angle: Data flows, GDPR alignment
2. India joins “Global Green Hydrogen Accord” at COP30 (Brazil)
- Commitment: 5 MTPA green hydrogen by 2035
- Funding: Green Climate Fund support
Global Developments of Importance
1. US–China climate technology cooperation resumes
-
May impact global supply chains & India’s solar component imports
2. UN releases “State of Food Security Report 2025”
- Global hunger increased by 4 million people compared to 2024
- South Asia remains a hotspot
ECONOMY & FINANCE
GDP, Inflation & Monetary Policy
1. RBI maintains repo rate at 6.50%
- Inflation: 4.9% (above target but stable)
- Growth projection: 6.8% for FY 2025–26
2. India’s Q2 GDP (2025–26) grows at 7.2%
-
Drivers: Manufacturing, Construction, Services
Key Economic Developments
1. India announces “Startup India 2.0 Framework”
- Focus: DeepTech, climate tech, space tech
- Incentives: 5-year tax holiday for eligible startups
- New corpus: ₹15,000 crore Fund of Funds
2. UPI launches “Offline UPI MicroPay”
- Payments without internet (NFC + stored tokens)
- Target: Rural economy, low-data regions
3. Direct Tax Code Draft 2025 submitted
- Suggestions:
- Simplified slabs
- Digital compliance platform
- Rationalization of exemptions
ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
COP 30 (Rio de Janeiro) Highlights for India
- India pushes for climate finance reform
- Advocates “Just Energy Transition for Developing Nations”
- Announces launch of “India Climate Resilience Portal” (ICRP)
Biodiversity & Wildlife
1. Three new species discovered in Western Ghats
- Frog, Gecko, Ficus variety
- Significance: Biodiversity hotspot conservation
2. India adds two new Ramsar sites
- Pong Dam Wetland (Himachal Pradesh)
- Point Calimere Lagoon (Tamil Nadu)
- Total Ramsar sites in India: 82
Climate & Disaster Updates
Cyclone Samira forms over Bay of Bengal
- Affected: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha
- Category: Severe cyclonic storm
- UPSC angle: Disaster Management, Cyclone formation
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Space & ISRO Updates
1. ISRO conducts first full-scale test of NGLV (Next Gen Launch Vehicle) stage
- Reusable heavy-lift vehicle
- Targets global commercial launch market
2. Chandrayaan-4 (Sample Return Mission) hardware integration begins
-
Collaboration: JAXA & ESA instruments
DRDO & Scientific Breakthroughs
1. DRDO unveils “Kavach-AI” battlefield decision-support system
- Real-time enemy movement prediction
- AI-enabled tactical planning
2. Indian scientists create low-cost graphene-based desalination membrane
-
Potential to reduce desalination cost by 30%
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES & PROGRAMMES (November Launches)
1. PM Matsya Sampada Plus Scheme (2025–30)
- Boost to fisheries & aquaculture
- Targets doubling exports to $12 billion
2. Shiksha Sarthi Mission
- Digital learning for rural & tribal districts
- Real-time teacher training dashboards
3. Ayush Kavach 3.0
-
Integrates AI-based personalized wellness recommendations
IMPORTANT COMMITTEES, REPORTS & INDEXES
Committees
- New “Committee on AI Regulation Framework” headed by NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson
- Committee on Agriculture MSP Reform submits interim report
Reports Released
- India Justice Report 2025
- State of Education Infrastructure Report 2025
Indexes
- India ranks 39th in Global Innovation Index 2025 (↑ 2 positions)
- India ranks 63rd in Logistics Performance Index 2025
IMPORTANT DAYS & THEMES – NOVEMBER 2025
- Nov 14 – Children’s Day: Theme – “Education for Every Child”
- Nov 19 – World Toilet Day: “Sanitation & Circular Economy”
- Nov 26 – Constitution Day: Celebrated nationwide with citizen digital oath
PRACTICE MCQs (UPSC Prelims Level)
Q1. Consider the following statements about the National Solar Rooftop Mission 2.0:
- It aims to achieve 50 GW rooftop solar capacity by 2030.
- Only commercial establishments are eligible for subsidies.
- It is part of India’s commitment under the Panchamrit targets.
Correct answer: 1 and 3 only
Q2. Agni-V MIRV variant recently tested by India is important because:
- A. It increases India’s second-strike capability
- B. It can deliver multiple warheads to different targets
- C. It is part of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence system
Correct answer: A and B
Q3. The new Ramsar sites added in November 2025 include:
- Chilika Lake
- Point Calimere Lagoon
- Pong Dam Wetland
Correct answer: 2 and 3
Q4. NGLV (Next Gen Launch Vehicle) by ISRO is:
- A. A reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle
- B. India’s first SSLV variant
- C. Meant only for ISRO internal launches
Correct answer: A
Q5. India–EU Digital Partnership focuses on:
- AI Governance
- Semiconductor collaboration
- Cyber security
Correct answer: 1, 2 and 3
November 2025 witnessed significant developments across climate action, digital governance, defence capabilities, economic policy, and scientific research. For UPSC aspirants, consolidating such monthly updates is essential for both retention and answer-writing enrichment. Regular revision of monthly current affairs ensures strong performance in both Prelims and Mains.
