Daily Current Affairs and GK | 12 November 2025

Topic: Banking/Finance

1. NPCI International Payments Limited and Bahrain’s BENEFIT company have formed partnership to enable cross-border remittances between India and Bahrain.

• The partnership links India’s UPI system with Bahrain’s Fawri+ network.
• This initiative allows users in India and Bahrain to send and receive money instantly.
• They will also allow them to send and receive money in real time through interoperable digital payment systems.
• This partnership was established under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Bahrain.
• The aim of partnership is to advance digital financial inclusion and promote fintech cooperation.
• The partnership builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding first signed during PM Modi’s 2019 visit to Bahrain.
• The agreement marks a major step in expanding economic integration between India and Bahrain.
• Bilateral trade between India and Bahrain reached USD 1.64 billion in 2024–2025.
• BENEFIT is Bahrain’s leading fintech and electronic financial transactions company.
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) is the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Topic: Important Day

2. National Education Day 2025: 11 November

• National Education Day is observed every year on November 11 across India.
• This day has been celebrated every year since 2008 to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the first education minister of independent India.
• He served as the first education minister from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad established the first Indian Institute of Technology – IIT Kharagpur.
• Maulana Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992.
• The 86th Amendment of the Constitution reinforced the introduction of free elementary education through Article 21-A.
• It guarantees free and compulsory education as a fundamental right for children between the ages of six and fourteen.
• The Right to Education (RTE) Act 2009, which came into force on April 1, 2010, ensures that every child receives quality elementary education in a formal school that meets the prescribed criteria.

Topic: India and Its Neighbourhood

3. Prime Minister Modi's state visit to Bhutan strengthened the bilateral partnership.

• A two-day state visit to Bhutan was undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from 11 to 12 November 2025 at the invitation of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan.
• During the visit, Prime Minister Modi participated as Guest of Honour at the 70th Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo in Changlimithang
• He also joined the Global Peace Prayer Festival in Thimphu, where the Holy Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India were displayed for public veneration.
• The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation and regional issues of mutual concern.
• Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s full support for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan, including the Economic Stimulus Programme.
• India's support for Bhutan's Gelephu Mindfulness City was reaffirmed, as was approval for an immigration checkpointat Hatisar in Assam to facilitate the movement of investors.
• On 11 November, both leaders jointly inaugurated the 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, symbolising Indo-Bhutan friendship in hydropower cooperation.
• The India-Bhutan relationship:

• India is Bhutan's top trading partner and the leading source of investments.
• There has been significant cooperation between the two sides in the area of hydropower projects.
• The revised Bilateral Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan came into effect in 2017.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

4. Maharashtra topped the 6th National Water Awards 2024.

• On 11 November, the winners of the 6th National Water Awards were announced by Union Minister of Jal Shakti Shri C.R. Paatil at Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi.
• Forty-six winners, including joint winners, were selected for 10 categories.
• The categories include Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best School or College, Best Industry, Best Water User Association, Best Institution (other than school or college), Best Civil Society and Best Individual for Excellence in the Water Sector.
• Maharashtra was conferred the first prize in the Best State category, followed by Gujarat and Haryana in second and third positions, respectively.
• Each winner will receive a citation, trophy, and cash prize in applicable categories.
• The award ceremony will be held on 18 November 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest.
• Since 2018, the National Water Awards have been recognising individuals and organisations contributing to a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’.
• For the 2024 awards, 751 applications were received and evaluated by a jury, followed by ground verification by CWC and CGWB.
• These awards aim to encourage sustainable water practices and foster a nationwide movement for conservation and responsible usage.

Topic: Defence

5. The sixth India-Vietnam Army exercise, VINBAX, began in Hanoi.

• On 11 November, the 6th edition of the India–Vietnam Army Exercise VINBAX was inaugurated in Hanoi under the leadership of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Senior Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan.
• The exercise has been designed to strengthen interoperability and share best practices in UN peacekeeping operations.
• This year's fourth field-based UN peacekeeping exercise will run from November 11 to 27 at the National Military Training Centre 4.
• Around 300 officers and heavy equipment have been deployed to enhance engineering, medical, and search-and-rescue capabilities for UN missions.
• VINBAX 2025 also aims to boost operational readiness and coordination between the two armies.
• Cultural, sports, and ceremonial exchanges are part of the exercise to deepen understanding and friendship.
• VINBAX 2025 is the sixth Vietnam-India peace exercise overall and the fourth field-based exercise.
• The VINBAX series began in 2018 as a tabletop simulation in India and has evolved into a full-scale field exercise.
• The exercise underscores the expanding defence partnership and strategic cooperation between India and Vietnam.
• It further reinforces both nations’ commitment to peacekeeping and regional stability under the UN framework.

Topic: State News/Andhra Pradesh

6. The restored Vengalayapalem pond inaugurated by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Andhra Pradesh.

• The 21-acre Vengalayapalem pond in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, was inaugurated by Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 11 November.
• The pond restoration, completed at a cost of ₹1.2 crore, was part of the Watershed Mahotsav celebrations.
• Addressing the media, Mr. Chouhan emphasised that water serves as the foundation for cultural and economic development.
• He highlighted the success of programmes such as the Watershed Development and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.
• The ancient pond’s rejuvenation will aid in groundwater recharge, improve soil fertility, and promote sustainable agriculture.
• The Union Minister described the Vengalayapalem project as a replicable model for rural development across India.
• Such multipurpose ponds contribute to environmental conservation and public health while supporting local livelihoods.

Topic: Important Days

7. Public Service Broadcasting Day is observed annually on November 12 to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s historic radio address.

• On this day in 1947, Gandhi visited the Broadcasting House in New Delhi for the first and only time.
• He spoke to refugees in Kurukshetra on the occasion of Diwali.
• Freedom fighter Rajkumari Amrit Kaur accompanied Gandhi during this broadcast.
• Initially, Gandhi was reluctant to use the radio and agreed to speak after being persuaded by Ghanshyam Das Birla.
• The studio was arranged to resemble Gandhi’s daily prayer meeting setting.
• In 2000, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj declared November 12 as Public Service Broadcasting Day.
• Since then, Akashvani has celebrated the day every year.
• In March 2023, during the 100th episode of PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat, the studio was renamed ‘Bapu Studio’.
• Public Service Broadcasting Day reminds broadcasters to uphold and spread Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals nationwide.

Topic: National News

8. Over 16,000 children rescued by Railway Protection Force under Operation Nanhe Farishtey.

• Railway Protection Force rescued these children from January to October this year.
• More than 2,000 lives were saved by Railway Protection Force through Mission Jeevan Raksha during the same period.  
• Railway Protection Force carried out these life-saving efforts across the Indian Railways network.
• Railway Protection Force seized narcotics and psychotropic substances under Operation NARCOS, which is its anti-drug initiative.
• The total value of these seizures was more than ₹197 crore.
• More than 42,000 left-behind belongings worth over ₹70 crore were also recovered by Railway Protection Force under Operation Amanat.
• These coordinated efforts show the Railway Protection Force's strong commitment to passenger safety.

Topic: Sports

9. Punjab Police Inspector Lakhwinder Singh won a gold medal in the Individual Sword category at the Masters International Tent Pegging Championship.

• The event was held at Ghaziabad from 10-12 November 2025.
• Inspector Lakhwinder Singh secured a perfect score of 36 out of 36.
• Punjab Police team also won silver medal in team competition.
• IPS Officer Inderbir Singh, DSP Jaswinder Singh, Inspector Youngbir Singh, and Inspector Lakhwinder Singh were part of the team.
• Inspector Youngbir Singh said six teams took part in the championship.
• The teams were from BSF, ITBP, Haryana Police, the Indian Army, Punjab Police, and an international team from South Africa.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

10. India and Chile held the 9th Foreign Office Consultations in Santiago.

• The talks aimed to expand bilateral cooperation in emerging areas such as digital infrastructure, innovation, and green energy.
• The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Secretary (East) P. Kumaran and Chile’s Foreign Ministry Secretary General Ambassador Rodrigo Olsen.
• Both nations agreed to strengthen collaboration in multiple sectors.
• These include trade, investment, connectivity, health, pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine, science and technology, mining, defence, civil nuclear, education, space, agriculture, and people-to-people exchanges.
• The consultations reviewed progress on issues discussed during President Boric’s April 2025 visit to India.
• Visa facilitation for Indian professionals and business travelers was discussed.
• Both sides resolved to expedite the finalization of several agreements.
• These cover customs cooperation, recognition of Indian pharmacopoeia, traditional medicine, Yoga, social security, space collaboration, training, education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges.
• India and Chile discussed cooperation in renewable energy, technology sharing, and investment opportunities.
• This builds on Chile’s hosting of the International Solar Alliance LAC Regional Conference.
• India-Chile Relations:

• India and Chile celebrated 60 years of relations in 2009. In October 2020, first India-Chile Joint Commission Meeting was organised virtually.
• The 8th round of India-Chile Foreign Office Consultations was organised in New Delhi on March 2023.
• Chile is India's 5th largest trading partner in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.