Daily Current Affairs and GK | 14 November 2025

Topic: Miscellaneous

1. IICA–WNS Ybrant Programme on CSR, ESG, and Sustainability jointly launched by Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) and WNS Global Services in New Delhi.

• The programme aims to align business performance with sustainable and inclusive growth.
• It also aims to integrate CSR, ESG, and sustainability into mainstream management education.
• Its goal is to prepare students for purpose-driven leadership roles.
• India’s CSR spending increased from ₹10,065.93 crore in FY 2014–15 to ₹34,908.75 crore in FY 2023–24.
• Ybrant represents a tripartite collaboration between government, industry, and academia.
• It is a six-month course, which includes classroom sessions, and fieldwork.
• Weekly live sessions led by IICA faculty and industry experts are conducted through IICA’s online learning platform.

Topic: State News/Punjab

2. Punjab became the first state to implement the revised Bharat Net scheme statewide.

• Punjab has bagged the honour of becoming the first state in India to implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme across its entire territory.
• On November 11, Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha received the award from CGM BSNL Punjab Circle Ajay Kumar Karara in Chandigarh.
• Internet and broadband services have been provided in 43 shadow areas of the state, with only one village remaining.
• By the end of November, every village will be covered.
• With this achievement, Punjab’s rural and border regions can now be monitored live from any location in the country.
• The Bharat Net Scheme has been designed to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats, households, and key rural institutions.
• It also aims to support e-health, and e-governance initiatives in villages to strengthen digital inclusion.
• In October 2011, the Government of India launched an ambitious project called BharatNet, which aims to provide affordable high-speed internet access to every Gram Panchayat in the country.
• The project is being implemented by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL).
• BBBL was formed on February 25, 2012, under the Indian Companies Act, 1956.
• In August 2023, the government approved the Revised BharatNet Programme (ABP).

Topic: Sports

3. Three gold and two silver medals clinched by India at the 24th Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka.

• On November 13, India had a stellar performance at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka, winning three gold and two silver medals in the compound events.
• Jyothi Surekha Vennam triumphed over Prithika Pradeep in a closely fought all-Indian Compound Women’s Individual Final, winning 147–145 to claim gold.
• Prithika secured the silver medal, and both archers were appreciated by AAI for their exceptional consistency and focus.
• Earlier, the Indian compound women's team – Deepshikha, Jyothi and Prithika – won the gold medal after defeating Korea 236-234 in a close final.
• Additionally, in the compound mixed team event, Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha won the gold medal by defeating Bangladesh 153-151.
• Also, the Compound Men’s Team of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge secured silver after finishing second in a tight contest.
• With multiple podium finishes in the individual, team and mixed categories, India has re-established its dominance in compound archery at the continental level.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

4. A contract worth ₹2,095 crore for INVAR anti-tank missiles signed by the Defence Ministry.

• On 13 November, an agreement worth ₹2,095 crore was signed by the Ministry of Defence with Bharat Dynamics Limited for procuring INVAR Anti-Tank Missiles.
• The procurement was undertaken to upgrade the strike capability of the Indian Army’s T-90 tanks.
• The agreement was finalised under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
• The ministry stated that the deal aligns with the goal of strengthening the army by utilising the expertise of Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
• It also supports indigenous defence development and contributes to Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector.
• The INVAR system is designed as a laser-guided missile with a very high probability of hitting targets accurately.
• Its deployment is expected to enhance operational advantage in mechanised warfare.

Topic: Indian Polity

5. Draft Seeds Bill 2025 released for public consultation.

• A draft Seeds Bill, 2025, aligned with current agricultural and regulatory requirements, has been prepared by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

• The Draft Seeds Bill 2025 was placed in the public domain for comments.
• The proposed legislation aims to replace the Seeds Act 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order 1983.
• The bill aims to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials, ensure farmers’ access to high-quality and affordable seeds, and curb the sale of spurious or poor-quality seeds.
• It also seeks to liberalise seed imports, promote innovation, and safeguard farmers’ rights with greater transparency and accountability in seed supply chains.
• Provisions to liberalise seed imports have been proposed to encourage innovation and access to global varieties.
• Minor offences will be decriminalised to ease compliance, while serious violations will continue to attract strong penalties.
• The draft and feedback format have been made available on the Ministry’s official website for public review.
• Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments via email by December 11, 2025.

Topic: National News

6. The WHO pandemic preparedness and emergency response site launched at AIIMS New Delhi.

• On 13 November, a Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response site was inaugurated at AIIMS New Delhi by the World Health Organization.
• AIIMS, Delhi, has now become one of the WHO's global network sites for pandemic preparedness and emergency response under the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS).
• The site was established as part of a global WHO network aimed at strengthening rapid investigation and response capabilities.
• The launch event was attended by the WHO Representative to India, Payden, and AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas.
• It was stated that the site will remain functional during non-pandemic periods to maintain readiness at all times.
• The facility has been created to support rapid studies and assessments during epidemics or future pandemics.
• The global network will enable faster public health responses by linking key research and medical institutions worldwide.

Topic: Defence

7. An Indian Air Force contingent has reached France to participate in Garuda-2025.

• IAF personnel have reached  Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France to take part in this bilateral air exercise.
• The exercise will take place from November 16 to 27.
• India and France continue to deepen their long-standing strategic defence ties.
• India and France defence ties cover technology cooperation, security coordination, and joint military engagement.
• Garuda-2025 will highlight the professionalism and operational strength of both participating air forces.
• As part of the exercise, India’s Su-30 MKI fighters will train with Rafale aircraft of French Air and Space Force.
• The aim is to improve coordination, share operational knowledge, and reinforce defence collaboration.

Topic: National News

8. 44th India International Trade Fair started at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

• Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, inaugurated 44th India International Trade Fair. 
• The theme of 44th India International Trade Fair is “Ek Bharat–Shreshtha Bharat.”
• Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Bihar are partner states of 44th India International Trade Fair.
• Jharkhand is the focus state of 44th India International Trade Fair.
• Twelve nations are joining the 14-day international fair. These include the UAE, China, Iran, South Korea, and Egypt.
• The fair serves as a key hub for domestic and global commerce. It enables strong B2B and B2C connections.
• The first five days of 44th India International Trade Fair are reserved exclusively for business visitors. General entry will start on November 19.
• India International Trade Fair is organised by India Trade Promotion Organization.
• India Trade Promotion Organization is nodal trade promotion agency of the Government of India.

Topic: International News

9. India and Nepal exchanged a Letter of Exchange revising the Transit Treaty Protocol.

• India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal’s Industry and Commerce Minister Anil Kumar Sinha held bilateral meeting in New Delhi.
• The aim of revision is to improve cross-border movement of goods.
• The updated protocol allows direct rail operations on the Jogbani–Biratnagar route. It applies to both bulk and container cargo.
• The initiative will streamline cargo movement from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports.
• It will facilitate transport from these ports to Nepal’s Biratnagar customs facility.
• The Jogbani–Biratnagar rail corridor was funded by India and jointly opened by the two Prime Ministers on 1 June 2023.
• During the meeting, progress on cross-border connectivity projects was reviewed.
• These projects included Integrated Check Posts and supporting infrastructure.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

10. The inaugural regional conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force heads has begun at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima.

• The conference includes representatives from the eight Northeastern states, including West Bengal.
• The two-day meet is being hosted by Nagaland Police and supported by the Narcotics Control Bureau under the national Nasha Mukt Bharat initiative.
• The initiative emphasizes enforcement, supply suppression, rehabilitation, and de-addiction.
• Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma urged policy reforms such as amendments to the NDPS Act 1985.
• He also called for establishing a specialized anti-trafficking agency for the region.
• Representatives from the NCB are participating in the conference.
• Officials from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are also taking part.