Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 November 2025

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. Third Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 will be hosted by India in New Delhi.

• This two-day event will start on 27 November and will be convened by the Ministry of Defence.
• During this event, defence reforms, technological shifts, civil–military synergy, and future security priorities for Viksit Bharat 2047 will be discussed.
• A curtain-raiser of the event was recently organised at the Manekshaw Centre.
• It was jointly organised by the Indian Army and the Centre for Land Warfare Studies.
• Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Upendra Dwivedi, addressed the event and highlighted the linkage between national development and security.
• Chanakya Defence Dialogue 2025 will be held under the theme “Reform to Transform: Sashakt, Surakshit aur Viksit Bharat.”

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

2. India’s First Nitric-Oxide Wound Dressing for Diabetic Foot Ulcers launched by DAE.

• India’s first nitric-oxide-releasing wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) was launched by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in collaboration with Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd.
• The product, named ColoNoX, was developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and was validated through Phase II and III clinical trials.
• Commercial manufacturing of the dressing was approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
• The innovation was highlighted by DAE Secretary and AEC Chairman Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty as a significant step toward affordable treatment for diabetic patients.
• The product aims to improve healing outcomes for individuals suffering from diabetic foot ulcers.
• DAE stated that the development reflects its commitment to leveraging nuclear science for societal benefit.
• In another key initiative, DAE released an indigenously developed Certified Reference Material (CRM) named Ferrocarbonatite (FC) – BARC B140 to support exploration, extraction and process control in Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
• This CRM was jointly created by BARC’s NCCCM (National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD), Hyderabad.
• The material provides certified values for thirteen rare-earth elements and six major elements.
• Officials noted that this is India’s first CRM of its kind and only the fourth such reference material developed globally.

Topic: Awards and Prizes

3. The Climate Change Gallery at Science City Kolkata awarded the prestigious CIMUSET Award.

• The prestigious CIMUSET Award has been conferred on the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) for its climate change gallery “On The Edge?” at Science City, Kolkata.
• The award was announced during the 27th ICOM General Conference in Dubai, marking a significant achievement for the science museum community in India.
• Science City, Kolkata, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has created this 10,000 sq ft permanent gallery to address the urgent realities of climate change.
• The initiative was praised by CIMUSET Award Committee Chair Jacob Thorek Jensen for its scientific rigor, inclusivity and strong social responsibility.
• The gallery embodies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and aligns with global sustainability goals.
• Through interactive storytelling, the gallery explains human-induced causes of climate change and the need for mitigation and adaptation.
• The gallery, inaugurated on 11 January 2025 by the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, has been visited by over one million people.
• Its immersive exhibits, AR–VR features, LED interactive wall and student outreach programmes significantly promote climate literacy.
• The CIMUSET Award honors science and technology museums that promote social change and support the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
• It recognises innovative projects that encourage community engagement, shared heritage, and lifelong learning.
• CIMUSET is the International Committee for Science and Technology Museums and Collections, operating under the aegis of the International Council of Museums (ICOM).
• It brings together professionals from science and technology museums around the world to exchange knowledge, reinforce best practices and promote the important role of these institutions in society.

Topic: Sports

4. Gurpreet Singh won the silver medal in the men's 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Championships.

• A silver medal was secured by Olympian Gurpreet Singh in the men’s 25m centre pistol fire event at the ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025 in Cairo.
• He was placed second after losing to Pavlo Korostylov of Ukraine on inner 10s.
• This was Gurpreet's second individual medal at the World Championships, the first being a silver in the 25m standard pistol event in Changwon in 2018.        
• India concluded the championship in third place overall.
• The nation secured a total of 13 medals, including three gold, six silver and four bronze.
• The People's Republic of China finished first, winning 12 gold, seven silver, and two bronze medals, and the Republic of Korea finished second, winning seven gold, three silver, and four bronze medals.
• Samrat Rana (men's 10m air pistol), Ravinder Singh (men's 50m standard pistol) and the 10m men's air pistol team won gold medals for India.

Topic: National News

5. The National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 launched by the Centre.

• On 18 November, the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) (2025–29) was launched by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.
• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern and poses significant risks, particularly in surgical procedures, cancer treatments, and other critical healthcare interventions.
• The growing public health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance was highlighted during the launch event.
• The urgent need for collective action across all sectors was stressed as essential to combat AMR effectively.
• The gaps identified in the earlier plan were addressed through strengthened coordination and wider stakeholder participation.
• Overuse and misuse of antibiotics were identified as major contributors to rising AMR.
• The new plan aims to increase ownership of AMR-related responsibilities across sectors.
• It emphasises stronger engagement with the private sector and improved infection control systems.
• Enhancing laboratory capacity across healthcare facilities forms a key component of the strategy.
• AMR has been recognised as a global health threat with political and economic implications.
• Delayed treatments and rising healthcare costs due to resistant infections remain major challenges that the plan seeks to reduce.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. YUVA AI for ALL launched as India’s Free National AI Learning Course.

• A free national-level Artificial Intelligence course named YUVA AI for ALL was launched by the Government of India.
• The initiative has been introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and IT to promote AI literacy among citizens.
• The 4.5-hour self-paced programme was designed to be simple, practical and easily accessible.
• The course was made available across platforms such as FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi and leading ed-tech portals.
• The course comprises six short modules to help learners understand foundational AI concepts.
• Every participant who completes the programme will receive an official Government of India certificate.
• The course is part of the IndiaAI Mission to democratise access to emerging technologies.
• The initiative aims to empower one crore people with basic AI skills.
• Ethical, responsible and inclusive adoption of AI forms a core teaching component of the course.

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

7. An international seminar on “Unearthing the Past, Shaping the Future: 175 Years of GSI” will be organised by the Geological Survey of India.

• Geological Survey of India will organise this seminar as part of its comemoration of 175 years of service to the nation.
• The seminar will be held on 20-21 November 2025 at Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur. 
• The international seminar will be inaugurated by Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
• The seminar will include 9 plenary lectures and 19 special lectures.
• The seminar will include more than 300 scientific and poster presentations across eleve themes.
• The seminar will also include an exhibition that will highlight cutting-edge technologies, geospatial tools, and innovative solutions by institutions and industries.
• During the seminar, the MoUs will be signed with IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur.
• These MoUs will strengthen collaboration in geoscience research and capacity building.
• Geological Survey of India:

• Geological Survey of India was formed in 1851. It is headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal.
• It has six Regional offices at Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong and Kolkata.
• It is an attached office of the Ministry of Mines. 
• Its principle function include updation of national geoscientific data and mineral resource assessment, air-borne and marine surveys.
• Conducting multifarious geo-technical, geo-environmental and natural hazards studies is also included in its principle functions. 

Topic: Sports

8. Indian archer, Kushal Dalal, secured GT Open Indoor World Series title.

• Kushal won the title in men’s compound category in the event held at Strassen, Luxembourg.
• He defeated former world number one Stephen Hansen of the U.S and won the gold medal.
• Dalal reached to the final after defeating world champion Nicolas Gerard of France in the semifinal round.
• In the Under-21 men’s compound category, India’s Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru won the bronze medal.
• Winners of GT Open Indoor World Series 2025:

• Recurve men: Roy Dror of Israel
• Recurve women: Elia Canales of Spain
• Compound men: Kushal Dalal of India
• Compound women: Ella Gibson of Great Britain

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

9. Crop losses caused by wild animal attacks and paddy fields getting flooded will now be covered under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

• Under the revised policy, crop losses caused by wild animal attacks are now the fifth add-on Cover within the Localised Risk category.
• Paddy inundation (paddy fields getting flooded) has been reintroduced under localised calamity.
• The list of wild animals causing crop damage will be notified by the States.
• The States will identify vulnerable districts or insurance units based on historical data.
• Farmers must report losses within 72 hours. They must upload geotagged photos through the Crop Insurance App within 72 hours.
• The expanded coverage under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will be effective from the Kharif 2026 season.
• Farmers suffer crop losses because of attacks by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, nilgai, deer, and monkeys.
• This is commonly seen in regions near forests, wildlife corridors, and hilly areas.
• Until now, such losses were not covered under crop insurance and were not compensated.
• Inundation during heavy rains and overflowing waterways affects farmers in flood-prone and coastal States.
• The expanded coverage under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana will significantly benefit farmers in States reporting high human-wildlife conflict.
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:

• PM Modi launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana on 18 February 2016 as an insurance service for farmers. 
• It replaced earlier two schemes National Agriculture Insurance Scheme and Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme.
• This scheme aims to provide a comprehensive insurance cover against crop failure.

Topic: National News

10. A national Level padyatra to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel has been announced by the Youth and Sports Affairs Ministry.

• The national Level padyatra will commence from 26th of November till 6th of December.
• Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs Dr Mansukh Mandaviya described Sardar@150 Unity March as the heartbeat of a united nation.
• He said more than 10 lakh people took part in 842 padyatras all over India in the run-up to the National March.
• Mandaviya emphasised that themes of Swachhata, Swadeshi and Aatmanirbharta are at the heart of the padyatra..
• The national march will start from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s ancestral village Karamsad.
• It will cover 150 kilometres before ending at the Statue of Unity.