Daily Current Affairs and GK | 23 and 24 November 2025

Topic: Summits/ Conferences/ Meetings

1. The Sixth International Agronomy Congress will begin in New Delhi on 24 November 2025.

• IAC-2025 will be inaugurated by the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• It will be a three-day long event. It will feature plenary talks, themed symposia, research presentations, and exhibitions.
• It will also feature a dedicated Young Scientists and Students' Conference.
• Ministry of Agriculture and farmers’ Welfare said thatit will serve as a platform for world-class scientific discourse.
• More than one thousand global delegates are expected to participate in the Congress.
• These will include university heads, ICAR officials, industry leaders and agri-business innovators.
• Re-envisioning Agronomy for Smart Agro-Food Systems and Environmental Protection is the theme for Sixth International Agronomy Congress.
• A separate international conference on conserving rural Buddhist heritage will be held in New Delhi from 28 November.
• The three-day international conference on Preservation of Rural Buddhist Heritage will be organized by the Indian Trust for Rural Heritage and Development.
• The aim of the conference is to advance global dialogue on safeguarding the country’s rural Buddhist sites.
• The conference also aims for integrating heritage conservation with sustainable rural development.
• The trust’s chairman highlighted plans to establish Academy for Rural Heritage Conservation and Development Training at Nagarjunakonda in Andhra Pradesh.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

2. The National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 concluded with a call for stronger community-led preparedness.

• On 21 November, the two-day National One Health Mission Assembly 2025 was concluded in New Delhi.
• The theme of the two-day event was “Translating Knowledge to Practice – One Earth, One Health, One Future”.
• The second day saw a special technical discussion that strengthened the national effort to build an integrated and robust One Health ecosystem.
• The deliberations were focused on coordinated national action to build resilience against health threats that emerge at the human-animal-environment interface.
• Addressing the gathering, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. V. K. Paul highlighted that India’s One Health progress requires a whole-of-government approach that advances a healthier and more resilient future.
• Community engagement was emphasised as the backbone of early detection, surveillance and rapid emergency response.
• Dr. Paul noted that community mobilisation proved to be one of India’s greatest strengths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• He underlined that One Health preparedness must reach the grassroots, where frontline workers, local administrations and communities form the first defence layer.
• By bringing together experts from different sectors, the National One Health Mission platform is helping to build a more agile, prepared, and responsive ecosystem for managing current and future public health threats.

Topic: National Appointments

3. Justice Surya Kant took the oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.

• On 24 November, the oath of office for Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• Justice Surya Kant has replaced Justice B.R. Gavai, who demitted office on November 23.
• During the swearing-in ceremony, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, PM Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several Union Ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda and other dignitaries were present.
• Born in 1962 in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Surya Kant began practising at the District Court in 1984 with expertise in Constitutional, Service and Civil matters.
• He became the youngest Advocate General of Haryana in 2000 and represented several statutory bodies and institutions.
• He was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2004 and later appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in 2018.
• He joined the Supreme Court as a Judge in May 2019, contributing significantly in various constitutional and legal matters.
• His tenure as the Chief Justice of India will be around 15 months.
• Chief Justice of India:

• H. J. Kania was the first Chief Justice of India.
• The Chief Justice of India is appointed by the President of India.
• Conventionally, the most senior judge of the Supreme Court is recommended for the post.
• The appointment is made after consultation with the judges of the Supreme Court as per Article 124(2) of the Constitution.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

4. ACITI Technology and Innovation Partnership launched by India, Australia and Canada.

• A new trilateral technology and innovation framework – the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership was launched by India, Australia and Canada on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
• The agreement was formalised to advance collaboration on critical and emerging technologies.
• The framework was designed to complement existing bilateral mechanisms among the three nations.
• The ACITI Partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in green energy innovation and the resilience of supply chains, especially in critical minerals.
• It seeks to promote a secure and sustainable global technological ecosystem aligned with net-zero pathways.
• The initiative will explore ways to accelerate AI development for improving governance and public services.
• It focuses on leveraging the natural strengths and technological capabilities of all three countries.
• Officials from the three sides will meet in the first quarter of 2026 to operationalise the collaborative agenda.

Topic: Defence

5. The First Mahe-Class ASW Shallow Water Craft commissioned by the Indian Navy.

• On 24 November, the first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, “Mahe” was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
• The ceremony was presided over by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
• The event was hosted by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
• The induction marks the formal introduction of a new generation of indigenous naval platforms.
• Mahe has been built with more than 80% indigenous content, reflecting India’s progress in ship design and maritime self-reliance.
• It has been developed as a sleek and swift combatant capable of operating as a Silent Hunter in coastal waters.
• The craft is dedicated to strengthening India’s maritime security along the Western Seaboard.
• Its construction highlights the nation’s growing capabilities in warship design, construction and systems integration.
• The vessel will enhance shallow-water anti-submarine operations as part of the Navy’s modernisation efforts.

Topic: Defence

6. The 19th Edition of Exercise Suryakiran is set to be conducted by India and Nepal in Uttarakhand.

• The 19th edition of the annual bilateral military Exercise Suryakiran is scheduled to be held in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, from November 25 to December 8.
• The joint exercise is being organised annually between the Indian Army and the Nepali Army.
• Its conduct alternates between the two nations as part of long-standing defence cooperation.
• Preparatory procedures and deployment plans have been finalised by both armies.
• The exercise aims to deepen operational synergy in counter-terrorism and jungle warfare in mountainous terrain.
• It incorporates niche technologies to strengthen interoperability while sharing best operational practices.
• Previously, the Indian Army contingent participated in the 18th edition of Battalion Level Joint Military Exercise Suryakiran, held in Saljhandi, Nepal, from December 31, 2024, to January 13.
• The exercise was focused on operational preparedness, aviation aspects, medical training and environmental protection.
• Participating troops enhanced their combat coordination and refined skills needed for difficult terrain.
• The activity provides a platform for both armies to exchange ideas, experiences and tactical approaches.
• The Indian Army has also been at the forefront of India's humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations in Nepal, notably during the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Topic: Indian Polity

7. The government will introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025.

• The amendment includes the Union Territory of Chandigarh within the ambit of the Article 240.
• The Bill will be introduced in the forthcoming Winter session of Parliament
• It will place Chandigarh in Article 240 in line with other Union Territories without legislatures.
• Such Union Territories include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• It will allow for an independent administrator in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. 
• As of now, Punjab Governor is the Administrator of Chandigarh.
• Under Article 240 of the Constitution, the President has power to make regulations for effective governance of certain Union Territories.
• These Union Territories include Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
• The Winter Session of Parliament will begin on the first day of December and conclude on the nineteenth of December.

Topic: International News

8. On the opening day of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, six new initiatives aimed at global development were proposed by PM Modi. 

• He proposed the setting up of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, Africa Skills Multiplier program, and Global Healthcare Response Team.
• He also proposed initiative on Countering the drug-terror Nexus, Open Satellite Data Partnership, and a Critical Minerals Circularity initiative.
• G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository will use the collective wisdom of humanity for future generations.
• The aim of Africa Skills Multiplier program will be to build one million certified trainers for skilling the youth in Africa.
• G20 Global Healthcare Response Team will include healthcare experts from each of the G20 countries.
• It could be used for dealing with global health challenges in any part of the world.
• A G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus will overcome the challenge of drug trafficking. It will break the drug-terror economy.
• A Critical Minerals Circularity initiative was proposed to promote recycling, urban mining and cleaner supply-chain pathways.
• An Open Satellite Data Partnership was proposed by PM Modi to give developing nations broader access to space-based information.
• He highlighted the Deccan Principles on Food Security adopted during India’s G20 Presidency.
• He welcomed the continuation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group.
• He said decisions from New Delhi Summit were being advanced under the current presidency.

Topic: Art and Culture

9. The fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam will begin on 2 December.

• Ministry of Education will be organising the Sangamam to celebrate deep civilizational connections between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
• The event reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
• IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University will coordinate the programme, which is being supported by Culture Ministry, Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Tourism Ministry, and Textiles Ministry.
• The Sangamam was launched in 2022. It has become a key cultural link between two ancient knowledge traditions.
• The theme of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 will be “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”.
• The theme aims to promote Tamil learning across India.
• Over 1,400 people from Tamil Nadu will take part. These include students, teachers, writers and media professionals.
• The delegates will go on an eight-day experiential tour, covering Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
• Delegates will visit locations in Varanasi, including Subramanya Bharatiyar’s ancestral home, Kedar Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Mata Annapurna Temple.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

10. IIT Bombay and the Department of Higher Education hosted the National Wellbeing Conclave 2025.

• The Conclave continued for two days from 21 November 2025.
• Representatives from 82 higher education institutions gathered for the conclave.
• These institutions include 20 IITs, 6 IIITs and 8 IIMs from across the country.
• A total of 141 faculty members and 130 students participated in the conclave.
• The event hosted two symposia along with three in-depth panel discussions.
• The discussions examined the future of wellbeing in Indian universities and ways to identify psychosocial concerns early.
• They also highlight collaborative strategies for creating holistic wellbeing frameworks.
• The Conclave seeks to strengthen inter-institutional partnerships on wellbeing programmes.
• It is intended to guide campuses in implementing integrated models that promote supportive, resilient and compassionate learning environments.