Daily Current Affairs and GK | 29 November 2025

Topic: State News/Andhra Pradesh

1. Andhra Pradesh to form three new districts, total reaches 29.

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu approved three new districts: Polavaram, Markapuram, and Madanapalle.
• The total number of districts will increase from 26 to 29.
• Five new revenue divisions and one new mandal will be created, along with several changes to existing boundaries.
• Apart from this, Penugonda mandal in West Godavari district will now be known as Vasavi Penugonda.
• Polavaram district will have Rampachodavaram headquarters and consist of Rampachodavaram and Chintoor revenue divisions.
• Markapuram district will merge Markapuram and Kanigiri revenue divisions.
• Madanapalle district will comprise Madanapalle and Pileru revenue divisions.
• As part of the administrative restructuring, new revenue divisions will be established at:

1. Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district,
2. Addanki in the reorganised Prakasam district,
3. Pileru in the new Madanapalle district,
4. Banaganapalle in Nandyal district and
5. Madakasira in Sri Sathya Sai district.

• A new mandal, Pedda Harivanam, will be carved out of Adoni mandal in Kurnool district.

Topic: Sports

2. Rohit Sharma appointed Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Ambassador.

• Rohit Sharma has been appointed as the tournament ambassador for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
• He previously captained India to victory in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.
• Rohit has scored 4,231 T20I runs at an average of 32.01 and a strike-rate of 140.89.
• He was part of India’s first successful campaign in 2007 and the second in 2024.
• In 2007, he scored 88 runs unbeaten including key innings in Super Eights and the final.
• In 2024, he was the highest run-scorer for India with 257 runs at a strike-rate of 156.70.
• He retired from T20Is following India’s 2024 triumph.
• The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 will be held from 7 February to 8 March, 2026.

Topic: Report and Indices

3. India has been ranked third in the Asia Power Index 2025.

• The U.S. and China have been placed in the first and second ranks, respectively.
• The annual Asia Power Index has been released by the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based think tank.
• In 2024, India was ranked among the 'Middle Powers' with a comprehensive score of 38.1, while in this year's report, India scored 40 out of 100.
• It is ahead of Japan and Russia, which are ranked fourth and fifth with scores of 38.8 and 32.1.
• The Index is intended to assess how effectively Asian nations influence their external environment.
• According to its ranking, both India and China have scored better in different metrics and improved their positions, but there is a huge gap between the two nations.
• India’s steady rise in power has been underlined, and it is expected to cross the major power threshold in 2025 as defined by the Index.
• The seventh edition of the Asia Power Index evaluates 27 countries and territories across the continent.
• A total of 131 indicators across eight large thematic measures have been used for evaluation.
• These measures include Military Capability, Defence Networks, Economic Capability, Economic Relationships, Diplomatic Influence, Cultural Influence, Resilience, and Future Resources.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

4. The three-day DGP/IGP conference inaugurated by Amit Shah in Raipur.

• On 28 November, the 60th All-India Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police (DGP-IGP) has been inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
• Mr. Shah stated that security forces are effectively countering extremism, radicalisation, and narcotics.
• Emphasis was placed on precise intelligence, clarity of objectives, and synergy in action.
• The event has been organised by the Intelligence Bureau.
• Prime Minister Modi is also attending the conference on November 29 and 30.
• Mr. Shah described the conference as a major platform for resolving internal security challenges and shaping policies.
• He highlighted that 586 fortified police stations have been established in the last seven years to eliminate Naxalism.
• The number of Naxal-affected districts has fallen from 126 in 2014 to 11 at present.
• A 360-degree attack on narcotics and organised crime was urged, along with stronger coordination among state police, NCB, and national agencies.

Topic: Reports and Indices

5. India ranks second in the world in global tea exports.

• Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that India is the second largest exporter of tea in the world.
• India produces approximately 255 million tonnes of tea every year.
• He said this while addressing the National Conference on Safe Tea Production in New Delhi on November 28.
• He said that the government has come up with a 1000 crore package and initiatives such as the Chai Sahyog app for the welfare of the labour in the tea industry.
• The Minister noted the government’s aim to use the best testing facilities to strengthen the tea sector for Viksit Bharat 2047.
• He emphasised creating internationally competitive tea varieties to uphold quality standards.
• Sustainable and innovative farming practices were encouraged for upskilling small tea growers.
• Value addition and improved marketing were suggested to boost domestic and international sales.
• Researchers and scientists were urged to tap India’s diverse agro-climatic advantages for new varieties and high-value products.

Topic: Defence

6. ₹7,995 crore deal for MH-60R helicopter fleet support sealed between India and the U.S.

• On 28 November, a ₹7,995-crore agreement has been sealed between India and the United States for the sustainment of the Navy’s MH-60R helicopter fleet.
• The deal has been placed under a “follow-on support” package for Indian Navy's fleet of 24 Seahawk helicopters for five years.
• Letters of Offer and Acceptance have been signed under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
• The contract was signed after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a hefty 50% tariff on Indian goods in late August, straining relations between the two countries.
• The support package includes spares, support equipment, training, product support, and replenishment of components.
• Facilities for intermediate-level repairs and periodic maintenance are to be set up within India.
• The MH-60R, built by Lockheed Martin, is an all-weather helicopter capable of multiple missions using advanced avionics and sensors.
• India originally signed the procurement contract for 24 MH-60Rs in February 2020.
• Setting up repair facilities in the country is expected to reduce dependence on the U.S. and support a self-reliant India.
• In 2021, the first three MH-60R helicopters were delivered to India.

Topic: International News

7. Russian President Vladimir Putin will come to India on 4–5 December for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi invitated President Putin for the visit.
• During the visit, President Putin and PM Modi will carry out a review of the status of India–Russia relations.
• Both leaders are expected to set new priorities for Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership of Russia and India.
• A state banquet will be hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for President Putin.
• This will be first visit of Putin to India since Russia carried ot invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
• India aims to makes its ties with Russia stronger without unsettling US and European partners.
• An extra 25% tariff was imposed by US on India over its purchases of Russian oil.
• India is making preparations for a major EU–India summit in January.
• It is expected that the EU summit will deliver results, which include an Free Trade Agreement and a stronger framework for defence and security.
• During the meeting, India seeks to deal with its growing trade deficit with Russia.
• Discussions are likely to be held on proposal of India to buy five more S-400 air defence systems' squadrons.

Topic: State News/ Assam

8. Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings (Amendment) Bill,  2025 has been passed by Assam Legislative Assembly.

• This bill has been passed to provide land settlement to tea garden workers residing in labour lines.
• With this move, around 3.33 lakh tea garden workers are expected to gain legal land rights.
• These workers have lived in labour lines for decades without formal ownership.
• The Bill excludes Joloha tea garden workers from the Muslim community.
• The amendment removes labour lines from the list of areas linked to special cultivation.
• This change allows the government to prioritise land settlement in favour of the workers who live there.
• The move is intended to provide long-term housing security to the residents.
• It also aims to reduce the risk of eviction and displacement.
• The Bill authorises the government to acquire land located within labour lines.
• All rights and interests in the acquired land will be transferred to the government.
• Assam has 825 registered tea estates. Labour colonies within these estates cover about 2,18,553 bighas of land.

Topic: Art and Culture

9. The 56^th International Film Festival of India concluded in Goa with a closing ceremony at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium.

• Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the festival showcased creative talent and global artistic exchange.
• Dharmendra was honoured for his legendary contribution to Indian cinema.
• Rajnikanth was celebrated for completing fifty years in the film industry.
• The Golden Peacock for Best Feature Film was awarded to Ashleigh Mayfair’s film, Skin of Youth.
• The film depicts the struggles of San and Nam in 1990s Saigon as they search for identity and love.
• Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director for his film Gondhal.
• Akinola Davies Junior received the Special Jury Award for "My Father’s Shadow".
• Ubeimar Rios won the Best Actor (Male) award for the Spanish film A Poet.
• Jara Sofija Ostan won the Best Actor (Female) award for Slovenian film Little Trouble Girls.
• The Silver Peacock for Best Debut Feature Film was shared by "My Daughter’s Hair" and "Fränk".
• The ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal was presented to Eirik Svensson’s film "Safe House".
• Karan Singh Tyagi won Best Debut Director for an Indian feature film for "Kesari 2".
• The OTT Indian Panorama Award was given to "Bandish Bandit 2".

Topic: Indian Economy

10. India’s GDP grew by 8.2% in the Q2 of FY 2025–26.

• This growth was driven by manufacturing, secondary industries, and services.
• The Q2 growth rate was higher than the 7.8 percent recorded in Q1.
• It was also stronger than the 5.6 percent seen in the same quarter last year.
• Nominal GDP increased by 8.7 percent in the second quarter.
• Manufacturing, which accounts for 14 percent of GDP, expanded by 9.1 percent.
• This was a sharp increase from the 2.2 percent growth in the same period last year.
• The 8.2 percent real GDP growth is the fastest in six quarters.
• GDP growth for the first half of the year now averages 8 percent.
• Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran said Q2 performance led to a higher full-year growth estimate.
• He expects the economy to grow at 7 percent or more this year.
• The services sector grew by 9.2 percent in the second quarter.
• Financial, real estate, and professional services expanded by 10.2 percent. This was their fastest growth in nine quarters.
• Public administration, defence, and related services expanded by 9.7 percent.
• Agriculture grew by 3.5 percent in Q2, lower than the 4.1 percent growth seen a year earlier. It was also slightly below the 3.7 percent reported in Q1.