Current Affairs – November 25, 2025

{GS2 – Polity} 131^st Constitution Amendment Bill, 2025

Context (TH | IE): The government clarified that it does not plan to introduce the proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the upcoming Parliament session.

The draft bill aimed to include Chandigarh under Article 240 to simplify central legislation.

Article 240

Article 240 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to make regulations for the peace, progress, and governance of Union Territories (UT) without a legislature.
These presidential regulations have the same authority as laws passed by Parliament; the Parliament can amend or repeal any regulation under Article 240.
It currently applies to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Ladakh.

Existing Governance Structure of Chandigarh

Administrator: The Punjab Governor holds an additional charge as the Administrator of Chandigarh.
Central Authority: Chandigarh is directly governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, as it is a Union Territory without a legislature.
Local Governance: Parliament makes laws for the UT; the Municipal Corporation manages civic services.

Implications of Proposed Bill

Regulation: It will put Chandigarh under presidential regulations, speeding up law-making.
Uniformity: It will align Chandigarh with other UTs without legislatures, standardising governance.
Administrative Clarity: An independent administrator or Lieutenant Governor would replace the framework, removing reliance on the Punjab Governor’s dual role.
Legislative Voice: Punjab MPs’ ability to scrutinise Chandigarh-related bills in Parliament will decrease.
Historical Shift: It would mark a major shift from the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation Act, raising concerns about federal balance and regional sensitivities.

Punjab’s Opposition to the Bill

Historical Claim: Chandigarh was created on Punjab’s acquired villages as its post-Partition capital; Punjab sees its ownership as unquestionable.
Unfulfilled Commitments: In 1970, the Centre publicly announced that Chandigarh “should go to Punjab”, forming a major political expectation.
Fear of Permanent Dilution: Bringing Chandigarh under Article 240 is viewed as weakening Punjab’s administrative link, reducing chances of future transfer.
Symbolic Importance: Chandigarh represents Punjab’s cultural, historical and political identity; any move affecting this is seen as an encroachment.

Key Issues within Amendment

Federal Sensitivity: Presidential control risks undermining rights in a historically contested territory.
Political Backlash: Sparks regional tensions amid strained Centre–Punjab relations.
Administrative Ambiguity: Risk of overlapping powers if Chandigarh’s governance shifts without redefining the roles of Punjab/Haryana institutions.

Way Forward

Stakeholder Dialogue: Centre should engage Punjab & Haryana formally before altering Chandigarh’s governance. E.g. Inter-state consultative mechanisms.
Status Quo Review: Evaluate the 1966 and 1970 arrangements through an expert committee to reassess administrative balance.
Federal Safeguards: Any amendment should include legally protected assurances on Punjab’s historic interests. E.g. Article 371 provisions that safeguard regional rights in states like Maharashtra & Gujarat.
Collaborative Governance: Explore a hybrid model with a UT Administrator + State coordination councils for Chandigarh, similar to the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) structure.

Historical Evolution of Chandigarh

Planned Replacement for Lahore: After Partition, Chandigarh was designed as Punjab’s new capital, envisioned by Jawaharlal Nehru and master-planned by Le Corbusier.
Capital of Two States: The Punjab Reorganisation Act (1966) made it the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana while granting UT status under Central control.
Unfulfilled Promises: Repeated assurances (1970 onwards) about Chandigarh’s transfer to Punjab were never implemented, keeping the issue politically sensitive.

{GS2 – Governance} Centre Eases Compliance Rules for Indian Vessels

Context (NOA): Union Home Ministry scrapped mandatory sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Pass (SLP) procedures for crew on Indian-flag vessels operating solely in domestic waters.

About the Policy Change

Sign-on/off requirement: Earlier, the crew had to formally “join” or “leave” a vessel through immigration checks, even for domestic-only Indian-flag ships, creating mandatory paperwork cycles.
Shore Leave Pass (SLP): The crew were required to obtain an SLP from immigration in-person, and renew it every 10 days just to remain on board during coastal runs.
Operational issue: These in-person immigration visits disrupted duty schedules, delayed vessels, and imposed recurring compliance costs on coastal operators.
Reason for scrapping: These rules were designed for international voyages but became redundant for vessels operating strictly within Indian territorial waters.
Outcome: Removal of these procedures enables uninterrupted crew deployment, faster port operations, and reduced administrative burden for Indian coastal shipping.

{GS2 – IR} 20^th G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 **

Context (TH): The 20^th G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 was hosted for the first time on the African continent in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The summit was held in the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’, a Nguni Bantu concept (meaning “I am because we are“) that signifies interconnectedness, human dignity, and collective well-being.

Key Outcomes of the G20 Summit 2025

Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration: Adopted unusually early at the summit, it amplified the “Voice of the Global South” and prioritised development justice over geopolitical polarisation.
Critical Minerals: Members adopted a landmark framework encouraging domestic value addition and processing within resource-origin nations (instead of exporting raw minerals).
MDB Reform: Leaders approved a plan to reform Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including concessional financing and debt relief for low-income countries experiencing stagnation.
African Union: This summit fully operationalised the African Union’s permanent membership, bringing African development priorities to the forefront of all working-group discussions.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Countries pledged financial and technical support to help developing nations deploy DPI systems and narrow the global digital divide.
AI Governance: The declaration endorsed a human-centric AI governance model that ensures fair access to technology and safeguards against digital risks.
Debt Sustainability: The first standalone G20 declaration on debt since the COVID-19 pandemic recognised that increasing debt-servicing costs are restricting development expenditure in the Global South.

Other Working Group and Sidelines Outcomes

Women Economic Empowerment: G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group (EWWG) established three pillars for advancing women’s economic empowerment
1. Care Economy: Recognition of unpaid care work as a barrier to women’s economic participation and a pledge to expand public care infrastructure.
2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV): A unified commitment to eradicate GBV and femicide, treating it as both a human-rights and economic crisis.
3. Financial Inclusion: A global target to close the gender gap in digital financial services by 2030.
Digital Innovation Alliance: India, Brazil, and South Africa launched an alliance to jointly develop and share DPI as a “Global South alternative” to Western technology platforms.
Restitution of Cultural Heritage: G20 members have, for the first time, officially recognised the need to repatriate cultural artefacts and heritage items to their countries of origin.
Ubuntu Legacy Initiative: Announced by the South African Presidency and the African Development Bank (AfDB) to accelerate cross-border connectivity and infrastructure projects across Africa.
Green Tourism: The Tourism Working Group introduced a “Tourism Financing Framework” to de-risk investments for MSMEs, help them access green bonds.
Principles on Bioeconomy: Ten voluntary principles were adopted to establish a shared definition and policy framework for advancing the global bioeconomy.
Disaster-Risk: Leaders endorsed new guidelines to shift disaster spending from reactive response to preventive planning, including integrating risk into budgets and prearranged financial tools.

Initiatives Proposed by India in Johannesburg G20 Leaders’ Summit

Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative: To train one million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade using a “train-the-trainers” model.
Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus: A coordinated effort to monitor illicit financial flows, improve intelligence sharing, and combat drug trafficking and its links to terrorism.
Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: To document, preserve, and disseminate traditional knowledge systems and prevent their misappropriation through patent regimes.
Global Healthcare Response Team: A multinational roster of medical experts from G20 nations to serve as a “Health Peacekeeping Force” during future health emergencies and disasters.
Open Satellite Data Partnership: To improve access to satellite data and expertise for developing countries in agriculture, disaster management, and climate monitoring.
Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: Promotes the recycling of critical minerals and ‘urban mining’ to lessen reliance on primary extraction and external supply chains.

Key Challenges at the G20 Summit

US Absence: For the first time, the United States did not send a Presidential delegation, weakening the group’s cohesion and diluting Western-backed commitments.
Critical Minerals: While the Critical Minerals Framework was agreed in principle, it lacked binding enforcement mechanisms to ensure investment in local processing.
Geopolitical Statements: The summit’s stance on the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts was softer than in previous years; it emphasised humanitarian impacts rather than directly condemning aggression.
Climate Finance: The summit failed to secure concrete financial commitments from developed nations for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance
Fragmentation Risks: The absence of the US and the increased focus on the Global South could divide the G20 into rival blocs rather than serve as a unified global economic forum.

Read More> G20: Evolution, Members and Working

{GS2 – IR} India–Afghanistan Economic Cooperation

Context (PIB | IE): A delegation from Afghanistan met with the Indian delegation under the Ministry of Textiles in New Delhi to explore deeper economic cooperation.

Key Discussions

Textile Priorities: Afghanistan outlined plans to strengthen its textile ecosystem to improve employment and farmer training in cotton value chains.
Capacity Building: It expressed interest in leveraging India’s expertise as the world’s second-largest cotton producer to enhance sectoral capacity.
Trade Expansion: Both nations agreed to increase bilateral trade and reopen air cargo services for better market access.
Investment Incentives: Afghanistan announced a five-year tax exemption for Indian firms investing in gold mining, agriculture, energy, pharma, and textiles.
Tariff Support: It proposed a preferential 1% tariff on imported machinery for Indian investors, with possible free land allotments
Mining Proposal: Kabul invited Indian investment in gold mining research and exploration, on the condition that all processing occurs locally to create Afghan jobs.

India–Afghanistan Relations

Trade Volume: Bilateral trade reached around USD 1 billion in FY 2024-2025, with Afghanistan keeping a positive trade balance with India.
Trade Composition: India imports Afghan agricultural products like dried fruits, lac, resins, and herbs, while exporting pharmaceuticals, machinery, textiles, sugar, and processed foods.
- India is Afghanistan’s 2^nd largest textile and apparel supplier, exporting USD 68.7 million in 2024.
Capacity Building: India offers over 1,000 scholarships annually and has trained 4,000+ Afghan officials through the ITEC Programme.
Soft Power: India is Afghanistan’s largest regional humanitarian donor, providing aid, wheat, medicines, and funding for projects like the Salma Dam and the Afghan Parliament.

{GS3 – Envi} Road Dust Management

Context (TH): Road dust has become a major contributor to PM₁₀ levels across Indian cities, prompting renewed scrutiny under the NCAP’s 40% PM₁₀ reduction target for 2025–26.

Consequences of Road Dust

Health Burden: Continuous inhalation of coarse and fine particles increases respiratory illnesses and eye irritation in exposed populations. E.g., ICMR notes higher OPD visits during PM spikes.
Ambient Pollution: Road dust contributes 20–52% of PM₁₀ and 8–25% of PM₂.₅, worsening overall AQI levels and amplifying winter smog across large urban clusters.
Heat Intensification: Bare road verges and open surfaces increase local temperatures and turbulence, aiding dust circulation. E.g., IPCC AR6 shows greening reduces heat by 2–4°C.
Economic Costs: Pollution-linked morbidity lowers labour productivity (WB estimate: 1.4% GDP loss).

Significance of Reducing Road Dust

Major Share: Road dust forms the largest PM₁₀ fraction (20–52% contribution across 17 cities) , making mitigation crucial for meeting NCAP goals and reducing premature mortality risks.
Regional Priority: Northern India’s higher silt loads make dust control essential for stabilising urban air quality. E.g. Delhi averages 14.47 g/m² silt load.
Policy Prioritisation: Nearly 64% of NCAP spending has already been directed towards dust reduction.
Urban Mobility: CAQM notes improved road performance post-sweeping, reducing accident risk.

Challenges Faced in Controlling Road Dust

Fragmented Jurisdiction: Multiple agencies handle roads without clear accountability, slowing coordinated dust control efforts. E.g. Delhi has 12 agencies sharing responsibilities.
Machine Shortage: Cities lack adequate mechanised sweepers needed for the daily cleaning of mapped stretches. E.g. Delhi requires 200 machines but operates only 85.
Poor Road Condition: Damaged surfaces and potholes trap silt that quickly resuspends with traffic movement. E.g. the CAQM pilot found 24% roads in poor shape.
Weak SOPs: No national-level standards exist for dust disposal, sweeping methods or suppressant use, reducing consistency. E.g. Construction and Demolition Waste Rules 2025 omit dust pathways.

Way Forward

Unified Agency: Establish a single nodal body in each city to coordinate all road dust management responsibilities. E.g. NCR’s CAQM model of central oversight.
Verge Greening: Expand roadside greening and paving to reduce loose dust and stabilise open edges effectively. E.g. Bengaluru’s verge-greening experiments.
Machine Deployment: Procure context-specific sweepers suited to varying road widths, traffic and debris characteristics. E.g. EU practice of calibrated cleaning machinery.
Dust Suppressants: Evaluate chemical agents through controlled Indian studies before adoption at scale. E.g. CSIR-CRRI pilot trials on natural polymers.

{Prelims – Geo} Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts in Ethiopia *

Context (TH): The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted recently after being dormant for 10,000 to 12,000 years.

The eruption sent ash and sulfur dioxide plumes up to 15 km into the atmosphere, disrupting aviation across the Red Sea and South Asia.

About Hayli Gubbi Volcano

Hayli Gubbi is a long-dormant shield volcano with a broad, gently sloping cone.
Location: It is situated in Ethiopia’s Afar Region and is the southernmost volcano of the Erta Ale range.
- The Afar region has a ‘triple junction’ where Nubian, Somalian, and Arabian plates are diverging, forming the East African Rift Valley.
Eruption Type: It was explosive, ejecting ash, gas, volcanic glass, and pulverised rock, with no lava flow.

Ethiopia

Officially called the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, it is a landlocked nation in the Horn of Africa. It is known as the “Roof of Africa” due to extensive highlands and elevated plateaus.
Neighbouring countries: Eritrea (North), Djibouti (Northeast), Somalia (East), Kenya (South), South Sudan and Sudan (West).
Geographical Features: Ethiopian Highlands, Mount Ras Dejen (the highest peak), East African Rift, and Lake Tana (source of the Blue Nile), which is central to GERD-related water politics.

{Prelims – PAN} Bioremediation Project in Hussain Sagar Lake

Context (NIE): The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has proposed an advanced bioremediation process for in-situ treatment of Hussain Sagar Lake.

Bioremediation Method: The plan employs enzyme solutions and Bokashi balls to stimulate beneficial microorganisms that break down pollutants.
Objectives: The process aims to remove foul odour, control algal growth, improve water and sediment quality, increase dissolved oxygen levels, and restore the lake’s natural ecosystem.

About Bokashi Ball

Bokashi balls are tennis-ball-sized organic spheres containing Effective Microorganisms (EM) used for water treatment.
Mechanism: The balls sink underwater and gradually disintegrate, releasing EM cultures directly into the sediment layer.
Benefits: Released microbes break down organic sludge, neutralise harmful compounds, and reduce foul-odour decomposition in polluted waters.

Components of Bokashi Ball

Fermented rice or wheat bran, sawdust or husk form the primary organic substrate.
Effective Microorganisms include lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and photosynthetic bacteria.
Molasses or jaggery supplies essential energy needed for microbial activity
Adding Biochar or charcoal enhances pollutant absorption and supplies minerals.

About Hussain Sagar Lake

Hussain Sagar is a man-made, heart-shaped lake in Hyderabad, Telangana, built across a tributary of the Musi River.
Asia’s Largest: It is one of Asia’s largest artificial lakes and historically connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Historical Origin: Named after Sufi saint Hussain Shah Wali, it was built in 1563 under Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah to meet Hyderabad’s water needs.
Central Landmark: An 18-metre-high monolithic granite statue of Gautama Buddha stands at the centre of the lake.
Global Recognition: The lake was declared the “Heart of the World” by the UNWTO in 2012 due to its distinctive heart-shaped form.

{Prelims – Geo} Pazhayar River

Context (TH): Unchecked sewage discharge, incomplete drainage systems, and eutrophication have pushed the Pazhayar River in Nagercoil to a critical ecological state.

About Pazhayar River

Location: Major River of Kanyakumari district within the 1,646.96 square km Kodaiyar basin, lying entirely in Tamil Nadu.
Origin & Course: Rises at 800 m on the Mahendragiri slopes and flows ~40 km southwest to the Arabian Sea at Manakudi.
Hydrological Network: Fed by key tributaries including Alathurayar, Poigaiyar, Thadaveyar, Koya Odai, Ulakkaruviyar, forming a dense micro-drainage system.
Infrastructure: Hosts multiple dams such as Chattupythur, Chettothoppu, Cholanmkattu, Kumari, Pallikondam, supporting irrigation and local water supply.
Ecological Significance: The Manakudi estuary at its mouth is a critical wetland with mangroves and avifauna, classified as an Estuary Birds Sanctuary.

Read More > Estuarine Ecosystems

{Prelims – IR} Indian Hydropower Projects in Nepal

Context (TH): Nepal Investment Board extended and approved key licences for India-led hydropower projects in Nepal – West Seti and Arun III.

Major Indian Hydropower Projects in Nepal

Arun III Project: A 900MW project on the Arun River, developed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN).
- ₹7,000 crore project scheduled for commissioning in 2025, with 70% of power exported to India and 21.9% sent to Nepal for free under the BOOT model for 25 years.
Lower Arun Project: A 669MW downstream extension of Arun III on the same river, developed by SJVN.
West Seti: A 750MW project on the Seti River, located in far-western Nepal, assigned to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Projected completion around 2031–2032.
Seti River Project: also on the Seti River, this 450 MW project is packaged alongside West Seti for NHPC’s development.

BOOT Model: A project framework where a private developer Builds, Owns, Operates, and later Transfers the infrastructure to the host government after a fixed concession period.

Read More > Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project

{Prelims – Diseases} WHO Declares Indonesia Polio-Free

Context (DD): World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of Indonesia’s poliovirus type-2 outbreak after it met the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) criteria.

GPEI Criteria: A country must show zero indigenous wild poliovirus cases for 36 months, maintain high population immunity (≥90% coverage) & implement stringent monitoring before regional certification.

About Polio

Disease Profile: Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious enteroviral disease spread via the faecal–oral route, causing irreversible paralysis in ~1 out of 200 infections.
Types: Three serotypes exist – Poliovirus 1, 2 and 3; wild poliovirus type-2 was globally eradicated in 2015, though vaccine-derived strains can still cause outbreaks.
Vaccines: Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV).
Global Status: As of 2024, wild poliovirus remains endemic only in Pakistan and Afghanistan, per WHO surveillance reports.
India’s Status: Certified polio–free in 2014 following nationwide Pulse Polio campaigns. India continues sewage surveillance in high-risk cities and uses bivalent OPV (bOPV) plus IPV in routine immunisation.

Enterovirus Disease: Illnesses caused by enteroviruses – RNA viruses that spread mainly via the faecal-oral route and commonly infect the gut; causes mild fever to severe conditions like paralysis.
OPV: oral, live-weakened virus providing strong mucosal immunity and transmission blocking; low cost; carries rare risk of Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis (VAPP).
IPV: injectable, dead virus providing strong systemic immunity, prevents paralysis by eliminating VAPP risk; costlier and requires trained personnel.

Read More > Polio

{Prelims – Defence} INS Mahe Commissioned *

Context (HT | PIB): Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mahe, the first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW–SWC), strengthening India’s littoral ASW capabilities.

Mahe: A former French enclave on the Malabar Coast, now part of the Union territory of Puducherry.

About INS Mahe

Overview: First of 8 ASW Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd to replace the ageing Abhay–class corvettes.
Features: At 78m long & powered by a diesel engine, it has over 80% indigenous content. Equipped with advanced sonars, fire-control, communication and weapon systems.
Role: Designed for coastal/sub–surface surveillance as the first line of coastal defence; search & attack missions, tracking & neutralising underwater threats in shallow waters (depth <200 m), & mine laying.

Abhay-Class: A 1980s Soviet-origin Pauk-class corvette operated by the Indian Navy for coastal ASW roles; now ageing and being phased out as the Mahe–class ASW–SWC replaces it.

{Prelims – Exercises} AUSINDEX 2025

Context (ET): AUSINDEX 2025, a bilateral, biennial maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, took place in the Northern Pacific Ocean.

Objective: To improve naval interoperability & deepen India–Australia strategic maritime coordination.
Participants: The indigenously built stealth frigate INS Sahyadri represented the Indian Navy, and frigate HMAS Ballarat represented the Royal Australian Navy.
Focus Areas: Included anti-submarine warfare, gunnery drills, and advanced flying operations.
Significance: The exercise reinforces a shared commitment to a free, open, and inclusive maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.

The AUSTRAHIND 2025, the fourth edition of the annual joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Australian Army, was also recently conducted in Perth, Australia.

Read More > India-Australia defence ties

{Prelims – In News} Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management

Context (PIB): The 10^th Session of the Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM) Governing Council took place in New Delhi.

The discussions focused on enhancing inclusive d
isaster risk data governance in the Asia-Pacific.
India hosted the meeting, reaffirming regional cooperation under the Prime Minister’s 10‑Point Agenda for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Participation: Member states, including Bangladesh, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Mongolia, Turkey, and representatives from UN ESCAP and APDIM Secretariat attended.
Significance: The session advanced APDIM’s 2026–2030 Strategic Action Plan in alignment with the Sendai Framework and the 2030 Agenda.

UN ESCAP: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific is the UN’s regional development arm for the Asia-Pacific. Founded in 1947, it is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

About APDIM

It is a regional institution of the UN ESCAP, headquartered in Tehran, Iran.
Objective: To minimise disaster losses through effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) policies and improved information management.
Establishment: UN ESCAP resolutions in 2011 and 2015 approved its creation and statute, leading to its formal establishment in 2018.
Key Functions: It serves as a regional disaster data hub, promotes knowledge sharing, and enhances cooperation on transboundary hazards like sand and dust storms.
Governance Structure: APDIM’s Governing Council has eight elected ESCAP members plus Iran; it meets annually to review progress and plan future work.
India Role: India is a founding member and serves as an elected Council member for 2022–2025.

{Prelims – Sports} Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025

Context (DDN): The Prime Minister congratulated the Indian women’s Kabaddi team on winning the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025.

The tournament was hosted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with 11 nations participating.
India defeated Chinese Taipei 35–28 in the final to secure their second consecutive World Cup title.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, demonstrating consistent performance.