Current Affairs – November 26, 2025

{GS1 – A&C} Guru Tegh Bahadur

Context (PIB | TI): India observed the 350^th Shaheedi Diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur, during which the Prime Minister unveiled a special coin and a commemorative stamp.

About Guru Tegh Bahadur

Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth Sikh Guru. He was born in Amritsar in 1621 and became the leader of the Sikhs from 1665 until he died in 1675.
He was publicly beheaded in Delhi on 24^th November 1675 (Shaheedi Divas), by order of Aurangzeb, for refusing forced conversion to Islam and resisting state-backed religious persecution.
- Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s execution and cremation.
Guru Tegh Bahadur is honoured as the ‘Protector of Humanity’ (Srisht-di-Chadar), and he championed Ik Onkar, meaning “There is only one God”.
He stood up for the Kashmiri Pandits, who sought his help against Aurangzeb’s religious oppression.
Inspired by Guru Tegh Bahadur, his son, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, went on to formalise the Sikh community into the distinguished and symbolic society known as the Khalsa.

Also Read About > Guru Nanak Dev

{GS2 – Polity} Constitution Day 2025

Context (PIB | TH): On 26 November 2025, India will observe Constitution Day with a national function in the historic Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, marking the adoption of the Constitution in 1949.

About the Event Led by the President

The President of India will preside over the national Constitution Day function in the Central Hall, with the Vice-President and Lok Sabha Speaker addressing the gathering before the President’s speech.
The event will include the national reading of the Preamble, led by the President, reaffirming India’s commitment to constitutional values.
The Legislative Department will digitally launch the Constitution of India in nine regional languages: Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Punjabi, Bodo, Kashmiri, Telugu, Odia and Assamese.
A commemorative booklet, “The Art and Calligraphy of India’s Constitution”, showcasing calligraphy and artwork from the original Constitution, will also be released.

About Constitution Day

Constitution Day (Samvidhan Diwas) marks 26 November 1949, the day the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India.
The document came into force on 26 January 1950, chosen to commemorate the Purna Swaraj Declaration of 1930.
It was officially designated as Constitution Day in 2015 to honour Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s 125^th birth anniversary year to promote constitutional literacy and civic awareness.
The day honours the work of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr Rajendra Prasad, with Dr B.R. Ambedkar as Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Important Facts About the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution is the longest national constitution, with the original manuscript spanning 251 pages and containing detailed provisions unmatched globally.
It took 2 years, 11 months and 18 days for the Constituent Assembly to finalise the Constitution.
The original document was not printed; it was handwritten in beautiful calligraphic script by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a renowned master calligrapher.
Every page carries intricate borders and artwork created by Nandalal Bose and his team from Santiniketan, showcasing Indian motifs, historical symbols and cultural themes.
Two identical handwritten versions were created, one in English and one in Hindi, both preserved in helium-filled cases in the Parliament Library.
The manuscript was inscribed on special parchment sheets (16 × 22 inches), designed to last up to a thousand years, and the full document weighs about 3.75 kg.

{GS2 – Governance} National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 *

Context (TH | DTE): Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, J. P. Nadda, launched the second version of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0).

About NAP-AMR 2.0

Overview: A five-year plan (2025-2029) was launched, aligning with World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW), which aims to address the gaps identified in the implementation of NAP-AMR 1.0 (2017-2021).
One-Health Approach: Participation of key sectors such as human health, animal husbandry, research, environment, private sector & civil society.
Framework: NAP-AMR 2.0 includes specific action plans of each key stakeholder ministry/department, along with defined goals, budget, timelines & collaboration mechanisms among sectors.
Focus Areas: Infection control in healthcare, laboratory capacity, optimising antimicrobial use, education, training, research & development.

WAAW: World Health Organization’s global campaign held annually from 18–24 November to raise awareness on antimicrobial resistance; Theme 2025 – “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future”.
NAP–AMR 1.0: India’s first AMR plan using a One-Health approach to improve antibiotic stewardship, IPC, surveillance (60 labs in 33 States/UTs), environmental control, and capacity building.

Read More > Jeddah Commitments on AMR

{GS2 – Governance} Sanchar Saathi

Context (PIB): The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) reports that Sanchar Saathi has enabled the recovery of over 50,000 stolen handsets nationwide in October for the first time.

Total device recoveries exceeded 7 lakhs, with monthly recoveries rising by 47% (June–October 2025),
Karnataka and Telangana emerged as top-performing states, each exceeding 1 lakh recoveries.

About Sanchar Saathi

Sanchar Saathi is a citizen-centric initiative by DoT to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security, and help them combat telecom-related fraud and identity theft.
The Sanchar Saathi portal was launched in 2023, and the Mobile App was introduced in January 2025.
The system detects new SIM insertions in blocked devices, alerting the registered user and the concerned police station for quick recovery.

Key Features

CEIR: Central Equipment Identity Register enables blocking and tracing of lost or stolen devices across all telecom providers.
Know Your Connections: It allows users to verify the mobile connections registered in their name (e.g., using Aadhaar details) and to report unauthorised or unnecessary ones.
Chakshu: The facility enables citizens to report suspected fraudulent calls, SMS, or WhatsApp communications related to potential cybercrimes or financial fraud.
Know Your Mobile: This service lets users verify a mobile handset’s authenticity by entering its IMEI number to check its status (blacklisted, duplicate, or normal) before buying.
ASTR: The AI and Facial Recognition-powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification enables the blocking of any number acquired using fake, forged, or multiple documents.

{GS2 – IR} India-Oman Defence Cooperation

Context (PIB): India and Oman held the 13^th Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) meeting in New Delhi.

About India-Oman Defence Partnership

Naval Cooperation: Oman hosts India’s only overseas naval access at Duqm Port (2018 agreement), enabling Indian Ocean Region (IOR) logistics support.
Institutional Dialogue: JMCC (est. 2006) is the apex bilateral defence mechanism; the 13^th meeting (2025) reviewed interoperability, joint training, and military-to-military ties.
Defence Industry: Emphasis on joint development, technology sharing, supply-chain resilience, aligned with India’s defence production policy and Oman’s modernisation plans.
Energy Security: Oman supplies ~10% of India’s crude imports; defence ties reinforce sea-lane security across the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for India’s energy flow.
Military Exercises: Regular exercises such as Naseem-al-Bahr (Navy), Eastern Bridge (Air Force), and Al-Najah (Army) strengthen joint operations and domain interoperability.
Regional Priorities: Counter-terrorism, maritime domain awareness, and IOR stability, with both sides coordinating positions on West Asia and Indo-Pacific security dynamics.

Read More > India-Oman Relations

{GS2 – IR} India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting **

Context (NOA): PM Narendra Modi attended the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting held on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Key Outcomes of the IBSA Leaders’ Meeting

UNSC Reform: The joint declaration affirmed that expanding the UNSC to include developing nations as permanent members is “not an option but an imperative.”
Terror Stand: It stressed that terrorism leaves “no room for double standards” and called for united and decisive global action.
AI Governance: The leaders endorsed safe, trustworthy, and ‘human-centric’ AI governance norms.

Key Initiatives Proposed by India

Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: The proposed IBSA Fund aims to support sustainable farming and climate adaptation in the Global South.
IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance: It promotes sharing Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) models, including UPI, CoWIN, and India’s cybersecurity frameworks.
NSA Dialogue: India proposed setting up a National Security Advisor (NSA)-level dialogue to formalise trilateral security cooperation and coordinate counter-terrorism efforts.

About India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Forum

The IBSA Dialogue forum is a unique trilateral partnership of India, Brazil, and South Africa to promote South-South cooperation and build consensus on global issues.
Formation: It was formalised in 2003 through the Brasilia Declaration, signed by the foreign ministers of the three member countries.
Flexible Structure: The forum operates through an open and flexible mechanism and does not maintain a permanent headquarters or an executive secretariat.
- Ministerial Coordination: Its Foreign Ministers meet annually to preside over the Trilateral Ministerial Commission.
Guiding Principles: Its work is rooted in participatory democracy, respect for human rights, and adherence to the Rule of Law.
Work Streams: Activities span three main fronts: (a) Political Coordination, (b) Trilateral Collaboration, and (c) Development Assistance.
Joint Working Groups: IBSA has more than 14 Joint Working Groups covering major sectors like trade, investment, defence, agriculture, science and technology, etc.
G20 Continuity: Consecutive G20 presidencies (India in 2023, Brazil in 2024, and South Africa in 2025) have enabled IBSA members to shape the global agenda around Global South priorities.

Key Initiatives of IBSA

IBSA Fund: Supports development projects in other developing countries, with a focus on poverty and hunger alleviation
IBSAMAR Exercises: Conducts joint maritime exercises to enhance naval interoperability, anti-piracy missions, and anti-air warfare.

{GS3 – Envi} CREA Assessment Report on PM2.5 Levels in India

Context (TH): The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) released the “Beyond city limits: A satellite-based PM2.5 assessment” to measure pollution load across India’s airsheds.

The World Bank defines an airshed as ‘a common geographic area where pollutants get trapped and create similar air quality for everyone’.

Key Findings of the PM2.5 Assessment Report

National Levels: India’s annual PM-2.5 average is 55-60 µg/m³, with 60% of districts exceeding NAAQS standards (40 µg/m³) and none meeting WHO limits (5 µg/m³).
Airshed Transport: Over 60% PM2.5 load crosses district borders, making air pollution an inter-jurisdictional phenomenon.
Regional Concentration: The Indo-Gangetic airshed records India’s highest PM2.5 levels due to inversions, dense emissions, and cross-border inflow.
Most Polluted: Delhi remains India’s most polluted state/UT with annual PM2.5 averaging 101 µg/m³.
District Hotspots: Assam (11) and Delhi (11) contribute 22 of the 50 most polluted districts, followed by Bihar, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Regional Contrast: Southern states show a lower annual PM2.5 level, with Puducherry recording the lowest at 25 µg/m³.
Seasonal Load: Winter months account for over 40% of the annual particulate load, while the monsoon months have the lowest concentrations.
Northeast Anomaly: The Northeast region experiences high PM2.5 levels throughout the year.
- The Assam-Tripura airshed was the only airshed to exceed NAAQS during the peak monsoon.

Policy Recommendations

Airshed Management: Establish a unified airshed-level authority to coordinate emission caps, ensure compliance, and enforce regulations across states.
Joint Budgets: Implement shared emission budgets for entire airsheds, requiring states to meet targets through equitable responsibility.
Hybrid Monitoring: Expand satellite-ground integrated monitoring to address rural data gaps and enable high-resolution real-time PM2.5 tracking.
Seasonal Modelling: Use regional meteorological models to forecast pollutant movement and plan synchronised seasonal responses.
NCAP Overhaul: Convert the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) into legally binding airshed-based plans, shifting away from the current city-centric advisory framework.

Read More> Air Pollution

{Prelims – Initiatives} Nayi Chetna 4.0 Campaign

Context (DDN): The government launched the fourth edition of the nationwide ‘Nayi Chetna – Initiative for Change’ campaign to empower women.

The campaign is led by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Objective: to promote gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence (GBV) across rural India.
Implementation: The month-long campaign adopts a “whole-of-government” approach by engaging multiple ministries, Anganwadi workers, civil societies, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Key Feature: Villages that effectively eliminate GBV earn certification, encouraging local accountability.
Significance: It emphasises zero tolerance for GBV, promotes shared domestic duties, recognises women’s economic contributions, and calls for stronger community action.

{Prelims – Species} Thirteen New Bush Frog Species Discovered

Context (TH): The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has recorded 13 new species of Bush Frogs from the Northeastern states.

Species Count: Six species were identified in Arunachal Pradesh, three in Meghalaya, and one each in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Manipur.
Total species: Following this taxonomic revision, India now has a total of 95 bush frog species.

About the Bush Frogs

Bush frogs are nocturnal, arboreal frogs of the genus Raorchestes, known for direct development and high endemism.
Appearance: They are small, slender-bodied frogs showing considerable variation in colour and pattern even within the same population.
Direct Development: Their life cycle bypasses the tadpole stage, with fully formed froglets emerging directly from eggs.
Habitat Preference: High humidity and steady moisture levels are crucial to prevent dehydration of the delicate, shell-less eggs.
Distribution: Populations are found across the Indo-Burma and Western Ghats biodiversity hotspots, generally confined to highly localised habitats.
Ecological Role: Bush frogs serve as bio-indicators of humid forest ecosystems and help regulate the insect population.
Key Threats: Habitat loss, climate change, forest drying, pollution, pesticide exposure and fungal disease chytridiomycosis.

{Prelims – S&T} Auramine O *

Context (TH): Auramine O, a low-cost industrial yellow dye classified as a possible human carcinogen, continues to appear in Indian food products despite being legally prohibited.

About Auramine O

Chemical Identity: A synthetic dye derived from dimethylaniline-formaldehyde condensation that appears as yellow crystalline flakes soluble in organic solvents.
Regulatory Status: Classified as non-permitted for food use under FSSAI; similarly restricted by EU, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and East Asian regulators due to toxicity risks.
Industrial Applications: Used in textiles, leather, paper, printing inks, & fluorescent microbiological staining; no authorised role in foods or edible commodities.
Health Hazards: Linked to hepatic-renal toxicity, splenomegaly, mutagenicity, & labelled Group 2B (possible carcinogen) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer based on animal evidence.
Adulteration Pattern: Commonly detected in sweets, turmeric, and street snacks to enhance colour; persists due to informal supply chains, weak market surveillance, and low-cost availability.

Metanil yellow, Rhodamine B, Sudan dyes & chemical adulterants such as Argemone oil, calcium carbide, & urea are some other banned substances commonly detected in Indian adulteration cases.

Read More > India’s Food Safety Standards

{Prelims – S&T} HAMMER Weapon System *

Context (IE): India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a joint venture agreement with France-based Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) to manufacture HAMMER weapon systems in India.

Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER)

The HAMMER is a precision-guided, all-weather, air-to-ground weapon system that converts standard unguided “dumb” bombs into accurate ‘smart’ munitions.
Modular Kit: It employs a two-part modular kit mounted on 250 kg, 500 kg, or 1000 kg standard bomb bodies:
1. Nose Section: Carries the Guidance Kit for autonomous navigation and precise targeting.
2. Tail Section: Contains the Range Extension Kit (REK) with a solid rocket booster
Hybrid Guidance: The system uses GPS-aided Inertial Navigation System (INS) guidance, with optional infrared or laser seekers for higher accuracy.
Range: It has a strike range of over 70 kilometres and supports launch from very low altitudes.
Advantages: The HAMMER resists GPS jamming, supports fire-and-forget operation, and allows up to six simultaneous strikes.
Platform Integration: Originally built for Rafale jets, it can be integrated with LCA Tejas, Mirage-2000, F-16, Su-27, and other platforms.

{Prelims – S&T} Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 *

Context (PIB): The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched the Cyber Security Innovation Challenge (CSIC) 1.0 to strengthen India’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

About CSIC 1.0

The initiative introduces students to real-world cybersecurity threats to foster research-led indigenous solutions that enhance India’s digital resilience.
Nodal Agencies: It operates within the ISEA Project, implemented by fifty academic autonomous institutes, C-DAC Hyderabad, DSCI, under MeitY.
Key Feature: The challenge employs a five-stage structure to support innovators from the ideation stage to a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Focus Areas: Ten cybersecurity domains are recognised as high-priority national sectors that require innovative solutions.
Support: The top 20 shortlisted teams receive seed funding (₹50,000 each) and industry mentorship.

ISEA Project: The Information Security Education and Awareness Project aims to build human resources in Information Security and promote cyber hygiene awareness.
C-DAC: The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, established in 1988, is the leading R&D body of Meity, focused on advancing India’s IT and electronics capabilities.
DSCI: The Data Security Council of India, founded in 2008 by NASSCOM, is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and data protection standards across India.

{Prelims – Tribes} Abujhmadiya Tribe *

Context (EM): Members of the Abujhmadiya Tribe took part in the Bastar Olympics, reflecting broader integration of remote tribal communities.

About Abujhmadiya Tribe

Status: Recognised as one of the seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) in Chhattisgarh, under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. As per the 2011 census, the tribe has about 40,000 members.
Location: A subgroup of the Gond tribe, primarily concentrated in the Abujhmad area of Chhattisgarh (Narayanpur & parts of Bijapur) which is historically unmapped and remote.
- Abujhmad area became an unofficial headquarters of the Maoists due to its remoteness and lack of development.
Language: Speak Abujhmaria, considered a variant of the Gondi (Dravidian) language family, with largely oral transmission.
Economy: Subsistence base includes shifting cultivation, forest produce collection, minor agriculture, and livestock, with low integration into formal markets.
Development: Characterised by low literacy, high geographic isolation, fragile health indicators, and minimal access to public services.

Bastar Olympics is a ₹5-crore, government-backed multi-sport initiative across seven districts of Chhattisgarh, engaging 3.91 lakh participants—including women, PVTGs and former cadres—to promote sports and rebuild trust in a post-insurgency region.

{Prelims – In News} Ram Temple Flag Hoisting Ceremony

Context (TH): PM Narendra Modi hoisted the saffron flag — the Dharma Dhwaj, atop the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, marking the completion of the temple’s construction.

About Ram Mandir

It is a three-story temple built in the traditional Nagara style of architecture, prevalent in North India.
Mandap Layout: The complex contains five main halls — Nritya, Rang, Sabha, Prarthana, and Kirtan.
Spatial Features: The Singh Dwar on the eastern side is the main entrance; Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) houses the infant Ram idol; and the first floor has a Shri Ram Darbar.
Construction Material: It mainly uses pink Bansi Paharpur sandstone; granite is used in plinths, while White Makrana marble and coloured marble are used in inlay work.
Iron-Free Structure: The construction does not use iron or steel to prevent corrosion, thereby lowering the overall carbon footprint.

Read More > Ram Mandir | Ram Mandir Movement

{Prelims – In News} Lachit Borphukan

Context (NOA): PM Modi paid tribute to the legendary general of the Ahom Kingdom, Lachit Borphukan, on Lachit Diwas.

Lachit Diwas is celebrated annually in Assam on 24 November to honour his birth anniversary.
Born in 1622 at Charaideo, Lachit Borphukan served as the commander‑in‑chief of the Ahom army.
Legacy: He led the Ahom forces to a decisive victory in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat against the Mughal invasion led by Raja Ram Singh I.
- It was a naval conflict on the Brahmaputra near modern Guwahati. He used local geography, naval, and guerrilla tactics to defeat a larger Mughal force.
National Recognition: The Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal has been awarded annually since 1999 to the best cadet of the National Defence Academy (NDA).

The Ahom Kingdom ruled Assam from 1228 to 1826, declining after repeated Burmese invasions.

{Prelims – In News} Dr. Verghese Kurien

Context (PIB): November 26 is observed as National Milk Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien.
Dr Kurien, born on 26 November 1921 in Kozhikode, Kerala, led Operation Flood and is known as the “Father of the White Revolution“ in India.

White Revolution, or Operation Flood, launched in 1970, is world’s largest dairy development programme, transforming India from a milk-deficient country into the world’s largest milk producer.

Anand Model: He pioneered the Anand cooperative model, where farmers managed milk procurement, processing, and marketing, removing middlemen and increasing producer incomes.

Institution Building: He established key institutions, including the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965 and the GCMMF, which manages the Amul brand.
Awards: He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, World Food Prize, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his contributions.