NATIONAL NEWS

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 to be Held from 2–10 December 2025

The Ministry of Education, along with multiple ministries and institutions, will organise the 4th edition of the Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS 4.0) from 2 to 10 December 2025, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening national integration through cultural exchange.

The event, held under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, is themed “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, promoting Tamil language learning and deeper cultural understanding between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi).

Tamil Nadu and Kashi share centuries-old civilisational, spiritual, and linguistic ties, shaped by ancient dynasties such as the Chola, Chera, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya, and Vijayanagara empires. The initiative aims to revive these connections through people-to-people interactions and traditional knowledge systems.

Delegates will undertake an 8-day immersive visit to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya, participating in seminars, heritage walks, cultural performances, and academic engagements.

Key sites in Kashi to be visited include Kedar Ghat, Kasi Matham and “Little Tamil Nadu”, Mahakavi Subramanya Bharatiyar’s ancestral home, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Mata Annapurna Temple, and the Tamil Department at BHU.

The programme is coordinated by IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), with support from ministries including Culture, Tourism, Textiles, MSME, Food Processing Industries, Information & Broadcasting, and agencies like IRCTC and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Jammu & Kashmir to Conduct First-Ever Auction of Limestone Blocks

Jammu & Kashmir will host its first-ever limestone block auction at the Convention Centre, Canal Road, Jammu, marking a major reform in the mining sector of the Union Territory.

The event will be attended by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary.

The auction is part of wider mining sector reforms aimed at ensuring transparent and competitive mineral allocation and attracting private investment into the mineral-rich yet underexplored region.

Limestone, a critical raw material for the cement and construction industries, is expected to unlock multiple benefits including:

Increase in private investment in the mining sector

Employment generation for local communities

Infrastructure development around mining areas

Boost to industrial and construction activity in the Union Territory

The shift from traditional allotment to an auction-based licensing system enhances transparency and supports Ease of Doing Business in J&K.

The initiative is expected to drive long-term growth in limestone-dependent sectors such as cement, real estate, and infrastructure.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

UAE–India CEPA Council Signs Partnerships with FAB and Hub71

First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and Hub71 signed strategic partnerships with the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Council (UICC) to boost cross-border entrepreneurship and support Indian start-ups.

The agreements were signed by Nimesh Karwanyun (CEO-India, FAB) and Ahmed Aljneibi (Director, UAE–India CEPA Council).

FAB will provide tailored banking solutions, expert mentorship, and access to corporate partners, investors, and regulators to one of the top five winning start-ups from the UAE-India Start-Up Series.

FAB’s role includes financial solutions, strategic advisory, and enabling cross-border connectivity under the UAE–India CEPA framework.

Hub71 will onboard the five winning start-ups into its Immersion Programme to accelerate market entry with mentorship and knowledge sessions.

One selected start-up will enter Hub71’s Access Programme, gaining structured soft-landing, market exploration, and full integration into Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem.

Ukraine Launches Europe’s First Starlink Direct-to-Cell Service

Ukraine became the first European country to activate Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell satellite service in partnership with Kyivstar and Veon.

The rollout begins with SMS services, expanding to voice and data in 2026, ensuring broader digital connectivity.

Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, serves around 22.5 million users, supporting communication during power outages and wartime disruptions.

The Direct-to-Cell technology enables standard 4G smartphones to connect directly with low-Earth orbit satellites, without needing ground towers.

The service ensures continuous communication during prolonged blackouts, in liberated areas, and during humanitarian and rescue operations.

Kyivstar has installed generators and batteries capable of providing 10+ hours of backup connectivity during outages.

Starlink boosts resilience as Russian strikes target energy and telecom infrastructure, protecting national communications capabilities.

Over 50,000 Starlink terminals are already used by Ukrainian armed forces for battlefield communication and drone operations.

The partnership aims to strengthen Ukraine’s communication infrastructure, ensuring civilian and defence networks remain operational as the conflict continues.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Airbus to Build and Launch Oman’s First Communications Satellite

Space Communication Technologies (SCT), Oman signed a cooperation agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for the development and launch of “OmanSat-1,” the first communications satellite of Oman.

The agreement was signed by Saeed bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications & Information Technology, and Alain Faure, CEO of Airbus Space Systems.

OmanSat-1 is a high-tech, fully reconfigurable satellite, providing high-capacity Ka-band coverage over Oman, its economic waters, and parts of the Middle East, East Africa, and Asia.

OmanSat-1 is the 10th satellite developed under Airbus’ OneSat series.

The satellite will enhance national connectivity, support government operations, improve media and broadcasting, and drive economic and social development.

The project will be managed by SCT under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA).

OmanSat-1 will support Emergency Response (ER), Transport & Logistics, Cybersecurity, and Internet of Things (IoT) services.

Airbus will provide the satellite platform, long-life durability, and launch planning and execution support.

OneSat technology builds on Airbus’ Eurostar GEO satellites and the OneWeb constellation, supported by agencies including ESA, CNES (France), UK Space Agency, DLR (Germany), and the Spanish Space Agency.

OneSat operates in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) at approximately 36,000 km above Earth.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

S&P Forecasts India’s GDP To Expand 6.5% In FY26 And 6.7% In FY27

S&P Global Ratings retained India’s GDP forecast at 6.5% for FY26, as per its report titled “Economic Outlook Asia-Pacific Q1 2026: Signs of Relief” released in November 2025.

S&P projected India’s GDP growth at 6.7% in FY27, showing continued strong economic momentum.

India’s real GDP grew 7.8% in Q1 FY26 (April–June 2025), recording the fastest expansion in five quarters.

S&P revised its Asia-Pacific GDP outlook to 4.2% for FY26, driven by lower trade tariff uncertainties, strong tech exports, and stable regional demand.

The growth forecast is supported by strong domestic demand, favourable monsoon, GST reforms, and major infrastructure push by the government.

The Indian rupee weakened due to capital outflows and uncertainty caused by higher U.S. tariffs and the absence of a trade agreement.

S&P revised India’s inflation projection to 2.5% for FY26, down from 3.2%, due to a sharp fall in food inflation.

Inflation for FY27 is expected to normalize to around 5%, as food price pressures stabilize.

 

DEFENCE

Bharat Electronics Limited and Safran Sign Joint Venture Agreement

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran Electronics and Defence (SED), France signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) for producing HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground weapons in India.

The agreement supports Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision.

The JVCA was signed on 24 November 2025 in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar and Safran CEO Olivier Andries.

The JV formalises the intent of the MoU signed on 11 February 2025 during Aero India.

The Joint Venture Company (JVC) will be a 50:50 partnership between BEL and SED.

The JVC will localise manufacturing, supply, and maintenance of HAMMER weapons for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.

Indigenisation level will progressively increase to 60%, with major subassemblies, electronics, and mechanical components produced in India.

Production transfer will occur in phases, with BEL leading final assembly, testing, and quality assurance.

HAMMER is a combat-proven precision weapon system, adaptable for platforms like Rafale and LCA Tejas.

The pact strengthens India’s defence industrial base and leverages SED’s expertise in smart precision weapon manufacturing.

13th Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Oman

13th Joint Military Cooperation Committee meeting between India and Oman was held in New Delhi on 24 November 2025.

The meeting was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh and Oman’s Secretary General of Defence, Dr. Mohammed Bin Naseer Bin Ali Al Zaabi.

Both sides reviewed defence cooperation and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral engagements across multiple domains.

Officials exchanged views on regional and international security, with emphasis on the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Both nations reaffirmed commitment to deepening defence industrial cooperation, including joint development, technology sharing, and production partnerships.

Focus areas included strengthening defence supply chains, enhancing interoperability, and promoting innovation in emerging defence technologies.

Discussions aimed at building long-term frameworks for co-development of advanced platforms and supporting indigenous manufacturing.

India and Oman share strategic ties including political, defence, energy and economic cooperation, with shared interests in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and regional stability.

       

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority

Justice Vikram Nath, senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, has been nominated as the Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

He succeeds Justice Surya Kant, who has been sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.

NALSA, constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, provides free legal services to weaker sections of society.

As per the Act, the CJI is the Patron-in-Chief of NALSA, and the President appoints a Supreme Court judge (serving or retired) as Executive Chairman.

The nomination was made by President Droupadi Murmu under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

Justice Vikram Nath has been serving on the Supreme Court Bench since 2021 and formerly served as Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court.

He will guide NALSA’s mission of providing free and competent legal aid nationwide.

Justice J.K. Maheshwari has been nominated as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC) by CJI Surya Kant.

Justice Maheshwari has been a Supreme Court judge since 2021, and previously served as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court.

SCLSC extends legal aid to underprivileged litigants in the Supreme Court, ensuring access to justice under the Legal Services Authorities Act.

       

SPORTS

Max Verstappen Wins 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix

Max Verstappen clinched the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, strengthening his title challenge with only 2 races left in the season.

Starting P2, he overtook Lando Norris after the McLaren driver made an early mistake at Turn 1, allowing Verstappen to take the lead and dominate the race.

The Red Bull driver finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of Norris, securing his 8th consecutive podium and second Las Vegas GP win (after 2023).

Podium:
• 1st – Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
• 2nd – Lando Norris (McLaren)
• 3rd – George Russell (Mercedes)

Oscar Piastri finished 4th, gaining a position after Kimi Antonelli received a penalty that pushed him from P4 to P5.

Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong recovery drive, climbing from P19 to P10, earning 1 point for Ferrari.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Constitution Day 2025

Constitution Day 2025, also known as Law Day, is observed on 26 November to mark the day the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of India on 26 November 1949.

The year 2025 also commemorates the 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, laying the foundation for India’s democratic governance.

The observance aims to increase public awareness about the Constitution and highlight the contributions of Dr. Ambedkar, who is widely regarded as the Father of the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution of India was drafted by the members of the Constituent Assembly, shaping the nation’s legal and administrative framework.