Daily Current Affairs- 24th November 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 24th November 2025

IIM Ranchi Earns Prestigious AMBA Accreditation and 4 Palmes in Eduniversal 2025 Rankings

In the News: Indian Institute of Management Ranchi (IIM Ranchi) has recently achieved two major international recognitions: it has secured accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and has been awarded 4 Palmes of Excellence in the Eduniversal Best Business Schools Ranking 2025.

Key Points:

• AMBA Accreditation Obtained: IIM Ranchi has received accreditation from AMBA, which is globally recognised as one of the most rigorous benchmarks in postgraduate management education. 
• Top 2% Global Ranking Indicator: The AMBA accreditation signals that IIM Ranchi now belongs to the top 2 % of business schools worldwide that satisfy AMBA’s stringent standards in curriculum, pedagogy, learning experience and career outcomes. 
• 4 Palmes of Excellence by Eduniversal: In the Eduniversal 2025 rankings, IIM Ranchi attained the “4 Palmes” category, which reflects a business school with strong and growing international influence and engagement.
•  Evaluation Scope of Eduniversal: The Eduniversal ranking framework covers over 1,000 business chools across 154 countries, assessing factors such as international reputation, academic influence, partnerships and global visibility via peer voting.
• Strategic Implications for IIM Ranchi: These recognitions reflect the institute’s strategic focus on raising its global profile, expanding international collaborations (student exchange, faculty development, executive education) and improving global employability and learning standards for its students. 
• Impact for Students and Stakeholders: For students, alumni and recruiters, this means enhanced credibility of IIM Ranchi’s programmes, better visibility in global placements, stronger ties with international institutions and improved options for overseas exposure.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 to Begin on December 2, 2025

In the News: The fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 (KTS 4.0) will commence on 2 December 2025, organised by the Ministry of Education (MoE) of India, in partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at Varanasi. The event aims to celebrate and further strengthen the civilisational, cultural and linguistic links between Tamil Nadu and the ancient city of Kashi (Varanasi), under the ethos of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat”.

Key Points:

• Programme Launch and Purpose: The MoE has announced that KTS 4.0 will begin on 2 December 2025, with the objective of commemorating and deepening the age-old cultural, spiritual and educational linkages between Tamil Nadu and Kashi, thereby reinforcing India’s unity in diversity.
• Theme for 2025: The edition is centred on the theme “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam” (also expressed as “Let us Learn Tamil – Karpom Tamil”), which emphasises promotion of the Tamil language across India and increased linguistic exchange.
• Participation & Delegation Structure: The event will host more than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu across seven categories — students; teachers; writers & media professionals; agriculture & allied sectors; professionals & artisans; women; and spiritual scholars/practitioners.
• Major Initiatives & Activities:An eight-day experiential tour spanning Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya that includes cultural performances, seminars, heritage visits, and engagement with local handicrafts, cuisine and Tamil heritage sites.
• Collaborating Ministries and Institutions: The coordination is led by IIT Madras and BHU, with support from multiple ministries including Culture; Information & Broadcasting; Tourism; Textiles; Food Processing Industries; MSME; Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; IRCTC; and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. 
• Background & Growth: First launched in 2022, KTS has evolved into a major cultural-bridge initiative reconnecting traditions of Tamil Nadu with the knowledge heritage of Kashi, and KTS 4.0 aims to build further on this momentum.

Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Reforming India’s Power Sector

In the News:  The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025—a landmark legislative proposal for reforming India’s power sector—has been introduced by the Ministry of Power. The draft bill aims to usher in regulated competition in electricity distribution, align tariffs with actual supply costs, reduce cross-subsidies, and enable multiple licencees in the same distribution area, among other major structural reforms.

Key Points:

• Structural Reform of Distribution Sector: The bill allows more than one distribution licencee to operate within the same area using shared infrastructure, thereby enabling consumer choice in distribution and promoting competition.
• Universal Service Obligation (USO) Maintenance and Flexibility: All licencees will have a USO to supply electricity to consumers nondiscriminatorily; however, the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) may, in consultation with State Governments, exempt certain large consumers (above 1 MW) eligible for open access from USO.
• Cost-Reflective Tariffs and Removal of Cross-Subsidy: The bill mandates that tariffs set by the regulatory commissions reflect the actual cost of supply. Cross-subsidies (where one consumer class subsidises another) are to be gradually phased out so that tariffs become more transparent and efficient.
• Regulatory Simplification and Licensing Ease: The draft simplifies licence-granting by removing the procedural requirement of obtaining Central Government consent under certain sections (e.g., defence establishments) and reduces dual oversight by the commission and central government.
• Integration and Market Orientation: The bill signals a shift towards a market-oriented, renewable-integrated and storage-enabled electricity ecosystem; it seeks to promote clean energy, encourage investment, enhance transparency and bolster accountability in the power sector.

Justice Surya Kant Sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India

In the News:  Surya Kant was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India, taking over from B. R. Gavai at the ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Key Points:

• Appointment & Tenure: Surya Kant took the oath of office on 24 November 2025. His expected term as Chief Justice will last approximately 14–15 months, until around February 2027.
• Professional Journey: Born in Petwar village, Hisar district (Haryana) on 10 February 1962, Surya Kant began his legal career in the Hisar district court and was later the Advocate General of Haryana. He served as a judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court from January 2004, became Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in October 2018 and was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019.
• Oath Ceremony: The oath was administered by Droupadi Murmu in her capacity as President of India. The event was attended by top dignitaries including the Prime Minister, marking the significance of the change in leadership of the judiciary. 
• Priorities & Challenges: Upon assuming office, Chief Justice Surya Kant emphasized the pressing issue of pendency in the judiciary and declared his intention to clear long-pending Constitution Bench cases, while also restoring confidence in the lower judiciary systems.

Constitution 131st Amendment Bill 2025: Chandigarh Under Article 240

In the News: The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025 seeks to bring the Union Territory of Chandigarh under the ambit of Article 240 of the Indian Constitution, thereby empowering the President of India to frame regulations for Chandigarh akin to other Union Territories.

Key Points:

• Nature of the Bill: The proposed 131st Amendment aims to include Chandigarh under Article 240, aligning its governance structure with Union Territories that lack legislatures, where the President can enact regulations that carry the force of law.
• Article 240 Explained: Article 240 gives the President the authority to promulgate regulations for certain Union Territories without a legislative assembly; these regulations can override or amend existing laws applicable in those territories and have the same effect as an Act of Parliament.
• Current Governance of Chandigarh: Chandigarh is a Union Territory jointly serving as capital of the states of Punjab and Haryana. Its Administrator is the Governor of Punjab, and it has no legislative assembly of its own. 
• What the Change Would Imply: If the amendment is passed, the President would be empowered to frame regulations for Chandigarh; the current arrangement where the Governor of Punjab holds additional charge as Administrator may be replaced by appointment of a separate Administrator or Lieutenant-Governor. 
• Political Repercussions: The proposal has triggered strong objections from political parties in Punjab, who view it as undermining the state’s historic claim over Chandigarh, arguing that it would diminish Punjab’s administrative and constitutional stake in the city.
• Status of the Bill: Despite its announcement in parliamentary bulletins, the central government clarified that it has no intention to introduce the amendment in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, thus temporarily shelving the move.

PM Modi Unveils Six Global Initiatives at G20 Johannesburg Summit

In the News:  At the 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, unveiled six major global initiatives framed under India’s vision for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Key Points:

• Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: The Prime Minister proposed creation of a repository under the G20 umbrella to document, preserve and share traditional knowledge systems—wisdom that spans centuries and has relevance for health, wellbeing and sustainable living. 
• G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative: Recognising Africa’s central role in future global growth, the initiative aims to establish a network of certified trainers across African nations—one million trainers over time—who will in turn train millions of youth, thereby building local capacity and a future-ready workforce.
• G20 Global Healthcare Response Team: In order to strengthen global health security and preparedness for crises, this initiative envisages a ready deployment team of medical experts drawn from G20 member nations that can be mobilised rapidly during health emergencies or disasters.
•  G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus: The Prime Minister stressed the inter-linkages between drug trafficking and terrorism, and called for coordinated action under the G20 to undermine the finance, governance and security structures that sustain the drug-terror economy.
•  G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership: Recognising the power of space science and satellite data for development, the proposal calls for G20 space agencies to share satellite-derived data with developing and Global South countries—for agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, and other sectors.
• G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: In view of the surge in demand for critical minerals for clean energy, batteries and technology, the Prime Minister proposed a circularity initiative emphasising recycling, urban mining, second-life batteries and supply chain resilience to ensure sustainability and value addition rather than simply raw extraction.

Seychelles Joins Colombo Security Conclave (CSC)

In the News: At the 7th National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) held in New Delhi, the island nation of Seychelles was officially inducted as the sixth full member of the grouping, marking a strategic expansion of the Conclave’s footprint in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Key Points:

• Membership Expansion: Seychelles transitioned from being an observer to becoming a full member of the CSC at the meeting on 20 November 2025 in New Delhi.
• About the CSC: The Colombo Security Conclave is a regional security architecture comprising littoral states of the Indian Ocean including India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, Bangladesh and now Seychelles. It operates through NSA-level dialogues and coordination across multiple domains of security.
• Core Pillars of Cooperation: The grouping focuses on five key areas of collaboration: maritime safety and security, counter-terrorism and radicalisation, combating transnational organised crime and trafficking, cyber-security and protection of critical infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance & disaster relief (HADR).
• Strategic Significance of Seychelles’ Membership: Seychelles’ strategic location in the western Indian Ocean, its extensive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and maritime domain make it a valuable partner for enhancing maritime awareness, anti-piracy efforts and reinforcing the security architecture of the IOR. The membership helps deepen India’s vision of “SAGAR” (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
• Implications for Regional Security: By expanding its membership, the CSC strengthens institutional coordination among member states and enhances its ability to respond to evolving maritime threats, cyber-risks and trans-national crimes in the Indian Ocean, thereby reinforcing a rules-based maritime order.
• Host and Leadership: The 7th NSA meeting was chaired by India’s NSA Ajit Doval, and underscores India’s leading role in hosting and shaping this regional security forum.

India at COP30: Advocating Climate Equity, Justice and Long-Pending Finance Commitments

In the News: At the 30th session of the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP30) held in Belém, Brazil in November 2025, India emphasised climate equity, justice and the fulfilment of long-pending finance commitments by developed countries.

Key Points:

• Renewed Focus on Climate Finance Obligations: India highlighted that despite the passage of over 30 years since the Rio Earth Summit (1992), developed nations have still not delivered on several of their foundational climate finance commitments.
• Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement: India welcomed attention to Article 9.1 of the Paris Agreement — which obliges developed countries to provide financial resources to assist developing countries’ mitigation and adaptation efforts — and underlined that this is not charity but a legal obligation.
• Just Transition Mechanism: India praised the establishment of the Just Transition Mechanism at COP30, calling it a significant step toward ensuring that the shift to low-carbon economies is fair, inclusive and does not deepen existing inequalities.
•  Opposition to Unilateral Trade-linked Climate Measures: India raised concerns about emerging climate-linked trade barriers such as carbon border taxes, arguing these contravene the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), unfairly penalise developing countries, and distort global trade.
• Protecting the Most Vulnerable: India reiterated that those who have contributed the least to global warming must not bear the heaviest burden of mitigation. It stressed the urgent need for greater global financial and technological support for vulnerable populations, especially in the Global South.
•  Commitment to a Rules-based, Equitable Global Order: India reaffirmed its commitment to climate action grounded in science, respect for national circumstances, equity and fairness, and working with all Parties to ensure inclusive climate ambition.
• Outcomes of COP30 for India: India welcomed key outcomes from COP30 including progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and the opening of spaces to address trade-linked climate measures; but it maintained that developed countries must now translate commitment into action.

India, Australia, and Canada Launch ACITI Partnership

In the News:  The governments of India, Australia and Canada announced the launch of the ACITI Partnership — a trilateral initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on green technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and resilient supply chains, with a view to advancing towards a net-zero future.

Key Points:

• Partnership Launch: India, Australia and Canada jointly agreed to form the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership. 
• Purpose & Vision: The partnership seeks to draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and deepen strategic collaboration for critical and emerging technologies, green energy innovation, resilient supply chains and mass adoption of AI.
• Green Energy Innovation: A major focus is on clean energy technologies (such as solar, wind, hydrogen), decarbonisation innovation and joint research and development in renewable power.
• Critical Minerals & Supply-Chain Resilience: The agreement emphasises diversifying and securing supply chains for critical minerals (like lithium, cobalt and rare earths) essential for batteries, electric vehicles and electronics. The aim is transparent, resilient and sustainable supply chains. 
• Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Tech: The three nations will explore frameworks for the development and mass adoption of AI for public welfare, governance and economic growth while emphasising ethical, inclusive deployment.

G20 Summit Adopts Joint Declaration Despite US Objections

In the News: Leaders of the G20 gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, and adopted a joint Declaration at the outset of the summit — a departure from usual practice — even as the United States, citing diplomatic disagreements with the host country, refrained from participation and urged others not to endorse the document.

Key Points:

• Declaration Adopted at Opening: In a break with tradition, the G20 Leaders’ Declaration was approved on the opening day of the summit rather than at its conclusion, reflecting urgency and determination among attendee countries to articulate shared commitments early in the process. 
• U.S. Opposition and Boycott: The United States opted not to send its head of state and actively objected to the declaration’s adoption without its participation, criticizing both the timing of the adoption and the content of the document.
• Focus on Climate, Debt and Equity: The Declaration emphasised issues of critical importance to developing nations, including debt burdens, climate-related disasters, energy transition finance, and the need for inclusive growth under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.”
•  Signature of Multilateral Resolve: Despite the absence of the U.S., the remaining G20 members presented a show of consensus around multilateral cooperation, signalling that global governance frameworks can evolve even amid major power divergence.
•  Host Country’s Push and Symbolism: As the first G20 summit to be hosted in Africa, South Africa leveraged the presidency to bring greater attention to Global-South priorities, including African leadership in global forums, and used the early declaration to underscore that message.
• Implications for Future G20 Dynamics: The absence of the U.S., the altered timing of the declaration, and the contents emphasising issues long championed by developing countries suggest possible shifts in how the G20 may operate, including growing influence of Global-South voices and new issue-priorities for the grouping.

Dharmendra Passes Away at 89 in Mumbai

In the News:  The legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra passed away at the age of 89 in his residence in Mumbai.

Key Points:

• Birth and early life: Dharmendra was born as Dharmendra Kewal Krishan Deol on 8 December 1935 in the village of Nasrali, in the Ludhiana district of Punjab.
• Entry into films: He made his film-acting debut in 1960 with the movie Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere.
• Career span and output: Over a career lasting approximately six-and-a-half decades, Dharmendra appeared in more than 300 films across genres including romance, action, comedy and character roles. 
• Nicknames and public persona: He was affectionately known as the “He-Man of Bollywood” and also referred to as “Garam Dharam” for his energetic screen style.
• Major breakthrough and iconic films: Among his many notable works, the film Sholay (1975) secured his place in Indian cinematic history; other key films included Seeta Aur Geeta, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and Chupke Chupke.
• Awards and honours: In recognition of his contributions to cinema, Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in 2012.
• Political career: He served as a Member of Parliament from 2004 to 2009, representing the Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan under the banner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). 
• Health and final illness: In early November 2025, Dharmendra was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital with respiratory problems. He was later discharged and returned home, where he passed away.  
• Family and legacy: He is survived by his family, including his children (among them well-known actors Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol and Esha Deol). His marriage to actress Hema Malini in 1980 and his long film-partnership with her are also part of his cinematic legacy.