Daily Current Affairs- 25th November 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 25th November 2025

Velamala Simmanna Selected for LNF Literary Award 2025

In the News: It was announced that Velamala Simmanna has been selected for the 2025 LNF Literary Award. The award will be formally presented on 18 January 2026 in Visakhapatnam.

Key Points

• Award & Recognition: The LNF Literary Award 2025 has been conferred on Velamala Simmanna — acknowledging his long-standing contribution to Telugu literature, language, and culture.
• Prize Details: The award includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh.
• Recipient Profile: Velamala Simmanna is a prolific Telugu scholar and author, credited with over 100 published works, spanning literary criticism, cultural essays, creative writing, and language studies. He is also a former Head of the Department of Telugu at Andhra University.
• Purpose of Award: LNF grants this award to individuals who have “significantly contributed to the promotion of Telugu language, literature and culture.” This makes Simmanna’s selection meaningful for the community and literary tradition.
• Ceremony & Symbolism: The LNF has chosen 18 January for the award ceremony annually — a date intended to coincide with the death anniversaries of two prominent personalities (as per LNF’s tradition).
• Other Recognitions in the Same Announcement: Along with the LNF Literary Award, the foundation also announced Life-Time Achievement Awards (each ₹1 lakh) for four other individuals, recognizing their contributions to Telugu culture, health, diaspora promotion, or public service.

Army to Officially Honour Operation Pawan Martyrs After 38 Years

In the News: It was announced that the Indian Army will, for the first time, officially honour the soldiers who died during Operation Pawan. The recognition will take the form of a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, New Delhi, led by the Chief of Army Staff.

Key Points

• Background – What was Operation Pawan: Operation Pawan was the mission carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, between 1987 and 1990, under the terms of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord. The objective was to disarm militant groups (including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE) and stabilise conflict-affected areas, especially the Jaffna Peninsula.
• Scale of Sacrifice: During the mission, a total of 1,171 Indian soldiers were martyred and over 3,500 personnel were wounded — making it one of India’s deadliest overseas military deployments.
• Notable Gallantry: Among the martyrs was Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran — who was awarded the country’s highest military honour, the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously) for his bravery during an encounter in 1987.
• Decades-Long Absence of Official Remembrance: For nearly 38 years since the end of the operation in 1990, there was no formal ceremony or official commemoration by the Indian Army for Operation Pawan martyrs. Tributes — when offered — were informal, carried out privately by veterans, widows, or families at various memorials.
• Historic Official Tribute (2025): On 25 November 2025, Army leadership — with the Chief of Army Staff (and Vice Chief among others) — laid wreaths at the National War Memorial in New Delhi to honour the fallen soldiers of OP Pawan. This marks the first-ever formal remembrance for the mission’s martyrs.

UNEP’s Global Methane Status Report 2025: Key Highlights and India’s Position

In the News : The 2025 Global Methane Status Report was released by UNEP alongside the climate conference COP30. The report provides a mid-term assessment of progress under the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) — launched in 2021 to reduce global methane emissions by 30 % from 2020 levels by 2030 — and outlines where the world stands in 2025.

Key Points:

• Methane’s Impact & Why It Matters : Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas. Though shorter-lived in the atmosphere than CO₂, it has a much higher heat-trapping ability over a 20-year period, making it a critical lever for near-term climate mitigation. Because of this potency, reducing methane emissions offers a quicker path to slowing global warming and improving air quality than relying solely on CO₂ reductions.
• Global Trends: Emissions Still Rising — Targets at Risk : The report shows that global human-caused methane emissions continue to rise. Under the “current legislation emissions” scenario, global methane emissions are projected to reach around 369 million tonnes (Mt) by 2030. Even with present policies and commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs + Methane Action Plans), emissions reductions by 2030 would only amount to about 8% below 2020 levels — far short of the 30 % target under GMP.
• Major Sources of Methane Globally: Agriculture contributes around 42% of anthropogenic methane (livestock enteric fermentation and manure, rice cultivation, etc.). Energy sector (oil, gas, coal) contributes about 38%, and waste (landfills, wastewater) about 20%. Because of this mix, mitigation needs to target energy, agriculture, and waste sectors.
• Mitigation Potential & Cost-Effectiveness: The report finds that a large share of methane reduction potential is technically and economically feasible. For many measures (e.g., leak detection in energy, methane capture from waste, better agricultural practices), the cost is low and can even yield net savings — e.g., via captured methane being used as fuel. Sectors offering particularly high mitigation potential: energy (largest), followed by agriculture and waste.
• Policy Gap — Global & Regional Concerns : As of 2025, although 159 countries have joined the Global Methane Pledge, many major emitters — including some top methane-producing countries — have not committed to binding methane cuts or set specific targets. Even among signatories, few have integrated measurement-based governance, robust monitoring, and strict methane control regulations — causing a large “ambition-implementation gap.”
• India’s Position & Challenges : According to the report, India is now the third-largest methane emitter globally. India contributed approximately 31 million tonnes of methane in 2020, accounting for about 9% of global emissions. Major sources of methane in India are livestock (enteric fermentation & manure) and rice cultivation, reflecting the country’s dependence on agriculture and traditional farming livelihoods. The report notes a critical gap: India has not signed the Global Methane Pledge. The primary reasons for this: concerns over food security and livelihoods of small/marginal farmers; heavy reliance on agriculture and livestock; and a preference for addressing emissions under broader frameworks like Paris Agreement rather than a separate methane-focused pledge.
• Domestic Mitigation Efforts in India : Despite not joining the pledge, India has policies and schemes that can help reduce methane emissions: Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) – promotes climate-resilient farming practices, including improved rice cultivation methods. Techniques such as Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) for paddy — both help reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation by reducing water-logging and anaerobic decomposition. Waste management and biogas initiatives (e.g., dung/organic-waste to biogas) to capture methane that would otherwise be released.

Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi Volcano Erupts After 12,000 Years, Ash Drifts Towards India

In the News:  The long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted — the first known eruption from this volcano in around 12,000 years. The eruption sent a massive ash plume reaching up to 14 km (about 9 miles / 45,000 feet) into the atmosphere. By late November 2025, the volcanic ash cloud had drifted across the Red Sea, passed over Yemen and Oman, and entered Indian airspace — affecting parts of western and northern India.

Key Points :

• Volcano & Geological Context: Hayli Gubbi is a shield volcano located in the Afar region of Ethiopia, part of the geologically active East African Rift Valley / Erta Ale Range. Before this eruption, there was no recorded activity for this volcano in the Holocene era (i.e. around 12,000 years), making this event highly significant geologically.
• Nature of the Eruption: The eruption — classified as “sub-plinian” by volcanology experts — produced a strong vertical ash column which dispersed widely under high-altitude winds. The ash plume carried volcanic ash, sulphur dioxide (SO₂), fine rock/glass particles — all of which pose hazards for air travel and long-range atmospheric transport.
• Ash Drift & Spread: The ash cloud traveled eastward: across the Red Sea → Yemen → Oman → Arabian Sea → and into India’s western and northern regions. In India, the ash plume was detected over states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and parts of northern India / Himalayan belt. The drift speed was high — around 100 to 120 km/h at altitudes between roughly 15,000–45,000 feet.
• Impact on Aviation & Safety Responses: Due to ash in airspace, multiple airlines — including major Indian carriers — cancelled or diverted flights. Indian aviation authorities (e.g. DGCA – Directorate General of Civil Aviation) issued advisories to airlines and airports to avoid contaminated airspace and take precautionary measures. As of 25 November 2025, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the ash cloud had largely exited Indian airspace (by around 10:30 pm IST), reducing immediate aviation and pollution risks.
• Local Effects in Ethiopia: The volcano’s eruption affected communities in the local area (especially in the Afar region), with ashfall blanketing villages, threatening livestock grazing and local agriculture, and causing concern among residents. The event is described by residents as sudden and frightening — many compared the eruption to a bomb explosion followed by shockwaves, with dense ash and smoke engulfing the surroundings.

5th Khelo India University Games Begin at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium

In the News :  The 5th edition of the Khelo India University Games was inaugurated at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The opening ceremony was attended by senior dignitaries: the Games were declared open by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Bhajan Lal Sharma, and the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya. The inauguration featured a cultural programme reflecting Rajasthan’s heritage, including a drone show and other performances, setting a celebratory tone for the Games.

Key Points

• Edition & Organisers: This is the 5th edition of Khelo India University Games, organised under the aegis of Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Government of Rajasthan, the state sports council, and Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• Dates & Venues: The Games run from 24 November to 5 December 2025. While the main hub is Jaipur, events are spread across several cities in Rajasthan including Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur — making it a statewide sporting festival.
• Participation: Approximately 4,448 athletes representing 222 universities are participating. The total contingent across all participants is roughly 7,000 persons (including athletes, staff, officials).
• Sports & Medals: Athletes will compete in 23 medal sports. In addition, the traditional Indian sport Kho-Kho features as a demonstration event, underlining support for indigenous sports.
• Opening Ceremony Highlights: The ceremony included cultural showcases (reflecting Rajasthan’s heritage), a drone show, formal lamp-lighting, and a symbolic welcome to the nation’s young sporting talent. The tone was celebratory and aimed at inspiring athletes.

Ahmedabad Ready to Host 2030 Commonwealth Games

In the News:  The Commonwealth Sport Executive Board officially recommended Ahmedabad (also referred to as “Amdavad”) as the proposed host city for the 2030 Centenary Commonwealth Games. The final decision is expected to be ratified at the General Assembly in Glasgow. If confirmed, this will bring the multi-sport event back to India after 20 years (the last time India hosted was in 2010).

Key Points

• Host City Recommendation: The Commonwealth Sport Evaluation Committee — after assessing bid proposals — determined that Ahmedabad met required criteria (infrastructure, athlete experience, governance standards, technical capability, and alignment with Commonwealth values) and thus recommended it for the 2030 Games.
• Centenary Edition: The 2030 Games will mark the 100-year (centenary) edition since the first Commonwealth Games in 1930. Hosting the centenary adds symbolic value and prestige to Ahmedabad’s selection.
• Modern & Expanding Sports Infrastructure in Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad’s sports infrastructure strength was a major factor in its bid:The under-construction Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave (SVP Enclave), in Motera, which will leverage the existing Narendra Modi Stadium (the world’s largest cricket stadium) and add multiple venues (aquatics, indoor arenas, athletics stadium, athlete village, etc.). The city has a record of hosting large events (not only domestic cricket / IPL / World Cup matches, but also other sporting events), which demonstrates its ability to manage large crowds, logistics and international standards.
• Strategic Vision — Beyond 2030: Ahmedabad’s selection is seen as part of a broader long-term vision: successful hosting of 2030 Games could strengthen India's (and Ahmedabad’s) credentials for hosting even larger international events — notably the 2036 Summer Olympics.
• Commitment to Efficient, Sustainable Hosting: The bid from Ahmedabad emphasised using existing venues where possible and building infrastructure with long-term legacy in mind (not just for one event). Supporters describe the 2030 Games in Ahmedabad as a chance to rebuild trust and deliver a well-managed, world-class sporting event.