Daily Current Affairs- 8th November 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 8th November 2025

PM Modi Launches NexCAR19: India’s First Homegrown CAR T-Cell Therapy

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched NexCAR19, India’s first indigenously developed CAR T-cell therapy, marking a breakthrough in the nation’s cancer treatment landscape. The therapy represents a major milestone in affordable and advanced cancer care, offering hope for patients with certain types of blood cancers.

Key Points:

• Therapy Launch: PM Modi launched NexCAR19, the country’s first homegrown CAR T-cell (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy, developed through collaboration between IIT Bombay and ImmunoACT, a startup incubated at the institute.
• Medical Innovation: NexCAR19 uses genetically engineered T-cells from a patient’s own immune system to identify and destroy cancer cells, particularly targeting B-cell lymphomas and leukemias.
• Global Significance: India becomes the fifth country in the world to develop an indigenous CAR T-cell therapy, after the US, China, South Korea, and Japan.
• Affordability: Unlike imported CAR T-cell treatments that cost ₹3–4 crore, NexCAR19 will be available for under ₹50 lakh, making it accessible to more patients.
• Institutional Collaboration: The project was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, highlighting India’s scientific self-reliance under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions.

New Delhi Work Hours: A Step Against Seasonal Smog

In the News:  The Delhi government announced revised work hours for offices in New Delhi as part of emergency measures to combat the city’s recurring seasonal smog crisis. The decision aims to curb vehicular congestion during peak hours and reduce pollution from daily commuting, a major contributor to deteriorating air quality in the capital.

Key Points:

• Policy Introduction: The Delhi government introduced staggered office timings for government and private sector employees to reduce traffic density and vehicular emissions.
• Implementation Period: The new work-hour schedule will remain effective throughout the high-pollution season—November to January—when smog levels typically reach hazardous levels.
• Air Quality Measures: The decision follows record-high Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in early November 2025, with several areas exceeding the ‘Severe+’ category (AQI above 450).
• Work Schedule: Government offices will operate from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while private offices have been encouraged to adopt flexible work-from-home or staggered shifts between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. starts.
• Supporting Initiatives: Complementary actions include restrictions on construction dust, vehicle bans under the GRAP-IV (Graded Response Action Plan), and intensified air-quality monitoring.

Karnataka Becomes India’s First State with Paid Menstrual Leave

In the News: Karnataka became the first Indian state to introduce paid menstrual leave for women employees in both government and private sectors. The move marks a major policy step toward gender-sensitive workplace reform and aims to promote menstrual health and inclusivity in India’s employment ecosystem.

Key Points:

• Policy Launch: The Government of Karnataka formally approved the Menstrual Leave Policy 2025, granting one day of paid leave per menstrual cycle to women employees across all state departments and encouraging private organisations to follow suit.
• Scope of Implementation: The policy applies to approximately 3.4 lakh women employees in the state government, with provisions allowing private firms to voluntarily adopt the same through HR policy alignment.
• Objective: The initiative seeks to recognise menstrual health as a legitimate aspect of workplace wellness, reducing stigma and ensuring better productivity and well-being for women workers.
• Broader Vision: Karnataka’s move aligns with the state’s Women@Work initiative, aimed at increasing female participation in the workforce and creating more equitable working conditions.
• Supporting Framework: The policy was developed in consultation with the Department of Women and Child Development, Labour Department, and various health experts to ensure inclusivity and ease of implementation.

India Gears Up for 2026 Tiger Census: World’s Largest Wildlife Survey

In the News:  India announced preparations for the 2026 All-India Tiger Estimation, the world’s largest wildlife survey, reaffirming its leadership in big cat conservation. The upcoming census, coordinated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), will deploy advanced technology for unprecedented accuracy and scale.

Key Points:

• Census Launch: The 2026 Tiger Census will cover over 4 lakh sq. km across India’s tiger reserves, forest divisions, and wildlife sanctuaries, involving thousands of forest officials, scientists, and volunteers.
• Use of Technology: For the first time, the survey will integrate AI-enabled camera traps, eDNA sampling, and satellite data to map tiger populations and prey density.
• Objective: The census aims to assess the current status of India’s tiger population, monitor habitat quality, and guide future conservation strategies under Project Tiger.
• Institutional Collaboration: The initiative is led by the NTCA in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), State Forest Departments, and local communities across 20 tiger-bearing states.
• Historical Background: India conducts this mega exercise every four years since 2006, with the last census in 2022 estimating 3,167 tigers, representing over 75% of the world’s wild tiger population.
• Global Significance: The 2026 census will strengthen India’s commitment to the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP) and showcase its success under the St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation (2010).

China Launches Third Aircraft Carrier ‘Fujian’ with Cutting-Edge Tech

In the News: China officially launched its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, marking a major leap in the country’s naval modernization and power projection capabilities. Named after the southeastern coastal province facing Taiwan, Fujian is China’s most advanced domestically built carrier, featuring next-generation launch and control systems.

Key Points:

• Launch Event: The Fujian was launched at the Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard, marking a milestone for China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The vessel is expected to begin sea trials by early 2026.
• Technological Milestone: It is China’s first aircraft carrier equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system (EMALS), similar to that of the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, allowing faster and more efficient aircraft launches.
• Design and Features: The carrier displaces approximately 80,000 tonnes, operates conventionally powered engines, and supports both fixed-wing aircraft and drones. It represents a full transition from ski-jump decks to flat-deck technology.
• Strategic Significance: The Fujian enhances China’s maritime reach and operational capacity in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and Western Pacific, advancing President Xi Jinping’s vision of building a “world-class navy” by 2049.
• Comparison: The Fujian follows China’s first two carriers — Liaoning (Soviet-origin) and Shandong (China’s first indigenously built carrier) — but surpasses them in size, technology, and combat readiness.
• Global Response: The launch has drawn close attention from global powers, especially the United States and regional nations, amid rising tensions over Taiwan and Indo-Pacific security dynamics.

India’s 91st Chess Grandmaster: Raahul VS Triumphs at ASEAN Championship

In the News: Raahul VS became India’s 91st Chess Grandmaster after a stellar performance at the ASEAN Chess Championship 2025, marking another milestone in India’s dominance in world chess. His achievement continues India’s remarkable rise in producing top-tier chess talents on the global stage.

Key Points:

• Achievement: Raahul VS earned his final GM norm and crossed the 2500 Elo rating mark at the ASEAN Championship, officially earning the title of Grandmaster, the highest rank awarded by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE).
• Event: The ASEAN Chess Championship 2025 was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, featuring strong international competition from across Asia.
• Performance: Raahul remained undefeated through nine rounds, displaying tactical precision and positional mastery, securing both a podium finish and GM title in the same event.
• Career Journey: The 20-year-old from Kerala had earlier earned two GM norms at the Chennai Grandmasters 2024 and the Sharjah Masters 2025, showcasing consistent growth and resilience.
• Significance: With this milestone, India now boasts 91 Grandmasters, consolidating its status as a global chess powerhouse following the legacy of Viswanathan Anand, India’s first GM in 1988.
• Recognition: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) congratulated Raahul on his historic achievement, highlighting his contribution to India’s growing youth talent in international chess.