20 NOvember 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS – 3 | Economy

1. National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025

• Subtopic: Economic Classification & Data Governance

• Value Addition:

  • Released by MoSPI to mark 75 years of the NSS and World Statistics Day 2025.

  • Serves as India’s official standard for classifying all economic activities.

  • Used in:

    • National Accounts (GDP estimation)

    • Economic Censuses

    • Enterprise Registration (Udyam, MCA21)

    • Statistical Surveys (NSSO, ASI)

  • Evolution: Introduced in 1962; updated periodically — NIC 1970, 1987, 1998, 2004, 2008, and now NIC 2025.

  • Alignment: Harmonized with UN’s ISIC Revision 5 for international comparability.

  • Structural Upgrade:

    • 5-digit → 6-digit code for finer classification.

    • Enables mapping of new sectors like FinTech, Cloud Services, Renewables, and Digital Platforms.

  • Key Highlights:

    • Expanded intermediary sectors (power, retail, healthcare).

    • Dedicated Green Economy codes for carbon capture, waste recycling, and environmental remediation.

    • Technology-agnostic structure — activities classified by function, not tech used.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Strengthens India’s data-driven policymaking and sectoral GDP precision.

  • Supports industrial diversification, SDG tracking, and digital economy measurement.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Economy / Statistics / Governance.

GS – 1 | Geography

2. Curaçao

• Subtopic: World Geography & Political Geography

• Value Addition:

  • Location: Southern Caribbean Sea, ~60 km north of Venezuela.

  • Geopolitical Status: Constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (autonomous since 2010).

  • Capital: Willemstad – UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Languages: Papiamento, Dutch, English.

  • Population: 1.56 lakh (2023 census); female-dominant ratio.

  • Economy: Tourism, oil refining, logistics hub.

  • Recent Highlight: Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 — smallest-ever participating nation.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Demonstrates small island state resilience and soft power through sports.

  • Example for island geopolitics, cultural hybridity, and tourism economy.

  • Relevant for GS1 – Geography / World Physical & Political Geography.

GS – 3 | Science & Tech

3. BIRSA-101 – India’s First CRISPR Gene Therapy

• Subtopic: Biotechnology & Health Innovation

• Value Addition:

  • Developed by CSIR–IGIB for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD).

  • First indigenous CRISPR–Cas9 gene-editing therapy in India.

  • How it works:

    • Patient’s stem cells extracted → gene defect edited via CRISPR → reinfused → healthy RBCs regenerate.

  • Advantages:

    • One-time curative therapy.

    • Cost-effective indigenous solution.

    • Accessible for tribal and low-income populations.

  • Background: SCD is an autosomal recessive disorder leading to malformed RBCs → anemia, pain crises, organ damage.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Landmark in gene therapy democratization & indigenous biotech capability.

  • Aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat & India’s Rare Diseases Policy 2021.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Science & Tech / Health / Biotechnology.

GS – 3 | Environment

4. Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary

• Subtopic: Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation

• Value Addition:

  • Location: Dahod district, Gujarat; bordering Madhya Pradesh.

  • Declared Wildlife Sanctuary (1982).

  • Known for highest sloth bear population in Gujarat.

  • Flora: Teak, bamboo, mahuda, sadad, timru.

  • Fauna: Leopard, four-horned antelope, civets, Loten’s sunbird, yellow-cheeked tit.

  • New Development: Tiger sighting after decades — indicates natural rewilding from MP landscape.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Highlights corridor connectivity between Gujarat & MP tiger habitats.

  • Adds to Panam River watershed protection.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Environment / Biodiversity / Conservation.

GS – 3 | Economy

5. YUVA AI for ALL Initiative

• Subtopic: Digital Literacy & Inclusive Technology

• Value Addition:

  • Launched by MeitY under IndiaAI Mission (2023).

  • Goal: Train 1 crore Indians in basic AI literacy.

  • Format: 4.5-hour online course, free & self-paced; hosted on FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi.

  • Focus: AI fundamentals, ethical use, Indian case studies.

  • Certification: Official Government of India credential post-completion.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Democratizes AI education for citizens.

  • Builds foundation for AI-ready workforce & digital inclusion.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Economy / Digital India / Skill Development.

GS – 2 | International Relations

6. Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2024 – Michelle Bachelet

• Subtopic: India’s Soft Power & International Recognition

• Value Addition:

  • Instituted: 1986 by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

  • Awarded for: Contributions to peace, disarmament, and human development.

  • Recipient (2024): Michelle Bachelet, ex-President of Chile & former UN Human Rights Chief.

  • Prize Components: ₹25 lakh + citation.

  • Past Laureates: Gorbachev, UNICEF, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, Angela Merkel, ISRO, David Attenborough.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Reinforces India’s commitment to global peace & South–South solidarity.

  • Showcases continuity in ethical foreign policy traditions.

  • Relevant for GS2 – IR / Awards & Diplomacy.

GS – 3 | Science & Tech

7. NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System)

• Subtopic: Defence Technology & Strategic Security

• Value Addition:

  • Developed by: Raytheon (USA) & Kongsberg (Norway).

  • Function: Medium-range air defence system; intercepts aircraft, drones, cruise missiles.

  • Range: ~30 km; radar detection up to 75 km.

  • Configuration:

    • Modular, network-centric system.

    • 3 launchers × 6 missiles = 18 per battery.

    • Tracks 70+ targets simultaneously.

  • Recent Development: US approves sale to Taiwan ($700M).

• Subject Analysis:

  • Enhances multi-layered air defence architecture.

  • Vital for Taiwan’s deterrence amid Indo-Pacific tensions.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Defence / Security / Geopolitics.

GS – 3 | Environment

8. Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026

• Subtopic: Climate Policy & Global Rankings

• Value Addition:

  • Published by: Germanwatch, New Climate Institute, CAN International.

  • Purpose: Evaluate climate action of top emitters (since 2005).

  • Parameters: GHG emissions, renewable energy, energy use, climate policy.

  • India’s Rank: 23rd (down from 10th).

  • Top Performers: Denmark, UK, Morocco.

  • Low Performers: China, Russia, US, Saudi Arabia.

  • India’s Gap: Overdependence on coal; lag in renewable expansion.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Reflects implementation–target gap in India’s green transition.

  • Urges faster decarbonization & energy diversification.

  • Relevant for GS3 – Environment / Climate Change / Reports.

GS – 1 | Geography

9. Semeru Volcano (Indonesia)

• Subtopic: Geophysical Phenomena – Volcanism

• Value Addition:

  • Location: East Java, Indonesia; highest peak on Java (3,676 m).

  • Zone: Pacific Ring of Fire — high seismic activity.

  • Type: Stratovolcano (complex crater shifts).

  • Recent Event: Massive eruption; ash/gas plume several km high.

  • Eruption History: Active for 200+ years; 2021 eruption killed 62 people.

• Subject Analysis:

  • Demonstrates tectonic convergence & volcanism risks in SE Asia.

  • Useful for Earthquake–Volcano linkage questions in UPSC.

  • Relevant for GS1 – Physical Geography / Natural Hazards.