CURRENT AFFAIRS 05 November, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 05 November, 2025

1. INDIA’S FIRST-EVER PRIVATE COMMERCIAL SATELLITE LAUNCH WILL BE CONDUCTED BY HYDERABAD-BASED SKYROOT AEROSPACE IN JANUARY 2026 –

• This launch will make Skyroot the only Indian entity besides Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to successfully launch a rocket carrying satellites into space.
• Skyroot Aerospace became India’s first private company to launch a rocket with the Vikram-S suborbital mission in November 2022, marking a turning point in India’s space privatisation efforts.
• Skyroot’s mission follows the Government of India’s 2020 decision to open the space sector to private players.
• The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), established in June 2020, serves as an independent nodal body under ISRO to promote, guide, and authorize private participation in India’s space sector.
• India’s private space sector has 200+ startups and is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033.
• Skyroot’s positioning to meet global small satellite launch demand marks a significant step toward affordable access and a new phase in India’s commercial space sector.

2. INDIA’S DATA CENTRE CAPACITY SET TO REACH 9 GW BY 2032 –

• India’s data centre industry is projected to expand significantly, with capacity expected to increase from 1.2 GW in 2025 to 9 GW by 2032, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17%.

What are Data Centres?

About:

• Data centres are specialised facilities that store, manage, and process large volumes of electronic data.
• They house critical Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, including servers, storage devices, networking equipment, and systems for cooling, power supply, and security.
• These centres are designed to offer reliable, scalable, and secure environments for managing data essential to modern digital operations-ranging from cloud computing to artificial intelligence applications.
• Market Size and Growth: Despite producing 20% of the world’s data, India currently holds only 3% of global data centre capacity, highlighting vast potential for expansion.
• Geographical Distribution: India currently hosts around 150 data centres, with major players such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, etc. leading the market.
• Mumbai accounts for over 50% of India’s data centre, and emerging hubs include Ahmedabad, Pune, and Visakhapatnam (Vizag).

3. OPEC+ PAUSES OIL PRODUCTION HIKES AMID SURPLUS CONCERNS –

• Crude oil prices have fallen shortly as global markets reacted to OPEC+’s decision to pause output increases after December 2025. The move reflects the producers’ caution amid expectations of an oil surplus and uncertainty over Russian supply disruptions caused by new US sanctions.

OPEC+ Adjusts Output Plan

• On Sunday, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) agreed to raise production by 1,37,000 barrels per day in December 2025. However, the group opted to suspend further increases through January, February, and March 2026. The decision marks a strategic pause to balance the market amid forecasts of weaker demand and a possible supply glut in early 2026.

4. INDIAN NAVY LEADS TRI-SERVICES EXERCISE “TRISHUL” 2025 –

• The Indian Navy will lead the Tri-Services Exercise (TSE-2025) “Trishul,” conducted jointly with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. Scheduled to begin in early November 2025, the large-scale operation aims to enhance synergy, interoperability, and joint operational readiness among the three Services.

Scope and Strategic Significance

• The exercise will be coordinated by the Headquarters Western Naval Command in collaboration with all three Services. It will cover diverse terrains, including the creek and desert sectors of Rajasthan and Gujarat, and extend to maritime zones in the North Arabian Sea. The operations will involve amphibious missions, carrier-based operations, and extensive land-air-sea coordination, marking one of India’s largest integrated military drills.

5. SANJAY GARG TAKES CHARGE AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF BIS –

• Senior civil servant Sanjay Garg of the IAS 1994 batch (Kerala cadre) has assumed charge as Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) effective 1 November 2025. This appointment places him at the helm of India’s national standards body, with additional responsibility as the President of India’s national committee in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Background & Career Highlights

• Sanjay Garg brings over 30 years of administrative experience covering strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation across sectors such as agriculture, food logistics, defence industry, industrial promotion, finance and social sectors.
• Prior to joining BIS as DG, his key roles included,
• Secretary, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Research and Education (DARE)
• In these roles, he led digital transformations (for example, the “Kisan Sarathi” portal connecting farmers with scientists) and managed World Bank‑funded projects.
• Role and Significance of the Appointment

What is BIS?

• BIS is India’s national body responsible for formulating standards for products and services, ensuring quality, safety and reliability for consumers, industries and markets.
• It plays a key role in supporting national policy objectives in areas like consumer protection, food‑safety, industrial regulation and hallmarking.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) is located in which state ?

1. a) Andhra Pradesh
2. b) Karnataka
3. c) Kerala
4. d) Tamil Nadu

Q2.   The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 trophy has been renamed to honor which legendary chess player ?

1. a) Garry Kasparov
2. b) Magnus Carlsen
3. c) Viswanathan Anand
4. d) Vladimir Kramnik

Q3.   In news, Lucknow has been designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy at the 43rd UNESCO General Conference. Which other Indian city already holds this tag ?

1. a) Hyderabad
2. b) Jaipur
3. c) Varanasi
4. d) Chennai

Q4.   Consider the following statements regarding the concept of “G2”:

1. The term “G2” was first proposed by economist C. Fred Bergsten to describe strategic cooperation between the United States and China.
2. The G2 framework aims to foster exclusive bilateral cooperation in global governance while excluding other powers.
3. The recent Trump–Xi meeting in Busan was formally recognized as the institutional launch of the G2 grouping.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The G2 idea was coined by C. Fred Bergsten (2005), envisioning U.S.–China cooperation to tackle global issues such as trade, climate, and security.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Although G2 focuses on U.S.–China cooperation, it does not explicitly aim to exclude other powers.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: The Trump–Xi meeting in Busan was symbolic and informal, not an official or institutional launch of a G2. It reflected a potential revival of dialogue, not the formation of a formal group.

Q5.   Consider the following statements regarding the Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project:

1. The project aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
2. Great Nicobar Island is located near the Malacca Strait and hosts Indira Point, India’s southernmost tip.
3. The project’s clearances have been challenged due to concerns over ecological fragility and tribal rights.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The ₹92,000-crore GNI Project is part of India’s long-term maritime and economic modernization frameworks — Maritime Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
• Statement 2 – Correct: Great Nicobar lies close to the Malacca Strait, one of the world’s busiest trade routes, and includes Indira Point, India’s southernmost geographical location.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Environmental and forest clearances granted in 2022 were challenged in courts over concerns about tribal rights (especially the Shompen PVTG) and ecological vulnerability.

Answer Key