CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 November, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 14 November, 2025

1. INDIA LAUNCH CLIMATE FINANCE PLATFORMS AT COP30 2025 –

• India, along with 13 other developing countries and regions, announced plans to establish country- or region-specific platforms during a ministerial event at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
• India declared that COP30 must be a “COP of Adaptation,” reinforcing the need for stronger adaptation finance and outcomes, including the adoption of core Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) indicators.
• About National Platform for “Climate and Nature Finance”
• It is a unified national mechanism that streamlines and coordinates India’s access to global climate and nature finance by replacing the current fragmented approach.

Launched at COP30

• 14 Countries And 1 Regional Group Are: Cambodia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Mongolia, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Rwanda, South Africa & Togo and the member states of the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC).
• Purpose: To replace India’s scattered ministry-level and project-level climate finance efforts with a unified national system that improves coordination, reduces inefficiencies, and increases successful access to international funds.
• Supported Through: Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme.

2. GLOBAL TUBERCULOSIS REPORT 2025 –

• According to the WHO Global TB Report 2025, India has achieved a 21% decline in tuberculosis incidence between 2015 and 2024.

Key Findings of the Report

• Global Trends
• Global health challenge: In 2024, 10.7 million people fell ill with TB and 1.23 million died. TB continues to be among the top 10 killers globally and remains the leading infectious disease cause of death.
• High-burden concentration: 30 countries account for 87% of cases. India, Indonesia, Philippines, China, Pakistan, Nigeria, DR Congo, and Bangladesh together contribute 67%
• Success stories: African and European regions achieved major reductions in mortality (46% and 49%, respectively). Over 100 countries saw ≥20% incidence decline.
• Threats to Progress: Despite improvements, funding gaps and inequitable access to diagnosis and treatment threaten global TB control efforts.
• Financing Gap: In 2024, only $5.9 billion was available for global TB prevention and treatment — far below the $22 billion target for 2027.
• R&D Lag: Funding for TB research reached $1.2 billion in 2023, just 24% of what is required.

3. SHEIKH HASINA SENTENCED TO DEATH: BANGLADESH’S POLITICAL EARTHQUAKE –

• The political landscape of Bangladesh has been shaken by a historic verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ousted after a massive student uprising that led to the fall of her government, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. The trial, conducted in Hasina’s absence, has drawn criticism and allegations of political vendetta.

Background of the Case

• Sheikh Hasina, a dominant figure in Bangladesh’s politics for decades, found herself at the center of controversy following the student-led mass protests that unfolded last year. These protests escalated into a nationwide uprising, ultimately leading to the collapse of her administration.

Key Points

• Hasina served as Prime Minister for multiple terms.
• Student protests escalated into a national movement.
• Her government was toppled following civil unrest.

4. ISRO TO TRIPLE SPACECRAFT OUTPUT AND LAUNCH CHANDRAYAAN‑4 IN 2028 –

• India’s space program is entering a new era of growth and innovation. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has unveiled a robust expansion plan, setting ambitious goals for the next decade. With a focus on lunar exploration, human spaceflight, and building a space station, ISRO is working to significantly enhance its global standing and domestic capabilities. These developments not only strengthen India’s scientific and strategic presence in space but also open up vast economic and technological opportunities.

ISRO’s Roadmap: Scaling Up Missions and Production

• ISRO has announced its intent to triple the production of spacecraft over the next three years to meet the growing demand for launches and scientific missions. The agency plans to conduct seven more launches in the current financial year, including,

Commercial communication satellites

• PSLV and GSLV missions
• The first fully industry-manufactured PSLV
• This scale-up aligns with India’s goal of expanding its presence in the global space market and increasing private sector participation.
• Chandrayaan-4
• Scheduled for 2028, Chandrayaan-4 will be India’s first lunar sample-return mission, making it the country’s most advanced moon exploration project to date.

5. EXERCISE GARUDA 25: INDIA AND FRANCE STRENGTHEN AERIAL TIES –

• In a major step toward bolstering defence cooperation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the 8th edition of the bilateral air exercise ‘Garuda 25’ with the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The joint exercise is being held from 16 to 27 November 2025 at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France, marking yet another chapter in the strong strategic partnership between the two nations.

IAF’s Strategic Deployment and Key Assets

• The IAF contingent landed in France on 10 November 2025, showcasing its long-range deployment capability and preparedness. For this exercise, the IAF has deployed its Su-30MKI multirole fighter aircraft, known for its versatility in air superiority and strike roles.
• Supporting airlift and logistical operations are,
• C-17 Globemaster III: For transportation during induction and de-induction phases
• IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft: Extending the operational reach and endurance of Su-30MKI fighters via mid-air refuelling

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Vrindavani Vastra is associated with which Indian state ?

1. a) Assam
2. b) Manipur
3. c) Nagaland
4. d) Sikkim

Q2.  What type of missile is “INVAR” that was recently seen in news ?

1. a) Anti-Tank Guided Missile
2. b) Anti-Ship Missile
3. c) Cruise Missile
4. d) Surface-to-Surface Missile

Q3.  Which global organization released the Global TB Report 2025 ?

1. a) World Health Organization (WHO)
2. b) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
3. c) UNICEF
4. d) World Bank

Q4.  With reference to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) implemented in Delhi-NCR, consider the following statements:

1. GRAP Stage III is activated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 400, falling under the “Severe” category.
2. Under Stage III, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are prohibited from operating in Delhi-NCR.
3. Essential services vehicles and those used by physically challenged persons are exempted from GRAP Stage III restrictions.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: GRAP Stage III is implemented when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 401, marking the “Severe” category. It involves strict emergency measures to control pollution spikes.
• Statement 2 – Correct: In GRAP Stage III , BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles be banned from operating in Delhi-NCR. Only CNG, electric, and BS-VI diesel vehicles are permitted.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Exemptions apply to vehicles used by physically challenged persons, emergency services (like ambulances, police, and fire services), and government/utility vehicles engaged in essential services.

Q5.  With reference to Tribunals in India, consider the following statements:

1. Tribunals were introduced through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, under Articles 323A and 323B of the Constitution.
2. Article 323A empowers both Parliament and State Legislatures to establish tribunals for service matters.
3. Article 323B enables the establishment of tribunals dealing with matters such as taxation, industrial disputes, and land reforms.

         Which of the statements given above is/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 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 introduced Articles 323A and 323B, providing the constitutional foundation for setting up tribunals in India to reduce the burden on regular courts.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Article 323A empowers only Parliament, not State Legislatures, to establish Administrative Tribunals dealing with service matters of public servants.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Article 323B empowers both Parliament and State Legislatures to establish tribunals for specific matters such as taxation, industrial disputes, land reforms, elections, and consumer protection.

Answer Key