CURRENT AFFAIRS 16-17 November, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 16-17 November, 2025

1. INDIA TARGETS 55% FEMALE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION BY 2030 –

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced a strategic plan to raise India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) from 41.7% (FY24) to 55% by 2030. The target is aimed towards Bridging the Gender Employment Gap.

Why is Raising Female Labour Force Participation Vital for India’s Growth?

• Major Driver of Economic Growth: Women entering the workforce boost overall productivity, enhance innovation, and strengthen financial stability, making India more resilient and competitive globally.
• As per McKinsey report pushing gender equality can deliver a sizable additional economic growth and could add Rs 46 lakh crore (USD 700 billion) to India’s GDP in 2025.
• Diversifies Talent & Strengthens Industries: Women bring varied perspectives that deepen the labour pool, stimulate fresh ideas, and help industries adapt to changing economic trends.
• Sectors such as healthcare, education, financial services, and STEM stand to gain significantly from a balanced gender workforce.
• Catalyst for Gender Equality: Workforce participation empowers women through financial independence, asset ownership, and bargaining power, which are critical for achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Transforms Household & Community Welfare: Empirical studies show that women tend to invest a greater share of their income in education, nutrition, and healthcare for their families.
• This enhances human capital development and breaks intergenerational cycles of poverty.
• Foundation for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth: Expanding women’s role across sectors—from agriculture and MSMEs to AI and clean energy—promotes equitable and sustainable development.
• Women’s workforce integration is not just a rights-based issue but a strategic economic imperative, crucial for India’s transition to a USD 5 trillion economy and achievement of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

2. ANTI-DUMPING DUTY –

• India has imposed a five-year anti-dumping duty on hot-rolled steel imports from Vietnam after investigations confirmed that unfairly low-priced imports were harming the domestic steel industry.
• The decision follows Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) findings confirming that Vietnamese steel was dumped below normal value, causing injury to Indian producers. Stainless steel hot-rolled products are excluded from the duty.
• In India, anti-dumping cases are investigated by the DGTR under the Ministry of Commerce, while the Finance Ministry imposes the duty.
• Anti-dumping Duty: It is a protective tariff imposed on imports that are priced lower than their normal value in the exporting country.
• Its primary purpose is to shield domestic industries from harm caused by unfairly priced foreign imports.
• India is one of the largest users of anti-dumping duties in the world, most of which have been imposed on Chinese imports.
• World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, through Article 6 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (1994), permit member countries to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties under specific and strictly regulated conditions.

3. INDIA AND FRANCE BEGIN ‘GARUDA’ AIR EXERCISE AT MONT-DE-MARSAN –

• India and France have launched the latest edition of the Garuda air combat exercise at Mont-de-Marsan, marking a renewed push to strengthen defence interoperability and deepen their strategic partnership. The joint drill underscores expanding air cooperation between the two nations at a time of evolving regional and global security dynamics.

Indian and French Fighters Train in Advanced Air Combat

• The Indian Air Force has deployed six Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft supported by IL-78 mid-air refuelling and C-17 Globemaster-III transport platforms. These aircraft will operate alongside French multirole fighters, including Rafales, in demanding simulated combat scenarios. The exercise is designed to refine air-to-air engagements, strengthen air defence tactics and practise coordinated strike missions.

4. ISRO CONFIRMS CHANDRAYAAN-4 FOR 2028 AND SPACE STATION PLAN FOR 2035 –

• The Indian Space Research Organisation is preparing for increased launch activity even as flagship missions such as Chandrayaan-4 and an indigenous space station take centre stage.

Chandrayaan-4 Approved as India’s First Sample-Return Mission

• ISRO has received government approval for Chandrayaan-4, scheduled for launch in 2028. Designed as India’s most complex lunar mission to date, it will attempt to bring back samples from the Moon—an achievement accomplished so far only by the United States, Russia and China. The mission will rely on advanced landing, ascent and return systems, placing India among leading nations in deep-space capability.

5. 10TH INTERNATIONAL GITA FESTIVAL BEGINS IN KURUKSHETRA –

• The 10th edition of the International Gita Festival has opened in Kurukshetra, marking the start of a three-week spiritual and cultural celebration. The annual event draws devotees, scholars and visitors from India and abroad, highlighting the global reverence for the Bhagavad Gita and the historic significance of Kurukshetra.

Festival Schedule and Key Highlights

• The festival runs from 15 November to 5 December, featuring large-scale cultural, spiritual and educational activities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend the celebrations on 25 November. This year’s event also includes extensive participation from the partner state, Madhya Pradesh, which is showcasing its cultural heritage through a dedicated pavilion, craft stalls and culinary exhibits.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  The Omen drone is jointly developed by USA and which country ?

1. a) United Arab Emirates (UAE)
2. b) France
3. c) Germany
4. d) Australia

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.  Mudh-Nyoma Airbase, that was recently seen in news, is located in which state/UT ?

1. a) Arunachal Pradesh
2. b) Uttarakhand
3. c) Sikkim
4. d) Ladakh

Q4.  With reference to Narcoterrorism, consider the following statements:

1. The term was first coined to describe the use of drug trafficking by terrorist groups to fund ideological activities.
2. In the contemporary context, narcoterrorism includes the use of drones and maritime routes for transporting narcotics and weapons.
3. Narcoterrorism undermines national security by promoting corruption, crime, and destabilization of state institutions.

         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 is incorrect: The term was originally coined in 1983 by Peruvian President Fernando Belaúnde Terry to describe cartel violence against the state, not terrorist groups funding ideology.
• Statement 2 is correct: In the contemporary context, narcoterrorism includes the use of drones and maritime routes for transporting narcotics and weapons.
• Statement 3 is correct: Narcoterrorism weakens states by fostering crime, corruption, and destabilization.

Q5.  With reference to the Global Carbon Budget (2025), consider the following statements:

1. India’s fossil fuel-related CO₂ emissions growth in 2025 is projected to be lower than that of the United States.
2. China’s projected emissions growth in 2025 is higher than the global average growth rate.
3. Global fossil CO₂ emissions in 2025 are projected to increase across coal, oil, and natural gas.

         Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1: Correct. India’s emissions are projected to grow by 1.4%, lower than the United States’ 1.9%.
• Statement 2: Incorrect. China’s growth is 0.4%, which is lower than the global average of 1.1%.
• Statement 3: Correct. Global fossil emissions are projected to rise with increases in coal (+0.8%), oil (+1%), and natural gas (+1.3%).

Answer Key