CURRENT AFFAIRS 23-24 November, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 23-24 November, 2025

1. INDIA PUSHES BIG CAT CONSERVATION AT COP30 –

• India, at the High-Level Ministerial Segment on the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) during United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (CoP30) in Belém, Brazil called for stronger global cooperation to protect big cats.
• India will host the Global Big Cats Summit in New Delhi in 2026.
• India also released ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future: A Decade of Climate Action’, summarising progress in mitigation, adaptation and climate finance, and outlining the pathway to a Viksit and Sustainable Bharat 2047.

Why are Big Cats Important for Climate and Biodiversity?

• Apex Predators: They regulate prey populations and maintain ecological balance across forests and grasslands.
• Healthy predator–prey dynamics improve ecosystem resilience to climate change, droughts and habitat degradation.
• Ecosystem Health Indicators: Thriving big cat populations reflect healthy forests, regenerating grasslands and functioning watershed systems.
• Nature-Based Climate Solutions: Big cat landscapes store carbon, support natural regeneration and strengthen long-term climate mitigation efforts, making them important Nature-Based Climate Solutions.
• Conserving big cats safeguards carbon sinks, water security, biodiversity and soil stability, which are the key components of climate and ecological health.

2. TIGER RETURNS TO GUJARAT AFTER THREE DECADES –

• A tiger has been officially spotted in Gujarat’s Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), marking the first confirmed sighting of the species in the state since it was declared extinct in 1989.
• Gujarat now hosts lions, tigers, and leopards, and is preparing Banni Grasslands for a cheetah breeding and conservation centre under Project Cheetah.

Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location & Establishment: Also known as Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, located in the Dahod district of Gujarat, borders Jhabua and Kathiwada regions of Madhya Pradesh that are both known for tiger population.
• It was declared a sanctuary in 1982.
• Flora: It has dry teak forests at the foothills and mixed deciduous forests with dry bamboo thickets on the periphery, with a high concentration of Mahua and Jamun trees, key food sources for sloth bears.
• Fauna: It is a crucial habitat for the Sloth Bear, supporting the maximum population of this species in the entire state of Gujarat. It also hosts a large population of leopards.
• Ecological Significance: Forms the catchment of river Panam, supporting water conservation and irrigation in Dahod and Panchmahals districts.

3. JUSTICE SURYA KANT SWORN IN AS THE 53RD CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA –

• On November 24, 2025, Justice Surya Kant officially assumed office as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI) after being administered the oath by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. His appointment marks a significant moment for the Indian judiciary, as he brings decades of legal experience and a strong track record of involvement in landmark judgments. His tenure as CJI will run until February 9, 2027, giving him a little over a year to lead the Supreme Court.

The Oath Ceremony

• Justice Surya Kant took the oath of office in Hindi in the name of God at a brief yet dignified ceremony.
• The event was attended by several high-ranking leaders, including Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Following the ceremony, Justice Kant greeted the Prime Minister, and a customary group photograph was taken featuring the President, Vice-President, PM Modi, outgoing CJI Justice Gavai, and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal.
• Former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar was also present to congratulate the new Chief Justice.

4. CONSTITUTION 131ST AMENDMENT BILL 2025: CHANDIGARH UNDER ARTICLE 240 –

• The Government of India is poised to introduce the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to bring the Union Territory of Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution. This legislative move signals a significant shift in how Chandigarh is governed and aligns it with other Union Territories (UTs) that operate directly under Presidential regulations.
• Currently, the Governor of Punjab serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh, a legacy arrangement dating back to its dual role as the capital of both Punjab and Haryana. The proposed amendment could potentially establish an independent administrative structure for Chandigarh.

What Is Article 240?

• Article 240 empowers the President of India to make regulations for the peace, progress, and good governance of certain UTs. These currently include,
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Lakshadweep
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
• Puducherry (only when its assembly is suspended or dissolved)
• The proposed bill would add Chandigarh to this list, granting the President regulatory authority over the Union Territory.

What the Amendment Proposes

• Inclusion of Chandigarh under Article 240: This means Chandigarh will be governed directly through Presidential regulations rather than being administered by the Governor of Punjab.
• Alignment with Other UTs Without Legislatures: It puts Chandigarh in the same administrative bracket as UTs that do not have legislative assemblies.
• Scope for Independent Administrator: It paves the way for appointing a separate Administrator or Lieutenant Governor for Chandigarh, independent of Punjab’s gubernatorial structure.

5. INDIA WINS INAUGURAL BLIND WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2025 –

• Making history in women’s cricket, India emerged victorious in the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, by defeating Nepal in a clinical seven-wicket triumph on November 23, 2025. The final, played at the iconic P Sara Oval, showcased India’s dominance in the sport and marked a historic milestone for inclusive cricket. This win not only establishes India as the first champion of the blind women’s T20 format but also underscores the nation’s growing leadership in promoting disability sports at the international level.

Match Summary: India vs Nepal – A Commanding Final

• Nepal’s Innings
• After winning the toss and opting to bowl, India’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance, restricting Nepal to 114 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
• The Indian bowling unit kept the pressure on throughout the innings, preventing Nepal from accelerating the run rate.
• Tight fielding and effective use of the conditions ensured Nepal never got out of control, despite a few late boundaries.
• India’s Chase
• India’s response was emphatic. The team chased down the target of 115 runs in just 12 overs, finishing at 117 for 3 with eight overs to spare.
• Indian batters played with freedom, confidence, and clarity.
• Smart rotation of strike and timely boundaries ensured a smooth chase.
• The comprehensive victory by seven wickets reflects India’s dominance throughout the tournament.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Bhoramdev Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state ?

1. a) Chhattisgarh
2. b) Jharkhand
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Maharashtra

Q2.  Which is the only Indian river that cuts the Tropic of Cancer twice ?

1. a) Chambal River
2. b) Mahi River
3. c) Luni River
4. d) Banas River

Q3.  The Sangai Festival is celebrated in which state ?

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

Q4.  With reference to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, consider the following statements:

1. Tejas is India’s first indigenously designed and produced 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
2. It is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
3. Tejas has been certified as the world’s lightest supersonic fighter aircraft.

         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 correct: Tejas is a 4.5-generation, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft and India’s first indigenously designed & developed aircraft of this class.
• Statement 2 is correct: It is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
• Statement 3 is incorrect: Tejas is among the lightest supersonic fighters, but not officially certified as the world’s lightest.

Q5.  With reference to the four labour codes notified by the Indian government on 21 November 2025, which of the following codes have been implemented ?

1. Code on Wages, 2019
2. Code on Social Security, 2020
3. Industrial Relations Code, 2020
4. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020
5. Code on Building & Construction Workers, 2023

         Select the correct answer:

1. a) 1, 3,4 and 5 only
2. b) 1,2, 3 and 5 only
3. c) 2 ,3 ,4 and 5 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 Only

Explanation-

The four labour codes notified as of 21 November 2025 are:

• Code on Wages, 2019
• Code on Social Security, 2020
• Industrial Relations Code, 2020
• Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSHWC) Code, 2020
• There is no Code on Building & Construction Workers, 2023 in this list.

Answer Key