CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 November, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 November, 2025

1. INDIA PLANS TO ALLOW PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN NUCLEAR ENERGY –

• The Prime Minister of India announced that the country will soon open its civil nuclear power sector to private players, ahead of the Parliament’s winter session where the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 will be introduced to expand nuclear capacity and attract private investment.

How can the Private Sector Strengthen India’s Nuclear Power Programme?

• India’s Ambitious Capacity Expansion: India plans to scale nuclear capacity from 8.8 GW to 22 GW by 2032 and 100 GW by 2047, but the sector is still dominated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), which lack the capital, manpower, and construction capacity needed to meet these ambitious targets.
• Private players can augment capital, skilled workforce, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) capabilities, making large-scale expansion feasible.
• Bridging the Massive Financing Gap: Reaching 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047 needs about Rs 15 lakh crore investment, but the 2025–26 Budget allocates only Rs 20,000 crore.
• Nuclear projects demand huge upfront costs, making limited public funds a major challenge and highlighting the need for private investment to mobilise long-term capital, reduce the fiscal burden, and diversify funding sources.
• Accelerating Project Execution: Many NPCIL projects, such as Kudankulam Units 3–6, have faced chronic delays due to procurement issues, slow construction, and administrative hurdles.
• Private players can help speed up projects through better project management and stronger supply-chain efficiency.
• Boosting Technology & Innovation: Private sector involvement can support the adoption of advanced reactor designs, small modular reactors (SMRs), and global collaborations, keys to scaling nuclear capacity and improving safety.
• Strengthening Uranium Supply Chains: Allowing private firms to mine, import, and process uranium can upgrade India’s limited domestic capability, reduce dependence on Government-to-Government (G2G) deals, and build strategic reserves for long-term nuclear fuel security.
• Enhancing India’s Energy Security & Net-Zero Pathway: Private participation helps accelerate low-carbon capacity growth, supporting India’s net-zero 2070 commitments.
• Private sector entry can deepen localisation of reactor components, boost domestic manufacturing, and integrate India into global nuclear supply chains.

2. OPERATION SAGAR BANDHU –

• India has initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu to deliver humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah triggered massive floods and landslides.
• Cyclone Ditwah is a tropical storm that rapidly formed over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
• The name Ditwah was contributed by Yemen, following the regional naming system for North Indian Ocean cyclones.
• Operation Sagar Bandhu: India rushed relief using INS Vikrant, INS Udaigiri, and an IAF C-130J carrying tents, blankets, food, hygiene kits, and tarpaulins.
• India has consistently acted as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region, especially for Sri Lanka, extending support during the MV XPress Pearl ship-fire disaster in 2021 and providing assistance during Cyclone Roanu (2016).
• The mission aligns with India’s Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, reinforcing India’s role as a reliable first responder in the Indian Ocean region.
• India and HADR: India has positioned itself as a global first responder in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), delivering swift support during major international crises through missions like Operation Maitri in Nepal, Operation Samudra Maitri in Indonesia, and Operation Dost in Türkiye and Syria.
• Its leadership is further reinforced through bilateral and regional HADR exercises such as PANEX-21 with BIMSTEC nations and Samanvay-22 with ASEAN countries, strengthening preparedness, coordination, and regional disaster response capacity.

3. INDIA’S FOREX RESERVES FALL BY $4.47 BILLION TO $688.1 BILLION: RBI –

• India’s foreign exchange reserves witnessed a sharp decline of USD 4.472 billion, bringing the total down to USD 688.104 billion for the week ending November 21, 2025, according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This fall follows a USD 5.543 billion increase in the previous reporting week and is primarily attributed to a significant drop in the value of gold reserves and foreign currency assets.

Components of the Decline

1. Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs)

• FCAs, which form the largest component of India’s forex reserves, dropped by USD 1.69 billion, reaching USD 560.6 billion.
• These assets are maintained in major global currencies like the euro, pound, and yen, and their dollar value fluctuates based on currency appreciation or depreciation.

2. Gold Reserves

• The value of gold reserves saw a steep decline of USD 2.675 billion, falling to USD 104.182 billion.
• This indicates a global correction in gold prices or portfolio rebalancing by the RBI.

3. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs)

• SDRs, the international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), also declined by USD 84 million, reaching USD 18.566 billion.

4. IMF Reserve Position

• India’s reserve position with the IMF dropped by USD 23 million, closing at USD 4.757 billion.

4. VLADIMIR PUTIN’S INDIA VISIT FOR 23RD INDIA–RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMIT IN DECEMBER –

• In a major diplomatic development, Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on 4–5 December 2025 for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, marking a crucial moment in the long-standing and strategic partnership between the two countries. This visit, coming at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to reaffirm and elevate bilateral cooperation across key sectors like defence, trade, energy, and global diplomacy. This will be Putin’s first visit to India since 2021, and notably, the first since the onset of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022.

Background

• India and Russia have shared strong diplomatic ties since 1947, which significantly deepened during the Cold War. The relationship was formally elevated with the Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2000, followed by an upgrade to a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” in 2010, reflecting high trust and multi-sectoral cooperation.
• Annual summits, held alternately in both countries since 2000, form the backbone of this institutional engagement and are critical for reviewing progress and setting new goals.

Objective of the Visit

• President Putin’s upcoming visit is aimed at reinforcing the multi-dimensional ties between India and Russia. The key objectives include,
• Reviewing ongoing bilateral projects and agreements
• Setting a strategic roadmap for future cooperation
• Enhancing dialogue on regional and global issues of mutual concern
• Strengthening cooperation in defence, energy, trade, and technology

5. INDIA’S RISE: THIRD PLACE IN ASIA POWER INDEX 2025 –

• India has achieved a major milestone in its global rise by securing the third rank in the Asia Power Index 2025, trailing only behind the United States and China. This marks a significant leap for India, which has now officially entered the category of a “major power” as per the threshold defined by the Asia Power Index, developed by the Australia-based Lowy Institute.
• This accomplishment underscores India’s growing influence in Asia, driven by its economic progress, military capability, and future strategic resources — all of which are crucial in shaping the continent’s geopolitical landscape.

What is the Asia Power Index?

• The Asia Power Index is an annual assessment that evaluates the comprehensive power of countries across Asia. In its seventh edition (2025), it ranked 27 countries and territories based on 131 indicators across eight core dimensions,
• Economic Capability
• Military Capability
• Resilience
• Future Resources
• Diplomatic Influence
• Economic Relationships
• Defence Networks
• Cultural Influence

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.  Karthigai Deepam festival is primarily celebrated in which state ?

1. a) Tamil Nadu
2. b) Gujarat
3. c) Odisha
4. d) Maharashtra

Q2.  India secured which rank in the Asia Power Index 2025 released by the Lowy Institute ?

1. a) First
2. b) Second
3. c) Third
4. d) Fourth

Q3.  In which year and state was the first edition of the India–Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran held ?

1. a) 2010, Arunachal Pradesh
2. b) 2011, Mizoram
3. c) 2012, Sikkim
4. d) 2013, Uttarakhand

Q4.  Consider the following statements about Article 142 of the Indian Constitution:

1. It allows the Supreme Court to amend the Constitution if it helps in delivering complete justice.
2. It has been invoked in environmental and electoral reforms.
3. It serves as a constitutional safety valve in the absence of legislative action.
4. The orders under Article 142 are binding and enforceable until overridden by subsequent legislation.

         How many of the above options are correct ?

1. a) Only one
2. b) Only two
3. c) Only three
4. d) All four

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is incorrect — The Supreme Court cannot amend the Constitution under Article 142. Only Parliament can do that under Article 368. Article 142 is about delivering complete justice within the framework of the Constitution.
• Statements 2, 3, and 4 are correct.
• It has been used in landmark cases related to pollution control, bans on harmful substances, and electoral transparency.
• It functions as a constitutional safety valve, especially in cases where legislative inertia would otherwise deny justice.
• Orders under Article 142 are binding and have the force of law until overridden by subsequent legislation.

Q5.  Consider the following statements about Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):

1. It is chaired by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
2. It grants Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for all major capital defence acquisitions.
3. It was established in the aftermath of the Kargil War

         Which of the above statements 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 Defence Minister chairs the DAC, not the Chief of Defence Staff, who may be a member or part of deliberations.
• DAC grants AoN for all major capital acquisitions, including those above financial thresholds like ₹500 crore, although the exact threshold may vary based on delegation of powers.
• The DAC was created post the Kargil War as part of structural reforms suggested by the Group of Ministers.
• About Defence Acquisition Council (DAC):
• What it is:
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the apex body under the Ministry of Defence that oversees capital acquisitions for India’s defence forces.
• Established in:
• Formed in 2001, based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers on National Security Reform after the Kargil War.
• Chaired by: Defence Minister of India currently Rajnath Singh.
• Functions:
• Grant Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisitions.
• Categorize acquisitions into Buy, Buy & Make, or Make categories.
• Approve the 15-Year Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTPP).
• Monitor major procurement projects and ensure progress with regular feedback.

Answer Key