Weekly Current Affairs Test : 8th to 14th November 2025

Bangladesh became the first country in South Asia to join the United Nations (UN) Water Convention. The UN Water Convention is officially called the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. It was adopted in Helsinki in 1992 and came into force in 1996. Initially designed for the pan-European region, it became open to all UN Member States after March 2016. It is a legally binding treaty promoting sustainable management of shared water resources. It helps prevent conflicts, promote peace, and support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary in Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, has come alive with thousands of migratory birds marking the start of the season. It is one of the oldest bird-protected areas in India and Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary is a freshwater wetland protected by local communities. It is recognized internationally as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) on the Coromandel Coast.

A flock of rare White Ibis, also known as Black-headed Ibis, was recently sighted in the salt pan regions of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. The Black-headed Ibis, also called the Oriental White Ibis or Indian White Ibis, belongs to the ibis family Threskiornithidae. It is a wader bird adapted to various aquatic environments. It is found across South and Southeast Asia, from India to Japan. It is listed as “Least Concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

The United States (US) Air Force recently conducted a successful test launch of an unarmed Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), planned months in advance. The LGM-30G Minuteman III is an American-made silo-launched guided missile designed for surface attacks. “L” stands for silo-launched, “G” for surface attack, and “M” for guided missile in the US Department of Defense code. The US currently maintains around 440 Minuteman III missiles in its arsenal.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released the State of the Climate Update for COP30. 2025 is projected to be the 2nd or 3rd warmest year on record. The last 11 years, including 2025, are the warmest 11 years in recorded history. This indicates global efforts are not on track to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals. The period 2015–2025 will be the warmest 11-year span in 176 years. Atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) reached record levels in 2024 and continue rising in 2025. Renewable energy adoption is expanding. Climate action plans are increasingly guided by science-based climate services

Recently, the Government of India notified rules for “Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).” An Access Pass is now mandatory for mechanized and large-sized motorized fishing vessels. The Access Pass can be obtained through the online ReALCRaft Portal (Registration And Licensing of Fishing Craft). ReALCRaft is a national online platform developed using open-source technology. It is developed by the Department of Fisheries, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The portal offers web-based, citizen-friendly services for registration, licensing, and ownership transfer of fishing vessels.

Recently, researchers from Mangalore University and Yenepoya (Deemed-to-be University) discovered a distinct ancestral source in the Koraga tribe, possibly dating back to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The Koraga are an indigenous tribal community mainly found in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala. They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). As per the 2011 Census, their population is 1,582 with 778 males and 804 females.

Recently, Google announced plans to set up a large Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centre on Christmas Island, located in the Indian Ocean. The project follows a cloud partnership signed earlier this year with the Australian Department of Defence. Christmas Island lies about 360 km south of Java and 1,400 km northwest of mainland Australia. It is an external territory of Australia. The island forms the summit of an oceanic mountain, with Murray Hill (361 metres) as its highest point. Its main settlement and port is Flying Fish Cove, situated on the northeastern coast.

Recently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China inducted the Fujian aircraft carrier after extensive trials. Fujian is China’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier, following Liaoning and Shandong. It is China’s first domestically designed and built carrier. With this, China now has the second-largest fleet of aircraft carriers, after the United States (US). Fujian is the first Chinese carrier with a catapult launch system, enabling heavier, fully armed warplanes and longer operational range.

Recently, scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Crassicaulis middletonii. It was found in the evergreen forests of West Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh. This marks the first record of the genus Crassicaulis in India, extending its range 1,200 km westward from Yunnan province, China. It has white flowers with pink tinge, a greenish ovary, and a distinct calyx and capsule shape. It is classified as “Critically Endangered” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

In November 2025, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) banned tourist entry into the ‘Nata Mandap’ of the Konark Sun Temple in Puri district, Odisha. The Konark Sun Temple is located on the coastline of Odisha. It is also known as Surya Devalaya and is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya. Historical texts show that King Narasimha I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty built it around 1250 CE.

In November 2025, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri reached Guam in the Northern Pacific to join the multilateral Exercise Malabar-2025. The participation reaffirms India’s strong partnership and commitment to regional security and maritime cooperation. INS Sahyadri is an indigenously built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate, symbolising the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The 29th edition of the Malabar Naval Exercise began on November 10, 2025, at Guam, a key United States (US) military base in the western Pacific Ocean. The exercise involves the navies of India, the United States, Japan, and Australia.

In November 2025, scientists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) collaborated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to estimate key parameters of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME). They used data from the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) payload onboard India’s Aditya-L1 mission. VELC is the main payload of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory placed 1.5 million kilometres from Earth. It is an internally occulted solar coronagraph capable of imaging, spectroscopy, and spectro-polarimetry near the solar limb.

In November 2025, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) during the National Urban Conclave 2025 in New Delhi. DRAP is a year-long, mission-mode initiative to fast-track the cleanup of dumpsites across urban India. The programme aims to achieve the national goal of “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” by September 2026. Currently, 1,428 sites are under remediation, with 80% of legacy waste concentrated in 214 sites across 202 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). DRAP will target about 8.8 crore metric tonnes (MT) of legacy waste at these locations.

In November 2025, Gujarat announced 2025 as “Tribal Pride Year” to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote tribal heritage through Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas and sustainable development. Gujarat became India’s first state to launch a large-scale genome sequencing project focused on tribal communities. Led by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) under the Genome India initiative, it studies genetic disorders caused by limited diversity and endogamy. It targets diseases like sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, and G6PD deficiency through early diagnosis and precision medicine.

In November 2025, David Szalay won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel “Flesh”, becoming the first Hungarian-British author to win the award. The Booker Prize is the world’s leading literary award for a single work of fiction. It was founded in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1969. Initially limited to Commonwealth writers, it is now open to authors worldwide. It honors the best English-language novel published in the UK or Ireland. The novel must be original, not a translation, and published by a registered UK or Irish imprint. The winner receives £50,000, while shortlisted authors get £2,500 each.

In November 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed an outbreak of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in Mauritania and Senegal, Western Africa. Rift Valley Fever is caused by a Phlebovirus from the Phenuiviridae family. It mainly affects animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. Humans get infected through contact with infected animals or mosquito bites. It does not spread from person to person. The disease was first identified in Kenya’s Rift Valley in the 1930s. It later spread across sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

In November 2025, it was announced that the 2nd World Health Organization (WHO) Traditional Medicine Global Summit will be held from 17th to 19th next month at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The summit is co-hosted by WHO and the Ministry of AYUSH. Its theme is “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being.” It aims to promote evidence, dialogue, and action for integrating Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Medicine. The summit focuses on linking science, innovation, indigenous wisdom, and digital health.

In November 2025, a proposed 50-Megawatt (MW) wind farm by the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) was reported to potentially affect the Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS). The Greater Flamingo’s range covers Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. It breeds in shallow, saline, and alkaline wetlands. The Greater Flamingo Sanctuary (GFS) is located in Tamil Nadu, specifically in Dhanushkodi within the Ramanathapuram district. It is part of the ecologically sensitive Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve.

The Indian Army conducted Exercise Brahmashira in the Rann and Creek Sector, Gujarat, under the Tri-Services Exercise Trishul. It involved the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Border Security Force (BSF) with civil administration. The drill tested integrated land-sea-air operations and multi-domain coordination. It featured Joint Task Forces and a modern Joint Control Centre for real-time coordination. The exercise validated new technologies, cyber and drone warfare, and Military-Civil Fusion. Southern Command also led Exercises MaruJwala and Akhand Prahaar in the Thar Desert. It reflects the Army’s Decade of Transformation and focus on Jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and Innovation

Researchers recently discovered a new aquatic insect species called Jaechanax kuranganiensis, a type of water-penny beetle. It was found in the fast-flowing Kurangani stream of the Bodi Hills, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu. This is the first record of the Jaechanax genus in Tamil Nadu. The genus was earlier known only from three species found in other Asian countries.

Maharashtra secured first position in the Best State category of the 6th National Water Awards for 2024. The awards were announced by Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil. Gujarat and Haryana were placed second and third respectively. This year, 46 winners were selected across ten categories, including Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, and Best Institution. The 1st National Water Awards were launched in 2018 by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR) to promote awareness and best water usage practices.

Bharat-Sri Lanka Sanskrit Mahotsav was inaugurated at the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event was inaugurated by High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr Madhura Senevirathna. The festival celebrates Sanskrit as a timeless language of wisdom, harmony, and knowledge. It is jointly organised by Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education, Central Sanskrit University, and India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

Shri Manohar Lal, Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, inaugurated India’s first and largest Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) system. The VRFB has a capacity of 3 Megawatt-hour (MWh) at NTPC’s NETRA Research & Development Centre in Greater Noida. This milestone advances India’s long-duration energy storage (LDES) solutions and strengthens renewable energy integration and national grid resilience. Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is a modern technology offering an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, expanding the pool of usable elements for battery systems.

Punjab has become the first state in India to implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme across the entire state. This enables live monitoring of the border state from any location in the country. By the end of November 2025, every village in Punjab will be covered under the scheme. Bharat Net Scheme aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats, households, and institutions. The scheme also supports e-health and e-governance services in rural areas.

Scientists have recently developed a breakthrough therapy that clears toxic proteins from nerve cells, offering new hope for treating Motor Neuron Disease (MND). Motor Neuron Disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a rare condition that damages parts of the nervous system. It causes muscle weakness, wasting, and paralysis as motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord die prematurely, stopping signals between the brain and muscles. Around 20% of cases are genetic, mostly affecting people over 50 years old. There is currently no cure, but treatment helps manage symptoms.

Indian Railways is planning to install a new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Locking Monitoring System called DRISHTI. DRISHTI stands for an AI-based Freight Wagon Locking Monitoring System. It is developed jointly by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) and Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati Technology Innovation and Development Foundation (IITG TIDF). The system detects unlocked or tampered freight wagon doors in real time to enhance safety and security. It uses AI-powered cameras, sensors, computer vision, and machine learning to monitor door positions.

Recently, the Union Agriculture Minister announced that the Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights Protection Authority Act will be amended during the 21st Foundation Day of the Authority. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA) was established on 11 November 2005 under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001. It works under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India. The Authority grants intellectual property rights to plant breeders for developing new plant varieties. It recognises and rewards farmers who conserve traditional varieties and biodiversity. It protects farmers’ rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2025, India’s total tuberculosis (TB) cases have reduced by 21% in the last decade — nearly double the global average of 12%. TB cases in India dropped from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024. Mortality due to TB also declined from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh in 2024. The Health Ministry credited the progress to an improved case-finding approach that enhanced diagnosis and treatment coverage. There has been no significant rise in multidrug-resistant TB cases.

The Maharashtra Agriculture Department has launched a new logo and slogan, marking its first visual identity revamp in 38 years. The new emblem was unveiled in Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne. The new slogan is “Sashwat Sheti, Samruddha Shetkari”, meaning “Sustainable Farming, Prosperous Farmer”. It was selected through a state-wide competition that received over 1,700 entries.