Daily Current Affairs - 24th November 2025
- TPP
- Nov 24, 2025
- 14 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, UNFCCC’s COP30, Draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0, Prisons in India 2025 Report, Chandigarh’s status, G20 Summit 2025 and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
20th G20 Summit 2025
In November 2025, the 20th edition of G20 Summit 2025 concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa.
It was the first-ever G20 Summit held on African soil.
The summit theme was “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
The G20 Declaration was adopted by world leaders despite the United States boycotting the summit.
Key Highlights of the G20 Declaration
The declaration emphasised people-centred disaster resilience.
Disaster resilience refers to strengthening communities to withstand disasters.
It supported debt sustainability for debt-burdened countries.
Debt sustainability refers to ensuring countries can manage and repay their debt without distress.
It highlighted the need for sustainable industrialisation and job creation.
The declaration pushed for an expansion of renewable energy.
It endorsed the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, which is voluntary in nature.
Critical minerals refer to minerals essential for clean energy technologies and modern industries.
The declaration reaffirmed the Paris Agreement 1.5°C goal.
It also reaffirmed global biodiversity conservation goals.
The declaration called for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform.
It promoted stronger multilateral cooperation among nations.
This cooperation was rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu, meaning interconnectedness and shared humanity.
The declaration reaffirmed the empowerment of women and girls.
It condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Major Ideas Proposed by India at the Summit
India proposed a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository.
A knowledge repository refers to a global digital library of collective human wisdom.
India proposed the Africa Skills Multiplier initiative.
This initiative aims to create 1 million certified trainers for youth skills in Africa.
India proposed a Global Healthcare Response Team.
This team would consist of G20 healthcare experts for global health emergencies.
India proposed an Open Satellite Data Partnership.
This partnership intends to share satellite data for agriculture, fisheries, and disaster management.
India proposed a Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative.
Circularity refers to recycling, reuse, and resource efficiency in mineral supply chains.
India proposed a Countering Drug Terror Nexus initiative.
This initiative seeks to combat drug trafficking linked to terrorism.
On the sidelines of the summit, India and Italy adopted a joint initiative.
This initiative aims to counter the financing of terrorism.
About the G20
The G20 was founded in 1999. It was formed after the Asian financial crisis of 1997–1998.
The G20 includes 19 countries, the European Union, and the African Union.
The member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) are also members.
The G20 plays a key role in shaping global economic architecture.
It also strengthens governance on major international economic issues.
The G20 Summit is held annually.
The summit operates under a rotating Presidency.
The Presidency is supported by the Troika.
The Troika consists of the previous, current, and incoming Presidencies.
Under South Africa’s Presidency, the G20 Troika includes Brazil, South Africa, and the United States.
India–Brazil–South Africa (IBSA) Meeting
The IBSA Leaders’ Meeting was held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that IBSA is not just a group of three countries but an important platform connecting three continents, three major democratic nations, and three major economies.
India pushed for urgent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform at the meeting.
UNSC reform refers to expanding membership and improving representation to reflect current global realities.
India called for united global action for peace and prosperity.
India emphasised IBSA’s role in shaping safe, trustworthy, and human-centric AI norms.
Human-centric AI refers to artificial intelligence systems designed around ethics, safety, and societal well-being.
Key Proposals of India at the Meeting
India proposed institutionalising the National Security Advisers-level dialogue within IBSA.
This dialogue aims to enhance trilateral cooperation on security issues.
India proposed the IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance.
The alliance aims to share Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) among the three nations.
Digital Public Infrastructure refers to open digital systems like payments, identity, health platforms, and cybersecurity frameworks.
The alliance includes technologies such as UPI for payments.
It includes CoWIN-type platforms for digital health services, cybersecurity frameworks for technology safety.
It includes women-led technology initiatives.
India proposed creating an IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture.
Climate resilient agriculture refers to farming systems designed to withstand climate risks and variability.
About the IBSA Forum
The IBSA Forum was founded in 2003. It was established through the Brasilia Declaration. It is formally known as the IBSA Dialogue Forum.
IBSA consists of India, Brazil, and South Africa.
These three countries are major Global South democracies.
Global South refers to developing nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The members are located across three different continents.
IBSA aims to contribute to building a new international architecture.
It seeks to bring a collective voice on global issues.
Cooperation Areas in IBSA
IBSA functions as a forum for consultation on global political issues.
It also supports coordination on regional political issues.
IBSA undertakes trilateral collaboration on concrete projects.
These collaborations operate through working groups and People-to-People forums.
IBSA assists other developing countries through the IBSA Fund.
This assistance includes development projects in partner countries.
Key Initiatives under IBSA
The IBSA Trust Fund was operationalised in 2004.
The IBSA Trust Fund allocates funds for Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
LDCs refer to countries with the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development.
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) manages the Fund.
UNOSSC also serves as the secretariat of the IBSA Fund.
The IBSAMAR exercise is a joint maritime exercise under IBSA.
IBSAMAR involves the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa.
10th Session of Asian and Pacific Centre for Development of Disaster Information Management (APDIM)
The 10th Session of APDIM on Inclusive Disaster Risk Data Governance was held in New Delhi.
APDIM was established in 2015. It is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP).
UN ESCAP is the regional development arm of the United Nations for Asia and the Pacific.
The headquarters of APDIM is located in Tehran, Iran.
The Governing Council of APDIM consists of eight ESCAP member countries.
These member countries are elected for a three-year term.
The Government of Iran also serves on the Governing Council.
The mandate of APDIM is to support Asia-Pacific countries in strengthening disaster risk reduction (DRR).
Disaster risk reduction refers to strategies that reduce disaster impacts, vulnerabilities, and hazards.
APDIM strengthens DRR by improving disaster information management.
Disaster information management involves collecting, analysing, and sharing data for disaster preparedness and response.
APDIM facilitates data and knowledge sharing among member countries.
APDIM conducts capacity-building programmes to improve member-state capabilities.
APDIM assists in risk assessment and analytics for disaster planning.
APDIM helps countries strengthen early warning systems.
Early warning systems provide advance alerts to reduce disaster losses.
APDIM supports response coordination during emergencies and assists in post-disaster recovery planning.
APDIM promotes regional cooperation for managing disaster risks.
ACITI : New trilateral framework of Australia, Canada and India
India, Australia, and Canada announced the ACITI trilateral framework.
ACITI Stands for: Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation
The announcement took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
The ACITI Partnership aims to enhance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies.
Critical and emerging technologies refer to advanced technologies that shape future economic and security landscapes.
The partnership also focuses on strengthening innovation domains.
Innovation domains refer to areas that promote new ideas, research, and technological development.
ACITI prioritises collaboration in clean energy technologies.
Clean energy refers to energy sources that reduce carbon emissions and environmental impacts.
ACITI emphasises creating diversified and resilient supply chains.
A resilient supply chain is a supply network capable of withstanding disruptions and ensuring continuity.
The partnership places special focus on critical minerals.
Critical minerals are essential minerals needed for electronics, batteries, renewable energy, and strategic technologies.
ACITI will explore ways to accelerate AI development.
ACITI will also explore ways to increase mass adoption of AI.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks requiring human intelligence.
The partnership aims to use AI to improve the lives of citizens in all three countries.
Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025
The Ministry of Power released the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The Bill aims to modernise India’s power sector.
The Bill introduces reforms to promote competition in electricity distribution, also aims to strengthen regulatory oversight in the sector.
The Bill further supports fair and transparent pricing mechanisms.
A. Structural Reforms
The Bill seeks to resolve persistent financial losses in distribution companies (discoms).
Distribution companies face losses due to poor billing efficiency and high AT&C losses.
AT&C losses refer to aggregate technical and commercial losses, meaning power lost during transmission plus revenue not collected.
The Bill addresses the lack of competition in electricity supply.
Lack of competition exists because consumers are tied to a single discom, reducing service quality.
The Bill targets distorted cross-subsidisation patterns in tariff structures.
Cross-subsidy refers to a system where industrial users pay inflated tariffs to subsidise other consumers, harming competitiveness.
The Bill facilitates regulated competition in power distribution.
Regulated competition allows multiple licensees to operate in the same area.
The Bill mandates that these licensees use shared and optimised distribution infrastructure.
The Bill mandates a Universal Service Obligation (USO) for all licensees.
USO refers to the obligation to supply power to all consumers without discrimination.
The Bill allows SERCs to exempt distribution licensees from USO in some cases.
The exemption applies to large consumers eligible for open access above 1 MW.
Open access refers to the right of large consumers to purchase power from any supplier of their choice.
B. Tariff and Cross-Subsidy Rationalisation
The Bill promotes cost-reflective tariffs.
A cost-reflective tariff is a tariff aligned with the actual cost of power supply.
The Bill protects subsidised consumer categories, such as farmers and poor households.
The Bill requires subsidies to be transparent and budget-backed by governments.
The Bill seeks to eliminate cross-subsidy for the Manufacturing Industry within five years.
The Bill also aims to remove cross-subsidy for the Railways within five years.
The Bill includes the Metro Railways in the five-year cross-subsidy elimination plan.
C. Governance and Regulatory Strengthening
The Bill proposes an Electricity Council.
The Electricity Council will enable Centre–State policy coordination.
The Electricity Council will also promote consensus-building on major power sector issues.
The Bill strengthens the powers of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs).
The Bill empowers SERCs to enforce performance standards.
The Bill authorises SERCs to penalise non-compliance by utilities.
The Bill enables SERCs to determine tariffs suo motu if tariff applications are delayed.
Suo motu means acting on their own initiative without a formal request.
D. Sustainability and Market Development
The Bill strengthens obligations for non-fossil energy procurement.
Non-fossil energy includes renewables and other clean energy sources.
The Bill prescribes penalties for non-compliance with clean energy obligations.
The Bill promotes power market development.
Power market development includes new trading instruments and market platforms.
No Bill to change Chandigarh’s status
The Home Ministry clarified that no Bill to change Chandigarh’s status will be introduced in the upcoming Winter Session.
An earlier Lok Sabha bulletin had indicated that the Centre would introduce a Constitution Amendment related to Chandigarh.
The Amendment aimed to include Chandigarh under Article 240 of the Constitution.
Inclusion under Article 240 would have enabled the appointment of an independent Administrator for Chandigarh.
Chandigarh is currently administered by the Punjab Governor, who serves as its Administrator.
About Article 240 of the Constitution
Article 240 grants the President of India the power to make regulations for certain Union Territories.
These Presidential regulations are meant to ensure peace, progress, and effective governance in the specified Union Territories.
The Union Territories covered under Article 240 include the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Article 240 also covers Lakshadweep.
Article 240 further includes Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
Prisons in India 2025 Report
The Centre for Research & Planning of the Supreme Court of India has published the Prisons in India 2025 Report.
The report examines prison manuals, stereotypes, mental health support, wages, and technological reforms in Indian prisons.
The report proposes a human-rights-based approach to prison administration.
Key Issues in Indian Prisons
Prison governance varies across India because prisons fall under the State List (List II, Schedule 7) of the Constitution.
India follows the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, which emphasise humanising prison institutions.
Indian prisons face severe overcrowding with an occupancy rate of 131.4%.
Three out of every four prisoners in India are undertrials, showing slow judicial processes.
Open prisons are underutilised with an occupancy rate of only 74%, despite their reformative potential.
Several prison manuals still classify conservancy and sanitation work as “menial” or “degrading”, perpetuating harmful labour hierarchies.
Some manuals retain caste-based work allocation, which has been declared unconstitutional in the Sukanya Shantha case.
Prison wages show extreme disparity, ranging from ₹20 in Mizoram to ₹524 in Karnataka, which is far below the minimum wage in many states.
Women prisoners face discrimination because manuals do not explicitly guarantee reproductive choice.
Women prisoners are often limited to domestic tasks like cooking, denying them equal access to vocational work.
Legal aid for prisoners remains ineffective due to poor physical and digital infrastructure across prisons.
Way Forward Suggested by the Report
Stereotypical terms such as “menial” or “degrading” must be removed from prison manuals to reduce stigma around certain categories of labour.
Allocation of prison tasks should follow a rotational or roster-based system to eliminate caste discrimination.
States must revise prisoner wages every three years to ensure fairness and dignity in compensation.
Courts should categorise undertrial cases as “URGENT CASES” to prioritise hearings and reduce undertrial numbers.
Real-time data updating across platforms of the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS) is essential for strengthening e-Prisons.
Auramine O
India continues to witness repeated cases of chemical adulteration in food.
A major source of this adulteration is the use of non-permitted synthetic dyes, especially Auramine O.
About Auramine O
Auramine O is a yellow, odourless, crystalline or sand-like powder.
It may also appear as a flaky solid material.
Auramine O is used as a dye for paper.
It is also used to colour textiles.
It is additionally used in the leather industry as a dye.
Auramine O functions as an antiseptic in some industrial uses.
It also has applications as a fungicide.
Auramine O is not approved as a food colour in India.
It is also not permitted as a food colour in the European Union.
It is likewise prohibited for food use in the United States.
Health Risks of Auramine O
Auramine O can cause liver damage when ingested.
Auramine O can also cause kidney damage.
It may lead to enlargement of the spleen.
The dye exhibits mutagenic effects, meaning it can alter genetic material.
These mutagenic changes may contribute to potential carcinogenic outcomes.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies Auramine O as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
COP30 and the Belem Package
The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) under the UNFCCC concluded with the adoption of the Belem Package.
The Belem Package includes two major new initiatives to accelerate climate action globally.
New Initiatives
The Global Implementation Accelerator is a two-year programme to bridge the gap between national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs) and the 1.5°C global warming pathway.
The Belém Mission to 1.5 is an action-oriented platform under the COP29–COP31 troika to foster international cooperation in mitigation, adaptation, and investment.
Global Mutirao Decision
The Global Mutirao Decision is a high-level political text adopted by COP30 Parties.
It includes scaling up climate finance for developing countries to at least $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 for climate action.
Adaptation finance is targeted to double by 2025 and triple by 2035.
COP30 adopted the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) with 60 indicators to assess progress on adaptation worldwide.
A Just Transition Mechanism was announced to boost technical support, capacity-building, and equitable transitions from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
Two major roadmaps were launched:
Forest and Climate Roadmap: aims to halt and reverse deforestation.
Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels Roadmap: guides equitable energy transition.
Other Announcements under COP30 Action Agenda
The Fostering Investible National Implementation (FINI) initiative aims to unlock USD 1 trillion in adaptation projects within three years, with 20% mobilized from the private sector.
The Belém Health Action Plan is the first global initiative targeting climate-related health threats.
The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) delivers long-term, results-based payments for verified conservation of standing tropical forests.
The Gender Action Plan promotes gender-responsive budgeting and finance and strengthens leadership of Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and rural women.
Revised Draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released a revised draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0.
Under the revised framework, a vehicle’s safety rating will be based on five assessment areas:
Crash Protection: Vehicle’s ability to protect occupants during a collision.
Vulnerable Road User Protection: Safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
Safe Driving: Features that prevent accidents, such as lane assist and speed alerts.
Accident Avoidance: Active safety technologies like automatic braking and collision warning.
Post-Crash Safety: Measures for occupant survival and emergency response after a crash.
About Bharat NCAP (Bharat New Car Assessment Programme)
Bharat NCAP was launched in October 2023 to provide crashworthiness ratings for vehicles.
The programme is valid till 2027 and evaluates vehicles based on crash testing and assessment criteria.
The programme is voluntary, meaning manufacturers can choose to participate.
The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune is the designated agency responsible for issuing ratings.
All tests are conducted as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-197, which provides standardized procedures for evaluating vehicle safety.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed MoUs to boost cargo movement, passenger transport, and river-based tourism in the Northeast.
IWAI was established in 1986 and serves as the nodal agency under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Its primary mandate is to develop and regulate National Waterways (NWs) in India for shipping and navigation.
The headquarters of IWAI is located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
IWAI is responsible for infrastructure development, including dredging, river training, terminal construction, and navigation aids.
It ensures safe and efficient movement of cargo and passengers through inland water transport (IWT), which refers to transporting goods and people via rivers, canals, and lakes.
After the National Waterways Act, 2016, IWAI manages 111 National Waterways for systematic development and regulation.
Manipur’s Sangai Festival
The Sangai Festival has begun in Manipur, even amid ongoing protests.
It is an annual 10-day cultural festival, held from 21–30 November.
The festival is named after the Sangai deer, also known as the brow-antlered deer, a rare species unique to India.
The Sangai deer is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park, which is the world’s only floating national park.
Keibul Lamjao National Park is located in Loktak Lake, Manipur.
The festival showcases Manipur’s rich traditions through dance, music, handlooms, handicrafts, food, and adventure activities.
Parasocial: Word of the Year for 2025
Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘parasocial’ as the Word of the Year for 2025.
The term has gained relevance recently, especially with the rise of social media and AI chatbots.
Parasocial refers to a relationship or connection someone feels with a famous person, or a character in a book, film, or TV series, whom they do not personally know.
When individuals spend significant time consuming such content, they develop parasocial bonds, treating these figures like close friends, family, or even cult leaders.
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