APPOINTMENTS
Aparajita Sarangi to Lead Joint Parliamentary Committee on Key Amendment Bills
• BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi has been named the chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee formed to review three major legislative proposals, including the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025.
• The Lok Sabha approved a motion sending the Constitution Amendment Bill, the J&K Reorganisation Amendment Bill, and the Government of Union Territories Amendment Bill to this committee for in-depth scrutiny.
• The panel consists of 31 members drawn from different political parties, with the BJP holding 15 seats and NDA partners accounting for 11 more.
• Four opposition MPs and one nominated member, Sudha Murty, are also part of the committee, ensuring a diverse representation.
• Senior BJP figures like Ravi Shankar Prasad, Parshottambhai Rupala, Brij Lal, and Anurag Thakur have been included, along with opposition leaders such as Supriya Sule, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Asaduddin Owaisi, and Niranjan Reddy.
• The Congress and Trinamool Congress opted out, arguing that the proposed laws violate the principle of presumption of innocence by mandating automatic removal of top political office-holders detained for 30 days.
• These bills, introduced on the last day of the Monsoon Session on 20 August 2025, will now undergo detailed examination by the Joint Parliamentary Committee before recommendations are presented.
NATIONAL NEWS
WHO Launches Pandemic Preparedness Site at AIIMS New Delhi
• The World Health Organization inaugurated a new Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response centre at AIIMS New Delhi on 13 November.
• With this, AIIMS Delhi joins the global GISRS network, which monitors influenza and strengthens worldwide epidemic-response systems.
• The facility is part of WHO’s effort to build a coordinated global platform for swift outbreak investigation and response.
• The launch ceremony was attended by WHO Representative Payden and AIIMS Director Dr. M. Srinivas.
• AIIMS officials emphasized that the centre will continue operating even in non-outbreak periods to ensure constant preparedness.
• The site is designed to support rapid research, field studies, and real-time assessments during health emergencies or future pandemics.
• The global linkage created through this network aims to speed up public health decision-making by connecting major research institutions worldwide.
STATE NEWS
13th International Tourism Mart Showcases Northeast in Sikkim
• The Ministry of Tourism launched the 13th International Tourism Mart in Gangtok from 13–16 November 2025 to spotlight the tourism strengths of India’s North Eastern states.
• Union Tourism and Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat formally inaugurated the event, which highlights the region’s landscapes, culture, and adventure tourism.
• As the Annual flagship tourism platform, ITM promotes the Northeast—described as India’s “Ashta Lakshmi”—to global and domestic travel markets.
• Sikkim was selected as host to emphasise its reputation for sustainable, community-driven tourism and international eco-tourism standards.
• Delegates from 19 nations, along with tour operators, travel influencers, and media professionals, are taking part in the four-day programme.
• The Mart includes B2B sessions, expert panels, product showcases, and discussions on homestays, film tourism, youth-led ventures, and digital tools in tourism.
• Participants will also explore key cultural sites such as Rumtek Monastery, Do Drul Chorten, and the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology to experience the heritage of the North East.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
Himalayan Conclave 2025 by G.B. Pant NIHE
• G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment is hosting a three-day Himalayan Conclave from 13–15 November 2025 at its Kosi-Katarmal campus in Almora, Uttarakhand.
• The conclave, themed “Indian Himalayan Region–2047: Environmental Conservation with Sustainable Socio-Economic Growth,” supports the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Experts from science, governance, civil society, and Himalayan communities are gathering to deliberate on conservation priorities and sustainable development pathways.
• Key discussions focus on climate adaptation, ecological protection, and tackling issues such as land-use stress, glacier loss, demographic changes, and frequent natural disasters.
• Dialogue is structured around six thematic pillars, including biodiversity, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, resource governance, and gender-sensitive development.
• The event seeks to revise the Himalayan Action Plan and outline a long-term strategy for safeguarding the fragile mountain ecosystem.
• UNDP is co-hosting the conclave, with support from national and international partners including MoEFCC, DST, ICIMOD, IUCN, IIT Roorkee, NIDM, SBI, UCOST, NCSCM, WISA, and multiple universities and NGOs.
RANKING AND REPORTS
India’s Progress in Reducing Tuberculosis Cases
• India has recorded a 21% drop in tuberculosis cases over the last ten years—almost double the global decline of 12%, as reported by WHO’s Global TB Report 2025.
• The country’s TB incidence rate improved significantly, falling from 237 per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh in 2024.
• The Health Ministry credits this progress to stronger case identification systems and wider availability of treatment services nationwide.
• Multidrug-resistant TB levels have remained largely unchanged, indicating controlled spread of severe forms of the disease.
• TB-related deaths also declined, reducing from 28 per lakh in 2015 to 21 per lakh by 2024.
• Major government initiatives—such as TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana—are driving the national elimination effort.
• Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and often known as the “white plague,” primarily attacks the lungs but can affect other parts of the body.
SPORTS
India Shines at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025
• India delivered an outstanding performance in Dhaka, securing three gold and two silver medals in the compound category at the 24th Asian Archery Championships.
• Jyothi Surekha Vennam clinched the Compound Women’s Individual gold after a tight 147–145 win over fellow Indian Prithika Pradeep, who settled for silver.
• Archery Association of India praised both finalists for their high-level precision and consistent form throughout the tournament.
• The Indian women’s compound team—Deepshikha, Jyothi, and Prithika—captured gold by edging past Korea 236–234 in a thrilling final.
• In the mixed team event, Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha earned gold after defeating Bangladesh 153–151.
• The Compound Men’s Team comprising Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge secured silver in a close-fought contest.
• With top finishes across individual, team, and mixed events, India reaffirmed its stronghold in compound archery at the Asian level.
MISCELLANEOUS
Bhutan–India Kalachakra Ceremony and Bilateral Outcomes
• Bhutan hosted the Kalachakra Empowerment ceremony, opened jointly by PM Narendra Modi and the King of Bhutan during the Global Peace Prayer Festival, reinforcing deep spiritual ties.
• The ceremony was led by His Holiness the Je Khenpo and drew monks, scholars, and followers from various countries for prayers promoting global harmony.
• PM Modi’s two-day visit concluded with this event, highlighting the cultural and religious bond shared between India and Bhutan.
• India extended a ₹4,000 crore concessional Line of Credit to boost Bhutan’s energy infrastructure and ongoing development projects.
• The two leaders formally launched the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project, strengthening long-standing hydro-energy cooperation.
• Three MoUs—covering renewable energy, mental health, and healthcare—were signed to expand future collaboration across key sectors.
• Talks between PM Modi and PM Tshering Tobgay reviewed progress in technology and regional initiatives, including Phase II of UPI integration to enable Bhutanese travellers to make digital payments in India via Bhutanese apps.
