IMPORTANT DAYS
World Diabetes Day 2025 observed on November 14.
• World Diabetes Day is observed globally on 14 November each year to spotlight diabetes as a major public health challenge.
• The 2025 theme, “Diabetes across life stages,” stresses prevention, care, and management at every age.
• The date also honours Sir Frederick Banting, whose work—with Charles Best in 1922—led to the discovery of insulin.
• The initiative began in 1991 under the IDF and WHO, and gained official UN recognition in 2006.
• WHO’s South-East Asia Region has urged stronger collective action as diabetes now impacts 279 million adults, accounting for nearly one-third of global cases.
• Treatment gaps remain severe—only one-third of diabetic adults in the region receive care, and under 15% manage to control blood sugar effectively.
• Diabetes arises when the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or the body fails to utilize it properly; while Type 1 requires lifelong management, Type 2 risk can be lowered through healthy habits and avoiding tobacco and alcohol.
LEGAL NEWS
Draft Seeds Bill 2025
• The Ministry of Agriculture has released the Draft Seeds Bill 2025 for public feedback to modernise India’s seed regulation framework.
• This proposed law is set to replace the Seeds Act 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order 1983, updating standards to today’s agricultural needs.
• The bill focuses on ensuring high-quality, reliable, and affordable seeds for farmers while preventing the circulation of fake or substandard seed varieties.
• It proposes liberalised seed imports to introduce global innovations and advanced seed varieties into Indian agriculture.
• While easing compliance by decriminalising minor violations, the draft retains strict penalties for serious offences to protect farmers’ interests.
• Greater transparency and accountability across seed production and supply chains is a core objective, along with safeguards for farmers’ rights.
• The draft bill and response format are available on the Ministry’s website, with stakeholders invited to submit comments via email until 11 December 2025.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India–Nepal Transit Treaty Protocol Updated
• India and Nepal exchanged a Letter of Exchange in New Delhi to revise the Transit Treaty Protocol, aiming to ease and speed up bilateral goods movement.
• Commerce Ministers Piyush Goyal and Anil Kumar Sinha led the discussions, focusing on boosting trade efficiency across the border.
• The updated protocol enables direct rail operations on the Jogbani–Biratnagar route for both bulk and container shipments.
• The revision improves Nepal’s cargo flow from Kolkata and Visakhapatnam ports, ensuring smoother transport to the Biratnagar customs point.
• The Jogbani–Biratnagar rail link, funded by India and inaugurated by both Prime Ministers in June 2023, forms the backbone of this new connectivity push.
• Both sides assessed ongoing cross-border connectivity work, especially Integrated Check Posts and related infrastructure upgrades.
• The revised protocol is expected to significantly improve logistics, reduce transit delays, and deepen India–Nepal trade cooperation.
NATIONAL NEWS
44th India International Trade Fair
• The 44th India International Trade Fair opened at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, inaugurated by MoS Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada.
• This year’s theme, “Ek Bharat – Shreshtha Bharat,” showcases national unity through trade, culture, and innovation.
• Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Bihar are featured as partner states, while Jharkhand has been designated the focus state.
• Twelve countries, including the UAE, China, Iran, South Korea, and Egypt, are participating in the 14-day global trade event.
• The fair acts as a major platform for domestic and international business networking, supporting both B2B and B2C engagement.
• The first five days are dedicated to business visitors, with public entry beginning from 19 November.
• The mega event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the Government of India’s premier trade promotion body.
STATE NEWS
Bihar Assembly Elections 2025
• The ruling NDA registered a dominant victory, securing 202 out of 243 seats, far exceeding the majority mark of 122.
• The BJP became the single largest party in the Assembly, winning 89 seats and strengthening its position within the alliance.
• JD(U) under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar performed strongly with 85 seats, reaffirming its influence in the state’s political landscape.
• LJP (Ram Vilas), led by Union Minister Chirag Paswan, captured 19 seats, boosting its role within the NDA bloc.
• Smaller NDA partners also made their presence felt—HAM(S) secured 5 seats, while Rashtriya Lok Morcha won 4 seats.
• The Mahagathbandhan suffered a major setback, winning only 35 seats overall, with RJD taking 25, Congress 6, and the remaining shared by Left and smaller parties.
• The elections witnessed a record turnout of 67.13%, reflecting high public participation during the two-phase polls held on 6 and 11 November.
DEFENCE
India–France Air Exercise Garuda-2025
• An IAF contingent has arrived at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base in France to join the bilateral air exercise Garuda-2025.
• The drill is scheduled to run from 16 to 27 November, strengthening operational synergy between the two air forces.
• Garuda-2025 forms part of the deepening India–France strategic defence partnership, which spans technology cooperation and security coordination.
• The exercise will showcase the high training standards and tactical capabilities of both nations’ air forces.
• Indian Su-30 MKI fighter jets will engage in joint training missions with the French Rafale aircraft.
• The aim is to enhance interoperability, tactical understanding, and exchange of battlefield experience.
• The engagement further reinforces the long-term defence collaboration between India and France.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
30th CII Partnership Summit 2025
• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the 30th CII Partnership Summit on 14 November in Visakhapatnam, marking the beginning of a two-day industry-focused gathering.
• The Summit was jointly hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Government of India, and the Andhra Pradesh Government to promote investment and economic collaboration.
• In his address, the Vice President noted India’s strong economic rise, expanding digital backbone, and vibrant startup network under the current national leadership.
• India was highlighted as a future third-largest global economy, with a rapidly growing presence in innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Andhra Pradesh was projected as a top investment hub, where the Centre and State function cohesively to support business growth.
• Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu showcased the State’s transition from “ease of doing business” to “speed of doing business” through instant, real-time approvals.
• He also detailed the State’s development of sector-specific corridors—including drones, electronics, aerospace, semiconductors, space, and defence—along with its success in attracting USD 20 billion and creating 2 million jobs, while setting an ambitious future goal of USD 0.5 trillion investment and 5 million jobs.
Regional Anti-Narcotics Task Force Meet Begins in Nagaland
• The first regional conference of Anti-Narcotics Task Force chiefs has started at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima.
• Delegations from all eight Northeastern states and West Bengal are participating in the two-day gathering.
• The event is organized by Nagaland Police with support from the Narcotics Control Bureau under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign.
• Discussions focus on a four-pillar approach—enforcement, curbing supply chains, rehabilitation efforts, and de-addiction support.
• Nagaland DGP Rupin Sharma pushed for policy changes, including updating the NDPS Act, 1985, to address emerging trafficking challenges.
• He also suggested creating a specialized regional anti-trafficking agency to strengthen coordinated action across states.
• Officials from the NCB and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment are actively contributing to the conference deliberations.
