GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

Five-Year Conclusion of Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

• A nationwide closing ceremony for the campaign will be held on 18 November, organised by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.

• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar has been chosen as the venue, with nearly 7,000 people expected to join.

• The event will be led by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, alongside the Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment.

• Its core message is to inspire young citizens and communities to stay away from drugs and adopt positive lifestyles.

• The programme will showcase the achievements and milestones of the five-year initiative.

• It will focus on strengthening public participation and collective responsibility in fighting substance abuse.

• Launched on 15 August 2020, the campaign works through a coordinated approach of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation to build a drug-free nation.

NATIONAL NEWS

National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (2025–29)

• The Centre unveiled the second phase of NAP-AMR on 18 November, led by Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda.

• The plan responds to the growing danger of antimicrobial resistance, which threatens surgeries, cancer care, and other critical treatments.

• The launch underlined the urgent need for joint efforts from every sector to tackle AMR.

• Shortcomings from the previous strategy are being addressed through better coordination and broader stakeholder involvement.

• The roadmap recognises misuse and overuse of antibiotics as key drivers of rising resistance.

• It seeks greater responsibility across sectors, stronger private sector participation, and improved infection control and lab systems in healthcare.

• With AMR posing global health, economic, and policy challenges, the plan aims to cut delays in treatment and reduce cost burdens from drug-resistant infections.

SPORTS

India’s Strong Showing at the 2025 Summer Deaflympics

• Dhanush Srikanth clinched the air rifle gold at the Tokyo Deaflympics 2025, registering a world record score of 252.2.

• His win enabled him to retain his title, continuing his dominance in the event.

• Mohammed Vania claimed the silver in the men’s air rifle category with a score of 250.1 points.

• In the women’s air rifle event, Mahit Sandhu secured silver, while Komal Waghmare earned bronze.

• These results ensured another double podium finish for India across men’s and women’s events.

• The competition is part of the 25th Summer Deaflympics, hosted in Tokyo from 15–26 November 2025.

• This edition marks 100 years of the Deaflympics, originally known as the World Games for the Deaf/International Games for the Deaf, first held in 1924.

ECONOMY NEWS

Growth Highlights: MSME Expansion & Aviation Progress in India

• India’s MSME ecosystem has grown into one of the largest globally, with over seven crore enterprises operating across the country.

• According to MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, these units currently provide employment to more than 30 crore people.

• The government has set a target to almost double this workforce to around 60 crore within the next five years.

• Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu stated that India now ranks as the world’s third-largest aviation market.

• This rise signals strong economic momentum and better nationwide air connectivity.

• At the 44th India International Trade Fair in New Delhi, the Airports Authority of India has set up a dedicated pavilion.

• The pavilion showcases airport functioning and aviation technology, giving young visitors exposure to modern aviation systems.

India’s Labour Market Trends – October Update

• Labour force participation among individuals aged 15+ rose for the fourth consecutive month, touching a six-month high of 55.4%.

• Rural LFPR moved up to 57.8%, while urban participation slipped to 50.5% in October.

• MoSPI reported that the national unemployment rate stayed steady at 5.2% for this age group.

• A minor drop in rural joblessness from 4.6% to 4.4% helped maintain the overall unemployment level.

• Urban unemployment edged up slightly, increasing from 6.8% to 7.0%.

• Female unemployment eased to 5.4%, whereas the male rate remained unchanged at 5.1%.

• The Worker Population Ratio climbed to 52.5%, largely driven by higher workforce participation among rural women.

India’s Trade Performance (April–October Review)

• India’s combined merchandise and services exports touched 491.8 billion USD, marking a 4.8% rise over the same period last year.

• Provisional Commerce Ministry data shows merchandise exports inched up by 0.62%, while imports rose 6.37% during this timeframe.

• Non-petroleum exports reached 219.9 billion USD, reflecting 3.92% growth in the first seven months of FY 2025.

• Total imports for April–October are estimated at about 570 billion USD, signalling a widening trade gap.

• The merchandise trade deficit jumped to 41.68 billion USD in October, up from 32.15 billion USD in September.

• This sharp deficit expansion was mainly linked to a surge in gold and silver purchases, with gold imports soaring by 199.2% in October.

• October saw merchandise exports fall 11.8% to 34.38 billion USD, while imports climbed to around 76.1 billion USD, a 16% year-on-year increase.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

10th Global Economic Summit & World Trade Expo, Mumbai

• Mumbai will host the 10th Global Economic Summit along with the 6th World Trade Expo on 21–22 November.

• The events are being organised by WTC Mumbai and AIAI, and will run alongside the WTCA Asia Pacific Conference at Cuffe Parade.

• The summit is backed by key bodies, including the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of MSME, Government of Maharashtra, and MMRDA.

• Participation will include senior officials, diplomats, and international industry leaders, with representatives from over 85 World Trade Centres.

• Nearly 600 Indian delegates and about 150 global business leaders are expected, supported by insights from 80 subject specialists.

• The theme, “Accelerating Global Trade: Fostering Partnerships, Connectivity and Resilience,” highlights efforts to strengthen global value chains.

• Core activities—such as sectoral sessions, country pavilions, B2B interactions, and exhibitions—aim to build partnerships, boost trade ties, and encourage resilient economic growth.