LEGAL NEWS

Phase-2 of Special Electoral Roll Revision

• Over 99% of enumeration forms have been distributed in Phase-2 of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), according to the Election Commission.

• More than 50.5 crore forms have reached voters during this ongoing exercise.

• Phase-2 began on 4th November and will continue until 4th December across nine States and three Union Territories.

• The regions involved include Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

• The updated voter list will be finalized and published on 7th February 2026.

• Digitisation of distributed forms has crossed 47% in 12 states and union territories, enhancing accessibility and efficiency.

• Goa leads with 76.89% digitisation, followed by Rajasthan at 72.2%, while Kerala and Uttar Pradesh lag at 23% and 26.6%, respectively.

APPOINTMENTS

Sandeep Pradhan Appointed as SEBI Whole-Time Member

• Sandeep Pradhan has been appointed as a Whole-Time Member of SEBI for a three-year term starting from his assumption of charge.

• The appointment was notified by the Department of Economic Affairs.

• Pradhan is a 1990-batch IRS officer and currently serves as Director General of Income Tax (Investigation), Pune.

• He has previously led the Sports Authority of India and served as CEO of the Khelo India programme.

• SEBI has four Whole-Time Member positions; current members include Amarjeet Singh and Kamlesh Chandra Varshney.

• The board also includes two part-time members: Deepti Gaur Mukerjee and Anuradha Thakur.

• Pradhan fills the vacancy left by Ananth Narayan G (term ended in October), while another vacancy arose after Ashwani Bhatia’s tenure ended in May.

NATIONAL NEWS

India Makes Debut at WorldSkills Asia 2025

• India is participating for the first time in WorldSkills Asia 2025, starting on 27 November in Chinese Taipei.

• A total of 23 Indian competitors will represent the country across 21 skill categories.

• Minister Jayant Chaudhary attended the send-off, emphasizing India’s aim to become a global skill hub.

• Participants underwent months of intensive training under expert guidance and Sector Skill Councils’ support.

• The Indian contingent is led by the National Skill Development Corporation.

• WorldSkills India serves as the implementation and knowledge partner for the team.

• Along with 23 competitors, 21 experts are accompanying the Indian team to mentor and support participants.

STATE NEWS

Vibrant Villages Programme Phase-2 Launched in J&K

• J&K administration launched Phase-2 of the Vibrant Villages Programme to develop 124 strategically located border villages.

• The villages span 43 border blocks across eight districts in Jammu and north Kashmir.

• A detailed survey of 1,421 border villages assessed gaps in roads, telecom, electricity, and television connectivity.

• Road access has been provided to 1,378 villages, with 30 more planned under PMGSY.

• BSNL is accelerating 4G coverage, currently available in 98 selected vibrant villages.

• Full on-grid electricity has been achieved in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua, while DTH access is being expanded in Baramulla and Kupwara.

• Approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2025, the programme aims to enhance living standards and generate livelihoods along international borders.

SPORTS

Junior Hockey World Cup 2025: Teams Arrive in India

• Japan, Chile, Spain, and Austria reached India on 24–25 November ahead of the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup.

• The tournament is scheduled in Tamil Nadu from 28 November to 10 December 2025.

• Japan will play in Pool C with Argentina, China, and New Zealand; they arrived in Chennai on 24 November.

• Chile, placed in Pool B with India, Oman, and Switzerland, will face India in their opening match on 28 November.

• Spain, former bronze medallists in 2005 and 2023, is grouped in Pool D with Belgium, Egypt, and Namibia; first match versus Egypt.

• Austria, participating for only the second time since 2016, is in Pool E alongside England, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.

• Pool-wise teams include: Pool A – Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland; Pool F – Australia, Pakistan, Korea, Poland.

• The arrivals mark the start of preparations and acclimatisation for international teams before the competition begins.

India Clinches Second Consecutive Women’s Kabaddi World Cup

• India defeated Chinese Taipei 35–28 in the final to win its second straight Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka.

• The Indian team dominated the group stage, winning all four matches before beating Iran 33–21 in the semifinal.

• Chinese Taipei reached the final unbeaten, topping Group B and defeating hosts Bangladesh 25–18 in the semifinal.

• Eleven countries participated, showing the growing global popularity of women’s kabaddi.

• India’s squad impressed with strong defence and precise raiding throughout the tournament.

• This edition marked only the second Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, highlighting India’s consistent excellence.

• The first edition was held in Patna in 2012, where India defeated Iran in the final.

Recent Indian Sports Achievements

• Anahat Singh clinched the women’s title at the Indian Open in Indore, defeating Joshna Chinappa 3–2 in the final.

• Shooter Abhinav Deshwal won India’s 15th medal at the Tokyo Deaflympics, securing gold in the 25m pistol event with a score of 44, edging out South Korea’s Seung Hwa Lee (43).

• Lakshya Sen captured his first title of 2025 by winning the Australian Open men’s singles in badminton, beating Japan’s Yushi Tanaka.

• The Indian women’s blind cricket team made history by winning the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup for the Blind in Colombo.

• India defeated Nepal by seven wickets in the final, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament.

• Nepal reached the final after narrowly defeating Pakistan in a closely contested match.

• These achievements highlight India’s growing presence and success across diverse sports disciplines.

DEFENCE

Exercise Suryakiran – 19th Edition (India–Nepal)

• India and Nepal will hold the 19th round of their joint military exercise, Suryakiran, in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, from 25 November to 8 December.

• This annual drill is conducted alternately in both countries as part of their long-standing defence partnership.

• Both armies have completed all preparatory arrangements and deployment plans for the exercise.

• The focus will be on enhancing joint capability in counter-terror operations and jungle warfare in hilly terrain.

• Modern technologies will be used to boost interoperability and exchange advanced operational skills.

• The previous edition (18th) was held in Saljhandi, Nepal, where troops trained in aviation support, medical tasks and environmental safety.

• The exercise helps soldiers from both sides refine coordination and share practical battlefield experiences.

• India’s Army has consistently supported Nepal in humanitarian and disaster response, including during the 2015 earthquake and the COVID-19 crisis.