IMPORTANT DAYS

Constitution Day 2025 observed on November 26.

• India observes Constitution Day every year on 26 November to honour the adoption of the nation’s supreme law.

• The day marks 76 years since the Constituent Assembly approved the Constitution in 1949.

• India’s Constitution holds the distinction of being the longest written constitution among sovereign nations.

• Although adopted on 26 November 1949, it officially came into force on 26 January 1950.

• Prior to 2015, the occasion was observed as Law Day, mainly by the legal fraternity.

• In November 2015, the government declared 26 November as Constitution Day to spread awareness of constitutional values.

• Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, revered as the chief architect of the Constitution, led the drafting committee.

• He was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee on 29 August 1947, steering the formulation of the Constitution.

National Milk Day 2025 observed on November 26.

• 26 November is observed as National Milk Day to honour India’s dairy sector.

• The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, celebrated as the architect of the White Revolution.

• It serves to underline milk’s nutritional value and its importance in a healthy diet.

• The observance encourages growth of the dairy industry by promoting higher production and wider consumption of dairy products.

• Thanks to the White Revolution, India emerged as the top milk-producing nation, contributing about 32% to global output.

• White Revolution 2.0 plans to establish 75,000 new dairy cooperatives and expand processing capacity by 2028–29.

• The 2025 GST reforms reduced tax rates on most dairy items to 0% or 5%, boosting affordability and access.

NATIONAL NEWS

Recent Government Inaugurations & Initiatives

• Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated a new pellet plant in Rewari, Haryana, designed to convert stubble into usable pellets.

• He also launched the groundwork for the K2 Bio-Ethanol plant in the same district.

• The pellet facility can produce 240 tonnes per day, helping reduce crop-burning pollution and supporting E20 and Net Zero 2070 targets.

• Under updated rules, thermal power plants must now blend biomass and municipal waste in their fuel mix to curb environmental damage.

• Farmers are gaining new income streams as crop residues like paddy straw, mustard straw and cotton stalks are processed into biomass pellets.

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh opened key fabrication and central facilities at IIT Bombay under the National Quantum Mission, noting India’s early leadership in quantum initiatives.

• Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated a Skill India Centre in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, expanding local skill-development opportunities.

PM Modi’s Visit to Kurukshetra

• PM Modi unveiled the ‘Panchjanya’ monument in Kurukshetra, built to honour Lord Krishna’s legendary conch.

• Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini joined him during the inauguration ceremony.

• The PM later toured the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an interactive centre showcasing major episodes from the epic.

• He participated in an event marking 350 years of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom, releasing a special coin and postal stamp in his memory.

• As part of the national year-long tribute, he offered darshan and pooja at the sacred Brahma Sarovar, linked to the Gita’s divine origins.

• Kurukshetra is hosting the International Gita Mahotsav from 15 November to 5 December, adding significance to the visit.

• Before arriving in Haryana, PM Modi hoisted a saffron flag atop the 191-foot shikhar of the newly completed Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya.

SPORTS

FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025

• Teams competing in the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup have begun reaching India ahead of the tournament.

• Japan, Chile, Spain and Austria arrived on 24–25 November to gear up for matches in Tamil Nadu from 28 November to 10 December.

• Japan reached Chennai on 24 November and joins Pool C alongside Argentina, China and New Zealand.

• Chile, placed in Pool B with India, Oman and Switzerland, will open their campaign against the hosts on 28 November.

• Spain—previous bronze winners in 2005 and 2023—will compete in Pool D, starting their run against Egypt on 28 November.

• Austria, appearing only for the second time since debuting in 2016, is grouped in Pool E with England, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

• The tournament features six pools (A–F), with top teams like Germany, India, Australia, England and others spread across groups for the league stage.

India’s Record-Breaking Shooting Performance at Deaflympics 2025

• India wrapped up its shooting campaign in Tokyo with an impressive 16 medals, the country’s highest tally at the Deaflympics.

• Out of the 39 medals on offer, Indian shooters secured 7 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze, showcasing dominant performances.

• Mahit Sandhu emerged as the standout athlete, clinching two gold and two silver, the highest individual haul.

• Pistol shooters Abhinav Deshwal and Pranjali Prashant Dhumal followed closely, each capturing two golds and one silver.

• Dhanush Srikanth added two gold medals in the 10m air rifle events (individual and mixed team).

• Other contributors included Mohammed Murtaza Vania (1 silver, 1 bronze), Komal Milind Waghmare (2 bronze), Anuya Prasad (gold in women’s 10m air pistol), Shourya Saini (silver, 50m rifle 3P) and Kushagra Singh Rajawat (bronze, 50m rifle prone).

• This marked a major improvement from the previous edition in Brazil, where India won only five medals.

MISCELLANEOUS

Jair Bolsonaro Sentenced

• Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro has been handed a 27-year, 3-month prison sentence for attempting to subvert the country’s democratic order.

• The Supreme Court ruled that Bolsonaro orchestrated efforts to engineer a military coup after losing the 2022 election.

• Justice Alexandre de Moraes declared the verdict final, leaving no option for appeal.

• Bolsonaro will serve his term in a federal police facility in Brasília, the national capital.

• The court concluded he sought to retain power through force, directly leading and enabling actions that undermined Brazil’s democracy.

• Senior allies, including General Augusto Heleno and former defence minister General Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, were also convicted for their roles.

• Bolsonaro, Brazil’s 38th president (2019–2022), was defeated by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has been serving as president since 1 January 2023.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Bust Unveiled at UNESCO

• A bronze bust of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on the occasion of Constitution Day.

• PM Narendra Modi described the installation as a moment of great national pride and a fitting tribute to the Constitution’s principal architect.

• The bust, crafted by sculptor Naresh Kumawat, was inaugurated by Ambassador Vishal V. Sharma alongside UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

• With this installation, Ambedkar becomes the second Indian leader after Mahatma Gandhi to be honoured in UNESCO’s Garden of Peace.

• UNESCO stated that the tribute reflects its values of equality, human rights and the fight against caste-based discrimination.

• Ambassador Sharma underscored Ambedkar’s enduring commitment to justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.

• The ceremony adds to global recognitions of Ambedkar, joining earlier tributes at the UN Headquarters, British Parliament and Columbia University.

• The event, hosted by India’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, marked Constitution Day—celebrated annually since 2015 to honour the adoption of the world’s longest written Constitution, in force since 26 January 1950.