Daily Insights November 15, 2025

Daily Insights November 15, 2025

1. Four Hydrogen Valleys Coming Up Across India

Source: https://pib.gov.in

Key Points:

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced establishment of 4 Hydrogen Valley Innovation Clusters (HVICs) across India

• Total investment: ₹485 crore (₹169.89 crore under NGHM + ₹315.43 crore from industry/consortium)

• Demonstrates complete hydrogen value chain: production → storage → transport → utilization

• Aligns with India’s Net-Zero 2070 commitments and National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)

• Expected to support decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors (steel, shipping, fertilizer, long-haul transport)

• Part of broader energy security and industrial competitiveness strategy

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Science & Technology, Infrastructure Development, Energy Policy)

2. Ministry of Defence Signs ₹2,095.70 Crore Contract with BDL for INVAR Anti-Tank Missiles

Source: https://pib.gov.in

Key Points:

• MoD signed contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for procurement of INVAR Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs)

• Deal value: ₹2,095.70 crore under ‘Buy (Indian)’ category

• Laser-guided, precision weapon system with high hit probability

• Designed for T-90 main battle tanks to enhance lethality of mechanized operations

• Strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing

• Reduces foreign dependency in defence equipment

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Defence Production, Strategic Autonomy, Aatmanirbhar Bharat)

3. Nowgam Police Station Blast in Srinagar: White-Collar Terror Module

Source: https://newsonair.gov.in

Key Points:

• 9 people killed, 32 injured in accidental explosion at Nowgam police station (Nov 14, 2025)

• Blast occurred while handling 2,900 kg explosives seized from a doctor in Faridabad (white-collar terror module)

• Explosives recovered include ammonium nitrate and bomb-making equipment

• Terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) with alleged plots until January 26

• Case originated from threat posters found in Nowgam in mid-October

• Highlights rise of non-traditional terror cells involving educated professionals

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Internal Security, Terrorism, Cyber-Terror), GS-2 (Law & Order)

4. India-Nepal Sign Letter of Exchange to Boost Rail Connectivity

Source: https://pib.gov.in

Key Points:

• India and Nepal signed Letter of Exchange (LoE) to amend Protocol to Treaty of Transit

• Facilitates rail-based freight movement via Jogbani–Biratnagar rail link (18.6 km, inaugurated June 2023)

• Extends to containerized and bulk cargo through key corridors: Kolkata–Jogbani, Kolkata–Nautanwa (Sunauli), Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa (Sunauli)

• Operationalizes two new railway ports at Kolkata and Visakhapatnam

• Strengthens multimodal trade connectivity and Nepal’s access to sea

• India remains Nepal’s largest trade partner

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, Regional Cooperation), GS-3 (Infrastructure, Trade)

5. Bihar Assembly Election 2025: NDA Sweeps with 202 Seats

Source: https://thehindu.com

Key Points:

• NDA coalition won 202 out of 243 seats in Bihar Assembly election (Nov 14, 2025)

• Surpassed 2020 results (122 seats); achieved two-thirds majority

• BJP: 89 seats; JD(U): 85 seats; LJP-Ram Vilas: 19 seats

• Mahagathbandhan (Opposition): 35 seats; RJD: 25 seats; Congress: 6 seats

• Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj: Failed to open account (0 seats)

• Tejashwi Yadav’s RJD registered worst performance in party history

• High female voter turnout and welfare schemes influenced mandate

• Chief Minister Nitish Kumar set for fifth consecutive term

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Electoral Politics, State Governance, Political Dynamics)

6. Flexible Inflation Targeting: A Good Balance

Source: https://thehindu.com (Editorial)

Key Points:

• India’s Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework maintains 4% headline inflation target within ±2% band

• Headline inflation (total CPI) more appropriate than core inflation for India given food price volatility

• Food and fuel contribute >50% of CPI basket; inflation affects poor households disproportionately

• RBI has maintained range-bound inflation despite multiple external/domestic shocks (success of FIT)

• Framework should be strengthened, not weakened; FRBM and FIT must work together for macroeconomic stability

• Monetary-fiscal coordination essential for sustained economic growth

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Indian Economy, Monetary Policy, RBI Framework)

7. The Great Nicobar Project and Environmental Contradictions

Source: https://thehindu.com (Editorial)

Key Points:

• Environment Ministry informed National Green Tribunal (NGT) of ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar infrastructure project impacts

• Ministry acknowledged project will damage ecologically sensitive areas but committed to mitigation until 2052

• Contradiction in CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) classification: NBW (2021) ruled site as CRZ-1A, but high-powered committee claims otherwise

• Project threatens 13,000 hectares pristine forest and unique biodiversity (Nicobar megapode, leatherback turtle nesting sites)

• 32% of fossil fuel sites overlap with critical ecosystems globally (Amnesty/Better Planet Lab report)

• Raises concerns about scientific integrity and transparency in approval processes

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Environmental Conservation, EIA, Coastal Management), GS-2 (Regulatory Issues)

8. 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 Showcases Defence Production

Source: https://pib.gov.in

Key Points:

• 44th IITF held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Nov 14-27, 2025)

• Defence Production Department set up dedicated pavilion after 10-year gap

• 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) + iDEX defence startups participating

• Exhibits showcase: land systems, naval platforms, aerospace, emerging technologies

• Focus on Aatmanirbharta: indigenous defence capabilities and self-reliance

• Over 3,500 participants from India and abroad; 31 States/UTs participating

• Bihar as Partner State; Jharkhand as Focus State

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Defence Manufacturing, Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat)

9. Fossil Fuel Proximity: 2 Billion People at Risk

Source: Down to Earth

Key Points:

• Extraction Extinction Report (Amnesty International & Better Planet Lab): 2 billion people (~25% global population) live near harmful fossil fuel sites

• Study includes 520 million children exposed to health risks (cancer, cardiovascular disease, adverse reproductive outcomes)

• >3,500 fossil fuel sites proposed, in development, or under construction globally; could put additional 135 million at risk

• Indigenous Peoples disproportionately exposed: >16% of global fossil fuel infrastructure sited on Indigenous territories

• 32% of existing fossil fuel sites overlap with critical ecosystems

• China and India leading expansion of coal plants/mines

• COP28 commitment to phase out fossil fuels by 2050 threatened without intermediate targets

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Environmental Conservation, Climate Change, International Agreements)

10. Amazon Approaching Dangerous Tipping Point

Source: Down to Earth

Key Points:

• Amazon Assessment Report 2025 warns of imminent ecological collapse from deforestation, wildfires, illegal mining

• ~25% of lowland forests, rivers, wetlands already affected by climate impacts

• Escalating threats: forest loss, climate extremes, land grabbing, unregulated mining

• Biodiversity: 13% of known species (50,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish), largest leatherback turtle nesting sites

• Hydrological fragmentation: 40% rise in damming past decade; 29% tree mortality in areas affected by Balbina Dam

• Home to 47+ million people; plays critical role in global rainfall regulation and carbon storage

• Risk of irreversible ecosystem breakdown unless urgent action taken

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Environmental Conservation, Climate Change, Biodiversity, International Environmental Issues)

11. Global GHG Emissions Hit All-Time High in 2025

Source: Down to Earth

Key Points:

• Global carbon emissions projected to increase 1.1% in 2025 compared to 2024

• Current emission volume 10% higher than 2015 (Paris Agreement baseline)

• India’s emissions: 3.23 billion tonnes in 2025 (1.4% increase, below global average of 1.1%)

• China: 0.4% growth; US: 1.9% growth (Trump administration)

• Remaining carbon budget for 1.5°C target: 170 billion tonnes CO2 (exhausted before 2030 at current rates)

• Early monsoon in India and strong renewable growth reduced coal consumption

• Oil and gas contribute 55% of emissions, coal 43% (myth busted)

• 35 countries successfully reduced emissions while growing economies

UPSC Relevance: GS-3 (Climate Change, COP Agreements, Energy Policy), GS-2 (International Relations)

12. U.S. Launches “Operation Southern Spear” Against Narco-Terror Networks

Source: NBC Montana / Fox Baltimore

Key Points:

• Pentagon formally launched “Operation Southern Spear” (Nov 2025): new U.S. military mission targeting narco-terrorism in Latin America

• Objective: dismantle drug trafficking networks; stop shipments before reaching U.S. shores

• 20th strike on alleged drug-trafficking vessel; 80 deaths total from operations

• U.S. reactivated Roosevelt Roads naval base (Puerto Rico, closed 2004); redeployed USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group from Mediterranean to Caribbean

• Expanded surveillance and interdiction capabilities in Caribbean and eastern Pacific

• Secretary of State Rubio described Maduro government as “narco-terrorist regime”

• Potential military options in Venezuela being considered (targeted strikes, security bolstering)

• Venezuela responded with massive military mobilization in counter-response

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, US Foreign Policy), GS-3 (Security Challenges)

13. Ukraine Strike Halts Russia’s Novorossiysk Port: Oil Prices Surge

Source: Times of India

Key Points:

• Ukrainian missile and drone strike forced temporary suspension of Novorossiysk port oil exports (Russia’s largest oil export hub)

• Suspension amounts to ~2% of global oil supply

• Strike triggered jump in global oil prices

• Several crew members injured; emergency teams responded

• Port is critical to Russian oil revenue and global energy markets

• Demonstrates vulnerability of Russian energy infrastructure to military strikes

• Implications for global energy security and geopolitical tensions

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (International Relations, Geopolitics), GS-3 (Energy Security, Global Economics)

14. Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas: Celebrating 150 Years of Bhagwan Birsa Munda

Source: https://pib.gov.in

Key Points:

• Nov 14, 2025: 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda celebrated nationwide

• Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada: Nov 1-15, 2025 special celebration period

• Janjatiya Gaurav Divas officially observed on November 15 (declared in 2021)

• Department of Justice completed Phase-I commemoration of “Vande Mataram” (150 years)

• Bhagwan Birsa Munda: freedom fighter, social reformer; advocated tribal rights, socio-economic reforms

• Legacy: strengthened India’s inclusive democratic framework

• Tribal museum in Ranchi showcases heritage: ₹53.13 crore cost (42.47 crore MoTA + 10.66 crore state); 650 sculptures across 16 galleries

UPSC Relevance: GS-1 (Indian History, Freedom Struggle, Tribal Heritage), GS-2 (Inclusive Democracy)

15. Centre Notifies Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025

Source: https://pib.gov.in / The Hindu Business Line

Key Points:

• Centre notified Draft Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025 (operationalizing DPDP Act, 2023)

• SARAL design: Simple, Accessible, Rational, Actionable approach using plain language

• Data Principals’ Rights: Access, correction, erasure, nomination of another person in case of death/incapacity

• Data Fiduciaries’ Obligations: Ensure data accuracy, security, breach notification (max 90 days response)

• Data Protection Board of India: Fully digital institution for complaints; online filing and tracking via dedicated platform and mobile app

• Exemptions for certain startups and government entities notified

• Implementation timeline: 12-18 months for major rules

• Appeals process: Appeals Tribunal (TDSAT)

• Balances innovation, growth, and individual privacy rights

UPSC Relevance: GS-2 (Governance, Digital Rights, Privacy), GS-3 (Technology Policy, E-Governance)

PIB

The Hindu

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