Daily Insights November 19, 2025

Daily Insights November 19, 2025

1. National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 Released

Source: PIB

Key Points:

• Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released NIC 2025 on November 18, 2025, during the 75th anniversary of National Sample Survey (NSS) and World Statistics Day at Udaipur

• First revision since NIC 2008 (after 17 years), aligned with International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) Revision 5 developed by UN Statistics Division

• Introduces new 6-digit coding structure replacing previous 5-digit structure for greater granularity and flexibility

• Expands from 21 sections to 22 sections, 88 divisions to 87 divisions, 238 groups to 257 groups, 403 classes to 463 classes, and 1,304 sub-classes to 1,887 sub-classes

• Captures emerging sectors: renewable energy, fintech, e-commerce, digital intermediation, cloud infrastructure, blockchain, platform-based services, AYUSH-based healthcare, handloom industry

• Recognizes green economy activities: carbon capture, waste management, environmental remediation

• Will serve as standard framework for statistical surveys, censuses, national accounts, and policy formulation

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Economy, Statistics), GS Paper II (Governance), Prelims (Economic Planning, Statistical Bodies)

2. Digital Personal Data Protection Rules 2025 Notified

Source: PIB

Key Points:

• Government of India notified Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules 2025 on November 14, 2025

• Marks full operationalization of Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023

• Ministry of Electronics and IT received 6,915 public inputs during consultations held across seven cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai)

• Key provisions: 18-month phased compliance period, mandatory separate consent notices, Consent Managers must be India-based companies

• Establishes digital-first Data Protection Board of India with 4 members; citizens can file complaints online through dedicated portal and mobile app

• Penalties: up to ₹250 crore for failure to maintain security safeguards, up to ₹200 crore for breach notification failures or child data violations, up to ₹50 crore for other violations

• Special protections for children (verifiable parental consent required) and persons with disabilities

• Rights include: access, correction, update, erasure of personal data; 90-day response mandate for Data Fiduciaries

• DPDP Act amends RTI Act Section 8(1)(j) to balance privacy with transparency, codifying Supreme Court’s Puttaswamy judgment principles

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (Governance, Data Protection), GS Paper III (IT, Cyber Security), Prelims (Acts, Digital Governance), Ethics (Privacy Rights)

3. India’s Creative Economy and AVGC-XR Sector Growth

Source: PIB

Key Points:

• India’s Media & Entertainment sector projected to grow at 7% CAGR, reaching ₹3,067 billion by 2027 and USD 100 billion by 2030

• Sector offers 40-60% cost advantage in animation and VFX services globally; 25% of Indian OTT content viewership comes from overseas

• AVGC Promotion Task Force (2022) projects creation of 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs in next 10 years

• Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) established in Mumbai in 2024 as National Centre of Excellence for AVGC-XR (Section 8 company)

• State policies: Karnataka AVGC-XR Policy 2024-2029, Maharashtra AVGC-XR Policy 2025 (backed by ₹3,268 crore, roadmap to 2050)

• Cinematograph (Amendment) Act 2023 introduces anti-piracy provisions with imprisonment up to 3 years and fines up to 5% of film’s audited production cost

• World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) inaugural edition held May 1-4, 2025 in Mumbai: generated ₹1,328 crore business pipeline, ₹50 crore investment pool for media-tech startups

• National Broadcasting Policy under development to promote content diversity, digital infrastructure, and India’s global media footprint

• India Cine Hub serves as single-window platform for film facilitation, managed by NFDC

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Economy, Industrial Development, IT), GS Paper I (Culture), Prelims (Government Schemes, Policies), Essay (Creative Economy)

4. Sixteenth Finance Commission Report Submitted

Source: PIB

Key Points:

• Sixteenth Finance Commission (XVIFC) headed by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya submitted report to President Droupadi Murmu on November 17, 2025

• Report covers award period 2026-27 to 2030-31 (five years commencing April 1, 2026)

• Recommendations include: distribution of net tax proceeds between Union and States, allocation between States, grants-in-aid to States, disaster management financing review

• Commission conducted wide-ranging consultations with Union Government, State Governments, Local Governments, previous Finance Commission chairpersons, academic institutions, multilateral institutions, domain experts

• Report organized in two volumes: Volume I contains recommendations as per Terms of Reference, Volume II contains annexures

• Report will be available in public domain once tabled in Parliament by Union Finance Minister under Article 281 of Constitution

• Members: Smt. Annie George Mathew, Dr. Manoj Panda, Shri T. Rabi Sankar, Dr. Soumyakanti Ghosh; Secretary: Shri Ritvik Pandey

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (Polity, Federalism), GS Paper III (Public Finance), Prelims (Constitutional Bodies, Finance Commission), Mains (Fiscal Federalism)

5. Electronics Development Fund: ₹257.77 Crore Investment Milestone

Source: PIB (referenced in news analysis)

Key Points:

• Electronics Development Fund (EDF) launched February 15, 2016 by Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY)

• As of September 30, 2025: invested ₹257.77 crore in 8 Daughter Funds, enabling ₹1,335.77 crore downstream investments into 128 startups

• Leverage ratio: For every ₹1 invested by EDF → ₹5.18 mobilized in ecosystem

• EDF-supported startups created 23,600+ high-tech jobs and generated 368 Intellectual Properties (IPs)

• 37 exits achieved with cumulative returns to EDF: ₹173.88 crore

• Priority sectors: IoT, Robotics, Drones, Autonomous Vehicles, HealthTech, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor & Embedded Systems

• Fund of Funds model: invests in SEBI-regulated Category I & II Alternative Investment Funds (early-stage angel and venture funds)

• Minority participation model ensures market efficiency; Canara Bank acts as trustee and sponsor, Canbank Venture Capital Funds Ltd. as investment manager

• Addresses deep-tech funding gap, reduces electronics import dependence (India’s annual electronics imports >$70 billion historically)

• Aligns with Make in India, Digital India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Economy, Industrial Policy, Science & Technology), Prelims (Government Schemes), Mains (Startup Ecosystem, Innovation)

6. Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to Death

Source: The Hindu (November 18, 2025)

Key Points:

• Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia on November 17, 2025

• Verdict for crimes against humanity during violent crackdown on student-led protests in July-August 2024

• UN fact-finding report estimates 1,400 people killed, 12-13% were children; 11,000+ detained, thousands injured; gender-based violence documented

• Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also sentenced to death; former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun sentenced to 5 years (state witness)

• Three-member tribunal headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza Majumder; Hasina declared fugitive, currently in exile in India

• Hasina cannot appeal unless she returns or is arrested within 30 days; called verdict “biased and politically motivated”

• Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs urged India to extradite Hasina and Khan; India’s Foreign Ministry acknowledged verdict but didn’t commit to extradition

• Interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus; Awami League party activities banned; elections set for February 2026

• ICT originally created by Hasina’s government in 2010 to prosecute 1971 Liberation War atrocities

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, India’s Neighborhood), GS Paper I (Modern History – Bangladesh Liberation), Prelims (International Organizations, Tribunals)

7. COP30 Climate Summit Enters Final Stretch in Belém, Brazil

Source: UN News, Multiple Sources

Key Points:

• 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) held November 10-21, 2025 in Belém, Brazil

• UN Climate Chief Simon Stiell warned: “No time to lose with delays and obstruction” as ministers enter political decision-making phase

• EU submitted updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC): reduce net GHG emissions by 66.25-72.5% below 1990 levels by 2035

• People’s Summit drew 25,000+ participants; climate justice march of 70,000 people (largest demonstration of its kind)

• Brazil’s Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin: “World must stop debating goals and start fulfilling them”

• Belém Commitment initiative to quadruple sustainable fuels use by 2035, backed by 25 nations

• Brazil’s Earth Investment Engine exceeded $5 billion target with over $10 billion mobilized for nature-based solutions

• G20 Brazilian Presidency established G20 Bioeconomy Initiative (GIB) with 10 High-Level Principles

• Global Fire Management Hub launched (FAO-hosted) for coordinated fire prevention

• Country Platform Hub launched by Green Climate Fund, NDC Partnership, UNDP to strengthen country-led climate finance mobilization

• WMO confirms 2023-2025 as hottest years on record with accelerated ocean heat, glacier loss, record CO₂ concentrations

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Environment, Climate Change, International Agreements), GS Paper II (International Relations), Prelims (COP Summits, Paris Agreement), Essay (Climate Justice)

8. Ukraine-France Defense Deal: 100 Rafale Fighter Jets

Source: Euronews, Le Monde

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed letter of intent in Paris on November 17, 2025 to purchase up to 100 Rafale warplanes over next 10 years

• Deal includes: Rafale jets with full armament, 8 SAMP/T air defense systems (each with 6 launching systems), drones and drone interceptors, guided bombs

• First deliveries expected over next three years; Rafale pilot training takes at least 3 years

• French defence chief: SAMP/T systems proving more effective than US Patriot batteries against Russian missiles

• Agreement also covers training programs, production cooperation, and next-generation technology

• Financing uncertain: Ukraine pushing to use frozen Russian assets; EU hasn’t agreed yet

• Related agreements: Ukraine-Sweden deal (October 2025) exploring 100-150 Gripen jets; Ukraine already received US F-16s and French Mirages

• Multinational Force Ukraine (“Coalition of the Willing”) being prepared by France-Britain with 30+ nations to police eventual ceasefire

• Meeting context: Zelenskyy’s 9th visit to Paris since February 2022 invasion; Russia continues targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure

• France-Ukraine also signed rail contract: Alstom supplying 55 locomotives worth €475 million

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, Geopolitics), GS Paper III (Defence, Technology Transfer), Prelims (Defense Agreements), Essay (Global Security)

9. Iran Suspends Visa-Free Entry for Indians

Source: Indian Express (November 18, 2025), MEA Advisory

Key Points:

• Iran suspended visa-free entry facility for ordinary Indian passport holders from November 22, 2025

• Reason: Rising human trafficking, fraudulent employment rackets, kidnapping incidents involving Indian nationals

• Iranian Embassy announcement: Indians must obtain visa for both entry and transit through Iran from November 22

• Pattern: Indians (particularly youth from Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh) lured by unauthorized agents with fake job promises

• Victims told Iran would be transit point to Europe, Australia, or Central Asia; instead fell into trafficking chains

• Many kidnapped upon arrival in Iran; ransom demanded from families

• Visa waiver introduced February 2024 to boost tourism (max 15 days, once in 6 months)

• MEA advisory: “All Indian nationals intending to visit Iran strongly advised to remain vigilant and avoid agents offering visa-free travel or onward transit to third countries via Iran”

• Airlines instructed to verify visa status before boarding

• Decision marks major policy shift in India-Iran bilateral ties

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, Bilateral Relations), GS Paper III (Security, Human Trafficking), Prelims (Visa Policies), Ethics (Human Rights)

10. EAM Jaishankar at SCO Meeting: Zero Tolerance for Terrorism

Source: PIB, The Hindu

Key Points:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended 24th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government meeting in Moscow, November 17-18, 2025

• Met Russian President Vladimir Putin along with other SCO delegation heads; thanked PM Mikhail Mishustin for hosting

• Key statement: “No justification, no looking away, no whitewashing of terror in any form; India has sovereign right to defend its citizens”

• Called for “zero tolerance” stance on terrorism; reminded SCO founded to combat “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism

• Context: November 10, 2025 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort killed 15 people (confirmed as terror incident by Union Cabinet)

• Pushed for SCO reforms: making English an official language (currently only Russian and Chinese), greater flexibility, new collaborations

• Highlighted India’s initiatives: SCO Special Working Group on Startups and Innovation, SCO Startup Forum for youth entrepreneurship

• Bilateral meetings: Mongolia PM Gombojavyn Zandanshatar, Qatar PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani

• SCO comprises 10 member states: India, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (India and Pakistan joined 2017, Iran joined July 2023)

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, Regional Organizations), GS Paper III (Internal Security), Prelims (SCO, Regional Groupings), Essay (Terrorism, Multilateralism)

11. Global Precision Medicine Market and India’s Role

Source: The Hindu (November 18, 2025 Science Section), Analysis Sources

Key Points:

• Global precision medicine market valued at ~$12 billion in 2023, projected to cross $22 billion by 2027

• Precision medicine/biotherapeutics: medical interventions optimized for patient’s specific genetic or molecular profile using genomic analysis, gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9), mRNA therapeutics, monoclonal antibodies, AI-driven drug discovery

• India contributes ~65% of deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs); diverse genetic landscape makes it ideal for precision medicine testing

• Department of Biotechnology (DBT) identified precision biotherapeutics as focus area under Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment (BioE3) policy

• GenomeIndia and IndiGen projects building reference genomic databases representing India’s population diversity

• India advancing toward 1 million genome sequences milestone; CSIR and DBT sequenced nearly 10,000 human genomes

• India’s first successful haemophilia clinical trial using indigenously developed Factor VIII

• Challenges: no unified regulatory framework for gene/cell therapies, high costs (affordable only to urban elite), manufacturing bottlenecks, data privacy concerns

• Opportunities: cost-effective research environment, data analytics capabilities, biotechnology talent pool, public-private partnerships

• Cohort Connect 2025: India’s largest study on genetic and lifestyle drivers of disease launched on World Diabetes Day eve

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Science & Technology, Biotechnology, Healthcare), GS Paper II (Governance, Health Policy), Prelims (Scientific Developments), Essay (Healthcare Innovation)

12. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) Impact on India

Source: The Hindu Editorial (November 18, 2025)

Key Points:

• EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) part of European Green Deal “Fit for 55 in 2030 package” to reduce GHG emissions 55% by 2030 vs 1990 levels

• Transitional phase started October 1, 2023; Carbon Border Tax (CBT) mandatory from January 2026

• CBAM applies to imports: cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, hydrogen

• Importers must purchase CBAM certificates equal to carbon emissions embedded in products, priced equivalent to EU Emissions Trading System (ETS)

• Impact on India: 20-35% increase in export costs; India lacks emissions trading system like EU’s ETS

• India’s high reliance on coal-fired electricity increases CBAM tax burden; steel, aluminum, cement, fertilizer exports most affected

• India’s response: reaching out to EU for recognition of domestic Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS); Draft CCTS published March 27, 2023

• Ministry of Power developing carbon market framework

• Potential strategies: implement own carbon tax on EU exports, rename existing schemes as carbon taxes, diversify export markets, invest in renewable energy, optimize supply chains

• India’s net-zero target: 2070

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Environment, Climate Change, International Trade), GS Paper II (India-EU Relations), Prelims (Climate Agreements, Trade Barriers), Essay (Green Trade)

13. Pakistan-China Submarine Deal: Hangor-Class Induction

Source: The Print, India Today

Key Points:

• Pakistan Navy expects first Chinese-designed Hangor-class submarine to enter active service in 2026, Admiral Naveed Ashraf confirmed to Global Times

• Deal signed 2015 for 8 Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines, reportedly worth up to $5 billion

• First 4 submarines built in China, remaining 4 assembled in Pakistan (Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works) for technology transfer

• First submarine launched April 2024 into China’s Yangtze River (Hubei province shipyard); second and third launched 2025

• All 8 vessels to be delivered by 2028; project “progressing smoothly”

• Strategic purpose: boost Pakistan’s ability to patrol North Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean; secure China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) sea routes

• CPEC part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative: secures energy import route from Middle East, bypassing Straits of Malacca chokepoint

• Pakistan Navy cooperation with China includes joint exercises, advanced technology sharing, industrial collaboration

• Context: India operates 3 indigenously developed nuclear-powered submarines, 3 classes of diesel-electric attack submarines (France, Germany, Russia partnerships)

• 81% of Pakistan’s arms imports (2020-2024) came from China per Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, India’s Neighborhood), GS Paper III (Defence, Maritime Security), Prelims (Defence Agreements), Essay (Geopolitics, Indo-Pacific)

14. Great Barrier Reef: Record Coral Bleaching and Loss

Source: CNN, Down to Earth

Key Points:

• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) report (August 6, 2025): Great Barrier Reef lost 25-33% hard coral cover across three primary areas in 2024

• Certain severely impacted regions lost up to 70% coral

• 2024 bleaching event had “largest spatial footprint ever documented on Great Barrier Reef” in 39 years of monitoring

• Northern and southern regions experienced most significant single-year coral cover reductions since monitoring began

• 2024 marked rare global mass coral bleaching event affecting dozens of countries

• Elevated water temperatures exacerbated by El Niño weather phenomenon forced corals to expel algae (bleaching)

• 2025: Sixth mass bleaching since 2016; first time Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef bleached simultaneously

• Previous mass bleaching events: 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025 (back-to-back 2016-17 and 2024-25)

• Fast-growing coral species most adversely affected; prolonged elevated temperatures can lead to coral death

• Degradation threatens ~25% of marine species relying on reefs; reefs protect coastlines from floods, cyclones, rising sea levels

• Queensland Conservation Council called for action: minimize emissions, phase out coal power plants

• Report conclusion: Coral biodiversity loss appears inevitable; increased research needed for reef adaptation and conservation

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper III (Environment, Biodiversity, Climate Change), GS Paper I (Geography – Marine Ecosystems), Prelims (Environmental Phenomena), Essay (Climate Crisis)

15. India-Africa Partnership: Connect, Build, and Revive

Source: The Hindu Editorial (November 18, 2025)

Key Points:

• Decade since India hosted third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) with all 54 African nations represented

• Progress: rising trade volumes, new missions, expanding educational networks, greater political alignment

• Challenges: China remains ahead in trade and investment volumes; Indian companies face limited financial scale, bureaucratic delays

• Future-facing sectors for cooperation: green hydrogen, electric mobility, digital infrastructure, joint innovation

• Africa emerging as innovation producer (Kigali, Nairobi, Lagos) not just technology recipient

• Human connections: most profound dimension of India-Africa relationship

• Key initiatives needed: Connect finance to real outcomes (lines of credit yielding visible results, public finance de-risking private capital); Build India-Africa digital corridor (beyond UPI, co-developed platforms for health, education, payments across Global South)

• India must move up value chain in manufacturing, design, and technology partnerships

• Africa projected to become demographic centre of world; India rising as global economic heavyweight

• Historical ties: Ancient trade across Indian Ocean (spices, gold) now exchanging ideas, innovation, confidence

• Vision: Not India extending hand to Africa, but India and Africa joining hands to build future together

• Educational exchanges: thousands of African students in Indian institutions; Indian faculty and researchers sharing expertise in African universities

UPSC Relevance: GS Paper II (International Relations, India’s Foreign Policy, Development Cooperation), Prelims (IAFS, India-Africa Relations), Essay (South-South Cooperation, Global Partnerships)

PIB

The Hindu

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