Daily Insights November 20, 2025

Daily Insights – November 20, 2025

1. PM-KISAN 21st Instalment: ₹18,000 Crore DBT to 9 Crore Farmers

Source: PIB Press Release​

Key Points:

• Prime Minister released 21st instalment of PM-KISAN scheme on November 19, 2025 from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu

• Nearly 9 crore farmers to receive approximately ₹18,000 crore through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)

• Total disbursement till date: Over ₹3.70 lakh crore to 11+ crore farmer families across 20 instalments

• Over 25% benefits dedicated to women beneficiaries

• One of world’s largest DBT initiatives with Kisan-eMitra resolving 95 lakh+ queries from 53 lakh farmers

• Integration with Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) strengthening financial sustainability

2. National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2025 Released

Source: PIB Press Release​

Key Points:

• MoSPI released NIC-2025 during 75th anniversary of National Sample Survey on November 18, 2025

• New 6-digit coding structure replacing 5-digit structure of NIC-2008 for greater granularity

• Aligned with UN’s ISIC Revision 5 international standards

• Captures rapid economic transformation: renewable energy, fintech, e-commerce, digital intermediation

• Recognizes indigenous sectors like AYUSH-based healthcare and handloom industry

• Will form standard framework for all statistical surveys, national accounts, and official statistics

3. India to Host Global Big Cats Summit 2026

Source: PIB/MEA Statements at COP30​

Key Points:

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced at COP30 High-Level Ministerial Segment in Belém, Brazil

• Summit scheduled for New Delhi in 2026 under International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) framework

• Focus on seven major species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, jaguar, cheetah, puma

• India’s achievements: doubled tiger population ahead of schedule, steady Asiatic lion growth

• Big cat landscapes serve as nature-based climate solutions for carbon sequestration and watershed protection

• IBCA launched by PM Modi in 2023 now has 17 member countries with 30+ expressing interest

4. Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s Israel Visit for Trade & Technology Cooperation

Source: PIB Press Release​

Key Points:

• Official visit scheduled for November 20-22, 2025 on invitation of Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry

• Leading 60-member business delegation facilitated by CII, FICCI, Assocham and Start-up India

• India-Israel Business Forum to include technical discussions and B2B engagements

• Fourth edition of high-level CEOs Forum with prominent CEOs from both nations

• Focus on trade expansion, technology transfer, innovation and investment in priority sectors

• Strengthens strategic and economic engagement between India and Israel

5. Supreme Court Environmental Verdict Recall: Green Exception vs. Rule

Source: Indian Express Editorial​

Key Points:

• Supreme Court recalled its own verdict on environmental protections, raising concerns

• SC has consistently warned government against environment-development binary trap

• Decision sets precedent where environmental safeguards could be weakened

• Critical implications for environmental jurisprudence and sustainable development

• Observers watching how Court balances development pressures with ecological protection

• Emphasizes need for consistent application of environmental law principles

6. India’s Food Grain Procurement Crisis and Crop Diversification Need​

Key Points:

• Tamil Nadu kuruvai paddy procurement controversy highlights systemic imbalances

• Rice procurement reached 86 lakh tonnes by October 31, 2025 (up from 82.08 lakh tonnes in 2024)

• Growing surplus in rice contrasts with shortages in pulses and oilseeds

• India imported ₹1.2 lakh crore edible oil and ₹30,000 crore pulses in 2023-24

• Government allocates ₹2 lakh crore annually in food subsidies despite procurement-PDS mismatch

• Urgent need for crop diversification, farmer support for alternative crops, and restructuring procurement system

7. India’s Happiness Ranking: Aspiration vs. Despair Analysis

Key Points:

• 2025 World Happiness Report ranks Finland first; India at 118, Pakistan higher despite crises

• Rankings based on life evaluations, social support, GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, freedom, generosity, corruption

• India’s ranking reflects democratic transparency and public debate rather than actual unhappiness

• Institutional trust and social capital more important than GDP for well-being

• India’s challenges: rebuilding social capital, restoring institutional trust, integrating mental health into policy

• Dissatisfaction indicates aspiration and unfinished national transformation, not despair

8. India Renewable Energy Milestone: Record 34.4 GW Addition in 2025

Source: Business Standard/Economic Times​

Key Points:

• India added 34.4 GW solar and wind capacity in first 9 months of 2025 (71% growth YoY)

• Solar capacity increased 68.9%, wind installations surged 88.8% compared to 2024

• Total renewable energy capacity reached 247.3 GW (39.66% of total installed capacity)

• Solar contributes 52% of renewable segment, wind 21%, large hydro 20%

• India crossed 505 GW total power capacity with 11.13% annual growth

• Achieved 50% non-fossil fuel target five years ahead of 2030 deadline

• Projected to add 45-46 GW by end of 2025

9. G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa

Source: MEA Press Release​

Key Points:

• 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled November 22-23, 2025 in Johannesburg (first in Africa)

• PM Modi visiting November 21-23; fourth consecutive G20 Summit held in Global South

• Theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” with focus on Africa’s development agenda

• Three sessions: (i) Inclusive Economic Growth & Trade, (ii) Climate & Just Energy Transitions, (iii) AI & Decent Work

• PM expected to hold bilateral meetings and participate in IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Leaders’ Meeting

• South Africa’s presidency aims for progressive, people-centered, development-oriented outcomes

• US boycott under Trump administration due to tensions; summit proceeds without American delegation

10. Indonesia’s Mount Semeru Volcano Major Eruption

Source: Al Jazeera/BBC/CBC​​

Key Points:

• Java’s tallest mountain erupted November 19, 2025 at approximately 4 PM local time (09:00 GMT)

• Pyroclastic flows traveled 7-8.5 km from summit; ash columns rose several kilometers high

• Alert level raised to Level IV (Awas) – highest status

• Exclusion zone: 8 km radius from summit; 500m from Besuk Kobokan riverbanks

• Three villages in Lumajang Regency impacted; approximately 300 residents evacuated

• Potential for lahars (volcanic mudflows) reaching up to 13 km downstream

• No fatalities reported; monitoring equipment damaged by extreme ashfall

11. Iran Ends Visa-Free Entry for Indians from November 22, 2025

Source: MEA Advisory/Multiple News Sources​

Key Points:

• Iran suspended visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders effective November 22, 2025

• Decision follows misuse by criminal networks involving kidnapping and employment fraud

• MEA issued travel advisory warning against fraudulent agents promising visa-free travel/transit

• Visa-free facility was introduced in February 2024 to boost tourism and bilateral ties

• Indian nationals lured with fake job promises; many kidnapped for ransom (up to ₹1 crore demanded)

• From November 22: visa mandatory for both entry and transit through Iran

• Applies to ordinary passports; diplomatic/official passports may have different provisions

12. BrahMos Missile Production Milestone: Lucknow Facility Operational

Source: DD News/Economic Times/India Today​

Key Points:

• First batch of BrahMos missiles flagged off from Lucknow Integration & Testing Facility on October 17, 2025

• Facility built at ₹380 crore on 200 acres; annual production capacity: ~100 missile systems

• Expected turnover: ₹3,000 crore/year; GST contribution: ₹500 crore from next FY

• Defence Minister: “Every inch of Pakistan within BrahMos reach” after Operation Sindoor

• BrahMos Aerospace signed export contracts worth ~₹4,000 crore with two countries in October 2025

• 800 km range variant under trials; expected operational by end-2027

• Current specifications: 450 km range, Mach 2.8 speed, launched from land/sea/air platforms

• Total BrahMos deals value: ₹58,000+ crore; largest Navy order: ₹19,519 crore for 220+ missiles

13. Sheikh Hasina Death Sentence: Bangladesh Seeks Extradition from India

Source: News on AIR/India Today/HRW​

Key Points:

• International Crimes Tribunal, Dhaka sentenced Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia on November 17, 2025

• Convicted for crimes against humanity during July-August 2024 student-led protests crackdown

• Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also sentenced to death; police chief got 5 years

• UN fact-finding: up to 1,400 killed, 11,000+ detained during crackdown; security forces used live ammunition, drones

• Bangladesh preparing to seek Interpol Red Notice and India’s formal extradition

• India-Bangladesh Extradition Treaty 2013 allows refusal if offense deemed “political in character”

• India’s measured response: committed to “best interests of Bangladesh people” without direct comment on extradition

• Hasina, 78, fled to India on August 5, 2024; calls verdict “biased and politically motivated”

• Legal grey zone: extradition vs. political asylum considerations

PIB

The Hindu

Daily Insights