Daily Insights November 24, 2025
Contents
Daily Insights November 24, 2025
1. Chandigarh Constitutional Status – Government Delays Amendment Bill
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Governance & Constitution
Key Points:
Union Home Ministry clarified that the Centre has no intention to introduce the Constitutional (131st Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Winter Session of Parliament
The Bill was initially listed in the Lok Sabha Bulletin (November 21) to align Chandigarh with other Union Territories without legislatures
Would have replaced concurrent Governor-Administrator with a full-time Lieutenant-Governor
Postponement follows strong opposition from Punjab political parties (Congress, SAD, AAP)
Constitutional Significance: Article 240 – status of Union Territories; Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966
Political context: Power-sharing dynamics between Punjab and Haryana
Demonstrates impact of federalism principles and inter-state sensitivities in constitutional amendments
2. Supreme Court Presidential Reference Opinion on Governor’s Bill Powers
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Judiciary & Constitutional Law
Key Points:
Former Chief Justice B.R. Gavai clarified Supreme Court’s advisory opinion does not overrule Tamil Nadu Governor judgment
April 8 judgment held Bills must be cleared by Governors/President within 3 months or deemed passed
November 20 five-judge Bench opinion contradicted this, introducing “reasonable period” concept
“Reasonable period” undefined – judicial discretion required on case-by-case basis
Limited judicial review permitted for excessively delayed Bills
Executive-Judiciary relations; separation of powers doctrine
Different Bill categories require different timelines (routine Bills ~1 month; emergency Bills 3-4 months)
UPSC Relevance: Article 111 (Presidential assent), Articles 200-201 (Governor’s role in state legislatures), judicial overreach concerns
3. PM Modi at G20: Global Compact on AI to Prevent Misuse
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Technology, Governance & International Relations
Key Points:
Global AI Compact proposed with core principles:
Effective human oversight of AI systems
Safety-by-design architecture
Transparency and accountability
Restrictions on AI use in deepfakes, crime, terrorism
AI systems impacting human life must be “responsible and auditable”
Human decision-making should remain ultimate authority
India hosting AI Impact Summit February 2026 with theme “Sarvajanam Hitaya, Sarvajanam Sukhaya”
India-AI Mission aims to build accessible high-performance computing capacity
Critical technology to be “human-centric” not “finance-centric”
UPSC Relevance: Emerging technologies, global governance, digital ethics, India’s soft power in technology multilateralism
4. UNSC Reforms Essential – Modi at IBSA Summit (Johannesburg)
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: International Relations & Global Governance
Key Points:
PM Modi stated UNSC reform is “no longer an option but a necessity”
IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance proposed for sharing:
Unified Payment Interface (UPI)
Health platforms (CoWIN)
Cybersecurity frameworks
Women-led tech initiatives
IBSA Fund for Climate Resilient Agriculture launched
First G20 Summit on African soil; IBSA members held 3 consecutive G20 presidencies
Cooperation areas: millets, natural farming, disaster resilience, green energy, traditional medicine
South-South cooperation emphasis; amplifying Global South voice
UPSC Relevance: Multilateralism, Indian foreign policy, BRICS/IBSA positioning, development cooperation, climate action
5. India-South Africa Partnership: Trade, Critical Minerals, AI Cooperation
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: International Relations & Trade
Key Points:
PM Modi-President Ramaphosa bilateral meet (G20 sidelines)
Cooperation areas: trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, AI, food security
India-South Africa partnership review covering full spectrum of ties
Youth delegation exchanges for technology and people-to-people ties
Historical ties recognition; progress in various bilateral fields
Global South coordination; joint efforts on multilateral issues
South African presidency of G20 appreciated
UPSC Relevance: Bilateral relations, trade agreements, critical minerals importance (defence, clean energy), India’s strategic partnerships
6. Air Quality Crisis in Delhi – AQI 381 (Very Poor Category)
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Environmental Crisis & Pollution
Key Points:
Delhi air quality remained in “very poor” category on November 23 morning
AQI recorded at 381 (Central Pollution Control Board data)
Peak pollution levels affecting national capital during winter season
Agricultural burning, vehicular emissions, industrial activity converging factors
Public health emergency: respiratory diseases, school closures likely
Need for coordinated pollution control measures involving multiple states
UPSC Relevance: Environmental governance, Air Quality Index standards, transboundary pollution, inter-state environmental cooperation, climate-health nexus
7. Methamphetamine Seizure Worth ₹262 Crore – NCB-Delhi Police Operation
Source: PIB Release – November 23, 2025
Category: Law Enforcement & Crime
Key Points:
328 kg methamphetamine seized worth ₹262 crore (international market value)
Joint NCB-Delhi Police operation in New Delhi
Dismantled organized drug trafficking cartel with international links
Two arrests made; suspects used fake SIM cards and secret applications
Cartel employed top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top investigation approach
Third conviction this calendar year by this unit
Reflects government’s “drug-free India” vision
Trans-border narcotic trafficking networks targeted
UPSC Relevance: Law and order, organized crime, transnational trafficking, narcotics control, inter-agency coordination, public health emergency
8. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls – Phase II Progress Report
Source: PIB Release – November 23, 2025
Category: Electoral Administration & Democratic Process
Key Points:
Enumeration Phase: November 4 – December 4, 2025
12 States/UTs coverage: Total 50.97 crore electors
Digitization Status: 99.02% forms distributed; 20.02 crore forms digitized
Significant variation: Goa 100% distributed (69.38% digitized); Kerala 97.23% distributed (15.92% digitized)
Exercise aims to clean voter rolls, prevent duplicate/invalid entries
BLOs (Booth Level Officers) conducting exhaustive field enumeration
Latest comprehensive revision conducted 22 years ago (2002)
Concerns raised: Deaths of BLOs due to physical stress; data privacy issues
UPSC Relevance: Electoral processes, constitutional law (Election Commission), voter registration, democratic participation, administrative challenges
9. COP30 Climate Agreement – Adaptation Finance Tripled, Fossil Fuel Transition Commitment
Source: https://news.un.org
Category: Climate Change & Environmental Policy
Key Points:
COP30 Final Outcome (Mutirão Text) adopted in Belém, Brazil
Climate Finance: Mobilize $1.3 trillion annually by 2035
Adaptation Finance: Double by 2025; triple by 2035
Loss and Damage Fund: Operationalization and replenishment cycles confirmed
Fossil Fuel Transition: References “UAE Consensus” (COP28) – “transitioning away from fossil fuels”
No explicit fossil fuel phase-out language despite 80+ countries supporting roadmap
Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C launched
Climate justice and just transition mechanism emphasized
Indigenous peoples’ land rights and conservation roles recognized
UPSC Relevance: Climate finance, adaptation vs. mitigation, just transition, international climate negotiations, environmental governance, India’s climate diplomacy
10. Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva – US, EU, Ukraine Officials Discuss Framework
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: International Conflict & Diplomacy
Key Points:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio led negotiations with Ukrainian delegation
Trump administration peace plan includes:
Territorial concessions by Ukraine
Limits on Ukrainian military
Renunciation of NATO membership ambitions
Deadline: Ukraine President Zelenskyy given until Thursday (November 27) for approval
EU counterproposal: Modified framework pushing back on territorial concessions and military limitations
Talks characterized as “best held since Trump took office”
Stiff atmosphere; European allies express concerns over US-Ukraine negotiations
Geopolitical tensions: US-Europe coordination challenges
UPSC Relevance: International relations, sovereignty issues, multilateralism, EU-US strategic alignment, military alliances (NATO), global power dynamics
11. Gaza Ceasefire Violations – Israel Launches Airstrikes; 24 Deaths Reported
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: International Conflict & Humanitarian Crisis
Key Points:
Israeli airstrikes launched November 22 in response to gunfire at IDF troops
Casualties: At least 24 Palestinians killed; 54 wounded (Gaza health officials)
Airstrike on vehicle in Gaza City’s Rimal killed 11; over 20 wounded
Ceasefire began October 10, 2025 (after October 7 attacks)
Repeated violations: Hamas accused of breaching ceasefire terms; Hamas denies
Palestinian deaths: 33 killed over 12-hour period (November 20-21)
UN Security Council approved US blueprint for Gaza governance
Humanitarian crisis continues; civilian casualties concentrated
UPSC Relevance: International humanitarian law, conflict resolution, geopolitical tensions, refugee crisis, human rights, ICC jurisdiction considerations
12. BJP Petition Against Muslim Student Admissions at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Education, Rights & Constitutional Law
Key Points:
L-G Manoj Sinha accepted BJP memorandum seeking to scrap MBBS admission list
Current admission list: 42 of 50 qualified students are Muslims
BJP seeks seats reserved exclusively for Hindus at SMVDU, Katra
Controversy: Religious institution claiming doctrinal preferences
Opposition reactions:
National Conference: “Communalising institutions”
Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University precedents cited
Concerns about “recipe for disaster” in institutional governance
Constitutional implications of communal quotas in minority institutions
Secular governance vs. religious institution autonomy tension
UPSC Relevance: Constitutional law (Articles 15, 29, 30 – rights), secularism, minority rights, communalism, education policy, administrative law
13. Bangladesh Seeks Extradition of Deposed PM Sheikh Hasina from India
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: International Relations & Criminal Law
Key Points:
Bangladesh interim government sent formal extradition request to Indian External Affairs Ministry
International Crimes Tribunal (ICT): Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death (November 17)
Conviction relates to July-August 2024 crackdown on unarmed pro-democracy protesters
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal also sentenced to death
Charges: Alleged role in suppression of mass protest movement
India’s response: “Noted” the verdict without indicating extradition stance
Bilateral tensions: Political sensitivity; India-Bangladesh relations
Hasina in India since mid-2024; currently in protective detention
UPSC Relevance: Extradition law, international relations, human rights, transitional justice, bilateral diplomacy, refugee protection
14. Justice Surya Kant Takes Oath as 53rd Chief Justice of India
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Judiciary & Constitutional Governance
Key Points:
Justice Surya Kant sworn in as CJI on November 24, 2025
Succeeds Justice B.R. Gavai
Tenure: Nearly 15 months (until February 9, 2027)
Born February 10, 1962, in Hisar district, Haryana
Career progression: Small-town lawyer → Chief Justice (landmark rise)
Notable judgments: Article 370 abrogation, free speech, citizenship rights, sedition law (kept in abeyance)
Presidential Reference on Governor’s Bill powers (part of recent Bench)
Election Commission-related rulings (65 lakh excluded voters disclosure)
First CJI of Gen-X; represents judicial modernization
UPSC Relevance: Constitutional governance, judicial independence, Rule of Law, CJI powers and functions, Indian judiciary structure
15. Tejas Fighter Jet Crash at Dubai Air Show – Experts Caution Against Premature Conclusions
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news
Category: Defence & Technology
Key Points:
Indian Air Force Tejas crashed at Dubai Air Show
Wing Commander Namansh Syal died in crash (resident of Kangra, HP)
Joint IAF-UAE investigation underway (IAF team reached Dubai)
Social media speculation: sabotage, external interference theories
PIB Fact Check: Debunked claims of pre-flight oil leak; clarified routine draining process
Misinformation campaign: Accounts from neighboring countries spreading false narratives
Expert assessment: Tejas has impeccable safety record (inducted 2016; no incidents until 2024)
Aviation experts caution: Premature conclusions risky; await investigation report
Export concerns: Delay impact on India’s defence export platform
Domestic priority: HAL delivery timelines critical; IAF requires 220 aircraft
UPSC Relevance: Defence procurement, indigenous technology development, export policy, aviation safety, military modernization, strategic competition
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