National news
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to Inaugurate 66th Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh in Ujjain
The 66th Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh (All India Kalidas Festival) will be inaugurated 12 th november by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. This cultural event, which celebrates the legacy of the legendary Sanskrit poet Mahakavi Kalidas, will run until 18th November.
The inauguration ceremony will be attended by Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, alongside other dignitaries. The festival aims to honor artists and individuals who contribute to the preservation of literary and artistic heritage. As part of the event, there will be discussions and cultural programs focusing on the works of Kalidas and his influence on classical literature.
Additionally, the Kalidas Alankaran Samman (Kalidas Decoration Award) will be presented for the year 2022-2023 to distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to literature, culture, and the arts.
Madya Pradesh:
- Capital: Bhopal
- Governor: Mangubhai Patel
- Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to Inaugurate Two-Day National Workshop on Higher and Technical Education
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will inaugurate a two-day national workshop today focusing on Higher and Technical Education. The event will bring together Secretaries of States and Union Territories to discuss and strategize the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The primary aim of the workshop is to share approaches and methodologies for the effective execution of NEP 2020 and to ensure that the roadmap and implementation strategies are clearly articulated. A key objective is to provide a platform for knowledge exchange among stakeholders and to create a unified approach for smooth and successful implementation of the NEP across the country.
The workshop will promote the adoption of NEP in state institutions and focus on building a more inclusive, robust, and globally competitive education system. It will emphasize the importance of technology in education, digital governance, and capacity building for leaders in the education sector.
Union Minister of Education : Dharmendra Pradhan
- NEP : National Education Policy.
- Establishment:2020
- Headquarters: New Delhi,
Prime Minister Modi Greets Citizens on Igas Festival, Emphasizes Development and Heritage
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi extended his greetings to all citizens on the occasion of the Igas festival. In his message, the Prime Minister emphasized India’s commitment to progressing in development while simultaneously preserving its rich heritage. He highlighted that the nation would continue to focus on both modern growth and the cultural legacy that shapes India’s identity.
Particularly addressing the people of Uttarakhand, the Prime Minister expressed his confidence that the Igas festival, a traditional celebration of the state of Uttarakhand—also known as the “Devbhoomi” or Land of Gods—would continue to flourish and gain significance. The festival celebrates the cultural traditions and spiritual heritage of Uttarakhand, and PM Modi expressed hope that the event will contribute further to the preservation of local traditions while fostering national unity.
About Uttarakhand:
- Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami
- Capital: Dehradun
- Lieutenant Governor: Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh.
8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium Held in New Delhi
The 8th International Ancient Arts Festival and Symposium took place in New Delhi at the Indira Gandhi National Center for Arts (IGNCA) from November 8 to 10, 2024. This unique event is India’s only multi-arts celebration focused on ancient Indian art forms. It aims to educate and entertain the public through artistic performances and lectures by esteemed scholars on the healing potential of ancient arts.
Organized by the IGNCA in collaboration with the Rays of Wisdom Society, the event received support from the Union Ministry of Culture. The IGNCA, established in 1985, is a key government institution for preserving India’s cultural heritage, while the Rays of Wisdom Society is dedicated to preserving and promoting classical Indian dance forms.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):
- established : 1985
- Chairperson : Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi
- headquarters : New Delhi, India.
International news
16th CBD COP Held in Cali, Colombia: Focus on “Peace with Nature” and Global Biodiversity
The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) took place from 21st October to 1st November 2024 in Cali, Colombia. The conference’s theme, “Peace with Nature”, emphasized the need for global cooperation to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
The main goal was to assess the progress on the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), which set ambitious targets to protect 30% of global land and sea areas and restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030.
India played a significant role at the conference. Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, delivered a national statement on conservation of biological resources. A notable step in global wildlife conservation announced by India was the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), aiming to protect the world’s seven major big cat species and promote ecosystem preservation.
The conference also saw the launch of the Global Ecosystems Atlas, the first of its kind, on 22nd October 2024, and the release of the Protected Planet Report 2024, which provided an evaluation of global progress on biodiversity protection. Additionally, the summit agreed to form a subsidiary body that would include Indigenous peoples in future decisions on nature conservation.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change: Kirti Vardhan Singh
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- established : 2023
- head : Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India– Bhupender Yadav
- headquarters : New Delhi, India.
CDS General Anil Chauhan’s Visit to Algeria Strengthens Bilateral Defence Ties
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria from 31st October to 3rd November 2024. His visit follows the October 2024 visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Algeria. During his visit, General Chauhan participated in several key events aimed at enhancing bilateral ties.
On 1st November 2024, General Chauhan attended the military parade as Guest of Honour to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Algeria’s Glorious Revolution of 1 November 1954. The revolution marked a significant chapter in Algeria’s struggle for independence.
On 3rd November 2024, General Chauhan and General Saïd Chanegriha, the Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army (PNA) of Algeria, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral defence cooperation, further strengthening military ties between India and Algeria.
People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
- President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune
- Capital: Algiers
- Currency: Algerian Dinar
IIT-Delhi Tops Indian Institutions in QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has emerged as the top-ranked Indian institution in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025. IIT-Delhi has secured the 44th position in the Asia-wide rankings. The rankings, released for the year 2025, list 984 educational institutions from 25 countries across South Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
Peking University from China retains the top spot among Asian universities, further solidifying its position as a leader in higher education in the region.
The QS World University Rankings: Asia evaluates institutions based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty quality, and international research collaborations, reflecting the preference and performance of institutions and students.
Banking and Finance
India’s Foreign Exchange Reserves at USD 688.27 Billion as of 18th October 2024
India’s foreign exchange reserves (FER) as of 18th October 2024 stood at USD 688.27 billion. These reserves are composed of various components: USD 598.24 billion in Foreign Currency Assets (FCA), USD 67.44 billion in Gold, USD 18.27 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and USD 4.32 billion in Reserve Tranche Position (RTP).
As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s latest Half-Yearly report, India’s FER increased from USD 646.42 billion as of 31st March 2024 to USD 705.78 billion as of 30th September 2024, reflecting a steady rise in reserves. On a balance of payments (BoP) basis, excluding valuation effects, India’s FER increased by USD 5.2 billion in the April-June 2024 period, a smaller increase compared to USD 24.4 billion during the same period last year.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Governor: Shaktikanta Das (25th Governor of RBI)
- Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Established: 1st April 1935
FM Nirmala Sitharaman Advocates for Increased AIIB Investments in Climate and Infrastructure
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to expand its investments in critical sectors like climate action and infrastructure, especially in India. In her address, she emphasized India’s strong economic growth and its potential to pilot innovative financing models that could be leveraged by AIIB for sustainable development projects. Sitharaman also advocated for reforms in multilateral development banks to better address emerging global challenges, such as climate change and infrastructure deficits, underscoring India’s role as a key player in driving global financial solutions.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
- Headquarters: Beijing, China
- Established: 2016
- Members: Over 100 countries
Appointment news
Government Extends Tenure of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri till 14th July 2026
The Government of India has decided to extend the tenure of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri until 14th July 2026. This decision was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, which is responsible for high-level appointments in the government.
Vikram Misri assumed the position of Foreign Secretary on 15th July 2023. He is a seasoned career diplomat from the 1989 batch of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS). Over the years, Ambassador Misri has held several significant roles within the Ministry of External Affairs, including postings in the Prime Minister’s Office. He has also served in key diplomatic assignments in Indian Missions abroad, covering regions such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.
Li Quanhai Re-elected as President of World Sailing for a Four-Year Term
Li Quanhai has been re-elected as the President of World Sailing for a four-year term during the World Sailing General Assembly held in Singapore on November 9, 2024. Li secured 55 votes, defeating his competitors Rodion Luka from Ukraine (2 votes) and Philippe Rogge from Belgium (29 votes). As the only Chinese president of an Olympic International Federation, Li’s re-election is a significant milestone. He has been instrumental in driving the growth and stability of the sport, focusing on innovation, youth engagement, and environmental sustainability. His continued leadership is expected to shape the future direction of sailing globally.
About World Sailing
- President : Li Quanhai.
- headquarters : London, United Kingdom.
- established : 1907
Important days
Public Service Broadcasting Day: Honoring Gandhi’s Historic Radio Address
Public Service Broadcasting Day is observed every year on 12th November to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Akashvani Delhi in 1947. On 12 th November , Gandhiji delivered his first and only live radio broadcast to address the displaced people who had temporarily settled in Kurukshetra, Haryana after the partition of India.
In his message, Gandhi referred to the radio as a powerful medium of communication, describing it as the “Shakti” (miraculous power) of God. The broadcast, which took place on 1947, was a heartfelt appeal to the suffering masses.
About Akashvani (All India Radio) : India’s national public radio broadcaster.
- established : 3rd July 1936.
- Headquarters: New Delhi, India.
- Director General : Shashi Shekhar Vempati
- Mahatma Gandhi : Father of the Nation
