Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 22nd November 2025

Javelin Missile: In News

The U.S. State Department recently approved a possible sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur projectiles and related equipment to India for an estimated total cost of $92.8 million.

• It is an American-made, man-portable, anti-tank guided missile.
• It is developed and produced jointly by American defence majors Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.
• It was designed to defeat heavily armored vehicles such as main battle tanks and lighter-skinned military vehicles.
• The weapon also has capability against other target types like fortifications, bunkers, and helicopters.
• It first entered service with the U.S. military in 1996.
• It has an effective range of 2.5 km, with newer models reportedly capable of reaching up to 4 kilometers.
• Weight: 5.11 kg
• It can be employed from confined spaces due to its soft-launch mechanism.
• It uses “fire-and-forget” technology to guide itself to the target without external commands or target designation.
• Its imaging-infrared seeker enables independent homing once fired, allowing operators to take cover immediately.
• The missile can engage targets using either a direct or top-attack mode, with the latter designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the thinner armor on the tops of tanks.
• Its tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead is designed to defeat explosive reactive armour, which is increasingly common on contemporary main battle tanks.

West Seti Hydropower Project:

Nepal has extended the date for survey license for West Seti Hydropower Project being developed by NHPC and approved to work for a direct agreement for another by SJVN with an aim to facilitate Indian power companies to execute projects in the Himalayan nation.

• It is planned to be developed as a 750 MW hydroelectric storage project on the Seti River (a tributary of the Karnali River) in Nepal.
• Unlike typical run-of-river projects that generate power only based on river flow, West Seti is designed as a storage hydropower project with a large reservoir.
• This allows water to be accumulated during the monsoon wet season and enables steady electricity generation throughout the year, including the dry months.
• The project is being developed by India’s National Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. (NHPC).
• Core Infrastructure Includes:
  • A 195-meter-high concrete-faced rockfill dam.
  • A reservoir approximately 25 kilometers long, inundating parts of the river valley and surrounding forests.
  • The power distribution infrastructure will include a power station and a transmission line.
    Annual Energy Generation: Approximately 3,636 GWh.
• Ownership and Development Model: Public-Private Partnership led by NHPC.
• Power Purchase Agreement: Nepal receives 21.9 percent free electricity from West Seti; the remainder exported via Power Trade Corporation India Limited.

Colombo Security Conclave: 7th National Security Adviser level meeting

The 7th National Security Adviser level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave was held in New Delhi recently.

• It is a regional security grouping comprising India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
• The CSC’s core objective is to promote regional security by addressing transnational threats and challenges of common concern to the member states.
• CSC brings together National Security Advisors (NSAs) and Deputy NSAs of the member countries.
• The CSC, initially known as the Trilateral for Maritime Security Cooperation, evolved out of trilateral meetings between NSAs and Deputy NSAs from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, starting in 2011.
• It came to a standstill after 2014 due to rising tensions between India and the Maldives.
• After its revival and rebranding as the CSC in 2020, Mauritius joined the CSC in 2022, while Bangladesh joined in 2024.
• More recently, Seychelles has become the sixth member of the CSC.
• Cooperation under the conclave focuses on five pillars:
  • Maritime safety and security.
  • Countering terrorism and radicalisation.
  • Combating trafficking and transnational organised crime.
  • Cyber-security and protection of critical infrastructure.
  • Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
• Permanent secretariat: Colombo.

Kuno National Park : Birth Of Five Cubs

The first India-born cheetah, Mukhi, has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh recently.

• Kuno National Park is located in the Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is nestled near the Vindhyan Hills.
• Originally established as Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary in 1981, it was upgraded to a national park in 2018.
• The park’s historical significance lies in its role as a relocation site for Asiatic lions under the “Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project,”.
• It covers an area of 750 sq.km.
• It derives its name from the meandering Kuno River (one of the main tributaries of the Chambal River), which flows from south to north and divides the park into two sections.
• The park’s terrain is dotted with plateaus, valleys, and seasonal rivers, creating varied ecosystems.
• The park boasts diverse vegetation, including tropical dry deciduous forests, savannah grasslands, and riverine forests.
• The protected area of the forest is home to the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox, and dhole, along with more than 120 bird species.
• It was selected under the ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’.
• A total of 20 cheetahs were introduced in Kuno National Park (NP), eight from Namibia in September 2022, followed by 12 more from South Africa in February 2023 under the Cheetah Project.

Global Methane Status Report, 2025:

The recent Global Methane Status Report 2025 warns that crop-residue burning is turning India into a global methane hotspot.

• It is produced by the UN Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
• It provides updates on global progress on methane mitigation and the remaining work needed to achieve the Global Methane Pledge.

Key Highlights of Global Methane Status Report 2025:

• Methane’s atmospheric concentrations have more than doubled since pre-industrial times.
• The rising global emissions would contribute to almost 24,000 additional premature deaths and 2.5 Mt of crop losses annually by 2030.
• India is the world’s third-largest methane emitter.
• India’s agricultural activities alone contribute 12% of global agricultural methane emissions, among the highest shares worldwide.
• If countries fully implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Methane Action Plans, emissions could fall by eight% by 2030.
• The report underscores that 72% of global methane mitigation potential lies in G20+ countries, which emit 65% of global anthropogenic methane.

Methane:

• Methane (CH4) is a hydrocarbon that is a primary component of natural gas.
• It is a colorless odorless gas, flammable water insoluble gas.

Protidricerus albocapitatus:

Scientists have discovered a new species of owlfly in Kerala after 134 years and named it Protidricerus albocapitatus.

• It was found in the Nedumkayam forest in Malappuram district of Kerala.
• It is a species of owlfly that belongs to the family Myrmeleontidae and order Neuroptera.
• With this addition, Kerala now hosts five known species of owlflies, and India’s total rises to 37.
• It has white tufted head and clubbed antennae.
• They belong to the order Neuroptera, comprising holometabolous insects.
• Adult owlflies perch on blades of grass growing in lateritic soils and also in village households, surrounded by dense vegetation.
• The two distinguishing characteristics of owlflies are their long, clubbed antennae and their bulging eyes.
• Some species of owlflies develop some color in their wings after their emergence.
• They become active during dusk and take flight.
• They are aerial predators feeding on other insects.
• They release a strong, musk-like chemical to deter enemies.
• Usually lay their eggs in groups at the tips of limbs and twigs.
• The female creates a protective shield below the eggs in order to prevent predators from reaching them.

Acanthosis Nigricans:

Acanthosis Nigricans identification in early stages gives both children and adults a chance to detect prediabetes or diabetes before any major complications.

• It is a skin condition characterised by dark, velvety patches on skin folds.
• It can be obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and extremely rarely, in melanomas, stomach or liver malignancies.
• Symptoms of Acanthosis Nigricans:
• It can manifest in skin folds and creases such as behind the neck, underarms, under the breasts, the groin, even the elbows or behind the knees as dark, thick, rough or velvety skin patches.
• The skin changes associated with this condition develop gradually over the course several months.
• The affected skin may sometimes be itchy or emit a foul odour along with hyperpigmentation.
• If it is associated with insulin resistance, the darkening often progresses fast.
• Treatment for Acanthosis Nigricans:
  • It depends on the cause of Acanthosis Nigricans
  • If it is due to an underlying condition, such as diabetes or a hormonal condition, treating the condition will treat the skin problems.
  • Prescription creams to lighten the area.
  • Even laser therapy or dermabrasion is preferred to reduce thickness.

Meerut Bugle:

The Meerut Bugle has received a Geographical indication tag.

• It is a brass wind instrument common with the drills of armed forces and used in wars, ceremonies, and parades for decades.
• It is used to signal the start of movements or events, and carries a deep historical imprint.
• Meerut’s association with bugle-making dates back to the late 19th century.
• The bugle’s story is closely linked to the development of India’s military traditions.
• The making of a bugle is entirely manual. A brass sheet is cut and hammered into shape using a specialised die.
• The sheet is moulded and processed through several stages to achieve a smooth finish, and finally fitted with a mouthpiece.
• Copper bugle: the highest in demand across India.
• Gold-finish bugle: featuring a polished gold-like surface.
• Silver-finish bugle: Produced on request.

SARAL SIMS:

The Ministry of Steel has introduced a simplified registration facility called ‘SARAL SIMS’ under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS), effective from November 21.

• It is a new system designed to simplify the process of registration for imports of small consignments under the Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS).
• It is designed to ease the procedural burden associated with importing small quantities and export-oriented shipments through frameworks like Advance Authorization, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs).
• It will apply to steel and iron items falling under Chapters 72, 73, and 86 of the Indian Trade Classification (Harmonized System), 2022 classification system.
• Importers need to make a single annual declaration of their intended import quantity and receive a SARAL SIMS number for multiple consignments throughout the financial year.
• It eliminates the earlier requirement to generate a new SIMS number for every shipment.
• Importers must file an annual return by April 30 detailing actual imports made against SARAL SIMS registrations.
• The importer can avail the facility of SARAL SIMS for-
  • SARAL SIMS for small imports: Allows consignments up to 10 tonnes with an annual cap of 500 tonnes for FY 2025-26, increasing to 1000 tonnes from FY 2026-27.
  • SARAL SIMS for export purposes: Covers imports under Advance Authorization, SEZ, and EOU routes without any quantity limit.

Index of Eight Core Industries October 2025:

The combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) stayed unchanged at 162.4 in October 2025, the same as October 2024.

• Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) is a production-volume index that measures the combined and individual performance of production of eight core industries viz. Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas, Refinery Products, Fertilizers, Steel, Cement and Electricity.
• It is compiled by the Office of the Economic Adviser under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The index now uses 2011–12 as the base year, aligned with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), and these eight sectors together carry a 40.27% weight in the IIP.
• ICI Weightage: Fertilizers (lowest) < Cement < Natural Gas < Crude Oil < Coal < Steel < Electricity < Refinery Products (highest)
  Index of Industrial Production (IIP): It is one of the key indicators used to track the pace of industrial activity in the country.
• It is compiled and published monthly by the National Statistical Office (NSO) (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The index is calculated as a weighted average of production levels across different industries, using Laspeyres’ formula.
• The IIP is a quantum index, the production of items being expressed in physical terms, while goods such as machinery or shipbuilding are reported in value terms and then adjusted using the Wholesale Price Index so they reflect real production.
• The scope of the IIP as recommended by the United Nations Statistical Office (UNSO) includes mining, manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas and water supply.
• But due to constraints of data availability, the IIP compiled in India has excluded construction, gas and water supply sectors.

Turkey to Host COP31 Climate Summit After Compromise with Australia:

Turkey has been confirmed as the host of COP31, the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference, following a diplomatic compromise with Australia. This agreement, reached during discussions at COP30 in Brazil, ends a prolonged hosting dispute and ensures continued momentum in global climate negotiations. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the most important annual gathering under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Both Turkey and Australia had submitted formal bids in 2022 to host COP31, resulting in a stalemate as neither nation was willing to withdraw.

Switzerland and Ireland Named Country Partners for Hornbill Festival 2025:

The Government of Nagaland has officially named Switzerland and Ireland as country partners for the upcoming Hornbill Festival 2025, reinforcing the festival’s growing international stature. This announcement follows high-level meetings in New Delhi between Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and the respective ambassadors of both countries. With this, the Hornbill Festival continues to evolve from a state-level celebration of Naga heritage into a globally recognized cultural convergence.The Hornbill Festival, often referred to as the “Festival of Festivals,” is held annually from 1st to 10th December at the Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima, Nagaland. The event showcases the rich cultural diversity of the state’s 17 major tribes through traditional dance, music, sports, crafts, and cuisine. It is also a vital tourism event, attracting thousands of visitors from India and abroad each year.

India’s first dedicated courtroom for Scheduled Castes cases:

The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has inaugurated a separate courtroom exclusively for handling cases concerning the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. This facility is the first of its kind under any state‑level Scheduled Castes Commission in India. The initiative is designed to ensure faster hearings, more timely case disposal, and enhanced efficiency in the Commission’s functioning.The new courtroom has been set up with modern amenities and infrastructure to streamline proceedings. The Commission’s Chairperson, Jasvir Singh Garhi, emphasized that this facility will enable faster access to justice for SC complainants and help uphold their rights and dignity. An Online Court System is also planned to be introduced soon, allowing complainants to appear virtually—thus saving travel, time and expense for those from remote areas.

Rabih Alameddine & Patricia Smith Crowned at National Book Awards 2025:

The 76th National Book Awards turned into a powerful showcase of literary excellence, cultural resistance, and emotional resonance. Held in Manhattan, this year’s ceremony honored voices from across the globe, blending celebration with critique of current social and political climates. Among the highlights, Rabih Alameddine won the Fiction award for his novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), while Patricia Smith took the Poetry prize for her collection The Intentions of Thunder.