Politics & Governance
India observed Constitution Day on November 26, commemorating the adoption of its Constitution. The President of India is set to preside over a national function to mark the occasion, which will also feature the digital launch of the Constitution in nine regional languages. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee utilized Constitution Day to criticize the BJP-led central government, pledging to protect democracy and raising concerns about citizenship and voting rights, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. In a separate development, the BJP urged the Election Commission to strengthen the SIR of electoral rolls in West Bengal, highlighting alleged infiltrators and advocating for the deportation or detention of non-Indian citizens.
In Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reportedly sought clarity from the Congress high command regarding the state's leadership, amidst speculation of a power-sharing arrangement with Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Meanwhile, the Orissa High Court delivered a significant ruling, awarding compensation to the wife of an undertrial prisoner and affirming that the 'right to health' is an integral part of the Constitution. President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to make a landmark address to the Odisha Legislative Assembly, marking the first time a President will do so.
Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reclassified India's exchange-rate regime from "stabilised" to a "crawl-like arrangement," noting the Reserve Bank of India's frequent interventions to manage currency volatility. Experts suggest that reducing India's dependence on oil imports is crucial for stabilizing the rupee, even as the RBI continues its efforts to smooth volatility. India's horticulture output has shown positive growth, increasing by 4% to reach 369.05 million tonnes in 2024-25. The Indian stock market also saw positive movement, with the Nifty closing above the 26,200 mark, nearing its all-time high.
Science & Technology
In a significant boost to India's technological capabilities, the Science and Technology Minister announced the establishment of four state-of-the-art quantum fabrication and central facilities. Valued at Rs 720 crore, these facilities will be set up across three IITs (Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur) and IISc-Bengaluru under the National Quantum Mission. The Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), S. Krishnan, emphasized the critical need to enhance India's data storage capacity, noting that while India generates 20% of the world's data, it can only store 4%. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla inspired young minds at a state-level Science and Technology Festival, highlighting India's ambitious space missions and encouraging students to pursue careers in space science.
International Relations
India expressed strong concerns to China following reports of harassment involving an Arunachal woman near the border, stating that such arbitrary actions are "most unhelpful" in building mutual trust between the two nations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to co-chair the third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue in New Delhi, focusing on regional security, multilateral issues, and expanding bilateral defence cooperation. India and Venezuela have also agreed to enhance cooperation in key areas including trade, health, pharmaceuticals, digital technology, agriculture, and development. Furthermore, India and Cyprus are reviewing their Joint Action Plan for 2025-29, aiming to strengthen defence collaboration, connectivity, trade, and investment.
Awards
At the 53rd International Emmy Awards 2025, India's 'Amar Singh Chamkila' received two nominations, with Diljit Dosanjh nominated for Best Actor and the project itself for Best TV Movie/Mini-Series. Veteran actor Vyjayanthimala Bali was honored with the Dr. Mrs. YGP Award for Cultural Excellence at the birth centenary celebrations of educationist Dr. (Mrs.) YGP. Additionally, three young artists from Natrang, Jammu, secured national awards at Jhankriti 2025, India's largest virtual performing arts competition.
Sports (Non-Cricket)
In a major sporting announcement, Ahmedabad has been confirmed by the Commonwealth Games Federation as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. India plans to advocate for the inclusion of Yoga as a medal sport in the event. Indian table tennis players showcased their talent at the ITTF World Youth Championships in Romania, securing two medals ā one silver and one bronze. In hockey, India narrowly lost to Belgium with a score of 2-3 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Tournament.