Current Affairs - November 3, 2025 Current Affairs

The Integrated Sohra Tourism Circuit was launched in Meghalaya under the PM-DevINE scheme, with Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laying its foundation. Valued at ₹233 crore, this project aims to develop Sohra (Cherrapunji) into a model destination for sustainable tourism. It forms part of the larger ₹650 crore initiative focusing on tourism, connectivity, and regional development in the Northeast. Additionally, key infrastructure projects such as the Shillong–Silchar Expressway, Umroi Airport expansion, and New Shillong City initiative are being implemented to boost Meghalaya’s economic growth and tourism potential in the region.

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, AVSM, VSM, assumed the role of the 40th Chief of Materiel on the specified date, taking over from Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh. His extensive background, including being an NDA alumnus, a postgraduate from IIT Chennai, and having over 38 years of service, is detailed. His prior experience as the Director General of Naval Projects in Visakhapatnam and his expertise in naval technology and warship production further confirm his identity as the officer who took on this key leadership position within the Indian Navy.

World Jellyfish Day is celebrated every year on November 3 to honour one of Earth’s oldest and most fascinating marine organisms. Jellyfish have existed for over 500 million years and play a vital role in maintaining marine ecosystem balance. Despite their reputation for stings, they contribute to oceanic food chains, provide shelter for juvenile fish, and act as indicators of ocean health and climate change. The day encourages appreciation through educational activities, aquarium visits, and conservation awareness, emphasizing the need to protect marine biodiversity and promote sustainable ocean practices worldwide.

GSAT-7R, also known as CMS-03, is India’s heaviest and most advanced indigenous naval communication satellite, weighing approximately 4,400 kg. Launched by ISRO from Sriharikota, it is designed to significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s space-based communication capabilities and maritime domain awareness across the Indian Ocean Region. The satellite is equipped with multi-band transponders that provide secure, high-bandwidth voice, data, and video connectivity between naval command centres and assets at sea. GSAT-7R strengthens India’s strategic communication infrastructure, ensuring reliable and real-time naval operations in both peacetime and defence scenarios.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a significant policy change by discontinuing cheque and money order payments for immigration-related filings. Applicants must now use electronic debit through Form G-1650 for all transactions. This shift aims to enhance security, minimise the risk of fraud, and ensure faster, more efficient processing. According to USCIS spokesperson Matthew J. Tragesser, the updated system replaces outdated manual methods, aligning with modern digital standards to improve accuracy, reliability, and overall transparency in immigration service operations within the United States.

The Emerging Science & Technology Innovation Conclave 2025 (ESTIC-2025) is being hosted in New Delhi from November 3 to 5, bringing together over 3,000 participants, including leading scientists, innovators, and policymakers. The event, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focuses on the theme “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Pioneering Sustainable Innovation, Technological Advancement and Empowerment.” During the conclave, the Prime Minister also launched the ₹1 Lakh Crore Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Scheme to accelerate private-led R&D initiatives and support deep-tech startups, strengthening India’s path toward technological self-reliance and sustainable innovation.

Shri Vishvajit Sahay, a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on November 1, 2025. With over 30 years of experience in defence finance, he has held several senior positions, including Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Finance Manager in the Ministry of Defence (MoD). An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Sahay has also represented India at international forums, contributing significantly to the modernization and transparency of defence financial management.

RAD52 is a DNA repair protein identified by University of Iowa researchers as crucial for cancer cell survival, particularly in cells with BRCA1/2 mutations that impair DNA repair mechanisms. By inhibiting RAD52, researchers can selectively kill cancer cells without heavily affecting normal cells. This approach offers a promising alternative to PARP inhibitors, potentially overcoming drug resistance and reducing side effects associated with traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, thereby opening new therapeutic avenues for cancers with DNA repair deficiencies.

Samia Suluhu Hassan was re-elected as the President of Tanzania with an overwhelming 97.66% of the votes and a voter turnout of 87%. Her victory came during a period of significant unrest marked by violent protests and allegations of election irregularities. Opposition groups reported hundreds of deaths, although the United Nations confirmed at least 10 casualties. Despite the controversy surrounding the process, Hassan’s re-election secured her another five-year term, reinforcing her position as one of Africa’s prominent female leaders and a key figure in Tanzania’s political landscape.

The International Conference on “Libraries Empowering Communities – Global Perspectives” was organised at Kanakakkunnu Palace in Thiruvananthapuram on November 2–3, 2025, commemorating 80 years of Kerala’s library movement initiated by the P. N. Panicker Foundation. The event gathered librarians, policymakers, and global experts to discuss the evolving role of libraries in promoting literacy and access to knowledge. Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan highlighted libraries as “temples of learning,” emphasizing their importance in fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and combating misinformation in the modern age of technology and information overload.