Current Affairs - November 30, 2025 Current Affairs

The HAMMER system is a precision-guided air-to-ground weapon created by Safran Electronics & Defence, a major French defence and aerospace manufacturer. Its modular design allows standard unguided bombs to be transformed into high-accuracy strike weapons capable of operating effectively even in GPS-denied or electronic warfare environments. With a stand-off range of up to 70 km, it enhances the ability of combat aircraft such as the Rafale and Tejas to engage targets while staying outside enemy air defence coverage. The India–France agreement to co-produce HAMMER components further strengthens bilateral defence cooperation and boosts India’s technological indigenisation.

The revised draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0 has been issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which oversees regulatory frameworks related to transport safety, vehicle standards, and road-crash prevention measures in India. By expanding the scope of safety assessment areas, increasing mandatory crash tests, introducing advanced test devices, and adding structured evaluation criteria for pedestrian and post-crash protection, the ministry aims to push India’s automobile ecosystem closer to global safety benchmarks. This strengthens public safety, encourages manufacturers to adopt robust safety technologies, and enhances consumer awareness, ultimately contributing to safer mobility and improved road-transport infrastructure across the country.

A total of 7 new Indian names were approved by the International Astronomical Union for Martian surface features, reflecting India’s growing contributions to planetary science. These names include locations from Kerala such as Valiamala, Thumba, Bekal, Varkala, and Periyar, along with two features honouring geologist M. S. Krishnan. The approvals highlight India’s scientific heritage, the significance of its geological and space research sites, and the role of Indian institutions in deepening Martian geological understanding. The global naming process, overseen by the IAU, ensures that culturally meaningful and scientifically relevant names gain international recognition.

India is preparing to introduce the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 to enable private participation in the civil nuclear power sector, which has historically been dominated by government control under NPCIL. Opening this sector will help mobilise large-scale investments, address capital shortages, accelerate construction timelines, and support the development of advanced reactor technologies, including Small Modular Reactors. Private involvement is also expected to improve uranium supply chains, enhance localisation of reactor components, and strengthen India’s long-term energy security. These reforms are aligned with national goals of expanding nuclear capacity to 100 GW by 2047 and supporting India’s net-zero vision for 2070.

The Vision for Sujalam Bharat Summit 2025 will be hosted in New Delhi, reflecting the central government’s commitment to unifying national efforts on water security and sustainability. The summit aims to accelerate reforms across crucial thematic areas such as river rejuvenation, greywater management, technology-enabled water governance, aquifer recharge, and climate-resilient drinking water systems. It brings together policymakers, implementers, central ministries, state departments, and community institutions to build a cohesive strategy under a whole-of-government approach. By focusing on evidence-based policymaking, cooperative federalism, and community participation, the event seeks to advance India’s journey toward long-term water security and a truly Sujalam Bharat.

Sipan Garg has taken on the additional responsibility of CMD of THDC India Ltd beginning November 16, 2025, after the sudden passing of R K Vishnoi. Alongside this new role, he continues to serve as Director (Finance), a position he has held since August 17, 2024. With over 24 years of experience in finance, taxation, and power-sector operations, he brings deep expertise to this leadership post. His earlier engagements as CFO in prominent NTPC subsidiaries further strengthen his capability to guide THDC during a crucial period of operational continuity and strategic expansion.

The approved scheme centres on building a robust domestic ecosystem for manufacturing Rare Earth Permanent Magnets, which are crucial for advanced technologies including electric vehicles, defence systems, renewable energy equipment, and high-precision industrial applications. By promoting complete value-chain integration—from oxide conversion to finished sintered magnets—the programme aims to reduce India’s heavy import dependence, especially amid global supply chain constraints dominated by China. The scheme’s incentive structure, long-term duration, and phased implementation are designed to attract major investors, enhance self-reliance, support clean mobility, and strengthen India’s path toward energy security and strategic technological independence.

Auramine O is an industrial-grade synthetic yellow dye commonly used in textiles, leather, paper, and printing inks, but it is completely prohibited in food products under Indian regulations. Its recurring presence in Indian foods reflects deeper issues such as weak enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards Act, inadequate chemical-market regulation, and widespread use of informal supply chains. Vendors often adopt it because it is cheap, visually vibrant, and easily accessible, while consumers typically lack awareness of the health risks. Prolonged exposure can cause liver and kidney toxicity, mutagenic effects, and possible carcinogenicity, making its continued use a significant public-health concern.

The newly inaugurated MRO facility for LEAP aircraft engines is located in Hyderabad, marking a transformative moment for India’s aviation ecosystem. As Safran’s largest global facility of its kind, it strengthens India’s shift from merely assembling components to designing and maintaining advanced aerospace technologies. With India being one of the fastest-growing aviation markets and a large share of its narrow-body aircraft fleet powered by LEAP engines, domestic MRO capacity significantly reduces costs, turnaround time, and dependence on foreign facilities. It also boosts foreign investment, supports the broader aerospace supply chain, and aligns with national ambitions in defence manufacturing and high-tech capability building.

The Union Minister of Science & Technology visited IIT Bombay to inaugurate its new Liquid Helium Facility, a major advancement for India’s quantum research ecosystem. This facility supports ultra-low-temperature experiments essential for cutting-edge quantum technologies, including superconductivity, quantum computing, sensing, and advanced materials research. The institute has also developed pioneering tools such as QMagPI—the nation’s first portable magnetometer—and India’s first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope for nanoscale magnetic imaging. These innovations place IIT Bombay at the forefront of India’s quantum mission, strengthening national capabilities in cryogenics, defence applications, healthcare diagnostics, and high-precision scientific instrumentation.