UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025
Kartavya Desk Staff
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles
InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.
Table of Contents
GS Paper 1 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November (2025)
• Digital Divide Across Caste and Class
Digital Divide Across Caste and Class
GS Paper 3:
• India’s Labour Reforms
India’s Labour Reforms
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):
• Vacancy in Juvenile Justice Boards
Vacancy in Juvenile Justice Boards
Facts for Prelims (FFP):
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
• Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)
Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)
• Centre Designates CISF as New Safety Regulator for Indian Seaports
Centre Designates CISF as New Safety Regulator for Indian Seaports
• COP30 Draft Outcome
COP30 Draft Outcome
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Mapping:
• Mount Semeru
Mount Semeru
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025
#### GS Paper 1:
Digital Divide Across Caste and Class
Source: TH
Subject: Society
Context: A new MOSPI study (MIS 79th round) highlights deep digital divide patterns across caste, class, gender, and rural-urban lines in India.
About Digital Divide Across Caste and Class:
Trends & Data on Digital Divide:
• Caste Divide: Individuals without ICT skills — STs (89.49%), SCs (86.62%), OBCs (81.73%), Others (73.71%) — showing persistent caste-linked deprivation.
• Gender Divide: ICT skills nationally — Men (22.78%) vs Women (13.91%); in UP — Men (14.62%) vs Women (6.93%).
• Class/Income Divide: Access to a computer with internet — Poorest 20% (6.8%) vs Richest 20% (66.3%), a ten-fold gap.
• Rural–Urban Divide: ICT skills highly concentrated among urban households; rural areas face low device availability, poor infrastructure, and low digital exposure.
• Schooling Divide: Private ICSE/CBSE schools teach coding from Class 3; government schools often lack electricity or computers even in Class 8.
Factors Causing the Digital Divide:
• Caste-linked structural exclusion leading to poor school infrastructure, fewer devices, and delayed ICT introduction in public schools.
• Income disparity & consumption inequality restricting access to digital devices, internet, and home learning environments.
• Rural infrastructural gaps—poor electricity, weak broadband, and resource-starved schools in rural/semi-rural India.
• Weak training ecosystem with low-quality skilling centres, limited formal training, and reliance on informal apprenticeships.
• Educational inequalities—urban private schools provide early ICT training; government schools lack basic labs and trained teachers.
• Household digital literacy deficit—first-generation learners receive little parental support for ICT learning.
• Institutional apathy—Dalit-majority settlements receive weaker investment, low-quality schools, and delayed digital infrastructure.
Implications of the Digital Divide:
• Unequal access to jobs—ICT skills strongly correlate with regular salaried employment; marginalised groups remain trapped in low-wage work.
• Weak participation in digital economy despite smartphone ownership; “ownership ≠ capability” leads to under-utilisation of digital tools.
• Widening caste and class inequality as better-off groups move ahead in digital skilling, compounding historical disadvantages.
• Low productivity and poor competitiveness due to limited availability of digitally skilled workers in rural and low-income regions.
• Gender exclusion from future-ready jobs, restricting women’s mobility, income, and professional participation.
• Intergenerational disadvantage, as children from marginalised groups remain several steps behind even when they enter higher education.
Challenges in Eradicating the Digital Divide:
• Persistent structural caste discrimination affecting quality of schooling, access to devices, and public investment.
• Resource constraints in government schools, including lack of computers, trained ICT teachers, and stable electricity.
• Low digital capability despite high smartphone ownership, with very limited hands-on digital learning opportunities.
• Fragmented skilling ecosystem lacking baseline assessments, outcome evaluation, and alignment with labour market needs.
• Uneven public expenditure—ICT projects often bypass backward regions or are implemented poorly.
• Data limitations—current surveys offer static snapshots and fail to track long-term, generational disadvantage.
Way Ahead:
• Bridge school-level digital gaps by universalising computer labs, trained ICT faculty, and reliable electricity in government schools.
• Introduce digital skilling early in government and rural schools to match the exposure enjoyed by private schools.
• Targeted digital inclusion for SC/ST, OBC, and women through scholarships, community digital centres, and device subsidies.
• Strengthen formal skilling infrastructure with industry-linked courses, evaluation systems, and rural training hubs.
• Develop digital public infrastructure for skilling—open-source learning platforms in regional languages with hands-on content.
• Track digital inequality longitudinally via continuous MIS rounds to capture generational changes and policy impact.
• Promote home-based digital capability by supporting shared devices, low-cost laptops, and community learning models.
Conclusion:
India’s digital transformation risks becoming exclusionary unless structural caste, class, and rural barriers are actively dismantled. A combination of inclusive schooling, targeted skilling, and equitable public investment is essential to ensure that technology becomes a bridge, not a barrier, for India’s marginalised communities.
While digitalization brings opportunities, ensuring inclusive access to technology is crucial. Efforts should be made to bridge the digital divide by providing affordable and accessible technology in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. Examine.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025 GS Paper 3:
India’s Labour Reforms
Source: LM
- •Subject: Economics*
Context: The Government highlighted the progress of India’s labour reforms through the implementation of four Labour Codes aimed at simplifying compliance and strengthening worker welfare.
About India’s Labour Reforms:
What it is?
• India’s labour reforms consolidate 29 complex and outdated labour legislations into four integrated Labour Codes to streamline compliance, enhance worker protection, and promote a business-friendly environment.
• This overhaul modernises labour regulation to match today’s economic realities and digital economy
Key Reasons for Reforms:
• Multiplicity of laws: Overlapping provisions and 29 sector-specific laws caused compliance burden and confusion.
• Fragmented enforcement: Multiple authorities created procedural complexity and weak enforcement.
• Outdated legal framework: Many laws were drafted during pre-Independence era and needed modernization.
• Need for ease of doing business: Simplified processes like single registration, license, and return were required.
• Employment generation: Simplified labour governance promotes investment and job creation.
Labour codes and its Features:
• Key Features Code on Wages, 2019:
• Universal Minimum Wage: Ensures minimum wages for all workers across organized and unorganized sectors for wider wage protection. National Floor Wage: Sets a central floor wage preventing States from fixing wages below a uniform baseline for fair nationwide standards. Gender-Neutral Pay: Prohibits wage discrimination across gender, including transgender workers, ensuring equal pay for similar work. Overtime at 2x Rate: Mandates overtime wages at twice the normal rate for work beyond standard hours to safeguard fair compensation. Inspector-cum-Facilitator: Replaces traditional inspectors with facilitators who guide employers toward compliance rather than penal focus. Decriminalized Offences: Converts minor violations into monetary penalties, promoting compliance-friendly and non-punitive governance.
• Universal Minimum Wage: Ensures minimum wages for all workers across organized and unorganized sectors for wider wage protection.
• National Floor Wage: Sets a central floor wage preventing States from fixing wages below a uniform baseline for fair nationwide standards.
• Gender-Neutral Pay: Prohibits wage discrimination across gender, including transgender workers, ensuring equal pay for similar work.
• Overtime at 2x Rate: Mandates overtime wages at twice the normal rate for work beyond standard hours to safeguard fair compensation.
• Inspector-cum-Facilitator: Replaces traditional inspectors with facilitators who guide employers toward compliance rather than penal focus.
• Decriminalized Offences: Converts minor violations into monetary penalties, promoting compliance-friendly and non-punitive governance.
• Key Features Industrial Relations Code, 2020:
• Fixed-Term Employment: Allows time-bound contracts with full benefits, including gratuity after one year, reducing contract labour misuse. Re-skilling Fund: Provides 15 days’ wages for retrenched workers to aid quick skilling and improve post-retrenchment employability. Trade Union Recognition: Recognizes a union with 51% membership or forms a negotiating council, improving collective bargaining clarity. Higher Layoff Threshold: Raises approval requirement from 100 to 300 workers, offering flexibility to firms while preserving worker rights. Strike Notice Rule: Enforces a 14-day notice for strikes/lockouts to reduce disruptions and encourage negotiation-based conflict resolution. Expanded Definitions: Broadens “industry” and “worker” categories to cover journalists, sales staff, and supervisory employees upto ₹18,000.
• Fixed-Term Employment: Allows time-bound contracts with full benefits, including gratuity after one year, reducing contract labour misuse.
• Re-skilling Fund: Provides 15 days’ wages for retrenched workers to aid quick skilling and improve post-retrenchment employability.
• Trade Union Recognition: Recognizes a union with 51% membership or forms a negotiating council, improving collective bargaining clarity.
• Higher Layoff Threshold: Raises approval requirement from 100 to 300 workers, offering flexibility to firms while preserving worker rights.
• Strike Notice Rule: Enforces a 14-day notice for strikes/lockouts to reduce disruptions and encourage negotiation-based conflict resolution.
• Expanded Definitions: Broadens “industry” and “worker” categories to cover journalists, sales staff, and supervisory employees upto ₹18,000.
• Key Features Code on Social Security, 2020:
• Universal Social Security: Extends life, health, maternity and old-age benefits to unorganized, gig, and platform workers through flexible schemes. ESIC & EPF Expansion: Removes notified-area limits, making ESIC universal while ensuring EPF inquiries are time-bound and transparent. Social Security Fund: Creates a dedicated fund for gig/unorganized workers, financed through aggregator contributions and penalties. Self-Assessed Cess: Allows builders to self-assess construction cess digitally, reducing delays and discretionary inspections. Gratuity for FTEs: Grants gratuity to fixed-term employees after one year, improving social protection for project-based workers. Uniform Wage Definition: Standardizes wage components to curb under-reporting and ensure accurate EPF, ESIC, and gratuity calculations.
• Universal Social Security: Extends life, health, maternity and old-age benefits to unorganized, gig, and platform workers through flexible schemes.
• ESIC & EPF Expansion: Removes notified-area limits, making ESIC universal while ensuring EPF inquiries are time-bound and transparent.
• Social Security Fund: Creates a dedicated fund for gig/unorganized workers, financed through aggregator contributions and penalties.
• Self-Assessed Cess: Allows builders to self-assess construction cess digitally, reducing delays and discretionary inspections.
• Gratuity for FTEs: Grants gratuity to fixed-term employees after one year, improving social protection for project-based workers.
• Uniform Wage Definition: Standardizes wage components to curb under-reporting and ensure accurate EPF, ESIC, and gratuity calculations.
• Key Features Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020:
• Single Registration/Return: Replaces multiple registrations with one unified system to reduce compliance burden and improve efficiency. Migrant Worker Benefits: Expands coverage to self-migrated workers with annual travel allowance and nationwide portability of entitlements. Women’s Night Work: Permits women to work night shifts with consent and safety provisions, promoting inclusion and workforce equality. National Worker Database: Creates a digital database for unorganised and migrant workers to enable benefits delivery and skill mapping. Working Hours Limit: Caps working hours at 8 hours/day and 48 hours/week, ensuring rest, safety, and global labour-standard alignment. Safety Committees: Establishments with 500+ workers must form joint employer–employee safety committees to strengthen workplace governance. Decriminalized Penalties: Converts minor offences into compounding/fines, ensuring compliance without harsh criminal proceedings.
• Single Registration/Return: Replaces multiple registrations with one unified system to reduce compliance burden and improve efficiency.
• Migrant Worker Benefits: Expands coverage to self-migrated workers with annual travel allowance and nationwide portability of entitlements.
• Women’s Night Work: Permits women to work night shifts with consent and safety provisions, promoting inclusion and workforce equality.
• National Worker Database: Creates a digital database for unorganised and migrant workers to enable benefits delivery and skill mapping.
• Working Hours Limit: Caps working hours at 8 hours/day and 48 hours/week, ensuring rest, safety, and global labour-standard alignment.
• Safety Committees: Establishments with 500+ workers must form joint employer–employee safety committees to strengthen workplace governance.
• Decriminalized Penalties: Converts minor offences into compounding/fines, ensuring compliance without harsh criminal proceedings.
Significance Of Labour Codes:
• Simplifies India’s labour regulation into a unified, predictable framework.
• Boosts ease of doing business through single registration, single return, and digital inspections.
• Strengthens worker welfare with universal minimum wages, safety norms, and expanded social security.
• Supports formalisation through transparent contracts, appointment letters, and EPF/ESIC expansion.
• Promotes employment and investment by giving industries flexibility while retaining worker protection.
• Enables modern workforce practices such as work-from-home, fixed-term employment, and gig worker coverage.
Conclusion:
India’s four Labour Codes represent a landmark shift towards a modern, equitable, and simplified labour governance framework. They balance worker protection with industrial flexibility and transparency, fostering a future-ready labour ecosystem. These reforms strengthen India’s growth trajectory by promoting formalisation, job creation, and sustainable economic development.
Discuss the merits and demerits of the four Labour Codes’ in the context of labor market reforms in India. What has been the progress so far in this regard?
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Vacancy in Juvenile Justice Boards
Context: A new India Justice Report (IJR) study reveals that 55% of cases in Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) across India remain pending as of October 31, 2023.
About Vacancy in Juvenile Justice Boards:
• What are Juvenile Justice Boards? JJBs are statutory bodies under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015, responsible for hearing cases of children in conflict with law.
• JJBs are statutory bodies under the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015, responsible for hearing cases of children in conflict with law.
• Key Trends (as per IJR 2023):
• 55% pendency nationwide — less than half of the 1,00,904 cases disposed. 24% JJBs not fully constituted, indicating systemic staffing gaps. 30% JJBs lack legal services clinics, weakening access to legal aid. Avg. 154 cases pending per JJB annually, creating unmanageable caseloads. Huge variation across States — pendency highest in Odisha (83%) and lowest in Karnataka (35%).
• 55% pendency nationwide — less than half of the 1,00,904 cases disposed.
• 24% JJBs not fully constituted, indicating systemic staffing gaps.
• 30% JJBs lack legal services clinics, weakening access to legal aid.
• Avg. 154 cases pending per JJB annually, creating unmanageable caseloads.
• Huge variation across States — pendency highest in Odisha (83%) and lowest in Karnataka (35%).
• Implications of vacancies & understaffing: Justice delayed for children, violating JJ Act principles of speedy, child-centric justice. Overburdened Boards compromise quality of hearings, rehabilitation planning and follow-up. Risk of procedural lapses—incorrect categorisation, delayed assessments, poor counselling support. Erodes public trust in the juvenile justice system and violates constitutional protections under Article 39(f).
• Justice delayed for children, violating JJ Act principles of speedy, child-centric justice.
• Overburdened Boards compromise quality of hearings, rehabilitation planning and follow-up.
• Risk of procedural lapses—incorrect categorisation, delayed assessments, poor counselling support.
• Erodes public trust in the juvenile justice system and violates constitutional protections under Article 39(f).
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:
• GS-I: Social Issues Vulnerable children, crime against children, socio-legal rehabilitation concerns.
• Vulnerable children, crime against children, socio-legal rehabilitation concerns.
• GS-II: Governance, Welfare Schemes & Vulnerable Sections Juvenile Justice Act, child protection laws, institutional mechanisms. Implementation challenges—vacancies, capacity gaps, data issues.
• Juvenile Justice Act, child protection laws, institutional mechanisms.
• Implementation challenges—vacancies, capacity gaps, data issues.
• GS-II: Polity & Judiciary Pendency of cases, access to justice, decentralised judicial institutions. Issues relating to statutory bodies and tribunals.
• Pendency of cases, access to justice, decentralised judicial institutions.
• Issues relating to statutory bodies and tribunals.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI)
Source: DD News
Subject: Economy
Context: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) signed MoUs worth ₹3,000 crore during India Maritime Week 2025 to boost cargo transport, water-based urban mobility, and river tourism in the Northeast.
About The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):
• What it is? IWAI is a statutory authority under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, responsible for the development, regulation, and maintenance of inland waterways for navigation and shipping.
• IWAI is a statutory authority under the Inland Waterways Authority of India Act, 1985, responsible for the development, regulation, and maintenance of inland waterways for navigation and shipping.
• Headquarters: Noida (Uttar Pradesh), with regional offices in Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati, Varanasi, Bhubaneswar, and Kochi.
• History: Established on 27 October 1986 to operationalise National Waterways and develop India’s inland water transport (IWT) as a fuel-efficient, cost-effective logistics system.
• Established on 27 October 1986 to operationalise National Waterways and develop India’s inland water transport (IWT) as a fuel-efficient, cost-effective logistics system.
• Key Functions: Developing National Waterways (NW-1 Ganga, NW-2 Brahmaputra, NW-16 Barak, etc.). Fairway development (dredging, channel marking, river training works). Navigation infrastructure: terminals, jetties, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax services, night navigation systems. Regulation: vessel movement, pilotage, and coordination with state IWT departments.
• Developing National Waterways (NW-1 Ganga, NW-2 Brahmaputra, NW-16 Barak, etc.).
• Fairway development (dredging, channel marking, river training works).
• Navigation infrastructure: terminals, jetties, Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax services, night navigation systems.
• Regulation: vessel movement, pilotage, and coordination with state IWT departments.
About Waterways in the Northeast:
• What it is? A network of major rivers—Brahmaputra, Barak, Subansiri, Lohit, Siang, Tlawng, Chhimtuipui, Imphal, Gumti—identified for inland water transport under the National Waterways Act.
• A network of major rivers—Brahmaputra, Barak, Subansiri, Lohit, Siang, Tlawng, Chhimtuipui, Imphal, Gumti—identified for inland water transport under the National Waterways Act.
• Identified Routes:
• National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra): Dhubri–Sadiya, main artery for Assam’s cargo and passenger movement. National Waterway-16 (Barak River): Lakhipur–Bhanga—key route for Manipur, Mizoram, and southern Assam. Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Routes: Link the Northeast with Bangladesh ports, enabling trade access to Southeast Asia. Proposed/Developing Routes: Siang (Arunachal Pradesh), Gumti (Tripura), Doyang & Shilloi Lakes (Nagaland), Tlawng & Chhimtuipui (Mizoram), Umiam & Umngot (Meghalaya).
• National Waterway-2 (Brahmaputra): Dhubri–Sadiya, main artery for Assam’s cargo and passenger movement.
• National Waterway-16 (Barak River): Lakhipur–Bhanga—key route for Manipur, Mizoram, and southern Assam.
• Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) Routes: Link the Northeast with Bangladesh ports, enabling trade access to Southeast Asia.
• Proposed/Developing Routes: Siang (Arunachal Pradesh), Gumti (Tripura), Doyang & Shilloi Lakes (Nagaland), Tlawng & Chhimtuipui (Mizoram), Umiam & Umngot (Meghalaya).
Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)
Source: PIB
Subject: Science and Technology
Context: A Bengaluru-based DST institute (CeNS) has developed a breakthrough cathode activation technique that dramatically improves the performance of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs).
About Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs):
• What they are? Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that use zinc metal as the anode and an aqueous electrolyte, offering a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to lithium-ion systems.
• Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that use zinc metal as the anode and an aqueous electrolyte, offering a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to lithium-ion systems.
• Developed By: The new high-performance ZIB cathode was developed by researchers at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru.
• Aim: To create a stable, high-energy-density, eco-friendly battery technology that overcomes limitations of lithium batteries (fire risk, resource scarcity, high cost).
• How it works?
• Scientists applied a thermo-electrochemical activation process to modify the structure of V₂O₅ (vanadium oxide). This treatment introduces useful defects, converting it into Zn-V₂O₅, with porous pathways that allow zinc ions and hydrogen ions to move easily. Result: faster ion transport, higher energy storage, and longer battery life.
• Scientists applied a thermo-electrochemical activation process to modify the structure of V₂O₅ (vanadium oxide).
• This treatment introduces useful defects, converting it into Zn-V₂O₅, with porous pathways that allow zinc ions and hydrogen ions to move easily.
• Result: faster ion transport, higher energy storage, and longer battery life.
• Key Features:
• Higher Energy Density: Zn-V₂O₅ stores far more energy than untreated V₂O₅. Exceptional Longevity: Can withstand thousands of charge cycles with minimal degradation. Hydrogen-ion Stabilisation: The modified structure improves stability during ion insertion. Fully Aqueous Electrolyte: Makes the system non-flammable and safer than lithium batteries. Low-Cost Materials: Uses abundant zinc, avoiding expensive lithium and cobalt.
• Higher Energy Density: Zn-V₂O₅ stores far more energy than untreated V₂O₅.
• Exceptional Longevity: Can withstand thousands of charge cycles with minimal degradation.
• Hydrogen-ion Stabilisation: The modified structure improves stability during ion insertion.
• Fully Aqueous Electrolyte: Makes the system non-flammable and safer than lithium batteries.
• Low-Cost Materials: Uses abundant zinc, avoiding expensive lithium and cobalt.
• Significance:
• Eco-friendly & safer energy storage for grid-scale and consumer applications. Reduces India’s dependence on imported lithium and cobalt. Supports clean-energy transitions, renewables integration, and electric mobility.
• Eco-friendly & safer energy storage for grid-scale and consumer applications.
• Reduces India’s dependence on imported lithium and cobalt.
• Supports clean-energy transitions, renewables integration, and electric mobility.
Centre Designates CISF as New Safety Regulator for Indian Seaports
Source: NIE
Subject: Miscellaneous
Context: The Union Government has designated the CISF as the new safety regulator for over 250 major and minor seaports across India.
About Centre Designates CISF as New Safety Regulator for Indian Seaports:
• What This Decision Means? The Government has officially recognised the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for all major and minor seaports, empowering it to regulate, oversee, and enforce security standards across India’s maritime facilities. Port-security responsibility was earlier managed in a fragmented manner under the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), without a dedicated professional security regulator for maritime zones.
• The Government has officially recognised the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for all major and minor seaports, empowering it to regulate, oversee, and enforce security standards across India’s maritime facilities.
• Port-security responsibility was earlier managed in a fragmented manner under the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), without a dedicated professional security regulator for maritime zones.
• Need for the Change:
• Rising cargo movement and Blue Economy expansion demanded a uniform, professional security architecture. 250+ seaports lacked standardised assessments, modern screening systems, and integrated security plans. Increasing threats—smuggling, sabotage, infiltration—required a specialised paramilitary force with nationwide presence, expertise, and training. CISF already protects airports, nuclear plants, metros, making it the most capable agency to modernise seaport security.
• Rising cargo movement and Blue Economy expansion demanded a uniform, professional security architecture.
• 250+ seaports lacked standardised assessments, modern screening systems, and integrated security plans.
• Increasing threats—smuggling, sabotage, infiltration—required a specialised paramilitary force with nationwide presence, expertise, and training.
• CISF already protects airports, nuclear plants, metros, making it the most capable agency to modernise seaport security.
About Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
• What It Is? A Central Armed Police Force dedicated to securing India’s critical infrastructure, industrial assets, and transport systems.
• A Central Armed Police Force dedicated to securing India’s critical infrastructure, industrial assets, and transport systems.
• Established In: 1969, through an Act of Parliament, later expanded into a full-fledged armed force under the CISF Act, 1983.
• Aim: To provide specialised, technology-driven security to critical national infrastructure and ensure safe, secure, and uninterrupted industrial, aviation, and strategic operations.
• Major Functions: Industrial & Infrastructure Security: Protects PSUs, refineries, steel plants, atomic energy units, ISRO facilities, currency presses. Airport Security: Secures 70+ airports, handling passenger and cargo screening. Transport Security: Guards Delhi Metro and other urban transit systems; now regulates seaport security. VIP & Government Premises Security: Protects sensitive government buildings and select individuals. Fire Services: Operates a specialised fire wing for industrial units. Disaster Response: Supports national disaster management and emergency response operations.
• Industrial & Infrastructure Security: Protects PSUs, refineries, steel plants, atomic energy units, ISRO facilities, currency presses.
• Airport Security: Secures 70+ airports, handling passenger and cargo screening.
• Transport Security: Guards Delhi Metro and other urban transit systems; now regulates seaport security.
• VIP & Government Premises Security: Protects sensitive government buildings and select individuals.
• Fire Services: Operates a specialised fire wing for industrial units.
• Disaster Response: Supports national disaster management and emergency response operations.
Source: IT
Subject: International Relations
Context: South Africa has assumed the G20 Presidency for 2025 with the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”, unveiling priorities centred on disaster resilience, debt relief, climate finance and just energy transitions.
• This marks the first G20 Summit hosted on African soil, coinciding with India’s strong advocacy for Global South
About G20:
What it is?
• The G20 is the world’s premier forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together major advanced and emerging economies to coordinate on global economic, developmental, and governance challenges.
History:
• Formed in 1999 after the Asian Financial Crisis as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors.
• Upgraded to Leaders’ Summit level in 2008–09 to coordinate responses to the global financial crisis.
• Over time, expanded its agenda beyond macroeconomics to include climate change, health, energy, development, food systems, digital economy, taxation, and anti-corruption.
Members:
• It comprises 19 countries + European Union (EU) + African Union (AU).
• The members together represent ~85% of global GDP, 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of humanity.
Present G20 Troika (2024–2026):
• Brazil (2024 – previous President)
• South Africa (2025 – current President)
• United States (2026 – next President)
This ensures continuity in agenda-setting.
Functions of the G20:
• Coordinating global macroeconomic policies and financial stability.
• Reforming multilateral institutions (IMF, MDBs).
• Driving climate commitments and energy transitions.
• Strengthening global health systems and pandemic preparedness.
• Ensuring resilient supply chains, sustainable development, and digital governance.
• Facilitating consensus on taxation, anti-corruption, trade, and inclusive growth.
COP30 Draft Outcome
Source: TH
Subject: Environment
Context: The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has entered its final hours amid a major global split after the new draft outcome text removed all references to fossil fuels—including the roadmap for a transition away, demanded by over 80 countries.
About COP30 Draft Outcome:
What it is?
• The COP30 draft outcome text is the proposed final political declaration prepared by the Brazilian Presidency, summarising the agreed global commitments on climate mitigation, adaptation, finance and implementation under the Paris Agreement.
• It will become the summit’s formal “cover decision” only if adopted by consensus.
Key Outcomes as feature:
• No mention of “fossil fuels” or phase-out roadmap: The revised draft removes all language on transitioning away from coal, oil and gas—a reversal from earlier drafts and from the COP28 Global Stocktake commitment to shift away from fossil fuels.
• No timeline or milestones for fossil-fuel transition: Despite support from 80+ countries, the draft avoids setting deadlines or mechanisms for an orderly fossil-fuel phase-down or phase-out.
• Push for climate finance enhancement: Calls for tripling climate finance by 2030 relative to 2025 levels, but does not specify who must pay or how the target will be met.
• References to adaptation and NCQG discussions: Mentions progress on adaptation, including a high-level ministerial roundtable on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG)—the new climate finance target to replace the old -billion goal.
• Avoidance of politically sensitive commitments: Draft avoids strong language on trade barriers, just transition measures, and emissions reduction pathways—reflecting pressure from major fossil-fuel producers and large developing economies.
Significance:
• Triggers a major diplomatic standoff: 29 nations formally threatened to block the draft, marking one of the sharpest divisions in COP history.
• Seen as a rollback from COP28 Dubai: COP28’s historic agreement to “transition away from fossil fuels” risks being undermined if COP30 does not reaffirm or build on it.
• Raises questions on credibility of global climate process: Environmental groups warn that passing a weak, fossil-fuel-free text would signal a breakdown of climate multilateralism.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Source: TH
Subject: Government Scheme
Context: India’s flagship Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) has completed 50 years since its launch in 1975, prompting renewed evaluation of its impact as a lifeline for child nutrition, early learning and maternal health.
About Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS):
What it is?
• ICDS is India’s largest early childhood care and nutrition programme, providing a package of health, nutrition and pre-school services through Anganwadi Centres to children (0–6 years), pregnant women and lactating mothers.
History:
• Launched on 2 October 1975 in two pilot blocks—Dharani (Amravati) and Dharavi (Mumbai)—as a centrally sponsored scheme to combat childhood malnutrition and mortality.
• Over five decades, it has expanded nationwide, becoming one of the world’s largest community-based child development initiatives, with nearly 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres
• Improve nutritional and health status of children (0–6 years).
• Lay foundation for psychological, physical and social development.
• Reduce child mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropouts.
• Ensure inter-departmental coordination for holistic child development.
• Empower mothers through nutrition and health education.
Key Features:
• Six core services: Supplementary nutrition, pre-school education, health check-ups, immunisation, referral services, and nutrition-health education.
• Delivered through Anganwadi Centres staffed by Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers.
• Services converge with NRHM for immunisation, ANCs, and health referrals.
• Targets children below 6, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and women aged 15–45.
• Maharashtra alone runs 10 lakh+ Anganwadi and mini-Anganwadi centres, reflecting scale and penetration.
Significance:
• A cornerstone of India’s fight against child malnutrition, stunting and anaemia, especially in high-burden districts.
• Provides the first point of contact for maternal and child healthcare in rural and tribal regions.
• Crucial for early childhood education, school readiness and socialisation among 3–6-year-olds.
#### UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 November 2025 Mapping:
Mount Semeru
Source: NDTV
Subject: Mapping
Context: Mount Semeru, Indonesia’s tallest and most active volcano on Java Island, erupted violently, spewing ash up to 13 km into the sky and triggering dangerous pyroclastic flows.
About Mount Semeru:
• What it is? Mount Semeru is an active stratovolcano and the third-tallest volcano in Indonesia, known for continuous low-level eruptions since 1967.
• Mount Semeru is an active stratovolcano and the third-tallest volcano in Indonesia, known for continuous low-level eruptions since 1967.
• Located in: Eastern Java, Indonesia—at the southern end of the Tengger Volcanic Complex in a major subduction zone where the Indo-Australian Plate sinks beneath the Eurasian Plate.
• Key Features: Elevation 3,676 metres, steep cone, andesitic lava. Frequently produces pyroclastic flows, ash plumes, and crater explosions (over 61 eruptive periods since 1818). Known as Mahameru (“Great Mountain”), derived from the sacred Hindu Mountain Meru/Sumeru. Surrounded by calderas, crater lakes, and volatile volcanic belts forming one of the most hazardous zones in Java.
• Elevation 3,676 metres, steep cone, andesitic lava.
• Frequently produces pyroclastic flows, ash plumes, and crater explosions (over 61 eruptive periods since 1818).
• Known as Mahameru (“Great Mountain”), derived from the sacred Hindu Mountain Meru/Sumeru.
• Surrounded by calderas, crater lakes, and volatile volcanic belts forming one of the most hazardous zones in Java.
About Indonesia:
• What it is? Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation, the world’s largest island country with >17,500 islands and the 4th most populous nation globally.
• Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation, the world’s largest island country with >17,500 islands and the 4th most populous nation globally.
• Location: Between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator and sitting on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire.
• Capital:
• Neighbouring Nations: Borders Malaysia (Borneo), Papua New Guinea (New Guinea), Timor-Leste, India’s Andaman Sea region.
• Geological Features: One of the most tectonically active zones on Earth, with nearly 130 active volcanoes. Hosts deep ocean trenches like the Java Trench (7,450 m). Features massive volcanic arcs, plate collision zones, coral islands, and biodiverse rainforests shaped by complex crustal interactions.
• One of the most tectonically active zones on Earth, with nearly 130 active volcanoes.
• Hosts deep ocean trenches like the Java Trench (7,450 m).
• Features massive volcanic arcs, plate collision zones, coral islands, and biodiverse rainforests shaped by complex crustal interactions.
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