Current Affairs Quiz – November 2025

Notes:
The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed a new generation of Man-portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs). MP-AUVs are designed for mine countermeasure missions with Side Scan Sonar and underwater cameras as primary payloads for real-time detection and classification of Mine-Like Objects (MLOs). Deep learning-based target recognition algorithms enable autonomous classification, reducing operator workload and mission time. The system includes robust underwater acoustic communication for inter-AUV data exchange and improved situational awareness.

Notes:
Recently, the Assam Chief Minister went to London to start the process of bringing back the sacred Vrindavani Vastra from the British Museum. Vrindavani Vastra is a 400-year-old Assamese textile depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood stories and divine acts in Vrindavan. It is woven in silk using the complex ‘lampas’ technique that requires two weavers working together. It uses many coloured threads like red, white, black, yellow, and green. It was created under Srimanta Sankardeva on the request of Koch king Nara Narayan. Nara Narayan had sheltered Sankardeva when he was targeted by the Ahom kingdom.

Notes:
National Epilepsy Day is observed on November 17 every year in India to raise awareness about epilepsy. The day aims to fight stigma, improve understanding and promote better treatment for this neurological disorder. Government and private organisations conduct awareness events across the country. Epilepsy occurs when the brain’s electrical activity becomes abnormal. This leads to repeated seizures that can affect movement, behaviour or consciousness. The condition can occur at any age.

Notes:
Ukraine recently launched Operation Midas, a major anti-corruption investigation targeting Energoatom officials and connected businessmen. It is a 15-month undercover probe led by NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau) and SAPO (Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office). Named after King Midas, symbolising officials illegally turning contracts into gold. The operation exposed a bribery network demanding 10–15% cuts from contractors and nearly $100 million laundered through backdoor companies. It caused political fallout, forced Energy Minister resignations, and triggered audits of all state-owned enterprises.

Notes:
India is set to strengthen counter-drone warfare as the Army and Indian Air Force plan to procure 16 indigenous Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (Mark-2) units. The Mark-2 is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), led by its lab CHESS – Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences with the Armed Forces. It detects, tracks and neutralises hostile drones using sensors, jammers and high-energy laser weapons.

Notes:
A recent incident at the Kwar Hydroelectric Project tunnel in Kishtwar, Jammu region saw several labourers safely rescued after a truck caught fire. The Kwar Hydroelectric Project is a 540 Megawatt (MW) run-of-river project on the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir. It is being developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Ltd (CVPPL), a joint venture of NHPC Ltd (51%) and Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) (49%). The project will generate 1,975.54 million units in a 90% dependable year.

Notes:
World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day is observed annually on the third Wednesday of November to raise awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This year, it is observed on November 19, 2025, with the theme “Short of Breath, Think COPD” to encourage early diagnosis, public education, and better management of the progressive respiratory disease. The day is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) in collaboration with healthcare professionals and patient groups to highlight that COPD is a preventable and treatable condition.

Notes:
Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) and BAE Systems (British Aerospace Engineering Systems) recently won an Indian Army contract to supply BvS10 Sindhu, a specialised all-terrain armoured vehicle. BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded India-specific version of the BvS10 (Beowulf Vehicle System 10) used by Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. It is also ordered by the German Army and chosen for the Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) programme of the United States Army. It has two connected vehicle sections that easily cross snow, marsh, mountains, and rough terrain.

Notes:
World Urbanisation Prospects 2025 Report was released by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). Cities now host 45% of the global population, estimated at around 8.2 billion. The number of megacities has increased from eight in 1975 to thirty-three in 2025, where a megacity means a city with more than ten million people. Jakarta (Indonesia) is now the world’s most populous city, followed by Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tokyo (Japan) and New Delhi. India has 44% of its population living in towns, showing rapid urban growth. India, along with six other countries, is projected to add over 500 million new urban residents between 2025 and 2050.

Notes:
The United States State Department has approved a possible sale of Javelin missiles and Excalibur projectiles to India worth 92.8 million USD, strengthening India–U.S. defence ties. The Javelin missile is an American-made, man-portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It is designed to destroy main battle tanks, light armoured vehicles, fortifications, bunkers, and even helicopters. It entered United States military service in 1996 and uses fire-and-forget technology, guiding itself after launch.