Daily Current Affairs – 07-11-2025
Important Days
National Cancer Awareness Day (India) – November 7
India observes National Cancer Awareness Day every year on November 7, to raise public awareness about the importance of early detection, prevention, and timely treatment of cancer. The day serves as a reminder of the need for a proactive approach toward healthcare, as cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the country.
The date, November 7, was chosen to mark the birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate Marie Curie, whose groundbreaking research on radioactivity paved the way for modern methods of cancer diagnosis and radiotherapy.
In September 2014, India’s then Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan officially declared November 7 as National Cancer Awareness Day, with the aim of encouraging early detection and spreading awareness about the prevention of cancer.
National News
India Launches Two Census Apps and Self-Enumeration Test Portal Ahead of Digital Census 2027
Marking a key step toward India’s first-ever digital Census in 2027, the Office of the Registrar-General and Census Commissioner of India has launched two mobile applications and a test portal for self-enumeration this week. These initiatives are part of the pre-test phase to modernize and digitize Census operations nationwide.
The House Listing and Housing Operations (HLO) pre-test, involving 30 questions on housing facilities and amenities, will be conducted in selected regions across the country from November 10 to 30, 2025. The data collection will be carried out through two official apps available on the Google Play Store—Digital Layout Map (DLM) and Census 2027 – Houselist. These apps, compatible with Android and Apple devices, can only be accessed by authorized enumerators, including block development officers, revenue officials, and government school teachers.
The DLM app represents a significant digital transformation in India’s Census process, moving away from manual, paper-based data collection used until 2011. It allows real-time mapping, geo-tagging of buildings, and records of building coordinates, type, use, number of floors, and landmarks, ensuring accuracy and transparency while excluding personal data of occupants.
The Houselist app streamlines the data entry process for enumerators, improving efficiency and reliability. Both the Houselisting and Population Enumeration phases of the 16th Census of India will be conducted between April 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027.
INS Ikshak Commissioned into Indian Navy: Boost to Hydrographic and Maritime Capabilities
The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Ikshak, the third vessel of the Survey Vessel Large (SVL) class, at a ceremonial event held at the Naval Base in Kochi on Thursday. The event was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, who was accorded a 50-men guard of honour on his arrival.
According to the Navy, the induction of INS Ikshak represents a major milestone in enhancing India’s hydrographic survey and maritime operational capabilities. The vessel will play a crucial role in mapping the ocean floor, supporting navigation safety, and conducting coastal and deep-sea surveys that aid both defence and commercial operations.
In addition to its core survey functions, INS Ikshak is also designed to serve as a platform for humanitarian assistance, disaster relief (HADR), and medical support operations, significantly expanding the Navy’s multi-dimensional operational capacity.
India’s First Privately Built PSLV to Launch in February 2026: ISRO Chief V. Narayanan
In a landmark development for India’s space sector, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan announced that the first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) built entirely by a private consortium led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will be launched in February 2026.
Speaking at the India Manufacturing Show 2025 in Bengaluru, Mr. Narayanan said, “The HAL–L&T consortium has successfully produced the first PSLV, and we are set to conduct its maiden launch by February 2026. After two successful missions, ISRO plans to hand over at least 50% of PSLV operations to the Indian industry.”
He highlighted that nearly 80%–85% of ISRO’s systems are now developed by Indian private industries, reflecting the growing strength of India’s space ecosystem. Citing a recent example, he said, “On November 2, our heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03, was successfully placed in orbit by the Bahubali LVM-3 M5 rocket. Although launched by ISRO, almost 85% of the components came from Indian industries.”
Currently, around 450 Indian companies contribute directly to ISRO’s space programmes, with over 330 space-tech start-ups actively operating across the country. Narayanan expressed confidence that by 2040, India’s space programme will be on par with global space powers in the fields of launchers, satellites, human spaceflight, and applications.
Kashi-Tamil Sangamam 4.0 to Begin on Dec 2; Online Registration Now Open
The fourth edition of the “Kashi-Tamil Sangamam”—a cultural initiative that celebrates the timeless bond between Tamil Nadu and Kashi (Varanasi)—will be held from December 2, 2025.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has officially announced that online registration for participants has begun at https://kashitamil.iitm.ac.in.
Launched in 2022, this annual event is organized by the Union Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the shared heritage and spiritual ties between the two regions. This year’s edition will see over 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu traveling to Varanasi, representing seven key groups—students, teachers, writers, media professionals, farmers and allied sectors, industry experts, women, poets, and spiritual scholars.
The Minister emphasized that the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India) by reviving cultural, linguistic, and knowledge-based connections.
This year, the Sangamam will introduce two new initiatives:
“Tamil Karpom” (Let’s Learn Tamil): A program to teach Tamil to North Indian students.
“Agathiyar Payanam” (Agathiyar’s Journey): A thematic initiative showcasing Tamil Nadu’s contributions to Indian civilization and heritage.
The event underscores the message that all Indian languages share a common cultural ancestry, while promoting Tamil literature, arts, and traditional wisdom to a national audience.
IIT Madras Unveils Sweat-Based Low-Cost Blood Sugar Monitoring Device
In a breakthrough for affordable healthcare innovation, researchers at IIT Madras have developed a low-cost, sweat-based device for monitoring blood sugar levels — offering a pain-free and reusable alternative to traditional glucose meters.
The device, created by a team from the Department of Electrical Engineering led by Dr. V. R. Kanth, has been granted a patent for its innovative design. Unlike current imported glucose meters that rely on blood samples and costly disposable strips, the new system measures glucose levels by analyzing sweat, providing comparable accuracy to existing blood-based methods.
According to IIT Madras, the device features disposable electrochemical strips and reusable sensor components, making it both economical and environmentally friendly. The development comes amid alarming figures from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), which estimated in 2023 that over 10.1 crore Indians are affected by diabetes.
This indigenous innovation is expected to reduce dependence on imported medical equipment, enabling affordable diabetic care for millions across India.
PM Modi Launches Year-Long Celebrations for 150 Years of ‘Vande Mataram’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the year-long nationwide celebrations marking 150 years of the national song ‘Vande Mataram’ at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, on Friday, November 7, at 9:30 AM.
This launch event will formally begin the commemorations, which will run from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, celebrating the song that became a symbol of India’s freedom struggle and a rallying call for national unity and pride.
At 9:50 AM, the song ‘Vande Mataram’ will be sung across public venues throughout the country, with participation from citizens of all communities.
The year 2025 marks 150 years since the song was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on November 7, 1875, a work that continues to hold deep patriotic significance in India’s cultural and historical consciousness.
Economy News
Mahindra & Mahindra Sells Entire Stake in RBL Bank for $77 Million, Exits Investment
Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has announced the sale of its entire 3.5% stake in RBL Bank for ₹6.78 billion ($77.1 million), marking a 62.5% return on its 2023 investment.
M&M had initially acquired the stake to gain strategic insights into the banking sector over a 7–10-year period, with then CEO Anish Shah stating that the holding would be retained unless a “strategic opportunity” arose.
The exit comes amid ongoing discussions about corporate diversification and capital allocation, as M&M continues to strengthen its core automotive and financial services businesses. Market analysts noted that the company’s decision reflects a shift back to its primary focus areas after exploratory investments outside its main domain.
SEBI Expands IPO Anchor Book to Boost Domestic Institutional Participation
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced new amendments to the Initial Public Offering (IPO) framework, expanding the anchor investor allocation to enhance participation from domestic institutional investors such as mutual funds (MFs), insurance companies, and pension funds.
Under the revised rules, SEBI has increased the anchor reservation limit from 33% to 40% of the total issue size. Of this, 33% will be allocated to mutual funds, while 7% will be reserved for insurers and pension funds.
In case the 7% portion remains unsubscribed, it will automatically be reallocated to mutual funds, SEBI stated in its official notification.
Reports and Indices
India’s Services Sector Growth Slows to 5-Month Low in October: PMI Report
India’s services sector growth weakened to a five-month low in October, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey. The slowdown comes as competitive pressures and heavy rains disrupted business activities, tempering the robust expansion recorded in previous months.
Despite the moderation, new business orders continued to rise strongly, indicating that underlying demand remains resilient. However, the report noted that rising input costs and erratic weather have begun to weigh on the sector’s overall momentum.
Economists view the trend as an early sign of emerging headwinds for Asia’s third-largest economy, which is projected to grow 6.7% in FY 2025, slightly higher than 6.5% in the previous fiscal year.
International News
Israel Declares Egypt Border a Closed Military Zone to Counter Drone Smuggling Threat
In a major security move, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has directed the military to designate the Israel–Egypt border area as a closed military zone, citing an increase in weapons smuggling via drones. Israel shares a 200-kilometre-long border with Egypt.
Earlier this week, the Israeli military reported detecting a drone that crossed from the west into Israeli territory, allegedly attempting to smuggle weapons.
Nancy Pelosi, First Woman Speaker of U.S. House, Announces Retirement from Congress
Veteran American politician Nancy Pelosi, the first woman ever to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced that she will retire from Congress and not seek reelection in the upcoming polls.
Pelosi, who made history in 2007 as the first female Speaker, played a central role in major legislative initiatives, including healthcare reforms, climate policies, and economic recovery packages.
Her leadership shaped the Democratic Party’s modern identity and earned her a reputation as one of the most influential lawmakers in American history.
Cyclone Kalmegi Devastates Philippines; National Emergency Declared
The Philippines has declared a nationwide state of emergency following the devastation caused by Cyclone Kalmegi, which has claimed 114 lives and displaced over 5.6 lakh residents across several provinces.
Originating as a low-pressure system over the Pacific Ocean on October 30, Cyclone Kalmegi intensified into a severe cyclonic storm by November 1, making it the 25th named cyclone of 2025. Moving west-northwest, it made landfall on November 4, causing massive destruction in Cebu, Negros, and Davao provinces.
On November 3, the Cebu region recorded 183 mm of rainfall, far exceeding the monthly average of 131 mm, leading to severe flooding. According to official data, 127 people remain missing, while 2 lakh citizens have been affected. Relief operations are underway, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urging authorities to accelerate aid distribution and ensure food and water supply to those in shelters.
After crossing the Philippines, Cyclone Kalmegi moved toward Vietnam, where it made landfall with wind speeds reaching 149 km/h, becoming the 13th cyclone to hit the country this year. Experts have linked the storm’s intensity to climate change, which has contributed to the formation of over 80 cyclones globally in 2025, affecting countries such as Vietnam, China, Thailand, and the Philippines.
🌪️ What is the Difference Between a Cyclone and a Hurricane?
Both cyclones and hurricanes refer to intense tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rain — but their names vary by region:
In the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, they are called Cyclones.
In the Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific, they are called Hurricanes.
In the Northwest Pacific, they are known as Typhoons.
Essentially, they are the same weather phenomenon, but named differently based on where they occur.
🌏 Who Named Cyclone Kalmegi and What Does It Mean?
The name ‘Kalmegi’ was suggested by North Korea.
In Korean, Kalmegi (갈매기) means ‘Seagull’, a bird that represents freedom, endurance, and resilience.
The naming follows the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) tropical cyclone naming list, where each member country contributes names used sequentially for storms forming in the northwest Pacific region.