Daily Current Affairs – 13-11-2025
International News
India–Botswana: President Droupadi Murmu Meets President Masisi, Expands Bilateral Cooperation
During her visit to Botswana, President Droupadi Murmu met Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi in Gaborone, marking the first-ever visit of an Indian President to the country, where both leaders decided to expand cooperation between India and Botswana in key sectors including education, agriculture, trade and investment, renewable energy, health, skill development, defence, and digital technology. An agreement related to medicines, pricing, and usage guidelines was signed to enhance access to affordable Indian medicines in Botswana. Accepting a request from the Botswana government, eight cheetahs will be sent from Botswana to India under India’s wildlife conservation efforts, with the plan officially announced during the visit. The discussions also covered Indian support in noise pollution control devices and technology for textile pollution control, further strengthening bilateral engagement across environmental and technological sectors.
National News
Union Cabinet Approves ₹25,060-Crore Export Promotion Scheme
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a ₹25,060-crore Export Promotion Scheme to be implemented over the next six financial years to support Indian exporters affected by the high tariffs imposed by the United States. Effective from the current financial year, the scheme will operate through two components—Niryat Protsahan, allocated ₹10,401 crore to provide low-cost trade credit for MSMEs, and Niryat Deepika, allocated ₹14,659 crore to enhance non-financial export support including skill development, quality certification, branding, packaging, participation in international trade fairs, and partial reimbursement of transport costs. Priority will be given to sectors impacted by the 50% U.S. tariff, including textiles, leather, jewellery, engineering goods, and marine products. The Cabinet also approved a ₹20,000-crore Loan Guarantee Scheme, under which the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) will offer 100% credit guarantee for eligible exporters including MSMEs. The export sector contributes 21% to the Indian economy and provides 4.5 crore jobs, and the scheme aims to strengthen global competitiveness and expand market diversification. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for critical minerals graphite, caesium, rubidium, and zirconium, a move intended to promote mineral block auctions and support the discovery of minerals such as lithium and tungsten.
Union Cabinet Approves New Royalty Rates for Critical Minerals
The Union Cabinet has approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for the critical minerals graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium to reduce import dependence and strengthen mineral supply chains. Under the new structure, graphite, which earlier attracted royalty on a per-tonne basis, will now be charged on an ad valorem basis, with 4% royalty on graphite containing less than 80% fixed carbon and 2% royalty on graphite with 80% or more fixed carbon. For caesium and rubidium, a 2% royalty will be levied on the average sale price based on the specific metal content in the ore, while zirconium will attract 1% royalty. The Cabinet stated that the rationalisation will promote the auction of mineral blocks of caesium, rubidium and zirconium and will assist bidders in submitting financially sound bids during auctions.
WHO Report: India’s TB Incidence Declines by 21% Between 2015 and 2024
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global TB Report 2025, India’s tuberculosis (TB) incidence has declined by 21% from 237 cases per lakh population in 2015 to 187 per lakh population in 2024, nearly double the global decline of 12%, as stated by the Union Health Ministry. India also recorded one of the steepest global reductions in TB burden, with treatment coverage increasing from 53% in 2015 to over 92% in 2024, and 26.18 lakh TB patients diagnosed out of an estimated 27 lakh cases. The number of missing TB cases fell from 15 lakh in 2015 to less than one lakh in 2024, and TB mortality reduced from 28 deaths per lakh to 21 deaths per lakh during the same period. The report noted no significant rise in multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB cases, while India’s treatment success rate under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, launched in December 2024, reached 90%, surpassing the global average of 88%. The Abhiyan has screened over 19 crore vulnerable individuals, detecting more than 24.5 lakh TB patients, including 8.61 lakh asymptomatic cases, reflecting major progress in India’s TB elimination efforts.
GI Tag Application Fee Reduced to ₹1,000; Centre Extends Support for Tribal Goods
At the Tribal Business Conclave held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the application fee for the Geographical Indications (GI) tag has been reduced from ₹5,000 to ₹1,000, while urging tribal artisans to register and protect traditional products. The conclave was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Ministry of Culture, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), and included discussions on financing innovations, investments, partnerships, industry linkages and skilling for tribal enterprises. The event formed part of the Government of India’s Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh celebrations marking the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Birsa Munda. GI tag certificates were distributed for products including Kannadippaya (Kerala), Apatani textile (Arunachal Pradesh), Marthandam honey (Tamil Nadu), Lepcha Tungbuk (Sikkim), Bodo Aronai (Assam), Ambaji white marble (Gujarat), and Bedu and Badri cow ghee (Uttarakhand). Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative, and the Ministry announced a Tribal Affairs Grand Challenge inviting enterprises to design solutions for tribal communities.
Tamil Nadu News
National Water Awards 2024: Tirunelveli Ranked First in South Zone
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti announced the National Water Awards 2024, where Tirunelveli district secured first place in the South Zone under the Best District category, recognising contributions towards the Central Government’s vision of a ‘Water-Rich India’. The awards were declared in 10 categories by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil in New Delhi, with Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana selected as winners in the Best State category. The Vedapatti Village Water Users Association in Coimbatore district won the award for best water usage, while in the Best Village Panchayat category Balapuram Panchayat (Tiruvallur) and Tamara Pali Panchayat (Kanker, Chhattisgarh) shared third place. Apollo Tyres, Kanchipuram ranked first in the Best Industry category. The awards will be presented on November 18 by President Droupadi Murmu, in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Under the ‘Jal Sanchay Mein Jan Bhagidari’ initiative for water conservation, Telangana ranked first nationally by completing 5.20 lakh structures, followed by Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, while in the South Zone category for water conservation, Coimbatore ranked second, Namakkal tenth, and Ramanathapuram thirteenth, each receiving ₹25 lakh for completing large numbers of water conservation structures.
Economy News
Retail Inflation Records Historic Low of 0.25% in October 2025
Retail inflation in India fell to 0.25% in October 2025, marking the lowest inflation rate recorded in the current Consumer Price Index (CPI) series and the lowest since January 2012, according to government data. The decline was attributed to the full-month impact of GST rate cuts, a favourable base effect, and reduced inflation in key food items such as vegetables and fruits. While most CPI categories saw higher inflation in October 2025 compared to the same month in the previous year, the food and beverages category registered a 3.7% price contraction in October following a 1.4% contraction in September, highlighting the statistical influence of the base effect on overall inflation trends.
Sports News
Jerlin Jayaratchagan Named India’s Flagbearer for Tokyo Deaflympics
Jerlin Jayaratchagan, a Deaflympics athlete from Madurai, has been appointed as India’s flagbearer for the Tokyo Deaflympics beginning on Saturday. The 111-member Indian contingent was officially sent off on Wednesday, and the first batch of athletes will depart on Thursday. India will compete in 11 disciplines including athletics, badminton, golf, judo, karate, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wrestling and tennis. Jerlin, who made her debut in 2017 at the age of 13, created history by winning three gold medals in singles, mixed doubles and team events at the 2022 Brazil Deaflympics, becoming the first woman Deaflympian to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award. In the same edition, India finished ninth with 16 medals consisting of eight gold, one silver and seven bronze.