Daily Current Affairs – 14-11-2025
Economy News
SBI to Complete Core Banking System Modernisation by FY28
The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, plans to complete the full overhaul and modernisation of its core banking system by FY28, according to Ashwini Kumar Tewari, the Senior Managing Director of SBI, during an event in Singapore. The modernisation is being carried out jointly by SBI and its subsidiary SBI Payments Services. The upgrade includes transforming SBI’s legacy platforms through hollowization, microservices, modernisation, and externalisation, while ensuring operational continuity and resilience. The bank is following a four-axis strategy: upgrading hardware, migrating systems from Unix to Linux, externalising functions such as vendor and government payments, and introducing microservices for operations like inquiries and accounting to enhance agility and scalability. SBI is also developing a private cloud infrastructure to strengthen scalability, regulatory compliance, and data security as part of this technological shift. The modernisation initiative aims to maintain uninterrupted service availability for customers throughout the transition.
Reports and Indices
Moody’s Projects India’s Economic Growth at 6.5% Through 2027
According to Moody’s Ratings, the Indian economy is expected to sustain an average annual growth rate of 6.5% through 2027, supported by robust infrastructure spending and resilient household consumption. The agency retained its 2025 growth forecast at 7%, followed by 6.4% in 2026 and 6.5% in 2027, driven by stable domestic demand and continued export diversification. The report noted that India and Brazil will remain the fastest-growing G20 economies through 2027, with projected growth rates of 6.5% and 2%, respectively. Despite strong macro-economic indicators, private sector capital expenditure has remained weak for nearly 15 years, with corporates cautious on large investments. The report highlighted India’s export resilience, noting a 6.75% overall export growth in September, despite a 12% drop in shipments to the U.S. after the U.S. imposed 50% punitive tariffs on Indian goods from August. Moody’s forecasted inflation at 2.8% in 2025, 3.5% in 2026, and 4% in 2027, with inflation declining to 0.25% in October, the lowest since 2013, due to easing food prices and GST reductions.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Justice M.S. Ramesh Receives Sir Thomas Strange Legacy of Justice Award 2025
Justice M.S. Ramesh of the Madras High Court has been awarded the Sir Thomas Strange Legacy of Justice Award 2025, an honour instituted in the name of Sir Thomas Andrew Lumisden Strange, the first Chief Justice of the Madras High Court (1798–1817), to recognise jurists who uphold courage, fairness, and compassion in justice delivery. Justice Ramesh was also conferred the Euro Star Medal of Honour at a ceremony held in London. Appointed as a judge on October 10, 2016, he is currently the fourth senior-most judge of the Madras High Court and has delivered several significant judgments during his tenure.
Sports News
Anupama Ramachandran Wins Her First IBSF World Snooker (15-Red)
Anupama Ramachandran, a 23-year-old player from Chennai, won the IBSF World Snooker (15-red) title in Doha, becoming the first Indian woman to claim this championship. She defeated three-time champion Ng On Yee of Hong Kong in the final with frame scores of 51–74, 65–41, 10–71, 78–20, 68–60. Anupama advanced to the final after beating fellow Indian Keerthana Pandian in the semifinals with scores of 65–46, 78(36)–30, 16–70, 57–9, marking a historic achievement for India in world snooker.
India Wins 3 Gold and 2 Silver Medals at Asian Archery Championships
At the Asian Archery Championships held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, India secured five medals on November 13, including three gold and two silver. In the compound women’s team final, the Indian team of Jyothi Surekha, Deepika, and Prithika Pradeep defeated South Korea 236–234 to win the gold medal. In the compound women’s individual final, Jyothi Surekha won her second gold by defeating Prithika Pradeep 147–145. India’s third gold came through the compound mixed team, where Abhishek Verma and Deepika beat Bangladesh 153–151. In the compound men’s team final, the Indian team of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Rajesh, Jadhav, and Pramod Batle narrowly lost to Kazakhstan 229–230 and earned the silver medal, taking India’s tally to five medals for the day.
India Wins 3 Gold and 2 Silver Medals at Asian Archery Championships
At the Asian Archery Championships held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, India secured five medals on November 13, including three gold and two silver. In the compound women’s team final, the Indian team of Jyothi Surekha, Deepika, and Prithika Pradeep defeated South Korea 236–234 to win the gold medal. In the compound women’s individual final, Jyothi Surekha won her second gold by defeating Prithika Pradeep 147–145. India’s third gold came through the compound mixed team, where Abhishek Verma and Deepika beat Bangladesh 153–151. In the compound men’s team final, the Indian team of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Rajesh, Jadhav, and Pramod Batle narrowly lost to Kazakhstan 229–230 and earned the silver medal, taking India’s tally to five medals for the day.
International News
U.K. Selects North Wales for Its First Small Nuclear Power Station
The United Kingdom has chosen North Wales as the site for its first small nuclear power station, marking a major step in its energy strategy. The project will be located at Wylfa, which has been identified as the most suitable site for small modular reactors (SMRs), according to a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The decision comes despite earlier interest from the United States, which had proposed a larger U.S.-led nuclear plant as part of its involvement in the U.K.’s energy sector. The announcement highlights the U.K.’s shift toward modular nuclear technology as part of its long-term energy planning.
India’s Carbon Emissions Rise Slowly in 2025
According to the Global Carbon Project, India’s carbon emissions in 2025 are expected to rise by 1.4%, which is slower than the 4% rise recorded in 2024. Globally, emissions are projected to reach 38 billion tonnes in 2025, an increase of 1.1%. The study notes that India’s slower emission growth is due to a favourable monsoon, which reduced cooling demand, and a strong increase in renewable energy usage that lowered coal consumption. India remains the third-largest emitter with 3.2 billion tonnes of annual CO2 emissions in 2024, behind the United States (4.9 billion tonnes) and China (12 billion tonnes), while India’s per capita emission stands at 2.2 tonnes, the second lowest among major global economies. The report highlights that coal continues to be the primary fuel contributing to India’s emissions, and globally, fossil CO2 emissions for 2025 are projected to rise due to increases from coal (+0.8%), oil (+1%), and natural gas (+1.3%). The study further states that the remaining carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C is 170 billion tonnes of CO2, equivalent to about four years at current emission levels.
India–Nepal Amend Transit Treaty to Boost Trade Connectivity
India and Nepal have amended the Treaty of Transit to facilitate rail-based freight movement between Jogbani (India) and Biratnagar (Nepal), including bulk cargo, as part of strengthening bilateral trade ties. The amendment letters were exchanged in New Delhi between India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Nepal’s Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Anil Kumar Sinha. The liberalised transit provisions now extend to key corridors such as Kolkata–Jogbani, Kolkata–Nautanwa (Sunauli) and Visakhapatnam–Nautanwa (Sunauli), aimed at enhancing multimodal trade connectivity between the two countries and supporting Nepal’s trade with third countries. Both ministers acknowledged the ongoing bilateral efforts to improve cross-border connectivity and trade infrastructure.
Jaishankar Participates in G7 Energy Security Session
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar participated in a briefing session on energy security and rare minerals held in Canada as part of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on November 11 and 12 in the Niagara region. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Jaishankar attended the meeting at the invitation of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and held discussions with her on bilateral relations. He also met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, and the foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, and Brazil, along with European Commission Foreign Affairs and Security Minister Kaja Kallas. Following these meetings, he took part in the G7 session focusing on global energy supply and critical mineral security, which addressed international disruptions and cooperation among participating nations.
National News
Defence Ministry Signs ₹2,095 Crore Contract for Anti-Tank Missiles
The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract worth ₹2,095.70 crore with the public sector defence manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for procuring anti-tank missiles for the Indian Army, as announced on November 13 in New Delhi. The contract covers the acquisition of a laser-guided missile system capable of accurately striking designated targets. This procurement strengthens the Army’s anti-armour capability and is part of ongoing defence modernisation efforts. The agreement marks a significant collaboration between the Defence Ministry and BDL, a key defence PSU involved in missile production.
Tri-Service ‘Trishul’ Exercise Concludes in Gujarat
The Tri-Service ‘Trishul’ military exercise, involving the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy, concluded in Gujarat on November 13. The exercise was conducted for two weeks from October 30 under the leadership of the Indian Navy, across regions in Rajasthan and Gujarat, with the participation of 30,000 personnel, 25 ships and warships, and several combat aircraft. A major component of the drill, the ‘AMPEX 2025’ tri-service combat exercise, was held at Madhavpur beach, Porbandar, where T-72 tanks, Jaguar fighter aircraft, and Mi-30 MKI combat aircraft showcased operational capabilities. The exercise also demonstrated modern warfare technologies such as drones, anti-drone systems, electronic warfare, cyber warfare, and integrated surveillance operations. Additionally, defence equipment manufactured domestically under the ‘Make in India’ initiative was displayed during the Trishul exercise.
Tamil Nadu News
Special Act to Prevent Honour Killings – Tamil Nadu Forms Commission (TNPSC CA)
The Tamil Nadu Government has issued an order forming a commission headed by retired High Court Judge K. N. Basha to provide recommendations for enacting a new law aimed at preventing honour killings in the state. The decision follows the announcement made by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin during the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly session on October 17, where he stated that a commission comprising legal experts and scholars would be constituted. The newly formed commission includes V. Palanikumar (Retired IAS) and S. Ramanathan (Retired IPS) as members. The commission will collect opinions from political organisations, legal professionals, social activists, and affected citizens. It has been directed to study the issue and submit its recommendations within three months, ensuring that the proposed law aligns with the Constitution of India and Tamil Nadu legal provisions. Based on the commission’s report, the state government will initiate necessary steps to frame a special law to prevent honour killings.