1. Economy, Infrastructure & Skill Development
Economy
India’s economy is projected to have expanded by ~7.3% in Q2 FY26, driven by strong rural demand and a good kharif harvest, although private sector growth showed signs of moderation. Private Manufacturing PMI dipped to 57.4, signaling challenges ahead.
Moody’s forecasts India’s growth at 6.5% per year until 2027, supported by infrastructure spending, although risks around private investment remain.
India is negotiating its trade terms with the U.S. carefully, signaling confidence in its domestic economy, despite tariff disputes.
Infrastructure
India launched the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway, a 464 km greenfield six-lane corridor linking Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, aimed at boosting logistics and port connectivity.
Telangana aims to become a hub for aerospace & defense manufacturing by 2030, marking a significant move toward regional economic integration.
Skill Development
India’s new logistics training center was inaugurated by the Ministry of Skill Development in Hyderabad, aimed at upgrading workforce capabilities in line with India’s logistics growth.
India’s skilling efforts were also praised by New Zealand’s Trade Minister during a visit to Mumbai’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill Development Centre.
2. Law, Data Protection & Agriculture
Law & Data Protection
The Digital Personal Data Protection Rules (2025) were finalized, bringing stricter guidelines for data collection, storage, and processing. The new rules are designed to enhance individual data protection and make companies more accountable, with large penalties for non-compliance.
A significant ruling by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) lifted the five-year ban on WhatsApp sharing data with Meta platforms, although the fine imposed by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) remains upheld.
Agriculture
The Draft Seeds Bill (2025) was released to regulate seed quality and ensure affordable access to farmers while aiming to curb spurious seeds and encourage technological innovation in the sector. However, some farmer groups have raised concerns over the bill favoring large corporate interests.
India is set for record wheat planting in the 2025-26 season, with favorable soil moisture and a price hike for wheat. Additionally, a ₹70 crore clean plant center is being set up in Nagpur for disease-free orange rootstocks.
3. India & South Asia
The Draft Seeds Bill (2025) in India has stirred discussions regarding seed certification, regulation of seed varieties, and farmer rights. Some farmer groups have expressed concerns that the bill could benefit large corporations more than small farmers. Public feedback is encouraged until December 2025.
Regional Security Cooperation: The 7ᵗʰ National Security Adviser (NSA) meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) took place in New Delhi, emphasizing stronger defense cooperation between India, Sri Lanka, and other regional partners. The conclave aims to tackle maritime security, terrorism, and cyber threats in the region.
India’s efforts to address infrastructure deficits in South Asia were highlighted by its regional collaborations, with India playing a major role in funding regional transport corridors and supply chains, such as the Raipur–Visakhapatnam Expressway, benefiting neighboring countries as well.
4. Global Affairs
The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), held in Belém, Brazil, became a platform for global discussions on the future of the Paris Agreement and the urgent need for nations to act decisively on climate change. India advocated for equity in financing climate action, especially for developing nations. However, the conference faced challenges in securing binding commitments on phasing out fossil fuels, leading to mixed reactions.
The G20 Summit in Johannesburg saw India raising concerns about global financial governance. With several major leaders choosing not to attend, analysts suggested that the summit could be an example of a dormant G20 without active participation from some of the largest economies.
Australia’s Climate Policy Shift: Australia announced a significant policy shift, abandoning its net-zero by 2050 target in favor of a strategy focused on fossil fuel use, nuclear power, and carbon-capture technology. This policy move sparked debates globally, especially among environmental groups and neighboring countries in the Indo-Pacific.
5. Defence & International Relations
International Relations
The 2025 G20 Johannesburg Summit held in South Africa saw discussions on global governance reform, with a focus on Global South issues. India continued to assert its presence in strategic dialogues.
India’s defense cooperation with France was showcased in the Garuda Exercise held in France, enhancing the interoperability of the Indian Air Force and French Air Force.
India-Germany held high-level talks on co-development and co-production of defense equipment, signaling deeper ties in defense technology.
Defence
India’s push to become a defense manufacturing hub was furthered by Telangana’s ambition to develop aerospace and defense industries by 2030.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced the development of autonomous underwater vehicles for mine warfare.
6. Science, Technology & Health
Science & Technology
India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Rules (2025) came into effect, which will shape the future of AI, big data, and digital services across India, enforcing stricter privacy controls.
At the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave in New Delhi, innovative solutions in AI and biotech were discussed, with a strong focus on collaboration between industry and academia.
Health
India launched its National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0 for the years 2025–2029, focusing on controlling antibiotic resistance, improving lab capacity, and public health education.
The HealthTech Innovation Challenge recognized new AI-based cognitive screening platforms, which could revolutionize early detection of cognitive decline.
7. Awards, Literature & Education
Awards
The Infosys Foundation’s Aarohan Social Innovation Awards recognized innovations in education, including a Bengaluru project that uses STEM kits and live teacher training for government school students.
The IDA Education Awards acknowledged pioneering efforts in education and skill development.
The Betageri Krishnasharma Trust announced its literary awards, recognizing contributions in poetry, short stories, and journalism.
Literature
The Sahitya Akademi presented the Bal Sahitya Puraskar (2025) to celebrate excellence in children’s literature across 24 Indian languages.
The CLF Literati Awards celebrated achievements in fiction and non-fiction writing during the festival.
Education
The Education Excellence Awards (2025) were presented to various institutions and startups, such as “Notopedia” (EdTech startup) and “Excel Public School” for their efforts in STEM integration.
The K.R. Mangalam World School won the Best School in Sports Education award, highlighting the growing importance of sports alongside academics.
8. Sports
Cricket
India played South Africa in a 2nd Test match in Guwahati, where India’s Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer, taking 3 wickets for 48 runs on Day 1.
Bangladesh Women’s Cricket Team tour of India was postponed due to rising political tensions.
Football & Other Sports
Rajasthan United Football Club made its debut in the Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament, marking a significant milestone for football in Rajasthan.
P. Jeyachandra Pandi, a 42-year-old police officer from Madurai, won four medals at the Asian Masters Athletics Championships, including gold in 400m hurdles and silver in 3000m steeplechase.
This article now includes the India & South Asia and Global Affairs sections, providing a complete summary of significant events and developments across Economy, Infrastructure, Law, Agriculture, Defence, Science, Technology, Health, Education, Literature, and Sports for the week of 16–22 November 2025. If you need further breakdowns or more details, feel free to ask!
