1) Karnataka introduces paid menstrual leave (first in India)
Karnataka has become the first Indian state to provide one paid day of menstrual leave per month to women employees across both government and private sectors—adding up to 12 paid days per year.
Why it matters (for exams):
First state policy covering public + private workforce.
Standardised one-day monthly leave.
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2) Four new Vande Bharat Express services flagged off by PM Narendra Modi
On 8 Nov 2025 from Varanasi, the PM flagged off: Banaras–Khajuraho, Lucknow–Saharanpur, Ferozepur–Delhi, and Ernakulam–Bengaluru (virtual) Vande Bharat Express services.
Quick facts: First Vande Bharat ran on 15 Feb 2019 (New Delhi–Varanasi); max speed up to 160 km/h (operational ~130 km/h).
3) Tadasha Mishra becomes Jharkhand’s first woman DGP
1994-batch IPS officer Tadasha Mishra has been appointed Director General of Police (DGP), the highest post in a state’s police. She succeeds Anurag Gupta.
4) Nobel laureate James Watson passes away at 97
James D. Watson (US molecular biologist), co-discoverer of the DNA double helix (with Francis Crick, 1953), died on 6 Nov 2025 aged 97. He received the 1962 Nobel Prize. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) stores genetic information in chromosomes and governs growth, function, reproduction, and heredity.
5) Denmark plans social media ban for Under 15 Years Children's
Denmark announced a plan to ban social media use for children under 15 to protect mental health and digital safety. Platforms include Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok.
(Country facts: Capital Copenhagen; PM Mette Frederiksen; Monarch Frederick X; Currency Danish Krone.)
Also Read Current Affairs Highlights 08 November 2025
6) Rahul V.S. becomes India’s 91st Chess Grandmaster
Rahul V.S. clinched the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championship (Philippines) and became India’s 91st GM. He was awarded IM (2021).
Recent GMs: 90th Ilamparthi AR (30 Oct 2025); 87th Harikrishnan A.R.; 88th Divya Deshmukh; 89th Rohit Krishna S.
7) Sheetal Devi qualifies for ‘Saksham’ team (para archery milestone)
Sheetal Devi (J&K) became the first Indian para archer to qualify for the Saksham team after stellar Sonipat National Trials; selected for Asia Cup Stage 3 (Jeddah). She is already a World Para Archery champion.
Also in headlines: Jasmine Lamboria (World Boxing gold); Abhimanyu Mishra becomes youngest GM to defeat World Champion Gukesh.
8) Australia unveils ‘Apollo’ high-energy military laser
Australia developed ‘Apollo’, a 150-kW high-energy military laser by Electro Optic Systems (EOS). It can neutralise up to 200 drones per charge, disable drones to 3 km, and blind optical sensors to 15 km—operable without ammunition or external power.
9) China commissions aircraft carrier ‘Fujian’
China officially inducted ‘Fujian’, its third aircraft carrier and first fully indigenous design, featuring EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) akin to the US. Displacement ~85,000 tons; compatible with J-35 stealth fighters and heavier aircraft.
10) Elina Rybakina wins WTA Finals 2025
Elina Rybakina (Kazakhstan) won the WTA Finals 2025 in Riyadh, defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The year-end event features the top 8 singles and top 8 doubles players each November.
Important Current Affairs – Brief (keep handy)
Jyothi Surekha Vennam: first Indian woman compound archer to medal at Archery World Cup Finals.
Maryam Fatima: first woman FIDE Master from Bihar.
Sushila Karki: first woman Prime Minister of Nepal.
Prof. Uma Kanjilal: first woman VC of IGNOU.
Sonali Mishra: first woman Director General, RPF.
Priya Nair: first woman CEO of HUL.
Aastha Poonia: first woman fighter pilot in Indian Navy.
Kirsty Coventry: first woman & African IOC President.
New Zealand: plans to ban social media for <16.
India: temporary silver import curb till 31 Mar 2026.
South Korea: classroom mobile phone ban from Mar 2026.
Punjab: lifts ban on heritage games.
Also Read : Awards and Honours MCQs 2025
