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Current Affairs Highlights 21 November 2025 | Daily Updates

Current Affairs Highlights 21 November 2025  National and International updates

Complete current affairs for 21 November 2025 covering Nitish Kumar’s 10th oath as Bihar CM, Venu Srinivasan’s CII Quality Ratna Award, Curacao qualifying for FIFA World Cup 2026, Roger Federer’s Hall of Fame induction, US–Saudi Major Non-NATO Ally status, new Indian consulates in Russia, leopard birth control programme and Indira Gandhi Prize 2024.

Nitish Kumar Sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister for 10th Time

Nitish Kumar taking oath as Bihar Chief Minister for the 10th time in November 2025


Nitish Kumar has taken oath as the Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th time.

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  • Oath administered by: Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan

  • Deputy Chief Ministers:

    • Samrat Chaudhary

    • Vijay Kumar Sinha

  • A total of 26 ministers took oath:

    • 14 from BJP quota

    • 8 from JD(U)

    • 2 from LJP (Ram Vilas)

    • 1 from HAM (Hindustani Awam Morcha)

    • 1 from Kushwaha’s party

Bihar Assembly Election 2025 Result

  • NDA alliance (BJP + JD(U) + allies): 202 seats

  • Mahagathbandhan (RJD + Congress + Left parties): 35 seats

Bihar – Quick Facts (Static GK)

  • Formation: 22 March 1912

  • Capital: Patna

  • Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar

  • Governor: Arif Mohammad Khan

  • Vidhan Sabha (Assembly): 243 seats

  • Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council): 75 seats

  • Rajya Sabha seats: 16

  • Lok Sabha seats: 40

Venu Srinivasan Receives CII Quality Ratna Award 2025

Venu Srinivasan receiving CII Quality Ratna Award 2025 at CII Excellence Summit in Kolkata


Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus of TVS Motor Company, has been awarded the CII Quality Ratna Award 2025.

  • Awarded at the 33rd CII Excellence Summit in Kolkata.

  • The CII Quality Ratna Award honours quality leadership and innovation in industry.

  • It is presented by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Important Awards 2025 – Quick List

  • Manika Vishwakarma – Miss Universe India 2025

  • Gitanjali Shree – PEN Translate Award

  • Varsha Deshpande – United Nations Population Award

  • PM Narendra Modi – Order of the Star (Ghana)

  • Banu Mushtaq – International Booker Prize

  • Kumar Mangalam Birla – Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award 2025

  • Nikhil Singhal – Uttar Pradesh Anmol Ratna Award

  • Manoj Sinha – Maharaja Hari Singh Award

  • Urvashi Sinha – Gates–Cambridge Impact Prize 2025

Curacao Qualifies for FIFA World Cup 2026

Curacao national football team celebrating historic qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026


Curacao has created history by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

  • Curacao is now the smallest country by population ever to qualify for a FIFA World Cup.

  • Population: Around 1.56 lakh (156,000)

  • Region: Caribbean island country

FIFA World Cup 2026 – Key Facts

  • Edition: 23rd FIFA World Cup

  • Host countries:

    • United States of America (USA)

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Tournament dates: 11 June – 19 July 2026

  • Number of teams: 48 (increased from 32 to 48 for the first time)

  • Total matches: 104

  • Group format: 12 groups, each with 4 teams

  • Host cities: 16 total

    • 11 in USA

    • 2 in Canada

    • 3 in Mexico

FIFA 2026 Mascots

  • USA mascot: “Clutch”, a bold eagle

  • Canada mascot: “Maple”, a moose

  • Mexico mascot: “Zayu”, a jaguar

Roger Federer to Enter International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2026

Roger Federer waving to fans on tennis court ahead of his induction into International Tennis Hall of Fame 2026

Legendary Swiss tennis player Roger Federer will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2026.

  • He is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

  • Grand Slam Titles: 20

  • Olympic Gold: Men’s doubles, Beijing 2008 Olympics

  • Induction recognises his illustrious career and contribution to global tennis.

First Leopard Birth Control Programme Approved in India

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved Maharashtra’s Leopard Birth Control Programme.

  • This is India’s first programme aimed at reducing human–leopard conflict through birth control.

  • Pilot area: Junnar region, Pune district, Maharashtra

  • Leopards will be fitted with radio collars to monitor:

    • Their movement

    • Their health status

US Declares Saudi Arabia a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)

US President and Saudi Crown Prince attending formal event announcing Saudi Arabia as Major Non-NATO All

The United States has declared Saudi Arabia a “Major Non-NATO Ally” (MNNA).

  • This status will strengthen defence and strategic cooperation between the two countries.

  • Announcement was made at a formal dinner in Washington, D.C.

  • Present on the occasion:

    • US President Donald Trump

    • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

  • Saudi Arabia becomes the 20th country to receive MNNA status.

  • Areas of enhanced cooperation:

    • Defence

    • Nuclear energy

    • Artificial Intelligence

    • Mineral resources

NATO – Quick Revision Points

  • Full form: North Atlantic Treaty Organization

  • Type: Military alliance

  • Founded: 1949

  • Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

  • Members: 32 countries

  • Core principle: Collective security

    • Article 5: An attack on one member is considered an attack on all.

  • Current Secretary General: Mark Rutte

  • Objective: Protect the independence and security of member states.

India Opens Two New Consulate Generals in Russia

India has opened two new Consulate Generals in Russia.

  • New consulates located in:

    • Yekaterinburg

    • Kazan

  • Inaugurated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on 18 November 2025.

What is a Consulate General?

  • A Consulate General is a smaller but important diplomatic office compared to an embassy.

  • It is primarily set up to:

    • Assist citizens of that country living or travelling abroad

    • Facilitate visas, trade, cultural and consular services

Significance of New Consulates

  • Will strengthen India–Russia relations in:

    • Trade

    • Tourism

    • Science & technology

    • Culture

  • Will provide better services and support to the Indian community in those regions.

Michelle Bachelet Receives 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize

Michelle Bachelet receiving 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace Disarmament and Development in New Delhi


Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been conferred the 2024 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in New Delhi.

  • Awarded for her:

    • Efforts to protect human rights

    • Promotion of global peace

    • Work for women’s rights, democracy and social justice

About the Indira Gandhi Prize

  • Full Name: Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development

  • Established: 1986

  • Awarding body: Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust

  • Nature of Award:

    • ₹25 lakh cash prize

    • Citation

  • Given annually to individuals or organisations that contribute to:

    • International peace

    • Development

    • Welfare of humanity

  • Instituted in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

  • Objective: To stress the use of scientific discoveries and development for the benefit of humanity.

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