Daily Current Affairs | 18 November 2025
Daily Current Affairs (18 November 2025) – India participated in key events including the Garuda air exercise with France, National Press Day to highlight press freedoms, and the launch of the e-Jagriti consumer grievance platform. Additionally, the DPDP Act 2023 was operationalized, and the 16th Finance Commission submitted its report for 2026-2031.
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Exercise Garuda | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the 8th edition of the bilateral air exercise ‘Garuda 25’ with the French Air and Space Force (FASF) at Mont-de-Marsan, France, from 16–27 November 2025.
The IAF contingent is operating Su-30MKI fighter aircraft in the exercise.
India–France Service-Specific Bilateral Defence Exercises
- Army – SHAKTI
- Focus: counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain; improving interoperability and tactical coordination.
- Air Force – GARUDA
- Focus: air combat missions, force employment tactics, air defence and joint operations.
- Navy – VARUNA
- Focus: maritime security, joint naval operations, anti-submarine warfare, and fleet-level integration.
Growing India–France Integrated Defence Cooperation
Even though SHAKTI, GARUDA, and VARUNA are service-specific, both sides are steadily moving toward multi-domain and integrated operations.
Multilateral Exercises
- India and France frequently participate together in multinational exercises that naturally involve integrated planning.
- Examples include:
- France’s participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti hosted by India.
- India’s participation in French-led multinational exercises such as Exercise Orion.
- These settings bring air, land, maritime, space, and cyber components into a combined operational environment.
Source: PIB
e-Jagriti | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The e-Jagriti platform of the Department of Consumer Affairs has rapidly emerged as a major digital grievance-redressal system, registering over two lakh users since its launch on 1 January 2025.
As of 13 November 2025, the portal has enabled 1,30,550 case filings and ensured the disposal of 1,27,058 cases, highlighting its efficiency in strengthening consumer protection nationwide.
About e-Jagriti (e-Justice and Grievance Redressal through Information Technology and Innovation)
- e-Jagriti is a flagship initiative of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
- It aims to modernize and strengthen India’s consumer dispute redressal ecosystem by integrating technology into every stage of complaint resolution.
- The platform ensures transparency, accountability, and time-bound disposal of consumer cases.
Key Features of e-Jagriti
- Unified Digital Portal: Connects all Consumer Commissions across national, state, and district levels, creating a seamless grievance redressal pathway.
- Full Computerisation and Networking: Digital workflow replaces manual processes, enabling faster registration, scrutiny, hearings, and disposal.
- Improved Efficiency: With quick case movement and automated tracking, the system has significantly reduced pendency of consumer cases.
- User-Friendly Access: Consumers can file complaints, upload documents, track case status, and receive updates through a single platform.
- Enhanced Transparency: Real-time data on case filings, status and disposal rates improves consumer trust and strengthens institutional accountability.
Source: PIB
National Press Day | UPSC CSE
Why in News: India observed National Press Day on 16 November 2025, celebrating the role of a free, responsible, and independent press as a pillar of Indian democracy.
Background and Significance
- National Press Day marks the establishment of the Press Council of India (PCI) on 16 November 1966, originally under the Indian Press Council Act, 1965.
- The 1965 Act was repealed during the Emergency (1975), and the PCI was reconstituted under a new Act in 1979.
- The idea of a statutory press regulator emerged from the First Press Commission (1956), which emphasised the need to:
- safeguard press freedom
- uphold ethical standards
- ensure accountability inside the profession
- The day highlights the media’s role as the fourth pillar of democracy, essential for transparency, public awareness, and holding power to account.
Growth of India’s Media Landscape
- India’s print media has expanded rapidly, with registered publications rising from 60,143 (2004–05) to 1.54 lakh (2024–25).
- This growth reflects the increasing reach, diversity, and resilience of India’s media ecosystem.
Key Institutional Pillars of Media Governance
Press Council of India (PCI)
- A statutory autonomous body under the Press Council Act, 1978.
- Mandate:
- Preserve press freedom
- Improve standards of newspapers and news agencies
- Functions:
- Hears complaints related to press freedom violations and ethical breaches.
- May act suo motu in cases concerning public interest, journalist safety, or media standards.
Press Registrar General of India (PRGI)
- Formerly the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI); re-designated under the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023.
- Regulates periodical registration, reflecting print media’s historical role in:
- the freedom movement
- public opinion shaping
- democratic participation
Key Legal Reforms
Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023
- Replaces the colonial Press and Registration of Books (PRB) Act, 1867.
- Notified on 29 December 2023; enforced from 1 March 2024.
- Introduces:
- fully online, integrated registration system
- simultaneous title allotment and registration
- paperless procedures
- reduced compliance burden
- decriminalisation of procedural lapses
- Supported by PRP Rules, 2024.
Source: PIB
DPDP Act 2023 | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The Government of India has notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules, 2025, completing the full operationalisation of the DPDP Act, 2023.
Together, the Act and Rules create a citizen-centric, innovation-friendly data governance framework for responsible handling of digital personal data.
Key Highlights of the DPDP Rules, 2025
- Introduce an 18-month phased compliance timeline to help organisations transition smoothly.
- Require standalone, simple, purpose-specific consent notices from all Data Fiduciaries.
- Mandate that Consent Managers must be Indian companies, ensuring domestic accountability.
- Adopt the SARAL design — Simple, Accessible, Rational and Actionable — using plain language and illustrations to support user understanding.
Key Terms under the DPDP Act, 2023
1. Data Principal
- The individual whose personal data is processed.
- Rights include:
- access to information on data processing
- correction, updating or deletion
- grievance redressal
- nomination of another person in case of death or incapacity
- For children (below 18 years), consent must be provided by a parent or legal guardian.
2. Data Fiduciary
- Any entity or organisation that determines the purpose and means of processing personal data.
- They collect, store, process or use personal data and carry primary responsibility for compliance.
3. Significant Data Fiduciary (SDF)
- A subset of Data Fiduciaries designated by the Central Government based on:
- volume and sensitivity of data
- risk to individual rights
- national security, sovereignty or public order concerns
- Large digital platforms (social media, e-commerce, fintech, etc.) often fall into this category.
4. Consent Manager
- An entity providing a transparent and interoperable platform through which individuals give, manage or withdraw consent.
5. Data Protection Board of India (DPBI)
- An independent regulatory body established under the Act.
- Functions:
- monitor compliance
- manage data breach responses
- adjudicate grievances
- impose monetary penalties
- Appeals against DPBI orders go to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
About the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
- India’s first comprehensive data protection law, aimed at protecting individual privacy while enabling lawful and innovation-friendly data use.
- Enacted nearly six years after the Supreme Court’s 2017 KS Puttaswamy judgment, which recognised privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
Applicability of the Act
- Applies to digital personal data processed within India, whether directly collected or digitised later.
- Applies to processing outside India if done for offering goods or services within India.
- Does not apply to:
- personal/domestic use of data
- data made public by the Data Principal
- data required to be public under law
Consent Framework Under the Act
- Data processing allowed only for lawful purposes and based on valid, informed consent.
- Consent can be withdrawn anytime.
- Section 9 adds safeguards for children:
- mandatory verifiable parental consent
- prohibition of harmful processing
- prohibition of targeted advertising at minors
- Consent not required if processing relates to:
- government services and functions
- medical emergencies
- legal obligations
Rights and Duties of Data Principals
Rights
- ask how personal data is being processed
- request correction, updating or deletion
- seek grievance redressal
- nominate another person to exercise these rights
Duties
- avoid filing false or frivolous complaints
- furnish accurate information
- Violation may attract a fine up to ₹10,000.
Obligations of Data Fiduciaries
- Ensure accuracy, security, and purpose limitation in data processing.
- Implement safeguards to prevent breaches and notify both DPBI and affected individuals in case of breaches.
- Erase personal data once its purpose is fulfilled and no law requires further retention.
Significant Data Fiduciaries (SDFs): Additional Duties
- Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
- Conduct independent data audits.
- Undertake Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA).
- Follow additional governmental requirements on high-risk or sensitive technologies.
Exemptions under the Act
Certain rights and obligations (except security safeguards) do not apply in cases involving:
- agencies notified for national security, sovereignty, public order
- research, archiving, statistical processing
- start-ups or specific notified fiduciaries
- enforcement of legal rights and claims
- prevention, detection, investigation of offences
- judicial or regulatory functions
- processing personal data of non-residents under foreign contracts (within India)
Data Protection Board of India (DPBI):
- Set up as a digital-first adjudicatory body.
- Members appointed for two years, eligible for reappointment.
- Functions include:
- ensuring compliance
- breach management
- imposing penalties
- grievance redressal
- Appeals go to TDSAT.
Source: PIB
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held a series of meetings in Moscow to review and accelerate negotiations on the India–Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement.
India aims to fast-track the FTA, boost bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030, and expand Indian exports through industrial and technological collaboration with EAEU economies.
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU):
- The EAEU is an international organisation for regional economic integration with an international legal personality.
- It seeks to ensure free movement of goods, services, capital, and labour across member states, along with harmonised economic policies.
Establishment
- Formed through the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, which entered into force in 2015.
- It represents a deepening of earlier Eurasian economic cooperation frameworks.
Member States
- Armenia
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Russia
Headquarters Located in Moscow, Russia.
Source: PIB
Exercise Ajeya Warrior | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The 8th edition of the India–UK Joint Military Exercise Ajeya Warrior began at the Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan.
The 14-day bilateral exercise is scheduled from 17 to 30 November 2025.
About Exercise Ajeya Warrior (India–UK): Ajeya Warrior is a bilateral Army-to-Army exercise conducted biennially since 2011 between the Indian Army and the British Army.
India–UK Bilateral Defence Exercises:
- Army – Ajeya Warrior
- Focus: counter-terrorism, tactical drills in complex terrain
- Air Force – Indradhanush
- Focus: air combat, air-to-air refuelling, electronic warfare, joint air operations
- Navy – Konkan
- Focus: maritime security, ASW, AAW, gunnery, complex naval manoeuvres
Source: PIB
Asian Archery Championships 2025 | UPSC CSE
Why in News: India delivered its best-ever performance at the Asian Archery Championships 2025, winning 10 medals, including 6 Golds.
India topped the overall medal standings, ahead of South Korea (second place).
Highlights of India’s Performance
- India won 10 medals: 6 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze.
- India and South Korea both secured 10 medals, but India topped the table due to having more golds (6 vs Korea’s 2).
- India won 5 medals each in Recurve and Compound categories.
- The biggest achievement was the historic Recurve Men’s Individual Gold, India’s first after 18 years.
Historic Individual Achievements
- B. Dhiraj (Bommadevara Dhiraj)
- Ankita Bhakat
- Both are 2024 Paris Olympians.
- They became the first-ever Indian male and female recurve archers to win individual gold medals at the Asian Archery Championships.
2025 Edition Venue: Dhaka, Bangladesh.
India and the Asian Archery Championships – Background
- India hosted the first-ever Asian Archery Championship in 1981, held in Kolkata.
- This was the only time India has hosted the tournament so far.
Source: PIB
16th Finance Commission | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The 16th Finance Commission (FC) has submitted its Report for the award period 2026–27 to 2030–31 to the President of India.
As per procedure under Article 281, the report will be placed in Parliament by the Union Finance Minister, after which it becomes publicly available.
About the 16th Finance Commission
Mandate (Terms of Reference)
- Recommend the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the States (vertical devolution).
- Recommend the allocation of the States’ share among individual States (horizontal distribution).
- Suggest principles governing grants-in-aid to States from the Consolidated Fund of India.
- Recommend measures to augment State Consolidated Funds for supporting Panchayats and Municipalities, based on State Finance Commissions’ recommendations.
- Review and recommend the financing arrangements for Disaster Management, including disaster risk reduction and response mechanisms.
Structure of the Report
- Volume I: Contains recommendations based on the ToR.
- Volume II: Contains detailed annexures, supporting data and background analysis.
Composition of the 16th FC
- Chairperson: Dr. Arvind Panagariya
- Members:
- Annie George Mathew
- Dr. Manoj Panda
- T. Rabi Sankar
- Dr. Soumyakanti Ghosh
- Secretary: Ritvik Pandey
What are Finance Commissions?
Constitutional Basis
- Finance Commissions are constitutional bodies established under Article 280 of the Constitution.
- Set up every five years, or earlier if required.
Composition
- Consist of a Chairman and four other members, all appointed by the President.
- Members are eligible for re-appointment.
Functions & Scope of Recommendations
1. Vertical Devolution
- Decide what percentage of the divisible pool of central taxes should be allocated to States.
- Ensures balance between Union’s responsibilities and States’ developmental needs.
2. Horizontal Distribution
- Decide how the States’ share is distributed among individual States.
- Uses a formula reflecting:
- fiscal needs
- demographic and geographical factors
- revenue-raising capacity
- performance indicators
- equity considerations
3. Grants-in-Aid
- Recommend grants from the Consolidated Fund of India to States for:
- revenue deficit
- disaster management
- sector-specific needs
- performance-linked reforms
- strengthening local bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities)
Nature of Recommendations
- Finance Commission recommendations are advisory, not binding.
- However, they carry significant influence as they shape the Union–State fiscal relationship, tax devolution, and transfers.
Source: PIB
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