Daily Current Affairs | 21 November 2025
Daily Current Affairs (21 November 2025) – the unchanged Index of Eight Core Industries and updates on PM GatiShakti’s infrastructure planning. Project Cheetah celebrates the birth of cheetah cubs in India. World Fisheries Day emphasizes sustainable fishing, with India hosting global participants. A Supreme Court ruling clarifies Governor’s powers regarding bill assent.
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Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) | UPSC CSE
Why in News: The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) for October 2025 stood at 162.4, remaining unchanged compared to the index value in October 2024.
About the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI)
- Released by the Office of Economic Adviser (OEA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Base Year: 2011–12.
- Measures the monthly performance of the eight core sectors that have significant weight in industrial output.
- Together, these sectors account for 40.27% of the weight of items in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP), making ICI a key leading indicator of economic activity.
Eight Core Industries and Their Weights
- Refinery Products — 28.04%
- Electricity — 19.85%
- Steel — 17.92%
- Coal — 10.33%
- Crude Oil — 8.98%
- Natural Gas — 6.88%
- Cement — 5.37%
- Fertilizers — 2.63%
These industries are considered “core” because they supply crucial inputs to a wide range of economic activities.
Source: PIB
PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Why in News: The 102nd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) convened to evaluate infrastructure projects under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, focusing on multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in line with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP).
About PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan
Launch & Vision
- Approved by the Union Cabinet on 21 October 2021.
- Designed to propel India towards its ambition of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.
- Aims to integrate infrastructure planning, optimize logistics, and enhance multimodal connectivity across the country.
Nodal Ministry
- Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is the nodal agency for PM GatiShakti.
Integrated Approach
- Brings together 44 Ministries/Departments on a unified digital platform.
- Enables coordinated planning and implementation of infrastructure worth ₹100 lakh crore, reducing delays and duplication.
Seven Engines of PM GatiShakti
The initiative is powered by seven key infrastructure engines:
- Roads
- Railways
- Airports
- Ports
- Mass Transport
- Waterways
- Logistics Infrastructure
These engines collectively drive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Source: PIB
Project Cheetah | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav announced a historic development under Project Cheetah. In a social media post on ‘X’, Shri Yadav stated that Mukhi — the first Indian-born female Cheetah, aged 33 months — has given birth to five cubs, marking a landmark moment for India’s Cheetah reintroduction initiative.
Project Cheetah
- Launch Year: 2022
- Purpose: Reintroduce cheetahs — extinct in India since 1952 — and restore their role in grassland ecosystems.
- Implementing Agency:
- National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Implemented with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- International Partner: Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Namibia — an NGO founded in 1990 for global cheetah conservation.
- Governance Mechanism: In 2023, NTCA constituted a Cheetah Project Steering Committee to supervise, evaluate, and advise implementation.
Cheetah Translocation Details
- First Batch (2022): 8 cheetahs (5 males, 3 females) from Namibia released in Kuno National Park.
- Second Batch (2023): 12 cheetahs from South Africa added to the population.
- Third Site (2025): Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary being prepared to receive the next batch of 8 cheetahs from Botswana.
Biological & Ecological Characteristics
- Scientific Name: Acinonyx jubatus
- Speed: Can reach up to 120 km/h, accelerating from 0–100 km/h in 3 seconds.
- Distinct Traits:
- Cheetahs do not roar; they communicate via chirps, growls, and stutter barks.
- Possess non-retractable claws aiding grip during high-speed chases.
- Diet: Purely carnivorous; prefer medium-sized ungulates like blackbuck and chital.
Conservation and Legal Protection
| Protection Mechanism | Status |
| IUCN Red List | Vulnerable |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 | Schedule II |
| CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) | Appendix I – highest trade protection |
Ecological and Strategic Importance
- Reintroducing cheetahs restores India’s lost grassland predator and helps balance prey populations.
- Enhances eco-tourism potential and rural livelihoods in central India.
- Promotes scientific research, habitat restoration, and ecosystem-based wildlife management.
Source: PIB
World Fisheries Day | UPSC CSE
Why in News: World Fisheries Day, observed annually on 21 November, highlights the global importance of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
- The day also commemorates the founding of the World Fisheries Forum (1997) in New Delhi, where delegates from 18 countries committed to responsible fishing and safeguarding fishing communities.
India and World Fisheries Day 2025
Theme (2025): “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.”
- India is hosting national and international participants, including delegations from 27 countries, underscoring its rising leadership in the Blue Economy.
- The Department of Fisheries will release the National Framework on Traceability in Fisheries and Aquaculture, aimed at ensuring globally compliant, safe and sustainable seafood supply chains.
Significance of Fisheries in India
- India is the second-largest fish and aquaculture producer globally, contributing ~8% to global fish output.
- Fisheries support 30 million livelihoods, particularly in coastal and rural areas.
- Coastal States/UTs (3,477 coastal fishing villages):
- contribute 72% of India’s total fish production
- account for 76% of national seafood exports
- Marine product exports grew 11.08%, from US$0.81 billion (Oct 2024) to US$0.90 billion (Oct 2025).
India’s Fisheries Growth Story
- India’s total fish production more than doubled from 96 lakh tonnes (2013–14) to 195 lakh tonnes (2024–25).
- Inland fisheries registered 140% growth during this period.
- Seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore in 2024–25.
- India’s vast 11,099 km coastline and extensive inland water bodies make it a natural leader in the Blue Economy.
Key Government Interventions
1. GST Reforms (56th GST Council Meeting, 3 Sept 2025)
- GST on fish oils, fish extracts, preserved fish and shrimp products reduced from 12% to 5%.
- Expected to:
- make value-added seafood more affordable
- enhance global competitiveness
- stimulate domestic value addition in seafood processing
2. Major Policy and Regulatory Measures
- PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMSSY): Infrastructure, sustainability, modernisation.
- EEZ Sustainable Harnessing Rules: Promote responsible exploitation of marine resources.
- ReALCRaft Platform: Improves transparency, governance, and sectoral monitoring.
- 5th National Marine Fisheries Census 2025: Updated data to guide policy.
- FIDF: Boosts fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure.
- PM Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY): Financial and institutional support to fish farmers.
Source: PIB
Governor | UPSC CSE
Why in News: Why in News: A five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered its opinion on a Presidential Reference concerning the Governor’s powers under Article 200, days before CJI BR Gavai’s retirement.
- The reference contained 14 questions of law, sent by President Droupadi Murmu, to clarify the constitutional relationship between Governors and elected state governments.
- The verdict settles major disputes over delay, discretion, timelines, and judicial review regarding assent to Bills.
Key Takeaways from the Supreme Court Verdict
1. Governor’s Options under Article 200
- The Governor has only three options when a Bill is presented:
- grant assent
- withhold assent and return the Bill to the Legislature with recommendations
- reserve the Bill for the President
- The Court held that “withhold assent simpliciter” is unconstitutional; the Governor cannot sit on Bills indefinitely.
2. Is the Governor bound by Cabinet advice?
- No. Governor exercises constitutional discretion under Article 200.
- If bound by aid & advice, the Governor could never return a Bill, because no Cabinet would advise against its own Bill.
3. Is the Governor’s discretion justiciable?
- The merits of the Governor’s decision are not justiciable.
- But prolonged, unexplained, indefinite inaction is subject to judicial review.
- Courts can compel a decision, but cannot dictate what decision to make.
4. Does Article 361 bar judicial review?
- No. Article 361 protects the individual Governor, not the office.
- Courts may examine institutional inaction; personal questioning of Governor is barred.
5. Can courts impose timelines on Governors?
- No fixed timelines can be imposed by courts.
- “As soon as possible” (Article 200) cannot be replaced by judicially created deadlines.
- April 2025 ruling imposing 1–3 month timelines was overruled.
6. President’s Discretion under Article 201
- Like Governors, the President’s discretion is not justiciable on merits.
- Courts cannot impose timelines on the President either.
7. Must President seek Supreme Court’s opinion (Art. 143)?
- No. Seeking SC’s advisory opinion is optional, not mandatory.
8. Can courts adjudicate Bills before assent?
- No. Courts can review only laws, not Bills.
- Pre-enactment judicial scrutiny is prohibited.
9. Can Article 142 be used to create “deemed assent”?
- No. Article 142 cannot be used to override explicit constitutional requirements.
- “Deemed assent” from delay (introduced by a two-judge bench in April 2025) was rejected.
- The Governor’s role cannot be substituted by judicial creativity.
10. Does a Bill become law without assent?
- No. A state Bill becomes law only after:
- Governor’s assent, or
- President’s assent (if reserved).
Three questions declined
- Court declined to answer:
- scope of Article 145(3) references
- scope of Article 142 vs substantive constitutional provisions
- whether Article 131 bars other jurisdictions
- These were found irrelevant to the specific Presidential Reference.
Static Background: Governor’s Role
Constitutional Basis
- Governor = nominal executive head of State (Articles 153–162).
- Expected to act on aid and advice except in matters requiring constitutional discretion.
Articles Relevant to Bill Assent
- Article 200: Governor’s assent options for ordinary Bills.
- Article 201: President’s assent where Bills are reserved.
- Article 163: Governor’s discretionary powers.
When can Bills be reserved for the President?
- Ultra vires to Constitution
- Conflicts with Union interest
- Endangers national unity/integrity
- Matters requiring central consideration
Judicial Position Before This Verdict
- Multiple disputes in recent years (Punjab, Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu)
- Courts complained of deliberate gubernatorial delay
- No clear articulation of Governor’s constitutional timelines
After This Verdict
- Governors cannot delay Bills indefinitely
- Courts can compel action, but cannot mandate deadlines
- Ensures accountability without disturbing constitutional balance
Source: Indian Express
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