The Indian women’s cricket team made the nation proud by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2, 2025 (Sunday). India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final match played in Navi Mumbai. Deepti Sharma (Player of the Tournament) and Shafali Verma (Player of the Match) played wonderfully with both bat and ball. South Africa looked strong at 209/5, but Deepti took five wickets to help India win the game. The team received a prize money of Rs 37.3 crore for winning the World Cup, while the BCCI also announced a Rs 51 crore reward for the players and support staff. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team for making history by winning the World Cup for the first time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated ISRO scientists on November 2, 2025 (Sunday) for launching India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. The satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms, was sent into space by an LVM-3 rocket from Indian soil. It was placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, which helps it stay in a fixed position above Earth. ISRO scientists also tested a new idea to restart the rocket engine in space, which will help them place satellites in different orbits in the future. Established in 1969, ISRO is an Indian space agency that is engaged in exploring and studying space.
Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna has said goodbye to professional tennis after playing for 20 wonderful years. He made his last appearance at the Paris Masters 1000 tournament, where he played with Alexander Bublik. Rohan thanked his fans in an emotional message and said it was time to hang up his racquet. During his long career, he proudly represented India in the Davis Cup and the Olympics. He is loved for his hard work, sportsmanship, and the many victories he brought to India. Notably, Rohan Bopanna became World No. 1 in doubles after winning the 2024 Australian Open at the age of 43 — the oldest to do so.’
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan told students to unite in the fight against drugs and to always stay disciplined. He spoke during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Fatima Mata National College in Kollam, Kerala, on November 4, 2025 (Tuesday). He said that students should not misuse their freedom and must learn self-control in life. The Vice President also talked about Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047, and said the college will have an even brighter future by helping in building Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also praised Kerala for its great contribution to education in India.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab, was celebrated all over India and the world on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday). It marked the 556th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. People remembered his teachings of love, peace, and helping others. Devotees visited gurdwaras, sang hymns, and enjoyed langars (free community meals). The Golden Temple in Amritsar and other gurdwaras looked beautiful with lights and decorations. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted everyone on this holy day.
People all over India celebrated 100 years of Indian Hockey on November 7, 2025 (Friday). More than 1,400 matches were played in 550 districts. The main event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi included songs, games, and a special hockey match showing teamwork and equality. Great hockey players were honoured, and a new book called “100 Years of Indian Hockey” was released. A photo show displayed the best hockey moments. Notably, India is the world’s top hockey nation with eight Olympic gold medals and 13 total medals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the 150th anniversary celebrations of the National Song “Vande Mataram” on November 7, 2025 (Friday) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He said that “Vande Mataram” is a song that fills everyone with love for the country and reminds us of India’s freedom struggle. On this special day, he released a stamp, a coin, and a website to mark the occasion. People across India sang the full version of the song together to show their respect and pride for the nation. Notably, “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and became India’s National Song in 1950.
The Viksit Bharat Quiz 2026 saw a huge response from children and young people across India, with more than 50.42 lakh youth taking part in Phase-1. This is a big jump from last time, when 30 lakh students joined. The quiz was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat portal to encourage young people to share their ideas for India’s future. States like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal had the highest number of participants. The number of boys and girls taking part was almost equal. Now, about 2.56 lakh selected students will go to Phase 2, where they will have to write essays on topics related to building a better India.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi will soon be turned into a big and modern Sports City. The Sports Ministry has announced a plan to rebuild the entire stadium area, which is spread over 102 acres. The new Sports City will have places to play many different sports, indoor and outdoor grounds, practice areas, and special centres to help athletes train better. It will also have rooms where athletes can stay, practice, rest, and live in one place. The project is still a proposal, and officials are studying Sports Cities in Qatar and Australia to get ideas for the final design. This plan will help India create world-class sports facilities for its athletes.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to help children and young people access important public services by ensuring their Aadhaar is updated on time. Both teams will work together to understand why some parents face difficulties in completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for their children and will create simple, helpful ways to encourage timely updates so children can continue receiving government benefits. The agreement was signed on November 6, 2025, by UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar and Nesta Group CEO Ravi Gurumurthy in Delhi. Notably, Aadhaar MBUs must be completed twice: once when a child turns five years old and again when they turn fifteen years old.
President Droupadi Murmu was handed over eight cheetahs by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko on November 13, 2025 (Thursday) at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve. During the ceremony, the two leaders rode in a safari vehicle to watch the release of two (out of the eight) cheetahs into a quarantine enclosure as a symbolic gesture. Wildlife experts from both countries explained how all eight would be safely quarantined and later transferred to India. The cheetahs were brought from Ghanzi in Botswana, and the gesture is part of India’s Project Cheetah.
India’s archers performed amazingly at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka on November 13, 2025. They won three gold medals and two silver medals in the compound events. In the women’s final, Jyothi Surekha Vennam won the gold by scoring 147, while Prithika Pradeep won the silver with a score of 145. India also won the gold medal in the Compound Mixed Team event when Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha defeated Bangladesh. In the men’s team event, Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge won the silver medal after a tough match.
The Indian women’s cricket team made the nation proud by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2, 2025 (Sunday). India defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final match played in Navi Mumbai. Deepti Sharma (Player of the Tournament) and Shafali Verma (Player of the Match) played wonderfully with both bat and ball. South Africa looked strong at 209/5, but Deepti took five wickets to help India win the game. The team received a prize money of Rs 37.3 crore for winning the World Cup, while the BCCI also announced a Rs 51 crore reward for the players and support staff. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team for making history by winning the World Cup for the first time.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated ISRO scientists on November 2, 2025 (Sunday) for launching India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. The satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms, was sent into space by an LVM-3 rocket from Indian soil. It was placed in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit, which helps it stay in a fixed position above Earth. ISRO scientists also tested a new idea to restart the rocket engine in space, which will help them place satellites in different orbits in the future. Established in 1969, ISRO is an Indian space agency that is engaged in exploring and studying space.
Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna has said goodbye to professional tennis after playing for 20 wonderful years. He made his last appearance at the Paris Masters 1000 tournament, where he played with Alexander Bublik. Rohan thanked his fans in an emotional message and said it was time to hang up his racquet. During his long career, he proudly represented India in the Davis Cup and the Olympics. He is loved for his hard work, sportsmanship, and the many victories he brought to India. Notably, Rohan Bopanna became World No. 1 in doubles after winning the 2024 Australian Open at the age of 43 — the oldest to do so.’
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan told students to unite in the fight against drugs and to always stay disciplined. He spoke during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Fatima Mata National College in Kollam, Kerala, on November 4, 2025 (Tuesday). He said that students should not misuse their freedom and must learn self-control in life. The Vice President also talked about Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047, and said the college will have an even brighter future by helping in building Atmanirbhar Bharat. He also praised Kerala for its great contribution to education in India.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also called Gurpurab, was celebrated all over India and the world on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday). It marked the 556th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. People remembered his teachings of love, peace, and helping others. Devotees visited gurdwaras, sang hymns, and enjoyed langars (free community meals). The Golden Temple in Amritsar and other gurdwaras looked beautiful with lights and decorations. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted everyone on this holy day.
People all over India celebrated 100 years of Indian Hockey on November 7, 2025 (Friday). More than 1,400 matches were played in 550 districts. The main event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi included songs, games, and a special hockey match showing teamwork and equality. Great hockey players were honoured, and a new book called “100 Years of Indian Hockey” was released. A photo show displayed the best hockey moments. Notably, India is the world’s top hockey nation with eight Olympic gold medals and 13 total medals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the 150th anniversary celebrations of the National Song “Vande Mataram” on November 7, 2025 (Friday) at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He said that “Vande Mataram” is a song that fills everyone with love for the country and reminds us of India’s freedom struggle. On this special day, he released a stamp, a coin, and a website to mark the occasion. People across India sang the full version of the song together to show their respect and pride for the nation. Notably, “Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and became India’s National Song in 1950.
The Viksit Bharat Quiz 2026 saw a huge response from children and young people across India, with more than 50.42 lakh youth taking part in Phase-1. This is a big jump from last time, when 30 lakh students joined. The quiz was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through MY Bharat portal to encourage young people to share their ideas for India’s future. States like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal had the highest number of participants. The number of boys and girls taking part was almost equal. Now, about 2.56 lakh selected students will go to Phase 2, where they will have to write essays on topics related to building a better India.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi will soon be turned into a big and modern Sports City. The Sports Ministry has announced a plan to rebuild the entire stadium area, which is spread over 102 acres. The new Sports City will have places to play many different sports, indoor and outdoor grounds, practice areas, and special centres to help athletes train better. It will also have rooms where athletes can stay, practice, rest, and live in one place. The project is still a proposal, and officials are studying Sports Cities in Qatar and Australia to get ideas for the final design. This plan will help India create world-class sports facilities for its athletes.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to help children and young people access important public services by ensuring their Aadhaar is updated on time. Both teams will work together to understand why some parents face difficulties in completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) for their children and will create simple, helpful ways to encourage timely updates so children can continue receiving government benefits. The agreement was signed on November 6, 2025, by UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar and Nesta Group CEO Ravi Gurumurthy in Delhi. Notably, Aadhaar MBUs must be completed twice: once when a child turns five years old and again when they turn fifteen years old.
President Droupadi Murmu was handed over eight cheetahs by Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko on November 13, 2025 (Thursday) at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve. During the ceremony, the two leaders rode in a safari vehicle to watch the release of two (out of the eight) cheetahs into a quarantine enclosure as a symbolic gesture. Wildlife experts from both countries explained how all eight would be safely quarantined and later transferred to India. The cheetahs were brought from Ghanzi in Botswana, and the gesture is part of India’s Project Cheetah.
India’s archers performed amazingly at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka on November 13, 2025. They won three gold medals and two silver medals in the compound events. In the women’s final, Jyothi Surekha Vennam won the gold by scoring 147, while Prithika Pradeep won the silver with a score of 145. India also won the gold medal in the Compound Mixed Team event when Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha defeated Bangladesh. In the men’s team event, Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge won the silver medal after a tough match.
The Indian women’s cricket team made history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2, 2025 (Sunday), at Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa by 52 runs. After SA chose to bowl, India scored 299 runs, thanks to brilliant performances from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. While chasing, South Africa looked strong at 209/5, but Deepti Sharma changed the game with a superb bowling spell. She took 5 wickets for 39 runs, including the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt. India’s victory brought a record prize of Rs 37.3 crore, and the BCCI also announced Rs 51 crore for players, staff, and selectors. The team received warm congratulations from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their historic win.
Takeaway:
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match, and Deepti Sharma received the Player of the Tournament award for her all-round performance in the World Cup 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated ISRO scientists on November 02, 2025 (Sunday) for the successful launch of India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the 4,410 kg satellite using an LVM-3 rocket, placing it in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission also demonstrated the reignition of the thrust chamber of the C-25 cryogenic engine, an important experiment that will allow ISRO to restart the engine and position satellites in multiple orbits. Prime Minister Modi praised ISRO, saying the space sector continues to make the nation proud with its remarkable progress.
Takeaway: ISRO is India’s space agency, which was established in 1969. It is known for pioneering missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and the Gaganyaan project.
India’s two-time Grand Slam champion, Rohan Bopanna, announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an end to a glorious 20-year-long career. The 45-year-old played his final tournament — the Paris Masters 1000 — with Alexander Bublik. The duo lost a close Round of 32 match against John Peers and James Tracy. In his farewell message, Bopanna said, “After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time I’m officially hanging up my racquet.” Over the years, he represented India in the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games, earning respect as one of the country’s greatest tennis players.
Takeaway:
Rohan Bopanna, a doubles specialist, became World No. 1 after winning the 2024 Australian Open, becoming the oldest first-time No. 1 at age 43.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan has urged students across India to unite in the fight against drugs and uphold discipline in all aspects of life. He was speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, Kerala, on November 04, 2025 (Tuesday). The Vice President reminded students not to misuse their freedom and to exercise self-control. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he said that Fatima Mata National College would celebrate its centenary soon after 2047, and its next chapter will be even brighter with contributions toward Atmanirbhar Bharat. Mr. Radhakrishnan also praised Kerala’s key role in advancing India’s educational growth and shaping the nation’s intellectual growth.
Takeaway: Fatima Mata National College, located in Kerala, was ranked 92nd in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2022.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, was celebrated with great devotion and joy across India and the world on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday). The day marked the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. The festival holds deep spiritual importance for Sikhs globally, as it commemorates Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of equality, peace, humility, and service to humanity. Devotees marked the day by offering prayers, reciting hymns, and participating in kirtans and community langars. Gurdwaras across the country, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, were beautifully illuminated and decorated with flowers. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people on this sacred occasion.
Takeaway:
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik month in the lunar calendar.
Nationwide celebrations began on November 7, 2025, to mark 100 years of Indian Hockey. Over 1,400 matches were held across 550 districts as part of the centenary celebrations. The main event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi featured special programs, including a 30-minute exhibition match between the Union Minister’s XI and Hockey India’s Mixed XI, which promoted gender equality and teamwork. On the occasion, Hockey legends were honoured, a book titled “100 Years of Indian Hockey” was released, and a photo exhibition was held to highlight the sport’s rich legacy. Notably, India is the most successful hockey nation, with eight Olympic golds and 13 podium finishes.
Takeaway: The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, named after hockey legend Dhyan Chand, hosted the 1st Asian Games in 1951 and remains a historic landmark for Indian hockey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 7, 2025 (Friday), inaugurated the year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He described the song as the ideological strength behind India’s freedom struggle and a timeless symbol of unity and national pride. On the occasion, the Prime Minister released a commemorative stamp, coin, and an online portal to honour the event. The nationwide celebrations included the mass singing of the full version of “Vande Mataram” in public places, with people from all walks of life joining together to pay tribute to the song’s spirit of patriotism.
Takeaway:
“Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s in Sanskritised Bengali and adopted as India’s national song in 1950.
The Viksit Bharat Quiz 2026 has witnessed a record-breaking response, with more than 50.42 lakh young participants joining Phase 1 of the nationwide initiative. This marks a major increase compared to the previous edition, which saw 30 lakh participants. Conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), the quiz aims to encourage youth to take part in nation-building and contribute ideas toward the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal recorded the highest participation, and the gender ratio was nearly equal, with 51% male and 49% female participants. With Phase-1 completed, about 2.56 lakh shortlisted youth will now advance to Phase-2.
Takeaway: The quiz was held on the MY Bharat and MyGov platforms between September 1 and October 31, with participation from all 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in New Delhi is planned for a major redevelopment into a modern Sports City, as announced by the Sports Ministry. The proposal aims to transform the 102-acre complex into a world-class facility with indoor and outdoor arenas, practice areas, high-performance centres, better spectator spaces, and dedicated accommodation for athletes. The existing stadium will be completely dismantled and rebuilt as an integrated sports hub. Although still in the proposal stage, officials are studying successful international models from Qatar and Australia to finalise the best design and execution strategy. The project aims to create top-tier training environments and support long-term athlete development in India.
Takeaway: Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in New Delhi is a major multi-sports stadium named after India’s first Prime Minister. It has a seating capacity of over 60,000.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to help children and young people access important public services by ensuring timely updates of their Aadhaar digital identities. Under this partnership, BIT and UIDAI will study the challenges parents face in completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) and create simple solutions to encourage timely updates. It will ensure that children continue to receive benefits linked to Aadhaar. The partnership was formalised on November 6, 2025, by UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar and Nesta Group CEO Ravi Gurumurthy. The Aadhaar MBU requires children to update their biometrics at ages five and fifteen to maintain accuracy and access to services.
Takeaway:
Aadhaar is a voluntary twelve-digit unique identity number for Indian residents, based on biometric and demographic data. It was introduced on January 28, 2009.
President Droupadi Murmu was symbolically handed over eight cheetahs by Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko on November 13, 2025 (Thursday), during her state visit to the country. The ceremony took place at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone, where the two leaders travelled in a safari vehicle to witness the release of two captured cheetahs into a quarantine pen. Wildlife officials from both nations explained the procedures involved in the transfer. Although all eight cheetahs are currently housed in the reserve, only two were released as a symbolic gesture representing Botswana’s handover of the animals to India.
Takeaway: Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana is a private, not-for-profit wildlife reserve established in 1994 by The Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation.
India achieved an impressive medal haul at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 13, 2025, by winning three gold and two silver medals in the compound archery events. In the Compound Women’s Individual Final, Jyothi Surekha Vennam secured the gold medal after defeating Prithika Pradeep 147-145, giving India both gold and silver in the category. India’s success continued as Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha won the Compound Mixed Team gold by defeating Bangladesh 153-151. In the Compound Men’s Team event, the trio of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge secured the silver medal after a tough final. The Archery Association of India praised the athletes for their strong focus and composure.
Takeaway:
The Asian Archery Championships, started in 1980, are organised by World Archery Asia biennially. Its first edition was hosted in India.
The Indian women’s cricket team made history by winning their first-ever ICC Women’s ODI World Cup on November 2, 2025 (Sunday), at Navi Mumbai, defeating South Africa by 52 runs. After SA chose to bowl, India scored 299 runs, thanks to brilliant performances from Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma. While chasing, South Africa looked strong at 209/5, but Deepti Sharma changed the game with a superb bowling spell. She took 5 wickets for 39 runs, including the key wicket of Laura Wolvaardt. India’s victory brought a record prize of Rs 37.3 crore, and the BCCI also announced Rs 51 crore for players, staff, and selectors. The team received warm congratulations from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their historic win.
Takeaway:
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match, and Deepti Sharma received the Player of the Tournament award for her all-round performance in the World Cup 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan congratulated ISRO scientists on November 02, 2025 (Sunday) for the successful launch of India’s heaviest communication satellite, CMS-03. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the 4,410 kg satellite using an LVM-3 rocket, placing it in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). The mission also demonstrated the reignition of the thrust chamber of the C-25 cryogenic engine, an important experiment that will allow ISRO to restart the engine and position satellites in multiple orbits. Prime Minister Modi praised ISRO, saying the space sector continues to make the nation proud with its remarkable progress.
Takeaway: ISRO is India’s space agency, which was established in 1969. It is known for pioneering missions like Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and the Gaganyaan project.
India’s two-time Grand Slam champion, Rohan Bopanna, announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an end to a glorious 20-year-long career. The 45-year-old played his final tournament — the Paris Masters 1000 — with Alexander Bublik. The duo lost a close Round of 32 match against John Peers and James Tracy. In his farewell message, Bopanna said, “After 20 unforgettable years on tour, it’s time I’m officially hanging up my racquet.” Over the years, he represented India in the Davis Cup and the Olympic Games, earning respect as one of the country’s greatest tennis players.
Takeaway:
Rohan Bopanna, a doubles specialist, became World No. 1 after winning the 2024 Australian Open, becoming the oldest first-time No. 1 at age 43.
Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan has urged students across India to unite in the fight against drugs and uphold discipline in all aspects of life. He was speaking at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Fatima Mata National College, Kollam, Kerala, on November 04, 2025 (Tuesday). The Vice President reminded students not to misuse their freedom and to exercise self-control. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, he said that Fatima Mata National College would celebrate its centenary soon after 2047, and its next chapter will be even brighter with contributions toward Atmanirbhar Bharat. Mr. Radhakrishnan also praised Kerala’s key role in advancing India’s educational growth and shaping the nation’s intellectual growth.
Takeaway: Fatima Mata National College, located in Kerala, was ranked 92nd in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2022.
Guru Nanak Jayanti, also known as Gurpurab, was celebrated with great devotion and joy across India and the world on November 5, 2025 (Wednesday). The day marked the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the first Sikh Guru and the founder of Sikhism. The festival holds deep spiritual importance for Sikhs globally, as it commemorates Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s message of equality, peace, humility, and service to humanity. Devotees marked the day by offering prayers, reciting hymns, and participating in kirtans and community langars. Gurdwaras across the country, including the Golden Temple in Amritsar, were beautifully illuminated and decorated with flowers. President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to the people on this sacred occasion.
Takeaway:
Guru Nanak Jayanti is celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Kartik month in the lunar calendar.
Nationwide celebrations began on November 7, 2025, to mark 100 years of Indian Hockey. Over 1,400 matches were held across 550 districts as part of the centenary celebrations. The main event at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi featured special programs, including a 30-minute exhibition match between the Union Minister’s XI and Hockey India’s Mixed XI, which promoted gender equality and teamwork. On the occasion, Hockey legends were honoured, a book titled “100 Years of Indian Hockey” was released, and a photo exhibition was held to highlight the sport’s rich legacy. Notably, India is the most successful hockey nation, with eight Olympic golds and 13 podium finishes.
Takeaway: The Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, named after hockey legend Dhyan Chand, hosted the 1st Asian Games in 1951 and remains a historic landmark for Indian hockey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on November 7, 2025 (Friday), inaugurated the year-long celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of India’s National Song, “Vande Mataram,” at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. He described the song as the ideological strength behind India’s freedom struggle and a timeless symbol of unity and national pride. On the occasion, the Prime Minister released a commemorative stamp, coin, and an online portal to honour the event. The nationwide celebrations included the mass singing of the full version of “Vande Mataram” in public places, with people from all walks of life joining together to pay tribute to the song’s spirit of patriotism.
Takeaway:
“Vande Mataram” was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the 1870s in Sanskritised Bengali and adopted as India’s national song in 1950.
The Viksit Bharat Quiz 2026 has witnessed a record-breaking response, with more than 50.42 lakh young participants joining Phase 1 of the nationwide initiative. This marks a major increase compared to the previous edition, which saw 30 lakh participants. Conducted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), the quiz aims to encourage youth to take part in nation-building and contribute ideas toward the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and West Bengal recorded the highest participation, and the gender ratio was nearly equal, with 51% male and 49% female participants. With Phase-1 completed, about 2.56 lakh shortlisted youth will now advance to Phase-2.
Takeaway: The quiz was held on the MY Bharat and MyGov platforms between September 1 and October 31, with participation from all 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) in New Delhi is planned for a major redevelopment into a modern Sports City, as announced by the Sports Ministry. The proposal aims to transform the 102-acre complex into a world-class facility with indoor and outdoor arenas, practice areas, high-performance centres, better spectator spaces, and dedicated accommodation for athletes. The existing stadium will be completely dismantled and rebuilt as an integrated sports hub. Although still in the proposal stage, officials are studying successful international models from Qatar and Australia to finalise the best design and execution strategy. The project aims to create top-tier training environments and support long-term athlete development in India.
Takeaway: Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium in New Delhi is a major multi-sports stadium named after India’s first Prime Minister. It has a seating capacity of over 60,000.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has partnered with the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to help children and young people access important public services by ensuring timely updates of their Aadhaar digital identities. Under this partnership, BIT and UIDAI will study the challenges parents face in completing the Mandatory Biometric Update (MBU) and create simple solutions to encourage timely updates. It will ensure that children continue to receive benefits linked to Aadhaar. The partnership was formalised on November 6, 2025, by UIDAI CEO Bhuvnesh Kumar and Nesta Group CEO Ravi Gurumurthy. The Aadhaar MBU requires children to update their biometrics at ages five and fifteen to maintain accuracy and access to services.
Takeaway:
Aadhaar is a voluntary twelve-digit unique identity number for Indian residents, based on biometric and demographic data. It was introduced on January 28, 2009.
President Droupadi Murmu was symbolically handed over eight cheetahs by Botswana’s President Duma Gideon Boko on November 13, 2025 (Thursday), during her state visit to the country. The ceremony took place at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve near Gaborone, where the two leaders travelled in a safari vehicle to witness the release of two captured cheetahs into a quarantine pen. Wildlife officials from both nations explained the procedures involved in the transfer. Although all eight cheetahs are currently housed in the reserve, only two were released as a symbolic gesture representing Botswana’s handover of the animals to India.
Takeaway:
Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana is a private, not-for-profit wildlife reserve established in 1994 by The Mokolodi Wildlife Foundation.
India achieved an impressive medal haul at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 13, 2025, by winning three gold and two silver medals in the compound archery events. In the Compound Women’s Individual Final, Jyothi Surekha Vennam secured the gold medal after defeating Prithika Pradeep 147-145, giving India both gold and silver in the category. India’s success continued as Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha won the Compound Mixed Team gold by defeating Bangladesh 153-151. In the Compound Men’s Team event, the trio of Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, and Prathamesh Fuge secured the silver medal after a tough final. The Archery Association of India praised the athletes for their strong focus and composure.
Takeaway:
The Asian Archery Championships, started in 1980, are organised by World Archery Asia biennially. Its first edition was hosted in India.