THE HINDU NEWS EXAM POINT (dated November
27, 2025), here are the curated current affairs notes structured for UPSC and
TNPSC preparation.

 

I. Science &
Technology (High Priority for Prelims)

1. Mars Crater Named After Indian Geologist

·        
News: A 3.5 billion-year-old crater on Mars has been officially named after M.S.
Krishnan, a pioneering Indian geologist.

·        
Key Details:

o   
M.S. Krishnan: Born in Thanjavur (Madras Presidency) in
1898; first Indian director of the Geological Survey of India.

o   
Associated Features: The International Astronomical Union (IAU) also accepted names based on
Kerala locations for smaller landforms near the crater: Valiamala, Thumba,
Bekal, Varkala, and Periyar.

o   
Specifics: The plain inside the crater is named ‘Krishnan Palus’, and a channel is
named ‘Periyar Vallis’⁼.

o   
Relevance: Significant for TNPSC (Thanjavur connection) and UPSC (Space
missions/Indian scientists).

2. India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) vs. China’s
JUNO

·        
News: China has completed its Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory
(JUNO), while India’s INO project remains stalled.

·        
Comparison:

o   
Goal: Both were designed to study subatomic particles called neutrinos
and determine “neutrino mass ordering”⁶⁶⁶⁶.

o   
India’s Status: The INO was planned for Theni, Tamil Nadu, to use the mountain rock
as a natural shield⁷. It stalled due to
environmental protests and clearance issues^.

o   
China’s Status: JUNO is complete and has released initial performance results.

3. Scheme for Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM)

·        
News: The Union Cabinet approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme to manufacture Rare Earth
Permanent Magnets in India.

·        
Objective: To establish an integrated manufacturing capacity of 6,000 MTPA (Metric
Tonnes Per Annual).

·        
Application: These magnets are critical for Electric Vehicles (EVs), renewable
energy, aerospace, and defense.

·        
Strategic Importance: Aims to reduce import dependence (primarily on China) and build a
resilient supply chain.

 

II. Polity &
Governance (Mains & Prelims)

1. National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)
Revival

·        
Context: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court to revive the NJAC and end the Collegium
system.

·        
The Debate: The plea argues the Collegium system (judges appointing judges) creates
“nepotism,” while the NJAC represented the “will of the
people”¹⁵.

·        
Background: The Supreme Court struck down the 99th Constitutional Amendment (which
established NJAC) in 2015 as unconstitutional.

2. Passive Euthanasia

·        
News: The Supreme Court ordered a medical board to explore passive euthanasia
for a 31-year-old man in a vegetative state.

·        
Definition: Passive euthanasia is the intentional withholding or withdrawing of
life support to let a patient die.

·        
Legal Position: Allowed in India under strict guidelines (referencing the Common Cause judgment).

3. Aadhaar and Voting Rights

·        
Issue: The Supreme Court questioned if foreigners who obtain Aadhaar for welfare
benefits can automatically be added to electoral rolls.

·        
Key Ruling/Observation: Aadhaar is for welfare; it does not grant citizenship or voting rights. The
Election Commission (EC) has inherent jurisdiction to verify “doubtful
integrity” of voters under Section 21 of the RP Act and Article
326.

4. Federalism and Governor’s Powers

·        
Editorial Highlight: Discusses the “16th Presidential reference” regarding Governors
reserving bills. It argues that indefinite delays by Governors violate
federalism and the “will of the people”.

 

III. Environment
& Geography

1. Goa Tiger Reserve

·        
News: A Supreme Court-appointed committee recommended creating a Tiger Reserve
in Goa in a phased manner.

·        
Location:

o   
Core Area: Proposed to be areas contiguous to the Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka).

o   
Sanctuaries involved: Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahavir, Netravali, and Cotigao²⁴.

·        
Conflict: The Goa government argued there were no “resident” tigers, only
“transient” ones, but the committee refuted this.

2. COP30 (Climate Change)

·        
Context: The 30th Conference of Parties concluded in Belem, Brazil²⁶.

·        
Focus: The theme was “Implementation” and “Mutirão” (coming
together)²⁷. It marked 10 years since the
Paris Agreement.

 

IV. Economy &
International Relations

1. Rupee Depreciation

·        
Current Trend: The Indian Rupee has depreciated roughly 7% (from ₹83.4 to ₹89.2 per
dollar) since late Nov 2024.

·        
Causes: Global dollar strength, US trade tariffs, and high US interest rates.

·        
Impact: Makes oil imports costlier, potentially increasing inflation.

2. Rare Earth Trade War

·        
Global Context: China controls ~90% of global rare earth processing.

·        
Geopolitics: China is using export restrictions as leverage in trade wars with the US³³. The US is racing to build “mine-to-magnet”
supply chains by 2027.

3. International Appointment

·        
Person in News: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will head the International
IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) in 2026.

 

Important Facts
for TNPSC (Tamil Nadu Specifics)

1.    
Space: The Mars crater is named after M.S. Krishnan, born in Thanjavur.

2.    
Science: The stalled Neutrino Observatory project is located in Theni, Tamil
Nadu.

3.    
Voter Rolls: Tamil Nadu is included in the 2nd phase of the Special Intensive Revision
(SIR) of electoral rolls.