THE HINDU NEWS EXAM POINT NOV 29 (dated November
29, 2025), here are the key current affairs topics organized for UPSC and TNPSC
preparation.

 

 

I. Science &
Technology

1. NISAR Mission Enters Science Phase

·        
News: The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has entered its
final “science phase”.

·        
Key Details:

o   
Objective: It is an earth observation satellite providing all-weather, day-and-night
data.

o   
Orbit: The science orbit is maintained via regular manoeuvres to minimize
conflict with observations.

o   
Payloads: It uses ISRO’s S-Band and NASA’s L-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar.

·        
Exam Point: NISAR is the first satellite jointly developed by ISRO and NASA.

2. Samudrayaan Mission Delayed

·        
News: India’s first manned ocean mission, Samudrayaan, faces delays due to the
procurement of syntactic foam⁶.

·        
Key Details:

o   
Component Issue: The mission requires syntactic foam (from France) to provide
buoyancy and help the submersible float.

o   
Vehicle Name: Matsya 6000⁸

o   
Target: Sending a crew of three to a depth of 6,000 metres.

o   
Purpose: Exploration and mining of precious metals.

o   
New Timeline: A 500-metre test dive is expected by April 2026¹¹.

3. Defence Tech: S-400 and S-500

·        
News: India and Russia are discussing the acquisition of the S-500 system.

·        
Key Details:

o   
S-500 Capabilities: Can intercept ballistic missiles up to 600 km and airborne targets up to
400 km.

o   
S-400 Indigenization: The S-400 system in India has been officially designated as ‘Sudarshan
Chakra’.

o   
Mission Sudarshan Chakra: A decade-long initiative announced by the PM to build a protective wall
around national assets.

 

II. International
Relations (IR)

1. Operation Sagar Bandhu (India-Sri Lanka)

·        
News: India launched “Operation Sagar Bandhu” to provide relief to
cyclone-hit Sri Lanka.

·        
Key Assets Deployed: INS Vikrant (Aircraft Carrier) and INS Udaygiri.

·        
Policy Context: This aligns with India’s “Vision MAHASAGAR” (Mutual And Holistic
Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) for the Global South.

2. India-US Relations & Defence

·        
News: India signed a ₹7,995 crore deal with the US for follow-on support for MH-60R
Seahawk helicopters.

·        
Geopolitical Strain: This deal was signed despite tensions arising from US President Trump
imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods.

3. Global Migration Policy

·        
News: US President Donald Trump announced a permanent pause on migration from
“Third World countries”.

·        
Impact: This follows a shooting incident involving an Afghan national. Countries
like Afghanistan, Cuba, and Haiti are on a restricted list.

 

III. Polity &
Governance

1. Disaster Management Financing (Federalism Issue)

·        
Context: The gap between funds requested by States (e.g., Kerala for Wayanad
landslides) and funds released by the Centre is widening.

·        
Legal Framework:

o   
SDRF (State Disaster Response
Fund): Financed 75:25 (Centre:State) generally, and 90:10 for
Himalayan/NE states.

o   
NDRF (National Disaster
Response Fund): Fully funded by the Union, used for “severe”
calamities.

·        
Criticism: The definition of a “severe” disaster is ambiguous, leading to
discretionary funding rather than rule-based funding.

2. Role of Governor

·        
Context: Debates on the Governor’s power to withhold assent to Bills²⁸.

·        
Constitutional History: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar clarified in the Constituent Assembly that the Governor
is not an agent of the Centre but a “purely constitutional
Governor”.

·        
Key Quote for Mains: “He is there to make the parliamentary system work, not to rival the
elected Ministry.” – Dr. Ambedkar.

3. Lokpal Jurisdiction

·        
News: Delhi HC quashed Lokpal proceedings against the Defence Secretary³¹.

·        
Reasoning: The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 mandates that complaints must
involve allegations of corruption, not just administrative
irregularities in promotions.

 

IV. Economy

1. IMF Grading of Indian Data

·        
News: The IMF gave India’s national accounts statistics a ‘C’ grade
(second lowest).

·        
Why?

o   
Outdated Base Year: The current base year is 2011-12, which is considered very outdated.

o   
Informal Sector: Inability to accurately capture the informal sector.

·        
Consequence: Poor data impedes effective policymaking and monetary policy.