1 India drops two places in global climate index
India has retained its position in the top 10 countries ( ranked 10th ) in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025, despite falling two places compared to last year . The report highlights India’s commendable efforts to reduce per capita emissions and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. The report is published by Germanwatch, New Climate Institute and Climate Action Network International. The CCPI assesses 63 countries and the European Union (EU) , which together account for 90% of global emissions. Denmark (4th), the Netherlands (5th), and the UK (6th) top the index.
2 World Bank launches ‘Jobs at Your Doorstep’ report in Delhi
On 22 November 2024, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of Labour, Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the World Bank report ‘ Jobs at Your Doorstep : A Jobs Diagnostics for Young People in Six States ’ in New Delhi . The report focuses on bridging the skills gap among youth and aligning school curriculums with industry needs . The World Bank supports the Ministry of Education in a programme called Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results (STARS) for states, including Himachal Pradesh , Kerala , Madhya Pradesh , Maharashtra , Odisha, and Rajasthan ( collectively the STARS states). STARS is a national component in the scheme under which key reforms are shared and disseminated for implementation. The report outlines the significant benefits of incorporating skill-based education from Classes 9-12 to prepare students for diverse career paths, relying on a bottom-up approach, by visiting from the grassroots level in districts across six states. Jobs at Your Doorstep is a skills gap analysis that seeks to align the crafts offered in schools with the industry-specific needs of the districts where the schools are located. The study was initiated to redefine the delivery of skills education through in-depth primary and secondary research across six STAR states.
3 Iraq conducts first national census in 40 years
Iraq is conducting its first nationwide census since 1987 , which was last held during the reign of Saddam Hussein . The massive population survey involves 120,000 researchers . The census will collect data door-to-door across all 18 governorates (provinces) of the country. To facilitate the process, the Ministry of Interior has imposed a two-day curfew. The census aims to modernize Iraq’s data collection system, aid future development plans, and present a holistic picture of the country’s demographic, social, and economic situation.
4 IISc launches STRONG for nanopore research
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have developed an advanced language called STRONG ( STring Representation Of Nanopore Geometry ) that represents the shape and structure of nanopores in a symbolic form. This new language enables accurate prediction of nanopore properties with the help of machine learning (ML) models. The research has been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society and is in line with the progressive development taking place in the integration of materials science and computational tools. STRONG is a computational language that represents various structures of atoms present at the edge of a nanopore as characters.
5 India’s first modern, self-sustaining cowshed with state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant in Gwalior
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Gwalior ‘s new 100 TPD cow dung-based Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plant on 2nd October, 2024. Adarsh Gaushala located at Laltipara, Gwalior is the largest cowshed with a CBG plant. Run by Gwalior Municipal Corporation, this cowshed houses more than 10,000 cattle. Adarsh Gaushala is India’s first modern, self-sufficient cowshed with a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant. This is Madhya Pradesh ‘s first CBG plant in which biogas will be produced from cow dung collected from households and vegetable and fruit waste from mandis.
6 Shivangi Desai won the title of Miss Charm India 2024
Shivangi Desai, a 22-year-old final year law student from Indian Law School (ILS) Pune has been crowned Miss Charm India 2024. This December, she will represent India at Miss Charm 2024 to be held in Vietnam . Her journey has set an inspiring example of intellect, beauty, and perseverance, making her a role model for the youth. Shivangi is committed to promoting India’s tourism and cultural heritage. She wrote a book titled “Beyond the Usual”, which highlights India’s hidden tourist gems.
7 Creative Minds of Tomorrow: Team Green’s film Gullu wins Best Film Award
The results of Creative Minds of Tomorrow were announced at the 55th International Film Festival of India . Team Green ‘s film Gullu won the Best Film Award. For this, Team Green was given a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh. Pushpendra Kumar of the same film won the Best Actor Award. Vishakha Naik received the Best Actress Award for the Loveflix Subscription film. A group of 100 young participants selected for the competition were divided into five teams of 20 members each. They were tasked to make a short film within 48 hours . The main objective of this initiative is to encourage young talent in the field of filmmaking.
8 India’s N. Sriram Balaji and Rithvik Bolipalli pair won the men’s doubles title in the ATP Tennis Challenger Tour
India’s N. Shriram Balaji and Rithvik Bolippalli pair have won the men’s doubles title in the ATP Tennis Challenger Tour . In Italy , the pair of Balaji and Bolippalli defeated the pair of Theo Arribes of France and Francisco Cabral of Portugal in the final. Rithvik Bolippalli has won the ATP Challenger Tour title for the second time. Earlier, Bolippalli won the title with Arjun Kadhe at the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan last month. Balaji has won the ATP Challenger Tour title for the first time.
9 ‘Guru Teg Bahadur’ Martyrdom Day 2024: November 24
Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheed Diwas was observed on 24 November 2024. The day is dedicated to honor the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur and his unparalleled sacrifice. He is known as the “ Brazen of India ” as he resisted atrocities to protect religious freedom and human rights. In 1675, he was beheaded by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi ’s Chandni Chowk for refusing to embrace Islam.
10 Former Supreme Court judge Justice H.S. Bedi passed away
Former Supreme Court judge and former Chief Justice of Bombay High Court , Justice Harjit Singh Bedi died on Thursday evening at the age of 78. He is known for his key role in the investigation of alleged fake encounters in Gujarat . He was designated senior advocate in 1987 and served as additional advocate general till 1989 before becoming Advocate General of Punjab in 1990. He was appointed as additional judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court on 15 March 1991, becoming a permanent judge on 8 July 1992. In 2006, he became Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and was elevated to the Supreme Court on 12 January 2007. He retired on 5 September 2011. In 2012, Justice Bedi was appointed chairman of the monitoring authority by the Supreme Court to investigate the cases of alleged fake encounters in Gujarat. In his report, he recommended further investigation in three of the 17 cases reviewed.
