In Current Affairs for 20 November 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 20 November 2025
Saudi Arabia Designated as a Major Non-NATO Ally by the United States
The United States has officially accorded Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status to Saudi Arabia, marking one of the most significant upgrades in their bilateral relationship in recent decades. The announcement was made during the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington, D.C., where both sides signed a far-reaching strategic cooperation agreement.
The new partnership expands collaboration across several sectors, including defence, artificial intelligence, civil nuclear cooperation, and critical minerals. While MNNA status provides Saudi Arabia access to a wide range of military and economic advantages, it does not include the collective defence guarantees that NATO members enjoy.
A major highlight of the agreement is the approval of a large-scale defence deal, which includes the sale of F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets. This makes Saudi Arabia the first country in the Arab world to acquire this fifth-generation aircraft. The package also includes nearly 300 advanced US tanks, provisions for joint defence manufacturing, expanded technology-sharing, and enhanced logistics infrastructure in the Gulf region. These developments mark a significant shift in West Asian geopolitics, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a key regional security partner for Washington.
Key Features of MNNA Status
- Access to advanced US defence technology and training
- Priority purchase of surplus US military equipment
- Eligibility for joint research, development, and military exercises
- Permission to pre-position US military equipment within the country
CAG Establishes Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has initiated a major institutional reform by announcing the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit (CEFA) in Hyderabad. This centre is envisioned as a key driver in modernizing India’s auditing ecosystem and aligning it with emerging global standards.
Given the increasing complexity of public financial systems, the centre will focus on professional skill development, adoption of international audit practices, and advanced research. The CEFA will also promote the use of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) parameters in audits, marking a shift from traditional sampling-based auditing to comprehensive data-driven evaluations.
India Faces Global Setback in Basmati Geographical Indication (GI) Protection
In a notable trade and diplomatic development, New Zealand and Kenya have rejected India’s request for exclusive marketing rights over Basmati rice under the WTO’s TRIPS Agreement. Courts in both countries ruled that international TRIPS provisions cannot supersede domestic legal procedures, preventing India from registering Basmati as a trademark there.
The case was filed by Apeda, India’s authority for agricultural exports, highlighting the ongoing global challenges in securing international recognition for Indian Geographical Indications. This setback underscores the complexities in protecting GI-related products in international markets despite India’s strong historical and cultural claims.
United Kingdom Becomes Country Partner for Hornbill Festival 2025
The United Kingdom has been declared the Country Partner for the Hornbill Festival 2025, one of Northeast India’s most vibrant cultural showcases. The partnership was formalized in New Delhi through an agreement signed by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and British Council India Country Director Alison Barrett, with the British High Commissioner in attendance.
Held annually in Kisama, Kohima, the ten-day festival aims to boost cultural exchange, promote tourism, and strengthen India-UK people-to-people ties.
“Parasocial” Selected as Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2025
The Cambridge Dictionary has chosen “parasocial” as its Word of the Year for 2025. The term refers to a one-sided emotional relationship that individuals form with celebrities, influencers, fictional characters, or even artificial intelligence systems—relationships where the other party remains unaware of the person’s existence.
The rising popularity of social media, virtual interaction, and AI-driven companionship has made parasocial connections increasingly common, prompting its recognition as a culturally significant term.
Government of India Launches ‘YUVA AI for ALL’
In a major step toward digital empowerment, the Government of India has launched ‘YUVA AI for ALL’, an online, free-of-cost course aimed at equipping 1 crore (10 million) citizens with basic artificial intelligence skills. Announced under the India AI Mission, the programme aims to make AI learning accessible to people of all ages—students, professionals, and digital beginners.
This 4.5-hour self-paced course uses simple language, real-life case studies, and Indian examples to make AI learning engaging and practical. It is available on multiple platforms, including Future Skills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and several prominent ed-tech portals.
India’s Ranking Falls in Global Climate Change Performance Index 2026
India has dropped 13 places, ranking 23rd in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026, announced at the UN COP30 Summit in Belém, Brazil. The index, prepared by GermanWatch, New Climate Institute, and Climate Action Network, cited the absence of a clear national coal phase-out plan as a key reason for India’s decline.
Top Performers
- 4th – Denmark
- 5th – Morocco
- 6th – United Kingdom
Lowest Performers
- 65th – United States
- 66th – Iran
- 67th – Saudi Arabia
National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0 Launched
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has unveiled the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) 2.0, covering the period 2025–2029. AMR occurs when microbes become resistant to medications, rendering common infections more difficult to treat.
The new plan emphasizes:
- Strengthening surveillance systems
- Promoting rational use of antibiotics
- Enhancing healthcare workforce capacity
- Public education on responsible antibiotic usage
- Improved infection control in medical facilities
AMR 2.0 reinforces India’s commitment to combating one of the most pressing public health challenges of the future.
PMFBY Expanded to Cover Wild Animal Attacks and Paddy Inundation
The Government of India has expanded the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to cover losses caused by wild animal attacks and waterlogging of paddy fields, effective from the Kharif season of 2026. This reform addresses long-standing concerns of farmers in forest-adjacent and flood-prone regions.
Losses caused by animals such as elephants, wild boars, nilgai, deer, and monkeys will now be recognised as insurable events. The scheme’s premium structure remains unchanged:
- Kharif crops: 2%
- Rabi crops: 1.5%
- Horticultural/cash crops: 5%
The expansion is expected to provide broader risk coverage and strengthen agricultural resilience across the country.
Review Questions
1. Which country was formally designated by the United States as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)?
A. Qatar
B. Saudi Arabia
C. UAE
D. Israel
Answer: B. Saudi Arabia
2. The MNNA announcement was made during the visit of which Saudi leader to Washington, D.C.?
A. King Salman bin Abdulaziz
B. Prince Khalid bin Salman
C. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
D. Prince Faisal bin Farhan
Answer: C. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
3. Which Indian institution is establishing a Centre of Excellence for Financial Audit in Hyderabad?
A. NITI Aayog
B. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
C. RBI
D. SEBI
Answer: B. Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)
4. Which two countries rejected India’s request for exclusive Basmati marketing rights under TRIPS?
A. Australia and UK
B. China and Nepal
C. New Zealand and Kenya
D. Japan and South Korea
Answer: C. New Zealand and Kenya
5. What is the Cambridge Dictionary’s Word of the Year 2025?
A. Metaverse
B. Parasocial
C. De-influencing
D. Hybrid work
Answer: B. Parasocial
6. The term “parasocial” refers to which type of relationship?
A. Professional business partnerships
B. Two-sided emotional bonds
C. One-sided emotional connections
D. Temporary social interactions
Answer: C. One-sided emotional connections
7. What is the aim of the ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ initiative launched by the Government of India?
A. Train students for robotics competitions
B. Impart basic AI skills to citizens
C. Promote AI-based startups
D. Build AI laboratories in rural schools
Answer: B. Impart basic AI skills to citizens
8. How many people is the ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ course designed to train?
A. 5 lakh
B. 20 lakh
C. 1 crore
D. 5 crore
Answer: C. 1 crore
9. What is India’s ranking in the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2026?
A. 10th
B. 15th
C. 23rd
D. 30th
Answer: C. 23rd
10. Which new risks are included under the expanded Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) from Kharif 2026?
A. Pest attacks only
B. Cyclones and drought
C. Wild animal attacks and paddy field inundation
D. Only flood-related damages
Answer: C. Wild animal attacks and paddy field inundation
