1. India–Saudi Arabia Sign Bilateral Haj Agreement for 2026

On 7-9 November 2025, during Union Minister Kiren Rijiju’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, India and Saudi Arabia signed the Bilateral Haj Agreement for 2026, confirming a quota of 175,025 Indian pilgrims for the annual pilgrimage.

Key Points:

• Haj Quota 2026: A total of 175,025 Indian pilgrims will be allowed to perform Haj in 2026 under the new bilateral agreement.
• Strengthening Bilateral Ties: The signing reaffirms the growing partnership and shared commitment between India and Saudi Arabia to ensure a seamless and spiritually fulfilling pilgrimage.
• Meeting Discussions: Both sides discussed improving coordination, logistics, transport, accommodation, and healthcare arrangements for pilgrims.
• Internal Review Meetings: The delegation held meetings with officials from the Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to review ongoing Haj preparations.
• Significance: The agreement marks an important step in enhancing India–Saudi Arabia relations and ensuring improved services for Indian pilgrims participating in Haj 2026.

2. AIIA Pharmacology Lab Earns Triple ISO Certification

In November 2025, the Pharmacology Laboratory of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) achieved a remarkable milestone by receiving triple ISO certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), underscoring its commitment to global quality, environmental responsibility, and workplace safety.

• The Pharmacology Laboratory of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush, has been accredited with IS/ISO 9001:2015 for Quality Management, IS/ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management, and IS/ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management.
• The certifications were conferred during a Bureau of Indian Standards event on Quality Management System certification for Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) officials in New Delhi, marking a historic recognition for Ayurveda-based scientific research.
• Through the implementation of an Integrated Management System, the institute has successfully streamlined research methodologies, enhanced ethical and environmental compliance, and improved operational efficiency in pre-clinical pharmacological studies of Ayurvedic formulations.
• The Quality Management System accreditation ensures standardized experimental protocols, enabling greater accuracy, reproducibility, and transparency in Ayurvedic pharmacological research.

3. President Historic State Visit to Angola

On 9th November 9, 2025, President held comprehensive talks with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço in Luanda during her State Visit to Angola. Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, infrastructure, defence, health, agriculture, and digital technologies, marking a significant milestone in India–Angola relations.

Key Points

• Bilateral Discussions: The two leaders held one-to-one and delegation-level talks, reviewing the full spectrum of India–Angola relations and identifying new areas for collaboration.
• Agreements Signed: Two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed —
  • On Cooperation in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine Resources
• On Consular Matters
  • Global Alliances: Angola announced its decision to join the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), reflecting shared environmental priorities.
  • Economic Cooperation: Talks emphasized expanding trade, investment, and technology partnerships, with India reaffirming its role as a reliable development partner.

4. Scientists Create First Draft of Developing Human Brain Atlas

In November 2025, scientists achieved a major milestone under the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) by completing the first draft of atlases of the developing human and mammalian brain, offering new insights into how brain cells form and mature.

Key Points

• Major Breakthrough: Researchers charted how various brain cells emerge, differentiate, and mature from embryonic to adult stages, creating the first detailed draft atlas of developing brain cells.
• Study Scope: The research covered brain cells from humans, mice, and monkeys, revealing similarities and differences in cell development across species.
• Genetic Mapping: Scientists tracked gene activation and deactivation across time, identifying key genes that regulate brain cell specialization and overall brain development.
• New Discoveries: The team discovered previously unknown brain cell types in the neocortex and striatum, regions linked to cognition and movement.
• Unique Human Traits: The human brain showed a prolonged differentiation process in cortical cells due to its longer developmental timeline compared to animals.
• Applications in Medicine: The findings could lead to better understanding and targeted therapies for disorders like autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia.