1. EAM Holds Bilateral Meetings on Sidelines of G7

On 11th November 2025, External Affairs Minister (EAM) held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from France, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and Germany on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, Canada.

Key Points

• Meeting with France: EAM met French Foreign Minister, where both sides reviewed the India–France Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to deepen cooperation in multilateral and plurilateral formats.
• Engagement with Brazil: EAM met Brazilian Foreign Minister and acknowledged the recent progress in bilateral cooperation. Both nations explored greater collaboration in trade, investment, health, and technology.
• Talks with the United Kingdom: During his meeting with UK Foreign Secretary, EAM reaffirmed the India–UK Vision 2035 and discussed avenues for deepening cooperation across key areas.
• Discussion with Germany: EAM held talks with German Foreign Minister on advancing India–EU ties and exchanged views on developments in the Middle East, Indo-Pacific, and Afghanistan.
• India’s Role at the G7: India is participating in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting as an invited partner under Canada’s presidency, alongside Brazil, Australia, and South Korea. The event focuses on global security, economic resilience, energy cooperation, and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

2. IndiaJoy B2B 2025

On 11th November 2025, the IndiaJoy B2B 2025 initiative, featuring the Indian Film Market and WAVES Animation Bazaar, concluded successfully in Hyderabad, reaffirming the city’s status as a leading hub for the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) and film industries.

• This year’s edition brought together 120 sellers from across India and 35 buyers, facilitating co-productions, content licensing, and strategic partnerships.
• Sprouts Studio announced a ₹6 crore fund to support intellectual properties (IPs) associated with the WAVES Animation Bazaar and the Indian Film Market

3. Public Service Broadcasting Day

On 12th November 2025, Public Service Broadcasting Day is observed every year to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s first and only visit to the Broadcasting House in New Delhi in 1947, when he addressed the nation through All India Radio.

• On this day in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi visited the Broadcasting House in New Delhi and addressed the displaced people of Pakistan staying in Kurukshetra through a special radio broadcast on the occasion of Deepawali.
• This was Gandhi’s first and only radio address, marking a red-letter day in the history of Indian broadcasting, as it was the only time the Father of the Nation directly used the medium to reach the masses.
• Initially, Gandhi was hesitant to speak on the radio, having used the medium only once before during the Round Table Conference, but he later agreed to do so following the advice of industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla.
• The studio from which Gandhi spoke was designed to replicate the setting of his daily prayer meetings, creating a peaceful and familiar atmosphere for his historic broadcast.
• Freedom fighter Rajkumari Amrit Kaur accompanied Gandhi during this visit, further underlining the emotional and historical significance of the occasion.

4. Australia and Indonesia Sign New Security Treaty

On 12th November 2025, Australia and Indonesia have signed a new security treaty that commits both nations to consult each other if either country faces a security threat.

Key Points

• Mutual Consultation Clause: The treaty mandates that if either or both countries’ security is threatened, they will consult and consider taking individual or joint measures to address the threat.
• Expansion of Past Agreements: Australian Prime Minister described the treaty as a major extension of previous security arrangements, with the first such deal signed nearly 30 years ago.
• Regular Security Dialogue: The agreement includes a commitment to maintain regular security dialogue between the leaders of both countries to enhance cooperation and policy coordination.
• Regional Peace and Stability: Both sides emphasized that acting together is the best approach to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Shared Commitment: The leaders reaffirmed their determination to maintain a strong and enduring partnership that guarantees security for both nations and contributes to regional resilience.

5. PLFS July–September 2025 Report

On 10th November 2025, the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Quarterly Bulletin for July–September 2025, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), indicates continued improvement in India’s labour market, with higher female participation and a marginal decline in the unemployment rate.

Key Points

• Overall Labour Force Participation: The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) among persons aged 15 years and above increased slightly to 55.1%, compared to 55.0% in the previous quarter. Rural LFPR rose from 57.1% to 57.2%, while urban LFPR moved up from 50.6% to 50.7%.
• Female Participation Rising: The female LFPR climbed to 33.7% in July–September 2025 from 33.4% in April–June 2025, primarily driven by rural women, whose participation rose from 37.0% to 37.5%.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): The overall WPR improved to 52.2%, up from 52.0% in the previous quarter.
• Unemployment Rate (UR): The unemployment rate among persons aged 15 years and above declined to 5.2%, down from 5.4% in the last quarter.
• Employment Composition: Self-employment dominated in rural India, accounting for 62.8% of the workforce, up from 60.7%.
• Sectoral Trends: Rural employment remained concentrated in agriculture, which engaged 57.7% of the rural workforce, reflecting seasonal activity.

6. Mandatory ‘Country of Origin’ Filter for E-Commerce Platforms

On 10th November 2025, the Department of Consumer Affairs proposed an amendment to make it mandatory for e-commerce platforms to provide searchable and sortable filters based on the ‘Country of Origin’ for packaged commodities sold online.

Key Points

• Draft Amendment Issued: The Draft Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) (Second) Amendment Rules, 2025, issued on Monday, aim to enhance consumer empowerment and transparency in online shopping.
• Searchable and Sortable Filters: E-commerce entities selling imported products will be required to provide a searchable and sortable filter indicating the country of origin alongside their product listings.
• Consumer Empowerment: The amendment will help consumers easily identify the origin of products and make informed purchasing decisions.
• Stakeholder Feedback: The Department has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders until November 22, 2025.
• Support for National Initiatives: The proposal aligns with the Government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ initiatives by enhancing the visibility of ‘Made in India’ products and promoting a level playing field for domestic manufacturers.
• Transparency in E-Commerce: The Department stated that the amendment aims to foster a transparent, consumer-friendly, and competitive digital marketplace that builds greater trust among consumers and supports national priorities.