Current Affairs 14 November 2025

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 14 November  2025, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2025 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs National Conference on Labour & Employment in New Delhi, DelhiUnion Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E), chaired the two-day ‘National Conference on Labour & Employment and Industry Ministers and Secretaries of States and Union Territories (UTs)’, organized by MoL&E, held from November 11 to 12, 2025, in New Delhi, Delhi.

• He launched digital tools such as Digital Labour Chowk applications(app) and online Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) cess collection portal to improve transparency and welfare delivery for the BOCW sector.

About National Conference of Labour & Employment:
Aim: The conference, organized by the MoL&E, aimed to build a coordinated national framework for labour reforms that benefit both workers and industries, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth across India.
Focus: The conference focused on encouraging the states to align their employment schemes with the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) scheme.
Labour Chowk Facilitation Centres (LCFCs): During the event, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya  showcased the model of LCFCs.

• Designed to replace unsafe informal gathering points, these centres provide shelter, water, sanitation, and access to welfare services like worker registration and health camps.

>>Read Full News

Cabinet announces EPM and CGSE schemes worth Rs 45,060 cr to boost export sector in IndiaIn November 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved two major initiatives with an outlay of Rs 45,060 crores (cr) to strengthen India’s export ecosystem and ease liquidity pressures for exporters.

• The cabinet launched the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE) and the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to support exporters, particularly MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises).

Export Promotion Mission (EPM)
Objective: EPM is a flagship initiative announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to strengthen India’s export competitiveness, particularly for MSMEs, first-time exporters and labour-intensive sectors.
Implementing Agency: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Minister of Commerce and Industries (MoCI) will act as the implementing agency and manage all processes through a dedicated digital platform integrated with existing trade systems.
Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters (CGSE)
Objective: The scheme aims to provide 100% credit guarantee coverage by National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Member Lending Institutions (MLIs) for extending additional credit facilities up to Rs 20,000 cr.
Implementation: The scheme will be valid till March 31,2026, and shall be implemented by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) through NCGTC.
>>Read Full News

Cabinet Approves Rationalisation of Royalty Rates for four Critical MineralsOn 12 November 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, and Zirconium to boost domestic production and reduce import dependence.

• The Union Cabinet also passed a resolution condemning the terrorist car explosion near the Red Fort in New Delhi(Delhi) on 10 November 2025, commending the swift action of security agencies, medical personnel, and citizens, and reaffirming India’s unwavering policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

About Rationalisation of Royalty Rates :
Purpose:  To boost domestic mining and production, reduce import dependence (especially for Graphite, 60% imported), promote transparent mineral block auctions, and enhance India’s energy and supply chain security.
Graphite Royalty Moves to Ad Valorem Basis: Initially fixed per tonne since 1 September 2014, Graphite, the sole critical mineral with a per‑tonne rate, will now follow an ad valorem structure to account for price variations across grades.
Alignment: This decision aligns with the National Critical Minerals Mission(NCMM) and the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Royalty Rates:

• Graphite (≥80% fixed carbon): 2% of Average Sale Price (ASP)
• Graphite (<80% fixed carbon): 4% of ASP
• Caesium: 2% of ASP (on metal content)
• Rubidium: 2% of ASP (on metal content)
• Zirconium: 1% of ASP (on metal content)

>>Read Full News

Punjab Becomes First State to Implement Amended BharatNet Scheme
In November 2025, Punjab became the first state in India to fully implement the amended BharatNet Scheme, providing high-speed broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats, across the entire state.

• K.A.P. Sinha, Chief Secretary(CS) of Punjab, received the implementation award from Ajay Kumar Kararha, Chief General Manager of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Punjab Circle in Chandigarh, the capital city of Punjab and Haryana.

About Punjab’s Achievement:
Project Rollout: Implementation started from Harsha Chinna block of Amritsar, Punjab and is active in 22 blocks; around 1,000 kilometer (km) of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and 400 km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) installed.
S-NOC Operational: Punjab became the first state with a functional State Network Operations Centre (S-NOC) under the Amended BharatNet Project.
Coverage Status: Internet and broadband provided to 43 shadow areas; the remaining village to be connected by end of November 2025, achieving 100% coverage.
BharatNet Scheme: The scheme, launched in 2011, aims to provide access to electronic (e)-health, e-education, and e-governance services in rural areas.

BSF Commissions First All-Women Drone Operations Unit “Durga Drone Squadron” in MP
In November 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF)  has commissioned its first all-women drone operations unit named ‘Durga Drone Squadron’, at the School of Drone Warfare (SDW) in the BSF Academy in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh(MP).

• Named after goddess Durga, the unit embodies the power, precision, and resilience of BSF’s women personnel.

About Durga Drone Squadron:
Aim: The initiative aims to integrate women personnel into drone-based surveillance and reconnaissance roles along India’s western and eastern borders.
Led by:The specialized training programme is being conducted under the leadership of Daljit Singh Chaudhary, Director General(DG) of BSF and guided by Dr. Shamsher Singh,  Additional DG and Director of the BSF Academy.
Training: The Durga Drone Squadron is receiving specialized training in advanced drone operations, encompassing surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and counter-drone techniques.

CSIR and NICDC Signed MoU to Drive Innovation Across India’s Industrial Corridors
In November 2025, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) under Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, Delhi.

• The MoU aims to establish a collaborative framework for applying CSIR’s R&D expertise and innovative technologies across India’s upcoming industrial corridors.

About the CSIR-NICDC MoU:
Signatures: The MoU was signed by Dr. Vibha Malhotra Sawhney, Head of the Technology Management Directorate at CSIR, and Mr. Vikas Goel, General Manager (GM) (CS & Marketing) at NICDC
Smart Cities Integration: Establish R&D hubs, industrial incubators, and innovation centres within smart cities.
Technology Deployment: Identify, adapt, and deploy advanced technologies to enhance productivity, operational efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Priority Areas: Industrial Automation & Robotics, Digital Manufacturing & Aerospace, Biotechnology, Chemicals, and Pharmaceuticals, Renewable Energy & Advanced Materials, Infrastructure Engineering, Medical Devices & Scientific Instrumentation and Agro-processing & Sustainability-driven Utilities
Significance: Integrate scientific innovation with industrial growth, accelerate high-tech enterprise development, and support India’s vision to become a global manufacturing and technology leader.
Alignment: Supports programs like Make in India, Startup India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Adani Ports Joins TNFD network, Pledges Nature Reporting from FY26
In November 2025, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), India’s largest integrated transport utility, has joined the Taskforce on Nature‑related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) as an “Adopter”, pledging to begin nature-related reporting in line with global standards from Financial Year 2025-26(FY26).

• APSEZ becomes India’s first integrated transport utility to endorse the TNFD framework.

About TNFD Adoption:
Integration: By adopting the TNFD framework, APSEZ will identify and report its nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities as part of its Environmental, Social and Governance(ESG) strategy.
Actions Taken:  APSEZ has afforested 4,200+ hectares of mangroves and conserved 3,000+ hectares of ecosystems, becoming India’s top private contributor to mangrove restoration.
TNFD: It is a global science-based initiative launched by organisations including United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to guide companies on nature-related risks, dependencies, and opportunities.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WHO’s Global TB Report 2025: India Logged Highest Number of TB Cases in 2024 Despite Lower IncidenceIn November 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) released its latest Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report 2025. As per the report, India’s TB incidence rate (new cases emerging each year) declined by 21% i.e. from 237 per lakh population (in 2015) to 187 per lakh population (in 2024), which is almost double the rate of decline observed globally (i.e. at 12%).

• Despite one of the largest global reductions in TB incidence, India has not yet reached the government’s 2025 target of 77 cases per lakh population.

Highlights of Global TB Report 2025 :
Global Impact: As per the WHO’s report, tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, causing over 1.2 million deaths and affecting approximately 10.7 million people in 2024.

• The global TB incidence rate fell by 1.7% in 2024, reaching 131 cases per 1 lakh population compared to the 2023 rate.

Largest Contributors: The report further highlighted that together, 8 countries accounted for 67% of global TB cases in 2024, led by India (25%), followed by Indonesia (10%), the Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), Pakistan (6.3%), Nigeria (4.8%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (3.9%), and Bangladesh (3.6%).
Region-wise: The report revealed that South-East Asia (SEA) region registered the highest rate of TB cases i.e. at 34% (in 2024) compared to all regions; followed by the Western Pacific (27%), Africa (25%), Eastern Mediterranean  (8.6%), the Americas (3.3%) and Europe (1.9%).
Global Rate Falling Ill with TB: Globally, the number of people falling ill with TB decreased to 10.7 million in 2024, marking an improvement of nearly 2% compared to 2023.
Global Death Rate: As per the report, the global rate of deaths caused by TB also declined by 3% i.e. from 1.27 million people (in 2023) to 1.23 million people (in 2024),
>>Read Full News

BANKING & FINANCE

DFS Launched Startup Common Application Journey on ‘Jan Sammarth Portal’ for StartupsIn November 2025, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF) launched the “Startup Common Application Journey” on Jan Sammarth portal aimed to provide a unified digital platform for startups to access credit across all Indian Public Sector Banks (PSBs).

• This unique application form was launched by M. Nagaraju, Secretary of DFS, MoF, during the PSBs Review Meeting held in New Delhi, Delhi.

About Startup Common Application Journey:
Developed: It was developed by the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) in partnership with PSB Alliance.
Model Loan Scheme: This new initiative supported by a Model Loan Scheme, offers loans up to  Rs 20 crore under the Government of India (GoI)’s Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS), operated by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC)under the aegis of Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoC&I).

• The scheme also offers special interest concessions for women entrepreneurs.

Integrates Key Data Sources: The digital platform integrates key data sources such as: Permanent Account Number (PAN), Good and Services Tax (GST), Udyam registration, Income Tax Returns (ITR), and credit bureau information, ensuring faster processing and greater transparency.
Jan Samath Portal: Jan Samarth portal launched in June 2022, acts as a single-digital platform that links eligible beneficiaries with 14 credit-linked government schemes.

• With the launch of the new initiative, the portal will now enable the  startups to apply for loans, compare offers from various PSBs and track their applications through one unified digital system.

Financial Status of Indian PSBs:
Review of Financial Performance: During the meeting, the Finance Secretary reviewed the financial performance of 12 PSBs for the 2nd Quarter (Q2: July to September) of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26).
Cumulative Profit: As per the GoI’s data, PSBs reported a cumulative profit of Rs 49,456 crore in Q2FY26 (compared to Rs 45,547 crore in Q2FY25), registering a 9% Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) increase despite two PSBs reporting a decline.
About Ministry of Finance (MoF):
Union Minister- Nirmala Sitharaman (Rajya Sabha- Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)- Pankaj Chaudhary (Constituency- Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh, UP)

Federal Bank Launched Cultural Initiative ‘Bharat Surotsav’ in Chennai, TN
In November 2025, Federal Bank Limited launched its cultural initiative ‘Bharat Surotsav’ by unveiling its poster in Chennai, Tamil Nadu(TN), marking the beginning of the festival series.

• The inaugural edition of  ‘Bharat Surotsav’ is scheduled for 22 November 2025 at the Madras Music Academy, Chennai, to celebrate India’s rich musical heritage.

About Bharat Surotsav:
Overview: Bharat Surotsav is a signature cultural Intellectual Property (IP) of Federal Bank, designed as an immersive dance and music fusion festival celebrating India’s artistic heritage.
Objective: To unite iconic performers and contemporary sounds while fostering regional pride and cultural connection through a multi-city series.
Celebrating Local Culture: Each city in the Bharat Surotsav series will showcase artists representing the local cultural ethos, fostering regional pride and creating a strong emotional connection with audiences.
Artists: Event features Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai, Agam Band, Charumathi Raghuraman, and Ravi Chari.

PhonePe Collaborates with OpenAI to Integrate ChatGPT Features Across its Ecosystem in India
In November 2025, PhonePe Limited, a leading financial technology (Fintech) company, announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI, a leading global artificial intelligence (AI) company, to accelerate the consumer adoption of ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) features in India and enhance user experience on digital platforms.

About the Collaboration Between PhonePe and OpenAI:
Goal: The partnership aims to demonstrate the value of consumer AI in India and support mutual business growth.
Integration: The integration of ChatGPT within the PhonePe consumer application (app), PhonePe for Business app, and Indus Appstore aims to accelerate generative AI adoption across India.
Function: It will provide AI-powered assistance for everyday activities like travel planning and shopping.
Ecosystem: The integration leverages the broader PhonePe ecosystem, including its apps and marketplace, to unlock new AI-driven applications in India’s payments and fintech sector.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Moody’s Projected India’s GDP to Grow at 6.5% through 2027In November 2025, American global rating agency, Moody’s Ratings (formerly Moody’s Investors Service)released its latest report titled ‘Global Macro 2026: Growth will be steady but subdued in 2026’. As per the report, India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by around 6.5% through 2027.

• India’s GDP is expected to grow at 6.4% in 2026, following 7% growth in 2025, according to Moody’s.

Global Scenario:
GDP Growth: The report has also projected that global GDP is expected to grow between 2.5% and 2.6% during 2026 and 2027, marking a decline from 2.6% (in 2025) and 2.9% (in 2024).
Uneven Growth Expansion: As per the report, Advanced economies are projected to grow about 1.5%, while emerging markets led India, is expected to expand nearly to 4% in 2027.
Global Outlook: Moody’s cautioned that the world economy remains ‘stable but mixed,’ influenced by differing policies, geopolitical tensions, and shifts in global trade.
India-Specific:
Key Drivers: As per the report, India’s growth momentum will be driven by robust infrastructure investment, strong consumer demand, and export diversification, even as private sector capital continues to be cautious about spending.
Inflation Rate: The agency has also projected India’s inflation rate at 3.5% and 4% in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
India’s Exports : The report noted that India’s economy stayed strong despite global challenges and 50% the United States of America(USA) tariffs on some products.

• Overall exports grew 6.75% in September 2025, even though shipments to the USA fell by 11.9%.”

About Moody’s Ratings:
President- Michael West
Headquarters- New York, the United States of America (USA)
Founded- 1909

Swan Defence Signs USD 220 Million LoI with Redereit Stenersen to Build Advanced Chemical Tankers
In November 2025, Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Redereit Stenersen AS, a Norwegian shipping company, for the construction of six advanced IMO(International Maritime Organization) Type II chemical tankers for USD 220 million.

• The agreement also includes an option for six additional vessels, totaling the project value to USD 400 million.

About Advanced IMO Type II Chemical Tankers:
Capacity: Each vessel will have a weight of 18,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) and will be built at SDHI’s modern shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat.
Design: The vessels are designed by Marinform AS, Norway, and StoGda Ship Design, Poland, and will be classified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV), ensuring compliance with international safety and environmental standards.

• The design enables fuel conversion to methanol or Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) and includes provisions for battery capacity upgrades of up to 5,000 Kilowatt per hour (kWh).

Specification: The tankers, built to Ice Class 1A specification, will incorporate a hybrid propulsion system combining diesel electric power with battery capability, enabling lower emissions and improved energy efficiency.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

NITI Aayog policy Chair Pushpinder S. Puniha Joins Blue Ocean Corporation Advisory Board
In November 2025,  Pushpinder S. Puniha, Chairperson of the Consultative Group on Tax Policy at National Institution for Transforming India(NITI) Aayog, has joined the Advisory Board of the United Kingdom(UK) based Blue Ocean Corporation, the world’s No.1 supply chain consulting and training firm.

• The move supports Blue Ocean’s strategy to expand in India and align with national policy reforms in taxation, supply chain modernization, and skill development.

About Pushpinder S. Puniha:
Profile: He is a noted public-policy expert with over three decades of experience in fiscal management, governance, and tax policy.
Literature: He co-edited “Reimagining Institutions: Collaborative Pathways to Social Development in India,” highlighting innovative approaches to governance and institutional reform.
Key Professional Roles: He has held several prominent positions, including National Head of the Faceless Assessment scheme in the Indian tax system, Head of the Income Tax Investigation Vertical for Mumbai(Maharashtra) and North-West India, and Fellow at the Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad(Telangana).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IIT Bombay Develops India’s First Quantum Diamond Microscope to Aid Neuroscience & Materials ResearchIn November 2025, the researchers from the Photonics and Quantum Engineering  (P-Quest) Lab at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Bombay, Mumbai (Maharashtra) developed India’s first Indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM), marking a milestone in quantum sensing, which earned India its first patent in this domain.

• The development, led by Professor Kasturi Saha, was announced during the Emerging Science Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025) held in New Delhi, Delhi.
• It was developed under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology(MoS&T).

About India’s first Indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM):
Dignitaries:Union Minister of State (MoS) Independent Charge (IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, MoS&T, Professor Ajay K. Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser(PSA), and Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, DST, were also present at the  event.
QDM: It is a quantum sensor-based imaging device that uses Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centres inside a diamond crystal to detect and visualize magnetic fields similar to how an optical microscope images light.
NV Centres: The NV centres are tiny atomic defects in diamond where a nitrogen atom sits next to a missing carbon atom. These defects stay stable even at room temperature and are extremely sensitive to changes in magnetic, electric, and thermal fields.

• Their light emission changes with magnetic signals, which can be measured using Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) method.
• By creating a thin diamond layer with many NV centres, the QDM can capture wide-area images of magnetic activity similar to how an optical microscope captures light images.

3‑D Nanoscale Magnetic Imaging : The QDM allows wide‑field, three‑dimensional magnetic‑field imaging at the nanoscale. It can visualise magnetic fields in 3‑D, map hidden current paths in multilayer chips, assess materials and devices non‑destructively, and even support applications in neuroscience.
About Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T):
Minister of State (MoS)(Independent Charge, IC) – Jitendra Singh (Constituency – Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, J&K)

SPORTS

2025 Khelo India University Games: Official Logo and Mascots UnveiledIn November 2025, Sports Authority of India (SAI), in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Sports Council and the Government of Rajasthan unveiled the Logo, Mascot, Torch, and Jersey for the 5th Edition of  Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 at Amer Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
2025 Khelo India University Games:
Overview: The games are scheduled from 24 November to 5 December 2025, and are expected to bring together around 7,500 athletes from around 200 universities across India, competing in 24 sports disciplines.

• Games Canoeing, Kayaking, Cycling, and Beach Volleyball are newly added in KIUG
  2025 .

Host Cities: It includes seven cities in Rajasthan such as Jaipur, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, and Bikaner, marking the first time Rajasthan hosting national-level university sports event.
Logo: The logo features

• Hawa Mahal, symbolizing Jaipur’s royal heritage and grace,
• Ranthambore Fort, representing strength, strength, and tradition
• Sand dunes, reflecting Rajasthan’s desert landscape
• Windmills, symbolizing modernity, sustainability, and energy
• Pink color palette, a tribute to Jaipur, the “Pink City”.

Mascots: The mascots for KIUG 2025 are “Khamma” and “Ghani”, which embody Rajasthan’s spirit and culture.

• Khamma, inspired by “Camel”, the state animal of Rajasthan, symbolizes endurance, strength, and agility.
• Ghani, draws from the local greeting “Khamma Ghani”, representing hospitality and warmth.

About Rajasthan:
Chief Minister (CM) – Bhajan Lal Sharma
Governor – Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde
Capital – Jaipur
National Park (NP) – Desert NP, Keoladeo Ghana NP
>>Read Full News

IMPORTANT DAYS

Public Service Broadcasting Day 2025 – November 12Public Service Broadcasting Day (PSBD), also known as ‘Jan Prasaran Divas’, is observed annually across India on 12th November to commemorate the first and only live broadcast by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, on All India Radio (AIR) now known as Akashvani, in New Delhi, Delhi, in 1947.

Background:
Gandhi’s Visit: In 1947, After the partition of India and Pakistan, Mahatma Gandhi visited the AIR studios at Broadcasting House, New Delhi, to address refugees from Pakistan who were camped in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Commemoration: An event was organised on 12th November 1997 to mark 50 years of Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to AIR.
Official Declaration: In 2001, 12th November was declared as PSBD. The observance was conceptualised by Suhas Borker, Convenor of Jan Prasar.
About All India Radio (AIR):
Public Broadcaster: AIR is India’s state-owned national public radio broadcaster under Prasar Bharati(PB).
Coverage: Its 479 stations reach nearly 92% of India’s area and 99.19% of the population.
Languages & Services: AIR broadcasts programs in 23 languages and 179 dialects, offering news, education, and entertainment.
2025 Event: 
Venue: PSBD 2025 held on 12th November 2025 at C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, Delhi.

• The event included discussions and sessions on the role of public broadcasting in fostering social harmony, national integration, and Gandhian values.

World Pneumonia Day 2025 – November 12World Pneumonia Day is observed annually on 12th November to raise awareness about pneumonia, a preventable and treatable respiratory infection that still claims millions of lives worldwide.

Theme:
2025 Theme: “Child Survival”
Focus: The theme highlights pneumonia as a major child killer and calls for better nutrition, clean air, vaccination, and timely medical care to prevent deaths.
Background:
First observance: The first World Pneumonia Day was observed on 12 November 2009, organized by the Global Coalition against Child Pneumonia
Supporter: Over the years, global bodies like the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund(UNICEF) and World Health Organization(WHO), have supported the observance and amplified the global call to action against pneumonia.
What is Pneumonia?
Lung Infection: Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. It causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs making it difficult to breathe and get oxygen into the bloodstream.
Symptoms: Cough with mucus or pus, fever, chills, and sharp chest pain when breathing or coughing.
Risk Factors: Malnutrition, indoor air pollution, smoking, Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV) /immunosuppression, and inadequate vaccination.
Global Burden:According to the Global Burden of Disease (2023), pneumonia caused 2.5 million deaths, including 610,000 children under five.

• According to WHO, pneumonia causes 14 lakh deaths annually among children under five,about 18% of all child deaths worldwide.
• UNICEF reports that a child dies of pneumonia every 39 seconds.
• Adults over 50 face rising risks, with 16 lakh deaths linked to air pollution and smoking.

Global Efforts to End Pneumonia Deaths:
Every Breath Counts Coalition: It is the world’s first Public-Private Partnership(PPP), works with national governments to eliminate pneumonia deaths by 2030.
GAPPD: In 2013, WHO and UNICEF launched the Integrated Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (GAPPD) to reduce child pneumonia mortality to below three deaths per 1,000 live births in every country by 2025.
About United Nations International Children’s Emergency Funds(UNICEF ):
Executive Director(ED)– Catherine M Russell
Headquarters- New York, United States of America (USA)
Established- 1946

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