Context: The Roadmap for India’s City Systems Reformsreleased recently discusses the current state of urban governance and provides recommendations for urban transformation in India.

Status of Urbanisation in India

• India is witnessing rapid urbanization. Every minute, 30 people migrate from rural to urban India

• According to the 2011 Census, India’s urban population increased from 27.7% in 2001 to 31.1% in 2011, at a rate of 2.76% per year.

• India is rapidly urbanizing and is estimated to host 50 percent of its population in cities by 2050. 

• India has 6 mega cities (population over 10 million) as per the 2011 Census: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

Opportunities of Urbanisation

• Diverse Employment Options: Urban areas host various industries, including manufacturing, IT, retail, and services, creating jobs across skill levels.

• Skill Enhancement Ecosystem: Urban centers serve as hubs for education and training institutes, fostering access to skill development programs. 

• Support for Entrepreneurship: Cities offer infrastructure, financial services, and market access that nurture entrepreneurial ventures.

• Technology-driven Growth: With rapid technological advancements, urban centers are pivotal for digital skilling, fostering job creation in IT, AI, and e-commerce sectors.

Current state of urban governance (Key-findings)

• India’s rapid economic growth has accelerated urbanisation with nearly half the population expected to reside in urban areas by 2035. 

Women Councillors in Urban Local Bodies

• Around 46% of the councillors in India are women.

• In 19 out of 21 capital cities (like Patna, Shimla, Ranchi, and Bhubaneswar), the number of women councillors is more than 60%.

• Tamil Nadu has the highest number of women councillors, followed by Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

• 17 States have passed laws reserving 50% of local council seats for women, which is higher than the constitutional requirement of 33%.

• Urban Transformation Pathways: The report presents three pathways for improving urban governance in India:

• Place-Based Governance: Focusing on governance that is centeredaround specific regions or cities, rather than just national schemes and funding.

• Decentralised Participatory Governance: Encouraging more involvement of local people in governance decisions by strengthening local governments and ensuring they are more responsive to citizens.

• Building State Capacities: Strengthening the capabilities of State governments to manage urbanization effectively.

• Rural-Urban Transition: The report emphasizes the need for a Rural-Urban Transition Policy to manage the growing number of villages turning into towns and cities. Since 2011, around 1,000 villages have already transitioned into urban areas. The policy would help plan this transition properly.

• Reimagining Urban Governance: The report recommends rethinking the role of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and State urban departments. These should be seen as regional economic and local government bodies rather than just focusing on sectors, schemes, and funding.

• The goal is to focus on strengthening local self-government rather than just implementing national schemes in cities.

Challenges

• Delayed Elections: Many Urban Local Bodies (ULGs) have delayed elections, with 61% of ULGs in 15 States having issues with timely elections.

• Disempowered Mayors: Mayors in many cities have limited powers. They only have control over 4 out of 18 functions they are supposed to manage.

• Citizen Participation: There is a lack of formal platforms for citizens to engage with local governments. The 74th Constitutional Amendment (which aimed to empower urban local bodies) needs better implementation.

Government initiatives

• Skill India Mission: Focused on creating a skilled workforce through programs like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

• Smart Cities Mission: Aims to develop 100 smart cities with efficient infrastructure and governance.

• AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation): Improving urban infrastructure to support economic activities and better living standards.

• Startup India Initiative: Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by providing financial and regulatory support.

• DAY-NULM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission): Enhancing the employment and skill levels of the urban poor.

• Digital India Program: Promoting digital literacy and e-governance to support technology-driven employment.

Suggestions

• The roadmap makes suggestions to improve the skills of urban local body (ULB) staff:

• Certification-Based Skilling Programs: These programs would help local government staff acquire skills and knowledge to manage urban issues effectively.

• Municipal Shared Service Centres: These centres would help smaller cities by sharing resources and services, ensuring that even smaller cities benefit from economies of scale.

• Digital Public Finance Management System: This system would track how funds are spent and whether physical progress of projects matches the financial outlay.

• Shelf of Projects: Every city should have a ready list of development projects to facilitate municipal borrowings and make sure cities are prepared for future growth.

• Integrated Urban Planning: Develop well-planned urban centers with a focus on affordable housing, public transport, and access to training institutes.

• Empowering Women: Ensure women’s participation in urban job markets through safe and inclusive workspaces and focused training programs.

Conclusion

• Urbanization, if managed strategically, can serve as a catalyst for enhancing skills and employment opportunities, paving the way for sustained economic growth and inclusive development in India.

Context: Recently, a new Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched at the G20 Leaders Summit in Brazil to eradicate poverty and hunger globally.

• The alliance is an important step towards the implementation of the Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition 2023, adopted at the G20 New Delhi Summit 2023.

• In addition, India's Prime Minister addressed a session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight against Hunger and Poverty,' sharing India's experiences and success stories.

What is the Need for the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty?

• Escalating Poverty and Hunger: In 2022, approximately 712 million people lived in extreme poverty—23 million more than in 2019—with the highest rates in the poorest countries. In 2023, 733 million people faced hunger, and 148 million children under five suffered from stunting (low height-for-age).

• Increasing Financing Gaps: The widening gaps in financing for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 1 (no poverty) and 2 (zero hunger), highlight the urgent need for additional resource mobilisation. A global alliance can bridge the resource gap with innovative financing, international cooperation, and equitable resource allocation.

• Gender-Based Food Insecurity: 26.7% of women worldwide were food insecure, compared to 25.4% of men, showing a gender gap worldwide.

• Insufficient Responses: Ineffective policies, inadequate social protection, and limited resources continue to worsen hunger and malnutrition, leaving vulnerable populations without sufficient means to access adequate food and healthy diets.

• Economic Impact of Poverty: Poverty, hunger, and malnutrition impose major economic costs on households, health systems, and national economies, particularly in developing countries. This cycle lowers productivity, hampers sustainable growth, and deepens social and economic inequalities.

• Crisis Among Vulnerable: Rising acute food insecurity, humanitarian crises, and fragile states call for improved crisis prevention, preparedness, and resilience. A global alliance can enable targeted investments and coordinated responses to protect vulnerable populations.

Launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

• The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty was launched at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro to fast-track the eradication of hunger and poverty.

• With 148 members, including nations, organizations, and financial institutions, it aims to eliminate countries from the FAO’s hunger map by 2030.

• The Alliance is built on three pillars: public policy coordination, data-driven solutions, and large-scale resource mobilization, and has set ambitious goals such as expanding school meals and reaching 500 million people with income distribution programs.

Current Global Hunger and Poverty Challenges

• The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) reveals alarming hunger levels in 42 countries, with India ranking 105th out of 127 nations. India’s GHI score of 27.3 reflects serious hunger, worsened by undernourishment, child stunting, and wasting.

• Similarly, the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) highlights that 234 million Indians live in extreme poverty, contributing to the 1.1 billion people globally facing acute poverty, making SDG-1 (ending poverty) a significant challenge.

What are India’s Progress on Hunger and Poverty Alleviation?

• Poverty Alleviation: Between 2014-2024, India lifted 250 million people out of poverty.

• Food Security: Over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost.

• Health Insurance: 550 million people are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY).

• 60 million senior citizens, over the age of 70, will also be able to benefit from free health insurance.

• Financial and Social Inclusion: Over 300 million women micro-entrepreneurs have been linked to banks and given access to credit.

• Farmer Support: Under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), over 40 million farmers have received benefits worth 20 billion US dollars.

• Under PM-KISAN, assistance worth over 40 billion dollars has been given to 110 million farmers.

• India has developed over 2000 climate-resilient crop varieties.

• Nutritional Focus: The Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 campaign focuses on nutrition for pregnant women, newborn babies, children under the age of 6, and adolescent girls.

• Through the Mid Day Meal scheme, special attention is being paid to the nutritional needs of school-going children.

• Global Contributions to Food Security: Recently, India has provided humanitarian assistance to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lessons from the Global Hunger and Poverty Indices

• The GHI and MPI emphasize the multidimensional nature of hunger and poverty, calling for integrated approaches across health, education, and living standards.

• India’s poorer performance compared to neighbors like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka signals the need for targeted interventions.

• The Alliance’s focus on innovative programs, financial support, and evidence-based policymaking offers a pathway to align efforts with SDGs 1 and 2 (Zero Hunger).

The Role of the G20 and International Cooperation

• The G20, representing 85% of global GDP, is crucial in addressing these challenges. With the African Union recently joining as a member, the G20 expands its focus on inclusivity and global equity.

• Through mechanisms like the rotating presidency and support from the troika, the G20 provides a collaborative platform to promote sustainable solutions, such as the Global Alliance, which underscores the importance of multilateral efforts in eradicating hunger and poverty.

Road Ahead

• To meet the 2030 targets, effective implementation of strategic commitments, strong international collaboration, and leveraging platforms like the Global Alliance and G20 are essential.

• Tackling systemic issues like administrative inefficiencies and resource mobilization will be pivotal in achieving meaningful progress in hunger and poverty eradication.

Armenia becomes the 104th full member of the International Solar Alliance.  The Republic of Armenia handed over the International Solar Alliance Instrument of Ratification, during the meeting of Armenian Ambassador to India Vahagn Afyan with Abhishek Singh Joint Secy (ED&MER) and Head of Depository, in  New Delhi.

International Solar Alliance

• International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an inter-governmental treaty-based organisation with a global mandate to catalyse solar growth by helping to reduce the cost of financing and technology.

• The ISA was jointly launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande on November 30, 2015, in Paris on the sidelines of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC.

Objectives of ISA:

• To address obstacles that stand in the way of rapid and massive scale-up of solar energy.

• To undertake innovative and concerted efforts for reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment of competitive solar generation.

• To mobilise more than $1,000 billion of investments by 2030. 

• Reduce the cost of finance to increase investments in solar energy in member countries by promoting innovative financial mechanisms and mobilising finance from institutions.

• Scale up applications of solar technologies in member countries.

• Facilitate collaborative research and development (R&D) activities in solar energy technologies among member countries.

• Promote a common cyber platform for networking, cooperation and exchange of ideas among member countries.

The United Nations announced that over 50 governments have signed a declaration to make global tourism more climate-friendly, calling it a major achievement of the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan.

The signing of the U.N. declaration and accompanying initiatives set a strong precedent for integrating sustainability into tourism, reinforcing the industry’s responsibility in addressing climate change.

• For the first time, tourism has been incorporated into the U.N. Climate Change Conference Action Agenda. This marks the importance of the sector in discussions about climate change.
• The global tourism industry accounts for 3% of global GDP and is the source of 8.8% of greenhouse emissions, said Urosevic.
• The countries that signed the declaration on Enhanced Climate Action on Tourism have pledged to recognise the need to address tourism when drafting climate plans, such as their Nationally Determined Contributions. The next update of NDCs, in which governments describe policies to reduce emissions that cause global warming, are due in February."

Mexico has the most expensive passports in the world. The fee for a 10-year passport in Mexico costs around Rs 19,464, per the report.

• The country offers three kinds of passports, based on their validity, and they all appear on the top 10 most expensive passports list.
• Mexico's six-year passport is the fourth most expensive, while its three-year passport is the ninth most expensive.
• Australia has the second-most expensive passport, costing around Rs 19,023 and valid for 10 years. It is followed by the United States, which costs Rs 13,899 and has the same validity period. 
• The United Arab Emirates offers the cheapest passport worldwide, per the report. Getting a passport for UAE costs just Rs 1,492.
• The Indian passport, which costs Rs 1,523 for 10 years of validity, ranks as the second cheapest passport worldwide, as of April 2024.

Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), under the Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Germany based H2Global Stiftungto establish a collaborative framework to promote green hydrogen initiatives.

• The agreement aims to enhance knowledge exchange on market-based mechanisms and foster cooperation between India and importing countries, contributing to the global advancement of the green hydrogen economy.
• The MoU was signed by Sanjay Sharma, director (Solar), SECI, and Dr. Susana Moreira, executive director of H2Global, on November 19.
• This partnership offers India an opportunity to collaborate on joint tender design, particularly in structuring tenders aligned with India’s ambition to become a global hub for Green Hydrogen exports and its derivatives. 
• The cooperation may provide insights into global hydrogen market dynamics, including trade logistics and stakeholder engagement, furthering India's green hydrogen initiatives.

The Hon'ble Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil digitally launched the newly developed “Bhu-Neer” portal on 19th September 2024 during the concluding ceremony of India Water Week 2024.

• The portal is developed by Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), for improved groundwater regulation across the country.
• This portal will serve as a one-stop platform for managing and regulating groundwater resources, aimed at ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sustainability in groundwater usage.
• The “Bhu-Neer” portal, is another step towards promoting the Hon’ble Prime Minister's vision of Ease of Doing Business by making ground water regulation a seamless and faceless exercise. 
•  The portal is now live for public use and all project proponents can visit the portal for ground water withdrawal related queries, clarifications, tracking application status, payment of statutory charges.

The India Women’s Hockey Team clinched their third Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over a determined China at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar.

• Deepika emerged as the hero, scoring the sole decisive goal in the third quarter, securing back-to-back Asian Champion's Trophy titles for India and that too, on home soil.
• The final was a tightly contested affair, with both sides displaying equal tenacity and skill throughout.
• With this historic title win, India is now at level with South Korea for the most Women's Asian Champion's Trophy titles, with three a piece.

World Fisheries Day is celebrated across the world on 21 November annually. The day aims to raise awareness about critical issues like overfishing, habitat destruction, and illegal fishing while emphasizing the need to empower small-scale fishers, who often belong to marginalized communities worldwide.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Small-Scale and Sustainable Fisheries,” highlights India’s dedication to promoting inclusive growth and sustainable practices within the fisheries sector. 

Key Higlights

•  ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources celebrated World Fisheries Day along with World AMR Awareness Week on 21 November 2024. 
• Dr A. K. Singh, Former Director, ICAR-DCFR, Bhimtal, graced the event as the Chief Guest.
• This year the theme for the celebration is ‘Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures’.
• On this occasion, the Germplasm Resource Centre for Small Indigenous Fish was inaugurated, and the fish seeds of important species such as Labeo bata, Labeo gonius, Ompok bimaculatus, and Mystus tengra were released.
• The programme was attended by about 50 fish farmers from different districts in UP. The fish seeds of SIF were distributed to the farmers.

The 9th edition of the Amur Falcon Festival under the theme ‘Rhythm of Migration’ kicked off in Tamenglong, Manipur, celebrating the annual migration of this small raptor bird on November 21, 2024.

• The festival hosted at Mini Stadium, Apollo Ground, aimed to raise awareness about the protection and conservation of this remarkable species while highlighting the crucial role of the Amur falcon in the local community’s ecosystem.
• The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) migrates annually from Siberia to Southern Africa, passing through Northeast India, including Tamenglong.
• Large flocks of these birds roost during their migration during the months of October and November.
• The region has become a key stopover for these birds, emphasising the need for effective conservation strategies to prevent threats like illegal hunting and trapping.
• This year’s festival was organised by the Tamenglong Forest Division, in collaboration with the District Administration, the Tamenglong Rainforest Club, and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), with support from Fondation Segre.

Uttarakhand was awarded the best state in the category of Himalayan and North-Eastern States by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) on World Fisheries Day, Thursday( 22 November), in New Delhi.

• The award was given in recognition of its achievements and innovative initiatives in fisheries development.
• Uttarakhand produced around 70,000 metric tonnes of fish last year across 2,600 hectares, according to department data.
• Secretary of animal husbandry and fisheries,
• Uttarakhand, Dr B.V.R.C. Purushottam, received the award from Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union minister of state for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairy.

Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi was on Thursday( 22 November) honoured with the prestigious title of Honourary General of the Nepali Army.

• This exchange of honourary generalship, a unique and cherished tradition between the Indian and Nepali Armies, highlights the deep-rooted historical, cultural, and military ties between the two nations.
• General Dwivedi's visit and the conferral of this honour will not only strengthen military ties but also serve as a reflection of the deep respect between the two countries' armed forces, further advancing the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding, an official statement said.
• The tradition of conferring honourary generalships between the Indian and Nepali Armies dates back to the 1950s.
• Every three years, the Chief of the Indian Army is made an Honourary General of the Nepali Army, and vice versa.
• This practice reflects the mutual respect and enduring friendship between the two countries, particularly in the realms of military cooperation, defence collaboration, and shared strategic interests.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence minister and a Hamas military commander for alleged war crimes.

• Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant were accused of “crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024”, said a statement from the court.
• The court also decided “unanimously” to issue an arrest warrant for Hamas’s military commander Mohammed al-Masri, known as Mohammed Deif, “for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed” in Israel and Palestine from October 7, 2023.
• An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.

The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Inaugurated the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Utkal Keshari Dr Harekrushna Mahtab in New Delhi today (November 21, 2024).

• In the honour of Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab, the event will witness the release of a special commemorative stamp and coin.
• Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Culture has prepared a monograph in Odia, an English translation of Gaan Majlis and a Hindi translation of Gaon Majlis for release during tomorrow’s programme.
• Son of Dr. Hareukrushna Mahtab, Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab was also part of the programme honouring the impact and legacy of the Lion of Odisha.  

About Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab

Harekrushna Mahatab was the leader of the Indian National Congress, a notable figure in the Indian independence movement and the Chief Minister of Odisha from 1946 to 1950 and again from 1956 to 1961. He was popularly known by the sobriquet "Utkal Keshari". He was born in Agarpara, Odisha on 21 November 1899.

He was the President of Orissa Sahitya Academy and Sangit Natak Academy for a couple of terms.

He wan Sahitya Academy in 1983 for "Gaon Majilis".

He received an honorary Doctorate degree from Andhra University, an honorary D.Litt. from Utkal University and an honorary Doctorate of Law from Sagar University.

India's Nandan Kumar Jha has been elected as the president of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), a global body for the governance and promotion of mind sports. Jha’s nomination was proposed by the World Draughts Federation.

• The announcement on Jha's election was made during IMSA's annual general assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
• The IMSA, which has over 200 member countries, works with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other affiliate global sports federations to integrate mind sports into mainstream global sports.
• Sports federations affiliated to the IMSA represent nine sports including chess, draughts, esports, poker, go and bridge.

Shivangi Desai, a 22-year-old law student in her final year at the prestigious Indian Law School (ILS) Pune, has achieved the remarkable milestone of winning the national title of Miss Charm India 2024.

• This esteemed title, organized under the aegis of the Glamanand Group, led by visionary founder Mr. Nikhil Anand, positions Shivangi to represent India on the global stage at Miss Charm 2024, to be held in Vietnam this December. 
• Her triumph not only brings immense pride to her parents but also shines as a beacon of inspiration for her hometown of Pune and beyond. 
• Shivangi's journey into the pageant world began at the tender age of 16 when she claimed the May Queen title in 2018 at the RSI Army Institute in Pune. 

About Shivangi Desai

Shivangi Desai, a 22-year-old law student in her final year at the prestigious Indian Law School (ILS) Pune. She is proud daughter of an Indian Naval Officer and a doctor. Shivangi embodies a harmonious blend of beauty, intellect, and determination. Her triumph not only brings immense pride to her parents but also shines as a beacon of inspiration for her hometown of Pune and beyond.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell of Grenada, co-chaired the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, on November 20, 2024.

• This high-level meeting marked a significant milestone in bolstering ties between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
• Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Irfaan Ali of Guyana for hosting the summit and appreciated the participation of CARICOM leaders.
• He underscored the strong foundation of India-CARICOM relations, built on shared histories, present needs, and future aspirations. 
• Prime Minister announced training in India for 11 young women cricketers from each of the CARICOM countries.
• He also proposed organizing "Days of Indian Culture” in member countries next year to strengthen people-to-people ties.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM or CC)

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM or CC) is an intergovernmental organisation that is a political and economic union of 15 member states (14 nation-states and one dependency) and five associated members throughout the Americas, The Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean.

 The organisation was established in 1973,

The secretariat headquarters is in Georgetown, Guyana.

Primary Activities

• Coordinating economic policies and development planning.
• Devising and instituting special projects for the less-developed countries within its jurisdiction.
• Operating as a regional single market for many of its members (Caricom Single Market).
• Handling regional trade disputes.

Assam and Manipur governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya administered the oath of office to Justice D Krishnakumar as the chief justice of the high court of Manipur at a ceremony held at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan in Imphal.

• He was appointed the Chief Justice of the high court on Wednesday (20 November) within 48 hours of the Supreme Court Collegium making the recommendation.
• He replaced Justice Siddharth Mridul who retired on  21st November 2024.
• Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata Singh, Cabinet Ministers, MP Rajya Sabha Sanajaoba Leishemba, MLAs, Judges of High Court of Manipur and subordinate courts, top civil, police and military officers attended the swearing in ceremony.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed a new five-member Election Commission led by retired secretary AMM Nasir Uddin .

• The new commission will take on the responsibility of overseeing the next national parliamentary election.
• The other news members of the election regulatory body are Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, a retired additional secretary, Abdur Rahmanel Masud, a district and sessions judge, Tahmida Ahmad, a retired joint secretary, and retired Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah.
• The president selected the names of the new chief election commissioner and the four election commissioners from a list proposed by a search committee.

Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 in April next year.  Recently, the state successfully conducted the women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at Rajgir.

• There will also be a gap of 10-15 days between these two games.
• This has been announced by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
• KIYG year 2024 was organized in Tamil Nadu in January this year.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Australian Space Agency (ASA) signed an Implementing Arrangement relating to cooperation on crew and crew module recovery for India’s Gaganyaan Human Space Flight missions.

• The IA enables cooperation between both space agencies on crew and crew module recovery for Gaganyaan missions, the country's first crewed spaceflight program, it said.
• The IA was signed by D K Singh, Director, Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) on ISRO's side at Bengaluru and Jarrod Powell, General Manager, Space Capability Branch, on ASA's side at Canberra on November 20, the space agency said in a statement.
• ISRO has embarked on the Human Spaceflight ("Gaganyaan") programme with an objective of demonstrating capability to carryout Low Earth Orbit in an Indian Crew Module with up to three crew members onboard, for up to three days and to safely recover the module.

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is scheduled to undertake a three-day( November 24-26) visit to India starting Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs has said.

• Bhutanese Prime Minister Tobgay had visited India in March, his first foreign trip after assuming the charge of the top office in January.
• According to the advisory issued by the MEA, the “visit of H.E. Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan to India” will be from November 24-26. 
• Tobgay is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on Sunday.
• On Monday, he will take part in a programme in Delhi and depart on Tuesday afternoon.