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• November 21, 2018 is celebrated as the 23rd annual World Television Day all across the world since its inception in December 1996 by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).


• UN releases its UN Video reports from all over the world consisting of news footage direct from the latest humanitarian crisis; documentaries putting a human face to crucial issues of present time.


• It is produced in the six official languages of the UN (French, Spanish, English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian).

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• 21st November is celebrated as World Fisheries day every year throughout the world. Fishing Communities celebrates the day by organizing rallies, Cultural programs, workshops and exhibition to highlight the importance of healthy ocean ecosystems and to ensure sustainable stocks of fisheries in the world.


• The day explores moves towards finding solutions to the increasingly inter-connected problems that the world is facing in order to follow sustainable model.


• Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said that the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs. 7522 crore will augment production and create more employment opportunities.


• Fisheries in India makes up to 5.3 percent to the agriculture and allied activities and contributes about 1.07 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). India has over 8000 km of coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2 million sq km.

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• November 21, 2018 is seen as the 46th World Hello Day to express the power of communications to resolve differences.


• World Hello Day began in response to the conflict between Egypt and Israel in the Fall of 1973. Since then, World Hello Day has been observed by people in 180 countries.


• The concept was created by Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard University.


• The way to celebrate World Hello Day is by greeting at least 10 people during one day.

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• World malaria report by World Health Organisation (WHO) states that, India is the only country to have achieved a substantial decrease in malaria cases in 2017 out of the 11 highest burden countries throughout the world.


• As per the report, India accounted for 4 % of global malaria cases in 2017. It has made significant progress in reducing malaria since then.


• India has registered a 24 % reduction in cases over 2016, mainly due to its reduction in the highly malaria infected state of Odisha.


• Odisha contributed to nearly 40 % of all malaria cases in India. Success factors for this reduction includes: political commitment, strengthened technical leadership, which focused on prioritizing the right mix of vector control measures, and increased levels of domestic funding to back efforts.


• Odisha also used its network of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to deliver malaria services especially in rural and remote areas.

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• On 20th November 2018, , Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that, the Centre has approved 2,400 projects worth Rs 74,000 crore for improved water supply, sewerage and drainage.


• Hardeep Singh Puri made the announcement at the National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Innovation Summit, organised by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and Elets Technomedia Private Limited in Delhi.


• These projects have been approved under AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) under the state annual action plans for 2015-2020.

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• On 19th November 2018, Centre approved additional assistance of Rs 546.21 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Karnataka.


• This decision was taken during a High-Level Committee meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi, to consider the additional Central Assistance to Karnataka affected by floods in 2018.


• Karnataka was hit by floods and landslide in August 2018.


• The fund has been approved following a report of an inter-ministerial team that visited areas affected by floods and landslides in Karnataka including Kodagu district, which is India’s largest coffee-growing region.

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• On November 21, 2018, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) approved 10 sewerage projects worth Rs 1573.28 crore to address Yamuna’s pollution issues in Agra.


• The decision was taken by the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Himachal Pradesh.


• This consists of The project for Rehabilitation / Renovation of Agra Sewerage Scheme (Interception & Diversion Works) at a total cost of Rs. 857.26 crore including O&M cost for 15 years.


• Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Kasganj at a cost of Rs. 76.73 crore including O&M cost for 15 years.


• Interception & Diversion works (I&D) and Sewage Treatment Plant at Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh were approved by EC at a total project cost of Rs.64.76 plus O&M costs for 15 years.


• projects worth Rs. 328.52 crore in Chhapra, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur and Khagaria in Bihar.


• Fatuha I&D and STP Project has been approved at a total cost of Rs.35.49 Crore.


• Bakhtiyarpur I&D and STP Project was approved at a total cost of Rs.35.88 Crore.


• Khagaria I&D and STP Project has been approved at a total project cost of Rs. 21 Crore including of 15 years O&M.


• I&D works including pumping stations and STPs under Burdwan Municipality, in West-Bengal has been approved at a total project cost of Rs.234.31 crores.


• Sewerage scheme for Zone-II and III of Paonta Town, Himachal Pradesh was approved at a total project cost of Rs.11.57 crore.

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• On November 21, 2018, the Union Minister of Culture, Shri Mahesh Sharma, announced centre’s proposal to set up a first-of-its-kind institute of Inter-Faith Studies in Punjab as a part of the year-long activities to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.


• It will incorporate studies on the lines of the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev ji.


• To promote brotherhood and diversity.


• The decision was taken at a meeting of the National Implementation Committee (NIC) headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.


• The NIC was constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the purpose of commemorating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

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• On November 20, 2018,the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur approved implementation of Sashakt Mahila Yojna in the State.


• It aims to empower rural women by providing them an interface for organization and socio-economic development.


• The scheme would link rural women with sustainable livelihood opportunities and improving their skill by imparting training.

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• On 20th November 2018, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched Bhuseva programme and Bhudaar web portal to make land records available to people, in Amaravati.


• Under the Bhuseva programme, each agriculture land holding and rural and urban properties in Andhra Pradesh will be allotted a unique 11-digit identity number called “Bhudaar’’.


• All revenue land-related transactions like mutation, registration etc. will be performed using Bhudaar card.


• Temporary Bhudhaar number starts with 99. Permanent Bhudaar will start with 28. If it is a government land, 28 is followed by 00.


• Two types of Bhudaar cards are available: e-Bhudaar and M-Bhudaar. Chief Minister also launched Bhudaar security policy to provide security to the land records.

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• On 19th November 2018, West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed West Bengal Land Reforms (Amendments) bill, 2018 to give land rights to enclave dwellers in north Bengal ending an era of uncertain future of people living in those areas.


• On 1st August 2015, India and Bangladesh had exchanged a total of 162 enclaves to end one of the world’s most complex border disputes that had lingered for 7 decades since Independence.


• IN Cooch Behar, 111Indian enclaves spreading across 17,160 acres became the part of Bangladesh territory whereas 51 Bangladesh enclaves spreading across 7,110 acres became part of Indian Territory.


• Minister of State for Land and Land reforms, Chandrima Bhattacharya moved the bill to the House where it was passed unopposed.


• This bill will help the enclave dwellers to get full-fledged status as citizens of India along with all civil amenities and citizenship rights.

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• On November 19, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a grand challenge, in the Startup India Portal platform, for improving the Ease of Doing Business in New Delhi.


• This iniative will invite innovative ideas based on cutting-edge technology to reform Government processes and better India’s Ease of Doing Business rank.


• This is a step towards PM’s vision of achieving the goal of 50th position in the Ease of Doing Business.

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• On November 21, 2018, in its board meeting, RBI decided to set up an expert committee to examine the central bank’s Economic Capital Framework (ECF) to enable transfer of reserve worth Rs 3.6 lakh crore to Government of India.


• The membership and terms of reference of the committee will be jointly determined by the government and the RBI.


• This decision was made after a key demand of the government on the same for transfer of a surplus of Rs 3.6 lakh crore, more than a third of the total Rs 9.6 lakh crore reserves of the central bank to the government.


• Since the Finance Ministry argued that the current framework was “unilaterally” adopted by the RBI in July 2017, it has suggested RBI to work jointly for the constitution.


• However, the government has proposed that the use of these funds should be decided in consultation with the RBI.

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• On November 20, 2018, India and Russia confirmed a USD 500 million deal for construction of two Talvar-class missile frigates in Goa for the Indian Navy.


• The agreement was signed under the government-to-government framework for defence cooperation between Defence PSU Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) and Russia’s state-run defence major Rosoboron export.


• According to the finalized deal, Russia will provide design, technology know how and key materials to GSL for construction of the ships in India.


• The construction of the ships will begin in 2020 and the first one will be inducted in 2026 while second one will be ready by 2027.


• Additionally, the two sides already finalized another deal amounting to around USD 1 billion under which Russia will supply two frigates to India by 2023.

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• On November 21, 2018, UK India Business Council (UKIBC) released its ‘4th Annual Ease of Doing Business in India Report: The UK Perspective’.


• It had an in-depth survey of businesses with a combined turnover of USD 122 billion.
5 percent of UK businesses saw corruption as a major barrier in 2018.

• 46 percent of UK Businesses responding had plans to expand their investments in India in the next 12 months.


• 25 percent of those responding intend to direct this new investment eastwards – seeking new opportunities in states such as West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, and Manipur.

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• On 20th November 2018, The finals of the 59th edition of Subroto Cup International Football Tournament (Junior Boys category) was won by Bangladesh’s Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP) by defeating Amini School of Afghanistan with a solitary goal scored by Habibur Rahman at the 11th minute. The Closing Ceremony & the Final Match was held at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi Gate, New Delhi.


• Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff & Chairman, Subroto Mukerjee Sports Education Society was the Chief Guest for the ceremony and handed over the prize money to the captain of Bangladesh Krida Shiksha Prothishtan (BKSP).


• Pranub Limboo of Govt. Senior Secondary School, Namchi, Sikkim was presented Best Goalkeeper award.


• The Best Player award was presented to Mohammad Nemil of Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai.


• Raghu Kumar of Army Boys Sports Company was adjudged as Best Coach while, the Fair Play Trophy was given away to Reliance Foundation School, Mumbai.


• NNMHSS, Chelembra, Malappuram and Kerala were awarded for the Most Contributing School for Football.


• A total of 95 teams, 1500 players 149 officials participated in the tournament making it one of the biggest tournaments in its category in the entire soccer world. There were 08 teams from 03 overseas countries, viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

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• On 21st November 2018, Veteran first-class cricketer Wasim Jaffer became the first Indian player to touch the 11,000 run figure in the Ranji Trophy by scoring an impressive knock of 153 off 284 balls during the third round match against Baroda in Nagpur at Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium.


• The Right Hand Vidarbha batsman had played 32 international test matches and scored 1944 with the average of 34.11.

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• On 17th and 18th November, the two day event of FIG Acrobatic Gymnastics world cup was held at National Gymnastic Arena in Baku for the first time in which India wins two bronze medals in the men’s and women’s group events.


• Prins Aris, Siddhesh Bhosle, Rushikesh More and Rejilesh Suribabu scored 20.560 to bag bronze medal at National Gymnastics Arena on 18th November.


• Indian women’s trio of Ayushi Ghodeswar, Prachi Parkhi and Mrunmayi Walde scored 18.200 and bagged bronze medal.


• More than 70 athletes competed in Men’s Pairs, Women’s Pairs, Mixed Pairs, Women’s groups and Men’s groups.


• Russian gymnasts dominates the event by claiming all five titles.

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• On 19th November 2018, French Government has awarded French Legion of Honor to 100-year-old Retired Col. William Pollard during a ceremony at the Kentucky Capitol.


• William Pollard fought in World War II and rescued 14 soldiers from a concrete caisson that was hit by enemy fire.

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• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has won 2018 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, conferred by Indira Gandhi Trust every year on the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary.


• Former President Pranab Mukerjee headed the international jury for the awards.


• CSE was established in 1980 under the leadership of late Anil Agarwal. It has been working on various issues like air and water pollution, food safety, waste water management, climate change etc.

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• On November 21, 2018, Interpol’s 94 member states elected South Korea’s Kim Jong-yang as Interpol’s next president in Dubai.


• The 57-year-old will serve until 2020 and succeeded Meng Hongwei.


• Prior to this, he had been serving as Interpol’s acting president since Meng resigned and was a vice-president representing Asia.


• He defeated Russia’s candidate, Alexander Prokopchuk, for the post.

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• On 20th November, 2018, incumbent Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama was re-elected for a second term after his ruling Fiji first Party won this year’s general election. President, Major- General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote will administer the oath of the office to the PM at State House.


• Bainimarama’s party secured 27 seats out of 51 seats in the parliament by receiving 50.02 % of the total vote.


• Major Opposition party, Social Democratic Liberal Party secured 21 seats by getting 39.85 % vote.


• This is Fiji’s second general election since a military coup in 2006 and the last election took place in 2014.

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• On 19th November 2018, scientists announced that, the world’s first medical imaging scanner “Explorer” that can capture a 3D picture of the whole human body at once in 20-30 seconds, has produced its first scans.


• Explorer has been developed by scientists from the University of California – Davis in the US in partnership with Shanghai-based United Imaging Healthcare (UIH).


• It is a combined positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner that can image the entire body at the same time.


• The first images from scans of humans through this device will be displayed at the Radiological Society of North America meeting that will commence on November 24, 2018 in Chicago, US.

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• SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has announced that he is changing the name of “BFR” rocket to “Starship.”


• This rocket aims to carry people to the Moon and also to the Mars one day. BFR was referred as the “Big Falcon Rocket.”


• The rocket is 387-foot tall. It has a first stage with engines and fuel systems, which will be called the “Super Heavy.”


• Passengers will ride in the second stage of “Starship”. The estimated cost of the rocket system is USD 5 billion.