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Daily Current Affairs – 20 November, 2025

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    Rights of Transgender Persons in India

    Context

  • India has made significant strides in addressing the historical marginalisation of the transgender community through comprehensive legal protections, welfare schemes, and digital accessibility.

    • LGBTQIA+

  • LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual persons, with ‘+’ representing other identities that are not specifically included in these letters. 
  • Notably, LGBTQIA+ persons do not conform with traditional gender roles and expectations, display sex characteristics that do not fit the typical male or female binary, and their gender identities that differ from the sex they were assigned at birth.
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    SC Strikes Down Some Provisions of Tribunals Reforms Act

    Context

  • The Supreme Court struck down several provisions of the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, which had earlier been introduced through the Tribunals Reforms Ordinance, 2021.

    • Why the Supreme Court Struck Down These Provisions?

  • Violation of Judicial Independence: The Act gave the executive a dominant role in the appointment and service conditions of tribunal members.
  • Since the government regularly appears as a litigant before tribunals, excessive control undermines the independence and impartiality of adjudication.
  • Violation of Separation of Powers: Tribunals perform judicial functions. Allowing the executive to control appointments and tenure intrudes into the judicial domain, violating the basic structure of the Constitution.
  • Arbitrary and Discriminatory Provisions: Some provisions unfairly restricted the pool of qualified candidates, violating Article 14 (Right to Equality).
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    ISRO Tests Bootstrap Mode Start on CE20 Cryogenic Engine

    In News

  • ISRO has successfully demonstrated the bootstrap-mode start of its CE20 cryogenic engine at the Mahendragiri High-Altitude Test facility engine.

  • Bootstrap-mode is a self-sustaining start-up sequence where the engine uses its own propellant flow and turbopump dynamics to initiate ignition.
  • This will increase engine efficiency, restart capability, and reduce weight.
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    India Becoming A Hub of Natural Farming

    Context

  • Recently, the Prime Minister of India, at South India Natural Farming Summit in Tamil Nadu, declared that India is poised to become a global hub for natural farming, emphasizing its alignment with traditional wisdom, scientific innovation, and sustainable development.

    • About Natural Farming

  • It is a chemical-free agricultural method that relies on locally available resources such as cow dung, cow urine, biomass mulch, and indigenous seeds.
  • It avoids synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, focusing instead on soil regeneration, biodiversity, and ecological balance.
  • According to the NITI Aayog, Natural Farming is considered as an agroecology based diversified farming system which integrates crops, trees and livestock with functional biodiversity.
  • According to the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), the approach integrates livestock, diversified cropping systems, and traditional knowledge to restore soil health and reduce input costs.
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    Indigenous Gene Editing Technology to Aid Cheaper, Commercial Crop Breeding

    In News

  • Indian scientists at ICAR’s Central Rice Research Institute have developed a patented indigenous Genome-Editing(GE) technology using TnpB proteins as a compact alternative to the globally patented CRISPR-Cas systems. 

    • TnpB or Transposon-associated proteins

  • It acts as “molecular scissors,”  and precisely cuts and modifies plant DNA, enabling desirable traits without introducing foreign genes.
  • Unlike bulky Cas9 and Cas12a proteins, the hypercompact TnpB (408 amino acids) can be easily delivered into cells via viral vectors, bypassing tissue culture methods. 
  • ICAR secured a 20-year Indian patent in September 2025 and has filed for international protection, with adoption by plant breeders seen as the next critical step.
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    Global Methane Status Report 2025

    In News

  • The Global Methane Status Report released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) at COP30 in Belem.

    • Key Points of the Report

  • Methane Emissions Rising: Despite stronger waste regulations and improved monitoring, global trends remain far short of the target to cut methane by 30% by 2030.
  • Potency and Impact: Methane is around 80 times more powerful than CO₂ over a 20-year timescale, accounting for approximately one-third of current warming.
  • Methane Emissions: India emitted about 31 million tonnes of methane in 2020, accounting for 9% of global emissions. It contributes 12% of global agricultural methane—the highest share worldwide.
  • Agriculture Profile: Livestock (enteric fermentation) is the largest source, followed by rice cultivation, which is projected to increase by 8% in emissions by 2030. Crop residue burning is rising, making India a global hotspot.
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    News in Short – 20 November, 2025

    In News

  • India has been re-elected to the Codex Alimentarius Commission's Executive Committee for the Asia region during the 48th session, securing this position until the end of CAC50 in 2027.

    • About Codex Alimentarius Commission

  • Established: 1963 by FAO and WHO.
  • Objective: Protect consumer health and promote fair practices in food trade.​
  • Members: 189, including 188 countries and 1 organization (European Union).​
  • Meetings: Annual sessions rotating between Geneva and Rome.
    • Read More
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