UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 22 November 2025

Centre Notifies Four New Labour Codes

Context

The Government of India has announced the implementation of the four Labour Codes with effect from 21st November 2025 rationalising 29 existing labour laws.

About

The four Labour Codes include the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.

UN and International Order Need Reform

In News

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, at the International Conference of Chief Justices in Lucknow, urged the need for reform of the UN and international order to effectively address global conflicts and humanitarian crises.

India’s Position on Reform

Expansion of UNSC: India supports the G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan) proposal for increasing the number of permanent members to include major developing countries and ensuring better representation of regions underrepresented today. There is also a call to restrict misuse of veto power.

Advocacy for Global South: Through leadership in forums like the G20 Presidency, Global South Summit, IBSA, and BRICS+, India pushes for an inclusive international order.

Reformed Multilateralism: India emphasizes predictable development financing, fair trade protocols, climate equity, and technology sharing as pillars of a reformed system.

Ultra-Processed Food Sales Surge In India Causing Health Concerns: Lancet Report

In News

India is seeing the fastest ultra-processed food (UPF) sales growth, which is surging obesity and diabetes cases, according to The Lancet.

What is Ultra-processed Food (UPF)?

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are industrially manufactured food products that go through multiple processing steps and contain ingredients not typically used in home cooking, such as preservatives, emulsifiers, colorants, flavorings, and synthetic additives.

They are designed to be highly palatable, convenient, and profitable but usually have low nutritional value, being high in calories, added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fats.

Diets high in UPFs are linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and certain cancers.

India- Australia Discusses Cooperation in Trade, Defence and Security

Context

PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with the Australian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg.

About

The two leaders reviewed the steady expansion of the India–Australia partnership and identified sectors for deeper collaboration.

They emphasised on three key sectors—defence and security, nuclear energy and trade.

News in Short – 22 November, 2025

In News

The Sangai Festival in Manipur opened amid protests by internally displaced persons and NGOs, who argued that the government should address the ongoing Kuki-Zo–Meitei ethnic conflict before holding tourism events.

Sangai Festival

It is a grand celebration of Manipur’s rich tradition and culture held annually from 21–30 November in Manipur since 2010.

It is named after the rare Sangai deer.

The festival showcases a wide range of activities including Manipuri arts and classical dance forms such as Ras Leela, folk dances like the Kabui Naga dance and Bamboo dance, indigenous martial arts including Thang-Ta, and traditional sports like Yubi Lakpi and Sagol Kangjei (modern polo).