🇮🇳 National & Economic Developments
India’s economy sees sharp rebound: The Indian economy recorded a robust 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 of FY 2025-26, marking the fastest pace in the past 18 months. The growth was driven by strong private consumption (up 7.9%) and manufacturing output (up 9.1%). This signals renewed momentum despite global headwinds.
Markets and equities respond positively: Amid this growth, Indian markets—and especially domestic bonds and rupee-won carry trades—are seen by some global investors as attractive. Despite volatility and currency weakness through 2025, many view the rupee as near a bottom, boosting expectations of a rebound in local equities and debt.
State Bank of India (SBI) to discontinue mCASH facility: From 1 December 2025, SBI will cease its mCASH sending and claiming service on OnlineSBI and YONO Lite. Customers are advised to migrate to alternative digital payment services such as UPI, IMPS, NEFT or RTGS.
Important deadlines for pensioners and NPS holders: 30 Nov 2025 is also the deadline for pensioners to submit their digital Life Certificate (Jeevan Pramaan Patra), and for subscribers wishing to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
Global investor caution remains: While domestic fundamentals appear strong, some global analysts continue to warn of possible market downside, especially given external headwinds like trade tensions, commodity price volatility, and global economic uncertainty.
🌍 International & Global Context
Shifting global trade focus beyond US–China: According to recent statements by senior Indian leadership, many countries are increasingly diversifying trade and energy partnerships beyond traditional heavyweights like the US and China. This marks a shift toward supply chain resilience, wider multilateral cooperation, and less dependency on dominant economies.
Global markets and potential downturn warnings: Some high-profile economists and financial commentators have recently cautioned about an impending market correction — citing factors such as job losses due to automation/AI, global real estate stress, and mounting geopolitical instability. Precious metals like gold and silver are being suggested as potential safe havens.
🏦 Banking, Finance & Policy Alerts
The discontinuation of SBI’s mCASH service underlines a broader shift toward regulated and traceable digital payment systems — a trend you may see reflected in future banking exams or regulatory-related questions.
Given the strong GDP growth rates and stabilizing inflation in India, there is growing speculation about potential interest rate adjustments by the central bank in coming months.
For exam aspirants: remember to note all recent policy deadlines, structural economic changes, and shifts in financial market outlook — especially in the context of banking, finance and general awareness sections.
🏅 Sports & Major Events
2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup — India’s historic triumph: India clinched its maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025, defeating South Africa in the finals. The win marks a milestone achievement for women’s cricket in India and will feature prominently in upcoming competitive exam current-affairs sections.
2025 FIDE Chess World Cup concludes: The global chess showpiece drew to a close in November 2025, further boosting India’s credentials as a prominent host and participant in world-class chess events.
2030 Commonwealth Games — Host city announced: The prestigious 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in Ahmedabad (Amdavad), India. This decision reflects rising international confidence in India’s capacity to host large-scale multi-sport events.
