🔹 National Affairs
India’s total air passenger traffic in the first half of FY 2026 rose to 202 million, up 2.6 % year-on-year. Domestic traffic grew by 1.6 % and international traffic by 6.9 %. This result leads to a revised forecast of 430 million passengers for the full year, down from an earlier estimate of 445 million.
Schools in several states observed closures or hybrid learning models on 13 Nov 2025. In particular: in the state of Bihar schools remained closed due to bye-elections, in Delhi-NCR hybrid classes were held owing to persistent “severe” air quality index (AQI) levels and related GRAP-III restrictions.
In the national capital region, the air quality index (AQI) plunged into the “severe” category again, with values such as 409 on the official early-warning system and 644 on private monitors. The worsening smog led the top court to seek a detailed report on stubble-burning and other pollution drivers.
In the aftermath of the recent car explosion near the Red Fort in Delhi (resulting in multiple deaths), a high-level security meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister to review threats. Investigations pointed towards ammonium-nitrate based explosives being used.
In the state of Jharkhand, the central government transferred the investigation of the blast case to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Large-scale raids have been carried out, and multiple persons associated with the manufacturing of IEDs are under watch.
Bilateral relations: At a meeting between India and Nepal, their commerce ministers held talks to enhance trade ties. Separately, in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the Lieutenant-Governor dismissed a senior hospital professor, indicating tightening oversight of public-health institutions.
From a business perspective: The aviation sector’s growth has been affirmed, but challenges such as aircraft availability, fleet-wide inspections, and geopolitical tensions have caused the downward revision of growth forecasts.
Also in the economy, hiring intent in the Indian job market shows early signs of revival, signalling moderation of earlier slowdown in recruitment across key sectors.
🔹 International Affairs
In Pakistan, following a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad which killed 12 people, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that a forthcoming T20 tri-nation series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe) will be played entirely in Rawalpindi instead of Lahore, citing security concerns.
In global aviation security: An aircraft of Air India — flight AI188 from Toronto to Delhi — received a security alert mid-air on 13 Nov. The crew followed protocol, landed safely and all passengers disembarked without incident.
The classification of extreme-weather vulnerability places India, along with the Philippines, Nicaragua, and Haiti, in the “continuous threat” category for climate-related disasters. Over the last three decades India faced around 430 extreme-weather events, incurring inflation-adjusted losses of about $170 billion.
The world geopolitical landscape remains fragile: major capitals are on heightened alert following attacks, and cooperation between countries on intelligence and counter-terrorism remains in focus.
🔹 Banking, Economy & Finance
The strong performance of air passenger traffic and revised forecast is relevant for banking and exams because it reflects infrastructure investment, consumer demand, passenger spending, and airline/airport profitability inputs.
The aviation sector’s upward trajectory supports allied industries (tourism, hospitality, cargo/logistics) which in turn influences credit ratings of airports and airlines, and can affect banking exposure to these sectors.
The AQI crisis, especially in the Delhi-NCR, has ramifications for public health expenditure, insurance claims, and environmental regulation costs — all relevant to banking and financial sector risk assessments.
The security alert on Air India flight and the Pakistan-related cricket tour adjustment signal geopolitical risk factors which can impact foreign investor sentiment, currency flows, and insurance/guarantee frameworks in international banking.
The classification of India in the extreme-weather “continuous threat” category underscores climate-risk exposures, influencing banking regulation, project finance (especially in infrastructure), and risk-weighting of assets in lending portfolios.
🔹 Sports & Others
The Pakistan cricket board’s decision to relocate the tri-nation T20 series entirely to Rawalpindi highlights how security concerns affect major sporting events, which influences broadcasting deals, sports financing and corporate sponsorships.
In entertainment/gaming: A major mobile-gaming update in India — the winter-themed update for Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) version 4.1 — went live on 13 Nov 2025, featuring new maps, seasonal items and reward systems. While not directly exam-oriented, shows the size of the gaming ecosystem in Indian consumer markets.
Political-sports crossover: The upcoming counting of votes in the state of Bihar (youngest state demographically) is being closely watched in the context of Gen Z voter influence. This carries implications for youth engagement, sports participation patterns and structural demographic shifts.
🔹 Key Facts for Competitive Exams
First half FY 2026 air passenger traffic in India: 202 million (domestic + international)
International traffic growth in H1 FY 26: 6.9 %
Full-year forecast revised to: 430 million passengers
Delhi-NCR AQI recorded: ~409 (official early warning system), ~644 (private monitor)
Pakistan tri-nation T20 series relocated fully to: Rawalpindi
India placed in “continuous threat category” for extreme-weather risk.
