School Assembly News Headlines: 17 November 2025 

National News

1. India praised by UNDP for combining strong economic growth with inclusive governance and technology-led development, benefiting all sections of society.

2. CJI BR Gavai supports creamy-layer removal in SC reservations, highlighting disparity between privileged officials’ children and poorer labourer families.

3. India maintains steady €2.5 billion monthly Russian oil purchases in October ahead of new sanctions on Moscow-based entities.

4. Jaishankar and Bahrain foreign minister discuss strengthening bilateral ties and share perspectives on key regional issues and global developments.

International News

1. Ukraine intensifies diplomatic efforts to revive prisoner exchanges with Russia as Zelenskyy seeks release of 1,200 detained citizens.

2. Bangladesh heightens nationwide security ahead of tribunal verdict against former PM Sheikh Hasina in crimes-against-humanity case.

Sports News 

1. Gambhir defends Eden Gardens pitch, saying India purposely sought challenging surface to test players’ mental toughness before South Africa Test.

2. Parthiv Patel credits Shubman Gill’s assertive, clear leadership for shaping Gujarat Titans’ strategy and squad decisions ahead of IPL 2026.

Business News

1. India and Chile to resume CEPA talks in December as New Delhi pursues stronger access to key critical minerals.

2. India’s coal imports jump 13.54% in September to 22.05 MT amid rising festive-season demand and stronger industrial activity.

1. UNDP hails India’s model of inclusive growth, highlighting technology-driven development and governance ensuring progress reaches every section of society.
A senior UNDP official praised India for pairing rapid economic growth with strong social inclusion. The country’s technology-led governance and community participation were highlighted as global examples for building equitable and sustainable development systems.

2. India maintains €2.5 billion monthly spending on Russian oil ahead of upcoming sanctions, says European energy research group.
A European think tank reported that India spent €2.5 billion on Russian crude in October, matching September’s outlay. The stable spending comes just before new sanctions targeting Russian entities take effect.

3. CJI BR Gavai backs creamy-layer exclusion in SC reservations, stressing inequality between officer’s children and of poor labourers.
Speaking at a constitutional event, CJI BR Gavai upheld excluding the creamy layer within SC reservations, arguing that children of officers cannot be compared with those of disadvantaged agricultural labourers.

4. Jaishankar, Bahrain foreign minister discuss strengthening bilateral partnership and exchange views on key regional and global developments.
EAM S Jaishankar spoke with Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani to explore ways to deepen their multifaceted partnership. Both leaders also discussed important regional and global issues during the call.

5. UNICEF India appoints National Award-winning actor Keerthy Suresh as Celebrity Advocate to support initiatives for vulnerable children.
UNICEF India announced Keerthy Suresh as its new Celebrity Advocate. The acclaimed actor from Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam cinema will help amplify the organisation’s work for vulnerable and underserved children nationwide.

5. Rift widens in Lalu Prasad Yadav family as three more daughters move to Delhi following Rohini Acharya’s public exit.
Internal tensions escalated after Rohini Acharya’s public break from the family. Rajlakshmi, Ragini, and Chanda left the Patna residence with their children, highlighting deepening discord in Bihar’s prominent political household.

1. Ukraine seeks to restart prisoner exchanges with Russia as Zelenskyy pushes diplomatic efforts to free 1,200 detainees.
Ukraine is working to resume prisoner exchanges with Russia. Zelenskyy said talks and meetings are underway. Security chief Rustem Umerov recently held consultations in Turkey and the UAE with international support.

2. Bangladesh on high alert as tribunal prepares verdict against former PM Sheikh Hasina in crimes-against-humanity case.
Security has been tightened across Bangladesh before Monday’s tribunal verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Officials said preparations are complete to prevent unrest as the court rules on last year’s protest-related charges.

3. Nepal ends deadline for new party registrations as EC prepares for March 2026 House of Representatives elections.
The Election Commission’s deadline for registering new political parties closed on Sunday. Existing parties must re-register for the 2026 polls. A total of 178 parties are currently registered with required constitutional documents.

4. Pakistan detains over 100,000 Afghans in 2025 as UNHCR reports surge linked to new government removal orders.
UNHCR reported Pakistan detained more than 100,000 Afghans this year. Most arrests occurred in Balochistan and Punjab. Many detainees held ACCs or lacked documents. The rise follows government directives enabling wider migrant removals.

1. Gautam Gambhir defends challenging Eden Gardens pitch, says surface was intentional test of India’s mental toughness before first Test.
India coach Gautam Gambhir backed the difficult Eden Gardens pitch after the 30-run loss. He said the team had requested such conditions, noting the wicket rewarded solid defence and tested players’ mental resilience.

2. Parthiv Patel says Shubman Gill’s clarity and assertiveness shaped Gujarat Titans’ planning ahead of IPL 2026 season.
GT assistant coach Parthiv Patel praised captain Shubman Gill’s decisive approach in team planning. IPL retentions saw GT release five players and trade Sherfane Rutherford to Mumbai Indians for the 2026 season.

3. Dhanush Srikanth wins gold with World Record as Indian shooters secure double podium finishes at 2025 Deaflympics.
Dhanush Srikanth claimed air rifle gold with a 252.2 World Record, defending his title. Mohammed Vania won silver. In the women’s event, Mahit Sandhu and Komal Waghmare added silver and bronze.

4. Carlos Alcaraz to face Jannik Sinner in ATP Finals title clash after reaching his 11th final of the year.
Carlos Alcaraz enters the ATP Finals championship match against Jannik Sinner tonight in Turin. He defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime to reach his 11th final, becoming the first Spaniard since Nadal in 2013.

1. India, Chile to hold next CEPA negotiations in December as New Delhi seeks better access to vital critical minerals.
Officials said the next India–Chile CEPA round will take place in December. India aims for preferential access to critical minerals essential for electronics, automotive, and solar industries after concluding the third round in Santiago.

2. India’s coal imports rise 13.54% in September to 22.05 MT as demand strengthens ahead of festive season.
Coal imports reached 22.05 MT in September, up from 19.42 MT last year. Non-coking coal touched 13.90 MT, while coking coal for steel production increased to 4.50 MT, reflecting robust sectoral demand.

3. India and Eurasian Economic Commission review FTA roadmap to advance goods trade negotiations and deepen bilateral economic engagement.
India and the Eurasian Economic Union reviewed their planned goods FTA roadmap. The update follows August’s agreement on terms of reference, paving the way for formal negotiations aimed at strengthening economic ties.

4. Freelance tech talent sees sharp surge as India Inc turns to specialised experts for agility in a rapidly changing digital market.
Demand for freelance professionals is rising, with Flexing It reporting a 40% jump in tech projects and TeamLease Digital noting a 25–30% increase in gig hiring as companies seek flexible, specialised expertise.