Current Affairs 21 November 2025

2024-25: Highest-Ever Defence Production Of ₹1.54 Lakh Crore.

• India’s defence production hit an all-time high of ₹1.54 lakh crore in 2024-25, the highest in the country’s history. Defence exports surged to ₹23,622 crore, a massive rise from less than ₹1,000 crore in 2014.
• Strong growth is driven by major budget boosts and policy support, with the defence budget rising from ₹2.53 lakh crore (2013-14) to ₹6.81 lakh crore (2025-26).

HDFC Bank Regains No.1 Spot in Kantar BrandZ India Rankings 2025.

• HDFC Bank has reclaimed its position as India’s most valuable brand with a $44.9 billion valuation, surpassing TCS, according to the 2025 Kantar BrandZ Report.
• Its rise is powered by post-merger consolidation, digital innovations like the 30-minute auto loan, and strong brand trust reinforced by mascots such as Vigil Aunty.
• Zomato remains the fastest-rising brand for the second year.

Tesla to Open India’s First Full-Service Tesla Centre in Gurugram.

• India will get its first full-service Tesla Centre on November 26, 2025, at Orchid Business Park, Gurugram, marking a major milestone in the country’s electric mobility growth.
• Tesla India’s operations are now led by Sharad Agarwal, former head of Lamborghini India.
• The launch positions India as Tesla’s 50th global market.

India’s Eight Core Industries Show Flat Growth in October 2025.

• The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) posted 0% growth in October, while September’s figure was revised up to 3.3%.
• Four sectors recorded positive growth: Fertilizer (7.4%), Steel (6.7%), Cement (5.3%), and Petroleum Refinery Products (4.6%).
• Production declined in Coal (-8.5%), Electricity (-7.6%), Natural Gas (-5%), and Crude Oil (-1.2%).
• ICI growth for April–October FY25: 2.5%.

GeM & UN Women Partner to Boost Women Entrepreneurs in Procurement.

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) and UN Women signed an MoU to strengthen the participation of women entrepreneurs in India’s public procurement system.
• The collaboration focuses on gender-responsive procurement, encouraging higher sourcing from women-led businesses through GeM’s Womaniya initiative.