This is the current affairs of 20 November 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. What was chosen by Cambridge Dictionary as the Word of the Year for 2025?
a. Delulu
b. Parasocial
c. Slope
d. Skibidi
Answer: b. Parasocial
Meaning of Parasocial:
– This word is defined as a person’s attachment to an unknown famous individual.
– It is a one-sided relationship, in which a person feels they know or understand a celebrity, leader, YouTuber, TV character, or online influencer—but the other person does not know them.
– In simple language: You know someone → they don’t know you. The emotions exist only from your side, not from the other.
What did Cambridge Dictionary say?
– According to Cambridge officials, this year there was increased interest in one-sided parasocial relationships formed with celebrities, influencers, and AI chatbots.
– When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, many fans felt deeply connected to the singer and the American footballer, even though most had never met them.
– Millions of fans connected with Swift’s confessional songs about dating, heartbreak, and desire, which psychologists described as “parasocial” bonding with stars.
– With the rise of parasocial relationships with AI bots, people began to treat ChatGPT as a confidant, friend, or even romantic partner.
– The language around parasocial phenomena is evolving rapidly as technology, society, and culture transform—from celebrities to chatbots, parasocial trends fascinate those interested in the evolution of language.
Where did the word Parasocial come from?
– The term originated in 1956 when University of Chicago sociologists Donald Horton and Richard Wohl observed that television viewers formed “para-social” relationships with people appearing on screens, similar to those with “real” family and friends.
– They noticed how rapidly growing television brought the faces of actors directly into viewers’ homes, making them a part of people’s lives.
– In 2025, people who are “constantly online” developed parasocial bonds with YouTubers and influencers, feeling they knew them and becoming involved in all ups and downs of their private lives.
In 2025, six thousand new words were also added to the dictionary, including ‘delulu’, ‘slope’, ‘skibidi’, and ‘tradwife’.
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2. Which Arab country did US President Trump declare as a ‘major non-NATO ally’ in November 2025?
a. Saudi Arabia
b. Palestine
c. Oman
d. UAE
Answer: a. Saudi Arabia
– After his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, US President Donald Trump made this announcement on 18 November 2025.
– Saudi Arabia became the 20th country to receive this status.
What is a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA)?
– It is a special strategic status granted by the United States.
– It is not a military alliance (not NATO membership), but a political-strategic category that offers special benefits in security, defence, technology cooperation, and procurement of military equipment.
– The US can designate any country as MNNA based on its foreign policy and national security interests.
– It is declared by the US President, and in many cases, it also involves approval by Congress.
– It is not NATO membership.
– There is no automatic guarantee of military help from the US if an MNNA country is attacked.
Which countries are designated?
Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.
Does India have this status?
– India is not an MNNA, but India has the status of Major Defence Partner (MDP), given by the US in 2016.
– MNNA status is often linked with the US Indo-Pacific, Middle-East, or NATO-centric security strategy.
Benefits for MNNA countries:
– Priority in purchasing advanced defence technology and military equipment from the US.
– Better access to U.S. Defence Stockpiles.
– Participation in joint military research (Joint R&D) programs.
– Opportunities for cooperation in space, defence, cyber, and intelligence.
– Training, exercises, and logistical support with US forces.
Why did Trump give this status to Saudi Arabia?
– Trump signed a “Strategic Defense Agreement” with Saudi Arabia to strengthen joint security in the Middle East.
– The US is trying to maintain its influence in the region, especially considering rivalries (like Iran) in Asia and the Middle East.
– Trump announced future approval for delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
– Reports say Saudi Arabia agreed to buy around 300 US tanks.
– Saudi Arabia also promised to increase investments in the US—from $600 billion to a proposed $1 trillion.
– Trump emphasized that this status was “very important to them”, showing Saudi Arabia’s high interest in it.
About NATO
– Established: 4 April 1949
– Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
– 32 member countries
– Nature: Military Alliance; collective security—an attack on one is an attack on all.
– NATO has no permanent army; member countries provide their own forces.
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3. When is World COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Day observed?
a. Third Wednesday of April
b. Third Wednesday of July
c. Third Wednesday of October
d. Third Wednesday of November
Answer: d. Third Wednesday of November (in 2025, it was 19 November)
Purpose of this Day:
– To spread awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
– Due to increasing pollution, smoking, urban lifestyle, and environmental changes, COPD has become a serious global health challenge.
– Earlier, COPD was mostly common among smokers, as tobacco smoke is its biggest cause.
– Recently, cases have increased even among non-smokers, changing our understanding of respiratory risks to our lungs.
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4. Sahitya Akademi – ‘Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025’ for Hindi language was given to which author?
a. Suryanath Singh
b. Sushil Shukla
c. Badri Narayan
d. Daya Prakash Sinha
Answer: b. Sushil Shukla
– Award presenter: President Madhav Kaushik
– Date: 14 November 2025
– Venue: Triveni Auditorium, Tansen Marg, New Delhi
– For which book: Ek Batey Barah (Short Story Collection)
– Winner receives ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.
About Sushil Shukla:
– Born on 25 March 1974 in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh.
– He has been working in children’s literature for almost 25 years.
– Editor of children’s magazines ‘Pluto’ and ‘Cycle’.
– Former editor of children’s magazine ‘Chakmak’.
– His books include Ye Saare Ujala Suraj Ka, Tiffin Dost, Feriwale, and twelve other children’s books published by Eklavya Publications.
– Received the Harikrishna Devsare Bal Sahitya Award in 2024.
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5. Who was given the ‘Children’s Literature Award 2025’ for English language?
a. Manoj Dara
b. Sudha Murty
c. Nitin Kushalappa M.P.
d. Guru Charan Das
Answer: c. Nitin Kushalappa M.P.
– Award for the book: Dakshin: South Indian Myths and Fables Retold (Story Collection)
– The book retells 15 South Indian folktales.
– Published by Puffin India (Penguin Random House) in 2023.
– Professionally, Nitin Kushalappa MP is a software developer.
– Over the last decade, he has worked as team leader, entrepreneur, and senior consultant for multiple companies.
– He has an interest in children’s literature.
– Winner receives ₹50,000 and a copper plaque.
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6. List of winners of Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2025
Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Award 2025
Language – Awardee’s Name – Name of the Book (Genre)
1) Hindi – Sushil Shukla – Ek Batey Bara (Short Stories)
2) English – Nitin Kushalappa MP – Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold (Stories)
3) Sanskrit – Preeti Pujara – Balvisvam (Poetry)
4) Maithili – Munni Kamat – Chukka (Short Stories)
5) Assamese – Surendra Mohan Das – Mainaahantar Padya (Poetry)
6) Bengali – Tridib Kumar Chattopadhyay – Ekhono Gaye Kanta Daye (Stories)
7) Bodo – Binay Kumar Brahma – Khanthi Bwswn Arw Akhu Danai (Stories)
8) Dogri – P.L.Parihar “Shauq” – Nanhi Tor (Poetry)
9) Gujarati – Kirtida Brahmbhatt – Tinchak (Poetry)
10) Kannada – K. Shivalingappa Handihal – Notebook (Short Stories)
11) Kashmiri – Izhar Mubashir – Shure Te Tchure Gyush (Short Stories)
12) Konkani – Nayana Adarkar – Belabaicho Shankar Aani Haer Kanyo (Stories)
13) Malayalam – Sreejith Moothedath – Penguinukalude Vankarayil (Novel)
14) Manipuri – Shanto M. – Angangshinggee Shannabungsida (Play)
15) Marathi – Suresh Sawant – Aabhalmaya (Poetry)
16) Nepali – Sangmu Lepcha – Shanti Van (Novel)
17) Odia – Rajakishore Parhi – Kete Phula Phutichi (Poetry)
18) Punjabi – Pali Khadim (Amrit Pal Singh) – Jadoo Patta (Novel)
19) Rajasthani – Bhogilal Patidar – Pankheruvan Ni Pira (Drama)
20) Santali – Haralal Murmu – Sona Miru-ag Sandesh (Poetry)
21) Sindhi – Heena Agnani ‘Heer’ – Asmani Pari (Poetry)
22) Tamil – Vishnupuram Sarvanan – Ottrai Siragu Oviya (Novel)
23) Telugu – Gangisetti Sivakumar – Kaburla Devatha (Story)
24) Urdu – Ghazanfar Iqbal – Qaumi Sitare (Articles)
25) Dogri – PL Parihar “Shauk” – Nanhi Tor (poetry)
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7. How many medals did India win to top the Asian Archery Championship 2025?
a. 8
b. 9
c. 10
d. 15
Answer: c. 10 (six gold, three silver, one bronze)
– Held in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 8 to 14 November 2025.
– India was the most successful nation.
– This was the 24th edition.
– In 2023, India had won 7 medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze), finishing second.
Indian Medal Winners:
– Jyothi Surekha Vennam (Women’s Compound) – Gold
– Dhiraj Bommadevara (Men’s Recurve) – Gold
– Ankita Bhakat (Women’s Recurve) – Gold
– Atanu Das, Rahul, Yashdeep Bhoge (Men’s Recurve Team) – Gold
– Abhishek Verma, Deepshikha (Compound Mixed Team) – Gold
– Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep, Deepshikha (Women’s Compound Team) – Gold
– Rahul (Men’s Recurve) – Silver
– Prithika Pradeep (Women’s Compound) – Silver
– Abhishek Verma, Sahil Jadhav, Prathamesh Fuge (Men’s Compound Team) – Silver
– Sangeeta (Women’s Recurve) – Bronze
Why not South Korea despite same medals?
– Both India and Korea won 10 medals.
– India had 6 gold medals.
– Korea had only 2 gold medals, so India topped.
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8. The joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior-2025’ between India and which country was held in Rajasthan?
a. United Kingdom
b. USA
c. Germany
d. Japan
Answer: a. United Kingdom
‘Ajeya Warrior-2025’
– Held: 17–30 November 2025 (14 days)
– Location: Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Range (Rajasthan)
– 8th edition
– 240 soldiers participated (representation from Sikh Regiment)
– Conducted under UN mandate; focused on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban areas.
– It is a biennial exercise; previous edition was in 2023.
– Started in 2011.
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9. Kamini Kaushal died on 14 November 2025 — who was she?
a. Sculptor
b. Lyricist
c. Poetess
d. Actress
Answer: d. Actress (She was 98 years old)
– Legendary actress Kamini Kaushal, who entertained audiences and contributed to Indian cinema for over 60 years, passed away on 14 November 2025.
– She debuted in the classic film Neecha Nagar (1946) and acted in numerous films till 2022.
– Her last screen appearance was at age 95 in Aamir Khan’s 2022 film Laal Singh Chaddha.
Honours / Awards:
– Neecha Nagar won the Palme d’Or at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival.
– For Biraj Bahu (1954), she received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1956.
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10. When is World Toilet Day celebrated?
a. 18 November
b. 19 November
c. 20 November
d. 21 November
Answer: b. 19 November
– The United Nations celebrates World Toilet Day on 19 November every year.
– It aims to raise awareness about wastewater treatment, rainwater management, and handwashing.
History of the Day:
– In 2013, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution officially declaring 19 November as World Toilet Day.
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11. When is World Children’s Day celebrated?
a. 19 November
b. 20 November
c. 21 November
d. 22 November
Answer: b. 20 November
– World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day.
– It is celebrated every year on 20 November to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve child welfare.
Note: In India, Children’s Day is celebrated on 14 November.
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