Bihar Assembly Elections See Record Turnout in First Phase
The first phase of the Bihar Assembly elections concluded with a record 64.66% voter turnout across 121 constituencies in 18 districts on Thursday, November 6, 2025. This phase involved over 3.75 crore eligible voters. The Election Commission of India reported that the voting process was peaceful. This high participation underscores the democratic spirit and engagement of the electorate in the state.
PM Modi Inaugurates 150-Year Commemoration of 'Vande Mataram'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, 2025, inaugurated the year-long commemoration of 150 years of India's national song, "Vande Mataram," in Delhi. The event, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, included the release of a commemorative stamp and coin to mark the occasion. Written by Bankimchandra Chatterji, "Vande Mataram" was penned on November 7, 1875, making this a significant historical and cultural milestone for the nation. Traffic advisories were issued in Delhi for the large-scale cultural program, which was expected to draw around 11,000 invitees.
Maharashtra Partners with Starlink for Satellite Internet
In a pioneering move, Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to formally collaborate with Starlink, SpaceX's satellite-based internet service. This partnership aims to deliver satellite-based internet connectivity across remote and underserved regions, as well as government institutions and public infrastructure. The initiative is part of the state's 'Digital Maharashtra mission,' seeking to enhance digital connectivity in areas with limited network access.
India Repatriates Citizens from Myanmar Cyber-Scam Centers
India has begun repatriating its citizens who were trapped in cyber-scam compounds in Myanmar. On Thursday, November 6, 2025, a group of 270 Indian nationals returned from Thailand, where they had sought refuge after fleeing the scam centers in Myawaddy following operations by the Myanmar military. Official sources stated that the repatriated citizens would be questioned about their activities during their employment period in these centers.
Supreme Court Addresses 'Digital Arrest' Scams
The Supreme Court of India highlighted the severe challenge posed by 'digital arrest' scams, revealing that fraudsters have scammed over ā¹3,000 crore from victims, predominantly the elderly population. This issue underscores the growing need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and robust measures to protect vulnerable citizens from online fraud.
Other Key Developments:
- Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran urged India to promote careers less affected by AI to address job creation challenges.
- India's top philanthropists donated a record ā¹10,380 crore in 2025, with Shiv Nadar leading the contributions.
- Gogabeel Lake in Bihar has been officially designated as India's 94th Ramsar site, recognizing its ecological importance as an oxbow wetland.
- Concerns have been raised regarding the unusual murkiness of Meghalaya's Umngot River, linking it to pollution from highway construction activities.
- In sports, India defeated Australia by 48 runs in the 4th T20 match, taking a 2-1 series lead.
- Former US President Donald Trump stated he might visit India next year and referred to PM Modi as a "great friend."