Daily Current Affairs: 5 December 2025
Analysis for 05 December 2025
Project Cheetah Reintroduces Extinct Big Cat, Population Reaches 32 with 21 India-Born Cubs
Key Updates:
- India launched Project Cheetah in 2022 to reintroduce cheetahs, the only large carnivore extinct in independent India since 1952, primarily through translocation from Africa.
- As of December 2025, the country now supports a thriving population of 32 cheetahs, including 21 India-born cubs.
- An India-born female Mukhi gave birth to five healthy cubs in November 2025.
Similar / Past Coverage
- India-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park.
- Mukhi is the sole surviving cheetah cub born in India at Kuno, a landmark for the country’s cheetah reintroduction project.
- Mukhi was born on March 29, 2023, to Namibian cheetah Jwala.
- The father of the cubs is also said to be of Indian origin, believed to be one of the males born to Asha.
- Mukhi survived maternal abandonment, dehydration from extreme summer heat, and a serious injury, requiring hand-rearing and rehabilitation.
- Uttam Kumar Sharma is the Director of Kuno National Park and Project Cheetah.
- At present, India has 34 cheetahs, including 10 adults and 24 cubs, following the reintroduction of 20 individuals from southern Africa in 2022 and 2023.
- The population of golden jackal is rapidly dwindling due to indiscriminate construction activities being taken up in the areas closer to residential areas after removing the forests and shrubs.
- The ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ scheme targets schools and colleges to train students as ambassadors for conserving golden jackal.
- Students badged as ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ will disseminate messages on conserving golden jackal, rescuing and treating injured golden jackals and releasing them back in the forests.
- Lack of awareness among the public on conserving small animals like golden jackal, mongoose, ant-eater, tortoise, snakes, monitor lizard etc. has led to the sharp fall in their population.
- The ‘Friends of Elephants’ scheme has started yielding good results as villagers cooperate in alerting forest personnel about elephants entering ranches or hamlets.
- Forest department cultivates native plants inside the forest preferred by elephants to create sufficient food.
- The COP30 is scheduled to be held in Brazil's Belem from November 10 to 21.
- The COP30 is important, which is happening on the completion of 10 years of the Paris Agreement.
- Various issues, including the technology implementation programme, would be discussed at the conference.
- Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary, covering districts of Narasinghpur, Damoh and Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, will become the third home of cheetahs in India
- Cheetahs from Namibia will be translocated to Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary
- Cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa were first translocated to Kuno National Park in Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh three years ago making it the first home of the big cat
- Gandhi Sagar wildlife sanctuary in Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh became the second home of cheetahs when three cheetahs, two male and one female, were shifted to the reserve forest from Kuno National Park
- Kuno now has 25 cheetahs including nine adults (six females and one male) and 16 cubs born in the park
IndiaAI Mission, MeitY and Government of Meghalaya host first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong
Key Updates:
- The IndiaAI Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Information Technology & Communications Department, Government of Meghalaya, and IIM Shillong, organised the first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong.
- The conference theme was 'Artificial Intelligence for Citizen Empowerment: Smarter Governance, Better Lives'.
- Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, 'Our mission is to democratize AI so that every citizen can access its benefits.'
- Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled three initiatives: the BHASHINI Hackathon for Khasi and Garo language model training; MeghDEE for co-creating digital innovation; and the DRISHTI-NE Hackathon for youth AI innovation.
- An MoU was signed between the Information Technology & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, and the IndiaAI Mission for establishing two Data & AI Labs in the state.
- Another MoU was signed between the same department and MATH T-Hub for setting up a Satellite Incubation Centre in Shillong.
- The event serves as a precursor to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from February 15-20, 2026.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Government of Meghalaya, through the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society ( MSSDS ), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asean One Co. Ltd. , Japan, in Tokyo.
- This partnership focuses on building pathways in healthcare, caregiving, hospitality, IT, and other sectors aligned with Japan’s workforce needs, while also providing Japanese language and cultural integration training.
- It will support the training and overseas placement of Meghalaya’s youth, starting with 500 candidates in the first year and scaling up to 5,000 over the next five years.
- The MoU is an outcome of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s official visit to Japan in April 2025, where he articulated a vision to create international career pathways for the youth.
- The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a Global Skill Hub.
- The Telangana Artificial Intelligence Innovation Hub (TAIH) has been established by the State Government.
- The primary goal behind setting up TAIH is to ensure that by 2035, Telangana finds a place among the top 20 AI hubs in the world.
- The hub will serve as a focal point for AI-based innovation, research, and collaboration across multiple sectors.
- The Special Chief Secretary (IT), Commissioner of Mee Seva, and Joint Director of Emerging Technologies will serve as members of the Innovation Hub.
- Telangana aims to achieve transformative results in public service delivery, healthcare, transportation, and education through AI-powered solutions.
- Telangana successfully hosted the AI Global Summit in 2024, becoming the first State in the country to organize an event of such magnitude.
- Strategic partnerships have been forged with premier academic and research institutions and global technology leaders including Google, Microsoft, Infosys, and Amazon.
- IBM and AICTE collaborate to establish a state-of-the-art National AI Lab at AICTE Headquarters in New Delhi
- The lab will serve as a national hub for AI research, skilling, and innovation, equipped with advanced computing infrastructure and AI software platforms
- IBM SkillsBuild, offering over 1,000 free AI and technical courses, will be central to the initiative
- The collaboration supports IBM’s global commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, including 2 million in AI by 2026
- The lab will provide training programs, in-person workshops, AI mentorship, project-based learning, and innovation challenges aligned with future skill needs in AI, cloud, and sustainability
- Issued by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under IndiaAI Mission; no stand-alone AI law proposed, existing IT Act & Digital Personal Data Protection Act to be used
- Seven guiding 'sutras': Trust is Fundamental, People First, Fairness and Equity, Innovation over Restraints, Accountability, Understandable by Design, Safety/Resilience/Sustainability
- Six governance pillars: Infrastructure (38,000 GPUs, 3,000-unit secure cluster, AI Kosh repository), Capacity Building, Policy & Regulation, Risk Mitigation, Accountability, Institutions
- Key institutions proposed: AI Governance Group (AIGG), Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), AI Safety Institute (AISI) for testing/certification and global coordination
- Short-term actions (0-2 years): create AIGG & TPEC, finalize liability & grievance redress, build sectoral regulatory capacity; Long-term (5+ years): institutionalize safety testing, align with global standards, lead 'AI for Global South' diplomacy
Jeyandran Venugopal appointed President and CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL)
Key Updates:
- Jeyandran Venugopal has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL).
- He will work closely with Isha Ambani and the leadership team of Reliance Retail under the guidance of Mukesh Ambani and Manoj Modi.
- Prior to this, Venugopal served as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Flipkart.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd hired Jitendra Gohil as chief investment officer from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd.
- India’s alternative asset industry has a committed capital of 15 trillion rupees ($169 billion) according to Securities and Exchange Board of India data.
- Jitendra Gohil will report to Lakshmi Iyer, group president for investments at Bajaj Alternate Investment.
- CA Usha Janakiraman appointed Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from December 1, 2025.
- Prior to the promotion, Usha Janakiraman served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Mumbai.
- Usha Janakiraman has experience of over three decades in the RBI in areas of regulation, external investment and operations, banking supervision, public debt management, currency management and other areas.
- As Executive Director, Usha Janakiraman will look after the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment).
- Usha Janakiraman is a Chartered Accountant.
- Shashank Srowthy has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2025.
- He is a Bachelor of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineering from Pune University and a Master of Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
- He joined P&G in 2011 in India and has worked across India, Dubai, and Singapore.
- Ramprasad Sridharan was appointed as the Managing Director of Puma India.
- His appointment is effective December 2025.
- He will report to Matthias Bäumer, the Chief Commercial Officer of the company.
- Ramprasad Sridharan brings over 25 years of experience in brand building and commercial strategy across the Asia-Pacific region.
- He most recently served as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of United Colors of Benetton India.
- Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at Clarks and Reebok India.
- He succeeds Karthik Balagopalan.
- Karthik Balagopalan left the company to pursue other interests.
- Karthik Balagopalan served Puma for two decades.
Brendan Nelson appointed as Chairman of HSBC Holdings
Key Updates:
- Brendan Nelson succeeded Mark Tucker as Chairman of HSBC Holdings.
- Nelson had been serving as interim chair since October 1 and joined the HSBC board in September 2023.
- He will continue as chair of HSBC's group audit committee until the 2025 results are published in February 2026.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Piyush Gupta has been appointed as Temasek Holdings India chairman in an advisory capacity effective December 1, 2025.
- He will work with Ravi Lambah, Temasek's head of India and strategic initiatives, to shape investment strategies and support portfolio companies.
- Gupta previously served as Chief Executive Officer of DBS Group from 2009 until earlier this year.
- Chitra Talwar has been appointed as Part-Time Chairperson of Jana Small Finance Bank effective February 8, 2026.
- She succeeds R Ramaseshan who is retiring after completing the maximum tenure of eight years.
- Her tenure as Part-Time Chairperson is until January 30, 2028.
- The appointment has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India.
- CA Usha Janakiraman appointed Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from December 1, 2025.
- Prior to the promotion, Usha Janakiraman served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Mumbai.
- Usha Janakiraman has experience of over three decades in the RBI in areas of regulation, external investment and operations, banking supervision, public debt management, currency management and other areas.
- As Executive Director, Usha Janakiraman will look after the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment).
- Usha Janakiraman is a Chartered Accountant.
- The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of S Krishnan as part-time chairman of J&K Bank.
- His appointment is effective from November 13, 2025, till March 26, 2028.
- Krishnan previously served as MD & CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank.
- He also held the top position as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank in September 2022.
- Krishnan is currently an independent director on the board of Srinagar-headquartered bank.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) records 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in November
Key Updates:
- UIDAI records 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in November, marking an 8.47% rise over the same month last year.
- Face authentication transactions rose to 28.29 crore in November 2025, up from 12.04 crore a year earlier.
- November recorded 47.19 crore e-KYC transactions, a rise of more than 24% compared with November 2024.
- Nearly 60% of all Digital Life Certificates issued to pensioners in November used Aadhaar's face authentication tool.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The total balance in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts stood at ₹2,75,057 crore as on October 22, 2025.
- The total number of beneficiaries (accounts) under PMJDY reached 56.85 crore.
- Public sector banks hold ₹2.15 lakh crore of the total deposits in PMJDY accounts.
- Regional Rural Banks hold a balance of ₹51,489 crore in PMJDY accounts.
- Private banks mobilised ₹8,149 crore in PMJDY accounts.
- As of August 2025, 13 crore out of 56 crore PMJDY accounts were found to be inactive.
- The Department of Financial Services organised a nationwide Financial Inclusion (FI) Saturation Programme for three months during July-September 2025.
- About 5 per cent of inoperative accounts under PMJDY completed re-verification of Know Your Customer (KYC) norms by the end of September.
- Almost 90 per cent of households in the country have a bank account.
- Uttar Pradesh has declared Aadhaar cards invalid as proof of birth date.
- The Planning Department in Uttar Pradesh issued a directive to all state departments regarding this decision.
- The Maharashtra government also issued a similar order, stating that Aadhaar cards will not be considered as a document for making a delayed birth certificate.
- In Maharashtra, all birth certificates made only through the Aadhaar card after the Births and Deaths Registration (Amendment) Act, 2023, will be cancelled.
- The Birth and Death Registration Act, 1969, was amended on August 11, 2023.
- Aadhaar authentication transactions increased by 10 per cent year-on-year to 221 crore in August 2025.
- Aadhaar custodian Unique Identification Authority of India ( UIDAI ) said the Aadhaar Face Authentication solutions are also witnessing consistent growth.
- Aadhaar Face Authentication solutions recorded at least 18.6 crore transactions in August 2025.
- More than 150 entities, both in government ministries and departments, financial institutions, oil marketing companies, and telecom service providers, among others, are using face authentication for smooth delivery of benefits and services.
- 38.53 crore e-KYC transactions were carried out in August.
- National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data shows UPI recorded over 19 billion transactions worth ₹24.58 lakh crore as of November 28.
- UPI recorded 15.48 billion transactions valued at ₹21.55 lakh crore in November 2024.
- UPI transaction volume in November 2025 grew by about 23 per cent from November 2024.
- UPI transaction value rose by nearly 14 per cent year-on-year.
- UPI transactions increased by nearly 70 per cent in volume and over 41 per cent in value from November 2023.
- UPI logged 4.18 billion transactions valued at ₹7.68 lakh crore in November 2021.
- UPI transaction volume grew more than fourfold from 2021 to 2025.
- UPI total transaction value increased by over threefold from 2021 to 2025.
- UPI processed 12.41 billion transactions for financial year 2025-26 so far with average daily volume of 689.60 million.
- UPI average daily value for FY 2025-26 so far stood at ₹91,324.77 crore.
- Corresponding period in FY 2024-25 had UPI average daily volume of 516.07 million and value of ₹71,839.58 crore.
Lado Lakshmi Yojana: Haryana Govt Credits Rs 2,100 Each to 7 Lakh Women as Second Installment
Key Updates:
- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the second installment of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana.
- Under this installment, Rs 2,100 each was credited to the accounts of 7 lakh eligible women.
- The first installment was released on November 1.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Union Government has released over ₹730 crores under the Fifteenth Finance Commission XV FC grants for strengthening Rural Local Bodies RLBs in Gujarat and Haryana.
- The grants aim to empower grassroots governance and improve rural infrastructure.
- The grants are disbursed by the Ministry of Finance in two installments each financial year, with recommendations from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
- The grants include 'Untied Grants' which empower local bodies to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding expenditure on salaries and establishment costs.
- The grants also include 'Tied Grants' which are directed towards core services such as sanitation (including maintenance of Open Defecation Free ODF status, solid and liquid waste management, and fecal sludge management) and drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
- For Gujarat, the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25, amounting to ₹522.20 crores, has been released, along with ₹13.60 crores from the withheld portion of the first installment for FY 2024–25.
- For Haryana, the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2025–26, amounting to ₹195.13 crores, has been sanctioned.
- Bihar government announces ₹ 1,000 per month for unemployed graduates
- The financial assistance of ₹ 1,000 per month will be extended to unemployed graduates for two a maximum period of two years.
- The scheme is currently operating under the Bihar government's 7 Nischay program.
- Under the Self-Help Allowance Scheme, which was previously offered to Intermediate-graded youth, will now also extend to unemployed graduates in Arts, Science, and Commerce.
- The scheme will now provide financial assistance of ₹ 1000 to those who are:
- Graduate youths who are in the 20-25 age group
- Not studying and are seeking employment opportunities
- Not self-employed
- Not employed in any government, private, or non-government sector
- The eligible youths can apply for “Mukhyamantri Nischay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana” through the website- http://7nishchay-yuvaupmission.bihar.gov.in/ and register themselves through their mobile number and e-mail.
- Namo Lakshmi Yojana: launched March 2024; girl students in classes 9-12 receive ₹50,000 over four years; over 10.49 lakh girls assisted, disbursements exceed ₹1,000 crore; managed via 'Namo Lakshmi Portal'.
- Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana: launched March 2024; science-stream students in classes 11-12 who scored ≥50% in class 10 and study in GSHSEB/CBSE-recognised schools receive ₹25,000 over two years; over 1.5 lakh students benefited, disbursements exceed ₹161 crore; managed via 'Namo Saraswati Portal'.
- Both schemes aim to support Gujarat’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision by preparing a skilled workforce for sectors like semiconductors, green energy, and digital sciences.
- In 2021, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda was officially commemorated as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas.
- The Shri Govind Guru Chair for Tribal Language Promotion Centre has been established at the Birsa Munda Tribal University; this centre will study the dialects of tribal communities such as Bhil, Gamit, Vasava, Garasia, Kokani, Santhal, Rathwa, Nayak, Dabla, Chaudhary, Kokna, Kumbhi, Warli, and Dodia; stories and songs associated with these communities will be preserved.
- To address the development of the most backward among the tribal communities, the PM-JANMAN scheme was launched from Khunti in Jharkhand, and ₹24,000 crore is being spent on this initiative.
- The Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan is scripting a new chapter of development in backward tribal villages; over 60,000 villages across the country have joined this campaign; under this campaign, Gram Sabhas have been made the pivot of development.
- In the past five to six years alone, the central government has allocated over ₹18,000 crore for Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country; 42 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) dedicated to Tribal students worth around ₹1,900 crores were inaugurated.
- The Ayushman Bharat scheme, launched in 2018 from Ranchi, Jharkhand, provides free medical treatment benefits up to ₹5 lakh to crores of tribal brothers and sisters across the country.
- A nationwide campaign is currently underway to address and manage sickle cell disease effectively, and under this initiative, six crore tribal brothers and sisters across the country have already been screened.
Vikram Sahu appointed CEO of Bank of America NA India
Key Updates:
- Vikram Sahu has been approved by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bank of America NA (BoFA) in India.
- He will assume the charge in addition to his current responsibilities as India country executive.
- He will replace Kaku Nakhate, who served as the bank CEO for about 15 years.
- Nakhate will take over as the India chair with a focus on deepening relationships with key clients of the India franchise.
- Sahu will report to Jin Su, president of Asia Pacific for the US bank.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Ravi Ranjan has been recommended by the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) for the position of Managing Director at State Bank of India.
- The current MD, Vinay Tonse, is set to complete his term on November 30, 2025.
- FSIB shortlisted Ranjan after interacting with nine candidates and assessing their performance, experience, and relevant parameters.
- Bank of India and State Bank of India (SBI) collaborate on co-financing, capacity building, and co-branded initiatives.
- The MoU provides a framework for the two banks to collaborate on multiple fronts.
- The partnership addresses structured project financing in infrastructure, energy, and industrial development sectors.
- State Bank of India (SBI) offers retail banking, corporate banking, treasury operations, and international banking.
- Bank of India focuses on corporate banking, project financing, and trade services.
- CA Usha Janakiraman appointed Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from December 1, 2025.
- Prior to the promotion, Usha Janakiraman served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Mumbai.
- Usha Janakiraman has experience of over three decades in the RBI in areas of regulation, external investment and operations, banking supervision, public debt management, currency management and other areas.
- As Executive Director, Usha Janakiraman will look after the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment).
- Usha Janakiraman is a Chartered Accountant.
- Seven Executive Directors have been appointed to the Boards of various Public Sector Banks.
- The Department of Financial Services (DFS) formally notified these appointments.
- The appointed Executive Directors include Amit Kumar Srivastava for Punjab National Bank, E. Ratan Kumar for Central Bank of India, Amresh Prasad for Union Bank of India, Pramod Kumar Dwibedi for Bank of India, Sunil Kumar Chugh for Canara Bank, Mini T M for Indian Bank, and Prabhat Kiran for Bank of Maharashtra.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the proposal for these appointments.
- The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) conducted the selection process, recommending 11 candidates, from which seven officers received postings.
Aparna Garg appointed as Member Finance, Railway Board
Key Updates:
- Aparna Garg, Director General (DG), Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management (IRIFM), has been appointed as the Member Finance, Railway Board (RB), with effect from December 1, 2025.
- Her appointment is for a period of three months or until further orders and will be in addition to her current duties.
- She is an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer of the 1987 batch.
- She has held key positions such as Principal Financial Advisor, Rail Wheel Factory, Bengaluru, and Divisional Railway Manager of Mysore.
- She has also served in various other capacities in Southern Railway, Western Railway, and South-Western Railway zones.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Sipan Kumar Garg has assumed the additional charge of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of THDC India Limited.
- He has been serving as Director (Finance) at THDC India Limited.
- He is a member of the ICAI, ICMAI and ICSI, and a rank holder in the Company Secretary examination.
- He brings over 24 years of experience in finance, accounts, taxation and commercial functions in the power sector.
- Before joining THDC India Limited, he worked as Chief Financial Officer at Aravali Power Company Private Limited and Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, both subsidiaries of NTPC Limited.
- The Reserve Bank of India has constituted a Regulatory Review Cell (RRC) in the Department of Regulation with effect from 1 October 2025.
- The RRC will ensure every RBI regulation undergoes a comprehensive internal review every five to seven years.
- An independent Advisory Group on Regulation (AGR) has been formed concurrently, with an initial tenure of three years renewable by a further two years.
- Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Managing Director of State Bank of India, is appointed Chairman of the AGR.
- Mallika Srinivasan’s tenure as PESB Chairperson has been extended.
- Her extension will take effect from November 19, 2025, allowing her to continue leading the PSU head-hunter until November 18, 2026.
- This marks her second consecutive extension in this role.
- Mallika Srinivasan continues to serve as Chairperson and Managing Director of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd TAFE.
- Shri Sanjay Garg, a senior civil servant of IAS-1994 batch from the Kerala cadre, has assumed charge as the Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards, the National Standards Body of India, with effect from 1 November 2025.
- Prior to joining BIS as DG, he served as Additional Secretary, DARE (Department of Agriculture, Research and Education) and Secretary, Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR).
- In DARE and ICAR, he spearheaded the digital transformation through application of IT in Research Management and Administration. He also played a pivotal role in scaling up and expansion of Kisan Sarathi portal which connects farmers directly to agricultural scientists.
- As the Director General of BIS, Shri Garg will also serve as the President of India’s national committee in IEC.
- Shri Garg brings vast and diverse administrative experience spanning over three decades with expertise in strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation across various sectors including agriculture, food logistics, defence industry sector, industrial promotion, finance and various social sectors at State and National levels.
Central Excise (Amendment) Bill passed to repurpose levies on 'sin goods'
Key Updates:
- The Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha that look to repurpose levies on 'sin goods' such as tobacco, pan masala and related products ahead of the scheduled phaseout of the GST compensation cess levied on them.
- The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill seeks to levy excise duty on tobacco and related products, replacing the existing compensation cess.
- The revenues from levy of excise on tobacco would be part of the divisible pool of tax revenues.
- 'The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025' would be applicable on manufacturing of pan masala and other goods that the government may notify.
- The collection from the health and national security cess would go towards funding public health initiatives and national security while maintaining high taxation on 'sin goods'.
- The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill seeks to levy excise duty on cigars / cheroots / cigarettes in the range of Rs 5,000-11,000 per 1,000 sticks depending on the length.
- It also proposes levy of 60-70 per cent on unmanufactured tobacco and 100 per cent on nicotine and inhalation products, over and above the 40 per cent GST rate that would be applicable on sin goods.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to introduce the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes changes to the Central Excise Act, 1944.
- The bill will replace the current GST compensation cess on cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, hookahs, zarda and scented tobacco.
- The Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to give the government the fiscal space to increase the rate of central excise duty on tobacco and tobacco products so as to protect tax incidence after the GST compensation cess ends.
- The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, seeks to levy a new cess on machines or processes used in the manufacture of pan masala and other notified goods.
- The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, will replace the compensation cess on pan masala.
- The proposed health–security cess is meant to augment the resources for meeting Security expenditure on national security and for public health.
- The proposed health–security cess will apply in addition to all other taxes.
- The GST compensation cess, introduced in 2017 for five years to offset states’ revenue loss, was extended till March 31, 2026, to repay the Centre’s Covid-era borrowing.
- The CBDT vide Notification No. 161/2025 dated November 19, 2025 has notified the Capital Gains Accounts (Second Amendment) Scheme, 2025.
- The Scheme now formally incorporates section 54GA, allowing depositors claiming exemption on account of shifting of industrial undertakings from urban areas to Special Economy Zones to use CGAS accounts.
- A detailed definition of “electronic mode” has been inserted, enabling deposits through Credit/Debit Cards, Net Banking, IMPS, UPI, RTGS, NEFT and BHIM Aadhaar Pay.
- All earlier references to “cheque or draft” have been expanded to include electronic mode of payment across application and deposit processes.
- The effective date of deposit for exemption purposes will now be the date on which the electronic payment is received by the deposit office, subject to realization.
- Depositors may now use electronic statements of account in place of physical passbooks for operations such as withdrawals, transfers, or account closure.
- Closure of CGAS accounts shall only be executed electronically using digital signature or electronic verification code (EVC) starting 1 April 2027.
- The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) is assigned responsibility for prescribing procedures for Form G and Form H filing, forwarding digitally filed forms to jurisdictional Assessing Officers, specifying the standards for EVC generation, and ensuring secure storage, archival, and retrieval of electronically submitted forms.
- Forms A and C have been updated to include section 54GA, provide fields for transactions made via electronic modes, and insert new fields for RTGS/IMPS/NEFT transaction details under the deposit office section.
- The government has constituted a committee to review the rates of tax refund under the export schemes – Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL).
- Both these schemes are set to expire by the end of this financial year, and the committee has been given time till March 31, 2026 to submit its main report.
- The panel is headed by former secretary Neeraj Kumar Gupta, with SR Baruah and Vivek Ranjan as the other two members.
- RoDTEP scheme was introduced in January 2021 as a replacement of Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS), covering exports of 10,642 products and providing refunds of taxes ranging from 0.3% to 4.3%.
- RoSCTL was also introduced in 2021 for textiles and garment exporters, with a maximum rate of refund for apparel at 6.05% and for made-ups up to 8.2%.
- The committee will work out the modalities for calculation of duties, taxes, levies and recommend the ceiling rates under RoSCTL and RoDTEP schemes for exports from domestic tariff areas, special economic zones, and advance authorisation holders.
- The Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aims to overhaul India’s electricity distribution sector, reduce systemic inefficiencies, and ensure affordable, reliable power.
- The Bill transitions away from a monopoly model to regulated competition, allowing multiple distribution licensees to operate in the same area using shared infrastructure.
- A Universal Service Obligation (USO) will be mandatory for all licensees, though SERCs may exempt licensees from USO for large open-access users consuming more than 1 MW of power.
- The reforms address high AT&C losses, poor billing efficiency, and financial stress on discoms by rationalizing charges and promoting cost-reflective tariffs.
- Subsidies for farmers and low-income households will be explicitly protected and provided through direct, budgeted support under Section 65.
- The Bill aims to reduce cross-subsidy for Manufacturing, Railways, and Metro Rail within five years.
- State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) will determine uniform, cost-reflective wheeling charges for all network users, drawing inspiration from the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) model.
- The reforms are structured around six pillars: Structural Reforms, Tariff and Cross-Subsidy Rationalisation, Infrastructure and Network Efficiency, Governance and Regulatory Strengthening, Sustainability and Market Development, and Legal and Operational Clarity.
- A new Electricity Council will be created as a Centre–State coordination platform for policy consensus and harmonisation.
- SERCs will receive greater regulatory powers, including the authority to penalise non-compliance and determine tariffs suo moto.
- The Bill introduces provisions for Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and reinforces obligations for non-fossil energy procurement with penalties for failure.
- Outdated definitions are updated, references are aligned with the Companies Act, 2013, and the powers of the Electric Line Authority are codified to match those of the Telegraph Authority under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
- The Bill supports the national vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047” by ensuring competitively priced power for industries and subsidised electricity for vulnerable households.
Archery Premier League (APL) wins 'Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year'
Key Updates:
- The Archery Premier League (APL) clinched the 'Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year' title at the 2025 India Sports Awards.
- The honor was announced at the FICCI TURF 2025: 15th Global Sports Summit, held at the FICCI Federation House, New Delhi.
- APL is organized by the Archery Association of India (AAI).
- APL's inaugural season ran from October 2 to 12, 2025, at Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi.
Similar / Past Coverage
- India's archers made the country proud by bagging three gold and two silver medals at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka.
- Jyothi Surekha Vennam won gold, defeating Prithika Pradeep by a 147 - 145 score.
- Prithika performed well and secured a silver medal.
- The Indian Compound Women's Team, including Deepshikha, Prithika Pradeep, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, grabbed gold after a victory over Korea 236 - 234 in the final.
- Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha grabbed gold in the Compound Mixed Team final, beating Bangladesh 153 -151.
- In the men's team, Verma, Prathamesh Fuge, and Sahil Jadhav clinched silver after a close contest.
- Jyoti Surekha Vennam, the 29-year-old Indian ace woman archer, shone with double gold in individual and team at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka.
- Surekha now holds 8 Asian Championship titles, which she won between 2011 and 2025, in addition to the three individual gold medals from 2021 and 2015.
- The Deputy Collector in the Government of Andhra Pradesh has a total of 90 international medals, including 33 gold and silver, and 24 bronze.
- The 24th Asian Archery Championships began on 8th November 2025 and will conclude on 14th November 2025.
- The 24th Asian Archery Championships are hosted in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- There is a total of 29 countries and around 207 athletes participating in the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025.
- The event covers both recurve and compound bow competitions across individual, team and mixed-team formats for men and women.
- You can watch the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 on Archery+ and the Indian channel DD Sports.
- India bagged one silver, two bronze medals, and three medallions for excellence.
- The competition was held in Chinese Taipei.
- India participated with 23 competitors across 21 skill categories.
- 29 countries took part in the event.
- The Archery Premier League (APL) is a first-of-its-kind franchise-based tournament featuring men and women recurve and compound archers from India and abroad.
- The league will run from 2nd to 12th October 2025 at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi.
- Six franchise teams will field 36 top Indian archers and 12 international archers, including athletes from the world’s top 10.
- Sheetal Devi secured third place in the trials held in Sonepat to earn her spot in the four-member Indian junior team for Asia Cup 2025 Stage 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- She is the newly-crowned Para Archery World Champion and this will be her first international able-bodied tournament.
- Devi scored 2103 out of 2160 points in the first round of the trials and won six of her 11 round-robin matches in the second event.
- Earlier this year, she won the silver medal in the Khelo India NTPC National Ranking Archery event in Delhi, an able-bodied competition.
S&P Global Ratings (S&P) upgrades India's insolvency regime to Group B from Group C.
Key Updates:
- S&P Global Ratings (S&P) raised India's jurisdiction ranking assessment to Group B from Group C.
- S&P revised its assessment of creditor-friendliness of India's bankruptcy resolution framework to medium from weak.
- Average recovery values under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) have improved to more than 30 per cent from 15-20 per cent under the previous regime.
- The IBC has reduced the average resolution time for bad loans to about two years, down from six to eight years.
- Secured creditors often recover several multiples that of unsecured creditors under the IBC.
- India's resolution regime still lags those of more established Group A and some Group B jurisdictions.
- Average recovery rates of about 30 per cent are comparatively low.
- Recoveries are higher for secured debt and in asset-intensive sectors such as steel and power.
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- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) retained a C-grade for India’s national account statistics, or GDP data, in its annual staff report for India for 2025.
- A C-grade signifies that data provided to the IMF possess “some shortcomings that somewhat hamper surveillance”.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reported India’s GDP growth rate surged to a six-quarter high of 8.2 per cent in July-September, from 7.8 per cent in April-June.
- The IMF staff recommended regular revisions of national accounts, prices, and other key statistics, conducting the population census on a priority basis, and timely provision of consolidated general government fiscal accounts.
- The Indian government plans to launch the new GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) series in February 2026.
- India's national accounts received a C rating, while the overall rating from the IMF was a B, with prices, government finance statistics, external sector statistics, monetary and financial statistics, and inter-sectoral consistency all receiving B ratings.
- The IMF's current four-tier rating system was implemented in 2024, with India receiving its first B overall rating in the 2024 Article IV consultation report.
- The last update to the GDP series by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) occurred in early 2015.
- The IMF's 2023 report identified India’s GDP series with 2011-12 as the base year as “outdated” and recommended its rebasing “as soon as feasible”.
- The new GDP series will use 2022-23 as the base year, with the first quarterly number expected on February 27, 2026.
- The first CPI inflation number under the updated series, based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey for 2023-24 with 2024 as the base year, will be released on February 12, 2026.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to release Balance of Payments data on a monthly basis.
- India's long-term sovereign credit rating has been upgraded by Japan's Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I) from 'BBB' to 'BBB+', while the Outlook remains Stable.
- This marks the third sovereign rating upgrade for India in 2025.
- Earlier, S&P raised India's rating from 'BBB-' to 'BBB' in August, and Morningstar DBRS upgraded from 'BBB (low)' to 'BBB' in May.
- According to the R&I rating review, the upgrade reflects India's status as one of the world's largest and fastest-growing economies, supported by its strong demographic dividend, robust domestic demand and prudent government policies.
- R&I also noted that fiscal consolidation has progressed, driven by buoyant tax revenues, rationalised subsidies, high growth rates and a manageable level of debt.
- The agency assessed risks in the financial system as limited.
- The government policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi were also praised. These include efforts to attract foreign manufacturers, infrastructure development, strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks for business, reduced dependence on energy imports, and ensuring economic security.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects India’s real GDP to grow at 6.6% in FY2025/26 before moderating to 6.2% in FY2026/27.
- India’s real GDP expanded by 7.8% in the first quarter of FY2025/26.
- GST reform and the resulting reduction in the effective rate are expected to help cushion the adverse impact of the prolonged 50% US tariffs.
- Headline inflation has declined markedly, driven by subdued food prices and the one-off effect of the GST reform.
- IMF Executive Directors called for continued fiscal consolidation and recommended replenishing fiscal buffers through domestic revenue mobilisation.
- The IMF noted that India’s financial and corporate sectors remain resilient, supported by adequate capital buffers and multi-year low non-performing assets.
- RBI’s seventh amendment to FEMA Regulations on Foreign Currency Accounts: Strengthening IFSC integration and export flexibility
- Evolving jurisprudence in IBC: Analysis of Supreme Court’s review judgment in Bhushan Power and Steel resolution process
- SEBI’s Adani order: Due process and the boundaries of retrospective law
- Subsidized rate of GST for plant-based milk beverages: A dispute in the brewing
- The clean slate doctrine under IBC: Extinguishing claims and ensuring certainty in insolvency resolution
Government of India (GoI) updates national accounts base year to 2022-23
Key Updates:
- Government of India (GoI) will revise the base year for national accounts from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
- The new base year will come into effect from February 26-27 next year.
- The update aims to ensure national account statistics better reflect the present structure of the economy.
- The IMF assigned a C grade to India’s national accounts data due to the outdated base year of 2011-12.
- India’s real GDP rose 8.2% during the July-September quarter.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The government will release a new series of national accounts on February 27, 2026, with fiscal year 2022-23 as the base year.
- An Advisory Committee on National Account Statistics (ACNAS) under the chairmanship of professor B.N. Goldar has been constituted to advise MoSPI.
- The Ministry has planned to release discussion papers on national accounts to apprise users of the changes in the new series.
- A research report by the State Bank of India (SBI) predicts India’s economy to have expanded by about 7.5% in the second quarter of FY26.
- An ET poll of 12 economists suggested India’s economic growth likely quickened to 7.3% in the second quarter.
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) is scheduled to release the official figures on November 28.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected September quarter growth at 7%.
- GDP rose 7.8% in the April–June quarter, which was the fastest pace in five quarters.
- GST rationalisation shifted to a two-rate structure of 5% and 18% from September 22.
- Gross domestic GST collections for November 2025, based on October 2025 returns, may be around ₹1.49 lakh crore, reflecting a year-on-year rise of 6.8%.
- Including ₹51,000 crore from IGST and cess collected on imports, total GST receipts for November could cross ₹2 lakh crore.
- The share of leading indicators that reflect growth in consumption and demand rose to 83% in the second quarter, up from 70% in the first quarter.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) retained a C-grade for India’s national account statistics, or GDP data, in its annual staff report for India for 2025.
- A C-grade signifies that data provided to the IMF possess “some shortcomings that somewhat hamper surveillance”.
- The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reported India’s GDP growth rate surged to a six-quarter high of 8.2 per cent in July-September, from 7.8 per cent in April-June.
- The IMF staff recommended regular revisions of national accounts, prices, and other key statistics, conducting the population census on a priority basis, and timely provision of consolidated general government fiscal accounts.
- The Indian government plans to launch the new GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) series in February 2026.
- India's national accounts received a C rating, while the overall rating from the IMF was a B, with prices, government finance statistics, external sector statistics, monetary and financial statistics, and inter-sectoral consistency all receiving B ratings.
- The IMF's current four-tier rating system was implemented in 2024, with India receiving its first B overall rating in the 2024 Article IV consultation report.
- The last update to the GDP series by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) occurred in early 2015.
- The IMF's 2023 report identified India’s GDP series with 2011-12 as the base year as “outdated” and recommended its rebasing “as soon as feasible”.
- The new GDP series will use 2022-23 as the base year, with the first quarterly number expected on February 27, 2026.
- The first CPI inflation number under the updated series, based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey for 2023-24 with 2024 as the base year, will be released on February 12, 2026.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to release Balance of Payments data on a monthly basis.
- India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) expects GDP in FY26 to grow 7 per cent year-on-year.
- Ind-Ra revised forecast 70 basis points higher than earlier 6.3 per cent projected in July 2025.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projected India's GDP growth in current fiscal at 6.8 per cent.
- India's real GDP grew 7.8 per cent in April-June period of FY26.
- India's GDP expanded 6.5 per cent in last fiscal year.
- Ind-Ra expects private final consumption expenditure to grow 7.4 per cent YoY in FY26.
- Private final consumption expenditure grew 7.2 per cent in FY25.
- Indian exports to US fell 11.9 per cent YoY in September 2025.
- Indian exports to US fell 8.9 per cent YoY in October 2025.
- Indian exports to US averaged USD 7.2 billion per month in FY25.
- Indian exports to US averaged USD 7.4 billion from April to October 2025.
- Indian exports to US dropped to USD 5.9 billion during September-October 2025.
Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26: Denmark Ranks First, India 131st, US 31st
Key Updates:
- The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025-26 by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and the Peace Research Institute Oslo ranks 181 countries globally.
- Retaining its top position since 2023, Denmark ranks No. 1, leading as the best country for a woman, while Afghanistan sits at the bottom of the WPS Index.
- India ranks at the 131st position with a 0.607 score in the WPS Index, which shows that the country is making steady gains but uneven progress.
- The United States rose up six spots—from 37th to 31st this year, largely driven by the country’s first-ever improvement recorded in maternal mortality rate in almost two decades, based on data up until the end of 2024.
- The WPS Index measures women’s status across three key dimensions: inclusion, justice, and security.
- About 676 million women around the world have been exposed to conflict in the past year, a 74 per cent rise since 2010, according to a recent report.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25.
- The global theme for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which begins on this day, is cyberviolence.
- As many as 58% of women have been victims of online violence.
- 90 – 95% of deepfake videos are sexual images of women.
- 1 in 4 female journalists and 1 in 3 female parliamentarians have been threatened online, including death threats.
- Every Woman is a 501(c)(3) organization.
- Dr. Sima Bahous Reappointed as UN Women Executive Director for Second Term.
- Dr. Sima Sami Bahous has been reappointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres to serve a second term as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women.
- Her renewed mandate comes at a pivotal moment for global gender equality efforts, as UN Women advances its newly endorsed Strategic Plan 2026–2029.
- Before joining UN Women in 2021, she served as Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
- She held senior roles with UNDP, and played a key role in promoting sustainable development and regional cooperation in the Arab States.
- Sweden retains the top position in CDI 2025, ranking first in environment, second in development finance, and fourth in health.
- Germany and Norway follow Sweden in second and third place respectively.
- Finland and the United Kingdom round out the top five.
- Luxembourg improved the most, jumping four ranks to tenth overall.
- The Netherlands dropped out of the top 10, falling five ranks to eleventh.
- The United States and China rank 28th and 34th respectively.
- India ranks 36th overall, with its strongest performance in environment where it ranks 8th.
- India ranks last in trade and development finance, and among the worst six in investment, migration, and security.
International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures observed on 4 December
Key Updates:
- The International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures was observed for the first time on 4 December.
- This day was proclaimed in June 2025 by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution titled “International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures.”
- The resolution was prepared on the initiative of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations with the active participation of the Republic of Belarus.
- The resolution was adopted with the support of 116 UN member states.
- The Republic of Belarus is a member of the resolution’s drafting group.
- The establishment of this international day is expected to strengthen international cooperation and solidarity among states in opposing unilateral coercive measures.
- The Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA) published the news report.
- BelTA’s Superposition. Parallel Worlds book won a CIS contest prize.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Celebrated annually on 15 November, the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime acts as a worldwide call to action against crimes that cross borders and compromise human rights, security, and peace.
- Emphasizing the expected 2025 theme, “Global Cooperation for a Safer World: Strengthening Unity Against Transnational Organized Crime,” is: Sharing cross-border intelligence is accelerated.
- The origins of this celebration are in the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), sometimes referred to as the Palermo Convention, approved by the UN General Assembly, Palermo, Italy, November 15, 2000.
- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) coordinates worldwide initiatives and supports member nations through research, policy development, and capacity building.
- The main forms of transnational organized crime include: Human trafficking, drug smuggling, cybercrime, arms trafficking, environmental crimes, and money laundering.
- The International Day of Peace is observed yearly on the 21st of September.
- The day was originally established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981.
- The theme for 2025’s International Day of Peace is “Act Now for a Peaceful World”.
- The "No Kings" national day of protest took place on October 18, 2025.
- People gathered across the country to vent their anger over President Trump's policies in "No Kings" protests.
- Organizers of "No Kings" stated that the president thinks his rule is absolute, but in America, there are no kings, and people will not back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty.
- The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is observed on November 25.
- The global theme for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which begins on this day, is cyberviolence.
- As many as 58% of women have been victims of online violence.
- 90 – 95% of deepfake videos are sexual images of women.
- 1 in 4 female journalists and 1 in 3 female parliamentarians have been threatened online, including death threats.
- Every Woman is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Mission Poshan 2.0: 34% Children Under 5 Stunted, 15% Underweight
Key Updates:
- Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0) subsumes Anganwadi services, Poshan Abhiyaan, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls to address malnutrition.
- Poshan Tracker data show 33.54% of measured children 0–5 years enrolled in Anganwadis are stunted and 14.41% are underweight.
- World Bank 2021 survey in 11 priority states found Poshan Abhiyaan services associated with improved nutrition behaviours and over 80% of women receiving programme messages.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that India's literacy rate has climbed from 74% in 2011 to 80.9% in 2023–24.
- He made this statement on International Literacy Day 2025.
- Pradhan credited the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram for driving this change.
- He lauded Ladakh, Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, and Himachal Pradesh for reaching 100% literacy.
- A new study, published in The Lancet, reveals that the world will soon witness a very low fertility rate.
- The study was collated by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME).
- It suggests that by 2100, over 97% of countries will have fertility rates below the percentage required to sustain population size over time.
- By 2050, 155 of 204 (76%) countries will be below the replacement level of fertility, estimated to further rise to 198 of 204 (97%) by 2100.
- The global Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has reduced to less than half over the past 70 years, from five children per female in 1950 to 2.2 children in 2021.
- Researchers state that countries require a Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.1 children per person to maintain long-term generational replacement of the population.
- In 2021, almost half of the world, 110 of 204 countries, are below the population replacement level of 2.1 births per female.
- Chad has the highest Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the world, at seven births.
- The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of sub-Saharan Africa is double the global average, at four children per female in 2021.
- India’s birth, death, and infant mortality rates have shown a steady decline over the past few decades.
- The birth rate has fallen from 21.4 in 2013 to 18.4 in 2023, and from 36.9 in 1971 to 18.4 in 2023.
- Rural birth rate declined from 22.9 to 20.3 between 2013 and 2023, while urban birth rate fell from 17.3 to 14.9.
- Bihar reported the highest birth rate at 25.8 in 2023, while the Andaman & Nicobar Islands recorded the lowest at 10.1.
- The death rate decreased from 7.0 in 2013 to 6.4 in 2023.
- Rural death rate was 6.8 compared to 5.7 in urban areas in 2023.
- Chhattisgarh recorded the highest death rate at 8.3, while Chandigarh registered the lowest at 4.0.
- Infant Mortality Rate dropped from 40 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 to 25 in 2023.
- Rural IMR fell from 44 to 28, and urban IMR declined from 27 to 18 between 2013 and 2023.
- In 2023, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest IMR at 37, while Manipur had the lowest at 3.
- India’s Maternal Mortality Rate declined by 83% between 1990 and 2020, compared to a 42% global decline.
- Maternal mortality now stands at 97 deaths per 100,000 live births, improved from 556 earlier.
Odisha to Host India’s Energy COP: Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 in Puri from December 5 to 7
Key Updates:
- The Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 is set to convene in Puri, Odisha, from December 5 to 7.
- Positioned as 'a COP for India’s energy sector,' the Summit will bring together policymakers, international experts, and industry leaders.
- The summit’s theme is “Powering India: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation”.
- GELS 2025 aims to create a structured platform for meaningful engagement among the Union Government, nearly 15 States, and over 30 national and international energy experts.
- The Summit is organised with the Tony Blair Institute and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, aligned with India’s Net Zero 2070 vision.
- Key participants include Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Principal secretary (energy) Vishal Kumar Dev, NITI Aayog Chief Executive Officer (CEO) B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Union energy minister Pralhad Joshi, and Chief Ministers from Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
- Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the Summit on December 6.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Non-fossil sources account for 51.37% of India’s installed electricity capacity while fossil fuels contribute 48.6%.
- Total power capacity hits 5.05 Lakh MW.
- Total renewable energy capacity stands at 2,50,643 MW.
- Solar capacity reaches 1,29,924 MW.
- Wind capacity reaches 53,600 MW.
- Hydro plus Pumped Storage capacity stands at 50,348 MW.
- Biomass and Waste-to-Energy capacity stands at 11,613 MW.
- Battery Energy Storage totals 43.22 GWh under implementation.
- Pumped Storage Projects total 11,870 MW under construction.
- Nuclear energy target is 100 GW by 2047.
- SMR Mission allocation is ₹20,000 crore.
- Green Hydrogen Mission targets 5 MMT production by 2030.
- Green Hydrogen Mission dedicates 125 GW RE capacity by 2030.
- 100% FDI allowed under automatic route for renewables.
- The G20 Summit, hosted for the first time on African soil, took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 21 to 23.
- The 2025 summit opened under the theme 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability'.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a new G20 initiative to tackle the drug-terror nexus and create a global healthcare response team.
- India also proposed a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership whereby data can be made more accessible for countries of the Global South.
- India put forward a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to promote recycling, urban mining, and second-life batteries.
- Prime Minister Modi announced an Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership to deepen collaboration in emerging technologies, support diversification of supply chains, clean energy, and mass adoption of AI.
- The G20 comprises 19 countries plus the European Union and the African Union, and accounts for 85 percent of the world's GDP and two-thirds of its population.
- The United States boycotted the event due to a diplomatic rift with the host country.
- Summit Name: Global Energy Leaders' Summit 2025, organised by Department of Energy, Government of Odisha in partnership with Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and IIT Kanpur
- Location: Puri, Odisha
- Participating Countries: Experts and stakeholders from over seven countries including Canada, Brazil, Indonesia, Bhutan, Singapore and Malaysia
- Theme: 'Powering India: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation'
- Key Objective: Sharing best practices in energy sector to help states learn from one another and turn innovation into progress
- Event: Third edition of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2025) organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
- Duration & Format: Two-day conference on 11–12 November featuring "plenary sessions, expert panels and technical discussions focused on building a resilient green hydrogen ecosystem."
- Context: The 2025–26 financial year is "heading for a record in renewable energy installations," with 3,089 MW of wind and 21,686 MW of solar capacity added in the first six months.
- National RE share: Non-fossil fuel capacity reached 2,56,089 MW, constituting 51.12% of India’s total power capacity of 5,00,889 MW.
- State rankings: Maharashtra (27,674 MW) has overtaken Tamil Nadu (26,589 MW) in total installed renewable energy capacity, while Rajasthan leads at 40,407 MW.
Cipla, Stempeutics Launch Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis
Key Updates:
- Cipla Limited, in partnership with Stempeutics Research, launched Ciplostem, an innovative allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis (knee OA).
- The treatment is approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
- The treatment offers to slow disease progression and promote cartilage maintenance for patients with Grade II and III knee OA.
- Ciplostem is an allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy, which implies that this is not customised or patient-specific stem cell therapy, and can be administered off the shelf.
- Ciplostem is administered as a single-dose, intra-articular injection containing 25 million cultured adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), co-administered with hyaluronic acid.
- The therapy works at a cellular level to reduce inflammation and pain, enhance joint function, and help preserve cartilage quality.
- The launch addresses a critical unmet need in India, where knee OA affects over 48.4 million people.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Technology: Indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy named 'BIRSA 101' engineered with enFnCas9 platform developed by CSIR–Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB)
- Target: Designed as a 'precise genetic surgery' to potentially cure Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) that disproportionately affects India's tribal populations in central and eastern regions
- Affordability: Projected to cost 'only a fraction' of global gene therapies that typically run Rs 20–25 crore, ensuring wider accessibility
- Public-private partnership: Formal technology transfer and collaboration agreement exchanged between CSIR-IGIB and Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SIIPL) to manufacture and scale the therapy
- Policy link: Launch supports the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aiming for a 'Sickle Cell–Free India by 2047' through universal screening, prevention and management across 278 affected tribal districts
- Sun Pharmaceuticals has inked a second brand partnership with AstraZeneca India arm to sell Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate (SZC) brand in the country.
- AstraZeneca will market the therapy under the global brand name Lokelma, while Sun Pharma will promote and distribute it as Gimliand.
- AstraZeneca will retain the intellectual property rights to SZC and hold the Marketing Authorization along with the import license of the molecule.
- The financial terms of the agreement and the therapy's market price have not been disclosed.
- SZC is a non-absorbed, inorganic, potassium-binding crystalline compound used to treat hyperkalemia in adults.
- In 2024, AstraZeneca’s Lokelma clocked net sales of $542 million (over ~Rs 4,600 crore).
- Russia has announced that its novel cancer vaccine, Enteromix, has demonstrated 100% efficacy and safety in initial human trials.
- Developed using the same mRNA technology as the COVID-19 vaccines, Enteromix is designed to train the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
- This pioneering therapy is personalized for each colorectal cancer patient, offering a custom immunotherapy tailored to an individual's tumour profile.
- The trials involved 48 volunteers and were conducted by Russia's National Medical Research Radiological Centre in collaboration with the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology.
- The announcement, made at the 2025 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, frames this Russian cancer vaccine as a potential game-changer in oncology, one step away from regulatory approval by Russia's Ministry of Health.
- Enteromix was born from years of coordinated research by Russia's National Medical Research Radiological Centre and the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology.
- Unlike conventional cancer vaccines, Enteromix brings two key innovations: Fully personalized design and mRNA platform.
- WHO 24th Model List of Essential Medicines (EML) and 10th Model List for Children (EMLc) add PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (atezolizumab, cemiplimab, pembrolizumab) for metastatic cervical, colorectal and non-small-cell lung cancers.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists dulaglutide, semaglutide, liraglutide and dual GLP-1/GIP agonist tirzepatide are now listed for adults with type 2 diabetes plus cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease or obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²).
- Rapid-acting insulin analogues are newly included for treatment of type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
- Cystic-fibrosis combination therapy Trikafta (Kaftrio) from Vertex Pharmaceuticals is added to encourage wider global availability despite its high cost.
- The Expert Committee reviewed 59 applications, adding 20 new adult medicines, 15 paediatric medicines and seven new indications for already-listed drugs.
AITA extends Rohit Rajpal’s tenure as Indian Davis Cup captain
Key Updates:
- All India Tennis Association (AITA) reappointed Rohit Rajpal as captain of the Indian Davis Cup team till December 31, 2026.
- Ashutosh Singh has been retained as the team’s coach.
- India will host the Netherlands in the upcoming Davis Cup Qualifiers.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Italy clinched its third consecutive Davis Cup title.
- This victory marked Italy's fourth overall Davis Cup crown.
- The Davis Cup final, where Italy triumphed over Spain, was held in Bologna.
- Italy's current achievement marks its third consecutive title since the 1971 Challenge Round abolition.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB on Thursday named former Tamil Nadu spinner Malolan Rangarajan as the head coach of their women's team ahead of the fourth WPL season next year.
- Rangarajan replaces Luke Williams, who was appointed as head coach in 2024.
- Malolan Rangarajan, a key member of the RCB support staff for the last six years in various roles, has now been appointed as head coach for the upcoming WPL cycle.
- He served as the assistant coach during their title-winning season in 2024.
- The WPL is being a held a month earlier than usual in 2026 -- from January to February.
- Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), received the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 in the Outstanding Achievement category.
- During his tenure as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary from 2019-2024, he introduced the Women's Premier League (WPL) and implemented pay parity for women's teams.
- India's women's cricket team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, won the Indian of the Year Award in the Sports category following their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 victory.
- Andre Russell announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
- He will join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coaching group as a power coach for the 2026 season.
- He has been synonymous with KKR since 2014.
- He is 37 years old.
- He played his first two years for Delhi Daredevils.
- He ends his IPL career with 2,651 runs at a strike rate of 174.18 including 12 fifties and 123 wickets with one five-for in 140 matches.
Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) sanctions ₹7,280 Cr to build 6,000 TPA integrated rare-earth magnet capacity.
Key Updates:
- Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) allocates ₹6,450 Cr in sales-linked incentives and ₹750 Cr in capital subsidies for five beneficiaries (1,200 TPA each).
- India currently imports ~100 % of its rare-earth magnet demand; imports stood at ~2.3 kilo tons in 2024 with ~65 % sourced from China.
- Domestic rare-earth reserves are estimated at ~7 Mn Tons and are monazite-based, requiring radiological safeguards due to thorium content.
Similar / Past Coverage
- DAE, in collaboration with Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd., launched ColoNoX, India’s first nitric-oxide-releasing wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers DFU.
- The wound dressing was developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre BARC and clinically validated through Phase II and III trials, receiving DCGI approval for commercial manufacturing.
- DAE released an indigenously developed Certified Reference Material CRM titled Ferrocarbonatite FC – BARC B140, to support exploration, extraction and process control in Rare Earth Elements REEs.
- The CRM was created jointly by BARC’s NCCCM National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials and the Atomic Minerals Directorate AMD, Hyderabad.
- The Ferrocarbonatite FC – BARC B140 CRM provides certified values for thirteen rare-earth elements and six major elements.
- Officials noted that this CRM is the first of its kind developed in India and only the fourth in the world.
- The Union Cabinet cleared a Rs 7,280-crore incentive scheme to build domestic rare earth magnet capacity.
- The program will run for seven years and aims to create 6,000 metric tons per annum capacity.
- India will set up 5 units of 1,200 tons per annum capacity within three years.
- The scheme focuses on integrated manufacturing facilities to reduce dependence on China.
- India produced 357 million tonnes of foodgrains.
- India's foodgrain production increased by 100 million tonnes compared to 10 years ago.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Natural Farming Exhibition in Coimbatore.
- The South India Natural Farming Summit promotes sustainable, eco-friendly, and chemical-free agricultural practices.
- The Summit focuses on regenerative farming as a climate-smart and economically sustainable model.
- The Summit showcases innovations in organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging, and indigenous technologies.
- The incentive outlay for rare-earth magnet manufacturing is being raised to 'over ₹7,000 crore ($788 million)', up from the earlier '$290 million plan'.
- The support is expected to cover 'about five companies through a mix of production-linked and capital subsidies'.
- India's annual demand is projected at 'about 2,000 tonnes of rare earth oxides'.
India Launches Multi-Panel Exercise To Develop First Obesity Guidelines
Key Updates:
- India’s apex medical research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), constituted multiple panels to draft and design scientific guidelines for obesity.
- Work on the project began in September.
- The plan will focus on creating evidence-based prevention and treatment guidelines for Indians across different phases of life, from childhood and adolescence to young adulthood, midlife, and old age.
- The objective is to release at least one set of guidelines by mid-2026.
- A policy group, consisting of five joint secretaries from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, will be set up to convert the guideline draft into simple, easy-to-understand language for the Indian population.
Similar / Past Coverage
- WHO issued its first guideline on GLP-1 therapies including liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.
- Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths in 2024.
- WHO recognizes obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive and lifelong care.
- GLP-1 therapies mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion.
- WHO recommends conditional long-term use of GLP-1 therapies for adults living with obesity, except during pregnancy.
- WHO added GLP-1 therapies to its Essential Medicines List in 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups.
- Harbhajan Singh, Saina Nehwal, and Rohit Shetty were "honoured as ‘Fit India Icons’".
- The honour was bestowed "at National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025".
- They were "felicitated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya".
- The conclave was "hosted at The Trident, Mumbai".
- Harbhajan Singh is identified as a "World Cup-winning cricketer", Saina Nehwal as an "Olympic medallist", and Rohit Shetty as a "Bollywood filmmaker".
- The event celebrated the "Fit India Mission, which aims to inspire citizens to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the journey towards a Fit and Viksit Bharat."
- **Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)**: Covers 11 crore children in 11 lakh schools, linking nutrition, agriculture, and education, with promotion of millets strengthening climate-resilient food systems.
- **Swachh Bharat Abhiyan**: Improved sanitation, public health, and environmental sustainability, while embedding dignity and cultural symbolism via Gandhi’s vision.
- **Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA)**: Enhanced livelihood security while simultaneously restoring degraded ecosystems through water conservation and afforestation.
- **Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)**: Facilitated transition to clean cooking fuel, which cut household air pollution and reduced carbon emissions.
- **Multiple Dividends from Intersectoral Action**: Intentional, intersectoral action in these programmes can yield improved nutrition, reduced pollution, restored ecosystems, and healthier communities.
- **Leadership and Community Engagement**: Political leadership, including direct involvement of the Prime Minister, gave schemes like Swachh Bharat and PMUY inter-ministerial traction and public legitimacy; community engagement leveraged parent-teacher committees and cultural pride.
- **Persistent Structural Challenges**: Include administrative silos, high refill costs in PMUY, social barriers (e.g., gender norms) limiting uptake, and an output vs. outcome gap where immediate coverage is measured but not long-term health-climate impact.
- **Suggested Framework for Climate-Health Governance**: Involves strategic prioritisation (framing climate action as immediate health security), procedural integration (embedding health impact assessments into energy, transport, and urban policies), and participatory implementation (leveraging ASHA workers, SHGs, Panchayats).
- India has been unanimously re-elected to the Codex Executive Committee (CCEXEC) for the Asia region.
- This re-election occurred during the 48th Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC48).
- India’s leadership in global food safety and trade standards is ensured until 2027.
- The Indian delegation was led by FSSAI CEO Rajit Punhani.
- India pushed for stronger data systems, updated global databases for additives and pesticide residues, and the use of AI tools to speed up Codex work.
- Key highlights included the Adoption of the Standard for Fresh Dates and the Forwarding of the Standard for Fresh Curry Leaves.
- Other approvals included new guidelines for pesticide reference material, an updated aflatoxin code for peanuts, and nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors.
- The Revival of the Cashew Kernel Standard was noted as a major boost for India’s exports.
- India also supported global standards for laver products and camel milk.
Council and Parliament (EU) agree on rules to prohibit Russian gas imports
Key Updates:
- Imports of Russian pipeline gas and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will be prohibited from six weeks after the regulation's entry into force, with a transition period for existing contracts.
- Russian gas accounts for an estimated 13% of European Union (EU) imports in 2025, valued at over €15 billion annually.
- European Union (EU) oil imports from Russia dropped to below 3% in 2025 due to the current sanctions regime.
- The Commission intends to propose legislation for phasing out Russian oil imports to the European Union (EU) no later than end of 2027.
- The prior authorisation procedure does not apply to imports from countries that exported over 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to the European Union (EU) in 2024.
- The regulation introduces effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties for non-compliance, including a maximum threshold for both companies and private individuals.
- The Commission will review the regulation's implementation within two years of its entry into force.
- Member states must notify the Commission within one month of the regulation's entry into force regarding Russian gas supply contracts or national legal bans.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Ukraine will get up to 100 of France's Rafale F4 fighter jets as well as advanced air defence systems in a major deal.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the letter of intent with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at an air base near Paris.
- Deliveries of the Rafale F4's are planned to be completed by 2035.
- The joint production of interceptor drones is starting this year.
- This is a strategic agreement which will last for 10 years starting from the next year.
- Ukraine would also get 'very strong French radars', eight air defence systems and other advanced weaponry.
- Financial details are yet to be worked out, but reports say France plans to attract EU financing and also access frozen Russian assets.
- A summit of the coalition of the willing was held in Paris.
- The summit took place on September 4, 2025.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff were in attendance, with US President Donald Trump joining via video call.
- 26 countries, including European nations, Canada, Australia, and Japan, formally committed to deploy troops as a 'reassurance force' in Ukraine after fighting ends.
- These troops would not be deployed 'on the front line' and would aim to 'prevent any new major aggression'.
- US President Donald Trump 'emphasised' that European countries must stop purchasing Russian oil, specifically mentioning Hungary and Slovakia.
- The European Union imposed a ban on most oil imports from Russia in 2022, with an exception for imports to Slovakia and Hungary.
- The European Commission has proposed legislation to phase out EU imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028.
- The Trump administration has imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian oil.
- OPEC+ decided to maintain current production levels for the first quarter of 2026.
- Brent crude futures rose 47 cents, or 0.73 per cent, to $65.24 a barrel.
- US West Texas Intermediate crude was at $61.43 a barrel, up 45 cents, or 0.74 per cent.
- The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, known as OPEC+, agreed to raise output by 137,000 barrels per day in December.
- OPEC+ decided to pause the production increments in January, February, and March 2026.
- The US imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil.
- Brent and WTI fell more than 2 per cent for a third straight month in October, hitting a five-month low on October 20.
- Estimates of oil market surplus ranged anywhere from 0.19 to 3 million bpd.
- The Energy Information Administration reported that US crude oil output rose 86,000 bpd to a record 13.8 million bpd in August.
- The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) outlined a three-step plan for India to protect its trade interests under the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiation with America.
- On October 24, government officials stated that India and the US are "very near" to finalising the first tranche of the ambitious Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
- Washington imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil on October 22, which together account for 57 per cent of Russia's crude output.
- Since the introduction of the 25 per cent "Russian oil" tariff on July 31, total duties on Indian goods have doubled to 50 per cent.
- The introduction of the "Russian oil" tariff led to a 37 per cent fall in Indian exports between May and September.
- GTRI argues that removing the "Russian oil" tariff would halve India's US duty burden from 50 per cent back to 25 per cent.
- GTRI suggests India seek average industrial tariffs of around 15 per cent and duty-free access for select export sectors, including textiles, gems and jewellery, and pharmaceuticals, to achieve parity with major partners like the European Union.
Thailand lifts afternoon alcohol ban for six-month tourism trial
Key Updates:
- Thailand has temporarily lifted a decades-old ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks in the afternoons as part of a six-month trial.
- Accredited establishments can now sell beer, wine and spirits from 14:00 to 17:00.
- The ban, which came into force in 1972, was primarily introduced to stop government employees from drinking during work hours.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The island nation of the Maldives has officially become the first country in the world to impose a generational ban on tobacco smoking, outlawing the buying, selling, or use of tobacco products for anyone born on or after 1 January 2007.
- The law defines that individuals born on or after 1 January 2007 will never be legally allowed to purchase, use, or be sold tobacco products in the Maldives.
- In late 2024, the Maldivian government banned the import, possession, use, manufacture, and sale of all vaping products, applying the restriction to people of all ages.
- The ban came into force on Saturday(November 1) across the archipelago, a move the Ministry of Health hailed as a historic milestone in safeguarding public health and fostering a tobacco-free generation.
- Authorities are aiming to reduce smoking throughout the island, planning to establish anti-smoking clinics that provide medication and support to help residents quit tobacco.
- Earlier this summer, the president even suggested offering cash rewards to communities on islands that successfully become smoke-free.
- The Delhi government has abolished the provision of mandatory renewal of registration every 21 years for establishments.
- This change is implemented under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954.
- The Labour Department of the Delhi Government has abolished the mandatory renewal of registration under Section 5 of the Act.
- The primary objective of this decision is to promote 'Ease of Doing Business' and simplify business processes.
- Previously, the Act mandated renewal of registration every 21 years from the date of registration.
- This step will move the registration process towards a one-time registration model, freeing traders from the hassle of periodic renewals.
- The registration process under the Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954, is already fully online, requires no documents or fees, and issues certificates immediately, a system in effect since 2009.
- Agreement prohibits governments from subsidising overfished stocks and fishing beyond national jurisdictions
- Deal required formal ratification by two-thirds of WTO members; achieved after Brazil, Kenya, Tonga and Vietnam ratified
- Poorer states gain access to a dedicated fund to ease transition into compliance
- Global fishing subsidies total roughly $35.4 billion annually, with China, EU, US, South Korea and Japan listed as top subsidisers
- Current rules expire in four years unless more comprehensive provisions are negotiated
- Ministry of Home Affairs relaxed the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Nagaland.
- The relaxation aims to promote tourism, improve ease of movement and strengthen integration with the rest of the country during the Hornbill Festival.
- Nagaland government requested lifting of the PAP regime.
- Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to relax the PAP regime.
Donald Trump declared all Joe Biden autopen-signed documents null and void
Key Updates:
- Donald Trump declared all official documents signed by former President Joe Biden using an autopen 'null, void, and of no further force and effect.'
- Trump stated that any document carrying an autopen signature within the Biden administration is 'fully and completely terminated, and is of no Legal effect.'
- The declaration targets executive orders, pardons, commutations, and other legal instruments issued under Biden.
Similar / Past Coverage
- USCIS has discontinued payments by cheque and money order for all immigration filings.
- Applicants must now authorise payments through electronic debit using Form G-1650, which allows USCIS to withdraw funds directly from a US bank account.
- Over 90 percent of past payments were made using cheques or money orders, which often delayed processing and increased the risk of fraud or missed payments.
- For H-1B and other employer-sponsored work visas, Form G-1450 remains available for credit card transactions.
- The rule change could be particularly inconvenient for international students on F-1 visas and newly hired H-1B employees who lack access to a US checking account.
- USCIS cautions that any incorrect account or routing number on Form G-1650 could lead to rejection of the case.
- Prepaid or reloadable credit cards may serve as a short-term alternative for those without US bank access, provided they meet USCIS payment authorisation standards.
- Proposed by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through draft amendments to the IT Rules, 2021
- Objective: 'to curb user harm from AI-generated deepfakes and synthetically produced content' and ensure 'users can distinguish synthetic and authentic content'
- Key definition introduced: 'synthetically generated information' means 'information that is artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified or altered using a computer resource, in a manner that appears reasonably authentic or true'
- Labelling requirement: synthetic content must carry a prominent label/identifier covering at least '10 per cent of the surface area of a visual display or, in the case of audio content, during the initial 10 per cent of its duration'
- Metadata obligation: intermediaries offering tools that create/modify synthetic content must embed 'a permanent unique metadata or identifier' and must not 'modify, suppress, or remove such labels or identifiers'
- Due-diligence on platforms: significant social media intermediaries (≥50 lakh users) must obtain user declaration on synthetic uploads, deploy 'reasonable and proportionate technical measures to verify such declarations', and label the content accordingly
- The Supreme Court held that the Court cannot impose any timelines for decisions of the President and the Governor on granting assent to Bills under the Constitution.
- A Constitutional bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai issued its opinion while answering 13 questions referred to it by the President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143 of the Constitution.
- The Supreme Court refused to accept the preliminary objections raised by opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala to maintainability of Presidential Reference.
AI-Based Monsoon Forecast Pilot Guides Crores of Farmers Across 13 States
Key Updates:
- An AI-based pilot used an open-source blended model combining Google’s NeuralGCM, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts’ ECMWF Artificial Intelligence Forecasting System (AIFS), and 125 years of India Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data to generate probabilistic forecasts of local monsoon onset.
- The Development Innovation Lab-India collaborated on the pilot that covered agriculturally relevant areas across parts of 13 states for Kharif 2025.
- Probabilistic forecasts of local monsoon onset were sent via SMS through the M-Kisan portal to 3,88,45,214 farmers in five regional languages—Hindi, Odia, Marathi, Bangla, and Punjabi.
- Telephonic farmer feedback surveys conducted through Kisan Call Centres in Madhya Pradesh and Bihar revealed that 31–52% of farmers adjusted planting decisions, primarily altering land preparation and sowing timing, including crop and input choice.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Technology/Event: Cloud-seeding trials using a Cessna aircraft dispersing eight 0.5-kg flares of silver-iodide mix per sortie
- Implementing Agency: IIT Kanpur executing the project under a MoU with Delhi environment department
- Key Finding: Seeded cloud humidity only 10–20 %, below optimal levels, producing no measurable rainfall over Delhi; neighbouring Noida/Greater Noida registered 0.1–0.2 mm
- Objective: Intended precipitation to mitigate urban air pollution; PM2.5 at Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh and Burari fell marginally (≈10–25 µg/m³) post-seeding though no rain occurred
- Budget & Trials: Rs 1.9 crore spent on three sorties so far; overall budget Rs 3.21 crore covers up to nine trials
General Horta Inta-A named head of Guinea-Bissau transitional government
Key Updates:
- General Horta Inta-A was named as the head of a one-year transitional government after the military coup in Guinea-Bissau.
- He was sworn in as transitional leader and head of the High Command following the coup.
- General Horta Inta-A formerly served as personal Chief of Staff to the president and later as Chief of Army General Staff.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Francois Bayrou, 74, served as Prime Minister of France for nine months before the National Assembly voted him out
- Bayrou is the sixth prime minister under President Emmanuel Macron since 2017 and the second PM Macron has lost in a year
- The confidence vote was triggered by Bayrou's budget plan to cut about 44 billion euros to reduce France's debt
- President Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet from Ambala Air Force Station.
- She is the first President to fly in a Rafale jet.
- Earlier, on April 8, 2023, she became the third President and second woman head of state to fly in a Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft.
- Pakistan is heading for another round of constitutional amendments that, according to Lawyers and civil society, is yet another move to entrench the military and give more power to Pakistan’s COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir.
- The proposed amendment to Article 243, which remains officially undisclosed, is said to include provisions that would reshape the judiciary, centralise certain provincial powers, and potentially alter the constitutional framework governing the armed forces.
- The government had requested backing for a package that includes the creation of provincial constitutional courts, the restoration of executive magistrates, and new rules governing the transfer of judges.
- The draft also proposes removing the constitutional protection of provincial shares under the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and revising Article 243, which defines the command structure of the armed forces.
- A two-thirds parliamentary majority is needed for the 27th Amendment to pass.
- Article 243, the clause that keeps the military under civilian command, has been amended five times in Pakistan’s history.
- Paul Biya won his eighth term as president.
- He secured 53.7% of the vote.
- The Constitutional Council declared him the winner.
- He has been in power since 1982.
- He is the presidential candidate for the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
India to procure additional Israeli Heron Mk II UAVs under emergency provisions
Key Updates:
- India is procuring additional advanced satellite-linked Heron Mark II unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel under emergency provisions invoked after Operation Sindoor.
- Emergency procurement allows the armed forces to directly procure complete weapon systems up to ₹300 crore.
- Following Operation Sindoor, all three services have opted for the Heron Mk II under emergency procurement.
- The Heron Mark II has an endurance of 45 hours and a service ceiling of 35,000 feet.
- It is equipped with satellite communication, automatic take-off and landing systems, and advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors.
- India’s armed forces have initiated a tri-service programme to acquire 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAVs under the Make in India initiative.
- The estimated value of the Make in India MALE UAV project is over ₹20,000 crore.
- The order will be split between two Indian vendors in a 64:36 ratio, enabling at least 60 per cent indigenous content.
Similar / Past Coverage
- India signed Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) with the United States for sustainment support of Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopters for five years at an approximate value of Rs 7,995 crore.
- The LOAs were inked under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme of the United States in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi.
- Sustainment support includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, product support, training, technical support, repair & replenishment of components and setting up of ‘Intermediate’ level component repairs & Periodic Maintenance Inspection facilities in India.
- Indigenous development of these facilities aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, ensuring long-term capability build-up and reduced dependence on the US Government.
- The support will enhance operational availability and maintainability of all-weather capable MH-60R helicopters, which also have Anti-Submarine Warfare capability.
- Technology: Windracers ULTRA autonomous cargo UAV with industry-leading payload capacity and proven multi-mission resilience in Antarctic research missions.
- Partners: Bharat Forge (India) and Windracers Limited (UK) signed MoU at DSEI UK 2025 in London for deployment, localisation and application across India.
- Key objectives: Enable safe and efficient transport over hazardous and inaccessible terrain; support tri-service needs for naval, air and land domains.
- Defence alignment: Fits Indian Ministry of Defence 15-year roadmap prioritising unmanned logistics, naval operations, high-altitude supply chains and dual-use technologies.
- Commercial scope: Initial two-year term for joint trials, localisation and shaping a definitive agreement; leverages UK-India FTA and India-UK Vision 2035 goals.
- Exercise Name: Vayu Samanvay-II, conducted by Indian Army Southern Command
- Location: Forward areas of desert sector under Pune-headquartered Southern Command
- Key Outcome: Validated Army’s preparedness for next-generation warfare by integrating aerial and ground assets and multi-domain command & control centres in an electronic-warfare-contested environment
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered into a strategic partnership with US-headquartered General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for manufacturing MALE RPAS in India.
- The partnership aims to produce Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) platforms for the Indian armed forces.
- The combat-proven MALE RPAS platforms will be manufactured entirely in India.
- L&T will be the prime bidder and GA-ASI the technology partner for the upcoming 87 MALE RPAS programme of the Ministry of Defence.
- The collaboration will enable the production of GA-ASI's combat-proven MQ-series RPAS.
- GA-ASI's MQ-series RPAS are widely operational across the globe in surveillance and strike missions.
- The partnership aims to significantly enhance India's defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) freezes all USCIS cases involving nationals of 19 travel-ban countries
Key Updates:
- The Trump administration directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to stop final adjudication on all cases involving individuals from 19 countries listed in President Trump’s June proclamation.
- USCIS suspended citizenship ceremonies for legal permanent residents from the affected countries who were ready to be naturalized.
- The suspension covers every form type and halts approvals, denials, and oath ceremonies.
- The policy memo dated Dec. 2 formalized the pause on all immigration applications filed by nationals of the 19 countries and mandated a thorough re-review process.
- Any lifting of the hold requires approval from the USCIS Director or Deputy Director.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Trump administration is adding $100,000 to the existing fee for H-1B visa applications.
- H-1B visas are already expensive, with the cost ranging from about $1,700 to $4,500.
- The $100,000 is a one-time fee that only applies to new visas and is not an annual payment.
- The H-1B program is capped at 65,000 new visas each year, although an additional 20,000 can be issued for employees with a master's degree or higher, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Amazon received the most H1-B visas of any business in 2024, Department of Labor data shows.
- This year, Amazon remains the leading recipient of the visas, with more than 10,000 awarded, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple and Google.
- About 20% of applications result in approved workers, according to a March study from the nonpartisan National Foundation for American Policy.
- Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce.
- The agreement was reached at a meeting in Seoul.
- China paused plans for a dramatic expansion of its rare-earths export controls.
- Export controls announced on Oct. 9 will be suspended for one year.
- Consumer affairs department has proposed that every e-commerce company selling imported products must provide a 'searchable and sortable filter' for 'country of origin' with their product listings.
- The proposed change in the Legal Metrology Rules is aimed at helping consumers make quick choices as per their preference.
- The consumer affairs department has notified amended Legal Metrology Rules stating that 18 different weights and measures will be verified by government approved test centres.
- The UK and France have agreed a year-long scheme of exchanges of migrants to deter small boat crossings, known as the 'one in, one out' deal.
- Under the scheme, for each migrant the UK returns to France, another migrant with a strong case for asylum in the UK will be allowed to come in return.
- An Eritrean man, an Iranian male, and an Indian national have been returned to France under the scheme.
- A judge, Mr Justice Sheldon, ruled that France was a safe country abiding by the same safeguards as the UK under the European Convention of Human Rights, allowing the removal flights.
Texas A&M University team uses molybdenum-disulfide nanoflowers to trigger mitochondria transfer and revive aging cells
Key Updates:
- Researchers at Texas A&M University used nanoflowers made from molybdenum disulfide to scavenge reactive oxygen species and stimulate stem cells to produce surplus mitochondria.
- The surplus mitochondria were naturally transferred to old, damaged neighboring cells, restoring energy levels without genetic manipulation.
- In lab tests, mitochondria transfer rates doubled, heart smooth-muscle cell numbers rose three-to-four-fold, and chemotherapy-damaged heart cells showed significantly higher survival.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Discovery: Cryo-EM reveals RAD52 forms two 11-membered rings that encircle all three arms of a stalled DNA replication fork, a structure never seen before.
- Institution/Researchers: Maria Spies, PhD, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, senior author of the study published in Nature.
- Key Finding: The RAD52-DNA complex shields replication forks from motor-protein interference, helping cancer cells survive DNA-damage stress.
- Therapeutic Relevance: RAD52 is a high-priority drug target for BRCA-deficient breast, ovarian and glioblastoma tumours via synthetic lethality.
- Next Step: Existing small-molecule RAD52 inhibitors require refinement before clinical testing.
- Discovery: Down-regulating the transcription factor PU.1 converts a small subset of microglia into neuroprotective cells that suppress brain-wide inflammation and curb amyloid pathology in Alzheimer’s mouse models
- Institution: Max Planck Institute (Anne Schaefer laboratory) in collaboration with Alison Goate and Alexander Tarakhovsky
- Key finding: Protective microglia express the lymphoid co-stimulatory receptor CD28; microglia-specific deletion of CD28 abolishes their suppressive function, accelerates plaque growth and worsens neuroinflammation
- Human relevance: Results were validated in human microglia and human brain tissue, and align with prior genetic evidence that lower PU.1 (SPI1) expression is associated with reduced Alzheimer’s risk
- Therapeutic implication: The PU.1–CD28 signaling axis provides a new molecular target for microglia-directed immunotherapies aimed at slowing or preventing Alzheimer’s progression
- Scientists at the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (S N Bose) introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that could change how we understand and treat cancer, and also pave the way for personalised therapies.
- The framework, developed in collaboration with Ashoka University, gives a new lens to look at cancer -- not by its size or spread alone, but by its molecular personality.
- The new AI framework titled OncoMark can read the molecular “mind” of cancer and predict its behaviour.
- The team at S N Bose, led by Dr. Shubhasis Haldar and Dr. Debayan Gupta, used OncoMark to analyse 3.1 million single cells across 14 cancer types.
- S N Bose is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
- OncoMark achieved over 99 per cent accuracy in internal testing and remained above 96 per cent across five independent cohorts.
- It was validated on 20,000 real-world patient samples from eight major datasets, showing broad applicability.
- The new framework, published in the Nature journal Communications Biology, reveals which hallmarks are active in a patient's tumour.
- Results from a Cleveland Clinic Phase 1, first-in-human clinical trial showed that a one-time infusion of a gene-editing therapy using CRISPR-Cas9 safely reduced LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides in people with lipid disorders resistant to current medications.
- This trial tested CTX310, an experimental CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing treatment that is delivered as a one-time infusion.
- CTX310 carries the CRISPR editing mechanism into the liver, where it switches off a gene called ANGPTL3.
- CTX310 reduced both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides by approximately 50% on average at the highest dose.
- The treatment did not result in any serious adverse events related to the treatment during short-term follow-up.
- The study was conducted between June 2024 and August 2025 at six sites in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
- Future Phase 2 studies are planned to begin in 2026, focusing on broader patient populations and longer-term outcomes.
Madras High Court reaffirms exclusive ritual rights of Thengalai sect at Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram
Key Updates:
- Madras high court has reaffirmed that only the Thengalai sub-sect of Sri Vaishnava holds exclusive rights to lead religious recitations and rituals at the Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram.
- The court observed that earlier landmark judgments from 1882, 1915, 1939, and 1969 already determined that the Adhyapaka Mirasi rights belong exclusively to the Thengalai sect residing in Kanchipuram.
- The bench ruled that these findings continue to remain legally valid and enforceable, noting that the Vadagalai sect’s participation must be limited to joining the recitation as worshippers without independent invocation.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest notified as 698 hectares under Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882; additional 550 ha to be added after delineation to form 1248 ha Ramsar Site
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) assigned boundary delineation with specific survey numbers in November 2024
- State environment dept states building approvals granted only on 'private patta lands' outside current Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest boundaries
- Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the Pallikaranai Ramsar Site preparation is underway
- The Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and the Galiara area around the Golden Temple in Amritsar as holy cities.
- There will be a complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor, meat and tobacco items at these places, according to the resolution.
- The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a special session of the Punjab Assembly convened to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
- Initiative Name: Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission's separate Court Room (first-of-its-kind in any State Scheduled Castes Commission in India)
- Objective: "to ensure faster hearings, timely disposal of cases and overall efficiency in the functioning of the Commission"
- Key Feature: "Equipped with modern facilities" and an "Online Court System would also be introduced soon to enable complainants to appear virtually, saving time, travel, and expenses for the public"
- The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) is mentioned in the text.
- District Magistrate Sashank Subhankar chairs the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC).
- Dr. Mahashweta Maharathi is the BTMC Secretary.
Rajnath Singh addresses 100th Common Foundation Course at LBSNAA
Key Updates:
- Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, addressed the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
- He urged young civil servants to stay mission-ready for national security and highlighted Operation Sindoor as an example of civil–military fusion.
- Singh emphasised that good governance and national security must move together to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Similar / Past Coverage
- IMD has installed a 771 kWp solar power system across the Mausam Bhawan Complex comprising 1,315 solar panels through NBCC.
- The initiative supports national goals under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and contributes to India’s net-zero commitments.
- Generated power is expected to exceed IMD’s consumption needs and can be fed back to the grid, enabling both environmental and economic gains.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi decides to upgrade SCL Mohali and establish a high-quality semiconductor training centre, strong commercial production unit, and world-class R&D facility under India Semiconductor Mission.
- SCL Mohali upgrade includes process modernisation, new tools, and production level increased 100 times.
- Modernisation of SCL addresses strategic requirements, student needs, researcher requirements, chips, and fabrication.
- Large-scale training facility to be built at SCL Mohali.
- SCL to remain a government organisation and major R&D organisation.
- India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021.
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM assumed charge as Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A).
- He succeeds Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, AVSM, NM, who is retiring on 30 November 2025 after 38 years of distinguished service.
- He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nao Sena Medal.
- He has the rare distinction of heading two major dockyards on both the Western and Eastern Coasts.
- During the tenure of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, eight ships were inducted into the Indian Navy.
- Prior to assuming charge of the CWP&A, he served as the Program Director of the Advanced Technology Vessel Program in New Delhi.
- MoU signed between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to jointly research advanced smart technologies for national security.
- Research domains explicitly include "logistics management, operational logistics across tactical, operational and strategic levels, chip design, hardware security, and emerging encryption technologies including homomorphic and blockchain-based systems."
- Collaboration will involve joint studies, seminars, conferences, workshops and capacity-building initiatives to boost capabilities of researchers and scientists in military sciences, logistics, and advanced technical research.
- GSV already has established partnerships with the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy for research and education in logistics and supply chain management.
- Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, established in 2022 under an Act of Parliament, is India’s first university dedicated to the transportation and logistics sector and functions under the Ministry of Railways.
India’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Blending Mandate for International Flights
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced indicative SAF blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international flights.
- Public sector oil marketing companies are actively engaged in achieving the stated blending targets.
- Indian Oil Corp became the first Indian firm to obtain ISCC CORSIA certification for commercial SAF production at its Panipat Refinery.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Global Methane Status Report (GMSR) 2025 is a flagship analysis by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
- The report warns that the world is making progress on methane reduction but far too slowly to meet the 2030 Global Methane Pledge (GMP).
- Methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for nearly a third of current warming, reached approximately 352 million tonnes (Mt) in 2020.
- Under current legislation, emissions are projected to rise to 369 Mt by 2030, pushing the world further from its agreed goal of cutting methane emissions at least 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030.
- Agriculture accounts for 42 per cent of global methane emissions, primarily from livestock digestion (enteric fermentation), rice cultivation, and manure management.
- More than 72 per cent of total global 2030 methane reduction potential lies in the energy sector, where many solutions deliver near-immediate results at low or even negative cost.
- Fully implementing technical measures consistent with the GMP will require $127 billion per year by 2030, while tracked funding reached $13.7 billion annually in 2021–22.
- Experiments to blend 10 per cent ethanol with diesel were unsuccessful.
- Trials are now underway to blend diesel with isobutanol, a derivative of ethanol.
- The government has rolled out E20, petrol mixed with 20 per cent ethanol, across India, replacing the earlier E10 fuel.
- E20 was initially launched at select stations in April 2023 and became the nationwide standard by April 2025.
- About 85 per cent of India’s fossil fuel needs are met through imports.
- Corn acreage has increased threefold with the push for biofuels.
- Tool name: Integrity Matters Checklist — jointly developed by GRI and the UN to operationalise the UN High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) Integrity Matters recommendations
- Mapping function: links every HLEG net-zero integrity recommendation to the GRI Standards, specifically the updated GRI 102: Climate Change 2025 Standard
- Disclosure scope: guides companies to report science-based GHG targets, transition plans, fossil-fuel phase-out steps and just-transition integration
- Institutional endorsements: endorsed by United Nations and welcomed by UN Assistant Secretary-General Selwin Hart, UN Global Compact CEO Sanda Ojiambo, and UN HLEG Chair Catherine McKenna
- Release timing: launched on 10 Nov 2025, coinciding with COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and the updated 2025 HLEG stocktake released at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio
- At COP30, Cambodia announced its support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.
- This pushed the number of countries supporting the initiative to 18.
- The initiative aims to create a binding legal framework to phase out oil, gas and coal.
- Cambodia announced its support for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative during a high-level meeting on November 17, 2025 at the 30th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) at Belem, Brazil.
- Another 10 countries so far have expressed support informally and enjoy the status of observers.
- Two of those, Sri Lanka and Nepal, participated in meeting.
- The first International Conference on the Phase-Out of Fossil Fuels is to be hosted by Colombia in April 2026.
Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) onboards 51,000 drivers across Delhi and Saurashtra region.
Key Updates:
- Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited operates Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative taxi network fully owned and run by drivers.
- Bharat Taxi pilots began in Delhi and Gujarat with zero-commission model transferring entire fare to drivers.
- Platform connects with government systems including DigiLocker and UMANG for deep digital integration.
- Service follows transparent no-surge pricing and allows drivers to purchase shares for decision-making power.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Delhi government introduced the 'Pink Saheli Smart Card'.
- It is "a special initiative aimed at providing free and convenient travel for women and transgender individuals across Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses."
- With this new scheme, "daughters, sisters, and mothers above the age of 12 can now enjoy free rides across the capital."
- Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta made the announcement on X post.
- Policy: Entry ban on non-BS-VI compliant commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi effective from November 1
- Objective: "to curb rising air pollution in the city due to vehicular emissions"
- Exemptions: "CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles, LNG (liquefied natural gas) vehicles and electric vehicles (EVs) are exempted"
- Transitional measure: "BS-IV commercial goods vehicles will be permitted to enter Delhi up to October 31, 2026"
- Implementing body: Transport department, Delhi; directive issued by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Scheme Name: 'Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025' launched by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu from Hindon Airport.
- Objective: Improve passenger experience and reaffirm commitment to seamless, dignified travel under the 'Passenger First' principle.
- Key Features: Free medical check-ups (especially for women under 'Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan'), cultural performances, quiz/painting contests, blood donation camp, eye check-ups for taxi drivers, tree plantation under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', Wi-Fi enablement of all airports under Digital India Mission.
- Dubai is set to launch the world's first comprehensive urban aerial taxi network in 2026.
- The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has named four priority vertiport locations: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.
- The RTA, in partnership with US-based Joby Aviation, successfully completed the UAE's first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight.
- This breakthrough flight saw the air taxi lift off from the Dubai Jetman Helipad in Margham and land 17 minutes later at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
- The primary vertiport hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is being constructed by Skyports Infrastructure, is 60% complete, and will be seamlessly connected to the Emirates Metro Station.
- The vehicle at the heart of the service is the fully electric Joby S4 air taxi, designed to carry a pilot and four passengers.
- The Joby S4 air taxi boasts a maximum speed of 320 km/h and has a flight range of 160 km on a single charge.
- The trip from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take only 10 to 12 minutes by air, a journey that currently takes approximately 45 minutes by car.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) ranks three Indian PSUs among top 100 global arms makers
Key Updates:
- Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Electronics (BEL) and Mazagon Docks (MDL) figure in SIPRI’s global top 100 arms-producing companies.
- Together the three Indian PSUs accounted for 1.1% of global arms sales last year.
- Global arms revenues rose 5.9% to a record $679 billion in 2024.
- HAL was ranked 44th with $3.8 billion in arms sales, BEL 58th with $2.4 billion and MDL 91st with $1.2 billion.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has secured additional orders worth Rs 2,461.62 crore from the Indian Army since the last disclosure on November 13, 2025.
- Major orders include supply of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) under emergency procurement.
- ATGM contracts are scheduled to be fulfilled over a period of 42 months, while the SAM orders are expected to be completed within 12 months.
- Shares of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) jumped 2.12% to their day’s high of Rs 1,561.95 on the BSE following the order announcement.
- Apollo Micro Systems Ltd has entered a tri-party alliance with IIT-Chennai and the Indian Navy to accelerate indigenous defence technology development.
- The MoU focuses on addressing and solving the present and future problem statements of the Armed Forces through indigenous research and development.
- The partnership focuses on high-technology areas critical to modern warfare, including advanced electronic warfare systems, precision guidance and control systems and high-energy armament solutions, and not limited to them.
- IIT-Chennai will serve as the research anchor and focus on developing the technologies and intellectual property.
- Apollo Micro Systems will act as the technology development and manufacturing partner to convert laboratory-scale research into battlefield-ready products.
- The Directorate General of Naval Armament Inspection will provide domain expertise and operational insights and assist in testing the developed products.
- The partnership with IIT-Chennai will further be extended for other technologically advanced products developed for the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Space and other applications across domains.
- Deal covers 113 F404-IN20 engines to be delivered directly by General Electric, with deliveries starting in about three years
- Engines will power the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk1a); HAL needs to manufacture 180 of these aircraft for the Indian Air Force
- Separate negotiations underway for a larger over-$1.5 billion technology-transfer deal to manufacture F414 engines in India for the next-generation LCA Mk2
- Deal signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Electric Company, USA on 7th November 2025
- Engines: 113 F404-GE-IN20 jet engines plus support package for 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft
- Delivery timeline: 2027-2032
- Estimated value: USD 1 billion (~₹8,870 crore)
IWMI and SDC launch SoLAR Phase II to scale climate-resilient solar irrigation across South Asia and East Africa
Key Updates:
- The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) launched SoLAR Phase II to expand climate-resilient solar irrigation across India, Bangladesh, Kenya and Ethiopia.
- Studies under Gujarat’s Suryashakti Kisan Yojana found that grid-connected solar irrigation pumps did not increase groundwater extraction while delivering about 12.3 tCO2 offset per farmer per year.
- IWMI trained more than 2,000 farmers, enabling a 23 per cent rise in net energy evacuation and an average additional income of Rs 14,000 per farmer.
- Off-grid solar irrigation pilots reduced diesel dependence and strengthened livelihoods.
- SolaReady, a spatial decision-support platform, was launched to map solar irrigation opportunities aligned with climate adaptation, mitigation and groundwater sustainability.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Uttar Pradesh becomes the third state after Gujarat and Maharashtra to surpass 1 GW of residential rooftop solar capacity under PMSG: MBY.
- Central subsidy disbursed ₹1,999.26 crore and state subsidy about ₹600 crore to reduce consumer financial burden.
- UP provides ₹15,000 per kW up to 2 kW and total subsidy of ₹1.08 lakh for 3 kW systems, including Centre’s share.
- Subsidy payback period in UP is 20 months for 3 kW, lower than the national average of 30 months.
- Beneficiary households receive up to 300 units of free electricity monthly, cutting monthly bills by ₹800-1,500 in rural and ₹1,500-2,500 in urban areas.
- Scheme has created about 50,000 employment opportunities as registered vendors rose from 81 to 4,200.
- IMD has installed a 771 kWp solar power system across the Mausam Bhawan Complex comprising 1,315 solar panels through NBCC.
- The initiative supports national goals under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and contributes to India’s net-zero commitments.
- Generated power is expected to exceed IMD’s consumption needs and can be fed back to the grid, enabling both environmental and economic gains.
- The Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly was held in New Delhi.
- President of India Droupadi Murmu delivered the first-ever address by the President of India to the International Solar Alliance Assembly.
- The Assembly hosted ministers, policymakers, and international partners from 125 Member and Signatory Countries.
- Key launches during the Assembly included SUNRISE (Solar Upcycling Network for Recycling, Innovation & Stakeholder Engagement), a dedicated One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) programme, the Global Capability Centre, and the ISA Academy.
- Ministers and heads of delegations from 16 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) signed an in-Memorandum of Understanding for Procurement under the SIDS Platform.
- Five ISA knowledge products were launched: Ease of Doing Solar 2025, Solar PV Skills and Jobs in Africa, Solar Compass: Special Issue on Integrated Photovoltaics, Global Floating Solar Framework, and Global Solar Trends & Outlook 2025.
- The International Solar Alliance was launched in 2015 by India and France at COP21 in Paris and is headquartered in India.
- India is the world’s 4th-largest in RE capacity and the world’s third-largest solar power producer.
- Event: Eighth Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Assembly scheduled from 27–30 October 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Participants: ISA brings together 124 Member and Signatory Countries; launched by India and France at COP21 in Paris.
- Key Outcomes: Assembly to focus on four strategic pillars—Catalytic Finance Hub, Global Capability Centre & Digitisation, Regional & Country-Level Engagement, and Technology Roadmap & Policy.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Introduces SWAGAT-FI Framework for Low Risk Foreign Investors
Key Updates:
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) introduced the SWAGAT-FI framework for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCIs) through two separate notifications dated December 1.
- The new framework is named Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (SWAGAT-FI).
- SWAGAT-FI provides easier investment access to low risk foreign investors, enables a unified registration process, and reduces repeated compliance and documentation.
- Sebi identified low risk foreign investors as government-owned funds, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, multilateral entities, highly regulated public retail funds, appropriately regulated insurance companies, and pension funds.
- Sebi amended FPIs and FVCIs regulations, which will come into force on June 1, 2026.
- Under the new framework, Sebi granted an option to SWAGAT-FIs applying for registration or already registered as FPIs to also register as FVCI without further documentation.
- Registration under both FPI and FVCI regulations enables SWAGAT-FIs to invest in listed equity instruments and debt securities as FPI, and in unlisted Indian companies and startups as FVCI.
- Sebi increased the periodicity for continuance of registration, including payment of fee and review of KYC documentation, to 10 years.
- Sebi allowed retail schemes in International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs) with a resident Indian sponsor or manager to register as FPIs.
- Sebi amended FPI Regulations to subject sponsor contributions to a maximum of 10 percent of the fund's corpus or assets under management for retail schemes.
- As of June 30, 2025, India had 11,913 registered FPIs holding assets worth ₹80.83 lakh crore.
- SWAGAT-FIs are estimated to contribute more than 70 percent of total FPIs' assets under custody.
Similar / Past Coverage
- SEBI has launched the Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors (SWAGAT-FI) framework.
- The framework targets government-owned funds, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and other low-risk entities.
- It offers a unified registration process and reduces the need for repeated documentation for FPIs and FVCIs.
- Sebi proposes excluding ZCZP bonds from portfolio value calculation for BSDA eligibility.
- ZCZP bonds are non-transferable, non-tradable, and do not provide monetary return or redemption value.
- Delisted securities may be treated on par with suspended securities for BSDA valuation.
- Illiquid securities will use last closing price for BSDA eligibility determination.
- Depository Participants (DPs) to reassess BSDA eligibility quarterly through system-driven evaluations.
- Beneficial Owner (BO) consent may be accepted via additional authenticated digital methods beyond registered email.
- Bandhan AMC Limited (Bandhan AMC) has secured approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs).
- The approval allows Bandhan AMC to design and roll out innovative equity, debt, and hybrid strategies — including unhedged short derivative positions.
- The new suite of products from Bandhan AMC will be introduced under the “Arudha SIF” platform.
- Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) offer greater flexibility for fund managers and allow for interval schemes, where investors can subscribe daily but redeem only on specific days.
- SIFs are launched under the mutual fund trust structure, overseen by trustees and audited with the same rigour as mutual funds, but with more flexible redemption structures and strategy options.
- Vishal Kapoor is the CEO of Bandhan AMC.
- Quant Mutual Fund became the first asset management company in India to secure SEBI approval for an SIF just last month.
- Quant Mutual Fund's SIF, named QSIF Equity Long-Short Fund, allows long-short strategies across equity, debt, and hybrid categories.
- National Stock Exchange (NSE) has appointed Srinivas Injeti as the Chairperson on its governing board of directors.
- His appointment comes following an approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).
- Injeti, a retired IAS officer of 1983 batch, brings over four decades of leadership experience in corporate regulation, financial services, governance and public policy.
- He has served as Union Secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs between 2017 and 2020.
- As the founding Chairperson of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) from 2020 to 2023, he established India’s first international financial regulator.
- He was also a member of the Financial Stability and Development Council of India from 2017 to 2023.
- He holds a B.A. (Hons.) in Economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, and an MBA from Strathclyde Graduate Business School, UK.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Launches Protection Plus and Bima Kavach Plans
Key Updates:
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched two new insurance plans: Protection Plus (Plan 886) and Bima Kavach (Plan 887).
- LIC's Protection Plus (Plan 886) is a non-participating, linked life insurance plan with a minimum entry age of 18 years and a maximum entry age of 65 years.
- The minimum basic sum assured for Protection Plus is 7 times or 5 times the annualized premium for entry ages less than 50 years and 50 years and above, respectively.
- Protection Plus offers premium paying terms of 5, 7, 10, and 15 years for policy terms of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, allowing partial withdrawals after 5 years.
- LIC's Bima Kavach (Plan 887) is a non-participating, non-linked, individual life insurance plan offering pure risk protection.
- The minimum entry age for Bima Kavach is 18 years (last birthday), and the maximum entry age is 65 years (last birthday).
- The minimum basic sum assured for Bima Kavach is ₹2,00,00,000 (₹2 crore).
- Bima Kavach offers single, limited (5, 10, and 15 years), and regular premium payment options, with two death benefit options: level sum assured and increasing sum assured.
- The maximum policy term for Bima Kavach is 82 years, subject to a maximum age at maturity of 100 years.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Ramakrishnan Chander has been appointed as the Managing Director of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), with effect from December 1.
- Prior to this, he was the Executive Director (Investment – Front Office) & Chief Investment Officer of LIC.
- Ramakrishnan Chander joined LIC in 1990 as an Assistant Administrative Officer.
- He is a graduate and Fellow of Insurance Institute of India.
- He has 35 years of experience in Marketing and Administration, holding positions of Senior Divisional Manager, Regional Manager (Marketing) and Regional Manager (P&GS).
- He led LIC’s Strategic Business Unit – International Operations as Executive Director.
- IRDAI has officially launched the Bima Sugam portal, aiming to revolutionise India's insurance landscape.
- The first phase of Bima Sugam is expected to go live by December 2025.
- As per a gazette notification dated March 20, 2024, Bima Sugam shall be a one-stop solution for all Insurance stakeholders.
- Bima Sugam is backed by the Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council.
- Prasun Sikdar is the MD & CEO of Bima Sugam India Federation.
- Dr Tapan Singhel is the MD & CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Chairman of the General Insurance Council.
- IFC has made an investment of Rs 285 crore ($33 million) in Axis Max Life Insurance Limited through long-dated subordinated instruments.
- This investment marks IFC's maiden investment in a licensed life insurance company in India.
- Axis Max Life Insurance Limited achieved a gross written premium of INR 33,223 Cr as per annual audited financials for FY2024-25.
- In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries.
Stefan Priesner appointed United Nations Resident Coordinator in India
Key Updates:
- Stefan Priesner of Austria assumed the post of United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in India on 1 December 2025.
- He previously served as UN Resident Coordinator in Iran from 2021 to 2025.
- He was UN Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore from 2017 to 2021.
- He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree in law from the University of Vienna.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Sergio Gor has been sworn in as the US Ambassador to India.
- He previously served as the White House personnel director.
- The US Senate had confirmed Gor in October to serve as the next United States ambassador to India.
- In August, Trump had promoted Gor, Director of Presidential Personnel, to be the next US Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs.
- Gor began his political career working as a spokesman for Republican lawmakers and in 2013, he became communications director for Senator Rand Paul’s PAC, RANDPAC.
- India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-29 term.
- Re-election reflects the international community’s confidence in India’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and to UNESCO’s mandate across education, culture, science, communication and information.
- India’s continued presence on the Executive Board underscores growing global support for its vision of inclusive, human-centric development and for strengthening cooperation among nations.
- Keerthy Suresh has been appointed as a Celebrity Advocate for UNICEF India
- She will leverage her platform to raise awareness on key issues such as mental health, education, and gender equality
- UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey stated: "UNICEF India is pleased to partner with the esteemed actor Keerthy Suresh."
- Retired IAS officer Amit Khare, who currently serves as advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was appointed secretary to Vice-President (V-P) CP Radhakrishnan.
- He is a retired 1985-batch officer of Jharkhand cadre.
- His appointment is on a contract basis for three years.
- Khare had previously served as Union Higher Education Secretary and Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary.
- As Higher Education Secretary, he worked on the National Education Policy.
- He played a role in exposing the fodder scam as district collector of West Singhbhum from 1995 to 1997.
Arun Singh received one-year extension as Chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
Key Updates:
- Arun Singh was granted a one-year extension as Chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
- His three-year term was scheduled to end on December 6.
- Singh had retired as chairman of Bharat Petroleum Corporation in 2022.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The 23rd Law Commission told the Joint Parliamentary Committee that Parliament can constitutionally amend the five-year term of legislatures to enable simultaneous elections.
- The Commission stated, 'Parliament can certainly do so by way of a constitutional amendment. This is what is proposed by the bill in question.'
- It clarified that the proposed amendment does not require state ratification as it is not covered under the proviso to Article 368(2) of the Constitution.
- The Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, approved the extension of Paramasivam’s term beyond his existing tenure, which was set to end on November 30, 2025.
- The extended term will continue until the date of his superannuation on March 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
- Shares of PNB ended marginally lower on Tuesday (Sept 16).
- The stock has gained 5.6% in the year so far.
- Ajay Kumar Srivastava’s tenure as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Indian Overseas Bank extended from January 01, 2026 up to October 08, 2027.
- He has been leading IOB as MD & CEO since January 01, 2023.
- Previously served as Executive Director of the bank from 2017.
- Scheme Name: Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) – notified as an option under the National Pension System (NPS)
- Implementing Body: Personnel Ministry, Government of India
- Key Provision: One-time option for central government employees covered under NPS to enrol in UPS
- Switch Facility: Employees can switch from UPS to NPS one year before retirement or three months before Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)
- Retirement Eligibility: Retirement after completion of 20 years of regular service (quoted as replacing the earlier 25-year requirement)
- Effective Date of Operationalisation: April 1, 2025
Nicola Pietrangeli passed away at age 92
Key Updates:
- Nicola Pietrangeli was the first Italian player to win a Grand Slam trophy, triumphing at the French Open in 1959.
- He is the only Italian player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
- Pietrangeli holds the Davis Cup record for most total wins and most singles wins, having played 164 matches for Italy in 66 ties.
- As Davis Cup captain, he led Italy to the title in 1976.
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- Roger Federer has been voted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
- He is a 20-time Grand Slam champion.
- His career brought 103 tournament titles.
- He held a record 310 weeks ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles.
- He won Olympic gold and silver medals.
- He will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island, next August.
- His 20 majors included eight Wimbledon crowns, six Australian Opens, five US Opens, and one French Open triumph at Roland Garros.
- He won Olympic gold in doubles for Switzerland at Beijing 2008 and singles silver at London 2012.
- He won the Davis Cup in 2014.
- He retired in 2022 after a final appearance at the Laver Cup in London.
- 🇭🇰 Jason Gunawan won the Men’s Singles by defeating 🇮🇳 Srikanth Kidambi 21–16, 8–21, 22–20.
- 🇯🇵 Hina Akechi won the Women’s Singles by defeating 🇹🇷 Neslihan Arın 21–16, 21–14.
- 🇲🇾 Kang Khai Xing and 🇲🇾 Aaron Tai won the Men’s Doubles by defeating 🇲🇾 Chia Wei Jie and 🇲🇾 Lwi Sheng Hao 21–9, 21–19.
- 🇮🇳 Treesa Jolly and 🇮🇳 Gayatri Gopichand Pullela won the Women’s Doubles by defeating 🇯🇵 Kaho Osawa and 🇯🇵 Mai Tanabe 17–21, 21–13, 21–15.
- 🇮🇩 Dejan Ferdinansyah and 🇮🇩 Bernadine Anindya Wardana won the Mixed Doubles by defeating 🇹🇭 Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and 🇹🇭 Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21–19, 21–16.
- The tournament was held at the Babu Banarasi Das U.P. Badminton Academy in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
- Kidambi Srikanth won his men's singles semifinal match at the Syed Modi International badminton tournament, defeating compatriot Mithun Manjunath with a score of 21-15 19-21 21-13.
- Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand won their women's doubles semifinal match, beating Malaysia's Ong Xin Yee and Carmen Ting 21-11 21-15.
- The Syed Modi International badminton tournament is being held in Lucknow.
- Kidambi Srikanth is a former champion of the Syed Modi International (2016) and a 2021 World Championships silver medallist.
- Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand are the defending women's doubles champions of the Syed Modi International.
- In women's singles semifinals, Unnati Hooda lost to Turkey's Neslihan Arın 15-21 10-21.
- Tanvi Sharma lost her women's singles semifinal to Japan's Hina Akechi 17-21 16-21.
- The mixed doubles pair of Hariharan Amsakarunan and Treesa lost their semifinal to Indonesia's Dejan Ferdinansyah and Bernadine Anindya Wardana 17-21 19-21.
- Giorgio Armani, the Italian designer who turned the concept of understated elegance into a multibillion-dollar fashion empire, has died at the age of 91.
- Armani passed away in the northern Italian city of Milan, his company said in a statement on Thursday.
- At the time of his death, Armani had put together an empire worth over $10bn, which along with clothing included accessories, home furnishings, perfumes, cosmetics, books, flowers and even chocolates, ranking him in the world’s top 200 billionaires, according to Forbes.
Navy Day 2025 observed on December 4
Key Updates:
- Navy Day is observed every year on December 4.
- The day honours the Indian Navy’s victory during Operation Trident on the night of 4 December 1971.
- Operation Trident was led by Commodore Kasargod Pattana Shetty Gopal Rao.
- The 2025 Naval Day Operation Demo was held at Shankhumukham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, on 3 December.
- President Droupadi Murmu attended the 2025 demo as chief guest, with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi hosting the event.
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- Exercise Malabar-2025 involves the Navies of India, Japan, Australia, and USA
- Harbour Phase will include operational planning, communication alignment, familiarisation visits, and sports fixtures
- Sea Phase will feature joint fleet operations, anti-submarine warfare, gunnery serials, and flying operations
- India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and multi-mission stealth frigate Udaygiri have arrived in Colombo for an international fleet review to mark the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy.
- In a display of naval cooperation, three warships representing Bangladesh and India made port calls in Colombo on November 25 and 26, for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025, scheduled to be held on November 30.
- This also marks INS Udaygiri 's first foreign visit since its commission on August 26, 2025.
- India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, arrived in Colombo for her maiden participation in Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) IFR 2025.
- The state-of-the-art Project 17A multi-mission stealth frigates Udaygiri and Himgiri were commissioned at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam on August 26 this year.
- Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai, and Himgiri, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata, showcase the nation's growing shipbuilding prowess.
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM assumed charge as Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A).
- He succeeds Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, AVSM, NM, who is retiring on 30 November 2025 after 38 years of distinguished service.
- He has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Nao Sena Medal.
- He has the rare distinction of heading two major dockyards on both the Western and Eastern Coasts.
- During the tenure of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, eight ships were inducted into the Indian Navy.
- Prior to assuming charge of the CWP&A, he served as the Program Director of the Advanced Technology Vessel Program in New Delhi.
- Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, embarked on an official visit to the United States aimed at further enhancing the longstanding maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy.
- During his visit, Admiral Tripathi is scheduled to hold discussions with senior officials of the US Department of War and meet top US naval leadership, including Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, and Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet (USPACFLT), Admiral Stephen T. Koehler.
- The CNS's visit coincides with the multilateral naval exercise, Exercise Malabar 2025.
- Exercise Malabar 2025 is a major Indo-Pacific maritime drill aimed at strengthening interoperability and coordination among the four partner nations--India, the US, Japan, and Australia.
- Exercise Malabar 2025 is held in the West Pacific training area from November 10 to 18.
- First established as a bilateral India-US exercise in 1992, Exercise Malabar has since evolved into a key maritime activity of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), involving Australia, Japan, India, and the United States.
International Day of Banks observed on December 4
Key Updates:
- International Day of Banks is observed annually on December 4.
- The day commemorates the 2015 United Nations General Assembly resolution 74/245, adopted on December 19, 2019.
- The observance emphasises how banking systems contribute to sustainable development.
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- World Savings Day is marked every year on October 31.
- The theme for this year is 'This is not a savings account'.
- The day is dedicated to the power of saving money for a better future.
- Union Bank of India (UBI) celebrated its 107th Foundation Day.
- A central function was organised by the bank’s headquarters in Mumbai at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC.
- Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M Nagaraju (IAS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, attended as the chief guest.
- UBI launched two new digital initiatives — the Union E-Biz mobile app for MSMEs and the Union Ease mobile app.
- The bank announced the opening of 51 new branches across key regions.
- Federal Bank has introduced its new cultural initiative, Bharat Surotsav, aimed at celebrating India's rich artistic heritage through an immersive dance and music festival.
- The launch was graced by several dignitaries from the bank's regional headquarters.
- The inaugural event is set for November 22 at the Madras Music Academy, featuring acclaimed artists like Padma Shri Shobana and the Carnatic-rock group Agam Band.
- Federal Bank is offering a special 15% discount on tickets for its debit and credit cardholders.
- MVS Murthy, Chief Marketing Officer at Federal Bank, emphasized the festival's role in blending finance with culture, fostering unity and pride among diverse audiences.
- Each city in the Bharat Surotsav series will spotlight local cultural talents, enriching the community's connections with their unique heritage.
- Implementing Authority: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
- Key Initiatives Highlighted: Integrated Portal for Claims and Refunds, simplification of low-value claims, financial literacy drives Niveshak Didi and Niveshak Shivirs, and upcoming Niveshak Samadhan – Dial Your CEO programme.
- Panchtattva Vision: Faster refunds, AI-driven solutions, positioning IEPFA as a trust anchor of India’s financial system.