Daily Current Affairs: 11 December 2025

A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year

Key Updates:

• A'ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season.
• She is one of four players in the WNBA or NBA to win four MVP trophies before the age of 30.
• Wilson secured her third WNBA championship and second Finals MVP after the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.

Leonardo DiCaprio named TIME Entertainer of the Year

Key Updates:

• Leonardo DiCaprio has been named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year.
• The honour recognises a career spanning more than 35 years.
• His latest film, One Battle After Another, earned nine Golden Globe nominations.
• One Battle After Another is DiCaprio’s first collaboration with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
• Critics regard One Battle After Another as his best work to date.

Andrej Babis appointed as Prime Minister of Czech Republic

[Czech Republic]

Key Updates:

• Czech President Petr Pavel appointed billionaire Andrej Babis as the new prime minister following ANO's victory in the October parliamentary election.
• Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, replaces a strongly pro-Ukrainian centre-right administration.
• His incoming cabinet is set to include the far-right SPD party, raising concerns about Czech Republic's future relations with the European Union (EU) and NATO.
• Babis plans to oppose EU climate policies and reduce military aid to Ukraine, shifting focus within the EU toward energy and tariffs.

Sophie Kinsella remembered as 'wonderful, warm woman'

Key Updates:

• Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, died at the age of 55.
• She was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2022.
• Her books have sold more than 50 million copies in more than 60 countries and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
• She is survived by her husband Henry and their five children.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred National Handicrafts Awards 2023-2024

Key Updates:

• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024 at a ceremonial event in New Delhi.
• The awards celebrate master artisans preserving centuries-old traditions while shaping the handicrafts sector's future.
• President Murmu noted the handicraft sector employs over 3.2 million people, mostly in rural and remote regions.
• Women constitute 68% of the handicraft workforce, making the sector a significant avenue for women’s empowerment.
• She highlighted that the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative promotes regional crafts on global platforms.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injects $5 billion USD/INR swap and Rs 1 lakh crore OMO to ease liquidity.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• RBI combines a three-year USD/INR buy-sell swap of $5 billion with open market purchases of government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore to inject durable liquidity.
• The measures accompany a 25 basis point repo rate cut to 5.25%, taking the cumulative reduction since February to 125 bps.
• The rupee has fallen 5% this year, becoming Asia’s worst performer and breaching the 90-per-dollar mark.
• Foreign portfolio investors have withdrawn more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore, while foreign direct investment and overseas borrowing remain subdued.
• Currency analysts expect USD/INR to trade within the 89.40–90.95 range.

Adani Group (AG) invests over $75 billion in energy transition space over 5 years

[Adani Group]

Key Updates:

• Adani Group (AG) will invest over $75 billion in energy transition space over 5 years.
• The AG is building the world's largest renewable energy park at Khavda in Gujarat, spread across 520 square kilometres.
• The park will generate 30 GW of green energy by 2030, enough to power more than 60 million Indian homes every year.
• India is the world's third-largest electricity user.
• India has a per person electricity consumption of less than 1,400 kilowatt-hours a year.
• India contributed 4 per cent of cumulative global emissions over 200 years of industrial activity.
• Europe contributed 13 per cent, the US 19 per cent, and China 20 per cent of cumulative global emissions.
• The AG announced Adani Annual Internships, offering 50 paid positions each year for third-year students.
• A minimum of 25 per cent of these interns will receive pre-employment offers for joining.
• The AG announced the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre with TEXMiN.

US Export-Import Bank (Exim) commits $1.25 billion financing for Reko Diq mining project

[United States]

Key Updates:

• US President Donald Trump’s administration committed $1.25 billion in financing from the US Export-Import Bank (Exim) for the Reko Diq mining project in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
• The financing is set to support the import of up to $2 billion in US mining equipment and services.
• Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker announced the approval, describing it as a “win-win” for both nations.
• The US Embassy in Islamabad hailed the deal as a “game-changer” for economic growth in Balochistan.
• This initiative is projected to create 6,000 jobs in the US and 7,500 jobs in Balochistan.
• The project aims to unlock one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits.
• Reko Diq is owned 50% by Canadian firm Barrick Gold, 25% by Pakistan’s federal government, and 25% by the Balochistan government.
• The Reko Diq project carries a total development cost of around $7 billion and aims for production by 2028.
• Once operational, the project could generate $2.8 billion in export revenue in its first year.
• Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals has signaled interest in a 15% stake in the project.

Amazon announces $35 billion investment in India by 2030

[Amazon]

Key Updates:

• Amazon pledges a $35 billion investment in India by 2030.
• The investment builds on Amazon's existing $40 billion-plus capital in India since 2010.
• The new funds will focus on AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation.
• Amazon aims to support a total of 3.8 million jobs in India by 2030.
• Amazon targets enabling $80 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India by 2030.
• The company plans to deliver AI benefits to 15 million small businesses.
• Amazon aims to tap into four million government school students with AI education and career exploration opportunities.
• Microsoft committed a $17.5 billion investment plan for India.
• In 2024, Amazon supported approximately 2.8 million jobs in India.
• Amazon-enabled exports from India have surpassed $20 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permits residents and non-residents to undertake rupee IRD transactions

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• Residents and non-residents are permitted to undertake transactions in rupee interest-rate derivatives (IRD), according to master directions released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Non-residents can enter these trades through their central treasury or group entities if the market maker is authorized to transact on their behalf.
• Market makers include scheduled banks, standalone primary dealers, upper-layer non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and specified development or specialized banks.
• Market makers must classify participants as retail or non-retail users.
• Non-retail users include NBFCs (other than market makers) and other institutional entities.
• The combined Price Value of a Basis Point (PVBP) of all outstanding IRD trades by non-residents may not exceed ₹1,000 crore.
• After reaching the ₹1,000 crore PVBP limit, fresh positions for non-residents can only be taken for hedging purposes.
• The rules apply to IRD transactions in both the over-the-counter market and on recognized stock exchanges.
• Exchanges are permitted to introduce any IRD product after approval from the RBI.
• Floating rates or indices used in exchange-traded products must be benchmarks published by an authorized financial benchmark administrator.
• Market makers must report global IRD transactions by their offshore-related parties to the central trade repository, operated by Clearing Corporation of India.
• Exchanges offering IRD products must submit reports and documentation to the RBI or designated agencies in specified formats.
• Exchanges must ensure that users are informed of the risks associated with IRD products before they enter the market.
• Foreign portfolio investors and other non-resident investors are not allowed to hold net long positions exceeding ₹5,000 crore across all interest-rate futures.
• Gross short positions for non-residents cannot exceed consolidated long positions in government securities and futures.
• Non-resident IRD transactions must be routed through rupee accounts in India or through vostro accounts for settlement.
• Foreign currency-settled IRD payments may be made through standard banking channels.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) grants corporate agency licence to Sahaj Insurance Services targeting 10 crore rural policies.

[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]

Key Updates:

• Sahaj Insurance Services Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Sahaj Retail Ltd, received a corporate agency licence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
• The company aims to sell about 10 crore insurance policies in its first year of operation.
• Sahaj Retail Ltd operates a network of about 4.5 lakh digitally enabled rural centres serving over 70 crore people.
• The insurance portfolio includes life, health, accident, crop, livestock and micro-insurance products developed in partnership with leading insurers.
• Services will integrate government-backed insurance and social-security schemes to deepen financial inclusion.
• Sahaj is active in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, North East and Odisha.

Wise launches mid-market rate Travel Card in India

[Wise]

Key Updates:

• Wise launched its multi-currency Travel Card in India.
• India recorded 3.89 crore outbound departures in 2024.
• Over 75,000 Indians joined the waitlist for the Wise Travel Card.
• Indians spent nearly USD17 billion overseas last year, a steep increase from the USD3–4 billion annual average before FY22.
• Traditional forex cards apply 2–4 per cent non-transparent margins on currency conversions.
• These margins add INR4,000– INR8,000 in extra costs on a INR2 lakh transaction.
• The Wise Travel Card supports more than 40 currencies.
• The card works across 160+ countries on the Visa network.
• Users receive free ATM withdrawals up to USD200 per month.
• Beyond the USD200 limit, a fee of USD 1.40 plus 3.25 per cent applies for ATM withdrawals.
• Wise is waiving its INR460 card issuance fee for new customers signing up before 10 February 2026.
• The Wise Travel Card carries no annual, subscription, or inactivity fees.

ICICI Bank acquires 2% stake in ICICI AMC from Prudential Corporation for ₹2,140 crore.

[ICICI Bank, Prudential Corporation]

Key Updates:

• ICICI Bank executed a share purchase agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd to purchase an additional 2% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd.
• The purchase price is fixed at ₹2,140 crore for the 2% stake.
• Reserve Bank of India accorded approval for the bank to purchase up to 2% additional shareholding through its letter dated September 12, 2025.
• ICICI AMC had total assets of ₹4,827 crore as of September 30, 2025.
• ICICI AMC reported turnover of ₹2,949 crore and profit after tax of ₹1,618 crore for H1FY26.
• ICICI Bank currently holds 51.0% and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd holds 49.0% in ICICI AMC.

India Post Inaugurates Gen-Z Extension Counter at Kerala's CMS College

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

• India Post inaugurated Kerala’s first 'Gen-Z' post office extension counter at CMS College Kottayam.
• The counter was inaugurated on December 8, 2025.
• The initiative was lauded by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
• It targets the student community, built on the philosophy 'Of the students, by the students, for the students.'

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Redevelopment of 1,337 Railway Stations with ₹12,118 crore FY 2025–26 Allocation

Key Updates:

• The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to transform 1,337 railway stations into modern, commuter-friendly, and future-ready transit hubs.
• ₹12,118 crore has been allocated under Plan Head–53 ‘Customer Amenities’ for FY 2025–26.
• 155 stations have already completed redevelopment works, with 15 stations identified for Public Private Partnership (PPP) development.

One Nation, One Licence, One Payment: Mandatory Blanket Licence for AI Training

Key Updates:

• The government has proposed a 'One Nation, One Licence, One Payment' mandatory blanket licence for AI training, forcing companies to pay royalties to creators.
• The recommendations were released in a working paper by a committee led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• Royalty rates would be fixed by a government-appointed committee and collected through a single collective body formed by copyright holders.
• Creators, including musicians, news publishers, and authors, are the target beneficiaries of these royalties.
• The paper suggests retroactive payment of royalties in cases where copyrighted data has already been ingested into AI systems.
• A new umbrella industry body, called the Copyright Royalties Collective for AI Training (CRCAT), will have to be set up by rights holders and be designated by the Central government under the Copyright Act, 1957.
• The Centre will constitute a committee to determine the royalty rate, which can set a certain percentage of the gross global revenue (excluding taxes) earned by an AI developer.
• The committee will review and adjust rates every 3 years.

Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025: Proposes Stringent Punishment for Hate Speech

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• The Karnataka government tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, in the legislative assembly.
• The bill proposes stringent punishment for those indulging in hate speeches, considering it an act of promoting enmity between communities or inciting violence on grounds of religion, caste, language, gender, or region.
• It aims to curb and prevent the dissemination, publication, or promotion of hate speech and crimes, prescribe punishment for such crimes, and provide compensation to victims.
• First-time conviction for hate speech could lead to a prison term of between one and seven years with a fine of up to Rs 50,000, and such offences are sought to be made non-bailable.
• A second conviction for a similar offence could result in a jail term of two to ten years with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
• The bill empowers designated officers to direct any service provider, intermediary, person, or entity to block or remove hate crime materials from its domain, including electronic media.

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN Launched to Rejuvenate Water Bodies and Strengthen Water Harvesting Systems

Key Updates:

• Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN aims to 'Rejuvenate traditional water bodies, Restore degraded and vulnerable lands, Strengthen water harvesting systems, Promote sustainable rural livelihoods, Ensure community-driven watershed governance, Integrate programmes like MGNREGA for enhanced impact.'
• The State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima, Nagaland.
• Under PMKSY and watershed initiatives in Nagaland, '14 watershed projects approved, ₹140 crore sanctioned, with ₹80 crore released, 555 water harvesting structures renovated, 6,500+ farmers benefitted, 120 springs restored.'

Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 to offer menstrual leaves and WFH flexibility

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

• Karnataka government has readied the Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 a first of its kind legislation on the subject.
• The proposed bill provides menstrual leave not only for working women in the formal sector but also for menstruating students in educational institutions, transgenders ASHAs, anganwadi, and midday meal personnel, and those working in mines.
• While the working women will get one day leave per month, the menstrual leave for students is capped at two days in a month and will be supported by a 2% relaxation in overall attendance requirements for menstruating students in schools, colleges and universities both government and private.
• As per the proposed bill, if the employee does not choose to avail of the leave, they will be entitled for work from home if the facility is available.
• Not mandating a doctor’s certificate, the leave can be availed through a request on e-mail.
• The Bill proposes to institute the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority to carry out purposes of the Bill.
• A penalty of upto ₹5,000 for each contravention of the provision has been proposed for those who deny menstrual leave, ill treat or discriminate against menstruating individuals.

Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and Bharat-WIN Portal launched to support water innovation with grants-in-aid

Key Updates:

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched the Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and the Bharat-WIN Portal under the National Water Mission.
• Winning participants will receive a ₹1 lakh grant for developing a Proof-of-Concept (PoC).
• The portal is open to startups, MSMEs, research institutions, young innovators, rural youth, women-led enterprises, academia, and global collaborators.
• The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, is the designated Project Implementation Agency (PIA).

Your Money, Your Right Movement: Reclaiming Unclaimed Financial Assets

Key Updates:

• The "Your Money, Your Right" movement is a nationwide push aimed at helping citizens reclaim unclaimed financial assets.
• The campaign was launched on October 4.
• The initiative has already facilitated the return of Rs 2,000 crore to rightful owners.
• It seeks to streamline the settlement of unclaimed assets such as bank deposits, insurance payouts, dividends, shares, mutual funds, and pensions.
• The effort brings together government agencies, regulators, banks, and financial institutions.
• Special camps were organised in 477 districts between October and December 5, 2025, drawing participation from public representatives, district administrations, and officials from financial institutions.
• Indian banks currently hold Rs 78,000 crore in unclaimed deposits, insurance companies have nearly Rs 14,000 crore, mutual fund houses account for around Rs 3,000 crore, and unclaimed dividends total Rs 9,000 crore.

India to deploy indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System to protect Delhi NCR

Key Updates:

• India is moving towards deploying its own home grown integrated air defence system to protect the Delhi National Capital Region from enemy aerial threats like missiles, drones and fast moving aircraft.
• The multilayered Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) would be based around the indigenous air defence missiles such as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile systems and Very Short Range Air Defence Systems.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be working with production agencies who will work on the networking and command and control systems required for such a complicated air defence system.
• India had earlier planned to deploy the US-made National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II) but did not move forward on the deal as the Americans were asking for a very high price.
• The IADWS would be responsible for protecting the vital installations in the national capital region and is the responsibility of the Indian Air Force.

India Hosts 3rd Session of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Council in Mumbai

[International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)]

Key Updates:

• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in Mumbai.
• The session is organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• The event brings together 42 IALA Council Members, 3 AIMG Members, 11 international observers, IALA Secretariat delegates, and representatives from over 30 countries.
• India launched a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism to streamline visitor access to 75 lighthouse destinations across the country.
• All lighthouses in India are now fully solar powered, and tourism footfall at these sites has seen significant growth.
• India is a proactive member of the IALA Council, contributing to technical cooperation, training programmes, and standard-setting for safe navigation.

India and Brunei hold inaugural Joint Working Group meeting on Defence Cooperation on Dec 10 2025

[Brunei]

Key Updates:

• The inaugural meeting of the India-Brunei Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation was held in New Delhi, marking a key step in advancing defence engagement between the two countries.
• The Ministry of Defence said the talks centred on expanding military-to-military exchanges and joint training, strengthening maritime security cooperation with a focus on sea lane safety and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and identifying opportunities for industry partnerships and technology cooperation.
• The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Poh Kui Choon, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Brunei's Ministry of Defence.
• Before the deliberations began, both sides signed the Terms of Reference (ToR), formally establishing the JWG on Defence Cooperation.
• During her two-day visit, Choon also met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, adding a diplomatic dimension to the technical discussions held under the JWG.
• Both delegations noted the increasing momentum in defence cooperation and agreed to pursue a structured roadmap under the JWG mechanism.
• They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

China and Brazil begin building joint space laboratory

[China, Brazil, United States]

Key Updates:

• China and Brazil have begun building a joint laboratory for space technologies, Chinese state-owned defence electronics firm CETC said.
• CETC’s Network Communications Research Institute signed an agreement with Brazil’s Federal University of Campina Grande and the Federal University of Paraíba to establish the China–Brazil Joint Laboratory for Radio Astronomy Technology.
• The joint laboratory will support frontier research for astronomical observation and deep-space exploration.
• The laboratory initiative comes as China and Brazil make progress on the BINGO radio telescope, designed to help study the universe’s structure and dark energy.
• The BINGO radio telescope, billed as South America’s largest radio telescope, is scheduled for completion in 2026.

India and Brazil sign tripartite MoU to boost Scorpène submarine maintenance and defence ties

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

• A landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
• The MoU focuses on the exchange of information related to the maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines and other naval vessels.
• The agreement aims to enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics, and training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies and industry of both nations.
• The MoU will further boost Defence Research and Development (R&D) collaboration and drive technological innovation in sustaining Scorpène-class submarines and other naval platforms.
• The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Brazil.
• In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil, where he and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap to strengthen bilateral ties, including defence and security.
• India and Brazil recognized convergent views and strategic complementarities in defence and security matters.
• An Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information was signed, enabling deeper cooperation in various strategic areas.
• A Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue was established to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and national perspectives on cybersecurity issues.

United States releases National Security Strategy reviving Monroe Doctrine and limiting NATO expansion

[United States]

Key Updates:

• The Trump administration unveiled a new National Security Strategy Thursday evening, calling for a greater emphasis in the Western Hemisphere.
• The 33-page strategy document says, 'After years of neglect, the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.'
• The NSS dubs the changes the 'Trump Corollary' with the goal of enlisting 'established friends' in the region to help control migration, curtail the flow of drugs and strengthen stability.
• The first bullet in the 'priorities' section states, 'The era of mass migration is over,' stating that 'border security is the primary element of national security.'
• The NSS states, 'We will oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere, and the rest of the world, especially among our allies.'
• The document expressly states that the largest issue facing Europe is the 'Stark prospect of civilizational erasure.'
• The NSS calls for ending the 'perception' and 'preventing the reality' of NATO’s continued expansion.
• It calls on Washington to increase diplomatic relations with Moscow to reestablish conditions for regional 'strategic stability.'
• The NSS says the US wants to build up a military capable of 'denying aggression' within the First Island Chain.
• Deterring a conflict over Taiwan remains a 'priority' and the US does not support unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

Indian Air Force celebrates 1971 victory legacy with aerial power display

Key Updates:

• The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday staged a breathtaking aerial display at Air Force Station Mohanbari to commemorate Vijay Diwas, marking the anniversary of India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war leading Pakistan’s surrender and subsequent birth of Bangladesh.
• The event was attended by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who warmly recalled the IAF’s pivotal role in the conflict and underscored the enduring lesson of jointmanship.
• Organised by Shillong-based Eastern Air Command headquarters, the celebration showcased frontline assets including Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, Dornier Do-228 surveillance aircraft, Antonov An-32 transport planes, and heavy-lift platforms such as the Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters.
• Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh highlighted the indispensable coordination between the services, noting that river crossings, air drops, and operations in the Western Sector were possible only through close cooperation between the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Italy's Deputy PM Tajani calls India a 'long-trusted friend' and 'priority' during visit

[Italy]

Key Updates:

• Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani is on a three-day visit to India.
• The visit aims to further reinvigorate the economic partnership between the two countries.
• India is described as a 'long-trusted friend' and a 'priority' for Italy.
• The Italian foreign ministry has launched a dedicated financing line to India of Euro 500 million to support Italian companies.
• Italy and India unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic action plan in November last year.
• The volume of annual bilateral trade between Italy and India is around Euro 14 billion.
• Italy fully backs the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA).

IIT Madras and IndiaAI Mission to Host Meet on Safe, Trusted AI Ahead of India-AI Impact Summit 2026

Key Updates:

• The Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will host a pre-summit meet on safe and trusted artificial intelligence.
• The pre-summit meet will take place in Chennai.
• The conclave aims to shape AI Safety Commons proposals and governance models for the Global South.
• The meeting will discuss steps to create an AI Safety Commons for the Global South, including shared datasets, benchmarks and governance resources.
• Discussions will also look at how responsible AI principles can be implemented through governance and regulatory models suited to different cultural, legal and technological environments.
• The outcomes will feed into the roadmap for the India–AI Impact Summit and support India’s role in shaping a global AI framework centred on trust, safety and inclusion.
• The India–AI Impact Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• This is the first time the summit will be held in the Global South.
• Concerns around fairness, accountability and misuse underline the need for frameworks that can be used across global contexts.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discover two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya.
• The species are named Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar.
• Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are known for their exceptional vision, agile movement, and web-free predatory behaviour.
• Asemonea dentis is only the third species from its little-known genus to be reported in India, with its name deriving from dentis, Latin for 'tooth', referring to a distinctive tooth-like projection on the male's palpal femur.
• Colyttus nongwar represents just the second Indian species of the Oriental genus Colyttus, named after Nongwar village in Meghalaya.
• Meghalaya is one of the world's richest ecological frontiers, and the northeast is a vital component of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

AvironiX Drones Unveils AviSpray-10c for Precision Farming in India

Key Updates:

• AvironiX Drones, a Chennai-based deep-tech drone company, launched the AviSpray-10c, a compact, backpack-sized agricultural spraying drone.
• The AviSpray-10c is 53% smaller than current generation drones, designed to reduce cost, operational complexity, and manpower requirements for crop spraying.
• The drone has been validated through extensive real-world deployment across over 6,000 acres of Indian farmland, including demanding crops like sugarcane and paddy.
• It features a high-efficiency hexacopter flight architecture, offering an endurance of up to 5 acres per battery charge, which represents a 60% improvement over most comparable platforms.
• The AviSpray-10c provides a 2x improvement in spraying accuracy and integrates advanced safety systems like terrain-following radar and collision-avoidance systems.
• Engineered specifically for India's environmental and agricultural realities, including heat, dust, humidity, and wind, the drone is designed in Ambattur and built in Maramalainagar.
• Its backpack-sized form factor enables transport on scooters and bicycles, eliminating the need for bulky transport vehicles and permanent drone mounting boxes.
• AvironiX is developing a proprietary microscopic MEMS plant-sensing technology with its Australian partner, Magic Wavelength, for future real-time data-driven agricultural spraying.
• This upcoming technology is expected to unlock up to 30 times more plant-health data than current industry solutions.

Indian Railways debuts world’s longest Broad-Gauge hydrogen train with zero emissions

Key Updates:

• Indian Railways has completed manufacturing its first hydrogen-powered train on a pilot basis, designed and developed entirely in India.
• The 10-coach train is the world’s longest hydrogen train on Broad Gauge and delivers 2,400 kW of power.
• A dedicated hydrogen plant at Jind produces hydrogen through electrolysis for the train’s fuel needs.
• The train-set comprises two Driving Power Cars of 1,200 kW each and eight passenger coaches, emitting only water vapor and no CO₂.

DST Secretary Inaugurates National Quantum Communication Hub at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)

[Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)]

Key Updates:

• Department of Science & Technology (DST) secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar virtually inaugurated India’s National Hub for Quantum Communication at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
• The hub has been established at IIT Madras Research Park, the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation, under DST's National Quantum Mission.
• This hub is one of the most well-funded among the four hubs set up under the National Quantum Mission.
• The hub aims to lead India’s initiatives in quantum secure communication technologies and national-scale testbeds and pilot deployments through collaboration with academia, industry and global partners.
• The Foundation's focus areas include Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Security, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks, Quantum Memory and Repeaters besides Satellite-based Quantum Communication.
• Live demonstrations showcased India’s emerging strengths in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, integrated testbeds and startup-led innovations.

Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Confirmed in Northern Ireland Livestock

[Northern Ireland]

Key Updates:

• Bluetongue virus (BTV) is spread by midges and poses no threat to the public or food safety, but it can affect cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.
• The virus affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas, causing symptoms like ulcers or sores around the animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.
• Biting midges are most active from April to November, and the potential for spread depends on climatic conditions and wind patterns with lower temperatures significantly reducing the risk.
• The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) monitors midge numbers using traps set in seven locations spread out across Northern Ireland, and samples for suspected cases are sent to national and EU reference laboratories for confirmation.

UNEP Medium-Term Strategy 2026–2030 faces reopening as UNEA-7 opens amid funding cuts

[United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)]

Key Updates:

• UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2026–2030, which defines the organisation’s global agenda on climate, biodiversity, pollution and land degradation, may be reopened for negotiation on language and scope.
• UNEP’s regular budget allocation from New York suffered a 20% reduction, largely due to the United States halting payments to the UN and similar cuts by other contributors.
• The Environment Fund, UNEP’s primary voluntary core funding source, has dropped by 11–12% after the US withdrawal of its approximate 7% contribution and reductions from other donors.
• Of 19 draft resolutions submitted for UNEA-7, four were withdrawn before negotiations began, leaving 15 technically alive but some described as 'on life support'.
• Remaining resolutions include proposals on wildfires led by India and on glacier protection, which could gain political traction if they survive the week.

Bharat 6G Alliance charts focused roadmap for India to lead global 6G by 2030

Key Updates:

• The Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, chaired the Apex Council meeting under the Bharat 6G Mission and reviewed the progress of the Bharat 6G Alliance.
• The Government has approved a ₹1-lakh-crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund under the Department of Science & Technology to boost frontier research in AI-native networks, semiconductors, photonics, sensing, cybersecurity and satellite–terrestrial integration.
• India secured inclusion of “Ubiquitous Connectivity” in the ITU IMT-2030 (6G) framework, strengthening global recognition of India’s capabilities.
• The Bharat 6G Alliance has grown from 16 founding members to over 84 organisations and released eight technical reports and whitepapers covering spectrum, AI-native networks, green telecom, emerging applications, and RF sensing.
• Four institutions—Punjab Engineering College, Banasthali Vidyapith, IIT Roorkee (AMRIT), and Thapar University—were awarded for exemplary innovation, societal impact and industry collaboration under the 5G Use Case Labs initiative.

India's first all-electric green tug flagged off under Green Tug Transition Programme

Key Updates:

• The green tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, is being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).
• The new green tug for DPA will feature a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions and optimised energy efficiency.
• The GTTP, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 to be deployed in the first phase between 2024 and 2027.

Smart India Hackathon 2025 Grand Finale: 8,160 students code across 60 centres

Key Updates:

• The eighth edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale is being held simultaneously at 60 nodal centres—42 software hubs and 18 hardware hubs.
• A total of 72,165 ideas were submitted by 68,766 student teams, out of which 1,360 teams comprising 8,160 students qualified for the 36-hour national coding and prototyping marathon.
• Among the finalists, 2,993 are female students including 53 all-women teams, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to women-led innovation.

Deakin University and Telangana Government activate Joint Centre of Excellence in Applied Artificial Intelligence

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

• Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) and the Telangana AI Innovation Hub combine to form the Joint Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
• The Centre targets three priority domains: AI for Public Service and Governance, Health and Smart Education AI Solutions, and Climate Resilience and MSME Innovation.
• The collaboration aligns with India’s National AI Mission and the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to deliver citizen-centric AI solutions.

Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) launches Y-Point Venture Capital Fund

Key Updates:

• SINE, IIT Bombay's umbrella organisation, launched India's first deep tech venture capital fund, Y-Point Venture Capital Fund, worth Rs 250 crore.
• The fund will invest in deep tech startups emerging from IIT Bombay and other premier academic and research institutes.
• It will invest in pre-seed and seed stages across 25-30 startups with a maximum ticket size of Rs 15 crore.
• The fund will strategically invest in companies building products backed by fundamental research, with a keen focus on high-impact sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Nuclear Technology, Space and Defence Technology, Climate and CleanTech and Life Sciences and Healthcare.

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to take 100 wickets in all three formats

Key Updates:

• Jasprit Bumrah has become the country’s first bowler to complete 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
• He reached the milestone during the first T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.
• India defeated South Africa by 101 runs; India scored 175/6 and South Africa were all out for 74.

Thailand officially opens 33rd Southeast Asian Games

[Thailand]

Key Updates:

• Their Majesties The King and Queen opened the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.
• The opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium drew 33,000 fans.
• Thailand fields the largest contingent of 1,531 athletes competing in 574 medal events across 50 sports.
• Athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations are participating in the games.

Amul extends partnership with Argentina Football Association as regional sponsor

[Argentina]

Key Updates:

• Amul has extended its partnership with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) as the Official Regional Sponsor for one more season.
• This marks the fourth consecutive year of association between Amul and AFA.
• Amul is the first Indian regional sponsor in the history of Argentine Football since 2022.
• The partnership covers the World Cup 2026 period.

Praggnanandhaa secures Candidates spot via last-gasp London Classic open win

Key Updates:

• Praggnanandhaa tied for first place at the London Chess Classic open section with 7/9 points.
• The victory added 8.17 circuit points, taking his FIDE Circuit total to 115.17 and sealing the Candidates berth.
• Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the only rival for the spot, earned 19.62 circuit points from winning the elite invitational section but remains on 71.61 overall, now out of reach.
• The 2026 Open Candidates will be held in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16 alongside the Women’s Candidates.
• Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy and Vaishali Rameshbabu will represent India in the Women’s Candidates.

India equestrian riders win five medals at FEI Asian Equestrian Championships 2025

Key Updates:

• Shruti Vora claimed three silver medals in dressage – individual, intermediate freestyle-I and team – as part of the dressage team with Divyakriti Singh and Gaurav Pundir.
• Ashish Limaye riding Willy Be Dun won individual gold in eventing and combined with Shashank Kanumuri and Shashank Kataria to secure team silver.
• The championship was held at Thai Polo and Equestrian Club in Pattaya with over 80 athletes from 13 countries.

Diwali inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

• Diwali was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) held at the Red Fort in Delhi.
• India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting, and Ramlila.
• Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for ICH matters of the Ministry of Culture, formed a committee comprising experts, academicians, practitioners, poets, and writers for the nomination of Diwali.
• India has sent a nomination dossier for Bihar’s Chhat Puja for the next year’s cycle for the consideration of the UNESCO committee.

UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities adds 72 cities from 46 countries

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Network of Learning Cities now totals 425 cities from 91 countries.
• 12 countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, United States of America, Venezuela, and Zambia.
• Among the 72 new members are 11 capital cities: Porto-Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Türkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Hanoi (Viet Nam), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Caracas (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).

Human Rights Day 2025 observed on December 10 with theme 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'

Key Updates:

• Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• The theme for 2025 is 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN on December 10, 1948.

Squash World Cup 2025 returns to Chennai for third consecutive edition

[Chennai]

Key Updates:

• The Squash World Cup 2025 returns to Chennai for the third consecutive year, with the 2025 edition scheduled to take place from December 9 to 14 at the Express Avenue Mall and Indian Squash Academy (ISA).
• India is the only nation to host consecutive Squash World Cups, both staged in Chennai’s top venues.
• A total of 12 teams, divided into four groups of three teams each, will fight for the trophy.