Daily Briefing Monday, Dec 15

Daily Current Affairs: 15 December 2025

Analysis for 15 December 2025

Jose Antonio Kast elected as 38th President of Chile

[Chile]

Key Updates:

  • Jose Antonio Kast defeated Jeannette Jara in run-off to become Chile's 38th president.
  • Kast won nearly 58 percent of vote, marking third attempt and first successful bid.
  • Jeannette Jara conceded defeat on social media wishing success for Chile.

Similar / Past Coverage

Rodrigo Paz elected President of Bolivia (End of October) ▼
  • Rodrigo Paz of the centre-right Christian Democratic Party (PDC) was elected President of Bolivia.
  • Paz won 54.5 percent of the vote in Sunday’s run-off race, defeating Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga who received 45.4 percent.
  • Paz previously served as mayor of Tarija and as senator for the region since 2020.
General Horta Inta-A named head of Guinea-Bissau transitional government (Start of December) ▼
  • 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.
Michelle Bachelet conferred Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development 2024 (End of November) ▼
  • Michelle Bachelet is the first and only woman President of Chile.
  • She is a former Chief of UN Human Rights and served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2022.
  • She also served as the first executive director of UN Women from 2010 to 2013.
Peru Severs Diplomatic Relations with Mexico Over Asylum Grant (Start of November) ▼
  • Peru has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico.
  • The severance occurred after Peru accused Mexico of granting asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister who is on trial over an alleged coup attempt in 2022.
  • The announcement on Monday came hours after former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez – who served under former President Pedro Castillo – fled to the Mexican Embassy in Peru.
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo de Zela told a news conference.
  • The Peruvian government cited repeated instances in which the current and former presidents of Mexico have interfered in Peru’s internal affairs as a reason for the decision.
  • In December 2022, Peru expelled Mexico’s ambassador after Mexico granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children.
  • Castillo’s successor, then-President Dina Boluarte, also temporarily recalled Peru’s ambassador to Mexico City in February 2023.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Issues Transaction Account Directions, Eases Limits

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released final guidelines on transaction account directions.
  • The final guidelines removed restrictions on cash credit (CC) accounts.
  • The revised rule permits any lending bank with more than 10% exposure to open a current or overdraft account for the borrower.
  • In situations where no bank or only one bank meets this threshold, the two lenders with the largest exposure will be allowed to operate such accounts.
  • The requirement to transfer funds from collection accounts to designated transaction accounts within two working days remains unchanged.
  • The guidelines will come into effect from April 1.

Similar / Past Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues final guidelines averting restructuring for 12 bank groups (Start of December) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) final guidelines allow banks and their group entities to continue overlapping lending activities, preventing restructuring for 12 large bank groups.
  • The draft guidelines would have impacted 12 bank groups, accounting for ~55% of sectoral advances, and 2-6% of consolidated advances of individual banks.
  • The final framework permits overlapping lending operations subject to board approval.
  • Of the 26 bank group entities with lending operations, only two currently qualify as upper-layer Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
  • The remaining bank group entities must adopt upper-layer norms (excluding listing requirements) by March 31, 2028.
  • The guidelines impose a 20% ceiling on a bank group’s shareholding in an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC).
  • There are currently 13 ARCs in which one or more banks hold stakes.
  • In all but two of these ARCs, shareholding by any single bank is less than 20%.
  • Banks with shareholding exceeding the 20% limit in ARCs will have to partially divest by March 2028.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) overhauls merchant bankers rule; introduces capital adequacy, liquid networth criteria (Start of December) ▼
  • Sebi overhauled merchant bankers rule by introducing a capital adequacy framework, requiring a liquid net worth, and mandating minimum revenue from permitted activities.
  • Sebi allowed merchant bankers to undertake activities falling outside its purview under the same firm, subject to certain conditions.
  • As per a notification dated December 3, a merchant banker can undertake fee-based, non-fund based activities pertaining to the financial services sector that fall under another Financial Sector Regulator (FSR) or do not fall under Sebi or any other FSB.
  • Sebi categorized merchant bankers, requiring Category 1 to have a net worth of at least ₹50 crore and allowing them to undertake all permitted activities.
  • Category 2 merchant bankers must have a net worth of at least ₹10 crore and can undertake all permitted activities except managing equity issues on the main-board.
  • Merchant bankers must maintain a liquid net worth of at least 25% of the minimum net worth requirement at all times.
  • Underwriting obligations of merchant bankers are capped at 20 times their liquid net worth.
  • Category 1 merchant bankers must have cumulative revenues of at least ₹12.5 crore in the three immediately preceding financial years, while Category 2 must have at least ₹2.5 crore.
  • The revenue criteria do not apply to merchant bankers managing only the issuance of non-convertible securities, securitised debt instruments, security receipts, municipal debt securities, commercial papers, REITs, and InvITs.
  • Sebi replaced merchant bankers with independent registered valuers for the valuation of Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOP) and Sweat Equity.
  • Previously, merchant bankers were mandated for valuations related to ESOPs and other share-linked benefits.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slaps Rs 91 lakh penalty on HDFC Bank (Start of December) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 91 lakh on HDFC Bank.
  • The penalty was for violating certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act and non-compliance with certain directions.
  • Deficiencies included those related to Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
  • Non-compliance also pertained to ‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Guidelines on Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks’.
  • A Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation of HDFC Bank was conducted with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024.
  • HDFC Bank adopted multiple benchmarks within the same loan category.
  • HDFC Bank outsourced the function of determining compliance with KYC norms of certain customers to its outsourcing agents.
  • A wholly-owned subsidiary of HDFC Bank undertook business not permissible under Section 6 of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act.
RBI Issues Detailed Guidelines for Payment Aggregators and Payment Gateways (Mid of September) ▼
  • Non-bank Payment Aggregators must obtain RBI authorisation under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
  • Non-bank PAs must maintain a minimum net-worth of Rs 15 crore at the time of application, increasing to Rs 25 crore by the end of the third financial year.
  • PAs must conduct background checks of merchants and ensure compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS).
  • Funds collected by PAs must be kept in an escrow account with a scheduled commercial bank and all settlements must be routed through the escrow mechanism.
  • PAs must report cyber incidents immediately to RBI and CERT-In and undergo mandatory annual security audits by CERT-In empanelled auditors.

Indian Banking Sector Achieves 20-Year Non-Performing Assets Low, Strongest Profit Surge

Key Updates:

  • Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) dropped to 2.31% by March 2025.
  • Gross NPAs peaked at 11.46% in 2018.
  • Net NPAs declined to 0.52%.
  • Public Sector Banks (PSBs) reduced Gross NPAs from 9.11% in 2021 to 2.58% in 2025.
  • Domestic deposits increased from ₹88.35 lakh crore in 2015 to ₹231.90 lakh crore in 2025.
  • Credit grew from ₹66.91 lakh crore to ₹181.34 lakh crore between 2015 and 2025.
  • Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) improved from 12.94% in 2015 to 17.36% in 2025.
  • Common Equity Tier 1 (CET-1) ratio reached 14.81%.
  • Public Sector Bank (PSB) profits rose from ₹1.05 lakh crore in FY 2022–23 to ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2024–25.
  • Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) posted their highest ever earnings of ₹4.01 lakh crore in FY 2024–25.
  • Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) earned ₹1.02 lakh crore in the first quarter of FY26.
  • Return on Assets (RoA) stood at 1.37%.
  • Return on Equity (RoE) stood at 14.1%.
  • Key reforms include the Asset Quality Review (2015) and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (2016).
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed the Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework in 2025.

Similar / Past Coverage

PSU Banks Record ₹49,456 Crore Q2 Profit, Up 9% YoY; SBI Leads with 40% Share (Start of November) ▼
  • State Bank of India-led public sector banks posted a record cumulative profit of Rs 49,456 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal, reflecting a 9 per cent year-on-year growth.
  • SBI alone contributed 40 per cent to the total earnings of Rs 49,456 crore, logging a net profit of Rs 20,160 crore in Q2 FY26, 10 per cent higher than the same period of the previous fiscal.
  • Indian Overseas Bank reported the highest net profit growth of 58 per cent to Rs 1,226 crore, followed by Central Bank of India with a 33 per cent rise to Rs 1,213 crore.
  • Bank of Baroda reported an 8 per cent fall in net profit at Rs 4,809 crore as against Rs 5,238 crore in the year-ago period; Union Bank of India witnessed a 10 per cent decline in bottomline at Rs 4,249 crore during the quarter.
  • For the first half ended September 2025, the aggregate profit of PSBs crossed Rs 90,000 crore for the first time, together earning Rs 93,674 crore as compared to Rs 85,520 crore in the April-September period of FY25, registering nearly 10 per cent growth.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues final guidelines averting restructuring for 12 bank groups (Start of December) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) final guidelines allow banks and their group entities to continue overlapping lending activities, preventing restructuring for 12 large bank groups.
  • The draft guidelines would have impacted 12 bank groups, accounting for ~55% of sectoral advances, and 2-6% of consolidated advances of individual banks.
  • The final framework permits overlapping lending operations subject to board approval.
  • Of the 26 bank group entities with lending operations, only two currently qualify as upper-layer Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
  • The remaining bank group entities must adopt upper-layer norms (excluding listing requirements) by March 31, 2028.
  • The guidelines impose a 20% ceiling on a bank group’s shareholding in an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC).
  • There are currently 13 ARCs in which one or more banks hold stakes.
  • In all but two of these ARCs, shareholding by any single bank is less than 20%.
  • Banks with shareholding exceeding the 20% limit in ARCs will have to partially divest by March 2028.
The Banker awards Bank of Baroda (BoB) Best Bank in India (Mid of December) ▼
  • Bank of Baroda (BoB) received the 'Best Bank in India' title from The Banker, a Financial Times publication, at the 2025 Asia-Pacific awards.
  • BoB operates phygital branches that allow customers to obtain statements, generate income tax payment certificates, update nominees and receive financial advice over video calls.
  • BoB has opened 184 new branches across India to expand reach.
  • BoB's Smart OD product provides small businesses quick working capital within 24 hours based on transaction history.
  • BoB offers liquid fixed deposits with higher interest rates and anytime withdrawal without loss of earnings.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlights strengthening economic momentum and record low inflation (End of November) ▼
  • India’s economy gathered further pace in October.
  • Demand conditions exhibited signs of improvement with the revival of urban demand and continued strength in rural demand.
  • Manufacturing and services activity showed further resilience.
  • Digital payments moderated in both value and volume in October 2025.
  • Headline inflation plunged to its lowest level in the current CPI series (2012 base year).
  • Retail inflation fell to 0.3 per cent in October from 1.4 per cent in September.
  • Fuel and light inflation remained steady at 2.0 per cent in October.
  • Core inflation moderated to 4.3 per cent in October from 4.4 per cent in September.
  • The core basket, excluding precious metals, posted a 0.1 per cent month-on-month decline.
  • Macroeconomic policy measures undertaken in 2025 are expected to reinforce a positive investment cycle and strengthen long-term growth.
  • Inflation moderated to a historic low and remained well below the target rate.
  • International uncertainty remains elevated.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) extends Rs 1,685.27 crore loan to Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL)

[National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Odisha, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL)]

Key Updates:

  • NABARD has extended a long-term loan of Rs 1,685.27 crore to OPTCL at an interest rate of 7.75% per annum.
  • Rs 900 crore of the loan will be invested in new transmission projects.
  • The remaining amount will be used to swap high-cost existing loans.
  • This is the first-ever project financing by NABARD to any state-owned public sector undertaking in Odisha.

Similar / Past Coverage

Oil India and RVUNL form JV for 1.2 GW solar-wind park in Rajasthan (End of September) ▼
  • Joint venture between Oil India Limited (OIL) and Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) to develop 1.2 GW renewable projects—1000 MW solar and 200 MW wind—within RVUNL’s Renewable Energy Park in Rajasthan.
  • OIL’s wholly-owned subsidiary OIL Green Energy Limited (OGEL) will drive the clean-energy portfolio covering renewables, compressed biogas, energy storage and green hydrogen.
  • The JV will supply clean power to Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and commercial customers, expanding beyond oil & gas into sustainable energy solutions.
  • Agreement signed by Devendra Shringi, Chairman & Managing Director of RVUNL, and Ranjan Goswami, Executive Director (Business Development) of OIL, with senior officials of Rajasthan’s Energy Department and OIL present.
ReNew Energy Global Secures $331 Million from ADB for Andhra Pradesh Clean Energy Project (Start of November) ▼
  • ReNew Energy Global Plc secured $331 million in debt from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  • The funding is to support a clean energy project in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The $331 million is part of a $477 million financial package for the Andhra project.
  • The remaining $146 million of the financial package is to be arranged by ADB through other lenders.
  • The project integrates 837 MWp of wind and solar capacity with a 415 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS).
  • The project is designed to deliver 300 MW of peak power and is expected to generate 1,641 GWh of clean energy annually.
  • The $331 million ADB debt package includes up to $291 million in local-currency financing from ADB's ordinary capital resources and up to $40 million from the ADB-administered Leading Asia's Private Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2).
  • ReNew has a clean energy portfolio of about 18.2 GW.
Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign over $800 million in development loans across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (Start of December) ▼
  • ADB signs $500 million loan for Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Programme.
  • ADB signs ¥27,147,200,000 ($190.6 million) loan for Indore Metro Rail Project in Madhya Pradesh.
  • ADB signs $109.97 million loan for Gujarat Skills Development Programme.
  • ADB finalizes $1 million Technical Assistance grant for Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project in Assam.
Hinduja Group to Invest Rs 20,000 Crore in Andhra Pradesh Across Energy and EV Sectors (Start of November) ▼
  • Hinduja Group has agreed to invest Rs 20,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh in phases.
  • An agreement of Rs 20,000 crore investment in phases was signed between the Andhra Pradesh government and the Hinduja Group.
  • The Hinduja Group will enhance the capacity of the Visakhapatnam power plant by 1,600 MW.
  • The group will also establish an electric bus and light commercial vehicle manufacturing plant at Mallavalli in Krishna district.
  • Additionally, an agreement was reached to create a statewide network of electric charging stations in collaboration with the government.
Uttarakhand CM Dhami inaugurates 47th All India Public Relations Conference (Mid of December) ▼
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun.
  • The conference is organized by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) with the theme 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Development as well as Heritage.'
  • The three-day event includes expert sessions on Uttarakhand's 25-year development journey, media and public relations, technology, GST, artificial intelligence, cybercrime, misinformation, and international public relations.
Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana: Secondary School Students to Explore India (Start of December) ▼
  • The 'Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana' is an initiative for students studying in state government-run secondary schools in Bihar.
  • The scheme aims to take these students on tours of India's important sites and research institutions.
  • State’s education minister Sunil Kumar directed officials to implement this scheme, which is expected to come into effect in the next few months.
  • Potential destinations include historical monuments like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Charminar of Hyderabad, and Agra Fort.
  • This new scheme for secondary school students expands upon the existing ‘Mukhyamantri Bihar Darshan Yojana’ for primary and middle school children touring within the state.
SAMPANN Portal Launch Integrates MTNL Retirees into Digital Pension Framework (Mid of December) ▼
  • Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA) Smt. Vandana Gupta officially launched the onboarding process for all MTNL employees set to retire in November 2025 onto the SAMPANN portal.
  • The initiative integrates a total of 45,939 pensioners from Delhi and Mumbai, both current and past retirees, into a modernized digital framework.
  • The SAMPANN initiative promises precise, rule-based calculations, efficient handling of cases, prompt disbursements linked with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), and improved mechanisms for grievance redressal through multi-modal integration.
  • Features include direct pension disbursement, online issuance of PPOs, integration of Digital Life Certificates, streamlined grievance management, and a notable reduction in paperwork.

Meri Yojana Portal Launched to Facilitate Citizen Access to Welfare Schemes

Key Updates:

  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 'Meri Yojana' portal to make welfare schemes more accessible.
  • The Programme Implementation Department released 'Meri Yojana' books detailing central and state government programs.
  • The state government is focused on simplifying processes to deliver social welfare benefits swiftly and effectively.

Similar / Past Coverage

Uttarakhand CM Dhami inaugurates 47th All India Public Relations Conference (Mid of December) ▼
  • Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun.
  • The conference is organized by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) with the theme 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Development as well as Heritage.'
  • The three-day event includes expert sessions on Uttarakhand's 25-year development journey, media and public relations, technology, GST, artificial intelligence, cybercrime, misinformation, and international public relations.
Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana: Secondary School Students to Explore India (Start of December) ▼
  • The 'Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana' is an initiative for students studying in state government-run secondary schools in Bihar.
  • The scheme aims to take these students on tours of India's important sites and research institutions.
  • State’s education minister Sunil Kumar directed officials to implement this scheme, which is expected to come into effect in the next few months.
  • Potential destinations include historical monuments like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Charminar of Hyderabad, and Agra Fort.
  • This new scheme for secondary school students expands upon the existing ‘Mukhyamantri Bihar Darshan Yojana’ for primary and middle school children touring within the state.

United Nations Special Rapporteur urges Pakistan to end Imran Khan's solitary confinement

[Pakistan]

Key Updates:

  • UN Special Rapporteur on torture Alice Jill Edwards called on Pakistan to lift Imran Khan's solitary confinement, stating it 'should be lifted without delay' as prolonged solitary confinement beyond 15 days constitutes psychological torture.
  • Since his transfer to Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, Imran Khan has reportedly been confined 23 hours a day, under constant camera surveillance, denied outdoor activity, communal prayers, and frequently interrupted legal and family visits.
  • The cell lacks natural light and adequate ventilation, causing extreme temperatures, foul odours, insect infestations, nausea, vomiting and weight loss; authorities have allegedly denied him adequate medical attention despite his history of spinal injury and gunshot wounds.

Similar / Past Coverage

International Monetary Fund imposes 11 new bailout conditions on Pakistan (Mid of December) ▼
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has added 11 fresh conditions to Pakistan’s $7-billion bailout programme during its second review.
  • These new conditions push the total to 64 conditions in just 18 months.
  • The IMF warned that Pakistan’s economy continues to suffer from “deep-rooted distortions,” driven by chronic corruption, governance failures, and persistent losses across key sectors.
  • A key reform mandate requires the government to publicly disclose asset declarations of senior federal civil servants by December 2026 on an official website.
Punjab Assembly resolution seeks ban on Imran Khan and PTI (Start of December) ▼
  • The Punjab Assembly approved a resolution moved by PML-N lawmaker Tahir Pervaiz urging the federal government to impose a ban on the PTI founder and his political party.
  • The resolution accuses the PTI leader of making statements against the state, spreading unrest, and acting as facilitators of hostile foreign interests.
  • It calls for action under national laws against anyone involved in such activities and demands exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Bangladesh again asks India to extradite death-sentenced ex-PM Sheikh Hasina (End of November) ▼
  • Bangladesh has again asked India to extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was recently sentenced to death in absentia over last year’s deadly crackdown against a student-led uprising.
  • Touhid Hossain, who holds the foreign affairs portfolio in Bangladesh’s interim administration, said Dhaka had sent a letter two days ago urging New Delhi to hand over the fugitive ex-leader.
  • A special International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Dhaka convicted Hasina of crimes against humanity and sentenced her to death.
  • Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry stated that India has an 'obligatory responsibility' under a 2013 bilateral extradition treaty to facilitate Hasina’s return.
  • India’s Foreign Ministry responded by saying it had 'noted' the Hasina verdict but has not commented on the prospects of her extradition.
  • Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo reports Dhaka has made at least three extradition requests so far.
  • Hasina, 78, has been in hiding in India since her autocratic rule was overthrown in a mass uprising in August 2024.
  • Bangladesh will hold its first general elections since the protests in February, and Hasina’s party, the Awami League, is barred from any political activity.
Punjab Scheduled Castes Commission Opens Dedicated Courtroom for Faster Hearings (End of November) ▼
  • 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"

India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu to restore road connectivity in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka

[Sri Lanka]

Key Updates:

  • Operation Sagar Bandhu is India’s humanitarian mission delivering rescue, medical, and relief assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah.
  • A second Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo carrying Bailey bridge units and a 25-member team of engineers and medical experts.
  • Indian field engineers who arrived with Bailey Bridge units have begun reconnaissance and restoration work on key routes damaged by the cyclone.
  • Indian Air Force helicopters are conducting ongoing rescue operations near Kotmale.
  • Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 28, causing severe flooding, heavy rainfall, and landslides across multiple districts.
  • High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne, stated that more than 400 people have lost their lives due to the cyclone.

Similar / Past Coverage

India dispatches 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu (End of November) ▼
  • Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft landed in Colombo with nearly 12 tonnes of relief material including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items.
  • Indian Naval Ship Vikrant and Indian Naval Ship Udaygiri delivered 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh rations to cyclone-affected families.
  • External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on X: 'Operation Sagar Bandhu unfolds. Indian Air Force C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid... lands in Colombo.'
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: 'India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu.'
India Provides Aid to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah (End of November) ▼
  • Sri Lanka has made an appeal for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132.
  • India was the first to respond, sending two planeloads of relief supplies.
  • An Indian warship already in Colombo on a previously planned goodwill visit donated its rations to help victims.
  • Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the deaths in Sri Lanka and said New Delhi was ready to send more aid.
  • Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had met with Colombo-based diplomats to update them on the situation and seek the help of their governments.
India's Humanitarian Aid Initiative for Hurricane-Hit Jamaica and Cuba (Start of November) ▼
  • **Initiative Type:** India's humanitarian aid and HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) relief materials.
  • **Announced By:** External Affairs Minister (MEA) S Jaishankar.
  • **Beneficiaries:** Hurricane-hit Jamaica and Cuba.
  • **Purpose:** To assist friends in recovery and reconstruction after natural disasters.
  • **Key Component:** The relief material includes an Aarogya Maitri BHISHM Cube.
  • **Other Relief Materials:** Rehabilitation support items, food & daily utilities, medicines, medical equipment, power generators, shelter support and hygiene kits.
  • **Dispatch Method:** An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight was dispatched from India.
India delivers 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul (End of November) ▼
  • India has delivered 73 tonnes of life-saving medicines, vaccines and essential supplements to Kabul to cater to urgent medical needs.
  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called Afghanistan counterpart Amir Khan Muttaqi to convey condolences at the loss of lives in the earthquake that struck Balkh, Samangan and Baghlan provinces.
  • Indian relief material for the earthquake-impacted communities is being handed over and further supplies of medicines to reach soon.

Stanford University AI Index ranks India third in Global AI Vibrancy

[United States, China]

Key Updates:

  • India climbed four steps to rank third in the 2024 Global AI Vibrancy Index with a score of 21.59.
  • The United States leads with 78.6 and China follows with 36.95, while India surpasses South Korea, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Germany, and France.
  • India’s improvement is measured across seven pillars: R&D, responsible AI, economy, talent, policy and governance, public opinion, and infrastructure.
  • India pledged USD 1.25 billion toward AI initiatives, part of global government investments including China’s USD 47.5 billion semiconductor fund and France’s 109 billion euro commitment.
  • The country slipped five positions on the policy and governance pillar according to the report.

Similar / Past Coverage

Microsoft Boosts AI Deployment and Renewable Energy Infrastructure in India (Mid of December) ▼
  • Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, Infosys and Wipro have emerged as “frontier firms”, with each deploying more than 50,000 Microsoft Copilot licences and building “AI factories” that create industry-specific digital agents and experiences.
  • Companies are already integrating Fabric, Foundry and Copilot Studio to reimagine software development, data intelligence and customer operations.
  • Microsoft views GitHub as the “agent HQ” where developers issue daily tasks to AI agents as part of their coding workflow.
  • The company will open a new Azure data centre region in South Central India in 2026, its most sustainable facility in Asia, powered entirely by renewable energy.
  • Microsoft’s new Agent 365 runtime enables organisations to choose between public, sovereign and private cloud configurations while maintaining cybersecurity and compliance, ensuring observability and governance in a world of autonomous agents.
  • Microsoft’s AI stack now extends from Copilot to Copilot Studio, which lets enterprise developers create their own AI agents using natural language prompts, down to Microsoft Foundry, a toolchain for building multi-agent, multi-model solutions using over 11,000 available AI models.
  • This investment of $17.5 billion is part of what Nadella described as Microsoft’s largest in Asia, following its previous $3 billion commitment to India.
  • Microsoft will train 20 million people across India in AI and digital technologies.
IIT Madras and IndiaAI Mission to Host Meet on Safe, Trusted AI Ahead of India-AI Impact Summit 2026 (Mid of December) ▼
  • 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.
India's Atomesus AI, a Hybrid System, Set to Launch Soon (Start of November) ▼
  • Atomesus AI, developed under the leadership of Indus Valley Group, is gearing up for its official launch.
  • The initiative is led by a group of passionate college innovators with research exposure to ISRO-linked projects.
  • The team has created a hybrid AI system that merges the precision of machine learning with the adaptability of contextual reasoning.
  • Atomesus AI has built a proprietary integration layer combining in-house development with select global AI systems.
  • Its mission is to become the world’s most affordable AI platform for everyone.
  • The founders envision launching a fully indigenous AI model, trained and deployed entirely in India using localized data.
  • Atomesus AI is part of Indus Valley Group, a conglomerate engaged in AI, space technology, Web3, and citizen-security.
  • All systems are compliant with global data-protection and ethical-AI standards.
  • The headquarters of Atomesus AI PVT LTD are in New Delhi, India.
IBM and AICTE establish National AI Lab at AICTE headquarters to upskill Indian talent (Start of November) ▼
  • 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

World Bank Clears $600 Million for Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Clean Air Programs

[World Bank, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana]

Key Updates:

  • The World Bank has approved $599.66 million in financing for two major clean air programs in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
  • These initiatives aim to improve air quality, reduce health impacts, and strengthen both states as attractive business destinations.
  • The programs will invest in clean cooking, electric mobility, and cleaner industrial practices.
  • Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, World Bank India, stated that 'Air pollution is causing severe health impacts, loss of productivity and reduced quality of life across South Asia.'
  • The operations mark the first airshed-based, multi-sectoral programs taken up by Indian state governments to address air pollution.
  • The Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program (UPCAMP), backed by $299.66 million, will expand the state’s Clean Air Plan with investments across transport, agriculture and industry.
  • UPCAMP aims to provide clean cooking access to 3.9 million households and promote clean mobility by deploying 15,000 electric three-wheelers and 500 electric buses in Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Gorakhpur.
  • Haryana’s Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development Operation, supported by $300 million, will invest in air quality and emissions monitoring and expand clean transport options such as electric buses and electric three-wheelers in Gurugram, Sonipat and Faridabad.
  • In November, Haryana slipped into the red zone of India’s air quality map, with no district meeting the national annual PM2.5 standard.
  • The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has identified Haryana as a significant pollution hotspot in the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
  • Gurugram is among seven districts in Haryana that rank within India’s 50 most polluted, with PM2.5 levels at least twice—and in some cases nearly three times—above the annual national safety limit.
  • Both state programs form part of the World Bank's Regional Air Quality Management Program in the Indo-Gangetic Plains and Himalayan Foothills.

Similar / Past Coverage

Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD) receives USD 305 million World Bank assistance (Mid of December) ▼
  • The World Bank has green-lighted a financial assistance package worth USD 305 million for the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD).
  • The project has a total budget of Rs 3,646 crore, with Haryana contributing Rs 1,065 crore and an additional Rs 83 crore as a grant.
  • Key interventions include deploying 500 electric buses and setting up 200 EV charging stations in major cities, transitioning industry to cleaner energy, and enhancing soil management processes.
Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign over $800 million in development loans across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (Start of December) ▼
  • ADB signs $500 million loan for Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Programme.
  • ADB signs ¥27,147,200,000 ($190.6 million) loan for Indore Metro Rail Project in Madhya Pradesh.
  • ADB signs $109.97 million loan for Gujarat Skills Development Programme.
  • ADB finalizes $1 million Technical Assistance grant for Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project in Assam.
Tata Realty & Infrastructure (TRIL) and DBS Bank India sign ₹1,280 crore green loan facility (Start of December) ▼
  • Tata Realty & Infrastructure (TRIL) and DBS Bank India signed a ₹1,280 crore green loan facility.
  • DBS Bank India acted as the sole advisor and green loan coordinator for the transaction.
  • A special purpose vehicle (SPV) developing Intellion Park, Gurugram, availed the facility.
  • The real estate sector accounts for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO₂ emissions.
  • India’s property market saw 89 million sq ft of office leasing in 2024.
  • India’s property market experienced a 35% surge in FDI inflows in Q1 2025.
  • Climate-first private credit is projected to deliver 15–20% risk-adjusted returns.
India ranks third globally in clean industrial project pipeline with $150 bn capital need (Start of November) ▼
  • India’s clean industrial project pipeline is the third largest in the world after China and the US
  • Capital requirement to operationalise the pipeline exceeds $150 billion
  • Major share of pipeline consists of greenfield facilities in chemicals sector, hydrogen, port infrastructure and core industrial production assets
  • Investments aim to accelerate industrial growth under ‘Make in India’ initiative and position India as a global hub for clean industrial production
  • Surging production and consumption in heavy industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, aviation and shipping is powering economic growth and employment

Strongest Passports List for 2025 Released

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

  • Arton Capital, a global citizenship financial advisory service, released the list of the strongest passports in 2025.
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) secured the first position on the list of strongest passports in 2025.
  • Singapore and Spain share the second position on the list of strongest passports in 2025.
  • The United States secured the ninth position on the list of strongest passports in 2025.
  • India secured the 67th position on the list of strongest passports in 2025.

Similar / Past Coverage

Countries with the strongest passports in 2025 (Mid of November) ▼
  • Singapore leads the world with its passport granting access to 193 destinations.
  • South Korea’s passport holds the number two spot on the list by allowing access to 190 destinations.
  • Japan is on the number third position on the list with access to 189 destinations.
  • The European Power Group (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland) shares the fourth spot on the prestigious list, each offering visa-free access to 187 destinations.
  • Austria, Greece, Norway, Portugal, Sweden share the fifth spot on the list with access to 186 destinations.
  • Hungary, Malta, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia together share the sixth spot on the list, each allowing access to 185 destinations.
  • Australia, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, UAE, UK together share the seventh spot on the list by allowing access to 184 destinations.
  • Canada and Latvia share the eighth spot on the list with access to 183 countries.
  • Liechtenstein and Lithuania enjoy strong passports with easy access to 182 countries.
  • Iceland and Malaysia share the spot with access to 181 destinations.
Women, Peace and Security Index 2025/26: Denmark Ranks First, India 131st, US 31st (Start of December) ▼
  • 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.
India's Ranking in Global Innovation Index 2025 (Mid of September) ▼
  • India rose to the 38th position among 139 economies in the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025.
  • This marks a substantial advancement from India's 81st position in 2015.
  • Switzerland tops the GII 2025 ranking.
  • The GII 2025 evaluates the innovation performance of nearly 140 economies.
  • The evaluation uses approximately 80 indicators, including R&D spending, venture capital deals, high-tech exports, and intellectual property filings.
Commitment to Development Index 2025: Top 10 countries and where does India rank? (End of November) ▼
  • 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.

Lakshadweep hosts first-ever investors' meet to unlock fisheries, aquaculture potential

[Lakshadweep]

Key Updates:

  • The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Government of India joined hands with the Lakshadweep administration to organise the event.
  • Investors called for value-added facilities for sashimi-grade tuna, fish oil refining capacities, the requirement of skilled labour, and ornamental fish brood banks for the strategic utilisation of Lakshadweep's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC).
  • Union ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh, SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian, along with Praful Patel, the Administrator of Lakshadweep, attended the event.

Similar / Past Coverage

7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit | January 29-30 (Start of December) ▼
  • The 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit 2026 will be hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
  • Jointly organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), CMFRI, and the CSIR–Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI).
  • Expects participation from countries including Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.
  • Key feature will be the 'Seaweed 2030' panel presenting a national roadmap.
Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in India’s EEZ: Key Features (Mid of November) ▼
  • Name: Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) notified by Government of India
  • Announced in: Union Budget 2025-26
  • Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
  • Objective: "create an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries from India's EEZ and high seas, with a special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands"
  • Key provision: "prioritise Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea fishing operations and management of technologically advanced vessels"
  • Export boost: "promoting value addition, traceability, and certification"
  • Innovation: "introduction of the mother-and-child vessel concept, which will allow mid-sea transshipment under strict monitoring in line with Reserve Bank of India regulations"
  • Support measures: "training, international exposure visits, and capacity-building initiatives across the value chain -- including processing, branding, and marketing"
  • Credit access: "through flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)"
  • Prohibited practices: "LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling"
  • Conservation tools: "Minimum legal fish sizes and Fisheries Management Plans"
  • Alternate livelihoods: "Mariculture activities like sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation"
  • Digital system: "fully digital Access Pass system ... through the ReALCRaft portal for mechanised vessels"
  • Traceability: "Integration with MPEDA and EIC will facilitate traceability and eco-labelling for global seafood exports"
  • Safety & security: "mandate transponders and QR-coded ID cards to enhance sea safety and coastal security"
New Deep-Sea Fishing Rules for India’s EEZ: Key Features and Objectives (Mid of November) ▼
  • Scheme/Policy Name: New deep-sea fishing rules notified on 4 November for operations in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • Objective: Unlock under-utilised high-value tuna resources and promote community-led, sustainable deep-sea fishing while banning foreign vessels.
  • Key Feature 1: Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) prioritised for deep-sea fishing with technologically advanced vessels.
  • Key Feature 2: Mother-and-child vessel concept introduced for mid-sea transhipment under RBI regulations, benefiting Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands.
  • Key Feature 3: Access Pass mandated (free, online via ReALCRaft portal) for mechanised and large motorised vessels; traditional/small-scale fishers exempt.
  • Portal Integration: ReALCRaft portal linked with MPEDA and EIC for issuing Fish Catch and Health Certificates, ensuring traceability and export compliance.
  • Supporting Schemes: Credit access facilitated under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
World Fisheries Day 2025 to be celebrated on 21st November with the theme 'India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports' (End of November) ▼
  • World Fisheries Day 2025 will be celebrated on 21st of this month at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi.
  • The theme for this year is India’s Blue Transformation: Strengthening Value Addition in Seafood Exports.
  • The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying stated that the event will host participants from across the country and abroad, with delegations from nearly 27 countries attending the event, underscoring country’s deepening global partnerships in the Blue Economy.
  • The Department of Fisheries will launch a national traceability framework.