B P Kanungo appointed as non-executive chairman of IIFL Finance Ltd
[IIFL Finance, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Key Updates:
- B P Kanungo has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the board of IIFL Finance Ltd.
- He served as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2017 to 2021 and was a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.
- As chairman, Kanungo will lead the board in setting strategic direction, enhancing governance standards, and safeguarding the interests of shareholders, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Praveen Kumar has taken additional charge of BSF Director General following the retirement of Daljit Singh Chawdhary.
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary handed over the responsibilities to Praveen Kumar at a BSF camp in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.
- Praveen Kumar is the 35th Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
- Praveen Kumar is a 1993-batch officer of West Bengal cadre.
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary took charge as BSF Director General in August 2024.
- Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Ltd, has been appointed as chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).
- He will hold the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India.
- The post of IWAI chairman has been temporarily upgraded to Secretary level for this appointment.
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions Department of Personnel and Training issued the notification for his appointment.
- Paliwal succeeds Vijay Kumar at IWAI.
- Vijay Kumar was recently made Shipping Secretary.
- Vijay Kumar replaced TK Ramachandran, who retired, as Shipping Secretary.
- Paliwal previously held crucial portfolios in the Tamil Nadu government, including Managing Director of Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board; Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Limited; and Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation.
- CA Usha Janakiraman appointed Executive Director of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with effect from December 1, 2025.
- Prior to the promotion, Usha Janakiraman served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Regulation, Central Office, Mumbai.
- Usha Janakiraman has experience of over three decades in the RBI in areas of regulation, external investment and operations, banking supervision, public debt management, currency management and other areas.
- As Executive Director, Usha Janakiraman will look after the Department of Supervision (Risk, Analytics and Vulnerability Assessment).
- Usha Janakiraman is a Chartered Accountant.
- The Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of S Krishnan as part-time chairman of J&K Bank.
- His appointment is effective from November 13, 2025, till March 26, 2028.
- Krishnan previously served as MD & CEO of Punjab & Sind Bank.
- He also held the top position as MD & CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank in September 2022.
- Krishnan is currently an independent director on the board of Srinagar-headquartered bank.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) Launches DigiProtect Term Plan for Salaried Individuals
[PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife)]
Key Updates:
- PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) launched the PNB MetLife DigiProtect Term Plan (UIN-117N141V01) in collaboration with Policybazaar.
- The product is an individual non-linked, non-participating, pure term insurance plan designed specifically for salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
- The plan offers an exclusive first-year discount of up to 21% on the first premium to lower entry costs for policyholders.
- India faces a 91% life protection gap, which indicates that only ₹9 is covered for every ₹100 required to financially secure families.
- Policybazaar holds a market share of over 93% in the digital insurance aggregator space and recorded an annual premium collection exceeding ₹15,000 crore in FY24.
- Policybazaar has issued over 44.3 million policies and caters to more than 80.5 million registered users.
- PNB MetLife operates through 178 branches and provides access to customers in over 20,000 locations through bank partnerships and a network of 36,000 financial advisors.
- The company currently caters to over 585 group relationships in India and offers a portfolio covering child education, family protection, and retirement.
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- LIC and YES Bank have entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership enabling YES Bank customers to access LIC’s comprehensive range of life insurance products through the Bank’s extensive branch network and digital platforms.
- YES Bank is recognised as the Preferred Banker to Digital India with best-in-class technology infrastructure, a robust API stack, and a leadership position in digital payments.
- The partnership was announced in the presence of R. Doraiswamy, CEO & MD, LIC of India, and Prashant Kumar, MD & CEO, YES Bank.
- Through this collaboration, YES Bank customers will be able to avail LIC’s diverse portfolio products including term plans, endowment policies, pension, and unit-linked insurance plans.
- The Union Cabinet approved a bill to raise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector to 100 per cent.
- The proposed legislation is the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the proposal in the Union Budget this year.
- The insurance sector has attracted around Rs 82,000 crore in foreign investment.
- The bill proposes amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, allowing up to 100 per cent FDI.
- It permits mergers between insurance and non-insurance companies.
- The bill creates a dedicated policyholders’ fund.
- A requirement mandates that at least one key management position, such as chairman, managing director or CEO, must be held by an Indian citizen.
- Existing net worth requirements for insurers will remain unchanged.
- Amendments are also proposed to the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) Act, 1956.
- Changes to the LIC Act would empower its board to take operational decisions such as branch expansion and recruitment.
- Amendments are also proposed to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) Act, 1999.
- Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched two new insurance plans: Protection Plus (Plan 886) and Bima Kavach (Plan 887).
- LIC's Protection Plus (Plan 886) is a non-participating, linked life insurance plan with a minimum entry age of 18 years and a maximum entry age of 65 years.
- The minimum basic sum assured for Protection Plus is 7 times or 5 times the annualized premium for entry ages less than 50 years and 50 years and above, respectively.
- Protection Plus offers premium paying terms of 5, 7, 10, and 15 years for policy terms of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, allowing partial withdrawals after 5 years.
- LIC's Bima Kavach (Plan 887) is a non-participating, non-linked, individual life insurance plan offering pure risk protection.
- The minimum entry age for Bima Kavach is 18 years (last birthday), and the maximum entry age is 65 years (last birthday).
- The minimum basic sum assured for Bima Kavach is ₹2,00,00,000 (₹2 crore).
- Bima Kavach offers single, limited (5, 10, and 15 years), and regular premium payment options, with two death benefit options: level sum assured and increasing sum assured.
- The maximum policy term for Bima Kavach is 82 years, subject to a maximum age at maturity of 100 years.
- India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a 100% government-owned entity under the Department of Posts, has signed an MoU with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
- The partnership aims to provide doorstep digital life certificate services to pensioners under the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995.
- IPPB will use its network of around 1.65 lakh post offices and over 3 lakh postal service providers equipped with doorstep banking devices.
- Pensioners will be able to submit their digital life certificates from home through face authentication or fingerprint biometric verification.
- The service will be free for pensioners as the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation will bear the entire cost.
- The agreement was exchanged between IPPB MD & CEO R Viswesvaran and EPFO central provident fund commissioner Ramesh Krishnamurthi.
HCL Technologies (HCLTech) secures multi-year digital transformation contract with ASN Bank Netherlands
[HCL Technologies (HCLTech), Netherlands]
Key Updates:
- HCL Technologies (HCLTech) has been selected as strategic partner by ASN Bank Netherlands to modernise and standardise its IT architecture.
- The engagement involves consolidating IT services, simplifying the vendor landscape and building a future-ready organisation.
- Under the multi-year agreement HCLTech will support ASN Bank’s enterprise applications and streamline services through a distributed delivery model to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
- HCLTech posted net profit of Rs 4,235 crore and revenue from operations of Rs 31,942 crore in Q2, up 11% over the year-ago period.
- The company’s constant currency revenue grew 2.4% QoQ and 4.6% YoY, while dollar revenue rose 2.8% QoQ and 5.8% YoY.
- HCLTech expects revenue growth of 3%-5% YoY in constant currency and services revenue growth of 4%-5% YoY in constant currency, with EBIT margin between 17%-18%.
- HCLTech shares have declined nearly 14% in 2025, making it one of the worst performers on the Nifty this year.
Similar / Past Coverage
- NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) introduced Banking Connect, an interoperable platform aimed at simplifying internet and mobile banking.
- The new system is designed to reduce the complexity of current net banking processes, which often require multiple integrations, varied customer credentials, and non-standard settlement flows.
- Banking Connect offers interoperable workflows, a uniform interface, mobile-first design, and support for biometric authentication.
- The platform removes transaction caps and introduces standardised APIs to reduce delays, redirections and timeout errors.
- It supports low-code or no-code integration for merchants, enabling quicker adoption and improved success rates.
- Banking Connect is live with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, YES Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and Federal Bank.
- Payment aggregators such as Infibeam, PayU, Pinelabs, Cashfree, Razorpay, HDFC Bank Smart Gateway, Zoho, Easebuzz, Juspay, OPEN and SBI ePay have integrated with the platform.
- NBBL, a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI, operates digital payment and collection systems, including the Bharat BillPay ecosystem and B2B solutions for collections and reconciliation.
- NBBL also serves as the designated settlement agency for the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is joining forces with private equity group TPG in a multi-billion dollar joint venture.
- The joint venture, named HyperVault AI Data Centre Ltd, aims to create gigawatt-scale, AI-ready data centres.
- TCS will own a controlling 51% of HyperVault, and TPG will deploy Rs 8,820 crore ($1.1 billion) for a stake of up to 49%.
- Both partners have agreed to cumulatively invest up to Rs 18,000 crore ($2.1 billion) as equity in HyperVault over the next few years.
- The new data centre arm will operate as a colocation data centre provider, offering services to hyperscalers, Indian enterprises, government entities, and Tata companies.
- TCS announced its plan to enter the data centre space with an aim of building up to 1.2 GW of capacity, entailing $6.5-7 billion in investments to be funded via debt and equity.
- This is the first time that cash-rich TCS will be taking equity from a PE firm as well as external debt to fund a project.
- The project will complete buildout in five to seven years and revenue could start kicking in over the next 18-24 months.
- AZB & Partners, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and Latham & Watkins LLP were the legal advisers, while Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India and Price Waterhouse & Co were tax advisers.
- Innoviti Technologies was recognized by ASK Private Wealth and Hurun India as a Cheetah in their India Cheetah-Gazelle-Unicorn Index for the year 2025.
- The recognition for Innoviti Technologies was for Excellence in SaaS-Based Payment Solutions.
- Innoviti unipay powers 18 of top 20 retail enterprises in the country.
- Innoviti genie helps more than 4000 local mobile merchants.
- Innoviti link is India's highest rated payment links app with 50,000+ downloads and a 4.7-star rating on Play Store and App Store.
- Innoviti achieved operating profitability in May 2025.
- Innoviti's payments-centric SaaS software processes over Rs. 80,000 Crore annually from across 2000 cities and over 20,000 merchants.
- The company processes more than 50% of all purchases in enterprise retailers across food & grocery, lifestyle, and healthcare categories.
- Innoviti is backed by Bessemer Venture Partners (USA), FMO (Netherlands), Catamaran Ventures (India), and the Patni Family Office (India).
- Innoviti is the recipient of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) final authorization to operate as an online payment aggregator.
- Innoviti won the 50 fastest growing companies in Asia award from Deloitte four times.
- Innoviti has 14 patents awarded, with 11 more in the pipeline.
- Innoviti received the award on Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
Protean eGov Technologies Ltd approves ₹30.2 crore acquisition of 4.95% stake in NSDL Payments Bank
[Protean eGov Technologies Ltd, NSDL Payments Bank]
Key Updates:
- Protean eGov Technologies Ltd board approved acquisition of 93,74,014 equity shares representing 4.95% equity stake in NSDL Payments Bank for ₹30.2 crore.
- Transaction to be completed in single cash-based equity subscription within 60 days from agreement execution.
- NSDL Payments Bank operates on B2B2C model offering digital banking solutions including domestic money transfers, savings accounts, micro-ATMs, AePS, prepaid cards, UPI payments, POS solutions, and distribution of life insurance, health insurance, and mutual fund schemes.
- No governmental or regulatory approvals required for the acquisition.
- Shares of Protean eGov Technologies Ltd closed at ₹785.20 on BSE, up ₹3.40 or 0.43%.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Emirates NBD will invest 268.53 billion rupees ($3.05 billion) to acquire a 60% stake in RBL Bank through a preferential issue of shares.
- Post-acquisition, RBL Bank's capital adequacy ratio will rise to 40%.
- Currently 22% of RBL Bank is owned by foreigners, which will be diluted to around 11% after the primary infusion.
- Indian migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries account for around 50% of the total Indian migrants in the world.
- In FY24, the UAE alone contributed half of the $38.7 billion inward remittances from the Gulf countries.
- 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.
- NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) currently covers 70-80 million households.
- NBBL plans to expand Bharat Connect and bill payment platforms to reach about 135 million households.
- CareEdge projects MSME and retail segments to drive 12% credit growth in FY26.
- NBFC borrowings projected to reach $750 billion by FY27 as markets shift towards capital markets.
- Piramal Finance eyes Rs 1 lakh crore AUM by FY26 as its retail portfolio scales up.
- Bank of Baroda and SIDBI signed an MoU 'to jointly enhance credit flow to small businesses and startups' and will 'provide joint finance for micro, small and medium enterprises'.
- RBL Bank launched two premium credit cards—‘Lumiere’ and ‘Nova’—carrying 'membership fees of up to Rs 50,000 per year'.
- Axis Bank introduced 'a corporate salary solution aimed at startups' that bundles 'financial, lifestyle, and wellness offerings'.
- The Standard opened a new Global Capability Centre in Pune and 'appointed Mohua Sengupta as the country head'.
Shriram Finance board approves ₹39,617 Cr preferential issue to MUFG Bank for 20% stake
[Shriram Finance, Japan, MUFG Bank]
Key Updates:
- Shriram Finance will issue 47.11 crore equity shares at ₹840.93 apiece to Japan’s MUFG Bank.
- MUFG Bank will hold a 20% minority stake in Shriram Finance on a fully diluted basis.
- The deal requires approvals from shareholders and regulators including the Reserve Bank of India and the Competition Commission of India.
- An extraordinary general meeting is scheduled on January 14, 2026, to seek shareholder approval for the preferential issue.
- MUFG will be classified as a public shareholder upon completion of the transaction.
- MUFG will pay a one-time non-compete and non-solicitation fee of $200 million to Shriram Ownership Trust.
- Shriram Finance shares rose 2.62% to ₹892.70 apiece on the BSE after the announcement.
Similar / Past Coverage
- Fino Payments Bank becomes the first payments bank to receive RBI in-principle approval for conversion into a small finance bank.
- Post-conversion, Fino will be able to undertake on-balance sheet lending, a facility not permitted for payments banks.
- Payments banks are restricted to deploying deposits in government securities or bonds and earning fee income from payments and remittances services.
- Fino already offers third-party gold loans, housing loans, and loans against property as referral services and earns fees from these verticals.
- Only payments banks that have completed five years of operations and are resident-controlled are eligible for conversion into small finance banks.
- Entities promoted by corporates such as Airtel or Jio are not considered for such conversion.
- ADB approved USD 240 million as the second tranche under the USD 780 million facility sanctioned in 2022 for Chennai Metro Expansion Phase 2.
- Chennai Metro Phase 2 spans 118.9 km across Lines 3 (45.8 km), 4 (26.1 km), and 5 (47 km).
- ADB sanctioned USD 108 million results-based loan to strengthen Mizoram’s public healthcare through the Mizoram Universal Health Care Scheme (MUHCS) offering Rs 5 lakh per family annually.
- ADB provided USD 100 million to Five-Star Business Finance Limited for MSME credit access to over 400,000 women borrowers via 700+ branches.
- BSE and Department of Posts sign MoU to enable distribution of mutual fund products through India Post’s network.
- Selected DoP employees will be trained and onboarded as certified mutual fund distributors via BSE StAR MF platform.
- MoU valid for three years from December 12, 2025, with provisions for renewal.
- Master Capital Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Master Trust, has received in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to sponsor a mutual fund.
- India’s mutual fund industry assets under management have broken through the Rs 70 trillion mark.
- The proposed mutual fund will create equity, hybrid, and multi-asset schemes using a combination of quantitative investment methodologies with a bottom-up approach.
Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine commences in New Delhi
[World Health Organization (WHO), Delhi]
Key Updates:
- The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine kicked off on Wednesday, with a focus on 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Union Health Minister JP Nadda and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the importance of traditional medicine in global healthcare.
- The three-day global scientific gathering is held from December 17th to 19th, 2025.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Summit on December 19th, 2025.
- The summit is being jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
Similar / Past Coverage
- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha at the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi.
- The five-rupee postal stamp on Ashwagandha symbolises the rise of medicinal plants and underscores the use of traditional medicine techniques and philosophies such as Ayurveda.
- Prime Minister Modi launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a landmark global platform designed to preserve and provide equitable access to scientific data, policy documents and validated knowledge related to traditional medicine.
- India and Liberia signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation in the field of pharmacopoeia.
- The agreement was signed by India's Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, and Liberia's Health Minister, Louise M. Kpoto.
- The MoU enables Liberia to adopt the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a reference for medicine quality standards.
- The agreement aims to promote shared quality standards and regulatory alignment between the two countries.
- The Ministry of Ayush (MoA) will host a dedicated side event on Ashwagandha titled 'Ashwagandha: From Traditional Wisdom to Global Impact – Perspectives from Leading Global Experts' during the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.
- The side event is organised by WHO-GTMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush.
- The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine will be held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Event: 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine (17–19 December 2025, New Delhi) jointly hosted by Ministry of Ayush and WHO.
- Participants: Over 100 countries expected; reception attended by ambassadors/high commissioners and Indian/WHO dignitaries including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Ambassador Sibi George, Dr. Poonam Khetrapal, Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla.
- Key framework: Summit aligned to WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 and anchored by WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC), Jamnagar.
- Theme: “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Wellbeing” to advance evidence-based, integrative traditional medicine.
United Economic Forum (UEF) and United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) Sign MoU at UEF Trade Summit 2025
[United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC)]
Key Updates:
- The United Economic Forum (UEF) Trade Summit 2025, scheduled for 12th–14th December at the Chennai Trade Centre, had a grand inauguration by Thiru TRB Rajaa, Honourable Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu.
- A historic MoU was signed between UEF and the United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) to transform 17 of UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
- The UNSDC will lead the execution of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 45 UEF-associated Educational Institutions, including colleges and schools.
- A 100 crore fund is being set up for entrepreneurs, startups and to scale up businesses, with an initial MoU of 50 crores signed between UEF and Anicut Capital.
- The overarching theme, 'Unnatha Tamilagam – 4Tn for TN,' emphasizes the commitment to empowering 4,500 startups, enabling partnerships, and fostering inclusive economic development.
- A total of 10 MoUs will be signed during the Summit to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at enabling 10X business growth through advisory support and market access.
Similar / Past Coverage
- BSE and Department of Posts sign MoU to enable distribution of mutual fund products through India Post’s network.
- Selected DoP employees will be trained and onboarded as certified mutual fund distributors via BSE StAR MF platform.
- MoU valid for three years from December 12, 2025, with provisions for renewal.
- MoU signed between PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
- Focus sectors: manufacturing, clean energy, digital technology, maritime logistics, and emerging industries
- Aim: increase business exchanges, investments, and knowledge sharing between India and South Korea
- CSIR–NICDC MoU signed by Dr. Vibha Malhotra Sawhney, Head, Technology Management Directorate, CSIR, and Mr. Vikas Goel, General Manager (CS & Marketing), NICDC, in New Delhi.
- Joint plan to develop R&D hubs, industrial incubators, and innovation centres across NICDC’s smart industrial cities and corridors.
- Priority technology domains: industrial automation and robotics, renewable energy and clean technologies, advanced materials, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, digital manufacturing, agro-processing and green chemicals.
- Framework aligns with national initiatives Make in India, Startup India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat to commercialise indigenous technologies and foster tech-driven startups.
- Union Bank of India (UBI) celebrated its 107th Foundation Day.
- A central function was organised by the bank’s headquarters in Mumbai at the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC.
- Department of Financial Services (DFS) Secretary M Nagaraju (IAS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, attended as the chief guest.
- UBI launched two new digital initiatives — the Union E-Biz mobile app for MSMEs and the Union Ease mobile app.
- The bank announced the opening of 51 new branches across key regions.
Australia, India, Japan, and United States conduct 1st Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam
[Australia, Japan, United States]
Key Updates:
- Quad partners, Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US), successfully conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
- The exercise was conducted from 8th to 12th December to strengthen the Quad partners’ disaster response capacity.
- The IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to "leverage shared logistics capabilities to support civilian response to large-scale natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific."
- Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft to enhance interoperability and coordination.
- The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to "strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific."
Similar / Past Coverage
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system.
- The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.
- The test validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery.
- The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The complex dynamic test placed 'India in an elite club of nations with advanced in-house escape system testing capability'.
- Defence minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence capability and a step forward towards self-reliance.
- Exercise AviaIndra-2025 is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) from 15 to 22 December.
- The exercise is part of the AviaIndra series which began in 2014.
- Personnel from both forces will conduct joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters.
- The exercise aims to enhance bilateral cooperation, mutual understanding, and aerospace synergy between India and Russia.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
- The test achieved a controlled velocity of 800 km/h, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and full aircrew recovery.
- The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- The system carried the forebody of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
- A dual-sled system with the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled to precisely controlled velocity through phased firing of multiple solid-propellant rocket motors.
- The canopy-fragilisation pattern, ejection sequence and complete aircrew-recovery process were simulated using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy.
- DRDO established the four-kilometre Rail Track Rocket Sled Penta Rail Supersonic Track at TBRL in 2014.
- ISRO has previously used the facility for Rail Track Rocket Sled deployment tests of the Gaganyaan pilot parachutes and Apex Cover Separation parachutes in cluster configuration.
- Exercise Desert Cyclone-II is scheduled from December 18-30 in Abu Dhabi.
- The Indian contingent comprises 45 personnel, primarily from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
- The UAE Land Forces contingent is represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
- The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, including peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations.
- Tactical drills include fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations, mission planning, and integration of UAS and counter-UAS techniques.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department launches smooth-coated otter conservation drive in Cauvery delta
[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]
Key Updates:
- The Tamil Nadu Department of Forests unveiled a conservation initiative titled ‘Conservation initiative to study the population dynamics, behavioural pattern, and habitat improvement of smooth-coated otters in Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Cuddalore districts, within the Cauvery River delta’.
- The project received administrative approval for Rs. 20 lakh, with Rs. 10 lakh disbursed for the 2025-26 financial year as per a July government order.
- Led by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur, Chennai, the study will be conducted through the department of wildlife biology at AVC Autonomous College in Mayiladuthurai.
- Smooth-coated otters are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and safeguarded under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Otters are monitored through direct observations, faecal sample analysis, photographic records, and environmental DNA sampling.
- The Endangered Wildlife and Environmental Trust (EWET) has performed field surveys and habitat mapping throughout the delta to safeguard and track otter populations.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The ban covers the entire 1,435 sq km Gahirmatha marine sanctuary from Hukitola to Dhamra.
- Fishing trawlers are now required to install turtle excluder devices (escape hatches) in their nets.
- Forest department has set up 14 turtle protection camps, including four offshore camps at Madali, Sasanipada, Ekakula and Babubali islands.
- Marine police stations at Jamboo, Talachua, Tantiapala and Coast Guard at Paradip assist forest officials in enforcement.
- Odisha hosts 50% of the world’s Olive Ridley population and 90% of India’s sea turtles.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is buzzing with life as thousands of migratory birds arrive, heralding the start of the season.
- Over 20 species, including open-billed storks and white ibis, have begun nesting.
- Open-billed storks have not only built their nests but also completed breeding, with chicks already visible on the treetops.
- The tank surrounding the sanctuary is in excellent condition, holding water up to 16ft, replenished by recent rains and surplus inflow from the Valayaputhur lake nearby.
- A previous disruption in the flow from Valayaputhur lake caused by blocked channels has since been resolved, ensuring sufficient water levels for the birds’ breeding season.
- Most of the birds prefer the barringtonia trees to build their nests.
- Forest officials plan desilting work and fresh plantation of barringtonia trees once the summer sets in and the tank dries.
- The sanctuary, home to more than 15,000 birds, has begun attracting more visitors on weekends and holidays.
- Manish Meena is identified as the Chennai wildlife warden.
- The population of golden jackal is rapidly dwindling due to indiscriminate construction activities being taken up in the areas closer to residential areas after removing the forests and shrubs.
- The ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ scheme targets schools and colleges to train students as ambassadors for conserving golden jackal.
- Students badged as ‘Golden Jackal Ambassadors’ will disseminate messages on conserving golden jackal, rescuing and treating injured golden jackals and releasing them back in the forests.
- Lack of awareness among the public on conserving small animals like golden jackal, mongoose, ant-eater, tortoise, snakes, monitor lizard etc. has led to the sharp fall in their population.
- The ‘Friends of Elephants’ scheme has started yielding good results as villagers cooperate in alerting forest personnel about elephants entering ranches or hamlets.
- Forest department cultivates native plants inside the forest preferred by elephants to create sufficient food.
- Species: Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) – 192nd species documented in the lake
- Location: Nanjarayan bird sanctuary, Tiruppur city, Tamil Nadu
- Sighting details: First inland-water stopover record; documented by Nature Society of Tirupur members Ravindran Kamatchi, Nandhagopal and Santosh, with initial sighting by forest watcher Manikandan
- Ecology: Breeds in Arctic region; winters mainly in South-East Asian countries; feeds on planktonic invertebrates by spinning in tight circles on water
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Discovers Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]
Key Updates:
- Astronomers using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have characterized a remarkable exoplanet with an unusual lemon shaped appearance.
- Designated PSR J2322-2650b, this Jupiter-mass world orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star known as a pulsar.
- Strong gravitational tides from the compact host stretch the planet into a distinctive lemon shaped exoplanet, marking it as one of the most deformed worlds observed to date.
- The lemon shaped exoplanet completes an orbit around its pulsar every 7.8 hours, at a distance of approximately 1 million miles.
- This discovery represents the first known Jupiter-mass gaseous planet orbiting a pulsar.
- Observations with the JWST revealed an atmosphere dominated by helium and carbon, featuring detectable molecular carbon species such as C2 and C3.
- Day-side temperatures reach up to 3,700 degrees Fahrenheit, while the night side cools to about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The pulsar’s emission is negligible in the infrared wavelengths observed by JWST, enabling a clear transmission spectrum of the planet’s atmosphere without significant contamination from the host.
- The system resembles a black widow pulsar, where the neutron star evaporates its companion, yet the planetary mass and composition do not fit standard stripping models.
Similar / Past Coverage
- The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has observed the universe's earliest supernova, offering a rare glimpse into the early universe.
- This event shows how massive stars lived short, explosive lives, which helped create the elements needed for planets and life.
- JWST tracked the earliest ever-known supernova back to the very dawn of the universe, providing direct evidence for the harsh and short lives of the first stars.
- Astronomers used the near-infrared cameras of the James Webb Space Telescope, specifically the NIRCam instrument, to spot barely perceptible light variations between two sets of observations.
- The observation was attributed to a core collapse supernova, as per research and a report from the European Space Agency (ESA).
- The deep space explosion was found in a small, tightly packed, and very lively galaxy that existed during the first billion years after the Big Bang.
- The star that caused the supernova was extremely large, ran out of its nuclear fuel very fast, and then collapsed under its own weight, propelling heavy metals and leaving a dispersing cloud of material.
- Supernovae are major factors behind cosmic evolution, as they are the sources of heavy elements needed for forming planets, organic molecules, and complex chemistry.
- The interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS is not only brightening but also taking on a distinct green hue as it approaches Earth.
- The latest image of the comet was captured by scientists using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) on the 8.1-meter Gemini North telescope atop Hawaii's dormant Mauna Kea volcano.
- The green colour of the comet is caused by diatomic carbon (C2) molecules in its coma, which emit light at green wavelengths when exposed to solar radiation.
- Indian astronomers have discovered 'Alaknanda,' a remarkably well-formed spiral galaxy.
- The discovery was made by astronomers Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar from Pune-based National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA).
- The astronomers used the powerful James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for this discovery.
- Galaxy Alaknanda is located 12 billion light years away and is 30,000 light years across.
- Alaknanda likely formed when the Universe was only about 1.5 billion years old.
- The galaxy exhibits a mature structure with clear arms, similar to our Milky Way, in a fraction of the time previously thought possible.
- Alaknanda has the textbook grand spiral design, with two clear spiral arms wrapped around a bright centre.
- The galaxy is forming new stars at an exceptionally rapid rate, nearly 30 times higher than the Milky Way today.
- Observations suggest Alaknanda contains around 10 billion times the mass of the Sun in stars.
- Its spiral arms show a beads-on-a-string pattern that signals active star formation.
- The discovery challenges existing models of galaxy formation, as scientists believed galaxies that formed this quickly after the Big Bang should be chaotic and irregular in design.
- The low contribution of light from Alaknanda's central bulge suggests it grew mainly through smooth gas accretion rather than through major collisions.
- The research on Alaknanda was published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
- Scientists will continue to study Alaknanda to understand how this galaxy assembled so fast.
- The UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat, India’s first dedicated space observatory, has completed ten years of operations.
- UVIT is India’s only ultraviolet space instrument and one of the few worldwide capable of far-UV observations apart from the Hubble Space Telescope.
- In ten years the telescope has observed 1,451 targets and contributed to about 300 research papers and 19 doctoral theses.
- Findings include hot compact companions to Be stars, blue stragglers in clusters, extended UV discs in dwarf galaxies, novae in Andromeda, UV emission from distant galaxies at redshift 1.42 and links between UV and X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei.
- The telescope is built as a twin system: one unit studies the near-UV (200–300 nanometres) and visible bands, while the other captures the far-UV (130–180 nanometres).
- The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) built and delivered the telescope from its Hosakote campus, designed to capture ultraviolet light that cannot be studied from the ground.
- Development involved a national consortium including the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and multiple ISRO centres.
- Improved image products are being uploaded to ISRO’s PRADAN archive and discussions point to a proposed successor mission, the Indian Spectroscopic and Imaging Space Telescope.