🇮🇳 National News
India is preparing to station its home-grown Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) to fortify the Delhi–NCR region against threats such as hostile missiles, drones, and aircraft.
- QRSAM (Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles)
- VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems)
- Advanced command-and-control infrastructure
The project gained momentum following Pakistan’s attempted targeting during Operation Sindoor. This indigenous initiative replaces the previously planned costly US-made NASAMS-II, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat goals and strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Deepavali, celebrated widely as the Festival of Lights, has formally entered UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List 2025, acknowledging its deep-rooted cultural, spiritual, and social value.
- Rangoli art
- Traditional diya-making
- Folk rituals and customs associated with the festival
This global listing boosts India’s international cultural standing and reinforces its soft power.
Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon has been recognised as PETA India’s Person of the Year 2025 for her long-standing advocacy for animal welfare and wildlife protection.
- Promoting a meat-free lifestyle
- Donated a mechanical elephant to a Jain temple in Karnataka
- Supports Compassionate Citizen Programme in schools
- Campaigns for vegan and cruelty-free living
Previous winners include Alia Bhatt, Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Dia Mirza, Virat Kohli, and Justice KS Panicker Radhakrishnan.
IIT Madras, along with the India AI Mission, will host a Global AI Conclave in Chennai to advance discussions on safe, ethical, and inclusive AI development.
- AI safety and governance frameworks
- Accountable and trustworthy AI innovation
- Establishment of an AI Safety Commons for the Global South
The conclave sets the stage for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 and will gather policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and civil society to develop scalable AI governance models.
India will host the Squash World Cup 2025 for the third year in a row in Chennai at the SDAT Stadium.
- 12 nations participating including India, Egypt, and Malaysia
- Mixed-team format: 2 men + 2 women per team
- India’s squad: Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa, Anahat Singh (debut)
Egypt enters as defending champions. India aims to surpass its third-place finish in 2023.
💼 Business & Economy
Microsoft has unveiled a record US$17.5 billion investment in India for 2026–2029, the company’s largest-ever investment in Asia.
- India’s largest hyperscale AI datacenter region in Hyderabad
- AI integration within e-Shram and National Career Service (NCS) for 310 million+ informal-sector workers
- Skill development target increased to 20 million Indians
- Sovereign Public Cloud and Sovereign Private Cloud solutions
India Post has inaugurated its first Gen-Z Post Office Extension Counter in Kerala at CMS College, Kottayam.
- Work-café model design
- Charging stations
- Green corners and recreation spaces
- MPCM counter with MyStamp services
Designed collaboratively with students, this initiative aims to make postal services more youth-friendly, accessible, and seamless.
The Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025 concluded with investments worth ₹5.75 lakh crore, driven by sectors such as AI data centres, energy transition, and smart urbanisation.
- 50% of investments earmarked for the energy sector
- ₹70,000 crore Infrakey AI data centre
- ₹67,500 crore AGIDC project
- ₹9,000 crore AI City initiative
Vision 2047 Roadmap: $1 trillion economy by 2034, $3 trillion economy by 2047.
The Adani Group has announced an investment exceeding $75 billion over the next five years in green energy and clean technologies.
- Green hydrogen
- Renewable energy
- Green steel
- Digital energy platforms
A major highlight is the Khavda Renewable Energy Park, projected to become the world’s largest renewable energy park, generating 30 GW by 2030 with the lowest-cost green electrons globally.
Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube and of Indian origin, has been chosen as TIME’s 2025 CEO of the Year.
- Calm leadership approach
- Creator-first business strategy
- Innovative use of AI at YouTube
- Growth in YouTube Shorts, YouTube TV, and creator monetisation
His journey—from Stanford to leadership at DoubleClick, Google, and YouTube—demonstrates a blend of technical skill and strategic insight.
🌐 International News
Lithuania has announced a state of emergency following several incidents in which cigarette-smuggling balloons from Belarus breached its airspace.
- Disrupted operations at major airports
- Created civilian safety risks
- Raised fears of hybrid warfare tactics
Lithuania accuses Belarus—aligned closely with Russia—of orchestrating the balloons as deliberate provocations. Emergency measures aim to enhance airspace surveillance and protect critical infrastructure.
The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA 2025) have officially begun in Thailand, hosted across Bangkok and Chonburi.
- Opening Ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium
- Over 13,000 athletes
- 11 Southeast Asian nations
- Competitions in 50 sports
A’ja Wilson has been crowned TIME’s Athlete of the Year 2025, recognising one of the most commanding seasons in basketball history.
- Championship
- MVP
- Finals MVP
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Scoring Title
She led the Las Vegas Aces to their third championship in four years, contributing significantly to the growth and visibility of women’s sports.
Leonardo DiCaprio has been awarded TIME’s Entertainer of the Year 2025, celebrating his recent work and his influential three-decade acting career.
His 2025 performance in One Battle After Another, where he portrays Bob Ferguson, a disillusioned former radical and single father, earned wide acclaim.
The honour underscores his consistent ability to reinvent himself and deliver emotionally resonant performances.
📊 Index & Rankings
Indian-origin financial innovator Arkin Gupta has been included in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his contributions to modern financial technologies.
- AI-powered analytical tools
- Data-driven investing frameworks
- Scalable fintech solutions for broad accessibility
His mission focuses on democratising investment opportunities, offering tools that benefit new and underserved investors.
🔬 Science & Technology
The US FDA has approved AIM-NASH, the first AI-based tool aimed at aiding the evaluation of severe fatty liver disease (MASH) in clinical trials.
- Examines liver biopsy images
- Assesses fat accumulation, inflammation, and liver scarring
- Provides standardised scoring
- Reduces variability, time, and costs in clinical trials
AIM-NASH is expected to accelerate drug development and make diagnosis more consistent.
📅 Important Days
International Mountain Day (IMD) 2025 is marked on 11 December to highlight the ecological and social importance of mountains.
“Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.”
The UN declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains and later established 11 December as International Mountain Day. Japan observes Mountain Day as a national holiday.
UNICEF Foundation Day 2025 commemorates the founding and humanitarian mission of UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund).
- 2025 Theme: “My Day, My Rights”
- Established in 1946 to provide emergency aid to children affected by World War II
- Operates through voluntary contributions
- In 2019, received $4.7 billion from 137 contributors
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
