🇮🇳 National News
India is strengthening its position as a global leader in responsible and ethical Artificial Intelligence through the Global AI Conclave 2025.
- Jointly hosted by IIT Madras and India AI Mission in Chennai
- Under guidance of MeitY
- Serves as precursor to India-AI Impact Summit 2026
India aims to develop globally compatible yet locally adaptable AI governance frameworks, keeping in mind its diverse socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic context.
💼 Business & Economy
Bank of Baroda (BoB) has been honoured with the title ‘Best Bank in India’ at The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2025 – Asia-Pacific.
- Introduced phygital banking branches (digital + physical)
- Opened 184 new branches across India
- Launched Smart OD (Overdraft) for small/micro businesses
- Loans sanctioned within 24 hours using GST data
The Ministry of Finance announced progress of the campaign “Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar – Your Money, Your Right”, conducted between 4 October and 5 December 2025.
- Nearly ₹2,000 crore of unclaimed assets returned
- 477 districts covered through district-level camps
- 3A Framework: Awareness, Accessibility, Action
Platforms Leveraged: RBI’s UDGAM, IRDAI’s Bima Bharosa, SEBI’s MITRA, PFRDA portals, and IEPFA websites.
Sahaj Insurance Services Private Limited, a subsidiary of Sahaj Retail Limited, has received a Corporate Agency Licence from IRDAI.
- Agrarian communities
- Informal and underserved sectors
- Coverage: Life, health, accidents, crop, livestock, micro-insurance
Sahaj operates through a network of Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) known as Sahaj Mitrs, enabling insurance penetration in remote and rural regions.
Bank of Baroda has unveiled a new marketing campaign titled ‘Masterstroke’, featuring Sachin Tendulkar as its global brand ambassador.
- Home loans and Car loans
- MSME loans through bob Digi Udyam
- bob Masterstroke Lite Savings Account
Founded in 1908, Bank of Baroda is a public sector bank with the Government of India holding a 97% stake.
ICICI Bank has entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited (PCHL) to acquire an additional 2% stake in ICICI Prudential AMC for ₹2,140 crore.
- ICICI Bank: 53%
- PCHL: 47%
The move is intended to protect ICICI Bank’s majority ownership, especially in scenarios involving stock-based compensation by the AMC.
JSW Paints has successfully completed the acquisition of a 60.76% stake in Akzo Nobel India Limited (ANIL) from Akzo Nobel N.V.
- Total stake: 61.2% (including 0.44% from open offer)
- Among the largest acquisitions in India’s paints and coatings sector
- Akzo Nobel India known for Dulux brand
🌐 International News
Australia has officially begun enforcing a world-first law that restricts children below 16 years of age from accessing major social media platforms.
- Platforms affected: TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and others
- 10 major companies must prevent underage access
- Fines up to A$49.5 million (~$33 million)
- Parents and children will not face penalties
Countries including the United States, France, Denmark, and Malaysia are closely monitoring Australia’s implementation.
TIME Magazine has declared “Architects of AI” as its Person of the Year 2025.
The honour recognises the individuals responsible for designing, building, and accelerating artificial intelligence. TIME described 2025 as the year when AI’s potential fully emerged, influencing industries, political systems, global economies, and daily life.
Instead of honouring AI as a technology, TIME chose to recognise the human innovators and leaders driving this transformation.
TIME Magazine has named Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube, as the “2025 CEO of the Year.”
- Of Indian origin, born to Indian parents
- Innovation-led leadership
- Combines technical expertise, strategic vision, and empathy-driven management
👔 Appointments
The Coca-Cola Company has announced a major leadership transition with the appointment of Henrique Braun as its next Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- Braun currently serves as EVP and COO
- Will assume CEO role on 31 March 2026
- Succeeds James Quincey (CEO for 9 years)
- Quincey transitions to Executive Chairman
🔬 Science & Technology
The Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT-Bombay has launched ‘Y-Point Venture Capital Fund’, India’s first deep-tech VC fund managed by an academia-linked incubator.
- Total corpus: ₹250 crore
- SEBI-approved Category-II AIF
- Target: 25–30 startups
- Maximum investment per startup: ₹15 crore
Priority Sectors: AI, advanced computing, nuclear technology, life sciences, healthcare, defence, climate tech, and space technology.
IIT Madras has launched the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation, designated as India’s National Hub for Quantum Communication.
- Quantum Cryptography
- Post-Quantum Security
- Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
- Quantum Memory and Repeaters
- Satellite-based Quantum Communication
The hub is among the most well-funded centres under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), which has a total outlay of ₹6,003.65 crore over eight years.
📅 Important Days
Universal Health Coverage Day 2025 is observed annually on 12 December to promote equitable access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship.
- World’s first modern healthcare system: 1883 by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck
- Bismarckian healthcare model: Insurance-based with mandatory medical insurance
- December 2012: UNGA passed resolution urging nations to accelerate UHC efforts
The International Day of Neutrality is observed globally on 12 December, declared by the United Nations General Assembly.
The day emphasizes the importance of neutrality in international relations, particularly in conflict situations. Neutrality helps nations remain impartial and promotes peaceful dialogue and conflict resolution.
🕊️ Obituaries
Simone Tata, the Swiss-born business leader who played a key role in shaping Lakmé, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 95.
- Lakmé established following PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s request to reduce reliance on imported cosmetics
- Joined in 1961 and spearheaded expansion
- Approved iconic campaign: “Is it bad to look good?”
- After Lakmé’s sale to HUL (1996), founded Westside and Trent
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