📊 Index & Rankings
For the third consecutive year, India topped the global list of doping offenders. In 2024, India recorded 260 positive doping cases.
The country’s positivity rate of 3.6% is the highest among nations conducting over 5,000 tests.
| Country | Positivity Rate / Cases |
|---|---|
| India | 3.6% (260 cases) |
| United States | 1.1% |
| China | 0.2% |
| France | 91 cases |
Key reasons identified:
- Intense pressure to win medals and a “medal-at-all-costs” culture
- Low awareness of health risks associated with doping
- Expansion of doping beyond elite athletes to junior-level and collegiate sports
This trend threatens India’s sporting credibility and its long-term Olympic ambitions.
🇮🇳 National News
The Central Government has approved the creation of a statutory Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The proposed body will function on the lines of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
Primary objectives:
- Risk-based security planning at ports and onboard vessels
- Intelligence coordination and information sharing
- Strengthening maritime cybersecurity systems
The initiative responds to rapid growth in maritime trade and increasing complexity of maritime security threats.
NITI Aayog has released a detailed roadmap aimed at internationalising India’s higher education sector.
The plan proposes regulatory reforms to enable foreign universities to operate in India through a “campus within a campus” model.
A $10 billion Bharat Vidya Kosh has been proposed to:
- Support advanced research
- Promote global academic collaboration
The roadmap also includes scholarship initiatives such as the Vishwa Bandhu Scheme.
Key objectives:
- Attracting international students and faculty
- Enhancing India’s research ecosystem
- Positioning India as a global education hub
The initiative aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Jammu and Kashmir entered Chillai Kalan on December 21, marking the start of the harshest 40-day winter period in the region.
During this phase:
- Temperatures often fall below freezing
- Snowfall and icy winds are common, especially in higher-altitude areas
Rain and snowfall after a prolonged two-month dry spell are expected to improve air quality and replenish glaciers, rivers, and water reservoirs.
Authorities have issued advisories warning against travel due to avalanche risks, road blockages, and possible power supply disruptions.
Snowfall during Chillai Kalan is vital for long-term water security, sustaining summer river flows, and boosting winter tourism in areas like Gulmarg.
A study by the Health Effects Institute revealed that all of India’s top 20 most polluted air quality monitoring stations in 2024 were located in Delhi-NCR.
Jahangirpuri (North Delhi) emerged as the most polluted station in the country.
Key findings:
- Despite some progress under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), absolute pollution levels in Delhi-NCR remain alarmingly high
- Certain NCR cities like Noida and Ghaziabad have shown more consistent improvements in air quality over time
💼 Business & Economy
India will begin releasing revised base-year data series for major macroeconomic indicators from 2026.
| Indicator | New Base Year | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer Price Index (CPI) | 2024 | February 12, 2026 |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | 2022–23 | February 27, 2026 |
| Index of Industrial Production (IIP) | 2022–23 | May 28, 2026 |
The revisions aim to:
- Improve data accuracy
- Capture structural changes in the economy
- Support better policymaking and investment decisions
India’s eight core infrastructure sectors recorded 1.8% growth in November 2025.
| Sector | Growth Rate |
|---|---|
| Cement | +14.5% |
| Steel | +6.1% |
| Fertilizer | +5.6% |
| Coal | +2.1% |
| Crude Oil | –3.2% |
| Natural Gas | –2.5% |
The data reflects continued infrastructure-led expansion with mixed trends across energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors.
🌐 International News
India and New Zealand successfully completed negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in December 2025.
The negotiations lasted approximately nine months.
Key features of the agreement:
- Reduction or elimination of tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports
- Measures to enhance trade, investment, and broader economic cooperation
Bilateral trade is expected to double within five years. New Zealand is expected to invest up to $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.
India and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
Areas of collaboration:
- Museum planning and design
- Conservation of maritime artefacts
- Joint research projects
- Exhibitions and cultural exchange programs
The partnership involves cooperation with Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum.
NMHC highlights India’s 4,500-year-old maritime history, ancient trade networks, and shipbuilding traditions. The initiative aims to boost cultural tourism and strengthen academic research.
Oman has launched its first-ever polymer one-rial banknote, issued by the Central Bank of Oman.
The note features iconic landmarks:
- Oman Botanic Garden
- Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex
It incorporates advanced security features for enhanced durability and safety.
The banknote will enter public circulation on January 11, 2026. This marks a historic transition from paper to polymer currency, reflecting Oman’s heritage, modernization, and economic progress.
🎖️ Defence
The Indian Navy received ‘Anjadip’, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), on December 22, 2025.
It is the third of eight such vessels being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in partnership with L&T Shipyard under a PPP model.
Key features:
- Length of 77 metres
- Equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and sonar systems
The vessel will enhance:
- Coastal surveillance
- Mine-laying operations
- Detection of underwater threats
With over 80% indigenous content, it reflects India’s push for self-reliant defence manufacturing.
DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on December 22, 2025.
The MoU aims to strengthen:
- Defence and internal security research
- Education and training
- Technology development
Under the agreement:
- RRU will contribute expertise in internal security
- DRDO will provide advanced defence technologies and system support
The collaboration includes: Joint research projects, fellowships and training programs, and life-cycle management of DRDO-developed systems.
The initiative supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and national security objectives.
The Indian Army signed an MoU with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) on December 22, 2025.
The partnership focuses on development of AI-based and software-driven defence solutions.
Key components:
- Student and faculty involvement in live Army projects
- Research aligned with real operational challenges
- Faculty development programs
- Training initiatives for Army personnel
Areas of innovation: Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, logistics management, and surveillance systems.
The initiative promotes indigenous innovation and defence modernisation under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
🏆 Awards
Renowned Malayalam publisher Ravi Deecee, Managing Director of DC Books, received the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters).
The award was conferred by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou on December 4, 2025.
He was honoured for:
- Outstanding contributions to literature and publishing
- Strengthening India–France cultural relations
- Translating French literary works into Malayalam
- Promoting international literary collaboration
Advocate Shubham Awasthi, a Supreme Court lawyer, was honoured with the ’40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025.
The award was presented at the BW Legal World Awards in New Delhi.
He was recognised for:
- Excellence in legal practice
- Work in public interest litigation
- Commitment to social justice and humanitarian causes
- Contributions toward strengthening India’s justice system
🔬 Science & Technology
India signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on December 22, 2025 to establish the Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT).
The centre will operate as a public-private partnership between:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru
- CRISPRBITS Private Limited, Delhi
The initiative aims to:
- Bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications
- Develop gene-based diagnostics and therapies
CoE-CIT will strengthen India’s biotechnology ecosystem, promote academia–industry collaboration, and enable affordable and accessible healthcare solutions.
📅 Important Days
National Consumer Day is observed annually in India on December 24.
The day commemorates the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which received Presidential assent on this date.
“Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice”
The theme highlights India’s transition towards technology-enabled consumer grievance redressal.
Key initiatives supporting this shift:
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA)
- e-Jagriti digital platform
- AI-powered National Consumer Helpline 2.0
These measures aim to ensure faster resolution of complaints, transparency in processes, and inclusive and accessible consumer justice.
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