🇮🇳 National News
The Government of India has announced a major set of reforms aimed at modernising the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and expanding the country’s social security framework. The reforms were unveiled by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya during an event in Gujarat.
Key features of the reform package include:
- Technology-enabled, single-window EPFO offices to improve service delivery
- Access services from any regional EPFO office, eliminating location-based limitations
- EPF Suvidha Providers to assist subscribers in resolving service-related issues
- Mission-mode KYC campaign to reactivate inoperative and dormant EPF accounts
- Faster and fully digital settlement of EPF claims
- Social security protection for Indian workers abroad through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)
The government has set an ambitious target of bringing 100 crore citizens under social security coverage by March 2026.
The Indian government has integrated the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) with the National Population Register (NPR) to enhance intelligence capabilities and speed up criminal investigations.
Through this linkage, authorised law enforcement and intelligence agencies can access verified demographic and family-linked data.
This integration aids in accurate identification of suspects, mapping of criminal and terror networks, and tracking movement patterns of individuals involved in crimes.
NATGRID, established after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, aggregates data from over 20 civil and commercial databases. It provides real-time, role-based access to approved agencies to support national security operations.
India has launched its first-ever “Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm” database to strengthen efforts against terrorism and organised crime. The initiative was unveiled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Anti-Terror Conference 2025.
Developed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the digital platform:
- Maintains a centralised record of stolen, lost, and recovered government firearms across states and security forces
- Enables real-time access for law enforcement agencies
- Helps trace weapon movement, dismantle criminal networks, and prevent misuse by extremist and insurgent groups
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced India’s first-ever standard for agarbattis, titled IS 19412:2025, on National Consumer Day 2025. The standard aims to ensure safe, high-quality, and environmentally friendly incense sticks.
Guidelines include:
- Selection of raw materials
- Burning performance and fragrance quality
- Chemical safety, including a ban on harmful insecticides and toxic synthetic fragrances
The standard promotes consumer health, better indoor air quality, environmental protection, greater trust in Indian products, responsible industry growth, employment support for millions of workers, and improved export potential.
Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created the largest Santa Claus sculpture using sand and 1.5 tonnes of apples at Niladri Beach, Puri, Odisha.
The sculpture measured 60 feet in length, 45 feet in width, and 22 feet in height.
The installation celebrated the Christmas spirit while spreading a message of global peace. It attracted large crowds of tourists and locals and received official recognition from the World Records Book of India.
Dhanu Yatra, recognised as the world’s largest open-air theatre festival, has begun in Bargarh, Odisha. The town is transformed into the mythical city of Mathura for 11 days, depicting episodes from the life of Lord Krishna.
The festival:
- Combines theatrical performance with community participation
- Promotes India’s cultural heritage
- Boosts tourism and local economy
Due to its cultural significance, Dhanu Yatra has been accorded National Festival status.
🌐 International News
China has inaugurated the world’s longest expressway tunnel, the 22.13-km-long Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, in the Xinjiang region.
The tunnel reduces travel time through the Tianshan Mountains from several hours to approximately 20 minutes. It forms part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway.
The project enhances:
- Connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang
- Logistics efficiency and tourism development
- Economic links between eastern China and Eurasian regions
The construction overcame extreme geological and climatic challenges using advanced engineering techniques.
💼 Business & Economy
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines — Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. These airlines are expected to begin commercial operations in 2026.
Along with Shankh Air, which has already received an NOC, the new entrants aim to:
- Increase competition in India’s aviation sector
- Expand passenger capacity and improve regional connectivity
The move is expected to reduce reliance on dominant players like IndiGo and the Air India Group, offering passengers more choices and improved service quality.
👔 Appointments
Coal India Limited has appointed its Chairman-cum-Managing Director B. Sairam as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 15 December 2025.
With over 30 years of experience in the coal sector, Sairam has earlier led Northern Coalfields Limited and Central Coalfields Limited.
His dual role as CMD and CEO is expected to improve strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and decision-making in India’s largest coal producer, vital for national energy security.
Senior IAS officer Anu Garg (1991 batch) has been appointed as Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary, effective January 1, 2026. She will succeed Manoj Ahuja, who retires on December 31, 2025.
Garg has over three decades of administrative experience and has served as:
- Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary
- Head of departments such as Women & Child Development, Labour & ESI, and Health & Family Welfare
- Officer in central ministries including the PMO, Textiles, and Health
The Central Government appointed three senior advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) on December 22, 2025. They have been appointed for a three-year tenure.
ASGs assist the Attorney General and Solicitor General in handling complex constitutional and policy-related cases before the Supreme Court of India.
The appointments aim to strengthen the government’s legal capacity amid rising litigation.
Indian badminton icon and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has been elected Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission for the 2026–2029 term. Her role also makes her a member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Council.
A commission member since 2017 and BWF Integrity Ambassador since 2020, Sindhu’s election highlights India’s growing influence in international sports governance and her leadership in promoting athlete welfare, fairness, and integrity.
🏆 Sports News
14-year-old cricket sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 from President Droupadi Murmu. He was honoured for exceptional performances in domestic cricket, Under-19 tournaments, and the IPL.
Suryavanshi holds the record of being the youngest centurion in List A cricket, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and the Indian Premier League (IPL).
🔬 Science & Technology
IIT Patna has inaugurated Bihar’s first supercomputer, Param Rudra, under the National Supercomputing Mission. The facility was launched by MeitY Additional Secretary Amitesh Kumar Sinha.
The supercomputer will support:
- Around 60 faculty members and 400 students across 10 departments
- Advanced research in AI, data science, quantum computing, materials science, and computational engineering
The initiative strengthens India’s indigenous supercomputing ecosystem.
Indian startup VoxelGrids, supported by Zoho, has developed India’s first indigenously built 1.5-tesla MRI scanner. The scanner has been installed at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation near Nagpur.
Designed over 12 years by founder Arjun Arunachalam, the MRI system costs about 40% less than imported models, operates without liquid helium, and uses fully indigenous technology.
This innovation boosts Make in India, affordable healthcare, and self-reliance in medical technology.
📅 Important Days
The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed annually on December 27 since 2020.
The day highlights the need for:
- Preventing, preparing for, and responding effectively to epidemics
- Strong health systems, early detection, and rapid response mechanisms
Established through a UN resolution, it draws lessons from outbreaks such as COVID-19. It stresses investments in surveillance, healthcare infrastructure, research, and community participation to enhance global health security.
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