🇮🇳 National News
Shillong, Meghalaya, hosted the Regional Artificial Intelligence Impact Conference 2025 on 3 December 2025 at the State Convention Centre.
The event is part of a chain of regional conferences taking place ahead of the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 2026.
Discussions highlighted the themes of “People, Planet, and Progress”, reflecting the government’s push to expand AI accessibility and ensure its positive impact nationwide.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled e-Swathu 2.0, a modernised platform aimed at regularising and digitally managing rural property records.
- Brings 95 lakh rural properties into the property tax structure
- Projected to generate ₹1,778 crore to ₹2,000 crore in revenue
The platform integrates rural households—including those situated beyond traditional village boundaries—into the formal taxation network.
Key Features:
- Faster digital services such as issuing e-Khata forms (11A and 11B) online
- Eliminates the need for residents to visit gram panchayat offices
- Dedicated helpline (9483476000) for technical assistance
The Atal Pension Yojana (APY), targeted at securing pensions for low-income and unorganised sector workers, recorded 8.34 crore enrolments as of 31 October 2025.
Women make up 48% of the total subscriber base, indicating improved financial inclusion and greater participation of women in social security schemes.
Key Facts:
- Launched on 9 May 2015
- Eligibility: Individuals aged 18–40 years with a bank or post office savings account
- Subscribers begin receiving monthly pension benefits at age 60
- Earliest payouts commencing in 2035
The PAHAL scheme, initiated in January 2015, continues to enhance transparency and efficiency in the distribution of LPG subsidies.
Under the programme, LPG cylinders have a uniform retail price nationwide, and subsidy amounts are transferred directly to consumers’ bank accounts, reducing leakages and improving accountability.
India’s total installed power generation capacity reached 5,05,023 MW as of 31 October 2025.
For the first time, non-fossil fuel capacity (2,59,423 MW) surpassed fossil-fuel-based capacity (2,45,600 MW), marking a significant shift towards sustainable energy.
Of the non-fossil share, renewable sources contribute 2,50,643 MW, supporting India’s goal of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030.
UNFPA India honoured the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) for receiving the 2025 United Nations Population Award (Institutional Category).
The award recognizes IUSSP’s contributions to global population studies, capacity building, and evidence-based policymaking.
The felicitation occurred during the 46th Annual Conference of the Indian Association for the Study of Population (IASP) (27–29 November 2025) with the theme “People, Planet, Prosperity: Demographic Drivers of India’s Inclusive Growth.”
The award was accepted under the leadership of Shireen Jejeebhoy, IUSSP President (2022–2025). The conference was jointly organised by IASP, NATMO, and AnSI.
Kochi, Kerala, will host the 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit on 29–30 January 2026.
The event highlights India’s rising interest in the Blue Economy and the expanding potential of the seaweed sector.
Delegations from Brazil, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and the Netherlands will participate, contributing to global knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.
Organisers: ICAR–CMFRI, Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and CSIR–CSMCRI.
The 26th Hornbill Festival commenced on 1 December 2025 at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, Kohima, coinciding with Nagaland’s Statehood Day.
Celebrated for ten days, the festival unites major Naga tribes to showcase traditional dance, music, costumes, handicrafts, and cuisine.
- International Partners: UK, Ireland, France, Austria, Malta, Switzerland
- State Partner: Arunachal Pradesh
The opening ceremony at Unity Plaza, Kisama, was hosted by Nagaland Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Initially created to boost tourism, the Hornbill Festival now stands as a globally recognised cultural celebration promoting Naga heritage and indigenous traditions.
India initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu to support Sri Lanka with Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
The name Ditwah was proposed by Yemen, inspired by the Detwah Lagoon in Socotra, and approved by the WMO under the UN ESCAP Panel naming list.
Under the operation, INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri transported substantial relief supplies to Colombo. The Indian Air Force deployed C-130J and IL-76 aircraft to carry NDRF teams and 21 tonnes of relief materials to the affected region.
The DRDO conducted a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at controlled velocity at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility at TBRL, Chandigarh.
The test confirmed the effectiveness of canopy severance, ejection sequence execution, and full aircrew recovery.
The project was carried out jointly with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The 1st Annual Bilateral Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) took place on 2 December 2025 in Manila.
The engagement followed the MoU signed on 22 August 2023 to enhance maritime cooperation.
- Maritime search and rescue
- Law enforcement
- Pollution response
- Capacity-building initiatives
The cooperation aligns with India’s Act East Policy, SAGAR, and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). The meeting was co-chaired by ADG Donny Michael (ICG) and Vice Admiral Edgar L. Ybanez (PCG).
Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were awarded World Athlete of the Year 2025, following exceptional seasons capped with record-breaking performances in Tokyo.
Their achievements reflect unmatched dominance and a redefinition of global excellence in track and field.
- Nicola Olyslagers (Australia): Women’s Field Athlete of the Year
- Emmanuel Wanyonyi (Kenya): Men’s Track Athlete of the Year (800m world title)
- Maria Perez (Spain): Double gold in 20km and 35km race walk
- Sabastian Sawe (Kenya): London and Berlin Marathon victories
🌐 International News
Oxford University Press (OUP) chose “Rage Bait” as the Word of the Year 2025.
The term’s usage tripled in 2025, reflecting its increasing prominence on social media as a tool for provoking outrage and division.
Rage Bait: Content deliberately crafted to evoke anger or frustration to boost engagement, comments, shares, and traffic. It differs from clickbait, which mainly seeks to spark curiosity rather than anger.
Its earliest known usage dates back to 2002 on Usenet, referring to irritated responses by drivers—a precursor to its modern meaning.
Other shortlisted words: “Aura farming” and “Bio hack.”
👔 Appointments
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Usha Janakiraman as Executive Director (ED) starting 1 December 2025, marking a significant milestone in her 30-year RBI career.
As ED, she will head the Department of Supervision (DoS), responsible for risk assessment, vulnerability monitoring, and data analysis to strengthen financial oversight.
- Chartered Accountant with broad experience across RBI’s regulatory and supervisory sectors
- Previously served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Regulation, at RBI Central Office, Mumbai
- Expertise spans Financial Regulation, External Investment, Banking Supervision, Public Debt Management, and Currency Management
The RBI currently has 16 Executive Directors overseeing different departments.
The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, appointed Ramakrishnan Chander as Managing Director (MD) of LIC of India.
His tenure is effective immediately and extends until 30 September 2027 or until further orders.
- Issued under Section 4 of the LIC Act, 1956
- Published in the Gazette of India
- Joined LIC in 1990 as an Assistant Administrative Officer (AAO)
Punjab National Bank (PNB) named Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian Women’s Cricket Captain and World Cup winner, as its first-ever female brand ambassador.
The announcement was made at PNB’s Corporate Office under the theme ‘Banking On Champions’.
- PNB RuPay Metal Credit Card Luxura
- PNB One 2.0
- Digi Surya Ghar
- PNB onboarding on the IIBX Portal
These initiatives emphasise digital innovation, customer-centric banking, and modern financial services.
📅 Important Days
Observed annually on 4 December, the International Day of Banks highlights the role of banking institutions in supporting global sustainable development.
Established by the UN General Assembly in 2019 (Resolution 74/245), the day acknowledges the contributions of both national banking systems and multilateral development banks.
The 2025 observance comes amid rising environmental, social, and economic challenges, highlighting the increased importance of financial systems in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.
On 4 December 2025, the world marked the first-ever International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures, declared by the UN General Assembly in June 2025.
The day draws attention to the adverse effects of unilateral sanctions and economic restrictions imposed outside international legal frameworks.
Such measures may undermine national sovereignty and negatively impact human rights, economic development, and humanitarian access—particularly in developing nations.
Indian Navy Day 2025 is celebrated on 4 December to acknowledge the courage, capabilities, and contributions of the Indian Navy.
The day also honours Operation Trident, India’s successful naval offensive against Pakistan during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
- Origins of the Indian Navy trace back to 1612 (East India Company)
- On 3 December 1971, Pakistan launched air attacks on Indian bases
- India conducted Operation Trident on the night of 4–5 December, targeting Karachi harbour
- Commanded by Commodore K. P. Gopal Rao
Navy Day is celebrated nationwide to honour naval bravery, dedication, and India’s historic maritime victory.
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