GK One Liners: December 5, 2025

HSBC named Brendan Nelson (ex-KPMG global banking head, board member since 2023) as chairman, returning to internal leadership after Mark Tucker’s external tenure.

NHAI signed an MoU with Reliance Jio to launch a mobile-based real-time safety alert system using 4G/5G for accident zones, fog, animals and diversions, covering 500M+ Jio users.

The Reserve Bank of India authorised Razorpay as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border Inward & Outward under the PSS Act 2007, enabling compliant international payment flows for Indian and foreign businesses.

The Reserve Bank of India retained SBI, HDFC Bank & ICICI Bank as “Too Big to Fail” Domestic Systemically Important Banks, with graded CET-1 capital surcharges based on systemic risk buckets.

The 100-year-old ULCCS from Kerala was recognised by the International Co-operative Alliance as a Global Cooperative Cultural Heritage Site, joining Amul’s Kurien Museum and 29 other global cooperatives.

Tamil Nadu secured five new Geographical Indication tags for Woraiyur Cotton Sari, Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai, Namakkal Soapstone Cookware, Thooyamalli Rice and Ambasamudram Choppu Saman, taking its GI count to 74.

The Department of Land Resources organised a National Symposium on NAKSHA & LandStack at Bharat Mandapam to promote geospatial technology-based urban land records and review mapping progress in over 157 cities.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport became India’s first water-positive mega airport, using 625 rainwater harvesting structures, sewage treatment plants and smart systems to replenish more water than it consumes.

India hosted the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi, themed “Tax Transparency: Delivering a Shared Vision Through International Cooperation.”

Cricketer Abhishek Sharma joined DP World as a brand ambassador alongside Sachin Tendulkar & Tommy Fleetwood, after record-breaking T20I Asia Cup performances and reaching the top ICC T20I batting ranking.

The Indian Army’s Southern Command successfully conducted a combat test-firing of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the Bay of Bengal, validating joint operations with the Andaman & Nicobar Command and long-range precision strike capability.

India is set to induct INS Aridhaman, its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, further strengthening its sea-based nuclear deterrence and assured second-strike capability.

DRDO successfully tested a high-speed rocket-sled emergency escape system at about 800 km/h for fighter aircraft at RTRS Chandigarh, using an LCA Tejas fore-body and an anthropomorphic test device to validate ejection safety.

IIT Madras, through NTCPWC, developed India’s first homegrown Vessel Traffic Management System for ports, first deployed at Vizhinjam Port to cut import dependence and vendor lock-in for maritime traffic control technology.

World Soil Day 2025 on 5 December focused on “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” highlighting how slowly soils form, the FAO–UNGA recognition of the day and the need for sustainable soil management in urbanising economies.

International Volunteer Day 2025 on 5 December, themed “Every Contribution Matters,” also marked the launch of the International Volunteer Year 2026 and celebrated global volunteerism as a driver of inclusive, sustainable development.

HSBC named Brendan Nelson, former KPMG global banking head and board member since 2023, as chairman, returning to internal leadership after Mark Tucker’s external tenure.

NHAI signed an MoU with Reliance Jio to launch a mobile-based real-time safety alert system using 4G/5G for accident zones, fog, animals and diversions, covering over 500 million Jio users.

The Reserve Bank of India authorised Razorpay as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border Inward & Outward under the PSS Act 2007, enabling compliant international payment flows for Indian and foreign businesses.

The Reserve Bank of India retained SBI, HDFC Bank & ICICI Bank as Domestic Systemically Important Banks, requiring extra Common Equity Tier 1 capital as “Too Big to Fail” institutions.

The 100-year-old ULCCS cooperative from Kerala was recognised by the International Co-operative Alliance as a Global Cooperative Cultural Heritage Site, joining Amul’s Kurien Museum and 29 other global cooperatives.

Tamil Nadu secured five new Geographical Indication tags for Woraiyur Cotton Sari, Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai, Namakkal Soapstone Cookware, Thooyamalli Rice and Ambasamudram Choppu Saman, taking its GI count to 74.

The Department of Land Resources organised a National Symposium on NAKSHA & LandStack at Bharat Mandapam to promote geospatial technology-based urban land records and review mapping progress in over 157 cities.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport became India’s first water-positive mega airport by using 625 rainwater harvesting structures, sewage treatment plants and smart systems to recharge more water than it consumes.

India hosted the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi, themed “Tax Transparency: Delivering a Shared Vision Through International Cooperation.”

Cricketer Abhishek Sharma joined DP World as a brand ambassador alongside Sachin Tendulkar & Tommy Fleetwood after record-breaking T20I Asia Cup performances and reaching the top ICC T20I batting ranking.

The Indian Army’s Southern Command successfully conducted a combat test-firing of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the Bay of Bengal, validating joint operations with the Andaman & Nicobar Command and long-range precision strike capability.

India is set to induct INS Aridhaman, its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, strengthening sea-based nuclear deterrence and assured second-strike capability.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully tested a high-speed rocket-sled emergency escape system at about 800 km/h for fighter aircraft at RTRS Chandigarh using an LCA Tejas fore-body and an anthropomorphic test device.

IIT Madras, through NTCPWC, developed India’s first indigenous Vessel Traffic Management System for ports, first deployed at Vizhinjam Port to reduce import dependence and vendor lock-in for maritime traffic control technology.

World Soil Day 2025 on 5 December focused on “Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities,” highlighting slow soil formation, Food and Agriculture Organization recognition and the need for sustainable soil management in rapidly urbanising economies.

International Volunteer Day 2025 on 5 December, themed “Every Contribution Matters,” also launched the International Volunteer Year 2026 and celebrated global volunteerism as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.