NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. NMDC Signs MoU with IIT Kanpur to Boost Cyber Security
and Digital Technology Integration: State-owned miner National Mineral Development
Corporation (NMDC) signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur to enhance
cyber security and advance digital technologies like AI and ML across its
operations, strengthening industry–academia collaboration.The partnership
includes work on cyber security risk assessment, policy and compliance support,
AI/ML integration, security operations, incident response, capacity building,
and joint research and innovation.The collaboration will also involve training
programmes, pilot projects, research activities, and co-development of
solutions, helping NMDC build a secure and future-ready digital foundation.
2. 6 December – National Microwave Oven Day: National Microwave Oven Day is
observed annually on 6 December to celebrate the invention and impact
of the microwave oven on modern cooking and kitchen convenience.The day
highlights the microwave oven’s role in saving time, energy, and effort by
enabling quick and efficient cooking, reheating, and defrosting of food.It
encourages awareness of innovative cooking technologies and inspires people to
explore creative ways to use microwave ovens in daily meal preparation.
3. Amrit
Bharat Station Scheme Accelerates Nationwide Redevelopment: The Ministry of Railways
is pursuing large-scale modernisation through the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a long-term initiative aimed at
improving passenger experience and transforming stations into integrated urban
centres. The scheme adopts phased master planning to ensure structured,
sustainable development. Master plans include improved access roads,
circulating areas and integration with both sides of cities. Upgrades cover
waiting halls, toilets, platform surfaces, foot overbridges or air concourses
and amenities such as lifts, escalators and ramps. Provision for kiosks under
‘One Station One Product’, enhanced parking, multimodal integration and
facilities for Divyangjans form key components. A total of 1,337 stations have
been selected so far, with redevelopment works completed at 155 locations.
Funding is routed through Plan Head-53 ‘Customer Amenities’, with ₹12,118 crore
allocated for 2025-26 and ₹7,253 crore spent up to October 2025. While works
are primarily budget-supported, 15 stations are being explored for development
under the PPP model.
4. India’s
First Hydrogen-Powered Train Introduced: India has achieved a major milestone in green mobility
with the introduction of its first hydrogen-powered train, marking a
significant advancement in sustainable rail technology. Developed entirely within
the country, the train showcases Indian Railways’ growing capability in
next-generation clean energy transport. The train has been designed and
manufactured in India following specifications issued by the Research, Design
& Standards Organisation. It represents Indian Railways’ first full-scale
attempt at hydrogen traction technology, integrating prototype manufacturing
and system engineering from the ground up. With a ten-coach layout, it is the
world’s longest hydrogen-powered train operating on a Broad Gauge platform. The
train delivers a combined power output of 2,400 kW through two Driving Power
Cars, each rated at 1,200 kW, making it one of the most powerful hydrogen
trainsets globally.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Netflix Set to Acquire Warner Bros. in $82.7 Billion
Mega Deal Post Discovery Global Separation: Netflix has announced a definitive agreement to
acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max,
and HBO, following the separation of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Networks
division, Discovery Global.The acquisition is valued at $27.75 per WBD
share, with a total enterprise value of approximately $82.7 billion (equity
value of $72.0 billion), making it one of the largest media deals in recent
history.The deal combines Netflix’s global streaming reach and innovation with
Warner Bros.’ century-long legacy of storytelling, creating a powerhouse in the
entertainment and streaming industry, expected to close after Discovery
Global’s spin-off in Q3 2026.
2. 7 December – International Civil Aviation Day: International Civil Aviation Day is
observed annually on 7 December to recognise the importance of
international civil aviation and its role in social and economic
development.Theme 2025 – Safe Skies & Sustainable Future for AllThe
day highlights the contributions of the International Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO) in ensuring safe, secure, and sustainable air transport
worldwide.It promotes awareness about the benefits of civil aviation, including
connecting people, fostering trade, tourism, and cultural exchange globally.
3. 9 December – International Anti-Corruption Day: International Anti-Corruption Day is
observed annually on 9 December to raise awareness about the dangers
of corruption and promote measures to combat it globally.Theme 2025
– Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s IntegrityThe
day was established by the United Nations in 2003 under the UN Convention
Against Corruption (UNCAC) to encourage governments, organizations, and
individuals to take action against corruption.
4. Andrej
Babis Returns as Czech Prime Minister After Election Victory: Andrej Babis, the
populist billionaire and leader of the ANO movement, has been sworn in as the
Czech Republic’s new Prime Minister following his party’s strong performance in
the October parliamentary elections. His return marks a major shift in national
politics with a new coalition poised to alter the country’s domestic and
foreign policy priorities. President Petr Pavel formally appointed Mr Babis
after ANO secured a majority coalition with two smaller parties—the Freedom and
Direct Democracy party and the Motorists for Themselves group. Together, the
bloc commands 108 seats in the 200-seat Lower House. The coalition has agreed
to a 16-member Cabinet, with ANO holding eight portfolios alongside the Prime
Minister’s office. Mr Babis continues to face fraud charges related to EU
subsidies. The new Parliament will need to lift his immunity for the case to
proceed. To address conflict-of-interest concerns, he has agreed to place his
extensive Agrofert business empire under an independent trust. He also owns
several medical enterprises, and a close ally from ANO is a contender for the
Health Ministry.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Army Achieves Historic First Ascent of Mount
Kangto, Arunachal Pradesh’s Highest Peak: Indian Army’s Eastern Command mountaineering
team achieved a historic milestone by successfully summiting Mount Kangto
(7,042 m), the highest and previously unconquered peak of
Arunachal Pradesh, marking its first-ever recorded ascent.The 18-member team,
flagged off on November 3, braved extreme weather, rarefied air, icy
ridgelines, deep crevasses, and near-vertical ice walls, showcasing exceptional
courage, discipline, teamwork, and resilience.The expedition was formally
‘Flagged In’ by Lt Gen RC Tiwari, who praised the mountaineers for their
professionalism and perseverance, calling the feat a tribute to the Eastern
Himalayas and the Indian Army’s spirit of endurance and excellence.
2. TASL and Lockheed Martin to Build Advanced C-130J MRO
Facility for Indian Air Force: Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) and Lockheed
Martin announced a new Defence Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO)
facility in Bengaluru to support the Indian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules
fleet, enhancing in-country sustainment capabilities and regional/global
support.Construction is expected to complete by the end of 2026, with the first
aircraft entering MRO operations in early 2027. The state-of-the-art facility
will provide depot-level maintenance, component repair, structural restoration,
avionics upgrades, and training programs for Indian engineers and
technicians.The project strengthens India’s aerospace ecosystem, reflects
growing defence manufacturing confidence, and expands the long-standing
industrial partnership between TASL and Lockheed Martin, supporting global
C-130 operators and boosting India’s operational readiness.
3. 7 December – Armed Forces Flag Day: Armed Forces Flag Day is
observed annually on 7 December to honour the personnel of the Indian
Armed Forces and their families for their dedication, courage, and
sacrifices.The day raises funds through voluntary donations from the public,
which are used to provide welfare measures and support for serving personnel,
ex-servicemen, and their dependents.Various activities, including flag
distribution, parades, and awareness campaigns, are conducted across the
country to recognize and promote the contributions of the armed forces.
SPORTS
1. Rohit Sharma Becomes Fourth Indian to Cross 20,000
International Runs Across Formats: Rohit Sharma became the fourth Indian cricketer
to score 20,000 international runs across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is,
achieving the milestone during India’s 3rd ODI against South Africa in
Vishakhapatnam.Earlier in the series, Rohit also broke Shahid Afridi’s record
for the most sixes in ODI cricket, highlighting his continued dominance in
international cricket even after years of playing at the highest level.With
this achievement, Rohit joins an elite group of Indian cricket
legends—Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs), Virat Kohli (27,808 runs), and Rahul
Dravid (24,064 runs)—solidifying his status as one of the modern greats of the
game.
2. Lando Norris Clinches Maiden Formula One World
Championship, Ending Verstappen’s Reign: Lando Norris won his maiden Formula One
World Drivers’ Championship in Abu Dhabi, ending Max Verstappen’s
four-year dominance and claiming the title by just two points.Norris becomes
Britain’s first F1 world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 and secures
McLaren’s 13th drivers’ crown, marking a historic achievement for the team over
half a century after Emerson Fittipaldi’s first title in 1974.
3. Three-Year-Old Indian Prodigy Sarwagya Becomes
Youngest Ever to Earn Official FIDE Chess Rating: 3-year-old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha becomes the
youngest ever chess player to earn an official FIDE rating, achieving the
milestone at just three years, seven months, and 20 days.Sarwagya, from Sagar,
Madhya Pradesh, debuted with a rating of 1,572, surpassing the FIDE minimum
threshold of 1,400 and defeating older, higher-rated opponents in recognised
tournaments.He broke the previous record held by Anish Sarkar (3 years, 8
months, 19 days), marking a historic achievement for Indian chess prodigies on
the global stage.
4. India to host Squash World Cup
for third consecutive time in Chennai: India will host the Squash World Cup for
the third consecutive time at SDAT Stadium in Chennai, with the tournament
running from 9 December to 14th December.Twelve nations will compete, including
defending champions Egypt, 2023 runners-up Malaysia, and hosts India,
with teams consisting of two men and two women following a seven-point format
with sudden-death tiebreaks.India’s squad combines experience and young talent,
featuring top players like Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Joshna Chinappa,
and debutant Anahat Singh, aiming to improve on their best-ever third-place
finish in 2023.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Indian Scientists Discover Ancient Milky Way-Like Galaxy
‘Alaknanda’ With Fully Formed Spiral Arms: Indian scientists have discovered an ancient
Milky Way–like galaxy named Alaknanda, notable for having clear and
well-defined spiral arms despite forming when the universe was only 1.5 billion
years old, compared to today’s 13.8 billion years.Professor Yogesh Wadadekar of
NCRA–TIFR announced that the galaxy appears as a regular, well-structured
system, unlike most early-universe galaxies which were typically small,
unstable, and lacking any clear shape.The discovery challenges current
scientific understanding because stable spiral arms normally take around 3
billion years to develop, yet Alaknanda shows a fully formed grand-design
spiral much earlier than expected.Researchers named the galaxy Alaknanda
because, just like the Alaknanda river is a sister to the Mandakini
river, Mandakini is also the Hindi name for our Milky Way, making the name
symbolically connected and culturally meaningful.
2. India
Hosts 3rd IALA Council Session, Launches Digital Lighthouse Tourism Portal: India inaugurated the 3rd
Session of the Council of the International Organization for Marine Aids to
Navigation (IALA) in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in the country’s
expanding role in global maritime governance. The virtual inauguration was led
by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal.
The event brings together representatives from more than 30 countries,
including 42 IALA Council members and multiple observers. Hosting the council
reflects India’s rising influence in shaping international navigation standards
and its commitment to improving maritime safety, efficiency and sustainability.
A dedicated digital ticketing portal for lighthouse tourism was unveiled,
offering streamlined access to 75 lighthouse destinations. The initiative
supports transparent, user-friendly services and reinforces India’s push toward
digital transformation. All lighthouses in the country are now solar powered,
contributing to sustainable tourism growth.
3. AvironiX
Unveils AviSpray-10c, India’s Compact Next-Gen Agricultural Drone: AvironiX Drones, a Chennai-based
deep-tech firm specialising in precision agriculture and defence technologies,
has launched the AviSpray-10c, a backpack-sized spraying drone built to
transform the economics and practicality of drone-based crop spraying in India.
The launch took place in Chennai in the presence of industry leaders, farmers,
drone pilots and technology partners. Unlike many platforms tested primarily in
controlled labs, the AviSpray-10c is the outcome of over 6,000 acres of
real-world spraying across Indian farms. Engineers followed the Japanese ‘Genchi
Genbutsu’ philosophy to design for on-ground challenges encountered in crops
such as sugarcane and paddy. Every subsystem reflects direct field feedback and
iterative refinement.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Launches Two-Month Drive to Resolve All Pending
Customer Complaints: RBI urges banks and
other regulated entities to improve customer service and reduce
grievances, emphasizing customer-centric policies and operations.A special
two-month campaign will be held from 1st January next year to resolve all
complaints pending for more than a month with the RBI Ombudsman.RBI Governor
Sanjay Malhotra highlighted previous initiatives such as Re-KYC, financial
inclusion measures, and the “Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar” campaign to
enhance customer experience.The RBI has also implemented transparency measures,
including online applications for services, reviewing the Citizens’ Charter,
and publishing monthly summaries of application disposal and pending
cases.Despite disposing of more than 99.8% of applications within stipulated
timelines, a recent surge in grievances has increased pendency, prompting the
upcoming focused resolution drive.
2. PNB Launches Premium ‘Luxura’ RuPay Metal Card: Punjab National Bank (PNB) launched a
new premium RuPay metal credit card ‘Luxura’, in New Delhi, targeting
high-end customers.The bank also appointed Indian women’s cricket captain
Harmanpreet Kaur as its first female brand ambassador during the launch
event.The Luxura card offers reward points, milestone benefits, and
hotel/dining privileges, helping PNB strengthen its presence in the high-value
credit card market.
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