NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. NCVET Recognises Flipkart as Awarding Body (Dual) to
Strengthen Industry-Led Skilling in E-commerce: CVET, under the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship, has recognised Flipkart as an Awarding Body
(Dual) to strengthen industry-led vocational education in the e-commerce
and logistics sector.The collaboration aims to create nationally recognised,
benchmarked skilling pathways aligned with the Skill India Mission, enhancing
workforce employability in India’s rapidly growing e-commerce ecosystem.The
partnership will enable Flipkart to develop standardized, high-quality training
and certification programmes, with a special focus on improving employability
for youth from underprivileged backgrounds.
2. Union Tourism Ministry to Set Up City-Level Convention
Promotion Bureaus to Boost MICE Tourism from 2026: The Union Ministry of Tourism will
establish independent, city-level Convention Promotion Bureaus from
2026, in partnership with stakeholders, to strengthen India’s MICE
(Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) tourism ecosystem.Global
MICE Positioning: With world-class venues like Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi,
and Jio World Centre, and MICE tourism prioritised under the Incredible India
campaign, the initiative aims to position Indian cities as globally competitive
MICE destinations.Strategic Roadmap & Industry Support: The initiative was
complemented by a Round Table Summit on the Indian MICE Industry Roadmap for
the next five years and the launch of IEIA’s report “India MICE Opportunities
Overview (2025–2030)”, highlighting institutional and technological support for
sector growth.
3. PM Modi Inaugurates India’s First Nature-Themed
Airport Terminal at Guwahati’s LGBI Airport: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International
Airport in Guwahati, Assam, built at a cost of ₹4,000 crore and recognised as
India’s first nature-themed airport terminal.The new terminal has an annual
capacity of over 13 million passengers, making it the largest airport terminal
in Northeast India and a major aviation hub and gateway to Southeast
Asia.Developed by Adani Airports Holdings Limited, the terminal reflects
regional identity through bamboo and orchid-inspired designs, with the overall
project involving close coordination between the Centre and the Assam
government.
4. “Shunya Se Shatak” Programme Held in Indore to
Commemorate Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Birth Centenary: The “Shunya Se Shatak: Ek Shatabdi Atal Bharat Ki”
programme was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on 21 December to
commemorate the 100th birth anniversary year of former Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee.Key Dignitaries and Tributes: The event was attended by Vice‑President
C. P. Radhakrishnan, Governor Mangubhai Patel, and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav,
among others, with cultural tributes, felicitation of eminent personalities,
performances, and screenings reflecting Vajpayee’s life and legacy.Organised by
the Atal Foundation at Daly College’s auditorium, this programme served as a
significant highlight in the year‑long centenary celebrations of Vajpayee
across the country.
5. Bihar Cabinet Approves Saat Nischay-3 (2025–2030) to
Transform State into Developed Economy: Bihar Cabinet approved Saat
Nischay-3 to be implemented from 2025 to 2030, aiming to place the
State among India’s developed states, building on the success of the previous
two programmes.The programme focuses on seven pillars — Double
Employment-Double Income, Prosperous Industry-Empowered Bihar, Progress in
Agriculture, Advanced Education-Bright Future, Accessible Health-Secure Life,
Strong Foundation-Modern Expansion, and Respect for All-Easy Life — targeting
income, employment, industries, agriculture, health, education, infrastructure,
and ease of living.Includes women’s employment schemes with financial support,
development of industrial areas and sugar mills, promotion of agriculture
(including Makhana production), establishment of the Higher Education
Department and Education City, and expansion of health infrastructure through
block and district-level hospitals.
6. Punjab Becomes First State to Implement Amended Bharat
Net Scheme Across Entire State: Punjab has emerged as the first state in
India to implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme across the entire state,
enabling live monitoring of border areas from anywhere in the country.Under the
scheme, internet and broadband services have been extended to 43 shadow areas,
with only one village left, which is expected to be covered by the end of
November.The Bharat Net Scheme aims to provide broadband connectivity to all
Gram Panchayats, households, and institutions, while promoting e-health and
e-governance services in rural areas.
7. Rashtra
Prerna Sthal Inaugurated to Honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee : Prime Minister Narendra Modi
inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on Thursday, marking the 101st
birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee Atal Bihari
Vajpayee. The national memorial has been dedicated to preserving and promoting
the life, ideals and legacy of Vajpayee and other key figures of Indian
nationalism. Spread across 65 acres in the Vasant Kunj area of Lucknow, the
Rashtra Prerna Sthal features towering bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee,
Syama Prasad Mookerjee and Deendayal Upadhyaya. Each statue stands 65 feet tall
and symbolises the ideals, philosophy and contribution of these leaders to
India’s political and social thought. Adjacent to the memorial is a
state-of-the-art museum designed in the form of a lotus, spread over nearly
98,000 square feet. The Prime Minister visited the museum, which showcases
India’s national journey and the seminal contributions of the three leaders
through immersive digital displays and modern exhibition technologies. The
museum aims to offer visitors an educational and engaging understanding of
leadership, governance and nation-building.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India and New Zealand Conclude Historic Free Trade
Agreement: India and New
Zealand have successfully concluded a historic and ambitious Free
Trade Agreement (FTA), announced by PM Narendra Modi and New Zealand PM
Christopher Luxon after a telephonic conversation.
The FTA negotiations, initiated during PM Luxon’s visit
to India in March, were completed in a record time of nine months, reflecting
strong political will and shared ambition.The agreement will deepen bilateral
economic engagement, improve market access, boost investment flows, and
strengthen strategic cooperation between the two countries.The FTA is expected
to double bilateral trade within five years and facilitate over USD 20 billion
investment from New Zealand into India over the next 15 years, benefiting
innovators, farmers, MSMEs, students, and youth.
2. HCLTech Secures Multi-Year Deal to Modernise ASN
Bank’s Digital Operations in the Netherlands: IT services firm HCLTech has secured a
multi-year contract with ASN Bank (formerly de Volksbank) to modernise the
Dutch retail bank’s digital operations.The partnership aims to consolidate IT
services and simplify the vendor landscape, improving operational
efficiency.HCLTech will manage enterprise applications and deliver services
through a distributed delivery model to enhance efficiency and customer experience.The
collaboration marks a significant step for HCLTech in expanding its presence in
the Dutch banking sector, supporting future-ready banking operations.
3. 21 December – World Basketball Day: World Basketball Day is observed every
year on 21 December to celebrate the global popularity and unifying power
of basketball.The day marks the anniversary of the first official basketball
game, played on 21 December 1891, after the sport was invented by Dr. James
Naismith.The occasion encourages youth participation and grassroots
development, recognising basketball as a tool for peace, education, and healthy
lifestyles worldwide.
4. 21 December – World Meditation Day: World Meditation Day is observed annually
on 21 December to highlight the importance of meditation in promoting
mental well-being, inner peace, and emotional balance.Theme 2025 – Inner
Peace, Global Harmony; One World, One Family; Healing the World From WithinThe
day emphasises meditation as a powerful tool for stress reduction, mindfulness,
and improved concentration in today’s fast-paced world.It encourages
individuals and communities to adopt meditation as a daily practice for
holistic health, combining mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.World
Meditation Day also recognises meditation’s role in fostering harmony,
compassion, and peace at both individual and societal levels.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University Sign MoU to
Strengthen Defence and Internal Security Collaboration: DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University
(RRU) signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in research,
education, training, and technology support for defence and internal
security.The agreement aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in defence and
internal security technologies, integrating academic research, technological
innovation, and operational insights.Under the MoU, the institutions will
undertake joint research projects, doctoral and fellowship programmes,
specialised training, and studies on emerging operational challenges,
contributing to a robust ecosystem for innovation and skill development in
defence and internal security.
SPORTS
1. Smriti Mandhana Becomes First Indian Woman to Score
4,000 T20I Runs as India Beat Sri Lanka in Series Opener: Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman
batter to score 4,000 runs in Women’s T20 Internationals, achieving the feat
during the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.Mandhana is
only the second woman globally after Suzie Bates to cross 4,000 T20I runs and
did so in the fewest balls faced (3,227), underlining her consistency and
strike efficiency.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Gujarat Becomes First State to Launch Large-Scale
Genome Sequencing Project for Tribal Communities: Gujarat has become the first state in
India to launch a large-scale genome sequencing project focused
exclusively on tribal communities. The project is being led by the Gujarat
Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) to decode the genetic blueprint of tribal
populations.The initiative aims to develop customised diagnostics, treatment
strategies, and long-term preventive healthcare based on genetic insights.The
project targets early detection of genetic diseases like thalassemia and sickle
cell anaemia, enabling low-cost diagnostic panels, prenatal screening, and
embryo-level testing during IVF.
2. India
to Assume Vice Chair Role in Kimberley Process: India has taken over as a
Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process from 25th December and will assume the
chairpersonship of the global initiative from January 1 next year. The
development marks a significant step in India’s expanding role in shaping
international trade governance, particularly in the regulation of the global
diamond industry. The Kimberley Process is a tripartite international
initiative involving governments, the global diamond industry and civil society
organisations. It was established to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds,
which are used by rebel movements to finance armed conflict against legitimate
governments. The initiative has emerged as the most comprehensive international
mechanism governing the rough diamond sector. Commerce and Industry Minister
Piyush Goyal said India’s selection as Vice Chair reflects global confidence in
the country’s commitment to integrity, transparency and responsible trade
practices. He noted that India’s leadership role underlines its credibility as
a trusted partner in multilateral economic frameworks and its ability to
balance commercial interests with ethical standards.
3. LVM3
Rocket Boosts Confidence for Gaganyaan Mission: The Indian Space
Research Organisation has reaffirmed
confidence in its human spaceflight ambitions following the successful launch
of the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite using the LVM3 rocket.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted that the same launch vehicle has been
earmarked for the upcoming Gaganyaan programme, underlining India’s growing
technological maturity in space exploration. Speaking to the media, ISRO
Chairman V. Narayanan emphasised that the LVM3 rocket has maintained a 100 per
cent success rate since 2017. He noted that this flawless performance
significantly strengthens confidence as the rocket undergoes human-rating for
the Gaganyaan mission.
According to him, the consistent success of LVM3 provides a strong foundation
to move forward with India’s first crewed spaceflight programme. ISRO
successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of US-based
AST SpaceMobile from the Satish Dhawan Space Station, Sriharikota, at 8:55 am
IST. The satellite was placed accurately into its intended orbit, and the
mission was declared a success. The BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is the heaviest
payload ever launched into Low Earth Orbit by the LVM3 rocket, marking a
milestone in India’s heavy-lift launch capability and its role in the global
commercial launch market.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Brajesh Kumar Singh Appointed as MD & CEO of
Canara Bank: Brajesh Kumar
Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) of Canara Bank.
Singh brings extensive experience in banking operations,
management, and strategic planning, positioning him to drive growth and
innovation at the bank.His appointment is expected to strengthen Canara Bank’s
leadership, enhance operational efficiency, and support its long-term business
and financial objectives.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. PGIMER Chandigarh Named Best Health Technology Assessment Institute for Second Consecutive Year: PGIMER, Chandigarh, has been awarded the Best Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Institute in India for the second consecutive year by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).The honour was conferred at the ARISE 2025 national conclave held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, organised by Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn) under the MoHFW.PGIMER’s achievement is driven by its HTA Resource Hub under the Department of Health Research, led by Prof Shankar Prinja, which has played a key role in building national capacity for evidence-based health decision-making.
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