NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. FM Sitharaman Chairs Finance–Corporate Affairs
‘Chintan Shivir’ to Review Policy and Development Challenges: Union Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman, along with MoS Harsh Malhotra, chaired the ‘Chintan
Shivir’ of the Ministries of Finance and Corporate Affairs to deliberate
on key policy and governance issues.The brainstorming session was attended by
Finance and Corporate Affairs Secretaries, Chairpersons of CBDT and CBIC, the
Chief Economic Adviser, and senior officers from related departments.During her
address, Sitharaman highlighted the historical significance of the Vijayanagara
region, describing it as one of the closest examples of India at its imperial
peak about 500 years ago.She also emphasized present-day developmental
challenges in the region, pointing to the coexistence of grand monuments with
drought-prone areas, low agricultural productivity, and human-animal conflict.
2. India Hands Over Three Quick Impact Projects to
Myanmar to Boost Socio-Economic Development: India handed over three Quick Impact
Projects (QIPs) to Myanmar, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic well-being of
people in Mandalay RegionA flexible rapier loom, a modern high-tech weaving
machine made in India, was installed at the Saunder Weaving and Vocational
Institute in Amarapura to promote vocational education in weaving.A new
single-storey building for the Girls Training School in Mandalay was
inaugurated, providing a safe, spacious, and comfortable learning environment
for young students.The third QIP focuses on tar-free and dry type gasification
of agricultural waste, supporting rural electrification, clean energy,
environmental conservation, and local capacity-building.
3. MoHUA Launches 10th Edition of Swachh Survekshan
2025–26: MoHUA launched
the 10th edition of Swachh Survekshan (2025–26) in Bhopal, marking a
decade of the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey under Swachh Bharat
Mission–Urban (SBM-U); the toolkit was released by Union Minister Shri Manohar
Lal.The theme “Swacchata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai
Saath” highlights citizen participation and collective responsibility as key
drivers of urban sanitation and waste management reforms.Citizen feedback
weightage has been significantly increased, with round-the-year participation
enabled through digital platforms like Vote For My City, MyGov App, Swachhata
App, and QR-code interfaces.The survey’s geographical scope has expanded to
include all river towns across India and a separate assessment framework for
coastal areas, addressing region-specific sanitation challenges.
4. Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood – Mohar Basu
(publish by HarperCollins India): HarperCollins India will publish Salman
Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood by award-winning author Mohar Basu, a
celebration of the life, stardom, and cinematic legacy of superstar Salman
Khan.The book offers more than a biography, presenting a fan’s tribute through
iconic roles, memorable dialogues, hit songs, rare photographs, and fan
anecdotes, capturing Salman Khan’s larger-than-life journey.Authored by Mohar
Basu, Chief Correspondent (Entertainment) at Midday and a 2024 Indian Achievers
Club “40 Under 40” honoree.
5. Centre
Bans New Mining Leases in Entire Aravalli Range: In a major conservation
initiative, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has
imposed a complete ban on the grant of new mining leases across the entire
Aravalli range, extending from Delhi to Gujarat. The decision seeks to curb illegal and unregulated mining while
safeguarding one of the world’s oldest and most ecologically fragile mountain
systems. The Aravalli range plays a vital environmental role in north-western
India. It acts as a natural barrier against desertification from the Thar,
supports diverse flora and fauna, aids groundwater recharge, and provides
essential ecosystem services to populations across the National Capital
Region, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Decades of unregulated mining have led
to severe ecological degradation, triggering repeated judicial and
administrative interventions. According to directions issued by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the prohibition on new mining leases
will apply uniformly across the entire Aravalli landscape, irrespective of
state jurisdictions. The Centre has emphasised a landscape-level approach,
aiming to preserve the Aravallis as a continuous geological and ecological
system rather than fragmented forest patches.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Announces $450 Million Relief Package to Support
Sri Lanka’s Post-Cyclone Recovery: India announced a $450 million relief and
reconstruction package to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from Cyclone Ditwah, as
stated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.The announcement was made in
Colombo, where Jaishankar affirmed that India stands firmly with Sri Lanka
during the post-cyclone recovery phase.The package includes $350 million in
concessional Lines of Credit and $100 million in grants, targeting sectors most
affected by the cyclone.
2. How
Cyclones Over the North Indian Ocean Have Changed — and Why the Risk Is
Growing: Cyclonic disturbances over
the North Indian Ocean — covering the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and adjoining land areas — have undergone
profound changes over the last century. While the total number of disturbances
has declined from mid-20th century highs, their geography, intensity and timing
have shifted in ways that make them more destructive and harder to manage.
These trends matter deeply for India’s disaster
preparedness, coastal planning and climate
adaptation strategy. Long-term data from 1900 to 2025 shows that cyclonic
disturbances follow an inverted U-shaped trend. In the early decades of the
20th century, the North Indian Ocean averaged fewer than 10 disturbances
annually. Activity rose sharply through the 1930s, stabilising at over 15
disturbances per year until the 1970s.This period marked the most
cyclone-active phase in the historical record. The subsequent decades, however,
saw a pronounced decline. By the 2000s, the 10-year rolling average had fallen
to around eight — the lowest in over a century. Although the 2010s and 2020s
show a rebound, today’s activity remains well below the mid-century peak.
3. Global
Trade in 2025: Tariffs, Uncertainty, and the Search for New Rules: The past year has
underscored how global trade is being reshaped less by multilateral consensus
and more by unilateral power and strategic bargaining. From reciprocal tariffs
imposed by the United States to China’s weaponisation of
critical minerals, trade policy in 2025 has been marked by unpredictability and
fragmentation. For countries navigating this churn, the challenge is no longer
just market access, but managing systemic uncertainty in the global trading
order. True to his election rhetoric, “Donald Trump” moved quickly to
operationalise reciprocal tariffs, announcing them on what his administration
termed “Liberation Day”, barely weeks after returning to office. Despite
subsequent exemptions and sector-specific carve-outs, the tariffs were rolled
out in August and have since become a central feature of US trade policy.While
the President’s authority to impose such tariffs has been challenged before the
“Supreme Court of the United States”, the
broader signal is clear: unilateralism is no longer an aberration. In fact, the
presence of safeguard clauses against substitute tariffs (such as those under
Section 232) in existing US trade agreements — including with South Korea —
suggests that partners now factor in the permanence of this approach.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. IOL–Safran Pact Boosts Make-in-India Defence
Manufacturing: India Optel Limited
(IOL) signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics &
Defense to manufacture two high-precision, combat-proven defence
systems in India under the Make-in-India initiative.The systems include
the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR
Direct Firing Sight, used in artillery, missiles, air defence, radars, and
anti-drone systems.Under the agreement, IOL will handle manufacturing, final
assembly, testing, quality control, and full life-cycle support to meet the
operational requirements of the Indian Army.
2. Indigenous ASW Craft Anjadip Inducted into Indian
Navy, Boosting Maritime Self-Reliance: The Indian Navy inducted Anjadip, the third of
eight indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC),
designed and built by GRSE, Kolkata, with delivery taking place in Chennai.The
ASW SWC project is being executed under a Public–Private Partnership between
GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, highlighting India’s progress in
self-reliant defence shipbuilding.The vessel is named after Anjadip Island near
Karwar, Karnataka, and revives the legacy of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a
Petya-class corvette decommissioned in 2003.With Anjadip’s induction, GRSE
delivered five warships in a single year, making it the 115th warship built and
the 77th delivered to the Indian Navy.
SPORTS
1. Pro Wrestling League Unveils New Logo Ahead of 2026
Season Comeback: The Pro Wrestling
League (PWL) unveiled its new official logo ahead of the 2026
season, marking the league’s return after a seven-year hiatus and its
revival under new management.Scheduled to resume in January 2026, the
WFI-sanctioned league will feature top Indian and international wrestlers,
aiming to re-establish itself on the global stage.The modern red-and-blue
logo, inspired by the traditional wrestling mat, symbolizes strength, balance,
and competitive spirit, reflecting PWL’s vision of a world-class
professional platform for wrestlers.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. FM Nirmala Sitharaman Launches ‘VijAIpatha’ to
Introduce AI and STEM Education in Government Schools: Union Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman launched ‘VijAIpatha’, a pilot AI education initiative to
equip government school students with AI, STEM, robotics, coding and digital
innovation skills.The programme is being implemented by Cyient Foundation
in partnership with the Karnataka government and was inaugurated at Government
Girls’ PU College, Amaravati (Hosapete taluk, Vijayanagara district).Under the
pilot, five world-class AI, STEM and Robotics labs will be set up in government
schools, benefiting over 2,000 students (Classes 6–10); more than 100 teachers
have already been trained.The CSR-led initiative will provide AI-ready
computers, robotics kits, IoT devices and broadband connectivity, with an
investment of ₹1 crore over three years, positively impacting around 6,000
households.
2. ISRO Successfully Launches US AST SpaceMobile’s
BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite: ISRO successfully launched the United
States’ AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite from
the Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra
Pradesh.
The payload, BlueBird Block-2, is a 6.5-tonne
communication satellite, making it the heaviest commercial satellite deployed
to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by LVM3 from India.This launch marks the sixth
operational flight of ISRO’s LVM3 heavy-lift vehicle, which has previously
succeeded with missions like Chandrayaan-3 and OneWeb constellation
deployments.BlueBird Block-2 is designed to provide space-based cellular
broadband directly to unmodified smartphones, aiming to revolutionize
connectivity in remote and underserved areas.
3. Indian Coast Guard inducts First Pollution Control
Vessel at Goa Shipyard Limited: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) inducted its
first Pollution Control Vessel (PCV), Samudra Pratap, at Goa Shipyard Limited
(GSL), marking a major step in indigenous shipbuilding.Samudra Pratap is
equipped with advanced technology, including a 30 mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7 mm
stabilised remote-controlled guns, a shaft generator, Sea boat davit, Pollution
Response boat, and a high-capacity external firefighting system.The vessel
features retractable stern thruster, Dynamic Positioning System, flush-type
side sweeping arms, and major Pollution Control equipment, with over 60%
indigenous content, supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
initiatives.It will serve as a critical platform for marine pollution control,
maritime law enforcement, search and rescue operations, and protection of
India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. ADB Approves $650 Million Loan to Boost Rooftop Solar
Adoption Under PM Surya Ghar Yojana in India: Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $650
million policy-based loan to support India’s rooftop solar
expansion, aiming to provide clean and affordable energy to 10 million
households by 2027.The funding will back the government’s flagship scheme
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), which promotes
nationwide adoption of residential rooftop solar systems.Under PMSGMBY,
households installing rooftop solar systems up to 3 kW will receive subsidies
of 60% (up to 2 kW) and 40% (2–3 kW), along with access to collateral-free,
low-interest loans.The program supports India’s climate goals by targeting 30
GW rooftop solar capacity, reducing 28.8 million tonnes of CO₂ annually,
creating green jobs, enhancing skills of 5,000 personnel (including 1,500
women), and strengthening the power sector.
2. Mswipe Technologies Secures RBI’s Final Payment
Aggregator Licence: Mswipe
Technologies received the RBI’s final Payment Aggregator (PA)
licence, enabling it to operate across both online and physical payment
acceptance channels under a unified regulatory framework.The licence allows
Mswipe to onboard merchants, aggregate digital and in-person payments, and
facilitate inward and outward cross-border transactions, expanding its scope
beyond point-of-sale solutions.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Ravi Deecee Honoured with France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for Literary Contributions: Malayalam publisher Ravi Deecee, Managing Director of DC Books, was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, one of France’s highest cultural honours, for his contribution to literature and cross-cultural exchange.The award was conferred by the French Ambassador to India, H.E. Thierry Mathou, at a ceremony held at the Embassy of France.Under Ravi Deecee’s leadership, DC Books emerged as a leading Indian publishing house, with a strong focus on translating world literature—especially French works—into Malayalam.
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