NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India Hosts 20th UNESCO Committee Session on
Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage at Red Fort: India is hosting the 20th session of UNESCO’s
Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural
Heritage at the Red Fort, New Delhi, with participation from over 800 delegates
representing 180+ countries.The committee will examine nominations for UNESCO
ICH lists, review the status of existing elements, and consider international
assistance for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage; India currently has
15 elements on the Representative List.Key discussions will include safeguarding
reports, requests for international assistance, and global dialogue on living
heritage, best practices, and future safeguarding strategies.
2. Vijayawada to Host 3rd Krishnaveni Sangeetha
Neerajanam 2025 Celebrating Telugu Music and Andhra Pradesh’s Cultural Heritage: The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with
the Ministry of Culture, Sangeet Natak Academy, and Andhra Pradesh agencies,
is hosting the 3rd Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam 2025 in Vijayawada on
6–7 December 2025, celebrating Telugu music heritage.Theme – Celebrating
the Richness of Telugu Music TraditionsThe festival focuses on strengthening
Andhra Pradesh’s cultural identity and promoting music tourism, featuring 18
Carnatic concerts by 98 artists over two days.A special exhibition will display
Andhra Pradesh’s GI-tagged and traditional crafts, including Kondapalli Toys,
Etikoppaka Lacquerware, Udayagiri Cutlery, Leather Puppetry, Narsapur Lace, and
iconic handloom clusters like Mangalagiri, Venkatagiri, Chirala, Uppada, and
Moragudi.
3. India to Update National Accounts Base Year to 2022–23
from February 2026: The Government
of India will revise the national accounts base year to 2022–23,
replacing the outdated 2011–12 base year, with the new system coming into
effect from February 26–27 next year.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
clarified that the IMF’s recent C grade for India’s national accounts was due
to the old base year, not the quality or credibility of the data.The update
follows debate over data accuracy after the NSO released July–September GDP
figures showing 8.2% growth, which some opposition leaders questioned in light
of the IMF’s grading.
4. What
Delhi Can Learn From Beijing’s Decade-Long Battle Against Air Pollution: As another winter smog
crisis engulfs Delhi and the wider NCR, policymakers
are revisiting global examples of rapid air-quality improvement. Among them,
Beijing stands out: in roughly a decade, it transformed from one of the world’s
smoggiest megacities to one with sharply improved air, even as China sustained
near–double digit economic growth. Beijing’s success was not accidental — it
was the result of a coordinated, well-funded, and rigorously enforced policy
architecture that offers lessons for Indian cities. Beijing’s turnaround began
in the run-up to the 2008 Olympics, when the municipal government introduced
emergency curbs, tightened monitoring, and started publishing weekly
air-quality bulletins. This transparency created public momentum for cleaner
air and placed political pressure on authorities to shift from short-term fixes
to structural reform. The acknowledgement in 2013 that pollution had become
“severe” was a pivotal moment, triggering a national action plan with legally
enforceable targets for PM2.5 reduction.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India–Russia Discuss Expansion of Fisheries, Meat
& Dairy Trade Ahead of High-Level Talks: India and Russia held bilateral talks in New
Delhi to expand trade in fisheries, meat, and dairy products, address
market access issues, and speed up export establishment listings under
Russia’s FSVPS system.Russia expressed strong interest in importing Indian
fishery and meat products, collaborating on veterinary vaccines, and developing
the trout market through joint technical projects and potential joint
ventures.India highlighted its fishery exports worth USD 7.45 billion in
2024–25, discussed diversification of exports (shrimp, prawns, tuna, squid,
etc.), and requested early approvals for Indian dairy and meat establishments,
including AMUL/GCMMF.Both countries agreed to enhance cooperation in
aquaculture technologies, deep-sea fishing vessels, capacity building,
cold-water fisheries, and proposed signing an MoU to establish a structured
mechanism for long-term collaboration.
2. 11th India International Science Festival Begins in
Panchkula: The 11th India
International Science Festival (IISF 2025), being held in Panchkula,
Haryana, will showcase India’s science-led progress while bridging traditional
knowledge with modern scientific research.The festival’s theme, “Vigyan Se
Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” highlights the role of science, technology,
and innovation in strengthening self-reliance, national development, and
economic growth.IISF 2025 will feature 150+ technical and thematic sessions,
focusing on five key areas, including biotechnology, space, artificial
intelligence, Himalayan ecology, and the integration of traditional knowledge
with modern science.
3. Why
the Thailand–Cambodia Border Flare-Up Signals a Deeper and Long-Standing Rift: Fresh clashes along
the Thailand–Cambodia frontier — including Thai airstrikes and heavy ground combat —
have shattered the fragile ceasefire negotiated earlier this year. While the
violence has already killed at least 10 people and displaced over a lakh, the
crisis is rooted in far older disputes, overlapping sovereignties and shifting
geopolitical alignments in Southeast Asia. The newest round of hostilities
erupted on Monday, marking the most intense fighting since the July truce that
briefly halted border clashes. Though neither side admits to initiating fire,
the use of Thai air power represents a significant escalation. These incidents
come after months of sporadic skirmishes, both sides accusing the other of
violations, and a persistent propaganda war that kept tensions simmering even
during diplomatic quiet. President Donald Trump’s intervention earlier this
year used American trade leverage to bring both sides into talks. The October
follow-up agreement committed Thailand and Cambodia to coordinated de-mining,
withdrawal of heavy weapons and curbs on inflammatory rhetoric. But
implementation never meaningfully began. Cambodia continued to demand the
release of 18 captured soldiers; Thailand alleged new landmine deployments.
Mutual distrust grew, and both governments treated the lack of compliance as
evidence the other was acting in bad faith.
4. India
and Bangladesh Exchange Fishermen in Humanitarian Release: India and Bangladesh have carried out a reciprocal release of fishermen detained for
inadvertently crossing the international maritime boundary. The exchange
reflects ongoing efforts by both governments to manage such incidents through
humanitarian considerations and bilateral coordination. India released 38
Bangladeshi fishermen, while Bangladesh freed 47 Indian fishermen along with their operable vessels.
Authorities said the individuals had unintentionally strayed into foreign waters,
a common occurrence in the Bay of Bengal due to shared fishing grounds and navigational challenges.
The Ministry of
External Affairs noted that the
exchange was arranged with livelihood concerns in mind. India reiterated its
commitment to protecting the welfare of its fishing communities and to securing
the release of nationals detained for maritime boundary violations.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise ‘Garuda
Shakti’ begins in Himachal Pradesh: The 10th India–Indonesia joint special
forces exercise ‘Garuda Shakti’ began in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh,
focusing on strengthening interoperability through counter-terrorism drills,
combat shooting, heliborne ops, sniping, and drone/counter-UAS tactics.The
exercise includes exchange of expertise on weapons, equipment and operational
practices, culminating in a high-intensity validation exercise simulating
real-world scenarios to assess combat readiness.
2. India and Malaysia Launch 5th Edition of Joint
Military Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 in Rajasthan: The 5th edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti
2025 is being conducted at Mahajan Field Firing Range,
Rajasthan, from 05–18 December 2025, with India represented mainly by the
DOGRA Regiment and Malaysia by the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army.The
exercise aims to jointly rehearse Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII
of the UN Mandate, focusing on enhancing interoperability and coordination
between the two armies.The training includes counter-terrorist tactical drills
such as cordon and search operations, search-and-destroy missions, heliborne
operations, and developing coordinated joint responses during complex security
situations.
SPORTS
1. Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Investor and Global Brand
Ambassador for AI Firm Perplexity: Cristiano Ronaldo has invested in AI company
Perplexity and become its brand ambassador.As part of the collaboration,
Ronaldo launched a custom AI assistant, “Ronaldo Hub”, offering fans unseen
personal images, curated life-stage questions, and interactive access to his
iconic goals.CEO of Perplexity – Aravind Srinivas
2. Veteran Pacer Mohit Sharma Announces Retirement from
All Forms of Cricket: Veteran
Indian pacer Mohit Sharma announced his retirement from all forms of
cricket, ending a career that included 34 international matches and over a
decade-long stint in the IPL with teams like CSK, KXIP/PBKS, DC, and Gujarat
Titans.Mohit, who debuted for India in 2013, took 35 ODI wickets and 6 T20I
wickets, and became a reliable death-overs bowler for CSK under MS Dhoni; he
also finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023 for Gujarat
Titans.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. BPCL Becomes the Only Indian Company Named Among Top
100 Corporate Startup Stars 2025: BPCL Becomes
the Only Indian Company Named Among Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars
2025BPCL has been named among the Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars (CSS) 2025 by
the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge, becoming the
only Indian organisation on the global list for excellence in startup
collaboration.BPCL’s startup initiative ‘Ankur’, launched in 2016, has
supported 30+ startups in domains like robotics, AI, industrial IoT, safety
technologies, and predictive maintenance, and also includes the BPCL Ankur Fund
for early-stage investments.BPCL Chairman Sanjay Khanna stated that the
recognition reflects the company’s commitment to open innovation and
sustainable energy, aligning with its goal to drive India’s energy transition
and strengthen BPCL as a future-ready integrated energy company.The recognition
ceremony took place at the ICC headquarters in Paris, with ICC and Mind the
Bridge leaders praising BPCL’s model of strategically partnering with startups
to accelerate new technology adoption in India’s evolving energy and innovation
ecosystem.
2. Why
the H3N2 Influenza Strain Hits Harder — Causes, Symptoms, Risks and How It
Spreads: H3N2, a major
subtype of influenza A, is once again driving significant flu waves across
multiple countries. Known for its rapid mutation rate and ability to evade
immunity, H3N2 disproportionately affects young children, older adults and
people with chronic illnesses. Here is a clear, in-depth explainer on what
makes this flu strain particularly challenging. H3N2 is one of the most common
influenza A strains responsible for seasonal flu epidemics worldwide. It first
jumped to humans in 1968 through an antigenic shift involving avian viruses.
Since then, it has become a dominant seasonal flu subtype, accounting for
10–20% of global infections each year and up to 50% of hospitalizations in
severe seasons. Its tendency to mutate quickly leads to frequent “antigenic
drift,” weakening population immunity and reducing vaccine effectiveness. Cold,
dry air helps the virus survive longer in aerosol droplets, while crowded
indoor gatherings enable rapid person-to-person spread. India’s 2025
surveillance recorded nearly 20% H3N2 positivity between October and December,
coinciding with the onset of cooler temperatures, reduced sunlight exposure and
increased indoor crowding.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. RBI Expands Gold Metal Loan Access to More Jewellers
Under New 2026 Guidelines: RBI has widened access
to Gold Metal Loans (GML), allowing banks to lend not only to
jewellery manufacturers but also to jewellers who outsource production,
under new guidelines effective April 1, 2026.Updated rules under the Master
Direction on Imports and the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) permit nominated
banks to extend import-linked GML to entities engaged in manufacturing or
selling jewellery for domestic or export markets.GMS-linked GML can now be
provided to both jewellers and MMTC for minting India Gold Coins
(IGCs), expanding the operational scope of the scheme.Banks must ensure
strict end-use monitoring, preventing any sale or export of GML-sourced gold in
primary form, and must value the gold daily using the LBMA Gold AM price and
rupee–dollar reference rate.Loan tenors will follow FTP norms for exporters,
while others will have a maximum tenure of 270 days, with repayments
made in INR, except GMS-linked borrowers who may repay principal partially or
fully in physical gold under regulated conditions.
2. India’s UPI to Become Acceptable in Cambodia Through
NPCI–ACLEDA Bank Partnership: NPCI International Payments
(NIPL) has partnered with ACLEDA Bank of Cambodia, enabling
acceptance of India’s UPI in Cambodia and allowing Cambodia’s Bakong (KHQR) QR
network to be accepted in India.Indian tourists visiting Cambodia will now be
able to make payments using UPI apps at over 4.5 million KHQR-enabled merchant
outlets across the country.NIPL is also helping countries like Namibia,
Trinidad & Tobago, and Peru develop UPI-like digital payment systems; UPI
in India processed 20.47 billion transactions worth ₹26.32 trillion in
November.
3. Juspay Partners with Sabre Direct Pay to Enhance
Global Payment Solutions for Travel Merchants: Juspay has partnered with Sabre Direct
Pay to modernise payment solutions for travel merchants globally,
aiming to improve conversion rates and streamline transactions.The partnership
will enable sector-specific capabilities, including access to local payment
methods, faster go-to-market, cross-border payments, efficient checkout, and
reconciliation processes.Juspay, headquartered in Bengaluru, has expanded its
global presence with offices in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin
America, reporting its highest-ever revenue of ~₹514 crore in FY2025.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Donald Trump Becomes First Recipient of FIFA’s Newly Launched Peace Prize: US President Donald Trump became the first-ever recipient of FIFA’s newly launched “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World” during the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington, DC.FIFA President Gianni Infantino, known for his close association with Trump, has previously stated that Trump deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts toward negotiating a Gaza ceasefire.The award, introduced in November, aims to honour individuals whose exceptional actions have contributed to global peace and unity through football, and will be presented annually.
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