NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India’s
First Forest University to Come Up in Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh is set to create history with the establishment
of India’s first dedicated forest university, marking a major step in
strengthening education and research in forestry, wildlife, and environmental sciences. Contrary
to expectations that such an institution would be located in a metro city, the
university will be established in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh. The forest university will be
developed on a 125-acre campus in Gorakhpur. The site is strategically located
near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, an area already identified
for wildlife and environmental conservation.
The land approval process has been completed, and the project is moving towards
implementation following administrative clearances. The proposed university
will function as a specialised institution focused exclusively on forest
sciences. Academic programmes will cover forestry, agroforestry, social forestry, horticulture, wildlife studies, ecology, climate change, and environmental sustainability.
Unlike conventional universities, the curriculum will place strong emphasis on
field-based learning, practical exposure, and applied research in natural
ecosystems.
2. Ram
Sutar, Creator of Statue of Unity, Dies at 100: Renowned Indian sculptor
Ram Sutar, best known as the designer of the Statue of Unity, the world’s
tallest statue, passed away at his residence in Noida at the age of 100. He
died due to age-related ailments, marking the end of an era in Indian monumental
art and public sculpture. Ram Vanji Sutar was born on 19 February 1925 in
Gondur village in Maharashtra’s Dhule district. Coming from a modest
background, he displayed an early inclination towards sculpting. His talent led
him to the Sir JJ School of Art and Architecture in Mumbai, where he graduated
as a gold medallist. This formal training laid the foundation for a career that
would span more than seven decades. Sutar created several landmark statues that
are deeply embedded in India’s public and political spaces. Among his most
celebrated works are the seated statue of Mahatma Gandhi and the equestrian statue of
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed in the Parliament complex. His most
ambitious project, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, honours Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and
stands as a symbol of national unity and engineering excellence.
3. SJVN
CMD Reviews Progress of Arun-3 Hydropower Project: Senior officials of SJVN
Ltd undertook a comprehensive review of the 900 MW Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project
in Nepal, reaffirming India’s commitment to
cross-border clean energy cooperation. Chairman and Managing Director Bhupender
Gupta, accompanied by Ajay Kumar Sharma, Director (Personnel), visited key
project sites to assess construction progress, operational challenges and
adherence to safety and quality benchmarks under difficult Himalayan
conditions. During the visit, the SJVN leadership inspected the dam site at
Phaksinda, where construction activities are underway across critical
components. The CMD reviewed on-ground progress and stressed the need for
strict compliance with safety norms, quality standards and approved timelines.
He underlined that Arun-3 is a flagship hydropower project with strategic
significance for both India and Nepal, requiring sustained focus and
disciplined execution. Bhupender Gupta highlighted Arun-3 as a landmark
cross-border hydropower initiative that strengthens regional clean energy
collaboration. He stated that once commissioned, the project will significantly
enhance energy security and contribute to sustainable economic growth in both
countries by adding large-scale renewable capacity.
4. Tesla
Opens First Charging Station in Gurugram: Tesla has inaugurated its first electric vehicle
charging station in Gurugram, marking a significant milestone in the company’s
efforts to strengthen India’s electric mobility infrastructure. Located at DLF
Horizon Centre, the facility underlines Tesla’s intent to build a reliable and
accessible charging ecosystem to support the growing adoption of electric
vehicles in the country. According to Tesla, the new charging station reflects
its long-term vision of promoting sustainable transportation through robust
infrastructure development. The company emphasised that the success of electric
mobility depends not only on vehicle innovation but also on the availability of
efficient and convenient charging solutions. By establishing its first charging
hub in Gurugram, Tesla aims to enhance consumer confidence and improve the
overall EV ownership experience in India. Sharad Agarwal, General Manager of
Tesla India, stated that the company’s mission is to accelerate the transition
to a cleaner and more sustainable future. He highlighted that Tesla’s focus
extends beyond manufacturing electric cars to creating a supportive ecosystem
that integrates charging facilities into customers’ daily lives. The approach
is intended to ensure easy access, reduced range anxiety, and seamless adoption
of electric vehicles across urban centres.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India
Tops Global Doping Violations for Third Straight Year: India has once again
emerged as the world’s worst offender in doping violations, topping the global
list for the third consecutive year, according to the latest World Anti-Doping
Agency (WADA) report. The findings have raised serious concerns as the country
intensifies efforts to host major international sporting events, including
future Commonwealth
Games and a potential
Olympic bid. The WADA report revealed that Indian athletes were involved in 260
doping cases in 2024, the highest number recorded by any country worldwide.
These cases were identified as adverse analytical findings (AAFs), giving India
a positivity rate of 3.6 per cent. This rate was the highest among nations that
conducted more than 5,000 doping tests during the year. The report, published
on WADA’s official website, confirms India’s continued position at the top of
the global doping charts. India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) conducted
7,113 tests in 2024, including 6,576 urine samples and 537 blood samples. Of
these, 253 urine samples and seven blood samples returned positive results.
NADA has attributed the high numbers to a more aggressive and expanded testing
programme. In 2023, 213 positive cases were recorded from 5,606 samples,
indicating a sharp rise in both testing volume and detected violations.
2. Netanyahu
Announces Historic Israel–Egypt Gas Deal: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
announced a major natural gas export agreement with Egypt, describing it as the largest gas deal
in Israel’s history. Valued at approximately
$34.6 billion, the long-term agreement significantly expands Israel’s role as a regional energy supplier
and reinforces strategic cooperation with Egypt amid a complex political
environment. The deal involves Israeli Energy Company NewMed Energy supplying
additional natural gas to Egypt over the lifetime of the contract. Under the
agreement, total gas exports from Israel to Egypt are expected to reach around
130 billion cubic metres. Although NewMed Energy disclosed the commercial
signing earlier, Netanyahu’s televised address framed the deal as a national
economic and strategic milestone. The gas will primarily originate from
Israel’s offshore Mediterranean fields and be transported via existing pipeline
infrastructure.
3. US
Congress Permanently Lifts Sanctions on Syria: The United States
Congress has voted to permanently lift sanctions imposed on Syria during the
rule of former president Bashar al-Assad, marking a major shift in Washington’s
policy towards the war-torn nation. The move signals warming ties with the
government led by interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and opens the door for
foreign investment and economic reconstruction after more than a decade of
conflict. The US Senate approved the repeal of the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian
Protection Act as part of a broader annual defence legislation. The bill was
passed with a strong bipartisan majority of 77 votes in favour and 20 against,
following earlier approval by the House of Representatives. The legislation is
expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump, formalising the end
of one of the most restrictive sanctions regimes imposed on Syria. The repeal
received broad support across party lines in the US. Senator Jeanne Shaheen
described the decision as a critical step towards enabling Syrians to rebuild
after years of conflict and humanitarian suffering.
4. PM
Modi Proposes $5 Billion India-Jordan Trade Target: Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has proposed doubling India-Jordan bilateral trade to $5 billion over
the next five years, signalling a renewed push to deepen economic engagement
between the two countries. Addressing the India-Jordan Business Forum in Amman, Modi
invited Jordanian businesses to leverage India’s strong growth momentum, large
consumer base and stable policy environment to build long-term commercial
partnerships. Prime Minister Modi and King Abdullah II jointly addressed the
business forum, which was attended by Crown Prince Hussein and senior Jordanian
ministers overseeing trade, industry and investment. The two leaders emphasised
the need to strengthen business-to-business ties and urged industry leaders to
convert existing potential into tangible economic outcomes. The engagement
underscored the central role of private enterprise in driving the next phase of
India-Jordan relations. Modi underlined that India-Jordan ties rest on deep
civilisational links and mutual trust, extending beyond short-term trade
figures.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. India,
UAE Launch Desert Cyclone II Military Exercise: India and the United Arab Emirates have launched the second edition
of their joint military exercise, Desert Cyclone II, marking another step in
deepening bilateral defence and strategic cooperation. The exercise is being
conducted in Abu Dhabi from December 18 to 30 and focuses on enhancing joint
operational capabilities in complex urban warfare environments. According to
the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army contingent comprises 45 personnel,
primarily drawn from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment. The UAE
Land Forces are represented by a contingent of similar strength from the 53
Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The balanced participation reflects the emphasis
on equal engagement and shared learning between the two forces during the
exercise. Over nearly two weeks, troops from both countries will conduct a wide
range of tactical drills. These include fighting in built-up areas, heliborne
operations and detailed mission planning. The exercise also features the
integration of unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS techniques, reflecting
the growing role of drones and counter-drone measures in contemporary urban
combat scenarios.
2. Indian
Navy Commissions INAS 335 Ospreys at INS Hansa: The Indian Navy has
commissioned INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ at INS Hansa, Goa, formally inducting its second squadron of MH-60R
multi-role helicopters. The
commissioning marks a major enhancement of naval aviation capability on the
western seaboard and strengthens India’s operational readiness amid a complex
and contested maritime security environment. Commissioning the squadron, Chief
of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi stated that the induction comes at a
time of shifting geopolitics, rapid technological change and emerging
non-traditional threats. He emphasised that robust maritime security and
credible deterrence are essential to protect India’s sea lines of communication
and expanding maritime interests. The MH-60R squadron is expected to
significantly improve the Navy’s ability to respond swiftly across the western
maritime theatre. The MH-60R helicopters are equipped with advanced sensors,
modern avionics and a potent weapons suite. They are optimised for
anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike and search-and-rescue missions. Admiral
Tripathi noted that the induction of the helicopter as the first operational
squadron on the western seaboard marks an important milestone, enhancing
maritime domain awareness and rapid response capabilities.
SPORTS
1. Manu
Bhaker, Simranpreet Brar Win Gold at National Shooting Meet: India’s top pistol
shooters delivered standout performances at the 68th National Shooting
Championship Competitions, with Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and ISSF World
Cup Final 2025 gold winner Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinching gold medals in their
respective categories. The events were held at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting
Range in New Delhi, reinforcing the depth of India’s talent in women’s pistol
shooting. Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker secured the gold medal in the
senior women’s 25m sports pistol event with a composed and clinical display in
the final. Manu shot a total of 36 to finish comfortably ahead of the field.
She maintained control throughout the decisive stages, finishing four hits
clear of her nearest rival. Divya T.S. of Karnataka claimed the silver medal, while
Anjali Choudhary completed the podium with a bronze. The 68th National Shooting
Championship Competitions have seen participation from leading shooters across
states and age groups, making the medals highly competitive. Performances at
the championships are closely watched by selectors, as they often play a key
role in shaping future national teams for international competitions.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Centre
Rolls Out SabhaSaar AI Tool for Gram Sabha Meetings: The Ministry of
Panchayati Raj has launched SabhaSaar, an AI-enabled voice-to-text meeting
summarisation tool, to strengthen transparency and efficiency in grassroots
governance. Introduced on August 14, 2025, the digital platform is being
progressively adopted by Gram Panchayats across States and Union Territories
for routine Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings. Since its launch, SabhaSaar has
seen swift uptake nationwide. During the pilot phase, all 1,194 Gram Panchayats
of Tripura were encouraged to use the tool
for Special Gram Sabhas held on August 15, 2025. Of these, 1,047 Panchayats, or
87 per cent, successfully adopted the platform on the same day. Nationwide
usage stood at 12,667 Gram Panchayats on August 15, which rose sharply to
77,198 during the Gram Sabha conducted on October 2, 2025. As of December 3, 2025,
a total of 92,376 Gram Panchayats have used SabhaSaar for automated meeting
summarisation. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has focused on creating awareness
and ensuring smooth adoption of SabhaSaar. A standard operating procedure was
shared with States and Union Territories, which further disseminated it to
Panchayats.
2. INST
Mohali Scientists Develop Nanoparticle Pathway for Alzheimer’s Therapy: Researchers at the
Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, have identified a
novel nanoparticle-based therapeutic pathway that could significantly advance
the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The Ministry of Science and Technology
said the approach addresses multiple disease mechanisms simultaneously,
overcoming limitations of conventional therapies that typically target only a
single pathological feature. Alzheimer’s disease therapies have largely focused
on individual factors such as amyloid beta aggregation or oxidative stress,
often producing limited clinical outcomes. The INST-led research introduces a
multi-target strategy designed to alter disease progression itself, rather than
offering only symptomatic relief. According to the researchers, the new
approach has the potential to slow disease progression, improve memory, and
support cognitive functions. The research team further enhanced the therapeutic
effect by incorporating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor onto the
nanoparticles, creating B-EDTNPs. BDNF is critical for neuronal survival,
growth, and regeneration.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Google
Pay Launches UPI-Linked Credit Card with Axis Bank: Google Pay has launched a
new co-branded digital credit card, FLEX, in partnership with Axis Bank,
marking a significant step in the convergence of credit cards and UPI-based
payments in India. Built on the RuPay network, the Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit
Card allows users to make credit-powered UPI payments by scanning QR codes,
expanding the scope of digital payments for everyday transactions. The FLEX
credit card enables users to link their credit line directly to their UPI
account within the Google Pay app. This allows customers to pay merchants using
UPI while spending on credit, combining the simplicity of QR-based payments
with the flexibility of a credit card. Unlike conventional credit cards, FLEX
offers instant cashbacks or rewards at the time of transaction rather than at
the end of the billing cycle.
2. Ashwini
Kumar Tewari Re-appointed SBI Managing Director: The Central Government
has re-appointed Ashwini Kumar Tewari as Managing Director of the State Bank of
India, extending his leadership at the country’s largest public sector lender.
The decision ensures continuity at the top management level as SBI navigates a
phase of balance sheet consolidation, digital expansion and credit growth in a
dynamic economic environment. According to a notification issued by the
Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance, Tewari’s
re-appointment takes effect from the date he assumes charge. His tenure will
now continue beyond the existing term ending on January 27, 2026, up to his
superannuation on December 31, 2027, or until further orders, whichever is
earlier. The move reflects the government’s confidence in his leadership and
administrative experience. Ashwini Kumar Tewari began his banking career at SBI
in 1991 as a probationary officer. Over more than three decades, he has held a
range of operational and strategic roles across the bank. His steady rise
through the organisation culminated in his elevation from Deputy Managing
Director to Managing Director in January 2021. His career progression is often
cited as an example of internal leadership development within India’s largest
lender.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. NCSM
Wins Two PRSI National Awards 2025: The National
Council of Science Museums (NCSM),
under the Ministry of Culture, has been honoured with two prestigious PRSI
National Awards 2025 by the Public Relations Society of India. The recognition
highlights NCSM’s effective public outreach and innovative communication
initiatives that blend culture, sustainability and digital engagement at a
national scale. NCSM received one award in the “Best Use of Social Media in a
Corporate Campaign” category for its Har Ghar Museum initiative. The second
award was conferred in the “Special/Prestige Publication” category for the
“Waste to Art” publication. Both initiatives were acknowledged for their
originality, public participation and strong alignment with national cultural
and sustainability objectives. Inspired by the vision of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, the Har Ghar Museum campaign is built on the idea that every
household preserves a piece of India’s living heritage.
2. Homebound Shortlisted for Oscars 2026 International Feature: Indian cinema has marked
a significant moment on the global stage as Neeraj Ghaywan’s film “Homebound”
advances in the race for the Oscars 2026. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter and
Vishal Jethwa, has been shortlisted in the International Feature Film category
for the 98th Academy Awards. This development places “Homebound” among the
final 15 films selected from entries submitted by 86 countries, underscoring
its international resonance and artistic merit. “Homebound” was chosen as
India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 and has successfully cleared the
preliminary voting round conducted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences (AMPAS). The shortlist reflects the active participation of Academy
members, who evaluated a diverse pool of global cinema. Being among the final
15 keeps the film in contention for a coveted nomination, a milestone that
reinforces India’s evolving presence in world cinema beyond mainstream
narratives. DEFENCE UNICORN INSTITUTE – GANDHINAGAR |
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