National News

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s Multi-State Visit to Puducherry, Kerala & Tamil Nadu from December 29-30, 2025

• Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan undertook a comprehensive tour across Puducherry, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu from December 29 to 30, 2025, participating in cultural, educational, social, and development-related programs. On December 29, he received an official civic reception in Puducherry, marking his first visit to the Union Territory as Vice President of India.
• During his Puducherry visit, the Vice President inaugurated the Senior Secondary Block at Petit Seminaire Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) School, demonstrating the government’s commitment to educational infrastructure development in the region.
• He launched a significant housing project under the Smart City Mission and personally distributed keys of 216 newly constructed tenements to beneficiaries at Kumaragurupallam in Puducherry, addressing crucial housing needs for underprivileged sections of society.
• In Kerala, VP Radhakrishnan participated in Trivandrum Fest 2025, the Christmas-New Year Peace Carnival held in Thiruvananthapuram, organized by the South Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India in association with the Assembly of Christian Trust Services. He also released four important books on Sree Narayana Guru’s life, philosophy and educational vision.
• The Vice President concluded his tour in Tamil Nadu on December 30, 2025, serving as Chief Guest at the valedictory function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Rameshwaram, an initiative aimed at strengthening cultural ties between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

National News

Ministry of Jal Shakti Launches ‘Jal Seva Aankalan’ Digital Assessment Tool

• In December 2025, the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, launched ‘Jal Seva Aankalan’, a Gram Panchayat-led digital drinking water service functionality assessment tool on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) portal. Union Minister C R Patil virtually launched the tool in the presence of Union Minister of State V. Somanna and Union MoS Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
• This community-owned self-assessment process enables villages to collectively review their water service delivery systems, reducing reliance on infrequent and costly third-party surveys. The initiative strategically shifts focus from mere infrastructure creation to sustained service delivery, placing Gram Panchayats and village institutions at the center of monitoring drinking water supply in Har Ghar Jal (HGJ) villages.
• The assessment process involves structured discussions with members of the Village Water & Sanitation Committee (VWSC), the Panchayat Secretary, system operators, and a diverse group of water users, including women and vulnerable groups. The outcomes are subsequently presented to the Gram Sabha for open discussion and formal endorsement.
• After Gram Sabha approval, the assessment is uploaded to the JJM Panchayat Dashboard and made publicly available on platforms such as eGramSwaraj and the Meri Panchayat Application. A 30-day window is provided for citizen feedback before the report is finalized, ensuring transparency and community participation.
• All Har Ghar Jal Gram Panchayats are expected to complete the Jal Seva Aankalan by January 26, 2026, aligning with Republic Day celebrations and reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring quality drinking water services across rural India.

Defence News

Ministry of Defence Signs Rs 4,666 Crore Defence Procurement Contracts

• In December 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed two major defence procurement contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for the purchase of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for the Indian Army and Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy. These contracts were signed in the presence of Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of MoD, at South Block in New Delhi, marking a significant step towards modernization and operational preparedness of the Armed Forces.
• The first contract worth Rs 2,770 crore was signed with a Joint Venture between Bharat Forge Limited and PLR Systems Pvt. Ltd. (a partnership between Adani Defence and Israel Weapon Industries in a 60:40 ratio) for the procurement of over 4.25 lakh battle carbines, along with accessories for the Indian Army and Indian Navy. Bharat Forge will manufacture 60% of the carbines while PLR Systems will produce the remaining 40%, with deliveries expected to be completed in approximately 5 years.
• The CQB Carbines are designed as a key component of the modern infantry arsenal, providing a critical edge in close combat through their compact design, high rate of fire, and enhanced lethality, significantly improving the operational capabilities of ground forces.
• The second contract worth approximately Rs 1,896 crore was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L. of Italy for the procurement and integration of 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy’s Kalvari Class Submarines under Project-75. The delivery of torpedoes is expected to start from April 2028 and will be completed by early 2030.
• These torpedoes, equipped with modern technological features and robust operational capabilities, will bolster the Indian Navy’s underwater prowess and enhance the combat capability of the six Kalvari class submarines. With these contracts, the MoD has signed capital contracts worth Rs 1,82,492 crore in Financial Year 2025-26 for the modernisation of the Armed Forces.

Science and Technology News

Western Railways Commissions Indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ on Bajwa-Ahmedabad Section

• In December 2025, the Vadodara division of Western Railways, Ministry of Railways, officially commissioned the indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ system on the 96 kilometer-long Bajwa (Vadodara)-Ahmedabad section covering 17 stations in Gujarat. Sankalp Fast (59549/59550) became the first Kavach-enabled train on this route, marking a significant milestone in railway safety technology.
• Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system of Indian Railways designed to prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), control over-speeding, and avert head-on and rear-end collisions. The system operates at Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), the highest safety standard for train control systems globally.
• The system utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communication technology, enabling real-time exchange of data between track equipment, signals, and locomotives, and providing continuous alerts to loco pilots for enhanced safety.
• Kavach 4.0, which received formal approval from the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO) in July 2024, features significant enhancements including improved location accuracy, enhanced signal detection in complex yards, seamless interlocking integration, and optical fibre-based station-to-station connectivity.
• To date, Indian Railways has implemented Kavach on over 2,200 route kilometers across the country, with plans for further expansion to enhance train safety, prevent collision incidents, and improve speed control mechanisms across the Indian railway network.

Science and Technology News

Ministry of Science & Technology Signs Agreement with VMSPL for Smart Sea Project

• In December 2025, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of the Ministry of Science & Technology, signed an agreement with Vijai Marine Services Private Limited (VMSPL), Goa, for the “Smart Sea Project by Vijai Autonomous Craft for Environment (VACE)” focusing on developing a 20-passenger electric boat.
• The project is supported under the Indo-Canada Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme (IC-CIR&D), a joint initiative of DST and National Research Council (NRC), Canada, and Global Affairs Canada, demonstrating international cooperation in clean technology development.
• The project aims to develop and demonstrate a 20-passenger electric boat that supports the Government of India’s goals of clean waterways, reduced fossil fuel use, and sustainable tourism. This initiative aligns with India’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting green transportation alternatives in the maritime sector.
• Under the agreement, VMSPL will build an Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)-certified lightweight Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) electric boat, equipped with electric propulsion systems, advanced batteries, and a sophisticated digital control system provided by Canadian partner ACEL Power Inc.
• The Smart Sea Project represents a significant step towards revolutionizing waterway transportation in India by reducing emissions and noise pollution while promoting green waterways, potentially serving as a model for future sustainable maritime transport solutions across the country.

Banking and Finance News

Government of India Imposes Final Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports Till 2028

• The Government of India imposed final safeguard duty on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products imports through Notification No. 02/2025-Customs (SG) dated December 30, 2025, protecting the domestic steel industry from sudden import surges confirmed by the Director General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) investigation. The provisional duty imposed on April 21, 2025, has been converted to a definitive 3-year measure effective immediately.
• The safeguard duty structure implements a graduated reduction schedule: 12% from April 21, 2025, to April 20, 2026; 11.5% from April 21, 2026, to April 20, 2027; and 11% from April 21, 2027, to April 20, 2028, allowing domestic industry time to adjust while gradually reducing protection.
• The duty applies to a comprehensive range of steel products including hot rolled coils/sheets/plates, plate mill plates, cold rolled coils/sheets, metallic coated coils/sheets (galvanneal, zinc/aluminium-zinc), and colour coated coils/sheets under Customs Tariff headings 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225, and 7226.
• A safeguard duty is a temporary import tax imposed to protect domestic industries from a sudden surge in imports that threatens or causes serious harm to local manufacturers. It is time-bound, applied to specific products, and gradually reduced over a few years to provide a cushion for domestic industry adjustment.
• The imposition was based on final findings by DGTR dated August 16, 2025, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, following a comprehensive investigation that confirmed the need for protective measures to safeguard India’s steel manufacturing sector from unfair import competition.

National News

NMCG Approves Dedicated Project to Save Indian Skimmer & Sandbar-Nesting Birds

• In December 2025, the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General of NMCG, approved a first-of-its-kind project to protect the breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Endangered Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), during its 68th meeting held in New Delhi.
• The project, aligned with Namami Gange Mission-II, outlines key focus areas including long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation strategies. This initiative will complement NMCG’s existing work on dolphins, fish, and turtles, expanding the mission’s biodiversity conservation scope with specific focus on Avifauna.
• Nest monitoring activities will continue in the Chambal River region spanning Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, as well as the Lower Ganga, while new conservation activities will commence in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, significantly expanding the geographic coverage of bird protection efforts.
• The project emphasizes community involvement by training local communities to help protect sensitive sandbars, reducing human interference, and supporting awareness and capacity-building initiatives. This participatory approach ensures sustainable long-term conservation by making local populations stakeholders in biodiversity protection.
• The Indian Skimmer, classified as Endangered, is a unique species that nests on exposed sandbars along major rivers in the Ganga Basin. The dedicated conservation project represents a significant step in protecting this threatened species and other sandbar-nesting birds that are vulnerable to habitat loss and human disturbance.

National News

India Post Discontinues Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services

• On December 30, 2025, India Post, also known as Department of Posts (DoP) under the Ministry of Communications, announced the discontinuation of certain outward international letter mail services effective from January 1, 2026, to improve reliability, tracking, customs compliance, and security in international mail operations.
• India Post will discontinue Registered Small Packet service for goods, with registration limited to document-only items in compliance with Universal Postal Union (UPU) norms. Additionally, Outward Small Packet services for goods sent via Sea, Surface Air Lifted (SAL), or Air routes will be discontinued.
• Surface Letter Mail and SAL Letter Mail services for outward letter post items will also be discontinued as part of the rationalization process, streamlining India Post’s international mail operations to focus on more efficient and trackable services.
• Registration will continue to be available for documents such as Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature, and Mail (M)-bags sent by air. Blind Literature and M-bags will continue under existing UPU rules, with exemptions applicable where relevant.
• The Department of Posts emphasized the use of International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services as alternatives, which offer faster delivery, better tracking capabilities, enhanced security, and improved customs compliance compared to the discontinued services.

Banking and Finance News

RBI Grants Final Payment Aggregator-Cross Border Authorisation to BRISKPE

• In December 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to BRISKPE, the Prosus-backed cross-border payments platform, to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, enabling it to facilitate both inward and outward payment flows.
• BRISKPE’s operations will adhere to robust regulatory requirements including Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, comprehensive merchant due diligence, and Electronic Foreign Inward Remittance Advice/Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-FIRA/e-BRC) enablement to ensure compliance and transparency.
• The platform partners with global banks for collections and Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks in India for settlements, supporting inward export collections and outward import payables up to Rs 25 lakh per transaction, facilitating smoother international trade transactions.
• BRISKPE, founded in 2023, offers Account-to-Account (A2A) and Cross-border Payment Interface (XPI) products to streamline international payments, covering the full trade cycle for exporters and importers with real-time tracking, virtual accounts, competitive forex rates, and digital onboarding.
• The platform holds ISO 27001 certification for information security management, SOC-II-Type-II certification for security and process controls, is GDPR compliant, and DPDA-ready, demonstrating strong commitment to security, data protection, and regulatory compliance in the cross-border payments ecosystem.

Banking and Finance News

SEBI Mandates NISM Certification for AIF Compliance Officers from January 2027

• In December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated that compliance officers of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers must obtain certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) by passing the NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund) Certification Examination, effective from January 1, 2027.
• From January 1, 2027, only individuals who have cleared the NISM Series-III-C certification examination will be eligible to be appointed as, or continue to serve as, compliance officers of AIF managers, raising the professional standards and competency requirements in the rapidly growing AIF sector.
• SEBI has directed trustees, sponsors, and managers of AIFs to explicitly disclose adherence to the certification mandate in the annual Compliance Test Report, ensuring transparency and accountability in compliance with the new regulatory requirement.
• AIF managers and existing compliance officers are advised to proactively register for and complete the NISM Series-III-C certification examination well ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline. Firms should simultaneously update their internal compliance frameworks, policies, and reporting systems to incorporate the new certification requirement.
• The mandate comes as AIF assets in India have witnessed remarkable growth from Rs 28,000 crore to over Rs 15 lakh crore in ten years, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 49%, necessitating stronger governance and standardized compliance qualifications across the sector.

Rank and Reports News

India Overtakes Japan to Become World’s 4th Largest Economy

• In December 2025, the Government of India announced that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s 4th largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valued at USD 4.18 trillion, trailing only the United States (1st), China (2nd), and Germany (3rd) in global economic rankings.
• The Government of India projected that India is on track to surpass Germany and become the world’s third-largest economy within the next 2.5–3 years, with its GDP projected to reach approximately USD 7.3 trillion by 2030, demonstrating the country’s strong economic growth trajectory.
• India’s real GDP increased by 8.2% in the second quarter (July-September) of Financial Year 2025-26 compared to 7.8% and 7.4% recorded in Q1FY26 and Q4FY25 respectively, showcasing consistent and robust economic performance. India aims to attain High Middle-Income status by 2047, marking the centenary of the country’s Independence.
• As of November 2025, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 686.2 billion, providing a strong import cover of over 11 months, while the Current Account Deficit moderated from 2.2% of GDP in Q2 FY25 to 1.3% in Q2 FY26, indicating improved external sector stability.
• Foreign Direct Investment captured strong momentum in the first half of FY26, with Gross FDI growing 19.4% to USD 51.8 billion from USD 43.4 billion year-on-year, while Net FDI surged 127.6% to USD 7.7 billion from USD 3.4 billion, reflecting increased investor confidence in India’s economic potential.

International News

Air India & airBaltic Sign Codeshare Agreement

• On December 30, 2025, Air India, India’s national flag carrier airline, and airBaltic, the national airline of Latvia, signed a new unilateral codeshare agreement aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and the Baltic region through European hubs. A codeshare arrangement enables one airline to sell tickets on flights operated by another airline using its own flight code.
• Under the agreement, Air India will market and sell select airBaltic-operated flights using its “AI” code, enabling passengers to book a single ticket from India to Baltic cities and enjoy smooth connections without the need for separate bookings or complex transfers.
• Air India’s code will be placed on airBaltic flights between Riga, Latvia and European hubs such as Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Milan (Italy), Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), and London (United Kingdom), providing multiple connection options.
• From these European cities, Indian passengers can easily connect to key Baltic destinations including Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania), opening up the Baltic region for Indian travelers for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
• The Baltic region consists of three Northern European nations—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—situated along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. This codeshare agreement significantly enhances travel options for Indian passengers seeking to explore this historically and culturally rich region of Northern Europe.

National News

Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes Youngest Indian to Ski to South Pole

• Eighteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan from Mumbai, Maharashtra, became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole on December 27, 2025, after trekking 115 kilometers in -30°C temperatures and gale-force winds while pulling a sled with expedition load at an elevation of 2,385 meters.
• Kaamya, daughter of an Indian Navy officer, is an accomplished adventurer and mountaineer who started her expedition from 89° South, covering 60 nautical miles (approximately 115 km) over 11 days across featureless Antarctic ice, facing continuous daylight and extreme cold conditions that tested her physical and mental endurance.
• In 2019, she became the youngest girl to scale Aconcagua (6,962 m) in Argentina, the highest peak in South America. In 2023, she became the youngest Indian to summit Mount Everest (8,849 m) from the Nepal side, demonstrating her exceptional mountaineering capabilities at a young age.
• In 2024 and 2025, she completed the prestigious Seven Summits Challenge, finishing with Mount Vinson in Antarctica, becoming one of the youngest climbers globally to achieve this feat. The Seven Summits Challenge involves climbing to the highest peak on each of the seven continents.
• Kaamya is now working towards completing the Explorers Grand Slam, one of the toughest adventure challenges in the world, which involves completion of the Seven Summits and skiing to both the North Pole and the South Pole. The Indian Navy congratulated her on this historic achievement.

Awards and Recognitions News

British-Indian Comedian Meera Syal Awarded Damehood in King’s New Year Honours

• In December 2025, renowned British-Indian comedian, actress, and writer Meera Syal was awarded a Damehood (DBE) in King Charles III’s New Year Honours List 2026 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to literature, drama, and charity. She was previously awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1997 and CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015.
• King Charles III’s New Year Honours List for 2026 recognized a total of 1,157 recipients for their exceptional contributions in arts, sports, community service, and politics, with various titles including MBE, OBE (Officer), CBE (Commander), and DBE/KBE (Dame/Knight Commander).
• Prominent personalities honoured this year include renowned British actor Idris Elba, singer and actor Cynthia Erivo, and 1984 Winter Olympics gold medallists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, recognizing their significant contributions to their respective fields and British culture.
• The oldest recipient is 102-year-old John Hearn who received the British Empire Medal (BEM), while the youngest is 20-year-old Toby Roberts who received an MBE for becoming Britain’s first Olympic gold medallist in sport climbing at Paris 2024, showcasing the diverse age range of honorees.
• Other British Indians honoured include Upadhaya (Damehood), Dhruv Patel and Neeta Akhtar (CBE), and Pavan Popat (OBE), highlighting the significant contributions of the British-Indian community to various sectors in the United Kingdom.

Appointments and Resignations News

Appointments Committee of Cabinet Approves Key Bureaucratic Appointments

• In December 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appointed Lav Aggarwal as Director General of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Rabindra Kumar Agarwal as Chairman and Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
• Lav Aggarwal, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, succeeded Ajay Bhadoo as DG of DGFT. Bhadoo had been holding additional charge after Santosh Kumar Sarangi was transferred to Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in the early 2025 reshuffle.
• Aggarwal previously served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from August 2016 to August 2022, playing a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently held the position of Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• Rabindra Kumar Agarwal, a 1997-batch IAS officer of the Kerala cadre, replaces Ashutosh Agnihotri as CMD of FCI. Agnihotri has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change as part of the bureaucratic reshuffle.
• Agarwal previously served as Deputy Director (Administration) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and most recently as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation and Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies.

Science and Technology News

ISRO Successfully Tests Enhanced Third Stage of Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

• On December 30, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducted a static ground test of an enhanced version of the 3rd stage (SS3) of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• During the test, the enhanced SS3 motor was fired for 108 seconds, closely matching pre-test predictions for all parameters. The motor was instrumented with approximately 233 sensors to monitor pressure, thrust, temperature, vibration, and the behavior of control electronics, ensuring comprehensive data collection.
• The upgraded SS3 features a new carbon-epoxy motor case, an improved igniter, and an enhanced nozzle system, which have collectively boosted SSLV’s payload capacity by approximately 90 kilograms while enhancing overall efficiency and reliability of the launch vehicle.
• Following the success of this test, the enhanced version of SS3 now qualifies for induction in flight operations, representing a significant advancement in ISRO’s small satellite launch capabilities. SSLV is a three-stage, all-solid launch vehicle designed for quick, on-demand missions and industrial production support.
• The successful test marks another milestone in India’s space program, demonstrating ISRO’s continuous efforts to improve launch vehicle performance, increase payload capacity, and reduce costs for small satellite missions, supporting India’s growing commercial space sector.

Sports News

Magnus Carlsen Dominates 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Qatar

• The 27th edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship 2025 was held at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar from December 25-30, 2025, featuring top global chess players competing in rapid and blitz formats.
• Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen clinched his sixth World Rapid championship title in the Open category with a score of 10.5 out of 13 points, having previously won in 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, and 2023. In the women’s section, Russian GM Aleksandra Goryachkina won her maiden FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship, scoring 8.5/11 points and defeating China’s Zhu Jiner 1.5-0.5 in a blitz playoff.
• Indian players performed creditably in the Rapid Open section with Aravindh Chithambaram finishing 16th, Nihal Sarin 19th, and D. Gukesh 20th, all scoring 8.5 points. In the women’s section, B. Savitha Shri finished 4th, R. Vaishali 5th, and Divya Deshmukh 8th, demonstrating India’s growing strength in rapid chess.
• In the Blitz championship, Magnus Carlsen secured his ninth World Blitz title by defeating Uzbekistan’s GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov 2.5-1.5 in the final, marking his 20th World Championship crown across Rapid, Classical, and Blitz formats, and completing the prestigious 2025 Rapid-Blitz Double Crown.
• In the Women’s Blitz section, Kazakhstan’s GM Bibisara Assaubayeva won her third World Blitz title by defeating Ukraine’s GM Anna Muzychuk 2.5-1.5 in the final, also earning qualification for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, securing her place among the world’s elite female chess players.