04th December 2025

1. GoI approves PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.
2. Ministry of Tourism signs MoU with Mastercard to establish India as a global tourism hotspot.
3. India finishes 8th at the WorldSkills Asia Competition in Taipei, Taiwan.
4. SEBI approves the ₹10,000 crore IPO of ICICI Prudential AMC.
5. RBI approves Razorpay as a cross-border payment aggregator.
6. India’s FDI inflow rises 18% to USD 35.18 billion in April–September, with inflows from the US doubling.
7. OECD retains India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 at 6.7%.
8. Armand Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone are named World Athletics’ Athletes of the Year.
9. WB’s Darjeeling Mandarin Orange receives a GI tag.
10. DRDO successfully tests a fighter aircraft escape system in Chandigarh.
11. Indian Army conducts a combat launch of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the Bay of Bengal.
12. Bihar Government launches ‘Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana’ for secondary students.
13. Meghalaya hosts the Regional AI Impact Conference in Shillong.
14. Jeyandran Venugopal is appointed President and CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd.
15. Brendan Nelson is appointed Chairman of HSBC, succeeding Mark Tucker.
16. UIDAI records 231 crore Aadhaar authentications, showing an 8.47% rise.
17. Haryana’s Lado Lakshmi Yojana begins offering quarterly financial aid.
18. Bharat Taxi begins trials in Delhi and Gujarat.
19. RBI approves Vikram Sahu as CEO of Bank of America India for a three-year term.
20. Aparna Garg takes charge as Member (Finance) at the Railway Board.
21. Archery Premier League wins big at the India Sports Awards.
22. SSI National Sports Awards conferred on Olympian Shakti Singh, 23 other national, international athletes in Odisha
23. International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures is observed.
24. International Day of Banks highlights sustainable development through financial inclusion.
25. Indian Navy Day honours Operation Trident, maritime strength, and indigenous defence capabilities.
26. NHAI partners with Reliance Jio to launch a mobile-based safety alert system on national highways.
27. India’s Finance Minister inaugurates the 18th plenary meeting of the Global Forum on Tax Information Exchange.
28. DRDO successfully tests a high-speed indigenous fighter jet escape system.
29. Manali Kshirsagar becomes Nagpur University’s first female Vice-Chancellor in 100 years.
30. India prepares to launch INS Aridhaman, boosting sea-based nuclear deterrence.
31. Sudan approves an agreement allowing Russia to establish its first naval base on African soil.
32. Karnataka introduces e-Swathu 2.0 for rural property digitalisation.
33. Former England cricketer Robin Smith passes away at 62.
34. LIC signs bancassurance pact with Yes Bank
35. Fino 1st payments bank to get RBI nod to turn SFB

National News

1. India Achieves 8th Place In WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025

• What:
  • India secured 8th place among 29 countries in its debut at the WorldSkills Asia Competition (WSAC) 2025, held at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, in Taiwan, with 23 competitors participating in 21 skill categories.
• Why:
  • To showcase India’s growing talent, skill development, and excellence across traditional and technology-driven trades on a global platform.
• Tell me more:
  • India won one Silver (Painting & Decorating), two Bronze (Industrial Design Technology, Robot System Integration), and three Medallions for Excellence in Software Application Development, Web Technologies, and Electrical Installations.

• The Indian team was led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with support from NSDC and technical partners.
• Women competitors excelled significantly, winning the best in India medals and highlighting female leadership in skilling.
• Contestants were chosen through the IndiaSkills National Competition 2024 and trained rigorously with industry, academic institutions, and sector skill councils.
• The WSAC 2025 featured over 500 competitors across 44 skill categories from 29 Asian countries.

2. India Hosts 18th Global Forum on Tax Transparency

• What:
  • India hosted the 18th plenary meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi from December 2 to 5, 2025.
• Why:
  • To promote international cooperation for tax transparency and combat tax evasion and illicit financial flows globally.
• Tell me more:
  • The Global Forum has 172 member jurisdictions and works on two key standards: Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR) and Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information (AEOI).
  • The forum includes all G20 countries and plays a central role in improving tax fairness and governance worldwide.
  • India has been a founding member since 2009 and holds leadership roles in various groups within the forum.
  • The plenary features high-level panels, peer review updates, regional initiatives, and discussions on emerging issues such as digital economy taxation and crypto-asset reporting.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Darjeeling Mandarin Orange Gets GI Tag Recognition

• What:
  • The Darjeeling Mandarin Orange received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, with Darjeeling Organic Farmers Producer Organisation (DOFPO) registered as the proprietor and Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (UBKV) and Patent Information Centre (PIC) acting as facilitators.
• Why:
  • The GI tag aims to revive the declining cultivation of Darjeeling Mandarin Orange and help growers receive fair value for their produce.
• Tell me more:
  • Growers in Darjeeling and Kalimpong will be registered as Authorised Users.
  • This is the second GI product from the region after Dalley Khorsani.
  • The fruit’s sweetness, aroma, and flavour come from the climate and soil of Darjeeling and Kalimpong.
  • The Darjeeling Mandarin Orange is also known locally as ‘suntala’.

2. Bihar Launches Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana For Students

• What:
  • Bihar’s government will take secondary school students on tours across India under the new ‘Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana’.
• Why:
  • To expose students to important historical sites and research institutions outside Bihar and enrich their educational experience.
• Tell me more:
  • The scheme will be implemented in the coming months following groundwork and state education minister Sunil Kumar’s instructions.
  • It complements the existing ‘Mukhyamantri Bihar Darshan Yojana’, which organizes tours within Bihar for primary and middle school students.
  • Secondary students will visit significant monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Charminar, and Agra Fort.
  • The scheme aims at providin

3. Regional AI Impact Conference Inaugurated In Meghalaya

• What:
  • The Regional AI Impact conference was inaugurated at Meghalaya’s state convention centre by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
• Why:
  • To discuss Meghalaya’s progress in digital governance, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and its growing technology ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • The conference is organised by the IndiaAI Mission and the Union ministry of electronics and information technology (IT), in collaboration with Meghalaya’s IT and communications department.
  • The Chief Minister highlighted Meghalaya’s journey starting with the revival of its IT Park in 2018.
  • Development of the second phase of the IT Park and several upcoming IT infrastructure projects were outlined.

Source: TOI

4. Haryana’s Lado Lakshmi Yojana Begins Quarterly Financial Aid

• What:
  • Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana (DDLLY) provides Rs. 2100 per month to eligible women to promote financial independence.
• Why:
  • The scheme aims to empower women by offering financial support and social security for their well-being and active social participation.
• Tell me more:
  • Eligible women must be 23 years or older, belong to families with annual income up to Rs. 1 lakh, and be residents of Haryana for at least 15 years.
  • There is no limit on the number of eligible women in a family who can receive benefits.
  • Women can opt for a lower amount if they wish, but Rs. 2100 is the standard benefit.
  • The scheme does not apply to women already receiving assistance under several specified social security schemes.

5. Bharat Taxi Launches Pilot Run With Driver-Owned Model

• What:
  • Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative ride-hailing platform fully owned by drivers, has started pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat.
• Why:
  • To create a driver-led taxi service that offers drivers full fare earnings and more control while providing reliable and affordable rides to passengers.
• Tell me more:
  • Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited runs Bharat Taxi and onboarded over 51,000 drivers in just 10 days across Delhi and Saurashtra.
  • The Android app is now available for beta testing in Delhi to refine the service, with iOS app to follow soon.
  • Drivers are called Saarthis, not “driver bhaiya,” highlighting dignity and ownership.
  • Key features include zero commission for drivers, transparent pricing with no surge charges, and integration with government platforms like DigiLocker and UMANG.

6. Karnataka Launches e-Swathu 2.0 To Regularise Rural Properties

• What:
  • Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launched the revamped digital platform e-Swathu 2.0 to regularise 95 lakh properties in gram panchayats (GPs) and generate up to Rs 2,000 crore revenue for Karnataka.
• Why:
  • To increase state revenue by bringing rural properties into the tax net and improve property-related services through digital means.
• Tell me more:
  • The Panchayat Raj Act amendments allow taxing households built outside “grama thana” limits.
  • The platform provides quick and transparent issuance of digital e-khata documents (Forms 11A and 11B).
  • A helpline (9483476000) supports users facing technical issues.
  • The government will issue 11B accounts within 15 days of application without requiring visits to panchayat offices, also available via Bapuji Centres.
  • Gandhi Gram Awards 2023-24 were announced for 238 GPs, one from each taluk, recognizing governance and development initiatives.

Source: IE HT

International News

1. Sudan Approves Russian Naval Base Deal Along Red Sea

• What:
  • Sudan has finalized a 25-year agreement allowing Russia to establish its first naval base in Africa, located in Port Sudan along the Red Sea.
• Why:
  • The deal provides Russia with a strategic foothold to oversee important trade routes like the Suez Canal, and Sudan receives weapons and mining investments in return.
• Tell me more:
  • Russia can station up to 300 personnel and four warships, including nuclear-powered vessels, at the base.
  • The location overlooks trade routes passing through the Suez Canal, which handles about 12% of global trade.
  • The Sudanese military is seeking arms amid ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
  • The US and Sudan face concerns as the deal could complicate relations with the US and European Union.
  • The US has proposed a three-track peace plan involving military, humanitarian, and political tracks excluding Islamists and the former regime.

Source: Wion AAW

Banking and Economy

1. ICICI Prudential AMC and Three Firms Get Sebi Approval for IPOs

• What:
  • SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) granted final observation approvals to ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (AMC) and three other companies for their initial public offerings (IPOs).
• Why:
  • To allow these companies to proceed with their IPOs and raise capital from the public market.
• Tell me more:
  • ICICI Prudential AMC’s ₹10,000 crore IPO will be fully an offer for sale (OFS) with UK-based Prudential Corporation Holdings selling 1.76 crore shares.
  • ICICI Bank holds 51% stake and Prudential Corporation Holdings holds 49% stake in ICICI Prudential AMC.
  • Annu Projects’ IPO includes a fresh issue of 2.2 crore shares.
  • Technocraft Ventures’ IPO involves a fresh issue of 95.05 lakh shares and an OFS of 23.76 lakh shares.
  • Powerica’s IPO consists of a fresh issue and an OFS both worth ₹700 crore each.
  • ICICI Prudential AMC’s IPO is the largest expected in December and the seventh-largest in 2025.

Source: ET

2. Razorpay Gets RBI Licence For Cross-Border Payments

• What:
  • Razorpay received the Payment Aggregator Cross-Border (PA–CB) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to enable inward and outward cross-border payments under regulatory supervision.
• Why:
  • To support exporters, SaaS firms, freelancers, D2C brands, and global companies operating in India with secure and efficient cross-border payment solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • Razorpay International Payments supports payments in over 130 currencies via cards, wallets, and local bank transfers with a 95% success rate.
  • It offers single integration for global companies entering India with UPI, RuPay, EMIs, netbanking, and 100+ local payment options.
  • The platform enables businesses to go live without a local entity and supports Rs-based pricing, OTP-led checkout, and India-based customer service.

3. India’s FDI Rises Over 18% In April-September 2025

• What:
  • India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) increased by over 18% to $35,180 million in the second quarter (April-September) of the current fiscal year.
• Why:
  • The rise reflects growing investor confidence and strong inflows from countries like the United States into various sectors in India.
• Tell me more:
  • FDI inflows from the US more than doubled to $6.62 billion during this period.
  • The services sector, including financial, banking, insurance, business outsourcing, research and development, courier, tech testing, and analysis, accounted for 16% of total FDI equity inflows, about $5,098 million.
  • Maharashtra received the highest share of FDI equity inflows at 31%, amounting to $10,571 million, followed by Karnataka (21%) and Gujarat (15%).
  • FDI equity inflow in the June-September 2025-26 quarter increased by over 21% year-on-year to $16,552 million.

4. Aadhaar Authentication Transactions Rise 8.5% In November

• Aadhaar number holders completed 231 crore authentication transactions in November 2025, showing 8.5% growth compared to November 2024.
• The increase indicates growing Aadhaar usage and growth of the digital economy in India.

Source: PIB

5. Fino Payments Bank Gets RBI Nod To Become Small Finance Bank

• What:
  • Fino Payments Bank received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transition into a Small Finance Bank (SFB).
• Why:
  • To enable Fino to accept larger deposits, provide loans, and expand its customer base beyond restrictions on payments banks.
• Tell me more:
  • Fino applied under RBI’s “on tap” private sector SFB licensing guidelines after completing five years of operations since 2017.
  • It serves over 16 million customers and covers 97% of India’s pincodes, with a deposit base exceeding Rs 2,300 crores as of September 2025.
  • The bank plans to start its lending business within one year of receiving the approval.
  • Fino will join 11 other SFBs like AU SFB, Equitas SFB, and Ujjivan SFB, with AU SFB approved to become a universal bank.

6. LIC Partners With Yes Bank For Bancassurance Distribution

• What:
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has formed a strategic bancassurance partnership with Yes Bank to offer life insurance products through Yes Bank’s branches and digital platforms.
• Why:
  • To expand access to LIC’s life insurance products nationwide and support the national vision of “Insurance for All by 2047.”
• Tell me more:
  • The partnership uses over 3,600 LIC branches and satellite offices along with Yes Bank’s 1,295 branches and 235 business correspondent outlets.
  • Yes Bank customers can access LIC’s term plans, endowment policies, pension products, and unit-linked insurance plans.
  • LIC recently launched two new plans: Protection Plus, a linked savings plan with flexible investments and withdrawals; and Bima Kavach, a pure-risk plan offering long-term financial protection with flexible premiums.
  • Protection Plus allows partial withdrawal after five years and flexibility in premium payments, while Bima Kavach offers two death benefit options and lets policyholders enhance cover at life-stage events.

Source

GDP Forecasts

1. OECD Maintains India’s Growth at 6.7% For FY26

• What:
  • The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) maintained India’s economic growth forecast at 6.7% for fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26).
• Why:
  • The growth is expected due to rising real incomes, monetary policy easing, and strong public capital expenditure.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s GDP growth reached 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26.
  • The OECD projects growth of 6.2% for FY27 and 6.4% for the following year.
  • Higher US tariffs, including a 25% penalty on Russian oil imports, are expected to reduce exports and lower GDP growth by 0.3 to 0.4 percentage points.
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax) reform launched in September 2025 with a two-slab structure (5% and 18%) could slightly boost growth by 0.1 percentage point.
  • Retail inflation fell to a record low of 0.25% in October, aided by lower food prices and a favorable base effect.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. DRDO Conducts High-Speed Test of Aircraft Escape System

• What:
  • DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system in Chandigarh, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and full aircrew recovery.
• Why:
  • The test aims to strengthen India’s indigenous defence capability and support self-reliance in advanced escape system technology.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ministry of Defence stated that the complex dynamic test places India among a select group of nations with in-house escape system testing capability.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF), DRDO and industry on the achievement.

Source: NOA

2. Indian Army Conducts BrahMos Precision Missile Launch

• What:
  • The Southern Command of the Indian Army successfully launched the BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile in a long-range precision mission from a test range in the Bay of Bengal, validating its guidance, control, high-speed stability and terminal accuracy.
• Why:
  • The launch aims to enhance long-range precision strike capability and strengthen deterrence as part of India’s commitment to self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Tell me more:
  • The launch involved coordination between a BrahMos unit of the Southern Command and elements of the Tri-Services Andaman and Nicobar Command.
  • The missile hit the designated target under simulated battle conditions, meeting all operational objectives.
  • Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth praised the launch as a major milestone in improving operational readiness.

3. DRDO Conducts Successful High-Speed Rocket-Sled Escape Test

• What:
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a fighter aircraft escape system using a high-speed rocket-sled at controlled velocity.
• Why:
  • To validate canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery, enhancing India’s indigenous defence capability.
• Tell me more:
  • The test was carried out at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, in collaboration with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • A dual-sled system with the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled using multiple solid propellant rocket motors.
  • An instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy recorded loads, moments, and accelerations simulating pilot ejection conditions.
  • The test sequence was captured by onboard and ground-based imaging systems and witnessed by Indian Air Force (IAF) officials and certification authorities.

Source: PIB

4. India to Commission Third Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine

• What:
  • India will commission its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, early next year.
• Why:
  • To strengthen India’s sea-based nuclear triad with larger submarines capable of carrying more long-range nuclear missiles.
• Tell me more:
  • INS Aridhaman has a 7,000-tonne displacement, larger than the first two SSBNs, INS Arihant and INS Arighaat (6,000 tonnes).
  • The fourth SSBN, S-4*, is expected by 2027.
  • India will get a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) named INS Chakra-3 on a 10-year lease from Russia by 2027-28, delayed due to the Ukraine war.
  • India is developing two indigenous 9,800-tonne SSNs with powerful 190 MW pressurised light-water reactors, first ready by 2036-37.
  • INS Aridhaman will carry double the number of K-4 ballistic missiles (3,500 km range) compared to INS Arighaat; earlier submarines carry shorter-range K-15 missiles.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. Prime Minister’s Awards For Excellence In Public Administration 2025

• What:
  • The Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions received 2035 nominations for the Prime Minister’s Awards, which recognize civil servants’ contributions nationwide.
• Why:
  • To acknowledge, recognize, and reward exemplary work done by civil servants across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • The awards include a Trophy, Scroll, and Rs. 20 lakh incentive for public welfare projects.
  • The awards cover three categories: Holistic Development of Districts (5 awards), Aspirational Blocks Program (5 awards), and Innovations in Central Ministries/Departments, States, Districts (6 awards).
  • The PM’s Awards portal was operational from 1st October to 30th November 2025 to receive nominations.
  • Nominations received were: 513 for Holistic Development of Districts, 464 for Aspirational Blocks Program, and 1058 for Innovations.
  • Awards will be conferred by the Prime Minister on 21st April 2026, Civil Services Day, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

2. Duplantis and McLaughlin-Levrone Named World Athletes of the Year

• What:
  • Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named the World Athletes of the Year at the 2025 World Athletics Awards.
• Why:
  • They received the awards for their exceptional performances and record-breaking achievements during the 2025 athletics season.
• Tell Me More:
  • Armand Duplantis broke the men’s pole vault world record four times in 2025 and remained unbeaten in all 16 competitions, winning both indoor and outdoor world titles.
  • He became the first male pole vaulter in modern athletics history to stay undefeated in a single event for two straight years.
  • Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone won the women’s 400 metre title in Tokyo with a time of 47.78 seconds, breaking a 42-year-old World Championships record.
  • She became the first athlete ever to win world titles in both the 400 metre flat and 400 metre hurdles.

• Knowledge Nuggets:
  

Source: NOA

Important Days

1. International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures – December 4

Source: NOA

2. International Day of Banks – December 4

• Theme: Banks Powering a Livable Planet

Source: UN

3. Indian Navy Day – December 4

• What:
  • Navy Day is observed on December 4 to commemorate Operation Trident, when the Indian Navy destroyed Pakistani vessels in Karachi harbour during the 1971 war.
• Tell me more:
  • Indian Navy ships INS Kiltan, Katchall, Nipat, Nighat and Veer used Soviet Osa missile boats armed with SS-N-2 (P-15) Styx missiles to sink PNS Khaibar, PNS Muhafiz and merchant ship MV Venus Challenger.
  • Navy Day was first celebrated by the Royal Indian Navy on October 21, 1944; later it was held on December 1 and then December 15 after Independence until being fixed on December 4 from 1972.
  • Between 1969 and 1971, India strengthened its naval assets with Petya-class ships, submarines, landing ships and Soviet missile vessels.
  • Operation Python on December 8 inflicted further damage and lowered Pakistani naval morale.

Source: IE

Sports

1. Archery Premier League Wins Emerging Sports Event Award

• What:
  • The Archery Premier League (APL) won the ‘Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year’ at the India Sports Awards 2025.
• Why:
  • The award recognises APL’s successful debut year for bringing fast-paced archery with large scale, professionalism, and fan engagement.
• Tell me more:
  • APL is organised by the Archery Association of India (AAI) and is the world’s first professional archery league.
  • The inaugural season was held at Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi, from October 2 to 12, 2025.
  • The league featured top Indian and international male and female archers in recurve and compound categories.
  • It uses a franchise-based model, gender-balanced teams, and a made-for-broadcast format to make archery an exciting mainstream sport.
  • The India Sports Awards 2025 were presented during FICCI TURF 2025, the 15th Global Sports Summit in New Delhi.

Source: NOA

2. SSI Awards Eastern India’s Top National and International Athletes

• What:
  • Eastern India’s sports organisation SSI honoured 24 national and international athletes with ‘SSI National Sports Awards’.
• Why:
  • To recognise excellence in sports and promote sports development in Eastern India.
• Tell me more:
  • Lifetime achievement awards were given to Olympian shot-putter Shakti Singh, table tennis legend Sharath Kamal, and cricketer Wasim Jaffer.
  • Athletes honoured include swimmer Sajan Prakash, shuttler Ayush Shetty, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, sprinter Animesh Kujur, and hockey player Deepa Grace Ekka.
  • India’s women’s ice hockey team, which won bronze at the 2025 IIHF Women’s Asia Cup, received the SSI Paika team award.
  • Awards like the Milkha Singh Sprint Award, Dilip Tirkey Hockey Award, and Shakti Singh Throwing Award recognised top performers in specific sports.

Source: IE

Memorandum of Understanding

1. Mastercard and Ministry of Tourism Collaborate to Boost Indian Tourism

• What:
  • The Ministry of Tourism and Mastercard signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote India as a premium destination using Mastercard’s global platforms.
• Why:
  • To showcase India’s rich cultural, spiritual, natural, and culinary heritage globally and strengthen tourism through secure digital payment promotion and joint marketing.
• Tell me more:
  • The collaboration will begin with featuring unique experiences in Goa, followed by Varanasi and interiors of Andhra Pradesh on priceless.com.
  • The MoT will act as the official Knowledge Partner and collaborate with State Tourism Boards, Archaeological Survey of India, and Ministry of Culture.
  • The partnership aims to promote secure and responsible digital payment systems and expand digital payment acceptance.
  • Mastercard commits to enhancing India’s digital economy by making payments safer and more accessible, especially in remote regions.
  • The MoU will also explore co-branded payment products linked to Indian destinations over the 24-month period.

2. NHAI Partners With Reliance Jio For Highway Safety Alerts

• What:
  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Reliance Jio to launch a telecom-based safety alert system on National Highways.
• Why:
  • To enhance road safety and offer timely warnings to travellers about risk zones, improving driving decisions and reducing accidents.
• Tell me more:
  • The system uses Jio’s existing 4G and 5G networks to send alerts via SMS, WhatsApp, and high-priority calls about accident-prone areas, stray cattle, fog zones, and diversions.
  • Alerts will be integrated with NHAI’s digital platforms, like the ‘Rajmargyatra’ app and emergency helpline 1033.
  • The system benefits all Jio mobile users near National Highways and requires no additional roadside hardware.
  • The pilot phase will cover risk-zone identification in select NHAI regional offices, with plans to include other telecom providers.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Reliance Retail Ventures Appoints New CEO Jeyandran Venugopal

• What:
  • Reliance Industries appointed Jeyandran Venugopal as president and CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL), a new role created by the company.
• Tell me more:
  • RRVL is the holding company for Reliance Retail and until November housed Reliance Consumer Products Ltd (RCPL), which was spun off as a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd on December 1.
  • Venugopal previously served as chief product and technology officer at Flipkart and played a key role in its growth and leadership in Indian e-commerce.
  • Before Flipkart, he worked at Myntra, Jabong, Yahoo, and Amazon Web Services in senior technology roles.

2. HSBC Board Appoints Brendan Nelson as Group Chair

• The HSBC Board appointed Brendan Nelson as Group Chair after he served as interim Group Chair since 1 October 2023.
• He had been serving in the interim role before being confirmed as Group Chair.

Source: HSBC

3. Vikram Sahu Approved as Bank of America India CEO

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Vikram Sahu as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bank of America NA (BoFA) in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Sahu will continue his role as India country executive while chairing the local management team and being part of the Asia Pacific Executive committee.
  • Kaku Nakhate served as BoFA India CEO for about 15 years and will become the India chair.
  • Sahu will report to Jin Su, President of Asia Pacific for BoFA.
  • Sahu has held senior roles in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, and Europe, including head of global equity research in New York.

Source: ET

4. Aparna Garg Assumes Member Finance Role at Railway Board

• What:
  • Aparna Garg, an Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) officer of 1987 batch, took charge as Member (Finance) of the Railway Board on 01.12.2025.
• Tell me more:
  • She is a Chevening Fellow and holds an advanced master’s degree in Transport Economics from the University of Leeds, U.K.
  • The Railway Board is the apex body responsible for Indian Railways’ administration.
  • The Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS) is a central civil service responsible for financial administration in Indian Railways.
  • Chevening Fellowships are UK government scholarships awarded to outstanding professionals globally.

Source: BW

5. Manali Kshirsagar Becomes First Woman Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University

• What:
  • Manali Makarand Kshirsagar was appointed as the first woman vice chancellor of Nagpur University since its establishment in 1923.
• Tell me more:
  • Kshirsagar is an alumna of Nagpur University and currently serves as director-technical and adviser at Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering, Nagpur.
  • Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor Acharya Devvrat announced her appointment, with a tenure of five years expected to begin soon.

Source: TOI

Miscellaneous

1. Former England Cricketer, Robin Smith Passed Away

• Smith played 62 Test matches, scoring 4236 runs with an average of 43.67, including nine centuries.
• In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he played 71 matches, scoring 2419 runs.
• A memorable innings was an unbeaten 167 from 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993.

Source: ICC

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