06th-08th December 2025

1. Frank Gehry, iconic architect behind the Guggenheim Bilbao, dies at 96.
2. Jaiswal becomes the 6th Indian cricketer to hit centuries in all formats.
3. Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve records the first inter-state tiger translocation in Rajasthan.
4. Indian scientists discover the Alaknanda Galaxy using the James Webb Space Telescope.
5. Rohit Sharma becomes the 4th Indian player to enter the 20,000 runs club.
6. India’s forex reserves drop by $1.88 billion to $686.23 billion amid volatility.
7. International Civil Aviation Day covers its history, theme, and global significance.
8. Armed Forces Flag Day highlights its history, significance, and ways to observe in India.
9. DRDO transfers seven indigenous technologies to the armed forces.
10. Dr. Renuka Iyer is appointed Chief Medical Officer of NCCN.
11. India and Malaysia launch the 5th edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti in Rajasthan.
12. Roman Gofman is appointed as the next Mossad Chief.
13. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Notion are among the top app winners at the Microsoft Store Awards 2025.
14. Google rolls out Gemini 3 Deep Think Mode for Ultra users with enhanced AI reasoning.
15. Amit Shah inaugurates the EARTH Summit 2025 in Gandhinagar.
16. Netflix plans to acquire Warner Bros Discovery Studios and streaming business for $72 billion.
17. RBI raises India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.3%.
18. India hosts the 20th UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Session at Red Fort.
19. Cristiano Ronaldo joins Perplexity AI as an investor and brand ambassador.
20. Mahaparinirvan Diwas commemorates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy of justice, equality, and reform.
21. Donald Trump is awarded the first FIFA Peace Prize at the 2026 World Cup draw ceremony.
22. India–Indonesia joint special forces military exercise ‘Garuda Shakti 2025’ begins in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
23. AIM partners with Hitachi to develop the ‘MStarTM Global AI Connect’ platform.
24. NPCI International and ACLEDA Bank Plc. sign an MoU to enable UPI and KHQR in India and Cambodia.
25. Vrutti partners with HSBC India to launch ‘FPO Shakti’, a financing facility to strengthen farmer producer organisations.
26. Nokia partners with Bharti Airtel to open 5G network APIs for developers and enterprises.
27. Jindal Stainless Steel ranks among the top 5% globally in DJSI, and 4th in the steel sector.
28. BPCL is recognised among the global top 100 corporate startup stars 2025.
29. Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma announces retirement from all forms of cricket.
30. International Cheetah Day
31. Indian Army makes the first-ever ascent of Mount Kangto in Arunachal Pradesh.
32. DBT, BIRAC, and CEPI renew their engagement strategy for cooperation on vaccine R&D.
33. NMDC signs an MoU with IIT-Kanpur to foster cybersecurity.
34. NHAI receives SEBI’s in-principle approval for registering RIIT as an InvIT.
35. PNB launches the premium RuPay metal credit card ‘Luxura’.
36. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo is re-elected as NRAI President.
37. GM Arjun Erigaisi wins the Jerusalem Masters 2025 by defeating Viswanathan Anand.
38. An overview of the 5th edition of KIUG 2025 held in Rajasthan is provided.

National News

1. Amit Shah Inaugurates Earth Summit 2025 and Sahakar Sarathi Services

• What:
  • Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated EARTH Summit 2025 at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, and launched more than 13 new services under ‘Sahakar Sarathi’.
• Why:
  • To strengthen the rural economy, rethink rural development aspects, and derive result-oriented solutions through three EARTH Summits across the country.
• Tell me more:
  • The second summit links to resolving major issues of four ministries tied to rural economy, with the third summit in Delhi next year presenting a coherent policy framework.
  • A plan aims to establish a cooperative institution in every Panchayat, create over 50 crore active cooperative members, and increase the cooperative sector’s GDP contribution.
  • NABARD provides 13+ digital services through ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ to rural banks, enabling tech-enabled recovery, disbursement, KYC, and real-time tracking without financial burden.
    • The 13 new services under ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ include Digi KCC (Kisan Credit Card), Campaign Sarathi, Website Sarathi, Cooperative Governance Index, ePACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), World’s Largest Grain Storage Application, Shiksha Sarathi, and Sarathi Technology Forum.
  • Gujarat’s ‘Cooperation Among Cooperatives’ model integrates markets, dairies, and PACS under district cooperative umbrellas to boost low-cost deposits and credit capacity fivefold.

2. India Hosts 20th UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Session

• What:
  • The 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) began at Red Fort in New Delhi from December 8 to 13, 2025, marking the first time India is hosting and chairing the event.
• Why:
  • To protect living cultural traditions, practices, knowledge, and expressions recognized by communities, while promoting global cooperation, best practices, and community-led safeguarding measures under the 2003 UNESCO Convention.
• Tell me more:
  • The session coincides with the 20th anniversary of India’s ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, adopted on October 17, 2003, during UNESCO’s 32nd General Conference in Paris.
  • India has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including Kutiyattam, Chhau, Vedic and Buddhist chanting, Ramlila, Ramman, Sankirtana, Kalbelia dance, Kumbh Mela, Yoga, Durga Puja, Garba, and Thatheras of Jandiala Guru.
  • The session reviews recent nominations like Chhath Mahaparva and Diwali, features cultural performances, thematic exhibits, and highlights India’s national ICH safeguarding model with community participation and documentation.

3. AIM and Hitachi MGRM Net Partner For National Innovation Platform

• What:
  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog and Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd. (HMN) signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to develop and use a single innovation platform called MStarTM Global AI Connect to build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in India.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to support the vision of Viksit Bharat by creating a federated national digital backbone to strengthen the school-to-startup pipeline and accelerate lab-to-market translation of Indian innovations and their export readiness.
• Tell me more:
  • The SoI was signed by AIM Mission Director Dr. Deepak Bagla and Hitachi India Executive Chairman and Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd. Managing Director Dr. Bharat Kaushal.
  • The initiative will enable universal reach with multilingual, low-friction onboarding of schools, students, mentors, institutions, incubators/accelerators, and partners, including rural and underserved areas.
  • It will create virtual Atal Tinkering Labs (vATLs) and virtual Atal Incubation Centres/Atal Community Innovation Centres (AICs/ACICs) linked to physical nodes and manage end-to-end innovation lifecycles including ideation-to-pilot workflows, Technology/Innovation Readiness Levels tracking, milestone reviews, challenge grants, and procurement pathways.
  • The platform will build talent pathways by identifying and nurturing gifted and skill-ready learners through design thinking, problem-solving projects, challenges, and hackathons and will support intellectual property (IP) creation/filing, ethical research, investor connects, CSR/grants, public procurement, and export facilitation.

Source: PIB

State News

1. Rajasthan Set to Witness First Inter-State Translocation of Tiger

• What:
  • A tigress will be airlifted from Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Rajasthan, marking the state’s first inter-state tiger translocation.
• Why:
  • To boost the tiger population in Rajasthan and address inbreeding challenges.
• Tell me more:
  • The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change approved the translocation plan involving five tigers in phase 1.
  • The country’s first inter-state tiger translocation took place in 2018 from Kanha Tiger Reserve (MP) to Satkosia Tiger Reserve (Odisha) but ended unsuccessfully.
  • A mock-drill will be conducted after Air Force clearance prior to airlifting the tigress to RVTR, Bundi.
  • The tigress has been fitted with a radio collar for monitoring her movement, behavior, and fitness before transportation.
  • Radio collars and AI-enabled camera trap systems are used for intensive monitoring of tigers during translocation.

Source: TW

Banking and Economy

1. India’s Forex Reserves Decline By $4.4 Billion

• What:
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.4 billion to over $688.1 billion for the week ending November 21.
• Why:
  • The decline was mainly due to fluctuations in major currencies and changes in gold and foreign currency assets.
• Tell me more:
  • Gold reserves dropped by $2.6 billion to $104.1 billion.
  • Foreign currency assets decreased by $1.6 billion to over $560.6 billion, influenced by euro, pound, and yen fluctuations.
  • Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) declined by $84 million to $18.56 billion.
  • The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dipped by $23 million to $4.75 billion.

Source: NOA

2. Google Rolls Out Gemini 3 Deep Think Mode For Ultra Subscribers

• Google has launched the Gemini 3 Deep Think mode for Google AI Ultra subscribers within the Gemini app.
• It provides enhanced reasoning abilities for solving complex math, science, and logic problems.
• Gemini 3, developed by Google DeepMind, belongs to the Gemini family of multimodal large language models (LLMs), succeeding earlier models like LaMDA and PaLM 2.

Source: BS

3. Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros Discovery in $72 Billion Deal

• What:
  • Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery, the Hollywood giant behind “Harry Potter” and HBO Max, in a cash-and-stock deal valued at $72 billion, giving Warner an enterprise value of $82.7 billion including debt.
• Why:
  • The deal aims to combine two of the world’s biggest streaming services and major studios to create a larger entertainment powerhouse, though it is expected to face strong antitrust and regulatory scrutiny.
• Tell me more:
  • Critics warn that Netflix’s business model, which is centered on streaming, threatens movie theaters, with Cinema United calling the merger an “unprecedented threat” to global exhibition and warning of community and job losses.

Source: IE

4. NIPL Partners With ACLEDA Bank To Enable UPI–KHQR Payments

• What:
  • NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc, Cambodia’s first publicly listed commercial bank, to enable Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance across Cambodia and Bakong (KHQR) acceptance across India.
• Why:
  • To provide Indian and Cambodian travellers and businesses a secure, interoperable and seamless QR code-based digital payment experience that boosts trade and tourism between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • ACLEDA Bank, nominated by the National Bank of Cambodia as operator of the national QR network Bakong (KHQR), will work with NIPL to interconnect India’s UPI network with Cambodia’s KHQR ecosystem.
  • Indian tourists in Cambodia will be able to pay at more than 4.5 million KHQR merchant touch points using UPI-enabled apps, while Cambodian tourists in India can scan over 709 million UPI QRs using their Cambodian payment apps.
  • The network-to-network setup will allow consumers and businesses to use mobile devices to scan QR codes of merchants in the other country for secure, interoperable payments across tourist attractions, restaurants, retail outlets and other establishments.

5. Vrutti Launches FPO Shakti Financing Facility For FPOs

• What:
  • Vrutti, part of the Catalyst Platform, has launched FPO Shakti, a Financing Facility that uses a blended, stage-based financing model to help Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) access the right capital at the right time.
• Why:
  • The facility aims to bridge the long-standing financing gap that prevents many FPOs from accessing formal credit and growing beyond early incubation, creating a “missing middle” in rural value chains.
• Tell me more:
  • FPO Shakti is supported by HSBC India and Friends of Women’s World Banking (FWWB) India as the Facility Manager and will first support 15 early-growth FPOs, with plans to scale to 100+ organisations.
  • India has more than 44,000 registered FPOs, but fewer than one-third can access formal credit due to collateral-based loans and strict eligibility norms, causing many to stall after early growth.
  • The model blends revolving funds, guarantees and revenue-linked finance with Business Support Organisation (BSO)-led technical assistance, digital record-keeping, and a readiness framework on governance, business planning, market linkages and supply chain discipline.
  • Each FPO will follow a 24‑month structured acceleration journey covering governance, market systems, financial discipline and digital enablement to become investment-ready and market-ready with capital suited to agricultural risks and seasonality.
  • Stage-based financing model refers to a structured funding approach where capital is provided in sequential phases (stages) tied to specific business milestones, performance targets, or developmental progress, rather than a single lump-sum investment.

Source: ANI

6. Nokia Partners With Bharti Airtel for Network as Code APIs

• What:
  • Finnish telecom company Nokia has partnered with Bharti Airtel to make Airtel’s network capabilities available to third-party developers via network Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) on Nokia’s Network as Code platform.
• Why:
  • The partnership aims to unlock new avenues for innovation and monetisation by allowing developers, system integrators, and enterprises to build secure and advanced digital services using Airtel’s network features.
• Tell me more:
  • Developers will be able to build advanced applications using Airtel’s pan-India network assets, including capabilities across Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G, and edge computing, creating new use cases across multiple industry verticals.
  • Network APIs allow operators to virtualise parts of their networks and securely offer specific features or data to developers for more tailored applications and services.
  • Airtel Business Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sharat Sinha and Nokia India Head of Cloud and Network Services Arvind Khurana highlighted that the collaboration will help monetise network investments and support innovation in the developer community.

7. SEBI Grants In-Principle Approval To NHAI’s Raajmarg InvIT

• What:
  • Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) granted in-principle approval for registration of Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) as Infrastructure Investment Trust under SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.
• Why:
  • RIIT aims to unlock monetization potential of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) assets and create high-quality long-term investment instrument targeting retail and domestic investors.
• Tell me more:
  • RIIT must meet conditions over next six months including appointing directors, submitting financial statements and complying with regulatory requirements for final registration.
  • NHAI incorporated Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. (RIIMPL) last month as Investment Manager for RIIT with equity from State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, NaBFID, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv Ventures Ltd., HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank.

8. PNB Launches RuPay Metal Luxura Credit Card

• What:
  • Punjab National Bank (PNB) introduced RuPay metal credit card ‘Luxura’ for premium customers and named Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur as first female brand ambassador at New Delhi event.
• Why:
  • The metal card broadens PNB’s presence in high-value credit card category amid rising bank competition.
• Tell me more:
  • PNB MD & CEO Ashok Chandra expects partnership to support brand-building initiatives.
  • PNB launched PNB One 2.0 mobile banking updates, fully digital rooftop solar financing under Digi Surya Ghar, and onboarding on International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) for online gold bullion transactions.

Source: CNBC

Reports and Indices

1. Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for FY25

• What:
  • Jindal Stainless achieved an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) score of 78 in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for FY25.
• Why:
  • The higher ESG score reflects the company’s accelerated transition towards sustainability-driven growth, transparency and long-term value creation.
• Tell me more:
  • This ESG score of 78 places Jindal Stainless among the top 5% of steel companies globally.
  • The company is ranked 4th in the global steel sector and 1st in the global stainless steel sector in the DJSI-modelled scores as of November FY25.
  • The score has significantly risen from 60 in FY24 to 78 in FY25.
  • Jindal Stainless, India’s largest stainless-steel manufacturer, achieved scores of 83 in Environment, 73 in Social, and 76 in Governance & Economic, exceeding industry averages of 37, 35, and 36.
  • The company recorded 97% data availability and perfect 100 score in Transparency & Reporting.
  • FY25 efforts reduced GHG emissions by 14% year-on-year through Odisha’s largest captive solar plant, energy-efficiency upgrades, supply-chain digitisation, and community initiatives in education, healthcare, and skilling.

Source: ANI BS

GDP Forecasts

1. ADB Raises India’s FY26 Growth Forecast to 7.2%

• What:
  • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2% from 6.5%.
• Why:
  • The growth forecast was increased mainly due to strong domestic consumption supported by recent tax cuts and better-than-expected economic performance.
• Tell me more:
  • The 2025 growth estimate for India has been revised to 7.2% in the Asian Development Outlook for December 2025, with Asia’s growth for 2025 now forecast at 5.1% instead of 4.8%.
  • India’s GDP grew 8.2% in the second quarter ending September, compared to 7.8% in the first quarter, taking first-half FY26 growth to 8%, driven by broad-based expansion in manufacturing, services, consumption and investment.
  • ADB kept its FY27 India growth forecast unchanged at 6.5% and expects growth to moderate as the central government reduces capital spending for fiscal consolidation and exports face pressure from higher US tariffs on some Indian goods.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also raised its GDP growth estimate for the ongoing financial year to 7.3% from 6.8%, with Q3 growth projected at 7% and Q4 at 6.5%.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. DRDO Hands Over Seven Technologies To Indian Armed Forces

• What:
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over seven technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to the Indian armed forces.
• Why:
  • To promote indigenous defence innovation, import substitution, and reduce dependency on foreign technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • The technologies are
    • high-voltage power supply for airborne jammers,
    • a tide-efficient gangway for naval jetties,
    • advanced frequency switching matrix systems,
    • VLF loop aerials for underwater platforms,
    • an indigenous waterjet propulsion system for fast interceptor craft,
    • a process for lithium precursor recovery from used batteries, and
    • a long-life seawater battery for underwater sensing.
  • These technologies were developed and extensively tested by Indian industry in close collaboration with DRDO and the tri-services.
  • The handover took place during a meeting of the Empowered Committee of DRDO chaired by Secretary and Chairman Samir V. Kamat.
  • The committee approved 12 new projects in strategic, aerospace, naval, and electronic warfare technologies.

Source: TH

2. India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise Harimau Shakti Underway

• What:
  • India and Malaysia are conducting the fifth edition of the joint military training exercise Harimau Shakti in the deserts of Rajasthan, continuing till December 18.
• Why:
  • To rehearse and strengthen joint capabilities in conducting sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate.
• Tell me more:
  • Harimau Shakti is a recurring joint exercise between India and Malaysia aimed at strengthening military ties.
  • Chapter VII of the UN mandate allows actions to maintain or restore international peace and security.

Source: NOA

3. India and Indonesia Conduct Garuda Shakti Joint Exercise

• What:
  • India and Indonesia started the 10th edition of joint special forces exercise Garuda Shakti at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from December 3–12.
• Tell me more:
  • The Indian contingent is from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) and the Indonesian contingent is from the Indonesian Special Forces.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • Separately, the eighth edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo–French air exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF), was held at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France, and concluded on November 27, with the IAF contingent returning on December 2.
  • In Exercise Garuda, IAF participated with Su-30MKI fighters, IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
  • Exercise Garuda 2025 was one of the largest international air training engagements by IAF in the year and reaffirmed the strategic partnership between India and France.

Source: TP

4. Indian Army First Scales Arunachal’s Mount Kangto Peak

• What:
  • Indian Army team from Eastern Command became first to scale Mount Kangto, Arunachal Pradesh’s highest peak at 7,042 metres, via challenging southern route.
• Why:
  • Achievement reflects Indian Army’s values of grit, discipline, teamwork and unyielding spirit while pushing limits of human endurance and operational excellence.
• Tell me more:
  • Eastern Command Army Commander Lt Gen RC Tiwari flagged in the team and praised their courage, endurance and professionalism.
  • Mount Kangto long considered impregnable sentinel of Kameng Himalayas; ascent pays tribute to Eastern Himalayas grandeur.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Indian Astronomers Discover Massive Early Spiral Galaxy ‘Alaknanda’

• What:
  • Indian astronomers discovered a massive, fully-formed spiral galaxy named Alaknanda that existed when the Universe was only 1.5 billion years old.
• Why:
  • The discovery challenges existing understanding of early galaxy formation, revealing that sophisticated cosmic structures existed much earlier than thought.
• Tell me more:
  • The galaxy, about 12 billion light-years away, was observed using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
  • Alaknanda is roughly one-third the size of the Milky Way and contains around 10 billion stars.
  • It shows a well-defined spiral shape with symmetrical arms and star clusters along those arms—features typical of modern galaxies.
  • The galaxy forms new stars 20 to 30 times faster than the current rate of the Milky Way.
  • Researchers plan follow-up studies with JWST and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) to understand its rapid formation.

2. DBT And BIRAC Renew Engagement With CEPI For Vaccine R&D

• What:
  • Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) signed renewed ‘Engagement Strategy’ with Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for vaccine and allied technology research, development and innovation.
• Why:
  • Renewal advances India’s research and development preparedness to pandemics by leveraging CEPI’s technical expertise, strengthening infrastructure and skilled resources for timely response to emerging health threats.
• Tell me more:
  • This renews the earlier five-year strategy from October 2019; Union Cabinet noted the matter.
  • Scope broadened to include allied technologies like monoclonal antibodies targeting WHO Blueprint priority diseases.
  • Key achievements include early-stage vaccine candidates for Chikungunya, Coronavirus, Monkeypox; shared bioassay laboratory and animal facility recognised in CEPI’s global networks.

Source: PIB

Awards

1. 2025 Microsoft Store Awards

• What:
  • Microsoft announced the winners of the 2025 Microsoft Store Awards for apps delivering great user experiences and boosting productivity on Windows devices.
• Why:
  • Microsoft Store Awards celebrate apps that enrich the Windows user experience across diverse categories.
• Tell me more:

2. FIFA Peace Prize For Trump Triggers Ethics Complaint

• What:
  • Human rights group FairSquare filed a formal ethics complaint after FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded United States President Donald Trump FIFA’s inaugural peace prize during the 2026 World Cup draw.
• Why:
  • FairSquare claims FIFA’s behaviour and the peace prize for a sitting political leader breach FIFA’s duty of political neutrality and go against the common interests of the global football community.
• Tell Me More:
  • The prize was given on December 6 during the draw for the 2026 World Cup to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, where Infantino presented Trump with a gold trophy, gold medal, and certificate while calling it his peace prize.

Source: ALJ

3. BPCL Named Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars Globally

• What:
  • Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) recognised by International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge as one of Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars (CSS) worldwide, only Indian organisation in the list.
• Why:
  • Recognition celebrates BPCL’s outstanding commitment to open innovation, startup engagement, and ecosystem development among Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune Global 500 companies.
• Tell me more:
  • Announcement made at ICC headquarters in Paris for Corporate Startup Stars Awards 2025.
  • BPCL Chairman Sanjay Khanna said recognition testifies commitment to open innovation ecosystem through ‘Ankur’ initiative catalysing cleaner, smarter, sustainable energy solutions.
  • ‘Ankur’ launched in 2016 supported 30 startups in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Asset Integrity, Industrial IoT, Inspection, Predictive Maintenance, Safety Technologies.

Source: BS

Important Days

1. International Civil Aviation Day – December 7

• Theme: Safe Skies & Sustainable Future for All
• With air traffic projected to reach 12.4 billion passengers by 2050, ICAO’s comprehensive Strategic Plan for 2026-2050 guides aviation sector toward a more safe, secure, economically viable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable future.

Source: Wion UN

2. Armed Forces Flag Day – December 7

3. Mahaparinirvan Diwas Commemorates Dr Ambedkar’s Death Anniversary

• Mahaparinirvan Diwas observed across country to mark death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as leaders paid floral tributes in New Delhi.
• Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, born on 14 April 1891 and passed away on 6 December 1956.

Source: NOA

4. International Cheetah Day 2025 – December 4

• What:
  • Cheetahs were reintroduced in 2022 at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh after 70 years of absence, making it the epicentre of Project Cheetah and a growing cheetah tourism destination.
• Tell Me More:
  • On 17 September 2022, eight African cheetahs from Namibia (five females and three males aged four to six) were flown 8,000 km to Kuno under the ₹90‑crore Cheetah Introduction Project, bringing cheetahs back after they were declared extinct in 1952.
  • Kuno National Park in Sheopur district is named after the Kuno River and was upgraded from a wildlife sanctuary, first planned for Asiatic lions and later chosen as the main site for Project Cheetah.
  • The park hosts rich biodiversity with over 120 tree species, grasses and shrubs and wildlife such as leopards, jackals, striped hyenas, nilgai, chinkara, birds and reptiles, creating a balanced habitat for cheetahs.

Source: TN

Sports

1. India’s Third ODI Against South Africa

• What:
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal scored his maiden ODI century in the third ODI against South Africa in Vizag.
  • Rohit Sharma scored 75 runs in the same match and crossed 20,000 international career runs, becoming the fourth Indian to do so.
• Tell me more:
  • Jaiswal is now among the select Indian players with centuries in all three formats—Test, ODI, and T20I.
  • Before him, only Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill had achieved this feat.
  • Jaiswal’s international tally now stands at 7 Test centuries, 1 ODI century, and 1 T20I century.
  • Rohit struck his 61st ODI half-century off 54 balls and scored 75 off 73, falling short of a hundred.
  • The pair added a 155-run opening partnership, setting the platform for India’s chase of 271 runs.
  • South Africa scored 270 in 47.5 overs, with Quinton de Kock scoring a century.
  • Indian bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav took four wickets each to restrict South Africa.

2. Mohit Sharma Announces Retirement From All Formats of Cricket

• What:
  • India fast bowler Mohit Sharma announced retirement from all formats of cricket, ending a nearly 14-year career.
• Why:
  • Mohit Sharma said his journey from representing Haryana, India and playing in Indian Premier League (IPL) had been a blessing and he now looks forward to serving the game in new ways.
• Tell me more:
  • Mohit Sharma debuted for India in 2013, played 26 ODIs and 8 T20Is, took 37 wickets, and was part of the 2015 ODI World Cup semifinal squad.
  • He played domestic cricket for Haryana and thanked Haryana Cricket Association, Anirudh Sir, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), coaches, teammates, IPL franchises, support staff and friends for support.
  • In IPL, he took 134 wickets in 120 matches for Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, winning Purple Cap in IPL 2014 with 23 wickets after taking 20 wickets in IPL 2013 for Chennai Super Kings.
  • After a break, he returned as a Gujarat Titans net bowler in 2022, rejoined the squad in 2023 to take 27 wickets in 14 innings, and led GT again in 2024 with 13 wickets in 12 matches.

Source: TOI

3. Arjun Erigaisi Wins Jerusalem Masters 2025 Chess Title

• Arjun Erigaisi defeated Viswanathan Anand in an all-Indian final to win the Jerusalem Masters 2025 chess tournament.

Source: HT

4. Chandigarh University Retains Title at Khelo India University Games 2025

• What:
  • Chandigarh University became champions of the 5th Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 by winning 67 medals including 42 golds.
• Tell me more:
  • KIUG 2025 was held from November 24 to December 5 across seven cities in Rajasthan.
  • Over 200 universities and more than 5,000 athletes competed in 23 medal sports.
  • New sports like beach volleyball, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling were added for the first time, and kho kho was showcased as a demonstration sport.
  • Lovely Professional University finished as runner-up with 32 gold, 25 silver, and 22 bronze medals.
  • Olympian Srihari Nataraj of Jain University won the most medals with nine gold and two silver.

Source: OC

Memorandum of Understanding

1. NMDC Signs MoU with IIT Kanpur For Cybersecurity and AI

• What:
  • National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) signed an MoU with IIT-Kanpur to strengthen cybersecurity and adopt modern digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) across NMDC operations.
• Why:
  • The MoU aims to build a secure, digitally strong and future-ready technological foundation for NMDC by improving its digital defences and operational intelligence through advanced research support.
• Tell me more:
  • The MoU was signed by Satyendra Rai, Executive Director (Digital Transformation), NMDC, and Professor Ashoke De, Dean (R&D), IIT Kanpur, in the presence of IIT Kanpur Director Professor Manindra Agrawal, senior NMDC officials and IIT Kanpur representatives.
  • Under this partnership, NMDC and IIT Kanpur will work together on cybersecurity risk assessments, policy, governance and compliance support, AI and ML integration and advancement, security operations and incident response, capacity building, knowledge sharing, joint research and innovation.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Renuka Iyer Appointed Chief Medical Officer at NCCN

• Renuka Iyer, MD, has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Source: PRN

2. Roman Gofman Named Next Head of Mossad Intelligence

• What:
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed Major General Roman Gofman as the next head of Mossad, succeeding David Barnea in June 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • Mossad is Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, known as one of the world’s best intelligence services.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes Investor and Ambassador For Perplexity

• What:
  • Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo became an investor in and brand ambassador for artificial intelligence (AI) company Perplexity and announced this through a post on X.
• Why:
  • Perplexity aims to use this partnership to grow its reach in regions such as Latin America, Middle East, and Asia where AI adoption is still growing by leveraging Ronaldo’s more than 650 million social media followers.
• Tell me more:
  • Cristiano Ronaldo launched a custom AI assistant called Ronaldo Hub where fans can see unseen images from his personal archive, browse curated questions about all stages of his life, and relive his greatest goals on an interactive pitch.
  • Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas said they will work together to make Perplexity the best AI for asking questions and welcomed Ronaldo as an investor through an Instagram post.

4. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo Elected NRAI President

• Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo began his first full four-year term as president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) after being elected unopposed.
• NRAI, formed in 1951, is the governing body for shooting sports in India.

Source: TH

Miscellaneous

1. Renowned Architect Frank Gehry Passes Away at 96

• What:
  • Frank Gehry, influential architect known for his experimental style, has died at the age of 96.
• Why:
  • Gehry’s avant-garde architectural innovations transformed modern architecture and urban landscapes worldwide.
• Tell me more:
  • Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry studied architecture at the University of Southern California and the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
  • His iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, covered in titanium sheets, gained international fame in 1997 and boosted Bilbao’s economy.
  • He was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1989 for his lifetime achievements characterized by deconstructivism and sculptural forms.

Source: BBC

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