20th-22nd December 2025

1. Madhya Pradesh to develop India’s first state-level multinational tiger corridor
2. Titagarh Rail Systems secures a ₹273 crore RBMV contract from the Ministry of Railways
3. Armenia unveils the ‘Yerevan Blue Butterfly’ as the official logo for COP17
4. India participates in the 11th UNAOC Forum held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
5. Ministry of Finance introduces a new logo for Regional Rural Banks to create a unified identity
6. RBI Imposes Curbs on Gauhati Co-operative Bank
7. RBI Imposes Six-Month Curbs on Valsad Co-operative Bank
8. Google announces USD 8 million funding support for India’s AI research ecosystem
9. Bloomberg’s World’s Richest Families report ranks the Walton family first, with the Ambani family placed eighth
10. Sculptor and drawing artist Nnena Kalu becomes the first learning-disabled artist to win the Turner Prize
11. Innoviti wins the ASK Private Hurun India Unicorn and Future Unicorn Award
12. Bharti Airtel appoints Shashwat Sharma as Managing Director and CEO
13. National Minority Rights Day observed to highlight constitutional protections and inclusion
14. Chhattisgarh government presents a supplementary budget of ₹35,000 crore for FY26
15. UEF and UNSDC sign multiple MoUs during the UEF Trade Summit in Chennai
16. Quad partners successfully conduct their first field training exercise on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop
17. Brazil formally hands over the BRICS presidency to India for 2026
18. PNB MetLife and PolicyBazaar launch ‘DigiProtect’ term insurance for salaried individuals
19. HCLTech partners with the Netherlands-based ASN Bank to modernise IT operations
20. Indian team Photonics Odyssey wins the Most Inspirational Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge
21. IIFL Finance appoints former RBI Deputy Governor B. P. Kanungo as Chairman
22. Protean eGov Technologies acquires a 4.95% stake in NSDL Payments Bank for ₹30.2 crore
23. Shriram Finance signs an agreement with Japan’s MUFG Bank to raise ₹39,618 crore in investment
24. India defeats South Africa to win both the T20I and ODI bilateral series
25. Biography Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood by Mohar Basu is released
26. International Human Solidarity Day observed globally
27. Raising Day of the Sashastra Seema Bal commemorated nationwide
28. Bihar Cabinet approves the ‘Saat Nishchay-3’ programme for the 2025–2030 period
29. Michaela Benthaus set to become the first wheelchair user to travel to space
30. Deepinder Goyal tops the Hurun list of India’s self-made entrepreneurs
31. India’s net direct tax collections rise to ₹17.05 lakh crore
32. SabhaSaar initiative explained, including features and significance
33. Shashwat Sharma formally takes charge as MD and CEO of Airtel India
34. Jharkhand wins its maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title
35. India to establish its first Forest University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
36. Odisha selected to host a regional AI Impact Conference
37. Brazil officially hands over the BRICS presidency to India
38. India–UAE joint military exercise Desert Cyclone II commences
39. Jharkhand clears a landmark law for gig workers’ welfare
40. Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett passes away
41. India and Oman sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

National News

1. SabhaSaar AI Tool in News Again for Gram Sabha Governance

• What:
  • An artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool named SabhaSaar was rolled out in Tripura on the occasion of Independence Day and later made available to other states.
• Why:
  • The tool was launched to make Gram Sabha meetings more participatory, transparent, uniform, and effective through the use of technology.
• Tell me more:
  • SabhaSaar generates structured minutes of Gram Sabha meetings from video and audio recordings using artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Panchayat officials upload video or audio recordings on SabhaSaar using e-GramSwaraj login credentials.
  • The tool creates transcription, translation, and summary of meetings in multiple Indian languages and English.
  • SabhaSaar was unveiled in New Delhi on August 14 by the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lalan and Minister of State Professor S. P. Singh Baghel.
  • The tool was built on Bhashini, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based language translation platform of the Government of India.

Source: IE PIB

State News

1. Madhya Pradesh Plans India’s First State-Level Tiger Corridor

• What:
  • Madhya Pradesh announced the development of the country’s first state-level, multi-national park Tiger Corridor in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
• Why:
  • The state aims to integrate modern road infrastructure with environmental responsibility while supporting wildlife movement, eco-tourism, and local economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • The state plans six major expressway and Pragtipath projects between 2025 and 2028, covering 3,368 kilometres at an estimated cost of Rs 36,483 crore, with most projects targeted for completion by June 2028.
  • These projects include Narmada Pragtipath, Vindhya Expressway, Malwa-Nimar Vikaspath, Atal Pragtipath, Bundelkhand Vikaspath, and Madhya Bharat Vikaspath.
  • The state signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth Rs 1 lakh crore with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), approving works worth Rs 28,000 crore for 948 kilometres of new national highways.

2. Chhattisgarh Passes Record ₹35,000 Crore Supplementary Budget

• The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly passed the largest supplementary Budget in the state’s history amounting to ₹35,000 crore for 2025–26.
• The Budget allocated ₹2,000 crore for the Krishi Unnati Yojana to enhance farmers’ income.

Source: BS

3. UEF Trade Summit 2025 Inaugurated in Chennai

• What:
  • The United Economic Forum (UEF) Trade Summit 2025 was inaugurated at the Chennai Trade Centre from 12–14 December by Thiru TRB Rajaa.
• Why:
  • The summit was organised to present the roadmap for “Unnatha Tamizhagam – 4Tn for TN by 2047” and to promote inclusive economic growth through collaboration.
• Tell me more:
  • The theme “Unnatha Tamizhagam – 4Tn for TN” emphasised support for 4,500 startups and inclusive development.
  • A strategic MoU was signed between UEF and the Sustainable Development Council, which has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.
  • A ₹100 crore in-house fund was announced by UEF and Anicut Capital, headed by Mr Balamurugan (Indian Administrative Service – IAS), with an initial MoU of ₹50 crore.
  • The Sustainable Development Council will implement the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 45 UEF-associated educational institutions.
  • Another MoU was signed between UEF and the United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) to work on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

4. Bihar Cabinet Approves Saat Nishchay-3 Development Programme

• What:
  • The Nitish Kumar government approved the Saat Nishchay-3 programme to bring Bihar into the category of most developed states.
• Why:
  • The programme aims to ensure development with justice by doubling employment and income and by improving overall living conditions in Bihar.
• Tell me more:
  • The programme period was fixed for five years from 2025 to 2030.
  • The programme continued the development with justice approach followed under Saat Nishchay-1 (2015–20) and Saat Nishchay-2 (2020–25).
  • The government set a target of at least Rs 50 lakh crore of private investment and formed three high-level committees chaired by the chief secretary.

Source: ET

5. Uttar Pradesh to Establish First Forest University in Gorakhpur

• What:
  • Uttar Pradesh decided to establish its first forest university in Gorakhpur on a 125-acre campus.
• Tell me more:
  • The university was expected to become the first dedicated forest university in India and a national-level centre for forest education.
  • The project carried an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore, and the draft of the university Act remained under final review.
  • The campus location was approved near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Center, where the plan was first announced on September 6, 2024.

Source: IT

6. Odisha to Host Three-Day Artificial Intelligence Summit in Bhubaneswar

• What:
  • The Odisha government announced a three-day Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit in Bhubaneswar.
• Why:
  • The summit aims to foster collaboration and outline practical strategies for inclusive and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The state-level summit will act as an official precursor to the India AI Impact Summit-2026.
  • An IndiaAI Working Group Meeting will be held on Thursday and will focus on operationalising the IndiaAI Mission.
  • The IndiaAI Working Group Meeting is jointly organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Odisha government.
  • Odisha introduced the Odisha Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2025 along with policies for Financial Technology (FinTech), Global Capability Centres, and advanced electronics.

Source: TOI

7. Jharkhand Clears Gig Workers Welfare Law

• What:
  • The Jharkhand governor gave assent to the Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2025.
• Why:
  • The Bill aims to bring gig workers under a single platform to ensure welfare, security, and protection.
• Tell me more:
  • The law enables the formation of a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board for holistic wellbeing.
  • The Act mandates registration of gig workers and service providers or aggregators.
  • Aggregators violating provisions will face penalties of up to Rs 10 lakh.

Source: TOI

International News

1. Armenia Unveils COP17 Biodiversity Conference Logo

• What:
  • Armenia unveiled the official logo for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Tell me more:
  • The logo features Polyommatus eriwanensis, also known as the Erivan Anomalous Blue, which is a butterfly found only in and around Yerevan.
  • The logo appears with the slogan “Taking action for nature,” which reflects the focus on implementation.
  • The logo uses 23 blended colours to represent the 23 targets of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
  • COP17, scheduled for October 2026 in Yerevan, will host the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

2. Saudi Arabia Hosts 11th UNAOC Global Forum

• What:
  • The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Riyadh on 14–15 December 2025.
• Why:
  • The forum aims to renew global commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, understanding, and lasting peace as UNAOC completes two decades.
• Tell me more:
  • The forum will be held under the theme “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity — Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World”.
  • The forum will bring together political leaders, international and regional organizations, religious leaders, faith actors, and representatives from the private sector, civil society, academia, youth, arts, sports, and media.
  • The forum will host the first occasion to mark the 20th anniversary of UNAOC and to chart its future course as it enters its third decade.
  • India reaffirmed its commitment to Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and religious harmony at the 11th UNAOC forum in Riyadh.

Source: UN NOA

3. Brazil Hands over BRICS Presidency to India

• What:
  • Brazil formally handed over the BRICS presidency to India by presenting a gavel made of recycled Amazon wood.
• Why:
  • The handover symbolised continuity, sustainability, and confidence in India’s upcoming BRICS presidency and its commitment to advancing the BRICS agenda.
• Tell me more:
  • Brazil received a steel gavel from Russia in 2024 and passed a recycled wood gavel to India during the transition.
  • The handover took place after the BRICS sherpas’ meeting held in Brasilia.
  • The meeting reviewed outcomes of Brazil’s presidency, which ends on December 31, and involved negotiators from all 11 BRICS members.
  • Brazil’s presidency focused on sustainability and inclusive development, leading to three declarations at the Rio de Janeiro Summit in July.
  • The Rio Summit marked the first BRICS meeting with 11 full members, 10 partner countries, eight invited nations, and major multilateral institutions.

4. World’s First Wheelchair User Travels to Space

• What:
  • A German engineer, Michaela Benthaus, became the world’s first wheelchair user to travel to space on a Blue Origin suborbital flight.
• Tell me more:
  • Michaela Benthaus flew on a 10-minute suborbital mission conducted by Blue Origin.
  • The flight crossed the Kármán line, which marks the boundary of space.
  • The mission used New Shepard, Blue Origin’s reusable suborbital launch vehicle.
  • The launch took place from Blue Origin’s Texas launch site.
  • Michaela Benthaus travelled along with five other passengers.
  • Michaela Benthaus works at the European Space Agency.

Source: BBC

Banking and Economy

1. Finance Ministry Unveils New RRB Common Logo

• What:
  • The Finance Ministry unveiled a new common logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) on December 18, 2025 to reflect a single and unified brand identity.
• Why:
  • The government introduced the common logo to strengthen identity, visibility, and nationwide recognition of RRBs after large-scale amalgamation.
• Tell me more:
  • The Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance consolidated 26 Regional Rural Banks across 11 States and Union Territories under the principle of “One State One RRB”.
  • The consolidation came into effect from May 1, 2025 and aimed to build stronger and more efficient Regional Rural Banks.
  • At present, 28 Regional Rural Banks serve the country through more than 22,000 branches across over 700 districts.
  • The common logo represents a single and unified brand for all 28 Regional Rural Banks after the amalgamation drive.

Source: TH

2. RBI Imposes Curbs on Gauhati Co-operative Bank

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) barred The Gauhati Co-operative Urban Bank from issuing new loans and restricted deposit withdrawals beyond ₹35,000 for six months.
• Why:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed the restrictions due to supervisory concerns and the bank’s current liquidity position to protect depositors’ interests.
• Tell me more:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) restricted deposit withdrawals above ₹35,000, prohibited new loan issuance, and directed the bank not to make investments or borrow funds for six months.
  • RBI clarified that the directions do not cancel the banking licence and that monitoring will continue.

3. RBI Imposes Six-Month Curbs on Valsad Co-operative Bank

• What:
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed restrictions on The Valsad Mahila Nagrik Sahakari Bank, including a ban on customer withdrawals, for six months due to its deteriorating financial position.
• Tell me more:
  • The restrictions will remain in force for six months from the close of business on Thursday.
  • The Directions restrict the bank from granting or renewing loans, making investments, incurring liabilities, or disposing of properties without prior RBI approval.
  • The eligible depositors are entitled to receive deposit insurance claims up to ₹5 lakh from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).

Source: OM

4. Google Commits $8 Million to India AI Ecosystem

• What:
  • Google announced collaborations and funding commitments worth $8 million to strengthen India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem at the “Lab to Impact” dialogue.
• Why:
  • Google announced the funding to support government-backed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence and advance the goal of “Make AI in India and Make AI work for India.”
• Tell me more:
  • The $8 million funding, routed through Google.org, will support four government-backed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centres of Excellence.
  • Research funding will go to TANUH at Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, Airawat Research Foundation at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence for Education at IIT Madras, and ANNAM.AI at IIT Ropar.
  • Google announced $400,000 support for collaborations using MedGemma models to build India-specific health foundation models.
  • Google stated that it is working with the National Health Authority to convert unstructured medical records into the international Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard.

5. PNB MetLife Launches DigiProtect Term Plan

• What:
  • PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) launched the PNB MetLife DigiProtect Term Plan for salaried individuals through a fully digital platform in collaboration with Policybazaar.
• Why:
  • The plan was launched to expand life insurance access for salaried individuals, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and to address the large life protection gap.
• Tell me more:
  • The plan is an individual non-linked, non-participating, pure term insurance plan offered through a digital-first process.

6. ASN Bank Partners HCLTech for Digital Transformation

• What:
  • ASN Bank selected HCLTech as its strategic partner to advance digital transformation and improve customer experience.
• Why:
  • The partnership supports ASN Bank’s “Simplify and Grow” strategy to modernise and standardise its information technology (IT) architecture.
• Tell me more:
  • HCLTech will support enterprise applications and streamline services using a distributed delivery model.
  • ASN Bank operates as a Netherlands-based retail bank focusing on payments, savings, and mortgages.

Source: RB

7. Protean eGov Acquires Stake in NSDL Payments Bank

• What:
  • Protean eGov Technologies approved the acquisition of a 4.95% equity stake in NSDL Payments Bank Limited (NPBL).
• Tell me more:
  • NSDL Payments Bank Limited operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL).
  • NSDL Payments Bank Limited offers services such as paperless account opening, zero-balance savings accounts, Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS), Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Immediate Payment Service (IMPS), and micro automated teller machines (micro-ATMs).

8. MUFG Bank Invests ₹39,618 Crore in Shriram Finance

• What:
  • Shriram Finance Limited (SFL) entered into a definitive agreement with MUFG Bank Limited for an investment of ₹39,618 crore through preferential equity issuance.
• Tell me more:
  • MUFG Bank will invest ₹39,618 crore, equivalent to about USD 4.4 billion, to acquire a 20.0% stake in Shriram Finance on a fully diluted basis.
  • The transaction will be among the largest foreign investments in India’s non-banking financial sector and it will be MUFG’s largest investment in India to date.

9. Net Direct Tax Collections Rise 8% in FY26

• What:
  • India’s net direct tax collections rose 8% to Rs 17.05 lakh crore during the current financial year period ending December 17, 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Total advance tax collections in Financial Year 2026 (FY26) rose 4.27% to Rs 7,88,388 crore.

10. India and Oman Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

• What:
  • India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
• Why:
  • The agreement aims to deepen bilateral economic integration, expand trade and services, and enhance professional mobility between India and Oman.
• Tell me more:
  • Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef signed the agreement under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
  • Oman offered zero-duty access on 98.08% of tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India’s exports, with immediate tariff elimination on 97.96% tariff lines across major labour-intensive sectors.
  • India offered tariff liberalisation on 77.79% of its tariff lines, covering 94.81% of imports from Oman, while keeping sensitive products in the exclusion category.
  • The agreement provided wide-ranging services commitments and enhanced mobility under Mode 4, including higher quotas and longer stay for Indian professionals.
  • The CEPA allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by Indian companies in major services sectors in Oman.
  • Bilateral trade between India and Oman stands at over USD 10 billion, with annual remittances of around USD 2 billion from nearly 7 lakh Indians residing in Oman.

Source: PIB

Reports and Indices

1. Bloomberg Lists Top Wealthiest Families in World 2025

• What:
  • A Bloomberg report listed the top wealthiest families in the world for 2025 based on their combined net worth.
• Why:
  • The report highlights the expansion of multigenerational business empires and the concentration of global wealth among the richest families.
• Tell me more:
  • The Bloomberg report stated that the world’s 25 richest families together hold a combined fortune of $2.9 trillion in 2025.
  • The combined wealth increased by $358.7 billion compared to the previous year.
  • The report attributed the wealth increase to rising stock prices, higher demand for goods, and accumulated influence and experience over decades.

2. Innoviti Technologies Recognised as Cheetah in 2025 Index

• What:
  • Innoviti Technologies was recognised as a Cheetah in the India Cheetah–Gazelle–Unicorn Index 2025 by ASK Private Wealth and Hurun India for excellence in software as a service (SaaS)-based payment solutions.
• Why:
  • The recognition was awarded for Innoviti Technologies’ performance and excellence in payments-centric software as a service (SaaS) solutions.
• Tell me more:
  • Innoviti Technologies operates as a payments-centric retail software as a service (SaaS) platform based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
  • Innoviti Technologies holds final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as an online payment aggregator.

Source: BS

3. Deepinder Goyal Tops Self-Made Entrepreneurs List 2025

• What:
  • Deepinder Goyal of Eternal (formerly Zomato Ltd) topped the IDFC FIRST Private & Hurun India’s Top 200 Self-made Entrepreneurs of the Millennia 2025 with a valuation of ₹3.2 lakh crore.
• Tell me more:
  • Eternal’s valuation increased by 27% compared to the previous year’s report.
  • Radhakishan Damani of Avenue Supermarts (DMart) ranked second with a valuation of ₹3 lakh crore, reflecting a 13% decline from last year.
  • Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal of InterGlobe Aviation entered the Top 3 with a valuation of ₹2.2 lakh crore.
  • The total value of companies in the Top 200 list reached ₹42 lakh crore in 2025, reflecting a 15% year-on-year growth.

Source: TH

Defence News

1. Titagarh Rail Systems Secures RBMV Contract From Indian Railways

• What:
  • Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) secured a ₹273.24 crore contract from Indian Railways for the supply and maintenance of Rail Borne Maintenance Vehicles (RBMV).
• Tell me more:
  • The contract marks the maiden entry of Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL) into the safety and signalling systems segment.
  • Under the Letter of Acceptance (LOA), TRSL will handle the design, manufacture, supply, testing, and commissioning of RBMVs.
  • The contract includes training of Indian Railways personnel along with servicing and breakdown maintenance support.
  • The Rail Borne Maintenance Vehicle (RBMV) is a self-propelled on-track machine used for inspection, maintenance, and restoration of railway infrastructure.

2. Quad Conducts First Indo-Pacific Logistics Field Exercise

• What:
  • Quad partners Australia, India, Japan, and the United States conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) under the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
• Why:
  • The exercise aimed to strengthen shared logistics and disaster response capabilities to support rapid civilian assistance during large-scale natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific.
• Tell me more:
  • The Field Training Exercise (FTX) was conducted from 8 to 12 December on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop.
  • The exercise formed part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN) initiative.
  • Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft.

3. India and UAE Conduct Desert Cyclone-II Exercise

• What:
  • The Indian Army contingent arrived in Abu Dhabi for Exercise Desert Cyclone-II with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Land Forces from December 18 to 30.
• Why:
  • The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and operational synergy between the Indian Army and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Land Forces through joint urban operations training.
• Tell me more:
  • The Indian Army contingent consists of 45 personnel mainly from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
  • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Land Forces contingent of similar strength is represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
  • The joint training aims to improve coordination in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations.

Source: DD

Awards

1. Nnena Kalu Wins Turner Prize 2025

• What:
  • Artist Nnena Kalu won the Turner Prize 2025 at a ceremony held at Bradford Grammar School in Bradford, England.
• Why:
  • The jury awarded the prize to recognise the quality of Nnena Kalu’s contemporary sculptural work and its contribution to redefining artistic expression.
• Tell me more:
  • Nnena Kalu became the first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize.
  • Nnena Kalu, who is autistic with limited verbal communication, won the prize for cocoon-like sculptures made from found fabric and VHS tape.
  • The Turner committee noticed her work after she exhibited a sculptural installation at Manifesta 15, the European Nomadic Biennial, in Barcelona.
  • The Turner Prize carries a monetary award of £25,000.

2. Indian Team Wins NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025

• What:
  • A Chennai-based Indian team, Photonics Odyssey, won a global award at NASA’s 2025 International Space Apps Challenge for a satellite internet concept.
• Tell me more:
  • The team won the Most Inspirational Award for a phased-array satellite internet infrastructure concept.
  • The project aims to reduce dependence on ground infrastructure for broadband connectivity.
  • The winning team members are Manish D., M. K., Prasanth G., Rajalingam N., Rashi M., and Sakthi R.

Source: NOA

Important Days

1. World National Integration Day 2025 – November 19

• Theme: Embracing Unity In Diversity

Source: MB

2. World Heritage Week 2025 – November 19 to 25

• World Heritage Day was observed each year on April 18 on the theme of “Heritage under Threat from Disasters and Conflicts: Preparedness and Learning from 60 Years of ICOMOS Actions”.

Source: MoC

3. National Cashew Day 2025 – November 23

Sports

1. India-South Africa Fifth T20I Scheduled in Ahmedabad

• What:
  • The fifth and final Twenty20 International (T20I) match between India and South Africa is scheduled to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
• Tell me more:
  • The fourth T20I in Lucknow was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to excessive fog.
  • The series can end 3–1 in India’s favour or 2–2 if South Africa win the final match.

2. Jharkhand Wins Maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025

• What:
  • Jharkhand won its maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title by defeating Haryana by 69 runs in the 2025 final at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
• Why:
  • The victory marked Jharkhand’s first domestic men’s T20 title after a dominant performance in the final.
• Tell me more:
  • Jharkhand scored 262/3 in the final, led by captain Ishan Kishan’s century.
  • Both teams finished first in their respective Super League groups with eight points each.

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Bharti Airtel Appoints Shashwat Sharma as Managing Director and CEO

• What:
  • Bharti Airtel announced the appointment of Shashwat Sharma as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and multiple senior leadership changes effective January 1, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • Soumen Ray was appointed as Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO), while Akhil Garg was appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Airtel India, effective January 1, 2026.
  • Akhil Garg currently serves as Financial Controller and has worked with Bharti Airtel for nearly 12 years, including leading the Hexacom Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Source: ET

2. IIFL Finance Appoints B P Kanungo as Chairman

• IIFL Finance appointed former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor B P Kanungo as the non-executive chairman of its board with immediate effect.

Source: ET

Miscellaneous

1. New Book Chronicles Salman Khan’s Cinematic Stardom

• What:
  • A new book titled Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood was released to honour the cinematic journey of actor Salman Khan.
• Why:
  • The book was created to celebrate Salman Khan’s enduring stardom and cultural impact as he approaches his 60th birthday.
• Tell me more:
  • The book is authored by Mohar Basu and published by HarperCollins India.

Source: HT

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