28th-29th December 2025

1. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi releases IS 19412:2025, a new standard for incense sticks aimed at improving consumer safety
2. Indian Coast Guard conducts a regional-level pollution response exercise in Mumbai
3. BIS notifies India’s first dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems to strengthen security infrastructure
4. Government imposes anti-dumping duties on two Chinese products
5. Aryaman Finance receives a Certificate of Registration from RBI to operate as an NBFC
6. RBI approves the re-appointment of Ratan Kumar Kesh as Executive Director of Bandhan Bank
7. Supercomputer PARAM Rudra is unveiled at IIT Patna
8. Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen passes away
9. Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan releases the book Mahamana Vangmay in New Delhi
10. India’s first PPP-model medical colleges are set to begin operations in tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh
11. Former England cricketer Hugh Morris passes away
12. President Droupadi Murmu undertakes a submarine mission, joining a select group of Indian leaders
13. Jayshree Ullal tops the Hurun India Rich List, ahead of global tech leaders
14. Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence is inaugurated in Baramati
15. Rashtriya Raksha University to host disciplines for the World Police and Fire Games
16. Global report estimates wildfire and natural disaster losses exceeding USD 120 billion
17. ISRO plans to establish a third launch pad at Sriharikota
18. Government’s green panel clears the Dulhasti Stage-II hydel power project
19. ‘Green to Gold’ initiative promotes industrial hemp farming in Himachal Pradesh
20. Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state
21. REPM scheme launched to build India’s first integrated manufacturing ecosystem
22. Indian Coast Guard conducts the RPREX regional pollution response exercise
23. Prime Minister chairs the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries
24. Prime Minister addresses the nation in the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, marking the final episode of the year

National News

1. New BIS Standard Notified for Incense Sticks

• What:
  • Government notified a new Indian Standard for incense sticks (agarbatti) to set quality norms and prohibit harmful substances for safer consumer use.
• Tell me more:
  • Issuing Authority – Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • Standard Name – Indian Standard (IS) 19412:2025
  • Announcement Occasion – National Consumer Day 2025 (December 24)
  • Objective – Safer products and responsible and sustainable manufacturing

2. BIS Notifies New Standard for Bomb Disposal Systems

• What:
  • Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified India’s first dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems to strengthen security preparedness and ensure uniform performance evaluation.
• Tell me more:
  • Standard Name – Indian Standard (IS) 19445:2025
  • Requesting Bodies – Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory

Source: ET

3. Cabinet Approves Scheme for Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing

• What:
  • Union Cabinet approved the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs) with a financial outlay of Rs 7,280 crore to build domestic manufacturing capacity.
• Tell me more:
  • Approving Authority – Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
  • Scheme Objective – Establish integrated REPM manufacturing in India
  • Current Status – India meets REPM demand mainly through imports
  • Demand Outlook – India’s REPM consumption expected to double by 2030 from 2025
  • Key Applications – Electric vehicles, renewable energy, electronics, aerospace, defence
  • Total Outlay – Rs 7,280 crore
  • Incentive Structure – Sales-linked incentives of Rs 6,450 crore for 5 years
  • Capital Subsidy – Rs 750 crore

4. PM Modi Addresses Youth Innovation in 129th Mann Ki Baat

• What:
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the 129th episode of Mann Ki Baat, the last episode of 2025, highlighting youth-led nation building in a technology-driven world.
• Tell me more:
  • Core Themes – Innovation, culture, public health
  • Youth Focus – Young population described as India’s biggest source of hope
  • Event Announcement – Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, second edition
  • The series will continue in the 2026.

Source: HT

State News

1. First PPP Medical Colleges Launched in Madhya Pradesh

• What:
  • Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J. P. Nadda and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav laid the foundation stones of two medical colleges in Dhar and Betul districts under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
• Tell me more:
  • Key Feature – First medical colleges in India under the PPP model
  • Total PPP Medical Colleges Planned – Four
  • Planned Districts – Dhar, Betul, Katni, Panna
  • Hospital Standards – Upgradation as per National Medical Commission (NMC) norms
  • Dhar Medical College Partner – Swami Vivekananda Shiksha Dham Foundation

2. Adani Inaugurates Sharad Pawar AI Centre in Baramati

• What:
  • Gautam Adani inaugurated the Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati, Maharashtra.
• Tell me more:
  • Funding – Adani Group
  • Institution – Established under Vidya Pratishthan
  • Management – Vidya Pratishthan run by the Pawar family

3. Environment Ministry Approves Dulhasti State-II Hydropower Project

• What:
  • The environment ministry approved the 260 Megawatt (MW) Dulhasti State-II hydropower project on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir to advance a strategically significant infrastructure project.
• Tell me more:
  • Project Location – Chenab river, Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir
  • Approving Body – Expert Appraisal Committee of the environment ministry on hydel projects
  • Project Cost – Rs 3,200 crore
  • Project Type – Extension of 390 MW Dulhasti State-I
  • Dulhasti State-I Status – Operational since 2007
  • Similar Approval – 1,856 MW Sawalkot hydroelectric project on Chenab river
  • Sawalkot Location – Ramban district, Jammu and Kashmir
  • Western Rivers – Indus, Jhelum, Chenab

Source: TOI

International News

1. Israel Recognises Republic of Somaliland as Sovereign State

• What:
  • Israel formally recognised the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, marking a first-of-its-kind diplomatic recognition.
• Tell me more:
  • Israeli Prime Minister – Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Somaliland President – Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi

Source: RT

Banking and Economy

1. India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duty on Select Imports

• What:
  • India imposed anti-dumping duties on select imports from China and Vietnam to protect domestic industries from cheap imports.
• Tell me more:
  • Goods from China – Refrigerant gas and certain steel products
  • Steel Product – Cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel
  • Gas Product – 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a)
  • Reason – Exports to India at below normal prices
  • Exporting Country – Vietnam
  • Investigating Authority – Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) under the Commerce Ministry

Source: ET

2. Aryaman Subsidiary Receives RBI Registration for NBFC Operations

• What:
  • Aryaman Finance (India) Ltd received a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to start operations as a Non-Banking Financial Institution.
• Tell me more:
  • Registered Location of AFSL – Mumbai
  • Permitted Activity – Commence and carry on Non-Banking Financial Institution business
  • NBFC Category – Type II Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC)
  • NBFC Nature – Non-Deposit Taking
  • NBFC Classification – Investment and Credit Company
  • AFSL Registration – Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registered Category-I Merchant Banker

Source: HBL

Reports and Indices

1. Climate Disasters Caused Over USD 120 Billion Losses in 2025

• What:
  • A report by a United Kingdom-based non-governmental organisation Christian Aid stated that heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and storms caused global losses exceeding USD 120 billion in 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Asia accounted for four of the six costliest climate disasters, including flooding in India and Pakistan that killed more than 1,860 people and affected over 7 million people in Pakistan.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Indian Coast Guard Conducts Regional Pollution Response Exercise

• What:
  • Indian Coast Guard conducted a Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX-2025) in Mumbai to test readiness against oil pollution at sea.
• Tell me more:
  • Exercise Purpose – Assessment of preparedness to combat oil spills
  • Guiding Framework – National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan

Source: NOA

2. President Undertakes Submarine Sortie on INS Vaghsheer

• What:
  • President Droupadi Murmu undertook a submarine sortie onboard the Indian Navy’s indigenously built submarine INS Vaghsheer on the Western Seaboard.
• Tell me more:
  • Historical Significance – Second President to undertake a submarine sortie
  • First Such Sortie – President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam in February 2006
  • INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final submarine under the P75 Scorpene project and was commissioned into the Navy in January.

Source: CNBC

Science and Technology

1. First Param Rudra Supercomputer Inaugurated at IIT Patna

• What:
  • The first Param Rudra supercomputer in Bihar was inaugurated at Indian Institute of Technology Patna (IIT Patna) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
• Tell me more:
  • Bihar Milestone – First Param Rudra supercomputer in any institute or government office in Bihar
  • Research Fields – Computational astrobiology, computational astrochemistry, reaction dynamics, computational material design, molecular electronics, computational fluid mechanics, computational nano-bio interfaces
  • Emerging Fields – Artificial Intelligence (AI), data science, quantum computing

2. ISRO Plans Third Launch Pad at Sriharikota

• What:
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is developing a third launch pad at the Sriharikota spaceport to support future space missions.
• Why:
  • ISRO needs a third launch pad to launch bigger satellites weighing more than 12,000–14,000 kg using larger launch vehicles.
• Tell me more:
  • ISRO plans to develop, install, and commission the third launch pad within four years.
  • The Shriharikota spaceport was renamed as Satish Dhawan Space Centre on September 5, 2002, in memory of former ISRO Chairman Professor Satish Dhawan.

Source: ET

Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Himachal Pradesh Launches Green to Gold Hemp Initiative

• What:
  • The Himachal Pradesh government launched the Green to Gold initiative to promote regulated industrial hemp as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the initiative to support the goal of making Himachal Pradesh a self-reliant state by 2027.
  • Regulated hemp farming is projected to generate annual revenue of Rs 1,000–Rs 2,000 crore after scaling.
  • Strategic Objective – Self-reliant Himachal Pradesh by 2027
  • Policy Focus – Legalisation and regulation of industrial hemp
  • Cultivation Model – Pilot project for controlled cultivation
  • Regulatory Limit – Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) level below 0.3%
  • Nature of Crop – Non-intoxicating and unsuitable for misuse
  • Identified Regions – Kullu, Mandi, Chamba
  • Crop Advantage – Requires nearly 50% less water
  • Soil Suitability – Grows in marginal soils
  • Farmer Benefit – Alternative to crops damaged by wildlife

Source: TOI

Awards

1. Jayshree Ullal Tops Hurun India Rich List 2025

• What:
  • Jayshree Ullal emerged as the richest Indian-origin Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the world after topping the Hurun India Rich List 2025.
• Tell me more:
  • Current Position – President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Arista Networks
  • Origin – Indian-origin, British-born business leader
  • Global Ranking – Wealthiest Indian-origin executive globally
  • Company Domain – Cloud networking
  • Net Worth – $5.7 billion
  • Global Rich List Rank – 713
  • Recent Wealth Increase – $34 million

Source: IT

Sports

1. RRU Announces Global Sports and Olympic Initiatives

• What:
  • Rashtriya Raksha University hosted a media interaction in Ahmedabad to announce hosting of World Police and Fire Games 2029 and key Olympic-related initiatives through BCORE.
• Tell me more:
  • Rashtriya Raksha University will host eight disciplines of the World Police and Fire Games 2029, marking India’s debut as host of this Olympic-style event for police and fire services.
    • Sports Hosted – Wrist Wrestling, Bench Press, Bodybuilding, Cross Country 10 km, Push-Pull Lifting, Muster, Indoor Rowing, Darts
  • BCORE announced the 2nd International Olympic Research Conference to be held in January 2026 at RRU, Gandhinagar, focusing on sustainable Olympic ecosystems.
    • The 2nd International Olympic Research Conference includes a two-day anti-doping workshop in collaboration with the National Anti-Doping Agency.
    • Conference Theme – Sustainable Olympic ecosystem through education, governance, and research
  • BCORE also announced the Night Run 2026 in Gandhinagar to promote inclusivity, night safety, and Olympic values.

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. RBI Approves Ratan Kesh Reappointment at Bandhan Bank

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment of Ratan Kumar Kesh as Executive Director of Bandhan Bank for a further period of three years from March 31, 2026.

Source: BS

Miscellaneous

1. Amit Shah Condoles Demise of Tripura Assembly Speaker

• Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah condoled the demise of Biswa Bandhu Sen, Speaker of the Tripura Legislative Assembly.

Source: PIB

2. Vice President Releases Final Series of Mahamana Vangmay

• What:
  • Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan released the final series of “Mahamana Vangmay”, the collected works of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Subject – Writings and speeches of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya
  • Volumes – 12
  • Description of Malaviya – Nationalist, journalist, social reformer, lawyer, statesman, educationist, scholar of ancient Indian culture
  • Educational Contribution – Establishment of Banaras Hindu University
  • Organising Body – Mahamana Malaviya Mission
  • Publisher – Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  • First Series Release – Released in 2023

Source: “PIB

3. Former England Cricketer Hugh Morris Passes Away

• Former England cricketer and cricket administrator Hugh Morris passed away.

Source: NOA

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