31st December 2025

1. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announces three major DoT reforms aimed at strengthening telecom security
2. Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurates the redeveloped Batadrava Than in Assam
3. FITT and IDFC First Bank launch a new cohort under the IGNITE programme
4. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel approves the establishment of IAIRO at GIFT City
5. Union Minister Piyush Goyal announces zero-duty access on all Australian tariff lines for Indian exports
6. Rediff.com India receives NPCI approval to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP)
7. IDFC First Bank introduces the invitation-only metal credit card, ‘Gaj’
8. Syria unveils a new series of currency notes for circulation
9. Ministry of Home Affairs appoints IPS officer Rakesh Agarwal as Interim Director General of the NIA
10. Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurates HAL’s Dhruv-NG helicopter in Bengaluru
11. Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launches ‘VijAIpatha’ labs in Karnataka government schools
12. India becomes the world’s fourth-largest economy, overtaking Japan
13. Israel announces plans to institute a peace prize in the name of Donald Trump
14. NITI Aayog report recognises Gujarat Biotechnology University as a benchmark for global higher education
15. Rakesh Aggarwal given additional charge as Director General of the National Investigation Agency
16. Defence Ministry signs contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for procurement of carbines and torpedoes
17. Delhi government plans to launch an AI-based grievance redressal system in collaboration with IIT Kanpur
18. Indian AI Research Organisation proposed to be set up at GIFT City, Gandhinagar

National News

1. DoT announces telecom security reforms for 2026

• What:
  • Department of Telecommunications announced strategic telecom security reforms for 2026, including extension of Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme, reduction in TSTL fees, and simplification of ITSAR certification for ONT devices.
• Why:
  • The reforms aim to strengthen India’s telecom security ecosystem while reducing compliance burden and improving ease of doing business for the telecom industry.
• Tell me more:
  • Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme has been extended for two years from 01-01-2026 to avoid disruption in business processes for telecom equipment.
  • Scope of Pro Tem certification now covers IP Routers, Wi-Fi CPE, 5G Core SMF, Optical Line Terminal, Optical Network Terminator, and new product launches.
  • National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) has reduced Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTL) designation application fees by more than 50% with simplified structure and special concessions.
  • Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) certification for Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices has been simplified by grouping customized variants under a single certification, reducing testing cases by 10 times.

2. IGNITE Program launches new startup cohort at IIT Delhi

• What:
  • FITT, IIT Delhi, in collaboration with IDFC FIRST Bank, launched a new cohort under the IGNITE Program to support high-potential, impact-driven startups.
• Tell me more:
  • The cohort supports startups working in climate tech, clean energy, healthcare, agri-tech, mobility, education, and AI-driven solutions for social good.
  • The program provides non-dilutive financial support of up to ₹30 lakhs per startup. Total 15 have been selected as of now.
  • Startups receive mentorship from IIT Delhi faculty, industry experts, and IDFC FIRST Bank CSR leaders along with capacity-building workshops, investor connects, demo day exposure, and SIDBI-FITT investment pitching opportunities.

Source: BS

State News

1. Batadrava Than redevelopment project inaugurated in Assam

• What:
  • Redevelopment project of Mahapurush Srimanta Shankar Dev Ji’s birthplace Batadrava Than in Nagaon district of Assam was inaugurated.
• Tell me more:
  • Mahapurush Srimanta Shankar Dev Ji propagated Neo-Vaishnavism across Assam and the Northeast.
  • Swahid Smarak Kshetra has been constructed in memory of martyrs of the Assam Movement.
  • Recent achievements of the state:
    • Charaideo Maidam was included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
    • Lachit Borphukan’s life was translated into 23 languages.
    • ‘Gamosa’ received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
    • Vrindavani Vastra of the 16th century was promoted through exhibitions.
    • A Tata semiconductor unit is being set up at a cost of ₹27,000 crore.

Source: PIB

2. Delhi to launch AI-based Unified Grievance System

• What:
  • Delhi government will launch an AI-based Unified Grievance Redressal System in partnership with IIT Kanpur.
• Why:
  • The system aims to ensure faster complaint resolution and real-time monitoring by removing delays and duplication across multiple grievance portals.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform will integrate major grievance portals such as Public Grievance Management System (PGMS), LG Listening Post, Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System, and other portals.
  • The initiative is named Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System.

Source: HT

International News

1. Syria Introduces Redesigned Banknotes and Removes Two Zeros

• Syria introduced redesigned banknotes without images of the al-Assad family and removed two zeros to make daily transactions easier.
• The redesign replaces political imagery with agricultural symbols such as roses, wheat, olives, oranges, and mulberries.

Source: EU

2. Israel to confer Israel Peace Prize on Donald Trump

• What:
  • Israel decided to award the Israel Prize to United States President Donald Trump, marking the first time the honour will go to a non-Israeli.
• Tell me more:
  • The Israel Prize is the country’s highest civilian honour and has been awarded for 72 years.
  • In December, FIFA awarded Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

Source: UST

Banking and Economy

1. Indian AI Research Organisation to be set up in GIFT City

• What:
  • Indian AI Research Organisation will be established in Gujarat’s GIFT City under a public-private partnership model.
• Tell me more:
  • The organisation will be set up through a partnership among the Gujarat government, the Union government, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance.
  • It will be constituted as a special-purpose vehicle and registered as a non-profit entity operating from GIFT City.
  • The project has an estimated outlay of around ₹300 crore for the first five years. Funding will be shared equally at 33.33% each by the state government, central government, and private partner.
  • The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance will contribute ₹25 crore during the 2025–26 financial year and represents 23 pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Torrent Pharma, and Sun Pharma.

2. Australia grants zero-duty access to Indian exports

• What:
  • Australia will provide duty-free access to 100% of its tariff lines for Indian exports under the India-Australia ECTA from 01 January 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s exports to Australia grew by 8% in 2024–25, helping improve India’s trade balance.
  • Gems and jewellery exports rose by 16% during April–November 2025.
  • India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement came into force on 29 December 2022.

Source: TOI

3. Rediff.com receives NPCI approval for UPI services

• What:
  • Rediff.com India received final approval from NPCI to operate as a Third-party Application Provider for launching its UPI platform, RediffPay.
• Why:
  • The approval enables Rediff.com India to formally enter consumer-facing digital payments and offer interoperable UPI services.
• Tell me more:
  • Axis Bank will act as the Payment System Provider bank for RediffPay.
  • Rediff.com India is a subsidiary of Infibeam Avenues, which acquired a controlling stake in 2024.

Source: BW

4. IDFC FIRST Bank launches Gaj: metal credit card

• What:
  • IDFC FIRST Bank unveiled Gaj:, an invitation-only metal credit card for high-net-worth individuals.
• Tell me more:
  • Gaj: is offered only to select private banking clients and is not open for applications.
  • Gaj: sits at the top of the Ashva–Mayura–Gaj trilogy of premium cards.

Source: BS

5. India Becomes World’s Fourth Largest Economy

• What:
  • India surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy in nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) terms.
• Why:
  • Strong economic growth, stable macroeconomic conditions, and sustained domestic demand supported the rise in India’s global economic ranking.
• Tell me more:
  • India’s nominal GDP stood at $4.18 trillion, moving ahead of Japan.
  • India is projected to overtake Germany to become the third-largest economy in the next 2.5 to 3 years.
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will provide final confirmation in the first half of 2026.
  • IMF projected India’s GDP at $4.51 trillion in 2026, marginally higher than Japan’s $4.46 trillion.
  • India’s economy is projected to reach $7.3 trillion by 2030.
  • Real GDP growth reached 8.2% in the second quarter of Financial Year (FY) 2025–26.
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised FY 2025–26 growth projection to 7.3%.

Source: TOI

Reports and Indices

1. NITI Aayog report on the globalisation of higher education

• What:
  • NITI Aayog praised Gujarat Biotechnology University at GIFT City as a model for internationalising higher education in India.
• Tell me more:
  • The NITI Aayog report aligns with National Education Policy 2020 and Viksit Bharat@2047 and notes that 28 Indian students go abroad for every foreign student coming to India, causing about 2% GDP outflow.
  • Gujarat established Gujarat Biotechnology University in 2020 at GIFT City in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
  • Senior faculty from the University of Edinburgh contribute over 90 days annually.
  • The university won five grants under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and additional ARG and Direct Benefit Transfer grants.

Source: ET

Defence News

1. Dhruv NG helicopter completes maiden flight in Bengaluru

• What:
  • Union Civil Aviation Minister inaugurated the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter – New Generation after its maiden flight at HAL Bengaluru.
• Tell me more:
  • The Dhruv NG is designed and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited as a 5.5-tonne light twin-engine multi-role helicopter.
  • The helicopter is powered by indigenous Shakti 1H1C engines certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
  • India currently has only one helicopter pilot training institute located at Khajuraho.

Source: IE

2. MoD signs defence contracts worth ₹4,666 crore

• What:
  • Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for procurement of Close Quarter Battle Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes.
• Why:
  • The contracts aim to strengthen combat capability of the Indian Army and Navy and support modernisation of the Armed Forces.
• Tell me more:
  • A separate contract worth about ₹1,896 crore was signed for 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for Kalvari Class Submarines of the Indian Navy.
  • Delivery of Heavy Weight Torpedoes will begin in April 2028 and conclude by early 2030.
  • Close Quarter Battle Carbine contract was signed with Bharat Forge Limited and PLR Systems Private Limited.
  • Heavy Weight Torpedo contract was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy.

Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. Cyient AI Labs VijAIpatha launched in government schools

• What:
  • Union Finance Minister launched Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) ‘VijAIpatha’ to provide Artificial Intelligence, STEM and Robotics education in government schools.
• Tell me more:
  • The pilot phase includes the establishment of five AI, STEM and Robotics laboratories in government schools.
  • VijAIpatha is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Cyient, implemented through Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS).

Source: ET

Appointments

1. Rakesh Aggarwal given additional charge as NIA Director General

• Union Ministry of Home Affairs assigned additional charge of Director General of National Investigation Agency to Rakesh Aggarwal.

Source: ANI

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