National News
Railways Boost AI Surveillance to Safeguard Wildlife Along Tracks
- Indian Railways has strengthened its AI-based wildlife protection system to improve railway safety and conserve wildlife along forest and corridor routes.
- The system uses AI-enabled cameras and acoustic sensors to detect animals like elephants and send real-time alerts to train operators up to 500 metres in advance.
- Currently operational on 141 route kilometres in the Northeast Frontier Railway, it will be expanded by 981 more kilometres, increasing total coverage to 1,122 route kilometres and supporting sustainable and safer railway operations.
PM Modi to Inaugurate Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on the 101st birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- Built at a cost of ₹230 crore over 65 acres, the memorial complex features 65-foot bronze statues of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Vajpayee, along with a modern lotus-shaped museum.
- The project aims to inspire leadership, national service, good governance, and promote cultural and educational awareness.
State News
Subansiri Lower Project Unit-2 Commissioned, Strengthening North-East Power Supply
- India commissioned Unit-2 (250 MW) of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, the country’s largest hydropower project on the Arunachal Pradesh–Assam border.
- The 2,000 MW run-of-the-river project adds renewable energy to the grid, strengthens power supply in the North-East, and supports India’s Net Zero goals.
- With advanced engineering, flood moderation, and socio-economic benefits for local communities, the project is set to fully operate by 2026–27, generating over 7,400 million units of electricity annually.
MP Sets Benchmark in Fiscal Planning With Three-Year Rolling Budget
- Madhya Pradesh will become India’s first state to adopt a three-year rolling budget from 2026–27, preparing detailed estimates for 2026–27 and indicative projections for 2027–28 and 2028–29.
- The initiative, announced by Deputy CM Jagdish Devda, emphasizes public participation, higher capital expenditure, and long-term growth planning.
- By allowing periodic revisions based on actual performance, the rolling budget aims to improve fiscal transparency, policy continuity, and sustainable development, positioning Madhya Pradesh as a pioneer in state-level budget reforms.
Haryana Declares Hansi as Its 23rd District
- Haryana has officially declared Hansi as its 23rd district, carved out of Hisar district, effective December 22, 2025.
- The new district includes Hansi and Narnaund subdivisions and was notified under the Haryana Land Revenue Act and Registration Act, with the Governor’s approval.
- The move aims to improve local administration, speed up development, enhance law and order, and provide residents faster access to government services.
International News
India pledges $450 million relief package for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah
- India announced a $450 million humanitarian and reconstruction package for Sri Lanka after the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
- The assistance, announced during S. Jaishankar’s visit to Colombo, includes a $100 million grant and $350 million in concessional credit for rebuilding infrastructure, housing, health, education, and agriculture.
- Delivered under Operation Sagar Bandhu, the support reinforces India’s role as a first responder, strengthens India–Sri Lanka relations, and reflects India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.
Global Food City Rankings 2025–26: Italy Leads, Mumbai Shines
- The TasteAtlas World Food Awards 2025–26 ranked the world’s best food cities, highlighting cuisine as a major driver of global travel.
- Italian cities dominated the top 10, while Mumbai ranked an impressive 5th, earning global recognition for its vibrant street food culture.
- Six Indian cities featured in the global top 100, reflecting growing international appreciation for India’s diverse and authentic food traditions and the rising importance of food tourism worldwide.
Banking News
RBI Announced to Inject ₹2.90 Lakh Crore Liquidity into Banking System
- The RBI announced measures on December 23, 2025, to inject ₹2.90 lakh crore into the banking system to improve liquidity and manage forex market volatility.
- This includes ₹2 lakh crore through Open Market Operation purchases of government securities in four tranches and about ₹90,000 crore via a $10 billion dollar-rupee buy/sell swap auction.
- The steps aim to support banks, stabilize liquidity conditions, and address global economic pressures.
Books & Authors News
Vice President Radhakrishnan Released Book On Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti on December 23, 2025.
- The book, authored by Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, highlights Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s values-driven leadership, governance legacy, and vision for India.
- It also recalls the significance of the Pokhran nuclear tests in shaping a confident and self-reliant nation.
Awards News
President of India Presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan
- President Droupadi Murmu presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 23, 2025.
- A total of 24 scientists and teams were honoured across four categories—Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva (Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar), and Vigyan Team.
- The awards recognised outstanding contributions to science, technology, and innovation across diverse disciplines in India.
Defense News
First Pollution Control Vessel ‘Samudra Pratap’ Inducts By Indian Coast Guard
- The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first Pollution Control Vessel Samudra Pratap, built indigenously at Goa Shipyard Limited, marking a major step in maritime environmental protection.
- The vessel features advanced pollution response, firefighting, security systems, and a Dynamic Positioning System, with over 60% indigenous components supporting Atmanirbhar Bharat.
- It will strengthen marine pollution control, search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, and protection of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Defence Minister Launches BRO Manual to Streamline Strategic Road Construction
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released a comprehensive DPR preparation manual by the Border Roads Organisation to strengthen strategic road infrastructure in border and remote regions.
- The guide standardises planning, design, cost analysis, and quality control processes to improve accuracy and reduce delays and cost overruns.
- The initiative will enhance defence connectivity, troop mobility, and logistics while also supporting socio-economic development in strategically important areas.
Indian Navy Bids Farewell to INS Sindhughosh After Four Decades
- The Indian Navy decommissioned INS Sindhughosh on December 19, 2025, ending a distinguished 40-year service.
- Commissioned in 1985 as the lead Sindhughosh-class submarine, it played a key role in underwater warfare, maritime surveillance, and crew training.
- The ceremony at Naval Dockyard honoured past commanders, veterans, and crew, marking a transition towards modern and indigenous submarine platforms while celebrating the legacy of this iconic vessel.
DRDO Completes User Trials of Next-Generation Akash Missile
- India has reached another major defence milestone as DRDO successfully completed user evaluation trials of the indigenous Akash Next Generation air defence missile system.
- Akash-NG demonstrated successful interception of aerial targets across low, medium, and high altitudes, proving its accuracy, faster response, and reliability.
- With an indigenous RF seeker and advanced propulsion, the system will significantly strengthen the Indian Air Force’s air defence and support Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Science & Technology News
Communication Lost With NASA’s MAVEN Mars Orbiter
- NASA has lost contact with its long-serving Mars orbiter MAVEN, which went silent in early December 2025 after over a decade studying the planet’s atmosphere.
- Data suggests the spacecraft experienced unexpected rotation and possible orbit changes.
- MAVEN, launched in 2013, has been crucial for understanding Mars’ atmospheric loss and relaying data from rovers, with other orbiters now handling its communication duties.
BlueBird Block-2 Satellite Takes Flight on ISRO’s ‘Baahubali’ Rocket
- ISRO launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on December 24, 2025, using its heavy-lift LVM-3 ‘Baahubali’ rocket from Sriharikota.
- The satellite, developed by AST SpaceMobile, will provide direct broadband connectivity to ordinary smartphones worldwide without special devices.
- This mission marks a milestone in global mobile connectivity, strengthens India’s commercial space capabilities, and highlights ISRO’s growing role in launching advanced, heavy payloads for international partners.
Important Days News
National Consumer Day 2025: Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice
- National Consumer Day is observed in India every year on December 24 to promote consumer rights, protection, and awareness.
- It marks the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which received Presidential assent on this day.
- The 2025 theme, “Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice,” highlights India’s shift towards technology-driven consumer grievance redressal.
- Initiatives like the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Central Consumer Protection Authority, e-Jagriti platform, and AI-enabled National Consumer Helpline 2.0 reflect efforts to ensure faster, transparent, and inclusive consumer justice.
Obituaries News
India Loses a Literary Giant: Vinod Kumar Shukla Passes Away
- The Hindi literary world mourns the loss of Vinod Kumar Shukla, who passed away at 88 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- A celebrated novelist, poet, and short story writer, he was known for his simple yet profound writing that explored ordinary lives, human emotions, and dignity.
- Author of works like Deewar Mein Ek Khidki and Naukar Ki Kameez, he received the Jnanpith and Sahitya Akademi Awards, leaving a lasting legacy of sensitive, minimalist literature.
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