Daily Current Affairs News: 9th December, 2025

National News

India’s National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): A Rising Force in Real-Time Intelligence

State News

Maharashtra Sets Guinness World Record for Solar Pump Deployment in Agriculture

• Maharashtra set a Guinness World Record by installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in 30 days, showcasing its leadership in renewable energy, solar irrigation, and sustainable agriculture.
• The achievement, driven by PM-KUSUM and state solar schemes, makes the state second only to China in rapid solar pump deployment and strengthens goals of energy independence, reduced grid demand, and climate-resilient farming.
• The effort highlighted strong government execution, private sector participation, and a commitment toward net-zero emissions, with plans to expand installations beyond 10.45 lakh pumps.

International News

Operation Sagar Bandhu — Indian Navy Sends Four More Warships to Sri Lanka

• India has expanded Operation Sagar Bandhu by deploying four additional navy ships carrying nearly 1,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to support Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah, reinforcing its role as a regional humanitarian leader.
• The mission, part of India’s Neighbourhood First and MAHASAGAR vision, delivers essential supplies, evacuation support, and medical assistance to affected regions, strengthening India–Sri Lanka ties and showcasing rapid HADR capabilities.

CUTS International Launches TRaNJA Initiative to Reinvigorate WTO

• CUTS International has launched TRaNJA (Trade Not Just Aid) to revive the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a fair, rule-based global trade system, with co-chairs Shashi Tharoor and Pascal Lamy leading a diverse expert committee.
• Introduced at a major conference in Tokyo, the initiative aims to promote evidence-based WTO reforms, counter rising protectionism, and build a coalition for multilateral cooperation.
• Highlighting that 70% of global trade still relies on WTO rules, TRaNJA seeks to strengthen the organization’s relevance by producing knowledge-driven recommendations and encouraging a positive narrative around multilateral trade.

Banking News

UPI Recognized as World’s Largest Real-Time Payment System by IMF

• India’s UPI has been recognised by the IMF as the world’s largest real-time payment system, accounting for 49% of global transactions, far ahead of Brazil, Thailand, China, and South Korea.
• According to the ACI Worldwide 2024 report, India processed 129.3 billion real-time payments, driven by strong government and RBI initiatives such as PIDF-backed infrastructure, BHIM-UPI incentives, and large-scale RuPay-UPI expansion, which together have enabled over 5.45 crore digital touchpoints and 56.86 crore QR deployments across the country.

NHAI’s Raajmarg Infra InvIT Gets SEBI’s In-Principle Approval for Public Listing

• SEBI has granted in-principle approval to NHAI’s Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), marking a major step toward public investment in highway infrastructure through a Public InvIT.
• RIIT will monetize national highway assets, managed by the newly formed RIIMPL, and must complete regulatory formalities within six months.
• Building on NHAI’s strong monetisation record—₹92,000+ crore raised via TOT and private InvITs—the move aims to expand infrastructure investment access to retail investors and strengthen long-term funding for road development.

SEBI Launches PaRRVA to Verify Investment Returns and Combat Misleading Finfluencer Claims

• SEBI has launched PaRRVA (Past Risk and Return Verification Agency), a new system developed with NSE and Care Ratings, to verify past performance claims made by regulated market intermediaries and curb misleading content from finfluencers.
• The platform ensures transparent, standardized, and independently validated return disclosures, preventing cherry-picked data and enhancing investor trust.
• By promoting authentic financial advice and reducing misinformation, PaRRVA strengthens market integrity and investor protection in India’s growing digital investment ecosystem.

Business News

Tata Electronics and Intel Sign MoU to Explore Chip Manufacturing and Packaging in India

• Tata Electronics and Intel have signed a landmark MoU to advance semiconductor manufacturing and packaging in India, focusing on chip fabrication in Dholera, Gujarat, and advanced packaging in Guwahati, Assam, as part of the India Semiconductor Mission.
• The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s semiconductor and AI ecosystem, support Intel chip production, develop advanced packaging technologies, and scale AI-driven PC solutions.
• With Tata’s upcoming fab and OSAT facilities and Intel’s growing AI demand, the partnership is set to boost domestic capability and enhance India’s role in the global chip supply chain, aligning with national goals of technological self-reliance.

Adani Group to Build ₹2,500 Crore AI-Driven Green Data Centre in Telangana

• The Adani Group has announced a ₹2,500 crore investment to build a 48-MW AI-powered green data centre in Telangana, aimed at strengthening India’s digital infrastructure and meeting rising demand for cloud, AI, and high-performance computing (HPC) services.
• The facility, designed with sustainability and energy efficiency, will boost Telangana’s tech ecosystem while supporting India’s goals of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Awards News

Anant Ambani Becomes Youngest Recipient of Global Humane Society’s Animal Welfare Award

• Anant Ambani, founder of Vantara, has become the youngest and first Asian to receive the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare from the Global Humane Society for his transformative work in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation.
• His sanctuary Vantara, known for its science-led, in situ and ex situ conservation model, sets global standards in animal welfare and biodiversity restoration.
• The honour recognizes his commitment to compassion, seva, and ecological responsibility, positioning Vantara as a world-class centre for endangered species recovery and ethical animal care.

Defense News

Tata–Lockheed Martin to Build New MRO Facility for C-130J Super Hercules in India

• Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin have inaugurated a new MRO facility in Bengaluru dedicated to the C-130J Super Hercules, strengthening India’s defence readiness and advancing Make in India capabilities.
• The facility will provide heavy maintenance, structural repairs, avionics upgrades, and training, making it India’s first dedicated C-130J MRO hub and enhancing long-term sustainment for the Indian Air Force’s 12 aircraft.
• This project deepens the longstanding Tata–Lockheed partnership, supports future variants like the KC-130J, and boosts strategic autonomy by reducing dependency on overseas maintenance.

Summits & Conferences News

India Begins Countdown to 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

• India will host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine (17–19 Dec 2025) under the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” bringing together delegates from 100+ countries to discuss scientific validation, digital health, biodiversity protection, and global collaboration.
• With growing global interest in India’s Ayush systems and support from the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre in Jamnagar, the summit will also feature a key side event on Ashwagandha, highlighting its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, and immune-modulating benefits.

Sports News

3-Year-Old Indian Boy Becomes World’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Chess Player

• A 3-year-old Indian boy, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, has become the world’s youngest rated chess player after receiving a FIDE rapid rating of 1572 at just 3 years, 7 months and 20 days.
• Born in Madhya Pradesh, Sarwagya earned his rating by defeating multiple higher-rated adult players, showcasing exceptional early talent after starting chess at 30 months and training 4–5 hours daily.
• His achievement adds to India’s rise in producing young chess prodigies on the global stage.

Important Days News

International Anti‑Corruption Day 2025 — Date, Theme, India’s CPI Rank & Global Corruption List

• International Anti-Corruption Day, observed on December 9, is a United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness about corruption and promoting transparency and accountability. The 2025 theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” highlights the role of young people in building ethical governance.
• Corruption undermines economic growth, public trust, and justice systems, making collective action essential.
• The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) shows nations like Denmark and Finland as least corrupt, while South Sudan and Somalia rank among the most corrupt.
• India, with a score of 38, continues to progress through digital governance and reforms.

International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of Genocide Victims

• The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of Genocide Victims, observed on December 9, marks its 10th anniversary in 2025, reaffirming global commitment to preventing genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention.
• The UN’s 2025 high-level meeting highlights concerns raised in Resolution A/RES/79/328, urging stronger state responsibility, enhanced early-warning systems, action against incitement and hate speech, and accountability for perpetrators.

Obituaries News

Veteran Bengali Actor Kalyan Chatterjee Passes Away at 81

• Veteran Bengali actor Kalyan Chatterjee, celebrated for his naturalistic performances and iconic supporting roles, passed away at 81 on December 8, 2025, leaving a significant void in Indian cinema.
• With a career spanning over five decades, he starred in classics like “Apanjan,” “Dhanyee Meye,” and “Baishe Srabon,” and worked with legendary directors such as Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, and Rituparno Ghosh.
• Known for portraying the everyday Bengali man with authenticity, Chatterjee also gained national recognition through roles in films like “Kahaani.”

Veteran Social Activist Baba Adhav Passes Away at 95

• India mourns the passing of Dr. Baba Adhav, a legendary labour rights activist, who died at 95 in Pune on 9 December 2025.
• For over seven decades, he championed the rights of informal workers—including hamals, rickshaw pullers, and construction workers—through landmark initiatives like the Hamal Panchayat and the One Village–One Water Source campaign.
• Inspired by Phule, Ambedkar, Shivaji, and Shahu Maharaj, he led movements rooted in equality, dignity, and community mobilisation.