Daily Current Affairs 06th December 2025 | Latest News | Download PDF

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

Life Insurance Corporation of India Introduces New Insurance Plans: Protection Plus and Bima Kavach

• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), India’s largest insurance company, launched two new insurance products: Protection Plus (Plan 886) and Bima Kavach (Plan 887) to enhance financial security and provide flexible savings or pure-risk cover options.

Key Highlights :

About Protection Plus (Plan 886) : 

• Protection Plus (Plan 886) is a Non-Participating, Linked, Life, Individual Savings Plan that combines life insurance protection with savings opportunities.
• The entry age for Protection Plus is 18–65 years, with policy terms of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, and premium paying terms (PPT) of 5, 7, 10, or 15 years.
• Policyholders can choose the investment fund type, adjust the sum assured, make top-up premium payments, and partial withdrawals after five years.
• Premiums are flexible, payable regularly or for a limited period, with minimum limits based on PPT and mode of payment and no maximum limit.
• The maximum age at maturity can reach up to 90 years for a 25-year policy term, providing long-term savings and insurance coverage.

About Bima Kavach (Plan 887) :

• Bima Kavach (Plan 887) is a Non-Participating, Non-Linked, Life, Individual Pure Risk Plan offering financial protection to the family in case of the insured’s unfortunate death during the policy term.
• The entry age for Bima Kavach is 18–65 years, with applicants aged 60 years and above considered case by case under underwriting and reinsurance approval.
• The maturity age ranges from 28–100 years, and the policy term can extend up to 82 years with cover ceasing at 100 years.
• Death benefits can be Level Sum Assured or Increasing Sum Assured, with the option to receive benefits in installments.
• Premium payment options include single premium, limited premium (5, 10, or 15 years), or regular premium.
• The minimum basic sum assured is Rs. 2 crore, with no upper limit subject to underwriting norms, and women and non-smokers receive special premium rates.
• Life cover can be enhanced at predefined life-stage events, such as marriage or childbirth, under Level Sum Assured with regular premium.

About LIC :

• Established : 1956
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• CEO & MD is R. Doraiswamy.

NPCI International Partners with ACLEDA Bank to Facilitate UPI–KHQR Cross-Border Payments

• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc, the first publicly listed commercial bank in Cambodia, to enable cross-border QR-based payments.

Key Highlights :

• ACLEDA Bank, nominated by the National Bank of Cambodia as the operator of the Bakong (KHQR) national QR network, will help establish seamless QR-based payments between India and Cambodia.
• Indian tourists can make payments at over 4.5 million KHQR merchant points in Cambodia using UPI apps, while Cambodian tourists can scan over 709 million UPI QRs in India using Cambodian apps.
• The partnership enables the acceptance of Cambodia’s KHQR network in India and interoperability between UPI and KHQR, facilitating secure, frictionless cross-border payments.
• The collaboration provides benefits for travellers, allowing payments across tourist attractions, restaurants, and retail outlets, enhancing convenience and financial inclusion in both countries.
• India’s recent global payment linkages include the interlinking of UPI with TARGET Instant Payment Settlement (TIPS) operated by the Eurosystem, with collaboration between RBI, NIPL, and the European Central Bank.
• UPI acceptance internationally is already enabled in Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE, Mauritius, Qatar, and France, covering over two million international merchants.
• NIPL is supporting countries such as Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Peru to develop UPI-like payment systems.
• In India, UPI processed 20.47 billion transactions valued at around Rs 26.32 trillion in November 2025.
• NIPL CEO : Ritesh Shukla,

About Cambodian :

• Currency : Cambodian Riel
• Capital : Phnom Penh.

Developing Countries Pay Record $741 Billion More in Debt Than Received in New Financing Between 2022–2024

• Developing countries paid out $741 billion more in principal and interest on their external debt than they received in new financing between 2022 and 2024—the largest gap in at least 50 years.
• In 2024, developing countries gained some breathing room as interest rates peaked and bond markets reopened, allowing many to restructure debt.

Key Highlights :

• Developing countries restructured $90 billion in external debt in 2024, the highest level since 2010.
• Bond investors provided $80 billion more in new financing than they received in principal repayments and interest, enabling multi-billion-dollar bond issuances.
• The cost of funds was high, with interest rates around 10%, about double pre-2020 levels.
• According to the World Bank, combined external debt of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) reached a record $8.9 trillion in 2024, including $1.2 trillion owed by 78 mainly low-income IDA-eligible countries.
• The average interest rate on newly contracted public debt in 2024 was at a 24-year high for official creditors and a 17-year high for private creditors.
• LMICs paid a record $415 billion in interest, diverting resources from schooling, primary healthcare, and essential infrastructure.
• In highly indebted countries, one out of every two people could not afford the minimum daily diet necessary for long-term health.
• Low-cost financing became harder to obtain, except from multilateral development banks like the World Bank, which provided a record $18.3 billion net financing and $7.5 billion in grants to IDA-eligible countries.
• Official bilateral creditors retreated, with $8.8 billion more in repayments than new financing disbursed, reducing long-term external debt by up to 70% in some countries.
• Many developing countries turned to domestic creditors; of 86 countries with data, over half saw domestic debt grow faster than external debt.
• Among the 22 most highly indebted countries (external debt $> 200\%$ of export revenue), an average of 56% of the population could not afford the minimum daily diet, including two-thirds in IDA-eligible countries.

Securities Exchange Board of India  Launches SWAGAT-FI, a Single-Window Access for Low-Risk Foreign Investors

• The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued the SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCI)) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 to allow low-risk foreign investors to participate in the Indian securities market via single window access.

Key Highlights :

• SEBI introduced SWAGAT-FI (Single Window Automatic & Generalised Access for Trusted Foreign Investors) with objectives to provide easier investment access to verified low-risk foreign investors, enable a unified registration process, and reduce repeated compliance and documentation.
• The SWAGAT-FI framework applies to sovereign wealth funds, central banks, multilateral bodies, government-owned funds, regulated public retail funds, insurance companies, and pension funds.
• Under SWAGAT-FI, entities can register simultaneously as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) and FVCIs without additional documentation, enabling investment in listed equities and debt as FPIs and unlisted companies, specified sectors, and startups as FVCIs.
• The amendments to the FPI and FVCI regulations will be effective from 01 June 2026.
• SEBI has extended the registration continuance period, including fee payment and KYC review, to 10 years, up from the earlier 3–5 years, promoting long-term investor participation.
• FPIs operating from International Financial Service Centres (IFSCs) can now include retail schemes with a resident Indian sponsor or manager, aligning them with Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs).
• SEBI addressed inconsistencies between SEBI and IFSCA (International Financial Services Centres Authority) by capping sponsor contributions at 10% of a fund’s corpus or assets under management.
• As of 30 June 2025, India had 11,913 registered FPIs holding assets worth Rs 80.83 lakh crore, with SWAGAT-FIs making up over 70% of FPI assets under custody.

About SEBI :

• It was constituted as a non-statutory body on 12 April 1988 and became a statutory body in 1992
• Headquarters : Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman : Tuhin Kanta Pandey.

Union Minister of State Finance Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurates the 68th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in New Delhi

• Union Minister of State (MoS) Finance Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the 68th Founding Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at its Headquarters in New Delhi.
• DRI is India’s apex anti-smuggling intelligence and enforcement agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC).
• Senior officials including CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi, M.K. Singh, Yogendra Garg, and DRI DG Abhai Kumar Srivastav attended the event.
• The Government aims to ensure ease of doing business for honest taxpayers and make India’s land, waterways, and air routes risky and ineffective for illegal trade.
• DRI released the ‘Smuggling in India Report 2024–25’, its annual flagship publication detailing illicit trade trends, enforcement achievements, emerging challenges, and policy recommendations.
• The ceremony was attended by 30 international delegates from 15 countries participating in the 10th Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting (RCEM).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

International Water Management Institute Launches SoLAR Phase II to Promote Climate-Resilient Solar Irrigation and Agriculture

• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a global Non-Profit Organization (NPO), in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched the second phase of Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR-Phase II) in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
• The initiative aims to accelerate climate-resilient solar-powered irrigation and solar-based agricultural technologies across South Asia and East Africa.

Key Highlights :

• SoLAR Phase II builds on Phase I (December 2019–May 2025) and expands its reach from South Asia to East African countries.
• Phase I outcomes included reliable irrigation, reduced diesel use, lowered CO2 emissions, and prevention of groundwater over-extraction through grid-connected and off-grid Solar-Powered Irrigation Pumps (SIPs).
• The purpose of SoLAR Phase II is to promote sustainable solar energy in agriculture, enhance climate resilience, reduce fossil-fuel dependence, and strengthen water-energy-food (WEF) sustainability.
• SoLAR Phase II will be implemented in partnership with government and implementing agencies responsible for solar agriculture policies and will run from July 2025 to December 2028.
• The initiative uses data from Phase I on the technical, economic, and environmental performance of grid-connected and off-grid solar irrigation pumps.
• The project emphasizes gender-inclusive and equitable access, supporting woman-led solar service enterprises, improving irrigation availability and household earnings for marginalized farmers.
• SolaReady, a spatial decision-support platform, will be introduced to plan solar irrigation interventions aligned with climate and groundwater sustainability.
• The initiative aims to embed solar irrigation into national climate resilience strategies, promote groundwater sustainability, and expand evidence-based sustainable solutions.
• By July 2025, India’s PM-KUSUM scheme had solarised irrigation pumps for more than 1.43 million farmers, making it the world’s largest programme of its kind.
• Insights from SoLAR Phase II will guide the post-2027 version of PM-KUSUM, making it more groundwater-smart and gender-inclusive.

About IWMI :

• Established : 1985
• Headquarters : Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Director General (DG) : Mark Smith.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Government Withdraws Mandatory Installation of Sanchar Saathi App

• The Department of Telecommunication has withdrawn its directive mandating smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices sold or imported in India.
• The decision was announced, following public concerns over privacy, surveillance fears, and lack of stakeholder consultation.
• The Sanchar Saathi app, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in 2025, aims to prevent SIM fraud, mobile theft, identity misuse, and unauthorized connections.
• As per official data, the app has enabled:
  • 26 lakh stolen handsets traced
  • 7 lakh phones returned
  • 41 lakh fraudulent mobile connections disconnected
  • 6 lakh fraud attempts blocked
  • Over 1.5 crore downloads recorded as of December 2025.
• The original directive issued on 28th November 2025 required companies like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo to pre-install the app and push it via updates to existing devices.
• The rollback follows criticism from:
  • Privacy advocates
  • Technology experts
  • Industry associations
• Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified in Parliament that the app does not operate without voluntary user registration and can be deleted anytime, stating “no snooping is possible or intended.”
• The Ministry of Communications confirmed that pre-installation will not be mandatory and adoption will remain voluntary.
• The decision has been welcomed by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) and digital rights groups, who called it a balanced and consumer-friendly move.
• The government stated that cybersecurity efforts will continue, but with consultation-driven and user-choice-based implementation rather than compulsory enforcement.

Lok Sabha Passes Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 and Health and National Security Cess Bill 2025

• The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 along with the Health and National Security Cess Bill 2025, introducing a revised tax structure on tobacco, cigarettes, and pan masala, commonly referred to as sin goods.
• The new taxation system is designed to replace the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Compensation Cess, which is scheduled to end on 31 March 2026, while ensuring continuity of high taxation on harmful products and sustained revenue flow for public welfare purposes.
• The main objective of the amendment is to maintain revenue sustainability after the removal of the GST compensation cess, ensure high taxation on demerit products, redirect tax proceeds toward public health and national security, and support repayment of loans taken during the COVID-19 period to compensate states.
• The GST Compensation Cess was introduced on 1 July 2017, when GST was rolled out to compensate states for revenue loss. Initially planned till 30 June 2022, it was later extended till 31 March 2026 due to additional borrowing during the pandemic.
• While the cess on luxury goods was withdrawn in September 2025, it continues on tobacco and pan masala, and the new tax framework will take over once it expires.
• Under the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025, a new central excise duty has been introduced on tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, hookahs, zarda, and scented tobacco.
  • Excise duty will range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 11,000 per 1,000 sticks of cigarettes, depending on size.
  • 60%–70% tax will apply on unmanufactured tobacco.
  • 100% excise duty will apply on nicotine-based inhalation products.
  • This will be imposed in addition to the existing 40% GST rate.
• The Health and National Security Cess Bill 2025 introduce a dedicated cess on pan masala and may later be extended to other notified products.
•  The funds collected will be allocated to public health programmes and national security requirements.
• This cess will not be shared with states as it is not included in the divisible tax pool.
• This dual taxation mechanism ensures that the tax burden on sin goods remains unchanged even after the GST compensation cess ends.
• It supports fiscal stability, discourages consumption of harmful products, aligns India with global practices on tobacco taxation, and ensures that revenue is used for societal well-being rather than general expenditure.

RECENT NEWS

• The Lok Sabha has passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Guwahati, Assam.

India to Chair International IDEA for the First Time

• India will assume the chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the first time during the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, and will serve through 2026.
• The role will be represented by Gyanesh Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, reflecting global recognition of India’s experience in conducting large-scale free, fair, and inclusive elections.
• International IDEA, founded in 1995, is an intergovernmental organisation headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, focused on promoting and safeguarding sustainable democracy worldwide.
• The organisation supports democratic systems through capacity building, electoral assistance, policy research, dialogue facilitation, and institutional strengthening, covering areas such as electoral processes, constitutional reforms, digital democracy, political finance, and democratic resilience amid climate change.
• International IDEA currently consists of around 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers. India is a founding member and has been an active contributor to governance, research, and training programmes.
• India’s chairship comes at a time when democracies globally face challenges, including misinformation, declining voter trust, technological disruptions, and threats to electoral integrity.
• As Chair, India will play a key role in shaping global democratic discourse, promoting best practices in election management, and strengthening Election Management Bodies (EMBs) through training, knowledge sharing, and institutional support.
• The position strengthens India’s global democratic leadership and showcases the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI) and its experience managing elections involving nearly one billion voters.
• The chairship reinforces India’s role as a bridge between mature and emerging democracies, enabling collaboration in areas like voter inclusion, electoral transparency, institutional reforms, and resilience of democratic systems in the digital era.

Haryana Modifies Disbursement System Under Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana

• The Government of Haryana has revised the payment structure of the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana (DDLLY), and from December 2025, assistance will now be released on a quarterly basis.
• Beneficiaries will receive Rs 6,300 once every three months instead of the earlier Rs 2,100 monthly.
• This decision was announced by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini during the release of the second instalment.
• The change aims to simplify the disbursement system, offer beneficiaries better financial planning flexibility, and reduce administrative workload, while continuing to support women’s financial empowerment and social security in the state.
• The scheme was launched on 25 September 2025, on the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay, symbolising commitment to the Antyodaya principle.
• It provides Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) assistance to women belonging to economically weaker sections.
• Eligible married and unmarried women aged 23 to 60 years receive Rs 2,100 per month under the scheme, and women above 60 years are shifted to the Old Age Samman Allowance Scheme.
• The disbursement structure before and after the modification remains the same in total annual amount:
  • Earlier: Rs 2,100 monthly
  • Now: Rs 6,300 every three months
• The application process is fully online, and beneficiaries must apply through the official mobile application. Mandatory requirements include Aadhaar-based e-KYC, uploading a live photograph, and verification of residency. Once approved, benefits are credited within 24–48 hours and SMS updates are sent to applicants.
• Eligibility criteria include:
  • Age between 23–60 years
  • Annual family income up to Rs 1 lakh
  • Minimum 15 years permanent residency in Haryana
  • Both married and unmarried women are eligible
  • Applicants already receiving other pensions or filing duplicate applications are excluded
• During the initial verification stage, more than 25,000 ineligible applications—including those from non-residents and those using incorrect documents—were rejected.
• Scheme progress (as of 30 November 2025):
  • Launch Date: 25 September 2025
  • First Disbursement: 1 November 2025
  • Total Beneficiaries: Over 7 lakh women
  • Total Financial Outlay Released: Approximately Rs 148 crore
  • Pending Aadhaar KYC Cases: 1.43 lakh, expected to be cleared after verification
  • New Registrations Per Day: 3,000–4,000 women

About Haryana:

• Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini
• Governor: Ashim Kumar Ghosh
• Capital: Chandigarh
• National Parks: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary, Nahar Wildlife Sanctuary

RECENT NEWS

• In a proud moment for Indian sports, Shafali Verma, a key member of India’s World Cup-winning women’s cricket team, has been appointed Brand Ambassador of the Haryana State Women’s Commission.

Bharat Taxi Begins Pilot Operations as India’s Cooperative Ride-Hailing Platform

• Bharat Taxi, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, has started pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat, offering an alternative to private cab aggregators with a driver-owned cooperative model.
• The initiative is supported by the Union Ministry of Cooperation and the National e-Governance Division, under the government vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi.”
• Bharat Taxi follows a Zero-Commission Model, allowing drivers to retain 100% of their earnings, unlike commercial platforms that charge up to 30% commission.
• The platform ensures No Surge Pricing, offering transparent and predictable fare rates for passengers.
• Drivers, referred to as Saarthis, hold shareholding rights in the cooperative, enabling participation in decision-making and platform governance.
• The system will integrate with DigiLocker, Unified Mobile Application for New-Age Governance (UMANG), and other government digital platforms to streamline operations.
• The pilot phase began in November 2025, and within 10 days, over 51,000 drivers were onboarded, surpassing global cooperative platforms such as the New York-based Drivers Cooperative.
• In Delhi alone, around 650 driver-owners have joined during the initial rollout, with a nationwide launch planned by December 2025.
• The cooperative model aims to provide drivers with higher income security, dignity, and ownership, while offering passengers reliable service, fair pricing, and improved accountability.
• Bharat Taxi aligns with national goals of inclusive digital growth, self-reliance, cooperative-driven development, and modern service delivery under the cooperative economy framework.

Aadhaar Authentication Reaches Record 231 Crore Transactions in November 2025

• 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions were recorded in November 2025, reflecting an 8.5% year-on-year growth compared to November 2024.
• This becomes the highest authentication count recorded in the current financial year, rising from 219.51 crore in October 2025.
• Aadhaar Face Authentication usage increased sharply, with around 60% of pensioners using it to generate Digital Life Certificates digitally.
• A total of 28.29 crore face authentication transactions took place in November 2025, compared to 12.04 crore in November 2024, marking strong user adoption.
• Aadhaar electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) transactions grew significantly, reaching 47.19 crore in November 2025 — an increase of over 24% compared to November 2024.
• Aadhaar e-KYC continues to enable faster onboarding and verification for banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies, and other service providers.
• The continued growth in authentication, face recognition, and e-KYC highlights Aadhaar’s expanding role in digital governance, welfare delivery, and secure digital transactions across India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: RANKING AND INDEX

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025-26 Released

• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025-26 has been released by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO).
• The Index assesses 181 countries based on Inclusion (education and economic participation), Justice (legal protection), and Security (safety at home and society).
• The score range is 0 to 1.
• The report states that 676 million women faced conflict exposure in the past year, marking a 74% rise since 2010, showing stagnation in global progress.
• Denmark ranked 1st with a score of 0.939, retaining its top position for the third consecutive time.
• Top 10 Countries (2025-26):
  1. Denmark (0.939)
  2. Iceland (0.932)
  3. Norway (0.924)
  4. Sweden (0.924)
  5. Finland (0.921)
  6. Luxembourg (0.918)
  7. Belgium (0.912)
  8. Netherlands (0.905)
  9. Austria (0.898)
  10. Australia (0.898)
• These high-ranking countries performed well due to strong gender laws, high political representation of women, safe public spaces, and high health and education outcomes.
• Afghanistan ranked last (181st) with a score of 0.279, continuing as the worst country for women.
• Bottom 10 Countries (2025-26):
  181. Afghanistan (0.279)
  180. Yemen (0.323)
  179. Central African Republic (0.362)
  178. Syria (0.364)
  177. Sudan (0.397)
  176. Haiti (0.399)
  175. Democratic Republic of Congo (0.405)
  174. Burundi (0.407)
  173. South Sudan (0.411)
  172. Myanmar (0.442)
• India ranked 131st with a score of 0.607. The report shows gradual progress, but challenges remain in security, labour force participation, and political representation of women.
• The report notes that even high-income countries are experiencing slow progress, while some conflict-affected nations showed improvement due to reform efforts.
• The Index highlights that global gender equality remains fragile, and policy attention to women’s rights and safety is crucial.

Tourism Trends in India 2024–25: Taj Mahal Remains the Most Visited Monument

• Government data shows significant tourism growth in 2024–25, with 56 lakh foreign tourists and 303.59 crore domestic tourist visits recorded across the country.
• Among 145 centrally protected ticketed monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Taj Mahal in Agra remains the most visited heritage monument.
• As per the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025, the Taj Mahal recorded 6.26 million domestic visitors and 0.65 million foreign tourists, reaffirming its status as India’s top tourism attraction and a major United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
• The Top 10 Most-Visited Monuments (Domestic) in Financial Year 2024–25 include:
  1. Taj Mahal, Agra – 6.26M
  2. Sun Temple, Konark – 3.57M
  3. Qutub Minar, Delhi – 3.20M
  4. Red Fort, Delhi – 2.88M
  5. Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad – 2.00M
  6. Ellora Caves, Aurangabad – 1.74M
  7. Golkonda Fort, Hyderabad – 1.56M
  8. Agra Fort, Agra – 1.55M
  9. Fort Aguada, Goa – 1.36M
  10. Charminar, Hyderabad – 1.34M
• Key insights show that the top 10 domestic sites account for 47 per cent of visits and that cultural hubs such as Agra, Delhi, and Hyderabad dominate the list.
• The Top 10 Most-Visited Monuments (Foreign Tourists) in Financial Year 2024–25 include:
  1. Taj Mahal – 645K
  2. Agra Fort – 225K
  3. Qutub Minar – 220K
  4. Humayun’s Tomb – 158K
  5. Abhaneri Stepwell – 116K
  6. Fatehpur Sikri – 97K
  7. Itimad-ud-Daulah – 90K
  8. Nalanda Site – 88K
  9. Red Fort – 79K
  10. Sahet Mehet Site – 73K
• The Agra tourism circuit features four sites in the top foreign-visitor list and alone attracts a major share of international heritage tourism.
• Foreign tourist arrivals at ASI monuments totaled around 2.4 million, with the top 10 locations accounting for 74 per cent of heritage tourist footfall.
• Tourism recovery momentum remains positive but slowed to 1.75 per cent growth, compared with earlier phases:
  • +92.8% in 2021–22
  • +88.6% in 2022–23
  • –70.7% decline in 2020–21 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• With 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, India continues to strengthen its global cultural positioning, driven by diverse attractions across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Delhi, Odisha, Telangana, and Goa.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPS & PORTALS

Ministry of Labour operates the NCS Portal as a unified digital platform providing comprehensive career and job services

• The Ministry of Labour and Employment runs the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, a one-stop digital platform offering career-related services such as job search, job matching, counselling, skill development information, and job fair updates.
• The NCS Portal provides access to private and government sector jobs, online/offline job fairs, career counselling, vocational guidance, and skill/training programmes.
• As of 20 November 2025, over 02 crore jobseekers (including women, SC/ST, EWS) are registered on the NCS Portal.
• More than 27 lakh employers have registered on the NCS Portal since its inception.
• Over 17 crore vacancies have been mobilised on the NCS Portal for jobseekers up to 20 November 2025.
• Notifying final hiring figures is not mandatory on the NCS Portal.
• The NCS project includes the establishment of Model Career Centres (MCCs) in collaboration with States and Institutions to deliver employment services.
• As of 20 November 2025, the Government has approved 407 Model Career Centres (MCCs) across various States and UTs.

About National Career Service :

• The NCS was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• National Career Service (NCS) aims to bridge the gap between jobseekers and employers, and between individuals seeking career guidance/training and those providing them.
• NCS provides services such as dynamic job matching, career counselling, job notifications, vocational guidance, and information on skill development courses and internships.
• Directorate General of Employment, under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, is the nodal agency implementing the NCS project.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Stefan Priesner of Austria Named UN Resident Coordinator for India

• United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Stefan Priesner of Austria as the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in India for a four-year term beginning 1 December 2025 and ending in 2029.
• He succeeds Shombi Sharp, who completed a four-year term as UN Resident Coordinator in India.
• Stefan Priesner began his career in the private sector and joined the UN in 1997, starting with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bhutan.
• He served as Deputy Chief in Nepal (2001–2004) and Deputy Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2004–2008).
• He held senior roles including Country Director in Bangladesh (2008–2012), Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Uzbekistan (2013–2017), Resident Coordinator for Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore (2017–2021), and Resident Coordinator in Iran (2021–2025).
• As UN Resident Coordinator in India, he oversees the UN Country Team, directs all UN development activities, represents the UN at the highest levels, provides policy guidance to the government, and drives progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

About Austria:

• President : Alexander Van der Bellen
• Capital : Vienna
• Currency : Euro (EUR).

AU Small Finance Bank Appoints Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as Brand Ambassadors Following RBI Approval

• AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), which recently received the RBI’s (Reserve Bank of India) in-principle approval to become a universal bank, has appointed Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as brand ambassadors.
• The bank aims to strengthen its identity as a preferred national banking brand across metros, urban centres, and deeper Bharat markets.
• The collaboration focuses on boosting customer preference for AU SFB’s core products, particularly Savings Accounts and Current Accounts.
• MD & CEO of AU SFB : Sanjay Agarwal.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS NEWS

Archery Premier League Wins Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year

• The Archery Premier League (APL) has won the title of Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year at the India Sports Awards 2025 during FICCI TURF 2025, the 15th Global Sports Summit held in New Delhi.
• The Archery Premier League is the world’s first professional franchise-based archery league, launched by the Archery Association of India (AAI) to make archery more engaging, commercially viable, and broadcast-friendly.
• The inaugural edition of the Archery Premier League was held from 2 October to 12 October 2025 at the Yamuna Sports Complex, New Delhi, featuring top national and international archers.
• The main objective of the Archery Premier League is to elevate archery to modern professional sports standards, enhance fan engagement, strengthen India’s global performance especially in the Olympic Games, and make the sport accessible to a wider audience.
• The Archery Premier League featured six franchise teams, each composed of eight archers (four male and four female).
  • A total of 36 Indian archers and 12 international players participated.
  • The league included both recurve and compound archery, with teams selected through a draft format.
• Matches followed a fast-paced format of 20 minutes, with 15 seconds per arrow, and were held under floodlights to increase broadcast appeal.
• The league final saw the Rajputana Royals defeating the Prithviraaj Yodhas in a close 5–4 shoot-off, marking a dramatic finish to the first season.
• The award strengthens the Archery Premier League’s credibility, encourages higher sponsorship and media participation, and positions the league as a key force in advancing professional archery in India.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

India–Malaysia Joint Military Exercise Harimau Shakti Begins in the Rajasthan Desert

• The 5th edition of India–Malaysia Joint Exercise Harimau Shakti–2025 began at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, and will be held from 05–18 December 2025.
• The Indian contingent mainly comprises troops from the DOGRA Regiment, while Malaysia is represented by the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army.
• The exercise aims to rehearse Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate with emphasis on counter-terrorist operations.
• Both armies will practice cordon, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, AMAR (Army Martial Arts Routine), combat reflex shooting, and Yoga.
• Training includes securing helipads, conducting casualty evacuation, and improving interoperability during UN peacekeeping operations.
• Both sides will exchange best practices, enhancing defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral relations between the Indian Army and the Royal Malaysian Army.
• The 4th edition (2024) was held at Bentong Camp, Pahang District, Malaysia from 2–15 December 2024.
• The 1st edition (2012) of Exercise Harimau Shakti took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October 2012.

About Malaysia :

• Monarch : Ibrahim Iskandar
• Prime Minister : Anwar Ibrahim
• Capital : Kuala Lumpur
• Currency : Malaysian ringgit

8th Edition of Indo–French Bilateral Air Exercise Garuda 25 Successfully Concludes

• The 8th edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo–French air exercise, was held at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France.
• The exercise concluded on 27 November 2025, and the IAF contingent returned to India on 02 December 2025.
• The exercise involved the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF).
• The IAF participated with Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, supported by IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.
• Both air forces conducted complex air operations in a realistic operational environment, improving combat readiness.
• Training included joint mission planning, coordinated strike and escort missions, and familiarisation with operational procedures, enhancing interoperability.
• The IAF maintenance crew maintained high aircraft serviceability, ensuring smooth execution of all planned missions.
• Exercise Garuda 2025 was one of the largest international air training engagements undertaken by the IAF in 2025.

Note :

• The 7th edition of Exercise Garuda was held from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
• The 1st (2003), 3rd (2006), and 5th (2014) editions were conducted in India at Gwalior, Kalaikunda, and Jodhpur
• The 2nd (2005), 4th (2010), and 6th (2019) editions were conducted in France.

About France :

• President : Emmanuel Macron
• Prime Minister : Sébastien Lecornu
• Capital : Paris
• Currency : Euro

10th India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti begins at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh

• The 10th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI commenced at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, and is being held from 03–12 December 2025.
• The Indian contingent in the 2025 edition consists of troops from the PARACHUTE REGIMENT (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent comprises personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces.
• The exercise aims to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the Special Forces of both countries.
• Training involves troop-level tactics, counter-terrorism techniques, unarmed combat, combat shooting, sniping, heliborne operations, and planning for drone, counter-UAS, and loiter-munition strikes in semi-mountainous terrain.
• Both sides are exchanging expertise on weapons, equipment, and operational practices to strengthen joint operational capabilities.
• The exercise emphasises physical fitness, tactical drills, and high-intensity combat training, culminating in a validation exercise simulating real-world operational scenarios.
• The 2025 edition of GARUDA SHAKTI marks a major step in enhancing India–Indonesia defence cooperation and strengthening bilateral military relations.

Note :

• The 9th edition of the exercise GARUD SHAKTI 2024 was conducted from November 1 to 12, 2024, in Sijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia.
• The first edition of Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI was held in 2012 in India, initiating an annual rotational exercise between the two nations to improve interoperability in counter-insurgency and peacekeeping operations.

About Indonesia :

• President : Prabowo Subianto
• Capital : Jakarta
• Currency : Indonesian rupiah

Rajnath Singh and the Russian Defence Minister co-chair the 22nd India–Russia IRIGC on Military & Military Technical Cooperation in New Delhi

• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on December 4, 2025.
• Both sides reiterated that the India–Russia partnership is founded on deep trust, common principles, and mutual respect.
• The meeting was held ahead of the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening the indigenous defence industry under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, focusing on capacity building for domestic production and defence exports.
• He highlighted new opportunities for expanding India–Russia collaboration in niche and advanced defence technologies.
• Minister Belousov invited Rajnath Singh to Russia to co-chair the 23rd IRIGC-M&MTC session in 2026.
• Both Ministers signed the protocol of the 22nd IRIGC-M&MTC meeting, outlining current and future areas of defence cooperation.
• Before the meeting, the two Ministers laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi, paying homage to fallen Indian soldiers.
• The Russian Defence Minister also inspected the Ceremonial Tri-Service Guard of Honour during his visit.

About Ministry of Defence :

• Union Minister : Rajnath Singh
• Minister of State : Sanjay Seth

Indian Navy showcases maritime prowess through Navy Day 2025 Operational Demonstration at Shangumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram

• The Indian Navy conducted a grand Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) at Shangumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, on 03 December 2025 showcasing its operational prowess, maritime capabilities, and technological excellence.
• The event highlighted India’s growing maritime strength, self-reliance, and the Navy’s high operational readiness across the maritime domain.
• The Hon’ble President of India attended the event and was hosted by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), and received a 150-men Ceremonial Guard of Honour.

Key Highlights :

• The Op Demo featured coordinated manoeuvres by frontline naval assets demonstrating power, precision, and maritime dominance.
• More than 20 naval ships and submarines, including the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, participated along with various air assets and MARCOS (Marine Commandos).
• Cultural displays such as Hornpipe dance by Sea Cadet Corps, Continuity Drill, and a Beating Retreat by the Indian Naval Band formed part of the event.
• Navy Day commemorates the Indian Navy’s historic role in Operation Trident (1971 war), a defining moment in India’s naval history.
• The Indian Navy has evolved into a modern, resilient, and self-reliant force, transforming from a Buyer’s Navy to a Builder’s Navy under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• Op Demo 2025 reinforced the Navy’s role as a credible maritime force committed to collective security, strategic partnerships, and a free, open, and rules-based maritime order under India’s vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).

CURRENT AFFAIRS : OBITUARIES

Italian Tennis Icon Nicola Pietrangeli Passed Away at 92

• Renowned Italian tennis player Nicola Pietrangeli passed away at the age of 92 in Rome, Italy.
• Nicola Pietrangeli was born on 11 September 1933 in Tunisia.
• He was the first Italian to win a Grand Slam Singles title, securing the French Open Singles titles (Roland Garros) in 1959 and 1960.
• He also won the French Open Doubles title in 1959 and the Mixed Doubles title in 1958.
• Throughout his career, he won a total of 48 titles, including two Rome Masters in 1957 and 1961.
• From 1954 to 1972, he represented Italy in the Davis Cup, playing a record 164 Davis Cup matches, the highest by an Italian player, and won 120 matches.
• After retiring, he became Italy’s Davis Cup captain and led the team to its maiden Davis Cup title in 1976.
• In 1986, Nicola Pietrangeli was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
• In 2006, the Stadio della Pallacorda, the second largest stadium at the Italian Open in Rome, was renamed Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli in his honour.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures 2025 – 4th December

• International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures 2025 is observed globally on 4th December.
• The day was first declared by the United Nations General Assembly in June 2025 to highlight the negative impact of unilateral sanctions imposed outside the framework of international law.
• Objective: To raise awareness about the humanitarian, developmental, and economic consequences of unilateral coercive measures on affected countries.
• Unilateral Coercive Measures (UCMs): Actions such as trade embargoes, investment restrictions, freezing of assets, travel bans, and blocking financial transactions imposed by one country on another to influence internal policies, as defined by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
• Impact: These measures undermine sovereignty, restrict human rights, and limit access to essential services like food, medicine, healthcare, and housing, particularly in developing nations.
• The observance emphasizes multilateral cooperation and adherence to international law to prevent the misuse of sanctions.

International Cheetah Day 2025 – 4th December

• International Cheetah Day is observed annually on 4th December to highlight the conservation of cheetahs, the world’s fastest land animals.
• The day was launched in 2010 by Dr. Laurie Marker, founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), to raise awareness about the species and global efforts to prevent extinction.
• Cheetah Facts: Cheetahs are one of the oldest big cat species, with evolutionary roots over five million years. They can accelerate from 0 to 112 km/h in just three seconds.
• Endangerment Status: Only 6,500–7,100 cheetahs remain in the wild, mostly in Africa. All subspecies are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN, while the Northwest African and Asiatic cheetahs are critically endangered.
• Cheetahs in India: Declared extinct in 1952 due to hunting and habitat loss. Project Cheetah has been initiated to reintroduce the species and restore its population in India.

BR Ambedkar Death Anniversary 2025 Observed on 6th December

• BR Ambedkar Death Anniversary 2025 is observed on 6th December to honor the life and contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
• Ambedkar was born into the Mahar (Dalit) caste, historically subjected to untouchability and social discrimination.
• His family had a history of serving in the British Indian Army, with his father posted at the Mhow cantonment.
• During his early education, Ambedkar and other untouchable children faced segregation, limited attention from teachers, and were not allowed to sit inside classrooms.
• Ambedkar’s work focused on:
  • Eradicating untouchability
  • Ensuring equality and social justice
  • Providing resources and opportunities for all citizens, regardless of caste
• The day is marked by events, lectures, and awareness programs to honor his contributions to nation-building and social reforms.
• Press conferences and public events are held to inform citizens and encourage participation in commemorating Mahaparinirvana Divas.

National Microwave Oven Day 2025 Observed on 6th December

• National Microwave Oven Day 2025 is observed on 6th December to celebrate the invention and impact of the microwave oven.
• The microwave oven is one of the most widely used kitchen appliances and is used for:
  • Heating leftovers
  • Making popcorn
  • Melting butter and chocolate
  • Heating water
  • Baking cakes
• Microwave ovens are energy-efficient and consume over 80% less power compared to other heating devices.
• The invention is credited to Percy Spencer, a self-taught American engineer, who accidentally discovered microwave heating in 1945 when a candy bar melted in his pocket while working with radar.
• Spencer later demonstrated that directing the magnetron’s power into a metal box could heat food quickly and safely.
• Raytheon filed a patent for the microwave oven on 8th October 1945.
• The first domestic microwave oven was introduced in 1955.
• Later, Litton Industries developed a microwave model similar to the modern design, increasing its popularity.
• Usage of microwaves grew rapidly in the United States — from 40,000 units in 1971 to 1 million by 1975.

Daily CA One- Liner: December 6

• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), India’s largest insurance company, launched two new insurance products: Protection Plus (Plan 886) and Bima Kavach (Plan 887) to enhance financial security and provide flexible savings or pure-risk cover options.
• NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc, the first publicly listed commercial bank in Cambodia, to enable cross-border QR-based payments.
• Developing countries paid out $741 billion more in principal and interest on their external debt than they received in new financing between 2022 and 2024—the largest gap in at least 50 years.
• The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued the SEBI (Foreign Venture Capital Investors (FVCI)) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 to allow low-risk foreign investors to participate in the Indian securities market via single window access.
• Union Minister of State (MoS) Finance Pankaj Chaudhary inaugurated the 68th Founding Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at its Headquarters in New Delhi.
• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI), a global Non-Profit Organization (NPO), in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), launched the second phase of Solar Energy for Agricultural Resilience (SoLAR-Phase II) in India, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
• The Ministry of Labour and Employment runs the National Career Service (NCS) Portal, a one-stop digital platform offering career-related services such as job search, job matching, counselling, skill development information, and job fair updates.
• United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appointed Stefan Priesner of Austria as the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in India for a four-year term beginning 1 December 2025 and ending in 2029.
• AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), which recently received the RBI’s (Reserve Bank of India) in-principle approval to become a universal bank, has appointed Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna as brand ambassadors.
• The 5th edition of India–Malaysia Joint Exercise Harimau Shakti–2025 began at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, and will be held from 05–18 December 2025.
• The 8th edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo–French air exercise, was held at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France.
• The 10th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI commenced at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, and is being held from 03–12 December 2025.
• Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov co-chaired the 22nd India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi on December 4, 2025.
• The Indian Navy conducted a grand Operational Demonstration (Op Demo) at Shangumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, on 03 December 2025 showcasing its operational prowess, maritime capabilities, and technological excellence.
• Renowned Italian tennis player Nicola Pietrangeli passed away at the age of 92 in Rome, Italy.

• The Department of Telecommunication has withdrawn its directive mandating smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices sold or imported in India
• The Lok Sabha has passed the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 along with the Health and National Security Cess Bill 2025, introducing a revised tax structure on tobacco, cigarettes, and pan masala, commonly referred to as sin goods
• India will assume the chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the first time during the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden, and will serve through 2026
• The Government of Haryana has revised the payment structure of the Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana (DDLLY), and from December 2025, assistance will now be released on a quarterly basis.
• Bharat Taxi, operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited, has started pilot operations in Delhi and Gujarat, offering an alternative to private cab aggregators with a driver-owned cooperative model
• 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions were recorded in November 2025, reflecting an 8.5% year-on-year growth compared to November 2024
• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Index 2025-26 has been released by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) and the Peace Research Institute Oslo
• Government data shows significant tourism growth in 2024–25, with 56 lakh foreign tourists and 303.59 crore domestic tourist visits recorded across the country
• The Archery Premier League (APL) has won the title of Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year at the India Sports Awards 2025 during FICCI TURF 2025, the 15th Global Sports Summit held in New Delhi
• International Day Against Unilateral Coercive Measures 2025 is observed globally on 4th December
• International Cheetah Day is observed annually on 4th December to highlight the conservation of cheetahs, the world’s fastest land animals
• BR Ambedkar Death Anniversary 2025 is observed on 6th December to honor the life and contributions of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution
• National Microwave Oven Day 2025 is observed on 6th December to celebrate the invention and impact of the microwave oven

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