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THADAM – CURRENT AFFAIRS – DECEMBER 23-24

தடம் –  நடப்பு நிகழ்வுகள் – டிசம்பர் -23-24

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📰 INDIA PLEDGES $450 MILLION TO AID SRI LANKA’S RECOVERY

1️⃣ News

India has announced a $450-million “reconstruction package” for Sri Lanka to assist in recovery from Cyclone Ditwah (Nov 2025). External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the announcement in Colombo.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Total Package: $450 million.
  • Breakdown: $350 million (Concessional Lines of Credit) + $100 million (Grants).
  • Event: Cyclone Ditwah (Landfall Nov 28, 2025).
  • Operation Name: ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ (Humanitarian aid and relief).
  • Key Figures: S. Jaishankar (India EAM), Anura Kumara Dissanayake (Sri Lankan President), Vijitha Herath (SL Foreign Minister).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Line of Credit (LoC): A soft loan provided by one country to another on concessional interest rates, usually required to be used to purchase goods/services from the lending country.
  • Currency Swap: An arrangement between two central banks to exchange currencies to improve liquidity and stabilize foreign exchange reserves.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

  • Neighborhood First Policy: India’s core diplomatic approach to prioritize relations with immediate neighbors.
  • SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • D. Geography Static:
    • Cyclone Naming: Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean are named by 13 member countries of the WMO/ESCAP panel.
    • Palk Strait: Separates Tamil Nadu from Northern Sri Lanka.
  • A. Polity / IR Static:
    • Kachchatheevu: An island ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974; fishing rights remain a contentious issue (mentioned in context of fisherman arrests in the same news column).
    • 13th Amendment: Part of SL Constitution (1987) mandated by Indo-Sri Lanka Accord for power devolution to Tamil provinces.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ is associated with India’s relief aid to Sri Lanka for Cyclone Ditwah.
  • The current External Affairs Minister of India is S. Jaishankar.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

  • India as a ‘First Responder’: India’s swift mobilization of military and financial aid reinforces its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean.
  • Economic Diplomacy: Using LoCs and grants to counter debt distress in neighboring nations (countering China’s debt-trap diplomacy).

 

 

📰 STALIN INAUGURATES RESTORED VICTORIA PUBLIC HALL IN CITY

1️⃣ News

TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the restored Victoria Public Hall (Chennai), renovated under the Singara Chennai 2.0 initiative at a cost of ₹32.62 crore.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Location: Between Chennai Central and Ripon Buildings.
  • Initiative: Singara Chennai 2.0.
  • Architect (Restoration): Abha Narain Lambah.
  • Historical Significance: Birthplace of the Justice Party.
  • Exhibits: Sangam era instruments (Kuzhal, Kinnaram), history of Chennai mobility (trams).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Indo-Saracenic Architecture: A revivalist architectural style used by British architects in India, combining Islamic designs with Victorian Britain styles (e.g., domes, arches).
  • Singara Chennai 2.0: A holistic urban development scheme for Chennai focusing on heritage, environment, and infrastructure.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • C. TN History / Culture Static:
    • Victoria Public Hall: Constructed in 1887 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm.
    • Justice Party (South Indian Liberal Federation): Formed in 1916 by T.M. Nair and P. Theagaraya Chetty. It is the ideological parent of the Dravidian movement.
    • Suguna Vilasa Sabha: A historic theatre troupe associated with the Hall, founded by Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar (Father of Tamil Theatre).

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • Victoria Public Hall is a classic example of Indo-Saracenic architecture.
  • The Justice Party was founded in the year 1916.
  • Singara Chennai 2.0 is the flagship urban renewal scheme of the current TN government.

 

📰 INDIA’S FIRST ANTI-TERROR POLICY TO BE OUT SOON

1️⃣ News

The Union government is finalizing the “National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy” to provide a uniform template for all states to combat terror.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Implementing Agency: National Investigation Agency (NIA).
  • Key Platforms: National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).
  • Key Issues: Digital radicalization, misuse of open borders (Nepal), crypto-funding.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • NATGRID: An integrated intelligence master database connecting databases of core security agencies to track terror suspects.
  • Radicalization: The process by which an individual or group adopts increasingly extreme political, social, or religious ideals.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

  • UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act): The primary anti-terror law in India.
  • NIA Act, 2008: Established the NIA as a federal counter-terror agency following the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • A. Polity / Security Static:
    • Police vs Public Order: ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State Subjects (List II, Seventh Schedule). This makes a central policy require federal consensus.
    • NIA Jurisdiction: Empowered to probe terror cases across states without special permission from state governments.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

  • Federal Challenges: A central anti-terror policy must navigate the constitutional division of powers, as law and order is a state subject.
  • Technological Shift: The policy focuses on “Digital Radicalization,” acknowledging that modern terror recruitment happens online (cyber-terrorism).

 

📰 INDIA’S FTA WITH NEW ZEALAND (EDITORIAL)

1️⃣ News

India and New Zealand have closed negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). It includes a mobility clause for 5,000 Indian professionals and excludes sensitive dairy sectors from tariff cuts.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Trade Volume: ~$2 billion (FY25).
  • Target: Double trade in 5 years.
  • Mobility Clause: 5,000 professionals/work visas.
  • Exclusions: Dairy, animal products, some vegetables (to protect Indian farmers).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports.
  • Rules of Origin: Criteria needed to determine the national source of a product (to prevent third countries from dumping goods via the FTA partner).
  • Non-Tariff Barriers: Restrictions on trade other than taxes (e.g., quality standards, quotas).

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • B. Economy Static:
    • RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership): India exited RCEP in 2019 primarily due to fears of dairy imports from New Zealand and Australia harming domestic cooperatives (Amul).
    • Services Trade: India generally seeks greater market access for its service sector (Mode 4 – movement of natural persons) in FTAs.
  • Types of Trade Agreements:
    • Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA): Reduces tariffs on a limited number of goods.
    • Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Eliminates tariffs on most goods.
    • Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) / Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): A broader agreement covering goods, services, investment, competition, and IPR. India-NZ deal has elements of a CEPA.
    • Customs Union: An FTA plus a common external tariff against non-members.
    • Common Market: A customs union with free movement of capital and labour.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • India recently concluded FTA negotiations with New Zealand.
  • The “White Revolution” in India is associated with Verghese Kurien.

 

📰 ON THE RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (TEXT & CONTEXT)

1️⃣ News

The article discusses the constitutional evolution of environmental rights in India, citing the recent Supreme Court recognition of the “Right to be free from adverse effects of climate change” as part of Article 21 and Article 14.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Key Case: M.K. Ranjitsinh versus Union of India, 2024.
  • Ruling: Recognized the right against adverse effects of climate change under Article 21 (Right to Life) and Article 14 (Right to Equality).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Absolute Liability: A legal doctrine (evolved in MC Mehta vs UOI, 1987 – Oleum Gas Leak) where hazardous industries are liable for damages regardless of fault or negligence, with no exceptions.
  • Polluter Pays Principle: Those who produce pollution should bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health or the environment.
  • Public Trust Doctrine: The state acts as a trustee of natural resources (air, water, forests) which are owned by the public; the state cannot transfer these for private gain (M.C. Mehta vs Kamal Nath).

5️⃣ Judgments / Doctrines / Committees

  • Maneka Gandhi v. Union of India (1978): The Supreme Court expanded the scope of Article 21 (Right to Life), stating it includes the right to live with human dignity, which paved the way for including environmental protections.
  • Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra v. State of U.P. (1985) (Dehradun Quarrying case): The first case where the Supreme Court explicitly recognised the right to a healthy environment as part of Article 21.
  • M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1987) (Oleum Gas Leak case): The Supreme Court introduced the principle of ‘Absolute Liability’ for industries dealing with hazardous substances.
  • Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): The Court held that the right to pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life is part of Article 21.
  • Vellore Citizens’ Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996): The Supreme Court explained and incorporated the ‘Precautionary Principle’ and the ‘Polluter Pays Principle’ as essential features of sustainable development and part of the law of the land.
  • M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath (1997): The Supreme Court elaborated on the ‘Public Trust Doctrine’.
  • M. K. Ranjitsinh v. Union of India (2024): The Supreme Court recognised the right against the adverse effects of climate change as part of the right to life (Article 21) and the right to equality (Article 14).

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • Constitutional Provisions for Environment:
    • Article 21 (Fundamental Right): Right to life and personal liberty, judicially interpreted to include the right to a clean and healthy environment.
    • Article 48A (DPSP): Added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976. It directs the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife.
    • Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty): Added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976. It imposes a duty on every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment.
  • Key Environmental Legislations in India:
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
    • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
    • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
    • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
    • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (An “umbrella” legislation)
    • National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

  • Judicial Activism in Environmental Protection: The Indian judiciary has played a pivotal role in expanding environmental jurisprudence by interpreting constitutional provisions and introducing globally recognized principles, often filling legislative and executive gaps.
  • From Implicit to Explicit Right: The article argues for making the right to a healthy environment an explicit fundamental right. This would strengthen its enforceability and place a clearer, non-negotiable obligation on the state.
  • Sustainable Development as a Balancing Act: The legal framework, guided by the judiciary, attempts to balance the imperatives of economic development with the necessity of environmental protection, with ‘Sustainable Development’ being the core guiding principle.

 

📰 INDIA’S CORE SECTOR GROWS AT 1.8% IN NOV

1️⃣ News

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew by 1.8% in November 2025. Cement performed best, while coal and refinery products saw a decline or contraction.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Growth: 1.8% (November 2025).
  • Best Performer: Cement (+14.5%).
  • Decline: Crude Oil (-3.2%), Natural Gas (-2.5%).
  • Refinery Products: Declined by 0.9%.
  • Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases ICI.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI): A monthly production index that measures the performance of 8 key industries. These industries comprise 40.27% of the weight of items included in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
  • Base Year: Currently 2011-12 (News mentions a new series with a changed base year is coming in 2026).

6️⃣ Additional  Information

  • B. Economy Static:
    • The 8 Core Industries (Descending Order of Weightage):
      1. Refinery Products (Highest)
      2. Electricity
      3. Steel
      4. Coal
      5. Crude Oil
      6. Natural Gas
      7. Cement
      8. Fertilizers (Lowest)

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • The Index of Eight Core Industries is released by the Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce.
  • Refinery Products hold the maximum weightage in the Core Sector Index.

 

📰 ANJADIP, INDIGENOUS ANTI-SUBMARINE CRAFT, JOINS NAVY

1️⃣ News

The Indian Navy received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC). It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Vessel Name: Anjadip.
  • Type: ASW Shallow Water Craft.
  • Builder: GRSE, Kolkata (Delivered in Chennai).
  • Namesake: Anjadip Island off the coast of Karwar (Karnataka).
  • Key Features: Waterjet propulsion, indigenous 30-mm naval surface gun, over 80% indigenous content.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • ASW Shallow Water Craft: Smaller warships designed to operate in coastal waters to detect and destroy enemy submarines and lay mines. They replace the older Abhay-class corvettes.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • F. Science & Tech / Defence Static:
    • Project 28: Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes (Kamorta Class).
    • GRSE: A Mini Ratna Category-I company, the first Indian shipyard to build and export warships.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • INS Anjadip is named after an island located off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka.

 

📰 PLAN TO DEMARCATE MINING AREAS IN ARAVALLIS

1️⃣ News

The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will prepare a report to identify hills in the Aravalli range suitable for mining versus those to be protected, following a Supreme Court order.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Body: Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
  • Plan: Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM).
  • Uniform Criterion: “100 metres above local relief” (Recommended to define Aravalli hills).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Local Relief: The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a limited area. Using this helps define what constitutes a “hill” in the Aravalli range for legal protection.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • D. Geography Static:
    • Aravalli Range: One of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.
    • Extension: Starts from Gujarat (Palanpur), through Rajasthan and Haryana, ending in Delhi (Raisina Hill).
    • Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) near Mount Abu.
    • Rivers: Banas, Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati rise from the Aravallis.
  • E. Environment Static:
    • Aravallis act as a barrier checking the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert. Significance: Acts as a water divide between the Indus and Ganga river systems; checks the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.
    • T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Case (1996): The Supreme Court defined “Forest” broadly to include any area recorded as forest in government records or satisfying the dictionary definition of forest, regardless of ownership.

 

📰 ISRO’S HEAVIEST-EVER LAUNCH TODAY

1️⃣ News

ISRO is set to launch its heaviest-ever satellite aboard the LVM-3 rocket. The mission is part of a commercial agreement to launch the BlueBird-2 satellite.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Rocket: Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3).
  • Satellite: BlueBird Block 2.
  • Mass: ~6,400 kg (Heaviest payload by ISRO to date).
  • Purpose: Broadband/communication satellite.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • LVM-3 (formerly GSLV Mk-III): India’s heaviest operational launch vehicle. It uses a three-stage mechanism: Solid boosters (S200), Liquid core stage (L110), and Cryogenic upper stage (C25).
  • Cryogenic Engine: Uses liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidizer) at extremely low temperatures for high thrust.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • F. Science & Tech Static:
    • NSIL (NewSpace India Limited): The commercial arm of ISRO responsible for such commercial launches.
    • Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO): An elliptical orbit used to transfer satellites to Geostationary Orbit (36,000 km altitude).

 

📰 INSV KAUNDINYA TO EMBARK ON MAIDEN VOYAGE

1️⃣ News

The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, is set to undertake its maiden overseas voyage on December 29, 2025. The vessel will sail from Porbandar (Gujarat) to Muscat (Oman), retracing ancient maritime trade routes.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Vessel Name: INSV Kaundinya.
  • Flag-off Date: December 29, 2025.
  • Route: Porbandar (Gujarat) to Muscat (Oman).
  • Collaborating Agencies: Ministry of Culture, Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations (Tripartite MoU).
  • Master Shipwright: Shri Babu Sankaran.
  • Construction Feature: Zero use of metal nails; fully stitched using coconut coir and natural resins.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Stitched-Plank Technology: An ancient shipbuilding technique where wooden planks are stitched together using cords (usually coconut coir) rather than being fastened with iron nails. The flexibility of the hull allowed these ships to navigate shallow waters and withstand ocean swells better than rigid nailed ships.
  • Maritime Heritage Diplomacy: Using historical maritime connections (soft power) to strengthen contemporary diplomatic relations with Indian Ocean littoral states.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies Mentioned

  • Project Mausam: While not explicitly named in the text, this initiative aligns with the Ministry of Culture’s Project Mausam, which aims to reconnect and re-establish communications between countries of the Indian Ocean world, leading to an enhanced understanding of cultural values and concerns.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • C. History / TN History Static:
    • Sangam Literature references: Ancient Tamil texts mention various types of sea-faring vessels like Kalam, Vangam, Nawai, and Thoni.
    • The Kaundinya Legend: Kaundinya was a legendary Indian merchant/Brahmin who sailed to Southeast Asia (Funan, modern-day Cambodia) and married the Naga princess Soma, establishing Hindu-Buddhist culture in the region (Suvarnabhumi).
    • Boat building centres: Beypore (Kerala) and Cuddalore (Tamil Nadu) were historic hubs for such vessels.
  • D. Geography Static:
    • Trade Winds: Ancient sailing relied heavily on the Southwest and Northeast Monsoons (Hippalus wind) for navigation across the Arabian Sea.
    • Porbandar: An ancient port city in Gujarat, historically significant for trade with West Asia and Africa.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • INSV Kaundinya is constructed using the stitched-plank method without metal nails.
  • The vessel is named after the ancient mariner Kaundinya, associated with the spread of Indian culture to Southeast Asia.
  • The maiden voyage connects India (Gujarat) and Oman (Muscat).

 

📰 SHRI MANOHAR LAL INAUGURATES COMMERCIAL OPERATION OF SUBANSIRI LOWER HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

Union Minister of Power, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit-2 (250 MW) of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project. It is India’s largest hydropower project with a total capacity of 2000 MW, situated in the North-East.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Project Name: Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project.
  • Total Capacity: 2000 MW (8 Units × 250 MW).
  • Current Status: Unit-2 (250 MW) commissioned; remaining units by 2026-27.
  • Implementing Agency: NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).
  • Annual Generation Target: 7,422 Million Units (MU).
  • Dam Specifics: 116-meter-high concrete gravity dam.
  • Flood Cushion: 442 million cubic metres.
  • Key Beneficiaries: 16 states; Free power to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam; 1,000 MW dedicated to the North-East region.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Run-of-the-River Scheme: A type of hydroelectric generation where little or no water storage is provided. The power generation fluctuates with the seasonal river flow, though this specific project has a “small pondage” for water management.
  • Concrete Gravity Dam: A dam constructed from concrete or stone masonry designed to hold back water by using only the weight of the material and its resistance against the foundation to oppose the horizontal pressure of water.
  • Flood Moderation: The use of dams to store excess water during heavy rainfall periods to prevent downstream flooding. This project keeps one-third of reservoir storage empty during floods.
  • Net Zero: A state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. India has committed to achieving this by 2070.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

  • Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyaan: Mentioned under NHPC’s CSR initiatives, involving the construction of 3,129 toilets.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): NHPC invested ₹155 crore in initiatives like education (Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya), sanitation, and livelihood programs (piggery, sericulture) in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • D. Geography Static:
    • Subansiri River: It is the largest tributary of the River Brahmaputra. It originates in the Himalayas in China (Tibet) and flows into India through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
    • Location: The project is located on the border of Arunachal Pradesh (Lower Subansiri District) and Assam (Dhemaji District).
  • B. Economy / Energy Static:
    • Hydro Power Status: Large Hydro Projects (>25 MW) were declared as Renewable Energy sources by the Union Government in 2019 to promote the sector.
    • NHPC: A Mini Ratna Category-I Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, established in 1975.
  • F. Science & Tech Static:
    • Green Hydrogen: NHPC is diversifying into Green Hydrogen, which is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

  • Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is located on the border of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
  • It is India’s largest hydropower project with a capacity of 2000 MW.
  • The project is implemented by NHPC Limited.
  • The dam is a Concrete Gravity Dam.

 

 

📰 1729, NUMBER THAT BEARS RAMANUJAN NAME, REVEALS RIGOUR BEHIND GENIUS

1️⃣ News

December 22 is celebrated as National Mathematics Day to honor Srinivasa Ramanujan. The article highlights the significance of the “Hardy-Ramanujan Number” (1729).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Date: December 22 (National Mathematics Day).
  • Person: Srinivasa Ramanujan (Born 1887, Erode, Tamil Nadu).
  • Number: 1729.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Hardy-Ramanujan Number (1729): It is the smallest number that can be expressed as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.
  • Partition Function: A method of counting the number of ways an integer can be written as a sum of positive integers.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • C. History / TN History Static:
    • Srinivasa Ramanujan: Born in Erode, grew up in Kumbakonam.
    • Fellowship: First Indian to be elected a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.
    • Mentor: G.H. Hardy.
    • Contribution: Mock theta functions, infinite series, number theory.

 

📰 NASA LOSES TOUCH WITH MAVEN

1️⃣ News

NASA lost contact with the MAVEN spacecraft, which has been orbiting Mars for over a decade. It went silent in early December 2025.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Mission: MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution).
  • Launch: Nov 2013 (Reached Mars Sept 2014).
  • Objective: To study Mars’ upper atmosphere and ionosphere to understand how the planet lost its water/atmosphere.
  • Comparison: It reached Mars just days before India’s Mangalyaan (MOM) in 2014.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Deep Space Network (DSN): NASA’s international array of giant radio antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions.
  • UHF Relay: MAVEN acts as a communications relay, transferring data from Mars surface rovers (like Perseverance) to Earth.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • F. Science & Tech Static:
    • Mangalyaan (MOM): India’s first interplanetary mission. Launched by PSLV-C25. India became the first nation to reach Mars orbit in its first attempt.
    • Kessler Syndrome: A scenario where the density of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade, rendering space exploration difficult (Discussed in “Text & Context” page regarding Space Debris).
  • ISRO’s Efforts in Space Debris Management:
    • Project NETRA (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis): An early warning system to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites. It consists of a connected network of radars, telescopes, data processing units, and a control centre.
    • SPADEX (Space Docking Experiment): A future mission planned by ISRO to develop technologies for docking, refueling, and servicing satellites in orbit, which could also be used for de-orbiting space debris.
    • ISRO is a member of the IADC and adheres to its space debris mitigation guidelines.
  • Gaganyaan Mission:
    • India’s first human spaceflight mission.
    • Aims to send a crew of three astronauts to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bring them back safely.
    • The protection of the crew module from MMOD is a critical safety requirement.

 

📰 NITI AAYOG PROPOSES $10-BN RESEARCH FUND

1️⃣ News

NITI Aayog released a report on the “Internationalisation of Higher Education,” proposing a $10 billion “Bharat Vidya Kosh” (Sovereign Wealth Fund) and a “Standards Council” (Manak Parishad).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Report Title: Internationalisation of Higher Education in India.
  • Proposed Body: Manak Parishad (Standards Council).
  • Proposed Fund: Bharat Vidya Kosh ($10 billion).
  • Data: For every 1 international student in India, 28 Indians go abroad (2024).

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies Mentioned

  • Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025: A proposed bill to overhaul higher education regulation.
  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Aims to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035 and promote internationalization.

6️⃣ Additional Static Information (STRUCTURED NOTES)

  • G. Tamil Nadu Administration / Education:
    • Tamil Nadu has the highest Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education among major states in India (approx 51.4%), surpassing the NEP 2035 target well in advance.

 

📰 HOW EXPORTS ARE CONCENTRATED IN FEW STATES (TEXT & CONTEXT)

1️⃣ News

Data from the RBI Handbook of Statistics 2024-25 shows a “core-periphery” pattern where 5 states contribute nearly 70% of India’s exports, while hinterland states lag.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Top 5 Exporters: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Share: ~70% of national export basket.
  • Trend: Capital deepening (Capital/Labor ratio rising).
  • Capital Investment: Fixed capital investment grew 10.6%, but employment only 7.4% (ASI 2022-23).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI): A measure of market concentration. A rising HHI in exports means exports are becoming concentrated in fewer states.
  • Credit-Deposit (CD) Ratio: The ratio of how much a bank lends out of the deposits it has mobilized.
    • High CD Ratio (>90%): TN, Andhra (Money is reinvested locally).
    • Low CD Ratio (<50%): Bihar, UP (Savings flow out).
  • Capital Deepening: Increasing the amount of capital per worker (automation/machinery), often leading to “jobless growth.”

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • B. Economy / TN Economy Static:
    • Tamil Nadu’s Economy: Second largest state economy in India. Known as the “Detroit of Asia” (Auto components) and a leader in Textiles and Electronics.
    • PLI Scheme: Production Linked Incentive schemes have encouraged electronics manufacturing clusters (e.g., Kancheepuram).

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

  • Regional Disparity: The coastal states are integrating with global value chains, while the hinterland remains agrarian or labor-suppliers, creating a “Two Indias” economic model.
  • Capital vs Labor: Manufacturing is becoming capital intensive even in labor-surplus India, undermining the goal of mass employment generation through exports.

 

📰 RBI ANNOUNCES FRESH MEASURES TO INJECT LIQUIDITY

1️⃣ News

RBI will conduct Open Market Operations (OMO) to purchase Government Securities (₹2 lakh crore) and conduct a dollar-rupee swap auction to inject liquidity.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Amount: ₹2,00,000 crore via OMO.
  • Swap Auction: $10 billion.
  • Reason: To address liquidity deficit and manage forex reserves.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Open Market Operations (OMO): The buying and selling of government securities by the central bank to control money supply.
    • Buying Securities: Injects money (Liquidity increases).
    • Selling Securities: Absorbs money (Liquidity decreases).
  • Forex Swap: The RBI sells dollars now to suck out rupee liquidity or buys dollars to infuse rupees, with an agreement to reverse the transaction later.

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • B. Economy Static:
    • Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR): Percentage of deposits banks must hold in liquid assets (Gold, Cash, G-Secs).
    • Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR): Percentage of deposits banks must park with RBI in cash.

 

📰 RHINO DEHORNING IN AFRICAN RESERVES

1️⃣

A study in Science shows that dehorning rhinos (cutting off the horn) reduced poaching by 75% in African reserves (Greater Kruger).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

  • Species: Black and White Rhinos.
  • Region: Greater Kruger (South Africa).
  • Substance: Rhino horn is made of Keratin (same as hair/nails).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

  • Dehorning: A conservation strategy where the horn is surgically removed to make the animal worthless to poachers.
  • CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Bans international commercial trade in rhino horn).

6️⃣ Additional Information

  • E. Environment Static:
    • Indian Rhino: The Greater One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis).
    • Habitat: Kaziranga National Park (Assam) holds the highest population.
    • IUCN Status:
      • Indian Rhino: Vulnerable.
      • Black Rhino: Critically Endangered.
      • White Rhino: Near Threatened.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

📘 JNANPITH AWARD WINNER PASSES AWAY

Renowned Hindi poet and 2024 Jnanpith Award winner Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away at 88 in Raipur.

2️⃣ GK Facts

  • Name: Vinod Kumar Shukla.
  • Works: Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, Naukar Ki Kameez.
  • Award: Jnanpith (Highest literary honor in India).

3️⃣ Static Add-on Notes

  • Jnanpith Award: Instituted in 1961. First winner: G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam).
  • The award is given for outstanding contribution to literature in any of the 22 languages in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution + English.

📘 DEEPTI BECOMES THE NO. 1 T20I BOWLER IN THE ICC RANKINGS

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has become the top-ranked bowler in the ICC women’s T20I rankings for the first time. She surpassed Australian pacer Annabel Sutherland to claim the number one spot.

📘 THE SILVER JUBILEE OF ANAND’S GOLDEN TRIUMPH

December 24, 2025, marks the 25th anniversary of Viswanathan Anand winning his first World Chess Championship. He became India’s first World Chess Champion on this day in 2000 by defeating Alexei Shirov in Tehran, Iran.

2️⃣ GK Facts & Data

  • Event: 25th Anniversary of Anand’s first World Chess Championship title.
  • Date of Victory: December 24, 2000.
  • Location: Tehran, Iran.
  • Opponent in Final: Alexei Shirov.
  • Anand’s Total World Titles: Five.

3️⃣ Static Add-on

  • Viswanathan Anand:
    • An Indian chess grandmaster and a five-time World Chess Champion.
    • He was India’s first grandmaster in 1988.
    • He was the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award) in 1991–92, India’s highest sporting honour.
    • He also received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, in 2007.

📘 SIGNIFICANCE OF MARGAZHI MONTH

The Tamil month of Margazhi (mid-Dec to mid-Jan) is considered holy. It is associated with the recitation of Tiruppavai (Andal) and Tiruvempavai.

2️⃣ GK Facts

  • Deity: Lord Krishna says in Gita, “Among months, I am Margazhi”.
  • Literature: Naalayira Divya Prabhandam (Tamil Vedas).
  • Scientific Aspect: Ozone layer is lowest, air is rich in oxygen during early mornings (Brahma Muhurtha).

Static Add-on

  • Andal: Only female Alwar saint. Wrote Tiruppavai and Nachiyar Tirumozhi.
  • Manikkavasagar: Wrote Tiruvempavai (Saivite tradition).

📘 KARBI ANGLONG AUTONOMOUS COUNCIL (KAAC)

Eviction drive demands in Assam’s Karbi Anglong led to violence.

2️⃣ GK Facts

  • Location: Assam.
  • Schedule: Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • Powers: Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in 6th Schedule areas (Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram) have legislative, judicial, and executive powers over land, forest, etc.

 

 

RIGHT TO DISCONNECT

Context: A Private Member’s Bill titled “Right to Disconnect Bill” has been introduced in Parliament to give employees the legal right not to respond to work-related calls or emails beyond working hours.

  1. What is the Issue?
  • Blurred Lines: Digital technology (smartphones, emails, Zoom) has erased the boundary between “work time” and “personal time.”
  • Invisible Work: Employees are expected to be “always on,” leading to unpaid overtime and mental stress.
  • Legal Void: Current Indian labor laws (like the Factories Act or the new Labor Codes) regulate work based on “time” and “physical premises.” They do not explicitly define or regulate “digital work” performed after hours.
  1. Arguments in Favor (Mains – GS1/GS2)
  • Mental Health: Constant connectivity leads to burnout, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
  • Work-Life Balance: Essential for the well-being of employees and their families.
  • Constitutional Right: Can be linked to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty, which includes the right to privacy and rest).
  • Productivity: Well-rested employees are more productive.
  1. Challenges in Implementation
  • Definition of ‘Work’: In a digital economy, defining what constitutes “work” after hours is difficult. (e.g., checking an email vs. replying to it).
  • Industry Dynamics: Sectors like IT, media, and healthcare operate 24/7 or across global time zones. A rigid law might hurt competitiveness.
  • Informal Sector: A large portion of India’s workforce is informal or gig-based, where such laws are hard to enforce.
  1. Global Precedents
  • France: Pioneered the “Right to Disconnect” law in 2017. Companies must negotiate protocols for after-hours communication.
  • Germany: Many companies (like Volkswagen) voluntarily freeze email servers after work hours.
  • European Union: Considers employer control over time as a key metric for defining work hours.
  1. Way Forward
  • Hybrid Approach: Instead of a rigid ban, the law could mandate collective bargaining or company-level policies (like in France) to set expectations.
  • Clarify Labour Codes: The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, should be amended to recognize digital engagement as “work” eligible for overtime pay.

Polity Static:

  • Private Member’s Bill:
    • Introduced by any MP who is not a Minister.
    • Requires 1 month notice.
    • Discussed only on Fridays.
    • Very few have passed in Indian history (14 since independence).
  • Article 21: Protection of Life and Personal Liberty. The Right to Privacy is a fundamental part of it.

 

DAILY MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

The digital age has blurred the boundaries between professional and personal life, necessitating a legal ‘Right to Disconnect’.” Discuss the need for such a right in India and the challenges in its implementation.”