THADAM – CURRENT AFFAIRS – DECEMBER 25-26

தடம் –  நடப்பு நிகழ்வுகள் – டிசம்பர் -25-26

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📰 ISRO SENDS TO LOW EARTH ORBIT LARGEST COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

1️⃣ News

ISRO successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite using the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This mission placed the largest commercial communications satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3), often dubbed “Bahubali”.
• Mission: M6 launch vehicle mission.
• Payload: BlueBird Block-2 satellite.
• Weight: 6,100 kg (Heaviest payload launched by LVM3 from Indian soil).
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – precision achieved was less than 2 km deviation.
• Customer: AST SpaceMobile (U.S.).
• Key Feature: Equipped with a 223 sq. m phased array antenna.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO): An orbit around Earth with an altitude of 2,000 km or less. Used for satellite imaging and communications due to lower latency.
• Phased Array Antenna: An antenna array that creates a beam of radio waves that can be electronically steered to point in different directions without moving the antenna.
• Commercial Launch: A space launch service provided for a fee, typically to private companies or foreign governments (handled by NSIL for ISRO).

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

• Space Sector Reforms: The mission aligns with India’s opening of the space sector to private participation and commercial global partnerships.

6️⃣ Additional Static Information (STRUCTURED NOTES)

• F. Science & Tech Static:
  • LVM3: Three-stage vehicle (Solid strap-ons, Liquid core, Cryogenic upper stage). Capable of launching 4-tonne class satellites to GTO and 8-tonne class to LEO.
  • NSIL (NewSpace India Limited): The commercial arm of ISRO, responsible for enabling Indian industries to scale up high-technology manufacturing and production bases for the Indian space programme.
  • Cryogenic Engine: Uses liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidizer) at extremely low temperatures.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• BlueBird Block-2 is the largest commercial communications satellite launched by ISRO.
• LVM3 M6 mission carried the 6,100 kg payload for US-based AST SpaceMobile.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Commercialization of Indian Space: The successful launch of a heavy US satellite signifies India’s growing reliability in the heavy-lift commercial market, previously dominated by agencies like SpaceX and Arianespace.
• Technical Capability: Precision injection into LEO demonstrates the maturity of the cryogenic stage of LVM3.

 

📰 Passage of Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (Replacing MGNREGA)

1️⃣ News

The Union Government has enacted the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025, repealing the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The new Act changes the funding pattern and operational structure, leading to protests by the DMK-led alliance in Tamil Nadu.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• New Act: Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025.
• Date of Assent: Sunday, December 21, 2025 (by President Droupadi Murmu).
• Funding Ratio Change: From 90:10 (Centre:State) in MGNREGA to 60:40 in the new Act.
• Protests: Held at 389 locations across Tamil Nadu.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Rights-Based vs. Supply-Driven: MGNREGA was “Rights-Based” (legal guarantee of work on demand). The new Act is described as “Supply-Driven,” giving the Centre authority to determine allocations and extent of operation.
• Fiscal Federalism: The division of financial responsibilities between Centre and States. The shift in funding ratio impacts State budgets.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

• VB-G RAM G Act, 2025:
  • Objective: To replace MGNREGA.
  • Key Change: Removes the legal guarantee of work on demand; increases financial burden on States (40% contribution).
  • Criticism: Viewed as an erosion of the “Right to Work” principle.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• B. Economy Static:
  • MGNREGA (2005): Provided at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
  • Core Principles: Demand-driven, unemployment allowance if work not provided within 15 days, social audits.
  •  Types of Unemployment: Structural, Cyclical, Frictional, Disguised (prevalent in Indian agriculture).
• A. Polity Static:
  • Article 41 (DPSP): Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases.
  • Article 21: Right to Life (interpreted to include right to livelihood).
  • Assent to Bills: President gives assent under Article 111.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• The VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 replaces the MGNREGA, 2005.
• The funding pattern between Centre and States under the new Act is 60:40.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Impact on Rural Economy: The shift from a demand-driven model may reduce the safety net function of rural employment schemes during agrarian distress.
• Federal Issues: Increasing the state share to 40% may strain state finances, potentially leading to lower project approvals in poorer states.

 

📰 SC’S ARAVALLI ORDERS & SUSTAINABLE MINING

1️⃣ News

The Supreme Court has banned fresh mining leases in the Aravalli range until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is finalized. States have been ordered to enforce the ban, with exceptions only for critical minerals under central supervision.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Region: Aravalli ranges (Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi).
• Institution: Supreme Court of India; Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).
• Definition: “100 meters above local relief” adopted as the uniform criterion for defining the Aravalli hills (originally a Rajasthan 2006 standard).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Sustainable Mining: Extraction of minerals in a manner that minimizes environmental and social impact.
• Local Relief: The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest points in a specific limited area.
• Critical Minerals: Minerals essential for economic and national security (e.g., Lithium, Cobalt) which are at risk of supply chain disruption.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

• Aravalli Green Wall Project: An initiative to create green corridors along the Aravalli range to combat desertification (mentioned in editorial context).

5️⃣ Judgments / Doctrines / Committees

• SC Order (Nov 20, 2025): Prohibited fresh mining leases until MPSM is in place.
• M.C. Mehta vs Union of India: The foundational case series regarding Aravalli conservation.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• D. Geography Static:
  • Aravalli Range: Oldest fold mountains in India. Runs SW to NE. Acts as a water divide between the Indus and Ganga river systems.
  • Climate Role: Checks the spread of the Thar Desert towards Delhi/Haryana. Obstruction to Arabian Sea branch of monsoon is minimal as it runs parallel to wind direction.

• Type: Oldest fold mountains in India (Pre-Cambrian era).
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu).
• Significance: Acts as a barrier checking the eastward spread of the Thar Desert; acts as a water divide between Indus and Ganga basins.
• Rich in: Non-ferrous minerals (Copper, Zinc, Lead) and construction material (stone).

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• The SC has mandated the preparation of a “Management Plan for Sustainable Mining” for the Aravallis.
• ICFRE has been tasked to identify “permissible areas for mining”.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Conflict of Interest: States often prioritize revenue from mining over environmental protection, necessitating judicial intervention.
• Groundwater Depletion: Mining in Aravallis is directly linked to aquifer destruction in the NCR region.

 

📰 DID AN ANCIENT FLOOD CONTRIBUTE TO KEEZHADI’S ABANDONMENT?

1️⃣ News

A study by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and TN Archaeology Dept suggests that urban-like structures at Keezhadi were buried by a high-energy flood event from the Vaigai river around 1,155 years before present (approx. 9th Century CE).

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Site: Keezhadi, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu.
• River: Vaigai.
• Dating Method: Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating.
• Timeline: Flood deposits dated between 670 and 1,170 years ago.
• Study Publication: Current Science.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• OSL Dating: A technique used to date the last time quartz sediment was exposed to sunlight. Useful for dating geological sediments burying archaeological sites.
• Litho-stratigraphic layers: Layers of rock/soil used to determine the geological timeline.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• C. TN History / Archaeology:
  • Keezhadi: Reveals a Sangam Age urban settlement (Vaigai Valley Civilization).
  • Key Findings: Brick structures, ring wells, Tamil-Brahmi pottery, no religious idols found so far (secular nature).
  • Vaigai River: Originates in Varusanadu Hills (Western Ghats), flows through Madurai, drains into Palk Strait.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Keezhadi is located on the banks of the Vaigai river in Sivaganga district.
• Recent PRL study used OSL dating to attribute Keezhadi’s burial to a massive flood.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Climate & Civilization: This study provides scientific evidence linking climate events (floods) to the decline/abandonment of settlements in Tamil Nadu, similar to theories regarding the Indus Valley Civilization.
• Urban Planning: The discovery of canals and water management systems at Keezhadi indicates advanced hydraulic engineering knowledge.

 

📰 FOUR TRENDS REDEFINING THE NORTH INDIAN OCEAN’S STORM CYCLE

1️⃣ News

Data analysis reveals significant shifts in cyclone patterns in the North Indian Ocean (NIO) over the last century: fewer disturbances overall, but higher intensity, a shift towards the Arabian Sea, and later arrival in the year.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Key Trend 1: Decrease in total frequency of disturbances (1900-2025).
• Key Trend 2: Sharp drop in Bay of Bengal activity; increase in Arabian Sea activity.
• Key Trend 3: Higher intensity (More Severe Cyclonic Storms).
• Key Trend 4: Seasonality shift from July-Sept to Oct-Dec.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Cyclonic Disturbance: Generic term for low-pressure systems. Classified by wind speed:
  • Depression (31-49 kmph)
  • Cyclonic Storm (62-88 kmph)
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm (89-117 kmph)
  • Super Cyclone (≥222 kmph)
• Rapid Intensification: When a cyclone gains wind speed of 55 kmph+ in 24 hours.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• D. Geography Static:

• Conditions for Formation: Sea surface temperature >27°C, Coriolis force (absent at equator), pre-existing low pressure, low vertical wind shear.
• Why BoB sees more cyclones: Shallower water (heats up faster), shape of the bay funnels winds, remnants of Pacific typhoons enter BoB.
• Arabian Sea Warming: Climate change is causing the Arabian Sea to warm faster, supporting more intense cyclones (e.g., Cyclone Tauktae, Biparjoy).

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Cyclone season in the North Indian Ocean is shifting from the post-monsoon transition (Oct-Nov) to extend into December.
• The frequency of cyclones in the Arabian Sea is increasing relative to the Bay of Bengal.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Disaster Management: The shift to later months (Dec) and towards the Arabian Sea requires a recalibration of disaster preparedness for West Coast states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala) which are historically less resilient to cyclones than Odisha/Andhra.

 

📰 DOWRY IS A CROSS-CULTURAL EVIL, SAYS SUPREME COURT

1️⃣ News

The Supreme Court, while hearing a case where a 20-year-old woman died due to dowry demands, termed dowry a “cross-cultural evil” and noted that practices like Mehr in Islam are being overshadowed by dowry.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Bench: Justices Sanjay Karol and N.K. Singh.
• Directives:
  • Changes to educational curriculum to reinforce gender equality.
  • Appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers in all states.
  • Public access to officers’ contact details.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Hypergamy: The practice of marrying a person of a superior caste or class (marrying “up”), cited by SC as a root cause of dowry.
• Mehr: A mandatory payment (money/possessions) paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage in Islam (intended as security for the wife).

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Prohibits the giving or taking of dowry. Mandates appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers.

6️⃣ Additional Static Information )

• A. Polity / Social Justice:
  • Article 14: Equality before law (violated by dowry treating women as financial liabilities).
  • Section 304B (IPC/BNS): Deals with Dowry Death (death within 7 years of marriage under suspicious circumstances with evidence of cruelty for dowry).

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Supreme Court has directed states to appoint Dowry Prohibition Officers strictly as per the 1961 Act.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Social Reform: The judgment highlights that despite legal prohibition, dowry persists as a “social strategy” for status, indicating that law alone cannot cure social evils without behavioral change (Role of Education).

 

📰 NHAI BACKED INVIT GETS SEBI NOD

1️⃣ News

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sponsored ‘Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust’ (RIIT) has received SEBI approval to raise funds from retail investors to monetize road assets.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Trust Name: Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT).
• Sponsor: NHAI.
• Regulator: SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• InvIT (Infrastructure Investment Trust): A mutual fund-like vehicle that pools money from investors to invest in infrastructure assets (like roads, power lines) that generate cash flow.
• Asset Monetization: Process of creating new sources of revenue by unlocking the value of underutilized or potential public assets.

6️⃣ Additional  Information

• B. Economy Static:
  • National Monetization Pipeline (NMP): Focuses on brownfield assets (assets already built and generating revenue). Roads are a major component.
  • NHAI: Statutory body under the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, responsible for National Highways.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust is sponsored by NHAI to monetize highway assets.

 

📰 ‘INDIA WILL SOON BECOME SELF-RELIANT IN SEMICONDUCTORS’

1️⃣ News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that India will soon become self-reliant in the semiconductor industry and start exporting. He praised the Madhya Pradesh government for hosting regional investment summits like the “Abhyudaya: Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit”.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Event: Abhyudaya: Madhya Pradesh Growth Summit.
• Location: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
• Occasion: 101st birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Key Investment: ₹2 lakh crore industrial projects inaugurated.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Semiconductor: A material (like silicon) that has electrical conductivity between a conductor and an insulator. It is the brain of modern electronics (chips).
• Self-Reliance (Atmanirbhar): Reducing import dependency, especially for strategic components like chips.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies

• India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): Launched to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem.
• PM MITRA Park: Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel parks. Mentioned in the context of cotton cultivation revival.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• F. Science & Tech:
  • India’s First Semiconductor Fab: Being set up by Tata Electronics in Dholera, Gujarat.
  • Packaging Plant (ATMP): Tata Electronics is setting up an OSAT facility in Morigaon, Assam.
• B. Economy Static:
  • PLI Scheme: Production Linked Incentive scheme is a key driver for semiconductor manufacturing.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was born in Gwalior.
• India Semiconductor Mission is a specialized business division within the Digital India Corporation.

 

📰 CONSTITUTION OF INDIA RELEASED IN SANTHALI LANGUAGE

1️⃣ News

President Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Language: Santhali.
• Script: Ol Chiki.
• Regions spoken: Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Ol Chiki Script: The official script for the Santhali language, created by Raghunath Murmu.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• A. Polity Static:
  • Eighth Schedule: Santhali was added to the 8th Schedule of the Constitution by the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003 (along with Bodo, Dogri, and Maithili).
  • Tribal Languages: Santhali is one of the few tribal languages with its own script and constitutional recognition.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Santhali language is written in the Ol Chiki script.
• It was included in the Eighth Schedule in 2003.

 

📰 FSSAI BARS FOOD FIRMS FROM TERMING HERBAL INFUSIONS ‘TEA’

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has warned food business operators against using the word ‘tea’ for herbal infusions that are not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Regulator: FSSAI.
• Plant Name: Camellia sinensis (The tea plant).
• Issue: Misbranding of herbal blends/flower infusions as ‘tea’.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Misbranding: Labelling a product in a way that is false, misleading, or deceptive regarding its character, nature, or quality.
• Camellia sinensis: The species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce tea.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts /

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006: The statutory framework under which FSSAI operates.

6️⃣ Additional Static Information

• G. Tamil Nadu Administration / Economy:
  • Tea in TN: Major plantations in Nilgiris and Valparai.
  • Geographical Indication (GI): Nilgiri Tea has a GI tag.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Tea is derived from the plant Camellia sinensis.
• FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

 

📰 CARRYING THE RED FLAG INTO THE NEXT CENTURY

1️⃣ News

The article marks the centenary (100 years) of the Communist Party of India (CPI), founded on December 26, 1925. It reflects on the party’s role in the freedom struggle and social movements.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Event: 100th Anniversary of CPI.
• Founding Date: December 26, 1925.
• Founding Place: Kanpur (First Party Conference).
• Key Figures: M.N. Roy, S.A. Dange, Muzaffar Ahmed.
• Slogan: “Inquilab Zindabad” (coined by Maulana Hasrat Mohani, popularized by Bhagat Singh).

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Communism: A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned.
• Kanpur Bolshevik Conspiracy Case (1924): A trial against early communists by the British, which actually helped popularize the ideology.

• M.N. Roy: First Indian elected to the leadership of Comintern (Communist International). Proposed the idea of a Constituent Assembly for India in 1934.
• Meerut Conspiracy Case (1929): Arrest of labor leaders, leading to global attention.

6️⃣ Additional  Information

• C. History Static (Modern India):
  • Punnapra-Vayalar Struggle (1946): Communist uprising in Travancore.
  • Telangana Armed Struggle (1946-51): Peasant rebellion against the Nizam of Hyderabad led by communists.
  • Kayyur Incident: Peasant struggle in Kerala.
  • Split: CPI split in 1964 into CPI and CPI(M).

• • Election Commission Recognition: CPI was the first opposition party to form a government in an Indian state (Kerala, 1957, led by E.M.S. Namboodiripad).

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• The Communist Party of India was founded in Kanpur in 1925.
• Maulana Hasrat Mohani coined the slogan “Inquilab Zindabad”.

 

📰 BETTER RANGE, SLEEKER PROFILE: LATEST VERSION OF AKASH MISSILE

1️⃣ News

DRDO has conducted user evaluation trials of the Akash-Next Generation (Akash-NG) missile. It features a better deployability compared to earlier versions and utilizes a canister-based launching system.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Missile: Akash-NG (New Generation).
• Type: Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM).
• Range: Up to 70-80 km (Earlier Akash was 27-30 km).
• Development: DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
• Trial Location: Coast of Odisha.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Canisterised System: The missile is stored and fired from a sealed tube (canister). This increases shelf life, reduces maintenance, and allows for rapid firing.
• AESA Radar: Active Electronically Scanned Array radar (improves accuracy and multi-target tracking).
• Radio Frequency Seeker: Allows the missile to track the target precisely in the terminal phase.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• F. Science & Tech Static:
  • IGMDP: Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (started 1983). Akash was one of the 5 missiles (Patna: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, Akash).
  • Guidance: Akash uses Command Guidance; Akash-NG uses an Active Radar Seeker.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Akash-NG is a Surface-to-Air Missile with a range of up to 80 km.
• It utilizes a canister-based launch system for rapid deployment.

 

📰 TOY INDUSTRY IN THE STATE IS NOW WORTH AROUND ₹1,000 CRORE

1️⃣ News

Tamil Nadu’s toy market has grown to ₹1,000 crore. The state has unveiled a dedicated policy for the sector and is targeting a toy manufacturing park.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Market Size: ₹1,000 crore.
• Key Hubs: Madurai (assembly), Coimbatore (components).
• Companies: Funskool (manufacturing alliance with Moose Toys), Rigwheels.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Niche Manufacturing: Producing specialized goods (like toys) rather than mass generic products.
• Cluster Development: Concentrating industries in a specific region (e.g., Coimbatore for components) to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

6️⃣ Additional  Information

• G. Tamil Nadu Administration (Economy):
  • Traditional Toys: Thanjavur Dolls (Thanjavur Thalaiyatti Bommai) and Choppu Jaman have GI tags.
  • Policy: TN’s industrial policy focuses on diversifying beyond auto/textiles into sunrise sectors like toys and electronics.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• Funskool has a major manufacturing presence in Tamil Nadu.

📰 915 MAHARASHTRA VILLAGES BACK DIGNIFIED LIFE FOR WIDOWS

1️⃣ News

915 villages in Nashik district, Maharashtra, have passed resolutions to ban humiliating rituals against widows (like wiping vermilion, breaking bangles). This is part of the ‘Navchetana’ programme.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• District: Nashik, Maharashtra.
• Initiative: ‘Navchetana’ programme (by Zilla Parishad).
• Resolution: To stop widow rituals and promote dignity.
• Affidavit Name: Saubhagyache Shapathpatra.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Social Reform: Organized movement to change social customs that are harmful or discriminatory.
• Gram Sabha Resolution: A decision taken by the village assembly, holding moral and social weight.

6️⃣ Additional Static Information

• C. History Static (Social Reformers):
  • Mahatma Phule: Pioneered women’s education and widow remarriage in Maharashtra.
  • Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: Instrumental in passing the Widow Remarriage Act, 1856.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Grassroots Change: This initiative shows how local governance (Panchayats) can drive social reform more effectively than top-down laws.
• Women Empowerment: Removing stigmatizing rituals is a crucial step towards the social inclusion of widows.

 

📰 INDIA TO ASSUME CHAIRPERSONSHIP OF KIMBERLEY PROCESS IN 2026

1️⃣ News

The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary has selected India to become the Chair of the Kimberley Process starting January 1, 2026. Prior to this, India will serve as the Vice Chair starting December 25, 2025.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Incoming Chair: India (3rd time assuming this role).
• Timeline:
  • Vice Chair: From December 25, 2025.
  • Chair: From January 1, 2026.
• Members: 60 participants (representing 85 countries, with the European Union counting as one participant).
• Trade Coverage: KP participants account for 99% of the global rough diamond trade.
• Inception Date: The scheme came into effect on January 1, 2003.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• Kimberley Process (KP): A joint initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society to stem the flow of “conflict diamonds.”
• Conflict Diamonds (Blood Diamonds): Rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance wars aimed at undermining legitimate governments (as defined by UNSC resolutions).
• Tripartite Initiative: A governance structure involving three stakeholders: Government, Industry, and Civil Society.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies Mentioned

• Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS):
  • Objective: To ensure that diamond shipments are “conflict-free.”
  • Mechanism: Imposes extensive requirements on members to certify shipments of rough diamonds as ‘conflict-free’ and prevent conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate trade.
  • India’s Goal: During its tenure, India aims to advance digital certification, traceability, and data-driven monitoring.

5️⃣ Judgments / Doctrines / Committees

• UNSC Resolutions: The definition of conflict diamonds and the mandate for the KPCS are derived from United Nations Security Council resolutions (specifically Resolution 1459).

6️⃣ Additional Information

• B. Economy Static:
  • India’s Diamond Industry: India is the world’s largest cutting and polishing centre for diamonds. Approx. 14 out of 15 rough diamonds mined globally are polished in India (major hub: Surat, Gujarat).
  • Export: Gems and Jewelry is one of India’s leading export sectors.
• D. Geography Static:
  • Major Diamond Mines in India: Panna (Madhya Pradesh) is the only active mechanized diamond mine. Historic mines include Golconda (Telangana) and Kollur (Andhra Pradesh).
  • Global Producers: Russia (Alrosa), Botswana (Debswana), Canada, and Democratic Republic of Congo are major producers of rough diamonds.
• F. Science & Tech Static:
  • Traceability: Use of Blockchain technology is increasingly being explored to track diamonds from “mine to market” to ensure ethical sourcing.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• India has been selected as the Chair of the Kimberley Process for the year 2026.
• The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) was established in 2003 to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds.
• The European Union counts as a single participant in the Kimberley Process.

8️⃣ Mains Notes

• Global Governance: India’s selection highlights its soft power and reliability in managing sensitive global trade mechanisms.
• Ethical Trade: As the world’s largest polisher of diamonds, India’s leadership is crucial in shifting the industry towards “sustainable and responsible sourcing.”
• Technological Integration: India’s focus on digital certification will modernize the KPCS, reducing fraud and increasing the transparency of the supply chain.

 

📰 NATIONAL CONSUMER DAY 2025: FOCUS ON DIGITAL JUSTICE

1️⃣ News

The Department of Consumer Affairs observed National Consumer Day on December 24 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event emphasized accelerating consumer justice through digital reforms and data-driven grievance redressal mechanisms to reduce pendency.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Date: December 24 (Annual Observance).
• Theme 2025: “Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice”.
• Organizer: Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
• Venue: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Historical Trigger: Commemorates the Presidential assent to the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 on this day.

3️⃣ GK Facts & Data

• National Consumer Day: December 24 (Marks the enactment of COPRA 1986).
• World Consumer Rights Day: March 15 (Inspired by US President John F. Kennedy’s address to Congress in 1962).

 PRADHAN MANTRI GRAM SADAK YOJANA (PMGSY) MARKS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

1️⃣ News

The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), a flagship rural infrastructure scheme, completed 25 years of operation on December 25, 2025. It is recognized as a primary enabler for agricultural growth and social access in rural India.

2️⃣ Facts / Data / Names / Institutions

• Launch Date: 25th December 2000.
• Milestone: 25th Anniversary (Silver Jubilee).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
• Core Objective: To provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected eligible habitations.

3️⃣ Concepts / Terms Explained

• All-weather Connectivity: Roads that are trafficable in all seasons of the year, implying the presence of necessary cross-drainage structures (culverts, bridges) to prevent flooding or inaccessibility during monsoons.
• Habitation (vs. Revenue Village): PMGSY uses “Habitation” (a cluster of population living in an area) as the unit of connectivity, not the “Revenue Village.” A revenue village may contain multiple habitations.

4️⃣ Schemes / Acts / Policies Mentioned

• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):
  • Phase I: Focused on connecting habitations with a population of 500+ in plains and 250+ in North-East, Hill states, Tribal (Schedule V), and Desert areas.
  • Phase II: Focused on upgradation of existing rural roads to improve efficiency.
  • Phase III (Current): Focuses on consolidation of the through-routes and major rural links connecting habitations to Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs), Higher Secondary Schools, and Hospitals.
  • Funding Pattern: Currently 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states; 90:10 for North-East and Himalayan states (Originally launched as 100% Centrally Sponsored).

6️⃣ Additional Static Information

• B. Economy Static:
  • Infrastructure Multiplier Effect: Rural roads reduce transport costs, improve market access for perishable agricultural goods, and facilitate non-farm employment.
  • Green Technology: PMGSY encourages the use of waste plastic, cold mix technology, and fly ash in road construction to reduce carbon footprint.
• A. Polity / Governance:
  • Good Governance Day: The scheme was launched on the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, observed as Good Governance Day.
  • Monitoring: Uses OMMAS (Online Management, Monitoring and Accounting System) for real-time tracking and transparency.
• G. Tamil Nadu Administration:
  • Tamil Nadu has been a frontrunner in utilizing PMGSY funds for upgrading rural roads, often integrating state funds to cover habitations with lower population thresholds not covered by the central mandate.

7️⃣ Prelims One-Liner Points

• PMGSY was launched on December 25, 2000.
• The unit of connectivity for PMGSY is the “Habitation”.
• The scheme falls under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• The funding pattern for general states is 60:40 between Centre and State.

8️⃣ Mains Notes (Bullets)

• Social Impact: Improved connectivity has a direct correlation with increased institutional deliveries (health) and higher school enrollment rates, particularly for girls.
• Economic Integration: By connecting unconnected habitations, PMGSY integrates the rural economy with the national market, essential for the success of e-NAM (National Agriculture Market).
• Quality Control: The three-tier quality control mechanism of PMGSY is often cited as a model for other public works schemes.

 

 

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

📘 FASTEST LIST-A CENTURY BY INDIAN

Bihar captain Sakibul Gani scored the fastest List-A century by an Indian batter.

2️⃣ GK Facts

• Record: 100 runs in 32 balls.
• Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy.
• Opponent: Arunachal Pradesh.
• Previous Record: Anmolpreet Singh (35 balls).
• Additional Record: Bihar team scored 574/6, a world record for a team total in List-A cricket.

📘 HIGH-FLYING MOSQUITOES (SCIENCE GK)

Scientists discovered that mosquitoes can fly at high altitudes (120-290m) and travel long distances using wind to spread pathogens.

2️⃣ GK Facts

• Pathogens: Plasmodium (Malaria), Flaviviruses, Filarial worms.
• Key Concept: “Windborne migration” of insects expands disease range beyond ground-level monitoring zones.

📘 NUCLEAR POWER ON THE MOON

Russia plans to build a nuclear power plant on the moon by 2036.

2️⃣ GK Facts

• Agency: Roscosmos (Russian State Space Corporation).
• Purpose: To supply a lunar base (joint project with China).

📘 RABIES: THE CRUEL DISEASE

Article highlights the high burden of Rabies in India (20,000 deaths/year) and the lack of awareness.
2️⃣ GK Facts

• Virus: Rabies is a neurotropic virus.
• Transmission: Dog bites (99% cases).
• Fatality: 100% fatal once symptoms appear.
• Treatment: Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) – Vaccine + Immunoglobulin (RIG).

3️⃣ Static Add-on Notes:

• Hydrophobia: Fear of water, a classic symptom of Rabies.
• One Health Approach: Integrating human, animal, and environmental health to control zoonotic diseases like Rabies.

4️⃣ Prelims GK One-Liners:

• Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system.
• Louis Pasteur developed the first rabies vaccine.

📘 GK ITEM: “BANANA REPUBLIC” ORIGIN(TEXT & CONTEXT)

The term originated to describe small Central/South American countries politically unstable and dependent on single exports (like bananas).

2️⃣ GK Facts: Coined by O. Henry. Historically referred to countries like Honduras.

 GOOD GOVERNANCE DAY (SUSHASAN DIVAS)

December 25 is celebrated as Good Governance Day to mark the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

2️⃣ GK Facts

• Date: December 25.
• Occasion: 101st Birth Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Inauguration: ‘Rashtriya Prerna Sthal’ inaugurated in Lucknow.
• Statue: 65-feet-tall bronze statue of Vajpayee inaugurated.

 

ARAVALLI MINING ROW: HOW A ‘GREEN WALL’ HIDES A TRUST DEFICIT

CORE ISSUE: A Supreme Court order on mining in the ecologically critical Aravalli range has ignited a controversy over its very definition, exposing a deep public distrust in the government’s environmental governance. The debate highlights concerns that ecological safeguards are being “greenwashed” through opaque definitions and afforestation projects that cannot compensate for irreversible damage.

Why the Fuss Over a Definition?

The Aravalli range is a ancient mountain system critical for North India’s ecology. It acts as a natural barrier against desertification, recharges groundwater, and influences the climate of Delhi-NCR.

The Supreme Court’s Order (Nov 20, 2025):

1. Paused New Mining: Prohibited fresh mining leases until a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) is prepared under central supervision.
2. Avoided a Complete Ban: Acknowledged India’s need for minerals and feared a ban would push mining underground into illegal, unregulated “theft mining.”
3. Allowed Exceptions: Permitted only “government-sanctioned mining of critical minerals” to continue during the pause.

The Heart of the Dispute: What Counts as the ‘Aravalli’?
The Court had to decide which hills are legally part of the protected Aravalli range. Two definitions clashed:

Definition	What It Means	Consequence
Expert Committee Proposal	Only mountains 100+ metres above the local relief qualify as Aravalli.	According to a 2010 estimate, this would exclude 52% of the hills from the protected definition, opening them up for potential mining.
Attorney General’s Argument	Rejecting the 100m threshold to avoid “reducing the region considered Aravalli.”	Would keep a broader area under protection, but the Court did not provide reasoning for choosing one interpretation over the other.

 

Why is this OPAQUENESS a MAJOR PROBLEM?

1. The “Greenwashing” of Destruction:

• The government promotes the Aravalli Green Wall Project (afforestation) as an environmental initiative.
• However, “deforestation cannot, in a predictable way, compensate for deforestation.” Newly planted trees cannot replicate the complex, ancient ecosystem or the groundwater recharge capacity of the original forests being destroyed for mining. This is classic greenwashing.

2. The Trust Deficit:

• The government’s “generally poor performance in addressing air pollution” in Delhi-NCR has eroded public trust.
• When critical information (like the expert committee report) is not in the public domain, and the Court doesn’t explain its reasoning, it forces citizens to choose whom to trust blindly—a system “inimical to environmental policy.”

3. The Conflict of Interest:

• Mining is a key source of state revenue. States have a direct financial incentive to permit it and limited enforcement capacity to curb illegal mining. This creates a fundamental conflict of interest when they are also the custodians of the environment.

FAQ on the Aravalli Mining Debate

Q: If mining is so destructive, why didn’t the Supreme Court impose a complete ban?

Ans. 🚨 The Court faces a developmental dilemma. It recognizes that a total ban might cripple the legal supply of essential construction minerals (stone, grit) and could lead to a surge in even more destructive, unregulated illegal mining. Its solution is a temporary pause to create a sustainable plan—a compromise that pleases no one fully.

Q: Isn’t the government’s ‘Green Wall’ project a positive step?

Ans. While afforestation is good, it is not a substitute for preserving ancient ecosystems. You cannot mine a 1.5-billion-year-old mountain range and then claim to offset it by planting saplings elsewhere. The project is viewed with suspicion as a public relations tactic to legitimize continued environmental degradation.

Q: Why does the definition of the Aravalli matter so much?

Ans. Because what is defined as the Aravalli gets protected. Shrinking the definition by 52% would, in effect, demote a huge tract of hills from a protected ecological zone to a potential mining zone overnight, without any change in their actual geographical or ecological value. It’s a legal sleight of hand with catastrophic environmental consequences.

The Bigger Picture: Transparency vs. Expediency

This controversy is a microcosm of India’s broader environmental governance crisis. It pits short-term economic gains and opaque decision-making against long-term ecological security and democratic transparency. When the government and courts operate without clear, public reasoning, it fuels conspiracy theories and deepens the public’s trust deficit.

Conclusion: More Than a Mountain, a Test of Governance

The fight over the Aravallis is not just about mining or a definition. It is a test of whether India’s institutions can prioritize long-term planetary health over short-term profit and whether they can govern with the transparency needed to earn public trust.

The path forward requires:

1. Absolute Transparency: Making all expert reports and the rationale for legal decisions publicly accessible.
2. Genuine Sustainability: Developing a mining plan that truly accounts for irreversible ecological loss, not one that greenwashes destruction.
3. Independent Oversight: Creating enforcement mechanisms free from the state’s revenue conflict of interest.

Without these, the Aravalli Green Wall will remain a fragile facade, hiding the continued erosion of India’s ecological and democratic foundations.

 

DAILY MAINS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

What are the geographical and man-made factors responsible for the increasing frequency of Human-Wildlife conflict in railway corridors?