NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Official Visit to India (23rd India–Russia Annual Summit)

Russian President Vladimir Putin undertook a high-profile two-day official visit to India from December 4 to 5, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit was highly symbolic, marking the 25th anniversary of the India-Russia Strategic Partnership, which was established in the year 2000.

Core Diplomatic Engagements

• Bhagavad Gita Gift: PM Narendra Modi hosted a private dinner for President Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, presenting him with a specially commissioned Russian-language edition of the Bhagavad Gita.
• Presidential Banquet: On December 5, 2025, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, formally welcomed the Russian leader to Rashtrapati Bhavan, hosting a state banquet in his honor.

Key Announcements & Strategic Bilateral Outcomes

• Programme 2030 Adoption: Both leaders welcomed the adoption of Programme 2030 for strategic economic cooperation. The policy blueprint emphasizes removing trade barriers, streamlining international logistics, setting up alternative payment mechanisms, and accelerating connectivity corridors to reach a USD 100 billion trade target by 2030.
• Free 30-Day E-Tourist Visa: In a major move to boost people-to-people ties, PM Narendra Modi announced that India will offer a free 30-day e-tourist visa to all Russian citizens.
• International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA): Russia formally joined the India-led IBCA, an international initiative focused on protecting the world's seven major big cats.
• Space Mirror Lab: Delhi University signed an academic partnership with Russia's Higher School of Economics (HSE) University to launch the Space Mirror Lab, focusing on advanced astrophysics and space technology research.

India-Malaysia Bilateral Joint Military Exercise ‘Harimau Shakti 2025’ Commenced in Rajasthan

The 5th edition of the annual bilateral joint military exercise 'Harimau Shakti 2025' between the Indian Army and the Royal Malaysian Army officially commenced at the Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) in Rajasthan. The training framework runs from December 5 to December 18, 2025.

Tactical Focus & Drills

The exercise is engineered to enhance tactical-level interoperability in sub-conventional operations under the United Nations (UN) Chapter VII mandate. The curriculum involves practicing cordon-search-and-destroy missions, heliborne insertions, and joint rescue evacuations during counter-terrorist drills. Additionally, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting, and specialized Yoga sessions are integrated into the routine.

Exam Hints: Harimau Shakti 2025

• What: Joint Bilateral Army Exercise
• Edition: 5th Edition (Launched originally in 2012)
• Venue: Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR), Rajasthan
• Indian Army Contingent: Troops from the DOGRA Regiment
• Malaysian Contingent: 25th Battalion, Royal Malaysian Army (RMA)
• Previous Edition (4th): Hosted at Bentong Camp, Malaysia

Static GK Corner (Malaysia):

• Prime Minister: Anwar Ibrahim
• Capital: Kuala Lumpur
• Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

DRDO Hands Over 7 Breakthrough Indigenous Technologies to the Indian Armed Forces

During an Empowered Committee meeting held at the DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officially handed over seven cutting-edge indigenous technologies to the Tri-Services (Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Indian Navy).

The technologies were developed under the central government's Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, which pairs private Indian industry with DRDO scientists.

The 7 Handed-Over Technologies

The high-level meeting was chaired by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO. In addition to handing over these seven systems, the committee approved 12 new defense projects covering aerospace, naval warfare, and advanced electronic warfare technologies.

NeGD and MEA Launch ‘Passport Verification Records (PVR)’ Feature on DigiLocker

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in tandem with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has rolled out a new ‘Passport Verification Records (PVR)’ capability on the DigiLocker platform.

Key Benefits & Functionality

Following successful passport verification protocols, citizens can securely view, download, and store their official PVR directly within the “Issued Documents” section of the DigiLocker app or web portal.

This digital integration speeds up administrative processing times, minimizes physical paperwork, limits document fraud through tamper-proof electronic records, and supports eco-friendly governance.

Exam Hints: DigiLocker Profile

• Launch Year: 2015 (Under the flagship Digital India initiative)
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• Legal Validity: Documents issued via DigiLocker hold equal legal status to original physical certificates under Rule 9A of the Information Technology Rules.

Indian Army's Eastern Command Completes Historic First-Ever Ascent of Mount Kangto

An elite 18-member mountaineering team from the Indian Army’s Eastern Command (EC) created history by successfully summiting Mount Kangto, marking the first-ever recorded ascent of this previously unconquered mountain.

Core Project Details

• The Peak: Mount Kangto stands at an elevation of 7,042 meters (23,103 feet) and is Arunachal Pradesh's highest peak. It sits in the rugged Kameng Himalayas along the strategic India-China border in the West Kameng district.
• The Mission: The team completed a punishing trek across near-vertical ice walls, open crevasses, and sub-zero conditions, embodying their chosen ethos: “Nothing is impossible for the Indian Army.”
• Command Leadership: The high-altitude expedition was flagged off by the GOC of the Gajraj Corps and later flagged in by Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Command.

DBT, BIRAC, and CEPI Renew Global Vaccine Research and Development Engagement Strategy

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, alongside the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), formally renewed their international ‘Engagement Strategy’ with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Strategic Framework & Scope Evolution

The renewal extends a highly successful five-year bio-tech partnership that originally began in October 2019.

• Target Diseases: The collaboration has driven vaccine candidate advancements for epidemic-potential pathogens like Chikungunya, Coronaviruses, and Mpox (Monkeypox).
• Infrastructure Nodes: The partnership heavily relies on two key world-class Indian facilities: the DBT-BIRAC-THSTI Biosafety Laboratory and the Experimental Animal Facility, both of which handle critical pre-clinical to Phase-3 trial validations.
• Expanded Focus: The renewed blueprint broadens its scope to include all pathogens listed on the World Health Organisation (WHO) Blueprint Priority Diseases, with an added research emphasis on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

NMDC Partners with IIT-Kanpur to Bolster Cybersecurity Infrastructure

The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), a premier mining Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Steel, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses.

Tech Implementation & Collaboration Areas

The mining PSU will leverage the specialized knowledge of IIT Kanpur’s C3iHub (a cyber security technology innovation hub) to execute complete cyber risk assessments across its corporate layers.

The agreement spans five key domains: cyber risk governance and regulatory compliance; integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into operational technology; automated incident response; specialized technical training; and joint proof-of-concept pilot projects to protect automated mining infrastructure from remote cyber attacks.

BANKING & FINANCE

Fino Payments Bank Receives In-Principle RBI Nod for Small Finance Bank Conversion

In a historic sector milestone, Fino Payments Bank Limited (FPBL) has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to convert itself into a Small Finance Bank (SFB). This makes Fino the first-ever Payments Bank in India to secure such an operational conversion upgrade.

Regulatory & Licensing Parameters

• The Shift: Upgrading to an SFB unties the core restrictions of a payments bank. Fino can now accept larger deposits beyond the typical INR 2 lakh cap, issue customized loans, and rollout direct credit facilities to small businesses and retail users.
• 'On Tap' Criteria Met: Fino, which went operational in 2017, filed its application under the RBI's Guidelines for 'On Tap' Licensing of SFBs in the Private Sector. Under these rules, an operating payments bank must have completed 5 years of clean operations to apply.
• Net Worth Norms: To successfully lock down the final transition license, the entity must maintain or achieve a minimum net worth of INR 300 crore within 18 months from the date of receiving the in-principle nod.

LIC and Yes Bank Forge Strategic Bancassurance Partnership

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), the country's state-owned insurance giant, has entered into a strategic nationwide bancassurance pact with private sector lender Yes Bank Limited.

Objective & Implementation

The corporate agreement was signed in the presence of R. Doraiswamy (MD and CEO of LIC) and Prashant Kumar (MD and CEO of Yes Bank). The tie-up directly targets the central regulatory agenda of “Insurance for All by 2047”.

Under this framework, Yes Bank will leverage its nationwide brick-and-mortar branch network alongside its retail digital portals to cross-sell LIC’s entire suite of term, health, and endowment life insurance portfolios to its existing banking consumer base.

NHAI Secures SEBI In-Principle Approval to Register RIIT as an Infrastructure Investment Trust

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has secured an in-principle approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to register the Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) as an active Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

Structural & Collaborative Capital Setup

The approval was cleared under the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014. To formalize the structure over the next 6 months, NHAI established Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. (RIIMPL) to function as the official Investment Manager for the trust.

RIIMPL is designed as a massive collaborative equity venture with backing from India's elite public and private financial institutions:

RIIT Equity Venture Consortium Partners:

State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Yes Bank, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), and Bajaj Finserv Ventures Ltd.

PNB Launches 'Luxura' Premium RuPay Metal Credit Card; Names Harmanpreet Kaur Brand Ambassador

Punjab National Bank (PNB), India’s second-largest Public Sector Bank, has stepped into the ultra-premium credit segment by launching its new flagship metal credit card named ‘Luxura’ on the indigenous RuPay network.

Concurrently, PNB announced the Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Harmanpreet Kaur, as its first-ever female brand ambassador.

Luxura Card Eligibility & Fee Metrics

Additional Banking Updates From PNB

Alongside the card launch, PNB unveiled its overhauled PNB One 2.0 mobile application, introduced an automated digital rooftop solar financing workflow under Digi Surya Ghar, and formally joined the India International Bullion Exchange (IIBX) to conduct online gold bullion trade operations.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo Re-Elected as President of National Rifle Association of India

Senior sports administrator Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo was re-elected unopposed as the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for a full four-year official term running from 2025 to 2029.

The election took place during the NRAI General Body assembly held in Mohali, Punjab, under the independent supervision of Justice (Retd.) Nirmaljit Kaur.

Key Executive Changes

• Predecessor: He permanently succeeds Raninder Singh. Singh Deo had originally taken over as NRAI's Acting President in April 2023 before serving a brief one-year term in late 2024.
• New Secretary General: Technical expert Pawan Singh was elected unopposed as the new Secretary General, replacing Kanwar Sultan Singh (who has now moved into the role of NRAI Vice President alongside Sushma Singh).
• NRAI Executive Council Stars: Elite Indian sportspersons Gagan Narang, Kunti Malik, Zorawar Singh Sandhu, and Elavenil Valarivan were officially inducted as sportsperson members of the 15-member Executive Committee.

SPORTS

Chess GM Arjun Erigaisi Clinches Jerusalem Masters 2025 Title

Indian Chess Grandmaster Arun Erigaisi won the 2nd edition of the Jerusalem Masters 2025 chess championship by defeating five-time world champion and legendary Indian GM Viswanathan Anand in an intense final playoff held in Jerusalem, Israel.

Tournament Metrics & Path to Victory

The high-profile tournament was organized jointly by the Israeli Chess Federation (ICF), the Jerusalem Municipality, and the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sports. It featured a 12-player closed invitational round-robin system.

After drawing both of their primary rapid games in the final, Erigaisi claimed the title by winning the first blitz tie-break match and drawing the second, closing out the scoreboard at 2.5 – 1.5.

Prize Pursuits

Out of the total USD 140,000 prize pool, champion Arjun Erigaisi took home USD 55,000, while runner-up Viswanathan Anand secured USD 35,000. Russian GMs Peter Svidler (who won the inaugural edition in 2024) and Ian Nepomniachtchi finished in third and fourth place respectively.

Chandigarh University Tops Medal Tally at 5th Khelo India University Games 2025 in Rajasthan

The 5th edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG 2025) concluded successfully after running from November 24 to December 5, 2025. For the first time, the multi-sport tournament was spread across seven host cities in Rajasthan: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, and Bharatpur.

Final Medal Standings (Top 3 Universities)

Operational Metrics & Key Highlights

• Scale: A total of 4,448 collegiate athletes representing 222 universities across India competed across 23 different sports disciplines.
• Records Broken: The competitive meet witnessed the creation of 12 new tournament meet records, which included 2 freshly minted All India University (AIU) national athletic benchmarks.
• Organizing Bodies: The event was organized under the central government's Khelo India Programme by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) in active collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC).

OBITUARY

Simone Tata, Former Chairperson of Lakme and 'Cosmetic Czarina of India', Passes Away at 95

Prominent industrialist, visionary corporate leader, and philanthropist Simone Tata passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra, at the age of 95. Born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1930, she married Naval Hormusji Tata in 1955 and dedicated her life to building India's consumer business footprint. She was the stepmother of the late Ratan Tata and mother of Noel Tata (Chairman of Tata Trusts).

Corporate Legacy & Brand Building

• The Rise of Lakme: Simone Tata joined Lakme as a Director in 1961 when it was a small, loss-making subsidiary of the Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO). She methodically built it into India's most iconic homegrown beauty brand, earning her the titles of “Cosmetic Czarina of India” and the “Doyen of India’s Beauty Industry.”
• Chairmanship & Pivot to Trent: She was appointed Chairperson of Lakme in 1982. Following the strategic sale of Lakme to Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) in 1996, she wisely reinvested the capital proceeds to form Trent Limited. Under her guidance as founder, Trent launched Westside in 1998, laying the groundwork for India's modern retail boom.

Renowned Visionary Architect Frank Gehry Passes Away at 96

World-renowned Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, globally celebrated for his bold, deconstructivist, and sculptural building designs, passed away in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 96. Born Frank Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Canada, in 1929, he spent decades transforming urban skylines using wrinkled sheets of industrial steel, flowing glass, and titanium panels.

Most Iconic Structural Masterpieces

• Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Bilbao, Spain) – Widely considered his career masterpiece.
• Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, USA)
• DZ Bank Building (Berlin, Germany)
• The IAC Building (New York, USA) – Completed in 2007 resembling a massive shimmering beehive.
• 8 Spruce Street / "New York by Gehry" – Completed in 2011, this marked his career's first official 76-story skyscrapers featuring his signature wavy exterior facade.

Selected Major Lifetime Laurels

• Pritzker Architecture Prize (1989) – The highest international honor in architecture.
• Premium Imperiale Architecture Prize from Japan (1992)
• AIA Gold Medal (1999)
• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016) – Presented by the United States.

IMPORTANT DAYS

Armed Forces Flag Day 2025: December 7

Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) is observed annually on December 7 across India to express national gratitude and honor the sacrifices of soldiers, sailors, and airmen serving in the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The 2025 observation marks the 77th edition of the day.

Historical Genesis & Fund Management

• Origin: On August 28, 1949, defense minister Baldev Singh set up a specialized committee that designated December 7 as a dedicated day to distribute small tricolor lapel flags to citizens in return for public welfare donations.
• The Unified AFFDF: In 1993, the Ministry of Defence consolidated all individual regional veteran relief funds (such as the Amalgamated Special Fund, St. Dunstan’s Fund, and Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Fund) into one master financial pool called the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).
• Administrative Node: The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) operates as the apex apex body managing the distribution of these funds to war widows, disabled veterans, and dependents through regional Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs).