National news
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Inaugurates 227 Gender Resource Centres under Nayi Chetna 3.0
Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated 227 Gender Resource Centres in 13 states under the Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign. The initiative aims to empower women socially, economically, politically, and educationally. The Minister emphasized the need to raise voices against gender-based violence.
- Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi mentioned that the mission’s goal is to ensure the rights of all genders and eliminate the fear of violence. The month-long campaign, running until December 23rd, is organized by the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission under the Rural Development Ministry. The campaign is driven by an extensive Self-Help Group network, with the slogan “Ek Saath, Ek Awaaz, Hinsa Ke Khilaaf” (Together, One Voice, Against Violence).
Union Cabinet Approves Continuation of Atal Innovation Mission with ₹2,750 Crore Budget Till 2028
The Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) with an enhanced budget of ₹2,750 crore until March 31, 2028. AIM 2.0 aims to strengthen and expand India’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, contributing to a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). This initiative will help create better jobs, innovative products, and high-impact services across various sectors.
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that AIM 2.0 will improve both the input and output of the innovation system. Additionally, 2,500 new labs will be established in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, the North East, and aspirational districts, further boosting the country’s entrepreneurial growth.
CCEA Approves ₹1,939 Crore Investment for Heo Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an investment of ₹1,939 crore for the construction of the Heo Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Shi Yomi District, Arunachal Pradesh. The project is expected to be completed within 50 months.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw briefed the media, stating that the project will have an installed capacity of 240 MW and is expected to generate 1,000 Million Units (MU) of energy annually. This power will significantly improve the power supply in Arunachal Pradesh and contribute to the balancing of the national grid.
The project will be implemented through a Joint Venture Company between the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, marking a key step in strengthening the region’s energy infrastructure.
Arunachal Pradesh :
- Capital : Itanagar.
- Chief Minister ; Pema Khandu
Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd. (EEPC)
- Established : 2005.
- Headquarters: Kolkata
- Chairman ; Mr Arun Kumar Garodia
Centre Approves PAN 2.0 Project of Income Tax Department to Make it a Common Business Identifier
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the PAN 2.0 Project by the Income Tax Department with an investment of ₹1,435 crore. This initiative aims to upgrade the existing Permanent Account Number (PAN) system, transforming it into a more comprehensive and unified business identifier.
- Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined that under the PAN 2.0 Project, the existing PAN system will be completely upgraded, with the creation of a unified portal for improved services. The project will include robust cyber security measures to ensure the safety and privacy of users.
- PAN 2.0 is an e-Governance project designed to re-engineer taxpayer registration services. It will transform PAN/TAN services through technology-driven enhancements, providing a more digital experience for taxpayers. This upgrade will consolidate both core and non-core PAN/TAN activities, along with improved PAN validation services.
Union Cabinet Approves National Mission on Natural Farming and One Nation One Subscription Scheme
The Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) with a total financial outlay of ₹2,481 crore. This mission aims to revive chemical-free, sustainable farming and will benefit one crore farmers. The goal is to promote nature-based farming systems, reduce reliance on externally purchased inputs, and improve soil health while reducing input costs. The mission will be implemented in 15,000 clusters across Gram Panchayats, providing farmers with simple certification and common branding for their natural produce.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved the One Nation One Subscription scheme, a Central Sector Scheme to provide nationwide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications. The scheme, with an allocation of ₹6,000 crore for 2025-2027, will initially cover higher educational institutions and research and development institutions under the Central or State government. A unified portal will be created for easy access, and the usage of the scheme will be periodically reviewed.
TeacherApp Launched to Empower Educators for 21st-Century Classrooms
The TeacherApp was launched on 25 th November by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi. The app aims to equip educators with future-ready skills to meet the demands of 21st-century classrooms. The key objectives of the platform are to enable continuous capacity building for teachers, integrate innovative course content, and promote technology and community-building features.
- Minister Pradhan highlighted that teachers are the true Karmayogis shaping future generations and that the National Education Policy 2020 focuses on enhancing their capabilities. He emphasized that educators will play a crucial role in identifying future opportunities and driving the youth-led growth of the nation.
International news
Philip Noyce Calls Smartphones the ‘Studio of the Future’ at IFFI Masterclass
At the International Film Festival of India, renowned Australian filmmaker Philip Noyce emphasized the importance of cost-cutting in filmmaking during a masterclass on survival in New Hollywood. He stressed that pre-sales are essential for any film, and if pre-sales aren’t possible, filmmakers should focus on minimizing production costs.
Noyce also discussed the pre-production process, advocating for the use of animatronics and storyboarding to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. He highlighted that smartphones are the “studio of the future” and predicted that emerging filmmakers will redefine cinema through innovative use of technology. Noyce, recipient of this year’s Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, shared clips from his films to engage audiences and provide insights into the evolving film industry.
IFFI (International Film Festival of India)
- Established: 1952
- Headquarters: Panaji, Goa, India
- chairperson of International Jury : Ashutosh Gowariker
UN Seeks Increased Funding for Sudan’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan
The United Nations’ top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, pledged greater efforts to secure funding for Sudan’s 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan during his visit to Sudan. In a meeting with the head of Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commission, Mona Nourel Daim, Fletcher emphasized the importance of collaboration to address the country’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
- Fletcher, on his first mission as the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, stated that his visit was an opportunity to assess the situation on the ground. Nourel Daim highlighted the urgent funding shortfall, with only 1.5 billion dollars of the 2.7 billion dollars needed for 2024 secured.
- The ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces since April 2023 has led to over 27,120 deaths and displaced 14 million people, according to recent UN and IOM data.
About Sudan:
- Capital : Khartoum
- currency : Sudanese pound (SDG)
India Global Forum 2024 Opens in Dubai, Focusing on India-UAE-Africa Synergy
The India Global Forum (IGF) Middle East & Africa 2024 (ME&A 2024) opened in Dubai, bringing together leaders from India, the Middle East, and Africa under the theme ‘Limitless Horizons’. The two-day forum aims to strengthen partnerships across key sectors, including technology, finance, sustainability, and innovation, with over 200 speakers and 1,000 participants.
- Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the enduring strength of India-UAE relations, noting the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has boosted bilateral trade to $85 billion annually and created opportunities for MSMEs and startups.
- Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, celebrated the rapid growth of bilateral ties, referring to the India-UAE corridor as one of trade, technology, talent, and trust. The forum also coincides with important developments like the Bilateral Investment Treaty and civil nuclear cooperation MoU between India and the UAE.
- Manoj Ladwa, Founder and Chairman of IGF, emphasized the forum’s broader mission to foster collaboration on global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and digital divides, underlining that the future lies in conversation and collaboration rather than conflict. The event also showcased India’s growing global influence and its transformation into a dynamic, sustainable economy.
About UAE :
Capital : Dubai
Currency : Emirati Dirham
State news
IIT Hyderabad and Nikon India Launch First Centre of Excellence
IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with Nikon India, has launched its first Centre of Excellence (CoE) to advance imaging technologies for researchers, trainees, and visiting scholars across the country. The CoE aims to foster collaborations between IIT Hyderabad researchers and Nikon teams, providing state-of-the-art equipment.
The facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a Confocal Microscope System AX R, Nikon Inverted Microscope System ECLIPSE Ti2-E for fluorescence imaging, ECLIPSE Ts2-FL Inverted Routine Microscope, and Nikon SMZ800N with a fluorescence attachment for macro-imaging. The CoE will empower scientific research and enable students and researchers to explore new possibilities across various scientific disciplines. Nikon India is a 100% subsidiary of Nikon Corporation.
About IIT Hyderabad :
Chairman : B. V. R. Mohan Reddy
Appointment news
Yamandú Orsi Wins Uruguay’s Presidential Election, Shifting Away from Conservative Rule
In a closely contested election, Yamandú Orsi of the Broad Front alliance won Uruguay’s presidential race, marking a shift away from five years of conservative governance under outgoing President Luis Lacalle Pou.
Official results confirmed Orsi’s victory over Alvaro Delgado of the National Party. Orsi, in his victory speech, pledged to promote national unity and repeatedly called for national dialogue to find the best solutions for the country.
With 94.4% of ballots counted, Orsi secured 1,123,420 votes, narrowly defeating Delgado, who received 1,042,001 votes. Analysts expect continuity in Uruguay’s economic policies under the new administration.
About Uruguay:
- Capital : Montevide
- currency : Uruguayan Peso (UYU):
Sports news
13-Year-Old Vaibhav Suryavanshi Becomes Youngest Player to Get IPL Contract
In a historic moment at the IPL 2025 Auction, 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest player ever to secure an IPL contract. The Rajasthan Royals, led by Rahul Dravid, acquired the young talent for 1.10 crore rupees.
Vaibhav has already made significant achievements, including becoming the youngest batter to score an international century in a Youth Test for India Under-19 against Australia U-19, where he scored 104 off 62 balls. His 58-ball century is the fastest by an Indian in Youth Tests and the second-fastest globally. Earlier this year, Vaibhav made his debut in the Ranji Trophy for Bihar at just 12, becoming the youngest player to feature in India’s premier First-Class tournament. His remarkable achievements have earned him praise from the Bihar Cricket Association.
IPL (Indian Premier League):
- Established: 2008
- Chairman: Arun Dhumal
Important days
Nation Celebrates Constitution Day, Marking 75 Years of Adoption
India is observing Constitution Day today, marking the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. The year-long celebrations will continue until 26th November 2025.
- A grand event will be held at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan in Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu will address both Houses of Parliament, alongside Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The event will also be attended by Union Ministers, Members of Parliament, and other dignitaries.
- To commemorate the occasion, a commemorative coin and stamp will be released, and books such as “Making of the Constitution of India: A Glimpse” and “Making of the Constitution of India and its Glorious Journey” will be launched. The Constitution will also be released in Sanskrit and Maithili, and a booklet on the Art of the Constitution of India will be unveiled.
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment had announced in 2015 that 26th November would be observed annually as Constitution Day. The celebrations are being conducted under the tagline “Hamara Samvidhan, Hamara Swabhimaan”, which emphasizes honoring the Constitution’s makers and promoting its core values. On this day, millions across India will read the Preamble together, from schools to offices and cities to villages. A dedicated website, constitution75.com, has been created for citizens to engage with the Constitution’s legacy and participate in the campaign.
