National News

Winter Session of Parliament: 2025

• The Winter Session of Parliament began on December 1, 2025, and will continue until December 19, 2025.
• This session will consist of 15 sittings over a period of 19 days.

Sessions of Parliament:

Inauguration of Saras Aajeevika Mela: New Delhi

• Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the Saras Aajeevika Mela in New Delhi.
• This fair is organized with the objective of promoting women’s empowerment, self-reliance, and showcasing their handicrafts and products.

Saras Aajeevika Mela 2025:

International News

Defense of the H-1B Visa Program

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has defended the H-1B visa program, stating that Indian immigrants have greatly benefited the U.S. economy.
• Created under the Immigration Act of 1990, the H-1B visa allows U.S. companies to hire professional workers from abroad.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister on Visit to India

• Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has arrived in Delhi on a four-day visit to India.
• Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1947, and in 2022, both sides celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

Thailand:

Re-elected to UNESCO Executive Board: India

• India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025–29 term.

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization):

Re-elected to IMO Category-B Council: India

• India has been re-elected to the Category-B Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the 2025–26 biennium.
• In the elections held during the IMO Assembly in London, India secured 154 votes, the highest in Category-B, which represents countries having the largest interest in international maritime trade.

IMO Council and Categories:

Art and Culture

Gita Jayanti

• Gita Jayanti is celebrated on the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of the Margashirsha month, the day when Lord Shri Krishna delivered the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
• In 2025, this festival is being observed on 1 December (Monday), which is also known as Mokshada Ekadashi.

Gita Jayanti:

26th Edition of Hornbill Festival

• The 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival is being held from 1 to 10 December 2025 at Kisama Heritage Village, Kohima, Nagaland.

Related Facts:

Important days

World AIDS Day

• World AIDS Day is observed every year on 1 December, dedicated to raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS epidemic, supporting those affected, and paying tribute to those who have died since 1988.

World AIDS Day 2025:

Sports News

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey 2025

• In the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey held in Malaysia, India won the silver medal after losing 0-1 to Belgium.
• Returning to the tournament after six years, India became runner-up for the second consecutive time.
• India, a five-time champion, is the second most successful team in the tournament after ten-time winners Australia.

Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey 2025:

Syed Modi International Super 300 Tournament 2025

• The Indian pair Gayatri Gopichand and Trisha Jolly won the women's doubles title at the Syed Modi International Super 300 Tournament.
• In the final held in Lucknow, they defeated Japan's Kaho Osawa and Mai Tanabe with a score of 17-21, 21-13, 21-15.

Syed Modi International Super 300 Tournament 2025:

Andre Russell Announces Retirement from IPL

• Andre Russell has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL).
• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) released him ahead of the IPL 2026 mega auction, after which the 37-year-old West Indies all-rounder announced his retirement on social media.
• He will not play for any other franchise and will join KKR as a "Power Coach".

Russell's IPL Statistics: