NATIONAL NEWS

Mann Ki Baat programme

• The 129th and final episode of this program for the year 2025 aired on December 28, 2025.
• In this episode, PM Modi highlighted the country's major achievements of 2025, such as successes in sports and 'Operation Sindoor' and expressed concern about the weakening effectiveness of antibiotics and emphasized the 'Fit India' movement.

Mann Ki Baat Programme:

Suo Motu cognisance on issue of definition of Aravalli Hills

• The Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognisance of a growing row over its November 20 order that redefined the Aravalli Hills and a three-judge special vacation bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and including Justices J.K. Maheshwari and A.G. Masih, is scheduled to hear the matter.

Supreme Court

President Murmu undertook Submarine Sea Sortie

• President Droupadi Murmu undertook a historic sea sortie aboard the Indian Navy’s indigenous Kalvari-class submarine, INS Vaghsheer, at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.
• President Murmu is only the second Indian Head of State to undertake a submarine voyage, following Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who sailed in a submarine in 2006.

SUMMITS AND CONFERNCES

IMA Netcon 2025

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in IMA NATCON 2025 (often referred to as IMA Netcon) in Ahmedabad which was organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), this landmark 100th national conference celebrated a century of medical excellence and service in India.
• Sessions focused on cutting-edge topics including AI in medicine, medical tourism, organ transplants, and legal issues like the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).

ECONOMY & BANKING

Operational Guidelines for major Shipbuilding initiatives

• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) notified the operational guidelines for the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) and the Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS).
• These initiatives, with a combined outlay of ₹44,725 crore, are designed to achieve the targets of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

REPM scheme

• Indian government approved a Rs 7,280 Crore scheme in late 2025 to promote domestic manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPMs) for self-reliance and to build an integrated ecosystem from rare earth oxides to finished magnets, aiming for 6,000 MTPA capacity, crucial for supporting clean energy and EV sectors.
• This initiative, with significant sales-linked incentives and capital subsidy, aims to reduce dependence on China and boost India's strategic autonomy in this critical technology.

Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee meeting

• Customs Clearance Facilitation Committee (CCFC) held a meeting at the Kalpana Chawla Conference Hall at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi.
• Chaired by the Chief Commissioner of Customs, Delhi Zone, the session aimed to reinforce stakeholder confidence and promote the "ease of doing business" within the Delhi Customs Zone.

Indian Standard for Electric Agricultural Tractor

• The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi, released IS 19262: 2025 ‘Electric Agricultural Tractors — Test Code’, on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025, held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Indian Standard is developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to ensure the safety, reliability, and performance of electric agricultural tractors through uniform and standardized testing protocols.

Stage 2 Dulhasti hydel power project in J&K

• A panel under the Ministry of Environment has approved the 260-megawatt Dulhasti Stage 2 hydropower project on the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar.
• It is an extension of the existing 390 MW Dulhasti Stage-I project. Water will be diverted from Stage-I through a 3,685-metre-long tunnel to an underground powerhouse featuring two units of 130 MW each.

PERSON IN NEWS

Ratan Tata Jayanti

• Nation paid tributes to Ratan Tata Ji on his Jayanti who reshaped Indian enterprise with integrity and compassion.

About Ratan Tata

ART & CULTURE

Helicopter Services for Shiv Khori Shrine

• During 11th Convocation Ceremony of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Katra, Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced that helicopter services for pilgrims visiting the revered Shiv Khori Shrine will begin shortly, as the necessary infrastructure is now in the final stages of completion.

ENVIRONMENT + SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Mount Etna becomes active again

• Mount Etna, a stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy, became active again, sending glowing lava and small amounts of ash into the air from its north-eastern crater.

SPORTS

Tilottama Sen crowned National Champion

• Karnataka’s Tilottama Sen has been crowned national champion in the women’s 50-metre rifle three positions event at the National Shooting Championships, held at the MP State Shooting Academy in Bhopal.

Deepti Sharma

• During the third T20 International against Sri Lanka, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the first player across both men's and women's T20I cricket history to register the rare double of 1,000 runs and 150 wickets.