For aspirants preparing for the UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC, and other competitive examinations, staying updated with current events is non-negotiable. The past week, from December 1 to December 7, 2025, was packed with significant developments across art, polity, international relations, and environment. Here is a detailed, unique rundown of the must-know pointers to bolster your Prelims and Mains preparation.
Cultural Celebrations and Geographical Indications
The week began with a vibrant cultural highlight from the Northeast. The 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival commenced in Nagaland on December 1. Organized by the state's tourism department with a budget of seven crore rupees, this festival, often called the "Festival of Festivals," marks its first edition since its re-imposition. The festival derives its name from the Great Hornbill bird, a species classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This bird is primarily found in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas and is the state bird of both Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
In another boost for indigenous products, five distinct items from Tamil Nadu secured Geographical Indication (GI) tags, elevating the state's total to 74. The newly recognized products include the Woraiyur cotton sari, Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai (jaggery powder), Namakkal makkal pathirangal (soapstone cookware), the traditional Thooyamalli rice variety, and Ambasamudram choppu saman (wooden toys).
Key Events and Observances
The week witnessed several important days of global and national significance. December 3 was observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), a day proclaimed by the UN in 1992 to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities. The theme for 2025 was "fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress."
India celebrated Navy Day on December 4, commemorating Operation Trident's success during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Interestingly, the date of celebration has changed multiple times throughout history, from October 21 in 1944 to December 15 post-independence, before being fixed on December 4 after 1972.
The same day was also marked as International Cheetah Day, drawing attention to the declining global cheetah population. This is particularly relevant for India, which in 2022 launched Project Cheetah to reintroduce the African cheetah subspecies from Namibia and South Africa. It is crucial to note that India was historically home to the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah, now found only in Iran.
Furthering cultural unity, Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 began in Varanasi on December 2. With the theme "Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam," this edition, organized by the Education Ministry, focuses on linguistic exchange, with teachers from Tamil Nadu traveling to Varanasi and students from Uttar Pradesh visiting Tamil Nadu.
Polity, Policy, and Cybersecurity
Significant policy shifts occurred in the telecom sector. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) formally withdrew its directive mandating smartphone makers to pre-install the government's Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all devices. Launched as a portal in 2023 and as an app in June 2025, Sanchar Saathi allows users to track and block lost phones using IMEI numbers and report fraudulent communications via its 'Chakshu' feature.
In a related move to combat digital fraud, the DoT issued directives for SIM Binding on major messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. This process requires the registered SIM card to be active in the device for the app to function, barring access if the SIM is removed or deactivated. The DoT enforced this under the new Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025, classifying these platforms as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs).
In financial news, the Enforcement Directorate served show cause notices to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others concerning alleged FEMA violations linked to Masala Bonds issued by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated instruments raised in overseas markets.
International Diplomacy: The 23rd India-Russia Summit
A major diplomatic event was the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held from December 4-5, with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting India. This summit is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism between the two nations. The key outcomes included the signing of 16 agreements spanning defence, nuclear energy, health, and maritime cooperation.
Both nations reiterated their commitment to increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion (from the current $70 billion) and boosting settlements in domestic currencies. Agreements on worker mobility to curb illegal immigration and facilitate labour movement were also inked. On the Ukraine issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, "India is not neutral, India is on the side of peace," with both leaders referring to the situation as a "crisis."
Environment, Science, and Defence
An environmental study raised alarms about river pollution. A TERI report flagged high levels of surfactants, ammonia, and microplastics in the Delhi stretch of the Yamuna, primarily from untreated sewage and industrial waste. The reduced winter flow exacerbates foam formation, a visible annual problem.
In conservation news, quarrying was halted at a site in Telangana to protect the nesting site of the Rock Eagle Owl (Indian eagle-owl). This large owl, native to India's hilly scrub forests, is a master of camouflage and is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, signifying its endangered status.
Scientific discoveries made headlines. Pune-based researchers, using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, discovered a well-defined spiral galaxy named 'Alaknanda', similar in structure to the Milky Way but existing much earlier than previously thought possible. In space exploration, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS was found to be releasing unusually high levels of methanol, a simple carbon compound crucial for prebiotic chemistry.
In the realm of defence technology, the DRDO successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at its facility in Chandigarh. This achievement places India among a select group of nations with such advanced in-house testing capabilities, significantly reducing certification costs. Furthermore, the Indian Navy released the Indian Maritime Doctrine 2025 on Navy Day, formally introducing the concept of "no-war, no-peace" as a distinct operational category.
Persons and Places in the News
Dr. Tessy Thomas, the renowned aerospace engineer, was honoured with the eighth Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025 for her contributions to missile technology and women's empowerment. Siddhi Jain created history by becoming the first female cadet to receive the President’s Medal for overall order of merit at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
In electoral governance, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar assumed the 2026 chairmanship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
Key places in focus included the new 'Seva Teerth' complex in New Delhi, which will house the PMO, and Thiruparankundram hill in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The Madras High Court issued an order regarding the lighting of the "Karthigai Deepam" lamp at this historically significant site, known for housing Hindu temples and a 17th-century mosque, which was recently at the centre of a naming controversy.
Test Your Knowledge
To consolidate your learning, try these questions based on past and current themes:
1. With reference to ‘IFC Masala Bonds’, sometimes seen in the news, which of the statements given below is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2016)
- The International Finance Corporation, which offers these bonds, is an arm of the World Bank.
- They are the rupee-denominated bonds and are a source of debt financing for the public and private sector.
2. Consider the following statements about Rock Eagle Owl:
- Categorised as Schedule I under the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Native to hilly scrub forests in India.
3. Thirupparankundram Hill, which was recently in the news, is located in which state?
Answer Key: 1. (c), 2. (c), 3. (b).
