2025 for January 1970

Unification of Germany (1871), Timeline, Causes, Process, Result

December 1, 2025

The Unification of Germany was a major political transformation of Europe during the late 19th century which led to the creation of a unified German Empire in 1871 under the Prussian leadership. Before unification, the regions included 39 states under the German Confederation (1815) for which the two dominant powers: Austria and Prussia competed for influence. The process involved wars, diplomatic and economic strategies, treaties, nationalism, etc. that was primarily led by Prussian Chancellor Bismarck, which resulted in the altered European power and shaping Modern Germany’s Territory, Polity, etc.

Unification of Germany

The Unification of Germany refers to the series of political and military steps that consolidated more than 300 German Speaking States (kingdoms, duchies, principalities & free cities) into a unified German Empire under the Prussian Leadership of Emperor Wilhelm I at the Palace of Versailles (1871). The process resulted into the formation of a modern Industrial State, covering an area ~540,000 sq. km with ~41 million population. Historically the structure of the Empire evolved from the Holy Roman Empire (962-1806) to the Confederation of Rhine (1806-1813), the German Confederation (1815-1866) and the North German Confederation (1867-1871) leading to the German Empire (1871 onwards).

Unification of Germany Timeline

The Unification of Germany Timeline has been given below including the series of political and economic events that led to the creation of the German Empire:

1806: Fall of Holy Roman Empire after Napoleon's Victory.
1806-1813: Formation of the Confederation of Rhine
1815: Establishment of German Confederation of 39 States under Austrian Presidency at the Congress of Vienna, after Napoleon's defeat.
1834: Formation of the Zollverein (Customs Union) led by Prussia (25 states by 1842) which integrated economies except Austria.
1848: Frankfurt Parliament attempted to unify the German Empire, but failed after the rejection of its constitution by the Prussian King.
1862: Otto von Bismarck became the Prime Minister of Prussia and promoted unification by “blood and iron” strategy.
1864: Second Schleswig War (Prussia + Austria vs. Denmark), resulting in Danish defeat and annexing Schleswig and Holstein.
1866: Austro-Prussian War (Seven Weeks’ War), resulting- Prussian Victory at the Battle of Königgrätz and dissolution of German Confederation.
1867: North Germany Confederation established under Prussian leadership.
1870-71: Franco-Prussian War resulted in French defeat and joining of southern German states.
Jan 18, 1871: Proclamation of German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors (Versailles) and crowning of Kaiser Wilhelm I.

Unification of Germany Causes

The Unification of Germany was the result of various factors including nationalism, economic needs, rise of Prussia, several wars and strategies of Bismarck, etc. as listed below:

1. Rise of Nationalism

The nationalism rose, inspired by the Napoleonic Occupation which dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, during 1848. It was promoted by thinkers like ‘Fichte’. The Hambach Festival (1832) united 30,000 people. The demand of the revolution was Constitutional Unity but failed after 1848 due to the failure of Frankfurt Parliament because of lack of military support and Austrian opposition.

2. Economic Integration by Zollverein

The Zollverein was formed in 1834 by Prussia which included the large economies but excluded Austria. It was the unified customs system among 25 German States by 1842. It resulted in the increase of trade volume above 80% (1834-50) due to elimination of internal tariffs across German States which eventually boosted the industrial growth by 1860. The Zollverein produced ~60% of Coal and ~55% of Steel in Europe.

3. Role of Otto Von Bismarck

Bismarck was appointed as the Prussian Minister-President (Prime Minister) in 1862. He adopted the strategy of “Blood and Iron” and followed the policy of “Realpolitik” by using diplomacy, manipulation and wars for the German Unification. He strengthened the Prussian Army under the reforms of Helmuth Von Moltke and Albrecht Von Roon. His diplomatic strategy included neutralising Russia by supporting Polish repression (1863) and Italy with secret promises (1866). He manipulated the southern German States to join the Northern Confederation by provoking nationalism through shared German Language and culture.

4. Wars Leading to Unification

The strategic wars provided territorial gains, elimination of rival influences, annexation of the German states under Prussia, which led to the rise of Industrial and Military strength under the House of Hohenzollern. The major wars indirectly paving way for the unification are:

Second Schleswig War (1864): In this war, Prussia and Austria together defeated the Danish Army and annexed the territories of Schleswig and Holstein under joint Prussian-Austrian rule.
Austro-Prussian War (1866): Also known as Seven Week War as it lasted for the same duration. In this, the Prussian Army won at the Battle of Königgrätz in July 1866. This led to the annexation of Hannover, Nassau and Frankfurt. After the annexation, German Confederation was dissolved and led to the establishment of North German Confederation (1867).
Franco-Prussian War (1870-71): The war was sparked by the manipulation of Ems Dispatch. In the Battle of Sedan (Sep 1870) of this war, France was defeated and the territory of Alsace-Lorraine was ceded to Prussia. Along with it, southern states like Bavaria, Württemberg, Baden, etc. joined the empire and eventually triggered the proclamation of the German Empire.

5. Decline of Austrian Power

Austria struggled with several factors including economic, internal revolts, etc. It was excluded from the Zollverein since 1834. Internal ethnic revolts in Hungary, Italy, etc. demolished its strength. The major defeat in the Austro-Prussian War (1866) eliminated Austria dominance under Habsburg.

Unification of Germany Process

The Unification of Germany included multiple aspect processes including diplomatic strategies, military combats, treaties, alliances, etc. The complete process involved in the unification is given below:

1. Modernization of Prussian Army

Prussia modernized its army (1860-62) through Krupp Steel supplied artillery that dominated battle and doubled the rail mobilization capacity to 11000 km by 1870.

2. Diplomatic Strategies

The war with Denmark was eventually for the purpose of gaining territories. Further, Bismarck isolated Austria diplomatically through the alliances (neutralisation) of Russia and Italy. The strategic defeat of France prevented the formation of anti-Prussian coalitions.

3. Formation of North German Confederation

After defeating Austria (1866), the German Confederation was replaced by North German Confederation (1867), which created federal structures including- Reichstag (universal male suffrage), Bundesrat and federal army. It included 22 states and adopted the constitution with the Prussian King as President.

4. Inclusion of Southern German States

The Southern German States voluntarily joined after the victory in the Franco-Prussian War (1870). The States signed the November Treaties with Prussia while agreeing to unite. It signed Defence Treaties with the states of Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg (1866-67).

5. Proclamation of German Empire (1871)

On Jan 18th, 1871, the Prussian King- Wilhelm I was crowned as the German Emperor (Kaiser) and Bismarck was appointed as the chancellor at Versailles. The new constitution came into force by May 1871 with strong Prussian dominance as 2/3rd of the population and 3/5th of the territory of the new empire was controlled by Prussia. The federal structure retained certain rights to the southern states (eg: postal services, excise duty, etc.).

Unification of Germany Results

The Unification of Germany impacted the geopolitics of Europe. The outcomes of the Unification of Germany can be studied into several aspects as mentioned below:

The Unification led to the coverage of ~540,000 sq km area with initial population ~41 million (1871), rising to ~67 million by 1914.
It led to the rapid industrial growth of the German Empire, with steel production rose from 0.2 million tons (1871) to over 14 million tonnes by 1913, surpassing Britain.
It became Europe’s most powerful industrial nation by 1890 and the largest economy in Europe by 1910, producing 16 percent of global manufacturing output.
Germany became a major continental power, replacing France as dominant land power in Europe; greatly shifted European balance-of-power politics.
Increased militarisation ultimately contributed to tensions leading to World War I.

Unification of Germany FAQs

Q1: What is meant by the Unification of Germany?

Ans: The Unification of Germany refers to the political consolidation of numerous German states into the German Empire on 18 January 1871.

Q2: Who led the Unification of Germany?

Ans: Otto von Bismarck, the Prussian Chancellor, led the unification using policies of Realpolitik, military reforms, and strategic wars.

Q3: Which wars contributed to German unification?

Ans: Three key wars contributed: the Danish War (1864), Austro Prussian War (1866), and Franco Prussian War (1870-71).

Q4: When was the German Empire proclaimed?

Ans: The German Empire was proclaimed on 18 January 1871 at the Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles.

Q5: What was the major result of German unification?

Ans: Germany emerged as a major European power with strong industry, centralized authority, and significant geopolitical influence.

North America, Geographical Features, International Relations

December 1, 2025

North America is the third largest continent covering about 24.71 million sq. km area. It consists of 23 countries. The continent highlights major global discussions on climate, trade, security alliances, geopolitics, technology, migration, etc. concerns. The continent is located between 7°N to 85°N latitude and 20°W to 179°W longitude, consisting of five time zones. It has the United States, Canada and Mexico as the largest economies, eventually creating a high impact of North America at global level.

North America Geographical Features

The geography of North America includes few of the major physical features of the world that impact the population, climate and resources. Key geographical highlights of North America are:

Rocky Mountains: extend from Canada to the US (~4800 km); influence climate and water flow.
The Appalachian Mountains: one of the oldest fold mountains of the world.
Great Plains: crucial for global grain supply; forms one of the largest agricultural belts.
Mississippi-Missouri River System: 4th longest river system globally (6275 km) vital for US agricultural exports.
The Great Lakes: largest freshwater lake system on earth (21% of total surface freshwater); Lake Superior is the largest among them, forming the US-Canada Boundary.
49° N: 49th Parallel line forms the US-Canada land border naturally established through the Oregon Treaty of 1846.
Arctic Control: Canada, the US (Alaska), and Denmark (Greenland) control North America's Arctic territories and adjacent maritime zones, a highly disputed concern.
Tectonic Activity: The San Andreas Fault creates a boundary between Pacific and North American Plate which makes California a major seismic hotspot.

North America Polity

The Politics of North America shapes the agreements for trade, technology, institutions, security alliances, etc. significantly. The major political trends are highlighted below:

The United States: It is the major political, economic and military power globally and has strong influence through NATO, G7 and multilateral bodies.
Canada: It is shaped through federal structure with multiculturalism. It focuses majorly on environmental and social policies.
Mexico: It is highly concerned for migration, drug trafficking, economic reforms and relations with the US.
The US-Mexico Border: It is highly concerned over illegal migration, drug trafficking and security issues.
NAFTA: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been replaced with the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2020. It impacted supply chains, digital trade, labour standards, etc.

North America International Relations

North America is the central figure in the International System as it shapes the military, economic and technological developments globally. The major international aspects of North America are:

Global Alliances: North America (mainly US, Canada, Mexico) lead global alliances- NATO, NORAD, UN, OAS, USMCA, G7, G20, WTO, IMF, World Bank, etc. that collectively shape the security and trade of the continent.
Largest Trade Bloc: the US, Canada and Mexico region through USMCA forms a $28 trillion collective GDP.
Tech Leadership: It dominates the global tech leadership by controlling ~35-40% of Cloud Infrastructure and AI research investments.
Energy: US is largest producer of Oil and Gas, exports to Europe and Asia.
US-China Rivalry: The geopolitical competition has sparked the US CHIPS and Science Act ($ 52 billion) aiming to curb China’s tech and boost domestic supply chains.
US-Canada Mineral Strategy: Critical Mineral Strategy (Canada) promotes joint supply of minerals (Lithium, Cobalt, Graphite, etc.) with the US making it crucial for clean energy.
Trade with Asia: IPEF is majorly driven by the US, impacting clean energy, digital trade and supply chain.

India-North America Relations

India and North America share a huge political, economic and technological relations with North American countries. The major areas of engagement are:

The trade between India and US reached $132.2 billion (2025) which makes US one of the top trading partners of India.
India has collaborated in several sectors including defense agreements, joint military exercises (e.g., YUDH ABHYAS-2024), semiconductor collaboration and space research with North America.
Canada hosts one of the largest Indian Diaspora with more than 1.8 million people belonging to India. It influences the bilateral ties between India and Canada.
In Latin America, Mexico is India’s second largest trading partner in Pharmaceuticals, IT, machinery, etc.

North America Environment

North America has been facing several environmental challenges linked to climate change, extreme events of weather, biodiversity loss, etc. The major debates in North America related to the climate change is around the following issues:

Arctic Melting: The regions of Canada, Alaska and Greenland have accelerated opening of new sea routes, the Northwest Passage ( Canada and Alaska) and the Northern Sea Route ( Russia and Norway), and have spiked geopolitical competition.
Extreme Weather Events are often faced by the US including Hurricanes, Wildfires, Tornadoes, Droughts, etc, signify increasing billion dollar disasters.
The Wildfire of Canada (2023) has marked a record of burning more than 15 million hectares.
Cities like Monterrey (Mexico) face chronic shortage of water, increasing tension around the area.

North America Economy

The economic features of North America are being one of the most advanced and productive. However it faces several structural disparities and sectoral transitions. The major economic insights of North America are:

Under USMCA, the United States, Canada and Mexico collectively form one of the largest Economic Regions of the world, accounting ~30% of GDP Globally.
The Largest Oil and Gas Producer (US), Major Automobile Exporter (Mexico) and Third Largest Oil Reserve (Canada) makes it a manufacturing and energy hub.
The continent accounts for ~25% of maize production globally, with the US as the largest exporter.
North America hosts ~50% of the top tech companies of the World including Meta, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet (Google), IBM, etc. (US leading ~35% share in Global Digital Economy Value).

North America FAQs

Q1: How many countries are there in North America?

Ans: North America has 23 countries including the United States, Canada and Mexico as the leading powers globally.

Q2: Which is the largest economy of North America?

Ans: The United States is the largest Economy of North America that contributes ~$29 trillion GDP.

Q3: Which is the largest physical feature in North America?

Ans: The Rocky Mountains are the largest physical feature of the continent. They stretch over 4800 km from Canada to the United States (Southwestern).

Q4: What are the major Global Alliances of North America?

Ans: North America through the US, Mexico and Canada leads the alliances like NATO, WTO, UN, etc. impacting the image of North America Globally.

Q5: Which is the largest fresh water lake?

Ans: The Largest Surface Freshwater Lake system is- the Great Lakes (Lake Superior largest among them) is in North America.

UPSC Daily Quiz 1 December 2025

December 1, 2025

The Daily UPSC Quiz by Vajiram & Ravi is a thoughtfully curated initiative designed to support UPSC aspirants in strengthening their current affairs knowledge and core conceptual understanding. Aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, this daily quiz serves as a revision resource, helping candidates assess their preparation, revise key topics, and stay updated with relevant issues. Whether you are preparing for Prelims or sharpening your revision for Mains, consistent practice with these Daily UPSC Quiz can significantly enhance accuracy, speed, and confidence in solving exam-level questions.

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UPSC Daily Quiz FAQs

Q1: What is the Daily UPSC Quiz?

Ans: The Daily UPSC Quiz is a set of practice questions based on current affairs, static subjects, and PYQs that help aspirants enhance retention and test conceptual clarity regularly.

Q2: How is the Daily Quiz useful for UPSC preparation?

Ans: Daily quizzes support learning, help in revision, improve time management, and boost accuracy for both UPSC Prelims and Mains through consistent practice.

Q3: Are the quiz questions based on the UPSC syllabus?

Ans: Yes, all questions are aligned with the UPSC Syllabus 2025, covering key areas like Polity, Economy, Environment, History, Geography, and Current Affairs.

Q4: Are solutions and explanations provided with the quiz?

Ans: Yes, each quiz includes detailed explanations and source references to enhance conceptual understanding and enable self-assessment.

Q5: Is the Daily UPSC Quiz suitable for both Prelims and Mains?

Ans: Primarily focused on Prelims (MCQ format), but it also indirectly helps in Mains by strengthening subject knowledge and factual clarity.

Kittur Rani Chennamma, British Conflict, 1824 Revolt, Memorial

December 1, 2025

Kittur Rani Chennamma is one of the few early rulers who resisted the expansion of the British before 1857. She launched an armed rebellion in 1824 against the attempt of the East India Company to annex the princely state of Kittur. She opposed the interventionist policies of the British, especially the imposition of Doctrine of Lapse-like succession even before it was formally adopted and articulated by Dalhousie in 1848.

Kittur Rani Chennamma

Kittur Rani Chennamma was born in 1778 at Kakati Village in present day Belagavi District of Karnataka. She was mastered in horse riding, swordsmanship, and various other skills. Chennamma was married to the ruler of Kittur Mallasarja who later died in 1816. Eventually her son was crowned till his death in 1824. To protect her kingdom from annexation, she adopted Shivalingappa. In response, the East India Company refused to recognize the adoption which led to the conflict between the Rani Chennamma of Kittur and the British.

Kittur Rani Chennamma British Conflict

The conflict between Kittur Rani Chennamma and the British intensified when St. John Thackeray (Collector of Dharwad under British East India Company) attempted to capture the control of Kittur amid the rejection of adoption of Shivalingappa. The reports of the British show the annual revenue of Kittur at that time was above Rs. 3 lakhs, which highlighted it strategically. Chennamma through diplomatic letters sought recognition of her adopted son as ruler but the company rejected and continued administrative takeover of the state of Kittur.

Also Read: Freedom Fighters of India

Kittur Rani Chennamma 1824 Revolt

The tension rose when Thackaray marched toward Kittur with armed forces to enforce the British claim in October 1824. Chennamma set up her army under Sangolli Rayanna and Gurusiddappa (trusted commanders). In the first round of war, Thackaray was killed and the British Forces suffered heavy losses. But in the next course of war, despite strong resistance, Kittur Fort fell and Kittur Rani Chennamma was captured. She was imprisoned at Bailhongal till she died in 1829.

Also Read: Slogans of Freedom Fighters

Kittur Rani Chennamma Memorial

The revolt of 1824 is documented in the Kannada works of M M Kalburgi and Basavaraja Naikar. Kittur Rani Chennamma Samadhi is located at Bailhongal which is now a preserved memorial site under the Archaeology Department of Karnataka. Chennamma’s victory and legacy is commemorated annually at the Kittu Utsav (October 22 to 24) organized by the Karnataka Government each year. The literary works include Kitturu Samsthana Sahitya (Parts I to III), Kalburgi’s academic writings, and Sangamesh Tammanagoudar’s Kitturu Rani Chennamma. The Government has established her Statues at Bengaluru, Belagavi, Hubballi, Kittur, and prominently at Parliament House, New Delhi, unveiled on 11 September 2007 by President Pratibha Patil. Other honours include commissioning of the Ship Kittur Chennamma (1983-2011) by Indian Coast Guard, Rani Chennamma Express by Indian Railway and release of ₹200 commemorative coin in 2025 marking the 200 years anniversary of the Victory of Rani Chennamma.

Kittur Rani Chennamma FAQs

Q1: Who was Kittur Rani Chennamma?

Ans: Kittur Rani Chennamma was the queen of Kittur and an early Indian ruler who resisted British expansion by leading an armed rebellion in 1824.

Q2: Why did Rani Chennamma revolt against the British?

Ans: She revolted after the East India Company rejected her adopted son Shivalingappa’s succession, an action similar to the later Doctrine of Lapse.

Q3: What triggered the 1824 conflict of Kittur Rani Chennamma with the British?

Ans: Collector St. John Thackeray attempted to take over Kittur’s administration, leading to a military confrontation initiated by the British.

Q4: What was the outcome of Kittur Rani Chennamma’s revolt?

Ans: Her forces initially defeated the British and killed Thackeray, but Kittur later fell, and she was imprisoned at Bailhongal until her death in 1829.

Q5: How is Kittur Rani Chennamma remembered today?

Ans: Her legacy is honored through memorials, literary works, annual Kittur Utsav celebrations, statues across Karnataka and Delhi, and national commemorations.

India Brazil South Africa (IBSA), Objectives, Structure, Intiatives

December 1, 2025

India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) is a trilateral forum created in 2003 to promote South–South cooperation, democratic governance, and inclusive development. It brings together three large multicultural democracies with similar global interests. IBSA works to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, culture, defence, and multilateral diplomacy.

It also plays a crucial role in advocating reforms in global institutions like the UN Security Council and the WTO.

India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Objectives

Contribute to building a new, fair, and inclusive international architecture.
Present a unified voice on major global issues and strengthen collective diplomatic influence.
Deepen trilateral cooperation across political, economic, technological, and cultural sectors.
Implement concrete development projects and partnerships with less developed and least developed countries (LDCs).

IBSA Structure

The IBSA Structure is designed to ensure smooth coordination and implementation of trilateral initiatives across multiple sectors. It doesn’t have a headquarters or a permanent executive secretariat.

IBSA Summits: Highest decision-making forum at Heads of State/Government level
Ministerial and Senior Officials’ Meetings: Policy coordination and review
Sectoral Working Groups: Focus on trade, health, education, energy, defence, etc.
Joint Working Group: Monitors implementation and ensures continuity of projects
Ensures structured trilateral cooperation across political, economic, and social sectors

IBSA Summit 2025

The India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Summit 2025 held in Johannesburg emphasised strengthening South–South cooperation, democratic governance, and sustainable development. Key discussions included global governance reforms, digital innovation, counter-terrorism coordination, and expanding the IBSA Fund for development and climate-resilient agriculture.

Key Inititatives

Strengthen South–South cooperation and democratic ties
Push for UN Security Council and global governance reforms
Promote digital innovation and human-centric AI norms
Expand IBSA Fund projects in health, education, women's empowerment, and climate-resilient agriculture
Cooperation in millets, natural farming, green energy, disaster resilience, and health security
Establish an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance to strengthen trilateral technology cooperation to establish Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), such as UPI, health platforms like CoWIN, cybersecurity frameworks and women-led tech initiatives among the three countries

IBSA Fund for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger

The IBSA Fund, established in 2004, finances development projects in least-developed and developing countries, focusing on poverty alleviation, hunger reduction, education, health, and women empowerment.

Established: 2004 under IBSA Trilateral Agreement
Focus Areas: Poverty alleviation, hunger reduction, education, health, women empowerment, renewable energy
Coverage: With a total contribution of $35 million, the IBSA Fund has supported 26 projects in 19 Global South countries over the past decade, with 62.4% of funds allocated to Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Significance: First trilateral fund exclusively for development cooperation among Global South nations
Managed in partnership with UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC)

IBSA Initiatives

IBSA undertakes a wide range of initiatives to strengthen trilateral cooperation in trade, technology, security, and sustainable development. Key initiatives includes:

IBSA Fund: Established in 2004, operational since 2006; supports development projects in developing nations focusing on poverty and hunger. $53 million allocated to 46 projects in 34 countries.
IBSAMAR: Multinational naval exercise to enhance defense cooperation and strategic trust; 8th edition held in October 2024.
IBSA Dialogue Forum: Platform for discussing common issues like UN Security Council reform and promoting a collective Global South voice.
IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Support developing countries in climate-adaptive sustainable agriculture.
Renewable Energy & Climate Action: Joint projects and knowledge sharing
Digital Governance: Sharing of platforms like UPI and health systems

Future Prospects of IBSA

IBSA has strong potential to become a leading voice for the Global South in global governance and sustainable development. Future priorities includes:

Expand trilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation
Strengthen IBSA Fund and climate-resilient development projects
Promote digital governance, AI norms, and technology sharing
Play a key role in UN reforms and multilateral governance
Act as a platform for inclusive growth and Global South solidarity
Cooperation in renewable energy, health, agriculture, and disaster resilience

India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) FAQs

Q1: What is IBSA?

Ans: IBSA is a trilateral forum of India, Brazil, and South Africa, established in 2003 to promote South–South cooperation, democratic governance, and sustainable development.

Q2: What is the IBSA Fund?

Ans: A development fund established in 2004 to support projects in developing countries, focusing on poverty, hunger, education, health, women empowerment, and renewable energy.

Q3: What is IBSAMAR?

Ans: A multinational naval exercise to enhance defense collaboration and strategic trust among the navies of the three countries.

Q4: How does IBSA differ from BRICS?

Ans: IBSA focuses on democratic cooperation, South–South development, and inclusive growth, while BRICS is a broader group of emerging economies with geopolitical and economic focus.

Q5: Why is IBSA important for India?

Ans: It strengthens India’s strategic and economic ties with Latin America and Africa, enhances Global South diplomacy.

Important Days in December 2025, National and International Days List

December 1, 2025

Many Important Days in December 2025 are celebrated in India and around the world. These days focus on raising awareness, remembering events, and honoring people. From World AIDS Day and Human Rights Day to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, each day is special. Celebrating these days helps people learn, remember, and take part in important causes.

List of Important Days in December 2025

Here is the List of Important Days in December 2025, tabulated below. These days help in spreading knowledge and encourage participation in social, cultural, and global initiatives.

List of Important Days in December 2025
Date	Event
1 December	World AIDS Day
2 December	National Pollution Control Day
2 December	International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
2 December	World Computer Literacy Day
3 December	World Day of the Handicapped / International Day of Persons with Disabilities
4 December	Indian Navy Day
5 December	International Volunteer Day
5 December	World Soil Day
6 December	B.R. Ambedkar’s Death Anniversary
6 December	National Microwave Oven Day
7 December	Armed Forces Flag Day
7 December	International Civil Aviation Day
8 December	Bodhi Day
9 December	International Anti-Corruption Day
10 December	Human Rights Day
10 December	Death Anniversary of Alfred Nobel
11 December	International Mountain Day
11 December	UNICEF Day
12 December	Universal Health Coverage Day
13 December	National Horse Day
13 December	U.S. National Guard Birthday
14 December	National Energy Conservation Day
14 December	Hanukkah Beginning
16 December	Vijay Diwas
18 December	Minorities Rights Day in India
18 December	International Migrants Day
19 December	Goa Liberation Day
20 December	International Human Solidarity Day
21 December	Blue Christmas
21 December	December Solstice
22 December	National Mathematics Day
23 December	Kisan Diwas / National Farmers’ Day
24 December	National Consumer Rights Day
24 December	DMRC Foundation Day
25 December	Christmas Day
25 December	Good Governance Day (India)
26 December	Veer Bal Diwas
26 December	Boxing Day
27 December	International Day of Epidemic Preparedness
29 December	International Cello Day
31 December	New Year's Eve

Important Days in December 2025 Details

1 December - World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed every year on 1 December to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, support people living with HIV, and remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses. It was first celebrated in 1988, and the 2025 theme is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”

2 December - National Pollution Control Day

National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on 2 December in India to raise awareness about the harmful effects of pollution on the environment and human health. It also honors the memory of those who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 and emphasizes the importance of pollution prevention and sustainable environmental practices.

2 December - International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed every year on 2 December to raise awareness about modern forms of slavery, including human trafficking, forced labor, and child marriage. It highlights global efforts to end exploitation and protect human rights. The day also commemorates the adoption of the UN Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons in 1949.

2 December- World Computer Literacy Day

This day is observed on 2 December each year to promote digital skills and computer literacy worldwide. It aims to bridge the digital divide.

3 December - World Day of the Handicapped / International Day of Persons with Disabilities

World Day of the Handicapped / International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed every year on 3 December. This day aims to promote awareness, understanding, and support for people with disabilities. It highlights the importance of inclusivity, accessibility, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

4 December- Indian Navy Day

Every year on 4 December, Navy Day is observed to recognise the achievements of the Indian Navy. This day was chosen as on that day in 1971, during Operation Trident, including the 1971 Indo-Pak war operations.

5 December - International Volunteer Day

International Volunteer Day is observed every year on 5 December to recognise and promote the invaluable contributions of volunteers worldwide. It encourages people to engage in voluntary service, support communities, and foster social development and solidarity.

5 December - World Soil Day

World Soil Day is observed every year on 5 December to emphasise the crucial role of healthy soil in food security, ecosystems, and human well-being. It was proposed by the International Union of Soil Sciences in 2002 and officially adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2014.

6 December - B.R. Ambedkar’s Death Anniversary

December 6, observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas, commemorates Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. The day honors his contributions as a social reformer and his lifelong advocacy for equality and justice.

6 December- National Microwave Oven Day

National Microwave Oven Day is observed annually on 6 December to celebrate the invention of the microwave oven and its revolutionary impact on modern cooking. The microwave oven, invented by Percy Spencer in 1945, transformed meal preparation.

7 December- Armed Forces Flag Day

Armed Forces Flag Day is observed in India on 7 December to honor the bravery of soldiers and martyrs who protect the nation. Funds are also collected from the public to support ex-servicemen and their families.

7 December - International Civil Aviation Day

Observed worldwide on 7 December, this day highlights the importance of civil aviation in connecting people, boosting economies, and supporting international trade.

8 December - Bodhi Day

Bodhi Day is celebrated on 8 December to honor Gautam Buddha and his teachings. It marks the day Buddha attained enlightenment and is observed in many countries with meditation and reflection.

9 December - International Anti-Corruption Day

This day is observed on 9 December to raise awareness about corruption and its harmful effects on society, governance, development, and equality.

10 December - Human Rights Day

Celebrated on 10 December, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It promotes the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people.

10 December - Death Anniversary of Alfred Nobel

Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prizes, passed away on 10 December 1896. He is remembered for his scientific contributions and the prestigious awards established in his name.

11 December - International Mountain Day

Observed on 11 December, this day educates people about the importance of mountains in providing water, food, clean energy, and recreation.

11 December - UNICEF Day

UNICEF Day is observed on 11 December to recognize the efforts of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund in protecting children worldwide.

12 December - Universal Health Coverage Day

Observed on 12 December, this day promotes awareness about strong health systems and universal health coverage to ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare.

13 December - National Horse Day

In the U.S., 13 December celebrates National Horse Day to honor the contributions of horses to culture, history, and the economy.

13 December - U.S. National Guard Birthday

The U.S. National Guard celebrates its birthday on 13 December to mark its establishment in 1636 and its role in national defense and emergency support.

14 December - National Energy Conservation Day

Observed on 14 December in India, this day promotes awareness about saving energy and using it efficiently in daily life.

14 December - Hanukkah Beginning

Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins on 14 December this year. It celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem with menorah lighting, games, and festive meals.

16 December - Vijay Diwas

Vijay Diwas is observed on 16 December in India to honor the martyrs of the 1971 war and celebrate the country’s victory.

18 December - Minorities Rights Day in India

This day is observed on 18 December to promote the rights and safety of minority communities through campaigns and awareness programs.

18 December - International Migrants Day

International Migrants Day is observed on 18 December to raise awareness about migrant rights and remember those who lost their lives seeking safety.

19 December - Goa Liberation Day

Goa Liberation Day on 19 December marks the end of Portuguese rule in 1961 and celebrates the role of the Indian armed forces in freeing Goa.

20 December - International Human Solidarity Day

Observed on 20 December, this day highlights the importance of unity in diversity and encourages people to fight poverty, hunger, and disease together.

21 December - Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas, observed around 21 December, offers support to people who find the holiday season difficult, especially during the longest night of the year.

21 December - December Solstice

The December Solstice on 21 December marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere, with the shortest day and longest night in the north.

21 December - World Saree Day

World Saree Day is celebrated on 21 December to honor the elegance and cultural significance of the traditional Indian saree.

22 December - National Mathematics Day

Observed on 22 December, this day commemorates the birth anniversary of mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and his contributions to mathematics.

23 December - Kisan Diwas / National Farmers’ Day

Kisan Diwas is celebrated on 23 December to honor farmers and the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh. Events focus on agriculture and farming education.

24 December - National Consumer Rights Day

Observed on 24 December, this day raises awareness about consumer rights and the importance of protecting them under the Consumer Protection Act.

24 December - DMRC Foundation Day

DMRC Foundation Day on 24 December commemorates the inauguration of the Delhi Metro’s Red Line in 2002, marking a milestone in India’s urban transport.

24 December - Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, on 24 December, is the evening before Christmas Day, celebrated with family gatherings, prayers, and festive traditions.

25 December - Christmas Day

Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on 25 December, observed worldwide with joy, gifts, and religious ceremonies.

25 December - Good Governance Day (India)

Observed on 25 December, Good Governance Day honors the birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and promotes accountability and transparency in governance.

26 December - Veer Bal Diwas

Veer Bal Diwas on 26 December pays tribute to the courage of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s four sons who sacrificed their lives for their faith.

26 December - Boxing Day

Boxing Day, on 26 December, is traditionally a day to give gifts and money to service workers and celebrate post-Christmas generosity.

27 December - International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

Observed on 27 December, this day raises awareness about epidemic preparedness, sharing scientific knowledge, and improving global health response.

28 December - Ratan Tata Birthday

Ratan Tata, the renowned Indian industrialist and philanthropist, is celebrated on 28 December for his contributions to industry, entrepreneurship, and society.

29 December - International Cello Day

International Cello Day on 29 December honors the legacy of cellist Pablo Casals and celebrates the music and artistry of the cello.

31 December - New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve, on 31 December, marks the last day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. People celebrate with parties, music, and festivities to welcome the New Year.

Important Days in December 2025 FAQs

Q1: When is World AIDS Day observed?

Ans: World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December every year to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support people living with it.

Q2: What is National Pollution Control Day?

Ans: National Pollution Control Day is observed on 2 December in India to honor the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy and raise awareness about pollution prevention.

Q3: When is International Day for the Abolition of Slavery?

Ans: It is observed on 2 December to highlight efforts against modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor.

Q4: When is Bodhi Day celebrated?

Ans: Bodhi Day is celebrated on 8 December to honor Gautam Buddha and his enlightenment.

Q5: What is Human Rights Day?

Ans: Human Rights Day is on 10 December, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

Protosticta sooryaprakashi

December 1, 2025

Protosticta sooryaprakashi Latest News

A new species of damselfly named, Protosticta sooryaprakashi, sporting vibrant sky-blue markings, has been recently discovered in the biodiversity hotspots of India’s Western Ghats.

About Protosticta sooryaprakashi

It is a new species of damselfly.
Named the Kodagu Shadowdamsel, it was discovered in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.
The species has been named in honour of the late Dr. Sooryaprakash Shenoy, a renowned botanist.
Sporting striking sky-blue markings, the Kodagu Shadowdamsel thrives in low-light habitats and requires pristine environmental conditions to breed.
Entomologists say its presence is a strong indicator of a healthy ecosystem with minimal pollution.
Despite its resemblance to its close relatives, its slender build makes it the thinnest member of the damselfly family.
Its distinguishing features include a unique blue spot on its neck and at the tip of its body.
Unlike dragonflies, which inhabit bright, sunny spaces, damselflies like the Kodagu Shadowdamsel favour cool, shaded areas, making sightings rare and significant.

Source: RM

Protosticta sooryaprakashi FAQs

Q1: What is Protosticta sooryaprakashi?

Ans: It is a new species of damselfly.

Q2: Where was Protosticta sooryaprakashi?

Ans: It was discovered in Karnataka’s Kodagu district.

Q3: In whose honour has the species Protosticta sooryaprakashi been named?

Ans: The species has been named in honour of the late Dr. Sooryaprakash Shenoy, a renowned botanist.

Q4: Why is the presence of the Kodagu Shadowdamsel considered ecologically significant?

Ans: It reflects a clean, minimally polluted ecosystem.

Ramban Sulai Honey

December 1, 2025

Ramban Sulai Honey Latest News

The Prime Minister, during the 128th episode of his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ noted that Ramban Sulai honey from Jammu and Kashmir, made from wild basil, gained wider recognition after receiving a GI tag.

About Ramban Sulai Honey

Ramban Sulai Honey, produced in the Ramban District of Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its rich taste, aromatic floral undertones, and high nutritional value.
Extracted from Sulai plants growing in the Himalayas, it is prized for its medicinal properties and purity.
The bees forage on the nectar of snow-white blossoms of Sulai during the months of August to October to produce this well-rounded, naturally sweet honey with floral undertones.
This crystal-clear honey, ranging from white to amber, contains essential minerals, enzymes, and vitamins that enhance its health benefits.
Due to superior bee strains and favourable climatic conditions, the honey yield in Ramban is significantly higher than in other regions.
It earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2021.
The Government of India declared Ramban Sulai Honey as the district’s “One District, One Product.”

What is a Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

A geographical indication, or GI, is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
It highlights the unique qualities, reputation, or characteristics that are tied to that region.
GIs are recognized as an aspect of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, is the main law in India that oversees the registration and protection of geographical indications.
- This act prohibits the use of GI-tagged products and their names without authorization.
- GIs are protected for 10 years and can be renewed forever.
Examples of GI-tagged items in India include Darjeeling Tea, Mysore Silk, and Kashmiri Saffron.

Source: DDN

Ramban Sulai Honey FAQs

Q1: Ramban Sulai Honey is primarily produced in which region of India?

Ans: Ramban District, Jammu & Kashmir.

Q2: From which plant do bees collect nectar to produce Ramban Sulai Honey?

Ans: It is extracted from Sulai plants growing in the Himalayas

Q3: Ramban Sulai Honey earned the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in which year?

Ans: 2021

Q4: During which months do Sulai plants bloom, enabling honey production in the Ramban region?

Ans: August to October

Khiamniungan Tribe

December 1, 2025

Khiamniungan Tribe Latest News

Recently, the Prime Minister of India mentioned about the Khiamniungan tribe in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode.

About Khiamniungan Tribe

The Khiamniungan tribe is one of the major tribes among the Nagas, with habitation both in India and Myanmar.
Geographically, the land of Khiamniungans is located in the Eastern part of Nagaland and in the North-Western part of Myanmar.
The meaning of the term Khiamniungan is ‘source of great water or river’.
Social Structure: The traditional social structure was based on the clan system.
Language: They speak Khiamniugan, one of the Naga languages which belongs to the Sino- Tibetan language.
Festivals
- They celebrate Tsokum Sumai in the month of September or in the first past of October to invoke blessing for a rich harvest.
- They also celebrate Khaotzao Sey Hok-ah sumai which marks the end of all agricultural activities for the year.
Economy: Farming is one of the primary occupations of the people of this region. They traditionally practised jhum cultivation.
They have been practicing cliff-honey hunting for centuries.

Source: PIB

Khiamniungan Tribe FAQs

Q1: Where is the Khiamniungan Tribe primarily located?

Ans: Nagaland

Q2: What is the language spoken by the Khiamniungan Tribe?

Ans: Khiamniungan

Darjeeling Mandarin Orange

December 1, 2025

Darjeeling Mandarin Orange Latest News

Recently, the Darjeeling Mandarin orange received the Geographical Indication status.

About Darjeeling Mandarin Orange

It is grown in the hills of Darjeeling in West Bengal.
The Mandarin Orange (Citrus reticulata Blanco) is a major cash crop of the Darjeeling Hills.
It is the third product from the region, after Darjeeling Tea and Dalley Khursani chilli, to get the tag.
It is commonly known as “suntala” is the pride of Darjeeling hills due to its delightful aroma and flavour.

Required Climatic Conditions for Darjeeling Mandarin Orange

It is cultivated at elevations ranging from 600 to 1500 meters above sea level,
Mandarins grow successfully in all frost free tropical and sub-tropical regions upto 1,500 m. above mean sea level.
Annual rainfall: 100-120 cm.
Temperature: Ranging from 10–35°C is suitable for cultivation of the crop.
Soil: It requires medium or light loamy soils.

What is a Geographical Indication Tag?

It is a sign used on products with a specific geographical origin, possessing unique qualities or reputation due to that origin.
This is typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and industrial products.
The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
This GI tag is valid for 10 years following which it can be renewed.

Source: HT

Darjeeling Mandarin Orange FAQs

Q1: What is the variety of the Darjeeling Mandarin Orange?

Ans: Khasi Mandarin

Q2: When is the harvest season for Darjeeling Mandarin Orange?

Ans: November to February

Booth Level Officer

December 1, 2025

Booth Level Officer Latest News

Recently, concerns have been raised with several Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deaths have been reported from the states undergoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

About Booth Level Officer

A BLO is a representative of the Election Commission of India (ECI) at the grass-root level who assists in updating the roll using his local knowledge.
They are local government/semi-government officials who are familiar with the local electors and enrolled as voters in the same polling area.
- Teachers, Anganwadi workers, Panchayat Secretary, Village Level Workers, Electricity Bill Readers, etc are mainly appointed as BLOs.
BLOs are not full-time electoral officials.
- Section 13B (2) of the Representation of People Act, 1950 provision paved the way for the introduction of appointing a BLO for the first time in August 2006.

Roles of Booth Level Officer

They play a significant role in the process of roll revision and collecting actual field information with regard to the roll corresponding to the polling area assigned to them.
They maintain accuracy and fidelity of the electoral roll at the polling booth level.
Distribution of Voter Slips: An important role of the BLO is the distribution of Voter Slips to the voters’ households before the poll day.
Informing eligible voters for Postal Ballot: BLOs inform the eligible Electors (senior citizens above 85 years & PwDs with benchmark certificate) about availing Home Voting Facility and Postal Ballot Facility by filling Form 12D.
Promote use of Election Commission’s IT applications: BLOs to promote applications launched by the ECI to facilitate voting and ensure an accurate electoral roll.
- The popular voter oriented apps like Voter Helpline App, eVIGIL app, Know you candidate app, Saksham-ECI.

Source: IE

Booth Level Officer FAQs

Q1: What is the role of a Booth Level Officer (BLO)?

Ans: Assisting in voter registration and verification

Q2: Under which act are BLOs appointed?

Ans: Representation of the People Act, 1950

High Courts in India, List, High Court Judge Qualifications, Salary

December 1, 2025

High Courts in India: In India’s legal framework, High Courts hold a prominent position as the highest courts of appeal for the states and Union Territories they serve. As per Article 214 of the Constitution, every state or Union Territory is mandated to establish at least one High Court, ensuring access to justice across the country. Additionally, Article 231 allows for the creation of a single High Court that serves multiple states, offering a more streamlined approach to legal proceedings. As of now, there are 25 High Courts in India, each contributing to the nation’s judicial integrity.

High Courts in India

High Courts in India are the highest judicial authority in each state or Union Territory, overseeing subordinate courts. According to Article 231 of the Constitution, while each state generally has its own High Court, some states share a single court. India has 25 High Courts, with the Calcutta High Court, established in 1862, being the oldest, alongside Bombay and Madras High Courts.

The Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Courts were established in 2019. Each High Court is headed by a Chief Justice, with additional judges appointed by the President of India. The Madras Law Journal, started in 1891, reports judicial decisions.

Also Read: List of Education Ministers

List of High Courts in India

Below is a List of High Courts in India, along with their respective years of establishment:

List of High Courts in India
Name	Year	Territorial Jurisdiction	Seat
Kolkata	1862	West Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands	Kolkata ( Bench of port Blair)
Bombay	1862	Maharashtra, Dadar, & Nagar Haveli. Goa, Daman Diu	Mumbai (Bench at Panaji, Aurangabad and Nagpur)
Chennai	1862	Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry	Chennai (Bench at Madurai)
Allahabad	1866	Uttar Pradesh	Allahabad (Bench at Lucknow)
Karnataka	1884	Karnataka	Bengaluru (Bench at Dharwad and Gulbarga)
Patna	1916	Bihar	Patna
Jammu & Kashmir	1928	Jammu & Kashmir	SriNagar & Jammu
Punjab & Haryana	1947	Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh	Chandigarh
Guwahati	1948	Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh	Guwahati (Bench at Kohima, Aizawl and Itanagar
Orissa	1948	Orissa	Cuttack
Rajasthan	1949	Rajasthan	Jodhpur ( Bench – Jaipur)
Madhya Pradesh	1956	Madhya Pradesh	Jabalpur (Bench –Indore , Gwalior)
Kerala	1958	Kerala & Lakshadweep	Ernakulam
Gujarat	1960	Gujarat	Ahmedabad
Delhi	1966	Delhi	Delhi
Himachal Pradesh	1966	Himachal Pradesh	Shimla
Sikkim	1975	Sikkim	Gangtok
Chhattisgarh	2000	Chhattisgarh	Bilaspur
Uttarakhand	2000	Uttarakhand	Nainital
Jharkhand	2000	Jharkhand	Ranchi
Tripura	2013	Tripura	Agartala
Manipur	2013	Manipur	Imphal
Meghalaya	2013	Meghalaya	Shillong
Andhra Pradesh	2019	Andhra Pradesh	Amravati
Telangana	2019	Telangana	Hyderabad

Appointment of Judges in High Courts

The process of appointing judges to a High Court in India involves a multi-step procedure, ensuring that the most qualified individuals are selected. The Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President of India, who consults both the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Governor of the respective state.

Other judges are appointed based on consultations between the President, the Governor, and the Chief Justice of the High Court. This collaboration ensures that judicial appointments are both transparent and uphold the integrity of the judicial system.

Qualifications for High Court Judges

To qualify for a judge's position in a High Court, an individual must meet the following criteria:

Citizenship: The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
Experience: The candidate should have served as an advocate in one or more High Courts in India or held the position of a judge in subordinate courts in India for a minimum of 10 years.

These requirements ensure that only highly experienced legal professionals are considered for the esteemed position of High Court judge.

Tenure of High Court Judges

Initially, the retirement age for High Court judges was set at 60 years. However, this was extended to 62 years in 1963 through the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, recognizing the value of experience in the judiciary.

Removal of High Court Judges

A High Court judge may vacate their office under several circumstances. If a judge wishes to resign, they submit their resignation letter to the President of India. Additionally, a judge's office will be considered vacated if they are appointed to the Supreme Court or transferred to a different High Court.

In rare cases, a High Court judge can be removed from office. This can happen if both Houses of Parliament pass a motion against the judge with an absolute majority and a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting, when sitting separately. The final decision is made by the President of India.

Salary of High Court Judges

Judges of the High Court receive a substantial salary in recognition of their important roles. The Chief Justice of a High Court is entitled to a salary of ₹280,000 per month, while other judges earn ₹250,000 per month.

Jurisdiction and Powers of the High Court

The High Court of India holds a range of key powers and jurisdictions, as outlined below:

Issuance of Writs: Each High Court is empowered to issue writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari. These writs are vital tools for safeguarding fundamental rights and addressing other legal matters.

Supervisory Authority: High Courts maintain supervisory authority over all lower courts and tribunals within their jurisdiction. This power ensures proper administration of justice and accountability at the state level.

Case Transfer Power: If a High Court determines that a case pending in a subordinate court involves a significant constitutional question, it can withdraw the case. The High Court may either directly resolve the case or provide a ruling on the constitutional issue, allowing the lower court to continue with the case in line with the High Court's judgment.

Role in Judicial Appointments: The High Court plays a crucial role in the judicial appointment process. The Governor consults the High Court regarding the appointment, posting, and promotion of District Judges, as well as the recruitment of other members of the State Judicial Service.
Control Over Subordinate Courts: The High Court exercises control over district courts and their subordinates, including authority over promotions, transfers, and granting leave for judicial officers below the rank of District Judge.

High Courts in India FAQs

Q1: How many high courts are there in India 2023?

Ans: There are 25 High Courts in India now.

Q2: Which is the newly constituted High Court in India?

Ans: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Courts were established in 2019.

Q3: Which state of India does not have its own High Court?

Ans: Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland do not have their own high court.

Q4: Which is the biggest High Court in India?

Ans: Allahabad High Court is one of the biggest High Court in India.

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025, Eligibility, Last Date, Apply Online

December 1, 2025

The Azim Premji Scholarship 2025, offered by the Azim Premji Foundation, is a significant initiative aimed at supporting girl students from economically weaker backgrounds. The scholarship provides financial assistance directly to beneficiaries, ensuring that deserving students continue their higher education without financial hurdles.

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025

The Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 has been designed to encourage higher education among girl students in India. Eligible candidates who have cleared Class 10th and 12th as regular students and are now enrolled in the first year of Graduation or Diploma courses can apply. The scholarship provides an annual financial assistance of ₹30,000, which is directly credited to the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of beneficiaries. The last date to apply is 30 September 2025, and applications must be submitted through the official portal at azimpremjifoundation.org.

Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship 2025

The following table presents a quick overview of the scholarship scheme for easy understanding:

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 Overview
Aspect	Description
Scholarship	Azim Premji Scholarship 2025
Organization	Azim Premji Foundation
Beneficiaries	Girl students from financially weaker backgrounds
Eligibility	Passed Class 10th and 12th as regular students; enrolled in 1st year of graduation or diploma course
Scholarship Amount	₹30,000 annually
Mode of Transfer	Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts
Last Date to Apply	30 September 2025
Official Website	azimpremjifoundation.org

Azim Premji Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

To ensure the scholarship reaches the most deserving candidates, the Azim Premji Foundation has defined strict eligibility conditions. These conditions highlight the scheme’s focus on inclusive education for women, a priority under India’s social development agenda. Students must meet the following Azim Premji Scholarship Eligibility Criteria:

Azim Premji Scholarship Eligibility Criteria 2025
Aspect	Description
Gender	Only Female students are eligible to Apply
Educational Qualification	Must have passed Class 10th and 12th as regular students from recognized boards
Admission Criteria	Must be enrolled in the first year of a graduation degree or diploma course (2 to 5 years) in a government-recognized or bonafide private institution in India
Economic Background	The scheme is targeted at economically weaker sections, ensuring inclusion and equity

Azim Premji Scholarship Amount 2025

The Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 provides direct financial aid to the selected students. The details regarding Scholarship amount and other benefits are listed below:

Each beneficiary receives ₹30,000 per year.
The amount is credited to the Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The scholarship can be used to cover tuition fees, examination fees, books, and other academic requirements.
The scheme reduces the financial burden on families and motivates young women to continue higher studies.

Azim Premji Scholarship Apply Online 2025

The last date to submit applications for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 is 30 September 2025. Candidates are advised not to wait until the deadline, as last-minute technical issues may create hurdles. Applying early also allows candidates to correct errors, if any, before final submission. Candidates can go through the link given below to apply for this scholarship:

Click Here to Apply for Azim Premji Scholarship 2025

Steps to Apply Online for Azim Premji Scholarship 2025

The application process for the scholarship is simple and student-friendly. Candidates can follow these steps:

Visit the official website: azimpremjifoundation.org.
On the homepage, click on the “What We Do” section and select “Education”.
For new users, complete the registration process first.
If already registered, use the Login (Already Registered Applicants) option.
Enter username and password to access the portal.
Fill in the scholarship application form carefully with all required details.
Preview the form before final submission to avoid mistakes.
Submit the application and save a copy for future reference.

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 Benefits

The Azim Premji Scholarship holds immense importance not just for students but also for India’s education system:

Encourages Higher Education: Motivates girl students to pursue degrees and diplomas.
Promotes Gender Equality: Targets women’s education, aligning with government initiatives like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.
Financial Support for Weaker Sections: Provides relief to economically disadvantaged families.
Boosts Human Capital: Helps in creating a skilled and educated workforce for India’s growth.

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 UPSC

The Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 is a progressive initiative that focuses on women’s education and empowerment. By providing ₹30,000 annually to deserving girl students, it ensures financial constraints do not stop them from pursuing higher education. As the last date of application is 30 September 2025, eligible students should apply immediately through the official portal at azimpremjifoundation.org.

Azim Premji Scholarship 2025 FAQs

Q1: Who is eligible for the Azim Premji Scholarship 2025?

Ans: Only girl students who passed Class 10th and 12th as regular students and enrolled in the first year of graduation or diploma courses are eligible.

Q2: How much financial aid is given under the Azim Premji Scholarship?

Ans: Each beneficiary receives ₹30,000 annually directly into their Aadhaar-linked bank account.

Q3: What is the last date to apply for the Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship 2025?

Ans: The last date for online applications is 30 September 2025.

Q4: Where can students apply for the Azim Premji Scholarship?

Ans: Students must apply online through the official website: azimpremjifoundation.org.

Q5: Can students from private colleges apply for the Azim Premji Foundation Scholarship 2025?

Ans: Yes, students enrolled in a bonafide private or government-recognized institution can apply if provided other eligibility conditions are met.

Bamboo Shrimp

December 1, 2025

Bamboo Shrimp Latest News

A team of researchers rediscovered Indian populations of the bamboo shrimp in Karnataka and Odisha after 72 years.

About Bamboo Shrimp

It is a medium-sized freshwater shrimp native to Southeast Asia.
Common names: Wood Shrimp, Flower Shrimp, Singapore Wood, Marble Shrimp and Asian Fan Shrimp.
Characteristics
- The color of their body changes according to their mood. It becomes brighter when they are happy, while it fades when they are in a bad mood.
- It is an amphidromous species i.e the larvae develop in brackish water before returning to freshwater.
- They are primarily nocturnal, spending daylight hours sheltering under rocks or driftwood.
- They are adapted to live in fast-moving streams and rivers, using their strong legs to cling to rocks and other surfaces.
Distribution: These shrimps are found in various countries of Southeast Asia. Their distribution range includes Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Habitat: It is a social invertebrate commonly found in fast-flowing streams and rivers.
Diet: This omnivorous filter feeder shrimp species feeds on water algae and microscopic organisms.
Adaptation: It is distinctive within their genus due to their specialised feeding technique.
These shrimp are filter feeders, using fan-like structures on their limbs to filter out particles of edible material from flowing water.

Source: IE

Bamboo Shrimp FAQs

Q1: What is the primary diet of Bamboo Shrimp?

Ans: Algae and plankton

Q2: How do Bamboo Shrimp feed?

Ans: Using their fan-like appendages to filter food

Article 16 of Indian Constitution, Interpretation, Key Aspects

December 1, 2025

Article 16 of the Constitution of India comes under Part III of the Constitution. The article guarantees equality in matters of public employment and makes sure that citizens don't face any discrimination in government appointments based on religion, caste, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. The goal is to uphold the fundamental right to equality, create a fair and just society and ensure employment opportunities. In this article, we are going to cover Article 16 of the Indian Constitution, its interpretation and significance.

Article 16 of the Constitution of India

The Constitution of India interprets Article 16 in the following manner:

Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment

There shall be equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.
No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence, or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any employment or office under the State.
Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from making any law prescribing, in regard to a class or classes of employment or appointment to an office under the Government of, or any local or other authority within, a State or Union territory, any requirement as to residence within that State or Union territory prior to such employment or appointment.
Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.
4A. Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for reservation in matters of promotion, with consequential seniority, to any class or classes of posts in the services under the State in favor of Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes which, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services under the State.
4B. Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from considering any unfilled vacancies of a year which are reserved for being filled up in that year in accordance with any provision for reservation made under clause (4) or clause (4A) as a separate class of vacancies to be filled up in any succeeding year or years and such class of vacancies shall not be considered together with the vacancies of the year in which they are being filled up for determining the ceiling of fifty percent reservation on the total number of vacancies of that year.
Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any law which provides that the incumbent of an office in connection with the affairs of any religious or denominational institution or any member of the governing body thereof shall be a person professing a particular religion or belonging to a particular denomination.
Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the reservation of appointments or posts in favor of any economically weaker sections of citizens other than the classes mentioned in clause (4), in addition to the existing reservation and subject to a maximum of ten percent of the posts in each category.

Article 16 of the Indian Constitution Interpretation

Article 16(1): Ensures equal opportunity for all citizens in public employment or appointments under the State.
Article 16(2): Prohibits discrimination in government jobs based on religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
Article 16(3): Empowers Parliament to make laws allowing residence-based criteria for certain public jobs, promoting local representation.
Article 16(4): Allows the State to reserve posts for backward classes that are inadequately represented in public services.
Article 16(4A): Provides for reservation in promotions for SCs and STs if they are underrepresented in higher posts.
Article 16(4B): Permits the carry-forward of unfilled reserved vacancies without breaching the 50% reservation cap.
Article 16(5): Exempts religious or denominational institutions from general equality provisions, allowing them to appoint persons of their faith for religious roles.
Article 16(6): Introduced by the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, it enables up to 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in addition to existing quotas.

Article 16 of Indian Constitution: Key Aspects

Equality of Opportunity: Article 16(1) ensures equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment and appointments under the State.
Ban on Discrimination: Article 16(2) prohibits discrimination in public employment on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.
Provision for Reservation: The State is empowered to make reservations in government jobs for backward classes that are underrepresented.
Coverage of Reserved Categories: Reservations apply to Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
Legislative Authority: Parliament can make laws to regulate and define reservation policies in public employment.
Consequential Seniority: Reserved category candidates promoted earlier retain seniority over general candidates, a practice upheld as constitutionally valid.

Article 16 Landmark Cases

Several pivotal Supreme Court rulings have influenced the interpretation and application of Article 16. Key judgments include:

State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951):
The Court struck down caste-based reservations in educational institutions, prompting the First Constitutional Amendment, which added Article 15(4) to enable such reservations.
Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992):
Popularly known as the Mandal Commission case, the Court upheld 27% reservations for OBCs but introduced the 'creamy layer' concept to exclude the more advanced sections within OBCs from availing reservation benefits.
M. Nagaraj v. Union of India (2006):
The Court upheld constitutional amendments allowing reservation in promotions for SCs and STs but made it conditional upon the State proving backwardness, inadequate representation, and maintaining administrative efficiency.
Jarnail Singh v. Lachhmi Narain Gupta (2018):
The Court extended the 'creamy layer' principle to SCs and STs in promotions, ensuring that only truly disadvantaged individuals benefit from reservation in advancement.

Also Check Related Articles
Article 295 of Indian Constitution	Article 194 of Indian Constitution
Article 39 of Indian Constitution	Article 191 of Indian Constitution
Article 20 of Indian Constitution	Article 16 of Indian Constitution
Article 67 of Indian Constitution	Article 40 of Indian Constitution
Article 78 of Indian Constitution

Article 16 of Indian Constitution FAQs

Q1: What is the Article 16 of the Constitution of India?

Ans: Article 16 guarantees equal opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment under the State.

Q2: What is Article 16 and Article 17?

Ans: Article 16 ensures equal opportunity in public employment, while Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.

Q3: What is Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India case?

Ans: The Indra Sawhney case (1992) upheld 27% OBC reservations and introduced the 'creamy layer' concept to exclude the advanced sections of OBCs.

Q4: What is Right to Equality in Indian Constitution?

Ans: The Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) ensures equal treatment before the law and prohibits discrimination on various grounds.

World AIDS Day 2025, Theme, NACP, Steps Taken by Government

December 1, 2025

World AIDS Day is observed every year on 1 December, and the 2025 theme is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has strengthened HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and support through its multi-phase approach. Under NACP V, the government is expanding awareness campaigns, ART services, targeted interventions, and anti-discrimination measures. Together, these efforts aim to accelerate progress toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

What is AIDS/HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens the body’s immune system by attacking CD4 cells. If not treated, it progresses to AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), the most advanced stage of HIV, where the body becomes highly vulnerable to infections.

With timely testing and ART treatment, HIV can be controlled, and AIDS can be prevented.

How HIV Spreads?

Unprotected sexual contact with an infected person.
Sharing contaminated needles or syringes.
From mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding.
Transfusion of infected blood (now extremely rare due to screening).

World AIDS Day 2025 Theme

The theme for World AIDS Day 2025 is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” It focuses on transforming the HIV services to make them more resilient, equitable, and community-driven. The theme also highlights the need to address disruptions caused by pandemics, conflicts, and inequalities that limit access to care.

National AIDS Control Programme

India’s National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) has evolved over five distinct phases, transitioning from basic awareness initiatives to a robust, integrated framework focused on prevention, testing, treatment, and long-term sustainability.

NACP I (1992-1999)

Marked India’s first nationwide HIV/AIDS prevention and control initiative.
Aim: To slow the spread of HIV and reduce associated morbidity, mortality, and overall social and economic impact.

NACP II (1999-2006)

Strengthened and expanded the initial response with two key objectives:
Reduce the transmission of HIV across the country.
Build long-term national capacity to tackle the HIV/AIDS challenge effectively.

NACP III (2007-2012)

Goal: To halt and reverse the HIV epidemic by 2012.

Strategy:

Scale up targeted prevention among High-Risk Groups (HRGs) and the general population.
Integrate prevention with care, support, and treatment services.

Key addition: Establishment of District AIDS Prevention and Control Units (DAPCUs) to strengthen district-level monitoring, coordination, and reporting of stigma and discrimination cases.

NACP IV (2012-2017)

Goal: Accelerate epidemic reversal and deliver an integrated HIV response.

Objectives:

Achieve a 50% reduction in new infections (compared to 2007 levels).
Ensure universal access to comprehensive care, support, and treatment for all PLHIV.

Extension (2017–2021): Continued progress toward achieving the target of Ending AIDS by 2030.

Major initiatives during the extension:

HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017: Prohibited discrimination against PLHIV, ensured confidentiality, and mandated informed consent for testing and treatment.
Mission Sampark: Reconnected PLHIV who had discontinued ART by tracing and re-engaging those lost to follow-up.
‘Test and Treat’ policy: Initiated ART for all diagnosed individuals irrespective of CD4 count.
Routine Universal Viral Load Monitoring to improve treatment outcomes.

NACP V (2021-2026)

Implemented as a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹15,471.94 crore.
Focuses on consolidating previous gains and addressing emerging challenges.
Aims to support SDG 3.3 by working toward ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 through strengthened prevention, testing, treatment, and community-led interventions.

Steps Taken by the Government for HIV/AIDS Awareness

NACO runs nationwide multimedia and digital awareness campaigns to reach wider and younger audiences.
Outdoor outreach expanded through hoardings, bus panels, IEC vans, kiosks, and folk performances.
Community awareness strengthened by training SHGs, Anganwadi Workers, ASHAs, and Panchayati Raj members.
1,587 Targeted Intervention projects (as of Oct 2025) ensure prevention, testing, treatment, and care access for High-Risk Groups.
Thematic campaigns launched nationwide to combat stigma and promote inclusion of PLHIV in workplaces, institutions, and communities.
Ombudsmen appointed in 34 States/UTs under the HIV and AIDS Act, 2017, to address discrimination complaints and protect PLHIV rights.

World AIDS Day 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is World AIDS Day?

Ans: World AIDS Day is observed every year on 1st December to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, support people living with HIV, and remember those who lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses.

Q2: What is the theme for World AIDS Day 2025?

Ans: The theme for 2025 is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.”

Q3: Why is World AIDS Day important?

Ans: It highlights the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS, promotes prevention and testing, combats stigma, and encourages global solidarity to achieve the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.

Q4: What is HIV?

Ans: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body's immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections.

Q5: What is AIDS?

Ans: AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is the advanced stage of untreated HIV, where the immune system becomes severely damaged.

Svalbard

December 1, 2025

Svalbard Latest News

A significant new discovery recently emerged in the Arctic, with scientists spotting an unexpected gathering of walruses on the remote shores of Svalbard, a wild stretch of land nestled between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

About Svalbard

It is a Norwegian archipelago that is situated in the Arctic Ocean, to the north of the European mainland.
It is located about halfway between the North Pole and the northern part of Norway.
It is the northernmost place in the world with a permanent population.
Discovery: It was discovered by the Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz in 1596.
The 1920 Svalbard Treaty established Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard Islands.
It covers a total area of about 61,022 sq.km.
Approximately 60% of the archipelago is covered with glaciers, and the islands feature many mountains and fjords.
It is composed of several islands such as Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet, Edgeøya, Barentsøya, Kvitøya, Kong Karls Land, Prins Karls Forland, Bjørnøya, and Hopen.
Spitsbergen is the largest and most populous island.
- The island is bounded by the Arctic Ocean, the Greenland Sea, and the Norwegian Sea.
- The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is also located on Spitsbergen. It is the largest backup facility for the world’s crop diversity.
Climate: The archipelago features an Arctic climate, although with significantly higher temperatures than other areas at the same latitude.
Due to its location in the northern part of the Arctic Circle, the Svalbard Islands experience the midnight sun during the summer months and polar night during the winter months.
Vegetation consists mostly of lichens and mosses; the only trees are the tiny polar willow and the dwarf birch.
Svalbard is a breeding ground for many seabirds, and also features polar bears, reindeer, the arctic fox, and certain marine mammals.

Key Facts about Walrus

It is a large mammal that lives in the cold Arctic seas of Europe, Asia, and North America.
It is closely related to the seals.
The walrus can be told apart from seals by the two large upper teeth, called tusks, that stick down from its mouth. The tusks can be 3 feet (1 meter) long.
Scientific Name: Odobenus rosmarus.
There are two subspecies: the Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and the Pacific walrus (O. rosmarus divergens).
Features:
The walrus has a stocky body and a rounded head.
It has flippers instead of legs. Its mouth is covered with stiff whiskers.
The skin is wrinkled and grayish brown. A thick layer of fat below the skin, called blubber, keeps the walrus warm.
Walruses can be 13.7 meters long and weigh more than 1,200 kilograms.
Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Source: IDR

Svalbard FAQs

Q1: Where is Svalbard located?

Ans: It is situated in the Arctic Ocean, to the north of the European mainland.

Q2: Which treaty established Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard?

Ans: The 1920 Svalbard Treaty established Norwegian sovereignty over the Svalbard Islands.

Q3: Which is the largest and most populous island of the Svalbard archipelago?

Ans: Spitsbergen is the largest and most populous island.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

December 1, 2025

Sariska Tiger Reserve Latest News

The administration of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in eastern Rajasthan is adopting new technology like drones to monitor its steadily increasing tiger population.

About Sariska Tiger Reserve

Location: It is located in the Alwar district, Rajasthan.
It is a part of the Aravali Range and the Kathiawar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
It stretches over an area of 881 sq.km.
It was once a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar before being proclaimed a natural reserve in 1955 and a national park in 1979.
It became a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger in 1979.
It holds the distinction of being the world's first reserve to successfully relocate tigers after local extinction due to poaching in 2004.
It is also famous for old temples, palaces, and lakes such as Pandu Pol, Bhangarh Fort, Ajabgarh, Pratapgarh, Siliserh Lake, and Jai Samand Lake.
Topography: It possesses a rocky landscape, scrub thorn arid forests, grasses, hilly cliffs, and semi-deciduous wood.
Vegetation: The vegetation of Sariska corresponds to Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest.
Flora:
- The area of this reserve is covered with dhok trees.
- Other species found include salar, kadaya, gol, ber, Banyan, gugal, bamboo, kair, adusta, etc.
Fauna: A variety of other wild animals, like the leopard, sambhar, chital, nilgai, four-horned antelope, wild boar etc are found in the reserve apart from the tiger.

Source: ETVB

Sariska Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in which Indian state?

Ans: Rajasthan

Q2: Sariska Tiger Reserve is part of which mountain range?

Ans: Aravali Range

Q3: What is the approximate area covered by Sariska Tiger Reserve?

Ans: It stretches over an area of 881 sq.km.

Q4: Which forest types dominate Sariska Tiger Reserve?

Ans: Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous and Thorn Forests

Citizenship Scrutiny – EC Outlines Its Constitutional Powers

December 1, 2025

Citizenship Scrutiny Latest News

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has informed the Supreme Court that the Union Government’s citizenship-related powers are “limited’’ and do not override the Commission’s constitutional authority to verify citizenship for the purposes of electoral roll maintenance.
This clarification came amid challenges by Opposition parties to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

Background

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and West Bengal have argued that the ECI is effectively conducting a citizenship screening exercise akin to a “de novo National Register of Citizens”, alleging that only the Centre has exclusive authority to determine citizenship.
The ECI, however, has strongly refuted these claims in its 184-page affidavit.
The heart of the dispute revolves around the constitutional and statutory overlap between the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), 1950, especially in the context of voter eligibility under Article 326.

The ECI’s Clarification on the Limits of Central Authority

Section 9 of the Citizenship Act and the Centre’s “Limited Role’’
- The ECI’s affidavit references Section 9 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, which deals with the termination of citizenship when an Indian citizen voluntarily acquires foreign citizenship.
- According to the ECI, this section grants the Centre the power to determine “when or how” an individual acquired foreign citizenship, and only for this purpose.
- In other words, the Centre’s jurisdiction is confined to assessing foreign citizenship acquisition and deciding whether Indian citizenship should be terminated.
- This does not bar other authorities, including the ECI, from examining other citizenship-related aspects for electoral roll purposes.
- ECI’s Constitutional Mandate to Assess Citizenship
Powers under Articles 324 and 326
- The ECI asserts that its authority to assess citizenship arises directly from Article 324, which vests the Commission with plenary powers of “superintendence, direction, and control” over elections, and from Article 326, which specifies Indian citizenship as a prerequisite for voter registration.
- The Commission also argued that even Parliament’s authority to enact laws on elections under Article 327 cannot curtail the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
Role of ROPA, 1950
- Section 16 explicitly disqualifies non-citizens from being included in the electoral rolls.
- Section 19 requires electors to be ordinarily resident in the constituency where they seek registration.
Therefore, evaluating citizenship status is an intrinsic duty of the ECI when updating electoral rolls.

Understanding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

Purpose and Legal Basis
- The SIR exercise is carried out under Section 21(3) of ROPA, which mandates an “intense” revision whenever “felt necessities’’ arise, such as concerns over inaccurate or inflated rolls.
- The ECI clarified that the SIR is not a citizenship determination exercise but a voter list purification exercise, essential to ensuring the integrity of electoral rolls, considered a Basic Feature of the Constitution linked to free and fair elections.
Process of Verification
- The Commission stated that electors are only required to sign pre-filled enumeration forms (EFs) delivered to their homes by Booth Level Officers, a minimal and voter-friendly requirement.
- The burden is not being shifted to electors, as alleged; rather, the process ensures that voters who cannot be traced to previous revisions (such as the 2002 SIR) can confirm their eligibility.

ECI’s Rationale for Conducting SIR

The ECI emphasised the need for accurate electoral rolls not just for enrolment but for ensuring that voters are able to reach polling stations and cast votes.
Thus, the following must be removed from voter lists:
- Dead persons
- Those who have permanently shifted
- Non-citizens
This ensures that the electoral roll reflects only eligible, traceable voters.

Opposition’s Concerns and ECI’s Response

Opposition parties have claimed that SIR is unconstitutional and duplicates functions reserved for the Union Government.
They have also criticised the requirement of filling out or signing forms as burdensome.
The ECI rejected these arguments, maintaining that:
- SIR is constitutional and necessary,
- Proof sought from electors is limited to ensuring eligibility for voter lists.
- It is not an NRC-like exercise nor an attempt to determine citizenship status beyond electoral purposes.

Source: TH

Citizenship Scrutiny FAQs

Q1: What did the ECI clarify regarding the Centre’s citizenship powers?

Ans: The ECI stated that the Centre’s powers are limited to reviewing voluntary foreign citizenship acquisition.

Q2: Why is the ECI allowed to check citizenship?

Ans: Citizenship verification is essential under Articles 324 and 326 for voter roll inclusion.

Q3: Is the SIR an NRC-type exercise?

Ans: No, the ECI maintains SIR is only for voter list accuracy, not citizenship determination.

Q4: What legal provision governs the SIR process?

Ans: SIR is conducted under Section 21(3) of ROPA 1950.

Q5: Why must voters sign enumeration forms?

Ans: To confirm eligibility and ensure their continued inclusion in updated electoral rolls.

Parliamentary Decline in India – Shrinking Deliberation and Rising Executive Dominance

December 1, 2025

Parliamentary Decline in India Latest News

The Winter Session of Parliament begins amid a potential deadlock over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
There are persistent concerns about legislative dysfunction, erosion of parliamentary deliberation, and the growing imbalance between the executive and the legislature.
This highlights a structural decline in productivity and oversight functions of Parliament across several Lok Sabhas.

Declining Health of Parliament

Routine disruptions and falling productivity: According to the PRS Legislative Research’s monsoon session data (between July 21 and August 21) -
- The Lok Sabha (LS) functioned just 29% of its scheduled time and the Rajya Sabha (RS) for 34%.
- Question Hour, the institution's core mechanisms of accountability, were also badly hit (LS completing only 23% while the RS managed only 6% of its scheduled Question Hour time).
Bills passed with minimal debate:
- Regulation of Online Gaming Bill: Cleared in one day, with 6 minutes (LS) and 23 minutes (RS) of discussion.
- Merchant Shipping Bill 2024: 20 minutes (LS), 10 minutes (RS).
- Operation Sindoor: 50% of LS time spent on it alone.

Institutional Concerns Raised

Warnings from constitutional experts:
- P. D. T. Achary: Declining deliberation undermines the “very purpose of Parliament”. Passage of Bills without debate is a “mockery of legislative business” under Article 107. He advocates dialogue between the PM and Leader of Opposition.
Views from MPs:
- Manish Tewari (Congress): Parliament became a rubber-stamp legislature. Standing Committees becoming redundant. Presiding officers’ neutrality diminishing.
- Syed Naseer Husain (Congress): The government holds primary responsibility for enabling debate. Opposition protests when discussions are denied.
Government’s position: Opposition blamed for disruptions, driven by “failed leaders”.

What the Number Indicate

Short-term variability:
- Exceptionally high productivity in Budget Sessions 2023 and 2024 (111% LS, 112% RS).
- Sharp drop again in Winter Session 2024 (52% LS, 39% RS).
Long-term structural decline - 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024):
- The Lok Sabha functioned for 88% of its scheduled time and the Rajya Sabha 73%.
- However, this came with the fewest sittings of any full-term Lok Sabha since 1952 due to Covid-19 (met only 33 days in 2020).
- 11 of its 15 sessions were adjourned early, and it became the first Lok Sabha without a Deputy Speaker (absent even in the 18th LS).
Historical decline in sittings:
- 1952–1970: 121 days/year (1st LS - 135 days/year)
- Since 2000: 68 days/year
- 17th Lok Sabha: 55 days/year
Committee scrutiny weakened: Bills referred to committees - Over 60% in the 14th and 15th LS, around 20% in the 16th and 17th LS.
Cross-government trend:
- Decline is not limited to one party or era.
- Example: 15th Lok Sabha (UPA-2) performed poorly (61% LS; 66% RS). The 13th and 14th Lok Sabha performed significantly better (91% and 87%).

Deeper Causes of Institutional Erosion

Anti-Defection Law:

- From stability to suppression: Intended to curb defections, the law now erodes independence of MPs. MPs function as subjects of party whip, not representatives of people.
- It affects power of the purse (the foundational principle that no tax can be levied), impeachment of a president or a judge (when members are expected to act as jurors, weighing evidence with impartiality), and legislative autonomy.
Executive dominance over legislature: Parliament becoming an approval body rather than a deliberative body. Opposition’s notices, adjournment motions often dismissed; question hour and zero hour frequently disrupted; committees weakened, reducing expert scrutiny.
Erosion of constitutional offices’ neutrality: Presiding officers perceived as partisan. Constitutional conventions not upheld resulting in institutional imbalance.

Comparative Perspective - Westminster Model vs India

Historical roots:
- Oxford Parliament of 1258: Established executive accountability to the legislature.
UK and Commonwealth nations:
- PM’s Questions ensure that the head of government is held to account on a direct, weekly and public basis.
- Strong committee oversight.
- Mandatory testimony by executive officials.
India’s divergence:
- Reversal of the Westminster model’s spirit.
- Decline in oversight, lack of routine accountability from executives.

Challenges and Way Forward

Breakdown in government–Opposition communication: Dialogue mechanisms between PM, LoP, and House leaders.
Declining sittings and productivity: Mandatory minimum sittings (e.g., 120 days/year) to prevent rushed legislation without debate.
Weakening of Standing Committees: Make committee referral mandatory for all major Bills. Enhance transparency and expert consultation.
Absence of Deputy Speaker (Constitutional requirement under Article 93): Strengthen conventions on Deputy Speaker election.
Dominance of party whip due to anti-defection law: Limit whips to confidence motions and money bills. Restore legislative independence and conscience vote.
Partisanship of presiding officers: Clear norms for impartial conduct of Speaker and Chairperson.
Marginalisation of Question Hour and Zero Hour: Ensure full Question Hour and functioning of Zero Hour.
Institutional imbalance favouring the executive: Institutionalise Prime Minister’s Question Hour (weekly). Require executive testimony before committees.

Conclusion

The decline of parliamentary functioning in India is not a partisan or episodic problem but a structural erosion decades in the making. This has hollowed out the legislature’s constitutional role as the grand inquest of the nation.
Reforms are essential to revive the institutional spirit envisioned by the Constitution, without which, India risks reducing Parliament to a symbolic edifice—standing tall, but silent in its duty to hold power accountable to the people.

Source: IE | IE

Parliamentary Decline in India FAQs

Q1: What factors are responsible for the declining deliberative functioning of the Indian Parliament?

Ans: Decline stems from reduced sittings, routine disruptions, rushed legislation, weakened committee scrutiny, anti-defection constraints, etc.

Q2: How has the anti-defection law contributed to the erosion of parliamentary autonomy in India?

Ans: By binding MPs to party whips on most issues, the anti-defection law suppresses individual legislative judgment.

Q3: What is the significance of Parliamentary Standing Committees in legislative oversight?

Ans: They enhance expert scrutiny and bipartisan deliberation, but their relevance is eroding due to fewer Bills being referred.

Q4: What are the trends in parliamentary productivity over recent Lok Sabhas?

Ans: Productivity has steadily fallen with declining sittings and early adjournments, weakening accountability mechanisms like Question Hour.

Q5: What reforms are needed to restore the balance between the executive and the legislature?

Ans: Reforms include revisiting the anti-defection law, ensuring minimum sittings, mandatory committee referral, restoring neutrality of presiding officers, etc.

New Seeds Bill 2025: Mandatory Registration, Stricter Penalties & Key Farmer Concerns

December 1, 2025

Seeds Bill 2025 Latest News

The Centre has introduced a new Seeds Bill that mandates compulsory registration of all seed varieties and imposes stricter penalties for violations.
Released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently, the draft legislation aims to modernise and strengthen seed regulation in India, and will replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966 once enacted.

Why India Needs a New Seeds Bill

The current Seeds Act regulates only notified seed varieties, and registration is not mandatory.
Several categories — including green manure seeds, commercial crops, and plantation crops — fall outside its scope.
Penalties are outdated and minimal, limited to six months’ imprisonment and a ₹1,000 fine.
These regulatory gaps have driven longstanding demand for an updated law.
An earlier attempt in 2004, when a new Seeds Bill was introduced and sent to a Parliamentary committee, did not progress into legislation.

Problem of Spurious and Substandard Seeds in India

Complaints about low-quality and fake seeds are frequent, and the Agriculture Ministry has repeatedly highlighted the issue.
Between 2022 and 2025, 43,001 seed samples were found non-standard out of nearly 6 lakh samples tested.
- West Bengal accounted for the highest share at 62%, followed by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
During the same period, authorities also took extensive action: 12,287 warnings, 12,915 stop-sale orders, 1,914 FIRs/cases, and 164 forfeitures, underscoring the scale of the problem.

India’s Annual Seed Requirement and Market Size

For 2024–25, India required 48.20 lakh tonnes of seeds, while 53.15 lakh tonnes were available, indicating adequate supply.
The country’s seed market is worth around ₹40,000 crore.
Between May 2014 and August 2025, 3,053 new seed varieties were released, with the public sector accounting for 85% of them and the private sector contributing 15%.

Key Features of the New Seeds Bill, 2025

The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 aims to overhaul India’s seed laws by replacing the Seeds Act, 1966 and Seeds Control Order, 1983.
The government says it will improve seed quality, curb counterfeits, and protect farmers.

Mandatory Registration of Seed Varieties

All seed varieties (except traditional farmers’ varieties and export-only seeds) must be registered.
Varieties must undergo Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) testing at multiple locations.
Only seeds meeting minimum germination and purity standards can be sold.

Stronger Market Controls and Traceability

Seed dealers must obtain a state registration certificate for selling, importing or exporting seeds.
Each seed container must carry a QR code generated through the central Seed Traceability Portal.

Easier Compliance for Large Companies

A new Central Accreditation System allows nationally accredited firms to operate across states without additional approvals — a move critics say benefits big agribusinesses.

Higher Penalties

Minor offences attract fines starting at ₹1 lakh.
Major offences, including selling spurious or unregistered seeds, carry penalties of up to ₹30 lakh and three years’ imprisonment.

Farmers’ Rights

Farmers may grow, save, exchange, share and sell farm-saved seeds (but not under a brand name).
New central and state seeds committees will oversee implementation.

Major Concerns Raised by Critics

No Easy Compensation for Farmers - Crop failure due to faulty seeds still requires farmers to seek compensation through courts — an expensive, time-consuming process. Critics say the Bill lacks a farmer-friendly grievance mechanism.
Community Seed Keepers Excluded - Collectives like FPOs, women’s seed groups, and traditional seed networks will be treated as commercial entities, subject to heavy compliance burdens. Experts warn this may open doors to biopiracy of India’s genetic resources.
Corporate Bias and Digital Burden - VCU trials favour uniform hybrid seeds from big companies, making it harder for indigenous, diverse, climate-resilient varieties to qualify. Mandatory digital reporting, QR tracking and online submissions are difficult for small rural seed keepers with low digital access.
Risk of Foreign Seed Entry - Foreign organisations may be recognised for VCU testing. Critics fear this could allow genetically modified or patented seeds into India without strong domestic evaluation. Some warn this could worsen farmer distress and lead to severe social consequences, including higher farmer suicides.

Source: IE | DTE

Seeds Bill 2025 FAQs

Q1: Why does India need a new Seeds Bill?

Ans: The old Seeds Act covers only notified varieties, excludes major crops, and has outdated penalties. Rising cases of fake seeds created urgency for stronger legislation.

Q2: How serious is the issue of substandard seeds in India?

Ans: Between 2022 and 2025, 43,001 seed samples failed quality tests. States issued thousands of warnings and FIRs, showing widespread concerns about seed quality and farmer losses.

Q3: What are the key features of the Seeds Bill 2025?

Ans: Mandatory registration, VCU testing, QR-based traceability, stricter penalties, accreditation for large firms, and explicit recognition of farmers’ rights to save and exchange seeds.

Q4: Why are farmer groups critical of the Bill?

Ans: They argue it favours big companies, burdens small seed keepers with digital compliance, excludes community seed networks, and lacks an easy compensation mechanism for crop losses.

Q5: What market context does the Bill address?

Ans: India requires over 48 lakh tonnes of seeds annually, with a ₹40,000-crore seed market and thousands of new varieties released—demanding stronger regulation and oversight.

Norovirus

December 1, 2025

Norovirus Latest News

Cases of norovirus, commonly known as the "winter vomiting disease," have been rising in the United States in recent weeks.

About Norovirus

It is a common and highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines, a condition known as gastroenteritis.
It is also sometimes referred to as the ‘stomach flu’ or the ‘winter vomiting bug’.
Norovirus outbreaks usually happen seasonally in colder months.
People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus, which spreads very easily and quickly.
These viruses are responsible for about 90% of viral gastroenteritis outbreaks and close to 50% of cases across the world.
You can get norovirus illness many times in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses.
Transmission:
- You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
- Norovirus infection occurs most frequently in closed and crowded environments.
- People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery.
Symptoms:
- Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, fever, and tiredness.
- In extreme cases, loss of fluids could lead to dehydration.
Treatment:
- Most people recover completely without treatment.
- No vaccines are currently available to prevent norovirus. Treatment for the infection focuses on relieving your symptoms.
- It is important to maintain hydration in the acute phase.
- In extreme cases, patients have to be administered rehydration fluids intravenously.

What is the Difference Between Norovirus and the Stomach Flu?

Norovirus causes gastroenteritis, which some people may call the “stomach flu.”
The influenza virus causes respiratory flu, not gastroenteritis.

Source: NDT

Norovirus FAQs

Q1: What is Norovirus?

Ans: It is a common and highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines.

Q2: Norovirus outbreaks most commonly occur during which time of the year?

Ans: Norovirus outbreaks usually happen seasonally in colder months.

Q3: How does norovirus spread from one person to another?

Ans: You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

IMF C-Grade for India’s GDP Data: What It Means and What Comes Next

December 1, 2025

IMF Rating on India’s GDP Data Latest News

The IMF’s 2025 annual staff report for India has once again given the country’s national accounts, including GDP data, a C-grade, indicating that the statistics have “some shortcomings” that hinder effective economic surveillance.
This assessment comes even as India’s GDP growth unexpectedly rose to 8.2% in July–September, the highest in six quarters and above the 7.8% recorded in April–June.
The stronger-than-expected data has revived familiar questions about the reliability and interpretation of India’s GDP numbers.
With the IMF highlighting concerns over statistical quality and economists surprised by the sharp growth, the debate on the credibility and meaning of India’s GDP figures has resurfaced.

Why the IMF Evaluates India’s Data

The IMF assesses India’s economic statistics as part of its annual Article IV consultations, during which an IMF team visits the country, reviews economic developments, and prepares a detailed report.
This includes a Data Adequacy Assessment to judge whether India’s data is sufficient for effective economic surveillance.

What the IMF Said in Its 2025 Assessment

The IMF stated that India would benefit from better quality, availability, and timeliness of macroeconomic and financial statistics to support policymaking.
While acknowledging India’s efforts to update GDP and CPI series, the IMF recommended:
- Regular revisions of national accounts and price indices
- Conducting the overdue population census on priority
- Timely publication of combined Centre–State fiscal data
- Improvements in coverage and consistency of key statistics
India responded that improvements were underway, with new GDP and CPI series expected in February 2026, and argued that this warranted higher ratings.

Ratings Given by IMF

Despite India’s submissions, the IMF retained the same ratings as in 2024:
- National accounts: C grade
- All other categories: B grade
- Overall rating: B

What the IMF Grades Mean

IMF ratings run from A to D:
- A – Data fully adequate for surveillance
- B – Data broadly adequate, with some shortcomings
- C – Data has shortcomings that somewhat hamper surveillance
- D – Data has serious shortcomings that significantly hamper surveillance
India’s C rating for national accounts means the IMF sees notable issues in GDP data coverage, granularity, or methodology that limit robust analysis, even though other datasets are broadly acceptable.

IMF Ratings Before 2024: How India’s Data Was Seen

The IMF introduced its four-tier data adequacy rating system only in 2024. India received a B overall rating that year for the first time.
Before this system, India’s data was described as:
- “Broadly adequate” from 2017 to 2023
- “Adequate for surveillance” in 2016
- This shows a gradual decline in confidence over time.

Why 2015 Became a Turning Point

India last updated its GDP base year in 2015, shifting to the 2011–12 series.
The new numbers surprised economists and even IMF staff, who noted:
- Large revisions to historical data
- Short time span of the new series
- Major discrepancies between GDP by activity and GDP by expenditure
These issues complicated economic interpretation and contributed to growing concerns about data reliability.

Reasons Behind the IMF’s Gradual Downgrade

In 2023, IMF staff said the 2011–12 base year is outdated and should be updated urgently. This had been a repeated recommendation.
A persistent criticism has been India’s use of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) instead of a Producer Price Index (PPI) to deflate nominal GDP.
This affects the accuracy of real GDP calculations, since WPI is not fully representative of producer-level prices.

What Comes Next for India’s Official Statistics

New GDP Series Launch in February 2026
- MoSPI will release the new GDP series with 2022–23 as the base year on February 27, 2026.
- This series is expected to include methodological improvements and new data sources.
- The first numbers released will be:
  - Q3 2025–26 GDP (Oct–Dec 2025)
  - Second advance estimate for FY 2025–26
Updated CPI Inflation Series
- A revised CPI series will be introduced earlier, on February 12, 2026, based on:
  - The 2023–24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey
  - 2024 as the new base year
- This will replace the current CPI series based on the 2011–12 survey.
Other Major Statistical Updates
- Additional updates planned under the statistical overhaul include:
  - A new Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with 2022–23 as the base year
  - Expanded and modernised datasets across sectors to align with current economic structure
More Frequent Balance of Payments Data
- The Reserve Bank of India plans to publish monthly Balance of Payments (BoP) statistics, including the crucial current account balance, instead of only quarterly updates.
- This will improve the timeliness and granularity of external sector monitoring.

Source: IE | MC

IMF Rating on India’s GDP Data FAQs

Q1: Why did the IMF give India’s GDP data a C-grade in 2025?

Ans: The IMF said India’s national accounts have shortcomings in coverage, timeliness, and methodology, which somewhat hamper economic surveillance despite improvements in other statistical areas.

Q2: What concerns did the IMF raise about India’s data quality?

Ans: IMF highlighted outdated base years, need for regular revisions, delayed census data, and gaps in Centre–State fiscal statistics, suggesting improvements for better policymaking.

Q3: How was India’s data rated before the new four-tier system?

Ans: Before 2024, IMF described India’s data as “broadly adequate,” and in 2016 even “adequate for surveillance,” showing a gradual decline in confidence over time.

Q4: What caused IMF concerns after India updated GDP series in 2015?

Ans: Large revisions, short historical series, and inconsistencies between GDP-by-activity and GDP-by-expenditure complicated analysis and raised questions about data reliability.

Q5: What major changes to India’s statistical system are coming next?

Ans: India will release a new GDP series (base 2022–23), updated CPI, revised IIP, and monthly Balance of Payments data starting February 2026 to improve statistical robustness.

Daily Editorial Analysis 1 December 2025

December 1, 2025

Institutionalising Animal Representation

Context

Modern political thought rests on a deep anthropocentric assumption: that politics is an exclusively human sphere defined by rationality, speech, and agency.
Animals are positioned outside this domain as beings of mere life, excluded not only from protection but from consideration as political subjects.
This division is not a neutral boundary; it is the structural foundation enabling their exploitation.
Addressing animal representation therefore requires transforming the architecture of democracy

The Artificial Boundary of the Animal

The rigid human–animal divide collapses a plurality of non-human lives into a single category designed to affirm human superiority.
This erasure enables political systems to treat animals as objects, property, or resources, with no institutional mechanisms to express or protect their interests.
The absence of representation is not due to a lack of compassion but a structural flaw within democratic institutions that renders animals invisible.
Challenging this boundary requires recognising animals as heterogeneous beings with morally significant lives.
Their vulnerability and dependency impose direct obligations on the political community, making humans accountable for the consequences of decisions involving land use, food systems, environment, and public safety.

Rethinking Representation: From Rights to Fiduciary Stewardship

Representation for animals is not about extending anthropocentric rights such as voting.
It requires a shift from expecting animals to prove likeness to humans to acknowledging sentience, embodiment, and vulnerability as the relevant moral criteria.
Standards grounded in human abilities are inherently biased and exclude most life forms.
A more just model frames humans as fiduciary stewards: trustees who protect animal interests with care, loyalty, and prudence.
This mirrors existing institutions created for groups who cannot represent themselves, children, the environment, data subjects, or future generations.
The same logic must apply to animals through non-majoritarian institutions empowered to participate in legislative and administrative processes.

Why Majoritarian Democracy Fails Animals

Majoritarian democracy systematically fails animals because they have no votes, no lobbying influence, and no economic leverage.
Their interests are routinely overridden by powerful stakeholders, particularly those benefiting from animal exploitation.
Welfare measures tend to be reactive, addressing harms after they occur rather than preventing them.
Even when fiduciary bodies exist, they often lack independence or authority.
Committees designed to protect animals can succumb to bureaucratic inertia, political pressure, or industry capture, demonstrating the need for institutions with constitutional protection, operational autonomy, and scientific expertise in ethology and welfare science.

The Path Forward Toward Effective Representation of Animal Rights

Designing Democratic Institutions for Animal Representation
- Effective representation requires institutional design across multiple branches of government.
- Executive level: Advisory councils should review regulations for animal welfare impacts.
- Legislative level: Dedicated committees or expert delegates should examine bills affecting animals, propose amendments, and require animal-impact assessments.
- Administrative level: Agencies must integrate animal welfare into routine policymaking through standardised scientific metrics and transparent procedures.
- These institutions must be operationally independent, with transparent appointments, fixed terms, and ring-fenced budgets to prevent political or economic capture.
- Independence ensures that representation is not reduced to advocacy but becomes a predictable, rule-based component of democratic governance.
Accountability, Transparency, and Gradual Reform
- Strong accountability mechanisms are essential. Independent audits should evaluate performance using measurable welfare benchmarks such as reductions in preventable harm.
- Transparency is central: decisions, impact assessments, and reasoning should be published for public scrutiny.
- To avoid elite capture, fiduciary bodies must systematically consult diverse stakeholders, including scientists, ethicists, civil society organisations, and affected communities.
- Public education can build support for a political culture that recognises animal stewardship as a democratic responsibility.
- Reform should proceed gradually, beginning with pilot projects such as animal-impact reviews in urban planning.
- These pilots can refine data systems, protocols, and evaluation tools. Funding can come from redirecting harmful subsidies or dedicating ring-fenced public budgets.

Conclusion

Institutionalising animal representation is a practical expansion of democratic justice.
Democracies that account only for powerful human interests remain incomplete.
Vulnerable beings profoundly affected by human decisions deserve formal, independent, and accountable representation.
Recognising animals as political subjects reframes humans as trustees responsible for the lives they shape, deepening democracy by ensuring that the silent and the vulnerable are not excluded simply because they cannot speak.

Institutionalising Animal Representation FAQs

Q1. Why does the human–animal divide undermine animal protection?
Ans. It undermines animal protection because it treats animals as non-subjects whose interests do not need to be represented in political decision-making.

Q2. What moral criteria justify political representation for animals?
Ans. Sentience, embodiment, vulnerability, and dependency justify political representation for animals.

Q3. Why can majoritarian democracy not represent animals effectively?
Ans. Majoritarian democracy cannot represent animals because they have no electoral power, lobbying influence, or economic leverage.

Q4. What is the role of fiduciary institutions in animal representation?
Ans. Fiduciary institutions act as independent trustees who protect and articulate animal interests within legislative and administrative processes.

Q5. How can accountability be ensured in animal-representation bodies?
Ans. Accountability can be ensured through independent audits, transparent decision-making, and regular public reporting of welfare outcomes.

Source: The Hindu

India Needs Research Pipelines

Context

India’s ambition to become a global innovation leader cannot rest on public funding alone.
Countries that turned scientific capability into industrial strength aligned predictable private R&D spending with university excellence through long-term partnerships.
India now faces the task of shifting corporate research from episodic CSR activities to structured, multi-year commitments that support laboratories, doctoral cohorts, and pilot-scale experimentation.

Global Models of Industrial-Scale R&D

Leading global firms invest in research at industrial scale. In 2024, Meta spent about $44 billion on R&D, nearly one-third of its revenue.
Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, IBM, and Microsoft also operate multibillion-dollar research programmes. In the United States, enterprises spent roughly $692 billion on domestic R&D in 2022, close to 5% of net sales.
Programmes such as the National Science Foundation’s Industry-University Cooperative Research Centres and the Semiconductor Research Corporation convert this investment into university partnerships that generate talent, pre-competitive research, and long-horizon consortia.
China’s major firms show similar commitments. Huawei invested 179.7 billion yuan in R&D in 2024, amounting to 8% of revenue, with more than half its workforce in research roles.
BYD spent 54.2 billion yuan, an intensity of nearly 7%, reflecting deep integration of corporate research with universities through shared laboratories, joint centres, and structured talent pipelines.

India’s R&D Landscape: Strengths and Gaps

India’s GERD remains around 0.65% of GDP, with industry contributing about two-fifths, below levels in advanced economies.
Yet several Indian firms demonstrate strong research commitments.
Tata Motors invested 6.7% of FY24 revenue in R&D, comparable to global automotive leaders.
Sun Pharma allocated 6.7% and Dr. Reddy’s 8.2% of revenues.
Bharat Electronics spent 6.24%, signalling the strategic value of R&D in defence electronics.
Reliance Industries recorded more than ₹4,100 crore in R&D expenditure for FY2024–25.
The IIT Madras Research Park brings more than 200 companies into daily proximity with faculty and student teams.
The iDEX initiative fosters defence innovation by linking startups with military R&D units.
The India Semiconductor Mission integrates industry investments with academic partnerships and skill pipelines, as demonstrated by the Micron ATMP facility at Sanand.
These examples show that India has functional models of collaboration, though they remain limited in scale.

Scaling the System: Policy Pathways for India

Set sector-specific R&D intensity targets
- India should establish three-year R&D-to-sales benchmarks for key sectors, automotive, pharmaceuticals, electronics, defence, space, and energy, with targets that rise steadily.
- Shared IP frameworks must reward both publication and commercialisation.
Strengthen co-funded research and shared infrastructure
- Government should reward co-funded projects, where industry contributions flow through higher education institutions.
- Multi-year projects must specify open-data deliverables, industry-relevant KPIs, and a commitment to collaborative use of university resources.
- India should create university-managed pilot lines and testbeds that firms can access on a pay-per-use basis, and invest in multi-university centres built around portfolios of problems rather than isolated grants.
Modernise Tax Incentives
- Weighted R&D deductions should be linked to clear outputs such as patents, standards contributions, clinical milestones, or field trials.
- Incentives must encourage collaboration with accredited HEIs and the hiring of graduate researchers into industry roles.
Build collaborative capacity within campuses
- Universities need programmes that train faculty and PhD scholars in industry collaboration, IP negotiation, and the management of translational research.
- Policies should support dual-track roles, adjunct positions, and doctoral cohorts aligned with corporate technology roadmaps.
Increase transparency and public accountability
- Listed firms should report total R&D expenditure and the share directed to Indian HEIs.
- Publishing these results in Indian languages and practitioner-friendly formats can build public recognition for research careers and encourage boards to treat R&D as a strategic priority.

Conclusion

India possesses world-class laboratories, skilled talent, and dynamic markets.
To convert these strengths into global competitiveness, firms must set clear R&D targets, invest in real laboratory engagement, and collaborate consistently with academic partners.
Universities, in turn, must deliver measurable value, embrace industry problem statements, and demonstrate evidence of impact.
Achieving this alignment can transform research into a national supply chain, predictable, coordinated, and central to India’s economic future.

India Needs Research Pipelines FAQs

Q1. Why does India need stronger private-sector R&D investment?

Ans. India needs stronger private-sector R&D investment because public funding alone cannot support the scale of innovation required for global competitiveness.

Q2. What common trait do global innovation leaders share?

Ans. Global innovation leaders share the trait of building long-term, predictable partnerships between companies and universities.

Q3. Which Indian sectors already show strong R&D intensity?

Ans. Indian sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and defence electronics already show strong R&D intensity with companies investing 6–8% of revenue.

Q4. How can universities strengthen collaboration with industry?

Ans. Universities can strengthen collaboration with industry by training faculty and researchers in translational work, managing shared facilities, and aligning PhD cohorts with corporate roadmaps.

Q5. What role should transparency play in India’s R&D ecosystem?

Ans. Transparency should play a central role by ensuring that listed companies publicly report their R&D spending and contributions to Indian higher education institutions.

Source: The Hindu

Daily Editorial Analysis 1 December 2025 FAQs

Q1: What is editorial analysis?

Ans: Editorial analysis is the critical examination and interpretation of newspaper editorials to extract key insights, arguments, and perspectives relevant to UPSC preparation.

Q2: What is an editorial analyst?

Ans: An editorial analyst is someone who studies and breaks down editorials to highlight their relevance, structure, and usefulness for competitive exams like the UPSC.

Q3: What is an editorial for UPSC?

Ans: For UPSC, an editorial refers to opinion-based articles in reputed newspapers that provide analysis on current affairs, governance, policy, and socio-economic issues.

Q4: What are the sources of UPSC Editorial Analysis?

Ans: Key sources include editorials from The Hindu and Indian Express.

Q5: Can Editorial Analysis help in Mains Answer Writing?

Ans: Yes, editorial analysis enhances content quality, analytical depth, and structure in Mains answer writing.

ASEAN Full Form, Association of Southeast Asian Nations

December 1, 2025

ASEAN Full Form is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It is a regional organisation that provides economic, political and security cooperation along with 11 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The ASEAN Group has a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion. The organisation has been the support behind Asian economic integration, spearheading negotiations to form one of the biggest free trade blocs and signing six free trade agreements along with other Asian economies.

The organisation was formed on 8 August, 1967 by five founding members namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on January 8, 1984, followed by Vietnam on July 28, 1995, Laos and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999.

ASEAN Principles

The first ASEAN Summit was signed on 24 February, 1976 by the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. It stated a few important principles that could govern the High Contracting Parties in dealing with each other:

All nations must respect each other’s independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and national identity
Every state has the right to exist independently of foreign intervention, subversion, or force
Non-interference in one another’s private lives
Disputes or misunderstandings are resolved in a peaceful manner
Refusal to use or threaten to use force
They can work together effectively

ASEAN Objectives

The ASEAN Declaration lays down the following objectives:

Establish a peaceful and happy community for the southeast Asian nations to support regional and economic growth, social advancement and cultural improvement in collaborative activities in spirit of collaborations and equality.
Respecting justice and law in relationships among Southeast Asian nations by promoting regional stability and harmony. In 1995, the ASEAN Heads of State and government reaffirmed “Cooperative peace and shared prosperity be the core aim of ASEAN.”

ASEAN-India Relationship

India has always looked to build a strong and multi-faceted partnership with ASEAN. India was looking for an opportunity to develop economic space and hence came up with the “Look East Policy”. Over the years, the Look East Policy has evolved into an action oriented “Act East Policy”. The collaboration between ASEAN and India is extremely important for India’s Foreign Policy and the bedrock of our Act East Policy. The relationship’s upgrade to a Strategic Partnership in 2012 was a natural evolution from India’s status as an ASEAN Sectoral Partner in 1992, Dialogue Partner in 1996, and Summit Level Partner in 2002. There are 30 Dialogue Mechanisms between India and ASEAN, which cover a wide range of topics.

ASEAN-India Centre

The ASEAN-India Centre (AIC) was established following the recommendation of the Heads of Government at the 2012 Commemorative Summit to strengthen the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership. Launched in 2013, AIC serves as a resource hub, fostering policy research, advocacy, and collaboration between India and ASEAN. It facilitates engagement through seminars, roundtables, and workshops, offering valuable insights to policymakers on implementing ASEAN-India connectivity initiatives. Additionally, AIC actively networks with public and private agencies, organizations, and think tanks across India, ASEAN, and EAS countries, ensuring access to updated information and promoting sustained collaboration in key strategic areas.

Conclusion

ASEAN is a community for maintaining peace and security. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao DPR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam are among the ten countries that make up the organization. The peace and stability that we currently enjoy result from ASEAN’s tight political and security cooperation. Internal and intra-regional economic development is made feasible by peace and stability. As a result, economic progress and expansion mean more money in our pockets as a whole.

ASEAN Full Form FAQs

Q1: What are the 11 ASEAN countries?

Ans: The 11 ASEAN countries are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste (set to become the 11th member).

Q2: Is India an ASEAN member?

Ans: No, India is not an ASEAN member but a key dialogue partner.

Q3: What are the 11 states of Southeast Asia?

Ans: The 11 states of Southeast Asia include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.

Q4: What is the purpose of ASEAN?

Ans: ASEAN aims to promote regional stability, economic growth, and social progress among its member states.

Q5: Where is ASEAN headquarters?

Ans: The ASEAN headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia.

International Awards List 2025, Category, Winners

December 1, 2025

International Awards 2025 are conducted to highlight the contributions of people and organisations in fields of science, peace, literature, journalism and film. Awards like Pulitzer Prize, Nobel prize and others show the global excellence of human development. In this article, we are going to cover these international awards, their importance and the winners. Here is the list of Top 10 Awards and Honours List.

Top 10 Awards in the World

The international awards include a huge range of categories like peace, literature, science and arts and many more. The top 10 international awards include:

1. Oscar Awards 2025

The Oscar Awards 2025 also known as academy awards, recognises the film industry. Introduced in 1929 for the first time by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,

97th Oscar Awards
Award Category	Winner
Best Picture	Anora
Best Actor in a Leading Role	Adrien Brody (The Brutalist)
Best Actress in a Leading Role	Mikey Madison (Anora)
Best Directing	Sean Baker (Anora)
Best Animated Feature Film	Flow
Best Cinematography	Lol Crawley (The Brutalist)
Best Documentary Feature Film	No Other Land
Best International Feature Film	I’m Still Here

2. Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is considered as the highest most prestigious international award established in 1901 by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish engineer, chemist and inventor. The prize is awarded for six categories: Literature, Physics, Economic science,Chemistry, Medicine and Peace. Here is a list of Nobel Prize winners of 2024:

Nobel Prize Winners 2024
Prize Category	Laureates	Contribution Description
Physiology/Medicine	Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun	Discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation.
Physics	John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton	Foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.
Chemistry	David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper	Baker was recognized for his work in computational protein design, while Hassabis and Jumper were honored for protein structure prediction.
Literature	Han Kang	Intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life.
Peace	Nihon Hidankyo	Efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
Economic Sciences	Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson	Studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity

3. Magsaysay Awards

Established in 1957, Magsaysay Award is Asia's version of nobel prize, that demonstrates the integrity of government, the service to the people and idealism within a democratic society. The list of Magsaysay Awards is given below:

Ramon Magsaysay Awards 2024
Awardee	Country	Contribution Description
Karma Phuntsho	Bhutan	Harmonizing Bhutan's past with its present; inspiring pride in heritage.
Miyazaki Hayao	Japan	Using animation to illuminate the human condition and nurture children's imagination.
Rural Doctors Movement	Thailand	Advocating for rural health and rights; ensuring no one is left behind in progress.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Phuong	Vietnam	Promoting public service and hope; warning against the repercussions of war.
Farwiza Farhan	Indonesia	Connecting nature and humanity; advancing social justice and environmental awareness.

4. The International Booker Prize

The International Booker Prize, awarded every year since 2004, honors the best translated fiction published in the UK or Ireland. The 2024 winner is Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann. This novel, set in 1980s East Berlin, explores a turbulent romance and raises deep questions about freedom and love. The £50,000 prize is shared equally between the author and translator.

The Booker Prize 2024 was awarded on November 12 to British author Samantha Harvey for Orbital, a novel set aboard the International Space Station. Described as a "space pastoral," it delves into human fragility and Earth's beauty, following six astronauts experiencing 16 sunrises and sunsets in a single day. Harvey began writing it during the COVID-19 lockdowns, drawing parallels between space isolation and life on Earth. Her lyrical prose and profound reflections earned her the £50,000 ($64,000) prize.

5. Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards established in 1959, honors the achievements across various genres of pop, rock and classical. Introduced by the Recording academy, grammy awards are given to the artists and technical merits of the music industry.

Grammy Awards Winners
Award	Winner
Album of the Year	Taylor Swift - Midnights
Record of the Year	Miley Cyrus - Flowers
Song of the Year	Billie Eilish - What Was I Made For?
Producer of the Year	Non-Classical - Jack Antonoff

6. Pulitzer Prize

Started in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize was initiated by Joseph Pulitzer, who was an american-hungarian journalist. The award recognises the excellence of musical composition, literature and journalism. Awarded for 21 categories, here is a list of Pulitzer award winners:

Top Pulitzer Prize Winners 2024
Category	Winner
Public Service	ProPublica (Joshua Kaplan et al.)
Investigative Reporting	Hannah Dreier, The New York Times
Editorial Writing	David E. Hoffman, The Washington Post
Breaking News Photography	Photography Staff of Reuters

7. UN Human Rights Award

The UN Human Rights awards were established in 1966 by the United Nations to honor individuals and organisations for their contributions towards promoting human rights. Presented every five years, the award winners include name likes Human Rights Center “Viasna”, Ms. Julienne Lusenge (DR Congo), the Amman Centre for Human Rights Studies (Jordan) and a global coalition for the right to a clean environment.

8. Goldman Environmental Prize

The Goldman Environmental Prize established in 1989, is awarded to environmental activists around the world every year. The award recognises the efforts of environmentalists towards protecting and improving the natural environment. The Goldman Environmental Prize, also known as “Green Nobel Prize” is awarded to six activists around the six continents.

Goldman Environmental Prize
Winner	Country	Contribution
Alok Shukla	India	Protected a forest from coal mining.
Andrea Vidaurre	U.S.	Changed California’s transportation regulations.
Marcel Gomes	Brazil	Exposed links between beef and deforestation.
Murrawah Maroochy Johnson	Australia	Blocked the development of a coal mine.
Teresa Vicente	Spain	Led a campaign for legal rights to an ecosystem.
Nonhle Mbuthuma and Sinegugu Zukulu	South Africa	Stopped destructive seismic testing for oil and gas.

9. The Booker Prize

Established in 1969, the Booker Prize is a literary award awarded to authors who write original fiction novels in English, irrespective of nationality. In 2023, Paul Lynch’s Prophet Song was awarded the Booker Prize that awarded him £50,000.

10. The International Gandhi Peace Prize

Established by India in 1995, the International Gandhi Peace Prize honors individuals and institutions for their contributions to social change through non-violence, reflecting Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals. The award includes ₹1 crore (approximately $130,000), a plaque, and a citation. The 2021 Gandhi Peace Prize has been awarded to Gita Press, Gorakhpur for its remarkable contributions.

International Awards Categories

International awards honor excellence in diverse fields such as science, peace, literature, journalism, and films. Here’s a breakdown of key awards and their significance:

Science Awards

Nobel Prize (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine) – The highest recognition for groundbreaking discoveries in these fields.
Breakthrough Prize – Dubbed the "Oscars of Science," it celebrates advances in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics.

Peace Awards

Nobel Peace Prize – The most prestigious global award recognizing efforts toward peace and conflict resolution.
International Gandhi Peace Prize – Awarded by the Government of India for contributions to non-violent social, economic, and political transformation.
Indira Gandhi Peace Prize – Honors efforts in peace, disarmament, and development.
World Peace Prize – Acknowledges significant contributions to global peace.

Literature Awards

Nobel Prize in Literature – The highest global honor for literary excellence.
Pulitzer Prize – Recognizes achievements in literature, journalism, and musical composition in the U.S.
Booker Prize – One of the most prestigious awards for novels written in English.
Man Booker International Prize – Celebrates translated works of literary excellence.

Journalism Awards

Pulitzer Prize for Journalism – The top honor for outstanding journalistic work in the U.S.
George Polk Awards – Recognizes journalists who risk their lives to uncover crucial stories.
International Press Freedom Awards – Celebrates courageous defenders of press freedom.

Film Awards

Academy Awards (Oscars) – The highest recognition in global cinema, honoring excellence in acting, directing, and production.
BAFTA Film Awards – The British counterpart of the Oscars, celebrating outstanding films worldwide.
International Film Awards (IFAs) – Recognizes exceptional achievements in global cinema.

International Awards 2025 FAQs

Q1: Who are the Oscar winners in 2025?

Ans: "Anora" won Best Picture; Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison secured Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.

Q2: Which is the number one award in the world?

Ans: The Nobel Prize is widely regarded as the world's most prestigious award.

Q3: Who won the leading actress award in 2025?

Ans: Mikey Madison won Best Actress for her role in "Anora."

Q4: Who won the best song in the Oscars in 2025?

Ans: Specific information about the Best Original Song winner at the 2025 Oscars is not available in the provided sources.

Q5: Who is hosting the Oscars in 2025?

Ans: Conan O'Brien hosted the 2025 Oscars.

PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme 2025, Eligibility, Application Process

December 1, 2025

PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme also known as the PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India, abbreviated as YASASVI was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment of the Government of India. The goal is to give scholarships to students belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Economically Backward Classes (EBC), and Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes, including Denotified Tribes. The registration form is open till 31 August 2025. In order to avail the scheme, the annual income of the student's parents or guardians should not exceed Rs. 2.5 Lakhs. The students will be selected on the basis of merit. In this article, we are going to cover the PM YASASVI Scholarship Scheme, its eligibility criteria, exam date and application process.

PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme 2025

PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme is an important initiative adopted by the government to help students belonging to the OBC community by providing them with financial aid to support their education at pre-matriculation or secondary stage of education. The scheme can only be availed to study in India and is funded by the State/Union Territory to which the students belongs.

PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 Eligibility

To qualify for the PM Yasasvi Scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following conditions:

They must belong to one of the following categories: Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Class (EBC), or Denotified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNT).
The combined annual income of parents or guardians should not exceed ₹2.5 lakhs.
The applicant must be currently studying in Class IX or Class XI in a government-recognized school.
Enrollment in a government school is mandatory.
For students pursuing professional courses, the institution must be registered with a valid UDISE (Unified District Information System for Education) or AISHE (All India Survey on Higher Education) code.

PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 Application Last Date

To apply for the PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025, students can visit scholarships.gov.in website. The last date to apply online is

Events	Dates
Application start date	June 2, 2025
Last day to apply	August 31, 2025
Defective Application Verification open till	September 15, 2025
Institute Verification open till	September 15, 2025
DNO/SNO/MNO Verification open till	September 30, 2025

PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 Exam Date

As per latest updates, the entrance test for PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 was cancelled and now students will be selected on the basis of merit. Students studying in Top Class Schools private and government both and securing 100% pass percentage in class 10th and 12th exams, will be eligible to be selected under this yojana.

YASASVI offers scholarships at two educational levels: Pre-matriculation (Class 9th) and Secondary (Class 11th).

PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 Selection Process

The selection of candidates under the PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme is based on merit, determined by the marks secured in the final examinations of Class 9, 11, or 12 (as applicable).

Previously, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the YASASVI Entrance Test (YET) to identify eligible candidates. However, as per the latest update, the entrance test has been discontinued. Now, selection will be made purely on the basis of academic performance in the previous final examination.

How to Apply for the PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme 2025

To apply for the PM Yasasvi Scholarship online, follow these steps:

Visit the official application portals: yet.nta.ac.in or scholarships.gov.in.
Register by providing the required details to create a login.
Fill out the application form carefully with accurate academic and personal information.
Upload all necessary documents as per the guidelines.
Review your application thoroughly before final submission.

PM Yasasvi Scholarship Scheme 2025 FAQs

Q1: Who is eligible for Yashasvi scholarship 2025?

Ans: Students from OBC, EBC, or DNT categories currently enrolled in Class IX or Class XI in government schools, with parental/guardian income below ₹2.5 lakhs, are eligible.

Q2: What is the PM Scholarship 2025?

Ans: The PM Yasasvi Scholarship 2025 is a merit-based scholarship awarded to eligible students from specified communities, based on their Class IX/XI/XII exam performance.

Q3: Who is eligible for PM scholarship?

Ans: Eligibility requires belonging to OBC, EBC, or DNT categories, studying in government schools or recognized institutes (with UDISE/AISHE codes), and having a family income under ₹2.5 lakhs annually.

Q4: How much scholarship can I get from PM Yasasvi?

Ans: The scholarship amount varies based on academic performance and level of study, with specific details provided in the official scheme documentation.

Q5: Who is eligible for PM Modi scholarship?

Ans: Assuming the reference is to the same PM Yasasvi Scholarship, eligibility aligns with OBC, EBC, or DNT students in Class IX/XI from government institutions with parental income under ₹2.5 lakhs.

Amphan Cyclone, Formation, Causes, Location, Impact, History

December 1, 2025

Amphan Cyclone was one of the most destructive natural disasters ever recorded in the North Indian Ocean. It hit parts of Eastern India and Bangladesh in May 2020 and caused massive destruction to life, property and environment. As a super cyclonic storm, it brought extremely strong winds, heavy rainfall and flooding across coastal districts. This cyclone is remembered for its speed, intensity and the challenges it created during the COVID-19 pandemic. It became the costliest cyclone in the region’s history and affected millions of people living near the Bay of Bengal.

Amphan Cyclone

Amphan Cyclone 2020 was declared a Super Cyclonic Storm by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It developed over the Bay of Bengal and reached peak intensity on 18 May 2020, with Amphan Cyclone Speed of Winds touching 240 km/h. Amphan was the first super cyclone in the Bay of Bengal since 1999 and was the strongest storm to hit the Ganges Delta. The cyclone caused widespread damage in West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh. Its impact included uprooted trees, damaged crops, severe flooding and destruction of homes. Amphan also caused heavy losses in mango-producing regions of Bangladesh.

Amphan Cyclone Formation

Amphan Cyclone formed from a low-pressure area that appeared over the Southeast Bay of Bengal on 13 May 2020. The system developed quickly because the sea surface temperature was very warm, between 32 and 34°C, and wind conditions were favourable for growth. By 15–16 May, the disturbance became a depression and then a cyclonic storm. On 17 May, Amphan strengthened rapidly because of strong outflow and low wind shear. Within hours, it transformed into an extremely severe cyclonic storm. On 18 May, it became a super cyclone with a well-defined eye.

Amphan Cyclone Location

Amphan mainly developed over the Bay of Bengal and affected coastal regions of India and Bangladesh. The areas most affected in India were West Bengal, Odisha, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In Bangladesh, the cyclone caused damage in Khulna, Barisal, Satkhira, and several coastal districts. The cyclone also influenced weather conditions in Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Thailand. Its pathway remained close to the eastern coastline before making landfall near Bakkhali in West Bengal on 20 May 2020.

Amphan Cyclone History

Amphan Cyclone occurred during the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season. It was the first cyclone of that season and one of the strongest in history. After forming on 16 May, it intensified rapidly and became a super cyclone within two days. The highest wind speed recorded by IMD was 240 km/h, while JTWC estimated 270 km/h. Amphan was compared to major historical cyclones, including the 1999 Odisha super cyclone. After crossing the coast on 20 May, it weakened quickly and dissipated on 21 May 2020 over Bangladesh.

Amphan Cyclone Pathway

The cyclone started southeast of Sri Lanka, moved northward and then northeastward across the Bay of Bengal. As it intensified, it travelled parallel to the eastern coast of India. On 20 May, around 2:30 PM IST, Amphan made landfall near Bakkhali, close to the Sundarbans in West Bengal. The storm then moved inland across North and South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly. After crossing into Bangladesh, it weakened but continued to cause heavy rainfall in Rajshahi, Rangpur and nearby regions. Finally, it weakened into a low-pressure area on 21 May.

Amphan Cyclone Naming

The name Amphan was suggested by Thailand. The word means “sky” in the Thai language. Each country in the North Indian Ocean region contributes cyclone names to a common list used by meteorological agencies. Amphan’s name was selected long before the cyclone developed. Since the storm was extremely destructive, the name “Amphan” was retired and will not be used for future cyclones in the region.

Amphan Cyclone Causes

Several natural factors helped Amphan Cyclone grow into a very strong storm. These combined factors made Amphan intensify faster than normal cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.

Very warm sea surface temperatures (32-34°C), the main energy source for cyclones.
Low vertical wind shear, which allowed the system to remain stable.
Strong outflow at upper levels, helping clouds expand and intensify.
High moisture in the atmosphere, supporting rapid intensification.
Favourable monsoon winds, which added strength to the developing system.

Amphan Cyclone Preparation

Governments of India and Bangladesh took large-scale steps to reduce casualties. A total of 4.2 million people were evacuated from vulnerable areas of both countries. Shelters were prepared with social-distancing measures because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fishing activities were suspended across the coast, and ports were closed. Trains and flights were cancelled.

Rescue teams from NDRF, Navy, Coast Guard and state disaster forces were deployed. Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand also issued alerts. Thousands of relief volunteers helped prepare shelters, supply kits and medical support.

Amphan Cyclone Impact

Amphan Cyclone caused massive destruction in India and Bangladesh. Key impacts include:

133 total deaths, mostly from electrocution and collapsed structures.
US$15.5 billion in total damage, making it the costliest cyclone in the North Indian Ocean.
West Bengal suffered ₹1.02 trillion in losses, with 70 percent population affected.
Over 88,000 hectares of farmland were damaged.
Kolkata experienced winds of 110-130 km/h and heavy rainfall of about 236 mm.
Large sections of the Sundarbans were flooded after embankments broke.
Bangladesh lost more than 220,000 homes, and thousands of families were displaced.

Amphan Cyclone Aftermath

After the cyclone passed, millions were left without electricity, drinking water and shelter. Restoring power in Kolkata and nearby districts took several days. Thousands of trees blocked roads, delaying rescue work. Agricultural losses were severe, especially in rice fields, vegetable farms and mango orchards.

Both India and Bangladesh started massive relief operations to provide food, medicine and temporary housing. International agencies like the United Nations and Red Crescent also supported rehabilitation. The coastal ecosystem, especially the Sundarbans mangrove forest, faced long-term damage.

Amphan Cyclone UPSC

Cyclone Amphan was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal that caused severe destruction across India and Bangladesh.

Strongest Cyclone in Bay of Bengal Since 1999: Amphan became the first Super Cyclonic Storm in the Bay of Bengal since the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, reaching Category-5 intensity with wind speeds touching 240-260 km/h over the sea.
Rapid Intensification Recorded by IMD and NASA: It underwent rapid intensification within 24 hours, transforming from a severe cyclonic storm to a super cyclone due to warm sea surface temperatures of above 30°C and high ocean heat content.
Landfall and Affected Regions: Amphan made landfall on 20 May 2020 near Sagar Island (West Bengal) and Hatiya Island (Bangladesh), causing extensive flooding, embankment breaches, and infrastructure damage in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and coastal Bangladesh.
Human and Economic Losses: It caused over 90 deaths in India and displaced millions in coastal districts. West Bengal alone reported losses of around USD 13 billion, making it one of the costliest cyclones in the North Indian Ocean.
Evacuation and Disaster Management Measures: The Indian government and NDRF conducted one of India’s largest cyclone evacuations, shifting over 3 lakh people to cyclone shelters while maintaining COVID-19 protocols. International agencies praised India’s early-warning systems and coordinated response.

Amphan Cyclone FAQs

Q1: What was Amphan Cyclone?

Ans: Amphan Cyclone was a super cyclonic storm that hit parts of India and Bangladesh in May 2020 and became one of the strongest and costliest cyclones recorded in the North Indian Ocean.

Q2: Amphan Cyclone Name was given by which Country?

Ans: Amphan Cyclone name was coined by Thailand which means “Sky”.

Q3: Which areas were affected the most by Amphan Cyclone?

Ans: The most affected regions were West Bengal (especially Kolkata and the Sundarbans), Odisha, and southern Bangladesh, including Khulna and Satkhira.

Q4: Why did Amphan Cyclone intensify so quickly?

Ans: Very warm sea temperatures, low wind shear, and strong atmospheric support helped the storm intensify rapidly into a super cyclone.

Q5: How much damage did Amphan Cyclone cause?

Ans: Amphan caused an estimated US$15.5 billion in total damage, making it the costliest cyclone in North Indian Ocean history.

106th Constitutional Amendment Act, Provisions, Concerns

December 1, 2025

The 106th Amendment Act, 2023 provided for one-third reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and State assemblies. The goal was to increase women participation in politics and work on overcoming the challenges associated with the patriarchal political landscape. In this article, we are going to cover the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023.

106th Constitutional Amendment Act 2023

The Women’s reservation bill has faced many challenges since its introduction.
The bill was introduced multiple times in both the parliament as well as the state assembly in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2008.
The bill lapsed the first three times due to dissolution of assemblies in the Lok Sabha.
The bill finally got passed in 2008 in the Rajya Sabha but again got lapsed in the Lok Sabha due to dissolution.
In 2023, the Women Reservation Bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill got strong support from both the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha.
The bill makes sure that women receive one-third reservation in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
However, the bill will only be implemented after the completion of the decennial census and delimitation of seats.

Women Reservation Act 2023

The Women Reservation Act was introduced for the first time in 1996 in the Lok Sabha. The Bill can be traced on the following timeline:

The bill has passed by the Parliament in India to provide one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies and the Legislative Assembly of Delhi.
The bill will be implemented after the delimitation has been conducted.

106th Amendment Act Key Provisions

The 106th Constitutional Amendment has the following key provisions:

Article 239AA – One-third reservation for women in Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Article 330A – One-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha, including SC/ST seats.
Article 332A – One-third reservation for women in State Assemblies, including SC/ST seats.
Article 334A – Implementation post-delimitation, 15-year sunset clause, with provisions for extension and rotation.

106th Constitutional Amendment Act Concerns

There have been a few concerns related to 106th constitutional amendment act:

Equality vs. Reservation: Some critics argue that reserving seats for women may conflict with the principle of merit-based competition and equality, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Restriction on Voter Choice: By mandating the reservation of certain seats for women, the Act may limit the voters’ ability to choose candidates freely from the entire pool of eligible contestants.
Lack of Homogeneity: Women, unlike caste groups, do not form a homogeneous category. Therefore, a uniform reservation policy may not address the diverse challenges faced by women from different socio-economic backgrounds.
Risk of Proxy Representation: Without deeper political reforms, there is a possibility that women representatives might act as nominal heads, with real political power being exercised by male relatives, as seen in the Sarpanch Pati phenomenon at the Panchayat level.
Uneven State Impact: The rotation of reserved seats and differences in state-wise implementation could lead to uneven representation and unpredictable political outcomes.
Exclusion of Upper Houses: The Act does not provide for any reservation in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) or in State Legislative Councils, which means women’s representation will remain limited to directly elected lower houses.

106th Constitutional Amendment Act FAQs

Q1: What is the 106th amendment of the Indian Constitution?

Ans: It is the Constitutional (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, providing one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Q2: What is the 107th Constitutional Amendment?

Ans: The 107th Amendment to the Constitution of India pertains to reorganization of the northeastern states, specifically Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram (enacted in 2003).

Q3: What is the 106th amendment Nari Shakti?

Ans: It refers to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which reserves one-third of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.

Q4: When was the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act implemented?

Ans: It was passed in September 2023, but will be implemented after the next delimitation exercise following a census.

Q5: What is the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023?

Ans: It is the bill that became the 106th Constitutional Amendment, ensuring one-third reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.

Hit and Run New Law, Provisions, Significance, Concerns

December 1, 2025

Hit-and-run cases account for a significant portion of road accidents in India, as drivers often flee the scene to avoid police inquiries, punishment, and the risk of mob violence. This escape frequently denies victims timely medical assistance, leading to preventable loss of lives. Before the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was introduced in 2023, such cases were governed by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the lenient provisions under these laws, coupled with the rising number of road accidents, underscored the need for stricter regulations.

Despite its intent to ensure accountability, the new law has faced opposition from drivers and transporters, citing concerns over potential misuse, unfairness, heightened mob violence risks, and inconsistencies with existing laws. Responding to protests, the government has assured stakeholders, particularly drivers, that their inputs will be considered before the law is implemented.

Hit and Run New Law

The new hit-and-run law is part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), introduced in December 2023, featuring 358 sections to replace the colonial-era Indian Penal Code. This law imposes stricter penalties on drivers involved in hit-and-run cases. Recently, drivers in states such as Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Punjab have organized protests against the new provisions.

What are Hit and Run Accidents?

Hit-and-run accidents occur when a motor vehicle collides with a person, another vehicle, or property, and the driver leaves the scene without stopping to assist the injured or reporting the incident to authorities. These cases are treated as serious offenses because they often result in injuries or fatalities and violate the moral responsibility of drivers to provide aid in such situations.

Status of Hit and Run Law before New Law

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: This Act mandates drivers involved in accidents to stop their vehicles, assist the injured, and report the incident to the nearest police station.

Indian Penal Code (IPC):

Section 279: Addresses rash or reckless driving that endangers human life, with penalties including imprisonment of up to six months, a fine, or both.
Section 304A: Pertains to causing death by negligence. Individuals responsible for fatalities due to rash or negligent driving can face imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.

Why Was a New Hit-and-Run Law Needed?

Rising Road Accidents:
- In 2022, 47,806 hit-and-run cases were reported, resulting in 50,815 deaths (NCRB data).
- Road accidents in India are increasing at 12% annually, with fatalities rising by 9.4% year-on-year.
- On average, 19 people die every hour in road accidents, with one death occurring every 3.5 minutes.
- National and State highways, despite constituting only 5% of India’s road network, account for over 50% of road accident-related deaths.
India’s Share in Global Road Accidents:
- India, with just 1% of the world’s vehicles, accounts for 10% of global road accident-related deaths.
- The country loses 5-7% of its GDP annually due to road accidents.
Increasing Driver Accountability:
- Under the IPC, the penalty for causing death by rash driving was limited to a maximum of 2 years imprisonment.
- Stricter laws were required to hold drivers accountable and deter reckless behavior.
Empowering Victims:
- Stronger legal provisions were necessary to ensure victims of road crashes receive appropriate compensation and justice.

Hit and Run New Law Provisions

The new hit-and-run law under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), introduced in December 2023, enforces stricter penalties for drivers who flee the scene of an accident, leaving injured victims unattended.

Section 106(2): Imposes a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine for drivers who leave the accident site without reporting the incident to the nearest police station.
Section 106(1): Prescribes a lesser punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment for drivers who report the accident to the police, acknowledging their responsibility while addressing fatalities caused by rash driving.

The new hit-and-run law aims to enhance driver accountability in such cases and has the potential to save lives by imposing stricter penalties on drivers who flee accident scenes. However, the law has raised concerns among drivers, prompting protests demanding the withdrawal or amendment of Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The protests were recently suspended after the government assured that all stakeholders, particularly drivers, would be consulted before the law's implementation. Such consultations, if conducted earlier, could have helped address these concerns more effectively.

Hit and Run New Law FAQs

Q1: What is the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita hit-and-run case?

Ans: It refers to stricter provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, for penalizing drivers involved in hit-and-run cases.

Q2: What is the case of hit-and-run in India?

Ans: Hit-and-run cases involve drivers fleeing accident scenes without assisting victims or reporting to authorities.

Q3: What is the IPC for hit-and-run case?

Ans: Under IPC Section 279, rash driving endangering life is punishable with up to 6 months imprisonment, and Section 304A deals with causing death by negligence with up to 2 years imprisonment.

Q4: What is the hit-and-run law?

Ans: It penalizes drivers who flee accident sites, with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, imposing harsher penalties, including up to 10 years imprisonment.

Q5: What is Section 106(2) hit-and-run?

Ans: Section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, prescribes up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine for drivers who leave accident sites without reporting to the police.

National Constitution Day of India 2025, History, Significance, Timeline

December 1, 2025

National Constitution Day of India, also known as Samvidhan Divas, is observed every year on 26 November to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. The day honours the vision of the Constituent Assembly and reinforces the role of constitutional values in shaping India’s democracy. It also aims to promote constitutional literacy among citizens, especially students and public servants. The detailed article on the Constitution Day of India has been shared below.

National Constitution Day of India

National Constitution Day of India, observed on 26 November, commemorates the adoption of the Indian Constitution in 1949 and honours the work of the Constituent Assembly. The Constitution’s drafting was an extensive process that lasted 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, from 9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949. The day highlights the vision of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other framers who shaped India’s democratic foundations. It also promotes awareness of constitutional values, rights, duties, and the importance of safeguarding democratic principles.

National Constitution Day of India History

National Constitution Day was officially designated on 19 November 2015, when the Government of India decided to commemorate 26 November 1949, the date on which the Constitution was adopted. Prior to 2015, the day was observed informally as Law Day by legal institutions. The renaming highlighted the need to recognise the Constitution’s transformative impact on India’s socio-political fabric. The celebration pays tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Constituent Assembly for laying India’s democratic foundation.

Adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.
Enforced fully on 26 January 1950, marking the birth of the Republic.
Declared officially as Constitution Day in 2015 to honour Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary year.
Earlier known as Law Day, celebrated primarily by legal bodies.

National Constitution Day of India Significance

National Constitution Day holds deep symbolic and educational importance, as it reaffirms India's commitment to democracy, liberty, equality, justice, and fraternity. It encourages citizens to understand the Constitution not as a legal document alone but as a living guide shaping governance and rights.

Why Constitution Day Matters

Raises awareness about Fundamental Rights, Duties, and Directive Principles.
Reinforces commitment to constitutional supremacy and democratic governance.
Pays homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Constitution.
Encourages study of key values like secularism, federalism, equality, and rule of law.

National Constitution Day of India Drafting Timeline

The drafting of the Indian Constitution was a monumental process that spanned 2 years, 11 months, and 18 days, beginning with the Constituent Assembly’s first meeting on 9 December 1946 and culminating in its adoption on 26 November 1949. A major milestone was the creation of the Drafting Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on 29 August 1947, which prepared the foundational text of the Constitution. The final draft was placed before the Assembly for detailed debate and scrutiny on 4 November 1948, marking the beginning of intensive discussions. The Constitution was finally adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into full effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated today as Republic Day.

National Constitution Day of India Drafting Timeline
Event	Date
Formation of Constituent Assembly	9 December 1946
First meeting of the Constituent Assembly	9 December 1946
Dr. Rajendra Prasad elected as President of the Assembly	11 December 1946
Formation of Drafting Committee under Dr. B.R. Ambedkar	29 August 1947
Presentation of Draft Constitution	4 November 1948
Adoption of Constitution by the Constituent Assembly	26 November 1949
Enforcement of Constitution / Republic Day	26 January 1950

Constitutional Values Highlighted on Constitution Day of India

Constitution Day serves as a reminder of the core values enshrined in the Preamble, which guide India’s democratic, ethical, and governance framework. These values shape the relationship between the State and the citizen while promoting justice, equality, liberty, and national unity.

Justice - Ensuring social, economic, and political fairness for all citizens.
Liberty - Protecting freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship.
Equality - Guaranteeing equal rights, opportunities, and dignity for every individual.
Fraternity - Promoting national unity, integrity, and brotherhood across communities.
Secularism - Upholding religious neutrality and respect for all faiths.
Democracy - Ensuring participation, representation, and accountability in governance.
Rule of Law - Establishing supremacy of law over arbitrary power.

National Constitution Day & Republic Day Differences

National Constitution Day marks the adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 November 1949, focusing on awareness of constitutional values and citizen duties. In contrast, Republic Day on 26 January 1950 celebrates the enforcement of the Constitution, symbolising India’s transition to a sovereign republic with a public holiday and national celebrations. The detailed key differences between Constitution Day & Republic Day have been shared below in the table.

National Constitution Day & Republic Day Difference
Feature	Constitution Day (26 Nov)	Republic Day (26 Jan)
Purpose	Marks adoption of the Constitution	Marks enforcement of the Constitution
Declared as	Constitution Day (2015)	National Festival
Focus	Awareness of constitutional values	Celebration of India becoming a Republic
Type of Holiday	Not a public holiday	National public holiday
Activities	Preamble reading, debates, lectures	Parade, awards, cultural displays

National Constitution Day of India FAQs

Q1: Why is National Constitution Day celebrated on 26 November?

Ans: It is celebrated to mark the adoption of the Indian Constitution by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949.

Q2: Who announced Constitution Day in India?

Ans: The Government of India declared it in 2015, during Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary year.

Q3: What is the difference between Law Day and Constitution Day?

Ans: Earlier, 26 November was observed informally as Law Day by legal institutions; after 2015, it became Constitution Day to promote broader constitutional awareness.

Q4: Is Constitution Day a public holiday?

Ans: No, Constitution Day is not a public holiday but is widely observed in government institutions and educational establishments.

Q5: What activities are conducted on Constitution Day?

Ans: Activities include Preamble reading, essay competitions, seminars, judicial workshops, pledge ceremonies, and awareness campaigns on rights and duties.

Nobel Prize 2025 Winners List, All Category-wise Winners List

December 1, 2025

The Nobel Prize 2025 stands as one of the most prestigious honors in the world, awarded annually to individuals and organizations who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of humanity. These prizes are presented in six major fields: Medicine (Physiology), Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences, and represent the highest recognition of excellence, innovation, and service to society.

The Nobel Prize Winners 2025 announcements were made between 6th October and 13th October 2025, honoring extraordinary work that has transformed scientific understanding, promoted global peace, and enriched human culture.

What are the Nobel Prizes?

The Nobel Prizes are a set of international awards given every year to people or organizations that have made remarkable contributions to humanity. These prizes were established as per the will of Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor who wanted his fortune to be used to reward those who bring the “greatest benefit to mankind.”

The awards were first presented in 1901, and since then, they have become a global symbol of excellence and humanitarian achievement.

Each Nobel Prize laureate receives:

A gold medal symbolizes their honor and achievement.
A diploma, personally signed by the awarding institution.
A cash award, which varies each year depending on the funds of the Nobel Foundation (in 2023, it was approximately 11 million Swedish kronor, equal to over 1 million USD).

Nobel Prize 2025 Categories

The Nobel Prizes originally began with five categories, as outlined in Nobel’s will. In 1968, a sixth category as Economic Sciences, was added by Sweden’s central bank, bringing the total to six.

Categories of the Nobel Prize 2025
Category	Purpose	Awarded By
Physics	For groundbreaking discoveries explaining the laws of nature and the universe.	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Chemistry	For advancements in chemical science and discoveries that improve human life.	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Physiology or Medicine	For discoveries that advance medical knowledge and improve human health.	The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet
Literature	For exceptional works of fiction, poetry, or writing that enrich global literature.	The Swedish Academy
Peace	For efforts in promoting peace, resolving conflicts, and improving global relations.	The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Economic Sciences	Added in 1968; honors contributions to economics and financial science.	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences

Nobel Prize Winners List 2025

The Nobel Prize 2025 awards were announced from 6th to 13th October 2025. Each day corresponds to a specific field, with announcements made by the respective awarding committees in Stockholm and Oslo. The Nobel Prize Winners 2025 list has been shared below based on the category.

Nobel Prize 2025 Winners List
Category	Date of Announcement	Awarded By	Nobel Prize Winners 2025	Contribution
Physiology or Medicine	6th October 2025	The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet, Wallenbergsalen, Solna	Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi	Discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance.
Physics	7th October 2025	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm	John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis	Discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit
Chemistry	8th October 2025	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm	Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi	For the development of metal-organic frameworks
Literature	9th October 2025	The Swedish Academy, Börssalen, Stockholm	László Krasznahorkai	for his compelling and visionary oeuvre that, in the midst of apocalyptic terror, reaffirms the power of art
Peace	10th October 2025	The Norwegian Nobel Committee, Oslo	Maria Corina Machado	for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy
Economic Sciences	13th October 2025	The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm	Joel Mokyr; Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt	for having explained innovation-driven economic growth One half to Joel Mokyr “for having identified the prerequisites for sustained growth through technological progress” Other half jointly to Philippe Aghion and Peter Howitt “for the theory of sustained growth through creative destruction.”

Also Read: Nobel Prize 2024 Winners

Nobel Peace Prize 2025

The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 has been announced on 10th October 2025 by The Norwegian Nobel Committee at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. The Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2025 is Maria Corina Machado for her tireless efforts in promoting democratic rights in Venezuela. Recognized as a courageous leader, she has united a divided political opposition to peacefully strive for free elections and a just transition from dictatorship to democracy. Her work highlights the power of ballots over bullets and sets an inspiring example of civilian courage and commitment to democracy.

Nobel Prize Winners 2025 Physiology or Medicine

The Nobel Prize Winners 2025 in Medicine have been awarded to Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell, and Shimon Sakaguchi for their groundbreaking discoveries in the field of immunology. Their research revealed the crucial role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in maintaining immune system balance and preventing autoimmune diseases. This discovery has paved the way for new treatments for conditions such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, making a lasting impact on medical science and human health.

Nobel Prize Winners 2025 Physics

The Nobel Prize Winners 2025 in Physics has been announced on 7th October 2025 by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. The Nobel Prize has been awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for their discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunnelling and energy quantisation in an electric circuit. Their groundbreaking experiments proved that quantum effects can occur in large, hand-held systems, showing how superconducting circuits can tunnel between states and absorb or emit energy in specific, measurable quantities.

Nobel Prize Winners 2025 Chemistry

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced in Stockholm on 8th October 2025. Their pioneering work on MOFs porous materials with vast surface areas has revolutionized applications in gas storage, catalysis, and environmental sustainability. The discovery represents a transformative advancement in chemical sciences, with potential benefits for medicine, clean energy, and climate solutions.

Nobel Prize Winners 2025 Literature

The Nobel Prize in Literature 2025 has been awarded to László Krasznahorkai, the Hungarian novelist and screenwriter renowned for his dense, apocalyptic prose and profound philosophical insight. Often called the “writer of the apocalypse,” Krasznahorkai’s work explores humanity on the edge of collapse, transcendence, and revelation.

The announcement was made on 9th October 2025 by The Swedish Academy at Börssalen, Stockholm. This prestigious award honors an author whose writings demonstrate exceptional creativity, depth, and a profound understanding of the human experience, continuing the Nobel tradition of celebrating literary excellence that inspires readers across generations.

Nobel Prize Winners 2025 Economic Sciences

The Nobel Prize 2025 in Economic Sciences has been announced on 13th October 2025 by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences 2025 has been awarded to Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their groundbreaking work on innovation-driven economic growth. Mokyr explored historical conditions necessary for sustained technological progress, while Aghion and Howitt developed the theory of creative destruction, showing how new innovations replace old products to drive long-term growth. Their combined research provides deep insight into the forces shaping modern economic development.

Nobel Prize Winners from India

India has produced several Nobel laureates who have made outstanding contributions to science, literature, peace, and economics. Their achievements have brought international recognition and have inspired generations across the country. Here is the list of all the Nobel Prize Winners from India along with the category and their contribution in various fields.

Nobel Prize Winners from India
Year	Laureate	Category	Contribution / Work
1913	Rabindranath Tagore	Literature	Recognized for his profoundly sensitive, poetic, and humanistic writings
1930	C.V. Raman	Physics	Discovery of the Raman Effect, explaining the scattering of light
1968	Har Gobind Khorana	Medicine	Research on genetic code and protein synthesis
1979	Mother Teresa	Peace	Selfless work with the poor and sick in Kolkata, founded Missionaries of Charity
1983	Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar	Physics	Theoretical studies on the structure and evolution of stars, especially white dwarfs
1998	Amartya Sen	Economic Sciences	Contributions to welfare economics, social choice theory, and development
2009	Venkatraman Ramakrishnan	Chemistry	Studies on the structure and function of the ribosome
2014	Kailash Satyarthi	Peace	Advocacy for children’s rights and fight against child labor
2019	Abhijit Banerjee	Economic Sciences	Experimental approaches to reducing global poverty

How the Nobel Laureates Are Chosen

The selection process for the Nobel Prizes is one of the most rigorous in the world. It involves months of confidential research, nominations, and evaluation by committees of leading experts.

Step-by-Step Selection Process:

Nominations: Qualified individuals, including previous laureates, university professors, and selected institutions, nominate candidates.
Evaluation: The Nobel Committees study the nominations, review research, and consult with experts.
Decision: The respective academies or committees vote to determine the winner(s).
Announcement: The results are made public in early October.
Award Ceremony: The prizes are formally presented on 10th December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.

Significance of the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is not merely an award; it is a symbol of human progress, compassion, and creativity. Its significance lies in its power to:

Encourage innovation: It motivates scientists, thinkers, and peacebuilders to continue pushing boundaries.
Recognize global impact: It honors efforts that have made lasting positive changes in the world.
Inspire future generations: Young researchers and writers often see laureates as role models.

Promote peace and cooperation: The Peace Prize especially plays a crucial role in acknowledging movements and individuals striving for global harmony.

Nobel Prize 2025 Winners List FAQs

Q1: Who founded the Nobel Prize?

Ans: The Nobel Prize was founded by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor, through his will in 1895.

Q2: When will the Nobel Prize 2025 winners be announced?

Ans: The Nobel Prize 2025 winners were announced between 6th and 13th October 2025.

Q3: How many Nobel Prizes are awarded each year?

Ans: Six Nobel Prizes are awarded annually, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.

Q4: Who won the first Nobel Prize?

Ans: The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. For example, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen won the first Physics Nobel for discovering X-rays.

Q5: What is the prize money for Nobel Prize winners?

Ans: In recent years, the Nobel Prize amount has been around 11 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to over $1 million USD.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, Registration, Eligibility, Theme

December 1, 2025

The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 is India’s largest student innovation movement, launched by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and AICTE. It aims to inspire school students of Classes 6-12 to ideate, innovate, and solve real-life challenges through creativity and teamwork. The initiative aligns with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, promoting a culture of innovation and self-reliance from the grassroots level.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025

Launched on 23 September 2025 by Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, the Buildathon will engage over 1 crore students from 1.5 lakh+ schools across India. The initiative encourages innovation in four core areas- Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local, and Samriddhi. It is not just a contest but a nationwide innovation platform that nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial skills in students.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Overview

The Buildathon embodies India’s vision to transform its education system into a creator-driven model.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Overview
Aspect	Desccription
Launched By	Ministry of Education, AIM (NITI Aayog), AICTE
Launch Date	23 September 2025
Target Group	Students of Classes VI to XII
Schools Involved	1.5 lakh+
Students Engaged	1 crore+
Core Themes	Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local, Samriddhi
Culmination	January 2026 (Results & Felicitation)
Mode	Hybrid (School & Online Activities)
Participation Focus	Aspirational Districts, Tribal & Remote Regions

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Theme

The four key themes reflect India’s long-term development goals and provide a broad framework for students’ ideas and innovations.

Atmanirbhar Bharat: Building indigenous and self-reliant technological solutions.
Swadeshi: Reviving and modernizing traditional knowledge systems.
Vocal for Local: Promoting local crafts, products, and industries.
Samriddhi: Ensuring sustainable prosperity and inclusive development.

Apply Online for Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025

Students from Classes VI to XII can apply online through their schools. The registration process is entirely digital and free of cost. Last Date to Apply is 6 October 2025. All participating teams will receive digital Participation Certificates from the Ministry of Education. Schools are required to register the team of students.

Click Here to Register for Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 [Active]

Steps to Apply Online for Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025

Visit the official website vbb.mic.gov.in.
Schools must register themselves and create student teams of 5-7 members.
Upload project ideas, concepts, or prototype plans.
Submit entries in the form of photos and videos before the last date.
Save confirmation for participation and certificates.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Important Dates

The Buildathon follows a structured timeline, ensuring synchronized participation across India. The Live Innovation Event on 13 October 2025 will witness simultaneous participation of 1 crore students, making it one of the world’s largest synchronized innovation activities.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 Timeline
Phase	Activity	Dates
Phase 1	Launch by Union Education Minister	23 September 2025
Phase 2	Registration Window	23 September - 6 October 2025
Phase 3	Preparation & Mentoring Period	6 - 12 October 2025
Phase 4	Nationwide Live Buildathon	13 October 2025
Phase 5	Entry Submission	14 - 31 October 2025
Phase 6	Evaluation of Entries	November 2025
Phase 7	Results & Felicitation Ceremony	January 2026

Viksit Bharat Buildathon Eligibility Criteria 2025

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, the Ministry has laid down uniform participation rules.

Teams must consist of 5-7 students from the same school.
Each school can register multiple teams.
Entries can be in prototype, concept, or working model format.
Mentors (teachers) will guide teams during the preparation period.
Entries will be evaluated by a national panel of experts based on innovation, feasibility, and social impact.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon Objectives

The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 is more than an educational activity- it is a nation-building exercise. It seeks to ignite innovation among young minds and prepare them to lead India’s technological and developmental journey.

Foster innovation culture in schools through experiential learning.
Strengthen India’s position as a global innovation hub.
Align school-level education with the goals of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Encourage local problem-solving and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Empower students from marginalized and rural communities.

Viksit Bharat Buildathon Challenges

The Buildathon has created an unprecedented wave of creativity and innovation. However, challenges such as digital divide, lack of resources, and mentor availability remain. India must now ensure sustainability and scalability of this movement.

Way Forward

These steps can turn the Buildathon into a continuous innovation ecosystem shaping India’s young innovators:

Expand Innovation Infrastructure: Establish Atal Tinkering Labs in every district.
Teacher Training: Conduct regular capacity-building programs for school mentors.
Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage industry mentoring and CSR participation.
Digital Access: Strengthen ICT infrastructure in rural and tribal schools.
Continuous Engagement: Integrate Buildathon outcomes into long-term innovation programs.
Recognition and Patenting: Support winning ideas with incubation and patent filing assistance.

Also Check Related Links
PM Vishwakarma Scheme	Poshan Abhiyan
SAMARTH Scheme	Atal Innovation Mission

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 FAQs

Q1: Who launched the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?

Ans: It was launched by Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on 23 September 2025.

Q2: What is the eligibility for participation for Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?

Ans: Students from Classes VI to XII can participate in teams of 5-7 members through their schools.

Q3: What are the four main themes of the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?

Ans: Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local, and Samriddhi.

Q4: What is the official registration link for Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?

Ans: Schools can apply online at https://vbb.mic.gov.in.

Q5: When will the results of the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 be declared?

Ans: Results will be announced in January 2026, followed by a national felicitation event.