Indian Coast Guard inducts first Pollution Control Vessel
The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel, Samudra Pratap, at Goa Shipyard Limited. The vessel is equipped with a 30 mm gun, two 12.7 mm stabilised guns, and integrated fire-control systems, along with a pollution response boat and high-capacity external firefighting capabilities. It will bolster marine pollution control, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and protection of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The ceremony was attended by senior navy officials and officials from the shipyard, marking a significant step in domestic defence manufacturing and environmental protection at sea.
Samudra Pratap indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel inducted.
Equipped with 30 mm and 12.7 mm guns; advanced fire-control.
Includes pollution response boat and external firefighting systems.
Supports pollution control, SAR, and EEZ protection.
Significant milestone for domestic defence and environment.
Baahubali rocket carries BlueBird 6 satellite into orbit
India’s LVM3-M6 rocket, nicknamed Baahubali, lifted off from Sriharikota carrying BlueBird 6, a next-generation communications satellite from AST SpaceMobile. The mission aims to enable broadband access directly from space to standard smartphones, without special ground equipment. The launch underscores India’s growing capabilities in space technology and satellite communications and could impact rural connectivity and digital inclusion. The programme involves collaboration with US-based AST SpaceMobile, and the mission demonstrates ongoing expansion of India’s space program and international partnerships in space commerce and technology.
LVM3-M6 launched from Sriharikota with BlueBird 6.
Baahubali mission aims to beam broadband to ordinary smartphones.
Satellite collaboration with AST SpaceMobile (US).
Advances India’s space and telecommunications capabilities.
Implications for rural connectivity and digital inclusion.
IIT Madras Pravartak, ENAC launch aviation safety course
IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and France’s ENAC launched a joint Aviation Safety Management (ASM) course, supported by Airbus. The two-year programme targets aviation professionals across airlines, airports, and related agencies. The upcoming batch, beginning February 2026, will admit up to 30 participants with applications open until January 31, 2026. The course covers safety performance, risk management, and organisational safety culture, combining ENAC’s expertise with IIT Madras’ research and industry links. This international collaboration aims to strengthen aviation safety education across India and the region.
ASM programme launched by IITM Pravartak and ENAC (France).
Two-year course; applications open until Jan 31, 2026.
Intake capped at 30 participants; starts February 2026.
Supported by Airbus; focuses on safety management and risk.
Aims to bolster aviation safety education regionally.
India tops WADA doping list for third straight year
India has topped World Anti-Doping Agency’s global doping offenders list for the third consecutive year, with 260 positive dopings reported in 2024. The finding underscores concerns about integrity in Indian sport and has potential implications for hosting future events, including the 2036 Olympic bid. Sports bodies and policymakers emphasize the need for stronger anti-doping education, enhanced testing, and stricter governance to restore credibility and ensure fair competition. The data highlights ongoing challenges in sport governance and the importance of robust, transparent dope-control systems.
India leads WADA doping list for 2024 (260 cases).
Third consecutive year atop global offenders list.
Raises concerns about integrity of Indian sport.
Implications for 2036 Olympic bid considerations.
Calls for stronger anti-doping education and testing.
SG Pipers win Global Chess League 2025 in Mumbai
SG Pipers clinched the Global Chess League title in its third edition, defeating Continental Kings in the Mumbai final held at the Royal Opera House. The Pipers advanced past Ganges Grandmasters by a narrow margin to claim the crown. The event showcased top players competing across rapid and blitz formats, with strategic plays and intense pressure in the dramatic finale. The victory adds to India’s growing prominence in global team chess and highlights the league’s role in promoting the sport at both professional and popular levels.
SG Pipers win 2025 Global Chess League in Mumbai.
Final victory over Continental Kings; Close contest.
Event held at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai.
Highlights India’s rising prominence in team chess.
GCL supports growth of chess at national and international levels.
Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins gold at National Shooting Championship
Navy shooter Kiran Ankush Jadhav secured gold in the 10m Air Rifle men final at the 68th National Shooting Championship in Bhopal, with a score of 252.1. He edged Olympian Arjun Babuta, who took silver with 251.4, while reigning national champion Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar ended on the podium with 229.8. In the junior event, Mohammed Murtaza Vania of Gujarat won gold with 254.3. Abhinav Shaw (West Bengal) took silver and Onkar Vikas Waghamare (Karnataka) bronze. The championship showcased rising talents in Indian rifle shooting.
Kiran Ankush Jadhav wins gold in 10m Air Rifle (men).
Final score 252.1; Arjun Babuta silver (251.4).
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar bronze (229.8).
Junior gold: Mohammed Murtaza Vania (254.3).
Event held during the 68th National Shooting Championship.
INS Sindhughosh decommissioned after 40 years of naval service
INS Sindhughosh, the lead submarine of its class, was decommissioned after four decades of service in the Indian Navy. The Western Naval Command announced the retirement, with a formal ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and other dignitaries attended the event. Lt Cdr Rajat Sharma commanded during the decommissioning, while Capt K. R. Ajrekar (retd) was the guest of honour as the submarine concluded its distinguished voyage. The decommissioning marks the end of a significant era in maritime defence capabilities.
INS Sindhughosh decommissioned after 40 years.
Ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan attended.
Lt Cdr Rajat Sharma commanded at decommissioning.
Significant milestone for Indian Navy.
SHEServes launched to promote women in defence forces
The National Commission for Women launched SHEServes, a programme to encourage young women to pursue careers in India’s defence services. The initiative was unveiled in Ranchi with Defence Minister Sanjay Seth acknowledging NCW’s role in expanding pathways for women in the armed forces. SHEServes aims to raise awareness, provide guidance on recruitment processes, and highlight education and training options, particularly in districts with limited access to information about defence careers. The program aligns with broader gender-inclusive policies and national security objectives, seeking to broaden participation and address gender disparities in defence.
SHEServes launched by NCW to promote women in defence.
Unveiled in Ranchi; Defence Minister attended.
Aims to raise awareness and guidance on recruitment.
Eminent Hindi author Vinod Kumar Shukla, a Jnanpith Award recipient, died at AIIMS Raipur at the age of 89. A distinctive voice in contemporary Hindi literature, Shukla blended simplicity with depth in poetry, novels and short stories, often using magical realism to explore human conditions. His work drew on everyday experiences while offering existential insights that elevated the ordinary. Among his honours, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1999 for Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rehti Thi. In 2025, he became the first writer from Chhattisgarh to win India’s highest literary honour, the Jnanpith Award. His passing has prompted condolences from readers, peers and public figures alike.
Died at AIIMS Raipur; age 89.
Renowned Hindi writer; multi-genre author (novels, short stories, poetry).
Known for simple prose with existential and magical-realist elements.
Sahitya Akademi Award (1999) for Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rehti Thi.
Awarded the Jnanpith Prize (2025); first Chhattisgarh writer to win.
National Consumer Day observed with theme on digital justice
National Consumer Day, observed on December 24, highlights consumer rights under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The 2025 observance focuses on Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice, reflecting India’s push for technology-enabled grievance redressal. The day educates citizens about rights and remedies against exploitation by sellers and traders. Government bodies reiterate calls for faster redressal mechanisms, greater transparency, and accessible redress channels for consumers, particularly in digital marketplaces. The day serves as a reminder of consumer empowerment and the ongoing modernization of consumer protection frameworks.
National Consumer Day observed on December 24.
Theme: Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice.
Emphasizes consumer rights under the 1986 Act.
Calls for faster, transparent grievance redressal.
Promotes awareness of rights in digital marketplaces.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 proceedings announced
President Droupadi Murmu conferred Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognizing excellence in science, technology and innovation. In the second edition, 24 awards were distributed across Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team categories. Padma Vibhushan recipient Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar was honoured posthumously with the Vigyan Ratna. Other recipients included eight scientists in Vigyan Shri and fourteen in Vigyan Yuva, with Team Aroma Mission CSIR earning the Vigyan Team award. The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar seeks to celebrate scientific achievement and inspire future generations.
Categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, Vigyan Team.
Vigyan Ratna awarded posthumously to Prof. Jayant Narlikar.
Vigyan Shri and Vigyan Yuva recipients highlighted.
CSIR Aroma Mission wins Vigyan Team award.
Sasikumar wins Best Actor at Chennai International Film Festival 2025
Sasikumar won the Best Actor award at the Chennai International Film Festival 2025 for his performance in Tourist Family, directed by Abhishan Jeevananth. The accolade recognises his acting range and contribution to cinema, marking a significant milestone in his career. The festival remains a premier platform for Tamil cinema and regional storytelling, drawing filmmakers and stars from across the nation. Sasikumar's win underscores the festival’s role in spotlighting actors who excel in both dramatic and commercial cinema.
Sasikumar wins Best Actor at CIFF 2025.
Award for performance in Tourist Family (director Abhishan Jeevananth).
CIFF is a premier Tamil cinema festival.
Celebrates acting range and regional storytelling.
Madhya Pradesh to roll out rolling budget from 2026-27
Madhya Pradesh announced a rolling budget framework, making it the first Indian state to adopt three-year indicative estimates alongside the annual plan. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda said the 2026-27 state budget will reflect public expectations and broader democratic participation. Economists and policy experts attended the Budget Dialogue Programme where Devda revealed indicative budgets for 2027-28 and 2028-29 as part of the reform. The approach enables periodic revisions based on performance and evolving conditions, aiming to enhance transparency and long-term fiscal discipline, with the state seeking to lead in fiscal reform in the public sector.
Rolling budget framework to span three years (2026-27 to 2028-29).
Indicative estimates prepared for 2027-28 and 2028-29.
Aims to enhance transparency and long-term planning.
Announced during Budget Dialogue Programme with economists.
Positioning MP as a forerunner in fiscal reform.
EC publishes draft electoral rolls for 3 states and Andaman & Nicobar
The Election Commission released draft electoral rolls for Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Andaman and Nicobar as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The exercise aims to update voter lists, correct errors, and ensure accuracy ahead of upcoming elections. Local agencies will conduct field checks and address discrepancies reported by citizens. The EC urged voters to verify their details and report any issues. The exercise is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral integrity and participation across these states and union territory.
Draft rolls released for CG, MP, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar.
Part of Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Voters urged to verify details and report errors.
Aims to improve accuracy ahead of elections.
EC emphasizes inclusivity and participation.
Pension Adalat at IIPA resolves pension grievances
Union Minister Jitendra Singh chaired the 15th Pension Adalat at the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi. The Adalat examined 1,087 long-pending pension grievances across 24 ministries and departments, with a focus on family pension arrears and processing delays. The event, designed to expedite legitimate dues to pensioners, showcased the government’s commitment to timely benefits and transparency in pension administration. Officials highlighted streamlined procedures and the potential for faster resolution of disputed cases, improving trust in public grievance redressal and social security systems.
15th Pension Adalat chaired by Jitendra Singh.
1,087 long-pending grievances reviewed across 24 departments.
Focus on delays in family pension and disbursal issues.
Aim: faster redressal and rightful pension payments.
Qatar Museums and NMACC sign five-year museum education pact
Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) signed a five-year strategic partnership to expand museum-based education initiatives in India and Qatar. The pact focuses on playful, creative learning for children and educators, strengthening tools for teachers and diversifying learning environments. Signatories included Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Isha Ambani, with the collaboration to be implemented across multiple Indian regions through the NMACC platform. The agreement reflects a broader trend of cross-cultural cultural education and museum-based innovation across continents.
Five-year museum education partnership signed.
Between Qatar Museums and NMACC (India).
Aims: playful, creative learning for children and teachers.
Implementation across multiple Indian regions via NMACC.
Strengthens cross-cultural museum education initiatives.
Central government appoints three new ASGs for Supreme Court
The Central government notified the appointment of three Senior Advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) to represent the government before the Supreme Court. Appointments: Devinder Pal Singh, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, and Anil Kaushik, for a three-year term or until further orders. Ravindra Kumar previously served as a Rajya Sabha member (2018-2024) from the Telugu Desam Party. The notification, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, emphasises continuity in legal advocacy before the apex court and aligns with regular constitutional appointments.
Three new ASGs appointed for Supreme Court: Devinder Pal Singh, Ravindra Kumar, Anil Kaushik.
Term: three years or as otherwise directed.
Ravindra Kumar is a former Rajya Sabha member (2018-2024).
Notification issued by the Personnel Ministry.
Ensures continued government representation in the Supreme Court.
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