General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - November 2016

Nov 2016

Jan 02, 2026

Assam Constitutes 8th State Pay Commission

Assam has become the first state in India to constitute its 8th State Pay Commission, taking a proactive step ahead of the scheduled expiry of the 7th Pay Commission on January 1, 2026. The move has generated significant attention among state government employees and pensioners, who have been awaiting clarity on the next cycle of pay and pension revision.
The decision was announced by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who confirmed that former chief secretary Subhas Das has been appointed as the head of the newly constituted pay commission. With this step, Assam has moved ahead of other states, even as the Union Government's 8th Pay Commission is yet to formally begin its work.

India, Pakistan Exchange List of Nuclear Installations Under Agreement

India and Pakistan exchanged the annual list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under their 1988 agreement on the Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities. The exchange occurred through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad, with the Ministry of External Affairs noting that both sides inform each other of such sites on January 1 each year. The 1988 agreement, signed on 31 December 1988 and in force since 27 January 1991, marks the 35th consecutive exchange. The routine exchange underscores ongoing confidence‑building measures between the two neighbours.

Annual exchange of nuclear installations lists between India and Pakistan.
Exchange occurred in New Delhi and Islamabad on 1 January each year.
Agreement signed 31 December 1988; in force since 27 January 1991.
This year marks the 35th consecutive exchange.

Goa Gets Its 3rd District 'Kushavati'

Goa is set to get its third district, named Kushavati, marking a major administrative reorganisation in the coastal state. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who said that the new district would be named after the ancient Kushavati River that flows through parts of the region. At present, Goa has only two districts—North Goa and South Goa.
The proposed Kushavati district will be carved entirely out of South Goa. It will comprise four talukas—Dharbandora, Quepem, Sanguem and Canacona. Until the required infrastructure is created, all administrative work of the new district will continue to be managed from the South Goa district headquarters. The South Goa collector will temporarily oversee district administration until a full-time collector is appointed.

Puri Becomes 6th Municipal Corporation in Odisha as Government Issues Notification

Puri municipality was upgraded into a municipal corporation. The Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Department issued a notification in this regard," said the Chief Minister's Office (CMO).
With this, Puri became the sixth city in Odisha to have the municipal corporation. Earlier, only five cities—Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Rourkela—had their municipal corporations.
As per the plan, all the localities of Puri town and some gram panchayats of its surrounding areas will be included in the new municipal corporation.

Dec 31, 2025

President Murmu Urges Educated Tribals to Aid Government Schemes

President Droupadi Murmu urged educated tribals to act as agents of change, helping spread information about government welfare schemes and their benefits. Speaking in Ranchi on 30 December 2025, she emphasised inclusive development and asked educated tribal citizens to bridge gaps between schemes and the communities they serve. She noted that many tribal families remain unaware of entitlements and urged volunteers to improve outreach, monitoring, and accountability at the grassroots level. The remarks come as part of a broader push to deepen civic participation and ensure that welfare measures reach marginalized groups across states. The president emphasized continued collaboration with state governments.

President Murmu urged educated tribals to aid dissemination of schemes.
Speech delivered in Ranchi on 30 December 2025.
Emphasised inclusive development and bridging entitlements gaps.
Called for volunteers to enhance outreach and accountability.
Push for greater civic participation and state collaboration.
Source: turn0news12

MHA Assigns Additional Charge of NIA Chief to Rakesh Aggarwal

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned the additional charge of the National Investigation Agency Director General to senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal. Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre, is currently Special Director General of the NIA. He was appointed as Special Director General on 29 September 2025 on an in-situ basis by temporarily upgrading his ADG post, for a two-year tenure or until further orders. The move follows the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Date, to his parent cadre, and signals leadership continuity in the agency.

Rakesh Aggarwal assigned additional charge as NIA Director General.
Aggarwal is a 1994-batch IPS officer from Himachal Pradesh.
Appointed as Special Director General on 29 September 2025.
Two-year tenure or until further orders.
Comes after premature repatriation of the previous DG.

Congress Celebrates 140th Foundation Day at New Delhi Headquarters

Congress marked its 140th foundation day at its party headquarters in New Delhi in December 2025. Party President Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the flag at Indira Bhawan in New Delhi to begin the observance. Senior leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and other party workers attended the event. The celebration reflected on the party's long history since its founding in 1885 and its role in India's freedom movement. Speakers highlighted the party's commitment to social justice, policy reforms, and public service. The occasion reiterated Congress's continued efforts to strengthen party organisation ahead of elections across India.

Event held at Congress headquarters in New Delhi, December 2025.
Mallikarjun Kharge hoisted the flag at Indira Bhawan.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi attended along with senior leaders.
Commemoration traces back to the party's 1885 founding.
Focus on social justice, reforms, and public service.

Dec 30, 2025

Mumbai Civic Body Polls: BJP to Contest 137 Seats, Shiv Sena 90

In the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will contest 137 seats and the Shiv Sena 90 seats. A seat-sharing pact was announced by Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam, as nomination papers deadline neared on December 30. Both parties plan to allocate some seats to alliance partners from their quotas. The BMC election is a key political battleground ahead of national elections, with governance, municipal services and local development at the centre of campaigning. Local leaders expect a closely fought contest given the scale of the urban ward elections.

BMC polls: BJP 137 seats, Shiv Sena 90 seats
Seat-sharing pact announced ahead of nominations deadline
Alliances may allocate seats to partners
Election seen as test for governance and development in Mumbai
Nomination deadline: December 30
Local issues predominate in campaign discourse

Dec 29, 2025

PM Modi Chairs Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi. The three-day event aimed to strengthen Centre-State partnership through structured dialogue on national development priorities. The conference adopted the theme Human Capital for Viksit Bharat, focusing on early childhood education, schooling, skilling, higher education, and sports. Six special sessions addressed deregulation, technology in governance, AgriStack for smart supply chains, one state, one world-class tourist destination, Atmanirbhar Swadeshi, and post-left wing extremism strategies. Chief Secretaries, senior state officials, and domain experts participated to craft a unified roadmap for inclusive growth.

Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries held in New Delhi.
Theme: Human Capital for Viksit Bharat with focus on education and skilling.
Sessions covered deregulation, governance technology, and AgriStack.
Emphasis on public-private collaboration for national development.
Aim: strengthen Centre-State partnership for inclusive growth.

Tripura Hosts Second Prabashi Tripurabasi Summit

Tripura hosted the second Prabashi Tripurabasi Summit in Agartala during December 2025-26. The event reconnects with Tripuri natives living outside the state, aiming to strengthen diaspora ties and foster inclusive growth. Organisers hope to leverage diaspora networks for investment, cultural exchange, and developmental partnerships. The summit reflects the state government’s broader policy to maintain emotional and economic links with people sharing Tripuri heritage, supporting both domestic and international engagement. Participants included community leaders, business representatives, and government officials, who discussed strategies for sustainable development and cross-border collaboration.

Second Prabashi Tripurabasi Summit held in Agartala, Dec 2025-26.
Focus on reconnecting with Tripuri natives abroad.
Aims: diaspora engagement for investment and development.
Event highlights cultural exchange and partnerships.
Part of broader Tripura policy to sustain homeland ties.

PM Modi Hails Year-End Achievements in Mann Ki Baat

In the year-end Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s progress across technology, science, culture, and global influence. He cited space missions, digital reforms, and youth-led innovation as key drivers of momentum. The Prime Minister underscored the country’s growing international stature and urged continued focus on national resilience, governance reforms, and inclusive development. The remarks align with ongoing policy efforts to deepen urban and rural development, energy security, and digital inclusion as India moves into the next calendar year.

Modi highlights tech, science, culture, and global influence.
Cites space missions and digital reforms as milestones.
Emphasizes resilience, governance reforms, and inclusive growth.
Signals continued focus on development priorities for 2026.

Dec 28, 2025

Anu Garg to be Odisha's Next Chief Secretary, to be First Woman on Post

Senior IAS officer Anu Garg was named the next Chief Secretary of Odisha, making her the first woman to be appointed to the top post.
Garg, a 1991-batch officer, will succeed Manoj Ahuja, who will retire on December 31, according to a government notification.
She is currently serving as the Development Commissioner. She had also scripted history in February 2023 by becoming the first woman to be appointed as the development commissioner, the second-highest-ranked bureaucrat in the state administration.

Amit Shah Inaugurate Anti-terror Conference

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Anti-Terror Conference organised by the National Investigation Agency on December 26, 2025.
The two-day conference included sessions on collecting evidence from foreign jurisdictions, digital forensics and data analysis in counter-terrorism investigations, effective trial management, addressing radicalisation, espionage, and emerging hybrid threats sbb to national security, among other topics related to terrorism.
Additionally, sessions on disrupting terror financing networks — tools, techniques, and case learnings — as well as creating future-ready counter-terrorism strategies and building institutional capacities to address emerging national security issues were incorporated.

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