• Space & Technology
  • Indian researchers from Pune discovered a new spiral galaxy named Alaknanda using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope. The name is inspired by the Alaknanda river, due to the galaxy's similarity to the Milky Way (Mandakini).
  • Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated 'Parangat', a semiconductor training lab, in Mohali, Punjab, aiming to develop chips for military and space applications.
• Language & Culture
  • Oxford University Press declared 'Rizzbat' as its Word of the Year 2023. This term refers to online content designed to provoke anger and increase engagement.
  • Devvrat Mahesh Rekhe, a 19-year-old from Maharashtra, successfully completed the 'Dandakrama Parayanam' of the Shukla Yajurveda at Ramghat in Varanasi. This feat, achieved after 200 years, involved the continuous recitation of 2000 Vedic mantras for 50 days.
• Sports & Endorsements
  • PNB (Punjab National Bank) appointed Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of the Indian women's cricket team, as its first female brand ambassador. PNB was established in 1894 as India's first Swadeshi bank.
• Assam & National Economy
  • Sukapha Divas, also known as Asom Divas, was celebrated on December 2nd in the Shivsagar district of Assam. It commemorates the arrival of Swargdeo Chaolung Sukapha in Assam on December 2, 1228 AD, who established the Ahom dynasty.
  • Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), an Assam-based company, was granted Navratna status, becoming the 27th Navratna company in India. Other recent Navratna additions in 2023 include IRCTC (25th) and IRFC (26th).
  • There are currently 14 Maharatna companies, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) being the latest addition.
• Governance & Digitization
  • The Karnataka government launched 'E-Swathu 2.0' to digitize rural property records. The initiative aims to improve property management, enable online applications (opening 11B property accounts within 15 days), and generate an estimated ₹2000 crore in additional revenue.
• Geographical Indications (GI Tag)
  • Darjeeling Mandarin Orange, locally known as 'Suntala', received a GI tag. Darjeeling Tea was the first product in India to receive a GI tag in 2004.
  • The GI tag is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (implemented in 2003), and is valid for 10 years.
• Awards & Recognition
  • Dr. Tessy Thomas, known as the 'Missile Woman of India' and former project director of the Agni-IV missile, was honored with the 8th Polos Gregorios Award in New Delhi for her contributions to women's empowerment in the space sector.
• International Relations
  • Sudan has granted permission to Russia to establish its first naval base in Africa.
• Other Current Affairs Highlights
  • World Computer Literacy Day: December 2nd.
  • International Day of Persons with Disabilities: December 3rd.
  • Kolkata was identified as India's safest city as per the National Crime Records Bureau 2023.
  • The Indian Coast Guard's 10th pollution response exercise 'NATPOLREX' took place in Chennai.
  • PM-SETO Yojana was launched by PM Modi to upgrade 1000 ITIs.
  • The Global Fintech Fest was held in Mumbai.
  • The Mera Houchongba festival was held in Manipur.
  • The 69th National School Games commenced in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • India's first Mud Volcano erupted in Barren Island, Andaman Nicobar, after 20 years.
  • NASA's Cassini spacecraft discovered new evidence of potential life on Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons.
  • India's first cooperative-run compressed biogas and potash granule project was initiated in Kopergaon, Maharashtra.
  • The Indian Navy conducted the Konkan exercise with England.
  • The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference took place in Barbados.
  • The central government launched a National Mission to prevent the decline in the camel population.
  • India's first Cheetah Safari began in Kuno National Park.
  • PayPal adopted UPI as its first global payment system partner.
  • India's third gas carrier 'Shivalik' was built in South Korea.
  • Interpol launched Operation "Hatch Six" in collaboration with the CBI.
  • LIC's new MD: Ramakrishnan Chandran.
  • RBI's Executive Director: Usha Janaki Raman.