Here is a summary of the current affairs content from the lecture:

International Indexes and Rankings

• Women Peace and Security Index 2025-26:
  • India's rank: 131st (score: 0.607).
  • First place: Denmark.
  • Last place (181st): Afghanistan.
  • Challenges for women in India identified: political representation, labor force participation, women's security.
• India's Heritage Footfall Ranking 2024-25:
  • Released by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
  • Taj Mahal (Agra) ranks 1st for both domestic and foreign tourists.
  • For domestic tourists, Konark Sun Temple ranks 2nd.
  • For foreign tourists, Agra Fort ranks 2nd.
• Other Rankings Mentioned:
  • Sustainable Development Goal Index: India 99th.
  • Corruption Perception Index: India 96th.
  • Innovation Index: India 38th.
  • Competitive Index: India 41st.
  • Hunger Index: India 102nd.
  • Press Freedom Index: India 151st.
  • Human Development Index: India 130th.
  • Global Gender Gap Index: India 131st.
  • Asia Power Index: India 3rd.
  • Time Higher Education World University Rankings 2026: Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru is the top Indian institution.

National Developments

• Defense & Security:
  • DRDO conducted a successful high-speed rocket slash test of the Fighter Aircraft Escape System in Chandigarh. The test focused on dynamic ejection and recovery processes for aircrew.
  • Indian Coast Guard held its regional search and rescue exercise "Resarex 25" in Karnataka.
• Government Policy & Legislation:
  • Lok Sabha passed the Central Excise Amendment Bill 2025.
    • Aims to stop the GST Compensation Cess by March 31, 2026.
    • Empowers the Finance Minister to increase tax on tobacco, cigarettes, and paan masala to maintain revenue if the cess is removed.
    • Introduces a "changing tax structure" for these items.
  • Bihar Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana: Launched by Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for government school students (Class 9-12) to experience India's historical, cultural, and natural heritage.
  • Union Minister Annapurna Devi (Women and Child Development) announced a plan to make India child marriage-free by 2030, supported by a 100-day intensive awareness program.
  • Kerala became the first state to amend the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
  • Supreme Court allowed direct recruitment of judicial officers with 7 years of experience as District Judges.
• Culture & Heritage:
  • Tamil Nadu GI Tags: 5 products received Geographical Indication (GI) tags:
    • Boriaur Cotton Saree
    • Thuamalli Rice
    • Ambasamudram Wooden Shiny Toys
    • Namakkal Utensils
    • Kavind Padi Desi Jaggery-based sugar
  • Madhya Pradesh GI Tags: Khajuraho Stone Craft, Betul Stone Carving, Chhatarpur Furniture, Gwalior Stone Craft also received GI tags.
  • Uttar Pradesh GI Tags: Meerut Bugle and Mathura Attire (Poshak) also received GI tags.
  • Darjeeling Oranges (Santula) also received a GI tag.
  • India's first Semiconductor Innovation Museum opened in Hyderabad.
• Miscellaneous National News:
  • India's first electric truck battery swapping station launched in Haryana by Nitin Gadkari.
  • Meta Platforms chose Mumbai and Visakhapatnam as landing sites for its under-sea cable project "Water Berth."
  • Gujarat declared 2025 as Urban Development Year.
  • "Laapataa Ladies" received the Filmfare Award 2025 for Best Film.

International Relations and Events

• Global Forum on Tax Information Exchange (18th Plenary Meeting):
  • Hosted by India (New Delhi).
  • Chaired by India's Finance Minister.
  • Theme: "Tax Transparency."
  • Objective: Curbing tax evasion and increasing tax transparency worldwide.
  • Previous (17th) meeting: Paraguay (November 2024).
  • Involved 172 member countries.
• Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Annual Meeting:
  • Held in Manama, Bahrain.
  • "Sakhi Declaration" was signed, related to the GCC.
  • GCC: Established 1981, Headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Member countries: Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar.
• Finland's Diplomatic Closures: Finland announced it will close its assemblies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar by 2026.
• Other International News:
  • New START Treaty: between USA and Russia, focused on arms reduction.
  • Indra Military Exercise: Joint exercise between India and Russia, held in Rajasthan.
  • Bloody conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the Durand Line.
  • 78th session of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Committee held in Colombo.
  • IUCN's latest members: Armenia and Tuvalu (90th member).
  • Papurva Buddha's holy relics exhibition held in the Kalmykia Republic, Russia.
  • World's first live underwater interview conducted by Palau.
  • India's National Red List Roadmap unveiled in Abu Dhabi (at an IUCN meeting).
  • China's first twin-tower solar thermal power plant launched in the Gobi Desert.
  • Patrick Herminie elected as the new President of Seychelles.
  • UNESCO launched the world's first virtual museum for stolen cultural objects in Paris.
  • 4th Austro Hind military exercise held between India and Australia.
  • Spain's Fira Barcelona International agreed with Madhya Pradesh to build an international convention center.

Books and Awards

• Literature Nobel Prize 2025: Awarded to Las Jalloka Crise Janno Harkoi.
• Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Awarded to Mario Corina Machado.
• Nobel Prize in Economics 2025: Awarded to Philip, Peter, and Joel.
• "Kashmir in the Line of Fire" book:
  • Author: Major General Ranjan Mahajan.
  • Launched by: J&K LG Manoj Sinha.
  • Content: Discusses the history, culture, tension, and scenic beauty of Kashmir.
• "Above and Beyond" book: By Shiv Kumar Mohan.
• CEAT Cricket Lifetime Achievement Award: Awarded to Brian Lara and Bhagwat Chandrasekhar.
• First Indian to receive IUCN Kenton and Miller Award: Sonali Ghosh.

Science and Technology

• James Webb Telescope found phosphine molecules on Brown Dwarf Wolf 1130 c, potentially indicating signs of life.
• India's first hypersonic missile: Dhwani.
• Spark 4.0 launched by the AYUSH Ministry.
• T-Dom Air Defense System tested by Taiwan.

Important Days

• Indian Navy Day: Celebrated annually on December 4. The 2025 celebration was held in Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram, Sangumugham Beach). It commemorates the 1971 attack on Karachi Port (Operation Trident/Trishul).
  • Other December 4 observances: International Bank Day, International Cheetah Day.
• World Soil Day: December 5.
• World Post Day: October 9.
• World Mental Health Day: October 10.
• World Migratory Bird Day: October 11.
• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: October 13.

People in News

• Sarvagya Kushwaha: At 3 years and 7 months (from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh), he became the world's youngest FIDE-rated chess player, breaking the record previously held by Anish Kumar.
• Jasprit Bumrah: First Indian fast bowler to play 50 matches in all formats of cricket.
• Deepika Padukone: Appointed as the first mental health ambassador by the Central Health Ministry.
• Dinesh Tripathi: Current Head of the Indian Navy.

Other News

• 12,000-year-old human-faced pillar discovered in Turkey.
• Blue Flag certification awarded to 5 beaches in Maharashtra: Shriwardhan, Nagaon, Parule, Guhagar, and Ladghar.
• Darjeeling Oranges (Santula) received a GI tag.