International News

• Preah Vihear Temple Conflict: India advocated for the protection of the Preah Vihear Temple, located in Cambodia near its border with Thailand, amidst ongoing border conflicts. The temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by King Yashovarman I.
• ASEAN-India Tourism Exchange Program 2025: The program began in Guwahati, Assam, to boost tourism. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was founded in 1967, headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia. Timor-Leste is its newest (11th) member. The 2025 ASEAN meeting was held in Malaysia.
• China's Dual-Tower Solar Thermal Power Plant: China inaugurated the world's first dual-tower solar thermal power plant in the Gobi Desert.
• Seychelles New President: Patrick Herminie was elected as the new President of Seychelles.
• Piprahwa Buddha Relics Exhibition: An exhibition of India's sacred Piprahwa Buddha relics was held in Russia, following a previous exhibition in Vietnam.
• Durand Line Conflict: A deadly conflict occurred between Afghanistan and Pakistan along the Durand Line.
• WHO Regional Committee Session: The 78th session of the WHO Southeast Asia Regional Committee was held in Colombo.
• Humanitarian Aid to Peru: India dispatched 2.5 lakh saline bottles to Peru as humanitarian aid to combat dehydration.
• Austria Headscarf Ban: Austria banned headscarves in schools for girls under 14 years old.
• Israel-Gaza Border: The "Yellow Line" signifies the border between Israel and Gaza.

National News

• India's First Hypersonic Missile: Named 'Dhvani'.
• New Ramsar Sites:
  • Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, became Chhattisgarh's first Ramsar site (India's 95th).
  • Silisedh Lake in Alwar, Rajasthan, became Rajasthan's fifth Ramsar site (India's 96th).
  • India now has a total of 96 Ramsar sites, with Tamil Nadu having the highest number.
• FDI in Insurance Sector: The Union Cabinet approved 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Indian insurance sector, up from the previous 74%.
  • IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), headquartered in Hyderabad, regulates the sector.
  • A "Shanti Bill" is proposed for the sustainable use of nuclear energy.
• Indian Coast Guard Exercise: The "Resarex 25" regional search and rescue exercise was conducted in Karnataka.
• First Mental Health Ambassador: Deepika Padukone was appointed as India's first mental health ambassador by the Union Health Ministry.
• First Power Museum: The Karbigahiya Thermal Power Station in Patna, Bihar, will be converted into India's first Power Museum.
• Dadabhai Naoroji's 200th Birth Anniversary: A reception was organized in London's House of Lords to mark the 200th birth anniversary of Dadabhai Naoroji (born 1825), the "Grand Old Man of India."
• Naxalism-Free State: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared the state free from Naxalism, following surrenders in Balaghat under the "Punrvasya Punarjeevan Abhiyan."
  • Kuno National Park is in Sheopur district, and Gandhi Sagar National Park is in Mandsaur district. Nardohi is planned as a third cheetah habitat.
• Brookfield Investment in Maharashtra: Canadian company Brookfield announced a $1 billion investment in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to build Asia's largest Global Capability Center (GCC), powered by 100% green energy.
• Semiconductor Innovation Museum: India's first Semiconductor Innovation Museum was inaugurated in Hyderabad.
• Charaichung Festival: The Charaichung Festival was held in Assam, on Majuli Island.
• Microsoft Partnership: Maharashtra partnered with Microsoft for a "Maha Crime" project.
• Lionel Messi Statue: A 70-foot statue of Lionel Messi was unveiled in Kolkata.
• Cheetah Reintroduction: Nauradehi Sanctuary is being developed as the third home for cheetahs in India.

Sports

• Squash World Cup 2025: India won its first Squash World Cup title, defeating Hong Kong (China) in the final hosted in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. India is the first Asian country and fourth overall (after Australia, England, and Egypt) to win the title. The Indian team included Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Senthil Kumar.
• Cricket Record: Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian fast bowler to play 50 matches in all three formats of cricket.
• Cricket Stadium Stands:
  • Stands were named after Harmanpreet Kaur and Yuvraj Singh at Yadavindra Stadium in Mullanpur, Punjab.
  • A stand will be named after Richa Ghosh in Darjeeling, West Bengal (announced).
  • A stand is named after Jhulan Goswami at Eden Gardens, West Bengal.

Awards & Days

• National Energy Conservation Award 2025: Celebrated on December 14, these awards were presented by President Droupadi Murmu.
  • Group 1: Karnataka
  • Group 2: Andhra Pradesh
  • Group 3: Kerala
  • Group 4 (North East): Assam
  • Group 5 (UTs): Chandigarh
• World Migratory Bird Day: Celebrated on October 11 (twice a year).
• IUCN Canton Arm Miller Award: Sonali Ghosh received this award.
• International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Celebrated on October 13.
• International Universal Health Coverage Day: December 12.
• Filmfare Award (Best Film): Awarded to "Laapataa Ladies."
• Economics Nobel Prize 2025: Awarded to Philip Dybvig, Peter Diamond, and Douglas W. Diamond.

Other

• Urban Development Year: Gujarat declared 2025 as the "Urban Development Year" (also for Quantum Technology and Cooperatives).
• Virtual Museum: UNESCO launched the world's first virtual museum for stolen cultural objects.
• Deceased Dignitary: Shivraj Patil, former Lok Sabha Speaker, Home Minister, and Tourism Minister, passed away.
• Judiciary: An impeachment motion was brought against Justice G.R. Swaminathan in the Madras High Court.