International & National Affairs

• Asia Power Index 2025: India ranked as the third most powerful country in Asia.
  • The index is issued by the Lowy Institute, Australia.
  • Rankings: 1st - USA, 2nd - China, 3rd - India.
  • India's score is 40.
  • India also holds the 3rd rank in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Index.
• World Youth Scrabble Championship: Madhav Gopal Kamat from Delhi became the first Indian to win the championship, held in Malaysia.
• Nepal Social Media Ban: Nepal banned 26 registered social media apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
  • This led to violent protests by Generation Z.
• Joint Exercise Ekta 2025 (India-Maldives): Joint Exercise Ekta 2025 was conducted between India and Maldives in the Maldives from December 15-17. It was the 8th edition.
  • Exercise Ekuverin is also conducted between India and Maldives.
  • Other notable joint exercises: Surya Kiran (India-Nepal), Bold Kurukshetra (India-Singapore), Mitra Shakti (India-Sri Lanka).
• Chile's New President: Jose Antonio Kast was elected as the new President of Chile.
  • His agenda included reducing crime and addressing undocumented migrants.
  • Chile's capital is Santiago.
  • Chile is the world's largest producer of nitrates.
  • The Atacama Desert (world's driest) is located in Chile.
  • Mount Aconcagua, the highest peak of the Andes, lies on the Chile-Argentina border.
• 82nd Venice Film Festival: Anupama Rai received the Best Director award in the Orizzonti category.
• Book: Operation Sindoor: The book "Operation Sindoor" was written by KGS Dhillon.
• Interpol's Operation Thunder: Interpol launched a global "Operation Thunder" to rescue trafficked animals.
  • The operation rescued 3000 live animals, including tigers, sea turtles, birds, and pangolins.
  • Pangolins are globally the most poached animals.
  • Interpol was established on September 7, 1923; September 7 is observed as International Police Day.
  • Interpol's headquarters are in Lyon, France.
  • Other recent operations mentioned:
    • Operation Sagar Bandhu: Aid to Sri Lanka during a cyclone.
    • Operation Brahma: Aid to Myanmar for earthquake relief.
    • Operation Sindoor: Launched against Pakistan on May 7.
    • Operation Shiv Shakti, Kellar, Mahadev: Counter-terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.
    • Operation Rising Lion: Israel's attack on Iran.
    • Operation Spider Web: Ukraine's attack on Russia.
    • Operation Sindhu: Rescue of Indians from Iran.
• India-Jordan UNESCO Heritage Site Agreement: Prime Minister Modi is on a three-nation tour including Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
  • A "Twin Agreement" for conservation was signed between India and Jordan, focusing on India's Ellora Caves and Jordan's Petra Caves.
  • Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) were included in UNESCO in 1983, feature 34 caves (Brahmin, Buddhist, Jain), and are depicted on the ₹20 note.
  • Petra Caves (Jordan), known as the "Rose City," are half-rock and half-built structures made of pink-red stone.
  • Jordan's capital is Amman, and the Dead Sea is nearby.
• Digitization of Land Records: Bodoland (Assam) became the first tribal council to digitize land records.
• G20 Summit 2026: The USA will host the G20 Summit in 2026. The 2025 summit was hosted by Johannesburg.
• Italy's UNESCO Culinary Recognition: Italy became the first country to receive UNESCO recognition for all its national cuisines as intangible heritage.
  • Italy's Prime Minister is Giorgia Meloni, whose autobiography's foreword was written by PM Narendra Modi.
  • Italy has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally.
  • Diwali was recently included as India's 16th intangible heritage by UNESCO.
  • 72 Learning Cities were also included by UNESCO.
  • Italy's capital is Rome, located on the Tiber River. The Po River is considered its sacred river.
  • Mount Vesuvius and Mount Etna volcanoes are in Italy.
• Adani Power in Bhutan: Adani Power signed an agreement to establish the Wangchhu Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan.
• Cancer Vaccine Entremix: Russia unveiled the cancer vaccine named Entremix.
• India's First Wildlife-Safe Road: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) built India's first wildlife-safe road.
  • It is located on NH 45 in Madhya Pradesh, connecting Bhopal to Jabalpur.
  • The specific section is the Hiran Sindoor stretch (approx. 11.96 km), which passes through the Nawardeh Wildlife Sanctuary and Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.
  • The road features red markings instead of speed breakers to slow down vehicles, utilizing red's high wavelength and low scattering for visibility.
  • Cheetah habitats in Madhya Pradesh include Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar, and Nawardeh.
• International Literacy Day: Celebrated on September 8.
• US Open 2025:
  • Men's Singles winner: Carlos Alcaraz.
  • Women's Singles winner: Aryna Sabalenka.
• Indian Navy Helicopter Squadron Commissioning: The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R Helicopter Squadron, INAS 335 Osprey, on December 17 in Goa.
  • The helicopters will operate from the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Hansa.
  • The commissioning will be overseen by Dinesh Tripathi, Chief of the Indian Navy.
  • Goa was under Portuguese rule, captured by Albuquerque, and its capital established by Nino da Cunha.
  • Goa was liberated from the Portuguese in 1961 and granted statehood in 1987 via the 56th Constitutional Amendment.
• Asian Aquatic Championship 2025 Mascot: "Jalveer" was launched as the mascot for the 11th Asian Aquatic Championship 2025 in Ahmedabad.
• High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) Committee: A 12-member drafting committee was formed under Sanjay Upadhyay to create laws for the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ).
• Vijay Diwas 2025: Celebrated on December 16, marking the 54th anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh.
  • The liberation movement was led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
  • The war began on December 3, 1971, and the Pakistan Army officially surrendered on December 16, 1971.
  • On this day, the Indian Army showcased the "Sambhav" communication system and the "Ekam AI" platform for sensitive environments.
• 15th Vice President of India: C.P. Radhakrishnan was mentioned as the 15th Vice President of India.
• Chaupal Program for Artisans: The Textile Ministry launched the "Chaupal" program in New Delhi to strengthen handicraft artisans and provide them a platform for marketing and sales.
  • The current Minister of Textile is Giriraj Singh.
• BCCI President: Mithun Manhas was mentioned as the new President of BCCI.
• Women's Ballon d'Or Award 2025: Aitana Bonmatí received the award.
• Maharashtra Government Bans Corporal Punishment: The Maharashtra government banned physical and mental punishment in schools.
  • This aligns with Sections 16 and 17 of the Right to Education Act 2009.
  • It prohibits verbal abuse, taunting, objectionable language, and any behavior causing psychological stress or inferiority complex.
  • Discrimination based on academic performance, caste, religion, gender, language, disability, or socio-economic background is a punishable offense.
  • The order also restricts non-academic interaction with students via personal messages or social media without parental consent and prohibits the use of student photos/videos without consent.