IMPORTANT DAYS
World Soil Day 2025
• World Soil Day is marked every year on 5 December to highlight the need for protecting soil health and sustaining ecosystems.
• The 2025 theme, “Healthy soils for healthy cities,” underscores the impact of urban growth and soil sealing on city environments.
• As urban populations are projected to reach two-thirds of the global population by 2050, the day stresses soil’s role in building resilient and sustainable cities.
• World Soil Day was officially celebrated for the first time in 2014, following the UN General Assembly’s 2013 resolution recognising 5 December.
• The observance promotes better practices for conserving soil resources and supporting agriculture, biodiversity, and climate stability.
• Soil is vital for food security, supplying nutrients and organic carbon while supporting nearly 59% of all living species.
• It is essential for plant growth, providing 15 out of 18 key elements, and enabling nutrient absorption through soil water, which anchors entire ecosystems.
RANKING AND INDEX
Women, Peace & Security Index 2025/26
• The latest WPS Index 2025/26 has listed the best and worst countries for women’s inclusion, justice and security worldwide.
• The index is jointly produced by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
• The report notes that 676 million women faced conflict in the past year, marking a 74% increase since 2010.
• India ranks 131st with a score of 0.607, indicating slow yet uneven improvement.
• A total of 181 countries were assessed based on three pillars: inclusion, justice and security.
• Denmark, Iceland and Norway lead the global rankings, with Denmark maintaining its top position.
• Afghanistan remains the lowest-ranked country, scoring over three times less than Denmark.
• The United States moved up from 37th to 31st, primarily due to better maternal health outcomes.
SPORTS
Jerusalem Masters 2025
• Arjun Erigaisi clinched the Jerusalem Masters 2025 crown, defeating Viswanathan Anand in the championship match.
• Arjun advanced to the final after overcoming Peter Svidler in his semifinal clash.
• Anand secured his spot in the summit round by beating Ian Nepomniachtchi.
• For his title-winning performance, Arjun received 55,000 USD in prize money.
• In the contest for third place, Svidler edged past Nepomniachtchi, sealing victory in the second blitz game.
• Svidler had earlier dominated the preliminary round, finishing first with 8/11 points, while Nepomniachtchi, Anand, and Arjun followed jointly with 7.5 points.
• The playoff format included blitz chess, a fast-paced version where each player gets 10 minutes or less to complete the entire game.
STATE NEWS
Assam Accord
• The Supreme Court has sought clarity from the Centre on whether its recent order permitting entry of persecuted minorities conflicts with the Assam Accord’s 24 March 1971 cut-off.
• Signed on 15 August 1985, the Accord involved the Union Government, the Assam Government, AASU, and AAGSP, concluding the six-year Assam Movement against illegal migration.
• The Accord’s central objective was to identify and remove immigrants who entered Assam after 24 March 1971.
• It fixed 1 January 1966 as the benchmark for detecting and removing names of foreigners from electoral rolls, granting citizenship to those who arrived before this date.
• Individuals who came between 1 January 1966 and 24 March 1971 were to be identified under applicable foreigner laws, temporarily removed from voter lists, and required to register under the Registration of Foreigners framework.
• These individuals were not to be deported but would regain voting rights after a 10-year period from the date of their declaration as foreigners.
• Migrants entering on or after 25 March 1971 must continue to be detected and expelled following the law.
• Under Clause 6, the Accord guarantees special constitutional, legislative, and administrative protections to ensure the cultural and linguistic identity of Assamese communities remains safeguarded.
Amit Shah’s Three-Day Gujarat Visit
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah began his three-day tour of Gujarat on 5 December 2025, covering multiple districts including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vav Tharad and Banaskantha.
• During his visit, he will unveil major infrastructure and civic development projects, including those undertaken by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.
• His schedule starts with the inauguration of Swadeshotsav, an event hosted by the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch at GMDC Ground, Ahmedabad.
• Shah will later speak at the NABARD–IAMAI Earth Summit 2025-26, a two-day forum centered on the theme “Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change.”
• The summit also underscores the significant contribution of cooperative institutions in promoting rural development across India.
• In Gandhinagar, he will open a Railway Overbridge, an Underbridge Sports Complex, a Primary Health Centre, and several welfare-oriented facilities.
• His engagements include attending the Sansad Sports Festival’s closing ceremony, launching the Ahmedabad Shopping Festival, and releasing the Gujarati edition of the book “Challenges Inspire Me,” based on the life of UP Governor Anandiben Patel.
Tamil Nadu Secures Five New GI Tags
• Tamil Nadu added five more items to its list of Geographical Indication (GI) products, strengthening its reputation for preserving traditional craftsmanship and regional heritage.
• The newly certified items are Woraiyur Cotton Sari, Kavindapadi Nattu Sakkarai, Namakkal Soapstone Cookware, Thooyamalli Rice, and Ambasamudram Choppu Saman.
• With these additions, the State’s tally of GI-tagged products has reached 74, placing it among India’s leading regions for recognised traditional goods.
• A GI tag, an Intellectual Property Right, safeguards products whose unique qualities or reputation are tied to a specific geographic origin.
• This certification helps protect the product’s identity, boosts its market appeal, and supports long-term preservation of cultural traditions.
• GI recognition provides economic gains for farming communities, artisans, and local producers by improving authenticity and demand.
• The applications for these GI tags were filed by IPR attorney P. Sanjai Gandhi, enabling legal protection for Tamil Nadu’s cultural and agricultural legacy.
• These recognitions underline the State’s rich tradition in textiles, crafts, agriculture, and cuisine, strengthening its role in promoting sustainable rural industries and heritage-based exports.
Maharashtra’s Solar Pump Installation Drive
• Maharashtra set a Guinness World Record by installing 45,911 solar irrigation pumps within a single month under the Magel Tyala Saur Krushipump initiative.
• The large-scale installation campaign was executed by MSEDCL, earning global recognition for its efficiency and scale.
• Farmers benefit heavily under the Solar Pump for All scheme, paying only 10% of the pump cost, while subsidies cover the rest.
• The central government contributes 30% subsidy, and the state adds 60%, whereas SC/ST farmers receive 95% subsidy, reducing their share to just 5%.
• Beed district topped the installation chart with nearly 7,000 pumps, followed by Jalna with around 6,000, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with approximately 3,000.
• The government aims to deploy 1.05 million solar pumps to assist farmers awaiting stable electricity supply for irrigation.
• Every pump installation undergoes a joint inspection by MSEDCL and the beneficiary, and the company also handles post-installation maintenance and repair.
Manipuri Sankirtana – Fourth Sankirtana Day
• Manipur marked the Fourth Sankirtana Day at the Chandrakirti Auditorium in Imphal, celebrating its rich devotional tradition.
• Manipuri Sankirtana, recognised by UNESCO in 2013, is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• This art form blends devotional singing, energetic drumming, and expressive dance, forming a deeply spiritual performance.
• The tradition is rooted in Vaishnavite culture, centering worship and reverence for Lord Krishna.
• Sankirtana plays a vital role during major religious festivals and ceremonies in Manipur.
• It is performed at life-cycle rituals, from birth celebrations to funeral rites, symbolising continuity of cultural faith.
• UNESCO notes that such traditions highlight the diversity and significance of global intangible heritage and promote its preservation.
BANKING NEWS
RBI Repo Rate Cut
• The RBI announced a fresh repo rate of 5.25% after reducing it by 25 basis points on 5 December 2025.
• Governor Sanjay Malhotra shared the decision following the MPC’s deliberations held from December 3 to 5.
• All members of the Monetary Policy Committee agreed to the reduction, ensuring its immediate implementation.
• The easing move follows India’s strong Q2 GDP growth of 8.2%, indicating sustained economic momentum.
• Retail inflation hit a remarkably low 0.25% in October 2025, offering space for monetary relaxation.
• In the earlier policy meeting from September 29 to October 1, the repo rate was left unchanged at 5.5%.
• The latest cut is expected to boost liquidity and aid continued growth in the broader economy.
