APPOINTMENTS
Google Strengthens AI Infrastructure Leadership with Amin Vahdat’s Appointment
• Amin Vahdat has taken charge as Google’s Chief Technologist for AI Infrastructure, marking a strategic leadership move.
• His appointment comes at a time when global tech companies are racing to secure large-scale computing power for AI supremacy.
• Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian termed the move as a clear signal that AI infrastructure now sits at the core of Google’s priorities.
• Heavy investments in AI are pushing Google’s capital spending beyond $90 billion by the end of the year.
• The company is banking on its homegrown Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) and massive infrastructure scale to stay ahead.
• Microsoft is simultaneously expanding data centre capacity and deepening collaboration with OpenAI.
• Amazon is strengthening AWS by scaling up custom AI chips for advanced processing needs.
• Google CEO Sundar Pichai has emphasised controlled spending, supported by a $155-billion cloud order backlog, to fuel long-term AI growth.
NATIONAL NEWS
CoalSETU Policy: New Framework for Transparent Coal Linkage Auctions
• The Union Cabinet has cleared the CoalSETU policy to promote equitable access and efficient use of coal resources.
• Formally titled the Policy for Auction of Coal Linkage for Seamless, Efficient & Transparent Utilisation, it received approval from the CCEA on 12 December 2025.
• CoalSETU introduces a dedicated auction window within the Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy, 2016.
• All domestic coal consumers are eligible to participate, with no restriction on end-use sectors.
• Coal linkages secured under this window may be used for self-consumption, exports, or allied purposes such as coal washing.
• Domestic resale of coal is prohibited under the CoalSETU framework.
• Linkage holders are permitted to export up to 50% of the coal allotted to them.
• The policy aims to strengthen market transparency, flexibility, and optimal allocation in India’s coal linkage system.
Union Cabinet Clears Roadmap for Census 2027
• The Union Cabinet has sanctioned ₹11,718 crore to carry out the nationwide Census scheduled for 2027.
• The announcement was made in New Delhi on 12 December by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
• Census 2027 will be organised in two distinct stages, covering houselisting and population enumeration.
• It will mark India’s 16th Census in total and the eighth Census after Independence.
• The exercise is recognised as the world’s largest administrative and statistical operation.
• Caste details will be officially enumerated as part of this Census cycle.
• For the first time, the Census will be fully digital, with data captured through mobile applications.
• Nearly 30 lakh field workers will visit every household across the country for comprehensive data collection.
STATE NEWS
President Murmu’s Development-Focused Visit to Senapati, Manipur
• President Droupadi Murmu visited Senapati district, Manipur, on 12 December as part of her outreach to the Northeast.
• During the visit, she inaugurated six key development projects aimed at improving education, healthcare and connectivity in the district.
• She also laid the foundation stone for five additional projects, signalling continued infrastructure expansion in Senapati.
• Major inaugurated works included a model residential school (₹25 crore), upgraded Primary Health Centres (₹10 crore) and two Bailey bridges (₹11 crore).
• The President interacted with internally displaced persons residing in relief camps to understand their concerns.
• She held discussions with leaders of the Maram tribe, Manipur’s only community listed under Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
• The inauguration ceremony took place at the district multipurpose hall in Senapati.
• A documentary on the Maram tribe under the PM JANMAN initiative, highlighting efforts for tribal welfare and inclusion, was screened during the event.
AWARDS
Supriya Sahu Honoured with UNEP Champions of the Earth Award 2025
• Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forests, received the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award 2025.
• The recognition was conferred for her strong leadership and practical action in addressing critical environmental issues.
• Over the last four years, her work has positioned Tamil Nadu as an international example in climate mitigation, adaptation, and heat resilience.
• UNEP highlighted her efforts in linking governance frameworks with nature-based solutions to support vulnerable populations.
• Her policies have helped lower emissions while improving community resilience against climate risks.
• In her remarks, she underlined that while governments enable change, people-driven participation is essential.
• She emphasised the need to turn climate action into a mass movement for sustained impact.
• UNEP noted that her balanced use of both low-cost traditional methods and advanced technologies strengthened environmental protection outcomes.
ECONOMY NEWS
Cabinet Clears Higher MSP for Copra for 2026 Season
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a revised MSP for copra on 12 December for the 2026 marketing season.
• Fair Average Quality (FAQ) milling copra will now be procured at ₹12,027 per quintal.
• The MSP for ball copra has been set at a higher level of ₹12,500 per quintal.
• These prices follow the government’s policy of ensuring MSPs are at least 1.5 times the national weighted average cost of production.
• Compared to the previous season, MSPs have risen by ₹445 for milling copra and ₹400 for ball copra.
• Since 2014, support prices for copra have more than doubled, marking increases of about 129% (milling) and 127% (ball).
• The enhanced MSP is expected to boost farm incomes and provide stronger price assurance to coconut growers.
• NAFED and NCCF will continue as central procurement agencies under the Price Support Scheme, supporting effective implementation.
