• 09 Dec 2025

Human Rights Day

Why in News? 

President Droupadi Murmu will be the Chief Guest at the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) Human Rights Day function on 10th December at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. 

Key Points 

• About: Human Rights Day, observed every year on 10^th December, highlights the importance of human rights as a foundation for justice, peace, and equality. 
• Historical Significance: Human Rights Day was established in 1950 to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations on 10th December 1948, which outlined fundamental human rights for all. 
  • The UN Human Rights Council, established in 2006, promotes global human rights protection through its 47 member States(including India) and works on addressing violations and emergencies. 
    • The Council's secretariat is the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), based in Geneva, Switzerland. 
• Advocacy and Action: The day calls for collective action to counter hate speech, misinformation, and human rights abuses, while promoting equality and non-discrimination. 
• Human Rights and India: The Indian Constitution enshrines human rights through Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV).  
  • The Preamble's commitment to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity reflects the spirit of the UDHR. 
  • The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), established in 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), oversees human rights adherence in India. 
• Theme: The NHRC is hosting a national conference titled “Ensuring Everyday Essentials: Public Services and Dignity for All,” aligning with the UN Human Rights Day theme “Everyday Essentials.” 
• Panel Discussions: Two thematic sessions, “Basic Amenities to All: A Human Rights Approach” and “Ensuring Public Services and Dignity for All”, will feature senior officials and experts discussing gaps and solutions in service delivery. 

Bengaluru Gets UNSW Campus

Why in News? 

The University of New South Wales (ranked 20th globally) will open a new campus in Bengaluru, becoming the 7th Australian university among the 19 foreign institutions approved to operate in India. 

• It will offer courses in business, media, computer and data science, and cybersecurity, with classes expected to begin next academic year following a record-time approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC). 

Key Points 

• About: The third Australia-India Education and Skills Council(AIESC) meeting facilitated wide-ranging MoUs and letters of intent between institutions and governments, underscoring the growing trust and long-term strategic commitment in India–Australia education cooperation. 
• Research: Ten new bilateral research projects were launched under the SPARC scheme in fields such as AI, quantum technologies, biodiversity, MedTech, sustainability, smart mobility, and space, supported by ₹9.84 crore in funding to advance joint scientific innovation. 
• Schools: For the first time, the AIESC meeting addressed school-level cooperation, including aligning CBSE’s early childhood curriculum with Australia’s frameworks and exploring the establishment of more CBSE-affiliated schools in Australia to serve a growing diaspora. 
• Innovation: New cross-institutional initiatives include a Marine Ecological Research Centre in Odisha with James Cook University and collaboration between the University of Western Australia, IIM Mumbai, and IIT Dhanbad on mining automation, logistics, and sustainability. 
• Resilience: Deakin University and IIT Roorkee will establish a Centre of Excellence in Disaster Resilience, expanding the scope of Indo-Australian academic cooperation into climate response, natural hazard mitigation, and emergency preparedness. 

Armed Forces Flag Day

Why in News? 

The nation observed the Armed Forces Flag Day on 7th December 2025, with the Defence Minister urging generous contributions to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund to support the welfare of Veer Naris, ex-servicemen, and their dependents.

Key Points 

• About: Armed Forces Flag Day (AFFD) has been held every year on 7th December since 1949 to honor the bravery and sacrifices of Indian Armed Forces personnel, especially veterans. 
  • The day recognizes not only the sacrifices of fallen soldiers but also the contributions of their families, especially the war-disabled soldiers and War Widows (Veer Naris). 
• AFFD Fund: The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, originally created by the Ministry of Defence in 1949, was consolidated in 1993 by merging various welfare funds for war victims and ex-servicemen into a single unified fund. 
  • The Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) is responsible for administering the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF). 
  • KSB also formulates and implements welfare and rehabilitation schemes for ex-servicemen and their families across India. 
• Digital Solutions: SAMBANDH, a WhatsApp-based chatbot, allows veterans to easily report and resolve grievances. The platform has helped address over 1,700 cases in less than a year. 
• Skill Development for Women: The Nari Sashaktikaran initiative focuses on empowering women, including widows of fallen soldiers, by providing job training and opportunities for economic independence.  
• Project NAMAN: It aims to simplify pension services for veterans, ensuring easier access to services such as life certificate submissions and pension disbursements.

Bengaluru to Host New Defence MRO Hub

Why in News? 

Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun construction of a new Defence Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Bengaluru, with completion targeted for 2026. 

Key Points 

• Coverage: The facility will support multiple aircraft variants, including C-130J, KC-130J and C-130 B–H, becoming part of Lockheed Martin’s global network of Certified Service Centres. 
• Location: Situated at Bhatramarenahalli near Kempegowda International Airport, the centre will handle depot-level maintenance, heavy overhauls, component repair, structural checks and avionics upgrades. 
• Training: The MRO will expand training opportunities for Indian engineers and technicians, strengthening domestic aerospace skills and creating new openings for Indian suppliers across the C-130 supply chain. 
• Readiness: Lockheed Martin emphasised that the facility will boost the sustainment and operational readiness of the Indian Air Force’s fleet of 12 C-130J aircraft, widely used for tactical airlift and humanitarian operations. 
• Partnership: The project marks a major step in the long-standing India–U.S. defence partnership, reflecting over seven decades of collaboration and growing industrial cooperation. 
• Indigenisation: Tata Advanced Systems noted that the MRO centre aligns with India’s defence self-reliance goals, enhancing domestic capability, innovation and competitiveness under ‘Make in India’. 
• Collaboration: The facility builds on the success of Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited, which recently delivered its 250th C-130J tail, underscoring a mature aerospace manufacturing partnership. 
• Timeline: Construction is set to conclude by late 2026, with the first C-130 aircraft scheduled to enter the Bengaluru facility for MRO operations in early 2027. 

Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025

Why in News? 

At the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 in Puri, Odisha Union Minister Pralhad Joshi highlighted India’s central role in shaping global clean energy transitions, positioning the summit as a major platform for policymakers, innovators and industry leaders. 

Key Points 

• Vision: GELS 2025 marked the beginning of a long-term Community of Practice, with India confident that states like Odisha will lead the next phase of national green growth and energy innovation. 
• Record: Speaking at GELS, the Minister announced India’s highest-ever annual addition of non-fossil capacity, 31.25 GW, including 24.28 GW of solar, showcasing the country’s accelerating clean energy progress. 
• Contribution: He highlighted that as the world added its second terawatt of renewable capacity by 2024, India alone contributed 46 GW of solar between 2022–24, becoming the third-largest contributor globally. 
• Growth: GELS underscored India’s transformative solar expansion, rising from 2.8 GW to ~130 GW in 11 years, a 4,500% growth, making India a global model for rapid renewable deployment. 
• Balance: The summit addressed India’s dual challenge of being the second-largest coal consumer while simultaneously scaling renewables to remain competitive amid global industrial and trade transitions. 
• Capacity: Odisha’s clean energy progress was spotlighted at GELS, with 3.1 GW of renewable capacity, representing 34% of its total power capacity and marking strong state-level adoption. 
• Initiative: A major announcement at the summit was the approval of a 1.5 lakh rooftop solar ULA model under PM Surya Ghar for Odisha, expected to benefit 7–8 lakh people, particularly low-income households. 
• Adoption: GELS highlighted Odisha’s rooftop solar uptake: 1.6 lakh applications, over 23,000 installations, and ₹147 crore in subsidies transferred to 19,200 families, reflecting strong implementation. 

NPG Meet Reviews GatiShakti Infrastructure

Why in News? 

The 104th meetings of the Network Planning Group, chaired by the Joint Secretary (Logistics), DPIIT, were convened to assess key infrastructure proposals under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. 

• Eight railway projects were reviewed for alignment with PM GatiShakti principles, including multimodal integration, socio-economic impact, and coordinated planning. 

Key Points 

• Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro Corridor (West Bengal & Jharkhand): The NPG examined the proposal for constructing third and fourth lines to decongest the high-density Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro freight corridor, a critical route serving industries such as the Bokaro Steel Plant and Tata Steel, to improve operational efficiency and enhance regional freight capacity. 
• Jamalpur–Munger Double Line and New Ganga Bridge (Bihar): The meeting evaluated the Jamalpur–Munger double-line project, including a new bridge over the Ganga and an avoiding line at Jamalpur, designed to improve connectivity across the Gangetic plains, support industrial growth, and enable faster, safer movement of passengers and freight in the region. 
• Santragachi–Panskura–Kharagpur Fourth Line (West Bengal): The proposed fourth line on this heavily used passenger–freight corridor was assessed to address current congestion, reduce delays, and increase reliability.  
  • Strengthening this route is expected to enhance logistics efficiency and promote balanced regional development across eastern India. 
• Gummidipundi–Gudur 3rd & 4th Lines (Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh): The Ministry of Railways proposed 3rd and 4th lines over 89.96 km between Gummidipundi and Gudur, improving multimodal freight movement connected to Chennai Port.  
  • The corridor will support fertilisers, containers, cement, and power sector freight, with an expected handling capacity of 25.07 MTPA through diversion to the newly sanctioned multi-tracking section. 
• Konkan Railway Restructuring (Maharashtra, Goa & Karnataka): A major 3rd Financial Restructuring plan for KRCL was reviewed, involving new tunnels at Pernem and Old Goa and three additional crossing stations at Mayem, Neura-O-Grande, and Mookambika Road–Byndoor.  
  • These upgrades aim to improve financial health, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and boost operational efficiency along the coastal corridor. 
• Nidadavolu–Duvvada 3rd & 4th Lines (Andhra Pradesh): The 198.10 km proposal on the Howrah–Chennai main line targets soaring freight volumes from Andhra Pradesh ports, especially coal, gypsum and fertiliser imports, while improving passenger services. 
  • The expansion supports key industries such as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and major cement manufacturers, contributing to industrial and logistics growth. 
• Nagda–Mathura 3rd & 4th Lines (MP, UP & Rajasthan): Covering 567.860 km, this project forms a crucial part of the Golden Quadrilateral and High-Density Network-3. 
  • As the only remaining un-augmented stretch on the Delhi–Mumbai corridor, its expansion will drastically increase carrying capacity for freight from petroleum terminals, fertilizer plants, cement industries, warehousing hubs, and thermal power plants. 
• Ghaziabad–New Sitapur 3rd & 4th Lines (Uttar Pradesh): Spanning 402.78 km across ten districts, this project aims to improve commuter and freight efficiency toward Northern Frontier Railways.  
  • Supported by strong road networks, agricultural mandis, logistics hubs, and proximity to major airports (Delhi, Bareilly, Lucknow), the upgraded corridor is expected to reduce logistics costs and support sustainable regional development.