• 04 Dec 2025

Birth Anniversary of Khudiram Bose

Why in News? 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid homage to freedom fighter Khudiram Bose on his birth anniversary, calling him a symbol of valour, courage and sacrifice. 

Key Points 

• Birth & Early Life: Khudiram Bose was born on 3rd December 1889 in Habibpur village, Midnapore district, West Bengal, as the only son in his family, and faced hardships early due to the loss of his parents. 
• Early Influence: Motivated by the public speeches of Aurobindo Ghose and Sister Nivedita, he joined the freedom struggle in the early 1900s. 
• Role in Partition Movement: During the Partition of Bengal in 1905, he became an active volunteer and, at just 15, was first arrested for distributing anti-British pamphlets. 
• Joining Anushilan Samiti: In 1908, Khudiram joined the revolutionary group Anushilan Samiti, led by Aurobindo and Barindra Ghose, where he learned bomb-making and targeted British officials. 
• Targeting Kingsford: The revolutionaries marked Douglas H. Kingsford, Chief Presidency Magistrate of Calcutta, known for his brutal treatment of nationalists, as a primary target and sent Khudiram and Prafulla Chaki to assassinate him. 
• Bomb Attack Attempt: On 30th April 1908, Khudiram threw a bomb at Kingsford’s carriage outside the club, but it tragically killed Mrs. and Miss Kennedy, the wife and daughter of a barrister, while Kingsford escaped. 
• Capture & Aftermath: As police launched a manhunt, Prafulla Chaki died by suicide before arrest, while Khudiram was caught at Waini station after walking 25 km; his capture drew large crowds expressing admiration. 
• Execution & Martyrdom: Following trial, Khudiram Bose was executed on 11th August 1908 at age 18, becoming one of India’s youngest martyrs. 
• Public Reverence: Newspapers highlighted his bravery, crowds showered flowers during his final procession, and poet Pitambar Das immortalised him in the famous Bengali song “Ek Baar Bidaye De Ma”, preserving his legacy in Bengal’s folklore. 

Birth Anniversary of Dr Rajendra Prasad

Why in News?

President Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to India’s first President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 3rd December 2025.

Key Points

• About: Rajendra Prasad was born on 3rd December 1884 in Zeradei, Siwan, Bihar, and passed away on 28th February 1963 in Patna, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire millions.
  • Deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s views on caste and untouchability, he embraced simplicity and lived a life rooted in Gandhian values.
• Role in the Freedom Struggle: Prasad gave up his legal career to join the independence movement in 1920 and was imprisoned during the Salt Satyagraha in 1931 and the Quit India Movement in 1942.
  • He presided over the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress in 1934 and became Congress President after Subhash Chandra Bose's resignation in 1939.
• Role in Constitutional Making: He was appointed President of the Constituent Assembly in 1946.
  • He led committees on the National Flag, Rules of Procedure, and Finance and Staff.
• Literary Works: Satyagraha at Champaran (1922), India Divided (1946), Atmakatha (1946), and Bapu ke Kadmon Mein (1954).
• Award: He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1962.

• Presidency: Elected as India’s first President in 1950, he served for over 12 years(the longest tenure by any President) and remains the only President to be unanimously re-elected, in both 1952 and 1957.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0

Why in News?

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath jointly inaugurated the 4th edition of the Kashi–Tamil Sangamam (KTS 4.0) in Varanasi, marking a renewed celebration of the historic cultural bond between Kashi and Tamil Nadu.

Key Points

• Origin: Launched in 2022 during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Sangamam reaffirms India’s deep civilisational heritage and celebrates the longstanding movement of ideas, spirituality and culture between the two regions.
  • Since 2022, Sangamam editions have expanded, KTS 1.0 (foundation), KTS 2.0 (larger public participation, real-time Tamil translation, high footfall exhibitions), and KTS 3.0 (knowledge-centred focus on Sage Agastya, NEP 2020-aligned sessions).
• Theme: This edition is centred on the theme “Let Us Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam”, placing Tamil language learning and linguistic unity at the heart of the Sangamam.
• Key Programmes: Major initiatives include Tamil Karkalam (Tamil teaching in Varanasi schools), Tamil Karpom (Tamil-learning study tours for 300 Kashi-region students), and the Sage Agastya Vehicle Expedition tracing ancient civilisational routes.
• Organiser: Anchored in Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and held under the Ministry of Education, the initiative is supported by IIT Madras and Banaras Hindu University as knowledge partners, with active participation from ten Union ministries, including Railways, Culture, Tourism, Textiles and Youth Affairs & Sports, along with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• Cross-Regional Participation: Over 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu, spanning students, teachers, writers, farmers, artisans, professionals, women and spiritual scholars will participate in cultural, academic and heritage programmes in Kashi.
• Tamil Teaching in UP Schools: Fifty Tamil teachers will teach introductory Tamil in 50 Varanasi schools between 2nd–15th December 2025, enabling 1,500 students to learn spoken Tamil.
  • Simultaneously, 300 students from Uttar Pradesh will travel to Tamil Nadu for immersive Tamil learning, cultural sessions and visits to sites with historic Tamil–Kashi linkages.
• Sage Agastya Expedition: The SAVE expedition will travel from Tenkasi to Kashi (2nd–10th December 2025), highlighting connections across dynasties (Chera, Chola, Pandya, Pallava, Chalukya, Vijayanagara), and celebrating the shared heritage of Tamil and Indian knowledge traditions.
• Symbolic Conclusion: The 2025 edition will conclude with a grand Valedictory Function at Rameswaram, completing a symbolic north–south cultural arc from Kashi to Tamil Nadu.

Antarctica Day

Why in News? 

India celebrated Antarctica Day on 1st December 2025 while also marking 25 years of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa, reaffirming its role as the nation’s lead institution for polar and ocean exploration.

Key Points 

Antarctica Day 

• Treaty Signing (1959): The Antarctic Treaty was signed on 1st December 1959 by 12 nations, designating nearly 10% of Earth to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes for the benefit of all humanity. 
• Historic Firsts: The treaty became the first nuclear-arms control agreement and the first institution created to govern human activity in an international space beyond national jurisdictions. 
• Antarctic Treaty Summit (2009): The 50th anniversary summit in 2009 celebrated five decades of peaceful international cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty. 
• Creation of Antarctica Day (2010): Inspired by the 50-year celebrations, the Foundation for the Good Governance of International Spaces (Our Spaces) established Antarctica Day in 2010. 
• Purpose: Antarctica Day seeks to build global awareness about the treaty, celebrating it as a milestone of peace and cooperation in human civilisation. 
• India’s Role: India has been a Consultative Party since 1983, giving it voting rights and the ability to operate research stations and contribute to Antarctica’s scientific and environmental governance. 

National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)  

• Establishment: It was established in 1998 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NCPOR is India’s nodal agency for coordinating the Indian Antarctic Programme and maintaining the Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2011) research stations.  
• Role: Located in Goa, it leads multidisciplinary polar and Southern Ocean research and has recognised research facilities for doctoral studies. It also plays a key role in India’s Deep Ocean Mission, linking polar science with strategic national priorities. 
• Research Station: NCPOR has established India’s permanent research stations: Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, Bharati (Antarctica) and Himadri (Arctic), along with the Himalayan research station Himansh. 
  • The Ministry of Finance has approved Maitri-II, a new East Antarctica research station to be led by NCPOR. 

Gyanesh Kumar Takes Charge of IDEA Council

Why in News?

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Shri Gyanesh Kumar, formally assumed the Chairmanship of the Council of Member States of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Key Points

• Background: International IDEA, established in 1995, now has 35 member countries, with the United States and Japan as observers, and has held observer status at the United Nations General Assembly since 2003.
• Partnerships: Alongside India’s leadership, Mauritius and Mexico will serve as Vice-Chairs of the International IDEA Council for 2026. 
• Milestone: The Chairmanship represents a significant global milestone, acknowledging the Election Commission of India (ECI) as one of the world’s most credible, transparent, and innovative Election Management Bodies (EMBs), with India being a founding member contributing consistently to IDEA’s governance and democratic initiatives.
• Vision: CEC Gyanesh Kumar pledged that India’s Chairmanship would be decisive, ambitious, and action-oriented, guided by the theme “Democracy for Inclusive, Peaceful, Resilient and Sustainable World”, with focus on two pillars: Reimagining Democracy for the Future and Independent & Professional Election Management Bodies for Sustainable Democracy.

India's First All-Electric Tug Project

Why in News?

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal virtually flagged off India’s first all-electric green tug, marking a major national milestone in sustainable and energy-efficient maritime operations under the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).

• A tug (or tugboat) is a powerful, manoeuvrable vessel used to assist larger ships in harbour operations such as guiding, towing, berthing, escorting and emergency response, especially in confined port waters where precision is required.

Key Points

• Purpose & Design: The tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, is being developed to advance India’s maritime decarbonisation goals, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions, optimised energy efficiency, and a 60-ton bollard pull capacity.
• GTTP Roadmap: The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 tugs scheduled in Phase 1 (2024–2027). 
  • Two each will be deployed at DPA, Paradip Port Authority, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, with DPA becoming the first to start construction.
• Future Integration: Once deployed, the tug will support harbour manoeuvring, escorting and emergency responses with zero emissions, generating critical data for future GTTP phases. 
  • The initiative aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030, Amrit Kaal commitments, and international decarbonisation frameworks.
• Strategic Impact: DPA’s leadership demonstrates India’s move toward clean-energy ports, strengthens Make in India shipbuilding through Atreya Shipyard, and positions the country as a future global hub for green maritime innovation.