State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 16 Dec 2025

India to Host 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine

Why in News? 

India will host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17–19 December 2025, building on the inaugural summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in 2023. 

Key Points 

• Organiser: Jointly organised by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush to advance global dialogue on health and well-being through traditional medicine. 
• Theme: The summit will be held under the theme “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being,” focusing on equitable, sustainable health systems.  
• Global Focus: Policymakers and leaders from over 100 countries will participate to shape the future role of traditional medicine. 
• Vision: The event aims to reaffirm the relevance of traditional medicine while promoting its integration into national health systems based on science, evidence and responsible practice. 
• WHO Strategy: Discussions will align with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 to advance people-centred healthcare and planetary well-being. 
• Plenary Sessions: Key deliberations will cover restoring balance in health systems, scientific investment, governance, biodiversity stewardship, and Indigenous rights. 
• Innovation & Evidence: The summit will emphasize innovative approaches to elevate traditional medicine responsibly through ethical use of digital technologies, including AI. 
• Diverse Issues: Over 25 sessions will address regulation, integration, protection of biodiversity, and intellectual property rights.

WHO

• Founded: 7 April 1948, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. 
• Type: Specialized agency of the United Nations for global public health. 
• Membership: 194 member states (as of 2025). 
• Objective: Promote health, achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and respond to global health emergencies. 
• Current Director-General: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (since 2017). 

Nuclear Energy Transformation Bill, 2025

Why in News? 

Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025, in Parliament to modernise India’s nuclear energy legal framework. 

Key Points 

• New Legal Framework: The Bill proposes a comprehensive law for nuclear energy by repealing the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. 
• Energy Security: It aims to expand nuclear installed capacity to ensure reliable, clean and round-the-clock power for future needs such as data centres. 
• Decarbonisation Goal: The Bill aligns with India’s long-term climate commitments, including a target of 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070. 
• Private Participation: It encourages greater involvement of the domestic industry and the private sector in nuclear power development. 
• Regulatory Mechanism: The Bill introduces updated provisions for licensing, safety authorisation, suspension and cancellation to strengthen regulatory oversight. 
• Civil Liability: A revised civil liability framework for nuclear damage is proposed to enhance safety, accountability and compensation mechanisms. 
• Institutional Setup: The Bill provides for bodies such as the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, Claims Commissioners and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission. 
• Technology Coverage: Nuclear energy and radiation-based technologies are brought under a modernised regulatory structure. 
• National Transition: The Bill reflects India’s intent to modernise nuclear governance while balancing clean energy expansion, safety and public interest.

Nuclear Energy 

• First Plant: Tarapur, Maharashtra (1969)  
• Largest Site: Rajasthan – maximum nuclear power generation. 
• Other Key Sites: Kakrapar (Gujarat), Kudankulam & Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Narora (U.P.). 
• Reactor Types: PHWR (majority), BWR (Tarapur), Fast Breeder Reactor (Kalpakkam). 
• Fuel: Uranium & Thorium (India has largest Thorium reserves). 

Defence Estates Day Celebrations of 100th Year

Why in News? 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will preside over the Defence Estates Day celebrations at Raksha Sampada Bhawan, Delhi Cantonment, on 16 December 2025, marking the 100th year of the Defence Estates Department.  

Key Points 

• Celebrations & Awards: Raksha Mantri will confer the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence in public service for Defence Land Management and Municipal Administration across 61 Cantonment Boards. 
• Centenary Significance: The event marks the 100th anniversary of the Defence Estates Department, with origins tracing back to Barrackpore in 1765 and formalisation on 16 December 1926. 
• Defence Estates Role: The Department manages the largest landholding of the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence. 
• Digital Transformation: Modernised land management with projects like E-Chhawani, providing 100% municipal services online to ~20 lakh cantonment residents. 
• Awards Recognition: Won the National Water Awards for Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari for efforts in water conservation and rejuvenation of water bodies. 
• Digitisation: Complete digitisation of legacy land records, ensuring preservation, easy retrieval, and secure archival. 
• Raksha Bhoomi Platform: A centralised software ‘Raksha Bhoomi’ serves as a unified repository of all defence land records on secure servers. 
• Advanced Survey Tools: Uses Differential GPS, GIS tools and high-resolution satellite imagery to improve land accuracy and management. 
• Tech Innovation: Centre of Excellence on Satellite and Unmanned Remote Vehicle Initiative leverages AI/ML and emerging technologies for next-generation defence land management solutions.

India, ADB Sign $2.2 Billion Development Loans

Why in News?

The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed agreements for five loans totalling over $2.2 billion to support various key development projects across multiple sectors. 

Key Points 

• Regional Impact: Projects span three states (Assam, Meghalaya and Tamilnadu), boosting development across sectors and regions.  
• Loan Value: Agreements worth over $2.2 billion signed between India and ADB. 
• Projects Covered: Includes programmes for skilling, rooftop solar deployment, healthcare, metro rail, and ecotourism. 
• Skilling Initiative: Supports Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs Programme. 
• Solar Programme: Funds Accelerating Affordable and Inclusive Rooftop Solar Systems Development under Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY). 
• Healthcare Project: Includes Assam State Tertiary Health Care Augmentation Project (ASTHA). 
• Urban Transport: Supports Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project (Tranche 2). 
• Ecotourism & Livelihoods: Financing for Integrated Ecotourism and Sustainable Agri‑based Livelihood Development in Meghalaya. 
• Flagship Programmes: Loans will further India’s national flagship programmes in renewable energy, healthcare, urban infrastructure and skill development.

ADB 

• Established: 1966, headquarters at Manila, Philippines. 
• Type: Multilateral development bank for Asia-Pacific region. 
• Members: 68 members (49 regional, 19 non-regional). 
• Objective: Promote economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development. 
• India–ADB: India is a founding member and one of the largest borrowers from ADB. 

National Geospatial Workshop on Geospatial Mission

Why in News? 

The Survey of India (under Department of Science & Technology) will host a National Workshop on Strengthening of Geospatial Ecosystem titled “Geospatial Mission: An Enabler of Viksit Bharat.”

Key Points 

• Inauguration & Venue: The workshop will be inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh on 17 December 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. 
• Objective: To strengthen India’s geospatial ecosystem and advance the National Geospatial Mission. 
• Participants: Will bring together policymakers, technologists, industry leaders and domain experts. 
• Announced: The National Geospatial Mission (announced in the Union Budget 2025–26) aims to modernise geodetic frameworks, enhance geospatial infrastructure, standardise data, and adopt emerging technologies. 
• Significance: A key step in realising the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision through enhanced geospatial capabilities.