Daily Current Affairs- 15th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 15th December 2025

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025: Reforming India’s Higher Education Regulatory Framework

In the News: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan introduced the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha on December 15, 2025 (after Union Cabinet approval on December 12, 2025), proposing one of the most significant reforms in India's higher education governance by repealing the University Grants Commission Act 1956, All India Council for Technical Education Act 1987, and National Council for Teacher Education Act 1993, and establishing a unified regulatory framework through the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as an apex body with three specialized councils—Regulatory Council, Accreditation Council, and Standards Council—aligned with the National Education Policy 2020's vision of a "light but tight" regulatory structure reducing over-regulation, duplication of control, and bureaucratic complexity while enhancing transparency, academic autonomy, and quality through technology-driven single-window systems and public disclosure portals.

Key Points:

• Bill Introduction and Cabinet Approval: The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 was approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 12, 2025, and formally introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on December 15, 2025 during the Winter Session of Parliament.
• Repealing Existing Acts and Dissolving Bodies: The Bill provides for repealing three major legislative Acts that have governed India's higher education sector for decades: the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956 (69 years old), establishing UGC as the apex regulatory body for university education; the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act, 1987 (38 years old), creating AICTE to regulate technical and professional education; and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) Act, 1993 (32 years old), establishing NCTE to regulate teacher education and training institutions. Upon passage and notification of the new Act, these three statutory bodies—UGC, AICTE, and NCTE—will be formally dissolved, with their functions, assets, liabilities, and staff transferred to the new Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan framework.
• Establishment of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (Apex Body): The Bill establishes the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan as a 12-member apex commission functioning as the highest authority for higher education regulation in India, providing direction for comprehensive and holistic growth of higher education and coordination of the work of three specialized councils.
• Three Specialized Councils - Structure and Functions: The Bill creates three specialized councils, each with up to 14 members, ensuring functional clarity through separation of regulatory, standards-setting, and accreditation roles that were previously conflated.
• Membership Composition and Appointment Process: Members of the Adhishthan and the three councils will primarily comprise eminent academicians with proven track record in higher education, domain experts in relevant fields (regulation, accreditation, academic standards, research), representatives from States and Union Territories ensuring federal character and state input into national higher education policy, representatives from state higher educational institutions recognizing the significant role of state universities and colleges, and representatives from Institutions of National Importance (IITs, IIMs, NITs, IISc, etc.) bringing excellence and best practices, ensuring balanced representation and informed decision-making.
• Alignment with NEP 2020 Vision: The Bill operationalizes key NEP 2020 recommendations for higher education governance transformation. NEP 2020 envisions a "light but tight" regulatory framework ensuring integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation and out-of-the-box ideas through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment.

Vice-President Releases Commemorative Stamp Honouring Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar

In the News:  Vice President CP Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp honoring Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (also known as Suvaran Maran) at the Vice-President's Enclave in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming the release and describing the ancient Tamil ruler as a formidable administrator blessed with remarkable vision, foresight, strategic brilliance, and commitment to justice. The stamp release, attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, and Union Minister L. Murugan, is part of the government's broader efforts to recognize and honor Tamil kings, leaders, and freedom fighters who had not received adequate recognition in the past, restoring India's cultural heritage as the nation moves toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

Key Points:

• Stamp Release Event: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan released the commemorative postage stamp on December 14, 2025 (Sunday) at the Vice-President's Enclave in New Delhi, honoring Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II who is also known by his actual name Suvaran Maran.
• Historical Significance of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II: Vice President Radhakrishnan highlighted that Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was among the most renowned rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu who belonged to the illustrious Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE (approximately 600-900 AD). Suvaran Maran (his actual name, with 'Perumbidugu' being his title and 'Mutharaiyar' indicating his lineage) was born in the seventh century and ruled from Tiruchirappalli (capital) for nearly four decades, governing present-day regions of Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, and Pudukkottai districts in Tamil Nadu.
• Legendary Military Record: Temple inscriptions found across Tamil Nadu describe Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II as a king who fought twelve wars during his lifetime and never faced defeat in any of them, earning him legendary status among Tamil rulers. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her address at the stamp release event, described him as "an emperor for whom the word 'defeat' did not exist even in his grammar," emphasizing his unparalleled military success. Inscriptions at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Sendalai village, Thanjavur district, provide detailed information about his genealogy, character, and 'Meikirthi' (eulogistic praise based on nature, bravery, courage, and martial prowess).
• Administrative and Developmental Contributions: Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was not merely a warrior but also a visionary administrator who contributed significantly to infrastructure and social welfare. Inscriptions found across several locations in Tamil Nadu bear testimony to his contributions including temple endowments providing grants and lands to temples for maintenance, religious activities, and supporting Brahmin communities performing rituals; irrigation works including construction of reservoirs, canals, and bridges improving agricultural productivity and water management crucial in semi-arid Tamil Nadu; and patronage of Tamil literature supporting scholars, poets, and the preservation of Tamil linguistic and literary traditions.
• Cultural and Religious Patronage: Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was a devout Shaiva (worshipper of Lord Shiva) and significant patron of Shaivism, commissioning construction and renovation of numerous Shiva temples across his territories. He patronized Shaiva scholars and encouraged interfaith debates and philosophical discussions, promoting intellectual discourse in his court. An inscription at the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram mentions that a Mutharaiyar king was formally welcomed during the coronation of Pallava King Nandivarman II, and historians believe this ruler was Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II himself, indicating his political importance recognized even by powerful neighboring dynasties like the Pallavas. Dennis Hudson's scholarly work "Body of God: An Emperor's Palace for Krishna in Eighth Century Kanchipuram" provides detailed academic accounts of his reign and contributions.
• Recognition of Forgotten History: Vice President Radhakrishnan emphasized that despite significant contributions, the Mutharaiyar dynasty and Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II have remained largely absent from mainstream Indian history curricula, with average students learning extensively about the Chola Empire or Pandya Empire but comparatively little or almost nothing about the Mutharaiyar dynasty that played a crucial bridging role in Tamil Nadu's medieval history.
• Digital Documentation and Permanent Record: Finance Minister Sitharaman explained the government's multi-pronged approach to preserving Emperor Mutharaiyar II's legacy through both digital and physical formats. A digital stamp and e-book documenting the emperor's history were prepared earlier as part of deliberate strategy.
• Broader Context of Cultural Heritage Revival: The stamp release for Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II is positioned within the Modi government's comprehensive efforts to reclaim and celebrate India's civilizational and historical heritage across regions, periods, and communities. Similar initiatives include commemorative stamps, renaming of places and institutions, promotion of indigenous knowledge systems, archaeological projects highlighting pre-Mughal and pre-colonial heritage, and curriculum reforms emphasizing India-centric historical narratives.

Year End Review-2025: Department of Atomic Energy

In the News: The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) released its Year-End Review 2025 on December 10, 2025, highlighting a landmark year marked by record-breaking nuclear power generation with NPCIL achieving 56,681 million Units (highest in its entire operating history) avoiding 49 million tons of CO2 emissions, major infrastructure developments including Prime Minister Narendra Modi laying the foundation stone for the 4-unit Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project in Rajasthan on September 25, 2025, scientific milestones including release of India's first Certified Reference Material for Rare Earth Elements and establishment of first Electronics-grade Boron-11 Enrichment Facility, expansion of cancer care through inauguration of 150-bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Muzaffarpur Bihar, and international achievements including hosting the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics with participation from 64 countries.

Key Points:

• Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project Foundation Stone: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the 4-unit Mahi Banswara Nuclear Power Project (NPP) in Rajasthan on September 25, 2025, marking a major milestone in India's nuclear power expansion program. The project will comprise four units of indigenously designed 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), adding 2,800 MWe of clean baseload capacity to India's grid. The project will be deployed through a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and NTPC Limited (India's largest power generation company), named ASHVINI, representing innovative public sector collaboration for accelerating nuclear capacity addition. The Mahi Banswara project site is located in the tribal-dominated region bordering Rajasthan and Gujarat, expected to bring significant socioeconomic development through employment generation, infrastructure development, and electricity supply to the region.
• Expansion of Nuclear Capacity - AEC Approval: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), India's apex policy-making body for atomic energy matters, gave approval for pre-project activities for an additional 10 units of 700 MWe PHWRs, over and above the 22.5 GW nuclear capacity planned to be achieved by 2032. This approval for 10 additional units represents 7,000 MWe (7 GW) of additional capacity beyond previously announced plans, demonstrating accelerated ambition for nuclear power expansion as a clean, reliable baseload source supporting India's growing electricity demand and decarbonization objectives.
• Kakrapar PHWR Units Receive Regular Operation License: The first two units of India's indigenously designed and built 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) at Kakrapar, Gujarat (KAPS-3 and KAPS-4) received Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) license for regular commercial operation, validating the design, construction, and commissioning of India's flagship standardized reactor design. KAPS-3 and KAPS-4 are the first of a fleet of 700 MWe PHWRs planned across India, serving as reference plants demonstrating technical maturity, safety compliance, and operational viability of the design. The AERB license for regular operation follows extensive testing, commissioning, and trial operation demonstrating that all safety systems, operational parameters, and regulatory requirements have been satisfactorily met.
• India's First Rare Earth Elements Certified Reference Material: DAE achieved a landmark scientific milestone with the formal release of an indigenously developed Certified Reference Material (CRM) named 'Ferrocarbonatite (FC)' designated BARC B1401, representing the first such CRM in India and only the fourth in the world for Rare Earth Elements (REEs), positioning India among elite nations (USA, Canada, Japan) with REE CRM capability. The Ferrocarbonatite CRM certifies thirteen (13) Rare Earth Elements including Cerium (Ce), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Lanthanum (La), Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Scandium (Sc), Samarium (Sm), Terbium (Tb), Yttrium (Y), and Ytterbium (Yb), along with six (6) major elements including Aluminum (Al), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), and Phosphorus (P). CRMs are materials with precisely known composition certified through rigorous analytical processes, used as benchmarks for calibrating analytical instruments and validating analytical methods in laboratories.
• First Electronics-Grade Boron-11 Enrichment Facility: DAE set up India's first Electronics-grade (99.8% purity) Boron-11 Enrichment Facility at Talcher, Odisha, addressing a critical gap in India's semiconductor and advanced materials ecosystem. Boron-11, a specific isotope of Boron, is crucial for semiconductor applications as a p-type dopant in silicon wafer manufacturing, enabling control of electrical properties in transistors and integrated circuits. Electronics-grade boron requires extremely high purity (99.8% or higher) and isotopic enrichment to Boron-11 (natural boron contains both B-10 and B-11 isotopes) to meet stringent semiconductor industry specifications. Previously, India was dependent on imports for electronics-grade boron, creating supply chain vulnerabilities and costs for the semiconductor industry.
• Radiopharmaceutical Production and Novel Therapies: DAE institutions continued indigenous development, commercialization, and supply of therapeutic and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals supporting India's nuclear medicine and cancer care ecosystem. The 30 MeV Medical Cyclotron Facility in Kolkata continued commercial production of Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and other radiopharmaceuticals, delivering 371 Curie (Ci) equivalent doses during the year for PET-CT imaging widely used in cancer diagnosis, cardiac imaging, and neurological assessment.
• ISOMED 2.0 - World's Only Land-Based High-Intensity Gamma Irradiator: A High-Intensity Gamma Irradiator with Category II design, designated ISOMED 2.0, was completed in May 2025 to serve the healthcare industry for terminal sterilization of healthcare products including surgical instruments, implantable devices, pharmaceutical products, and personal protective equipment. ISOMED 2.0 represents unique Indian innovation as the only High-Intensity Land-Based Stationary Gamma Irradiator in the world today, a Category II type design offering advantages over conventional underwater gamma irradiators including lower water consumption, reduced maintenance complexity, enhanced safety features, and operational flexibility.
• Agricultural and Food Security Applications: DAE's radiation technology applications contributed to agricultural productivity and food security through mutation breeding, food irradiation, and post-harvest management. Six Trombay crop varieties developed through mutation breeding at BARC were Gazette notified for commercial cultivation during the year, including one variety each of sorghum, mung bean (green gram), and black gram for Karnataka; one sorghum variety for Maharashtra; and two urad bean (black gram) varieties for Madhya Pradesh.
• Defense and National Security Contributions: DAE continued critical contributions to India's national security and defense preparedness. Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), a DAE public sector undertaking, successfully developed, integrated, and installed Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Detection and Protection Systems for safeguarding vital installations against unconventional threats including nuclear materials, biological agents, chemical weapons, and radiological dispersal devices.
• International Achievements and Recognition: DAE hosted the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy & Astrophysics (IOAA 2025) in August 2025, bringing together more than 300 students and 140 team members from 64 countries for this prestigious global competition promoting astronomy education and international scientific collaboration. Indian students excelled at international Science Olympiads, winning 10 Gold medals, 7 Silver medals, and 2 Bronze medals across four International Olympiads (Biology, Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry), demonstrating excellence in STEM education supported by DAE institutions. Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), DAE's deemed university, achieved high rankings under National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2025 and the Nature Index, securing first position among Indian institutions in physical sciences publications, reflecting research quality and productivity of DAE scientists.

Ponduru Khadi Gets GI Tag

In the News: Ponduru Khadi from Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on November 5, 2025, marking a major recognition of its centuries-old textile tradition, heritage, and artisanal craftsmanship. The certification, granted under the GI Act 1999 and sealed in Chennai, formally acknowledges the handspun and handwoven ultra-fine khadi fabric produced in Ponduru village and surrounding areas using indigenous hill cotton and traditional charkha methods, with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) named as the registered proprietor ensuring only khadi produced in Ponduru using traditional methods can be marketed under the name.

Key Points:

• GI Tag Registration Details: The Ponduru Khadi GI tag was granted by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and officially sealed in Chennai on November 5, 2025. The registration was issued under Classes 23, 24, and 25 of the GI classification system, which cover textiles, fabrics, and clothing materials respectively, protecting the authenticity of Ponduru Khadi fabric across its various product forms including sarees, dhotis, wrap-around panches, stoles, and raw cloth. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), the Mumbai-based apex organization for khadi and village industries under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has been named the registered proprietor of the GI tag.
• Historical Significance and Gandhi Connection: Ponduru Khadi has deep historical roots dating back to the pre-independence freedom struggle and India's Swadeshi Movement of the early 20th century. During the Swadeshi movement in 1921, when Mahatma Gandhi gave a call for boycott of all foreign goods including British mill-made cloth and propagated use of indigenous Khadi cloth by all Indians as a symbol of economic self-reliance and resistance against colonial rule, he heard about the exceptional quality and uniqueness of Ponduru Khadi. Gandhi visited Ponduru village personally to inspect the handlooms and weaving processes, and was so profoundly impressed by the ultra-fine quality and craftsmanship of the cloth that he sent his son Devdas Gandhi to Ponduru to study the detailed process of making Ponduru Khadi and document the traditional techniques.
• Unique Production Process and Indigenous Materials: Ponduru Khadi is distinguished by its labour-intensive, completely traditional production process that has been preserved unchanged for generations, making it one of the finest khadi varieties in the world. The production begins with indigenous raw materials including Punasa cotton, Hill cotton (both White and Red varieties), which are very short staple cotton grown organically in Srikakulam district by local farmers without usage of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, maintaining purity and environmental sustainability. A uniquely distinctive aspect of Ponduru Khadi production is the use of Valuga fish jawbone (this fish is available at Dowleswaram and Rajahmundry in East Godavari District) for ginning the raw seeded cotton to remove seeds using an iron rod—a technique indigenous to Ponduru that contributes to the fabric's exceptional quality.
• Ultra-Fine Texture and Premium Quality: Ponduru Khadi is globally renowned for its ultra-fine texture and premium quality that distinguishes it from other khadi varieties produced elsewhere in India. The fabric achieves exceptional fineness with yarn counts reaching 100-120 for white cotton and up to 60 for red cotton, making it among the finest handspun fabrics in the world, comparable to or exceeding the quality of industrial mill-made fine cottons. The ultra-fine weave results in fabric with remarkable softness against the skin, lightness in weight despite durability, breathability ideal for tropical climates, lustrous sheen rivaling silk fabrics, and smooth texture achieved through meticulous hand-spinning and weaving.
• Artisan Communities and Economic Significance: Ponduru Khadi production has been the traditional occupation of weaver families belonging to backward Padmasali and Devanga communities in Ponduru village and surrounding areas of Srikakulam district since 1949 when organized khadi production began in the post-independence period. The Andhra Fine Khadi Karmikabhivruddi Sangham (AFKKS), affiliated to the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), manages the weaving and marketing activities of Ponduru Khadi, providing organizational support, quality standards, raw material supply, and market linkages to artisan weavers.
• GI Tag Benefits for Livelihood Enhancement: The GI tag recognition is expected to significantly boost livelihoods of local weavers, many of them women, by enhancing market value and global recognition at a time of growing demand for sustainable, handmade, and ethically-produced textiles in domestic and international markets. Legal protection against unauthorized use prevents producers from other regions from fraudulently marketing inferior products as "Ponduru Khadi," diluting brand value and deceiving consumers, ensuring authentic Ponduru artisans receive fair economic returns for their specialized skills and traditional knowledge. Enhanced brand recognition through GI tag publicity attracts premium customers willing to pay higher prices for certified authentic products with unique qualities and cultural heritage, increasing revenue for artisan communities.

Asia Power Index 2025, India Ranks 3rd Among Asia’s Strongest Nations

In the News: India has achieved a historic milestone by securing the third rank in the Asia Power Index 2025 released by Australia's Lowy Institute in November 2025, officially crossing the 40-point threshold to attain "major power" status for the first time since the Index's inception in 2018. Ranked behind only the United States (81.7 points) and China (73.7 points), India surpassed Japan (38.8 points) and Russia (32.1 points) with a comprehensive power score of 40.0 out of 100, marking a 0.9-point increase and representing a structural shift where Asia in 2025 has one major power (India) and two superpowers (U.S. and China). driven by India's strong economic growth, expanding military capabilities, rising cultural influence, and increasing geopolitical relevance across the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Points:

• Asia Power Index Overview and Methodology: The Asia Power Index is an authoritative annual assessment compiled by the Lowy Institute, an Australian independent international policy think tank, launched in 2018 to evaluate and rank the relative power and influence of Asian states in shaping regional outcomes. The seventh edition released in 2025 assesses 27 countries and territories across the Indo-Pacific region using a comprehensive methodology comprising 131 individual indicators grouped into eight thematic measures that collectively estimate a nation's ability to influence its external environment.
• India's Historic Ascent to Major Power Status: India achieved a landmark distinction in the 2025 edition by crossing the critical 40-point threshold that the Asia Power Index defines as the benchmark for "major power" status, officially graduating from its previous classification as a "middle power" in 2024 when it scored 38.1 points. With a 2025 score of 40.0 out of 100, India recorded a 0.9-point increase (2% growth) from the previous edition, representing steady but significant improvement that elevated it into the exclusive tier of regional powers capable of fundamentally shaping Asian geopolitics.
• Top Rankings: United States Remains First Despite Decline: The United States retained its position as the most powerful nation in Asia with a score of 81.7 out of 100, maintaining comprehensive dominance across military capabilities, technological superiority, alliance networks including treaty alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines, and Thailand, economic size as world's largest economy, and institutional depth. However, the 2025 Index reveals concerning trends—the US recorded the largest decline in comprehensive power of any country included in the Index, with its score dropping by 1.2 points, reducing US power to its lowest level since the Index's inception in 2018 .
• China's Steady Rise and Widening Gap with India: China secured the second position with a score of 73.7 points, reflecting a 1-point increase (1% growth) compared to the 2024 assessment, demonstrating steady upward trajectory despite facing various economic and geopolitical headwinds. China's rise is broad-based across multiple dimensions—its economic capability continues growing through manufacturing dominance, technology advancement in 5G/AI/quantum computing/renewable energy, massive infrastructure investments domestically and through Belt and Road Initiative, and increasing economic statecraft using its market size as leverage.

UNEA Adopts India’s Resolution on Global Wildfire Management

In the News: India's resolution on "Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires" was adopted on December 12, 2025, at the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant diplomatic and environmental victory for India. The resolution, which received wide support from UN Member States representing countries, aims to strengthen international cooperation and coordinated action for wildfire management worldwide, addressing the escalating frequency, scale, and intensity of wildfires driven by climate change, rising temperatures, extended droughts, and human activities that threaten forests, biodiversity, water resources, livelihoods, and national economies while releasing significant greenhouse gases and weakening carbon sinks.

Key Points:

• UNEA-7 Overview and India's Leadership Role: The seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) was held from December 8-12, 2025, at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme "Advancing Sustainable Solutions for a Resilient Planet." UNEA is the world's highest-level decision-making body on environmental matters with universal membership of all 193 UN Member States, setting the global environmental agenda and providing overarching policy guidance on environmental challenges.
• UNEP's "Spreading Like Wildfire" Report - Alarming Projections: India drew specific attention to the United Nations Environment Programme's authoritative global report titled "Spreading Like Wildfire" (published in 2022 by UNEP and GRID-Arendal), which provides alarming scientific projections about future wildfire trends that underscore the urgency of coordinated international action.
• Role of Global Fire Management Hub: India underscored the critical institutional role of the Global Fire Management Hub, which was established in 2023 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) as a key mechanism for supporting international cooperation, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing on wildfire management.
• Five Key Pillars of the Adopted Resolution: The resolution adopted at UNEA-7 establishes a comprehensive framework for global wildfire management built on five interconnected pillars that address prevention, response, recovery, capacity building, and financing. (1) Strengthened International Cooperation (2) Enhanced Regional and Global Collaboration (3) Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building (4) Support for National and Regional Action Plans (5) Facilitating Access to International Finance
• Broader Context of UNEA-7 Outcomes: India's wildfire resolution was one of 11 resolutions adopted at UNEA-7, demonstrating that it was part of a broader package of environmental commitments by the international community.

ISRO Projects Seven Launches Including Uncrewed Gaganyaan Mission by March 2026

In the News: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has planned seven ambitious launch missions by March 2026, as announced by Union Minister Jitendra Singh in Parliament in December 2025, marking a significant phase for India's space program. The missions include the highly anticipated first uncrewed Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission with humanoid robot Vyommitra onboard, technology demonstration satellites testing electric propulsion and quantum key distribution, India's first industry-built PSLV rocket, multiple commercial satellite launches, and strategic earth observation satellites, utilizing LVM3, PSLV, GSLV Mk-II, and SSLV launch vehicles, demonstrating ISRO's dual focus on conducting strategic national missions while contributing to the global commercial space economy.

Key Points:

• Seven Planned Missions by March 2026: ISRO has lined up seven launch missions scheduled between December 2025 and March 2026, representing one of the busiest periods in the organization's recent history. The first of these seven launches was expected to take place in the last week of December 2025 (around December 20-22. The ambitious schedule demonstrates ISRO's enhanced launch capabilities, improved infrastructure at launch sites including Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, and growing maturity of India's space program capable of conducting frequent, diverse missions across multiple rocket platforms simultaneously while maintaining high reliability and safety standards.
• First Uncrewed Gaganyaan Mission - Flagship Human Spaceflight Program: The most anticipated among the upcoming missions is the first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight scheduled for early 2026, marking a crucial milestone in India's human spaceflight program aimed at sending Indian astronauts to low Earth orbit (LEO). The mission will be launched using the human-rated LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), India's heaviest and most powerful rocket that has been specially modified and certified for human spaceflight meeting stringent safety requirements. Onboard the crew module will be Vyommitra, a humanoid female robot developed by ISRO to simulate human presence, monitor systems, and test life support equipment before actual astronauts fly.
• LVM3 Commercial Launch - BlueBird-6 Satellite: India's heaviest rocket LVM3 will place in orbit the BlueBird-6 communication satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile through a commercial agreement with ISRO's commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL). AST SpaceMobile is developing a space-based cellular broadband network using large satellites to provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity globally, eliminating need for ground-based cell towers in remote areas. The BlueBird-6 satellite is part of this constellation and represents a significant commercial contract for ISRO competing in the global launch services market.
• India's First Industry-Built PSLV - Oceansat Mission: The year 2026 will witness a historic first—the launch of India's first industry-built Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), marking successful technology transfer from ISRO to the private sector under the government's space sector reforms announced in 2020. To increase commercial launch capacity and free ISRO to focus on advanced missions, NSIL awarded a contract to a HAL-L&T consortium (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro, two major Indian aerospace and engineering companies) to manufacture five PSLV rockets under a technology transfer agreement signed in September 2025.
• PSLV-C62 Mission - EOS-N1 and 18 Co-Passengers: An ISRO-built PSLV (designated PSLV-C62) will launch the Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 as the primary payload for a strategic user (likely defense or intelligence agencies for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes), along with 18 smaller co-passenger satellites from Indian and international customers. The mission scheduled for late December 2025 showcases PSLV's versatility as a reliable workhorse capable of accommodating multiple satellites in a single launch through rideshare arrangements, reducing launch costs for small satellite operators.
• GSLV Mk-II Launch - EOS-5/GISAT-1A Replacement Satellite: The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark-II (GSLV Mk-II), ISRO's medium-lift launcher capable of placing satellites in geosynchronous transfer orbit, is expected to launch the EOS-5 satellite, also designated GISAT-1A, which will serve as a replacement for GISAT-1 (Geo Imaging Satellite-1) that failed to reach its intended geostationary orbit following launch in August 2021 due to technical anomaly in the cryogenic upper stage. EOS-5/GISAT-1A will be placed in geostationary orbit approximately 36,000 km above Earth's equator, where it will provide real-time imaging of the Indian subcontinent for disaster monitoring, weather forecasting, agriculture assessment, and strategic surveillance.
• PSLV-C63/TDS-01 - Technology Demonstration Mission: The PSLV-C63 mission will place in orbit the TDS-01 (Technology Demonstration Satellite-01), a crucial experimental satellite designed to demonstrate and validate three cutting-edge technologies before their operational deployment in future Indian satellites. First technology: High Thrust Electric Propulsion System - this revolutionary propulsion technology uses electrical energy to accelerate ionized propellant (typically xenon gas) to very high velocities, producing thrust far more efficiently than chemical rockets.
• SSLV Mission - Small Satellite Launch Vehicle: ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), specifically designed for launching small satellites (up to 500 kg) to low Earth orbit, is also expected to conduct a dedicated satellite launch before March 2026. SSLV represents ISRO's entry into the rapidly growing small satellite launch market, offering advantages including low cost (approximately ₹30-35 crore per launch compared to ₹150+ crore for PSLV), quick turnaround time enabling frequent launches, simplified logistics with fewer stages and solid propellant reducing complexity, and commercial viability for the burgeoning small satellite industry including constellations for Earth observation, communications, and Internet-of-Things connectivity.

On Vallabhbhai Patel’s death anniversary: how he became ‘Sardar’

In the News:  India observed the death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950), remembering how India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister earned the iconic title "Sardar" (meaning "Chief" or "Leader" in Gujarati and most Indian languages) during the historic Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928. The title was bestowed upon Vallabhbhai Patel by the women of Bardoli taluka in Gujarat in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, organizational brilliance, and unwavering commitment to justice during the successful farmers' movement against the British colonial government's arbitrary 22% tax increase, marking a turning point that transformed him from a regional leader into one of India's most influential independence movement figures.

Key Points:

• Background of Bardoli Satyagraha: The Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 took place in Bardoli taluka located in Surat district of Gujarat, a predominantly agrarian region where most of the population engaged in farming. In 1925-1926, Bardoli suffered severe hardships including floods and famines that adversely affected crop yields and agricultural productivity, leaving farmers economically distressed and struggling to make ends meet. Despite these calamities and reduced agricultural output, the British colonial government of the Bombay Presidency, based on recommendations of a Provincial Civil Service officer who argued that farmers were enjoying greater prosperity following establishment of railway line in Tapti River Valley, arbitrarily decided in 1927 to raise land revenue assessment by 22% across Bardoli taluka, with some villages facing increases as high as 50-60%, representing crushing financial burden on already suffering peasants who had barely recovered from natural disasters.
• Farmers' Initial Response and Leadership Appeal: Irked by the unjust tax hike that ignored ground realities, Bardoli peasants decided to organize a campaign to impress upon the Bombay government to reconsider the land assessment. In September 1927, they held a conference in Bardoli where participants resolved not to pay the enhanced portion of the assessment until the government either accepted the old assessment amount as full payment or ordered an independent inquiry into the revision. Local Gujarati activists including Kuvarji Mehta and his brother Kalyanji (both Bardoli natives who had prepared ground for aborted 1922 no-tax movement), along with Narhari Parikh, Ravi Shankar Vyas, and Mohanlal Pandya, talked to village chieftains and farmers soliciting help.
• Patel's Conditional Acceptance and Gandhi's Support: When approached, Vallabhbhai Patel told the farmer delegation frankly that they should fully realize what a revolt would imply—he would not lead them unless he had understanding and agreement of all villages involved. Patel warned that refusing to pay taxes could lead to their property being confiscated including lands, many would go to jail, and they could face complete decimation from British retaliation. The villagers replied determinedly that they were prepared for the worst but definitely could not accept the government's injustice, demonstrating resolve necessary for sustained civil disobedience. Patel then consulted Mahatma Gandhi, who merely asked what Patel thought; when Patel replied with confidence in the farmers' commitment, Gandhi agreed to support the movement. However, Gandhi and Patel agreed that neither the Congress nor Gandhi would directly involve themselves—the struggle would be left entirely to the people of Bardoli taluka, ensuring it remained a genuine grassroots movement rather than top-down party directive. Patel accepted presidency of the conference of peasants which met on February 4, 1928, marking official launch of the Bardoli Satyagraha.
• Patel's Strategic Organization and Nonviolent Discipline: Patel demonstrated exceptional organizational skills that became hallmarks of his leadership. On February 6, 1928, he first wrote to the Governor of Bombay requesting reduction of taxes in light of calamities, but the Governor ignored the letter and reciprocated by announcing the date for tax collection, making confrontation inevitable.
• British Government's Repressive Measures: Realizing that tax collection would not be easy as farmers stood united, the British government resorted to harsh repressive measures to break the movement. Tax collectors accompanied by Pathans from northwest India (hired as enforcers) were sent throughout the region to rough up farmers and their families, creating atmosphere of intimidation. Government officials forcibly entered houses, seized property, confiscated cattle and livestock, and auctioned lands and homes of farmers refusing to pay enhanced taxes.
• National Support and Political Pressure: The Bardoli Satyagraha garnered widespread national attention and support strengthening the farmers' position. Gandhi supported the Satyagraha through his magazine 'Young India,' stating that while Bardoli wasn't solely for Swaraj (self-rule), such efforts brought independence closer indirectly, lending moral authority to the movement. The 'Surveillance of India Society' (representing Moderate faction of Congress) requested the British Government to listen to peasants' demands at Bardoli.
• Victory and Government Concession: Under mounting pressure, the British government appointed the Maxwell-Broomfield Committee to conduct independent inquiry into the revenue increase. The Committee's findings vindicated the farmers—it concluded that the 22% revenue increase was unjustified given actual economic conditions and agricultural productivity in Bardoli. Following the Committee's report, the government agreed to reduce the assessment significantly, recommending only a minimal increase instead of the original 22%. The government returned seized properties and lands to farmers, marking complete victory for the Satyagraha. The Bardoli Satyagraha officially succeeded in August 1928 after approximately six months of sustained civil disobedience, becoming one of the most successful no-tax peasant movements in India's independence struggle, demonstrating that organized nonviolent resistance could force even colonial authorities to back down from unjust policies.
• Bestowal of "Sardar" Title: Before Patel departed Bardoli after the successful conclusion of the Satyagraha, the women of Bardoli—who had participated actively in the movement through protests, spreading awareness, and supporting male agitators—bestowed upon Vallabhbhai Patel the title "Sardar" meaning "Chief" or "Leader" in Gujarati, Hindi, Persian, and most other Indian languages.