Daily Current Affairs- 1st December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 1st December 2025

8th Pay Commission Update: Govt Rules Out DA‑Basic Pay Merger For Now

In the News: Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha that the 8th Central Pay Commission has been notified via a resolution dated November 3, 2025, but the government has ruled out any merger of existing Dearness Allowance (DA) or Dearness Relief (DR) with basic pay for now.​

Key Points:

• No DA Merger Proposal: The government clarified that no such merger is under consideration, as DA/DR rates (currently at 55% of basic pay/pension) are revised biannually based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) to offset inflation.​
• 8th Pay Commission Details: Headed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Desai, the commission is expected to submit recommendations within 18 months, revising salaries, pensions, and allowances for over 50 lakh central employees and 65 lakh pensioners, effective likely from January 1, 2026.​
• Fitment Factor Expectations: Reports suggest a potential fitment factor of 1.83 to 2.46, which could lead to a 14-54% real pay hike (including Basic Pay+DA), though higher increases face fiscal constraints.​
• Employee Demands Context: Unions have pushed for DA merger (a practice from pre-6th Pay Commission eras when DA exceeded 50%), citing inflation relief, higher increments, and better retirement benefits, but no immediate action is planned.​
• Recent DA Hike: DA/DR was increased by 3% to 55% last month ahead of Diwali, providing interim relief until the 8th Pay Commission's full implementation.

Tessy Thomas Honoured With Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025

In the News: Tessy Thomas, famously known as India’s ‘Missile Woman,’ was honoured with the Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award 2025 for her pioneering contributions to defence science and missile technology. The award was presented by the Sophia Society, recognizing her role in advancing India’s indigenous missile programs and scientific leadership.​

Key Points:

• Award Significance: The Dr Paulos Mar Gregorios Award is conferred biennially to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in fields such as peace, science, and leadership, named after the scholar and theologian Paulos Mar Gregorios.​
• Contributions: Tessy Thomas is the first woman to lead a missile project in India and has played a pivotal role in the development of the Agni series of missiles, significantly enhancing India's strategic deterrence capabilities.​
• Mentorship and Leadership: She was mentored by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and led the Agni-IV and Agni-V missile programs, overseeing over 50 missile launches, which elevated India's global defence stature.​
• Recognition: Alongside national and international accolades such as induction into the Aerospace Pioneer Hall of Fame, this award further acknowledges her commitment to scientific innovation and women empowerment in defence technology.​
• Inspiration: Tessy Thomas is an inspiration for young scientists, particularly women, demonstrating how perseverance and leadership can contribute to national advancement in high-technology fields.

India Re-Elected to IMO Council with Highest Votes

In the News: India was re-elected to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2026–27 biennium, securing the highest number of votes (154 out of 169 valid ballots) in Category B during the 34th session of the IMO Assembly in London.​

Key Points:

• Election Details: India topped the poll in Category B, reserved for 10 nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, alongside countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the UAE.​
• IMO Council Role: The 40-member Council acts as IMO's executive body between Assembly sessions, shaping policies on global shipping safety, security, environmental protection, and technical standards for the maritime sector underpinning world trade.​
• Strategic Significance: The overwhelming mandate reflects international trust in India's leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aligning with reforms like Maritime India Vision 2030 and recent events such as India Maritime Week 2025.​
• Diplomatic Engagements: India's delegation held discussions with member states, organizations, and IMO officials on mutual priorities, reinforcing commitments to a safe, secure, and green maritime domain

India Re-Elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2025–29 Term

In the News: India was re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025–29 term, signaling strong international confidence in its commitment to multilateralism and UNESCO's core mandates in education, culture, science, communication, and information.​

Key Points:

• Election Significance: The re-election underscores global support for India's vision of inclusive, human-centric development and enhanced international cooperation through UNESCO's platforms.​
• UNESCO Executive Board Role: As one of UNESCO's three constitutional organs (alongside the General Conference and Secretariat), the 58-member Board shapes policies, approves programs, and oversees the budget for global initiatives in education, sciences, and culture.​
• India's Commitment: India reaffirmed its dedication to constructive contributions, building on prior terms like 2021–25, where it actively promoted multilateral cultural and educational efforts.​
• Diplomatic Milestone: The Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO highlighted partner countries' trust, positioning India to influence key agendas amid global challenges in heritage preservation and knowledge access.

What Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year, 'rage bait', says about today’s internet

In the News: Oxford University Press named "rage bait" as its Word of the Year for 2025 on November 30, reflecting the surge in online content designed to provoke anger for engagement amid social unrest and digital wellbeing debates. Usage of the term tripled in the past year, outpacing contenders like "aura farming" and "biohack" in public voting and data analysis.​

Key Points:

• Definition and Purpose: Rage bait refers to online content deliberately crafted to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, primarily to boost traffic, clicks, or interactions on social media or webpages.​
• Origins and Evolution: First noted in a 2002 Usenet post describing driver agitation, it evolved with social media algorithms favoring divisive content, differing from "clickbait" by specifically targeting emotional discord and polarization.​
• Cultural Impact: The choice highlights a cycle with 2024's "brain rot," where outrage drives engagement, algorithms amplify it, leading to mental exhaustion and concerns over performative politics and content regulation.​
• Usage Surge: Data shows a threefold increase, making it a mainstream term in newsrooms and creator discourse, signaling awareness of manipulative online tactics reshaping behavior.​
• Broader Context: It captures 2025's internet zeitgeist, where provocation trumps positivity, influencing debates on platform responsibility and user mental healt

The Indian Navy received Taragiri

In the News: The Indian Navy received Taragiri (Yard 12653), the fourth Nilgiri-class (Project 17A) frigate, which is the third P17A ship built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL). This delivery marked a significant advancement in India's naval capabilities with a state-of-the-art stealth frigate embodying advanced technology and weaponry.​

Key Points:

• Ship Details: Taragiri is a guided-missile, multi-mission stealth frigate with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes. It measures 149 meters in length and 17.8 meters in width, with a draft of 5.22 meters.​
• Advanced Features: The frigate boasts a range of modern systems, including an integrated platform management system, sophisticated power distribution, and world-class modular living spaces for the crew.​
• Armament: Equipped with eight BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, 32 Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles, a 76mm main gun, two 30mm AK-630M anti-aircraft artillery systems, and torpedo tubes. The ship also has advanced sensors including the MF-STAR radar for superior situational awareness.​
• Performance: Powered by a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system with two MAN Diesel engines and two GE LM2500 marine gas turbines, providing speeds over 28 knots and a range exceeding 5,500 nautical miles at cruising speeds.​
• Crew and Automation: The ship operates with a crew of around 226 sailors, facilitated by high levels of automation to reduce manpower requirements and operational costs.​

Rohit Sharma Writes History with Most Sixes in ODI Cricket

In the News: Rohit Sharma etched his name in history by smashing his 352nd ODI six during the first ODI against South Africa at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, surpassing Shahid Afridi's long-standing record of 351 sixes.​

Key Points:

• Record-Breaking Feat: Rohit achieved the milestone in his 269th ODI innings, hitting three sixes in the match—including a pull off Marco Jansen—to become the batter with the most sixes in ODI cricket history.​
• Efficiency Edge: Rohit reached 352 sixes in 100 fewer innings than Afridi (369 innings), with a balls-per-six ratio of about 35, showcasing calculated power-hitting.​
• Format Dominance: He now holds records for most sixes across formats (642 in internationals), most in T20Is (205), most ODI sixes in India (182), and most in ODI World Cups (54).​
• Captaincy Surge: As ODI captain, Rohit hit 126 sixes in 55 innings (one every 17.76 balls), with 140 of his ODI sixes via pull/hook shots, mainly against pace.​
• Match Context: Despite Rohit's early dismissal, India won the series opener, powered by Virat Kohli's century and KL Rahul's 60, highlighting team depth

Virat Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar With Record-Breaking 52nd ODI Century

In the News:  Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli scored his 52nd ODI century during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most centuries by a batter in a single format.

Key Pointers:

• Kohli’s innings of 135 runs off 120 balls included 11 fours and 7 sixes, with an impressive strike rate of 112.50.
• Alongside Rohit Sharma, he built a 136-run partnership for the second wicket, delighting fans with an electrifying display.
• With this century, Kohli has now scored the most centuries (52) in a single format, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 51 Test centuries. This knock marked his 83rd international century across all formats.
• Kohli also set two new records:
  • Sixth ODI century against South Africa, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar and David Warner.
  • Most fifty-plus scores in ODIs at home (59), breaking Tendulkar’s record of 58 At JSCA Stadium, Ranchi, Kohli has now accumulated 519 runs in six innings, averaging 173, with three centuries and one fifty at a strike rate of 110.19.
  • In 2025, Kohli has scored 484 runs in 11 ODI innings at an average of 53.77 and a strike rate of 89.79, including two centuries and three fifties.