Daily Current Affairs- 3rd December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 3rd December 2025

India–Maldives Joint Military Exercise EKUVERIN 2025 Begins in Kerala

In the News: The 14th edition of the India–Maldives Joint Military Exercise EKUVERIN 2025 commenced in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala in December 2025, marking another milestone in the longstanding defence cooperation between the two neighbouring nations. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations under a United Nations mandate.

Key Points:

• Exercise Overview: EKUVERIN, meaning “Friends” in Dhivehi, symbolizes the deep-rooted friendship between India and the Maldives. The 2025 edition is being held at Kerala.
• Participating Forces: A contingent of the Indian Army’s Infantry Battalion Group is participating alongside personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), focusing on tactical-level training.
• Objectives: The joint drill focuses on joint planning, tactical-level operations, and sharing of best practices in counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
• Humanitarian and Peacekeeping Focus: The exercise emphasizes coordination in UN peacekeeping missions and improving readiness for real-time humanitarian operations.
• Strategic Importance: EKUVERIN serves as a key component of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Defence Cooperation Vision 2030 between India and the Maldives
• Previous Editions: The 2024 edition of EKUVERIN was hosted in Maldives, continuing the tradition of annual alternation between the two countries. The first edition was held in 2009, strengthening decades of bilateral military friendship.

Tamil Nadu Adds Five New Products to Its GI Portfolio, Taking Total to 74

In the News: Tamil Nadu has added five new products to its Geographical Indication (GI) portfolio, taking the state’s total GI registrations to 74 — the highest among all Indian states. The announcement was made in December 2025, marking another milestone in preserving the state’s rich cultural and traditional heritage through intellectual property protection.

Key Points:

• New GI Additions: The actual five products that received GI tags are: Woraiyur cotton sari, Kavindapadi jaggery powder (listed as "Kavindapadi nattu sakkarai"), Namakkal soapstone cookware (not mentioned - document incorrectly lists "Dindigul Locks expanded version"),  Thooyamalli rice, Ambasamudram wooden toys (not "Kancheepuram Paintings").
• Economic and Cultural Value: The new GI tags aim to protect traditional artisans and local communities by granting them exclusive rights to market these products, enhancing their brand value in both domestic and international markets.
• Tamil Nadu’s GI Leadership: With the addition of these five, Tamil Nadu’s total GI portfolio rises to 74, reaffirming its position as India’s leading state in geographical indications.
• Institutional Role: The applications were facilitated by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation and the Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai, in collaboration with local producer associations.
• Export and Tourism Boost: GI recognition helps promote rural livelihoods and boosts tourism by drawing attention to the state’s traditional crafts, food products, and agricultural item.
• Previous Achievements: Tamil Nadu’s earlier GI list includes world-renowned products such as Madurai Jasmine, Tanjore Paintings, Kancheepuram Silk Sarees, and Srivilliputhur Palkova, symbolizing the state’s diverse heritage.

India Launches GIRG to Strengthen Its Global Rankings and Performance

In the News: Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Rao Inderjit Singh, informed the Rajya Sabha about India's ongoing Global Indices for Reforms and Growth (GIRG) initiative. The GIRG framework monitors 26 select global indices through inter-ministerial coordination to drive reforms and improve India's global rankings across key social, economic, and development parameters.

Key Points:

• Nodal Agency: Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog serves as the knowledge partner and central coordinator.
• Scope: GIRG monitors 26 select global indices published by 16 international publishing agencies.
• Four Broad Categories: Economy, Development, Governance, and Industry
• 17 Nodal Ministries: The 26 indices have been allocated to 17 nodal ministries for specific responsibilities.
• GIRG Dashboard Components: Global Index Section (tracks India's international rankings), India Index Section (creates indigenous indices for state/UT rankings) and Reform Actions Section (monitors implementation of reforms).
• State-Level Implementation: States/UTs are scored and ranked separately on index performance and reform actions, driving healthy competition.

Data Shows 34% Children Under Five Are Stunted

In the News: According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) conducted during 2019-21, approximately 35.5% of children under the age of five in India are stunted, indicating chronic undernutrition that hampers physical and cognitive development. The data is monitored by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with UNICEF and forms the basis for targeted nutrition interventions.

Key Points:

• Data Source: National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), conducted 2019-2021, is the most recent available data on child nutrition in India.
• Stunting Prevalence: 35.5% of children under 5 years are stunted, meaning approximately 1 in 3 children suffer from chronic undernutrition.
• Comparison with NFHS-4: NFHS-4 (2015-16) showed 38.4% stunting while NFHS-5 shows improvement to 35.5%, representing a decline of 2.9 percentage points.
• Global SDG Target: The Sustainable Development Goal aims to reduce stunting to below 25% by 2030, and India is currently off-track to meet this target.
• States with Highest Stunting Rates: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Meghalaya recorded the highest stunting rates in NFHS-5.
• Best Performing States: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Goa, and Mizoram have stunting rates below 20%, demonstrating best practices in child nutrition.
• POSHAN Abhiyaan: PM's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN Abhiyaan) was launched in March 2018 as the flagship program to address malnutrition.
• Mission Saksham Anganwadi & POSHAN 2.0: Launched in September 2021, this mission strengthens the anganwadi ecosystem and nutrition delivery mechanisms through digital platforms and community engagement.
• Definition of Stunting: Stunting is defined as height-for-age below -2 standard deviations from the WHO Child Growth Standards median, indicating chronic undernutrition.

SC Directions on ‘Digital-Arrest’ Scams

In the News: The Supreme Court of India has issued a series of directions to curb the rising menace of ‘digital-arrest’ scams, in which cybercriminals impersonate law enforcement officers or government agencies to extort money from citizens under the threat of fake arrests or legal action. The apex court’s directions, issued in November 2025 however, the major directions were issued in late November and December 2025, aim to strengthen law enforcement coordination, digital vigilance, and public awareness across the country.

Key Points:

• Nature of the Scam: In these scams, fraudsters use video calls, fake police uniforms, and doctored documents to intimidate victims into paying bribes or “bail amounts” under the guise of avoiding arrest or legal action.
• Supreme Court Intervention: Taking note of the widespread panic caused by such crimes, the Supreme Court directed CBI investigation to create a uniform national protocol to track, report, and dismantle these cybercrime networks.
• National Coordination Mechanism: The Court instructed the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to function as the central nodal agency for data-sharing between states, telecom operators, and financial institutions to swiftly block scam-related phone numbers and accounts.
• Public Awareness Measures: Authorities have been directed to intensify awareness campaigns through mass media and government apps such as CyberDost, emphasizing that no legitimate agency conducts arrests through phone or video calls.
• Victim Support: States have been asked to operationalize 24×7 cyber helplines (1930) and ensure immediate freezing of fraudulent transactions once reported.
• Judicial Emphasis: The Court stressed that the right to personal liberty under Article 21 must not be jeopardized by fear-based cyber exploitation, urging citizens to report such cases promptly through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.

India’s Finance Minister Inaugurates 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Tax Information Exchange

In the News: India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 18th Plenary Meeting of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in New Delhi in December 2025, reaffirming India’s commitment to global tax transparency and international cooperation in combating tax evasion and illicit financial flows. The event marked the first time India hosted the Global Forum’s plenary since joining it in 2009.

Key Points:

• Event Overview: The 18th Plenary Meeting was organized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in collaboration with the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), bringing together representatives from over 170 member jurisdictions.
• Theme & Focus: The discussions centered on “Strengthening International Cooperation for a Transparent Tax Environment”, emphasizing the exchange of financial account information and beneficial ownership transparency.
• India’s Role: Finance Minister Sitharaman highlighted India’s progress in implementing the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) standard and Exchange of Information on Request (EOIR) framework, ensuring data security and compliance with global norms.
• Achievements & Impact: India has exchanged tax information with 108 jurisdictions, helping identify offshore tax evasion, enhance compliance, and recover substantial revenue from undisclosed foreign assets.
• Capacity Building: The event underscored India’s support for capacity-building programs for developing nations through the India-OECD South-South Program on tax transparency.
• Global Participation: The plenary featured addresses by OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and Global Forum Chair María José Garde, who praised India’s leadership in promoting global tax fairness.

Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) 2024-25

In the News: The Reserve Bank of India operates the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) as a unified grievance redressal mechanism for customers of regulated entities. The scheme consolidates three previous ombudsman schemes and provides a streamlined, cost-free process for resolving complaints against banks, NBFCs, and other financial service providers. The RB-IOS aims to enhance customer protection and ensure accessible justice in financial services.

Key Points:

• Scheme Overview and Consolidation: The RB-IOS merged three separate schemes - the Banking Ombudsman Scheme 2006, the Ombudsman Scheme for NBFCs 2018, and the Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions 2019 - into a single unified framework.
• Complaint Filing and Eligibility: The complaint must be filed within one year from the date of receiving the reply from the regulated entity, or within one year and 30 days if no reply was received.
• Scope of Complaints Covered: Complaints regarding non-adherence to fair practices code, levy of charges without proper notification, and non-compliance with RBI guidelines are also covered.
• Organizational Structure and Jurisdiction: The RBI has established 22 offices of the Ombudsman across major cities in India including Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and others. Each ombudsman office has territorial jurisdiction over specific states or union territories, ensuring geographical coverage across the entire country.
• Complaint Resolution Process: The ombudsman has the power to pass an award up to Rs. 30 lakh including compensation for loss of time, expenses incurred, and mental agony suffered by the complainant. The entire process is designed to be completed within a reasonable timeframe, typically not exceeding three to four months.
• Cost-Free and Accessible Process: The entire complaint resolution process under RB-IOS is completely free of cost for complainants, ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent customers from seeking redressal.
• Impact on Customer Protection: The RB-IOS strengthens the customer protection framework in India's financial sector by providing an independent, impartial, and efficient mechanism for grievance redressal. The scheme acts as a deterrent against unfair practices by regulated entities and promotes accountability in the financial services industry. Science and Tech.

DRDO Successfully Tests High-Speed Indigenous Fighter Jet Escape System

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight tests of an indigenously developed high-speed fighter jet escape system, marking a major advancement in India’s aviation safety technology. The trials were conducted in December 2025 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), demonstrating India’s capability to design and validate advanced pilot ejection mechanisms for next-generation combat aircraft.

Key Points:

• Test Overview: The high-speed ejection system was tested using a rocket-propelled test vehicle, simulating emergency escape conditions for fighter aircraft pilots at supersonic speeds. The test validated safe ejection sequencing, parachute deployment, and recovery mechanisms.
• Indigenous Development: The system has been designed and developed by DRDO’s Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
• Technical Capabilities: The escape system is capable of functioning effectively in both subsonic and supersonic flight regimes, ensuring pilot survival even under extreme acceleration and altitude conditions.
• Safety Features: Key innovations include automatic seat separation sequencing, multi-stage parachute deployment, and biometric sensors that assess pilot vitals during ejection, ensuring maximum survivability.
• Integration with Tejas Mk1A and AMCA: The tested ejection system will be integrated into India’s Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft and the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), replacing imported systems.
• Future Outlook: DRDO plans further refinements and human-rated trials before large-scale induction into the Indian Air Force, ensuring enhanced pilot safety and operational readiness.

Indian Army Carries Out Successful BrahMos Missile Test

In the News: The Indian Army has successfully carried out a test of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in December 2025, further validating the precision strike capabilities and reliability of the indigenous missile system. The test marks another milestone in India’s efforts to enhance its long-range conventional deterrence and operational readiness.

Key Points:

• Test Overview: The BrahMos missile was test-fired by a ground-based mobile launcher as part of routine operational validation. The missile achieved all mission objectives, including accurate trajectory, high-speed maneuvering, and pinpoint target destruction.
• System Specifications: Jointly developed by DRDO and Russia’s NPOM, the BrahMos is the world’s fastest supersonic cruise missile, capable of reaching speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0 with a strike range of 450–500 km.
• Operational Role: The test reaffirmed the system’s readiness for precision strikes on land and maritime targets, strengthening India’s capability for rapid and accurate deep-strike missions.
• Enhanced Variants: The Army is now inducting the extended-range BrahMos Block-III variant, featuring upgraded guidance, improved stealth, and enhanced target discrimination capabilities.
• Strategic Significance: The test underscores India’s growing deterrence posture amid evolving regional security dynamics, ensuring dominance in both mountain and coastal warfare environments.
• Make in India Initiative: The BrahMos missile program exemplifies Indo-Russian defence collaboration under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with increasing indigenous components, including propulsion, seeker, and control systems.
• Future Developments: The successful test paves the way for integration with the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) variant for fighter jets like Rafale and Tejas Mk1A, expanding its deployment across India’s tri-services.