Daily Current Affairs- 6th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 6th December 2025

India–Malaysia Launch 5th Edition of Exercise Harimau Shakti in Rajasthan

In the News: India and Malaysia commenced the fifth edition of their bilateral joint military exercise 'Exercise Harimau Shakti – 2025' at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The exercise, scheduled to run from December 5 to December 18, 2025, aims to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance interoperability between the Indian Army and the Royal Malaysian Army.

Key Points:

• Participating Forces and Location: The Indian contingent is represented mainly by troops from the DOGRA Regiment, while the Malaysian side comprises personnel from the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army. The exercise is being conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, which provides an ideal setting for rehearsing operations in extreme climatic and terrain conditions typical of desert environments. This marks the fifth edition of the Harimau Shakti series, which is conducted alternately in both countries as an integral part of India-Malaysia defence cooperation.
• Exercise Objectives and UN Mandate: The primary aim of Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 is to jointly rehearse the conduct of Sub-Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.
• Comprehensive Training Curriculum: In addition to combat operations, the exercise curriculum incorporates Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting, and Yoga for physical conditioning and mental preparedness.
• Strategic Significance and Bilateral Relations: Exercise Harimau Shakti has steadily emerged as a pivotal pillar in India-Malaysia defence relations, launched over a decade ago as part of this cooperation framework. The exercise underscores New Delhi's Act East Policy and Kuala Lumpur's commitment to strengthening regional security frameworks in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations are key stakeholders.

DHRUVA Addressing System Proposed Under Post Office Act Amendment

In the News: The Department of Posts has published a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023, to introduce DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address), a digital, standardized addressing framework designed to transform India's addressing system. The initiative aims to make address sharing interoperable, user-centric, and suited to India's expanding digital ecosystem by replacing traditional textual addresses with virtual labels similar to email or UPI handles.

Key Points:

• DHRUVA Framework and Concept: DHRUVA proposes replacing traditional textual addresses with virtual labels structured as "name@entity" that would act as proxies for physical locations, similar to email or UPI handles. The framework is envisioned as part of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and is based on the concept of Address-as-a-Service (AaaS), which supports efficient, secure, and user-controlled management of address data. DHRUVA seeks to create a standardized, geo-coded, and interoperable digital address system that supports secure, consent-based, and seamless sharing of address information across public and private sectors.
• DIGIPIN Technology Foundation: DIGIPIN (Digital Postal Index Number), a 10-character alphanumeric code representing latitude and longitude, underpins the DHRUVA ecosystem. Developed by the Department of Posts in collaboration with IIT Hyderabad and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, DIGIPIN divides India into square grids of 4-meter length and breadth, with each grid assigned a unique code. The system can generate around 228 billion unique identifiers across India and provides highly precise location data crucial for rural and poorly mapped regions, with each code corresponding to a 14-square-meter area.
• Post Office Act Amendment Details: The draft amendment introduces a new chapter on address identifiers to encapsulate the specific nature of clauses pertaining to the DHRUVA ecosystem and allied infrastructure within the broader scope of the Post Office Act, 2023. The amendment gives Digital Address Identifiers (DAIs) legal status, making digital addresses valid for banking, telecom, welfare, and legal purposes.
• User Control and Privacy Safeguards: Under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023, consent-based mechanisms will govern the generation, exchange, validation, access, and use of address information. The amendment defines permissible uses of address data, establishes a tiered grievance structure to protect users from errors and misuse, and penalizes unauthorized access, wrongful validation, and security breaches to maintain trust.

Lok Sabha Passes the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025

In the News: The Lok Sabha passed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025, aimed at raising additional funds from demerit or sin goods such as pan masala for health security and national security. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the bill for consideration and passing, emphasizing the need to augment resources for meeting expenditure on national security and public health.

Key Points:

• Bill Introduction and Objectives: The Health Security se National Security Cess Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha on December 1, 2025, during the Winter Session of Parliament. The bill proposes to levy a cess on production of goods such as pan masala and any other goods that may be notified by the central government.
• Cess Rates and Structure: For machine-based production, cess rates range from ₹1.01 crore to ₹25.47 crore per machine per month, calculated based on the maximum rated speed of each machine and the weight of the product packed in each pouch or container.
• Rationale and Justification: Finance Minister Sitharaman explained that a cess is being imposed because the GST system taxes consumption, and pan masala is currently taxed under GST at 28% plus compensation cess. Since the GST compensation cess is set to end, that portion will shift into a 40% cess as a production-based tax.
• Revenue Sharing and Allocation: The Finance Minister clarified that Section 7 of the Bill lays out the framework for allocation, and the revenue from the cess will be shared with states for specific health schemes. Sitharaman assured that the cess will apply only to demerit goods posing significant health risks and not to essential commodities, and proceeds will go to the Consolidated Fund of India, supporting national security and public health expenditures without burdening ordinary citizens.
• Offences, Penalties, and Enforcement: Penalties include ₹10,000 or an amount equivalent to the cess payable or evaded, whichever is higher, while aiding or abetting contraventions is punishable with penalties up to ₹1 lakh. For offences involving fraud, wilful misstatement, or suppression and evasion exceeding ₹1 crore, criminal prosecution with imprisonment between one to five years, a fine, or both is prescribed. A three-tier appeal mechanism is provided against orders passed by authorized officers, and officers of Joint Commissioner rank or above may inspect, search, and seize goods or records where evasion is suspected.

Masala Bonds

In the News: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued show-cause notices worth ₹466.91 crore to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, and KIIFB CEO K.M. Abraham for allegedly violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directions in connection with the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board's (KIIFB) 2019 Masala Bond issuance. The ED alleges that funds raised through the ₹2,150 crore masala bond listed on the London Stock Exchange were used for land purchases, which is prohibited under RBI's External Commercial Borrowing guidelines.

Key Points:

• Definition and Origin: Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated bonds issued outside India by Indian entities to raise funds from foreign investors, where the currency exchange risk is borne by the investor rather than the issuer. The term "Masala" was coined by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in 2014 to evoke India's culture and cuisine, similar to how "Samurai Bonds" refer to Japanese bonds and "Dim Sum Bonds" to Chinese bonds. The first Masala Bond was issued by the IFC in November 2014, raising ₹1,000 crore for infrastructure projects in India.
• KIIFB's Masala Bond Issuance: The Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) became the first sub-sovereign entity in India to issue Masala Bonds when it raised ₹2,150 crore (USD 312 million equivalent) in March 2019, listing them on the London Stock Exchange's International Securities Market in May 2019. The bonds carried a five-year tenure with a fixed coupon rate of 9.723 percent and were intended to fund infrastructure development in Kerala as part of a broader ₹50,000 crore mobilization plan. KIIFB is a statutory body constituted under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Act, 1999, serving as the state's flagship infrastructure financing arm.
• ED Investigation and Allegations: The Enforcement Directorate initiated its probe into the KIIFB Masala Bond issue in 2021 following concerns raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) about fund deployment and financial management. The show-cause notices were issued on November 28, 2025, to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (as KIIFB Chairman), former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac (Vice Chairman, KIIFB), and K.M. Abraham (CEO, KIIFB), following completion of a three-year investigation.
• RBI Guidelines and Prohibited Uses: The Reserve Bank of India's External Commercial Borrowing framework for Masala Bonds prescribes specific restrictions on end-use of funds raised through these instruments. Prohibited uses include real estate activities (except development of integrated townships and affordable housing projects), investment in capital markets or domestic equity, purchase of land, activities prohibited under FDI guidelines, and on-lending to other entities for any prohibited purposes.
• KIIFB's Defense and Political Context: KIIFB CEO K.M. Abraham strongly refuted the ED allegations, stating that only ₹66 crore from the masala bond proceeds was used for land acquisition (not purchase) for legitimate public infrastructure projects, which is permissible under RBI rules that distinguish between land acquisition for public infrastructure and commercial land purchase.
• Regulatory Framework and Features: Masala Bonds are regulated by RBI under the External Commercial Borrowing framework with specific parameters including minimum maturity periods of 3 years for bonds up to USD 50 million equivalent and 5 years for amounts exceeding this threshold. The all-in-cost ceiling is set at 300 basis points over the prevailing yield of Government of India securities of corresponding maturity. Eligible issuers include Indian corporates, body corporates, banks, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), and state-level entities, while eligible investors include foreign investors from Financial Action Task Force (FATF) compliant jurisdictions whose securities market regulators are members of the International Organisation of Securities Commission (IOSCO).

India To Hosts 20th UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Session at Red Fort

In the News: India is hosting the 20th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage from December 8-13, 2025, at the historic Red Fort (Lal Qila) in New Delhi. The announcement was made by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on December 4, 2025. This is the first time India is hosting this prestigious UNESCO session, which will bring together policy leaders, cultural practitioners and experts from across the world.

Key Points:

• About the Intergovernmental Committee: The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage is a 24-member UNESCO. The Convention was adopted in 2003 and entered into force in 2006. The Committee is responsible for promoting, supervising and operationalizing the safeguarding of intangible heritage globally, with seats allocated by equitable geographical representation across six UNESCO regional groups. Each elected State Party remains on the Committee for a fixed four-year period to ensure continuity in safeguarding work. The 24 member states currently serving include France, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Paraguay, Bangladesh, China, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, Zambia, Algeria, Mauritania and the United Arab Emirates.
• Session Agenda and Objectives: The six-day event aims at examining new nominations submitted by States Parties for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, reviewing the status of existing elements already on the list, and providing international assistance for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. The session will be chaired by H.E. Mr Vishal V. Sharma, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of India to UNESCO.
• Venue and Event Organization: The session will take place at the Red Fort (Lal Qila), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and centrally protected monument built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as the palace fort of his capital Shahjahanabad. The Archaeological Survey of India announced that the Red Fort complex will be closed from December 5-14, 2025, in view of the international event. Registration desks for the event opened at the Red Fort from December 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM (IST). The Ministry of Culture and Sangeet Natak Akademi are the nodal agencies coordinating all matters related to the event
• India's Intangible Cultural Heritage: India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making it among the leading countries in safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. The 15 elements include Tradition of Vedic chanting, Ramlila, Kutiyattam, Ramman, Mudiyettu, Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan, Chhau dance, Buddhist chanting of Ladakh, Sankirtana, Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru, Punjab, Yoga, Nawrouz, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja in Kolkata, and Garba of Gujarat (added in 2023 as the most recent inclusion).
• India's Forthcoming Nominations: India has nominated Deepavali (Diwali) for inscription on UNESCO's Representative List during the 2025 cycle being evaluated at this 20th session. Additionally, India has initiated a multinational nomination of Chhath Mahaparva for the 2026-27 cycle in consultation with international partners including the United Arab Emirates, Suriname, Netherlands, Mauritius, Fiji and Nepal. Chhath Mahaparva, dedicated to the Sun God and Goddess Chhathi Maiya, is one of India's oldest festivals celebrated widely in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and across diaspora communities worldwide.
• Strategic Significance for India: Hosting the 20th Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee session offers several strategic and diplomatic advantages for India, strengthening its collaboration with UNESCO and global cultural governance. This event comes approximately one-and-a-half years after India successfully hosted the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee at Bharat Mandapam from July 21-31, 2024, which was also chaired by Vishal V. Sharma.

Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Perplexity AI as Investor and Brand Ambassador

In the News: Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo announced his investment in Perplexity AI and his role as the company's global brand ambassador. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner made the announcement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating "Curiosity is a requirement for greatness" and expressing pride in joining Perplexity AI.

Key Points:

• About Perplexity AI: Perplexity AI is an artificial intelligence-powered search and answer engine founded in August 2022 by Indian-origin CEO Aravind Srinivas along with co-founders Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, all engineers with backgrounds in AI and machine learning. The company has achieved explosive growth, with its valuation surging from $1 billion in April 2024 to $14 billion in June 2025 (following a $500 million funding round), and by late 2025, Perplexity’s valuation had risen further, with reports placing it around $20 billion. Perplexity markets itself as an AI-driven search engine that retrieves information from verified sources and produces concise summaries for users, positioning itself as an "answer engine" rather than a traditional search engine.
• Investment and Partnership Details: Cristiano Ronaldo has taken an undisclosed stake in Perplexity AI as both an investor and global brand ambassador, though the exact financial terms, stake percentage, and investment amount were not publicly disclosed. The partnership was announced through a joint statement on December 4, 2025, with Ronaldo sharing a video clip promoting the collaboration on his social media accounts, which collectively reach over 650 million followers across platforms including Instagram (over 600 million followers alone). Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas expressed honor in partnering with Ronaldo, stating that "Ronaldo's relentless drive and habit of constantly studying new recovery and performance techniques reflect why he's the GOAT.
• CR7 Digital Hub Launch: As part of the collaboration, Perplexity launched the "Perplexity x CR7" Digital Hub (accessible at Perplexity.ai/ronaldo), an interactive fan experience that brings together more than two decades of Ronaldo's football journey into one immersive digital space. Ronaldo stated "Winners never stop learning. Never stop asking. I use @perplexity to get ahead" when promoting the digital hub on Instagram.
• Ronaldo's AI Usage and Advocacy: Ronaldo revealed that he has been an active user of Perplexity AI and "relies on Perplexity in high-stakes moments, including award speeches and major announcements." In his announcement statement, Ronaldo emphasized that "Perplexity is powering the world's curiosity, and together we will inspire everyone to ask more ambitious questions," aligning his personal philosophy of continuous improvement and learning with Perplexity's mission.
• Strategic Significance for Perplexity: This partnership represents a strategic move by Perplexity to increase brand awareness and mainstream adoption through celebrity endorsement, particularly as the company competes against tech giants like Google, OpenAI's ChatGPT, and Microsoft. The company has positioned the collaboration as part of a broader user acquisition strategy, following recent partnerships with Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel (offering free one-year Pro subscriptions to 360 million customers) and pre-installation deals with Motorola Razr phones.
• Ronaldo's Business Portfolio Context: Ronaldo is currently in one of the strongest financial positions of his career, having renewed his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in June 2025 for a reported $400 million-plus deal that also grants him a 15% stake in the club. His tax-free salary in Saudi Arabia, combined with an estimated $18 million annually from his decade-long Nike partnership and earnings exceeding $550 million between 2002-2023, positions him among the wealthiest athletes globally. The Perplexity partnership follows previous technology investments including a controversial collaboration with cryptocurrency exchange Binance in 2022, which resulted in a class-action lawsuit over NFT promotions.

DRDO Transfers Seven Indigenous Technologies to Armed Forces

In the News: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over seven indigenous technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force during a meeting of the Empowered Committee held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and attended by senior representatives from the armed forces, Department of Defence Production and DRDO. These technologies span key domains of electronic warfare, naval infrastructure, underwater surveillance, propulsion systems and energy storage, reinforcing India's push towards self-reliance under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.

Key Points:

• Seven Technologies Transferred: The technologies handed over include an Indigenous High-Voltage Power Supply for Airborne Self-Protection Jammers (designed to support airborne electronic warfare systems and enhance aircraft operational capability against incoming threats), a Tide-Efficient Gangway for Naval Jetties (facilitating safe boarding and deboarding of personnel and equipment under varying tidal conditions), Advanced Very Low Frequency-High Frequency (VLF-HF) Switching Matrix Systems (enabling secure and reliable communication across very-low and high-frequency bands for command-and-control operations), and VLF Loop Aerials for Underwater Platforms (enabling long-range underwater communication essential for submarines and submerged vessels operating at depth).
• Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme: The TDF scheme is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Defence executed by DRDO under the 'Make in India' initiative, officially established during the Union Budget 2014-15. The scheme provides grants-in-aid to eligible Indian industries, particularly MSMEs and startups, as well as academic and scientific institutions for developing defence and dual-use technologies currently not available with the Indian defence industry. The funding limit was enhanced from Rs 10 crore to Rs 50 crore per project to give further boost to 'Aatmanirbharta in defence.'
• Development and Testing Process: Each of the seven technologies has been designed, developed and extensively tested by Indian industry with close collaboration and guidance of DRDO's domain experts and the tri-services (Army, Navy and Air Force). This collaborative approach reinforces the TDF scheme's focus on import substitution and critical technology development while ensuring that indigenous designs are matured into deployable products meeting operational requirements.
• Approval of 12 New Projects: During the same Empowered Committee meeting on December 2, 2025, the committee undertook detailed discussions on a wide spectrum of project proposals and approved 12 new projects spanning across strategic, aerospace, naval and electronic warfare technologies.
• TDF Scheme Achievements and Progress: As of 2025, a total of 78 projects at a cost of approximately Rs 333.21 crore have been sanctioned under the TDF scheme to various industries, academic institutions and startups. So far, 27 technologies under 10 projects have been successfully developed and realized under the scheme, demonstrating significant progress towards minimizing reliance on imports and building indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Donald Trump Awarded First FIFA Peace

In the News: United States President Donald Trump was presented with the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World" by FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The ceremony, which was heavily focused on Trump, featured the presentation of the newly created peace prize before the World Cup draw took place. Trump, who has openly campaigned for a Nobel Peace Prize but was unsuccessful in 2025, called receiving the FIFA award "truly one of the great honors of my life."

Key Points:

• FIFA Peace Prize Creation and Announcement: FIFA announced the creation of the peace prize in November 2025, describing it as an annual accolade given to individuals who have taken "exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world." The award was introduced after Trump failed to win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which was ultimately awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
• Award Ceremony and Presentation: The award presentation took place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, where Trump serves as Board Chair after an overhaul of the previous leadership group. FIFA President Infantino presented Trump with a gold-plated trophy depicting hands holding up the world with Trump's name on it, a commemorative medal (which Trump promptly placed around his neck), and a certificate recognizing his actions to "promote peace and unity around the world."
• Trump-Infantino Relationship and 2026 World Cup Context: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has developed a close relationship with Trump ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
• Controversy and Criticism: The award generated significant controversy and criticism from human rights groups, political opponents, and former UN officials who questioned FIFA's political neutrality and the legitimacy of the prize. Craig Mokhiber, a former United Nations official, called the award "truly shameful" and stated "Not satisfied with two years of FIFA complicity in genocide in Palestine, Infantino and his cronies have now invented a new 'peace prize' in order to curry favour with Donald Trump."

Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2025: Remembering Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Legacy of Justice, Equality and Reform

In the News: India observed Mahaparinirvan Diwas to commemorate the 69th death anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and champion of social justice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and senior ministers, offered floral tributes at Ambedkar's statue at the Prerna Sthal in Parliament House premises. Millions of followers and devotees gathered at Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar, Mumbai, where Dr. Ambedkar was cremated on December 6, 1956, to pay homage to his legacy of fighting caste discrimination, promoting equality, and uplifting marginalized communities.

Key Points:

• Meaning of Mahaparinirvan: The term "Mahaparinirvan" is derived from Buddhist philosophy and signifies the ultimate state of liberation from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), representing complete spiritual freedom from worldly desires, suffering and rebirth. In Buddhism, "Mahaparinirvan" describes the final nirvana achieved after death, similar to Lord Buddha's passing. Dr. Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, in Delhi, just weeks after converting to Buddhism on October 14, 1956, in Nagpur along with approximately 5,00,000 followers. Devotees believe that Dr. Ambedkar, like Lord Buddha, led a life of virtue, knowledge, and social reform, ultimately achieving spiritual freedom, which is why his death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
• Chaitya Bhoomi - The Sacred Memorial: Chaitya Bhoomi is a Buddhist memorial stupa located beside Dadar Chowpatty in Mumbai, marking the cremation site of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar following his death on December 6, 1956. The structure is square-shaped with a small dome divided into ground and mezzanine floors, featuring a circular wall about 1.5 meters in height with two entrances and marble flooring. Within the circular area are placed a bust of Dr. Ambedkar and a statue of Gautam Buddha, while the mezzanine floor houses a stupa and resting place for Buddhist monks (Bhikkhus). The main entrance gate is a replica of the Gate of the Stupa of Sanchi, and inside stands a replica of the Ashoka Pillar. The Chaitya Bhoomi was inaugurated by Meerabai Yashvant Ambedkar, Dr. Ambedkar's daughter-in-law, on December 5, 1971, and enshrines the relics of Dr. Ambedkar. Every year on December 6, lakhs (millions) of followers from across India and abroad converge at Chaitya Bhoomi to pay homage, making it one of the largest annual gatherings in the country.
• Major Contributions and Social Reforms: Dr. Ambedkar led key social movements including the Mahad Satyagraha (1927) which fought for Dalit access to public water sources, and the Kalaram Temple entry struggle for temple access rights. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, he played the central role in creating the Indian Constitution, which remains the foundation of India's democracy and emphasizes equality before law, protection of fundamental rights, and institutions to safeguard social and economic justice. He served as India's first Law Minister and played a major role in the Poona Pact (1932), securing reserved seats for Dalits in legislatures. His research helped shape the Finance Commission and guided the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
• Literary and Scholarly Legacy: "Annihilation of Caste" (1936), originally written as a speech he could not deliver, is his most famous work offering a fearless critique of the caste system and its religious foundations, arguing that social reform alone cannot achieve equality unless caste hierarchies are completely abolished. "The Buddha and His Dhamma" (1957), completed just days before his death, interprets the life and teachings of Buddha as a path to social equality, rational thinking, and moral living. "The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution" (1923) was his major economic work focusing on India's monetary system during British rule, analyzing causes of economic problems and proposing currency reform solutions that later influenced the establishment of financial institutions like the Reserve Bank of India.
• 2025 Observances and Ongoing Legacy: On Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2025, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced at Chaitya Bhoomi that all efforts will be taken to ensure completion of the grand memorial of Dr. Ambedkar at Indu Mills in Mumbai's Dadar area by December 6, 2026. The under-construction 450-foot memorial near Chaitya Bhoomi includes a steel and bronze statue standing 350 feet tall being prepared by renowned sculptor Ram Sutar's firm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed five locations associated with Dr. Ambedkar as "Panchteerth" - Janam Bhoomi (Mhow), his residence in London, Deeksha Bhoomi (Nagpur), Mahaparinirvan Sthal (Delhi), and Chaitya Bhoomi (Mumbai).