Daily Current Affairs- 7th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 7th December 2025

Amit Shah Inaugurates EARTH Summit 2025 in Gandhinagar

In the News: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, along with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, inaugurated the two-day EARTH Summit 2025-26 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar. The summit, jointly organized by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), focuses on empowering rural innovation for global change and strengthening India's cooperative-driven rural economy.

Key Points:

• Event Details: The EARTH (Empowering Agriculture, Rural Tech and Humanity) Summit 2025-26 was inaugurated on December 5, 2025, at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. This is the second edition in a series of three summits being held across India. The event was attended by Gujarat Legislative Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, State Agriculture and Cooperation Minister Jitu Vaghani, Deputy Speaker Jethabhai Ahir, and NABARD Chairman Shaji K.V.
• Organizers and Theme: The summit is jointly organized by NABARD and IAMAI under the theme "Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change." The initiative aims to transform India's rural economy through digital innovation, cooperative strengthening, and sustainable agricultural practices, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
• Series of Three Summits: The EARTH Summit 2025-26 is being held across three cities. The first edition took place at HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad on November 20-21, 2025. The second edition was held in Gandhinagar on December 5-6, 2025. The final national-level summit will be held in New Delhi in February 2026 to present a comprehensive policy framework for rural development.
• Sahakar Sarathi Launch: Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited, a shared-services technology platform designed to revolutionize India's rural cooperative banking ecosystem. The platform provides centralized IT services to rural cooperative banks including banking software, cybersecurity tools, and payment systems integration under a pay-per-use model.
• 14 Digital Services Launched: Amit Shah unveiled more than 13-14 new digital services and products under the Sahakar Sarathi initiative, including Digi KCC (Digital Kisan Credit Card), Campaign Sarathi, Website Sarathi, Cooperative Governance Index (India's first governance quality assessment framework for cooperative banks), ePACS (electronic Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), World's Largest Grain Storage Application, Shiksha Sarathi, and Sarathi Technology Forum.

Right to Disconnect Bill 2025 Introduced in Parliament

In the News: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule introduced the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha during the Winter Session of Parliament. The bill aims to establish an Employees' Welfare Authority to grant workers the legal right to disconnect from work-related calls and emails beyond office hours and on holidays, addressing growing concerns about employee burnout and work-life balance in India's digital work culture.

Key Points:

• Bill Introduction: The Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 was introduced as a private member's bill in the Lok Sabha on December 6, 2025, during the fifth day of the Winter Session of Parliament which began on December 1, 2025. A private member's bill is introduced by a Member of Parliament who is not a minister.
• Core Provision: The bill proposes granting every employee the right to refuse to answer work-related telephone calls, emails, and other electronic communications outside their designated working hours and on holidays without fear of disciplinary action, dismissal, or demotion from employers.
• Employees' Welfare Authority: The bill calls for the establishment of an Employees' Welfare Authority to enforce the right to disconnect, frame guidelines for implementation, conduct baseline studies on after-hours work engagement, negotiate terms between employers and employees, and resolve disputes regarding after-hours communication.
• Penalty for Non-Compliance: Employers or entities (companies or societies) that violate the provisions of the bill will face sanctions at a rate of 1% of the total remuneration of their employees. The authority will have regulatory powers to monitor compliance and ensure employer adherence.
• Overtime Wages: The bill mandates that if employees agree to work beyond fixed hours or outside prescribed working hours, employers must pay overtime wages at the normal wage rate. This provision aims to check the surge in unpaid overtime work brought about by digital transformation.
• Digital Detox Initiatives: The bill provides for counselling services to increase awareness among employees and citizens on the reasonable use of digital and communication tools for both professional and personal use. It also proposes the establishment of digital detox centres to help employees disconnect from digital distractions.
• India's Workforce Statistics: According to data cited in related bills, 51% of India's workforce clocks more than 49 hours per week, and 78% of workers report experiencing burnout. Indians work an average of 46.7 hours per week, higher than the United States (38 hours), Japan (36.6 hours), South Korea (38.6 hours), and China (46.1 hours).
• Anna Sebastian Perayil Case: The bill gained momentum following the tragic death of 26-year-old chartered accountant Anna Sebastian Perayil at Ernst & Young India's Pune office in July 2024. She died four months after joining, with her mother alleging death due to extreme work pressure, backbreaking workload, and overwork culture. The Union Labour Ministry initiated an official investigation into the case.
• Companion Bills by Supriya Sule: Along with the Right to Disconnect Bill, MP Supriya Sule introduced two other private member's bills: the Paternity and Paternal Benefits Bill, 2025 (proposing paid paternal leave for fathers) and the Code on Social Security (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (recognizing platform-based gig workers as a distinct category with minimum wages, regulated hours, and social security).
• Global Precedents: Several countries have enacted right to disconnect legislation. France was the pioneer, passing its law (El Khomri law) in August 2016 requiring companies with 50+ employees to negotiate disconnection rights. Other countries include Portugal (2021), Spain (2018), Italy (2017), Australia (August 2024 for companies with 15+ employees). In the global list, note that Ireland’s regime is via a Code of Practice rather than a full statute (but your list of countries and years is fine as a high-level summary). For Belgium, you could note that the first civil-service right to disconnect took effect in 2022, with private-sector rules kicking in from 2023.
• Constitutional and International Basis: The bill is based on Article 21 of the Indian Constitution (Right to Life, Liberty and Dignity) and Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay."
• Kerala's Similar Initiative: In September 2025, Kerala Congress (M) MLA Dr. N Jayaraj proposed similar right to disconnect legislation in the Kerala Legislative Assembly for private sector employees, establishing district-level grievance redressal committees with regulatory powers to monitor compliance. Kerala’s bill is still a proposal.

Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Discovery Studios and Streaming Business for $72 Billion

In the News: Netflix announced a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's studio and streaming assets in a landmark $72 billion equity deal (total enterprise value of $82.7 billion including debt), marking one of the most significant mergers in entertainment industry history. The transaction brings together the world's largest streaming platform with one of Hollywood's most storied film and television studios, fundamentally reshaping the global media landscape.

Key Points:

• Historic Merger Announcement: Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery announced on December 5, 2025, that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Netflix will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max streaming service, and HBO premium cable network.
• Transaction Structure and Terms: Under the agreement, each Warner Bros. Discovery shareholder will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock for each share of WBD common stock outstanding at the closing of the transaction. The stock component is subject to a collar mechanism whereby WBD shareholders will receive Netflix stock valued at $4.50 per share, provided the 15-day volume weighted average price of Netflix stock falls between $97.91 and $119.67.
• Assets Included in Acquisition: Netflix will acquire Warner Bros.' extensive entertainment portfolio, including Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Studios (encompassing the DC Comics universe including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman franchises), HBO premium network, HBO Max streaming platform, and Warner Bros.' century-old library containing iconic properties such as Harry Potter franchise, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, Friends, The Big Bang Theory, The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon.
• Competitive Bidding Process: The deal concluded a months-long bidding war that began when Warner Bros. Discovery signaled openness to a sale in October 2025 after receiving unsolicited interest from potential buyers. Paramount Skydance, which completed its own $8 billion merger in August 2025, submitted multiple all-cash bids for the entire Warner Bros.
• Theatrical Release Commitment: In a notable departure from Netflix's traditional direct-to-streaming model, the company has committed to maintaining Warner Bros.' current theatrical release strategy and honoring Warner Bros.' existing contractual agreements for theatrical film releases. This represents a significant shift for Netflix, which has historically kept most original content within its streaming platform with only limited exceptions for awards contenders and special events. Netflix stated it "expects to maintain Warner Bros.' current operations" and "build on its strengths, including theatrical releases for films."
• Warner Bros. Discovery's Complex History: Warner Bros., founded in 1923, has undergone multiple ownership changes throughout its history. The studio was acquired by AT&T for $85 billion in 2016 (when it was part of Time Warner). AT&T subsequently spun off the Warner Bros. assets, which were merged with Discovery Inc. in 2022 to form Warner Bros. Discovery under CEO David Zaslav. The newly formed Warner Bros. Discovery faced challenges including significant debt burden, lackluster streaming growth relative to competitors, and declining linear television revenues due to cord-cutting trends.

International Civil Aviation Day 2025: History, Theme, and Global Significance.

In the News: The world celebrated International Civil Aviation Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the signing of the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation in 1944. The day honors the role of civil aviation in connecting nations and ICAO's efforts toward safe, secure, and sustainable aviation. The theme "Safe Skies and Sustainable Future for All" emphasizes the organization's vision for zero fatalities and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Key Points:

• Historical Significance: December 7 was chosen as International Civil Aviation Day to commemorate the signing of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) on December 7, 1944, in Chicago, United States. Fifty-two countries signed the convention during World War II, establishing the foundation for international civil aviation cooperation and creating ICAO.
• ICAO Establishment: The Chicago Convention came into force on April 4, 1947, after ratification by 26 states, officially establishing ICAO. The organization became a specialized agency of the United Nations in October 1947. ICAO currently has 193 member states and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
• Day Recognition: International Civil Aviation Day was first established by ICAO in 1994 to mark the organization's 50th anniversary. The United Nations General Assembly officially recognized December 7 as International Civil Aviation Day in 1996 through resolution A/RES/51/33.
• Theme 2025: The theme "Safe Skies and Sustainable Future " continues from the 2024 80th anniversary celebrations, emphasizing ICAO's commitment to safety, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The theme aligns with ICAO's three Essential Aspirations: zero fatalities, net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and aviation as an integral part of an inclusive transport system.
• 80th Anniversary Milestone: December 7, 2024, marked the 80th anniversary of the Chicago Convention. ICAO held an Extraordinary Council Session at the Chicago Hilton (formerly Stevens Hotel) on December 4-5, 2024, in the same room where the 1944 convention was signed, bringing together 36 Council members, 10 Ministers, and 50 Directors General of Civil Aviation.
• India as Founding Member: India is one of ICAO's founding members, having attended the Chicago Conference in 1944, and has been continuously elected to the ICAO Council since 1944, including the Provisional ICAO period (1944-1947). India maintains a permanent delegation at ICAO headquarters in Montreal.
• India's Aviation Growth: India is the world's third-largest civil aviation market (after the USA and China) and the fastest-growing domestic aviation market globally. India recorded 376 million air passengers in fiscal year 2024, including 306 million domestic passengers. The sector contributes nearly $54 billion to India's circular economy and supports 370,000 direct jobs and 7.7 million indirect jobs.
• 42nd ICAO Assembly 2025: The 42nd ICAO Assembly was held from September 23 to October 3, 2025, in Montreal, bringing together all 193 member states. The Assembly adopted 32 resolutions unanimously, providing a mandate for transformation and accelerated momentum toward safety, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
• No Country Left Behind Initiative: ICAO's "No Country Left Behind" campaign emphasizes ensuring all member states, particularly developing nations, have access to safe, secure, and sustainable aviation infrastructure and services. The initiative addresses infrastructure gaps and promotes capacity building through ICAO's Technical Cooperation Programme.

Fino Payments Bank Becomes First to Receive RBI Nod to Transition into SFB

In the News: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted in-principle approval to Fino Payments Bank Limited (FPBL) for conversion into a Small Finance Bank (SFB), making it the first payments bank in India to receive such approval. The announcement came through an official press release from the RBI's Central Office, marking a historic milestone in India's banking sector evolution and representing a significant expansion opportunity for Fino, which has operated as a payments bank since 2017.

Key Points:

• Historic Milestone and In-Principle Approval: Fino Payments Bank became the first payments bank in India to receive in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to convert into a Small Finance Bank, marking a watershed moment in the evolution of India's differentiated banking model. The approval was granted on December 5, 2025, after the RBI evaluated Fino's application under the procedure laid down in the guidelines for 'on tap' licensing of Small Finance Banks in the private sector.
• Eligibility Criteria and Regulatory Framework: According to RBI's 'on tap' licensing norms, existing payments banks are eligible to apply for conversion into Small Finance Banks if they are controlled by resident promoters and have completed at least five years of operations.
• Capital and Net Worth Requirements: Payments banks interested in converting to SFB status are required to maintain a minimum net worth of ₹300 crore at the time of application, or they must infuse additional paid-up voting equity share capital to achieve this threshold within 18 months from the date of receiving in-principle approval or by the date of commencement of operations as an SFB, whichever is earlier. Additionally, Small Finance Banks are mandated to maintain a minimum Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) of 15% of their Risk Weighted Assets (RWAs) on a continuous basis, subject to any higher percentage as may be prescribed by the RBI from time to time.
• Branch Network and Rural Presence Mandate: Small Finance Banks are mandated to open at least 25% of their total banking outlets in unbanked rural centres, ensuring their role in promoting financial inclusion in underserved areas.
• Fino's Journey and Historical Context: Fino's journey began in 2006 as a payments technology company, well before the payments bank category was created. The company has been instrumental in India's financial inclusion initiatives, particularly in providing Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) services to beneficiaries under various government schemes, facilitating last-mile connectivity for government welfare programs.
• Existing SFB Landscape: With Fino's conversion, it will join a group of 11 existing Small Finance Banks: AU Small Finance Bank, Equitas SFB, Suryoday SFB, Utkarsh SFB, Jana SFB, Unity SFB, Capital SFB, ESAF SFB, Ujjivan SFB, Shivalik SFB, and Slice SFB. Notably, AU Small Finance Bank has already received RBI approval to transition into a universal bank, demonstrating the progression pathway available within India's differentiated banking structure.