Daily Current Affairs- 9th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 9th December 2025

Tata–Lockheed Martin to Build New MRO Facility for C-130J Super Hercules in India

In the News: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin officially broke ground on a new Defence Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to support the C-130J Super Hercules fleet. The groundbreaking ceremony brought together senior officials from the Indian Air Force (IAF), government dignitaries, industry leaders, and senior executives from both Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems.

Key Points:

• Facility Overview and Strategic Significance: The state-of-the-art C-130J MRO facility will be India's first depot-level sustainment centre for the C-130J Super Hercules, marking the first such facility outside the United States and Europe.
• Construction Timeline and Operational Readiness: Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with the first aircraft scheduled to enter the facility for maintenance operations in early 2027. The phased approach ensures that the IAF's operational capabilities remain uninterrupted while the new infrastructure is being established.
• Global Network Integration: The Defence MRO facility will join the existing global network of Lockheed Martin Certified Service Centres and will be strategically positioned to service not only the C-130J Super Hercules but also the KC-130J aerial refueling variant and legacy C-130B-H aircraft in the future. This integration into the global support network enables India to provide maintenance services for regional and international C-130 operators across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond, creating new revenue opportunities through regional servicing capabilities.
• Regional Security and Operational Benefits: Rod McLean, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Air Mobility and Maritime Missions, emphasized that the facility will bolster response time and security in the Pacific region while ensuring world-class sustainment capability within India.
• Indian Air Force's C-130J Operations and Achievements: The IAF currently operates 12 C-130J-30 Super Hercules aircraft, which have been in service since 2011. These aircraft have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in challenging operational environments, including record-setting operations such as high-altitude landings at Daulat Beg Oldi in the Himalayas and operations at Nayoma Air Base in eastern Ladakh, marking the world's highest operational fighter base.
• Long-Standing Partnership Between Tata and Lockheed Martin: Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have maintained a long-standing industrial partnership through Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL), a joint venture established in 2010. TLMAL has the distinction of being the single global source of C-130J empennage (tail) assemblies included on all new Super Hercules aircraft produced globally. In early December 2025 2025, TLMAL celebrated the delivery of its 250th C-130J tail, marking a significant milestone in the US-India defense relationship and exemplifying the success of India's "Make in India" initiative.
• Connection to Medium Transport Aircraft Programme: The MRO facility announcement comes as Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems are jointly pitching the C-130J Super Hercules as the ideal choice for the IAF's upcoming Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) programme. In 2022, the IAF issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure approximately 80 medium transport aircraft to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era AN-32 and IL-76 planes.
• C-130J Global Fleet and Capabilities: The C-130J Super Hercules serves 27 operators in 23 nations worldwide, with more than 560 aircraft delivered and over 3 million flight hours logged across 19 different mission types. The C-130J-30 variant offers interoperability with global air forces, low lifecycle costs, reduced fuel consumption resulting in a smaller carbon footprint, and proven performance in extreme operational conditions.

Bollywood Star Raveena Tandon Wins PETA India’s Top Annual Award

In the News: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India announced Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon as its 2025 Person of the Year. The recognition celebrates her long-standing commitment to animal rights, fierce dedication to protecting wildlife, tireless advocacy on behalf of community animals, her vow to live meat-free, and her compassionate efforts to promote empathy for all living, feeling beings.

Key Points:

• Award Recognition and Citation: PETA India named Raveena Tandon as the 2025 Person of the Year for inspiring compassion for all living beings, standing up for community animals and wildlife, and promoting plant-based eating.
• Mechanical Elephant Initiative: Earlier in 2025, Tandon, alongside her daughter and actor Rasha Thadani, partnered with PETA India to gift a life-size mechanical elephant named 'Airavata' to Karnataka's Thousand Pillars Jain Temple at Moodabidri in recognition of the temple's kind decision never to own or hire live elephants. The temple became the first Jain temple in the world to adopt this technology.
• Humane Education Advocacy: Tandon has been a champion for humane education, actively promoting PETA India's award-winning Compassionate Citizen programme, which is designed to foster empathy in young learners by helping them better understand and appreciate animals.
• Campaign Against Animal Cruelty in Fashion Industry: Tandon joined PETA India in calling attention to the suffering endured by snakes, alligators, and other animals who are violently slaughtered for their skin in the fashion and accessories industry. She has actively campaigned against the use of animal skins in leather accessories, raising awareness that more than 1.4 billion cows, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, and other animals are killed in horrific ways each year to be turned into leather products
• Plant-Based Eating Advocacy: Tandon promoted plant-powered eating to her millions of social media followers by publicly calling on Burger King to open a fully vegan location in India or to at least offer vegan Whoppers.
• Previous Award Recipients: Past recipients of PETA India's Person of the Year Award include a diverse group of influential personalities. Recent honorees include Bollywood star Adah Sharma (2024), actor Dia Mirza (2023), actor Sonakshi Sinha (2022), actor Alia Bhatt (2021), actor John Abraham (2020), cricketer Virat Kohli (2019), MP Shashi Tharoor (2018), actor Anushka Sharma (2017), actor Sunny Leone (2016), comedian Kapil Sharma (2015), former Supreme Court Justice KS Panicker Radhakrishnan (2014), actor Jacqueline Fernandez (2014), actor R Madhavan (2012), actor Hema Malini (2011), and actor Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, among others.
• PETA India Background and Mission: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India is the country's largest animal rights organization, operating under the simple principle that "animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way." PETA was founded in 1980 with its motto emphasizing that animals deserve ethical treatment across all aspects of human interaction. PETA entities have more than 9 million members and supporters globally, with PETA President Ingrid Newkirk leading the organization's worldwide efforts.

Maharashtra Sets Guinness World Record for Solar Pump Deployment in Agriculture

In the News: Maharashtra officially entered the Guinness Book of World Records by installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in just 30 days under the 'Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana' (MTSKPY) scheme. The Guinness World Records certificate was presented at a formal ceremony held at the Auric City ground in Shendra MIDC, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as the chief guest.

Key Points:

• Record Achievement and Global Recognition: Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) successfully installed 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps between October 27, 2025, and November 25, 2025, completing the deployment within an intensive 30-day execution window. This accomplishment positions Maharashtra as the fastest-deploying solar agriculture state in India and second only to China globally in the scale and speed of solar pump deployment by a single administrative region.
• Scheme Implementation Framework: The record was achieved through the effective implementation of two major government schemes - the PM-KUSUM (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan) Component B and the state's flagship 'Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana' (MTSKPY). The PM-KUSUM Component B scheme focuses on installation of standalone solar-powered agricultural pumps of capacity up to 7.5 HP in off-grid areas where grid supply is not available or reliable. The scheme provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) of 30% of the benchmark cost or tender cost, whichever is lower, with state government contributing another 30% subsidy, while farmers bear the remaining 40% of the cost.
• Maharashtra's Leadership in Solar Agriculture: Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state in India for solar agriculture adoption, with 7 lakh (700,000) solar pumps already installed prior to this record. This accounts for approximately 65% of all solar pumps installed in India, making Maharashtra the highest contributor in the country.
• Strategic Approach and Implementation Excellence: MSEDCL's operational excellence was achieved through structured planning and prioritization, with installation efforts focused on drought-prone zones to maximize impact. The success was made possible through efficient scheme design, transparent vendor empanelment, and strict service-level compliance mechanisms. Every vendor was mandated to resolve farmer grievances within three days, failing which matters escalate to MSEDCL for action. The state adopted a policy to release new agricultural connections exclusively through off-grid solar pumps, shifting fully to solar-based solutions.
• Pump Sizing Policy and Farmer Benefits: MSEDCL implemented an equitable pump-sizing policy based on land holdings - 3 HP pumps for agricultural land up to 2.5 acres, 5 HP pumps for land up to 5 acres, and 7 HP pumps for larger holdings.
• Regional Focus on Marathwada:  The solar pump scheme directly addresses a major challenge in drought-prone regions like Marathwada - the lack of reliable daytime electricity for irrigation, which previously forced farmers to work at night facing risks from insects, snakes, and wild animals.

Nitin Gadkari Backs 10–15 Year Vehicle Scrappage Rule at Auto Summit 2025

In the News: At the Zee Media Auto Summit 2025 held in December 2025, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari defended the 10-15 year vehicle scrappage rule, particularly for diesel and petrol vehicles in the Delhi-NCR region. As chief guest at the event, Gadkari emphasized that reducing air pollution is the critical priority and that older petrol and diesel vehicles are hazardous to the environment, making the scrappage policy essential for public welfare.

Key Points:

• Summit Platform: Nitin Gadkari served as chief guest at the Zee Media Auto Summit 2025, an annual gathering organized by Zee Media Publications that brings together automotive industry leaders, experts, and innovators to discuss key achievements and examine trends shaping India's mobility future. The summit also featured the DNA Auto Awards 4.0, recognizing excellence in the automotive sector.
• Defense of Scrappage Rule: Gadkari made a significant statement defending the ongoing debate around the 10-15 year diesel and petrol vehicle scrappage rule in Delhi-NCR.
• Economic Rationale: Gadkari pointed out the economic implications of continued reliance on fossil fuels, noting that India spends Rs 22 lakh crore annually on petroleum imports
• Alternative Solutions and Conversions: Gadkari suggested practical alternatives for vehicle owners, including converting existing diesel cars to CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), noting that CNG is now widely available in Delhi and conversion kits are accessible for petrol cars
• Infrastructure Development Context: At the summit, Gadkari also highlighted India's broader infrastructure achievements, announcing that the Delhi-Dehradun corridor has begun trial operations and will be fully functional within 10-15 days, and that the Kanpur-Lucknow route now takes only 30 minutes.

Neal Mohan Named TIME’s 2025 CEO of the Year

In the News: TIME Magazine announced Indian-origin YouTube CEO Neal Mohan as its 2025 CEO of the Year. The recognition highlights Mohan's leadership in transforming YouTube into a dominant force in global entertainment and culture since taking over as CEO in February 2023. TIME described his role as central to shaping what billions of people watch daily across the world's largest video platform.

Key Points:

• TIME Recognition and Profile: TIME Magazine named Neal Mohan as the 2025 CEO of the Year, describing him as the "farmer" cultivating the global cultural diet through YouTube. The publication stated, "In many ways YouTube is creating the cultural diet that the globe is beginning to subsist on. Mohan is the farmer; what he cultivates will be what we eat." TIME characterized Mohan as "surprisingly mellow" despite leading what it termed the "world's most powerful distraction machine."
• Leadership Transition and Background: Mohan became YouTube's CEO on February 16, 2023, succeeding Susan Wojcicki who stepped down after serving nine years as CEO. He had worked closely with Wojcicki for nearly 15 years since Google acquired DoubleClick in 2007. Prior to becoming CEO, Mohan served as YouTube's Chief Product Officer from November 2015 to February 2023, overseeing all products including YouTube Kids, YouTube Music, YouTube TV, and YouTube Shorts.
• Platform Growth and Global Reach: YouTube has 2.74 billion monthly active users as of 2024, making it the second most popular social media platform globally after Facebook.. YouTube Shorts, the platform's short-form video feature launched to compete with TikTok, receives over 70 billion daily views as of 2024.
• Artificial Intelligence Integration: YouTube has invested heavily in artificial intelligence to help creators work faster and reach global audiences. In September 2025, YouTube introduced more than 30 AI tools, triple the number launched the previous year. These tools include features like Dream Screen for content creation, auto-dubbing for multilingual content, and Shorts enhancement capabilities. Mohan emphasized that AI would bring back some of YouTube's early energy by giving new creators more opportunities to build audiences from scratch while also playing a critical safety role in content moderation.

Anant Ambani Becomes Youngest Recipient of Global Humane Society’s Animal Welfare Award

In the News: Anant Ambani, founder of the wildlife conservation center Vantara, received the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare from the Global Humane Society in Washington, DC. He became the youngest person ever and the first Asian to receive this prestigious recognition, which is considered among the foremost global honors in the field of animal welfare and conservation.

Key Points:

• Historic Recognition: Anant Ambani became the youngest recipient in the history of the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare and the first Asian to receive this distinction. The award was presented by the Global Humane Society, the international brand of American Humane Society, which is the oldest national humane organization in the United States (founded in 1877) and the world's largest certifier of animal welfare, verifying humane treatment of over one billion animals globally each year.
• Award Presentation: The Global Humanitarian Award was conferred on Anant Ambani at an international event in Washington, DC. The award ceremony was presided over by Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society, who has led the organization since 2010.
• Vantara Conservation Center: Anant Ambani was honored specifically for his visionary leadership in establishing Vantara, a wildlife conservation center that has redefined large-scale rescue, rehabilitation, and species preservation. Vantara operates on a unique hybrid model that integrates ex-situ care (support provided outside an animal's natural habitat) with in-situ protection (conservation efforts within native ecosystems), creating a long-term, science-led pathway for wildlife conservation focused on safeguarding threatened species and restoring declining populations.
• Global Humane Certified Distinction: Vantara achieved the Global Humane Certified designation after completing a comprehensive and independent audit conducted by world-leading experts in animal welfare, behavioral science, veterinary medicine, zoology, and ethics.
• Distinguished Past Recipients: The Global Humanitarian Award has been bestowed upon an exclusive group of visionaries whose contributions reshaped animal welfare and conservation.
• Leadership Impact Statement: Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society, described Anant Ambani's leadership as setting a new global standard for compassion in action.

UPI Recognized as World’s Largest Real-Time Payment System by IMF

In the News: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) officially recognized India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world's largest real-time payment system by transaction volume. This recognition was formally announced in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a parliamentary question, citing the IMF report titled 'Growing Retail Digital Payments (The Value of Interoperability)' dated June 2025.

Key Points:

• IMF Recognition: The International Monetary Fund's June 2025 report on 'Growing Retail Digital Payments (The Value of Interoperability)' identified UPI as the world's largest retail fast-payment system by transaction volume.
• Daily Transaction Capacity: UPI handles more than 640 million transactions every day, surpassing even Visa's 639 million daily transactions. The platform processes an average of approximately 7,500 transactions every second, demonstrating its robust technical infrastructure and scalability.
• Government Support Initiatives: The Government of India, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) have launched multiple initiatives to support small-scale merchants in adopting digital payment systems. These include an incentive scheme for promotion of low-value BHIM-UPI transactions and the Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF).
• Sector-Wide Integration: The Government, RBI, and NPCI have initiated deepening of digital transactions through RuPay and UPI across various sectors including public services, transport systems, and e-commerce platforms on a nationwide basis.
• Digital Payments Transformation: UPI accounts for 84% of all digital payments in India and represents 50% of the world's digital transaction volume with over 250 billion annual transactions worth approximately $3.4 trillion. This transformation highlights India's rapid shift from cash-based to digital payment modes over the past five years.

SEBI Launches PaRRVA to Verify Investment Returns and Combat Misleading Finfluencer Claims

In the News: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) on a pilot basis. Developed in collaboration with Care Ratings (CAREEdge Ratings) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), this verification mechanism aims to authenticate past performance claims made by SEBI-registered market intermediaries and counter misleading investment advice, particularly from unregulated finfluencers.

Key Points:

• Launch and Purpose: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced the launch of PaRRVA at a National Stock Exchange event on December 8, 2025, describing it as a pioneering framework that allows SEBI-registered investment advisers, research analysts, and algorithmic stock brokers to present independently validated past returns to investors.
• Two-Tier Verification Structure: PaRRVA operates through a dual-agency system where a SEBI-registered Credit Rating Agency (CRA) serves as the PaRRVA, while a recognized stock exchange functions as the PaRRVA Data Centre (PDC). In the pilot phase, Care Ratings acts as the PaRRVA and NSE serves as the PDC. Both entities independently verify historical returns using a transparent, uniform, and standardized methodology to ensure accuracy and consistency across all performance validations.
• Eligibility Criteria for Agencies: To qualify as PaRRVA, credit rating agencies must have operated for at least 15 years, maintain a minimum net worth of Rs 100 crore, and have provided ratings to at least 250 issuers for debt securities. For stock exchanges to function as PDC, they must have existed for minimum 15 years, possess a net worth of at least Rs 200 crore, maintain nationwide terminals, and have robust investor grievance redressal mechanisms including online dispute resolution systems.
• Coverage and Applicability: In its initial pilot phase, the PaRRVA framework applies specifically to SEBI-registered Investment Advisers, Research Analysts, and stock brokers offering algorithmic trading services. SEBI amended relevant regulations to allow these previously restricted entities to showcase past performance data, provided it is verified through PaRRVA.
• Global Benchmark and Oversight: SEBI Chairman Pandey emphasized that while many international markets acknowledge risks from unverified performance claims, India has taken the lead by creating an independent verification mechanism. PaRRVA positions India as setting a new international benchmark for transparency, accountability, and investor protection in financial markets.

3-Year-Old Indian Boy Becomes World’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Chess Player

In the News: Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha from Madhya Pradesh became the world's youngest FIDE-rated chess player at the age of 3 years, 7 months. The toddler from Sagar district achieved a rapid rating of 1572 in the International Chess Federation's December 2025 rating list, breaking the previous record held by another Indian player.

Key Points:

• Record Achievement: Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha became the youngest player in history to receive an official FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) rating at exactly 3 years, 7 months, and 20 days old. He surpassed the previous record held by Anish Sarkar of West Bengal, who achieved his FIDE rating in November 2024 at the age of 3 years, 8 months, and 19 days, breaking the record by approximately one month.
• FIDE Rating Details: Sarwagya earned a rapid chess rating of 1572, significantly exceeding the minimum threshold of 1400 required for official FIDE recognition. To obtain a FIDE rating, players must score points against at least five already-rated opponents in official FIDE-recognized tournaments, demonstrating consistent performance against established players.
• Tournament Performance: The young prodigy won five out of eight rated games against opponents many times his age in tournaments held across India. His notable victories included defeating 22-year-old Abhijeet Awasthi (rated 1542), 29-year-old Shubham Chourasiya (rated 1559), and 20-year-old Yogesh Namdev (rated 1696) in events including the 24th RCC International FIDE Rapid Cup in Mangaluru, 2nd Shri Dadaji Dhuniwale Open in Khandwa, Dr. Ajit Kasliwal Memorial All India Open Rapid in Indore, and 1st GH Raisoni Memorial in Chhindwara.
• India's Chess Dominance: Sarwagya's achievement adds to India's rapidly growing prominence in international chess, representing a significant shift from the Cold War era when Russian players dominated the sport. India currently has D Gukesh as the youngest-ever world chess champion (achieved in 2024 at age 18), five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, and numerous young talents excelling at international levels, demonstrating the country's robust chess infrastructure and training programs.