Source: TOI Context: On 10 December 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF), in partnership with the French Air and Space Force and the UAE Air Force, commenced a trilateral air combat exercise over the Arabian Sea, continuing through 11 December. The exercise zone spans roughly 200 nautical miles from Karachi, as per official Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). Participating Assets Objectives & Significance
India-Nepal Joint Army Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX
Source: TH Context: The 19th edition of the India-Nepal joint military exercise, SURYAKIRAN-XIX, concluded at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The exercise reflects long-standing military cooperation and aims to enhance regional security and counter-terrorism preparedness. Key Highlights of the Exercise
EARTH Summit 2025
Source: TNIE Context: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the EARTH Summit 2025 at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The summit unveiled over 13 digital services under the Sahakar Sarathi initiative, aimed at strengthening rural economy, cooperatives, and farmer empowerment. Key Highlights: New Digital Services under Sahakar Sarathi Strategic Objectives Key Models & Initiatives
RBI Finalises Bank‑Group Guidelines
Source: ET Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released its final guidelines for bank groups, aiming to strengthen structural supervision while allowing business flexibility. These apply to commercial banks and their subsidiaries, NBFCs, and other group entities. The rules are a revision of the October 2024 draft, which had been criticized for being overly restrictive. Key Highlights Regulatory Framework Why It Matters
Airpay Gets RBI Nod for International Payments
Source: BS Context: Airpay Payment Services has received RBI approval to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator, completing its authorizations under the unified Payment Aggregator (PA) framework. Full-stack PA License: Airpay can now operate as a payment aggregator across: What Are International Payments? International payments (cross-border payments) refer to money transfers between entities in different countries. These transactions can be: International payments are more complex than domestic ones due to foreign exchange regulations, currency conversion, settlement systems, anti-money-laundering (AML) norms, and compliance with international banking standards. RBI Criteria to Operate as an International Payments Aggregator To provide cross-border payment services, the RBI requires entities to:
IMF Recognises India’s UPI as World’s Largest Real-Time Payment System
Source: FE Context: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has officially recognised India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world’s largest real-time retail payment system by transaction volume, highlighting India’s leadership in digital payments. About UPI Key Features of UPI
Sebi Overhauls Merchant Banker Rules to Boost Financial Stability and Flexibility
Source: BS Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has introduced a comprehensive overhaul of merchant banker (MB) regulations, focusing on capital adequacy, net worth, revenue requirements, and operational flexibility. The reforms aim to strengthen financial stability, enhance risk management, and improve ease of doing business in India’s capital markets. What is a Merchant Banker? A merchant banker (MB) is a financial intermediary or institution that provides specialized services to corporates, governments, and high-net-worth clients in raising capital and managing financial transactions. Unlike commercial banks, merchant bankers primarily focus on capital market activities, advisory, and corporate finance, rather than deposit-taking. Key Changes in Merchant Banker Regulations Rationale Behind the Changes Implications for Market Participants
Tamil Nadu Launches Invasive-Species Eradication Drive: Senna spectabilis
Source: TNIE Context: Tamil Nadu has launched one of India’s largest invasive-species eradication initiatives aimed at completely removing Senna spectabilis from all forest divisions by March 2026. The drive targets restoration of forest biodiversity and ecosystem health. About Senna spectabilis Ecological Implications
India–Brazil MoU on Dairy Cattle & Buffalo Genomics
Source: BL Context: India and Brazil signed a tripartite MoU to advance dairy cattle and buffalo genomics through a first-of-its-kind cross-continental genetic improvement program. The agreement was signed at the Embassy of India in BrasĂlia between: This marks Embrapa’s first private partnership in India, highlighting strategic convergence in livestock innovation, food security, and cattle genetics leadership. Objectives Key Features Significance
Draft Seeds Bill 2025
What Is the Draft Seeds Bill 2025? The Draft Seeds Bill 2025 aims to modernize India’s seed sector by replacing the outdated Seeds Act, 1966. It proposes a unified national framework for regulating seed production, distribution, and quality, ensuring that farmers receive certified, high-quality seeds. Key features include: The Bill intends to ensure traceability, eliminate fake seeds, and promote uniform standards acrouss India. Key Concerns Raised by Experts and States Implications for Farmers and Agriculture Suggestions by Experts for Improvement
