Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 9 December, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
9 December, 2025

National Affairs

1. BNHS Scientist Parveen Shaikh Wins Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2025

Context:

Parveen Shaikh, a scientist at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), has been awarded the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2025 for her innovative, community-led conservation efforts for the endangered Indian Skimmer in the National Chambal Sanctuary.

About the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award

• Purpose: Recognises outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation in India.
• Instituted by: Sanctuary Nature Foundation
• Scope: Awards field practitioners, scientists, and community leaders who protect ecosystems and threatened species.

Parveen Shaikh’s Key Contributions

• Scientific Research & Monitoring
  • Conducted long-term studies (since 2016) on Indian Skimmer populations.
  • Documented nesting behaviour, survival challenges, and threats from river-level fluctuations and predators.
• ‘Nest Guardian’ Model
  • Developed a community-led protection system for nesting colonies on sandbars.
  • Trained locals to fence colonies, monitor nests, and deter predators.
  • Result: Nest survival increased from near zero to ~60%.
• Habitat & Threat Assessment
  • Analysed impacts of dams, altered river flows, and sandbar accessibility on nesting.
  • Proposed adaptive conservation measures aligned with river dynamics.

2. Defence Minister Inaugurates 125 BRO Projects Worth ₹5,000 Crore

Source: TH

Context:

• The Defence Minister of India inaugurated 125 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), marking the largest single-day launch in the organisation’s history.
• Total investment: ₹5,000 crore.

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

• Type: Premier road construction executive force under the Ministry of Defence.
• Established: 7 May 1960
• Parent Body: Border Roads Development Board (BRDB)
• Headquarters: New Delhi

Objectives

• Strategic: Meet the infrastructure needs of the Armed Forces efficiently and in a time-bound manner.
• Socio-economic: Support the development of remote border regions.

3. Vande Mataram

Source: PIB

Context:

Special discussion in Lok Sabha commemorating 150 years of the National Song, Vande Mataram. PM Modi highlighted its role in inspiring India’s freedom struggle, uniting citizens, and promoting national pride.

Overview

• Meaning: “Vande Mataram” translates to “I bow to thee, Mother”.
• Origin: A poem written in Sanskrit and Bengali by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876, later included in his novel Anandamath (1882).
• Significance: Became a symbol of Indian nationalism and resistance during the freedom movement.

History

• Anandamath: Set during the Sannyasi Rebellion (18th century) in Bengal, portraying the struggle against oppressive rulers.
• Adoption in Freedom Movement: The song inspired revolutionaries and freedom fighters across India; sung in protests, rallies, and secret meetings.
• Emerged as a clarion call for freedom, especially during:
  • Partition of Bengal (1905)
  • Swadeshi Movement

Cultural & Legal Status

• National Song of India: Officially designated in 1950, distinct from the National Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).
• Themes: Personifies India as a mother goddess, emphasizing patriotism, unity, and devotion.
• Controversies: Only the first two stanzas are recognized as the National Song; some other verses faced objections for religious connotations.

4. India Plans Unified National Customs Platform

Source: BS

Context:

• The Union Finance Ministry is planning to digitise and integrate India’s Customs systems to simplify processes and reduce delays.
• Current systems—ICEGATE, RMS, and ICES—operate on different software platforms and do not communicate fully, causing duplication and inefficiency.

Existing Systems

• ICEGATE (Indian Customs Electronic Gateway): Enables e-filing and online customs payments for traders.
• RMS (Risk Management System): Automates risk-based scrutiny of shipments.
• ICES (Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System): Handles backend assessment and clearance workflows at Customs locations.

Proposed Integration

• All three systems will be merged into a single unified national Customs platform.
• Expected benefits:
  • Streamlined customs clearance processes
  • Reduced paperwork and duplication
  • Faster and more transparent trade procedures
  • Improved Ease of Doing Business and global trade rankings

4. National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

Source: TH

Context:

NATGRID is receiving around 45,000 data requests per month, reflecting increased reliance by Central agencies and State police for real-time intelligence.

About NATGRID

• Type: Real-time integrated intelligence platform under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Conceptualised: 2009, in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
• Operationalised: 2023, platform opened to a wider range of agencies.

Aim

1. Provide seamless, real-time intelligence by integrating diverse datasets.
2. Eliminate delays caused by agencies requesting data separately from multiple sources.

Functions

• Data Integration Across Databases: Connects Aadhaar, driving licences, bank records, telecom data, airline PNRs, immigration logs, and social media activity.
• Secure Access for Investigative Agencies: Now allows access up to SP-rank officers, ensuring confidentiality.
• Supports Intelligence & Investigation: Enables predictive intelligence, tracking suspicious behaviour, and analysing crime patterns without needing an FIR.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Facilitates cooperation among IB, RAW, NIA, ED, FIU, DRI, NCB, and State police.
• Data Security & Cyber Protection: Employs advanced cybersecurity protocols to protect sensitive information.

5. Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary to Launch Safari Services in Telangana

Source: TNIE

Context:

Telangana’s Mulugu forest officials are set to introduce safari services inside Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, creating new eco-tourism and livelihood opportunities for local communities.

About Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Mulugu District, Telangana, along the Godavari River, near the Telangana–Maharashtra–Chhattisgarh tri-border region.
• Established: 30 January 1952; Notified: 7 July 1999 under wildlife protection rules.
• Cultural Heritage: Hosts Asia’s largest tribal congregation, the Medaram Jatara, every two years at Tadvai. Also contains ancient human dwellings and Stone Age sites like Rakshasa Gullu.

Biodiversity

• Fauna: Tigers, leopards, gaurs, sambar, chital, blackbuck, nilgai, wolves, pythons, antelopes.
• Flora: Dominated by Teak (Tectona grandis) and mixed dry deciduous forests.
• Landscape: Deccan dry deciduous forest zone with dense forest patches, riverine tracks, and undulating terrain.

6. Corporate Average Fuel-Efficiency (CAFE)

Source: Mint

Two global transport and road-safety organisations—the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and the International Road Federation (IRF)—have separately asked the Indian government to reassess further concessions under the upcoming Corporate Average Fuel-Efficiency (CAFE-III) norms.
The auto industry has argued that the revised norms remain too stringent and may affect sectoral viability.

What Are CAFE Norms?

• Corporate Average Fuel-Efficiency (CAFE) norms set mandatory limits on average CO₂ emissions per kilometre across an automaker’s entire fleet.
• It is a regulatory standard aimed at improving the average fuel efficiency of vehicles produced by an automaker.
• Primarily used to reduce fuel consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote energy efficiency in the transport sector.
• Stricter norms push manufacturers toward cleaner technologies, including EVs, hybrids, and more efficient ICE models.
• India: Implemented through Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms and CAFE regulations, effective from April 2022 for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Purpose

• Energy Security: Reduces dependence on fossil fuels by lowering fuel consumption.
• Environmental Protection: Cuts greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicles.
• Technological Advancement: Encourages automakers to invest in fuel-efficient technologies, hybrid and electric vehicles.
• Economic Benefits: Lower fuel consumption reduces costs for consumers.

Banking/Finance

1. RBI Directs Weekly Updates of Credit Information Reports

Source: ET

Context:

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed that Credit Institutions (CIs) and Credit Information Companies (CICs) update their records weekly instead of the existing fortnightly schedule.
• This move aims to improve the accuracy and timeliness of credit information for lending and risk assessment.

Key Directives

• Frequency of Updates
  • Weekly submissions on: 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, and the last day of each month.
  • Previously, updates were made fortnightly.
• Type of Data for Weekly Submissions
  • Incremental data only, including:
    • Newly opened accounts
    • Accounts with a change in classification of assets (e.g., standard, SMA, or NPA)
    • Other updates impacting credit assessment
• Full Credit Report Submission
  • CIs must submit the complete credit information record within three days after the end of each month.

Rationale

• Enhanced Accuracy: Reflects the most recent credit activity, supporting better credit decisions.
• Timely Risk Assessment: Ensures CIs have up-to-date data for underwriting loans and monitoring risk.
• System Efficiency: Facilitates faster error rectification and data submission.

2. RBI Monetary Policy Outlook: December 2025

Policy Action

• Repo Rate: Reduced by 25 basis points → 5.25%
• Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) Rate: 5.00%
• Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Rate: 5.50%
• Bank Rate: 5.50%
• Fixed Reverse Repo Rate: 3.35%

Purpose of Policy Action:

• Boost liquidity in the banking system
• Support economic growth amid benign inflation
• Maintain flexibility for future rate adjustments

Explanation of Key RBI Rates

Rate	Current Level	Function
Repo Rate	5.25%	Rate at which RBI lends to commercial banks; cuts stimulate growth
SDF Rate	5.00%	Rate at which banks deposit surplus funds with RBI without collateral
MSF Rate	5.50%	Overnight borrowing rate for banks in urgent need; last-resort facility
Bank Rate	5.50%	Long-term lending rate of RBI; benchmark for other interest rates
Fixed Reverse Repo Rate	3.35%	Rate at which RBI borrows from banks; helps manage liquidity

3. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Upgraded “FIRST WOW! Credit Card”

Source: BL

Overview

• Product: Upgraded version of FIRST WOW! Credit Card, backed by a fixed deposit (FD).
• Eligibility: Individuals aged 18 and above
• FD Requirement: Minimum ₹20,000

Key Features

• Dual Card Facility:
  • Physical Mastercard + UPI-enabled RuPay virtual credit card
  • Both cards share the same credit limit and a single consolidated statement
• International Usage:
  • Zero foreign exchange (Fx) markup on all international transactions

4. SEBI Launches PaRRVA to Strengthen Investor Protection

Source: Mint

Context:

On 8 December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) to curb mis-selling of financial products and enhance supervision of intermediaries, including social media “finfluencers.”

About PaRRVA:

• Full Form: Past Risk and Return Verification Agency
• Purpose: To provide verified performance records of investment products and services for investors and ensure accountability of intermediaries.
• Mechanism: Uses digital audit trails and standardised reporting to validate historical returns and risks of financial products.
• Scope: SEBI-regulated intermediaries and social media-based financial advisors.

Key Features:

• Ensures credible and consistent performance reporting.
• Enables investors to access verified track records of products and services.
• Provides regulators with digital audit trails for monitoring and enforcement.
• Standardises reporting to reduce misrepresentation and exaggeration of returns.
• Allows intermediaries to present genuine historical data, strengthening transparency.

Significance:

• Investor Protection: Prevents mis-selling and misleading claims by finfluencers or unregistered entities.
• Market Integrity: Strengthens accountability of brokers, mutual funds, and other intermediaries.
• Digital Regulation: Enables SEBI to monitor online financial advice and take corrective action.
• Responsible Investing: Encourages informed investment decisions based on verified data.

Background:

• SEBI has directed brokers and mutual funds to discontinue ties with unauthorised social media advisors.
• The initiative aligns with SEBI’s broader mandate to enhance transparency, reduce fraud, and promote fair practices in financial markets.

5. SEBI Introduces Framework for AI-Only Funds and Large Value Funds (LVFs)

Source: Mint

Context:

On 8 December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued a circular formalising the process for existing Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to convert into Accredited Investor-only funds (AI-only funds) or Large Value Funds (LVFs). The move follows amendments to the SEBI (AIF) Regulations, 2012, notified on 19 November 2025.

Key Highlights of the Circular:

• Conversion & Launch: Existing AIFs can convert schemes into AI-only or LVF schemes; new schemes can be launched under these categories.
• Naming Requirement: All schemes must explicitly include ‘AI-only fund’ or ‘LVF’ in their name.
• Investor Consent: Existing schemes must obtain consent from all investors to migrate.
• Effective Date: Immediate; mandatory for all fresh launches and conversions.

About LVFs and AI-only Funds:

• Accredited Investor (AI) Status: Investors must qualify as accredited at onboarding; once accredited, status remains for the life of the scheme even if criteria are later lost.
• LVF Specifics:
  • Minimum investment: ₹25 crore
  • Lightened regulatory requirements and greater operational flexibility compared to regular AIFs
  • Exempt from standard placement memorandum template
  • Exempt from annual audit of placement memorandum
  • No investor waiver required for these exemptions
• Operational Cap: Maximum scheme extension for AI-only funds and LVFs is five years, including prior extensions.

Significance:

• Provides regulatory sandbox for AIFs to experiment with new fund structures.
• Enhances operational flexibility for large and sophisticated investors.
• Encourages accreditation and investor sophistication in the AIF ecosystem.
• Reduces delays in fund placement and audit processes, especially for high-value funds.

Agriculture

1. Food Inflation Dips

Source: IE

Context:

The sowing of rabi crops—including wheat, mustard, chana, masoor, and maize—has been around 10% higher than last year. This reflects positive developments in rainfall, government support, and crop price incentives.

Key Drivers of Increased Rabi Sowing

• Surplus Rainfall & Soil Moisture
  • Extended southwest monsoon filled reservoirs and recharged aquifers.
  • Bolstered soil moisture, facilitating timely sowing.
• Recovery from Kharif Losses
  • Farmers who faced crop damage in kharif are compensating by planting more rabi crops.
• Government MSP Incentives
  • Increased minimum support prices, especially for wheat, have incentivized higher sowing.
• Favourable Weather Outlook
  • World Meteorological Organisation predicts a 55% chance of a weak La Niña, potentially causing a colder and longer winter, beneficial for rabi crops.

Implications for Food Inflation and Economy

• Food inflation relief:
  • Retail food inflation has remained in negative or low single digits since April 2025.
  • Eases household spending pressure and boosts consumption.
• Monetary policy impact:
  • Facilitates RBI rate cuts from 6.50% to 5.25% since February 2025.
  • Along with income tax and GST cuts, contributes to improved economic sentiment.
• Supply stabilization:
  • Bumper rabi harvest expected to prevent supply-induced price spikes in essential commodities like wheat and sugar.

Challenges: Farm Income and Price Volatility

• Deflationary pressures:
  • Agriculture GDP growth at constant prices: 3.7% (Apr-Jun) and 3.5% (Jul-Sep) 2025.
  • At current prices: 3.2% and 1.8%, indicating price declines.
• Impact on farmers:
  • Low/negative inflation discourages planting and long-term investments.
  • Extreme price volatility harms both producers and consumers.
• Structural concerns:
  • Agriculture has lagged behind other sectors in reforms, contributing to persistent instability in farm incomes.

Significance

• Positive rabi sowing trends support food security and stabilize inflation.
• Policymakers must balance price stability and farmer incentives to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
• Highlights the need for structural reforms in the farm sector to mitigate volatility and encourage investment.

2. Agri Business Summit 2025

Context:

At the Agri Business Summit 2025, NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Agriculture shared projections and policy priorities for India’s agricultural sector. The focus was on farm growth, soil health, and sustainable farming practices essential for achieving Viksit Bharat targets.

Farm Growth Outlook for 2025-26

1. NITI Aayog Projects 4% Agricultural Growth

• Farm sector expected to grow 4% in FY 2025-26, up from 3.5% in FY 2024-25.
• Growth driven primarily by:
  • Fisheries
  • Livestock sector
• Agriculture continues to anchor rural employment and food security.

2. Growth Needed for Viksit Bharat Goal

NITI Aayog Member Ramesh Chand highlighted:

• India needs 5% annual agricultural growth to become Viksit Bharat (Developed Nation) by 2042.
• If agricultural growth remains around 4.6%, the target shifts to 2047–48.
• Sustained higher farm growth is essential for:
  • raising farmer incomes
  • strengthening rural demand
  • supporting overall GDP expansion

Soil Health & Fertiliser Use

1. Balanced Fertiliser Use to Prevent Soil Degradation

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed:

• Overuse and imbalanced application of fertilisers (high urea dependence) are degrading soil quality.
• Balanced N-P-K ratio is vital for:
  • maintaining soil fertility
  • ensuring long-term productivity
  • preventing nutrient mining

2. Implications of Soil Degradation

• Declining soil health threatens:
  • crop yields
  • food security
  • sustainability of small and marginal farmers
• Excessive nitrogen use also leads to:
  • groundwater contamination
  • greenhouse gas emissions (nitrous oxide)

Sustainable Farming Practices

1. Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Chouhan emphasised promoting integrated farming, especially for small farmers:

• Combines crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture.
• Enhances:
  • income diversification
  • risk resilience
  • resource recycling (e.g., manure, crop residues)
• Particularly suitable for small landholdings, which dominate Indian agriculture.

2. Long-Term Vision

• Strengthening soil health + integrated farming = foundation for:
  • climate-resilient agriculture
  • improved productivity
  • reduced input costs for farmers

Facts To Remember

1 Renowned socialist leader Baba Adhav, 95, passes away

Renowned socialist leader Baba Adhav, 95, passed away at a hospital in Pune night.

2. Bangladesh downs Austria, wins Challenger Trophy

Bangladesh secured the Challenger Trophy at the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup 2025 after a 5-4 win over Austria.

3. Zoravar finishes seventh in India’s best-ever campaign

Zorawar Singh Sandhu finished seventh in the men’s trap final with seven hits in first 10 targets as India concluded an impressive campaign at the ISSF World Cup Final with six medals, including two gold.

4. Declining MGNREGA Dependence Signals Improving Rural Economy

Demand for work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has shown a sharp and sustained decline, suggesting improving economic conditions in rural India. In October 2025, households seeking MGNREGA work fell 35.3% year-on-year, marking one of the steepest mid-year drops in recent years.

5. Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 delegates engage students at Bangali Tola Inter College

As part of this year’s theme, Tamil Karkalam, the delegates of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 yesterday taught Tamil and engaged with the students at Bangali Tola Inter College in Varanasi – strengthening the bridge of language and culture between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.

6. President Droupadi Murmu confers National Handicrafts Awards in New Delhi

President Droupadi Murmu has conferred the National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024 in New Delhi. These prestigious national accolades celebrate exceptional artistic mastery and underscore the Government’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich and diverse handicraft heritage.  

7. MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to attend UNEA in Kenya

Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, will attend the 7th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.

8. 8th Edition of Smart India Hackathon 2025 Begins: MIC

  The 8th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025, announced by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), Government of India, in collaboration with AICTE, began today across 60 nodal centres in the country.

9. PM Modi Welcomes 20th UNESCO Session on Intangible Cultural Heritage in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed happiness at the commencement of the 20th session of UNESCO’s Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage in the country.