Based on the “The Hindu” news analysis
for December 4, 2025, here are the important current affairs topics for UPSC
and TNPSC preparation.

 

Tamil Nadu &
TNPSC Specific Current Affairs

·        
Cyclone Ditwah & Chennai
Floods:

o   
Event: Cyclone Ditwah, after hitting Sri Lanka, weakened into a deep depression
and parked off the Chennai coast.

o   
Impact: Chennai received around 18 cm of rain in 24 hours, leading to widespread
waterlogging.

o   
Infrastructure Issues: The floods exposed gaps in the storm water network despite an expenditure
of ₹5,200 crore by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) over four years.

o   
Committee: The Thiruppugazh Committee report (2021) on flood
management was cited by the State government for design changes, though it
remains out of public view.

o   
Geography: Chennai’s flat layout and three rivers running from Tiruvallur and
Kancheepuram catchments make it vulnerable when storm systems inundate both
basins simultaneously.

·        
Samagra Shiksha Funds Dispute:

o   
Issue: The Union Education Ministry stated that States must abide by the Samagra Shiksha scheme conditions (including NEP
implementation) to receive funds.

o   
TN Context: Tamil Nadu’s dues are pending. The Centre pointed to a Supreme Court
observation urging the Union and TN governments to discuss establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the state.

o   
Centre’s Stance: Funds depend on utilisation certificates and compliance; the Ministry
denied “arm-twisting” allegations.

National &
UPSC Specific Current Affairs

Polity &
Governance

·        
Withdrawal of ‘Sanchar Saathi’
Mandate:

o   
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) withdrew
its order mandating smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app.

o   
Reason: The decision followed backlash over privacy concerns
(“snooping”) and user consent. The DoT claimed the withdrawal was
because voluntary downloads had already spiked (6 lakh in one day).

o   
App Utility: The app is designed to help track lost phones and identify fraudulent
connections.

·        
Rights of Persons with
Leprosy:

o   
The Supreme Court intervened to remove
discriminatory provisions in central and state laws against persons with
leprosy.

o   
Current Status: 97 laws still contain discriminatory provisions denying rights like
contesting elections or using public transport.

o   
Medical Fact: Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae
and is fully curable and non-infectious with treatment.

Environment &
Ecology

·        
Retrospective Environmental
Clearances (EC):

o   
Judgment: The Supreme Court reviewed and recalled its May 2025 judgment, now
permitting ex post facto (retrospective) environmental clearances
in certain cases.

o   
Rationale: The majority verdict (2:1) argued that denying retrospective clearance to
completed projects undermines public welfare and infrastructure investments.

o   
Concern: Dissenting Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and experts argue this creates a
“fait accompli” situation, weakening the Environment Impact Assessment
(EIA) 2006 framework which mandates prior clearance.

·        
Man-Animal Conflict:

o   
Status: Conflict is identified as a major threat to species survival by WWF and
UNEP.

o   
Data: 186 elephants were killed on railway tracks between 2009-10 and 2020-21,
with Assam reporting the highest casualties, followed by
West Bengal.

o   
Vulture Crisis: Vulture populations have declined by over 95% due to habitat disruption
and veterinary drug poisoning, leading to public health risks from rotting carcasses.

Economy

·        
Critical Minerals Mission:

o   
New Scheme: The Cabinet approved a ₹7,280 crore scheme
for rare-earth magnets, focusing on processing and refining rather than just
mining.

o   
Context: India imports almost all its lithium, nickel, and cobalt. China currently
controls over 90% of global rare earth refining.

o   
Strategy: The mission aims to set up “Critical Minerals Processing Parks”
and turn Centres of Excellence into innovation engines.

·        
Rupee Depreciation:

o   
Status: The Indian Rupee hit an all-time low of ₹90.15 against the
US Dollar.

o   
Reasons: Delay in the US-India trade deal, foreign investors selling Indian stocks,
and “lack of communication” from regulators.

Science &
Technology / Geography

·        
Volcanic Ash & Aviation
Safety:

o   
Event: The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia erupted (first time in
12,000 years), sending ash plumes across the Red Sea towards India.

o   
Impact: The DGCA issued an advisory as volcanic ash can melt inside jet engines
(which run at 1,600°C), blocking cooling holes and causing engine failure.

·        
Urban Resilience Indices:

o   
Critique of indices like Global
Liveability Index and UN-Habitat City Prosperity
Index for failing to account for climate risks in poorer, peripheral
urban areas (highlighted by recent floods in Sri Lanka and Thailand).