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The Hindu ( December 16, 2025), here is the detailed current affairs analysis
categorized for UPSC and TNPSC preparation.
I. POLITY &
GOVERNANCE (UPSC GS-II / TNPSC Group 1, 2)
1. Education Reform: Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan
(VBSA) Bill, 2025
·
Context: The Union government introduced the VBSA Bill in the Lok Sabha to overhaul
the higher education regulatory framework.
·
Key Provisions:
Replacement of Bodies: The Bill seeks to
replace the University Grants Commission (UGC). It proposes subsuming
the functions of the UGC, the All India Council for Technical Education
(AICTE), and the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE).
New Structure: It proposes setting
up a Higher Education Commission along with three councils. This
commission will act as an apex umbrella body to provide direction for holistic
growth and ensure coordination.
Opposition & JPC: Opposition
parties argued the Bill represents “executive overreach” and affects
federalism. Consequently, the government has decided to send the Bill to a Joint
Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation.
2. Rural Employment: Overhaul of MGNREGA
·
Context: The Centre is set to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee For Rozgar
And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill (VB-G RAM G) to replace the Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
·
Key Changes Proposed:
Shift in Framework: The scheme is set
to shift from a “demand-driven framework” to a “supply-driven
scheme”.
Workdays: The guaranteed
workdays are proposed to increase from 100 to 125 days.
Funding Pattern: The financial
burden on States is set to increase significantly. The Centre currently bears
100% of labour wages, but under the new Bill, the split for general states will
be 60:40 (Centre:State). For North-Eastern and Himalayan states, it will
be 90:10.
Budgeting: Allocations will
be capped at a fixed budget determined by the Centre based on specific
parameters, rather than the flexible budget of the past.
Opposition: Critics argue
this dismantles the rights-based architecture of the law and increases the
financial burden on states like Tamil Nadu.
3. Governor’s Powers: Supreme Court Verdict
·
Context: A Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a verdict on a
Presidential Reference regarding the Governor’s powers under Article 200
(Assent to Bills).
·
Key Observations:
Timelines: The Court held
that judicially imposed timelines on Governors to act on Bills have no textual
basis in the Constitution.
Deemed Assent: The concept of
“deemed assent” (implying assent due to inaction) was termed anathema
to the constitutional scheme.
Referral to President: The verdict
allows Governors unfettered discretion to refer even reconsidered and
re-enacted Bills (passed a second time by the Assembly) to the President,
effectively removing the binding nature of the second passage of a Bill.
Implication: This ruling is
seen by critics as a retreat from the April 2025 judgment (State of TN vs
Governor of TN) which had checked gubernatorial inaction.
4. Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Appointment
·
News: Former IAS officer Raj Kumar Goyal took oath as the new Chief
Information Commissioner of India.
·
Details: He was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu. Additionally, eight new
Information Commissioners were sworn in, bringing the Central Information
Commission to full strength for the first time in nine years.
5. Nuclear Energy: SHANTI Bill
·
Context: The government introduced the SHANTI Bill (Sustainable Harnessing
and Advancement of Nuclear energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025) in the Lok
Sabha.
·
Objective: To allow private sector participation (both Indian and foreign) in
nuclear power production, which was previously a monopoly of the Nuclear Power
Corporation of India (NPCI).
·
Legal Changes: It replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, and the Civil Liability for
Nuclear Damage Act, 201022. It creates a statutory status for the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB).
II. ECONOMY (UPSC
GS-III / TNPSC Group 1, 2)
1. Economic Indicators
·
Trade Deficit: India’s trade deficit fell sharply by 61% to $6.6 billion in November
2025 due to a rise in merchandise exports ($38.1 billion) and a fall in
imports ($62.7 billion).
·
Inflation (WPI): Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation remained negative for the second
consecutive month at (-) 0.32% in November.
·
Unemployment: The unemployment rate dipped to 4.7% in November (lowest since
April). The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose to 55.8%.
·
Rupee Depreciation: The Indian Rupee hit a record low of ₹90.78 against the US Dollar
due to foreign outflows.
2. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Insurance
·
News: A new Bill aims to increase the FDI limit in the insurance sector from 74%
to 100%.
·
Legislation: The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025
will amend the Insurance Act, 1938 and the LIC Act, 1956.
3. Tamil Nadu Economy (Opinion/Analysis)
·
Growth: TN is the second-largest economy in India with a GSDP of ₹31.19 lakh
crore in 2024-25, recording a growth of 16% (current prices).
·
Rankings:
No. 1 in Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education
(47%).
No. 1 in Export Preparedness Index.
No. 1 in number of factories and factory workers.
No. 3 in MSME sector.
·
Model: The “Dravidian Model” is highlighted as a balanced strategy
integrating rapid industrialisation with social welfare.
III. INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS (UPSC GS-II)
1. India-Jordan Relations
·
Event: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jordan, marking the 75th
anniversary of diplomatic relations.
·
Highlights: This is the first full-fledged bilateral visit by PM Modi to Jordan. He
was received by Jordanian PM Jafar Hassan. The visit aims to boost economic,
investment, and technological ties.
2. India-US Trade
·
Status: India and the US are reportedly “very close” to finalising an
initial framework deal on reciprocal tariffs.
·
Data: India’s exports to the US grew by 22.6% in November 2025.
3. Global Conflict Report (ACLED)
·
Data: In 2025, one in six people globally (approx. 10% of the population) were
exposed to conflict. State forces were involved in 74% of violent events.
IV. SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY (UPSC GS-III)
1. Malaria Resistance
·
Issue: A new study indicates that Artemisinin resistance (the primary drug
for malaria) is emerging in East Africa (Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania).
·
Cause: Genetic mutations in the kelch13 gene of the parasite allow it to
survive treatment. This mirrors the resistance crisis seen in Southeast Asia a
decade ago.
2. Biosecurity
·
Concept: Biosecurity refers to preventing the intentional misuse of biological
agents/toxins (unlike biosafety, which prevents accidental leaks).
·
India’s Status: India has laws like the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 2005, but
lacks a unified national biosecurity framework. India ranks 66th on the
Global Health Security Index.
3. ICTP Prize 2025
·
Winners: Indian physicists Titas Chanda (IIT-Madras) and Sthitadhi Roy
(ICTS-Bengaluru) were awarded the 2025 ICTP Prize for their work on quantum
many-body systems.
V. TAMIL NADU
SPECIFIC (TNPSC Group 1, 2, 4)
1. Hajj House
·
News: CM M.K. Stalin laid the foundation for a new Hajj House near
Chennai Airport.
·
Details: Estimated cost ₹39.20 crore, capacity to house 400 pilgrims.
2. Heritage Conservation: Karveti Nagar Raja Bungalow
·
Location: Near Arcot Kuppam, Tiruvallur district.
·
Significance: A 16th-17th Century structure used by Vijayanagara rulers and local
chieftains for revenue collection. It is being restored as a heritage tourism
site.
3. Navodaya Vidyalayas
·
Verdict: The Supreme Court directed the TN government to identify land for
establishing Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district within
six weeks.
·
TN’s Stance: TN has historically opposed JNVs citing the two-language policy
(Tamil & English), viewing JNVs (which require Hindi) as an imposition.
4. Thirupparankundram Deepam Issue
·
Conflict: A dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam on a stone pillar on Thirupparankundram
hill.
·
State’s Argument: The TN government submitted to the High Court that the pillar was
established by Jains, not Hindus, and was used by Digambara monks, not
for the Hindu Deepam festival.
5. Sports Achievements
·
Keerthana: Tamil Nadu carrom champion Keerthana received a ₹1 crore
incentive from the CM for winning gold in singles, doubles, and team events at
the Carrom World Cup.
·
Kalaignar Sports Kits: Dy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin launched the distribution of these kits to local
bodies.
6. Chennai Metro Phase II
·
Progress: Operations on the Poonamallee-Porur stretch (9 km) of Corridor 4
are set to begin in January 2026. Trains will initially have drivers
before transitioning to driverless mode.
VI. HISTORY &
CULTURE (UPSC/TNPSC)
1. Vijay Diwas
·
Date: December 16.
·
Significance: Marks the victory of Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 War,
leading to the liberation of Bangladesh. The Army organized an ‘At Home’ event
attended by the President.
2. Music Academy Awards
·
Sangita Kalanidhi: The award for 2025 was presented to violinist R.K. Shriramkumar by
music director A.R. Rahman.
·
Other Awards: Sangita Kala Acharya awards were also presented at the 99th annual
conference.
3. Boston Tea Party (Trivia)
·
Fact: The Boston Tea Party occurred on December 16, 1773, protesting the Tea
Act, a key event leading to the American Revolution.
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