1. WINTER SESSION KICKS OFF WITH 14 KEY BILLS AMID OPPOSITION DEMANDS FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS
SUBJECT: POLITY
The Winter Session of Parliament commenced with the government tabling 14 significant Bills, including the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, enabling private sector entry into nuclear energy, and the Higher Education Commission of India Bill, 2025, for regulatory reforms in universities.
- Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju informed the Rajya Sabha that the government is open to debates on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and electoral reforms, advising the Opposition against rigid timelines.
- The Opposition demanded a debate on the SIR issue under Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabha, leading to disruptions and subsequent adjournment of the Houses.
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025, aiming to change the taxation framework for sin goods like tobacco and pan masala.
- The Supreme Court has directed the CBI to aggressively investigate ‘digital arrest’ cyber frauds, empowering probes into banks handling mule accounts to fortify digital governance.
- The Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 was introduced to amend the Manipur GST Act, 2017, aligning state tax laws with the Central Act.
Concepts:
- Article 110: Governs Money Bill certification, central to legislative fiscal scrutiny.
- Federalism Principles: Essential for Centre-State harmony in electoral processes.
2. REMNANTS OF CYCLONE DITWAH BRING MODERATE RAINFALL ACROSS TAMIL NADU DISTRICTS
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
Moderate rainfall lashed several Tamil Nadu districts including Chennai, Thiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, and Ranipet due to remnants of Cyclone Ditwah lingering near the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.
- The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai forecasted heavy to very heavy rain in Chennai and Tiruvallur until December 2, prompting school and college holidays in these areas.
- The cyclone caused severe inundation of paddy crops (samba and thaladi) and destruction of salt pans across the Delta districts, particularly Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, and Mayiladuthurai.
- The Tamil Nadu government sought additional NDRF teams and contingency support from the armed forces to manage the disaster, highlighting the activation of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
- Enforcement Directorate interrogated Al Falah University founder Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, linked to the Red Fort blast probe, intensifying anti-terror financing efforts.
- Ministry of Home Affairs conducted a nationwide mock civil defence drill in 244 districts, simulating border tensions to enhance community preparedness and inter-agency coordination.
Concepts:
- Disaster Management Act, 2005: Outlines NDMA and SDMA roles for cyclone responses.
- Environmental Impact Assessment: Balances energy transitions with ecological safeguards.
3. INDIA EVACUATES LAST NATIONALS FROM SRI LANKA AMID CYCLONE DITWAH RELIEF EFFORTS
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
India completed evacuation of its remaining citizens from Sri Lanka, escalating humanitarian aid for Cyclone Ditwah victims through coordinated rescue operations, reinforcing bilateral crisis ties.
- India deployed NDRF teams and substantial relief material to Sri Lanka, cementing its position as the ‘First Responder’ in the region under the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi on December 4-5 for the India-Russia Annual Summit is set to target $100 billion trade by 2030, emphasizing private sector roles and multipolar advocacy.
- The U.S. approved $92.8 million in arms sales to India, enhancing defense interoperability and acknowledging India’s Indo-Pacific contributions amid tariff easing in trade negotiations.
- At the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting, India and the U.S. finalized a 10-year defense partnership framework, expanding 2016’s Major Defense Partner status for tech collaboration and over $20 billion trade.
- The Lowy Institute’s Asia Power Index 2025 ranked India third globally (after the US and China), officially categorizing it as a “Major Power”.
Concepts:
- Non-Alignment 2.0: Shapes India’s balanced diplomacy.
- Indo-Pacific Strategy: Bolsters U.S.-India alignments for regional security.
4. INDIA’S Q2 GDP GROWS 8.2%, OUTPACING ESTIMATES AMID ROBUST CONSUMPTION
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
India’s real GDP surged 8.2% year-on-year in July-September 2025, surpassing 7.3% forecasts, propelled by 7.9% private consumption and strong public investment, according to NSO data.
- Services expanded over 9% (driven by Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services), and manufacturing at 7.5%, though exports grappled with U.S. tariffs, widening the current account deficit.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaffirmed India’s position among the fastest-growing major economies, projecting a 6.6% GDP growth for FY 2025–26.
- The RBI unveiled a new Five-Year National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2025-2030), focusing on an ecosystem-based approach to expand access to financial services, especially for MSMEs.
- Rupee hit a record low of 84.75 against USD due to $2.5 billion FII outflows in November, yet Sensex and Nifty neared peaks at 82,500 and 25,100 on domestic strength.
- Rural consumption at 7.9% countered urban softening, aided by MSP increases and remittances; forex reserves at $650 billion cushion volatility.
Concepts:
- Balance of Payments: Rupee depreciation signals import strains under IMF Article VIII, with RBI stabilizing via forex interventions.
- Atmanirbhar Bharat: Aligns GDP momentum with PLI schemes for $2 trillion exports by 2030.
5. DEFENCE MINISTRY CANCELS IMPORTS OF KEY EQUIPMENT TO BOOST INDIGENIZATION
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
India’s 2025-26 defence budget at ₹7.86 lakh crore (US$93 billion) is projected to reach US$415.9 billion by 2029, prioritizing indigenization lists for 100% domestic production by December 2025.
- The Ministry scrapped imports for Coast Guard helicopters, all-terrain vehicles, and short-range missiles, shifting to indigenous alternatives following foreign deal irregularities.
- This push is aligned with the Fifth Positive Indigenization List (PIL) released by the Department of Military Affairs, promoting the procurement of complex weapon systems from domestic sources.
- The Ministry of Defence officially declared 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, focusing on enhancing defence capabilities through jointness, integration, and modernisation, especially in new domains like Cyber and AI.
- U.S.-India ties advanced through INDUS-X for AI co-development and secure supply chains, aligning with Quad initiatives for regional deterrence.
- Post-Galwan enhancements include LAC infrastructure buildup, anti-PLA tech adoption, and confidence-building to prevent escalations, complementing India’s 5.1 million volunteer forces.
Concepts:
- Strategic Autonomy: Drives import curbs and alliances.
- Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020: Enables private sector indigenization.
