1. DRAFT ELECTORAL ROLLS RELEASED FOR UP; OVER 2.8 CRORE NAMES DELETED
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Massive Electoral Cleanup: The Election Commission of India (ECI) released the draft voter list for Uttar Pradesh following a Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Approximately 2.8 crore names were removed from the total of 15.44 crore voters due to deaths, permanent migration, or duplicate registrations.
- Legal Scrutiny on Citizenship: A Delhi court granted time to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi to reply to a plea challenging her inclusion in the electoral rolls, alleging she was listed three years before acquiring Indian citizenship in 1983.
- Electoral Inclusivity: The government emphasized that the SIR process is aimed at fortifying digital governance and ensuring that the electoral roll is accurate, preventing “ghost voters” while maintaining voter inclusivity.
- Judicial Oversight on Sloganeering: The JNU administration took serious cognisance of inflammatory slogans raised during student protests, stating such acts violate the code of conduct and democratic dissent principles.
- Fundamental Rights & Governance: The Supreme Court is currently hearing the Delhi-NCR air pollution crisis, directing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to prosecute authorities failing to implement anti-pollution measures.
- Concepts: Article 324 (Powers of the ECI to superintend elections); Doctrine of Proportionality in administrative actions.
2. TAMIL NADU ANNOUNCES ‘ASSURED PENSION SCHEME’ (TAPS) FOR EMPLOYEES
SUBJECT: NATIONAL
- Major Pension Reform: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the ‘TN Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS)’ for state government employees and teachers. This scheme provides benefits equivalent to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), addressing a long-standing demand of government staff.
- Rice Production Milestone: India has officially surpassed China to become the world’s largest producer of rice in 2024–25, with an output of 150.18 million tonnes. Tamil Nadu remains a significant contributor to this national tally.
- Conservation Success: The Madras High Court upheld an order allowing the lighting of the traditional lamp (Deepathoon) on the Thirupparankundram hill in Tamil Nadu, settling a local religious and cultural dispute.
- Urban Governance: The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai reported moderate rainfall across districts like Kancheepuram and Ranipet, testing the state’s newly upgraded disaster response infrastructure under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- Health Warning: Leading Indian medical experts issued a national warning against the excessive use of antibiotics to curb the rising threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
- Concepts: Entry 42 of State List (State Pensions); Article 25 (Freedom of religion in the context of temple rituals).
3. INDIA-RUSSIA TARGET $100 BILLION TRADE BY 2030
SUBJECT: INTERNATIONAL
- Strategic Maritime Ties: India and Russia have expanded cooperation in shipbuilding and Arctic-capable maritime activities. New trade routes, including the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor, are being prioritized to bypass traditional bottlenecks.
- Diplomatic Engagements: External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Luxembourg PM Luc Frieden to discuss bilateral trade and investment, focusing on green finance and technology.
- Border Tensions & Neighborhood: Reports of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh and communal tensions in Nepal (Birgunj) have prompted India to heighten its diplomatic monitoring in the neighborhood.
- Global Recognition: India’s leadership in the Indo-Pacific was reaffirmed during high-level naval visits to the U.S., focusing on the LEMOA framework for logistical support.
- Cultural Diplomacy: The festival of Diwali has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, marking a major win for India’s soft power.
- Concepts: International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC); Intangible Cultural Heritage (UNESCO convention).
4. IND-RA PROJECTS 6.9% GDP GROWTH FOR FY27
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- “Goldilocks” Economy: India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) projected a growth rate of 6.9% for FY27, describing India’s economy as being in a “Goldilocks” phase—characterized by high growth and moderate inflation (averaging 3.8%).
- Currency Trends: The Indian Rupee ended today at 90.16 against the USD, with forecasts suggesting it might average around 92.26 in the next fiscal year due to global trade volatility.
- Fiscal Discipline: The Union government’s debt is projected to decrease to 55.5% of GDP in FY27. The government aims to further reduce this to 50% within the next four years.
- Trade Agreements: Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the UK, Oman, and New Zealand are expected to be the primary catalysts for keeping the Current Account Deficit (CAD) low.
- Budget 2026 Expectations: Market analysts anticipate the upcoming February 1st Budget to feature major allocations under the Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, aimed at rural development.
- Concepts: Fiscal Deficit (Targeted at 4.4% of GDP); Goldilocks Economy (An economy that is not too hot/inflationary and not too cold/recessionary).
5. ARMY DECLARES 2026 AS ‘YEAR OF NETWORKING & DATA CENTRICITY’
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Digital Modernization: Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi officially declared 2026 as the ‘Year of Networking & Data Centricity’. The focus is on integrating AI and real-time data sharing into modern combat operations.
- Suryastra Rocket System: The Indian Army signed a ₹293 crore contract with NIBE Limited (in collaboration with Israel) for the Suryastra—India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system.
- Indigenization Achievement: The Indian Army reported that it has achieved 90% indigenization in ammunition, significantly reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
- Jet Engine Technology: Negotiations for the GE-F414 engine technology transfer are in the final stages, with a formal signing expected by March 2026. This will provide an 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT) to HAL.
- Infrastructure at LAC: Enhanced focus on infrastructure buildup along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) continues, with the adoption of anti-drone tech and high-altitude surveillance systems.
- Concepts: iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence); Transfer of Technology (ToT); Situational Awareness in modern warfare.
