News of The Day: 8th December 2025

News of The Day – 8th December 2025

SOURCES: The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Telecom Dept mandates Sanchar Saathi app uninstall/reinstall for compliance. 
• Tracks fraudulent SIMs, enhances cybersecurity; optional but required for services. 
• Ties to Digital India; 80% urban adoption, rural awareness drives planned.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About Health Security se National Security Cess Bill.
  • Bill levies 5% cess on sin goods (tobacco, aerated drinks) for health infra.
  • Revenue sharing with states (60%); exempts essentials; projected ₹10,000 crore/year.
• Links public health to security; aligns with NEPHS 2025 goals.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Waqf Amendment Act 2025 compliance low; 2.3 lakh of 8.7 lakh properties digitized.
• Bengal: <10% registered; issues: Encroachment, outdated records.
• UMEED Portal: Aids transparency, revenue; states urged for surveys by March 2026.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Bill proposes fines up to ₹50,000 for work calls post-hours; aims work-life balance.
• Inspired by EU laws; covers IT, BPO sectors with 50+ employees.
• Concerns: Productivity dip; govt to review for labour code integration.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• Editorial on Constitution’s equal treatment of religions (Art 25-28).
• Counters narratives of bias; highlights SC rulings upholding minority rights.
• Relevance to current debates on UCC, minority protections.

• 3rd Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC)
• Focus: Student mobility, joint research in AI, renewables; target 50,000 exchanges by 2030.
• Builds on NEP 2020; scholarships for 1,000 Indian students annually.
• Enhances bilateral ties post-Quad framework.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Bill aims to replace the BIS Act for quality standards; critics fear over-regulation, stifling SMEs.
• Key issues: Mandatory certification for 200+ products, penalties up to ₹10 lakh.
• Suggestions: Phased implementation, digital compliance portal.

(GS-3: Economy)

• RBI’s 25 bps rate cut signals balanced growth-inflation; GDP at 8% Q2FY26.
• Low inflation (4.2%), robust capex; risks from US tariffs, rupee volatility.
• Boosts MSMEs, housing; next cut possible in Feb 2026.

(GS-3: Economy)

• Repo at 6.25%; CRR cut injects ₹1.45 lakh crore liquidity.
• Addresses US tariff impact (50% on Indian goods), CAD widening to 1.2%.
• Forecast: 7% FY26 growth; focus on rupee stability, forex reserves.

(GS-3: Economy)

• After 6 days of 2,000+ cancellations due to pilot rest norms, operations stabilized by Dec 10.
• DGCA issues show-cause notice to CEO; Railways runs 89 special trains.
• Highlights aviation sector vulnerabilities, consumer rights under DGCA rules.

(GS-3: Economy)

• ICAR pushes for zero-budget natural farming curricula in 100+ agri universities.
• Benefits: Reduces chemical use by 50%, boosts soil health; aligns with PKVY scheme.
• Target: Train 1 crore farmers by 2030; integrates with Doubling Farmers’ Income.

(GS-3: Environment)

• Study emphasizes restoring 26% grassland cover for carbon sequestration, biodiversity.
• Grasslands store 30% more soil carbon than forests in semi-arid regions.
• Policy shift needed: Integrate into NAPCC, reduce conversion for afforestation.

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