NATIONAL NEWS

Jan Dhan Deposits Cross ₹2.75 Lakh Crore in 2025

As of November 2025, total deposits in Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts reached ₹2.75 lakh crore, reflecting deepening financial inclusion.

PMJDY, launched in 2014, provides zero-balance savings accounts, RuPay debit cards, access to government subsidies via DBT, overdraft facilities, and insurance coverage, targeting the unbanked population.

Over 56 crore accounts have been opened under the scheme, with an average balance of ₹4,815 per account.

78.2% of accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas, and 50% of account holders are women, highlighting inclusive growth.

The milestone signifies improved financial literacy, greater economic participation, enhanced DBT effectiveness, and expansion of formal banking access.

Growth trend: 2022 – ₹1.5 lakh crore, 2024 – ₹2.6 lakh crore, 2025 – ₹2.75 lakh crore, demonstrating steady year-on-year increase.

PMJDY has transitioned from merely opening accounts to ensuring active usage, making it a cornerstone of India’s financial ecosystem.

India Launches Gyan Bharatam Programme for Manuscript Conservation and Digitization

India launched Gyan Bharatam, a national programme under the Ministry of Culture, aimed at conserving and digitizing India’s manuscript heritage.

The initiative was announced in the Union Budget 2025 and reflects India’s efforts to preserve civilizational knowledge and make it globally accessible.

Gyan Bharatam focuses on surveying, documenting, conserving, digitizing, and distributing ancient manuscripts related to science, philosophy, literature, medicine, astronomy, and culture.

The Government allocated Rs. 491.66 crore for the programme for the period 2025–2031.

The programme aims to cover over one crore manuscripts preserved in museums, libraries, academic institutions, private collections, and community spaces across India.

A National Digital Repository will be developed using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced digital technologies to ensure global access, preservation, and research support.

To implement the programme, the Ministry of Culture signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 31 institutions, including 19 Cluster Centres and 12 Independent Centres.

India to Host WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025 in New Delhi

India has launched the official countdown for the WHO (World Health Organization) Global Summit on Traditional Medicine 2025, which will be held from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

The summit will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) and the WHO.

The 2025 summit theme is “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being.”

The focus areas include: Scientific validation of traditional medicine, Digital health and innovation, Biodiversity conservation and Global collaboration for integrative healthcare

India highlighted its major traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homoeopathy, which are gaining global recognition.

A key achievement in this sector is the establishment of the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, developed under the India–WHO partnership.

The event aligns with India’s diplomatic and health commitments, supported by participation from Ministry of Ayush officials, Press Information Bureau (PIB) and WHO representatives.

 

BANKING

RBI Updates Rules on Carrying Indian Currency To and From Nepal and Bhutan

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised directions to modify rules on the export and import of Indian currency to and from Nepal and Bhutan.

Under the new rules, any person except citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh may carry Indian currency notes up to ₹100 denomination without limit while travelling to/from Nepal or Bhutan.

Individuals are allowed to take out of India Indian currency above ₹100 denominations up to ₹25,000 to Nepal or Bhutan.

Travellers may bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan Indian currency above ₹100 denominations up to ₹25,000.

Authorised Persons have been directed to inform customers and stakeholders about the revised provisions.

The amendments were notified via FEMA (Export and Import of Currency) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025, published in the Official Gazette on 2 December 2025.

These directions are issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of FEMA, 1999, and operate without prejudice to other legal permissions

RBI Orders Partner Banks to Pause Issuance of OneCard Co-Branded Credit Cards

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks partnered with FPL Technologies (OneCard) to halt fresh issuance of co-branded credit cards due to regulatory concerns.

The pause aims to give RBI clarity on data-sharing practices, specifically whether FPL and partner banks comply with outsourcing and customer-data protection norms.

Until the review is complete, banks must suspend onboarding new OneCard customers as per RBI instructions.

OneCard is issued by partner banks such as BOB Cards, SBM India, Federal Bank, CSB Bank, South Indian Bank, and Indian Bank, while FPL Technologies handles customer acquisition and management.

In March 2024, Federal Bank and South Indian Bank had already reported RBI directions to pause their co-branded credit card programmes.

The issue follows RBI’s stricter guidelines (March 7, 2024) to curb fintech back-door entry into regulated credit card operations, especially regarding data sharing and operational control.

FPL Technologies, founded in 2019 by ex-ICICI Bank executives, last raised $25.5 million in December 2025; earlier, its valuation peaked at $1.3 billion (2022) after Temasek’s investment.

Co-branded credit cards have surged through partnerships with Swiggy, Amazon, Flipkart, etc., prompting stricter regulation by RBI.

RBI Revises Credit Information Reporting Directions, 2025 Through Amendment Notifications

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued Amendment Directions to modify the Credit Information Reporting Directions, 2025 based on feedback from the earlier draft framework.

The revised framework, issued under Section 11 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005, will come into force on 1 July 2026.

Lenders must submit credit data to Credit Information Companies (CICs) four times a month—on the 9th, 16th, 23rd, and last day of each month—moving towards near-real-time reporting.

A full file containing records of all active and closed accounts must be submitted as on the last day of each month, by the 5th of the following month.

CICs are required to submit half-yearly reports on entities failing to adhere to timelines via the RBI’s DAKSH portal.

India has four primary Credit Information Companies (CICs), licensed and regulated by RBI under the Credit Information Companies Regulation Act, 2005—TransUnion CIBIL, Experian, Equifax, and CRIF High Mark.

Reserve Bank of India Launches Two-Month Campaign from 1st January 2026

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a two-month campaign starting 1st January,2026 to clear all customer grievances pending for more than a month with the RBI Ombudsman.

RBI Ombudsman scheme helps provide cost-free redressal of customer complaints involving deficiency in services rendered by entities regulated by RBI, if not resolved to the satisfaction of the customers or not replied within a period of 30 days by the regulated entity.

Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the campaign aims to strengthen customer service as grievance pendency has increased due to a surge in complaints.

RBI has urged full cooperation from all regulated entities (REs) to make the campaign effective and impactful.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted that the central bank has implemented initiatives to enhance customer experience, including simplifying re-KYC, improving financial inclusion processes, and launching the “Aapki Poonji, Aapka Adhikar” awareness program.

SEBI Approves Groww as Online Bond Platform Provide

Groww has received Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approval to operate as an Online Bond Platform Provider (OBPP), enabling it to list, distribute, and transact in listed corporate bonds directly through its app.

The OBPP licence allows Groww to expand offerings beyond equities and mutual funds, providing retail investors easier access to fixed-income and lower-risk investment products.

OBPP refers to Online Bond Platform Providers, which are digital platforms for buying and selling bonds.

As per NSE data, Groww holds the largest market share among stockbrokers at 26.62%.

IDFC First Bank Unveils FD-Backed Premium Credit Card Offering Zero Forex Markup

IDFC First Bank launched an upgraded ‘FIRST WOW! Black Credit Card’, which is a premium credit card backed by Fixed Deposit (FD).

The card features 0% Forex (FX) markup, making it attractive for international travellers and cross-border online shoppers.

The card is available to individuals aged 18+, against an FD starting at ₹20,000.

The linked FD offers up to 6.3% interest on a 367-day FD with 100% withdrawal limit.

Cardholders receive both a physical Mastercard for global usage and a RuPay virtual credit card linked to UPI for QR payments.

Both cards operate under one account, with a single credit limit and a unified consolidated statement.

The card provides 4 domestic airport lounge accesses annually, ₹2 lakh personal accident insurance, ₹25,000 lost card liability cover, and ₹10,000 trip cancellation cover on select bookings.

The card offers zero forex markup and allows interest-free ATM withdrawals for up to 45 days with a ₹199 fee.

The joining/annual fee is ₹750 (including GST), which is waived from the second year for customers spending ₹1.5 lakh annually.

Airpay Gets Reserve Bank of India Nod to Operate as Full-Stack Cross-Border PA

Airpay Payment Services Private. Limited. received full authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act, 2007 to operate as a full-stack cross-border Payment Aggregator (PA-CB).

With this approval, Airpay is now authorised to operate across PA-O (Online), PA-P (Physical/POS/QR) and PA-CB

The approval positions Airpay among a select group of Regulated Entities (REs) permitted to facilitate domestic and global payments across major merchant channels.

The expanded licence allows Airpay to serve enterprises, Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands, and SMEs through a unified compliant platform for collections, payouts, and settlements.

Airpay expects cross-border payment processing volumes to increase by 30–40% in the next 6–12 months.

The company projects that cross-border flows will contribute over 20% of revenue, with the onboarding of 50,000 merchants.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Raveena Tandon Named PETA India Person of the Year 2025

Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon has been awarded PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) India Person of the Year 2025 for her long-term contribution to animal rights, wildlife protection, and humane education.

She promotes a meat-free lifestyle and has consistently supported campaigns against cruelty toward both domestic and wild animals.

Raveena partnered with her daughter to donate a mechanical elephant to a Jain temple in Karnataka, encouraging the end of using real elephants for rituals.

She raised concerns regarding wildlife killings, including the case of a leopard killed by villagers, and urged authorities to take action to protect animal habitats and wildlife affected by development projects.

She supports PETA India's Compassionate Citizen Programme, which teaches school children empathy and kindness toward animals.

Raveena has adopted multiple rescue animals, including dogs and cats, and promotes adopting homeless animals instead of purchasing from breeders.

She has campaigned for vegan and cruelty-free living, speaking against the leather and exotic skin trade and urging food chains to introduce vegan options.

Anant Ambani Receives Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare

Anant Ambani, founder of Vantara, has become the youngest recipient and the first Asian to receive the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare by the Global Humane Society.

The award recognizes his contribution to wildlife protection, large-scale animal rescue, scientific conservation, and global awareness for ethical treatment of animals.

The recognition was announced at an international wildlife conservation event, where the Global Humane Society described his work as “a new global benchmark for compassion in action.”

The honour is considered one of the highest global awards in animal welfare and is given only to individuals who have made transformative global impact in conservation and humanitarian responsibility.

Vantara, founded by Anant Ambani, is a large-scale animal welfare and conservation initiative in India focusing on rescue, rehabilitation, veterinary care and species preservation.

Vantara is Global Humane Certified, signifying adherence to international ethical standards for animal safety, rehabilitation, and care.

The centre aims to rehabilitate endangered and extinct-in-the-wild species and support their reintroduction into natural habitats to strengthen biodiversity.

 

SPORTS

India’s Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha Becomes World’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Chess Player

Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, a 3-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, became the youngest officially rated chess player in the world in December 2025.

He achieved this at the age of 3 years, 7 months, and 20 days, entering the records of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs / International Chess Federation).

He received an official rapid rating of 1572, which is significantly higher than the usual minimum entry rating of 1400 required for official recognition.

Sarwagya earned his rating after defeating multiple adult players, including:
• Yogesh Namdev (Rating: 1696)
• Abhijeet Awasthi (Rating: 1542)
• Shubham Chourasiya (Rating: 1559)

Sarwagya began showing exceptional chess ability at 2.5 years old, identifying all chess pieces within a week of learning the game.

He currently trains 4–5 hours daily, including online games and puzzle solving, alongside guided coaching.

FIDE (International Chess Federation) is the global body responsible for official chess tournaments, rules, and player rankings.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Mountain Day

International Mountain Day (IMD) 2025 is observed on 11th December to promote awareness about the importance of mountains, their ecosystems, and communities.

The 2025 theme is “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond”, highlighting the crucial role of glaciers in sustaining life and the risks posed by climate change.

Increasing climate variability has reduced mountain agriculture productivity, leading many men to migrate in search of alternative livelihoods.

As a result, mountain women have taken on additional responsibilities, yet they remain largely invisible due to limited decision-making power and unequal access to resources.

In the United States, there was a long-standing tradition where students skipped classes to visit nearby mountains for recreation, which became an informal celebration of mountain appreciation.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2002 as the International Year of Mountains, recognising the global importance of mountain ecosystems.

The UNGA established 11 December as International Mountain Day to promote conservation, sustainable development, and protection of mountain environments.

Japan observes Mountain Day as a national holiday, aimed at encouraging people to appreciate mountains and the natural environment.