NATIONAL NEWS

Government to Establish Bureau of Port Security to Strengthen Maritime Security

In a major step to strengthen India’s maritime security framework, the Central Government has decided to establish a Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).

The new body aims to enhance security at ports and on vessels through improved coordination, intelligence sharing, and risk-based security planning, at a time when Indian ports are handling rapidly increasing trade volumes.

The Bureau of Port Security will be a statutory body responsible for regulating and overseeing security arrangements at ports, vessels, and port facilities across the country.

It will be set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The BoPS will be modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which oversees airport and aviation security in India.

The key responsibilities of the BoPS will include security regulation and oversight of ports and ships, timely collection, analysis, and sharing of security-related information, and the implementation of graded and risk-based security measures.

Risk assessment will be based on factors such as the location of the port, trade potential, and vulnerability and threat perception.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ROHM Collaborates with Tata Electronics Private Limited

Japanese semiconductor leader ROHM Company Limited (ROHM) has partnered with Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) to manufacture semiconductors for domestic and global markets.

The collaboration aims to establish a sustainable semiconductor supply chain under the Make in India initiative, targeting automotive, consumer electronics, IoT, AI, defence, and aerospace sectors.

Under the Power Semiconductor Framework, the partnership will combine ROHM’s advanced device technologies with TEPL’s assembly and testing capabilities to build semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure in India.

ROHM and TEPL will explore co-development of advanced, high-value packaging technologies and jointly market the semiconductor supply chain.

TEPL will assemble and test ROHM’s India-designed automotive-grade 100V, 300A Si MOSFET in a TOLL package, with mass production targeted for 2026.

The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s Make in India vision, promoting domestic manufacturing and technology self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).

ROHM, established in 1958 in Kyoto, Japan, specializes in semiconductors, integrated circuits (ICs), discrete devices, and electric components, with a global lead in Silicon Carbide (SiC)

TEPL, established in 2020, focuses on design, assembly, and testing of semiconductors and electronic components, supporting advanced manufacturing in India through its upcoming facilities in Gujarat (Dholera) and Assam (Jagiroad).

The partnership strengthens India’s semiconductor ecosystem, fostering technology transfer, skill development, and global competitiveness.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Russia Plans Lunar Nuclear Power Plant Deployment by 2036

Roscosmos plans to construct a power plant on the Moon by 2036 to support its lunar exploration programme and the Russia–China International Lunar Research Station (ILRS).

The proposed lunar power facility is widely believed to be nuclear, with key involvement from Rosatom (state nuclear energy corp) and the Kurchatov Institute, highlighting advanced energy solutions for space missions.

Roscosmos has signed a contract with the Lavochkin Association (a major aerospace company) in December 2025 to undertake the development and implementation of the lunar power plant project.

The lunar power plant will provide energy support to rovers, scientific observatories, and permanent infrastructure, enabling long-term human and robotic presence on the Moon.

The Moon, located about 384,400 km from Earth, plays a vital role in stabilising Earth’s axial wobble, ensuring a stable climate, and is also responsible for ocean tides.

 

BANKING

PayNearby Secures Third-Party Application Provider Licence Approval from NPCI

Fintech company PayNearby has received Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) licence approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

The TPAP licence authorises non-bank entities to offer UPI-enabled payment applications in India.

Following the approval, PayNearby launched the “PayNearby Saathi” app, expanding its presence in the digital payments ecosystem.

PayNearby Saathi provides UPI-enabled savings accounts and digital payment services to users.

The app integrates BHASHINI, India’s national language translation platform, for voice-based interactions.

BHASHINI integration enables users to interact in their preferred Indian languages with instant voice responses, enhancing financial inclusion.

Well-known TPAP licence holders include PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm, placing PayNearby among leading UPI service providers.

The development supports India’s digital payments growth, multilingual access, and last-mile financial services delivery.

Canara Bank Introduces ‘Canara ai1Pe’, a Unified UPI App

Canara Bank, an Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB), has launched ‘Canara ai1Pe’, a UPI-based digital payments application.

Canara ai1Pe aims to provide fast, secure, and convenient digital payment services to customers across banks.

The app allows users to link savings or current accounts from any bank to send and receive UPI payments, ensuring full interoperability.

Core services of the app include instant fund transfers, QR-code-based merchant payments, utility bill payments, and mobile/DTH recharges on a single platform.

To ensure security, the app uses device binding (restricting access to the registered mobile only) and mandatory UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN) authentication.

The UPI Delegate feature (also known as UPI Circle) enables primary users to add trusted family members with predefined monthly spending limits, such as ₹15,000, while maintaining central control.

The app supports UPI Autopay, allowing automated recurring payments for subscriptions, EMIs, SIPs, and utility bills.

The app offers a user-friendly interface with rewards and finance management tools, significantly enhancing digital banking convenience for users of all age groups.

Axis Bank Introduces ‘Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans’ for MSMEs

Axis Bank Limited, a leading private sector lender in India, has launched a new digital loan product called ‘Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans’ for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

The product is specifically designed to address the cash flow requirements of small merchants, such as retail shopkeepers, who need quick access to working capital for daily operations.

The loan offers an unsecured credit facility ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to eligible MSMEs, requiring no collateral.

It is the first-of-its-kind product in the industry that assesses merchant eligibility primarily based on daily cash flows and digital transaction intelligence, rather than conventional financial documents or property-based guarantees.

The entire process is fully digital, from application to disbursement, allowing instant credit decisions for merchants within minutes of applying.

The product features an Everyday Installment (EDI) system, enabling shopkeepers and small merchants to repay loans in small daily installments linked to their daily sales, ensuring business stability without the stress of large monthly payments.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Enters Bancassurance Partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited (Canara HSBC), a Joint Venture (JV) between Canara Bank (51%), HSBC Insurance (26%), and Punjab National Bank (which inherited the stake from OBC), has entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership with Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB).

Under this partnership, Canara HSBC Life will offer a comprehensive suite of products, including life protection, savings, annuity, child, and investment-linked plans (ULIPs), via ESFB’s network of nearly 1,000 banking outlets.

The collaboration promotes financial inclusion by integrating life insurance with ESFB’s branch and phygital banking model, improving access for customers across Tier 1, 2, and 3 locations, especially in Southern India (Tamil Nadu and Karnataka).

The initiative aligns with IRDAI’s vision of “Insurance for All by 2047”, which aims to ensure that every Indian citizen has an appropriate life and health cover by the centenary of India's independence.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Advocate Shubham Awasthi Conferred ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025

In a significant recognition of young legal talent in India, Advocate Shubham Awasthi has been conferred with the prestigious ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025, one of the most respected honours in the Indian legal fraternity.

The award recognises not only professional excellence but also commitment to public service and humanitarian values, highlighting the growing role of young advocates in strengthening India’s justice delivery system.

Shubham Awasthi is a practising advocate at the Supreme Court of India, known for his work in public interest litigation, constitutional law, and social justice matters.

He holds a postgraduate degree in Media and Entertainment Laws and has been actively associated with several government and statutory

Beyond legal practice, Advocate Shubham Awasthi has been actively involved in humanitarian and social initiatives.

He was recently appointed Deputy Secretary General (India) of the World Humanitarian Drive, a London-based global organisation, reflecting his commitment to combining legal expertise with social responsibility.

The ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ is significant as it encourages merit-based recognition, highlights emerging leaders shaping India’s legal future, inspires young advocates to pursue excellence with ethics, and strengthens public confidence in the next generation of legal professionals.

Such recognitions play an important role in nurturing talent within India’s evolving legal ecosystem.

The award was presented at the 6th Edition of the BW Legal World 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025, held in New Delhi.

French Honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

In a significant cultural milestone, Ravi Deecee, a noted Malayalam publisher, was conferred the prestigious French honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his outstanding contribution to literature, publishing, and cross-cultural exchange, particularly between India and France.

The award ceremony was held at the Embassy of France in India, highlighting the growing role of cultural diplomacy and literary collaboration.

The honour was conferred by Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, who commended Ravi Deecee for transforming DC Books into one of India’s leading publishing houses and for actively promoting French literature in Indian languages, especially Malayalam.

The ceremony was attended by several eminent personalities from India’s literary and cultural circles.

Ravi Deecee is the Publisher and Managing Director of DC Books, one of India’s most respected publishing companies.

Under his leadership, DC Books has emerged as a major force in Indian publishing with a strong emphasis on regional languages, high-quality translations, and literary excellence.

A key contribution of DC Books has been the translation of major French literary works into Malayalam, enabling Indian readers to access global literature in their mother tongue.

DC Books has published Malayalam translations of works by renowned French and Francophone authors such as Annie Ernaux, Jean-Paul Sartre, Emmanuel Carrère, David Diop, Maryse Condé, Céline, and Johanna Gustawsson.

These efforts have significantly strengthened France–India literary relations, promoted multilingualism, and enhanced cultural understanding.

The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a prestigious French civilian honour instituted in 1957 to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of arts, literature, and culture in France and worldwide.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Canara Bank

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Brajesh Kumar Singh for the post of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD and CEO) of Canara Bank.

He will succeed K. Satyanarayana Raju, the current MD & CEO of Canara Bank, who is retiring on superannuation in December.

The final appointment will be made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Brajesh Kumar Singh is currently serving as Executive Director of Indian Bank and was appointed to this role on 10 March 2024 for a three-year term.

Before joining Indian Bank, he served at Bank of Baroda in roles such as Credit Officer, Branch Head, and Regional Head.

At Indian Bank, he has been a member of key committees including the Management Committee, IT Strategy Committee, Credit Approval Committee, and the Committee of Directors (Vigilance).

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Good Governance Day 2025

Good Governance Day 2025 is observed on 25 December to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a recipient of the Bharat Ratna.

The day is observed alongside Christmas celebrations and is treated as a working day for the Government of India, emphasising commitment to citizen-centric governance.

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) launched Good Governance Week 2025, to be observed from 19 December to 25 December.

The guidelines for the nationwide ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore’ campaign were released by Secretary, DARPG, Rachna Shah.

The campaign focuses on administrative outreach, grassroots service delivery, and strengthening transparent, accountable, and responsive governance.

The observance of Good Governance Day originated after Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya were jointly announced as Bharat Ratna awardees on 23 December 2014.

 

 

                                     

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