Daily current affairs: 9 December 2025

Long Description : India’s aviation regulator DGCA has directed IndiGo to reduce its ongoing winter flight schedule by 5%, following a series of disruptions and serious complaints about cancellations and service quality. Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu stated that strict action will be taken and that safety in civil aviation is completely non‑negotiable, signalling the government’s tough stance on market‑dominant carriers. The episode has revived debate on lack of competition and over‑dependence on a single airline in several routes, with analysts warning that such dominance can hurt consumer interest and system resilience. For exams, link this to competition policy, consumer protection and regulatory governance.

Long Description : On the eve of Human Rights Day, President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to address a national‑level commemoration organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event recalls the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and provides a platform to review India’s progress on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It also underlines the constitutional basis of fundamental rights, the role of statutory bodies such as NHRC and State Commissions, and India’s international obligations under UN human rights mechanisms. For exams, link this with Articles 14–32, NHRC’s powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act and recent debates on custodial violence and civil liberties.

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for reforms “in every sector” to reduce hardships faced by common citizens and enterprises, signalling that the government is now preparing a second phase of the Jan Vishwas Bill. The first Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill rationalised hundreds of minor offences across multiple laws, converting many criminal provisions into civil penalties to promote ease of doing business. Jan Vishwas 2.0 is expected to deepen this approach by targeting more statutes and procedures that create compliance bottlenecks. For exams, connect this with decriminalisation of minor economic offences, regulatory reforms, Doing Business‑type indicators and the broader good‑governance agenda.

Long Description : Data reported on budget execution shows that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has used only 27% of its allocated funds for urban development schemes in FY 2025‑26 so far. Flagship programmes Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) have seen spending levels of roughly 16.6% and 14.8% respectively, despite being central to sanitation and affordable housing goals. Such under‑utilisation raises concerns about implementation capacity, tendering delays and state‑level absorption of central assistance. For exams, this can be connected to questions on budget process, outcome budgeting, Centre‑State coordination and challenges in meeting SDG‑linked urban targets.

Long Description : The Karnataka High Court has granted an interim stay on a government notification that broadened menstrual leave provisions for women employees in certain sectors. The petition filed by the Bangalore Hotels Association argued that the policy created an unreasonable burden on employers and violated Article 14 by treating similarly placed workers differently. The court has sought the state’s response, framing a constitutional question around gender‑sensitive labour welfare versus equal treatment and viability for small businesses. This dispute adds a contemporary dimension to debates on labour rights, social security, gender justice and the Directive Principles relating to health and humane working conditions under Articles 39 and 42.

Long Description : Hearing petitions on threats to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and disruption of voter‑list revision work in West Bengal, the Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the integrity of the electoral process. The Court told the Election Commission to “deal with the situation” arising from alleged violations in the Special Summary Revision exercise, suggesting that inaction could trigger administrative disorder. The case highlights the EC’s constitutional responsibilities under Article 324 to ensure free and fair elections and maintain accurate electoral rolls. For aspirants, it is important to connect this with issues like electoral integrity, role of BLOs, voter roll cleansing and judicial oversight of independent constitutional bodies.

Long Description : A new analysis by Transparency International on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index highlights that Asia‑Pacific has collectively slipped in controlling corruption, describing the trend as “devastating”. The organisation links weak anti‑corruption frameworks to poor climate governance, arguing that corrupt systems undermine efforts to address what it calls humanity’s biggest challenge. For India, the findings intersect with long‑running reforms such as Lokpal operationalisation, digitisation of government services, public procurement changes and disclosure norms. In exams, this can be used to discuss indices and reports, the link between corruption, sustainable development and investment climate, and how international rankings shape domestic policy discourse.

Long Description : A policy proposal under consideration in India suggests overhauling how artificial intelligence firms access training data, particularly copyrighted works. The panel has recommended a single, nationwide mandatory licence under which AI companies would pay royalties at standardised rates set by a government‑notified body, instead of negotiating multiple individual licences. The move aims to balance innovation with fair compensation for creators such as authors, artists and news publishers, and could have major implications for AI start‑ups and global technology companies operating in India. For exams, relate this to intellectual property rights, data governance, digital economy policy and the global debate on AI and copyright.

Long Description : Parliamentary discussions have seen renewed controversy around ‘Vande Mataram’, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah linking its origins to responses against Islamic invasions and British cultural imposition, and asserting its centrality to nationalism. Opposition leaders, including those from the Congress, have accused the government of using the song to polarise, citing historical writings and correspondence to argue that the issue has often been politicised. The wider debate revives questions about how national symbols, religious sensitivities and constitutional values of secularism and fraternity interact in public life. For exams, this topic ties to preamble values, freedom of expression, minority rights and the historical evolution of nationalist symbols during the freedom struggle.

Long Description : In a written reply in Lok Sabha, the Finance Ministry has confirmed that the proposed 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) will cover more than 50 lakh central government employees and around 69 lakh pensioners. However, it indicated that key decisions on the date of implementation and budgetary arrangements are yet to be finalised. CPC recommendations typically affect pay, allowances and pensions across central services, often creating ripple effects on state government pay scales. For exams, this topic connects with public finance, FRBM‑type constraints, wage‑bill sustainability, and how pay revisions influence consumption, inflation and fiscal deficit.

Long Description : A devastating fire at a nightclub in North Goa, operated by the Luthra brothers, has claimed 25 lives and triggered a broader review of fire safety enforcement in entertainment venues. Goa authorities have moved to demolish another club owned by the same group, citing irregular construction, while investigations indicate lapses in adherence to safety norms. In the NCR, Noida authorities have begun targeted inspections of bars and restaurants to verify licences, emergency exits and firefighting arrangements. For exams, this can be connected to disaster management (NDMA guidelines), urban local bodies’ regulatory role, building codes, and lessons from earlier tragedies such as the Uphaar fire.

Long Description : In a state‑level function, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma handed over scooters to 11,250 students who secured high marks, as part of a merit‑linked incentive programme. Changes in eligibility criteria have reduced the number of beneficiaries from nearly 48,700 the previous year, but the separate ‘Nijut Moina’ initiative has expanded to cover more than 5 lakh girls, strengthening support for girls’ education and mobility. The scheme combines educational incentives with broader objectives of gender empowerment and human capital formation. For exams, you can relate this to targeted DBT‑style welfare, demographic dividend, and state‑level innovations in social policy.

Long Description : The ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, scheduled from 1 to 19 December 2025 with 15 sittings, has a packed legislative agenda. Among major proposals are the National Highways Amendment Bill 2025, a new Atomic Energy law, amendments to corporate and insurance legislation, and the Indian Higher Education Commission Bill 2025, which seeks to restructure higher education regulation. PRS India’s bill tracker also notes that the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 have moved ahead, with some already passed. For exams, focus on objectives, key provisions, and affected institutions of each bill.

Long Description : Recent announcements highlight India’s focus on emerging technologies, including an initiative to build a sovereign AI stack through the BharatGen Technology Foundation, anchored at IIT Bombay. This complements broader policy measures announced by the Prime Minister, such as a ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation Scheme to support high‑risk, high‑impact projects and promote private‑sector R&D. The government has also highlighted growth in deep‑tech start‑ups, clean‑energy technologies, advanced materials and the semiconductor ecosystem, alongside a sharp rise in the bio‑economy. For exams, integrate this with topics on Digital India, Start‑up India, national AI strategies and innovation‑led growth.

Long Description : India’s space‑based observatory AstroSat has seen its UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) complete a decade of scientific operations, a milestone noted by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. UVIT has enabled high‑resolution ultraviolet studies of star formation, star clusters and galaxies, adding to India’s profile in multi‑wavelength astronomy alongside ground‑based facilities. The success of AstroSat and UVIT strengthens the case for future dedicated astronomy missions and shows the scientific payoff of investments in indigenous space technology. For exams, connect this with ISRO’s scientific missions, basic facts about AstroSat, and broader themes in space science and technology.

Long Description : PRS Legislative Research’s consultation tracker shows that the government is seeking public comments on multiple draft laws, notably the Draft Seeds Bill 2025, which aims to update the regulatory framework for seed quality, certification and farmers’ interests. Parallel consultations are underway on the Draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and proposed changes to the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, among others. These exercises are part of a broader trend of releasing draft legislation for stakeholder feedback before finalisation. For exams, focus on objectives of the Seeds Bill (quality control, private sector role, farmers’ rights) and the importance of pre‑legislative consultation in democratic policymaking.

Long Description : According to PRS India’s bill‑tracking data, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 is currently in committee, aiming to create a clear framework for permissible online games, consumer protection and possible central‑state coordination. The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 have been passed, indicating changes in governance structures of IIMs and refinements to insolvency processes respectively. These developments reflect the government’s effort to adapt regulatory regimes to new sectors and practical experience. For exams, note sectoral impact, institutional changes, and how committees shape final legislation.