Daily current affairs: 10 December 2025

Long Description : UNESCO has inscribed “Deepavali/Diwali” on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its role in promoting community bonding, inter‑faith harmony and cultural continuity across India and the Indian diaspora. The Government of India noted that the inscription followed a detailed nomination process led by the Ministry of Culture, documenting Diwali’s rituals, social practices and associated knowledge systems. The recognition is expected to strengthen efforts to safeguard traditional observances, encourage responsible tourism and support community‑based festivals. For exams, this is important for topics on UNESCO lists, cultural heritage protection, soft power and India’s cultural diplomacy.

Long Description : The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced and addressed the Human Rights Day programme organised by NHRC in New Delhi on 10 December 2025, commemorating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The event emphasised ensuring everyday essentials and public services for all, aligning with this year’s UN Human Rights Day theme. Senior constitutional and government functionaries, human rights defenders and civil society representatives participated. The President underlined the State’s responsibility to protect vulnerable groups and the role of institutions like NHRC in monitoring violations and strengthening accountability. For exams, this links to fundamental rights, NHRC’s mandate, international human rights instruments and recent government initiatives to improve service delivery.

Long Description : The Ministry of Jal Shakti’s “Hamara Shauchalaya, Hamara Abhimaan” campaign, launched under Swachh Bharat, formally concluded on 10 December 2025, coinciding with Human Rights Day. Running from 19 November, it aimed to verify usage and maintenance of household and community toilets, strengthen operation and maintenance systems and celebrate sanitation workers’ contribution. States and UTs were encouraged to involve local leaders, youth groups, schoolchildren and civil society to sustain toilet usage and hygiene practices. Activities included awareness drives, facility inspections and distribution of Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) sanction letters to eligible beneficiaries. This is relevant for schemes on sanitation, SDG 6, rights‑based approach to basic services and Swachh Bharat’s ODF‑plus agenda.

Long Description : The President of India will undertake a two‑day visit to Manipur from 11 to 12 December 2025, as notified by the President’s Secretariat through PIB. On arrival in Imphal on 11 December, she is scheduled to attend official events, including interactions at educational institutions and cultural programmes, aimed at highlighting women’s empowerment, youth development and the State’s integration with national growth initiatives. Such high‑level visits are important from the perspective of Centre‑State relations, visibility for the North‑East and promotion of peace and development in sensitive regions. For exams, link this with topics on gubernatorial and presidential roles, outreach to border and hill states, and schemes being showcased in the North‑East.

Long Description : The India–EU Ideathon on Marine Plastic Pollution, organised as a collaborative initiative between Indian ministries and the European Union, concluded in Bhubaneswar on 10 December 2025. Three teams were declared winners for proposing technology‑driven and community‑based approaches to address plastic leakage into oceans, including improved waste segregation, recycling models and coastal monitoring systems. The event brought together students, start‑ups and researchers to work on practical ideas that can complement national programmes such as Swachh Bharat, the Plastic Waste Management Rules and initiatives under the blue economy. This development is important for environment, science‑policy collaboration, India–EU relations and sustainable development themes in exams.​

Long Description : The NHRC announced that its Human Rights Day function would be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, at 10 a.m. on 10 December 2025, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The programme targeted participation from State Human Rights Commissions, other national commissions, central and state officials, human rights defenders, academics and media representatives. Themes included mainstreaming human rights in policy, improving access to grievance redress and enhancing awareness among vulnerable communities. An online registration mechanism was provided for attendees. For exams, note the date, role of NHRC, link with fundamental rights and Directive Principles, and India’s engagement with global human rights norms.

Long Description : The Ministry of Culture issued its Year‑End Review 2025, summarising key activities during the year, such as the Republic Day Parade cultural presentation “Jayati Jai Mamahh Bharatam”, major festivals, museum reforms and digital heritage projects. The document showcases steps to promote inclusivity in cultural programmes, greater outreach to youth and enhanced international cultural exchanges. Year‑end reviews are useful for aspirants as they consolidate ministry‑wise schemes, new institutions, flagship events and budget‑linked achievements. Questions can arise on specific programmes, branding initiatives like “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav”‑style campaigns and India’s soft power tools in global forums.​

Long Description : At a meeting with bank chiefs, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra emphasised that in a low‑inflation, easing‑rate environment, banks must use technology to reduce operational costs, expand reach and improve customer service. He urged timely transmission of policy rate cuts to borrowers to support investment and consumption, while maintaining prudential standards and resilience. Discussions covered digital banking, risk management and the need to prepare for future regulatory expectations. This is important for exams under monetary policy transmission, banking sector reforms, digital financial inclusion and the role of RBI in ensuring financial stability alongside growth.

Long Description : In interactions reported on 10 December 2025, the RBI expressed the view that Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) should move towards a more comprehensive financial services model, offering savings, micro‑insurance and other products, instead of relying almost exclusively on small‑ticket loans. This shift is aimed at deepening financial inclusion, reducing borrower over‑indebtedness and aligning MFIs with evolving regulatory and customer‑protection standards. For exams, this connects with priority sector lending, financial inclusion policies, NBFC‑MFI regulations and the role of microfinance in poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment.

Long Description : Reports on 10 December 2025 suggest that global markets are pricing in a 25‑basis‑point rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in its final policy decision of the year. For India, this may ease external financing conditions, support equity inflows and reduce pressure on bond yields, while also influencing the rupee’s trajectory via changes in interest differentials. For exams, the link between Fed policy, capital flows and emerging‑market currencies is crucial. Questions can test concepts like interest rate parity, portfolio flows, balance of payments sensitivity and how RBI may respond through its own rate, liquidity and forex interventions.

Long Description : The BRO announced the opening of the 425-km Srinagar–Leh highway, which had been closed since the previous December because of heavy snowfall at Zojila Pass. Teams from Project Beacon and Project Vijayak cleared unusually high snow levels around the 11,500-ft pass to make the road motorable again. The route is vital for moving essential supplies, civilian traffic and defence logistics to Ladakh, especially ahead of winter stocking requirements. For exams, this is relevant for border infrastructure, strategic geography, role of BRO and development of connectivity in high-altitude regions. It also links to security challenges and disaster-management preparedness in the Himalayas.

Long Description : In its Year‑End Review 2025, the Ministry of Culture underscored Diwali’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List as a major achievement in cultural diplomacy and heritage safeguarding. The review situates this recognition within a wider framework of festivals, international cultural collaborations and large‑format performances like the Republic Day cultural segment “Jayati Jai Mamahh Bharatam”. For aspirants, this item can be connected with topics on UNESCO’s list categories, the role of nodal ministries in nominations, and how such recognitions are used to promote tourism, creative industries and community participation in heritage protection.

Long Description : The Department of Space publicised “Scopus 2025”, an international conference hosted in Ahmedabad, with its formal inauguration scheduled for 10 December at 9 a.m., attended by the ISRO Chairman and other senior scientists. The meet focuses on advances in planetary science, space exploration and observational technologies, and brings together national and international experts. Such conferences demonstrate India’s growing role in global space research networks and complement flagship missions like Chandrayaan, Aditya‑L1 and Gaganyaan. For exams, note institutional roles (ISRO, PRL), themes in space science, and how scientific conferences contribute to innovation, capacity‑building and international cooperation.

Long Description : The PIB portal’s latest featured content includes thematic pieces on topics such as transforming India’s logistics sector, unlocking green hydrogen production potential and expanding the country’s green footprint. These articles outline policy reforms, infrastructure investments and regulatory changes aimed at reducing logistics costs, promoting renewable energy and supporting climate commitments. For examinations, they offer updated official perspectives on PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Policy, National Green Hydrogen Mission and related schemes. Aspirants should treat these as useful backgrounders for Mains answers and interview discussions on sustainable growth, energy transition and infrastructure competitiveness.

Long Description : Recent parliamentary debates and public discourse have centred on election reforms, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and issues of transparency, inclusion and alleged political bias. Reports mention the Law and Justice Minister’s defence of repeated SIR exercises in earlier decades and the continuing verification drive in states like Gujarat, with near‑complete house‑to‑house checks. For aspirants, this ties directly to topics on Election Commission powers, voter registration processes, electoral roll management, as well as proposed reforms discussed by various committees and civil‑society groups. It is also linked with current editorial discussions in newspapers such as The Hindu on “cleaning” electoral rolls and strengthening electoral integrity.

Long Description : The combination of Diwali’s inclusion in UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List and the Ministry of Culture’s expanded calendar of international collaborations reflects a deliberate push in India’s cultural diplomacy. Official documents emphasise showcasing India’s civilisational diversity abroad, participating in global festivals and hosting visiting troupes to build people‑to‑people ties. For exams, this can be linked with the concept of soft power, India’s cultural centres under ICCR, use of Yoga Day, heritage weeks and diaspora engagement. It also intersects with questions on how culture supports foreign policy objectives, tourism, creative industries and India’s global image as “Vishwa Guru”.