🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Rajnath Singh Dedicates 125 BRO Projects to Nation

The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 125 newly completed infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation.
Value & Significance: These projects are worth approximately ₹5,000 crore and represent the highest number and value of inaugurations undertaken by the BRO in a single day.
Objective: The projects, which include roads, bridges, and tunnels, will significantly strengthen India's border infrastructure and improve military mobility in remote areas.
BRO Status: The BRO is a road construction executive force that works under the Ministry of Defence since 2015. It was established on May 7, 1960.

🔷 Indian Naval Academy to Host Admiral’s Cup

The Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, Kerala, is set to host the 14th Admiral’s Cup sailing regatta.
Participants: Naval teams from 35 friendly foreign countries will participate in this prestigious naval sailing championship.
Boats Used: The participants will compete using ILCA-6 class boats.
Goal: The event, launched in 2010, aims to promote camaraderie, cooperation, and maritime bonds among global naval trainees.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 Retail CBDC Transactions Cross 120 Million

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that the volume of transactions for the Retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), called the e₹-R, has crossed 120 million.
Launch: The Retail CBDC pilot was launched by the RBI in December 2022.
Status: CBDC is a digital form of India’s sovereign currency (Rupee), issued and backed by the RBI. It is the same as the fiat currency and exchangeable one-to-one with it.
Significance: This high transaction volume indicates the growing acceptance of digital currency for small, day-to-day transactions in the Indian financial system.

🔷 India’s Current Account Deficit Widens

Recent economic reports indicate that India's Current Account Deficit (CAD) is likely to widen due to growing trade deficits.
CAD Definition: CAD tracks what a country earns from the world (exports) versus what it pays out (imports, etc.).
Key Driver: The persistent merchandise trade deficit (India importing more physical goods than exporting) is the main reason for the widening CAD.
The Invisible Hand: The deficit is usually partially saved by the large surplus in 'invisibles' (services, remittances, IT exports).

🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 UPSC Civil Services Interview Commences

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)'s Personality Tests (Interviews) for the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2025 commenced on December 8, 2025.
Schedule: The interviews for the first batch of qualified candidates will continue until December 19, 2025.
Purpose: The interview is the final stage of the Civil Services Exam, evaluating a candidate's analytical ability, clarity of thought, and suitability for administrative service.
Reimbursement: Candidates are eligible for travel reimbursement limited to the Second/Sleeper class train fare.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 SAARC Marks 40th Charter Day

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) observed its 40th Charter Day on December 8.
Formation: The SAARC Charter was signed on December 8, 1985, during the First SAARC Summit held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Goal: To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and strengthen cooperation in economic, social, cultural, and technical fields.
Secretariat: The SAARC Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Member States include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 India Aims for 1 TW Power Capacity by 2034-35

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) submitted the National Electricity Plan (NEP) blueprint to the government.
Target: The plan projects that India's installed electric power capacity will cross 1 Terawatt (TW) by the financial year 2034–35. (It is currently around 505 GW).
2047 Mix: By 2047, the mix is targeted to include around 2,100 GW of Renewable Energy (RE), including 1,200 GW solar and 400–450 GW wind power.
Objective: This massive expansion is needed to meet the projected annual 7–8% increase in electricity demand.

📌 December 8, 2025 General Knowledge

SAARC Charter Day (1985): Celebrated on December 8 to mark the signing of the charter that established the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in Dhaka.
1941 (WWII): The United States formally declared war on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to its entry into World War II.
1980 (John Lennon): John Lennon, legendary member of The Beatles music band, was tragically shot and killed in New York City.
1881 (Prafulla Chandra Ray): Birth anniversary of Acharya Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray, a distinguished chemist and founder of the Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works.
1923 (Germany-US): The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Consular Rights was signed between Germany and the United States.