📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 Cabinet Approves Census of India 2027

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal to conduct the Census of India 2027.
Estimated Cost: The massive exercise has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹11,718.24 crore.
Significance: The Census is crucial for providing updated demographic, social, and economic data, which is essential for planning government schemes and policies.
Legal Basis: The exercise will be carried out under the provisions of the Census Act, 1948.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 India Ranks 3rd in Global AI Competitiveness

According to the Stanford University’s Global AI Index, India has emerged as the world's third most competitive country in Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Global Leaders: India ranks behind only the United States (1st) and China (2nd).
Focus Area: This high ranking is attributed to India's rapid deployment and leadership in Agentic AI applications, as recently noted by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.
Significance: This highlights India’s strength in AI talent, data infrastructure, and startup ecosystem, positioning it as a major global tech hub.

🔷 NASA Loses Contact with MAVEN Orbiter at Mars

NASA confirmed the loss of contact with the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft.
Mission: MAVEN had been successfully orbiting the Red Planet (Mars) for over a decade, studying its upper atmosphere and the loss of Martian volatiles to space.
Launch: The spacecraft was launched in November 2013 and entered Mars orbit in September 2014.
Impact: The data from MAVEN was critical in understanding how Mars lost its ancient water and evolved from a warm, wet planet to a cold desert.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 India Steps Up Aid to Sri Lanka After Cyclone

India stepped up its humanitarian and infrastructure assistance to Sri Lanka following the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Operation Name: The relief efforts were executed under 'Operation Sagar Bandhu'.
Support Details: New Delhi deployed engineering and naval teams along with essential supplies like food, water, and emergency medical aid.
Goal: The rapid deployment emphasizes India’s commitment to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and its role as a First Responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 Chile Elects New President: Shift to the Right

Chile elected José Antonio Kast as its new president, marking the most significant right-wing leadership shift since the country’s return to democracy.
Context: The runoff election results reflect a strong sentiment in Chile for change from the previous centrist governments.
Policy Stance: Kast had campaigned on a platform focused on reducing government spending, taking a harder stance on migration, and aligning with nationalist policies.

👤 Personalities (appointments, births, deaths)

🔷 Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan is New CMD of Power Grid

The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) selected Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL).
Current Role: He is currently serving as the Director (Projects) at PGCIL, a Maharatna company.
Confirmation: His final appointment awaits approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

🎭 Culture & Important Events

🔷 National Energy Conservation Day

National Energy Conservation Day is observed annually in India on December 14.
Objective: The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and saving energy for a sustainable future.
Organizing Body: The day is championed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, Government of India.
Awards: The National Energy Conservation Awards are presented on this day to industries and institutions that demonstrate excellent energy-saving performance.

📌 December 14, 2025 General Knowledge

National Energy Conservation Day (1991): Observed every year in India on December 14 since 1991, established by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
1950 (UN Refugee Agency): The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency, was established on this date.
1911 (Amundsen): Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole.
1895 (King George VI): Birth anniversary of King George VI, the last Emperor of India and the father of Queen Elizabeth II.