🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Cabinet Approves Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill

The Union Cabinet has approved the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA) Bill, 2025.
Objective: The bill aims to overhaul India's higher education system by proposing a unified regulatory body.
Key Change: It will replace existing bodies like the UGC (University Grants Commission), AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), and NCTE (National Council for Teacher Education).
New Structure: The bill proposes separating academic regulation from financial grants/funding, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Enforcement: The VBSA will have strong punitive powers, including heavy fines and the potential closure of non-compliant institutions.

🔷 New Job Guarantee Scheme to Replace MNREGA

The Centre is set to introduce a bill to replace the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with a new job guarantee scheme.
New Name/Focus: The new scheme is reportedly called the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB–G RAM G 2025.
Benefit Hike: The new blueprint proposes to increase the job guarantee from the current 100 days to 125 days of work per household per year.
Goal: The shift aims to refocus the scheme towards skill development, asset creation, and reducing seasonal rural migration by offering more sustainable work.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 ADB Approves $240 Million Loan for Chennai Metro

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 240 million (approx. ₹2,000 crore) loan for the expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail System in Tamil Nadu.
Phase: The funding is specifically for Chennai Metro Rail Phase 2, which will significantly enhance urban infrastructure and public transport capacity.
Impact: The project aims to improve commuter convenience, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions in the metropolitan area.
Global Support: This marks a significant development for India's urban infrastructure, showcasing continued international financial support for key projects.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 MahaCrimeOS AI Launched for Maharashtra Police

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced the statewide rollout of MahaCrimeOS AI, an advanced AI-driven investigation platform for the Maharashtra Police.
Development: The platform was developed in partnership with the Maharashtra Government and its AI policing initiative MARVEL (Maharashtra Research and Vigilance for Enhanced Law Enforcement).
Key Feature: The AI tool can read First Information Reports (FIRs) in Marathi and automatically generate detailed investigation plans based on police protocols.
Focus Areas: The system initially supports investigations in four complex crime areas: narcotics, cybercrime, crimes against women, and financial fraud.

🔷 ISRO Plans Seven Launches by March 2026

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) revealed plans for seven space launch missions to be completed by March 2026.
Key Mission: This includes the launch of the uncrewed Gaganyaan Mission, which is a crucial test flight before India's first human spaceflight.
Launch Vehicle: The upcoming missions will utilize India's versatile launch vehicles, including the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3).

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Indian Navy Commissions INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’

The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission INAS 335 (Ospreys), its second squadron of MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in Goa.
Aircraft: The MH-60R (Romeo) helicopters are one of the most advanced maritime choppers globally, procured from the United States (US).
Role: These helicopters will significantly boost the Navy’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Focus

The Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam has gained attention due to successful community-led conservation efforts.
Location: It is located in the Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts of Assam.
Key Species: The sanctuary is famous for being the second protected habitat for the endangered Golden Langur in India.
Conservation Status: The Golden Langur is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 PM Modi Embarks on Three-Country Tour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-country tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
Bilateral Focus: The visit to Jordan is the first bilateral trip and will focus on strategic cooperation and trade.
Agreements: The visit to Oman is expected to include discussions on a potential free-trade pact to strengthen business ties.
Africa Summit: The visit to Ethiopia will focus on preparations for the upcoming India-Africa Forum Summit.

👤 Personalities (appointments, births, deaths)

🔷 Archna Vyas Appointed Gates Foundation India Country Director

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced the appointment of Archna Vyas as its new Country Director for India.
Role: She will lead the foundation's work in India, focusing on its priorities in alignment with the Indian government's vision of Viksit Bharat.
Background: Vyas brings extensive experience in development and building partnerships to deliver impactful results.

🔷 Nitin Nabin Appointed BJP National Working President

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appointed Nitin Nabin as its new National Working President.
Significance: His appointment is seen as a key leadership shift, promoting young leadership within the party structure.

📌 December 15, 2025 General Knowledge

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Death Anniversary (1950): Death anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, known as the 'Iron Man of India'.
Indian National Army Day (1942): The Indian National Army (INA), under Subhas Chandra Bose, was formally organized on this date in 1942 in Singapore.
1961 (Goa Liberation): Operation Vijay was launched on this day by the Indian armed forces to annex Goa, Daman, and Diu from Portuguese rule.
1971 (UN): The United Nations General Assembly approved the US proposal to withdraw from the Vietnam War.