Brief Summary
This session provides a comprehensive review of current affairs from November and December, targeting various competitive exams. The instructor aims to cover around 200-250 MCQs, emphasising quick responses and active participation. The session also includes motivational advice on managing exam stress and maintaining a positive mindset. Key topics include government schemes, international agreements, and economic updates, all explained with relatable examples and memory aids.
- Current affairs from November and December
- Motivational advice on managing exam stress
- Government schemes, international agreements, and economic updates
Introduction
The session will cover current affairs from November and December, with a target of 200-250 MCQs. January's current affairs will be covered separately around 30th January. The instructor encourages students to suggest additional sessions needed before their exams and stresses the importance of liking the video and subscribing to the channel to receive timely notifications.
Mindset and Preparation Tips
The instructor advises students to approach exams with a calm and focused mindset, overcoming fear and hesitation. She emphasises that life's outcomes are not always within our control, and it's important to focus on effort rather than immediate results. She encourages students to maintain a balanced approach to studying different subjects and to rely on marathon sessions for general awareness.
PM Fasal Bima Yojana Expansion
The Prime Minister's Crop Insurance Scheme (PMFBY) now includes wild animal attacks and paddy inundation as causes of crop loss, allowing farmers to claim insurance for these localised risks. This expansion covers areas prone to wildlife conflicts and floods, protecting against losses from animals like nilgai, monkeys, elephants, and wild boars. Farmers must report losses with geo-tagged photos within 72 hours via the Crop Insurance app.
India's First Dedicated Forest University
Uttar Pradesh is establishing India's first dedicated Forest University in Gorakhpur, focusing on forestry, wildlife, and environmental sciences. The Forest Research Institute and Wildlife Institute of India are both located in Dehradun. Gorakhpur is also home to the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre for vultures, supported by a ₹50 crore budget from the UP government. The V Foundation India, in collaboration with Assam Government and Guwahati University, has launched a vulture conservation portal. The Gorakhpur Nuclear Power Plant, however, is located in Haryana, not Uttar Pradesh.
Joint Trade and Investment Committee with the Netherlands
India has established a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (GTIC) with the Netherlands to strengthen bilateral trade and investment. This initiative aims to foster economic cooperation between the two countries.
GI Tagged Indi Lime Enters Oman Market
Indi Lime, a GI-tagged product from Vijayapura, Karnataka, has entered the Omani market, with initial exports of three metric tonnes. The capital of Oman is Muscat, and the currency is the Omani Rial. Chhattisgarh has recently exported fortified rice to Costa Rica and Papua New Guinea, with the rice containing added Vitamin B12, iron, and folic acid. India has surpassed China to become the largest producer of rice, with 150 million metric tons. In milk production, India is first, followed by the USA. China leads in egg production, with India second.
National Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Hub Scheme
The National Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Hub (NSSH) scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), promotes entrepreneurship within SC/ST communities. The Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment is Virendra Kumar, the Minister for Rural Development is Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Minister of Finance is Nirmala Sitharaman, and the MSME Minister is Jeetan Ram Manjhi. The scheme mandates 4% public procurement from SC/ST MSMEs and supports their participation in domestic and international exhibitions.
ICGS Amulya and Fast Patrol Vessels
The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Amulya is the third vessel in a series of Fast Patrol Vessels built by Goa Shipyard Limited. These vessels, part of the Admayya class, are designed for coastal patrolling and feature indigenous content and high-speed capabilities.
NASA Space App Challenge Recognition for Chennai Team
A team from Chennai, Photonics ODC, received global recognition at NASA's International Space App Challenge for proposing a sovereign phased array satellite internet infrastructure to provide broadband access to remote areas. The project aims to help over 700 million underserved people.
Bureau of Port Security Establishment
The Government of India is establishing a Bureau of Port Security under the Merchant Shipping Act of 2025 to enhance the safety and security of ships and port infrastructure. The bureau, headed by a Director-General of IPS rank, will operate under the Ministry of Port Shipping and Waterways, currently led by Sarbananda Sonowal.
South Indian Bank's Contactless Payment Solution
South Indian Bank has launched a new contactless payment solution called RuPay Contactless SIB Pay Tag Sticker to enhance digital transactions. The bank has also introduced Gold Express, offering loans up to ₹25 lakh with a high loan-to-value ratio, and UPI-based GST payment facilities.
Vikshit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin Act
The Vikshit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission Gramin (VB G Ramji) Act of 2025 replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). It guarantees at least 125 days of work per rural household per financial year, with wage payments mandated weekly or within 15 days.
Ammonia Urea Fertiliser Plant in Dibrugarh, Assam
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a ₹1061 crore brownfield ammonia urea fertiliser plant in Dibrugarh, Assam. This plant, under the Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited, is scheduled for commissioning by 2030 and will have an annual urea production capacity of 1.25 lakh metric tons.
DRDO and National Defence University Collaboration
DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University have signed an MoU to enhance collaboration in research, education, training, and technology support for India's defence and internal security. The headquarters for both universities are in Gujarat, with Rashtriya Raksha University under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Best Health Technology Assessment Institute
PGIMER Chandigarh has been recognised as the Best Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Institute for the second consecutive year. Chandigarh has also declared itself as the first slum-free region in India.
IT Services Contract with ASA Bank
HCLTech has secured a multi-year contract with ASA Bank, a Dutch bank based in the Netherlands. This partnership aims to enhance the bank's IT infrastructure and services.
Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand
India and New Zealand have concluded a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to double bilateral trade within five years. New Zealand's capital is Wellington, and its currency is the New Zealand dollar. The agreement includes a $20 billion investment from New Zealand in India over the next 15 years.
Genomic Sequencing Project for Tribal Communities in Gujarat
Gujarat has become the first state in India to launch a large-scale genome sequencing project focused on tribal communities. The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre will lead the project, initially decoding 10,000 genomes to address genetic diseases prevalent among tribal populations.
Bihar Cabinet Approves Saat Nischay III
The Bihar Cabinet has approved the implementation of Saat Nischay III, a five-year development program aimed at placing Bihar among the developed states of India from 2025 to 2030. The program focuses on seven pillars, including double employment, double income, and progress in agriculture.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Birth Centenary Program
The "Shunya Se Shatak" program was held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birth centenary. This event celebrated his life and contributions to India.
India's First Nature-Themed Airport
Adani Airports is developing India's first nature-themed airport terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, Assam, with a ₹4000 crore investment. The design is inspired by bamboo and orchids.
City Level Convention Promotion Bureaus
The Union Ministry of Tourism has launched the establishment of city-level Convention Promotion Bureaus to boost MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) tourism. The Minister of Tourism is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Flipkart Recognised as Awarding Body
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has recognised Flipkart as an awarding body to promote industry-led skilling in India's e-commerce sector.
Awards and Honours
Ravi Dee Cee, publisher and MD of DC Books, received an award from France for translating books into Malayalam. Amit Shah, Home Minister, presented the Home Minister Efficiency Medal for Exemplary Service to CRPF officer Dinesh Khatak. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Government, received the UN Environment Programme's 2025 Champions of the Earth award. A'ja Wilson, a basketball player from the USA, was named the Times 2025 Athlete of the Year.
ADB Approves Loan for Rooftop Solar Expansion
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $650 million policy-based loan to support India's rooftop solar expansion, aiming to reach 10 million households by 2027 under the Pradhan Mantri Suryagar Muft Bijli Yojana. The ADB headquarters are in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Vijay AI Path Initiative in Karnataka
The Vijay AI Path initiative is being implemented by Skind Foundation in partnership with the Karnataka government to promote AI and STEM education in government schools.
Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 Launched
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has launched the 10th edition of Swachh Survekshan 2025-26 in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The theme is "Swachhata Ki Nai Pahal," and the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs is Manohar Lal Khattar.
Indian Coast Guard's Pollution Control Vessel
The Indian Coast Guard has launched its first pollution control vessel, Samudra Pratap, built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
ISRO Launches US Satellite
ISRO successfully launched the US AST Space Mobile Blue Walker 2 communication satellite from Sriharikota using the LVM3 heavy-lift vehicle.
India's Projects in Myanmar
India has handed over three quick impact projects to Myanmar in the Mandalay region, including high-tech weaving machines, a new building for a girls' training school, and a tar-free gasification system for agricultural waste.
Pro Wrestling League and Other Rapid Fire Questions
The Pro Wrestling League launched a new logo for the 2026 season. The most expensive female wrestler was Japan's Uei Susaki, and the most expensive male wrestler was Robert Barren. India announced a $450 million relief package for Sri Lanka's post-cyclone recovery.
Economic Updates and Appointments
Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the Chintan Shivir of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Fitch Ratings revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.4%. Stephen Prisner became the new UN Resident Coordinator in India.
Financial Sector Developments
India Optel Limited collaborated with Safran for defence manufacturing. Saudi Arabia unveiled its first polymer one riyal bank note. Fino Payments Bank received in-principle approval from RBI to convert into a Small Finance Bank.
Cultural Events and Schemes
The 15th International Sand Art Festival was inaugurated alongside the Konark Festival in Odisha. The PM WANI scheme has reached almost 4 lakh active Wi-Fi hotspots in India.
RBI's Monetary Policy
RBI reduced the policy repo rate to 5.25% and announced open market operations of ₹2 lakh crore.
Green Initiatives and Economic Census
Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the construction of India's first all-electric green truck. The 8th Economic Census in India is scheduled for 2027.
Homework and Closing Remarks
The instructor assigns homework to name the Assam-based public sector refinery that received Navratna status. She encourages viewers to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and join her Telegram channel for the class PDF. She concludes by advising students to maintain a positive mindset and trust in their preparation for upcoming exams.
