Current Affairs Quiz 1st December 2025 Quiz

Exp. 29th November – International Jaguar Day

International Jaguar Day is observed on 29th November each year to raise awareness about the conservation of jaguars, one of the largest and most iconic wild cats of the Americas.

The day aims to highlight the threats faced by jaguars, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts, and to promote global conservation efforts.

Wildlife organizations and enthusiasts use this day to educate the public, support research programs, and advocate for protected areas and corridors to ensure the survival of jaguars in the wild.

Exp. 29th November – International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed on 29th November every year to express support for the Palestinian people and their rights.

The day marks the anniversary of the UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (1947), which called for the partition of Palestine and laid the groundwork for highlighting Palestinian issues globally.

It aims to raise awareness about the struggles of Palestinians, promote international cooperation, and encourage efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Exp. 28th November – Red Planet Day

Red Planet Day is observed on 28th November every year to celebrate and raise awareness about Mars, also known as the Red Planet, highlighting its significance in space exploration.

The day aims to educate people about Mars’ unique features, including its red color caused by iron oxide, its atmosphere, and the potential for future human exploration.

Space agencies and astronomy enthusiasts use this day to promote research, discoveries, and missions related to Mars, inspiring interest in science, astronomy, and interplanetary studies.

Exp. NPCI’s Banking Connect Launched to Enable Real-Time RBI Monitoring and Boost Bill Payments

Banking Connect, a newly launched net banking platform by NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL), will allow the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to monitor fund transfers in real time, improving oversight over sectors like cryptocurrency and gaming.

NBBL aims to quadruple monthly bill payments from 260 million to 1 billion in four years, expanding accessibility to over 135 million households, or about half of India’s households.

The platform will minimise fraud by flagging suspicious transactions, although social engineering frauds, where customers are tricked into revealing sensitive information, remain a challenge.

Banking Connect offers features like interoperability and a mobile-first approach, with participation from six banks and multiple payment aggregators, and efforts underway to onboard the top five banks by net banking volumes within a month.

Exp. Chhattisgarh Housing Board Launches ₹2,060 Crore Projects to Build 12,000 Affordable Homes

The Chhattisgarh Housing Board (CGHB) has launched 55 housing projects worth ₹2,060 crore across 26 districts, aiming to provide affordable homes for 12,000 families, inaugurated by CM Vishnu Deo Sai in Raipur.

The state has cleared loans worth ₹790 crore, and CGHB plans to fund these projects using money from home bookings, with construction starting in about three months and completion expected within 24 months.

CGHB’s recent revenue recovery, from ₹278 crore (2019–2023) to ₹860 crore, has been aided by one-time settlement schemes and discounts, enabling expansion to premier homes and future projects in seven more districts.

Exp. ADB Approves $400 Million Loan to Boost Climate-Resilient Road Connectivity in Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million loan under a results-based lending program to upgrade Maharashtra’s road network, focusing on climate-resilient, low-carbon, safe, and inclusive infrastructure.

The Maharashtra Roads Connectivity for Inclusive Growth Program aims to improve all-weather road connectivity in 34 districts, particularly in the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, linking rural communities to markets, healthcare, education, and other essential services.

The program will enhance road safety management using iRAP methodology and the safe systems approach, support safer road designs, improve school and village gateways, and train at least 120 engineers in road safety practices.

Exp. SEBI Eases Educational Criteria for Investment Advisers and Research Analysts

Markets regulator SEBI relaxes educational criteria for Investment Advisers (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs), allowing graduates from any discipline, including law and engineering, to apply for registration.

Despite the relaxation, passing the NISM certification exam remains mandatory to ensure domain knowledge and professional preparedness.

Previously, applicants needed a graduate or postgraduate degree in finance-related fields such as Finance, Commerce, Economics, Business Management, or Capital Markets.

Eligible applicants must have a recognized graduate degree or equivalent, including a CFA Charter, and the relevant NISM or accredited certification for registration.

Exp. Ramprasad Sridharan Appointed Managing Director of PUMA India, Succeeds Karthik Balagopalan

Ramprasad Sridharan has been appointed as the Managing Director of PUMA India from December, succeeding Karthik Balagopalan who chose to pursue new interests.

Sridharan will report directly to Matthias Bäumer, PUMA’s Chief Commercial Officer, and brings over 25 years of experience in brand building, digital growth, and commercial strategy across the Asia-Pacific region.

Prior to PUMA, he was CEO and Managing Director at United Colors of Benetton India and has held senior leadership roles at Clarks and Reebok India.

Recent Appointments

• Executive Chairman of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) – Justice Vikram Nath (replace Surya Kant)
• Deputy Chairman of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) – Ravish Kumar Singh
• Chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) – Sunil Paliwal (replace Vijay Kumar)
• President of Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles (OICA) – Shailesh Chandra (replace John Bozzella)

Exp. CEC Gyanesh Kumar to Become Chairperson of International IDEA for 2026

CEC Gyanesh Kumar will assume the role of Chairperson of the 35-nation International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) for 2026, taking over on 3 December 2025 during the Council of Member States meeting in Stockholm, Sweden.

As Chairperson, he will preside over all council meetings in 2026, reflecting the Election Commission of India’s global credibility and innovative election management practices.

International IDEA, established in 1995, is an inter-governmental organisation with 35 member countries (with the US and Japan as observers), committed to strengthening democratic institutions and promoting inclusive, accountable, and resilient democracies worldwide.

Exp. Javokhir Sindarov Becomes Youngest Ever FIDE World Cup Champion

Javokhir Sindarov Becomes Youngest Ever FIDE World Cup Champion, Wins $120,00019-year-old Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov became the youngest ever FIDE World Cup winner by defeating GM Wei Yi 1.5-0.5 in tiebreaks, earning the $120,000 top prize.

The 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa, India featured 206 players in a single-elimination knockout format from November 1–26, determining three spots for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

GM Andrey Esipenko won the third-place match and a Candidates spot, earning $60,000, while Wei Yi secured second place and $85,000, with the total prize fund of the tournament being $2 million.

Exp. Renowned Bharatanatyam Legend Kumari Kamala Passes Away at 91

Renowned Bharatanatyam artiste Kumari Kamala (Kamala Lakshminarayanan) passed away at the age of 91 in California; she was among the last living connections to the era when sadir evolved into modern Bharatanatyam.

Trained under Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai, she helped shape and popularize the Vazhuvur bani, known for its grace, fluid movements, and dramatic expression, becoming one of the most influential performers of the mid-20th century.

Born in 1934, Kamala excelled in both stage and cinema, later settling in the U.S., where she continued teaching; she was honoured with several awards including the Padma Bhushan (1975) and the U.S. National Heritage Fellowship for her immense contributions to Bharatanatyam.

Exp. Ministry of Mines Wins Silver Award for Excellence in Display at IITF 2025

The Ministry of Mines received the Silver Medal (Second Prize) for excellence in display under the Central Ministries & Government Departments category at IITF 2025, with the award presented to Joint Secretary Smt. Farida M. Naik and senior officials.

CPSEs under the Ministry showcased India’s industrial and strategic strengths, with NALCO highlighting its leadership in aluminium production and its applications in clean energy, transportation, and strategic sectors.

Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) displayed its copper products and emphasized copper’s significance across power, construction, railways, electronics, and its cultural contribution to the Ram Mandir, where it supplied around 70,000 pure copper strips and blocks.

Exp. CBDT Launches Second NUDGE Campaign to Ensure Accurate Reporting of Foreign Assets and Income

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)’s analysis of Analysis of the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) data for FY 2024-25 identified high-risk cases where taxpayers failed to report foreign assets, prompting the launch of the second NUDGE campaign from 28 November 2025, advising taxpayers to revise their ITRs by 31 December 2025 to avoid penalties.

The campaign focuses on ensuring accurate disclosure in Schedule FA (Foreign Assets) and Schedule FSI (Foreign Source Income) as mandated under the Income-tax Act, 1961 and the Black Money Act, 2015.

Using the PRUDENT approach, CBDT applies advanced data analytics to promote transparent, technology-driven, taxpayer-friendly administration and support the vision of Viksit Bharat through voluntary compliance.

The first NUDGE campaign (November 2024) led to 24,678 taxpayers revising returns, disclosing ₹29,208 crore worth of foreign assets and ₹1,089.88 crore foreign income, showcasing the effectiveness of data-driven and non-intrusive compliance measures.

Exp. NBA Releases ₹5.34 Crore to 85 Biodiversity Committees in Maharashtra Under Access and Benefit Sharing Framework

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has released ₹5.34 crore to around 85 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in Maharashtra under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, benefiting communities in Wada Tehsil, Palghar District, and BMC Mumbai.

Approximately 15% of ABS applications involve accessing microorganisms, highlighting how small biological resources can generate significant benefits for farmers, local communities, and other stakeholders.

With this release, India’s total ABS disbursements have crossed ₹116 crore, adding to previous allocations including ₹2.56 crore already disbursed to 108 BMCs and 7 institutions in Maharashtra.

Exp. C-DOT and IIT Roorkee Join Hands to Establish Centre of Excellence for Advanced Communication Technologies

C-DOT signed an MoU with IIT Roorkee to collaborate on advancing research and innovation in cutting-edge communication technologies.

Under this MoU, C-DOT will establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) at IIT Roorkee to accelerate indigenous R&D and capacity building.

The CoE will focus on joint research and prototype development in areas such as 5G/6G, RF-Sub-THz ICs, sensors, millimeter-wave beamforming antennas, V2X communication, and energy-efficient wireless technologies.

Recent MoU

• BEL & Safran Sign JV to manufacture HAMMER Precision Weapon in India
• CSIR Signs Pact with Industrial Corridor Corporation to Boost Innovation and High-Tech R&D Ecosystems
• Engineers India Signs MoU with NMDC Energy to Boost Onshore Oil, Gas, and Green Energy Projects in Saudi Arabia
• UIDAI Partners with Behavioural Insights Ltd to Boost Biometric Updates for Children Aged 5 to 15 Years
• NHA Renews MoU with DHR and ICMR to Boost Evidence-Based Healthcare and Strengthen Ayushman Bharat Schemes