Current Affairs - December 9, 2025 Current Affairs

India will host the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17–19 December 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The event will be co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization, reflecting India’s growing leadership in global traditional medicine systems. With participation expected from over 100 countries, the summit will focus on scientific validation, integrative healthcare, biodiversity protection and digital innovation. India’s long-established Ayush systems and the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar further reinforce the nation’s influential role. A dedicated Ashwagandha session will also highlight India’s contributions to modern traditional-medicine research.

Maharashtra achieved a remarkable milestone by installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps within a span of only 30 days, setting a Guinness World Record. This accomplishment highlights the state’s leadership in renewable-energy-driven farming and its commitment to reducing dependence on traditional electricity sources. The installations were carried out under PM-KUSUM and the state’s Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, both designed to provide clean, reliable irrigation for farmers. This initiative not only boosts agricultural productivity but also strengthens climate resilience, cuts grid load, and supports India’s long-term clean-energy and sustainability goals.

Maharashtra achieved a remarkable milestone by installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps within a span of only 30 days, setting a Guinness World Record. This accomplishment highlights the state’s leadership in renewable-energy-driven farming and its commitment to reducing dependence on traditional electricity sources. The installations were carried out under PM-KUSUM and the state’s Magel Tyala Saur Krushi Pump Yojana, both designed to provide clean, reliable irrigation for farmers. This initiative not only boosts agricultural productivity but also strengthens climate resilience, cuts grid load, and supports India’s long-term clean-energy and sustainability goals.

The world’s highest war memorial was inaugurated at Galwan, located along the Durbuk–Shyok–DBO Road in Ladakh. This memorial honours the twenty Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 2020 clash with Chinese troops. Designed with a granite trishul-damru structure, it includes an eternal flame, the national flag and twenty bronze statues representing the fallen soldiers. The site further features a museum and digital gallery developed under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. To make the remote and high-altitude destination more accessible, additional visitor facilities have been created, enhancing both tourism and public remembrance.

The world’s highest war memorial was inaugurated at Galwan, located along the Durbuk–Shyok–DBO Road in Ladakh. This memorial honours the twenty Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 2020 clash with Chinese troops. Designed with a granite trishul-damru structure, it includes an eternal flame, the national flag and twenty bronze statues representing the fallen soldiers. The site further features a museum and digital gallery developed under the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative. To make the remote and high-altitude destination more accessible, additional visitor facilities have been created, enhancing both tourism and public remembrance.

Sunny Reddy, an Indian American entrepreneur, was unanimously chosen as the Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair, marking a significant moment of representation for the Indian diaspora in U.S. politics. His selection highlights his strong grassroots leadership, effective donor outreach and respected standing within the community. The unanimous consent for his nomination reflects broad confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the party’s strategic direction. His influence and integrity have been widely acknowledged, making his election an important development for both the GOP and the broader Indian American community.

Sunny Reddy, an Indian American entrepreneur, was unanimously chosen as the Michigan Republican Party Co-Chair, marking a significant moment of representation for the Indian diaspora in U.S. politics. His selection highlights his strong grassroots leadership, effective donor outreach and respected standing within the community. The unanimous consent for his nomination reflects broad confidence in his ability to contribute meaningfully to the party’s strategic direction. His influence and integrity have been widely acknowledged, making his election an important development for both the GOP and the broader Indian American community.

The 6th National EMRS Cultural & Literary Festival ‘Udbhavam 2025’ was held at KL University, located in Andhra Pradesh. The event brought together 1,558 tribal students from 22 states to participate in a diverse range of cultural, literary and artistic competitions. Spanning three days and featuring 49 competitive events, it was organised by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) with strong support from APTWREIS. The festival not only celebrated tribal heritage and creativity but also aimed to empower students by building their confidence, leadership qualities and national presence.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recognised India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world’s largest real-time payment system in its June 2025 report titled “Growing Retail Digital Payments (The Value of Interoperability).” This acknowledgment highlights India’s leadership in the global fintech ecosystem and underscores the massive scale of UPI, which accounts for 49% of all global real-time digital transactions. The recognition demonstrates the success of India’s digital infrastructure, government-led initiatives and the collaborative efforts of institutions like NPCI and RBI. It also reinforces UPI’s role as a model for affordable, interoperable and scalable digital payment systems worldwide.

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN, along with the Watershed Mahotsav, was launched in Nagaland with the goal of rejuvenating water bodies, restoring degraded land and promoting efficient water-harvesting systems through community participation. The initiative operates under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), under which 14 projects have been approved and ₹140 crore sanctioned. As part of the mission’s progress, 555 watershed structures have been renovated, benefiting over 6,500 farmers. The broader objective is to strengthen water security in the Northeast, supported by 90% central assistance, while advancing climate-resilient development across the region.

Intel signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Electronics to explore semiconductor chip manufacturing and advanced packaging in India. The collaboration focuses on leveraging Tata’s upcoming Dholera chip fabrication facility in Gujarat and the Guwahati OSAT unit in Assam. Both entities aim to strengthen India’s semiconductor value chain, support domestic chip production and contribute to global supply chain resilience at a time when demand for AI-driven technologies is rising rapidly. The partnership also includes potential work on advanced packaging technologies and AI-based PC solutions. Intel’s CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s visit to India and meetings with national leaders further highlight the strategic importance of this initiative.

International Anti-Corruption Day in 2025 is observed on December 9, a day dedicated to raising global awareness about the need to combat corruption and promote integrity across societies. The 2025 theme, “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity,” emphasises the crucial role young people play in driving ethical governance. Through technology, education and social media, youth are encouraged to challenge corrupt practices and create transparent systems. Various organizations, including UNODC and UNDP, host events such as webinars, workshops and awareness drives to strengthen collective action against corruption and inspire long-term positive change.

The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide is observed every year on December 9. This date aligns with the adoption of the Genocide Convention on 9 December 1948, reinforcing the global commitment to preventing and punishing the crime of genocide. The observance provides an opportunity to honour victims, reflect on past atrocities, and build stronger mechanisms for justice, accountability and early prevention. In 2025, the day marks its 10th anniversary, prompting renewed focus on combating incitement, strengthening legal frameworks and addressing emerging threats such as digital hate speech and ethnic violence.

The International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide is observed every year on December 9. This date aligns with the adoption of the Genocide Convention on 9 December 1948, reinforcing the global commitment to preventing and punishing the crime of genocide. The observance provides an opportunity to honour victims, reflect on past atrocities, and build stronger mechanisms for justice, accountability and early prevention. In 2025, the day marks its 10th anniversary, prompting renewed focus on combating incitement, strengthening legal frameworks and addressing emerging threats such as digital hate speech and ethnic violence.

Ghaziabad emerged as the most polluted city in India in November 2025, recording a PM2.5 concentration of 224 µg/m³, which placed it above all other cities during that period. Delhi followed closely with a PM2.5 level of 215 µg/m³ after a significant rise from October. Uttar Pradesh dominated the list overall, with six of the top ten polluted cities, while Haryana contributed three and Delhi one. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, the region experienced almost no ‘safe AQI day’. Although the impact of stubble burning was relatively lower than the previous year, pollution levels remained alarmingly high across several regions.