Daily Insights December 1, 2025

Daily Insights December 1, 2025

1. PARLIAMENT: Winter Session 2025 Commences with 13 Legislative Bills

Source: PIB | https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2196539

Key Points:

• Winter Session begins today (December 1) and concludes December 19, 2025 with 15 sittings over 19 days

• 13 bills listed for legislative business

• Major bills include: Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025; Health Security and National Security Cess Bill 2025; Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025; National Highways (Amendment) Bill; Atomic Energy Bill; Corporate Laws (Amendment) Bill; Securities Markets Code Bill 2025; Higher Education Commission of India Bill 2025; Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2025

• First batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2025-26 to be taken up

• All-party meeting held to ensure smooth functioning of both houses

UPSC Relevance: Constitutional procedures, legislative business, government reforms, economic policies

2. HEALTH: India’s HIV Response Leadership Reaffirmed on World AIDS Day 2025

Source: PIB | https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2196479

Key Points:

• National-level observance led by Union Health Minister on December 1, 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi

• HIV prevalence declined from 0.33% (2010) to 0.20% (2024) — significantly lower than global average of 0.7%

• New HIV infections reduced by 49% since 2010 (from 1.25 lakh to 64,500), surpassing global reduction of 40%

• India’s new infections represent only 5% of global total (1.3 million globally in 2024)

• NACP Phase-V (2021-26) aims for 80% reduction in annual new infections and AIDS-related mortalities by 2025-26

• 16.06 lakh PLHIV receiving free ART through 725 ART centers; 12.30 lakh viral load tests conducted (2022-23)

• Theme: “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response”

UPSC Relevance: Public health policy, sustainable development goals, international commitments, health indicators

3. ELECTIONS: Election Commission Extends SIR Deadline Amid BLO Deaths

Source: PIB & Financial Express | https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/eci-extends-sir-deadline-by-7-days-last-to-fill-form-is-dec-11-final-roll-on-feb-14/

Key Points:

• Election Commission extended Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration deadline by 7 days across 12 states/UTs

• New enumeration deadline: December 11 (from December 4)

• Draft rolls to be published December 16 (from December 9)

• Revised schedule implemented following multiple BLO (Booth-Level Officer) deaths allegedly due to work pressure

• One-month enumeration phase compressed into unrealistic timeline caused extreme stress and fatalities

• TMC delegation highlighted suicide cases and strict timeline issues to Chief Election Commissioner

• Exercise involves door-to-door verification and data digitization of voter information

UPSC Relevance: Electoral processes, governance challenges, administrative reform, worker welfare, constitutional bodies

4. TAXATION: Central Excise Amendment Bill 2025 — New Tax Structure on Sin Goods

Source: New Indian Express & PIB | https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2025/Nov/30/govt-to-replace-compensation-cess-with-central-excise-duty

Key Points:

• Finance Minister to introduce Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha (today)

• Replaces GST Compensation Cess with 70% or higher excise duty on tobacco and related products

• Cigarettes to face specific cess of ₹2,700 to ₹11,000 per thousand sticks depending on length

• New tax burden protected after compensation cess phase-out

• Currently: 28% GST + compensation cess (5–290%); moved to 40% GST slab for sin goods; new structure: 40% GST + 70% cess

• Proceeds to Consolidated Fund of India for national security and public health expenditure

• Provides government “fiscal space” to maintain historically high tax incidence on tobacco

UPSC Relevance: Fiscal policy, taxation structure, indirect taxes, public finance, sin goods regulation

5. HEALTH & PUBLIC FINANCE: Health Security and National Security Cess Bill 2025

Source: News 18 & New Indian Express | https://www.news18.com/business/economy/govt-to-table-central-excise-amendment-bill-2025-what-it-means-for-tobacco-pan-masala-pr

Key Points:

• Health Security-cum-National Security Cess Bill 2025 introduced alongside Central Excise Bill

• Imposes new cess on manufacture of pan masala and other specified goods (to be notified later)

• Unique feature: Cess linked to production capacity of machinery/processes, not volume of goods manufactured

• Proceeds dedicated to: Meeting national security expenditure and public health initiatives

• First use of capacity-based levy rather than output-based taxation

• Government retains power to notify additional goods under this cess

• Represents shift in indirect tax architecture toward public health goals

UPSC Relevance: Public finance, fiscal federalism, social security, health policy, government revenue

6. CLIMATE ACTION: India Submits Revised 2035 NDC Ahead of COP30 Deadline

Source: News on Air & Economic Times | https://www.newsonair.gov.in/india-to-submit-revised-ndc-for-2035-by-december-says-environment-minister-bhupender-yadav/

Key Points:

• Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced revised NDC for 2035 to be submitted by December 2025

• India’s emission intensity declined 36% since 2005 — significant achievement in climate action

• Non-fossil fuel energy capacity: 256 GW — more than 50% of total installed capacity, achieving NDC target 5 years ahead of 2030 goal

• 2 billion+ plants planted under community-led initiative in just 16 months

• Nuclear Mission and Green Hydrogen Mission to accelerate net-zero pathway by 2070

• First Biennial Transparency Report to be released soon

• India called on developed nations to achieve net-zero targets ahead of current timelines

• Urged compliance with Paris Agreement principles on technology transfer and climate finance

UPSC Relevance: Climate change mitigation, international environmental agreements, India’s climate commitments, sustainable development, energy transition

7. GEOGRAPHY-ENVIRONMENT: Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Population to Rise

Source: PIB & Census Data | https://www.gktoday.in/kashi-tamil-sangamam-4-0-is-scheduled-to-begin-on-december-2nd/

Key Points:

• Population of A&N projected to increase following development initiatives and improved connectivity

• Lakshadweep population (2025): ~68,400 — growth of 6.15% from 2011 census (64,473)

• Lakshadweep literacy rate: 91.85% — among India’s highest

• Sex ratio: 946 females per 1000 males — above national average

• Muslim population dominance: 96.58%

• Growth driven by improved governance, developmental projects, and migration

• Strategic importance of island territories increasing with focus on maritime security and blue economy

UPSC Relevance: Demography, island development, regional governance, strategic importance, population trends

8. ENVIRONMENT: Great Nicobar Project Site’s Biodiversity Concerns Highlighted

Source: Drishti IAS & Vision IAS | https://www.theindiaforum.in/environment/great-nicobar-island-hurtling-towards-environmental-catastrophe

Key Points:

• Great Nicobar Island — UNESCO World Heritage candidate hosting unique biodiversity

• Proposed project span: 166 sq km (10% of island’s 910 sq km), including 84 sq km denotified tribal reserves

• Biodiversity threat: 200 bird species, including endemic Nicobar megapode; 11 endemic mammals; 32 endemic bird species; 7 endemic reptile species

• Forest cover: 85% tropical rainforest — 650 species of angiosperms, ferns, gymnosperms, bryophytes (many endemic)

• Galathea Bay — Ramsar wetland and vital nesting site for globally endangered Leatherback Turtle

• Tree felling: 9.6-10 million trees projected to be cut for infrastructure development

• Seagrass meadows support 750 fish species and 121 threatened marine species including endangered dugongs

• Geological risk: Located on megathrust fault line that triggered 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

UPSC Relevance: Biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessment, wildlife protection, coastal zone management, indigenous rights, climate resilience

9. CULTURE: Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 — Celebrating Civilisational Links

Source: PIB & Ministry of Education | https://www.gktoday.in/kashi-tamil-sangamam-4-0-is-scheduled-to-begin-on-december-2nd/

Key Points:

• Fourth edition begins December 2 in Varanasi (concludes December 15); second phase in Tamil Nadu (December 16-30)

• Theme: “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam” — promoting Tamil language learning across India

• Delegates: 1,400+ from Tamil Nadu across 7 categories (students, teachers, writers, farmers, professionals, women, spiritual scholars)

• Inaugural event: December 2 at Namo Ghat, Varanasi coinciding with Karthigai Deepam festival

• Tamil Karkalam initiative: 50 Hindi-knowing Tamil teachers teaching Tamil to 1,500+ children in Varanasi schools

• Tamil learning for North: 300 college students from Uttar Pradesh to undergo 15-day Tamil immersion program in Tamil Nadu

• Sage Agasthya Vehicle Expedition: Cultural trail from Tenkasi to Kashi (December 2-12), showcasing historical connections

• Heritage visits: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, ancestral home of Subramania Bharati

• Coordinating institutions: IIT Madras, Banaras Hindu University, multiple Union ministries

• Alignment: Strengthening “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” vision

UPSC Relevance: Cultural integration, linguistic preservation, federalism, national integration, heritage tourism, inter-regional cooperation

10. HEALTH: AIDS and TB Fight — Tamil Nadu Shows Leadership Again

Source: The Hindu Editorial & WHO | https://visionias.in/current-affairs/upsc-daily-news-summary/article/2025-11-14/the-hindu/basic-science-biology/global-tb-funding

Key Points:

• Tamil Nadu emerging as health leader in combating AIDS and TB — best outcomes among Indian states

• TB statistics: India accounts for 1/4th of all TB patients globally; 1.07 crore affected in 2024

• Global TB funding gap: Only $5.9 billion reached (target: $22 billion by 2027); research funding only 24% of target

• Innovations: 63 diagnostic tests and 29 drugs in development; 18 vaccine candidates in clinical trials

• TB treatment success rate (2024): 88% for drug-susceptible TB

• Rapid TB testing coverage: 54%; 1.64 lakh receiving drug-resistant TB treatment

• High-risk preventive treatment: 53 lakh individuals covered

• Social determinants: Undernutrition, HIV, diabetes, smoking, alcohol major risk factors

• WHO call: Increased political commitment and domestic investment essential for 2030 elimination goals

UPSC Relevance: Public health indicators, epidemic disease control, state-level governance, health policy, sustainable development goals, international health cooperation

11. SCIENCE & INNOVATION: India Needs Research Pipelines for Breakthrough Technologies

Source: The Hindu Editorial & DST | https://www.pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=153470

Key Points:

• India’s innovation ranking: 39th globally (Global Innovation Index 2024) — improvement from 79th (2019) on Network Readiness Index

• IP filings: 6th position worldwide (as per WIPO 2023)

• National Quantum Mission: ₹6,003.65 crore allocated (8-year duration) for quantum technology R&D

• Four Thematic Hubs: Quantum Computing (IISc Bangalore), Quantum Communication (IIT Madras), Quantum Sensing & Metrology (IIT Bombay), Quantum Materials & Devices (IIT Delhi)

• 152 researchers from 43 institutions (31 institutes of national importance, 8 research labs, 1 university, 3 private institutes)

• Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs): 25 established in AI/ML, Robotics, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Agriculture Technologies, Mining, Advanced Communications, Quantum

• Supercomputing infrastructure: 32 Peta Flop capacity; additional 45 Peta Flop planned for 2025

• INSPIRE program: Flagship scheme attracting youth to science and research careers

UPSC Relevance: Science and technology policy, research infrastructure, innovation ecosystem, human resource development, institutional frameworks for R&D

12. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH: Steady Rise in Electricity-Related Fatality Rates in India

Source: NewsLaundry & Polycab Study | https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/08/01/electrocution-kills-12500-a-year-but-indias-power-safety-problem-still-finds-little-media

Key Points:

• India’s electrocution fatality rate: ~12,500 annually — highest globally per capita

• One lakh deaths over last decade (NCRB data) — approximately 34 deaths daily

• Workplace electrocution: ~13 deaths daily; accounts for 40% of workplace fatalities

• Factory accidents (2017-2020): Average 3 deaths and 11 injuries daily

• Major risk factors: Exposed high-power cables, poor installation and maintenance, waterlogged areas, inadequate inspections

• Urban areas particularly vulnerable: Dangerously strung cables near residential areas, sporadic haphazard maintenance

• Central Electricity Authority data: Alarming rise in incidents post-monsoon

• Infra Safety Initiative: Industry partners launching conclaves to address electrical safety in manufacturing

UPSC Relevance: Occupational safety, public health, infrastructure regulation, labor welfare, risk mitigation, industrial policy

13. TECHNOLOGY & GOVERNANCE: AI Evangelists vs. Doomsayers — Regulatory Dilemma

Source: Indian Express & Vision IAS | https://visionias.in/current-affairs/upsc-daily-news-summary/article/2025-11-10/the-indian-express/science-and-technology/what-govt’s-ai-guidelines

Key Points:

• MeitY’s AI Governance Guidelines: Balance between innovation and accountability

• Key recommendations: Expand data and computing access; integrate with Digital Public Infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI); tax rebates for MSMEs

• Regulatory approach: Agile, sector-specific using existing laws with targeted amendments

• Risk mitigation: India-specific framework with voluntary and techno-legal measures

• Accountability: Graded liability regime tied to function/risk level; mandatory grievance redressal

• New institutions: AI Governance Group, Technology & Policy Expert Committee, AI Safety Institute

• Draft IT Rules amendments: Require social media platforms to verify and label synthetically generated content

• Capacity building: AI literacy for citizens, public servants, law enforcement

• Concerns: Data privacy risks, inference vulnerabilities, potential foreign AI misuse of user data

• Current AI adoption: 93% of Indian organizations now using AI (Zoho study) — mostly strengthening privacy frameworks

UPSC Relevance: Technology regulation, data privacy, governance frameworks, innovation policy, cybersecurity, digital rights

14. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: Putin’s India Visit Reshapes Global Diplomacy

Source: Modern Diplomacy | https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/11/28/vladimir-putins-2025-india-visit-reshaping-global-diplomacy-and-security/

Key Points:

• Putin’s first India visit since Ukraine war outbreak — scheduled for early December 2025

• 23rd Indo-Russian Annual Summit to deepen collaboration on:

  • Defence manufacturing

  • Long-term energy deals

  • Technology transfers

  • Alternative payment mechanisms bypassing Western sanctions

• Strategic context: India maintaining strong Russia ties despite Ukraine conflict and Western isolation

• India’s military dependence: 68-70% imports from Russia — despite stated diversification efforts

• Geopolitical implications: India’s “strategic autonomy” criticized as maintaining strategic neutrality while de facto favoring Russia

• Trade dynamics: India obtaining cheaper oil, weapons, technology from sanctioned Russia

• Broader impact: India enabling Russia’s military objectives, undermining global sanctions regime

• Western concerns: India’s approach potentially weakening rules-based international order

UPSC Relevance: International relations, geopolitical neutrality, defense cooperation, sanctions regimes, strategic autonomy, global power dynamics

15. ENVIRONMENT: Arctic Geopolitics — Climate Melt Creates Strategic Flashpoint

Source: Geographical Magazine & Indian Express | https://geographical.co.uk/magazine-previews/out-now-december-2025-issue-geographical and https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/russia-china-us-donald-trump-greenland-arctic-council-10015600/

Key Points:

• Greenland ice sheet melting: 30 million tonnes of ice per hour — contributing ~1mm global sea level rise every 3 years

• Arctic exceptionalism withering: Rapidly transforming from peace zone to geopolitical flashpoint

• Trump’s Greenland acquisition interest: Strategic/military (Pituffik Space Base monitoring Russia/China), resource competition (rare earth minerals), emerging Arctic shipping routes

• Arctic mineral resources: 13% world’s undiscovered oil; 30% untapped natural gas

• China’s “Polar Power” ambitions: Self-identified as “near-Arctic state”; Polar Silk Road extending Belt and Road Initiative to Arctic

• Russia-China Arctic axis: Joint energy projects (Yamal LNG), shipping route development, geopolitical counter to US/NATO

• Arctic Council challenges: Russia-Ukraine war disrupted cooperation; eight permanent members + 13 observers including India

• India’s Arctic Policy (2022): Emphasizes climate science, sustainability, international cooperation — but lacks strategic/commercial depth

• New trade routes: Northern Sea Route becoming operational 6 months/year, reducing Asia-Europe shipping by 40%

• Environmental tipping points: Accelerating Greenland/West Antarctic ice sheet loss; permafrost melt; ecosystem collapse risks

UPSC Relevance: Climate change impacts, geopolitics of resources, Arctic governance, international cooperation, climate tipping points, maritime law, India’s global positioning

PIB

The Hindu

Daily Insights