Daily Insights December 15, 2025

Daily Insights December 15, 2025

1. CENSUS OF INDIA 2027: FIRST FULLY DIGITAL CENSUS WITH CASTE ENUMERATION

Context

The Union Cabinet approved the Census of India 2027 on December 12, 2025, marking a historic transformation in India’s largest demographic data collection exercise. This is India’s 16th Census overall and the 8th conducted after independence. The decision comes after the 2021 Census was postponed due to COVID-19, with the last Census conducted in 2011.

About

• Financial Outlay: ₹11,718.24 crore approved by Union Cabinet

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner)

• Key Feature – Digital Technology: First-ever fully digital Census using mobile applications (Android & iOS versions)

• Census Management & Monitoring System (CMMS): Dedicated portal for real-time monitoring of Census process

• Two-Phase Conduct:

  • Phase 1: House Listing & Housing Census (April-September 2026)

  • Phase 2: Population Enumeration (February 2027)

  • Exception: Ladakh, snow-bound J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand → September 2026

• Major Innovation – Caste Enumeration: First time caste data will be collected electronically (Cabinet decision on April 30, 2025)

• Workforce: 30 lakh field functionaries; 1.02 crore man-days employment generation

• Self-Enumeration: Citizens can submit data online

• New Technology Features:

  • HLB Creator web mapping for geospatial mapping

  • Census-as-a-Service (CaaS): Machine-readable datasets for ministries

  • Enhanced security protocols with encryption and authentication

  • Real-time digital capture reducing errors

• Legal Framework: Census Act, 1948 and Census Rules, 1990

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (Governance, Constitutional framework), GS-I (Population, Social structure)

2. NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY 2025: INDIA’S GREEN ENERGY MILESTONE

Context

National Energy Conservation Day was celebrated on December 14, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with President Droupadi Murmu as the Chief Guest. The event highlighted India’s remarkable progress in decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions.

About 

• Celebrated On: December 14 (annually)

• Organizing Ministry: Ministry of Power (Bureau of Energy Efficiency – BEE)

• President’s Role: Felicitated winners of National Energy Conservation Awards 2025 and National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation 2025

• Historic Achievement: India reached 50% of installed capacity from non-fossil sources, five years ahead of Paris Agreement NDC targets

• Key Statistics:

  • Energy savings in 2023-24: 53.60 million tonnes of oil equivalent

  • Smart electricity meters installed: 4.76 crore (as of December 2025)

  • Economic savings: Significant annual economic savings reported

  • CO₂ emissions reduction: Substantial reduction achieved

• Energy Decoupling: India’s emissions rise much lower than GDP growth rate—successfully decoupled

• Major Government Initiatives:

  • Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

  • National Green Hydrogen Mission

  • Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) scheme

  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes

  • Performance-Aided Target (PAT) scheme

  • ADEETIE program

  • Standards & Labelling initiatives

• RCO Mandate: Designated Consumers (DISCOMs, Captive Power Plants, Open Access users) must source minimum non-fossil electricity

• Global Alignment: India positions itself as leader in global energy transition toward limiting temperature rise below 2°C

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-III (Energy sector, Environmental protection), GS-II (Governance)

Key Takeaway for UPSC: India’s energy transition shows climate commitment through concrete targets; decoupling economic growth from emissions is a development strategy model.

3. NAURADEHI TIGER RESERVE: THIRD CHEETAH HABITAT IN MADHYA PRADESH

Context

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav announced on December 13, 2025, that the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve at Nauradehi in Sagar district will become the state’s third cheetah habitat before the monsoon of 2026. This follows the successful reintroduction of cheetahs from Africa.

About

• Location: Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve at Nauradehi, Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh

• Timeline: Habitat development to be completed before next monsoon (June 2026)

• Cabinet Approval: In-principle approval granted at Khajuraho cabinet meeting

• Existing Cheetah Habitats in MP:

  • First habitat: Kuno National Park, Sheopur (opened September 2022)

  • Second habitat: Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, Mandsaur (opened April 2024)

  • Current population released: 3 cheetahs at Gandhi Sagar (potential to increase to 50)

• Enclosure Status: Enclosures being prepared at Nauradehi

• National Cheetah Program Status: Over 30 cheetahs now in India (12 adults, 9 sub-adults, 9 cubs)

• International Translocations:

  • 20 cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa (2022-23)

  • 8 cheetahs from Botswana (November 2025)

• Community Benefits:

  • Over 450 Cheetah Mitras (community members)

  • 380 job opportunities created

  • 5% eco-tourism revenue sharing

• Legal Framework: Implemented as per Supreme Court directions with 2013 Action Plan (updated 2022)

• International Coordination: Multilateral agreements with Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana

• Global Significance: World’s first inter-continental translocation of large carnivore

• Conservation Strategy: Cheetah as flagship species for grassland ecosystem restoration

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-III (Wildlife conservation, Biodiversity), GS-I (Environmental geography)

4. SYDNEY BONDI BEACH SHOOTING: TERRORISM AND ANTI-SEMITIC VIOLENCE

Context

A terrorist attack occurred on December 14, 2025, at Archer Park beside Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration (Chanukah by the Sea). The incident marks Australia’s deadliest terror attack and second-deadliest mass shooting since 1996.

About

• Date & Time: December 14, 2025 (late afternoon)

• Location: Archer Park, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

• Incident Type: IS-linked terrorist mass shooting with anti-Semitic dimensions

• Casualties: At least 15 people killed, dozens wounded (conflicting reports: some sources cite 11-15 deaths)

• Event: Hanukkah celebration by Chabad of Bondi (~1,000 attendees)

• Perpetrators: Two gunmen (described as “basic”)

• Evidence at Scene: Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) discovered and deemed “active”

• Classification:

  • Official: Terrorist incident and mass shooting

  • Motive: Islamic State (IS)-linked attack with anti-Semitic targeting

• Australia’s Worst Incidents:

  • Deadliest terror incident in Australian history

  • Second-deadliest mass shooting (first: 1996 Port Arthur massacre—35 deaths, led to strict gun laws)

• Context of Rising Tensions:

  • Increased attacks on Jewish communities and individuals since Gaza war (October 2023)

  • ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) elevated national terrorism threat level from “possible” to “probable” in August 2024

  • Cited: Risk of community tensions and political violence related to Gaza conflict

• Aftermath & Policy Response:

  • Queensland police increased security at places of worship

  • Jewish events cancelled across Australia and New Zealand due to security risks

  • National Cabinet unanimously agreed to strengthen gun laws

  • Proposed reforms:

    • Restrict firearm ownership to Australian citizens only

    • Accelerate national firearms register launch

    • Limit number of firearms per individual

    • Further restrict legal weapon types

• Prime Minister’s Response: PM Anthony Albanese condemned as attack on all Australians; labeled as terrorist incident

• Global Implications: Highlights diaspora security concerns and international dimensions of terrorism

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (International Relations, Terrorism, Security threats), GS-III (Social harmony, communal violence)

5. VIKSIT BHARAT GUARANTEE FOR ROZGAR AND AJEEVIKA MISSION (VB-G RAM G) BILL 2025: REPLACING MGNREGA

Context

The Government announced major reforms to India’s rural employment framework through the VB-G RAM G Bill 2025, proposed to replace the nearly 20-year-old MGNREGA. The Bill was listed in Parliament’s supplementary business list for the Winter Session (ending December 19).

About

• Bill Name: Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025

• Replaces: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

• Current Scope: Covers 8.61 crore families; 12.16 crore workers hold job cards

• Key Changes from MGNREGA:

  • Guaranteed Workdays: Increased from 100 to 125 days per financial year per household

  • Work Definition: Unskilled manual labour in defined sectors

  • Funding Model: Shift from demand-based to normative funding; states share costs and accountability

  • Focus Areas (4 Priority Sectors):

    1. Water security (primary priority)

    2. Core rural infrastructure (roads, connectivity)

    3. Livelihood assets (storage, markets, production infrastructure)

    4. Climate resilience (flood control, soil conservation, water harvesting)

• Employment Guarantee Features:

  • Unemployment allowance if work not provided

  • Electronic wage payments (continuation; 99.94% e-payment in 2024-25)

  • Digital attendance and Aadhaar verification

  • Biometric systems to prevent wage theft

• Farmer Benefits:

  • States can notify up to 60 days when public works pause (sowing and harvest seasons)

  • Labor availability assured for agricultural operations

  • Prevents artificial wage inflation in farm sector

• Worker Benefits:

  • ~25% income increase (125 vs. 100 days)

  • Predictable jobs through Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans

  • Secure digital payments

• Implementation Strategy:

  • States to create schemes within 6 months of Act commencement

  • Gram Panchayat-based planning reflecting local needs

  • Centre sets standards; states implement

  • Performance-based allocations

  • Real-time monitoring systems

• Rationale for Change (Government’s perspective):

  • Rural poverty declined from 25.7% (2011-12) to 4.86% (2023-24)

  • Higher incomes, consumption, and financial access

  • Better connectivity and digital penetration reduced need for open-ended model

  • Requires updating for 2025 rural reality vs. 2005-designed MGNREGA

• Opposition Arguments:

  • Plot to finish rural job scheme

  • Absolves Centre of statutory duty

  • Burdens fiscally stressed states

  • Reduces worker security by introducing caps

  • Shift from demand-driven to centrally determined work

• Funding Burden on States: States to share costs in this Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) model

• Historical Precedent: UPA-II (2009-14) also considered similar pause during farm seasons (Sharad Pawar proposal), but contested by then-Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh

• Women Workers: Over 55% of current MGNREGA workers are women

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (Governance, Center-State relations), GS-III (Rural development, Employment policy), GS-IV (Constitutional rights and entitlements)

6. INSURANCE LAWS (AMENDMENT) BILL 2025: LIBERALIZING INDIA’S INSURANCE SECTOR

Context

The Union Cabinet approved the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, on December 14, 2025. The Bill introduces landmark liberalization reforms amending the Insurance Act 1938, LIC Act 1956, and IRDAI Act 1999. It aims to achieve “Insurance for All by 2047.”

About

• Bill Full Name: Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025

• Parliamentary Status: Set for introduction in Winter Session (ending December 19, 2025)

• Objective: Modernize insurance regulation, attract global capital, strengthen solvency, improve consumer protection

• Historic Reform – FDI Liberalization:

  • Current limit: 74% foreign ownership

  • New limit: 100% foreign ownership (complete foreign control permitted)

  • Aim: Enable foreign insurers and long-term global capital inflow

• Foreign Reinsurers Liberalization:

  • Net Owned Funds (NOF) requirement reduced from ₹5,000 crore to ₹1,000 crore

  • Facilitates international reinsurance participation

  • Enables better risk diversification (especially for catastrophe and health insurance)

• IRDAI Powers Enhancement:

  • Disgorgement Powers: Recover wrongful gains (brings IRDAI closer to SEBI enforcement toolkit)

  • Penalty Framework: Standardized penalty criteria improving predictability and consistency

  • Regulatory SOP: Formal procedure for regulation-making and transparency

  • Intermediary Registration: One-time registration simplifying compliance

  • Equity Transfer Threshold: Raised from 1% to 5% approval requirement (easing operations)

• LIC Operational Autonomy:

  • Can enter new lines of business without prior government approval

  • Reduces administrative delays

  • Aligns with international regulatory norms

• Capital and Solvency Reforms:

  • Reduced minimum paid-up capital for new insurers (enabling niche and region-specific players)

  • Risk-based approach to capital requirements

  • Enhanced competition through diversified players

• Market Impact Expected:

  • Entry of foreign insurers and niche domestic players

  • Enhanced competition improving product variety and pricing

  • Better technology adoption (advanced underwriting, digital claims, risk analytics)

  • Customer-centric product innovation

• Excluded/Limited Reforms (Limitations of Bill):

  • No composite licensing (combining insurance with other financial services)

  • No reduction in capital norms beyond current provisions

  • No provisions for captive insurers

  • Restricted cross-selling (insurers cannot offer mutual funds, loans, or credit cards—limits revenue diversification)

  • Prevents one-stop financial service platforms

• Sectoral Benefits:

  • Deepens insurance penetration across India

  • Supports inclusive growth and financial security

  • Promotes innovation and competition

  • Strengthens policyholder protection

  • Aligns with SDG goals

• Global Context: Signals India’s commitment to financial sector liberalization amid global competition

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-III (Financial sector reforms, Regulation), GS-II (Governance, Regulatory framework)

7. INDIA’S FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS STRATEGY: GEOPOLITICAL RECALIBRATION

Context

India accelerated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2025 across multiple partners—UK (finalized July), EU (fast-tracked December dialogue), and discussions with GCC, US, Russia. These agreements reflect India’s response to Trump administration’s tariff policies and the shifting global order.

About

• Strategic Context: India diversifying economic partnerships amid global uncertainty and US tariff realignments

• Completed FTA – India-UK:

  • Finalized: July 2025

  • Projected bilateral trade boost: £25.5 billion annually

• Ongoing Negotiations – India-EU:

  • Status: 11th round of negotiations (as of May 2025)

  • December 2025: Fast-tracked dialogue indicating acceleration

  • Significance: EU seeking new foreign policy vision and independence

• FTA with EFTA (European Free Trade Association):

  • Signed: March 10, 2024

  • Partners: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

  • Investment commitment: $100 billion over 15 years ($50B in first 10 years, $50B in next 5)

• India-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) FTA:

  • Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation: 2004

  • FTA negotiations resumed: November 2022

  • Members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain

  • Status: Negotiations expected to initiate within 2025

• India-Russia FTA:

  • Commitment in recent December 2025 summit to swiftly finalize

  • Reflects recalibrated geopolitics amid Ukraine situation

• India-US Trade Discussions:

  • Target: Double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030

  • Timeline: Expected completion within 6-8 months (as of February 2025)

  • Context: Uncertain due to Trump administration policies

• Geopolitical Logic:

  • Fissures in transatlantic alliance (“West”)

  • US-China “Big Two” global order emerging

  • India’s strategic autonomy through economic diversification

  • Creating redundancies and alternatives in markets

• India’s Shift from Tariff-focused to Comprehensive FTAs:

  • Services liberalization focus (IT, professional services)

  • Digital trade integration

  • Investment framework improvements

  • Skilled labor mobility

• Challenges Identified:

  • Limited export gains despite multiple FTAs

  • Weak integration of services and investment provisions

  • Domestic industry opposition in certain sectors

  • Risk of FTAs becoming political rather than economic tools

  • Global uncertainty affecting outcomes

• Policy Coordination: Need for improved coordination between Commerce Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs

• India’s Comparative Advantage: IT services, professional services, skilled labor mobility

• Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA) & Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT): Need for updates to deepen partnerships

• BRICS Context: India’s upcoming BRICS presidency will test maintenance of varied minilateral ventures

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (International Relations, Trade diplomacy), GS-III (Indian economy, Trade policy)

8. BRAIN DRAIN & ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE: LESSONS FROM BRAZIL FOR INDIA

Context

India’s engagement with Brazil’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) framework, highlighted in Indian Express editorials (December 15, 2025), offers critical lessons for India’s health policy. Brazil’s 2025-2030 national action plan on AMR demonstrates comprehensive multi-sectoral approaches.

About

• Global AMR Challenge: Rising antibiotic-resistant bacteria threatening post-antibiotic era

• Brazil’s Approach:

  • Followed WHO Global Action Plan on AMR (2015)

  • Multisectoral national action plan combining health, agriculture, environment

  • Unified Health System (SUS) as cornerstone for robust public strategies

• Brazil’s Key Interventions:

  • Control of antimicrobial prescription and sale

  • AWaRe classification in National List of Essential Medicines

  • Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) prevention programs

  • Patient safety protocols

  • National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance (ANVISA) leadership since 1999

  • 3,486 hospitals reporting ICU HAI data to ANVISA

  • National Plan for Prevention and Control (2023-2027): Specific actions for health services

• Brazil’s 2025-2030 National Action Plan (PANBR):

  • Consolidates progress and addresses gaps

  • Aligns with 2024 WHA (World Health Assembly) resolution

  • Enhances connections across human, animal, and environmental health

  • Interdisciplinary approach to AMR impacts

  • Preservation of therapeutic capacity of antimicrobials

  • AMR Sub-network: Timely detection and characterization of resistant microorganisms

  • Prevention strategies against resistant microorganism dissemination

• Relevance for India:

  • India faces similar challenges in prescription control and HAI management

  • Need for One Health approach (human-animal-environmental integration)

  • Strengthening public healthcare system critical

  • Digital surveillance systems for infection tracking

• Health System Strengthening: Public health systems’ role in combating AMR

• Policy Learning: Multi-level governance approach from national to facility level

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (Health policy, International cooperation), GS-III (Public health, Science & technology)

9. CONSTITUTIONAL OVERREACH: COURTS PROTECTING VS. REGULATING FREE SPEECH

Context

The Hindu editorial (December 15, 2025) analyzed concerning trends in Indian Supreme Court proceedings, particularly in Ranveer Allahbadia v. Union of India and related cases, where judicial interventions risk endangering free expression through regulatory expansion.

About

• Case Reference: Ranveer Allahbadia v. Union of India (ongoing Supreme Court proceedings)

• Concerning Trend: November 27, 2025 proceedings where Court questioned adequacy of existing regulatory bodies and suggested creating “neutral, autonomous authorities”

• Constitutional Red Flag: Court expanding scope beyond original subject matter to examine regulatory measures preventing “content offensive to well-known moral standards”

• Separation of Powers Issue: Determining societal morality and designing regulatory frameworks fall within legislative domain, not judicial

• Key Constitutional Precedents:

  • Sahara India Real Estate Corp. Ltd. v. SEBI (2012): Five-judge Bench cautioned against pre-censorship; must be avoided at all costs; court reporting postponement orders permitted only as last resort with strict necessity and proportionality

  • Kaushal Kishor v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2023): Five-judge Bench reaffirmed no additional restrictions beyond Article 19(2) constitutionally permissible; restrictions cannot be expanded under competing fundamental rights or vague moral considerations

• Constitutional Framework:

  • Article 19(1)(a): Right to free speech and expression

  • Article 19(2): Limitations (security of state, public order, decency, morality, contempt, defamation, incitement to offence)

  • Strict interpretation required for restrictions

• Judicial Self-Restraint Examples:

  • Adarsh Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. v. Union of India (2018): Rejected plea to direct filmmakers to add disclaimers; held such decisions fall to Censor Board jurisdiction

  • Shows Court’s previous restraint in expression matters

• Constitutional Vision: Court as “constitutional umpire, not law-maker”

  • Role: Adjudicate reasonableness of restrictions

  • Not role: Initiate or design restrictions

• Constituent Assembly Debate Wisdom: Framers envisioned Court’s limited role in regulation design

• Comparative Democratic Practice: Risks of overregulation evident in other democracies

• Democratic Backsliding Risk: Judicial overreach threatens foundational democracy pillar

• Global Perspective: Salman Rushdie quote: “Free speech is the whole thing, the whole ball game”

• Vigilance Required Against:

  • Legislative excesses

  • Executive overreach

  • Judicial encroachment

• Online Content Regulation Concern: Not original case subject matter; Court expanded scope beyond appropriateness

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-II (Constitutional law, Fundamental rights, Separation of powers, Judiciary), GS-IV (Ethics, Constitutional values)

10. GLOBAL CLIMATE CRISIS: 2025 AMONG HOTTEST YEARS ON RECORD

Context

European Union scientists predicted in December 2025 that 2025 would be the second or third-hottest year on record, highlighting the urgency of climate action and inadequacy of global mitigation efforts. This reflects accelerating climate change with significant implications for global environmental systems.

About

• EU Scientific Assessment: 2025 projected as second or third-hottest year in recorded history

• Baseline Comparison: Measured against historical temperature records (varies by dataset)

• Concerning Trajectory: Multiple consecutive years in top rankings indicating warming acceleration

• Global Consequences:

  • Rising sea levels (Arctic melt accelerating)

  • Extreme weather events (hurricanes, heatwaves, flooding)

  • Permafrost melt in Arctic regions

  • Greenland ice sheet collapse acceleration

  • Sixth mass extinction acceleration

  • Amazon rainforest deforestation advancing

• Specific Data Points (from environmental reports):

  • Greenland Ice Loss: 1 million tons per minute (2019 average); 60 billion tons lost in 2020 summer alone

  • Sea Level Rise from Greenland: 2.2mm rise from 60 billion tons (2020 summer); potential 6-meter rise if entire sheet melts

  • Antarctica Ice Loss: ~7.5 trillion tons lost since 1997; contributes 1mm/year to sea level rise

  • Canadian Arctic Ice Shelf: Recently collapsed; lost 80 sq km (40% area) in two days (July 2025)

• Regional Climate Impacts:

  • Australia: Record bushfire seasons

  • Africa: Locust swarms devastating crops

  • Tropical regions: Intensified hurricanes and typhoons

• Tipping Points Crossed (Scientific Warning):

  • Arctic permafrost melt advancing

  • Greenland ice sheet melting at unprecedented rate

  • Amazon deforestation accelerating

  • Sixth mass extinction underway

• Biodiversity Loss: Deforestation hotspots—Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia

• Air Pollution Compounding Climate: South Asia cut 5-year life expectancy from pollution; 92.7% of global air pollution death years in Asia-Africa

• Water Security Threats: Hidden rainfall patterns research shows land-sourced moisture less reliable than ocean-sourced; heightens drought risk in US Midwest and East Africa

• Agricultural Vulnerability: Crop productivity threatened by climate variability

• Atmospheric CO₂: Continued record atmospheric concentrations

• Paris Agreement Status: Global warming trajectory exceeds 2°C target; inadequate mitigation despite NDCs

• COP Frameworks: Current efforts insufficient to meet temperature goals

• Global Uncertainty: Trump administration policy reversals affecting US climate commitments (relevant for geopolitical context)

• India’s Position:

  • Paris Agreement NDCs: Achieve 50% non-fossil installed capacity (achieved 5 years ahead)

  • Green Hydrogen Mission

  • Renewable energy expansion

  • But: Air pollution and emissions from growth sectors remain challenges

• GS Paper Relevance: GS-III (Environmental management, Climate change, Disaster management), GS-I (Environmental geography, Sea level rise), GS-II (International environmental agreements)

PIB

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