CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 December, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 02 December, 2025

1. CALLS FOR A NATIONAL JUDICIAL POLICY AND NJAC –

• Chief Justice of India Surya Kant called for a national judicial policy to reduce divergence across courts, and also stated that the Supreme Court would consider a plea seeking revival of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC), which challenges the Collegium system.

What is the Need for a National Judicial Policy?

• Resolve Divergent Judgments: Different High Courts and even SC benches often deliver conflicting rulings on key issues (bail, reservations), causing legal uncertainty and encouraging forum shopping (choosing a favourable court to get a more favourable outcome).
• A unified policy would promote standards, better use of precedent, and consistent constitutional interpretation would enhance clarity and public trust.
• Bridge Access-to-Justice Gaps: Massive pendency (over 5 crore cases), long delays, high litigation costs, distance barriers, and language constraints hinder timely, accessible, and affordable justice, especially for marginalised groups.
• A National Judicial Policy can reduce barriers created by cost, distance, delays, and linguistic hurdles by promoting uniform standards.
• Address Structural Gaps: The India Justice Report 2025 shows that about 33% of High Court judges’ posts remain vacant, leaving India with just one High Court judge for every 18.7 lakh people, further burdening an already overstretched judiciary.
• District courts face overcrowded courtrooms, inadequate IT systems, lack of fire safety, insufficient furniture, and poor facilities for staff.
• A national judicial policy could guide systematic capacity-building across all levels of the judiciary.
• Standardise Technology & Case Management: Adoption of e-filing, virtual hearings, and digital case management varies widely across courts, leading to unequal access and inconsistent user experience, a common policy ensures uniform, citizen-friendly experience across jurisdictions.
• Promote Judicial Harmony: A unified framework helps all courts uphold common constitutional values while preserving their independence, creating coherence across the justice system.

2. ANTARCTICA DAY AND 25 YEARS OF NCPOR –

• India celebrated Antarctica Day (1st December) while also marking 25 years of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa reaffirming its role as the country’s lead institution for polar and ocean exploration.
• Antarctica Day: It commemorates the Antarctica Treaty (1959), that set aside nearly 10% of Earth for peaceful purposes and scientific research.
• The Treaty froze territorial claims to the continent, banned nuclear weapons and waste on the continent, and preserved the entire region south of 60 degrees south latitude for peaceful purposes.
• India has been a Consultative Party since 1983, giving it voting rights and the ability to operate research stations and contribute to Antarctica’s scientific and environmental governance.
• NCPOR: It was established in 1998 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NCPOR is India’s nodal agency for coordinating the Indian Antarctic Programme and maintaining the Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2011) research stations.
• Located in Goa, it leads multidisciplinary polar and Southern Ocean research and has recognised research facilities for doctoral studies.
• NCPOR has established India’s permanent research stations: Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, Bharati (Antarctica) and Himadri (Arctic), along with the Himalayan research station Himansh.
• The Ministry of Finance has approved Maitri-II, a new East Antarctica research station to be led by NCPOR.
• It plays a key role in India’s Deep Ocean Mission, linking polar science with strategic national priorities.

3. IGI BECOMES INDIA’S FIRST WATER-POSITIVE AIRPORT –

• Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has achieved the distinction of being the country’s first water-positive airport among facilities handling over 40 million passengers annually. The certification reflects substantial progress in sustainable water management and long-term environmental planning.

What Water-Positive Status Means

• A water-positive facility replenishes more freshwater than it consumes. IGI Airport met this benchmark by expanding rainwater harvesting, boosting storage capacity and adopting advanced recycling systems. The achievement was formally recognised at the Water Innovation Summit 2025, under the NITI Aayog–CII water neutrality framework.

Infrastructure Enabling Water Replenishment

• The airport has deployed 625 rainwater harvesting structures across its premises, significantly increasing capture and recharge. Two new underground reservoirs with a combined 9-million-litre capacity enhance storage, ensuring optimal use during dry periods. A 16.6 MLD zero-liquid-discharge sewage treatment plant recycles wastewater for non-potable applications, reducing dependence on external water sources.

4. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE’S 100TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Lucknow on 25 December to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day, observed nationally as Good Governance Day, will feature programmes honouring Vajpayee’s legacy and contributions to India’s political and developmental landscape.

Centenary Celebration in Lucknow

• During his visit, the Prime Minister will felicitate senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who had worked alongside Vajpayee. The occasion is expected to draw widespread participation, reflecting the deep respect the former Prime Minister commands across the political spectrum. Modi will also address a public gathering, emphasising the enduring relevance of Vajpayee’s governance principles.

5. THE LEGACY OF THE AHIR SOLDIERS OF REZANG LA –

• The Battle of Rezang La on 18 November 1962 remains one of the world’s most remarkable last stands. At 18,000 feet, 120 soldiers of 13 Kumaon’s Charlie Company—117 of them from the Ahir community—held their ground against overwhelming Chinese forces despite extreme cold, scarce ammunition and no artillery or air support. Their stand is believed to have inflicted more than 1,300 Chinese casualties, an achievement unparalleled in modern military history. Yet, for over six decades, successive representations of the battle have diluted or erased the central role of the Ahir soldiers.

Award Reductions and Early Erasure

• Immediately after the war, the gallantry awards recommended for Rezang La were drastically reduced, reportedly due to misinterpretations of Prime Minister Nehru’s remark discouraging glorification of a lost war. Recommendations for dozens of honours were scaled down to just one Param Vir Chakra and a handful of others. This marked the first major institutional minimisation of the Ahir soldiers’ collective valour.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Ramban Sulai Honey, that was recently seen in news, is mainly produced in which region of India ?

1. a) Himachal Pradesh
2. b) Jammu and Kashmir
3. c) Mizoram
4. d) Tripura

Q2.   What is the theme of World AIDS Day 2025 observed on 1st December ?

1. a) Ending the HIV Epidemic
2. b) Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response
3. c) Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility
4. d) Communities Make the Difference

Q3.   Who received the Indian of the Year 2025 award under the Outstanding Achievement category for contributions to cricket administration ?

1. a) Sourav Ganguly
2. b) Rahul Dravid
3. c) Jay Shah
4. d) Anil Kumble

Q4.   Consider the following statements about India’s poultry and wool production in 2024–25:

1. India was the 2nd largest egg producer globally, producing 149.11 billion eggs.
2. Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka were the major egg-producing states.
3. India retained its position as the 4th largest meat producer globally.
4. Rajasthan contributed 47.85% of India’s wool production.

          Which of the statements are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1, 2, and 3 only
3. c) 2, 3, and 4 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Explanation-

• India remained the 2nd largest egg producer globally, producing 149.11 billion eggs in 2024–25, showing 4.44% growth.
• Major egg-producing states (64.37% share) included Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka.
• India retained its position as the 4th largest meat producer globally, with total production reaching 10.50 million tonnes, marking a 2.46% increase.
• Rajasthan remained the top contributor with 47.85% of national wool output, followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh, together contributing 85.98%.
• Detailed Explanation:
• India remained the 2nd largest egg producer globally, producing 149.11 billion eggs in 2024–25, showing 4.44% growth.
• Per capita egg availability increased to 106 eggs/year, compared to 101 eggs/year in the previous cycle.
• Major egg-producing states (64.37% share) included Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal and Karnataka.
• India retained its position as the 4th largest meat producer globally, with total production reaching 10.50 million tonnes, marking a 2.46% increase.
• Major producers were West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, contributing 57.55% collectively.
• India’s wool production rose to 34.57 million kilograms, registering a 2.63% increase.
• Rajasthan remained the top contributor with 47.85% of national wool output, followed by Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Himachal Pradesh, together contributing 85.98%.

Q5.   Consider the following statements about Operation Sagar Bandhu:

1. It was launched by India in response to Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
2. Indian Navy deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri for the operation.
3. The operation involved the deployment of over 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
4. Cyclone Ditwah was an extratropical cyclone originating in the Mediterranean region.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Operation Sagar Bandhu was launched in response to Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.
• Statement 2 is correct: The Indian Navy deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri to transport relief material and personnel.
• Statement 3 is correct: Over 80 NDRF personnel, including sniffer dogs and specialized equipment, were deployed for rescue operations.
• Statement 4 is incorrect : Cyclone Ditwah was a tropical cyclone, not extratropical; extratropical cyclones form in mid-latitude regions (35°–65°).

Answer Key