CURRENT AFFAIRS 07-08 December, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 07-08 December, 2025

1. MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE (MPC) –

• Recently, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), headed by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, announced a 25 basis points (bps) reduction in the repo rate. This brings it down to 5.25% from 5.50%.
• The RBI Governor described the period as a “rare Goldilocks phase” where both inflation and growth are perfectly balanced.

Key Decisions of the MPC

Repo Rate Cut:

• The repo rate was reduced by 25 bps to 5.25%, signaling a shift towards growth support given the favorable inflation environment.
• This marks the first rate reduction after two consecutive pauses, with a cumulative decrease of 125 bps during CY 2025.

Growth and Inflation Projections:

• The FY26 GDP growth forecast was revised upward from 6.8% to 7.3%, demonstrating strong economic momentum.
• The CPI inflation forecast for FY26 was reduced to 2%, down from the previous estimate of 2.6%, reflecting well-controlled price pressures.

Monetary and Liquidity Measures:

• Open Market Operations (OMO): The RBI announced purchases of ₹1 lakh crore in Government Securities to inject liquidity into the banking system.
• USD/INR Forex Swap: A $5 billion 3-year USD/INR buy-sell swap will be executed in December to manage liquidity in the forex market.

Policy Stance:

• The MPC adopted a neutral stance to maintain policy flexibility in response to evolving economic conditions.
• The rate reduction is aimed at supporting investment and consumption while maintaining price stability.
• Rupee Volatility: The RBI acknowledges the rupee’s depreciation but views it as a natural market occurrence.
• Currency fluctuations are monitored closely to prevent excessive volatility that could affect economic stability.

2. RIGHT TO DISCONNECT –

• A Private Member’s Bill proposing the Right to Disconnect Bill 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha, sparking significant debate on employee rights in the digital age.

What is the Right to Disconnect?

• The Right to Disconnect refers to the legal right of employees to disconnect from work-related communications
• Basis in Human Rights: This right is based on Article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states: “Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.”

Need for the Right to Disconnect

• Workload and Stress: The pervasiveness of remote work and constant digital connectivity creates unrelenting pressure for employee availability, contributing to heightened stress, burnout, and exhaustion.
• Work-Life Balance: Technological ubiquity has eroded the traditional demarcation between professional and personal spheres, as mobile devices and communication platforms blur temporal and spatial boundaries.
• Mental Health Concerns: Continuous connectivity and persistent work demands have been causally linked to elevated rates of anxiety, clinical depression, and severe stress-related conditions.
• Impact on Productivity: Empirical research demonstrates that chronic overwork combined with insufficient recovery time diminishes cognitive function, decision-making capacity, and organizational performance.

About the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025

• Purpose: The Bill aims to mitigate occupational stress and restore equilibrium between professional and personal domains by establishing statutory protections, ensuring employees can disconnect from work communications outside designated work hours.

3. TATA–LOCKHEED MARTIN TO BUILD NEW MRO FACILITY FOR C-130J SUPER HERCULES IN INDIA –

• In a major boost to India’s defence infrastructure, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Lockheed Martin have commenced construction of a state-of-the-art Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Located in Bengaluru, this facility is poised to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational readiness and create long-term capacity for sustaining one of the world’s most dependable tactical airlifters.

Why the C-130J Matters

• The C-130J Super Hercules is a versatile, four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft used worldwide for tactical airlift missions. Known for its ability to operate from short and unprepared runways, it plays a critical role in,
• Troop and equipment transport
• Disaster relief and humanitarian missions
• Medical evacuations
• High-altitude operations in border regions
• India currently operates 12 C-130J aircraft, primarily for strategic and tactical missions. Their high-altitude performance has made them valuable in challenging terrains like Ladakh and the northeast.

4. BOLLYWOOD STAR RAVEENA TANDON WINS PETA INDIA’S TOP ANNUAL AWARD –

• Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon has been honoured as PETA India’s Person of the Year for 2025. The recognition celebrates her long-standing commitment to animal rights, her advocacy for humane education, and her efforts to protect wildlife and promote compassion toward all living beings. Through campaigns, personal initiatives, and public outreach, Tandon has emerged as a prominent voice for animal welfare in India.

About PETA & PETA India

• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
• Founded: 1980
• Founders: Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco
• Headquarters: Norfolk, Virginia, USA
• Motto: “Animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.”

Focus Areas

• Animal rights and welfare
• Campaigns against animal testing
• Ending use of animals in entertainment, clothing, and food industries
• Promotion of vegan/plant-based lifestyles

5. OPERATION SAGAR BANDHU — INDIAN NAVY SENDS FOUR MORE WARSHIPS TO SRI LANKA –

• In response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, India has significantly expanded its humanitarian mission under Operation Sagar Bandhu . The Indian Navy has deployed four additional warships carrying essential aid to support the cyclone-affected population, reinforcing India’s role as a reliable regional responder.

Cyclone Ditwah and Relief Requirements

• Cyclone Ditwah struck Sri Lanka in late November 2025, causing massive flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Many communities were left without access to clean water, shelter, or medical care. In response, India initiated a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) effort to provide immediate relief.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   In which year was Armed Forces Flag Day first proposed by the then Defence Minister of India ?

1. a) 1947
2. b) 1948
3. c) 1949
4. d) 1950

Q2.   Which of the following Indian PSUs was ranked 44th in the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Top 100 Arms-Producing and Military Services Companies 2024 list ?

1. a) Bharat Electronics Limited
2. b) Bharat Dynamics Limited
3. c) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
4. d) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

Q3.   What does the RELOS agreement between India and Russia provide for friendly maintenance support ?

1. a) Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support
2. b) Regional Economic & Logistics Operations Scheme
3. c) Russia–India Export Liaison Organisation
4. d) Reciprocal Environmental & Land Operations Support

Q4.   Consider the following statements regarding the Poshan Tracker:

1. It is a digital monitoring tool launched by the Government of India in 2021.
2. It tracks nutrition indicators for children aged 0–6 years enrolled in Anganwadi Centres.
3. According to the Poshan Tracker (2025), over one-third of measured children under 5 are stunted.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: Poshan Tracker was launched in March 2021 to improve real-time monitoring of Anganwadi beneficiaries.
• Statement 2 is correct: It measures children 0–6 years enrolled in AWCs.
• Statement 3 is correct: As per the 2025 data, 33.54% of children under 5 are stunted, i.e., about one-third.
• Thus, all statements are correct.

Q5.   With reference to NATGRID, consider the following statements:

1. It was conceptualized after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
2. It connects databases of government as well as private agencies for real-time intelligence.
3. It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 is correct: NATGRID was envisioned after the 2008 Mumbai attacks to strengthen counter-terror intelligence.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: NATGRID links government agency databases (banks, telecoms, immigration, tax, etc.) but does not directly integrate private sector data unless routed through government systems.
• Statement 3 is correct: NATGRID operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Hence, 1 and 3 only are correct.

Answer Key