Daily Current Affairs – 11-12-2025
Personalities, Awards and Events
Italian Cuisine Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The UNESCO has officially included Italian cuisine in its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on December 10, 2025, recognizing it as a cultural tradition that goes beyond pizza, pasta, and gelato. This marks the first time that an entire nation’s cuisine has been collectively added to the list. Previously, pizza-making in Naples and espresso coffee were already listed individually. With this addition, Italy joins other countries such as France, which received recognition in 2010 for “the gastronomic meal of the French.” The inclusion highlights Italy’s rich culinary heritage that reflects its deep-rooted food culture and centuries-old cooking traditions.
Supriya Sahu Wins UNEP’s 2025 Champions of the Earth Award
Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of Environment, Climate Change and Forests, Government of Tamil Nadu, has been honoured with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2025 Champions of the Earth Award. She was selected for this global recognition for her innovative and inspiring environmental initiatives that demonstrate how integrated governance and nature-based solutions, combined with low- and high-technology interventions, can effectively protect vulnerable communities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The award highlights her contribution to sustainable environmental governance and climate action from Tamil Nadu at the international level.
National Award for Best Sculptor – 2024
President Droupadi Murmu presented the National Award for the Best Sculptor in India (2024) to Sculptor Bhaskaran from Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. Bhaskaran, who runs a sculpture studio on 5th Road in Mamallapuram, was honored for his excellence in sculpture art. This is the first time he has received the National Award, though he has been the recipient of several other awards earlier.
National News
Memorial for Assam Agitation Victims Inaugurated in Guwahati
The Assam government inaugurated the Swahid Smarak Kshetra in Guwahati on the occasion of Swahid Diwas to honour the 860 victims of the Assam Agitation (1979–1985), also known as the Anti-Immigrants Agitation. The memorial was inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in memory of Khargeswar Talukdar, the first martyr of the six-year-long movement. The Assam Agitation was a significant socio-political movement aimed at addressing the issue of illegal immigration in the state. The establishment of this memorial marks a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives during the agitation and highlights the state’s recognition of their contribution to preserving Assam’s cultural and demographic identity.
Diwali Festival Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The Diwali festival has been officially included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List on December 10, 2025 during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held at UNESCO headquarters in Senegal. This marks the first time India has hosted this committee meeting. India had submitted its nomination for Diwali’s inclusion in 2023. With this recognition, Diwali has become India’s 16th cultural heritage element on the list. Other Indian traditions already on the list include Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba of Gujarat, Yoga, Vedic chanting, and Ramlila. The announcement was made in the presence of Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who represented India at the event. The inclusion of Diwali highlights its global cultural significance and strengthens India’s representation in UNESCO’s cultural heritage register.
Mandatory Veg-Non-Veg Color Code on Food Packets: Food Safety Department Notification
The Food Safety Department has made it mandatory for all food product packets, including those manufactured by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), to display color codes indicating whether the product is vegetarian (green) or non-vegetarian (red). While large corporations already follow this labeling system for their processed foods, many small-scale and cottage industries were not adhering to it. The department clarified that all packaged food labels must include 12 essential details such as the manufacturer’s license and registration number, name of the food, producer’s name and address, date of manufacture, net weight, expiry date, nutritional value, ingredient details, import information, batch number, consumer helpline number, and a vegetarian/non-vegetarian color code. The rule applies to all packaged food products, and action will be taken against violations under the Food Safety regulations.
Protected Marine Areas Excluded from Offshore Mining Blocks
The Ministry of Earth Sciences informed the Lok Sabha that the offshore mining blocks allocated to private companies were identified after excluding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The clarification came in response to a query by Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor. Earlier, protests were held in Kerala against the Centre’s proposal in November 2024 to auction 23 offshore blocks, which included 13 sand blocks off Kerala, 3 lime mud blocks off Gujarat, and 7 polymetallic nodule and crust blocks near the Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Environment Ministry has notified 130 Marine Protected Areas across coastal States and islands, and identified 106 Important Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Areas (ICMBAs) for conservation. Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh stated that mining operations will be permitted only after preparing an Environmental Management Plan under the Offshore Areas Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2024. Additionally, the Offshore Areas Mineral Trust has been established with coastal States as members of its Governing Body and Executive Committee, and the funds will be used for research, administration, and mitigation of environmental impacts in offshore areas.
Supreme Court on State Responsibility Beyond Political Interests
The Supreme Court of India, led by Justice Sanjay Kumar, observed that the State and its agencies have responsibilities and commitments that extend beyond serving the interests of the political party in power or the leader of the day. The remarks were made while dismissing a petition filed by the State of Jharkhand against a Jharkhand High Court order directing a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into an illegal mining case involving individuals linked to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The Supreme Court Bench criticized the State for delaying the filing of an FIR in 2022 despite a Magistrate’s order, and held that the State of Jharkhand cannot support the accused against the CBI’s FIR. The court also noted that the complainant, Bijay Hansda, was forced to withdraw his allegations of illegal mining, though the High Court refused permission for such withdrawal.
Indian Air Force Commemorates 1971 Victory at Mohanbari, Assam
The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated India’s victory in the 1971 war with a commemorative event at the Mohanbari Air Force Station in Assam. The event was attended by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, along with senior military and civilian officials, veterans, and youth. The celebration featured a flying display showcasing aircraft such as Su-30 MKI, C-130, Dornier, An-32, Chinook, Mi-17, ALH, and Cheetah, recreating key air missions from the 1971 war, including the Tangail Airdrop, Meghna River Crossing, and the attack on the Governor’s House in Dhaka. As part of the commemoration, a seminar on ‘Air Operations during the 1971 War’ was conducted, where veterans shared their experiences from the conflict.
Over ₹1.8 Lakh Crore Invested under PLI Schemes
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced that as of June 2024, an actual investment of ₹1.88 lakh crore has been made across 14 sectors under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), these investments have led to incremental production and sales worth over ₹17 lakh crore and generated more than 12.3 lakh jobs, including both direct and indirect employment. The PLI schemes have also achieved exports exceeding ₹7.5 lakh crore, with major contributions from electronics, pharmaceuticals, telecom and networking products, and food processing sectors. The DPIIT further stated that under the Startup India scheme, a total of 2,01,335 startups have been recognized, generating over 21 lakh jobs. Additionally, the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) has processed over 326 million orders as of October 2024.
‘Your Money, Your Right’ Campaign – Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Call to Reclaim Unclaimed Funds
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to participate in the ‘Your Money, Your Right’ campaign launched by the Government of India to help people reclaim unclaimed money lying in banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, post offices, and provident funds (PF). Across the country, about ₹78,000 crore in banks, ₹14,000 crore in insurance companies, ₹3,000 crore in mutual funds, and ₹9,000 crore in provident funds remain unclaimed. The campaign, initiated under the coordination of RBI (Reserve Bank of India), IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India), and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, aims to return this money to its rightful owners through a transparent online portal. As part of the campaign, awareness camps have been conducted in 477 districts, reaching nearly 2 crore beneficiaries, encouraging the public to verify and reclaim any unclaimed deposits in their or their family members’ names.
Karnataka Government to Grant Menstrual Leave for Students
The Government of Karnataka has decided to provide menstrual leave for female students studying in schools and colleges across the state. Earlier, the state government issued an order on November 20, 2024, granting one day of paid menstrual leave per month to female employees aged 18 to 52 working in government and private institutions. This order was challenged by the Karnataka Hotel Owners’ Association in the Karnataka High Court, which imposed an interim stay. The case is currently being heard by Justice M. Jyothi and the next hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2025. Meanwhile, the government has decided to amend the menstrual leave policy act to extend this benefit to students, allowing them one day of menstrual leave per month, totaling 12 days per year.
Odisha MLAs’ Salary Becomes Highest in India
The Odisha Legislative Assembly has approved a bill to triple the salary of MLAs, making Odisha the state with the highest MLA salary in India. The salary has been increased from ₹1.11 lakh to ₹3.45 lakh per month, effective from June 2024, when the 17th Legislative Assembly took charge. Along with MLAs, the Chief Minister, Ministers, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Opposition, and former MLAs will also receive a threefold pension hike. The Chief Minister will now receive ₹3.74 lakh, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker ₹3.68 lakh, Cabinet Ministers ₹3.62 lakh, Ministers ₹3.56 lakh, and the Government Chief Whip and Deputy Whip ₹3.62 lakh and ₹3.50 lakh respectively. Additionally, if any serving MLA passes away, their family will be provided ₹25 lakh as financial assistance, and former MLAs will receive a monthly pension of ₹1.17 lakh.
Tamil Nadu News
National Quantum Communication Hub Inaugurated at IIT Madras
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) secretary Abhay Karandikar virtually inaugurated the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation, a national hub for Quantum Communication, at the IIT Madras Research Park. The hub has been established under the National Quantum Mission to promote quantum-secure communication technologies, national-level testbeds, and pilot projects. It will collaborate with academia, industry, and international partners while supporting deep-tech startups, co-development programmes, capacity building, and research ecosystem development. The major focus areas include quantum cryptography, post-quantum security, quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, quantum memory, quantum repeaters, and satellite-based quantum communication. Under the National Quantum Mission, four hubs have been created across India, and the IIT Madras hub is the most well-funded among them. The mission has also funded eight startups to strengthen India’s progress in quantum communication research and applications.
Scrub Typhus Outbreak Triggers Surveillance in Tamil Nadu
The Tamil Nadu Health Department has initiated intensive surveillance measures following reports from Andhra Pradesh of an outbreak of ‘Scrub Typhus’, a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia that has led to nine deaths. The infection spreads through bites from infected mites or insects, and its symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rashes. The disease is prevalent in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, Vellore, and Tirupattur, as well as in the Eastern and Western Ghats regions. Health officials have warned that the disease could spread to Chennai and nearby areas due to rising cases in Andhra Pradesh. The infection can be diagnosed through ELISA and molecular tests, and treatment includes antibiotics such as Azithromycin and Doxycycline. In 2023, over 5,000 people were affected, while in 2024, more than 4,000 cases have been reported so far. Currently, 10 to 20 patients are being admitted daily with symptoms. The department has issued guidelines to all district health officials to strengthen preventive measures across the state.
Tamil Nadu Government Signs ₹4,000 Crore Investment Agreement with Jio Hotstar
Jio Hotstar has announced an investment of ₹4,000 crore in the South Indian media and entertainment industry over the next five years, and an agreement regarding this was signed in the presence of the Tamil Nadu Government. The signing ceremony was held in Chennai, attended by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Member of Parliament Kanimozhi, and Industries Minister T.R.B. Rajaa, along with leading film personalities such as Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, and Vijay Sethupathi. The agreement was signed under the leadership of JioCinema CEO Kiran Voice, Marshals’ Officer Skanth Sriram, and Krishnan Kutty. The collaboration aims to strengthen film production and post-production infrastructure in Tamil Nadu and promote South Indian creators globally. During the event, 25 new projects, including original stories, new series, and reality shows, were announced as part of the initiative.
Foundation Stone for 10 Modern Paddy Storage Complexes in Tamil Nadu
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, laid the foundation stone via video conference for the construction of 10 modern paddy storage complexes across 7 districts at a total cost of ₹332.46 crore on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation. The new storage complexes, with a combined capacity of 2.18 lakh tons, will be located in Thanjavur (Naduvur, ₹170.22 crore, 1 lakh tons), Nagapattinam (Thirukkuvalai and Manakudi, ₹29.02 crore and ₹22.95 crore), Mayiladuthurai (Parasalur, ₹12 crore, 9,000 tons), Tharangambadi (Villianallur, ₹27 crore, 21,000 tons), Cuddalore (T. Pudaiyur and Thazhanallur, ₹12.66 crore and ₹15 crore), Tiruvannamalai (Chengam, ₹17.91 crore, 12,000 tons), Kallakurichi, Tirupattur, and Krishnagiri (Jajupalli, ₹12.85 crore each, 9,000 tons each). These modern godowns will feature roof structures for better preservation of food grains. Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated three circular godown complexes located in Namakkal, Nilgiris, and Tiruvannamalai districts, with a total capacity of 7,000 tons, constructed at a cost of ₹13.97 crore. Ministers R. Sakkarapani and K.V. Sekar, Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, Food Secretary Satyabrata Sahoo, and Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation Managing Director A. Annadurai participated in the event.
Economy News
IndusInd Bank Chairman Sunil Mehta to Step Down in January 2025
IndusInd Bank Chairman Sunil Mehta has decided not to seek reappointment after his tenure ends in January 2025, as part of the bank’s plan to revamp its top management structure. The decision follows the discovery of ₹2,000-crore derivative losses linked to governance and accounting lapses within the bank. Sunil Mehta had joined IndusInd Bank in January 2023. The bank stated that it remains committed to leading the organisation in line with its strategic priorities and will make disclosures as required under applicable laws.
International News
Amazon Announces $35 Billion Investment in India by 2030
Amazon Inc. has announced plans to invest $35 billion in India by 2030, strengthening its position as the largest foreign direct investor in the country. The announcement was made at the company’s annual India event, Smbhav, in New Delhi. The investment will cover Amazon’s retail operations, cloud services, and artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives through Amazon Web Services (AWS). The move follows Microsoft Corp.’s $17.5 billion investment announced a day earlier, focusing on data centre and AI infrastructure. Since entering India, Amazon has already invested over $40 billion. The company stated that this new phase of investment aims to generate 3.8 million jobs across India, including direct, indirect, and seasonal employment, and contribute to export growth. The funds will also be directed towards expanding AI capabilities, improving logistics infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and job creation, aligning with India’s national priorities.
WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine to be Held in New Delhi
The World Health Organization (WHO) will host the second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from December 17 to 19, 2025. The summit will bring together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners from over 100 countries to discuss the global advancement of traditional and indigenous medicine. The theme of the summit is “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being.” The event aims to develop a 10-year global roadmap for integrating traditional medicine into national health systems. The announcement was made by C. Murali Krishna, Assistant Director (Ayurveda) and In-charge of the Dr. Achanta Lakshmipathi Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Chennai.
Sports News
Germany Wins 8th Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup; India Secures Bronze
The 14th Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup was held in Chennai and Madurai. In the final match held in Chennai, Germany defeated Spain in a shootout (3-2) after the game ended 1-1 in regular time, to win the championship title for the 8th time. Germany had earlier won the title in 1982, 1985, 1989, 1993, 2009, 2013, and 2023. In the bronze medal match, India defeated Argentina 4-2. Argentina had taken an early 2-0 lead, but India made a strong comeback, with goals from Angad Pal, Maninder Singh, Lavinder Singh, and Aminkolkol, all scored in the final 11 minutes. With this win, India secured the bronze medal in the tournament. Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹5 lakh for each player and ₹2.5 lakh for each coach of the bronze-winning Indian team.
ICC ODI Rankings – Virat Kohli Moves to 2nd Position
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the latest ODI batsmen rankings from Dubai. In this list, India’s senior cricketer Virat Kohli has advanced two places to secure the 2nd position with 773 points. In the recent three-match ODI series against South Africa, the 37-year-old Virat Kohli scored 302 runs, including two centuries and one half-century, contributing to his rise in ranking. Indian captain Rohit Sharma remains at the top position with 781 points, maintaining an 8-point lead over Kohli.