SNIPPETS: 15-16 DECEMBER 2025

POLITY

• Union government proposes VB-G RAM G Bill to replace MGNREGA (2005) + signals shift in rural employment framework + guaranteed workdays raised to 125 + applies only to Centre-notified rural areas + aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047 + programme pausable during peak agricultural seasons + shifts from demand-driven, rights-based model to supply-driven, budget-capped scheme + introduces fixed allocations + changes funding to 60:40 Centre–State (90:10 for NE/Himalayan States) + expands Central control over allocation, geography and planning + codifies Aadhaar payments, app attendance, geotagging + criticised for weakening rural livelihood guarantees.

POLICY AND SCHEMES

• Prime Minister Professorship under ANRF (Act, 2023) selects eminent scientists like Dr Kishore M Paknikar + embeds research-active experts in teaching-strong but research-weak universities + 5-year full-time tenure + ₹2.5 lakh/month fellowship + ₹24 lakh/year research grant + institutional overheads + 21 professors in first phase + focuses on institution-building, mentoring, decentralised excellence + strengthens India’s higher education research ecosystem in line with NEP.
• “Your Money, Your Right” campaign (launched 4 Oct 2025) urged by PM Narendra Modi (10 Dec 2025) to reclaim ₹1 lakh+ crore unclaimed assets + covers bank deposits (₹78,000 cr), insurance (₹14,000 cr), mutual funds (₹3,000 cr), dividends/shares (₹9,000 cr) + 100% digital, free, fraud-proof process + coordinated by RBI, IRDAI, SEBI, MCA + ₹2,000 cr returned in 2 months + supports financial inclusion, transparency & Viksit Bharat @2047.

GEOGRAPHY

• India unveils updated Seismic Zonation Map under BIS Earthquake Design Code 2025 (IS 1893) + introduces new highest-risk Zone VI + places 61% landmass and ~75% population in moderate-to-high seismic risk + classifies entire Himalayan belt uniformly as Zone VI + upgrades inter-zonal boundaries to higher risk + shifts to Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA) and Probabilistic Exposure & Multi-Hazard Assessment (PEMA) + expands focus from structural elements to architectural elements & utilities + strengthens resilient infrastructure, urban planning and disaster preparedness.
• India’s Ramsar Sites rise to 96 with inclusion of Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh) + Kopra Jalashay becomes Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar site + reservoir located in upper catchments of River Mahanadi + supports 60+ migratory bird species used for nesting, feeding and stopover + notable species include Vulnerable Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) and Endangered Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) + Siliserh Lake is a human-made wetland in the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve + located in a semi-arid region and acts as a critical water source for regional biodiversity

DEFENCE

• INSV Kaundinya, an Indian Navy stitched ship, sails from Porbandar to Oman (Dec 29, 2025) to retrace ancient Indian maritime trade routes + inducted in May 2025 + built using ancient nail-less techniques inspired by 5th-century Ajanta paintings + constructed by Kerala artisans with coir ropes, wooden joinery, cotton sails + features three masts, flexible hull, oar steering + named after mariner Kaundinya, symbolising India’s maritime heritage and cultural diplomacy.
• DRDO successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of an indigenous fighter aircraft escape system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility (TBRL, Chandigarh) + validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and aircrew recovery + carried out with HAL & ADA, marking a major boost to India’s escape-system capability.

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

• Tripura government’s plan to reconstruct Jackson Gate (Agartala) revives debates on heritage conservation, historical memory and cultural identity + built in 1929 as the gateway to Ujjayanta Palace by Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya to mark Sir Francis Stanley Jackson’s visit + Charminar-inspired design symbolised royal diplomacy & planned urban vision + demolished in 1981 citing road widening + reconstruction underscores state responsibility to preserve collective memory.
• India hosted the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from December 8 to 13, 2025, at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
• Artist Nnena Kalu becomes first artist with a learning disability to win the Turner Prize + autistic with limited verbal communication + awarded for cocoon-like sculptures made by twisting, swirling and knotting found fabric and VHS tape + Turner Prize established in 1984, named after JMW Turner + honours a British artist or one working primarily in Britain / British-born working globally
• Vijay Diwas commemorated in Assam at Assam State War Memorial by Directorate of Sainik Welfare + honours India’s 1971 victory over Pakistan leading to creation of Bangladesh + tribute paid by defence personnel and veterans + notable attendees included Lt Gen Pranab Kumar Bharali (retd), Maj Gen Purnananda Das (retd), Brig Abani Kumar Pait (retd) sharing wartime experiences + ‘Amar Swaheed Shraddhanjali’ event honoured widows of fallen soldiers + Brig Ajit Kumar Bora, Group Commander NCC Group HQ Guwahati, also present on the solemn occasion