Current Affairs – December 09, 2025

{GS1 – A&C} 150 Years of Vande Mataram

Context (TOI): The Parliament has scheduled a special discussion to commemorate 150 years of the National Song Vande Mataram.

Debate: The celebration revived debate over the Congress Working Committee’s 1937 decision to adopt only the first two stanzas for national gatherings.

About ‘Vande Mataram’

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote the poem in 1875. He later included it in his 1882 Bengali novel Anandamath, published in the magazine Bangadarshan.
Structure: The poem has six stanzas; the first two use Sanskrit and the latter ones use Bengali.
Portrayal: In the novel, warrior-monks sing the hymn to praise Mother India through the image of goddess Durga.
Trigger: British promotion of “God Save the King/Queen” encouraged Bankim to write a patriotic hymn.

Musical Composition

Early Tune: Jadunath Bhattacharya composed an initial tune for the poem at Bankim Chandra’s request.
Tagore: Rabindranath Tagore composed a widely recognised version based on the raga Desh Malhar.
Debut: Tagore first sang Vande Mataram publicly at the Congress Session 1896 in Calcutta presided over by M. Rahmathulla Sayani.

Partition of Bengal (1905)

Rally Cry: Vande Mataram became the central slogan of the Swadeshi and boycott movement after the 1905 partition of Bengal.
First Use: The slogan was publicly raised for the first time on 7 August 1905 at Calcutta’s Town Hall.
Customary: Vande Mataram became the customary opening song for all-India Congress occasions at the 1905 Varanasi session. Sarala Devi Chaudhurani sang it at the session.

Symbol of Defiance and Nationalism

Colonial Ban: The British banned public chanting or display of Vande Mataram, imposing fines and using force against protesters.
Defiance: The ban made the chant an act of resistance, with freedom fighters accepting jail or death while uttering it.
Journals: Bipin Chandra Pal launched the English journal Bande Mataram in 1906, edited by Aurobindo. Lala Lajpat Rai later started an Urdu daily with the same name in 1920.
Flag: Bhikaji Cama unfurled an Indian flag in Stuttgart in 1907 with “Vande Mataram” written across the central band.

CWC Decision to Use Only Two Stanzas

Decision: The Congress Working Committee decided in 1937 to use only the first two stanzas for public and national gatherings.
Leaders: The 1937 CWC included Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Subhas Chandra Bose. Rabindranath Tagore advised using only the first two stanzas.
Concerns: The remaining stanzas were removed after minority groups objected to explicit invocations of Hindu goddesses Durga and Lakshmi.

Post-Independence Status

Recognition: On 24 January 1950, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, President of the Constituent Assembly, declared Vande Mataram the National Song of India.
Status: It was declared to be honoured equally with the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana.
Law: Unlike the National Anthem, the National Song is not enforceable under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
Protocol: Each new session of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha opens with the National Anthem and concludes sine die with the National Song Vande Mataram.

Read More> 150^th Anniversary of Vande Mataram

{GS2 – Polity} Private Member’s Bill Introduced to Amend Tenth Schedule

Context (TOI): A private member’s bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha to allow MPs to vote independently on all bills and motions, except those that impact the stability of the government.

Key Features of the Bill

Limited Disqualification: A member is disqualified only when they vote or abstain against party directions on motions that affect government stability.
Free Voting: Members may vote freely on all other bills, based on their judgment and constituency needs.
Whip Announcement: The Speaker or Chairman must clearly announce any party whip issued for these stability-related motions.
Appeal Timeline: A disqualified member may appeal to the Speaker or Chairman within 15 days of losing membership.
- Timed Decision: The Presiding Officer must decide the appeal within 60 days of receiving it.
Independent Tribunal: Defection cases will be handled by tribunals comprising Supreme Court Division Benches for Parliament and High Court Division Benches for State Legislatures.

Rationale Behind the Bill

Defection Gap: The current law prevents individual defections but not coordinated group shifts that can topple governments.
Voter Accountability: The bill aims to restore the representative’s accountability to the voters rather than to party leadership.
Improved Scrutiny: Removing whips on routine bills encourages MPs to study drafts and propose meaningful amendments.

Anti-Defection Law in India

Purpose: The Tenth Schedule prevents elected legislators from switching political parties after winning their seats.
Amendments: It was introduced through the 52^nd Constitutional Amendment in 1985 and later strengthened by the 91^st Amendment in 2003.
Grounds: A member can be disqualified for giving up party membership or violating the party whip without permission, unless the party condones within 15 days.
- Independent Members: Independent legislators are disqualified if they join any political party after being elected.
- Nominated Members: Nominated members are disqualified if they join a political party more than six months after their nomination.
Exception: Disqualification does not apply when at least two-thirds of a legislative party supports a merger with another party.
Authority: The Presiding Officer of the House decides all disqualification matters. The decisions are subject to Judicial Review.

Read More> Anti-Defection Law

{GS2 – Governance} Fire Safety in India **

Context (IE): A major fire at Birch by Romeo Lane, a nightclub in Goa, killed about 25 people.

Fire Safety Legal Framework in India

NBC 2016 (Part 4): National Building Code of India 2016 (Part 4), a central guideline covering fire prevention, building design, safe egress, and firefighting systems for buildings.
State-level fire laws: NBC is recommendatory; states/urban local bodies must adopt via local bye-laws to make it enforceable.
Fire NOC requirement: Many states mandate a NOC from the fire department for occupancy, especially for high-risk buildings (hotels, clubs, assembly halls, and basements).

Reasons for Recurring Fire Incidents in India

Weak Enforcement: Safety inspections and NOC renewals are irregular, allowing high-risk operations to continue unchecked; E.g. the Jaisalmer bus fire exposed oversight gaps in sleeper-coach safety.
Hazardous Material Mismanagement: Flammable goods are stored illegally due to poor monitoring; E.g., Gujarat fireworks-warehouse blast killed 21 after aluminium powder was kept without permits.
Electrical Faults: Overloaded circuits and unmaintained wiring frequently trigger urban fires; E.g. the Hyderabad residential fire killed 17, including 8 children, due to suspected wiring failure.
Unsafe Escape Routes: Encroached stairwells and unventilated corridors trap people during smoke spread; E.g., Kolkata hotel fire, 14 died from asphyxiation in a narrow stairwell.
Regulatory Gap: NBC remains recommendatory until states adopt it into their bylaws; E.g., only about 22–24 states have fully integrated NBC 2016 fire provisions as of 2024 (MoHUA data).

Way Forward

Code Adoption: Make NBC 2016 Part IV mandatory through state bylaws with periodic compliance.
Basement Norms: Enforce smoke extraction, ventilation, sprinkler curtains, and dual exits for basements.
Occupancy Audits: Tie nightclub/restaurant licences to annual third-party fire audits.
Exit Discipline: Enforce clear, obstruction-free stairwells and escape routes with penalties for encroachment; E.g., replicate Mumbai Fire Brigade’s zero-tolerance checks before festival seasons.
Service Modernisation: Strengthen state fire services through faster response units and narrow-lane vehicles; E.g., adopt Bengaluru’s rapid-intervention fire vehicles for dense urban cores.

{GS2 – Governance} PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Context (PIB): PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has reached 23.96% of its 1 crore rooftop solar target.

Progress Made by the Scheme

Total Households Covered: 23,96,497 households with functional rooftop solar systems.
Applications Received: 53,54,099 applications submitted on the National Portal by 03 Dec 2025.
Systems Installed: 19,17,698 installations completed across states.
Overall Target Achievement: ~23.96% of the one crore household target for FY 2026–27 achieved.
FY 2025–26 Goal: Coverage of 35 lakh households targeted for this financial year.

About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

It was launched in 2024 as a Central Sector Scheme, which was later recognised as the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar (RTS) scheme.
Objective: Designed to scale up rooftop solar in households and support India’s clean energy goals.
Target: Rooftop solar installation in 1 crore residential households by 2026–27.
Tenure: Implemented from FY 2023–24 to FY 2026–27.
Implementation: Under the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy through the state-level DISCOMs.
Eligibility: The household:
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Must own a house with a suitable roof.
- Must have a valid electricity connection.
- Should not have availed of any prior rooftop solar subsidy.

{GS3 – IE} India’s Tax Collection from Cryptocurrency Transactions

Context (TH): The Ministry of Finance shared the tax collection data on cryptocurrency transactions for 2024-25 in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Transaction Value: Crypto transactions reached ₹51,000 crore in 2024-25, marking a 41% rise.
Tax Collection: Authorities collected ₹511.8 crore as Tax Deducted at Source (TDS).
Undisclosed Income: The Income Tax Department detected ₹888.82 crore in undisclosed income linked to virtual digital assets (VDA).
ED Action: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached over ₹4,000 crore as proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Virtual Digital Asset: The Income Tax Act, 1961, uses this term to classify cryptocurrencies, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and similar digital assets.

India’s Tax Provisions for Cryptocurrency

Tax Rates

Flat Tax: A flat 30% tax applies on VDA transfer income, excluding surcharge and 4% cess.
- Uniform: This 30% rate applies to all taxpayers irrespective of the income tax slab.
Cost Deduction: Only the acquisition cost may be deducted when calculating taxable crypto profit.
GST Rule: No GST applies to the crypto asset, but 18% GST is levied on platform service fees.

Loss and TDS

Loss Restriction: Losses from one crypto asset cannot offset gains from another crypto asset.
Carry-Forward: Crypto-related losses cannot be carried forward to later financial years.

TDS: A 1% TDS applies on crypto transfers above ₹50,000 for specified persons or ₹10,000 for all others.

Gift and Reporting

Gift Tax: Crypto received as a gift becomes taxable at slab rates when the value exceeds ₹50,000.
- Exemption: Gifts from defined relatives such as spouse, siblings, and lineal family are exempt.
ITR Reporting: Crypto gains must be reported in Schedule VDA of the Income Tax Return.

Read More> Cryptocurrency

{GS3 – S&T} Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

Context (TH): Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) are transitioning from labs to practical products, accelerating the global neurotechnology revolution.

Neurotechnology involves using mechanical tools to record, monitor, understand, or influence the human nervous system, particularly the brain.

About Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

A BCI is a system that establishes a direct communication link between the brain’s electrical signals and an external device, bypassing neuromuscular pathways.
Its primary aim is to help, enhance, or recover cognitive and sensory-motor functions, especially for people with paralysis or neurodegenerative conditions.

Key Components of a BCI System

Signal Acquisition: Electrodes capture electrical signals generated by neurons in the brain.
Processing: Signals are filtered to remove noise and identify patterns corresponding to user actions.
Translation: Machine learning & AI algorithms interpret these neural patterns into digital commands.
Device Output & Feedback: The commands control an external device (E.g., prosthetic arm, cursor), and the user gets feedback (visual, auditory, tactile) to improve control.

Types of BCIs

Non-Invasive: Sensors are placed on the scalp to provide low-risk, lower-resolution recordings; examples include Electroencephalography (EEG) & Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI).
Partially Invasive: Electrodes are placed beneath the skull but above brain tissue (e.g., Electrocorticography or ECoG). They provide better signal quality with lower surgical risk.
Invasive: Electrodes are implanted into the brain tissue, offering high resolution but posing infection risks; they are used in severe paralysis cases (e.g., Neuralink, Blackrock Neurotech).

Key Applications

Medical Uses: BCIs aid mobility in paralysis, support speech recovery in stroke patients, assist Parkinson’s and epilepsy treatments, and help research vision-restoring implants.
Cognitive Enhancement: Neurofeedback training improves focus, memory, and task performance.
Security: BCIs enable secure authentication and can lead to hands-free control of military systems.
Human Interactions: It enables thought-controlled gaming, VR/AR navigation, and hands-free smart-home management.

India’s Need for BCI Adoption

Disease Burden: India’s neurological disease burden has doubled between 1990 and 2019, with stroke accounting for 37.9% of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). (Lancet Global Health).
Ageing Needs: India’s increasing elderly population raises the need for dementia care technology.
Startup Scope: A projected $6-billion global BCI market by 2030 offers major opportunities for startups.
Innovation hub: Indigenous BCI development enables India to become a leading neurotechnology hub.
Research Gain: Investing in BCI advances neuroscience with potential for patentable discoveries and commercial or clinical uses.

India’s Current Standing in BCI

Market Share: India holds about 2.5% of the global Brain–Computer Interface market (2024).

Research Developments: IIT Kanpur showcased a BCI-controlled robotic hand for stroke rehabilitation.
Public Innovation: C-DAC, with funding from MeitY, developed Vivan-BCI, an affordable communication system for children with special needs.
Startup Activity: Companies like BrainSight AI are advancing neurological mapping, animal-welfare BCIs, and early cancer-screening tools.
Technology Profile: India’s BCI market is driven by non-invasive EEG systems used in rehabilitation, communication, and consumer technology.

Global BCI Landscape

United States: It leads the global BCI market. Companies like Neuralink and Synchron are conducting human trials to restore movement and communication.
Europe: Germany, the Netherlands, and France lead in collaborative BCI research with advanced neurorehabilitation programmes.
China: The “China Brain Project” (2016–2030) explores cognition research, brain-inspired AI, and neurological disorder treatments.
East Asia: Japan focuses on rehabilitation and human–robot interaction, while South Korea develops gaming and entertainment-oriented BCIs.

{Prelims – IR} Washington Accords *

Context (BBC): The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed the Washington Accords to reinforce peace commitments and advance regional economic cooperation.

About Washington Accords

The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity is a US-brokered peace and economic agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, formally signed in Washington on 4 December 2025.
It reaffirms the June 27, 2025, peace agreement, requiring Rwanda to withdraw troops from eastern DRC and the DRC to end support for extremist groups working against Rwanda.
The Accords incorporate the Regional Economic Integration Framework, aimed at joint development of energy, infrastructure and critical minerals, with a role for US private investment.
A Joint Oversight Committee, including the DRC, Rwanda, the US, Qatar and the African Union (AU) representatives, monitors security actions like troop withdrawal and disarmament deadlines.

Read More > Scramble for the Sahel

{Prelims – Envi} United Nations Environment Assembly *

Context (IE): Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) opens amid disagreement over United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s draft Medium-Term Strategy.

UNEP Medium-Term Strategy is a five-year plan approved by UNEA that sets UNEP’s priority areas, targets, and funding framework.

About United Nations Environment Assembly

Established in 2012 at Rio+20 as the world’s highest environmental decision-making body with universal membership of all 193 United Nations (UN) member states.
Serves as the governing body of UNEP, approving its Programme of Work and Budget, and setting global environmental mandates and priorities.
Meets biennially in Nairobi, Kenya, and its resolutions are non-binding but influence global environmental governance, norms, and cooperation.
The UNEA Bureau, elected for a two-year term, consists of a President and eight Vice-Presidents and is responsible for organising and coordinating the Assembly’s sessions.

Read More > COP 29 Climate Summit

{Prelims – Species} World’s Largest Spider Web Found in Vromoner Canyon

Context (IE): The world’s largest single colonial spider web, covering 106 square metres, was found inside a sulfur-rich cave in Vromoner Canyon on the Albania-Greece border.

Spider Species: The colony consisted of the barn funnel weaver and the smaller dwarf weaver species.
- Both species are normally solitary, and the barn funnel weaver typically preys on the dwarf weaver.
Cave Effect: The cave’s total darkness limits visual hunting, allowing the species to coexist peacefully.
- High hydrogen sulfide levels in the cave support large midge populations, which remove the need for competition.

{Prelims – S&T} India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025

Context (PIB | DDN): The 11^th India International Science Festival, IISF 2025, is taking place in Panchkula, Haryana.
Objective: To promote scientific temper, encourage private-sector participation, and facilitate technology transfer from labs to industries and society.
Theme: The 2025 edition is based on “Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Prosperity through Science: for a Self-Reliant India).
Organisers: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), along with IITM Pune and key scientific departments like DST, DBT, CSIR, DAE, the Department of Space and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).
Key Focus Areas: Includes ecology of North-West India and the Himalayas, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, and Blue Economy.
Significance: IISF serves as a national platform aligning scientific progress with long-term goals like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047.

{Prelims – Defence} C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft

Context (TH): Tata Advanced Systems and Lockheed Martin have begun construction of a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to service the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

About C-130J Super Hercules Aircraft

A four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin (US) for tactical airlift, airdrop missions and short/rough runway operations.
It is the latest variant of the C-130 series featuring modern digital avionics, improved fuel efficiency and performance; it needs a minimal crew (2 pilots + 1 loadmaster).
It is capable of short take-off and landing (STOL) with~19 tonnes payload capacity, 6,850 km range (no payload) and endurance of 20 hours.
The Indian Air Force operates 12 C-130J aircraft, deployed for special operations, disaster relief, high-altitude logistics (including Ladakh), and humanitarian missions.

Turboprop aircraft are gas-turbine engine-powered, more fuel-efficient, and suited for short runways, but slower than jet aircraft. Commonly used as a transport aircraft.

Read More > Rafale Fighter Jet

{Prelims – Diseases} Adult-Onset Allergies

Context (TH): Doctors report a sharp increase in adult-onset allergies among individuals with no childhood history, driven by urban lifestyle shifts and pollution.

Allergy

The exaggerated response of the immune system to specific antigens present in the environment is called an allergy. The substances that elicit such an immune response are called allergens.
An allergy is due to the release of chemicals like histamine and serotonin.

Reasons For Rising Adult-Onset Allergies in India

Environmental Pollution: Chronic exposure to urban pollutants lowers respiratory tolerance.
Poor Ventilation: Renovated homes, closed windows, AC dependence, and mould raise allergen load.
New Allergen Exposure: Shifts in workplace, city, or pets introduce unfamiliar triggers.
Age-Related Immune Changes: Immune adaptation, hormonal changes, obesity, menopause, and chronic inflammation reduce allergen tolerance.

Guidelines to Contain Surge in Allergies

Early Diagnosis: Promote allergen testing and lung-function checks to prevent escalation into asthma.
Exposure Control: Improve indoor air quality through ventilation, AC servicing, and moisture reduction;
Lifestyle Modification: Encourage smoking cessation and exercise to stabilise immunity.
Targeted Therapy: Use antihistamines, nasal steroids and bronchodilators based on severity.

{Prelims – Awards} National Handicrafts Awards

Context (NOA): President Droupadi Murmu will present the National Handicrafts Awards for 2023-24 in New Delhi.

About National Handicrafts Awards

Instituted in 1965 to recognise master craftspersons and to support craft continuity, artisan livelihoods, and national visibility for India’s handicraft ecosystem.
Includes National Awards, National Merit Certificates, and Shilp Guru Awards (since 2002) – the highest national honour in the handicrafts sector.
Selection criteria focus on technical mastery, traditional craftsmanship, innovation within tradition, and documentation value.
The Ministry of Textiles manages the selection and conferring of the awards, which are presented by the President of India and aligned with National Handicrafts Week (8 to 14 Dec).

Read More > PM Vishwakarma Scheme

{Prelims – In News} WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine *

Context (PIB): India will host the 2^nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi from 17-19 December 2025.

About the Summit

Co-hosted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush to advance global cooperation on traditional medicine.
It supports the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, aimed at regulated, safe and evidence-based integration of traditional medicine into national health systems.
Key focus areas include scientific validation, regulatory frameworks, digital health, biodiversity protection, and global research collaboration.
The 1^st edition was held in 2023 in Gujarat, culminating in the Gujarat Declaration, which affirmed global commitment to ethical, equitable and science-driven traditional medicine integration.