12 December 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–1 | ART & CULTURE

1. Deepavali added to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Subtopic: Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

Value Addition:

• Inscribed during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, held at Red Fort, New Delhi (first time India hosted the session).

• India now has 16 elements on UNESCO’s ICH list.

• Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (Oct–Nov); five-day festival.

• Key components:

  • Dhanteras – prosperity, metal purchases

  • Naraka Chaturdashi – removal of negativity

  • Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja – wealth and wisdom

  • Bhai Dooj – sibling bond

• Associated legends:

  • Ramayana: Return of Rama to Ayodhya

  • Mahabharata: Return of Pandavas from exile

Subject Analysis:

• Reinforces India’s soft power and cultural diplomacy.

• Highlights community-based traditions rather than monuments.

• Useful for GS–1 questions on UNESCO culture frameworks and Indian festivals.

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. Yellow Line in Gaza

Subtopic: Conflict Geography & Military Demarcation

Value Addition:

• A temporary military demarcation line within Gaza.

• Areas east of the line are under direct Israeli operational control.

• Israel currently controls 53–58% of Gaza, including:

  • Most agricultural land

  • Rafah border crossing with Egypt

Subject Analysis:

• Demonstrates how military control lines alter political geography.

• Important for understanding West Asia conflicts, borders, and humanitarian access.

• Relevant for GS–2 IR and mapping-based questions.

GS–2 | SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / GOVERNANCE

3. National Hub for Quantum Communication (IIT Madras)

Subtopic: Quantum Technology & National Security

Value Addition:

• Set up under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).

• Focus areas:

  • Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)

  • Post-quantum cryptography

  • Quantum memory & repeaters

  • Satellite-based quantum communication

• Supports testbeds, co-development programmes, and deep-tech startups.

Subject Analysis:

• Critical for quantum-secure digital infrastructure.

• Protects India from future threats posed by quantum computers.

• Relevant for GS–2 & GS–3: emerging technologies, cybersecurity, national missions.

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE & ECONOMY

4. ‘Your Money, Your Right’ Movement

Subtopic: Financial Inclusion & Consumer Rights

Value Addition:

• Launched in October 2025 to recover unclaimed assets.

• Magnitude of unclaimed funds:

  • Bank deposits: ₹78,000 crore

  • Insurance: ₹14,000 crore

  • Mutual funds: ₹3,000 crore

  • Dividends: ₹9,000 crore

• Key portals:

  • UDGAM (RBI) – bank deposits

  • Bima Bharosa (IRDAI) – insurance

  • MITRA (SEBI) – mutual funds

  • IEPFA (MCA) – dividends/shares

• Coordinated by Department of Financial Services (MoF).

• Facilitation camps for on-ground assistance.

Subject Analysis:

• Strengthens financial awareness and inclusion.

• Reduces idle capital and improves household balance sheets.

• Important for GS–2 governance & GS–3 financial literacy.

GS–3 | SPACE SCIENCE

5. RAMBHA-LP (Chandrayaan-3 Payload)

Subtopic: Lunar Plasma Environment

Value Addition:

• Full form: Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe.

• Mounted on a boom to avoid lander interference.

• Measures:

  • Electron density

  • Electron temperature

• Key finding: Moon’s south polar region has an active plasma environment.

• Plasma = fourth state of matter (ions + free electrons; electrically neutral overall).

Subject Analysis:

• Enhances understanding of Moon–solar wind interaction.

• Important for future lunar missions and human habitation planning.

• Relevant for GS–3 space technology questions.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT

6. Charaichung Royal Bird Sanctuary

Subtopic: Community Conservation & Avian Ecology

Value Addition:

• Asia’s first protected bird sanctuary (1633 AD).

• Established by Ahom king Swargadeu Pratap Singha.

• Located on Majuli Island, Assam.

• ~150 species of resident and migratory birds.

• Charaichung Festival:

  • Community-driven initiative

  • Aims to revive sanctuary & promote eco-tourism

Subject Analysis:

• Early example of royal conservation ethics in India.

• Highlights role of local communities in heritage conservation.

• Useful for GS–3 environment & GS–1 history linkage.

GS–3 | BIOTECHNOLOGY

7. GlowCas9a CRISPR Protein

Subtopic: Gene Editing & Theratracking

Value Addition:

• A bioluminescent Cas9 variant developed by Indian scientists.

• Created by fusing Cas9 with split nano-luciferase (from deep-sea shrimp).

• Emits light when Cas9 folds correctly → real-time tracking of gene editing.

• Benefits:

  • Improves homology-directed repair (HDR)

  • Useful for diseases like sickle cell anaemia, muscular dystrophy

• Advances the field of theratracking.

Subject Analysis:

• Major leap in precision gene therapy.

• Reduces trial-and-error in CRISPR applications.

• High-value GS–3 topic linking biotech + medical innovation.

GS–3 | BIODIVERSITY

8. Rhinophis siruvaniensis (New Shieldtail Snake)

Subtopic: Endemic Fauna & Western Ghats

Value Addition:

• Discovered in Siruvani Hills (Kerala–Tamil Nadu).

• Non-venomous, burrowing snake (family Uropeltidae).

• Distinctive dome-shaped tail tip.

• Shieldtail snakes:

  • Endemic to India & Sri Lanka

  • Adapted to subterranean life

Subject Analysis:

• Reinforces Western Ghats as a global biodiversity hotspot.

• Important for prelims questions on new species & endemic fauna.

GS–3 | ENVIRONMENT / MARINE ECOLOGY

9. Goniopora Coral & Black Band Disease

Subtopic: Coral Bleaching & Marine Diseases

Value Addition:

• 75% mortality at One Tree Reef.

• Goniopora (flowerpot coral):

  • Hard coral (Poritidae family)

  • Photosynthetic (zooxanthellae symbiosis)

  • Tolerant to thermal stress

• Black Band Disease:

  • Bacterial infection

  • Forms moving black mat → kills entire colony

  • Linked to pollution & nutrient runoff

Subject Analysis:

• Shows how disease + climate stress can overwhelm even resilient corals.

• Important for GS–3 topics on reef degradation & ocean health.