15 December 2025 - Daily Current Affairs Updates

GS–2 | GOVERNANCE

1. Sujalam Bharat App

Subtopic: Digital Governance in Rural Drinking Water

Value Addition:

• Launched to strengthen rural drinking water governance under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

• Developed with technical support from BISAG-N (geo-informatics expertise).

• Core features:

  • Advanced geo-referencing of rural water assets.

  • Continuous monitoring of water supply infrastructure.

  • Unified digital platform integrating:

    • Water sources

    • Asset inventories

    • Scheme designs

    • Operational records

    • Water quality reports

    • Supply performance metrics

    • Community feedback

• Introduces Sujal Gaon ID for every habitation, creating a digital village profile covering:

  • Source type (local / bulk supply)

  • Infrastructure condition

  • Supply reliability

  • Water quality status

  • O&M arrangements

• Integrated with PM Gati Shakti GIS platform for spatial planning and network expansion.

Subject Analysis:

• Enhances transparency and accountability at Gram Panchayat and VWSC levels.

• Strengthens community participation in monitoring public utilities.

• Illustrates convergence of digital public infrastructure + basic service delivery.

• High-value GS-2 example for questions on e-governance and decentralisation.

GS–2 | POLITY / GOVERNANCE

2. Census of India 2027

Subtopic: Population Data, Federal Administration & Digital Governance

Value Addition:

• Approved at a cost of ₹11,718.24 crore.

• 16th census overall, 8th post-Independence census.

• Two phases:

  • House Listing & Housing Census: Apr–Sept 2026

  • Population Enumeration: Feb 2027

• Key innovations:

  • India’s first fully digital census using mobile applications.

  • Collection of caste-related data during population enumeration.

  • Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) for real-time oversight.

  • Census-as-a-Service (CaaS) model for machine-readable datasets.

  • Self-enumeration option for citizens.

Institutional Background:

• Conducted by Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India under MHA.

• Statutory basis: Census Act, 1948.

• Last census: 2011; 2021 deferred due to COVID-19.

Subject Analysis:

• Census 2027 will reshape policy targeting, welfare allocation, and political representation.

• Digital census improves accuracy, speed, and administrative efficiency, but raises data security and privacy concerns.

• Core GS-2 topic linking governance, federalism, and evidence-based policymaking.

GS–3 | ENERGY / SCIENCE & TECH

3. Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI)

Subtopic: Nuclear Energy Governance & Strategic Reforms

Value Addition:

• SHANTI = Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India.

Key Provisions:

• Partial opening of nuclear value chain:

  • Allows private & global players in atomic mineral exploration, fuel fabrication, and equipment manufacturing.

  • Core functions (reactor operation, weapons-related activities) remain under government control.

• Revamped nuclear liability framework:

  • Clearly defines liability of operators, suppliers, and government.

  • Introduces insurance-backed liability caps.

  • Government support kicks in beyond a defined liability threshold.

• Independent Nuclear Safety Authority:

  • Separates safety regulation from promotion.

  • Enhances transparency and global credibility.

• Dedicated Nuclear Tribunal:

  • Specialised dispute resolution mechanism for nuclear cases.

Subject Analysis:

• Signals India’s intent to scale nuclear power for clean energy transition.

• Addresses investor concerns while retaining strategic control.

• Important GS-3 topic on energy security, clean energy mix, and regulatory reforms.

GS–3 | ECONOMY / ENERGY

4. ‘CoalSETU’ Policy

Subtopic: Coal Sector Reforms & Industrial Linkages

Value Addition:

• Auction-based coal linkage mechanism under Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Policy, 2016.

• Launched by Ministry of Coal.

Key Features:

• New CoalSETU window allowing any domestic industrial consumer to bid.

• No end-use restriction: coal can be used for internal consumption, washing, or export (up to 50%).

• Coking coal excluded; traders barred to prevent speculation.

• Export allowed for washed coal; intra-group sharing permitted.

• Boosts private coal washeries → cleaner coal, lower imports.

Objectives:

• Transparent and market-driven allocation.

• Reduce dependence on imported coal.

• Support exports and industrial competitiveness.

Subject Analysis:

• Strengthens ease of doing business in energy-intensive sectors.

• Balances energy security with gradual efficiency improvements.

• GS-3 relevance for mineral policy, industrial inputs, and energy reforms.

GS–2 | SOCIAL JUSTICE / HEALTH

5. Supreme Court Order on PM Garib Kalyan Package (COVID Insurance)

Subtopic: Social Security & Judicial Intervention

Value Addition:

• SC extended ₹50 lakh insurance cover to all doctors who died on COVID duty.

• Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package – Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19.

• Implemented by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Coverage:

• Death due to COVID-19 contracted on duty.

• Accidental death during COVID-related duties.

Beneficiaries:

• Doctors, nurses, paramedics, support staff directly engaged in COVID response.

Subject Analysis:

• Reinforces state responsibility toward frontline workers.

• Demonstrates judiciary’s role in ensuring welfare scheme implementation.

• GS-2 topic linking social justice, health governance, and rights-based approach.

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

6. International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Subtopic: Rural Development & Multilateral Institutions

Value Addition:

• UN specialised agency and international financial institution.

• Established in 1977 by UNGA resolution.

• Objective: Eliminate rural poverty and hunger in developing countries.

• Focus areas: food security, nutrition, livelihoods, climate resilience.

• Operates in remote, fragile, and least-developed regions.

• Provides grants for innovation, research, and pro-poor technologies.

• Membership: 180 countries; India is a founding member.

• Governance: Governing Council (meets every 3 years).

• HQ: Rome, Italy.

Subject Analysis:

• IFAD aligns with India’s emphasis on rural transformation and inclusive growth.

• Important GS-2 institution for questions on UN agencies and development finance.

GS–2 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS / GEOECONOMICS

7. Pax Silica Initiative

Subtopic: Strategic Supply Chains & Technology Geopolitics

Value Addition:

• US-led strategic initiative for secure silicon and semiconductor supply chains.

• Covers:

  • Critical minerals

  • Energy inputs

  • Advanced manufacturing

  • Semiconductor fabrication

  • AI infrastructure and logistics

• Aim: reduce strategic dependencies and build trusted tech ecosystems.

• Members include: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, UK, Israel, UAE, Australia.

• India not included.

Subject Analysis:

• Highlights emerging technology blocs and techno-geopolitics.

• Raises questions on India’s positioning in global semiconductor alliances.

• Relevant for GS-2 questions on strategic autonomy and supply chain resilience.