• 24 Dec 2025

Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN Concludes in Uttarakhand

Why in News? 

The 19th edition of Joint Military Exercise SURYAKIRAN between India and Nepal concluded in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. 

Key Points 

• Location: The exercise was held at Foreign Training Node in the Pithoragarh district of  Uttarakhand. 
• Operational Focus: Joint counter-terrorism operations in difficult terrain reflecting strong operational coordination and interoperability. 
• Symbolic Conclusion: The Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Nepal planted a ‘Tree of Friendship’, symbolising mutual trust, and the enduring strength of bilateral defence cooperation. 
• Defence Diplomacy: The exercise highlights defence engagement between India and Nepal, enhancing mutual preparedness for contingencies in the challenging Himalayan terrain and strengthening cooperation in military affairs. 
• India–Nepal Boundary Dispute: The dispute mainly concerns the Kalapani,Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura region.

Anukul Roy Honoured for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

Why in News? 

The Bihar Chief Secretary honoured Anukul Roy, recognising his exceptional performance in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Key Points 

• Recognition: Bihar Chief Secretary honoured Anukul Roy at Vidyut Bhawan, Patna for his outstanding performance in the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. 
• Tournament Achievement: He was named Player of the Tournament. 
• Institutional Support:  He is serving with Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd (BSPHCL), bringing recognition to both his organisation and the state. 
• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26: India’s domestic T20 cricket tournament. 
  • Winner: Jharkhand 
  • Runner up: Haryana 
  • Bihar position: reached quarter-finals.  
  • Player of the Tournament: Anukul Roy 

Farmers’ Conference in Nagaur, Rajasthan

Why in News?

The Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, participated in the Farmers' Conference held in Rajasthan. 

Key Points 

• Venue: The event was held at Merta City in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. 
• Financial & Development Support: Major assistance was announced for farmers, milk producers, and rural households for rural housing and livelihood enhancement. 
• Infrastructure Initiatives: Emphasis was placed on rural road connectivity under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). 
• Government Schemes: The conference highlighted crop insurance, MSP mechanisms, employment guarantee programmes, and comprehensive rural development initiatives. 
• Significance: The event reinforced the Centre’s focus on rural development, farmer welfare, and strengthening livelihoods in Rajasthan. 

Centre of Excellence and VR Mine Simulator at IIT Dhanbad

Why in News? 

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Minerals Mission and Virtual Reality Mine Simulator (VRMS) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.  

Key Points 

• Centre of Excellence: The CoE under the National Critical Minerals Mission will be a national research hub for critical minerals exploration, extraction, processing, reuse and recycling. 
• Virtual Reality Mine Simulator: The VRMS—developed with Coal India Limited and subsidiaries—is India’s first VR‑based mine simulator designed for coal mining safety and productivity. 
• Strategic Focus: He highlighted the role of the mining sector at a historic juncture where technology, critical minerals and sustainability align with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, stressing increased R&D investment, innovation ecosystem expansion and improved monitoring systems like Coal SETU and Koyla Shakti Dashboard.  
• IIT Dhanbad: Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad 
  • Established: 1926 as Indian School of Mines 
  • Converted to IIT in 2016.

National Cooperative Conference in Panchkula, Haryana

Why in News? 

Union Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah attended the National Cooperative Conference held in Panchkula, Haryana 

Key Points 

• Theme: "Prosperity through Cooperation - Role of Cooperatives in Sustainable Agriculture. - Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) 
• Organiser: The conference is organised by Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) at, Panchkula, Haryana. 
• Inaugurations: Amit Shah e‑inaugurates the Milk Cooling Centre at Bhiwani and the HAFED Atta Mill at Rewari.  
• Distribution: RuPay Platinum Debit Cards to beneficiaries of cooperative banks in Haryana. 
• Digital Initiative: A portal showcasing activities for the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 also inaugurated. 
• Focus Areas: The conference will focus on sharing advanced agricultural knowledge, improving access to affordable credit, promoting modern technologies, and encouraging organic and climate-resilient farming through cooperative models. 
• KRIBHCO: Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO) 
  • Type: Multi-state cooperative society 
  • Established: 1980 
  • Headquarters: New Delhi 
  • Sector: Fertiliser production and agricultural support 
  • Key Products: Urea, bio-fertilisers, and other agri-inputs 

KSRTC grants paid menstrual leave from Jan 2026.

Why in News? 

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has issued a circular granting one day of paid menstrual leave every month to women employees. 

Key Points 

• Policy Implementation: KSRTC has adopted the paid menstrual leave provision from January 2026.  
• Eligibility: The leave benefit is available to women employees aged 18–52 years.  
• Leave Conditions: Women can take the monthly menstrual leave without any medical certificate. 
• Utilization: The leave must be used in the same month and cannot be carried forward. 
• Annual Entitlement: Women are entitled up to 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually. 
• Policy Rationale: The circular follows the Karnataka Menstrual Leave Policy-2025, which mandates menstrual leave across workplaces in the state, making Karnataka one of the first states in India to adopt such a policy.