1 At just 21, Shafali Verma created history in T20 International cricket.
Indian women’s cricket team ‘s opening batsman Shafali Verma has become the woman player to score most T20 International half centuries before the age of 22. Shafali has played 92 T20 International matches in her career so far , in which she has scored 2,299 runs at an average of 26.73. During this period, she has scored 12 half centuries . West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor is at second place in this list , who had scored 10 half centuries before the age of 22. Ireland’s Gaby Lewis is also at joint second place with 10 half centuries , while India’s Jemimah Rodrigues is at third place with seven half centuries.
2 Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu elected President of Atal Smriti Trust Society
Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has been elected Chairman of the Atal Smriti Trust Society in New Delhi . Ram Bahadur Rai, a founding member of the Society , proposed Mr. Naidu’s name for the post after consulting other members, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Mr. Naidu succeeds Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who recently passed away. As Chairman, Mr. Naidu will now constitute the Governing Body and Executive Committee to manage the affairs of the Society.
3 Results of the third phase of the Prime Minister’s Young Writer Guidance Scheme declared, 43 young writers selected
The results of the third phase of the Prime Minister’s Young Writers’ Guidance Scheme (PM-YUVA) have been announced. Forty-three young writers have been selected through an all-India competition. The scheme is run by the National Book Trust under the Ministry of Education and is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 to encourage the contribution of young writers to nation-building. All selected writers are under 30 years of age and have been selected in 22 Indian languages and English, ensuring broad linguistic representation across the country. Of the 43 selected writers, 19 are women and 24 are men. The scheme aims to promote inclusive literary development by encouraging writing in various Indian languages. Selected book proposals will be developed into books under the guidance of eminent scholars for six months. Each writer will receive a scholarship of fifty thousand rupees per month and a lifetime royalty of 10 percent on the published book. The themes of the third phase of the PM-YUVA scheme include the contribution of the Indian diaspora in nation-building, Indian knowledge systems, and the architects of modern India.
India has achieved another significant milestone towards strengthening its defence preparedness. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted user evaluation trials of the Akash Next Generation (Akash-NG) missile system . These successful trials mark a significant step towards induction of a modern, indigenous air defence missile system capable of countering a variety of aerial threats. The Akash-NG (Next Generation) missile is an advanced version of the existing Akash air defence system. It is designed to provide enhanced protection against enemy aircraft, drones and other aerial threats over a wide range of altitudes and distances.
5 Indian Navy’s flagship sailing vessel built using ancient sailing method – INSV Kaundinya to set sail on its maiden voyage
Reviving India’s ancient shipbuilding and maritime traditions , the Indian Navy ‘s ancient sailing vessel, INSV Kaundinya, will set sail on its maiden voyage on December 29, 2025. Traveling from Porbandar, Gujarat , to Muscat, Oman, the ship will symbolically retrace the historic maritime routes that have connected India to the wider Indian Ocean world for millennia. It has been built entirely using traditional stitched-plank technology, drawing inspiration from depictions of ancient Indian ships. Unlike contemporary ships, its wooden planks are stitched with coconut fibre rope and sealed with natural resin. This reflects the ancient shipbuilding traditions prevalent along India’s coasts and in the Indian Ocean. The project was initiated through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. It is part of India’s efforts to rediscover and recreate indigenous knowledge systems. Built by traditional craftsmen under the guidance of Master Shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran and supported by extensive research, design and testing by the Indian Navy and academic institutions, the ship is fully seaworthy and capable of sailing across the ocean. The ship is named after the legendary navigator Kaundinya, who is believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times.
6 Cabinet approves three new corridors as part of Delhi Metro’s Phase V (A) project
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved three new corridors as part of the Delhi Metro’s Phase V (A) project : 1. R.K. Ashram Marg to Indraprastha (9.913 km), 2. Aerocity to IGD Airport T-1 (2.263 km), and 3. Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj (3.9 km). This 16.076-kilometer project will further improve connectivity within the national capital. The total cost of Phase V (A) of the Delhi Metro is ₹12,014.91 crore, and will be funded by the Government of India, the Government of Delhi, and international funding agencies. The Central Vista Corridor will provide connectivity to all operational buildings, providing direct access to offices for office-goers and visitors in the area. This connectivity will benefit approximately 60,000 office-goers and 200,000 visitors daily. These corridors will further reduce pollution and fossil fuel use, thereby increasing the ease of living.
7 Odisha Cabinet approves ‘Baraputra Historical Village Scheme’
The Odisha Cabinet on Wednesday approved several key proposals, including the implementation of the ” Baraputra Historical Village Scheme .” The scheme aims to honor the state’s great sons by developing their birthplaces into local heritage centers . The government has decided to implement the “Baraputra Historical Village Scheme” as a structured and budget-supported initiative aimed at preserving tangible and intangible heritage, promoting community-based cultural preservation, and creating local heritage assets in the state. The government will develop and preserve the residential homes of the “Baraputras” as heritage museums. Interpretation centers, libraries, conference rooms, open-air theaters, children’s parks, and other supporting infrastructure will be developed. In addition, statues and memorials will be erected in memory of the Baraputras.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified the CD4 test as the most important test for identifying severe disease in people living with HIV . WHO has included it in its new 2025 guidelines . According to WHO, when a person’s CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm³ , they are considered to have advanced HIV disease . This condition is the leading cause of AIDS-related deaths. This problem persists even in countries with good HIV testing and treatment systems. WHO stated that all HIV-infected children under the age of 5 will be considered to have advanced HIV unless they have been on ART (antiretroviral therapy) for more than a year and their condition is stable. The new guidelines aim to ensure early identification of severe HIV patients, timely initiation of treatment, and proper care after hospital discharge. If CD4 testing is not available in a location, doctors can diagnose advanced HIV based on a clinical examination of the patient (based on symptoms). CD4 testing can also determine which additional medications may be necessary or can be discontinued. Furthermore, the WHO recommends certain medications for the treatment of patients with Kaposi’s Sarcoma (a rare cancer) who are HIV-positive.
9 Centre issues directive to states to impose complete ban on granting of new mining leases in Aravalli range
The Centre has issued directives to states imposing a complete ban on granting any new mining leases in the Aravalli Range . This is a significant step towards protecting the entire Aravalli Range, stretching from Delhi to Gujarat, from illegal mining. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in a statement that this ban applies uniformly across the entire Aravalli tract and is aimed at maintaining the integrity of the Aravalli Range. These directives aim to protect the Aravalli Range as a continuous geological chain stretching from Gujarat to the National Capital Region and to prohibit all unregulated mining activities. The Ministry has also directed the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education to identify additional areas and zones across the Aravalli Range where mining should be prohibited.
10 Vice President releases book ‘Economic Empowerment of India in the Modi Era’
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday released the book ” India’s Economic Empowerment in the Modi Era, ” written by Professor (Dr.) Sikander Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh , at the Vice President’s Enclave in New Delhi. The book explores the economic achievements made during the last 11 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure.
11 Bihar created cricket history, made the highest List A score.
The Bihar cricket team created history in the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval Ground in Ranchi . Batting first, Bihar scored 574 runs for the loss of 6 wickets . This is the highest total in List A cricket history . The team achieved this record thanks to centuries from openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi, captain Sakibul Gani, and Ayush Loharuka. Opening the innings, Vaibhav Suryavanshi reached his century in just 36 balls. He played an explosive innings of 190 runs in 84 balls, studded with 15 sixes and 16 fours. Previously, the highest score in List A cricket was held by Tamil Nadu, who scored 506 runs for 2 wickets against Arunachal Pradesh in 2022.
12 Virat Kohli’s historic record, completing 16,000 runs in List A cricket
Virat Kohli has once again etched his name in cricket history. Returning to action in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he completed 16,000 runs in List A cricket . Kohli achieved this feat in the match between Delhi and Andhra Pradesh . Chasing a target of 299, he achieved this remarkable record as soon as he scored his first run. Kohli became the second Indian batsman to reach 16,000 List A runs. Prior to him , this feat was held only by Sachin Tendulkar . He is the ninth player worldwide to achieve this feat , joining legends like Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sir Vivian Richards. Kohli last played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in the 2010-11 season, when he was captain of the Delhi team. After that, he did not play in the tournament for nearly a decade. There was considerable excitement surrounding his return, and he achieved this historic record as soon as he returned. Kohli also has an impressive record in ODI cricket. He is the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history. He has scored 14,557 runs in 308 matches at an average of 58.46. He also has 53 ODI centuries to his name. Kohli is now close to Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 60 centuries in List A cricket. He currently has 57 centuries.