Indian Railways is close to completing the electrification of almost its entire broad gauge network , with over 99 percent already electrified and the remaining stretch expected to be completed soon. The pace of work has been exceptional in recent years. Between 2019 and 2025, Indian Railways electrified over 33,000 kilometers of route, at an average pace of over 15 kilometers per day. The total distance electrified during this period is almost equivalent to the entire railway network of Germany, reflecting India’s comprehensiveness and seriousness in expanding clean and efficient rail transport. India’s broad gauge rail network is almost completely electrified, covering 99.2 percent of the total network, spread across 25 states and union territories.
2 Indian Navy to commission INAS 335 (OSPREYS)
The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron , INAS 335 (OSPREYS), on 17 December 2025 at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi . This occasion will mark a significant moment in the Indian Navy’s continued efforts towards modernisation and capability enhancement. Equipped with advanced weapons, sensors and avionics systems, this helicopter proves to be a versatile and capable asset for the Indian Navy, providing advanced capabilities to effectively counter both conventional and asymmetric threats.
3 UNESCO adds 72 new cities to Global Learning Cities Network
In December 2025 , the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added 72 new cities from 46 countries to its Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) , bringing the total membership to 425 cities from 91 countries . The new additions include 11 capital cities and mark the first time 12 countries have joined the network.
11 Capital Cities : The new members include 11 capital cities, including: Porto Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Turkey), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Hanoi (Vietnam), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Caracas (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).
12 countries : 12 countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time, including: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, United States of America (USA), Venezuela and Zambia. The GNLC was launched by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) in 2013 and officially began accepting city declarations in 2015. As of 2025, three Indian cities are part of UNESCO’s GNLC: Warangal in Telangana and Thrissur and Nilambur in Kerala .
Union Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Sunday unveiled a 25 feet tall grand statue of Maratha Shiromani Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Athani in Belagavi, Karnataka . Describing the occasion as historic, Scindia said that this is not just the unveiling of a statue, but a pledge to take India’s self-respect, courage and the consciousness of Hindu Swaraj to the new generation. It is noteworthy that the Union Minister is on his two-day visit to Maharashtra-Karnataka. Earlier on Saturday, he released a postage stamp on the completion of 150 years of Bombay Gymkhana in Kolhapur, after which he attended the Rural Postal Conference where he interacted with rural postal workers.
5 Vice President Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of the Tamil Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvarana Maran) at the Upa-Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi . Highlighting the historical significance of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar, the Vice President said that he was one of the most revered rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu and belonged to the illustrious Mutharaiyar dynasty , which ruled from the 7th to the 9th centuries CE. . He also pointed out that the Emperor ruled from Tiruchirapalli for nearly four decades, and his reign was marked by administrative stability, territorial expansion, cultural preservation, and military prowess.
6 Nitin Nabin appointed as National Working President of Bharatiya Janata Party
The Bharatiya Janata Party Parliamentary Board has appointed Bihar Minister and five-time MLA Nitin Nabin as the party’s National Working President , effective immediately . Renowned as an efficient organizational leader, Nabin currently represents the Bankipur Assembly constituency in Patna district. Mr. Nabin is the Minister of Road Construction in the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government. At 45, Nabin becomes the youngest Working President in the party’s history . He is the first BJP leader from Bihar to be appointed to this position.
7 Union Cabinet approves private investment in nuclear energy sector
The Union Cabinet has approved the Atomic Energy Bill , marking a significant shift in India’s civil nuclear energy policy . The bill aims to amend existing laws to allow private sector participation, which is currently restricted under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962. This reform will support India’s long-term goal of achieving 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear capacity by 2047 and encourage investment, technology partnerships, and rapid project development. India’s civil nuclear sector has so far been completely under government control. The Atomic Energy Act, 1962, limits the operation of nuclear plants and fuel-cycle activities to central government entities. Private companies have been hesitant due to liability concerns due to provisions of the Civil Nuclear Damage Liability (CLND) Act, 2010. A high-level panel report in June highlighted that achieving the 100 GW target would require substantial technical and financial resources.
8 Meta India appoints Aman Jain as new head of public policy
Meta India has announced the appointment of Aman Jain as its new Head of Public Policy . This appointment comes as Meta is further strengthening its engagement in India’s digital and regulatory landscape. Aman Jain will join early next year and will play a key role in shaping the company’s policy strategy in India—one of Meta’s most important global markets.