1 Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi released Indian Standard for Electric Agricultural Tractors
Shri Pralhad Joshi , Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, released IS 19262:2025 ‘ Electric Agricultural Tractors – Test Code ‘ at an event held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulates Indian Standards through uniform and standardized test protocols to ensure the safety, reliability, and functionality of electric agricultural tractors. IS 19262:2025 ‘Electric Agricultural Tractors – Test Code’ creates a common understanding among all stakeholders regarding uniform terminology, common guidelines, and tests to be conducted on electric agricultural tractors – PTO power, drawbar power, and performance of belts and pulleys, etc. It also covers vibration measurements, specification verification, and inspection of various components and assemblies of electric agricultural tractors.
2 MoU between NTH and DMSRDE to boost research and testing collaboration
The National Test House (NTH) and the Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE) have signed an agreement. This agreement will enhance collaboration between the two institutions in the areas of research, testing, and training . The agreement will focus on areas where specialized facilities are not available at the training centers. This collaboration will promote knowledge sharing and skill development among scientific and technical personnel. The agreement aims to facilitate collaborative research and testing activities, share laboratory and equipment facilities, and support areas of mutual interest and national importance. NTH, an institute of the Department of Consumer Affairs, provides testing, inspection, and quality assurance services for a wide range of industrial and consumer products in accordance with national and international standards. DMSRDE is a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) engaged in research and development of specialized materials critical to defense operations.
3 Ministry of Civil Aviation launches 24×7 PACER Control Room
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has operationalized a permanent, 24×7 Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) , institutionalizing an integrated and futuristic system for passenger assistance and emergency response . Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha stated that the PACR serves as a unified hub, bringing together officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India, airline operators, and other key stakeholders on a single platform at Udan Bhawan. Mr. Sinha stated that since December 3rd, PACR has resolved over 13,000 passenger complaints through focused monitoring and prompt action. He added that complaints related to flight delays, cancellations, refunds, and baggage issues were prioritized and resolved as per the provisions of the Passenger Charter.
4 Uttar Pradesh government declared Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary as eco-sensitive zone
The Uttar Pradesh government has declared the Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary an environmentally sensitive zone . Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a social media post that the initiative aims to develop the bird sanctuary as an ecotourism destination. He said the government is working to strengthen its biodiversity. Mr. Singh said the sanctuary, spread over 184 hectares, attracts migratory birds from Central Asia and Tibet.
5 IIT Patna launches supercomputer to boost research
IIT Patna inaugurated Bihar’s first “Param Rudra” supercomputer. This is a significant achievement under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM) , which will strengthen research capabilities in the region and enable students, faculty, and researchers to address complex scientific and technological challenges. Under this mission, 37 supercomputers have been installed so far, with a total capacity of 40 petaflops. Ten more systems will be installed in the coming phase, bringing India’s total capacity to over 100 petaflops. Param Rudra is the first supercomputer installed in any educational institution or government office in Bihar. It was formally inaugurated by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology). This system facilitates large data processing, complex simulations, and advanced modeling, which were previously difficult due to limited computing resources.
Zoho -backed Indian startup VoxelGrids has developed India’s first indigenous MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner . This achievement reduces India’s dependence on imported diagnostic equipment and strengthens the country’s healthcare infrastructure. VoxelGrids has successfully designed and manufactured a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner . The scanner has been installed at the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation near Nagpur . This project is the result of 12 years of sustained effort led by VoxelGrids founder Arjun Arunachalam. Until now, India was almost entirely dependent on foreign companies like Siemens and GE Healthcare for MRI machines.
7 Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Consumer Affairs released Indian Standard on Bomb Detection Systems on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025
On the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025 held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi , the Honorable Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution , Shri Pralhad Joshi , released IS 19445:2025 – Bomb Disposal Systems – Performance Evaluation and Requirements. This is an Indian Standard aimed at strengthening safety and standardization in bomb disposal operations. Bomb disposal systems such as bomb blankets, bomb baskets, and bomb detonators are commonly used to mitigate explosive threats. While many public and private sector entities in India manufacture these systems, their safe and effective use in the field requires rigorous and standardized performance evaluation.
8 President Draupadi Murmu makes historic journey on a naval submarine
President Draupadi Murmu boarded the Indian Navy ‘s indigenously built Kalvari-class submarine , INS Vagsheer , on Sunday . President Draupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of India’s armed forces, arrived at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka on Sunday . This visit is considered a powerful symbol of the Indian Navy’s capabilities and the defense manufacturing program of a self-reliant India. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi was also present for this special mission. This was President Draupadi Murmu’s first visit to a Kalvari-class submarine. She is the second President in Indian history to do so. Prior to her, former President and Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had conducted a sortie on a submarine. INS Vagsheer, built under Project 75 , is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, weapons, and noiseless operations capabilities, making it a vital instrument of India’s maritime power in the Indian Ocean region. It is worth noting that President Draupadi Murmu recently flew a Rafale, an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft. President Murmu arrived at the Air Force Station in Ambala, Haryana , on October 29. Here, she flew a sortie in the Air Force’s state-of-the-art Rafale fighter aircraft . Earlier in November 2024 , the President witnessed an operational demonstration by the Indian Navy aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant .
9 BCCI announces 15-member squad for Under-19 World Cup
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 World Cup . The World Cup will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6 next year. The team will be captained by Ayush Mhatre while Vihaan Malhotra will be the vice-captain . Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Aaron George and Abhigyan Kundu are also part of the squad. Five-time champions India have been placed in Group B along with Bangladesh, New Zealand and the USA. India will begin their campaign against the USA on January 15 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
10 Surya Karishma Tamiri won the women’s singles title at the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships in Vijayawada.
Surya Karishma Tamiri won the women’s singles title at the 87th Senior National Badminton Championships in Vijayawada . Surya Karishma defeated Tanvi Patri in the final. In women’s doubles, Shikha Gautam and Ashwini Bhat K defeated Priya Devi Konjengban and Shruti Mishra in the title match. Meanwhile, in men’s singles, Rithwik Sanjeev S won the title by defeating Bharat Raghav. Hariharan and Ruban Kumar pair won the men’s doubles title by defeating Mithilesh Krishnan and Prejan. In the mixed doubles final, Satwik Reddy K and Radhika Sharma won the title by defeating Ashish Surya and Amrita P.
11 Former New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket.
Former New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket . The 35-year-old all-rounder played 28 Test matches, 21 ODIs and 20 T20 matches for New Zealand . In these matches, he took 120 wickets and scored 915 runs. During his 12-year international career, Bracewell played a key role in New Zealand’s Test victory against Australia in Hobart in 2011. He gave his career-best performance by taking 6 wickets in the second innings and played a key role in New Zealand’s historic 7-run victory.
12 Former England cricketer Hugh Morris dies at 62
Former England cricketer Hugh Morris has died at the age of 62. He had been battling intestinal cancer since January 2022. Morris was a skilled opening batsman who won three Test matches in 1991 and captained the England A team on tours to South Africa, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka. Morris also served as the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board . Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri expressed his condolences to Morris’ family.
French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot has died at the age of 91. Bardot achieved international fame with the 1956 film “And God Created Woman .” In the early 1970s, she retired from acting and became active in politics and a vocal advocate for animal rights. French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Bardot, saying she lived a life full of free and universal talent. In a social media post, he said France mourns the death of one of the greatest figures of the century.