Daily Current Affairs - 2nd December 2025
- TPP
- 6 days ago
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Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | Digital Arrest Scams, Polygamy Law, GLP-1 Medicines for Obesity, AIDS Day, NSFI 2025–30, Masala Bonds, GIRG, Heron Mark-II, Sanchar Saathi and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025–30
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025–30, which is a national roadmap to expand access to formal financial services.
The strategy has been approved by the Sub-Committee of the Financial Stability and Development Council, which is the body responsible for strengthening India’s financial stability and coordination.
The NSFI 2025–30 focuses on improving reliable last-mile access to financial services, where last-mile access refers to reaching underserved and remote populations.
The strategy also focuses on ensuring the effective use of financial services across the country, emphasizing both access and usage.
Key Features of NSFI 2025–30
The NSFI outlines five key goals called the “Panch-Jyoti”, which collectively guide India’s financial inclusion priorities.
The Panch-Jyoti is supported by 47 specific action points, which provide measurable steps to achieve these goals.
One Panch-Jyoti goal focuses on improving the availability and use of an equitable, suitable, and affordable bouquet of financial services, ensuring financial safety and financial security for households and microenterprises.
Another Panch-Jyoti goal adopts a gender-sensitive approach for women-led financial inclusion, meaning policies are tailored to address specific financial barriers faced by women.
The strategy also emphasizes differentiated approaches for improving financial resilience of underserved and vulnerable households, where financial resilience refers to the capacity to withstand financial shocks.
A further Panch-Jyoti goal aims to synergize livelihood, skill development, and support ecosystems, ensuring these systems are linked effectively to financial inclusion.
The strategy includes leveraging financial education as a tool, which promotes financial discipline among individuals and households.
The final Panch-Jyoti goal focuses on strengthening customer protection, ensuring people receive fair treatment when using financial services.
This goal also strengthens grievance redressal mechanisms, which are systems that allow customers to report and resolve complaints.
Financial Inclusion (FI) and Its Progress in India
Financial Inclusion (FI) refers to individuals and businesses having access to useful and affordable financial products and services, according to the World Bank definition.
FI also requires that these services are delivered responsibly and sustainably, ensuring long-term financial health.
India’s RBI Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) has risen to 67 in 2025, which indicates improvement in access, usage, and quality of financial services.
The FI-Index has increased by 24.3% since 2021, showing significant progress over four years.
The FI-Index captures financial inclusion across sectors such as banking, investment, insurance, and pension, giving a composite picture of national progress.
Other Government Initiatives Supporting Financial Inclusion
The National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI 2019–2024) provided a roadmap for universal access to financial services, forming the basis for the new 2025–30 strategy.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), launched in 2014, facilitated the opening of over 56 crore bank accounts, expanding the reach of formal banking.
The Digital India initiative has expanded access to digital financial services, promoting cashless and technology-driven transactions.
The JAM Trinity (Jan Dhan–Aadhaar–Mobile) has created a strong digital public infrastructure, enabling seamless delivery of financial benefits.
The JAM Trinity has also leveraged increasing mobile penetration, improving reach and efficiency in financial service delivery.
Masala Bonds and the KIIFB Investigation
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has investigated the ‘Masala Bond’ issued by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), which is a government-owned financial institution of Kerala.
What Are Masala Bonds?
Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated bonds issued to overseas buyers, meaning the bonds are valued in Indian rupees even though sold abroad.
These bonds allow Indian corporates to raise money from foreign investors, providing an alternative international funding source.
Masala Bonds were introduced in India in 2014 by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which is a member institution of the World Bank Group.
Eligibility for Investment
Any investor from a FATF-compliant jurisdiction is eligible to invest in Masala Bonds, where FATF refers to the Financial Action Task Force, an international body that sets standards for combating money laundering and terrorism financing.
Benefits of Masala Bonds
One key benefit of Masala Bonds is that they protect Indian issuers from currency risk, which is the risk arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
These bonds transfer the currency risk to the overseas investors who buy them, because investors absorb the impact of rupee value changes instead of the issuing company.
Global Indices for Reforms and Growth (GIRG) Framework
The Government of India has undertaken the Global Indices for Reforms and Growth (GIRG) initiative, which aims to accelerate reforms and promote national growth.
The GIRG framework monitors India’s performance on selected global indices, providing measurable benchmarks for improvement.
The framework identifies gaps in India’s performance on these indices, enabling targeted and evidence-based reforms.
The GIRG framework tracks 26 global indices, ensuring wide coverage of international performance metrics.
These 26 indices are grouped into four broad themes—economy, governance, development, and industry, which represent key pillars of national progress.
The indices tracked under the framework are released by 16 international agencies, which provide globally recognized assessments.
Seventeen nodal ministries are assigned responsibility for specific indices, ensuring clear accountability for improvements.
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) of NITI Aayog coordinates the framework, serving as the central agency for oversight.
DMEO conducts data quality checks under the GIRG framework, ensuring accuracy and reliability of reported information.
DMEO also undertakes methodology reviews, which ensure that India’s reporting aligns with global standards.
The office further coordinates reform implementation, facilitating inter-ministerial cooperation.
The GIRG framework enhances transparency, making India’s reform efforts more measurable and visible.
The framework strengthens policymaking, because evidence-based data helps design more effective policies.
The framework boosts India’s global competitiveness, by improving performance on international rankings.
The GIRG initiative supports cooperative and competitive federalism, encouraging both collaboration and healthy competition among states.
Supreme Court Directions on Digital Arrest Scams
The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate cases of digital arrests in India, marking a nationwide probe into emerging cyber frauds.
The Court granted the CBI full freedom to probe the role of bankers under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, where bank accounts are opened to facilitate digital arrest scams.
The Supreme Court instructed states including Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Haryana to provide consent under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, which allows the CBI to conduct a pan-India investigation.
The Court impleaded the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the case, recognizing its key role in monitoring financial systems.
The Court sought assistance from the RBI to explain the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools used to identify fraudulent accounts, ensuring clarity on detection mechanisms.
The Supreme Court also directed information technology service providers to fully cooperate with investigators, to ensure swift and effective cybercrime tracking.
What is Digital Arrest?
Digital arrest refers to an online scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials such as the CBI, Police, or Enforcement Directorate (ED) to intimidate victims.
These fraudsters use phone calls and video calls to falsely accuse victims of involvement in criminal activities, making the scam appear official.
The purpose of digital arrest is to extort money from victims, often by threatening them with fabricated legal consequences.
Indians lost over ₹120 crore to digital arrest scams in the first quarter of 2024, highlighting the scale and urgency of the issue.
Government Initiatives to Tackle Digital Arrest
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has been established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, functioning as an attached office to address all forms of cybercrime.
A Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC) has been set up within the I4C, acting as a collaborative platform for major banks, financial intermediaries, payment aggregators, and telecom service providers.
The CFMC works to jointly tackle cybercrime, enabling faster response and coordination.
The Samanvaya Platform, a Joint Management Information System, provides analytics based on interstate linkages of crimes and criminals, improving identification of cybercrime networks.
The platform supports analysis of cybercrime complaints registered across various States and Union Territories, enabling better investigative mapping.
The Central Government has introduced the ‘Report and Check Suspect’ feature on cybercrime.gov.in, giving citizens the ability to verify suspicious identifiers.
This feature allows users to search the I4C’s repository of cybercriminal identifiers, enhancing public awareness and self-protection.
Polygamy Law: Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025
Assam has passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, marking a major legal reform in marriage laws within the state.
The bill introduces strict punishment for contracting a second marriage, strengthening legal deterrence.
The punishment under the bill includes imprisonment of up to 10 years, making it one of the strictest provisions against polygamy.
Understanding Polygamy
Polygamy refers to a system of marriage where one person has more than one spouse, which makes it distinct from monogamy.
One type of polygamy is polygyny, where a man marries more than one woman.
Another type of polygamy is polyandry, where a woman marries more than one man.
Existing Legal Provisions in India
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 prescribes punishment for bigamy, which means marrying again during the lifetime of a spouse.
Section 82 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with the offence of marrying again during the lifetime of a husband or wife, making it a punishable act.
The punishment under Section 82 of the BNS includes imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine, reflecting the legal stance against bigamy.
Parliamentary Panel on Fertilizer Consumption Surge: Key Concerns and Recommendations
1. Domestic Production and Capacity Augmentation
India’s fertilizer consumption reached an all-time high of 708 LMT in 2024–25, indicating rising agricultural input demand.
Domestic production remained insufficient with 307 LMT of Urea and 211.21 LMT of Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers, creating a supply-demand gap.
This production deficit increases India’s vulnerability to geopolitical shocks, because higher import dependence exposes the country to global disruptions.
The Parliamentary Committee has recommended constituting a high-level Task Force, which would prepare a time-bound strategy to boost Urea production through policies such as NIP-2012 and NUP-2015.
The Committee has also recommended expanding P&K fertilizer capacity through fiscal and tax incentives, which would encourage private and public sector investment.
India has aging fertilizer infrastructure with 27 out of 33 Urea plants being over 25 years old, which leads to inefficiencies.
Seven of these Urea plants are over 50 years old, further increasing operation and maintenance costs.
The Committee has recommended establishing a special Task Force for modernization and upgradation, using state-of-the-art and energy-efficient technology.
2. Reducing Import Dependency and Securing Raw Materials
India has 95% import dependency for Phosphate, which makes fertilizer production highly dependent on external suppliers.
India has 100% import dependency for Potash, making it even more vulnerable to global supply and price volatility.
The Committee has recommended securing long-term agreements and global joint ventures with resource-rich countries, ensuring stable access to raw materials.
India also depends heavily on foreign licensors from countries such as the Netherlands, the United States, Italy, and Japan, especially for technology and plant licensing.
The Committee has recommended developing indigenous fertilizer process technology, which would be supported by a high-power task force and robust R&D funding.
India possesses low-grade phosphate ores and deep-seated potash deposits, which remain underutilized.
The Committee has recommended concrete steps for domestic exploration and mining of these raw materials, leveraging their designation as Critical and Strategic Minerals under the MMDR Act, 2023.
3. Promoting Alternatives and Curbing Malpractices
India currently has insufficient drones for Nano fertilizer application, which limits large-scale adoption of this new technology.
The Committee has recommended introducing a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drones, to accelerate Nano fertilizer usage.
Black marketing and diversion of fertilizers continue despite Aadhaar authentication being mandatory, revealing persistent loopholes.
The Committee has recommended stringent enforcement protocols, to curb these malpractices effectively.
The Committee has also recommended establishing a nationwide laboratory network and grievance redressal system, to ensure transparency and accountability.
India faces imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers, which leads to soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies.
The Committee has recommended promoting balanced fertilization, which ensures proper nutrient application.
It has also recommended practicing crop rotation, which maintains soil health and reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers.
The Committee further promoted the use of biotic inputs, which include biofertilizers and microbial formulations that support sustainable agriculture.
The Committee recommended expanding organic and natural farming, to reduce chemical dependency and improve soil fertility.
Heron Mark-II
India plans to procure additional Heron Mark-II drones from Israel, indicating continued enhancement of its unmanned aerial capabilities.
Discussions are underway for local manufacturing of the Heron Mark-II, reflecting India’s push for defence indigenization under Make in India.
About Heron Mark-II
The Heron Mark-II is manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which is a leading Israeli defence and aerospace company.
The Heron Mark-II belongs to the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category, which refers to unmanned aerial vehicles that operate at medium altitudes for long durations.
It is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles, giving armed forces persistent situational awareness.
The drone can reach a maximum altitude of 35,000 feet, enabling high-altitude operations.
It can attain a speed of 150 knots, which enhances its ability to cover vast operational areas.
The Heron Mark-II can remain airborne for 45 consecutive hours, providing very long endurance for extended missions.
The drone is equipped with advanced sensors, which allow it to gather high-quality intelligence data.
It carries communication intelligence (COMINT) packages, which enable interception and analysis of communication signals.
It also supports satellite communication (SATCOM), which enables long-range and globally connected drone control.
This satellite-enabled communication allows the drone to undertake beyond line-of-sight missions, extending operational range far beyond ground-based control limits.
Sanchar Saathi App: DoT’s New Mandatory Pre-Installation Order
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices, strengthening consumer safety in telecom services.
About the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App
The Sanchar Saathi app was launched in 2025, with the aim of enhancing transparent and secure mobile services across India.
One key feature of the app is Chakshu, which enables users to report suspected fraud communications.
Chakshu allows users to report suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages, especially those related to KYC-updating scams.
The app includes an IMEI Tracking and Blocking feature, where IMEI refers to the International Mobile Equipment Identity number assigned to every mobile device.
The IMEI feature allows users to track and block lost or stolen phones from anywhere in India, helping reduce mobile theft and misuse.
The app provides a ‘Know Your Mobile Handset’s Genuineness’ feature, enabling users to verify whether a purchased mobile device is authentic.
The app also allows users to report international calls masked as domestic calls, which are calls that appear with the Indian country code +91 followed by 10 digits despite originating internationally.
Sanchar Saathi includes a ‘Know Your Internet Service Provider’ feature, helping users identify their ISP based on available network details.
This feature works by entering a PIN code, address, or the name of the Internet Service Provider, making it easy for users to check connectivity options.
MUST READ | Sanchar Saathi Mandatory Installation Explained
BrahMos Missile
The Indian Army has successfully conducted a combat launch of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, demonstrating its operational readiness.
About the BrahMos Missile
The BrahMos is a two-stage supersonic cruise missile, meaning it travels faster than the speed of sound throughout its flight.
The missile uses a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage, which provides the initial thrust required for launch.
It uses a liquid ramjet engine as its second stage, where a ramjet is an air-breathing engine that compresses incoming air without using a compressor.
The BrahMos missile has a flight range of up to 290 km, enabling medium-range precision strikes.
Its cruising altitude can reach up to 15 km, allowing high-altitude travel during mid-course flight.
Its terminal altitude can drop as low as 5 metres, enabling sea-skimming or terrain-hugging approaches to avoid detection.
The missile carries a conventional warhead weighing up to 200 kg, making it suitable for high-impact missions.
The BrahMos has land-attack capabilities, allowing it to strike ground-based targets.
It also has anti-ship capabilities, enabling engagement of naval targets.
The missile operates on the fire-and-forget principle, meaning it requires no further guidance after launch.
It possesses a large engagement envelope, which refers to its ability to hit targets across a wide range of distances and angles.
The missile is stored and launched from a transport-cum-launch canister, which enhances mobility and protection.
It offers minimum deployment time, allowing quick launch readiness during combat situations.
Exercise Ekuverin: 14th Edition
The 14th edition of Exercise Ekuverin is scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marking the next phase of India–Maldives defence cooperation.
About Exercise Ekuverin
Exercise Ekuverin is an annual bilateral joint military exercise, conducted between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force.
The term “Ekuverin” means “Friends” in Dhivehi, which is the official language of the Maldives.
The exercise began in 2009, establishing a long-standing tradition of military collaboration.
The exercise alternates annually between India and the Maldives, ensuring shared hosting responsibilities.
Core Objectives of the Exercise
One core objective of Exercise Ekuverin is to build interoperability, which refers to the ability of the two forces to operate together smoothly.
The exercise enhances interoperability for counter-insurgency operations, which involve actions against armed anti-state groups.
It also builds interoperability for counter-terrorism operations, which aim to prevent and respond to terrorist threats.
The exercise includes joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills, which prepare both forces for natural disaster response.
HADR drills strengthen coordination during emergencies, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.
The exercise includes practising operations in semi-urban terrain, which represents mixed residential and built-up areas.
It also includes training in jungle terrain, to enhance combat readiness in dense vegetation areas.
The exercise further includes operations in coastal terrain, which is essential for countries with extensive coastlines like India and the Maldives.
GPS Spoofing
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed GPS spoofing at Delhi Airport, indicating a serious threat to aviation navigation systems.
The Ministry has also confirmed GPS spoofing at several other major airports, highlighting the widespread nature of the incident.
What is GPS Spoofing?
GPS spoofing, also known as GPS simulation, refers to the practice of manipulating or tricking a GPS receiver, by broadcasting false GPS signals.
The false signals mislead the GPS receiver into believing it is located at a different position, causing incorrect location readings.
This manipulation results in the device providing inaccurate location data, which affects navigation reliability.
GPS spoofing is a form of cyberattack, because it intentionally interferes with digital navigation systems.
This cyberattack undermines the reliability of GPS data, which is critical for safety and accuracy.
GPS data is vital for navigation systems, including those used in aviation, maritime, and road transport.
GPS data is also essential for time synchronization, which supports banking networks, communication systems, and power grid operations.
WHO Issues Global Guideline on GLP-1 Medicines for Obesity
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued global guidelines on the use of GLP-1 medicines for treating obesity, emphasizing safe and effective management.
WHO conditionally recommends GLP-1 therapies for obesity, as part of a broader approach including healthy diet, physical activity, and professional support.
The guidelines provide recommendations for three GLP-1 drugs used in long-term obesity treatment in adults, namely liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide.
About GLP-1 Drugs (GLP-1 Agonists)
GLP-1 drugs are a class of medications that mimic the hormone Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is naturally released from the gut after meals.
GLP-1 receptor agonists help control blood sugar by increasing insulin when needed and reducing glucagon, balancing glucose levels.
They also slow digestion and reduce appetite, which improves satiety and supports weight loss.
GLP-1 drugs are primarily used for managing Type 2 Diabetes and obesity, addressing both metabolic and weight-related issues.
About Obesity & Its Status
Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation leading to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues, posing major public health challenges.
In adults, obesity is identified by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, where BMI is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters (kg/m²).
Obesity affects more than 1 billion people globally and was associated with 3.7 million deaths worldwide in 2024.
In India, 24% of women and 23% of men are classified as obese, according to NFHS-5 (2019–21).
World AIDS Day 2025: Observance by MoHFW
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) observes World AIDS Day annually, highlighting awareness and prevention of HIV/AIDS.
The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), under MoHFW, has been observing World AIDS Day on December 1 since 1992, coordinating nationwide awareness campaigns.
About Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) & AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a retrovirus that targets CD4 immune cells, weakening the body’s immune system.
CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that protect the body from infections, forming a key component of adaptive immunity.
A retrovirus is a virus that uses RNA as its genetic material, and upon infection, converts RNA into DNA inside host cells.
The host cell incorporates retroviral DNA into its own genome, producing more retroviruses that infect other cells.
Treatment of HIV involves early testing and regular antiretroviral therapy (ART), which suppresses viral load and slows disease progression.
HIV is transmitted through unsafe sex, shared needles, infected blood, and mother-to-child routes, among other pathways.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, characterized by severe immune deficiency.
HIV Status in India
Over 2.5 million people are living with HIV in India, making it a significant public health concern.
India’s HIV prevalence is 0.20%, which is significantly lower than the global average of 0.7%, indicating successful control measures.
Between 2010 and 2024, annual new HIV infections in India dropped by 48.7%, reflecting declining transmission trends.
During the same period, AIDS-related deaths fell by 81.4%, demonstrating the impact of effective treatment and awareness programs.
Steps Taken by the Government
The National AIDS and STD Control Programme (NACP) Phase-V is a central sector scheme, aiming to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
India has adopted the 90-90-90 target for combating AIDS, which was later enhanced to a 95-95-95 target.
Under the 95-95-95 target, 95% of people living with HIV will know their status, ensuring early detection.
95% of those diagnosed will be on sustained ART, guaranteeing consistent treatment.
95% of those on ART will achieve viral suppression, reducing the likelihood of disease progression and transmission.
Other initiatives include Mission Sampark and The HIV/AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017, which support prevention, awareness, and legal frameworks for combating HIV/AIDS.
Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PAHAL) Scheme: Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG
The Pratyaksh Hanstantrit Labh (PAHAL) Scheme, also known as the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG, aims to deliver efficiency, transparency, and consumer-centric reforms, modernizing subsidy distribution.
About PAHAL Scheme
The PAHAL Scheme was launched in 2013, marking a major reform in LPG subsidy management.
It is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which oversees India’s energy policies and petroleum distribution.
One key objective of the scheme is to ensure LPG distribution and subsidy transfers are efficient, transparent, and inclusive, reaching all eligible domestic consumers.
Another objective is to curb the diversion of subsidized LPG for commercial use, which helps prevent misuse of government subsidies.
Under the scheme, all domestic LPG cylinders are sold at a uniform Retail Selling Price (RSP), which standardizes pricing across the country.
The applicable subsidy is directly transferred into the bank accounts of LPG consumers, eliminating intermediaries and ensuring timely benefits.
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