NCBC has advised the Union Government to exclude 35 communities from West Bengal’s Central OBC List

• The National Commission for Backward Classes has advised the Union Government to exclude 35 communities—mostly Muslim—from West Bengal’s Central OBC List, citing improper inclusion and lack of robust socio-economic justification.

Key Details of the Recommendation

• Targeted Communities: The recommendation follows a review of 37 communities added to the Central OBC list in 2014. The NCBC concluded that 35 of these, predominantly Muslim, should be removed.
• Reasons for Exclusion: The Commission cited improper inclusion and a lack of robust socio-economic justification. It argued that religion appeared to be the primary criterion for their initial inclusion rather than objective indicators of social and educational backwardness.
• Procedural Context: This advice was originally tendered to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in January 2025. The Commission noted that West Bengal’s Chief Secretary had skipped five hearings in 2024, leading to procedural disputes.
• Implementation Status: Under the 102nd Constitutional Amendment, any change to the Central OBC list requires Parliament's approval and a formal notification by the President. As of late December 2025, the Union Government has not yet tabled the proposal in Parliament for final action.

Broader Implications

• Legal Background: This move aligns with a May 2024 Calcutta High Court ruling that quashed the OBC status of 77 communities in the state for similar reasons, though that order was subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court.
• Political Reaction: The BJP has characterized the recommendation as a correction of "appeasement-driven distortions". The development occurs just months before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
• Impact on Benefits: If finalized, members of these 35 communities would lose access to Central government reservations in education, jobs, and welfare schemes.

NCBC & Its Constitutional Position

• Established under 102nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2018.
• Article 338B: Grants constitutional status, composition, powers and duties.
• Advises the Central Government on inclusion/exclusion in the Central List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.
• Has powers of a Civil Court for investigation.

OBC Reservation Structure –

• Central OBC quota: 27% reservation in Union services and central educational institutions.
• Central OBC List is only prepared by the Union Government, not States.
• State OBC Lists are separate; States may give their own OBC reservation.
• Article 16 : Identification based on social and educational backwardness, not religion.
• The Supreme Court (Indra Sawhney, 1992) capped total reservations at 50%, unless exceptional grounds exist.
• The NCBC’s recommendation is binding in procedure, but the Union makes the final decision.

Issues in NCBC functioning & Key Recommendations

Challenges Highlighted 

1. Inadequate socio-economic data for classification             
2. Variation between State and Central OBC Lists    
3. Delays in verification       
4. Politicisation in inclusion decisions           
5. Limited monitoring of welfare outcomes              

Suggested Reforms (Various Committees/Reports)

1. Use socio-economic caste data; adopt periodic surveys to update lists.
2. Create uniform criteria for backwardness assessment.
3. Dedicated research units & faster grievance-processing system.
4. Strengthen objective indicators; ensure decisions are data-driven, not political.
5. Establish impact-assessment mechanisms and coordinate with ministries.

• The episode highlights India’s larger challenge: balancing data-driven social justice with federal coordination and preventing the politicisation of caste-based inclusions.

FSSAI launches egg safety drive after ‘nitrofurans presence’

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide egg safety drive after a viral video alleged the presence of nitrofurans—a banned antibiotic—in eggs of a popular brand.
• The egg safety drive is a regulatory surveillance and testing initiative by FSSAI to detect residues of banned veterinary drugs, particularly nitrofurans, in eggs to ensure consumer safety and food law compliance.

Scientific name and classification:

• Nitrofurans are a group of synthetic nitrofuran-based antimicrobial agents.
• Common compounds include nitrofurantoin, furazolidone, nitrofurazone, and furaltadone.
• They are classified as chemotherapeutic antibacterial agents, not naturally occurring antibiotics.

Origin and use:

• Nitrofurans were historically used in veterinary medicine to treat bacterial and protozoal infections.
• Due to their carcinogenic potential, they are banned in food-producing animals in India, the EU, and several other countries.

Key features of nitrofurans:

• Broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella and Giardia.
• Primarily bacteriostatic, becoming bactericidal at higher doses.
• More active in acidic environments.
• Known for slow development of microbial resistance, but show complete cross-resistance within the group.

Implications on human health:

• Carcinogenic risk: Some nitrofurans are linked to cancer, prompting global bans.
• Toxicity: Excess exposure can cause neurological symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, and hypersensitivity reactions.
• Food safety concern: Presence of residues in eggs undermines consumer trust and violates food safety standards.
• Public health risk: Long-term exposure, even at low levels, may pose cumulative health hazards.

United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

• India reaffirmed its civilisational ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sarva Dharma Samabhav at the 11th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• UNAOC is a United Nations initiative that seeks to improve understanding and cooperation among nations and peoples across cultures and religions, and to counter extremism through dialogue and partnership.
• Established in: 2005, as a political initiative of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, co-sponsored by Spain and Türkiye.
• Headquarters: New York, United States.
• Aim: To reduce polarization between societies and cultures, strengthen intercultural dialogue, and promote peaceful coexistence and inclusive societies.

Functions / Priority areas:

1. Education: Promoting intercultural learning and curricula.
2. Youth: Empowering youth as agents of peace.
3. Migration: Advancing inclusion and social cohesion.
4. Media: Countering stereotypes and hate speech.
5. Women as peace mediators: Strengthening women’s role in peacebuilding.

Building partnerships with states, civil society, faith leaders, academia, media, arts, sports, and the private sector.

About UNAOC 2025 (11th Edition)

• Host: Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.
• Theme: “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity—Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World”.

Outcomes :

• Renewed global commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and religious harmony amid conflicts and trust deficits in multilateralism.
• Marked 20 years of UNAOC, setting the course for its third decade.
• Broad participation of political leaders, international organizations, religious and faith actors, youth, civil society, media, arts and sports to advance peacebuilding through dialogue.

Vijay Diwas Marks India’s Victory in 1971 War

• India is observing Vijay Diwas on 16 December 2025 to commemorate the 1971 victory and honour the armed forces’ sacrifice and valour.
• The day marks the surrender of Pakistan’s Eastern Command in Dhaka (16 Dec 1971) and the birth of Bangladesh.

About Vijay Diwas Marks India’s Victory in 1971 War:

Background of the war:

• Electoral mandate denied (1970): The Awami League won a decisive majority in Pakistan’s 1970 elections, but transfer of power was blocked, triggering mass agitation in East Pakistan.
• Military crackdown (25 March 1971): Pakistan Army launched Operation Searchlight in Dhaka and elsewhere, intensifying violence and driving the liberation movement.
• Refugee crisis in India: Around ~10 million refugees crossed into India creating major humanitarian and fiscal pressure.
• Rise of Mukti Bahini + Govt-in-exile: Bengali resistance consolidated as Mukti Bahini; India provided training, logistics and sanctuary while preparing for escalation.

Key events during the war (3–16 Dec 1971):

• Trigger — 3 Dec 1971: Pakistan launched pre-emptive air strikes (Operation Chengiz Khan) on multiple Indian airfields, after which India formally entered full-scale war.
• Air superiority in the East: Indian Air Force quickly neutralised East Pakistan’s limited air capability, enabling unhindered close air support and interdiction.
• Naval blockade in Bay of Bengal: Indian Navy isolated East Pakistan; INS Vikrant supported strikes on ports/coastal targets, choking reinforcement and resupply.
• Karachi strikes: Indian Navy hit Karachi in Operation Trident (4/5 Dec) and Operation Python (8/9 Dec)—major blows to fuel storage/shipping capacity.
• Surrender — 16 Dec: With Dhaka encircled and East Pakistan strategically isolated, Eastern Command surrendered, ending the war decisively in 13 days.

Outcomes

• Bangladesh created: East Pakistan became the sovereign state of Bangladesh, fundamentally altering South Asian geopolitics.
• Mass surrender/POWs: Approx. 93,000 Pakistani troops/personnel surrendered—one of the biggest capitulations since WWII.
• Strategic realignment: Pakistan lost its eastern wing; India emerged as the dominant conventional military power in the region, with strengthened deterrence credibility.
• Post-war settlement: The 1971 outcome directly shaped subsequent diplomacy, including Simla Agreement (1972) framework and long-term India–Bangladesh relations.

Significance

• National remembrance: Symbol of armed forces’ bravery, jointness (Army-Navy-Air Force) and decisive leadership in warfighting.
• Doctrine & deterrence: Demonstrates the value of clear political objectives, rapid manoeuvre, air superiority, and maritime choke-point control.

India–ADB $2.2 billion loan agreements

• India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed loan agreements worth over $2.2 billion to finance five major development projects.
• A multi-sector financing package from ADB to India aimed at accelerating human capital development, clean energy transition, urban mobility, healthcare capacity and sustainable livelihoods across several states.

Key features:

• Skilling & employability ($846 million): Modernisation of 650 ITIs in 12 states and upgradation of 5 National Skill Training Institutes; targets employability of 1.3 million youth in high-growth sectors like renewable energy and electric mobility.
• Rooftop solar expansion ($650 million): Supports PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana to scale rooftop solar for 10 million households by 2027, focusing on sectoral reforms and affordable, collateral-free loans.
• Healthcare augmentation ($398.8 million): Strengthens tertiary healthcare by upgrading medical colleges in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar as centres of excellence.
• Urban transport ($240 million): Chennai Metro Rail Project: Tranche 2 for new corridors and stations with climate-resilient and universal access features.
• Sustainable livelihoods ($77 million): Meghalaya ecotourism and climate-smart agriculture project to improve incomes and conservation outcomes for local and indigenous communities.

Asian Development Bank (ADB):

• ADB is a multilateral development bank that supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable growth in Asia and the Pacific through finance, policy support and partnerships.
• Established: 19 December 1966
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines
• Members: 69 countries (50 regional, 19 non-regional); India is a founding member (1966)
• India’s position: Largest recipient, accounting for about 14% of ADB’s financial commitments

Aims: Eradicate extreme poverty and promote prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable development aligned with the SDG

Functions:

1. Provides loans, grants, technical assistance and equity investments to governments, private sector and PPPs.
2. Supports policy reforms, capacity building and co-financing with official and private sources.
3. Focuses on education, health, transport, energy, finance and climate action.

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 introduced in Lok Sabha

• The purpose of the Bill is to empower Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) of India to achieve excellence through effective coordination and advancing NEP 2020 vision.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• It provides for repealing University Grants Commission(UGC) Act, 1956, All India Council for Technical Education(AICTE) Act, 1987 and National Council for Teacher Education(NCTE) Act, 1993.
• Constitution of Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (VBSA): New umbrella commission to regulate higher education in India, replacing existing bodies like the UGC, AICTE, and NCTE.
• President and Members of the Commission (not more than 12), other than the ex officio Members and Member Secretary of the Commission, shall be appointed by President of India.
• Coverage: All higher educational institutions under the purview of the Ministry of Education, UGC, AICTE, NCTE etc. will be under the purview of VBSA for determination of standards.
• Formation of three Councils under VBSA: Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad (Regulatory Council), Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad (Accreditation Council) and Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad (Standards Council).
• Council of Architecture (CoA): Established under the Architects Act, 1972 shall function as a Professional Standard Setting Body (PSSB) as envisioned in the NEP, 2020.
• Funding: It is proposed to keep the funding to the centrally funded higher educational institutes out of the purview of the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan.
• Significant enhancement of enforcement powers: Regulatory Council can impose penalties for violations ranging from not less than ₹10 lakh to up to ₹2 crore.

Dowry eradication urgent constitutional, social necessity: Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court passed a slew of directions in the case of State Of U.P. V. Ajmal Beg to tackle dowry evil & enforce prohibition through the Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA).

Directions of Supreme Court

• Appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers (DPOs): Provide them necessary resources and disseminate DPO contact details.
• DPOs are government officials appointed by State Governments under India's Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
• Expeditious Disposal of Pending Cases: High Courts are requested to take stock of the number of cases dealing with Section 304-B (dowry death) and Section 498-A (cruelty) of IPC for disposal.
• Training for Officials: Police and judicial officers should periodically receive training ensuring sensitivity toward genuine cases while identifying those that may be frivolous.
• Other: Running of Grassroots Awareness Programs by district administration, change in education curriculum for awareness about this evil practice etc.

Dowry in India

• Definition: As per the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, dowry is “any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly, by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage, at or before or any time after the marriage”.
• Cases registered under dowry related crimes:  Saw a 14% increase in 2023, with more than 15,000 cases recorded across the country and over 6,100 deaths reported through the year (NCRB).

Global Value Chain (GVC) Development Report 2025

• The report titled ‘Rewiring GVCs in a Changing Global Economy’ is a joint publication of Asian Development Bank (ADB), WTO, World Economic Forum etc.
• GVCs refers to a production sequence for a final consumer good, with each stage adding value and at least 2 stages taking place in different countries.

Key Highlights of the Report

• Globalization Rewiring, Not Reversal: Due to factors like technological change, green transition and shifting geopolitical conditions, showing resilience of GVCs.
• Global Share of GVC in trade is 46.3%, declining marginally from 2022 peak of 48%.
• Rise of services and Digital trade: Services surpassed goods in GVC participation, accounting for more than one-third of the value added in manufacturing exports.
• India strengthened its integration in GVCs due to its robust growth in digital services exports.
• Dominance of Regional Hubs: Asia, Europe, and North America account for majority of GVC trade while, Latin America and Africa lag in GVC and trade integration.

Emerging trends:

• Reshoring in China, US, EU reduced their dependence on foreign value addition.
• Diversification of manufacturing despite China’s dominance. E.g. China accounts for 76.9% of global EV production.
• India: Among top 10 value adding economies and accounts for 2.8% of global domestic value added in exports (2024).

Significance of GVCs

• Reduced Poverty: 1% increase in GVC participation is estimated to boost per capita income levels by twice as much as conventional trade. (World Bank)
• Employment Creation: Especially Labour intensive and female-driven jobs. E.g. GVC-oriented export apparel sector in Bangladesh.
• Others: Economic growth, increased productivity and specialization, promotes trade competitiveness and market access.

Petra & Ellora Caves

• India and Jordan signed a twinning agreement between UNESCO Heritage sites of Petra & Ellora Caves renowned for their rock cut architecture.

About Ellora caves

• Location - Charanandri hills, Maharashtra near Elaganga river
• Origin - Carved between 600-1000 CE predominantly by the Rashtrakuta and yadava dynasty.
• Architecture - Rock cut caves carved into basalt cliffs from top to down
• Religion - Houses Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain monuments side-by-side, illustrating the religious tolerance
• It also houses mural paintings related to all 3 religions.

About Petra caves

• Petra also known as Rose City due to its pink sandstone cliffs was the  capital of the Nabataean Kingdom starting around 4th century BCE
• It is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges.

HAMMER precision-guided weapon (AASM)

• India has signed a pact with France’s Safran to jointly manufacture, customise, supply and maintain the HAMMER (AASM) precision-guided air-to-ground weapon in India through a 50–50 JV with BEL.

HAMMER precision-guided weapon (AASM):

• HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), also known as AASM, is a stand-off, precision-guided air-to-ground weapon that converts conventional bombs into high-accuracy strike systems through modular guidance and propulsion kits.

Developed by

• Developed by Safran Electronics & Defense (France).
• In India, it will be jointly manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran through a 50:50 joint venture.

Aim:

• To provide the air force with accurate, flexible and survivable precision strike capability from stand-off ranges, enabling controlled escalation while minimising collateral damage and aircraft risk.

Key features

• Modular design: Consists of a nose-mounted guidance kit and a tail-mounted range-extension kit, fitted onto standard bomb bodies (125 kg to 1,000 kg, including Mk-80 series).
• Multiple guidance options: INS-GPS (all-weather), INS-GPS-IR (high-precision fixed targets), and laser guidance (moving targets).
• Stand-off range & off-axis launch: Rocket booster and winglets allow launch from outside hostile air-defence zones and even at large off-axis angles.
• High precision: Circular Error Probability ranges from ~10 m (INS-GPS) to ~1 m (IR-guided).
• Platform flexibility: Integrated on Rafale and planned for Tejas, enabling a common precision-strike capability across imported and indigenous aircraft.

Significance

• Operational edge: Bridges the gap between unguided bombs and expensive cruise missiles, offering missile-like precision at lower cost.
• Strategic autonomy: Domestic manufacturing reduces import dependence and ensures availability during crises.
• Technology absorption: Builds Indian expertise in guidance systems, propulsion integration and precision-strike workflows.