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Short notes on Current Affairs 13.12.2025
Commemorative Postage Stamp on 150th Anniversary of Bombay Gymkhana
The Department of Posts issued a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 150th anniversary of the Bombay Gymkhana, recognising its historic legacy in sports and culture.
The stamp was formally released at the Bombay Gymkhana, Mumbai, underscoring the institution’s national significance.
Founded in 1875 , the Bombay Gymkhana has completed 150 years as a cornerstone of India’s sporting and social heritage.
The institution has played a crucial role in:
Nurturing generations of athletes
Promoting sportsmanship and camaraderie
Serving as a hub for cultural and sporting activities
The design of the commemorative stamp features the iconic campus and grounds of Bombay Gymkhana, symbolising its enduring heritage and contribution to Indian sports.
Through this special issue, the Department of Posts honours Bombay Gymkhana’s 150-year journey and reiterates its commitment to preserving India’s sporting history through philately.
The commemorative stamp will be available to the public through:
Block Sites leaking Indians’ Data
Government Advisory Issued
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed VPN providers to:
Block websites that are leaking Indian users’ personal data
Comply with Indian regulations governing VPN operations
Concern Over Data-Leaking Website
MeitY cited a website that allegedly:
Allowed tracking of Indians’ locations
Enabled access to personal details using phone numbers or addresses
The website reportedly relied on leaked personal data.
The URL now redirects to a GitHub repository, which hosts code capable of replicating such websites.
Nature of the Data Leak
According to MeitY:
Users could allegedly enter any Indian mobile number
Access sensitive information such as:
Full name
Address
Alternate phone numbers
Email IDs
The Ministry warned this posed a serious risk to privacy and data security.
Public access to such information occurred without user authorisation.
Role of VPNs Highlighted
MeitY noted that such websites could be accessed using VPN services, potentially bypassing restrictions.
This reinforced government concerns about anonymous internet usage.
India’s Stance on Online Anonymity
The Indian government has consistently opposed anonymous internet usage, arguing it:
Facilitates cybercrime
Hampers accountability and law enforcement
CERT-In Directions (2022)
In 2022, CERT-In mandated that:
VPN providers must maintain logs of Indian users
This conflicted with VPN providers’ business models, which emphasise privacy and anonymity.
VPN Providers’ Response
Major VPN companies, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN :
Refused to comply with logging requirements
Shifted their India servers to Singapore
Used Indian IP addresses while serving traffic from outside India
Despite this, these VPN services remain accessible to Indian users, who can route traffic through multiple countries.
GitHub’s Position
GitHub, owned by Microsoft , did not respond to queries on:
Whether it received a takedown or blocking request
The repository hosting code related to the flagged websites
Overall Significance
The issue highlights the tension between privacy, cybersecurity, and regulation .
The government is prioritising:
Protection of personal data
Accountability in cyberspace
VPN providers continue to resist regulations that undermine user anonymity , setting the stage for ongoing policy debate.
Nuclear Energy & Insurance Sector Opened up for Foreign Investments
Cabinet Approvals
India’s Cabinet approved major reforms in atomic energy and insurance sectors to attract foreign investment.
Atomic Energy Sector
Reforms aim to expand nuclear power capacity 12-fold by 2047.
Changes include:
Relaxing rules to end decades-old State monopoly.
Modifying stringent liability provisions to allow private sector participation.
Encouraging foreign technology transfer in nuclear energy.
Insurance Sector
Proposal to remove the 74% foreign ownership cap for Indian insurance companies.
Fully opens the sector to foreign direct investment (FDI), allowing global investors to hold a majority stake.
Strategic Objectives
Attract billions of dollars in investment in both critical sectors.
Promote private sector involvement and technological advancement.
Enhance energy security and financial sector growth.
Economic Significance
Nuclear reforms may accelerate low-carbon energy production.
Insurance reforms could increase competition, capital inflow, and service innovation.
