Short notes on Current Affairs 16.12.2025

Prime Minister’s Visit to Ethiopia

Key Outcomes of India–Ethiopia Bilateral Engagement

India and Ethiopia agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the growing depth and breadth of cooperation between the two countries.

The following agreements and initiatives were concluded:

• Agreement on Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, aimed at strengthening trade facilitation and customs cooperation.
• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Establishing a Data Centre at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, enhancing digital infrastructure and data management capabilities.
• Implementing Arrangement for Co-operation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations Training, reinforcing collaboration in capacity building for peacekeeping missions.
• Signing of the MoU on Debt Restructuring in respect of Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework, demonstrating India’s support for Ethiopia’s economic stability and debt sustainability.
• Doubling of scholarships for Ethiopian scholars under the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) scholarship programme.
• Provision of specialized short-term courses for Ethiopian students and professionals in the field of Artificial Intelligence under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.
• India’s support to augment the capacity of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa, particularly in the areas of maternal healthcare and neonatal care, contributing to improved health outcomes.

These initiatives underscore the shared commitment of India and Ethiopia to deepen cooperation across political, economic, technological, educational, healthcare, and multilateral domains.

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Agmarknet 2.0 and e-NAM

Importance of Price Information

• Real-time and accurate price information is critical for farmers to make informed marketing decisions and secure better returns for their produce.

Marketing Research and Information Network (MRIN)

• Implemented by the Government of India since 2000.
• Aims to strengthen agricultural marketing through systematic collection and dissemination of price and arrival data.

Agmarknet Portal

• Developed under MRIN to integrate Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) across the country.
• Provides real-time price and arrival information of agricultural commodities to farmers.
• Agmarknet Portal 2.0 was technologically upgraded and launched in November 2025.
• Integration of new mandis is a continuous process.
• 4,367 mandis have been linked to the portal nationwide.
• Agmarknet Website: agmarknet.gov.in

Agmarknet 2.0 Mobile Application

• Launched to improve accessibility of price information directly from the field.
• Enables on-the-spot entry of mandi data.
• Allows farmers to access real-time price and arrival information on mobile phones.
• Supports farmers in making better marketing and selling decisions.

e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)

• A demand-driven scheme, not bound by fixed timelines or targets.
• Integration of mandis depends on proposals from State Governments/UTs and their readiness.
• As of now, 1,522 mandis have been onboarded on the e-NAM platform.

Price Transparency and Market Efficiency through e-NAM

• Displays real-time mandi prices of all traded commodities on the portal and mobile app.
• Enables online bidding, ensuring transparent and competitive price discovery.
• Facilitates e-payments, ensuring timely payment directly to farmers.

e-NAM Mobile Application

• Provides free mobile-based price information for 247 notified commodities.
• Helps farmers:
  • Identify nearby e-NAM mandis
  • View prevailing prices
  • Access route and navigation information

Overall Impact

• Agmarknet 2.0 and e-NAM are complementary platforms.
• Together, they enhance price transparency, market access, efficiency, and farmer empowerment in agricultural marketing across India.

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Sahkar DigiPay and DigiLoan

Background and Institutional Framework

• The National Urban Cooperative Finance and Development Corporation (NUCFDC) has been established as an Umbrella Organization (UO) for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs).
• NUCFDC aims to strengthen technological, operational, and regulatory capacities of UCBs through shared infrastructure and centralized support.

Launch of Digital Platforms

• NUCFDC launched two key digital platforms:
  • Sahakar DigiPay
  • Sahakar DigiLoan
• The platforms were launched during CoopKumbh on 10 November 2025.
• These platforms comply with RBI-mandated standards related to:
  • Technology
  • Cyber security
  • Customer onboarding
  • Consumer protection

Objective of the Platforms

• Enable all UCBs, irrespective of size, to adopt modern, compliant digital payment and lending systems.
• Provide a cost-effective, shared, centralized infrastructure, reducing individual technology costs.
• Enhance digital inclusion, efficiency, and competitiveness of UCBs.

Sahakar DigiPay (UPI Switch)

• Designed to connect UCBs to the UPI network.
• Facilitates UPI-based digital payments for customers of cooperative banks.
• Equipped with advanced fraud prevention and risk control mechanisms.
• Aims to:
  • Accelerate adoption of digital payments
  • Increase competition in service pricing
  • Improve customer convenience and trust

Sahakar DigiLoan

• A digital lending enablement platform for UCBs.
• Simplifies and digitizes the loan lifecycle.
• Enhances:
  • Transparency in loan processing
  • Speed of loan disbursement
  • Risk assessment and management
• Helps UCBs improve operational efficiency and customer service.

RBI Measures for Depositor Protection

• Master Direction on Fraud Management (2024):
  • Applies to cooperative banks as regulated entities.
  • Covers fraud reporting, principles of natural justice, governance mechanisms, early warning systems, staff accountability, third-party responsibility, and roles of internal and external auditors.
• Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) Framework:
  • Requires financially stressed UCBs to implement timely remedial measures.
  • Aims to restore financial health and protect depositor interests.
• Deposit Insurance via DICGC:
  • Provides insurance cover up to ₹5,00,000 per depositor (principal + interest).
  • Applicable to all insured banks, including cooperative banks.
• Financial Awareness Initiatives:
  • RBI’s “RBI Kehta Hai” campaign disseminates information on different types of frauds and their modus operandi to enhance public awareness.

Additional NUCFDC Initiatives

• Implementation of:
  • Shared digital payment systems
  • Digital lending platforms
  • Cybersecurity support services
  • Centralized cloud infrastructure
• Ensures even the smallest UCBs can meet evolving regulatory and customer expectations.
• Sector-wide capacity-building programmes are being rolled out.

Overall Reform Efforts

• With support from the Department of Financial Services and Reserve Bank of India, multiple initiatives are underway to:
  • Strengthen governance and operational efficiency of cooperative banks
  • Align UCBs with the standards and functioning of commercial banks
  • Enhance stability, transparency, and depositor confidence in the cooperative banking sector.

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AFMS Launches India’s First AI-Driven Community Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy

Launch Details:

• Initiative launched on 16 December 2025 in New Delhi.
• Jointly by Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC), AIIMS, and the eHealth AI Unit, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW).
• Inaugurated at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin (DG AFMS) and Prof. Radhika Tandon (Chief, RPC AIIMS).

Objective:

• To implement India’s first AI-driven community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR).
• Focused on early detection of diabetic eye disease and building a real-time national health intelligence framework.

Technology Used – MadhuNetrAI:

• Web-based AI platform developed by RPC, AIIMS.
• Capabilities:
  • Automated screening, grading, and triaging of retinal images.
  • Works with handheld fundus cameras.
  • Enables trained medical personnel (Medical Officers, Nursing Staff, healthcare assistants) to conduct community-level screening.
  • Generates real-time data on disease prevalence and geographic distribution.

Pilot Implementation:

• Seven locations covering diverse geographies: Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat, Kochi.
• Includes metropolitan, rural, hilly, coastal, and remote regions.
• Personnel will undergo intensive training at RPC, AIIMS, followed by large-scale community screening.

Patient Management and Referral:

• DR patients receive optimal diabetic management.
• Vision-threatening DR cases referred to vitreo-retina specialists at District Hospitals.
• District Health Administrations coordinate referrals and integrate DR care within existing non-communicable disease programmes.

Programme Documentation and Recognition:

• A Compendium detailing methodology and operational guidelines released at the launch.
• Acknowledgement of Brig S K Mishra, HOD & Consultant Ophthalmology, Army Hospital (R&R), for establishing the collaboration.

Significance and Future Outlook:

• Envisaged as a scalable and replicable national model for AI-enabled public health interventions.
• Demonstrates effective integration of AI into community health systems.
• Supports evidence-based planning and policy formulation through real-time data analytics.

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Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)

Appointment of Chief Information Commissioner (CIC):

• President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath of office to Raj Kumar Goyal, a former IAS officer, as the new Chief Information Commissioner.
• The oath-taking signifies the formal assumption of charge by Mr. Goyal.

List of Newly Appointed Information Commissioners:

• Surendra Singh Meena
• Ashutosh Chaturvedi
• Swagat Das
• Sudha Rani Relangi
• P. R. Ramesh
• Khushwant Singh Sethi
• Jaya Varma Sinha
• Sanjeev Kumar Jindal

Institutional Significance:

• The Central Information Commission (CIC) is a statutory body established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
• The Act allows for a maximum of 10 members (1 Chief Information Commissioner + up to 9 Information Commissioners).

Historic Milestone:

• With these appointments, the CIC has reached its full sanctioned strength.
• This is the first time in nine years that the Commission has been fully staffed.

Implications for Governance and Transparency:

• A full-strength CIC is expected to:
  • Improve the efficiency and speed of RTI appeal disposals.
  • Strengthen transparency and accountability in public administration.
  • Reduce the backlog of RTI cases, which had grown due to vacancies.

Central Information Commission (CIC) – Overview

• Establishment:
  • The Central Information Commission is a statutory body established under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
  • It became operational in 2005.
• Purpose:
  • To protect, promote, and implement the Right to Information.
  • Acts as the final appellate authority for RTI matters at the Central Government level.
• Composition:
  • Consists of:
    • One Chief Information Commissioner (CIC)
    • Up to 10 Information Commissioners (ICs) (as originally provided under the Act)
  • Appointments are made by the President of India.
• Appointment Committee:
  • Commissioners are appointed on the recommendation of a committee comprising:
    • Prime Minister (Chairperson)
    • Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
    • Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister
• Tenure and Service Conditions:
  • Tenure and service conditions are governed by the RTI (Amendment) Act, 2019, which authorizes the Central Government to determine:
    • Term of office
    • Salary
    • Other service conditions
• Powers and Functions:
  • Hears appeals and complaints related to RTI applications.
  • Can:
    • Direct public authorities to provide information
    • Order record inspection
    • Impose penalties on Public Information Officers (PIOs)
    • Recommend disciplinary action against erring officials
• Jurisdiction:
  • Covers:
    • Central Government ministries and departments
    • Public sector undertakings
    • Constitutional bodies
    • Central public authorities
• Significance:
  • Plays a key role in ensuring:
    • Transparency
    • Accountability
    • Good governance
  • Strengthens democratic oversight of public institutions.

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SHANTI Bill – 2025

Introduction of the SHANTI Bill, 2025

• The Union Government introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha.
• The Bill aims to encourage private sector participation, including foreign companies, in nuclear power generation.
• It proposes to replace two existing laws:
  • Atomic Energy Act, 1962
  • Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, 2010

Key Structural and Regulatory Reforms

• Establishes a new atomic energy regulatory framework that is answerable to Parliament, improving democratic oversight.
• Grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), strengthening nuclear regulation.
• Ends the monopoly of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) over nuclear power plant operations.
• Opens the sector to private Indian and foreign operators.

Changes to Nuclear Liability Framework

• Introduces a revised civil liability regime for nuclear damage:
  • Restricts operators’ right to seek compensation from suppliers, addressing a major concern under the CLND Act, 2010.
  • Aligns India’s liability framework with global nuclear liability conventions, making it more attractive to investors.
• Caps the liability of nuclear plant operators:
  • Liability limits are linked to the size of the nuclear plant.
  • Maximum penalty capped at ₹1 crore, even in cases of a “severe breach”.

Safety and Preparedness Provisions

• Strengthens mechanisms related to:
  • Nuclear safety and security
  • Safeguards and quality assurance
  • Emergency preparedness and response
• The government describes the framework as “pragmatic”, balancing safety with investment facilitation.

Government’s Energy and Climate Objectives

• Nuclear energy currently contributes:
  • 1.5% of India’s installed power capacity
  • 3% of total electricity generation
• The Bill aligns with India’s long-term goals:
  • Achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070
  • Enhancing clean energy production and grid stability

Planned Expansion of Nuclear Power

• Target to increase nuclear power capacity to 100 GW by 2047, from the current 8.8 GW.
• Supporting initiatives include:
  • A ₹20,000 crore mission for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) announced in the Union Budget.
  • Deployment of customised 220 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).

Expert Opinion and Industry Impact

• Experts note that:
  • The Bill addresses long-standing concerns of domestic and foreign suppliers regarding the CLND Act.
  • Amendments to patent laws could spur innovation in nuclear technology.
  • Private participation could significantly expand nuclear projects and technology development.
• According to IIM Ahmedabad professor M.P. Ram Mohan, previous explanations of liability provisions were inadequate for investors, which the SHANTI Bill seeks to correct.

Comparison: CLND Act, 2010 vs SHANTI Bill, 2025

Aspect	CLND Act, 2010	SHANTI Bill, 2025
Objective	Provide a legal framework for civil liability in case of nuclear damage	Promote private and foreign participation while ensuring safety and accountability in nuclear energy
Governing Laws	Operates alongside the Atomic Energy Act, 1962	Replaces both the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the CLND Act, 2010
Nature of Sector	Public-sector dominated, with NPCIL monopoly over operations	Opens nuclear power generation to private Indian and foreign players
Regulatory Authority	Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) functions by executive order	Statutory status to AERB; regulatory framework answerable to Parliament
Operator Liability	Operator held primarily liable for nuclear damage	Operator liability limited and graded based on plant size
Supplier Liability	Operator has right of recourse against suppliers (Section 17), a major concern for vendors	Restricts right of recourse, aligning with global conventions
Liability Cap	₹1,500 crore cap on operator liability (as per Act and rules)	Penalty capped at ₹1 crore, even for “severe breach” of the Act
Private Sector Participation	Discouraged due to liability uncertainty	Explicitly incentivised through liability protection and regulatory reforms
Foreign Investment	Limited due to supplier liability concerns	Encouraged, with liability framework aligned to international norms
Safety & Emergency Provisions	Present but limited in scope	Strengthened provisions on safety, security, safeguards, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness
Innovation & Technology	Limited scope for innovation and IP development	Encourages innovation, patent amendments, and SMRs
Alignment with Climate Goals	Not explicitly linked to climate targets	Supports net-zero 2070, clean energy expansion, and grid stability
Institutional Accountability	Executive-controlled regulatory oversight	Parliamentary oversight over nuclear regulation

Overall Significance

• The SHANTI Bill marks a paradigm shift in India’s nuclear energy policy.
• It balances:
  • Investment facilitation
  • Regulatory accountability
  • Safety and environmental goals
• If implemented effectively, it could play a crucial role in India’s energy transition and climate commitments.

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2025 ICTP Prize

2025 ICTP Prize – Key Announcement

• The 2025 ICTP Prize has been awarded to:
  • Titas Chanda (IIT-Madras)
  • Sthitadhi Roy (International Centre for Theoretical Sciences, Bengaluru)
• The announcement was made by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).

Reason for the Award

• The prize recognises their original and outstanding contributions to:
  • Quantum many-body systems
  • Research at the interface of condensed matter physics and quantum information science
• Their work has opened new directions in understanding:
  • Non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum systems
  • Quantum correlations
  • Measurement-driven phase transitions

Scientific Context and Importance

• Quantum many-body systems involve a large number of interacting quantum particles (e.g., electrons in solids or atoms in ultracold gases).
• Such systems:
  • Cannot be understood by studying particles individually
  • Exhibit complex collective behaviour due to interactions
• The research is crucial for:
  • Controlling quantum devices like quantum computers and sensors
  • Understanding how quantum systems behave out of equilibrium

Interdisciplinary Nature of the Work

• Condensed Matter Physics:
  • Studies collective properties of materials (e.g., magnetism, superconductivity, phase transitions)
• Quantum Information Science:
  • Treats quantum states as information
  • Uses concepts like entanglement and entropy
• The award-winning work bridges these two fields.

Contributions of Titas Chanda

• Assistant Professor at IIT-Madras
• Recognised for work in:
  • Quantum correlations
  • Open quantum systems
• Applications include:
  • Quantum batteries
  • Quantum communication protocols
  • Quantum resource theories
• Developed numerical tools applied across:
  • Quantum optics
  • Cold atom systems
  • Strongly correlated quantum systems

Contributions of Sthitadhi Roy

• Assistant Professor at ICTS Bengaluru (under TIFR)
• Awarded for work on:
  • Non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems
  • Measurement-induced phenomena
  • Many-body localisation
  • Emergent phases of quantum matter
• Research highlights include:
  • Hybrid quantum circuits
  • Measurement-based protocols to create exotic topological and dynamical phases

About the ICTP Prize

• An annual award instituted in 1982
• Given to young scientists from developing countries
• Includes:
  • A certificate
  • A cash award
• Previous Indian recipients include:
  • Ashoke Sen, G. Baskaran, Shiraz Minwalla, Aninda Sinha, among others

About the ICTP

• Founded in 1964
• Established by Abdus Salam, Pakistani physicist and Nobel laureate
• Mission:
  • To support and promote advanced scientific research in developing countries

Overall Significance

• The award highlights India’s growing strength in theoretical physics and quantum science
• The recognised research is foundational for:
  • Next-generation quantum technologies
  • Deeper understanding of complex quantum matter

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Nemotron large-language models (LLMs)

Nvidia Unveils New Open-Source AI Models

• Nvidia announced a new family of open-source artificial intelligence models on Monday.
• The company claims these models are:
  • Faster
  • Cheaper
  • Smarter than its previous AI model offerings.
• The move comes amid a rapid rise of open-source AI models from Chinese AI laboratories, increasing global competition.

Nvidia’s Position in the AI Ecosystem

• Nvidia is best known as a leading supplier of AI chips (GPUs).
• These chips are widely used by companies like OpenAI to:
  • Train closed-source AI models
  • Offer paid AI services.
• In parallel, Nvidia also develops and releases its own AI models as open-source software.

Use and Adoption of Nvidia’s Open Models

• Nvidia’s open-source models are used:
  • By researchers for experimentation and innovation
  • By companies integrating them into commercial products
• Firms such as Palantir Technologies have incorporated Nvidia’s models into their platforms.
• Nvidia offers models across diverse domains:
  • Physics simulations
  • Autonomous and self-driving technologies
  • General-purpose AI applications

Nemotron 3 Model Family

• Nvidia unveiled the third generation of its Nemotron large-language models (LLMs).
• These models are designed for:
  • Text generation
  • Coding
  • Other general AI tasks
• Nemotron 3 Nano:
  • Smallest model in the series
  • Released immediately
• Larger Nemotron 3 models:
  • Two additional versions planned
  • Expected release in the first half of 2026

Broader Significance

• Nvidia’s announcement highlights:
  • The growing importance of open-source AI ecosystems
  • Strategic competition with Chinese open-source AI labs
  • Nvidia’s effort to strengthen its influence beyond hardware into AI software and platforms

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