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News In Short 13-12-2025

In News

  • India has expressed concern over reports of damage to conservation facilities at the Preah Vihear temple complex.

    • About Preah Vihear Temple

  • It is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Cambodia, near the border with Thailand.
  • It was built mainly during the reigns of Khmer kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II (9th–12th centuries CE).
  • It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

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    India out of Pax Silica Initiative

    Context

  • India has been excluded from the US-led Pax Silica initiative, a new US critical mineral diversification plan.

    • About

  • Pax Silica is a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain from critical minerals.
  • The inaugural Pax Silica Summit convenes counterparts from: Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, The United Kingdom, Israel, United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
  • Together, these countries are home to the most important companies and investors powering the global AI supply chain.

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    NITI Aayog Releases Report on “Deepening the Corporate Bond Market in India”

    Context

  • NITI Aayog has released the report titled “Deepening the Corporate Bond Market in India”.

    • About

  • The report examines the current state, challenges, and future roadmap for strengthening India’s corporate bond market—a key financing avenue for corporations, infrastructure, MSMEs, and emerging sectors.
  • A deep and liquid corporate bond market helps mobilise long-term capital, reducing over-reliance on bank credit and supporting economic growth.
  • It is critical for financing infrastructure, climate actions, MSMEs, and emerging sectors aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 goals.

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    New Fight for Spectrum in Space

    Context

  • The rapid expansion of satellite megaconstellations, driven by soaring demand for high-speed connectivity, has intensified the global race for limited spectrum and orbital slots.

    • What is Satellite Spectrum?

  • Satellite spectrum refers to the radio frequencies used for satellite communications.
  • These frequencies enable satellite-based systems to transmit data and signals between satellites in orbit and ground stations. 
  • Unlike terrestrial spectrum, satellite spectrum operates without national territorial limits and is managed globally by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
  • Satellite spectrum is divided into different frequency bands, each suited for specific types of communication

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    Cabinet Approves India-Oman Free Trade Pact

    Context

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and Oman.

    • About

  • The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement approval comes ahead of the Prime Minister’s three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman.
  • It was approved by the lower house of Parliament of Oman as well.
  • The PM visit to Oman will be his second visit to the country and coincides with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
  • FTA: Negotiations for the agreement began officially in 2023.
  • In FTAs two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate customs duties on a maximum number of goods traded between them.

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    Cabinet Approves SHANTI Bill 

    Context

  • The Union Cabinet has approved the Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, titled SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Technology for India).
  • The Bill seeks to create a unified and modern legal framework for India’s nuclear sector.

    • About

  • Traditionally, nuclear power plants in India have been owned and operated only by state-owned Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) and its fully-owned subsidiary Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI).
  • To allow private sector participation government has to amend key legislations;
  • Atomic Energy Act, 1962, a framework for nuclear energy development and regulation.
  • Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, ensuring compensation mechanisms for nuclear incidents.

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    The Indian Ocean As Cradle of a New Blue Economy

    Published on: 13th December, 2025

    India must revive its leadership role in shaping the governance, sustainability, and security architecture of the Indian Ocean, guided by the principle “From the Indian Ocean, for the World.”

    News In Short 12-12-2025

    In News

  • The Supreme Court has expanded the jurisdiction ofInternal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under theSexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act),
  • SC said that the complaints to be filed not just at the accused’s workplace but also at the complainant’s workplace or any employment-related site.

    • About POSH

  • Origin: Enacted following the Supreme Court’s Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan judgment (1997), which laid down binding guidelines to fill the legislative vacuum on workplace sexual harassment.
  • Scope and Coverage: The Act applies to all workplaces, including government offices, private sectors, NGOs, educational institutions, hospitals, sports bodies, and unorganized sectors, extending protection even to domestic workers in residences used for employment
  • Institutional Framework: Every organization with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), with the presiding officer and at least half the members being women, including an external NGO expert.

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    Savings Shift Reshapes India’s Markets

    Context

  • Domestic household savings are replacing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) as the dominant market force in India.

    • About

  • The latest NSE (National Stock Exchange) Market Pulse report shows Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) ownership of Indian equities at a 15-month low of 16.9% and 24.1% in the NIFTY 50. 
  • Meanwhile, domestic Mutual Funds (MFs) are hitting new highs quarter after quarter.
  • Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are bringing in record inflows, and individual investors, through direct holdings and MFs, now own nearly 19% of the market, the highest in over two decades.

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    Mexico Imposes up to 50% Tariff on Imports From India and China

    Context

  • Mexico has approved tariffs of up to 50% on imports from non-FTA partners, including India, effective from April 1, 2026.

    • What is Trade Protectionism?

  • Trade protectionism refers to policy measures, such as tariffs, quotas, import licensing, local content rules, aimed at shielding domestic industries from foreign competition.
  • Drivers of the current wave of protectionism include:
  • Slowing global growth and supply-chain vulnerabilities.
  • Strategic reshoring by major economies like the U.S. and EU.

    • Read More

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