THE HEADLINES:
- Winter Session of Parliament begins ; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says it is not just a ritual, but it fuels efforts to take India towards development.
- Lok Sabha adjourned till 2 PM following opposition uproar on various issues.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar calls for a stronger global biosecurity framework, warns of rising bioterrorism threat.
- UPI transactions increase by 32 percent in November, as per report released by NPCI.
- Death toll in Indonesian flood rises to 442.
- India men’s team qualifies for 2026 AFC Under 17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia.
<><><>
The winter session of Parliament began today. The Session will provide a total of 15 sittings spread over a period of 19 days.
Lok Sabha was adjourned till 2:00 PM following the opposition uproar on various issues including Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. When the Lok Sabha assembled at 12 noon after the first adjournment, the opposition members again started sloganeering. Amid Sloganeering, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Central Excise (Amendment) Bill 2025 to levy excise duty on tobacco and its related products. Mrs Sitharaman also introduced Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 to impose cess on production of specified goods like pan masala. The Minister also introduced the Manipur Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 to amend the Manipur Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
The House also extended the time for the presentation of the Report of the Select Committee on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 upto the last day of the second week of the Winter Session, 2025. The Lower House also extended the presentation of the Report of the Select Committee on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025’ upto the last day of the Winter Session, 2025.
Despite the appeal, the opposition members continued with their protest following which, the Speaker adjourned the House till 2:00 PM. Earlier, When the Lok Sabha assembled at 11 AM, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla made obituary references and paid tribute to the passing away of Dharmendra, Col. (Retd.) Sona Ram Choudhary, Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Ravi Naik. The Speaker recalled their contributions to public life before the House observed a moment of silence in their memory. When the Lok Sabha took up Question Hour the opposition members started sloganeering on various issues including Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Speaker Om Birla expressed displeasure over the behaviour of the protesting members saying that disrupting the proceedings of the House is not appropriate.
Despite the appeal, the opposition members continued with their protest following which, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12:00 noon.
When the Rajya Sabha met at 11:00 AM, Gurwinder Singh Oberoi, Chowdhry Mohammad Ramzan and Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference took oath as Member of Parliament in the upper House.
Welcoming Chairman C P Radhakrishnan who presided Rajya Sabha for the first time today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Mr Radhakrishnan’s rise from an ordinary background to the Vice Presidency reflects the true strength of the country’s democracy.
Deputy Chairman Harivansh, welcoming the Chairman, spoke about Mr Radhakrishnan’s commitment to his principles.
Welcoming the Chairman, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge expressed confidence that Mr Radhakrishnan will be impartial and treat the opposition and the treasury benches equally.
Leaders of different political parties also welcomed Mr Radhakrishnan on assuming the Chair.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Winter Session is not just a ritual, but it fuels efforts to take India towards development. Addressing the media ahead of the winter session of parliament, Mr Modi said, India’s economic rise today is reaching remarkable heights. He said, this momentum gives renewed confidence to India to be on the path towards becoming a developed nation. The Prime Minister added that India has proven that democracy can deliver.
Prime Minister Modi urged all parties that the winter session should not become a battleground for frustration born out of defeat, nor should it turn into an arena for arrogance born out of victory. He said, negativity may have some utility in politics, but ultimately nation building requires a positive mindset.
<><><>
The Government has said that twelve fake universities which were operating in the country have been closed since 2014. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Education Dr Sukanta Majumdar said, currently 24 fake Universities operating in the country and the Centre and UGC have requested to Chief Secretaries of all the State and U.T to take legal action for closure of these institutions and take appropriate action. Mr Majumdar said, maintenance of Law and order is a subject matter of State Governments. He informed that FIRs have been lodged against several self-styled institutions and universities.
<><><>
President Droupadi Murmu today said that India is on course not just for economic independence but expanding its economic role at the global stage. She said this while addressing the convocation ceremony of the Footwear Design and Development Institute in New Delhi. The President noted that the footwear industry is playing a key role in boosting the economy with exports worth more than 2 thousand 500 million dollars in the fiscal year 2024-25.
<><><>
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar today called for urgent global reforms to strengthen biosecurity and fortify the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The Minister said this while addressing the Conference on 50 Years of the Biological Weapons Convention: Strengthening Biosecurity for the Global South in New Delhi. Dr Jaishankar noted that scientific advances are rapidly outpacing existing global governance frameworks, posing new risks for international security. He added that the convention remains the guardrail between innovation and misuse in the life sciences in an uncertain international security environment.
<><><>
The unified payments interface (UPI) saw 32 per cent transaction count growth (year-on-year) crossing over 19 billion transactions in the month of November – along with registering 22 per cent annual growth in transactions. Data released by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has showed Average daily transaction amount in November stood at 87,721 crore rupees. The month of November recorded 682 million average daily transaction counts, up from 668 million registered in October.
<><><>
Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is progressing at a rapid pace across Madhya Pradesh. Our correspondent in Bhopal has shared more details on the ongoing process.
Under the directions of the Election Commission, the digitalisation of enumeration forms under SIR is being carried out swiftly in Madhya Pradesh. Six districts-Ashoknagar, Neemuch, Betul, Guna, Mandla, and Sehore-have achieved 100 percent completion.A total of 39 districts have crossed the 95 percent mark, while five districts have completed over 92 percent, reflecting commendable performance across the state. Meanwhile, the Election Commission has issued the revised schedule for SIR. Vipin Kumar Mishra, Akashvani News, Bhopal.
<><><>
Gita Jayanti is being celebrated today. Several Indian diplomatic missions worldwide celebrated International Gita Mahotsav, reflecting on the timeless relevance and enduring wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita in contemporary times. In Kenya, Indian High Commissioner to Kenya Adarsh Swaika expressed appreciation to associations and organisations in Kenya that are involved in the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita. According to the Indian High Commission in Nairobi, discourses on Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and chanting of shlokas were presented by representatives and students of ISKCON.
<><><>
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the people across the country on Gita Jayanti, associated with the advent of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that this divine scripture, adorned with invaluable messages on the fulfilment of duty, has held an extremely distinctive place in the Indian family, social, and spiritual life.
<><><>
On the occasion of Gita Jayanti, today, the concluding day of the Gita Jayanti International Mahotsav, a series of special programmes are being organised today in Kurukshetra.
On the occasion of Gita Jayanti, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini today worshipped the holy book Geeta and offered oblations in a havan at the Gita Sthali Jyotisar Later, the Chief Minister, along with Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and Gita scholar Swami Gyananand, participated in the Global Geeta Path at Keshav Park where 21,000 children from India and abroad participated in the Global Gita Path together. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said -byte .The Chief Minister will also participate in the 48 Kos Conference going to be held in University, Deep Utsav at Sanhit Sarovar, and Maha-arti at Brahma Sarovar in the evening . Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Chandigarh.
<><><>
The 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival, the ‘festival of festivals’ will kick off today at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama, Kohima. Coinciding with Nagaland’s Statehood Day, the ten-day festival will bring together all major Naga tribes under one roof, celebrating tradition, folklore, music, craft and cuisine.
<><><>
In Football, India stunned Iran 2-1 in the men’s Under 17 AFC Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. With this win, India have booked their ticket to the 2026 AFC Under 17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia. Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Indian team for their historic win and qualifying for the AFC Under 17 Asian Cup.
<><><>
THE HEADLINES ONCE AGAIN :
- Winter Session of Parliament begins ; Prime Minister Narendra Modi says it is not just a ritual, but it fuels efforts to take India towards development.
- External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar calls for a stronger global biosecurity framework, warns of rising bioterrorism threat.
- UPI transactions increase by 32 percent in November, as per report released by NPCI.
- Death toll in Indonesian flood rises to 442.
- India men’s team qualifies for 2026 AFC Under 17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia.
<><><>