TLDR;
This YouTube video provides a comprehensive overview of recent current affairs relevant to competitive exams, focusing on national and international news, agreements, awards, and sports events. It covers key points such as the new VB-GRAM scheme replacing NREGA, the SHANTI bill concerning nuclear energy, amendments to insurance laws, and various international collaborations and agreements involving India.
- VB-GRAM scheme replaces NREGA with enhanced features.
- SHANTI bill aims to advance nuclear energy sustainably.
- Insurance sector sees reforms, including increased FDI limits.
- India engages in international collaborations and agreements.
- Various sports events and awards featuring Indian achievements.
VB-GRAM Scheme: Replacing NREGA [0:00]
The VB-GRAM (Vikshit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission) scheme is set to replace the existing NREGA, aiming to develop rural areas by guaranteeing employment and livelihood. This initiative seeks to create a developed India by 2047. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on the 18th, Rajya Sabha on the 19th, and received presidential approval on the 21st. It increases guaranteed employment from 100 to 125 days, with a 60-day break during the agricultural season. Payments will be made weekly, with a 15-day maximum delay, and unemployment allowance will be provided if work is not available. Work is categorised into four areas: water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood infrastructure, and climate resilience. Gram Panchayats will develop plans, and a digital platform called Vikshit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack will monitor progress. The central-state funding ratio is 60:40, but 90:10 for North-eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% for union territories without legislatures. Administrative expenditure is increased from 6% to 9% of the budget. The central government will set standard-based allocations, with states responsible for additional costs. Social auditing will be conducted, and central and state-level committees will recommend standards. States must notify their plans within six months of the act's passage, and unemployment allowance must be paid after 15 days of no employment.
SHANTI Bill: Advancing Nuclear Energy [10:00]
The SHANTI (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India) bill aims to reform nuclear energy laws, replacing the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010. It opens the nuclear energy sector to private companies through joint ventures with the government, ending the government's monopoly. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is granted statutory status, enhancing its monitoring and safety powers. The right to recourse against foreign suppliers for faulty machinery is removed to encourage investment. The "no-fault" liability clause ensures compensation for operators without proving fault, with operators required to have insurance. Compensation amounts will depend on reactor capacity, with the central government covering costs exceeding ₹3,000 crore through a Nuclear Liability Fund. Compensation extends to neighbouring countries affected by nuclear incidents, subject to conditions. An appellate authority, the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council, is established, and claim commissioners will handle compensation claims. The bill promotes small modular reactors to support India's goals of developed nation status by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070. The current nuclear energy capacity of 8,780 MW is targeted to increase to 100 GW by 2047.
Insurance Sector Amendments [21:33]
The insurance sector sees significant amendments with the passage of the "Sabki Bima, Sabki Raksha" bill on 17 December 2025, replacing the Insurance Act of 1938, LIC Act of 1956, and IRDAI Act of 1999. Key changes include allowing 100% FDI in insurance companies, up from 74%. The net owned fund requirement for reinsurance companies is reduced from ₹5,000 crore to ₹1,000 crore. LIC is permitted to open regional and foreign offices, operating autonomously under local laws.
PM Yuva Yojana and Financial Inclusion Strategy [24:56]
The PM Yuva Yojana, a mentorship scheme for young authors, selects individuals under 30 to write on topics such as the Indian diaspora's role in nation-building, Indian knowledge systems, and architects of modern India. Selected authors receive ₹50,000 monthly and a 10% royalty on published books. The National Book Trust (NBT) manages the scheme. The National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2025-30, issued by the RBI, focuses on five key areas: families and micro-enterprises, women, livelihood and skill development, financial literacy, and consumer protection.
Highway Infrastructure Trust and Regional Rural Banks [35:07]
SEBI has approved the Highway Infrastructure Investment Trust (RIIIT) to raise funds for highway assets and attract retail investors. The trust will be managed by Highway Infra Investment Managers Private Limited, a joint venture with banks and financial institutions. The number of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India has decreased to 28. NABARD and the Indian government have launched a unified logo for RRBs, featuring blue (finance and trust) and green (growth and life).
Systemically Important Banks and Risk-Based Insurance [40:30]
The Reserve Bank of India identifies SBI, HDFC, and ICICI as Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). These banks are crucial to the financial system, and the RBI has approved a risk-based insurance framework for banks, where those with higher risk pay higher premiums.
Coal Sector and Numaligarh Refinery [45:00]
The government has introduced the Coal Setu policy to allow broader participation in coal auctions for industrial use and export, excluding coking coal. Numaligarh Refinery Limited has been granted Navratna status, becoming the 27th company to achieve this.
Virtual Mine Simulators and Ponduru Khadi [48:01]
IIT Dhanbad has developed virtual reality mine simulators in collaboration with Coal India Limited to enhance mine safety. Ponduru Khadi from Andhra Pradesh has received a GI tag, praised by Mahatma Gandhi in Young India.
Hurun India Report and Subansiri Project [50:26]
The Hurun India report includes Dipender Goyal and Radhakishan Dhamani. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project's second unit has been commissioned, with a capacity of 250 MW, located on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border.
Ammonia-Urea Project and Monetary Policy [52:02]
An ammonia-urea fertiliser project has been launched in Namrup, Assam, by the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited. The Monetary Policy Committee has reduced the repo rate to 5.25%, and the GDP growth rate is projected at 7.3%.
Rooftop Solar Panels and Generic Medicines [54:29]
To promote rooftop solar panels, India has signed five loan agreements with the ADB. The goal is to establish 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027 to provide generic medicines.
Payment Banks and Ginger Capital [58:13]
RBI has granted Fino Payments Bank the status of a Small Finance Bank. NITI Aayog has declared Mizoram as India's ginger capital.
Modi's International Visits: Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman [1:07:02]
Prime Minister Modi visited Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. In Jordan, twinning was established between Petra and Ellora caves, and cooperation was agreed upon between UPI and Jordan's digital payment system. The goal is to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion in five years. In Ethiopia, Modi received the Grand Order of the Star of Ethiopia, and agreements were made to establish a data centre in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, double scholarships for Ethiopian students, and launch AI courses. In Oman, Modi received the Order of Oman, and a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed.
Putin's Visit to India and International Alliances [1:14:15]
President Putin visited India, with a goal to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. Discussions included the Northern Sea Route, INSTC, and the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor. Russia joined the International Big Cat Alliance, and a reciprocal logistics support agreement was signed.
Global Hotspots: Afar Region, Mubarak al-Kabeer Port, and Sudan Naval Base [1:18:20]
The Afar region in Ethiopia is noted for its tectonic activity. China is constructing the Mubarak al-Kabeer port in Kuwait. Russia is establishing a naval base in Sudan.
Israel-Palestine Conflict and Somaliland Recognition [1:20:56]
Israel has established a "Yellow Line" with Palestine. Israel has recognised Somaliland.
G20 Summit and Italian Cuisine [1:23:12]
The 2026 G20 summit may exclude South Africa and include Poland. Italian cuisine has been recognised by UNESCO.
Finland's Embassy Closures and France's Military Service Program [1:26:56]
Finland is closing embassies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. France is launching a voluntary military service program for youth.
Australia's Partnership with India and Hijab Ban [1:38:16]
Australia considers India an indispensable partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Restrictions on hijabs for those under 14 have been implemented.
Riyadh's Driverless Metro and Benin's Coup Attempt [1:38:52]
Riyadh has the world's longest driverless metro. A coup attempt in Benin's economic capital, Cotonou, was thwarted.
Mexico's Import Duties and Bangladesh Politics [1:41:01]
Mexico is imposing import duties on countries without FTAs, including India. Khaleda Zia has died.
Chile's New President and Wheelchair Astronaut [1:42:26]
José Antonio Kast is the new president of Chile. Michaela Balthos, a German engineer, travelled to space on a wheelchair.
NASA Appointment and Pearl Harbor Survivor [1:44:03]
Jared Isaacman has been appointed as a NASA leader. Ira Hay Sapp, a Pearl Harbor survivor, has died at 105.
Interpol Appointment and Champion of the Earth [1:48:32]
Frenchman Lucas Philippe has been appointed as the head of Interpol. Supriya Sahu has been awarded the Champion of the Earth award.
C-DOT Award and Turner Prize [1:49:47]
C-DOT has received the IEEE award. Naina Kaloo has been awarded the Turner Prize.
Time Magazine and Operation Support [1:52:22]
Karan Deep Anand and Ramakrishna have been named Time Magazine's Person of the Year. Operation Support was launched for Sri Lanka.
Operation Al-Aqsa and Operation Thunder [1:53:51]
Operation Al-Aqsa was launched in Syria. Operation Thunder was launched to prevent wildlife trafficking.
UN Conferences and Hanukkah Festival Attack [1:56:17]
The UN Conference against Corruption was held in Doha. The UN Alliance of Civilizations conference was held in Riyadh. The UN Environment Assembly was held in Nairobi. A Hanukkah festival in Sydney was attacked.
India-New Zealand FTA and Kimberly Process [2:01:40]
An FTA was signed between India and New Zealand. India has been appointed as the chair of the Kimberly Process.
Capuchin Monkeys and Victoria University Campus [2:05:18]
Capuchin monkeys have been brought to Bannerghatta National Park. Victoria University has opened a campus in Gurgaon.
Chinese Commercial Centre and Word of the Year [2:07:57]
A Chinese commercial centre has been built. "Rizz" has been named the Oxford Word of the Year.
BRICS Chairmanship and UNESCO Board [2:09:02]
India has assumed the BRICS chairmanship. India has been elected to the UNESCO Executive Board.
Oil Tanker Seizure and Space Mission Delay [2:10:32]
Iran has seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. China has delayed a space mission.
Global Food City Ranking and Asia Power Index [2:11:40]
Mumbai, Amritsar, and Delhi are in the top 100 of the Global Food City Ranking. India is third in the Asia Power Index.
AI Vibrancy Index and Global Passport Power Rank [2:13:46]
India is third in the AI Vibrancy Index. The Global Passport Power Rank is not covered due to frequent changes.
Top Arms-Producing Companies and Women, Peace and Security Index [2:14:43]
HAL, BEL, and MDL are among the top 100 arms-producing companies. India ranks 131st in the Global Women, Peace and Security Index.
Forbes' List of Powerful Women and Sports Events [2:19:15]
Nirmala Sitharaman, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw are on Forbes' list of powerful women. The 5th Space World Cup was held in Chennai, with India winning.
Chess Tournaments and Rollball World Cup [2:30:40]
Magnus Carlsen won both the Rapid and Blitz World Championships. India won the Rollball World Cup in Dubai.
Under-19 Asia Cup and Asian Youth Para Games [2:31:54]
Pakistan won the Under-19 Asia Cup. India was fourth in the Asian Youth Para Games.
Tech Mahindra Chess League and Equestrian Championship [2:38:00]
Alpine SG Pipers won the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. India participated in the Asian Equestrian Championship.
Badminton Championship and Hockey Junior World Cup
The Senior National Badminton Championship was held in Vijayawada. Germany won the Hockey Junior World Cup.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Shooting World Cup [2:49:16]
Jharkhand won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The Shooting World Cup Final was held in Doha.
World Athletics Awards and World Skill Competition
Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named World Athletes of the Year. India was eighth in the World Skill Competition.
Badminton World Tour and Safe Women's Club Championship
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won bronze at the BWF World Tour Finals. East Bengal won the SAFF Women's Club Championship.
Chess Tournament and FIFA Arab Cup
Arjun Erigaisi won a chess tournament in Jerusalem. Morocco won the FIFA Arab Cup.
Best Football Awards and Badminton Tournament
Osman Dembele and Aitana Bonmati won the Best Football Awards. The Odisha Masters badminton tournament was held in Cuttack.
Tennis Premier League and Southeast Asian Games
GS Delhi Aces won the Tennis Premier League. The Southeast Asian Games were held in Thailand.
Solapur Tennis Tournament and Other Sports News
The Solapur Tennis Tournament was held. Other sports news includes Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaking a record.
