26 Dec 2025 | Daily Current Affairs

Intelligence Grid and NPR: Population Data of 119 Crore Linked

  • Development: National Intelligence Grid linked with the National Population Register
  • National Population Register coverage: Family-wise details of about 119 crore residents in India
  • Purpose: Secure real-time access to multi-source government and private databases for intelligence gathering and speedy criminal investigation
  • Agencies using National Intelligence Grid: State police forces and Central law enforcement and security agencies
  • Upgraded tool: Gandiva – used for facial recognition and entity resolution
  • Access system: Three categories of access requests – non-sensitive, sensitive, highly sensitive
  • Institutional linkage: Facilitates secure data-sharing between the National Investigation Agency and State Anti-Terror Squads

Q. The intelligence data platform linked with the National Population Register is:
(a) Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System
(b) National Intelligence Grid
(c) National Crime Records Bureau
(d) Multi-Agency Centre

intelligence grid and NPR
intelligence grid and NPR

Educational Criteria for Panchayat Elections: Rajasthan Proposal for 2026 Polls

  • Proposal: Reintroduce minimum educational qualification for 2026 Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Body elections
  • History: Introduced in 2015, removed in 2019, now under reconsideration
  • Earlier norms:
  • Sarpanch: Passed Class 8
  • Tribal Sub-Plan areas: Passed Class 5
  • Zila Parishad members, Panchayat Samiti members, Ward Councillors and Urban Local Body heads: Passed Class 10
educational criteria for panchayat elections
educational criteria for panchayat elections

Kimberley Process Chairmanship: India to Lead Conflict-Free Diamond Body

  • Decision: India selected as Chair of the Kimberley Process
  • Tenure: From 1 January 2026

What is Kimberley Process (KP)?

  • Global certification scheme for rough diamonds
  • Aims to stop trade in conflict diamonds

    Conflict diamonds:

    • Rough diamonds used to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments (as per UN Security Council resolutions)

    Nature of KP:

    • Tripartite initiative
    • Governments + International diamond industry + Civil society
    • India’s nodal agency: Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)

    Q. India will chair which international certification mechanism related to diamonds from January 2026?
    (a) World Diamond Council
    (b) Kimberley Process
    (c) United Nations Trade Forum
    (d) G20 Trade Track

    Kimberley Process chairmanship
    Kimberley Process chairmanship

    Regional Airlines in India: Four New Carriers Proposed Amid Challenges

    • Recent development: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted NOCs this year to Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.
    • Earlier NOCs (last year):
    • Air Kerala
    • Shankh Air
    • Total airlines in pipeline: 4
    • Mandatory next step: Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) required to start operations.
    • Core challenge: Regional airlines face viability issues due to high costs, thin margins, limited demand at small airports, financing constraints, and competition from rail/road.

    Q. After receiving a No-Objection Certificate, an airline must obtain which approval to start operations?
    (a) Route Dispersal Guidelines
    (b) Air Operator Certificate
    (c) Scheduled Operator Permit
    (d) Bilateral Air Service Agreement

    regional airlines in India
    regional airlines in India

    Atal Canteens Delhi: Government Launches Welfare Scheme on Vajpayee Jayanti

    • What: Delhi govt ₹5 meal scheme for urban poor
    • Occasion: Birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
    • Implementing agency: Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB)
    • Beneficiaries: Labourers, slum dwellers, low-income groups
    • Coverage: 45 started + 55 soon = 100 canteens
    • Cost sharing: ₹5 by beneficiary, rest by Delhi govt

    Q. The ₹5 meal scheme launched by the Delhi government is known as:
    (a) Indira Canteen
    (b) Annapurna Scheme
    (c) Atal Canteens
    (d) Garib Bhojan Yojana

    Atal Canteens Delhi
    Atal Canteens Delhi

    Indian Ocean Tsunami Preparedness: 100 Villages to Be Made Tsunami-Ready

    Practice Questions

    Q. The global programme under which coastal villages are certified as tsunami-prepared is called:
    (a) Sendai Framework
    (b) Tsunami Ready
    (c) Early Warning System
    (d) Coastal Regulation Zone

    Indian Ocean tsunami preparedness
    Indian Ocean tsunami preparedness
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