Current Affairs [Top Questions]

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Meta is reportedly in advanced talks with Google to use its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). A Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) is a special chip made to speed up Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tasks. TPUs, developed by Google in 2016, power applications like Google Search, Translate and Photos. They are now widely used in data centres and cloud computing for large AI workloads. TPUs work on tensor computations, which are multi-dimensional data arrays used in deep learning. They offer massive parallel processing, low power use and specialised circuits for AI tasks.

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The 11th edition of India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025 is held from 6th to 9th December 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana. The theme of IISF 2025 is “Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Atma Nirbhar Bharat”, aiming to celebrate science-led growth and strengthen self-reliance in India. The festival provides a platform to bring together scientists, innovators, educators, students, industry leaders, science communicators, and policymakers for collaboration and knowledge exchange. IISF 2025 focuses on five main themes: Science, Technology and Ecology of North-West India & the Himalayan Region; Science for Society and Education; Atmanirbhar Bharat through Science and Technology; Biotechnology and Bio-economy; and Integration of Traditional Knowledge with Modern Science.

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NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has signed 70 Technology Transfer Agreements with industry. NSIL was incorporated on 6 March 2019 under the Companies Act, 2013, and works under the Department of Space (DOS), Government of India. It helps Indian industries take up high-technology space activities and promotes commercial use of India’s space products and services.

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The government informed Lok Sabha that 222 institutions are currently part of the Sanchar Mitra Scheme. The scheme is a youth-focused initiative of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications. It trains student volunteers, called Sanchar Mitras, to spread awareness on digital safety, telecom fraud prevention, and government telecom initiatives. Eligible students from technical institutes receive expert training through the National Communications Academy-Technology.

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The Indian Navy will commission the Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20 at Kochi under the aegis of the Southern Naval Command, marking a significant boost to indigenous naval capabilities. DSC A20 is the first vessel of the indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Craft series for the Indian Navy. It is the lead ship in a series of five DSCs being built by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL), Kolkata. The vessel is designed for a wide spectrum of diving and underwater operations in coastal waters, including inspection, salvage, and support missions.

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Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 at Hotel Emerald Grand, Dehradun, on December 13. The conference, organised by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), runs from December 13 to 15, with participation from Public Relation and communication professionals nationwide, including delegates from Russia. The theme is “Viksit Bharat @2047: Development as well as Heritage,” focusing on Public Relation’s role in nation-building, combating misinformation, and fostering credible government-public communication.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) hosted Exercise AviaIndra-2025, a joint air exercise with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF), from December 15 to 22, 2025. Exercise AviaIndra reflects the long-standing Indo-Russian defence relationship and continues the series which began in 2014. Personnel from both countries are conducting joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters. The exercise enables sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and operational expertise between the two air forces.

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The commemorative programme “Shunya Se Shatak: Ek Shatabdi Atal Bharat Ki” was held in Indore to mark Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s birth centenary. It celebrated Vajpayee’s leadership legacy, commitment to sustainable development, and environmental protection. A statue of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai was unveiled at the Daily College campus, reflecting India’s administrative and cultural heritage. The programme embodied the vision of “Atal Bharat”, stressing good governance, development, national pride, and environmental jurisprudence

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Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) completed nine years on 1 January 2026. It was launched on 1 January 2017. It provides financial support to pregnant women and lactating mothers. It is a centrally sponsored scheme under Mission Shakti’s sub-scheme ‘Samarthya’, offering benefits through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). It aims to support women from socially and economically disadvantaged sections, improve health-seeking behaviour, and ensure better maternal and child health outcomes. Beneficiaries receive ₹5,000 for the first child and ₹6,000 for the second girl child in two instalments.

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Denmark has ended letter delivery after 401 years, becoming the first country to fully phase out traditional mail. The decision comes as digital communication and a 90% drop in mail volumes since 2000 made letter delivery uneconomical. PostNord, the state-owned postal service, delivered its final letters and will now focus on parcels and e-commerce. Around 1,500 public mailboxes were removed and auctioned for charity; citizens must now drop letters at shop kiosks for DAO, a private delivery service. While reflecting Denmark’s high digital integration, the change may disadvantage older people and those without reliable internet.