12 December 2025 Current Affairs (With PDF)

World Inequality Report 2026

World Inequality Lab Releases 3rd Edition of World Inequality Report 2026, Following 2018 and 2022 Editions.

Key Findings

1. Global Wealth Inequality:

• Top 1% own 37% of global wealth.
• Top 10% own 75%.

India

• Top 1% hold ~40% of national wealth.
• Top 10% hold ~65%.

2. Global Income Inequality:

• Top 10% capture 53% of global income.

India

• Top 1% earn ~23% of national income.
• Top 10% earn ~58%.

3. Billionaire Wealth Growth:

• Since 1990s, billionaire wealth grew at 8% annually, almost double the rate of the bottom 50%.

4. Climate Inequality:

• Top 10% responsible for 77% of global carbon emissions.
• Poorest 50% contribute only 3%.

5. Global South–North Resource Drain:

• Global South transfers >1% of world GDP yearly to the Global North
  (via debt servicing, profit repatriation, financial flows).
• This is three times larger than global development aid.

Policy Recommendations

1. Progressive Taxation:

• Global minimum tax on billionaires.
• Tax justice + anti-evasion cooperation to finance public goods.

2. Public Investment:

• Increase funding for free high-quality healthcare, education, childcare, nutrition.
• Reduce early-life inequality and expand opportunities.

3. Redistribution Mechanisms:

• Cash transfers, pensions, unemployment insurance to shift resources to the poor.

4. Gender Equality Measures:

• Expand affordable childcare, parental leave.
• Enforce equal pay and protect against gender discrimination.
• Reduce burden of unpaid care work.

5. Climate Policy with Equity Lens:

• Green transition should rely on Public sector green investment, Progressive climate taxes, Not private monopolies.

6. International Financial Reform:

• Proposes: Global currency, Centralized global credit systems, Surplus taxes.
• Goal: enable social and climate investments in developing countries.

India Achieves Highest-Ever Nuclear Power Generation in FY 2024–25

India’s nuclear electricity output reached an unprecedented milestone in FY 2024–25, with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) surpassing 50 billion units (BUs) of generation for the first time, as reported by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). This record generation also contributed significantly to emissions reduction.

Key Highlights

Record Nuclear Output

• NPCIL’s generation crossed 50 BUs for the first time in its operational history.
• This achievement enabled the country to avoid nearly 49 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions, strengthening India’s clean-energy transition.

India’s Nuclear Energy Profile

• Three-Stage Nuclear Programme: India continues to advance its long-standing three-stage nuclear development strategy aimed at ensuring long-term energy security using plutonium and thorium-based fuel cycles.
• Contribution to National Energy Mix: As of July 2025, nuclear energy makes up roughly 3% of India’s total electricity generation.
• Long-Term Vision: India has set a target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with its broader clean-energy ambitions.

Key Initiatives Strengthening Nuclear Power Capacity

1. Nuclear Energy Mission:

• Announced in Union Budget 2025–26 to accelerate R&D in advanced nuclear technologies.
• Includes special focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs):
  - SMRs produce up to 300 MW(e) per unit.
  - They offer lower costs, enhanced safety, and flexible deployment compared to conventional reactors.

2. Indigenous Bharat Small Reactors (BSRs):

• Development of 220 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) under progress.
• These reactors:
  - Use natural uranium as fuel.
  - Employ heavy water as both coolant and moderator.
  - Are known for their high safety performance and reliability.

Recent Achievements and Capacity Expansion

1. Operational Milestones:

• Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS-3 & KAPS-4): First two indigenously designed 700 MWe PHWR units became commercially operational in FY 2023–24.
• Rawatbhata Atomic Power Project (RAPP-7): The third 700 MWe PHWR unit entered commercial service in 2025.

2. New Project Launch:

• Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP): A major 4-unit project (4 × 700 MWe PHWR), marking another step in expanding India’s indigenous nuclear fleet.

Deepavali Added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List

Announced during the 20th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee held at the Red Fort, New Delhi.

First time India hosted this UNESCO committee session.

With this, India now has 16 elements on the UNESCO ICH Representative List.

About Deepavali / Diwali

1. Celebrated on Kartik Amavasya (Oct–Nov).

2. Symbolises prosperity, renewal, and abundance.

3. A 5-day annual festival with events including:

• Dhanteras – purchase of metalware for prosperity.
• Naraka Chaturdashi – lighting lamps to dispel negativity.
• Lakshmi–Ganesha Puja – main ritual for wealth and wellbeing.
• Bhai Dooj – celebrates sibling bond.

Associated Legends

• Ramayana: Return of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14-year exile and defeat of Ravana.
• Mahabharata: Marks return of the Pandavas from exile.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List

1. About the Convention:

• Adopted: 17 October 2003 (UNESCO’s 32nd General Conference, Paris).
• Purpose: Safeguard intangible heritage-knowledge, practices, expressions, and traditions passed across generations.

2. ICH Categories Include:

• Oral traditions & expressions
• Performing arts
• Social practices, rituals, festive events
• Knowledge & practices about nature and the universe
• Traditional craftsmanship

3. Institutional Structure:

• General Assembly of State Parties: Highest decision-making body; meets every two years.
• State Responsibility: Primary responsibility for identifying, safeguarding, promoting and transmitting ICH.

AI’s Expanding Influence on Parenting: Insights Highlighted by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently emphasized the rapidly increasing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the sphere of parenting, prompting fresh debate over its potential benefits, risks, and long-term implications for child development.

Benefits of Integrating AI in Parenting

1. Strengthening Cognitive and Learning Skills:

• AI tools can tailor learning pathways instead of relying on uniform teaching methods.
• Example: AI-enabled educational toys like COSMO foster creativity, reasoning, and problem-solving among young children.

2. Reducing Parenting Workload:

• AI solutions support parents by assisting in tasks such as language development, interactive storytelling, and skill-building exercises.
• Helps parents balance childcare with work and household responsibilities.

3. Improved Child Monitoring and Safety:

• AI-driven devices help track a child’s physical safety and online behaviour.
• Example: Cubo Ai monitors infants and sends real-time alerts to caregivers.

Risks and Concerns Linked to AI-Assisted Parenting

1. Weakening Critical Thinking:

• Overreliance on AI may limit independent thought and self-expression.
• AI-generated content bubbles can restrict cognitive diversity and original thinking.

2. Reduced Social Interaction:

• Increased screen time and AI-mediated engagement may diminish parent–child bonding.
• This can affect emotional growth, empathy, and interpersonal skills.

3. Privacy and Data Protection Issues:

• Inadequate regulation or flawed system design can expose families to data misuse, surveillance, or hacking.
• Raises questions about autonomy as “data-assisted parenting” expands.

4. Algorithmic Bias and Inaccurate Advice:

• AI models trained on unrepresentative data may promote Western or middle-class parenting norms.
• This risks overlooking cultural diversity and may also spread misinformation.

National Hub for Quantum Communication – IIT Madras

IIT Madras has inaugurated India’s National Hub for Quantum Communication under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) to strengthen the country’s quantum-secure digital ecosystem.

About the National Hub for Quantum Communication

1. Aim:

• To accelerate India’s capabilities in quantum-secure communication, protecting national digital infrastructure from future threats posed by quantum computers.

2. Key Focus Areas:

• Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks – enabling ultra-secure communication using quantum mechanics.
• Post-Quantum Cryptography – developing encryption techniques safe even against quantum attacks.
• Quantum Memory & Quantum Repeaters – essential for long-distance quantum communication.
• Satellite-based Quantum Communication – enabling global-scale secure links independent of ground infrastructure.

3. Additional Functions:

• Development of large-scale quantum communication testbeds.
• Co-development programs involving academia, government, and industry.
• Support for deep-tech startups working on quantum technologies.

Background: National Quantum Mission (NQM)

• Approved in 2023.
• Budget: ₹6000 crore.
• Mandate: Develop quantum computing, quantum communication, sensing, materials, and devices.
• Duration: 2023–2031.

Contempt of Court

The Supreme Court recently clarified that the power to punish for criminal contempt is not a “personal armour” for judges to suppress criticism. The Court added that the authority to punish also includes the power to forgive.

About Contempt of Court

Legislative Framework

• Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 governs contempt proceedings in India.
• The Act classifies contempt into:

1. Civil Contempt:

• Definition: Wilful disobedience of any judgment, decree, direction, order, or other process of a court, or wilful breach of an undertaking given to the court.

2. Criminal Contempt:

Definition: Publication or act (spoken, written, signs, representations, etc.) that:

• Scandalises or lowers the authority of the court.
• Interferes with judicial proceedings.
• Obstructs administration of justice in any manner.

Constitutional Provisions

• Article 129: Supreme Court is a court of record with power to punish for contempt of itself.
• Article 215: High Courts enjoy similar status as courts of record with power to punish for contempt.

GlowCas9 – India’s New Bioluminescent Gene-Editing Tool

Indian scientists have developed GlowCas9, an advanced CRISPR-based gene-editing protein that glows during gene-editing activity, allowing real-time monitoring.

About GlowCas9

• What it is: A bioluminescent form of Cas9, created by fusing the Cas9 protein with a light-producing enzyme derived from deep-sea shrimp.
• Key Feature: It glows during gene-editing, enabling researchers to track CRISPR operations in real time inside Living cells, Tissues, Organisms Without causing damage or interference.

Why GlowCas9 is Important

• Allows non-invasive visualization of gene edits.
• Helps understand when, where, and how DNA is being modified.
• Useful for: Gene therapy research, Precise biomedical editing, Evaluating CRISPR effectiveness and safety

About CRISPR/Cas9 (Background)

• A revolutionary gene-editing technology.
• Can remove, add, or modify segments of DNA.
• Cas9 enzyme works like molecular scissors, cutting DNA at targeted locations.

RAMBHA-LP (Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe)

Data from Chandrayaan-3’s lander payload RAMBHA-LP confirms that the Moon’s south polar region hosts an active near-surface plasma environment.

About Plasma

• Plasma is the fourth state of matter.
• It is electrically neutral, composed of ions + free electrons.
• Found in solar wind, ionosphere, lightning, stars, and now observed near the lunar surface.

About RAMBHA-LP

1. Design:

• Uses a hypersensitive Langmuir Probe.
• Mounted on an extendable boom to prevent interference from the lander’s own electric fields.

2. Objectives:

• To measure electron density in the lunar near-surface plasma.
• To record electron temperature around the Moon’s south pole.
• Helps understand dust dynamics, surface charging, and plasma-surface interactions, crucial for future lunar habitats and rover operations.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast upward to 7.2%, compared to its earlier projection of 6.5%.

About the Asian Development Bank (ADB)

1. Headquarters:

• Manila, Philippines

2. Genesis:

• Established in 1966 as a major multilateral development institution.
• Works to promote sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient economic development in Asia and the Pacific.

3. Membership:

• 69 member countries, of which 50 belong to the Asia-Pacific region.
• India is a founding member of ADB.

4. Major Shareholders (as of 31 May 2025):

• Japan – 15.6%, United States – 15.6%, China – 6.4%, India – 6.3%, Australia – 5.8%