Art and Culture 

Notre Dame to reopen soon: What has changed? - Indian Express 

French President Emmanuel Macron visited renovation works at Paris’ Notre-Dame cathedral ahead of its reopening on December 7, five and a half years after a devastating fire destroyed its roof and spire and caused major damage throughout.

Notre-Dame de Paris

• About: A medieval Gothic cathedral, Notre-Dame de Paris is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris.
• Historical Significance: Known for its rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows, and carved stone gargoyles.
• Construction: The construction began in 1163 and continued for nearly a century, with major restorations in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Rengma Naga tribe - The Hindu 

The Rengma Naga tribe concluded a two-day celebration of the Ngada festival-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival at the Tseminyu RSA ground in Nagaland recently.

Social 

National Credit Framework (NCrF) - The Hindu 

Students pursuing undergraduate degree programmes could soon have the flexibility to finish their degree earlier or extend it beyond the stipulated duration. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) enables learners with varying learning abilities to move through the curriculum at rates faster or slower than the standard duration of a programme by earning the required credits.

UGC approves flexible degree completion for undergrads: What does it mean? - Indian Express

Undergraduate students will soon have flexibility in completing their programmes in less or more time than the standard three or four years, following a recent decision by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Polity 

What is Odisha's proposed anti-cheating law? - Indian Express 

The Odisha government has decided to enact a new law with stringent penal provisions to check cheating and other discrepancies in public examinations conducted by various recruitment agencies of the state. The government plans to pass the law — known as the Odisha Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 — in the ongoing session of the state assembly.

Economy 

Tato-I Hydroelectric Project - The Hindu 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved investing Rs 1750 crores for the Tato-I Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Shi Yomi District.

Environment 

Global Plastics Treaty draft overlooks key issue of limiting production, says group of countries - The Hindu 

Following five days of deliberation, countries have thrashed out a preliminary draft of the Global Plastics Treaty at the United Nations-led Global Plastic Treaty negotiations in Busan, South Korea.

Siberia to Rajasthan, crane sets a flight record - 3,676 km - Indian Express

A tagged Siberian Demoiselle crane has soared further in the pecking order of long flights, taking a detour to wing over 3,676km to Rajasthan and setting a new distance record for migratory birds arriving in the state.

Siberian Demoiselle Crane

• Size: Smallest crane species.
• Behavior: Displays both solitary and social behavior.
• Cultural Significance: Known as Koonj or Kurjaa in Indian culture.
• Migration:
  • Long-distance migratory bird.
  • Breeds in Central Eurasia and winters in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Typically travels via Himalayan valleys; notable routes include Russia, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan.
• Habitat: Prefers fields, deserts, steppes, and plains near water.
• Distribution: Found from the Black Sea to Mongolia and Northeast China. Key wintering grounds include Rajasthan's Khichan, a dedicated reserve for this species.
• IUCN: Least Concern.
• Threats: Wetland drainage, habitat loss, illegal pet trade and hunting pressures.

From 94% in 2000 to 83% in 2020: CEPT varsity study highlights decline in vegetation in Gujarat’s Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary over 2 decades - Indian Express 

Based on the geospatial visualisation and spatial analysis, the Earth Observation (EO) data of Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat’s Junagadh over a period of two decades by CEPT University reveals that while the settlements increased from 2000 to 2020 at or near the main temple area, a large area of dense forest was converted to open forest during the same period of time.

Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in Junagadh district, Saurashtra region, Gujarat.
• Establishment: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2008.
• Vegetation: redominantly dry deciduous forests.
• Flora: Teak, dhak, acacia, and drought-resistant plants.
• Landscape: Dense forests, open scrub, and grasslands.
• Fauna: Home to endangered Asiatic lions and spotted deer, Sambar, Chousinghas, Chinkaras, leopards, and Indian golden jackals.

Rare sighting at Pulicat: 5 bar-tailed godwits together - The Hindu 

In an unusual occurrence, five bar-tailed godwits were spotted by naturalist Poochi Venkat at Pulicat lake recently.

Bar-Tailed Godwit

• Scientific Name: Limosa lapponica.
• About: Renowned for its exceptional endurance during migration, holding the world record for non-stop flight.
• Appearance: Mottled brown above, buff below, white underwings, barred brown tail, and a long, slightly upturned bill.
• Global Distribution: Found in northern Europe, Asia, western Alaska, Africa, the Persian Gulf, India, Southeast Asia, China, and Australia.
• Breeding: Breeds in the Arctic region.
• Distribution In India: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Migration: Record-holder for non-stop flight: 13,500 km from Alaska to Tasmania in 11 days, flying over 50 km/h, losing nearly half its body weight.
• IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened.

Science and Technology  

CEA recognizes indigenously developed Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine Technology under Hydro Category -  PIB 

Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recognized Surface Hydrokinetic Turbine (SHKT) technology under the Hydro Category to drive innovations and explore alternate technologies to achieve net zero emission targets and ensure sustainable development of power sector for the nation,

HOW SCIENTISTS TOOK FIRST DETAILED IMAGE OF STAR OUTSIDE OUR GALAXY - Indian Express 

For the first time, scientists have succeeded in taking a zoomed-in picture of a star in another galaxy. The star, known as WOH G64, seems to be cloaked in an egg-shaped cocoon and is located 160,000 light years away in the Large Magellanic Cloud, one of the small galaxies that orbit the Milky Way.

WOH G64: The Largest Star in the Large Magellanic Cloud

• Size: WOH G64 is about 2,000 times the diameter of the Sun and is believed to be the largest star in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
• Life Stage: The star is in the final stages of its life, having shed its outer layer, now surrounded by gas and dust wreaths.
• Imminent Death: Massive stars like WOH G64 explode with energy equivalent to the Sun’s 10-billion-year lifespan. The star is showing signs of its imminent death, a phenomenon never previously observed.
• Star Collapse: When large stars exhaust their nuclear fuel, their cores collapse. Some form black holes, while others explode into supernovae, creating heavy elements like gold, silver, and uranium.

Delhi Reports 'Isolated' Case Of Japanese Encephalitis - Indian Express 

The national capital has reported an "isolated" case of Japanese Encephalitis, official sources said recently.

Japanese Encephalitis

• About: A severe viral zoonotic disease caused by the Japanese Encephalitis (B) virus.
• Transmission: Spread through Culex mosquitoes (Vishnui group) from infected animals, primarily pigs and certain birds (e.g., cattle egrets, pond herons), to humans; no human-to-human transmission.
• Occurrence: Common in rural Asia, especially during the monsoon season.
• Symptoms: Affects the brain, causing fever, headache, vomiting, neurological issues like confusion, seizures, and paralysis. Severe cases can result in permanent brain damage or death.
• Prevention: Key preventive measure; included in the Universal Immunisation Programme since 2013 (two doses). No specific antiviral treatment; early diagnosis and supportive care are essential.

Defence 

Indian Army Receives Advanced Sabal 20 Logistics Drone from EndureAir - Indian Express 

In a significant move to bolster the Indian Army’s logistical capabilities, the private drone manufacturer EndureAir has delivered its innovative Sabal 20 logistics drone to the Eastern theatre of operations.

INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES ‘EKLAVYA’ ONLINE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR OFFICERS’ TRAINING - PIB 

General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), launched an online learning platform for the Indian Army nicknamed as “Eklavya” today. 

India successfully tests K-4 nuclear-capable missile - PIB 

The Indian Navy successfully tested the K-4 ballistic missile from the INS Arighaat submarine, enhancing India's nuclear deterrence capabilities. 

K-4 Ballistic Missile

• About: A Nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of ~3,500 km powered by solid fuel and tested multiple times from submersible platforms.
• Development: Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Significance:
  • Strengthens India's nuclear triad (land-based, air-launched, and submarine-launched platforms).
  • Enhances India's nuclear deterrence and strategic capabilities.

INS Arighaat

• About: Commissioned in August 2024 as India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) after INS Arihant.
• Construction: Built at the Indian Navy's Ship Building Centre (SBC) in Visakhapatnam.
• Capabilities: Can carry:
  • Four K-4 SLBMs: Nuclear-capable with a range of 3,500+ km.
  • Twelve K-15 SLBMs: Conventional warhead missiles with a range of ~750 km.