Explanation: Recently, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised a two-day Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Zonal Conference-cum-Stakeholder Consultation and Progress Review Workshop on 1920 January 2026 at Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, Pune. The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through NGOs. JSS Scheme provides non-formal vocational training to non-literate, neo-literate, school dropouts, and marginalised communities. Currently, 294 JSSs operate across 26 States and 7 UTs.

Explanation: Dhamtari district became the first in India to launch online tax collection through the SAMARTH Panchayat portal. The initiative was rolled out at Sankara Gram Panchayat in Nagri block, Chhattisgarh. A resident successfully paid property tax using a Unified Payments Interface (UPI)linked online gateway. The system allows rural citizens to pay taxes from home, reducing arrears and easing administration. It will cover nearly 400 gram panchayats in the district. Sankara became Indias first gram panchayat with end-to-end digital tax payment.

Explanation: Ahmedabad has been formally awarded the hosting rights of the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The decision was approved by delegates from 74 Commonwealth nations at the General Assembly in Glasgow, United Kingdom. This will be the second time India hosts the Games, after New Delhi in 2010, and supports India’s ambition to host the Olympics in 2036. Ahmedabad has upgraded sports infrastructure and the 2030 Games will feature 15–17 sports, celebrating Commonwealth sporting tradition.

Explanation: Google’s CEO announced Project Suncatcher, a long-term research plan to set up solar-powered data centers in space. The project aims to build satellite constellations that can perform large-scale machine learning using Google’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). These space-based data centers avoid the environmental impact created by Earth-based data centers. They also reduce risks from power outages, undersea cable failures, and natural disasters. The project supports data sovereignty because outer space is not under national jurisdiction as per the Outer Space Treaty of 1967.

Explanation: Mahaparinirvan Diwas is observed every year on 6 December to mark the death anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Dr Ambedkar passed away on 6 December 1956 and is remembered for fighting caste discrimination and promoting social justice. Thousands gathered at Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai to pay tributes, with flower petals showered and copies of the Constitution distributed. President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and other leaders offered floral tributes. The day inspires people to follow his ideals of equality, justice, and democracy.

Explanation: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) organized the Curtain Raiser for the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2025 in Gurugram, Haryana. The theme of this year’s event is “Urban Development and Mobility Nexus.” The focus is on integrated planning and sustainable transport solutions for better urban mobility. It aligns with the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) 2006, emphasizing equitable and sustainable systems. The main conference is held from 7th to 9th November 2025.

Explanation: In November 2025, the Government of Himachal Pradesh (HP) received the “People First Integration Award” from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India (GoI). The award was presented during the National Workshop and Conference on DigiLocker 2025 held in New Delhi. Ashish Singhmar, Secretary of the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance (DDT&G), accepted the award from S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY. The integration enhances citizen-centric governance by enabling secure, paperless, and transparent digital service delivery. It marks a key step toward building a unified and efficient digital ecosystem for public access in Himachal Pradesh

Explanation: Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary recorded over five lakh birds of about 200 species in the latest census, showing a 21% rise from 4.12 lakh birds in 2024. The increase is mainly due to no boating, reduced tourist movement, and very low noise pollution over the last two years. It is located around 64 kilometres west of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. “Nal Sarovar” means Tap Lake and it is a natural shallow lake with muddy lagoons and 36 small islets.

Explanation: 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.

Explanation: The two-day Black Swan Summit India has begun in Bhubaneswar, organised by the Odisha Government under the BharatNetra initiative. The summit aims to position Odisha as a hub for Artificial Intelligence, FinTech, and InsurTech. It seeks to translate the state’s Vision 2036–2047 into actionable outcomes in digital finance and advanced technologies. Nearly 100 speakers from five continents are participating. Skill development and employment are key themes, with a job fair for youth.