4.5/5
Current Affairs 01st December 2025
1. Kolkata Knight Riders legend Andre Russell retires from IPL
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Immediate Transition to Coaching Role: Andre Russell is not leaving the franchise entirely. He will be joining the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) support staff for the 2026 season as their new "Power Coach," a role created specifically for him.
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Timing and Reason for Retirement: Russell announced his retirement after he was reportedly released by KKR ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction. He stated that he did not want to "fade out" and preferred to leave a legacy, choosing to step away while still at the top of his game. Crucially, he expressed a deep loyalty, saying it felt "weird" and gave him "sleepless nights" seeing himself photoshopped in any jersey other than KKR's purple and gold.
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Continued Global T20 Participation: While he has retired from the IPL (and international cricket), Russell confirmed he will continue playing in various other T20 leagues around the world, including other KKR-owned franchises.
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Following in Kieron Pollard's Footsteps: Russell is transitioning into a non-playing role with the franchise he spent his prime years with, similar to his Caribbean contemporary Kieron Pollard, who also retired from the IPL and became the batting coach for the Mumbai Indians.
2. Crisil Revises India’s FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7%
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Strong First-Half Performance (Primary Driver): The revision is primarily based on India's stronger-than-expected economic performance in the first half of FY26 (April to September 2025), which clocked a robust growth of approximately 8.0%. The second quarter (Q2) growth of 8.2% particularly exceeded expectations.
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Resilient Domestic Consumption: A key factor driving this growth is strong and resilient Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE). CRISIL notes that consumption demand is robust, supported by lower inflation (which has boosted purchasing power) and the positive effects of tax cuts and GST rationalisation.
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Manufacturing and Services Momentum: The supply side of the economy showed significant strength, with both the Manufacturing and Services sectors registering a substantial rise in activity, indicating broad-based economic recovery and momentum.
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Uptick in Private Investment: While government capital expenditure (capex) has been a stable driver, CRISIL is seeing early signs of a belated pickup in private sector investment. Healthy corporate balance sheets and high capacity utilization are creating a conducive environment for renewed private capital expenditure.
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Risks andCaveats: Despite the positive revision, CRISIL's forecast for the second half (H2) of FY26 is a modest slowdown to around 6.1%.
3. World Bank Group appoints Paschal Donohoe as MD & CKO
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Dual Role and Significance: Donohoe has been appointed to the newly created and significant position of Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer (MD & CKO). This effectively places him in a highly strategic role within the WBG's senior leadership, working closely with President Ajay Banga.
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Focus on the 'Knowledge Bank': As the Chief Knowledge Officer, his primary responsibility will be to lead the shaping, managing, and leveraging of the World Bank Group's "Knowledge Bank." This involves ensuring the institution's vast research, data, and policy advice are effectively used to develop proven, scalable solutions for member countries.
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Extensive Political and Financial Background: Donohoe's selection is heavily influenced by his high-level experience as Ireland's Minister for Finance (a position he resigned from to take the WBG role). Crucially, he also served as the President of the Eurogroup, the body comprising the finance ministers of the Eurozone states, for several terms.
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Leveraging Private Sector Expertise: World Bank Group President Ajay Banga highlighted Donohoe's unique combination of public and private sector experience. Prior to entering politics, Donohoe worked for nearly a decade at Procter & Gamble, which is expected to be invaluable in mobilizing private capital and understanding how financial and technology firms operate.
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Strategic Engagement and Outreach: The role also encompasses significant external-facing responsibilities. He will be responsible for the World Bank Group's strategic engagement.
4. Rohit Sharma Writes History with Most Sixes in ODI Cricket
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Record Broken: Rohit Sharma surpassed the long-standing record held by former Pakistan captain ShahidAfridi (351 sixes) to become the batsman with the most sixes in ODI cricket history.
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The Milestone Match: Rohit broke the record during the first ODI of the series against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, November 30, 2025. He needed just three sixes entering the match, reaching the new benchmark with his 352nd six.
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Achieved in Fewer Innings: The most significant aspect of his record is his efficiency. Rohit achieved the feat in just 270 innings (and 277 matches), which is a staggering 100 fewer innings than ShahidAfridi took (369 innings) to hit his 351 sixes.
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Triple World Record Holder: This achievement adds to his legacy as a premier white-ball power-hitter. Rohit is now the record-holder for the most sixes in all three international formats combined (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).
5. Indian team won Silver medal in Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
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Runners-up in the Final: India finished as runners-up after losing the final match to Belgium. The tournament was held in Ipoh, Malaysia.
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Narrow Final Margin: The final was a highly competitive, low-scoring affair, with India losing by a score of 1-0. The lone goal was scored by Belgium's ThibeauStockbroekx in the 34th minute.
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Belgium's Maiden Title: The victory marked a historic moment for the winner, as it was Belgium's maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title in only their second appearance at the tournament.
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Second Successive Silver Finish: This result marks a second successive Runners-up finish for India in the SAH Cup. Their previous appearance in 2019 also ended with a silver medal after a final loss to the Republic of Korea.
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Strong Performance by Young Squad: The Indian squad, which was led by Captain Sanjay, featured many young and upcoming players, with several senior members rested.
6. SipanGarg Takes Additional Charge as CMD of THDC India Ltd
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Nature of the Appointment: Sipan Kumar Garg has assumed the additional charge as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of THDC India Limited. This is a temporary arrangement to ensure continuity in leadership.
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Continuity of Existing Role: He continues to hold his full-time position as Director (Finance) of THDC India Limited, a role he has been serving in since August 2024. He also holds the additional charge of Director (Finance) in SJVN Ltd.
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Reason for the Vacancy: The need for an interim CMD arose due to the unfortunate and sudden demise of the former CMD, R K Vishnoi, on November 15, 2025.
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Duration and Mandate: As an official order, the additional charge is assigned for a period of three months (effective from November 16, 2025), or until a full-time incumbent is appointed, or until further orders are issued.
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Extensive Sector Experience: ShriGarg is a highly qualified finance professional (CA, CMA, CS, LL.B) with over 24 years of experience in the power sector.
7. Vice Adm. Sanjay Sadhu Assumes Charge as CWP&A
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Key Role and Designation: Vice Admiral Sadhu took charge as the Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A) on November 28, 2025. The CWP&A is a crucial position responsible for all matters relating to the acquisition and indigenous production of warships and submarines for the Indian Navy, directly impacting the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative in defence.
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Succession: He succeeded Vice Admiral RajaramSwaminathan, AVSM, NM, who superannuated (retired) on November 30, 2025, after 38 years of distinguished service.
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Extensive Technical Background: Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987, Vice Admiral Sadhu is a technical specialist with a Post-Graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies. His prior appointments included heading two major Naval Dockyards (Mumbai and Visakhapatnam) and serving as the Chief Staff Officer (Technical) for both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands.
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Involvement in Major Projects: A significant part of his career involved the modernization and acquisition of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya from Russia, where he held various project roles.
8. Temasek appoints Former DBS CEO Piyush Gupta as India Chairman
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Nature of the Role: Piyush Gupta has been appointed as the non-executive Chairman, Temasek India. This is an advisory role, effective from December 1, 2025, where he will provide strategic counsel rather than daily executive management.
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Extensive Banking Pedigree: His appointment is significant because of his previous role as the long-serving CEO of DBS Group (2009–2025). During his tenure, he was credited with spearheading the bank's renowned digital transformation and expansion across Asia, bringing vast experience in finance, technology, and regional growth strategy.
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Signal of India's Importance to Temasek: The appointment of a high-profile industry veteran like Gupta underscores Temasek's deep commitment to India. The firm's mark-to-market exposure in India stood at about $50 billion in FY25, making it one of its fastest-growing and most crucial markets globally.
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Alignment with Growth Sectors: Temasek's investments in India focus heavily on financial services, technology, healthcare, and digital infrastructure.
9. RITES Wins CEAI Award for USBRL Engineering Innovation
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Award Category: RITES Limited was conferred the CEAI National Award in the 'Engineering Innovation and Sustainability' category. This recognizes not just technical excellence but also the environmentally conscious and long-term viability of their solutions.
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Project Context (USBRL): The award specifically recognizes RITES' critical contribution to the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL) project.
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Work on Iconic Bridges: A key highlight of their work involved critical structural assessment for the project's engineering marvels. RITES conducted Technical Audits for 25 bridges, including the world's highest railway arch bridge, the Chenab Bridge, and the equally vital AnjiKhad Bridge.
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Focus on Long-Term Safety: The company's innovative work included implementing advanced Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems for two of the most critical bridges. This ensures continuous, real-time assessment of the structures' performance, enhancing safety and sustainability.
10. World AIDS Day observed on 01st December
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Date of Observance: World AIDS Day is observed annually on December 1st. It was the first-ever global health day initiated in 1988 by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Official Theme (2025): The theme for World AIDS Day 2025 is “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response.” This theme emphasizes the need to safeguard progress made in HIV services, particularly against the backdrop of global crises (like pandemics and funding cuts), and highlights the need for a resilient, equitable, and community-led approach.
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Symbol of Solidarity: The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. It is widely worn on this day to demonstrate commitment to the fight against AIDS and to combat the pervasive stigma and discrimination surrounding the virus.
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Global Goal: World AIDS Day is a major platform to push for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which aims to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
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