UPSC Daily Current Affairs| One Liners 18-12-2025

One Liners 18-12-2025

Polity & Governance

The draft Content Syndication Policy, 2025

Drafted by – Prasar Bharati, the government-owned national broadcaster.
Objectives –
To monetise content produced by
- Doordarshan and Akashvani;
- Archived national and regional content;
- Digital-first content published on Prasar Bharati’s OTT platform; and
- Live coverage of government events, festivals, and sports, among others.
- The content could be commissioned, co-produced, licensed, or owned by Prasar Bharati.
To make “strategic collaborations” with domestic and international platforms to expand the reach of Prasar Bharati’s content, and strengthen India’s cultural presence globally.
To provide for flexible licensing models, including a flat fee, revenue share, and minimum guarantee with revenue share.

Cooperatives University - “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University (TSU)

It is a national-level university in the cooperative sector, “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University (TSU), by converting the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).
Established by – Ministry of Cooperation.
Institution of national importance through – “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University Bill, 2025 by the Act of Parliament.
Launched 3 new MBA programmes in —
- Cooperative Management,
- Cooperative Banking & Finance and
- Agribusiness Management —from the current academic year.

International Relations and Issues

ICAR-INTA Work Plan 2025-27

Signed between – Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina.
Objectives –
- To strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research, capacity building, and technology exchange.
- To strengthen cooperation in sustainable agronomy, digital agriculture, and biotechnology through new work plan.
  - Work Plan includes germplasm exchange, expert engagements, and training in cutting-edge agricultural technologies.
- To focus on natural resource management, micro-irrigation, livestock improvement, and crop biotechnology.
- To deepen partnerships on oilseeds, pulses, mechanisation, and plant-animal health.

Economy

Rising North East Investers Summit, 2025

Organized by – Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Objective – To catalyse trade and investment in the North Eastern Region.
Investment harvested – Rs 4.48 lakh crore through Memoranda of Understanding (MoU), letters of intent, and qualified leads from private investors, public sector undertakings, and major industrial conglomerates.
Investment Areas – Tourism and Hospitality; Agro-Food Processing & allied sectors; Textiles, Handloom and Handicrafts; Healthcare; Education and Skill Development; IT/ITeS; Entertainment & Sports; Infrastructure and Logistics; and Energy.

Agriculture

Potato Supply Chain

MoU signed between – Banas Dairy and BBSSL.
Objectives –
- To establish a comprehensive “seed-to-market” potato value chain that facilitates the production of certified.
- Disease-free seed potatoes while promoting scientific cultivation methods.
- Contract farming arrangements and efficient market linkages.
MoU includes mechanisms to ensure -
- Production and supply of certified and disease-free seed potatoes,
- Equitable supply at competitive prices,
- Quality control and traceability,
- Farmer market linkage through Banas Dairy’s processing and marketing network,
- Buy-back arrangements wherever feasible, and
- Capacity building through training and extension services.
BBSSL will use Banas Dairy’s tissue culture and aeroponic facilities while Banas Dairy will provide technical and market support.
Significance – It aligns with the Government’s Sahakar Se Samriddhi vision by
- Fostering cooperative-to-cooperative collaboration,
- Improving farmer incomes,
- Strengthening market linkages, and
- Advancing modern agricultural practices, including certified seed production.

Organic Wheat and Tur Dal Cultivation

National Cooperative Organics Limited (NCOL) – Through its Bharat Organics brand, is ensuring that organic wheat and tur dal farmers get better prices, assured procurement, reduced input costs, stronger certification support, and nationwide market access.
Measures taken –
- Direct Procurement by Bharat Organics.
  - Transparent pricing
  - On-time payments
  - Reduction of post-harvest losses
  - No exploitation by middlemen
- MSP-plus Pricing.
- Assured Market Linkage.
- Cluster-Based Organic Farming Model.
- Certification & Traceability Support.
- Brand-Led Value Addition.
- Training & Capacity Building.

Environment

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Global experts chart the Future of Ashwagandha at WHO global traditional medicine summit.

ashwagandha

Security

Desert Cyclone II

Joint Military Exercise between – India-United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).
Aim – To enhance interoperability and further strengthen defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the U.A.E. Land Forces.
Focus on –
- Sub-conventional operations in an urban environment under a United Nations mandate,
- Enabling both forces to operate together in peacekeeping,
- Counter-terrorism and stability operations.
Significance –
- It reaffirms their shared commitment to regional peace, security and stability.
- It promotes mutual understanding of tactics, techniques and procedures and
- It contributes to the development of interoperable military capabilities.

INAS 335 (OSPREYS)

INAS 335 'The Ospreys' – 2^nd Indian Naval Air Squadron to operate MH 60R helicopters, was commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa.
Commissioning of – 1^st MH 60R Naval Air Squadron in Kochi, Kerala, in March 2024.
MH 60R – It is an all-weather, day and night capable helicopter.
Designed for – Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Search and rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP).
Significance – It significantly augment the Indian Navy’s integral aviation capabilities on the Western Seaboard.

Science

National Cooperative Database

Launched in – 2024.
Developed by – Ministry of Cooperation.
Objectives –
- To create a comprehensive repository of information on cooperative societies across country.
- To provide a single-point access to information on over 8.4 lakh cooperatives across the country.