Current Affairs 5 December 2025
National Statistical Commission
- Establishment: In 2005 by the Government of India as an autonomous institution through a Resolution, on the recommendations of Rangarajan Commission (2000).
- Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
- Membership:
- A part-time Chairperson (an eminent statistician or social scientist),
- four part-time Members with specific specializations,
- the CEO of NITI Aayog (ex-officio), and
- the Chief Statistician of India (Secretary to the Commission).
- Mandate: The NSC is responsible for identifying core statistics, evolving national policies and priorities, laying down quality standards, and exercising statistical coordination between Ministries.
The bill was recently passed in Lok Sabha to amend the Central Excise Act, 1944.
- Central excise duties on many items were repealed with the introduction of GST(2017), except for some items such as tobacco and tobacco products, liquor, petroleum.
- Along with GST, GST compensation cess was also introduced on products such as tobacco to compensate states for revenue loss due to GST.
- Thus, tobacco and tobacco products are currently subject to GST, compensation cess, and central excise duty.
- The compensation cess on tobacco and tobacco products is planned to be discontinued.
- Objective of Bill: To levy a higher excise duty on tobacco and related products once GST compensation cess ends to keep taxes on them at existing level.
- Excise duty is a form of indirect tax imposed by the central government. on domestic production of goods.
History of the Indian Navy
- Ancient Maritime Roots: India’s maritime tradition dates back over 4,000 years, with ancient civilisations like Harappa, Mohenjodaro and Lothal engaged in extensive sea trade with Africa, Arabia and Mesopotamia.
- By the 4th century BCE, India had advanced riverine and oceanic navigation; the word “navigation” comes from the Sanskrit Navagati.
- Indian traders, along with Hindu and Buddhist scholars, carried culture to Southeast Asia by the 1st century CE, shaping the region’s religious and cultural landscape.
- Medieval Maritime Power: Medieval Indian powers, including the Cholas, Zamorins and Marathas (Magadh navy), developed strong naval forces.
- The Maratha Navy under Kanhoji Angre challenged European powers along India’s west coast.
- European Naval Dominance: European arrival began with Vasco da Gama in 1498, introducing powerful blue-water navies (Portuguese, Dutch, British, French) that eventually dominated Indian waters.
- Rise of the Modern Indian Navy: The modern Indian Navy traces its roots to the Royal Indian Navy (RIN), established during British rule.
- Following India’s Republic status, the Navy dropped the “Royal” prefix and was renamed the Indian Navy.
- Leadership and Motto: The Indian Navy is headed by the President of India, who serves as its Supreme Commander.
- Its motto is “Sam No Varunah”, meaning may the god of the waters, Varuna, be auspicious to us.
- Role and Capabilities: Today, the Indian Navy is a multi-dimensional, blue-water force, focusing on maritime security, power projection, and safeguarding India’s interests across the Indo-Pacific.
- MARCOS (Marine Commandos) are the Navy’s elite special forces, trained for amphibious warfare, counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, hostage rescue, and asymmetric operations.
- Operations: The Navy expanded its capabilities post-independence, playing major roles in conflicts such as the 1961 liberation of Goa, 1971 Indo-Pak War (Operation Trident & Python) and modern maritime security operations.
World Trade Organization (WTO)
- WTO is an international institution formed to regulate the rules for global trade among nations.
- It was formed under the Marrakesh Agreement signed on 15th April 1994 by 123 countries after the Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), leading to the birth of WTO in 1995.
- WTO succeeded the GATT which had regulated world trade since 1948.
- Promotes free and fair trade, reduces tariff & non-tariff barriers, settles disputes.
- Has 166 members, covering 98% of global trade.
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.