Current Affairs 8 December 2025
RBI Announces OMO Purchases to Support Liquidity and Rupee Stability
- RBI announced ₹1 trillion OMO purchases and a $5 billion dollar–rupee swap.
- OMOs involve buying or selling government securities to manage liquidity.
- Rupee depreciation increases demand for dollars, tightening liquidity.
- Policy repo rate stands at 5.25%, guiding short-term monetary conditions.
The 11th India International Science Festival (IISF)
- 11th IISF will be held from 6–9 December 2025 in Panchkula, Haryana.
- Theme: “Vigyan Se Samruddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
- Over 150 technical sessions and 40,000+ participants expected.
- Organised by Ministry of Earth Sciences and coordinated by IITM Pune.
India–Malaysia Joint Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025
- Exercise Harimau Shakti 2025 is the fifth edition of the bilateral drill.
- Held at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan, from 5–18 December 2025.
- Indian troops from the Dogra Regiment; Malaysian troops from 25th Battalion RMA.
- Focus: Sub-conventional operations under UN Chapter VII.
India Announces Free 30-Day E-Visa for Russian Citizens
- India will offer free 30-day e-tourist and group tourist visas to Russian nationals.
- Applications will be processed within 30 days at no cost.
- Both countries will cooperate on maritime training for polar operations.
- Critical minerals and civil nuclear energy remain priority areas of bilateral engagement.
Odisha to Host Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Puri
- GELS 2025 will be held in Puri, Odisha, from December 5–7.
- The theme is “Powering India: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation.”
- Participants include Union and State energy ministers, policymakers, and industry leaders.
- Key topics include green hydrogen, digital grid security, and small modular nuclear reactors.
India, Maldives Begin 14th Edition of Exercise Ekuverin 2025
- Ekuverin 2025 is held in Thiruvananthapuram from December 2–15.
- The exercise trains for CI/CT operations in jungle, semi-urban and coastal terrain.
- “Ekuverin” means “friends” in Dhivehi.
- India and Maldives also conduct Ekatha (bilateral) and Dosti (trilateral with Sri Lanka).
Tamil Nadu Gains Five New GI Tags for Traditional Products
- Tamil Nadu now has 74 GI-tagged products.
- New GI items include Woraiyur sarees, Thooyamalli rice, Ambasamudram toys, Namakkal stoneware and Kavindapadi country sugar.
- GI tags help preserve regional heritage and boost artisan and farmer incomes.
- Poompuhar and state agricultural bodies played key roles in securing these registrations.