6 Pointers Today
Monday, 22 December 2025
High-Yield Daily Analysis
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Strategy Deep Dive
→National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025 (NFAP-2025)
Economy
CriticalGS-3
India–New Zealand Conclude Landmark Free Trade Agreement
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Context
India and New Zealand concluded a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement aimed at deepening trade, investment, services, and talent mobility aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
Prelims Pointers
- Zero-duty market access on 100% of India’s exports to New Zealand.
- Tariff liberalisation by India in 70% tariff lines covering 95% of bilateral trade.
- Binding commitment of USD 20 billion investment from New Zealand over 15 years.
- Covers 118 services sectors with MFN commitments in 139 sub-sectors.
Investment commitment: USD 20 billion
Visa quota: 5,000 professionals; 1,000 work & holiday visas
GS-3: External trade, MSMEs, services sector.
- Boosts labour-intensive exports and MSME integration into global value chains.
- Enhances talent mobility and services exports.
HighGS-3
Index of Eight Core Industries Grows 1.8% in November 2025
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Context
The Index of Eight Core Industries recorded a year-on-year growth of 1.8% in November 2025, driven by cement and steel production.
Prelims Pointers
- Eight core industries have 40.27% weight in IIP.
- Cement recorded 14.5% growth; steel 6.1%.
- Electricity generation declined by 2.2%.
Overall growth (Nov 2025): 1.8%
Cumulative growth (Apr–Nov 2025–26): 2.4%
GS-3: Industrial performance.
- Signals sector-wise divergence in industrial recovery.
- Highlights infrastructure-led growth.
Health
HighGS-2
WHO–Ayush Initiative to Integrate Traditional Medicine into ICHI
Ministry of Ayush
Context
WHO and Ministry of Ayush held a technical meeting to integrate Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems into the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
Prelims Pointers
- Based on MoU signed on 24 May 2025 between WHO and Ministry of Ayush.
- Develops standardized intervention codes for traditional medicine.
- WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre located in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Meeting dates: 20–21 December 2025
WHO regions represented: 6
GS-2: Health governance and soft power.
- Enables global recognition and evidence-based integration of traditional medicine.
- Strengthens India’s health diplomacy.
Agriculture
HighGS-3
Rabi Crop Coverage Increases in 2025–26
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Context
Rabi sowing area in 2025–26 increased by over 8 lakh hectares compared to the previous year, driven by pulses and oilseeds.
Prelims Pointers
- Total rabi area: 580.70 lakh hectares.
- Pulses area increased by 3.72 lakh hectares.
- Oilseeds acreage rose to 93.33 lakh hectares.
Increase over last year: 8.12 lakh hectares
Gram increase: 4.89 lakh hectares
GS-3: Food security and agriculture.
- Higher rabi coverage supports cereal and pulse self-sufficiency.
- Reflects improved input availability and farmer confidence.
Science & Technology
CriticalGS-3
DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator Prevents ₹660 Crore Cyber Losses
Ministry of Communications
Context
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) on DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform helped prevent cyber fraud losses worth ₹660 crore within six months.
Prelims Pointers
- Over 1,000 banks and payment institutions onboarded on DIP.
- FRI classifies mobile numbers into risk categories.
- Integrated with Sanchar Saathi citizen reporting.
Losses prevented: ₹660 crore
Onboarding entities: 1000+
GS-3: Cyber security and digital economy.
- Demonstrates inter-agency coordination against cybercrime.
- Empowers citizens through participatory governance.
Defense
HighGS-3
Indian Navy Receives Third ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Anjadip’
Ministry of Defence
Context
The third indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, Anjadip, was delivered to the Indian Navy.
Prelims Pointers
- Built by GRSE under PPP with L&T Shipyard.
- Over 80% indigenous content.
- Equipped with lightweight torpedoes and sonar.
Length: ~77 metres
Number planned: 8 vessels
GS-3: Maritime security.
- Enhances coastal and shallow-water anti-submarine capability.
- Strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
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