Current Affairs 02 December 2025

Uttar Pradesh Govt. to Distribute 40,521 Solar Pumps in FY26.

• UP Govt to provide 40,521 subsidised solar pumps in FY26 under PM-KUSUM, with applications open on the agriculture department portal till 15 Dec.
• Allocation via e-lottery, requiring ₹5,000 token deposit and farmer registration before remaining payment confirmation.
• Subsidy support of ₹1–2.5 lakh (Centre + State) offered based on pump category to promote clean irrigation.

UN Warns of Extreme Heat Risks in Asian Megacities.

• Urban Heat Islands may add 2–7°C to Delhi, Karachi, Dhaka, Shanghai & Manila by 2100.
• India, Pakistan & Bangladesh may face 300+ days/year with a heat index >35°C, with many regions crossing 41°C extreme-danger levels for over 200 days.
• South & Southwest Asia show highest chronic exposure, with 40%+ population projected to endure severe to extreme heat across all future scenarios.

North-East India Discovers 13 New Bush Frog Species.

• Major biodiversity breakthrough with 13 new Raorchestes bush frog species identified across 8 NE states.
• Arunachal (6) & Meghalaya (3) lead findings, with species confirmed using DNA, morphology & bioacoustics located mostly in Namdapha, Eaglenest & Narpuh WLS.
• Raorchestes is a genus of frogs in Rhacophorinae subfamily found in mountains of South Asia, Southeast Asia & southern China.

Developing Nations Push "Meat Tax" on High-Income Countries at COP30.

• 28 low-income nations demand GHG pricing on industrial meat production by wealthy countries, citing overconsumption-driven emissions.
• Belém Declaration seeks 20% revenue for Loss & Damage Fund, applying polluter-pays principle to support vulnerable nations.
• African & Pacific signatories highlight livestock-linked climate risks, urging EU, OECD & China to adopt mandatory emission pricing.

HUDCO–NIUA Sign MoU for Urban Infra Development.

• Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited and National Institute of Urban Affairs signed MoU to collaborate on strengthening urban infrastructure, sustainable development and HUDCO’s Urban Invest Window (UiWIN).
• The Five-year non-binding framework partnership includes capacity-building, with joint seminars, workshops, research, monitoring and impact-assessment initiatives.