20th DECEMBER 2025 ENGLISH TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF TNPSC SHOUTERS
Tamil Nadu Ranks First in India in Patent Filings
- According to the Indian patent registration data released by the Industry Guidance Bureau, Tamil Nadu has shown tremendous growth; it has achieved a new record with a 23 percent growth, a significant lead over other states.
- That is, Tamil Nadu has secured the first position in India in filing patents, reaffirming its status as the country's intellectual capital. Out of the total 68,201 patent applications filed across India, Tamil Nadu alone registered 15,440 patents.
- This accounts for approximately 23 percent of the total number in the country. It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu leads other states by a significant margin in obtaining patents.
- Compared to the previous financial year 2023-2024, patent filings increased from 9,565 to 15,440 in the financial year 2024-2025. This 62 percent growth reflects the rapid acceleration of indigenous innovations and research activities in the state.
- Tamil Nadu's strong research base, robust industrial strength, and the close integrated ecosystem between academic institutions and industries are the key factors contributing to this historic achievement.
- The Income Tax Department has announced that direct tax collection increased by 8% to Rs. 17.04 lakh crore during the period from April 1 to December 17, despite delays in processing net direct tax refunds. This includes over ₹8.17 lakh crore in corporate tax and ₹8.47 lakh crore in non-corporate tax.
- In the current financial year, revenue from securities transaction tax till December 17th stood at ₹40,195 crore. Meanwhile, refunds were 14% lower than the previous year, amounting to over ₹2.97 lakh crore.
- Based on Income Tax Department data, before adjusting for refunds, gross direct tax collections grew by 4.16% till December 17th, crossing ₹20.01 lakh crore. The government estimates that direct tax collections in the current financial year will increase by 12.7% compared to the previous year, reaching ₹25.20 lakh crore.
- The government has set a target of collecting approximately ₹78,000 crore from securities transaction tax in the 2026 financial year.
- ISRO successfully conducted crucial tests related to the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program on December 18th and 19th, 2025, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory operating in Chandigarh.
- These tests were aimed at evaluating the qualification and reliability of drogue parachutes, which will help safely reduce the speed of the Gaganyaan spacecraft during its return to Earth.
