UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025 covers important current affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims exam and MCQs on main articles

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the current affairs issue and help you think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of these issues. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background.

Table of Contents

GS Paper 2 : (UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025)

1. India–Russia Bilateral Relations

GS Paper 3:

2. Transforming India into a leading Quantum-Powered Economy

 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME):

1. Cybercrime Cases in India

Facts for Prelims (FFP):

1. Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA)

2. BNHS to Release Critically Endangered Vultures

3. Flight Duty Time Limitations Rules

4. AstroSat

5. Mahad Satyagraha

6. Military Exercises in News

 Mapping:

1. Karahan Tepe

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025

GS Paper 2:

India–Russia Bilateral Relations

Source:  TOI

Subject:  Bilateral Relations

Context: Russian President Vladimir Putin is on a state visit to India for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi, where he received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and held talks with Prime Minister of India.

About India–Russia Bilateral Relations:

• Nature of ties: India–Russia enjoys a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership” since 2010, upgraded from a Strategic Partnership in 2000, marked by high trust, defence dependence, and political convergence on multipolarity.
• Institutional structure: Relations are anchored in annual summits, the India–Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) with its TEC and M&MTC segments, the 2+2 dialogue, NSA-level talks, parliamentary exchanges and sectoral working groups.
• Strategic convergence: Both countries support a multipolar world, reform of global governance (UNSC expansion including India), and coordination in BRICS, SCO, G20, UN.

Key Areas of Cooperation:

1. Defence & Strategic Security:

1. • Legacy & current platforms: Russia remains India’s major defence partner – Su-30MKI, T-90 tanks, INS Vikramaditya, most submarines, and S-400 air defence system are of Russian origin or co-produced.
   • Joint R&D / production: Flagship projects include BrahMos cruise missile, licensed production of Su-30MKI and T-90, AK-203 assault rifles under “Make in India”, long-term military-technical cooperation programme 2021–31.
   • Exercises & operational cooperation: Regular joint exercises like INDRA (tri-services + naval), participation in large Russian drills (e.g., ZAPAD-2025), and Garuda-type engagements strengthen interoperability and strategic signalling.
   • Nuclear & space cooperation: Russia is India’s only foreign civil nuclear partner on the ground (e.g., Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant), and a key collaborator for Gaganyaan astronaut training and space-tech sharing.

2. Energy & Natural Resources:

1. • Hydrocarbons: Russia is a major supplier of discounted crude oil, gas and coking coal, pivotal during post-Ukraine sanctions turbulence. Indian companies have upstream stakes in Russian projects (e.g., Sakhalin).
   • Civil nuclear energy: Ongoing units and plans at Kudankulam underpin long-term baseload power and technology transfer.
   • New frontiers: Dialogue on LNG, critical minerals, Arctic energy, hydrogen and nuclear fuel cycle cooperation is expanding.

3. Trade, Connectivity & Economic Ties:

1. • Trade profile: Bilateral trade reached USD 68.7 billion in FY 2024–25, dominated by India’s imports of energy, fertilizers, and defence items; India exports pharmaceuticals, agri-products, chemicals and marine products.
   • Trade targets: Leaders have set a goal of USD 100 billion trade by 2030 and USD 50 billion mutual investments (energy, petrochemicals, banking, infrastructure, pharma).
   • Connectivity corridors: Joint work on International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, and interest in the Northern Sea Route to shorten transit times and bypass chokepoints.

4. Science, Technology & Space:

1. • S&T cooperation: Joint projects in basic sciences, nanotech, materials science, IT, AI, guided by an STI Roadmap (2021) aiming at commercialization and innovation ecosystems.
   • Space collaboration: Long-standing partnership including Gaganyaan astronaut training, satellite cooperation and potential joint missions; legacy goes back to early ISRO–Soviet launches.

5. Education, Culture & People-to-People Ties:

1. • Education: Over 20,000 Indian students study in Russia (especially medicine); multiple MoUs under EEP, RIN, SPARC, GIAN and growing scholarship exchanges (ITEC).
   • Cultural links: Indian films, Yoga, classical arts and festivals (e.g., Bharat Utsav, Indian Film Festival) remain popular in Russia, while Russian literature, art and academic exchanges are prominent in India.

Key Challenges in the Bilateral Relationship:

• Geopolitical Pressures & Ukraine War: Western sanctions, US/EU scrutiny and the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict complicate India’s balancing between Russia and the West, raising reputational and financial risks (payment channels, secondary sanctions).
• Trade Imbalance & Payment Issues: Trade is heavily skewed in Russia’s favour (large current account deficit for India); rupee–rouble settlement, frozen funds and banking connectivity remain unresolved.
• Over-Dependence on Russian Defence Supplies: Despite diversification, a significant share of Indian military platforms and spares is Russian; delays, sanctions, and Russia’s own wartime needs risk supply disruptions and slow modernization.
• Technological Transitions & Competition: India seeks cutting-edge defence and high-tech from Western/Japanese partners, sometimes beyond what Russia can offer, creating relative decline in Russia’s share of India’s procurement pipeline.
• Connectivity & Logistics Bottlenecks: INSTC, Chennai–Vladivostok corridor and Northern Sea Route face infrastructure, regulatory and financing constraints, and regional instability in West Asia/Caucasus can affect routes.

Way Ahead:

• Rebalance Economic Ties & Diversify Trade Basket: Push Indian exports in pharma, agri, textiles, machinery, IT services, resolve payment mechanisms, and set up dedicated India–Russia trade facilitation corridors and logistics parks.
• Deepen Co-production & Technology Sharing in Defence: Move from buyer–seller to joint design, IP sharing and export-oriented co-production (next-gen air defence, armour, naval platforms, engines, space and cyber).
• Fast-Track Connectivity Projects: Operationalise INSTC and Chennai–Vladivostok EMC with regular shipping services, digital documentation, customs harmonisation and PPP investments; explore Arctic shipping cooperation carefully.
• Cooperate on New-Age Technologies & Energy Transition: Launch joint missions in nuclear fuel cycle, small modular reactors (SMRs), green hydrogen, critical minerals, AI, quantum and cybersecurity to keep the partnership future-oriented.
• Strengthen People-to-People and Educational Links: Ease student mobility, mutual degree recognition, joint campuses, and expand cultural festivals, tourism, and academic chairs in each other’s universities.
• Institutionalise Strategic Dialogue Amid Global Flux: Use Annual Summits, 2+2, NSA dialogue and track-2 channels to manage differences on Ukraine, China, Indo-Pacific and sanctions while preserving strategic autonomy for both.

Conclusion:

India–Russia relations remain one of New Delhi’s most enduring strategic partnerships, built on defence, energy and political trust. The current summit amid global churn is an opportunity to rebalance ties beyond hydrocarbons and Soviet-era defence platforms towards technology, trade and connectivity. Managing external pressures while modernising and diversifying cooperation will decide whether the partnership stays “special and privileged” in substance, not just in name.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 December 2025 GS Paper 3:

Transforming India into a leading Quantum-Powered Economy

Context: NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub has released a comprehensive roadmap titled “Transforming India into a Leading Quantum-Powered Economy.”

 About Transforming India into a Leading Quantum-Powered Economy:

What It Is?

• It is a national strategic roadmap prepared by NITI Aayog (with IBM as knowledge partner) that lays out India’s 2035 vision for quantum computing, communication, sensing and materials, and details actions needed to build a globally competitive quantum ecosystem.

Key Highlights of the Report:

1. Vision for 2035: India Among Top 3 Quantum Economies: India aims to become a global leader with 10+ quantum startups achieving USD 100M+ revenue and capturing over 50% of the global quantum software market.
2. Deployment Across Strategic Sectors: Quantum tech should be deployed at scale across defence, healthcare, finance, mining, energy and national infrastructure by 2035.
3. Full Quantum Supply-Chain Participation: India must achieve “quantum Atmanirbharta” by contributing to quantum hardware, materials, processors, cryogenic systems, and software stacks, while becoming a net exporter.
4. Two-Phase Milestone Plan (2025–30 & 2030–35): Milestones include setting up testbeds, 50+ funded startups, sectoral pilots, PQC deployment, and later global leadership, export corridors and supply-chain dominance.
5. Workforce Expansion & Talent Readiness: The plan calls for a 10× expansion of quantum-skilled professionals within 2–3 years and making India a top-three global destination for quantum talent.
6. Focus on Standards, IP and Global Quantum Diplomacy: India will lead international standard-setting, secure market access through global partnerships, and establish quantum benchmarking consortia.
7. Large-Scale Adoption of Quantum-Resilient Cryptography: Mandatory planning for quantum-safe encryption in government systems, deployment of PQC testbeds, and integration into national cybersecurity architecture.
8. Strong Emphasis on Industry Participation & Innovation-to-Market Pipeline: The roadmap highlights quantum–HPC integration, sectoral pilots, cloud-based quantum services, accelerators and venture funding to build a strong private-sector ecosystem.

Opportunities for India:

• Leapfrog Advantage: Quantum is still nascent globally, giving India a rare chance to lead rather than catch up (greenfield trillion-dollar opportunity).
• High-Value Job Creation: Specialized jobs in algorithms, hardware, cryogenics, sensors, and quantum materials.
• Sectoral Productivity Boost: Logistics, finance, aviation, energy, pharma, and manufacturing can achieve massive optimization and cost savings through quantum advantage.
• Strategic Autonomy: Indigenous quantum communications, PQC and sensing will strengthen defence and national security.
• Export Leadership: Software, PQC libraries, cloud platforms, sensors and components for the Global South market.

Initiatives Already Taken:

• National Quantum Mission (2023–2031) with ₹6000+ crore to build quantum hubs, testbeds, and technologies.
• Start-up support via iDEX and NQM, early industry pilots, and India’s participation in international collaborations.
• Quantum communication trials, QKD networks, and sensing prototypes in strategic sectors.

Challenges Identified in the Report:

• Hardware Gaps & Import Dependence: India lacks domestic capability in quantum processors, cryogenic systems, quantum materials, and peripherals.
• Weak Basic Science & Low R&D Investment: India invests only ~0.65% of GDP in R&D; research quality and IP ownership remain low.
• Severe Skill Shortages: Shortage of experts in cryogenics, optics, microwave engineering, hardware–software co-design and techno-business skills.
• Risk-Averse Capital & Limited Industry Adoption: Deep-tech capital is scarce; industry awareness is low; procurement and audit processes hinder innovation.
• Global Geopolitical Risks: China’s dominance in materials, export controls by advanced economies, and global talent competition.

NITI Aayog Roadmap Recommendations:

• Build domestic quantum hardware & materials ecosystem: manufacturing for cryo-electronics, detectors, photonics, and processors.
• Set up quantum-specific standards, testbeds, and certification systems to ensure global interoperability.
• Massively scale quantum skilling through universities, online platforms, and national quantum education programmes.
• Accelerate industry pilots in logistics, aviation, energy, pharma, finance, and defence.
• Strengthen international quantum diplomacy for market access, supply-chain security and standards leadership.
• Ensure early transition to PQC across government and critical infrastructure.
• Create a national quantum venture fund and innovation-to-market accelerators.

Conclusion:

Quantum technology offers India a once-in-a-century opportunity to shape a frontier industry rather than chase it. With coordinated investment, strong R&D, global partnerships and aggressive industry adoption, India can rise as a top-three quantum economy by 2035. The roadmap provides a blueprint to secure technological leadership, economic competitiveness and national security in the coming quantum era.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025 Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Cybercrime Cases in India

Context: Cybercrime cases in India have surged sharply, rising from 52,000 in 2021 to over 86,000 in 2023, marking an increase of more than 33,000 cases, according to NCRB’s Crime in India 2023 report.

About Cybercrime Cases in India:

• What it is?
  • Cybercrime refers to offences committed using digital devices and networks, including fraud, identity theft, phishing, ransomware attacks, online harassment, and financial scams targeting citizens.
• Trends:

• • Cybercrime cases rose dramatically from 52,000 (2021) to 86,000 (2023), indicating a nationwide escalation.
  • Haryana recorded 751 cases, Himachal Pradesh 127 cases (up from 77), while Punjab saw a decline.
  • Delhi leads among UTs with 407 cases, followed by J&K with 185 cases.
  • The Centre has supported 20 states/UTs under the Nirbhaya Fund to improve cyber forensic capacity.

• Implications:

• • Highlights rising digital vulnerability as internet penetration and online financial transactions expand.
  • Strains law enforcement capacity due to increasing sophistication of cybercriminals.
  • Threatens citizen safety, financial systems, national security, and public trust in digital services.

Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus:

• GS Paper II – Governance & Government Policies

• • Cybersecurity frameworks, digital policies, MHA initiatives, Nirbhaya Fund assistance, challenges in law enforcement.

• GS Paper III – Internal Security

• • Cybercrime as an emerging internal security threat, cyber forensics, technological vulnerabilities, data protection.

• Ethics (GS Paper IV)

• • Ethical issues in technology misuse, citizen privacy, responsible digital behaviour, state accountability.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025 Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA)

Source:  TH

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Department of Posts has released a draft amendment to introduce DHRUVA, a UPI-like digital addressing system enabling users to share address “labels” such as name@entity.

About Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA):

What it is?

• DHRUVA is a national Digital Address Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) that standardises, digitises and virtualises physical addresses through secure, consent-driven sharing using UPI-like address labels.
• It builds on the DIGIPIN system to offer geocoded precision and interoperability across platforms.

Launched by: Draft policy introduced by the Department of Posts in 2025 for public consultation.

Aim:

• To create a unified, interoperable, secure, and user-controlled digital address ecosystem.
• To treat address-data management as a core public infrastructure similar to Aadhaar, UPI, and DigiLocker.
• To enable Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) for government, businesses, and citizens.

Key Features:

• UPI-like Address Labels: Users get a virtual address such as “name@entity”, which acts as a proxy for their physical address—reducing the need to fill address forms repeatedly.
• Consent-Based Access: Companies can access the user’s geocoded or textual address only with time-bound authorisation, ensuring strong privacy protection.
• DIGIPIN Backbone:

• • DIGIPIN = a 10-character alphanumeric geocode representing latitude–longitude.
  • Maps every 14 sq m patch of Indian territory (~228 billion unique pins).
  • Open-sourced and precise, especially for rural and hard-to-map areas.

• Address-as-a-Service (AaaS) Framework: Provides secure APIs for integrating address data across government agencies, logistics firms, fintech, e-commerce, etc.
• Institutional Architecture:

• • A Section 8 not-for-profit entity (NPCI-like) will administer the ecosystem.
  • Address Service Providers (ASPs) issue labels; Address Information Agents (AIAs) manage consent workflows.

• Interoperability & Private-Sector Participation: The system is voluntary—designed to attract e-commerce, gig platforms, financial services, and logistics companies.

BNHS to Release Critically Endangered Vultures

Source:  TH

Subject: Species in News

Context: BNHS will release six critically endangered vultures—slender-billed and white-rumped—into the wild in Assam in January 2026 as part of India’s long-term vulture recovery programme.

About BNHS to Release Critically Endangered Vultures:

About Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)

• What it is?
  • A critically endangered Old World vulture species native to South Asia, once widespread but now reduced to fragmented pockets.
• Habitat: Found in the Gangetic plains, Assam, northern Bangladesh, southern Nepal, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
  • Nests on tall trees in open areas near human settlements, slaughterhouses, and riverine landscapes.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered (since 2002) with fewer than ~870 mature individuals
• Key Characteristics:

• • Length 80–95 cm, wingspan 196–258 cm.
  • Darker head with a distinctively slender, narrow bill, long bare neck.
  • Grey plumage with pale rump; juveniles have white neck down.
  • No sexual dimorphism; solitary nesters; slow breeders (1 egg per clutch).
  • Feeds mainly on carrion, often alongside other vulture species.

About White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)

• What it is?
  • A medium-sized Asian vulture once commonly found across India; among the fastest-declining bird species in the world.
• Habitat: Occurs in cities, villages, plains, and open fields, nesting mainly on large trees or cliffs; often roosts near human habitation.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered due to catastrophic declines caused primarily by diclofenac poisoning in livestock carcasses.
• Key Characteristics:

• • Length 75–85 cm, wingspan 180–210 cm, weight 3.5–7.5 kg.
  • Dark plumage, white neck ruff, and distinct white patch on rump.
  • Highly visible white underwing coverts during flight.
  • Sexes similar; breeds from October to March, laying one thick-shelled egg.
  • Scavenges on carcasses, often feeding in mixed-species groups.

Flight Duty Time Limitations Rules

Source:  BS

Subject: Economy

Context: India’s aviation sector is facing major disruptions as the newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules have triggered large-scale flight cancellations and delays, especially at IndiGo, due to crew shortages and tighter fatigue norms.

About Flight Duty Time Limitations Rules:

• What it is?
  • FDTL refers to regulatory limits on how long pilots can be on duty, how many hours they may fly, the number of night operations they can perform, and the minimum rest required to prevent fatigue.
• Published by: Issued and enforced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under a revised framework notified in January 2024.
• Aim: To reduce fatigue-related safety risks, align Indian aviation with global norms, and ensure safer flight operations by regulating duty hours, night operations, and rest requirements.
• Features:
  • 48 hours of continuous weekly rest ensures pilots get sufficient uninterrupted recovery time, reducing cumulative fatigue that builds up over busy rosters and frequent night operations.
  • Night period extended to 00:00–06:00 increases protected rest hours for early-morning and late-night flights, which are biologically high-fatigue windows, strengthening safety margins.
  • Limit of two-night landings and two consecutive night duties reduce exposure to the most fatiguing tasks, preventing performance degradation during critical phases of flight.
  • Mandatory roster adjustments and fatigue reporting require airlines to redesign schedules and allow pilots to formally flag fatigue risks, making crew management more transparent and safety-driven.
  • Phased implementation by November 1, 2025 pushed airlines to overhaul long-standing scheduling practices and expand crew capacity to comply with the stricter fatigue-control framework.
• Significance:
• Enhances flight safety by scientifically addressing circadian fatigue.
• Aligns India with ICAO and international best practices.
• Improves pilot well-being and operational discipline.

AstroSat

Source:  DD News

Subject:  Science and Technology

Context: IIA celebrated 10 years of the UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) aboard AstroSat, marking a decade of major scientific discoveries.

About AstroSat:

• What it is?
  • AstroSat is India’s first dedicated astronomy satellite enabling simultaneous observations in UV, optical, soft X-ray and hard X-ray bands.
• Launched in: 2015 by PSLV-C30 into a 650 km orbit.
• Aim: To study cosmic sources across multiple wavelengths, track high-energy processes, and provide global-access astronomical data.
• Key Features:

• • Five scientific payloads covering 0.3–100 keV + UV bands.
  • Enables simultaneous multi-wavelength imaging, unique among space observatories.
  • High pointing stability and long-duration exposure capabilities.
  • Data processed and archived by ISSDC, Bylalu; mission operated by ISTRAC, Bengaluru.
  • Minimum designed life: 5 years, extended far beyond.

About Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT):

• What it is?
  • A twin-telescope UV imager aboard AstroSat capable of near-UV, visible, and far-UV observations.
• Features:

• • Spatial resolution better than 1.5 arcseconds (among the world’s best in UV imaging).
  • Two telescopes: NUV+Visible and FUV channels.
  • Developed by a national consortium led by IIA, with ISRO centres.

• Significance:

• • India’s first UV space telescope, second globally in FUV capability after Hubble.
  • Enabled major discoveries: hot companions of Be stars, blue stragglers, UV disks in dwarf galaxies, novae in Andromeda, AGN UV–X-ray correlations.

Mahad Satyagraha

Source:  TH

Subject:  History

Context: The Mahad Satyagraha has returned to public discourse as scholars revisit its profound role in shaping constitutional morality and human rights ethics in India.

About Mahad Satyagraha:

What it is?

• A historic non-violent movement led by B. R. Ambedkar asserting Dalit rights to access public water and reject caste-based exclusion—one of India’s earliest human rights struggles.

Launched in: March 19–20, 1927 (Mahad 1.0) and December 25–26, 1927 (Mahad 2.0) at Mahad, Bombay Presidency (now Raigad, Maharashtra).

Causes:

• Denial of access to public water sources such as the Chavdar Tank due to caste-based untouchability.
• 1923 Bole Resolution legally allowed Dalits to use public facilities, but local caste elites resisted implementation.
• Rising caste violence in villages like Goregaon and Dasgaon reinforcing the need for collective assertion of rights.

Key Features of Mahad Satyagraha:

• Assertion of Civil Rights: Ambedkar and thousands of followers marched to Chavdar Lake and drank water to affirm equality as a human right.
• Challenge to Brahmanical Hegemony: Upper castes performed “purification rituals,” prompting Ambedkar’s stronger mobilisation in Mahad 2.0.
• Burning of Manusmriti: On December 25, 1927, Ambedkar symbolically rejected the scriptural basis of caste oppression.
• Birth of Constitutional Morality: Ideas of liberty, equality, fraternity—later embedded in the Constitution—were explicitly articulated at Mahad.
• Participation of Women: Ambedkar addressed women directly, making gender equality central to the anti-caste struggle.
• Non-violent Democratic Protest: Inspired by the French Revolution’s ideals, but rooted in Buddhist ethics of dignity and maitri (compassion).

Outcome:

• Legal victory (1937): Courts held no valid custom existed to bar Dalits from public tanks, affirming equal civic rights.
• Strengthened Dalit political consciousness: Mahad became the birthplace of a new rights-based movement.
• Foundation for later struggles: Directly influenced Ambedkar’s arguments in Annihilation of Caste and shaped the moral core of India’s Constitution.
• December 25 recognised as Indian Women’s Liberation Day, reflecting the gendered nature of Ambedkar’s social revolution.

Military Exercises in News

Source:  PIB

Subject: Defence

Context: Two major military exercises were in focus: Exercise Garuda 25 between India and France concluded in France, while Exercise Garuda Shakti 2025 between India and Indonesia commenced in Himachal Pradesh.

About Military Exercises in News:

About Exercise Garuda 25:

• Host: Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France
• Nations Involved: India (IAF) and France (French Air & Space Force – FASF)
• Key Features:

• • IAF deployed Su-30MKI, IL-78 air-to-air refuellers, and C-17 Globemaster III.
  • Conducted complex missions including strike, escort, air refuelling, and coordinated operations.
  • Included joint mission planning, tactical execution, and exposure to each other’s SOPs.
  • Ensured high aircraft serviceability through IAF maintenance teams.
  • Reinforced Indo–French strategic partnership and improved interoperability in high-end air combat.

About Exercise Garuda Shakti 2025:

• Host: Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh
  Nations Involved: India (PARA SF) and Indonesia (Indonesian Special Forces)
• Key Features:

• • Focus on counter-terrorism tactics, unarmed combat, combat shooting, sniping, and heliborne ops.
  • Training on drone warfare, counter-UAS, and loiter-munition planning in semi-mountainous terrain.
  • Includes sharing expertise on weapons, equipment, and operational procedures.
  • Culminates in a validation exercise simulating real-operation scenarios for testing readiness.

UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 5 December 2025 Mapping:

Karahan Tepe

Source:  TH

Subject: Mapping

Context: Archaeologists in Türkiye have unearthed new carved human faces, including the first-ever human-faced T-shaped pillar, at the Neolithic site of Karahan Tepe, dating back 11,000 years.

About Karahan Tepe:

• What it is?
  • Karahan Tepe is a major Pre-Pottery Neolithic archaeological site and one of the 12 settlements in Türkiye’s Taş Tepeler (Stone Hills) project, believed to be among the world’s earliest ritual-residential complexes.
• Located in: Sanliurfa Province, southeastern Türkiye, near the Syrian border—close to the globally renowned Göbekli Tepe.
• Features:

• • Dates from ~9400 to 8000 BCE; inhabited for ~1,500 years.
  • Built on a limestone plateau between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
  • Consists of residential structures, ritual enclosures, and T-shaped monoliths.
  • Represents one of the earliest known symbolic and communal societies, predating widespread agriculture.

• Major Discoveries:

• • First human face carved on a T-shaped pillar, with deep-set eyes and angular features.
  • Stone figurines including stitched-lip sculptures, expressive stone faces, and symbolic serpentinite beads.
  • Anthropomorphic pillars with carved arms, hands, belts, fur garments.
  • A 2.3-m tall male statue and multiple mythic-animal-human hybrid carvings.
  • Evidence of a highly organised society with distinct symbolic and ritualistic practices.

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