Daily Current Affairs December 17

Dear Champions, as you all know that a lot of competitive exams have been notified consequently. Candidates have to prepare themselves according to the level of competition and expectation of the Recruitment board. Regarding that one of the most important topic is Daily Current Affairs December 17. Current Affairs in the form of contemporary events of national & international play a crucial role in almost every competitive exams like Banking, Insurance, SSC, UPSC, TNPSC, Railway etc.

Current affairs are the most dynamic yet scoring among all sections and need to be prepared from the right source. Here, we cafunsta team, providing Daily GK Updates, Current Affairs Questions, and Monthly current affairs pdf.

TO PURCHASE OUR BANKING AWARENESS (Latest Edition) – CLICK HERE

December 17 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Sports – Daily Current Affairs December 17

1. Who won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award at the FIFA Best Football Awards 2025?
A) Lamine Yamal
B) Kylian Mbappe
C) Ousmane Dembele
D) Erling Haaland
E) Jude Bellingham
Answer: C) Ousmane Dembele

Event and Location:

• Event: FIFA Best Football Awards 2025
• Location: Doha, Qatar
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: FIFA hosted its annual Best Football Awards to honour top performers in global men’s and women’s football, including players, coaches, goalkeepers, and fans.
• Objectives: To recognise excellence, sportsmanship, and iconic moments in world football over the 2024–25 season.

Important Terms Explained:

• FIFA Best Football Awards: An annual award event by FIFA recognising outstanding football players, coaches, and fans globally.
• Puskás Award: Awarded for the best goal scored in men’s football during the year.
  Marta Award: Named after Brazilian footballer Marta, this award honours the best goal in women’s football.

Tabular Summary:

---

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs December 17

2. As per new NPS rules by PFRDA, non-government subscribers with over ₹12 lakh corpus can now withdraw up to what percentage as lump sum?
A) 60%
B) 75%
C) 80%
D) 100%
E) 50%
Answer: C) 80%

Event and Location:

• Event: PFRDA revises NPS withdrawal rules for non-government subscribers
• Location: India
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: PFRDA has revised the withdrawal limits for non-government NPS subscribers, allowing higher lump sum withdrawals above ₹12 lakh corpus.
• Objectives: To offer greater flexibility, improve retirement planning, and make the system more responsive to individual financial needs.

Important Terms Explained:

• PFRDA: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority, a statutory body regulating India’s pension sector.
• National Pension System (NPS): A voluntary retirement savings scheme regulated by PFRDA that allows systematic savings during working life.
• Annuity: A financial product that provides regular income to the subscriber post-retirement from the remaining pension corpus.

Tabular Summary:

---

3. Google launched its first-ever global credit card in partnership with which Indian bank and on which payment network?
A) HDFC Bank and Mastercard
B) Axis Bank and Visa
C) SBI and RuPay
D) Axis Bank and RuPay
E) ICICI Bank and RuPay
Answer: D) Axis Bank and RuPay

Event and Location:

• Event: Google launches first global co-branded credit card
• Location: India
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Google, in collaboration with Axis Bank, has launched a co-branded credit card on the RuPay network, with UPI integration and instant rewards.
• Objectives: To enhance credit card-based digital payments, enable UPI credit card usage, and offer a seamless and rewarding user experience within India’s digital ecosystem.

Important Terms Explained:

• RuPay: An Indian card payment network launched by NPCI, designed to promote domestic card usage and reduce dependence on international card networks like Visa and Mastercard.
• UPI (Unified Payments Interface): A real-time digital payment system that enables peer-to-peer and merchant transactions through mobile apps using bank accounts.
• NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India): An umbrella organisation for operating retail payment systems in India, responsible for developing UPI, RuPay, and other payment innovations.

Tabular Summary:

---

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs December 17

4. Which company is setting up Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India by 2029?
A) Goldman Sachs
B) HSBC
C) JP Morgan
D) Citi Bank
E) Morgan Stanley
Answer: C) JP Morgan

Event and Location:

• Event: JP Morgan announces Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre
• Location: Powai, Mumbai, India
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: JP Morgan will set up a 2 million sq ft Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai’s Powai, expected to house 30,000 employees by 2029.
• Objectives: To expand global banking operations, drive innovation, and reinforce India’s status as a premier hub for financial services and digital capabilities.

Important Terms Explained:

• Global Capability Centre (GCC): An offshore facility operated by multinational corporations to perform key business functions like IT, finance, risk management, and innovation support.
• JP Morgan: A leading American multinational financial services firm offering investment banking, asset management, and other financial services globally.
• Powai, Mumbai: A major business and tech hub in India, increasingly known for housing corporate and digital infrastructure of global firms.

Tabular Summary:

---

Appointments – Daily Current Affairs December 17

5. Who won the 2025 Chilean presidential election with 58.16% of the vote?
A) Jeannette Jara
B) Gabriel Boric
C) Sebastián Piñera
D) José Antonio Kast
E) Ricardo Lagos
Answer: D) José Antonio Kast

Event and Location:

• Event: José Antonio Kast elected as President of Chile
• Location: Chile, South America
• Date: December 2025 (Election); Assumes office on 11 March 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: José Antonio Kast won Chile’s 2025 presidential election with 58.16% of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara.
• Objectives: His administration aims to curb illegal immigration, reduce crime, enhance border control, and stabilise the economy through reduced government expenditure.

Important Terms Explained:

• Right-Wing Politics: A conservative political ideology favouring law and order, national security, and limited government intervention in the economy.
• Illegal Immigration: The act of entering or residing in a country without proper legal authorization. A major campaign issue for Kast.
• Presidential System: A form of government where the President is both head of state and government, separate from the legislature.

Tabular Summary:

---

6. Until which date has Ashwini Kumar Tewari’s tenure as SBI Managing Director been extended?
A) January 27 2026
B) December 31 2026
C) December 31 2027
D) January 1 2028
E) March 31 2027
Answer: C) December 31 2027

Event and Location:

• Event: Tenure of SBI MD Ashwini Kumar Tewari extended by two years
• Location: State Bank of India (SBI), Pan India
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Government of India re-appointed Ashwini Kumar Tewari as Managing Director of State Bank of India (SBI) until December 31, 2027.
• Objectives: To ensure leadership continuity, maintain strategic stability, and support ongoing financial reforms and digital initiatives at India’s largest public sector bank.

Important Terms Explained:

• Managing Director (MD): A top executive who oversees day-to-day operations and strategy execution in large organisations like banks.
• SBI (State Bank of India): India’s largest public sector bank, governed by a Chairman and four MDs managing different business segments.
• Superannuation: The retirement age or official end of service; Tewari’s new term ends on his superannuation date.

Tabular Summary:

---

Awards – Daily Current Affairs December 17

7. Who became the first global Head of State to receive Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia”?
A) Joe Biden
B) Rishi Sunak
C) Emmanuel Macron
D) Narendra Modi
E) Abiy Ahmed
Answer: D) Narendra Modi

Event and Location:

• Event: PM Modi conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour
• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • PM Narendra Modi was conferred the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, the highest civilian award of Ethiopia.
• Objectives:
  • To honour exceptional contributions to India–Ethiopia relations, highlight strategic partnership, and acknowledge global diplomatic leadership.

Important Terms Explained:

• The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s highest civilian award conferred for strengthening the country’s global partnerships.
• Strategic Partnership: A formal recognition of enhanced cooperation between two countries across economic, security, and cultural domains.
• Global South: A term used to describe developing nations, including India and Ethiopia, with shared development priorities.

Tabular Summary:

---

8. Which Indian film has been shortlisted among the final 15 films for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars 2026?
A) The White Tiger
B) Court
C) Homebound
D) Lunchbox
E) Newton
Answer: C) Homebound

Event and Location:

• Event: Indian film Homebound shortlisted for Oscars 2026 Best International Feature
• Location: Global (Academy Awards selection process)
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) shortlisted Homebound, India’s official entry, among the final 15 films in the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026).
• Objectives: To recognise outstanding non-English international cinema and select five final nominees through a competitive, multi-stage global voting process.

Important Terms Explained:

• Academy Awards (Oscars): Annual global film awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognising excellence in cinematic achievements across multiple categories.
• Best International Feature Film: An Oscar category honouring feature-length films produced outside the United States with predominantly non-English dialogue, with one official entry allowed per country.
• AMPAS: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the governing body that conducts Oscar voting and selection processes.

Tabular Summary:

---

9. Which Indian organization became the first from India to receive the IEEE SA Corporate Award in 2025?
A) ISRO
B) DRDO
C) C-DOT
D) BARC
E) NIC
Answer: C) C-DOT

Event and Location:

• Event: C-DOT wins two IEEE SA Awards for 2025
• Location: New Jersey, USA
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • C-DOT was awarded the IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025 and Mr. Sandeep Kumar Agarwal received the IEEE SA Standards Medallion Award.
• Objectives:
  • To recognize C-DOT’s pioneering work in advancing wireless broadband, rural 5G, telecom education, and international standards; and to honour individual contributions to global standardization efforts in rural broadband.

Important Terms Explained:

• IEEE SA (Standards Association):
  • A global unit under IEEE that develops international standards across industries including telecom, AI, and electronics.
• C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics):
  • India’s premier telecom R&D centre working on indigenous technology development for initiatives like Digital India, Make in India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
• IEEE SA Corporate Award:
  • Awarded to organizations showing outstanding leadership in advancing IEEE standards.
• IEEE SA Standards Medallion:
  • An individual award recognising major contributions and leadership in standards development.

Tabular Summary:

---

International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 17

10. During PM Modi’s first visit to Ethiopia in December 2025, how many MoUs were signed between India and Ethiopia?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
E) One
Answer: B) Three

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of three MoUs between India and Ethiopia during PM Modi’s visit
• Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India and Ethiopia signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering customs cooperation, data centre establishment, and UN peacekeeping collaboration during PM Modi’s official visit.
• Objectives: To boost bilateral trade transparency, strengthen diplomatic digital infrastructure, and deepen cooperation in global peacekeeping efforts under the UN framework.

Important Terms Explained:

• MoU (Memorandum of Understanding): A formal agreement between two or more parties outlining mutual commitments and areas of cooperation.
• Customs Cooperation: A bilateral arrangement aimed at preventing customs offences, improving information exchange, and facilitating smoother cross-border trade logistics.
• UN Peacekeeping Cooperation: Agreement to strengthen joint participation, training, and knowledge sharing in United Nations peacekeeping missions, where both nations contribute significantly.

Tabular Summary:

---

11. What is the duration of the India–Argentina ICAR–INTA Work Plan signed in December 2025?
A) 2024–2026
B) 2023–2025
C) 2025–2027
D) 2026–2028
E) 2025–2029
Answer: C) 2025–2027

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of ICAR–INTA Work Plan 2025–27 for agricultural cooperation
• Location: India–Argentina bilateral platform
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Signing of a bilateral work plan between India’s ICAR and Argentina’s INTA to strengthen cooperation in agricultural research, technology exchange, and capacity building.
• Objectives: To promote sustainable agriculture, digital innovation, biotechnology, and knowledge sharing across key areas such as natural resource management, crop and livestock improvement, and phytosanitary measures.

Important Terms Explained:

• ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research): India’s premier body for coordinating agricultural education and research under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE).
• INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria): Argentina’s National Institute of Agricultural Technology responsible for agricultural innovation and rural development.
• Germplasm Exchange: The transfer of genetic material (seeds, plant material) between countries or institutions to improve crop diversity, resilience, and productivity.

Tabular Summary:

---

12. Which country is entering its first Free Trade Agreement in nearly two decades with India, as announced in 2025?
A) UAE
B) Oman
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Bahrain
E) Qatar
Answer: B) Oman

Event and Location:

• Event: India–Oman Free Trade Agreement announcement and India–Oman Business Forum
• Location: Muscat, Oman
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • To enhance bilateral economic cooperation through a new Free Trade Agreement between India and Oman, coinciding with 70 years of diplomatic ties.
• Objectives:
  • To unlock new opportunities across sectors such as textiles, food processing, energy, infrastructure, and services, while boosting Indian investments in Oman and market access across the Gulf region.

Important Terms Explained:

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA):
  • A treaty between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers like tariffs and quotas, aiming to boost trade and investment.
• GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council):
  • A regional intergovernmental political and economic union comprising six Middle Eastern countries — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
• Viksit Bharat 2047:
  • India’s long-term vision to become a developed nation by the year 2047, marking 100 years of independence.
• Green Hydrogen:
  • A clean fuel produced using renewable energy sources without emitting carbon, viewed as a key part of the energy transition strategy.

Tabular Summary:

---

Schemes – Daily Current Affairs December 17

13. Under the proposed VB–G RAM G 2025 framework, how many days of guaranteed employment are planned per rural household annually?
A) 90 days
B) 100 days
C) 110 days
D) 120 days
E) 125 days
Answer: E) 125 days

Event and Location:

• Event: Introduction of VB–G RAM G 2025 as a new rural employment framework
• Location: India
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Government of India has introduced Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) 2025 as a statutory rural employment law with enhanced employment days, asset-linked work, and structured planning, while retaining legal employment guarantees similar to MNREGA.
• Objectives: The objective is to transition rural employment policy from short-term wage relief to productivity-driven, asset-based development that strengthens rural infrastructure, livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Important Terms Explained:

• VB–G RAM G 2025: A new statutory rural employment framework that guarantees 125 days of work per household with a focus on durable asset creation, climate resilience, and livelihood generation.
• MNREGA: A statutory employment guarantee programme launched in 2005 that provides 100 days of unskilled wage employment per rural household as a social protection measure.
• Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan: A structured planning framework under VB–G RAM G 2025 that prioritises asset creation through strategic mapping and alignment with national infrastructure platforms.

Tabular Summary:

---

14. What is the name of the newly launched visa sub-category under the business visa regime for foreign professionals in production-related roles?
A) E-PLI Visa
B) B-2 Visa
C) B-4 Visa
D) E-B1 Visa
E) S-1 Visa
Answer: C) B-4 Visa

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of digital sponsorship letter module under e-B-4 Visa
• Location: National Single Window System (NSWS), India
• Date: November 29, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: DPIIT launched an online module for Indian companies to generate sponsorship letters to invite foreign professionals for production-related activities under the e-Production Investment Business Visa (e-B-4 Visa).
• Objectives: To streamline the visa application process for foreign technical experts and executives, enhance ease of doing business, and support production-linked activities in India.

Important Terms Explained:

• DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade): A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for formulating policies for industrial development and foreign investment.
• e-B-4 Visa: A new sub-category under the business visa regime introduced to facilitate visits by foreign professionals for production-related roles including installation, quality checks, IT ramp-up, training, etc.
• NSWS (National Single Window System): A digital platform for investors to access approvals and services from various ministries and departments via a single window.

Tabular Summary:

---

15. Which organization is acting as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for the PM MITRA Parks scheme?
A) SIDBI
B) NITI Aayog
C) NICDC
D) NHB
E) FICCI
Answer: C) NICDC

Event and Location:

• Event: Stakeholder consultation for partnership under PM MITRA Parks scheme
• Location: NICDC and Ministry of Textiles, India
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Conduct stakeholder consultation to explore partnership opportunities for PM MITRA Parks under the PPP/DBFOT model
• Objectives: To attract master developers, refine market-aligned frameworks, and ensure successful development of integrated textile parks

Important Terms Explained:

• PM MITRA (Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Parks:
  • A flagship scheme by the Ministry of Textiles to develop large-scale textile parks housing the complete value chain from spinning to garmenting, aimed at boosting textile exports and jobs.
• DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Transfer):
  • A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model where private entities design, fund, construct, and operate infrastructure before transferring it back to the government.
• 5F Vision:
  • A strategy by the Prime Minister — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign — aimed at integrating the entire textile supply chain into globally competitive hubs.

Tabular Summary:

---

16. As of December 2025, how many total projects have been operationalized under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)?
A) 428
B) 691
C) 348
D) 105
E) 529
Answer: C) 348

Event and Location:

• Event: Status update on AHIDF project implementation
• Location: India
• Date: 17 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Review and report the number of projects sanctioned, approved, and operationalized under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).
• Objectives: To enhance infrastructure in animal husbandry, support rural livelihoods, boost milk and meat processing capabilities, and strengthen veterinary and breeding infrastructure.

Important Terms Explained:

• AHIDF (Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund): A central sector scheme launched to support private and public investment in animal husbandry infrastructure like feed plants, breed farms, meat and dairy processing, and waste management.
• Interest Subvention: A government subsidy provided on interest rates for loans taken under schemes like AHIDF to reduce borrowing costs.
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission: A scheme focused on conserving and developing indigenous bovine breeds through initiatives like In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) labs, breed multiplication farms (BMF), and genetic improvement programs.

Tabular Summary:

---

17. Which organisation conducted the 2025 evaluation study of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme?
A) NITI Aayog
B) International Institute for Population Sciences
C) National Commission for Minorities
D) UNICEF India
E) Registrar General of India
Answer: B) International Institute for Population Sciences

Event and Location:

• Event: Evaluation of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme confirms its success in population stabilisation
• Location: India
• Date: 17 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Implementation and evaluation of the Jiyo Parsi Scheme to support the Parsi (Zoroastrian) community through medical, health, and advocacy interventions.
• Objectives: To arrest and reverse the declining population trend of the Parsi community by supporting fertility treatment, maternal and child health, elderly care, and awareness generation.

Important Terms Explained:

• Jiyo Parsi Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme launched in 2013–14 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to stabilise and increase the Parsi population in India through medical and social support.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): A mechanism for transferring government benefits directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts after biometric authentication and verification.
• International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS): An autonomous research institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare specialising in population and demographic studies.

Tabular Summary:

---

18. SabhaSaar, an AI-enabled meeting summarisation tool, has been launched by which Ministry?
A) Ministry of Electronics and IT
B) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
C) Ministry of Rural Development
D) Ministry of Home Affairs
E) Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
Answer: B) Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch and nationwide adoption of SabhaSaar AI-enabled meeting summarisation tool
• Location: India (All States and Union Territories)
• Date: 14 August 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Deployment of SabhaSaar, an AI-based voice-to-text tool, for automated summarisation of Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings across India.
• Objectives: To enhance transparency, efficiency, and digital documentation of Panchayati Raj Institution proceedings using secure, government-controlled AI infrastructure.

Important Terms Explained:

• SabhaSaar: An AI-enabled voice-to-text meeting summarisation tool developed for Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings to automatically generate Minutes of Meetings.
• India AI Mission: A national mission under MeitY aimed at building AI compute infrastructure and governance frameworks for secure and responsible AI deployment.
• Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025: Rules notified under India’s data protection framework regulating data privacy, storage, and processing within government systems.

Tabular Summary:

---

19. What is the primary objective of the PM-DAKSH scheme implemented by NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC?
A) Promote sanitation and hygiene awareness
B) Provide housing to SC families
C) Offer financial credit to SHGs
D) Impart skill development training to marginalized groups
E) Increase literacy rates among tribal youth
Answer: D) Impart skill development training to marginalized groups

Event and Location:

• Event: Implementation and performance of PM-DAKSH Scheme
• Location: Pan-India (Data specific to Andhra Pradesh)
• Date: 17 December 2025 (As per PIB release)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Deliver skill development training to target communities such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs), De-notified Tribes (DNTs), Safai Karamcharis, and Waste Pickers
  • Training executed through empaneled training institutes under PMKVY (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)
  • Implementation through NSFDC, NBCFDC, and NSKFDC
• Objectives:
  • Enhance employability and self-employment prospects among marginalized communities
  • Provide market-relevant, skill-based training aligned with local employment opportunities
  • Promote inclusion and social justice through skilling initiatives

Important Terms Explained:

• PM-DAKSH Scheme: A Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020–21 to impart skill development training to socially and economically disadvantaged communities.
• NSFDC (National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation): A central PSU under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that finances and supports training for SCs.
• NBCFDC (National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation): A corporation focusing on the upliftment of OBCs, including skill development and entrepreneurship.
• NSKFDC (National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation): Dedicated to improving the livelihoods of Safai Karamcharis and Waste Pickers.
• PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana): The flagship skill development program under MSDE aiming to train youth across India in industry-relevant skills.

Tabular Summary:

---

20. Under the PM-JANMAN Mission, how much total amount was released to Karnataka for Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs) during 2023–26?
A) ₹10.26 Cr
B) ₹29 Cr
C) ₹15.4 Cr
D) ₹45.9 Lakhs
E) ₹13.59 Cr
Answer: B) ₹29 Cr

Event and Location:

• Event: Implementation of PM-JANMAN Mission interventions in Karnataka
• Location: Karnataka, India
• Date: 17 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Fund release for Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs) and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) under PM-JANMAN in Karnataka
  • ₹29 Cr released for MPCs and ₹45.90 lakh for VDVKs over FY 2023–24 to 2025–26
  • Utilization tracking via SNA SPARSH and PM GatiShakti digital dashboard
• Objectives:
  • Ensure welfare and development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) through targeted interventions
  • Facilitate livelihood generation and infrastructure support via MPCs and VDVKs
  • Promote transparency and fund utilization via digital and compliance monitoring

Important Terms Explained:

• PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan): A central government mission aimed at empowering PVTGs through focused interventions across sectors like health, education, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
• Multi-Purpose Centers (MPCs): Community hubs under PM-JANMAN to deliver integrated services to tribal populations such as skill training, health awareness, and education support.
• SNA SPARSH: A digital system under the Department of Expenditure for tracking funds flow and utilization through Single Nodal Agencies (SNAs) across centrally sponsored schemes.
• Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs): Centers established to boost value addition, branding, and marketing of tribal forest produce and provide tribal entrepreneurs with livelihood opportunities.
• PM GatiShakti Dashboard: A real-time monitoring platform integrated with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan for tracking infrastructure projects and scheme implementation.

Tabular Summary:

---

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 17

21. Which traditional fabric from Andhra Pradesh was recently awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2025?
A) Kanchipuram Silk
B) Mangalagiri Cotton
C) Ponduru Khadi
D) Pochampally Ikat
E) Chanderi Fabric
Answer: C) Ponduru Khadi

Event and Location:

• Event: Ponduru Khadi receives Geographical Indication (GI) tag
• Location: Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry has officially granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag to Ponduru Khadi.
• Objectives: To protect the authenticity and traditional identity of Ponduru Khadi, increase its recognition globally, and support local artisans and weavers through higher market access.

Important Terms Explained:

• Ponduru Khadi: A traditional handspun and handwoven cotton fabric from Andhra Pradesh, known for its ultra-fine texture and praised by Mahatma Gandhi.
• Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: An intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific location with unique qualities or a reputation linked to that place.
• Swadeshi Movement: A pre-independence economic movement in India encouraging the use of domestic products; Ponduru Khadi was a symbol of this ideology.

Tabular Summary:

---

22. What is the name of the gallery inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan to honour all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees?
A) Shaurya Sthal
B) Param Vir Dirgha
C) Veer Gatha Gallery
D) Amar Veer Smarak
E) Rashtriya Yodha Kendra
Answer: B) Param Vir Dirgha

Event and Location:

• Event: Inauguration of Param Vir Dirgha gallery
• Location: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
• Date: 16 December 2025 (Vijay Diwas)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The President of India inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha, a gallery displaying portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients.
• Objectives: To honour India’s highest military heroes, preserve their legacy, and replace colonial symbols with national pride and valour.

Important Terms Explained:

• Param Vir Dirgha: A gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan dedicated to showcasing portraits of all recipients of India’s highest military honour.
• Param Vir Chakra (PVC): The highest wartime military gallantry award in India, instituted in 1950, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice.
• Vijay Diwas: Observed annually on 16 December to commemorate India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.

Tabular Summary:

---

23. Where is the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine being held in December 2025?
A) Jamnagar
B) Geneva
C) New Delhi
D) Hyderabad
E) Pune
Answer: C) New Delhi

Event and Location:

• Event: Inauguration of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
• Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India
• Date: December 17, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Ministry of Ayush and WHO jointly launched the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine to advance international cooperation, research, and integration of Traditional Medicine (TM) in global healthcare.
• Objectives: To restore balance in health systems, strengthen regulation, integrate Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM) into mainstream healthcare, and promote evidence-based use of traditional knowledge.

Important Terms Explained:

• WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034: A WHO-led strategic plan aiming to strengthen traditional medicine systems worldwide through scientific validation, safety regulation, and equitable integration.
• Ayush Grid: A digital platform launched by India to consolidate and modernize data, research, and services related to Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH).
• Ashwagandha: A medicinal herb (Withania somnifera) recognized globally for its adaptogenic, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, and increasingly studied under clinical research frameworks.

Tabular Summary:

---

24. As of December 2025, what percentage of Indian Railways’ Broad Gauge network has been electrified?
A) 89.5%
B) 95.2%
C) 99.2%
D) 100%
E) 92.5%
Answer: C) 99.2%

Event and Location:

• Event: Near-complete electrification of Indian Railways’ Broad Gauge network
• Location: Pan-India
• Date: Status as of 30 November 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Electrify Indian Railways’ entire Broad Gauge network to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency.
• Objectives:
  • Achieve full electrification to reduce dependence on fossil fuels
  • Lower carbon emissions from railway operations
  • Improve operational efficiency and reduce energy costs

Important Terms Explained:

• Railway Electrification: Conversion of railway lines from diesel traction to electric traction for faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient train operations.
• Broad Gauge (BG): The primary rail gauge in India, with a track width of 1,676 mm.
• NITI Aayog Freight Report (2021): A government report comparing emissions from road and rail freight — rail is 89% less polluting than road transport.
• UIC (International Union of Railways): A global railway organization that tracks performance and benchmarks of national rail systems.

Tabular Summary:

---

---

Over All Review

DOWNLOAD TODAY’S CURRENT AFFAIRS PDF – CLICK HERE

You Must Also Read Daily Current Affairs December 61