Daily Current Affairs December 19

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 19. 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.

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December 19 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs December 19

1. Which military operation led to the liberation of Goa from Portuguese rule in 1961?
A) Operation Meghdoot
B) Operation Cactus
C) Operation Vijay
D) Operation Polo
E) Operation Shakti
Answer: C) Operation Vijay

Event and Location:

• Event: Goa Liberation Day 2025
• Location: Goa, India
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Observance of Goa Liberation Day across Goa to commemorate liberation from Portuguese rule through Operation Vijay in 1961.
• Objectives: To honour the Indian Armed Forces and freedom fighters who contributed to Goa’s liberation, celebrate the end of colonialism in India, and promote national unity and pride.

Important Terms Explained:

• Goa Liberation Day: Celebrated annually on 19 December to mark the end of Portuguese colonial rule in Goa in 1961.
• Operation Vijay: The military operation launched by India on 18 December 1961 that led to the liberation of Goa within 48 hours.
• Union Territory: After liberation, Goa was administered as a Union Territory until it attained full statehood in 1987.

Tabular Summary:

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs December 19

2. Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) for the first time in the 2025–26 season?
A) Haryana
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Mumbai
D) Karnataka
E) Jharkhand
Answer: E) Jharkhand

Event and Location:

• Event: Jharkhand wins first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
• Location: MCA Stadium, Pune
• Date: 19 December 2025 (Final played)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Conduct of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 to crown India’s top domestic T20 team
• Objectives: Promote competitive T20 cricket at the domestic level and identify emerging talent for national selection

Important Terms Explained:

• Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT): India’s premier domestic T20 cricket tournament, named after Indian cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali, featuring state teams from across the country.
• Powerplay (Cricket): The first six overs of a T20 innings where only two fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle, encouraging aggressive batting.
• Strike Rate: A measure of batting aggressiveness calculated as (Runs Scored / Balls Faced) × 100, especially important in T20 cricket.

Tabular Summary:

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Ranking – Daily Current Affairs December 19

3. Who topped the Hurun India Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Rich List 2025?
A) Radhakishan Damani
B) Nikhil Kamath
C) Deepinder Goyal
D) Rahul Bhatia
E) Peyush Bansal
Answer: C) Deepinder Goyal

Event and Location:

• Event: Deepinder Goyal tops Hurun India’s 2025 Self-Made Entrepreneurs Rich List
• Location: India
• Date: 19 December 2025 (List released)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Hurun India Rich List 2025 ranks the top 200 self-made entrepreneurs from companies founded after 2000.
• Objectives: Highlight rising wealth among India’s new-age entrepreneurs and track valuation and employment trends in India’s startup and innovation-driven ecosystem.

Ranking Table – Top Self-Made Entrepreneurs in India (Hurun Rich List 2025):

Important Terms Explained:

• Hurun Rich List: An annual ranking of the wealthiest individuals based on net worth, business valuation, and sector performance.
• Self-Made Entrepreneur: A business founder who built their wealth without inherited capital, typically by creating and growing a startup or business venture.
• Eternal (formerly Zomato): A leading Indian food delivery and consumer services platform founded by Deepinder Goyal, recently rebranded as Eternal.

Tabular Summary:

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Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs December 19

4. What is the new minimum denomination allowed by SEBI for issuing zero-coupon bonds?
A) ₹50,000
B) ₹25,000
C) ₹10,000
D) ₹1,00,000
E) ₹5,000
Answer: C) ₹10,000

Event and Location:

• Event: SEBI permits smaller denomination issuance of zero-coupon bonds
• Location: India (Nationwide applicability)
• Date: 18 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: SEBI has allowed the issuance of zero-coupon bonds through private placements in minimum face value of ₹10,000.
• Objectives: To democratize access to corporate debt instruments, encourage retail investor participation, and deepen the corporate bond market in India.

Important Terms Explained:

• SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India): India’s capital markets regulator, overseeing and regulating the securities and investment markets.
• Zero-Coupon Bonds: Debt securities issued at a discount, redeemed at face value on maturity, with no periodic interest payouts.
• Private Placement: A method of raising capital by offering securities to a select group of investors rather than the public.

Tabular Summary:

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Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs December 19

5. What was the total net direct tax collection in India till 17 December 2025 for FY26?
A) ₹15.78 lakh crore
B) ₹16.25 lakh crore
C) ₹17.05 lakh crore
D) ₹20.01 lakh crore
E) ₹18.45 lakh crore
Answer: C) ₹17.05 lakh crore

Event and Location:

• Event: Rise in India’s net direct tax collections in FY26
• Location: Pan-India (Ministry of Finance, Income Tax Department)
• Date: 17 December 2025 (as of reporting date)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Collection of direct taxes including corporate and personal income tax by the Income Tax Department during FY26
• Objectives: Strengthen government revenues, support fiscal consolidation, ensure improved tax compliance and reflect economic activity

Important Terms Explained:

• Net Direct Tax Collection: The total amount collected through direct taxes (corporate tax + personal income tax) minus tax refunds issued during the financial year.
• Advance Tax: Tax paid in advance by taxpayers based on estimated income, collected quarterly. It serves as an early indicator of income trends.
• Corporate Tax: A direct tax levied on the net income or profit of companies, and a major source of government revenue.

Tabular Summary:

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6. Which three companies are partnering to launch the ₹6,000 crore Unicorn Growth Fund with a primary focus on India?
A) KRAFTON, Amazon, Flipkart
B) KRAFTON, NAVER, Mirae Asset
C) Tencent, Mirae Asset, SoftBank
D) KRAFTON, SoftBank, NAVER
E) NAVER, Temasek, Reliance
Answer: B) KRAFTON, NAVER, Mirae Asset

Event and Location:

• Event: Launch of Unicorn Growth Investment Fund targeting Indian tech ecosystem
• Location: India (focus), Asia (coverage)
• Date: Fund establishment planned for January 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Establish a ₹6,000 crore fund—Unicorn Growth Investment Fund—to invest in technology-led companies, with India as the central focus.
• Objectives:
  • Accelerate long-term investments in Indian startups and digital ventures
  • Broaden investment beyond gaming into sectors like media, healthcare, and consumer goods
  • Support scalable, socially and economically impactful businesses across Asia

Important Terms Explained:

• KRAFTON:
  • A South Korean digital entertainment company known for games like BGMI, actively investing in India’s startup and gaming ecosystem.
• NAVER:
  • South Korea’s leading internet conglomerate, contributing platform, content, and AI capabilities to the fund partnership.
• Mirae Asset:
  • A global financial services group headquartered in South Korea, co-investing in the fund as a strategic investor.
• Unicorn Growth Investment Fund:
  • A ₹6,000 crore India-focused fund by KRAFTON, NAVER, and Mirae Asset, aimed at high-growth startups in tech, healthcare, sports, and more.

Tabular Summary:

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7. Which company is acquiring Piramal Finance’s 14.72% stake in Shriram Life Insurance for ₹600 crore?
A) LIC of India
B) Max Life Insurance
C) Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius)
D) ICICI Prudential
E) SBI Life Insurance
Answer: C) Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius)

Event and Location:

• Event: Sale of 14.72% stake in Shriram Life Insurance by Piramal Finance
• Location: India (Seller: Piramal Finance), Mauritius/South Africa (Buyer: SEMM/Sanlam Group)
• Date: 19 December 2025 (Announcement); Q4 FY26 (Expected Completion)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Piramal Finance has signed a share purchase agreement to divest its entire 14.72% equity stake in Shriram Life Insurance to Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) for ₹600 crore.
• Objectives:
  • To monetize non-core assets and strengthen Piramal Finance’s balance sheet while focusing on core financial operations.

Important Terms Explained:

• Shriram Life Insurance Company Ltd (SLIC):
  • A life insurance joint venture based in India, part of the Shriram Group, offering life insurance solutions.
• Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) Ltd (SEMM):
  • A 100% subsidiary of Sanlam Emerging Markets Pty (Ltd), representing the Mauritius-based arm of Sanlam Group involved in international acquisitions.
• Sanlam Group:
  • A pan-African financial services conglomerate headquartered in South Africa, operating in 30+ countries across insurance, investment, and asset management sectors.

Tabular Summary:

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs December 19

8. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of Airtel India with effect from 1 January 2026?
A) Gopal Vittal
B) Somen Ray
C) Akhil Garg
D) Shashwat Sharma
E) Eiesha Sharma
Answer: D) Shashwat Sharma

Event and Location:

• Event: Appointment of new Managing Director and CEO of Airtel India
• Location: India
• Date: 18 December 2025 (appointment announced), effective from 1 January 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Appointment of Shashwat Sharma as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel India, along with senior leadership restructuring approved by the Board of Bharti Airtel
• Objectives: To ensure leadership continuity, strengthen strategic execution, and enhance governance and financial oversight in Airtel’s India operations

Important Terms Explained:

• Bharti Airtel: One of India’s largest telecommunications companies, providing mobile, broadband, and digital services across multiple countries.
• Managing Director and CEO: The top executive role responsible for overall management, strategic direction, and operational performance of a company.
• Key Managerial Personnel (KMP): Senior executives designated under company law responsible for compliance, governance, and management decisions.

Tabular Summary:

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs December 19

9. Exercise Desert Cyclone II, a joint military exercise conducted in December 2025, involves which two countries?
A) India and Saudi Arabia
B) India and Oman
C) India and United Arab Emirates
D) India and Qatar
E) India and Bahrain
Answer: C) India and United Arab Emirates

Event and Location:

• Event: Second edition of India–U.A.E. joint military exercise, Exercise Desert Cyclone II
• Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
• Date: 18–30 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Conduct joint military training focused on urban warfare, interoperability, and counter-terror operations under UN-mandated frameworks.
• Objectives: Enhance defence cooperation, improve coordination in urban warfare scenarios, and prepare for sub-conventional operations involving Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

Important Terms Explained:

• Exercise Desert Cyclone: A bilateral military exercise between India and the U.A.E. aimed at improving joint operational capabilities.
• UN-Mandated Operations: Military tasks carried out as per United Nations mandates, often relating to peacekeeping, humanitarian support, and counter-terrorism.
• UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems): Drone systems used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat support in modern military operations.

Tabular Summary:

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International Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 19

10. Which Gulf nation signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India on 18 December 2025, offering zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines to Indian exports?
A) UAE
B) Qatar
C) Bahrain
D) Oman
E) Saudi Arabia
Answer: D) Oman

Event and Location:

• Event: Signing of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and Oman
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date: 18 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India and Oman signed CEPA to deepen economic ties, boost trade in goods and services, attract investment, and facilitate professional mobility.
• Objectives: To grant near-universal duty-free access for Indian exports, open Oman’s services market for Indian professionals, enhance bilateral investment, and position Oman as a regional trade hub for Indian businesses.

Important Terms Explained:

• CEPA: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement – a high-level trade agreement covering goods, services, investment, and mobility between two nations.
• Mode 4: Refers to the movement of natural persons providing services, such as professionals and business visitors, under WTO terminology.
• Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs): A trade policy tool allowing a set quantity of specific products to be imported at lower tariff rates, with higher tariffs beyond the limit.
• AYUSH: Traditional Indian systems of medicine – Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy – promoted under India’s wellness exports.

Tabular Summary:

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11. Which country handed over the BRICS presidency to India for the year 2026?
A) Russia
B) China
C) South Africa
D) Brazil
E) Indonesia
Answer: D) Brazil

Event and Location:

• Event: Brazil hands over BRICS presidency to India for 2026
• Location: 4th BRICS Sherpas Meeting
• Date: 12 December 2025 (Handover); effective from 1 January 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: India assumes BRICS presidency for 2026 following Brazil’s leadership in 2025
• Objectives: Promote resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability; continue prioritizing Global South issues and reform of global governance institutions

Important Terms Explained:

• BRICS: A group of emerging economies – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – aimed at fostering cooperation in trade, finance, development, and governance reform.
• BRICS Sherpas Meeting: A strategic-level coordination meeting where each member country’s Sherpa outlines priorities and policies ahead of BRICS summits.
• Amazon Gavel: A ceremonial symbol of BRICS presidency, handcrafted from repurposed Amazon rainforest wood to represent sustainability and climate cooperation.

Tabular Summary:

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12. Which Indian zoological park recently imported eight black-capped capuchin monkeys from South Africa under a regulated animal exchange programme?
A) Arignar Anna Zoological Park
B) Nandankanan Zoological Park
C) Bannerghatta Biological Park
D) Indira Gandhi Zoological Park
E) Nehru Zoological Park
Answer: C) Bannerghatta Biological Park

Event and Location:

• Event: Import of black-capped capuchin monkeys under animal exchange
• Location: Bannerghatta Biological Park, Karnataka
• Date: December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Import of 8 black-capped capuchin monkeys (4 male and 4 female) from South Africa for captive conservation
• Objectives: To enhance genetic diversity in captive populations, promote conservation-oriented zoo management, and align with international wildlife welfare protocols

Important Terms Explained:

• Black-Capped Capuchin (Sapajus apella): A highly intelligent primate species native to South America, known for tool use, problem-solving, and complex social behavior.
• Animal Exchange Programme: A regulated, bilateral agreement between zoos for exchanging animals to support ex-situ conservation and genetic diversity.
• Central Zoo Authority (CZA): A statutory body under MoEFCC that regulates and grants approval for the establishment and functioning of zoos and animal exchanges in India.

Tabular Summary:

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13. What is the primary objective of the newly established India–Netherlands Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC)?
A) Military technology exchange
B) Monitoring cross-border taxation
C) Promoting trade and investment cooperation
D) Regulating e-commerce platforms
E) Conducting cultural exchange programmes
Answer: C) Promoting trade and investment cooperation

Event and Location:

• Event: Establishment of India–Netherlands Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC)
• Location: India and Netherlands
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • To create an institutional platform (JTIC) for regular dialogue and cooperation on trade and investment matters between India and the Netherlands.
• Objectives:
  • Promote bilateral trade and two-way investments
  • Eliminate trade and investment barriers
  • Enhance MSME and private sector engagement
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange and technical cooperation

Important Terms Explained:

• JTIC (Joint Trade and Investment Committee): A formal bilateral platform between India and the Netherlands to strengthen trade ties and economic cooperation through regular meetings and joint efforts.
• MoU (Memorandum of Understanding): A formal agreement signed between two governments outlining a cooperative framework—in this case, between India’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• MSME: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; vital contributors to both countries’ economies and a key focus area for bilateral cooperation under JTIC.

Tabular Summary:

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs December 19

14. What is the new annual employment guarantee under the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025?
A) 100 days
B) 90 days
C) 125 days
D) 150 days
E) 80 days
Answer: C) 125 days

Event and Location:

• Event: Passage of VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 replacing MGNREGA
• Location: Lok Sabha, India
• Date: 18 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The VB–G RAM G Bill aims to reform rural employment by increasing guaranteed workdays, introducing technology-enabled systems, and replacing MGNREGA.
• Objectives: To improve long-term rural productivity, promote durable livelihood assets, enable better targeting, and align rural employment schemes with national infrastructure goals under Viksit Bharat 2047.

Important Terms Explained:

• VB-G RAM G: Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) – A new rural employment and livelihood scheme replacing MGNREGA.
• MGNREGA: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act – A rights-based programme ensuring 100 days of wage employment to rural households.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS): A scheme where the Centre and states share funding responsibilities based on pre-defined ratios.
• PM Gati Shakti: A national master plan for multi-modal infrastructure aimed at improving coordination and efficiency across transport and logistics sectors.

Tabular Summary:

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15. The SabhaSaar Initiative, recently discussed in Parliament, is primarily aimed at which of the following objectives?
A) Digitisation of land records
B) AI-based summarisation of Gram Sabha meetings
C) Online fund transfer to Panchayats
D) Biometric attendance of Panchayat members
E) Satellite mapping of rural areas
Answer: B) AI-based summarisation of Gram Sabha meetings

Event and Location:

• Event: Implementation and progress review of the SabhaSaar Initiative for Gram Sabha meetings
• Location: India (All States and Union Territories)
• Date: 19 December 2025 (information shared in Rajya Sabha)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Deployment of an AI-enabled voice-to-text and meeting summarisation tool for documenting Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings across India
• Objectives: To standardise meeting records, improve transparency and accountability, reduce manual documentation, and strengthen grassroots governance under Digital Panchayati Raj

Important Terms Explained:

• SabhaSaar Initiative: An AI-enabled voice-to-text meeting summarisation tool that converts audio and video recordings of Gram Sabha meetings into structured, multilingual minutes.
• Digital Panchayati Raj: A governance approach that uses digital tools and platforms to improve efficiency, transparency, and service delivery at the Panchayat level.
• Bhashini: A government-backed AI language translation platform that enables multilingual transcription and translation in Indian languages.

Tabular Summary:

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16. Which of the following schemes is NOT directly related to the Government of India’s integrated strategy to enhance farmers’ income and agriculture sector growth?
A) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
B) National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO)
C) Namo Drone Didi
D) Ujjwala Yojana
E) Per Drop More Crop
Answer: D) Ujjwala Yojana

Event and Location:

• Event: Government outlines integrated strategy and schemes to enhance farmers’ income
• Location: India (Nationwide across States & UTs)
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • To support States/UTs through strategic schemes and funding to boost farmer income and agricultural development.
• Objectives:
  • Increase crop productivity
  • Reduce production cost
  • Ensure remunerative returns to farmers
  • Promote diversification and post-harvest value addition
  • Adapt to climate change for sustainable agriculture

Important Terms Explained:

• PM-KISAN: A direct income support scheme providing ₹6,000/year in three equal instalments to all landholding farmer families.
• PMFBY: Insurance scheme to protect farmers from crop losses due to natural calamities, pests, and diseases.
• Namo Drone Didi: Initiative promoting drone use in agriculture, empowering rural women as drone pilots and entrepreneurs.
• AgriSURE: Agri Fund supporting start-ups and rural enterprises in agriculture and allied sectors.
• Digital Agriculture Mission: Initiative to digitize agriculture using AI, drones, GIS, and data analytics for better decision-making.

Tabular Summary:

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17. What is the primary objective of the TIDE 2.0 scheme launched by the Government of India?
A) Providing agricultural subsidies
B) Promoting foreign direct investment
C) Supporting technology-based startups through incubators
D) Encouraging tourism and hospitality
E) Boosting public-private partnerships in highways
Answer: C) Supporting technology-based startups through incubators

Event and Location:

• Event: Over 1700 startups supported under the TIDE 2.0 Scheme
• Location: Nationwide – across incubators in Institutes of Higher Learning and R&D centres
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Support startups with financial and technical assistance via selected incubators; establish Centres of Excellence in IPR; enable global scaling of startups; ensure lifecycle-based incubation.
• Objectives:
  • Promote technology-based entrepreneurship
  • Provide expert mentoring, lab facilities, and investor linkages
  • Encourage IPR filing, innovation, and global expansion of startups
  • Complement national programs like Startup India, GENESIS, and SAMRIDH

Important Terms Explained:

• TIDE 2.0 (Technology Incubation and Development of Entrepreneurs 2.0):
  • A Government of India scheme started in 2019 to support tech startups through incubators across India, with ₹264.62 crore sanctioned for five years.
• Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Property Rights (CoE-IP):
  • Specialized centres under TIDE 2.0 that help startups and SMEs with IP services, training, and awareness in Electronics and IT.
• Startup India:
  • A flagship Government initiative launched in 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country.

Tabular Summary:

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18. Which new legislation has replaced MGNREGA, sparking criticism from the Right to Food Campaign in December 2025?
A) Bharat Rozgar Yojana
B) National Rural Work Guarantee Act
C) Viksit Bharat–GRAM G Bill
D) Atmanirbhar Gramin Rozgar Scheme
E) Gram Vikas Guarantee Mission
Answer: C) Viksit Bharat–GRAM G Bill

Event and Location:

• Event: Repeal of MGNREGA and introduction of Viksit Bharat–GRAM G Bill, 2025
• Location: Nationwide (India)
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • The Union Government repealed MGNREGA and replaced it with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or VB–GRAM G Bill, 2025, introducing a centralised employment scheme.
• Objectives:
  • Increase employment days from 100 to 125 under a revised rural employment scheme
  • Implement a budget-capped, centrally monitored employment model
  • Shift cost-sharing responsibility to states, promoting fiscal discipline

Important Terms Explained:

• MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act):
  • A 2005 law guaranteeing 100 days of wage employment per year to rural households; demand-driven and legally backed.
• VB–GRAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin):
  • New rural employment scheme replacing MGNREGA, claimed to offer 125 days of work, but criticised for being centralised, capped, and legally non-binding.
• Right to Food Campaign (RFC):
  • A civil society initiative advocating for food security and livelihood rights; it criticised the repeal of MGNREGA for undermining the right to work.
• 60:40 Cost-Sharing Ratio:
  • New funding structure where 60% of wages and materials are borne by the Centre, and 40% by the State—replacing the MGNREGA model where the Centre funded all wages and most material costs.

Tabular Summary:

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 19

19. Which Indian state passed the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2025 to regulate gig work and ensure minimum wages and social security?
A) Maharashtra
B) Karnataka
C) Jharkhand
D) Telangana
E) Gujarat
Answer: C) Jharkhand

Event and Location:

• Event: Passage of law to protect and regulate gig workers
• Location: Jharkhand
• Date: 19 December 2025 (date of update post-governor assent)

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Act provides a legal framework for registering gig workers and aggregators, ensuring minimum wages, and implementing welfare schemes.
• Objectives: To safeguard gig workers’ rights through minimum wage guarantees, social security coverage, medical insurance, and regulatory oversight of digital labour platforms.

Important Terms Explained:

• Gig Worker: A person who earns income by providing services through digital platforms or aggregators on a short-term or flexible basis.
• Platform-Based Employment: A form of work where workers are connected to customers via digital platforms for services such as delivery, transport, or logistics.
• Gig Workers Welfare Board: A statutory body to register gig workers and aggregators, issue identity cards, and manage welfare benefits under the Act.

Tabular Summary:

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20. Which Indian state is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19–20, 2025?
A) Telangana
B) Gujarat
C) Odisha
D) Kerala
E) Rajasthan
Answer: C) Odisha

Event and Location:

• Event: Odisha to host the Regional AI Impact Conference
• Location: Odisha, India
• Date: 19–20 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Odisha government is organising the Regional AI Impact Conference to promote AI in governance and public services.
• Objectives: Drive discussions on sustainable, inclusive, and ethical AI deployment across sectors and align Odisha with the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Important Terms Explained:

• Regional AI Impact Conference: A state-level summit focusing on the use of AI for governance, part of India’s national AI roadmap.
• Odisha AI Policy 2025: A policy initiative by the Odisha government to support responsible AI innovation and adoption in the state.
• Three Ps – Planet, People, Progress: The guiding principle of the conference, emphasizing sustainability, inclusivity, and human-centric AI development.

Tabular Summary:

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21. Where will India’s first Forest University be established?
A) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
B) Dehradun, Uttarakhand
C) Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
D) Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
E) Ranchi, Jharkhand
Answer: D) Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh

Event and Location:

• Event: India to establish its first Forest University
• Location: Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Establishment of India’s first specialized Forest University focusing on forestry, wildlife, and environmental sciences.
• Objectives: To advance education, research, and capacity building in forestry, biodiversity conservation, climate science, and sustainable forest management.

Important Terms Explained:

• Forest University: A specialized institution offering academic programs in forestry, agroforestry, wildlife management, and environmental sustainability, integrating classroom education with field-based training.
• Agroforestry: A land-use system that combines trees with crops or livestock to optimize productivity and ecological balance.
• Sustainable Forest Management: The administration of forests for economic, environmental, and social benefits without compromising their regeneration capacity and biodiversity.

Tabular Summary:

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22. What was recently exported from Karnataka to Oman under India–Oman CEPA?
A) Alphonso mangoes
B) Coorg coffee
C) GI-tagged Indi Lime
D) Mysore silk
E) Basmati rice
Answer: C) GI-tagged Indi Lime

Event and Location:

• Event: Export of GI-tagged Indi Lime to Oman
• Location: Vijayapura district, Karnataka → Oman
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Export of 3 metric tonnes of GI-tagged Indi Lime to Oman under the India–Oman CEPA agreement.
• Objectives:
  • Expand international markets for Indian agri-products
  • Enhance farmer income through premium exports
  • Strengthen India’s agri-export ecosystem
  • Promote region-specific products globally

Important Terms Explained:

• GI-tagged Indi Lime:
  • A citrus fruit from Vijayapura district in Karnataka, awarded Geographical Indication (GI) status for its distinct aroma, high juice content, and long shelf life.
• India–Oman CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement):
  • A bilateral Free Trade Agreement signed in December 2025 that grants zero-duty access to 98.08% of Indian exports, including agriculture.
• APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority):
  • A statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, responsible for the promotion and development of agri exports, especially value-added and GI-tagged produce.

Tabular Summary:

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23. What key reform did Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasize as a structural breakthrough in the real estate sector at the CREDAI National Conference 2025?
A) Urban Land Ceiling Act
B) GST Reduction on Luxury Homes
C) National Building Code
D) RERA Implementation
E) Digital India Programme
Answer: D) RERA Implementation

Event and Location:

• Event: Address by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at CREDAI National Conference “Viksit Bharat @2047”
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Date: 19 December 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • Union Home Minister addressed the CREDAI national conference outlining key infrastructure, urban housing reforms, and real estate regulations.
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen urban infrastructure for Viksit Bharat by 2047
  • Promote affordable and eco-friendly housing
  • Encourage adoption of green building norms and waste management
  • Recognize CREDAI’s role in skill development, transparency, and sectoral credibility

Important Terms Explained:

• CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India):
  • The apex body of private real estate developers in India representing over 13,000 members across 230 cities.
• RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority):
  • A landmark real estate reform to ensure transparency, accountability, and homebuyer protection; adopted by 35 States/UTs.
• GST (Goods and Services Tax) Reforms in Housing:
  • Reductions in GST rates on housing and construction materials (e.g., cement, bricks) to lower housing construction costs.
• Net-Zero Target:
  • An environmental commitment to balance greenhouse gas emissions by reducing carbon footprints in construction and energy use.
• National Urban Housing Fund (NUHF):
  • A ₹60,000 crore fund established to boost urban housing projects and support the affordable housing ecosystem.

Tabular Summary:

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24. India achieved 20% ethanol blending with petrol in which month of the Ethanol Supply Year 2025-26?
A) October 2025
B) September 2025
C) November 2025
D) December 2025
E) January 2026
Answer: C) November 2025

Event and Location:

• Event: India achieves 20% ethanol blending with petrol
• Location: India
• Date: November 2025 (achievement); Ethanol Supply Year: Nov 2025 – Oct 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates:
  • The government achieved 20% ethanol blending with petrol in November 2025 as part of the National Policy on Biofuels, targeting cumulative blending of 20% by October 2026.
• Objectives:
  • To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, support farmers by utilizing surplus crops for ethanol production, improve air quality, and strengthen energy security.

Important Terms Explained:

• Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP):
  • A government initiative to blend ethanol with petrol to reduce fossil fuel use and lower carbon emissions.
• National Policy on Biofuels (Amended 2022):
  • A policy framework that advanced the 20% ethanol blending target from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26.
• Food Corporation of India (FCI) Rice for Ethanol:
  • The government allocated 52 Lakh Tonnes of surplus rice from FCI for ethanol production each in ESY 2024–25 and ESY 2025–26 to meet blending targets.

Tabular Summary:

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Over All Review

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