Daily Current Affairs December 31

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December 31 | Daily Current Affairs 2025

Sports – Daily Current Affairs December 31

1. Who recently became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 International cricket?
A) Ellyse Perry
B) Megan Schutt
C) Deepti Sharma
D) Sophie Ecclestone
E) Shabnim Ismail
Answer: C) Deepti Sharma

Event and Location:

  • Event: Deepti Sharma becomes the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals
  • Location: Thiruvananthapuram, India
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Record-setting performance by Deepti Sharma in international women’s T20 cricket
  • Objectives: Reflect consistent excellence in bowling and highlight India’s growing dominance in women’s cricket

Important Terms Explained:

  • T20I (Twenty20 International): A format of international cricket where each team plays a maximum of 20 overs
  • ICC Rankings: Official rankings published by the International Cricket Council that evaluate player and team performances globally
  • All-Rounder: A player who contributes significantly in both batting and bowling disciplines

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Deepti Sharma sets Women’s T20I wicket record
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location Thiruvananthapuram, India
Issuing authority ICC / Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
Match of record 5th T20I vs Sri Lanka
Wickets taken 152 wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals
Previous record holder Megan Schutt (Australia) with 151 wickets
Key figure Deepti Sharma
Purpose/Significance Highlights India’s strength in women’s cricket and Deepti’s global dominance
ICC Rank No. 1 in ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings

Ranking – Daily Current Affairs December 31

2. Which country did India surpass in 2025 to become the world’s fourth-largest economy?
A) Germany
B) United Kingdom
C) France
D) Japan
E) Russia
Answer: D) Japan

Event and Location:

  • Event: India becomes the world’s fourth-largest economy
  • Location: Global (India’s ranking in the global economy)
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: India officially surpassed Japan in nominal GDP to rank fourth globally
  • Objectives: To reflect India’s economic transformation, structural reforms, and growing global economic influence

Important Terms Explained:

  • Nominal GDP: Gross Domestic Product measured at current market prices, not adjusted for inflation
  • Real GDP Growth: Economic growth calculated by adjusting nominal GDP for inflation, reflecting actual increase in output
  • Ease of Doing Business: A metric used to evaluate the regulatory environment of a country for starting and operating businesses

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name India becomes 4th largest economy in the world
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India (global economic context)
Issuing authority Government of India
Policy/series name India’s GDP growth statistics
Key figures GDP: $4.18 trillion, Q2 growth: 8.2%
Purpose/reason India’s strong economic performance and reforms
Feature details Surpassed Japan, ranked behind US, China, Germany
Validity or status Effective as of end of 2025
Strategic/significant value Strengthens India’s global economic position and influence

Banking and Finance – Daily Current Affairs December 30

3. What is the main reason behind RBI’s review of the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework for NBFCs?
A) To encourage more NBFCs to go public
B) To introduce new deposit schemes for NBFCs
C) To address rising systemic risks and interconnectedness with banks
D) To reduce the number of NBFCs in India
E) To increase NBFC tax exemptions
Answer: C) To address rising systemic risks and interconnectedness with banks

Event and Location:

  • Event: RBI initiates review of Scale-Based Regulation for NBFCs
  • Location: India
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: RBI is reviewing the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework for NBFCs introduced in 2022
  • Objectives: To ensure financial stability, address rising credit and systemic risks, and manage NBFC–bank interconnectedness effectively

Important Terms Explained:

  • Scale-Based Regulation (SBR): A regulatory framework introduced in 2022 that categorizes NBFCs into layers based on their size, risk level, and systemic importance, applying proportionate regulation
  • Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC): A company registered under the Companies Act that provides financial services like lending and investments but does not hold a banking license
  • Systemic Risk: The risk of collapse of an entire financial system or market due to the failure of a single entity or group of entities, which is more likely when institutions are highly interconnected

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Review of Scale-Based Regulation for NBFCs
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Reserve Bank of India
Policy/series name Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework
Key figures Shaktikanta Das (RBI Governor)
Purpose/reason Address growing systemic risks and NBFC–bank interconnectedness
Feature details SBR layers: Base, Middle, Upper, and Top based on size and risk profile
Validity or status Under review; framework in place since 2022
Strategic/significant value Ensures robust supervision and financial system resilience

4. What is the primary reason for the decline in ATM numbers in India during FY25 as per RBI’s report?
A) Shortage of ATM cash
B) Merger of public sector banks
C) Rise in digital payments and reduced cash usage
D) RBI order to reduce offsite ATMs
E) Growth of mobile banking fraud
Answer: C) Rise in digital payments and reduced cash usage

Event and Location:

  • Event: Decline in ATM numbers amid surge in digital payments
  • Location: Pan-India
  • Date: December 31, 2025 (report release)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: RBI released its annual report Trend and Progress of Banking in India for FY25
  • Objectives: To assess structural shifts in banking, including ATM usage trends, branch expansion, and digital payment penetration

Important Terms Explained:

  • UPI (Unified Payments Interface): Real-time digital payment system enabling peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions via mobile apps
  • White Label ATM (WLA): ATMs set up and operated by non-bank entities authorized by RBI, often used in remote and underserved regions
  • Financial Inclusion: Providing access to useful and affordable financial services to underserved populations, particularly in rural areas

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Decline in ATM numbers in India in FY25
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India (Nationwide)
Issuing authority Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Report title Trend and Progress of Banking in India – FY25
Total ATMs FY25 2,51,057 (decline from 2,53,417 in FY24)
PSB ATMs FY25 Declined from 1,34,694 to 1,33,544
Private Bank ATMs FY25 Declined from 79,884 to 77,117
White Label ATMs (WLAs) Increased from 34,602 to 36,216
Bank branches Grew by 2.8% to reach 1.64 lakh (as of March 31, 2025)
Main reason for ATM decline Growth in digital payments, especially UPI
Strategic importance Highlights India’s shift to digital-first banking and rural financial access

5. Which leadership requirement is mandated under the new 100% FDI rules in India’s insurance sector?
A) Majority of directors must be Indian citizens
B) CEO must be a foreign national
C) One top leadership role must be held by an Indian resident
D) All key management personnel must be Indian residents
E) Chairperson must be from the foreign investor’s group
Answer: C) One top leadership role must be held by an Indian resident

Event and Location:

  • Event: Finance Ministry notifies final rules allowing 100% FDI in insurance sector
  • Location: India (nationwide insurance regulatory reform)
  • Date: December 30, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Allows 100% foreign direct investment in insurance companies with relaxed board composition and leadership rules
  • Objectives: To attract long-term global capital, improve insurance coverage, and support innovation while ensuring Indian leadership presence

Important Terms Explained:

  • FDI (Foreign Direct Investment): Investment made by a foreign entity in the controlling ownership of a business in another country
  • FEMA (NDI) Rules, 2019: The Foreign Exchange Management (Non-Debt Instruments) Rules govern non-debt foreign investments in India
  • Rule 4A: A repealed rule that imposed conditions like profit retention, solvency margin restrictions, and independent director mandates on foreign-owned insurers

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name 100% FDI rules notified for insurance sector
Announcement date December 30, 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Ministry of Finance
FDI limit (new) Up to 100%
Leadership requirement One of CEO/MD/Chairperson must be an Indian resident
Board composition rule No majority Indian director requirement
Key rule removed Rule 4A (profit retention, independent director mandate)
Legal framework FEMA (NDI) Rules, 2019
Past FDI caps 26%, 49%, 74%
Strategic objective Attract capital, boost insurance innovation & coverage
Effective from December 30, 2025 (Gazette Notification)

Business and Economy – Daily Current Affairs December 30

6. What is the total number of domestic trademark registrations recorded in India during FY 2024–25?
A) 3.2 lakh
B) 4.8 lakh
C) 5.5 lakh
D) Over 5.5 lakh
E) 6.2 lakh
Answer: D) Over 5.5 lakh

Event and Location:

  • Event: India records highest-ever domestic trademark registrations in a single year
  • Location: India
  • Date: FY 2024–25

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Record over 5.5 lakh trademark registrations under the Trade Marks Act, 1999
  • Objectives: Strengthen intellectual property protection, encourage innovation, support brand creation, and promote ease of doing business

Important Terms Explained:

  • Trademark: A recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a specific source and is legally protected under the Trade Marks Act, 1999
  • Trade Marks Act, 1999: The primary legislation governing trademark registration and protection in India; offers 10-year protection with indefinite renewals
  • Intellectual Property (IP): Legal rights given to creators for their inventions, brands, or artistic works; includes patents, copyrights, trademarks, and designs

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Record trademark registrations in India
Announcement date FY 2024–25
Location India
Issuing authority Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Policy/series name Trade Marks Act, 1999
Key figures Over 5.5 lakh trademark registrations
Purpose/reason Boost innovation, IP protection, and ease of doing business
Feature details Digital filing, faster examination, reduced pendency, awareness campaigns
Validity or status Trademark valid for 10 years; renewable indefinitely
Strategic/significant value Enhances brand protection and promotes India’s innovation ecosystem

7. What is the main concern highlighted by the widening gap between credit and deposit growth in India’s banking system?
A) Rising inflation in rural India
B) Weak performance of public sector banks
C) Liquidity stress and funding challenges for banks
D) Decline in RBI’s forex reserves
E) Increase in government bond yields
Answer: C) Liquidity stress and funding challenges for banks

Event and Location:

  • Event: Credit growth outpaces deposit growth in Indian banking system
  • Location: India (nationwide banking data)
  • Date: Data as of December 15, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: RBI tracks and reports credit and deposit growth across the banking sector
  • Objectives: To monitor liquidity conditions, credit availability, and financial stability indicators

Important Terms Explained:

  • Credit–Deposit Ratio (CDR): A metric showing the proportion of deposits used by banks for lending; high values signal tight liquidity
  • Open Market Operations (OMO): RBI’s tool to infuse or absorb liquidity by buying/selling government securities
  • Repo Rate: The rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks; a key policy rate influencing overall interest rates

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Credit Growth Nears 12% as Deposit Growth Slows
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Credit growth (YoY) Nearly 12%
Deposit growth (YoY) 9.35%
Credit–Deposit Gap 263 basis points
Total Bank Credit (Dec 15) ₹196.69 trillion
Total Bank Deposits (Dec 15) ₹241.31 trillion
Liquidity measures by RBI OMO purchases, FX swaps, ₹3 trillion infused
Policy rate impact Repo rate cut by 125 bps; fresh loan rates down by 69 bps
Strategic importance Indicates stress on banking liquidity and funding capacity

Appointments – Daily Current Affairs December 31

8. Who has been given additional charge as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in December 2025?
A) Sadanand Date
B) Rajeev Kumar
C) Rakesh Aggarwal
D) Kuldiep Singh
E) Dinkar Gupta
Answer: C) Rakesh Aggarwal

Event and Location:

  • Event: Additional charge of Director General, NIA assigned to Rakesh Aggarwal
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Appointment of Rakesh Aggarwal as Acting Director General of NIA following repatriation of Sadanand Date
  • Objectives: Ensure leadership continuity and stability in India’s counter-terrorism investigations and internal security

Important Terms Explained:

  • National Investigation Agency (NIA): India’s primary counter-terrorism investigative agency established under the NIA Act, 2008, responsible for probing terror-related crimes
  • Additional Charge: Temporary assignment of duties to an officer until a full-time appointment is made
  • Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC): A top-level government body that approves appointments to senior posts in the Government of India

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Additional charge of NIA DG assigned
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location New Delhi
Issuing authority Ministry of Home Affairs
Officer appointed Rakesh Aggarwal
Previous DG (repatriated) Sadanand Vasant Date
Cadre and batch Himachal Pradesh cadre, 1994 IPS batch
Current designation Special Director General, NIA
Nature of appointment Additional charge until further orders
Agency jurisdiction Terrorism, radicalisation, cross-border threats, national security
Significance Ensures continuity in national counter-terror operations

9. Who has been appointed as the new Executive Director of RBL Bank for a three-year term starting February 2026?
A) Deepak Ruiya
B) Rajeev Ahuja
C) Vishwavir Ahuja
D) Jaideep Iyer
E) Ramesh Srinivasan
Answer: D) Jaideep Iyer

Event and Location:

  • Event: RBL Bank appoints new Executive Director and interim CFO
  • Location: RBL Bank, India
  • Date: December 31, 2025 (announcement); February 21, 2026 (ED appointment effective)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Appointment of Jaideep Iyer as Executive Director for three years and Deepak Ruiya as interim Chief Financial Officer
  • Objectives: To ensure leadership continuity, institutional knowledge retention, and strategic focus during ongoing transformation

Important Terms Explained:

  • Executive Director (ED): A board-level appointment responsible for major strategic decisions and oversight in the bank’s operations
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO): A key leadership role responsible for managing a company’s financial planning, record-keeping, and reporting
  • Leadership Transition: A planned change in top management aimed at strengthening governance and performance continuity in institutions

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Appointment of new ED and interim CFO at RBL Bank
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location RBL Bank, India
Issuing authority RBL Bank Board
Policy/series name Leadership Transition and Strategic Strengthening
Key figures Jaideep Iyer (ED), Deepak Ruiya (interim CFO), Rajeev Ahuja (outgoing ED)
Purpose/reason Ensure leadership continuity and strengthen financial oversight
Feature details Elevation of internal talent, interim CFO appointment
Validity or status Effective from February 21, 2026 (ED); Interim CFO effective immediately
Strategic value Reinforces internal stability, succession planning, and institutional trust

10. Who has been appointed as the new Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in the recent bureaucratic reshuffle?
A) Rabindra Kumar Agarwal
B) Ashutosh Agnihotri
C) Lav Aggarwal
D) Srikant Nagulapalli
E) Suchindra Misra
Answer: C) Lav Aggarwal

Event and Location:

  • Event: Major bureaucratic reshuffle in key government departments
  • Location: India (nationwide administrative restructuring)
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Appointment of 25 senior civil servants to new roles including DGFT and FCI CMD
  • Objectives: To improve governance, fill strategic vacancies, and ensure efficient policy implementation in economic and social sectors

Important Terms Explained:

  • Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): A government body under the Ministry of Commerce responsible for regulating and promoting India’s foreign trade
  • Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC): The highest authority for civil service appointments, headed by the Prime Minister
  • Food Corporation of India (FCI): A government-owned corporation under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, responsible for food security and public distribution

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Major bureaucratic reshuffle in central government
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
Key appointments Lav Aggarwal (DGFT), R.K. Agarwal (CMD, FCI)
Other notable transfers Srikant Nagulapalli (Hydrocarbons), Nidhi Pandey (DAE), Sonal Mishra (CLC)
Reason for reshuffle Policy alignment, vacancy filling, and administrative strengthening
Replaced Officials Ashutosh Agnihotri (former CMD, FCI)
Strategic significance Enhances leadership in trade, food security, and social governance

Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs December 31

11. What is the primary purpose of the PathGennie software developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology?
A) Protein structure identification
B) Simulating vaccine efficacy
C) Predicting drug unbinding from protein targets
D) Monitoring gene mutations
E) Manufacturing pharmaceutical drugs
Answer: C) Predicting drug unbinding from protein targets

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of PathGennie open-source drug discovery tool
  • Location: India
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Development and release of PathGennie software for biomedical and pharmaceutical research
  • Objectives: Improve drug discovery efficiency by simulating natural drug–protein unbinding accurately, reduce research costs, and support computational biology

Important Terms Explained:

  • PathGennie: An open-source computational biology tool developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology to predict how drugs unbind from protein targets during drug discovery
  • Drug Unbinding Simulation: The process of computationally analyzing how a drug molecule detaches from its target protein, impacting the drug’s effectiveness and safety
  • Computational Biology: A field combining biology, computer science, and mathematics to model biological systems and processes using algorithms and simulations

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Development of PathGennie software
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Ministry of Science and Technology
Policy/series name Computational biology and AI in drug discovery
Key figures Dr. Jitendra Singh (Minister of Science and Technology)
Purpose/reason Accelerate drug discovery and improve prediction accuracy
Feature details Open-source tool, distortion-free simulations, predicts drug–protein unbinding
Validity or status Operational and globally accessible
Strategic value Supports India’s drug innovation, biotech ecosystem, and research leadership

Defence – Daily Current Affairs December 31

12. Which two major items were procured under the ₹4,666 crore defence contracts signed by India’s Ministry of Defence in December 2025?
A) Drones and battle tanks
B) Fighter jets and ballistic missiles
C) CQB carbines and heavy weight torpedoes
D) Night vision devices and assault rifles
E) Warships and helicopter gunships
Answer: C) CQB carbines and heavy weight torpedoes

Event and Location:

  • Event: Signing of defence contracts for CQB carbines and heavy weight torpedoes
  • Location: New Delhi, India
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Procurement of over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines for the Army and Navy and 48 heavy weight torpedoes for Kalvari Class submarines
  • Objectives: To enhance close-quarter combat effectiveness of ground forces and boost India’s underwater strike capabilities, while promoting indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

Important Terms Explained:

  • CQB Carbines: Compact, lightweight firearms designed for Close Quarter Battle scenarios, suitable for urban and tactical missions
  • Heavy Weight Torpedoes: Advanced underwater weapon systems launched from submarines, used for anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare
  • Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India’s mission promoting self-reliance across sectors, including defence, by encouraging domestic production and reducing import dependency

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Defence contracts signed for CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location New Delhi
Issuing authority Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Policy/series name Aatmanirbhar Bharat – Defence Procurement
Key figures Rajesh Kumar Singh (Defence Secretary)
Purpose/reason Strengthen infantry combat and submarine strike capabilities
Feature details 4.25 lakh carbines, 48 torpedoes, Indian and foreign defence manufacturers
Validity or status Contracts signed; deliveries begin from April 2028 (torpedoes)
Strategic value Improves operational readiness, supports defence indigenisation

National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs December 31

13. Where will India’s first state-led Artificial Intelligence research body, IAIRO, be established from January 2026?
A) Bengaluru
B) Hyderabad
C) Pune
D) GIFT City, Gandhinagar
E) Chennai
Answer: D) GIFT City, Gandhinagar

Event and Location:

  • Event: Establishment of Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO)
  • Location: GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
  • Date: January 1, 2026

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Establishment of India’s first state-led Artificial Intelligence research body under PPP model
  • Objectives: To promote advanced AI research, foster innovation, develop AI-based solutions, support IP creation, and strengthen industry–academia–government collaboration

Important Terms Explained:

  • IAIRO (Indian AI Research Organisation): A national-level multidisciplinary AI research body established under a PPP model for cutting-edge AI innovation and policy development
  • PPP Model (Public–Private Partnership): A funding and operational model involving collaboration between government entities and private organizations
  • Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): A legal entity created for a specific purpose, in this case, for the governance and operation of IAIRO

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Establishment of Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO)
Announcement date December 2025
Location GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Issuing authority Government of Gujarat in partnership with Centre and IPA
Policy/series name IndiaAI Mission, Gujarat AI Action Plan
Key figures Bhupendra Patel (CM), Members of IPA
Purpose/reason To create a national hub for AI research and innovation
Feature details ₹300 crore outlay, hybrid compute infra, Section 8 SPV
Validity or status Operational from January 1, 2026
Strategic/significant value Positions India globally in AI leadership and strengthens AI ecosystem

14. What is the primary purpose of Delhi’s new AI-based Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS)?
A) To manage RTI applications
B) To automate tax filing
C) To centralize and resolve public complaints faster
D) To monitor attendance of government employees
E) To provide public health forecasts
Answer: C) To centralize and resolve public complaints faster

Event and Location:

  • Event: Launch of AI-based Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS)
  • Location: Delhi, India
  • Date: December 31, 2025 (announcement date)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Develop and implement a unified, AI-powered grievance redressal system in collaboration with IIT Kanpur
  • Objectives: To enable faster, data-driven resolution of citizen complaints, ensure transparency, eliminate duplication, and improve departmental coordination

Important Terms Explained:

  • IGMS (Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System): An artificial intelligence-based platform integrating various grievance redressal portals into one dashboard to streamline public service delivery
  • Semantic Search: AI-driven search that understands intent and context of queries, rather than relying only on keywords
  • Root Cause Analysis: A method for identifying the primary source of recurring issues by analyzing complaint patterns and data

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name Launch of AI-based Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS)
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location Delhi, India
Issuing authority Delhi Government in partnership with IIT Kanpur
Policy/series name Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS)
Key figures Pankaj Kumar Singh (Delhi IT Minister), IIT Kanpur team
Purpose/reason Improve speed, transparency, and accountability in complaint redressal
Feature details Unified dashboard, semantic search, root cause analysis, spam filter
Validity or status Implementation phase initiated in 2025
Strategic/significant value Enhances citizen-centric governance using AI and data analytics

15. Which university has been praised by NITI Aayog as a model for globalising higher education in India?
A) Gujarat Biotechnology University
B) Delhi Technological University
C) Indian Institute of Science
D) Banaras Hindu University
E) Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
Answer: A) Gujarat Biotechnology University

Event and Location:

  • Event: NITI Aayog recognises Gujarat Biotechnology University as a global education model
  • Location: GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
  • Date: December 31, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: Highlighting Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) as a benchmark for internationalising Indian higher education
  • Objectives: To promote global academic partnerships, retain Indian talent, align with NEP 2020, and position India as a global education hub under Viksit Bharat@2047 vision

Important Terms Explained:

  • National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive education reform policy aiming to transform India’s education system by enhancing access, equity, and internationalisation
  • Viksit Bharat@2047: Government of India’s long-term vision to make India a developed nation by 2047 through inclusive and innovation-driven development
  • Study in India: An initiative to attract foreign students and enhance India’s soft power in education through global outreach and institutional collaboration

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name NITI Aayog praises Gujarat Biotechnology University as global model
Announcement date December 31, 2025
Location GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Issuing authority NITI Aayog
Policy/series name NEP 2020 and Viksit Bharat@2047
Key figures Bhupendra Patel (CM), Suman Bery (Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog)
Purpose/reason Promote global higher education collaborations, reduce brain drain
Feature details Partnership with University of Edinburgh, ₹300+ crore infra investment
Validity or status Active model and ongoing international expansion
Strategic/significant value Positions India as global education hub, curbs student outflow, boosts innovation

16. Which two organizations signed an MoU in December 2025 to enhance quality control and testing in national highway construction?
A) BIS and NITI Aayog
B) NTH and NHAI
C) MoRTH and CPWD
D) NHIDCL and IIT Delhi
E) NHAI and CSIR
Answer: B) NTH and NHAI

Event and Location:

  • Event: NTH and NHAI sign MoU for highway quality control and testing
  • Location: NHAI Headquarters, New Delhi
  • Date: December 30, 2025

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: National Test House (NTH) will provide third-party testing services for highway construction materials used in NHAI projects
  • Objectives: To improve transparency, ensure higher quality and safety in highway construction, support scientific testing, and build institutional capacity in infrastructure projects

Important Terms Explained:

  • National Test House (NTH): A scientific testing and quality assurance institution under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, established in 1912
  • National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): A statutory body under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways responsible for development and maintenance of national highways
  • Third-Party Testing: Independent verification of quality and safety standards by an external laboratory to reduce errors, delays, and non-compliance in infrastructure projects

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name NTH–NHAI MoU for Highway Quality Enhancement
Announcement date December 30, 2025
Location NHAI Headquarters, New Delhi
Issuing authority National Test House and NHAI
Policy/series name Scientific testing collaboration in infrastructure
Key figures Santosh Kumar Yadav (NHAI), Alok Srivastava (NTH), Bharat Khera (Dept. of Consumer Affairs)
Purpose/reason Improve quality assurance and transparency in national highway projects
Feature details Empanelment of NTH as testing lab, joint training, online test portals
Validity or status MoU signed and in operational status
Strategic value Supports world-class road infrastructure and enhances public trust

17. When is the effective date of the 8th Central Pay Commission as per the government notification?
A) January 1, 2025
B) November 1, 2025
C) January 1, 2026
D) April 1, 2026
E) January 1, 2027
Answer: C) January 1, 2026

Event and Location:

  • Event: Notification and effective date of the 8th Central Pay Commission
  • Location: India
  • Date: Effective from January 1, 2026 (notified in November 2025)

Mandates and Objectives:

  • Mandates: To review and recommend changes in the pay structure, allowances, and pensions for central government employees and pensioners
  • Objectives: To ensure fair compensation, maintain parity with inflation and private sector wages, and provide financial justice to government servants

Important Terms Explained:

  • 8th Pay Commission: A commission established by the Government of India to review pay, pension, and allowances for central government employees and pensioners; effective from Jan 1, 2026
  • Fitment Factor: A multiplier applied to the existing basic pay to arrive at the revised basic pay under the new pay commission; likely to range between 1.83 to 2.46
  • Dearness Allowance (DA): A cost of living adjustment allowance linked to inflation, revised biannually; it will not be merged with basic pay under the 8th CPC

Tabular Summary:

Parameter Details
Event name 8th Central Pay Commission effective from Jan 1, 2026
Announcement date November 2025
Location India
Issuing authority Government of India (Ministry of Finance)
Policy/series name 8th Central Pay Commission (8th CPC)
Key figures Over 50 lakh employees and 65 lakh pensioners to benefit
Purpose/reason Review pay, pension, and allowances to adjust with cost of living and inflation
Feature details Study and recommend revisions; report expected in 18 months
Validity or status Effective from Jan 1, 2026; implementation expected in 2027–28
Strategic/significant value Ensures fairness in compensation and aligns public wages with economic conditions


Over All Review

Sports 

  • Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20I cricket with 152 wickets.

Ranking 

  • India has officially overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion.

Banking and Finance 

  • The RBI has initiated a review of the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework for NBFCs to address rising systemic risks.
  • The RBI’s Trend and Progress of Banking in India FY25 report revealed a decline in total ATMs from 2.53 lakh to 2.51 lakh.
  • The Finance Ministry has notified final rules allowing 100% FDI in India’s insurance sector.

Business And Economy

  • India recorded more than 5.5 lakh domestic trademark registrations during FY 2024–25, the highest ever in a single financial year.
  • India’s credit growth reached nearly 12% year-on-year as of December 15, 2025, while deposit growth slowed to 9.35%.

Appointments

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs has given IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal additional charge as Director General of the National Investigation Agency.
  • RBL Bank has appointed Jaideep Iyer as Executive Director for a three-year term starting February 21, 2026.
  • Lav Aggarwal has been appointed as the new Director General of Foreign Trade.

Science and Technology

  • PathGennie is an open-source software developed by the Ministry of Science and Technology to accelerate early-stage drug discovery.

Defence

  • The Ministry of Defence has signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore to boost India’s ground and underwater combat capabilities.

National Affairs

  • Gujarat will host India’s first state-led Artificial Intelligence research body, the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO), at GIFT City starting January 1, 2026.
  • The Delhi government has partnered with IIT Kanpur to develop the AI-based Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS) to improve public grievance redressal.
  • NITI Aayog’s latest report lauds Gujarat Biotechnology University as a model for globalising Indian higher education.
  • National Test House (NTH) and NHAI signed an MoU on December 30, 2025, to boost quality and safety in highway construction.
  • The 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) has become effective from January 1, 2026, but salary hikes will only follow cabinet approval of its recommendations.

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