Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 23 & 24 December, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
23 & 24 December, 2025

International Affairs

1. 11th COSP to the UN Convention Against Corruption Held in Doha, Qatar

Context:

The 11th edition of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP-11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was held from December 15–19, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.

COSP is the world’s largest global anti-corruption conference, serving as the main policy-making body of UNCAC.

Hosting & Organisation

• Host Country: State of Qatar
• Co-Host: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Duration: 5 days

Key Outcomes of COSP-11

Doha Declaration 2025

• The conference culminated in the adoption of the Doha Declaration 2025.
• Focuses on leveraging digital technologies, including:
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Advanced data analytics
  • Digital governance tools
• Aim: To prevent, detect, and combat corruption at national and global levels.

Resolutions Adopted

• 11 resolutions were adopted covering:
  • Prevention of corruption
  • Criminalisation and law enforcement
  • International cooperation
  • Asset recovery
  • Capacity building and technical assistance

National Affairs

1. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025

Context:

The President of India has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, which was passed during the Winter Session of Parliament, marking a major reform in India’s civil nuclear energy governance.

About the SHANTI Act, 2025

A comprehensive and unified legislation governing India’s civil nuclear sector.
It replaces:

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010

and creates a single integrated framework for:

• Regulation
• Licensing
• Safety oversight
• Nuclear liability

Aim

• Accelerate nuclear power capacity for clean energy transition
• Enable private sector and joint venture (JV) participation under strict regulation
• Modernise safety, liability, and institutional oversight mechanisms

Key Features of the Act

1. Opening the Nuclear Sector to Non-Government Entities

• Licences may be granted to:
  • Indian private companies
  • Government–private joint ventures
  • Other entities expressly permitted by the Central Government
• Foreign-incorporated companies are excluded
• Permitted activities include:
  • Building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants
  • Fabrication, transport, trade, and storage of nuclear fuel

2. Revised Nuclear Liability Framework

• Retains:
  • No-fault liability principle for operators
  • Compulsory insurance coverage
• Introduces tiered liability caps based on reactor capacity:
  • From ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore
  • Replaces the earlier flat ₹1,500 crore cap
• Central Government bears liability beyond the operator’s cap
• Liability exclusions (e.g., specified natural disasters) and claims adjudication mechanisms retained

3. Change in Operator’s Right of Recourse

• Removes automatic right of recourse against suppliers for defective equipment/materials
• Recourse allowed only:
  • If explicitly provided in contract, or
  • In cases of deliberate acts causing damage
• Aligns India’s regime with global nuclear liability norms

4. Expanded Territorial Jurisdiction for Claims

• Compensation now extends to:
  • Nuclear damage suffered in foreign states, arising from incidents in India
• Subject to conditions specified under the Act

5. Statutory Status to Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

• Grants legal backing to AERB to ensure safe use of nuclear energy and radiation
• Composition:
  • Chairperson
  • One whole-time member
  • Up to seven part-time members (experts of eminence)
• Appointments:
  • Through search-cum-selection committee
  • Tenure: 3 years, extendable up to 6 years

6. Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council

• New appellate body to hear appeals against decisions of:
  • Central Government
  • AERB
• Chairperson: Chairperson, Atomic Energy Commission
• Members include heads of:
  • BARC
  • AERB
  • Central Electricity Authority (CEA)
• Further appeal lies with the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity

2. Aravalli Hills

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has accepted the Centre’s new definition of the Aravalli Hills, restricting legal protection to landforms rising 100 metres or more above local relief.
This has triggered the nationwide #SaveAravalli campaign, with environmental experts and civil society warning of large-scale ecological risks.

About the Save Aravalli Campaign

• A citizen-led, expert-backed environmental movement opposing the dilution of legal and ecological protection for the Aravalli mountain range, one of the oldest geological systems in the world.
• Seeks holistic landscape-level protection, instead of a narrow elevation-based definition.

About Aravalli Hills

The Aravalli Hills are among the oldest mountain ranges in the world, stretching ~800 km from Gujarat–Rajasthan to Haryana–Delhi. Though modest in height, they are ecologically critical to north-western India.

Ecological & Economic Significance

• Climate buffer: Act as a barrier against Thar Desert dust, moderating heat and air pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plains and Delhi-NCR.
• Water security: Recharge aquifers; sustain rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni.
• Biodiversity: Support forests, commons, and wildlife corridors (leopards, birds).
• Livelihoods: Pastoralism, rain-fed agriculture, and ecosystem services.

Ecological Shield

• Act as the green lungs of North India
• Block desert dust from advancing eastwards
• Moderate regional climate

Water Security

• Recharge aquifers and sustain rivers such as:
  • Chambal
  • Sabarmati
  • Luni

Climate Resilience

• Reduce:
  • Heat extremes
  • Drought vulnerability
  • Air pollution levels

3. Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025

Source: PIB

Why in News?

The President of India has granted assent to the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025, passed during the Winter Session of Parliament.
The Act replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.

About Viksit Bharat–G RAM G Act, 2025

A revamped statutory framework for rural employment, repositioning wage employment as an integrated instrument for:

• Livelihood security
• Durable asset creation
• Climate resilience

Aligned with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.

Aims

• Enhance income security of rural households through expanded employment guarantee
• Transform wage employment into long-term rural development via asset creation

Key Features

1. Increased Guaranteed Employment

• Statutory guarantee of not less than 125 days of unskilled manual work per rural household per financial year
• Unemployment allowance retained if work is not provided within 15 days of demand

2. Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Revised Funding Pattern

• Implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)
• Funding pattern:
  • 60:40 – Centre : States (most states)
  • 90:10 – North-Eastern & Himalayan states
  • 100% Central funding – Union Territories without legislatures
• States continue to bear:
  • Unemployment allowance
  • Delay compensation

3. Normative Allocations & State Responsibility

• Centre to notify state-wise normative allocations annually
• Excess expenditure beyond allocation to be borne by states
• Does not dilute the statutory right to work

4. Pause During Peak Agricultural Seasons

• States may notify a pause of up to 60 days annually during sowing/harvesting seasons
• 125-day entitlement remains intact, ensuring balance between farm labour needs and wage employment

5. Decentralised & Integrated Planning

• Gram Sabhas and Panchayats remain the core planning authorities
• Works to originate from Viksit Gram Panchayat Plans
• Plans:
  • Prepared through participatory processes
  • Integrated with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
  • Aggregated upwards for convergence

6. Focus on Priority Development Domains

Works restricted to four thematic areas:

1. Water security
2. Core rural infrastructure
3. Livelihood-related infrastructure
4. Climate resilience & extreme weather mitigation

• Assets mapped into a National Rural Infrastructure Stack to prevent duplication

7. Strengthened Governance & Monitoring

• Retains Central and State Councils
• Establishes:
  • National Level Steering Committee
  • State Steering Committees
• Purpose: Oversight, convergence, and plan aggregation

8. Technology-Driven Transparency & Accountability

• Use of:
  • Biometric authentication
  • Geo-tagging of assets
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Weekly public disclosures
• Social audits by Gram Sabhas strengthened to ensure inclusion and accountability

4. Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)

Why in News?

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved USD 206 million in emergency assistance for Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

About the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI)

The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) is an IMF emergency lending facility that provides quick, low-access financial assistance to member countries facing urgent balance-of-payments (BoP) needs, particularly during:

• Natural disasters
• External economic shocks
• Domestic instability or fragility

Aim

• Provide immediate liquidity to countries under sudden BoP pressure
• Prevent severe economic disruption when a full IMF programme is not feasible
• Support macroeconomic stability during short-term crises

5. India–France Sign Pact

Why in News?

India and France have signed a defence cooperation agreement for the local production of advanced artillery and navigation systems, strengthening bilateral defence ties and supporting India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing.

Key Details of the Pact

• The agreement was signed between India Optel Limited (a defence PSU) and Safran Electronics & Defense of France.
• The signing took place in New Delhi and was witnessed by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence.
• The pact enables manufacturing, assembly, testing, quality assurance, and life-cycle support in India.

Systems Covered Under the Agreement

1. SIGMA 30N Inertial Navigation System

• A digital ring laser gyro-based system.
• Used in:
  • Artillery guns
  • Air defence systems
  • Missiles and radars
• Enhances accuracy, navigation, and targeting.

2. CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight

• Fire-control system for:
  • Artillery guns
  • Anti-drone systems
• Improves precision in direct-fire operations.

6. Internationalization of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations by NITI Aayog

Source: TH

Why in News?

The NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations”, proposing a $10-billion national research fund, global scholarships, and regulatory reforms to address India’s widening student mobility imbalance.

Major Recommendations of the NITI Aayog Report

1. Bharat Vidya Kosh – National Research Sovereign Wealth Fund

• Proposed corpus: $10 billion
• Funding structure:
  • 50% from Indian diaspora & philanthropy
  • 50% matching contribution by the Union government
• Objective:
  • Boost cutting-edge research
  • Improve global competitiveness of Indian universities

2. Vishwa Bandhu Scholarships & Fellowships

• Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship
  • To attract international students to Indian institutions
• Vishwa Bandhu Fellowship
  • To attract foreign faculty and global research talent
• Aim: Position India as a knowledge hub, not merely a source country for students

3. Erasmus+-like Mobility Programme

• Proposal for a structured international student exchange programme
• Modeled on the EU’s Erasmus+
• Focus on:
  • Credit transfer
  • Short-term mobility
  • Collaborative degrees

4. Regulatory & Institutional Reforms

• Easing norms to allow more international campuses in India
• Simplifying approvals under the new higher education regulatory framework
• Mandate to the proposed Standards Council (Manak Parishad) to design:
  • Non-binding internationalisation frameworks

5. Academic & Ranking Reforms

• Curriculum modernisation with global relevance
• Expansion of NIRF rankings criteria to include:
  • International students & faculty
  • Global research collaboration
  • Cross-border academic engagement

India as a Global Education Hub

• Using forecasting models, the report estimates that by 2047:
  • India could host 7.89 lakh to 11 lakh international students
• This would mark a major shift from India being a net exporter of students to a destination for global education and research.

7. India–Netherlands MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

Context:

India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.

About National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

The NMHC is a flagship cultural and heritage initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aimed at presenting India’s 4,500–5,000-year-old maritime legacy through a world-class museum and cultural complex.

• Location:
  Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Nodal Ministry:
  Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)

About Lothal

• Location:
  • Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
• Cultural Context:
  • Part of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization landscape

Excavation:

• Excavated in 1957 by the Archaeological Survey of India
• Dates back to around 2400 BCE

Key Importance:

• Site of the world’s earliest known man-made dockyard, highlighting advanced maritime planning and trade in ancient India

8. Indian Conservationist Vivek Menon Elected Chair of IUCN SSC (2025–2029)

Indian wildlife conservationist Vivek Menon has been elected as the Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) for the 2025–2029 term.

About IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC)

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is the largest and most influential scientific network of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), focused on conserving species and halting biodiversity loss worldwide.

Established

• 1949, alongside the formation of IUCN

Organisational Position

• One of the six expert Commissions of IUCN
• Works closely with:
  • IUCN Secretariat
  • National governments
  • NGOs
  • Research and academic institutions

9. Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

Source: TH

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has strengthened conservation safeguards for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) while revising power transmission alignments under the Green Energy Corridor (GEC) in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
The move seeks to balance renewable energy expansion with species protection, especially in priority bustard habitats.

About the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and the state bird of Rajasthan.
It is a flagship grassland species and a crucial indicator of ecosystem health in India’s arid and semi-arid landscapes.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
• CITES: Appendix I
• CMS (Bonn Convention): Listed species

Population

• Estimated global population: ~200 individuals

10. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Releases Toolkit for 10th Swachh Survekshan

Source: PIB

Context:

On December 20, 2025, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), released the Toolkit for the 10th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

Swachh Survekshan is recognized as the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey, conducted annually under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U).

About the Toolkit

• The Toolkit is the official assessment guideline issued by MoHUA.
• It serves as a roadmap for cities, defining:
  • Evaluation parameters
  • Indicators and weightages
  • Methodology for assessment
• Aims to bring uniformity, transparency, and accountability in city-level cleanliness rankings.

Swachh Survekshan 2025–26

Theme

• “Swachhata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath”
• Emphasises collective responsibility and participatory cleanliness.

Citizen Participation (Major Reform)

• For the first time, citizens can provide year-round feedback.
• Digital platforms enabled:
  • Vote For My City App
  • MyGov App
  • Swachhata App
  • QR code–based feedback
• Strengthens people-centric governance and real-time monitoring.

11. Statutory Bureau of Port Security (BoPS): Institutionalising Maritime Security

India is moving from fragmented port security arrangements to a single statutory architecture through the creation of the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Decision taken after a high-level meeting chaired by Amit Shah.
• BoPS will be constituted under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.

Banking/Finance

1. Gold Most Stable Asset During Geopolitical Tensions: RBI Staff Study

Source: BS

Gold has emerged as the most stable asset during periods of heightened geopolitical stress, while crude oil has shown the highest sensitivity, according to a study published in the monthly bulletin of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The study was authored by RBI staff members under the guidance of Poonam Gupta, with a clarification that the views expressed are those of the authors and not the official position of the RBI.

Key Findings of the Study

Asset-wise Response to Geopolitical Risk

• Gold
  • Most stable and least sensitive to geopolitical shocks
  • Reaffirms its role as a safe-haven asset, hedge against inflation, and store of value
  • High prices during 2022–2025 reflect investor response to global uncertainty and tensions
• Crude Oil
  • Most sensitive to geopolitical shocks
  • Volatility rises sharply with increases in the Geopolitical Risk (GPR) Index
  • Vulnerable due to exposure to supply disruptions, regional conflicts, and sanctions
• Silver
  • Intermediate sensitivity
  • More volatile than gold due to industrial demand exposure, but less sensitive than crude oil
• US Treasury Securities
  • Show a steady rise in volatility as geopolitical risk increases
  • Reflect flight-to-safety behaviour, where strong demand lowers yields but creates moderate volatility due to shifting capital flows

2. Global Headwinds Strong, but Growth Stable: RBI Report

Source: Mint

Why in News?

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has stated in its December State of the Economy report that despite persistent global headwinds—including trade and policy uncertainties—India’s economic growth remains resilient, anchored by strong domestic demand, particularly private consumption and investment.

Key Takeaways from the RBI Report

1. Growth Performance

• GDP growth (Q2 FY26):8.2%
  • Highest in six quarters
• Growth drivers:
  • Private consumption demand
  • Fixed investment
• Reflects “remarkable resilience” amid global trade uncertainties.

2. Demand & Sectoral Trends

• High-frequency indicators (November):
  • Overall economic activity held up
  • Urban demand strengthened further
• Services sector: Continued to remain robust
• Manufacturing: Showed some signs of deceleration

3. Global Environment

• Global headwinds persisted due to:
  • Trade policy uncertainties
  • Volatile global financial conditions
• However, global volatility eased slightly in November, and global economic activity expanded at a steady pace.

4. Financial Markets & External Sector

• Market sentiment in Q2 FY26 improved due to:
  • Healthy corporate earnings
  • Policy rate cuts by RBI and the US Federal Reserve
• Challenges:
  • Muted foreign portfolio inflows
  • Uncertainty over the India–US trade deal
• Impact:
  • Foreign portfolio outflows from equities
  • Downward pressure on the rupee
  • Spillover effects on foreign exchange reserves

5. Monetary Policy Response

• Monetary Policy Committee (MPC):
  • Unanimously cut the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25%
  • Cumulative rate cut since Feb 2025: 125 bps
• Rationale:
  • Support growth amid global uncertainty
  • Leverage benign inflation conditions

3. Mswipe Technologies Receives Final Payment Aggregator Licence from RBI

Context:

In December 2025, digital payments firm Mswipe Technologies Private Limited received the final Payment Aggregator (PA) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The licence allows Mswipe to operate both online and offline merchant payment acceptance under a single, unified regulatory framework.

About Payment Aggregator (PA) Licence – Mswipe

Scope of Operations

• Authorised to:
  • Onboard merchants
  • Aggregate multiple payment instruments
  • Operate across online, offline, and hybrid environments
  • Facilitate inward and outward cross-border transactions

Omnichannel Payment Enablement

• Enables seamless payment acceptance through:
  • E-commerce websites
  • Mobile applications (apps)
  • Physical retail stores (POS terminals)

Regulatory Status

• Final PA approval places Mswipe among a select group of fully authorised Payment Aggregators in India.

Other Regulatory Approvals Held by Mswipe

• In-principle Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) licence
• Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence (granted in 2022)

4. South Indian Bank Launches ‘RuPay SIB Paytag’

Context:

On December 20, 2025, entity[“organization”,”South Indian Bank”,”private sector bank india”] (SIB) launched the ‘RuPay SIB Paytag Sticker’, a contactless payment solution that enables fast and secure transactions at Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals and e-commerce platforms, without the need for a physical debit card.

About RuPay SIB Paytag

Overview

• A small contactless payment tag that functions like a debit card.
• Eliminates the need to swipe or insert a card.
• Available in multiple formats:
• Sticker
• Wearable tags
• Keychains

Technology Used

• Uses NFC technology for tap-to-pay transactions.
• Compatible with contactless POS terminals and online payments.

Security & Authentication

• PIN authentication mandatory for:
• Transactions above ₹5,000
• Up to ₹1,00,000 at POS or online
• Enhances transaction security while maintaining convenience.

Facts To Remember

1. Biofabri, Bharat Biotech Ink Pact for TB Vaccine (MTBVAC)

Spain-based Biofabri, part of the Zendal Group, and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International (BBIL) have signed a technology transfer agreement for the tuberculosis (TB) vaccine candidate MTBVAC.

About MTBVAC

• Designed to offer broader and longer-lasting protection, including against pulmonary TB in adolescents and adults.
• MTBVAC is a live-attenuated tuberculosis vaccine candidate.
• Developed as a potential replacement or improvement over BCG, the century-old TB vaccine.

2. Saudi Arabia confers top civilian honour on Pakistan military head Asim Munir

Saudi Arabia has awarded its highest national honor to Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during his visit to Riyadh, Pakistan’s military, underscoring deepening ties between the two countries, including cooperation on counterterrorism.

3. Pakistan Clinch U-19 Asia Cup Title, Beat India by 191 Runs

The Pakistan U-19 cricket team defeated the India U-19 cricket team by a massive 191-run margin to win the U-19 Asia Cup on Sunday.

4. FIFA men’s rankings: Spain ends 2025 as table-topper

Spain will end 2025 as the top men’s team in the FIFA rankings. 

5. Celebrated writer, Jnanpith awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla passes away at 88

Renowned Hindi poet and author and 2024 Jnanpith Award winner Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away in Raipur.

6. India pledges $450 million to aid Sri Lanka’s recovery

India announced a $450-million “reconstruction package” for Sri Lanka to help the island nation recover from the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which claimed at least 643 lives and displaced scores of people.

7. Jnanpith awardee Vinod Kr Shukla passes away at 88

Renowned Hindi writer and Jnanpith Award recipient Vinod Kumar Shukla died on Tuesday. He was 88. ‘Naukar Ki Kameez’ (the servant’s shirt) was his most celebrated work.

8. India Reclaims 3rd Spot in Global Wind Market in 2025: BloombergNEF

India has reclaimed the third position in the global wind power market in 2025, recording its highest-ever annual capacity additions, according to a report by BloombergNEF (BNEF). India now ranks behind only China and the United States, marking its return to the top three for the first time since 2019, after four consecutive years at the fifth position.

9. Ashwagandha Postal Stamp: Symbolic Health Diplomacy

• Occasion: 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, New Delhi.
• Narendra Modi released a commemorative stamp on Ashwagandha.

10. India’s First Gen-Z Post Office – J&K

• Opened at AIIMS Vijaypur.
• Part of the Department of Posts’ modernisation drive.

11. Airtel Payments Bank Enables EV Wallet Recharge

Airtel Payments Bank has enabled EV wallet recharges via Bharat Connect (BBPS) on the Airtel Thanks app in partnership with NPCI.
The facility allows instant, interoperable EV charging payments without using multiple operator-specific apps.

12. South Indian Bank Launches RuPay NFC Sticker

South Indian Bank launched the RuPay Contactless ‘SIB Paytag’, an NFC-based payment sticker for fast and secure transactions.
Payments up to ₹5,000 are PIN-less, while higher-value transactions require PIN authentication.

13. Piramal Finance–Shriram Life Insurance Deal

Piramal Finance will sell its entire 14.72% stake in Shriram Life Insurance to Sanlam Emerging Markets (Mauritius) Ltd for ₹600 crore, subject to IRDAI approval.

14. PM-YUVA 3.0 Scheme selects 43 young Authors through All-India contest

The results of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0) have been declared, with 43 young authors selected through an All-India contest.

15. NHAI receives SEBI approval for Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust as Infrastructure Investment Trust

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India for its sponsored Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

16. ISRO Successfully Launches US AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today successfully launched a next-generation US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 onboard its heaviest vehicle LVM3-M6 from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. 

17. President Droupadi Murmu Extends Greetings on Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh

President Droupadi Murmu today extended greetings to the countrymen, especially the residents of Odisha, on the sacred occasion of the Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh. 

18. India Re-elected to International Civil Aviation Organisation Council

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu today said that India has been re-elected to the International Civil Aviation Organisation- ICAO Council with one of the highest mandates. 

19. DRDO Successfully Completes User Evaluation Trials of Akash-NG Missile System

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the User Evaluation Trials of Next Generation Akash missile (Akash-NG) system. 

20. Indian Coast Guard inducts First Pollution Control Vessel at Goa Shipyard Limited

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has inducted the first Pollution Control Vessel, Samudra Pratap, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

21. President Droupadi Murmu confers Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025

President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at a function held at Rastrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

22. INSV Kaundinya to undertake its maiden overseas voyage, reviving India’s ancient shipbuilding tradition

INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s pioneering stitched sailing vessel that revives India’s ancient shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, will undertake its maiden overseas voyage on the 29th of this month.

23. National Farmers’ Day 2025

National Farmers’ Day is being observed across the nation today. The day honours the contributions of farmers to the nation’s growth and development.  

IMPORTANT DAY

23 December – Kisan Diwas

• Celebrates farmers’ contribution to food security and rural economy.
• Birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s 5th Prime Minister.