Daily Current Affairs Quiz14 & 15 December, 2025 National Affairs 1. Union Cabinet Approves Atomic Energy Bill, 2025 (SHANTI Bill) Source: ET Context: The Atomic Energy Bill, 2025, also called the SHANTI Bill (Sustainable Harnessing of Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India), is the largest nuclear sector reform since 1962, aiming to modernise governance, safety, liability, and private-sector participation in India’s nuclear energy sector. Key Objectives Ministry Current Legal Framework (Before SHANTI Bill) Key Features of SHANTI Bill 1. Private Sector Participation 2. Unified Legal Framework 3. Nuclear Liability Reforms 4. Independent Regulatory Authority 5. Dedicated Nuclear Tribunal 6. Support for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) 2. India Ranks 3rd in Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Index 2025 Source: IE Context: Stanford University has ranked India third globally in its 2025 Global AI Vibrancy Index, reflecting the country’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence preparedness, innovation, and ecosystem development. The index evaluates how well countries are positioned for AI-led economic and governance transformation. About the Stanford Global AI Vibrancy Tool Issuing Institution Coverage Purpose India’s Ranking and Performance Global Position Score Improvement Seven Pillars of AI Vibrancy The index evaluates countries across seven pillars: India performed particularly well in: Global Leaders in AI Vibrancy United States China Key Drivers Behind India’s Rise 3. Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 Source: HT Context: The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 seeks to overhaul India’s higher education regulatory architecture by creating a single umbrella body, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Bill aims to end multiplicity of regulators, reduce over-regulation, and introduce a “light but tight” regulatory framework. Core Objective of the Bill Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (Commission) Councils Under the Commission 4. National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 Source: TH Context: Thalassaemia patient groups have welcomed the introduction of the National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 in Parliament, describing it as a long-awaited reform to improve access to safe, quality blood across India. What is Thalassaemia? Key Provisions of the National Blood Transfusion Bill, 2025 Provision Key Features Objective/Impact National Blood Transfusion Authority Central regulatory authority for blood transfusion services Ensures uniform governance and oversight across all states Uniform National Standards Covers collection, testing, processing, storage, distribution, and transfusion practices Eliminates regional disparities; ensures consistent quality Mandatory Registration of Blood Centres All blood banks and centres must be registered Enhances monitoring, accountability, and compliance Promotion of Voluntary Blood Donation Encourages non-remunerated voluntary donations Reduces dependence on paid/replacement donors; improves safety Stricter Oversight and Penalties Introduces strict penalties for unsafe, unethical, or non-compliant practices Curbs poor screening, storage lapses, and illegal blood trading 5. Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) and Kopra Jalashay (Chhattisgarh) Added to Ramsar List Context: India has added Siliserh Lake in Rajasthan and Kopra Jalashay in Chhattisgarh to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar List), taking the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 96. About Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan About Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh Banking/Finance 1. 50 Years of Regional Rural Banks Source: BS Context: India’s Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) completed 50 years in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards financial inclusion and rural development. Established to bridge the gap between commercial banking and cooperative institutions, RRBs have played a crucial role in extending formal finance to underserved rural and semi-urban regions. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Genesis of RRBs Objective Unique Institutional Design Tripartite Ownership Structure Key Features One Nation One RRB Initiative Role in Financial Inclusion and Government Schemes RRBs are key implementation partners for flagship schemes: Recapitalisation and Regulatory Support 2. SEBI Weighs Margin Cut to Boost Non-Expiry Day F&O Trading Source: Mint Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is considering a reduction in margins for equity derivatives trading on non-expiry days to encourage longer-term positions and reduce excessive concentration of trading activity on weekly options expiry days. What Are Margins in F&O Trading? Why SEBI Is Considering This Move Current Margin Structure in India Components of Margin Key Difference from Global Practice Proposed Changes Under Discussion For Non-Expiry Days For Expiry Days 3. Govt Urges Banks to Reprice MSME Loans Source: TOI Context: The Government of India has informed Parliament that banks have been advised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to link loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to an external benchmark, improving monetary policy transmission. Key Measures for MSME Loans Quality Control Orders (QCOs) & MSME Exemptions Key Relaxations: Objective Agriculture 1. Transforming Marathwada: How Natural Farming Rescued the Borole Family from Agrarian Distress Source: NABARD The drought-prone region of Marathwada, particularly Babhulgaon village in Nanded district, has long suffered from crop failures, soil degradation, and farmer indebtedness. Farmer couple Sumantai and Namdeorao Borole turned their ancestral land into a model of natural, diversified farming, demonstrating a successful path to financial stability and ecological restoration. Background: Agrarian Crisis in Marathwada Turning Point: The JIVA Programme The ATM Model: Diversified Farming for Continuous Income Ecological Impact and Biodiversity Restoration Community Learning and Replication Facts To Remember 1. National shooting: Raiza claims golden double in skeet Raiza Dhillon clinched the women’s senior and junior skeet gold in the National shooting in New Delhi. The 21-year-old shot 56 in the women’s final ahead of Yashasvi Rathore (55). Ganemat Shekhon finished third with 45. 2. Nandhidhaa beats Srishti, retains National title P.V. Nandhidhaa beat Srishti Pandey in the 11th round on Saturday to retain her title in the National women’s chess championship at Durgapur. 3. Ministry of Education celebrates Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, celebrated the valedictory Function of Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav (BBU) 2025 on 11th December 2025 on the occasion of National Bal Bhavan, New Delhi. 4. 2025 Passport Index: UAE Retains Top Spot, India at 67th In December 2025, Arton Capital, a Canada-based global financial advisory firm, released the 2025 Passport Index, ranking passports worldwide based on travel freedom and mobility. Top-ranked Passport: United Arab Emirates (UAE) 5. India reaffirms ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at 11th UNAOC

Daily Current Affairs Quiz13 December, 2025 National Affairs 1. India’s Resolution on ‘Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires’ Adopted at UNEA-7 Source: PIB Context: India’s resolution on “Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires” was adopted at the 7th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) held in Nairobi, Kenya. The adoption reflects broad international consensus on the growing global threat posed by wildfires and the need for coordinated international action. Why Wildfires Are a Global Concern India cited UNEP’s report “Spreading Like Wildfire”, which projects: These projections underscore wildfires as a long-term, climate-driven global risk. United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) Established: Headquarters: 2. Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20 Source: PIB Context: The Indian Navy will commission DSC A20, its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Craft (DSC), at Kochi, marking a significant milestone in India’s naval self-reliance and underwater operational capability. About Diving Support Craft (DSC) A20 DSC A20 is a purpose-built naval auxiliary vessel designed to support underwater diving operations, including inspection, repair and salvage activities in coastal and near-shore waters. Developed by Objectives Banking/Finance 1. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 Context: Indian residents who ask friends, associates, or agents abroad to make initial payments (10–20%) for overseas purchases—such as artwork, luxury watches, or real estate—risk violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), even if the transactions are genuine. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently issued notices highlighting this issue, invoking Section 3(a) of FEMA. Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 is India’s primary law governing foreign exchange transactions, external trade, and cross-border capital flows. It replaced the more restrictive Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA), 1973. In Force Since Administered By Objectives of FEMA Key Features of FEMA 1. Civil Law Framework 2. Classification of Transactions FEMA divides forex transactions into two categories: a) Current Account Transactions b) Capital Account Transactions Regulatory Powers under FEMA Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Government Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Key Concepts under FEMA Difference Between FEMA and FERA Aspect FERA (1973) FEMA (1999) Approach Restrictive Facilitative Nature of law Criminal Civil Focus Conservation of forex Management of forex Presumption Guilty unless proven innocent Innocent unless proven guilty Economic context Closed economy Liberalised economy 3. SEBI Mandates Two Executive Directors to Strengthen Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs) Source: ET Context: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has notified a comprehensive leadership and governance framework for Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs)—including stock exchanges, clearing corporations and depositories—to strengthen oversight, accountability and risk management. What Are MIIs? MIIs are systemically important entities that provide the core infrastructure for capital markets, such as: They play a critical role in ensuring market integrity, investor protection and financial stability. Key Features of the New SEBI Framework Mandatory Appointment of Two Executive Directors (EDs) SEBI has mandated that every MII must appoint: Both EDs will be full-time and will sit on the governing board of the MII. Transparent Appointment Process Strengthened Reporting and Oversight Revised Internal Reporting Structure Agriculture 1. Centre Increases Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Copra Source: BS Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for the 2026 market season, providing price assurance to coconut farmers amid rising input costs. Revised MSP for Copra (2026 Season) What is Copra? Coconut is a major plantation crop in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and parts of the North-East. Copra converts perishable coconuts into a value-added, shelf-stable product. Copra is the dried kernel (white meat) of mature coconuts. It is obtained by drying fresh coconut kernels either: Once dried, copra becomes a storable and tradable agricultural commodity. What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)? Facts To Remember 1. Nepal to Allow Indian High-Denomination Currency Notes Nepal is set to allow Indian currency notes above ₹100, nearly a decade after banning high-denomination notes. Nepal Rastra Bank is in the final stages of issuing the official notice in the Nepal Gazette. 2. MGNREGA to Get New Name and More Work Days The government is set to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) as Pujya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Yojana. The mandatory employment days per rural household will rise from 100 to 125 days annually. 3. Italy Becomes First Country to Receive UNESCO Recognition for Its National Cuisine UNESCO has inscribed “Italian cooking” on its Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) List, making Italy the first country in the world to receive recognition for its entire national cuisine, rather than a single dish or culinary practice.