Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 14&15 December, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
14 & 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

• Enable large-scale nuclear expansion and achieve 100 GW of nuclear power by 2047.
• Attract private and global investment across the nuclear value chain.
• Modernise regulatory oversight for safety, licensing, and operations.
• Reform liability and insurance rules aligned with international norms.

Ministry

• Introduced by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) under the Prime Minister’s Office.
• Regulatory reforms include the creation of an independent nuclear safety authority.

Current Legal Framework (Before SHANTI Bill)

• Atomic Energy Act, 1962 – governs nuclear energy broadly.
• Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLND Act) – defines liability, but ambiguous and restrictive for private participation.
• Limitations: Fragmented laws, unclear liability, restricted private sector involvement.

Key Features of SHANTI Bill

1. Private Sector Participation

• Allows private companies to enter exploration, fuel fabrication, equipment manufacturing, and potentially plant operations.
• Opens the nuclear value chain to domestic and global investors.

2. Unified Legal Framework

• Consolidates outdated laws into a streamlined system covering:
  • Licensing
  • Safety compliance
  • Operations

3. Nuclear Liability Reforms

• Clear operator-supplier responsibilities.
• Insurance-backed liability caps with government backstopping.
• Brings liability rules in line with global norms.

4. Independent Regulatory Authority

• A new nuclear safety authority to ensure transparent, professional, and globally benchmarked oversight.

5. Dedicated Nuclear Tribunal

• Specialised dispute resolution for liability and contractual issues.

6. Support for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

• Encourages R&D and deployment of SMRs for industrial and grid-scale decarbonisation.

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

• Stanford University

Coverage

• 2025 edition, using data up to 2024
• Ranks 36 countries
• Indicator-level data expanded to 67 countries for selected metrics

Purpose

• Measures national AI preparedness, adoption, and ecosystem strength
• Tracks progress over time through comparative indicators

India’s Ranking and Performance

Global Position

• Rank: 3rd
• Ahead of:
  • South Korea (Ranked below India)
  • United Kingdom

Score

• India’s score: 21.59
• UK score: 16.64
• South Korea score: 17.24

Improvement

• Jumped from 7th position in 2023 to 3rd in 2024
• One of the largest year-on-year improvements among ranked countries

Seven Pillars of AI Vibrancy

The index evaluates countries across seven pillars:

1. Research and Development
2. Responsible AI
3. Economy
4. Talent
5. Policy and Governance
6. Public Opinion
7. Infrastructure

India performed particularly well in:

• Innovation Index
• Economic competitiveness
• Research and development output

Global Leaders in AI Vibrancy

United States

• Rank: 1st
• Score: 78.6
• Leads in most pillars except talent and public opinion
• Strengths:
  • Research and development
  • Economy
  • Infrastructure
• Home to leading AI models released in 2024:
  • Gemini 2.0 Pro
  • o1
  • Llama 3.1

China

• Rank: 2nd
• Strong performance in:
  • Scale
  • Infrastructure
  • Government-led AI deployment

Key Drivers Behind India’s Rise

• Expansion of AI research and patenting
• Growth of AI startups and innovation ecosystems
• Government initiatives on:
  • Digital public infrastructure
  • AI governance and ethical frameworks
• Rising talent pool in data science and AI engineering
• Renewed national focus on AI-led economic growth

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

• Establish a single higher education regulator
• Separate funding functions from regulation, standard-setting, and accreditation
• Replace existing statutory bodies:
  • University Grants Commission (UGC)
  • All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
  • National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan (Commission)

• Type: Apex coordinating body for higher education.
• Role: Strategic direction, coordination among councils, policy roadmap.
• Composition:
  • Chairperson: Eminent person, appointed by the President of India.
  • Members (up to 12):
    • Presidents of 3 councils
    • Higher Education Secretary (MoE)
    • 2 professors from state HEIs
    • 5 experts
• Functions:
  • Roadmap for multidisciplinary and research universities
  • Integrate Bharatiya knowledge, languages, and arts
  • Formulate and recommend education schemes

Councils Under the Commission

1. Regulatory Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Viniyaman Parishad)
   • Role: Single regulator for higher education (excl. medicine, law, etc.)
   • Functions:
     • Mandatory accreditation & graded autonomy
     • Public disclosure of finances, courses, governance
     • Specify minimum standards for establishment & operations
     • Authorise institutions to grant degrees
     • Regulate select foreign universities
     • Revoke authorisation for violations
   • Penalties: ₹10 lakh – ₹2 crore; maximum penalty for unauthorised institutions
   • Exclusions: Cannot disburse grants or regulate fees
2. Standards Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Manak Parishad)
   • Functions:
     • Frame learning outcomes, qualification frameworks
     • Set academic & institutional standards
     • Define minimum staff qualifications
3. Accreditation Council (Viksit Bharat Shiksha Gunvatta Parishad)
   • Functions:
     • Develop & supervise Institutional Accreditation Framework
     • Accreditation based on institutional data & public disclosures

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?

• A genetic blood disorder affecting haemoglobin production
• Patients require lifelong, regular blood transfusions
• Safe, timely and quality blood supply is critical for survival

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

• Type: Artificial lake / wetland (Ramsar Site No. 2581)
• Location: Alwar district, Rajasthan, ~8 miles southwest of Alwar city
• Historical Significance: Built in 1845 by Maharaja Vinay Singh on a tributary of the Ruparel River to supply drinking water to Alwar. Old aqueducts still exist.
• Ecological Importance:
  • Area: ~7 km², surrounded by dense woodland and cenotaphs on its embankment
  • Supports 149 bird species and 17 mammal species, including:
    • Vulnerable river tern (Sterna aurantia)
    • Endangered tiger (Panthera tigris)
    • Black stork (Ciconia nigra) – 1% of its biogeographic population
  • Lies within the buffer zone of Sariska Tiger Reserve, enhancing biodiversity and eco-tourism potential
• Uses: Drinking water, recreation, eco-tourism, birdwatching
• Threats: Intensive agriculture, urban expansion; restoration plan underway

About Kopra Jalashay, Chhattisgarh

• Type: Reservoir-type wetland (Ramsar Site No. 2583)
• Location: Upper catchments of River Mahanadi, near Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
• Historical Significance: Constructed for irrigation; now recognised for hydrological and ecological importance
• Ecological Importance:
  • Large open water area with shallow, nutrient-rich backwaters
  • Strong hydrological connectivity creating a mosaic of habitats
  • Supports 60+ migratory bird species, including:
    • Vulnerable greater spotted eagle (Aquila clanga)
    • Endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
• Uses: Birdwatching, local community livelihood, eco-tourism
• Threats: Siltation, invasive species, intensive agriculture; conservation measures proposed

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)

• Purpose: RRBs were established to provide banking and credit facilities to rural areas, especially to small and marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs.
• Founded: On 26 September 1975, under the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976.
• Objective: Bridge the gap between rural demand for credit and formal banking services.

Genesis of RRBs

• First RRB: Prathama Gramin Bank
  • Established on October 2, 1975
  • Location: Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh
  • Sponsor bank: Syndicate Bank (now part of Canara Bank)
• Legal foundation:
  • RRB Ordinance, 1975
  • Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976
• Inspired by:
  • Narasimham Committee on Rural Credit (1975)
  • Gandhian vision of self-reliant villages

Objective

• Provide low-cost, accessible banking to:
  • Small and marginal farmers
  • Agricultural labourers
  • Rural artisans
  • Micro and small enterprises
• Address cultural, linguistic, and geographical barriers in rural banking

Unique Institutional Design

Tripartite Ownership Structure

• Central Government: 50%
• State Government: 15%
• Sponsor Bank: 35%

Key Features

• Local staff recruitment to improve trust and outreach
• Sponsor banks provide:
  • Capital support
  • Managerial guidance
  • Technology and training
• Initially operated within limited district boundaries

One Nation One RRB Initiative

• Consolidate multiple RRBs within a state into one larger entity to improve efficiency, capital base, and technology adoption.
• Reduce duplication of operations and improve financial inclusion and lending capacity.
• Align with the government’s financial inclusion and rural development goals.

Role in Financial Inclusion and Government Schemes

RRBs are key implementation partners for flagship schemes:

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
• Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)
• MUDRA loans

Recapitalisation and Regulatory Support

• KC Chakrabarty Committee (2009):
  • Recommended recapitalisation to improve CRAR
  • ₹2,200 crore for 40 RRBs
  • Creation of training and contingency funds
• Continued recapitalisation:
  • Cabinet approval in March 2020
  • ₹1,340 crore total support, with ₹670 crore central share

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?

• Margin: Upfront amount an investor must deposit to initiate a derivatives trade.
• In India, exchanges require:
  • SPAN (Standard Portfolio Analysis of Risk) margin
  • Extreme Loss Margin (ELM) — additional margin based on notional contract value
• SPAN covers ~99.975% of risk scenarios, while ELM acts as a risk guardrail.

Why SEBI Is Considering This Move

• Derivatives trading in India is heavily skewed towards expiry days
• High margins on non-expiry days:
  • Discourage positional and hedged trades
  • Encourage short-term, high-frequency expiry-day strategies
• SEBI aims to:
  • Deepen the derivatives market
  • Promote risk-mitigated, longer-tenure positions
  • Improve market quality and stability

Current Margin Structure in India

Components of Margin

• SPAN Margin
  • Risk-based margining system developed by CME
  • Covers 99.975% of risk scenarios
• Extreme Loss Margin (ELM)
  • Additional margin imposed by Indian clearing corporations
  • Based on notional contract value
  • Acts as a guardrail against extreme volatility

Key Difference from Global Practice

• Globally: Mostly SPAN-only
• India: SPAN + ELM, making margins significantly higher

Proposed Changes Under Discussion

For Non-Expiry Days

• Hedged portfolios
  • ELM may be reduced from 2% → 0.5–1%
• Unhedged portfolios
  • ELM likely to remain at 2%
• Objective:
  • Reward risk-reduced (hedged) positions
  • Encourage non-expiry day participation

For Expiry Days

• Margin structure to remain stringent:
  • SPAN + 4% ELM
• Rationale:
  • Higher volatility and settlement risk on 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

• Linkage to External Benchmark
  • MSME loans to be tied to an external benchmark (such as RBI repo rate or other benchmarks specified by the bank).
  • Reset clause reduced to three months, allowing more frequent adjustments in line with benchmark changes.
• Switchover Option
  • Banks advised to offer existing borrowers the option to switch to external benchmark-based interest rates.
  • Terms to be mutually agreed between bank and borrower.

Quality Control Orders (QCOs) & MSME Exemptions

• Purpose: Ensure QCOs do not disrupt domestic MSME production.
• Implemented phase-wise by line ministries through Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

Key Relaxations:

• Time extensions:
  • Micro enterprises: 6 months
  • Small enterprises: 3 months
• Import-related exemptions:
  • For domestic manufacturers producing export-oriented products.
  • Up to 200 units for research & development purposes.
• Legacy stock clearance:
  • Stock manufactured or imported before QCO implementation to be cleared within 6 months from the effective date.

Objective

• Strengthen monetary policy transmission to MSMEs.
• Enable lower borrowing costs reflecting benchmark rates.
• Prevent disruption in domestic production due to regulatory compliance.

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

• Traditional Farming: For nearly 20 years, the Boroles relied on chemical-intensive farming (sugarcane, cotton, soybean), leading to soil degradation, high input costs, and declining profits.
• Debt Trap: Interest on private loans reached 10% per month, forcing the family to farm mainly to service debts.
• Regional Stress:
  • 69% of Nanded’s population depends on agriculture
  • 79% are small/marginal farmers with limited risk buffers (NABARD)
  • Droughts, unseasonal rains, soil erosion, and water scarcity intensified hardship
  • 110 farmer suicides reported in the first 8 months of the year

Turning Point: The JIVA Programme

• Initiated in 2023 by NABARD, implemented by Sanskriti Samvardhan Mandal (SSM) with WASSAN as technical support, funded by GIZ through SuATI.
• Promotes agroecological farming integrating crops, livestock, and trees for climate resilience and food security.
• Training included:
  • Beejamrut (seed treatment)
  • Jeevamrut (soil enrichment)
  • Mulching (aachadan) for moisture retention
  • Wafsa for soil moisture monitoring
• Shift from chemicals to botanical pest control (e.g., Agniastra) proved effective.

The ATM Model: Diversified Farming for Continuous Income

• Adopted ATM (Any Time Money) model from Andhra Pradesh’s natural farming programme.
• 2024–25: 0.4 hectares planted with 20–25 vegetable varieties: tomatoes, okra, brinjal, greens, coriander, pulses.
• Direct market sales via Kandhar market led to loyal customers among teachers and government staff.
• Financial Outcome:
  • Net income: Rs 1.02 lakh from 0.4 hectares
  • Investment: Rs 15,640 in four months
  • Subsequent crop: Kartule (spine gourd) on 10 gunthas earned Rs 1.06 lakh in 2 months

Ecological Impact and Biodiversity Restoration

• Soil improved: dark, porous, rich with earthworms
• Pollinators and birds, including the Asian green bee-eater, returned
• Practices adopted: intercropping, border cropping, crop rotation
• Livestock (buffalo) integrated for milk and compost, completing a sustainable cycle
• Farm now provides most household food, reducing dependency on markets

Community Learning and Replication

• The Boroles’ farm is a demonstration site for farmers and officials.
• Neighbouring farmers adopting Jeevamrut, mulching, and botanical pest control after observing results.
• Household empowerment:
  • Sumantai handles accounts and market sales
  • Daughter-in-law involved in bio-input preparation and crop planning
• NABARD and SSM cite their model as a blueprint for climate-stressed regions.

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)

• It is followed by Singapore and Spain which are placed jointly at 2nd spot in the index, with both countries securing an overall MS of 175.
• India ranked 67th globally with a mobility score of 74, granting visa-free access to 74 countries, covering 37% of the world.

5. India reaffirms ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam at 11th UNAOC forum in Riyadh

India reaffirmed its commitment to the ideals of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and religious harmony at the 11th United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, UNAOC, forum in Riyadh.

6. Raj Kumar Goyal takes oath as Chief Information Commissioner

Raj Kumar Goyal took the oath as the Chief Information Commissioner today. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath to Mr Goyal at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

7. Indian Railways Nears 100% Broad-Gauge Electrification

The Railways is on the verge of completing electrification on almost its entire broad-gauge network, with more than 99 percent electrification completed across 25 states and union territories.

8. CAQM Enforces GRAP-IV Measures as Delhi-NCR Air Quality Worsens

With Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan already active across Delhi-NCR amid worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management has taken several measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

9. Indian Navy to Commission MH-60R Helicopter Squadron

Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 (Ospreys), at INS Hansa in Goa on the 17th December. 

10. PM Modi shares article by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Nagaland Hornbill Festival

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today shared an article written by Union Minister for Development of North-Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia in an English daily. 

11. Vice President releases stamp honouring Emperor Perumbidugu Matharaiyar II Suvaran Maran

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan today released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Matharaiyar II Suvaran Maran in New Delhi.

12. ASEAN-India Tourism Exchange Programme 2025 Kicks Off in Guwahati

The ASEAN-India Tourism Professionals Exchange Programme 2025 began in Guwahati with two days of intensive interactions between tourism professionals from India and ten ASEAN Member States. 

13. 28th Divya Kala Mela Inaugurated to Showcase Divangjans’ Talents

Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar today said that the government’s initiative of Divya Kala Mela is providing an opportunity to Divangjans to showcase their skills and talent.