Daily Current Affairs Quiz
21&22 December, 2025
National Affairs
1. Hornbill Population Survey
Source: TH
Context:
Tamil Nadu forest authorities are planning an extensive survey to determine hornbill populations across forest landscapes, beginning late December 2025 and continuing till March/April 2026.
Hornbill
A hornbill is a large, striking bird found mainly in tropical and subtropical forests of Asia and Africa, known for its long curved bill and the distinctive casque (helmet-like structure) on top.
Ecological Importance
Hornbills are called “farmers of the forest” because they disperse seeds over large areas, helping forests regenerate.
IUCN Status of Hornbills (Major Species)
Hornbills as a group fall under different IUCN categories depending on the species. Below are the important hornbill species (India & Asia focused) with their current IUCN Red List status:
| Hornbill Species | IUCN Status |
|---|---|
| Great Hornbill | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Indian Grey Hornbill | Least Concern (LC) |
| Malabar Pied Hornbill | Near Threatened (NT) |
| Rhinoceros Hornbill | Vulnerable (VU) |
| Oriental Pied Hornbill | Least Concern (LC) |
| Narcondam Hornbill | Endangered (EN) |
Why Some Hornbills Are Threatened
- Habitat loss (deforestation)
- Felling of old nesting trees
- Hunting and illegal trade
2. India & Netherlands sign MoU on Maritime Heritage Cooperation
Source: ET
Context:
India and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in maritime heritage, particularly supporting the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
Objectives of the MoU
- Collaboration in museum design, curation, and conservation
- Knowledge and expertise exchange in maritime heritage
- Joint research, exhibitions, and educational programmes
- Enhancing visitor experience and global outreach of NMHC
About NMHC, Lothal
- NMHC is envisioned as India’s largest maritime heritage complex
- Built near Lothal, an important Indus Valley Civilization port town
- Lothal is home to one of the world’s earliest known dockyards
- The complex will showcase India’s 4,500-year-old maritime history, including shipbuilding, navigation, ports, and overseas trade
3. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report
Context:
India has emerged as the world’s top doping offender for the third consecutive year, according to the latest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report — a troubling sign for a nation with rising sporting ambitions. The Indian Express editorial argues that the problem is no longer about individual athletes but a deep cultural and structural failure in Indian sport.
What the numbers show
- India recorded the highest number of anti-doping rule violations globally.
- Over 260 positive cases were flagged, spanning elite athletes to college-level competitors.
- Violations range from banned substances to evasion and tampering.
About World Anti-Doping Agency
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is an independent international organization established in 1999 to promote, coordinate, and monitor the global fight against doping in sports.
Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
Mandate: Ensure fair play, athlete health, and integrity of sports worldwide.
4. Private Member Bills (PMBs)
Source: Business Standard
Context:
The recent introduction of several Private Member Bills (PMBs) — on issues such as digital harms, workplace rights, and voting freedom — has renewed focus on their role in India’s legislative system.
What is a Private Member Bill?
A Private Member Bill is a bill introduced in Parliament by any MP who is not a Minister.
- Introduced in: Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha
- Purpose: To highlight issues of public importance and influence legislation
Relevant Constitutional Articles
Article 107 – Ordinary Bills
- Deals with introduction and passage of Bills in Parliament
- Applies to both Government Bills and Private Member Bills
- Bills may originate in either House
Article 109 – Money Bills
- States that Money Bills can be introduced only in Lok Sabha
- Only a Minister can introduce a Money Bill
Therefore, Private Member Bills cannot be Money Bills
Article 110 – Definition of Money Bill
- Defines what constitutes a Money Bill
- Since PMBs are introduced by non-ministers, they cannot fall under Article 110
Article 117 – Financial Bills
- Financial Bills (Category I & II)
- Cannot be introduced as Private Member Bills
- Require Ministerial introduction and President’s recommendation
Article 118 – Rules of Procedure
- Empowers each House of Parliament to make rules for its procedure
- Private Member Bills are governed by Rules of Procedure under Article 118
- Explains:
- One-month notice
- Friday sittings
- Ballot system for selection
Private Member Bill vs Government Bill (Constitutional Angle)
| Aspect | Private Member Bill | Government Bill |
|---|---|---|
| Article applicable | Art. 107 | Art. 107 |
| Introduced by | Non-Minister MP | Minister |
| Money Bill | (Art. 109, 110) | |
| Financial Bill | (Art. 117) | |
| Rules governed by | Art. 118 | Art. 118 |
5. Good Governance Week 2025 – ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore’
Context:
Good Governance Week 2025 has been launched by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and will be observed from 19–25 December 2025.
Guidelines for the observance were released by DARPG Secretary Rachna Shah.
What is Good Governance Week?
- An annual nationwide initiative aimed at:
- Improving administrative efficiency
- Strengthening citizen-centric governance
- Enhancing grievance redressal and service delivery
- Observed to promote transparent, accountable, and responsive administration, especially at the grassroots level.
6. GI-Tagged Indi Lime from Karnataka Enters Oman Market
- GI-tagged Indi Lime from Vijayapura (Karnataka) exported first time to Oman (3 MT).
- Additional 350 kg exported to the UK, taking total exports to ~12.35 MT.
- Boosts agri-exports and showcases value of GI branding.
Why important: Enhances farmers’ income, market diversification, and brand India for horticulture.
7. Sujal Gram Samvad – 2nd Edition
- Organised by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (Ministry of Jal Shakti).
- Platform for direct feedback from rural communities on Har Ghar Jal Mission.
- Inclusive participation—sarpanchs, women groups, students; first edition covered 12 States/UTs in 12 languages.
Impact: Strengthens participatory water governance and course-correction.
8. India’s First Dedicated Forest University – Gorakhpur (UP)
- Uttar Pradesh to establish a specialised university on forestry, wildlife, ecology, climate change.
- 125-acre campus near Jatayu Conservation & Breeding Centre; ₹50 crore allocated for initial work.
- Emphasis on field-based learning and conservation research.
Why it matters: Builds human capital for biodiversity conservation and green jobs.
Banking/Finance
1. RBI Slaps ₹61.95 Lakh Penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank
Source: ET
Why in News?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹61.95 lakh on Kotak Mahindra Bank for non-compliance with regulatory norms, detected during a supervisory inspection.
About the Penalty
- Penalty Amount: ₹61.95 lakh (≈ ₹62 lakh)
- Inspection Basis: Statutory inspection conducted by RBI
- Nature of Action: Monetary penalty for regulatory lapses (not criminal)
Regulatory Violations Identified
The RBI found non-compliance with norms related to:
- Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) Accounts
- Business Correspondent (BC) Guidelines
- Credit Information Companies (CIC) Rules, 2006
Legal Basis
- Penalty imposed under provisions of:
- Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005
2. SEBI group to Review Non-Agri Commodity Derivatives
Source: TH
Context:
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced that the regulator will form a working group to review India’s non-agricultural commodity derivatives segment. The group will be notified soon.
Objective:
- Review structure, rules, and performance of non-agri commodity derivatives.
- Strengthen the market framework and address sector-specific challenges.
What are Non-Agri Commodity Derivatives?
Non-Agricultural (Non-Agri) Commodity Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is derived from non-farm commodities such as metals and energy products. These contracts are traded on commodity exchanges for price discovery and risk management (hedging).
Major Categories of Non-Agri Commodities
- Metals
- Precious metals: Gold, Silver
- Base metals: Copper, Aluminium, Zinc, Nickel, Lead
- Energy Commodities
- Crude oil
- Natural gas
Types of Derivative Instruments
- Futures Contracts: Obligation to buy/sell a commodity at a future date at a predetermined price
- Options Contracts: Right (not obligation) to buy/sell at a specified price
- (Swaps exist globally but are limited in Indian exchange-traded markets)
Where are They Traded in India?
- Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) – primary exchange for non-agri commodities
- National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) – mainly agri, limited non-agri products
Regulator
- Regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- Commodity derivatives market brought under SEBI in 2015
Agriculture
1. Reforming the Fertiliser Subsidy in India
Source: IE
Why in News?
Amid ongoing economic reforms, economists have urged the government to urgently restructure India’s fertiliser subsidy regime due to rising fiscal burden, nutrient imbalance, and environmental concerns.
What is the Fertiliser Subsidy?
- A price-support mechanism where the government compensates fertiliser manufacturers/importers for the gap between cost of production/import and retail price to farmers.
- Focuses mainly on urea, keeping prices artificially low to ensure affordability and food security.
- Has evolved into one of India’s largest and most distortionary subsidies.
Why is the Subsidy Needed in India?
- Food Security
- Enabled Green Revolution and cereal self-sufficiency
- Fertiliser–grain response ratio ~1:10 in the 1970s
- Support to Small & Marginal Farmers
- Over 85% farmers hold small land parcels
- Shields them from global fertiliser and energy price volatility
- Affordability of Cultivation
- Lowers cost of cultivation, especially for cereal crops and rain-fed areas
- Inflation Control
- Moderates cost-push inflation in food prices
- Risk Cushion in Climate-Uncertain Agriculture
- Acts as a buffer against monsoon failures and yield shocks
Key Challenges with the Existing Regime
- Low Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE)
- Only 35–40% of nitrogen absorbed by crops
- Environmental Degradation
- Groundwater nitrate pollution
- Declining soil organic carbon
- Productivity Stagnation
- Fertiliser–grain response ratio fell to ~1:2.7 by 2015
- Leakages & Diversion
- 20–25% subsidised urea diverted to non-agricultural uses
- Fiscal & Geopolitical Risks
- Import dependence exposes subsidy bill to global energy shocks
Way Forward
- Gradual Price Decontrol + Income Support
- Shift from price subsidy to direct income transfers (PM-KISAN–type support)
- Bring Urea under Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS)
- Align nitrogen pricing with P & K to correct imbalance
- Leverage Digital Agriculture (Agri Stack)
- Target fertiliser use based on land size, crop type, and satellite data
- Promote Balanced & Precision Farming
- Encourage complex fertilisers, micronutrients, fertigation, customised blends
- E-Vouchers & PoS-based Delivery
- Digitised distribution (e-RUPI–style vouchers) to curb diversion
Facts To Remember
1. Sreenivasan: Master Satirist Who Made Malayalam Cinema Laugh, Think, and Change
Sreenivasan, the versatile actor, screenwriter, and director who shaped the conscience of Malayalam cinema through razor-sharp satire and humane humour, passed away in Kochi on Saturday at the age of 69.
2. Eggs safe for use; cancer risk claims unfounded: FSSAI
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that the eggs available in the country are safe for human consumption and that recent claims linking eggs to cancer risk are misleading, scientifically unsupported, and capable of creating unnecessary public alarm.
3. Indigenous duck varieties return to Kuttanad after bird flu setback
Three indigenous duck breeds that were nearly wiped out in last year’s bird flu outbreak have made a strong comeback in the Kuttanad wetlands, Kerala.
Key Varieties Restored:
- Vigova
- Kuttanadan Chembally
- Snow White
4. Armenia Unveils COP17 Logo – ‘Yerevan Blue Butterfly’
- Logo features Polyommatus eriwanensis, endemic to Yerevan region.
- COP17 (Oct 2026) to review Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- 23 colours symbolise 23 biodiversity targets; slogan: “Taking action for nature”.
5. India at 11th UNAOC, Riyadh
- MEA Secretary P. Kumaran highlighted Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and Sarva Dharma Samabhav.
- UNAOC marks 20 years (est. 2005); theme stresses dialogue and mutual respect in a multipolar world.
6. ADB Commits USD 4.26 bn to India (2025)
- Asian Development Bank support for renewables, urban infra, healthcare, skills.
- Key loans: PM Surya Ghar, rural power modernisation (Maharashtra), healthcare (Assam).
- Sectoral focus: Human & social (32%), Energy (26%), Urban (18%+).
Takeaway: Accelerates India’s clean energy and urban transformation.
7. India Assumes BRICS Presidency 2026
- Brazil hands over chairship; India to host 18th BRICS Summit (2026).
- Opportunity to shape agenda on development finance, digital public infrastructure, Global South.
8. Bhopal joins India’s metro network: Orange Line begins operations
Bhopal became the 26th Indian city with metro services as commercial operations commenced on the Orange Line priority corridor on December 21, 2025. The launch marks a major upgrade in public transport for Madhya Pradesh’s capital, aimed at reducing congestion and improving urban mobility.
About the corridor
- Priority stretch length: ~6.2–7 km
- Operational stations: 8 elevated stations between Subhash Nagar and AIIMS
- Project part of the broader Bhoj Metro network
9. Important Days
- 20 December – International Human Solidarity Day
Theme 2025: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future - 21 December – World Saree Day (celebrates India’s textile heritage)
- 22 December – National Mathematics Day (birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan)
