Daily Current Affairs (DCA) 27 December, 2025

Daily Current Affairs Quiz
27 December, 2025

National Affairs

1. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

Context:

In December 2025, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) completed 25 years, marking a landmark achievement in India’s efforts to transform rural connectivity and infrastructure.

About Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

PMGSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at providing all-weather road connectivity to eligible, previously unconnected rural habitations, thereby integrating villages with:

• Markets
• Schools
• Healthcare facilities
• Administrative centres

Launch

• Launched on: 25 December 2000
• Purpose: Transform rural connectivity through all-weather roads

Objective

• To provide single all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected rural habitations of designated population size as per the core network.

Nodal Ministry

• Implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)
• Executed through the Rural Roads Wing, in coordination with States and Union Territories

Key Features of PMGSY

• PMGSY–I:
  • Universal connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations
• PMGSY–II:
  • Upgradation and consolidation of existing rural road networks
• PMGSY–III:
  • Strengthening of through routes and major rural links connecting:
    • Markets
    • Schools
    • Health facilities
• PMGSY–IV (2024–29):
  • Connectivity to 25,000 habitations
  • Construction of 62,500 km of rural roads

2. Five Digital Governance Reforms on Good Governance Day 2025

Source: PIB

Context:

On 25 December 2025, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (MoPP&P), launched five transformative digital governance initiatives of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) on the occasion of Good Governance Day, during the National Workshop on Good Governance Practices 2025 in New Delhi.

Five Transformative Digital Initiatives Launched

Compendium on Reservation for Ex-Servicemen (ESM)

• A single consolidated reference document
• Brings together all existing guidelines and instructions on reservation for Ex-Servicemen in Central Government services
• Aims to:
  • Remove ambiguity
  • Improve uniformity in implementation
  • Enhance transparency in recruitment

AI-Powered Recruitment Rules Generator Tool

• Integrated with the Recruitment Rules Formulation, Amendment and Monitoring System (RRFAMS)
• Uses Artificial Intelligence to:
  • Draft and amend recruitment rules
  • Reduce delays in framing Recruitment Rules
  • Improve standardisation across ministries

e-HRMS 2.0 Mobile App

• Launched under Mission Karmayogi
• Available on Android and iOS
• Integrates key HR services:
  • Service records
  • Promotions and transfers
  • Training and superannuation
• Linked with:
  • SPARROW (Performance Appraisal System)
  • PFMS (Public Financial Management System)
  • Bhavishya (Pension Processing Portal)

iGOT AI Platforms

• AI-enabled enhancements added to iGOT Karmayogi:
  • iGOT AI Sarthi – AI-based learning resource discovery
  • iGOT AI Tutor – Personalised learning support for officers
• New tools introduced:
  • iGOT Specialisation Programme
  • AI-based Capacity Building Plan Tool
• Enables:
  • Role–competency mapping
  • Structured learning pathways for Ministries and States

KDLL 2.0

• Karmayogi Digital Learning Lab (KDLL) 2.0
• Upgraded facility for:
  • High-quality digital content creation
  • Capacity-building resources under Mission Karmayogi
• Strengthens in-house digital training ecosystems

3. PM-VIKAS Scheme

Source: PIB

Context:

In December 2025, the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to implement the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM-VIKAS) Scheme, aimed at skill development and livelihood generation for minority communities.

What is PM-VIKAS?

PM-VIKAS is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) to provide skill development, entrepreneurship support and livelihood opportunities to minority communities across India.

It integrates and subsumes earlier livelihood-oriented schemes of the Ministry to ensure convergence, scale and outcome-based delivery.

• Launch Date: 2023
• Launched By / Ministry: Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA), Government of India

Key Objective

• Provide demand-driven, employment-oriented skill training
• Improve livelihood opportunities for youth from minority communities
• Scheme rollout expected from January 2026

4. India to Assume Chairpersonship of Kimberley Process

Source: TOI

Context:

In December 2025, it was announced that India will assume the Chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) from January 1, 2026.

Key Highlights:

• Chairmanship begins: January 1, 2026
• India’s tenure: 3rd time as Chair of the Kimberley Process
• India takes over from: United Arab Emirates (UAE), the current Chair
• Objective: Strengthen global efforts to eliminate conflict diamonds from international trade

About the Kimberley Process (KP)

• Established: 2003
• Nature: A multilateral certification scheme
• Participants: Governments, diamond industry and civil society
• Core Aim:
  • Prevent trade in conflict diamonds (diamonds used to finance armed conflict)
  • Ensure diamonds entering the global market are conflict-free
• Mechanism:
  • International trade in rough diamonds allowed only between KP-certified participants

5. India Successfully Test-Fires ‘K-4’ Missile from INS Arighaat

Context:

In December 2025, India successfully test-fired the ‘K-4’ Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) with a range of ~3,500 km from INS Arighaat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Key Highlights:

• Missile: K-4 (Intermediate-Range SLBM)
• Range: ~3,500 km
• Launch Platform: INS Arighaat (SSBN)
• Test Location: Bay of Bengal
• Significance: Strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent

About K-4 SLBM

• Commissioned into Indian Navy: 29 August 2024
• Also known as: Kalam-4
• Named after: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, chief architect of India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)
• Category: Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM)

Banking/Finance

1. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India fines Reliance General Insurance ₹1 crore

Source: TH

Context:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Reliance General Insurance Company for violations related to commission payments, outsourcing norms and corporate governance guidelines.

Key Findings by IRDAI

• The action followed a remote inspection conducted in 2021.
• IRDAI examined four charges under provisions of the Insurance Act, 1938 and related regulations.

Sections & Norms Violated

Insurance Act, 1938

Section 40 – Limits on Commission

• What it says: Regulates and caps commissions/remuneration payable to insurance agents and intermediaries.
• Violation:
  • Payments were routed as marketing, advertising, and customer/market awareness programmes.
  • IRDAI held these to be disguised / overriding commissions, meant to circumvent Section 40.

Section 102(b) – Penalty for Contravention

• What it says: Provides for penalties if an insurer contravenes provisions of the Act or regulations issued under it.
• Application:
  • IRDAI invoked this section to levy the ₹1 crore monetary penalty.

IRDAI (Outsourcing of Activities by Indian Insurers) Regulations

• Key requirement:
  • Outsourcing must be transparent, justified, arm’s-length, and not conflict with regulatory intent.
• Violation:
  • Reliance General Insurance engaged an individual agent of another insurer for advertising/publishing services.
  • There was no transparent selection process or clear rationale, breaching outsourcing norms.

IRDAI Corporate Governance Guidelines

• Key principles:
  • Strong internal controls
  • Transparency in payments
  • Board and senior management oversight
• Violation:
  • Large payments were made without adequate governance checks.
  • Failure to ensure compliance with commission and outsourcing regulations indicated weak internal controls.

IRDAI (Payment of Commission) Regulations

• Key requirement:
  • Insurers must strictly adhere to prescribed commission structures.
• Violation:
  • Payments labelled as awareness or marketing initiatives were found to be commission in substance, violating commission norms.

2. SEBI Simplifies Procedure for Issuing Duplicate Securities

Source: ET

Context:

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has simplified and standardised the process for issuance of duplicate securities certificates, doubling the threshold for simplified documentation from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh to ease investor compliance.

Key Changes Announced by SEBI

• Threshold doubled: Simplified process now applicable for holdings up to ₹10 lakh
• Objective:
  • Reduce compliance burden
  • Speed up processing
  • Promote dematerialisation
  • Ensure uniform practices across listed companies and RTAs

Key Changes Introduced by SEBI

• Higher Threshold for Simplified Process
  • The value limit for availing simplified documentation has been enhanced from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
  • Investors with securities valued up to ₹10 lakh will now face reduced compliance requirements.
• Standardised Documentation
  • SEBI has introduced a uniform Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bond format.
  • This ensures consistency across listed companies, RTAs, and reduces investor confusion.
• Relaxation for Very Small Claims
  • For securities valued up to ₹10,000, notarisation is no longer mandatory.
  • A simple self-declaration / undertaking will suffice.
• Mandatory Dematerialisation
  • All duplicate securities will be issued only in demat form.
  • Reinforces SEBI’s long-term objective of phasing out physical securities.
• Stricter Requirements for High-Value Claims
  • For securities valued above ₹10 lakh, additional safeguards remain:
    • FIR / police complaint or court documents
    • Newspaper advertisement, if required
    • Issuer discretion for enhanced due diligence
• No Re-submission of Documents
  • Investors who have already submitted documents under earlier rules need not resubmit them.

3. Insurers to Move Away from One-Size-Fits-All Models

Source: TOI

Context:

Insurance companies in India are set to change how they price policies and manage risk as the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) introduces two major reforms from April 2026.

What Are the Two Big Changes?

1. Risk-Based Capital (RBC) Norms

What are RBC Norms?

Risk-Based Capital (RBC) norms require insurers to maintain capital proportional to the actual risks they assume, instead of a flat, one-size-fits-all solvency requirement.

In India, RBC norms are being introduced by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

Why Were RBC Norms Needed?

Under the earlier framework:

• All insurers had to maintain a uniform solvency ratio (150%)
• Capital requirements did not fully reflect risk profiles
• Low-risk and high-risk insurers were treated similarly

RBC corrects this distortion by linking capital → risk exposure.

• Insurers will now need to keep capital based on the risk they take, not a fixed solvency rule.
• Higher risk = more capital required
• Lower risk = less capital needed

2. Ind AS 117 (India’s version of IFRS 17)

What is Ind AS 117?

Ind AS 117 is India’s accounting standard for insurance contracts, aligned with IFRS 17, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
It replaces the existing Ind AS 104, bringing uniformity, transparency, and comparability in insurance accounting.

Why Was Ind AS 117 Introduced?

Earlier accounting allowed insurers to:

• Recognise entire premium upfront
• Follow diverse accounting practices
• Mask true profitability and risk exposure

Ind AS 117 corrects this by aligning revenue recognition with insurance service delivery.

4. IRDAI Gets More Powers to Prevent Mis-selling

Source: TOI

Context:

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has been granted enhanced statutory powers to curb insurance mis-selling through provisions in the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, recently cleared by Parliament.

Key Objective of the Amendments

• Strengthen policyholder protection
• Improve transparency in commission disclosure
• Reduce conflicts of interest in insurance distribution, especially bancassurance
• Tackle widespread mis-selling of insurance products

Major Regulatory Powers Granted to IRDAI

1. Commission Disclosure & Regulation

• Clause 36 amends Section 40 of the Insurance Act, 1938
• Empowers IRDAI to:
  • Set limits on commissions/remuneration
  • Prescribe how commissions are paid
  • Mandate how commissions must be disclosed to policyholders
• Enables rules requiring insurers and intermediaries to explicitly disclose embedded commissions in insurance products

This marks a shift from opaque pricing to informed consumer choice.

2. Stronger Conflict-of-Interest Norms (Bancassurance Focus)

• Clause 25 substitutes Section 32A of the Insurance Act
• Statutory ban introduced:
  • Directors or officers of insurers cannot hold similar positions in:
    • Banking companies
    • Investment companies
• Significance:
  • Banks are the largest corporate agents for insurance
  • Prevents board-level influence that may push products of linked insurers

3. Tighter Control Over Intermediaries

• Applies to:
  • Insurance brokers
  • Web aggregators
  • Corporate agents
• Section 42D (amended) empowers IRDAI to:
  • Prescribe fit-and-proper criteria
  • Set eligibility conditions
  • Suspend or cancel registrations for regulatory violations
• New Section 40(2A):
  • Gives IRDAI wide rule-making authority over agents and intermediaries
  • Covers commissions, disclosures, and conflicts of interest

5. India’s IPO Market Hits Record Highs

Context:

India’s IPO market has touched historic highs, raising about ₹3.8 lakh crore through 701 IPOs during 2024–25, surpassing the total capital raised in the previous four years combined. This reflects strong investor confidence, deepening capital markets, and robust corporate fundraising.

About Initial Public Offering (IPO)

An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the process by which a private company offers its shares to the public for the first time, raising equity capital and becoming a publicly listed company on stock exchanges such as National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

Types of IPOs in India

Fixed Price Issue

• A single, pre-determined issue price is fixed by the company in consultation with merchant bankers.
• Investors know the exact price at which shares are offered.

Book Building Issue (Most common in India)

• Shares are offered within a price band (floor price to cap price).
• Final issue price is discovered based on investor demand during the bidding process.

Stages of an IPO Process

1. Preparation & Due Diligence

• Appointment of investment banks/merchant bankers
• Financial, legal and regulatory checks

2. DRHP Filing

• Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) filed with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
• Discloses business details, risks, and financial information

3. Pricing & Bidding

• Issue price or price band announced
• Investors place bids during the subscription window

4. Basis of Allotment

• Registrar finalises allotment based on demand and SEBI norms

5. Listing

• Shares are listed on stock exchanges
• Trading begins in the secondary market

6. SBI launches YONO 2.0

Source: ET

Context:

India’s largest public sector bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has launched YONO 2.0, an upgraded version of its flagship digital banking platform YONO (You Only Need One).

What is YONO 2.0?

YONO 2.0 is a fully integrated digital banking ecosystem that combines:

• Mobile banking
• Internet banking
• Financial services marketplace

into a single, seamless platform with a common KYC and login framework.

Key Features of YONO 2.0

1. Unified Banking Experience

• Integrates internet banking and mobile banking.
• Customers can move seamlessly across devices without re-authentication.

2. Common KYC & Re-KYC Framework

• Introduces single KYC / re-KYC for all SBI products.
• Eliminates repeated verification for loans, investments, insurance, etc.
• Aligned with risk-based KYC norms.

3. Enhanced Security Architecture

• Stronger authentication mechanisms.
• Advanced fraud-prevention and transaction monitoring tools.
• Supports biometric and secure digital login options.

4. Improved User Interface

• Faster navigation and cleaner dashboards.
• Personalised insights on spending, savings, and financial behaviour.

5. Multilingual & Inclusive Design

• Initially available in English and Hindi.
• Planned rollout in multiple Indian languages to expand rural and semi-urban access.

6. Financial Super-App Model

• Offers banking plus:
  • Loans
  • Investments
  • Insurance
  • Bill payments
• Positions SBI against fintech-led super apps.

7. Canara Bank launches Canara ai1Pe – UPI Application

Context:

Public sector lender Canara Bank has launched Canara ai1Pe, a new Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application aimed at enabling simple, secure, and inclusive digital payments.

About Canara ai1Pe

• A UPI-based digital payments app
• Designed for everyday transactions
• Suitable for both first-time and experienced UPI users
• Allows linking of bank accounts from any bank

Key Features of Canara ai1Pe

1. Core UPI Payment Functions

• Person-to-person (P2P) transfers
• QR-based merchant payments
• Utility bill payments
• Mobile recharges
• Real-time transaction status & history

Users can link multiple bank accounts and select the preferred account at the time of payment.

2. Security & Authentication

• Device binding ensures transactions only from the registered mobile device
• UPI PIN-based authentication for payments
• Works within the standard UPI framework currently used across the ecosystem

Users already registered on other UPI apps can start using ai1Pe without repeating full onboarding.

3. Ease of Access

• QR scan widget on the home screen
• Enables scan-and-pay without opening the app
• Reduces steps for routine transactions

4. Delegated Payments (UPI Circle)

• Supports UPI Delegate / UPI Circle feature
• Primary user can authorise family members as delegates
• Delegates can transact within a predefined monthly limit (e.g., ₹15,000)
• Primary account holder retains overall control

Agriculture

1. New Soil-dwelling Micro-arthropod Species Neelus sikkimensis

Context:

In December 2025, scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) announced the discovery of a new soil-dwelling micro-arthropod species, Neelus sikkimensis, from the high-altitude regions of Sikkim.
This marks the first record of the genus Neelus in India.

The discovery was published in the Journal of the Entomological Research Society.

Key Highlights of the Discovery

• Species discovered: Neelus sikkimensis
• Type: Soil-dwelling micro-arthropod (springtail)
• Group: Collembola
• Habitat: Soil and moss layers in high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems
• Significance: First Indian record of the genus Neelus

Key Features of Neelus sikkimensis

• Microscopic springtail (Collembola)
• Eyeless, adapted to life in complete darkness
• Lives within soil and moss layers
• Distinctive labral chaetotaxy
  • (Unique arrangement of bristles on mouthparts used for species identification)

Ecological Significance

• Springtails (Collembola) play a crucial role in:
  • Decomposition of organic matter
  • Nutrient cycling
  • Maintaining soil fertility and structure
• Act as indicators of soil health and ecosystem stability.

2. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Context:

The Centre is considering a major expansion of the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) by allocating over ₹1 trillion in the upcoming Union Budget to strengthen post-harvest infrastructure and reduce crop losses, especially in perishable produce.

About the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to provide medium- to long-term debt financing for the creation of post-harvest and community farming infrastructure.

• Launched: July 2020
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Nature: Credit-linked subsidy scheme
• Tenure: FY21 to FY33

Objectives of AIF

• Develop post-harvest infrastructure at farm-gate and aggregation points
• Reduce post-harvest losses
• Improve value realisation for farmers
• Strengthen agri value chains
• Promote private and cooperative investment in agriculture

Key Features

• Loans by banks/FIs for eligible agri-infrastructure projects
• 3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹2 crore for 7 years
• Credit guarantee cover for loans up to ₹2 crore
• Minimum beneficiary contribution: 10% of project cost

Key Features of the AIF

1. Fund Size

• Total financing facility of ₹1 lakh crore

2. Eligible Projects

AIF supports infrastructure such as:

• Warehouses & cold storage
• Silos
• Sorting, grading & packaging units
• Primary processing centres
• Ripening chambers
• Supply chain & logistics facilities
• Smart & precision agriculture infrastructure

Eligible Beneficiaries

• Farmers
• Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
• Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS)
• Self Help Groups (SHGs)
• Agri-entrepreneurs
• Startups
• State agencies & cooperatives

Facts To Remember

1. Suryavanshi gets Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

The 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has taken the cricket world by storm with his audacious stroke-play, and seven-year-old chess prodigy Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi were among a host of children who were conferred with the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu.

2 Israel Becomes First Country to Recognise Somaliland

Israel has become the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, triggering sharp regional reactions and diplomatic pushback.

3. Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 — Inspiring Stories of Young Achievers

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) 2025 — India’s highest civilian honour for children — was presented by **President **Droupadi Murmu to 20 exceptional children for outstanding achievements in fields such as bravery, social service, science & technology, environment, art & culture, and sports.

4. Shravan Singh (Bravery & Patriotism)

• Age: 10
• From: Chak Taran Wali village, Ferozepur, Punjab
• Amid heightened tensions during Operation Sindoor, Shravan regularly carried tea, milk, lassi and other essentials to Indian Army troops stationed near his village, despite the risks of conflict. His courage and compassion won national recognition.

5. P.V. Sindhu Elected Chair of BWF Athletes’ Commission (2026–2029)

In December 2025, P. V. Sindhu, two-time Olympic medallist and 2019 World Champion, was elected Chair of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Athletes’ Commission for a three-year term from 2026 to 2029.

6. NHAI’s Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) Gets SEBI Approval

Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT), sponsored by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), received approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

Purpose: Monetisation of operational national highway assets.

7. India to Chair Kimberley Process from January 2026

• Decision: KP Plenary selected India as Chair from 1 January 2026.
• Outgoing Chair: United Arab Emirates
• Why important?
  • Third time India chairs the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme
  • Reinforces India’s leadership in ethical diamond trade
  • Strengthens global fight against conflict diamonds

8. Life of Husain’s Mural Insecure at LIC Headquarters, Mumbai

A wall mural painted by renowned artist M. F. Husain at the headquarters of the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in Mumbai is facing serious neglect and risk of damage, raising concerns over institutional apathy towards public art and cultural heritage.

9. Centre Issues EoI for Unified Customs Portal (CIS)

The Union government has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to select an agency for building a Customs Integrated System (CIS). This marks the formal start of the process to modernise and fully digitise India’s customs operations.

The move is led by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) through its Directorate General of Systems and Data Management.

10. What is the Customs Integrated System (CIS)?

CIS will be a single national digital platform that will merge multiple existing customs IT systems, including:

• Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE)
• Risk Management System (RMS)
• Indian Customs Electronic Data Interchange System (ICES)

At present, these systems run separately and do not fully communicate with each other. CIS aims to remove this fragmentation.

11. Zoho-Backed VoxelGrids Builds India’s First Indigenous MRI Scanner

On 25 December 2025, VoxelGrids, a startup backed by Zoho, developed and deployed India’s first fully indigenous 1.5-tesla MRI scanner.

12. Vaibhav Suryavanshi – Youngest List-A Centurion

• Achievement: Fastest 36-ball century
• Match: Bihar vs Arunachal Pradesh
• Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy
• Record: Youngest men’s List-A centurion

13. Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest to 16,000 List-A Runs

• Achieved milestone in 330 innings
• Surpassed Sachin Tendulkar
• Match: Delhi vs Andhra (Vijay Hazare Trophy)

14. Global Chess League 2025 Champions

• Winners: Alpine SG Pipers
• Key players:
  • R Praggnanandhaa
  • Anish Giri
• Defeated: Triveni Continental Kings
• Venue: Mumbai

15. Centre Issues EoI for Unified Customs Portal

The Centre has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to appoint an implementation agency for a Customs Integrated System (CIS), marking the formal start of a major overhaul of India’s customs IT infrastructure.

About the Customs Integrated System (CIS)

• Objective: Full digitisation and integration of customs operations
• Goal: Reduce cargo clearance time to 24 hours
• Nature: A single unified national platform integrating multiple existing systems

16. FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships

15-year-old Indian chess player Goutham Krishna produced an outstanding display on the opening day of the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships.

17. Electronics has emerged as India’s third-largest export category: Ashwini Vaishnaw

Electronics and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has highlighted that electronics has emerged as India’s third-largest export category, climbing from seventh place. 

18. Israel becomes 1st country to formally recognise Somaliland as independent nation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intended to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health, and technology.

19. Important Days

24 December – International Day against Cybercrime

• Theme 2025: Countering Cybercrime – Sharing Responsibility – Securing our Future
• Focus:
  • Cybersecurity awareness
  • Legal frameworks & reporting
  • Protection of individuals, businesses & governments

27 December – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness

• Theme 2025: Strengthening Global Health Systems for Future Crises
• Highlights:
  • Importance of preparedness & early warning
  • Global cooperation
  • Research, innovation & resilient health systems

December 26 – Veer Bal Diwas 2025

Veer Bal Diwas is observed annually on 26 December across India to honour the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Sikh Guru.

December 27 – International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2025

The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness annually on 27 December to stress the importance of preventing, preparing for, and responding to epidemics.