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India – National Current Affairs (22 December 2025)
1. President Approves VB-G RAM-G Bill 2025 for Rural Employment
President Droupadi Murmu gave assent to the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM-G) Bill, 2025. This legislation extends statutory wage employment guarantee for rural households from 100 to 125 days per financial year, replacing the earlier MGNREGA framework. The bill focuses on empowerment, inclusive growth, and saturation-based delivery to strengthen rural India's resilience and self-reliance.
2. PM Modi on Second Day of Assam Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi continued his Assam visit on December 21, inaugurating multiple development projects and paying tribute to martyrs. He recently inaugurated the new terminal at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which can handle 13.1 million passengers annually and features nature-themed bamboo and orchid architecture showcasing Assam's biodiversity.
3. Maharashtra Local Body Elections: Mahayuti Sweeps
The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance (BJP, Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar's NCP) secured a dominant victory in Maharashtra municipal council and nagar panchayat elections, winning 207 posts of municipal council presidents. The opposition MVA (Congress, NCP-SP, and Shiv Sena-UBT) managed only 44 seats, reinforcing Mahayuti's political dominance following their recent assembly election success.
4. India Dismisses 'Misleading Propaganda' Over Bangladesh High Commission Protest
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refuted Bangladesh media reports about protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on December 20. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that 20-25 youths peacefully demonstrated against the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu minority member in Mymensingh, Bangladesh. India called for protection of minorities in Bangladesh.
5. Dense Fog and Cold Wave Grip North India
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of persistent dense to very dense fog over Indo-Gangetic plains affecting Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. An active western disturbance has triggered snowfall in hill regions. Delhi's minimum temperature is expected around 9°C with moderate fog affecting visibility and transport services throughout the week.
6. India Women Cricket Team Defeats Sri Lanka in First T20I
India Women's cricket team won the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam on December 21. Jemimah Rodrigues played a match-winning innings, helping India chase down Sri Lanka's modest total of 121 runs. Smriti Mandhana also became the first Indian cricketer (male or female) to score 4,000 runs in T20I cricket during this match.
7. India U-19 Team Loses Asia Cup Final to Pakistan
India's Under-19 cricket team suffered a crushing 191-run defeat to Pakistan in the U-19 Asia Cup 2025 final at Dubai on December 21. Pakistan's Sameer Minhas scored a brilliant 172 runs, helping Pakistan post 347. India was bowled out for just 156 runs. Pakistan won their first U-19 Asia Cup title since 2012.
8. Gold and Silver Prices Remain Steady
On December 21, gold prices remained stable across Indian cities. In Chennai, 24-carat gold was priced at Rs. 13,528 per gram, while in Mumbai it was Rs. 13,418 per gram, and in Delhi Rs. 13,433 per gram. The precious metals market showed steady performance amid global economic fluctuations and declining demand post-festival season.
9. First Gen Z Post Office Inaugurated in J&K
Jammu & Kashmir inaugurated India's first Gen Z Post Office at AIIMS Vijaypur campus on December 17, 2025. The youth-oriented postal facility features contemporary design, digital payment options, simplified delivery systems, and integrated postal, banking, and insurance services, aligning with Generation Z's technological preferences.
10. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Speaks on Bangladesh Hindu Persecution
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh on December 21, stating that minorities face difficult circumstances. He called for Hindus in Bangladesh to remain united for maximum security and urged the global Hindu community to support them during this challenging period.
International Current Affairs (22 December 2025)
1. South Africa Pub Mass Shooting: 9 Dead
At least nine people were killed and 10 others injured in a mass shooting at a tavern in Bekkersdal, west of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. Gunmen opened fire at the pub in the early hours, marking another tragic incident of violence in the region.
2. Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Continue in Florida
Russian envoy stated that peace talks on a US-proposed plan to end the Ukraine war are proceeding "constructively" in Florida. The Trump administration's peace initiative includes meetings with Ukrainian and European officials in Berlin. These discussions aim to resolve the nearly four-year-old conflict.
3. France Announces New Aircraft Carrier Plans
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to build a new aircraft carrier for France's naval fleet. This announcement represents a significant investment in France's defense capabilities and maritime security infrastructure for future decades.
4. Iran Arrests Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi
Iranian authorities arrested Narges Mohammadi, the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, according to her foundation. Mohammadi has been a prominent human rights activist in Iran, advocating for women's rights and opposing the death penalty.
5. Prince William and Prince George at Homeless Shelter
Britain's Prince William and his son Prince George helped prepare Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter on December 21. The royal visit highlighted charitable efforts during the holiday season and the royal family's engagement with social welfare causes.
6. US Expands Travel Ban Affecting 20 African Countries
Africa has been the hardest hit by the Trump administration's expanded travel ban, which now includes 20 more countries. The policy significantly restricts travel from multiple African nations to the United States, affecting thousands of potential travelers and immigrants.
7. Seven Elephants Killed in Train Collision in Assam
Seven wild Asiatic elephants were killed and a calf injured when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd in Assam, India. The tragic incident highlights the ongoing challenge of wildlife-railway conflicts in regions with significant elephant populations.
8. Singapore Announces Mandatory Caning for Scammers
Singapore's government announced that scammers will face mandatory caning of up to 24 strokes starting December 30, 2025. This harsh penalty represents Singapore's strict approach to combating fraud and financial crimes affecting citizens.
Economy & Banking (22 December 2025)
1. RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% in December Policy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in its December 2025 monetary policy meeting, marking the fourth consecutive rate cut of the year. The cumulative reduction in 2025 stands at 125 basis points (1.25%). The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), led by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, made this unanimous decision to support economic growth while maintaining inflation control.
2. RBI Upgrades GDP Growth Forecast to 7.3%
The RBI revised India's GDP growth forecast for FY 2025-26 upward to 7.3%, an increase of 0.5 percentage points from the previous estimate. The central bank projects Q3 growth at 7% and Q4 at 6.5%, with Q1 and Q2 of FY 2026-27 expected at 6.7% and 6.8% respectively. Strong domestic demand and rural resilience support this optimistic outlook.
3. Inflation Falls to Historic Low of 0.25%
India's retail inflation (CPI) dropped to a record low of 0.25% in October 2025, breaching the lower tolerance band of 2% for the first time under the flexible inflation targeting framework. The sharp decline was driven by corrections in food prices and subdued price pressures across major components.
4. RBI Announces OMO and Forex Swap Operations
The central bank announced Open Market Operations (OMO) to purchase government securities worth Rs. 1 lakh crore in December 2025, injecting long-term liquidity. Additionally, a three-year dollar-rupee buy/sell swap of $5 billion was executed on December 16 to provide short-term forex liquidity and stabilize market conditions.
5. India Maintains Fastest-Growing Economy Status
According to the RBI bulletin, India is projected to remain the world's fastest-growing major economy in 2025-26. The IMF and World Bank project GDP growth at 6.5% and 6.7% respectively. High-frequency indicators show sequential pickup in economic activity during H2 of FY 2024-25.
6. Rupee Weakens Past 90 Per Dollar Level
The Indian rupee weakened past the psychologically important 90-rupee-per-dollar level on December 18, 2025, before paring some losses. Despite the depreciation, RBI Governor Malhotra stated the central bank remains comfortable with current rupee levels. India's foreign exchange reserves stood at $686.2 billion as of November 28, providing over 11 months of import cover.
7. Union Budget 2025-26 Focuses on Capex Growth
The RBI bulletin noted that Union Budget 2025-26 prudently balances fiscal consolidation with growth objectives. The effective capital expenditure-to-GDP ratio is projected to rise to 4.3% in 2025-26 from 4.1% in FY 2024-25, supporting infrastructure development.
8. FMCG Sales Show Strong Rural-Urban Recovery
Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sales in rural areas grew by 9.9% in Q3 of 2024-25, up from 5.7% in Q2, indicating strong rural demand resilience. Urban demand also improved with sales growth rising to 5% from 2.6% in the previous quarter, driven by rising farm incomes.
Science, Technology & Environment (22 December 2025)
1. ISRO Announces LVM3-M6 Launch on December 24
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scheduled the LVM3-M6 mission launch for December 24, 2025, at 08:54 hrs IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission will carry the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, the heaviest single payload (6,100 kg) ever launched by ISRO into Low Earth Orbit, as part of a commercial agreement with US-based AST SpaceMobile.
2. ISRO Completes Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute Tests
ISRO successfully completed critical qualification tests for drogue parachutes of the Gaganyaan Crew Module on December 18-19, 2025, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility in Chandigarh. The tests confirmed the performance and reliability of drogue parachutes under varying flight conditions, marking another milestone in India's human spaceflight program.
3. BlueBird Block-2 to Enable Direct-to-Mobile Connectivity
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite launching on December 24 will be part of a global Low Earth Orbit constellation providing direct-to-mobile connectivity. The satellite will enable 4G and 5G voice calls, video calls, texts, streaming, and data services directly to smartphones without ground towers, revolutionizing global connectivity.
4. ISRO Releases RESPOND Basket 2025
ISRO announced the RESPOND Basket 2025, inviting research proposals from Indian academic institutions to address mission-critical challenges in space technology. Since 2018, over 871 research problems have been shared through this sponsored research program, contributing directly to operational missions.
5. Semicryogenic Engine Development Progresses
ISRO conducted successful hot tests of the 2000 kN-class SE2000 semicryogenic engine in December 2025. The third test on December 17 lasted three seconds to refine the start-up routine. The liquid core stage (L110) of LVM3 will be replaced with the Semi-Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (SC120) to expand payload capability.
6. Dense Fog Affects Air Quality and Visibility
According to IMD forecasts, dense to very dense fog conditions will persist over Indo-Gangetic plains through late December. Indian cities recorded a 25% reduction in particulate matter levels during 2019-2024 due to Bharat Stage-VI emission norms, though winter fog remains a persistent transport hazard.
7. PM Modi Releases Ashwagandha Commemorative Stamp
Prime Minister Modi released a commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha at the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi. The initiative highlights India's traditional medicine heritage, promotes AYUSH systems, and showcases Ashwagandha as a key Ayurvedic medicinal plant.
8. Gulmarg Witnesses Fresh Snowfall
Gulmarg in Jammu & Kashmir turned into a white wonderland as it witnessed fresh snowfall on December 21, 2025. The western disturbance has brought significant snow to Kashmir valley and other Himalayan regions, boosting winter tourism while affecting local transport.
Sports & Important Days (22 December 2025)
Sports News
1. Smriti Mandhana Creates History
India's Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian cricketer (male or female) to score 4,000 runs in T20 International cricket on December 21, 2025, during the first T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. She stands second globally behind New Zealand's Suzie Bates (4,716 runs) in the all-time T20I runs list.
2. India Women Win First T20I vs Sri Lanka
India Women's cricket team defeated Sri Lanka by a comfortable margin in the first T20I at ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. Jemimah Rodrigues played a match-winning innings while bowlers Kranti Goud, Deepti Sharma, and Shree Charani picked up crucial wickets, restricting Sri Lanka to 121 runs.
3. Pakistan U-19 Defeats India in Asia Cup Final
Pakistan's Under-19 team won the U-19 Asia Cup 2025 final against India by 191 runs at Dubai on December 21. Pakistan posted a massive 347 runs with Sameer Minhas scoring 172 runs. India was bowled out for 156 runs. Pakistan won their first U-19 Asia Cup since 2012, while India missed their record-extending 12th title.
4. BCCI to Announce T20 World Cup 2026 Squad
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce India's squad for T20 World Cup 2026. Key selection debates include the form of captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill, wicketkeeper choices between Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson, and all-rounder combinations.
5. Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel Named for T20 World Cup
Reports indicate Suryakumar Yadav will captain India in the T20 World Cup 2026, with Axar Patel as his deputy. Shubman Gill, initially groomed as future T20I captain, may not be part of the leadership group as BCCI continues with SKY's successful captaincy record.
Important Days
6. Winter Solstice (December 21)
December 21, 2025, marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere—the shortest day and longest night of the year. The astronomical event occurs when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the Sun. Many cultures celebrate this day with festivals like Yule, marking the rebirth of the sun and the gradual return of longer days.
7. World Basketball Day
December 21 is observed as World Basketball Day globally, celebrating the sport invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. The day promotes basketball's values of teamwork, fitness, and global unity, with events organized by basketball federations worldwide.
8. International Human Solidarity Day (December 20)
Observed on December 20, this UN-designated day emphasizes global unity, international cooperation, and shared responsibility in addressing challenges like poverty, inequality, and social injustice. Established in 2005, it highlights solidarity as a core UN value.
Quick Revision Points for MCQ Preparation
- VB-G RAM-G Bill 2025: Extends rural employment guarantee from 100 to 125 days per financial year
- RBI Repo Rate: Cut to 5.25% in December 2025 (25 bps reduction)
- India GDP Growth: RBI projects 7.3% for FY 2025-26
- Retail Inflation: Historic low of 0.25% in October 2025
- ISRO LVM3-M6 Launch: December 24, 2025, carrying 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite
- Smriti Mandhana: First Indian cricketer to score 4,000 T20I runs
- Maharashtra Local Elections: Mahayuti won 207 municipal council president posts
- Winter Solstice: Shortest day of the year falls on December 21 in Northern Hemisphere
- South Africa Shooting: 9 people killed in Bekkersdal tavern on December 21
- India Foreign Exchange Reserves: $686.2 billion as of November 28, 2025
- U-19 Asia Cup Final: Pakistan defeated India by 191 runs in Dubai
- Dense Fog Warning: IMD forecasts persistent fog over Indo-Gangetic plains affecting north India
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