24th December 2025

1. IOL enters into an agreement with France’s Safran to manufacture advanced defence systems in India
2. IDRBT and IIIT Hyderabad sign an MoU to collaborate on academics, research, and training
3. Canara Bank launches a unified UPI application, ‘Canara ai1Pe’, for secure digital payments
4. Paytm announces plans to set up wholly owned subsidiaries in Indonesia and Luxembourg
5. ROHM partners with TEPL to manufacture semiconductors in India
6. Pakistan defeats India to win the ACC Men’s Under-19 Asia Cup title
7. Uttar Pradesh government presents supplementary demands amounting to ₹24,497 crore for FY26
8. Hansi is notified as the 23rd district of Haryana
9. President of India confers the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar at Rashtrapati Bhavan
10. DRDO successfully completes user trials of the next-generation Akash missile
11. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar releases a book on Atal Bihari Vajpayee
12. BlueBird Block-2 satellite is launched aboard ISRO’s LVM3 ‘Baahubali’ rocket
13. Renowned writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passes away
14. National Consumer Day observed with emphasis on efficient and speedy digital justice
15. India’s foreign exchange reserves rise by USD 1.68 billion
16. ISRO launches RESPOND Basket inviting academic research proposals
17. India and the Netherlands establish a Joint Trade and Investment Committee
18. RBI imposes a monetary penalty on Kotak Mahindra Bank
19. ADB commits USD 4.26 billion in sovereign lending to India
20. ISRO announces the upcoming launch of the LVM3-M6 mission
21. PGIMER Chandigarh retains its position as India’s top HTA institute
22. Parliament clears the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Insurance Amendment Bill
23. HarperCollins India to publish Mohar Basu’s book on Salman Khan
24. Sukhman Singh wins the IGU 124th Amateur Championship
25. Smriti Mandhana becomes the first Asian cricketer to cross 4,000 T20I runs
26. Parliamentary panel recommends national importance status for Auroville Foundation
27. Elon Musk becomes the first individual to reach a USD 700 billion fortune
28. James Webb Space Telescope discovers a lemon-shaped exoplanet
29. Tamil Nadu launches an otter conservation initiative in the Cauvery basin
30. ISRO successfully completes drogue parachute tests for the Gaganyaan mission
31. Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor Ira “Ike” Schab passes away

National News

1. India–Netherlands Joint Trade and Investment Committee Established

• What:
  • India and the Netherlands established the India–Netherlands Joint Trade and Investment Committee through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
• Why:
  • India and the Netherlands created the committee to provide a formal mechanism for regular dialogue, trade review, and investment cooperation.
• Tell me more:
  • MoU signatories – Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Institutional outcome – Establishment of Joint Trade and Investment Committee as a formal framework
  • Committee purpose – Review of bilateral trade relations
  • Meeting frequency – Annual meetings
  • Meeting format – Alternating between India and the Netherlands
  • Indian co-chair – Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce
  • Dutch co-chair – Director General for Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Committee mandate – Identification and elimination of trade and investment barriers

Source: NBIZ

State News

1. Uttar Pradesh Presents Supplementary Demands Worth Rs 24,497 Crore

• Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna presented supplementary demands for grants of Rs 24,496.97 crore for the current financial year in the State Assembly.
• The government sought additional funds to meet development and welfare requirements while maintaining fiscal discipline.
• Suresh Kumar Khanna serves as the Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Source: TOI

2. Hansi Declared as 23rd District of Haryana

• What:
  • Haryana government declared Hansi as the 23rd district of Haryana to strengthen administrative efficiency and regional development.
• Tell me more:
  • Parent district reorganisation – Hisar district subdivisions: Hisar and Barwala
  • New district composition – Hansi district subdivisions: Hansi and Narnaund
  • Development projects announced – Three projects worth ₹77.30 crore
  • District announcement – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini

3. Panel Recommends INI Status for Auroville Foundation

• What:
  • A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education recommended amending the Auroville Foundation Act, 1988 to grant the Auroville Foundation the status of an Institution of National Importance (INI).
• Why:
  • The recommendation aims to recognise Auroville’s contribution to international understanding and peace and to provide long-term institutional and financial sustainability.
• Tell me more:
  • Committee Type – Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education
  • Committee Head – Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Digvijaya Singh
  • Recommendation Tabled – Both Houses of Parliament
  • Proposed Law Change – Amendment to Auroville Foundation Act, 1988
  • Location – Auroville near Puducherry
  • INI Definition – Premier institution declared by an Act of Parliament

4. Tamil Nadu Launches Smooth-Coated Otter Conservation Programme

• What:
  • Tamil Nadu Department of Forests launched a conservation initiative for smooth-coated otters in the Cauvery River delta to study population, behaviour, habitat, and reduce human-otter conflict.
• Tell me more:
  • Species Name – Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)
  • Species Status – Vulnerable species
  • Species Feature – Largest otter species in Asia
  • Local Name – Meenakutty (meen-naai-kutty)
  • Study Area – Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Cuddalore districts
  • River System – Cauvery River delta
  • Programme Title – Conservation initiative to study population dynamics, behavioural pattern, and habitat improvement of smooth-coated otters
  • Conservation Status – Listed as vulnerable by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
  • Legal Protection – Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
  • Lead Institution – Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), Vandalur, Chennai

Source: TOI

International News

1. Delaware Supreme Court Restores Elon Musk’s Tesla Pay Package

• Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options worth $139 billion, which raised Elon Musk’s net worth to $749 billion.
• Elon Musk’s fortune exceeded Google co-founder Larry Page’s wealth by nearly $500 billion.
• Forbes Billionaires List ranked Larry Page as the world’s second-richest person.

Source: Reuters

Banking and Economy

1. Canara Bank Launches Canara ai1Pe UPI App

• What:
  • State-owned Canara Bank launched ‘Canara ai1Pe’, a new Unified Payments Interface (UPI) application to provide faster, safer, and more convenient digital payments.
• Why:
  • Canara Bank launched the application to strengthen its digital payments ecosystem and offer customers an efficient, secure, and feature-rich UPI experience.
• Tell me more:
  • The application allows users to link bank accounts from any bank for instant money transfers, merchant payments, bill settlements, and daily digital services.
  • The application includes device binding and UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN) authentication to ensure transactions occur only from the registered mobile handset.
  • The application provides widget-based Quick Response (QR) scan-and-pay functionality from the home screen to reduce transaction time.
  • The application includes UPI Delegate (UPI Circle), which allows a primary account holder to add family members as delegates with a predefined spending limit such as ₹15,000 per month.

Source: CNBC

2. Paytm Expands Overseas With New Subsidiaries and UAE Stake Sale

• What:
  • One97 Communications Limited expanded its overseas presence by approving new subsidiaries in Indonesia and Luxembourg and by diluting its stake in its United Arab Emirates (UAE) payments subsidiary.
• Why:
  • The expansion aimed to grow international business by taking Paytm’s technology-led merchant payments and financial services to select global markets.
• Tell me more:
  • Paytm Cloud Technologies Limited (PCTL), a wholly owned subsidiary of One97 Communications Limited, approved the incorporation of two step-down wholly owned subsidiaries in Indonesia and Luxembourg.
  • The fintech firm plans to invest up to ₹25 crore in each subsidiary in one or more tranches.
  • Paytm diluted its stake in Paytm Arab Payments Limited Liability Company (LLC) through a strategic investment by Abbar Global Opportunities Holdings.
  • The transaction is expected to be completed by February 28, 2026.

3. Tata Electronics and ROHM Partner for Semiconductor Manufacturing

• What:
  • Tata Electronics entered into a strategic partnership with ROHM Co for semiconductor manufacturing in India for Indian and global markets.
• Why:
  • The partnership aimed to establish domestic semiconductor manufacturing and meet rising demand for locally produced power semiconductors.
• Tell me more:
  • ROHM Co and Tata Electronics will first establish a manufacturing framework for power semiconductors.
  • Tata Electronics will start assembly and testing of ROHM’s India-designed automotive-grade N-channel (Nch) 100 Volt (V), 300 Ampere (A) Silicon (Si) Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET).
  • The semiconductor will be produced in a Thin Outline Leadless (TOLL) package.

4. India Forex Reserves Rise on Gold and FDI Strength

• What:
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 1.68 billion to USD 688.94 billion in the week ended December 12, supported mainly by higher gold holdings.
• Why:
  • The Reserve Bank of India strengthened the external buffer to manage global uncertainty and reduce exposure to currency volatility.
• Tell me more:
  • Forex market monitoring authority: Reserve Bank of India
  • Forex market action: intervention to ensure orderly trading and limit excessive volatility
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows (first half of Financial Year 2025–26): USD 50.36 billion
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth rate (year-on-year): 16%

Source: BW

5. RBI Penalises Kotak Mahindra Bank for Regulatory Non-Compliance

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 61.95 lakh on Kotak Mahindra Bank for non-compliance with regulatory norms.
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed the penalty for violations related to Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts, Business Correspondents (BCs), and Credit Information Companies (CICs).
• Monetary penalty amount – Rs 61.95 lakh

Source: ET

6. ADB Commits USD 4.258 Billion to India in 2025

• What:
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) committed USD 4.258 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2025 to support priority development sectors.
• Why:
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided funding to strengthen skills, clean energy, urban infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and sustainable growth.
• Tell me more:
  • Total sovereign lending to India in 2025 – USD 4.258 billion
  • Total newly committed projects – 16 projects
  • Human and social development share – Nearly 32% of projects
  • Energy sector share – 26% of projects (renewable energy focus)
  • PM-SETU financing – USD 846 million
  • PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana financing – USD 650 million (for expansion of rooftop solar adoption)
  • Urban projects commitment – USD 775 million
  • Urban development share – Over 18% of projects
  • Number of urban projects – Five
  • Urban project states – Assam, Kerala, Sikkim, and West Bengal (two projects)
  • Rail and metro expansion funding – USD 729 million
  • Rail and metro locations – Delhi–Meerut, Chennai, and Indore
  • Maharashtra power infrastructure loan – USD 460 million
  • Assam healthcare loan – USD 398.8 million
  • Ecotourism loans beneficiary states – Meghalaya and Uttarakhand (Over USD 200 million)

7. IRDAI Gets Stronger Powers to Curb Insurance Mis-selling

• What:
  • Parliament empowered the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) through the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 to tighten rules on commissions, disclosures, and conflicts of interest to curb insurance mis-selling.
• Tell me more:
  • Key Provision – Clause 36 amending Section 40 of Insurance Act, 1938
  • New Power – IRDAI authority to cap, structure, and mandate disclosure of commissions
  • Disclosure Requirement – Commission component to be clearly disclosed to policyholders
  • Conflict of Interest – Clause 25 replacing Section 32A of Insurance Act
  • Bancassurance Rule – Insurer directors or officers barred from holding positions in banks or investment companies
  • Intermediaries Covered – Insurance brokers, corporate agents, web aggregators
  • Enforcement Tool – Regulations instead of blanket statutory ban
  • Section 42D – IRDAI empowered to set fit-and-proper norms and cancel registrations
  • Section 40(2A) – Rule-making power for agents and intermediaries
  • Objective – Reduction of mis-selling through transparency and separation of roles

Source: ET TH

Defence News

1. India Optel–Safran Sign Production Transfer Agreement

• What:
  • India Optel Limited (IOL) signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight.
• Why:
  • The agreement aimed to enable local manufacturing of two high-precision, combat-proven systems to meet the operational needs of the Indian Army.
• Tell me more:
  • The SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System is used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles, and radars.
  • The CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight is designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
  • The SIGMA 30 system provides autonomous engagement capability even when Global Positioning System (GPS) signals are unavailable.
  • The SIGMA 30 system helps determine the precise location of enemy batteries immediately after detecting firing.

2. DRDO Completes Akash-NG User Evaluation Trials

• What:
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed user evaluation trials (UET) of Akash–New Generation (Akash-NG) missile system to enable induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Why:
  • The successful UET cleared the path for acceptance of necessity (AoN) and induction of Akash-NG into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• Tell me more:
  • User Evaluation Trials Date – December 23, 2025
  • Maiden Test of Akash-NG – January 25, 2021
  • Test Location – Integrated Test Range, off Odisha coast
  • Operational Range – Up to 70 kilometres
  • Target Capability – High manoeuvring aerial threats with low radar cross section (RCS)

Source: IE

Science and Technology

1. ISRO Releases LVM3-M6 Onboard Mission Footage

• What:
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released onboard camera footage of LVM3-M6 mission covering liftoff to BlueBird Block-2 satellite separation.
• Why:
  • Footage release highlighted successful commercial heavy-lift launch of BlueBird Block-2 satellite for United States (US)-based AST SpaceMobile.
• Tell me more:
  • Launch Site – Second Launch Pad, Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
  • Mission Phases Captured – S200 solid booster separation, L110 liquid core stage separation, payload fairing jettisoning, satellite separation
  • Orbit Achieved – Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
  • Orbit Altitude – About 520 kilometres
  • Mission Designation – LVM3-M6
  • Launch Vehicle – Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), nickname ‘Bahubali’

2. ISRO–Academia Day Strengthens Research Collaboration

• What:
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) organised ISRO–Academia Day and released RESPOND Basket 2025 to strengthen collaboration with academic institutions.
• Tell me more:
  • ISRO–Academia Day inauguration date – 16 December 2025
  • ISRO–Academia Day venue – ISRO Headquarters, Bengaluru
  • Inaugurating authority – Secretary, Department of Space (DOS) and Chairman, ISRO (Dr. V. Narayanan)
  • RESPOND Basket 2025 – It refers to a compiled list of research problem statements released by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • RESPOND proposals are the research proposals submitted by universities and recognised Research and Development (R&D) institutions.
  • Last date for RESPOND proposal submission – 31 January 2026
  • RESPOND Proposal submission portal – I-GRASP portal

Source: ISRO

3. James Webb Finds Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet Around Pulsar

• What:
  • James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) discovered a lemon-shaped exoplanet named PSR J2322-2650b about 2,000 light-years away while studying distant planets.
• Tell me more:
  • Distance from Earth – About 2,000 light-years
  • Planet Name – PSR J2322-2650b
  • Planet Type – Exoplanet
  • Host Object – Pulsar
  • Observation Tool – Infrared instruments of James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

Source: TOI

4. ISRO Tests Drogue Parachutes for Gaganyaan Mission

• What:
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed qualification tests of drogue parachutes for the Gaganyaan Crew Module deceleration system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility during December 18–19, 2025.
• Why:
  • ISRO conducted the tests to evaluate the performance and reliability of drogue parachutes under extreme re-entry conditions for human spaceflight.
• Tell me more:
  • Test Location – Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility
  • Host Laboratory – Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh
  • Mission – Gaganyaan
  • Drogue Parachute Role – Stabilisation and velocity reduction during re-entry
  • Supporting Centre – Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO
  • Supporting Organisation – Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • Supporting Laboratory – Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Source: ISRO

Awards

1. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 Conferred at Rashtrapati Bhavan

• What:
  • Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 recognised lifetime achievement, team innovation, and individual scientific contributions to promote science-led national development.
• Why:
  • Government of India instituted the awards to acknowledge excellence across the full spectrum of scientific research, innovation, and societal impact.
• Tell me more:
  • Ceremony – Second Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar ceremony
  • Venue – Rashtrapati Bhavan
  • Award presenter – President Droupadi Murmu
  • Union Minister present – Dr. Jitendra Singh (Science and Technology)
  • Total awardees – 24 scientists and innovators

• Vigyan Shri (recognises distinguished field-specific contributions) winners list:
  

• Vigyan Yuva–Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (for scientists below 45 years) winners list:
  

2. PGIMER Named Best Health Technology Assessment Institute

• What:
  • Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh received the Best Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Institute award for the second consecutive year.
• Why:
  • The award recognised PGIMER’s role in strengthening evidence-based health policy, cost-effective care, and equitable resource allocation in India.
• Tell me more:
  • Awarding Authority – Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
  • Event – ARISE 2025 national conclave
  • Venue – Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi
  • Organiser – Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIn)
  • Award Presenters – Prof V. K. Paul (NITI Aayog) and Dr Rajiv Bahl (ICMR and Department of Health Research)
  • Previous Recognition – Best HTA Institute at ICMR–DHR Health Summit (2024)

Source: IE

Important Days

1. National Consumer Day 2025 – December 24

• What:
  • The Department of Consumer Affairs celebrated National Consumer Day 2025 to promote efficient and speedy disposal of consumer cases through digital justice.
• Tell me more:
  • Venue – Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
  • Theme – Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice
  • Sectors Covered – 30
  • National Consumer Helpline Number – 1915
  • Guiding Principle – “Grahak Devo Bhavah”
  • Reason for Observance – Enactment of Consumer Protection Act, 1986

Source: PIB

Sports

1. Pakistan win U19 Asia Cup final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai

• What:
  • Pakistan defeated India by 191 runs to win the 50-over men’s Under-19 (U19) Asia Cup final at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai.
• Why:
  • Pakistan secured the victory to claim the U19 Asia Cup title after posting a high total and bowling India out cheaply.
• Tell me more:
  • Pakistan scored 347 for 8, with Sameer Minhas hitting 172 runs off 113 balls, which was his second century of the tournament.
  • India were bowled out for 156 runs in 26.2 overs during the chase.

2. Sukhman Singh Wins 124th Amateur Golf Championship

• What:
  • Noida golfer Sukhman Singh won the IGU 124th Amateur Golf Championship of India by defeating Harman Sachdeva in the 36-hole final.
• Why:
  • The victory crowned Sukhman Singh as the national amateur champion in the world’s longest-running amateur matchplay golf championship.
• Tell me more:
  • Organiser – Indian Golf Union (IGU)
  • Venue – Tollygunge Club, Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Final Format – 36-hole matchplay final
  • Opponent – Harman Sachdeva (Haryana)
  • Championship Distinction – World’s longest-running amateur matchplay championship

3. Smriti Mandhana Becomes First Indian to 4,000 T20I Runs

• What:
  • Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian batter to complete 4,000 runs in Women’s Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) during the opening match against Sri Lanka.
• Tell me more:
  • Match – India vs Sri Lanka, First T20I
  • Series – Five-match T20I series
  • Venue – ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
  • T20I Runs – 4,007 runs
  • Overall Record – Second woman after Suzie Bates
  • Fewest Balls to 4,000 Runs – 3,227 balls
  • Suzie Bates Balls Faced – 3,675 balls
  • ODI Runs – 5,322
  • Test Runs – 629

Source: DD

Memorandum of Understanding

1. IDRBT And IIIT Hyderabad Sign MoU For BFSI Research

• What:
  • Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad.
• Why:
  • The MoU aimed to strengthen joint efforts in academics, research, training, and skill development in the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) sector for effective adoption of emerging technologies.
• Tell me more:
  • Joint Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes will be offered in areas beneficial to the banking system.
  • The MoU was signed under the leadership of Prof. Sandeep Shukla, Director, International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad and Dr. Deepak Kumar, Director, Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).
  • The initial collaboration includes joint PhD programmes in areas such as digital payment ecosystem, cyber security and vulnerability management, artificial intelligence (AI), cryptography, blockchain, programmable money, fungible and non-fungible tokens, zero knowledge proof, and application programming interface (API) management.

Source: IDBRT

Miscellaneous

1. Vice-President Releases Book on Atal Bihari Vajpayee

• What:
  • Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti authored by Shri Vasudev Devnani at the Vice-President’s Enclave in New Delhi to mark the centenary birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Tell me more:
  • Book title – Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti
  • Author – Shri Vasudev Devnani, Speaker, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly
  • Book release venue – Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi
  • Occasion – Centenary birth anniversary of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (AKA Good Governance Day, 25 December)
  • Released by – Vice-President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan

2. Renowned Litterateur and Jnanpith Award Awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla Passed Away

• Renowned litterateur and Jnanpith Award awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla was cremated with full state honour in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. He wrote literature primarily in the Hindi language.

Source: NOA

3. World War II Pearl Harbor Veteran Ira Schab Dies

• World War II Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab died as one of the remaining survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.
• Ira Schab’s death marked a further decline in the number of living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack that pushed the United States into World War II.

Source: CNN

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