- On 29 December 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the redeveloped Batadrava Than in Assam’s Nagaon district, the birthplace of saint Srimanta Sankardeva. The project, worth ₹227 crore, is named Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Abhirbhav Kshetra. It aims to preserve Assam’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage while boosting tourism.
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- On 20 December 2025, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched the ‘VijAIpatha’ initiative in Karnataka government schools. This pilot project, implemented by the Cyient Foundation in partnership with the Karnataka Government, establishes five world-class AI, STEM, and Robotics labs in Hosapete taluk, Vijayanagara district.
- On 30 December 2025, the Government of India signed an agreement with Vijai Marine Services Pvt. Ltd., Goa. The project, under the PM VIKAS and Indo-Canada R&D collaboration, is called the Smart Sea Project. It focuses on developing a 20-passenger electric boat to promote green marine mobility and sustainable tourism.
- On 27 December 2025, Kaamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian to ski to the South Pole. At just 18 years old, she covered nearly 115 km in Antarctica’s extreme conditions. She is also the second-youngest woman worldwide to achieve this feat. Her journey is part of the Explorer’s Grand Slam challenge.
- On 30 December 2025, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Mukalla, a port city in Yemen’s Hadramout province. The strikes targeted an alleged UAE arms shipment meant for separatist forces of the Southern Transitional Council (STC). Yemen’s anti-Houthi coalition declared a state of emergency and imposed a 72-hour ban on crossings, airports, and seaports.
- IDFC FIRST Bank launched the Gaj: Credit Card on 29 December 2025 as an invitation-only premium metal card for its Private Banking HNI clients. Completing the Ashva–Mayura–Gaj trilogy, it draws inspiration from Indian heritage, where Gaj (Sanskrit for elephant) symbolizes majesty, wisdom, and strength. The card features a crafted metal body with a signature twin-elephant motif, reflecting exclusivity and cultural pride.
- On 30 December 2025, FITT (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi) in collaboration with IDFC First Bank launched a new IGNITE Program cohort to support 15 high-potential startups in areas like climate tech, clean energy, healthcare, agri-tech, mobility, education, and AI-driven social impact solutions.
- India received NPCI’s TPAP licence approval on December 28, 2025. This allows it to launch its UPI-based platform RediffPay. The app is currently in Closed User Group (CUG) testing. Backed by Infibeam Avenues and Axis Bank, it focuses on payments, savings, and credit access.
- On 31 December 2025, the Department of Posts (DoP) under the Ministry of Communications and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The MoU enables Contact Point Verification (CPV) of Informal Micro Enterprises (IMEs). Verification will be carried out through the Udyam Assist Platform (UAP) to ensure reliable enterprise data. The aim is to promote formalisation of IMEs and improve their access to institutional credit.
- The report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations” was released by NITI Aayog on 22 December 2025. It proposes 22 policy measures to make India a global education hub by 2047. Key suggestions include scholarships, Erasmus+-style exchanges, foreign university campuses, and a $10B research fund. It highlights Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) as a model for internationalising higher education.
- Lav Aggarwal, a 1996 batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the new Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) on 30 December 2025. Prior to this, he served as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development. His appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- On 29 December 2025, the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 was announced. British-Indian comedian, actress, and author Meera Syal was awarded a Damehood. She was recognised for her contributions to literature, drama, and charity. Earlier, she had received an MBE (1997) and a CBE (2015).
Questions:
Q.1 Who became the youngest Indian to ski to the South Pole on 27 December 2025?a) Kaamya Karthikeyan
b) Premlata Agrawal
c) Bachendri Pal
d) Arunima Sinha
Answer: a) Kaamya Karthikeyan became the youngest Indian to ski to the South Pole.
Q.2 British-Indian Meera Syal was awarded a Damehood in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026 for contributions to:
a) Science and Technology
b) Literature, Drama, and Charity
c) Sports
d) Politics
Answer: b) She was recognised for her contributions to literature, drama, and charity.
