- On 13 December 2025, Ponduru Khadi from Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh received the GI tag. This handspun, handwoven fabric is locally known as Patnulu and admired for its ultra‑fine texture. The recognition protects its authenticity and boosts the livelihood of traditional weavers. It also adds Ponduru Khadi to Andhra Pradesh’s list of GI‑tagged textiles like Uppada and Venkatagiri sarees.
- On December 2025, Indian-origin Arkin Gupta was featured in the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Finance. He is a Trader at Citadel (Miami, Florida) and former Vice President at Morgan Stanley, where he managed a $2 billion long-short equities portfolio. Arkin co-authored the Prediction-Enhanced Monte Carlo framework, applying AI and machine learning to financial simulations.
- On December 13, 2025, the Madhya Pradesh government approved Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve as a new cheetah habitat. Located at Nauradehi in Sagar district, it will be India’s third cheetah reserve after Kuno and Gandhi Sagar. Preparations for enclosures are underway, with cheetahs to be introduced before the 2026 monsoon.
- The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 18 Dec 2025. It aims to replace MGNREGA, expanding guaranteed rural employment from 100 to 125 days per household. The Bill focuses on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
- On 12 December 2025, India and Argentina signed the ICAR–INTA Work Plan 2025–2027. It aims to boost cooperation in crop research, climate resilience, livestock, and technology transfer. The pact links ICAR (India) with INTA (Argentina) for joint innovation and training. It strengthens South–South agricultural collaboration and supports food security.
- The RBI has approved the HDFC Bank Group to acquire up to 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank. The approval letter was issued on 15 Dec 2025 and disclosed on 16 Dec 2025. It is valid for one year, expiring on 14 Dec 2026, if not exercised. HDFC Bank clarified the stake will be held by group entities under the aggregate holding rule, not directly.
- On 15 December 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and ACI Worldwide recognized India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) as the world’s largest real-time payment system. UPI processed 129.3 billion transactions in 2025, making up 49% of global real-time payments. It was developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- On December 15, 2025, the Indian Army signed an MoU with Raghu Vamsi Par East Automation Pvt Ltd at the 515 Army Base Workshop in Secunderabad, Telangana. The agreement aims to boost indigenous drone capabilities, focusing on IC engine‑based drones and operations in GPS‑denied environments. It establishes a pathway for evaluation, induction, and scaling up of advanced drone technologies.
- On 16 December 2025, India and Ethiopia signed three MoUs in Addis Ababa. They cover customs cooperation, data centre establishment at Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UN peacekeeping training. The agreements were exchanged during PM Narendra Modi’s visit with Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali.
- From 9–12 December 2025, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi visited Brazil to strengthen maritime ties. He met Brazil’s Defence Minister and top naval commanders to deepen India–Brazil defence cooperation. A key MoU on Scorpene-class submarine maintenance was signed with the Brazilian Navy and MDL. The visit reinforced India’s naval diplomacy in South America, expanding strategic and industrial collaboration.
- On 15 Dec 2025, India unveiled its first indigenous 64‑bit dual‑core microprocessor ‘DHRUV64’. It was developed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C‑DAC) under the Digital India RISC‑V Programme. The chip runs at 1.0 GHz and supports applications in 5G, IoT, defence, satellites, and automotive systems.
- The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) organised a two-day Principals’ Conclave on 16–17 Dec 2025 in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, with MoS Durga Das Uikey as Guest of Honour. The theme was “Effective Management of Schools – Academic Excellence & Governance in EMRSs”. The aim was to strengthen leadership, governance, and NEP alignment in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs). 499 Principals participated, focusing on academic excellence, digital onboarding, and student welfare.
- On 17 December 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’. The ceremony took place at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. The US-built MH-60R Seahawk helicopters enhance anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, and surveillance.
- On 14 December 2025, José Antonio Kast Rist of the Republican Party was elected the 38th President of Chile. He won the run‑off election with about 58% votes, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara. Kast campaigned on law and order, immigration control, and economic revival. He will officially assume office on 11 March 2026.
- On 17 December 2025, Air India won the Best Domestic Airline title at Travel + Leisure Awards. The honour came at the India & South Asia’s Best Awards 2025 ceremony. It was based on reader votes, reflecting strong customer trust and satisfaction. Air India secured this title for the second consecutive year (2024 & 2025).
Questions:
Q1. The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 seeks to replace which existing scheme?a) PMAY-G
b) MGNREGA
c) NRLM
d) PMJDY
Answer: b) The Bill, introduced on 18 Dec 2025, aims to replace MGNREGA by increasing guaranteed rural employment days.
Q2. Which airline won the Best Domestic Airline title at Travel + Leisure Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year?
a) Vistara
b) IndiGo
c) Air India
d) Akasa Air
Answer: c) Air India won the Best Domestic Airline award in both 2024 and 2025, based on reader votes.
