Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th December 2025

National:

• On December 16, 2025, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a directive for insurance firms. Entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) must use 1600-series numbers. The mandate applies to all service and transactional calls, with adoption required by February 15, 2026. It aims to boost consumer trust, reduce spam, and prevent fraud in insurance-related communications.

• On December 14, 2025, Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), Bengaluru welcomed eight black-capped capuchin monkeys under an approved animal exchange programme. The group, consisting of four males and four females, arrived from Induna Primate and Parrot Park, South Africa. They have been placed in a designated quarantine facility for mandatory health checks before public display.
• The 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) was held in Panchkula, Haryana from 16–19 December 2025. It was organised by the Ministries of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Space, Atomic Energy, and Vijnana Bharati. The theme was “Science and Technology: Towards Viksit Bharat”, aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047.
• On 18 December 2025, the Assam Cabinet approved the release of ₹250 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the State-Owned Priority Development Fund (Rural). The allocation aims to boost infrastructure, rural livelihoods, and socio-economic development in the BTC region.

International:

• India and Saudi Arabia signed a Visa Waiver Agreement in Riyadh on December 17, 2025, under the Strategic Partnership Council framework. The pact provides mutual exemption from short-stay visas for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports. It is aimed at facilitating official travel and strengthening high-level government exchanges between the two nations.

Banking:

• On December 17, 2025, Axis Bank in partnership with Google Pay launched the Google Pay Flex Axis Bank Credit Card on the RuPay network developed by NPCI. This marks Google Pay’s entry into India’s co-branded credit card space with full UPI integration. The card allows users to make credit payments via UPI, offering instant digital issuance directly through the Google Pay app.
• Paytm Payments Services Ltd (PPSL) has received RBI approval on 17 December 2025 to operate as a payment aggregator for offline transactions and cross-border payments. This nod follows its earlier authorisation on 26 November 2025 for online payment aggregation. The latest licence allows PPSL to handle inward and outward remittances along with in-store merchant payments.
• Airtel Payments Bank partnered with NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) on 18 December 2025 to enable electric vehicle (EV) wallet recharges through the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). The service, available on the Airtel Thanks app, allows users to recharge wallets linked to multiple charging point operators seamlessly.

Sports:

• On December 16, 2025, at the IPL 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi, Cameron Green was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He was signed for a record ₹25.20 crore, making him the most expensive foreign player in IPL history. The bidding war involved Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, and CSK, before KKR sealed the deal.
• WWE legend John Cena officially retired on December 13, 2025, after a historic farewell tour. He ended his in-ring career with a final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. During his last year, Cena made history by winning his 17th World Championship at WrestleMania 41.
• On December 15, 2025, ICC announced the Players of the Month for November 2025. Simon Harmer (South Africa) won the men’s award for taking 17 wickets vs India, sealing a historic 2–0 Test win. Shafali Verma (India) won the women’s award for her 87 runs + 2 wickets in the World Cup final vs South Africa. Both were honored for their match-winning performances in landmark victories for their nations.
• The Best FIFA Football Awards 2025 were held on December 16, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. Ousmane Dembélé won The Best Men’s Player, while Aitana Bonmatí claimed The Best Women’s Player (third straight win). Luis Enrique and Sarina Wiegman were honored as Best Coaches (men’s & women’s). Other winners included Thibaut Courtois (Best Men’s Goalkeeper), Mary Earps (Best Women’s Goalkeeper), and Alejandro Garnacho (Puskás Award).
• On December 18, 2025, Jharkhand clinched their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at the MCA Stadium, Pune. They defeated Haryana by 69 runs in a record-breaking final. Jharkhand posted 262/3, the highest-ever score in a T20 tournament final globally. Ishan Kishan’s 101 (49) and Anukul Roy’s all-round show powered the historic win.

Summits & Conferences:

• The United Economic Forum (UEF) Trade Summit 2025, held on 12–14 December at Chennai Trade Centre, Tamil Nadu and organized by the United Economic Forum (UEF), chaired by Ahmed Buhari with Dr. Ajmal Dastagir (UNSDC India), focused on the theme “Unnatha Tamizhagam – 4Tn for Tamil Nadu by 2047”, signing 10 MoUs with UNSDC, launching a ₹50 crore venture fund, and announcing initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, technology, and sustainable development.

Defence:

• On 17 December 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned INAS 335 ‘Ospreys’ at INS Hansa, Goa. The squadron operates advanced MH-60R Seahawk helicopters for multi-role missions. It enhances India’s anti-submarine, anti-surface, and search & rescue capabilities on the Western Seaboard. The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff.

Important Days:

• On December 18, 2025, the world observed World Arabic Language Day, declared by UNESCO in 2012. The 2025 theme was “Innovative Pathways for Arabic: Policies and Practices for a More Inclusive Linguistic Future.” It celebrated Arabic’s cultural legacy, identity, and role in preserving knowledge across civilizations.

Appointments:

• On December 16, 2025, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the re-appointment of Ashwini Kumar Tewari as Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI). His extended tenure will run from January 27, 2026, to December 31, 2027, until superannuation. The appointment was made under the State Bank of India Act, 1955 to ensure leadership continuity.
• Shashwat Sharma was appointed as the Managing Director & CEO of Airtel India on December 20, 2025, with effect from January 1, 2026. He will serve a five-year term, succeeding Gopal Vittal, who transitions to the role of Executive Vice Chairman.This marks a planned leadership succession after Vittal’s 13-year tenure as CEO.

Awards & Honours:

• On 18 December 2025, PM Narendra Modi received Oman’s highest civilian honour, The First Class of the Order of Oman, from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said during his Muscat visit. It was his 29th international award, coinciding with 70 years of India–Oman ties, previously bestowed on leaders like Queen Elizabeth II and Nelson Mandela.
• On 9 December 2025, artist Nnena Kalu won the prestigious Turner Prize in Bradford. She became the first artist with a learning disability to receive this honour. Her vibrant sculptures use recycled materials like tapes, ropes, and fabrics in layered forms. This historic win highlights greater inclusion and representation in contemporary art.
• On 19 December 2025, Jay Shah received the Transformational Leader of the Year award at NDTV’s Indian of the Year. The honour was presented by Chief Justice Surya Kant in New Delhi. He was recognised for reforms in women’s cricket, including pay parity and the launch of the WPL. Shah dedicated the award to women cricketers and coach Amol Muzumdar.
• On 19 December 2025, Advocate Shubham Awasthi received the ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ at the 6th BW Legal World Awards. The ceremony was held at Radisson Blu Plaza, Mahipalpur, New Delhi. He was honoured for his expertise in constitutional law, PILs, ethics, and humanitarian work. A Supreme Court advocate, he was selected through a rigorous jury evaluation process.

Obituaries:

• Pulitzer-winning journalist Peter Arnett died on 17 December 2025 in Newport Beach, California. He was 91 years old and succumbed to prostate cancer.Arnett won the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his Vietnam War reporting with the Associated Press. He became globally famous for CNN’s live coverage of the 1991 Gulf War from Baghdad.
• Eminent sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, creator of the Statue of Unity, passed away on 17 December 2025 at his Noida residence, aged 100. Renowned for monumental works including Mahatma Gandhi’s statue in Parliament and several national memorials, his creations remain enduring symbols of India’s pride.

Questions:

Q.1 Ashwini Kumar Tewari was re-appointed as Managing Director of which bank?
a) Bank of Baroda
b) Punjab National Bank
c) State Bank of India
d) Union Bank of India

Answer: c) He was re-appointed as MD of State Bank of India (SBI) under the SBI Act, 1955.

Q.2 Which authority mandated the use of 1600-series numbers for insurance-related calls to curb spam and fraud?
a) RBI
b) TRAI
c) IRDAI
d) DoT

Answer: b) The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued the directive on 16 December 2025. It mandates insurance firms regulated by IRDAI to use 1600-series numbers for service and transactional calls to enhance trust and prevent fraud.