- On 12 December 2025, Brazil handed over the BRICS presidency to India for the year 2026. The transfer took place at the 4th BRICS Sherpas Meeting, marking the official transition of leadership. Brazil’s Sherpa Ambassador Mauricio Lyrio passed a symbolic gavel to India’s Sherpa Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela. India will now chair BRICS in 2026, set the agenda, and host the annual summit.
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- On 17 December 2025, HCLTech partnered with Netherlands’ ASN Bank to modernize IT operations, supporting the bank’s “Simplify and Grow” strategy by standardizing IT architecture, consolidating services, and managing enterprise applications, thereby enhancing efficiency, customer experience, and expanding HCLTech’s presence in European banking.
- The Bihar Cabinet, led by CM Nitish Kumar, approved the ‘Saat Nishchay-3’ programme on 16 December 2025 for 2025–2030. Aiming to make Bihar a developed state, it focuses on seven resolves—jobs, industry, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and welfare. The plan prioritizes employment for 94 lakh families, creation of education cities, and better healthcare access with rural doctor incentives.
- The “Shunya Se Shatak: Ek Shatabdi Atal Bharat Ki” programme was held in Indore on 21 December 2025 to mark the birth centenary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav, and Governor Mangubhai Patel, with highlights including statue unveiling, tributes to Vajpayee’s legacy, and announcements of major development projects.
- On 21 December 2025, Australia declared a National “Day of Reflection” to honour victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, where Australians paused and lit candles at 6:47 pm, symbolising solidarity, mourning, and rejection of hatred and violence.
- On 20 December 2025, German aerospace engineer Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, who has used a wheelchair since a 2018 accident, became the first wheelchair user to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-37 mission, crossing the Kármán Line on a suborbital flight and marking a historic milestone for accessibility and inclusivity in space exploration.
- On 19 December 2025, Shriram Finance Limited entered into a definitive agreement with Japan’s MUFG Bank for an investment of ₹39,618 crore (≈ USD 4.4 billion). This transaction is confirmed as the largest foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s financial services sector, giving MUFG a 20% equity stake in Shriram Finance through a preferential issue of 47.11 crore shares at ₹840.83–₹840.93 per share.
- On 16 December 2025, Protean eGov Technologies Ltd approved acquiring a 4.95% stake in NSDL Payments Bank. The deal, worth ₹30.2 crore, involves 93,74,014 equity shares through a cash-based subscription. Completion is expected within 60 days, with the flat rate serving as the ceiling for pricing. The move strengthens collaboration in digital public infrastructure and financial inclusion initiatives.
- On 19 December 2025, PNB MetLife India Insurance partnered with PolicyBazaar to launch DigiProtect Term Insurance. It is a digital-first, non-linked, non-participating pure term plan aimed at India’s salaried individuals. The policy offers benefits like 21% first-year premium discount, premium pause option, and terminal illness cover. Its goal is to provide affordable, flexible life protection, especially for middle-class families in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities.
- On 20 December 2025, East Bengal FC Women defeated Nepal’s APF FC 3–0 in the final at Dashrath Stadium, Kathmandu, with Fazila Ikwaput scoring twice and Shilky Devi Hemam adding one goal, to win the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship and become the first Indian women’s club to claim an international trophy.
- On 19 December 2025, India defeated South Africa to clinch the T20I series 3–1. India also secured the ODI series 2–1, completing a double triumph on the tour. The matches were part of the India–South Africa bilateral cricket series held in December 2025. These victories boosted India’s confidence and strengthened its standing in international limited-overs cricket.
- On 21 December 2025, Sukhman Singh emerged victorious at the IGU 124th Amateur Golf Championship of India. The event was held at Tollygunge Club, Kolkata, organised by the Indian Golf Union (IGU). He defeated Harman Sachdeva in the 36-hole final with a commanding 7UP lead after 29 holes. This triumph added to the legacy of the world’s longest-running amateur matchplay golf championship.
- In December 2025, Smriti Mandhana became the first Asian cricketer to score 4,000 T20I runs. She reached the milestone during the India vs Australia Women’s T20I series. Globally, she is only the second woman after Suzie Bates to achieve this feat. This record cements her status as India’s most consistent women’s T20I batter.
- The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) celebrates its Raising Day on 20 December 2025, having been founded in 1963 after the Indo-China war as the Special Service Bureau; it guards India’s borders with Nepal and Bhutan, supports internal security, and upholds its motto “Service, Security, Brotherhood” to reflect its role in national integrity and welfare.
- On 22 December 2025, India celebrated National Mathematics Day to honour Srinivasa Ramanujan’s birth anniversary. The day was first declared in 2012 by the Government of India. The 2025 theme was “Mathematics for Sustainable Development”. It highlights Ramanujan’s legacy and promotes mathematical research and education nationwide.
- On 19 December 2025, IIFL Finance Ltd announced the appointment of BP Kanungo, former Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as its Chairman. Kanungo, who served as RBI Deputy Governor from 2017 to 2021, brings extensive expertise in banking regulation, foreign exchange management, and financial markets. His appointment is expected to strengthen IIFL Finance’s governance, compliance, and strategic growth initiatives.
- The Indian team Photonics Odyssey won the Most Inspirational Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025. The award was announced on 19 December 2025. Their project showcased a photonics-based innovative solution for space science applications. This recognition highlights India’s global strength in STEM innovation and creativity.
- On 4 December 2025, Ravi Deecee, Publisher & MD of DC Books, received France’s Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. The honour was conferred at the Embassy of France in New Delhi by Ambassador Thierry Mathou. He was recognised for promoting French literature in India, especially translations into Malayalam.
- Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood, authored by Mohar Basu, was released on 20 December 2025 by HarperCollins India to mark the superstar’s 60th birthday. The book serves as both a biography and tribute, chronicling his three-decade journey in cinema. It highlights his iconic roles, songs, dialogues, controversies, and rare photographs, capturing the essence of his stardom.
- On 20 December 2025, Navy veteran Ira “Ike” Schab passed away at the age of 105. He was among the last living survivors of the Pearl Harbor attack (7 December 1941). During the assault, he served aboard the USS Dobbin, helping supply ammunition to anti-aircraft guns.
Questions:
Q.1 Who became the first wheelchair user to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-37 mission?a) John McFall
b) Michaela “Michi” Benthaus
c) Hayley Arceneaux
d) Satoshi Takamatsu
Answer: b) Michaela “Michi” Benthaus, a German aerospace engineer who uses a wheelchair since a 2018 accident, made history on 20 December 2025 by becoming the first wheelchair user to travel to space on Blue Origin’s suborbital mission.
Q.2 Who was appointed as the Chairman of IIFL Finance Ltd in December 2025?
a) Uday Kotak
b) Shaktikanta Das
c) BP Kanungo
d) Viral Acharya
Answer: c) On 19 December 2025, BP Kanungo, former Deputy Governor of RBI (2017–2021), was appointed Chairman of IIFL Finance Ltd.
