Current Affairs One - Liner : 23rd December 2025

National:

• PM Modi visited West Bengal and Assam (Dec 20–21, 2025), inaugurating NH-34 highway projects, the new Guwahati airport terminal, and laying the foundation for a ₹10,600 crore fertilizer plant. He also unveiled an 80-ft statue of Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam’s first Chief Minister.

• On 20 December 2025, Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar released the Toolkit for the 10th Swachh Survekshan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. The survey, scheduled for February–March 2026, carries the theme “Swachhata Ki Nayi Pehel – Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath.” It expands coverage to river towns and coastal cities, with stronger emphasis on citizen feedback.
• India’s Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025–26 Progress Update, released by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on 19 December 2025, announced that the country achieved 20% ethanol blending with petrol in November 2025, ahead of the October 2026 target. The report noted ethanol volumes received and stored, procurement plans, and government measures like rice and sugar diversion to support this milestone.
• The National Commission for Women (NCW) launched the “SHAKTI Scholars: NCW Young Research Fellowship” on 21 December 2025. It supports policy-oriented research on women-related issues by young scholars across India. Eligibility includes Indian citizens aged 21–30 years with at least a graduation degree, preference to postgraduates and researchers. Selected fellows receive a ₹1 lakh grant for six months, disbursed in phases based on research progress.
• The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), launched by the Department of Telecommunications on 22 May 2025, has emerged as a powerful tool against cybercrime. Within just six months, it successfully prevented losses worth ₹660 crore by detecting and blocking suspicious mobile-linked transactions. Supported by the RBI and NPCI, the system has onboarded over 1,000 banks, TPAPs, and PSOs to strengthen financial security.

International:

• On 22 December 2025, India and New Zealand concluded a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in record time. The pact eliminates duties on 100% of Indian exports while safeguarding sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture. It secures a USD 20 billion investment commitment over 15 years and opens new pathways for student mobility and skilled visas.

Banking:

• On 22 Dec 2025, RBI granted Mswipe Technologies its final Payment Aggregator licence, allowing it to directly onboard merchants, handle online/offline payments, and enable cross‑border transactions, strengthening secure digital payment support for MSMEs.
• South Indian Bank, in partnership with RuPay, launched the SIB Paytag on 20 December 2025. This is an NFC‑enabled contactless payment sticker that can be affixed to phones, wallets, or cardholders for quick tap‑and‑pay transactions. Purchases up to ₹5,000 require no PIN, while higher amounts need authentication for added security.

MoUs:

• On 22 December 2025, the DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed an MoU in New Delhi. The agreement was witnessed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and signed by senior officials of both institutions. It focuses on research, education, training, capacity-building, and technology support in defence and internal security. This collaboration strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat by boosting indigenous defence R&D and manpower development.

Science & Technology:

• ISRO successfully completed drogue parachute qualification tests for the Gaganyaan Crew Module on 18–19 Dec 2025 at DRDO’s RTRS facility, Chandigarh. The tests validated the deployment and reliability of parachutes crucial for safe crew module re‑entry. The deceleration system uses 10 parachutes of 4 types – apex cover, drogue, pilot, and main.

Summits & Conferences:

• The 11th Conference of the States Parties (CoSP‑11) to the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was held in Doha, Qatar from 15–19 December 2025, organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It was chaired by Qatar and carried the theme “Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.” The aim was to strengthen global cooperation against corruption, address emerging threats like misuse of AI and digital technologies, and reinforce UNCAC implementation in prevention, law enforcement, and asset recovery.

Defence:

• INS Sindhughosh, the lead submarine of the Sindhughosh‑class (Kilo‑class), was decommissioned on 19 December 2025 at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. Commissioned in 1986, it served the Indian Navy for 40 years of distinguished service. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, with veterans and crew in attendance.
• On 22 December 2025, India Optel Limited (IOL) signed a cooperation agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense (France) in New Delhi to strengthen indigenous defense manufacturing under Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The pact focuses on local production of the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System and the CM3‑MR Direct Firing Sight, both combat‑proven technologies.

Important Days:

• Established by the UN in 2023, World Basketball Day is celebrated on December 21 to honor the sport’s first game played in 1891. The 2025 theme, "Crafting an Enduring Legacy for a Better Future," highlights the game's role in global peace and sustainable development. This year coincided with the 175th anniversary of the YMCA, where Dr. James Naismith originally invented the game using peach baskets.

Questions:

Q.1 The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) is supported by:
a) SEBI and IRDAI
b) RBI and NPCI
c) Ministry of Home Affairs and CERT-In
d) UIDAI and GSTN

Answer: b) The FRI is supported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and NPCI.

Q.2 World Basketball Day is observed on:
a) December 21
b) December 20
c) December 18
d) December 22

Answer: a) The UN observes World Basketball Day on 21 December, marking the first game in 1891.