Current Affairs One - Liner : 24th December 2025

National:

• On 22 December 2025, the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and CrisprBits Pvt. Ltd. signed a Letter of Intent (LoI). The aim is to establish a Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT) in India. It will focus on gene-editing research, affordable diagnostics, and clinical applications through a public–private partnership.

• On 22 December 2025, Japanese chipmaker ROHM Co. Ltd. partnered with Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. (TEPL) to manufacture power semiconductors in India. The collaboration will begin with automotive-grade 100V, 300A N-channel Si MOSFETs packaged and tested by TEPL. This move supports India’s ₹76,000 crore Semiconductor Mission and strengthens the Make in India initiative.
• On 22 December 2025, the Haryana Government officially notified Hansi as the 23rd district of the state. It was carved out of Hisar district, comprising the Hansi and Narnaund sub-divisions. The notification was issued under the Haryana Land Revenue Act, 1887 and the Registration Act, 1908. This move aims at decentralized administration, improved governance, and recognition of Hansi’s historic importance.
• The Supreme Court has defined the Aravalli hills as landforms rising 100 metres or more above local terrain. This applies across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, with a freeze on new mining leases. Environmentalists warn the ruling could strip protection from nearly 90% of the range, threatening its ecological role.
• The two-day National PESA Mahotsav was held in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on 23–24 December 2025. Organized by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, it commemorated the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA). Aim: To empower tribal communities, strengthen Gram Sabhas, and celebrate tribal culture and grassroots governance.
• On 23 December 2025, India announced a $450 million reconstruction package to help Sri Lanka recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, visiting Colombo as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s special envoy, conveyed India’s support to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Banking:

• On 22 December 2025, BharatPe in partnership with YES BANK launched “Pay Later with BharatPe”. It offers instant credit on UPI powered by NPCI, usable across QR codes, online shopping, and bill payments. Users get up to 45 days of interest-free usage with flexible repayment options from 3–12 month EMIs. This product aims to democratize credit access and strengthen India’s digital payments ecosystem.
• On 20 December 2025, Canara Bank launched its unified UPI app ‘Canara ai1Pe’ to provide customers with a secure and convenient digital payments platform. The app allows cross-bank account linking, enabling instant transfers, QR-based merchant payments, bill settlements, and UPI Lite transactions. It also offers spend analytics and rewards, making it a comprehensive all-in-one solution for users.
• On 22 December 2025, Paytm announced plans to set up wholly owned subsidiaries in Indonesia and Luxembourg. These will be incorporated through Paytm Cloud Technologies Ltd (PCTL), a unit of One97 Communications. Each subsidiary will receive an investment of up to ₹25 crore, in one or more tranches. The move marks Paytm’s global expansion strategy in fintech and merchant payment services.

Economy:

• On 22 December 2025, the Government of Uttar Pradesh presented supplementary demands of ₹24,497 crore for FY2025–26 in the Assembly at Lucknow. The proposal was tabled by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna to meet emerging revenue and development needs. Net burden on the state fund: ₹22,299.74 crore, raising the FY26 budget size to ₹8.33 lakh crore.
• The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) grew 1.8% in November 2025 (YoY), led by cement, steel, fertiliser, and coal, while crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, and electricity declined. Cumulative growth (Apr–Nov 2025-26) stood at 2.4%, with data released on 22 December 2025 by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

MoUs:

• On 20 December 2025, the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) and the International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) signed an MoU in Hyderabad to collaborate in academics, research, training, student exchange, and skill development in the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector.

Science & Technology:

• On 24 December 2025, ISRO achieved a major milestone by launching the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite from Sriharikota using its LVM3-M6 rocket. The mission carried a 6.1-tonne payload, the heaviest commercial communication satellite ever placed into Low Earth Orbit by India. Built by AST SpaceMobile (USA), the satellite features a massive phased-array antenna to deliver direct-to-smartphone broadband connectivity.

Sports:

• On 21 December 2025, Pakistan defeated India to win the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai. Pakistan posted a huge total of 347/8, led by Sameer Minhas’ 172 runs. India collapsed to 156 all out, handing Pakistan a 191-run victory. This marked Pakistan’s second U19 Asia Cup title, showcasing their dominance in youth cricket.

Summits & Conferences:

• On 19–20 December 2025, Odisha hosted the Regional AI Impact Conference in Bhubaneswar. Organized by the Electronics & IT Department, Govt. of Odisha, it showcased AI in governance, industry, and public services. The theme was “AI for People, Planet, and Progress”, highlighting sustainable and inclusive AI solutions. It served as a curtain-raiser for the India AI Impact Summit 2026, positioning Odisha as a leader in AI adoption.

Defence:

• On 22 December 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Anjadip, the third indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft. Built by GRSE and L&T Shipyard, it is named after Anjadip Island in Karnataka. The vessel is equipped with torpedoes, rockets, and SONAR for anti-submarine warfare and coastal defence.

Important Days:

• Christmas Eve 2025 was observed on 24 December 2025 (Wednesday) across the world. It marks the anticipation of Jesus Christ’s birth, celebrated with prayers, carols, and midnight mass. Families decorated homes with trees, lights, and cribs, sharing festive meals and exchanging gifts. The day symbolized peace, joy, and togetherness, ushering in the spirit of Christmas Day.
• National Farmers’ Day, also called Kisan Diwas, is celebrated every year on 23 December to honor the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, the 5th Prime Minister of India. Instituted in 2001 by the Government of India, the day recognizes farmers as the backbone of the nation’s economy. Charan Singh was known as the Champion of Farmers for his land reforms and rural welfare policies.

Obituaries:

• Vinod Kumar Shukla, eminent Hindi writer, passed away on 23 December 2025 in Raipur. He was 89 years old and died due to multiple organ failure. Winner of the Jnanpith Award 2025, he was known for Naukar Ki Kameez and Lagbhag Jai Hind. His death marks the end of a six-decade literary journey blending simplicity with magical realism.

Questions:

Q.1 The BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation using which launch vehicle?
a) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
b) Small Satellite Launch Vehicle
c) Launch Vehicle Mark-3 Mission-6
d) Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

Answer: c) The satellite was launched using the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 Mission-6 rocket.

Q15. What was the theme of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Impact Conference 2025 held in Bhubaneswar?
a) Artificial Intelligence for Digital India
b) Artificial Intelligence for Governance
c) Artificial Intelligence for People, Planet, and Progress
d) Responsible Artificial Intelligence for All

Answer: c) The official theme was “Artificial Intelligence for People, Planet, and Progress.”