- On 23 December 2025, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) and a Virtual Reality Monitoring System (VRMS) in Jharkhand. The CoE aims to boost skill development, innovation, and research in emerging technologies, while the VRMS enhances real-time monitoring and transparency in projects. These initiatives strengthen digital governance and capacity building in the state, aligning with Digital India and Skill India missions.
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- On 12 December 2025, the Government of India notified the new Petroleum & Natural Gas (P&NG) Rules 2025. These rules replace the old multi-license regime with a single petroleum lease valid for 30 years. They ensure faster approvals (within 180 days) and protect investors from adverse regulatory changes. The reform boosts investment, energy security, and ease of doing business in India’s oil & gas sector.
- On 23 Dec 2025, Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveiled the logo, theme song, and mascot of the first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, in the presence of CM Vishnu Deo Sai. The mascot “Morveer” (meaning “our brave one” in Chhattisgarhi) reflects the courage and pride of tribal communities.
- On December 24, 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the Delhi Metro Rail Project Phase V (A). It will cover 16 km with 13 new stations at a cost of ₹12,015 crore. Corridors include R.K. Ashram–Indraprastha, Aerocity–T1, Tughlakabad–Kalindi Kunj. Significance: Expands Delhi Metro beyond 400 km, boosting connectivity, mobility, and pollution reduction.
- Union Minister Manohar Lal virtually inaugurated Unit‑2 (250 MW) of the 2000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project on 23 December 2025. This project, developed by NHPC on the Assam–Arunachal border, is India’s largest hydropower venture. The commissioning adds significant clean energy to the national grid, generating about 7,422 million units annually.
- On December 23, 2025, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda laid the foundation of India’s first PPP-model medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh. The Bhoomi Pujan was held in Dhar and Betul, with Katni and Panna to follow soon. Dhar College: 25 acres, cost ₹260 crore; Betul College: cost ₹300 crore. Under the PPP model, govt provides land while private partners build and manage, linked to upgraded district hospitals.
- On December 24, 2025, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, released the new Indian Standard IS 19412:2025 – Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) Specification. This is the first dedicated standard for agarbatti, developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The launch took place at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, coinciding with National Consumer Day 2025.
- Russia’s Roscosmos announced on 24 December 2025 that it will build a nuclear power plant on the Moon by 2036. The project, developed with Rosatom, Kurchatov Institute, and NPO Lavochkin, aims to power the International Lunar Research Station with China. This facility will provide continuous energy during long lunar nights, overcoming solar limitations.
- RBI has deferred Phase-II of the Cheque Truncation System (CTS), earlier set for Jan 3, 2026. The move, aimed at introducing continuous clearing for faster settlement, was postponed to give banks more time to prepare. Meanwhile, cheque clearing timings stand revised to Presentation 9 AM–3 PM and Confirmation 9 AM–7 PM.
- On December 24, 2025, the Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) refinanced ₹9,821 crore to DFCCIL. This replaced DFCCIL’s World Bank foreign currency loan for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. The refinancing was done through a rupee-denominated term loan, reducing forex risk. It marks a milestone in domestic infrastructure financing and self-reliance.
- On 18 Dec 2025, Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited partnered with Equitas Small Finance Bank (ESFB) for bancassurance. The tie‑up enables ESFB’s 994 outlets across 18 states/UTs to distribute life insurance products. Offerings include protection, savings, annuity, child, and investment‑linked plans for wider customer reach.
- Axis Bank launched Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans on December 23, 2025 for MSMEs. It offers unsecured loans from ₹2–20 lakh through a fully digital process. Repayment is made via small daily instalments linked to merchant cash flows. The scheme aims to boost financial inclusion and working capital support for small businesses.
- On 23 December 2025, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) launched the NUDGE campaign (Non‑intrusive Usage of Data to Guide & Enable) for Assessment Year 2025–26. The initiative uses data analytics to identify suspicious claims like bogus political donations or invalid PANs. Taxpayers are nudged via SMS and email alerts to file revised Income Tax Returns (ITRs) by 31 December 2025.
- On 23 December 2025, fintech firm PayNearby secured a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) license from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Alongside, it launched the PayNearby Saathi App, enabling UPI-based savings, payments, investments, and loans through assisted onboarding. The app integrates Bhashini AI for multilingual support, empowering rural and semi-urban users in their local languages.
- On December 24, 2025, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) signed MoUs in New Delhi. The partners were Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and the University of Patanjali. The initiative aims to strengthen the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) through awareness and yoga‑based outreach.
- The Indian Coast Guard inducted Samudra Pratap on 23 December 2025, its first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel (PCV). Built by Goa Shipyard Limited with over 60% indigenous content, it reflects Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. Measuring 114.5m in length and displacing 4,170 tonnes, it is now the largest ship in the ICG fleet.
- On December 24, 2025, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) delivered the first WhAP 8×8 vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army. The Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) was jointly developed by DRDO and TASL. It is designed with amphibious mobility and modular combat adaptability. This handover marks India’s defence export breakthrough and deepens strategic ties with Morocco.
- On 23 Dec 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed User Evaluation Trials (UET) of the Akash‑NG (Next Generation Akash) surface‑to‑air missile system at the Integrated Test Range, Odisha. The trials, observed by the Indian Air Force (IAF), validated its ability to intercept aerial targets at varied ranges and altitudes. Akash‑NG is equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker and a solid rocket motor.
- On December 25, 2025, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) introduced a Comprehensive Internship Policy. The scheme provides 452 internships each year, with a stipend of ₹20,000 per month. It carries an annual budget of ₹5.30 crore and runs in two cycles – January & July. The objective is to train next‑gen sports professionals in governance, science, and management.
- Christmas 2025 was celebrated on 25 December (Thursday) across the world. It marks the birth of Jesus Christ, central to Christian faith. People observed the day with church services, carols, decorations, festive meals, and gift exchanges. The festival spread the message of peace, joy, love, and togetherness globally.
- On 23 December 2025, Saleem Ahmad assumed charge as the new Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). He brings extensive experience in railway infrastructure and project execution to the role. RVNL, a Miniratna CPSE under the Ministry of Railways, is responsible for implementing rail infrastructure projects across India.
- On December 24, 2025, the General Administration and Public Grievance Department of Odisha issued the official notification appointing Anu Garg (IAS, 1991 batch) as the next Chief Secretary of Odisha. She will assume charge on January 1, 2026, becoming the first woman in Odisha’s history to hold this top bureaucratic post.
- On 23 December 2025, renowned Malayalam publisher Ravi Deecee was conferred France’s Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. This prestigious honour recognizes his role in promoting French literature and culture in India through publishing. As head of DC Books, he has championed translations and cross-cultural literary exchanges.
- Jnanpith Awardee and eminent Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away in Raipur on 23 December 2025. He was the first Jnanpith recipient from Chhattisgarh, honoured in 2024 for his literary contributions. His notable works include Naukar Ki Kameez, Deewar Mein Ek Khirkee Rahati Thi, and Khilega Toh Dekhenge.
- On 26 Dec 2025, Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 72. He was a four‑time MLA from Dharmanagar, initially with Congress before joining BJP in 2018. Elected as Speaker in 2023, he played a key role in Tripura’s legislative affairs.
Questions:
Q.1 Who will become the first woman Chief Secretary of Odisha on 1 January 2026?a) Usha Padhee
b) Anu Garg
c) Roopa Mishra
d) G. Mathi Vathanan
Answer: b) IAS officer (1991 batch) Anu Garg was appointed vide notification dated 24 December 2025.
Q.2 The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, whose Unit-2 (250 MW) was inaugurated on 23 December 2025, is located on the border of:
a) Assam–Arunachal Pradesh
b) Arunachal Pradesh–Bhutan
c) Assam–Nagaland
d) Meghalaya–Assam
Answer: a) This project, developed by NHPC on the Assam–Arunachal border, is India’s largest hydropower venture.
