Current Affairs One - Liner : 28th & 29th December 2025

National:

• On 28 December 2025, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) notified India’s first dedicated standard for Bomb Disposal Systems (IS 19445:2025). It was released by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi during National Consumer Day 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Aim: To set uniform performance benchmarks for bomb disposal equipment and strengthen security infrastructure.

• On 26 December 2025, the Government of India imposed anti‑dumping duties on two Chinese products — cold‑rolled non‑oriented electrical steel and refrigerant gas R‑134a (1,1,1,2‑Tetrafluoroethane). The move aims to protect domestic industries from unfairly cheap imports and ensure fair trade practices. These duties, recommended by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), will remain in force for five years.
• PARAM Rudra, Bihar’s first supercomputer, was inaugurated at IIT-Patna on 26 December 2025. Developed by C-DAC under the National Supercomputing Mission, it marks a major step in India’s HPC journey. With 838 TeraFLOPS peak performance powered by Intel Xeon CPUs and NVIDIA A100 GPUs, it enables cutting-edge research.
• On 25 Dec 2025, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the final series of “Mahamana Vangmay” at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The release coincided with the birth anniversary of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Bharat Ratna awardee and founder of BHU. The series compiles his writings, speeches, and collected works into a monumental 12‑volume project.
• Gujarat officially regained its ‘Tiger State’ status on 26 December 2025, after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed the permanent presence of a tiger in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary, Dahod district. This marks the return of tigers to Gujarat after more than 33 years, making it the only Indian state to host all three big cats — lion, leopard, and tiger.
On 28 Dec 2025, the Parvati‑Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh was declared an Eco‑Sensitive Zone. Spread over 1,084 hectares, it is a Ramsar site formed by oxbow lakes Parvati and Arga. Home to endangered species like the White‑rumped Vulture, Indian Vulture, and Egyptian Vulture. The ESZ aims to ensure biodiversity protection, eco‑tourism promotion, and sustainable community development.

International:

• On 26 December 2025, Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country in the world to do so. The declaration was signed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, alongside Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi.

Banking:

• In Dec 2025, Aryaman Finance (India) Ltd, a subsidiary of Aryaman Financial Services Ltd, received RBI’s Certificate of Registration (CoR). It allows the company to operate as a Type‑II NBFC‑ND‑ICC (Non‑Deposit taking – Investment and Credit Company). The approval was granted under Section 45‑IA of the RBI Act, 1934.
• In December 2025, Bank of India raised ₹10,000 crore through long‑term infrastructure bonds. These bonds carry a coupon rate of 7.23%, offering fixed returns to investors. The issue aims to mobilize funds for infrastructure financing and strengthen the bank’s capital base. It marks a key step in supporting long‑term funding and financial stability.
• On 26–27 December 2025, the Government of India announced that about ₹2,000 crore worth of unclaimed savings deposits were successfully returned to their rightful owners under the nationwide campaign “Your Money, Your Right”. The initiative, launched in October 2025, aims to reunite citizens with forgotten financial assets such as bank deposits, insurance proceeds, mutual funds, dividends, shares, and retirement benefits.

MoUs:

• On 28 December 2025 at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, the National Test House (NTH) signed an MoU with DRDO’s DMSRDE to boost collaboration in research, testing, training, and knowledge sharing. The pact focuses on joint projects, facility sharing, expertise exchange, and capacity building for industrial and defence domains.

Sports:

• On 28 Dec 2025 at Thiruvananthapuram, Smriti Mandhana crossed the landmark of 10,000 international runs. She became the second Indian woman after Mithali Raj and the fourth overall to achieve this feat. Mandhana reached the milestone in just 281 innings, the fastest among women cricketers.
• At the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships in Doha, Arjun Erigaisi won bronze in the Open section. He became the second Indian male after Viswanathan Anand to achieve this feat. In the Women’s section, Koneru Humpy also won bronze, missing gold on tie‑break despite tying for top spot. This marked a historic double podium finish for India, celebrated by leaders and chess fans worldwide.

Military Exercises:

• On 26 December 2025, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX‑2025) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The drill simulated a major oil spill to test preparedness and coordination among multiple agencies. Its aim was to strengthen India’s maritime pollution response infrastructure and ensure swift, effective action during emergencies.

Important Days:

• On 26 December 2025, India observed the 126th birth anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh, the revolutionary freedom fighter from Punjab. He is remembered for avenging the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 by assassinating Michael O’Dwyer in London in 1940. His sacrifice became a symbol of courage, justice, and resistance against colonial oppression.

Awards & Honours:

• On 16 Dec 2025, Singapore Changi Airport was named Best International Airport by Travel+Leisure India’s Best Awards. It won for its comfort, facilities, and exceptional travel experience, voted by global readers. Unique attractions include the indoor waterfall, butterfly garden, and art installations. This recognition cements Changi’s status as a global benchmark in passenger experience and airport excellence.

Questions:

Q.1 On 26 December 2025, which country became the first to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state?
a) United States
b) United Kingdom
c) Israel
d) Ethiopia

Answer: c) Israel formally recognised Somaliland as an independent state.

Q.2 Which bird sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh was declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone on 28 December 2025?
a) Sur Sarovar
b) Saman Bird Sanctuary
c) Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary
d) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Answer: c) the Parvati‑Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh was declared an Eco‑Sensitive Zone.