Daily Current Affairs News: 19th December, 2025

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• Daily Current Affairs Quiz: SSC
• Current Affairs Quiz: Bank Exams
• Daily Static Quiz: Bank Exam Quiz

National News

Viksit Bharat G RAM G Bill Passed  in Lok Sabha

• On 18 December 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, replacing MGNREGA to reform rural employment.
• The Bill increases guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125, introduces a 60-day agricultural pause, implements state-wise budget caps with a new cost-sharing formula, and emphasizes technology-driven governance through biometric attendance, AI fraud detection, and GPS tracking.
• While it promotes durable rural assets, climate resilience, and faster wage payments, concerns remain over fiscal burden on states, digital exclusion, and risks to landless labourers. The Bill aims to balance long-term rural productivity with short-term livelihood support.

Parliament Passes SHANTI Bill, AERB Gets Statutory Status

• Parliament has passed the SHANTI Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha clearing it on 18 December 2025.
• The Bill grants statutory status to AERB, strengthens nuclear safety and regulatory oversight, and recognizes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors as future-ready clean-energy technologies.
• It expands the definition of nuclear damage to include environmental harm, allows limited private participation, reinforces cybersecurity, and sets ambitious nuclear capacity targets of 100 GW by 2047.

State News

India to Get Its First Forest University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh

• India is set to establish its first Forest University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, marking a major step in forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental sciences.
• Spread over 125 acres near the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, the university will offer degree and diploma programmes in forestry, agroforestry, social forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental studies.
• Emphasizing practical, field-based learning, it aims to train skilled professionals, promote research, support sustainable forest management, and strengthen India’s climate and biodiversity initiatives.

Capuchin Monkeys from South Africa Imports To Bannerghatta Biological Park

• Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) near Bengaluru has imported eight black-capped capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) from South Africa under a formal animal exchange programme.
• The move aims to enhance genetic diversity, scientific zoo management, and ex-situ conservation.
• The monkeys are undergoing mandatory quarantine and health checks, with the import carried out after approvals from the Central Zoo Authority, MoEFCC, WCCB, and other regulatory bodies, reflecting India’s commitment to global conservation standards.

Jharkhand Clears Landmark Law for Gig Workers Welfare

• Jharkhand has approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2025, with Governor Santosh Gangwar giving assent.
• The law provides a formal welfare and social security framework for gig and platform-based workers across delivery, transport, and on-demand services.
• A Gig Workers’ Welfare Board will oversee registration, identity issuance, and welfare schemes, while the Act mandates minimum wages, medical insurance, and social security benefits.
• Aggregators violating the law may face fines up to ₹10 lakh, making Jharkhand an early mover in gig economy regulation.

International News

India–Oman CEPA Signed to Boost Trade and Investment

• India and Oman signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 December 2025 in the presence of PM Narendra Modi and Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, marking a major boost to trade, investment, services, and mobility ties.
• The pact grants zero-duty access on 98.08% tariff lines, covering 99.38% of Indian exports, benefits MSMEs, labour-intensive sectors, and women-led enterprises, offers ambitious services commitments across 127 sub-sectors, enhances Mode-4 mobility for Indian professionals, allows 100% FDI for Indian companies, and strengthens India’s economic footprint in the Gulf region.

Brazil Hands Over BRICS Presidency to India

• Brazil officially handed over the BRICS presidency to India on 12 December 2025 during the 4th BRICS Sherpas Meeting.
• The ceremonial handover, marked by the Amazon gavel, symbolizes sustainability and continuity.
• India will lead BRICS in 2026, focusing on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, with priorities including climate disaster risk reduction, responsible AI, scientific collaboration, and global governance reforms.
• The transition reflects deep-rooted collaboration among BRICS nations and continued emphasis on Global South issues.

Banking News

SEBI Allows Zero-Coupon Bonds to Be Issued in Smaller Denominations

• SEBI has allowed zero-coupon bonds to be issued in smaller denominations of ₹10,000, announced on 18 December 2025.
• Previously excluded due to the absence of periodic interest, zero-coupon bonds will now be accessible to retail investors, promoting wider participation, market liquidity, and portfolio diversification.
• The reform aligns with SEBI’s goal of deepening India’s corporate bond market and enhancing flexibility for issuers.

Economy News

India’s Net Direct Tax Collections Rise 8% to ₹17.05 Lakh Crore Till December 17

• India’s fiscal position showed resilience in the current financial year as net direct tax collections increased by 8% to INR 17.05 lakh crore up to 17 December 2025, according to data released by the Income Tax Department.
• The growth has been supported mainly by robust corporate tax collections and a significant decline in tax refunds.
• This development highlights steady economic activity and the impact of recent tax reforms undertaken by the government.

Appointments News

Shashwat Sharma Appointed As MD & CEO of Airtel India

• Bharti Airtel announced major leadership changes on 18 December 2025. Shashwat Sharma will become Managing Director & CEO of Airtel India from 1 January 2026 for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval.
• Gopal Vittal will move to Executive Vice Chairman, while Somen Ray becomes Group CFO and Akhil Garg takes over as CFO of Airtel India.
• Rohit Krishan Puri was appointed Company Secretary and Compliance Officer, with Pankaj Tewari continuing as Group Company Secretary.

Awards News

PM Modi Receives Oman’s Highest Honour, 29th International Award

• Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi was conferred Oman’s highest civilian honour – The First Class of the Order of Oman during his visit to Muscat.
• This marks his 29th foreign state honour and reflects India’s rising global stature.
• The award, earlier given to leaders like Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II, highlights strong India–Oman relations.
• PM Modi held bilateral talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and witnessed the signing of the India–Oman CEPA, aimed at boosting trade, investment, supply chains, employment, and promoting Ayush and traditional Indian medicine exports.

Defense News

Exercise Desert Cyclone II Begins: India–U.A.E. Joint Military Exercise

• Exercise Desert Cyclone II, the second India–U.A.E. joint military exercise, is underway in Abu Dhabi from 18–30 December 2025, with a 45-member Indian Army contingent participating.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, urban warfare, and sub-conventional operations under a UN mandate, while focusing on joint planning, heliborne operations, and integration of UAS and counter-UAS techniques.
• It underscores the growing defence cooperation, strategic trust, and military diplomacy between India and the U.A.E..

Ranks & Reports News

Deepinder Goyal Tops Hurun Rich List 2025 for India’s Self-Made Entrepreneurs

• Deepinder Goyal of Eternal (formerly Zomato) topped the Hurun India Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs 2025, overtaking Radhakishan Damani of DMart, as Eternal’s valuation jumped 27% to ₹3.2 lakh crore, reflecting strong startup wealth creation, rising entry thresholds, and India’s growing tech-led entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Summits & Conferences News

Odisha to Host Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19–20

• Odisha will host the Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19–20, aligning with the India AI Impact Summit 2026, to promote AI-led governance and public service reforms.
• Guided by the theme “Planet, People, Progress”, the conference will focus on sustainability, inclusive growth, and sector-specific AI applications in health, education, disaster management, and social sectors.
• The event will also showcase Odisha’s AI vision, policy roadmap, and innovation ecosystem, including the launch of Bhasha Dham to promote the Odia language using AI, positioning the state as a key AI hub in India.

Sports News

Jharkhand Clinched The Maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025

• Jharkhand created history by winning their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title in the 2025–26 season.
• In the final at Pune, Jharkhand defeated Haryana by 69 runs, scoring a record 262/3, the highest total in a T20 final.
• Ishan Kishan starred with 101 off 49 balls, while Kumar Kushagra added 81 off 38, forging a 177-run partnership.
• The victory makes Jharkhand the 12th team to win the SMAT and marks a landmark moment in the state’s domestic cricket history.

Science & Technology News

Indian Team Bags Global Top Honour at NASA Space Apps Challenge

• An Indian satellite internet concept has won a top global honour at the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025.
• The Chennai-based team Photonics Odyssey received the Most Inspirational Award for proposing a sovereign phased-array satellite internet system to expand broadband access in remote regions. The project aims to connect over 700 million people in India who lack internet access.
• The NASA Space Apps Challenge, launched in 2012, is the world’s largest global hackathon, with over 1.14 lakh participants from 167 countries in the 2025 edition.

Important Days News

Goa Liberation Day 2025: History, Significance, and Celebrations

• Goa Liberation Day 2025 is observed on 19 December to commemorate Goa’s liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. Despite India gaining independence in 1947, Goa remained under Portugal for over 450 years.
• The day honors the bravery of Indian armed forces, sacrifices of freedom fighters, and Goans’ struggle for self-rule.
• Operation Vijay, launched on 18 December 1961, led to Goa’s liberation on 19 December, ending Portuguese control. Goa was initially a Union Territory and became India’s 25th state in 1987.
• The day symbolizes India’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the end of European colonialism, remembering soldiers and freedom fighters who laid down their lives.

Obituaries News

Pulitzer Prize Winning War Correspondent Peter Arnett Dies at 91

• Pulitzer Prize–winning war correspondent Peter Arnett has died at the age of 91 in California after battling prostate cancer.
• Born in New Zealand, Arnett earned the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for his Vietnam War reporting and became globally famous for his live CNN broadcasts from Baghdad during the 1991 Gulf War.
• Renowned for fearless frontline journalism, he reported from major conflicts including Vietnam, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War, leaving behind a lasting legacy in conflict reporting and eyewitness journalism.