Daily Current Affairs News: 27th December, 2025

National News

Government Announces Comprehensive EPFO Modernization Reforms

• The Government of India announced major reforms to modernize the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and expand social security coverage, unveiled by Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Gujarat.
• Key measures include technology-enabled single-window EPFO offices, access to services from any regional office, EPF Suvidha Providers to assist members, a mission-mode KYC drive to revive inoperative accounts, faster digital claim settlement, social security protection for Indian workers abroad through FTAs, and a target to cover 100 crore citizens under social security by March 2026.

Indian Railways to Double Originating Train Capacity in 48 Cities by 2030

• Indian Railways plans to double originating train capacity in 48 major cities by 2030 through new platforms, terminal expansion, upgraded signalling, and enhanced maintenance facilities, aiming to reduce congestion, improve punctuality, and meet rising passenger demand.

NATGRID to be Integrated with NPR for Strengthened Criminal Investigation Framework

• The Indian government has linked the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) with the National Population Register (NPR) to strengthen intelligence gathering and accelerate criminal investigations.
• This integration allows law enforcement and intelligence agencies to access verified demographic and family-linked data, aiding suspect identification, network mapping, and movement tracking.
• NATGRID, created after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, consolidates over 20 civil and commercial databases and provides real-time, role-based access to authorised agencies.

India’s First Ever Weapon Database to Curb Terror Launches By Centre

• India has launched its first-ever “Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm” database, unveiled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Anti-Terror Conference 2025, to strengthen the fight against terrorism and organised crime.
• Developed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the centralised digital platform will track stolen, lost and recovered government firearms from across states and security forces, enabling real-time access for law enforcement agencies to trace weapon movement, dismantle criminal networks, and prevent misuse by extremist and insurgent groups.

First Indian Standard for Agarbattis Unveiled By BIS

• India’s first-ever standard for agarbattis, IS 19412:2025, was announced on National Consumer Day 2025 to ensure safe, high-quality, and eco-friendly incense sticks.
• It sets rules for raw materials, burning performance, fragrance, and chemical safety, banning harmful insecticides and toxic synthetic fragrances.
• The standard protects consumer health, indoor air quality, and the environment, boosts trust in Indian products, and helps the industry grow responsibly while supporting millions of workers and improving export potential.

Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Sets World Record With Giant Santa Claus

• Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik set a world record by creating the largest Santa Claus sculpture made from sand and 1.5 tons of apples at Niladri Beach, Puri, Odisha.
• Measuring 60 feet long, 45 feet wide, and 22 feet high, the installation celebrated the Christmas spirit and promoted a message of world peace, attracting crowds of locals and tourists, and was officially recognized by the World Records Book of India.

State News

World’s Largest Open Air Theatre ‘Dhanu Yatra’ Begins in Odisha’s Bargarh

• Dhanu Yatra, the world’s largest open-air theatre, was inaugurated in Bargarh, Odisha, transforming the town into mythical Mathura for 11 days to reenact Lord Krishna’s life.
• The festival blends performance with community participation, promotes cultural heritage, and boosts tourism, earning National Festival status.

International News

China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel in Xinjiang

• China has opened the world’s longest expressway tunnel, the 22.13-km Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, in Xinjiang, drastically reducing a journey through the Tianshan Mountains from several hours to about 20 minutes.
• Part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway, the project improves connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang, cuts logistics costs, boosts tourism, and strengthens links between China’s eastern economic regions and Eurasia, while overcoming extreme geological and climatic challenges through advanced engineering.

Business News

India Clears Two New Airlines as Aviation Market Seeks Greater Competition

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress, allowing them to launch commercial operations in 2026.
• Along with Shankh Air, which has already secured an NOC, these entrants are expected to increase competition, expand capacity, and enhance regional connectivity in India’s domestic aviation market, currently dominated by IndiGo and the Air India Group.
• This development aims to provide passengers more choices, improve service standards, and reduce over-reliance on a few major carriers.

Appointments News

Coal India Appoints CMD B. Sairam as Chief Executive Officer

• Coal India Limited has appointed its Chairman-cum-Managing Director, B. Sairam, as the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective 15 December 2025.
• With over 30 years of experience in India’s coal sector, including leadership roles at Northern Coalfields Limited and Central Coalfields Limited, Sairam’s dual role as CMD and CEO aims to strengthen strategic coordination, operational efficiency, and decision-making at India’s largest coal producer, crucial for the country’s energy security.

Anu Garg to Become Odisha’s First Woman Chief Secretary from January 1

• Senior IAS officer Anu Garg, a 1991-batch officer with over three decades of administrative experience, has been appointed as Odisha’s first woman Chief Secretary, effective January 1, 2026. She succeeds Manoj Ahuja, who retires on December 31, 2025.
• Garg has previously served as the state’s Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary and has held key roles in departments like Women & Child Development, Labour & ESI, Health & Family Welfare, as well as central postings in the PMO, Textiles, and Health ministries.

Three New Additional Solicitors General for Supreme Court Appointed By Centre

• The Central Government appointed three senior advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) on December 22, 2025, to strengthen its legal representation before the Supreme Court of India.
• Appointed for a three-year tenure, the ASGs assist the Attorney General and Solicitor General in handling complex constitutional, policy, and governance-related cases, reflecting the growing legal workload of the Union and ensuring effective defence of government actions at the apex court.

PV Sindhu Elected Chair of BWF Athletes Commission (2026–2029)

• Indian badminton star and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has been elected Chair of the BWF Athletes’ Commission for the 2026–2029 term, making her a member of the BWF Council and strengthening athletes’ representation in global badminton governance.
• A commission member since 2017 and BWF Integrity Ambassador since 2020, Sindhu’s appointment underscores India’s rising influence in international sports administration and her role in advocating athlete welfare, fairness, and integrity.

Awards News

President of India Presents Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025

• President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 in New Delhi on December 26, honouring children below 18 for exceptional achievements in bravery, social service, environment, sports, art and culture, and science and technology.
• In her address, she praised the awardees for inspiring the nation, linked their courage to India’s historical values, and highlighted stories of young achievers who displayed bravery, talent, innovation, and selfless service, underscoring the role of children in nation-building.

Sports News

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Receives PM Rashtriya Bal Puraskar from President of India

• 14-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 by President Droupadi Murmu for his exceptional achievements in domestic, Under-19, and IPL cricket, becoming the youngest centurion in List A, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and IPL history.

Science & Technology News

IIT Patna Launched Supercomputer to Boost Research

• IIT Patna has inaugurated Bihar’s first Param Rudra supercomputer under the National Supercomputing Mission, marking a major boost to advanced research and innovation in the state.
• Launched by MeitY Additional Secretary Amitesh Kumar Sinha, the facility will support around 60 faculty members and 400 students across 10 departments, enabling high-end research in areas such as AI, data science, quantum computing, materials science and computational engineering, while strengthening India’s indigenous supercomputing ecosystem.

First Made-in-India MRI Scanner Developed with Zoho Support

• Indian startup VoxelGrids, backed by Zoho, has developed India’s first indigenous 1.5-tesla MRI scanner, deployed at Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation near Nagpur.
• Designed over 12 years by founder Arjun Arunachalam, the scanner is around 40% cheaper than imported models, operates without liquid helium, and features fully indigenously developed technology.
• This achievement strengthens Make in India, reduces dependence on foreign diagnostic equipment, improves affordable healthcare access, and boosts India’s self-reliance in medical technology.

Important Days News

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness Observed on December 27, 2025

• The International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, observed every December 27 since 2020, highlights the importance of preventing, preparing for, and responding to epidemics.
• It emphasizes strong health systems, early detection, rapid response, and global cooperation to reduce the social, economic, and health impacts of disease outbreaks.
• Marked after a UN resolution, the day underscores lessons from epidemics like COVID-19, stressing investments in surveillance, healthcare infrastructure, research, and community participation to ensure readiness and global health security.