Daily Current Affairs News: 13th December, 2025

National News

Plan for Conducting Census of India 2027 Approved By Union Cabinet

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Census of India 2027, allocating ₹11,718 crore for what will be India’s first digital census, conducted in two phases using a mobile app, a central monitoring portal (CMMS), and innovations like the HLB Creator Web Map Application.
• Around 30 lakh field workers will participate, with the public also given the option of self-enumeration.
• The Census will include caste enumeration, ensure enhanced data quality, enable faster dissemination, and generate nearly 10.2 million man-days of employment, making it a major step toward efficient, accurate, and technology-driven national data collection.

Cabinet Approves CoalSETU Window for Fair Coal Access and Efficient Resource Use

• The Union Cabinet has approved CoalSETU, a new policy creating a dedicated auction-based window under the NRS Linkage Policy to make domestic coal available for any industrial use and up to 50% export, removing earlier end-use restrictions and promoting greater transparency, flexibility, and efficient coal utilisation.
• Through long-term auctions open to all industrial consumers (except traders) and excluding coking coal, CoalSETU aims to reduce import dependence, expand industry access, align with commercial mining reforms, and support India’s growing energy and industrial demand.

Cabinet Nod to Atomic Energy Bill Unlocks Opportunities for Private Nuclear Projects

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Atomic Energy Bill, amending the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and CLND Act, 2010 to allow private sector participation in civil nuclear power.
• This reform aims to attract investment, enable technology partnerships, and accelerate nuclear project development, supporting India’s target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047.
• By addressing liability concerns, the Bill encourages foreign suppliers, facilitates small modular reactors and advanced technologies, and opens opportunities for private companies to operate nuclear plants under licence, marking a major shift in India’s traditionally government-controlled nuclear sector.

Government to Rename MGNREGA, Hikes Job Guarantee from 100 to 125 Days

• The Union Cabinet has approved a major update to MGNREGS, renaming it as Poojya Bapu Grameen Rozgar Yojana and increasing guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 days under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.
• This reform aims to strengthen rural livelihoods, provide income stability, boost rural spending power, and enhance the safety net for low-income households, reinforcing the scheme’s core objective of poverty reduction and community asset creation.

Insurance Amendment Bill 2025: Cabinet Approves 100% FDI in Indian Insurance Firms

• The Union Cabinet has approved the Insurance Amendment Bill, 2025, proposing to raise the FDI limit in insurance from 74% to 100%, a major reform aimed at attracting foreign capital, improving competition, and strengthening service quality in India’s insurance sector.
• The Bill amends the Insurance Act, 1938, LIC Act, 1956, and IRDAI Act, 1999, introduces composite licences, eases capital requirements, and enhances regulatory efficiency.
• Expected to be introduced in the Winter Session of Parliament, the reform is set to boost insurance penetration, support digital innovation, create employment, and modernize India’s financial ecosystem.

State News

Brookfield to Invest $1 Billion to Build Asia’s Largest GCC in Maharashtra

• Brookfield Asset Management will invest $1 billion to build Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai’s Powai, spanning 2 million sq ft over 6 acres and leased to a multinational bank for 20 years.
• The project, expected to generate 30,000+ jobs by 2029, reinforces Mumbai as a leading GCC hub and aligns with Maharashtra’s GCC Policy, which targets 400 new GCCs and 400,000 high-skilled jobs.
• Emphasizing sustainability, green power sourcing, and innovation-driven operations, the investment strengthens the state’s position in BFSI, data science, cloud engineering, and emerging technologies while boosting confidence in India’s business ecosystem.

Chhattisgarh Gets Its First Ramsar Site: Kopra Reservoir Declared Wetland of International Importance

• Chhattisgarh has achieved a major environmental milestone with the declaration of the Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district as its first Ramsar Site, officially announced on 12 December 2025.
• Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention, the rain-fed freshwater reservoir supports rich aquatic biodiversity, migratory birds, and aquatic vegetation, while also providing drinking water, irrigation, and livelihood support to nearby villages.
• This designation strengthens India’s commitment to wetland conservation, sustainable water management, and climate resilience.

Economy News

Retail Inflation Rises Slightly to 0.71% in November 2025

• India’s retail inflation (CPI) rose modestly to 0.71% in November 2025 from 0.25% in October, driven by easing food deflation, which moderated to -3.91% from -5.02%.
• Rural inflation turned positive at 0.10%, while urban inflation increased to 1.4%. Prices of vegetables, eggs, pulses, fruits, and meat & fish rose sequentially, though cereal inflation fell to a 50-month low of 0.1% and edible oil inflation moderated to 7.87%.
• The data reflects a fading base effect and higher contribution from non-food items, particularly in urban areas.

India’s Foreign Reserves Touch $687.26 Billion In December 2025

• India’s foreign exchange reserves rose by USD 1.03 billion to reach USD 687.26 billion as of December 12, 2025, driven by higher gold reserves (+1.188 billion USD) and increased SDRs (+93 million USD), despite a decline in Foreign Currency Assets (FCA) by USD 151 million.
• The RBI continues to monitor the currency market to maintain stability, and the rise marks a recovery after last week’s drop of USD 1.877 billion, reflecting gains from global gold prices, IMF positions, and foreign currency valuations.

Appointments News

PNB Housing Finance Appoints Ajai Kumar Shukla as New MD & CEO

• PNB Housing Finance has appointed Ajai Kumar Shukla as its new Managing Director & CEO, effective 18 December 2025, for a five-year tenure subject to shareholder approval.
• Approved by the Board of Directors on 12 December 2025, the leadership change is expected to strengthen the company’s growth strategy, enhance operational efficiency, and support long-term expansion in India’s housing finance market, leveraging Shukla’s extensive experience in banking, retail lending, governance, and strategic leadership.

Meta India Appoints Aman Jain as Head of Public Policy

• Meta India has appointed Aman Jain as its new Head of Public Policy.
• Leveraging his 20+ years of experience across government and global tech companies to lead policy strategy, regulatory engagement, and discussions on digital safety, data governance, and AI regulation in India’s rapidly growing digital ecosystem.

Agreements News

MSME Ministry Signs MoU with Amazon For Vishwakarma Artisans

• The MSME Ministry has signed an MoU with Amazon to help Vishwakarma artisans under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme sell handmade products online, improve visibility, and expand market access through digital tools and the Amazon Karigar initiative.
• The partnership will onboard artisans, provide guidance on online selling, assist with product listings, packaging, and delivery, and facilitate necessary approvals.
• This move aims to modernize traditional trades, boost rural entrepreneurship, preserve Indian craftsmanship, and enhance income opportunities for artisans in 18 traditional sectors.

Department of Posts and BSE Sign MoU to Expand Mutual Fund Access Across India

• The Department of Posts and BSE have signed a three-year MoU (2025–2028) to distribute mutual funds through India Post’s extensive network, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and investor access in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Selected postal employees will be trained and certified via NISM Mutual Fund Distributor Certification, assigned EUINs, and enabled to assist customers on the BSE StAR MF platform.
• The initiative promotes informed investment decisions, bridges gaps in last-mile financial services, and encourages a financially aware and empowered population.

Important Days News

International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations 2025

• The United Nations, through Resolution A/RES/80/106, has declared 14 December as the International Day Against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations, to be observed for the first time in 2025, reinforcing the UN’s commitment to decolonization, sovereignty, and self-determination.
• Building on UN General Assembly Resolution 1514 (XV) of 1960, the observance highlights the need to end colonial domination and address its political, economic, and cultural legacies.
• A high-level plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly will be held on 18 December 2025 to mark the 65th anniversary of Resolution 1514 (XV), advancing global dialogue on global justice and unfinished decolonization efforts.

National Energy Conservation Day 2025: Meaning, Importance, and Observance in 2025

• National Energy Conservation Day is observed in India every year on 14 December, and in 2025 it falls on Sunday, 14 December, to promote energy efficiency, responsible energy use, and sustainable development.
• Organized under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, the day has been observed since 1991 and emphasizes youth and student participation as energy conservation ambassadors.
• It highlights the need to reduce energy wastage, enhance energy security, lower carbon emissions, and recognize best practices through the National Energy Conservation Awards, supporting India’s long-term environmental and economic goals.