Daily Current Affairs News: 23rd December, 2025

National News

Govt to Set Up Bureau of Port Security to Boost Port and Vessel Safety

• The Central Government has decided to establish a statutory Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to strengthen security at India’s ports and vessels through risk-based planning, intelligence sharing, and cybersecurity measures, modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, in response to rising trade volumes and evolving maritime threats.

What NITI Aayog’s $10 Billion Bharat Vidya Kosh Means for Indian Academia

• NITI Aayog has released a comprehensive roadmap to internationalise India’s higher education system, proposing regulatory reforms, foreign institutions operating through a “campus within a campus” model.
• A $10 billion Bharat Vidya Kosh for research, and scholarships like the Vishwa Bandhu Scheme, with the aim of attracting global students and faculty, boosting research collaboration, and positioning India as a global education hub in line with the National Education Policy 2020.

State News

Chillai Kalan Begins; Kashmir Braces for Winter Precipitation

• Jammu and Kashmir entered Chillai Kalan on December 21, the 40-day period marking the harshest winter in the Valley. Temperatures plunge below freezing, with snowfall and icy winds expected, especially in higher-altitude areas.
• Rain and snow after a two-month dry spell will improve air quality and replenish glaciers, reservoirs, and rivers.
• Authorities have issued advisories to avoid travel due to risks like avalanches, road blockages, and power disruptions. Snowfall during Chillai Kalan is crucial for water security, summer river flow, and tourism in places like Gulmarg.

Top 20 Most Polluted Monitoring Stations of 2024 Located in Delhi-NCR

• A Health Effects Institute study found that all 20 of India’s most polluted air quality monitoring stations in 2024 were located in Delhi-NCR, with Jahangirpuri in North Delhi ranked the worst, showing that despite some improvement since the launch of the National Clean Air Programme, absolute pollution levels in the region remain extremely high, while NCR cities like Noida and Ghaziabad have shown more consistent air quality gains.

International News

India and New Zealand Wrap Up Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

• India and New Zealand concluded negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement in December 2025 after nine months of talks.
• The FTA will reduce or remove tariffs on 95% of New Zealand exports and aims to boost trade, investment, and economic cooperation.
• Both countries expect bilateral trade to double in five years, with New Zealand investing up to $20 billion in India over the next 15 years.

India, Netherlands Join Hands to Promote Lothal Maritime Heritage

• India and the Netherlands signed an MoU to support the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
• The collaboration will involve museum design, artefact conservation, joint research, exhibitions, and cultural exchange with Amsterdam’s National Maritime Museum.
• NMHC showcases India’s 4,500-year-old maritime legacy, ancient trade, and shipbuilding traditions.
• The partnership aims to boost cultural tourism, education, research, and India’s global cultural presence.

Oman Launches First Polymer One-Rial Banknote, Circulation from January 2026

• Oman has launched its first polymer one-rial banknote, issued by the Central Bank of Oman, featuring national landmarks like the Oman Botanic Garden and Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex, with advanced security features, and it will enter circulation on January 11, 2026.
• It marking a historic shift from paper to more durable, secure currency that reflects the country’s heritage and economic development.

Economy News

India to Shift to New CPI, GDP Data Series Starting February

• India will release new base-year data series for key macroeconomic indicators starting in 2026. Retail inflation (CPI) with base year 2024 will be released on February 12, 2026, followed by GDP with base year 2022–23 on February 27, 2026.
• A revised Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series with base year 2022–23 will be released on May 28, 2026. The revision aims to improve accuracy, reflect structural changes in the economy, and support better policy and investment decisions.

India’s Eight Core Sectors Output Grows by 1.8% in November 2025

• India’s eight core industries grew by 1.8% in November 2025, led by strong output in cement (14.5%), steel (6.1%), fertilizer (5.6%) and coal (2.1%), while declines in crude oil (–3.2%) and natural gas (–2.5%) moderated overall growth, reflecting steady infrastructure-linked expansion and mixed trends across energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

Awards News

Ravi Deecee Receives Prestigious French Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Award

• Malayalam publisher Ravi Deecee, MD of DC Books, was awarded the prestigious French honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by French Ambassador Thierry Mathou on December 4, 2025.
• In recognition of his contributions to literature, publishing, and India–France cultural exchange, particularly through translating French works into Malayalam and promoting international literary collaboration.

Advocate Shubham Awasthi Honoured with Prestigious ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025

• Advocate Shubham Awasthi, a Supreme Court lawyer known for his work in public interest litigation and social justice, has been honoured with the ’40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025 at the BW Legal World Awards in New Delhi.
• Recognizing his professional excellence, humanitarian efforts, and commitment to shaping India’s justice system.

Defense News

Indian Navy Receives New ASW Shallow Water Craft ‘Anjadip’

• The Indian Navy received the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft ‘Anjadip’ on December 22, 2025. It is the third of eight indigenously built ASW SWC ships by GRSE in collaboration with L&T Shipyard under a public-private partnership.
• Measuring 77 meters and equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and sonar, it will boost coastal surveillance, mine-laying, and underwater threat detection.
• With over 80% indigenous content, the ship reflects India’s commitment to self-reliant defence manufacturing and maritime security.

DRDO, Rashtriya Raksha University Join Hands Through MoU for Defence and Security

• DRDO and Rashtriya Raksha University signed an MoU on 22 December 2025. The agreement aims to boost research, education, training, and technology for defence and internal security.
• RRU will provide expertise in internal security, while DRDO contributes advanced technologies and system support.
• Collaboration includes joint research, fellowships, training for security forces, and life cycle management of DRDO systems. The MoU supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat and national security goals.

Indian Army Collaborates with NSUT on AI and Software Defence Projects

• The Indian Army signed an MoU with Netaji Subhas University of Technology on December 22, 2025, to develop AI-based and software-driven defence solutions.
• NSUT students and faculty will work on live Army projects, participate in research, and gain hands-on exposure to operational challenges.
• The collaboration includes faculty development programs, training for Army personnel, and innovation in AI, cybersecurity, logistics, and surveillance systems.
• The initiative supports indigenous innovation, defence modernization, and India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Ranks & Reports News

Global Doping Report Highlights India; Calls for Overhaul of Sports Governance

• For the third year in a row, India topped the global doping offenders list, with 260 positive cases in 2024. The country’s positivity rate of 3.6% is the highest among nations conducting over 5,000 tests, highlighting a systemic problem.
• Compared to countries like China (0.2%), France (91 cases), and the US (1.1%), India’s doping issue is far more severe. Pressures to win medals, a “medal-at-all-costs” mindset, and low awareness of health risks drive widespread misuse of banned substances.
• Doping has spread beyond elite sports, affecting junior and collegiate athletes, threatening India’s sporting credibility and Olympic ambitions.

Science & Technology News

LoI Signed to Set Up Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Research and Innovation

• India signed a Letter of Intent on 22 December 2025 to establish the Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT). The centre is a public-private partnership between JNCASR Bengaluru and CRISPRBITS Private Limited, Delhi.
• It aims to bridge the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications, developing gene-based therapies and diagnostics.
• CoE-CIT will strengthen India’s biotech sector, promote academia-industry collaboration, and deliver affordable healthcare solutions.

Important Days News

Kisan Diwas 2025: Why India Marks National Farmers’ Day on December 23

• Kisan Diwas, or National Farmers Day, is observed in India every year on December 23. The day marks the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister and a strong advocate of farmers’ rights.
• It recognises the vital role of farmers in food security, rural prosperity, and the national economy. Kisan Diwas also highlights challenges in agriculture and promotes sustainable, modern, and climate-resilient farming practices.