Daily Current Affairs News: 30th December, 2025

National News

Right to Passport Is Part of Personal Liberty: Supreme Court

• The Supreme Court ruled that the right to a passport flows from personal liberty under Article 21. Pending criminal cases do not automatically prevent passport issuance if courts permit it under law. Passport possession is distinct from permission to travel abroad, which is assessed by criminal courts, not authorities. The ruling reinforces due process, limits administrative overreach, and emphasizes proportionality and judicial oversight.

India Ranks Third in Rare Earth Reserves but Lags in Global Production

• India ranks third globally in rare earth reserves with about 6–7% of global resources, but contributes less than 1% of global production, revealing a major strategic gap.
• This mismatch is caused by regulatory hurdles, radioactive monazite-linked constraints, limited mining and refining capacity, and weak value-chain integration. While China dominates over 90% of global refining and leads production, India’s output remains minimal despite its resource strength.
• A small Japan-linked joint venture marks progress, but the scale is still limited. Overall, the issue is not resource availability, but execution, impacting clean energy, critical minerals, and national security.

India’s Agriculture 2025: Growth That Reaches the Ground

• The year 2025 marked a watershed moment for Indian agriculture, contributing nearly 16% to GDP and supporting 46% of livelihoods, while transitioning from subsistence to productivity and sustainability.
• India achieved a record foodgrain production of 357.73 million tonnes, driven by rice, wheat, pulses, oilseeds, maize and millets (Shree Anna).
• The MSP regime ensured 50% returns over cost, with procurement payments crossing ₹20 lakh crore, strengthening income security. PM-Kisan transfers touched ₹3.90 lakh crore, while agricultural credit exceeded ₹10 lakh crore, reflecting stronger policy continuity, public investment, and institutional reforms.

Supreme Court Pauses Aravalli Hills Order, Seeks Fresh Expert Review

• The Supreme Court has stayed its earlier Aravalli Hills ruling and ordered a fresh independent expert committee to reassess environmental impacts of mining, citing ambiguity in defining the Aravalli range and potential ecological damage.
• The earlier committee’s recommendations and previous directions remain in abeyance until the new panel submits its findings, highlighting the precautionary principle, science-based policymaking, and the ecological importance of the Aravalli Range in climate regulation, biodiversity, and groundwater protection.

State News

Govt Declares Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary as Eco-Sensitive Zone

• The Union government has declared Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), covering 1,084 hectares. The sanctuary hosts migratory birds from Central Asia and Tibet.
• The ESZ status aims to protect biodiversity, regulate harmful activities, and promote responsible ecotourism, ensuring wetland conservation while supporting sustainable livelihoods and balancing development with environmental protection.

International News

Israel Announces Peace Prize for Donald Trump In 2026

• Former US President Donald Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace in 2026, announced by Prime Minister Netanyahu after talks in Florida, marking the first time a non-Israeli receives the prestigious award and the first-ever Peace category conferral, recognising Trump’s role in Middle East peace efforts, US–Israel relations, and diplomatic initiatives such as the Gaza peace deal and hostage releases, highlighting Israel’s historic break from tradition.

Banking News

RBI Conducts ₹50,000 Crore Open Market Operation to Boost Liquidity

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injected ₹50,000 crore into the banking system through an Open Market Operation (OMO) purchase auction.
• The move aimed to ease a liquidity deficit of ₹62,302 crore caused by tax outflows, high currency circulation, muted government spending, and forex interventions.
• By buying government securities, the RBI provided durable liquidity, supported credit flow, stabilised interest rates, and ensured smoother monetary policy transmission.

Gross NPAs Drop to Multi-Decade Low of 2.1%, Shows RBI Data

• India’s banking sector achieved multi-decade low NPAs, with gross NPAs at 2.1% and net NPAs at 0.5% by September 2025, as per RBI data.
• The improvement was driven by recoveries and upgrades, which accounted for nearly 43% of GNPA reduction, along with strong provisioning and better credit underwriting.
• The slippage ratio fell to 1.4% for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting fewer fresh bad loans. Overall, the data signals stronger bank balance sheets, improved financial stability, and a sustained turnaround in asset quality.

IIP Growth Jumps to 25-Month High of 6.7% in November 2025

• India’s industrial activity saw a sharp acceleration in November 2025, with IIP growth at 6.7%, the highest in 25 months.
• The surge was driven by a broad-based recovery in manufacturing, supported by strong growth in capital goods, signaling renewed investment activity.
• This level was last exceeded in October 2023, reflecting a sustained recovery phase after moderate performance.
• The data points to improving economic fundamentals, stronger industrial confidence, and rising momentum in manufacturing-led growth and infrastructure development.

Defense News

Defense Acquisition Council Clears Defence Acquisitions Worth ₹79,000 Crore

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved defence procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore.
• The acquisitions aim to modernize the Army, Navy, and Air Force with advanced strike, surveillance, communication, and training systems.
• Key approvals include loiter munitions and radar systems for the Army, remotely piloted aircraft and secure radios for the Navy, and Astra Mk-II missiles, precision guidance kits, and simulators for the Air Force.
• The decision strengthens military preparedness, enhances operational readiness, and reflects India’s focus on modernising its armed forces against evolving threats.

DRDO Tests Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket Successfully

• DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR-120) at Chandipur, achieving a 120 km range with high precision.
• The rocket, compatible with existing Pinaka launchers, demonstrated in-flight manoeuvrability, accuracy, and operational flexibility.
• Developed by multiple DRDO labs including ARDE, HEMRL, DRDL, and RCI, the test strengthens India’s indigenous rocket artillery, boosts armed forces’ combat capabilities, and enhances logistics efficiency and rapid battlefield deployment.

INSV Kaundinya Begins Maiden Voyage to Oman

• INSV Kaundinya embarked on its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat on December 29, 2025.
• The vessel, built using ancient stitched shipbuilding techniques, revives India–Oman maritime heritage, showcases India’s civilisational seafaring legacy, and strengthens maritime diplomacy and cultural ties in the Indian Ocean Region.

Sports News

Sonam Yeshey Creates History with 8-Wicket Haul in Men’s T20Is

• Bhutan’s Sonam Yeshey created history by becoming the first bowler ever to take 8 wickets in a men’s T20 International, achieving remarkable figures of 8/7 in 4 overs against Myanmar in the third T20I at Gelephu on December 29, 2025.
• The 22-year-old left-arm spinner dismantled Myanmar for 45 runs, helping Bhutan secure an 82-run victory and an unassailable 3–0 series lead.
• His spell surpassed the previous T20I record of 7 wickets, highlighting a landmark moment for associate nation cricket and the growing impact of Bhutan cricket on the global stage.

Smriti Mandhana Becomes Second Indian to Reach 10,000 International Runs

• Smriti Mandhana became the second Indian woman and fourth globally to score 10,000 international runs, achieving the milestone during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram.
• She scored a commanding 80 off 48 balls, helping India post their highest-ever women’s T20I total of 221/2.
• Mandhana joins an elite group including Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards, highlighting her consistency and impact across formats and cementing her status as one of modern women’s cricket’s finest batters.

Humpy, Erigaisi Win Bronze at FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships

• India’s chess contingent excelled at the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships 2025 in Doha, with Koneru Humpy and Arjun Erigaisi clinching bronze medals in the women’s and open categories respectively.
• Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion, finished tied at 8.5 points but was placed third on tie-breaks, narrowly missing a historic third title.
• In the Open section, Erigaisi scored 9.5 points, edging past strong competitors to claim bronze behind Magnus Carlsen and Vladislav Artemiev. Strong performances by Vaishali, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Nihal Sarin highlighted India’s growing strength and depth in global chess.

Science & Technology News

World’s First ITVISMA Gene Therapy Given in Abu Dhabi

• Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi became the first hospital worldwide to administer ITVISMA gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) on December 28, 2025.
• This one-time single-dose therapy targets the SMN1 gene, enabling SMN protein production and expanding SMA treatment access to patients aged 2 years and above, including adults.
• The breakthrough marks a global health milestone, positioning Abu Dhabi as a leader in precision medicine and rare disease care, though high costs raise concerns about equitable access.

Obituaries News

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s First Woman Prime Minister, Dies

• Bangladesh lost a towering political figure with the death of Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female Prime Minister, at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness.
• A two-time Prime Minister (1991–96, 2001–06) and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), she played a central role in the restoration of democracy and shaped politics through her long rivalry with Sheikh Hasina.
• Born in 1945 and widow of Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia remained a symbol of opposition politics and democratic struggle, marking the end of an era in Bangladesh’s political history.