Daily Current Affairs News: 31st December, 2025

National News

Delhi to Launch AI-Based Grievance Redressal System with IIT Kanpur

• The Delhi Government has partnered with IIT Kanpur to develop an AI-powered Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS). The system will integrate multiple grievance port
• als like CPGRAMS and LG Listening Post into a single unified dashboard. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, IGMS will enable faster grievance resolution, root-cause analysis, department prediction, and greater transparency.
• The initiative strengthens citizen-centric governance, improves inter-departmental coordination, and promotes data-driven decision-making in public administration.

Rewind 2025: India’s Economic Reforms in 2025 From Taxes to Jobs

• As 2025 closed, India’s economic reforms shifted from regulation-heavy frameworks to outcome-driven governance.
• Income tax reforms boosted middle-class disposable income with exemption up to ₹12–12.75 lakh and the launch of the Income Tax Act, 2025 improved simplicity, certainty, and digital compliance. Labour reforms consolidated 29 laws into 4 labour codes, expanding social security to gig workers.
• Rural employment moved from MGNREGA to the Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission, focusing on 125 days of work, asset creation, and local planning.
• MSME reforms eased credit access, compliance, and scaling, strengthening long-term growth, predictability, and economic resilience.

India Records Over 5.5 Lakh Trademark Registrations in 2024-25

• India recorded over 5.5 lakh trademark registrations in FY 2024–25, the highest ever in a single year, reflecting stronger IP protection, streamlined processes, and growing confidence among startups, innovators, and businesses.
• The surge is attributed to digitisation of IP services, faster examination, and awareness campaigns, with the pharmaceutical, veterinary, and healthcare sectors leading filings.
• This milestone aligns with India’s vision to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, boost entrepreneurship, and support economic growth through effective intellectual property frameworks under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Banking News

RBI Reviews Scale-Based Regulation for NBFCs

• The RBI is reviewing the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework for NBFCs to manage rising systemic risks, closer bank linkages, and their growing share in India’s credit system (Nearly 15% of GDP).
• Under SBR, NBFCs are categorized by size and risk: Base Layer (assets < ₹1,000 crore, lighter regulation), Middle Layer (larger NBFCs, 64.6% of assets, moderate regulation), Upper Layer (systemically important NBFCs, 30.2% of assets, stricter oversight), and a Top Layer for extreme-risk entities, ensuring regulatory intensity aligns with potential systemic impact.

ATM Numbers Decline in FY25 as Digital Payments Surge: RBI

• According to the RBI’s Trend and Progress of Banking in India FY25 report, the total number of ATMs in India declined slightly to 2.51 lakh due to rapid adoption of digital payments like UPI, reducing reliance on cash withdrawals.
• While both public and private sector banks cut back on offsite ATMs, white label ATMs increased, especially in underserved areas.
• At the same time, bank branches expanded by 2.8% to 1.64 lakh, led by public sector banks focusing on rural and semi-urban regions, highlighting India’s shift toward a digital-first yet inclusion-oriented banking model.

Credit Growth Nears 12% as Deposit Growth Slows

• India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, driven by strong domestic consumption, robust reforms, and accelerating growth.
• As the fastest-growing major economy, India recorded 8.2% real GDP growth in Q2 2025–26 and is now projected to surpass Germany by 2030, reinforcing its rising role in the global economic order.

Finance Ministry Notifies 100% FDI Rules For Insurance Sector

• India has notified final rules allowing 100% FDI in the insurance sector, easing governance restrictions while ensuring at least one top leadership position (CEO, MD, or Chairperson) is held by an Indian resident.
• The move aims to attract global capital, enhance competition, improve solvency, and expand insurance penetration under the “Sabka Bima” vision.

Economy News

India Becomes the World’s 4th Largest Economy, Surpasses Japan

• India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion, driven by strong domestic consumption, robust reforms, and accelerating growth.
• As the fastest-growing major economy, India recorded 8.2% real GDP growth in Q2 2025–26 and is now projected to surpass Germany by 2030, reinforcing its rising role in the global economic order.

Agreements News

National Test House and NHAI Sign MoU to Boost Highway Quality and Safety

• On 30 December 2025, the National Test House (NTH) and NHAI signed an MoU to enhance quality, safety, and transparency in national highway construction.
• NTH, established in 1912, will test construction materials from NHAI projects at its 8 regional labs, provide digital reports, and participate in technical committees and training programs.
• This collaboration ensures scientific third-party verification, reduces quality lapses and cost overruns, and supports India’s vision for world-class, durable highways.

Appointments News

Rakesh Aggarwal Gets Additional Charge as NIA Chief

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer from Himachal Pradesh cadre, the additional charge of Director General of NIA following the early repatriation of Sadanand Date.
• Aggarwal, currently Special DG of NIA, will ensure continuity and stability in India’s premier counter-terrorism agency, overseeing ongoing sensitive investigations until a regular DG is appointed.

RBL Bank Revamps Top Management with New ED and Interim CFO

• RBL Bank has announced a top management reshuffle by appointing Jaideep Iyer as Executive Director (succeeding Rajeev Ahuja) and Deepak Ruiya as interim CFO, aiming to ensure leadership continuity, financial stability, and strategic focus, while the Head of Digital Banking, Pushpendra Sharma, has resigned.

Ranks & Reports News

NITI Aayog Report Hails Gujarat Biotechnology University as Model for Global Higher Education

• A NITI Aayog report praised Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) at GIFT City as a pioneering model for globalising higher education.
• Established in 2020, GBU aligns with NEP 2020 and Viksit Bharat@2047 by attracting global universities, especially through its partnership with the University of Edinburgh.
• The initiative helps retain Indian talent, reduce brain drain, and position India as a global education hub. It showcases how international collaboration, world-class research infrastructure, and policy-driven governance can deliver global-quality education within India.

Defense News

Defense Ministry Signs ₹4,666 Crore Contracts for Carbines and Torpedoes

• The Ministry of Defence signed ₹4,666 crore defence contracts to boost Indian Army and Navy combat capabilities. The deal includes over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines worth ₹2,770 crore for close-quarter and urban warfare, and 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes worth ₹1,896 crore for Kalvari Class submarines. The procurement strengthens land and underwater strike readiness, supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promotes indigenous defence manufacturing, and enhances India’s operational preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region.

Science & Technology News

Indian AI Research Organisation to Be Established in GIFT City, Gandhinagar

• Gujarat has approved the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organization (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, making it the first state to set up such an institute under a PPP model.
• The IAIRO will begin operations from January 1, 2026, as a Section 8 non-profit entity, with an outlay of ₹300 crore over five years shared equally by the State Government, Central Government, and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
• Aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, the institute will focus on advanced AI research, AI-based solutions, IP creation, capacity building, and developing a future-ready AI workforce, strengthening India’s position in global AI innovation.

India Develops Open-Source Tool PathGennie to Boost Drug Research

• The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed PathGennie, an open-source drug discovery software that accurately predicts drug–protein unbinding pathways without artificial distortions.
• This improves the speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency of early-stage drug research. PathGennie strengthens India’s computational biology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem, supporting the goal of becoming a global hub for affordable and advanced drug development.

Sports News

Deepti Sharma Sets New Wicket Record in Women’s T20 Cricket

• Deepti Sharma created history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals, claiming her 152nd wicket during the 5th T20I against Sri Lanka and surpassing Megan Schutt.
• The milestone highlights her long-term consistency, all-round excellence, and dominance as the No. 1 bowler in ICC Women’s T20I rankings.
• This achievement reflects the growing strength of Indian women’s cricket and Deepti’s status as one of the most impactful players in the shortest format.