Daily Current Affairs – 24-12-2025
Important Days
National Consumer Rights Day – December 24
National Consumer Rights Day is observed in India on December 24 every year to mark the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which came into force to safeguard the rights of consumers against unfair trade practices. The day highlights key consumer rights such as the right to safety, right to information, right to choice, right to be heard, right to redressal, and right to consumer education, and aims to promote awareness about consumer protection mechanisms, grievance redressal forums, and responsible consumption practices across the country.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Jnanpith Award Winner Vinod Kumar Shukla Passes Away
Renowned Hindi poet and author Vinod Kumar Shukla, who received the Jnanpith Award 2024, passed away at the age of 88 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday, after undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at AIIMS Raipur since December 2. He was born in 1937 in Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, and began his literary career in 1971 with his first poetry collection Lagbhag Jaihind. Over the years, he authored several notable poetry collections including Kavita Se Lambi Kavita, and acclaimed novels such as Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi and Naukar Ki Kameez, the latter of which was adapted into a film.
President confers National Science Awards 2025
On December 23 in New Delhi, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, conferred the National Science Awards, including the country’s highest science honour Vigyan Ratna–2025, at the Cultural Centre Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team Awards were introduced in 2023 to recognise outstanding contributions of Indian scientists, with the first Vigyan Ratna awarded in 2024 to Govindarajan Padmanabhan. The second National Science Awards, announced in October, conferred Vigyan Ratna–2025 on the late astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar from Maharashtra, noted for research including an alternative model to the Big Bang theory; the award was received on his behalf by R. Srianand, Director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune. Eight recipients were selected for Vigyan Shri, fourteen for Vigyan Yuva, and the Vigyan Team Award was conferred on the Aroma Mission of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for promoting lavender cultivation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Economy News
Bank of India Raises ₹10,000 Crore Through Infrastructure Bonds
The state-run Bank of India has raised ₹10,000 crore through the issuance of infrastructure bonds, with strong investor response as bids worth ₹15,305 crore were received against a base issue size of ₹5,000 crore. The bank accepted 37 bids out of 83 bids and offered an annual coupon rate of 7.23%, with the bond sale conducted through the electronic bidding platform of the National Stock Exchange of India. The funds mobilised through these long-term bonds will be utilised for financing infrastructure sub-sectors and affordable housing projects. As of March 2025, 13 public and private sector banks together hold about ₹2.2 trillion in outstanding infrastructure bonds, while their total infrastructure loan book stands at around ₹14 trillion, with public sector banks accounting for nearly 75% of infrastructure lending and 82–85% of bond issuances. In FY 2024–25, State Bank of India raised ₹30,000 crore, Indian Bank raised ₹10,000 crore, and Bank of Baroda raised ₹5,000 crore through infrastructure bonds.
RBI announces ₹2 lakh crore OMO and $10 billion swap to boost liquidity
In Mumbai, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced major liquidity infusion measures for the banking system, including open market purchase (OMO) of government securities worth ₹2 lakh crore and a three-year dollar/rupee buy–sell swap auction of $10 billion, following a liquidity deficit of ₹54,852 crore as of December 22. The RBI stated that OMO purchase auctions of G-Secs will be conducted in four tranches of ₹50,000 crore each on December 29, 2025, January 5, 2026, January 12, 2026, and January 22, 2026, while the $10 billion dollar/rupee swap auction will be held on January 13, 2026. These measures are intended to address liquidity tightness caused by advance tax payments and higher government cash balances, and the RBI also announced a two-day variable rate repo auction on December 24 to infuse ₹1.25 lakh crore into the banking system, while continuing to monitor liquidity and market conditions.
National News
INSV Kaundinya to begin maiden overseas voyage to Oman
The Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya will undertake its maiden overseas voyage on December 29, being flagged off from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, retracing historic maritime routes of the Indian Ocean. INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship based on a 5th century CE vessel depicted in the paintings of the Ajanta Caves. The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement in July 2023 among the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Following keel laying in September 2023, the vessel was constructed using traditional stitched-plank techniques by artisans from Kerala led by Babu Sankaran, employing coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The ship was launched in Goa in February and is named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya, associated with ancient voyages from India to Southeast Asia.
India’s first indigenous water-soluble fertilizer pilot plant launched in Nagpur
India has completed its first indigenous water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) pilot plant in Nagpur, marking a key step toward reducing import dependence on specialty fertilizers. The phase-1 pilot facility was inaugurated by Anupam Agnihotri, Director of the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), and was completed nearly one month ahead of schedule with JNARDDC-funded research support. The plant is expected to enable domestic production of critical soluble fertilizers that are currently imported, at a time when China has curtailed global exports of specialty phosphate fertilizers. Planned for scale-up, the facility is likely to be adopted by Indian fertilizer companies, supporting self-reliance in specialty soluble fertilizers. JNARDDC, a nodal agency under the Union Ministry of Mines, continues to fund R&D across strategic sectors, and the green technology for producing specialty soluble fertilizers, developed by Ishita International, progressed from bench scale to pilot scale with JNARDDC support in April.
New Zealand to amend GI laws for Indian products under FTA
In New Delhi, New Zealand has decided to amend its Geographical Indication (GI) laws under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India to facilitate registration of Indian products, excluding wine and spirits, with a registration timeline of 18 months from the FTA’s entry into force. At present, New Zealand’s GI law permits registration only for Indian wine and spirits, and the amendment aims to enable wider GI registrations for Indian goods. A Geographical Indication, as an intellectual property right, recognises agricultural, natural, or manufactured products originating from a specific region and provides assurance of quality and uniqueness, preventing use of the same name by others once registered. As part of the FTA-linked arrangements, India has waived basic tariff concessions for New Zealand apples, kiwi fruits, and Manuka honey, aligned with the agricultural production commitments under the agreement.
Jaishankar meets Sri Lankan Prime Minister on Cyclone Titli reconstruction
During a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo and discussed India’s support for reconstruction work following Cyclone Titli, which caused damage to roads, bridges, and houses across Sri Lanka. The meeting took place in the presence of Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Jayaratnam, and India reaffirmed its assistance as per the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As part of the visit, Jaishankar and the Sri Lankan Prime Minister inaugurated a 120-foot-long Bailey bridge built by India at Kilinochchi in the Northern Province, an area severely affected by the cyclone. Earlier, Jaishankar also met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and conveyed greetings from the Indian Prime Minister. India has undertaken reconstruction projects worth 450 million US dollars in Sri Lanka, covering roads, railway lines, bridges, and housing infrastructure.
95 lakh voters removed during electoral roll revision
In New Delhi, the Election Commission of India released the draft electoral rolls for Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands, in which around 95 lakh voters were removed as part of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) that began in November across 12 states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, and Andaman and Nicobar. In Madhya Pradesh, a total of 42,74,160 voters were deleted, including 8.46 lakh deceased voters and 22.78 lakh voters who changed their address, while Kerala saw the removal of 24.08 lakh voters, including 6.49 lakh deceased and 8.16 lakh address changes. In Chhattisgarh, 27.34 lakh voters were removed, and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory, 64,000 voters were deleted out of a total of 3.1 lakh voters. The Election Commission has instructed that omitted eligible voters must apply with valid documents by January 22, and the final electoral roll is expected to be published in February.
ISRO’s LVM-3 to launch US communication satellite BlueBird-6
On December 23, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the American communication satellite BlueBird-6 using its LVM-3 rocket from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, with the launch scheduled at 8:54 AM, marking another commercial satellite mission by ISRO. The satellite belongs to the US space company SpaceMobile, and the launch agreement was executed through ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The 24-hour countdown commenced on the previous day, and final preparations including fueling were completed by ISRO scientists. BlueBird-6, weighing about 6,100 kg with a structural area of 223 square metres, is designed to provide direct high-speed internet and 5G communication services from space, and it is notable as the heaviest satellite launched by ISRO so far.
ISRO’s LVM-3 to launch US communication satellite BlueBird-6
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the American communication satellite BlueBird-6 using its LVM-3 rocket from the second launch pad at Sriharikota, with the launch scheduled at 8:54 AM, marking another commercial satellite mission by ISRO. The satellite belongs to the US space company SpaceMobile, and the launch agreement was executed through ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). The 24-hour countdown commenced on the previous day, and final preparations including fueling were completed by ISRO scientists. BlueBird-6, weighing about 6,100 kg with a structural area of 223 square metres, is designed to provide direct high-speed internet and 5G communication services from space, and it is notable as the heaviest satellite launched by ISRO so far.
Tamil Nadu News
Victoria Public Hall reopened after restoration in Chennai
On December 23 in Chennai, M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated the Victoria Public Hall located on EVR Periyar Salai, after a comprehensive restoration, and also laid the foundation stone for a new council hall within the Ripon Building premises at a cost of ₹74.7 crore. Victoria Public Hall, built in 1888 in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style, was designed by Robert Chisholm and constructed by Namberumal Chetty, featuring a two-storey structure with a 19-metre main roof and a 34-metre central tower, and named after Queen Victoria. The Greater Chennai Corporation undertook conservation, revitalisation and seismic retrofitting of the hall from May 2023 at a cost of ₹32.6 crore, restoring a built-up area of about 2,200 sq m, while preserving original architectural features and upgrading structural safety to modern standards, after which the hall was opened to the public.
CM lays foundation for new Chennai Corporation Council Hall and inaugurates Victoria Public Hall
M. K. Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, laid the foundation stone for a new Chennai Corporation Council Hall to be constructed at a cost of ₹74.70 crore within the Ripon Building premises, designed as a green building with a ground floor and three upper floors over an area of 8,524 square metres (about 91,751 sq ft), following the increase of Chennai Corporation wards to 200. Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Victoria Public Hall, which was renovated at a cost of ₹32.62 crore while preserving its heritage character, and opened it for public use. The event was attended by Ministers K. N. Nehru and P. K. Sekar Babu, Mayor R. Priya, Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar, and Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Radhakrishnan.
States’ News
Bird flu confirmed in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts of Kerala
An outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) has been confirmed in parts of Kerala, specifically in Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, following laboratory tests conducted at the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, which detected a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. The infection has been identified in one ward each of eight panchayats in Alappuzha and in four villages in Kottayam. J Chinchurani, Kerala Animal Husbandry Minister, stated that samples were sent for testing after suspected cases were noticed about a week earlier, and the intensity of the outbreak is under assessment, while no ban has been imposed on poultry meat consumption so far. The spread is suspected to be through migratory birds, and similar outbreaks were reported earlier in Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Pathanamthitta districts. As per the revised Central Government guidelines of 2021, preventive measures including culling of birds will be undertaken, and a ban on the movement of poultry birds within a 10-km radius of the affected areas will be enforced.
International News
India announces ₹4,032 crore relief package for Sri Lanka
On December 23 in Colombo, S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, announced a financial assistance package of USD 450 million (approximately ₹4,032 crore) for Cyclone Titli relief and reconstruction in Sri Lanka, following meetings with Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of Sri Lanka, and Harini Amarasuriya, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. The package includes a USD 350 million concessional loan and a USD 100 million grant, aimed at rebuilding houses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Titli, which struck Sri Lanka last month and caused over 600 deaths, complete destruction of more than 6,000 houses, and partial damage to 1.12 lakh houses. India has been extending assistance under Operation Sagar Maitri, supplying 1,100 tonnes of relief materials, including food and essentials, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment, while deploying Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopters, Dornier aircraft, and Indian Navy ships INS Vikrant and INS Shakti, along with an 80-member Indo-Sri Lankan medical team. As part of reconstruction support, a 120-foot-long prefabricated iron bridge built by the Indian Army was inaugurated at Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, with bridge components airlifted by IL-17 aircraft.
Word of the Year 2025 – Key Selections by Dictionaries
In 2025, several globally recognised dictionaries announced their Word of the Year based on the impact of terms in social media and digital culture, with Oxford Dictionary selecting ‘Rage bait’, a term describing online content created to provoke anger and conflict, while Collins Dictionary chose ‘Vibe Coding’, referring to writing computer code with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) using prompts. Merriam-Webster identified ‘Slop’ as its 2025 word, used to denote AI-generated or trend-driven content created without depth or emphasis on ideas, and Cambridge Dictionary selected ‘Parasocial’, describing a one-sided relationship formed by social media users towards celebrities or online influencers. Additionally, Urban Dictionary highlighted ‘67 (Six Seven)’ as a popular slang term among younger users, used informally to convey meanings such as ‘ok’ or ‘may be’.
Sports News
Deepti Sharma tops ICC Women’s T20 Bowling Rankings
In Mumbai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the Women’s T20 rankings, in which Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma secured the No.1 position in the T20 bowlers’ rankings for the first time, achieving 737 points, after her performance against Sri Lanka in the first T20 match where she bowled 4 overs, conceded 20 runs, and took 1 wicket, surpassing Australia’s Annabel Sutherland. In the same bowling rankings, India’s Renuka Singh moved up 5 places to 36th, and Sri Sarani climbed 19 places to 69th. In the batting rankings, Jemimah Rodrigues advanced 5 places to 9th after scoring 69 runs off 44 balls against Sri Lanka, while vice-captain Smriti Mandhana continued at 3rd position, and Shafali Verma dropped one place to 10th.
Deepti Sharma tops ICC Women’s T20 Bowling Rankings
In Mumbai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) released the Women’s T20 rankings, in which Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma secured the No.1 position in the T20 bowlers’ rankings for the first time, achieving 737 points, after her performance against Sri Lanka in the first T20 match where she bowled 4 overs, conceded 20 runs, and took 1 wicket, surpassing Australia’s Annabel Sutherland. In the same bowling rankings, India’s Renuka Singh moved up 5 places to 36th, and Sri Sarani climbed 19 places to 69th. In the batting rankings, Jemimah Rodrigues advanced 5 places to 9th after scoring 69 runs off 44 balls against Sri Lanka, while vice-captain Smriti Mandhana continued at 3rd position, and Shafali Verma dropped one place to 10th.
Alpine SG Pipers win Global Chess League title
In Mumbai, on December 23, the Global Chess League (3rd edition) final held in Maharashtra concluded with Alpine SG Pipers defeating the defending champions Triveni Continental Kings by 8.5–3.5 to secure the championship, ending the Kings’ bid for a second consecutive title. In the final’s first encounter, the Pipers won 4–2, where Fabiano Caruana lost to Alireza Firouzja, while Anish Giri defeated Wei Yi; matches between R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi, and Hou Yifan and Ju Wenjun, ended in draws, while Nino Batsiashvili and Vincent Keymer secured wins for the Pipers. In the second encounter, the Pipers won 4.5–1.5, with wins by Caruana, Giri, and Praggnanandhaa, another draw between Hou Yifan and Ju Wenjun, and Keymer winning again. In the third-place match, PVG Avaskas Knights defeated Ganges Grandmasters by 7.5–4.5.