दिसंबर 2025 करंट अफेयर्स

Raj Bhavan Renamed 'Lok Bhavan'; Lokayukta Secretariat Logo Unveiled

Governor Haribhau Kishanrao Bagde issued a notification, effective December 1, 2025, renaming Raj Bhavan as 'Lok Bhavan', on the reasoning that the word 'Raj' evoked colonial-era symbolism while democracy places the 'people' (Lok) above all. Separately, on December 24, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas unveiled the logo of the Lokayukta Secretariat, Jaipur.

26th Hornbill Festival

This year's international partners were the UK, France, Ireland and Switzerland. The festival is named after the Hornbill bird, a symbol of bravery, beauty and tradition in Naga folklore.

World AIDS Day 2025

The day is observed every year to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and express solidarity with those affected. The 2025 theme was 'Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response'.

BSF Raising Day 2025 (61st Anniversary)

BSF was established on 1 December 1965 to secure India's borders. It is India's largest border-guarding force, primarily protecting the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders.

Rajasthan Ranks 3rd Nationally in Digital Health Records

A total of 6.366 crore ABHA IDs have been generated in the state so far, with Jaipur, Udaipur and Alwar districts leading the way. ABHA IDs digitally secure and make accessible citizens' health records.

'Karmabhoomi to Matrubhoomi' Campaign: Diaspora Drives Water Conservation

Launched in January 2025 from 11,195 Gram Panchayats across 41 districts, the campaign encourages Non-Resident Rajasthanis to contribute to water conservation and improve groundwater levels in their home regions, inspired by the Government of India's 'Catch the Rain' campaign. It targets roughly 45,000 recharge/water-conservation structures over four years; by December 1, 2025, more than 14,500 structures had been built and 42,081 sites identified via the e-Panchayat mobile app. Monitoring is done through a three-tier structure, including a State Level Committee chaired by the Chief Minister.

Bluebird Block-2: Heaviest Satellite Ever Launched From Indian Soil

ISRO launched this satellite for US company AST SpaceMobile aboard the LVM3-M6 rocket (the sixth operational LVM3 flight) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. Its objective is to provide direct-to-smartphone cellular broadband connectivity without any special hardware. About 15 minutes after launch, the satellite was placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Book: 'Economic Empowerment of Bharat in the Modi Era'

The book is authored by Prof. (Dr.) Sikander Kumar, a Member of Parliament. It analyses various aspects of India's economic empowerment during the Modi government's tenure.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0

This year's theme was 'Let's Learn Tamil - Tamil Karkalam', grounded in the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat'. Programs included teaching Tamil in Varanasi schools, an educational tour for 300 students from the Kashi region to learn Tamil, and the Rishi Agastya Vaahan Abhiyan tracing a civilizational route from Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu to Kashi.

19th Kumbhalgarh Festival Held

Held from December 1-3, the festival was organised jointly by the Rajasthan Tourism Department and the Rajsamand district administration. It serves as a major platform to showcase the state's rich heritage, folk culture and architectural legacy.

Dhruv64: India's First 64-bit Microprocessor

Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), this is India's first 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, designed under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) programme. It is suited for areas like 5G infrastructure, automotive systems, consumer electronics and IoT, marking a major step towards self-reliance in advanced chip design. Following its success, work is now under way on the next-generation 'Dhanush' and 'Dhanush+' processors.

Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2025 Approved

Approved on December 3, 2025, the policy replaces the Rajasthan Tourism Policy 2020 and aims to establish Rajasthan as a leading destination for tourism, art, and culture through sustainable development. It will be implemented via a State Level Committee under the Rajasthan Tourism Board and a Policy Implementation Unit under the Tourism Department.

Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy 2025

Approved by the cabinet on December 3, 2025, the policy seeks to empower the state's retail and wholesale trade by offering e-commerce facilities to small traders and logistics-network support to large entrepreneurs. It targets over 10.5 lakh retail stores and MSMEs in the state and will remain valid until March 31, 2029, under the nodal Industries and Commerce department. Automobile dealers, fuel trade, thin polythene bags, and liquor trade are excluded from its scope.

Non-Resident Rajasthani (NRR) Policy 2025 Approved

Approved on December 3, 2025, the policy aims to engage Non-Resident Rajasthanis in the state's development under the 'Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit', with the Rajasthan Foundation as the nodal agency. It builds global clusters of the Rajasthani diaspora through 6 key initiatives - Apna Vidyalaya, Arogya Bandhan, Apni Anganwadi, Apni Virasat, Hariyalo Pradesh, and Pashu Sarathi - and 5 strategic pillars: Accelerate, Bridge, Celebrate, Drive, and Ensure.

Jaipur's Deepali Sharma wins National Empowerment Award for Persons with Disabilities

The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Deepali was honoured in the Individual Excellence category as the best hearing-impaired artist, for her painting 'Captivity and Cloud', which blends reality with imagination.

Akash-NG Missile System User Trials Completed

Akash-NG has been developed by DRDO and is produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). Its range of 70-80 km is significantly more than the original Akash (25-30 km), and it flies at Mach 2.5+. It can engage 10-30 targets simultaneously, including drones, and prevent saturation attacks.

Major Appointments at the Central Information Commission

In a major reshuffle at the Central Information Commission (CIC), Raj Kumar Goyal was appointed as the 13th Chief Information Commissioner. Eight new Information Commissioners — Surendra Singh Meena, Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Swagat Das, Sudha Rani Relangi, P.R. Ramesh, Khushwant Singh Sethi, Jaya Verma Sinha, and Sanjeev Kumar — were also appointed, joining existing commissioners Anandi Ramalingam and Vinod Kumar Tiwari.

National Awards for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities 2025

Awards spanned two categories — Individual Excellence (such as Best Person with Disability, Best Rehabilitation Professional) and Institutional Excellence (such as Inclusive Education, Accessible India Campaign). The Best District award under the Accessible India Campaign went to Lunglei district, Mizoram, while the Best Commissioner award for implementation of the RPwD Act 2016 went to Odisha.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025

The day is observed to raise awareness about the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities and to promote inclusive societies. The 2025 theme was 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress'.

Operation Sagar Bandhu: India's Cyclone Relief for Sri Lanka

India launched the humanitarian assistance operation 'Sagar Bandhu' for Cyclone Ditwa-hit Sri Lanka. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced $450 million in assistance during his visit — a $350 million concessional line of credit and a $100 million grant.

Rajasthan Honour of Dead Bodies Rules, 2025 Notified

The 'Rajasthan Honour of Dead Bodies Rules, 2025' were notified on December 4, 2025, to ensure dignified handling of dead bodies. Key penal provisions include up to 1 year imprisonment/fine for not taking a body into possession, up to 2 years for relatives protesting with a body, 6 months to 5 years for others protesting with a body, and 3 to 10 years for misuse of data related to unclaimed bodies.

K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Successfully Tested

K-4, or 'Kalam-4', is a nuclear-powered, medium-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a range of about 3,500 km. It is a crucial part of India's nuclear triad, giving the country a credible second-strike capability from under the sea. INS Arighat is the second submarine of the Arihant class.

RBI's National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025-30

The strategy aims to ensure last-mile access to financial services and improve their utilisation, quality and sustainability. Under 'Panch-Jyoti', five goals have been set, centred on families, women, micro-enterprises and marginalised groups.

Indian Navy Day 2025 (Celebrations in Kerala)

The day commemorates the Indian Navy's decisive success during 'Operation Trident' on Karachi harbour in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.

Pt. Madhukar Gaur Sahitya Samman 2025 for Sangram Singh Sodha

Sangram Singh Sodha, a resident of Sachiyapura in Bikaner's Bajju area, received the award for his long literary career and research contribution to the Rajasthani language. His notable works include Shiksha Ki Saarvabhaumikta, Saina Hundi Seekh, and Kirtiyan Samhi Kotri.

Three Key Administrative Appointments in Rajasthan

Professor Madan Mohan Jha was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur, while internationally recognised maize scientist Dr. Rajendra Babu Dubey was made Vice-Chancellor of Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultural University, Bikaner. Separately, Rajsamand's District and Sessions Judge Raghavendra Kachhwal was appointed Principal Secretary of the Law and Legal Affairs department.

5th Harimau Shakti military exercise begins in Bikaner

The exercise involved the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army and the 25th Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Army. Its objective is to jointly rehearse sub-conventional counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.

Dark Eagle: US Army's Hypersonic Missile System

Dark Eagle has been jointly developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. It has a range of 2,735 km and a peak speed of Mach 17. Powered by a solid-fuelled two-stage rocket booster, it reaches the edge of space and flies largely outside the reach of enemy defence systems before descending on its target.

India's Revised Seismic Zone Map Released

The new map, built on the Probabilistic Earthquake Hazard Assessment (PEHA) model, classifies India's landmass into five seismic zones — from the newly added, most severe Zone VI (covering the entire Himalayan arc from J&K/Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh) to the least susceptible Zone II. It governs the planning, design, and construction of new buildings and structures across the country.

Book: 'Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti'

The book focuses on the life, thoughts, and legacy of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Author Vasudev Devnani currently serves as the Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.

Monetary Policy Committee: Repo Rate Cut, GDP Growth Forecast Raised

The repo rate is the rate at which RBI lends short-term funds to banks; a cut makes borrowing cheaper for banks and is expected to boost credit flow in the economy. The upward revision in the GDP growth forecast reflects strengthening confidence in the economy and improving domestic demand.

Rajasthan Athletes Notch Notable Firsts

Jaipur's Samyak Singhal was part of the Indian team that won bronze at the Special Olympics Unified Basketball 3x3 World Cup in San Juan, Puerto Rico (December 3-7). Meanwhile, Jodhpur's Sanskar Saraswat claimed his first Super-100 title at the Guwahati Badminton Masters, beating India's Mithun Manjunath in the final.

Putin's India Visit and the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit

The December 4-5, 2025 visit featured the 23rd Annual Summit at Hyderabad House, where the two sides set a $100 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 and agreed on cooperation in energy, nuclear power, defence, space and emerging technologies. Connectivity projects such as the Northern Sea Route, INSTC and the Chennai-Vladivostok corridor were also discussed. Russia decided to join the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), announced a 30-day free e-visa for Russian citizens, and approved the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement.

IFFCO Sahitya Samman, Biometrics and Space Apps Challenge Winners

The Shrilal Shukla Smriti IFFCO Sahitya Award recognises outstanding writing on rural and agricultural life; Hindi writer Maitreyi Pushpa won the main honour while young writer Ankita Jain received the Yuva Sahitya Samman. In UIDAI's Biometrics SDK Benchmarking Challenge for fingerprint-matching solutions, Lithuania's Neurotechnology placed first and Slovakia's Innovatrix second. In NASA's International Space Apps Challenge, Indian team 'Photonics Odyssey' won the Satellite Internet Concept category.

Rajasthan Among Top 5 States in India Tourism Compendium Report 2025

According to the Union Tourism Ministry's report, based on 2024-25 data, Rajasthan attracted 23 crore domestic and 20 lakh foreign tourists in 2024, accounting for 7.8% and 9.90% of the country's respective shares. The ASI-protected Abhaneri Stepwell in Dausa was also ranked among the top 5 major monuments nationally, drawing 1.16 lakh tourists in 2024.

Gang Canal Centenary and Firozpur Feeder Reconstruction

The centenary of the Gang Canal, established by Maharaja Ganga Singh on December 5, 1925, was celebrated at Sadhuvasi, Sri Ganganagar on December 5. Around the same time, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma laid the foundation stone for reconstructing the Firozpur Feeder, aimed at diverting excess water from the Harike Barrage for irrigation and drinking water. The ₹647.62 crore project will benefit farmers across 3.14 lakh hectares in Rajasthan and Punjab.

World Soil Day 2025

The day is observed to raise awareness of the importance of soil health and promote sustainable soil management. The 2025 theme was 'Healthy soils for Healthy cities'.

Host Nations and Venues Confirmed for Major Upcoming Tournaments

Multiple upcoming sporting events were in focus: the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico; the AFC Under-17 Asia Cup 2026 will be held in Saudi Arabia; and the ICC Men's Under-19 World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia. Jammu and Kashmir is also set to host the first international Indian-style wrestling (Dangal) event for the Rustom-e-Jammu Kashmir title.

Dr. Kriti Bharti wins International Women of Courage Award 2025

Dr. Kriti Bharti, founder of Sarathi Trust, received the honour at the 15th International Human Rights Summit 2025 held in New Delhi. She was recognised for her long-standing efforts in preventing child marriage and rehabilitating victims in rural Rajasthan.

WhAP 8x8: Tata's Indigenous Armoured Vehicle Exported to Morocco

WhAP stands for 'Wheeled Armoured Amphibious Platform'. It is an indigenously developed Indian armoured vehicle, jointly manufactured by DRDO and Tata Advanced Systems, capable of operating on both land and water (amphibious). Its supply to Morocco boosts India's defence exports.

Ravi Ranjan Named SBI MD; Sangeeta Barua Becomes First Woman President of Press Club of India

Ravi Ranjan, previously Deputy Managing Director at the State Bank of India, was elevated to Managing Director. In the same month, Sangeeta Barua made history as the first woman elected President of the Press Club of India (established December 20, 1957, HQ New Delhi, first President Durga Das), having earlier been elected Vice President in PCI's 2024 elections.

New Unified Logo for Regional Rural Banks: 'OneRRBOneLogo'

There are currently 28 Regional Rural Banks operating in the country. Earlier, the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, had integrated 26 RRBs across 11 states/UTs effective May 1, 2025; the new shared logo is the next step towards a unified and stronger brand identity for these banks.

Two Indian Wetlands Added to the Ramsar List

Kopra Reservoir is Chhattisgarh's first Ramsar site, a backwater wetland in the upper Mahanadi river catchment, notable for species like the Greater Spotted Eagle and Egyptian Vulture. The announcement further strengthens India's network of wetlands of international importance.

Mahaparinirvan Diwas 2025

The day commemorates the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Tribute programmes are held across the country, especially at the Chaityabhoomi memorial in Mumbai.

India Debuts at Asian Equestrian Championship with Historic Medal Haul

The 2nd Asian Equestrian Championship 2025 was held in Pattaya, Thailand, organised by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). Competing for the first time, India won 5 medals to finish 3rd, behind host Thailand. Ashish Limaye won India's individual gold, while Shruti Vora contributed three silver medals across individual and team dressage events.

Rajasthan: 100% Voter List Digitisation and Progress in Sabhasar Initiative

Under the Special Intensive Revision 2026 (SIR) programme, Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan announced on December 6, 2025 that Rajasthan had achieved 100% digitisation of its voter list, with voter mapping at 97% completion. Separately, under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj's AI-based 'Sabhasar' initiative - which auto-generates minutes of Gram Panchayat/Gram Sabha meetings - Rajasthan ranks 14th nationally, with about 1,500 Gram Panchayats using the tool.

India's Wildfire Resolution Adopted at UNEA-7 in Nairobi

At the 7th UN Environment Assembly session in Nairobi, Kenya, India's resolution on wildfire management was adopted, aiming to strengthen the Global Fire Management Hub's international cooperation, regional/global collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity building, support for national action plans, and financial access.

'Anjdeep' Ship Commissioned Into Indian Navy

This is the third ship in the series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. At about 77 metres, it is India's largest naval warship powered by waterjets, with more than 80% indigenous components. It is named after Anjdeep Island off the Karwar coast in Karnataka.

12-Year-Old Ojaswini Saraswat Becomes Youngest Golf Champion

Ojaswini Saraswat, a member of Rambagh Golf Club, Jaipur, won both the overall championship and the Gold Category title at the DGC Ladies Open Amateur Golf Championship. At just 12, she became the tournament's youngest-ever champion, and her name was entered in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Armed Forces Flag Day 2025

The day is observed to raise funds for the welfare of martyred and disabled soldiers of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and their families, through public flag donations across the country.

C-DOT Wins Two IEEE Standards Association Awards

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) gave C-DOT the 'IEEE-SA Corporate Award 2025' for pioneering contributions to wireless broadband, rural 5G, and telecom-education standards — making C-DOT the 5th institution globally, and the first from India, to receive this award. Separately, C-DOT scientist Sandeep Kumar Agarwal received the 'IEEE-SA Standards Medallion 2025' for leadership and innovation in rural broadband standards.

Sunil Sharma Appointed Rajasthan's New State Information Commissioner

The Governor issued the appointment order for Sunil Sharma on December 8, 2025, with a tenure of three years or until he turns 65, whichever comes first. He was administered the oath of office on December 10 by Chief Information Commissioner (former DGP) ML Lather.

SHANTI Bill 2025: Landmark Nuclear Energy Reform

The Bill aims to open the hitherto government-monopoly nuclear energy sector to Indian private companies through joint ventures with the government. It gives statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to strengthen oversight, and introduces a no-fault liability regime after removing the operator's earlier 'right to recourse' against suppliers, to attract private and foreign investment. New redressal bodies, including an advisory council and a claims commission, will also be set up.

Five Rajasthan districts to get High-Tech Cyber Fusion Centers

These centres aim to ensure a prompt, technology-driven and coordinated response to cybercrime. In Rajasthan, the selected districts are Bhiwadi, Alwar, Khairthal-Tijara (Bhartrihari Nagar), Deeg (Braj Nagar) and Sawai Madhopur.

INAS 335 'The Osprey': Navy's Second MH-60R Squadron

Also known as 'The Ospreys', the squadron aims to enhance the Navy's anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities and support search-and-rescue and medical evacuation tasks. It includes the world's most advanced MH-60R 'Seahawk' helicopters, capable of operating day and night in all weather conditions.

Book: 'Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood'

The book is authored by Mohan Basu and is based on the life and film career of leading Bollywood actor Salman Khan.

December 2025 Global Geopolitical Flashpoints

Israeli Army Chief Lt. General Eyal Zamir declared the 'Yellow Line' drawn in Gaza on December 8 as a new border, while Israel became the first country to recognise Somaliland — a region that seceded from Somalia — as an independent nation. Around the same time, Sudan offered Russia a 25-year naval base near the Red Sea, its first in Africa, which could significantly affect trade-route security and great-power competition on the continent. Separately, a coup attempt against Benin's President Patrice Talon in Cotonou was thwarted with Nigerian military assistance.

Morocco Wins FIFA Arab Cup; Dembele and Bonmati Named Best FIFA Footballers

At the 11th FIFA Arab Cup hosted by Qatar, Morocco beat Jordan in the final at Lusail Stadium. Separately, France's Ousmane Dembele and Spain's Aitana Bonmati won the men's and women's Best FIFA Football Awards for 2025. In athletics, Sweden's Armand Duplantis (pole vault) and USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were named World Athletes of the Year.

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve: Third Cheetah Habitat

This will be the third cheetah habitat after Kuno National Park (Sheopur) and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary (Mandsaur). Project Cheetah, launched in 2022 under Project Tiger, aims to reintroduce African cheetahs to India. Eight cheetahs came from Namibia in 2022 and 12 from South Africa in 2023, and during President Droupadi Murmu's recent visit to Botswana, that country announced it would provide 8 more cheetahs.

India's First 'Table-Top Red Marking' on a Highway

It is a 5mm-thick hot thermoplastic red surface layer designed to improve road safety and reduce wildlife-related accidents by alerting drivers that they are entering a wildlife-sensitive zone. The design has been adopted from Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road model.

President confers Rajasthan Shilpguru and National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 & 2024

In a ceremony organised by the Ministry of Textiles, artisans from Jaipur, Jodhpur and other parts of Rajasthan were honoured for their contribution in jewellery, textiles, metal craft, meenakari and terracotta. Kamlesh Sharma received the top-tier Shilpguru Award for her Tarkashi woodwork.

ICGS 'Amulya': Coast Guard's New Patrol Vessel

'Amulya' is the third vessel in the series of eight new-generation 'Adamya' class Fast Patrol Vessels, built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). This 51-metre vessel has over 60% indigenous components, a top speed of 27 knots, and an operational range of 1,500 nautical miles. It will be deployed at Paradip, Odisha, to strengthen security of India's eastern coast.

Gujarat Regains 'Tiger State' Status After 33 Years

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) announced that Gujarat will now be included in the 2026 National Tiger Census. With this, Gujarat became the first state in India to be home to all three major big-cat species — the Asiatic lion, leopard, and tiger.

CoalSETU Policy and Other Key Coal/Mining Sector Updates

Under the CoalSETU (Coal Linkage for Seamless Efficient & Transparent Utilisation) policy, long-term coal linkage for any industrial use or export will now be allocated via auction; it is a new window under the 2016 Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy, excluding coking coal. Around the same time, Numaligarh Refinery Limited (Assam) became the 27th CPSE to get Navratna status, and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, with Coal India, NCL and ECL, launched India's first VR-based coal mining safety simulator.

India Finishes 2nd at ISSF World Cup Final in Doha

The ISSF World Cup Final was held in Doha from December 4-9, 2025. India won 6 medals (2 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze) to finish 2nd behind China (4 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze). Gold medallists were Simranpreet Kaur Barar (women's 25m pistol) and Suruchi Singh (10m air pistol).

National Handicrafts Awards 2023-2024

The Shilp Guru Award, the highest honour for senior master craftsmen, went to 12 winners with a cash prize of Rs 3.50 lakh each. The 36 National Handicrafts Award winners included a Design & Innovation category, carrying Rs 3 lakh split between designer and craftsman, while the general category carried Rs 2 lakh.

International Anti-Corruption Day 2025

The day is observed to raise awareness against corruption and highlight the role of the UN Convention against Corruption. The 2025 theme was 'United with youth against corruption: Shaping tomorrow's integrity'.

Supriya Sahu Wins UN's Champions of the Earth Award

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) presented the award to Supriya Sahu at a ceremony in Nairobi; it is considered the UN's highest environmental honour, recognising her administrative contributions to environmental conservation.

World Record Painting Event at Gagron Fort; Jhalawar's Panch-Gaurav

More than 5,000 students took part in the event at Gagron Fort on December 10, 2025, which was recorded in the World Book of Records, London. Under the state government's Panch-Gaurav Yojana (Five Glories Scheme for heritage, culture and tourism), Jhalawar district's five glories are: one crop - orange, one species - teak, one product - Kota stone products, one tourist destination - Gagron Fort, and one sport - basketball.

Rajasthan Police Academy Gets 'Excellent Institution' Status

A Capacity Building Commission (CBC) team visited the academy on December 9-10, 2025, evaluating it against 8 key pillars and 43 rigorous standards, and found it excellent. It became the first state police academy in the country to receive this honour and ranks among the top five training institutions nationally. RPA was also the first in the country to start a training course on the new criminal laws (effective July 1, 2024).

Rajasthan tops 19th National Scout Guide Jamboree

At this national jamboree held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan secured first place in both the Scout and Guide wings individually, as well as first place for the combined performance of both wings. The Rajasthan contingent was awarded the jamboree's highest honour, the Chief National Commissioner Flag and Shield.

India Hosts UNESCO's 20th ICH Session; Diwali Gets Global Recognition

Held in New Delhi from December 8-13, 2025, the session marked 20 years since India ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention, presided over by Vishal V. Sharma, India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO. On December 10, 2025, UNESCO declared Diwali an Intangible Cultural Heritage element — India's 16th such listing, joining earlier entries like Rajasthan's Kalbelia folk songs and dances (listed since 2010).

PM-YUVA Scheme Phase 3: 43 Young Authors Selected

The scheme is implemented by the National Book Trust under the Ministry of Education and promotes inclusive literary development across Indian languages. This phase's themes include the Indian diaspora's contribution to nation-building, Indian Knowledge Systems, and Architects of Modern India.

DSC A20: Navy's First Diving Support Craft Commissioned

This is the first of five Diving Support Crafts (DSC), indigenously built by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited, Kolkata. Its hydrodynamic analysis and model testing were carried out at the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam. It is a catamaran-hulled ship with a displacement of about 390 tonnes.

Sarika Yadav Scripts History With Third Straight Medal

At the All India Civil Services Athletics competition held in Patna, Bihar, Sarika Yadav won bronze in the long jump. A Physical Education Teacher at a government school in Hirapath, Mansarovar, she became the first player from the state to win a medal in this competition three consecutive times.

New Domestic Policies in France, Britain and Austria

French President Macron announced a new voluntary military service programme starting summer 2026, initially enrolling 3,000 participants aged 19 and scaling to 10,000 by 2030, over a 10-month service period aimed at strengthening national preparedness amid growing crises. Britain will launch a paid 'Gap Year' scheme via its Ministry of Defence from March 2026, giving young people a year to train or work in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Meanwhile, Austria's parliament banned headscarves for girls under 14 in schools.

Rajasthan's Dairy Sector Annual Turnover Reaches ₹10,000 Crore

All 24 milk units in the state are now profitable, with annual profits rising by around 44%. RCDF, Jaipur was selected in all three categories of the 'Gopal Ratna Award' for outstanding dairy performance, and a ₹1,000 crore infrastructure fund has been set up to raise milk processing capacity by 70 lakh litres. The Narwa and Bassi semen stations are also being upgraded under the 'National Gokul Mission' to produce 1 lakh sex-sorted semen doses annually.

Bharat-WiN Portal and 'Sujalam Bharat' App Launched

The Bharat-WiN Portal was launched alongside the Jal Shakti Hackathon-2025, aimed at finding practical, scalable, field-based solutions for grassroots water challenges. The 'Sujalam Bharat' App, developed by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), manages rural water-supply infrastructure under the Jal Jeevan Mission, assigning each scheme/service area a unique 'Sujal Village ID'.

Human Rights Day 2025

The day commemorates the UN General Assembly's proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 10 December 1948. The 2025 theme was 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'.

India Sets 2036/2047 Sporting Targets Amid Doping Concerns

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya stated India aims to be among the top-10 sporting nations by 2036 and top-5 by 2047. This came even as WADA's 2024 testing report showed India recorded the highest number of anti-doping rule violations for the third straight year (260 positive cases in 2024, up from 213 in 2023). On a positive note, Bihar posted List-A cricket's highest-ever team total (574/6 in 50 overs against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy), and the Archery Premier League won the Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year award at the India Sports Awards 2025. Maharashtra also launched 'Project Mahadeva' at Wankhede Stadium to scout football talent under age 13.

1st Pravasi Rajasthani Divas 2025 Held in Jaipur

Organised on December 10, 2025 by the Rajasthan Foundation, BIP, RIICO, and industry partner CII, the event announced formation of a new Department of National and International Non-Resident Rajasthani Affairs and expansion of the Rajasthan Foundation with 14 new chapters (including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Kerala in India, and South Africa, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Canada abroad), taking the total to 40 chapters. The event saw groundbreaking MoUs worth ₹1 lakh crore, including plans for the country's largest fertiliser factory in Rajasthan, and honoured 9 prominent non-resident business figures with the 'Pravasi Rajasthani Samman'.

'Samudra Pratap': Coast Guard's First Indigenous Pollution Control Vessel

Built by Goa Shipyard Limited, this 114.5-metre vessel with a displacement of 4,170 tonnes has Dynamic Positioning (DP-1) capability and FiFi-2/FFV-2 certification. It is equipped with advanced oil-fingerprinting machines and chemical detectors to identify oil spills and can separate oil from contaminated water.

Book: 'Kashmir in the Line of Fire'

The book is authored by Major General Ranjan Mahajan and is based on the security situation and military experiences in Jammu & Kashmir.

Jaipur's Dr. Apoorva Tak develops 'Apoorva App' for cancer patients

The app improves communication between doctors and patients and enables continuous tracking of a patient's condition during treatment. Dr. Tak was the only doctor representing India at the International Gynecological Cancer Society's Global Summit held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Global Infrastructure and Trade Headlines, December 2025

Riyadh's metro line in Saudi Arabia's capital was declared the world's longest driverless rail network — 176 km long with 85 stations. Kuwait signed an agreement with China for construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Bubiyan Island, part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Meanwhile, Mexico imposed import duties of 5% to 50% on goods from 'non-preferential trading partners', including India, to protect domestic industry.

Cricket and Chess Records Tumble in December 2025

Virat Kohli broke Sachin Tendulkar's List-A record by reaching 16,000 runs in just 330 innings (Sachin took 391). Teenager Vaibhav Suryavanshi scored the fastest 150 in men's cricket (59 balls), breaking AB de Villiers's record, and became the youngest centurion in world List-A cricket. Deepti Sharma became the first cricketer ever to complete 1000 runs and 150 wickets in T20s, while Madhya Pradesh's Sarwagya Kushwaha, aged just 3 years 7 months, became the world's youngest FIDE Rapid-rated chess player, and Bhutan's Sonam Yashey took a record eight wickets in a T20 match.

Udbhav 2025, Indian Languages Festival and Sansad Khel Mahotsav

'Udbhav 2025', the 6th National EMRS Cultural, Literary and Art Festival (December 3-5, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh), saw over 1,600 students from 405 Eklavya Model Residential Schools participate, with Telangana as overall champion. The Indian Languages Festival was organised by the Ministry of Education on the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharati (December 11) with the theme 'Many Languages, One Emotion'. Sansad Khel Mahotsav 2025 (September 21-December 25) honoured grassroots sporting talent from Gram Panchayat to Parliamentary Constituency level under the Fit India Movement.

Siliserh Lake, Alwar Declared a Ramsar Site

Siliserh Lake was given Ramsar Site status on December 12, 2025, becoming India's 96th and Rajasthan's 5th Ramsar Site. Located near Sariska Tiger Reserve, the lake supports rich biodiversity and is home to more than 100 bird species.

Udaipur's Manasvi Agarwal Hoists Tricolour on Vinson Massif

On December 12, 2025, Manasvi Agarwal hoisted the Indian flag atop Vinson Massif (4,892 metres), the highest peak of the Antarctic continent, achieving a historic feat. She became the first Rajasthani woman to accomplish this.

Rajasthan Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025

Approved by the Cabinet on December 3, 2025, and notified in the Gazette on December 12, the Ordinance is based on the Government of India's Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 and follows the principle of 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance'. It amends 11 state laws to decriminalise minor offences, improve Ease of Doing Business, and reduce unnecessary criminal burden in areas like forests, municipal bodies, agriculture, labour, and industry. For example, grazing cattle on forest land earlier attracted up to 6 months imprisonment or a ₹500 fine; now only a ₹500 fine applies.

International Universal Health Coverage Day 2025

The day is observed to highlight the need for affordable and accessible healthcare for all. The 2025 theme was 'Unaffordable health costs? We're sick of it!'.

SEBI Approves Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT)

The InvIT aims to raise funds from national highway assets, giving retail investors a direct route to invest in infrastructure. It will be operated by a dedicated Investment Managers company, set up as a joint venture with equity participation from leading banks and financial institutions.

Innovation Day Startups Conclave marks two years of the Rajasthan government

The event saw the launch of the AVGC-XR Policy (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality) along with the announcement of a new Cyber Security Simulation Lab. For citizen safety, 294 new B2C services were launched on the e-Mitra portal, and it was announced that 10,609 cameras had been installed for security and surveillance.

INS Aridhaman: Third Arihant-Class Nuclear Submarine

Built at the Shipbuilding Centre, Visakhapatnam, under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Project, it is the third SSBN (nuclear-powered ballistic submarine) of the Arihant class — an upgraded version over INS Arihant and INS Arighat, built with over 90% indigenous technology.

Sanchar Saathi Initiative and National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA)

The 'Sanchar Saathi' initiative, run by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), verifies mobile handset authenticity via IMEI number to prevent cyber fraud and misuse of telecom resources. NeVA is a mission-mode project under Digital India aiming to digitise all 37 State/UT Legislatures; 28 legislatures have signed MoUs so far, with 20 having become fully digital houses.

Rajasthan launches 'Legal Officer' portal

Launched by the Law and Legal Affairs Department, the portal aims to ensure effective and secure management and transfer of personnel-related data. It will also simplify and bring transparency to correspondence between departments and staff.

INSV Kaundinya's Voyage to Muscat

INSV Kaundinya is a traditionally built sailing vessel showcasing ancient Indian maritime navigation techniques and seafaring trade heritage. This voyage is part of efforts to revive India's maritime legacy and its ancient trade links with the Arab world.

Economy One-Liners (Part 1): Corporate Bonds, ADB Loans & Aviation Market

The NITI Aayog report focuses on deepening the corporate bond market as an alternative to bank credit for companies. India signed five loan agreements with the ADB, including projects supporting the PM's Skill and Employment Transformation programme (upgraded ITIs) and accelerating affordable rooftop solar systems. Meanwhile, India's aircraft fleet grew from 395 in 2014 to 844 in 2025, making it the world's third largest domestic aviation market.

India's Best-Ever Campaign at 5th Asian Youth Para Games

The 5th Asian Youth Para Games were held in Dubai, UAE from December 7-14, 2025, with mascot Foxy, and saw over 1000 athletes aged 13-21 compete across 11 sports. India won 102 medals (36 gold, 28 silver, 38 bronze) — its most successful campaign ever — with 48 medals coming from athletics alone, finishing 7th overall. Uzbekistan topped the table with 197 medals.

World Leadership Changes: Bangladesh, Chile and Interpol

Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away recently. In Chile, right-wing Republican Party candidate Jose Antonio Kast won a landslide victory in the presidential run-off to become the new President. Separately, Frenchman Lucas Philippe was appointed the new President of Interpol.

National Judicial Conference Held in Jaisalmer

Held on December 13-14, the conference aimed to assess the impact of technology on the justice system and discuss cyber challenges. It was jointly organised by the National Judicial Academy Bhopal, the Rajasthan State Judicial Academy Jodhpur, and the Rajasthan High Court, under the theme 'Advancing the Rule of Law through Technology'.

Statue of 1971 War Hero Balwant Singh Chauhan Unveiled in Barmer

Unveiled on December 13, the statue commemorates his role in the 'Chhachro Mission', where he helped the 10 Para Special Force navigate difficult terrain by providing crucial information and logistical support, ensuring the mission's success.

National Energy Conservation Day 2025

The day is observed every year by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, to promote awareness of energy efficiency and conservation.

December 2025: Four Rajasthan personalities honoured with national professional awards

Prof. Neelima Gupta of the University of Rajasthan received the SMC-Mentor Award for her contribution to science education, while transport official Dr. Virendra Singh Rathore won the IIMM President's Appreciation Award for excellence in road-safety management. Dhirendra Madan of the Mahima Group received the IGBC Fellowship Award for promoting the green building movement, and AIIMS Jodhpur nursing officer Meenu Yadav won the IAPC's Gold Medal for Nurses for topping a rigorous national examination.

Michaelangelo Dome: Italy's Multi-Domain Air Defence System

Developed by defence company Leonardo, it uses AI-based predictive analytics and integrates surveillance data from air, land, sea and space to create a real-time operational picture. It is expected to be fully operational by 2030.

Indian Army Receives Final Batch of AH-64E Apache Helicopters

Also known as 'Apache Guardian', it is manufactured by Boeing Defense. It is equipped with an advanced sensor and targeting suite capable of precise target detection in all weather and conditions.

Book: 'Bharat: That is India'

The book is authored by Abhijit Jog and focuses on India's civilizational identity and national character.

47th All India Public Relations Conference Held in Dehradun

Held from December 13-15, 2025, under the theme 'Empowering Development, Preserving Roots - Public Relations Vision for 2047', the conference saw two PRSI National Awards 2025 go to the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) — for its 'Har Ghar Sangrahalaya Initiative' (Best Use of Social Media) and its 'Waste to Art' publication.

2nd EARTH Summit 2025: NABARD Launches 'Sahakar Sarathi' Platform

Organised by NABARD along with the Ministry of Cooperation, the summit aimed to give rural India a new economic direction and empower the cooperative sector. The 'Sahakar Sarathi' platform launched during the event is an umbrella system integrating state, district, agricultural, and urban cooperative banks to digitise rural banking.

India Wins Maiden Squash World Cup Title

Chennai hosted the 5th Squash World Cup from December 9-14, 2025, marking India's third consecutive turn as host. India beat Hong Kong, China in the final to become the first Asian nation and only the fourth country in the world to lift the title. The winning squad included Joshna Chinnappa, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthil Kumar and Anahat Singh.

National Energy Conservation Awards 2025

Under the institutional State Performance Awards, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Assam and Chandigarh took first place in their respective groups. In the Building category, an Engineering College in Bikaner, Rajasthan received the second Certificate of Merit for colleges/universities, while the Transport category honoured Miana Guna railway station (Madhya Pradesh) and DMRC's East Vinod Nagar metro station, Delhi.

Space, Science and War-History Milestones: December 2025

German engineer Michaela Bethos became the world's first wheelchair user to travel to space, taking a 10-minute flight aboard a Blue Origin rocket. The US Senate confirmed businessman and private astronaut Jared Isaacman (founder of payments company Shift4) as the next head of NASA. Separately, US Navy WWII veteran Ira Ike Schab, a survivor of the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, passed away recently at age 105.

Operations Hawkeye, Thunder, and the Hanukkah Attack

After an ISIS attack in Palmyra, Syria on December 13 killed two American soldiers and a military interpreter, the US conducted retaliatory airstrikes on ISIS positions in Syria, named 'Operation Hawkeye'. Under 'Operation Thunder', a global anti-wildlife-trafficking campaign by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO), 2025 operations across 134 countries rescued about 30,000 live animals and led to over 1,100 arrests. Separately, on the first night of the Jewish 'Festival of Lights', Hanukkah (December 14-22), a horrific attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia killed around 12 people.

CSIR Launches 'Smart Village' Mission at Sawaipura, Pali

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has selected Sawaipura village in Pali district for a mission-mode Smart Village project, with CSIR-CBRI (Central Building Research Institute), Roorkee as the nodal laboratory. The project aims to integrate climate-resilience, livelihood-oriented, and digital/AI-enabled solutions in line with the 'Developed India @2047' vision.

Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling on Great Indian Bustard Conservation

In M.K. Ranjitsinh & Others vs Union of India, the Supreme Court held that CSR spending on environmental protection by companies is a Constitutional duty under Article 51A(g), not voluntary philanthropy. It revised the primary GIB conservation area to 14,013 sq km in Rajasthan and 740 sq km in Gujarat, banning new large wind/solar projects and high-tension overhead lines in the zone while ordering existing lines to be undergrounded or rerouted.

RBI Retains D-SIB List, Approves Risk-Based Deposit Insurance Framework

D-SIBs are banks whose failure could significantly impact the entire financial system or economy, and are therefore subject to additional supervision and capital requirements. Separately, RBI's Central Board approved replacing the existing flat-rate premium deposit insurance scheme with a Risk-Based Premium model, effective from FY 2026-27.

New BIS seismic map places Jaipur, Alwar, Bhiwadi in high-risk Zone 4

Prepared using the 'Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment Model', the map moves Jaipur, Alwar and Bhiwadi from Zone 2 to the high-risk Zone 4, where earthquakes of 5-6 on the Richter scale are anticipated. Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Dausa, Udaipur, Dungarpur, and parts of Sirohi fall under the moderate-risk Zone 3.

'Vijay Diwas At Home': Ekam AI and 'SAMBHAV' System Showcased

Ekam AI is a fully indigenous, secure artificial intelligence platform developed by the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence's IDEX-ADITI 2.0 scheme, aiding information analysis and decision-making without relying on foreign software or cloud systems. SAMBHAV (Secure Army Mobile Bharat Version) is a portable satellite-based communication system that can be rapidly deployed in remote or disaster-hit areas.

Rajasthan Athletes Shine Across Multiple Events, December 2025

At the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, Jaipur's Vanshika Grewal won boxing bronze, Sikar's Khwaish Sharma won rifle shooting silver, and Jodhpur's Yogyasingh won silver and bronze in swimming, while Rajasthan University's women's 25m Sports Pistol team won silver. Elsewhere, Rohit Kumawat (archery silver), Tulip Ojha (taekwondo gold), Gautam Parik (two para-shooting medals), Gaurav Sahu (three powerlifting medals), Shiksha Jain (golf title) and Manisha-Chandni Prajapat (powerlifting bronze) also brought laurels to the state. Additionally, three Rajasthan players were nominated for the 2025 Arjuna Award, the state's team finished runner-up at the 37th Federation Cup Handball Championship, and the Rajasthan Accounts Service team won gold in cricket's first-ever inclusion at the 11th CS Challenger Trophy.

PM Modi's First Bilateral Visit to Jordan

PM Modi arrived in Amman on December 15, 2025, welcomed by Jordanian PM Dr. Jafar Hassan, and held bilateral talks with King Abdullah II. The two countries signed agreements on renewable energy, water resource management, Petra-Ellora heritage-site twinning and digital-payments cooperation. The PM proposed raising bilateral trade to $5 billion within five years and linking Jordan's digital payment system with India's UPI.

Sports Stars in the Commercial Spotlight and Cricket Bids Farewell

Australia's Cameron Green was bought for ₹25.20 crore at the IPL 2026 auction, the most expensive overseas signing in IPL history. Harmanpreet Kaur was named Punjab National Bank's first female brand ambassador, Cristiano Ronaldo was signed as Perplexity AI's brand ambassador, and Lionel Messi's 'G.O.A.T. India Tour' drew huge crowds across four cities, including the unveiling of a 70-foot statue in Kolkata. Separately, former New Zealand cricketer Doug Bracewell announced his retirement from international cricket, and former England cricketer Hugh Morris passed away at age 62.

Divya Kala Mela and Saras Aajeevika Food Festival

Divya Kala Mela 2025 (December 13-21) was organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The Saras Aajeevika Food Festival was organised by the National Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD-PR) with Kudumbashree, aimed at giving market access to SHG women, including 'Lakhpati Didis', under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Taj Lake Palace Udaipur Tops Michelin Guide Ranking

The recognition underscores the global standing of Rajasthan's heritage tourism and world-class hospitality. Taj Lake Palace is a historic palace-hotel located in the middle of Lake Pichola, renowned for its architecture and service.

Important Agreements of Rajasthan, December 2025

The largest agreement was a ₹60,000 crore MoU between the state government and an NRI investor to develop Jodhpur into an 'IT Technocity' on the lines of Dubai. The Energy Department signed an agreement with the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) to make the state a leader in energy storage and renewable energy management, with the Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation as the nodal agency. The state also partnered with FICCI to organise the Global Rajasthan Agritech Meet in March 2026 at JECC Sitapura. Additionally, Rajeevika signed agreements with a private edutech company and the Manjari Foundation to train women and promote rural micro-enterprises, and a ₹130 crore CSR agreement for water conservation was signed at the Water Secure Rajasthan Conference.

World's first Ayurveda Centre of Excellence at National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur

The institute, established in 1845 and granted 'Denovo' University status in 2020, will undertake DNA barcoding, genome sequencing, and quality testing of medicinal plants. The goal is to transform 'faith-based medicine' into 'evidence-based medicine', supported by a new DNA bank being built at a cost of ₹9.32 crore.

India-Israel Heron Mark-II Drone Deal

It is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It will be inducted into all three Indian armed forces and can fly for up to 45 hours at an altitude of 35,000 feet.

PM Modi's First Bilateral Visit to Ethiopia

The December 16-17, 2025 visit produced agreements on enhancing the strategic partnership, customs cooperation, a data centre at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UN peacekeeping training cooperation, and debt restructuring for Ethiopia under the G20 Common Framework. India also pledged to double ICCR scholarships for Ethiopian scholars, offer ITEC AI courses, and help upgrade a hospital's maternal-newborn healthcare capacity in Addis Ababa. The two nations' trade ties trace back over 2,000 years to the Aksumite Empire era, when Indian merchants traded silk and spices for gold and ivory via the ancient port of Adulis.

Jharkhand Wins Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy; India Announces T20 World Cup 2026 Squad

The 18th Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, involving 38 teams, concluded with Jharkhand beating Haryana in the final at Pune; Ishan Kishan was named Player of the Match and Anukul Roy Player of the Series. Separately, BCCI announced its 15-member squad for the 10th ICC Men's T20 World Cup (Feb 7-March 8, 2026, in India and Sri Lanka), with Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Axar Patel as vice-captain.

Major Science and Defence Events of December 2025

The 'AI Regional Conference for Good Governance' was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and IT and IIT Gandhinagar — a key preparatory event for the 2026 India AI Impact Summit. The 'Indian International Science Festival' was held in Panchkula, Haryana, themed 'Vigyan Se Samriddhi: for Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Separately, CSIR-NISCPR organized 'Vigyanika: Science Literature Festival 2025' in New Delhi, and 'Defence Estates Day' was observed in New Delhi under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, marking 100 years of the Defence Estates Department.

Paramveer Gallery Inaugurated

The gallery displays portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra recipients. The Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, is awarded for exceptional bravery and self-sacrifice in wartime; it was instituted in 1950, with Major Somnath Sharma as the first recipient.

100% FDI Permitted in Insurance Sector

The Bill was passed on December 17, 2025, and amends the Insurance Act 1938, the LIC Act 1956, and the IRDAI Act 1999. It aims to boost capital inflows into the insurance sector, simplify regulatory processes, and give LIC greater operational autonomy.

Book: 'The Eleventh Hour: A Quintet of Stories'

This is a collection of five stories written by acclaimed Indian-origin novelist Salman Rushdie, who is best known for his novel 'Midnight's Children'.

2nd Global Traditional Medicine Summit Held in New Delhi

Held from December 17-19, 2025, under the theme 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being', the summit saw the inauguration of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office building in New Delhi, the launch of the My AYUSH Integrated Services Portal (MAISP), and the release of the 'Delhi Declaration' focused on evidence-based knowledge and integration of traditional medicine. A commemorative stamp on Ashwagandha and the book 'From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in AYUSH' were also released.

India-Israel Light Machine Gun (LMG) Supply Deal

Alongside this, a contract for the supply of 1,70,000 new-generation close-quarter battle carbines is also in its final stages. Discussions are also under way on local co-production of advanced small-arms technology, which would boost India's self-reliant defence manufacturing capacity.

India Wins First-Ever Medal at Hockey Men's Junior World Cup

The FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025 was held in Tamil Nadu, with the final played at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Chennai, where Germany beat Spain for the title. India defeated Argentina 4-2 to win bronze — its first-ever medal at this tournament.

11th UNCAC Conference Adopts the Doha Declaration 2025

The 11th Conference of the States Parties (COSP) to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) was held in Doha, Qatar, December 15-19, 2025, organised by the Government of Qatar and UNODC. The conference adopted the 'Doha Declaration 2025', calling for stronger global cooperation and AI/digital-tool-based technical assistance on corruption prevention, alongside new Political Finance Transparency measures — independent oversight of political funding, restrictions on high-risk donors, and a first-ever resolution against foreign interference.

International Migrants Day 2025

The day is observed to protect migrants' human rights and recognize their contribution to society. The 2025 theme was 'My Great Story: Cultures & Development'.

New Pilot Duty-Time Rules Trigger Major IndiGo Flight Disruptions

The disruptions stemmed mainly from new pilot rest rules under Flight Duty Time Limitations, re-notified by the DGCA in January 2024 after Delhi High Court intervention — raising weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and capping flight time at 8 hours and duty time at 10 hours. Citing pilot-shortage-driven cancellations, the DGCA granted an exemption from the new rules until February 10, 2026, and set up an inquiry committee headed by Sanjay K. Brahmane, Joint DG, DGCA.

Rajasthan ranks second in the country in the mining sector

The state ranks second nationally in the auction of major mineral blocks and has become the leading state in auctioning 8 pre-identified mineral blocks. AI/ML technology is being used for mineral exploration and for identifying strategic and critical minerals in mine dumps and tailings, while the new mineral policy targets raising mining's contribution to state GDP from 3.4% to 5% by 2029-30 and 6-8% by 2046-47.

MahaCrimeOS AI and MARVEL: Maharashtra Police's AI Initiative

It will be extended to all 1,100 police stations in the state. Using multimodal AI, it accepts complaints in any format — PDF, audio, handwritten notes, or images — in Marathi, and automatically generates a detailed investigation plan. It has been jointly developed by Microsoft's AI partner CyberEye and MARVEL, the Maharashtra government's special AI policing initiative, established in 2024. Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to set up an independent AI body for law enforcement.

India Sweeps Men's and Women's Roll Ball World Cup Titles

The 7th Roll Ball World Cup was held in Dubai from December 14-18, 2025, organised by the International Roll Ball Federation. India's men beat Kenya 11-10 for their 5th world title, while the women's team beat Kenya 3-2 for their 3rd world title.

India-Oman CEPA Signed During PM Modi's Oman Visit

During the December 17-18, 2025 official visit, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq welcomed PM Modi at Al Baraka Palace, marking the 70th anniversary of India-Oman diplomatic relations; the Sultan conferred the 'Order of Oman' award on PM Modi. The CEPA is Oman's first bilateral trade agreement since 2006, and India's second CEPA in the Gulf after the UAE (2022). Under it, Oman offers zero-duty access on 98.08% of tariff lines, India has extended concessions on 77.79% of tariff lines from Oman, and the deal also improves professional mobility and liberalises 127 services sub-sectors.

12th Rajasthan International Film Festival to Be Held in Jodhpur

Approved by the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) North Region, the festival will be held at Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur from January 31 to February 4, 2026, with the theme "Cinemastan: Your Lens, Our Rajasthan". It will be jointly organised by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, the Art, Literature and Culture Department, and an OTT platform.

Energy Capacity Expansion in India 2025

Installed solar capacity stood at 132.85 GW and wind capacity at 53.99 GW as of November 30, 2025. Total all-India installed electricity capacity reached 509.64 GW, with thermal power's share at 48.45% (246.90 GW), while nuclear plus renewable (non-conventional) sources together reached a 51.55% share (262.74 GW) — meaning non-conventional sources have now overtaken thermal power.

Rajasthan Governance and Infrastructure Updates

Rajasthan operates 12 CBIC-notified Inland Container Depots (ICDs) that provide affordable export transport via the Deendayal Port Authority. The 'Honor Run' marathon at Albert Hall, Jaipur (December 7) honoured ex-servicemen and will be re-organised by the South Western Command around Army Day (January 15). The Hariyalo Rajasthan Environment Conclave (December 18, Jaipur) saw the launch of the 'My Life' poster, and in November 2025, over 16,000 villages across 204 tehsils in 30 districts were declared scarcity-hit, of which 19 tehsils in 6 districts were removed from the category in December.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Policy Implemented in Rajasthan

Approved via a Cabinet Circular, the policy has been implemented for the first time across all cities and crowded urban areas in Rajasthan, modelled on cities like New York. Under it, an 800-metre radius around eligible metro/railway stations - those handling more than 5,000 passengers per hour in one direction - will be declared a TOD Zone.

Goa Liberation Day 2025

The day commemorates the historic liberation of Goa from Portuguese colonial rule through 'Operation Vijay', when the Indian Army liberated Goa in 1961.

Book: 'The Great Sanctions Hack'

The book is authored by Urjit Patel, a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and focuses on international economic sanctions and their impact on the global economy.

Hurun India 2025: Top 200 Self-Made Entrepreneurs of the Millennium

The report, prepared jointly by a private financial services firm and Hurun India, assesses the success of self-made entrepreneurs behind Indian companies founded in the 21st century. The founder of the DMart retail chain, who topped the list last year, placed second this time.

National Quantum Communication Hub at IIT Madras and Quantum Roadmap

Its objective is to enhance India's national capability in quantum-secure communication, focusing on quantum networks, post-quantum security, and satellite-based quantum communication. NITI Aayog and IBM also released a roadmap titled 'India's Transformation into a Quantum-Powered Leading Economy', aiming to place India among the world's top three quantum economies by 2047. A Quantum Research Park is being set up in Karnataka and a Quantum Valley in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh.

'Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore' and Other Key Government Campaigns, December 2025

The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances ran the 'Prashasan Gaon Ki Ore' campaign from December 19-25, 2025, under 'Good Governance Week 2025' across all states/UTs, with District Collectors organising special camps at Tehsil, Block, and Panchayat levels. The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched a 100-day 'Child Marriage Free India' campaign on December 4, 2025 (running November 27, 2025 - March 8, 2026). Separately, National Handicrafts Week (Dec 8-14) featured the 'Master Creation II' exhibition at Delhi Haat and the launch of the 'Chaupal Program' to select 100 aspirational districts for handicrafts.

Sabalenka Named WTA Player of the Year; Thailand Tops SEA Games Medal Table

The Women's Tennis Association handed out its 2025 awards, with Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka named Player of the Year and Coco Gauff receiving the Jerry Diamond ACES Award, among other honours. Separately, the 23rd South East Asian Games were held in Thailand from December 9-20, 2025, with 10 nations competing and hosts Thailand winning a record 233 gold medals.

Film 'Homebound' Nominated for Oscars

The film was sent as India's official entry in the International Feature Film category. This marks another significant recognition opportunity for Indian cinema on the global stage.

India and New Zealand Conclude Free Trade Agreement Talks

Under this FTA, tariffs on 95% of New Zealand's exports to India will be zero or reduced, while 100% of India's exports will get zero-tariff market access in New Zealand. New Zealand has committed $20 billion in FDI into India over 15 years and agreed to provide employment visas to 5,000 skilled Indian professionals for up to three years.

Astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar Posthumously Awarded the Vigyan Ratna Puraskar 2025

Narlikar was the founder of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune. Along with Sir Fred Hoyle, he developed the Hoyle-Narlikar (Conformal Gravity) Theory, and he proposed the Steady State Cosmology theory as an alternative to the Big Bang theory.

Centre of Excellence for Climate Change Adaptation established in Jaipur

This is the first centre of its kind in the state, announced in the 2025-26 state budget. Responsibility for the centre lies with the Pollution Control Board, with IIT Jodhpur serving as its knowledge partner.

GlowCas9: New Protein for Live Monitoring of Gene Editing

It is a bioluminescent version of the Cas9 protein that helps track CRISPR activity live in living cells without causing damage. It is considered a significant achievement in gene therapy and biomedical research.

Satwik-Chirag Win Bronze at BWF World Tour Finals

At the BWF World Tour Finals 2025 in Hangzhou, China, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won bronze in men's doubles. They became only the second Indian shuttlers to medal at this event, after PV Sindhu, who won the women's singles gold in 2018 and remains India's only gold medallist there.

Rajasthan Shooters Dominate 68th National Shooting Championship

Organised by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) from December 11-31, the championship saw Jaipur's Lavanya Kanwar win 7 medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) across the 10m Air Pistol and 25m Sport Pistol events. Shikha Chaudhary won 6 medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), Bhilwara's Navya Singh won a silver, and Kota's Prince Nagwani was selected for national trials with a score of 600/612.

Time's 2025 Person of the Year and the Turner Prize

Time Magazine chose 'The Architects of AI' — people shaping AI at the intersection of technology, society and power — as its Person of the Year 2025, honouring Indian-Americans Karandeep Anand and Sriram Krishnan among others. Separately, British artist Nnena Kalu won the Turner Prize 2025, becoming the first artist with a learning disability (limited verbal communication) to receive the award.

10th Swachh Survekshan 2025-26

This year's theme is 'New Initiatives in Cleanliness - Join Hands, Clean Together'. The survey, conducted annually under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban, is the world's largest urban cleanliness survey and determines India's city sanitation rankings.

Quick Rajasthan Facts, December 2025

Kota's Shrinathpuram Vikaspath will host the state's first sensor-based disabled park, while Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a book on former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, titled "Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti", written by Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, on December 23. Devnani also announced the 'Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati Panorama' in Ajmer on December 14. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the CM approved the 'Naunera Brihad' (Kota-Bundi) and 'Parwan-Akawad' (Jhalawar-Baran-Kota) drinking water projects; Jaipur district's first government law college started temporary operations at a Sanganer school; and a ₹18-crore Wooden Handicraft Common Facility Centre is planned for Jodhpur. A Rajasthan MP introduced a private bill to rename India as Bharat, a rural digital library named 'Constitution House' was inaugurated in Dholpur, the 'AI Impact Summit: Pre-Summit 2026' was held in Jaipur, and India's first Vedanta Tour de Thar international cycling race concluded in Bikaner.

'City Accelerator Program': Rooftop Solar Push in 4 Rajasthan Cities

Launched to promote rooftop solar installation under the 'PM Suryaghar' scheme, the program targets 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. Key provisions include bank loans at 5.75% interest, a new facility for virtual and group net metering, and an additional ₹17,000 DISCOM subsidy under the free-electricity scheme (up to 150 units). The highest installations within the state are in Jaipur (15,932), Jodhpur (6,436), and Udaipur (5,794).

World Meditation Day 2025 (Celebrations in Telangana)

The day highlights the importance of meditation for global peace and harmony. The 2025 theme was 'Meditation for Global Peace & Harmony'.

VB-GRAM G Act 2025 to Replace MGNREGA

The new law aligns the rural development framework with Viksit Bharat@2047 goals and replaces MGNREGA. It was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18 and the Rajya Sabha on December 19, 2025, followed by presidential assent on December 21. The Act links employment guarantee to priority sectors like water security, infrastructure, livelihoods and climate resilience, and makes monitoring digital and transparent.

India's First AI-Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme

Launched in collaboration with AIIMS, New Delhi, and the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the pilot phase covers seven locations — Pune, Gaya, Mumbai, Jorhat, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Dharamshala. It uses 'MadhuNetrAI', a web-based AI tool developed by the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC), which automates screening, grading and triaging of retinal images taken with handheld fundus cameras. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease caused by long-term diabetes that can lead to blindness if left untreated.

State-Level Conferences Mark Two Years of Government

The State Level Women's Conference in Dholpur (December 19, theme "Nav Utthan-Nai Pehchan") saw a direct benefit transfer of ₹1,320 crore to women. The State Level Farmers' Conference at Dangawas, Nagaur, on Kisan Diwas (December 23) was attended by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as chief guest. Additionally, the State Level Lakhpati Didi Dialogue Programme at HCM RIPA, Jaipur (December 21) and the State Level Employment Fair at Commerce College, Jaipur (December 25, Good Governance Day) were also organised.

December 2025 Global Roundup: Learning Cities, New Campus and Consulate

UNESCO added 72 new cities from 46 countries to its Global Learning Cities Network, taking the total to 425 cities across 91 countries; India's Warangal, Thrissur and Nilambur are already part of the network. Australia's Victoria University opened its first international campus in India, in Gurugram, Haryana, delivering education entirely through the university's Block Model teaching methodology. Separately, India's new Consulate General building was inaugurated in Shanghai, China — the consulate's first relocation in 32 years. Meanwhile, eight Capuchin monkeys arrived at Bannerghatta Park, Karnataka from South Africa under an animal-exchange programme, and Oxford chose 'Rage Bait' as its 2025 Word of the Year.

National Mathematics Day 2025

The day commemorates the birth anniversary of the great Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on 22 December 1887.

December 2025 Miscellaneous Highlights

The Indian Medical Association's 100th National Conference (IMA Netcon 2025) was held in Ahmedabad. The National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), with the Ministry of Textiles, organised a special handloom exhibition, 'Saree Mahotsav', in New Delhi. Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar organised a conference titled 'Timeless Wisdom of Bharat: Pathway to Peace and Progress' in Hyderabad to mark its 21st anniversary. Separately, 'Namotsav', a grand musical multimedia presentation dedicated to the life and vision of PM Narendra Modi, was held in Ahmedabad.

Subansiri Lower Hydro Project: Unit-2 Begins Commercial Operation

The project is based on a run-of-the-river model and is located at North Lakhimpur on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border. Once complete, its total capacity of 2000 MW will come from 8 units of 250 MW each, making it India's largest hydroelectric project.

Key Agreements Signed by India, December 2025

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) partnered with a major telecom operator to set up a telecom-based safety warning system on national highways. The Department of Posts signed agreements with the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to widen mutual fund reach in Tier-2/3 and rural areas, and with Russian Post for an International Tracked Packet Service to boost cross-border e-commerce. Other agreements included an India-Netherlands MoU on the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat; an MSME Ministry tie-up with a major e-commerce marketplace to give PM Vishwakarma artisans online market access; and a Department of Social Justice and Empowerment pact with spiritual/yoga organisations to scale up the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

RAMBHA-LP: Chandrayaan-3's Significant Scientific Finding

RAMBHA-LP stands for 'Radio Anatomy of Moon Bound Hypersensitive Ionosphere and Atmosphere – Langmuir Probe', designed to measure electron density and temperature near the lunar surface. It is a significant scientific discovery in understanding the Moon's atmosphere.

India Beats South Africa and Sri Lanka Women in Home Cricket Series

On South Africa's tour of India, India won the T20 series 3-1 (Player of the Series: Varun Chakaravarthy) and the ODI series 2-1 (Player of the Series: Virat Kohli). Separately, on Sri Lanka Women's tour of India, played across Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram, India whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in the T20 series, with Harmanpreet Kaur named Player of the Match in the decider and Shafali Verma Player of the Series.

Shilpgram Festival in Udaipur, Komal Kothari Award Conferred

Held from December 21-30 with the theme "Lok ke Rang-Lok Ke Sang", the festival saw the Dr. Komal Kothari Memorial Lifetime Achievement Folk Art Award 2025 conferred on algoja player Ramnath Chaudhary of Jaipur and Dr. Niranjan Vallabh Bhai (Rajguru) of Rajkot, Gujarat.

India's December 2025 International One-Liners

Brazil's Sherpa Ambassador symbolically handed the BRICS chairmanship gavel to Indian Sherpa Ambassador Sudhakar Dalela; Brazil formally held the chairmanship until December 31, 2025. India was re-elected to both the UNESCO Executive Board (2025-29 term) and the ICAO Council (2025-28 term). Separately, Iran seized a foreign oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman with crew from several countries, including India; the return of China's Shenzhou-20 mission was postponed due to collision risk from space debris; and the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the UN Convention on Negotiable Instruments (the Accra Convention), 2025.

National Farmers Day 2025

The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister, known as a champion of farmers' interests and welfare policies.

Book: 'Mahamana Vangmay' (Complete 12-Volume Collection)

It contains 'The collected works of Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya'. Madan Mohan Malaviya was a freedom fighter and the founder of Banaras Hindu University (BHU).

Former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Litterateur Vinod Kumar Shukla Pass Away

Shivraj Patil Chakurkar, who passed away on December 12, 2025, served as the 10th Speaker of the Lok Sabha (1991-1996) and as Union Defence and Home Minister (2004-2008), resigning as Home Minister after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks; he later served as Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh (2010-2015). Litterateur Vinod Kumar Shukla, who passed away on December 23, 2025, received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel 'Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi' and the 59th Gyanpith Award (2024).

Discovery of the Alaknanda Galaxy

It was discovered by scientists from the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune. The galaxy is located about 12 billion light-years from Earth and is around 1.5 billion years old. It has been named after the Alaknanda River.

Alpine SG Pipers Win Tech Mahindra Global Chess League in Mumbai

FIDE organised the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League in Mumbai from December 14-23, 2025. In the final, Alpine SG Pipers defeated Triveni Continental Kings. India's R Praggnanandhaa was part of the winning team, alongside Anish Giri, who was named the most valuable player of the final.

India in Global Rankings and Indices, December 2025

In the Lowy Institute's (Australia) 7th Asia Power Index 2025, India ranked 3rd with a score of 40 (1st USA at 80.5, 2nd China at 73.7); Stanford University's Global AI Vibrancy Index also placed India 3rd with a score of 21.59 (1st USA, 2nd China). Arton Capital's Global Passport Power Ranking placed India 66th with a score of 73 (1st UAE). Additionally, India's Finance Minister ranked 24th on Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful Women list, and Mumbai ranked 5th in Tasteatlas's Global Food City Ranking (1st Naples, Italy).

Rajasthan Film Tourism Promotion Policy 2025 Issued

Issued on December 24, 2025, the policy provides 100% reimbursement (up to 5 days) of permission fees for shooting at government or central-government-controlled locations. Award-winning films shot in Rajasthan get special incentives - up to ₹1 crore for International Award-winning feature films and up to ₹50 lakh for National Film Award winners. Mandatory theatrical release thresholds are set at a minimum of 200 screens for Hindi films, 25 for Rajasthani films, and 100 for films in other languages.

National Consumer Day 2025

The day commemorates the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The 2025 theme was 'Efficient and Speedy Disposal through Digital Justice'. On this occasion, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution released a new BIS standard (IS 19412:2025) for incense sticks (agarbatti) to enhance consumer safety and product quality, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Round-up of Major National Conferences, December 2025

The Global Energy Leaders Summit was held in Puri, Odisha (Odisha Government with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change), and the 12th Big Picture Conference took place in Mumbai (CII with Waves Bazaar, themed 'The AI Era'). A National Cooperative Conference was held in Panchkula, Haryana on December 24, 2025, organised by a major cooperative fertiliser body, alongside a National Conference of Chairpersons of Public Service Commissions in Hyderabad and a Counter-Terrorism Conference by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the 'Whole of Government Approach'. The Ministry of Agriculture, with the Gates Foundation, also held the PM-DDKY FPO Sangam, with 72+ FPOs from 33 districts across 15 states participating.

Economy One-Liners (Part 2): Jan Aushadhi, Fino Payments Bank & Mizoram Ginger Capital

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojana continues to expand access to affordable quality generic medicines. Fino Payments Bank became the first payments bank approved for conversion into a Small Finance Bank. Separately, NITI Aayog recognised Mizoram for ginger production, and the PM laid the foundation stone for a brownfield ammonia-urea fertiliser project within the BVFCL complex at Namrup (Dibrugarh), Assam.

MIRA: India's Lightest Space Telescope

MIRA stands for 'Miniaturized Imager for Research Applications'. Weighing just 502 grams, it is India's lightest space telescope to date, reflecting the country's growing capability in miniaturized satellite technology and the private space sector.

PESA Festival 2025

PESA Day is observed every year on December 24. The occasion saw the launch of the PESA Portal (for information dissemination and implementation monitoring) and PESA Indicators (for state-wise progress assessment). The PESA Act extends Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas with modifications under Article 243M(4)(b), while Article 244(1) and the Fifth Schedule govern Scheduled Areas. PESA is implemented in 10 states, including Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Hosts Multiple Fairs and Festivals in December 2025

The Kurja Festival at Khichan village, Phalodi (December 26-27) was dedicated to conserving demoiselle cranes, while the Ransi Marwari Horse Show was organised by the All India Marwari Horse Society at Ransi village, Jodhpur. The Marwar Festival in Sambalpur, Odisha (December 23) celebrated Pravasi Rajasthani (Marwari) culture and promoted investment. Additionally, the Sharad Festival at Mount Abu (December 29-31), the Western Rajasthan Industry Handicrafts Festival 2026 in Jodhpur (from December 25, themed "Operation Sindoor"), the Rajeevika-organised Saras Rajsakhi National Fair at Shilpgram JKK, Jaipur, and the 7th Jaipur Tiger Festival (December 11-14) were also held.

BIS Standards, Concrete Carbon Report and Operation Hinterland Brew

On National Consumer Day (December 24), Union Minister Pralhad Joshi released two new BIS standards — IS 19445:2025 for Bomb Disposal Systems and IS 19262:2025 for testing Electric Agricultural Tractors. Separately, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) jointly prepared a report on 'Carbon Uptake by Concrete', noting the cement industry contributes about 7% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a mephedrone manufacturing facility in Maharashtra under 'Operation Hinterland Brew'.

Consumer Care Awards 2025 Announced

Announced in November 2025, the awards aim to strengthen the consumer movement, promote innovation, and improve grievance redressal. They were given in three categories: Government/Autonomous Bodies (₹5 lakh, 1 award), Voluntary Organisations (₹2 lakh, 1 award), and Individuals (₹51,000 each, 3 awards). They were distributed for the first time on National Consumer Day, December 24, 2025.

EY Projects India to Become a $26 Trillion Economy by 2047-48

The report projects India's per-capita income will exceed $15,000, nearly six times the current level. It also forecasts that India will become the world's third-largest economy by 2030, behind only the US and China, overtaking Germany and Japan.

Good Governance Day 2025

The day has been observed since 25 December 2014 to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, aiming to promote accountability, transparency, and citizen-centric public service.

Christmas Day 2025

This major festival commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, and is observed as a national holiday in India.

PM Inaugurates 'Rashtra Prerna Sthal' in Lucknow

Inaugurated on December 25, 2025, the complex houses 65-foot-tall bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. It also features a lotus-shaped, state-of-the-art museum that showcases India's national journey and visionary leaders using digital technology.

India's First Indigenous MRI Machine

It has been developed by Arjun Arunachalam, founder of the startup Voxgrids, and his team, supported by Sridhar Vembu's company Zoho. This MRI scanner will be around 40% cheaper than imported machines, promoting affordable healthcare.

India to Chair the Kimberley Process for a Third Time

After assuming the Vice-Chairmanship on December 25, 2025, India was elected Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP), a tripartite initiative of governments, the international diamond industry and civil society, with over 60 participants (including the EU) controlling more than 99% of the global rough-diamond trade. Its objective is to prevent the trade of 'conflict diamonds' used by rebel groups to finance conflicts.

Veer Baal Diwas 2025

The day commemorates the martyrdom of the 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh Ji's sons — Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (9 years) and Sahibzada Fateh Singh (7 years).

Other Notable Personalities Who Passed Away in December 2025

Sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, who created the world's tallest statue — the 'Statue of Unity' in Gujarat — passed away; he was honoured with the Padma Shri (1999), Padma Bhushan (2016), and Maharashtra Bhushan. Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen, a four-time MLA from the 56-Dharmanagar constituency in North Tripura, passed away on December 26, 2025. Former Mizoram Governor and Haryana Rajya Sabha member Shri Swaraj Kaushal also passed away during the month.

PM Rashtriya Baal Puraskar 2025

The award recognises exceptional achievements by Indian children aged 5-18 across six categories: Bravery, Art and Culture, Environment, Social Service, Science and Technology, and Sports. Up to 25 children can be honoured each year. This edition included a young cricket prodigy from Bihar in the Sports category.

India's First Large-Scale Battery-Grade Lithium Refinery

Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL) and Hyderabad-based Altmin have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the refinery, targeting operations by 2027 with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per year. Lithium is a critical mineral for electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and the clean energy transition, and is included in the Government of India's list of 30 critical minerals.

Book: 'Bhavesh Jo Kah Na Sake'

The book is authored by Dr. Suraj Singh Negi and is a literary work centred on emotional and social themes.

Commemorative Stamp for Emperor Mutharaiyar; Jay Shah Honoured as 'Transformational Leader'

Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar ruled Tiruchirappalli (705-745 AD); the Mutharaiyars were feudal lords under the Pallavas. The same month, ICC Chairman Jay Shah received the 'Transformational Leader of the Year' award at NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 — he served as BCCI Secretary from 2019-2024 before becoming ICC Chairman in December 2024, overseeing reforms such as pay parity and the launch of the WPL.

6G Testbed Project Approved

It will be developed by the Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER), Kolkata, with IIT Madras, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Patna as three other participating institutions, driving indigenous development of next-generation 6G telecom technology.

December 2025 Cultural Events Roundup

In Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, the 3rd Carnatic Music Festival, 'Krishnaveni Sangeet Neerajanam 2025', was held around the theme of Telugu musical traditions. In Bargarh, Odisha, the Dhanu Yatra festival was celebrated, based on the world's largest open-air theatre. President Droupadi Murmu took part in the 22nd Parsi Maha and Ol Chiki Centenary celebrations tied to the Santhal tribe in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on December 29. Separately, Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Jyoti-Vishnu International Art Temple in Guwahati, Assam.

Kessler Syndrome: Chain-Reaction of Space Debris

The collision of man-made satellites in Earth's orbit triggers a chain reaction of debris that damages other satellites — this phenomenon is called the Kessler Syndrome. The theory was proposed by Donald Kessler in 1978. Recently, a monitoring mechanism called CRASH (Collision Realization - Significant Hazard) issued a warning on this risk.

National Badminton Champions Crowned; Pakistan Wins Under-19 Asia Cup

The 87th Senior National Badminton Championship was held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, with Surya Charishma Tamiri and Rithvik Sanjeevi winning the women's and men's singles titles respectively. Separately, at the Men's Under-19 Asia Cup cricket tournament in the UAE, Pakistan defeated India in the final at Dubai's ICC Academy Ground; Pakistan's Sameer Minhas was named both Man of the Match in the final and Player of the Tournament.

December 2025 Policy and Campaign Highlights

Madhya Pradesh was recently declared Naxalism-free following the surrender of two Maoists. The Home Ministry raised the quota for ex-Agniveers in BSF Constable recruitment from 10% to 50%. The Union Health Ministry launched a Delhi Metro campaign for women's and girls' health in collaboration with the WHO. Separately, a Bio-CNG and fertiliser plant built by a major dairy cooperative was inaugurated at Vav-Tharad, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu launched an 'Otter' conservation initiative in the Cauvery basin.

Home Minister Inaugurates Batadrava Than Redevelopment Project in Assam

The inauguration took place on December 29, 2025. Batadrava Than is the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva, who founded the Neo-Vaishnav religion and the 'Ekasarana Nama Dharma' tradition.

Major Bilateral Defence Exercises of December 2025

The '2nd Desert Cyclone' exercise was held in Abu Dhabi (UAE) between the Indian Army's Mechanized Infantry Regiment and the UAE's 53rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion. The 'Aviaindra' exercise was held between the Indian and Russian air forces, and the '8th Ekatha' exercise between India and Maldives. The '10th Garuda Shakti' exercise (India-Indonesia) was held at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, and the '14th Ekuverin' exercise between the Garhwal Rifles and the Maldives National Defence Force was held at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Additionally, the Indian Coast Guard conducted the 'Regional level Pollution Response Exercise (RPREX)' in Mumbai, focused on combating oil spills and marine pollution.

Supreme Court Approves New Definition for the Aravalli Range

The Supreme Court accepted recommendations from a committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF-CC) to formally define an 'Aravalli Hill' and 'Aravalli Range' across 37 districts. It directed ICFRE to prepare a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM) for the entire range and barred fresh mining leases until then, though a bench led by Justice Surya Kant stayed this order on December 29, 2025. Notably, prior to this ruling, Rajasthan alone had a formal definition regulating Aravalli mining, in place since 2006.

National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP) 2025 Comes Into Effect

It provides for allocation of radio frequency spectrum for various radio communication services from 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz, serving as an essential reference for spectrum managers, wireless operators, and telecom equipment manufacturers. NFAP-2025 newly identifies the 6425-7125 MHz band for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and provides additional spectrum for emerging technologies like high-throughput satellite services, in-flight and maritime connectivity (IFMC), and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication.

Rajasthan Vehicle Scrapping Policy 2025 Approved

Under this policy, government vehicles older than 15 years, unfit/unregistered/accident-damaged/unusable vehicles, and voluntarily submitted vehicles will be scrapped in a phased manner. This will support a cleaner environment, road safety, and adoption of pollution-free vehicles. Buyers of a new vehicle will also get up to 50% discount (capped at ₹1 lakh) on motor vehicle tax, based on the Certificate of Deposit.

Green Credit/Voucher Initiative 2025 Scheme Approved

This is an innovative financial and incentive mechanism to accelerate green-growth projects through tradable/redeemable green credits in voucher form. It will encourage enterprises and urban local bodies to work on renewable energy, energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, air pollution control, and sustainable buildings/infrastructure/agriculture.

Rajasthan AI/ML Policy 2026 Approved

The policy aims to make public service delivery faster, transparent and citizen-centric using AI, while increasing administrative efficiency and encouraging innovation-based economic development. It places special emphasis on transparent, accountable, fair and privacy-protected AI systems, and includes clear procedures for reporting and resolving AI-related cybercrimes.

Revised Cost of HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Approved

The project's original estimated cost was ₹43,129 crore (to be completed by October 31, 2022), which rose to ₹72,937 crore in June 2023 under the previous government. HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd submitted a second revision proposal on July 24, 2025, which the state government evaluated through MECON Limited (a GoI undertaking) and a constituted committee. It is a joint venture between HPCL (74%) and the Government of Rajasthan (26%), with a total capacity of 9 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), located in Balotra district.

India Wins Multiple Medals at World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship

FIDE organised the World Rapid & Blitz Chess Championship in Doha from December 25-31, 2025. Norway's Magnus Carlsen won his 6th Rapid and 9th Blitz world titles. India's Arjun Erigaisi took bronze in both the Open Rapid and Open Blitz sections, while Koneru Humpy won bronze in the Women's Rapid event.

Key Science and Technology One-Liner Facts of December 2025

India's first private-sector navigation hub will be set up by Anant Technologies at the Anant Centre of Excellence, Thiruvananthapuram. DRDO conducted a high-speed test of an indigenous 'Escape System' for fighter aircraft pilots in Chandigarh, placing India among a select group of countries with advanced indigenous ejection-system testing capability. Separately, the 'PARANGAT' semiconductor training lab in Mohali will be upgraded with an investment of Rs 4,500 crore under the 'India Semiconductor Mission'.