Daily Current Affairs: 21 December 2025

Sreenivasan passed away as Veteran Malayalam Actor and Screenwriter

Key Updates:

• Veteran actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Sreenivasan passed away in Kochi, Kerala, at the age of 69.
• He was born on April 6, 1956, in Patyam near Thalassery in the Kannur district of Kerala.
• He acted in more than 225 films and wrote several landmark screenplays over a career spanning nearly five decades.
• He received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for directing the film Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.
• He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film for Vadakkunokkiyanthram and the Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film for Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.
• He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Screenplay for the films Sandesam and Mazhayethum Munpe.
• He received a total of one National Film Award, two Filmfare Awards South, and six Kerala State Film Awards during his career.
• He made his acting debut in Manimuzhakkam in 1976 and played his first lead role in Sanghaganam in 1979.
• He had undergone heart surgery in 2022 and was undergoing dialysis at a private hospital in Kochi before his passing.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) slaps ₹61.95 lakh fine on Kotak Mahindra Bank.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• RBI imposed the penalty for non-compliance with norms on Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) account, business correspondents, and credit information companies.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank opened additional BSBD accounts for customers who already held such accounts.
• The bank engaged business correspondents for activities outside the permitted scope.
• The lender furnished inaccurate borrower information to credit information companies.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) commits USD 4.26 billion sovereign lending to India in 2025

[Asian Development Bank (ADB)]

Key Updates:

• ADB committed USD 4.258 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2025.
• Nearly 32 per cent of ADB's 16 newly committed projects focus on the human and social development sector.
• 26 per cent of the projects are in the energy sector, primarily advancing renewable energy.
• Over 18 per cent of the projects are in urban development.
• USD 846 million financing is allocated for PM-SETU, India's flagship skilling programme.
• USD 650 million is provided to support PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana for rooftop solar adoption.
• USD 775 million is committed for five urban projects in Assam, Kerala, Sikkim, and West Bengal.
• USD 729 million is committed to expand regional rapid rail in Delhi-Meerut and metro networks in Chennai and Indore.
• USD 460 million loan is provided to Maharashtra to modernise rural power infrastructure and improve solar electricity for irrigation.
• USD 398.8 million loan is provided to Assam to modernise its healthcare and medical education systems.
• Over USD 200 million in loans is provided to Meghalaya and Uttarakhand for ecotourism development.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Approves Risk-Based Pricing for Deposit Insurance

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• The central board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a proposal to transition to a risk-based pricing system for deposit insurance.
• The new model replaces the uniform premium currently charged to banks under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) scheme.
• Under the existing flat-rate system, banks pay a premium of 12 paise for every Rs 100 of assessable deposits.
• The proposed framework will charge lower premia to banks with stronger capital adequacy, better asset quality, and sound governance, while weaker banks will pay higher rates.
• The DICGC, established under the DICGC Act, 1961, has operated the deposit insurance framework on a flat-rate basis since 1962.
• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra introduced the reform measures alongside the October monetary policy decision to help better-rated banks save significantly on premium costs.

Finance Ministry (FinMin) unveils common logo for 28 Regional Rural Banks.

[Finance Ministry (FinMin)]

Key Updates:

• The Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, consolidated 26 Regional Rural Banks across 11 states/UTs under the 'One State One RRB' principle effective May 1, 2025.
• A new common logo introduced for the 28 Regional Rural Banks aims to create a single, unified brand identity nationwide.
• The logo's dark blue colour signifies finance and trust, while green signifies life and growth, reflecting the RRBs' mission to serve rural India.
• The branding initiative seeks to strengthen the identity and visibility of RRBs, symbolizing their collective commitment to financial inclusion and rural development.

PM Modi Inaugurates New Terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA) with ₹5,000 Crore Investment

Key Updates:

• "Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA), completing a rare, accelerated journey from concept to commissioning in under a year."
• "The overall airport development represents an investment of Rs 5,000 crore, including Rs 1,000 crore earmarked for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities."
• "The terminal is designed to handle 13.1 million passengers annually by 2032."
• "Assam is emerging as India’s eastern gateway under the Act East policy, with the bamboo-rich terminal symbolising strength, sustainability and the state’s growing role in powering Viksit Bharat."
• "The project has been developed by Guwahati International Airport Limited, with operations led by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL)."
• "Its inauguration today, with operations expected to commence by the end of February, underscores the pace at which India’s aviation infrastructure is now being conceived, built, tested and readied for live operations."

SHANTI Bill, 2025: India targets 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047

[SHANTI Bill]

Key Updates:

• The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, allows private players to enter the operations side of the tightly-governed nuclear power sector.
• The law replaces two key legislations: the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (AE Act) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA).
• The legislation is a key step towards achieving India’s target of 100 gigawatt of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
• The new law allows public and private companies to set up nuclear power plants and undertake activities related to the transport, storage, import and export of nuclear fuel, technology, equipment and minerals.
• The Bill grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to ensure its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• The law adopts graded liability caps for nuclear power operators based on their size of installation and removes the 'right of recourse' against suppliers for defects in equipment or sub-standard services.
• It provides for the establishment of the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission to handle grievances and severe nuclear damage cases.

Haryana Assembly passes resolution to commemorate 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

[Haryana]

Key Updates:

• The house unanimously passed a resolution to commemorate the 350th martyrdom year of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, the Ninth Guru and protector of India’s honour.
• A forest was developed in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji in Kalesar, Yamunanagar district, which included tree plantations, a wildlife conservation block, and the construction of the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Gate.
• In the same district, the Guru Tegh Bahadur Agricultural College was announced in Kishanpura, linking Guru Sahib’s name with education and agriculture.
• 350 blood donation camps were organised across Haryana, collecting over 23,000 units of blood.
• Essay competitions were held in schools in Sanskrit, Hindi, Punjabi, and English, engaging 350,000 students.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the congregation at Jyotisar, Kurukshetra. During the event, he released a commemorative coin and postage stamp issued by the Government of India in honour of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.

United States launches Operation Hawkeye Strike against ISIS targets in Syria

[United States, Syria]

Key Updates:

• The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes on Friday against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria.
• More than 70 ISIS targets were struck using over 100 munitions from fighter jets, attack helicopters and rocket artillery.
• Jordanian fighter aircraft also participated in the strikes.
• The operation named 'Operation Hawkeye Strike' was carried out in response to the attack on U.S. forces in Palmyra, Syria.
• The strikes targeted ISIS weapon areas and infrastructure in central Syria.
• There are currently 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria, mostly in eastern Syria.
• The U.S. estimates between 1,500 to 3,000 ISIS militants remain active in Syria and Iraq.

India and Netherlands establish Joint Trade and Investment Committee

[Netherlands]

Key Updates:

• India and the Netherlands have set up a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.
• An MoU was inked in this regard between the two countries.
• The JTIC will serve as a dedicated mechanism to review bilateral trade relations, promote two-way investments, address investment and trade barriers, and explore collaboration in sectors of mutual interest.
• Under the MoU, the JTIC will meet annually, alternately in India and the Netherlands.
• The JTIC will be co-chaired by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Director General (Foreign Economic Relations), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands.

India and Oman sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on December 19, 2025

[Oman]

Key Updates:

• The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed by India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef in Muscat.
• Under the bilateral trade pact, Indian companies operating in Oman are allowed to employ up to 50 per cent of their total staff from their India office.
• The CEPA increases the quota for Intra-Corporate Transferees from 20 per cent to 50 per cent and extends the permitted duration of stay for contractual service suppliers from 90 days to two years.
• Oman has offered to ease norms in 127 sub-sectors, including computer-related services, healthcare, education, and professional services such as accounting and engineering.
• The agreement provides for 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) by Indian companies in major services sectors in Oman through commercial presence.
• The pact includes a provision that if Oman offers more liberal terms to any other South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries regarding their Omanisation policy, similar concessions will be extended to India.
• The trade deal is expected to be implemented by the first quarter of 2026.

ISRO-Academia Day unveils RESPOND Basket 2025 to spur university research

[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]

Key Updates:

• Department of Space secretary and ISRO chairman Dr. V. Narayanan inaugurated the Isro-Academia Day at ISRO Headquarters in Bengaluru.
• ISRO released the RESPOND Basket 2025, outlining research statements aligned with Isro’s current and future mission needs.
• Premier universities and recognised academic and R&D institutions can submit research proposals through the I-GRASP portal by January 31, 2026.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) schedules LVM3-M6 launch for 24 December

[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]

Key Updates:

• ISRO announced that the launch of its LVM3-M6 mission has been scheduled for December 24, 2025, at 08:54 hours IST.
• The heavy-lift launch vehicle will lift off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• Under a commercial agreement facilitated by New Space India Limited, the LVM3 on this mission will place the Bluebird-6 communication satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile into orbit.

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) adjudged India’s Best Health Technology Assessment Institute for second straight year

Key Updates:

• PGIMER, Chandigarh, has been recognised as the country’s Best Health Technology Assessment Institute for the second consecutive year by the Union Health Ministry at the ARISE 2025 national conclave.
• The award was presented by Prof V K Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog, and Dr Rajiv Bahl, director-general, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR).
• The HTA Resource Hub at PGIMER’s Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, led by Prof Shankar Prinja, anchors the institute’s leadership in HTA.

Blue Origin sends first wheelchair user to space aboard New Shepard

Key Updates:

• Michaela Benthaus, a European Space Agency engineer, became the world's first wheelchair user to fly to space on a Blue Origin New Shepard sub-orbital mission.
• The reusable New Shepard vehicle lifted off from Blue Origin’s Texas launch pad and crossed the Kármán line boundary of space during a 10-minute flight.
• Ground support equipment and an extending bench from the capsule hatch were added to enable Benthaus to board independently.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to launch BlueBird Block-2 satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile

[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), AST SpaceMobile, United States]

Key Updates:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile Inc. using the LVM3-M6 rocket.
• The launch is scheduled from the Second Launch Pad, SDSC SHAR (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), Sriharikota.
• The mission is a dedicated commercial launch facilitated through a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
• BlueBird satellites feature nearly 2,400 square feet arrays, making them the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit.

World Basketball Day - 21 December

Key Updates:

• The NBA joins FIBA and global basketball organisations to celebrate World Basketball Day on 21 December.
• The celebration honours the YMCA’s 175th anniversary and basketball’s worldwide impact on youth and communities.
• The NBA announced a year-long extension of its partnership with the YMCA featuring basketball and community-focused programming.

World Meditation Day observed globally on 21 December

[United Nations (UN)]

Key Updates:

• World Meditation Day is observed globally on 21 December.
• The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day last year.
• The observance aims to raise awareness about the benefits of meditation for physical and mental health.

Winter Solstice 2025 falls on December 21

Key Updates:

• The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
• The solstice will fall on Sunday, Dec. 21.
• The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

International Human Solidarity Day observed on 20 December 2025 with theme 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future'

[International Human Solidarity Day]

Key Updates:

• International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated annually on 20 December to mark the core value of solidarity in international relations and a driving force to achieve sustainable development and social justice.
• The theme for 2025 is 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future.'
• On 22 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day, recognizing solidarity as a universal value for the 21st century.

Prime Minister Modi releases commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha in New Delhi

[World Health Organization (WHO)]

Key Updates:

• India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha at the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi.
• The five-rupee postal stamp on Ashwagandha symbolises the rise of medicinal plants and underscores the use of traditional medicine techniques and philosophies such as Ayurveda.
• Prime Minister Modi launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library, a landmark global platform designed to preserve and provide equitable access to scientific data, policy documents and validated knowledge related to traditional medicine.