Daily Current Affairs: 22 December 2025

B P Kanungo appointed as non-executive chairman of IIFL Finance Ltd

[IIFL Finance, Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

• B P Kanungo has been appointed as the non-executive chairman of the board of IIFL Finance Ltd.
• He served as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2017 to 2021 and was a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.
• As chairman, Kanungo will lead the board in setting strategic direction, enhancing governance standards, and safeguarding the interests of shareholders, customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) Launches DigiProtect Term Plan for Salaried Individuals

[PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife)]

Key Updates:

• PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) launched the PNB MetLife DigiProtect Term Plan (UIN-117N141V01) in collaboration with Policybazaar.
• The product is an individual non-linked, non-participating, pure term insurance plan designed specifically for salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• The plan offers an exclusive first-year discount of up to 21% on the first premium to lower entry costs for policyholders.
• India faces a 91% life protection gap, which indicates that only ₹9 is covered for every ₹100 required to financially secure families.
• Policybazaar holds a market share of over 93% in the digital insurance aggregator space and recorded an annual premium collection exceeding ₹15,000 crore in FY24.
• Policybazaar has issued over 44.3 million policies and caters to more than 80.5 million registered users.
• PNB MetLife operates through 178 branches and provides access to customers in over 20,000 locations through bank partnerships and a network of 36,000 financial advisors.
• The company currently caters to over 585 group relationships in India and offers a portfolio covering child education, family protection, and retirement.

HCL Technologies (HCLTech) secures multi-year digital transformation contract with ASN Bank Netherlands

[HCL Technologies (HCLTech), Netherlands]

Key Updates:

• HCL Technologies (HCLTech) has been selected as strategic partner by ASN Bank Netherlands to modernise and standardise its IT architecture.
• The engagement involves consolidating IT services, simplifying the vendor landscape and building a future-ready organisation.
• Under the multi-year agreement HCLTech will support ASN Bank’s enterprise applications and streamline services through a distributed delivery model to enhance efficiency and customer experience.
• HCLTech posted net profit of Rs 4,235 crore and revenue from operations of Rs 31,942 crore in Q2, up 11% over the year-ago period.
• The company’s constant currency revenue grew 2.4% QoQ and 4.6% YoY, while dollar revenue rose 2.8% QoQ and 5.8% YoY.
• HCLTech expects revenue growth of 3%-5% YoY in constant currency and services revenue growth of 4%-5% YoY in constant currency, with EBIT margin between 17%-18%.
• HCLTech shares have declined nearly 14% in 2025, making it one of the worst performers on the Nifty this year.

Protean eGov Technologies Ltd approves ₹30.2 crore acquisition of 4.95% stake in NSDL Payments Bank

[Protean eGov Technologies Ltd, NSDL Payments Bank]

Key Updates:

• Protean eGov Technologies Ltd board approved acquisition of 93,74,014 equity shares representing 4.95% equity stake in NSDL Payments Bank for ₹30.2 crore.
• Transaction to be completed in single cash-based equity subscription within 60 days from agreement execution.
• NSDL Payments Bank operates on B2B2C model offering digital banking solutions including domestic money transfers, savings accounts, micro-ATMs, AePS, prepaid cards, UPI payments, POS solutions, and distribution of life insurance, health insurance, and mutual fund schemes.
• No governmental or regulatory approvals required for the acquisition.
• Shares of Protean eGov Technologies Ltd closed at ₹785.20 on BSE, up ₹3.40 or 0.43%.

Shriram Finance board approves ₹39,617 Cr preferential issue to MUFG Bank for 20% stake

[Shriram Finance, Japan, MUFG Bank]

Key Updates:

• Shriram Finance will issue 47.11 crore equity shares at ₹840.93 apiece to Japan’s MUFG Bank.
• MUFG Bank will hold a 20% minority stake in Shriram Finance on a fully diluted basis.
• The deal requires approvals from shareholders and regulators including the Reserve Bank of India and the Competition Commission of India.
• An extraordinary general meeting is scheduled on January 14, 2026, to seek shareholder approval for the preferential issue.
• MUFG will be classified as a public shareholder upon completion of the transaction.
• MUFG will pay a one-time non-compete and non-solicitation fee of $200 million to Shriram Ownership Trust.
• Shriram Finance shares rose 2.62% to ₹892.70 apiece on the BSE after the announcement.

AVFCCL Brownfield Ammonia-Urea Plant: ₹10,601 crore outlay to produce 12.7 lakh MT urea annually

Key Updates:

• The Union Cabinet approved a new brownfield ammonia-urea plant of Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL) within the existing premises of Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corp Ltd (BVFCL) in Namrup, Dibrugarh district, Assam.
• The project cost is ₹10,601 crore and the plant is scheduled to be commissioned in 2030 with an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes.
• AVFCCL is a joint venture among the Assam government, Oil India, National Fertilisers Ltd (NFL), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL) and BVFCL.

Bihar Cabinet approves 'Saat Nishchay-3' to double per capita income and create one crore jobs

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

• The Bihar government approved the 'Saat Nishchay-3' (SN-3) programme for the period 2025-2030 to bring Bihar into the category of most developed states.
• The SN-3 programme aims to double the average per capita income of people of Bihar to ensure double employment and double income.
• A target has been set to create jobs and employment opportunities for one crore youth over the next five years, supported by the newly constituted Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development (DYESD).
• The Bihar government aims to ensure at least Rs 50 lakh crore of private investment in the state over the next five years.
• The scheme will prioritise the 94 lakh poor families identified during the cast-based survey of 2023 in terms of providing employment.
• In the healthcare sector, a policy will be introduced to provide separate incentives for doctors and to prohibit private practice by government doctors.
• The education sector reforms include the development of old educational institutions into 'centres of excellence' alongside the establishment of an education city.
• The agriculture sector will focus on accelerating the 4th Agriculture Roadmap for 2024 to 2029 and the preparation of a Makhana Roadmap to promote its production and processing.

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine commences in New Delhi

[World Health Organization (WHO), Delhi]

Key Updates:

• The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine kicked off on Wednesday, with a focus on 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Union Health Minister JP Nadda and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the importance of traditional medicine in global healthcare.
• The three-day global scientific gathering is held from December 17th to 19th, 2025.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Summit on December 19th, 2025.
• The summit is being jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

United Economic Forum (UEF) and United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) Sign MoU at UEF Trade Summit 2025

[United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC)]

Key Updates:

• The United Economic Forum (UEF) Trade Summit 2025, scheduled for 12th–14th December at the Chennai Trade Centre, had a grand inauguration by Thiru TRB Rajaa, Honourable Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu.
• A historic MoU was signed between UEF and the United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) to transform 17 of UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
• The UNSDC will lead the execution of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 45 UEF-associated Educational Institutions, including colleges and schools.
• A 100 crore fund is being set up for entrepreneurs, startups and to scale up businesses, with an initial MoU of 50 crores signed between UEF and Anicut Capital.
• The overarching theme, 'Unnatha Tamilagam – 4Tn for TN,' emphasizes the commitment to empowering 4,500 startups, enabling partnerships, and fostering inclusive economic development.
• A total of 10 MoUs will be signed during the Summit to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at enabling 10X business growth through advisory support and market access.

Australia, India, Japan, and United States conduct 1st Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

[Australia, Japan, United States]

Key Updates:

• Quad partners, Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US), successfully conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
• The exercise was conducted from 8th to 12th December to strengthen the Quad partners’ disaster response capacity.
• The IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to "leverage shared logistics capabilities to support civilian response to large-scale natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific."
• Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft to enhance interoperability and coordination.
• The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to "strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reports first cube-shaped skull from intentional cranial deformation

[Mexico]

Key Updates:

• The skull belonged to a 40-year-old man who lived in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range more than 1,000 years ago during the Mesoamerican Classic period.
• The peculiar cube shape of the skull was a sign of 'intentional cranial deformation' carried out during a child's early years with boards and bandages.
• The square shape was different from the typical 'conical' shapes seen elsewhere in the region and is described as 'parallelepiped,' closer to a parallelogram than a sphere.

Tamil Nadu Forest Department launches smooth-coated otter conservation drive in Cauvery delta

[Tamil Nadu Forest Department]

Key Updates:

• The Tamil Nadu Department of Forests unveiled a conservation initiative titled ‘Conservation initiative to study the population dynamics, behavioural pattern, and habitat improvement of smooth-coated otters in Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, and Cuddalore districts, within the Cauvery River delta’.
• The project received administrative approval for Rs. 20 lakh, with Rs. 10 lakh disbursed for the 2025-26 financial year as per a July government order.
• Led by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Vandalur, Chennai, the study will be conducted through the department of wildlife biology at AVC Autonomous College in Mayiladuthurai.
• Smooth-coated otters are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and safeguarded under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Otters are monitored through direct observations, faecal sample analysis, photographic records, and environmental DNA sampling.
• The Endangered Wildlife and Environmental Trust (EWET) has performed field surveys and habitat mapping throughout the delta to safeguard and track otter populations.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Discovers Lemon-Shaped Exoplanet PSR J2322-2650b

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)]

Key Updates:

• Astronomers using National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have characterized a remarkable exoplanet with an unusual lemon shaped appearance.
• Designated PSR J2322-2650b, this Jupiter-mass world orbits a rapidly spinning neutron star known as a pulsar.
• Strong gravitational tides from the compact host stretch the planet into a distinctive lemon shaped exoplanet, marking it as one of the most deformed worlds observed to date.
• The lemon shaped exoplanet completes an orbit around its pulsar every 7.8 hours, at a distance of approximately 1 million miles.
• This discovery represents the first known Jupiter-mass gaseous planet orbiting a pulsar.
• Observations with the JWST revealed an atmosphere dominated by helium and carbon, featuring detectable molecular carbon species such as C2 and C3.
• Day-side temperatures reach up to 3,700 degrees Fahrenheit, while the night side cools to about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
• The pulsar’s emission is negligible in the infrared wavelengths observed by JWST, enabling a clear transmission spectrum of the planet’s atmosphere without significant contamination from the host.
• The system resembles a black widow pulsar, where the neutron star evaporates its companion, yet the planetary mass and composition do not fit standard stripping models.

Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian to reach 4000 runs in T20I

Key Updates:

• Opener Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian to reach 4000 runs in T20Is during the first of a five-match series against Sri Lanka on Sunday at the ACA-VDCA stadium in Visakhapatnam.
• India defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Vizag after chasing a 122-run target.
• Smriti Mandhana reached the 4000-run milestone in 15 balls and currently sits second in the list of players with most runs in the format with 4007 runs.
• Jemimah Rodrigues scored a half-century to help India secure the victory ('Jemimah Rodrigues half century helps India beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Vizag').
• Vaishnavi Sharma made her T20I debut during the series opener against Sri Lanka.
• This match was India’s first international appearance since the 'Women in Blue beat South Africa to lift their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup last month'.

Sukhman Singh wins IGU Amateur Golf Championship

Key Updates:

• Sukhman Singh defeated Harman Sachdeva in the 36-hole final with a 7UP lead after 29 holes at the Tollygunge Club.
• Shaurya Bhattacharya finished second at the Asian Tour Q-School Final Stage, securing full playing rights for the 2026 season.
• Rashid Khan, Ajeetesh Sandhu, and Shubham Jaglan also earned Asian Tour cards by finishing inside the top-35.
• Shubhankar Sharma finished tied 32nd at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open with a total score of 5-under.
• Ayush Shetty and SD Prajwal Dev were felicitated by the Karnataka Olympics Association (KOA) at its annual awards function.

Pakistan U19 defeat India U19 to win ACC U19 Asia Cup 2025

[Pakistan]

Key Updates:

• Pakistan U19 lifted the Under-19 Asia Cup title after outplaying India U19 by 191 runs at Dubai’s ICC academy ground.
• Pakistan posted 327/8, propelled by Sameer Minhas’ 172-run knock; India were bowled out for 156 in reply.
• Deepesh Devendran top-scored for India with 36 off 16 balls at No. 10.

India clinches T20I series against South Africa

[South Africa]

Key Updates:

• India defeated South Africa by 30 runs in the fifth T20I to secure a 3-1 victory in the series.
• The match was held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
• India posted a total of 231 for five in 20 overs, while South Africa scored 201 for eight in their response.
• Hardik Pandya set a record for the second-fastest T20I fifty for India, reaching the milestone in 15 balls.
• Tilak Varma top-scored for India with 73 runs off 42 balls, including 10 boundaries and one six.
• Varun Chakravarthy was the pick of the bowlers for India, taking four wickets for 53 runs in his four-over spell.
• With this win, India extended their unbeaten streak in bilateral T20I series to 19.

Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood book release on December 20

Key Updates:

• HarperCollins India is publishing Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood on December 20.
• The book is authored by award-winning writer Mohar Basu.
• It is described as 'a love letter, a fan's tribute and a deep dive into the incredible phenomenon called Salman Khan'.

SSB Raising Day observed on December 20

Key Updates:

• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Raising Day is observed on December 20 every year.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended greetings to SSB personnel and their families on the 62nd Raising Day of the force.
• The SSB was raised in 1963 and has a strength of about 90,000 personnel under the Union home ministry.