Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

India and the Netherlands

♦ India and the Netherlands have announced the establishment of India-Netherlands Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The JTIC marks an important milestone in further strengthening bilateral trade, investment, and economic cooperation between the two countries. ♦ The MoU was signed between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. ♦ The JTIC will serve as a dedicated mechanism to review bilateral trade relations, promote two-way investment, address trade and investment barriers, and explore collaboration in sectors of mutual interest.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the country's first nature-themed terminal at the Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International (LGBI) airport in Guwahati. Named as "Bamboo orchids," the new terminal architecture draws inspiration from Assam’s iconic kopou phool (foxtail orchid) and indigenous bamboo varieties such as Bholuka bamboo from Assam and Apatani bamboo from Arunachal Pradesh. ♦ At least 57 columns have been designed as kopou phool (kopou flower) and one lakh plants to be planted inside the airport to provide a forest-like ambience. ♦ LGBI airport is one of the eight airports in the country being operated by the Adani Group's Adani Airports Holdings Limited. ♦ Constructed with investment of Rs. 5,000 crores, the new terminal can acommodate 1.3 crores passengers annually. The present airport caters to 66 lakh passengers annually.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

SHANTI Bill

♦ President Droupadi Murmu has granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill on 21 December 2025. ♦ The SHANTI Bill subsumes all existing laws governing the civil nuclear sector and opens it up to private companies. It repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, which the government said had emerged as impediments to the growth of nuclear power in the country. ♦ Under the new framework, private companies as well as joint ventures will be permitted to build, own, operate and decommission nuclear power plants, subject to licensing and oversight by the government.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill

♦ President Droupadi Murmu on 21 December 2025 gave her assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G Ram G) Bill. It replaces the erstwhile Congress-led government’s flagship Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which initially guaranteed at least 100 days of employment.. ♦ The new Act brings structural changes to the rural job scheme while increasing the number of guaranteed days of work from 100 to 125 days. ♦ The Centre has said the intent of the bill is to ensure that public funds are spent efficiently, with greater transparency and accountability.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

B P Kanungo

♦ Former Reserve Bank of Indi (RBI) Deputy Governor B P Kanungo was appointed as the non-Executive Chairman of IIFL Finance. He is currently a non-executive independent director on the board of IIFL Finance Ltd. ♦ Kanungo brings more than four decades of experience in central banking, monetary policy, and financial regulation. ♦ He served as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2017 to 2021 and was also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

♦ The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully completed a series of qualification tests for Drogue Parachutes for the development of deceleration system of Gaganyaan Crew Module. The tests leld at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. ♦ The deceleration system of Gaganyaan Crew Module comprises of a total of 10 parachutes of 4 types. The descent sequence begins with two apex cover separation parachutes that remove the protective cover of the parachute compartment, followed by two drogue parachutes that stabilize and decelerate the module. Upon release of the drogues, three pilot parachutes are deployed to extract three main parachutes, which further slow down the Crew Module to ensure a safe touchdown.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

INS Sindhughosh

INS Sindhughosh was decommissioned after 40 years of glorious service to the nation, the Western Naval Command said on 20 December 2025. The decommissioning ceremony was held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, in the presence of WNC's Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC) Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Shashwat Sharma

♦ Shashwat Sharma was appointed as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel India, effective January 1, 2026. He is currently the CEO-designate, will take over the top role for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval. He will also be designated as a key managerial personnel of the company. ♦ Also, Gopal Vittal was appointed as Executive Vice Chairman. He is currently serves as Vice Chairman and Managing Director, will take on the new role as a whole-time director from January 1, 2026, for a period of five years.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Uttar Pradesh

♦ Uttar Pradesh is set to create history with the establishment of India’s first dedicated forest university, marking a major step in strengthening education and research in forestry, wildlife, and environmental sciences. The university will be established in Gorakhpur, eastern Uttar Pradesh and will be built on 125 acres. ♦ The project was announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who said the university will give students an opportunity to gain specialised knowledge of flora, fauna and forestry. ♦ The state government has finalised the Detailed Project Report. The university is expected to cost Rs.500 crore.

Dec 22, 2025 Current Affairs

Amulya

♦ The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship ‘Amulya’ was commissioned at Goa Shipyard Limited, Vasco, Goa on 19 December 2025. This is the third vessel in the new-generation Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV). The 51-metre FPV powered by two 3000 kW advanced diesel engines, was designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). ♦ The vessel Amulya is capable of delivering a top speed of 27 knots and an operational endurance of 1500 nautical miles, enabling extended missions in India's maritime zones. The ship is armed with a 30 mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7 mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns, supported by advanced target acquisition and fire-control systems. ♦ The vessel will be based at Paradip, Odisha, operating under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East) through the Commander, Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 7.

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