Daily GK Update- 19th Dec, 2025

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. NCDEX Gets SEBI Nod to Launch Mutual Fund Transaction Platform: NCDEX has received in-principle approval from SEBI to launch a Mutual Fund (MF) transaction platform, marking a significant step in its strategy to become a diversified, multi-asset market infrastructure institution.The exchange will facilitate mutual fund subscription and redemption through an exchange-led framework, with a focus on low-denomination Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) to improve access for a broader investor base.National Commodity Clearing Limited (NCCL) will manage clearing and settlement of MF transactions, while the platform also serves as a strategic precursor to NCDEX’s planned entry into equity and equity derivatives markets.

 

2. President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Vijay Diwas: President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Vijay Diwas, featuring portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees to honour India’s bravest soldiers.The gallery aims to educate visitors about the courage, valour, and self-sacrifice of Indian heroes, replacing colonial-era portraits of British ADCs with India’s own military legends, reflecting pride in the nation’s culture and heritage.Observed on December 16, Vijay Diwas commemorates India’s victory in the 1971 war, which led to the liberation of Bangladesh, highlighting the joint efforts of the Indian Armed Forces and Mukti Bahini in reshaping South Asia’s history.

 

3. Ponduru Khadi from Andhra Pradesh Receives Geographical Indication (GI) Tag: Ponduru Khadi, the traditional handspun and handwoven cotton fabric from Andhra Pradesh, has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Geographical Indications Registry.Locally known as Patnulu, Ponduru Khadi is produced exclusively in Ponduru village, Srikakulam district, showcasing the area’s rich textile heritage.The fabric has been nominated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, highlighting its importance for Srikakulam’s economy and cultural identity.

 

4. Bihar: Motihari Police Roll Out ‘Abhaya Brigade’ to Curb Harassment Near Schools and Colleges : Bihar, Motihari Police launched the ‘Abhaya Brigade’ to ensure the safety of women and girl students, with strict action including arrest and jail for miscreants harassing female students around schools, colleges and coaching centres.Special Abhaya Brigade teams have been formed in nearly all 50 police stations of East Champaran, each comprising women officers and constables, and have begun regular patrolling in uniform and plain clothes.The initiative, flagged off by SP Swarn Prabhat and formed under the directions of Deputy CM & Home Minister Samrat Choudhary, follows a zero-tolerance policy against crimes against women, focusing on preventing harassment, molestation, kidnapping and trafficking.

 

5. Gujarat’s Mitiyaj Becomes First Village to Run Gram Panchayat Office at Night: Mitiyaj Gram Panchayat in Gir Somnath district has become the first in Gujarat to operate at night, keeping the panchayat office open from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm to make governance accessible for working villagers.The initiative, taken by Sarpanch Surpal Singh Barad, addresses the needs of farmers and daily wage labourers, enabling them to access essential services without losing daytime wages.Sarpanch Barad personally attends the night office hours, ensuring quick grievance redressal and smooth delivery of welfare services such as ration cards, Aadhaar work, pensions, and government schemes.

 

6. Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini Announces Hansi as 23rd District of the State : Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini announced Hansi as the 23rd district of the state, increasing Haryana’s total districts from 22 to 23, during a Vikas Rally in Hansi.It was in 2016 that the Haryana government put forward a proposal to carve the new Hansi district out of the Hisar district.The move is expected to improve governance, streamline public services, and accelerate overall development, addressing the demands of residents and local leaders.Since Haryana’s formation in 1966 with seven districts, new districts have been added over time; with Hansi’s inclusion, the state will now have 23 districts, enhancing administrative reach and focus on local needs.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Italy Becomes First Country to Have Entire National Cuisine Recognized by UNESCO: Italy became the first country in the world to have its entire national cuisine recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2025.The recognition highlights Italian cuisine as a living tradition encompassing diverse practices like pasta, cheese, wine, desserts, and regional foods, emphasising community bonding and intergenerational knowledge transfer.While Italy already has 21 elements on UNESCO’s intangible heritage list, this is the first time a whole country’s cuisine has been recognized, reflecting the importance of food in culture, identity, and social life.

 

2. Oman Allows 50% Indian Workforce Under CEPA Framework: India has secured a major employment concession for its workforce in Oman, with the Gulf nation permitting companies to employ up to 50% Indian nationals, a sharp rise from the earlier cap of 20%. The decision forms part of the broader Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries and is expected to significantly benefit Indian workers, professionals, and enterprises operating in Oman. Government officials said the revised cap ensures that Indian companies setting up operations in Oman are not compelled to recruit workers from third countries. The provision provides Indian firms greater flexibility in workforce planning while safeguarding opportunities for Indian nationals across skill levels. Importantly, the agreement includes a “standstill” clause, meaning the 50% ceiling cannot be reduced in the future, offering long-term certainty to Indian businesses and employees. The CEPA also includes a parity clause, under which any labour-related concession granted by Oman to Saarc countries will automatically extend to India. While Oman maintains requirements for hiring local citizens, officials clarified that restrictions are stricter only in select senior or sensitive job categories. For most sectors, particularly goods and services, the new framework is expected to ease labour mobility and reduce compliance hurdles for Indian firms.

 

3. Afghan Kunar River Diversion Raises Alarm Over Pakistan’s Water Security: Pakistan’s already fragile water situation is set to face fresh pressure as the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan moves ahead with plans to divert water from the Kunar River towards the Nangarhar region. The proposed project has triggered concerns in Islamabad over reduced downstream flows into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the risk of renewed strain in Afghanistan–Pakistan relations. According to reports, Afghanistan’s Technical Committee of the Economic Commission under the Office of the Prime Minister has approved a proposal to divert water from the Kunar River to the Darunta Dam in Nangarhar. The plan has been forwarded to the Economic Commission for a final decision. Once implemented, the project is expected to ease water shortages across large agricultural tracts in Nangarhar, supporting irrigation and local livelihoods within Afghanistan. The Kunar River runs for nearly 500 kilometres and originates in the Hindu Kush mountains in Pakistan’s Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Flowing south into Afghanistan, it passes through Kunar and Nangarhar provinces before merging with the Kabul River.

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Operation Hawkeye Strike Targets ISIS in Syria: The United States has launched Operation Hawkeye Strike, a coordinated series of airstrikes against Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria. The action follows the killing of three Americans in a December attack in the Syrian desert and marks a significant escalation in US military retaliation against the extremist group. Washington has described the strikes as a direct response aimed at deterring further attacks on US personnel. The operation was prompted by a December 13 assault attributed to ISIS, which resulted in the deaths of two members of the Iowa National Guard and a US civilian interpreter. The victims were part of a broader American deployment operating alongside coalition forces in eastern Syria. Following confirmation of the attack, US officials blamed ISIS cells active in remote desert regions, despite sustained counter-terrorism pressure over recent years. President Donald Trump termed the strikes a “very serious retaliation” and warned militant groups against targeting Americans. He emphasised that the action was a fulfilment of a public commitment to respond decisively. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth framed the move as a “declaration of vengeance”, underscoring that the strikes were not the beginning of a new war but a focused punitive response. The White House reiterated that protecting US personnel remains a non-negotiable priority.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Shafali Verma Named ICC Women’s Player of the Month After World Cup Final Heroics: India opener Shafali Verma was named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November, while South Africa spinner Simon Harmer won the award in the men’s category for his standout bowling performance against India.Shafali played a decisive innings of 87 runs off 78 balls in the Women’s World Cup final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, the highest score by an Indian opener in a World Cup final, helping India post 298/7.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. BlueBird Satellite Launch Set for December 24: India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM-3 is set to place a major US commercial satellite into orbit on December 24, marking another milestone in the country’s expanding role in global space commerce. The mission will be executed by NewSpace India Limited under a commercial agreement, highlighting India’s growing credibility as a launch service provider for high-mass foreign satellites. Indian Space Research Organisation has confirmed that the LVM3-M6 mission will lift off at 8.54 am from the second launch pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The mission was initially planned for mid-December but was rescheduled to December 24 following internal readiness assessments. The launch will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, also referred to as BlueBird-6, into low Earth orbit. NewSpace India Limited is responsible for executing the launch under a commercial contract. While the PSLV has historically been India’s workhorse for foreign satellite launches, the LVM-3 has emerged as a platform for heavier payloads. Its commercial debut in 2022 demonstrated India’s capability to launch satellites weighing well over five tonnes, expanding its addressable market in the global launch sector.

 

2. MLFF Tolling System to Go Nationwide by End of 2026: The Union Government plans to complete the nationwide rollout of the multi-lane free flow (MLFF) tolling system along with artificial intelligence-based highway management by the end of 2026. The initiative aims to eliminate waiting time at toll plazas and significantly enhance travel efficiency on national highways. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari informed the Rajya Sabha that the MLFF system will allow vehicles to pass through toll points without stopping. The objective is to reduce waiting time at toll plazas to zero minutes. Under the new system, vehicles will be able to cross toll locations at speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour, ensuring uninterrupted traffic flow and improved commuter convenience. The MLFF tolling mechanism will operate through an integrated technology framework. It will combine artificial intelligence-based number plate recognition, satellite tracking, and FASTag integration to automatically identify vehicles and deduct toll charges. This digital approach is designed to ensure seamless toll collection while minimising manual intervention and errors.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.7% in November: India’s overall unemployment rate (UR) fell to 7% in November 2025, the lowest level since April, for individuals aged 15 years and above, reflecting an improvement in the job market.Rural unemployment dropped to 3.9%, while urban unemployment fell to 6.5%, matching the lowest urban unemployment recorded earlier this year, according to MoSPI data.Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) increased to 55.8% overall, with rural LFPR rising to 58.6% and urban LFPR slightly dipping to 50.4%, indicating more people actively engaging in the workforce.

 

2. RBI Approves HDFC Bank to Acquire Up to 9.5% Stake in IndusInd Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has approved HDFC Bank, along with its group entities, to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.5% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in IndusInd Bank.The approval is valid for one year till December 14, 2026, with the condition that HDFC Bank’s aggregate holding must not exceed 9.5% at any time; any increase from below 5% will require prior RBI approval.RBI has clarified that HDFC Bank will not have any representation on the Board of IndusInd Bank, ensuring regulatory compliance and governance safeguards.

 

3. Government Extends SBI MD Ashwini Kumar Tewari’s Tenure by Two Years: The Government has extended the tenure of State Bank of India (SBI) Managing Director Ashwini Kumar Tewari for another two years, marking his second such extension after the first in 2024.As per the regulatory filing, Tewari’s term has been extended beyond January 27, 2026, and will now continue till his superannuation on December 31, 2027; he was initially appointed MD in January 2021.The SBI Board is led by a Chairman and supported by four Managing Directors, with Ashwini Kumar Tewari continuing as one of the key members of the top management.

 

AWARDS AND HONOURS

 

1. PM Modi Receives Ethiopia’s Highest Civilian Honour, “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia”: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, “The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia,” from Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali at the Addis International Convention Centre.The award acknowledges Modi’s exceptional contribution to strengthening India–Ethiopia relations and his influence in global leadership.Modi became the first head of state or government worldwide to receive this honour and dedicated it to India’s 1.4 billion people.It is also the 28th top foreign state honour conferred on him by a foreign nation.

 

2. PM Modi Conferred Oman’s Highest Civilian Honour ‘The First Class of the Order Award’: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred Oman’s highest civilian honour — The First Class of the Order of Oman by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq during his official visit to Muscat, recognising his contributions to strengthening bilateral ties between India and Oman.The award, traditionally given to eminent global leaders, marks a significant diplomatic recognition and places PM Modi among an elite group of world figures who have received this prestigious honour.This accolade is Modi’s 29th global honour, further underscoring his stature as a globally respected statesman.