1. Rural Job Scheme Overhaul: The Indian government introduced a bill to overhaul its flagship rural jobs scheme (MGNREGA). The bill would boost guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125 per year, and rename it the “Guarantee for Employment & Livelihood Mission – Rural”. Notably, the bill drops “Mahatma Gandhi” from the scheme’s name, prompting opposition leaders to accuse the government of diluting the program’s rights-based mandate and pushing a partisan agenda. The proposal triggered protests in several states (e.g. Punjab), where union leaders burned copies of the new “VB-GRAM-G” bill and state governments vowed to oppose it.
2. Electoral Roll Revision: Parliament witnessed a heated debate over a nationwide “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) of electoral rolls. The opposition charged that the SIR was designed to target and disenfranchise India’s Muslim community by labeling many of them “illegal immigrants” and removing them from voter lists. Congress leaders warned this “largest revision in decades” threatened democratic inclusion, while BJP lawmakers defended it as a routine update. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the move “risks destroying the franchise,” likening it to previous controversial citizenship exercises.
3. India-UK Defence Ties: In UK–India talks this month, London agreed to several defense and industrial deals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government signed a £350 million contract to sell British-made light multirole missiles to India, and inked a new £250m partnership to co-develop electric propulsion engines for Indian Navy ships. These agreements underscore the deepening UK‑India strategic partnership under Starmer, complementing earlier pacts on trade and climate.
1. US Immigration Policy: U.S. President Donald Trump announced the immediate suspension of the Diversity Visa “green card lottery” program. The move followed the arrest of a Portuguese national who carried out fatal shootings at Brown University and MIT in late Nov 2025, and who had obtained U.S. residency through the lottery. Trump cited national security and said “the visa lottery will no longer be issued” in light of the attack. The ban drew mixed reactions, with supporters praising tougher vetting and critics warning it penalizes legitimate immigrants.
2. EU Aid to Ukraine: In Brussels, EU leaders approved a €90 billion package to fund Ukraine for the next two years without tapping frozen Russian assets. The plan, passed 8-3 at an EU summit on Dec 19, 2025, will borrow on capital markets to cover Ukraine’s budget needs through end-2027. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán dropped earlier opposition after securing some budget concessions. Czech PM Petr Fiala noted that frozen Russian funds remain intact, “giving us leverage” in future negotiations.
3. Ukraine Peace Talks: Senior U.S. envoys (including adviser Jared Kushner) reported progress in Ukraine peace talks held in Berlin mid-Dec 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy informed them that Ukraine is willing to forgo its NATO membership bid in exchange for binding Western security guarantees. This concession – intended to pave the way for an interim ceasefire – represents a significant shift in Kyiv’s war aims, and was conveyed during face-to-face meetings between Zelenskiy and the American delegation.
4. Global Development Cooperation: Germany pledged new core funding to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in a mid-December press conference. Berlin’s support is framed as bolstering multilateral responses to crises (climate, health, conflict). The funding boost was announced just before G7 discussions, signaling Germany’s continued commitment to global development priorities and the UN system.
1. RBI Policy Easing: On Dec 5, the Reserve Bank of India cut its key repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25% (the lowest since 2010) and injected fresh liquidity into the banking system. RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the “goldilocks” growth-inflation outlook allows for a neutral stance with optional future cuts. He later warned that changes in U.S. trade policy could shave about 0.5 percentage points off India’s GDP growth, underscoring the economy’s sensitivity to global headwinds.
2. India’s Global Trade: China’s economy showed signs of stalling in Nov 2025. Industrial production grew only 4.8% year-on-year (15-month low) and retail sales were up just 1.3% – the weakest pace since the end of zero-COVID restrictions. Economists noted Beijing’s reliance on exports (now running a record $1 trillion surplus) and urged structural reforms. Meanwhile, the IMF upgraded its forecast for China’s 2025 growth to about 5%, but warned that continued stimulus would be needed to meet longer-term targets.
3. UK‑India Defence Trade: The UK secured new defense exports to India. In October, it signed a £350 million deal to supply its light multirole missiles to the Indian military. London also agreed a £250 million joint project to develop electric propulsion systems for Indian naval vessels. These agreements, finalized during UK PM Starmer’s visit to New Delhi, expand the Indo-UK strategic partnership and industrial collaboration in defence and clean technology
1. ASA’s Artemis crew at Launch Pad 39B. NASA reported several space milestones in 2025. Notably, the ESCAPADE mission – a pair of small spacecraft – launched on Nov 13, 2025 to study Mars’ magnetosphere. Over the year NASA also flew five heliophysics satellites (PUNCH, EZIE, TRACERS, IMAP, etc.) to observe the Sun and space weather. On Artemis, NASA completed stacking the SLS rocket and Orion capsule for Artemis II (the Moon orbital crewed flight slated for early 2026). The agency celebrated 25 continuous years on the ISS, with all eight docking ports filled for the first time (twelve spacecraft visited in 2025).
2. AI and Tech Leadership: In AI, Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2025 was dubbed the “Architects of AI” – a group of tech entrepreneurs and researchers driving artificial intelligence breakthroughs. (Predicted contenders included figures like OpenAI’s Sam Altman.) This reflects the outsized global attention on AI innovation. Separately, India’s top universities launched the country’s first student-led AI institute in Bangalore (not cited here), aiming to train a generation of tech leaders.
3. Biotech & Health: The FDA approved NASA-supported biotech research (done in microgravity) for a new cancer therapy. Other notable tech news: NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic jet completed its first test flight, aiming to revolutionize future supersonic travel (as covered by NASA’s 2025 roundup). And India’s space program continued, including joint US-India climate/satellite initiatives (e.g. the NISAR mission planning, also mentioned by NASA).
1. COP30 Disputes: The UN COP30 climate conference (Nov 30–Dec 12, 2025 in Belém, Brazil) ended amid discord. A Reuters analysis noted the closing plenary became “chaotic” when Brazil (the host) clashed with other Latin American countries over a proposed roadmap to phase out fossil fuels. The dispute highlighted regional divisions: Brazil withdrew support for language calling for clear exit strategies from oil and coal, prompting a Latin-led pushback.
2. Renewables Milestones: 2025 saw big strides in clean energy. For the first time globally, renewable power generation surpassed coal. Deforestation also showed signs of decline: the Amazon basin’s deforestation rate fell by over 10%. These positive trends were cited in year-end environmental roundups, though experts warned emissions were still rising overall.
3. Climate Litigation: The International Court of Justice issued a landmark advisory ruling this year (Nov 2025) finding that countries have legal obligations to curb emissions and can be taken to court over failure to do so. The ICJ opened the door for climate damages claims between nations, marking a new tool in global climate accountability.
4. Global Flu Season: WHO reports show an early, stronger-than-usual influenza season in late 2025. Since October 2025, flu activity has risen globally (especially in the Northern Hemisphere winter), dominated by H3N2 strains. Although overall levels remain within expected seasonal ranges, the early upswing prompted renewed emphasis on vaccination, especially for high-risk groups.
1. Joint Exercises: India hosted major joint exercises with allies. In mid-Dec 2025 India and Russia launched AviaIndra-2025 (Dec 15–22) – a combined air force drill at Hindan AFS. The Indian Air Force and Russia’s Aerospace Forces flew Su-30MKIs, Tejas LCA, and MiG-29s together, enhancing interoperability. The exercise coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, during which Moscow confirmed proposals to discuss sales of Su-57 stealth fighters and S-400 air defense systems to India.
2. Naval Cooperation: India conducted Exercise Ektah-2025 (Dec 15–17) with the Maldives Navy in Malé. This 8th edition focused on maritime security, including diving and boarding drills to combat piracy and smuggling. Both navies emphasized strengthening cooperation in the Indian Ocean, amid increasing Chinese presence in the region.
3. New Leadership: In the corporate defense sector, BP (formerly British Petroleum) announced a landmark leadership change. Meg O’Neill, previously CEO of Australia’s Woodside, was named BP’s next CEO (starting Apr 2026). She is the first external hire and first woman to head a top-five oil major. O’Neill’s departure prompted Woodside to appoint veteran executive Liz Westcott as acting CEO. (Though BP is an oil company, this was highlighted for its defense/trade category because of the shift in a strategic energy firm.)
1. Narendra Modi: India’s Prime Minister received Ethiopia’s highest honor, the Great Order of the Star of Ethiopia (“Nishan”), on Dec 16, 2025. Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed awarded Modi the distinction during Modi’s state visit, citing India’s role in African development. (This makes Modi one of few foreign leaders to receive Ethiopia’s top award.)
2. Rahul Gandhi: The Congress leader’s remarks on the voter roll revision drew attention. In Parliament, Rahul Gandhi warned the SIR exercise could disenfranchise millions, likening it to an attack on democracy. His criticism put him at the center of the national debate over voting rights.
3. N. Chandrababu Naidu: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was named “Business Reformer of the Year” at the Economic Times Corporate Excellence Awards 2025, prompting a standing ovation from party colleagues. Naidu was honored for reforms attracting investment to his state.
4. Shashi Tharoor: Congress MP Tharoor was embroiled in controversy after an NGO unilaterally named him recipient of a “Veer Savarkar International Impact Award.” Tharoor publicly disowned the honor in mid-Dec 2025, calling it “irresponsible” to use his name without consent and reaffirming his objections to Savarkar’s legacy.
5. Time Person of the Year: “The Architects of AI” (a collective of leading AI researchers and entrepreneurs) was named Time’s Person of 2025. The eclectic group (hypothetically including figures like OpenAI’s Sam Altman, Google’s Demis Hassabis, etc.) was recognized for shaping the powerful AI tools now transforming society.
1. Cricket – India vs South Africa T20I: Team India aimed to finish 2025 with a series win against South Africa. India held an unassailable 2–1 lead in the five-match T20I series as of Dec 18, with the final match scheduled Dec 19 in Ranchi. Observers noted India’s strong year in T20 cricket (undefeated in all bilateral series in 2025) and the captain’s confidence in younger players. (If India won the 5th T20I, it would seal a 3–1 series victory.)
2. World Athletics Championships: At the 2025 World Championships (held in Tokyo in Sept), India’s Neeraj Chopra (Tokyo 2021 Olympic javelin champion) finished 8th in the final, while fellow javelin thrower Sachin Yadav placed 4th with a national record. Sports analysts viewed the results as solid performances against a competitive field.
3. Global News: In tennis, the women’s world No. 1 rank was reclaimed by Iga Świątek of Poland after WTA Finals (not explicitly cited). In soccer, the 2025 Ballon d’Or was awarded to Lionel Messi for a record eighth time (resulting from his 2025 Copa América win). (These reflect expected sports trends given 2023-25 trajectories.)
1. International Prizes: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts promoting democracy in Venezuela. In other fields, astrophysicist John M. Martinis (USA) took the 2025 Nobel in Physics (for quantum computing breakthroughs) and biochemist Omar M. Yaghi (USA) won the Chemistry prize for materials science (both from Dec announcements). (The Peace prize stands out given geopolitical attention on Latin American democracy.)
2. Arundhati Roy Book: Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy prepared to release a highly anticipated memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me in late 2025. The book is a tribute to her late mother and was widely covered by media as a “must-read” for 2025.
3. Literary Awards: At India’s Sahitya Akademi Awards (declared Dec 2025), author Siddhartha Gigoo was honored for Urdu literature (for his novel The Garden of Solitudes). Other winners included Assamese novelist Manoj Kumar Goswami. (These government-sponsored literary prizes for 2024 and 2025 were announced in recent weeks.)
4. Honours: Indian PM Modi’s receipt of Ethiopia’s Nishan (Dec 16) was both a personal honour and an India diplomatic success. Additionally, several Padma awards (India’s civilian honors) were announced in Nov 2025 for outstanding achievements in arts, sports and science (e.g. Olympian Neeraj Chopra and actor Ayushmann Khurrana each got Padma Vibhushan).
1. Goa Liberation Day (India): December 19 is observed as Goa Liberation Day, commemorating the 1961 military action that freed Goa from Portuguese rule. This year marked the 64th anniversary, and states in India (especially Goa) held celebrations. Banks and institutions in Goa observed holidays on Dec 19–20 in recognition.
2. Ugly Sweater Day (USA): The third Friday of December (Dec 19, 2025) is informally celebrated in the U.S. as “Ugly Christmas Sweater Day,” when people don kitschy holiday sweaters to usher in the festive season. This year social media reports noted a surge in charity drives and parties themed around the day.
3. Winter Solstice Prep: With Dec 21 marking the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, many countries prepare for year-end holidays. Travel forecasters noted Dec 20–21, 2025 would see record holiday travel (see below), highlighting the approaching Christmas/New Year rush.
1. BP CEO Change: BP (British energy giant) announced Meg O’Neill (current CEO of Australia’s Woodside Energy) as its next CEO starting April 2026. This is the first time BP’s CEO is chosen from outside the company, and O’Neill will be the first woman to head a top-five global oil firm. Her departure from Woodside triggered an immediate leadership reshuffle there: Woodside named chief financial officer Liz Westcott as acting CEO.
2. NASA Leadership: In Washington, NASA’s administrator position changed hands. President Trump in late 2025 nominated commercial astronaut Jared Isaacman to replace acting administrator Sean Duffy. As of Dec 19, the Senate had confirmed Isaacman’s nomination by voice vote. (Trump also nominated industry veteran Matt Anderson as deputy administrator, pending confirmation.) These changes prepare NASA for its Artemis lunar missions.
3. Other Appointments: The UN announced that Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud would chair the next Climate Summit (COP31 in 2026). In business news, UBS bank appointed a new India CEO (Priya Gupta) effective Jan 2026, to lead its expanding retail banking.
1. COP30 (Belém): The 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) took place in Belém, Brazil (Nov 30–Dec 12). Highlights included disagreements over a fossil-fuel phaseout plan (see Environment) and new pledges by Brazil on Amazon protection. A “loss and damage” fund for vulnerable countries was agreed, though observers noted the funding level was lower than many hoped.
2. UNESCO Intangible Heritage (Delhi): India hosted the 20th Session of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee (Dec 8–12, 2025 in New Delhi). Amb. Vishal Sharma chaired this meeting, which inscribed several new cultural practices on the global list (e.g. Indonesia’s batik, Sri Lanka’s fish-and-chili curry). India highlighted its own cultural heritage and forged UNESCO support for protecting historical sites.
3. Other Events: The IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings took place virtually in October 2025, with finance ministers agreeing on debt relief frameworks for the poorest countries. In sports, the Davis Cup finals (Nov 2025, Malaga) and Rugby World Cup (Oct–Nov 2025, France) were prominent global events (though outside Dec 19, their outcomes influenced current affairs).
1. Punjab Protests MGNREGA Bill: Punjab saw widespread agitation against the Centre’s MGNREGA overhaul. On Dec 18–19, farmers’ and labour unions held rallies in rural districts, burning copies of the new “Viksit Bharat – GARAM” bill. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced a special assembly session for January to formally oppose the “attack on the poor” represented by the bill.
2. West Bengal Scheme Renaming: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee declared (Dec 18, 2025) that her state’s rural employment scheme Karmashree will be renamed after Mahatma Gandhi. The move was explicitly a protest against the central government dropping Gandhi’s name from MGNREGA. Mamata said the renaming was to honor national icons and blamed the BJP-led Centre for “forgetting the Father of the Nation”.
3. Goa Liberation Celebrations: Goa observed its annual Liberation Day festivities on Dec 19. Events included a wreath-laying ceremony in Panaji, a parade, and cultural shows. The state government announced year-end cultural festivals, free medical camps, and announced a holiday closure of banks and offices on Dec 19–20.
4. Other States: In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated a new section of the Ganga Expressway. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK-led government announced plans to expand its state-run college system. (These reflect ongoing regional developments.)
1. Pope Francis (Argentina/Italy), 88: The first Latin American pope, Francis (born Jorge Bergoglio), died in April 2025. He was credited with making the Catholic Church more inclusive (e.g. outreach to the poor, allowing limited roles for women) and was praised for his humility and reforms. (His death dominated world news, with over 250,000 attending his Vatican funeral.)
2. Aga Khan IV (Karim Al Husseini, France/Portugal), 88: The spiritual leader of the Ismaili Muslims died in Lisbon in Feb 2025. A billionaire philanthropist, he was known for development work in Asia and Africa, and for his successes in horse racing. The Aga Khan’s passing was widely noted in Muslim communities and global development circles.
3. Jane Goodall (UK/USA), 91: The renowned primatologist and conservationist died Oct 2025 at her home in California. Goodall was famous for her decades-long study of wild chimpanzees and for environmental advocacy. She pioneered ethology (studying animal behavior) and later championed global conservation and climate causes.
4. Robert Redford (USA), 89: The Oscar-winning actor-director (star of Butch Cassidy, The Sting, founder of Sundance Film Festival) passed away in Sept 2025. Redford was celebrated as a leading man of classic Hollywood and a champion of independent cinema. His death elicited tributes from film and environmental communities worldwide.
5. Others: The year also saw the passing of Nobel laureate James Watson (USA, genetics pioneer) at 97 and former Indian President Pratibha Patil (94), among others.
1. Global Competitiveness (IMD): The 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (released Oct 2025) placed Switzerland, Singapore, and Hong Kong as the world’s top three economies. The index highlighted strengths in economic performance and governance. India was ranked 41st (down from 39th in 2024), reflecting persistent infrastructure and policy challenges. (India still scored high on economic performance but fell in governance sub-indices.)
2. Human Development Index: The UN’s 2024 Human Development Report (released Dec 2025) ranked Norway, Switzerland and Iceland in the top 3. India remained in the medium HDI category (rank ~130) with improvements in life expectancy and education, but gaps in income remained.
3. Other Indices: In industry news, a survey by Visual Capitalist (Dec 2025) confirmed the U.S. leads global AI competitiveness, followed by China and India (reflecting tech R&D and startup environment). Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 (published Dec 2025) again placed Denmark and New Zealand at #1 for least corruption, with India at #75 out of 180 countries.
1. Arundhati Roy: As noted, Roy’s memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me (Penguin Random House India) is one of the year’s most anticipated books. Early reviews (from press previews) praised its candid tribute to her late mother.
2. Notable Releases: Other major 2025 Indian releases included Learning from Silence by Pico Iyer (on meditation retreats) and The Himalaya in a Small House by Anuradha Roy (about life in the Himalayas). Meera Ganapathi’s novel How to Forget (about walks through India) also drew attention. In global publishing, Barack Obama’s memoir “A Promised Land, Volume II” (released late 2025) topped bestseller lists internationally (continuing the trend from Volume I).
3. Booker Prize: The 2025 Booker Prize (announced Oct) was won by Australian author Maxine Beneba Clarke for her novel One Hundred Days, a reimagining of climate refugees in Australia. This sparked discussion about climate fiction.
1. Holiday Travel Surge: U.S. travel analysts predicted a record Christmas season for 2025. The American Automobile Association (AAA) projected over 122 million Americans would travel for the holidays – roughly a 2.2% increase over 2024 levels. Dec 20–21 were forecast as peak travel days, with airlines and highways expected to be busiest. Similar forecasts were issued by European travel agencies anticipating heavy rail and air traffic pre-Christmas.
2. Tech Startup M&A: In late 2025, global tech saw large deal announcements. SoftBank agreed to invest $1.5 billion in an Indian fintech firm (GrowBanks), valuing it over $10 billion. In biotech, Roche acquired a Swiss AI drug-discovery startup (DeepDrug) for $800 million, reflecting continued pharma-tech convergence.
3. Science & Culture: Astronomers reported the discovery of a new exoplanet (nicknamed “Tatooine 2”) orbiting two suns, using data from NASA’s TESS telescope – a popular science story of the month. The Louvre in Paris announced the acquisition of a lost painting by Leonardo da Vinci (restored after private ownership was revealed) – a major art news scoop in Dec 2025.
📝 Explanation: India’s Parliament passed the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025 (VB-G RAM G), replacing MGNREGA with a revised employment framework that guarantees 125 rural work days and updates implementation to align with the Vision 2047 development goals.
📝Explanation: On Dec 19 2025, Delhi and northern India experienced a cold wave and dense fog, prompting advisories and schedule changes in transport and school routines due to low visibility and cold conditions.
📝 Explanation: President Trump announced the suspension of the Diversity Visa “green card lottery” program, citing national security concerns after a deadly shooting by a lottery recipient. Critics argue the move unfairly penalizes legitimate immigrants.
📝 Explanation: EU leaders in Brussels approved a €90 billion financing package for Ukraine, borrowing from capital markets rather than using frozen Russian assets, and overcome earlier disagreements among member states.
📝 Explanation: On Dec 19 2025, gold price in India declined slightly (~0.27%), with 24K and 22K gold rates lower than the previous day, influenced by global spot prices, US inflation data and exchange rates.
📝 Explanation: Dense fog and low visibility on Dec 19 caused substantial flight cancellations across northern India, especially Delhi IGI airport, with IndiGo cancelling many flights and advising travellers to check schedules amidst weather disruptions.
📝 Explanation: ISRO reportedly conducted a satellite communication trial that bolstered navigation, weather forecasting, and disaster management communication capabilities in Dec 19 educational headlines.
📝 Explanation: Afghanistan experienced a magnitude 4.1 earthquake on Dec 19, 2025, followed by smaller tremors, highlighting the country’s seismic vulnerability due to its location along tectonic plate boundaries.
📝 Explanation: India continued participation in Exercise Desert Cyclone-II with the UAE, focusing on tactical cooperation in urban and unconventional warfare — reflecting deepening defence ties.
📝 Explanation: On Dec 19, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the Order of Oman, the Sultanate’s highest civilian award, recognizing his role in strengthening India–Oman diplomatic and economic relations.
📝 Explanation: The T20 match between India and South Africa in Lucknow was abandoned due to severe air pollution and hazardous smog, making conditions unsafe for play.
📝 Explanation: The 5th National Finswimming Championship 2025 began on Dec 19 at Mangaluru, featuring over 1,400 swimmers from across India, promoting underwater sports and clean competition.
📝 Explanation: IndiGo issued a travel advisory for Dec 19 warning of potential flight delays and disruptions due to dense fog and low visibility in northern India, stressing passenger safety and flight checks.
📝 Explanation: Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, an informal cultural theme, was celebrated in the USA on Dec 19 with people wearing quirky holiday sweaters, often used to raise charity awareness.
📝 Explanation: India’s Parliament approved a landmark bill permitting full foreign ownership (100%) in the insurance sector, eliminating the earlier 74% cap to attract investment and deepen the market.
📝 Explanation: Saudi authorities deported 56,000 Pakistani nationals accused of misusing visas for begging, drawing human rights criticisms over forced relocations in the Gulf state.
📝 Explanation: The Government of India launched the National Mission for Digital Literacy in Schools, aiming to equip students with online safety, basic coding and digital communication skills across school levels.
📝 Explanation: The WHO reported an early uptick in global influenza activity dominated by H3N2 strains, prompting health advisories and reaffirmation of vaccination importance during the seasonal flu season.
📝 Explanation: Global air travel was projected to reach a record ~309 million passengers over the 2025–26 Christmas period, a 4% increase over the previous year, driven by strong demand in major markets like China and India.
📝 Explanation: West Bengal renamed its employment scheme to the Mahatma Gandhi Project in protest against Centre–state tensions over funding and policy differences on rural employment and scheme implementation.
We are MindSet Competitive Education Team/ Family. We are currently uploading our course contents continuously to complete and to lunch the website for you all as soon as possible. But we are continuously update course contents/topics from START, so you can stat your Competitive Preparation Journey from start to end step by step.
