Current Affairs - December 17, 2025 Current Affairs

India’s unemployment rate declined to 4.7% in November, marking the lowest level recorded since April for individuals aged 15 years and above. This improvement reflects a positive trend in the labour market as measured by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation under the Current Weekly Status framework. The decline was supported by easing unemployment in both rural and urban areas, alongside an increase in labour force participation. Rising workforce engagement and sectoral recovery contributed to improved employment conditions, indicating gradual strengthening of economic activity and job absorption across regions.

With the designation of Siliserh Lake and Kopra Jalashay, India’s total number of Ramsar sites has increased to 96. These additions marked the 95th and 96th entries to the internationally recognised list of wetlands of importance. Siliserh Lake, a historic man-made freshwater body built in 1845 in Rajasthan, serves as a crucial water source, while Kopra Jalashay gained distinction as the first Ramsar site in Chhattisgarh. The expansion reflects India’s growing commitment to wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable management of vital aquatic ecosystems across different regions.

Jose Antonio Kast emerged victorious in Chile’s presidential election, marking a significant political shift in the country. A right-wing and ultra-conservative leader, he secured a decisive win with 58.16% of the vote, defeating leftist candidate Jeannette Jara. His election reflects growing public concerns over rising crime, illegal migration, and internal security. Kast’s agenda focuses on strengthening border control, reducing organised violence, and stabilising the economy through fiscal discipline. His victory signals a broader rightward shift in Chile’s political landscape and may influence both domestic governance and the country’s future foreign and economic policies.

The AYUSH Expo was organised in New Delhi as a major component of the 2nd WHO Global Conference on Traditional Medicine. Hosted at Bharat Mandapam between December 17 and 19, 2024, the event was jointly organised by the Ministry of AYUSH and the World Health Organization. The expo highlighted India’s rich heritage of traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy. It also featured specialised pavilions and zones such as medicinal plants, spices, metallotherapeutics, wellness practices, and the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, reinforcing India’s leadership in traditional healthcare knowledge.

The Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, operating under the Department of Science and Technology, has developed an advanced nanoparticle-based therapy aimed at treating Alzheimer’s disease through a multi-target approach. Unlike conventional treatments that focus on a single aspect of the disease, this innovative therapy integrates EGCG, dopamine, and tryptophan within engineered nanoparticles. The formulation simultaneously addresses multiple pathological features of Alzheimer’s, including amyloid plaque accumulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and neuronal degeneration. This comprehensive strategy enhances therapeutic effectiveness and represents a significant advancement in neurodegenerative disease research.

Miyana Railway Station in Guna district of Madhya Pradesh was honoured with the National Energy Conservation Award 2025, presented by President Droupadi Murmu. The station was recognised under the Best Transport Category for its significant efforts in reducing electricity consumption. By adopting energy-efficient technologies such as LED lighting, BLDC fans, and smart lighting systems, the station achieved savings of 9,687 electricity units. This achievement reflects the broader commitment of Indian Railways towards sustainable practices, cost efficiency, and environmentally responsible operations, as highlighted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency through this national-level recognition.

The initiative to accelerate the development and induction of indigenous drone systems for the Indian Army was coordinated through the 515 Army Base Workshop located in Secunderabad. This effort aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by promoting self-reliance in defence technology and reducing dependence on imports. The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on advancing IC engine-based drones and enhancing operational capability in GPS-denied environments. By streamlining the process from evaluation to induction, the partnership supports quicker deployment of unmanned systems, strengthening the Army’s land-based operational readiness and technological capabilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, the highest civilian award of Ethiopia, during his official visit to Addis Ababa. With this recognition, he became the first global Head of State or Government to receive the prestigious honour, highlighting India’s expanding diplomatic influence, particularly in Africa and the Global South. The award, presented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, marked PM Modi’s 28th international state honour. It reflects the deep historical, cultural, and educational ties between India and Ethiopia and underscores the strengthening strategic partnership between the two nations.

Google launched its first-ever global credit card in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments landscape. Issued in partnership with Axis Bank and operating on the RuPay network, the card is integrated with Google Pay and can be directly linked to UPI for merchant payments. This enables users to make seamless credit-based UPI transactions, a feature not supported by Visa or Mastercard cards. The card also introduces an instant rewards system, allowing users to redeem benefits immediately after each transaction, highlighting India’s growing leadership in fintech innovation and digital payment solutions.

JP Morgan announced its plan to establish Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s global services landscape. The centre will be located in Powai, Mumbai, spread across 2 million square feet, and is expected to employ around 30,000 people by 2029. This move highlights India’s growing importance as a hub for banking, financial services, and technology-driven operations. It also reflects global corporations’ confidence in India’s skilled workforce, cost efficiency, and robust digital ecosystem, further strengthening the nation’s position in global finance.