Current Affairs - December 19, 2025 Current Affairs

Power Grid commissioned the Khavda II-B inter-state transmission project to facilitate the evacuation of 4.5 GW of renewable energy from the Khavda region of Gujarat, one of India’s largest renewable energy hubs. The project was implemented through Power Grid’s subsidiary under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) route and achieved commercial operation from December 13. This transmission system plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s interstate power grid by enabling the large-scale integration of solar and wind energy, supporting the country’s renewable energy expansion and long-term clean energy goals.

AIIMS Vijaypur became the location for Jammu & Kashmir’s first Gen Z Post Office, reflecting India Post’s strategy to modernise postal services within educational and institutional campuses. The Gen Z Post Office model focuses on youth-centric, technology-enabled services designed to meet the expectations of younger users. AIIMS Vijaypur also earned the distinction of being the first AIIMS in the country to host such a facility. Alongside this, India Post expanded the concept further by launching its first Gen G Post Office in Karnataka at Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, highlighting a parallel effort to create inclusive, community-focused postal service hubs for the general population.

Odisha is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19–20, positioning itself as a key player in India’s evolving artificial intelligence ecosystem. The conference focuses on the application of AI in governance and public services, with emphasis on sustainability, inclusive growth, and technology-led reforms. It aligns with the larger India AI Impact Summit 2026 and follows Odisha’s proactive AI roadmap under the Odisha AI Policy 2025. Guided by the theme of “Planet, People and Progress,” the event highlights AI use across sectors such as health, education, disaster management, and social welfare, reinforcing Odisha’s vision of becoming a future-ready AI hub.

Bihar emerged as the focus of major pumped storage power investments after BSPGCL signed two MoUs with private developers for projects totaling 2,120 MW capacity in the Nawada district. The combined investment amounts to about ₹13,000 crore and falls under the Bihar Pump Storage Project Promotion Policy, 2025. Under these agreements, GreenCo Energies will develop a 1,200 MW project with an investment of ₹7,800 crore, while Sun Petrochemicals will set up a 920 MW project costing ₹5,200 crore. These projects are expected to strengthen energy storage capacity and support grid stability.

NABARD played a key role in launching the #OneRRBOneLogo initiative in collaboration with the Government of India. This initiative aims to provide all 28 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) with a single, unified brand identity, strengthening their visibility and trust among rural customers. The move builds on the earlier “One State One RRB” reform, which merged multiple RRBs across states and Union Territories to improve operational efficiency and governance. The newly unveiled logo represents progress, nurturing, and enlightenment, symbolising the vital role RRBs play in promoting financial inclusion, rural development, and empowerment across India’s countryside.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the First Class of the Order of Oman, the highest civilian honour of the Sultanate, during his official visit to Muscat. This recognition marked his 29th major foreign state honour, reflecting India’s growing global influence and strong diplomatic leadership. The award has previously been conferred on internationally renowned leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. During the visit, high-level bilateral discussions were held covering trade, defence, energy, technology, and cultural cooperation. A major outcome was the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is expected to boost bilateral trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.

Goa Liberation Day is observed annually on December 19 to mark the historic liberation of Goa from Portuguese colonial rule in 1961. The day commemorates the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay, a military action that led to the integration of Goa into the Indian Union after more than 450 years of foreign rule. It holds deep national significance as it symbolises the final end of European colonialism in India and reinforces the country’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity. The occasion also honours the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and freedom fighters, with the day being celebrated through tributes, cultural programmes, and patriotic events across Goa.

The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine is being held in New Delhi, marking an important step in advancing global collaboration on traditional healthcare systems. Co-hosted by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, the three-day summit brings together policymakers, scientists, healthcare practitioners, and Indigenous knowledge holders from across the world. It builds upon the foundation laid by the first summit held in Gandhinagar in 2023. The New Delhi edition places stronger emphasis on policy implementation, scientific validation, and international cooperation, aligned with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034 and the theme of holistic health and well-being.

India signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman on 18 December 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s economic engagement with the Gulf region. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade, investment, services, and professional mobility while providing near-universal duty-free access to Indian exports. It grants zero-duty access on over 98% of tariff lines, benefiting sectors such as textiles, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. The CEPA also includes Oman’s first-ever comprehensive services commitments and enhanced mobility provisions for Indian professionals, strengthening long-term economic cooperation and strategic ties between the two nations.

IDFC FIRST Bank introduced the IDFC FIRST Global Savings Account specifically for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) at GIFT City. This account is unique as it is separate from regular domestic and traditional NRI savings accounts. It allows account holders to maintain balances in foreign currencies like USD and Euro, eliminating currency conversion risk. Key benefits include full repatriability of funds, zero remittance charges, and interest income that is exempt from TDS. Additionally, the account offers attractive interest of 4.75% on USD balances with monthly compounding and supports seamless digital global transfers, making it highly beneficial for NRIs managing international finances.

The India CPSE Consultative Conference was organised in New Delhi by the Capacity Building Commission in collaboration with the Department of Public Enterprises. The event focused on enhancing the role of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) in India’s long-term development vision. It aimed to align CPSE capacity-building initiatives with Mission Karmayogi, a national programme designed to improve governance, leadership capabilities, and institutional efficiency. By bringing together key stakeholders, the conference emphasised collaboration, skill development, and strategic reforms to strengthen CPSE performance, supporting the broader goal of achieving Developed India by 2047.