Current Affairs - December 20, 2025 Current Affairs

The National Highway projects worth around ₹3,200 crore were launched during the Prime Minister’s visit to West Bengal. The visit included the inauguration of the 66.7-kilometre four-lane Barajaguli–Krishnanagar section of NH-34 located in Nadia district. In addition, the foundation stone was laid for the 17.6-kilometre four-lane Barasat–Barajaguli stretch of NH-34 in North 24 Parganas. These infrastructure initiatives aim to improve road connectivity, boost economic activity, and enhance transportation efficiency within the state.

The DigiProtect Term Plan is a collaborative initiative designed to expand digital insurance access, especially among salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The plan combines PNB MetLife’s insurance expertise with the digital distribution strength of Policybazaar. It offers features such as flexible payout options, a premium break facility, special exit value, and fast-track claim settlement. Additional benefits like up to 21% first-year premium discount and an express claim payout of ₹3 lakh within one working day highlight the customer-centric approach of the partnership, making Policybazaar a key enabler in the product’s launch.

Exercise Desert Cyclone is a bilateral military exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the land forces of the UAE. It is organised on a reciprocal basis to enhance defence cooperation, operational coordination, and interoperability between the two countries. The first edition of the exercise took place in Rajasthan, India, in 2024, while the current edition is being held in the UAE. Such joint drills highlight the deepening strategic partnership between India and the UAE and focus on joint training, combat readiness, and shared regional security objectives.

December 20 is observed as International Human Solidarity Day to promote global unity, cooperation, and shared responsibility in addressing challenges like poverty, health inequalities, and sustainable development. The United Nations established this observance to highlight solidarity as a core value essential for inclusive growth and social justice. The date also commemorates the creation of the World Solidarity Fund in 2002, which supports initiatives benefiting vulnerable populations. Annual activities include seminars, workshops, and campaigns that encourage collective efforts to reduce inequalities and strengthen international cooperation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bannerghatta Biological Park carried out the import of eight black-capped capuchin monkeys as part of an animal exchange programme with South Africa. The monkeys included an equal number of males and females and were sourced from Induna Primate and Parrot Park. After their arrival at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, they were shifted to a designated quarantine facility. This step follows established wildlife management and health protocols, ensuring the safety of both the animals and the existing fauna within the park.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report 2024 highlights India’s concerning performance in global anti-doping compliance. India recorded 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs), resulting in a positivity rate of 3.6%, which is the highest among all tested countries. This marked the third consecutive year that India ranked as the worst doping offender worldwide. In comparison, other major sporting nations reported significantly lower positivity rates, such as China at 0.2%, France at 0.8%, Russia at 0.7%, and the United States at 1.1%, underscoring the severity of India’s situation.

Lejit.ai is a legal technology startup that has introduced an AI-powered mobile application aimed at making legal assistance more accessible to the general public. The startup is based in Kerala and focuses on simplifying complex legal processes for ordinary citizens. Its app helps users understand their legal rights, relevant laws, and necessary precautions, and also assists in preparing affidavits and legal drafts. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the initiative seeks to bridge the gap between citizens and the legal system, enabling informed decision-making before approaching legal professionals.

China has achieved a significant technological milestone by successfully testing the world’s first wireless rail convoy system. In this trial, seven heavy freight trains, each carrying nearly 5,000 tonnes, were operated as a single coordinated unit without any physical coupling. The test was conducted on the Baoshen Railway in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This advanced system relies on continuous wireless communication between trains and between trains and ground control, enhancing efficiency, safety, and capacity in freight transportation while showcasing innovation in railway automation.

The Asian Development Bank committed $4.26 billion in sovereign lending to India in 2025, marking a significant contribution to the country’s inclusive and sustainable development agenda. The funding supports a wide range of priority sectors, including skill development through ITI modernization, expansion of renewable energy via rooftop solar projects, urban infrastructure upgrades, metro and rapid rail expansion, healthcare improvements, and ecotourism development. This financial support aligns with India’s long-term growth strategy and reflects the Asian Development Bank’s role as a key development partner, focusing on clean energy transition, urban transformation, and human capital development.

Operation Hawkeye is a joint military operation conducted by the United States and Jordan in Syria to target ISIS infrastructure and fighters. The operation involved extensive overnight airstrikes using precision-guided weapons against more than 70 ISIS targets, including command centers and weapons storage sites. It was launched in response to a deadly ISIS attack in Palmyra that killed two US soldiers and injured others. The operation highlighted strong military cooperation between the US and Jordan and reinforced the policy of responding firmly to terrorist threats to maintain regional and international security.

Blue Origin is the aerospace company conducting the NS-37 suborbital mission, which will carry Michaela Benthaus, making her the first wheelchair-bound person to travel to space. This milestone represents a significant advancement in inclusion and accessibility in human spaceflight. The mission will take six passengers beyond the Kármán line, allowing them to experience microgravity. Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket has been specially designed to accommodate diverse participants, emphasizing the company’s role in promoting diversity and accessibility in space exploration while pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight technology.

India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) as a structured institutional mechanism for enhancing economic cooperation. The committee is designed to promote bilateral trade, encourage two-way investments, and systematically address trade and regulatory barriers faced by businesses. It will meet annually, with sessions held alternately in both countries, ensuring continuity and balanced engagement. The JTIC also aims to explore cooperation in emerging and strategic sectors, supporting innovation, sustainability, and long-term growth while reinforcing the Netherlands’ role as a key European gateway for Indian trade and investment.