Current Affairs - December 25, 2025 Current Affairs

Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25 in India to mark the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Instituted in 2014, the day highlights the importance of transparent, accountable, and citizen-centric governance. December 25 was chosen to honour Vajpayee’s visionary leadership, democratic values, and commitment to ethical administration. The observance encourages government institutions and citizens to reflect on governance performance, promote public participation, and strengthen trust between the state and society, reinforcing the principles essential for a strong and inclusive democracy.

Saleem Ahmad has taken charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, a key public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Railways. With over 30 years of experience in infrastructure development, he brings extensive expertise in construction, metro projects, and large-scale redevelopment works. Prior to this role, he served as Director (Projects) at NBCC (India) and held senior positions at the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and Mumbai Port Trust. His appointment comes at a crucial time as India accelerates railway modernization, capacity enhancement, and connectivity expansion across the country.

Russia has outlined ambitious plans to establish a power plant on the Moon by 2036 as part of its long-term lunar exploration strategy. Led by Roscosmos, the project is intended to supply continuous energy to lunar rovers, scientific observatories, and infrastructure linked to the Russian-Chinese International Lunar Research Station. With involvement from nuclear technology institutions such as Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute, the power source is expected to be nuclear, ensuring reliability during long lunar nights. This initiative reflects Russia’s efforts to revive its space programme and strengthen international cooperation in lunar exploration.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee is remembered for his visionary leadership, strong democratic values, and balanced approach to nationalism and inclusiveness. During his tenure as Prime Minister, India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests in May 1998 under Operation Shakti, asserting strategic autonomy and global standing. His slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan” reflected a holistic vision integrating defence, agriculture, and science. Vajpayee’s governance reforms left a lasting imprint on India’s development path, and his birth anniversary is observed as Good Governance Day, highlighting his enduring legacy in public life.

Gujarat has established itself as India’s leading state in rooftop solar energy by achieving an installed capacity of 1,879 MW. The state has successfully installed over 5 lakh residential rooftop solar systems under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, completing 50% of its ambitious target of 1 million systems by March 2027. Strong financial subsidies, amounting to ₹3,778 crore, along with user-friendly policies such as waived charges and simplified regulations, have encouraged widespread adoption. Gujarat’s proactive approach supports clean energy goals, reduces household electricity costs, and strengthens India’s renewable energy transition.

Samudra Pratap is the first Pollution Control Vessel inducted by the Indian Coast Guard, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime environmental protection capabilities. Built at Goa Shipyard Limited, the vessel showcases India’s growing self-reliance in defence shipbuilding under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. It is equipped with advanced pollution response systems, firefighting equipment, and modern maritime security weapons. With over 60% indigenous components, Samudra Pratap enhances the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to oil spills, chemical leaks, maritime emergencies, and protect India’s Exclusive Economic Zone while supporting sustainable maritime governance.

The MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) mission is a NASA spacecraft dedicated to studying the atmosphere of Mars. Launched in November 2013, it has been orbiting Mars since September 2014, providing crucial insights into how the planet lost most of its atmosphere over billions of years. MAVEN examines the interaction between solar wind, sunlight, and the Martian upper atmosphere and ionosphere. It also serves as a communication relay for Mars rovers such as Curiosity and Perseverance. Its long-term data collection has been vital in understanding Mars’ transition from a warmer, wetter planet to a cold, dry world.

INS Sindhughosh was a landmark asset of the Indian Navy and served as the lead submarine of the Sindhughosh-class. Commissioned in 1985, it played a crucial role in strengthening India’s underwater warfare, maritime surveillance, and strategic deterrence capabilities. Over its 40-year service life, the submarine undertook numerous patrols, exercises, and operational missions, becoming a backbone of India’s submarine fleet. Its decommissioning in December 2025 marked the conclusion of an important chapter in naval history and symbolised the Navy’s transition towards more modern and indigenously developed submarine platforms, while honouring the legacy of the crews who served aboard her.

Italy emerged as the leading country in the Global Food City Rankings 2025–26, securing six positions among the world’s top ten food cities. Cities such as Naples, Milan, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, and Rome showcased the depth and diversity of Italian cuisine. The dominance reflects Italy’s strong regional food identities, reliance on simple recipes using high-quality ingredients, and globally loved dishes like pizza, pasta, and traditional desserts. Italian food culture is deeply rooted in history and tradition, passed down through generations, making cuisine a central part of everyday life and a major attraction for global culinary tourism.

Maharashtra is set to strengthen its agricultural research infrastructure with the establishment of a dedicated raisin research centre in Sangli district under Shivaji University, Kolhapur. The centre aims to address key challenges faced by raisin growers, such as rising export competition, quality standards, and limited access to scientific research. By focusing on improved raisin varieties, processing techniques, value addition, and skill development, the initiative is expected to boost farmer income and enhance global competitiveness. The phased rollout approach will ensure early benefits while building long-term research and training capacity for the raisin sector.