Current Affairs - December 31, 2025 Current Affairs

Smriti Mandhana achieved a historic milestone by becoming the second Indian woman and the fourth female cricketer worldwide to complete 10,000 runs in international cricket. She reached this landmark during the fourth T20I against Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram. Her achievement reflects remarkable consistency across Test, ODI, and T20I formats. In the same match, she played a brilliant knock of 80 runs, helping India post their highest-ever women’s T20I total. This feat placed her alongside legends like Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards, highlighting her status as one of the finest batters in modern women’s cricket.

The Index of Industrial Production recorded a growth of 6.7% in November 2025, which was the highest level seen in the past 25 months. This 6.7% expansion was mainly driven by a strong recovery in manufacturing and a sharp rise in capital goods output. Higher manufacturing activity reflected improved demand, increased production, and better capacity utilization. At the same time, strong capital goods growth indicated renewed investment momentum in the economy. Overall, the 6.7% IIP growth highlighted improving industrial health and strengthening economic resilience in India.

The Indian AI Research Organization is set to be established at GIFT City in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem. Gandhinagar was chosen due to GIFT City’s status as a premier global financial and technology hub with world-class digital and physical infrastructure. The location offers proximity to fintech, pharmaceutical companies, startups, and innovation-driven institutions. Establishing IAIRO in Gandhinagar supports collaboration between government, industry, and academia under a public–private partnership model, while aligning with national initiatives like the India AI Mission and Gujarat’s AI Action Plan.

Rakesh Aggarwal has been assigned the additional charge of Director General of the National Investigation Agency to ensure continuity at the helm of India’s premier counter-terrorism body. A 1994 batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, he is currently serving as Special Director General of the NIA. The decision followed the premature repatriation of the previous chief, Sadanand Date. Known for his extensive experience in counter-terrorism, terror financing, and radicalisation-related cases, Rakesh Aggarwal’s appointment reflects the government’s emphasis on operational experience and institutional stability in handling sensitive national security investigations.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, designated as LRGR-120, in December 2025. The LRGR-120 demonstrated a maximum range of 120 km with high precision and in-flight manoeuvrability, meeting all mission objectives. Developed by multiple DRDO laboratories, the rocket is compatible with existing Pinaka launchers, enhancing operational flexibility. The successful test validated the accuracy, reliability, and stability of the LRGR-120, significantly strengthening India’s indigenous rocket artillery capabilities and boosting the combat readiness of the armed forces.

Israel announced that Donald Trump will be awarded the Israel Prize for Peace in 2026, marking a historic departure from tradition. This is the first time in 80 years that Israel’s highest civilian honour will be given to a non-Israeli and also the first-ever awarding of the Peace category under the Israel Prize. The decision reflects Israel’s recognition of Trump’s role in Middle East peace initiatives and strong support for Israel’s security. The announcement followed high-level talks in Florida, underscoring continued diplomatic engagement between Israel and Trump-era leadership.

The Delhi government has partnered with IIT Kanpur to develop the Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System, an AI-powered platform aimed at improving public grievance redressal. IIT Kanpur is responsible for system integration, ensuring secure API connectivity, conducting cybersecurity audits, and performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. The collaboration leverages IIT Kanpur’s technical expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. By integrating multiple grievance portals into a single dashboard, the initiative seeks to reduce delays, eliminate duplication, enhance transparency, and enable data-driven governance, ultimately strengthening citizen trust in public service delivery.

The world’s first administration of ITVISMA gene therapy took place in Abu Dhabi at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. This historic achievement marked a major advancement in precision medicine and genomics-based healthcare. ITVISMA is a one-time gene therapy designed to treat spinal muscular atrophy by addressing its genetic root cause. The successful administration positioned Abu Dhabi as a global leader in advanced healthcare and rare disease treatment. It also demonstrated the UAE’s strong regulatory framework, clinical readiness, and commitment to providing world-class medical innovations to patients.

The Union government designated the Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary as an Eco-Sensitive Zone to provide enhanced protection to its fragile wetland ecosystem. Spread across about 1,084 hectares in Uttar Pradesh, the sanctuary is an important habitat for both resident and migratory birds, including species arriving from Central Asia and Tibet. Eco-Sensitive Zone status helps regulate activities around the sanctuary, reducing threats such as pollution, unplanned construction, and habitat degradation. The move supports long-term biodiversity conservation while encouraging sustainable, nature-based tourism that balances ecological protection with local livelihood opportunities.

India achieved a major economic milestone in 2025 by becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy in nominal GDP terms. With a GDP valued at $4.18 trillion, India moved ahead of Japan, which had long been among the top global economies. This achievement reflects strong domestic consumption, sustained structural reforms, rising investment activity, and robust GDP growth rates. Accelerating quarterly growth and positive projections from international institutions further underline India’s economic momentum. Surpassing Japan also signals a broader shift in global economic power toward emerging economies and strengthens India’s role in global economic decision-making.+