CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 December, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 23 December, 2025

1. SC’S REDEFINITION OF THE ARAVALLI RANGE –

• Recently, the Centre denied altering the Aravalli Hills definition, citing a Supreme Court–mandated freeze on new mining leases and a court-approved framework ensuring stronger ecological protection until a comprehensive management plan is finalised.

About Supreme Court–Mandated Freeze and Regulatory Framework

• In a decisive move to curb the ecological degradation of India’s oldest mountain range, the Supreme Court of India, in its 20 November 2025 judgment, instituted a stringent regulatory framework, prioritising environmental conservation over resource extraction.
• Freeze on Mining Leases: The Supreme Court imposed a complete freeze on the grant and renewal of new mining leases across all Aravalli states until a scientific framework is finalised.
• Status of Existing Operations: Pre-existing valid leases may continue, subject to Environmental Clearances, forest laws, and pollution norms. Non-compliant units face immediate closure.
• Uniform ‘100-Metre’ Definition: An Aravalli hill is defined as a landform with minimum 100-metre elevation above local relief. An Aravalli range comprises two or more such hills within 500 metres.
• Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM): The MoEFCC, through ICFRE, must prepare the MPSM, involving scientific zonation, identification of inviolate areas, cumulative impact assessment, and carrying capacity analysis. No new approvals are permitted until notification.

2. GOVT TO SET UP BUREAU OF PORT SECURITY TO BOOST PORT AND VESSEL SAFETY –

• In a major step to strengthen India’s maritime security framework the Central Government has decided to establish a Bureau of Port Security (BoPS). The new body will enhance security at ports and on vessels through better coordination, intelligence sharing, and risk-based security planning. The decision comes at a time when India’s ports are handling increasing volumes of trade, making them critical national assets requiring robust and future-ready protection.

What Is the Bureau of Port Security?

• The Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) will be a statutory body responsible for regulating and overseeing security arrangements at ports, vessels, and port facilities across India.
• It will be set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
• The BoPS will be modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which oversees airport and aviation security in the country.

Key Functions of the Bureau of Port Security

• The BoPS will be responsible for,
• Security regulation and oversight of ports and ships
• Timely collection, analysis, and sharing of security-related information

3. INDIA TO SHIFT TO NEW CPI, GDP DATA SERIES STARTING FEBRUARY –

• The Government of India has announced a major update to the country’s core macroeconomic indicators. From February 2026 new data series for retail inflation and GDP will be released. Which followed by a revised Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series in May 2026. The move is aimed at improving data accuracy and ensuring that official statistics better reflect the current structure of the Indian economy.

Releasing the New Data Series

• The announcement was made by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The ministry is responsible for compiling and publishing India’s key economic indicators such as GDP, CPI, and IIP.
• MoSPI said the revised series will be released after extensive consultation with economists, policymakers, and data users.

Timeline for New Economic Data Series

• The government has clearly outlined the rollout schedule,

Retail Inflation (CPI):

• New base year: 2024
• Release date: February 12, 2026

GDP / National Accounts:

• New base year: 2022–23
• Release date: February 27, 2026

Index of Industrial Production (IIP):

• New base year: 2022–23
• Release date: May 28, 2026

4. CHILLAI KALAN BEGINS; KASHMIR BRACES FOR WINTER PRECIPITATION –

• As Jammu and Kashmir prepares for a fresh spell of rain and snowfall the region is also entering Chillai Kalan, the coldest and most severe phase of winter. Beginning on December 21 this 40 day period traditionally marks the harshest winter conditions in the Kashmir Valley. Alos characterized by freezing temperatures, snowfall, and icy winds.

What is Chillai Kalan?

• Chillai Kalan is a centuries-old Kashmiri term referring to the 40 day peak winter period, lasting from December 21 to January 30.
• During this time, temperatures often plunge well below freezing, water bodies partially freeze, and heavy snowfall is common in higher reaches.
• This phase is followed by Chillai Khurd (20 days of milder cold) and Chillai Bacha (10 days of comparatively moderate winter), making Chillai Kalan the most critical period for weather and water cycles.

5. KISAN DIWAS 2025: WHY INDIA MARKS NATIONAL FARMERS’ DAY ON DECEMBER 23 –

• Kisan Diwas 2025 which is also known as National Farmers Day, is celebrated across India on December 23 every year. The day recognises the enormous contribution of farmers to India’s social and economic fabric and underlines the importance of agriculture in ensuring food security and rural prosperity. The date marks the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister and a lifelong champion of farmers’ rights and rural development.

Why December 23 Is Celebrated as Kisan Diwas

• December 23 was chosen to commemorate the birth of Chaudhary Charan Singh who was born in 1902 into a peasant family. His life and political career were closely linked with the upliftment of farmers and villages.
• The Government of India officially declared December 23 as National Farmers Day in 2001 to honour his legacy and to remind the nation of the central role farmers play in sustaining India’s economy.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Which country has launched its first polymer one-rial banknote that will circulate from January 11, 2026 ?

1. a) UAE
2. b) Oman
3. c) Qatar
4. d) Kuwait

Q2.   As of 2025, National Mathematics Day is observed on 22 December to commemorate the birth anniversary of which Indian mathematician ?

1. a) C. R. Rao
2. b) Aryabhata
3. c) Srinivasa Ramanujan
4. d) Bhaskaracharya

Q3.   Which Sikh Guru’s 350th martyrdom year was commemorated by the Haryana State Assembly ?

1. a) Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
2. b) Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
3. c) Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji
4. d) Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji

Q4.   With reference to the Aravalli Mountain Range, consider the following statements:

1. It is one of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world, dating back nearly two billion years.
2. It acts as a natural barrier preventing the eastward expansion of the Thar Desert.
3. Rivers such as the Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni originate from the Aravalli Range.
4. Excessive quarrying in the Aravallis has contributed to groundwater depletion and air pollution in the NCR.

          Which of the statements given above are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1,3 and 4 only
3. c) 1, 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Aravalli Range is among the world’s oldest mountain systems, formed nearly 2 billion years ago.
• Statement 2 – Correct: It serves as a geomorphological and ecological barrier, restricting the eastward spread of the Thar Desert into fertile plains.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Important rivers such as Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni originate from the Aravallis.
• Statement 4 – Correct: Decades of mining and quarrying have led to forest degradation, falling groundwater levels, and air pollution, particularly in the NCR.

Q5.   With reference to the LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), consider the following statements:

1. It is a three-stage launch vehicle using solid, liquid, and cryogenic propulsion.
2. It can place heavier payloads into Low Earth Orbit than Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
3. It was developed primarily for India’s human spaceflight programme.

          Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1. a) 1 and 2 only
2. b) 1 and 3 only
3. c) 2 and 3 only
4. d) 1, 2, and 3

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Correct: LVM3 uses solid boosters, liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage.
• Statement 2 – Correct: LVM3 can lift up to ~8,000 kg to LEO, far exceeding PSLV capacity.
• Statement 3 – Correct: It is central to Gaganyaan, India’s human spaceflight mission.

Answer Key