CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 December, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 26 December, 2025

1. OMO PURCHASES AND DOLLAR–RUPEE SWAP –

What are Open Market Operations (OMOs)?

• Open Market Operations refer to the buying and selling of government securities by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in the open market to regulate liquidity and money supply in the economy.

Types:

• OMO Purchase: RBI buys G‑secs → injects rupee liquidity (expansionary).
• OMO Sale: RBI sells G‑secs → absorbs rupee liquidity (contractionary).

What are Rupee–Dollar Swap Operations?

• A Rupee–Dollar swap is a foreign exchange tool used by the RBI in which it exchanges US dollars for rupees with banks, with an agreement to reverse the transaction at a future date.

Structure:

• Buy/sell swap: RBI buys dollars now (gives rupees) and agrees to sell the same dollars later → injects rupee liquidity now, withdraws it at maturity.
• Sell/buy swap: RBI sells dollars now (absorbs rupees) and buys them back later → sucks out rupee liquidity now, re‑injects later.

Why RBI uses Both Together?

• The RBI uses both tools simultaneously because they serve different but complementary purposes in managing liquidity, interest rates, and exchange rate stability.
• Short-term vs durable liquidity management: OMO helps RBI fine-tune liquidity permanently, while rupee–dollar swaps provide durable but reversible liquidity for longer periods.
• Separation of objectives: Using swaps allows RBI to inject rupee liquidity without directly altering domestic bond yields, while OMO directly influences the government securities market.
• Managing forex volatility alongside liquidity: Rupee–dollar swaps help stabilise the exchange rate and optimise forex reserves, while OMO focuses purely on domestic monetary conditions.
• Flexibility in monetary policy transmission: Together, they give RBI greater operational flexibility to control liquidity surplus/deficit without overusing a single instrument.

2. INDIA TOPS GLOBAL DOPING VIOLATIONS IN 2024 –

• India has been named the world’s worst doping offender for a 3rd straight year, with a record 260 violations in 2024 as per the WADA Annual Report 2024.
• Rising concerns about doping arise amid India’s preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympic bid, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) flagging the issue during feasibility assessments.
• Other Countries’ Rankings in 2024: France (91), Italy (85), Russia & USA (76 each), Germany (54), China (43).

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

• About: WADA, founded in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), is the global independent authority tasked with promoting and coordinating the fight against doping in sports.
• Governance Model: Operates on a unique principle of equal partnership and funding between the global Sport Movement and Governments.
• Core Document: The World Anti-Doping Code is its fundamental charter, designed to harmonize anti-doping rules across all sports and nations for consistent athlete standards.
• Key Standard: It publishes the WADA Prohibited List, the international standard identifying banned substances and methods, which is updated annually.
• Operational Scope: The Prohibited List and Code apply to all scenarios—in-competition, out-of-competition, and for specific sports.

National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)

• About: NADA is India’s autonomous body, established in 2005, responsible for promoting and monitoring anti-doping in sports.
• Initiatives: It implements the Anti-Doping Program and conducts initiatives like the #PlayTrue Campaign to educate athletes and promote clean competition.

3. VAIBHAV SURYAVANSHI RECEIVES PM RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR FROM PRESIDENT OF INDIA –

• Emerging cricketer who is 14 years old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu for his outstanding achievements in domestic and Under 19 cricket. The award is India’s highest civilian honour for children aged 5 to18 recognizing excellence in fields such as sports, art, science, social service, environment and bravery.

Recognition by the President

• While congratulating the awardees President Murmu highlighted that Vaibhav Suryavanshi has made a name for himself in the highly competitive world of cricket. Also setting multiple records at an age when most players are just beginning structured training.
• The BCCI in its official message praised him as an “explosive young batter” underlining how his performances have already placed him among the most talked about cricketers in the country.

4. GUJARAT RE-ENTERS INDIA’S TIGER MAP AFTER THREE DECADES –

• More than thirty years after being removed from India’s official tiger range, Gujarat has been formally recognised again as a state with tiger presence. The decision follows confirmed photographic evidence of a tiger residing in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary in Dahod district. Gujarat will now be included in the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, marking a significant milestone in the state’s wildlife history.

Confirmed Tiger Presence in Ratanmahal Sanctuary

• Forest officials confirmed that a nearly four-year-old tiger has been occupying the Ratanmahal Sanctuary for close to ten months. The animal began moving along the Ratanmahal–Madhya Pradesh border in mid-February and has since established a stable range within the forest. Continuous camera-trap images and CCTV footage have ruled out the possibility of a transient visit, demonstrating sustained habitation in the area.

5. CENTRE LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER NATIONAL WEAPON DATABASE –

• In a major step to strengthen India’s internal security framework, the Centre has launched the country’s first-ever national weapons database aimed at curbing terrorism, organised crime, and extremism. The initiative seeks to improve tracing, monitoring, and recovery of government-owned firearms that fall into illegal circulation, enhancing coordination among law enforcement agencies across the country.

Database Dedicated at Anti-Terror Conference 2025

• The ‘Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm’ database was formally launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the inaugural session of the Anti-Terror Conference 2025. The two-day annual conference is organised by the National Investigation Agency, which developed the database under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The platform was officially dedicated to the nation as part of efforts to modernise counter-terror infrastructure.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   As of 2025, Good Governance Day 2025 is observed on 25 December to commemorate the birth anniversary of which Indian leader ?

1. a) Lal Bahadur Shastri
2. b) Jawaharlal Nehru
3. c) Indira Gandhi
4. d) Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Q2.   Which nuclear power plant is Japan planning to restart, marking its return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster ?

1. a) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant
2. b) Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant
3. c) Ohi Nuclear Power Plant
4. d) Tokai Nuclear Power Plant

Q3.   What is the name of the coldest and most severe phase of winter in the Kashmir Valley, lasting 40 days from December 21 to January 30 ?

1. a) Chillai Kalan
2. b) Chillai Bacha
3. c) Chillai Khurd
4. d) Patthar

Q4.   Which of the following missions were launched by India as part of deep space exploration ?

1. Chandrayaan-3
2. Mangalyaan
3. NISAR
4. Astrosat

          Select the correct answer using the code below:

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

Explanation-

• Among the options given, only Astrosat, Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), and Chandrayaan-3 qualify as Indian-launched deep space missions.
• Astrosat (launched in 2015) is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, primarily for astronomical studies beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
• Mangalyaan, launched in 2013, was India’s first interplanetary mission, placing a spacecraft into Mars orbit — a significant feat in deep space exploration.
• Chandrayaan-3, launched in 2023, marked India’s successful soft landing near the Moon’s south pole, establishing the country’s capability in lunar exploration.
• NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) is not yet launched and is a joint mission between NASA and ISRO. While it is a major Earth-observation satellite designed to study ecosystems, ice masses, and natural hazards, it does not qualify as a deep space mission because it will operate in low Earth orbit (LEO).

Q5.   Match the following initiatives with the type of subsidy they represent:

          List I (Initiative/Policy)                                              List II (Type of Subsidy)

1. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) 1. Input Subsidy
2. Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy              2. Direct Cash Transfer Subsidy
3. PM-KISAN Scheme                                                     3. Indirect Food Subsidy

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. a) A-1, B-3, C-2
2. b) A-2, B-1, C-3
3. c) A-3, B-1, C-2
4. d) A-3, B-2, C-1

Explanation-

• PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) provided free foodgrains to beneficiaries. This is a form of Indirect Food Subsidy (3) because the benefit is delivered through a commodity (foodgrains) at a price of zero, rather than through a cash payment. The government bears the cost.
• Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Policy provides a subsidy on fertilisers (a key agricultural input) based on their nutrient content. This is a classic example of an Input Subsidy (1), as it reduces the cost of a critical input required for production.
• PM-KISAN Scheme provides a direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible farmers’ bank accounts. This is a clear case of a Direct Cash Transfer Subsidy (2), where the financial support is given directly to the beneficiary without being tied to the purchase of a specific good or service.

Answer Key