CURRENT AFFAIRS 31 December, 2025

CURRENT AFFAIRS 31 December, 2025

1. INDIA SIGNS MAJOR DEFENCE CONTRACTS –

• India signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for the induction of modern infantry weapons and advanced naval torpedoes, reinforcing operational preparedness and indigenisation.
• Over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle Carbines will be procured for the Indian Army and Navy from Bharat Forge Ltd & PLR Systems Pvt Ltd (India) to replace legacy rifles.
• The carbines offer compact design, high rate of fire and enhanced lethality, boosting effectiveness in urban and confined-space combat.
• This strengthens Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, MSME participation and indigenous defence manufacturing.
• Forty-eight heavyweight torpedoes will be procured from WASS Submarine Systems (Italy) for Kalvari-class (Project-75) submarines, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2030, significantly strengthening India’s underwater warfare capability.
• Kalvari-class (Project-75) submarines are India-built Scorpène-class diesel-electric attack submarines of the Indian Navy, strengthening underwater warfare, stealth surveillance, and sea-denial capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
• In FY 2025–26, the Ministry of Defence has signed capital acquisition contracts worth ₹1.82 lakh crore, reflecting sustained focus on defence modernisation and indigenisation.

2. ANTI-TERRORISM CONFERENCE 2025: FORMALIZING INDIA’S ZERO-TOLERANCE DOCTRINE –

• Recently, the Union Home Minister inaugurated the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 in New Delhi, organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which culminated in the deliberations towards finalisation of India’s first comprehensive National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy.

Key Highlights of the Anti‑Terrorism Conference‑2025

• Impenetrable Anti-Terrorism Grid: Union Home Minister proposed building a nationwide anti-terror architecture to create an “impenetrable grid”, enhancing India’s capacity against evolving terror threats.
• Unified ATS Structure: Emphasis on a standardized Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) structure across all states and union territories to improve coordination, eliminate operational silos, and ensure rapid response.
• Intelligence Sharing Shift: Move from a “Need to Know” approach to a “Duty to Share” model among intelligence and enforcement agencies for faster threat detection and information flow.
• Digital Tools & Databases: Launch of updated NIA Crime Manual, Organised Crime Network Database, and National Database of Lost, Looted & Recovered Weapons to modernize counter-terror operations and strengthen data integration through platforms like NATGRID and NIDAAN.
• 360-Degree Strike on Organised Crime: Introduction of a holistic plan targeting organised crime networks that fund or support terrorism, leveraging shared intelligence and digital databases for preemptive action.
• Emerging Threats & Legal Measures: Focus on cyber threats, digital anonymity, deepfakes, hybrid warfare, and maritime terrorism, alongside evolving counter-terrorism laws to ensure swift legal action.
• Lessons from Counter-Terror Operations: Highlight of intelligence-led operations like Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev as examples of decisive action against terror networks.
• Radicalisation & Conviction Rates: Emphasis on tackling youth radicalisation and scaling high conviction rates across police forces to strengthen internal security.

Key Initiatives Launched:

• Updated NIA Crime Manual to guide investigations and prosecutions.
• Organised Crime Network Database to track criminal-terrorist linkages.
• Lost/Looted & Recovered Weapon Database to monitor arms circulation.

3. FINANCE MINISTRY NOTIFIES 100% FDI RULES FOR INSURANCE SECTOR –

• India has taken a major reform step in the insurance sector by formally notifying rules to allow 100% foreign direct investment (FDI). The move aims to attract global capital, improve competition and deepen insurance penetration. While easing several governance restrictions for foreign invested insurers, the government has ensured Indian participation at the leadership level.

Why in the News?

• The Ministry of Finance has notified final rules enabling 100% FDI in insurance companies. The rules remove the requirement for majority Indian directors but mandate that at least one top leadership role CEO, MD, or Chairperson must be held by an Indian resident.

Key Features of the New Rules

• The notified rules significantly relax governance norms for insurers with foreign investment,
• No requirement for a majority of Indian directors or key management personnel
• Mandatory condition: At least one top leadership position (Chairperson, CEO, or Managing Director) must be held by an Indian resident citizen
• Greater flexibility in board composition to attract global expertise
• Supports ease of doing business in the insurance sector

4. INDIA RECORDS OVER 5.5 LAKH TRADEMARK REGISTRATIONS IN 2024-25 –

• India’s innovation and business ecosystem achieved a major milestone in 2024-25 with the highest-ever trademark registrations in a single year. This record highlights the growing importance of intellectual property (IP) protection in driving entrepreneurship, brand creation, and economic growth. Trademark registrations India, Trade Marks Act 1999, intellectual property India, Piyush Goyal statement, innovation ecosystem India, IP reforms India

Why in the news?

• India achieving its highest-ever trademark registrations in a single financial year. During FY 2024–25, more than 5.5 lakh domestic trademark registrations were recorded, marking a historic milestone for the country’s innovation and business ecosystem.

Record TM Registrations

• India recorded more than 5.5 lakh domestic trademark registrations during FY 2024-25, the highest ever in the country’s history.
• The announcement was made by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
• According to the minister, the surge reflects,
• Stronger institutional frameworks
• Improved ease of IP registration
• Rising confidence among innovators, startups, and businesses

5. RAKESH AGGARWAL GETS ADDITIONAL CHARGE AS NIA CHIEF –

• In an important administrative development related to internal security, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assigned the additional charge of Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal. The move aims to ensure institutional stability and continuity at the helm of India’s premier counter-terrorism agency.

Why in the news?

• The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an Office Memorandum assigning additional charge of DG, NIA to Rakesh Aggarwal.
• He will hold this charge until a regular incumbent is appointed or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Background of the Decision

• The decision follows the premature repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990 batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.
• The repatriation was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
• Date was overseeing several sensitive investigations related to terrorism, organised crime, and national security at the time of his repatriation.

Who Is Rakesh Aggarwal?

• Rakesh Aggarwal is a 1994 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Himachal Pradesh cadre.
• He is currently serving as Special Director General of the NIA.

MCQ QUIZ

Q1.   Which state has become the first in India to establish a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) research institution ?

1. a) Gujarat
2. b) Maharashtra
3. c) Karnataka
4. d) Kerala

Q2.   As per recent report, India recently surpassed which country to become the world’s fourth-largest economy ?

1. a) Japan
2. b) Germany
3. c) Russia
4. d) China

Q3.   Where was the headquarters of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is located ?

1. a) Geneva, Switzerland
2. b) Paris, France
3. c) New York, USA
4. d) London, UK

Q4.   Which of the following features are integral to the functioning of the PRAGATI platform ?

1. Real-time project monitoring
2. Geo-spatial mapping
3. Video conferencing for inter-agency coordination
4. Artificial Intelligence–based predictive policing

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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-

• PRAGATI integrates real-time tracking, geo-spatial data, and video conferencing to monitor key infrastructure projects.
• Predictive policing using AI is not a core component of PRAGATI.

Q5.   The territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is primarily associated with which of the following heritage sites ?

1. Preah Vihear
2. Ta Muen Thom
3. Angkor Wat

          Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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-

• Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom are ancient Hindu temple complexes built during the Khmer Empire, forming the core of the dispute.
• Angkor Wat, although a famous Cambodian temple, is not part of the border dispute with Thailand.

Answer Key