Daily Current Affairs (22 – Dec – 25)

Daily Current Affairs (22 – Dec – 25)

1. Dakshin Gangotri: India’s First Antarctic Research Station –

• Dakshin Gangotri, India’s first permanent base on Antarctica has shaped the future of the country’s Antarctic programme.

About Dakshin Gangotri

• Dakshin Gangotri was India’s first scientific research station in Antarctica, established in 1983.
• It was named after the Gangotri glacier, symbolising India’s scientific outreach to the southern hemisphere.
• Location: Situated in East Antarctica, on the ice shelf in Central Dronning Maud Land.
• It was built on a floating ice mass, making it vulnerable to ice movement.
• Purpose and Research: Supported studies in glaciology, meteorology, geology, oceanography, and atmospheric sciences.
• It also served as India’s entry point into Antarctic scientific exploration.
• Administrative Control:Operated under the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Ministry of Earth Sciences.
• Operational Status: Functioned actively during the 1980s, later became submerged under ice.
• Now used only as a supply base and transit camp, not for permanent research.

2. Brics Presidency 2026: India –

• Brazil has handed over the BRICS presidency to India for 2026 amid global trade tensions, geopolitical conflicts, and debates on multilateralism.

About BRICS

• BRICS is a grouping of major emerging economies aimed at promoting multilateralism, South–South cooperation, and reform of global governance institutions.

Establishment

• Founded in 2006 as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China).
• South Africa joined in 2010, expanding it to BRICS.
• The grouping later expanded to include new full members, taking total membership to 11 countries.
• Current Members:Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates
• Presidency:BRICS follows a rotational presidency among member states.
• Brazil held the presidency in 2025, and India assumed it for 2026.

3. PM Modi Opens Nature Themed Terminal at Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi Airport –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati in Assam on December 20 2025, marking a major milestone in the infrastructure development of the Northeast. Along with the terminal the Prime Minister also unveiled an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi, Assam’s first Chief Minister, outside the airport premises.

Key Features of the New Terminal Building

• The newly inaugurated terminal is spread across nearly 1.4 lakh square meters and is designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually. It significantly enhances the airport’s capacity and improves the overall travel experience.
• Major upgrades include improved airside infrastructure, modern passenger facilities, and systems designed for smoother aircraft and passenger movement, positioning Guwahati as a major regional aviation hub.

4. National Mathematics Day 2025 Honoring Ramanujan’s Contributions to Mathematics –

• National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year on December 22 across India. The day marks the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan who was one of the greatest mathematicians India has ever produced. In 2025, schools, colleges, research institutions, and academic bodies are once again observing this day to underline the importance of mathematics in education, science, technology, and daily life.

Purpose of National Mathematics Day

• National Mathematics Day is not just a tribute to Ramanujan. It has broader educational and social goals. The main purpose of the observance is to,
• Encourage students to take interest in mathematics
• Promote scientific thinking and problem-solving skills
• Highlight the role of mathematics in technology, space science, economics, and daily life
• Recognise India’s long and rich mathematical heritage
• Educational institutions organize lectures, workshops, quizzes, and exhibitions to make mathematics more approachable and engaging.

5. UN Celebrates Second World Meditation Day to Promote Inner Peace Worldwide –

• The United Nations marked the second World Meditation Day on the 21st December with a high level event at its headquarters in New York. Reaffirming the growing global recognition of meditation as a pathway to inner peace and global harmony. The observance brought together diplomats, spiritual leaders, scientists, and civil society members, reflecting the universal relevance of mindfulness in today’s fast-changing and conflict-prone world.

Organization of the Event

• The second World Meditation Day event was organized by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, in collaboration with the missions of Andorra, Mexico, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
• These countries together form the core group behind the World Meditation Day initiative.
• The programme was held at the Trusteeship Council Chamber of the UN and witnessed participation from nearly 700 attendees, indicating strong global interest in meditation and mental well-being.

History of The Day

• World Meditation Day is a relatively new global observance.
• It was officially declared by the United Nations General Assembly on 6 December 2024 through Resolution A/RES/79/137, which was adopted unanimously.
• The resolution recognises meditation as a practice that promotes well-being, peace, and harmony at both individual and societal levels.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. Jiyo Parsi Scheme is implemented by which ministry ?

1. a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2. b) Ministry of Women and Child Development
3. c) Ministry of Labour and Employment
4. d) Ministry of Minority Affairs

Q2. Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state ?

1. a) Assam
2. b) Mizoram
3. c) Arunachal Pradesh
4. d) Tripura

Q3. Which state government approved the Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act in December 2025 ?

1. a) Karnataka
2. b) Maharashtra
3. c) Jharkhand
4. d) Madhya Pradesh

Q4. 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.

Q5. With reference to the BlueBird Block 2 (BlueBird 6) satellite, consider the following statements:

1. It is developed by an Indian private company in collaboration with ISRO.
2. It is designed to provide direct space-based cellular connectivity to standard smartphones.
3. It is one of the heaviest commercial satellites launched by ISRO.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Explanation-

• Statement 1 – Incorrect:The satellite is developed by AST SpaceMobile Inc. (USA), not an Indian firm.
• Statement 2 – Correct: BlueBird satellites enable direct-to-device broadband connectivity without specialised ground infrastructure.
• Statement 3 – Correct: With a mass of ~6,500 kg, it is among the heaviest commercial payloads launched by ISRO.