Daily Current Affairs (24 – Dec – 25)

Daily Current Affairs (24 – Dec – 25)

1. National Mathematics Day –

• National Mathematics Day is observed on 22nd December to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, one of India’s greatest mathematicians, often described as the man who seemingly knew infinity. 
• The Day was instituted in 2011, with 2012 declared as the National Mathematics Year, to promote India’s mathematical heritage.
• Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887–1920) was born in Erode, Tamil Nadu, and displayed an extraordinary intuitive grasp of mathematics from a very young age.
• Began producing original mathematical results as a teenager, recording them in what later became known as Ramanujan’s Frayed Notebooks.
• He became one of the youngest Fellows of the Royal Society (UK) and, in 1918, the second Indian to be elected to the Royal Society, as well as the first Indian Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge.

2. Khelo India Tribal Games Logo, Mascot Unveiled in Chhattisgarh –

• The logo, theme song and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were formally unveiled on Tuesday at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The landmark national sporting event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes will be held from February 14, 2026, marking a major step towards inclusive sports development.

High-Level Launch Ceremony in Bilaspur

• The unveiling ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao as chief guests. Senior officials from the Union Sports Ministry, the Chhattisgarh government and the Sports Authority of India were also present, underlining the national importance of the Games.

Objectives and National Sports Vision

• Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya emphasised that the Khelo India Tribal Games would significantly expand India’s sporting talent pool. He highlighted the need to systematically identify and nurture talent from tribal regions and integrate promising athletes into the national sports ecosystem through structured support.

3. RBI Announces OMO Purchases and Dollar Rupee Swap to Boost Liquidity –

• On a review of prevailing liquidity and financial conditions, the Reserve Bank of India on December 23, 2025 announced a fresh set of liquidity infusion measures. These include Open Market Operation purchases of Government of India securities worth ₹2,00,000 crore and a Dollar Rupee (USD/INR) Buy/Sell Swap auction of $10 billion for a tenor of three years, aimed at easing pressures in the banking and foreign exchange markets.

Details of the OMO Purchase Programme

• The central bank will conduct OMO purchases of government securities in four equal tranches of ₹50,000 crore each. These auctions are scheduled for December 29, 2025, January 5, 2026, January 12, 2026, and January 22, 2026. Analysts expect the move to inject durable rupee liquidity into the banking system, supporting credit flow and stabilising short-term money market rates amid tight conditions.

4. Centre Finalises India’s First National Anti-Terror Policy –

• The Union government is in the final stages of drafting India’s first comprehensive anti-terror policy, aimed at providing a uniform framework for States to prevent, combat, and respond to terrorist incidents. Senior officials have indicated that the policy will address emerging threats such as digital radicalisation, misuse of open borders, and foreign-funded conversion networks, reflecting evolving security challenges.

Role of Home Ministry and NIA

• The policy is being finalised by the Ministry of Home Affairs with substantive inputs from the National Investigation Agency. An NIA official confirmed that the agency has contributed operational and intelligence perspectives to the document. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had announced in November that a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy would be introduced in the near future.

5. Good Governance Day Highlights India’s Citizen-Centric Governance Framework –

• Good Governance Day is observed annually on December 25 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The day underscores the principles of accountability, transparency, and people-oriented administration, reflecting Vajpayee’s enduring vision of governance that directly improves citizens’ quality of life.

Legacy of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Governance Ideals

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister of India on three occasions and was known for his inclusive leadership and democratic values. During his tenure, he prioritised infrastructure development, including national highways, rural roads, telecom expansion, and institutional reforms. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the Bharat Ratna in 2015, Vajpayee’s governance philosophy continues to guide India’s focus on efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric service delivery.

MCQ Quiz

Q1. The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), whose development is being supported through an MoU between India and the Netherlands, is located at which ancient Indus Valley Civilisation site ?

1. a) Dholavira
2. b) Kalibangan
3. c) Harappa
4. d) Lothal

Q2. Which of the following startups became unicorns in India in 2025, according to Venture Intelligence ?

1. a) Oyo, Byju’s, Swiggy, Cred, Meesho
2. b) Dhan, Jumbotail, Drools, Porter, and Juspay
3. c) Razorpay, PhonePe, Groww, Pine Labs, Dream11
4. d) Nykaa, Policybazaar, Delhivery, Zomato, Paytm

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.