Daily Current Affairs (25 – Dec – 25)

Daily Current Affairs (25 – Dec – 25)

1. India Pledges USD 450 Million to Aid Sri Lanka –

• India announced a USD 450 million reconstruction package to support Sri Lanka’s recovery after Cyclone Ditwah, reinforcing India’s role as a first responder and trusted partner in the Indian Ocean region. 
• Earlier, under Operation Sagar Bandhu, India delivered humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and medical assistance to Sri Lanka, including an Indian Army field hospital near Kandy that treated over 8,000 people, reaffirming India’s strong support.
• Sri Lanka’s Fragile Recovery:Sri Lanka was showing tentative fiscal stability under International Monetary Fund (IMF) support when the cyclone
• The IMF-led programme, imposed after Sri Lanka’s 2022 debt default, introduced austerity measures such as tax hikes, subsidy cuts, and high interest rates to restore some macroeconomic stability; but it disproportionately hurt the poor.
• The IMF recently approved about USD 206 million in emergency financial assistance under its Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI).
• The RFI provides prompt financial assistance to any IMF member country facing an urgent balance of payments need.
• The World Bank estimates USD 4.1 billion in losses (~4% of Sri Lanka’s GDP) from direct physical damage. The recovery is seen as more challenging than the 2004 tsunami.
• Strategic Significance for India: The reconstruction package builds on India’s USD 4 billion assistance in 2022 (lines of credit, currency swaps, petroleum support) to Sri Lanka.
• India has consistently acted as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region, especially for Sri Lanka, extending support during the MV XPress Pearl ship-fire disaster in 2021 and providing assistance during Cyclone Roanu (2016).
• This strengthens Neighbourhood First and SAGAR approaches, enhancing India’s regional leadership amid climate shocks.

2. On 15th December, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced the launch of DHRUV64, a fully indigenous 64-bit microprocessor developed by C-DACunder the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP), aimed at strengthening India’s sovereign semiconductor ecosystem –

• DHRUV64:It is part of India’s ecosystem of processors, including SHAKTI from IIT-Madras, AJIT from IIT-Bombay, VIKRAM from the ISRO-Semiconductor Lab, and THEJAS64 from C-DAC (2025).
• It is a general-purpose, 64-bit, dual-core microprocessor
• Clock Speed: ~1 GHz
• Developer: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
• Architecture: Based on RISC-V
• Programme: Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V)
• Designed for embedded systems as well as operating-system-level workloads
• THEJAS32 was the first India-designed chip DIR-V chip to be fabricated (in Malaysia) and THEJAS64 was the second, manufactured at SCL Mohali. DHRUV64 is the third on this list.
• Applications
• Telecom base stations
• Industrial automation and controllers
• Automotive electronics
• Routers and networking equipment
• Strategic and government systems

3. Gujarat Achieves 1,879 MW Rooftop Solar Capacity, Leading India –

• Gujarat has once again strengthened its position as India’s leading state in rooftop solar energy. With an installed capacity of 1,879 MW and over 5 lakh rooftop solar systems the state has achieved 50% of its ambitious target of installing 1 million residential systems by March 2027. This progress has been achieved mainly under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, aimed at providing affordable clean energy to households.

Gujarat’s Rooftop Solar Achievement

• Gujarat has installed more than 1.1 million rooftop solar systems over the years across various schemes. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme alone, the state accounts for over 5 lakh residential installations, keeping it well ahead of other states in residential solar adoption.

Key highlights,

• Total installed rooftop solar capacity: 1,879 MW
• Residential systems installed under PM Surya Ghar: Over 5 lakh
• Target achieved so far: 50% of 1 million systems
• Target deadline: March 2027

4. Union Cabinet Approves Three New Corridors in Delhi Metro Phase V (A) –

• Union Cabinet chaired by Narendra Modi has approved three new corridors under Delhi Metro Phase V (A). The decision aims to strengthen connectivity across Central Delhi, South Delhi and the Domestic Airport area, while promoting clean and efficient public transport in the national capital. The approved Phase V(A) project spans 16.076 km and comes with an estimated cost of ₹12,014.91 crore which is funded jointly by the Government of India, Government of Delhi, and international funding agencies.

Delhi Metro Phase V (A): Overview

• Phase V (A) is a focused extension aimed at filling key connectivity gaps.
• Key Project Data
• Total length: 16.076 km
• Total cost: ₹12,014.91 crore
• Total stations: 13
• Underground stations: 10
• Elevated stations: 3
• The project includes extensions of existing metro lines, including the Magenta Line and the Golden Line.

5. Shaheedi Hafta 2025 –

• Shaheedi Hafta 2025 observed from 20 December to 27 December, commemorates one of the most heart rending and heroic chapters in Sikh history. Known as the Martyrdom Week, it remembers the unparalleled sacrifices of the four Sahibzade, Mata Gujri Ji, and countless Sikhs who chose faith, righteousness, and dignity over submission to tyranny. These events unfolded during the cold, unforgiving nights of Poh (December 1704) and continue to inspire courage, resilience, and unwavering devotion.

What is Shaheedi Hafta?

• Shaheedi Hafta refers to the period in the Punjabi month of Poh dedicated to remembering the martyrdom of the family of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru. During this week, Sikhs across the world reflect on the sacrifices of,
• Baba Ajit Singh Ji and Baba Jujhar Singh Ji (Vadde Sahibzade)
• Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji (Chhote Sahibzade)
• Mata Gujri Ji, mother of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
• These sacrifices occurred during the Mughal persecution under Wazir Khan and stand as a timeless testimony to Sikh Sidak (steadfast faith).

MCQ Quiz

Q1. The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) mission was launched by which space agency ?

1. a) European Space Agency
2. b) Indian Space Research Organisation
3. c) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
4. d) China National Space Administration

Q2. The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) was launched by which organization ?

1. a) Reserve Bank of India
2. b) Department of Telecommunications
3. c) Ministry of Finance
4. d) NITI Aayog

Q3. As of 2025, ISRO successfully conducted qualification tests of drogue parachutes for the Gaganyaan Crew Module at which facility ?

1. a) Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
2. b) Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of TBRL, Chandigarh
3. c) Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
4. d) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram

Q4. With reference to the Akash New Generation (Akash NG) missile system, consider the following statements:

1. It is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system developed for the Indian Air Force.
2. It uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor instead of an air-breathing engine.
3. It is designed to be deployed only through road transport due to its size and configuration.

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 is correct: Akash NG is a medium-range, mobile surface-to-air missile system developed for the Indian Air Force.
• Statement 2 is correct: Unlike earlier Akash variants, Akash NG employs a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, which is lighter and more efficient than air-breathing engines.
• Statement 3 is incorrect: The missile system is fully transportable by road, rail, and air, enhancing operational flexibility.

Q5. With reference to the Reserve Bank of India’s Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2024–25, consider the following statements:

1. Five southern States feature among the top ten States in per capita Net State Domestic Product (NSDP).
2. Telangana ranks first among all States in per capita NSDP.
3. Bihar’s per capita NSDP is more than five times lower than that of the top southern State.

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 is correct: Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are all in the national top 10 for per capita NSDP.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Delhi ranks first, while Telangana ranks secondwith a per capita NSDP of ₹3,87,623.
• Statement 3 is correct: The gap between Telangana (₹87 lakh) and Bihar (₹69,321) is more than fivefold, highlighting extreme regional disparity.