Daily Current Affairs 2025  

17/12/2025

WhatsApp Email Facebook Share

CA-17/12/2025

• Bharat Stage (BS) norms regulate vehicular emissions in India, modeled on European standards.
• Introduced in 2000 as “India 2000”; BS-IV in 2017; BS-VI leapfrogged directly from BS-IV to BS-VI in April 2020.
• BS-VI is equivalent to Euro-VI norms.

• Sulphur content in fuel: Reduced from 50 ppm (BS-IV) to 10 ppm (BS-VI).
• Emission reduction:
  • Diesel vehicles emit 70% less NOx.
  • Petrol vehicles emit 25% less NOx.
• Particulate matter (PM): Reduced by 80% in diesel vehicles.
• On-board diagnostics (OBD): Mandatory for real-time monitoring.
• Real Driving Emission (RDE) tests: Introduced in BS6 Phase-2 (2025).

• Environmental: Helps combat India’s severe air pollution crisis (12.5% of deaths linked to air pollution).
• Health: Reduces respiratory diseases, especially among children.
• Economic: Pushes automobile industry towards cleaner technology, though increases vehicle cost.
• Governance: Reflects India’s commitment to Paris Climate Agreement and sustainable development goals.

• Higher vehicle costs due to advanced technology.
• Fuel infrastructure upgrades needed nationwide.
• Sudden bans (like in Delhi) disrupt commuters and raise equity concerns.

• Location: Ras al-Ein district, Amman, Jordan
• Established: 2014
• Type: National museum, archaeological and art museum
• Significance: Largest museum in Jordan, preserving the country’s cultural heritage
• Permanent Exhibitions:
  • Dead Sea Scrolls, including the Copper Scroll
  • ʿAin Ghazal statues (9000 years old, among the earliest human statues ever made)
• Collections: Narrates Jordan’s history from the Paleolithic era (1.5 million years ago) to modern times

• Definition: A genetic blood disorder where the body produces fewer healthy hemoglobin proteins, resulting in fewer red blood cells (RBCs) and anemia.
• Cause: Mutations in the genes responsible for hemoglobin production.
• Impact: Reduced oxygen transport in the body, causing fatigue, weakness, and developmental issues.

• Alpha Thalassemia:
  • Caused by defective alpha-globin genes inherited from both parents.
  • Severity depends on the number of defective genes.
• Beta Thalassemia:
  • Caused by defects in beta-globin genes.
  • More common in India and the Mediterranean region.

• Mild cases: Growth issues, delayed puberty, bone abnormalities.
• Severe cases: Poor appetite, jaundice, dark urine, facial bone irregularities, enlarged spleen.
• General: Chronic fatigue, weakness due to anemia.

• Blood transfusions: Regular transfusions to maintain hemoglobin levels.
• Iron chelation therapy: To remove excess iron from the body (e.g., deferoxamine, oral chelators).
• Bone marrow transplant: Potential cure in severe cases.
• Emerging therapies: Gene-editing methods like adenine base editing are being tested.

• National Mission to Eradicate Thalassemia: Union government pledged to eliminate thalassemia over the next 25 years.

• Screening programs: Mandatory premarital and prenatal screening in some states.
• Awareness campaigns: Conducted to reduce incidence through genetic counseling.
• Drug availability issues: Reports of shortages of deferoxamine in Delhi hospitals highlight challenges.

• Scientific Name: Junco hyemalis
• Order: Passeriformes
• Family: Passerellidae (New World sparrows)
• Conservation Status: Least Concern
• Nickname: “Snowbirds” – due to their winter migration patterns

• Found across North America, especially in Canada and western mountain forests during breeding season.
• In winter, they migrate southward, spreading across much of the continent, including suburban yards and woodland edges.
• Prefer forest floors, woodland edges, and open ground for foraging.

• Seed dispersal: By feeding on seeds and grains, they help in plant regeneration.
• Indicator species: Their abundance and migratory patterns reflect forest health and climate changes.
• Winter ecology: Their nickname “snowbirds” highlights their role in seasonal bird population dynamics.

• The meeting reviews mutual fund fee structures, including clearer TER guidelines and removal of the extra 5 basis points (bps) AMCs could previously charge.
• Brokerage rule changes aim for zero-tolerance on conflicts, whistleblower mechanisms, and Chief Ethics Officer roles.​
• SEBI cut maximum exit loads from 5% to 3% in September, with most schemes already at 1-2%. MF-Lite eased compliance for passive funds like index funds and ETFs from March.
• From January 2026, REIT investments by mutual funds count as equity-oriented.​

• SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996 – the primary legislation governing mutual funds in India.
• Objective: protect investors, promote development, and regulate the securities market.

• Sponsor – establishes the fund and seeks SEBI approval.
• Trustee – holds assets in fiduciary capacity, ensures compliance.
• Asset Management Company (AMC) – manages investments professionally.
• Custodian – safeguards securities and ensures settlement.

• Registration: Only SEBI-approved sponsors can launch mutual funds.
• Scheme Categorization: Standardized categories (equity, debt, hybrid, etc.) for comparability.
• Disclosure Norms: Mandatory offer documents, risk-o-meters, portfolio disclosures.
• Valuation Rules: Uniform methods for pricing securities.
• Expense Regulation: Total Expense Ratio (TER) capped; SEBI recently proposed reducing TER by 15–25 basis points.

• GDP discrepancies arise in India's national accounts due to differences between production (or income) approach estimates and expenditure approach estimates.
• These mismatches stem from varying data sources, coverage, valuation methods, and time lags in reporting.
• The resulting gap is captured as the "discrepancies" component under the expenditure side, which is deemed less accurate.​

• Production/Output Method: Value of goods and services produced.
• Expenditure Method: Sum of consumption, investment, government spending, and net exports.

• Discrepancies occur because production-side GDP sums value added across sectors like agriculture and manufacturing, while expenditure-side aggregates consumption, investment, and net exports.
• Positive values indicate higher production-side figures; negative ones show the reverse, as seen in Q2 FY26 (July-September 2025) with +₹1.63 lakh crore (3.3% of real GDP) but -₹2.46 lakh crore (-2.9% nominal GDP).​

• MoSPI aims to use Supply-Use Tables (SUTs) aligned with System of National Accounts (SNA) to enforce accounting constraints, mapping production, imports, and consumption for zero discrepancies in final estimates.
• This enhances transparency but raises concerns over data quality from outdated surveys and potential judgement-based adjustments.
• Experts welcome it for better macroeconomic analysis, urging international best practices.​

• The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 amends the Insurance Act, 1938, Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and IRDAI Act, 1999 to modernize the sector, expand coverage, and strengthen oversight.
• Introduced in Lok Sabha on December 16, 2025 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, it passed the Lok Sabha by December 15 amid discussions on insurance penetration growth.​

• The Bill aims to boost insurance penetration toward "Insurance for All by 2047," ease compliance for companies, enhance policyholder data protection, and promote transparency in regulations.
• It supports flagship schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana while addressing GST waivers on premiums.​

• Permits 100% FDI in Indian insurance companies, up from prior limits, to attract global investment and accelerate sector growth.​
• Defines "class of insurance business" (life, general, health, re-insurance) and expands health insurance to cover accidents and travel.​
• Mandates insurance intermediary registration, tightens KYC/data rules, and requires electronic policies above thresholds.​
• Updates investment norms: life insurers invest 50% in government/approved securities; others 30%, with up to 15% in non-approved assets.​
• Raises penalties to ₹10 crore max, empowers IRDAI with search/seizure and disgorgement powers, and bans common directors across competing insurers.​

• Policyholders gain better protection, cheaper premiums via competition, and wider choices, though composite licenses and lower capital norms remain omitted.
• Insurers face stricter governance but benefit from simplified mergers and LIC autonomy.
• The Bill aligns with digital economy needs, excluding SEZs/IFSCs with modifications.​

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) IRDAI gains authority for searches, seizures, and inspections ordered by the Chairperson when entities withhold documents, tamper records, or violate laws like illegal commissions.
• This aligns IRDAI's powers with SEBI's, targeting insurers and intermediaries such as agents, brokers, banks, NBFCs, web aggregators, TPAs, and surveyors.​

• Retirement exit age extended to 85 years, with minimum 40% corpus for annuity and the rest as lump sum or systematic withdrawals.

• Small corpus relaxations: full 100% lump sum if ≤ ₹8 lakh;
• up to ₹6 lakh lump sum if ₹8-12 lakh;
• otherwise up to 60% lump sum.

• On resignation or death, 80% annuity applies unless corpus ≤ ₹5-8 lakh for full withdrawal.​

• Mandatory annuity reduced to 20% on exit after age 60, 15 years subscription, or retirement, allowing up to 80% lump sum withdrawal.
• Relaxations: 100% lump sum if ≤ ₹8 lakh; up to ₹6 lakh if ₹8-12 lakh; 80% annuity on early voluntary exit unless ≤ ₹5 lakh. Death allows 100% payout to nominees.​

• Full corpus withdrawal permitted on renunciation of Indian citizenship.
• For missing subscribers presumed dead, 20% interim relief to nominees after police report, with balance on court declaration.
• Partial withdrawals now cover loan settlements, up to 25% of contributions, with up to 4 times before 60 (every 4 years) or every 3 years after.​

• Launched by: Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
• Technology: Developed by NIC (National Informatics Centre).
• Purpose: To provide a transparent, accountable, and efficient grievance redressal mechanism for citizens.
• Coverage: All Ministries/Departments of Government of India and State Governments are connected.

• 24x7 Online Access: Citizens can lodge grievances anytime via pgportal.gov.in or mobile apps (including UMANG).
• Unique Registration ID: Each grievance gets a tracking number for monitoring progress.
• Role-Based Access: Ministries and departments have designated officers to handle grievances.
• Integration: Linked with President’s Secretariat, PMO, and other nodal agencies for escalations.
• Mobile-Friendly: Available through standalone apps and UMANG integration.

• Citizens register complaints online, which are routed to relevant Grievance Redressal Officers (GROs) for resolution, with options for feedback post-closure.
• Mobile apps facilitate voice-to-text filing in newer versions, and upcoming NextGen CPGRAMS (launched July 2025) adds WhatsApp, chatbots, and AI-driven auto-replies.​

• WHO issued its first global guideline on diabetes in pregnancy in 2025, covering type 1, type 2 and GDM with an end‑to‑end framework for screening, pharmacologic treatment, monitoring and health‑system readiness.​
• The guideline positions metformin (alone or with insulin) as a first‑line drug when lifestyle therapy fails in GDM and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy, and calls for structured ultrasound‑based fetal monitoring and selective early HbA1c use.​

• Recent reviews emphasise “early GDM” (eGDM), defined as hyperglycaemia detected before 20 weeks that is not overt pre‑existing diabetes, noting that 30–50% of women normalize by 24–28 weeks but still carry higher adverse outcome risk.​
• The Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society (ADIPS) 2025 consensus recommendations update criteria for screening, diagnosis and classification of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy, reflecting new evidence and aiming for region‑wide standardisation.​

• The International Diabetes Federation estimates that about 23.3 million live births (15.6%) in 2024 were affected by some form of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy worldwide, underscoring GDM as a major global maternal‑health issue.​
• Commentaries applying the 2025 WHO guideline to India cite GDM prevalence around 13% among Indian pregnant women and nearly 30% conversion to type 2 diabetes postpartum, arguing for universal or highly proactive screening and integrated NCD–maternal health models.​

• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is hyperglycemia diagnosed or developing during pregnancy in women without prior diabetes.
• It arises from pregnancy-induced insulin resistance, primarily due to placental hormones like human placental lactogen, combined with pancreatic β-cell dysfunction that limits insulin secretion.​

• Placental hormones increase insulin resistance to prioritize fetal glucose supply, but in GDM, maternal β-cells fail to compensate adequately, leading to elevated blood glucose.
• Risk factors include obesity, advanced maternal age, family history of diabetes, and prior GDM.
• This mirrors type 2 diabetes pathophysiology but is pregnancy-specific.​

• Screening typically occurs at 24-28 weeks via a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), with cutoffs like fasting ≥92-126 mg/dL or 2-hour ≥140 mg/dL indicating GDM.
• Earlier testing applies for high-risk cases, such as at the first prenatal visit.​

• First-line treatment involves medical nutrition therapy (diet) and exercise; insulin is added if targets aren't met, as it doesn't cross the placenta.
• Oral agents like metformin may be considered in some guidelines, but insulin remains preferred.​

• Untreated GDM raises risks of macrosomia, neonatal hypoglycemia, preeclampsia, and cesarean delivery; women face 7-fold higher type 2 diabetes risk postpartum.
• Treatment reduces complications, with postpartum OGTT screening recommended at 4-12 weeks.​

• A recent genetic surveillance study from Iran reported that malaria parasites there do not carry Kelch13 (K13) mutations known to confer artemisinin resistance, suggesting that artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain highly effective in that region.
• This reassures policymakers that current treatment protocols can continue, while underlining the need for ongoing molecular surveillance to catch any emergence of resistance early.​
• At the same time, global reports highlight evidence of partial resistance to artemisinin derivatives in multiple African countries, where parasites clear more slowly from patients’ blood but ACTs still cure most cases if the partner drug remains effective.
• The World Health Organization continues to recommend ACTs as first- and second-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria, stressing that regular therapeutic efficacy studies are essential to track both artemisinin and partner-drug performance.​

• Drug-development news has focused on next-generation therapies designed to work even when parasites show artemisinin resistance.
• A large Phase III trial of a new combination, KLU156 (ganaplacide plus lumefantrine), showed cure rates above 99% and activity against parasites with K13 mutations linked to artemisinin resistance,
• It offeres a promising future alternative to standard ACTs.​

• Source: Extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood.
• Discovery: Identified in the 1970s by Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, whose work earned her the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
• Traditional Roots: The plant had been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat fevers, which guided modern scientific exploration.

• Primary Role: Artemisinin and its derivatives (artesunate, artemether, dihydroartemisinin) are frontline treatments for malaria, especially caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
• Mechanism: It works by producing free radicals inside malaria parasites, damaging their proteins and membranes, leading to parasite death.
• Administration: Often used in Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) to prevent resistance and improve effectiveness.

• Malaria Control: Artemisinin-based therapies have saved millions of lives worldwide, especially in Africa and Asia.
• Resistance Concerns: Recent studies show emerging resistance in parts of Africa, raising alarms for global health.
• WHO Guidelines: ACTs remain the gold standard, but monitoring resistance is critical for future strategies.

• The initiative seeks to document diverse interactions via archaeological and historical research, linking coastal centers to hinterlands.
• It promotes transnational UNESCO World Heritage nominations, such as Chola routes in Southeast Asia and Buddhism's spread via land-sea paths.
• Additional goals include filling gaps in World Heritage sites and fostering sustainable tourism and cross-cultural cooperation.​

• Led by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) with support from Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and the National Museum, the project received funding extensions up to 2020 and 2023.
• India engaged countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Oman, and UAE, though progress has been mixed amid geopolitical tensions, including China's Maritime Silk Road counter-efforts.

• Project Mausam counters China's rising influence in the Indian Ocean by leveraging soft power through cultural narratives.
• It highlights monsoon winds ("mausam") that enabled ancient trade in spices, textiles, and ideas, spreading religions like Buddhism and Hinduism.​

• Note that Project Mausam differs from the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Mission Mausam, which focuses on advanced weather forecasting technologies like radars, satellites, and AI-driven models.​

• The scheme upgrades service skills through short training programs (4-6 days) covering hygiene, cooking techniques, communication, first aid, and tourism awareness
• It enhances tourist experiences nationwide, including rural and tribal areas.
• It promotes outcomes like employment, self-employment, and further education in hospitality.​

• Hunar Se Rozgar Tak (HSRT): Focuses on skill-based job placements.
• Entrepreneurship Programme (EP): Trains individuals to start tourism ventures.
• Skill Testing & Certification (ST&C): Certifies existing workers for re-skilling.
• Tourism Awareness Programme (TAP): Builds community participation in tourism.​

• Training occurs via Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs), Food Craft Institutes (FCIs), state tourism bodies, and private agencies, either on-site or at institutes, with funds reimbursed post-document submission.
• Since inception, it has trained over 643,000 people, leading to 84,000+ placements; a 2025 Quality Council of India evaluation recommended its continuation.​

• The Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous, non-profit organization established in 1997 as a public-private partnership to promote quality standards across economic and social sectors.
• QCI creates mechanisms for independent third-party assessments of products, services, and processes to propagate quality standards in areas like education, healthcare, environment, governance, and infrastructure.
• It leads a nationwide quality movement via the National Quality Campaign, empowering citizens and enterprises to adopt standards for national competitiveness.
• Governed by a 38-member council with equal representation from government, industry, and consumers, QCI's Chairman is appointed by the Prime Minister.
• It operates as India's National Accreditation Body (NAB) through boards like NABCB for certification bodies, focusing on global standards adherence. 

• The Riyadh Declaration charts UNAOC's future, including new 2026 partnerships and a 2027-2031 action plan targeting AI disinformation, migration, hate speech, and peace initiatives like the "Alliance for Peace."
• The stressed was on preventive diplomacy and combating discrimination based on faith or ethnicity.​
• India reaffirmed its "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" ethos of global harmony at the event.
• While countries like Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan announced partnerships, including joint projects on cultural tolerance.​

• The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) promotes intercultural and interreligious dialogue to counter extremism and polarization.
• Launched in 2005, it emphasizes mutual respect between cultures, particularly bridging divides between Western and Islamic societies.​

• Secretariat based in New York, USA, UNAOC galvanizes action against extremism through inclusive societies where diversity strengthens cohesion.
• It addresses polarization via practical programs in key areas, fostering global cooperation on shared challenges like security and development.​

• Youth: Engages young leaders through forums, Dialogue Cafés, and global movements.
• Education: Promotes curricula on tolerance and cultural understanding.
• Media: Counters hate speech and builds narratives of unity.
• Migration: Supports integration and reduces xenophobia.
• Women as Peacemakers: Empowers women in conflict resolution.​

• Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan is a flagship initiative by India's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Tourism to promote battlefield and border tourism.
• It opens historically significant military sites, previously restricted due to strategic reasons, to civilians for educational and heritage visits.​

• Sites span states like Jammu & Kashmir (11), Ladakh (5), Sikkim (7), Arunachal Pradesh (21), and others, including Galwan Valley, Doklam, and Battle of Longewala.

• The program fosters patriotism, boosts border economies, and highlights armed forces' sacrifices while maintaining security.
• It integrates with Incredible India campaigns for sustainable tourism development in remote areas.​

• Exercise Ekatha is an annual bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), established in 2017.​

• It focuses on enhancing interoperability in diving operations, special missions, and asymmetric warfare through joint training.
• Activities include combat diving, boarding operations, firing drills, demolition, explosive handling, and heli-borne exercises.​

Download Pdf