Daily Current Affairs 2025  

22/12/2025

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CA-22/12/2025

Contents
1. Candida auris
2. Kavachi Volcano
3. Bharat Taxi
4. Udanti Sitanadi tiger reserve
5. Aravalli mountain range controversy
6. Fertiliser Subsidy
7. Chillai Kalan
8. Reversal in circulation and rising surface salinity in Sourthen Ocean
9. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
10. Raccoon roundworm

 

 
Why in news?
Recent research reveals genetic vulnerabilities in Candida auris, a multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen posing a global health threat. Scientists identified processes like filamentation and upregulated xenosiderophore transporter genes during infection, offering potential treatment targets.
 
About Candida auris (C. auris)

• Candida auris (C. auris) is a multidrug-resistant fungus that spreads in healthcare settings and can cause severe infections, especially in hospitalized or immunocompromised patients.
• It is difficult to treat, hard to identify with standard lab methods, and has become a global public health concern.

Key Characteristics

• This fungus grows as a budding yeast with ellipsoid cells, forming smooth, whitish-gray colonies, and rarely produces hyphae.
• It thrives in warm, high-salt environments, persists on skin, surfaces, and medical devices for weeks, and forms biofilms that enhance its virulence and resistance.​

Symptoms & Illness

• Infections caused: Bloodstream infections, wound infections, ear infections.
• Symptoms: Fever, chills, and sepsis-like illness that doesn’t improve with antibiotics.
• Colonization vs. infection: Some people carry C. auris on their skin without symptoms but can still spread it.

Prevention & Control

• Screening: Patients in hospitals may be tested to see if they carry C. auris.
• Hygiene: Rigorous hand hygiene and cleaning of hospital surfaces are critical.
• Isolation: Infected or colonized patients are often placed in single rooms to prevent spread.
• Special disinfectants: Standard cleaning agents may not work; hospitals use EPA-approved disinfectants effective against C. auris.

Concerns

• Drug resistance: Many strains are resistant to multiple antifungal medications, including azoles and amphotericin B.
• Difficult detection: Standard lab tests often misidentify it, delaying proper treatment.
• Rapid spread: Outbreaks occur in hospitals and long-term care facilities. In 2023, the U.S. reported 4,514 clinical cases, a sharp rise compared to previous years.
• High-risk patients: Those with weakened immune systems, invasive medical devices (like catheters), or prolonged hospital stays are most vulnerable
• The WHO lists it as a "critical priority" fungal pathogen due to its rapid spread and resistance linked to agricultural antifungal use.​

 
 
   
Why in news?
Kavachi volcano, a shallow submarine volcano in the South Pacific Ocean near the Solomon Islands, has recently gained attention for rare footage showing sharks thriving inside its active crater. This discovery challenges scientific understanding of marine life in extreme volcanic conditions. 
 
Location & Geographical Context

• Situated in the South Pacific Ocean, south of Vangunu Island in the Solomon Islands.
• Lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a tectonically active zone with frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
• Classified as a shallow submarine volcano (underwater volcano close to the surface).

Volcanic Activity

• Highly active: Known for regular but unpredictable eruptions.
• Island-building events: Sometimes eruptions create temporary islands that later erode back into the sea.
• One of the world’s few visible undersea volcanoes.

Unique Ecological Significance

• Scientists discovered sharks and other marine life inside the crater, challenging assumptions about survival in extreme volcanic environments.
• This phenomenon is called “sharkcano” in popular science reporting.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Bharat Taxi is India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing service, launched by the government to challenge Ola and Uber with a driver-owned model that eliminates commissions and surge pricing. The app became available for customers on December 1, 2025, with a full Delhi rollout planned for January 1, 2026.​
 
Objectives

• Provide a cooperative-based alternative to global cab aggregators (like Uber/Ola).
• Ensure citizen-first, transparent, and inclusive mobility services.
• Promote digital empowerment aligned with Digital India.
• Strengthen cooperative institutions in urban transport.

Key Features

• Developed by National e-Governance Division (NeGD) under Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY), in partnership with Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd.

• Integration with DigiLocker, UMANG, API Setu : seamless identity verification & service delivery.
• Data protection & cybersecurity norms : citizen privacy ensured.
• Interoperable platform : accessible across India.
• Ownership model : cooperative institutions (NCDC, IFFCO, AMUL, KRIBHCO, NAFED, NABARD, NDDB, NCEL) are promoters.
• Citizen-centric pricing & transparency : unlike profit-driven aggregators.

Challenges & Risks

• Adoption & scale-up: Competing with established players like Uber/Ola.
• Tech infrastructure: Ensuring smooth functioning nationwide.
• Cooperative efficiency: Managing diverse cooperative stakeholders.
• Public awareness: Need for strong outreach to citizens.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Forest authorities in Chhattisgarh's Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve recently arrested 53 individuals for illegal encroachment on protected forest land. This action targeted attempts to clear land and cut trees in the reserve's catchment area, particularly in elephant and leopard habitats. 
 
Location & Establishment

• Situated in Gariaband and Dhamtari districts, Chhattisgarh.
• Created by merging Udanti & Sitanadi Wildlife Sanctuaries in 2008–09.
• Lies about 160 km from Raipur; nearest airport is Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur.

• Part of the Mahanadi river basin.
• Rivers: Mahanadi (main), Udanti, Sitanadi, Indravan, Pairi

Flora and Fauna

• Forests mix Sal with moist deciduous types, hosting Asiatic wild buffalo as a flagship endangered species.
• Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, Indian wolves, and mouse deer thrive amid challenges like low tiger density.​

Conservation Challenges

• Left-wing extremism in the "Red Corridor" hinders protection and monitoring efforts. Community initiatives like Charwaha Sammelans and CFR rights aid local involvement.
• It links to Indravati Tiger Reserve, boosting genetic diversity.​

Governance & Tribal Rights

• Thousands of tribals live in villages inside the core area.
• They demand recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under Forest Rights Act, 2006.
• Reserve follows core-buffer strategy:

• Core area: National Park/sanctuary status.
• Buffer area: Mixed-use (forest + non-forest land).

 

   
Why in news?

• Supreme Court’s new definition: The Court recently ruled that only landforms in Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 meters or more count as part of the Aravalli hills. This narrows protection and potentially opens large areas to mining and construction.
• Ecological concerns: Environmentalists warn this could cause irreversible damage to one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges, which acts as a natural barrier against desertification, dust storms, and pollution in NCR and North India.

Mining Controversy

• Opposition and activists fear the new definition could open doors for mining expansion, especially in Rajasthan and Haryana.
• Govt clarified: only 0.19% of Aravalli’s 1.44 lakh sq km area is eligible for mining, with strict restrictions.

Ecological Importance

• Aravalli is ~2 billion years old, stretching 650–800 km across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
• Acts as a barrier against Thar Desert expansion, supports groundwater recharge, and houses rich biodiversity.
• Source of rivers like Sabarmati, Luni, Chambal

Government’s Defence
The Centre has strongly countered fears, presenting several arguments:

Government Defence	Details
Clarity, not dilution	The new definition removes decades of ambiguity and standardizes protection across states.
Freeze on mining leases	Supreme Court has paused fresh mining leases until a comprehensive management plan is finalized.
Extent of protection	Govt claims over 90% of Aravalli region remains protected, with mining allowed only in 0.19% of the 1.44 lakh sq km area.
Barrier against desertification	Aravallis act as a natural shield against desert dust entering Delhi and North India, so protection is vital.
Expansion of coverage	Officials argue the ruling expands boundaries by covering entire hill systems, not just isolated peaks.

 
Risks & Challenges

• Mining expansion: Reduced protection may accelerate quarrying, harming fragile ecosystems.
• Urban pollution: NCR already struggles with air quality; weakening Aravalli’s shield could worsen smog and dust storms.
• Water security: Aravalli forests recharge groundwater; deforestation could deepen water crises.
• Legal loopholes: Developers may exploit the new definition to push construction projects.

 
   
Why in news?
Union Cabinet recently approved significant fertiliser subsidies under the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme to support farmers during the Rabi 2025-26 season. This move ensures affordable access to phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers amid global price fluctuations. The overall fertiliser subsidy bill for FY26 is projected to rise substantially.
 
What is Fertiliser Subsidy?

• Definition: Government pays fertiliser producers the difference between cost of production/import and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) charged to farmers.
• Objective: Ensure affordable access to soil nutrients, boost agricultural productivity, and support food security.

Subsidy Mechanism

• Urea is sold at a fixed Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of around ₹242 per 45-kg bag, with the government reimbursing manufacturers for the difference between production/import costs and this price.
• Phosphatic (P) and potassic (K) fertilisers operate under the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime since 2010, where subsidies are fixed per nutrient unit (N, P, K, S), allowing market-driven retail prices.
• Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), rolled out since 2016, releases 100% subsidy to companies based on PoS-verified sales to farmers, reducing leakages.​

Recent Reforms

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has boosted NBS allocations to ₹54,310 crore in 2024-25 from ₹45,000 crore budgeted, ensuring supply stability.
• Initiatives like nano-urea promotion and precision farming aim to cut subsidy needs by enhancing efficiency.
• Calls grow for uniform NBS across all fertilisers or direct per-acre cash transfers to enable balanced, customised nutrient use.​

Challenges

• Overuse of Urea & DAP: Distorts nutrient balance, depletes soil health.
• Leakages & Diversion: Subsidised fertilisers diverted to non-agricultural uses or grey market.
• Fiscal Burden: Rising global prices and import dependence inflate subsidy bill.
• Environmental Impact: Excess nitrogen leads to water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions.
• Inequity: Larger farmers benefit more; small/marginal farmers get less relative support.

 
   
Why in news?
Chillai Kalan, the 40-day period of harshest winter in Kashmir, began on December 21, 2025, bringing snowfall to higher reaches and rain to plains after a prolonged dry spell.​​
 
About Chillai Kalan

• Derived from Persian words: Chilla = forty, Kalan = major.
• Literally means “major forty days of cold”.
• Part of Kashmiri traditional calendar of winter phases.

Sequence of Periods
Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai Khurd and Chillai Bachha. Together, these form Kashmir's extended winter phases.​
 
Duration

• Chillai Kalan: 21 Dec – 31 Jan (40 days, harshest cold).
• Chillai Khurd (small cold): 20 days (30 Jan – 18 Feb).
• Chillai Bacha (baby cold): 10 days (19 Feb – 28 Feb).

Socio-Economic Impact

• Tourism: Skiing and winter tourism peak in Gulmarg; Chillai Kalan is a travel favourite.
• Agriculture: Fields remain snow-covered; traditional winter crops are limited.
• Daily Life: Heating demand rises, traditional kangri (fire pot) used widely.
• Governance: Snow clearance, road connectivity, and power supply become critical challenges.

 
Why in news?
Recent studies reveal dramatic changes in the Southern Ocean, including a reversal in circulation and rising surface salinity since 2016, contrary to prior expectations of freshening waters.
 
Reasons Behind the Change

• Circulation Reversal (SMOC):
  • The Southern Meridional Overturning Circulation (SMOC) has reversed. Instead of surface waters sinking, deep waters are now rising to the surface, bringing heat and carbon dioxide long stored in the abyss.
• Sea Ice Decline:
  • Since 2015, Antarctica has lost sea ice equal to the size of Greenland. Less ice means less freshwater input, contributing to higher salinity at the surface.
• Atmospheric & Climate Drivers:
  • Stronger winds and shifting storm tracks around Antarctica are altering ocean mixing.
  • Warming atmosphere reduces snowfall and ice formation, further cutting freshwater supply.
• Feedback Loops:
  • Rising deep waters release heat and CO₂, accelerating warming and ice melt.
  • Saltier waters reduce buoyancy, reinforcing circulation changes.

Implications for Climate and Ecosystems
​

Implication	Details
Carbon Cycle	Deep waters release stored CO₂, weakening the ocean’s role as a carbon sink.
Heat Release	Rising deep waters bring trapped heat to the surface, intensifying Antarctic ice melt.
Sea Ice Loss	Salinity rise reduces freezing potential, accelerating sea ice decline.
Global Climate Feedbacks	Changes in Southern Ocean circulation affect the entire Earth system, including monsoons and Atlantic circulation.
Marine Ecosystems	Altered nutrient distribution impacts phytoplankton, krill, and higher food chains.

 
Risks and Challenges

• Acceleration of Climate Change: The Southern Ocean has been a buffer, absorbing ~40% of human CO₂ emissions. Its weakening role could speed up atmospheric warming.
• Unpredictable Weather Patterns: Disruption of global circulation may affect rainfall and storm systems worldwide.
• Ecosystem Collapse: Antarctic marine life, dependent on stable ice and nutrient flows, faces existential threats.

 
 
   
Why in news?
WADA published its approved 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards on December 18, 2025, advancing global harmonization. The agency also enforced its 2025 Prohibited List effective January 1, 2025, and continues compliance reviews, including watchlists for NADOs like Iran and Sri Lanka.​
 
Background

• Established: 1999, headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
• Nature: Independent international agency.
• Governance: Equal partnership between the Olympic Movement and governments worldwide.
• Funding: Shared by governments and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Objectives

• Promote doping-free sport globally.
• Develop, harmonize, and coordinate anti-doping rules across countries.
• Conduct scientific research on performance-enhancing drugs.
• Provide education and awareness programs for athletes.
• Monitor compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC).

India & WADA

• India has topped WADA’s list of anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) for the third consecutive year (2023–2025).
• Sports most affected: Athletics, weightlifting, wrestling.
• National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA): India’s domestic body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• This raises concerns for India’s 2030 Commonwealth Games and bid for 2036 Olympics.

Comparison Table
 

Feature	WADA	NADA (India)
Established	1999	2005
HQ	Montreal, Canada	New Delhi
Scope	Global	National
Key Role	Harmonize global anti-doping rules	Implement WADA Code in India
Funding	IOC + Governments	Govt. of India
Recent Issue	India topping ADRVs globally	Weak enforcement & athlete awareness

 
Challenges & Risks

• High violation numbers damage India’s global sporting reputation.
• Grassroots doping even in school/college-level sports.
• Weak awareness and education among athletes.
• Medical misuse of supplements and lack of proper guidance.
• Risk of Olympic hosting bid rejection due to poor compliance.

 
 
   
Why in news?
Recent news highlights the spread of raccoon roundworm across Europe, raising concerns about its zoonotic potential. India faces low immediate risk due to raccoon absence, but global invasive species trends warrant monitoring.
 
About Raccoon roundworm

• Raccoon roundworm, scientifically known as Baylisascaris procyonis, is a parasitic nematode primarily found in the intestines of raccoons.
• It poses significant health risks to humans and other animals through accidental ingestion of its infectious eggs shed in raccoon feces.​

Transmission

• Infection occurs via the fecal-oral route when eggs, which become infective after 2-4 weeks in the environment, contaminate soil, water, sandboxes, or objects.
• Raccoons often use communal latrines, increasing contamination risks in those areas.​

Symptoms in Humans
Human cases are rare but severe, with larvae migrating to the brain, eyes, and organs after ingestion, causing nausea, fatigue, coordination loss, blindness, coma, or death. Incubation takes 1-4 weeks.​

Prevention
Avoid raccoon feces, cover sandboxes, wash hands thoroughly, and discourage raccoons from yards. Eggs resist cold, drying, and many disinfectants but die at high heat above 62°C.
 
 
 
 
Question & Answer
 
Question 1. The Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh is an important ecological zone. The administration faces challenges related to governance within its core area concerning which specific legal right granted to forest dwellers?
 
Select your answer:
A) Right to Fair Compensation under Section 26 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
B) Recognition of Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
C) Implementation of the PESA Act, 1996, regarding self-governance in scheduled areas.
D) The mandate for joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) in core areas.
 
Explanation: (B)
The Udanti Sitanadi TR issue highlights the conflict involving thousands of tribals living inside the core area who are demanding the recognition of their Community Forest Resource (CFR) rights as provided under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA).
 
 
Question 2. Consider the Aravalli mountain range. Which one of the following best describes its primary ecological significance in the context of North Indian plains and the NCR region?
 
Select your answer:
A) It is the primary source of monsoon clouds for the Indo-Gangetic Plain, regulating summer rainfall.
B) It acts as a crucial barrier preventing the expansion of the Thar Desert towards the east and reducing dust storms.
C) It plays a dominant role in recharging the alluvial aquifers of the Ganga basin through its eastern tributaries.
D) It is geologically younger than the Himalayas and primarily controls the flow direction of the Yamuna River.
 
Explanation: (B)
The Aravallis act as a significant natural shield, historically restricting the eastward movement of the Thar Desert's sands and protecting the NCR from excessive dust intrusion, which is a major concern given recent environmental controversies regarding their protection.
 
 
Question 3. The Kavachi volcano, recently in news for supporting unique marine ecosystems within its crater, is geographically located within which major global tectonic zone?
 
Select your answer:
A) The Mid-Atlantic Ridge system.
B) The Pacific Ring of Fire.
C) The boundary between the Australian and Antarctic Plates.
D) The South Sandwich Trench system.
 
Explanation: (B)
Kavachi is situated near the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific Ocean, which lies directly on the highly active Pacific Ring of Fire, characterized by frequent tectonic and volcanic activity.
 
 
Question 4. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) poses a potential zoonotic risk globally. Which factor is most crucial for the parasite's eggs to become infective in the environment, leading to potential transmission?
 
Select your answer:
A) Immediate ingestion by a non-raccoon host before environmental exposure.
B) Exposure to sub-zero temperatures for a minimum period of 60 days.
C) Maturation time, requiring several weeks (2-4 weeks) within the external environment (soil/water).
D) Resistance to all chemical disinfectants, requiring only high heat (above 62°C) for inactivation.
 
Explanation: (C)
The eggs shed in raccoon feces require a period of maturation (2-4 weeks) in the environment (soil, water) to become infective, after which accidental ingestion by humans (fecal-oral route) causes the disease. High heat is required for inactivation.
 
 
Question 5. The recently launched 'Bharat Taxi' service is distinct from established ride-hailing platforms primarily because of its underlying structure and integration. Which feature aligns with the governance objectives of this initiative?
 
Select your answer:
A) Reliance on high-frequency surge pricing during peak demand to maximize driver income.
B) Its foundation as a cooperative, driver-owned model eliminating commissions charged by aggregators.
C) Its mandate to operate exclusively within the National Capital Region (NCR) only.
D) Its use of private server infrastructure to ensure complete isolation from government digital platforms like DigiLocker.
 
Explanation: (B)
Bharat Taxi is promoted as India's first cooperative-based ride-hailing service, aiming to eliminate commissions and promote driver ownership, contrasting sharply with the profit-driven models of its competitors. Integration with platforms like DigiLocker supports transparency.
 
 
Question 6. In the traditional calendar system of Kashmir, the period known as 'Chillai Kalan' signifies the harshest phase of winter. What is the sequential duration and characteristic associated with this period?
 
Select your answer:
A) A 30-day period characterized by heavy rains followed by moderate snowfall.
B) The first 40 days of winter, typically bringing the most intense cold and snowfall.
C) A 20-day period following the main winter, marking the transition towards spring.
D) The period dedicated to ice and snow sports, which is economically vital for local tourism.
 
Explanation: (B)
Chillai Kalan literally means 'major forty days of cold'. It is the initial and harshest 40-day period of winter (starting around December 21st), characterized by intense cold and heavy snowfall, directly impacting governance and tourism.
 
 
Question 7. With reference to the multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is typically classified as a bacterium that has developed resistance to common antibiotics.
2. Its ability to form biofilms on surfaces and medical devices is a key factor in its persistence in healthcare settings.
3. The WHO has designated it as a pathogen of critical priority due to concerns over rapid spread and resistance profiles.
 
Select your answer:
A) Only 1 and 2
B) Only 2 and 3
C) Only 1 and 3
D) 1, 2, and 3
 
Explanation: (B)
Statement 1 is incorrect; Candida auris is a fungus, not a bacterium. Statements 2 and 3 are correct based on its characteristics (biofilm formation) and its listing by the WHO as a critical priority pathogen.
 
 
Question 8. The Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme in India governs subsidies for Phosphatic (P) and Potassic (K) fertilizers. Which characteristic distinguishes the NBS mechanism from the subsidy structure for Urea?
 
Select your answer:
A) Under NBS, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) is fixed by the government, while Urea prices are market-determined.
B) The subsidy under NBS is fixed per unit of nutrient, allowing manufacturers to set market-driven retail prices for P&K fertilizers.
C) NBS subsidies are disbursed directly to farmers via DBT, whereas Urea subsidies are paid directly to manufacturers based on import bills.
D) NBS is only applicable to domestically manufactured fertilizers, excluding imported P&K fertilizers.
 
Explanation: (B)
Urea has a fixed MRP with the government covering the gap between cost and MRP. In contrast, the NBS scheme (for P&K fertilizers) fixes the subsidy amount per nutrient unit, leaving the final retail price to be determined by the market forces of production and import costs.
 
 
Question 9. Changes observed in the Southern Ocean circulation, specifically the reversal of the Southern Meridional Overturning Circulation (SMOC), have significant implications for global climate. What is a direct consequence of this circulation reversal?
 
Select your answer:
A) Increased stratification of the surface layer, leading to enhanced oceanic absorption of atmospheric $ ext{CO}_2$.
B) Upwelling of deep, warmer, and $ ext{CO}_2$-rich waters to the surface, weakening the ocean's carbon sink role.
C) A net increase in the formation rate of Antarctic bottom water, promoting rapid global cooling.
D) A reduction in sea surface salinity globally due to reduced surface freezing potential.
 
Explanation: (B)
The reversal of SMOC means that instead of surface water sinking, deep waters are rising. These deep waters contain sequestered heat and $ ext{CO}_2$. Bringing this water to the surface releases stored $ ext{CO}_2$ back into the atmosphere and contributes to surface warming and ice melt.
 
 
 

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