Daily current affairs: 13 December 2025

Long Description : On 13 December 2025, the Vice President, Prime Minister, Lok Sabha Speaker, and other dignitaries assembled in the Parliament House complex to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the 2001 Parliament terror attack. They laid wreaths at the memorial dedicated to the nine martyrs, including personnel of the Delhi Police, CRPF, and Parliament security staff. The Lok Sabha Speaker stressed that the homage sends a clear message that India will never yield to terrorist designs and will remain firm in safeguarding democratic institutions. For exams, this is relevant under internal security, terrorism, and constitutional offices (roles of VP, PM, Speaker).

Long Description : The Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, began an official tour to Maharashtra and Karnataka covering 13 and 14 December 2025. The visit focuses on monitoring progress of key postal reforms, improving last‑mile delivery, and interacting with postal employees and local communities. On 13 December, he is scheduled to be the chief guest at a special stamp release function at Bombay Gymkhana, followed by travel to Kolhapur for a Gramin Dak Sammelan to engage with Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Maharashtra Circle. The itinerary also includes a visit to prominent temples in Kolhapur and the unveiling of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Belagavi, highlighting cultural outreach along with governance.

Long Description : Divya Kala Mela, organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, was scheduled at India Gate (Kartavya Path) on the evening of 13 December 2025. The event provides a platform for “Divyangjan” to display and sell handicrafts, artworks, food products, and other items, linking inclusion with livelihood generation. Located near the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose statue, the mela also aims to increase public awareness on accessibility and rights of persons with disabilities. For exam purposes, it illustrates implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and the government’s focus on inclusive growth and self‑employment.

Long Description : In a statement released on 13 December 2025, the Minister emphasized that the RDI Fund is designed to give an “initial push” to high‑risk and high‑technology projects, similar to starting a stalled engine that is later driven by private capital and industry leadership. The initiative aligns with broader reforms enabling private participation in sectors previously dominated by the state, such as space, atomic energy, and cutting‑edge technologies. For examinations, the RDI Fund can be linked with science and technology policy, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and innovation‑driven growth, as well as the evolving role of public–private partnerships in strategic areas.

Long Description : Reporting on developments ahead of the next phase of India–US trade engagement, a recent article noted that India has submitted a revised proposal aiming to resolve pending tariff disputes. The focus is on persuading Washington to remove additional duties of around 25 percent on some Indian exports introduced after differences over Russian oil imports. In return, India is prepared to cut or remove tariffs on items such as certain nuts, fruits, and industrial goods as part of a broader bilateral trade framework. For exams, this ties to WTO‑plus bilateral deals, trade retaliation, and India’s energy and foreign policy balancing between major powers.

Long Description : The Additional Commissioner of Central GST, Delhi South Commissionerate, has passed an order raising a substantial GST demand on IndiGo along with penalty for the financial year 220–21. The order alleges short‑payment or misclassification under GST provisions. In its regulatory filing, the airline clarified that it believes it has complied with applicable tax laws and intends to challenge the order through appropriate legal remedies. For competitive exams, this news connects with indirect tax administration, enforcement powers under the CGST Act, and the impact of tax disputes on corporate governance and regulatory disclosures by listed companies.

Long Description : The Ministry of External Affairs signalled that negotiations on an India–Oman trade pact are at an advanced stage, with the government “very optimistic” about concluding the deal in time for the Prime Minister’s scheduled visit to Muscat. The broader tour also includes Jordan and Ethiopia and aims to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, and defence with these partner countries. A trade agreement with Oman would be significant for energy security, maritime connectivity in the Arabian Sea, and opportunities for Indian exporters in the Gulf region. For exams, this is relevant under India’s West Asia policy, FTAs, and regional connectivity initiatives.

Long Description : The United Nations’ latest world economic situation report revises India’s 2025 growth projection to 6.3%, slightly below an earlier estimate of 6.6%, but still ahead of most advanced and emerging economies. The report notes that robust private consumption, strong public capital expenditure, and services exports will underpin growth, even as global trade tensions and prospective US tariffs weigh on merchandise exports. Inflation in India is expected to ease to about 4.3% in 2025, broadly within the Reserve Bank of India’s target band. For exams, this item links macroeconomic indicators, external headwinds, and India’s position as a growth outlier.

Long Description : According to Morgan Stanley’s macro outlook, India will continue to outpace peers on the back of sustained investment, a young labour force, and policy reforms that encourage manufacturing and services expansion. While global growth is expected to weaken due to high debt, trade tensions, and policy uncertainty, India is projected to maintain relatively strong momentum. The report underscores opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and digital services. For exam purposes, candidates should connect this with themes of demographic dividend, structural reforms, and India’s role in global growth, as well as compare different institutions’ growth forecasts.

Long Description : The review records that a set of gold, garnet and crystal relics, taken out of India 127 years ago, were brought back on 30 July 2025 through coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts, preventing their auction abroad. It also highlights the launch of the Gyan Bharatam web portal on 12 September 2025, which aims to preserve and promote India’s manuscript and knowledge traditions under the pillars of preservation, innovation, and adaptation. The Delhi Declaration adopted on 13 September 2025 reaffirmed commitment to safeguarding manuscript heritage. For exams, this is linked to cultural repatriation, soft power, and digital initiatives in heritage management.

Long Description : Following a deadly fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in North Goa’s Arpora area on 6 December, resulting in 25 deaths, Goa Police initiated action against the establishment’s owners and staff. The Luthra brothers allegedly fled India and were later tracked and detained in Thailand, aided by an Interpol Blue Corner notice issued on 9 December. A Delhi court refused their request for transit anticipatory bail, clearing the way for their return to face investigation and trial. Several nightclub managers, employees, and a local panchayat secretary have also come under the scanner. The case is relevant for topics like criminal procedure, extradition, and regulatory oversight of public venues.

Long Description : Coverage in a leading business daily points out that India’s composite business activity index remains in expansionary territory, driven mainly by services like finance, tourism, and IT‑enabled services, while manufacturing shows more modest growth. Companies are reportedly cautious about capital expenditure due to global uncertainty and possible tariff changes, but domestic demand continues to support output and employment. The analysis comes in the run‑up to Budget 2026, where policymakers are expected to balance fiscal prudence with growth support. For aspirants, this item connects with PMI indicators, sectoral performance, and budget expectations in the macroeconomy.

Long Description : The SBI research discussed in business media explains that post‑GST rationalisation and festive offers, there has been a notable surge in digital transactions across sectors. Credit and debit‑card data reflect rising discretionary spending, with growth not just concentrated in metros but also in smaller urban centres benefiting from expanding online marketplaces and improved logistics. This indicates deepening formalisation of consumption and greater penetration of digital payments infrastructure. For competitive exams, this underpins questions on financial inclusion, Digital India, the role of UPI and card networks, and how tax policy interacts with consumption patterns.

Long Description : The UN report discussed in business coverage states that higher US tariffs raise production costs, disrupt global supply chains and may lead firms to delay investment decisions. For India, the impact could be felt through weaker demand for goods exports, even as certain sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, semiconductors, energy, and copper currently enjoy exemptions or face lower tariff exposure. However, those preferences may not be permanent, underlining the need for diversification of export markets and upgrading domestic competitiveness. In exams, this can be linked to topics on protectionism, WTO challenges, and India’s strategy in navigating global trade headwinds.