Daily current affairs: 14 December 2025

Long Description : National Energy Conservation Day 2025 was observed with a central event at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, where the President of India presided as Chief Guest and felicitated NECA 2025 awardees and winners of the national painting competition on energy conservation. The programme, organised by the Ministry of Power and Bureau of Energy Efficiency, showcased best practices in energy efficiency from industry, buildings and institutions, underlining their role in reducing emissions and enhancing energy security. The Union Power Minister reiterated India’s broader goal of energy transition towards greener sources, emphasising efficiency as a low‑cost climate solution and aligning the initiative with India’s nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement.

Long Description : A new government communication on rail electrification reported that Indian Railways has rapidly expanded its electrified network, leading to marked reductions in diesel usage and associated import bills, while also lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The statement highlights that a vast majority of broad‑gauge routes are now electrified, allowing seamless operation of electric locomotives and better utilisation of rolling stock. This transition is projected to improve operating ratios over time, strengthen energy security through greater reliance on domestic electricity, and support India’s climate goals. The note also underlines that India’s pace and scale of rail electrification rank among the highest globally, reinforcing its status as a benchmark for sustainable railway transformation.

Long Description : As Delhi recorded its poorest air quality of the season, the central authorities triggered the highest level of anti‑pollution measures for Delhi and neighbouring districts under the air quality management framework. The steps include a complete ban on BS‑III petrol and BS‑IV diesel four‑wheelers in Delhi and key NCR districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Schools have been directed to keep classes, except for board‑related standards, in hybrid or online mode to limit children’s exposure and reduce traffic. Construction and industrial activities falling under restricted categories are also subject to tighter controls. The move reflects the growing administrative priority accorded to severe episodic air pollution in the region.

Long Description : A large public rally called by the Congress at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi focused on allegations that recent electoral processes have been undermined through what party leaders described as “vote theft” enabled by institutional complicity. Senior leaders used the platform to question the integrity of electronic voting, seeking transparency in electoral data, stronger safeguards and clearer disclosure by the Election Commission. The event forms part of a wider political campaign aiming to mobilise public opinion ahead of upcoming electoral cycles and to frame the debate around trust in democratic institutions. For exam purposes, the development is relevant to topics such as electoral reforms, independence of constitutional bodies and the role of protests in parliamentary democracy.

Long Description : A press communication from the government relayed remarks by the Vice‑President at an official function, where he emphasised that adherence to constitutional principles, such as justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, remains central to India’s governance framework. The speech reportedly connected these values with ongoing initiatives in economic development, social welfare and institutional reform. While the detailed text is not fully accessible in the brief, the reference points to the continued use of high‑level constitutional messaging in public addresses, a frequent theme in questions on polity and political philosophy for competitive exams. Students should link this to the Preamble, fundamental duties and the role of constitutional offices.

Long Description : The National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) 2025 ceremony was scheduled on 14 December 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with senior officials and experts in attendance. The awards, instituted by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency under the Ministry of Power, reward best‑performing entities that have substantially cut energy consumption through technology upgrades, process improvements and management systems. The event also involves technical presentations and serves as a platform for knowledge‑sharing on cost‑effective conservation strategies. For exam purposes, aspirants should link NECA and the associated painting competition with the broader institutional framework for energy efficiency in India, including the Energy Conservation Act and BEE’s mandate.

Long Description : In its latest Asian Development Outlook update, the Asian Development Bank upgraded India’s growth projection for 2025 to 7.2%, up by 0.7 percentage points from its previous estimate. The revision is attributed to better‑than‑expected GDP numbers in the second quarter, where tax reductions spurred private consumption and investment, while manufacturing and services recorded robust gains. The report notes that India is expected to remain one of the fastest‑growing large economies in the region, even as the broader Asia‑Pacific growth outlook remains moderate. For exam preparation, students should connect this forecast with themes such as fiscal policy, growth‑inflation trade‑offs, and the role of domestic demand in insulating the economy from external shocks.

Long Description : A recent report by Moody’s Ratings on the Asia‑Pacific corporate outlook forecasts India’s GDP growth at 7% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026, positioning it ahead of many regional peers. The analysis stresses that domestic demand, supported by structural reforms and investment, will be central to this performance. It also assesses currency risk, observing that most rated Indian firms maintain active hedging or robust buffers, though some sectors with dollar‑denominated costs, such as oil and gas or airlines, remain exposed. For competitive exams, this development is relevant to topics like sovereign rating agencies, macroeconomic indicators, and external vulnerability indicators such as currency depreciation and trade balances.

Long Description : Recent GDP data indicate that India’s economy grew by 8.2% in Q2 of FY 2025‑26, reflecting an acceleration compared to last year’s 5.6% expansion for the corresponding quarter. The improvement is linked to robust output in manufacturing and construction, along with gains in financial, real estate and professional services, suggesting broad‑based momentum. Commentators note that such growth strengthens India’s position as a leading global growth engine and may provide additional fiscal space if higher revenues persist. For exam‑oriented study, candidates should relate this figure to national income concepts, base‑year issues, sectoral composition of GDP and implications for employment and inclusive growth.

Long Description : In remarks reported by a leading business daily, the president of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) assessed that India’s macroeconomic environment remains favourable, projecting GDP growth to surpass 7% this fiscal. The assessment points to resilient consumption, ongoing infrastructure push and gradual recovery in private capital expenditure as key support factors. The statement also touches upon external challenges such as global uncertainty and supply‑chain disruptions but argues that India’s structural reforms and demographic profile place it advantageously. Aspirants should treat such business‑association views as supplementary to official data, linking them to topics such as business cycles, investment climate and ease of doing business.

Long Description : A political report notes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Tamil Nadu from 13–15 January 2026, coinciding with Pongal celebrations, as part of outreach before the 2026 Assembly elections. The visit is likely to feature interactions with farmers and participation in traditional festivities, signalling an attempt to strengthen the party’s rural and regional connect. Such visits often combine cultural symbolism with announcements or reiterations of welfare schemes. For exam aspirants, this type of news is useful for understanding Centre–State political dynamics, regional parties’ strategies, and how national leaders use festivals and mass events as platforms for political communication.

Long Description : A state‑level transmen cricket team representing Karnataka is preparing to play its first national‑level match against Maharashtra, an event described as a milestone for gender and social inclusion in Indian sports. The formation of the team involved support from community networks and activists, and its participation highlights emerging institutional recognition for transgender athletes. The development contributes to ongoing debates on inclusive sporting policies, eligibility norms and access to facilities. For exams, it can be linked to constitutional rights, Supreme Court jurisprudence on transgender persons, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019, and broader issues of social justice and representation in public life.

Long Description : In Bihar, the RJD claimed that the state government misdirected payments under a women‑focused employment scheme, with several male beneficiaries allegedly receiving the ₹10,000 transfer meant for women. Party leaders framed this as both administrative failure and a potential tool for vote‑buying, demanding corrective action and transparency. While the government’s detailed response is not elaborated in the report, the issue raises exam‑relevant themes such as DBT implementation, targeting errors, gender‑budgeting and ethics in electoral competition. Students should connect such controversies with institutional checks like audits, legislative oversight and social accountability mechanisms, including RTI and social audits.

Long Description : A political intervention in Maharashtra has drawn attention to increasing incidents of missing children and suspected abduction cases, with allegations that organised gangs from multiple states are systematically targeting minors. Raj Thackeray accused the state administration of inadequate response and demanded stronger policing, inter‑state coordination and improved use of surveillance systems. For exam purposes, this news can be analysed under internal security, criminal justice reforms, and Centre–State cooperation in law and order. It also relates to schemes such as the TrackChild portal and mechanisms like the National Crime Records Bureau’s data, which are frequently referenced in prelims and mains questions on crime and safety.

Long Description : Background material on National Energy Conservation Day explains that the observance aims not only at awareness but also at integrating energy efficiency with India’s broader climate and development strategies. Official notes emphasise that reduced energy intensity directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 7 on affordable and clean energy and supports SDG 13 on climate action. Efficiency gains, combined with renewables expansion, are positioned as key to achieving India’s nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. For exam revision, candidates should relate this to concepts like energy intensity of GDP, Perform–Achieve–Trade (PAT) scheme, star labelling programmes, and the institutional role of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

Long Description : Educational channels released dedicated sessions summarising the 14 December 2025 editions of major newspapers for UPSC aspirants, confirming the salience of issues like India’s growth projections, environmental policy and political rallies. While these are secondary sources and not directly citable in exams, they indicate which stories coaching institutes view as high‑priority. For aspirants, the takeaway is to connect these daily items with static portions – for example, linking growth forecasts to macroeconomics, or energy awards to environmental governance. Such sessions can aid revision but should be supplemented with direct reading from original reputable sources like PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express and Economic Times.