Daily current affairs: 15 December 2025

Long Description : The Bill seeks to modernise India’s nuclear governance framework by repealing two existing laws and creating an integrated statute for nuclear energy development, safety and liability. It aims to support long‑term clean energy goals, including a roadmap toward decarbonisation by 2070 and a target of 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047, while expanding public and private participation across the nuclear fuel cycle. Provisions cover licensing, safety authorisation, civil liability for nuclear damage, statutory backing to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, and mechanisms like a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission and Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council to strengthen accountability and compensation.

Long Description : The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 proposes a new overarching framework for higher education institutions to enhance quality, inclusion and global competitiveness in line with national development objectives. It seeks to reorganise regulatory and governance structures, promote multidisciplinary and research‑oriented learning, and strengthen coordination among universities and other institutions. The Bill is significant for aspirants as it links to education reforms under NEP‑style goals, focusing on skilling, innovation and internationalisation of Indian higher education, while Opposition parties have flagged concerns over legislative scrutiny and timelines during its introduction debate.

Long Description : On 15 December 2025, the government administered the oath of office to eight new Information Commissioners in the CIC, which adjudicates second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act, 2005. Strengthening the Commission is intended to reduce backlog of pending cases and improve timely disposal of appeals across sectors. For exam relevance, the move touches key topics: transparency, accountability mechanisms, and functioning of statutory bodies under the RTI regime, including the composition and appointment process of the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners by the President on the recommendation of a high‑level committee.

Long Description : Government data for November 2025 show combined merchandise and services exports at roughly USD 74 billion, up more than 15% from a year earlier, driven by higher non‑petroleum exports and strong services performance. Imports were estimated at around USD 80.6 billion, marginally lower than November 2024, leading to a sharply narrower trade deficit of about USD 6.64 billion versus over USD 17 billion a year ago. Petroleum product exports increased by over 11%, and non‑petroleum, non‑gems and jewellery exports also recorded healthy growth, indicating broad‑based external sector resilience, a theme relevant for questions on BoP, export diversification and rupee stability.

Long Description : In an official statement before departure, the Prime Minister outlined priorities for visits to Jordan, Ethiopia and Oman, emphasising India’s commitment to deepening political, economic and people‑to‑people ties with West Asia and Africa. The agenda includes high‑level meetings, discussions on trade, energy security, digital cooperation and developmental partnerships, as well as interactions with Indian communities abroad. For competitive exams, this visit links to India’s Act East/extended neighbourhood diplomacy, maritime routes in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea region, strategic energy and diaspora policy, and evolving multipolar alignments in West Asia and Africa.

Long Description : The Finance Ministry, citing Reserve Bank of India information, clarified that public sector banks provide collateral‑free education loans within specified limits under schemes like the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Education Loans. The communication also discussed trends in outstanding education loans and gross non‑performing assets, pointing to challenges in asset quality for this segment. For aspirants, this topic links to priority sector lending, financial inclusion in education, risk management in banking, and government support mechanisms for students, which are often tested in banking and economy sections of competitive exams.

Long Description : At a dividend distribution ceremony held on 15 December 2025, BHEL handed over a cheque of more than ₹109 crore to the Government, which holds a majority stake in the company. The payment relates to the firm’s profitability for the relevant financial year and contributes to the Centre’s non‑tax receipts from central public sector enterprises. This event is relevant for questions on PSUs, disinvestment and government finances, illustrating how dividend flows from profitable CPSEs form a component of budgeted non‑debt capital receipts and broader fiscal consolidation strategies.

Long Description : According to commerce‑related briefings, India has listed about 300 product categories where exporters can expand shipments to the Russian market, capitalising on trade reorientation following Western sanctions on Russia. Items span sectors like engineering goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and food products. The move fits into a broader strategy to diversify export destinations, strengthen rupee‑ruble or alternative payment arrangements, and reduce dependence on traditional markets, themes often asked under foreign trade policy, regional groupings, and India‑Russia strategic partnership in prelims and mains.

Long Description : Coverage in reputed dailies noted that India’s merchandise exports grew strongly in November 2025 while imports remained subdued, resulting in a trade deficit nearly 61% lower than the previous year. The external sector showed improvement with higher non‑petroleum exports and services surplus, supporting macroeconomic stability and easing pressure on the current account. For exams, this data connects to topics like balance of payments, exchange rate dynamics, current account deficit sustainability, and the role of global demand, commodity prices and domestic policy in influencing trade performance.

Long Description : In response to allegations from Bangladesh that comments by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, currently in India, were inciting her supporters and affecting security around the February 2026 elections, India clarified that no inimical forces have been allowed to operate from its soil. The MEA underlined India’s policy of non‑interference and cooperation with Bangladesh against terrorism and extremism. This episode is relevant for UPSC from the angle of neighbourhood first policy, cross‑border security cooperation, and evolving domestic politics in neighbouring countries and their impact on bilateral ties.

Long Description : The Congress held a public meeting at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan where party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other leaders alleged that electronic and institutional mechanisms were being misused for “vote chori”. The party signalled that, if it comes to power, it would hold current Election Commissioners accountable for any proven irregularities in electoral conduct. The episode underscores debates on electoral integrity, independence of constitutional bodies like the Election Commission, and opposition strategies, which are often probed in polity and current affairs questions.

Long Description : Clarifying its stand, India stressed through MEA comments that forces “inimical” to Bangladesh have never found a foothold in India, even as Bangladesh authorities linked recent violent incidents to speeches made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Indian soil. The statement reflects India’s attempt to balance its role as host to a political figure with its commitment to bilateral security cooperation and respect for Bangladesh’s internal democratic process. For exams, this ties into regional security architecture, SAARC/BIMSTEC dynamics and India’s handling of political crises in neighbouring states.

Long Description : Reports noted that, in response to worsening Air Quality Index readings, Delhi’s administration directed schools to shift to blended learning and online classes, particularly up to Class IX, as part of emergency steps under the Graded Response Action Plan Stage IV. The move aims to reduce children’s exposure to toxic air while curbing vehicular and associated emissions during commute. This event is important for environment, urban governance and health‑related current affairs, illustrating how policy tools like GRAP are implemented during pollution peaks in the NCR.

Long Description : Coverage indicated that Mexico announced a unilateral increase in tariffs impacting specific Indian export items, prompting India to open talks to assess the impact and seek resolution. The discussions focus on preserving market access for Indian exporters and ensuring that bilateral trade remains balanced and predictable. For aspirants, this episode fits within WTO rules, bilateral trade negotiations, and India’s response to protectionist measures taken by partner countries.

Long Description : Reports mentioned that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated action against several officials after operational disruptions at IndiGo flagged shortcomings in regulatory oversight. Measures included sacking or reassigning flight operations inspectors responsible for monitoring compliance. This is relevant for exams on topics such as regulatory governance, aviation safety, and accountability of statutory regulators in sectors undergoing rapid growth and capacity constraints.

Long Description : Recent economy overviews note that India’s growth in FY25 was around 6.5%, and the RBI has revised its FY26 projection to about 6.8%, citing resilient domestic demand and improved external conditions. Additional research reports, such as those from DBS, project average real GDP growth near 6.7% between 2025 and 2040, outpacing several major economies. For exam purposes, these figures feed into themes of India as a top‑five economy, demographic dividends, structural reforms, and the policy mix needed to sustain high growth with low inflation.

Long Description : Economic and policy coverage noted that the government has cleared funding of around ₹11,700 crore for the next census, which will incorporate caste‑related data and digital tools for fieldwork. The per‑capita cost is expected to rise about 40% compared to the 2011 round, reflecting inflation, expanded scope and technology upgrades. This development is crucial for polity, social justice and governance topics, since census‑based caste data can influence reservation policies, welfare targeting and long‑term planning.

Long Description : An Economic Times analysis outlined how policy changes, improved macro‑stability and a growing workforce helped India climb to the fifth‑largest economy globally in nominal GDP terms. It highlighted contributions from tax reforms, infrastructure push, digital public infrastructure and rising foreign investment. For exams, this material supports questions on reform timelines (GST, IBC, direct benefit transfer architecture), growth drivers, and comparisons with other emerging economies, as well as debates on inclusiveness and employment intensity of growth.