Daily current affairs: 19 December 2025

Long Description : The Winter Session of Parliament concluded on December 19, 2025, with both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha being adjourned sine die. This session was statistically significant, with the Rajya Sabha achieving a productivity of 121% and the Lok Sabha recording 111%. Notably, it was the first session chaired by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan in the Upper House. Over the course of the session, eight major bills were passed, and ten new government bills were introduced. However, the final days were marked by stormy scenes as Opposition members staged overnight dharnas to protest the passage of the VB-G RAM G Bill and the SHANTI Bill.

Long Description : On December 19, 2025, the Indian Parliament passed the landmark Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill. This legislation replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which had been the cornerstone of rural employment for two decades. The government states the new bill aims to modernize rural labor by integrating skill development and climate-resilient assets. Conversely, Opposition leaders have criticized the move, calling it "anti-village" and expressing concerns that it undermines the guaranteed rights of rural workers. The bill's passage led to a 12-hour overnight protest by Opposition MPs in the Parliament complex.

Long Description : The Parliament has approved the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Technology for India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025. This historic legislation ends the state monopoly on nuclear power, facilitating regulated private sector participation in the industry. The primary objective is to boost India's nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2050, aligning with the nation's 2070 net-zero targets. The bill clarifies liability clauses and streamlines foreign investment norms to attract global technology partners. While the government highlights its role in sustainable energy security and decarbonization, critics have raised concerns regarding public safety standards and the prioritization of corporate interests in the high-stakes nuclear energy landscape.

Long Description : India and Oman have formally signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on December 18-19, 2025, aimed at deepening strategic economic ties. The agreement grants India zero-duty access on 98% of its tariff lines, particularly benefiting labor-intensive sectors like textiles, gems and jewelry, and engineering goods. Additionally, the pact includes significant commitments for the service sector, enhancing the mobility of Indian professionals in Oman. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the agreement is expected to be fully operational within three months. This deal is a strategic move to secure India's interests in West Asia amid growing trade restrictions in traditional Western markets like the US and EU.

Long Description : In a major boost to bilateral defense ties, India and Russia have signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS). This pact allows both nations to access each other's military facilities for replenishment, repairs, and refueling, mirroring similar agreements India has with the US and Japan. The RELOS agreement is particularly strategic as it focuses on enhancing maritime cooperation in the Arctic and Indo-Pacific regions. It facilitates easier participation in joint exercises and streamlines the movement of warships and aircraft. This signing reaffirms India's "multi-aligned" foreign policy, maintaining deep defense partnerships with Russia while simultaneously engaging in modern strategic frameworks with Western democratic powers.

Long Description : During a formal handover ceremony on December 19, 2025, Brazil officially transferred the BRICS Presidency for 2026 to India. This marks the beginning of India's preparation to host the 18th BRICS Summit. As the chair, India is expected to focus on enhancing intra-BRICS trade in national currencies, strengthening the New Development Bank (NDB), and advocating for Global South interests in international forums. The presidency comes at a time of significant BRICS expansion, with India likely to play a pivotal role in integrating new member states into the grouping’s economic and political frameworks. The leadership shift underscores India's growing influence in shaping a multipolar global order.

Long Description : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Securities Market Code Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha on December 19. The bill aims to unify and simplify India's complex securities regulations by merging three existing laws: the SEBI Act (1992), the SCRA (1956), and the Depositories Act (1996). By creating a consolidated code, the government intends to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and strengthen investor protection. Key features include expanding the membership of the SEBI Board and decriminalizing minor technical violations, replacing them with monetary penalties. While the government views this as a vital modernization step, Opposition members have flagged concerns regarding the concentration of powers.

Long Description : Data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on December 19 reveals that India's Unemployment Rate (UR) for individuals aged 15 and above declined to 4.7% in November 2025. This figure represents the lowest unemployment level recorded since April of the same year. The report highlights a positive trend in labor force participation, particularly in the manufacturing and services sectors, which have seen steady growth. Experts attribute this decline to the robust expansion of the digital economy and increased government infrastructure spending. However, the report also suggests that while urban employment is stabilizing, the quality of employment in rural sectors remains a point of focus for policymakers.

Long Description : The 2nd edition of the joint military exercise "Desert Cyclone-II" officially commenced on December 19, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Indian Army contingent, primarily comprising the 45 Mechanised Infantry Regiment, is participating alongside the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion of the UAE Land Forces. The exercise focuses on sharing best practices in sub-conventional operations, particularly in desert terrain and urban environments. It aims to foster interoperability and strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. This military engagement is part of India’s broader "Act West" policy, emphasizing regional security cooperation and military-to-military diplomacy with key partners in the Middle East to ensure regional stability.

Long Description : An Indian team named "Photonics Odyssey" has emerged as a global winner at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025. The Chennai-based team secured the "Most Inspirational Award" for their innovative proposal on sovereign, phased-array satellite internet infrastructure. Their project aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to remote regions, potentially benefiting over 700 million people in India who lack reliable internet. The challenge, which involved over 114,000 participants from 167 countries, is the world's largest global hackathon. The victory highlights India’s rising talent in space technology and STEM innovation, showcasing how grassroots-level Indian engineers are utilizing open NASA data to solve complex, real-world communication problems globally.

Long Description : India and Saudi Arabia have signed a significant bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement (VWA) on December 19, 2025, in Riyadh. The pact is designed to facilitate official travel and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for diplomatic and official passport holders. Signed under the aegis of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC), the agreement aims to strengthen high-level bilateral exchanges and people-to-people ties. Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, India's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, represented the Indian side. This move is seen as a crucial step in deepening the strategic alliance between the two nations, which has expanded rapidly across energy, defense, and trade sectors under the Vision 2030 framework.

Long Description : In a major recognition for traditional Indian medicine, Patanjali University has been declared India's first "Yoga-Ayurveda Cluster Centre." The announcement was made during the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine held at Bharat Mandapam. This designation aims to centralize research, education, and standardization of Ayurvedic practices and Yogic sciences. The cluster will serve as a hub for scientific validation of traditional treatments, helping to integrate them into modern healthcare systems. PM Narendra Modi, addressing the event, emphasized that such clusters will play a vital role in India's quest to lead the global wellness industry and achieve a holistic health revolution under the "Viksit Bharat" vision.

Long Description : India mourns the loss of legendary sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, who passed away on December 19, 2025, at the age of 100. Sutar was the creative genius behind the "Statue of Unity," the world’s tallest statue dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Over his illustrious seven-decade career, he created more than 8,000 sculptures, including the iconic 45-foot-high Chambal Monument and numerous statues of Mahatma Gandhi installed in over 350 cities worldwide. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, Sutar’s work redefined monumental art in India. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian sculpture, leaving behind a legacy that bridges traditional Indian artistry with modern engineering marvels.

Long Description : Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred the "Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution towards the Promotion and Development of Yoga" for the year 2025. The ceremony took place during the closing session of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine. The awards recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions through teaching, research, and global advocacy of Yoga. PM Modi praised the awardees for their dedication to spreading India's ancient wisdom, which has become a global movement for holistic health. These awards, established in 2016, remain a prestigious recognition in the field of wellness, highlighting the government’s commitment to making Yoga an integral part of global lifestyle and healthcare systems.

Long Description : The Meghalaya state government officially opened the "Soil Lake" project for eco-tourism and environmental conservation on December 19, 2025. This initiative combines water resource management with tourism development, creating a sustainable model for the Northeastern region. The project involves the creation of artificial lakes to recharge groundwater while providing a habitat for local flora and fauna. By integrating recreational facilities like boating and nature trails, the state aims to generate employment for local communities and promote the "Responsible Tourism" concept. The launch aligns with India’s national mission for water conservation (Jal Shakti Abhiyan) and demonstrates how local environmental projects can effectively double as economic drivers for tribal-dominated hilly regions.

Long Description : In a historic milestone for gender equality in the Indian Armed Forces, 23-year-old Sai Jadhav became the first woman officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) in Dehradun on December 19, 2025. This marks a departure from the 93-year tradition of the IMA being a male-only institution since its inception in 1932. Her graduation follows the government's decision to open permanent commissions for women and allow their entry into premier military training academies. Sai Jadhav’s achievement is viewed as a symbol of the evolving culture within the Indian Army, paving the way for more women to take up leadership roles in combat-support and command positions across the defense services.