Current Affairs Highlights (December 17, 2025)

Asia Power Index 2025

• India ranked 3rd in the Asia Power Index 2025, with a score of 40.
• The index is released by the Lowy Institute, Australia.
• Top ranks: USA (1st), China (2nd).

India's Ranks in Various Global Indices

• Economic Freedom Index: 128th
• Innovation Index: 38th
• AI Index: 3rd
• Sustainable Development Goal Index: 99th
• Corruption Perception Index: 96th
• Global Gender Gap Index: 131st
• Global Hunger Index: 102nd
• Human Development Index: 130th
• Press Freedom Index: 151st
• Peace Index: 115th
• Happiness Index: 118th

International News & Events

• Madhav Gopal Kamath (India) became the first Indian to win the World Youth Scrabble Championship, held in Malaysia.
• Nepal banned 26 social media apps, including Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
• Anuparna Ray received the Best Director award in the Orrizonti section at the 82nd Venice Film Festival.
• Russia unveiled the cancer vaccine 'Enteromix'.
• Stanford ranked India in 3rd place in the Global AI Vibrant Index.
• The UNAOC Forum was held in Riyadh.
• C-DOT received a Corporate Award.
• India and Liberia signed an agreement for pharmacopoeia.
• Project Cheetah's 8 cheetahs were sourced from Botswana.

Bilateral Engagements & Exercises

• Joint Exercise Ekta 2025 was conducted between India and Maldives in Maldives (8th edition, December 15-17).
• Exercise Ekuverin is also held between India and Maldives.
• Other joint exercises: Surya Kiran (India-Nepal), Bold Kurukshetra (India-Singapore), Mitra Shakti (India-Sri Lanka).
• Indian Prime Minister's three-nation tour included Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman.
• India and Jordan signed a "Twin Agreement" for the conservation of UNESCO World Heritage sites: Ellora Caves (India) and Petra (Jordan).

National Leadership & Politics

• José Antonio Kast was elected as the new President of Chile.
• Andrej Babiš is the new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic (capital: Prague).
• C.P. Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India.
• Mithun Manhas was selected as the new President of BCCI.
• Rajkumar Goyal is India's Chief Information Commissioner.

Interpol Operations

• Interpol launched "Operation Thunder" to rescue trafficked animals globally, saving 3000 live animals including tigers, sea turtles, birds, and pangolins (the world's most trafficked animal).
• Interpol was established on September 7, 1923, with its headquarters in Lyon, France. International Police Day is celebrated on September 7.
• Other Indian operations: Operation Sagar Bandhu (aid to Sri Lanka cyclone), Operation Brahma (aid to Myanmar earthquake), Operation Sindoor (against Pakistan, launched May 7), Operation Shiv Shakti/Keller/Mahadev (counter-terrorism in J&K), Operation Rising Lion (Israel's attack on Iran), Operation Spider Web (Ukraine's attack on Russia), Operation Sindhu (rescue of Indians from Iran).
• K.G.S. Dhillon authored the book 'Operation Sindoor'.

Infrastructure & Environment

• National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) built India's first wildlife-safe road on NH 45 in Madhya Pradesh, connecting Bhopal to Jabalpur.
• The road's Hiransindur section (approx. 12 km) passes through Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve and Norodehi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Features include red markings on the road instead of speed breakers to slow down vehicles, utilizing the high wavelength of red for visibility.
• Cheetah habitats in Madhya Pradesh include Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar, and Norodehi.

Indian Navy

• The Indian Navy will commission its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INS 335 "Osprey," in Goa on December 17.
• The commissioning will be conducted by Dinesh Tripathi, the Head of the Indian Navy, on INS Hansa.

Cultural Heritage & Recognition

• Italy became the first country to receive UNESCO recognition for all its national cuisines.
  • Italy has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally.
  • Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's autobiography includes a foreword by Indian PM Narendra Modi.
• Ellora Caves (Maharashtra, formerly Aurangabad, now Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) were included in UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983. They have 34 caves related to Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Jainism, and are depicted on the ₹20 banknote.
• Petra (Jordan) is known as the "Rose City," partly carved into rock.
• Diwali was included as India's 16th Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
• 72 Learning Cities were also recently included by UNESCO.

Commemorations & Social Initiatives

• Vijay Diwas 2025 was celebrated on December 16, marking the 54th anniversary of India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to Bangladesh's liberation.
  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman played a crucial role in Bangladesh's independence.
  • Pakistan officially surrendered on December 16, 1971, after a 13-day conflict.
  • Indian Army showcased its 'Sambhav' communication system and 'Ekam AI' platform (for sensitive environments).
• International Literacy Day was celebrated on September 8.
• The Ministry of Textiles launched the 'Chaupal' program in New Delhi to empower handicrafts artisans. Giriraj Singh is the Textile Minister.
• The Maharashtra government banned physical and mental punishment in schools, emphasizing provisions of the RTE Act 2009 (Sections 16 & 17).
• The ban includes verbal abuse, taunting, objectionable language, and discrimination.
• Teachers are also restricted from non-academic interaction via personal messages/social media and using student photos/videos without parental consent.

Sports

• US Open 2025 Men's Singles winner: Carlos Alcaraz.
• US Open 2025 Women's Singles winner: Aryna Sabalenka.
• Aitana Bonmatí received the Women's Ballon d'Or Award for 2025.

Other Mentions

• Bodoland (Assam) is the first tribal council to digitize land records.
• The USA will host the G20 Summit in 2026. (2025 host was mentioned as Johannesburg)
• Ahmedabad's 11th Asian Aquatic Championship 2025 mascot is 'Jalveer'.
• A 12-member drafting committee was formed under Sanjay Upadhyay for the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ).
• GI Tag for Pondu Khadi was given to Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh.
• MGNREGA's new name was mentioned as Pujya Bapu Gramin Rojgar Yojana.
• 'Beri Yojana' portal was launched in Uttarakhand.