Daily Current Affairs- 16th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 16th December 2025

Filmfare OTT Awards 2025 Winners List: Black Warrant Emerges Big Winner

In the News: The sixth edition of the Filmfare OTT Awards 2025 was held in Mumbai on December 15, 2025, celebrating the finest performances and productions from India's rapidly expanding streaming ecosystem. Vikramaditya Motwane's Netflix crime thriller series "Black Warrant" emerged as the biggest winner of the night, securing Best Series and Best Director awards, while Jaideep Ahlawat (Paatal Lok Season 2), Ananya Panday (Call Me Bae), Sanya Malhotra (Mrs), and Abhishek Banerjee (Stolen) clinched major acting honors across series and web film categories, reflecting the creative depth and content-driven storytelling that has transformed India's OTT landscape.

Key Points:

• Event Overview and Significance: The Filmfare OTT Awards 2025 marked the sixth edition of annual awards recognizing excellence in web series, web original films, and short-format content released on Indian streaming platforms between August 1, 2024, and July 31, 2025. The star-studded ceremony held at Mumbai brought together prominent film personalities including Alia Bhatt, Vicky Kaushal, Ananya Panday, and other luminaries, as actors, creators, showrunners, directors, writers, and technical crew members were honored with the coveted iconic "Black Lady" trophy across multiple categories.
• Black Warrant - The Biggest Winner: Netflix's crime thriller series "Black Warrant" dominated the evening, emerging as the biggest winner by clinching the most prestigious awards including Best Series (awarded to producers Vikramaditya Motwane, Satyanshu Singh, Arkesh Ajay, Ambiecka Pandit, Rohin Raveendran) and Best Director, Series (Vikramaditya Motwane leading the directorial team). The series is a dramatized adaptation of the 2019 non-fiction book "Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer" by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury, recounting Gupta's real-life experiences as superintendent at Tihar Jail in New Delhi, Asia's largest prison complex.
• Major Acting Winners - Series Category: The awards recognized outstanding performances across drama and comedy series with separate categories for male and female actors. Best Actor, Series (Male): Drama went to Jaideep Ahlawat for his powerful performance in Amazon Prime Video's "Paatal Lok Season 2," the critically acclaimed crime thriller that explores the dark underbelly of society through the lens of a Delhi police officer investigating complex cases. Ahlawat has become synonymous with intense, nuanced performances in the OTT space, and this award marks continued recognition for his craft. Best Actor, Series (Female): Drama was awarded to Monika Panwar for her compelling portrayal in "Khauf," a series that made significant impact in the drama category with its gripping narrative. Best Actor, Series (Male): Comedy category saw a unique tie, with both Barun Sobti (for "Raat Jawaan Hai," exploring the lives of young parents balancing responsibilities and dreams) and Sparsh Shrivastava (for "Dupahiya," a coming-of-age comedy-drama) sharing the honor, reflecting the richness of comedy content on streaming platforms.
• Web Original Films Winners: The web film category witnessed strong competition with socially relevant cinema receiving top honors. Best Web Original Film was shared by two critically acclaimed movies: "Girls Will Be Girls" (directed by Shuchi Talati, a coming-of-age drama exploring female adolescence, sexuality, and mother-daughter relationships set in a North Indian boarding school, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2024 and won the Audience Award in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition before streaming on Prime Video) and "Mehta Boys" (directed by Boman Irani in his directorial debut, a heartwarming father-son relationship drama exploring generational conflicts and emotional reconciliation). Best Actor, Web Original Film (Female) went to Sanya Malhotra for her nuanced performance in Zee5's "Mrs.
• Best Comedy Series and Critics' Choice Awards: Best Comedy (Series/Specials) was won by "Raat Jawaan Hai," celebrating the series' ability to blend humor with relatable situations of modern parenting and relationships, demonstrating that comedy on streaming platforms has evolved beyond slapstick to incorporate observational humor and emotional depth. Best Series (Critics) was awarded to "Paatal Lok Season 2," with critics acknowledging the series' unflinching exploration of caste hierarchies, police corruption, political nexus, and social injustices through the lens of crime investigation, maintaining the high standards set by Season 1. Best Director, Series (Critics) went to Anubhav Sinha for "IC 814.

Miyana Railway Station Receives National Energy Conservation Award 2025

In the News: Miyana Railway Station in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, received the prestigious National Energy Conservation Award (NECA) 2025 on December 14-15, 2025, from President Droupadi Murmu during National Energy Conservation Day celebrations held at Science Bhavan in New Delhi. The station was recognized as the Best Performing Unit in the Transport Category (Railway Station) by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power for saving 9,687 units of electrical energy annually through systematic implementation of energy-efficient technologies including LED lighting, BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) fans, and smart lighting circuit operation systems functioning at 30-70% capacity, reflecting Indian Railways' strong commitment to energy efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainable development.

Key Points:

• Award Presentation and Recognition: The National Energy Conservation Awards are instituted and administered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to energy conservation across various sectors including industry, transport, buildings, and institutions. Miyana Railway Station was specifically recognized in the Transport Category under the Railway Station sub-category, competing against numerous railway stations across India to win the distinction of Best Performing Unit, demonstrating that even smaller railway stations can achieve exemplary results in energy management through focused interventions and smart technology deployment.
• Energy Conservation Measures Implemented: Miyana Railway Station achieved its remarkable energy savings of 9,687 units (some reports indicate over 10,000 units) of electrical energy annually through comprehensive deployment of three key energy-efficient technologies: (1) LED Lighting: The station replaced all conventional incandescent bulbs, tube lights, and CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) with LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting throughout the station premises including platforms, waiting rooms, ticket counters, offices, toilets, and outdoor areas. LED lights consume approximately 75-80% less electricity compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and about 40-50% less than CFLs while providing the same or better illumination levels, and they have significantly longer operational life (25,000-50,000 hours versus 1,000-2,000 hours for incandescent bulbs), reducing replacement costs and maintenance requirements. (2) BLDC Fans: Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) fans were installed throughout the station replacing conventional induction motor ceiling fans. BLDC fans are a revolutionary energy-efficient technology that consumes approximately 50-60% less electricity compared to traditional ceiling fans while delivering equivalent or superior air circulation and cooling. (3) Smart Lighting Circuit Operation (30-70% Capacity): The most innovative aspect of Miyana's energy conservation approach is the implementation of smart lighting systems with variable capacity operation ranging from 30% to 70% depending on actual requirements based on time of day, natural light availability, and passenger traffic patterns.
• Quantifiable Energy and Cost Savings: The award citation specifically recognizes Miyana Railway Station for saving 9,687 units of electrical energy annually (some sources round this to over 10,000 units), representing substantial energy conservation with corresponding financial and environmental benefits.
• Alignment with Indian Railways' Energy Conservation Roadmap: Miyana Railway Station's achievement aligns perfectly with Indian Railways' broader mission to become a leader in energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective transportation, as articulated in the organization's comprehensive energy conservation roadmap and sustainability vision. Indian Railways has set ambitious targets including: (1) 100% LED Illumination  ,(2) Increased Renewable Energy ,(3) Adoption of Energy-Efficient Appliances,  (4) Automation and Smart Systems,  (5) Net-Zero Carbon Emissions Target.

Ex-Justice Secretary Raj Kumar Goyal Appointed Chief Information Commissioner

In the News: Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as the 13th Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India's Central Information Commission by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. The appointment, recommended by a three-member selection committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fills the vacancy that existed since September 2025 when the previous CIC's term ended. Simultaneously, eight new Information Commissioners were also sworn in, restoring the Central Information Commission to its full statutory strength of 11 members (one Chief Information Commissioner and ten Information Commissioners) for the first time in over nine years since 2016, marking a significant step toward strengthening India's transparency framework under the Right to Information Act, 2005.

Key Points:

• Raj Kumar Goyal's Background and Career Profile: Raj Kumar Goyal is a distinguished retired IAS officer from the 1990 batch who brought extensive administrative experience spanning over three decades in various critical positions across multiple ministries and states. He was a part of the Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram-Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre following administrative reorganization after the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir. Most recently, Goyal served as Secretary of the Department of Justice under the Ministry of Law and Justice, the position from which he superannuated (retired) on August 31, 2025, just a few months before his appointment as CIC. His diverse portfolio across Justice, Home Affairs, External Affairs, and state administration equipped him with comprehensive understanding of governance, legal systems, information security, and public interest—making him well-suited to lead the Central Information Commission which balances transparency with legitimate exemptions for national security, privacy, and other protected interests under the RTI Act.
• Appointment Process and Selection Committee: The appointment of the Chief Information Commissioner follows a constitutionally mandated process outlined in the Right to Information Act, 2005, designed to ensure bipartisan consensus and independence of the transparency watchdog from executive control. Under Section 12(3) of the RTI Act, the Chief Information Commissioner and Information Commissioners are appointed by the President of India on the recommendation of a three-member Selection Committee with specific composition mandated by law. The Selection Committee comprises three mandatory members: (1) Prime Minister of India serving as Chairperson of the committee ensuring executive government's legitimate input in selection, (2) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha providing opposition party representation to ensure cross-party consensus and prevent partisan appointments, and (3) a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister (typically the Home Minister or Personnel Minister given CIC's administrative placement). For Goyal's appointment, the Selection Committee consisted of Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Chairperson), Union Home Minister Amit Shah (nominated member), and Rahul Gandhi as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha representing the Congress party and opposition perspective. The terms and conditions of Goyal's appointment are governed by the RTI Act, 2005, and applicable rules relating to salary, allowances, and other service conditions prescribed for the CIC position.
• Restoration of CIC to Full Strength After Nine Years: The simultaneous appointment of one Chief Information Commissioner and eight Information Commissioners represents a watershed moment for India's transparency framework, as the Central Information Commission has been restored to its full statutory strength for the first time in over nine years since 2016—a prolonged period of understaffing that severely impaired the Commission's functioning. Under the RTI Act, 2005, the Central Information Commission is structured to have maximum strength of 11 members: one Chief Information Commissioner serving as the head of the institution, and up to ten Information Commissioners as members hearing cases and deciding appeals. Prior to these December 2025 appointments, the CIC had been operating with critically depleted strength—the position of Chief Information Commissioner itself had been vacant since September 13, 2025, when the previous CIC Heeralal Samariya completed his term (CIC serves for a term of five years or until attaining age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, and cannot be reappointed).
• Eight New Information Commissioners Appointed: Along with the Chief Information Commissioner, eight Information Commissioners were selected by the committee and sworn in, bringing diverse expertise from civil services, law enforcement, journalism, legal profession, and regulatory bodies to enrich the Commission's decision-making.

Vijay Diwas 2025: India and Bangladesh Mark 54 Years of Historic Victory in the 1971 War

In the News: India and Bangladesh marked the 54th anniversary of Vijay Diwas (Victory Day), commemorating one of the most decisive military victories in Indian history—India's triumph in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War that led to the liberation of Bangladesh and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of South Asia. The day honors the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and strategic brilliance of the Indian Armed Forces and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini (liberation forces) who together achieved victory in a swift 13-day conflict that culminated in the surrender of approximately 93,000 Pakistani soldiers on December 16, 1971, marking the largest military capitulation since World War II and the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

Key Points:

• Historic Context and Background of 1971 War: The roots of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 lay in the deep political, economic, and cultural divide between West Pakistan (present-day Pakistan) and East Pakistan (present-day Bangladesh) that had existed since the partition of India in 1947. Despite being part of one nation, East Pakistan was systematically discriminated against by the West Pakistani ruling establishment—politically marginalized despite having the majority of Pakistan's population, economically exploited with revenues from East Pakistan's jute and tea exports funding development primarily in West Pakistan, culturally suppressed with Urdu imposed over Bengali language despite Bengali being spoken by the majority, and geographically isolated separated by over 1,000 miles of Indian territory making governance and defense difficult. The crisis intensified dramatically after the 1970 general elections when the Awami League led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won a decisive mandate securing absolute majority in Pakistan's National Assembly by winning 160 of 162 seats allocated to East Pakistan, giving them the constitutional right to form the federal government.
• Outbreak and Duration of War: Pakistan perceived India's support to Mukti Bahini and military preparations as imminent threats justifying first strike, miscalculating that surprise attacks would cripple Indian air power enabling Pakistan to defend East Pakistan and negotiate from a position of strength. The war lasted precisely 13 days from December 3 to December 16, 1971, making it one of the shortest full-scale wars in modern military history yet one of the most decisive in terms of strategic outcomes.
• Mukti Bahini's Crucial Role: The success of the liberation war was not solely an Indian military achievement but a joint effort with Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini (literally "Liberation Force"), the Bengali resistance movement that played indispensable roles before and during the war. Formed initially from Bengali officers and soldiers of Pakistani military who defected in March 1971 refusing to participate in genocide against their own people. India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and military intelligence helped organize, train, and arm Mukti Bahini fighters, establishing training camps in Indian territory near the border, providing weapons, ammunition, and equipment, imparting guerrilla warfare tactics and sabotage techniques, and coordinating operations with Indian military plans.
• Vijay Diwas 2025 Commemorations in India: The 54th anniversary of Vijay Diwas was observed across India on December 16, 2025, with solemn ceremonies, military displays, and public tributes honoring the heroes of 1971. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute through social media stating: "On Vijay Diwas, we remember the brave soldiers whose courage and sacrifice ensured India had a historic victory in 1971.

Italy Becomes First Country to Get UNESCO Recognition for Its National Cuisine

In the News: Italy made history on December 10-11, 2025 (Wednesday), when UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, meeting at its 20th session in New Delhi, India, unanimously voted to inscribe "Italian cooking: Between sustainability and biocultural diversity" on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, making Italy the world's first country to receive UNESCO recognition for its entire national cuisine (rather than individual dishes or specific culinary practices).

Key Points:

• Historic UNESCO Recognition - First Entire National Cuisine: The December 10-11, 2025 UNESCO decision represents an unprecedented milestone as Italian cuisine becomes the world's first entire national culinary tradition to be recognized in its totality on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Previous food-related UNESCO inscriptions focused on specific dishes, cooking techniques, or regional practices rather than comprehensive national cuisines—for example, France's "gastronomic meal of the French" (2010) recognized the tradition of marking important life moments around the table but focused on the ceremonial aspect rather than the entire cuisine, and Italy's own "art of Neapolitan 'Pizzaiuolo'" (2017) honored the specific four-phase preparation and culinary practice for wood-fired pizza.  Italy competed among 60 applicants from 56 countries during the 2025 evaluation cycle, with the unanimous decision by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee reflecting international consensus on Italian cuisine's exceptional cultural significance. With this recognition, Italy now holds UNESCO inscriptions in the agri-food sector out of 21 total traditions on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list—a world record proportion demonstrating the country's extraordinary culinary heritage density.
• Three-Year Campaign and Comprehensive Proposal: The UNESCO recognition culminated a strategic three-year campaign launched in 2023 by Italy's Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (headed by Minister Francesco Lollobrigida) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture (Minister Alessandro Giuli), reflecting coordinated government effort to secure international validation for Italian culinary tradition. The proposal, edited by Professor Pier Luigi Petrillo from Rome's La Sapienza University.
• Previous Italian UNESCO Food-Related Inscriptions: Italy's cuinary UNESCO recognition builds upon previous food and agriculture-related inscriptions demonstrating longstanding international acknowledgment of Italian gastronomic heritage. They are Art of Neapolitan 'Pizzaiuolo' (2017), Truffle Hunting and Extraction (2019), Mediterranean Diet (2013),  Transhumance, Cultivation of Zibibbo di Pantelleria Vine, and Traditional Irrigation Systems.

India Launches Its First 1.0 GHz, 64-bit Dual-Core Indigenous Microprocessor ‘DHRUV64’

In the News: India achieved a significant milestone in its semiconductor journey on December 15, 2025, with the official launch of DHRUV64, the country's first indigenously designed 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP).

Key Points:

• Technical Specifications and Architecture: DHRUV64 represents a major technological leap as India's first indigenously designed microprocessor featuring three critical specifications: 1.0 GHz Clock Speed ,64-bit Architecture and Dual-Core Design.
• Development Under National Programs and Strategic Framework: DHRUV64's development exemplifies coordinated national effort under multiple government initiatives led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to build India's semiconductor ecosystem from ground up. (1) Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP): The foundational program under which C-DAC developed DHRUV64, (2) Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) Programme: The flagship initiative launched to advance the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) vision, specifically targeting establishment of India as a global hub for Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM). DIR-V supports the complete lifecycle—design, prototyping, testing, and fabrication—of RISC-V-based microprocessors.
• India's Growing Indigenous Processor Ecosystem: DHRUV64 builds upon and accelerates momentum from previous indigenous processor development efforts, demonstrating sustained commitment rather than isolated achievement. Earlier processors that established foundation include:  SHAKTI (2018, IIT Madras) , AJIT (2018, IIT Bombay), VIKRAM (2025, ISRO-Semiconductor Laboratory Chandigarh), THEJAS32 and THEJAS64 (2025, C-DAC).
• Next-Generation Processors Under Development: DHRUV64's success accelerates roadmap for more advanced processors currently under development. DHANUSH64 and  DHANUSH64+ System-on-Chip (SoC).

Shikhar Dhawan’s Autobiography Unveils ‘The One: Cricket, My Life and More’

In the News: Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan unveiled his candid autobiography titled "The One: Cricket, My Life and More" on December 14, 2025, at The Leela Palace in New Delhi, offering an unfiltered and deeply personal account of his remarkable journey from the by-lanes of Delhi to international cricket stardom while navigating professional triumphs, personal struggles, mental health challenges, and life beyond the game. Published by HarperCollins India as a 240-page memoir, the book launch event held in association with BMW Deutsche Motoren and Trends Literature Series marked Dhawan's transition from celebrated athlete to entrepreneur and philanthropist, as he shared how the power of manifestation, discipline, and resilience shaped his career while outlining his vision for India's sporting future through his ventures Da One Group and the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation.

Key Points:

• Dhawan's Cricket Journey - From Delhi Boy to International Star: The autobiography traces Dhawan's remarkable journey beginning from his childhood in Delhi's intensely competitive cricketing scene where he trained at the prestigious Sonnet Club under legendary coaches Tarak Sinha and Madan Sharma who have produced numerous international cricketers. He made his ODI debut in October 2010 against Australia, but his most spectacular entry into international cricket came in his Test debut in March 2013 when he scored a record-breaking 187 runs against Australia—the fastest Test century on debut by an Indian, announcing his arrival with authority and flair. Dhawan holds the record as the fastest Indian to score 1,000 runs in ICC tournaments, demonstrating his exceptional ability to perform on cricket's biggest stages including the 2015 and 2019 ICC World Cups where he played crucial roles despite the team's ultimate disappointments.
• IPL Journey and Domestic Cricket Foundation: The autobiography covers Dhawan's extensive Indian Premier League career, particularly his significant stints with Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) and Sunrisers Hyderabad where he served as captain and played crucial roles in team successes. He discusses the evolution of his game across T20, ODI, and Test formats, explaining how IPL taught him to adapt to different conditions, opponents, and pressure situations while also providing financial security that allowed him to focus purely on cricket without monetary worries.
• Post-Cricket Vision - Da One Group and Shikhar Dhawan Foundation: Da One Group is Dhawan's sports-focused venture dedicated to creating structured pathways for young athletes in India—addressing the critical gap where talented children often don't know what the next step should be after initial training, leading to dropout or suboptimal development. The Shikhar Dhawan Foundation operates across education and community impact, undertaking initiatives in digital learning (providing technology access to underserved students), livelihood support programs (skill development for youth employment), and community development projects. Dhawan stated: "I want both ventures to play a pivotal role in India's rise as a sporting nation and in creating opportunities in education and community development.