Daily Current Affairs- 23rd December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 23rd December 2025

Ravi Deecee Receives Prestigious French Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Award

In the News: Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, conferred the insignia of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) on Mr. Ravi Deecee, Publisher and Managing Director of DC Books, at a ceremony held at the Embassy of France in New Delhi. The event brought together eminent personalities from India's literary and cultural spheres, celebrating Ravi Deecee's decades-long influence on the publishing landscape.

Key Points:

• Award Ceremony and Recognition: The investiture ceremony was held at the Embassy of France in New Delhi, where Ambassador Thierry Mathou personally conferred the Chevalier insignia on Ravi Deecee. In his various capacities as publisher, co-founder of the Kerala Literature Festival, and facilitator of the Vagamon Writers Residency under France's Villa Swagatam programme, Mr Deecee harnesses the power of ink and paper to enable the exchange of knowledge across cultures, languages, and countries.
• About the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres: Instituted in 1957, the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) holds a unique place at the heart of French cultural policy. It recognizes individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the promotion and enrichment of arts and culture in France and around the world. For over sixty-five years, the order has honored creators, thinkers, visionaries, and cultural ambassadors.
• Award Insignia and Description: The médaille (medallion) of the Order is an eight-pointed, green-enameled asterisk—in gilt for Commanders and Officers and in silver for Knights. The obverse central disc displays the letters "A" and "L" on a white-enameled background, surrounded by a golden ring emblazoned with "République Française." The reverse central disc features the head of Marianne on a golden background, surrounded by a golden ring bearing the words "Ordre des Arts et des Lettres." The Chevalier's medallion is worn on a ribbon on the left breast. The ribbon of the Order is green with four white stripes. Up to 200 Chevalier recipients are honored annually, and there are three promotions per year, one specifically dedicated to foreign nationals.
• Three-Generation Publishing Legacy: Ravi Deecee has played a decisive role in continuing a remarkable family legacy of literary transformation. Building upon the pioneering vision of his father, D.C. Kizhakemuri (Dominic Chacko Kizhakemuri), who founded DC Books in 1974, Ravi Deecee has transformed the company into the leading publisher in Malayalam and one of India's most prominent publishing houses. D.C. Kizhakemuri was a freedom fighter, social activist, writer-publisher, and was instrumental in the abolishment of sales tax on books in Kerala. The DC Kizhakemuri Foundation was established in 2001 as a tribute to his contributions to literature and social causes.
• Kerala Literature Festival (KLF) - Co-Founder and Chief Facilitator: Ravi Deecee co-founded the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF), which has grown into one of Asia's largest literary events, attracting over half a million visitors annually. Founded in 2016, KLF is held on the beaches of Kozhikode and is organized by the DC Kizhakemuri Foundation in collaboration with DC Books. The festival is endorsed and supported by the Government of Kerala, Kerala Tourism and Culture Department, Kozhikode Municipal Corporation, and district administration. Renowned poet-critic Prof. K. Satchidanandan serves as Festival Director, while Ravi Deecee is the Chief Facilitator, with DC Books' editorial team working closely on content curation.

Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: NITI Aayog Policy Report & Strategic RoadmapIn the News:

NITI Aayog released a comprehensive policy report titled "Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations," outlining a strategic roadmap to position India as a global hub for higher education and research by 2047. The report was released by NITI Aayog's senior leadership including Vice Chairman Suman Bery, Member (Education) Dr. V.K. Paul, Member Dr. Arvind Virmani, and CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, along with participation from Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, and Professor Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE.

Key Points:

• Report Development: The report is the outcome of a collaborative endeavor between NITI Aayog and a consortium of knowledge partners led by IIT Madras, in partnership with the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and Acumen. It is described as a pioneering publication from the Global South, focusing on 'internationalisation at home' as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Comprehensive Research Methodology: The report draws on an extensive online survey comprising over 100 parameters with responses from 160 Indian higher education institutions across 24 states. It includes Key Informant Interviews with experts from nearly 30 international institutions across 16 countries and insights from 140 national and international participants at a National Workshop organized at IIT Madras.
• Critical Student Mobility Imbalance: India faces a severe imbalance between inbound and outbound student mobility, with a ratio of 1:28. In 2024, for every one international student studying in India, 28 Indian students went abroad. Over 13.35 lakh Indian students studied abroad in 2024, while India hosted only about 47,000 international students as of 2022, despite a 518% increase since 2001.
• Key Financial Initiatives: The report proposes establishing the Bharat Vidya Kosh as a national research sovereign wealth fund targeting $10 billion to attract global talent and strengthen research capacity. It also recommends the Vishwa Bandhu scholarship program to attract foreign students and the Vishwa Bandhu fellowship to attract foreign research talent and faculty.
• Diaspora Engagement: The report recommends "Bharat ki AAN" (Alumni Ambassador Network) initiative to mobilize the 3.5 crore-strong Indian diaspora as global ambassadors of Indian higher education institutions, leveraging diaspora capital and soft power to improve India's international perception.
• Campus Integration Models: Central to the strategy is promoting twinning programs, joint ventures, dual degree programs, and the 'Campus-Within-Campus' model between Indian and foreign institutions. The report recommends modifying UGC and AICTE regulations to facilitate co-beneficial arrangements allowing foreign universities to establish presence within Indian campuses.

India Tops WADA’s Global Doping List for Third Consecutive Year

In the News: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released its annual report revealing that India has topped the global list of doping violations for the third consecutive year. India's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) recorded 260 positive samples out of 7,113 tests conducted in 2024, marking the highest number of Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) among all countries.

Key Points:

• Third Consecutive Year at Top: India has ranked first globally in doping violations for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024), earning the dubious distinction of being the world's worst doping offender. India had a positivity rate of 3.6% in 2024, the highest among all nations.
• Sport-Wise Breakdown: Athletics recorded the highest number of doping cases with 76 violations, followed by weightlifting with 43 cases and wrestling with 29 cases. These three sports accounted for the majority of India's doping violations in 2024.
• High-Profile Cases: Notable incidents include under-23 wrestling champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Reetika Hooda, who tested positive in July 2024 and was provisionally suspended. At India's University Games in December 2024, there were reports of athletes fleeing events due to the presence of anti-doping officials.
• Global Comparison: France ranked second on the global doping list with 91 positive cases in 2024, followed by Italy with 85 cases. Russia and the United States each reported 76 cases, while Germany recorded 54 positive cases and China had 43 cases.
• Impact on Sporting Ambitions: The findings represent a major blow to India's sporting image as the country prepares to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which is seen as a stepping stone toward India's ambition of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. The high doping numbers raise serious concerns about India's credibility as a host nation.
• IOC Concerns: The report comes months after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) raised concerns about the rampant use of performance-enhancing drugs in India during a meeting with an Indian delegation. The IOC urged India to address the widespread doping problem and set its house in order.

LoI Signed to Set Up Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Research and Innovation

In the News: A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been signed to establish the Centre of Excellence for CRISPR Innovation and Translation (CoE-CIT), marking a significant milestone in India's biotechnology and translational research ecosystem. The LoI was signed between the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, and CrisprBits Private Limited, Delhi, representing a landmark public-private partnership in the CRISPR domain in India.

Key Points:

• Partnership Framework: The LoI establishes a collaboration between JNCASR, an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and CrisprBits Private Limited, a Delhi-based biotechnology company focused on developing affordable diagnostics and solutions using CRISPR technologies. This represents a historic public-private partnership between academia and industry in India.
• CRISPR Technology Explained: CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) is a revolutionary gene-editing technique that allows scientists to precisely cut, alter, or remove DNA. The technology has transformed diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine worldwide.
• Strategic Convergence: The partnership will create powerful synergies by combining JNCASR's strengths in fundamental biomedical sciences including genetics, molecular biology, chemical biology, and computational biology with CrisprBits' expertise in building intelligent molecular platforms and scalable solutions in health sciences..
• National Model for Collaboration: The Centre of Excellence will serve as an exemplary national model for academia-industry partnerships to strengthen India's biotechnology and innovation ecosystem. The initiative demonstrates how Indian scientific innovation can be effectively harnessed for societal and clinical benefit.
• Global Positioning: With CRISPR technologies increasingly transforming diagnostics, therapeutics, and precision medicine worldwide, this initiative positions India to play a more prominent role in this rapidly evolving field. The centre is expected to catalyze innovation, talent development, and translational research, reinforcing India's capabilities in next-generation biomedical science.

KISAN DIWAS 2025: WHY INDIA MARKS NATIONAL FARMERS' DAY ON DECEMBER 23

In the News: India observed Kisan Diwas (National Farmers' Day) across the nation to honor the invaluable contribution of farmers to the country's economy, food security, and rural livelihoods. The day marks the 123rd birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, India's fifth Prime Minister and a lifelong champion of farmers' rights and agrarian reforms.

Key Points:

• Date and Official Declaration: Kisan Diwas (National Farmers' Day) is observed annually on December 23, specifically chosen to commemorate the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Charan Singh, who was born on December 23, 1902, in Noorpur village in the Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. The Government of India officially declared December 23 as National Farmers' Day in 2001 to honor Charan Singh's lifelong dedication to farmers' welfare and to recognize the pivotal role farmers play in sustaining India's rural livelihoods and ensuring national development.
• Theme for Kisan Diwas 2025: The official theme for National Farmers' Day 2025 is "Vikasit Bharat 2047 – The Role of FPOs in Globalising Indian Agriculture." This theme highlights the crucial role of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in transforming Indian agriculture into a globally competitive and market-driven sector. FPOs empower small and marginal farmers by enabling collective bargaining, improving access to modern technology, quality inputs, institutional credit, and global markets.
• Political Journey and Independence Movement: In 1937, Charan Singh was elected to the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly as a member of the Indian National Congress (INC), marking the beginning of his formal political career. He actively participated in India's independence movement and was inspired by Gandhian thought, including the symbolic act of breaking salt on the banks of the Hindon River in emulation of the Salt Satyagraha.
• Tenure as India's Fifth Prime Minister: Chaudhary Charan Singh served as India's fifth Prime Minister from July 28, 1979, to January 14, 1980. He assumed office with outside support from Indira Gandhi's Congress and with Yashwantrao Chavan of the Congress (Socialist) faction serving as his Deputy Prime Minister. Though his tenure lasted only about six months, making it one of the shortest prime ministerial terms in Indian history, Singh worked tirelessly during this period to advocate for farmers' rights, rural empowerment, and agricultural policy reforms.
• Champion of Farmers Title and Recognition: Chaudhary Charan Singh is universally recognized and honored as the "Champion of Farmers" in Indian political history due to his unwavering, lifelong commitment to farmers' welfare and agrarian justice.
• Landmark Zamindari Abolition: Charan Singh's most transformative achievement was his instrumental role in drafting, piloting, and implementing the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act of 1950 (also referenced as 1952 in some sources). As Revenue Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 1949-1952, Singh was the chief architect of these reforms, which transferred land ownership rights to millions of tenant farmers and ended the feudal agrarian structure that had concentrated land and power in the hands of a few wealthy landlords.
• Introduction of Minimum Support Price (MSP) Mechanism: Charan Singh laid the crucial infrastructure foundation for India's Minimum Support Price (MSP) system, which remains a cornerstone of agricultural policy today. During the severe drought of 1966-1967, demonstrating his farmer-first priorities, Singh offered agriculturists procurement prices much higher than the prevailing market rates to protect them from distress sales and ensure income security during crisis.
• Prolific Author and Intellectual Contribution: Charan Singh was a scholar of extraordinary capability who authored several influential books, political pamphlets, and numerous articles in English articulating his vision of agriculture-centered development. His major works include: "Abolition of Zamindari" (1947), "Joint Farming X-Rayed: The Problem and Its Solution" (1959), "India's Poverty and Its Solution" (1964), "India's Economic Policy: The Gandhian Blueprint" (1978), "Economic Nightmare of India: Its Cause and Cure" (1981), and "Land Reforms in U.P. and the Kulaks" (1986). Additionally, his first major publication was the comprehensive 611-page report of the Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Committee in Uttar Pradesh in 1948. These writings continue to shape discourse on agrarian reforms and remain relevant to India's contemporary agrarian crisis.

Oman Launches First Polymer One-Rial Banknote, Circulation from January 2026

In the News: The Central Bank of Oman (CBO) announced the issuance of a commemorative RO1 (one Omani rial) polymer banknote, marking the first time in the history of Omani currency that a polymer-based note will be introduced. In a statement issued on Sunday, the CBO confirmed that this groundbreaking commemorative note will enter circulation on January 11, 2026, and will circulate alongside the existing paper-based (cotton-based) RO1 banknote as legal tender at its face value for all transactions. The new note is printed using polymer material, which offers significantly enhanced durability and incorporates advanced security features compared to traditional paper banknotes currently in circulation.

Key Points:

• Historic First for Omani Currency: The RO1 polymer banknote represents a watershed moment as the first polymer-based currency note in the history of Omani money. Since the introduction of the Saidi rial in 1970 (later renamed Omani rial), all banknotes issued by Oman have been made from cotton-based paper materials.
• Circulation Date - January 11, 2026: The commemorative polymer one-rial banknote will be officially released into circulation on January 11, 2026, a date that holds significance for Oman's monetary system.
• Polymer Material Advantages: The polymer substrate used for this commemorative banknote offers numerous substantial advantages over traditional cotton-based paper currency. Enhanced durability means polymer notes typically last 2.5 to 4 times longer than paper notes, significantly reducing replacement costs and environmental impact from frequent reprinting.
• Advanced Security Features: The polymer one-rial commemorative note incorporates multiple sophisticated security elements that leverage polymer's unique properties. The note includes a color-changing (color-shifting) foil depicting a frankincense tree on the front side, which changes appearance when viewed from different angles, providing an easily verifiable authentication feature for the public. The Central Bank of Oman's visual identity is rendered in color-changing ink on the reverse side, adding another layer of security that shifts color based on viewing angle.
• Dimensions and Physical Specifications: The commemorative polymer banknote measures 145 millimeters in length by 76 millimeters in width (145mm x 76mm), establishing its physical dimensions for currency handling systems and public recognition.
• Reverse Design - Cultural and Economic Landmarks: The reverse side of the banknote features two significant landmarks that together symbolize Oman's balance between cultural preservation and economic modernization.
• Color Scheme: The polymer commemorative banknote features a carefully selected color palette of brown, green, and purple hues. These colors have been chosen to create visual distinction from other denominations in circulation while maintaining aesthetic harmony with Oman's national identity and natural landscape.
• Previous Commemorative Issues:. In 2015, a commemorative one-rial paper note was issued to celebrate the 45th National Day anniversary (1970-2015) of Oman's modern founding under Sultan Qaboos bin Said. In 2020, another commemorative issue honored the 50th National Day anniversary.
• Current Series Context: The polymer commemorative note is being introduced during the circulation period of Oman's sixth banknote series, issued beginning in 2020 (1441 Hijri). This series features Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, who ascended to the throne in January 2020 following the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

India, Netherlands Join Hands to Promote Lothal Maritime Heritage

In the News: India and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in maritime heritage, marking a significant step toward the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat. The MoU was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel, bringing together the NMHC and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.

Key Points:

• Partnership Framework: The MoU establishes a formal partnership between the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. This collaboration aims to showcase India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy to a global audience.
• Lothal's Historical Significance: The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is envisioned as a world-class cultural destination showcasing India's maritime legacy spanning more than 4,500 years. Lothal, an ancient Indus Valley Civilization site in Gujarat, was a prominent maritime trading center.
• Focus on Inclusive Access: Cooperation with the Amsterdam-based museum is expected to enhance the global profile of the NMHC, promote inclusive education and tourism, and ensure affordable access for students, local communities and underprivileged groups.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: The MoU reflects a shared commitment by both countries to preserve and promote maritime heritage while deepening cultural and people-to-people ties, recognizing the long maritime histories shared by both nations.

Redefining the Aravalli Hills: New Criteria, Massive Exclusions, and Environmental Implications

In the News:  The Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgment accepting a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills recommended by an expert committee spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The new definition classifies only landforms with an elevation of 100 meters or more from the local relief as "Aravalli Hills," with clusters of such hills within 500 meters of each other constituting an "Aravalli Range." While the Court imposed a temporary freeze on all fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat and mandated development of a Management Plan for Sustainable Mining (MPSM), the narrow height-based criteria has triggered widespread environmental concerns.

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Judgment Details: On November 20, 2025, a Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice rendered a historic judgment settling a long-standing dispute over the legal identity of the Aravalli Hills and Ranges. The judgment arose from two landmark environmental cases—M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (1985), monitoring mining in Aravallis in Haryana, and T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (1995), monitoring mining in Rajasthan—which the Court directed be heard together by a single bench to avoid conflicting orders.
• Massive Scale of Exclusions: The most alarming consequence is the unprecedented scale of land excluded from protection. Across all 15 major Aravalli districts in Rajasthan, applying the new definition would exclude 99.12%—or 1,17,527 of 1,18,575 hills—identified by FSI, including their slopes and surroundings. Overall, approximately 90% of the entire Aravalli range spanning 692 kilometers no longer qualifies for legal protection, effectively opening these areas to regulated mining and commercial development.
• Districts Excluded from Protection: Several Rajasthan districts previously counted among the 34 Aravalli districts across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi have been excluded from the updated list. Notably excluded are Sawai Madhopur (home to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve at the Aravalli-Vindhya convergence), Chittorgarh (where the UNESCO World Heritage fort sits on an Aravalli outcrop), and Nagaur (where FSI mapped 1,110 square kilometers as Aravalli).
• Conflict with FSI's 3-Degree Slope Formula: The new definition contradicts the Forest Survey of India's established methodology, which classifies land as Aravalli if it lies above a state's minimum elevation (115 meters in Rajasthan) and has a slope of at least 3 degrees. The Ministry of Environment argued that in 12 of 34 Aravalli districts, average slope is below 3 degrees, implying the FSI method would exclude these districts.
• Local Relief Measurement Controversy: A critical technical detail is that elevation is measured from "local relief" (surrounding terrain) rather than a standardized reference point like Rajasthan's lowest elevation of 115 meters used by FSI. Using local profiles can exclude even genuinely 100-meter-high hills if the surrounding terrain is already elevated, as in saddle formations between peaks.
• Biodiversity and Wildlife Corridor Disruption: The Aravallis support rich biodiversity including several important rivers like Chambal, Sabarmati, and Luni that originate from or are supported by the system. Protected areas include tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.
• Aravalli Green Wall Project: Complementing judicial action, the Centre launched the Aravalli Green Wall Project in June 2025, inspired by Africa's Great Green Wall. This landscape-level ecological restoration program proposes a 1,400-kilometer-long and 5-kilometer-wide green belt covering Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi, including core Aravalli regions and surrounding buffer zones.