Daily Current Affairs- 26th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 26th December 2025

Gujarat Became a Tiger State After 33 Years NTCA Declares

In the News: The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) officially declared Gujarat as a 'tiger-present state' after more than 33+ years, following confirmed photographic evidence of a tiger in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in Dahod district, marking Gujarat's return to India's tiger map and making it the only state in the country where lions, leopards, and tigers coexist in their natural habitats.

Key Points:

• Official Declaration Date: Gujarat was formally reinstated as a tiger-present state on December 26, 2025, by the National Tiger Conservation Authority for inclusion in the 2026 national tiger census.
• Gap Period: Tigers went extinct in Gujarat 36 years ago in 1989, and the state was removed from the national tiger census in 1992 after the local extinction was confirmed, marking a gap of 33 years before reinstatement.
• Location of Tiger: The confirmed tiger has established territory in Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary located in Dahod district of Gujarat, along the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border.
• Sanctuary Details: Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary) is spread across Dahod and Panchmahal districts, covering approximately 55.65 square kilometers of dry deciduous forest.
• Evidence Collection: The tiger has been repeatedly captured on trap cameras over the past 10 months, providing sustained photographic evidence that convinced NTCA of permanent settlement rather than transient movement.
• Unique Triple Big Cat Status: Gujarat has now become the only state in India to be home to all three big cats - Asiatic lion (in Gir), leopard (across various forests), and tiger (in Ratanmahal), a distinction not held by any other Indian state.
• NTCA Visit and Confirmation: An NTCA team recently visited Gujarat to conduct a detailed study and prepared a preliminary report confirming Gujarat has a tiger population of one and recommending conservation measures.
• Inclusion in AITE 2026: Gujarat will now be included in the All-India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026, which began in Indore, Madhya Pradesh in December 2025, with camera-trap enumeration to be carried out along the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border.

Santhali Joins the Constitutional Languages as President Launches New Edition

In the News: President Droupadi Murmu launched the new edition of the Constitution of India incorporating Santhali language. This significant event celebrates the inclusion of Santhali in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, marking a major milestone for the Santhal tribal community and linguistic diversity in India.

Key Points:

• Constitutional Recognition: Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003, which was passed by Parliament in December 2003. Along with Santhali, three other languages—Bodo, Dogri, and Maithili—were also added to the Eighth Schedule through the same amendment, bringing the total number of scheduled languages from 18 to 22.
• Presidential Launch: President Droupadi Murmu, who herself hails from the Santhal tribal community and is a native speaker of Santhali, launched the new edition of the Constitution featuring Santhali language. This edition represents the official recognition of Santhali alongside other constitutional languages and makes constitutional provisions accessible to Santhali speakers across India.
• About Santhali Language: Santhali belongs to the Austroasiatic language family and is primarily spoken by the Santhal tribe, one of India's largest tribal communities. The language has approximately 7.6 million speakers according to the 2011 Census, making it one of the most widely spoken tribal languages in India. Santhali is predominantly spoken in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Assam.
• Script Systems: Santhali is written in multiple scripts including Ol Chiki (created specifically for Santhali by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925), Devanagari, Bengali, Odia, and Roman scripts. The Ol Chiki script consists of 30 letters and is recognized as the official script for Santhali in several states, particularly in Jharkhand where it is taught in schools.
• Geographical Distribution: The Santhal tribal population is concentrated in the Santhal Parganas region of Jharkhand, which comprises six districts including Dumka, Godda, Deoghar, Jamtara, Sahibganj, and Pakur. Significant Santhal populations also reside in the Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, and West Midnapore districts of West Bengal, as well as in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts of Odisha.
• Eighth Schedule Significance: Languages included in the Eighth Schedule receive recognition from the Government of India for official purposes and are entitled to representation on official bodies like the Official Language Commission. These languages are promoted by the Sahitya Akademi through awards, publications, and literary activities, and receive financial support for development and propagation.
• Other Scheduled Languages: The Indian Constitution currently recognizes 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri. The original Constitution of 1950 included 14 languages, and eight more have been added through various amendments over the years.
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 344 of the Constitution deals with the Official Language Commission and provides for the promotion and development of scheduled languages. Article 350A directs every state to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education for children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

US Launches Deadly Strikes Against Islamic State in Nigeria

In the News: The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted military airstrikes targeting Sokoto State targeting Islamic State in December 2024. The strikes represent a significant escalation in US military involvement in combating terrorist organizations operating in the Lake Chad Basin region.

Key Points:

• Strike Details and Location: US forces conducted precision airstrikes against Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) positions in Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, near the Lake Chad region in December 2024. The strikes targeted ISWAP leadership, training camps, and logistical facilities used by the terrorist organization to plan and execute attacks against civilian and military targets in the region.
• US Africa Command Role: The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, is responsible for US military operations and security cooperation across the African continent covering 53 African countries. AFRICOM was established on October 1, 2007, and became operational on October 1, 2008. The command conducts counterterrorism operations, provides training and assistance to African partner nations, and coordinates intelligence-sharing efforts to combat terrorist organizations including ISIS-affiliated groups, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram-linked factions.
• Islamic State West Africa Province Background: ISWAP emerged in 2016 as a splinter faction of Boko Haram after a leadership dispute led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. The group operates primarily in northeastern Nigeria, particularly around Lake Chad, and has expanded its presence into Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. ISWAP is estimated to have between 3,500 to 5,000 fighters and controls territory in the Lake Chad islands and surrounding areas.
• Borno State Security Situation: Borno State, with its capital in Maiduguri, has been the epicenter of the Boko Haram insurgency since 2009 and subsequently ISWAP activities. The conflict has resulted in over 350,000 deaths since 2009 and displaced more than 2.5 million people in northeastern Nigeria. The state borders Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, making it strategically important for cross-border terrorist operations. Borno covers an area of 70,898 square kilometers and has a population of approximately 5.86 million people, many of whom have been affected by the ongoing insurgency.
• Lake Chad Basin Crisis: The Lake Chad Basin region encompasses parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon covering approximately 2.5 million square kilometers and has been severely affected by terrorist activities, creating one of Africa's worst humanitarian crises. Approximately 11 million people in the region require humanitarian assistance due to the ongoing conflict. Lake Chad itself has shrunk by approximately 90% since the 1960s due to climate change and overuse, reducing from about 25,000 square kilometers to around 1,500 square kilometers, exacerbating resource competition and providing cover for insurgent operations.
• US Military Presence in Nigeria: The United States maintains a limited military presence in Nigeria, primarily focused on intelligence sharing, training, and advisory support to Nigerian security forces. The US provides counterterrorism training through the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program and Special Operations Forces deployments. The US operates surveillance assets including MQ-9 Reaper drones to monitor terrorist activities across the Sahel region, although primary drone operations were conducted from Agadez, Niger (Air Base 201), before US withdrawal from Niger in 2024. The US has provided over $1 billion in security assistance to Nigeria since 2011.

India to Assume Vice Chair Role in Kimberley Process              

In the News: India has been appointed as the Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for 2025, positioning the country to assume the Chair role in 2026. This appointment recognizes India's significant role in the global diamond industry and its commitment to preventing conflict diamonds from entering the legitimate diamond trade.

Key Points:

• Appointment Details: India will serve as Vice Chair of the Kimberley Process (KP) for 2025 and is expected to assume the Chair position in 2026, following the standard succession practice within the organization. The announcement was made during the Kimberley Process Plenary Meeting held in 2024, where member countries endorsed India's candidature for this leadership role in the international diamond certification mechanism.
• About Kimberley Process: The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international initiative established in 2003 to prevent conflict diamonds, also known as blood diamonds, from entering the mainstream rough diamond market. The scheme was created following a meeting in Kimberley, South Africa, in May 2000, where diamond-producing countries, the diamond industry, and civil society organizations came together to address the issue of conflict diamonds funding armed conflicts in Africa.
• Kimberley Process Structure: The KP currently has 59 participants representing 85 countries, including the European Union as a single participant. The scheme operates on a tripartite structure involving governments, the diamond industry represented by the World Diamond Council, and civil society organizations. The Chair position rotates annually among member countries, with the Vice Chair typically assuming the Chair role the following year.
• Conflict Diamonds Definition: Conflict diamonds are rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance armed conflicts against legitimate governments. These diamonds have been particularly associated with conflicts in Angola, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 1990s and early 2000s. The Kimberley Process defines conflict diamonds specifically as rough diamonds used to finance wars against governments.
• India's Diamond Industry: India is the world's largest diamond cutting and polishing center, processing approximately 90% of the world's rough diamonds by volume and about 60% by value. The Indian diamond industry is concentrated primarily in Surat, Gujarat, which is known as the diamond capital of India and employs over 700,000 skilled workers in diamond processing. India's diamond sector contributes significantly to exports, with annual exports valued at approximately $23-24 billion, making it one of the country's major foreign exchange earners.
• Certification Requirements: Under the Kimberley Process, all rough diamond shipments must be accompanied by a government-validated certificate stating that the diamonds are conflict-free. Each participating country must establish internal controls to implement KP standards, including tracking rough diamond production and trade, maintaining security protocols, and conducting regular audits. Member countries that fail to comply with KP standards can be expelled from the scheme, effectively barring them from international diamond trade.
• India's Previous KP Involvement: India previously chaired the Kimberley Process in 2008 under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. During its 2008 chairmanship, India worked on strengthening implementation mechanisms, addressing compliance issues, and expanding the scheme's effectiveness. The Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) plays a key role in India's participation in the Kimberley Process and coordinates with government authorities on certification procedures.

Godavari Estuary to Witness 40th Asian Waterbird Census on January 10–11

In the News: The 40th Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) is scheduled to take place on January 10–11, 2025, at the Godavari Estuary in Andhra Pradesh. This annual event is part of a continental-scale monitoring program aimed at conserving waterbirds and their wetland habitats across Asia.

Key Points:

• Census Schedule and Location: The 40th Asian Waterbird Census will be conducted on January 10–11, 2025, at the Godavari Estuary, which spans across East Godavari and Konaseema districts in Andhra Pradesh. The Godavari Estuary is one of the largest estuaries in India and serves as a critical habitat for migratory waterbirds.
• Asian Waterbird Census Background: The Asian Waterbird Census is coordinated by Wetlands International and has been conducted annually since 1987. The census covers wetlands across Asia, from Turkey in the west to Japan in the east, and from Russia in the north to Indonesia in the south. It involves thousands of volunteers from over 30 countries who monitor waterbird populations at key wetland sites.
• Waterbird Species Expected: The census typically records over 50 species of waterbirds at the Godavari Estuary, including Greater Flamingo, Lesser Flamingo, Painted Stork, Asian Openbill, Black-headed Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, various species of ducks, sandpipers, plovers, and terns. The estuary also hosts threatened species like the Black-bellied Tern and Indian Skimmer.
• Participating Organizations: The census is organized by the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department in collaboration with Wetlands International, local bird conservation groups, ornithologists, and wildlife enthusiasts. The Mangrove Foundation and various NGOs working in coastal conservation also participate in the monitoring effort.