Daily Current Affairs- 27th December 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 27th December 2025

Three New Additional Solicitors General for Supreme Court Appointed By Centre

In the News: The Central Government appointed three senior advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) for the Supreme Court of India. The appointments of Senior Advocates Davinder Pal Singh, Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar, and Anil Kaushik were approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and notified by the Department of Personnel and Training, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions.

Key Points:

• Appointment Details: Three senior advocates were appointed as Additional Solicitors General for India (ASGI) in the Supreme Court for a tenure of three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The appointments were made under file number No.31/1/2025-EO(SM-II)-02.
• Davinder Pal Singh - Profile: Senior Advocate Davinder Pal Singh has over 35 years of extensive legal experience, having argued more than 20,000 cases across constitutional, criminal, regulatory, and commercial law. He has represented the Union government, investigating agencies, state governments, public sector undertakings, corporates, and high-net-worth individuals in several high-stakes matters.
• Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar - Profile: Senior Advocate Kanakamedala Ravindra Kumar is a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court with a distinguished career spanning both legal and legislative domains. Born on August 8, 1956, he is an alumnus of Nagarjuna and Osmania Universities. He began his legal practice in 1983 and was designated as a Senior Advocate by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012.
• Anil Kaushik - Profile: Senior Advocate Anil Kaushik has over 24 years of extensive practice before the Supreme Court of India, as well as various other courts and tribunals across Delhi. His practice covers a wide spectrum of legal domains, including Civil, Taxation, Revenue, Criminal, Constitutional, and Commercial Law.

First Indian Standard for Agarbattis Unveiled By BIS

In the News: Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi released India's first dedicated Indian Standard for incense sticks (agarbattis)—"IS 19412:2025 - Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) Specification"—developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during National Consumer Day 2025 celebrations. The landmark standard prohibits use of certain harmful insecticidal chemicals and synthetic fragrance substances in agarbattis to enhance consumer safety, indoor air quality, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

Key Points:

• IS 19412:2025 Standard - First Dedicated Standard for Agarbattis: The newly-notified "IS 19412:2025 - Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) Specification" is India's first dedicated Indian Standard for agarbattis, marking a significant milestone in standardization of this culturally important product. The standard was released by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on National Consumer Day 2025 (December 24, 2025) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
• National Consumer Day 2025 Context: National Consumer Day is observed annually on December 24 to commemorate the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), 1986, which received Presidential assent on December 24, 1986. The first-ever National Consumer Rights Day was observed on December 24, 1986. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, which came into force on July 20, 2020, replaced the 1986 Act to modernize consumer dispute resolution, strengthen consumer protection, and address challenges arising from e-commerce and digital markets.
• Prohibited Harmful Chemicals - List of Banned Substances: IS 19412:2025 specifies a comprehensive list of substances prohibited for use in agarbattis due to their potential risks to human health, indoor air quality, and the environment.
• Three-Way Classification System: The standard classifies agarbatti into three distinct categories based on manufacturing methods: (1) Machine-made agarbattis - produced using automated manufacturing processes, (2) Hand-made agarbattis - crafted manually by artisans, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, and (3) Traditional masala agarbattis - made using traditional formulations and methods passed down through generations.
• BIS - Bureau of Indian Standards Overview: BIS was established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, and works under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. BIS ensures quality, safety, and reliability of products and services in India through standardization activities. Each standard is given a unique number (such as IS 19412:2025). BIS standards include both Mandatory standards (required by law through Quality Control Orders) and Voluntary standards (adopted by manufacturers seeking certification). BIS standards set minimum requirements for quality, safety, performance, and environmental protection, helping consumers identify safe and reliable products through the BIS Standard Mark.

India’s First Ever Weapon Database to Curb Terror Launches By Centre

In the News: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched India's first-ever weapon database, the 'Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm' database, at the inaugural session of the Anti-Terror Conference-2025 in New Delhi. The database, developed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is designed to strengthen India's fight against organised crime, terrorism, and extremism by creating a centralised repository of government-owned weapons.

Key Points:

• Launch Event: The weapon database was formally dedicated to the nation on December 26, 2025, during the inaugural session of the 'Anti-Terror Conference-2025', a two-day annual event organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India's central anti-terror agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Database Name and Purpose: The 'Lost, Looted and Recovered Firearm' database is designed to include detailed records of government-owned weapons that have been looted, stolen, lost, or recovered from state police forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). It aims to create a centralised repository that can be easily accessed and utilised by all state police forces, paramilitary units, and law enforcement agencies nationwide.
• Comprehensive Coverage: The database incorporates inputs from all states, Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, the North-East, and Naxal-affected regions. These entries are uploaded onto a specially designed digital interface hosted by the NIA, ensuring seamless access and real-time updates for authorised users.
• Organised Crime Network Database (OCND): The OCND is an AI-powered database designed to function as an intelligent analytical tool, enabling investigating officers to retrieve comprehensive information on organised criminals instantly.
• Advanced Features of OCND: Besides profile information, the OCND carries voice matching facility and fingerprint data of organised criminals, helping investigation agencies take quick action against them.

India Clears Two New Airlines as Aviation Market Seeks Greater Competition

In the News: India's Ministry of Civil Aviation granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines—Al Hind Air and FlyExpress—to boost competition in the world's fastest-growing aviation market. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the approvals, which come weeks after IndiGo cancelled approximately 4,500 flights in early December due to staff planning issues, stranding thousands of passengers and exposing risks of excessive market concentration.

Key Points:

• No Objection Certificates Granted: The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued NOCs to regional carrier Al Hind Air and startup FlyExpress during the week of December 24, 2025. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated: "Over the last one week, pleased to have met teams from new airlines aspiring to take wings in Indian skies—Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. While Shankh Air has already got the NOC from the Ministry, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress have received their NOCs this week.
• Third Airline - Shankh Air Already Cleared: Shankh Air had already secured its NOC earlier and is also expected to begin operations in 2026. According to reports, Shankh Air plans to connect cities. With three new carriers approved (Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, and Shankh Air), the government is signaling increased activity and competition in India's domestic aviation market for the coming year.
• Al Hind Air - Regional Focus on Southern India: Al Hind Air is promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group, which already operates in the travel and tourism sector, bringing industry experience. According to the airline's website, it plans to launch regional services in southern India with a fleet of ATR Turboprop aircraft.
• FlyExpress - Hyderabad-based Startup: FlyExpress, based in Hyderabad, has a background in courier and cargo services, offering logistical expertise that could translate into aviation operations. While the airline is yet to publicly outline its detailed fleet and route strategy, its entry signals renewed interest from new players looking to break into a market long dominated by a handful of carriers.
• IndiGo Crisis - Catalyst for Action (December 2025): The approvals come after significant disruption in early December 2025, when IndiGo cancelled about 4,500 flights over a 10-day period (December 1-9) due to staff planning issues and difficulties implementing new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
• Six New Operators Cleared Since 2020: India has granted permits to six air operators since 2020, including regional carriers, the government told lawmakers earlier in 2025. The government has been continuously working to encourage competition in the aviation sector as part of damage control measures to avoid recurrence of situations like the December IndiGo disruption. Civil Aviation Minister Naidu emphasized that encouraging new airlines remains a key focus of the ministry, noting that Indian aviation is among the world's fastest-growing markets globally.

Mookerjee, Upadhyay, Vajpayee: Icons behind 3 statues at Rashtra Prerna Sthal

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal national memorial complex in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, which features 65-feet-high bronze statues of three towering leaders of Indian politics: Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee (Founder of Bharatiya Jana Sangh), Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya (Philosopher and ideologue of the BJP), and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (India's 10th Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna awardee). The memorial, constructed at a cost of ₹230 crore across 65 acres, was inaugurated as part of Good Governance Day celebrations commemorating Vajpayee's 101st birth anniversary.

Key Points:

• Rashtra Prerna Sthal Memorial Complex Overview: The Rashtra Prerna Sthal (National Inspiration Memorial) was inaugurated by PM Modi at 2:30 PM on December 25, 2025, in Lucknow, UP. Developed by the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) under the Basant Kunj scheme, reported features 65-feet-high bronze statues of the three leaders, a lotus-shaped museum (approximately 98,000 sq ft) showcasing India's national journey through advanced digital and immersive technologies, rally ground with capacity of approximately 2 lakh people, amphitheatre, meditation and Vipassana-Yoga centres, and civic amenities including cafeteria.

• Connection Between Three Leaders: Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee founded Bharatiya Jana Sangh (October 21, 1951). Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya served as General Secretary (1951-1967) providing organizational strength and ideological foundation through Integral Humanism. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was appointed as Upadhyaya's private secretary and later became face of party, eventually becoming Prime Minister. Together, they represent founding, ideological development, and governmental success of Hindu nationalist movement in India—from inception to implementation of vision. Their legacy forms foundation of modern BJP and continues to inspire India's development trajectory toward "Viksit Bharat 2047."

China Opens World’s Longest Expressway Tunnel in Xinjiang

In the News: China officially opened the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, the world's longest expressway tunnel, to traffic in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The 22.13-kilometer tunnel traverses the central Tianshan Mountains and reduces travel time across the mountains from several hours to just 20 minutes, significantly improving connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang.

Key Points:

• Tunnel Specifications: The Tianshan Shengli Tunnel is 22.13 kilometers (13.75 miles) long, making it the world's longest expressway tunnel. The tunnel is designed as two parallel tubes, each with two lanes of traffic, and is part of the G0711 Urumqi-Yuli Expressway connecting Urumqi (regional capital in northern Xinjiang) to Yuli County in southern Xinjiang.
• World Records: According to Song Hailiang, Chairman of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the tunnel has set two world records - it is the longest expressway tunnel in the world and has the deepest vertical shaft for a highway tunnel.
• Travel Time Reduction: The tunnel drastically reduces travel time through the Tianshan Mountains from approximately three hours to just 20 minutes. The overall journey between Urumqi and Korla, a major city in southern Xinjiang, has been shortened from overall travel time reduces from ~7 to ~3 hours, effectively halving the north-south travel time.
• Construction Timeline: Construction of the tunnel began in April 2020, with thousands of workers participating in the project. The tunneling work was completed on December 30, 2024, after 52 months of construction. The tunnel officially opened to traffic on December 26, 2025.
• Construction Investment: The estimated construction cost of the tunnel is approximately ¥26.8 billion (around US$3.8 billion), reflecting the massive scale and complexity of the project.

World’s Largest Open Air Theatre ‘Dhanu Yatra’ Begins in Odisha’s Bargarh

In the News: Dhanu Yatra, the world's largest open-air theatre festival, commenced in Bargarh district of Odisha. The 11-day cultural extravaganza will continue until January 13, 2025, transforming the entire town of Bargarh into the mythological city of Mathura.

Key Points:

• Festival Overview: Dhanu Yatra is an annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha, spread across an 8-kilometer radius around the municipality. It holds the Guinness World Record for being the world's largest open-air theatre and depicts the mythological story of Lord Krishna's victory over his demon uncle, King Kansa.
• Theatrical Transformation: During the festival, Bargarh town transforms into ancient Mathura, the nearby Ambapali village becomes mythological Gopapura, and the Jira River is considered as the sacred Yamuna. King Kansa's Rangamahal has been meticulously recreated at the Lok Mandap field, and his Darbar extends to the streets of Bargarh.
• Artist Recognition: As many as 170 leading artists participating in the Yatra will receive a cash prize of Rs 10,000 each in appreciation of their talent and hard work. The government has also announced plans to felicitate artists from past editions who have attained old age or are deceased.
• UNESCO Recognition Initiative: An expert committee has been formed to work towards obtaining UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for Dhanu Yatra. This initiative aims to elevate the festival to international recognition and preserve its unique cultural significance.
• National School of Drama Documentation: The National School of Drama (NSD), which is opening a campus in Odisha, has agreed to prepare a documentary on Bargarh Dhanu Yatra 2025 for future reference and archival purposes.
• National Festival Status: In November 2014, the Department of Culture, Government of India, accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra in recognition of its cultural and historical significance.

Nature-based Solutions and their Importance

In the News: Brazil's hosting of UNFCCC COP30 in Belém (gateway to the Amazon rainforest) from November 10-21, 2025, brought global attention to nature-based solutions (NbS) as critical instruments for tackling climate change. The conference, held for the first time in a tropical forest nation in decades, placed forests and ecosystems at the center of global climate action, culminating in the launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF).

Key Points:

• COP30 Belém - Historic Location and Symbolism: The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) took place at the Hangar Convention Centre in Belém, Pará, Brazil, from November 10-21, 2025. Belém, located at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, provided symbolic significance as the first UN Climate Conference hosted in a tropical forest nation in decades.
• Definition of Nature-based Solutions (NbS): According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Nature-based Solutions are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.
• Climate Mitigation Potential of NbS: Nature-based Solutions can provide up to 37% of the climate mitigation needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, according to scientific assessments. High-quality NbS projects could deliver mitigation of up to 10 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (GtCO2) per year, corresponding to approximately 27% of current global annual emissions. The IPCC emphasizes that NbS are essential complements to, not substitutes for, deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Key Societal Challenges Addressed by NbS: Nature-based Solutions tackle multiple interconnected challenges: climate change mitigation and adaptation (carbon sequestration, reducing urban heat islands, flood management), water security (natural water retention, watershed protection, improved water quality), food security (sustainable agriculture, pollination services), disaster risk reduction (coastal protection from storms, landslide prevention, drought resilience), biodiversity conservation (habitat restoration, ecosystem connectivity), human health and well-being (air quality improvement, mental health benefits, recreation opportunities), and economic benefits (job creation in conservation, sustainable tourism, cost-effective infrastructure alternatives).
• Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) - Launch and Structure: The TFFF was officially launched during the COP30 Leaders' Summit on November 6, 2025, hosted by President Lula da Silva with leaders from over 30 countries and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The facility aims to mobilize $125 billion in funding through a hybrid financial architecture combining $25 billion in government contributions (junior capital) with $100 billion from private sector investments, using a 1-to-4 public-to-private capital ratio.
• Initial TFFF Commitments: As of the COP30 launch, total commitments exceeded $5.5 billion from 53 endorsing countries (including 19 potential sovereign investors). Major contributions include: Norway ($3 billion over 10 years), Brazil ($1 billion, announced during September 2025 UN General Assembly), Indonesia ($1 billion), France (up to €500 million), Portugal ($1 million), and Germany (amount under negotiation).

PV Sindhu Elected Chair of BWF Athletes Commission (2026–2029)

In the News: Two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion PV Sindhu was elected Chair of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Athletes' Commission for the 2026-2029 term on December 25, 2025. In this role, the 30-year-old shuttler will also serve as a member of the BWF Council, providing players with a direct voice in the organization's global governance. Sindhu, who has been serving on the BWF Athletes' Commission since 2017 and as an Integrity Ambassador since 2020, succeeds Indonesia's Greysia Polii, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist who retired from badminton in 2022.

Key Points:

• Election Announcement and Term Duration: PV Sindhu was elected Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission on December 25, 2025 (Wednesday), as reported by Olympics.com. Her term will run from 2026 to 2029, during which she will represent athletes' interests at the highest levels of badminton governance. The election reflects the trust and confidence fellow athletes have placed in Sindhu to advocate for meaningful change in the sport.
• BWF Council Membership and Governance Role: As Chair of the Athletes' Commission, PV Sindhu automatically secures a seat on the powerful BWF Council, the sport's primary decision-making body. This position gives players a direct voice in global governance, ensuring that athletes' perspectives, concerns, and interests are represented in policy formulation, tournament regulations, and strategic decisions affecting the sport worldwide. This marks a significant step in strengthening athlete representation in badminton's administrative structure.
• Predecessor: Greysia Polii's Tenure: Greysia Polii of Indonesia served as the previous Chair of the BWF Athletes' Commission. Polii is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist in women's doubles and an Asian Games champion. She retired from professional badminton in 2022 after a distinguished career and had served two terms on the Athletes' Commission, most recently from 2021 to 2025. Sindhu acknowledged Polii's exceptional contributions in establishing strong foundations for athlete advocacy within the BWF.
• Para Badminton Athletes' Commission: In related developments, Chan Ho Yuen Daniel of Hong Kong, China, has been appointed full-time Chair of the BWF Para Badminton Athletes' Commission after serving in an interim role earlier in 2025. The retired two-time Paralympian WH2 player will be supported by Deputy Chair Cathrine Rosengren of Denmark. Indian para-badminton player Abu Hubaida is also part of the Para Badminton Athletes' Commission, providing representation for Indian para-athletes at the global level.
• PV Sindhu's Olympic Legacy: PV Sindhu is India's most successful badminton player in Olympic history and one of the nation's most decorated athletes across all sports. She won a silver medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic silver medal in badminton and India's youngest individual Olympic medallist at age 21.
• World Championship Achievements: PV Sindhu made history at the 2019 BWF World Championships in Basel, Switzerland, by defeating Japan's Nozomi Okuhara 21-7, 21-7 in the final to become India's first-ever badminton world champion since the tournament's inception in 1977.
• National Honours and Recognition: In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, PV Sindhu has been awarded India's highest civilian and sporting honours. She received the Arjuna Award in 2013 (India's second-highest sporting honour) after becoming the first Indian woman to win a World Championships medal. She was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2015 (India's fourth-highest civilian honour).