Current Affairs Quiz 29th December 2025 Quiz

Exp. RBI Defers 3-Hour Cheque Clearance Rollout, Revises CTS Timings

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has postponed the January 3, 2026 rollout of the 3-hour cheque clearance under the Continuous Clearing and Settlement on Realisation (CCSR) framework in the Cheque Truncation System (CTS).

The directive is issued under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, reinforcing RBI’s authority to regulate payment systems and maintain financial stability.

Phase 1 of CCSR was launched on October 4, 2025, while Phase 2 aimed to reduce cheque settlement time to within three hours, replacing the traditional T+1/T+2 system.

The RBI deferred Phase 2 implementation “until further notice” to allow banks more time to prepare for operational and technological changes.

The RBI revised CTS operational timings: Presentation session (09:00 AM–03:00 PM) and Confirmation session (09:00 AM–07:00 PM), ensuring flexibility for banks while existing clearance timelines continue for now.

Exp. Saleem Ahmad Takes Charge as CMD of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

Saleem Ahmad has assumed charge as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), replacing Sukhmal Chand Jain, who stepped down from the role.

Ahmad, a civil engineering graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia University, brings over 35 years of experience in large infrastructure projects and previously served as Director (Projects) at NBCC (India) Ltd, with earlier stints at DMRC and Mumbai Port Trust.

He will serve in this role until 30 April 2029 (superannuation) or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

About Rail Vikas Nigam Limited

• Founded- 24 January 2003
• Headquarters- New Delhi
• RVNL is a Navratna PSU in India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Railways, GoI

Exp. Amit Shah Inaugurates Anti-Terrorism Conference 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the two-day Anti-Terrorism Conference–2025 in New Delhi, calling for a strong, impenetrable and technology-driven anti-terrorism grid to counter rapidly evolving security threats.

Organised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the conference focuses on actionable outcomes, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and analysing global and domestic terror incidents under the government’s zero-tolerance policy.

During the event, Shah unveiled key tools including the updated NIA Crime Manual, Organised Crime Network Database, and Lost, Looted and Recovered Weapons Database, while stressing uniform ATS structure, mandatory use of NATGRID & NIDAAN, and a “duty to share” intelligence culture among agencies.

Exp. Delhi Launches ‘Atal Canteen’ Scheme to Provide Meals at ₹5

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the ‘Atal Canteen’ in New Delhi on the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Atal Canteen scheme aims to provide meals at just ₹5 for needy and working people; 45 canteens began operations immediately, with 55 more to open within 15 days.

The initiative is expected to benefit millions of people and reflects Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s vision of ensuring that no one goes to bed hungry.

Exp. JP Nadda Lays Foundation of India’s First PPP-Based Medical Colleges in MP’s Tribal Districts

Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Madhya Pradesh CM Dr Mohan Yadav laid the foundation of two medical colleges in Dhar and Betul districts, becoming India’s first medical colleges under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aimed at strengthening healthcare in tribal-dominated regions.

The colleges are part of four PPP-based medical colleges in MP (Dhar, Betul, Katni, Panna), linked with district hospitals upgraded as per National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, while the state provides land and private partners build academic and clinical infrastructure.

The initiative reflects rapid expansion of medical education, with medical colleges increasing from 387 (2014) to 819, MBBS seats rising to over 1.28 lakh, and a target of adding 75,000 new medical seats by 2029, while MP plans more colleges across several districts.

Exp. 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan Begins in Jalandhar Celebrating Hindustani Classical Music

Punjab is hosting the 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, the oldest Hindustani classical music festival in India, from 26–28 December at Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar, organised in collaboration with NZCC, Patiala and supported by the state government.

The 3-day festival is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and the late Banaras Gharana vocalist Pt Chhannu Lal Mishra, who passed away in October 2025.

The festival features renowned classical music artists including Vidushi Malini Awasthi, Pt Sajan Mishra, Swaransh Mishra, Pt Ronu Majumdar, Shashank Subramanyam, Ashwini Bhide, among others.

About Punjab

• Capital – Chandigarh
• Chief Minister – Bhagwant Mann
• Governor – Banwarilal Purohit

Exp. IRFC Extends ₹9,821 Crore Loan to DFCCIL to Refinance World Bank Debt for Eastern Freight Corridor

Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC) has extended a Rs 9,821 crore rupee loan to DFCCIL to refinance its World Bank foreign currency debt for the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor project.

The loan agreement was signed by DFCCIL’s Director (Finance) Rahul Kapoor and IRFC’s Executive Director (Finance) Deepa Kotnis at the Railway Board, New Delhi, in the presence of senior officials including Chairman & CEO Satish Kumar.

The refinancing shifts DFCCIL’s debt from foreign currency to rupee-denominated financing, reducing exchange rate risk and highlighting the growing capacity of Indian financial institutions to support large-scale infrastructure projects domestically.

Exp. Ola Electric Gets ₹366.78 Crore Incentive under PLI-Auto Scheme for FY 2024-25

Ola Electric has received a sanction order of ₹366.78 crore from the Ministry of Heavy Industries under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components for FY 2024-25.

The incentive relates to the Demand Incentive for the Determined Sales Value and will be disbursed through IFCI Limited, the designated financial institution under the PLI-Auto Scheme.

Ola Electric stated that this milestone highlights its role in India’s advanced automotive manufacturing ecosystem, reflecting its strengths in scale, localisation, and technology-led vertically integrated manufacturing.

Exp. Canara HSBC Life Insurance Partners with Equitas Bank to Expand Insurance Access Across India

Canara HSBC Life Insurance and Equitas Small Finance Bank have entered a strategic bancassurance partnership to increase life insurance accessibility across India, integrating the insurer’s portfolio with the bank’s branch network.

Through this collaboration, Canara HSBC Life Insurance will distribute products such as life protection, savings, annuity, child plans, and investment-linked policies across 994 Equitas Bank outlets and 365 ATMs in 18 states and Union Territories, including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Maharashtra.

The partnership aims to promote financial inclusion by allowing customers in Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities to access insurance plans directly through existing banking touchpoints, aligning with IRDAI’s goal of ‘Insurance for All by 2047’.

The alliance reflects the ‘Promises Ka Partner’ philosophy of Canara HSBC Life Insurance, focusing on simplifying insurance, enhancing trust, and expanding reach through a phygital banking model for straightforward and transparent services.

Exp. PayNearby Gets NPCI TPAP License, Launches ‘Saathi’ App with UPI

Fintech company PayNearby has received Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) license approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Following the approval, PayNearby has launched the PayNearby Saathi app, offering UPI-enabled savings accounts, payments, and investment products including FD, RD, Gold, and Mutual Funds.

The app also provides credit facilities such as personal loans, gold loans, business loans, and credit cards, expanding the range of financial services available to users.

About National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

• Founded – 2008
• Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
• MD & CEO – Dilip Asbe

Exp. TASL Delivers First WhAP 8×8 Armoured Vehicles to Royal Moroccan Army from Morocco Plant

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has handed over the first batch of WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army, marking the initial supply under a local manufacturing arrangement in Morocco.

The Berrechid plant in Morocco, covering 20,000 sq. metres, began production after being inaugurated in September by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco’s Minister Delegate for National Defence Abdelatif Loudyi.

The WhAP 8×8 platform, jointly developed by DRDO and TASL, is a versatile wheeled armoured vehicle with monocoque hull, scalable ballistic/mine protection, independent suspension, central tyre inflation system, and amphibious capability.

The vehicle can be configured for multiple operational roles including armoured personnel carrier, infantry combat vehicle, reconnaissance, command post, ambulance, and mortar carrier, with weapon configurations supporting both manned and remote-controlled systems.

Exp.  29 December – International Cello Day

International Cello Day is observed every year on 29 December to celebrate the cello, a prominent string instrument of the violin family.

The day highlights the rich sound, versatility and emotional depth of the cello in classical, jazz and contemporary music.

It aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the cello and encourage young musicians to learn the instrument.

The cello plays a crucial role in orchestras, chamber music and solo performances, bridging harmony and rhythm in music compositions.

Exp. INSV Kaundinya Sets Sail on Maiden Overseas Voyage to Oman, Reviving India’s Ancient Maritime Legacy

Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya will embark on her maiden overseas journey from Porbandar (Gujarat) to Muscat (Oman), retracing ancient Indian maritime trade routes.

Built entirely using traditional stitched-plank techniques, the vessel’s wooden planks are stitched with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, reflecting India’s ancient coastal shipbuilding heritage.

Inspired by depictions of ancient Indian ships, the vessel highlights how early Indian mariners undertook long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa and Southeast Asia, much before modern navigation tools.

Exp. India Successfully Tests K-4 SLBM from INS Arighaat, Boosting Sea-Based Nuclear Deterrence

India successfully test-fired the K-4 intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Visakhapatnam.

With a strike range of around 3,500 km, the K-4 significantly enhances India’s sea-based nuclear attack capability, strengthening the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.

Derived from the Agni-III missile, the K-4 is India’s longest-range sea-launched strategic weapon, capable of carrying a 2.5-ton nuclear warhead and launching from Arihant-class submarines using underwater ejection technology.

Commissioned into the Navy in August 2024, the K-4 places India among a select group of nations with land, air and undersea nuclear strike capability; the ‘K’ series is named in honour of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Exp. Chhattisgarh Unveils Logo, Mascot ‘Morveer’ for Inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games in Bilaspur

The logo, theme song and official mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were unveiled at Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium, Bilaspur, with the Games scheduled to begin from February 14.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, SAI, IOA, National Sports Federations and Chhattisgarh, the Games will feature 7 competitive sports and 2 indigenous demonstration sports, conducted as per international technical standards.

The official mascot Morveer reflects Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity, combining ‘Mor’ (our own) and ‘Veer’ (bravery), symbolising the pride, courage and collective spirit of India’s tribal communities.

A key focus of KITG is talent scouting from tribal regions; selected athletes will be inducted as Khelo India Athletes and receive ₹5 lakh annual scholarships for 8 years, with Chhattisgarh becoming the first state to host this exclusive national tribal sports event.