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Daily Current Affairs 20th and 21st December 2025 Daily GK Update
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National News
Jiyo Parsi Scheme Helps Arrest Decline in Parsi Population; 232 Babies Born in Five Years
- The Parsi (Zoroastrian) population declined sharply from 1.14 lakh in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011, prompting the Government of India to launch the Jiyo Parsi Scheme in 2013–14 under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
- The scheme has three components—Medical Assistance (support for infertility and pregnancy-related treatment up to ₹30 lakh income limit), Health of Community (care for children and dependent elderly up to ₹15 lakh income limit), and Advocacy to raise awareness.
- Financial assistance is provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) after biometric verification; during 2020–21 to 2024–25, an expenditure of ₹17.64 crore resulted in the birth of 232 babies under the scheme.
- A 2025 evaluation by IIPS found the scheme largely successful with widespread acceptance among beneficiaries, and it is now being considered for continuation in the next Finance Commission cycle, as informed by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in Lok Sabha.
MY Bharat Launches Dedicated Portal for Republic Day Celebrations–2026 Youth Competitions
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the MY Bharat Portal, has launched a special webpage to host national-level youth competitions as part of Republic Day Celebrations–2026.
- The initiative includes Essay Writing, Painting, and Slogan/Signature competitions, aimed at fostering patriotism, creativity, and civic engagement among youth nationwide.
- Prize money has been announced for top performers, and selected participants will get an opportunity to attend and take part in the Republic Day Celebrations–2026 Parade.
Union Government Approves ₹887 Crore Plan for World-Class Mumbai Marina to Boost Coastal Shipping & Maritime Tourism
- The Union Government has approved the development of a world-class Mumbai Marina at an estimated cost of ₹887 crore, aiming to boost coastal shipping, maritime tourism, and waterfront-led urban development.
- Named ‘Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina’, the project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for global-standard tourism destinations and strengthening India’s maritime economy, cleared by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- The Mumbai Port Authority will invest ₹470 crore to construct core marina infrastructure on an EPC basis, while a private operator will develop onshore facilities with ₹417 crore investment; tenders close on 29 December 2025.
- Spread over 12 hectares of water area, the marina will berth 424 yachts up to 30 metres, and aligns with national frameworks such as Maritime India Vision 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Sagarmala Programme, Cruise Bharat Mission, and Mumbai Port Master Plan 2047.
India Post Launches Karnataka’s First Gen Z-Themed Post Office at Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
- India Post unveiled Karnataka’s first Gen Z-themed post office at Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, aimed at engaging the younger generation and reimagining the role of post offices in the digital age.
- The post office includes colourful interiors, full Wi-Fi, selfie points, student-designed decor, reading areas, cafe-style seating, wellness spaces, and a physiotherapy lab, making it a social and functional hub for students.
- The initiative reflects India Post’s transition from traditional services like letters and money orders to digital banking, logistics, and e-commerce, showcasing its nationwide transformation to align with modern business models and youth engagement.
International News
Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Inaugurated in New Delhi
- The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine was inaugurated at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, with the theme “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,” jointly organised by the WHO and the Ministry of AYUSH, and held from 17–19 December 2025.
- Union Health Minister JP Nadda and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the growing role of traditional medicine in global healthcare, with discussions on integration into national health systems, safety and quality standards, biodiversity conservation, and evidence-based research.
- The summit showcased India’s leadership in traditional medicine, including the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre at Jamnagar, ICD-11 Module 2, international collaborations, and research initiatives, reinforcing a global commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and balanced health systems.
Banking & Financial News
Finance Ministry Unveils New Unified Logo for Regional Rural Banks
- The Finance Ministry unveiled a new common logo for all 28 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to create a single and unified brand identity, strengthening their visibility and recognition nationwide.
- Under the principle of ‘One State One RRB’, 26 RRBs across 11 states/UTs were consolidated effective May 1, 2025, aiming to build stronger and more efficient rural banking institutions.
- The colours of the logo convey the mission of RRBs—dark blue represents finance and trust, while green signifies life and growth, reflecting their commitment to serve rural India.
- The branding initiative is part of the government’s effort to modernise RRBs, enhance their identity, and promote financial inclusion and rural development through a distinct and easily recognisable brand.
IRDAI Fines Care Health Insurance ₹1 Crore for Claims Settlement and Governance Lapses
- IRDAI imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Care Health Insurance Ltd for serious lapses in claims settlement, violating policyholder protection norms and corporate governance standards.
- The action followed a remote inspection, which uncovered failures in grievance redressal mechanisms, handling of unclaimed amounts, and deficiencies in reinsurance accounting practices.
- IRDAI also issued multiple warnings and advisories to the insurer for lapses in cybersecurity and overall compliance, reinforcing the need for stronger internal controls.
About Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
- Established- In the year 1999 under the IRDA Act, 1999
- Headquarters- Hyderabad, Telangana
- Type- Statutory body under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India
- Chairman – Ajay Seth
RBI Imposes Six-Month Restrictions on Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank, Caps Withdrawals at ₹35,000
- RBI imposed operational restrictions on The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank due to its deteriorating financial position, including a cap of ₹35,000 on customer withdrawals.
- The restrictions, issued as ‘Directions’, took effect from the close of business and will remain in force for a period of six months.
- Without prior RBI approval, the bank cannot grant or renew loans, make investments, incur liabilities, or disburse payments during the restriction period.
SBI to Sign €150 Million Credit Line with KfW for Climate-Friendly Energy Projects
- SBI will sign a €150 million credit line with KfW, Germany’s development bank, in Frankfurt to finance climate-friendly energy generation projects.
- The facility, structured as Phase-2 of the SBI–KfW arrangement, will see SBI act as the lending intermediary for eligible projects aligned with climate and sustainability goals.
- The funds are intended for renewable and low-emission energy projects, supporting India’s climate objectives through long-term development financing.
About State Bank of India (SBI)
- Founded – 1 July 1955
- Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Chairman – Challa Sreenivasulu Setty; 27th (replace Dinesh Kumar Khara)
- Managing Director – (4) Ashwini Kumar Tewari Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Rama Mohan Rao Amara, Ravi Ranjan.
Amazon Pay Launches UPI Biometric Authentication for Faster, PIN-Free Transactions
- Amazon Pay introduces UPI Biometric Authentication, allowing users to approve UPI transactions using fingerprint or face recognition without entering a PIN.
- The feature covers transactions up to ₹5,000 across Amazon Pay UPI services, including peer-to-peer transfers, merchant payments, in-store QR payments, and balance checks.
- Biometric authentication is linked to the user’s device, ensuring added security as biometric data cannot be shared, while simplifying and speeding up payments.
- Early adoption shows strong acceptance, with over 90% of users opting for biometric verification, currently available for Android devices, aiming to make digital payments faster and more convenient.
Awards
NCSM Wins Two PRSI National Awards 2025 for Har Ghar Museum and Waste to Art Initiatives
- The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), under the Ministry of Culture, was conferred with two prestigious PRSI National Awards 2025 by the Public Relations Society of India.
- NCSM won the Best Use of Social Media in a Corporate Campaign award for the Har Ghar Museum initiative and the Special/Prestige Publication award for its “Waste to Art” publication.
- The publication highlights how nearly 1,250 kg of waste was creatively transformed into educational art installations across NCSM units, promoting sustainability and circular economy principles under Swachhata Hi Sewa.
- The awards were presented at the 47th All India Public Relations Conference held in Dehradun and were received on behalf of NCSM by Shri Rajib Nath and Shri Satyajit N. Singh.
Air India Retains Best Domestic Airline Title at Travel + Leisure Awards 2025
- Air India has been named Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s Best Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year, based on reader votes reflecting passenger feedback.
- The award highlights Air India’s focus on comfort, service quality, and consistency, and acknowledges the efforts of frontline staff delivering services across airports and onboard flights.
- In 2026, Air India is set to receive six new widebody aircraft (B787-9 and A350-1000), with plans for 96% of narrowbody fleet and nearly 60% of widebody fleet to be new or upgraded by the end of 2026.
- Customer-Centric Improvements: The airline continues to focus on gradual operational enhancements as part of its long-term strategy to strengthen customer experience and overall service quality.
Defence
Indian Army Departs for India–UAE Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II in Abu Dhabi
- An Indian Army contingent has departed for the India–UAE Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II, to be held at Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 18 to 30 December 2025.
- The Indian contingent consists of 45 personnel mainly from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, while the UAE Land Forces are represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion with similar strength.
- The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and defence cooperation through joint training in urban warfare and sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate, including peacekeeping and counter-terrorism roles.
Obituary
Pulitzer Prize–Winning War Correspondent Peter Arnett Dies at 91
- Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Peter Arnett passed away at the age of 91, renowned for his frontline war reporting from Vietnam to the Gulf War that brought eyewitness accounts to the world.
- He won the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for his Vietnam War coverage with The Associated Press, where he worked as a correspondent from 1962 to 1975.
- Arnett died on December 17, 2025, in Newport Beach, after battling prostate cancer, surrounded by his family and friends.
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