Current Affairs Quiz – December 2025

Notes:
The Jal Shakti Ministry reported receiving 17,036 complaints of financial irregularities and poor-quality works under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) over the last three years and the current year. Uttar Pradesh accounted for 14,264 complaints (84%), the highest among all States. Actions have been taken against 621 departmental officials, 969 contractors, and 153 Third-Party Inspection Agencies (TPIAs) nationwide. Other States reporting complaints include Assam (1,236), Tripura (376), Rajasthan (183), Maharashtra (154), Karnataka (169), and West Bengal (173); some States reported none. States are responsible for inquiry and corrective action, with actions already reported in several cases. The JJM, launched in 2019, aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households.

Notes:
The number of child marriages of girls below 18 years has continued to rise in Madhya Pradesh, despite government efforts and awareness campaigns. The total cases increased from 366 in 2020 to 538 in 2025, marking a 47% rise over five years. Damoh district in the Bundelkhand region recorded 115 child marriages in 2025, the highest in the state and 21% of the total. Other districts reporting significant cases include Rajgarh (44), Chhatarpur (35), Guna (28), Sagar and Dewas (24 each), and Narsinghpur (23). 2025 is the first year in five years that any district has recorded more than 100 child marriages.

Notes:
A recent study found that the shingles vaccine can reduce the risk of death from dementia. Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful skin rash. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus responsible for chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus stays dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate when immunity becomes weak. Shingles usually appears as a painful stripe of blisters on one side of the body, face, or neck. It is not directly contagious but can spread chickenpox to unvaccinated people. It mainly affects people over 50 years or those with weak immune systems. The Shingrix vaccine helps prevent shingles and its complications.

Notes:
India hosted the 20th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from 8–13 December 2025 in New Delhi. Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) includes traditions, practices, knowledge, skills, expressions, objects and cultural spaces that communities consider part of their identity. UNESCO adopted the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH on 17 October 2003 at its 32nd General Conference in Paris. The Convention created formal systems for international cooperation, recognition, and support, and led to the creation of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Lists.

Notes:
Maharashtra Government launched the Mahadeva Football Initiative (Project Mahadeva) to train 60 rural and remote young football players with world-class facilities. Programme targets Under-13 (U-13) boys and girls to create a strong long-term football development pathway. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Maharashtra Institute for Transformation (MITRA), Western India Football Association (WIFA) and Village Social Transformation Foundation (VSTF). The initiative is supported by Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis and announced by Sports Minister Manikrao Kokate.

Notes:
Human Rights Day is celebrated annually on 10 December. The day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948 by the United Nations (UN). It aims to promote awareness and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people, regardless of race, gender, religion, or nationality. Human Rights Day emphasizes the importance of dignity, equality, and justice in societies worldwide. Each year, the UN highlights a specific theme or focus to address current human rights challenges and encourage global action.

Notes:
India and Israel launched a significant new agricultural partnership by creating a joint venture to manufacture and commercialise Indian pheromone-based crop protection technologies for global markets. The announcement was made at the valedictory session of the First International Science & Technology Clusters Conference in New Delhi. ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd. (India) and Luxembourg Industries Ltd. (Israel) exchanged licensing agreements to establish Semiophore Ltd., a 50–50 Indo-Israeli joint venture. This marks the first time Indian semiochemical technology is being out-licensed and manufactured in Israel, representing a milestone for both countries.

Notes:
The 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA 2025) has begun in Bangkok and Chonburi province, Thailand, with the Opening Ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium. Thailand is hosting over 13,000 athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations: Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Brunei Darussalam, and Timor-Leste. Athletes will compete in 50 medal sports, including Olympic disciplines as well as traditional regional sports. The event highlights regional sporting excellence, cultural exchange, and collaboration among Southeast Asian countries.

Notes:
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a clandestine Mephedrone manufacturing facility in Wardha, Maharashtra during Operation Hinterland Brew. The operation led to the seizure of 128 kg of Mephedrone, valued at approximately ₹192 crore, along with 245 kg of precursor chemicals, raw materials, and a complete processing setup. With this operation, the DRI has dismantled five clandestine drug manufacturing facilities in 2025, highlighting its intelligence-driven vigilance, operational excellence, and commitment to the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan. The operation reinforces efforts to protect citizens from narcotic and psychotropic substances and strengthen law enforcement against illicit drug networks.

Notes:
Aditya-L1, India’s first solar observatory, helped scientists understand why the May 2024 solar storm — the strongest in 20+ years — behaved unusually. A solar storm is a sudden burst of particles, energy, magnetic fields, and solar material ejected by the Sun. It is caused when the Sun’s twisted magnetic fields become overstretched and snap in a magnetic reconnection, releasing huge energy. Solar storms can produce a solar flare, radiation storm, or a coronal mass ejection (CME).