Current Affairs Quiz – December 2025

Notes:
Researchers have recently discovered three previously unknown moth species in the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. The newly identified species are Gelechia bilobuncusa, Gelechia adi, and Istrianis ladakhensis. Gelechia bilobuncusa was found in Himachal Pradesh and is named after the bilobed shape of its uncus, a part of the male genitalia. Gelechia adi was discovered in the Ramsing area of Arunachal Pradesh and is named in honour of the local Adi tribe of the Upper Siang district. Istrianis ladakhensis is named after its type locality in Ladakh and is adapted to the high-altitude environment.

Notes:
World Meditation Day is celebrated annually on 21 December. The day promotes awareness of the importance and benefits of meditation and encourages people to practice it. Meditation helps relax the mind, align body and soul, and brings balance, improving mental and physical health. In December 2024, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially declared 21 December as World Meditation Day through a unanimously adopted resolution.

Notes:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved emergency funding of 206 million United States Dollars (USD) for Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. The support is given under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). The Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) is a fast-acting financial aid program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It provides quick financial help to IMF member countries facing urgent balance of payments problems. It operates under the General Resources Account (GRA) of the IMF. The Regular Window supports crises from instability or external shocks, allowing up to 50 percent of quota yearly.

Notes:
The Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, released the book Sanatan Sanskriti Ki Atal Drishti by Shri Vasudev Devnani, Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, at the Vice-President’s Enclave, New Delhi. The book is a tribute to former Prime Minister Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his centenary birth anniversary. The Vice-President praised Vajpayee as an institution whose life embodied principles, values, and visionary leadership.

Notes:
Gujarat’s Dahod district implements the UNICEF-supported Pa Pa Pagli initiative in Anganwadi centres for children aged 3–6 years. Pa Pa Pagli (First Steps of the Child) is a play-based pre-school education programme by the Gujarat Women and Child Development Department. It targets children in educationally backward districts to improve learning outcomes and confidence. It focuses on life-skills like social interaction, communication, hygiene, and routine habits. It transforms Anganwadis from nutrition and health centres to early cognitive development hubs. It uses digital and visual aids, with UNICEF India providing technical support.

Notes:
India recently tested the K-4 missile, an intermediate-range, nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal. K-4 is 12 metres long, weighs 17 tonnes, and uses a two-stage solid-fuel system. It has a range of 3,500 km, a significant upgrade over the older K-15 missile (range 750 km). Each Arihant-class submarine can carry four K-4 missiles. It can carry a payload of up to 2 tonnes, including a nuclear warhead. It is developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Notes:
The 150th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan was inaugurated at Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar, Punjab. It is India’s oldest Hindustani classical music festival, organised with North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, under the Union Ministry of Culture, and supported by the Punjab government. The 3-day festival (26–28 December) is dedicated to the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Pt Chhannu Lal Mishra, Banaras Gharana vocalist.

Notes:
On December 26, 2025, Israel became the first country to formally recognise the self-declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for immediate cooperation with Somaliland in agriculture, health, technology, and economic sectors. Somaliland is located in the Horn of Africa and shares borders with Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Puntland region, with a strategic coastline along the Gulf of Aden. Its capital city is Hargeisa.

Notes:
Varanasi will host the 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship from January 4 to 11, 2026. The championship will be held under the Khelo India initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will be the first national-level volleyball event of this scale to be organised in the Purvanchal region. Two mascots reflecting local culture have been chosen, namely ‘Nandu’ inspired by Nandi and ‘Neera’ representing the Ganga Dolphin. A total of 73 teams from across India will participate, with more than 1,000 players competing in the tournament.

Notes:
Recently, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH informed about the Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Cooperation for AYUSH. AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa, and Homeopathy. The scheme supports Indian AYUSH drug manufacturers and service providers to boost exports. It aims to increase global awareness, acceptance, and recognition of AYUSH systems. It promotes international cooperation, expert exchange, academics, and research. The scheme is implemented by Ministry of AYUSH.