Current Affairs Quiz – December 2025

Notes:
The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will prepare a district-wise report on hills qualifying as part of the Aravalli Range for mining purposes. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is the apex national body for forestry research and education in India. It is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Government of India. Its mission is to generate and share scientific knowledge for ecological security, livelihoods, and sustainable forest use. The headquarters of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

Notes:
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) warned about a new cyber threat targeting WhatsApp users called GhostPairing. GhostPairing is a hacking technique where attackers secretly link their device to a victim’s WhatsApp account. It allows near-complete access without passwords, SIM swap, or user awareness. Hackers gain control by tricking users into entering WhatsApp pairing codes. The attack starts with a message from a trusted contact saying, “Hi, check this photo.” The message contains a link with a Facebook-style preview. The link opens a fake Facebook viewer asking users to verify to see the content. Victims are prompted to enter their phone number and code. This process unknowingly gives attackers full control of the WhatsApp account.

Notes:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has invited industry leaders to join the PM-SETU (Prime Minister Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme. PM-SETU is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved in May 2025 with a ₹60,000 crore budget and launched on 4 October 2025. It aims to upgrade 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) using a “hub-and-spoke” model, with 200 hub ITIs supporting four spoke ITIs each. Five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana will be upgraded into global Centres of Excellence. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is the nodal ministry for the PM-SETU scheme.

Notes:
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 using its heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh on December 24, 2025. The satellite was placed into its intended orbit after a 15-minute flight, marking India’s first launch of the heaviest commercial satellite from its soil. BlueBird Block-2 is part of a global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation to provide direct-to-mobile 4G and 5G connectivity, including voice, video, messaging, streaming, and data. The mission was conducted under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Notes:
India will soon have over 100 tsunami-ready villages under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the Indian Ocean region. It is an international community-based programme developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The programme aims to build resilient coastal communities through tsunami awareness and preparedness. Its main objective is to reduce loss of life, livelihoods, and property during tsunamis. Communities must meet 12 indicators covering risk assessment, preparedness, and response. Tsunami-ready villages show hazard mapping, evacuation plans, public display boards, 24-hour warning systems, and regular mock drills.

Notes:
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Anti-Terrorism Conference-2025 in New Delhi, organized by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The two-day conference includes senior police officers from States/UTs, central agencies, and experts in law, forensics, and technology. The conference analyzes terrorist incidents in India and worldwide to enhance counter-terrorism capabilities, anticipating emerging threats and technology-driven terrorism.

Notes:
TasteAtlas World Food Awards 2025–26 ranked the top 10 best food cities globally out of 18,828 cities, based on average ratings of regional and national dishes. European cities dominate the list, occupying 8 of the top 10 positions. Italy leads overwhelmingly, with six Italian cities in the top 10, and Italian cuisine ranked the world’s best in 2025–26. Mumbai, India, ranked 5th globally, making it the only Indian city in the top 10, celebrated for its iconic street food such as vada pav, pav bhaji, and bhelpuri. Other Indian cities in the top 100 include Delhi (48), Amritsar (53), Hyderabad (54), Kolkata (73), and Chennai (93).

Notes:
Two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion PV Sindhu has been elected Chair of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Athletes’ Commission for the 2026–2029 term. As Chair, she will also serve as a member of the Badminton World Federation Council, giving players a direct voice in global badminton governance. Greysia Polii, a Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist, served on the Athletes’ Commission from 2021 to 2025 and retired in 2022. PV Sindhu will lead India at the 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao, China.

Notes:
The Government has declared the Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone. The initiative aims to develop the sanctuary as a responsible ecotourism destination and strengthen biodiversity. The sanctuary is located in Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh. The sanctuary covers 1,084 hectares and includes two lakes, Parvati and Arga, situated about 1.5 km apart.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard conducted the Regional Level Pollution Response Exercise 2025 (RPREX-2025) in Mumbai. The exercise focused on tackling oil pollution at sea. A mock scenario involved a Motor Tanker sending a distress call after a collision with a fishing boat. The collision caused a hole in the tanker and heavy crude oil spillage into the sea. A specialised Indian Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessel and two other ships were deployed. Ships operated in full pollution response configuration. The exercise tested coordination and readiness of all stakeholders. It was conducted as per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.