WEEKLY CURRENT AFFAIRS
December 29, 2024 - January 3, 2025
Your Trusted Partner in Competitive Exam Preparation
SSC CGL/CHSL/MTS
Banking PO/Clerk
UPSC Civil Services
Railway Exams
State PSC
Defence Exams
HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENT: INDIA BECOMES 4TH LARGEST ECONOMY
India officially overtakes Japan with nominal GDP crossing USD 4 trillion, driven by robust domestic consumption, government capital expenditure, and structural reforms including GST, IBC, Digital India, and PLI schemes.
Standards & Regulations
IS 19412:2025 for Incense Sticks
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi released India's first dedicated standard for agarbatti on December 24, 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, prohibiting insecticidal chemicals and synthetic fragrances to enhance consumer safety.
IS 19445:2025 for Bomb Disposal
BIS notified India's first dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems in December 2025, covering bomb blankets, baskets, and inhibitors, developed at the request of MHA and TBRL (DRDO).
IS 19262:2025 for Electric Tractors
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi unveiled Indian Standard for Electric Agricultural Tractors on December 24, 2025, setting uniform testing procedures for safety, reliability, and performance.
Economic & Trade Measures
Anti-Dumping Duty on Chinese Products
GoI imposed five-year anti-dumping duty on refrigerant gas R-134a and cold-rolled non-oriented electrical steel from China, with duties ranging from USD 223.82 to USD 5,251 per tonne.
Zero-Duty on Australian Imports
Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced 100% Australian tariff lines will be zero-duty for Indian exports from January 1, 2026, marking third anniversary of India-Australia ECTA.
Safeguard Duty on Steel
GoI imposed final safeguard duty on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products imports at 12% (2025-26), 11.5% (2026-27), and 11% (2027-28).
Sin Goods Tax Revision
MoF notified revised tax framework for tobacco and pan masala, introducing additional excise duty and health cess replacing GST Compensation Cess from February 1, 2026.
Centre's Fiscal Deficit
Fiscal deficit crossed 62% of the annual target in FY26.
Defence & Security
DAC Approvals Worth ₹79,000 Crore
Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore for IA, IN, and IAF under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category in December 2025.
Defence Procurement Contracts
MoD signed two contracts worth ₹4,666 crore for CQB Carbines (₹2,770 crore) and Heavy Weight Torpedoes (₹1,896 crore) in December 2025.
Kavach 4.0 Commissioning
Western Railways commissioned indigenous Kavach 4.0 on 96 km Bajwa-Ahmedabad section covering 17 stations in Gujarat, with Sankalp Fast as first Kavach-enabled train.
Rakesh Aggarwal Appointed as Interim NIA Chief
Rakesh Aggarwal receives additional charge as Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA), ensuring leadership continuity amid increasing focus on terror financing and cross-border threats.
Infrastructure & Development
Shipbuilding Initiatives Guidelines
MoPSW notified operational guidelines for SBFAS (₹24,736 crore) and SbDS (₹19,989 crore) with total budget of ₹44,700 crore, valid until March 31, 2036.
Batadrava Than Redevelopment
Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated redeveloped Batadrava Than in Nagaon, Assam on December 29, 2025, completed at ₹222 crore under Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva Abhirbhav Kshetra project.
Vande Bharat Sleeper Train
Approved after trials, ushering in high-speed overnight rail travel. Its first route Guwahati–Kolkata, with 180 kmph speed, modern amenities, and KAVACH safety system, boosts Make in India.
Cabinet Clears 6-Lane Nashik–Solapur–Akkalkot Greenfield Corridor
Union Cabinet approved a 6-lane greenfield corridor to boost Maharashtra connectivity.
National Test House and NHAI Sign Quality Enhancement MoU
National Test House (NTH) and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) sign MoU to enhance highway construction quality through scientific testing of materials.
Digital & Technology
NFAP-2025 Release
DoT released National Frequency Allocation Plan 2025, effective December 30, 2025, covering 8.3 kHz to 3000 GHz frequency range with enhanced support for 5G, 6G, and satellite services.
IAIRO Approval in Gujarat
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel approved establishment of Indian AI Research Organization at GIFT City with ₹300 crore five-year budget, operational from January 1, 2026.
Land Stack Pilot Launch
Union MoS Pemmasani launched Land Stack portal pilot in Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu, integrating property and land information on GIS-based platform under DILRMP.
Integrated e-Bill System
Union Minister J.P. Nadda launched Integrated e-Bill system on January 1, 2026, to digitally process fertilizer subsidies worth ₹2 lakh crore.
National AI Research Organization
Government of India establishes national-level AI Research Organization in GIFT City, Gandhinagar to focus on AI research, innovation, policy formulation, and ethical AI development.
Environment & Conservation
Parvati-Arga ESZ Declaration
GoI declared Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary in Gonda District, UP (1,084 hectares, Ramsar-listed) as Eco-Sensitive Zone to promote biodiversity conservation.
NMCG Project Approval
NMCG's 68th EC meeting approved dedicated project to protect sandbar-nesting birds including Endangered Indian Skimmer in Ganga Basin under Namami Gange Mission-II.
Aravalli Hills Case Paused
Supreme Court paused an order related to Aravalli Hills and sought fresh environmental expert review concerning ecological degradation of one of the world's oldest mountain ranges.
India Recorded 166 Tiger Deaths in 2025
According to NTCA, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest deaths due to territorial conflicts, habitat pressure, and space crunch, with some cases of poaching.
Green Panel Approves Dulhasti Stage-II Hydel Project
The environmental committee cleared the Dulhasti Stage-II Hydel Power Project on Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir, boosting renewable energy generation.
Health & Education
e-Swasthya Samvad Platform
Rajasthan Government launched digital communication platform for medical education governance, conducted twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays) in two phases.
SOAR Programme Launch
President Droupadi Murmu launched SOAR initiatives including #SkillTheNation Challenge and IGNOU centre at Rairangpur, Odisha on January 1, 2026.
Ayushman Bharat Expands Digital Healthcare Coverage
The scheme expanded in 2024 with emphasis on digital health records and telemedicine, covering over 50 crore beneficiaries nationwide through integration with ABDM.
ESIC SPREE Extension
ESIC extended SPREE 2025 registration deadline till January 31, 2026, allowing voluntary registration without past liabilities under ESI Act, 1948.
NITI Aayog Recognizes Gujarat Biotechnology University
NITI Aayog report highlights Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) as model institution for industry-integrated and research-driven education, supporting NEP 2020 goals.
Governance & Schemes
MoSPI New Identity
MoSPI unveiled new logo with theme "Data for Development" and mascot "Sankhyiki" on January 1, 2026, to modernize institutional identity and enhance public outreach.
Mann Ki Baat 129th Episode Concludes 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation in the final Mann Ki Baat broadcast of 2024, emphasizing youth participation, innovation, sports achievements, and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Passport Declared Fundamental Right
Supreme Court ruled that the right to passport is part of personal liberty under Article 21, declaring arbitrary passport denials unconstitutional.
8th Pay Commission Implementation Expected
Discussions underway for implementing 8th Pay Commission from January 1, 2026, which will revise salary, allowances, and pensions benefiting over 1 crore central government employees.
India Post Service Discontinuation
India Post discontinued certain outward international letter mail services from January 1, 2026, including Registered Small Packet and Surface/SAL Letter Mail.
Economy & Finance
Industrial Production Hits 25-Month Peak
India's Index of Industrial Production grew 6.7% in November 2025, marking the highest growth rate in over two years driven by manufacturing and electricity sectors.
Banking NPAs at Multi-Decade Low
India's gross non-performing assets dropped to 2.1%, a multi-decade low, reflecting improved asset quality and strengthened banking reforms according to RBI data.
India Records Historic 5.5 Lakh Trademark Registrations
India achieves highest-ever trademark registrations in FY 2024-25 with over 5.5 lakh registrations, reflecting increased entrepreneurship and startup activity.
India Grants New GI Tags to Regional Products
Several traditional products including handicrafts, textiles, and agricultural items received Geographical Indication tags in 2024, protecting regional identity and increasing exports.
Important Events
VijAIpatha Labs Launch
Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched Cyient AI Labs in government schools at Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka, with ₹1 crore three-year pilot budget.
Prime Minister Inaugurates International Exhibition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the international exhibition "The Light and the Lotus" showcasing Sacred Piprahwa Relics of Bhagwan Buddha in New Delhi.