IMPORTANT DAYS
Goa Liberation Day 2025
• Goa Liberation Day is commemorated every year on 19 December across the state.
• The day marks the successful execution of ‘Operation Vijay’ by Indian armed forces.
• Operation Vijay was launched to end Portuguese colonial rule over Goa.
• Goa had remained under Portuguese control since 1510, making it one of the longest-held colonies.
• The Indian military began the operation on 18 December 1961.
• Within 36 hours, Indian forces regained control, leading to Goa’s liberation on 19 December 1961.
• The surrender was formalised when Portuguese Governor Manuel António Vassalo e Silva signed the instrument of surrender.
• Goa later attained full statehood as India’s 25th state on 30 May 1987.
LEGAL NEWS
SHANTI Bill 2025: Strengthening India’s Nuclear Sector
• The SHANTI Bill 2025 has received final approval in Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha passing it on 18 December.
• The legislation grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), enhancing regulatory oversight in nuclear energy.
• It consolidates the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, aligning India’s nuclear framework with global best practices.
• The Bill supports advanced nuclear technologies, including Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Bharat Small Reactors, emphasizing safer and flexible clean energy.
• Key safety measures include “safety first, production next”, regular AERB inspections, five-year licence renewals, and compliance with IAEA standards; radiation levels remain below global limits.
• Government control is maintained over uranium mining beyond thresholds, spent fuel, fissile material, and heavy water management, while graded liability caps encourage private investment.
• The Bill expands nuclear damage provisions, including environmental harm, ensures victim compensation, and establishes an Atomic Energy Redressal Commission for faster dispute resolution.
• The legislation applies only to civilian nuclear energy, supporting India’s target to grow from 9 GW to 22 GW by 2032, and eventually reach 100 GW by 2047.
APPOINTMENTS
José Antonio Kast Elected President of Chile
• Far-right leader José Antonio Kast has won Chile’s presidential election with a clear majority of over 58%, defeating left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara.
• He will take office on 11 March 2026, marking a major political transition in the country.
• Kast’s win represents Chile’s most significant shift to the right since the end of military rule in 1990.
• The election campaign largely revolved around crime control, internal security, and immigration concerns.
• Kast projected Chile as facing rising disorder and promised strict measures against crime and irregular migration.
• His economic agenda includes cuts in public spending and market-oriented reforms.
• Kast is known for his admiration of former dictator Augusto Pinochet and for aligning with Trump-style right-wing politics, making his victory controversial.
• This was Chile’s first presidential election with compulsory voting, held as outgoing President Gabriel Boric did not contest, in a South American nation whose capital is Santiago and currency is the Chilean peso.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Singapore Changi Airport Named Best International Airport 2025
• Singapore Changi Airport has been voted the best international airport for 2025 at India’s Best Awards, organised by Travel+Leisure.
• The awards were part of the 14th edition of India’s Best Awards, recognising excellence in travel, hospitality, and related sectors through global online reader voting.
• Changi topped rankings for overall travel experience, comfort, and facilities, reflecting strong traveller preference worldwide.
• The airport is celebrated for its sky-lit terminals, indoor gardens, and open architectural design, providing a calm and spacious environment.
• Signature attractions include the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, butterfly gardens, and curated art installations, enhancing passenger leisure during layovers.
• Extensive dining, shopping, transit hotels, sleeping pods, and rest areas cater to long-haul travellers, combining convenience with comfort.
• Efficient security, clear terminal layouts, and smooth passenger flow help reduce waiting times and improve the travel experience.
• Changi Airport is often described as a destination in itself, setting global benchmarks in operational efficiency, design, and innovation.
STATE NEWS
First Gen Z Post Office Launched at AIIMS Vijaypur, J&K
• AIIMS Vijaypur inaugurated India’s first Gen Z Post Office on 17 December 2025, marking a milestone in postal modernisation in Jammu & Kashmir.
• The launch event was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, CEO of AIIMS Vijaypur, and senior postal officials including Chief Postmaster General D. S. V. R. Murthy.
• The initiative is part of the Department of Posts’ broader effort to transform traditional campus post offices into technology-driven, youth-oriented service centres.
• The Gen Z Post Office is designed to cater specifically to Generation Z users, offering a modern, student-friendly environment.
• Services include digital payments, simplified service delivery, and integrated access to postal, banking, and insurance products.
• The facility aims to promote awareness of India Post Savings Schemes and India Post Payments Bank services among students, staff, and healthcare professionals.
• The launch reflects a focus on customer-centric, technology-enabled solutions, aligning postal services with the expectations of younger citizens.
• A special postal cancellation was issued to mark the inauguration, highlighting the significance of the event in the postal modernisation drive.
DEFENCE
India-UAE Joint Military Exercise Desert Cyclone-II
• The Desert Cyclone-II joint military exercise between India and the UAE began on 18 December in Abu Dhabi.
• The exercise is scheduled to run from 18 to 30 December 2025.
• India deployed 45 personnel, primarily from a battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
• The UAE Land Forces are represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion of comparable strength.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and operational coordination between the two armies.
• Training focuses on urban operations, built-up areas, heliborne missions, and urban combat drills.
• Both forces are practising the integration of unmanned and counter-unmanned aircraft systems.
• Desert Cyclone-II underscores the strengthening of India-UAE strategic ties, military diplomacy, and commitment to regional peace and security.
SPORTS
Cameron Green Becomes Most Expensive Overseas Player in IPL History
• Cameron Green was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹25.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi.
• This purchase made him the most expensive overseas player in IPL history.
• The previous overseas record was held by Mitchell Starc, sold for ₹24.75 crore in the IPL 2024 auction.
• Green is the third most expensive player overall, after Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
• He entered the auction with a base price of ₹2 crore, triggering a fierce bidding war.
• According to IPL rules, Green will receive ₹18 crore, with ₹7.20 crore allocated to player welfare.
• In IPL 2024, Green played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, scoring 255 runs and taking 10 wickets.
• His acquisition highlights the growing demand for top overseas all-rounders in the IPL.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES
Sujal Gram Samvad 2025: Strengthening Centre–Village Dialogue
• The second edition of Sujal Gram Samvad was organised by the Ministry of Jal Shakti on 19 December in New Delhi.
• It serves as a direct communication forum linking the Central Government with rural communities.
• The initiative is unique in nature, being the first platform of its kind for structured village-level dialogue.
• A multilingual format enables interaction in regional and local languages.
• The programme aims to bridge the gap between policy formulation and grassroots realities.
• This edition specifically focuses on eight states: Assam, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
• The event is supported by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, which coordinates its execution.
• Trained officials and consultants fluent in local dialects were deployed to ensure clear and effective communication.
