General Awareness

Daily G.K. - Top Stories

26 Dec 2025

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India to Assume Kimberley Process Chair from January 1, 2026 (Third Time)

India has been selected to assume the chairmanship of the Kimberley Process (KP) from 1 January 2026, marking the third time the country will lead the UN-backed initiative to curb conflict diamond trade. The decision was taken at the Kimberley Process Plenary, which unites governments, the diamond industry, and civil society to ensure diamonds are not used to fund conflict. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) began in 2003 and now comprises 60 participants, with the EU counted as a single participant and accounting for over 99 percent of global rough diamond trade. India’s leadership is expected to push governance, certification integrity, and transparency in the diamond supply chain.

India to chair Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026 (third time)
KP Plenary includes governments, diamond industry, and civil society
KPCS started on 1 January 2003 and includes 60 participants
EU participates as a single participant, covering over 99% of trade
Focus on governance, certification integrity, and traceability

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ENVIRONMENT

Centre Bans New Mining Leases Across Aravalli Range

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has imposed a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the Aravalli range, spanning from Delhi to Gujarat. The decision aims to curb illegal and unregulated mining and protect an ecologically fragile mountain system. The Aravalli range supports groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and desertification prevention in the region, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Decades of mining have caused ecological degradation, prompting judicial and administrative interventions. The ban targets new leases; existing operations will be evaluated under separate policy directions. Environmental groups welcomed the move as a significant step toward conservation and sustainable land-use planning.

Complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli range (Delhi to Gujarat)
Aims to curb illegal mining and protect ecology
Aravalli supports groundwater recharge and biodiversity
Decades of mining caused ecological degradation; policy responses followed
Existing operations subject to separate policy directives

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BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

RBI Grants Final Payment Aggregator Licence to Mswipe Technologies

Reserve Bank of India has granted the final Payment Aggregator licence to Mswipe Technologies Pvt. Ltd., enabling the Mumbai-based fintech to operate as a fully regulated payment aggregator across both online and offline channels. The licence allows direct onboarding of merchants and the aggregation of multiple customer payment instruments under a single regulatory framework, simplifying onboarding and settlement. It also permits inward and outward cross-border transactions, subject to RBI rules and compliance standards. Mswipe’s ecosystem already includes online payment gateways and in-store tools such as point-of-sale terminals and QR-based acceptance. The licence strengthens the company’s compliance framework and expands cross-channel payment capabilities for merchants nationwide.

RBI grants final Payment Aggregator licence to Mswipe Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
License enables cross-channel processing for online and offline payments
Direct merchant onboarding and consolidation of payment instruments under one framework
Permits inward and outward cross-border transactions under RBI oversight
Integrates online gateways with in-store POS and QR-based solutions

Axis Bank Unveils Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs

Axis Bank has launched Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The release states unsecured loans ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, designed to bolster daily cash flow for small businesses across the country. The product is digitally enabled to expedite onboarding with minimal collateral requirements, targeting merchants such as retail shops that need ready working capital. Repayment is aligned with daily business cash flows, enabling quicker disbursement than traditional term loans. The launch broadens Axis Bank’s SME financing portfolio and offers a streamlined alternative to traditional credit lines for daily operations.

Axis Bank launches Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs
Unsecured loans from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 20 lakh
Digital onboarding with minimal collateral
Designed to support daily cash flow for small businesses
Repayment linked to daily sales; faster disbursement than term loans

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SPORTS

Deepti Sharma Tops ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has topped the ICC Women’s Twenty20 International Bowling Rankings for the first time in her career, with the ranking released on 23 December 2025. Sharma’s performance, including a 1/20 in the opening T20I against Sri Lanka, helped her overtake Australia’s Annabel Sutherland by one rating point, raising her to 737 ranking points in bowling. This rise comes ahead of cricket’s Olympic discourse and highlights India’s growing strength in women’s cricket. The ranking underscores Sharma’s consistency in the shortest format and adds momentum for India’s ongoing home series schedule.

Deepti Sharma tops ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings (first time)
Ranking released on 23 December 2025; 737 points
Overtook Annabel Sutherland by one point
Performance includes 1/20 in opening T20I vs Sri Lanka
Signals strength of Indian women’s cricket ahead of LA 2028 Olympics

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Sets List A Century Record in 14-year-old Feat

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, aged 14 years and 272 days, became the youngest male cricketer to score a List A century. Playing for Bihar against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi, on 24 December 2025, he struck 190 off 84 balls. The performance broke Zahoor Elahi’s long-standing record and highlighted the emergence of a precocious talent in Indian domestic cricket. The innings showcased aggressive stroke play and rapid scoring, drawing attention from selectors and cricket fans alike as the season progresses.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi scores List A century at 14y 272d
Scored 190 off 84 balls for Bihar vs Arunachal Pradesh (24 Dec 2025)
Youngest male List A century; breaks Zahoor Elahi’s record
Part of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Marks a rising talent in Indian domestic cricket

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Saleem Ahmad Appointed RVNL Chairman and Managing Director

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) announced a leadership change with Saleem Ahmad taking over as Chairman and Managing Director. He succeeds Sukhmal Chand Jain, who stepped down in December 2025. Ahmad holds a civil engineering degree from Jamia Millia Islamia University and brings over 35 years of experience across large-scale infrastructure projects, including bridges, tunnels, ports, metro systems, and major residential and commercial developments. RVNL, a central public sector enterprise, plays a pivotal role in rail infrastructure. The appointment aligns with ongoing expansion of the national rail framework and project execution across multiple states.

Saleem Ahmad named RVNL Chairman and Managing Director
Sukhmal Chand Jain stepped down in December 2025
Ahmad is a civil engineering graduate from Jamia Millia Islamia University
Brings 35+ years of infra experience across bridges, tunnels, ports, metro projects
RVNL is a key public sector entity in Indian rail infrastructure

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DAYS AND EVENTS

Veer Bal Diwas 2025 Observed Across India

Veer Bal Diwas 2025 is observed on 26 December to remember the courage and sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Also called the Day of Brave Children, it honours Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji for their dedication to faith. The observance typically includes ceremonies and reflections on the values of sacrifice, resilience, and steadfast belief. The day coincides with Good Governance Day in India, adding an educational context for national remembrance and civic awareness.

Veer Bal Diwas observed on 26 December 2025
Honours Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh
Day emphasizes sacrifice, resilience and faith
Coincides with Good Governance Day in India
Ceremonies and communal remembrance across the country

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GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Marks 25 Years of Transforming Rural Connectivity

One of India's most impactful rural infrastructure initiatives, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) marks its 25th anniversary in December. Launched on 25th December 2000 to ensure all-weather connectivity to previously unconnected rural habitations, the programme has emerged as a key enabler of agricultural growth, employment generation, improved access to education and health services, and poverty alleviation.
Since its inception, over 8 lakh 25 thousand kilometres of rural roads have been sanctioned under PM Gram Sadak Yojana, with more than 7 lakh 87 thousand kilometres completed.

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ART AND CULTURE

Largest Circular Stone Labyrinth Discovered in Maharashtra

Archaeologists have identified what may be India’s largest circular stone labyrinth in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur, Maharashtra. The roughly 50 by 50 feet structure comprises 15 concentric rings of small stone blocks, converging to a tightly coiled central spiral. Dated to nearly 2,000 years ago, the site is linked to Indo-Roman trade during the Satavahana dynasty period. Soil accumulation between rings suggests the labyrinth has remained largely undisturbed for centuries, offering valuable insights into ancient landscape design, ceremonial practices, and cross-cultural exchange along ancient trade routes.

Largest circular stone labyrinth found in Boramani, Solapur, Maharashtra
Structure ~50 by 50 feet with 15 concentric rings
Date: ~2,000 years old; linked to Satavahana-era Indo-Roman trade
Central spiral pattern indicative of planned ceremonial space
Site largely undisturbed; potential for archaeological study

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General Awareness

Daily G.K. - Top Stories

26 Dec 2025

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India to Assume Kimberley Process Chair from January 1, 2026 (Third Time)

ENVIRONMENT

Centre Bans New Mining Leases Across Aravalli Range

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

RBI Grants Final Payment Aggregator Licence to Mswipe Technologies

Axis Bank Unveils Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs

SPORTS

Deepti Sharma Tops ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings

Vaibhav Suryavanshi Sets List A Century Record in 14-year-old Feat

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Saleem Ahmad Appointed RVNL Chairman and Managing Director

DAYS AND EVENTS

Veer Bal Diwas 2025 Observed Across India

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Marks 25 Years of Transforming Rural Connectivity

ART AND CULTURE

Largest Circular Stone Labyrinth Discovered in Maharashtra

Share on

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