Current Affairs
Date: 02-12-2025
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Jay Shah honored with "Indian of the Year 2025"
International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah has been honored in the Outstanding Achievement category at the 2025 "Indian of the Year" awards. He was recognized for his visionary leadership in cricket administration, the rise of women's cricket, and the global rise of Indian cricket.
2. India's Rise: Third Rank in Asia Power Index 2025
India has secured third place in the Asia Power Index 2025, cementing its emerging global power. This index is compiled by the Australia-based Lowy Institute, with only the United States and China ranking above India. Notably, India has entered the "Major Power" category for the first time, a historic achievement in its international standing.
3. PM Modi Unveils 77-Foot Statue of Lord Rama in Goa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Rama and inaugurated the Ramayana Theme Park at the Sri Sansthan Gokarna Partagali Jivottam Math in Canacona, South Goa, on November 28, 2025. The event was held to commemorate the monastery's 550th anniversary, "Sardha Panchashatamanotsav," a celebration of India's ancient spiritual tradition, Vedanta philosophy, and cultural glory.
4. India Sends 73 Tons of Medicines and Vaccines to Support Afghanistan's Healthcare
India, setting a shining example of humanitarian solidarity, has sent 73 tons of life-saving medicines, vaccines, and nutritional supplements to Afghanistan. This medical aid, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), reflects India's continued commitment to strengthening Afghanistan's struggling healthcare system.
5. Vladimir Putin to visit India in December for the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4–5, 2025, to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This visit is considered crucial for giving new impetus to the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership between the two countries. This visit, held at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
6. China's 'Arctic Express' Route Opens — Why India Needs to Strengthen Its Maritime Corridors
China has launched its first commercial Arctic shipping service, the 'Arctic Express,' which reduces travel time between Asia and Europe via the Northern Sea Route (NSR) from 40+ days to just 18 days. This new route connects China's Ningbo-Zhoushan port to the UK's Felixstowe port. This initiative is a polar extension of China's broader "Belt and Road Initiative," known as the "Polar Silk Road."
7. India's foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.47 billion to $688.1 billion: RBI
India's foreign exchange reserves fell sharply by $4.472 billion in the week ended November 21, 2025, bringing the total to $688.104 billion. This decline was primarily due to a decrease in the value of foreign currency assets (FCAs) and gold reserves. The reasons for the decline include a $1.69 billion decrease in FCAs.
8. National Pollution Control Day
National Pollution Control Day is observed every year on December 2. This day commemorates the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which occurred on the night of December 2-3, 1984, India's worst industrial accident. This tragedy involved the leakage of a highly toxic gas called methyl isocyanate (MIC) from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant in Bhopal, resulting in the deaths of over 15,000 people and the impact of chronic illnesses on millions.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Jay Shah was awarded the "Indian of the Year 2025" award in which category?
A - Sports Leadership
B - Outstanding Achievement
C - Lifetime Contribution
D - Global Excellence
Explanation:
International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah was honored in the Outstanding Achievement category at the 2025 "Indian of the Year" awards. He was recognized for his visionary leadership in cricket administration, the rise of women's cricket, and the global recognition of Indian cricket globally.
2. Which organization released the Asia Power Index 2025?
A - World Bank
B - IMF
C - Lowy Institute
D - Asian Development Bank
Explanation:
India has secured third place in the Asia Power Index 2025, strengthening its growing global role. This report, released by the Australia-based Lowy Institute, ranks only the United States and China above India. India has entered the "Major Power" category for the first time, reflecting its growing international reputation.
3. Where did Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveil a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Shri Ram?
A - Varanasi
B - Ayodhya
C - Canacona, Goa
D - Ujjain
Explanation:
On November 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 77-foot-tall bronze statue of Lord Shri Ram and inaugurated the Ramayana Theme Park at the Sri Sansthan Gokarna Partagali Jivottam Math in Canacona, South Goa. The event coincided with the monastery's 550th anniversary celebrations, "Sardha Panchashatamanotsav," a celebration of India's ancient spiritual and cultural traditions.
4. How many tons of medical aid has India recently sent to Afghanistan?
A - 50 tons
B - 60 tons
C - 73 tons
D - 100 tons
Explanation:
India, in an act of humanitarian solidarity, has sent 73 tons of life-saving medicines, vaccines, and nutritional supplements to Afghanistan. This initiative, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), reflects India's continued commitment to strengthening Afghanistan's struggling health system.
5. When will the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit be held?
A - December 1–2, 2025
B - December 4–5, 2025
C - December 10–12, 2025
D - December 15–16, 2025
Explanation:
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit India on December 4–5, 2025, to attend the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit. This visit is considered historic as it will give a new direction to the "special and privileged strategic partnership" between the two countries.
6. China's Arctic shipping service is the polar extension of which global initiative?
A - Make in China
B - Maritime Silk Road
C - Polar Silk Road
D - One Belt, One Road
Explanation:
China has launched its first commercial Arctic shipping service, called the 'Arctic Express,' connecting China's Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to the UK's Felixstowe Port via the Northern Sea Route (NSR). This new route reduces travel time between Asia and Europe from 40+ days to just 18 days, reduces logistics costs and carbon emissions by approximately 50%, and avoids volatile chokepoints like the Suez Canal.
7. How much did India's foreign exchange reserves decline by in the week ended November 21, 2025?
A - $5.543 billion
B - $1.69 billion
C - $688.104 billion
D - $4.472 billion
Explanation:
India's foreign exchange reserves declined sharply by US$4.472 billion in the week ended November 21, 2025, bringing the total reserves to US$688.104 billion. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in the value of foreign currency assets (FCAs) and gold reserves.
8. National Pollution Control Day is celebrated on which date every year?
A - December 2
B - September 16
C - June 5
D - April 22
Explanation:
National Pollution Control Day is celebrated every year on December 2 in India. This day commemorates the horrific Bhopal Gas Tragedy of December 2-3, 1984, which was the country's biggest industrial disaster. The tragedy resulted in the death of over 15,000 people due to the leakage of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas.
ONE LINER
National Pollution Control Day is celebrated on December 2 to commemorate which industrial tragedy? – Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
What was India's total foreign exchange reserves at the week ending November 21, 2025? – $688.104 billion.
For which annual summit will Russian President Vladimir Putin visit India in December 2025? – The 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit.
China's new commercial Arctic shipping service, the "Arctic Express," connects Asia and Europe via which route? – Northern Sea Route (NSR).
In which historic category did India enter for the first time in the Asia Power Index 2025? – Major Power.
Jay Shah was honored in which category of 'Indian of the Year 2025'? – Outstanding Achievement.
Which new women's cricket league was launched under Jay Shah's leadership? – Women's Premier League (WPL).
Under which policy did India send 73 tons of medicines and vaccines to Afghanistan? – Neighborhood First Policy or Human-Centric Diplomacy.
How many feet tall was the bronze statue of Lord Ram unveiled by Prime Minister Modi in Goa? – 77 feet.
What was India's overall score in the Asia Power Index 2025? – 40.0/100.