Current Affairs
Date: 16-12-2025
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Meta India Appoints Aman Jain as New Head of Public Policy
Meta India has appointed Aman Jain as its new Head of Public Policy. He will assume the role at the beginning of next year and will lead Meta's policy strategy in India. India is currently one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies, with rapid expansion in areas such as social media, digital advertising, artificial intelligence, and the creator economy.
2. 70-Foot Tall Iron Statue of Lionel Messi Unveiled in Kolkata
Kolkata, often referred to as India's football capital, has added a new chapter to its sporting history with the installation of a 70-foot-tall iron statue of Lionel Messi. This statue, considered the world's largest Messi statue, has been erected at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club in Lake Town, South Dum Dum. The statue depicts Messi lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, symbolizing Argentina's historic victory in the 2022 World Cup.
3. Retail inflation reached 0.71% in November
Retail inflation in India, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), increased from 0.25% in October 2025 to 0.71% in November. This increase was primarily due to a slowdown in deflation in food items and a rise in prices due to seasonal factors. Food deflation declined from -5.02% to -3.91% in November, leading to a slight increase in overall inflation.
4. Kopra Reservoir Declared Chhattisgarh's First Ramsar Site
Chhattisgarh has achieved a historic milestone in environmental protection. The Kopra Reservoir in the state's Bilaspur district has been declared Chhattisgarh's first Ramsar site on December 12, 2025, placing the state on the list of wetlands of international importance. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, and aims to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands.
5. Mutual Fund Investments Will Be Made Through Post Offices
A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on December 12, 2025, between the Department of Posts, Government of India, and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), Asia's oldest stock exchange. The agreement aims to expand access to mutual fund services in rural and semi-urban areas and deepen financial inclusion.
6. Central Government Approves ‘CoalSetu’ Window, Making Industrial Use and Export of Coal Easier
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a new policy called “CoalSetu” aimed at enhancing transparency, fairness, and efficiency in India's coal allocation system. This policy is an extension of the 2016 NRS (Non-Regulated Sector) linkage policy, with the addition of a new mechanism called the “CoalSetu Window.”
7. Ajay Kumar Shukla Appointed as the New MD and CEO of PNB Housing Finance
PNB Housing Finance Limited has appointed Ajay Kumar Shukla as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This appointment will be effective from December 18, 2025, and his tenure will be for five years, subject to shareholder approval.
8. Vijay Diwas
Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on December 16th across India, commemorating India's historic victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. This day commemorates the courage, strategic prowess, and humanitarian values of the Indian Armed Forces.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Who has been appointed as the new Head of Public Policy at Meta India?
A - Manoj Verma
B - Aman Jain
C - Rahul Garg
D - Sumit Singh
Explanation:
Meta India has appointed Aman Jain as its new Head of Public Policy. He will assume the role at the beginning of next year and will lead Meta's policy strategy in India. This appointment is a move by Meta to strengthen its engagement with policymakers and regulatory bodies in India's rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.
2. In which Indian city has a 70-foot-tall statue of Lionel Messi been installed?
A - Mumbai
B - Chennai
C - Kolkata
D - New Delhi
Explanation:
Kolkata has added a new chapter to its sporting history by installing a 70-foot-tall iron statue of Lionel Messi, believed to be the world's largest Messi statue. The statue has been erected at the Sreebhumi Sporting Club, Lake Town, South Dumdum, and depicts Messi lifting the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy.
3. What was India's retail inflation rate in November 2025?
A - 0.25%
B - 0.71%
C - 1.40%
D - 0.10%
Explanation:
Retail inflation (CPI-based) in India rose to 0.71% in November 2025 from 0.25% in October. This increase was primarily due to a slower pace of deflation in food items and price increases driven by seasonal factors. Food deflation narrowed from -5.02% to -3.91%, contributing to a slight increase in overall inflation.
4. Which is the first Ramsar site of Chhattisgarh?
A - Hasdeo Reservoir
B - Kopra Reservoir
C - Khandi Dam
D - Kota Lake
Explanation:
Chhattisgarh has achieved a historic milestone in environmental conservation with the declaration of the Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district as the state's first Ramsar site. This announcement was made on December 12, 2025, adding Chhattisgarh to the list of internationally important wetlands.
5. Which platform will be used for investment transactions?
A - NSE Direct
B - BSE Star MF
C - India Invest Portal
D - RBI eTrade
Explanation:
A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on December 12, 2025, between the Department of Posts, Government of India, and BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), Asia's oldest stock exchange. The objective is to deepen financial inclusion by expanding access to mutual fund services in rural and semi-urban areas.
6. Which institution has approved the “CoalSetu” policy?
A - NITI Aayog
B - Ministry of Finance
C - CCEA
D - Ministry of Coal
Explanation:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a new policy called “CoalSetu,” aimed at enhancing transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the coal allocation system. This policy is an extension of the 2016 NRS (Non-Regulated Sector) linkage policy, with the addition of a new mechanism called the “CoalSetu Window.”
7. Who has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of PNB Housing Finance Limited?
A - Rajesh Kumar Singh
B - Ajay Kumar Shukla
C - Sandeep Bansal
D - Rakesh Sharma
Explanation:
PNB Housing Finance Limited has appointed Ajay Kumar Shukla as its new Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This appointment will be effective from December 18, 2025, and his tenure will be for five years, subject to shareholder approval. The company's board of directors approved this appointment on December 12, 2025.
8. Who was the Prime Minister of India during the 1971 war?
A - Indira Gandhi
B - Lal Bahadur Shastri
C - Rajiv Gandhi
D - Morarji Desai
Explanation:
Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on December 16 in India to commemorate the historic victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. This day honors the indomitable courage and strategic prowess of the Indian Armed Forces.
ONE LINER
In which city has a 70-foot-tall statue of Lionel Messi been installed? - Kolkata
The “Coal Sealing Policy” is related to which sector? - Coal Allocation System
What was India's retail inflation rate in November 2025? - 0.71%
Which officer will Aman Jain report to at Meta India? - Simon Milner, Vice President (Policy), Asia-Pacific
On which date is Vijay Diwas celebrated, and to which war is it related? - December 16 — Commemorating India's victory in the 1971 Indo-Pak War
What is the main objective of the agreement between the Department of Posts and BSE? - Increasing access to mutual fund services in rural areas
How many days did it take to complete the construction of Lionel Messi's statue in Kolkata? - In approximately 40 days
Who has become the new MD and CEO of PNB Housing Finance? - Ajay Kumar Shukla
Which site has been declared as Chhattisgarh's first Ramsar site? - Kopra Reservoir (Bilaspur district)
Who has Meta India appointed as its new Head of Public Policy for India? - Aman Jain