Current Affairs
Date: 20-12-2025
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Bharat Taxi to Launch in January 2026
The ride-hailing sector in India has long been dominated by private platforms like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, but dissatisfaction among drivers regarding commissions, surge pricing, and income uncertainty has persisted. Against this backdrop, the announcement of Bharat Taxi's full-scale operation from January 2026 marks a significant shift. Bharat Taxi is an indigenous, app-based ride-hailing service operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
2. India and Saudi Arabia to Strengthen Strategic Partnership
India and Saudi Arabia's relations have evolved from an energy-based partnership to a strategic partnership over the past decade. Energy security, investment, defense cooperation, counter-terrorism efforts, and issues related to the Indian diaspora are key pillars of these relations. In this context, both countries have signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement aimed at simplifying official visits.
3. Air India Wins Best Domestic Airline Title at Travel + Leisure Awards 2025
India's national carrier, Air India, has once again been awarded the ‘Best Domestic Airline’ title at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Best Awards 2025. This recognition, received for the second consecutive year, reflects Air India's growing credibility and improving image among passengers in the domestic aviation market. This achievement comes at a time when Air India is undergoing a massive transformation and modernization.
4. Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Begins in New Delhi
Globally, traditional medicine systems have long played a crucial role in health preservation and disease prevention. Recognizing the need for their integration with modern medicine, the World Health Organization has advanced a global policy dialogue on the subject. In this context, the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025 is being held in New Delhi.
5. India is the World's Largest Market for AI Models
India is rapidly emerging as a global hub in the field of digital technology and artificial intelligence. According to a recent report by Bank of America Securities, India ranks first in the world in terms of daily and monthly active users of AI applications. The report states that a large portion of the global users of major AI and large language model platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity come from India.
6. Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary: Conservation Challenges and Ecological Significance
Scientists and conservation experts have recently expressed serious concerns regarding the ecological security of the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary located in Meghalaya. Limestone mining and the activities of nearby cement factories are posing a long-term threat to this sensitive region, intensifying the debate between development and conservation.
7. Singapore Changi Airport Wins World's Best Airport Title for 2025
In the global aviation and tourism sector, the quality of airports is considered a crucial indicator of a country's infrastructure capabilities and service standards. In this context, Singapore's Changi International Airport has once again been chosen as the ‘World's Best International Airport’ for the year 2025. This honor was bestowed under the Travel + Leisure India's Best Awards 2025, which was held in its 14th edition.
8. International Human Solidarity Day
International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated every year on December 20th, a day declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005. The purpose of this day is to strengthen the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, and shared responsibility among the global community, especially in the context of poverty, inequality, and various global crises.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Which organization is operating Bharat Taxi?
A - Government of India
B - NITI Aayog
C - Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited
D - Indian Railways
Explanation:
Amidst the dominance of Ola, Uber, and Rapido in India's ride-hailing sector, Bharat Taxi's arrival presents a new and alternative model. Launching fully in January 2026, Bharat Taxi is an indigenous, app-based, and driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing service operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
2. What subject was the recent agreement signed between India and Saudi Arabia related to?
A - Free Trade Agreement
B - Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement
C - Defense Supply Agreement
D - Labor Agreement
Explanation:
India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement to further strengthen their strategic relations and facilitate official visits. The agreement, concluded in Riyadh, will exempt diplomatic, special, and official passport holders of both countries from short-term visa requirements.
3. In which awards did Air India receive the "Best Domestic Airline" award?
A - Skytrax World Airline Awards
B - Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Best Awards 2025
C - International Aviation Awards
D - Asian Travel Awards
Explanation:
Air India has been named ‘Best Domestic Airline’ for the second consecutive year at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Best Awards 2025. This recognition, based on passenger experience and reader voting, reflects Air India's improved service quality, operational reliability, and enhanced customer experience.
4. Where was the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025 held?
A - Geneva
B - Gandhinagar
C - New Delhi
D - Vienna
Explanation:
The Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025 is being held in New Delhi from December 17, 2025, co-organized by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. The summit focuses on integrating traditional medicine systems into modern healthcare in a safe and evidence-based manner.
5. According to a Bank of America Securities report, in which sector does India rank first in the world?
A - AI Software Exports
B - Active users of AI applications
C - AI Hardware Manufacturing
D - AI Research Publications
Explanation:
According to a Bank of America Securities report, India has emerged as the world leader in terms of daily and monthly active users of AI applications. Major AI platforms like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity have the highest number of users from India.
6. In which state is the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary located?
A - Assam
B - Tripura
C - Meghalaya
D - Mizoram
Explanation:
Serious concerns have recently been raised regarding the ecological security of the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. Limestone mining and the activities of nearby cement factories pose a significant threat to this biodiversity-rich region. The sanctuary was established in 2014 and is the only protected area in the Jaintia Hills region.
7. Which airport has been chosen as the "World's Best International Airport" for the year 2025?
A - Dubai International Airport
B - London Heathrow Airport
C - Singapore Changi International Airport
D - Tokyo Haneda Airport
Explanation:
Singapore's Changi International Airport has once again been named the "World's Best International Airport" for 2025. This honor was awarded based on reader voting in the Travel + Leisure India's Best Awards 2025, reflecting Changi Airport's excellent services, innovation, passenger comfort, and reliable experience.
8. Which global goal is International Human Solidarity Day related to?
A - Economic Development Only
B - Environmental protection only
C - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
D - Military Disarmament
Explanation:
International Human Solidarity Day is observed on December 20th and was proclaimed by the United Nations in 2005. The day aims to promote a spirit of cooperation, solidarity, and shared responsibility within the global community to address poverty, inequality, and global crises.
ONE LINER
Which organization is operating Bharat Taxi? – By Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited.
Where was the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit 2025 held? – In New Delhi.
According to a Bank of America Securities report, in which sector does India rank first in the world? – In daily and monthly active users of AI applications.
When is the full operation of Bharat Taxi scheduled to begin? – In January 2026.
When is International Human Solidarity Day celebrated? – On December 20.
How many new aircraft did Air India order as part of its fleet modernization? – Of 570 new aircraft.
What does the recent agreement between India and Saudi Arabia relate to? – From bilateral visa waivers for official visits.
Which major international award did Air India receive in 2025? – ‘Best Domestic Airline’ at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Best Awards.
What was the theme of the WHO Traditional Medicine Summit 2025? – “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being”.
Where was the India-Saudi Arabia visa waiver agreement signed? – In Riyadh (Saudi Arabia).