Current Affairs
Date: 22-12-2025
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Shashwat Sharma Appointed MD and CEO of Airtel India
Bharti Airtel, India's leading telecom company, has announced a comprehensive leadership change at the top management level in December 2025, effective January 1, 2026. This change is part of the company's long-term succession plan and a step towards ensuring leadership continuity.
2. Jharkhand Wins Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 for the First Time
In a historic performance in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26, Jharkhand won the title for the first time. In the match played at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Jharkhand defeated Haryana by 69 runs, creating a new history in Indian domestic T20 cricket. Jharkhand's score of 262/3 was the highest score ever in any T20 final, clearly reflecting the changing trends of aggressive batting.
3. SEBI Allows Issuance of Zero-Coupon Bonds in Smaller Denominations
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulator of the Indian capital market, announced a significant reform on December 18, 2025, allowing the issuance of zero-coupon bonds in smaller minimum denominations of ₹10,000. This move is considered crucial in making India's corporate bond market more inclusive and accessible.
4. PM Modi Receives the Order of Oman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of Oman, the highest civilian honor of the Sultanate of Oman, during his two-day state visit. The award was presented to Prime Minister Modi by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman. With this, Prime Minister Modi has now received the highest foreign civilian honors from 29 countries, an extraordinary achievement for any Indian Prime Minister.
5. Brazil Hands Over BRICS Chairmanship to India
In December 2025, the BRICS chairmanship was formally handed over from Brazil to India, positioning India to lead the multilateral group in 2026. This transfer took place during the closing session of the fourth BRICS Sherpa meeting on December 12, 2025, although Brazil will formally retain the chairmanship until December 31, 2025.
6. Odisha to Become an AI Hub: Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19-20
The Odisha government is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference on December 19-20, aiming to promote the practical application of artificial intelligence in governance and public service delivery. This initiative is considered a significant step towards establishing Odisha as a leading state in AI-based innovation.
7. India to Get its First Forest University in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
India is moving towards establishing its first ‘Forest University’, which will be located in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. This initiative is considered a historic step that will give a new direction to higher education and research in the fields of forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental science.
8. National Mathematics Day
National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year in India on December 22nd to commemorate the birth anniversary of the great Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. The purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of mathematics and encourage mathematical thinking and a scientific approach among students and young people.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director and CEO of Airtel India?
A - Gopal Vittal
B - Soman Ray
C - Akhil Garg
D - Shashwat Sharma
Explanation:
Bharti Airtel, India's leading telecom company, announced a leadership change in its top management in December 2025, effective January 1, 2026. Under this change, Shashwat Sharma has been appointed as the new MD and CEO of Airtel India for a five-year term. Gopal Vittal will assume the role of Executive Vice Chairman, while Soman Ray will be the Group CFO and Akhil Garg will be the CFO of Airtel India.
2. Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 title?
A - Haryana
B - Punjab
C - Jharkhand
D - Mumbai
Explanation:
In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 final, Jharkhand created history by winning the title for the first time. In the final played at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Jharkhand defeated Haryana by 69 runs and posted a record score of 262/3, the highest score in any T20 final.
3. Who has permitted the issuance of zero-coupon bonds in a minimum denomination of ₹10,000?
A - RBI
B - Ministry of Finance
C - SEBI
D - NITI Aayog
Explanation:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulator of the Indian capital market, introduced a significant reform in December 2025 by allowing the issuance of zero-coupon bonds in a minimum denomination of ₹10,000. This will make it easier for retail investors to access the corporate bond market and will increase market liquidity and depth.
4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been awarded the highest civilian honor of which country?
A - Kuwait
B - Saudi Arabia
C - Oman
D - Qatar
Explanation:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of Oman, the highest civilian honor of the Sultanate of Oman, symbolizing the strong and trusting bilateral relations between India and Oman. This honor was bestowed upon him during his state visit, and with this, he has now received the highest foreign civilian honors from 29 countries.
5. For which year has the BRICS chairmanship been handed over to India?
A - 2025
B - 2026
C - 2027
D - 2028
Explanation:
In December 2025, the BRICS chairmanship was handed over from Brazil to India, under which India will lead the multilateral group in 2026. This handover took place during the fourth BRICS Sherpa meeting and provides India with an opportunity to effectively raise issues of the Global South on the global stage.
6. Which state is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference?
A - Telangana
B - Karnataka
C - Odisha
D - Kerala
Explanation:
The Regional AI Impact Conference, organized by the Odisha government on December 19-20, aims to promote the use of artificial intelligence in governance and public services. This initiative is considered significant in making Odisha a leading state in AI innovation and in preparation for the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
7. In which state will India's first ‘Forest University’ be established?
A - Uttar Pradesh
B - Madhya Pradesh
C - Uttarakhand
D - Chhattisgarh
Explanation:
India is set to establish its first ‘Forest University’ in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, which will strengthen higher education and research in the fields of forestry, wildlife conservation, and environmental science. This initiative is a crucial step towards developing the trained human resources necessary for biodiversity conservation, climate action, and sustainable forest management.
8. National Mathematics Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of which great Indian mathematician?
A - Aryabhata
B - Bhaskaracharya
C - Srinivasa Ramanujan
D - Chandrashekhar
Explanation:
National Mathematics Day is celebrated every year in India on December 22nd, the birth anniversary of the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. Its aim is to promote mathematical thinking and connect the role of mathematics with education, science, and technology. This day has been celebrated since 2012 and inspires India towards becoming a knowledge-based society.
ONE LINER
How many countries have so far bestowed their highest foreign civilian honors on Prime Minister Modi? – 29
In which city will India's first forest university be established? – Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Which state is hosting the Regional AI Impact Conference 2025? – Odisha
Which is the highest civilian honor of Oman that was conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi? – Order of Oman
Which team won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 title for the first time? – Jharkhand
Who has been appointed as the new Managing Director (MD) and CEO of Airtel India? – Shashwat Sharma
From which date will Shashwat Sharma's appointment at Airtel India be effective? – January 1, 2026
What is the minimum denomination in which SEBI has allowed the issuance of zero-coupon bonds? – ₹10,000
Which country will assume the chairmanship of BRICS in 2026? – India
Who was the player who scored a century in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26? – Ishan Kishan