Current Affairs
Date: 23-12-2025
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Michi Benthaus to Make History as the First Wheelchair User to Travel to Space
German aerospace engineer Michi Benthaus is set to make history as she becomes the first wheelchair user to travel to space. She will fly on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket’s NS-37 suborbital mission, a landmark step towards making human spaceflight more inclusive and accessible.
2. India and the Netherlands establish Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC)
India and the Netherlands have established a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) to further strengthen and institutionalize their bilateral economic relations. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two countries to formalize this initiative.
3. Prime Minister Releases Commemorative Postage Stamp on Ashwagandha at WHO Global Summit
During the Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative postage stamp on Ashwagandha, a renowned medicinal plant of India. The summit, organized under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO), aimed to give traditional medicine systems their rightful place in the global health framework.
4. Foreign Exchange Reserves Increase by $1.68 Billion to $688.94 Billion
India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by $1.68 billion to reach $688.94 billion in the week ending December 12, 2025, according to weekly data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This increase comes at a time when the global economy is facing geopolitical tensions, high interest rates, and volatility in capital flows.
5. Hurun India 2025: Deepinder Goyal Ranks Number One Among Self-Made Billionaires
The Hurun Rich List 2025, released by Hurun India, clearly highlights India’s changing business landscape and startup-driven economic growth. Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO of Eternal, formerly known as Zomato, emerged as India’s top self-made entrepreneur. His company’s valuation increased by 27 percent to ₹3.2 lakh crore, surpassing D-Mart founder Radhakishan Damani.
6. PM Modi inaugurates new terminal building at Guwahati Airport
On December 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Assam, marking a significant milestone in the development of aviation infrastructure in Northeast India. The airport is operated by the Adani Group, and its expansion aims to develop Guwahati into a major aviation hub for Northeast India and a key gateway to Southeast Asia.
7. Indian Team Wins Global Top Honor in NASA Space Apps Challenge
India’s innovation ecosystem received significant recognition on the global stage when Chennai-based team Photonics Odyssey was awarded the Most Inspirational Award for their satellite internet concept at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025. This achievement strongly demonstrates India’s space-based technological capabilities, digital inclusion, and technological sovereignty.
8. Farmers’ Day
National Farmers’ Day, known as Kisan Diwas in India, is celebrated every year on December 23rd and is dedicated to honoring the contributions of farmers. This day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister of India, Chaudhary Charan Singh, who is considered a true well-wisher of farmers. Chaudhary Charan Singh dedicated his entire political life to farmers, rural India, and agricultural reforms.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. Which rocket and mission will Michi Benthaus fly on?
A – SpaceX – Crew Dragon
B – NASA – Artemis I
C – Blue Origin – New Shepard (NS-37)
D – ISRO – Gaganyaan
Explanation:
German aerospace engineer Michi Benthaus is set to become the first wheelchair user to travel to space. She will fly on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on the NS-37 suborbital mission.
2. Which committee has been established between India and the Netherlands?
A – Joint Defence Committee
B – Joint Energy Committee
C – Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC)
D – Joint Cultural Committee
Explanation:
India and the Netherlands have established a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) to strengthen and institutionalize their bilateral economic relations. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries for this purpose.
3. On what occasion was a commemorative postage stamp on Ashwagandha issued?
A – On the occasion of Ayush Day
B – During the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit
C – At the National Ayurveda Conference
D – On International Yoga Day
Explanation:
During the second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit held in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a commemorative postage stamp on Ashwagandha. This initiative reflects India’s commitment to promoting traditional medicine globally as a form of holistic and preventive healthcare.
4. What was India’s foreign exchange reserves in billions of dollars for the week ending December 12, 2025?
A – $675.20 billion
B – $682.50 billion
C – $688.94 billion
D – $695.10 billion
Explanation:
India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $688.94 billion in the week ending December 12, 2025, marking a weekly increase of $1.68 billion, according to the Reserve Bank of India. This increase, despite global geopolitical tensions, high interest rates, and volatility in capital flows, underscores the resilience of India’s external sector.
5. Who are the top self-made entrepreneurs from India in the Hurun Rich List 2025?
A – Radhakishan Damani
B – Piyush Bansal
C – Deepinder Goyal
D – Rahul Bhatia
Explanation:
The Hurun Rich List 2025, released by Hurun India, has highlighted the growing influence of startups and technology-based companies in the Indian economy. In this list, Deepinder Goyal, founder and CEO of Eternal (formerly Zomato), has emerged as India’s top self-made entrepreneur.
6. Which group operates the Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport?
A – Tata Group
B – Reliance Group
C – GMR Group
D – Adani Group
Explanation:
On December 20, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Assam. The expansion of this airport, operated by the Adani Group, aims to make Guwahati a major aviation hub for Northeast India and a gateway to Southeast Asia.
7. What type of internet system has the Photonics Odyssey team proposed?
A – Fiber optic network
B – 5G mobile network
C – Phased-array-based satellite broadband system
D – Cable Internet System
Explanation:
Team Photonics Odyssey from Chennai was awarded the Most Inspirational Award at the NASA International Space Apps Challenge 2025 for their satellite internet concept. The team proposed a sovereign phased-array-based satellite broadband system aimed at providing high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas.
8. On whose birth anniversary is Farmers’ Day celebrated?
A – Lal Bahadur Shastri
B – Chaudhary Charan Singh
C – Jawaharlal Nehru
D – Morarji Desai
Explanation:
National Farmers’ Day, also known as Kisan Diwas in India, is celebrated every year on December 23rd. This day is dedicated to honoring the contributions of farmers on the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh.
ONE LINER
What is the annual passenger capacity of the new terminal at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport? – 13.1 million passengers
During which global event was a commemorative postage stamp on Ashwagandha released? – Second WHO Global Traditional Medicine Summit
What was India’s foreign exchange reserves in billions of dollars for the week ending December 12, 2025? – $688.94 billion
Which company’s New Shepard rocket will Michi Benthaus fly on for the NS-37 suborbital mission? – Blue Origin
Who became India’s top self-made entrepreneur in the Hurun Rich List 2025? – Deepinder Goyal
What is the scientific name of Ashwagandha, used in Ayurveda? – Withania somnifera
Who is the German aerospace engineer set to become the first wheelchair user to travel to space? – Michi Benthaus
What is the name of the Indian team that won the Most Inspirational Award at the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025? – Photonics Odyssey (Chennai)
What is the name of the new bilateral economic forum established between India and the Netherlands? – Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC)
On which date is National Farmers’ Day celebrated every year in India? – December 23