Current Affairs
Date: 01-01-2026
CURRENT AFFAIRS
1. Sonam Yeshi Makes History with 8 Wickets in Men's T20 International Matches
Sonam Yeshi has etched his name in the history books of men's T20 International cricket by becoming the first bowler to take 8 wickets in a single innings. This historic achievement was recorded on December 29, 2025, in Gelephu during the third T20 International match between Bhutan and Myanmar.
2. IIP Surges: 6.7% Growth in November 2025, a 25-Month Record!
India's industrial activity witnessed a sharp rebound in November 2025, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registering a growth of 6.7 percent. This growth is considered the highest in the last 25 months and is seen as a positive sign for the industrial sector. While the IIP had recorded a higher growth of 11.9 percent in October 2023, industrial performance remained moderate for several months afterward.
3. RBI's Open Market Operation: ₹50,000 Crore Injected to Boost Liquidity
By the end of 2025, India's banking system had reached a critical liquidity deficit, putting increasing pressure on the financial system. To address this challenge, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injected ₹50,000 crore into the market through open market operations (OMO).
4. India Ranks Third in Rare Earth Reserves, but Still Lags in Global Production
Recent reports reveal that despite being among the top countries in global reserves of rare earth elements, India lags significantly in production. India ranks third globally, holding approximately 6–7 percent of the world's reserves, yet its contribution to global production is less than 1 percent. This disparity poses a serious challenge to India's industrial strategy, clean energy transition, and national security.
5. Death of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's First Female Prime Minister
Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, has passed away at the age of 80, marking the end of an important and historic era in the country's politics. She was a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and a powerful voice in opposition politics for a long time.
6. World's First ITVISMA Gene Therapy Launched in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi has achieved a landmark milestone in global healthcare, administering the ITVISMA gene therapy to a patient suffering from spinal muscular atrophy for the first time. This achievement is considered a significant milestone in the field of precision medicine and genomics-based treatments.
7. Supreme Court Stays Order Related to Aravalli Hills, Demands Review by Experts
The Supreme Court of India has sent a significant message in the realm of environmental governance by staying its previous order concerning the Aravalli Hills. On December 29, 2025, a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant acknowledged that the previously adopted definition of the Aravalli mountain range lacked clarity, leading to confusion at both environmental and administrative levels.
8. Israel's 2026 Peace Prize: Trump to Receive Israeli Peace Prize
In a significant diplomatic development, Israel has announced that former US President Donald Trump will be awarded the Israel Peace Prize in 2026, a decision considered extraordinary in global peace diplomacy. The award was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, shortly after a high-level meeting between Trump and Israeli leaders in Florida.
QUIZ (With Explanation)
1. What record did Sonam Yeshi set in men's T20 international cricket?
A - Fastest 50 runs
B - 8 wickets in an innings
C - Hat-trick with 5 wickets
D - Most maiden overs
Explanation:
Sonam Yeshi made history in men's T20 international cricket, becoming the first bowler to take eight wickets in a single innings. This achievement was recorded on December 29, 2025, in the third T20 match between Bhutan and Myanmar played in Gelephu.
2. What increase was recorded in India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) in November 2025?
A - 4.50%
B - 5.90%
C - 6.70%
D - 7.20%
Explanation:
India's industrial activity saw a significant improvement in November 2025, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) registering a 6.7 percent increase, the highest in the last 25 months. This indicates that after several months of moderate performance, Indian industry is now entering a phase of sustained recovery.
3. Approximately how much liquidity did the RBI inject under OMO?
A - ₹25,000 crore
B - ₹40,000 crore
C - ₹50,000 crore
D - ₹75,000 crore
Explanation:
By the end of 2025, India's banking system was grappling with a severe liquidity deficit, prompting the Reserve Bank of India to inject ₹50,000 crore into the system through open market operations. This move aimed to alleviate the large liquidity deficit recorded in December 2025, increase the availability of funds for banks, and stabilize short-term interest rates.
4. What is India's rank in the global reserves of rare earth elements?
A - First
B - Second
C - Third
D - Fifth
Explanation:
According to recent reports, India lags significantly in the production of rare earth elements despite holding the third-largest global reserves. Despite possessing approximately 6–7 percent of global reserves, India's production is less than 1 percent, posing a major challenge for industrial development, clean energy transition, and national security.
5. In which country was Khaleda Zia the first female Prime Minister?
A - Pakistan
B - Bangladesh
C - Sri Lanka
D - Nepal
Explanation:
Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister, passed away at the age of 80, marking the end of a significant era in the country's politics. She was a prominent leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and played a crucial role in the restoration of democracy, serving as Prime Minister twice.
6. For the treatment of which disease is ITVISMA gene therapy administered?
A - Parkinson's disease
B - Alzheimer's disease
C - Spinal Muscular Atrophy
D - Multiple sclerosis
Explanation:
Abu Dhabi achieved a historic milestone in global healthcare by providing ITVISMA gene therapy to a patient suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy for the first time. This treatment is considered a major step towards precision medicine and genomics-based therapies.
7. Who chaired the bench that delivered the judgment in the Aravalli case?
A - Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
B - Justice Sanjeev Khanna
C - Justice Surya Kant
D - Justice U.U. Lalit
Explanation:
The Supreme Court of India adopted a cautious approach towards environmental protection by staying its previous order related to the Aravalli hills. On December 29, 2025, the court ruled that the previous definition of the Aravalli mountain range was vague, potentially leading to the expansion of mining activities and serious environmental damage.
8. In which year did Israel announce that it would award Donald Trump a peace prize?
A - 2024
B - 2025
C - 2026
D - 2027
Explanation:
In a significant diplomatic move, Israel has announced that it will award former US President Donald Trump the Israel Peace Prize in 2026. The announcement came after a high-level meeting in Florida between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump. This is the first time Israel's highest civilian honor will be bestowed upon a non-Israeli individual, and it also marks the first time the award includes a peace category.
ONE LINER
By what percentage did India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increase in November 2025? – 6.7 percent
Which former US President has Israel announced will receive the 2026 Peace Prize? – Donald Trump
For the treatment of which disease was ITVISMA gene therapy administered for the first time in the world? – Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Which ministry releases India's Index of Industrial Production (IIP)? – Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
What was the name of Bangladesh's first female Prime Minister, who recently passed away? – Khaleda Zia
Which country holds approximately 90% of the global rare earth refining capacity? – China
How much money did the RBI inject under open market operations to deal with the liquidity crunch at the end of 2025? – ₹50,000 crore
Against which country and at which venue did Sonam Yeshi achieve this record? – Against Myanmar, Gelephu (Bhutan)
What is India's rank in global reserves of rare earth elements? – Third place
Who became the first bowler to take 8 wickets in an innings in men's T20 international cricket? – Sonam Yeshi (Bhutan)