This is the current affairs of 18 & 19 December 2025. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
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1. Who accepted the invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in 2026?
a. António Guterres and Ursula von der Leyen
b. Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa
c. António Costa and João Lourenço
d. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
Answer: b. Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa
– For the first time, India invited the leadership of the European Union—the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the European Council, António Costa—as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations in 2026.
– Both accepted the invitation.
Significance of the Invitation
– Inviting the chief guest for Republic Day is highly symbolic from the Government of India’s perspective.
– The selection is based on several factors—strategic and diplomatic considerations, commercial interests, and international geopolitics.
First-Time Invitation to the European Union
– This was the first time the leadership of the European Union was invited.
– Relations between India and the 27-member European Union have deepened, especially since February 2025, when the College of EU Commissioners visited India.
– On 20 October, the EU approved a new strategic agenda to elevate bilateral relations with India, including finalizing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and deepening cooperation in technology, defense and security, and people-to-people ties.
– In fact, when EU leaders visit India in January, the India–EU Leaders’ Summit—scheduled for early 2026—will be held in Delhi the same month.
– The timing is significant, as the U.S. administration has conveyed uncertainty to both India and Europe.
– India and the EU are working on an ambitious and strategic roadmap, with European leaders presenting themselves as “predictable” and “reliable” partners.
European Union and European Council
– The European Commission and the European Council are two key institutions of the European Union (EU), playing crucial roles in EU policymaking, decision-making, and implementation.
– The Commission is the executive arm of the EU, while the Council provides strategic leadership.
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2. Which Indian film was shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards (Oscars)?
a. Sirat
b. Homebound
c. Late Shift
d. Dhurandhar
Answer: b. Homebound
– Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound was shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
– The Academy announced the shortlists for 12 categories on 16 December 2025.
– Starring Ishan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound was India’s official entry for the Oscars.
– Producer Karan Johar and director Neeraj Ghaywan expressed happiness over the film being shortlisted.
Homebound revolves around two childhood friends
– The story centers on Shoaib (Ishan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), two childhood friends who dream of becoming police officers.
– It is an emotional story depicting friendship, duty, and the pressures faced by young Indians due to oppression, class, and economic issues.
– The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan du Plantier as co-producers.
– Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar are executive producers.
– The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
– Homebound is currently streaming on Netflix.
Box Office Performance
– Despite strong storytelling and critical acclaim, Homebound did not perform well at the box office.
– The film collected ₹4.85 crore in India.
– Its worldwide earnings stood at ₹5.6 crore.
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3. During the hearing of which temple case did the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court make the strong remark regarding “special prayers” — “They are heavily exploiting the deity”?
a. Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
b. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
c. Akshardham Temple, Ahmedabad
d. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Answer: a. Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan
– On 15 December 2025, the Supreme Court made this remark during the hearing of a case related to the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Mathura.
– The High-Power Management Committee had extended the temple’s darshan timings.
– In a meeting held on 12 September 2025, it was decided to increase daily darshan time by 2.5 hours.
– The temple’s Goswamis filed a petition in the Supreme Court against this decision.
– They argued that Lord Banke Bihari is worshipped in a child form and therefore requires adequate rest.
– They also stated that Lord Banke Bihari goes to Nidhivan at night for Rasleela, so he cannot be awakened early in the morning.
Chief Justice’s Remarks
– Chief Justice Suryakant stated during the hearing that darshan timings cannot be altered arbitrarily.
– Changing darshan timings also affects the prescribed rituals; the deity has a fixed time for rest, which cannot be interfered with.
– The Chief Justice orally remarked, “After closing the temple at noon, they do not allow the deity a moment’s rest… they are heavily exploiting the deity. So-called wealthy people who can pay large sums are allowed to perform special prayers.”
– The bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi.
– The bench was hearing a petition related to changes in darshan timings and certain traditional religious practices, particularly restrictions on Dehri Puja.
– The Supreme Court sought a response from the management committee.
Timings for the Deity’s Awakening and Rest
– Advocate Shyam Divan, representing the sevayats, objected to changes in worship timings, arguing that worship timings are sacred and strictly followed, and cannot be treated merely as an administrative issue as they are rooted in age-old traditions.
High-Power Committee Formed in August
– On 8 August 2025, the Supreme Court ordered the formation of a management committee.
– Retired High Court judge Ashok Kumar is the chairperson, and the District Magistrate of Mathura is the secretary.
– Members include retired district judge Mukesh Mishra, Vikas Kumar, the SSP, the Municipal Commissioner, and the Vice-Chairperson of the Development Authority.
– Four Goswamis of the temple—Shailendra Goswami, Shrivardhan Goswami, Dinesh Goswami, and Vijay Krishna—are also members.
Powers of the Committee
– It will manage the temple’s administration.
– It will ensure better darshan facilities for devotees.
– There will be no interference in worship rituals.
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4. Which country bestowed its highest honor on PM Modi, just days after the Kilauea volcano erupted?
a. Indonesia
b. Somalia
c. Ethiopia
d. Sudan
Answer: c. Ethiopia (The Great Honor of Ethiopia)
– Ethiopia conferred the “The Great Honor of Ethiopia” on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 16 December 2025.
– Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to Ethiopia.
– He was formally welcomed by PM Abiy Ahmed Ali at Ethiopia’s National Palace.
Eight Agreements Between India and Ethiopia
– Strengthening strategic partnership
– Customs cooperation and administrative assistance
– Establishment of a data center in Ethiopian ministries
– Support for UN peacekeeping training
– Debt relief for Ethiopia
– Doubling of scholarships
– AI courses for Ethiopian students
– Assistance in improving Mahatma Gandhi Hospital
Ethiopia
– President: Taye Atske Selassie
– Capital: Addis Ababa
– Currency: Birr
– Population: 136 million (2025)
– Neighboring countries: Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan
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5. Who has become the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL)?
a. B. N. Pan
b. Ashok Mehta
c. B. Sairam
d. Saroj Awasthi
Answer: c. B. Sairam
– The Ministry of Coal announced the appointment of B. Sairam on 15 December 2025.
– He replaced Sanjay Kumar Jha, who was holding additional charge.
– B. Sairam is a mining engineer and was educated at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur.
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6. Who was the most expensive player sold in the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in 2026 (for ₹25.20 crore)?
a. Cameron Green
b. Mahendra Singh Dhoni
c. Matheesha Pathirana
d. Virat Kohli
Answer: a. Cameron Green (Australian cricketer)
– The IPL 2026 player auction was completed in December 2025.
– All 10 franchises bid for a total of 77 slots.
– Out of 77 players, 29 foreign players were sold.
– All 10 teams together spent ₹215.45 crore.
– Australian cricketer Cameron Green was the most expensive player in IPL 2026.
– Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bought him for ₹25.20 crore.
– Cameron Green had also played for KKR in the IPL 2025 season.
– Earlier, in IPL 2025, India’s Rishabh Pant was the most expensive player, bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record ₹27 crore.
– The auction also saw strong interest in Kartik Sharma and Prashant Veer.
– They became the most expensive uncapped players in IPL history.
– Both were bought by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for ₹14.20 crore each.
– Their base price was ₹30 lakh.
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7. Which country became the first to receive recognition for its national cuisine on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage?
a. India
b. Italy
c. China
d. Japan
Answer: b. Italy
– Italy became the first country to receive recognition for its entire cuisine, rather than a single tradition or dish.
– In December 2025, UNESCO formally inscribed Italian cuisine on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
– The announcement was made at UNESCO’s cultural assembly held in Delhi in December 2025.
– Five months earlier, the Italian government had submitted the proposal to UNESCO.
– Italian cuisine was presented as a cultural and social ritual deeply connected to lifestyle, the local economy, and national identity.
– Italy already has 21 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s heritage list, including the art of Neapolitan pizza-making and opera singing.
– However, this was the first time UNESCO recognized the complete national culinary tradition of a country.
– UNESCO noted that Italian cuisine represents a “cultural and social amalgamation of food traditions.”
– Cooking and eating together are practices that strengthen social bonds and cultural roots.
UNESCO Recognition
– UNESCO’s cultural heritage list recognizes traditions, practices, and expressions transmitted by communities from generation to generation.
– UNESCO Headquarters: Paris (France)
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8. Which bank was recognized as ‘India’s Best Bank’ at the “Bank of the Year Awards 2025 Asia-Pacific”?
a. Punjab National Bank
b. State Bank of India
c. Punjab National Bank
d. Bank of Baroda
Answer: d. Bank of Baroda
– Bank of Baroda received this honor on 11 December 2025 at the Bank of the Year Awards organized by The Banker, a prestigious publication of the Financial Times.
– This achievement reflects the bank’s rapid transformation, innovative banking services, and its growing role in strengthening India’s financial system.
Reasons for the Award
– Successful phygital (Physical + Digital) banking model
– Strong customer support and outreach
– Nominee update facility
– Smart OD (Overdraft) facility for small businesses
– Innovative banking products for retail customers
– Commitment to nation-building and inclusive growth
– The bank’s Managing Director (MD), Debadatta Chand, stated that the bank’s goal is to strengthen financial inclusion and enhance India’s global financial standing.
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9. Who won the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) Teams title in 2025?
a. MRF Tyres Team
b. CEAT Tyres
c. Toksport WRT
d. Porsche
Answer: a. MRF Tyres Team
– Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Limited, received the trophy on 12 December 2025.
– The event was the annual season-closing ceremony organized by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).
– MRF Tyres had also won this title in 2022 and 2023.
– Winning the ERC Teams title requires consistent top performance across multiple rally events held in diverse and challenging terrains across Europe.
– Tyres play a crucial role in rally racing, where grip, durability, and adaptability to varying conditions directly impact race results.
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10. When is the National Minorities Rights Day celebrated?
a. 13 December
b. 12 December
c. 18 December
d. 19 December
Answer: c. 18 December
– To protect the rights of citizens belonging to minority communities and spread awareness, the Government of India observes Minority Rights Day on 18 December.
– It is organized by the National Commission for Minorities.
– The day was first observed in 2013.
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11. When is the Liberation Day of Goa celebrated?
a. 13 December
b. 12 December
c. 18 December
d. 19 December
Answer: d. 19 December
– Goa Liberation Day is celebrated every year on 19 December.
– On this day in 1961, Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule.
– On 18 December 1961, India launched a military operation under Operation Vijay to liberate Goa, involving all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces—the Navy, Air Force, and Army.
– Following this operation, Goa was freed from Portuguese rule on 19 December 1961.
Goa
– Capital: Panaji
– Governor: P. S. Sreedharan Pillai
– Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
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