Weekly Current Affairs 21 December 2025

Transport and Railways

Railways

Freight and Performance

• Freight loading hit 135.7 million tonnes in November, up 4.2% year-on-year, with cumulative growth to 1,070.8 million tonnes by then; key gains in steel, iron ore, and fertilizers drove earnings to a record Rs 14,310 crore. Cumulative freight loading up to November reached 1,070.8 million tonnes, up 3.3% year-on-year.
• Train punctuality reached 80% nationwide from December 8-14.
•  Varanasi’s BLW exported its 6th locomotive to Mozambique oDecember15.

              Commemorative Events

• Eastern and Western Railways celebrated the 150th anniversary of the “Vande Mataram” song in early November, with nationwide events including special programs. IRAS Day Delhi Chapter occurred on November 23, themed “Celebrating IRAS – A Legacy of Service, A Future of Excellence,” gathering officers to discuss modernization and Atma Nirbhar Bharat

Festive Special Trains

• Around 200 special trains operated over 12,000 trips from October 1 to November 30 for Diwali and Chhath, peaking at 280 daily on October 18. Gurpurab specials ran from Patna and Old Delhi to Sri Anandpur Sahib on November 22-25.

Winter Operations

• Indian Railways planned 244 trips (with more added) across eight zones for Christmas and New Year, including 138 specials with 650 trips by mid-December. On December 6-9, 89 specials (over 100 trips) covered major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad amid flight cancellations. Vande Bharat services ran New Delhi-Udhampur on December 6​

​Transport

• Several industry summits and expos highlighted logistics and transport innovations. Urban Mobility India occurred on November 7-9 in Gurugram, targeting smart systems and sustainable mobility.
• Multi – Logistix India Expo and Cement Expo both ran November 12-13 in Delhi, uniting supply chain and logistics stakeholders.
• The India Warehousing & Logistics Show took place November 20-22 in Mumbai
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways emphasized logistics optimization, with costs dropping to 7.97% of GDP via IPRS 3.0 by November 27.
• NHAI advanced highway safety with table-top crossings for wildlife and fog-season measures like road sign upgrades by December 14.
• NHAI expanded the highway network rapidly, with a December 14 announcement on eco-friendly designs amid ongoing expressway projects targeting 17,000 km by 2033

Civil Aviation.

• India’s civil aviation sector experienced key regulatory shifts in late 2025, primarily through stricter enforcement of phased Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules by the DGCA, alongside ongoing implementation of earlier 2025 reforms like sustainable aviation fuel mandates. These changes aimed to enhance pilot safety and align with global standards but triggered operational crises. Temporary exemptions followed to restore stability​

FDTL Rules Enforcement

• DGCA’s revised FDTL norms, notified in January 2024, rolled out in phases: Phase 1 on July 1 raised weekly rest to 48 hours from 36, while Phase 2 from November 1 redefined night duties (0000-0600 hours), capped pilots at two-night landings per roster, and limited consecutive night duties. These curbs reduced pilot availability, causing IndiGo to cancel over 1,000 flights in early December due to crew shortages. DGCA granted a one-time exemption on December 6, relaxing Phase 2 until February 10, 2026, after dismissing inspectors for oversight lapses​

SAF Mandate Implementation

• The 1% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend became mandatory for domestic flights in 2025, with Indian Oil committing supply by July-September; binding purchase obligations were expected in Q4 2025. This added operational costs, prompting airlines to integrate SAF compliance into lease defaults under the new Aircraft Objects Act (effective May 1).

Dangerous Goods Overhaul

• New Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, effective June 19, mandated digital documentation, DGCA-certified staff, and IATA/ICAO alignment, with full compliance required by December 31 after a six-month transition. These enhanced safety for hazardous cargo amid rising air traffic.​

Other Late-2025 Actions

• Ministry of Civil Aviation invoked powers on December 5 to curb surge pricing during disruptions, mandating refunds, refreshments, and real-time updates. A consultation paper in August proposed uniform performance standards for airports, linking tariffs to service quality. These responses balanced safety enforcement with connectivity needs.

Telecommunication

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              5G Network Expansion

• India added 6,010 new 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in November 2025, raising the national total to 514,742 from 508,732 in October. This expansion covers 99.9% of districts, with Maharashtra leading additions at 1,105 sites and Uttar Pradesh at 895. States like Gujarat (638 sites) and Rajasthan (413) also saw significant growth, driven by private operators like Jio and Airtel.

             Tariff Adjustments

• Telcos implemented selective price hikes in November 2025, with Vodafone Idea raising its Rs 1,999 annual plan by 12% and 84-day plans by 7%. Bharti Airtel increased its cheapest voice plan from Rs 189 to Rs 199, while BSNL shortened plan validity. Brokerages anticipate a 15% industry-wide hike in December, potentially adding Rs 50 to 28-day 1.5GB/day plans, to boost revenues amid moderated growth.

              Regulatory Developments

• TRAI recommended slashing microwave backhaul spectrum charges to 0.1% of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) per carrier on December 10, 2025, down from higher progressive rates—a potential 55% cut for operators. Proposals include point-to-point assignments in 6/7/13/15/18/21 GHz bands and low fees like Rs 2,500 for V-band links to enhance backhaul affordability. This aims to support 5G densification without service disruptions.

             Key Events

• IEEE ANTS 2025, held December 15-18 in Delhi at IIIT Delhi, focused on “Smart, Sustainable, and Secure Networks Towards 6G” with keynotes, workshops, and demos.

Space Research and ISRO

            November Launches and Milestones

• On November 2, ISRO launched its heaviest satellite, CMS-03 (4,410 kg), via LVM3-M5 rocket from Srihari Kota, enhancing Navy and Army communications. NISAR satellite became operational on November 7, marking a milestone in Indo-US Earth observation radar technology. CSIR-ISRO Space Meet occurred on November 17 in Bengaluru, focusing on human spaceflight and microgravity research.

             December Preparations and Launches

• Gaganyaan’s first uncrewed test flight (G1), featuring humanoid Vyomitra, is planned for December 2025 to validate crew escape and orbital systems, with over 80% of tests completed.
• BlueBird-6, the heaviest US commercial satellite, launch rescheduled to December 21 via LVM3 from Srihari Kota, enabling direct-to-device broadband.
• LVM3-M6 customer satellite integration was underway for a mid-December slot.

Defence Research and DRDO

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Missile Advancements

• DRDO successfully tested India’s first long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile in November 2024, enhancing maritime strike capabilities. Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology was validated on an Agni-series missile in March 2024, enabling single-missile multi-target strikes.
• The Phase II Ballistic Missile Defence system proved effective in network-centric warfare with advanced interceptors.

            Aeronautical Achievements

• The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft represents a key indigenous multi-role fighter developed with collaborative efforts. Ground testing of an active cooled scramjet subscale combustor exceeded 1,000 seconds in 2025, marking progress in hypersonic propulsion.
• Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, including Mk-I (40 km) and Mk-II (60 km), have been inducted into the Indian Army

Emerging Technologies

• A Quantum Technology Research Centre opened in May 2025 at Metcalfe House to advance quantum sensing, secure communications, and cryptography under the National Quantum Mission. DRDO sanctioned 148 new R&D projects over three years via initiatives like Technology Development Fund and iDEX, involving startups and academia. Indigenous efforts saved ₹2.64 lakh crore over five years by reducing import reliance.
• DRDO has advanced several major projects in recent years, focusing on missiles, aeronautics, and defense technologies to bolster India’s self-reliance.

Key Missile Projects

• Dhruvastra, an air-to-surface helicopter-launched missile, was successfully completed, enhancing anti-tank capabilities. Nag Mk-2 and Astra Mk-2 represent upgrades in anti-tank guided missiles and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles. Abhyas high-speed expendable aerial target supports testing for various missile systems.

 Aeronautical and Surveillance Systems

• Anti-drone air-defense systems provide countermeasures against unmanned threats. Solid Fuel Ducted Rocket Ramjet technology advances air-launched tactical missiles. Long-range remotely operated vehicles aid detection and neutralization in maritime roles. ​

Emerging Initiatives

• DRDO sanctioned projects worth over Rs 29,500 crore in the last three years, completing 138 initiatives including deep-tech efforts via Technology Development Fund. Seven new private sector projects emphasize Atmanirbharta in ISR and maritime domain awareness. These build on prior successes like hypersonic missiles and quantum research centers.

International Current Affairs

International meetings

• COP30 occurred in Belém, Brazil, from November 10–21, emphasizing the Amazon’s role in climate action and emission reductions.
• The G20 Summit followed in South Africa on November 22–23, marking the first African Union-led presidency with focuses on climate resilience and debt relief.
•  The India-Russia Annual Summit (December 5–6) and Doha Forum (December 6–7) addressed diplomacy and diversity​

Elections and Politics

• Iraq held parliamentary elections on November 11, where Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani’s party secured a plurality.
• Honduras faced a general election on November 30, electing its president and congressional members. In December, Andrej Babiš of the ANO party became Czech Prime Minister after parliamentary elections.

Conflicts and Crises

• The Cambodia-Thailand border conflict escalated in December, with bombings causing multiple casualties.
• U.S. actions included intercepting Venezuelan oil ships and new trade deals with Latin American nations.
• A terrorist attack occurred on December 14, 2025, at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, during a Hanukkah celebration. Gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing 15 people including a 10-year-old girl, and injuring over 40 others, including two police officers. The assailants were identified as father Sajid Akram, 50, and son Naveed Akram, 24, who targeted the Jewish community at the “Chanukah by the Sea” event attended by about 1,000 people​

Diplomatic Developments

• Kazakhstan joined the Abraham Accords with Israel, enhancing bilateral ties.
• The UN Security Council lifted sanctions on Syrian leaders, and Syria reopened its embassy in London.
• President Trump pardoned former Honduran leader Juan Orlando Hernández in December

Key Output of COP-30

The $1.3 trillion annual climate finance target by 2035, part of the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) from COP29 and advanced at COP30, combines public and private sources to support developing countries’ mitigation and adaptation efforts. At least $300 billion yearly must come from public sources, with the remainder mobilized through private investments, though specifics on breakdowns remain flexible. This scales up from prior commitments amid calls for grant-based aid over loans.

• Mobilization Roadmap

The Baku to Belém Roadmap outlines actions like reforming multilateral development banks (MDBs) to boost lending, reducing debt burdens in vulnerable nations, and creating “country platforms” for coordinated finance flows. Governments, financial institutions, and private sectors must align via incentives such as de-risking tools, carbon markets, and blended finance to attract investors. Annual dialogues under UNFCCC intersessional meetings will track progress, including trade-climate links and Article 9.1 (developed countries’ obligations)

• Key Challenges

Private finance lags for adaptation projects like flood defenses, fevering mitigation such as renewables, prompting calls to triple adaptation funding within the $1.3T by 2035. Geopolitical tensions and petrostates limited binding mechanisms, relying instead on voluntary initiatives like the Global Implementation Accelerator. The EU and partners emphasize just transitions with $1.8B for Indigenous communities to ensure equitable mobilization.