The President of India has given assent to the Viksit Bharat—Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB—G RAM G) Bill, 2025 marking a significant milestone in the transformation of rural employment policy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 21, 2025 laid the foundation stone of a ₹10,601-crore brownfield ammonia-urea plant in Dibrugarh district of Assam.
The Assam Valley Fertiliser and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL) will have an annual urea production capacity of 12.7 lakh metric tonnes, and the project is scheduled for commissioning in 2030.
In July 2025, AVFCCL was incorporated at Namrup in Dibrugarh district. A new plant within the existing premises of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertiliser Corp Ltd (BVFCL) was approved by the Union Cabinet in March this year.
AVFCCL is a joint venture among the Assam Government, Oil India, National Fertilisers Ltd (NFL), Hindustan Urvarak & Rasayan Ltd (HURL), and BVFCL.
The State-run BVFCL is the only urea-making facility in eastern India. The facility started production in January 1969, as a part of the Hindustan Fertiliser Corp Ltd (HFCL). BVFCL was formed in April 2002 after hiving off the Namrup Unit of HFCL.
It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, with 100% shareholding by the Government of India.
It is touted to be the first factory of its kind in India to use associated natural gas as a basic raw material for producing nitrogenous fertiliser.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the first anniversary celebrations of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative with more than 1,500 participants cycling along the Rock Beach promenade.
Legendary former India hockey goalkeeper P R Sreejesh and table tennis icon Sharath Kamal joined the ride, which saw participation from people across age groups and backgrounds,
including school students, members of NaMo Cycling Clubs and students from Puducherry University.
According to the Sports Ministry, the Fit India Sundays on Cycle initiative was conducted at over 700 districts in 2 lakh locations across the country, with more than 20 lakh people taking part over the course of the year.
The Supreme Court of India, in its order dated November–December 2025, considered the recommendations of the Committee constituted by it vide order dated 9/5/24 and its further directions dated 12/8/2025 regarding uniform policy level definition of Aravali Hills and Ranges specifically in the context of regulating mining,
and to incorporate the views of the concerned State Governments. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) led this Committee comprising Secretaries of departments of forest from UT of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat as well as representatives of Forest Survey of India, Central Empowered Committee and Geological Survey of India.
The Aravalli Hills and Ranges are among India’s oldest geological formations, stretching from Delhi through Haryana, Rajasthan, and into Gujarat. Historically, they have been recognized across 37 districts by state governments, with their ecological role noted as a natural barrier against northern desertification and a protector of biodiversity and water recharge.
Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal, Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, released the toolkit for the 10th edition of Swachh Survekshan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
Swachh Survekshan (SS), the world’s largest urban cleanliness survey, completes a decade. SS is not just an annual survey but a powerful management tool.
This year the theme for Swachh Survekshan is: Swacchata Ki Nayi Pehel- Badhayein Haath, Karein Safai Saath (स्वच्छता की नई पहल - बढ़ाएं हाथ, करें सफाई साथ). All States and Urban Local Bodies, including Municipal Commissioners and other State representatives, participated in the launch virtually.
Swachh Survekshan has been assessing Ganga towns as part of its urban cleanliness framework. Expanding its scope, the assessment will now include river towns across the country. A separate matrix has been introduced for coastal areas to bring it under the Swachh Survekshan ambit.
MoHUA launched the largest time-bound and structured mentorship framework in urban waste management mentorship programme under SBM-U – Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ), in Sept, 2025. 72 Mentor and 200 mentee cities signed MoUs to foster knowledge transfer, peer learning, and replication of best practices.
The proposed trade agreement between India and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will exclude chapters on services and investment, with the deal primarily focusing on tariff reduction in goods as well as some other areas, according to a person aware of the matter.
This is because EAEU does not negotiate services under its free trade agreements (FTAs). Diverse domestic regulations among member nations of the bloc limits their ability to market access in services, a person aware of the matter told Business Standard. India, however, has an option to have pacts on services with member nations on a bilateral basis.
Similarly, in the case of areas such as investment, India generally negotiates a separate investment agreement, instead of making it a part of an FTA.
The EAEU is an international organisation for regional economic integration. It comprises five countries -- the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
Russia is not only the largest country but also the largest trade partner in the bloc, with a share of more than 90 percent.
Apart from goods, the FTA with EAEU will focus on areas such as technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary measures to regulate products’ standards and safety, customs procedures, intellectual property rights, government procurement etc.
India and the EAEU signed the terms of reference (ToR) to launch free trade agreement (FTA) talks in August. The first round of negotiation took place during November 26-28. The next round of negotiation will take place in February 2026 in Moscow.
India exported goods worth $5.52 billion to EAEU in FY25 and imported goods worth $64 billion.
Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Company has launched the Kotak Nifty Next 50 ETF, an open-ended exchange-traded fund that allows investors to participate in India’s growth story by investing in the potential icons of tomorrow.
The Kotak Nifty Next 50 ETF is a passive fund that tracks the Nifty Next 50 Total Return Index (TRI).
The New Fund Offer (NFO) opened on December 18, 2025, and closes on January 1, 2026.
The Nifty Next 50 Index represents 50 companies from Nifty 100 after excluding the Nifty 50 companies. This selection aims to give investors exposure to potentially growing names with the reliability of large caps.
The ETF currently is well-diversified across sectors, reducing concentration risk while providing unbiased exposure.
The Kotak Nifty Next 50 ETF is a passively managed fund that aims to track/replicate the Nifty Next 50 Index, providing transparent and cost-effective access to a diversified basket of high-potential companies.
The PE multiple of Nifty Next 50 index is currently trading at a discount i.e. 21.8, which is lower compared to its 10-year average historical of 29.9, making it a reasonable entry point^. (PE stands for Price-Earnings).
Category: Index ETF
Benchmark: Nifty Next 50 TRI
Minimum Investment: ₹5,000 during NFO
Fund Managers: Devender Singhal, Satish Dondapati and Abhishek Bisen
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) notified more amendments to the PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals) Regulations, 2015 applicable largely to the voluntary non-government sector (All Citizen Model and Corporate Model).
As per the relevant provisions of revised Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Operational Guidelines, 2023 which provides for mechanism of Escrow Account wherein states/UTs are required to commit their liabilities in advance by releasing their share of premium subsidy in advance, an Escrow Account shall be maintained by State/UTs for their share in premium subsidy,
and such other purposes as may be notified by DA&FW, Gol from time to time
The State/UTs shall commit their liabilities for each season in advance through release of 50% advance premium subsidy based on the corresponding previous seasons premium subsidy for each Insurance Company in the respective Escrow Account and,
and release subsequent instalments following the seasonality discipline provided in the operational Guidelines.
The concerned lnsurance Company shall confirm the deposit of the advance upfront premium by the concerned State/UT government to the escrow account on the Subsidy Module of National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP).
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship ‘Amulya’, the third in the series of eight new-generation Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessels, was commissioned in Goa on December 19, 2025. This 51-metre vessel designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited represents a new benchmark in indigenous shipbuilding.
With more than 60% indigenous components, Amulya, which means ‘priceless’, underscores India’s steady progress towards defence self-reliance, in line with the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India initiatives. It integrates modern design philosophy focused on efficiency, endurance, and rapid response capability.
Powered by two 3000 KW advanced diesel engines, the ship delivers a top speed of 27 knots and an operational endurance of 1,500 nautical miles, enabling extended missions in India’s maritime zones. It is fitted with indigenous state-of-the-art weapons/systems, offering superior manoeuvrability, operational flexibility and enhanced performance at sea.
ICGS Amulya will be based at Paradip, Odisha, operating under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North East). The ship is commanded by Commandant (JG) Anupam Singh and has a complement of 05 officers and 34 personnel.
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has entered into an agreement with Flipkart to further strengthen India’s vocational education and skilling ecosystem.
The collaboration aims to create nationally recognised, industry-led skilling pathways for India’s rapidly expanding e-commerce and logistics workforce, in alignment with the Skill India Mission.
Established under the aegis of MSDE, NCVET plays a critical role in regulating and ensuring quality across India’s vocational education, training, and skilling ecosystem.
Its mandate focuses on creating nationally benchmarked standards that strengthen workforce employability and contribute to sustained economic growth.
This partnership will also help Flipkart develop standardized, high-quality training and certification programs that enhance employability, particularly for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds.
The Union Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is set to establish city-level convention promotion bureaus as independent bodies, in partnership with stakeholders, beginning in 2026, to significantly boost India’s Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism ecosystem.
With iconic venues such as Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, and Jio World Centre, and MICE tourism being prioritised under the Incredible India campaign, our objective is to elevate several Indian cities into globally competitive MICE destinations.
A major highlight of the event was a Round Table Summit on the ‘Indian MICE Industry Roadmap for the Next Five Years’, along with the official launch of IEIA’s strategic report, titled “India MICE Opportunities Overview (2025–2030)”, which outlines a comprehensive blueprint for leveraging institutional support and technology to strengthen India’s leadership.
The Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA) is the national apex body representing exhibition organisers, venue owners, and service providers. IEIA serves as the “Gateway to Indian Trade Shows”, driving the exhibition industry as a key engine of economic growth.
Basketball was played for the first time on December 21, 1891 at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, after Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor, developed the game to keep his students active during the winter months.
Today, basketball has grown to become one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world. FIBA, basketball’s governing body, estimates that at least 450 million people worldwide are playing basketball today. Basketball has also been a part of the Olympic program since its introduction at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
Meditation is an ancient practice that involves focusing one’s attention on the present moment. Rooted in religious, yogic, and secular traditions across cultures, meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, it is embraced worldwide, transcending its spiritual origins to become a universal tool for personal well-being and mental health.
To raise awareness about meditation and its benefits, the General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day, recalling the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
