Current Affairs 16 December 2025

PIB Current Affairs

Squash World Cup 2025

India created history by winning its maiden Squash World Cup title after defeating Hong Kong China in the final of the Squash World Cup 2025. The Squash World Cup 2025 was hosted by Chennai, India. India became the first Asian country to win the Squash World Cup and fourth after Australia, England and Egypt. The Indian team featured Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, and Anahat Singh.

SHANTI Bill, 2025

The Minister of State for Science and Technology, introduced the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025 in Parliament on 15 December 2025. The Bill proposes to repeal the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010, replacing them with a single, modern and comprehensive nuclear law.

The proposed legislation aims to align India’s nuclear governance with its long-term energy and climate goals, including net-zero emissions by 2070 and achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. The Bill also grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

India’s first-ever ‘table-top red marking’ on a National Highway

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has implemented a pioneering road safety and wildlife protection initiative on a National Highway stretch passing through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve.

The initiative covers a 2 km ghat section of an 11.96 km highway project and features India’s first-ever ‘table-top red marking’ on a National Highway. Inspired by global best practices such as Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road, a 5 mm thick thermoplastic red surface layer has been applied to alert drivers entering a speed-restricted, wildlife-sensitive corridor.

NAVYA Scheme 2025

The NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational training for Young Adolescent Girls) initiative was launched in June 2025 as a joint programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD). The scheme aims to empower adolescent girls aged 16–18 years in aspirational districts by providing demand-driven vocational training to promote socio-economic independence.

NAVYA focuses on both traditional and non-traditional skill sectors, while also ensuring holistic development through modules on health, nutrition, hygiene, financial literacy, life skills, and legal awareness. Under the scheme, 27 districts across 19 States have been covered. In Andhra Pradesh, Parvathipuram Manyam district has been selected under the NAVYA initiative.

Hindu Current Affairs

Commemorative Postage Stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II

C.P. Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, also known as Suvaran Maran. On the occasion, he highlighted that Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II was among the most renowned rulers of ancient Tamil Nadu. He belonged to the Mutharaiyar dynasty, which ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE.

Mutharaiyar Dynasty

The Mutharaiyar dynasty was an important South Indian royal family that ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu notably Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), and Pudukkottai from around 600 to 900 CE.

Historical Significance

• The Mutharaiyars were powerful regional rulers before the rise of the Cholas.
• They acted as feudatories of the Pallava dynasty, playing a crucial role in maintaining political stability in Tamil Nadu.
• Their administration laid the foundation for later Chola dominance in the Kaveri delta region.

Military & Administration

• Known for strong military leadership and effective regional control.
• Frequently associated with hunting and warrior communities, reflecting their martial culture.
• Actively participated in wars alongside the Pallavas to defend their territories.

Cultural & Developmental Contributions

• Promoted temple construction, irrigation works, and agrarian expansion.
• Supported arts, culture, and local governance, contributing to socio-economic development.

Key Ruler

• Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II
  • Also known as Suvaran Maran
  • Reign: c. 705–745 CE
  • One of the most powerful and renowned Mutharaiyar kings
  • Known for:
    • Extensive territorial control
    • Military prowess
    • Patronage of irrigation and arts
  • Fought alongside Pallava ruler Nandivarman II

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

The Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Nauradehi tiger reserve) has gained attention as one of the important protected areas in Madhya Pradesh, strengthening India’s tiger conservation network. Named after Rani Durgavati, the brave Gond queen, the reserve highlights both wildlife conservation and historical legacy. This tiger reserve is located at Nauradehi in Sagar district, as the third habitat in the Madhya Pradesh State for the cheetahs.

Cheetah habitats in Madhya Pradesh

• Kuno National Park
• Gandhi Sagar Tiger Reserve
• Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve

Winter Session of Maharashtra Legislature

An unexpected constitutional situation unfolded in Maharashtra Legislature during the winter session held in Nagpur, which concluded on December 14. For the first time since Maharashtra’s formation in 1960, both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council functioned without a Leader of the Opposition (LOP).
Traditionally, a party requires 10% of the total seat strength to be recognised as the official Opposition a convention, not a statutory rule. However, despite past precedents where Opposition parties were recognised even without meeting this threshold, no LOP was appointed this time.
The issue has sparked debate on whether the appointment of an LOP is a democratic necessity or purely the discretion of the Speaker/Chairperson.

Leader of Opposition

The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is the head of the largest party in opposition to the government in a legislative body. The post is statutory, not constitutional.

Legal Basis

• The office is recognised under the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of Opposition in Parliament Act, 1977.
• Similar Acts exist for State Legislatures.
• Definition (as per the Act): The LoP is the leader of the opposition party having the greatest numerical strength and recognised by the Speaker/Chairman.

Constitutional Status

• Not mentioned in the Constitution of India.
• Governed by law, parliamentary conventions, and precedents (as explained in standard texts like Indian Polity).

10% Rule — Convention, Not Law

• A party usually needs at least 10% of total seats in the House to be recognised as the official Opposition.
• This 10% requirement is a convention, not a statutory or constitutional rule.
• In the past, Speakers have relaxed this norm to uphold democratic balance.

Role & Importance of Leader of Opposition

• Acts as the shadow of the government, ensuring accountability.
• Provides constructive criticism of government policies.
• Plays a crucial role in Parliamentary Committees and appointments (e.g., selection panels for CBI Director, Lokpal, etc.).
• Considered essential for the smooth functioning of parliamentary democracy.

Rank & Status

• Leader of Opposition enjoys the status of a Cabinet Minister in terms of salary, allowances, and protocol.
• Given official staff, residence, and security.

Appointment Authority

• Lok Sabha / State Assembly: Recognised by the Speaker.
• Rajya Sabha / Legislative Council: Recognised by the Chairman.

India’s Methane Emmissions

Recent satellite-based studies have raised concerns that India’s methane emissions from landfills are significantly under-estimated. Methane, which is about 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, is a major contributor to climate change and is also responsible for landfill fires. Around 15% of India’s methane emissions come from the waste sector. Platforms like ClimateTRACE and WasteMap now combine satellite observations with models to improve accuracy.

ClimateTRACE: ClimateTRACE aggregates satellite data, remote sensing, and AI-based models to provide near–real-time, facility-level emission estimates worldwide. It helps identify emission hotspots and improves transparency for climate action.

WasteMap: WasteMap focuses on the waste sector, combining satellite detection with baseline waste statistics to estimate landfill-specific methane emissions and refine traditional inventory methods.

Andhra Pradesh Current Affairs

Interlinking of Rivers in Andhra Pradesh

The Interlinking of Rivers (ILR) programme in Andhra Pradesh is progressing with multiple river-link proposals aimed at water security, irrigation expansion, flood control, and drought mitigation. Several links involving the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Pennar rivers have reached important planning milestones.

Note: There a total 30 Interlinking Projects were identified under the National Perspective Plan (NPP). Out of these 16 were Peninsular Component and 14 from Himalayan component.

Out of the 30 identified link projects under the National Perspective Plan (NPP), the National Water Development Agency (NWDA)

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