Current Affairs 18 December 2025

PIB Current Affairs

Exercise Desert Cyclone II

The second edition of the India–UAE Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II is being conducted at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from 18 to 30 December 2025. The exercise involves troops from the Indian Army and the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.

Department of Space – Year End Review 2025

• SpaDeX Mission (Space Docking Experiment): Demonstrated docking, undocking, power transfer and circum-navigation. PSLV-C60 launched SpaDeX satellites on Dec 30, 2024 into 474 km orbit.
• Make-in-India 32-bit Space Microprocessors: First batches of VIKRAM3201 and KALPANA3201 handed over on Mar 5, 2025 (VSSC + SCL Chandigarh, 180nm CMOS). VIKRAM3201 is launch-vehicle qualified; KALPANA3201 is SPARC V8 RISC (IEEE 1754 ISA).
• ISRO leads “International Charter: Space and Major Disasters”: Took six-month lead role starting April 2025; NRSC hosted 53rd Charter meeting (Apr 14–17, 2025) in Hyderabad; Charter marked 25 years (2025); supports global disaster response using EO data/products.
• First Indian to ISS (Axiom-04): Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla completed historic 18-day ISS stay; launched June 25, 2025 on SpaceX Dragon.
• NISAR launched (ISRO–NASA): NISAR launched on July 30, 2025 via GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota.
• Space Analog Mission (HOPE) at Tso Kar, Ladakh: HOPE setup inaugurated July 31, 2025.
• KALAM 1200 static test (private startup): First static test of KALAM 1200 solid motor (Skyroot’s Vikram-1 first stage) on Aug 8, 2025 at Sriharikota.
• SSLV Launch Complex, Kulasekarapattinam: Launch pad foundation laid Aug 27, 2025 at Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu; dedicated for SSLV and NGE launches.
• LVM3-M5 launched CMS-03: On Nov 2, 2025, LVM3 launched CMS-03 multi-band communication satellite (~4400 kg) to GTO—heaviest commsat launched to GTO from Indian soil.

Hindu Current Affairs

Prime Minister was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour

Prime Minister was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian honour, the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The award recognises Prime Minister Modi’s significant contribution to strengthening India–Ethiopia bilateral relations.

Exercise EKUVERIN

The India–Maldives joint military exercise EKUVERIN between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) concluded with a joint validation exercise in Thiruvananthapuram. The two-week-long exercise focused on Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism (CI/CT) operations in contemporary operational environments.

Inhalable Microplastics

A recent scientific study on inhalable microplastics has highlighted a new and serious air pollution threat in Indian cities. Inhalable microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 10 micrometres, small enough to bypass the body’s natural respiratory defences and penetrate deep into the lungs. Researchers found that an average urban resident in India inhales about 132 micrograms of microplastics daily, posing chronic health risks. Inhalable Microplastics exposure was found to be highest in Delhi and Kolkata.

100% FDI in Insurance Sector Bill Passed

The Lok Sabha has passed a landmark Bill to increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector from 74% to 100%. The move aims to attract higher foreign capital, advanced technology, and innovative insurance products into India. All Indian laws and regulations will continue to apply to foreign-owned insurance companies.

Highlights of the Insurance Bill

• FDI limit in insurance raised to 100% (from 26% in 2015 → 49% → 74% in 2021).
• Amendments made to:
  • Insurance Act, 1938
  • Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956
  • Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999
• Net Owned Fund requirement for foreign reinsurance branches reduced from ₹5,000 crore to ₹1,000 crore to attract more reinsurers.
• Government infused ₹17,450 crore into public sector general insurance companies.
• Listing of LIC, GIC Re, and New India Assurance to strengthen public insurers.
• Insurance regulator IRDAI empowered to:
  • Disgorge wrongful gains from insurers and intermediaries
  • Increase maximum penalty on intermediaries from ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore

Disclaimer: The subheading “Hindu Current Affairs” used in this article refers only to current affairs content sourced from The Hindu Newspaper. This section is provided solely for educational and informational purposes to assist competitive exam aspirants in their preparation. We do not claim ownership of the original reporting, and all credit belongs to The Hindu.