Current Affairs 26 December 2025

Keezhadi Civilisation

Recent scientific research has provided new insights into the abandonment and burial of the ancient settlement at Keezhadi, located along the Vaigai River in southern Tamil Nadu. A study conducted by researchers from the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, and the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology suggests that parts of the “urban-like” settlement were buried by a high-energy flood event around 1,155 years before present (roughly 9th century CE).

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL)

The researchers used Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating, a technique that determines when mineral grains were last exposed to sunlight. By dating layers of sand, silt, and clay lying above brick structures, the team established when flood sediments covered the settlement not when the bricks themselves were constructed.

Keezhadi excavation site is a Sangam age settlement that is being excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India and the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department.This site is located 12 km southeast of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, near the town of Keezhadi in Sivagangai district.

Cyclones in the North Indian Ocean

Recent analysis of cyclonic disturbances over the North Indian Ocean — covering the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and adjoining land areas highlights four major long-term trends reshaping the region’s storm cycle over the last century (1900–2025).

1. Overall decline in total disturbances: cyclonic disturbances increased sharply from the early 20th century, peaked during the mid-1900s, and then declined significantly in the 1980s–2000s.
2. Bay of Bengal decline, Arabian Sea rise: The recent fall in total disturbances is driven mainly by a sharp reduction in Bay of Bengal cyclones, historically the most active basin. In contrast, the Arabian Sea has seen increased activity, though its absolute numbers are still lower than the Bay’s.
3. Fewer storms, but more intense: A higher proportion of storms are intensifying into severe storms or stronger categories. Storms originating in the Arabian Sea are more likely to reach very severe or extreme intensity, partly due to faster warming of its waters.
4. Shift in seasonality: Cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal is shifting towards the post-monsoon months (October–December) instead of the traditional July–September window.

Bureau of Port Security (BoPS)

The Union government has constituted the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) as a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The BoPS will function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and is modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Why BoPS was created?

India’s coastal and port security responsibilities were earlier distributed among multiple agencies such as the Indian Coast Guard, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), State maritime police, and the Navy. This multi-agency framework often led to coordination challenges and potential security gaps. BoPS aims to act as a single nodal authority for regulatory oversight and coordination of port and ship security.

Key roles and functions of BoPS:

• Regulatory oversight of security of ships and port facilities
• Enforcement of international standards such as the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code)
• Addressing threats like maritime terrorism, arms and drug smuggling, human trafficking, illegal migration, piracy, and poaching
• Establishing a dedicated cybersecurity division to protect port IT and digital infrastructure
• Facilitating intelligence sharing and coordination with national cybersecurity agencies
• Designating CISF as a recognised Security Organisation for preparing security plans, assessments, and training

Maritime context:

India’s maritime sector has expanded rapidly, with cargo volumes rising from 974 MMT (2014) to 1,594 MMT (2025), port capacity increasing by 57%, and inland waterway cargo growing eightfold. The BoPS aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030, which prioritises secure and world-class port infrastructure.

Constitution of India Released in Santhali Language

The President of India released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language on 25 December 2025. The Santhali version of the Constitution has been published in the Ol Chiki script, enabling Santhali-speaking people to read and understand the Constitution in their mother tongue. 2025 marks the centenary year of the Ol Chiki script.

Santhali is one of India’s most ancient living tribal languages and is spoken widely in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. It was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003.

Note:

The Constitution of India was originally adopted in English. Later, an authoritative Hindi version was adopted under Article 394A. At present, the Constitution of India has been translated and released in all 22 languages listed in the Eighth Schedule. These versions are intended for public awareness and accessibility, and are not meant for judicial interpretation.

Rashtra Prerna Sthal Inaugurated in Lucknow

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to honour the life, ideals, and nation-building contributions of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The inauguration coincided with Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 101st birth anniversary, observed on 25 December.

The Prime Minister highlighted that 25 December also marks the birth anniversaries of Madan Mohan Malaviya and Maharaja Bijli Pasi, paying tribute to their roles in safeguarding India’s identity, unity, and inclusive governance.

The Rashtra Prerna Sthal features grand statues of:

• Syama Prasad Mookerjee
• Deendayal Upadhyay
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The site symbolizes ideals of national unity, self-respect, Antyodaya (upliftment of the last person), and service. Notably, the memorial has been built on land that earlier served as a large garbage dump, now transformed into a modern inspiration site.

During the address, the Prime Minister:

• Reiterated the government’s commitment to Antyodaya and saturation-based welfare
• Highlighted achievements in infrastructure, social security, defence manufacturing, and digital governance
• Recalled the role of leaders like Syama Prasad Mookerjee in national integration and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in telecom reforms, road connectivity, and good governance
• Emphasised Uttar Pradesh’s transformation into a hub for expressways, defence corridors, mobile manufacturing, and tourism

Prominent Indian Leaders & Their Memorial Sites

India to Chair the Kimberley Process from 2026

The Kimberley Process (KP) Plenary has selected India to assume the Chairpersonship of the Kimberley Process from 1 January 2026. Prior to this, India will serve as Vice Chair from 25 December 2025. This will be the third time India has been entrusted with leading the Kimberley Process.

The Kimberley Process is a tripartite initiative involving governments, the international diamond industry, and civil society, aimed at preventing the trade of diamonds used by rebel groups to finance armed conflicts against governments, as recognised by UN Security Council resolutions. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), established pursuant to a UN resolution, came into force on 1 January 2003.

25 Years of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

This year is 25th anniversary of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), marking a major milestone in the country’s rural infrastructure and connectivity journey. The programme was launched on 25 December 2000 with the objective of providing all-weather road connectivity to previously unconnected rural habitations.

Key achievements so far (as of December 2025):

• 8,25,114 km of rural roads sanctioned
• 7,87,520 km completed (nearly 95–96% physical progress)
• PMGSY–III: 1,22,393 km sanctioned; 1,01,623 km constructed
• PMGSY–IV (2024–29):
  • 25,000 unconnected habitations to be linked
  • 62,500 km of roads proposed
  • Total outlay: ₹70,125 crore

The programme has evolved through multiple phases:

• Phase I (2000): Universal all-weather connectivity to eligible habitations
• Phase II (2013): Upgradation of economically important rural routes
• RCPLWEA (2016): Road connectivity in Left Wing Extremism–affected areas
• Phase III (2019): Strengthening major rural links and through routes
• Phase IV (2024): Last-mile connectivity based on Census 2011 criteria

Veer Bal Diwas – 26 December

Veer Bal Diwas is observed every year on 26 December to honour the supreme sacrifice of the Sahibzadas, the four sons of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of Sikhism. The day commemorates the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, who were bricked alive by the Mughal authorities in 1705 CE at Sirhind for refusing to convert their faith. The observance was announced by the Government of India in 2022.

Disclaimer: This article is prepared for competitive exam preparation using publicly available information.