Daily Current Affairs - 23rd December 2025
- TPP
- Dec 23, 2025
- 13 min read
Updated: Jan 5
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | India–New Zealand FTA, Accra Convention 2025, RBI Composite Leading Indicator, Higher Education Internationalisation Report, 30 Years of PESA Act, Personality Rights, Electoral Trusts Report, Financial Fraud Risk Indicator, India–France Defence Systems, SIRT6 Aging Enzyme, Forest (Conservation) Act Ruling and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.
Table of Content
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
ENVIRONMENT & GEOGRAPHY
India and New Zealand Announce Landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
India and New Zealand recently announced a Landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), one of India’s fastest-concluded FTAs after signing six agreements in the last five years, the latest being with Oman.
An FTA is an agreement between two or more countries in which they agree on specific obligations affecting trade in goods and services, along with protections for investors and intellectual property rights (IPR).
Salient Features of India-New Zealand FTA
The FTA provides Zero-Duty Market Access, eliminating customs duty on 100% of Indian exports, which significantly enhances trade competitiveness.
For the first time, an Annex on Health and Traditional Medicine Services has been signed by New Zealand, promoting cooperation in healthcare and traditional medicine.
The FTA includes Agricultural Value Chain Integration through an Agricultural Productivity Partnership, aiming to improve farm productivity and integrate Indian farmers into global value chains.
Importance of FTAs for India
FTAs help in Export Market Diversification, reducing over-dependence on traditional markets like the USA, which recently imposed a 50% tariff on goods from India.
They provide a Long-Term Investment Boost, as New Zealand has committed to invest USD 20 billion over 15 years.
FTAs enable MSME Integration, linking Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises to global value chains, boosting exports and employment.
The agreement supports Skilled Mobility, allowing up to 5,000 professionals temporary employment entry visas at a time in sectors like IT and engineering.
Improved Competitiveness results from zero or low tariffs, helping Indian goods compete effectively in global markets.
FTAs strengthen Strategic Partnerships, enhancing economic diplomacy and India’s geopolitical influence.
Additionally, FTAs contribute to Export-Led Growth, supporting the overall expansion of India’s economy.
United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents (Accra Convention), 2025
Recently, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting the United Nations Convention on Negotiable Cargo Documents (Accra Convention), 2025.
Negotiable Cargo Documents (NCDs) are documents, in both paper and digital formats, that represent goods in transit.
NCDs confer rights over goods to the holder, which are transferable to others, effectively allowing the goods to be bought or sold while in transit.
About Accra Convention, 2025
The main objective of the Accra Convention, 2025 is to establish a uniform legal framework for NCDs.
It also extends the benefits of negotiable documents beyond maritime transport to multimodal transport, including train, truck, plane, or ship.
Multimodal transport refers to the movement of goods using more than one mode of transport under a single contract.
The convention allows cargo to be sold, rerouted, or used as collateral for financing while mid-journey, facilitating flexibility in trade operations.
Under the convention, NCDs have the same legal effect as physical delivery of goods, meaning the holder has legal ownership even without taking physical possession.
The significance of the Accra Convention lies in its ability to facilitate trade finance and support the digitalization of global trade, streamlining cross-border commerce.
Composite Leading Indicator (CLI)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted the utility of a proposed Composite Leading Indicator (CLI) in its latest State of the Economy report.
The proposed CLI is designed specifically for Gross Value Added (GVA) in the manufacturing sector of India.
Gross Value Added (GVA) refers to the value of output produced by a sector after subtracting the value of intermediate inputs.
About Composite Leading Indicator for GVA–Manufacturing
The Composite Leading Indicator will be compiled at a quarterly frequency.
The primary objective of the CLI is to anticipate shifts in the manufacturing sector’s business cycle.
A business cycle refers to phases of expansion and contraction in economic activity.
Another objective of the CLI is to strengthen short-term economic assessment.
Indicators Used in the Composite Leading Indicator
The CLI is constructed using a set of multiple indicators.
One group of indicators captures domestic demand conditions.
Domestic demand reflects consumption and investment within the economy.
Another group of indicators tracks inflation dynamics.
Inflation dynamics refer to changes in the general price level over time.
The CLI also incorporates survey-based sentiment indicators.
Survey-based sentiments measure business and consumer confidence.
Industrial credit flows are included as a financial indicator.
Industrial credit flows reflect the availability of bank lending to manufacturing firms.
The CLI further includes uncertainty metrics.
Uncertainty metrics capture risks arising from policy, financial, or global shocks.
Finally, the CLI integrates global macroeconomic trends.
Global macroeconomic trends reflect international growth, trade, and financial conditions influencing India’s manufacturing sector.
NITI Aayog Report on Internationalization of Higher Education in India
NITI Aayog has released a report titled “Internationalization of Higher Education in India.”
The report examines challenges, rationale, and policy measures for integrating Indian higher education with global systems.
Challenges in Internationalization of Indian Higher Education
One major challenge is resource constraints.
Many Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have limited capacity to raise budgets for expansion.
Another critical challenge is brain drain.
A high percentage of top-tier Indian graduates choose to settle abroad.
This trend limits the domestic knowledge and research base.
Infrastructure gaps pose a structural challenge.
Less than 15% of Indian HEIs meet international expectations.
These expectations relate to campus facilities, student housing.
These expectations further include safety protocols.
Regulatory bottlenecks act as procedural barriers.
India currently has complicated visa procedures for international students and faculty.
There are heavy documentation requirements.
There is an absence of a fast-track academic visa category.
Internationalization under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
Internationalization of higher education is a central pillar of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
NEP 2020 aims to transform India’s higher education into a globally integrated system.
One focus area is increasing the ratio of international students and faculty in Indian HEIs.
Another focus area is enabling the presence of local campuses of top global institutions in India.
A further focus is the expansion of Indian HEIs outside India.
Why India Needs Internationalization of Higher Education
One key reason is the rise in outward remittances for education.
Outward remittances increased by over 2,000% in a decade.
They reached nearly USD 3.4 billion in 2023–24.
This amount equals around 53% of India’s Union higher education budget.
Internationalization supports the democratization of quality education.
Nearly 97% of Indian students study in domestic institutions.
Internationalization enables them to access world-class education aligned with global standards.
Internationalization enhances global readiness of the workforce.
It embeds international benchmarks within Indian campuses.
It promotes faculty exchanges. It integrates global curricula.
These measures prepare India’s workforce to be world-ready and globally competitive.
Internationalization also helps in countering brain drain.
It enables better harnessing of the Indian diaspora.
It improves global university rankings.
Higher rankings result from increased international student and faculty ratios.
It strengthens soft power projection.
An example of soft power projection is IIT Delhi’s offshore campus in Abu Dhabi.
Policy Recommendations by NITI Aayog
Under governance reforms, NITI Aayog recommends establishing an Inter-Ministerial Task Force.
It also proposes Country Centres of Excellence (CoEs).
These CoEs are to be set up in 54 Central Universities.
The CoEs will act as nodal points for engagement with specific nations.
Under regulatory reforms, the report recommends revising the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
NIRF rankings should include internationalization metrics.
The report also suggests simplifying visa documentation procedures.
Under financial reforms, the report proposes launching Bharat Vidya Kosh.
Bharat Vidya Kosh is a USD 10 billion sovereign research fund.
It also recommends launching the Vishwa Bandhu flagship scholarship.
This scholarship aims to attract global researchers.
It also targets international master’s students.
Under branding and outreach, the report proposes the Bharat ki AAN (Alumni Ambassador Network).
This network will engage successful Indian-origin alumni.
Alumni will act as global brand ambassadors for Indian education.
The report also recommends revamping the “Study in India” portal.
The portal should function as a one-stop digital solution.
Under curriculum and cultural reforms, the report emphasizes Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
IKS refers to India’s traditional and indigenous knowledge frameworks.
These systems should be integrated with global academic standards.
The report also mandates industry-relevant internships.
It further recommends reflective writing modules in degree programmes.
30th Anniversary of the PESA Act, 1996
The 30th anniversary of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996 has been celebrated.
The PESA Act extends Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to tribal-dominated Fifth Schedule Areas.
Fifth Schedule Areas are notified tribal regions governed under Article 244 of the Constitution.
Background of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) were given constitutional status by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1993.
The 73rd Amendment aimed to establish local self-governance.
PRIs function at the village level, block level and district level.
The 73rd Amendment did not apply automatically to Scheduled Areas.
Scheduled Areas exist in following ten states:
Andhra Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Gujarat
Himachal Pradesh
Jharkhand
Madhya Pradesh
Maharashtra
Odisha
Rajasthan
Telangana
Salient Features of the PESA Act
The PESA Act mandates empowerment of the Gram Sabha.
Gram Sabha is the assembly of all adult members of a village.
Mandatory prior consent of Gram Sabha is required for land acquisition.
Gram Sabha consent is mandatory for development projects, management of minor forest produce, and extraction of minor minerals.
The PESA Act grants regulatory powers to Gram Sabhas and Panchayats.
They can prohibit or regulate intoxicants.
They can regulate land alienation and land protection.
They can manage village markets.
They can exercise control over money-lending activities.
The PESA Act ensures preservation of tribal culture.
It recognizes traditional governance systems.
It protects customary laws.
It safeguards the cultural identity of tribal communities.
The PESA Act has legal supremacy in Scheduled Areas.
PESA overrides general constitutional provisions.
PESA also overrides conflicting state legislature laws.
Implementation Challenges After Three Decades
After three decades, PESA remains under-realized.
One reason is the absence of a mandatory timeline for framing rules.
Another reason is the dominance of bureaucratic structures.
Bureaucratic dominance often sidelines Gram Sabha authority.
A key challenge is the lack of devolution of funds, functions and functionaries.
Initiatives to Strengthen PESA Implementation
The PESA–GPDP Portal was launched in September 2024.
GPDP stands for Gram Panchayat Development Plan.
The portal supports planning of development activities.
The portal enables monitoring of resource allocation.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has provided institutional support.
A dedicated PESA Cell has been established.
Centres of Excellence are being set up in central universities.
One such university is the Indira Gandhi National Tribal University.
These centres aim at capacity building and institutionalisation.
The government has enhanced linguistic outreach.
Training manuals have been translated into regional languages.
Regional languages include Telugu and Marathi.
Manuals have also been translated into tribal languages.
Tribal languages include Santhali, Gondi, Bhili and Mundari.
Personality Rights
The Delhi High Court has passed an interim injunction order.
The order protects the personality rights of a famous actor.
An interim injunction is a temporary court order preventing harm until final adjudication.
Meaning of Personality Rights
Personality rights refer to an individual’s right to control unauthorized use.
The control extends to personal attributes such as name.
The control extends to image, voice, likeness and distinctive expressions or traits.
Personality rights apply to commercial use and non-commercial use.
Personality rights are not expressly codified in any statute in India.
Components of Personality Rights
Personality rights consist of the right to publicity.
The right to publicity protects commercial exploitation of identity.
The right to publicity is protected under the Trademarks Act, 1999 and Copyright Act, 1957.
Personality rights also include the right to privacy.
The right to privacy is protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
The right to privacy was affirmed in the K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) case.
Electoral Trusts
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has released the Annual Report on Electoral Trusts.
The report covers contributions received by Electoral Trusts.
The report also covers donations given to political parties.
The reporting period is the Financial Year 2024–25.
Legal Framework of Electoral Trusts
Electoral Trusts are governed by the Electoral Trusts Scheme, 2013.
The Scheme provides for the establishment of Electoral Trusts.
Electoral Trusts must be registered under the Companies Act.
Registration under the Companies Act gives them legal corporate status.
Nature and Functioning of Electoral Trusts
Electoral Trusts receive donations from individuals and companies.
Electoral Trusts may receive donations from other eligible entities.
Electoral Trusts distribute these donations to registered political parties.
Objective of Electoral Trusts
The primary objective of Electoral Trusts is to enhance transparency.
The objective also includes ensuring accountability in political funding.
Transparency refers to public disclosure of funding sources and amounts.
Mandatory Distribution Requirement
Electoral Trusts are bound by a statutory mandate.
By law, they must distribute 95% of total contributions received.
The distribution must occur within the same financial year.
The beneficiaries must be registered political parties.
Regulation and Oversight
Electoral Trusts are required to report contributions.
Reporting must include contributions received from individuals and companies.
Reports are submitted to the Election Commission of India.
Electoral Trusts are governed by the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Disclosure Requirements
Electoral Trusts must mandatorily disclose donor identities and amounts donated.
Mandatory disclosure ensures traceability of political donations.
Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) prevented ₹660 Crore Cyber Fraud Losses
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) has helped prevent ₹660 crore worth of cyber fraud losses.
FRI was introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The objective of FRI is to combat cyber fraud and financial crime.
Meaning and Nature of FRI
FRI is a risk-assessment tool.
It is used to identify mobile numbers potentially involved in financial fraud.
Financial fraud includes unauthorized transactions and digital payment scams.
FRI is a multi-dimensional analytical tool.
It has been developed as part of the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
Mechanism of FRI
FRI classifies mobile numbers into risk categories.
The risk categories include Medium, High, and Very High.
Classification is done using inputs from banks, telecom service providers.
Classification includes inputs from law-enforcement agencies.
Classification also relies on citizen reports.
Utility of FRI
FRI enables banks and financial institutions to generate early fraud alerts.
Early alerts help in timely identification of suspicious activity.
FRI supports enhanced due diligence by financial institutions.
Enhanced due diligence refers to stricter verification and monitoring.
FRI helps prevent fraudulent financial transactions.
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP)
DIP is a secure, real-time data-sharing platform.
DIP connects telecom operators, banks, fintech entities, government agencies.
DIP enables coordinated cyber fraud detection and faster intelligence exchange.
DIP has onboarded a large number of financial institutions.
DIP includes about 1000+ organisations.
These include central security agencies, 36 State and Union Territory police forces, banks and financial institutions, social media platforms such as WhatsApp.
Faster exchange helps detect misuse of telecom identifiers.
Telecom identifiers include mobile numbers and SIM-related information.
Other Key Initiatives to Prevent Cyber Fraud
Legal measures include the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Act provides a legal framework for electronic offences.
Institutional initiatives include the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
I4C functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
I4C acts as a central platform for cybercrime coordination.
I4C provides investigation support to law enforcement agencies.
I4C supports capacity building against cybercrime.
I4C has launched the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System.
The system allows citizens to report financial cyber frauds.
The Sanchar Saathi Initiative empowers mobile subscribers.
The initiative focuses on awareness and protection against telecom fraud.
It includes the Chakshu feature.
Chakshu enables reporting of suspected fraudulent communications.
Another initiative is the Samanvaya Platform.
The platform strengthens cyber fraud investigations.
It provides analytics-based interstate linkages.
These linkages connect criminals and crime patterns across states.
Direct Firing Sight Navigation System
India and France have signed an agreement for joint production of the Direct Firing Sight Navigation System in India.
The agreement supports defence manufacturing and technology collaboration between the two countries.
Components of the System
The system includes the SIGMA 30N Navigation System.
SIGMA 30N enables autonomous artillery engagement.
Autonomous engagement refers to operation without reliance on GPS signals.
The system also includes the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight.
The CM3-MR is designed to enhance artillery accuracy and to improve anti-drone engagement capability.
Key Features of the System
The system offers GPS-independent autonomy.
GPS independence ensures operational reliability.
Reliability is crucial in electronic warfare environments.
Electronic warfare environments often involve signal jamming and spoofing.
The system provides high versatility.
Versatility refers to seamless integration with diverse hardware platforms.
The system integrates with heavy artillery systems, radar platforms and mobile air defence systems.
The system supports direct-fire capability.
Direct fire involves immediate engagement of visible targets.
The system uses advanced thermal sights and optical sights.
These sights enable effective targeting of drones and other visible threats.
SIRT6 Enzyme
Researchers have identified a critical molecular mechanism regulating brain aging and neurodegeneration.
The mechanism involves the enzyme SIRT6.
Neurodegeneration refers to progressive damage and loss of nerve cells.
Meaning and Nature of SIRT6
SIRT6, also known as Sirtuin 6, is a longevity-linked enzyme.
Longevity-linked enzymes are associated with aging and lifespan regulation.
SIRT6 functions as an active metabolic switch.
SIRT6 also acts as a gatekeeper for tryptophan metabolism.
Role of Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid.
Essential amino acids must be obtained through diet.
Tryptophan is used in cellular energy production and in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan.
Serotonin plays a role in mood regulation.
Melatonin is another neurotransmitter derived from tryptophan.
Melatonin regulates sleep cycles.
Both serotonin and melatonin support neural stability.
Functional Role of SIRT6
When SIRT6 activity is intact, tryptophan is properly distributed.
Proper distribution occurs between energy-generating pathways and serotonin and melatonin production pathways.
During aging, SIRT6 activity declines.
Declining SIRT6 activity disrupts tryptophan metabolism.
Disrupted metabolism leads to formation of toxic byproducts.
Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The Supreme Court (SC) has held that forest land cannot be used for non-forestry purposes.
The prohibition includes use of forest land for agricultural activities.
The ruling is based on the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
Objective of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
The primary objective of the Act is the conservation of forests.
The Act also aims to regulate the use of forest land.
Regulation specifically applies to diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
Coverage of Forest Land
The Act applies to reserved forests.
Reserved forests are forests notified for strict protection under law.
The Act applies to protected forests.
Protected forests allow limited use under government regulation.
The Act applies to government-recorded forest land.
Government-recorded forest land includes land recorded as forest in official records.
Approval Requirements
The Act mandates prior approval from the Central Government.
Such approval is required before reservation of forest land and diversion of forest land.
Diversion refers to use of forest land for non-forest purposes.
The requirement applies to State Governments and any other authority.
Advisory Committee Provision
The Act provides for the establishment of an Advisory Committee.
The Central Government constitutes the Advisory Committee.
The Committee advises on granting approval for use of forest land.
The Committee also advises on other matters related to forest conservation.
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