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Daily Current Affairs 25th December 2025 | Latest News | Download PDF

By Ameena Ameena - Dec 25 2025

Dear Readers, get to know the daily current affairs today covering all the National & International Events provided here in this article. Current Affairs is an important topic in various competitive exams like IBPS/SBI/PO/Clerk and other competitive exams. To score better in this section, be updated with the daily happenings. Check the Daily Current Affairs December 2025 updates here. Revision is very important in remembering current affairs. Candidates after learning the Daily current affairs 25th December 2025, can test their knowledge by attempting Current Affairs Quiz provided with answers. Daily current affairs 25th December 2025 covers current affairs from International & National news, Important Days, State News, Banking & Economy, Business News, Appointments & Resignation, Awards & Honour, Books & Authors, Sports News, etc.,

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CURRENT AFFAIRS : BANKING, FINANCE & BUSINESS

India–New Zealand Finalise Financial Services Annex Under Trade in Services Chapter of FTA

India–New Zealand concluded negotiations on the Financial Services Annex of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 22 December 2025, strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
The annex, finalised in the last negotiation round on 10 December 2025, goes beyond GATS commitments and comprises 18 articles, providing a robust institutional and regulatory framework.
Both countries agreed to cooperate on electronic payments and real-time transaction infrastructure, including interoperability of Fast Payment Systems (FPS).
The agreement strengthens India’s digital payments ecosystem, led by NPCI and platforms like Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
India has adopted a forward-looking liberalisation approach, including enhanced FDI limits in the banking and insurance sectors.
A liberalised bank branch licensing framework allows establishment of up to 15 bank branches over four years, higher than the GATS limit of 12 branches.
At present, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India operate in New Zealand with four branches combined, while New Zealand has no banking or insurance presence in India, and no Indian insurance company operates in New Zealand.

PayNearby Secures Third-Party Application Provider Licence Approval from National Payments Corporation of India to Offer UPI Services

Fintech company PayNearby has received Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) licence approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
The TPAP licence authorises non-bank entities to offer UPI-enabled payment applications in India.
Following the approval, PayNearby launched the “PayNearby Saathi” app, expanding its presence in the digital payments ecosystem.
PayNearby Saathi provides UPI-enabled savings accounts and digital payment services to users.
The app integrates BHASHINI, India’s national language translation platform, for voice-based interactions.
BHASHINI integration enables users to interact in their preferred Indian languages with instant voice responses, enhancing financial inclusion.
Well-known TPAP licence holders include PhonePe, Google Pay, and Paytm, placing PayNearby among leading UPI service providers.
The development supports India’s digital payments growth, multilingual access, and last-mile financial services delivery.

Canara Bank Introduces ‘Canara ai1Pe’, a Unified UPI App for Safe and Seamless Digital Payments

Canara Bank, an Indian Public Sector Bank (PSB), has launched ‘Canara ai1Pe’, a UPI-based digital payments application.
Canara ai1Pe aims to provide fast, secure, and convenient digital payment services to customers across banks.
The app allows users to link savings or current accounts from any bank to send and receive UPI payments, ensuring full interoperability.
Core services of the app include instant fund transfers, QR-code-based merchant payments, utility bill payments, and mobile/DTH recharges on a single platform.
To ensure security, the app uses device binding (restricting access to the registered mobile only) and mandatory UPI Personal Identification Number (PIN) authentication.
The UPI Delegate feature (also known as UPI Circle) enables primary users to add trusted family members with predefined monthly spending limits, such as ₹15,000, while maintaining central control.
The app supports UPI Autopay, allowing automated recurring payments for subscriptions, EMIs, SIPs, and utility bills.
The app offers a user-friendly interface with rewards and finance management tools, significantly enhancing digital banking convenience for users of all age groups.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Issues Amendments to National Pension System Exit and Withdrawal Regulations, 2015

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), notified the ‘PFRDA (Exits and Withdrawals under the National Pension System (NPS)) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025’,, amending the principal 2015 regulations.
The amendments, mainly focused on the Non-Government Sector (including the All Citizen Model and Corporate Sector), have been uniformly applied to both Common Schemes (CS) and the Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF), while also simplifying certain provisions for government subscribers.

Key Highlights :

Significant Updates Under the New Regulations :

Removal of Lock-in Period:

For all citizen models (Common Schemes & Multiple Scheme Framework), PFRDA has removed the mandatory 5-year lock-in period, enabling earlier access to funds based on eligibility rather than a fixed timeline.

Vesting Period:

For the All Citizen Model, the vesting period is now 15 years or until the subscriber turns 60, whichever comes first.
For the Corporate Sector (CS & MSF), the vesting period remains until retirement/superannuation.

Lump Sum and Annuity:

Non-government subscribers can now withdraw up to 80% of the corpus as a lump sum (increased from 60%).
The minimum annuity requirement for non-government subscribers has been reduced from 40% to 20% of Accumulated Pension Wealth (APW).

Maximum Age to Stay in NPS:

The maximum age limit to remain invested has increased from 75 to 85 years for both government and non-government subscribers.

Automatic Continuation:

The 15-day prior intimation requirement for continuing the account after 60/superannuation has been removed, allowing seamless continuation under NPS.

Withdrawal Limits:

Before 60 years/superannuation: A maximum of 4 partial withdrawals are allowed, with a minimum 4-year gap between them.
After 60 years/superannuation: No limit on frequency, but a minimum interval of 3 years is required between withdrawals.
Partial withdrawals: Limited to 25% of the subscriber’s own contribution.

Withdrawal Based on Corpus Size:

➔ If Accumulated Pension Wealth (APW) is ≤ ₹8 lakh:

Both government and non-government subscribers can withdraw 100% of the corpus as a lump sum.
Government subscribers have the option to purchase an annuity of at least 40% of their corpus if they choose not to take a full withdrawal.
Non-government subscribers have the option to purchase an annuity of at least 20% of their retirement corpus if they prefer a pension.

➔ If APW is between ₹8 lakh and ₹12 lakh:

Subscribers can withdraw a maximum of ₹6 lakh as a lump sum.
The remaining amount must be used for either:
- Annuity purchase, OR
- Systematic Unit Redemption (SUR) spread over a period of at least 6 years.

➔ If APW is > ₹12 lakh:

Non-government subscribers (All Citizen and Corporate models) can withdraw a maximum of 80% of their corpus as a lump sum, with the remaining 20% used for mandatory annuity purchase.
Government subscribers can withdraw a maximum of 60% as a lump sum, with the remaining 40% used for mandatory annuity purchase.

Loans Against NPS:

For the first time, subscribers can take loans from regulated financial institutions by pledging their NPS corpus for higher education, marriage, house purchase, or illness, up to 25% of their own contributions.

Exit Provisions:

Renunciation of Indian citizenship: The entire APW is withdrawable in a lump sum.
Missing Subscriber: 20% interim relief is paid to the legal heir; the remaining 80% is settled after the legal presumption of death under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
Death of Subscriber: Nominees are allowed 100% lump sum withdrawal, with an optional annuity or Systematic Lump Sum Withdrawal (SLW).

About PFRDA:

Established: 2003
Statutory Status: PFRDA Act, 2013 (notified on 1 February 2014)
Chairman: Sivasubramanian RamannHeadquarters: New Delhi
Function: To regulate, develop, and promote the pension sector in India, including the National Pension System (NPS) and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL AND STATE NEWS

Health Effects Institute Study Highlights Persistent Air Pollution Crisis in Delhi-NCR

A recent analysis by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) has highlighted the continued severity of air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to the study, all of India’s top 20 most polluted air quality monitoring stations in 2024 were located in Delhi-NCR, despite the implementation of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in 2019.
While some locations show signs of improvement, absolute pollution levels in Delhi-NCR remain among the highest in the country.
The HEI report titled “Assessment of Changes in Air Quality in Indian Cities Since the Launch of the National Clean Air Programme” identified Jahangirpuri in North Delhi as the most polluted monitoring station in India in 2024.
Jahangirpuri recorded an annual average PM10 concentration of 276.1 micrograms per cubic metre, far exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
PM10, which consists of coarse particulate matter, poses serious risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Among the top 20 polluted stations, 19 were in Delhi and one was in the surrounding NCR region.
Long-term trends for Delhi present a mixed but cautiously improving picture.
Based on raw PM10 data, 21 out of 27 monitoring stations showed declining trends, with reductions ranging from 0.3 to 9.7 micrograms per cubic metre per year, though most declines were not statistically significant.
Some locations such as Punjabi Bagh and R.K. Puram recorded increasing PM10 levels, indicating uneven progress across the city.
When seasonal and meteorological effects were removed from the data, 19 stations showed statistically significant declines in PM10 levels.
The steepest reduction was observed at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, with a decline of about 7.5 micrograms per cubic metre per year.
For PM 2.5, which is finer and more harmful, 22 stations showed declining trends, while eight stations recorded increasing trends, with Punjabi Bagh and R.K. Puram again showing the strongest upward trends.
Despite these improvements, the report cautions that the pace of reduction is small relative to Delhi’s extremely high baseline pollution levels.
Cities in the NCR outside Delhi showed more consistent improvements.
In Ghaziabad and Noida, all long-term monitoring stations recorded statistically significant declines in both PM10 and PM2.5, indicating more uniform progress compared to Delhi.
This suggests that local factors and targeted interventions play a crucial role in pollution control outcomes.
At the national level, the findings are uneven but relatively encouraging.
Among stations with at least five years of data, 44 showed significant declines in PM10, while 24 showed significant increases.
For PM2.5, 54 out of 89 stations recorded significant declines.
Cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Howrah, Noida, and Ghaziabad showed consistent reductions, with improvements also noted in Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Thane, and Chandrapur.
However, cities with only one monitoring station face challenges in making reliable city-wide assessments.
The National Clean Air Programme, launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, aims to reduce particulate pollution across Indian cities.
The HEI report underlines that Delhi-NCR remains India’s most persistent pollution hotspot, and highlights concerns over uneven and sparse monitoring networks.

RECENT NEWS

India has created a medical history by conducting the country’s first-ever dedicated clinical trial of an advanced brain stent for severe stroke treatment at AIIMS Delhi. The trial, known as the GRASSROOT trial, was conducted to assess an indigenously developed medical device called the Supernova stent manufactured by Gravity Medical Technology.

Government to Establish Bureau of Port Security to Strengthen Maritime Security

In a major step to strengthen India’s maritime security framework, the Central Government has decided to establish a Bureau of Port Security (BoPS).
The new body aims to enhance security at ports and on vessels through improved coordination, intelligence sharing, and risk-based security planning, at a time when Indian ports are handling rapidly increasing trade volumes.
The Bureau of Port Security will be a statutory body responsible for regulating and overseeing security arrangements at ports, vessels, and port facilities across the country.
It will be set up under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and function under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The BoPS will be modelled on the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which oversees airport and aviation security in India.
The key responsibilities of the BoPS will include security regulation and oversight of ports and ships, timely collection, analysis, and sharing of security-related information, and the implementation of graded and risk-based security measures.
Risk assessment will be based on factors such as the location of the port, trade potential, and vulnerability and threat perception.
A dedicated cybersecurity division will be established to protect port information technology systems and digital infrastructure from cyber threats.
India has over 200 ports, including major and non-major ports, which handle a substantial share of regional and global trade, making them critical national assets.
Ports increasingly face complex and evolving threats such as smuggling and illegal trafficking, terror-related maritime risks, cyber-attacks on port systems, and challenges arising from increased vessel movement and logistics complexity.
The creation of the BoPS is expected to provide a centralised, future-ready security architecture, ensuring uniform standards, better preparedness, and enhanced resilience of India’s port infrastructure.

NITI Aayog Report on Internationalisation of Higher Education in India (December 2025)

In December 2025, NITI Aayog released a landmark policy report titled “Internationalisation of Higher Education in India: Prospects, Potential, and Policy Recommendations” with the objective of transforming India into a global education destination and research hub.
The initiative is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and complements regulatory reforms proposed under the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, which aims to modernise and streamline the higher education framework.
Despite global growth in student mobility, India faces a severe imbalance between outbound and inbound students. In 2024, nearly 28 Indian students went abroad for every one international student studying in India, highlighting the urgency for policy intervention.
Indian students’ overseas education expenditure is projected to reach ₹6.2 lakh crore by 2025, equivalent to nearly 2% of India’s Gross Domestic Product and about 75% of the trade deficit for Financial Year 2024–25.
This significant capital outflow underlines the need to reduce brain drain, retain domestic talent, and leverage education for soft power, knowledge diplomacy, and long-term economic sustainability.
Although the number of international students in India has increased by 518% since 2001, India hosted only around 47,000 international students as of 2022, which is low relative to its demographic and academic potential.
The report estimates that with effective reforms, international student enrolment in India could increase to 7.89 lakh to 11 lakh by 2047.
Outbound student data shows that 8.5 lakh out of 13.5 lakh Indian students abroad are studying in high-income countries such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Australia, reflecting strong pull factors abroad and push factors at home.
Key institutional challenges identified include limited scholarships and financial aid for international students (41%), quality perception concerns regarding Indian education (30%), and inadequate international infrastructure, global programme offerings, and student support systems.
Major strategic measures include the proposal for Bharat Vidya Kosh, a national research sovereign wealth fund with a suggested $10 billion corpus, partially supported by the Indian diaspora and philanthropic contributions.
The Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship and Fellowship is proposed to attract international students and global research talent, while Bharat ki AAN (Alumni Ambassador Network) aims to mobilise the global Indian alumni community as education ambassadors.
To enhance academic mobility, the report recommends an Erasmus Plus–like multilateral framework, potentially named the Tagore Framework, focusing on regional groupings such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Brazil Russia India China South Africa, and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.
It also promotes campus-within-campus models and the establishment of international campuses by foreign universities in India and Indian institutions abroad.
Regulatory reforms suggested include simplified entry and exit norms, fast-tracked visas for foreign students and faculty, single-window clearance for administrative requirements such as bank accounts and tax identification numbers, and competitive salaries and incentives to attract global faculty.
The report recommends strengthening branding and rankings by enhancing National Institutional Ranking Framework parameters to include international collaboration and global outreach, along with strategic communication to address quality perception gaps.
Greater emphasis is placed on globally relevant curricula, cross-cultural academic environments, and strong international research collaborations to build an internationalisation culture within institutions.
The study is based on an online survey of 160 Indian institutions, key informant interviews across 16 countries, a national workshop at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, and deliberations at a Transnational Education Roundtable in the United Kingdom.
The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025 proposes replacing the University Grants Commission, All India Council for Technical Education, and National Council for Teacher Education with a single unified regulatory body, supported by three councils for regulation, accreditation, and academic standards.

RECENT NEWS

In a strategic step toward empowering women entrepreneurs in India, NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), in partnership with DP World, has launched the ‘We Rise – Women Entrepreneurs Reimagining Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprises’ initiative.

Chillai Kalan Begins in Jammu and Kashmir Amid Fresh Rain and Snowfall Forecast

Chillai Kalan is the coldest and most severe phase of winter in Kashmir Valley, lasting for 40 days from December 21 to January 30.
It is a centuries-old Kashmiri term that marks the peak winter period, characterized by extreme cold, freezing temperatures, snowfall, and icy winds.
During this period, temperatures often fall well below freezing, water bodies partially freeze, and heavy snowfall occurs, especially in higher reaches.
Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai Khurd (20 days of milder cold) and Chillai Bacha (10 days of comparatively moderate winter), making Chillai Kalan the most critical phase for weather and water cycles.
According to the Meteorological Department, the Valley is expected to receive rain in plains and moderate to heavy snowfall in higher-altitude areas starting Saturday night.
District authorities in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora have issued official advisories, urging residents, particularly in mountainous areas, to avoid unnecessary travel during snowfall.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Advocate Shubham Awasthi Conferred ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025

In a significant recognition of young legal talent in India, Advocate Shubham Awasthi has been conferred with the prestigious ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ 2025, one of the most respected honours in the Indian legal fraternity.
The award recognises not only professional excellence but also commitment to public service and humanitarian values, highlighting the growing role of young advocates in strengthening India’s justice delivery system.
Shubham Awasthi is a practising advocate at the Supreme Court of India, known for his work in public interest litigation, constitutional law, and social justice matters.
He holds a postgraduate degree in Media and Entertainment Laws and has been actively associated with several government and statutory
Beyond legal practice, Advocate Shubham Awasthi has been actively involved in humanitarian and social initiatives.
He was recently appointed Deputy Secretary General (India) of the World Humanitarian Drive, a London-based global organisation, reflecting his commitment to combining legal expertise with social responsibility.
The ‘40 Under 40 Lawyer Award’ is significant as it encourages merit-based recognition, highlights emerging leaders shaping India’s legal future, inspires young advocates to pursue excellence with ethics, and strengthens public confidence in the next generation of legal professionals.
Such recognitions play an important role in nurturing talent within India’s evolving legal ecosystem.
The award was presented at the 6th Edition of the BW Legal World 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025, held in New Delhi.

Malayalam Publisher Ravi Deecee Conferred French Honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

In a significant cultural milestone, Ravi Deecee, a noted Malayalam publisher, was conferred the prestigious French honour Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his outstanding contribution to literature, publishing, and cross-cultural exchange, particularly between India and France.
The award ceremony was held at the Embassy of France in India, highlighting the growing role of cultural diplomacy and literary collaboration.
The honour was conferred by Thierry Mathou, the Ambassador of France to India, who commended Ravi Deecee for transforming DC Books into one of India’s leading publishing houses and for actively promoting French literature in Indian languages, especially Malayalam.
The ceremony was attended by several eminent personalities from India’s literary and cultural circles.
Ravi Deecee is the Publisher and Managing Director of DC Books, one of India’s most respected publishing companies.
Under his leadership, DC Books has emerged as a major force in Indian publishing with a strong emphasis on regional languages, high-quality translations, and literary excellence.
A key contribution of DC Books has been the translation of major French literary works into Malayalam, enabling Indian readers to access global literature in their mother tongue.
DC Books has published Malayalam translations of works by renowned French and Francophone authors such as Annie Ernaux, Jean-Paul Sartre, Emmanuel Carrère, David Diop, Maryse Condé, Céline, and Johanna Gustawsson.
These efforts have significantly strengthened France–India literary relations, promoted multilingualism, and enhanced cultural understanding.
Beyond publishing, DC Books has actively supported international cultural exchange by facilitating the participation of global authors in Kerala through the Vagamon Writer Residency, which is part of the Villa Swagatam programme of the French Embassy.
This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to support writers and translators, encourage creative exchange, and strengthen cultural diplomacy.
The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres is a prestigious French civilian honour instituted in 1957 to recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of arts, literature, and culture in France and worldwide.
The order has three ranks: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), and Commandeur (Commander).
Over the years, it has honoured globally renowned cultural figures such as Le Corbusier and Marcel Pagnol, among others.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Financial Services Institutions Bureau Recommends Brajesh Kumar Singh as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Canara Bank

The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Brajesh Kumar Singh for the post of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of Canara Bank.
He will succeed K. Satyanarayana Raju, the current MD & CEO of Canara Bank, who is retiring on superannuation in December.
The final appointment will be made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Brajesh Kumar Singh is currently serving as Executive Director of Indian Bank and was appointed to this role on 10 March 2024 for a three-year term.
Before joining Indian Bank, he served at Bank of Baroda in roles such as Credit Officer, Branch Head, and Regional Head.
At Indian Bank, he has been a member of key committees including the Management Committee, IT Strategy Committee, Credit Approval Committee, and the Committee of Directors (Vigilance).

About Canara Bank:

Founded: 1906
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Founder : Ammembal Subba Rao Pai
Tagline: “Together We Can”

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DEFENCE NEWS

Defence Research and Development Organisation Successfully Completes User Evaluation Trials of Next-Gen Akash (Akash-NG) Missile System

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed User Evaluation Trials (UET) of the Next Generation Akash missile (Akash-NG), marking a major milestone in India’s air defence preparedness.
During the trials, Akash-NG successfully intercepted multiple aerial targets across different ranges and altitudes, including near-boundary low-altitude and long-range high-altitude
Akash-NG is a surface-to-air missile system equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker and powered by a solid rocket motor, enhancing precision and reliability.
The missile system is designed to counter a wide spectrum of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, and other airborne platforms.
All major systems and sub-systems such as Multi-Function Radar (MFR), Command and Control Unit, and Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV) have been indigenously designed by various DRDO laboratories with Indian industry collaboration.
Successful UETs underline India’s growing indigenous defence manufacturing capability and move Akash-NG closer to induction, strengthening India’s layered air defence architecture.

About DRDO:

Founded: 1958
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Parent Ministry: Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamat

Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee Highlights Critical Minerals as Key to Defence Readiness and Viksit Bharat 2047

The Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS),, in collaboration with IP Bazzaar, hosted Tech Talk 2025 on the theme “Minerals That Matter: Geopolitics, Sovereignty & Value Chains” in New Delhi.
The keynote address was delivered by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).
Critical minerals were highlighted as a strategic enabler for national security, defence capability development, and technological sovereignty.
Modern defence systems such as jet engines, missiles, precision munitions, radars, satellites, batteries, and semiconductors are intrinsically dependent on assured access to critical minerals.
Global supply chains of critical minerals are highly concentrated and vulnerable to export controls and geopolitical pressures, creating strategic risks for import-dependent countries.
Self-reliant defence manufacturing and operational readiness were linked directly to secure and resilient mineral supply chains.
The initiative aligns with India’s long-term visions of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
National efforts highlighted included identification of critical minerals, creation of the National Critical Mineral Mission, and strengthening the entire value chain from extraction and processing to manufacturing and recycling.
The event featured the inauguration of 30 technical reports on critical minerals, covering IP landscape studies and market analyses.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

Competition Commission of India Clears Blackstone’s 9.99% Stake Acquisition in Federal Bank via Warrants

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Blackstone’s acquisition of 9.99% stake in Federal Bank through warrants, marking a key foreign investment in India’s banking sector.
The acquisition will be executed via Asia II Topco XIII Pte Ltd, a Blackstone arm, with each warrant convertible into one fully paid-up equity share of Federal Bank.
On full conversion of warrants, Blackstone will hold 9.99% of Federal Bank’s paid-up share capital on a fully diluted basis.
Blackstone will have the right to nominate a director on the Federal Bank’s Board as long as it maintains a minimum 5% stake in the bank.
In a separate approval, CCI cleared Tata Steel’s proposal to acquire sole control of Tata BlueScope Steel by purchasing the remaining 50% stake from BlueScope Steel Asia Holdings Pty Ltd.
Tata BlueScope Steel operates in the coated steel segment, while Tata Steel is engaged in iron ore mining, pellets, sponge iron, and crude steel production.
These approvals underline CCI’s role in regulating major mergers and acquisitions, ensuring fair competition while permitting strategic investments and consolidation in the banking and steel sectors.

About CCI:

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is a statutory body within the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and is responsible for enforcing the Competition Act of 2002.
Founded: October 14, 2003
Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Chairperson: Ravneet Kaur

CURRENT AFFAIRS : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IIT Delhi Develops Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant, an AI Agent Capable of Independently Conducting Real-World Scientific Experiments

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi researchers have developed AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant), an AI agent capable of independently conducting real-world scientific experiments.
AILA marks a shift from AI-assisted research to AI-driven laboratory experimentation, where AI performs the complete scientific workflow.
The system operates on an AI agentic framework, enabling autonomous decision-making, experiment execution, and result analysis without human intervention.
AILA uses a chatbot-style English interface, which converts user instructions into executable code for laboratory instruments.
The AI agent can autonomously operate an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), one of the most complex and sensitive instruments in materials science.
Real-time decision-making allows AILA to adjust experimental parameters during experiments, similar to a human scientist.
The project was developed by IIT Delhi in collaboration with scientists from Denmark and Germany, highlighting international research cooperation.
Unlike AI tools such as ChatGPT, which assist in analysis and writing, AILA is designed to perform hands-on experimental science.
The research findings were published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications, ensuring high scientific credibility.

Japan Clears Restart of World’s Largest Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Plant After Key Regional Vote

Japan has moved towards restarting the Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, the world’s largest nuclear power plant, following a crucial regional approval vote.
The step marks Japan’s return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.
Kashiwazaki–Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant was among 54 nuclear reactors shut down after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident (2011) was the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl, significantly altering Japan’s energy policy.
As part of energy reforms, Japan has restarted 14 out of 33 operable nuclear reactors.
Restarting nuclear plants aims to reduce Japan’s dependence on imported fossil fuels (which currently account for 60–70% of electricity) and enhance energy security.
Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operated the Fukushima plant, will restart Kashiwazaki–Kariwa, making it TEPCO’s first nuclear restart since the 2011 meltdowns.
The move highlights Japan’s shift towards a balanced energy mix, combining nuclear power with renewables to achieve carbon neutrality and support rising demand from AI data centers.

About Japan:

Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY)
Prime Minister: Sanae Takaichi

ROHM Collaborates with Tata Electronics Private Limited to Produce Semiconductors in India

Japanese semiconductor leader ROHM Company Limited (ROHM) has partnered with Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL) to manufacture semiconductors for domestic and global markets.
The collaboration aims to establish a sustainable semiconductor supply chain under the Make in India initiative, targeting automotive, consumer electronics, IoT, AI, defence, and aerospace sectors.