🎭 Culture & Important Events

🔷 Vijay Diwas Commemorated Across India

Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) is observed every year on December 16 to commemorate India's decisive victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.
Key Event: On this day in 1971, the Chief of the Pakistani forces surrendered to the Indian Armed Forces and the Mukti Bahini in Dhaka.
Historical Result: The victory led to the creation of the independent nation of Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan).
Significance: The surrender of over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers was the largest military surrender since World War II.

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra Achieves Major Milestones

The Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY), the government's major outreach initiative, has achieved significant coverage and scheme saturation.
Reach: The Yatra has connected with over 25 crore citizens across the country, covering over 2.60 lakh Gram Panchayats and 4,000+ urban local bodies.
Impact: Scheme saturation rates in target areas have dramatically improved from an average of 60% to 94%.
Flagship Schemes: The campaign facilitated enrollment in key schemes like PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Ujjwala Yojana.
Goal: VBSY is the largest-ever outreach initiative, aiming to ensure 100% saturation of government welfare schemes and create awareness for Viksit Bharat 2047.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 Ravi Ranjan Appointed MD of State Bank of India

The Government of India has appointed Ravi Ranjan as the new Managing Director (MD) of the State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender.
Tenure: Ranjan assumed charge on December 15, 2025, and his term will run until September 30, 2028.
Background: He was previously serving as the Deputy Managing Director at SBI, bringing over 33 years of diverse banking experience.
Structure: SBI is headed by a Chairman and supported by four Managing Directors.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 ISRO to Launch US Bluebird-6 Satellite with LVM-3

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the US-based commercial Bluebird-6 satellite on December 21, 2025.
Launch Vehicle: The satellite will be launched using ISRO's heavy-lift vehicle, the LVM-3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), also known as GSLV Mk III.
Significance: Bluebird-6, developed by AST Spacemobile, is designed to communicate directly with standard mobile phones, enhancing global mobile broadband connectivity, especially in remote areas.
Collaboration: This mission highlights the growing Indo-US space cooperation in the commercial sector.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Indian Army Repurposes MANPADS for Cruise Missile Threat

The Indian Army is making a strategic shift by repurposing its Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS).
New Role: The MANPADS will now be specifically used to counter the rising threat of sub-sonic cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
MANPADS Details: These are shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, typically less than 2 meters long and weighing around 20 kg.
Strategic Shift: This move is part of the Army's modernization efforts to adapt its air defence systems to handle contemporary aerial threats effectively.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Red-Shanked Douc Monkey Smuggling Incident

Customs officials arrested a passenger smuggling two Red-Shanked Douc Monkeys at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Bengaluru.
Classification: The Red-shanked douc (Pygathrix nemaeus) is an Old World monkey often called the “Queen of primates”.
Habitat: It is native to the forests of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Conservation Status: This species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

🏅 Sports

🔷 India Wins 56 Medals at Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games

Team India finished strong at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, clinching a total of 56 medals.
Medal Count: The tally included 19 Gold, 16 Silver, and 21 Bronze medals.
Highlight: India’s Baby Sahana Ravi secured a gold medal in the Class SF-9 Para Table Tennis category.
Overall Ranking: Uzbekistan topped the overall medals table with 197 medals.

👤 Personalities (appointments, births, deaths)

🔷 Postage Stamp for King Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II Released

The Vice President of India released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of King Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II (Suvaran Maran).
Historical Context: He was an influential ruler of the Mutharaiyar lineage who ruled between 705 AD–745 AD.
Contribution: He is remembered for his bravery in battles alongside the Pallava king Nandivarman and his role as a great administrator.

📌 December 16, 2025 General Knowledge

Vijay Diwas: Observed annually on December 16 to commemorate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
1927 (Kakori Train Action): Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Roshan Singh, revolutionaries in the Kakori Train Action, were hanged on this day.
1948 (Goa's Liberation Movement): The first phase of the Goa Liberation Movement was formally launched against Portuguese rule.
1773 (Boston Tea Party): The famous Boston Tea Party protest took place in the USA, leading to the American Revolution.