📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 Viksit Gramin Rozgar (VB-G RAM G) Bill Proposed

The government has proposed the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025 to replace MGNREGA.
Key Feature: It proposes increasing the guaranteed work days from 100 to 125 days per rural household.
Funding: Unlike the previous scheme, States will now have to share the wage payment burden with the Centre.
Special Provisions: Distinct "Special Guarantee Cards" will be issued to vulnerable groups like Single Women, Divyangjan, and PVTGs.
Penalty: The penalty for violating scheme provisions is proposed to be increased from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 India Unveils First Indigenous Microprocessor 'DHRUV64'

The Government of India has unveiled 'DHRUV64', the nation's first indigenously built 64-bit dual-core microprocessor.
Specifications: It operates at a speed of 1.0 Giga Hertz (GHz) and is designed for high-performance computing.
Significance: This marks a major step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem.
Impact: It will reduce India's dependence on foreign chips for critical infrastructure and electronics manufacturing.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 PM Modi Concludes Three-Nation Tour in Oman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Oman for the final leg of his three-nation tour, which included Jordan and Ethiopia.
Highest Honour: During his visit to Addis Ababa, PM Modi was conferred with Ethiopia’s highest civilian award – The Great Honour.
Strategic Partnership: India and Ethiopia officially elevated their ties to a 'Strategic Partnership' and signed three MoUs.
Oman Visit: In Oman, discussions are expected to focus on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and maritime security in the Indian Ocean.

🔷 WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Starts in Delhi

The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine began in New Delhi on December 17, 2025.
Participants: The summit is co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Focus: It aims to integrate traditional medicine with modern science to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
Follow-up: This builds on the first summit held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in 2023.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Russia Ratifies RELOS Pact with India

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) pact into law.
Benefit: This agreement allows the Indian and Russian militaries to access each other’s logistics facilities, ports, and bases for supplies and repairs.
Strategic Depth: The pact strengthens the long-term defence partnership between the two nations and simplifies joint military exercises.

🏅 Sports

🔷 India Wins First-Ever Squash World Cup Title

India created history by becoming the first Asian country to win the Squash World Cup 2025.
Victory: India defeated the defending champions in a thrilling final to secure the gold medal.
Significance: This win establishes India as a rising powerhouse in global squash.

📌 December 17, 2025 General Knowledge

First Flight (1903): On this day, the Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) made the first successful powered flight in history at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Death Anniversary of Rajendranath Lahiri (1927): The brave Indian revolutionary was hanged by the British in Gonda Jail two days before the scheduled date for his role in the Kakori Conspiracy.
Indian Statistical Institute (1931): Established on this date by the father of Indian statistics, Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, in Kolkata.
Assassination of J.P. Saunders (1928): Revolutionary heroes Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev killed British police officer Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Birth Anniversary of Muhammad Hidayatullah (1905): He was the 11th Chief Justice of India and also served as the acting President of India.