🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 PM Modi Honoured with ‘Order of Oman’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the Order of Oman, the highest civilian award of Oman, during his visit to Muscat on December 19, 2025.
Historic Trade Deal: India and Oman officially signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Economic Benefits: This deal provides duty-free access to over 98% of India’s exports to Oman, including textiles, leather, and electronics.
Traditional Medicine: For the first time, a trade pact includes a specific focus on AYUSH (Traditional Medicine).
70 Years of Ties: The visit marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Oman.

🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Government Introduces ‘G RAM G Bill’ to Replace MGNREGA

The Ministry of Rural Development introduced the Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Bill, 2025, which will replace the MGNREGA Act of 2005.
Increased Work Days: The new bill guarantees 125 days of wage employment per rural household, up from the previous 100 days.
Infrastructure Focus: It shifts the focus from temporary relief work to creating durable national assets like roads and irrigation systems.
Payment Guarantee: Wages must be paid weekly or within a maximum of 15 days.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 India’s Trade Deficit Declines by 61%

Official data released on December 19 shows India's trade deficit dropped from $17.06 billion to $6.64 billion.
Export Growth: Total exports grew by 15.52% year-on-year, reaching $73.99 billion in November 2025.
Mobile Revolution: Electronics and mobile phone exports saw a massive jump, with the US and UAE being the top markets.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 SHANTI Bill, 2025: A New Era for Nuclear Energy

The government introduced the SHANTI Bill (Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India).
Capacity Goal: The bill aims to increase India's nuclear energy capacity to 100 GW by 2047.
Small Modular Reactors (SMRs): A new mission was launched to develop at least 5 indigenous SMRs by 2033.
Private Sector: For the first time, the bill allows private sector participation in specific nuclear energy activities.

🔷 India Post Launches ‘Gen Z’ Post Offices

Modern, tech-enabled Gen Z Post Offices were inaugurated across campuses like AIIMS Vijaypur and Acharya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru.
These post offices focus on digital banking, fintech services, and user-friendly designs for students.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Celebrates 62nd Raising Day

The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), which guards India's borders with Nepal and Bhutan, celebrated its 62nd Raising Day on December 20, 2025.
Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah extended greetings to the personnel for their role in national security.
Motto: The motto of SSB is "Seva, Suraksha aur Bandhutva" (Service, Security, and Brotherhood).

🏅 Sports

🔷 India Creates History at Asian Youth Para Games

The Indian contingent finished the 5th Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai with a record-breaking 102 medals.
Medal Tally: India won 36 Gold, 28 Silver, and 38 Bronze medals.
Top Performance: Athletics and Swimming contributed the most medals, with Jatin Azad winning double gold in Para-Badminton.
This is India's most successful campaign in the history of the Youth Para Games.

👤 Personalities

🔷 Legendary Sculptor Ram Sutar Passes Away at 100

Renowned sculptor Shri Ram Vanji Sutar passed away on December 18, 2025, at the age of 100.
Iconic Works: He was the designer of the Statue of Unity (the world's tallest statue) and the Statue of Prosperity in Bengaluru.
Honours: He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2016) and the Maharashtra Bhushan (2025).

📌 December 20 General Knowledge

International Human Solidarity Day: Observed annually on December 20 to celebrate "unity in diversity" and remind governments of their international commitments.
61st Constitutional Amendment (1988): On this day in 1988, the voting age in India was officially reduced from 21 years to 18 years.
India's First Test Win in Australia (1977): The Indian cricket team recorded its first-ever Test victory on Australian soil in Perth on December 20, 1977.
Formation of United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA): A key organization for post-WWII relief was active during this period (1943).