🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 Second Edition of ‘Sujal Gram Samvad’ Concludes

The Ministry of Jal Shakti successfully conducted the second edition of 'Sujal Gram Samvad' to discuss water governance.
Over 8,000 participants, including Sarpanchs and rural leaders from 8 states, joined the virtual dialogue.
The focus was on the sustainability of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and community-led water management.
Union Minister C.R. Patil emphasized direct communication with villages in their regional languages to solve water issues.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 JP Morgan to Open Asia’s Largest Facility in Hyderabad

Global banking giant JP Morgan announced the opening of Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, Telangana.
This facility will focus on high-end technology, data science, and financial operations.
This move reinforces India’s position as a global hub for technology and financial services.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 ISRO to Launch Bluebird-6 Satellite

ISRO is set to launch the Bluebird-6 satellite for the US-based company AST SpaceMobile.
The launch will use India's heaviest rocket, LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
Bluebird-6 aims to provide cellular broadband services directly to standard mobile phones from space.
Note: The launch, originally planned for December 21, has been slightly rescheduled to December 24, 2025, due to weather checks.

🪖 Defence & Security

🔷 India-UAE Joint Exercise ‘Desert Cyclone II’

The second edition of the joint military exercise ‘Desert Cyclone’ between India and UAE is currently being held in Rajasthan.
The exercise focuses on enhancing interoperability and sharing best practices in sub-conventional operations.
It aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and defence cooperation between the two nations.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day of the Year

Today, December 21, is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year.
This happens because the North Pole is tilted at its maximum distance from the Sun, which shines directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 India to Host BRICS Summit in 2026

India has been officially entrusted with the BRICS Chairmanship for 2026.
This follows the conclusion of the 2025 summit, where member nations agreed on India's leadership role for the upcoming year.
India will focus on Global South cooperation and economic integration during its tenure.

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 PM Modi Launches ‘Ayush Mark’ for Traditional Medicine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Ayush Mark' during the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi.
The Ayush Mark will serve as a quality certification for traditional medicine products (like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani) to ensure their authenticity and global standards.
It aims to boost India's exports in the traditional healthcare sector.

🏅 Sports

🔷 WADA Report: India Tops Global Doping Violations List

According to the latest report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), India has topped the list of doping offenders for the third consecutive year.
India recorded 260 doping cases in 2024, the highest in the world, followed by France and Italy.
Most violations were found in Athletics (76 cases), Weightlifting, and Wrestling.
This report is a major concern as India prepares to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.

👤 Personalities

🔷 Legendary Sculptor Ram Sutar Passes Away at 100

Renowned Indian sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar passed away at his residence in Noida at the age of 100.
He was the mastermind behind the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity (Sardar Patel) in Gujarat.
He also designed iconic statues of Mahatma Gandhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji located in the Parliament premises.
He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2016) and Padma Shri (1999).

📌 December 21 General Knowledge

Winter Solstice: Celebrated as the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere; marks the beginning of the astronomical winter.
Apollo 8 Launch (1968): NASA launched Apollo 8, the first human mission to reach and orbit the Moon.
Discovery of Radium (1898): Scientists Marie and Pierre Curie announced the discovery of the radioactive element Radium.
Saifuddin Kitchlew (1952): Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew became the first Indian to be awarded the Lenin Peace Prize (formerly International Stalin Prize).
Benjamin Disraeli Birth Anniversary: Born in 1804, he was a famous British statesman and author who served as the Prime Minister of the UK twice.