🏛️ Polity & Governance

🔷 New ‘G RAM G Bill 2025’ to Replace MGNREGA

The Ministry of Rural Development has introduced the Viksit Bharat – G RAM G Bill, 2025 to replace the old MGNREGA Act of 2005.
More Work: The new bill increases the guaranteed work from 100 days to 125 days per year for rural families.
Weekly Payments: It makes it mandatory to pay workers every week or within 15 days at most.
Permanent Assets: The focus will shift to building long-lasting things like durable roads and irrigation systems rather than temporary work.

💰 Economy & Banking

🔷 India and Oman Sign Major Trade Deal (CEPA)

India and Oman have officially signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Zero Duty: Oman will give duty-free (0% tax) access to 98.08% of Indian goods, which covers almost all of India's exports by value.
Benefits for India: This will help Indian sectors like textiles, leather, gems, and electronics to sell more in the Gulf region.
AYUSH Sector: For the first time, a trade deal includes a special focus on Traditional Medicine (AYUSH).

🌐 International Relations & Agreements

🔷 India to Host BRICS Summit in 2026

India has been chosen to hold the BRICS Chairmanship for the year 2026.
This decision was made after the 2025 summit, marking India's turn to lead the group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members).
Focus: India will lead discussions on economic growth and the interests of the Global South (developing countries).

📢 PIB / Government Reports & Schemes

🔷 PM Modi Lays Foundation for ₹10,601 Crore Fertilizer Plant

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a massive ammonia-urea fertilizer plant in Dibrugarh, Assam.
Cost: The project will cost ₹10,601 crore and aims to be ready by 2030.
Self-Reliance: This plant will help India become "Atmanirbhar" (self-reliant) in urea production and reduce imports from other countries.

🔬 Science & Technology

🔷 ISRO’s LVM-3 to Launch ‘Bluebird-6’ Satellite

ISRO is preparing to launch the Bluebird-6 satellite on December 24, 2025, using its heaviest rocket, LVM-3.
Direct-to-Cell: This US-based satellite aims to provide mobile internet directly to regular smartphones from space.
Location: The launch will take place from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

🌿 Environment & Ecology

🔷 Winter Solstice: The Shortest Day of the Year

Yesterday, December 21, was the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere (including India).
It was the shortest day and the longest night of the year 2025.
Reason: This happens when the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the Sun, and the Sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn.

🏅 Sports

🔷 Smriti Mandhana Crosses 4,000 T20I Runs

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana became the first Indian woman to score 4,000 runs in T20 International (T20I) cricket.
She achieved this milestone during a match against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam.
She is now among the top run-getters in the history of women's T20 cricket globally.

👤 Personalities

🔷 Statue of Unity Designer Ram Sutar Passes Away

Famous Indian sculptor Shri Ram Vanji Sutar passed away at the age of 100.
Famous Works: He designed the Statue of Unity (the world’s tallest statue) in Gujarat and many statues in the Indian Parliament.
Awards: He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan (2016) and Padma Shri (1999) for his art.

🎭 Culture & Important Events

🔷 National Mathematics Day Celebrated (December 22)

India celebrates National Mathematics Day every year on December 22.
Why?: To mark the birth anniversary of the legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
2025 Theme: “Mathematics for a Better World: Creativity in Art and Education.”

📌 December 22 General Knowledge

Srinivasa Ramanujan: Born on Dec 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu. He is famous for the "Hardy-Ramanujan Number" 1729.
India’s First Train (1851): On Dec 22, 1851, India's first goods train (a steam engine) ran between Roorkee and Piran Kaliyar to carry construction materials.
Day of Deliverance (1939): The Muslim League, led by Jinnah, observed this day in 1939 after Congress ministers resigned from their posts during British rule.
Guru Gobind Singh: Born on Dec 22, 1666 (as per the solar calendar). He was the 10th and last Guru of the Sikhs and founded the Khalsa Panth.
Visva-Bharati University: On Dec 22, 1901, Rabindranath Tagore officially opened the Brahmacharya Ashram at Shantiniketan, which later became Visva-Bharati University