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Current Affairs 13th & 14th December 2025
1. DBS Named Global Bank of the Year 2025
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Triple Global Accolade: The 2025 award is the third time DBS has clinched the prestigious Global Bank of the Year title from The Banker, highlighting its sustained, long-term leadership in the global financial industry.
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Innovative Use of Technology (AI and Blockchain): A key factor in the win was the bank's exceptional and innovative use of technology.
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Dual Global Best Bank Status: DBS now concurrently holds the top global bank awards from two major financial publications, The Banker and Euromoney ("World's Best Bank"), cementing its position as one of the most globally decorated banks.
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Strong Financial and Operating Performance: The bank stood out among 294 participating institutions due to its exceptional performance, including a high Return on Equity (ROE) and continued robust financial results, demonstrating strategic resilience.
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Commitment to Sustainable Practices and Customer-Centricity: The award acknowledges DBS's commitment to push boundaries, embrace sustainable practices, and focus on providing useful innovation that helps customers with their financial needs and day-to-day lives.
2. The Cabinet approved the Insurance Amendment Bill 2025
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Increase in FDI Limit to 100%: The bill proposes to raise the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector from the existing 74% to 100%. This is expected to attract significant foreign capital and global expertise, which is crucial for the capital-intensive nature of the insurance business.
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Introduction ofComposite Licensing: The new law introduces the concept of composite licensing, which allows an insurer to sell both life and non-life insurance products (including health and general insurance) under a single entity.
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Lowering of Minimum Capital Requirements: The Bill proposes to reduce the minimum paid-up capital requirement for certain categories of insurers.
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Empowerment of LIC Board and Other Amendments: The legislation includes amendments to the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and the IRDAI Act, 1999, alongside the Insurance Act, 1938.
3. MGNREGA gets a name change: Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Yojana
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Change of Nomenclature: The flagship rural employment scheme, formerly the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), has been renamed to Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Yojana. This is a major legislative move that replaces the existing law.
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Increase in Guaranteed Employment Days: The most impactful change is the increase in the minimum number of guaranteed workdays from 100 days to 125 days per financial year for every rural household whose adult members volunteer for unskilled manual work. This is expected to provide greater income security.
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Hike in Minimum Daily Wage: Alongside the increase in workdays, the minimum daily wage under the scheme has also been revised upward, from approximately ₹205 to ₹240 per day. This aims to boost the purchasing power of the rural poor.
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Significant Financial Allocation: The government has allocated a substantial corpus, reportedly ₹1.51 lakh crore, for the renamed scheme. This allocation is intended to ensure the expanded guarantee of 125 days of work can be effectively funded across the states.
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Focus on StrategicWorks and Unemployment Allowance: The revamped scheme will prioritize work and projects aligned with the 'Viksit Bharat National Infra Stack,' specifically focusing on water security and core infrastructure creation.
4. Bank of Baroda Wins ‘Best Bank in India’ 2025
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Digital and 'Phygital' Transformation: The award recognizes BoB's successful digital transformation journey, particularly the implementation of the 'Phygital' banking model. This blended approach combines digital convenience (like video KYC, mobile banking 'bob World') with the physical reassurance of an expanded branch network (including 184 new branches) to enhance customer experience and accessibility, especially in semi-urban and rural areas.
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Robust Financial Performance: The bank was chosen based on its superior financial performance over the evaluation period. This includes strong growth in its balance sheet, profitability, and asset quality, demonstrating resilience and sustainable growth in the competitive Indian banking landscape.
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Support for MSMEs and Financial Inclusion: A key area of strength was the bank's initiative to support small businesses. This includes the launch of products like Smart OD (Overdraft), which provides easy working capital access, and the use of digital verification (like B2B sales data and GST returns) for fast, under-24-hour loan approvals, thereby boosting financial inclusion.
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Innovative Retail Products: BoB was recognized for introducing innovative, customer-friendly retail products. An example is the launch of liquid fixed deposits, which offer the high interest of a fixed deposit combined with the withdrawal flexibility of a savings account, catering to the liquidity needs of households.
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Strengthened Risk Management and Governance: The bank was acknowledged for strengthening its governance frameworks and risk management processes. Its focus on operational efficiency and building a resilient, future-ready institution through technological advancement and strategic initiatives.
5. PNB Housing Finance appoints Ajai Kumar Shukla as New MD & CEO
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Extensive Industry Experience: Ajai Kumar Shukla brings over 30 years of comprehensive experience in the housing and mortgage lending business. His vast background spans key institutions, including significant tenures at LIC Housing Finance Ltd., ICICI Bank, and most recently, as the Chief Business Officer at Tata Capital Housing Finance Ltd.
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Focus on Strategic Growth Areas: His previous roles covered critical functions like Credit, Risk, Valuation, Digital Transformation, and Affordable Housing Finance. This diverse expertise positions him to lead PNB Housing Finance's strategy, particularly in leveraging digital channels and tapping into the higher-yield, less-competitive affordable housing segment.
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Mandate for Operational Transformation: Shukla's leadership is expected to focus on strengthening the company's growth strategy, improving operational efficiency, and guiding the long-term expansion of its footprint in the competitive Indian housing finance market. The market views him as a leader capable of driving organizational change.
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Term and Shareholder Confidence: The appointment, which was approved by the Board on December 12, 2025, is for a term of five years. The announcement was immediately followed by an increase of approximately 5-6% in the share price of PNB Housing Finance, reflecting a positive investor sentiment and confidence in his ability to steer the company.
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Strengthening Governance and Risk Management: The transition highlights the company's continuous effort to strengthen its management team and internal controls. His experience in Risk and Governance is crucial for a large Housing Finance Company.
6. Germany won a record-extending 8th Men’s Junior World Cup title
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Record-Extending Title: The win secured Germany's eighth Men's Junior World Cup title, extending their record as the most successful nation in the tournament's history. This victory also made them the defending champions, having won the previous edition in 2023.
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Final Opponent and Score: Germany defeated first-time finalists Spain in the championship match. The game was a tense affair that ended 1-1 in regulation time, with Germany ultimately winning the penalty shoot-out 3-2.
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Venue and Host Nation: The tournament was held in Tamil Nadu, India, with matches played in the cities of Chennai and Madurai. The final was played at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on December 10, 2025.
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Goalkeeping Heroics: The victory was heavily attributed to the exceptional performance of German goalkeeper Jasper Ditzer, who was instrumental in the penalty shootout, making crucial saves to deny Spain their maiden title. Ditzer was recognized for his performance throughout the tournament.
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Host Nation's Performance: Host nation India also finished on the podium, securing the bronze medal after defeating Argentina 4-2 in a dramatic third-place play-off match.
7. CRPF Officer Dinesh Khatak Awarded UHM’s Efficiency Medal
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Recipient and Designation: The awardee is Dinesh Khatak, a senior officer (Second-in-Command or 2-IC) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 196 Battalion. The medal is one of the highest honours instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for security personnel.
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Recognition Criteria: The medal is awarded for exemplary leadership, operational achievements, discipline, and a long-standing contribution to national security. It is a recognition of exceptional efficiency and dedication in service.
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Contribution to Training: Beyond field operations, he was recognized for his role as an excellent instructor at the CIAT (Counter Insurgency and Anti-Terror) Shivpuri, one of the CRPF's premier training institutions, where he contributed significantly to strengthening commando training standards and tactical preparedness.
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About the Medal: The Union Home Minister's Efficiency Medal was established to promote high professional standards and boost the morale of officials/officers across the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and other security organizations.
8. Maharashtra Govt Partners with Microsoft to Launch MahaCrimeOS AI
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AI for Cybercrime Investigation: MahaCrimeOS AI is India's first state-wide, AI-powered platform dedicated to tackling the surge in cybercrime. It functions as an "AI Copilot" for police officers, augmenting human expertise to resolve complex digital cases faster and more efficiently.
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Microsoft Technology and Collaboration: The platform is built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Foundry. It is a collaboration between the Maharashtra government's Special Purpose Vehicle (MARVEL), Microsoft India Development Center (IDC), and cybersecurity firm CyberEye.
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Significant Operational Impact: The platform is designed to dramatically improve efficiency and citizen service. Microsoft's team has stated that the AI tool will reduce the investigation turnaround time by up to 80% by automating administrative tasks like sending subpoenas and analyzing digital trails.
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Statewide Expansion: Following a successful pilot in 23 police stations in Nagpur, the Maharashtra Chief Minister announced plans to expand MahaCrimeOS AI to all 1,100 police stations across the state.
9. National Energy Conservation Day observed on 14th December
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Mandate and Objective: The day has been celebrated since 1991 and is championed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), an agency under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The primary objective is to drive mass awareness about the necessity of energy conservation and the efficient use of energy in daily life.
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2025 Theme (Advancing Sustainability): The theme for National Energy Conservation Day 2025 is focused on “advancing sustainable energy innovation and citizen participation.” This highlights the dual need for technological leaps in sustainable energy and collective responsibility from the public.
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National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA): A key event of the day is the presentation of the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA) by the BEE. These prestigious awards recognize and honor industries, institutions, and establishments that have demonstrated outstanding efforts and achievements in reducing energy consumption and promoting efficiency.
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Key Government Initiatives Highlighted: The day serves as a platform to promote the effectiveness of India's major energy efficiency schemes, such as the Standards and Labeling Program (star ratings on appliances) and the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme (a market-based mechanism for large industries).
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Focus on Youth and Future: Through nationwide activities like the National Painting Competition on Energy Conservation (which saw over 80 lakh student participants in 2025), the observance emphasizes educating and engaging children and youth.
10. Author Sophie Kinsella passed away
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Cause of Death: Sophie Kinsella, whose real name was Madeleine Sophie Wickham, died following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She was first diagnosed with the condition in late 2022 and publicly revealed the diagnosis in April 2024.
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The Shopaholic Series: She achieved international fame with her Shopaholic book series, which introduced the much-loved, flawed heroine Becky Bloomwood. The first book, The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (also published as Confessions of a Shopaholic), was released in 2000 and the series later inspired a major Hollywood film adaptation.
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Global Bestseller Status: Kinsella was one of Britain's most successful novelists, selling over 50 million copies of her books worldwide. Her works have been translated into more than 40 languages and are credited with helping to popularize the genre of romantic comedy fiction (often referred to as 'chick lit').
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Literary Output: She was a prolific writer who wrote more than 30 books, including the Shopaholic series and numerous standalone bestsellers like Can You Keep a Secret? and The Undomestic Goddess. She also published several novels under her real name, Madeleine Wickham, before adopting her well-known pen name.
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Final Work and Legacy: Her final novel, What Does It Feel Like?, published in 2024, was a semi-autobiographical work that drew inspiration from her cancer journey, detailing a novelist learning to walk, talk, and write again after major brain surgery.
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