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Current Affairs 19th December 2025
1. DeepinderGoyal Tops 2025 Hurun–IDFC First Self-Made Entrepreneurs
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Dethroning a Retail Legend: For the first time, DeepinderGoyal has overtaken RadhakishanDamani (founder of Avenue Supermarts/DMart), who slipped to the second spot. This marks a significant symbolic shift from traditional retail to a digital-first economy.
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Surge in Valuation: Goyal’s company, Eternal, saw its valuation grow by 27% over the past year, reaching ₹3.2 lakh crore. In contrast, Avenue Supermarts experienced a 13% decline, bringing its valuation to ₹3 lakh crore.
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High Entry Barriers: The competition has intensified; the minimum valuation required to enter the Top 200 rose by 1.5 times, from ₹3,000 crore to ₹4,500 crore. This indicates that India is producing high-value enterprises at an unprecedented pace.
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Top 3 Debut for IndiGo: The founders of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo), Rahul Bhatia and RakeshGangwal, made a powerful debut on the list, entering straight into the Top 3 with a company valuation of ₹2.2 lakh crore.
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A "Problem-Solving" Ecosystem: The list underscores a shift in entrepreneurial strategy. Founders are moving away from traditional business pitches toward "problem-solving" models that address specific consumer pain points, particularly in fintech, food-tech, and healthcare.
2. The Repealing & Amending Bill 2025 passed
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Repeal of 71 Obsolete Laws: The Bill formally scraps 71 outdated Acts that have lost their relevance or utility. This includes colonial-era regulations like the Indian Tramways Act, 1886, and later laws like the Levy Sugar Price Equalisation Fund Act, 1976.
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Removal of Discriminatory Probate Rules: It amends the Indian Succession Act, 1925, to remove a discriminatory colonial-era requirement where Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, and Parsis were forced to "probate" (validate) wills in Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata, while other communities were exempt.
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Modernizing Communications: The Bill updates legal terminology in the General Clauses Act, 1897, and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. It replaces outdated references to "registered post" with modern systems like "speed post" to align with current administrative practices.
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Correcting the Disaster Management Act: A critical drafting error in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, was rectified. The Bill replaces the word "prevention" with "preparation" (or vice versa, depending on the specific clause context) to better reflect the operational intent of the law.
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Ongoing Legal "De-cluttering": Since 2014, the government has now repealed or amended a total of 1,577 archaic laws. This process aims to reduce the "compliance burden" for citizens and businesses, supporting the vision of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.
3. PM Modi Conferred Oman’s Highest Civilian Honour
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29th International Honour: This award marks the 29th highest civilian honour conferred upon PM Modi by foreign nations during his tenure. It follows other recent 2025 honours from countries like Ethiopia, Namibia, and Brazil.
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Symbol of 70-Year Ties: The conferment coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Oman, highlighting the deep historical and strategic "maritime bridge" between the two nations.
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Presented by Sultan Haitham: The award was personally presented by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at the Al Baraka Palace. It recognizes PM Modi's "exceptional contribution" to strengthening bilateral relations and his global statesmanship.
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Dedication to Seafarers: Upon receiving the honour, PM Modi dedicated it to the 1.4 billion people of India and specifically to the ancestors and seafarers who built the foundational trade links between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Muscat over centuries.
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Strategic Outcomes: The visit was not just ceremonial; it saw the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which includes a landmark provision for the inclusion of India’s AYUSH (traditional medicine) products in the Gulf market.
4. India & Saudi Arabia Sign Visa Waiver Agreement
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Targeted Visa Waiver: The agreement provides a mutual exemption from short-stay visa requirements, specifically for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports. It does not currently apply to ordinary tourist or business travelers.
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Facilitating Official Exchange: The primary goal is to eliminate bureaucratic "red tape" and administrative delays (like the note-verbale process), allowing government officials and diplomatic envoys to travel on short notice for high-level meetings.
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Strategic Partnership Framework: The pact was signed under the aegis of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. It is designed to speed up the execution of joint projects in key sectors like defense, energy, fintech, and infrastructure.
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90-Day Stay Limit: Eligible passport holders can now enter each other’s territory without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, making long-term diplomatic coordination and institutional interaction much more seamless.
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A "Confidence-Building" Precedent: Analysts view this as a major step in bilateral trust. While limited to officials now, it is seen as a precursor to broader travel facilitation that could eventually benefit the 2.4 million-strong Indian diaspora and business professionals in the future.
5. Malavika R. Harita appointed as Additional Independent Director of Axis Bank
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Extensive Experience: Harita brings over 43 years of experience in marketing, communication, and entrepreneurship. She is well-known for her 25-year tenure as the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi Focus in India.
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Tenure and Approval: Her appointment is for a period of four years, effective from December 18, 2025, until December 17, 2029. This is an "additional" role, meaning it is subject to final approval by the bank's shareholders.
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Trailblazing Background: She was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from IIM Bangalore and currently serves on the Board of Governors for both IIM Bangalore and IIM Visakhapatnam.
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Strategic Value for Axis Bank: Her expertise as a "Communication Evangelist" and Brand Strategist is expected to strengthen the bank's digital-first marketing strategies and its engagement with the startup ecosystem.
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Corporate Governance: Her appointment aligns with SEBI’s diversity and governance mandates. She is also currently an independent director for Symphony Limited and a mentor for several non-profits and startups.
6. Air India Wins Best Domestic Airline 2025
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Second Consecutive Win: This marks the second year in a row that Air India has secured this top title, signaling consistent improvement in passenger perception since its privatization.
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Decided by Reader Vote: Unlike jury-based awards, this was determined entirely by a reader’s choice poll. It reflects actual feedback from travelers regarding service quality, reliability, and the overall "new Air India" experience.
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Validation of "Vihaan.AI": The award is seen as a major milestone for Air India’s 5-year transformation plan, Vihaan.AI. The airline noted that the win validates its efforts in fleet modernization and service consistency.
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Massive Fleet Upgrades: The recognition comes as Air India reaches a critical stage in its $400 million retrofit program. As of late 2025, approximately 83% of its narrowbody fleet (used for domestic routes) is either brand new or completely refurbished with modern interiors.
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Focus on Service & Food: The airline attributed the win to specific initiatives, including upgraded food and beverage offerings and the efforts of frontline staff who have been retrained to deliver "world-class Indian hospitality."
7. OusmaneDembele won FIFA Best Men’s Player Award 2025
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A "Golden Year" Triple Crown: Dembélé completed a rare individual "triple crown" in 2025, winning The Best FIFA Men’s Player, the Ballon d’Or (in September), and the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
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Champions League Heroics: His award was largely fueled by his role in leading PSG to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, where he scored 8 goals in the competition, including a brace against Brest and key strikes against Liverpool and Arsenal.
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Positional Transformation: Under manager Luis Enrique, Dembélé transitioned from a traditional winger to a central forward/No. 9 mid-season. This shift made him significantly more lethal, resulting in 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions.
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Domestic Dominance: He led PSG to an unprecedented haul of five trophies in 2025: the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Super Cup. He also finished as the top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals.
8. HPCL Wins Multiple Honours at PRSI Awards 2025
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Diverse Recognition: HPCL won awards across a wide spectrum of categories, including House Journal (Hindi) for its publication HP Samachar, Corporate Website Excellence, and both Internal and External Communication Campaigns.
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CSR Leadership: The company was named the "Best PSU Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)". This award specifically recognized impactful initiatives like "HPCL Super 50" (supporting medical/engineering aspirants) and various healthcare outreach programs.
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Empowerment & Skill Development: HPCL secured top honours for Women Empowerment & Community Development and was recognized for the "Best Skill Development Initiative by a PSU," highlighting its role in enhancing employability and supporting livelihoods.
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Transparency & Governance: In a significant win for corporate accountability, HPCL was awarded for being the "Best PSU Implementing the Right to Information (RTI)," underscoring its commitment to transparency and good governance.
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Digital and Social Outreach: The PRSI also recognized HPCL's digital transformation, specifically its Corporate Website and digital engagement strategies, which were lauded for being user-friendly and effective in reaching stakeholders in the energy sector.
9. Goa Liberation Day 2025 observed on 19 December
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64th Anniversary of Freedom: The day commemorates the success of Operation Vijay in 1961. While most of India gained independence in 1947, Goa remained under Portuguese control for an additional 14 years until this decisive 36-hour military action.
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A "Defining Chapter": Prime Minister NarendraModi hailed the day as a "defining chapter in our national journey," emphasizing that Goa's liberation completed India's territorial integrity and signaled the final end of European colonialism on the subcontinent.
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State-Level Celebrations: Chief Minister PramodSawant hoisted the national flag at multiple venues, including the main state event at the Dr.Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Dona Paula. The day featured vibrant parades, torchlight rallies, and traditional Goan folk performances.
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Honouring the "Satyagrahis": Special tributes were paid to freedom fighters like Mohan Ranade and T.B. Cunha (the father of the Goan freedom struggle), as well as the 22 Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the 1961 operation.
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Focus on Self-Reliance: Under the theme of "Swayampurna Goa," the 2025 celebrations highlighted the state's transition from a colonial outpost to one of India’s most prosperous states, leading in tourism, per capita income, and social development indicators.
10. Pulitzer Prize Winning War Correspondent Peter passed away
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Pulitzer Prize for Vietnam: Arnett won the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting for his work with the Associated Press (AP). His gritty, boots-on-the-ground dispatches from the front lines of the Vietnam War often challenged official U.S. government narratives and helped redefine modern war journalism.
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The Voice of the Gulf War: He became a household name globally in 1991 as a correspondent for CNN. He was the only Western journalist to remain in Baghdad during the initial Allied bombing campaign, famously reporting live via satellite phone while air-raid sirens wailed in the background.
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Interviews with History: Throughout his 45-year career, Arnett conducted high-stakes interviews with some of the world's most controversial figures, including Saddam Hussein during the First Gulf War and a rare, early interview with Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan in 1997.
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"Live From the Battlefield": Over his career, he covered 17 different wars across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. His memoir, Live From the Battlefield, is considered essential reading for aspiring journalists and historians.
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