1 After 33 years, Gujarat becomes Tiger State, NTCA declares
In a landmark achievement in wildlife conservation , Gujarat has been officially reinstated as a “Tiger State” after a gap of 33 years. The decision was taken by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) , which confirmed Gujarat’s inclusion in the All India Tiger Estimation (AITE) 2026 , based on solid evidence of the continued presence of tigers in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary . This move further strengthens India’s conservation story under Project Tiger. Gujarat last participated in the 1989 National Tiger Census , when forest officials recorded tiger footprints but no corroborating visual/physical evidence was available. The 1992 tiger census excluded Gujarat from the list due to the lack of photographic or concrete evidence. Subsequently, only one confirmed tiger was seen in 2019, but it survived for only 15 days and a sustainable population could not be established. As a result, Gujarat remained outside the formal tiger estimation framework for more than three decades.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Dharampur, Valsad district, Gujarat on Saturday . Here, he formally inaugurated the Shrimad Rajchandra Sarvamangal Centre of Excellence for Women . This special centre has been established with the aim of empowering women, especially those living in tribal areas, to become self-reliant . During the inauguration, Rajnath Singh took stock of the various social and service activities of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Ashram. He highly appreciated the efforts being made for the livelihood, skill development, and empowerment of tribal women. The Mission’s programs provide training, employment opportunities, and self-employment facilities to women, thereby reducing poverty and unemployment in the region.
3 PV Sindhu elected chairperson of BWF Athletes Commission
India’s badminton icon Pusarla Venkata Sindhu (PV Sindhu) has achieved a major milestone off the court as well. Two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion PV Sindhu has been elected as the Chairperson of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Athletes’ Commission for the term 2026–2029 . This appointment is considered a significant step towards her leadership in global sports governance. In addition to becoming the Chairperson of the Athletes’ Commission, PV Sindhu will also be a member of the BWF Council. This will give badminton players a direct voice in the sport’s global highest decision-making process.
4 World’s largest open-air theatre ‘Dhanu Yatra’ begins in Odisha’s Bargarh
Dhanu Yatra, the world’s largest open-air theatre, was inaugurated in Bargarh, Odisha . This 11-day cultural festival transforms the entire city into the mythological city of Mathura. Celebrated as a wonderful confluence of devotion, tradition and theatre, Dhanu Yatra attracts thousands of spectators from different parts of the country, including Odisha. Unlike traditional theatre, Dhanu Yatra blurs the boundaries between performers and audience, creating a lively and participatory storytelling experience. During Dhanu Yatra, the city of Bargarh is symbolically transformed into the ancient city of Mathura.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines , Al Hind Air and FlyExpress . These approvals pave the way for their commercial operations in 2026. Shankh Air , which has already received a NOC, is also expected to commence operations next year. This development signals growing activity and competition in India’s domestic aviation market. Granting a NOC is the first crucial regulatory step toward the launch of any new airline. It signifies that the proposed airline has met initial criteria related to ownership, financial capability, and safety clearances. The approvals for Al Hind Air and FlyExpress come at a time when India’s aviation market is growing rapidly, but concerns about market concentration and systemic soundness also persist.
6 Global Food City Ranking 2025-26: Italy tops, Mumbai excels
Food is one of the biggest drivers of global travel today. According to recent travel trends, many tourists plan their restaurant visits even before booking a flight. Reflecting this shift, the list of the World’s 10 Best Food Cities 2025-26 highlights destinations where food defines culture, identity, and experience. In the latest rankings released by TasteAtlas, Italian cities dominate the global food scene, while Mumbai proudly ranks as the 5th best food city in the world, putting India on the global culinary map. Top 5 Rankings:
- Naples – Famous for Pizza Margherita
- Milan – known for Risotto alla Milanese
- Bologna – Home of Tagliatelle al Ragù
- Florence – The iconic Bistecca alla Fiorentina
- Mumbai – Famous for its vibrant street food
7 25 years of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) completed its 25th anniversary on December 25, 2025. It is one of India’s most important rural development schemes. The objective of the PMGSY is to connect unconnected rural settlements with all-weather roads, strengthening village connectivity to markets, schools, hospitals, and economic opportunities. Since its inception, the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has made significant progress at both the physical and institutional levels. As of December 2025, a total of 825,114 kilometers of rural roads have been approved under the program, of which 787,520 kilometers have been completed. This represents approximately 95 to 96 percent physical progress. Due to its scale, the PMGSY is considered one of the largest rural road schemes in the world. Budgetary support has consistently reinforced the scheme’s importance. An allocation of ₹19,000 crore has been made to PMGSY for FY 2025–26, underlining the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening rural connectivity and promoting economic opportunities.
8 Haryana declared Hansi as its 23rd district
In a significant administrative reform, the Haryana government has officially declared Hansi a new district , making it the 23rd district of the state . The decision came into effect after the issuance of an official government notification, which aims to improve governance and accelerate development activities in the region. With the new notification, Hansi has been given full-fledged district status. The newly formed district comprises two administrative subdivisions—Hansi and Narnaund.
9 Government announces sweeping reforms to modernise EPFO
The Government of India has announced several major reforms to modernize the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) and expand social security coverage across the country. Union Minister of Labor and Employment , Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, shared details of these initiatives at the inauguration of the newly constructed EPFO Provident Fund Building in Vatva, Gujarat . These reforms aim to make EPFO services more accessible, technology-driven, and citizen-friendly, and to ensure financial security for workers.
Under India’s legal and constitutional system, the Central Government has appointed three senior advocates as Additional Solicitors General (ASGs) to represent the Union Government in the Supreme Court . A formal notification of these appointments was issued on December 22, 2025. This is intended to further strengthen the government’s legal representation in the Supreme Court. The following eminent senior advocates have been appointed as Additional Solicitors General:
- Senior Advocate Davinder Pal Singh
- Senior Advocate Kanakamedla Ravindra Kumar
- Senior Advocate Anil Kaushik
11 BIS releases first Indian standard for incense sticks
With the aim of strengthening consumer safety and product quality, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified India’s first standard for incense sticks (agarbatti) . This new standard, IS 19412:2025 , was announced on the occasion of National Consumer Day 2025. The standard sets comprehensive regulations regarding raw materials, burning capacity, fragrance quality, and chemical safety, and explicitly bans several harmful chemicals. This decision is significant because India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of incense sticks, and it marks a major step towards safer domestic products and ethical manufacturing. IS 19412:2025 is the first Indian standard specifically designed for incense sticks. It provides a structured regulatory framework to ensure that incense sticks sold in the market are safe for human health, environmentally friendly, and of consistent quality.
The Government of India recently linked the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) with the National Population Register (NPR) to strengthen intelligence gathering capabilities and expedite criminal investigations. This integration will provide law enforcement and intelligence agencies access to verified demographic and household-based data, making it easier to identify suspects, their networks, and their activities/movement patterns.
National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): A real-time intelligence and data access platform developed to address the gaps in intelligence coordination that existed after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks (2008).
13 Sand artist Sudarsan Patnaik creates world record by creating giant Santa Claus
Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Patnaik has created a world-record-breaking giant sand and apple sculpture of Santa Claus at Niladri Beach in Puri, Odisha . The artwork captures the spirit of Christmas and conveys a message of peace and harmony. Titled ” The World’s Largest Apple and Sand Santa Claus Installation ,” it was unveiled on December 26, 2025. It has been officially recognized by the World Records Book of India . Sudarshan Patnaik shared a video of this unique and festive creation on social media. Key features of the sculpture:
- 1.5 tonnes of apples and sand used
- Size: 60 feet long, 45 feet wide and 22 feet high
14 R Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri win Global Chess League 2025 title
India’s growing presence in global chess was once again on display when the Alpine SG Pipers , led by R. Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri, won the Global Chess League 2025 (Season 3) . The Pipers defeated defending champions Triveni Continental Kings in the final in Mumbai to claim their first GCL title. This victory is significant not only for the team but also for Indian chess, which continues to produce world-class talent.
15 International Day for Epidemic Preparedness 2025: December 27
International Day for Epidemic Preparedness, observed every year on 27 December , aims to highlight the importance of preventing, preparedness for, and responding to pandemics . The day emphasizes the need for strong health systems, early warning mechanisms, and international cooperation to mitigate the devastating impact of infectious disease outbreaks on human lives and economies. The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that pandemics are not only health crises but also pose social, economic, and security challenges, making pandemic preparedness a global priority. Established by the United Nations General Assembly on 7 December 2020. Inspired by the challenges of the global response during the COVID-19 pandemic.