In Current Affairs for 18 December 2025, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 18 December 2025
Minorities Rights Day in India
Minorities Rights Day in India is observed every year on 18 December to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to equality, justice, and inclusive growth. In 2025, the day once again highlighted India’s constitutional values and its long-standing tradition of unity in diversity. India is home to people of different religions, languages, cultures, and traditions, all coexisting within a democratic framework.
The observance of this day is linked to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted in 1992. This declaration emphasizes the protection of minority identities and encourages their active participation in social, cultural, economic, and political life.
India has been observing Minorities Rights Day since 2013. Although the Constitution of India does not explicitly define the term “minority,” the Supreme Court, especially in the TMA Pai Foundation case (2002), clarified that minority status is determined state-wise, not at the national level.
Currently, the Government of India recognizes six religious minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians (Parsis). According to the 2011 Census, Muslims form the largest minority group, followed by Christians and Sikhs. Despite their smaller population size, Jain and Parsi communities have made remarkable contributions to India’s economic, cultural, and intellectual development.
To safeguard minority interests, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) was established in 1992 as a statutory body. It comprises a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, and five members, all belonging to notified minority communities.
International Migrants Day 2025
Migration has become a defining feature of the modern globalized world. People migrate across borders for employment opportunities, education, safety, and improved living standards. In this context, International Migrants Day, observed annually on 18 December, holds special significance.
International Migrants Day 2025 focuses on recognizing the immense contributions of migrants to global economies and societies, while also drawing attention to the challenges they face due to conflicts, climate change, economic instability, and restrictive migration policies.
The day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 to mark the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families (1990). The observance reinforces the need to protect migrant rights and ensure humane and dignified treatment.
World Arabic Language Day
World Arabic Language Day is celebrated every year on 18 December to honour the Arabic language, which is spoken by over 400 million people worldwide. The day commemorates the historic moment in 1973 when Arabic was adopted as the sixth official language of the United Nations.
Established by UNESCO in 2010, the observance highlights the cultural, literary, and scientific contributions of the Arabic language. It also aims to promote linguistic diversity and address challenges such as the limited digital presence of Arabic content in the modern technological ecosystem.
Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary
Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the East Jaintia Hills district near Jowai in Meghalaya, has recently come under focus due to environmental concerns. Scientists and conservationists have raised alarms over increasing threats caused by limestone mining activities and nearby cement plants.
Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2014, Narpuh is the only protected area in the Jaintia Hills region. Its ecological importance is enhanced by its strategic location. The sanctuary is surrounded by reserve forests on all sides, except its southwestern boundary, which borders Assam. This positioning makes it a vital ecological corridor between Meghalaya and Assam, supporting biodiversity and wildlife movement.
JP Morgan to Establish Asia’s Largest GCC in India
India continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for high-value business operations. In a major boost to the country’s services sector, American banking giant JP Morgan has announced plans to set up Asia’s largest Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai.
Over the past few years, JP Morgan has significantly expanded its footprint in India, acquiring nearly one million square feet of office space in the last two years alone. India’s skilled talent pool, cost competitiveness, and advanced digital infrastructure have made it a preferred destination for global financial institutions.
A Global Capability Centre (GCC) is an offshore unit that handles critical operations such as IT services, financial compliance, data analytics, risk management, and research and innovation.
Air India Wins Best Domestic Airline Award 2025
India’s national carrier Air India has once again been named the Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s Best Awards 2025, marking its second consecutive victory.
These awards are entirely reader-voted, unlike jury-based recognitions, making them a true reflection of passenger experiences. Travellers cast their votes based on service quality, comfort, reliability, and overall travel experience, reaffirming Air India’s improving service standards.
Google Launches Its First Credit Card in India
In a landmark move, Google has launched its first-ever credit card globally in India, in partnership with Axis Bank and operating on the RuPay network. The card is integrated with Google Pay and can be directly linked to UPI, enabling seamless credit-based merchant payments.
This RuPay-based card stands out because Visa and Mastercard credit cards cannot be linked to UPI. Another notable feature is its instant rewards mechanism. Both RuPay and UPI are operated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and their integration reflects the growing adoption of innovative digital payment models in India.
World’s Best International Airport 2025
Singapore’s Changi Airport has once again been crowned the World’s Best International Airport for 2025 at the Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards. The recognition came during the 14th edition of the awards ceremony.
Winners are selected through an online reader voting process, making the results a direct reflection of traveller satisfaction. Changi Airport was praised for its overall travel experience, world-class facilities, and passenger comfort.
Suresh Goyal Appointed as NCAER Director General
The National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), India’s leading economic policy think tank, has announced the appointment of Suresh Goyal as its next Director General, effective from 5 January 2026.
NCAER is one of India’s oldest and most respected independent research institutions. It plays a crucial role in conducting policy-oriented research to support evidence-based decision-making at both the central and state government levels.
Param Vir Dirgha Inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan
On Vijay Diwas, 16 December 2025, President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The initiative marks a significant step in honouring India’s highest traditions of military bravery.
The Param Vir Dirgha is a dedicated gallery showcasing portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees. Designed as both a memorial and an educational space, it aims to inspire visitors by highlighting extraordinary acts of courage and sacrifice.
The corridors housing the gallery earlier displayed portraits of British Aides-de-Camp from the colonial era. Replacing them with Indian gallantry awardees symbolizes a conscious shift towards celebrating India’s own heroes and shedding colonial legacies.
José Antonio Kast Elected President of Chile
Chile has experienced a significant political shift with the election of José Antonio Kast, an ultra-conservative leader, as its next president. His victory reflects growing public concerns over issues such as crime, migration, and national security.
Kast defeated left-wing candidate Jeannette Jara, securing 58.16% of the vote, while Jara received 41.84%. José Antonio Kast is scheduled to assume office on 11 March 2026, marking a change in the country’s political direction.
Review Questions
- When is Minorities Rights Day observed in India?
A) 10 December
B) 15 December
C) 18 December
D) 25 December
Answer: C - Since which year has Minorities Rights Day been observed in India?
A) 2008
B) 2010
C) 2013
D) 2016
Answer: C - Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?
A) Assam
B) Arunachal Pradesh
C) Nagaland
D) Meghalaya
Answer: D - In which year was Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary officially declared a wildlife
sanctuary?
A) 2010
B) 2012
C) 2014
D) 2016
Answer: C - International Migrants Day is observed every year on:
A) 16 December
B) 18 December
C) 20 December
D) 25 December
Answer: B - Which global banking giant announced plans to set up Asia’s largest Global
Capability Centre (GCC) in Mumbai?
A) Goldman Sachs
B) Citibank
C) HSBC
D) JP Morgan
Answer: D - Which airline won the Best Domestic Airline award at Travel + Leisure India and
South Asia’s Best Awards 2025?
A) IndiGo
B) Vistara
C) Akasa Air
D) Air India
Answer: D - Google launched its first-ever credit card globally in India in partnership with:
A) SBI and Visa
B) HDFC Bank and MasterCard
C) ICICI Bank and Visa
D) Axis Bank and RuPay
Answer: D - Who has been appointed as the next Director General of NCAER, effective from
January 5, 2026?
A) Raghuram Rajan
B) Arvind Subramanian
C) Bibek Debroy
D) Suresh Goyal
Answer: D - Who was elected as the next President of Chile in the recent elections?
A) Gabriel Boric
B) Sebastián Piñera
C) Michelle Bachelet
D) José Antonio Kast
Answer: D
