Explore the current affairs from 22-28 December 2025, VB‑G RAM G, ISRO’s satellite launch, Bal Puraskar awards, for UPSC, SSC, PCS, and Patwari aspirants

The Indian story is not confined to the history books we once read in our schools; it lives in the everyday events that shape our beloved nation. These events are now crucial for all competitive exams, especially for candidates aspiring to become government employees. During the week of 22–28 December 2025, we witnessed the renaming of MGNREGA to VB‑GRAM G, the Bal Puraskar awards to children in various categories, India assuming the chair of the Kimberley Process, the launch of ISRO’s heaviest satellite via the Bahubali rocket, and Punjab remembering Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s two sons on Shaheedi Diwas. Here is a capsule of the weekly current affairs, crafted for aspirants who carry the dream of tomorrow.

National Affairs

MGNREGA to be renamed as VB-G RAM G

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has now been renamed as Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin (VB‑GRAM G). Under the new scheme, a person will have an employment guarantee of 125 days, compared to the earlier 100 days.

• The original name of MGNREGA was National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), launched in 2005.
• NREGA was renamed as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2009.

Former PM Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Statues Unveiled at Lucknow and Panchkula

On the eve of the 101^st birth anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow, which features a statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji.

At another event in Panchkula, Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a 56‑feet high statue of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji at Atal Park Panchkula.

• Birth Date of Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee – 25 December 1924, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh)
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as – 10^th Prime Minister of India
• 1^st Union Home Minister of India – Vallabhbhai Patel
• Haryana Chief Minister – Naib Singh Saini
• Haryana Governor – Ashim Kumar Ghosh
• Haryana Capital – Chandigarh (shared with Punjab)
• Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister – Yogi Adityanath
• Uttar Pradesh Governor – Anandiben Patel
• Uttar Pradesh Capital– Lucknow

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Purushkar was awarded at New Delhi

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was awarded to 20 children from 18 states and UTs who demonstrated outstanding achievements in various fields. Since 1996, the President of India has been presenting this prestigious award at Rashtrapati Bhavan to children between the ages of 5 and 18 in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the six fields bravery, art and culture, environmental conservation, social service, science and technology, and sports. The awards are conferred annually on December 26, a day observed as Veer Bal Diwas.

Highlights of Awardees

Bravery

1. Vyoma Priya (Posthumous), Coimbatore, TN, 9 years – Lost her life while saving a six‑year‑old child during an electrical accident.
2. Kamlesh Kumar (Posthumous), Kaimur, Bihar, 11 years – Sacrificed his life while rescuing another child from drowning.
3. Muhammed Sidan P, Palakkad, Kerala, 11 years – Saved two friends from electrocution, showing fearless courage.
4. Ajay Raj, Agra, UP, 9 years – Rescued his father from a crocodile attack.

Art & Culture

5. Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte, Lunglei, Mizoram, 9 years – Inspired millions with patriotic songs.
6. Suman Sarkar, Nadia, WB, 16 years – A tabla prodigy admired globally.

Environment

7. Pooja, Barabanki, UP, 17 years – Created an innovative machine to reduce agricultural dust and pollution.

Social Service

8. Shavan Singh, Ferozepur, Punjab, 10 years – Courageously supported soldiers during Operation Sindoor.
9. Vansh Tayal, Chandigarh, 17 years – Dedicated himself to rehabilitating children, including those with special needs.

Science & Technology

10. Aishi Prisha Borah, Jorhat, Assam, 14 years – Promotes eco‑friendly farming practices.
11. Arnav Anupriya Maharshi, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, 17 years – Developed an AI‑based rehabilitation tool for hand paralysis.

Sports

12. Shivani Hosuru Uppara, Annamayya, Andhra Pradesh, 17 years – Para‑athlete excelling in shot put and javelin.
13. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Samastipur, Bihar, 14 years – Youngest IPL player and fastest Indian centurion.
14. Yogita Mandavi, Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh, 14 years – National‑level Khelo India judoka from a naxal‑affected region.
15. Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika, Surat, Gujarat, 7 years – Under‑7 World Chess Champion with a flawless 9/9 score.
16. Jyoti, Sirsa, Haryana, 17 years – International para‑athlete with medal‑winning performances.
17. Anushka Kumari, Ranchi, Jharkhand, 14 years – Selected for the Indian U‑17 Women’s Football Team.
18. Dhinidhi Desinghu, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 15 years – Young swimmer who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
19. Jyoshna Sabar, Gajapati, Odisha, 16 years – Youth Asian record‑holding weightlifter.
20. Vishwanath Karthikey Padakanti, Medchal‑Malkajgiri, Telangana, 16 years – Youngest mountaineer to complete the Seven Summits Challenge.

• Started in: 1996 (originally called National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement).
• Merged in: 2018 – National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement and Bal Kalyan Puraskar merged and renamed as Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

New Airport in Navi Mumbai operational

Mumbai has got its new airport at Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and its commercial operations have begun. It is named Navi Mumbai International Airport.

President Droupadi Murmu Released Constitution in Santhali Language

President Droupadi Murmu released the Constitution of India in the Santhali language, which was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution through the 92^nd Amendment Act, 2003.

Interestingly, President Droupadi Murmu herself belongs to the Santhal tribe, which has a large population in Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, and Bihar. Santhali is one of the ancient living languages of India, widely spoken by the Santhal community, and it is written in the Ol Chiki script.

• First President of India – Dr. Rajendra Prasad
• Droupadi Murmu – 15^th President of India
• State of Origin – Odisha

International Affairs

Indian Assume Chair of Kimberley Process UN-backed forum

India has assumed the chair of the Kimberley Process, a UN‑backed global initiative to remove conflict diamonds (also known as blood diamonds) from the international supply chain. This is the third time India has taken up the chairmanship, effective from 1 January 2026.

Science and Space

ISRO launched 6100 kg satellite with Bahubali Rocket

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully launched a 6100 kg US‑based communication satellite, which is also the heaviest payload ever carried by ISRO.

Launch Vehicle Mark‑3 (LVM3) – M6 rocket, also nicknamed Bahubali, placed the BlueBird Block‑2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This satellite is designed to provide space‑based cellular broadband connectivity, enabling 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, streaming, and data services worldwide at all times.

• ISRO Chairman – V. Narayanam
• ISRO Headquarters – Bengaluru
• ISRO’s Previous Name – Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), established in 1962 and renamed in 1969

Punjab Affairs

Three-day Shaheedi Sabha begins from 25 December

Shaheedi Sabha, held every year in memory of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s two younger sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, commemorates their martyrdom. The Sahibzadas were bricked alive at Fatehgarh in 1704 by Mughal forces.

The three-day Shaheedi Sabha will begin on 25 December and conclude on 27 December. For this occasion, the Fatehgarh Sahib administration has set up free shelter homes, medical facilities, 300 shuttle buses, and 200 e-rickshaws, all pressed into service to transport devotees free of cost to the Gurudwaras.

Gurudwaras in Fatehgarh Sahib

• Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib – Martyrdom site of Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s sons
• Gurudwara Thanda Burj – Meeting point of Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh with Mata Gujari
• Gurudwara Bhora Sahib – Preserved brick wall where the Sahibzadas were entombed
• Gurudwara Jyoti Saroop Sahib – Site where funeral rites were performed for the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujari

Punjab CM Approved the Launch of Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved the launch of a cashless treatment scheme under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana, starting from 15 January 2026. Under this scheme, every family in Punjab will be entitled to cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakhs. Punjab thus becomes the first state in the country to provide a healthcare cashless scheme for every family, without any background restrictions.

The scheme covers critical care, surgeries, and life‑saving treatments at many empanelled government and private hospitals in both Punjab and Chandigarh. Costs of hospitalisation, surgeries, medical expenses, ICU and critical care services, diagnostics, medicines, consumables (as per approved packages), pre‑ and post‑hospitalisation expenses, and other related treatments will be covered under this Yojana.

United India Insurance Company Ltd has become the insurance firm with a track record of implementing a similar health scheme in Tamil Nadu. According to the agreement, the insurance firm would instantly pay ₹1 lakh, whereas the rest of the cost would be paid through the State Health Agency.

• Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann – 17^th Chief Minister of Punjab
• First CM of Punjab – Gopi Chand Bhargava
• Governor of Punjab – Gulab Chand Kataria (37^th)
• First Governor of Punjab – Sri Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi
• Capital of Punjab – Chandigarh

130^th Annual Convention of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Qadian

The Ahmadiyya Muslim convention was held in Qadian town, Gurdaspur District, Punjab. The 130^th annual convention took place at the sect’s headquarters in Qadian.

The Ahmadiyya movement differs from mainstream Islam in its belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908) was the promised Messiah. The community advocates faith, human fraternity, and a spiritual understanding of jihad, as opposed to violent jihad.

• Mosque of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad – Qadian
• When was the first annual convention held in Qadian? – 1891, with just 75 attendees.
• Who is the current and fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya community? – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

150^th Shee Baba Hariballabh Sangeet Sammelan

The 150^th Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan was held at the historic Shree Devi Talab Temple, Jalandhar. It is recognized in the Limca Book of Records as the oldest music festival in India with an uninterrupted tradition.

This year, the Sangeet Sammelan was organized in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala (Ministry of Culture, Government of India). It was dedicated to the 350^th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and also paid tribute to the late Banaras Gharana vocalist Pandit Chhannu Lal Mishra, who passed away earlier in 2025.

• When did the tradition of the Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan start? → 1875
• Birthplace of Baba Harivallabh: Village Bajwara, District Hoshiarpur (Punjab), in the 18^th century
• Style in which Baba Harivallabh sang: Dhrupad style
• Ustad of Baba Harivallabh: Baba Tuljagiri
• Year Mahatma Gandhi visited the Sammelan: 1919

Sports

Olympics Double Medalist Manu Bhaker Enrolled in IIM Rohtak Post-Graduate Diploma

Manu Bhaker, Olympics double Bronze Medalist in Shooting at the Paris Olympics 2024, has enrolled in IIM Rohtak’s Post-Graduate Diploma in Sports Management for Executives.

She is the only athlete in Indian Olympic history to have won two Bronze medals in the same edition of the Games (Paris 2024). A direct question related to her achievement was also asked in the PSSSB Senior Assistant exam held on 21 December 2025.

Ramita Jindal and Himanshu Dhillon Win 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team Gold at National Shooting Championship

Haryana’s Ramita Jindal and Himanshu Dhillon clinched the 10m air rifle mixed team gold with a 16–12 victory over Arya Borse and Parth Mane of Maharashtra at the National Shooting Championship. Rajeshree Sancheti and Paarth Makhija from Delhi secured the bronze medal.

Deepti Sharma Became T20I No. 1 bowler

Indian women’s cricket all‑rounder Deepti Sharma has clinched the No. 1 ranking in ICC Women’s T20I bowling for the first time in her career.

She was also named the Player of the Series in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for her all‑round performance, and she has continued her fine form in the T20I series against the Sri Lankan women’s team.

• ICC Full Form – International Cricket Council
• ICC Chairperson – Jay Shah
• ICC Headquarters – Dubai, U.A.E.

Defence

Indian Army men now can use instagram

The Indian Army has changed its guidelines regarding Instagram. Personnel can now sign up on the social media platform as passive observers, but restrictions remain on posting or commenting, in order to guard against any potential or inadvertent leak of sensitive information.

The revised guideline now applies to all ranks of the Indian Army, keeping pace with the digital age of information. Earlier, Army personnel were allowed to use X (formerly Twitter) but not Instagram. The same restrictions on posting and commenting also apply to X for Army personnel.

• Inaugural Commander‑in‑Chief of the Indian Army – Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa
• Current Chief of Army Staff – General Upendra Dwivedi (Direct question asked in PSSSB Senior Assistant Exam, 21 December 2025)

INS Sindhughosh Retired from Indian Navy

INS Sindhughosh, a Russian‑origin submarine, has been decommissioned from its operations. With this, the Indian Navy now has a total of 16 conventional submarines, along with two nuclear‑powered ballistic missile‑carrying submarines – INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

• Current Chief of Naval Staff (India): Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi

New Appointments

Gopal Vittal Appointed New Executive Vice‑Chairman of Bharti Airtel

Bharti Airtel has announced the appointment of Gopal Vittal as the new Executive Vice‑Chairman of the company, effective 1 January 2026. He has been serving as the company’s MD and CEO for the past 13 years.

Obituary

Jnanpith Awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla Passed Away

Renowned Hindi writer and Jnanpith awardee Vinod Kumar Shukla from Chhattisgarh passed away at the age of 88. Shukla was conferred the 59^th Jnanpith Award (2024) and received the honour in March 2025. He authored several acclaimed novels, including Naukar Ki Kameez, Khilega To Dekhenge, Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi, and Ek Chuppi Jagah.

• Jnanpith Award Started – 1961
• First Jnanpith Award (1965) – G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam writer)
• Recipients of the award for contributions in the Punjabi language – Amrita Pritam (1981) and Gurdial Singh (1999).

Puran Shah Koti, Renowned Musician, Passed Away

Renowned musician Ustad Puran Shah Koti has passed away. He was the father of singer Master Saleem and was widely respected in the music industry. Ustad Puran Shah Koti also mentored several artists, including Hans Raj Hans.

Important Days of 22-28 December 2025

• December 25- National Good Governence Day (Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji)
• December 26- Birth Anniversary of Shaheed Udham Singh
• December 26- Veer Baal Diwas

We have done pretty more important current affairs for the week of 22–28 December 2025. These are important for those who are really into getting into the government services, especially PCS, UPSC, PSSSB, Clerk, Patwari etc. But the key is consistency, so those who are really preparing for government services must know each and every fact for the exam. We have a dedicated current affairs & articles section on www.rankerschoice.com, so you can read and get confidence for your upcoming exams. I hope you will be called a government employee, an officer with your name.