December 26, 2025 - Current Affairs

India’s First PPP-Model Medical Colleges

December 26, 2025

India is planning to open its first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) medical colleges in the tribal Dhar and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh, a move historic for healthcare and medical education reform. Under this initiative, the state government will provide land and regulatory assistance, while the private partners will design, construct and manage the academic and clinical infrastructure. These colleges will be linked to the existing district hospitals and will be oriented towards increasing access to quality medical education and modern healthcare provision in underserved areas. The PPP approach is likely to empower the health workforce and enhance medical training and the delivery of care to patients throughout the state.

Types of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Models

Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT): This is where the private partner constructs, operates under a set term and then hands over to the government.

Design-Build-Finance-Operate (DBBO): Design, construction, financing, and operation are all done by a private.

Build-Own-Operate (BOO): The project is owned and operated by a private partner on an indefinite basis.

Operation and Maintenance (O&M): The government is the owner of assets; the operations are handled by the private partner.

Joint Venture (JV): Investment, risks, and profits are shared between both the public and the private partners.

Lease/Concession Model: The government asset is leased to its private partner to give services.

Service Contract: Service Contract involves the delivery of certain services by a private entity on a fixed term basis.

Government Incentives for PPP Projects in India

Viability Gap Funding (VGF): Capital grants of up to 40 percent of project cost to realize the viability of infrastructure PPP projects.

India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPDF): This fund provides financial assistance in the preparation of projects, feasibility studies and organization.

Long-term Debt Financing: This is obtained by facilities such as IIFCL in order to fund long-gestation infrastructure.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): 100 per cent FDI of equity of special purpose vehicles (SPVs) under automatic route permitted in most sectors to invest in these areas both by private investments and foreign investments.

Conclusion (PPP Projects in India)

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects that have made the infrastructure and service delivery more efficient through the involvement of the government and effectiveness of the private sector. PPPs increase investment, quality and sustainability with incentive, risk sharing and collaborative structures, which are important in industries such as health care, education, transport and urban development.

National Mathematics Day 2025: Honouring Ramanujan’s Contributions to Mathematics

December 26, 2025

National Mathematics Day is celebrated on 22 December each year in honour of the birth anniversary of the legendary mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, whose work remains remarkable and continues to shape the field of mathematics in the contemporary world. The Government of India officially declared this day in December 2011, and in 2012, the first National Mathematics Year was held in honour of his remarkable contributions in number theory, infinite series, continued fractions, and mathematical analysis. The National Math Day 2025 will be celebrated in schools, research centers, and other academic institutions to create awareness on the role of mathematics in the development of science itself and also motivate students and researchers to excel in mathematics in honour of Ramanujan's legacy.

Why December 22 Is Observed as National Mathematics Day?

The National Day of Mathematics is celebrated on 22 December in India annually.
The festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan, who is one of the greatest mathematical thinkers in the world.
In 2011, the Government of India formally declared that it would observe this.
It is in recognition of the revolutionary work of number theory and mathematical analysis of Ramanujan.
The discoveries of Ramanujan still, to this day, influence modern mathematics and theoretical physics.
The day encourages science and numeracy in students.
Educational institutions such as schools and universities organize workshops, lectures, and problem-solving activities.
It motivates the young people to take up mathematics as a profession and to engage in research.
The National Mathematics Day brings out mathematics as the pioneer of innovation.
The festival maintains and glorifies the Indian mathematical tradition.

Asked Questions in the Govt. Exams (PYQs)

Year	Exam	Question	Answer
2019	UPSC Prelims	Who was Srinivasa Ramanujan?	An Indian mathematician known for major contributions to number theory and infinite series.
2020	SSC CGL	When was Srinivasa Ramanujan born?	22 December 1887.
2021	State PCS	Where was Srinivasa Ramanujan born?	Erode, Tamil Nadu, India.
2022	SSC CHSL	Which British mathematician collaborated with Ramanujan?	G. H. Hardy.
2023	Railway Group D	In which year was Ramanujan elected Fellow of the Royal Society?	1918.
2024	UPSC Mains	Which number is famously known as the Hardy–Ramanujan number?	1729.
2025	SSC GD	Ramanujan made significant contributions to which branch of mathematics?	Number theory.

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Conclusion (National Mathematics Day 2025)

National Mathematics Day 2025 celebrates the eternal legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan and emphasizes the role of mathematics in national development. The observation motivates youngsters to think in an analytical style, encourages mathematical research, and strengthens India's deep intellectual roots in the field of science and innovation.

Khelo India Tribal Games 2025 Logo and Mascot Unveiled in Chhattisgarh

December 26, 2025

The first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) logo and mascot were released on December 23, 2025, at Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, and marked a milestone in the calendar of Indian sports. The event was marked with senior leaders such as the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, and the Deputy CM, Arun Sao. The local culture inspired mascot, which is the name Morveer, is translated to mean courage, the value of having pride, and being a member of a tribe. The Games will be held on February 14, 2026, to highlight tribal players, expand the source of national talent, and encourage the growth of sporting activities inclusively within the competitive fields.

Highlights of Khelo India Tribal Games

The official mascot, logo, and theme song were released in the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
The first Khelo India tribal games will take place between February 14, 2026, and the team will be centered around tribal athletes.
The Games have seven sports events, which are competitive as follows: archery, athletics, football, hockey, wrestling, swimming, and weightlifting.
India will have two exhibition sports to demonstrate its native sporting culture.
The event will establish and encourage tribal talent and consolidate them into national sports.
The excellent players will be offered scholarships and career-long support to develop their careers.

PYQs Khelo India Games

Exam	Year	Question Asked	Answer
SSC CPO Tier-I	2019	The Khelo India Youth Games was previously called ______	Khelo India School Games
SSC CHSL	2024	The fifth edition of the Khelo India Youth Games was organised in Bhopal city in which year?	2023
SSC CGL Tier-I	2021	Which of the following sports was included in the Khelo India Youth Games 2021 to develop it as a competitive sport?	Yogasana
RRB Group D	2025	Which edition of the Khelo India Youth Games was held in June 2022?	Fourth

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Expected Questions for Upcoming Exams: Khelo India Games

Which state hosted the 5th edition of Khelo India Youth Games?

A) Madhya Pradesh

B) Maharashtra

C) Karnataka

D) Rajasthan

Answer: A) Madhya Pradesh

Explanation: The 5th edition of KIYG was held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, in 2023 to promote youth sports and talent identification.

What was the former name of Khelo India Youth Games?

A) National School Games

B) Khelo India School Games

C) Bharat Youth Games

D) Indian Sports Festival

Answer: B) Khelo India School Games

Explanation: KIYG was previously called Khelo India School Games before being expanded to a national youth-level multi-sport event.

Which new sport was introduced in the 2021 edition of KIYG to promote competitive development?

A) Archery

B) Yoga

C) Weightlifting

D) Badminton

Answer: B) Yoga

Explanation: Yogasana was included to encourage holistic sports development among youth athletes.

Which of the following is the main objective of Khelo India Youth Games?

A) Only to host annual competitions

B) To identify and support young sports talent in India

C) To promote international sports events in India

D) To replace state-level sports competitions

Answer: B) To identify and support young sports talent in India

Explanation: KIYG is designed to discover future national athletes, provide scholarships, and support them for international competitions.

How often are Khelo India Youth Games conducted?

A) Every 2 years

B) Every year

C) Every 4 years

D) Every 6 months

Answer: B) Every year

Explanation: KIYG is an annual multi-sport event to ensure consistent talent scouting and youth development.

Conclusion (Khelo India Tribal Games)

The Khelo India Tribal Games encourage sports among the indigenous people, which helps to show tribal talent and attract young people to take part in the games. The Games enhance the growth of sports in the country, maintain tribal culture, and provide future athletes with a chance of excelling by offering scholarships, infrastructure, and competition on the national and international stages.

Russia Plans to Build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon by 2036

December 26, 2025

The state space corporation Roscosmos in Russia declared that they are building a nuclear-powered energy station to be placed on the moon by 2036 to aid in its long term exploration plans of the moon, as well as collaborative missions with China. This project entails a contract entered into with the Lavochkin Association to build the lunar power infrastructure and launch it in space to power up the rovers, the observatories, and the International Lunar Research Station. The venture would be a strategic change of the short-term missions to the sustainable operations in space and in off-Earth and increased cooperation between the space and nuclear sector in Russia, also Rosatom and the Kurchatov Institute.

Why a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon?

Russia is already intending to construct a Nuclear power facility on the Moon by 2036 to provide constant and uninterrupted energy to its long term lunar exploration programme.
The plant is to supply lunar rovers, an observatory and infrastructure of the joint Russian-Chinese International Lunar Research Station.
According to Roscosmos, this project will contribute to the process of leaving one-time missions behind and moving on to a permanently working scientific lunar base.
The reason to select nuclear power is that it can deliver constant power irrespective of the long night of the Moon, which would support long operation.

Previous Year Questions Moon and Mission

Exam	Year	Question	Answer
UPSC Prelims	2008	SELENE-1 lunar mission belongs to which country?	Japan
UPSC Prelims	2009	Which planet has the highest number of natural satellites?	Jupiter
UPSC Prelims	2015	Ocean tides are mainly caused by the gravitational pull of which bodies?	Moon and Sun
RRB Gorakhpur	2009	When was Chandrayaan-1 launched?	22 October 2008
SSC CPO	2019	From where was Chandrayaan-1 launched?	Sriharikota
BSSC CGL	2022	What was India’s first Moon mission?	Chandrayaan-1
Maharashtra PSC	2019	In which month was Chandrayaan-1 launched?	October 2008
UPSSSC Mandi Inspector	2019	What was the launch date of Chandrayaan-1?	22 October 2008
NHPC JE	2023	Which was India’s first lunar mission?	Chandrayaan-1
SSC	2020	The Moon is a —	Natural satellite
Railways	2018	The Moon completes one revolution around the Earth in —	About 27.3 days
SSC	2017	How is the Moon’s atmosphere?	Very thin / negligible
Defence	2016	Does the Moon rotate on its axis?	Yes
State PSC	2021	What did Chandrayaan-1 discover on the Moon?	Presence of water molecules
SSC	2023	What is the name of Chandrayaan-3’s rover?	Pragyan
SSC	2023	What is the name of Chandrayaan-3’s lander?	Vikram
State PSC	2023	Where did Chandrayaan-3 land on the Moon?	South polar region
SSC	2016	A lunar eclipse occurs when —	Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon
Railways	2019	The most common surface feature on the Moon is —	Craters
Defence	2020	How is the temperature on the Moon?	Extremely high in the day and very low at night

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Conclusion (Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon)

The construction of a nuclear power station on the Moon can revolutionize space exploration because it entails the availability of a reliable energy supply that is used in long missions, lunar bases, and the conducting of scientific experiments. It would be in favor of constant human presence, the possibility to deploy advanced technology, and a significant move towards the future of human people beyond the Earth.

Rashtra Prerna Sthal Inaugurated to Honour Atal Bihari Vajpayee

December 26, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the inauguration of the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow on 25 December 2025, on the 101 st anniversary of the birth of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, to celebrate his life, ideals, and legacy. The memorial is created as a national landmark and inspirational complex covering 65 acres in total, towering 65 -foot bronze statues of Vajpayee, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and a state-of-the-art 65-acre lotus-shaped museum with innovative exhibits that portray the national journey and predictive values of leadership of India. Constructed at a projected cost of 230 crore, the location will be the inspiration to the generations to come on the ideals of leadership, service, unity, and good governance.

Overview of Rashtra Prerna Sthal

The cost of construction of the memorial was approximated at 230 crore.
It is within the Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, and thus made accessible to the people and the visitors.
An inspirational complex designed with the emphasis on the values of leadership, governance, and nation-building.
Attributes now work with the state-of-the-art technology of interactive screens and immersive experiences for visitors.
Includes statues of Vajpayee, Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya.
The location is used as a center of learning tours, civic education, and national pride.
The aim was to inspire the citizens and the future generation leaders with the vision and ideals of Vajpayee.

Expected Questions and Answers

Question	Answer
Who was the first leader of Bharatiya Jana Sangh?	Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Who proposed the concept of Integral Humanism as a political philosophy?	Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
Which PM of India launched the Golden Quadrilateral Project?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Who initiated the Lahore Bus Journey for peace with Pakistan in 1999?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Who is considered the architect of the BJP’s ideology after BJS?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Which leader emphasized “Antyodaya” – upliftment of the last person?	Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
Which leader’s efforts led to opening India’s international relations to wider diplomacy in the late 1990s?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Who opposed the merger of Jammu & Kashmir into India without a proper legal process?	Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Which leader was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2015?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Who promoted the concept of “Integral development” combining political, economic, and cultural growth?	Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
Which leader’s political journey is associated with the establishment of the BJP’s organizational framework?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Who strongly advocated Hindu cultural values within Indian politics?	Syama Prasad Mookerjee
Who delivered the famous speech “India should be self-reliant,” emphasizing national development?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Which leader’s philosophy influenced the BJP’s socio-economic policies in later years?	Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya
Who is remembered for leadership during the Pokhran nuclear tests?	Atal Bihari Vajpayee

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Conclusion (Rashtra Prerna Sthal)

Rashtra Prerna Sthal is a memorial building to the leadership that shaped India, paying tribute to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, and Syama Prasad Mookerjee. It makes the citizens motivated about their ideals, leadership, and work, which creates patriotism, moral administration, as well as devotion towards national development and serving the people.

ISRO’s LVM3-M6 Mission: Launching the Heaviest Satellite from Indian Soil

December 26, 2025

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) LVM3-M6 Mission is a major space mission in which the organisation launched a BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit. The mission is the sixth flight of the heavy-lift LVM3 launcher and was launched on 24 December 2025 from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, marking one of the rocket's most significant commercial successes. The BlueBird Block-2 satellite (designed by AST SpaceMobile of the USA) is the largest commercial payload ever launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), underscoring India's growing ability to launch into space worldwide.

Inside the LVM3-M6 Launch Event

LVM3-M6 took off on 24 December 2025 at the Second Launch Pad in the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
LVM3 rocket has a height of approximately 43.5 metres and a mass on launch of approximately 640 tonnes, comprising two solid boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage.
It launched a commercial launch service with a BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite.
The satellite had a mass of approximately 6,100 kg, making it the heaviest object launched into orbit by this rocket.
Approximately 15 minutes after take-off, the spacecraft was launched into a low Earth orbit with an altitude of some 520 km.
The mission will facilitate worldwide direct-to-smartphone broadband and enhance the commercial ability of launching in India.

PYQs of ISRO and Mission

Exam	Year	Question Asked	Answer
UPSC Prelims	2016	India successfully placed the Mars Orbiter Mission in Mars orbit on its first attempt. Which statements are correct?	India achieved Mars orbit on the first attempt
UPSC Mains	2016	Discuss the utility of the Mars Orbiter Mission for India.	Technological demonstration and planetary exploration
UPSC Mains	2019	What is India’s plan for having its own space station and its benefits?	National capability and long-term human spaceflight
UPSC Mains	2022	Role of the private sector in the Indian space programme?	Commercialisation and private participation
UPSC Prelims	2020	Which mission studied the Moon’s south polar region?	Chandrayaan-2
UPSC Prelims	2023	Which mission achieved a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole?	Chandrayaan-3

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Conclusion (ISRO's LVM3-M6 Mission)

The LVM3-M6 mission is a big jump in terms of heavy-lift as well as commercial launch by ISRO. The successful launch of India elevated its standing in the international space market and also proved the reliability of its technology, its accuracy, and its future capability of carrying out human and deep space missions.