Current Affairs Quiz — 18 December 2025
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Under the India–Oman CEPA signed on 18 December 2025, Indian goods get zero-duty access on what share of Oman's tariff lines?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 98.08%
PIB 2205889: zero-duty access on 98.08% of Oman's tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India's exports by value.
Who signed the India–Oman CEPA on behalf of India on 18 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Piyush Goyal
PIB 2205889: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal signed with Oman's Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef.
The India–Oman CEPA is India's second Free Trade Agreement signed in six months. With which country was the earlier one signed?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — United Kingdom
PIB 2205889: the CEPA is the second FTA signed in the last six months after the United Kingdom.
Consider the following statements about the India–Oman CEPA: 1. Oman has offered 127 services sub-sectors. 2. It contains the first-ever commitment by any country on traditional medicine across all modes. 3. Oman has capped FDI by Indian companies in its services sectors at 49%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2205889: Oman offered 127 sub-sectors and made the first-ever commitment by any country on traditional medicine across all modes. It committed to 100% FDI for Indian companies in major services sectors, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which two laws does the SHANTI Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on 18 December 2025, replace?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010
PRS: the Bill replaces the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010.
Which body gets statutory status under the SHANTI Bill, 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
PIB 2206211: the Bill accords statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, making it part of the parent legislation.
What nuclear energy capacity target by 2047 does the SHANTI Bill support?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 100 GW
PIB 2206598: the Bill supports the long-term objective of achieving 100 GW nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
Consider the following statements about the SHANTI Bill, 2025: 1. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 15 December 2025 and passed by the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2025. 2. The Appellate Tribunal for Electricity will serve as the appellate authority under it. 3. It keeps a single statutory cap on operator liability for all nuclear installations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PRS gives the dates (introduced 15 December, Lok Sabha 17 December) and PIB 2206598 names the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity. The Bill replaces the single cap with a graded liability framework, so statement 3 is wrong.
How many members took part in the Lok Sabha debate on the VB-G RAM G Bill before it was passed on 18 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 98
The Indian Express and News18: Shivraj Singh Chouhan said he listened to 98 MPs who took part in the debate.
Consider the following statements about the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025 as explained in the PIB backgrounder of 18 December 2025: 1. It shifts rural employment from a central sector scheme to a centrally sponsored framework. 2. All assets created will be aggregated in the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack. 3. The estimated annual central share is ₹1,51,282 crore. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2205734: the Bill moves to a centrally sponsored framework and aggregates assets in the Viksit Bharat National Rural Infrastructure Stack. ₹1,51,282 crore is the total annual requirement including the State share; the central share is ₹95,692.31 crore, so statement 3 is wrong.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four priority areas of works under the VB-G RAM G Bill, 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Urban housing for migrant workers
PIB 2205734: the four areas are water security, core rural infrastructure, livelihood-related infrastructure and special works to mitigate extreme weather events. Urban housing is not one of them.
Who introduced the Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025 in the Karnataka Assembly on 10 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — G. Parameshwara
BusinessLine (PTI) and Moneycontrol: the Bill was presented in the House by Home Minister G. Parameshwara on 10 December.
Consider the following statements about the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025: 1. It is described as the first such law in the country. 2. It provides for jail of up to seven years and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. 3. It was passed by the Assembly during its session in Bengaluru. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
BusinessLine (PTI) and Moneycontrol: the first such law, with jail up to seven years and a fine up to ₹1 lakh. It was passed in Belagavi, not Bengaluru, so statement 3 is wrong.
Where was the second edition of the India–UAE Joint Military Exercise Desert Cyclone held from 18 to 30 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Abu Dhabi, UAE
PIB 2205132: Desert Cyclone-II was scheduled at Abu Dhabi, UAE from 18 to 30 December 2025.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Desert Cyclone-II: 1. The Indian contingent comprises 45 personnel, mainly from The Mechanised Infantry Regiment. 2. The UAE is represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion. 3. The exercise focuses on conventional desert warfare outside any UN mandate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2205132: 45 Indian personnel mainly from The Mechanised Infantry Regiment, and the UAE's 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The focus is sub-conventional operations in urban terrain under a UN mandate, so statement 3 is wrong.
On which principle were Regional Rural Banks consolidated with effect from 1 May 2025, before a common RRB logo was unveiled in December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — One State One RRB
PIB 2205824: on the principle of 'One State One RRB', 26 RRBs across 11 States/UTs were consolidated from 01.05.2025.
Consider the following statements about Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and their new common logo: 1. 26 RRBs across 11 States/UTs were consolidated with effect from 1 May 2025. 2. There are now 28 RRBs. 3. In the logo, the hands symbolise enlightenment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2205824: 26 RRBs in 11 States/UTs were consolidated from 1 May 2025 and 28 RRBs now operate. In the logo the hands stand for nurturing and the flame for enlightenment, so statement 3 is wrong.
The Order of Oman, conferred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18 December 2025, was instituted in 1970 by whom?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Sultan Qaboos bin Said
PIB 2206032: the Order of Oman was instituted in 1970 by Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
At which palace was Prime Minister Modi received by Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on 18 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Al Baraka Palace
PIB 2206044: the Prime Minister was received by His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik on 18 December 2025 at Al Baraka Palace.
Consider the following statements about Prime Minister Modi's visit to Oman in December 2025: 1. The visit took place in the year marking 70 years of India–Oman diplomatic relations. 2. An MoU on maritime heritage and museums covers the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal. 3. The visit followed Sultan Haitham bin Tarik's State Visit to India in December 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2206044 and 2205993: the visit marked 70 years of diplomatic ties, the maritime heritage MoU includes NMHC Lothal, and it followed the Sultan's State Visit to India in December 2023. All three are correct.
Kumari Beel and Dhamar Beel, which the Assam Cabinet approved as Proposed Reserved Forests on 18 December 2025, are in which district?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Goalpara
News Live and The Economic Times: both beels are in Goalpara district.
Under which law did the Assam Cabinet approve declaring Kumari Beel and Dhamar Beel as Proposed Reserved Forests?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Assam Forest Regulation, 1891
News Live and The Economic Times: the declaration is under the relevant provisions of the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891.
How many yachts will the 'Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina', approved in December 2025, be able to berth?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 424
PIB 2206251: the marina will have capacity to berth 424 yachts of up to 30 metres.
Under the hybrid model for the Viksit Bharat Mumbai Marina, which body will invest about ₹470 crore in the core marina infrastructure?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Mumbai Port Authority
PIB 2206251: the Mumbai Port Authority will invest about ₹470 crore on an EPC basis, and a private operator about ₹417 crore onshore.
How many mobile forensic laboratory vehicles did Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar flag off in Patna on 18 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 34
TOI, Hindustan Times and UNI: the Chief Minister flagged off 34 mobile forensic vehicles.
What is the main purpose of the 34 mobile forensic vans flagged off in Bihar on 18 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Collecting and examining evidence at the crime scene
TOI, Hindustan Times and UNI: the vans let forensic teams collect evidence and begin investigation at the crime scene instead of waiting for laboratory results.
Under which law did the Competition Commission of India decide on 18 December 2025 to proceed in the IndiGo flight disruptions matter?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Competition Act, 2002
PIB 2206091: the Commission decided to proceed further in accordance with the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002.