News of The Day: 20th December 2025

News of The Day – 20th December 2025

SOURCES:The Hindu, Indian Express, Live Mint, Business Standard, Economic Times, PIB and AIR, etc

(with Syllabus Relevance)

(GS-1:Geography)

• NOAA and IMD models indicate ENSO-neutral conditions turning to weak El Niño by late 2026. 
• About El Niño: El Niño causes warmer Pacific waters, weakening Indian monsoon, droughts, and higher global temperatures.
• India may face deficient rainfall in 2026 monsoon; need for advance preparedness.

(GS-2: Polity & Governance)

• About Child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.
• SC called it a “deeply disturbing reality” in a landmark judgment.
• Implement robust measures against trafficking and CSE.
• Protection of victims, rehabilitation, and prosecution of offenders under POCSO and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.
• Highlighted systemic failures in child protection mechanisms.

(GS-2: Polity and Governance)

• About Bureau of Port Security: Statutory body under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
• Will coordinate port security, intelligence sharing, and risk assessment.
• Aligns with India’s SAGAR vision and Maritime Security Strategy.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• About WHO South-East Asia Regional Office, Delhi.
• For the first time a WHO regional office outside Geneva is housed in a dedicated building.
• Strengthens India’s leadership in global health governance in the region.

(GS-2: International Relations)

• MoU signed during PM Modi’s visit to the Netherlands.
• Focus: agriculture, water management, semiconductors, renewable energy, and logistics.
• Aims to strengthen bilateral trade (currently ~$25 bn) and deepen strategic partnership.

(GS-3: Economy)

• About Bharat Taxi
• 100% driver-owned cooperative ride-hailing platform.
• Aims to empower drivers, reduce commission burden, and promote ethical gig economy.

(GS-3: Disaster Management)

• Funds approved for 10 states under the National Disaster Risk Reduction Programme.
• Focus: school safety, hospital preparedness, early warning systems, and community resilience.
• Part of Sendai Framework alignment and NDMA’s 2025-2030 roadmap.

Doppler weather radars now cover 87% of India’s total area: How do these instruments work? 

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

• IMD has achieved 87% coverage with 35 operational Doppler radars.
  • About Doppler weather radars
• Work on the principle of Doppler effect: frequency shift of reflected waves from moving particles.
• Critical for early warning of cyclones, heavy rain, thunderstorms, and tornadoes.

AIIMS conducts India’s first Deep Brain Stimulation workshop for Parkinson’s, movement disorders 

(GS-3: Science & Technology)

DD News

• First national-level hands-on training on Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders.
• About DBS: Involves implanting electrodes in the brain to regulate abnormal signals.
• Improves quality of life in advanced Parkinson’s, dystonia, and essential tremor patients.

Corporations have a fundamental duty to protect ecosystem, prevent species’ extinction: Supreme Court

(GS-3: Environment )

The Hindu

• SC in a suo motu case imposed a duty on corporations to prevent ecological harm.
• Corporate liability for environmental damage even if not directly caused by them.
• Provisions for environment and species protection.