Daily Current Affairs — 18 December 2025
4 articles • UPSC Prelims & Mains
How India’s Science and Technology Ecosystem Strengthened in 2025
Context India’s science and technology (ST) landscape witnessed significant momentum in 2025, marked by improved global rankings, large-scale funding for research and innovation, and advances in frontier technologies. Rising global standing in science and innovation It secured the 38th position in the Global Innovation Index 2025, reflecting steady progress among the world’s most innovative economies. The country ranked 6th globally in intellectual property filings, underlining growing innovatio
India Tops Global Doping Violations: WADA Report 2024
In News The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Report 2024 has ranked India as the worst doping offender globally for the third consecutive year, recording 260 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) with a positivity rate of 3.6%. About In contrast, countries such as China (0.2%), France (0.8%), Russia (0.7%) and the US (1.1%) recorded far lower positivity rates despite wider testing programs. This comes at a crucial time when India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and bidding for the 2
Supreme Court Clarifies Aravalli Boundaries, Regulates Mining
Context The Supreme Court, in a recent order, settled on a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills and ranges, and paused the grant of fresh mining leases across Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Significance of the Aravalli Range The Aravalli Range, stretching over approximately 692 kilometres (430 miles) in a northeastern direction, traverses the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Haryana before culminating in Delhi, is the oldest mountain range in India. Rajasthan accounts for ne
India-Oman Trade and Investment Ties Deepen
Context India and Oman have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This is the first bilateral agreement that Oman has signed with any country since the United States of America in 2006. Major Highlights FTA: Negotiations for the agreement began officially in 2023.