Current Affairs 13/12/2025
1. Where was the 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival held?
Answer : Unity Plaza, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama
26th Hornbill Festival Held at Kisama: A Reverent Display of Naga Heritage
The 26th edition of the Hornbill Festival, Nagaland’s premier cultural congregation, was solemnly and successfully celebrated at Unity Plaza, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, near Kohima. Renowned as the “Festival of Festivals”, the Hornbill Festival once again stood as a dignified testament to the rich traditions, social customs, and artistic expressions of the Naga people.
Inaugurated in a befitting manner on 1st December, coinciding with Nagaland Statehood Day, the festival commenced amidst traditional rites, cultural performances, and the presence of distinguished dignitaries. Unity Plaza, symbolic of collective identity and unity, served as the central venue where representatives of various Naga tribes assembled to present their unique cultural heritage.
Throughout its duration, the festival grounds resonated with the rhythms of folk music, ceremonial dances, and age-old rituals passed down through generations. Traditional morungs, indigenous games, and exhibitions of hand-woven textiles, woodcraft, and metalwork provided visitors with an authentic glimpse into Naga life. Equally notable was the display of traditional cuisines, reflecting the region’s agrarian roots and culinary wisdom.
The Hornbill Festival has, over the years, evolved into a significant platform for cultural preservation and tourism promotion. The 26th edition continued this legacy by attracting visitors from across the country and abroad, thereby strengthening cultural exchange and fostering greater appreciation of Nagaland’s heritage. The event also offered valuable economic opportunities to local artisans, performers, and small entrepreneurs.
The closing ceremony, held on 10th December, was marked by dignified performances and expressions of cultural pride. As the ceremonial bonfire was lit, it symbolised the conclusion of the festivities and reaffirmed the enduring spirit of unity and tradition that the Hornbill Festival represents.
In its 26th year, the Hornbill Festival once again upheld its stature as a cultural beacon of the Northeast, reinforcing Nagaland’s commitment to preserving its heritage while engaging meaningfully with the wider world.
2. Which country won the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup for the 8th time?
Answer : Germany
Germany Clinches Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup Title for the Eighth Time
Germany further strengthened its legacy in international hockey by winning the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup for a record eighth time. This remarkable achievement underscores the nation’s long-standing dominance and consistency in junior-level hockey, reflecting the strength of its talent development system and competitive sporting culture.
The German junior team displayed exceptional discipline, tactical awareness, and technical skill throughout the tournament. Their performance was marked by structured defense, swift counter-attacks, and effective penalty-corner execution, which proved decisive against some of the strongest hockey-playing nations in the world. The final match, in particular, highlighted Germany’s ability to perform under pressure and deliver results on the biggest stage.
Germany’s success at the junior level is widely regarded as a foundation for its sustained excellence in senior international hockey. The country’s well-established grassroots programs, professional coaching structures, and emphasis on youth development continue to produce players capable of excelling at global competitions.
With this eighth title, Germany has reinforced its position as the most successful nation in the history of the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup. The victory not only adds another prestigious trophy to its record but also signals a promising future for German hockey on the international stage.
3. Who was awarded the United Champions of the Earth Award?
Answer : Supriya Sahu
Supriya Sahu Honoured with United Champions of the Earth Award
Supriya Sahu, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was awarded the prestigious United Champions of the Earth Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to environmental conservation and sustainable development. The award acknowledges individuals whose leadership and commitment have brought about measurable and lasting positive impact on environmental protection.
Supriya Sahu has been widely recognised for her pioneering work in advancing climate-resilient policies, promoting sustainable urban development, and strengthening environmental governance. Through her administrative leadership, she has played a key role in integrating ecological considerations into public policy, particularly in areas such as wetland conservation, biodiversity protection, climate adaptation, and responsible infrastructure development.
Her efforts have helped bridge the gap between policy formulation and on-ground implementation, ensuring that development initiatives are aligned with long-term environmental sustainability. By encouraging community participation, scientific planning, and inter-departmental coordination, she has contributed to creating scalable models of environmental stewardship.
The United Champions of the Earth Award serves as a global platform to honour individuals whose work exemplifies innovation, dedication, and impactful leadership in addressing environmental challenges. Supriya Sahu’s recognition reflects India’s growing role in global environmental action and highlights the importance of strong institutional leadership in safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
4. Who launched the Sujalam Bharat App?
Answer : C. R. Patil
Sujalam Bharat App Launched to Strengthen Water Conservation Efforts
The Sujalam Bharat App was formally launched by C. R. Patil, the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, as part of the Government of India’s continued efforts to promote water conservation and ensure sustainable water management across the country. The initiative aligns with national priorities focused on efficient use of water resources, public participation, and technology-driven governance.
The Sujalam Bharat App has been designed as a digital platform to support monitoring, planning, and implementation of water conservation initiatives. It facilitates real-time data collection, tracking of water-related projects, and transparent reporting, thereby enabling better coordination between central agencies, state governments, and local bodies. By integrating technology with field-level action, the app aims to enhance accountability and improve the effectiveness of water management programs.
The launch of the app reflects the government’s emphasis on leveraging digital tools to address pressing environmental challenges such as water scarcity, groundwater depletion, and uneven water distribution. The platform also encourages community involvement by promoting awareness and enabling stakeholders to participate actively in conservation efforts.
By introducing the Sujalam Bharat App, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has taken a significant step toward strengthening India’s water security framework. The initiative is expected to support long-term sustainability goals and contribute meaningfully to national missions such as Jal Jeevan Mission and broader climate-resilient development strategies.
5. Gati Shakti University signed an MoU with which company?
Answer : Amazon
Gati Shakti University Signs MoU with Amazon to Strengthen Skill Development and Logistics Education
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon, marking a significant step toward strengthening industry–academia collaboration in the fields of logistics, supply chain management, and digital skills. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to developing a future-ready workforce aligned with India’s rapidly evolving infrastructure and logistics ecosystem.
Under the MoU, Amazon will collaborate with Gati Shakti University to support skill development, curriculum enhancement, training programs, and knowledge sharing. The association aims to provide students with practical exposure to real-world logistics operations, global best practices, and emerging technologies used in modern supply chains. This industry-driven approach is expected to bridge the gap between academic learning and professional requirements.
The collaboration also aligns with the vision of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which emphasizes integrated infrastructure development, efficiency, and innovation. By engaging with a global leader like Amazon, the university seeks to enrich its academic ecosystem and prepare students to meet the demands of large-scale logistics, e-commerce, and transportation networks.
The MoU with Amazon underscores Gati Shakti University’s growing role as a national institution focused on infrastructure, logistics, and mobility studies. It further highlights the importance of public–private partnerships in nurturing skilled human resources essential for India’s economic growth and global competitiveness.
6. Who was appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist (AI Infrastructure)?
Answer : Amin Vahdat
Amin Vahdat Appointed as Google’s Chief Technologist (AI Infrastructure)
Google has appointed Amin Vahdat as its Chief Technologist for AI Infrastructure, a strategic leadership role focused on strengthening the company’s technological foundation for artificial intelligence at scale. The appointment reflects Google’s continued emphasis on building robust, efficient, and secure infrastructure to support its rapidly expanding AI ecosystem.
Amin Vahdat is a globally respected technologist with deep expertise in distributed systems, cloud computing, and networking. Prior to this role, he served as a senior engineering leader at Google, where he played a key role in advancing large-scale computing platforms, data center technologies, and AI-driven cloud services. His work has been instrumental in enabling high-performance, low-latency systems required for modern AI workloads.
As Chief Technologist (AI Infrastructure), Vahdat will guide the architectural vision for Google’s AI platforms, including compute, storage, networking, and energy-efficient data center design. His leadership is expected to ensure seamless integration between hardware and software, optimize performance for large AI models, and enhance reliability and scalability across Google’s AI services.
The appointment comes at a time when demand for AI computing infrastructure is growing exponentially. By entrusting this critical role to Amin Vahdat, Google reinforces its commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and long-term leadership in artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.
7. In which state did President Murmu inaugurate projects worth ₹1,387 crore?
Answer : Manipur
President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Development Projects Worth ₹1,387 Crore in Manipur
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a series of major development projects worth ₹1,387 crore in the state of Manipur, underscoring the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive growth and infrastructure-led development in the Northeast region. The projects span critical sectors aimed at improving connectivity, public services, and overall quality of life for the people of the state.
The inaugurated initiatives include infrastructure and public utility projects designed to strengthen road networks, enhance urban and rural facilities, and support social development. These investments are expected to generate employment, stimulate local economic activity, and improve access to essential services across various districts of Manipur.
During the inauguration, the President emphasized the strategic importance of the Northeast in India’s development journey and reiterated the government’s focus on balanced regional growth. She highlighted the need for sustainable development that respects local culture while creating new opportunities for education, health, and livelihoods.
The launch of projects worth ₹1,387 crore reflects a sustained policy thrust toward accelerating development in Manipur. It also aligns with broader national objectives of strengthening infrastructure, promoting social welfare, and ensuring that the benefits of development reach remote and border regions of the country.