Current Affairs 18/12/2025
1. Who has become the first woman President of the Press Club of India?
Answer : Nalini Singh
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty Becomes First Woman President of the Press Club of India
Senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty created history by becoming the first woman President of the Press Club of India (PCI) since its establishment in 1957. She was elected to the prestigious position in December 2025, marking a significant milestone for gender representation in Indian media leadership.
A journalist with over three decades of experience, Pisharoty has worked with prominent media organizations such as United News of India (UNI), The Hindu, and The Wire, where she served as National Affairs Editor. She is also recognized as the first woman from Northeast India to work at UNI’s New Delhi headquarters.
Known for her in-depth reporting on governance, social justice, citizenship issues, and Northeast India, she is the author of the acclaimed book “Assam: The Accord, The Discord”. Her journalistic excellence has been acknowledged with awards including the Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Her election as PCI President is widely viewed as a progressive step towards inclusivity and democratic representation in India’s media institutions. As President, she is expected to advocate strongly for press freedom, journalists’ rights, and ethical journalism in an evolving media landscape
2. Who has become the first woman officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA)?
Answer : Sai Jadhav
Lieutenant Sai Jadhav: First Woman Officer to Graduate from the Indian Military Academy
In a historic milestone for the Indian Armed Forces, Lieutenant Sai Jadhav has become the first woman officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, breaking a tradition that had continued since the academy’s establishment in 1932. Her commissioning in December 2025 marks a significant step forward in the journey toward gender inclusion in India’s military institutions.
The Indian Military Academy is one of the country’s most prestigious officer training institutions and has, for over nine decades, trained thousands of officers for the Indian Army. Sai Jadhav’s successful completion of the rigorous training program demonstrates her exceptional physical endurance, leadership qualities, and professional competence, meeting the same demanding standards applied to all cadets.
Hailing from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Lieutenant Sai Jadhav comes from a proud military lineage, representing the fourth generation of her family to serve in uniform. She has been commissioned as an officer in the Territorial Army, further strengthening the role of women in India’s defence services.
Her achievement is widely regarded as a landmark moment that reflects the Indian Army’s evolving approach toward inclusivity and equal opportunity. Lieutenant Sai Jadhav’s success is expected to inspire countless young women across the country to aspire to careers in the armed forces and contribute to the nation’s defence with dedication and excellence.
3. India has become which largest competitive country in the field of Artificial Intelligence globally?
Answer : Third
India Emerges as the Third-Largest Competitive Country in Artificial Intelligence
India has achieved a significant global milestone by emerging as the third-largest competitive country in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ranking only behind the United States and China. This recognition reflects India’s rapid advancement in AI research, innovation, talent development, and large-scale adoption of digital technologies.
The country’s strong position in AI competitiveness is driven by its vast pool of skilled engineers, data scientists, and technology professionals, along with a thriving startup ecosystem. India is home to thousands of AI-focused startups working across sectors such as healthcare, fintech, agriculture, education, defence, and smart governance.
Government initiatives have played a crucial role in strengthening India’s AI landscape. Programs such as Digital India, the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, and the promotion of responsible and inclusive AI have accelerated research, infrastructure development, and industry-academia collaboration. Institutions like IITs, IISc, and research labs continue to contribute to cutting-edge AI innovation.
India’s growing AI capability is also supported by its large digital population, availability of diverse data sets, and increasing adoption of AI in public services. As AI becomes central to global economic and strategic competitiveness, India’s position as the third-largest AI-competitive nation underscores its potential to play a leading role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence worldwide.
4. Which country’s national cuisine has become the first nationally recognized food tradition by UNESCO?
Answer : Mexico
Mexico’s National Cuisine: The First Food Tradition Recognized by UNESCO
Mexico created history by becoming the first country whose national cuisine was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This landmark recognition was granted in 2010, underscoring the global cultural significance of Mexico’s traditional food practices.
UNESCO acknowledged Mexican cuisine not merely for its flavors but for its deeply rooted cultural system, which includes traditional farming methods such as the milpa system—the intercropping of maize, beans, and squash. These practices reflect sustainable agriculture and centuries-old knowledge passed down through generations.
Mexican cuisine is closely linked to community life, rituals, and celebrations, playing a vital role in preserving social identity. Staples such as maize, chili, beans, cacao, and squash form the foundation of a culinary tradition that has remained resilient despite modernization and globalization.
The UNESCO recognition highlighted the role of indigenous communities, particularly in regions like Michoacán, where traditional cooking techniques, utensils, and communal food preparation continue to thrive. This acknowledgment set a precedent for recognizing food traditions as an essential component of humanity’s cultural heritage.
Mexico’s achievement paved the way for other countries to seek similar recognition, reinforcing the idea that cuisine is not only a means of sustenance but also a powerful expression of history, culture, and collective memory.
5. What is the name of India’s first indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor developed by C-DAC?
Answer : VEGA
VEGA: India’s First Indigenous 1.0 GHz 64-bit Dual-Core Microprocessor
India achieved a significant milestone in indigenous computing technology with the development of VEGA, the country’s first 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor, designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The processor was developed under the government’s Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP), aimed at strengthening India’s self-reliance in strategic electronics and semiconductor technology.
VEGA is built on the RISC-V open-source instruction set architecture, which offers flexibility, scalability, and security. The processor is designed to meet the needs of high-performance embedded systems, defence and strategic applications, automotive electronics, and secure computing platforms. Its dual-core architecture enables improved processing efficiency while maintaining low power consumption.
The development of VEGA reflects India’s growing capability in processor design and system-on-chip (SoC) development, reducing dependence on foreign technology. It also supports the national objectives of “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, encouraging domestic innovation and technological sovereignty.
With VEGA, C-DAC has laid the foundation for future indigenous processors and advanced computing solutions, marking a crucial step in India’s journey toward becoming a global player in semiconductor research and development.
6. Which institution has been declared India’s first Yoga and Ayurveda-based cluster centre under the Gyan Bharatam Mission?
Answer : Patanjali University
University of Patanjali Declared India’s First Yoga and Ayurveda-Based Cluster Centre
The University of Patanjali, located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, has been declared India’s first Yoga and Ayurveda-based cluster centre under the Gyan Bharatam Mission of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. This recognition marks an important step in the institutional promotion of India’s traditional knowledge systems.
The Gyan Bharatam Mission aims to preserve, document, digitize, and promote India’s ancient knowledge traditions, including philosophy, medicine, wellness, and cultural practices. As a cluster centre, the University of Patanjali will function as a nodal institution, mentoring and coordinating with nearly 20 associated institutions across the country working in the fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, and allied disciplines.
The university will play a key role in research, translation, digitization of ancient manuscripts, and academic collaboration, ensuring that traditional Indian knowledge is integrated with modern education and research frameworks. Special emphasis will be placed on making classical texts accessible to scholars and the wider public.
This designation reflects the Government of India’s commitment to safeguarding India’s intangible cultural heritage and strengthening the global presence of Yoga and Ayurveda as scientifically grounded and culturally rooted knowledge systems. The initiative also supports national objectives such as cultural preservation, academic excellence, and knowledge dissemination at both national and international levels.
7. Kavita Chand from Almora (Uttarakhand) successfully climbed Mount Vinson, the highest peak of which continent?
Answer : Antarctica
Kavita Chand Scales Mount Vinson, the Highest Peak of Antarctica
Indian mountaineer Kavita Chand, hailing from Almora district in Uttarakhand, has achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully climbing Mount Vinson, the highest peak of Antarctica. This accomplishment places her among a select group of Indian climbers who have conquered one of the most challenging mountains in the world.
Mount Vinson, rising to an elevation of approximately 4,892 metres, is part of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. Known for its extreme weather conditions, severe cold, and isolation, the climb demands exceptional physical endurance, technical expertise, and mental resilience.
Kavita Chand’s successful ascent highlights the growing participation of Indian women in high-altitude mountaineering and brings recognition to talent emerging from the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, often referred to as the cradle of Indian mountaineering. Her achievement also reflects the importance of disciplined training and determination in overcoming extreme geographical challenges.
This feat not only adds to India’s presence in international mountaineering but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring climbers, especially young women, to pursue adventure sports and represent the nation on global platforms.