Legal Current Affairs for 24 December 2025

Launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, the mission is a part of commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and AST, a US based Company.
Incorporated in 2019, as a wholly owned Government Company under Department of Space, NSIL serves as the commercial arm of ISRO.

Part of a global LEO constellation: Provides direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite; Enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data, etc.
LEO is an orbit relatively close to Earth’s surface with an altitude around 160-1000 km, useful for satellite imaging and is the site of International Space Station (ISS).
Key Features: 223m² phased array, making it largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into LEO.
It is also the heaviest payload (6,100 kg) to be launched by LVM3.
About ISRO’s LVM3 Launch Vehicle
Three Stages: Comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
Key Features: Lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
GTO is an elliptical orbit with an altitude around 37,000 km, for transferring spacecraft to geosynchronous (and also geostationary) Earth orbits.
Previous Missions: Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites.

born in Talwan village of Jalandhar District, Punjab.
Also known as Mahatma Munshi Ram Vij, was an Indian Independence activist and an Arya Samaj sannyasi
Key contributions:
Education: In 1902 he established a Gurukul in Kangri, India near Haridwar(now recognized as Gurukul Kangri University).
Social Reform: Played a key role in the Shuddhi (re-conversion), a Hindu reform movement in the 1920s.
Freedom Struggle: Actively participated in anti-British protests e.g. Rowlatt Satyagraha, Non co-operation movement etc.
Assassinated on 23 December 1926 in Delhi; remembered as a karmayogi who fused spirituality with nationalism.
Values: Social Equality, nationalism, educational reform etc.

It is an extension of SAGAR doctrine with a shift of focus from just maritime security to economic and geopolitical concerns.
The term ‘MAHASAGAR’ suggests more ambitious undertones to India’s maritime objectives as it means ‘Great Ocean’.
Overall Objective: To strengthen India’s leadership in the Indian Ocean and Global South through inclusive growth, security, and sustainable development.
About SAGAR Doctrine:
Launched in 2015, SAGAR aimed to improve India’s maritime engagement through five pillars. i.e.
Security Cooperation, Trade and Economic Integration, Capacity Building and Disaster Management, Sustainable Development, Connectivity and Infrastructure.

Type: Surface-to-air missile (SAM) defense system designed to work against diverse aerial threats e.g. high-speed, low-altitude and long-range high-altitude targets etc.
Developed by: DRDO along with Bharat electronic limited (BEL).
Features: It is equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker and propelled by a solid rocket motor.

It comprises mainly the remnants of the Capital City of Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th Century AD).
Location: Tungabhadra basin in Vijaynagar District (Karnataka).
Important remains: Krishna temple, Narasimha, Ganesa, Hemakuta group of temples, Achyutaraya temple complex, Vitthala temple complex etc.
Vitthla temple is the most exquisitely ornate structure on the site and represents the culmination of Vijayanagara temple architecture.
It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986.

Objective: Recognise notable and inspiring contributions made by individuals or teams in fields of science, technology, and innovation.
Eligibility: All scientists, technologists and innovators working in government or private organizations.
Also includes Indian origin individuals in abroad with exceptional contributions benefitting Indian communities or society.
Given in four categories:
Vigyan Ratna: Lifetime achievements.
Vigyan Shri: Distinguished contributions.
Vigyan Yuva: For young scientists.
Vigyan Team: Comprising three or more scientists/researchers/innovators .
Given in 13 domains like Physics, Engineering Sciences, etc.

Location: Boubyan Island, Kuwait.
Aim: Enhance regional trade and transportation, contributing to Kuwait’s economic diversification, reducing its reliance on oil.
Operationalization: Entire project is expected to be operational by 2026.
Part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): BRI or New Silk Road, is China-led infrastructure projects launched in 2013. It has two components:
Silk Road Economic Belt: Land routes across Europe, Middle East, Central Asia and Asia.
Maritime Silk Road: Sea routes across East Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Classical art form named after the town of Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu. (Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola dynasty).
Flourished under Chola, Nayaks of Vijaynagara, and Maratha rulers.
Key Features:
Also called ‘Palagai Padam,’ meaning picture on a wooden plank as they are crafted on wooden planks.
Embellished with glass beads, semi-precious gems/stones, vibrant natural colors, and gold foil providing a three-dimensional effect.
Known for their extravagant depictions of deities.
Received the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.