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Current Affairs 18 December 2025

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“Viksit Bharat – G Ram G Bill” introduced in the Lok Sabha

  • The Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (or VB–G RAM G Bill), 2025 seeks to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005.
  • State governments will notify a scheme consistent with the Bill, within six months from its commencement.

Lok Sabha passes Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill 2025

  • The Bill seeks to amend the Insurance Act 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956 and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999. 
  • The bill is aimed at accelerating the growth and development of the insurance sector and ensuring better protection of policyholders.
  • Key Features of the Bill 
  • 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):  Increases the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit in Indian Insurance companies from 74% to 100% of the paid-up equity capital.
  • Paid-up capital refers to the equity capital that has been fully paid by shareholders in exchange for ownership interests.
  • Establishment of the Policyholders’ Education and Protection Fund: The Fund will be utilised to protect the interests of policyholders and educate them.
  • The fund will be administered by IRDAI.  
  • Net-owned fund requirements for foreign re-insurers lowered:  The Net Owned Funds requirement reduced from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 1,000 crore, encouraging more re-insurers to enter the market.
  • Other: 
  • The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) will have enhanced enforcement powers, similar to SEBI, to recover wrongful gains.
  • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will have greater operational freedom, including setting up new zonal offices without prior government approval.

SHANTI Bill has been introduced in Lok Sabha to replace Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA).

  • Opening Nuclear Sector to Non-Government Entities:  including Indian private companies, Joint ventures between government entities and private companies, etc.
  • Liability for Nuclear Damage:  
  • Tiered liability structure introduced with liability limit ranging from ₹100 crore to ₹3,000 crore, based on reactor power capacity.
  • It replaces flat ₹1,500 crore cap (for ≥10 MW reactors) under CLNDA.
  • Central government bears liability beyond operator’s cap and may establish a fund to be called the Nuclear Liability Fund.
  • No-fault liability retained with operator liable regardless of negligence. 
  • Insurance requirement for operators continues. 
  • Operator’s Right of Recourse:  The Bill removes right of recourse for defective equipment/materials, contractual provisions and deliberate acts causing damage, previously allowed under the CLNDA 2010.
  • Territorial Scope of Compensation:  Extended to nuclear damage in foreign territories caused by incidents in India, subject to specified conditions.
  • Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): Now granted Statutory Status as it ensures safe use of radiation and nuclear energy.
  • Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council: Established to hear appeals against decisions of the Centre or AERB. 
  • Further appeal lies before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity.

Jordan (Capital: Amman)

  • The Indian PM paid a visit to Jordan which coincides with 75 years of India–Jordan diplomatic relations. 
  • Political Features
  • Location: Southwest Asia, northern Arabian Peninsula.
  • Boundaries: Syria (North), Iraq (East), Saudi Arabia (South & Southeast) and Israel & West Bank (West).
  • Maritime Boundary: Gulf of Aqaba (Jordan’s sole port) and Dead Sea.
  • Geographical Features
  • Key Geographical Features: Syrian/Arabian Desert, Jordan Valley (Rift Valley), Uplands East of the Jordan River.
  • Highest Peak: Jabal Umm ad Dami 

Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PC&PNDT Act)? 

  • About: It was enacted in 1994 to address the issue of female foeticide and the declining child sex ratio resulting from the misuse of diagnostic technologies for sex selection. (India’s sex ratio as per 1991 Population Census – 929 females per 1,000 males).  
  • The Act was significantly amended in 2003 to strengthen its provisions, explicitly include pre-conception techniques, and prohibit sex selection more comprehensively. 

What is Mercy Petition? 

  • About: A Mercy Petition is a constitutional remedy available to convicts, especially in death sentence cases, seeking pardon, commutation, remission, or suspension of sentence. 
  • Constitutional Basis: The power to grant pardon, commutation, remission, or suspension of sentences is vested in the President under Article 72 and the Governor under Article 161 of the Constitution. 
  • The President’s pardoning power is broader than the Governor’s power, as it extends to court-martial cases, while the Governor’s power is limited to offences under State laws and does not apply to military court sentences. 
  • Grounds for Filing: A mercy petition may be filed on grounds such as good conduct, mental health, age, medical condition, humanitarian factors, miscarriage of justice, or rehabilitation efforts. 
  • Legal Provisions: Section 472(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023  sets a time-bound process for mercy petitions. 
  • A convict must file within 30 days of dismissal of appeals by the Supreme Court or confirmation of a death sentence by the High Court, while in cases with multiple convicts, petitions must be filed within 60 days. 
  • Role of Governments: Under BNSS, 2023 upon receiving a mercy petition, the Central Government seeks comments from the State Government, examines the case records, and makes its recommendation to the President within 60 days.  
  • It may also obtain the trial judge’s opinion and certified records. In cases with multiple convicts, petitions are decided together.  
  • While no time limit is set for the President’s decision, the Centre must communicate the President’s order to the State Home Department and jail authorities within 48 hours. 
  • Finality and Non-Justiciability: Section 472(7) of the BNSS declares that the President’s decision on a mercy petition is final.  
  • Courts are barred from questioning or reviewing the grounds of pardon or commutation, reinforcing the exclusive executive nature of clemency powers. 
  • Judicial Pronouncements: 
  • Maru Ram v. Union of India (1981): The Supreme Court clarified that these powers are to be exercised on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, making clemency an executive function rather than a personal discretion. 
  • Kehar Singh v. Union of India (1988): The Supreme Court held that the President’s pardoning power is independent of the judiciary but subject to limited judicial review to ensure procedural fairness, not to examine the merits of the decision. 

Exercise Ekatha 

  • About: Established in 2017, it is an annual bilateral maritime military exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). 
  • Key Objectives: It focuses on enhancing interoperability between the marine commandos of both nations, particularly in specialized areas such as diving operations, special forces tactics, and asymmetric warfare. 
  • Significance: It is in line with India’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for all in the Region (MAHASAGAR), and the Neighbourhood First policy.