School Assembly News Headlines: 18 December 2025

National News

1. Air India Wins Best Domestic Airline Award Again at Travel and Leisure India South Asia Awards 2025

2. Parliamentary Committee Recommends Shifting Government EV Incentives Toward Fully Electric Zero Emission Vehicles

3. Government Assures Parliament That Aadhaar Data Is Secure With No Breach in UIDAI Systems

4. India’s OTT Sector Boosts Cultural Soft Power and Expands Global Reach of Indian Content

International News

1. Revised US Peace Proposal to End Ukraine War Awaits Russia’s Response After High-Level Talks in Berlin

2. India Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Over Security Threats to Indian Mission and Rising Extremist Concerns

Sports News 

1. Varun Chakravarthy Extends Lead at Top of ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings with Career-High Rating after South Africa

2. Sumit Nagal to Lead Indian Challenge at Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger 125 in January 2026 tennis tournament event

Business News

1. India Can Emerge as Global Education and Research Hub If States Deepen NEP Reforms Says CEA Further Nationwide

2. Average Salaries in India Expected to Rise Nine Percent in 2026 Amid Shift Toward Skills Based Pay Systems

1. Air India Wins Best Domestic Airline Award at Travel and Leisure India South Asia Awards 2025 Again
Air India was awarded Best Domestic Airline at the Travel and Leisure India and South Asia Awards 2025. The recognition was based on reader votes reflecting passenger satisfaction, marking its second consecutive win.

2. Parliamentary Committee Urges Government to Focus EV Incentives on Zero Emission Vehicles Over Hybrid Cars
A parliamentary standing committee advised the government to prioritise incentives for electric vehicles. It noted hybrids depend on fossil fuels and emit pollutants, unlike true zero-emission vehicles, in a report tabled December 12.

3. Government Assures Lok Sabha Aadhaar Data Remains Secure, No Breach Reported in UIDAI Database
The government informed Lok Sabha that Aadhaar data remains secure with no breaches reported. UIDAI uses multi-layered security, advanced encryption, and continuous audits to protect 134 crore holders’ biometric information.

4. Government Says India’s OTT Sector Strengthens Soft Power, Expands Global Reach of Culture and Creative Talent
The government told Parliament that India’s OTT sector boosts soft power by sharing stories and culture globally. Video subscription revenues reached ₹9,200 crore in 2024, while platforms like WAVES OTT expanded worldwide cultural access.

5. Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarthak Makes Historic First Visit to Iran’s Chabahar Port to Boost Maritime Cooperation
Indian Coast Guard vessel Sarthak arrived at Iran’s Chabahar port on December 16, marking the first such visit. The deployment aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and professional engagement with Iranian forces during its Gulf mission.

6. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Receives Ethiopia’s Highest Civilian Award for Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Global Leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded Ethiopia’s highest honour, Nishan of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa. The recognition cited his role in strengthening India–Ethiopia relations and his visionary global leadership, according to the MEA.

1. Eyes On Russia As Revised US Peace Proposal To End Ukraine War Awaits Putin Response After Berlin Talks
Following Berlin talks, US envoys and European leaders prepared a peace proposal. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said it may reach Russia within days, with the outcome hinging on President Putin’s response.

2. India Summons Bangladesh High Commissioner Over Security Threats to Indian Mission and Rising Extremist Concerns
The MEA summoned Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, expressing serious concerns over worsening security and threats to the Indian Mission in Dhaka. India rejected extremist narratives and criticised the interim government’s lack of investigation and evidence sharing.

3. UAE Introduces Coordinated Legal Amendments to Corporate Tax, VAT, and Companies Law to Boost Business Environment
The UAE announced coordinated amendments to corporate tax, VAT, and commercial companies laws. The changes aim to simplify operations, modernise the business framework, and provide clearer taxation guidance for companies.

4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Arrives in Oman for Two-Day Visit to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and Cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Muscat for a two-day visit as India and Oman mark 70 years of diplomatic relations. The visit aims to deepen cooperation, promote development, and reinforce joint efforts against terrorism.

1. Varun Chakravarthy Extends Lead at Top of ICC Men’s T20I Bowler Rankings with Career-High Rating
India’s Varun Chakravarthy reached a career-high 818 rating in the ICC T20I bowler rankings after consistent performances against South Africa, including six wickets in three matches and match-winning figures at Dharamsala.

2. Sumit Nagal to Lead Indian Challenge at Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger 125 in January 2026
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal will headline the Indian contingent at the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger 125, scheduled from January 5, 2026. The tournament will feature top-ranked players, including Spain’s Pedro Martinez.

3. Lionel Messi Expresses Optimism About Football’s Future in India After Three-Day Fan-Filled Visit
Lionel Messi said football has a bright future in India and thanked fans for their hospitality. After a three-day tour across four cities and a visit to Vantara in Jamnagar, he departed for Miami.

4. Tata Group Felicitates Women’s World Cup Champions with New SUVs, Calls Victory a Defining National Moment
The Tata Group honoured the World Cup-winning women’s cricket team by gifting each player a new SUV. Chairman N. Chandrasekaran compared the triumph to India’s 1983 men’s World Cup win, calling November 2, 2025, a historic milestone.

1. India Can Emerge as Global Education and Research Hub If NEP Reforms Are Deepened, Says CEA
Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran said India could become a global destination for learning and research if states build on NEP 2020 reforms, as traditional education hubs face demographic, fiscal, and policy challenges.

2. Average Salaries in India Expected to Rise 9 Percent in 2026 Amid Shift Toward Skills-Based Pay
Average employee salaries in India are projected to increase by 9 percent in 2026, according to Mercer. The report highlights growing emphasis on skills-based pay, short-term incentives, individual performance, inflation, and market competitiveness.

3. India’s Private Sector Growth Eases Slightly in December but Remains Strong, HSBC PMI Data Shows
HSBC PMI data showed India’s private sector growth slowed marginally in December, with the Composite Index falling to 58.9 from 59.7. Despite the dip, activity remained firmly in expansion territory above the 50 mark.

4. Asia’s Consumer Goods Sector Attracts Global Investors but Faces Governance Challenges During Rapid MENA Expansion
Asia’s consumer goods sector has evolved into a high-growth, investor-backed industry. However, as brands expand into MENA markets, governance structures are struggling to match the pace and complexity of rapid business execution.