UPSC Daily Current Affairs for 12 December 2025

China’s $1 Trillion Trade Surplus: Impacts Over World & On India

Context

Recently, China’s trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion in the first eleven months of 2025, underscoring China’s dominance in global manufacturing and exports.

It also reveals underlying economic vulnerabilities and global trade distortions.

Milestone and Its Meaning of $1 Trillion Trade Surplus

It is the culmination of two decades of industrial scaling and policy continuity of China including the tightly integrated supply chains, infrastructure depth, and manufacturing ecosystem.

It is added by weaker Renminbi (exchange rate effects), but the fundamental driver remains production strength.

It comes amid weak domestic demand and a volatile global trade environment.

India’s Nuclear Power Generation Reaches Record High in FY 2024-25

Context

According to the Department of Atomic Energy, NPCIL has, for the first time, crossed 50 billion units (BUs) of electricity generation in FY 2024–25.

Nuclear Power in India

India operates one of the world’s most unique nuclear programmes based on a three-stage nuclear strategy designed to utilise India’s abundant thorium reserves.

The current installed nuclear power capacity in the country is around 8.78 GW, spread across 24 nuclear power reactors.

As of July 2025, nuclear energy contributes around 3.1 % of total electricity generation.

Mexico Imposes up to 50% Tariff on Imports From India and China

Context

Mexico has approved tariffs of up to 50% on imports from non-FTA partners, including India, effective from April 1, 2026.

What is Trade Protectionism?

Trade protectionism refers to policy measures, such as tariffs, quotas, import licensing, local content rules, aimed at shielding domestic industries from foreign competition.

Drivers of the current wave of protectionism include:

Slowing global growth and supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Strategic reshoring by major economies like the U.S. and EU.

Savings Shift Reshapes India’s Markets

Context

Domestic household savings are replacing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) as the dominant market force in India.

About

The latest NSE (National Stock Exchange) Market Pulse report shows Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) ownership of Indian equities at a 15-month low of 16.9% and 24.1% in the NIFTY 50.

Meanwhile, domestic Mutual Funds (MFs) are hitting new highs quarter after quarter.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are bringing in record inflows, and individual investors, through direct holdings and MFs, now own nearly 19% of the market, the highest in over two decades.

News In Short 12-12-2025

In News

The Supreme Court has expanded the jurisdiction ofInternal Complaints Committees (ICCs) under theSexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act),

SC said that the complaints to be filed not just at the accused's workplace but also at the complainant's workplace or any employment-related site.

About POSH

Origin: Enacted following the Supreme Court's Vishaka v. State of Rajasthan judgment (1997), which laid down binding guidelines to fill the legislative vacuum on workplace sexual harassment.

Scope and Coverage: The Act applies to all workplaces, including government offices, private sectors, NGOs, educational institutions, hospitals, sports bodies, and unorganized sectors, extending protection even to domestic workers in residences used for employment

Institutional Framework: Every organization with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), with the presiding officer and at least half the members being women, including an external NGO expert.