Important General Knowledge Facts - December 17, 2025
• India is building its new research station in Antarctica, Maitri-11. This station will be completed by 2032 and will replace the current Maitri-1 station, which has been operational since 1989. Maitri-11 will be India’s fourth research station in Antarctica.
• Former IAS officer and ex-Law & Justice Secretary, Rajkumar Goyal, has assumed the office of Chief Information Commissioner. According to the RTI Act, 2005, the tenure of the Chief Information Commissioner is three years.
• There are about 44 expressways across the country. Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the plan for a new expressway between Mumbai and Pune. As of now, there are approximately 44 expressways in India. In March 2014, only 93 km of expressways were operational, which has increased to 2,636 km by June 2025.
• Miyana Railway Station in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh, has been awarded the National Energy Conservation Award 2025. The station saved 9,687 units of electricity by installing LED lights, BLDC fans, and a smart lighting system.