Madhav Gadgil passes away, recipient of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Champions of the Earth award
[United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations]
Key Updates:
- Madhav Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), later known as the Gadgil Commission.
- He was a key architect of India’s Biological Diversity Act and contributed to the implementation of the Forest Rights Act.
- Gadgil established India’s first biosphere reserve, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, in 1986.
- In 2024, he was named a laureate of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Champions of the Earth award.
Similar Coverage
- The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) released 15 critically endangered Indian vultures at Somthana Range of Melghat Tiger Reserve (MTR) as part of its ongoing vulture conservation programme.
- The birds were translocated from the Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre (VCBC), Pinjore (Haryana), to Melghat on April 23.
- All 15 birds were fitted with GSM/satellite tags to enable scientists to monitor their movement & survival in the wild.
- The soft release process began on Jan 2 when the aviary gates were opened from a distance & food was placed outside to encourage the birds to come out naturally.
- Conservation challenges were addressed by establishing feeding stations and sourcing safe cattle carcasses through active partnerships with gaushalas.
- IUCN rated Khangchendzonga National Park as "good" in its latest global review of natural World Heritage sites
- The park is India’s first "mixed" UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised in 2016 for both natural and cultural value
- The park covers 1,784 square kilometres and ranges from subtropical forests to Mount Khangchendzonga at 8,586 metres
- It contains 280 glaciers, more than 70 glacial lakes, and wildlife including snow leopards, red pandas, and over 550 bird species
- The larger Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve links core protected areas with buffer zones where villagers practice sustainable farming and harvesting
- Anant Ambani became the youngest and first Asian recipient of the Global Humanitarian Award for Animal Welfare presented by the Global Humane Society.
- The award ceremony took place in Washington, DC, and recognized his leadership in creating Vantara, a large-scale conservation initiative.
- Vantara received the Global Humane Certified distinction after an exhaustive audit evaluating animal nutrition, environmental quality, behavioural enrichment, medical protocols, staffing expertise, and species-specific needs.
- Vantara combines ex situ care with in situ conservation support, including protecting endangered species, restoring fragmented populations, conducting genetic research, and collaborating with global institutions.
- The initiative aims to create pathways for reintroducing endangered or extinct species back into suitable habitats and is positioned to deepen international collaborations and expand species survival and ecosystem restoration work.
- Padma Shri awardee and renowned environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka passed away at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Friday.
- The 114-year-old had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment when she breathed her last, her family sources said.
- Thimmakka earned the title Saalumarada after planting 385 banyan trees along a 4.5-km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara district.
- She began planting and nurturing the trees, treating them as her children to cope with the void of being childless.
- Thimmakka received 12 major awards for her work, including the Padma Shri in 2019, the Nadoja Award from Hampi University in 2010, the National Citizen Award in 1995 and the Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award in 1997.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) estimates Real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26
[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]
Key Updates:
- The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the First Advance Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26.
- Real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26, compared to a growth rate of 6.5% in FY 2024-25.
- Nominal GDP is projected to grow at 8.0% in FY 2025-26, reaching an estimated level of ₹357.14 lakh crore.
- Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is estimated to grow by 7.3% to reach ₹184.50 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
- Nominal GVA is estimated to attain a level of ₹323.48 lakh crore, registering a growth rate of 7.7%.
- Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 9.9% at constant prices.
- Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting sector is estimated to grow by 7.5% at constant prices.
- Manufacturing and Construction sectors in the secondary sector are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices.
- Agriculture & Allied Sector is estimated to grow by 3.1%, while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services is estimated at 2.1%.
- Real Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is estimated to attain a growth rate of 7.0% during FY 2025-26.
- Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is estimated to grow by 7.8% at constant prices, compared to 7.1% in the previous financial year.
- MoSPI is currently revising the base year of National Accounts from FY 2011-12 to FY 2022-23.
- The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY 2025-26 under the new base year are scheduled for release on 27.02.2026.
Similar Coverage
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) keeps India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast unchanged at 6.7%.
- India’s Q2FY26 GDP growth hit a six-quarter high of 8.2%.
- OECD projects India’s growth at 6.2% for FY27 and 6.4% the following fiscal year.
- Higher US tariffs—50% including a 25% penalty on Russian oil imports—are expected to cut FY26 export growth by 0.4 percentage points and FY27 by 0.3 percentage points.
- GST reform launch in September 2025 could add 0.1 percentage point to growth.
- Retail inflation dropped to a record-low 0.25% in October.
- OECD sees scope for RBI policy rate to decline toward 5% by FY2026–27 if inflation stays within target.
- A report by SBI projected India’s GDP growth at 7.5 per cent for the second quarter.
- The rating agency ICRA expects a lower GDP print of 7 per cent for the quarter.
- For Q3 and Q4, RBI projected 6.4% and 6.2% respectively.
- The SBI Research estimates FY26 GDP growth at 7.3%–7.5%.
- Gross domestic GST collections for November 2025 are expected to be around Rs 1.49 lakh crore, registering 6.8 per cent YoY growth.
- The share of leading indicators reflecting growth in consumption and demand increased to 83 per cent in Q2, compared with 70 per cent in Q1.
- The actual Q2 GDP print is likely to be announced on November 28.
- India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) has projected India’s GDP to expand by 7.2% in the second quarter (July–September) of FY26.
- The Indian economy recorded a 5.6% growth in Q2 of FY25 and 7.8% growth in the April–June quarter of the current fiscal.
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) is scheduled to release the official GDP numbers for Q2 FY26 on November 28.
- Ind-Ra identified private consumption as a leading growth driver from the demand side and the resilient services sector along with favourable base-led goods exports growth in manufacturing as supply-side drivers for Q2 FY26.
- Retail inflation has eased faster than anticipated by both Ind-Ra and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Ind-Ra estimates private consumption to have grown 8% year-on-year in Q2 FY26, compared to 7% in Q1 and 6.4% in Q2 FY25.
- The agency stated that investment demand grew 7.5% year-on-year during Q2 FY26.
- Ind-Ra cautioned that nominal GDP growth may have dipped below 8% year-on-year in Q2 FY26.
- A research report by the State Bank of India (SBI) predicts India’s economy to have expanded by about 7.5% in the second quarter of FY26.
- An ET poll of 12 economists suggested India’s economic growth likely quickened to 7.3% in the second quarter.
- The National Statistical Office (NSO) is scheduled to release the official figures on November 28.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has projected September quarter growth at 7%.
- GDP rose 7.8% in the April–June quarter, which was the fastest pace in five quarters.
- GST rationalisation shifted to a two-rate structure of 5% and 18% from September 22.
- Gross domestic GST collections for November 2025, based on October 2025 returns, may be around ₹1.49 lakh crore, reflecting a year-on-year rise of 6.8%.
- Including ₹51,000 crore from IGST and cess collected on imports, total GST receipts for November could cross ₹2 lakh crore.
- The share of leading indicators that reflect growth in consumption and demand rose to 83% in the second quarter, up from 70% in the first quarter.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels registration of 35 NBFCs and accepts surrender from 16 others.
[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]
Key Updates:
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration of 35 NBFCs including Satya Prakash Capital Investment Limited and Sunlife Securities Private Limited for regulatory non-compliance.
- The cancellations were effective between December 9, 2025, and December 31, 2025, under Section 45-IA(6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- The affected companies are no longer permitted to carry out the business of non-banking financial institutions.
- 16 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their Certificate of Registration to RBI leading to its cancellation for reasons including exit from NBFC business, meeting criteria for unregistered Core Investment Companies (CICs), and ceasing to be a legal entity due to merger, amalgamation, dissolution, or voluntary strike-off.
Similar Coverage
- Aryaman Finance (India) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aryaman Financial Services, received the Certificate of Registration from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on December 24, 2025.
- The certificate authorizes the company to operate as a Type II NBFC-ND-ICC (Non-Deposit taking - Investment and Credit Company).
- The subsidiary was incorporated on January 31, 2025, and received additional capital infusion on April 01, 2025.
- The company has complied with SEBI Listing Regulations disclosure requirements under Regulation 30.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Urban Co-operative Banks – Licensing, Scheduling and Regulatory Classification Guidelines, 2025.
- The RBI stated that no fresh proposals for the organization of new UCBs or the conversion of cooperative credit societies into UCBs are being considered.
- A four-tiered regulatory framework has been adopted for UCBs based on deposit size as of March 31 of the preceding financial year.
- Tier 1 UCBs include all unit UCBs, salary earners’ UCBs, and other UCBs with deposits up to ₹100 crore.
- Tier 2 UCBs are defined as those with deposits of more than ₹100 crore and up to ₹1000 crore.
- Tier 3 UCBs consist of those with deposits of more than ₹1000 crore and up to ₹10,000 crore.
- Tier 4 UCBs include those with deposits exceeding ₹10,000 crore.
- UCBs transitioning to a higher Tier are allowed a glide path of up to two years to comply with higher regulatory requirements.
- To be included in the Second Schedule to the RBI Act, 1934, a UCB must maintain Tier 3 deposit levels for two consecutive years.
- UCBs seeking scheduling must maintain a Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of at least three per cent more than the minimum requirement.
- The eligibility for scheduling also requires the absence of major regulatory and supervisory concerns based on the latest RBI inspection or audited financials.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed monetary penalties on three cooperative banks for non-compliance with various regulatory norms.
- By orders dated November 6, 2025, the RBI imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh on The Mumbai District Central Co-operative Bank Ltd., Maharashtra, for contravention of Section 20 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- The Karaikudi Co-operative Town Bank Ltd., Tamil Nadu, faced a penalty of Rs 1.5 lakh for non-compliance with RBI directions on ‘Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy – Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs)’ and ‘Know Your Customer (KYC)’ guidelines.
- The District Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, was fined Rs 50,000 for violations related to KYC norms.
- The penalty on the District Co-operative Central Bank Ltd., Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, was imposed under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 91 lakh on HDFC Bank.
- The penalty was for violating certain provisions of the Banking Regulation Act and non-compliance with certain directions.
- Deficiencies included those related to Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
- Non-compliance also pertained to ‘Interest Rate on Advances’ and ‘Guidelines on Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks’.
- A Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation of HDFC Bank was conducted with reference to its financial position as on March 31, 2024.
- HDFC Bank adopted multiple benchmarks within the same loan category.
- HDFC Bank outsourced the function of determining compliance with KYC norms of certain customers to its outsourcing agents.
- A wholly-owned subsidiary of HDFC Bank undertook business not permissible under Section 6 of the Banking Regulation (BR) Act.
Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) System: Strengthening Consumer Trust and India's Quality Ecosystem
[Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)]
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has expanded Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)-based gold and silver hallmarking, with more than 20 lakh silver articles already hallmarked.
- India's standards regime has achieved significant global alignment, with about 94% of Indian Standards harmonised with ISO and IEC to help products gain wider acceptance in international markets.
- BIS standards now cover renewable energy, electric mobility, energy storage and electric agricultural tractors, reflecting India's transition towards clean energy and sustainable growth.
- The MoCA is focusing on modernising laboratories, expanding digital platforms, and empowering women through initiatives such as Manak Mitra.
- The implementation of hallmarking has brought a significant change in the bullion market, protecting consumers in rural areas from the sale of substandard gold.
Similar Coverage
- The Government of India announced the implementation of the National Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Hub (NSSH) Scheme under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) in December 2025.
- The NSSH Scheme aims to enhance the competitiveness of SC/ST-owned enterprises by ensuring a minimum of 4% procurement from these businesses is fulfilled under the Public Procurement Policy.
- The scheme provides structured support through vendor development programmes, special marketing assistance, and capacity building to help SC/ST MSMEs compete for government contracts.
- To access benefits, entrepreneurs must complete Udyam Registration and register under the Single Point Registration Scheme (SPRS) to ensure visibility in government procurement databases.
- The initiative supports participation in national and international exhibitions to broaden market reach and expand networks for underserved entrepreneurs.
- NIRDC, an autonomous not-for-profit institution under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), launched InDApp.
- InDApp is designed as a single-window system to accelerate access to government approvals, real-time market information and business opportunities across the country.
- InDApp integrates physical outreach with digital services for entrepreneurs across sectors and geographies to access information on industrial opportunities, export schemes, financial subsidies and technology upgrades.
- InDApp has been developed in coordination with seven Union Ministries — Food Processing Industries; Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Commerce and Industry; Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Corporate Affairs; and New and Renewable Energy.
- Target beneficiaries are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- The Trade Intelligence & Analytics (TIA) portal was launched by Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal.
- The portal aims to empower Indian businesses to understand global trade patterns, spot emerging opportunities, and make informed decisions.
- It will open up new insights for importers, exporters, startups, and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
- Smaller businesses, even in the remotest regions, will now have access to data that was previously available only to larger enterprises.
- The Department of Commerce initiated the development of the TIA portal in March 2024.
- The portal offers more than 270 interactive visualisations across over 28 dashboards.
- Database collation has been automated via APIs for convenient user access, and a seamless data extraction capability has been developed.
- The TIA portal replaces legacy trade information dissemination portals such as the Department of Commerce Monitoring Dashboard, Niryat Portal, and Tradestat Portal.
- Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, launched digital initiatives aimed at modernizing warehousing operations, improving supply chain efficiency and enhancing transparency across the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The initiatives support the government's mission of reducing logistics costs and minimizing turnover time, a key national priority outlined by the Prime Minister.
- The PM Gati Shakti programme has synchronized different modes of transportation and laid the foundation for an integrated logistics ecosystem.
- Digital platforms like Bhandaran 360 will further strengthen supply chain efficiency nationwide and technology would enhance transparency in service delivery.
- Improved coordination between stakeholders under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, supported by AI-enabled systems, will ensure that subsidized food grains reach the poorest households with greater accuracy, speed and dignity.
- Central Warehousing Corporation's new ERP platform, 'Bhandaran 360', built on SAP S/4HANA, integrates 41 modules covering HR, finance, marketing, warehouse management, contract management, project monitoring and other core functions.
- The system is linked with 35 external systems, including ICEGATE, port systems, FCI, NAFED, NCCF and WDRA, enabling seamless digital connectivity across the food storage and movement ecosystem.
DoP-DA&FW MoU: PAN-India Sample Logistics for Agri-Input Quality Control
[Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare]
Key Updates:
- Department of Posts (DoP) and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) signed an MoU to create a nationwide logistics mechanism for transporting pesticide, seed and fertiliser samples to designated laboratories.
- India Post will provide end-to-end logistics support for secure, traceable and time-bound movement of samples collected by Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Inspectors.
- The collaboration is part of the PAN-India Online Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Quality Management System being developed by the Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CRISP).
Similar Coverage
- The National Test House (NTH), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a DRDO laboratory.
- Both institutions will extend mutual support in testing and evaluation services, particularly when specialised facilities are not available in-house.
- The collaboration is expected to promote knowledge sharing and skill development among scientific and technical personnel.
- Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, launched digital initiatives aimed at modernizing warehousing operations, improving supply chain efficiency and enhancing transparency across the Public Distribution System (PDS).
- The initiatives support the government's mission of reducing logistics costs and minimizing turnover time, a key national priority outlined by the Prime Minister.
- The PM Gati Shakti programme has synchronized different modes of transportation and laid the foundation for an integrated logistics ecosystem.
- Digital platforms like Bhandaran 360 will further strengthen supply chain efficiency nationwide and technology would enhance transparency in service delivery.
- Improved coordination between stakeholders under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, supported by AI-enabled systems, will ensure that subsidized food grains reach the poorest households with greater accuracy, speed and dignity.
- Central Warehousing Corporation's new ERP platform, 'Bhandaran 360', built on SAP S/4HANA, integrates 41 modules covering HR, finance, marketing, warehouse management, contract management, project monitoring and other core functions.
- The system is linked with 35 external systems, including ICEGATE, port systems, FCI, NAFED, NCCF and WDRA, enabling seamless digital connectivity across the food storage and movement ecosystem.
- The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE), through the Development and Welfare Board for De‑Notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Communities (DWBDNC), and the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), through the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY‑NRLM), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
- The MoU aims to advance inclusive development and social justice for historically marginalized communities, specifically De‑Notified, Nomadic and Semi‑Nomadic Tribes (DNTs).
- Over the next three years, more than 5,000 DNT Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) formed under DWBDNC will be assimilated into the DAY‑NRLM framework.
- A dedicated cadre, DNT Sakhi, drawn from within the community, will support about 30 families organized into three Self‑Help Groups (SHGs).
- The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on November 25, 2025.
- the National Communications Academy (NCA) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
- to collaborate on capacity building, policy research, and executive education in advanced areas of telecommunications and emerging technologies.
- The formal signing was conducted between Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Director of IIM Calcutta and Shri Atul Sinha, Director General of National Communications Academy - Technology (NCA-T), Ghaziabad.
- The MoU creates a framework for joint programs and strategic initiatives in Capacity Building, Policy Research and Consulting, Training Programs in Emerging Technologies, Workshops and Seminars, and Academic and Research Collaboration.
- This initiative will also contribute to: Building a digitally literate and innovation-capable workforce, Creating policy inputs for the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), Supporting Make in India and Digital India missions through knowledge empowerment.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrates 68th Foundation Day with record AoN worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore
[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]
Key Updates:
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
- 22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
- 11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
- Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
- Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).
Similar Coverage
- Samir V Kamat delivered the main address at DRDO Bhawan on the organisation’s 68th Foundation Day.
- He highlighted that 22 Acceptances of Necessity were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council and the Services Procurement Board during 2025.
- He urged DRDO scientists to intensify research in cyber security, space technologies, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare.
- An Indian team’s satellite internet concept emerged as a global winner of NASA’s 2025 International Space Apps Challenge.
- The Chennai-based team, Photonics Odyssey, proposed a sovereign, phased-array satellite internet infrastructure to expand broadband access across remote regions and won the Most Inspirational Award.
- The project aims to reduce ground dependency and help connect more than 700 million people in India who currently lack access to broadband connectivity.
- NASA said the 2025 edition of its flagship global hackathon brought together more than 1 lakh 14 thousand participants across 5 hundred and 51 local events in 1 hundred and 67 countries and territories.
- The Indian Army declared 2026 as the 'Year of Networking & Data Centricity' to boost connectivity, real-time decision-making, and combat effectiveness.
- Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi stated that jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power.
- Gen Dwivedi confirmed that Operation Sindoor, initiated last year against the enemy's nefarious designs, continues even today.
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organises SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness programme at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.
- President Droupadi Murmu will confer Artificial Intelligence certificates on learners including students and Members of Parliament.
- President will launch the national awareness campaign #SkillTheNation Challenge to boost youth participation in future-ready skilling.
Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (OPSA) and Observer Research Foundation (ORF) launch Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative 2026
[Observer Research Foundation (ORF)]
Key Updates:
- OPSA and ORF partner to create a dedicated global platform on science, technology, and geopolitics at Raisina Dialogue.
- The inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) 2026 will be held alongside the Raisina Dialogue from 5–7 March 2026 in New Delhi.
- SDI 2026 will focus on science and technology diplomacy in an era of strategic autonomy, governance of disruptive technologies, and evolving models of scientific partnerships in a multipolar world.
- The initiative will engage emerging scientific leaders, researchers, and deep-tech innovators with global policymakers and diplomats to foster cross-border collaboration and innovation partnerships.
- Insights from SDI 2026 are expected to add fresh perspectives from India and the Global South to global debates on governance of science and technology.
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- Shivaji University Senate approved in principle the establishment of a dedicated raisin research centre in Sangli district.
- The centre will support raisin growers and processors through scientific research and skill development.
- It aims to help tackle rising export competition and the influx of imported raisins, particularly from China.
- The summit is themed 'Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change'.
- It will be held across three cities: Hyderabad (20-21 Nov 2025), Gandhinagar (5-6 Dec 2025), and New Delhi (Feb 2026).
- The initiative aims to bridge gaps between technology, finance, agriculture, and climate action for rural transformation.
- Activities include hackathons, startup-investor connects, exhibitions, and product showcases.
- The summit will demonstrate how India’s Digital Public Infrastructure can scale inclusive innovation across the Global South.
- S Jaishankar launched the IITM Global Research Foundation, positioning Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) as the world’s first multinational university.
- He inaugurated the IITM Festival Fortnight, including the Open House, Shaastra technical festival, and Saarang cultural festival.
- IIT Madras signed memoranda of understanding with partners in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Dubai, Asia-Pacific, and under the India-for-Global initiative.
- Event: Pilot version of India-United Kingdom Science and Technology Partnership (IN-UK-STP) Dashboard unveiled
- Participants: Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, PSA to GoI and Dr. David Warren Smith, UK National Technology Adviser
- Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
- Coverage: 143 bilateral India-UK projects supported since 2018 mapped by funding value, partners, agencies
- Alignment: Projects mapped to India-UK SIC goals, 17 SDGs and broad tech-cooperation areas
- Forward actions: Add output/impact metrics (publications, patents, HRD, startups, private partnerships) and ensure real-time data inputs
Election Commission of India (ECI) to host India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management
[Election Commission of India (ECI)]
Key Updates:
- The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- The three-day conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
- Representatives from 42 election management bodies and over 90 international delegates, including from the United States and Bhutan, will participate.
- The conference will discuss voter roll management, technological interventions, and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises.
- India assumes the chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.
- The conference will launch ECINet, the ECI’s integrated digital platform.
- Thematic sessions will cover seven global electoral themes, 11 model international electoral standards, and 25 best-practice sessions.
Similar Coverage
- Odisha is hosting a two-day Regional AI Impact Summit 2025 in Bhubaneswar organised by the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Odisha.
- The summit focuses on scalable public AI solutions centred on the 3Ps - People, Planet, and Progress.
- Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the outcomes of this summit will inform how AI can be used to monitor governance modules.
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Secretary Saurabh Garg said the objective is to ensure AI is available for the benefit of all without requiring users to know the technology.
- Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev noted that Odisha is the first state in the country to bring out an AI policy.
- The Odisha government launched the Odisha AI mission aligned with the India AI mission to democratise AI through access, affordability, equity, and inclusivity.
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is set to assume the Chair of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026.
- Kumar will take over as the chair of IIDEA on December 3 in Stockholm.
- As Chair, he will be presiding over all council meetings during 2026.
- International IDEA, established in 1995, is an inter-governmental organisation committed to strengthening democratic institutions and processes across the world.
- The organisation has a current membership of 35 countries, with the United States and Japan as observers.
- India, a founding member of IIDEA, has consistently contributed to the organisation's governance, democratic discourse and institutional initiatives.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will be the chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
- Their visit will coincide with the India–EU Summit, where discussions are expected to centre on the proposed Free Trade Agreement.
- India and the European Union resumed negotiations for a comprehensive FTA in June 2022 after a gap of over eight years.
- Union Home & Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched over 13 new services and products under the ‘Sahakar Sarathi’ initiative.
- New offerings include Digi KCC, Campaign Sarathi, Website Sarathi, Cooperative Governance Index, ePACS, the World’s Largest Grain Storage Application, Shiksha Sarathi and Sarathi Technology Forum.
- The Ministry of Cooperation aims to establish a cooperative institution in every Panchayat, expand cooperative membership to more than 50 crore people and increase the sector’s contribution to GDP.
United States exits India-headquartered International Solar Alliance following Trump executive order
[United States, International Solar Alliance]
Key Updates:
- United States President Donald Trump withdrew the country from 66 international organisations — including 31 United Nations Organisations — via an executive order.
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is the only India-headquartered organisation among the 60-plus institutions that the United States has now exited.
- The ISA was conceptualised on the sidelines of the COP21 in Paris in 2015, when the landmark Paris Agreement was signed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in average global temperature.
- The ISA is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
- The ISA’s key theme is the ‘Towards 1000’ strategy, aimed at mobilising "$1,000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030 while delivering energy access to 1,000 million people using clean energy solutions and resulting in the installation of 1,000 GW of solar energy capacity."
- According to the official website, more than 100 countries are currently its signatories, with over 90 countries having ratified to become full members.
Similar Coverage
- The Trump administration directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to stop final adjudication on all cases involving individuals from 19 countries listed in President Trump’s June proclamation.
- USCIS suspended citizenship ceremonies for legal permanent residents from the affected countries who were ready to be naturalized.
- The suspension covers every form type and halts approvals, denials, and oath ceremonies.
- The policy memo dated Dec. 2 formalized the pause on all immigration applications filed by nationals of the 19 countries and mandated a thorough re-review process.
- Any lifting of the hold requires approval from the USCIS Director or Deputy Director.
- India withdrew from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan after a bilateral agreement on stationing Indian personnel ended in 2022
- The base had a detachment of IAF helicopters, a repair facility and maintenance equipment
- Russian forces have since taken over the base
- The Asia Power Index 2025, published by the Lowy Institute in November, evaluates the resources and influence of countries to rank their relative power.
- India holds the No. 3 position in the Asia Power Index 2025, with a comprehensive power score of 40.0 points, indicating it is a “major power”.
- The United States is the leading power in Asia, followed by China, according to the index.
- The index defines power as a country’s capacity to affect the behaviour of other states and non-state actors and influence the outcomes of international affairs.
- The Asia Power Index extends beyond Asian countries to include Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
- Japan is ranked No. 4 and Russia is ranked No. 5 in the Asia Power Index 2025.
- The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) outlined a three-step plan for India to protect its trade interests under the ongoing bilateral trade agreement negotiation with America.
- On October 24, government officials stated that India and the US are "very near" to finalising the first tranche of the ambitious Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
- Washington imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil on October 22, which together account for 57 per cent of Russia's crude output.
- Since the introduction of the 25 per cent "Russian oil" tariff on July 31, total duties on Indian goods have doubled to 50 per cent.
- The introduction of the "Russian oil" tariff led to a 37 per cent fall in Indian exports between May and September.
- GTRI argues that removing the "Russian oil" tariff would halve India's US duty burden from 50 per cent back to 25 per cent.
- GTRI suggests India seek average industrial tariffs of around 15 per cent and duty-free access for select export sectors, including textiles, gems and jewellery, and pharmaceuticals, to achieve parity with major partners like the European Union.
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Proclaims 2026 as International Year for Rangelands, Volunteers, and Women Farmers
[United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), United Nations]
Key Updates:
- The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 as the 'International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP)' to highlight ecosystems that cover about half the world’s land.
- Through Resolution 78/127, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2026 as the 'International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY)'.
- The United Nations (UN) declared 2026 the 'International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026)' to spotlight roles in agrifood systems.
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared the first-ever 'United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport' to run from 2026 to 2035.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reported a 'historic 10% decline in freedom of expression globally between 2012 and 2024'.
- The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released the 'Global Environment Outlook, Seventh Edition: A Future We Choose (GEO-7)' on 9 December 2025, involving 287 scientists from 82 countries.
- Slovenia, acting as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for December 2025, held an open debate on 'Leadership for peace' on 15 December 2025.
- The Republic of Sierra Leone, as President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for November 2025, held a briefing on 18 November 2025 regarding 'Enhancing regional counter-terrorism cooperation in West Africa and the Sahel'.
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) released a new safety guide titled 'Monitoring for Protection of the Public and the Environment' to help countries design radiation monitoring programmes.
- The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/79/137 proclaiming 'World Meditation Day'.
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) launched a database compiling national laws and decrees governing meteorology and hydrology across all member nations.
- The World Bank released the 'World Development Report 2025: Standards for Development' to assess how standards accelerate economic development.
Similar Coverage
- Scheme Name: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY); Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
- Objective: Provide affordable crop insurance against non-preventable natural risks; new add-on covers aim to protect farmers from sudden, localised and severe crop damage due to wild animal attacks and paddy inundation
- Key Feature 1: Crop loss due to wild animal attack recognised as fifth add-on cover under localised risk category; states to notify list of wild animals and vulnerable districts based on historical data
- Key Feature 2: Farmers must report wild animal damage within 72 hours via crop insurance app by uploading geotagged photographs
- Key Feature 3: Paddy inundation reintroduced as localised calamity cover after its exclusion in 2018, benefiting flood-prone and coastal states
- Coverage Start: Kharif season 2026; modalities approved by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan based on expert committee recommendations
- UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy 2026–2030, which defines the organisation’s global agenda on climate, biodiversity, pollution and land degradation, may be reopened for negotiation on language and scope.
- UNEP’s regular budget allocation from New York suffered a 20% reduction, largely due to the United States halting payments to the UN and similar cuts by other contributors.
- The Environment Fund, UNEP’s primary voluntary core funding source, has dropped by 11–12% after the US withdrawal of its approximate 7% contribution and reductions from other donors.
- Of 19 draft resolutions submitted for UNEA-7, four were withdrawn before negotiations began, leaving 15 technically alive but some described as 'on life support'.
- Remaining resolutions include proposals on wildfires led by India and on glacier protection, which could gain political traction if they survive the week.
- India's resolution on strengthening global wildfire management was adopted at the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, with wide support from member states.
- The resolution responds to the rising number, scale and intensity of wildfires worldwide and calls for stronger international cooperation, early warning systems and better access to finance for prevention and management.
- Wildfires, once seasonal, have become frequent and prolonged due to climate change and human activities.
- UNEP's global report 'Spreading Like Wildfire' warns that wildfires may increase by 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by 2050 and 50 per cent by 2100 if current trends continue.
- Global efforts are moving towards integrated fire management based on early warning systems, risk mapping and satellite-based monitoring, supported by local communities and frontline personnel.
- The Global Fire Management Hub, set up in 2023 by FAO and UNEP, is an important mechanism for international cooperation.
- India's resolution calls for stronger cooperation to develop early warning systems, risk assessment tools and satellite- and ground-based monitoring, along with community-based alert mechanisms.
- International Mountain Day 2025 spotlights the crucial role of glaciers in sustaining water, food, and livelihoods, urging global action to protect fragile mountain ecosystems.
- The theme for International Mountain Day 2025 is “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.”
- Mountains are home to diverse ecosystems and communities, providing essential resources like water, food, and livelihoods.
- The United Nations (UN) announced that International Mountain Day will focus on glaciers, which are massive ice reserves vital for freshwater and ecosystems.
- According to the UN, glaciers store around 70% of the world’s freshwater.
- Glaciers support rivers, agriculture, and clean energy.
- Accelerated global warming conditions pose a threat towards glaciers, causing them to melt at a fast pace and increasing the risk of floods and landslides.
- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) coordinates the annual celebration of International Mountain Day to foster greater awareness of mountain issues.
- Globally, over two billion people rely on melt from glaciers and snow for their freshwater, including for their food security and livelihood.
- Protecting mountains and glaciers from the impacts of climate change involves supporting measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, regulating use of mountain resources for commercial purposes, and investing in integrated water management systems.
Raman Research Institute (RRI) unveils Raman Driven Spin Noise Spectroscopy (RDSNS) for real-time, non-invasive imaging of cold atoms
[Raman Research Institute (RRI)]
Key Updates:
- RDSNS combines spin noise spectroscopy with coherent Raman laser beams that amplify the signal without heating or disturbing the atoms.
- The Raman beams boost the detectable signal by nearly one million times, enabling precise density measurements from a probing volume as small as 0.01 mm³.
- Using RDSNS, the RRI team studied potassium atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and uncovered insights invisible to conventional methods.
- The probe is far-detuned and operates at very low power, making the technique effectively non-invasive, achieving density measurements with only a few percent uncertainty on microsecond timescales.
- Fast, precise, and non-destructive density measurements are essential for technologies such as quantum gravimeters, magnetometers, atomic clocks, and neutral-atom quantum computers.
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- Indian scientists have developed the first supercomputer-powered simulation to capture the long-existing paradox of hot water freezing faster than cold water.
- Researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research have used supercomputers to develop the first simulation of ice formation, proving the Mpemba effect of water.
- The simulation also demonstrates that the effect can appear during fluid-to-solid transitions in systems other than water.
- This research has been published in the Journal of Communication Physics.
- The AI system can operate scientific instruments, make decisions during experiments, and analyse data without human involvement.
- AILA was trained to operate an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a highly sensitive instrument used to study materials at the nanoscale.
- With AILA, optimising microscope parameters for high-resolution, noise-free images that earlier took an entire day is now completed in just seven to ten minutes.
- AI systems that perform well in theoretical or quiz-based assessments often struggle in dynamic laboratory environments that require rapid adaptation.
- The AI agent occasionally deviated from instructions, underscoring the need for robust safeguards to prevent equipment damage or accidents.
- Google's Willow quantum processor has achieved the world’s first verifiable quantum advantage.
- This milestone was published in Nature on October 22, 2025.
- The breakthrough centres on a new algorithm, Quantum Echoes, which runs 13,000 times faster than one of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
- Unlike previous demonstrations of “quantum supremacy,” the results from Quantum Echoes are verifiable.
- The new algorithm can explain interactions between atoms in a molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance.
- The finding is powered by the Willow chip’s 105 high-fidelity qubits.
- This marks the first algorithm demonstrating verifiable quantum advantage in hardware, paving a path towards future uses in drug discovery and materials science.
- India’s first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM) developed by IIT Bombay’s P-Quest Group under the National Quantum Mission (DST)
- Built on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centres in diamond that maintain quantum coherence at room temperature and enable spin-dependent fluorescence readout via optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR)
- Enables non-destructive 3D mapping of buried current paths and multilayer charge flow in complex electronic circuits
- Potential applications span neuroscience, materials science, semiconductor diagnostics, chip testing, battery analysis and quantum device development
- Earned India its first patent in quantum sensing and was unveiled at ESTIC 2025 in the presence of Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, PSA Prof Ajay K Sood and DST Secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dust Detector Records Constant Cosmic Particle Bombardment
[Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)]
Key Updates:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) stated that the Dust EXperiment (DEX) "successfully recorded multiple impacts from orbital debris and cosmic dust, confirming that it can identify and measure such events in low-Earth orbit."
- Developed by the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, DEX was flown aboard the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module (POEM) during the PSLV-C58 XPoSat mission, launched on Jan 1, 2024.
- At the heart of DEX is a 3-kg dust detector based on the hypervelocity impact principle.
- Despite its sensitivity, the system consumes just 4.5 W of power, making it suitable for long-duration missions.
- Scientists derived a dust flux of about 6.5 × 10?³ particles per square metre per second, confirming that Earth is under constant bombardment from interplanetary debris.
- Such measurements help refine models of the near-Earth space environment, which are essential for protecting satellites and other space assets from high-speed micro-impacts.
- Interplanetary Dust Particles (IDPs) are microscopic fragments shed by comets and asteroids.
- After being placed at an altitude of about 350km, the instrument operated between Jan 1 and Feb 9, 2024.
Similar Coverage
- Google unveiled Project Suncatcher, an 81-satellite constellation to harvest sunlight in low Earth orbit for space-based AI data centers.
- The constellation would operate in Sun-synchronous orbit about 400 miles above Earth, the single most congested highway in low Earth orbit.
- Satellites would fly with a radius of just one kilometer, each node spaced less than 200 meters apart to form a distributed AI processing cluster.
- Space debris travels at approximately 17,500 miles per hour; colliding with debris the size of a blueberry would feel like being hit by a falling anvil.
- The U.S. Space Force tracks over 40,000 objects larger than a softball, representing less than 1 % of the lethal objects in orbit.
- Starlink performed 144,404 collision-avoidance maneuvers in the first six months of 2025, illustrating the scale of avoidance needed for dense constellations.
- A use-tax or orbital-use fee has been proposed to charge operators based on orbital stress, funding active debris removal missions.
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) used the Imaging X-ray Polarisation Explorer (IXPE) to study the white dwarf system EX Hydrae as a structured system with shape and depth.
- EX Hydrae is a binary system located approximately 200 light years away in the constellation Hydra, consisting of a compact white dwarf and a companion star.
- The system is classified as an intermediate polar, where the magnetic field is strong enough to redirect gas along magnetic field lines toward the star’s surface but not strong enough to fully dominate the accretion disc.
- IXPE measures the polarisation of X-ray light, which provides data on the direction and structure of light movement and scattering.
- Observations revealed a column of hot gas rising almost 2,000 miles above the surface of the white dwarf.
- The data suggested that X-rays bounce off the white dwarf’s surface before reaching Earth, a detail made visible through polarisation.
- The study was led by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and published in the Astrophysical Journal.
- IXPE is a joint mission between NASA and the Italian Space Agency, designed to collect data on objects ranging from neutron stars to black holes.
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 has prompted renewed attention to the role of nuclear disruption as a viable last-resort option against potential celestial collisions.
- Ongoing analyses reveal a small but measurable probability of a lunar impact in 2032.
- NASA’s 2025 assessment revised 2024 YR4’s impact probability with the Moon to approximately 3.8 percent.
- Asteroid 2024 YR4 measures approximately 60 ± 7 metres across according to James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations.
- Nuclear intervention provides a scalable mechanism suited to asteroids of this size and composition, as kinetic methods would exceed the practical capabilities of existing spacecraft.
- Viable nuclear mission windows are outlined between late 2029 and late 2031.
- In the nuclear standoff model, an explosive charge is detonated at a controlled height above the asteroid’s surface, vaporizing a thin layer of material to propel the remaining mass.
- A lunar impact could cause a transient but severe increase in micrometeoroid flux in low Earth orbit, potentially elevating debris levels by up to a thousandfold for several days, threatening satellites and human spaceflight.
- The implementation of nuclear mitigation missions requires compliance with existing space treaties that restrict the use of nuclear devices beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
- The 2,400 kg NISAR satellite was launched on July 30 from ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre using the GSLV rocket.
- NASA and ISRO are all set to declare their first-ever jointly developed NISAR satellite operational on Friday.
- The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar NISAR is said to be the most expensive Earth observation satellite ever built.
- The NISAR satellite has the ability to monitor most of the planet’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days.
- The NISAR mission is the first to carry two SAR systems – the L-Band and S-Band sensors.
- The L-band radar can penetrate forest canopies and measure soil moisture, forest biomass, and the motion of land and ice surfaces.
- The S-band radar is more sensitive to small vegetation, and can observe certain types of agriculture, grassland ecosystems and moisture in snow.
- Both systems can collect data through clouds and precipitation, day and night.