Daily Current Affairs: 11 December 2025

Analysis for 11 December 2025

A'ja Wilson named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year

Key Updates:

A'ja Wilson became the first player in WNBA or NBA history to win a championship, Finals MVP, regular-season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season.
She is one of four players in the WNBA or NBA to win four MVP trophies before the age of 30.
Wilson secured her third WNBA championship and second Finals MVP after the Las Vegas Aces swept the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Finals.

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Mohammed Siraj wins ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2025 (Mid of September) ▼

Mohammed Siraj was named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August after taking nine wickets in the decisive fifth Test against England.
Siraj’s match-winning performance helped India clinch The Oval Test by six runs and level the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy series 2-2.
Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast received the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for August.

Duplantis & McLaughlin-Levrone named world athletes of year (Start of December) ▼

Armand Duplantis and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone were crowned world athletes of the year at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco.
Sweden's Duplantis set four new pole vault world records in 2025, becoming the first human to clear the 6.30m barrier at the World Championships in Tokyo.
Duplantis was undefeated in 16 competitions in 2025, winning world titles both indoors and outdoors, and a fifth consecutive Diamond League crown.
McLaughlin-Levrone went undefeated through 2025 in both the 400m and 400m hurdles.
McLaughlin-Levrone became 400m world champion in Tokyo, running 47.78 seconds, which was the second fastest time in history and broke the 42-year-old championship record.
Duplantis won the athlete of the year prize for men's field.
McLaughlin-Levrone won the athlete of the year prize for women's track.
Australian Nicola Olyslagers, who won world high jump titles both indoors and outdoors, was named women's field athlete of the year.
Kenya's world 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi won the men's track prize.
Spain's Maria Perez, who won world titles in both the 20km race walk and the 35km race walk, and London Marathon and Berlin Marathon winner Sabastian Sawe won the out of stadium awards.

Britain's Andrea Thompson crowned World's Strongest Woman (End of November) ▼

Britain's Andrea Thompson has been crowned World's Strongest Woman.
American athlete Jammie Booker was disqualified as the 2025 World's Strongest Woman.
Organisers stated Jammie Booker was disqualified after they discovered she is “biologically male”.
Australian Allira-Joy Cowley has been given the second place in the Women's Open at the Official Strongman Games World Championship.
The event took place in Texas.
Official Strongman stated they ensure fairness and athletes are assigned to men or women’s categories based on whether they are recorded as male or female at birth.

Jay Shah honoured with CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 Award (End of November) ▼

Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), received the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2025 in the Outstanding Achievement category.
During his tenure as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honorary secretary from 2019-2024, he introduced the Women's Premier League (WPL) and implemented pay parity for women's teams.
India's women's cricket team, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, won the Indian of the Year Award in the Sports category following their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 victory.

Leonardo DiCaprio named TIME Entertainer of the Year

Key Updates:

Leonardo DiCaprio has been named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year.
The honour recognises a career spanning more than 35 years.
His latest film, One Battle After Another, earned nine Golden Globe nominations.
One Battle After Another is DiCaprio’s first collaboration with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.
Critics regard One Battle After Another as his best work to date.

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Leonardo DiCaprio to receive Desert Palm Achievement Award at Palm Springs Film Festival 2026 (Mid of November) ▼

Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio is set to be honored with the Desert Palm Achievement Award.
The award will be presented at the Palm Springs Film Festival.
The ceremony is scheduled for January 3, 2026.
The prestigious award recognizes his 'riveting and emotionally-charged performance' in Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming film, 'One Battle After Another'.
The Film Awards event will take place at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
Festival Chairman Nachhattar Singh Chandi revealed DiCaprio will be bestowed with the gong.

Neal Mohan named TIME's 2025 CEO of the Year (Start of December) ▼

Neal Mohan, CEO of Google-owned YouTube, was named TIME Magazine's 2025 CEO of the Year.
He took charge as YouTube CEO in 2023 after Susan Wojcicki stepped down.
Mohan had earlier served as YouTube's Chief Product Officer since 2015 and led launches of YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium, and Shorts.

Donald Trump wins inaugural FIFA Peace Prize (Start of December) ▼

Donald Trump was the winner of the inaugural "FIFA Peace Prize," which the soccer organization awarded during its World Cup draw in Washington.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced the creation of the prize a month ago, stating it would "reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally handed the trophy, a certificate, and a medal to Trump during the draw at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Infantino attended Trump’s inauguration in January and has visited Washington multiple times since.
He sat in the front row of a peace agreement signing between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that Trump held in Washington on the eve of the draw.
Trump hosted Infantino in the Oval Office to announce the Kennedy Center as the host of the World Cup draw.
Infantino also attended the Gaza ceasefire signing ceremony that Trump held in October.
The FIFA boss appeared in the Oval Office again in November to unveil an expedited visa process for World Cup ticket holders.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also attended the Washington, D.C draw.
Infantino considers President Trump a "close friend" and has acknowledged their budding relationship.
Trump recently welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo to the White House for a dinner honoring the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

Andrej Babis appointed as Prime Minister of Czech Republic

[Czech Republic]

Key Updates:

Czech President Petr Pavel appointed billionaire Andrej Babis as the new prime minister following ANO's victory in the October parliamentary election.
Babis, leader of the populist ANO party, replaces a strongly pro-Ukrainian centre-right administration.
His incoming cabinet is set to include the far-right SPD party, raising concerns about Czech Republic's future relations with the European Union (EU) and NATO.
Babis plans to oppose EU climate policies and reduce military aid to Ukraine, shifting focus within the EU toward energy and tariffs.

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Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri takes oath as Chief Justice of Patna High Court (End of September) ▼

Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri took oath as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
The oath was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan at Raj Bhavan.
Justice Bajanthri was previously serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee received Bharat Ratna (Start of December) ▼

Atal Bihari Vajpayee served three terms as Prime Minister.
He served a full term from 1999 to 2004.
He was born on 25 December 1924 in Gwalior.
December 25 is observed as Good Governance Day in India.
Vajpayee’s tenure introduced landmark programmes such as the Kisan Credit Card, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and National Rural Health initiatives.

Sophie Kinsella remembered as 'wonderful, warm woman'

Key Updates:

Sophie Kinsella, author of the bestselling Shopaholic series, died at the age of 55.
She was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in 2022.
Her books have sold more than 50 million copies in more than 60 countries and have been translated into more than 40 languages.
She is survived by her husband Henry and their five children.

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Viola Ford Fletcher, last known survivor of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, dies at 111. (End of November) ▼

Viola Ford Fletcher died at age 111.
She was one of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Fletcher testified before the US Congress in 2021 about her experiences.
She co-authored the memoir 'Don’t Let Them Bury My Story' with her grandson in 2023.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols described her as carrying '111 years of truth, resilience, and grace'.

Kumari Kamala, celebrated danseuse, passes away (End of November) ▼

Kumari Kamala, also known as Kamala Laxman, a celebrated danseuse, passed away at the age of 91 in the US.
She began her career at the age of three and appeared in nearly 100 films across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada languages.
Her tutelage under Vazhuvoor Ramaiah Pillai shaped her into a star performer.
Kumari Kamala was born in Mayuram, now Mayiladuthurai, in Tamil Nadu in 1934.
She appeared in a dance scene in ‘Kismat’ (1943), remembered as Hindi cinema’s first major hit.
In ‘Ram Rajya’ (1943), the only film Mahatma Gandhi ever watched, she performed a Kathak sequence.
She was married to cartoonist R K Laxman, and they divorced in 1960.
Her dance in ‘Naam Iruvar’ (1947), shown in double exposure, celebrated the spirit of freedom on the verge of India’s Independence.
She featured in a one-song role in ‘Parasakthi’ (1952), Sivaji Ganesan’s hugely successful debut film.
In M V Raman’s ‘Konjum Salangai’ (1962), the first Tamil film to be shot and released entirely in technicolour, she was paired with Gemini Ganesan.
Her ‘Tandava’ dance at the climax of ‘Sivagangai Seemai’ gave a macabre dimension to the hanging of the Marudu brothers and their lieutenant.

Sir Tom Stoppard, Renowned UK Playwright, Died at 88 (Start of December) ▼

Sir Tom Stoppard, a UK playwright, died at the age of 88.
He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for the screenplay for Shakespeare In Love.
His play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead won four Tony awards, including best play.
His semi-autobiographical work titled Leopoldstadt, released in 2020, won an Olivier award for best new play and four Tony awards.
He was knighted by the late Queen for his services to literature in 1997.
His notable stage works include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and The Real Thing.
He adapted Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina for the 2012 film starring Keira Knightley and Jude Law.
Born Tomas Straussler in Czechoslovakia, his parents fled from imminent Nazi occupation.
He worked as a journalist in Bristol in 1954 before becoming a theatre critic and writing plays for radio and TV.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla expressed deep sadness at his death, calling him one of their greatest writers.
The Writers' Guild stated he received their award for outstanding contribution to writing in 2017.

Kalyan Chatterjee passes away at 81; Veteran Bengali actor (Start of December) ▼

Kalyan Chatterjee passed away at the age of 81 after battling typhoid and age-related ailments.
He made his acting debut in the 1968 film 'Apanjan' and appeared in over 400 films.
Chatterjee was known for portraying the everyday Bengali man and worked with directors like Satyajit Ray and Sujoy Ghosh.
His notable films include 'Pratidwandi', 'Kahaani', 'Dhanyee Meye', 'Dui Prithibi', 'Sabuj Dwiper Raja', and 'Baishe Srabon'.
He also acted in Hindi films and web series like 'Tansener Tanpura'.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred National Handicrafts Awards 2023-2024

Key Updates:

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Handicrafts Awards for 2023 and 2024 at a ceremonial event in New Delhi.
The awards celebrate master artisans preserving centuries-old traditions while shaping the handicrafts sector's future.
President Murmu noted the handicraft sector employs over 3.2 million people, mostly in rural and remote regions.
Women constitute 68% of the handicraft workforce, making the sector a significant avenue for women’s empowerment.
She highlighted that the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative promotes regional crafts on global platforms.

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Andhra Pradesh bags ‘Best State Award’ under Central Silk Board’s ‘Mera Resham - Mera Abhiman’ programme (End of September) ▼

Award conferred during the 76th Central Silk Board Foundation Day celebrations in Bengaluru on September 20, 2025
Recognises Andhra Pradesh’s efforts in promoting sericulture and supporting silk farmers and reelers
Awareness campaigns conducted in Sri Sathya Sai, Chittoor, Annamayya, Anantapur, Prakasam, and Kakinada districts

INSPIRE Award Standard Scheme: Objectives, Features, and Participation (Mid of September) ▼

The scheme is named "INSPIRE Award Standard Scheme" and is under the "Ministry of Science and Technology's scheme" / "Department of Science and Technology, Government of India".
The main objective of this scheme is "to promote creativity and innovation in children."
Students from "class 6 to 10 can participate" in the scheme.
Eligible students must be from "any government, government aided or private recognised school."
"Selected students are given financial assistance of ₹ 10,000 to develop their idea as a model."
The process involves models being exhibited "at the district level," then sent to "the state level exhibition," and finally displayed in the "National Level Exhibition (NLEPC)."
"Out of these, the top 60 ideas are displayed in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President himself confers national awards and honours on the children."
Ideas should be based on "novelty, practicality, social utility and environmental friendliness, for example, affordable irrigation technology, equipment for the disabled, energy saving solutions, models related to environmental protection etc."
"Each school can nominate ideas of a maximum of 5 students."
Teachers/headmasters register students "through the online portal (E-MIAS Portal)."

Baba Kalyani conferred with ASME Holley Medal (Mid of September) ▼

Baba Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Forge, has been conferred with the Holley Medal by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
The ASME Holley Award, established in 1924, recognizes outstanding and unique act(s) of an engineering nature, accomplishing a noteworthy and timely public benefit.
The recognition underscores Bharat Forge’s engineering-led value creation in the US and globally, localising advanced manufacturing and supporting domestic industry needs.

Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal Honoured by France with Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Merite (Start of November) ▼

Mr. Sunil Kant Munjal was conferred the Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Merite (Knight of the National Order of Merit) by the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou.
He is the Chairman of Hero Enterprise and Founder of the Serendipity Arts Foundation.
The award recognizes his outstanding contribution to India's civil society, his commitment to education and innovation, and his vision for making art and culture accessible to all.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injects $5 billion USD/INR swap and Rs 1 lakh crore OMO to ease liquidity.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

RBI combines a three-year USD/INR buy-sell swap of $5 billion with open market purchases of government securities worth Rs 1 lakh crore to inject durable liquidity.
The measures accompany a 25 basis point repo rate cut to 5.25%, taking the cumulative reduction since February to 125 bps.
The rupee has fallen 5% this year, becoming Asia’s worst performer and breaching the 90-per-dollar mark.
Foreign portfolio investors have withdrawn more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore, while foreign direct investment and overseas borrowing remain subdued.
Currency analysts expect USD/INR to trade within the 89.40–90.95 range.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cuts repo rate and injects durable liquidity through OMO and dollar-rupee sell swap. (Start of December) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced a 25 basis points repo rate cut.
RBI will conduct Open Market Operation (OMO) purchases of government securities worth Rs 1 trillion.
RBI announced a three-year dollar-rupee buy/sell swap of $5 billion to inject durable liquidity into the financial system.
The dollar-rupee sell swap is a foreign exchange transaction where banks sell US Dollars to RBI in return for Indian Rupee.
The combined measures aim to ensure adequate, durable liquidity and facilitate monetary transmission.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records $4.472 billion drop in India’s foreign exchange reserves. (End of November) ▼

India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by $4.472 billion to $688.104 billion in the week ended November 21.
Foreign currency assets declined by $1.69 billion to $560.6 billion.
Gold reserves decreased by $2.675 billion to $104.182 billion.
Special Drawing Rights dropped $84 million to $18.566 billion.
India’s reserve position with the IMF fell $23 million to $4.757 billion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cuts repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25% and projects FY26 inflation at 2%. (Start of December) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra announces a 25 basis points reduction in the repo rate to 5.25%.
The standing deposit facility rate now stands at 5.0%, and the marginal standing facility and bank rate at 5.5%.
RBI retains the neutral policy stance with future moves dependent on inflation trajectory, growth, and global risks.
RBI projects CPI inflation for FY26 at 2%, with Q3 at 0.6% and Q4 at 2.9%.
RBI revises FY26 real GDP growth forecast upward to 7.3%, with Q3 at 7% and Q4 at 6.5%.
RBI announces ₹1 lakh crore in OMO purchases and a $5 billion dollar-rupee swap in December to augment liquidity.
India’s forex reserves stand at USD 686 billion, providing more than 11 months of import cover.
The 10-year bond yield drops nearly 5 basis points to 6.4581% post-policy announcement.
RBI launches a two-month nationwide customer grievance redressal campaign starting January 1, 2026, to clear pending Ombudsman grievances.

India's Forex Reserves Rise by $5.54 Billion to $692.57 Billion, Driven by Gold Holdings (End of November) ▼

India’s foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 5.543 billion for the week ended 14 November.
The total foreign exchange reserves reached USD 692.576 billion.
This rise followed a decline of USD 2.699 billion in the previous reporting week, when reserves had slipped to USD 687.034 billion.
The surge was largely driven by gold holdings, which rose by USD 5.327 billion, taking the total to USD 106.857 billion.
Foreign currency assets (FCAs) saw a modest rise of USD 152 million, bringing the total to USD 562.29 billion.
Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) increased by USD 56 million to USD 18.65 billion.
The reserve position in the IMF was higher by USD 8 million, reaching USD 4.779 billion.

Adani Group (AG) invests over $75 billion in energy transition space over 5 years

[Adani Group]

Key Updates:

Adani Group (AG) will invest over $75 billion in energy transition space over 5 years.
The AG is building the world's largest renewable energy park at Khavda in Gujarat, spread across 520 square kilometres.
The park will generate 30 GW of green energy by 2030, enough to power more than 60 million Indian homes every year.
India is the world's third-largest electricity user.
India has a per person electricity consumption of less than 1,400 kilowatt-hours a year.
India contributed 4 per cent of cumulative global emissions over 200 years of industrial activity.
Europe contributed 13 per cent, the US 19 per cent, and China 20 per cent of cumulative global emissions.
The AG announced Adani Annual Internships, offering 50 paid positions each year for third-year students.
A minimum of 25 per cent of these interns will receive pre-employment offers for joining.
The AG announced the Adani 3S Mining Excellence Centre with TEXMiN.

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Adani Group to build 48-MW AI green data centre in Telangana (Start of December) ▼

The Adani group is setting up a 48-megawatt green data center in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2,500 crores.
This facility will be at the forefront of cutting-edge AI, cloud technology, and high performance computing.
The group has so far invested nearly Rs 10,000 crores in the last three years in building state infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in Telangana.

Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign over $800 million in development loans across Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat (Start of December) ▼

ADB signs $500 million loan for Maharashtra Power Distribution Enhancement Programme.
ADB signs ¥27,147,200,000 ($190.6 million) loan for Indore Metro Rail Project in Madhya Pradesh.
ADB signs $109.97 million loan for Gujarat Skills Development Programme.
ADB finalizes $1 million Technical Assistance grant for Sustainable Wetland and Integrated Fisheries Transformation Project in Assam.

Telangana bags Rs 5.75 lakh crore investments (Start of December) ▼

Telangana attracted total investment commitments of nearly Rs 5.75 lakh crore at its global summit.
Investment proposals worth Rs 2.9 lakh crore were attracted on the final day of the summit.
MoUs were signed across multiple sectors including food and agriculture, electronics, manufacturing, data centres, and biotechnology.
Top firms pledging investments included Godrej Industries Group, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RPCL), Kaynes Technology India Limited, and Bharat Biotech.
Godrej Group pledged Rs 150 crore to expand its dairy business.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RPCL) plans a Rs 1,500 crore investment for a manufacturing facility for beverages, snacks, confectionery, and other consumer products.
Electronics manufacturer Kaynes Technology India Limited committed Rs 1,000 crore as part of its expansion plans.
JCK Infra pledged Rs 9,000 crore for data centre facilities.
APG Group plans to invest Rs 6,750 crore for a hyperscale data centre campus.
Infrakey Data Centre Parks announced an investment of Rs 70,000 crore.
Tokyo-headquartered NTT DATA Group announced a Rs 10,500 crore AI data centre cluster in Hyderabad in April.
The Brookfield-Axis Energy Ventures consortium committed to an MoU worth Rs 75,000 crore.
Adani Group is setting up a 48-megawatt AI green data centre in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore.

ReNew Energy Global Secures $331 Million from ADB for Andhra Pradesh Clean Energy Project (Start of November) ▼

ReNew Energy Global Plc secured $331 million in debt from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The funding is to support a clean energy project in Andhra Pradesh.
The $331 million is part of a $477 million financial package for the Andhra project.
The remaining $146 million of the financial package is to be arranged by ADB through other lenders.
The project integrates 837 MWp of wind and solar capacity with a 415 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS).
The project is designed to deliver 300 MW of peak power and is expected to generate 1,641 GWh of clean energy annually.
The $331 million ADB debt package includes up to $291 million in local-currency financing from ADB's ordinary capital resources and up to $40 million from the ADB-administered Leading Asia's Private Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2).
ReNew has a clean energy portfolio of about 18.2 GW.

US Export-Import Bank (Exim) commits $1.25 billion financing for Reko Diq mining project

[United States]

Key Updates:

US President Donald Trump’s administration committed $1.25 billion in financing from the US Export-Import Bank (Exim) for the Reko Diq mining project in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
The financing is set to support the import of up to $2 billion in US mining equipment and services.
Acting US Ambassador Natalie Baker announced the approval, describing it as a “win-win” for both nations.
The US Embassy in Islamabad hailed the deal as a “game-changer” for economic growth in Balochistan.
This initiative is projected to create 6,000 jobs in the US and 7,500 jobs in Balochistan.
The project aims to unlock one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits.
Reko Diq is owned 50% by Canadian firm Barrick Gold, 25% by Pakistan’s federal government, and 25% by the Balochistan government.
The Reko Diq project carries a total development cost of around $7 billion and aims for production by 2028.
Once operational, the project could generate $2.8 billion in export revenue in its first year.
Saudi Arabia’s Manara Minerals has signaled interest in a 15% stake in the project.

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World Bank (WB) approves USD 776 million for Punjab education and Maharashtra farmer income boost. (End of November) ▼

World Bank (WB) approved USD 286 million for Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation (POISE) to improve quality education using technology.
POISE will support 13 lakh primary and 2.2 million secondary students plus 59 lakh early childhood education beneficiaries.
WB sanctioned USD 490 million for Maharashtra Project on Climate Resilient Agriculture (POCRA) Phase II to raise smallholder farmer incomes by 30%.
POCRA Phase II will benefit over 20 lakh small and marginal farmers including 2.9 lakh women across 21 Maharashtra districts.
POISE carries 19-year final maturity with 5-year grace; POCRA Phase II has 24-year final maturity with 6-year grace.

India dedicates 125 Border Roads Organisation projects to strengthen border infrastructure (Start of December) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dedicated 125 newly completed projects of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to the nation from Leh.
The projects — built at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore — comprise 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous structures across Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram.
The event marked the largest single-day and highest-value inauguration in BRO history.
The 920-metre Shyok Tunnel on the Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldi Road in Ladakh is highlighted as an engineering marvel providing all-weather connectivity to a critical military terrain.
Singh stated: "These infrastructure projects are the nation's tribute to those heroes who laid down their lives in the service of the nation."
He emphasised: "Enhanced road networks, real-time communication systems and satellite-based surveillance are now allowing Indian soldiers to operate with greater speed and precision in forward areas."
The defence minister noted that stronger border connectivity stabilises local economies, enhances disaster response and strengthens people’s faith in governance in remote regions.

International Conference on Critical Metals in Jamshedpur Highlights Need for Collaboration (Start of November) ▼

The event was an ‘International conference on critical metals’.
The conference was held in Jamshedpur.
Lekhan Thakkar, the joint secretary with the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), Union Govt., stated that 'International collaboration today is not a choice but a necessity to address strategic needs and, with trust and transparency, lead to mutual development.'
Thakkar also said, “Critical metals influence the economic and industrial development of the nation and thereby, geo-politics of a region.”
Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) CMD Kancham Anand Rao said, “UCIL is ready to partner, especially in the fields of extraction of critical minerals.”
CSIR-NML director Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury stressed the need for technological sovereignty in critical minerals towards achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Sarma V Pisupati, director, C2M, Penn State University, USA, underlined the current need to be creative, collaborative, and have the conviction to excel in the field of critical minerals.
The meet had 'over 350 participants'.
Global experts engaged in discussions on critical minerals and deliberated on technical, policy, and supply chain issues in the field.

Trump-Takaichi Tokyo Summit: US-Japan Critical Minerals & Rare Earths Supply Pact Signed (End of October) ▼

Event: Bilateral summit at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Agreement signed: "to assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains" and "jointly identify projects of interest to address gaps in supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including derivative products such as permanent magnets, batteries, catalysts, and optical materials."
Defence commitment: PM Takaichi pledged to "fast-track plans to increase defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)."
Economic package: Japan expected to offer a "$550bn deal" covering "shipbuilding and increased purchases of US soya beans, natural gas and pick-up trucks."

Amazon announces $35 billion investment in India by 2030

[Amazon]

Key Updates:

Amazon pledges a $35 billion investment in India by 2030.
The investment builds on Amazon's existing $40 billion-plus capital in India since 2010.
The new funds will focus on AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation.
Amazon aims to support a total of 3.8 million jobs in India by 2030.
Amazon targets enabling $80 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India by 2030.
The company plans to deliver AI benefits to 15 million small businesses.
Amazon aims to tap into four million government school students with AI education and career exploration opportunities.
Microsoft committed a $17.5 billion investment plan for India.
In 2024, Amazon supported approximately 2.8 million jobs in India.
Amazon-enabled exports from India have surpassed $20 billion.

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Microsoft commits $17.5 billion for India’s AI-first future (Start of December) ▼

Microsoft will invest USD 17.5 billion in India over the next four years (2026-2029) to drive AI diffusion at a population scale.
The investment comes on top of Microsoft’s earlier commitment of USD 3 billion announced in January 2025.
Google will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years to establish its first AI hub in Visakhapatnam.
OpenAI will open an India office after ChatGPT usage in the country grew fourfold over the past year.
AI firm Perplexity partnered with Indian telecom giant Airtel to offer 360 million customers a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription.

Moody's Ratings pegs India GDP growth at 7% for 2025 (End of November) ▼

Moody's Ratings forecasts India’s GDP to grow 7.0% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026.
India will lead growth among emerging markets and across APAC excluding Greater China.
APAC GDP growth will stay steady at 3.4% in 2026 versus 3.3% in 2024, with 3.6% expected in 2025.
Emerging markets in the region will average 5.6% GDP growth compared with 1.3% in advanced markets.
Most rated Indian companies have active currency risk management or strong financial buffers against Rupee weakness.
Rated companies in oil and gas, airline, telecom and ride-hailing sectors face dollar exposure due to currency mismatches.
Moody’s identifies trade, weakening macroeconomic conditions and financial markets as the three main channels through which 50% US tariffs will transmit risk to companies.
Geopolitical tensions, especially US-China frictions, inform APAC geopolitical risk and threaten semiconductor supply chains.
Moody’s outlook for APAC is stable; it would turn negative if geopolitical tensions escalate or China slows sharply, and positive if interest rates decline broadly and earnings growth strengthens.

India’s AI investment crosses ₹1.67 lakh crore ($20 billion), overtaking France, Japan and South Korea (End of October) ▼

Total AI-related investments in India have crossed ₹1.67 lakh crore ($20 billion) according to MeitY data
Private-sector AI investment in India between 2013-2024 reached ₹92,000 crore; total funding including public sector exceeded ₹1.02 lakh crore
Google announced a ₹1.25 lakh crore AI data hub in Visakhapatnam — its largest outside the United States
AWS committed ₹1.06 lakh crore in India by 2030 to expand cloud and AI computing infrastructure
Indian AI startups have attracted ₹44,000 crore in funding as of October 2025, with ₹19,600 crore going to generative AI ventures

Andhra Pradesh Secures Over Rs 13 Lakh Crore Investment Commitments at CII Summit (Mid of November) ▼

Andhra Pradesh has seen over Rs 13 lakh crore investment commitments.
The summit has been instrumental in attracting over Rs 13 lakh crore worth of investment agreements, backed by nearly 640 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).
The commitments are expected to generate approximately 16.3 lakh jobs across sectors.
Energy emerged as the largest investment category, accounting for Rs 5.3 lakh crore of the total commitments.
Reliance Industries announced plans for a 1 gigawatt (GW) Artificial Intelligence Data Centre alongside a 6 gigawatt peak (GWp) solar facility.
Alphabet, Google’s parent firm, plans to invest $15 billion in Andhra Pradesh to build a major AI data hub center in the state.
Adani Group announced an investment commitment of Rs 1 lakh crore over the next decade across renewable energy, ports, logistics and digital infrastructure.
The combined infrastructure initiative for Drone City in Kurnool and the Twin Space Cities in Sri Sathyasai and Tirupati carries a projected Rs 25,000 crore investment value.
The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) finalised agreements to establish a 1,200 megawatt-hour (MWh) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Nandyal and a 50 megawatt (MW) hybrid solar plant.
The Raymond Group announced a Rs 1,201 crore expansion plan covering apparel production, automotive component manufacturing and aerospace engineering.
The state approved 12 new projects valued at Rs 2,320 crore as part of the Sri City industrial cluster expansion.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) permits residents and non-residents to undertake rupee IRD transactions

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

Residents and non-residents are permitted to undertake transactions in rupee interest-rate derivatives (IRD), according to master directions released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Non-residents can enter these trades through their central treasury or group entities if the market maker is authorized to transact on their behalf.
Market makers include scheduled banks, standalone primary dealers, upper-layer non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and specified development or specialized banks.
Market makers must classify participants as retail or non-retail users.
Non-retail users include NBFCs (other than market makers) and other institutional entities.
The combined Price Value of a Basis Point (PVBP) of all outstanding IRD trades by non-residents may not exceed ₹1,000 crore.
After reaching the ₹1,000 crore PVBP limit, fresh positions for non-residents can only be taken for hedging purposes.
The rules apply to IRD transactions in both the over-the-counter market and on recognized stock exchanges.
Exchanges are permitted to introduce any IRD product after approval from the RBI.
Floating rates or indices used in exchange-traded products must be benchmarks published by an authorized financial benchmark administrator.
Market makers must report global IRD transactions by their offshore-related parties to the central trade repository, operated by Clearing Corporation of India.
Exchanges offering IRD products must submit reports and documentation to the RBI or designated agencies in specified formats.
Exchanges must ensure that users are informed of the risks associated with IRD products before they enter the market.
Foreign portfolio investors and other non-resident investors are not allowed to hold net long positions exceeding ₹5,000 crore across all interest-rate futures.
Gross short positions for non-residents cannot exceed consolidated long positions in government securities and futures.
Non-resident IRD transactions must be routed through rupee accounts in India or through vostro accounts for settlement.
Foreign currency-settled IRD payments may be made through standard banking channels.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Airpay Payment Services as cross-border payment aggregator. (Start of December) ▼

Airpay Payment Services has secured approval from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a cross-border payment aggregator.
The company is now licensed to operate as a payment aggregator across online, physical and cross-border categories.
Airpay projects a 30-40 per cent rise in processing volumes over the next 6-12 months.
The company anticipates 20 per cent-plus revenue contribution from cross-border flows and onboarding over 50,000 merchants in the same period.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates every bank to offer services in regional languages, Hindi and English. (Start of December) ▼

All official customer communication must be issued in Hindi, English and the relevant regional language.
Branches must display signage, instructions and grievance details in the local language.
Customer service booklets, passbooks, account opening forms, pay-in slips and complaint procedures must be available in regional languages.
Digital platforms including mobile apps, websites and internet banking portals must provide regional-language support.
Call centres must offer customer assistance in local languages.
Public Sector Banks must recruit Local Bank Officers to deliver regionally fluent service.
Customer Service Associates must clear a Local Language Proficiency Test before joining branches.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) pilots retail digital rupee crossing 120 million transactions worth over ₹28,000 crore (Start of December) ▼

The retail CBDC pilot has processed more than 120 million transactions valued at over ₹28,000 crore.
The pilot includes 17 banks and has an active user base of over 8 million.
Retail e-rupee circulation surged 334% in Financial Year 2025 to ₹1,016.5 crore as of March 2025.
RBI is focusing on programmability and cross-border integration for the digital rupee.
RBI has introduced a retail sandbox enabling fintech firms to develop CBDC-based solutions.

CRED and IndusInd Bank Launch RuPay Credit Card with Rewards on E-commerce, Flights, and Hotels (Mid of September) ▼

Cardholders earn points equivalent to 5% on online purchases and 1% on offline transactions, including CRED Scan and Pay.
Points can be redeemed across the CRED ecosystem, including the new flights product powered by ixigo and over 8,00,000 hotels powered by Expedia, as well as 500+ merchants and 2,000+ products on the CRED store.
The card features zero joining fees, automatic point application, and a simplified two-minute application process.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) grants corporate agency licence to Sahaj Insurance Services targeting 10 crore rural policies.

[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]

Key Updates:

Sahaj Insurance Services Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Sahaj Retail Ltd, received a corporate agency licence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The company aims to sell about 10 crore insurance policies in its first year of operation.
Sahaj Retail Ltd operates a network of about 4.5 lakh digitally enabled rural centres serving over 70 crore people.
The insurance portfolio includes life, health, accident, crop, livestock and micro-insurance products developed in partnership with leading insurers.
Services will integrate government-backed insurance and social-security schemes to deepen financial inclusion.
Sahaj is active in states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, North East and Odisha.

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Insurance Surety Bonds for NHAI contracts cross ₹10,000 crore (Mid of September) ▼

Insurance Surety Bonds (ISB) issued for NHAI contracts have crossed the ₹10,000 crore-mark, reaching about ₹10,369 crore.
Twelve insurance companies have issued around 1,600 ISBs as bid security and 207 ISBs as performance security for NHAI contracts.
The Ministry of Finance has placed e-BG and Insurance Surety Bonds on par with Bank Guarantees for all government procurements.

IRDAI Launches Bima Sugam Portal, First Phase Expected by December 2025 (Mid of September) ▼

IRDAI has officially launched the Bima Sugam portal, aiming to revolutionise India's insurance landscape.
The first phase of Bima Sugam is expected to go live by December 2025.
As per a gazette notification dated March 20, 2024, Bima Sugam shall be a one-stop solution for all Insurance stakeholders.
Bima Sugam is backed by the Life Insurance Council and the General Insurance Council.
Prasun Sikdar is the MD & CEO of Bima Sugam India Federation.
Dr Tapan Singhel is the MD & CEO of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance and Chairman of the General Insurance Council.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) Launches Protection Plus and Bima Kavach Plans (Start of December) ▼

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) launched two new insurance plans: Protection Plus (Plan 886) and Bima Kavach (Plan 887).
LIC's Protection Plus (Plan 886) is a non-participating, linked life insurance plan with a minimum entry age of 18 years and a maximum entry age of 65 years.
The minimum basic sum assured for Protection Plus is 7 times or 5 times the annualized premium for entry ages less than 50 years and 50 years and above, respectively.
Protection Plus offers premium paying terms of 5, 7, 10, and 15 years for policy terms of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, allowing partial withdrawals after 5 years.
LIC's Bima Kavach (Plan 887) is a non-participating, non-linked, individual life insurance plan offering pure risk protection.
The minimum entry age for Bima Kavach is 18 years (last birthday), and the maximum entry age is 65 years (last birthday).
The minimum basic sum assured for Bima Kavach is ₹2,00,00,000 (₹2 crore).
Bima Kavach offers single, limited (5, 10, and 15 years), and regular premium payment options, with two death benefit options: level sum assured and increasing sum assured.
The maximum policy term for Bima Kavach is 82 years, subject to a maximum age at maturity of 100 years.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves acquisition of ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited businesses by ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited. (End of November) ▼

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain businesses from ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited by ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited.
The Acquirer is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Plc.
Target Businesses include managing and/or sponsoring five SEBI-registered alternative investment funds and providing non-exclusive, non-binding advice to an identified offshore investment fund.

Wise launches mid-market rate Travel Card in India

[Wise]

Key Updates:

Wise launched its multi-currency Travel Card in India.
India recorded 3.89 crore outbound departures in 2024.
Over 75,000 Indians joined the waitlist for the Wise Travel Card.
Indians spent nearly USD17 billion overseas last year, a steep increase from the USD3–4 billion annual average before FY22.
Traditional forex cards apply 2–4 per cent non-transparent margins on currency conversions.
These margins add INR4,000– INR8,000 in extra costs on a INR2 lakh transaction.
The Wise Travel Card supports more than 40 currencies.
The card works across 160+ countries on the Visa network.
Users receive free ATM withdrawals up to USD200 per month.
Beyond the USD200 limit, a fee of USD 1.40 plus 3.25 per cent applies for ATM withdrawals.
Wise is waiving its INR460 card issuance fee for new customers signing up before 10 February 2026.
The Wise Travel Card carries no annual, subscription, or inactivity fees.

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IDFC FIRST Bank launches entry-level credit card with zero forex markup and dual UPI-Mastercard access (Start of December) ▼

IDFC FIRST Bank launched the FIRST WOW! Black credit card, the country's first entry-level card with zero forex markup on international spends.
Customers receive two cards: a physical Mastercard and a virtual RuPay credit card for UPI use.
The card is available to individuals aged 18 or above by opening a fixed deposit of at least ₹20,000 with the bank.
Cash withdrawals from ATMs in India or abroad do not attract interest for up to 45 days, but incur a ₹199 withdrawal fee.
Users earn 4 reward points per ₹150 on everyday spends and 3 reward points per ₹150 on UPI payments above ₹2,000.
Travel bookings on the IDFC FIRST Bank app earn 50 bonus reward points per ₹150 on hotel bookings and 30 bonus reward points per ₹150 on flight bookings.
Each reward point is worth ₹0.50 when redeemed for travel on the app.
The card includes four domestic airport lounge visits a year and trip-cancellation cover of up to ₹10,000.
Other benefits include 25% off on one movie ticket a month (up to ₹100), a 1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹200 a month, roadside assistance worth ₹1,399 once a year, ₹2 lakh personal accident insurance, and lost-card liability cover up to ₹25,000.
The joining fee is ₹750 plus GST, with the same annual fee from the second year onward.
The annual fee is waived if yearly spending reaches ₹1.5 lakh.
Welcome benefits worth more than ₹5,000 include travel deals, dining and lifestyle offers, and 5% cashback up to ₹1,000 on the first EMI transaction within 30 days.

MoU between Ministry of Tourism and Mastercard to strengthen India's position as a global tourism hotspot (Start of December) ▼

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India and Mastercard have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The collaboration aims to boost India's appeal as a premium destination for domestic and international travelers.
The partnership will leverage Mastercard's global platforms, including its renowned Priceless program, to spotlight India's rich cultural, spiritual, natural, and culinary treasures worldwide.
The initiative will strengthen the tourism ecosystem by engaging public and private stakeholders to promote secure and responsible digital payment practices.
As the official Knowledge Partner, MoT will identify strategic travel corridors and facilitate partnerships with relevant entities such as State Tourism Boards, the Archaeological Survey of India, and Ministry of Culture.
The MoU will strengthen the tourism value chain by encouraging the responsible and secure use of payment systems, supporting the adoption of safe and seamless digital payments, and exploring the introduction of innovative, co-branded payment products.

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and ACLEDA Bank Plc. enable UPI & KHQR acceptance across India and Cambodia. (Start of December) ▼

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) partners with ACLEDA Bank Plc., Cambodia's first publicly listed commercial bank, to interconnect UPI and KHQR networks.
Indian travellers can use UPI-enabled apps at over 4.5 million KHQR merchant touchpoints in Cambodia.
Cambodian tourists can scan more than 709 million UPI QR codes in India using Cambodian payment apps.
ACLEDA Bank Plc. operates Cambodia's national QR network, Bakong (KHQR), as nominated by the National Bank of Cambodia.

Delhi Government's 'Pink Saheli Smart Card' Initiative (Start of November) ▼

The Delhi government introduced the 'Pink Saheli Smart Card'.
It is "a special initiative aimed at providing free and convenient travel for women and transgender individuals across Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses."
With this new scheme, "daughters, sisters, and mothers above the age of 12 can now enjoy free rides across the capital."
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta made the announcement on X post.

ICICI Bank acquires 2% stake in ICICI AMC from Prudential Corporation for ₹2,140 crore.

[ICICI Bank, Prudential Corporation]

Key Updates:

ICICI Bank executed a share purchase agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd to purchase an additional 2% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd.
The purchase price is fixed at ₹2,140 crore for the 2% stake.
Reserve Bank of India accorded approval for the bank to purchase up to 2% additional shareholding through its letter dated September 12, 2025.
ICICI AMC had total assets of ₹4,827 crore as of September 30, 2025.
ICICI AMC reported turnover of ₹2,949 crore and profit after tax of ₹1,618 crore for H1FY26.
ICICI Bank currently holds 51.0% and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd holds 49.0% in ICICI AMC.

Similar / Past Coverage

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) clears ICICI Prudential Asset Management and three others for IPO launch (Start of December) ▼

ICICI Prudential Asset Management's IPO will be entirely an offer for sale (OFS) worth ₹10,000 crore.
Prudential Corporation Holdings will sell 1.76 crore shares in the OFS.
ICICI Bank owns 51% of ICICI Prudential AMC; Prudential Corporation Holdings holds the remaining 49%.
Annu Projects' IPO comprises a fresh issue of 2.2 crore shares.
Technocraft Ventures will raise capital through a fresh issue of 95.05 lakh shares and an OFS of 23.76 lakh shares.
Powerica's IPO includes a fresh issue of ₹700 crore and an OFS of ₹700 crore.

M&M Exits RBL Bank with 63% Gain; Emirates NBD Makes Strategic Investment (Start of November) ▼

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) offloaded its entire 3.45% stake in RBL Bank for about Rs 678 crore through a block deal.
The floor price for M&M's sale was pegged at Rs 321 per share.
M&M had invested Rs 417 crore in July 2023 to acquire the stake at Rs 197 per share, yielding a 63% return.
Emirates NBD will acquire a 60% stake in RBL Bank through a preferential equity issue worth Rs 26,853 crore (around $3 billion) at Rs 280 per share.
The bank’s board has approved the issue and allotment of 96 crore new shares to the Dubai-based banking group.
The transaction marks the largest-ever foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s financial services sector.
Emirates NBD will also make a mandatory open offer to acquire up to an additional 26% stake in RBL Bank at the same price.
Shares of RBL Bank ended Tuesday’s session at Rs 322.

CCI approves PNC Infratech’s acquisition of 95-100% of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (Mid of September) ▼

The Competition Commission of India has approved the proposed acquisition of Jaiprakash Associates Limited by PNC Infratech Limited.
The acquisition covers a minimum 95% and maximum up to 100% of Jaiprakash Associates Limited.
Jaiprakash Associates Limited is currently undergoing corporate insolvency resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.

RBI Draft ECB Reforms Eye 10% Tier-1 Cap for Bank Acquisition Finance (Mid of November) ▼

India Inc’s M&A deal value in H1 2025 stood at USD 50.5 billion, according to EY data cited in the article.
Under the draft RBI norms, Indian banks can extend acquisition-finance ECBs only up to 10% of their Tier-1 capital; lenders are asking for this ceiling to be raised to 20%-40% of net worth.
At the current 10% limit, domestic banks have less than USD 30 billion (about Rs 2.5 lakh crore) available for acquisition financing.

India Post Inaugurates Gen-Z Extension Counter at Kerala's CMS College

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

India Post inaugurated Kerala’s first 'Gen-Z' post office extension counter at CMS College Kottayam.
The counter was inaugurated on December 8, 2025.
The initiative was lauded by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
It targets the student community, built on the philosophy 'Of the students, by the students, for the students.'

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DHRUVA Scheme: UPI-like Labels for Digital Address Sharing (Start of December) ▼

The Department of Posts released a draft amendment to the Post Office Act, 2023, to introduce the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHRUVA) system.
DHRUVA will let users replace textual addresses with labels like 'name@entity' and authorise firms to access their geographic coordinates and full address text.
A Section 8 not-for-profit entity under government supervision will run the system, similar to NPCI’s role in UPI.
DIGIPIN, a ten-character alphanumeric code mapping to about 14 square metres, forms the foundational addressing layer for DHRUVA.

Department of Posts and BSNL Sign MoU for SIM Sales and Mobile Recharge Services (Mid of September) ▼

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Posts (DoP) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
The MoU aims to expand BSNL's mobile connectivity reach across India for SIM sales and mobile recharge services.
Under this agreement, DoP will leverage its unparalleled postal network of over 1.65 lakh Post Offices for the sale of BSNL SIM cards and mobile recharge services across the country.
This initiative aims to make BSNL's telecom services more accessible and affordable, particularly for citizens in the most remote parts of the country.
Through this collaboration, post offices will act as Points of Sale (PoS) for BSNL Mobile SIM sale and for mobile recharges.
The agreement is effective for one year from 17.09.2025 and may be renewed subsequently.

First Gen Z-themed revamped Campus Post Office inaugurated at IIT Delhi (End of November) ▼

India Post inaugurated the first Gen Z-themed revamped Post Office at IIT Delhi, marking a milestone in its modernisation journey.
The transformation is part of a national initiative to revamp 46 existing Post Offices located within educational campuses by 15.12.2025.
A student franchise model has been launched at IIT Delhi, offering hands-on exposure to postal operations and nurturing entrepreneurship.

Southern Railway Launches First Coast-to-Coast Parcel Express Train Service (End of November) ▼

Southern Railway for the first time would operate ‘coast-to-coast’ parcel express train service across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
This initiative, a first of its kind by the Indian Railways, marks a significant step toward strengthening regional parcel mobility.
Aimed at providing fast and cost-effective parcel movement.
The unique feature of this service is earmarking of dedicated parcel coaches to each destination, ensuring organised parcel handling and management.
The train accommodates a wide range of commodities including white goods, perishables, consumer products and industrial materials.
The parcel service would be operated on Fridays from Mangaluru Central and on Tuesdays from Royapuram, Chennai.
The service would stop at Salem, Erode, Uttukkuli, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Shoranur, Tirur, Kozhikode, Thalassery, Kannur and Kasaragod ensuring smooth and efficient loading and unloading across major commercial centres.
The first service of ‘Parcel Express’ is scheduled to leave at 3.10 pm on December 12 from Mangaluru Central Railway Station.
The train would comprise of “high capacity parcel vans — 10 coaches and luggage cum brake van – 2 coaches”.
As an eco-friendly alternative, the service promotes sustainable logistics by encouraging a shift from road to rail.
Real time monitoring of the train service is involved, guaranteeing consistent, punctual and well-coordinated service delivery.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Redevelopment of 1,337 Railway Stations with ₹12,118 crore FY 2025–26 Allocation

Key Updates:

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to transform 1,337 railway stations into modern, commuter-friendly, and future-ready transit hubs.
₹12,118 crore has been allocated under Plan Head–53 ‘Customer Amenities’ for FY 2025–26.
155 stations have already completed redevelopment works, with 15 stations identified for Public Private Partnership (PPP) development.

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Maharashtra Government Renames Ahmednagar Railway Station to Ahilyanagar (End of September) ▼

The Maharashtra government issued a notification renaming Ahmednagar railway station as Ahilyanagar railway station.
The renaming followed approval from the Union Home ministry.
The state government earlier renamed Ahmednagar district as Ahilyanagar district.
The renaming holds special significance as it is the 300th birth anniversary year of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar.
Efforts were underway to rename Aurangabad railway station as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station.

MMRDA inaugurates Asia’s largest elevated Metro depot at Mandale with India’s longest test track (Mid of November) ▼

Facility: Mandale Depot for Mumbai Metro Line 2B, Asia’s largest elevated Metro depot spread over 30.45 hectares
Capacity: 72 eight-coach trains can be stabled simultaneously on two levels (36 per level)
Test infrastructure: India’s longest 965-m test track for advanced rolling-stock testing and performance
Technology: G+3 Depot Control Centre monitors train movement, maintenance, and safety in real time
Environmental features: 175 KLD Effluent + Sewage Treatment Plants to recycle water for cleaning & landscaping

DRAP and UiWIN Initiatives Launched for Dumpsite Remediation and Urban Investment (Start of November) ▼

Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar launched two flagship initiatives: the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) and the Urban Investment Window (UiWIN).
The initiatives were inaugurated by the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs during the two-day 'National Urban Conclave 2025'.
DRAP targets the elimination of legacy waste dumpsites by September 2026, aiming to achieve 'Lakshya Zero Dumpsites'.
UiWIN aims to unlock private and multilateral investments to fuel infrastructure growth in cities, and will serve as a one-stop platform to attract private capital and long-term concessional funding from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
Under DRAP, the Centre will fast-track the remediation of remaining dumpsites across urban India in a mission-mode effort.
The government has allocated central financial assistance of Rs 550 per tonne for waste remediation under DRAP.
So far, 1,048 out of 2,476 dumpsites, holding about 25 crore metric tonnes of waste, have been remediated, reclaiming nearly 7,580 acres of land.
UiWIN will also focus on promoting Public-Private Partnership (PPP)-based urban projects to accelerate sustainable infrastructure development.

Union Minister Khattar on Urban Development Initiatives and Metro Expansion (Mid of November) ▼

The Centre has begun holding regional meetings to address a wide range of urban development concerns, discussing subjects like road, drains, mobility, metro rail, and including demands and suggestions from participating states.
The Centre plans to hold an Urban Conclave in New Delhi soon, where ministers, secretaries, and the mayors of some important corporations will be invited.
India's metro network has expanded rapidly, with 1,100 km operational and another 900 km in progress, with metro rail work underway in five cities and eventually expanding to 29 across the country.
Metro and other urban projects are funded through a mix of central-state partnerships, public-private ventures, and international agencies like those in Japan and the World Bank.

One Nation, One Licence, One Payment: Mandatory Blanket Licence for AI Training

Key Updates:

The government has proposed a 'One Nation, One Licence, One Payment' mandatory blanket licence for AI training, forcing companies to pay royalties to creators.
The recommendations were released in a working paper by a committee led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
Royalty rates would be fixed by a government-appointed committee and collected through a single collective body formed by copyright holders.
Creators, including musicians, news publishers, and authors, are the target beneficiaries of these royalties.
The paper suggests retroactive payment of royalties in cases where copyrighted data has already been ingested into AI systems.
A new umbrella industry body, called the Copyright Royalties Collective for AI Training (CRCAT), will have to be set up by rights holders and be designated by the Central government under the Copyright Act, 1957.
The Centre will constitute a committee to determine the royalty rate, which can set a certain percentage of the gross global revenue (excluding taxes) earned by an AI developer.
The committee will review and adjust rates every 3 years.

Similar / Past Coverage

One Nation, One Licence, One Payment: Mandatory blanket licence for AI training with statutory royalty to creators (Start of December) ▼

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)-led committee proposes a mandatory blanket licence requiring all AI companies to pay royalties for using copyrighted work.
Royalty rates will be fixed by a government-appointed committee and collected through a single collective body formed by copyright holders named Copyright Royalties Collective for AI Training (CRCAT).
The obligation to pay royalties shall apply retroactively to AI developers who have already trained models on copyrighted content and are earning revenues.

Draft IT Rules Amendments: Mandatory Labelling & Metadata for AI-Generated Content (End of October) ▼

Proposed by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through draft amendments to the IT Rules, 2021
Objective: 'to curb user harm from AI-generated deepfakes and synthetically produced content' and ensure 'users can distinguish synthetic and authentic content'
Key definition introduced: 'synthetically generated information' means 'information that is artificially or algorithmically created, generated, modified or altered using a computer resource, in a manner that appears reasonably authentic or true'
Labelling requirement: synthetic content must carry a prominent label/identifier covering at least '10 per cent of the surface area of a visual display or, in the case of audio content, during the initial 10 per cent of its duration'
Metadata obligation: intermediaries offering tools that create/modify synthetic content must embed 'a permanent unique metadata or identifier' and must not 'modify, suppress, or remove such labels or identifiers'
Due-diligence on platforms: significant social media intermediaries (≥50 lakh users) must obtain user declaration on synthetic uploads, deploy 'reasonable and proportionate technical measures to verify such declarations', and label the content accordingly

Xi proposes World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization at APEC summit (Start of November) ▼

Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the creation of a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization to govern AI development and set international rules.
Xi described AI as a 'public good for the international community' and emphasized it should benefit people in all countries and regions.
Chinese officials indicated the proposed organization could be headquartered in Shanghai.
Xi highlighted China's advances in AI through homegrown developers like DeepSeek, which have built lower-cost models as part of Beijing's drive for 'algorithmic sovereignty.'
China will host the 2026 APEC summit in Shenzhen, a city Xi described as a symbol of China's economic transformation into a global center for robotics, electric vehicles, and high-tech manufacturing.

India Internet Governance Forum 2025 convenes in New Delhi to shape inclusive and AI-driven Digital India (End of November) ▼

The fifth edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF 2025) will convene on 27–28 November in New Delhi.
The forum is organised as India's national chapter of the UN Internet Governance Forum and operates on a multistakeholder model.
Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, will inaugurate the event as Chief Guest.
The theme for IIGF 2025 is 'Advancing Internet Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Viksit Bharat'.
The three sub-themes are: Inclusive Digital Future, Digital Infrastructure for Resilient and Sustainable Growth, and AI for People, Planet and Progress.
The event will be held across two venues: India Habitat Centre on day one and India International Centre on day two.
IIGF 2025 will feature four panel discussions and twelve workshops covering data governance, cybersecurity, AI ethics, and digital inclusion.

Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025: Proposes Stringent Punishment for Hate Speech

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

The Karnataka government tabled the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025, in the legislative assembly.
The bill proposes stringent punishment for those indulging in hate speeches, considering it an act of promoting enmity between communities or inciting violence on grounds of religion, caste, language, gender, or region.
It aims to curb and prevent the dissemination, publication, or promotion of hate speech and crimes, prescribe punishment for such crimes, and provide compensation to victims.
First-time conviction for hate speech could lead to a prison term of between one and seven years with a fine of up to Rs 50,000, and such offences are sought to be made non-bailable.
A second conviction for a similar offence could result in a jail term of two to ten years with a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
The bill empowers designated officers to direct any service provider, intermediary, person, or entity to block or remove hate crime materials from its domain, including electronic media.

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Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 levies cess on paan masala units to fund defence and public health (Start of December) ▼

The Lok Sabha passed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 to levy a cess on machines or processes used to manufacture paan masala and similar goods.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the cess proceeds will be shared with states as public health is a state subject.
The Bill aims to raise resources for national security and public health expenditure.

Kerala HC orders BCI to approve two transgender seats in every state law college (Start of November) ▼

Interim direction to Bar Council of India to immediately approve creation of two dedicated seats for transgender students in all Kerala law colleges
Approval mandated within ten days of receiving the court order copy
Petition filed by a transgender woman denied admission to Government Law College, Kozhikode, despite qualifying KLEE 2025

Nayi Chetna 4.0 Launched to Combat Gender-Based Violence Nationwide (End of November) ▼

Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi launched Nayi Chetna 4.0.
Eleven Union ministries will collaborate under the campaign to eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence.
A tripartite inter-ministerial Letter of Intent was signed between the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the Ministry of Rural Development.
The campaign will run across all Indian States and Union Territories until December 23, 2025.

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN Launched to Rejuvenate Water Bodies and Strengthen Water Harvesting Systems

Key Updates:

Mission Watershed PUNARUTTHAN aims to 'Rejuvenate traditional water bodies, Restore degraded and vulnerable lands, Strengthen water harvesting systems, Promote sustainable rural livelihoods, Ensure community-driven watershed governance, Integrate programmes like MGNREGA for enhanced impact.'
The State-Level Watershed Mahotsav 2025 was inaugurated by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima, Nagaland.
Under PMKSY and watershed initiatives in Nagaland, '14 watershed projects approved, ₹140 crore sanctioned, with ₹80 crore released, 555 water harvesting structures renovated, 6,500+ farmers benefitted, 120 springs restored.'

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Watershed Mission: Revival of 150-Year-Old Waterbody in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of November) ▼

Scheme Name: Watershed Mission (under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana); Implementing Ministry: Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
Objective: “Conservation of both water and soil” and “save water and ensure water security for future generations”
Key Features: 21-acre tank revived at cost of Rs 1.20 crore; 5-acre plantation with 250 coconut trees, walking track, open-air theatre, open gym for multipurpose community use

India-Mauritius sign 7 MoUs and renew hydrography pact during Mauritian PM’s state visit (Mid of September) ▼

MoU on Science & Tech cooperation between India’s DST and Mauritius Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science and Research
MoU between CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (India) and Mauritius Oceanography Institute
MoU on Power-sector cooperation
Renewal of the MoU in the field of Hydrography
Agreement for setting up an Indian TTC Station in Mauritius and cooperation in space research

Live Updates: PM Narendra Modi arrives in Indore; to launch 'Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam' (Mid of September) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Indore and is scheduled to proceed by helicopter to Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh for his 75th birthday celebration.
He will launch the ‘Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar’ and the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah campaigns, aimed at improving women’s health services and promoting nutrition.
An instalment of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) will be released, directly crediting accounts of over one million women beneficiaries.
The ‘Ek Bagiya Maa Ke Naam’ campaign will be launched, promoting environmental stewardship and honouring motherhood.
As a symbolic gesture for the campaign, the Prime Minister will gift a sapling to a woman from a self-help group, encouraging more than 10,000 women to cultivate gardens named ‘Maa Ki Bagiya’.
Awareness sessions on yoga, Ayurveda, and healthy living will be organised, and nutrition camps will be held across the state.
Modi will lay the foundation stone for India’s first PM Mitra Textile Park in Bhainsola village, spread over 2,158 acres.
The textile park is intended to develop Madhya Pradesh into a textile hub, integrate the cotton processing chain, reduce costs, improve prices for farmers, attract investment, and generate thousands of jobs.
The Prime Minister’s birthday initiatives will focus on empowerment, progress, and inclusive development, reflecting a vision that combines welfare, environmental care, and industrial growth.
Over 1.5 lakh people have gathered at the domes to catch a glimpse of Prime Minister Modi.
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Mohan Yadav also reached the venue.

Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 to offer menstrual leaves and WFH flexibility

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

Karnataka government has readied the Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 a first of its kind legislation on the subject.
The proposed bill provides menstrual leave not only for working women in the formal sector but also for menstruating students in educational institutions, transgenders ASHAs, anganwadi, and midday meal personnel, and those working in mines.
While the working women will get one day leave per month, the menstrual leave for students is capped at two days in a month and will be supported by a 2% relaxation in overall attendance requirements for menstruating students in schools, colleges and universities both government and private.
As per the proposed bill, if the employee does not choose to avail of the leave, they will be entitled for work from home if the facility is available.
Not mandating a doctor’s certificate, the leave can be availed through a request on e-mail.
The Bill proposes to institute the Karnataka Women Wellbeing Authority to carry out purposes of the Bill.
A penalty of upto ₹5,000 for each contravention of the provision has been proposed for those who deny menstrual leave, ill treat or discriminate against menstruating individuals.

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Karnataka Approves Paid Menstrual Leave Policy (Start of November) ▼

Karnataka has become the first state in India to approve 12 days of paid menstrual leave annually for women employees.
This progressive policy is applicable to both government and private sectors, granting one day of leave per month.
The policy aims to support women’s health, dignity, and productivity in the workplace, reflecting a growing recognition of menstrual health as a legitimate workplace issue.
Under the new guidelines, all female employees across Karnataka — including those in the private sector — will be eligible for one paid day of leave each month due to menstruation-related discomfort or health challenges.
The decision sends a powerful message of empathy, equity, and realism in workplace policymaking by recognizing biological realities and boosting productivity and morale.

Ministry of Women and Child Development launches 100-day Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign (Start of December) ▼

The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is launching the 100-day Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat Campaign.
The campaign will be formally launched on 4 December, 2025.
The 100-day campaign period is from 27 November 2025 to 8 March 2026.
It aims to build a Child Marriage Free Bharat.
The campaign calls upon citizens, institutions, and community leaders to join the movement.
It follows a structured, three-spell plan.
The national drive will be implemented in close coordination with the Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, and Education.

Children's Day (Bal Diwas) in India: Date, History, and Significance (Mid of November) ▼

Children’s Day, or Bal Diwas, is observed in India every year on November 14.
The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, who was fondly known as Chacha Nehru.
Nehru believed that the progress of a nation depends on the proper nurturing and education of its young citizens and viewed children as the pillars of the nation’s future.
Initially, India followed the global observance of Universal Children’s Day on November 20, as recommended by the United Nations, but the Indian government decided in 1957 to celebrate it on November 14.
Children’s Day underscores the importance of protecting children’s rights, promoting their welfare, and recognizing their role as the foundation of the country’s future.
The day emphasizes the need to nurture young minds, protect their rights, and invest in their education and well-being, serving as a reminder that every child deserves love, care, and equal opportunities.
Schools and community groups across India celebrate Children’s Day with activities such as dance performances, skits, speeches, and art or writing competitions, often educating children about their rights and duties.

Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana: Secondary School Students to Explore India (Start of December) ▼

The 'Mukhyamantri Bharat Darshan Yojana' is an initiative for students studying in state government-run secondary schools in Bihar.
The scheme aims to take these students on tours of India's important sites and research institutions.
State’s education minister Sunil Kumar directed officials to implement this scheme, which is expected to come into effect in the next few months.
Potential destinations include historical monuments like the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Charminar of Hyderabad, and Agra Fort.
This new scheme for secondary school students expands upon the existing ‘Mukhyamantri Bihar Darshan Yojana’ for primary and middle school children touring within the state.

Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and Bharat-WIN Portal launched to support water innovation with grants-in-aid

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) launched the Jal Shakti Hackathon–2025 and the Bharat-WIN Portal under the National Water Mission.
Winning participants will receive a ₹1 lakh grant for developing a Proof-of-Concept (PoC).
The portal is open to startups, MSMEs, research institutions, young innovators, rural youth, women-led enterprises, academia, and global collaborators.
The National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, is the designated Project Implementation Agency (PIA).

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Mission Shakti 5.0 from first Navratri; women safety steps to intensify: Yogi (End of September) ▼

The fifth phase of Mission Shakti will commence on Sept 22 to coincide with the start of Shardiya Navratri and continue for 30 days.
Foot patrolling by police will be made more stringent while all PRV-112 vehicles will remain active on roads.
Senior police officers have been directed to personally engage with the public, inspect Police Lines and participate in patrols.
Women personnel should play a more active role, with female beat police officers sent to all 57,000 village panchayats and 14,000 urban wards.
Women police personnel will be specially deployed at temples, religious sites, fairs and other public places during Navratri and other upcoming festivals.
Anti-Romeo squads are allowed to take 'exemplary action' against miscreants, but only against 'actual offenders'.
Dialogues and conferences related to women's safety should be held in each district and short films should be shown in schools and colleges.

Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave: Digital Empowerment and Good Governance Challenge for Rural Development (Mid of September) ▼

The Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave was hosted by "The Quality Council of India (QCI) , in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj".
The event was "centered around the theme “Viksit Gram se Viksit Bharat”".
The conclave marked "the successful onboarding of over 60,000 Sarpanchs from across India onto the Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application , creating the nation’s first digital community of grassroots leaders".
The Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application "enables sarpanchs to share solutions, exchange ideas, and collaborate digitally to accelerate rural development."
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed "between QCI and DDWS , symbolizing a shared national commitment to water and sanitation-led rural development".
The conclave announced "the 100-Day Good Governance Challenge on the Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application".
The 100-Day Good Governance Challenge is "to run from September 17, 2025 (Prime Minister’s birthday) until December 25, 2025 (Good Governance Day)".
The challenge "will mobilize Sarpanch-led campaigns across the country, reinforcing Panchayats as catalysts of rural progress and good governance".

PMVBRY Scheme: Union Minister Urges States to Align Employment Programmes for Synergy (Mid of November) ▼

Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) launched in August this year with an outlay of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore to create 3.5 crore formal jobs.
Labour and Employment Minister Mansukh Mandaviya urged states to align their employment programmes with PMVBRY for maximum synergy and impact.
Labour Chowk Facilitation Centres (LCFCs) model being developed to convert unsafe roadside gathering points into structured hubs offering shelter, drinking water, sanitation, and direct access to welfare services.
Digital Labour Chowk mobile application launched as a multilingual platform to connect workers with employers digitally for transparent job matching.
Online Building and Construction Worker (BOCW) cess collection portal introduced for automatic cess calculation, online payment, and real-time monitoring.

Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025: Pan-India Passenger Service Initiative Launched (Mid of September) ▼

Scheme Name: 'Yatri Sewa Diwas 2025' launched by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu from Hindon Airport.
Objective: Improve passenger experience and reaffirm commitment to seamless, dignified travel under the 'Passenger First' principle.
Key Features: Free medical check-ups (especially for women under 'Swastha Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan'), cultural performances, quiz/painting contests, blood donation camp, eye check-ups for taxi drivers, tree plantation under 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', Wi-Fi enablement of all airports under Digital India Mission.

Your Money, Your Right Movement: Reclaiming Unclaimed Financial Assets

Key Updates:

The "Your Money, Your Right" movement is a nationwide push aimed at helping citizens reclaim unclaimed financial assets.
The campaign was launched on October 4.
The initiative has already facilitated the return of Rs 2,000 crore to rightful owners.
It seeks to streamline the settlement of unclaimed assets such as bank deposits, insurance payouts, dividends, shares, mutual funds, and pensions.
The effort brings together government agencies, regulators, banks, and financial institutions.
Special camps were organised in 477 districts between October and December 5, 2025, drawing participation from public representatives, district administrations, and officials from financial institutions.
Indian banks currently hold Rs 78,000 crore in unclaimed deposits, insurance companies have nearly Rs 14,000 crore, mutual fund houses account for around Rs 3,000 crore, and unclaimed dividends total Rs 9,000 crore.

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RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra releases National Strategy for Financial Inclusion (NSFI) 2025-30 (Start of December) ▼

NSFI 2025-30 emphasises synergistic ecosystem approach improving quality and consistency of last-mile access and effective usage of financial services.
NSFI 2025-30 lists five objectives called Panch-Jyoti and 47 action points.
NSFI 2025-30 adopts gender-sensitive approach for women-led financial inclusion.
NSFI 2025-30 includes differentiated strategies for improving financial resilience of households especially underserved and vulnerable segments.
NSFI 2025-30 focuses on improving availability and use of equitable responsible suitable and affordable financial services for households and micro enterprises.
NSFI 2025-30 synergises livelihood skill development and support ecosystem linkages with financial inclusion.
Earlier five-year strategy ending in 2024 achieved its objectives.
NSFI 2025-30 framed under Technical Group on Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy (TGFIFL).

National Legal Services Day and NALSA: Objectives and Observance (Start of November) ▼

National Legal Services Day is observed on November 9 to celebrate the establishment of the Legal Services Authorities Act of 1987.
The act, however, came into force eight years later, on November 9, 1995, which is why this date is celebrated every year.
It is on this date that the statutory body, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was set up.
The Constitution of India, as per Article 39A, provides equality access to justice for all. The NALSA was established on the very basis of this constitutional right.
On this day, State Legal Services Authorities (SLSAs) set up camps to raise awareness among the masses about free legal aid available to them, across the nation.
National Legal Services Day 2025 marks 30 years of NALSA.
This year’s theme, Justice for All: Through the Lens of Legal Aid, highlights free legal aid and equal access to justice.
NALSA has organised a National Photography and Art Showcase titled “Justice for All: Through the Lens of Legal Aid," which serves as the theme for National Legal Services Day, 2025.
The nation-wide initiative is intended to shine the spotlight on the vital importance and need of free legal aid to ensure justice reaches to all, irrespective of their social or economic standing.

India to deploy indigenous Integrated Air Defence Weapon System to protect Delhi NCR

Key Updates:

India is moving towards deploying its own home grown integrated air defence system to protect the Delhi National Capital Region from enemy aerial threats like missiles, drones and fast moving aircraft.
The multilayered Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) would be based around the indigenous air defence missiles such as the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile systems and Very Short Range Air Defence Systems.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would be working with production agencies who will work on the networking and command and control systems required for such a complicated air defence system.
India had earlier planned to deploy the US-made National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System-II (NASAMS-II) but did not move forward on the deal as the Americans were asking for a very high price.
The IADWS would be responsible for protecting the vital installations in the national capital region and is the responsibility of the Indian Air Force.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) transfers seven indigenous technologies to Indian Armed Forces and approves 12 new defence projects (Start of December) ▼

DRDO has handed over seven cutting-edge technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to the three Services.
Technologies include an indigenous high-voltage power supply for airborne self-protection jammers, a tide-efficient gangway for naval jetties, advanced very low frequency–high frequency switching matrix systems, VLF loop aerials for underwater platforms, an indigenous waterjet propulsion system for fast interceptor craft, a novel process for recovery of lithium precursors from used lithium-ion batteries, and a long-life seawater battery system for sustained underwater sensing and surveillance applications.
The handover took place at the meeting of the Empowered Committee of DRDO, held at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat.
The Committee approved 12 new projects spanning strategic, aerospace, naval and electronic warfare technologies.

Indian Air Force Western Air Command Commanders' Conference Concludes on November 28 (End of November) ▼

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan has told a gathering of IAF commanders the need for continuous adaptation, tactical innovation and strategic foresight in the evolving security environment.
He said this in his address at the two-day Commanders' Conference of the Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force which ended on November 28.
The theme of the event was ' Vikashil Saksham Bharatiya Vayu Sena '.
IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh in his address called upon all air warriors to uphold the core value of mission, integrity and excellence, as he also reaffirmed the force's commitment to national security.
Prof Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India, also spoke at the Western Air Command Commanders' Conference 2025.
He emphasised that a self-reliant and technologically advanced Indian Air Force remains essential for protecting India's sovereign interests.
K Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General (Aero), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), gave a talk on Future Technologies in Airborne surveillance System, and underscored the rising importance of autonomous aerial systems, long endurance platforms and space-enabled ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance).
Discussions and brainstorming were also undertaken towards embracing 'Atmanirbharta' in all aspects of operational thought and furthering the nation's and the IAF's commitment towards becoming a true 'Made in India' and 'Made for India' force.

India launches Mission Sudarshan Chakra for indigenous integrated air & missile defense shield (Mid of September) ▼

Mission Sudarshan Chakra announced by PM Modi as national programme to develop multi-layered integrated air and missile defense shield covering strategic and civilian sites by 2035
Programme to integrate cyber defense and counter-strike weapons; existing systems include Indo-Israeli Barak-8, Russian S-400, DRDO’s Project Kusha long-range interceptor and IADWS short-range laser/missile system
Analysts expect emphasis on indigenous solutions; DRDO developing 150–400 km range Kusha interceptors and new Ballistic Missile Defence system alongside Prithvi/Ashiwin BMD and ASAT weapons

DRDO to supply Indian Army & IAF 16 indigenous laser-based drone detection-cum-interception systems (Mid of November) ▼

System name: Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (Mark 2) developed by DRDO
Engagement specification: 10-kilowatt laser beam disables enemy UAVs at 2 km range, doubling the 1 km reach of the earlier version
Procurement scale: Indian Army and Indian Air Force jointly placing order for 16 units
Technology progression: DRDO has also test-fired a 30-kilowatt directed-energy weapon that can engage targets out to 5 km
Demonstration milestone: April showcase used 30-kW laser to shoot down fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and swarm drones, placing India among US, China and Russia with proven capability

India Hosts 3rd Session of International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Council in Mumbai

[International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)]

Key Updates:

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal virtually inaugurated the 3rd Session of the Council of the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) in Mumbai.
The session is organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The event brings together 42 IALA Council Members, 3 AIMG Members, 11 international observers, IALA Secretariat delegates, and representatives from over 30 countries.
India launched a Digital Ticketing Portal for Lighthouse Tourism to streamline visitor access to 75 lighthouse destinations across the country.
All lighthouses in India are now fully solar powered, and tourism footfall at these sites has seen significant growth.
India is a proactive member of the IALA Council, contributing to technical cooperation, training programmes, and standard-setting for safe navigation.

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India to Host UNESCO Global Heritage Committee Session at Red Fort (Start of December) ▼

India will host the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from 8 to 13 December 2025 at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
The session will examine new nominations for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and review safeguarding status of inscribed elements.

IndiaAI Mission, MeitY and Government of Meghalaya host first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong (Start of December) ▼

The IndiaAI Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Information Technology & Communications Department, Government of Meghalaya, and IIM Shillong, organised the first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong.
The conference theme was 'Artificial Intelligence for Citizen Empowerment: Smarter Governance, Better Lives'.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, 'Our mission is to democratize AI so that every citizen can access its benefits.'
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled three initiatives: the BHASHINI Hackathon for Khasi and Garo language model training; MeghDEE for co-creating digital innovation; and the DRISHTI-NE Hackathon for youth AI innovation.
An MoU was signed between the Information Technology & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, and the IndiaAI Mission for establishing two Data & AI Labs in the state.
Another MoU was signed between the same department and MATH T-Hub for setting up a Satellite Incubation Centre in Shillong.
The event serves as a precursor to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from February 15-20, 2026.

BIMSTEC-India Marine Research Network (BIMReN) holds first biennial meet in Kochi (Mid of November) ▼

BIMReN is an initiative of India’s External Affairs Ministry launched in 2024
The first biennial conference took place in Kochi from the 4th to the 6th of this month
Pilot phase has linked 25 institutions and over 50 researchers from BIMSTEC countries

India Internet Governance Forum 2025 convenes in New Delhi to shape inclusive and AI-driven Digital India (End of November) ▼

The fifth edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF 2025) will convene on 27–28 November in New Delhi.
The forum is organised as India's national chapter of the UN Internet Governance Forum and operates on a multistakeholder model.
Union Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, will inaugurate the event as Chief Guest.
The theme for IIGF 2025 is 'Advancing Internet Governance for an Inclusive and Sustainable Viksit Bharat'.
The three sub-themes are: Inclusive Digital Future, Digital Infrastructure for Resilient and Sustainable Growth, and AI for People, Planet and Progress.
The event will be held across two venues: India Habitat Centre on day one and India International Centre on day two.
IIGF 2025 will feature four panel discussions and twelve workshops covering data governance, cybersecurity, AI ethics, and digital inclusion.

India and Brunei hold inaugural Joint Working Group meeting on Defence Cooperation on Dec 10 2025

[Brunei]

Key Updates:

The inaugural meeting of the India-Brunei Joint Working Group (JWG) on Defence Cooperation was held in New Delhi, marking a key step in advancing defence engagement between the two countries.
The Ministry of Defence said the talks centred on expanding military-to-military exchanges and joint training, strengthening maritime security cooperation with a focus on sea lane safety and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), enhancing capacity-building initiatives, and identifying opportunities for industry partnerships and technology cooperation.
The meeting was co-chaired by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, and Poh Kui Choon, Deputy Permanent Secretary in Brunei's Ministry of Defence.
Before the deliberations began, both sides signed the Terms of Reference (ToR), formally establishing the JWG on Defence Cooperation.
During her two-day visit, Choon also met Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi, adding a diplomatic dimension to the technical discussions held under the JWG.
Both delegations noted the increasing momentum in defence cooperation and agreed to pursue a structured roadmap under the JWG mechanism.
They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

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India hosts 7th CSC NSA meeting, strengthens regional security ties (End of November) ▼

India hosted the Seventh National Security Adviser-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
Top security officials attended from Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, with Seychelles as Observer and Malaysia as first-time Guest.
NSA Ajit Doval chaired the Conclave in the National capital.
The meeting reviewed regional security cooperation and agreed to deepen collaboration across five core pillars.
Seychelles' decision to accede as a full member was welcomed.
The CSC formally adopted its founding documents in Sri Lanka in August 2024.
India’s appointed first Secretary General presented a detailed review of progress since the 6th NSA-level meeting held in Mauritius in December 2023.
Activities were reported under the five pillars: Maritime Safety and Security; Countering Terrorism and Radicalisation; Combating Trafficking and Transnational Organised Crime; Cyber Security and Protection of Critical Infrastructure and Technology; and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.
Countries discussed expanding training, capacity building and joint initiatives under each pillar.
Delegations were led by Maldives' NSA Ibrahim Latheef, Mauritius' NSA Rahul Rasgotra, Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Sampath Thuyacontha, and Bangladesh's NSA Dr Khalil-ur-Rehman.
Seychelles was represented by Major General Michael Rosette, Chief of Defence Forces.
Malaysia was represented by Badrul Shah Mohd Idris, Deputy Director General of its National Security Council.

Rajnath Singh at ADMM-Plus: Indo-Pacific must stay open and free from coercion (Start of November) ▼

Event: ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Participants: ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the US
India currently co-chairs the ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for the 2024–2027 cycle

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attends ADMM-Plus in Kuala Lumpur, emphasizes open Indo-Pacific (Start of November) ▼

The event attended by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indo-Pacific should remain open, inclusive and free from coercion.
ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the US.
India has co-chaired Expert Working Groups within ADMM-Plus on Humanitarian Mine Action with Vietnam (2014-2017), Military Medicine with Myanmar (2017-2020), Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief with Indonesia (2020-2024), and currently on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia (2024–2027 cycle).
The ASEAN-India partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

India & France ink pact for joint R&D. The aim—to develop solutions for future defence challenges (End of November) ▼

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) Thursday signed a technical agreement to deepen bilateral collaboration in the field of research and development.
The agreement, signed by DRDO chief Samir V. Kamat and France’s armaments director Gael Diaz de Tuesta, is an overarching pact enabling joint R&D, not tied to any one project.
This strategic partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise and resources of all stakeholders to develop innovative solutions for future defence challenges, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.
The agreement provides a formal framework for joint research and training programmes, testing activities, exchange of information, organisation of workshops, seminars etc. to enhance the skill and knowledge in defence R&D.
Under the agreement, the transfer of equipment, know-how and technologies will be available to both countries.
Key areas of cooperation outlined in this agreement include aeronautical platforms, unmanned vehicles, advanced materials for defence applications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, space, navigation, advanced propulsion, advanced sensors, quantum technologies, underwater technologies and other areas of mutual interest, the statement said.
Both countries are looking at declaring 2026 as the ‘India-France year of innovation’ which will not be limited to just pure defence.
France was India’s first strategic partner and an agreement to this effect was signed on 26 January 1998.

China and Brazil begin building joint space laboratory

[China, Brazil, United States]

Key Updates:

China and Brazil have begun building a joint laboratory for space technologies, Chinese state-owned defence electronics firm CETC said.
CETC’s Network Communications Research Institute signed an agreement with Brazil’s Federal University of Campina Grande and the Federal University of Paraíba to establish the China–Brazil Joint Laboratory for Radio Astronomy Technology.
The joint laboratory will support frontier research for astronomical observation and deep-space exploration.
The laboratory initiative comes as China and Brazil make progress on the BINGO radio telescope, designed to help study the universe’s structure and dark energy.
The BINGO radio telescope, billed as South America’s largest radio telescope, is scheduled for completion in 2026.

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US and China Discuss Direct Military Channels (Start of November) ▼

The U.S. and China have agreed that the two countries should set up military-to-military channels.
U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
The meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth and China's Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun took place in Malaysia.
The purpose of these channels is to reduce conflict and deescalate any problems that arise in the future.
The meeting followed President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping in South Korea.
U.S. and Chinese officials would have more meetings about setting up the channels.

US, South Korea, Japan launch 'Freedom Edge' trilateral drills off Jeju Island (Mid of September) ▼

Exercise Name: Freedom Edge (trilateral air and naval drills)
Participants: United States, South Korea, Japan
Location: Off South Korea’s Jeju Island
Duration: Monday to Friday (no specific dates given)
Key Features: Enhanced ballistic-missile and air-defence scenarios; described by US Indo-Pacific Command as 'the most advanced demonstration of trilateral defence cooperation to date'
Stated Objective: Improve allies’ ability to counter North Korean nuclear and missile threats (per South Korean Defence Ministry)

Shenzhou-21 docks with Tiangong space station 3.5 hours after launch (Start of November) ▼

Shenzhou-21 spacecraft docked at the forward port of Tiangong’s Tianhe core module at 3:22 p.m. Eastern (1922 UTC) Oct. 31, according to CMSEO.
The mission carries commander Zhang Lu and crewmates Zhang Hongzhang and Wu Fei for a roughly six-month stay aboard Tiangong.
Science agenda includes space life sciences, biotechnology, fluid physics, space medicine, materials science, combustion, and reproduction experiments with four black mice.
Long March 2F rocket launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 11:44 a.m. Eastern (1544 UTC).
China is developing the Long March 10 rocket, Mengzhou crew spacecraft, Lanyue lunar lander, Wangyu lunar suit, and crew lunar rover for a crewed lunar landing before 2030.

Trump-Takaichi Tokyo Summit: US-Japan Critical Minerals & Rare Earths Supply Pact Signed (End of October) ▼

Event: Bilateral summit at Akasaka Palace, Tokyo, between U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Agreement signed: "to assist both countries in achieving resilience and security of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains" and "jointly identify projects of interest to address gaps in supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, including derivative products such as permanent magnets, batteries, catalysts, and optical materials."
Defence commitment: PM Takaichi pledged to "fast-track plans to increase defence spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product (GDP)."
Economic package: Japan expected to offer a "$550bn deal" covering "shipbuilding and increased purchases of US soya beans, natural gas and pick-up trucks."

India and Brazil sign tripartite MoU to boost Scorpène submarine maintenance and defence ties

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

A landmark tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.
The MoU focuses on the exchange of information related to the maintenance of Scorpène-class submarines and other naval vessels.
The agreement aims to enhance life-cycle support, enable experience sharing in maintenance, logistics, and training, and strengthen cooperation between government agencies and industry of both nations.
The MoU will further boost Defence Research and Development (R&D) collaboration and drive technological innovation in sustaining Scorpène-class submarines and other naval platforms.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Brazil.
In July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Brazil, where he and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva decided to charter a strategic roadmap to strengthen bilateral ties, including defence and security.
India and Brazil recognized convergent views and strategic complementarities in defence and security matters.
An Agreement on the Exchange and Mutual Protection of Classified Information was signed, enabling deeper cooperation in various strategic areas.
A Bilateral Cybersecurity Dialogue was established to deepen cooperation through the exchange of information, experiences, and national perspectives on cybersecurity issues.

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Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi begins official visit to Brazil to deepen maritime partnership (Start of December) ▼

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has commenced an official visit to Brazil from 9–12 December 2025.
The visit is aimed at deepening the expanding maritime partnership between the Indian Navy and the Brazilian Navy.
Admiral Tripathi is scheduled to hold discussions with Mr. Jose Mucio, Defence Minister of Brazil, Admiral Renato Rodrigues de Aguiar Freire, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Brazilian Armed Forces, and Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy.
Discussions will cover maritime domain awareness, joint patrols, naval interoperability, capacity building, training collaboration, and technology cooperation.
The visit highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to enhancing naval diplomacy and maritime security cooperation with nations across the South Atlantic and the Global South.

Russia ratifies RELOS pact with India ahead of Putin's December 4 visit (Start of December) ▼

Russia ratified the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) military logistics pact with India.
The RELOS pact aims to streamline mutual support for troop movements, equipment, and military platforms.
Russia’s State Duma approved the agreement just days ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to New Delhi on December 4.
The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS) pact was originally signed on February 18 between the governments of India and Russia.
The RELOS framework establishes a mechanism for both countries to support each other’s military assets, personnel, ships, and aircraft when operating within each other’s territory.
The pact will guide cooperation during routine operations, bilateral and multilateral military exercises, training engagements, humanitarian relief operations, and disaster response efforts.
The agreement would facilitate mutual use of airspace and allow port calls by warships from both nations.

India and Ecuador Sign MoU on Diplomatic Training Cooperation and Inaugurate Embassy (Start of November) ▼

India and Ecuador signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation between their diplomatic training institutions.
The MoU was signed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita and Ecuador’s Foreign and Human Mobility Affairs Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld.
The resident Embassy of India was jointly inaugurated in Ecuador’s capital Quito.

Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin visits India to deepen Strategic Partnership (End of October) ▼

Brazilian Vice-President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, arrived in New Delhi on 15 October for a three-day official visit (15-17 October).
During the visit, Alckmin met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 15 October and is scheduled to meet Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
The visit follows the sixth India-Brazil Strategic Dialogue (3 October) that reviewed cooperation in defence, energy, rare earths, health, and multilateral forums (BRICS, IBSA, COP-30).
Both nations target raising bilateral trade to USD 20 billion within five years; merchandise trade in FY 2024-25 reached USD 12.19 billion, making Brazil India’s largest LAC trading partner.
The seventh India-Brazil Trade Monitoring Mechanism meeting (7 October) discussed expanding the India-MERCOSUR PTA and collaboration in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, MSMEs, banking, and visa facilitation.

United States releases National Security Strategy reviving Monroe Doctrine and limiting NATO expansion

[United States]

Key Updates:

The Trump administration unveiled a new National Security Strategy Thursday evening, calling for a greater emphasis in the Western Hemisphere.
The 33-page strategy document says, 'After years of neglect, the United States will reassert and enforce the Monroe Doctrine to restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere.'
The NSS dubs the changes the 'Trump Corollary' with the goal of enlisting 'established friends' in the region to help control migration, curtail the flow of drugs and strengthen stability.
The first bullet in the 'priorities' section states, 'The era of mass migration is over,' stating that 'border security is the primary element of national security.'
The NSS states, 'We will oppose elite-driven, anti-democratic restrictions on core liberties in Europe, the Anglosphere, and the rest of the world, especially among our allies.'
The document expressly states that the largest issue facing Europe is the 'Stark prospect of civilizational erasure.'
The NSS calls for ending the 'perception' and 'preventing the reality' of NATO’s continued expansion.
It calls on Washington to increase diplomatic relations with Moscow to reestablish conditions for regional 'strategic stability.'
The NSS says the US wants to build up a military capable of 'denying aggression' within the First Island Chain.
Deterring a conflict over Taiwan remains a 'priority' and the US does not support unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

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South Korea reaffirms denuclearization goal; APEC Summit and U.S. negotiations discussed (Mid of September) ▼

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac reaffirmed that "Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the ultimate goal that both Korea and the United States have traditionally upheld, and that will not change, whether North Korea likes it or not."
Wi's remarks echoed "President Lee Jae Myung’s three-step denuclearization roadmap — freeze, reduce, dismantle — first outlined in an interview with the Japanese press on Aug. 21."
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend "the APEC summit in Gyeongju in October and meet President Lee on the sidelines, according to the acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea."
Ongoing "South Korea-U.S. negotiations on tariffs" have hit a snag over "the implementation and profit-sharing of South Korea’s $350 billion investment fund pledged to the United States," despite a deal reached on July 30.
South Korea is pushing to revise "the South Korea-U.S. nuclear cooperation agreement" due to "economic and industrial concerns," including issues related to spent fuel storage.

Trump designates Saudi Arabia major non-NATO ally; approves F-35 sale (Mid of November) ▼

Saudi Arabia formally designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States
US approves future deliveries of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia; kingdom agrees to purchase 300 American tanks
Saudi Arabia commits almost $1 trillion investment in the US, including $142bn for F-35 procurement
Joint declaration signed on completion of civil-nuclear energy cooperation negotiations
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman repeats Saudi condition for joining Abraham Accords: securing a clear path to a two-state solution

US Launches Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR in Latin America (Mid of November) ▼

United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth formally announced the launch of a US military operation called “Operation SOUTHERN SPEAR.”
The mission is “Led by Joint Task Force Southern Spear and @SOUTHCOM.”
The stated objective of the mission is to “defend our Homeland, remove narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere, and secure our Homeland from the drugs that are killing our people.”
SOUTHCOM’s area of responsibility “covers 31 countries through South America, Central America and the Caribbean.”
The USS Gerald R Ford, described as “the most advanced US aircraft carrier, is expected to arrive off the coast of Venezuela within days.”
Venezuela’s Ministry of Defence mobilized “almost 200,000 troops… for a two-day exercise to improve Venezuela’s readiness to respond to the “imperialist threat”.”

US and China Discuss Direct Military Channels (Start of November) ▼

The U.S. and China have agreed that the two countries should set up military-to-military channels.
U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth met with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.
The meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth and China's Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun took place in Malaysia.
The purpose of these channels is to reduce conflict and deescalate any problems that arise in the future.
The meeting followed President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping in South Korea.
U.S. and Chinese officials would have more meetings about setting up the channels.

Indian Air Force celebrates 1971 victory legacy with aerial power display

Key Updates:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday staged a breathtaking aerial display at Air Force Station Mohanbari to commemorate Vijay Diwas, marking the anniversary of India’s decisive victory in the 1971 war leading Pakistan’s surrender and subsequent birth of Bangladesh.
The event was attended by Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who warmly recalled the IAF’s pivotal role in the conflict and underscored the enduring lesson of jointmanship.
Organised by Shillong-based Eastern Air Command headquarters, the celebration showcased frontline assets including Sukhoi Su-30 fighters, Dornier Do-228 surveillance aircraft, Antonov An-32 transport planes, and heavy-lift platforms such as the Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh highlighted the indispensable coordination between the services, noting that river crossings, air drops, and operations in the Western Sector were possible only through close cooperation between the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

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Army Service Corps Day celebrated on 265th anniversary (Start of December) ▼

Army Service Corps Day marks the 265th anniversary of the Army Service Corps (ASC).
The ASC was established in 1760 and is one of the oldest and largest logistic arms of the Indian Army.
The celebration took place at ASC Centre & College, Bengaluru, the Alma Mater of the Corps.
Lt Gen JK Gera, Commandant, ASC Centre & College, led the wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial.
A separate wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Animal Transport Memorial to honour animals and their handlers.
The motto of the Army Service Corps is 'Seva Asmakam Dharma'.

Indian Armed Forces Flag Day observed on December 7 (Start of December) ▼

Indian Armed Forces Flag Day is observed annually on December 7.
The day was established on December 7, 1949, to pay nationwide tribute to the armed forces.
Citizens contribute voluntary donations to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) for war widows, disabled soldiers, and ex-servicemen.
Small flags in red, deep blue, and light blue signify support for the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively.

India-Pakistan War of 1965: Major Dhirendra Singh Awarded Vir Chakra for Gallantry (End of September) ▼

The article commemorates the India-Pakistan war of 1965.
Major Dhirendra Singh of the Kumaon Regiment was awarded the Vir Chakra.
The Vir Chakra is the country's third highest wartime gallantry award.
On September 18, 1965, Major Dhirendra Nath Singh was commanding a company of a Battalion of Kumaon Regiment which was ordered to capture Keri.
Despite losing a leg from a mine blast, Major Singh silenced an enemy MMG (medium machine gun) and led his men to capture the post.

Indian Army conducts Inno-Yoddha 2025 at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi (Start of December) ▼

Inno-Yoddha 2025, the Indian Army’s annual Idea & Innovation Competition, was held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
A record 89 innovations were submitted, of which 32 were selected for further development.
Five innovations have already undergone Transfer of Technology (ToT) to industry, including Exploder (FC Tech), Agniastra (Red Kite Digital Tech), Vidyut Rakshak (IS Trading Co), Baaz Attack Drone, and Multi-purpose Octacopter.
Over the past five years, 117 ideas have been selected, 47 productised, 30 IPRs filed, and five innovations transferred to industry.
The initiative supports the Indian Army’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and indigenous development.

Italy's Deputy PM Tajani calls India a 'long-trusted friend' and 'priority' during visit

[Italy]

Key Updates:

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani is on a three-day visit to India.
The visit aims to further reinvigorate the economic partnership between the two countries.
India is described as a 'long-trusted friend' and a 'priority' for Italy.
The Italian foreign ministry has launched a dedicated financing line to India of Euro 500 million to support Italian companies.
Italy and India unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic action plan in November last year.
The volume of annual bilateral trade between Italy and India is around Euro 14 billion.
Italy fully backs the India-European Union (EU) free trade agreement (FTA).

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India to host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in third week of January (Start of December) ▼

India will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for his first visit to the country after assuming office.
Merz is expected to visit India in the third week of Jan for a summit with PM Narendra Modi.
This engagement follows President Putin's visit and precedes the India-EU summit scheduled for Jan 27.
Discussions will focus on trade, technology, and sustainable development, building on existing partnerships.
Germany's support for Ukraine and shared concerns over the Indo-Pacific will also be key topics.
The leaders had earlier met on the margins of the G7 summit in Canada where they agreed to diversify the strategic partnership.
Germany is also a key partner for India in maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam on 7-day India visit to deepen Enhanced Strategic Partnership (Mid of September) ▼

State visit by Mauritius PM Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam and spouse Veena Ramgoolam, 9-16 September
Cities covered: Mumbai, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Dehradun, Tirupati, Delhi
Bilateral talks scheduled with PM Narendra Modi and courtesy call on President Droupadi Murmu

PM Modi Tamil Nadu Visit LIVE Updates: Natural Farming Summit, PM-KISAN release, Stalin’s Metro row (End of November) ▼

PM Modi will inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit in Coimbatore.
PM Modi will release over Rs 18,000 crore to farmers under the 21st instalment of PM-KISAN, benefiting 9 crore farmers nationwide.
PM Modi will arrive in Coimbatore at 1:30 pm from Puttaparthi after attending the centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The summit will promote natural and regenerative farming, strengthen market linkages for FPOs and rural entrepreneurs, and showcase innovations in organic inputs, agro-processing, eco-friendly packaging, and indigenous technologies.
More than 50,000 farmers, experts, and stakeholders from Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states are expected to attend the summit.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accused the Centre of denying Metro rail projects to Madurai and Coimbatore, calling it “political revenge” against an Opposition-ruled state.
Stalin wrote an open letter to the PM seeking urgent support for the state’s bumper harvest and monsoon-related needs ahead of Modi’s Coimbatore visit.
The Tamil Nadu BJP launched the “#VanakkamModi” campaign, calling PM Modi “a true friend of every farmer.”
IMD has issued fresh alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and heavy showers through the week in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.
Chennai could see heavier rain forecast for Saturday and Sunday, with parents advised to stay in touch with schools for updates.

Prime Minister inaugurates Panchjanya and attends Shaheedi Diwas event in Kurukshetra (End of November) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly built ‘Panchjanya,’ a structure dedicated to the sacred conch of Lord Krishna.
He will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive centre showcasing key events from the Mahabharata.
PM Modi will take part in a special programme marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur and release a commemorative coin and stamp in his honour.
He will offer Darshan and perform Pooja at the sacred Brahma Sarovar, associated with the divine revelation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
His visit coincides with the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra.

IIT Madras and IndiaAI Mission to Host Meet on Safe, Trusted AI Ahead of India-AI Impact Summit 2026

Key Updates:

The Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will host a pre-summit meet on safe and trusted artificial intelligence.
The pre-summit meet will take place in Chennai.
The conclave aims to shape AI Safety Commons proposals and governance models for the Global South.
The meeting will discuss steps to create an AI Safety Commons for the Global South, including shared datasets, benchmarks and governance resources.
Discussions will also look at how responsible AI principles can be implemented through governance and regulatory models suited to different cultural, legal and technological environments.
The outcomes will feed into the roadmap for the India–AI Impact Summit and support India’s role in shaping a global AI framework centred on trust, safety and inclusion.
The India–AI Impact Summit will take place at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
This is the first time the summit will be held in the Global South.
Concerns around fairness, accountability and misuse underline the need for frameworks that can be used across global contexts.

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IndiaAI Mission, MeitY and Government of Meghalaya host first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong (Start of December) ▼

The IndiaAI Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Information Technology & Communications Department, Government of Meghalaya, and IIM Shillong, organised the first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong.
The conference theme was 'Artificial Intelligence for Citizen Empowerment: Smarter Governance, Better Lives'.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, 'Our mission is to democratize AI so that every citizen can access its benefits.'
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled three initiatives: the BHASHINI Hackathon for Khasi and Garo language model training; MeghDEE for co-creating digital innovation; and the DRISHTI-NE Hackathon for youth AI innovation.
An MoU was signed between the Information Technology & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, and the IndiaAI Mission for establishing two Data & AI Labs in the state.
Another MoU was signed between the same department and MATH T-Hub for setting up a Satellite Incubation Centre in Shillong.
The event serves as a precursor to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from February 15-20, 2026.

Microsoft commits $17.5 billion for India’s AI-first future (Start of December) ▼

Microsoft will invest USD 17.5 billion in India over the next four years (2026-2029) to drive AI diffusion at a population scale.
The investment comes on top of Microsoft’s earlier commitment of USD 3 billion announced in January 2025.
Google will invest $15 billion in India over the next five years to establish its first AI hub in Visakhapatnam.
OpenAI will open an India office after ChatGPT usage in the country grew fourfold over the past year.
AI firm Perplexity partnered with Indian telecom giant Airtel to offer 360 million customers a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription.

India’s 2025 AI Leap: BharatGen Multimodal LLU, 34,000-GPU Compute Pool, and Ethical Governance (Start of December) ▼

India’s national compute capacity crossed 34,000 GPUs under the IndiaAI Mission.
BharatGen AI, the first multimodal large language model built to work across 22 Indian languages, was launched on June 2, 2025.
Over Rs. 10,300 crore was allocated to the IndiaAI Mission over five years for infrastructure, talent, safety, and data access.
Bhashini, India’s multilingual AI platform, signed an MoU with the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) to provide services in 22 languages at railway stations.

Intellipaat partners with IndiaAI Mission to roll out nationwide AI literacy programme (Mid of November) ▼

Intellipaat has partnered with the IndiaAI Mission under MeitY to launch the 'YUVAi for ALL' programme aimed at making India AI-literate
The initiative will provide free training on Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI to students, teachers, and professionals
Participants will receive Government-recognized certification upon completion of the programme
The programme includes AI awareness workshops, GenAI tool demonstrations, community learning drives, and foundation AI literacy e-learning videos
The collaboration aligns with the Government's vision to empower 10 million citizens with essential AI skills by January 2026

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discover two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya.
The species are named Asemonea dentis and Colyttus nongwar.
Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are known for their exceptional vision, agile movement, and web-free predatory behaviour.
Asemonea dentis is only the third species from its little-known genus to be reported in India, with its name deriving from dentis, Latin for 'tooth', referring to a distinctive tooth-like projection on the male's palpal femur.
Colyttus nongwar represents just the second Indian species of the Oriental genus Colyttus, named after Nongwar village in Meghalaya.
Meghalaya is one of the world's richest ecological frontiers, and the northeast is a vital component of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.

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Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) discovers India’s first raft spider, Dolomedes indicus, in Western Ghats streams (Start of December) ▼

Researchers identified Dolomedes indicus in the evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats, specifically in Lakkidi and Periya areas of Wayanad district, Kerala.
Dolomedes indicus is an active, semi-aquatic predator that uses water surface tension to detect prey vibrations and captures insects or small fish with rapid movements.
The species can swim and dive; one female remained submerged for nearly an hour and a half, breathing via air trapped by hydrophobic body hairs.
Males exhibit a distinctive snow-white marking from face to back centre, while larger females display greenish-brown coloration for camouflage among mossy rocks and foliage.
Genetic and morphological analyses confirmed Dolomedes indicus as a new species, providing the first verified record of the Dolomedes genus in India.
Specimens have been permanently preserved and deposited in the Insect Collection of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) for future study.
The spider thrives only in pristine, cool forest streams, making it a potential indicator species for monitoring freshwater ecosystem health.

Wildlife Institute of India (WII) discovers 13 new bush frog species in Northeast India (Start of December) ▼

A comprehensive five-year study by scientists at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) led to the discovery of 13 new amphibian species across Northeast India.
The study was based on extensive sampling across 81 localities in eight states, including 25 protected areas.
Of the 13 new bush frog species, six were found in Arunachal Pradesh, three in Meghalaya and one each in Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur.
The study integrates acoustic, genetic and morphological analyses, and re-examines century-old museum specimens from the Indo-Burma region.
Bush frogs bypass the tadpole stage entirely: their eggs hatch directly into froglets, making them independent of standing water and reliant on humid forest microhabitats.

Scientists Discover New Trapdoor Spider Species in California's Coastal Dunes (Start of November) ▼

A new spider species, named Aptostichus ramirezae, was discovered.
This species is a type of trapdoor spider found hidden in California's coastal sand dunes.
The discovery was made by a team of scientists from UC Davis, with Jason Bond as the senior author of the study.
Scientists found that this new spider is genetically quite different from its closest relatives, even though they appear similar.
Female spiders of this species live very long lives, more than 15 years, spending their entire lives in underground burrows.
The natural habitat of Aptostichus ramirezae is rapidly being destroyed by rising sea levels, urbanisation, and wildfires, placing the species at risk of extinction.
The new species was named in honour of Martina Giselle Ramirez, Dean of the College of Science at California State University, Stanislaus.

AvironiX Drones Unveils AviSpray-10c for Precision Farming in India

Key Updates:

AvironiX Drones, a Chennai-based deep-tech drone company, launched the AviSpray-10c, a compact, backpack-sized agricultural spraying drone.
The AviSpray-10c is 53% smaller than current generation drones, designed to reduce cost, operational complexity, and manpower requirements for crop spraying.
The drone has been validated through extensive real-world deployment across over 6,000 acres of Indian farmland, including demanding crops like sugarcane and paddy.
It features a high-efficiency hexacopter flight architecture, offering an endurance of up to 5 acres per battery charge, which represents a 60% improvement over most comparable platforms.
The AviSpray-10c provides a 2x improvement in spraying accuracy and integrates advanced safety systems like terrain-following radar and collision-avoidance systems.
Engineered specifically for India's environmental and agricultural realities, including heat, dust, humidity, and wind, the drone is designed in Ambattur and built in Maramalainagar.
Its backpack-sized form factor enables transport on scooters and bicycles, eliminating the need for bulky transport vehicles and permanent drone mounting boxes.
AvironiX is developing a proprietary microscopic MEMS plant-sensing technology with its Australian partner, Magic Wavelength, for future real-time data-driven agricultural spraying.
This upcoming technology is expected to unlock up to 30 times more plant-health data than current industry solutions.

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India to procure additional Israeli Heron Mk II UAVs under emergency provisions (Start of December) ▼

India is procuring additional advanced satellite-linked Heron Mark II unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel under emergency provisions invoked after Operation Sindoor.
Emergency procurement allows the armed forces to directly procure complete weapon systems up to ₹300 crore.
Following Operation Sindoor, all three services have opted for the Heron Mk II under emergency procurement.
The Heron Mark II has an endurance of 45 hours and a service ceiling of 35,000 feet.
It is equipped with satellite communication, automatic take-off and landing systems, and advanced electro-optical/infrared sensors.
India’s armed forces have initiated a tri-service programme to acquire 87 Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAVs under the Make in India initiative.
The estimated value of the Make in India MALE UAV project is over ₹20,000 crore.
The order will be split between two Indian vendors in a 64:36 ratio, enabling at least 60 per cent indigenous content.

Dr Jitendra Singh Launches Indigenous Hansa-3 NG Trainer Aircraft at CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) (Start of December) ▼

CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) developed the Hansa-3 NG as India's first all-composite airframe two-seater trainer aircraft for PPL and CPL training.
Industry partner M/s Pioneer Clean Amps is setting up a facility at Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, to produce up to 100 Hansa-3 NG aircraft annually.
CSIR-NAL is developing the 19-seater SARAS Mk-2 Light Transport Aircraft with pressurised cabin, digital avionics, glass cockpit, autopilot, and command-by-wire flight controls.
Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Iron Bird Facility for SARAS Mk-2 for full-system integration and ground testing of aircraft subsystems.
CSIR-NAL inaugurated a manufacturing facility for High Altitude Platforms (HAPs), solar-powered unmanned aircraft capable of flying above 20 km altitude.
CSIR-NAL's subscale HAP vehicle achieved 7.5 km altitude and over 10 hours endurance, with full-scale flight to 20 km targeted for 2027.
CSIR-NAL collaborated with M/s Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd for 150-kg class Loitering Munition UAV powered by NAL’s certified Wankel engine.
The Loitering Munition UAV features 900 km range, 6–9 hours endurance, 5 km service ceiling, GPS-denied navigation, low radar cross-section, and AI-enabled target identification.

AVPL International and CSC e-Governance Services sign MoU to integrate drone technology into rural enterprises (Mid of November) ▼

AVPL International will offer its ‘Viraj UAS’ agri drones, spare parts, and training programmes via CSC’s network of over five lakh village level entrepreneurs.
CSC SPV will facilitate the onboarding of AVPL’s products on its platform, provide visibility and outreach support, and enable channel partners to effectively deliver these services locally.
AVPL International will provide drones and accessories and will also train CSC entrepreneurs and rural youth in drone operations, maintenance, and data-driven agricultural practices.

Indian Army conducts Vayu Samanvay-II drone & counter-drone exercise in desert sector (Start of November) ▼

Exercise Name: Vayu Samanvay-II, conducted by Indian Army Southern Command
Location: Forward areas of desert sector under Pune-headquartered Southern Command
Key Outcome: Validated Army’s preparedness for next-generation warfare by integrating aerial and ground assets and multi-domain command & control centres in an electronic-warfare-contested environment

Indian Railways debuts world’s longest Broad-Gauge hydrogen train with zero emissions

Key Updates:

Indian Railways has completed manufacturing its first hydrogen-powered train on a pilot basis, designed and developed entirely in India.
The 10-coach train is the world’s longest hydrogen train on Broad Gauge and delivers 2,400 kW of power.
A dedicated hydrogen plant at Jind produces hydrogen through electrolysis for the train’s fuel needs.
The train-set comprises two Driving Power Cars of 1,200 kW each and eight passenger coaches, emitting only water vapor and no CO₂.

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India's Nuclear Power Generation Capacity to Reach 21,880 MW by 2032 (Start of December) ▼

India's nuclear power generation capacity is set to rise from the current 8,780 megawatt (MW) to 9,480 MW by the end of the current financial year 2025-26, 13,480 MW by 2029-30 and 21,880 MW by 2031-32.
Three 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units — RAPS-8 (700 MW) at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and GHAVP-1 & 2 (two units of 700 MW each) at Gorakhpur in Haryana — are presently under construction.
Ten reactors of 700 MW each are at various stages of pre-project activities — two each at Kaiga in Karnataka, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh and Gorakhpur in Haryana, and four at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has initiated design and development works on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
BARC is developing the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) and an up to 5 MW thermal high-temperature gas-cooled reactor meant for hydrogen generation.
BSMR-200 and SMR-55 can be deployed as captive power plants for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel and metal, repurposing retiring fossil fuel-based power plants and for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations.
Hydrogen produced from high-temperature gas-cooled reactors can be utilised as a clean fuel in the transport sector and in process industries.
The Nuclear Energy Mission envisages reaching 100 gigawatt nuclear power capacity by 2047.

JSW Energy commissions India's largest green hydrogen plant in Karnataka under PLI scheme (Mid of November) ▼

JSW Energy Limited has commissioned its first green hydrogen plant at Vijayanagar in Karnataka.
The plant marks the start of commercial operations under the Government of India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme – Tranche I.
The company stated the facility is India’s largest green hydrogen plant.
Located next to the JSW Steel facility, the plant will supply green hydrogen directly to JSW Steel’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) unit for low-carbon steel production.
Under a seven-year offtake agreement with JSW Steel Ltd, the plant will deliver 3,800 tonnes per annum (TPA) of green hydrogen and 30,000 TPA of green oxygen.
The facility is part of JSW Energy’s 6,800 TPA allocation under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme managed by the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
JSW Energy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with JSW Steel to gradually scale up supply to 85,000–90,000 TPA of green hydrogen and 720,000 TPA of green oxygen by 2030.
These developments align with India’s plan to achieve around 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of green hydrogen production by 2030.

Govt launches Rs 100-crore scheme for green hydrogen startups and highlights National Green Hydrogen Mission progress (Mid of September) ▼

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched a Rs 100-crore scheme for startups to support innovations in green hydrogen production.
The scheme will provide up to Rs 5 crore per project for pilot projects in innovative hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilisation technologies.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023 with an outlay of Rs 19,744 crore.
The NGHM rests on four pillars: Policy and Regulatory Framework, Demand Creation, R&D and Innovation, and Enabling Infrastructure.
A dedicated R&D scheme under NGHM has already awarded 23 projects covering key areas such as safety and integration, hydrogen production from biomass, hydrogen applications, and non-biomass hydrogen production routes.
India's first port-based green hydrogen pilot project has been launched at V.O. Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu.
The NGHM aims for five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production annually by 2030, 125 GW of new renewable capacity, investments of Rs 8 lakh crore, creation of six lakh new jobs, and 50 million tonnes of carbon reduction each year.
Dedicated hydrogen hubs are being developed at Kandla, Paradip and Tuticorin Ports to strengthen India's export competitiveness.

International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2025 to convene in New Delhi (Mid of November) ▼

Event: Third edition of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH-2025) organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
Duration & Format: Two-day conference on 11–12 November featuring "plenary sessions, expert panels and technical discussions focused on building a resilient green hydrogen ecosystem."
Context: The 2025–26 financial year is "heading for a record in renewable energy installations," with 3,089 MW of wind and 21,686 MW of solar capacity added in the first six months.
National RE share: Non-fossil fuel capacity reached 2,56,089 MW, constituting 51.12% of India’s total power capacity of 5,00,889 MW.
State rankings: Maharashtra (27,674 MW) has overtaken Tamil Nadu (26,589 MW) in total installed renewable energy capacity, while Rajasthan leads at 40,407 MW.

DST Secretary Inaugurates National Quantum Communication Hub at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)

[Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)]

Key Updates:

Department of Science & Technology (DST) secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar virtually inaugurated India’s National Hub for Quantum Communication at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
The hub has been established at IIT Madras Research Park, the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation, under DST's National Quantum Mission.
This hub is one of the most well-funded among the four hubs set up under the National Quantum Mission.
The hub aims to lead India’s initiatives in quantum secure communication technologies and national-scale testbeds and pilot deployments through collaboration with academia, industry and global partners.
The Foundation's focus areas include Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Security, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks, Quantum Memory and Repeaters besides Satellite-based Quantum Communication.
Live demonstrations showcased India’s emerging strengths in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, integrated testbeds and startup-led innovations.

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NITI Aayog and IBM Unveil Roadmap to Position India Among Top-3 Quantum Economies by 2047 (Start of December) ▼

The NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub, in partnership with International Business Machines-IBM, has released a national roadmap to transform India into one of the world’s top-three quantum economies by 2047.
The plan aims to build home grown quantum computing hardware and software, foster at least 10 globally competitive quantum and capture a major share of the global quantum software and services market.
It envisages applying quantum technologies across key sectors such as defence, energy, healthcare, logistics, and finance with hopes of boosting security, efficiency, and innovation nationwide.

National Quantum Mission: Four Quantum Fabrication Facilities Worth Rs 720 Crore Approved (End of November) ▼

Ministry of Science and Technology announced four Quantum Fabrication and Central Facilities under the National Quantum Mission (NQM).
Total outlay for the facilities is Rs 720 crore.
Facilities to be set up at IIT-Bombay, IISc-Bengaluru, IIT-Kanpur, and IIT-Delhi.
Facilities will support quantum sensing, quantum computing, and quantum materials development.
Access open to NQM investigators, academia, industry, start-ups, and strategic sectors.

C-DOT to establish Centre of Excellence for quantum communication inside Amaravati Quantum Valley (Mid of November) ▼

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to join the Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) initiative.
C-DOT will set up a Centre of Excellence focused on quantum communication and security solutions plus privacy enhancement technologies (PETs).
The AQV project, located in Amaravati, is designed to create an integrated quantum ecosystem combining hardware manufacturing, software development, talent pool and research excellence.
The CoE will support research and testing aligned to India’s National Quantum Mission in quantum security solutions and develop PETs to comply with MeitY’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework.
It will also work on cost-effective sub-component development for quantum communication systems and establish an integrated testbed for quantum security to build a quantum-safe ecosystem nationwide.

India's First Quantum City Unveiled in Bengaluru, ISRO Announces New Launchpads and Missions (End of November) ▼

The plan for India’s first Quantum City or Q-city was unveiled at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025 by Minister for Minor Irrigation, Science and Technology NS Boseraju.
The Q-city is proposed to be established over 6 acres in Hesarghatta.
Under the Karnataka Quantum Mission, the government has allocated an investment of Rs 1,000 crore for the Q-city.
The Q-city will house advanced research laboratories, a quantum hardware park, cryogenic testing facilities, quantum cloud clusters, and a deep tech startup zone, hosting end-to-end services from research to commercialisation.
The government approved Rs 1,136 crore to establish the Quantum Supremacy Centre in Bengaluru.
Work is underway to establish the Swiss and Karnataka Quantum Collaboration Centre.
ISRO Chairman, Dr V Narayanan, stated that two new ISRO launchpads are on the cards — in Sriharikota and Kulasekarapattinam.
LVM3-M6 and Bluebird Block-2 Mission are the upcoming commercial mission projects of ISRO.
Fiber optic pressure, temperature, and level sensors and HMC and Nano technology-based sensors are major new developments in progress at ISRO.

Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Confirmed in Northern Ireland Livestock

[Northern Ireland]

Key Updates:

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is spread by midges and poses no threat to the public or food safety, but it can affect cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.
The virus affects cattle, goats, sheep, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas, causing symptoms like ulcers or sores around the animal's mouth and face, difficulties swallowing and breathing, fever and lameness, foetal deformities and stillbirths.
Biting midges are most active from April to November, and the potential for spread depends on climatic conditions and wind patterns with lower temperatures significantly reducing the risk.
The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) monitors midge numbers using traps set in seven locations spread out across Northern Ireland, and samples for suspected cases are sent to national and EU reference laboratories for confirmation.

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Iceland records first-ever Culiseta annulata mosquitoes as climate warms (End of October) ▼

Discovery: three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes—two females and one male—were confirmed within Iceland for the first time in the nation’s history.
Institution: the Natural Science Institute of Iceland verified the find and stated the insects likely arrived by freight.
Location: the mosquitoes were collected on a farm in Kjós, just north of Reykjavík.
Climate link: the institute attributes the arrival to a warming climate and increased international transportation.
Species note: Culiseta annulata are large, cold-tolerant mosquitoes present in Europe and other Nordic countries and are not known to carry infections there.

Middle-Aged Woman Dies with Scrub Typhus Symptoms in Vizianagaram District in Andhra Pradesh (Start of December) ▼

Scrub typhus is caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi and spreads through bites of infected larval mites.
Common symptoms include fever, body pain, rash, a scab-like lesion and swollen lymph nodes.
Most patients respond well to doxycycline, with azithromycin recommended for pregnant women.
Early treatment with antibiotics prevents complications affecting the lungs, liver, kidneys or central nervous system.
Health authorities advise avoiding overgrown vegetation, wearing protective clothing and using repellents to reduce mite bites.
Chittoor reported the highest number of infections this year at 384.

Mpox Clade Ib Cases Rise in Europe; UK Urges Vaccination for At-Risk Groups (End of October) ▼

UK health officials are encouraging gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men to make sure they are vaccinated against mpox.
The UKHSA says it is aware of small numbers of cases of clade Ib mpox in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and the US.
Mpox is usually a mild infection but it can be severe and getting vaccinated is the best protection, the UKHSA says.
A new UKHSA report says there is now a high risk of clade I being imported into the UK through travel.
To date, there have been 16 cases of mpox clade Ib in the UK - all in England - with no evidence of spread within the GBMSM community.
Spain, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands have reported locally-acquired clade Ib cases among men who have sex with men, indicating transmission within sexual networks.
The vaccine is recommended for men who have sex with men, especially those with multiple partners, group sex or who visit sex-on-premises venues.
Although the vaccine hasn't been tested against clade Ib, it is known to be effective against clade II and protection is expected.

Sixth International Conference on Bacteriophage Research and Antimicrobial Resistance Concludes at Banaras Hindu University (Mid of November) ▼

The Sixth International Conference on Bacteriophage Research and Antimicrobial Resistance concluded at Banaras Hindu University.
The two-day event, ICBRAR-2025, brought together over 250 delegates.
The event was organised by the Department of Microbiology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, under the auspices of the Society for Bacteriophage Research and Therapy.
Experts discussed bacteriophage biology and therapeutic applications.
The conference highlighted sustainable approaches to combat antimicrobial resistance.
It explored natural alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

UNEP Medium-Term Strategy 2026–2030 faces reopening as UNEA-7 opens amid funding cuts

[United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)]

Key Updates:

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.

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UNEP 2025 Adaptation Gap Report: Finance shortfall puts developing nations at risk (End of October) ▼

UNEP’s 2025 Adaptation Gap Report titled "Running on Empty" estimates adaptation finance needs in developing countries at "US$310 billion per year in 2035, when based on modelled costs" and up to "US$365 billion a year" based on NDC/NAP figures.
International public adaptation finance flows to developing countries were "US$26 billion in 2023: down from US$28 billion the previous year," making needs "12-14 times as much as current flows."
The private sector "could do more – with potential to provide around US$50 billion per year if backed by targeted policy action and blended finance solutions."
Countries reported on "over 1,600 implemented adaptation actions, mostly on biodiversity, agriculture, water and infrastructure," indicating progress in planning and implementation.
The report warns that "If current finance trends continue, the Glasgow Climate Pact goal of doubling international public adaptation finance from 2019 levels by 2025 will not be achieved."

ORF and OECD Formalise Five-Year Partnership for Global Policy Collaboration (Mid of September) ▼

The Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and dialogue between the two institutions.
The partnership is a five-year agreement.
The partnership will focus on key areas such as economic diplomacy, trade and investment, climate and sustainability, digital transformation, and critical sectors like infrastructure and supply chains.
Joint activities will include research, events, and participation in flagship platforms.
This partnership is designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise, bringing India's policy perspectives and experiences more directly into OECD discussions.

NTPC and Saudi Electricity Company Form Strategic Partnership, NTPC Targets 130 GW Capacity by 2032 (End of September) ▼

India’s leading PSU NTPC signed a strategic MoU with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to accelerate global energy collaboration and power sector transformation.
The MoU lays the foundation for extensive collaboration in several critical areas of the power value chain, including power plant modernization, joint R&D, and a Middle East services venture.
A key highlight of the MoU is the planned establishment of a joint venture (JV) company between NTPC and SEC, which will focus on providing power plant services across the Middle East.
NTPC, India’s largest power utility, has a goal to reach 130 GW of installed capacity by 2032.
NTPC contributes to about one-fourth of India’s power requirement and is recognized as a “Maharatna” Central Public Sector Undertaking.

UN ‘high seas’ treaty reaches 60 ratifications, set to enter force in January 2026 (End of September) ▼

Treaty name: Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ agreement)
Coverage: “two-thirds of the world’s ocean area that lies beyond national boundaries”
Ratification milestone: Morocco and Sierra Leone became the 60th and 61st parties, crossing the 60-ratification threshold
Entry into force: 17 January 2026
Key objectives: “establishes legally binding rules to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity, share benefits from marine genetic resources more fairly, create protected areas, and strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building”

Bharat 6G Alliance charts focused roadmap for India to lead global 6G by 2030

Key Updates:

The Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, chaired the Apex Council meeting under the Bharat 6G Mission and reviewed the progress of the Bharat 6G Alliance.
The Government has approved a ₹1-lakh-crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund under the Department of Science & Technology to boost frontier research in AI-native networks, semiconductors, photonics, sensing, cybersecurity and satellite–terrestrial integration.
India secured inclusion of “Ubiquitous Connectivity” in the ITU IMT-2030 (6G) framework, strengthening global recognition of India’s capabilities.
The Bharat 6G Alliance has grown from 16 founding members to over 84 organisations and released eight technical reports and whitepapers covering spectrum, AI-native networks, green telecom, emerging applications, and RF sensing.
Four institutions—Punjab Engineering College, Banasthali Vidyapith, IIT Roorkee (AMRIT), and Thapar University—were awarded for exemplary innovation, societal impact and industry collaboration under the 5G Use Case Labs initiative.

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PM Modi inaugurates 16th Combined Commanders Conference at Eastern Command HQ in Kolkata (Mid of September) ▼

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates 16th armed forces' conference at Eastern Command HQ in Kolkata.
The conference is the 16th Combined Commanders Conference (CCC) 2025.
PM Modi instructed the Defence Ministry to swiftly implement concrete steps to achieve greater Jointness, Atmanirbharta and Innovation to meet future challenges and requirements of an evolving battlefield.
The high-level conference is being attended by defence minister Rajnath Singh, national security advisor Ajit Doval, chief of defence staff General Anil Chauhan and Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, chief of three forces –– Army, Navy and Air Force –– Lt Gen RC Tiwari, Eastern Army Commander, among others.
Held once in two years, CCC-2025 is the apex-level brainstorming forum of the armed forces.
The conference will conduct a holistic review of various structural, administrative and operational matters based on feedback from across the forces and preparedness of the armed forces in the face of increasing global uncertainties.

DoT’s NCA and IIM Calcutta Sign MoU for Telecom Sector Capacity Building (End of October) ▼

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.

India hosts 60th All India DGP–IGP Conference in Chhattisgarh from November 28 to 30 (End of November) ▼

The 60th All India DGP–IGP Conference will be hosted at the IIM campus in Naya Raipur from November 28 to 30.
The high-level internal security meet will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The core discussions remain policing modernisation, national security challenges, counter-terror strategies, community policing, forensic strengthening and action-taken reports from all states.
Dedicated sessions on security relations with China, Pakistan, radicalisation, and Left-Wing Extremism will also take place.
An advance team of the Special Protection Group (SPG) arrived in Raipur to take charge of ground-level security planning.
The IIM premises has been brought under 24x7 surveillance by IB and security agencies.
The conference belongs to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
This is the first time Chhattisgarh is hosting the national security DGP/ IGP conference.

TEC and IIT Bombay sign MoU to advance 6G, AI-driven telecom networks and satellite communications (Start of November) ▼

MoU signed between Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) and IIT Bombay for joint studies and technical contributions in telecom technologies and global standardisation.
Focus areas include 6G architecture research, AI-driven telecom applications, core network studies, satellite communication systems, and signalling protocols.
Partnership aims to develop India-specific standards and test frameworks and enhance India’s participation in ITU-T and 3GPP forums.
Collaboration targets indigenous design of low-cost satellite communication terminals for remote sensing and rural connectivity.
MoU signed on 7 November 2025 by Shri Amit Kumar Srivastava, DDG (Mobile Technologies), TEC and Prof. Sachin Patwardhan, Dean (R&D), IIT Bombay.

India's first all-electric green tug flagged off under Green Tug Transition Programme

Key Updates:

The green tugboat, designed for Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, is being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).
The new green tug for DPA will feature a 60-ton bollard pull capacity, ensuring silent operations, zero carbon emissions and optimised energy efficiency.
The GTTP, launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aims to induct 50 green tugs by 2030, with 16 to be deployed in the first phase between 2024 and 2027.

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Key 'Firsts' and Milestones in India's Coal Sector (End of October) ▼

Coal India Limited is the world’s single-largest coal-producing company.
SECL's Gevra Mine is the largest coal mine in Asia.
In its Golden Jubilee year, Coal India Limited achieved its highest-ever coal production, dispatch, and overburden removal.
The Indian coal sector achieved the historic milestone of 1 billion tonnes of coal production in FY 2024-25.

Shramik Kalyan Divas: Cheques Presented for Excellence (End of November) ▼

Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal participated in the Shramik Kalyan Divas (Workers’ Welfare Day) at Chabua in Dibrugarh on November 22.
The event commemorated the birth anniversary of Santosh Kumar Topno, a prominent leader from the tea garden community from Assam.
During the event, Sonowal presented cheques to individuals and institutions that have demonstrated excellence across various sectors, including education, healthcare, welfare of tea garden workers, and infrastructure development in tea garden areas.

Indian Navy to commission first indigenous ASW-SWC 'Mahe' built by CSL (Mid of November) ▼

Defence equipment: Anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft 'Mahe' – first of eight ASW-SWC being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi
Commissioning venue: Naval Dockyard, Mumbai
Key capabilities: equipped with torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars; designed for submarine hunting, coastal patrol and securing maritime approaches
Indigenous content: more than 80 per cent indigenous; showcases India's mastery in warship design, construction and integration under Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative

Five young Assamese talents receive 'Sons of the Soil Emerging Achievers Award' 2025 (Mid of November) ▼

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented the awards to Sukrita Baruah (Media & Communication), Sanghamitra Kalita (Entrepreneurship), Isharani Baruah (Sports), Himjyoti Talukdar (Art & Culture), and Dr. Debjani Borah (Conservation)
The ceremony was hosted by Care Luit in Tezpur and also conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on Arun Nath, Ravi Shankar Ravi, Mainuddin Ahmed, Lakhimi Baruah, and Simanta Das
Sonowal linked the awardees' achievements to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of collective progress and urged Assam's youth to draw inspiration from them

Smart India Hackathon 2025 Grand Finale: 8,160 students code across 60 centres

Key Updates:

The eighth edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale is being held simultaneously at 60 nodal centres—42 software hubs and 18 hardware hubs.
A total of 72,165 ideas were submitted by 68,766 student teams, out of which 1,360 teams comprising 8,160 students qualified for the 36-hour national coding and prototyping marathon.
Among the finalists, 2,993 are female students including 53 all-women teams, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to women-led innovation.

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Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave: Digital Empowerment and Good Governance Challenge for Rural Development (Mid of September) ▼

The Sarpanch Samvaad National Quality Conclave was hosted by "The Quality Council of India (QCI) , in collaboration with the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj".
The event was "centered around the theme “Viksit Gram se Viksit Bharat”".
The conclave marked "the successful onboarding of over 60,000 Sarpanchs from across India onto the Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application , creating the nation’s first digital community of grassroots leaders".
The Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application "enables sarpanchs to share solutions, exchange ideas, and collaborate digitally to accelerate rural development."
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed "between QCI and DDWS , symbolizing a shared national commitment to water and sanitation-led rural development".
The conclave announced "the 100-Day Good Governance Challenge on the Sarpanch Samvaad mobile application".
The 100-Day Good Governance Challenge is "to run from September 17, 2025 (Prime Minister’s birthday) until December 25, 2025 (Good Governance Day)".
The challenge "will mobilize Sarpanch-led campaigns across the country, reinforcing Panchayats as catalysts of rural progress and good governance".

IndiaAI Mission, MeitY and Government of Meghalaya host first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong (Start of December) ▼

The IndiaAI Mission and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the Information Technology & Communications Department, Government of Meghalaya, and IIM Shillong, organised the first Regional AI Impact Conference 2025 in Shillong.
The conference theme was 'Artificial Intelligence for Citizen Empowerment: Smarter Governance, Better Lives'.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated, 'Our mission is to democratize AI so that every citizen can access its benefits.'
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma unveiled three initiatives: the BHASHINI Hackathon for Khasi and Garo language model training; MeghDEE for co-creating digital innovation; and the DRISHTI-NE Hackathon for youth AI innovation.
An MoU was signed between the Information Technology & Communication Department, Government of Meghalaya, and the IndiaAI Mission for establishing two Data & AI Labs in the state.
Another MoU was signed between the same department and MATH T-Hub for setting up a Satellite Incubation Centre in Shillong.
The event serves as a precursor to the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled in New Delhi from February 15-20, 2026.

India-AI Impact Summit 2026 Details Unveiled in New Delhi (End of September) ▼

The 'India-AI Impact Summit 2026' will be held on 19-20 Feb 2026 here.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology today unveiled the logo and key flagship initiatives for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 which is being hosted for the first time by a Global South nation.
This summit is guided by the principles or Sutras of People, Planet and Progress.
The discussions will be further centered around seven chakras- Human Capital, Inclusion, Safe and Trusted AI, Resilience, Science and Social Good.
India launches eight indigenous foundational model projects to build multilingual, healthcare, scientific, industrial, governance and agriculture AI capabilities.
30 Data and AILabs have been launched pan-India, forming the first wave of a 570-lab network.
The IndiaAI mission cleared this year with an budget outlay of Rs 10,300 crore is the government's push towards spreading AI across the country.

PM Modi unveils six G20 initiatives blending ancient wisdom with AI for a resilient, inclusive world (End of November) ▼

PM Modi proposed six initiatives: G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus, G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, and G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative.
"First among them is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and well-being."
"The proposed Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative aims to train one million certified trainers across Africa in the next decade."
"We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. Our effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies."
"Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy!"
"Proposed the setting up of a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership whereby satellite data and analysis from G20 space agencies can be made more accessible for countries of the Global South."
"India is fully committed to sustainability and clean energy, which is why we propose a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to promote recycling, urban mining, second-life batteries and related innovations."
"India's approach to AI is based on the three pillars of: Equitable access, Population-scale skilling, Responsible deployment."
"India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, guided by the theme Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya."

Deakin University and Telangana Government activate Joint Centre of Excellence in Applied Artificial Intelligence

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

Deakin University’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute (A²I²) and the Telangana AI Innovation Hub combine to form the Joint Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
The Centre targets three priority domains: AI for Public Service and Governance, Health and Smart Education AI Solutions, and Climate Resilience and MSME Innovation.
The collaboration aligns with India’s National AI Mission and the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to deliver citizen-centric AI solutions.

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AIIMS Delhi installs da Vinci robot for robotic-assisted surgery training (Mid of September) ▼

AIIMS Delhi now has two surgical robots purely for training: a newly installed da Vinci Surgical Robot and an existing Hugo training robot provided by Medtronic.
The da Vinci robot was provided by Intuitive Surgical under a memorandum of understanding and is housed in the Skills, E-learning and Telemedicine (SET) facility.
The training facility supports learning across specialities including urology, gynaecology, general surgery, surgical oncology, and head and neck surgery.
The centre allows students, nurses, residents, healthcare professionals, and faculty to practise on manikins and simulators in stress-free sessions.
AIIMS Delhi Director Dr M Srinivas stated that the centre eliminates the need for surgeons to travel abroad and pay large sums for robotic surgery training.

Telangana bags Rs 5.75 lakh crore investments (Start of December) ▼

Telangana attracted total investment commitments of nearly Rs 5.75 lakh crore at its global summit.
Investment proposals worth Rs 2.9 lakh crore were attracted on the final day of the summit.
MoUs were signed across multiple sectors including food and agriculture, electronics, manufacturing, data centres, and biotechnology.
Top firms pledging investments included Godrej Industries Group, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RPCL), Kaynes Technology India Limited, and Bharat Biotech.
Godrej Group pledged Rs 150 crore to expand its dairy business.
Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RPCL) plans a Rs 1,500 crore investment for a manufacturing facility for beverages, snacks, confectionery, and other consumer products.
Electronics manufacturer Kaynes Technology India Limited committed Rs 1,000 crore as part of its expansion plans.
JCK Infra pledged Rs 9,000 crore for data centre facilities.
APG Group plans to invest Rs 6,750 crore for a hyperscale data centre campus.
Infrakey Data Centre Parks announced an investment of Rs 70,000 crore.
Tokyo-headquartered NTT DATA Group announced a Rs 10,500 crore AI data centre cluster in Hyderabad in April.
The Brookfield-Axis Energy Ventures consortium committed to an MoU worth Rs 75,000 crore.
Adani Group is setting up a 48-megawatt AI green data centre in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2,500 crore.

Adani Group to build 48-MW AI green data centre in Telangana (Start of December) ▼

The Adani group is setting up a 48-megawatt green data center in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2,500 crores.
This facility will be at the forefront of cutting-edge AI, cloud technology, and high performance computing.
The group has so far invested nearly Rs 10,000 crores in the last three years in building state infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in Telangana.

Samsung–UNGCNI ‘DigiArivu’ Initiative to Strengthen STEM Education in Tamil Nadu (End of November) ▼

Initiative Name: ‘DigiArivu–Empowering Students Thru Tech’ launched by Samsung in partnership with United Nations Global Compact Network India.
Objective: Strengthen digital science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in Tamil Nadu.
Coverage: 10 government schools in Kancheepuram and Ranipet districts; expected to benefit over 3,000 students.
Key Provisions: Upgrade school infrastructure, enable STEM and digital learning, train teachers, and support holistic student development.

Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) launches Y-Point Venture Capital Fund

Key Updates:

SINE, IIT Bombay's umbrella organisation, launched India's first deep tech venture capital fund, Y-Point Venture Capital Fund, worth Rs 250 crore.
The fund will invest in deep tech startups emerging from IIT Bombay and other premier academic and research institutes.
It will invest in pre-seed and seed stages across 25-30 startups with a maximum ticket size of Rs 15 crore.
The fund will strategically invest in companies building products backed by fundamental research, with a keen focus on high-impact sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Computing, Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Materials, Nuclear Technology, Space and Defence Technology, Climate and CleanTech and Life Sciences and Healthcare.

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Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh launches AI-focused startup platform 'Campus Tank' and 'CU AI Space' (Start of November) ▼

Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh launches 'Campus Tank' - India's first university-led startup launchpad for young innovators
University earmarks USD 6 million (~Rs. 50 crore) fund to support Campus Tank startups from ideation to market launch
CU AI Space unveiled as a collaborative environment with AI-powered tools for students, startups, and industry professionals
Over 1,000 startups onboarded under Campus Tank; 10 selected startups secured funding after pitching to investors
Chandigarh University's TBI Center has incubated 200+ startups, with 11 achieving annual turnover exceeding Rs. 50 lakh

WaveX and T-Hub Collaborate to Boost India’s Media-Tech Startup Ecosystem (End of October) ▼

WaveX, a startup accelerator initiative under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with T-Hub.
T-Hub is identified as the world’s largest startup hub.
The MoU aims to boost India’s creative, content, and media-technology startup ecosystem.
The collaboration focuses on the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality) sector.
WaveX is conceptualized as a national accelerator platform to nurture startups and empower creators in media, entertainment, and immersive technology.
The collaboration is expected to benefit Indian startups by providing structured incubation, mentorship, and access to infrastructure and networks.
WaveX will establish up to 10 incubation centres across India under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, supported by T-Hub as the Anchor Institution.

Anusandhan Fund & Deep-Tech Focused FFS 2.0: Union Government’s Push for Indigenous Innovation (End of October) ▼

Scheme Name: Anusandhan Fund (proposed) – Union Commerce & Industry Minister announced a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus to provide "long-tenure, low-cost loans to promote innovation."
Scheme Name: Fund of Funds for Start-ups (FFS) 2nd edition – likely to be "dedicated almost entirely to Deep Tech investments" for early-stage risk capital.
Objective: Help deep-tech innovators "retain ownership and develop indigenous technologies" without diluting large equity to foreign funds at early stages.
Policy thrust: Reduce India’s "dependence on foreign technologies, foreign weapons, foreign energy sources, or foreign critical technologies" and build resilient supply chains.

IIT-Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu launch 'INNOVATION-TN' start-up and innovation dashboard (Mid of September) ▼

IIT Madras and Guidance Tamil Nadu partnered to develop a state-level dashboard for start-ups and innovation, called ‘INNOVATION-TN’.
The platform seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the start-up ecosystem of Tamil Nadu and showcases its innovation prowess to stakeholders including investors, industries, financial institutions, and start-up founders.
This initiative is highlighted as the first of its kind in India.
INNOVATION-TN was conceptualized by the Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST) at IIT Madras, along with IIT Madras-incubated start-up YNOS Venture Engine.
IIT Madras would provide the academic oversight and research inputs to ensure the robustness, reliability and relevance of the Innovation Dashboard.
Guidance Tamil Nadu would promote long-term strategic engagement between academic and industry and provide institutional support, visibility, and alignment with the state’s innovation priorities.
As of August 2025, Tamil Nadu has close to 19,000 start-ups, which have created more than 2.2 lakh jobs and attracted investment exceeding Rs 1,20,000 crores.
The state also has 228 active incubators and start-up enabling organizations, which is the largest number for any state in the country.

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to take 100 wickets in all three formats

Key Updates:

Jasprit Bumrah has become the country’s first bowler to complete 100 wickets in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
He reached the milestone during the first T20I against South Africa at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.
India defeated South Africa by 101 runs; India scored 175/6 and South Africa were all out for 74.

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Thailand officially opens 33rd Southeast Asian Games

[Thailand]

Key Updates:

Their Majesties The King and Queen opened the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok.
The opening ceremony at Rajamangala National Stadium drew 33,000 fans.
Thailand fields the largest contingent of 1,531 athletes competing in 574 medal events across 50 sports.
Athletes from 11 Southeast Asian nations are participating in the games.

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Thailand seeks BRICS membership with India’s support (Start of December) ▼

Thailand has formally expressed its ambition to join the BRICS grouping.
Thailand is seeking India’s backing ahead of New Delhi’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026.
The intention to join BRICS was announced by Thai Ambassador Chavanart Thangsumphant at a National Day reception in Delhi.
India, a founding member of BRICS, will host the summit next year.
India-Thailand relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership earlier this year.
Thailand raised the matter of its BRICS membership with India during Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow’s visit from 29 November to 2 December.
Thailand's national day is on 5th December.

47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur: New Member, Border Deal, and Discussions on Tariffs and Regional Conflicts (End of October) ▼

The 47th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is taking place.
The summit is being held in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur for a three-day period from Sunday to Tuesday.
This year, ASEAN will induct its 11th member, East Timor.
The ASEAN summit is accompanied annually by the East Asia Summit, a gathering of leaders of the ASEAN nations, the US, China, India, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
A peace deal is to be signed on Sunday between Cambodia and Thailand to end a deadly border dispute, with the ceremony presided over by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The ASEAN summit will discuss pressing issues like US tariffs, access to rare earth minerals, Myanmar’s civil war, and the proliferation of scam centres in Southeast Asia.
Myanmar’s acting president will not attend the ASEAN summit, and the Philippines will take the helm as next year’s ASEAN chair instead of Myanmar.

Bahrain to Host Third Asian Youth Games in October 2025 (Start of November) ▼

Bahrain will host the Third Asian Youth Games.
The games will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
The event is scheduled from October 22 to 31, 2025.
The venue for the games is Exhibition World Bahrain.
Thousands of young athletes from 45 Asian countries are expected to participate.
Competitions will span across 24 sports.
The games will include 31 sub-categories.
A total of 253 thrilling events are planned for the games.

India wins record 48 medals at 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama (Start of November) ▼

India claimed 48 medals overall—13 gold, 18 silver, 17 bronze—at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.
The girls’ kabaddi team defeated Iran to secure India’s first gold of the Games.
Priteesmita Bhoi set a world youth record in the girls’ 44 kg clean and jerk to win India’s first individual gold.
Khushi earned India’s first medal of the event, a bronze in girls’ kurash.
Ranjana Yadav provided India’s first athletics medal with silver in the 5000 m race walk.
On the final day India captured 15 medals, including seven golds—four from boxing and three from beach wrestling.

Amul extends partnership with Argentina Football Association as regional sponsor

[Argentina]

Key Updates:

Amul has extended its partnership with the Argentina Football Association (AFA) as the Official Regional Sponsor for one more season.
This marks the fourth consecutive year of association between Amul and AFA.
Amul is the first Indian regional sponsor in the history of Argentine Football since 2022.
The partnership covers the World Cup 2026 period.

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Bisleri International Secures Two-Year Partnership as Official Beverage Partner of Tata Women's Premier League (Start of December) ▼

Bisleri International is Official Beverage Partner of Tata Women's Premier League for the next two seasons.
Tata Women's Premier League was launched in 2023.
Partnership provides on-ground visibility via visicoolers and iceboxes in team dugouts along with in-stadium hydration support.

United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation 2025: Theme 'New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation' (Mid of September) ▼

The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is observed on 12 September.
The theme for this year's United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation is “New Opportunities and Innovation through South-South and Triangular Cooperation”.
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 58/220, endorsed the observation of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation.
12 September marks the adoption of the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA).
The 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) is a pivotal framework for technical cooperation among developing countries.

NCEL and APEDA sign MoU to boost cooperative-led agricultural exports (Mid of September) ▼

National Co-operative Exports Limited (NCEL) and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed a memorandum of understanding to elevate India's cooperative-led agricultural exports.
The MoU was signed by Abhishek Dev, Chairman, APEDA, and Unupom Kausik, Managing Director, NCEL.
The partnership will focus on capacity building and training, quality compliance for export, infrastructure support and revival, participation in international trade fairs, international branding and market positioning, market intelligence and data analytics, and commodity-specific export strategy formulation.

Pakistan and Egypt agree to deepen ties in economic, commercial, cultural and defence sectors (Start of December) ▼

Pakistan and Egypt agreed to deepen ties in economic, commercial, cultural and defence sectors after years of stagnant relationship.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held discussions with Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar on conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, the dispute over the Iranian nuclear programme and ways to boost economic cooperation.
Pakistan-Egypt Joint Ministerial Commission had not met since 2010.
The two countries agreed to hold bilateral political consultations in the first quarter of 2026.
Egypt offered to share experiences to tackle terrorism and stands in full solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
Egypt aims to elevate bilateral relationship to the strategic level.

Praggnanandhaa secures Candidates spot via last-gasp London Classic open win

Key Updates:

Praggnanandhaa tied for first place at the London Chess Classic open section with 7/9 points.
The victory added 8.17 circuit points, taking his FIDE Circuit total to 115.17 and sealing the Candidates berth.
Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the only rival for the spot, earned 19.62 circuit points from winning the elite invitational section but remains on 71.61 overall, now out of reach.
The 2026 Open Candidates will be held in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16 alongside the Women’s Candidates.
Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy and Vaishali Rameshbabu will represent India in the Women’s Candidates.

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Praggnanandhaa finishes joint-winner at London Chess Classic 2025 Open (Start of December) ▼

Praggnanandhaa earned 8.17 points from the London Chess Classic Open event in the FIDE Circuit Leaderboard.
He extended his lead at the top with a total of 115.17 points from his best seven events.
Praggnanandhaa, Ameet K Ghashi, and Velimir Ivić all finished unbeaten with 7.0 points from nine rounds.
The London Chess Classic Open was a 120-player, nine-round Swiss tournament with an average rating of 2581 Elo.

Indo-Thai pair Poonacha-Isaro defeats Nakagawa-Kusuhara to win Asia-Pacific wild card play-off final (End of November) ▼

Indo-Thai pair Niki Poonacha and Pruchya Isaro beat Japan’s Shunsuke Nakagawa and Yusuke Kusuhara 6-4, 6-3 in the Asia-Pacific wild card play-off final.
The final was held at the Sichuan International Tennis Centre in Chengdu, China.
The victory secures the pair a men’s doubles main-draw spot in the Australian Open 2026.

FIDE Grand Swiss Prize Money for Anish Giri and Vaishali Rameshbabu (Mid of September) ▼

Anish Giri, who won the open section with a score of 8/11, pocketed the $90,000.
Vaishali Rameshbabu won the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title.
The FIDE Grand Swiss had prize money of $90,000 on offer for the winner of the open section.
The prize money on offer for the women’s winner was $40,000.
Vaishali’s triumph should have earned her a sum of $40,000.
Vaishali Rameshbabu and Kateryna Lagno split the prize money in half as per FIDE’s rules for the Grand Swiss tournament, thanks to her finishing on the same number of points as second-place finisher Kateryna Lagno.
FIDE notes in its regulations for the tournament that all prize money shall be divided equally between players with the same final score.

Javokhir Sindarov defeats Wei Yi to win 11th FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 (End of November) ▼

Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan) became the youngest ever Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) World Cup champion, defeating China’s Wei Yi in a rapid tiebreak after two drawn classical games.
Wei Yi (China) was the runner-up and received the Silver medal.
Andrey Esipenko (Russia) secured third place and received the Bronze medal.
The 11th FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 was held at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao, Goa.
The tournament marked India hosting the event again after 23 years.
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 trophy was officially renamed the Viswanathan Anand Cup.
The top 3 winners, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko, qualified for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.
The FIDE World Cup 2025 offered a USD 2 million prize fund.

India equestrian riders win five medals at FEI Asian Equestrian Championships 2025

Key Updates:

Shruti Vora claimed three silver medals in dressage – individual, intermediate freestyle-I and team – as part of the dressage team with Divyakriti Singh and Gaurav Pundir.
Ashish Limaye riding Willy Be Dun won individual gold in eventing and combined with Shashank Kanumuri and Shashank Kataria to secure team silver.
The championship was held at Thai Polo and Equestrian Club in Pattaya with over 80 athletes from 13 countries.

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India finishes second as China tops ISSF World Cup Final (Start of December) ▼

India secured six medals — its best-ever ISSF World Cup Final performance.
Simranpreet Kaur Brar won gold in the women’s 25m pistol.
Suruchi Phogat claimed gold in the women’s 10m air pistol.
Sainyam, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar and Anish Bhanwala earned silver medals.
Samrat Rana took bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol.
Zorawar Singh Sandhu placed seventh in the men’s trap final.
China topped the medal tally with four gold and nine total medals.

India Bags 3 Gold, 2 Silver at Asian Archery Championships 2025 (Mid of November) ▼

India's archers made the country proud by bagging three gold and two silver medals at the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 in Dhaka.
Jyothi Surekha Vennam won gold, defeating Prithika Pradeep by a 147 - 145 score.
Prithika performed well and secured a silver medal.
The Indian Compound Women's Team, including Deepshikha, Prithika Pradeep, and Jyothi Surekha Vennam, grabbed gold after a victory over Korea 236 - 234 in the final.
Abhishek Verma and Deepshikha grabbed gold in the Compound Mixed Team final, beating Bangladesh 153 -151.
In the men's team, Verma, Prathamesh Fuge, and Sahil Jadhav clinched silver after a close contest.
Jyoti Surekha Vennam, the 29-year-old Indian ace woman archer, shone with double gold in individual and team at the Asian Archery Championships in Dhaka.
Surekha now holds 8 Asian Championship titles, which she won between 2011 and 2025, in addition to the three individual gold medals from 2021 and 2015.
The Deputy Collector in the Government of Andhra Pradesh has a total of 90 international medals, including 33 gold and silver, and 24 bronze.
The 24th Asian Archery Championships began on 8th November 2025 and will conclude on 14th November 2025.
The 24th Asian Archery Championships are hosted in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
There is a total of 29 countries and around 207 athletes participating in the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025.
The event covers both recurve and compound bow competitions across individual, team and mixed-team formats for men and women.
You can watch the 24th Asian Archery Championships 2025 on Archery+ and the Indian channel DD Sports.

India secures two medals at Asian Archery Championships 2025 (Mid of November) ▼

India’s men’s recurve team beat Kazakhstan 5-3 to reach the final against South Korea.
India’s women’s compound team beat Bangladesh 227-234 to reach the final against South Korea.
The women’s compound team comprises Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep and Deepshikha.
Deepshikha tops the individual compound rankings with 705 points.
The compound final is scheduled for November 13 and the recurve final for November 14.

India finishes eighth in WorldSkills Asia Competition debut (Start of December) ▼

India bagged one silver, two bronze medals, and three medallions for excellence.
The competition was held in Chinese Taipei.
India participated with 23 competitors across 21 skill categories.
29 countries took part in the event.

Diwali inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

Diwali was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) held at the Red Fort in Delhi.
India currently has 15 elements inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting, and Ramlila.
Sangeet Natak Akademi, the nodal agency for ICH matters of the Ministry of Culture, formed a committee comprising experts, academicians, practitioners, poets, and writers for the nomination of Diwali.
India has sent a nomination dossier for Bihar’s Chhat Puja for the next year’s cycle for the consideration of the UNESCO committee.

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Saudi Arabia launches 2nd ‘Global Harmony’ initiative with India Week at Riyadh Season (Start of November) ▼

Event: Second edition of Saudi Arabia’s ‘Global Harmony’ initiative inaugurated under Riyadh Season
Participants: Ministry of Media, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and General Entertainment Authority (GEA)
Key Theme: Celebrates 14 resident cultures including India, Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Uganda, Ethiopia
Special Focus: ‘India Week’ opens the initiative, showcasing Indian music, dance, cuisine, art and traditional crafts

World Heritage Week observed from November 19 to 25 (End of November) ▼

World Heritage Week is celebrated each year from November 19 to 25.
Alexander Cunningham became the first Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1871.
Sirpur was first discovered in 1882 by Alexander Cunningham.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sirpur Special Area Development Authority (SADA) conducted a joint inspection of the Sirpur archaeological site to advance its nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage status.

India to Host UNESCO Global Heritage Committee Session at Red Fort (Start of December) ▼

India will host the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) from 8 to 13 December 2025 at the historic Red Fort in New Delhi.
The announcement was made by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
The session will examine new nominations for UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and review safeguarding status of inscribed elements.

UN Tourism announces 52 new ‘World’s Best Tourism Villages 2025’ (End of October) ▼

The Best Tourism Villages initiative was launched in 2021 under the UN Tourism for Rural Development Programme.
Villages are evaluated under nine categories: cultural and natural resources, economic stability, promotion and conservation of cultural resources, environmental sustainability, social sustainability, infrastructure and connectivity, tourism development and value chain integration, governance and prioritization of tourism, and health, safety, and security.
The 2025 list includes 52 villages selected from over 270 applications submitted by 65 UN Tourism Member States.
Only two Indian villages—Pochampalli (Telangana, 2021) and Dhordo (Gujarat, 2023)—have ever been recognised in previous editions.

UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities adds 72 cities from 46 countries

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Network of Learning Cities now totals 425 cities from 91 countries.
12 countries are joining the Global Network of Learning Cities for the first time: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, Cyprus, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Mongolia, Niger, Turkmenistan, United States of America, Venezuela, and Zambia.
Among the 72 new members are 11 capital cities: Porto-Novo (Benin), Bissau (Guinea-Bissau), Lusaka (Zambia), Cairo (Egypt), Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Lisbon (Portugal), Ankara (Türkiye), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Hanoi (Viet Nam), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Caracas (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela).

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India Re-Elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2025–29 Term (Start of December) ▼

India has been re-elected to the UNESCO Executive Board for the 2025-29 term.
Re-election reflects the international community’s confidence in India’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism and to UNESCO’s mandate across education, culture, science, communication and information.
India’s continued presence on the Executive Board underscores growing global support for its vision of inclusive, human-centric development and for strengthening cooperation among nations.

Khaled El-Enany elected as 12th Director-General of UNESCO (Mid of November) ▼

Khaled Ahmed El-Enany Ali Ezz elected 12th Director-General of UNESCO with 172 votes in his favor.
He will officially take office on 15 November, succeeding Audrey Azoulay for a four-year term.
First Director-General from an Arab nation; previously Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities and Tourism and Special Ambassador for Cultural Tourism with the World Tourism Organization.

India's Tentative World Heritage List Expands with 7 New Sites (Mid of September) ▼

Seven new properties have been added to the Tentative List of UNESCO's World Heritage for India.
With these additions, the number of Indian properties on the Tentative List are now 69.
The 69 properties on the Tentative List include 49 under Cultural category, three under Mixed category and 17 under Natural category.
The seven new properties added are under the natural category.
Addition to the Tentative List is a mandatory requirement before the inscription of any property on the World Heritage List.

Oman elected to UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Council for 2025–2029 (Mid of November) ▼

Oman was elected to the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme for the term 2025–2029.
The Environment Authority represented Oman during the election held at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan.
Oman already has two reserves listed in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves: Al-Sareen Nature Reserve and Al Jabal Al Akhdar Landscape Reserve.
The MAB Programme’s objectives include expanding protected areas, conserving biodiversity, supporting climate-change research, and granting research support to youth and researchers.

Human Rights Day 2025 observed on December 10 with theme 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'

Key Updates:

Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The theme for 2025 is 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials'.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN on December 10, 1948.

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 on December 3 (Start of December) ▼

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated annually on December 3.
In 2025, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) falls on a Wednesday.
The theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress'.
The global observance was first celebrated annually in 1992, following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3.
In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted.
António Guterres stated, 'When inclusion is real, everyone benefits. Let’s commit to working side-by-side with people with disabilities to build more resilient societies.'
According to the United Nations (UN), about 1.3 billion people experience significant disability, representing 16 per cent of the world’s population.
The significance behind the global observance is to raise awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities in all facets of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

International Day of Commemoration & Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide & the Prevention of this Crime observed on 9 December (Start of December) ▼

The International Day of Commemoration & Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide & the Prevention of this Crime is observed on 9 December.
The Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that 'Genocide is an abomination. It is a horrendous crime. And it is the solemn duty of all States to prevent and punish it.'
The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted as a pledge against eradication due to nationality, ethnicity, race or religion.
Human Rights Day is observed on 10 December.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is described as the bedrock of the global community, defining what every person needs to survive and thrive.
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed on 5 December.
Jan Marian presented his credentials as the new Permanent Representative of Czechia to the United Nations (Vienna).
John Brandolino is the Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

World Children's Day 2025 observed on 20 November: Theme 'Listen to children, amplify their voices' (End of November) ▼

World Children's Day is commemorated every 20 November, the date on which the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child is described as 'the most widely ratified treaty in history.'
The 2025 observance highlights the call to 'listen to children' and 'amplify their voices as they stand up for their rights.'

World Kindness Day 2025 observed on November 13: History and Significance (Mid of November) ▼

World Kindness Day is celebrated annually on November 13 as part of the Global Kindness Movement.
World Kindness Day 2025 falls on a Thursday, November 13, 2025.
The observance was established in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a global alliance of organisations that promotes goodwill and mutual respect.

Squash World Cup 2025 returns to Chennai for third consecutive edition

[Chennai]

Key Updates:

The Squash World Cup 2025 returns to Chennai for the third consecutive year, with the 2025 edition scheduled to take place from December 9 to 14 at the Express Avenue Mall and Indian Squash Academy (ISA).
India is the only nation to host consecutive Squash World Cups, both staged in Chennai’s top venues.
A total of 12 teams, divided into four groups of three teams each, will fight for the trophy.

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ICC launches official song 'Bring It Home' for Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 (End of September) ▼

The ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place from 30 September to 2 November.
The official event song titled 'Bring it Home' is performed by acclaimed Indian singer Shreya Ghoshal.
The 13th edition of the quadrennial showpiece offers record-low ticket prices, starting at just Rs 100 (approximately USD 1.14).

ICC Confirms U-19 World Cup 2026 Schedule, Hosts, and Groups (Mid of November) ▼

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed the schedule of the 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup.
The 2026 ICC U-19 World Cup will be hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
India will aim to win a record-extending 6th title.
The tournament will be the 16th edition of the tournament.
The tournament will be held across five venues in two countries: three stadiums in Zimbabwe and two venues in Namibia.
A total of 16 teams have been divided into four groups, with each group having four teams.
India, the tournament's most successful team, is in Group A alongside the United States of America (USA), Bangladesh, and New Zealand.
Defending champions Australia are in Group C.
The tournament will start on 15th January with India playing the USA in the opening game in Bulawayo's Queens Sports Club.
The iconic Harare Sports Club will host the final on 06 February.
India's team is set to be captained by Ayush Mhathre.
All eyes will be on Vaibhav Suryavnashi.

ICC Launches Campaign Film and Opens Ticket Sales for Women's ODI World Cup 2025 (Mid of September) ▼

The ICC has unveiled the flagship ‘Will to Win’ campaign film.
The release of ‘Will To Win’ ... comes as the general window for ticket sales opened (at 8 PM IST on Tuesday, 8 September) at tickets.cricketworldcup.com.
The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to be staged at five venues across India and Sri Lanka.
The tournament will commence on 30 September with co-hosts India and Sri Lanka facing off in the opener.
The ‘Will To Win’ campaign brings into the spotlight stars from across each participant at the Cricket World Cup, including India’s Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, Australia’s Ellyse Perry, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali, Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana Joty, New Zealand’s Melie Kerr and England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt.
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is returning to India after 12 years.

India's Recent Hockey World Cup Results and Tournament Details (Mid of November) ▼

Despite hosting the last two FIH Men’s World Cup at home, India failed to finish on the podium even once.
In the 2018 edition they were eliminated in the quarterfinals and finished sixth in the standings.
In 2023 they were knocked out by New Zealand in the crossovers stage and finished ninth overall.
Belgian hockey coach Pascal Kina believes India have a fair chance to finish among the three medallists during the 2026 World Cup which will be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Lancers, who failed to put up a good show at the last edition of HIL and finished sixth in the standings.
Antoine has been part of the Belgian team that has won 2018 World Cup.
Antoine has been part of the Belgian team that has won ... the Olympic gold in Tokyo.