Daily Current Affairs: 12 January 2026

Analysis for 12 January 2026

Shrinivas Dempo conferred Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia

[Italy]

Key Updates:

Shrinivas Dempo, chairperson of the Dempo Group, received the Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia from Italy.
The honour was bestowed at a ceremony in Goa by the consul general for Italy in Mumbai, Walter Ferrara.
The award recognised Dempo’s role in resolving complicated cases involving Italian citizens and investments in Goa.

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Samir V Kamat addressed scientists as Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (Start of January) ▼

Samir V Kamat delivered the main address at DRDO Bhawan on the organisation’s 68th Foundation Day.
He highlighted that 22 Acceptances of Necessity were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council and the Services Procurement Board during 2025.
He urged DRDO scientists to intensify research in cyber security, space technologies, artificial intelligence, and electronic warfare.

Ethiopia confers The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia on Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Mid of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ethiopia's highest award 'The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia' by his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali.
The award was conferred for his exceptional contribution towards strengthening India-Ethiopia partnership and for his visionary leadership as a global statesman.
Prime Minister Modi is the first global head of state/head of government to receive this award.

Italy Deputy PM Antonio Tajani arrives in New Delhi for second India visit this year (Mid of December) ▼

Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday for his second visit to India this year.
He will meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Wednesday before proceeding to Mumbai for official engagements on Thursday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg and discussed expanding collaboration across trade, investment, defence, innovation, AI, space and education.
India and Italy announced a joint initiative to combat terror financing during the Modi-Meloni meeting.

Italy's Deputy PM Tajani calls India a 'long-trusted friend' and 'priority' during visit (Mid of December) ▼

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).

Justice Revati Mohite Dere Sworn In as First Woman Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court

[Meghalaya]

Key Updates:

Justice Revati Mohite Dere was sworn in as the first woman Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court.
She succeeded Chief Justice Soumen Sen, who was transferred to the Kerala High Court.
Governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar administered the oath of office at the Durbar Hall of Lok Bhavan in Shillong.
Prior to her appointment, Justice Dere served as a judge at the Bombay High Court.
The Supreme Court (SC) collegium recommended her appointment on December 18.

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A Muhamed Mustaque sworn in as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court (Start of January) ▼

A Muhamed Mustaque was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
Governor Om Prakash Mathur administered the oath of office at Lok Bhawan.
He previously served as Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
He succeeds Biswanath Somadder following the latter’s retirement.

Anu Garg appointed as Chief Secretary of Odisha (End of December) ▼

Anu Garg has been appointed as the Chief Secretary of Odisha, becoming the first woman to hold the post.
She succeeds Manoj Ahuja, who superannuated on December 31.
Garg, a 1991-batch IAS officer, was serving as Development Commissioner of Odisha prior to the appointment.

Anu Garg appointed as Chief Secretary of Odisha (End of December) ▼

Anu Garg, a 1991-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, was appointed as the first woman Chief Secretary of Odisha.
She will replace Manoj Ahuja following his superannuation on December 31.
She is currently serving as the Development Commissioner (DC) and is considered the number two in the state’s bureaucratic hierarchy.
Garg served as a joint secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) from October 2012 to April 2015.
She previously served as the commissioner-cum-secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare in the Government of Odisha during 2008–12.
She was a member of the High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) for Universal Health Coverage instituted by the Planning Commission in October 2010.
Her previous roles include serving as the collector of Sambalpur and Bargarh districts and as the secretary of the water resources department.

Meghalaya Cabinet Approves Amendments to Fiscal Act and Service Rules (Mid of November) ▼

The Meghalaya cabinet approved the amendment to the Meghalaya Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2006.
This amendment permits the state to increase its fiscal deficit ceiling from 3% to 3.5% of GSDP, thereby facilitating additional borrowing.
The cabinet also approved the amendment to Rule 6(D) of the Meghalaya Ministerial District Establishment Service Rules, 2017, which will allow 50% of ‘Group D’ posts to be filled from among the Regular Casual Workers (RCWs).
Additionally, the cabinet approved the Service Rules for the Meghalaya State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, permitting it to have its own recruitment board to recruit its staff.

Nalini Joshi named New South Wales Scientist of the Year

[Australia]

Key Updates:

Nalini Joshi became the first mathematician to receive the New South Wales Scientist of the Year award.
She is Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Sydney.
Joshi warned that governments are underprepared for quantum threats to cryptography.

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Colonel Prateek Roy received Geddes Gavel Award (Start of December) ▼

Colonel Prateek Roy of the Indian Army was awarded the Geddes Gavel Award.
He received the award on completion of the Defence Strategic and Studies Course at Australian Defence College.
The award is also known as the Commander Australian Defence College Award.
The award recognizes the student who displays the greatest understanding of factors influencing regional relationships and decision-making and demonstrates superior knowledge across political, diplomatic, military, cultural, and economic areas.

CSIR-NIIST and NTPC-NETRA clinch maiden DV Kapur Energy Innovation Awards (Mid of December) ▼

CSIR-NIIST Principal Scientist Dr Achu Chandran won Category 1 for his ‘Nano Electricity Generator’ research.
NTPC R&D wing NETRA bagged Category 2 for advancing ‘Green Use of Coal Technologies’.
Category 1 carried a cash prize of Rs 1 Lakh while Category 2 carried Rs 10 Lakhs.

President Droupadi Murmu presents Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2025 to distinguished scientists (End of December) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu presented the annual ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ (RVP) to distinguished scientists from diverse fields at a special function at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Under the second edition of the Puraskar, 24 awards were presented to scientists in four categories - Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team.
The highest science award - Vigyan Ratna - was given posthumously to India’s eminent physicist, Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, for lifetime achievements and contributions made in the field of science and technology.
The Vigyan Team award was presented to the Team- Aroma Mission Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the field of Agricultural Science.
The awards are given to scientists across 13 domains including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, and Space Science and Technology.
Jayan N was conferred the Vigyan Shri award for Space Science and Technology, while Ankur Garg received the Vigyan Yuva in the same category.
S Venkata Mohan was recognized with the Vigyan Shri award in the field of Environmental Science.

C.V. Raman Jayanti celebrated on November 7: Birth anniversary of Nobel laureate who discovered the Raman Effect (Start of November) ▼

C.V. Raman Jayanti is celebrated every year on November 7, his birth anniversary, to inspire young minds to explore the wonders of science and innovation.
He was the first Asian and first non-white scientist to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the discovery of the Raman Effect.
Raman founded the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru in 1948, which continues to promote scientific research today.

Justice Soumen Sen was sworn-in as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court (HC)

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

Justice Soumen Sen was sworn-in as the 40th Chief Justice of the Kerala HC on January 10, 2026.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office at the Lok Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram.
Justice Soumen Sen succeeded Justice Nitin Jamdar, who retired as the Chief Justice of the Kerala HC on January 9.
He was transferred to the Kerala HC following a Union Government notification issued on January 1.
Justice Soumen Sen previously served as the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court (HC) since October last year.
He was born on July 27, 1965, in Kolkata and completed his LL.B. from the University of Calcutta in 1990, standing first in his class.
He practiced as an advocate at the Calcutta High Court (HC) for over 20 years before being elevated as a judge on April 13, 2011.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker A N Shamseer, and Law Minister P Rajeev.

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A Muhamed Mustaque sworn in as Chief Justice of Sikkim High Court (Start of January) ▼

A Muhamed Mustaque was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court.
Governor Om Prakash Mathur administered the oath of office at Lok Bhawan.
He previously served as Acting Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
He succeeds Biswanath Somadder following the latter’s retirement.

Justice Surya Kant appointed as 53rd Chief Justice of India (Start of November) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday appointed Justice Surya Kant as the 53rd Chief Justice of India.
Justice Kant, who is likely to take oath on November 24, will succeed CJI B R Gavai, who is due to retire on November 23.
Justice Kant will serve as CJI for nearly 15 months until his retirement on February 9, 2027.
He will also be the first CJI from Haryana.
Justice Surya Kant was born on February 10, 1962, in Haryana’s Hisar and obtained a degree in law from Punjab’s Maharshi Dayanand University.
Hegan his legal practice at the Hisar District Court in 1984 and was the youngest Advocate General of Haryana at the age of 38.
At 43, he was elevated a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and served there for 14 years before being appointed Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
In his nearly six-year tenure in the Supreme Court, he has been part of several significant judgments, including the 2023 ruling on the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution; 2024 verdict on the minority tag to Aligarh Muslim University; the grant of bail to former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in 2024, and the bench that granted bail to Alt-News co-founder Mohammed Zubair in 2022.

Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak appointed as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court (Start of January) ▼

Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak was appointed as the chief justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
He will assume charge after incumbent Chief Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan demits office on attaining the age of 62 years.
Justice Sonak was appointed as a judge of the Bombay High Court on June 21, 2013, and is due to retire on November 27, 2026.
His name was recommended by the Supreme Court Collegium last month.

Justice Surya Kant, who gave landmark rulings on Article 370 and corruption, takes oath as Chief Justice of India (End of November) ▼

Justice Surya Kant took oath as India's 53rd Chief Justice at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, succeeding Justice B R Gavai.
He is known for landmark rulings on issues such as Article 370, gender equality, free speech, and corruption.
Born on February 10, 1962, in Hisar, Haryana, Justice Kant began his journey in law as a small-town lawyer.
His tenure as Chief Justice of India is expected to last nearly 15 months until his retirement on February 9, 2027.
Justice Kant studied law in Haryana and secured the first rank in his Master’s program at Kurukshetra University.
His career included arguing cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, elevation as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and later to the Supreme Court in 2019.
His name was officially recommended by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai.
Justice Kant has a reputation for balancing legal principles with real-world concerns and has shown interest in issues affecting people directly.
In the landmark Pegasus spyware case, he noted that citing national security cannot prevent legitimate questions from being asked in court.
He has stated that “freedom of speech is not a licence to flout societal norms.”
Justice Kant is seen as a judge who combines firmness with empathy and has repeatedly underlined that corruption is a “serious societal threat.”
He ordered a CBI investigation into 28 cases involving alleged fraud that impacted homebuyers.
He granted bail to former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the excise policy case, stressing the need for investigative agencies to shed the image of being a “caged parrot.”
His judgments have tried to strike a balance between national interest and citizens’ rights, as seen in the Char Dham highway case.
He was part of the seven-judge bench that reopened the Aligarh Muslim University minority status issue.
Since joining the Supreme Court, Justice Kant has contributed to over 300 benches.
He faces the challenge of guiding the judiciary amid nearly 90,000 pending cases.
Landmark judgments include upholding the Centre’s decision to remove Jammu and Kashmir’s special status (Article 370) and putting the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance.
He was part of the bench that examined allegations of unlawful surveillance through Pegasus and ordered the formation of an independent committee of cyber experts.
He nudged the Election Commission to disclose details of 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft list in the Bihar Electoral Roll Review.
He was part of the presidential reference examining the powers of Governors and the President in clearing or withholding state bills.
He reinstated a woman sarpanch who had been unlawfully removed, calling out gender bias.
Justice Kant directed that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, must be reserved for women.
He was part of the bench that appointed a five-member committee to investigate the security lapse during the Prime Minister’s Punjab visit.
He upheld the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) scheme for the defence forces, calling it constitutionally valid.
He continues to hear petitions by women officers seeking parity in permanent commission.

Bank of Baroda (BoB) Obtains RBI Approval for Standalone Primary Dealership Subsidiary

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Bank of Baroda]

Key Updates:

Bank of Baroda (BoB) received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transfer its existing bank primary dealer authorization to a proposed wholly-owned subsidiary.
The new subsidiary will undertake Standalone Primary Dealer (SPD) business to enhance liquidity and price discovery in the government securities (G-Sec) market.
The RBI introduced the Primary Dealers (PDs) system in 1995 to strengthen G-Sec market infrastructure and underwriting capabilities.
Commercial banks were permitted to conduct PD business departmentally starting from the 2006-07 period.
The Indian banking sector currently features 7 Standalone Primary Dealers and 14 Bank Primary Dealers.
Current Bank PDs include BoB, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, and IDBI Bank.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves HDFC Bank group entities to acquire up to 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank. (Mid of December) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval through a letter dated December 15 for HDFC Bank and its group entities to hold up to 9.50% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of IndusInd Bank.
The approval remains valid for one year until December 14, 2026.
Aggregate holding covers HDFC Bank and group entities including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Pension Fund Management Limited, and HDFC Securities Limited.
HDFC Bank stated it does not intend to invest directly in IndusInd Bank.
The application for raising the investment limit was submitted on October 24, 2025, after combined holdings of group entities were expected to exceed the previous 5% threshold.

The Banker awards Bank of Baroda (BoB) Best Bank in India (Mid of December) ▼

Bank of Baroda (BoB) received the 'Best Bank in India' title from The Banker, a Financial Times publication, at the 2025 Asia-Pacific awards.
BoB operates phygital branches that allow customers to obtain statements, generate income tax payment certificates, update nominees and receive financial advice over video calls.
BoB has opened 184 new branches across India to expand reach.
BoB's Smart OD product provides small businesses quick working capital within 24 hours based on transaction history.
BoB offers liquid fixed deposits with higher interest rates and anytime withdrawal without loss of earnings.

Bank of Baroda-SIDBI pact to channel joint finance to MSMEs; RBL, Axis, The Standard unveil new products (Mid of November) ▼

Bank of Baroda and SIDBI signed an MoU 'to jointly enhance credit flow to small businesses and startups' and will 'provide joint finance for micro, small and medium enterprises'.
RBL Bank launched two premium credit cards—‘Lumiere’ and ‘Nova’—carrying 'membership fees of up to Rs 50,000 per year'.
Axis Bank introduced 'a corporate salary solution aimed at startups' that bundles 'financial, lifestyle, and wellness offerings'.
The Standard opened a new Global Capability Centre in Pune and 'appointed Mohua Sengupta as the country head'.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues final guidelines averting restructuring for 12 bank groups (Start of December) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) final guidelines allow banks and their group entities to continue overlapping lending activities, preventing restructuring for 12 large bank groups.
The draft guidelines would have impacted 12 bank groups, accounting for ~55% of sectoral advances, and 2-6% of consolidated advances of individual banks.
The final framework permits overlapping lending operations subject to board approval.
Of the 26 bank group entities with lending operations, only two currently qualify as upper-layer Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs).
The remaining bank group entities must adopt upper-layer norms (excluding listing requirements) by March 31, 2028.
The guidelines impose a 20% ceiling on a bank group’s shareholding in an Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC).
There are currently 13 ARCs in which one or more banks hold stakes.
In all but two of these ARCs, shareholding by any single bank is less than 20%.
Banks with shareholding exceeding the 20% limit in ARCs will have to partially divest by March 2028.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Authorizes PayG for Offline and Cross-Border Payment Aggregator Licenses

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to PayG to operate as both an Offline and Cross-Border Payment Aggregator.
PayG is now authorized to facilitate online payments, QR codes, and international transactions under RBI supervision.
The company currently provides payment solutions to over 1,000 small business partners and 50 large companies.
PayG has expanded its platform to offer more than 120 ways to pay since its launch in 2020.
The new licenses enable the company to support businesses with Point of Sale (POS) terminals and cross-border export transactions.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) license to Skydo (Start of January) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final authorisation to Bengaluru-based Skydo to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB).
The license enables the company to offer cross-border payment services to Indian MSMEs, freelancers, and startups across multiple currencies and markets.
Skydo currently serves over 30,000 Indian MSMEs, freelancers, and startups across more than 50 cities.
The platform supports payment collections in over 32 currencies.
The company recently raised USD 10Mn in Series A funding led by Susquehanna Asia Venture Capital, with participation from Elevation Capital.
The total funding raised by Skydo to date stands at USD 20Mn.

PAHAL (DBTL) Scheme strengthened with Biometric Verification (Start of December) ▼

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas oversees the Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL)-PAHAL Scheme operational since January 2015.
Common LPG Database Platform (CLDP) introduced to identify and block duplicate, inactive, and fraudulent LPG connections using Aadhaar number, bank details, Household ID, Ration card, name and address matching.
Aadhaar-Based Biometric Verification mandated for PMUY and PAHAL beneficiaries, with 69% of existing PMUY users completed as of 1 November 2025.
Terminated 8.63 lakh ineligible PMUY connections and 20,000 inactive beneficiaries since January 2025.
Strengthened Grievance Redress System includes toll-free helpline 1800-2333-555, LPG distributor offices, OMCs' apps and websites, CPGRAMS portal, WhatsApp support, social media channels, and LPG emergency line 1906.

PayGlocal Receives RBI PA-CB-I&O Licence for Full Cross-Border Payment Aggregation (Mid of November) ▼

PayGlocal has received final authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border – Inward & Outward (PA-CB-I&O).
The latest authorisation follows the company’s Payment Aggregator – Online (PA-O) licence granted in September 2024.
Founded in 2021, the Bengaluru-based company works with merchants in sectors including exports, retail, travel, education and software services.

PayU receives RBI authorisation to operate as payment aggregator for online, offline and cross-border transactions (Mid of November) ▼

PayU has received authorisation from the Reserve Bank of India to operate as a payment aggregator across online, offline and cross-border transactions, including both inward and outward, under the Payment and Settlement Systems (PSS) Act.
The approval enables PayU to offer secure, compliant, and seamless payment acceptance, settlement and cross-border solutions for merchants across channels.
This development strengthens PayU's position as a full-stack digital payments provider, empowering businesses with reliable and seamless experiences across online, offline and cross-border touchpoints.

India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) mandates Choice Wealth to deploy digital investment platform

[India Post Payments Bank (IPPB)]

Key Updates:

Choice Wealth will deploy a one-stop digital investment platform providing online mutual funds aggregator services and Robo-Advisory services for IPPB customers.
IPPB customers will access investment products through mobile applications, web-based platforms, and mATM-compatible devices.
Axis Finance Ltd launches Axis Finance Vyapar Business Loan, offering collateral-free loans up to Rs 10 lakh for micro and small businesses in semi-urban and rural markets.

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Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. Enters Prediction Markets Business (End of October) ▼

Donald Trump’s social-media company is getting into the prediction markets business.
Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. plans to make prediction contracts available on its Truth Social network.
The prediction contracts will allow users to bet on events ranging from political elections to inflation-rate changes.
The service will be called Truth Predict.
Initial testing of the service, called Truth Predict, will start “in the near future.”

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) Launches DigiProtect Term Plan for Salaried Individuals (End of December) ▼

PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) launched the PNB MetLife DigiProtect Term Plan (UIN-117N141V01) in collaboration with Policybazaar.
The product is an individual non-linked, non-participating, pure term insurance plan designed specifically for salaried individuals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The plan offers an exclusive first-year discount of up to 21% on the first premium to lower entry costs for policyholders.
India faces a 91% life protection gap, which indicates that only ₹9 is covered for every ₹100 required to financially secure families.
Policybazaar holds a market share of over 93% in the digital insurance aggregator space and recorded an annual premium collection exceeding ₹15,000 crore in FY24.
Policybazaar has issued over 44.3 million policies and caters to more than 80.5 million registered users.
PNB MetLife operates through 178 branches and provides access to customers in over 20,000 locations through bank partnerships and a network of 36,000 financial advisors.
The company currently caters to over 585 group relationships in India and offers a portfolio covering child education, family protection, and retirement.

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) and YES Bank forge strategic bancassurance partnership (Start of December) ▼

LIC and YES Bank have entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership enabling YES Bank customers to access LIC’s comprehensive range of life insurance products through the Bank’s extensive branch network and digital platforms.
YES Bank is recognised as the Preferred Banker to Digital India with best-in-class technology infrastructure, a robust API stack, and a leadership position in digital payments.
The partnership was announced in the presence of R. Doraiswamy, CEO & MD, LIC of India, and Prashant Kumar, MD & CEO, YES Bank.
Through this collaboration, YES Bank customers will be able to avail LIC’s diverse portfolio products including term plans, endowment policies, pension, and unit-linked insurance plans.

FITT, IIT Delhi and IDFC FIRST Bank launch IGNITE cohort to back high-impact climate, AI and social-good startups (End of December) ▼

FITT, IIT Delhi in collaboration with IDFC FIRST Bank announced the launch of a new cohort under the IGNITE Program to support high-potential startups working across climate tech, clean energy, healthcare, agri-tech, mobility, education, and AI-driven solutions for social good.
The program offers non-dilutive financial support of up to ₹30 lakhs per startup along with structured capacity-building workshops covering technology development, business strategy, and investor readiness.
Startups gain mentorship from IIT Delhi faculty, industry experts, and IDFC FIRST Bank CSR leaders, plus access to investor connect sessions, demo day exposure, and SIDBI-FITT investment pitching opportunities.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) projects India’s real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26.

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]

Key Updates:

MoSPI’s First Advance Estimates place FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4%, up from 6.5% in FY25.
Nominal GDP growth for FY26 is estimated at 8.0%.
Real gross value added (GVA) is projected to rise 7.3% in FY26, with the services sector identified as the key growth engine.
Private consumption growth eased to 7% YoY in FY25 versus 7.2% in the previous fiscal.
Manufacturing GVA growth is estimated at 7% and Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services plus Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to grow 9.9% at constant prices in FY26.
Agriculture and allied sector GVA growth is pegged at 3.1% while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services GVA growth is moderate at 2.1% in FY26.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had forecasted FY26 GDP growth at 7.3% in its December MPC meeting.
CRISIL revised its FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7% after Q2 FY26 data showed 8.2% growth, the fastest in six quarters.
India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) pegs FY26 real GDP growth at 7.4% and nominal GDP growth at 9%.
Bank of Baroda projects FY26 GDP growth in the 7.4%-7.6% range, noting risks from decelerating exports to the US.
SBI Capital Markets expects FY26 real GDP growth to exceed 7% and nominal GDP growth at around 8.5% y/y.
Acuité Ratings & Research revised FY26 GDP growth estimate to 7.2% from 6.6% after Q2 data.
The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY26 will be released on 27 February 2026 and will incorporate a base revision to 2022-23.

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United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼

The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

Fitch Ratings raises India FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.4% from 6.9%. (Start of December) ▼

Fitch Ratings raised India’s FY26 GDP growth forecast to 7.4% from 6.9%.
GDP growth is expected to slow to 6.4% in FY27.
India’s GDP growth hit a six-quarter high of 8.2% in Q2FY26.
Fitch projects the Indian rupee to strengthen to 87 per dollar by end-2026 from 88.5 projected for end-2025.
Retail inflation fell to a record low of 0.25% in October.
Fitch expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut the policy rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in December.
The RBI has already cut rates by 100 basis points in 2025 so far.
Fitch sees the RBI holding the policy rate at 5.25% over the next two years.
India faces an effective tariff rate of around 35% on exports to the US.
GST reforms effective September 22 shifted to a two-rate structure of 5% and 18%, lowering tax rates on about 375 items.
Private investment is projected to pick up in the second half of 2026-27 as financial conditions loosen.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of December) ▼

Asian Development Bank (ADB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2 per cent from 6.5 per cent.
The upgrade for India is 0.7 percentage points.
ADB forecasts Asia to grow at 5.1 per cent in 2025, higher than its earlier projection of 4.8 per cent.
The 2025 growth estimate for India has been revised to 7.2 per cent.
India recorded GDP growth of 8.2 per cent in the second quarter ending September.
India's GDP growth was 7.8 per cent in the first quarter, taking the growth rate for the first half of the financial year to 8 per cent.
ADB kept its FY27 forecast unchanged at 6.5 per cent.
ADB revised the inflation forecast for FY2026 down to 2.6 per cent from 3.1 per cent in September.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased its GDP growth estimate for the ongoing financial year to 7.3 per cent from 6.8 per cent.
RBI places real GDP growth for the full year at 7.3 per cent.
RBI projects Q3 growth at 7 per cent and Q4 at 6.5 per cent.

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projects India GDP growth at 6.9% for FY27 (Start of January) ▼

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) forecasts real GDP growth of 6.9% in FY27.
Ind-Ra expects retail inflation to average 3.8% in FY27.
Union government debt as a percentage of GDP is projected to decline to 55.5% in FY27 from an estimated 56.3% in FY26.
Ind-Ra anticipates the Indian Rupee to average 92.26 against the US dollar in FY27, compared with 88.64 in FY26.
Ind-Ra estimates total budget size to rise to Rs 52 lakh crore in FY27 from the budgeted Rs 50 lakh crore in FY26.
Tax revenue is expected to fall short by Rs 2 lakh crore in FY26, to be offset through higher non-tax revenue and slightly lower capex.
Fiscal deficit for FY26 is retained at the budgeted 4.4% of GDP, amounting to Rs 15.69 lakh crore in absolute terms.

NCORD Apex-Level Meeting Approves 3-Year Nationwide Anti-Drug Campaign

Key Updates:

Union home minister Amit Shah chaired the ninth apex-level meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi.
A nationwide campaign against drugs will be launched from March 31, 2026, for a period of three years.
All central government departments must prepare a roadmap up to 2029 with a monitoring mechanism to address the drug problem comprehensively.

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Jay Shah Received 'Transformational Leader Of The Year' Award at NDTV Indian Of The Year 2025 (End of December) ▼

Jay Shah was honored with the 'Transformational Leader Of The Year' award at the NDTV Indian Of The Year 2025 event.
He served as the secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2019 to 2024.
He took over as the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in December 2024.
Under his leadership, the BCCI launched the Women's Premier League (WPL), which raised more than Rs 6,000 crore through sponsorship, media rights, and teams.
He implemented pay parity for women cricketers, increasing Test match fees from Rs 2.5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh and One Day International (ODI) fees from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 6 lakh.
He began his career at the Central Board of Cricket Ahmedabad in 2009.
During his tenure at the BCCI, he oversaw the signing of record-breaking media rights deals for the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Vibha Chahal Appointed Director of Food and Public Distribution Department (Start of January) ▼

Vibha Chahal was appointed as the Director of the Food and Public Distribution Department.
Shubha Sarma took additional charge as the Principal Secretary of the Water Resources Department in Odisha.
Bakki Karthikeyan and Geetika Sharma were promoted to the position of Director in the Ministry of Mines.
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared the extension of central deputation for Nirupama J. Dange and Pooja Pandey.
Ajay Kumar Shukla was elevated to the post of Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department in Uttar Pradesh.
Karthikeyan Manickam was appointed as the Chairman of ESAF Small Finance Bank.

8th Chair Poetry Evenings – Kolkata’s International Poetry Festival to be held from November 28 to 30, 2025 (Mid of November) ▼

The festival will feature poets from thirteen countries presenting works in sixteen different languages.
The event reinforces the festival’s spirit of global poetic exchange as stated in the article.
The eighth edition of Chair Poetry Evenings is scheduled to take place in Kolkata.

5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries: Human Capital for Viksit Bharat (End of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries from December 26 to December 28 in the national capital.
The conference theme is 'Human Capital for Viksit Bharat', focusing on leveraging India's demographic strengths for economic and social progress.
Key discussion pillars include education and schooling, health and wellness, economic hubs, and frontier technologies.

District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) initiative to create Global Export Champions and self-reliant hubs

Key Updates:

Ministry of Textiles unveiled the District-Led Textiles Transformation (DLTT) initiative to transform 100 high-potential districts into Global Export Champions and elevate 100 Aspirational Districts into self-reliant hubs.
Districts were categorized into Champion Districts and Aspirational Districts using a data-driven scoring methodology based on Export Performance, MSME Ecosystem, and Workforce Presence.
Champion Districts interventions include upgrading to Mega Common Facility Centres, integrating Industry 4.0, and facilitating direct Export Market Linkages.
Aspirational Districts interventions include basic skilling and certification, establishing Raw Material Banks, and promoting micro-enterprises through Self-Help Groups and Cooperatives.
The initiative emphasizes Purvodaya convergence in east and northeast zones for tribal belt development, connectivity improvement, and Geographical Indication tagging of cultural handicrafts.

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India hosts National Textiles Ministers’ Conference in Guwahati to weave growth, heritage and innovation (Start of January) ▼

The two-day National Textiles Ministers’ Conference commenced in Guwahati, Assam, organised by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
Theme of the Conference: “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation”.
Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh urged States and UTs to formulate investor-friendly policies to attract greater investment in the textile sector.
Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita stated India has set an ambitious target of building a USD 350 billion textile economy.
Handloom Census 2019–20 highlighted that the Northeastern region contributes around 52 per cent of the country’s total handloom output.
Report released: India’s Textile Atlas: State Compendium 2025.

PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks: ₹70,000 Crore Industry Investment and 10 Lakh Jobs per Park (Mid of December) ▼

The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) and the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) conducted a stakeholder consultation for three upcoming PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
"DPRs worth ₹5,567 crore have been finalised for the three PPP-mode parks" located in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), and Navsari (Gujarat).
The PM MITRA Parks are "inspired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s 5F vision—Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign" to create fully integrated, end-to-end textile value chains.
"Investor interest across the three states has crossed ₹20,054 crore, driven largely by the composite textile segment."
Seven PM MITRA Parks have been announced across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
The projected impact of the scheme includes "₹70,000 crore in industry investments" and "10 lakh employment opportunities per park."

India Hands Over Three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Myanmar on December 21, 2025 (End of December) ▼

India handed over three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) dedicated to the socio-economic benefit of the people in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar.
A flexible rapier loom, an Indian-made high-tech weaving machine, was installed at the Saunder Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura to support vocational education development in weaving.
A new single one-storey building for the Girls Training School in Mandalay was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Chief Minister of Mandalay Region Government U Myo Aung.
The third project involves an investigation into tar-free and dry type gasification processes using agricultural waste to support rural electrification, clean energy, and environmental conservation.
These projects were implemented under the framework of the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) to support Myanmar’s socio-economic development.

National Strategy for India’s Textiles: Target of USD 350 Billion Industry and USD 100 Billion Exports by 2030 (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Textiles (MoT) is organizing a national conference to deliberate on a coordinated national strategy for positioning India as a global textiles manufacturing hub.
The MoT deliberations align with the national vision of developing a USD 350 billion textile industry and achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.
A conclave on "‘Strengthening and Empowering the Textiles Sector of the North-Eastern Region of India’" will focus on silk, handloom, and bamboo-based textiles.
The initiative focuses on revitalising traditional textiles with emphasis on handloom and handicrafts for modern markets and the promotion of women-led enterprises.

Akka Pade Scheme State-wide Rollout to Protect Women and Minor Girls

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved the statewide implementation of the 'Akka Pade' scheme across all 31 districts and five police commissionerates.
The decision is aimed at strengthening efforts to prevent atrocities against minor girls and women, including child marriages, by extending the initiative beyond its pilot phase.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil said the 'Akka Pade' scheme was initially launched on a trial basis in select districts to curb child marriages and protect minor girls and women from abuse and exploitation.

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Pankhudi Portal Launched to Streamline Non-Monetary Contributions for Women & Child Welfare (Start of January) ▼

The Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi launched 'Pankhudi', a portal to facilitate contributions by individuals, NGOs and corporates to government initiatives for early childhood care and women empowerment.
The portal will streamline voluntary and institutional contributions across key thematic areas, including nutrition, health, early childhood care and education (ECCE), child welfare, protection and rehabilitation, and women's safety and empowerment.
The portal does not allow monetary contributions and is described as a 'non-monetary, transparent, and result-oriented' platform.
Contributors can register on the portal, identify initiatives, submit proposals, and track the status of their contributions through clearly defined approval workflows.

Karnataka Wellbeing Leave Bill 2025 to offer menstrual leaves and WFH flexibility (Mid of December) ▼

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.

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

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.

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.

India conducts Military Civil Fusion exercise Sanjha Shakti at Khadki Military Station

Key Updates:

A joint Military Civil Fusion (MCF) exercise, Sanjha Shakti was successfully conducted on January 8 and 9, at the Dighi Range, Khadki Military Station, under the aegis of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Goa Area of Southern Command.
The exercise witnessed active participation from the Indian Army and 16 key civilian agencies like Maharashtra Police, Force One and Fire Fighting Departments.
The exercise focused on enhancing interoperability, rapid response, and coordinated action in evolving emergency and security scenarios.

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India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise 'Garuda Shakti' Begins in Himachal (Start of December) ▼

The 10th edition of the India-Indonesia joint special forces exercise 'Garuda Shakti' is being conducted from December 3-12 at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, in Himachal Pradesh.
The Indian contingent is represented by troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent comprises personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces.
The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the special forces of the two nations.
Its scope includes troop-level tactics, techniques and procedures in a counter-terrorism environment, covering unarmed combat techniques, combat shooting, sniping, heliborne operations and planning for drone, counter-UAS and loiter-munition strikes in semi-mountainous terrain.

India-Sri Lanka conduct 11th 'Mitra Shakti' joint military exercise in Belagavi, Karnataka (Mid of November) ▼

Exercise Name: Mitra Shakti (11th edition)
Location: Belagavi, Karnataka
Participating Forces: Indian Army (170 personnel, mainly Rajput Regiment), Indian Air Force (20 personnel); Sri Lankan Army (135 personnel, Gajaba Regiment), Sri Lankan Air Force (10 personnel)
Key Focus: Enhancing interoperability and joint responses during counter-terrorist operations
Activities: Raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, employment of drones, counter unmanned aerial systems, and helicopters

Indian Army conducts 'Exercise Brahmashira' in Rann and Creek Sector under Tri-Service Exercise Trishul (Mid of November) ▼

Exercise Brahmashira held in Rann and Creek Sector as part of Tri-Service Exercise Trishul
Participants: Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, BSF, civil administration
Key features: Joint Task Forces, Joint Control Centre, multi-domain operations, Military-Civil Fusion
Exercise TRISHUL validates full-spectrum land-sea-air integration under mantra JAI - Jointness, Atmanirbharta, Innovation
Southern Command formations also conduct Exercises MaruJwala and Akhand Prahaar in Thar Desert for combined arms and joint fire integration

India and Malaysia commence 5th edition of Harimau Shakti exercise in Rajasthan (Start of December) ▼

The fifth edition of the joint military exercise 'Harimau Shakti' is being held at Mahajan Field Firing Range from December 5-18.
The Indian contingent is represented mainly by troops from the Dogra Regiment.
The Malaysian side is represented by troops from the 25th Battalion Royal Malaysian Army.
The exercise aims to jointly rehearse conduct of sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations mandate.
The scope includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations, cordon, search and destroy missions, and heliborne operations.
Army Martial Arts Routine, combat reflex shooting, and yoga are part of the exercise curriculum.
Both sides will rehearse drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations.

India upgrades Pinaka rocket launchers with L&T and Tata contract

[Indian Army, Larsen & Toubro (L&T)]

Key Updates:

The Army is undertaking an extensive upgrade of its Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, with orders going to private sector defence giants Tata and Larsen & Toubro.
The contract will involve the two companies working with Army Base Workshops in upgrading critical sub-systems, providing sustained technical support and replacing outdated components.
The indigenous Pinaka has emerged as the army's primary rocket system, with work underway to significantly increase its range to excess of 150 km.
The partnership of the two companies with the Corps of EME of the Indian Army seeks to enhance long-term operational availability and modernisation of Pinaka regiments.
Tata Advanced Systems has achieved nearly 80% indigenous content on manufacturing the Pinaka launchers.
The Pinaka programme, developed by DRDO and manufactured by the private sector, has emerged as a key Make in India success story in the defence sector.
A longer range variant, that can strike targets at 75 km range, has been tested successfully and is likely to be ordered in future.

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Tata Advanced Systems receives Indian Army supply order for overhaul and upgradation of Pinaka MLRS (Start of January) ▼

Tata Advanced Systems has been awarded a supply order to support the Indian Army's 510 Advance Base Workshop (ABW) in the overhaul cum upgradation of in-service first-generation Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and Battery Command Posts (BCPs).
In the initial phase, Tata Advanced Systems and 510 ABW will jointly undertake a pilot overhaul of select Pinaka MLRS and BCPs.
Following the pilot phase, the remaining systems will be overhauled by 510 ABW with Tata Advanced Systems providing critical spares, quality assurance and technical support.
Tata Advanced Systems partnered with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to design and develop the Pinaka MLRS.
The company has achieved nearly 80 per cent indigenous content in the Pinaka MLRS.
Pinaka MLRS is mounted on an 8x8 High Mobility Vehicle and features automated 'shoot-and-scoot' operations.

NIBE secures Rs 292.69 crore Indian Army order for Universal Rocket Launcher System (Start of January) ▼

NIBE has secured a domestic defence contract worth Rs 292.69 crore from the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
The order involves the manufacturing and supply of ground equipment, accessories, ESP and ammunition for a Universal Rocket Launcher System capable of integrating multiple rocket types, including long-range rockets with strike capabilities of 150 km and 300 km.
The company is required to furnish a performance-cum-warranty bank guarantee equivalent to 10% of the total contract value within 30 days of signing the agreement.
The contract will be executed in tranches over a period of 12 months.
The total consideration of Rs 292.69 crore is inclusive of all taxes and duties.

Indian Army inducts tanks, artillery guns and engineering equipment into Kashmir Valley by Military Special Train (Mid of December) ▼

The Indian Army successfully inducted tanks, artillery guns, and engineering equipment into the Kashmir Valley using a Military Special Train.
The operation involved seamless transportation of heavy assets from the Jammu region to Anantnag in southern Kashmir.
The move was conducted as part of a validation exercise demonstrating enhanced mobility and logistical capability.
The milestone was achieved in close coordination with the Ministry of Railways, leveraging the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The USBRL project features iconic structures like the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and provides all-weather connectivity.

DRDO successfully tests maiden Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) in Odisha (End of December) ▼

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR 120) at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha's Chandipur.
The rocket was tested for its maximum range of 120 km, demonstrating all in-flight manoeuvres as planned.
The LRGR impacted the target with textbook precision.
The LRGR 120 is an extended-range, precision-guided rocket developed for the Indian Army’s Pinaka Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
Unlike earlier unguided Pinaka rockets, the LRGR is equipped with a guidance system that significantly improves accuracy.
The rocket is fired from the existing Pinaka launcher, allowing the Army to enhance capability without inducting a new launch platform.

Indian Army launches Depot Integration Management Edition digital platform

[Indian Army]

Key Updates:

Indian Army has launched Depot Integration Management Edition (DIME), a pan-Army digital platform that delivers real-time visibility of logistic items from units to Army Headquarters.
Developed jointly by the Indian Army and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BIS-N).
The platform will compress logistics cycle and provide near real-time asset visibility across the entire logistic ecosystem.
Commanders equipped with integrated dashboards and exception alerts to make informed decisions.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrates 68th Foundation Day with record AoN worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore (Start of January) ▼

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

Indian Army declares 2026 as 'Year of Networking & Data Centricity' and affirms Operation Sindoor still ongoing (Start of January) ▼

The Indian Army declared 2026 as the 'Year of Networking & Data Centricity' to boost connectivity, real-time decision-making, and combat effectiveness.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi stated that jointness, self-reliance, and innovation are the core pillars of military power.
Gen Dwivedi confirmed that Operation Sindoor, initiated last year against the enemy's nefarious designs, continues even today.

Indian Army inducts tanks, artillery guns and engineering equipment into Kashmir Valley by Military Special Train (Mid of December) ▼

The Indian Army successfully inducted tanks, artillery guns, and engineering equipment into the Kashmir Valley using a Military Special Train.
The operation involved seamless transportation of heavy assets from the Jammu region to Anantnag in southern Kashmir.
The move was conducted as part of a validation exercise demonstrating enhanced mobility and logistical capability.
The milestone was achieved in close coordination with the Ministry of Railways, leveraging the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.
The USBRL project features iconic structures like the Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and provides all-weather connectivity.

GSV–DRDO MoU targets indigenous smart defence tech in logistics, chip design & cryptography (Mid of November) ▼

MoU signed on 17 November 2025 in New Delhi between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Joint focus on Defence Logistics Management: “Modelling, simulation, and validation of logistics plans” and “Improving supply chain resilience for defence operations”
Indigenous chip design & hardware security: “Indigenous chip design for defence applications” and “Secure hardware solutions for critical systems”
Advanced cryptographic R&D: “Homomorphic encryption for secure computation” and “Blockchain-based encryption for tamper-proof defence communication systems”
Human-capacity building: “Train young researchers, scientists, and military logisticians” through workshops, conferences and research exchanges

India signs Rs 168 crore contract for first solar-powered surveillance drone on January 11, 2026

Key Updates:

The Indian Army has signed a Rs 168 crore deal with a Bengaluru-based startup for solar-powered spy drones.
The system, called the Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System (MAPSS), has been developed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies under the Defence Ministry’s iDEX innovation programme.
MAPSS changes that by using solar energy to keep flying for extended periods, making it useful for watching long stretches of the border without interruption.
Because it runs on electric power, it is quieter and produces less heat, making it harder to detect.
The company has already tested similar platforms that stayed in the air for more than 24 hours at heights above 26,000 feet.
Those trials were carried out at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga.
Since Operation Sindoor, the force has added a range of unmanned systems, including loitering munitions and surveillance drones, in deals worth over Rs 5,000 crore.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrates 68th Foundation Day with record AoN worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore (Start of January) ▼

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

NIBE secures Rs 292.69 crore Indian Army order for Universal Rocket Launcher System (Start of January) ▼

NIBE has secured a domestic defence contract worth Rs 292.69 crore from the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
The order involves the manufacturing and supply of ground equipment, accessories, ESP and ammunition for a Universal Rocket Launcher System capable of integrating multiple rocket types, including long-range rockets with strike capabilities of 150 km and 300 km.
The company is required to furnish a performance-cum-warranty bank guarantee equivalent to 10% of the total contract value within 30 days of signing the agreement.
The contract will be executed in tranches over a period of 12 months.
The total consideration of Rs 292.69 crore is inclusive of all taxes and duties.

L&T and General Atomics Partner for MALE RPAS Manufacturing in India (Start of November) ▼

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered into a strategic partnership with US-headquartered General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) for manufacturing MALE RPAS in India.
The partnership aims to produce Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) platforms for the Indian armed forces.
The combat-proven MALE RPAS platforms will be manufactured entirely in India.
L&T will be the prime bidder and GA-ASI the technology partner for the upcoming 87 MALE RPAS programme of the Ministry of Defence.
The collaboration will enable the production of GA-ASI's combat-proven MQ-series RPAS.
GA-ASI's MQ-series RPAS are widely operational across the globe in surveillance and strike missions.
The partnership aims to significantly enhance India's defence capabilities and advance self-reliance in aerospace technologies.

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.

UP Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 Convenes in Lucknow Jan 12-13

Key Updates:

IndiaAI, MeitY, and the Uttar Pradesh government host the UP Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 in Lucknow on 12-13 January 2026.
The conference focuses on responsible, inclusive, and scalable AI adoption in governance, healthcare, and public service.
Sessions cover global AI landscape, AI-driven healthcare delivery, digital public infrastructure, diagnostics, and workforce empowerment.

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Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 held in Jaipur (Start of January) ▼

The Rajasthan Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 will be held in Jaipur on January 6.
The conference will focus on the role of artificial intelligence in governance, economic growth, innovation and public service delivery.
Senior leaders expected include Union minister for electronics and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, minister of state for electronics and information technology and commerce and industry Jitin Prasada, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and the state’s IT and communication minister Rajyavardhan Rathore.
Discussions will centre on AI applications in public service delivery and governance, ethical and responsible use of AI, and the impact of AI on employment and skills.
The conference will be held alongside Rajasthan DigiFest × TiE Global Summit 2026.

Odisha hosts two-day Regional AI Impact Summit 2025 to advance sustainable AI solutions (Mid of December) ▼

Odisha is hosting a two-day Regional AI Impact Summit 2025 in Bhubaneswar organised by the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Government of Odisha.
The summit focuses on scalable public AI solutions centred on the 3Ps - People, Planet, and Progress.
Odisha Minister Mukesh Mahaling stated that the outcomes of this summit will inform how AI can be used to monitor governance modules.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation Secretary Saurabh Garg said the objective is to ensure AI is available for the benefit of all without requiring users to know the technology.
Principal Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev noted that Odisha is the first state in the country to bring out an AI policy.
The Odisha government launched the Odisha AI mission aligned with the India AI mission to democratise AI through access, affordability, equity, and inclusivity.

Uttarakhand CM Dhami inaugurates 47th All India Public Relations Conference (Mid of December) ▼

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the 47th All India Public Relations Conference-2025 held at Hotel Emerald Grand on Sahastradhara Road in Dehradun.
The conference is organized by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) with the theme 'Viksit Bharat @2047: Development as well as Heritage.'
The three-day event includes expert sessions on Uttarakhand's 25-year development journey, media and public relations, technology, GST, artificial intelligence, cybercrime, misinformation, and international public relations.

NABARD and IAMAI launch Earth Summit 2025-26 to foster rural innovation (End of November) ▼

The summit is themed 'Empowering Rural Innovation for Global Change'.
It will be held across three cities: Hyderabad (20-21 Nov 2025), Gandhinagar (5-6 Dec 2025), and New Delhi (Feb 2026).
The initiative aims to bridge gaps between technology, finance, agriculture, and climate action for rural transformation.
Activities include hackathons, startup-investor connects, exhibitions, and product showcases.
The summit will demonstrate how India’s Digital Public Infrastructure can scale inclusive innovation across the Global South.

Indonesia blocks Elon Musk’s Grok AI over deepfake concerns

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

Indonesia has become the first country in the world to block Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot over the risk of fake, artificial intelligence (AI) generated pornographic content.
The Grok AI technology allowed users to alter online images to remove the subjects’ clothes, which the government termed a serious violation of human rights, dignity, and the security of citizens in the digital space.
The social media platform X limited image generation and editing features to paying subscribers as it sought to tamp down mounting criticism over the deepfakes.
The Communication and Digital Affairs Ministry of Indonesia summoned X officials to discuss the matter under rules that ban the sharing online of content deemed obscene.

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UNDP report warns AI could widen gaps between rich and poor nations (Start of December) ▼

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report likens AI situation to the 'Great Divergence' of the industrial revolution.
AI can lift productivity, spark new industries, and help latecomers catch up.
AI offers better advice on farming, analysis of X-rays within seconds, faster medical diagnoses, more effective weather forecasts and damage assessments.
AI systems that analyse poverty, health, and disaster risks enable faster, fairer, and more transparent decisions.
Data centres may devour too large a share of electricity and water.
Ramping up power generation to meet higher demand may hinder progress in limiting emissions of carbon from burning fossil fuels.
Hackers use AI to automate portions of cyberattacks.
Deepfakes can misinform or facilitate criminal activity.
Asian nations including China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are well placed to take advantage of AI tools.
Afghanistan, the Maldives and Myanmar lack skills, reliable power and other resources needed to tap into AI.
About a quarter of the Asia-Pacific region lacks online access.

Indonesia Raises Alert for Mount Bur Ni Telong Amid Increased Volcanic Activity (Start of January) ▼

Indonesian authorities have escalated the alert level for Mount Bur Ni Telong volcano, located in the western Aceh province, following heightened volcanic activity.
The stratovolcano, standing at 2,624 meters, has shown an increased frequency of both shallow and deep volcanic earthquakes.
Officials are evacuating nearby residents and urge caution around fumaroles and solfataras due to toxic gases.

CERT-In warns Indian WhatsApp users of GhostPairing attack hijacking accounts without passwords or SIM swaps (End of December) ▼

GhostPairing allows cybercriminals to take complete control of WhatsApp accounts without requiring passwords or SIM swaps.
The attack tricks users into granting an attacker’s browser access as an additional trusted and hidden device by using a pairing code that looks authentic.
Victims receive a message from a trusted contact that reads: “Hi, check this photo” containing a link with a Facebook-style preview.
The link leads to a fake Facebook viewer that prompts users to “verify” to see the content and then tricks them into entering their phone number and code.
Once linked, attackers can access all chats, photos, videos, voice notes and impersonate victims to send messages to contacts and group chats.

Coupang Data Breach Exposes Data of 33.7 Million South Korean Customer Accounts (Start of December) ▼

Coupang became aware of the unauthorised access of personal data of about 4,500 customer accounts.
Some 33.7 million customer accounts - all in South Korea - were likely exposed.
The breach is believed to have begun as early as June through a server based overseas.
The exposed data is limited to name, email address, phone number, shipping address and some order histories.
No credit card information or login credentials were leaked.
Coupang had nearly 25 million active users.

Bharat Forge (BF) Inks MoU with Agile Robots (AR) for AI-Led Industrial Automation

[Bharat Forge (BF)]

Key Updates:

Pune-based Bharat Forge (BF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Germany-headquartered Agile Robots (AR) to explore a strategic collaboration in artificial intelligence-driven robotics and industrial automation.
The partnership will focus on co-developing intelligent automation and robotic solutions for civilian manufacturing applications, including automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, industrial goods and logistics.
The two companies plan to jointly develop and deploy vision- and AI-based robotic systems, including solutions that support highly autonomous manufacturing environments, often referred to as “dark factories”.
The collaboration is aimed at India and Southeast Asia markets and will not extend to defence-related applications.
BF will contribute its manufacturing and sectoral expertise, while AR will bring its capabilities in AI-enabled robotics and automation.

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Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd to build world’s first autonomous maritime shipyard in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of December) ▼

Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd has been allotted 29.58 acres of land at the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour in Bogolu Mandal, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, for setting up the world’s first autonomous maritime shipyard and systems centre.
The facility is envisioned as a pioneering hub that will accelerate innovation, reshape industrial practices, and set new international benchmarks in autonomous maritime technology.
The integrated R&D and testing ecosystem is poised to benefit sectors such as logistics, fisheries, disaster response, and port operations.
A dedicated Maritime Test Centre within the project will support end-to-end autonomous system research, development, prototyping, and validation.

IIT Delhi-led team creates AILA, an AI agent that autonomously operates Atomic Force Microscope (End of December) ▼

The AI system can operate scientific instruments, make decisions during experiments, and analyse data without human involvement.
AILA was trained to operate an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a highly sensitive instrument used to study materials at the nanoscale.
With AILA, optimising microscope parameters for high-resolution, noise-free images that earlier took an entire day is now completed in just seven to ten minutes.
AI systems that perform well in theoretical or quiz-based assessments often struggle in dynamic laboratory environments that require rapid adaptation.
The AI agent occasionally deviated from instructions, underscoring the need for robust safeguards to prevent equipment damage or accidents.

DGT and Autodesk Collaborate to Enhance Design and Make Skills for India’s Vocational Workforce (Start of November) ▼

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Autodesk.
The collaboration aims to advance digital design and make skills among faculty and trainers in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the digital capabilities of trainers and educators, enhance employability skills in students, and prepare India’s workforce for the evolving needs of industries, such as architecture, engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
Over the next three years, this partnership will align skill development with rapid advancements in AI, industry innovation, and emerging career pathways.
Autodesk will extend its professional-grade software to educators and students across more than 14,500 ITIs and 33 NSTIs.
The initiative will involve the joint development of educational programs, curriculum, and learning activities, leveraging Autodesk’s technology.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd sign pact to build AI-enabled national innovation platform (Start of December) ▼

The platform, MStarTM Global AI Connect, will form a national digital backbone linking schools with mentors, incubators, research institutions, accelerators and industry.
It will support virtual Atal Tinkering Labs and virtual incubation centres linked to physical facilities.
The collaboration will provide workflows for ideation-to-pilot projects, readiness-level tracking and challenge grants.
Analytics generated by the platform will aid policy decisions at the Centre and State levels.

DRDL conducts 12-minute ground test of actively-cooled scramjet combustor

[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]

Key Updates:

Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) successfully ran the full-scale combustor for over 12 minutes at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test Facility.
The test validated the design of the actively-cooled scramjet combustor for hypersonic cruise missiles.
Hypersonic cruise missiles exceed five times the speed of sound (over 6,100 kmph) for extended periods.

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China's 3D-printed miniature turbojet engine completes maiden single-engine flight test (Mid of November) ▼

Technology: domestically developed ultra-lightweight miniature turbojet engine manufactured primarily by 3D printing
Institution: Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC)
Key performance: 30-minute flight at 6,000 m altitude and Mach 0.75, engine operated normally and stably
Design features: 160-kilogram thrust class; over three-quarters of engine weight in 3D-printed rotating parts, reducing part count and weight
Significance: first 3D-printed, ultra-lightweight miniature turbojet engine in this thrust class in China to pass a flight test

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) qualifies upgraded third stage of SSLV via static test (Start of January) ▼

ISRO successfully carried out a static ground test of an improved version of the third stage of its Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
The test was conducted at the Solid Motor Static Test Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota.
The improved SS3 motor features a carbon-epoxy composite motor case, reducing inert mass and yielding a payload gain of about 90 kg for SSLV.
The third stage alone delivers velocities of up to 4 km/second to the launch vehicle.
Nozzle control is achieved through a fault-tolerant electro-mechanical actuation system supported by low-power control electronics.

ISRO Successfully Tests Boot-Strap Mode Start on CE20 Cryogenic Engine (End of November) ▼

ISRO successfully demonstrated the boot-strap mode start test of the CE20 Cryogenic engine.
The CE20 engine powers the upper stage of the Launch Vehicle Mark -3 (LVM3) rocket.
The test was conducted for 10 seconds under vacuum conditions at the High-Altitude Test (HAT) facility at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri on November 7.
The CE20 cryogenic engine is already qualified for operation at thrust levels between 19 and 22 tonnes with a single start in flight and is cleared for use in the Gaganyaan missions.
Under normal conditions, the engine ignition begins under tank head pressure, followed by a turbopump start up using a stored gas start-up system.
For future missions, multiple in-flight restarts of the CE20 engine will be required for mission flexibility, towards multi-orbit missions.
With the current configuration, each restart requires an additional start-up gas bottle and associated systems, leading to a reduction in vehicle payload capability.
Achieving boot-strap mode start, where the engine builds up to steady operation without external start-up assistance, is essential.
During the test, a multi-element igniter was employed in both the thrust chamber and gas generator to facilitate boot-strap starting.
In this test, following the ignition of the thrust chamber, the gas generator was ignited under tank head conditions, and the turbopumps were started without the use of the start-up system.
Boot-strap mode build-up and steady-state operation of the engine were successfully demonstrated.
ISRO has successfully demonstrated boot-strap mode starting of a gas-generator cycle cryogenic engine without any auxiliary start-up system, perhaps for the first time in the world.
This achievement is a significant milestone towards enhancing the restart capability and mission flexibility of future LVM3 flights.

CSIR-NAL curtain-aiser spotlights aerospace tech under IISF 2025 (Start of December) ▼

CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) hosted the IISF 2025 curtain-raiser under the JIGYASA Programme.
Students toured the Flight simulator facility to learn aircraft control and simulation-based engineering.
DRISHTI indigenous runway-visibility technologies were demonstrated to the visitors.
The Advanced composites division displayed cutting-edge materials used in aerospace structures and lightweight components.

Indian Scientists Discover Two New Slender-Armed Frog Species in Arunachal Pradesh

[Arunachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

Indian scientists discovered two new slender-armed frogs from their secretive habitats in Arunachal Pradesh.
Delhi University (DU) frog hunter S D Biju and his PhD student Akalabya spotted the new species north of the Brahmaputra river.
Soman’s Slender Arm Frog Leptobrachium somani was discovered at Tiwari Gaon and named after late E Somanath, a noted journalist from Kerala.
The Mechuka Slender Arm Frog Leptobrachium mechuka is named after Mechuka, a small Arunachal Pradesh town close to the China border.
The Brahmaputra river acted as the biogeographical barrier for these frogs, aiding species diversification.
The slender-armed frogs Leptobrachium belong to the family Megophryidae, which is one of the most diverse frog families globally with 366 recognised species.
The study was published in the US based scientific journal Peer J.

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Zoological Society of London-led study blames photo tourism for presumed deaths of seven galaxy frogs in Western Ghats (Start of January) ▼

Galaxy frogs (Melanobatrachus indicus) live exclusively under rotten logs in Kerala’s Western Ghats.
The species is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Between June 2020 and April 2021 photographers overturned logs and trampled vegetation, causing the disappearance—and presumed deaths—of seven monitored frogs.
Photographers handled frogs with bare hands, exposed them to high-powered camera flashes for nearly four hours per session and moved them to different logs for better pictures.
Displacing logs altered the moss-covered microhabitat, likely preventing the frogs from returning and disrupting their feeding and breeding.
Frogs rely on skin respiration; drying from flash heat or handling hampers breathing and can be lethal.
The study recommends banning capture, handling and chasing of animals, minimising high-intensity lights, and training guides to curb unethical wildlife photography.

Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) team discovers Brachycephalus lulai in Brazil’s cloud forests (Mid of December) ▼

A team of scientists has discovered a new species of tiny toadlet in the cloud forests of Brazil's Serra do Quiriri mountain range.
This bright orange frog measures just 8.9-13.4 mm in length, making it one of the smallest four-legged animals on Earth.
This species is deaf to its own advertising calls, relying on visual cues like vocal sac inflation, mouth gaping, and arm waving for communication.
After detailed analysis, they named it Brachycephalus lulai after the Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Found in the Atlantic Forest, which is a highly threatened ecosystem, Brachycephalus lulai inhabits leaf litter at elevations above 750 meters.

Malabar gliding frog builds foam nest above water instead of laying eggs in water (Mid of November) ▼

Species: Malabar gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus) – "Known as the Malabar gliding frog, this vivid green amphibian"
Location: Western Ghats, India – "High in the misty forests of the Western Ghats in India"
Key behaviour: Constructs foam nest above ponds/streams – "the female selects a tree branch or leaf positioned directly above a pond or slow-moving stream"
Nest details: White frothy foam up to ~3 inches diameter, holds ~200 eggs – "This nest can reach around three inches in diameter" and "the female deposits up to 200 eggs"
Ecological role: Indicator of clean water and balanced habitat – "Frogs are indicators of environmental health; their presence suggests clean water and a balanced habitat"

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.

TN iTNT Hub inks LoI with XeedQ GmbH for state-backed quantum computing access

Key Updates:

Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) signed a Letter of Intent with Germany-based XeedQ GmbH to launch one of India’s first state-backed quantum computing programmes.
XeedQ will provide remote access, quantum hardware, technical expertise, and learning support.
Students and startups will work on an actual 4-qubit quantum computer rather than simulators or cloud-access.

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

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.

Google's Willow Quantum Processor Achieves First Verifiable Quantum Advantage (Start of November) ▼

Google's Willow quantum processor has achieved the world’s first verifiable quantum advantage.
This milestone was published in Nature on October 22, 2025.
The breakthrough centres on a new algorithm, Quantum Echoes, which runs 13,000 times faster than one of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
Unlike previous demonstrations of “quantum supremacy,” the results from Quantum Echoes are verifiable.
The new algorithm can explain interactions between atoms in a molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance.
The finding is powered by the Willow chip’s 105 high-fidelity qubits.
This marks the first algorithm demonstrating verifiable quantum advantage in hardware, paving a path towards future uses in drug discovery and materials science.

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 500 km Quantum Key Distribution Network Unveiled by QNu Labs (Start of November) ▼

India’s first extensive Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network, spanning over 500 kilometers, was successfully demonstrated.
The network was unveiled by QNu Labs Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based quantum technology startup.
This milestone was accomplished under the National Quantum Mission (NQM) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
QKD is a cutting-edge technology that uses quantum mechanics to encrypt communication channels, ensuring complete security against eavesdropping or data interception.
The demonstration included the unveiling of the new design of the “Quantum Suraksha Kavach (QSK)” rack, housing the integrated QKD system developed by QNu Labs.
QNu Labs’ QSIP (Quantum Random Number Generator System in Package) was also showcased, generating quantum-certified randomness.
The Indian Army, through its Southern Command Signals, played a key role in enabling the capability demonstration, with the test-bed optical fiber network engineered by the Corps of Signals in the Rajasthan Sector.
This achievement places India among a select group of nations—alongside the U.S., China, Japan, and several EU countries—that have developed indigenous long-range quantum communication capabilities.
The demonstration was supported through the I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation, a Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS) hosted at IISER Pune.

Rekha Gupta inaugurates 47th National Junior Boys Handball Championship

Key Updates:

The 47th National Junior Boys Handball Championship was inaugurated at a government school in Pitampura, New Delhi.
The event was organised by the Handball Federation of India (HFI) and the Delhi Handball Association.
A cash prize of ₹1 lakh was announced for the winning team of the championship.
Under the Delhi Government’s updated policy, international medal winners are eligible for ₹7 crore for Gold, ₹5 crore for Silver, and ₹3 crore for Bronze.

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National Sports Governance Act: Establishment of National Sports Board and Tribunal (Start of January) ▼

The Sports Ministry (SM) announced that the "Central Government has appointed 1st January, 2026 as the date on which the provisions" of the National Sports Governance Act shall partially come into force.
The Act paves the way for the "institution of an all-powerful National Sports Board (NSB) and a Tribunal to handle sporting disputes."
Under the new framework, National Sports Federations (NSFs) "will be required to have Executive Committees of no more than 15 members with at least two Sportspersons of Merit in them."
The NSB is proposed to be a "three-member body" with the power to "grant affiliation to the National Sports Federations (NSFs)," monitor financial operations, and penalize wrongdoing.
The "age cap for all members of the NSB has been fixed at 65," while members of the National Sports Tribunal (NST) will "hold office for four years with an age cap of 67 years."
It is mandatory for NSFs "to take NSB affiliation to be eligible for government funding."

India to host Silver-Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar next year (End of November) ▼

India is set to host its first-ever Silver-Level Continental Tour event next year in Bhubaneswar, the Athletics Federation of India announced on Tuesday.
The Silver-Level event will be held on August 22 at the Kalinga Stadium.
The Athletics Federation of India will replace the Indian Grand Prix series with the Indian Athletics Series, to be held across 16 cities with the final in New Delhi.
The National Indoor Athletics Championships will be introduced for the first time in India at the Kalinga indoor stadium in Bhubaneshwar.

PM Modi inaugurates 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Uttar Pradesh (Start of January) ▼

PM Modi inaugurated the 72nd National Volleyball Championship in Uttar Pradesh via video conferencing.
The tournament is being held in Varanasi with 58 teams participating.
The championship will conclude on January 11.

Kashi hosts 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship (End of December) ▼

The 72nd Senior National Volleyball Championship (Men and Women) will be held at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Stadium in Sigra from January 4 to 11.
The official mascots for the national competition are 'Nandu', inspired by Nandi, and 'Neera', a Ganga Dolphin.
A total of 73 teams and more than 1,000 players from across the country will participate in the event.
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Volleyball Association president Brijesh Pathak and Mayor Ashok Kumar Tiwari presented the formal invitation for the championship to the Prime Minister.
Random anti-doping tests of players will be conducted to ensure the transparency of the event.

Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary renamed on December 26

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

The state government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary.
The notification of the renaming was published on December 26, 2025.
The sanctuary is Kerala’s first ‘Butterfly Sanctuary’.

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Government declares Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary as Eco-Sensitive Zone (End of December) ▼

The Government has declared the Parvati-Arga Bird Sanctuary of Uttar Pradesh as an Eco sensitive zone.
Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, said that through this initiative, the government is working to develop it as a responsible ecotourism destination and strengthen its biodiversity.
The sanctuary, spread across one thousand 84 hectares, welcomes migratory birds from Central Asia and Tibet.

8th Namdapha Butterfly Festival to be held in Arunachal Pradesh (Start of November) ▼

The 8th Namdapha Butterfly Festival is set to take place at Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve from November 26-28.
This event celebrates the region's rich biodiversity, featuring over 500 butterfly species.
Organised in collaboration with local community groups, the festival aims to foster eco-tourism and conservation awareness, with free entry for local participants.
NNP &TR conservator of forest and field director AK Deka said the event, which celebrates the rich biodiversity of the region, will take place at Khachang village, Miao, the gateway to the NNP &TR in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.
It is home to world’s most spectacular butterflies including Kaiser-i-Hind, The Blue Mormon, Peacock Pansy, the rarely seen Zig-zag Flat and Yellow Veined Lancer.
The Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is known as one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots, and is home to over 500 species of butterflies, making the festival a crucial platform for eco-tourism and conseravation awareness.

International Spice Routes Heritage Network launched to position heritage as global tourism asset (Start of January) ▼

Kerala has launched the International Spice Routes Heritage Network, a global platform to boost cultural tourism and research by leveraging its historic maritime trade.
The initiative signals a strategic push to reposition heritage as a contemporary economic and tourism resource rather than a static historical narrative.
The Spice Routes Network would function as a platform for collaborative research, joint projects and shared resources in heritage conservation, archaeology, documentation, and museum development.
Organised by the Kerala Tourism Department in collaboration with the Muziris Heritage Project, the January 6-8 event brings together historians, policymakers and cultural practitioners from India and abroad.
Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas announced the initiative while inaugurating the three-day International Spice Routes Conference, themed 'Ancient Trails. New Journeys', at Bolgatty Palace.

Six New Odonate Species Discovered in Silent Valley National Park (End of October) ▼

Six new species of dragonflies and damselflies (odonates) were found in Silent Valley National Park.
The discovery occurred during an odonate survey held from October 10 to 12.
The survey was jointly held by Silent Valley National Park and the Society for Odonate Studies (SOS).
The newly recorded species include Long Legged Clubtail (Merogomphus longistigma), Fraser’s Torrent Hawk (Macromia irata), Dark Daggerhead (Macromidia donaldi), Blue-necked Reedtail (Protosticta mortoni), Wayanad Torrent Dart (Euphaea wayanadensis), and Black and Yellow Bambootail (Elattoneura tetrica).
With these new records, the total number of known odonate species in Silent Valley National Park has increased from 103 to 109.
Three Euphaea species (Euphaea dispar, E. fraseri, and E. wayanadensis) recorded during the survey are known indicators of freshwater quality.
Odonates are considered indicators of ecosystem health.

National Youth Day observed on January 12

Key Updates:

National Youth Day 2026 will be observed across India on January 12.
The day is dedicated to the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
The Government of India declared Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary as National Youth Day in 1984.

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World Hindi Day 2026 observed on January 10 (Start of January) ▼

World Hindi Day 2026 will be observed on January 10.
The date marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference, held in Nagpur in 1975.
World Hindi Day is officially observed by the Government of India, mainly through Indian embassies and missions overseas.
Hindi Diwas is observed on September 14 and marks the adoption of Hindi in the Devanagari script as an official language of India in 1949.

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.

Minorities Rights Day reinforces diversity as national strength (Mid of December) ▼

Minorities Rights Day in India is observed every year on 18 December.
The day is meant to preserve, protect and promote the rights of minority communities.
It highlights constitutional rights and protections available to minority groups.

National Cadet Corps (NCC) 78th Raising Day observed on November 23 (End of November) ▼

National Cadet Corps (NCC) celebrates its 78th raising day on November 23, 2025.
NCC was officially formed after the National Cadet Corps Act was passed on April 16, 1948, and operations began on July 15, 1948.
Started with 20,000 cadets, NCC is now the world's largest uniformed youth organization with 20 lakh cadets.
NCC has a presence in 713 of India's 780 districts.
Brigadier M.L. Rawat is known as the father of the NCC.

Veterans Day Parade held on Marine Drive, Mumbai

Key Updates:

Mumbai is the only city in India that holds a Veterans Day parade.
The parade is conducted by the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter (NFMC) with HQ Western Naval Command (HQWNC) actively supporting it.
Tri-Services Veterans Day is celebrated every year on January 14, the day in 1953 when Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army post-Independence, retired after distinguished service to the nation.
The first parade was held in 2020 and, after the Covid induced hiatus, the subsequent editions were held in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

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Vijay Diwas 2025 celebrations on December 15–16 (Mid of December) ▼

Vijay Diwas is observed on December 16 to commemorate India's victory in the 1971 War.
A 20-member Bangladesh delegation, including two serving officers of Bangladesh Army and eight Mukti Yoddhas, will attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Bengal.
The Eastern Command of the Indian Army concluded the Vijay Rally 2025 – 'Ride for Valour' motorcycle expedition before the celebrations.
The Bangladesh team will participate in the Military Tattoo on December 15 and the wreath-laying ceremony by Governor CV Ananda Bose at Vijay Smarak on December 16.

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'.

Bhupendra Patel flagged off Rashtriya Ekta Yatra from Karamsad to Kevadia (End of November) ▼

Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat, flagged off the 152-kilometre Rashtriya Ekta Yatra from Karamsad to Kevadia.
The foot march commemorates Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 150th birth anniversary and will culminate in Ekta Nagar, Narmada district, on December 5.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated the march will inspire citizens to align their goals with the nation’s Viksit Bharat aim by 2047.

Sainik Tujhe Salaam Initiative to Honour Army Veterans and Veer Naris (Start of December) ▼

The Assam government launched 'Sainik Tujhe Salaam' to honour Armed Forces veterans above the age of 90, Veer Naris, and Veer Mothers.
The state is home to around 41,968 ex-servicemen and 10,361 Veer Naris.
The directorate of sainik welfare and 21 district sainik welfare offices support the veteran community year-round.

Jyotiraditya Scindia announces Speed Post 24 and 48 services on January 11, 2026

Key Updates:

Union Minister for Communications and Northeast Region Development Jyotiraditya Scindia announced two new India Post services, Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48, at Pichor in Shivpuri district.
Speed Post 24 and Speed Post 48 are designed to ensure document delivery within 24 and 48 hours, respectively.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), rolled out transformative reforms to bolster indigenous manufacturing on December 29, 2025.
The telecom reforms are aligned with the principle of DSS, which stands for 'Design in India, Solve in India, Scale for the world'.
Reforms include a 90 per cent reduction in compliance burden for women-led and MSME testing laboratories and reduced fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTLs).
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and other government institutions have been granted a complete waiver of testing fees.
The Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for OEMs has been extended for a period of 2 years as part of the new telecom security reforms.

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Department of Posts discontinues select outward international letter mail services (Start of January) ▼

The Department of Posts under the Ministry of Communications will discontinue selected outward international letter mail services starting January 1 to keep in line with Universal Postal Union (UPU)'s decisions.
Discontinued services include Registered Small Packet service, Outward Small Packet service sent by Sea/SAL/Air, and Surface Air Lifted (SAL) Letter Mail Service for outward letter post items.
Customers are encouraged to use International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services that provide end-to-end tracking, faster delivery, better customs compliance, and security.

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.

Gen Z Post Office Launched at AIIMS Vijaypur to Enhance Digital Banking and Technology-Driven Services (Mid of December) ▼

The Department of Posts (India Post) inaugurated Jammu & Kashmir’s first “Gen Z Post Office” at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Vijaypur campus on December 17, 2025.
The initiative aims to transform traditional postal counters into youth-centric, technology-enabled service hubs tailored to the evolving needs of Generation Z.
The facility provides integrated access to postal, banking, and insurance services under one roof, with support from the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB).
Key features designed for students and campus residents include interactive kiosks, Wi-Fi zones, and personalized stamp services.

India Post Inaugurates Gen-Z Extension Counter at Kerala's CMS College (Mid of December) ▼

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.'

María Corina Machado indicates she would like to give or share Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump

[United States]

Key Updates:

The organization that oversees the Nobel Peace Prize is throwing cold water on talk of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado giving her recent award to President Trump.
Once the Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it can't be revoked, transferred or shared with others, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said in a short statement on Friday.
Machado dedicated the prize to Mr. Trump, along with the people of Venezuela, shortly after it was announced.

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Israel to award Israel Prize for Peace to United States President Donald Trump after Florida talks (End of December) ▼

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that US President Donald Trump will receive the Israel Prize for Peace, the country's highest civilian honour.
This marks the first time in 80 years the prize is awarded to a non-Israeli citizen and the first occasion the Peace category has been used.
The Israeli government amended the prize rules in July 2025 to allow foreign citizens to be eligible for the award.
Trump and Netanyahu discussed the second phase of the Gaza peace plan, including Hamas disarmament and issues related to the occupied West Bank.
Trump stated he is 'not concerned about anything that Israel is doing' and praised Israel for living up to the plan '100%'.
Netanyahu described the meeting as 'very, very productive' and emphasized strong cooperation between the two leaders.

Chile endorses India’s bid for permanent seat on United Nations Security Council (Mid of January) ▼

Chile supports India's aspiration of being a permanent member of the Security Council because we believe this body should better reflect the realities of today.
India can be a stabilising factor, an established factor, in global affairs.
Chile have been supporting reforms of the system.

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.

Peru Severs Diplomatic Relations with Mexico Over Asylum Grant (Start of November) ▼

Peru has severed diplomatic relations with Mexico.
The severance occurred after Peru accused Mexico of granting asylum to a former Peruvian prime minister who is on trial over an alleged coup attempt in 2022.
The announcement on Monday came hours after former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez – who served under former President Pedro Castillo – fled to the Mexican Embassy in Peru.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hugo de Zela told a news conference.
The Peruvian government cited repeated instances in which the current and former presidents of Mexico have interfered in Peru’s internal affairs as a reason for the decision.
In December 2022, Peru expelled Mexico’s ambassador after Mexico granted asylum to Castillo’s wife and children.
Castillo’s successor, then-President Dina Boluarte, also temporarily recalled Peru’s ambassador to Mexico City in February 2023.

105th birth anniversary of T M Kaliyannan observed on January 10, 2026

Key Updates:

Members of Congress and Kongu organisations observed the 105th birth anniversary of T M Kaliyannan on January 10, 2026.
T M Kaliyannan served as a member of the Provisional Parliament of India, the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly, and the legislative council.
A demand has been raised to rename the Salem Railway Junction or the Salem airport after T M Kaliyannan.
Namakkal Member of Parliament (MP) VS Matheswaran stated he would raise the demand for renaming the junction or airport in parliament.

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Paliyar tribe petitions Dindigul Collector for separate houses aligned with cultural practices (End of December) ▼

Seventeen Paliyar families from Shanmugam Parai Paliyarkudi village in Periyammapatti panchayat, Palani taluk, Dindigul district, submitted a petition to the Dindigul Collector.
The Paliyar are a forest-dependent nomadic community traditionally engaged in collecting minor forest produce, goat rearing, and agricultural labour.
House site pattas were issued three years ago, yet the families continue to live in individual hut houses on about one acre of government poramboke land.
They oppose closely built concrete houses in dense colonies as such layouts contradict their customary lifestyle that requires space for livestock sheds and scattered housing.
The petition requests a survey and demarcation of the patta land already allotted, followed by construction of separate concrete houses under the Tholkudi scheme in a layout respecting their cultural practices and ancestral lifestyle.

Telangana Government renames city roads after global icons and corporations (Start of December) ▼

The state govt has decided to name several roads in the city after US President Donald Trump, Ratan Tata, Google, Microsoft, Wipro, among others.
The road along the United States consulate general in Hyderabad is set to be called ‘Donald Trump Avenue'.
The upcoming greenfield radial road connecting the ORR at Raviryal with the proposed RRR will be named after Ratan Tata, with the interchange at Raviryal already named ‘Tata Interchange'.
A prominent stretch will be named ‘Google Street' in recognition of the global impact and contribution of Google Maps and the corporation at large.
Proposals for a Wipro Junction and a Microsoft Road are also under consideration.

Shah Rukh Khan honoured with commercial tower named 'Shahrukhz' in Dubai (Mid of November) ▼

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed gratitude for a commercial tower in Dubai being named 'Shahrukhz'
The tower is developed by Danube Properties and will feature a statue of the actor at the entrance in his signature pose
Shah Rukh Khan noted that Dubai has always been a special place for him and called the tower a symbol of how far belief and hard work can take you

Prime Minister’s Office new complex to be called 'Seva Teerth' (Start of December) ▼

The new complex housing the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shall be called ‘Seva Teerth’ to reflect the spirit of service rather than ‘power’.
Earlier called ‘Executive Enclave’ under the Central Visa Redevelopment project, the complex is in the final stages of completion.
Seva Teerth will house the PMO, offices of the Cabinet secretariat, National Security Council Secretariat and India House.
Home ministry wrote to the states and Union territories to rename governor’s houses as ‘Lok Bhavan’ or ‘Lok Niwas’ instead of ‘Raj Bhavan’.

Operation Hawkeye Strike directed by President Trump

[United States]

Key Updates:

US Central Command announced the strikes were part of Operation Hawkeye Strike directed by President Trump.
Centcom wrote on X: 'Our message remains strong: if you harm our warfighters, we will find you and kill you anywhere in the world.'
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X: 'We will never forget, and never relent.'

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Turkey's Baykar Kizilelma unmanned aircraft downs jet-powered aerial target using Gokdogan missile (Start of December) ▼

Turkey's Kizilelma aircraft, developed by Baykar, achieved a historic milestone by accurately targeting a jet-powered drone with a Gokdogan missile.
The test was guided by radar information during trials in the Sinop firing area.
The Kizilelma flew with five F-15 fighter jets from Merzifon’s 5th Main Jet Base as the launched Gokdogan missile directly hit the target drone.
Baykar conducted the pilot test on 30 November.
Kizilelma features Aselsan's Murad Aesa radar with a Beyond Visual Range air-to-air Gokdogan missile.
The Bayraktar Kizilelma is a single-engine, low-observable, carrier-capable aircraft developed as part of Turkish Muharip İnsansız Uçak Sistemi (MIUS) project.
Kizilelma is equipped with low radar cross-section and advanced sensors.
Planned variants include Kizilelma B and Kizilelma C, with the latter having a twin-engined configuration.
It is one of the two Turkish jet-powered stealth UCAVs, along with TAI Anka-3.
As many as 6 prototypes of the multirole stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle have been built.

Syria declares ceasefire in Aleppo after three days of clashes with Kurdish forces (Mid of January) ▼

Syria’s government declared a ceasefire in Aleppo following three days of intense clashes with Kurdish fighters.
The truce took effect at 3 am local time (midnight GMT).
Under the ceasefire terms, Kurdish militants were to withdraw from Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh, and Bani Zaid and be granted safe passage to north-east Syria controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The SDF has not yet confirmed its agreement to the ceasefire.
The US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack confirmed the Aleppo ceasefire on X, stating Washington “warmly welcomes the temporary ceasefire”.

United States launches Operation Hawkeye Strike against ISIS targets in Syria (End of December) ▼

The U.S. military launched retaliatory strikes on Friday against dozens of ISIS targets in Syria.
More than 70 ISIS targets were struck using over 100 munitions from fighter jets, attack helicopters and rocket artillery.
Jordanian fighter aircraft also participated in the strikes.
The operation named 'Operation Hawkeye Strike' was carried out in response to the attack on U.S. forces in Palmyra, Syria.
The strikes targeted ISIS weapon areas and infrastructure in central Syria.
There are currently 1,000 U.S. troops in Syria, mostly in eastern Syria.
The U.S. estimates between 1,500 to 3,000 ISIS militants remain active in Syria and Iraq.

United States conducts strikes on Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria (End of December) ▼

The United States carried out strikes on Islamic State militants in north-west Nigeria after President Donald Trump said the group had been attacking Christian communities.
The strikes took place in Sokoto state in northern Nigeria, the BBC reported.
US Africa Command said the action was carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry said the operation was part of ongoing security cooperation with the United States, including intelligence sharing and joint planning to target militant groups.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said he was 'grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation'.

KIIT climbs to 5th spot nationally for foreign-student enrolment

Key Updates:

Odisha now ranks 1st among eastern States and inside top-10 nationwide for international students.
KIIT alone hosts nearly 2 000 of the 2 362 foreign students in eastern India.
Students from 70 countries are on campus; 5 000 have already graduated.

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Golden Jubilee of Sarok Festival celebrated on January 10, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu attended the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the 'Sarok Festival of the Aka Hrusso' community at Bana in Bichom district, marking 50 years of the festival as a symbol of cultural heritage and continuity.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the appointment of four more Special Observers in West Bengal to bring greater transparency to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh IPS took the salute during the Passing Out Parade of CRPF Batch No. 434 at the Recruit Training Centre (RTC), Avadi, in Tiruvallur.
KIIT shines on the global education map, ranking 5th in India for attracting foreign students.

IIT Delhi Leads India in QS World University Rankings Sustainability 2026; Sweden's Lund University Achieves Global Top Spot (Mid of November) ▼

IIT Delhi is the top-ranked Indian institution in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026, slipping to rank 205 from last year’s 171.
No Indian institute entered the global top 200 in the 2026 rankings.
IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur are ranked 236 globally, down from 235 and 202 respectively.
Among the top 10 Indian institutions, six are IITs.
Of the 15 IITs featured, six improved their rank compared to 2025.
IIT Delhi and IIT Kharagpur entered the top 100 in Employability and Outcomes, ranking 93rd and 96th respectively.
University of Delhi rose 27 places in Knowledge Exchange to rank 94th.
IIT Bombay ranks 100th globally in the Environmental Impact lens.
IIT Kharagpur placed 49th in Environmental Sustainability.
University of Delhi rose 31 places in Governance to rank 187th globally.
India has 103 universities in the rankings, with 26 new entries this year.
Globally, Lund University (Sweden) is ranked 1st, followed by University of Toronto (2nd) and UCL (3rd).
The US has 240 universities in the rankings, China 163, UK 109, India 103, and France 76.

IIT Madras launches IITM Global Research Foundation to become world’s first multinational university (Start of January) ▼

IIT Madras launched the IITM Global Research Foundation aimed at positioning the institute as the world’s first multinational university.
The initiative will operate through four pillars: technology transfer to global markets, joint international research projects, overseas business opportunities for IIT Madras startups, and attracting foreign investment into the institute’s innovation ecosystem.
Initial centres will be set up in the US, Dubai, Malaysia and Germany, with plans for expansion.

NITI Aayog Internationalisation Roadmap: Campus-within-Campus & Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship (End of December) ▼

NITI Aayog proposes allowing foreign higher education institutions to set up campuses in Indian institutions under the ‘campus within a campus’ model with a sunset clause of 10 years.
It calls for easing regulations for mobility of inbound and outbound students by simplifying visa processes, reducing documentation burdens, and addressing regulatory bottlenecks.
The report recommends establishing a National Research Sovereign Wealth Impact Fund named Bharat Vidya Kosh with a suggested $10 billion corpus—50% from diaspora or philanthropy and 50% matched by the Government of India.
It proposes a scholarship programme ‘Vishwa Bandhu Scholarship’ for international students for 2-year master’s programmes offering study-based internships, competitive stipends, tuition support, research grants, accommodation, travel allowance, and health insurance.