Daily Current Affairs: 12 February 2026

Analysis for 12 February 2026

Om Birla faces no-confidence motion as Lok Sabha Speaker.

Key Updates:

Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 10 February 2026.
Removal of Speaker requires a resolution passed by majority of all then members of Lok Sabha under Article 94(c).
Notice for removal must be in writing to Lok Sabha Secretary-General and needs at least 14 days’ notice.
Motion needs minimum 50 members to rise in favour for leave to be granted.
Previous no-confidence motions against Speakers occurred in December 1954, November 1966 and April 1987.
During consideration of removal, Speaker can speak and vote only in first instance, not in case of tie.

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Finance Minister (FM) to introduce Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment Bill in March 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment Bill during the second half of the Budget session starting 9 March.
The Bill, which was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on 12 August 2025, incorporates suggestions from a select committee report submitted in December 2025.
The IBC Amendment Bill 2025 marks the seventh legislative intervention since the Act’s enactment, following the previous amendment in 2021.
New provisions included in the Bill cover group insolvency processes, cross-border insolvency, and creditor-initiated insolvency processes.
The government will set up an Integrated Technology Platform to enhance consistency, transparency, and oversight for all stakeholders under the IBC.
The IBC framework has successfully resolved over 1,000 companies, leading to a direct recovery of more than ₹3.3 lakh crore for creditors.
Reforms are planned for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and appellate tribunals to address capacity constraints and speed up resolution timelines.
The Finance Minister confirmed that the strategic disinvestment of IDBI Bank remains on track.

Split verdict on Section 17A prior-approval clause in Prevention of Corruption Act (Mid of January) ▼

Section 17A inserted by 2018 amendment mandates prior approval before probing a public servant for acts done in discharge of his official functions or duties.
Justice B V Nagarathna: unconstitutional and ought to be struck down protects the corrupt.
Justice K V Viswanathan: valid provided the sanction is decided by the Lokpal or the Lokayukta.

Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released book 'Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response' authored by Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri. (End of January) ▼

Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book at the Vice President’s Enclave.
The book is authored by former Secretary to the Government of India Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri.
The Supreme Court verdict of 2019 on Ram Janmabhoomi was described as a historic turning point by the Vice President.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust mobilised over ₹3,000 crore through a crowd-funded campaign.
The Dhwaja-rohan ceremony of 25 November 2025 was recalled as a deeply emotional national moment.

Supreme Court Rules No Timelines for Governors on Bills (End of November) ▼

The Supreme Court held that the Court cannot impose any timelines for decisions of the President and the Governor on granting assent to Bills under the Constitution.
A Constitutional bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai issued its opinion while answering 13 questions referred to it by the President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143 of the Constitution.
The Supreme Court refused to accept the preliminary objections raised by opposition-ruled states like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala to maintainability of Presidential Reference.

Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh Selected for Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026

Key Updates:

Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh from the Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry have been selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award for 2026.
The award is presented by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation to recognise service and compassion in the field of cataract blindness and disability.
The presentation ceremony will be held during the ASCRS Foundation’s conference in Washington DC on 11 April 2026.
The award includes a prize of $100,000, which is donated to the non-profit organisation of the awardee's choice.
The doctors have earmarked the $100,000 cash prize for the Aravind Eye Care System.
The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award was instituted in 2017 and is endowed by a gift from David and Victoria Chang.
Dr Haripriya Aravind serves as the chief of cataract and intraocular lens services, and Dr R Venkatesh is the chief medical officer at the hospital.

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Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) adjudged India’s Best Health Technology Assessment Institute for second straight year (End of December) ▼

PGIMER, Chandigarh, has been recognised as the country’s Best Health Technology Assessment Institute for the second consecutive year by the Union Health Ministry at the ARISE 2025 national conclave.
The award was presented by Prof V K Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog, and Dr Rajiv Bahl, director-general, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR).
The HTA Resource Hub at PGIMER’s Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, led by Prof Shankar Prinja, anchors the institute’s leadership in HTA.

Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya won Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025. (End of January) ▼

Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, former staff member of World Health Organisation (WHO), won the Wiley Research Heroes Prize 2025.
He is the first and only Indian so far to win this prize, which received over 2,000 nominations.
He won in the category of 'Impact Beyond Academia' prize this year.
He was recognised among five researchers from around the world for outstanding research contributions and research for policy impact.
Dr. Lahariya is a health policy researcher, academician, and medical practitioner.
He has done primary research in the area of vaccination, conditional cash transfers for mother and child health services, and on primary healthcare.

Dr Rajendra Prasad and K.K. Thakral receive Padma Shri 2026 for lifelong medical service. (End of January) ▼

Dr Rajendra Prasad, former Head of Pulmonary Medicine at King George's Medical University (KGMU), was awarded the Padma Shri 2026.
Dr Prasad is recognised as the founder of the Pulmonary Medicine Department at KGMU.
K.K. Thakral, an Ayurveda surgeon specialising in Shalya Tantra, also received the Padma Shri 2026.
Thakral completed his Ayurvedic education in 1964 from Lucknow and in 1968 from Banaras.
Both awardees are residents of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 individuals. (End of January) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu approved the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak for six persons.
Six persons received the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Eighteen persons were awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak.
Six of the 30 awardees are being honoured posthumously.
The awards recognise meritorious acts of human nature in saving a life.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to release new GDP, CPI, IIP series with revised base years

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]

Key Updates:

The government will release the new GDP series on 27 February 2026, the new CPI series on 12 February 2026, and the new IIP series on 28 May 2026.
The GDP base year has been revised to 2022-23 to reflect current economic structures.
The CPI base year has been revised to 2024, updating the consumption basket and weights for rural and urban households.
The IIP base year has been revised to 2022-23 and aligned with the new national accounts series.
Base year revision is guided by respective Technical Advisory Committees comprising experts from Academia, Central and State governments, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
CPI and GDP follow the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) covering coverage, periodicity, timeliness, public access, integrity, and quality of data.

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International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s FY 2025-26 growth forecast to 7.3% (Mid of January) ▼

International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to release new series of CPI, GDP, IIP data (End of December) ▼

MoSPI will release a new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with 2024 as the base year on 12 February 2026.
National Accounts data using 2022-23 as the base year will be released on 27 February 2026.
The updated Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series with 2022-23 as the base year is scheduled for release on 28 May 2026.
A pre-release consultative workshop on the base revision will be held on Tuesday following the first session on 26 November in Mumbai.
The workshop will present proposed methodological and structural changes in GDP, CPI, and IIP and seek stakeholder feedback.

S&P retains India growth projection at 6.5 per cent for this fiscal (End of November) ▼

S&P Global Ratings kept its projection for India’s economic expansion at 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal year.
S&P Global Ratings forecast India’s GDP will grow by 6.7 per cent in fiscal 2027.
Recent tax cuts and monetary policy easing are set to support consumption-led growth in India.
India’s real gross domestic product grew 7.8 per cent in the April to June quarter of the current fiscal year.
A poll by ET of 12 economists shows expectations that India’s economic growth likely quickened to 7.3 per cent in the second quarter.
The RBI has pegged growth for the September quarter at 7 per cent.
The Reserve Bank of India has projected growth of 6.8 per cent in the current fiscal.
If India can secure a trade agreement with the United States, it would reduce uncertainty and lift confidence.
Lowered goods and service tax (GST) rates will support middle-class consumption and complement income tax cuts and interest rate reductions.
The Government in the Budget for 2025-26 raised the income tax rebate threshold to ₹12 lakh from ₹7 lakh.
The RBI in June cut its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent.
GST rates on about 375 items were reduced from September 22.
The higher effective US tariff on India is weighing on export-oriented manufacturing.
The US’s new approach to trade policy is causing governments and firms to spend time and money on negotiating for exemptions.

Government of India (GoI) updates national accounts base year to 2022-23 (Start of December) ▼

Government of India (GoI) will revise the base year for national accounts from 2011-12 to 2022-23.
The new base year will come into effect from February 26-27 next year.
The update aims to ensure national account statistics better reflect the present structure of the economy.
The IMF assigned a C grade to India’s national accounts data due to the outdated base year of 2011-12.
India’s real GDP rose 8.2% during the July-September quarter.

MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary reports Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) Gross NPAs at historic low of 2.15%

[Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs)]

Key Updates:

The Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) for domestic operations declined to a historic low of 2.15% as of September 2025.
According to provisional data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Gross NPA ratio stood at 2.50% for Public Sector Banks (PSBs), 1.73% for Private Sector Banks (PVBs), and 0.80% for foreign banks.
The slippage ratio for PSBs improved to 0.8% in September 2025, compared with 1.8% for private sector banks, indicating stronger underwriting standards.
The government and RBI implemented the 4R’s strategy involving transparent recognition of NPAs, resolving and recovering value, recapitalising PSBs, and reforms in the financial ecosystem.
As of March 2025, over 30,000 cases involving underlying defaults of ₹13.78 lakh crore were settled at the pre-admission stage under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.
Recovery measures include amendments to the SARFAESI Act, expansion of Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), and enhanced oversight of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
Public sector banks have adopted automated Early Warning Systems (EWS) with nearly 80 triggers and established specialised stressed asset management verticals.
The Asset Quality Review (AQR) initiated by the RBI in 2015 and mandatory registration of security interests with CERSAI were cited as key regulatory contributors to asset quality improvement.

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MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary announces Scheduled Commercial Banks' Gross NPAs fall to record 2.15% in September 2025 (Mid of February) ▼

Gross NPAs of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) for domestic operations declined to a historic low of 2.15% as of September 2025.
Public sector banks (PSBs) recorded a gross NPA ratio of 2.50%, private sector banks 1.73%, and foreign banks 0.80% as on 30 September 2025.
The slippage ratio for PSBs fell to 0.8% in September 2025, lower than the 1.8% recorded by private sector banks.
Over 30,000 pre-admission cases involving defaults of ₹13.78 lakh crore were settled under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) as of March 2025.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiated the Asset Quality Review in 2015, followed by the government's 4R strategy: recognition, resolution, recapitalisation, and reforms.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) records gross NPAs at 10-year low of 2.1% (Start of January) ▼

Gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) have fallen to a decadal low of 2.1%.
The ratio of special mention accounts overdue by 61-90 days (SMA-2) declined to 0.8% as of end-September 2025.
In the MSME sector, the SMA ratio eased to 5.1%.
Stress in unsecured loans moderated sharply, with the SMA-2 ratio falling to 13% from more than 20% a year earlier.
Credit costs for the system are expected to be around 0.6% in the December quarter.
Fresh stress formation among large borrowers improved, with the SMA-2 ratio declining nearly 36% in September 2025.
69% of gold loan disbursements were to prime-and-above borrowers.
Private sector banks disbursed over 70% of consumer loans to prime-and-above borrowers.

India Ratings projects credit growth at 13% and deposit growth at 11.4% for FY27 (Mid of January) ▼

India Ratings & Research expects advances growth to remain at 13% for FY27, unchanged from FY26.
Deposit growth is forecast at 11.4% in FY27, up from 10.7% in FY26.
The loan-to-deposit ratio is projected to rise to 83.2% in FY27 from 81.9% in FY26 and 80.3% in FY25.
Banks are expected to bridge the funding gap by tapping the certificate of deposit and corporate bond markets.
Gross non-performing assets are projected to fall to 1.9% in FY26 and 1.7% in FY27 from 2.2% in FY25.
Non-bank finance companies are projected to record moderated loan growth of 15%-16% in FY27, down from 18% in FY26.

S&P Global Ratings (S&P) upgrades India's insolvency regime to Group B from Group C. (Start of December) ▼

S&P Global Ratings (S&P) raised India's jurisdiction ranking assessment to Group B from Group C.
S&P revised its assessment of creditor-friendliness of India's bankruptcy resolution framework to medium from weak.
Average recovery values under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) have improved to more than 30 per cent from 15-20 per cent under the previous regime.
The IBC has reduced the average resolution time for bad loans to about two years, down from six to eight years.
Secured creditors often recover several multiples that of unsecured creditors under the IBC.
India's resolution regime still lags those of more established Group A and some Group B jurisdictions.
Average recovery rates of about 30 per cent are comparatively low.
Recoveries are higher for secured debt and in asset-intensive sectors such as steel and power.

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signs MoU with General Insurance Council (GIC) for cashless treatment

[All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), General Insurance Council (GIC)]

Key Updates:

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, signed a Common Empanelment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Insurance Council (GIC) on 10 February 2026.
AIIA has become the first Ayush institution in India to enter into a formal empanelment with the GIC to provide cashless treatment facilities.
The agreement enables AIIA to be empanelled with all 32 general insurance companies under the GIC for eligible Ayurveda-based healthcare services.
The Ministry of Ayush has launched India’s first dedicated Ayush Health Insurance Helpline with the toll-free number 1800-11-0008 to assist beneficiaries.
The GIC is a statutory body established under the Insurance Act, 1938, and has been functioning since 2001 under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Shri Segar Sampathkumar, Director (Health) of the GIC.
AIIA is the apex institute for Ayurveda established under the Ministry of Ayush and operates a 200-bed referral hospital with 25 specialty departments.

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IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company (IFFCO-TOKIO GIC) partners with cooperatives to expand micro insurance for package, health and motor policies. (Start of December) ▼

IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company is a 51:49 joint venture between Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative and Japan-based Tokio Marine Group.
The company has tied up with a number of cooperatives to distribute micro insurance for package policies, health, and motor policies.
IFFCO-TOKIO GIC offers retail products including motor, health, travel, home, and personal accident insurance and corporate insurance products.

Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima offers CGHS beneficiaries extra health cover with cashless treatment (Mid of January) ▼

The government has introduced a new health insurance plan for central government health scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries known as Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima.
It offers indemnity-based in-patient hospitalisation cover within India, with sum insured options of Rs 10 lakh or Rs 20 lakh available to CGHS beneficiaries.
AYUSH treatments are covered up to 100% of the sum insured for in-patient hospitalisation; modern treatments are covered up to 25% of the sum insured, with an optional rider for 100% coverage.
CGHS beneficiaries need to pay a premium, but the plan is available at a discount of 28% and 42% for 70:30 and 50:50 premium co-sharing, respectively.
The policy is optional and can cover up to six family members under a single policy with no GST applicable.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) widens Payment Aggregator authorization for Innoviti Technologies to cover physical in-store payments. (Mid of January) ▼

Innoviti Technologies received RBI Certificate of Authorization to operate as a Payment Aggregator under the Payments and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
The authorization now covers both online and physical in-store payment transactions.
Innoviti already processes over ₹80,000 crore annually across 2,000+ cities and 50,000+ merchants.

National Statistics Office (NSO) reports India's unemployment rate falls to 4.8 per cent in Q3 FY26

Key Updates:

The National Statistics Office (NSO) released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025–26, covering the October–December period.
India's unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above eased to a three-quarter low of 4.8 per cent in Q3 FY26.
The unemployment rate in rural areas fell to 4 per cent from 4.4 per cent in Q2, while the urban unemployment rate declined to 6.7 per cent from 6.9 per cent.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) rose to 55.8 per cent in Q3 from 55.1 per cent in the second quarter (Q2), driven by higher women participation.
Youth unemployment for the 15–29 age group declined to 14.3 per cent from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter.
Joblessness among young women fell to 16.6 per cent from 17 per cent, while unemployment among young men dropped to 13.5 per cent from 14.1 per cent.
The share of self-employed workers rose to 56.3 per cent in Q3, while the proportion of regular salaried workers declined to 24.9 per cent.
Employment in the agriculture sector increased to 43.2 per cent, whereas the share of workers in the secondary sector edged down to 24 per cent.
The NSO uses the Current Weekly Status (CWS) framework, classifying a person as unemployed if they did not work for even one hour during the reference week.
The survey methodology employs a rotational panel sampling design where selected households are surveyed four times across rural and urban areas.

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Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) releases December 2025 unemployment data (Mid of January) ▼

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reported the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above at 4.8 per cent in December 2025.
The rural unemployment rate remained stagnant at 3.9 per cent, while the urban unemployment rate increased to 6.7 per cent from 6.5 per cent in the previous month.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) among persons aged 15 years and above improved to 53.4 per cent in December 2025 from 53.2 per cent in November 2025.
The overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) among persons aged 15 years and above rose to 56.1 per cent in December 2025 compared to 55.8 per cent in November 2025.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Records India's Unemployment Rate Decline from 6.0% to 3.2% (Start of December) ▼

Unemployment rate on usual status for persons aged 15 years and above declined from 6.0% in 2017-18 to 3.2% in 2023-24.
In Maharashtra, unemployment rate on usual status dropped from 4.8% in 2017-18 to 3.3% in 2023-24.
Maharashtra rural unemployment declined from 3.2% to 2.1%.
Maharashtra urban unemployment reduced from 7.4% to 5.2%.
Unemployment for 15-year-plus population stood at 5.1% in August 2025 and 5.2% in September 2025.
Rural unemployment was 4.3% in August 2025 and 4.6% in September 2025.
Urban unemployment was 6.7% in August 2025 and 6.8% in September 2025.
Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana targets creation of over 3.5 crore jobs over two years with Rs 99,446 crore outlay.
Code on Social Security, 2020 provides paid maternity leave of 26 weeks and mandatory crèche facility in establishments having 50 or more employees.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records unemployment rate at 7-month low of 4.7%. (Mid of December) ▼

Unemployment Rate for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 4.7% in November 2025, the lowest since April 2025.
Rural unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November 2025, while urban unemployment rate decreased to 6.5%.
Female unemployment rate dropped to 4.8% in November 2025 from 5.4% in October 2025.
Male unemployment rate decreased to 4.6% in November 2025 compared to 5.1% in October 2025.
Worker Population Ratio for persons aged 15 years and above rose to 53.2% in November 2025 from 52.8% in April 2025.
Labour Force Participation Rate among persons aged 15 years and above increased to 55.8% in November 2025, the highest since April 2025.
Rural female Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 35.2% in June 2025 to 39.7% in November 2025.

S&P retains India growth projection at 6.5 per cent for this fiscal (End of November) ▼

S&P Global Ratings kept its projection for India’s economic expansion at 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal year.
S&P Global Ratings forecast India’s GDP will grow by 6.7 per cent in fiscal 2027.
Recent tax cuts and monetary policy easing are set to support consumption-led growth in India.
India’s real gross domestic product grew 7.8 per cent in the April to June quarter of the current fiscal year.
A poll by ET of 12 economists shows expectations that India’s economic growth likely quickened to 7.3 per cent in the second quarter.
The RBI has pegged growth for the September quarter at 7 per cent.
The Reserve Bank of India has projected growth of 6.8 per cent in the current fiscal.
If India can secure a trade agreement with the United States, it would reduce uncertainty and lift confidence.
Lowered goods and service tax (GST) rates will support middle-class consumption and complement income tax cuts and interest rate reductions.
The Government in the Budget for 2025-26 raised the income tax rebate threshold to ₹12 lakh from ₹7 lakh.
The RBI in June cut its key policy rate by 50 basis points to 5.5 per cent.
GST rates on about 375 items were reduced from September 22.
The higher effective US tariff on India is weighing on export-oriented manufacturing.
The US’s new approach to trade policy is causing governments and firms to spend time and money on negotiating for exemptions.

Department of Posts (DoP) and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) partner to expand mutual fund access

[Department of Posts (DoP), National Stock Exchange of India (NSE)]

Key Updates:

The Department of Posts (DoP) and the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) have signed a pact to expand mutual fund access through the NSE MF Invest platform.
The partnership leverages the network of over 1.64 lakh post offices and the zero-cost NSE MF Invest platform to provide mutual fund products.
The initiative will be rolled out in a phased manner, with the first phase focusing on Do-It-Yourself (DIY) investments with small, flexible amounts.
The second phase will expand to the full mutual fund ecosystem, offering access to all open-ended schemes across 55 Asset Management Companies (AMCs).
The second phase also includes goal-based investing, portfolio analytics, vernacular support, and enhanced advisory services.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap in mutual fund penetration, which remains low at approximately 10 per cent of Indian households.
The mutual fund industry in India has recorded Assets Under Management (AUM) surpassing ₹81 lakh crore with strong Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) inflows.

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Odisha–Meghalaya MoU on Early Childhood Care and Development (End of January) ▼

Odisha and Meghalaya signed an MoU to strengthen Early Childhood Care, Education and Development through mutual learning and capacity building.
The MoU covers nutrition, health, early learning, responsive caregiving, community engagement, and institutional capacity building.
It provides for knowledge exchange, joint research, exposure visits, documentation of best practices, and capacity development of functionaries.

India Post-SIDBI MoU for Nationwide Verification of Informal Enterprises to Boost Credit Access (Start of January) ▼

The Department of Posts (DoP) and SIDBI signed an MoU for Contact Point Verification (CPV) of Informal Micro Enterprises registered on the Udyam Assist Platform.
India Post will leverage its 1.64 lakh Post Offices to conduct on-ground CPV including physical verification of business existence, location, activity and key business parameters.
SIDBI will integrate CPV reports into the Udyam Assist Platform to strengthen data credibility and enable informed credit decisions for informal micro enterprises.
A dedicated digital CPV mobile application will drive the initiative, ensuring speed, transparency and nationwide scalability.
The MoU is valid for two years from 31 December 2025 to 30 December 2027, with provisions for extension and includes clauses on data confidentiality, dispute resolution and termination.

Skills Accelerator MoU to bridge workforce skill gaps (End of January) ▼

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to launch and implement a Skills Accelerator in India.
The Accelerator is a multistakeholder platform aimed at identifying, scaling, and accelerating innovative solutions and public–private partnerships to address critical skills gaps in the workforce.
It will strengthen India’s technical and vocational education and training ecosystem by aligning skilling initiatives with industry and global economy demands.

ONGC–NSTFDC MoU for Eklavya Model Residential Schools Rs 28 crore CSR Outlay (Start of January) ▼

ONGC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) to implement CSR-funded infrastructure and education-focused initiatives at Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS).
Under the CSR project, ONGC has sanctioned Rs 28 crore for strengthening digital learning infrastructure, health and hygiene interventions for girl students, capacity building of teachers, and career counselling and entrepreneurship training for students.
The initiative will cover 144 EMRS located across 11 States and Union Territories, benefiting over 35,000 tribal students.

Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and Startup Policy Forum (SPF) sign MoU to accelerate fintech and digital innovation.

[Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)]

Key Updates:

Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) and Startup Policy Forum (SPF) signed an MoU at Black Swan Summit India 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
GFTN is a Singapore-headquartered platform established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and spans more than 130 countries.
SPF represents over 65 high-growth Indian startups collectively valued at more than USD 100 billion.
The collaboration focuses on strengthening global-India innovation corridors, enabling structured policy dialogue, and supporting international expansion of Indian startups.
Priority areas include digital finance infrastructure, responsible AI, digital assets, cross-border payments, and regulatory innovation.
GFTN is chaired by Ravi Menon, former Managing Director of MAS.
SPF works closely with DPIIT, the MeitY Startup Hub, and the IndiaAI Mission.

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Vrutti and HSBC India launch FPO Shakti blended finance facility targeting 100+ FPOs (Start of December) ▼

Vrutti and HSBC India introduce FPO Shakti, a blended, stage-based financing facility for Farmer-Producer Organisations.
Facility supported by Friends of Women's World Banking (FWWB) India as Facility Manager.
India hosts over 44,000 registered FPOs, with fewer than one-third accessing formal credit.
Initial cohort of 15 early-growth FPOs to be supported, scaling to 100+ organisations.
Facility combines revolving funds, guarantees, revenue-linked finance and technical assistance via Business Support Organisations.
Each FPO undergoes a 24-month acceleration journey covering governance, market systems, financial discipline and digital enablement.

Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) and International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad sign MoU for BFSI research (End of December) ▼

The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad to collaborate in academics, research, training, student exchange and skill development in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sector.
Joint PhD programmes will be offered to researchers in areas such as digital payments, cyber security, vulnerability management, adoption of AI for customer ease, cryptography, blockchain, and fungible and non-fungible tokens.
Other areas of collaboration between IDRBT and IIIT-Hyderabad include standardisation and validation of technology in BFSI, development of domain-specific SLMs, cyber security initiatives, and improving user experience.
Osmania University (OU) hosted the International Conference on Biotechnological Innovations for Sustainable Development 2025 (ICBISD 2025), featuring over 200 research presentations on biotechnological innovations.

United Economic Forum (UEF) and United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) Sign MoU at UEF Trade Summit 2025 (End of December) ▼

The United Economic Forum (UEF) Trade Summit 2025, scheduled for 12th–14th December at the Chennai Trade Centre, had a grand inauguration by Thiru TRB Rajaa, Honourable Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu.
A historic MoU was signed between UEF and the United Nations Sustainable Development Council (UNSDC) to transform 17 of UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
The UNSDC will lead the execution of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across 45 UEF-associated Educational Institutions, including colleges and schools.
A 100 crore fund is being set up for entrepreneurs, startups and to scale up businesses, with an initial MoU of 50 crores signed between UEF and Anicut Capital.
The overarching theme, 'Unnatha Tamilagam – 4Tn for TN,' emphasizes the commitment to empowering 4,500 startups, enabling partnerships, and fostering inclusive economic development.
A total of 10 MoUs will be signed during the Summit to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at enabling 10X business growth through advisory support and market access.

Hub71, UAE-India CEPA Council sign pact to boost cross-border startup expansion (End of November) ▼

Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem, has entered into a strategic partnership with the UAE-India CEPA Council.
The agreement was signed on November 21 on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum (ADIF) in Mumbai.
Hub71 will onboard the five winning startups selected through the Series into the Hub71 Immersion Programme.
From the five winning startups, Hub71 will select one startup to be onboarded into the Access programme.
The UAE-India Startup Series has already received more than 10,000 applications from across India.

Ministry of Finance reports FDI equity inflow in banking sector fell to $115 million in FY25

Key Updates:

Foreign direct investment (FDI) equity inflow in the banking sector dropped from $898 million in FY23 to $115 million in FY25.
Total FDI inflow comprises equity inflow, equity capital of unincorporated bodies, re-invested earnings, and other capital.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Master Directions require its prior approval for any share acquisition giving a person 5% or more of a bank’s paid-up capital.
Foreign holding in State Bank of India (SBI) stood at 11.07% at end-March 2025, the highest among public sector banks.
Canara Bank recorded 10.55% foreign holding, Bank of Baroda 9.43%, Union Bank of India 7.48%, and Punjab National Bank 5.85% at end-FY25.
Under Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), over 56.31 crore loan accounts amounting to ₹37.31 lakh crore have been disbursed as on 2 January 2026.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has disgorged ₹665.26 crore through enforcement orders against unregistered investment advisers since 2024.

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Government data shows India’s FDI inflow rises 18% to USD 35.18 bn in Apr-Sep (Start of December) ▼

India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rose over 18% in April-September to USD 35.18 billion.
FDI equity inflow during April-September stood at USD 16.55 billion.
Inflows from the US more than doubled to USD 6.62 billion in April-September.
Services sector accounted for 16% of total FDI equity inflow, amounting to USD 5.10 billion.
Maharashtra received the highest share of FDI equity inflow at 31%, totaling USD 10.57 billion.
Karnataka and Gujarat followed with 21% and 15% of FDI equity inflow respectively.

Banking system LDR hits 81% all-time high as credit growth outpaces deposit mobilisation. (Start of January) ▼

Banking system loan-to-deposit ratio reached an all-time high of 81%.
HDFC Bank loans grew 12% year-on-year while deposits rose 11.5%.
HDFC Bank gross advances stood at ₹28.44 lakh crore and total deposits at ₹28.59 lakh crore.
Bank of Baroda global advances rose 14.57% year-on-year to ₹13.44 lakh crore and global deposits grew 10.25% to ₹15.47 lakh crore.
Punjab National Bank global deposits increased 8.5% to ₹16.6 lakh crore and global advances expanded 11% to ₹12.32 lakh crore.
Union Bank of India global deposits rose 3.4% to ₹12.22 lakh crore and advances grew 7.13% to ₹10.16 lakh crore.
Axis Bank gross advances increased 14.1% to ₹11.70 lakh crore and deposits grew 15% to ₹12.60 lakh crore.
Kotak Mahindra Bank net advances grew 16% to ₹4.80 lakh crore and deposits rose 14.6% to ₹5.42 lakh crore.
Yes Bank advances rose 5.2% to ₹2.57 lakh crore and deposits grew 5.5% to ₹2.92 lakh crore.
RBL Bank deposits increased 12% to ₹1.19 lakh crore and advances rose 13% to ₹1.04 lakh crore.
IndusInd Bank net advances dropped 13.1% to ₹3.18 lakh crore and deposits fell 3.8% to ₹3.94 lakh crore.
Bajaj Finance assets under management rose 22% year-on-year to around ₹4.85 lakh crore.
Poonawalla Fincorp AUM grew 77.5% year-on-year to ₹55,000 crore.
M&M Finance business assets grew about 12% to nearly ₹1.29 lakh crore.

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reports India FDI inflows surge 73% to $47 billion in 2025 (End of January) ▼

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Global Investment Trends Monitor report highlighting global investment shifts.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to India increased by 73 per cent to reach USD 47 billion in 2025.
The surge in India was primarily driven by large investments in services including finance, Information Technology (IT), and Research and Development (R&D), as well as manufacturing.
Global FDI reached an estimated USD 1.6 trillion in 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
FDI inflows to China declined for the third consecutive year, falling by 8 per cent to an estimated USD 107.5 billion.
The United States remained the world’s largest FDI recipient, recording a 2 per cent increase in inflows during 2025.
India ranked 7th globally as a host country for data centre projects, while France, the United States, and the Republic of Korea occupied the top three positions.
Total greenfield investment in data centres surpassed USD 270 billion, accounting for more than one-fifth of all investment projects globally.
Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity declined by 22 per cent to USD 132 billion, despite growth in the semiconductors and telecommunications sectors.
The total value of international project finance increased by 7 per cent to USD 218 billion, although activity in this segment declined in India and Egypt.
Major global financial centres including the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland added more than USD 140 billion to the global FDI total.

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

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

BOBCARD Limited (BOBCARD) launches Braille-enabled Premier Credit Card

[Bank of Baroda (BOB)]

Key Updates:

BOBCARD, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda (BoB), introduced the Braille-enabled BOBCARD PREMIER Credit Card.
The launch event was held at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) campus to promote accessibility in financial services.
The initiative coincided with the felicitation of the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team, winners of the inaugural Blind Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup.
The card provides accelerated reward points on travel, international, dining, and lifestyle spending, along with select airport lounge access.
BOBCARD was established in 1994 and offers a range of credit products including shopping, co-branded, professional, and premium travel cards.

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Punjab National Bank (PNB) launches LUXURA Metal Credit Card on Visa Infinite platform (Start of February) ▼

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched its LUXURA Metal Credit Card on the Visa Infinite platform, expanding its premium credit card portfolio and increasing the card’s global acceptance.
The LUXURA Metal Credit Card is now available on both RuPay and Visa networks, allowing wider international usability for cardholders.
The card provides 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent, with higher rewards for travel and dining purchases.
Customers are eligible for bonus reward points upon reaching specified annual spending thresholds.
The card includes zero foreign currency mark-up on international transactions and complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges.
Cardholders can access benefits under the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, which may include complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out and food and beverage credits, subject to availability.
Additional dining benefits are offered under the Visa Dine & Save programme at select restaurants.
Travel-related benefits include discounts on flight and hotel bookings through third-party platforms such as Ixigo, Agoda, Expedia and Trip.com.
The card provides lifestyle benefits such as movie ticket offers, grocery discounts, and a fuel surcharge waiver of up to ₹350 per billing cycle.
PNB has integrated 24x7 Visa Concierge Services with the card, covering assistance for travel, dining, healthcare, entertainment and shopping.
The joining fee for the PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card is ₹4,999 plus GST, while the annual fee is ₹1,999 plus GST.

World Braille Day observed on January 4 (Start of January) ▼

World Braille Day marks the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, the French educator who developed the six-dot code that bears his name.
Braille is a tactile writing system of raised dots arranged in cells of six, enabling representation of letters, numbers, punctuation, and even musical and mathematical notation through touch.
India is home to one of the largest populations of visually impaired individuals in the world, with millions living with partial or complete vision loss.

Uttar Pradesh Braille Library: 4,000 Academic Books for Visually Impaired Students (Start of January) ▼

Uttar Pradesh has launched its first Braille library at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University (DSMNRU) in Lucknow.
The library houses more than 4,000 National Education Policy (NEP)-based academic books produced by the university’s Braille press covering 54 undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
The facility is open to visually impaired individuals beyond university students through membership, including special categories for scholars, researchers, academicians, and Lucknow residents with proof of residence.

IDFC FIRST Bank launches Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card for international travelers. (Start of January) ▼

IDFC FIRST Bank introduces the Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card with zero foreign exchange markup on international transactions.
The card offers reward points on travel and regular spending, with higher earn rates on hotel and flight bookings made through the bank’s platform.
Cardholders receive airport lounge access in India and overseas, complimentary golf sessions, selected hotel stay offers, and entertainment-related discounts.
Travel-related insurance covers include baggage loss, flight delays, trip cancellation, accident insurance, personal accident, and air accident cover.
Reward points carry lifetime validity with no cap on accumulation and flexible redemption across online purchases.
Annual fee is ₹3,000 plus GST, with a waiver from the second year for customers meeting a specified annual spending threshold.
The card is available through digital channels for eligible customers.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Payment Aggregator licence to PB Pay Private Limited

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI)]

Key Updates:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted a Payment Aggregator licence to PB Pay Private Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of PB Fintech.
The Certificate of Authorisation was issued by the RBI on 6th February and became effective immediately.
The final approval follows an in-principle nod granted by the central bank to the subsidiary in early 2024.
PB Fintech is the parent organisation of the online insurance marketplace Policybazaar and the lending platform Paisabazaar.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Paysharp Payment Aggregator-Physical licence (End of January) ▼

Chennai-based fintech Paysharp received RBI Payment Aggregator-Physical (PA-P) licence on 21 January 2026.
Paysharp had earlier obtained RBI Payment Aggregator-Online (PA-O) licence in August 2024.
The company follows a flat-pricing model for merchants across government, B2B enterprises, NBFCs and e-commerce sectors.
Paysharp has raised ₹23.5 crore across two funding rounds for product development, regulatory compliance and payments infrastructure expansion.

Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) operationalised under RBI Governor (Start of January) ▼

The Payments Regulatory Board (PRB) held its first meeting in Mumbai under the chairmanship of Reserve Bank of India governor Sanjay Malhotra.
The board reviewed the functions of RBI's department of payment and settlement systems.
Key focus areas across domestic and global payment systems were discussed during the meeting.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Razorpay Payment Aggregator–Physical licence (End of January) ▼

Razorpay POS received the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Payment Aggregator–Physical (PA-P) licence to process in-store transactions.
Razorpay now holds RBI licences PA-O, PA-P and PA-CB, the last obtained in December 2025.
The PA-P licence allows Razorpay to aggregate offline payments for large retail chains and SMEs.

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

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.

Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 9.13 lakh crore with focus on education, urban growth

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna presented a Rs 9,12,696.35 crore budget for 2026-27, registering a 12.2% rise over the previous year.
Capital expenditure accounts for 19.5% of the total outlay.
Fiscal deficit capped at 3% in line with the 16th Finance Commission's recommendations till 2030-31.
All primary schools to be upgraded into 'Smart Schools' under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.
Rs 580 crore earmarked to establish girls' schools in blocks without Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.
Nearly 50 lakh tablets and smartphones distributed under Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana.
Rs 3,500 crore allocated under Chief Minister's Urban Expansion and New City Promotion Scheme for planned urbanisation.

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Uttar Pradesh First Economic Survey: GSDP to touch Rs 36 lakh crore in 2025-26 (Mid of February) ▼

Uttar Pradesh tabled its first-ever Economic Survey in the Assembly on Monday.
State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) more than doubled from Rs 13.30 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 30.25 lakh crore in 2024-25, registering a CAGR of 10.8%.
Per capita income doubled from Rs 61,142 in 2016-17 to Rs 1,26,304 in 2024-25.
State budget size rose from Rs 3.47 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 8.33 lakh crore for 2025-26.
Public debt-to-GSDP ratio declined to 28% in 2024-25 from 29.3% in 2016-17, staying within FRBM limits.
Agriculture contributes 25.8%, industry 27.2%, and services 47% to the state’s GSDP.
Over 3.22 lakh jobs generated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
State signed MoUs worth over Rs 2.94 lakh crore at the World Economic Forum 2026 in sectors including data centres, renewable energy, defence manufacturing, and food processing.
Exports more than doubled from Rs 0.84 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 1.86 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Ayushman Bharat covers 5.46 crore beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh.

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 1,102 crore for ministers' salaries, entertainment of state guests, and ex-governors. (Start of February) ▼

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 1,102 crore for expenses of Council of Ministers, Cabinet Secretariat, Prime Minister's Office (PMO), and hospitality and entertainment of state guests.
Rs 620 crore allotted for expenses of council of ministers in 2026-27, up from Rs 483.54 crore in 2025-26.
Rs 256.19 crore allocated to National Security Council Secretariat for 2026-27, against Rs 279.74 crore in 2025-26.
Rs 65 crore allotted to Office of Principal Scientific Advisor for 2026-27, against Rs 61.32 crore in 2025-26.
Cabinet Secretariat receives Rs 80 crore in 2026-27, against Rs 78 crore in 2025-26.
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) allocated Rs 73.52 crore for 2026-27, against Rs 68 crore in 2025-26.
Rs 5.76 crore allotted for hospitality and entertainment expenses in 2026-27, down from Rs 6.20 crore in 2025-26.
Rs 1.53 crore allocated for secretariat assistance to former governors in 2026-27, against Rs 1.40 crore in 2025-26.

Ministry of Finance (MoF) hikes defence Budget 15.3% to Rs 7.84 lakh crore for FY27 (Start of February) ▼

Total FY27 defence allocation set at Rs 7.84 lakh crore, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore in FY26, marking a 15.3% rise.
Revenue expenditure for defence services fixed at Rs 3.65 lakh crore.
Capital outlay raised 21.8% to Rs 2.19 lakh crore against revised estimate of Rs 1.86 lakh crore.
Defence pensions allocated Rs 1.71 lakh crore and civil defence spending Rs 28,554.61 crore.
Basic customs duty exempted on components for manufacture of civilian, training and other aircraft.
Basic customs duty waived on raw materials imported for maintenance, repair or overhaul by defence units.
Indigenous defence production touched record Rs 1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
Defence exports hit all-time high of Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25.
Domestic share in defence equipment now 65%, with Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributing 77% of output.
Two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have attracted over Rs 9,145 crore investments.
788 industrial licences issued to 462 companies under liberalised FDI and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) regime.
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 streamline capital acquisition.

Government of India (GoI) proposes ₹73,990 crore outlay for Telecom Ministry (Start of February) ▼

The Government of India (GoI) proposed a ₹73,990 crore outlay for the Telecom Ministry, representing a 38% increase from the Revised Estimate (RE) of ₹53,000 crore.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is allocated ₹28,473 crore for capital infusion, spectrum costs, network rollout, and internal Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) requirements.
The Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of BSNL grew by approximately 9%, increasing from ₹90 to ₹99.
An allocation of ₹1,39,000 crore is designated for the BharatNet project to improve rural broadband infrastructure.
The budget for the Development of the North East Region increased from an RE of ₹4,495 crore to ₹6,800 crore, a jump of nearly 50%.
Development initiatives for the North East include the provision of 4,000 e-buses for urbanisation and the establishment of five Buddhist circuits across six states.

Delhi replaces Ladli scheme with Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, promises ₹1 lakh support for girls’ education

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana effective from April 1, replacing the 2008 Ladli Yojana.
The scheme will deposit ₹56,000 in stages during a girl’s academic journey, projected to grow to ₹1 lakh with interest.
Deposits are ₹11,000 at birth, ₹5,000 on entry to Classes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 12, and ₹20,000 after completing graduation or diploma.
Eligibility requires the girl to be born in Delhi, family residence in Delhi for at least three years, annual family income not exceeding ₹1 lakh, and a maximum of two daughters per family.
The final payout is available when the girl turns 21 or completes graduation or diploma, whichever is earlier, even if studied outside Delhi.
The Ladli Yojana is being discontinued and the government is clearing pending payments under the earlier scheme.

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Gujarat launches Namo Lakshmi Yojana with ₹1,250 crore outlay for 12 lakh girl students. (End of January) ▼

The Gujarat government introduced the Namo Lakshmi Yojana to provide financial aid to approximately 12 lakh girl students in the state.
The scheme has a total expenditure of ₹1,250 crore.
It targets female students mainly studying between Class 9 and 12 to reduce dropout rates.
Aid will be disbursed in instalments throughout the academic year to cover school fees, uniforms, books, stationery and transport.
Funds will be directly transferred into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Completes 11 Years with 12-Point Rise in Sex Ratio at Birth (End of January) ▼

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 to address the falling Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and gender-based educational inequalities.
The national SRB improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 930 in 2023–24, according to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51 per cent in 2014–15 to 78 per cent in 2023–24.
Institutional deliveries in India rose from 61 per cent in 2014–15 to over 97.3 per cent by 2023–24.
The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav programme successfully re-enrolled more than 100,000 out-of-school girls into the education system.
BBBP has been integrated with Mission Shakti under the Sambal and Samarthya components, linking it to One Stop Centres, women’s helplines, and working women’s hostels.
District-level funding is allocated based on SRB performance, providing ₹40 lakh for districts below 918, ₹30 lakh for those between 919 and 952, and ₹20 lakh for better-performing districts.
The scheme aims to improve the SRB by two points every year and maintain institutional deliveries above 95 per cent.

National Girl Child Day observed on January 24 (End of January) ▼

National Girl Child Day is observed across India on January 24 to promote awareness about the rights, education, health, safety, and overall welfare of girls.
The day was first observed in 2008 after being initiated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India.
The primary objective of the observance is to address social challenges such as gender bias, child marriage, and unequal access to opportunities.
Government programmes such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) are highlighted for their role in increasing awareness about the importance of educating and empowering girls.
The initiative focuses on promoting gender equality and social inclusion while highlighting government welfare schemes for the girl child.
The observance serves to encourage families and communities to support the aspirations of girls and challenge discriminatory practices.

Bihar Cabinet approves 'Saat Nishchay-3' to double per capita income and create one crore jobs (End of December) ▼

The Bihar government approved the 'Saat Nishchay-3' (SN-3) programme for the period 2025-2030 to bring Bihar into the category of most developed states.
The SN-3 programme aims to double the average per capita income of people of Bihar to ensure double employment and double income.
A target has been set to create jobs and employment opportunities for one crore youth over the next five years, supported by the newly constituted Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development (DYESD).
The Bihar government aims to ensure at least Rs 50 lakh crore of private investment in the state over the next five years.
The scheme will prioritise the 94 lakh poor families identified during the cast-based survey of 2023 in terms of providing employment.
In the healthcare sector, a policy will be introduced to provide separate incentives for doctors and to prohibit private practice by government doctors.
The education sector reforms include the development of old educational institutions into 'centres of excellence' alongside the establishment of an education city.
The agriculture sector will focus on accelerating the 4th Agriculture Roadmap for 2024 to 2029 and the preparation of a Makhana Roadmap to promote its production and processing.

World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan gains momentum after Balaghat pilot completion

Key Updates:

The World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan in the Cooperative Sector completed its pilot with a 500 metric tonne godown at Bahudeshiya Prathamik Krishi Saakh Sahakari Society Maryadit Parswada in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the pilot facility on 24 February 2024 and the Madhya Pradesh Warehousing and Logistics Corporation has hired it.
The plan converges Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure Scheme (AMI), Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanisation (SMAM) and Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME).
Under AIF, Primary Agricultural Credit Society (PACS) get interest subvention on loans for warehouses and loan repayment period for PACS has been extended from 2+5 years to 2+8 years.
AMI scheme reduced margin money for PACS from 20 percent to 10 percent and raised eligible project costs to ₹7,000 per metric tonne for plain areas and ₹8,000 per metric tonne for northeastern states.
Government enhanced subsidy for PACS under AMI from 25 percent to 33.33 percent and allows an extra one-third subsidy for ancillary infrastructure like internal roads, weighbridges and boundary walls.

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Ancient grain storage tradition Paathara/Khoni fading in Srikakulam district (Start of February) ▼

Paathara (Odia: Khoni) is an ancestral underground grain storage pit once common along the Mahendratanaya River banks in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh.
The pit is rectangular, plastered with straw and clay, sealed with cow-dung, and mainly stores paddy for household consumption and rituals.
In Jalantara Saasanam village (Kanchili Mandal) only two Paatharas were built this year: one by Marla Dillemma and one by Juttu Moinamma.
NABARD sanctioned ₹9.75 crore in August 2015 under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund to improve the Pydigam irrigation channel system covering 4,984 acres.
Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI) estimates nearly 10% of food grains are lost annually due to unscientific storage, costing about ₹7,000 crore, with insects alone causing ₹1,300 crore damages (2026 estimates).

Bharat Vistar: Multilingual AI Tool Proposed in Union Budget 2026-27 (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of Bharat Vistar in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Bharat Vistar is a multilingual Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool designed to integrate AgriStack portals and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) practices with advanced AI systems.
The platform aims to boost farm productivity and deliver customised advisory support to reduce risks for farmers.
The FM proposed backing high-value crops to raise farm incomes.
The government proposed a credit-linked subsidy programme for animal husbandry to spur rural jobs.
The budget includes plans for the modernisation of livestock enterprises and the creation of integrated value chains for dairy and poultry sectors.
The initiative encourages the formation of livestock Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).

VB-G RAM G Scheme Launched with ₹95,692.31 Crore Outlay in Budget 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The Centre has allocated ₹95,692.31 crore for the rollout of the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar Aajeevika Mission (Grameen) (VB-G RAM G).
The VB-G RAM G scheme promises 125 days of work in a year and is set to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
An allocation of ₹30,000 crore has been made for MGNREGA, which will continue until the new scheme is implemented and pending works are completed.
The total expenditure for VB-G RAM G is expected to reach ₹1,51,000 crore when including contributions earmarked by state governments.
The Department of Rural Development has received a total allocation of ₹1,94,368.81 crore, marking an increase of approximately 3.5 per cent compared to the previous year.
The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) has been earmarked ₹54,916.70 crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has been allocated ₹19,000 crore, while the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) received ₹19,200 crore.
Based on the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission, panchayats will receive an additional ₹55,990 crore.
The Department of Land Resources has been allocated ₹2,654.33 crore for the 2026-27 period.

DoP-DA&FW MoU: PAN-India Sample Logistics for Agri-Input Quality Control (Start of January) ▼

Department of Posts (DoP) and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) signed an MoU to create a nationwide logistics mechanism for transporting pesticide, seed and fertiliser samples to designated laboratories.
India Post will provide end-to-end logistics support for secure, traceable and time-bound movement of samples collected by Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Inspectors.
The collaboration is part of the PAN-India Online Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Quality Management System being developed by the Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CRISP).

India reaffirms 2019 e-cigarette ban rejecting Philip Morris lobbying

Key Updates:

India banned e-cigarettes including heat-not-burn devices in 2019 and will not revoke, amend or relax the ban.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated the law explicitly prohibits heat-not-burn products and the situation will stay.
Philip Morris International lobbied Indian officials and a parliamentary panel from 2021 to 2025 to exempt its IQOS heated tobacco device from the ban.
India is the seventh-largest cigarette market by volume with over 100 billion cigarettes sold annually and tobacco kills more than a million people each year in the country.
Philip Morris holds 76% of the global heated tobacco market and IQOS has more than 35 million users across 79 markets.
The Indian Council of Medical Research told Reuters it is not considering or undertaking any research on heated tobacco products.

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Odisha Total Ban on Gutka and Tobacco/Nicotine Food Products (End of January) ▼

Odisha government ordered a complete ban on manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and consumption of gutka and all food products containing tobacco and nicotine.
The ban covers gutka, pan masala, zarda, khaini and similar chewable or flavoured/scented food products, packaged or unpackaged.
Cigarettes and bidis are excluded from the prohibition.
Violations will attract strict penal action under food safety law, including product seizure, licence cancellation and prosecution.

18% Central Excise duty on unmanufactured tobacco withdrawn for unbranded, non-retail sale (Start of February) ▼

The government withdrew the 18% Central Excise duty on unmanufactured tobacco or tobacco refuse that is unbranded and not packed for retail sale through a Gazette notification dated 1 February 2026.
All other unmanufactured tobacco or tobacco refuse that are branded or retail-packed will continue to attract 18% excise duty.
Imports of unmanufactured tobacco or tobacco refuse without a brand name and not packed for retail sale are also exempted from Customs countervailing duty equal to the central excise duty, reducing the applicable customs duty.
Experts stated that the change is unlikely to affect tobacco stocks of companies like ITC and Godfrey Phillips since they deal in branded, retail-packed unmanufactured tobacco which remains subject to 18% excise duty.

Government of India (GoI) Implements New Excise Duty and Health Cess on Tobacco Products (Start of February) ▼

The Government of India (GoI) has imposed an additional excise duty on cigarettes and tobacco products along with a health cess on pan masala effective from 1 February.
The new tax framework replaces the previous structure of 28 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) plus compensation cess with a 40 per cent GST regime.
The GST Council approved these levies following the repayment of a ₹2.69 lakh crore loan taken to offset state revenue losses, which was scheduled for completion by 31 January 2026.
Non-filter cigarettes up to 65 mm in length attract an additional levy of approximately ₹2.05 per stick, while filter cigarettes of the same size are charged roughly ₹2.10 per stick.
Cigarettes in the 65–70 mm category face an extra duty of around ₹3.6–4 per stick, while premium cigarettes measuring 70–75 mm are taxed at approximately ₹5.4 per stick.
The highest levy of ₹8.50 per stick applies to non-standard or atypical cigarette designs, while retail prices for a pack of 10 sticks have increased by at least ₹22–25.
Cigarettes measuring 76 mm in length are set to become costlier by ₹50–55 per pack, with brands in the 84 mm segment likely to be re-tagged at ₹220–225 from the previous ₹170.
The All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF) reports that India has an estimated 8,000–9,000 cigarette and tobacco stockists.

Online Gaming Act: Blocking of 242 Illegal Betting and Gambling Websites (Mid of January) ▼

The Government of India (GoI) blocked 242 illegal betting and gambling website links under the Online Gaming Act, which came into force in October 2025.
The "Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025" received presidential assent in August 2025 to promote e-sports and social online games while banning harmful money-based gaming.
The online gaming rules came into effect on October 1, 2025, focusing on curbing financial and social harm caused by illegal online betting and gambling platforms.
Enforcement actions have resulted in more than 7,800 such platforms being taken down to protect users, especially the youth.
Under the regulations, action will be taken against service providers, advertisers, promoters and those financing such platforms, while players themselves will not be penalised.

Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha to clarify repeal continuity

Key Updates:

Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha through supplementary agenda.
The Bill seeks to avoid future confusion over repeal of Trade Unions Act 1926, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946 and Industrial Disputes Act 1947 by section 104 of Industrial Relations Code 2020.
Section 104 and February 2026 notification confirm repeal occurred by operation of the Code itself, not by executive delegation.

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Uttarakhand Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 introduces procedural, administrative and penal improvements for effective implementation. (End of January) ▼

Uttarakhand Government implemented the Uniform Civil Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, after Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) approved it under Article 213 of the Constitution of India.
The ordinance amends the UCC Act, 2024, and came into force immediately.
It simplifies marriage registration, enabling fully online application from anywhere without physical presence at Sub-Registrar offices.
Within less than a year of UCC implementation, 4,74,447 marriages have been registered, averaging about 1,400 registrations per day compared to 67 per day under the previous Uttarakhand Compulsory Registration of Marriages Act, 2010.
Couples and witnesses can now upload documents and record video statements online to complete registration.

Finance Minister (FM) to introduce Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment Bill in March 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the introduction of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment Bill during the second half of the Budget session starting 9 March.
The Bill, which was first introduced in the Lok Sabha on 12 August 2025, incorporates suggestions from a select committee report submitted in December 2025.
The IBC Amendment Bill 2025 marks the seventh legislative intervention since the Act’s enactment, following the previous amendment in 2021.
New provisions included in the Bill cover group insolvency processes, cross-border insolvency, and creditor-initiated insolvency processes.
The government will set up an Integrated Technology Platform to enhance consistency, transparency, and oversight for all stakeholders under the IBC.
The IBC framework has successfully resolved over 1,000 companies, leading to a direct recovery of more than ₹3.3 lakh crore for creditors.
Reforms are planned for the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and appellate tribunals to address capacity constraints and speed up resolution timelines.
The Finance Minister confirmed that the strategic disinvestment of IDBI Bank remains on track.

Supreme Court Stays University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026 (End of January) ▼

The Supreme Court (SC) of India stayed the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, citing concerns that they could divide society.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ordered that the 2012 Regulations will continue in force under Article 142 until further orders.
The SC directed the Central Government to constitute a committee of eminent jurists to address the issue and obtain court approval for its setup.
Petitioners challenged Section 3(1)(c) of the regulations for defining discrimination only against members of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) while excluding the general category.
The court flagged the omission of ragging as a specific form of discrimination and expressed concern over provisions indicating separate hostels, classrooms, or mentorship groups.
The 2026 Regulations were developed following a 2019 petition seeking anti-discrimination mechanisms in higher education institutions.

Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment (End of December) ▼

"President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005."
"The VB-G RAM G provides for a new rural job programme with the statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days per financial year."
"The Ministry of Law and Justice (MLJ) published a notification in the official gazette, declaring that the President gave her assent on December 20."
"As per the Section 3(1) of the Act, the State government shall within six months from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, make a scheme consistent with the provisions of this Act."
"The provision for unemployment allowance in case of failure to provide work has been further strengthened and there is also a provision for providing additional compensation if wages are delayed."
"With the guarantee of 125 days of employment, provisions have also been made to ensure that small farmers do not face difficulties during agricultural work."

Delhi Metro Magenta Line Extension approved under Phase V(A) to become NCR’s longest corridor with 21 interchange stations.

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) stated that Phase V(A) extension of Magenta Line from Ramakrishna Ashram Marg to Indraprastha via Central Vista was approved on 24 December 2025.
The extended Magenta Line will run 89 km from Botanical Garden to Inderlok, making it the longest corridor in the Delhi Metro network.
The corridor will have 65 stations in total, including 40 underground stations.
Upon completion, the Magenta Line will have 21 interchange stations, up from the current four operational interchange stations: Kalkaji Mandir, Botanical Garden, Janakpuri West, and Hauz Khas.
Triple interchange stations on the extended Magenta Line will be Central Secretariat, Azadpur, New Delhi, and Inderlok.
DMRC announced that the entire Magenta Line will operate as a driverless metro corridor once fully operational.

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Seven High-Speed Rail Corridors Project and ₹16 Lakh Crore Investment (Start of February) ▼

The Government of India announced seven new high-speed rail corridors: Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.
The new corridors will span approximately 4,000 km and involve an estimated investment of ₹16 lakh crore.
The Ministry of Railways (MoR) will utilise indigenous technologies for the development of track works, slabs, viaducts, signalling systems, and overhead electricals.
Future Bullet trains for these corridors will be manufactured in India by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).
The MoR is currently manufacturing 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and plans to implement 52 commodity-wise reforms in the freight sector this year.
An East-West dedicated freight corridor is being planned to connect industrial hubs in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to ports on the East and West coasts.
The propulsion systems for these trains, including converters, inverters, and motors, are already being manufactured in India and exported to Europe and the United States.

Uttar Pradesh North-South Corridor Project to link 20 districts with 2,340 km road network (Mid of January) ▼

The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department has proposed a first-of-its-kind North-South corridor project to improve connectivity for 20 districts.
The chief minister’s office has approved six stretches connecting various cities along the North-South corridor.
The total length of this North-South corridor is 2,340 km.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train achieves second mountain tunnel breakthrough in Palghar using NATM (Start of February) ▼

The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project achieved its second mountain tunnel breakthrough with completion of tunnel MT-6 in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
Tunnel MT-6 is 454 metres long and 14.4 metres wide, designed to accommodate both up and down tracks.
The breakthrough follows the first mountain tunnel breakthrough of MT-5 near Saphale on January 2, both completed within one month.
The New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a drill-and-controlled blast technique, was used to excavate MT-6 from both ends.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that seven new high-speed rail corridors have been announced in the Union Budget.
Rs 16,000 crores worth of work is underway for the Mumbai suburban network and the budget for Maharashtra railway is Rs 23,926 crore.

Delhi Metro Phase V(A) Project: Union Cabinet approves Rs 12,014.9-crore expansion (End of December) ▼

The Union Cabinet approved Delhi Metro’s Phase V(A) project, which will add three new corridors spanning 16 kilometres and 13 stations to the network.
The Rs 12,014.9-crore project, scheduled for completion in three years, will be funded by the Government of India, the Government of Delhi, and international funding agencies.
The three corridors comprise the 9.91-km stretch between Ramakrishnan Ashram Marg and Indraprastha, the 2.26-km link between Aerocity and Indira Gandhi Airport Terminal 1, and the 3.9-km route connecting Tughlakabad to Kalindi Kunj.
The expansion will extend the Magenta and Golden lines, taking the total Delhi Metro network to nearly 400 km.
The project includes 10 underground and three elevated stations to reduce road congestion and boost the economy.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launches India's first Melody Road in Mumbai

Key Updates:

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has installed India's first Melody Road on a 500-metre stretch of the Mumbai Coastal Road.
The musical track is situated between Priyadarshini Park and Amarsons Garden at the northbound exit of the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) tunnels.
The technology uses rumble strips to play the song Jai Ho through vehicle wheel friction when motorists exceed a speed of 60 kmph.
The project was executed by a team of Hungarian experts, making Mumbai the fifth city in the world to adopt this technology.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the pilot initiative on 11 February 2026.
Signboards have been placed at distances of 500 metres, 100 metres, and 60 metres ahead of the stretch to alert motorists.
The technology has previously been implemented in Hungary, Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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NHAI introduces India’s first wildlife-safe road with table-top red marking in Madhya Pradesh (Mid of December) ▼

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced India's first wildlife-safe road on National Highway 45 (NH-45) in Madhya Pradesh, featuring innovative table-top red markings.
The table-top red marking is a 5 mm thick, red-coloured surface with a slightly raised texture to alert drivers and slow down vehicles naturally.
NHAI has also constructed 25 dedicated underpasses to enable safe animal movement beneath the highway and installed an eight-foot-high fence along the highway to guide animals towards underpasses.

Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Development: Tuman Village receives first motorable road and HRTC connectivity (Start of January) ▼

The 2.7-kilometre stretch connecting Shakeld to Tuman was built by the Public Works Department (PWD), providing much-needed connectivity to a region that had long remained isolated from basic transport facilities.
Tuman, a small village in the Chawasi area of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh, got its first motorable road on Monday for the first time after India gained Independence.
To celebrate the milestone, a trial run of a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus was conducted, flagged off from Shakeld to Tuman by Karsog Sub-Divisional Magistrate Gaurav Mahajan.

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.

25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav begins on January 27 (End of January) ▼

25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav begins on January 27 and ends on February 20.
Festival features 277 Indian and 12 international productions from 15 countries.
First time inclusion of productions by 33 women directors.
New venues added: Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu, Aizawl, Tura, Nagaon, Mandi, Rohtak.
Languages showcased include Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tulu, Urdu, Sanskrit, Tai Khamti, Nyishi.
First-time participation of transgender communities, sex workers, senior citizens.
NSD to launch NSD radio station, OTT channel, and podcast series during the festival.
Tributes paid to Ebrahim Alkazi, Ratan Thiyam, Daya Prakash Sinha, Bansi Kaul, Alok Chatterjee.
17 new books on theatre to be launched under NSD's Shruti initiatives.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mandates six stanzas of Vande Mataram for schools and government events

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered that all six stanzas of Vande Mataram will now be sung at schools and official government events.
The official version of the national song, composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, has been fixed at a duration of 3 minutes and 10 seconds.
The move coincides with the 150th anniversary of the creation of Vande Mataram and restores the original composition.
Audience members must stand in an attention pose when the national song is played, though this is not mandatory inside cinema halls.
The song is required to be played during Civil Investitures, the arrival and departure of the President or Governors at formal State functions, and when the National Flag is brought on parade.
Schools are instructed to begin the day's work with community singing of the national song to promote respect among students.
When performed by a band, the song must be preceded by a roll of drums lasting seven paces in slow march.

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CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026 flagged off from New Delhi (End of January) ▼

The CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026 was virtually flagged off from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai inaugurated the event as Chief Guest.
Two CISF cycling teams started simultaneously from Bakkhali, West Bengal and Lakhpat, Gujarat, covering 6,500 km across nine coastal States and two Union Territories.
The Cyclothon will culminate at Kochi on 22 February 2026.
Fifty percent of the participating cyclists are women.
The initiative commemorates 150 years of 'Vande Mataram'.
CISF has been designated as the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The Cyclothon aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of 'SAGAR – Security and Growth for All in the Region'.
CISF will adopt 52 coastal villages for year-long engagement and welfare activities.
Major public events will be held in Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Konark, Visakhapatnam and Chennai.

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs during foundation day of 5th Bihar Battalion. (End of January) ▼

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs on 28 January 2026.
The event was held at Bihar Regiment Centre, Danapur in Patna, India.
The tribute was part of the foundation day celebrations of the 5th Bihar Battalion.

C P Radhakrishnan says Ram Mandir restored self-respect of Indians worldwide (End of January) ▼

C P Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, stated that the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya restored the self-respect of Indians worldwide.
He made the remark while speaking at the launch of a book on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement authored by retired bureaucrat Surendra Kumar Pachauri.
Radhakrishnan described the temple construction as a defining moment in India’s civilisational journey.

Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte Awarded Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (End of December) ▼

Esther Lalduhawmi Hnamte from Mizoram was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PM Bal Puraskar) by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi.
She was recognized for her exceptional talent as a singing prodigy, particularly for her emotional performances of patriotic anthems such as “Maa Tujhe Salaam” and “Vande Mataram”.
Born on June 9, 2016, she began performing in local churches and gained widespread attention in October 2020 when a video of her singing “Vande Mataram” was shared by then-Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She released a music video of the national anthem in August 2021, which was sponsored by the Assam Rifles and has since surpassed 47 million views.
She performed at the Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav in December and presented Prime Minister Modi with a “Poorvi” doll representing the Northeast.
She received the Young Achievers Award from Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited and became the face of an advertisement for the dairy cooperative Amul in 2021.
A documentary titled ‘A Star is Born’, chronicling her journey, won the Best Documentary Award (Silver) at the 2023 Northeast Film Festival.
Her accomplishments have been celebrated as an inspiration for a developed Bharat (Viksit Bharat), emphasizing the theme of unity in diversity.

Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign Launched to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027

Key Updates:

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by the end of 2027.
The national goal aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem three years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030.
The current campaign is being implemented across 719 blocks in 124 districts across 12 identified LF-endemic States to bring microfilaria prevalence below 1%.
From February 2026, the National LF Programme has transitioned to a single unified annual MDA campaign, replacing the previous biannual rounds held alongside National Deworming Day.
Hydrocele surgery for affected patients has been included under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to ensure financial protection.
The MDA coverage in India has improved from 75% in 2014 to 85% in 2025, while districts stopping MDA after clearing the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-1) rose from 15% to 41%.
Online reporting for the elimination programme is being strengthened through the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP).
The initiative involves multi-sectoral mobilisation with ministries including Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Education, Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs, and Agriculture.

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National Deworming Day observed on February 10 (Mid of February) ▼

National Deworming Day is observed in India annually on February 10, with a mop-up round conducted on August 10.
The programme was launched in 2015 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
The initiative targets children and adolescents aged between one and 19 years through schools and Anganwadi centres.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends periodic mass deworming as a cost-effective preventive measure compared to individual screening.
The programme utilises medicines such as Albendazole and Mebendazole to treat infections caused by roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm.
According to the article, nearly 64 per cent of children in India are at risk of intestinal parasitic infections.
Preventive deworming is recommended every six months in areas where worm infections are common, particularly for children up to 14 years of age.

Central Leprosy Division IEC Outreach Programme promotes awareness and stigma reduction (End of January) ▼

Central Leprosy Division (CLD) under Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), organised an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) outreach programme at Dilli Haat on National Leprosy Day.
The programme included a Nukkad Natak on early signs and symptoms of leprosy and a cultural dance by children affected by leprosy supported by Rotary Club.
A Self-Examination Mirror activity and an interactive quiz were conducted to encourage recognition of early signs and reinforce key messages, with prizes distributed to participants.
A pamphlet titled '100 Questions & Answers on Leprosy' along with other IEC materials was distributed to promote awareness, early reporting, treatment adherence, and stigma reduction.
Visitors took a collective pledge not to discriminate against persons affected by leprosy, supporting the goal of a #LeprosyFreeIndia.

South Africa releases first locally produced foot-and-mouth disease vaccine by Agricultural Research Council (ARC) (Start of February) ▼

Agricultural Research Council (ARC) released the first batch of South Africa’s locally produced foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine developed at ARC-Onderstepoort.
The initial batch comprises 12 900 multi-strain doses produced by the ARC Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC OVI) Transboundary Animal Diseases Campus.
The vaccine is registered as a stock remedy under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seeds and Remedies Act (No. 36 of 1947) and meets required quality, safety and efficacy standards.
Local production enables faster outbreak response, closer strain matching to regional circulating viruses, and improved supply control.
Since 2019 the outbreak has spread to eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, severely disrupting the commercial livestock value chain.
Milk South Africa (Milk SA) welcomed the 12 900 doses but warned volumes fall far short of national requirements and urged rapid scale-up of both domestic and imported vaccines.

World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day observed on 30 January (End of January) ▼

World Health Organisation (WHO) designated 30 January as World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day at the 74th World Health Assembly on 31 May 2021.
The date commemorates the adoption of the London Declaration on NTDs on 30 January 2012.
WHO’s 2030 targets include 90% reduction in people needing treatment for NTDs and 75% reduction in years of life lost due to NTDs.
By 1 January 2026, 58 countries had eradicated at least one NTD.
Global financial aid for NTDs fell by 41% between 2018 and 2023.
USAID’s dismantling and the United States withdrawal from WHO have suspended 47 treatment campaigns affecting 143 million people worldwide.
ANRS MIE, responsible for monitoring emerging infectious diseases, prioritises dengue and chikungunya under its Emergence epidemic response system.
ANRS MIE funds projects including LSDengue, ARBOGEN, DENGAGE, DENGAFRICA, and LEISHNEW targeting dengue, chikungunya, and leishmaniasis.
ANRS MIE co-directs Global Health EDCTP3 and serves as one of nine international coordination centres for the STRIVE network linking over 300 clinical trials in 40 countries.

Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana replaces Ladli Yojana with ₹1 lakh support for girls’ education

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana effective from 1 April 2026, replacing the 2008 Ladli Yojana.
The scheme deposits ₹56,000 in stages and with interest the corpus is projected to reach ₹1 lakh when the girl turns 21 or completes graduation/diploma, whichever is earlier.
Instalments: ₹11,000 at birth, ₹5,000 on admission to Classes 1, 6, 9, 10 and 12, and ₹20,000 after completing graduation or diploma.
Eligibility: girl must be born in Delhi, family must have resided in Delhi for at least three years, annual family income must not exceed ₹1 lakh, and only two daughters per family can receive benefits.
Beneficiaries pursuing graduation or diploma outside Delhi remain eligible for the final payout.
Pending Ladli Yojana dues are being cleared through a government campaign to identify unclaimed accounts.

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Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers up to Rs 72 lakh on maturity for girl child (End of January) ▼

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) was introduced on 22 January 2015 under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.
SSY is a government-backed small savings scheme aimed at securing the financial future of the girl child.
The current interest rate under SSY is 8.2% compounded annually.
Interest is calculated every month and added to the principal at the end of each financial year.
Deposits qualify for deduction under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and interest earned is tax-free.
Minimum annual deposit is Rs 250 and maximum is Rs 1.50 lakh, either lump sum or in multiple instalments.
Deposits can be made till completion of 15 years from account opening, and the account matures after 21 years.
Investing Rs 1.50 lakh annually for 15 years yields a maturity value of approximately Rs 71.83 lakh at 8.2% interest.
Early closure is allowed only under specific conditions such as marriage after age 18 or death of the account holder.
Up to 50% of the balance can be withdrawn for the girl’s higher education once she turns 18 or passes class 10.

Lado Lakshmi Yojana: Haryana Govt Credits Rs 2,100 Each to 7 Lakh Women as Second Installment (Start of December) ▼

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini inaugurated the second installment of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana.
Under this installment, Rs 2,100 each was credited to the accounts of 7 lakh eligible women.
The first installment was released on November 1.

Gujarat launches Namo Lakshmi Yojana with ₹1,250 crore outlay for 12 lakh girl students. (End of January) ▼

The Gujarat government introduced the Namo Lakshmi Yojana to provide financial aid to approximately 12 lakh girl students in the state.
The scheme has a total expenditure of ₹1,250 crore.
It targets female students mainly studying between Class 9 and 12 to reduce dropout rates.
Aid will be disbursed in instalments throughout the academic year to cover school fees, uniforms, books, stationery and transport.
Funds will be directly transferred into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Completes 11 Years with 12-Point Rise in Sex Ratio at Birth (End of January) ▼

The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched in 2015 to address the falling Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and gender-based educational inequalities.
The national SRB improved from 918 in 2014–15 to 930 in 2023–24, according to data released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for girls at the secondary level increased from 75.51 per cent in 2014–15 to 78 per cent in 2023–24.
Institutional deliveries in India rose from 61 per cent in 2014–15 to over 97.3 per cent by 2023–24.
The Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav programme successfully re-enrolled more than 100,000 out-of-school girls into the education system.
BBBP has been integrated with Mission Shakti under the Sambal and Samarthya components, linking it to One Stop Centres, women’s helplines, and working women’s hostels.
District-level funding is allocated based on SRB performance, providing ₹40 lakh for districts below 918, ₹30 lakh for those between 919 and 952, and ₹20 lakh for better-performing districts.
The scheme aims to improve the SRB by two points every year and maintain institutional deliveries above 95 per cent.

NATO launches Arctic Sentry military effort to improve High North security

[North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)]

Key Updates:

NATO launched Arctic Sentry to coordinate national military exercises in the High North.
Arctic Sentry is not a military operation and does not involve permanent NATO troop deployment.
The effort will initially label exercises such as Denmark’s Arctic Endurance and Norway’s Cold Response.
Coordination for Arctic Sentry will be through NATO’s U.S. headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia.
The United Kingdom will double its troops in Norway from 1,000 to 2,000 over three years.
France, Germany and Denmark have confirmed participation without specifying troop numbers.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte cited Russia’s increased activity and China’s growing interest as reasons for the initiative.

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Russia uses Oreshnik missile in strikes on Kyiv and Lviv (Start of January) ▼

Russia that it had used the Oreshnik missile amid a barrage of overnight strikes on Kyiv and Lviv in western Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Air Force later said the missile travelled at a speed of 13,000km/h (more than 8,000mph).
Putin has said that the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile is impossible to intercept because of speeds reportedly more than 10 times the speed of sound.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that the reported Oreshnik strike was meant as a warning to Europe and the US.

Russia launches nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk designed to carry Poseidon underwater drone (Start of February) ▼

Russia launched its newest nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk on 1 November 2025 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.
The submarine is designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone Poseidon, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed system capable of intercontinental underwater travel.
Poseidon is intended to strengthen Russia’s strategic deterrence, bypass existing missile defence systems, and serve as a second-strike weapon.
The launch ceremony was led by Andrei Belousov, Russia’s Defence Minister, and attended by Alexander Moiseyev, Chief of the Russian Navy.
The Khabarovsk is part of Russia’s next-generation underwater systems programme aimed at modernising its nuclear forces amid rising global security tensions.

United States Congress approves $200 million Baltic Security Initiative funding amid Russian activity (Start of February) ▼

The United States Congress approved $200 million in security assistance for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania under the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI) as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act.
President Donald Trump signed the $838.7 billion defense package on 3 February 2026, securing continued US backing for the three Baltic states.
An additional $10 million was allocated to Estonia through the Foreign Military Financing program, previously used by Tallinn to acquire HIMARS ammunition, Javelin missiles and large-caliber artillery shells.
The House of Representatives passed the Defense Appropriations Act by 217–214 votes and the Senate cleared it with 71–29 votes.
Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland in September and remained for approximately 12 minutes, prompting Tallinn to request an extraordinary UN Security Council meeting and activate Article 4 of the Atlantic Treaty.
Congressman Don Bacon, Republican-Nebraska and co-chair of the House Baltic Caucus, stated that Congress is committed to a strong NATO alliance and emphasised the need for friends to counter China, Russia and Iran.

China launches Arctic Express route cutting China-Europe transit to 18 days (End of November) ▼

China-Europe Arctic Express reduces transit time to 18 days versus over 25 days by China-Europe Railway Express, over 40 days via Suez Canal and over 50 days around Cape of Good Hope.
Arctic Express lowers business inventory needs by 40 per cent and carbon emissions by approximately 50 per cent compared to traditional longer routes.
Northern Sea Route shortens East Asia-Europe maritime distance from 21,000 km via Suez Canal to 12,800 km, saving 10-15 days transit time.
International North-South Transport Corridor cuts transport costs by nearly USD 2,500 per 15 tonnes of cargo.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor aims to reduce transit times by 40 per cent compared to existing maritime routes.
Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor can cut travel time from about 40 days to 24 days.

Indonesia preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza

[Indonesia]

Key Updates:

Indonesia is preparing up to 8,000 soldiers for deployment to Gaza, the first country to do so as part of phase two of the ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States late last year.
Army chief of staff General Maruli Simanjuntak said training for the soldiers had already begun and they would focus on medical and engineering roles in Gaza.
Indonesia has joined President Donald Trump's Board of Peace, announced last month, which has a mandate from the United Nations Security Council to establish an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to secure border areas in Gaza and ensure demilitarisation including disarmament of Hamas.
The Board of Peace is due to have its first meeting in Washington on 19 February and will also oversee a new technocratic Palestinian government in Gaza and post-war reconstruction.
An area in southern Gaza between Rafah and Khan Younis has already been designated for use by the Indonesian army to build a barracks for several thousand troops, according to Israel's public broadcaster Kan.
Other Muslim countries like Turkey and Pakistan are also considering sending troops as peacekeepers only and would not participate in the planned disarmament of Hamas.

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Israel announces limited reopening of Rafah crossing with Egypt after final captive body located (End of January) ▼

Israel will allow a limited reopening of Gaza’s Rafah crossing with Egypt after locating the body of the last Israeli captive Ran Gvili.
The announcement was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office late on Sunday.
Rafah crossing will reopen for pedestrian passage only and remain under full Israeli inspection mechanism.
The crossing was supposed to open in both directions under the first phase of the United States-brokered ceasefire in October.
Hamas stated it handed over the location of the Israeli soldier’s remains with absolute transparency.
More than 480 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began in October.
Israeli attacks on Sunday killed at least three Palestinians and wounded four others in Gaza City.

United States official says Hamas disarmament in Gaza to be accompanied by amnesty (End of January) ▼

A United States (US) official stated that disarmament by Hamas in Gaza will be accompanied by "some sort of amnesty" for the Palestinian group.
The US official made the comment on Monday after the recovery of the body of the last Israeli captive in Gaza, paving the way for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal agreed in October.
US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan states that Hamas members who decommission weapons will be given amnesty and safe passage if they wish to leave Gaza.
Hamas said the return of captive remains underscored its commitment to phase one of the ceasefire and demanded Israel open the Rafah crossing without restrictions and withdraw completely from Gaza.
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met Hamas officials in Ankara on Monday to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

India invited to join Donald Trump-led Board of Peace for global conflict resolution (Mid of January) ▼

India was invited to join the Donald Trump-led Board of Peace, which is described as a new International Organization and Transitional Governing Administration meant to embark on a bold new approach to resolving Global Conflict!
Donald J. Trump will serve as the inaugural Chairman of the Board of Peace and will remain in this position even when he is no longer the President of the United States.
The organization offers a tenure of three years for members, but nations can become permanent members if they pay $ 1 billion in cash in the first year of membership.
The Executive Board's founding members include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff; Trump’s son-in-law and businessman Jared Kushner; former UK prime minister Tony Blair; American businessman Marc Rowan; World Bank Group president Ajay Banga; and US national security adviser Robert Gabriel.
The Board's charter allows it to work to secure enduring peace in areas not just affected by, but also threatened by conflict.
The original mandate for the Board was approved by the UN in November 2025 to operate in Gaza until the end of 2027, though the new charter has expanded its scope significantly.
Invitations for membership have been sent to several countries including Hungary, Albania, Greece, Canada, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Paraguay, and Argentina, with Pakistan also reporting an invitation.

India Proposes $450 Million Relief Package to Rebuild Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka on December 24, 2025 (End of December) ▼

India has proposed an assistance package worth $450 million for rebuilding Sri Lanka, consisting of $350 million in concessional lines of credit and $100 million in grants.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar visited Sri Lanka as a special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah with President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
India launched a relief and assistance mission named 'Operation Sagar Bandhu', which commenced on the day Cyclone Ditwah made landfall.
Operation Sagar Bandhu delivered over 1,100 tonnes of relief material, including dry rations, tents, water purification kits, and 14.5 tonnes of medicines and medical equipment.
The proposed assistance targets the restoration of road, railway, and bridge connectivity, as well as support for housing, health, education systems, and agriculture.

South Korea and United States Air Forces hold 2025 first Buddy Squadron exercise at Osan Air Base

[South Korea, United States]

Key Updates:

The South Korean Air Force and the United States Air Force began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of 2025 on Monday at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province.
The exercise runs through Friday and is the 26-1 iteration under a revised framework reducing annual iterations from eight to four while more than doubling participating aircraft and sorties.
Participating aircraft include South Korean KF-16 fighters, F-35A stealth fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and United States F-16 fighters.
The Buddy Squadron exercise, renamed from Friendship Training in 1997, started in 1991 to enhance combined operational capabilities through joint training.

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Australia, India, Japan, and United States conduct 1st Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (End of December) ▼

Quad partners, Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US), successfully conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
The exercise was conducted from 8th to 12th December to strengthen the Quad partners’ disaster response capacity.
The IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to "leverage shared logistics capabilities to support civilian response to large-scale natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific."
Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft to enhance interoperability and coordination.
The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to "strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific."

North Korea conducts long-range strategic cruise missile drill under Kim Jong Un (End of December) ▼

Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range strategic cruise missile launching drill, state media KCNA reported.
The cruise missiles flew along their preset orbit above the sea west of the Korean Peninsula and accurately hit their targets.
Kim described the missile test as 'just a responsible exercise' given that the country 'is facing various security threats.'
Kim urged 'unlimited and sustained' development of the country's nuclear weapons forces.
State media photos showed Kim inspecting a nearly completed 8,700-ton hull at a shipyard, indicating progress on North Korea's first nuclear-powered submarine.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is expected to seek China's cooperation on addressing Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions during his planned visit to China.
Japan, South Korea, and the United States have conducted expanded joint air drills, including US B-52 bombers flying with Japanese fighter jets over the Sea of Japan.

Indian Air Force hosts Exercise AviaIndra-2025 with Russian Federation Aerospace Force (Mid of December) ▼

Exercise AviaIndra-2025 is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) from 15 to 22 December.
The exercise is part of the AviaIndra series which began in 2014.
Personnel from both forces will conduct joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters.
The exercise aims to enhance bilateral cooperation, mutual understanding, and aerospace synergy between India and Russia.

China's People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command launches Just Mission 2025 live-fire drills around Taiwan (End of December) ▼

The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command announced 'Just Mission 2025' live-fire drills to the north and southwest of the Taiwan Strait, involving air, navy and rocket troops.
Taiwan detected at least 14 Chinese naval vessels, 14 coast guard ships and 89 aircraft, 67 of which entered Taiwan’s response zones.
The drills included fighter jets, bombers, unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range rockets, and practised strikes on land and maritime targets.
China stated the drills serve 'as a serious warning to Taiwan Independence separatist forces and external interference forces'.
Taiwan’s defence ministry posted a video showcasing US-made HIMARS rocket systems capable of hitting coastal targets in China’s Fujian province.
The exercises forced diversion of commercial flights, impacting more than 100,000 international and 6,000 domestic passengers.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned that 'external forces attempting to use Taiwan to contain China and arm Taiwan will only embolden pro-independence arrogance'.
Taiwan’s President William Lai Ching-te said the island must 'keep raising the difficulty so that China can never meet that standard' for invasion.

Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conduct joint in-situ air exercise from 9-13 February 2026

[Indian Air Force (IAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Thailand]

Key Updates:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) are undertaking a joint in-situ air exercise from 9-13 February 2026.
IAF Su-30MKI, IL-78 refuelling aircraft, AWACS and AEW&C platforms are participating alongside RTAF Gripen aircraft.
The exercise aims to enhance operational coordination and interoperability between the two air forces and strengthen Indo-Thai defence cooperation.

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India-France conduct 8th Garuda 25 air exercise at Mont-de-Marsan (Mid of November) ▼

Exercise: Garuda 25 (8th edition) with Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force
Location: Mont-de-Marsan, France
IAF assets: Su-30MKI fighters, C-17 Globemaster III, IL-78 refuellers
Focus: air-to-air engagements, air-defence missions, coordinated strike operations

Australia, India, Japan, and United States conduct 1st Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (End of December) ▼

Quad partners, Australia, India, Japan and the United States (US), successfully conducted their first Field Training Exercise (FTX) on the sidelines of Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of the Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network (IPLN).
The exercise was conducted from 8th to 12th December to strengthen the Quad partners’ disaster response capacity.
The IPLN is an initiative that enables Quad partners to "leverage shared logistics capabilities to support civilian response to large-scale natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific."
Training activities included boarding a Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) C-130H transport aircraft to enhance interoperability and coordination.
The FTX reflected the Quad’s commitment to "strengthening practical cooperation to address regional challenges and to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific."

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.

Indian Air Force hosts Exercise AviaIndra-2025 with Russian Federation Aerospace Force (Mid of December) ▼

Exercise AviaIndra-2025 is being hosted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the Russian Federation Aerospace Force (RFASF) from 15 to 22 December.
The exercise is part of the AviaIndra series which began in 2014.
Personnel from both forces will conduct joint flying operations on Su-30 MKI, Tejas, IL-78 aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters.
The exercise aims to enhance bilateral cooperation, mutual understanding, and aerospace synergy between India and Russia.

Union Budget 2026-27 allocates over ₹500 crore for four mega-telescope projects

Key Updates:

The Union Budget 2026-27 announced funding for four mega-telescope facilities to be spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA).
The National Large Solar Telescope (NLST) is a 2-metre class Gregorian multi-purpose telescope to be located in Merak, near Pangong Tso Lake in Ladakh.
The NLST is designed to study the Sun's magnetic fields and atmospheric processes with a spatial resolution of approximately 50 kilometres.
The National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 10-12 metre class facility situated at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Ladakh.
The NLOT will utilise segmented mirror technology to observe star births, early galaxies, and chemical signatures of distant exoplanets in the deep infrared.
The 2-metre Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at Hanle, operational since 2001, will receive an upgrade to its sensors and backend instrumentation for transient astronomy.
The COSMOS-2 Planetarium will be established in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, as a Cosmology Education and Research Training Centre featuring an 8K LED dome.
The Union Government has allocated a combined investment of over ₹500 crore specifically for these space science infrastructure projects.

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Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) to implement three telescopes and one planetarium projects (Start of February) ▼

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced plans to establish and upgrade four major astronomy facilities.
The projects include the National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), the National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT), an upgrade to the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, and the Cosmos-2 planetarium.
Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) director Prof Annapurni Subramaniam confirmed that IIA will implement all projects from its Bengaluru headquarters.
The NLST will be located near Pangong Lake in Ladakh and will study the Sun’s magnetic fields and solar flares.
The NLOT will be a 10-12 metre optical and infrared telescope planned for the Hanle region of Ladakh.
The Himalayan Chandra Telescope, operational since 2000 in Hanle, will receive an upgrade under the Budget proposal.
Cosmos-2, a planetarium and education centre, will be built in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, with digital projection and interactive exhibits.
IIA has signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government for implementing Cosmos-2.
IIA is completing Cosmos-1, an 8K resolution LED dome planetarium and research training centre in Mysuru, Karnataka.

India to launch over 50 spy satellites under Space-Based Surveillance-3 after border conflict surveillance gaps (End of January) ▼

India plans to launch over 50 spy satellites and add night-time imaging to enhance national security capabilities, people familiar with the matter said.
India encountered surveillance blind spots during a border conflict last year with neighbour Pakistan.
The Narendra Modi-led administration is looking to build ground stations overseas to relay information more quickly and comprehensively, said the people.
These ground stations could be in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Scandinavia, they said.
Plans are underway to enhance satellites with synthetic aperture radar capable of capturing images in dark, cloudy conditions.
Upgrades are being worked on to help transfer data from one satellite to another without relying on a ground station.
The launch of the first 52 satellites under Space-Based Surveillance-3 is being fast-tracked.
India plans to deploy as many as 150 new satellites to boost border security, Mint reported citing Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V Narayanan.
The estimated cost of placing 150 satellites is about Rs 26,000 crore ($2.8 billion).
India has more than 100 satellites in orbit compared to just eight for Pakistan, according to spacecraft data tracker N2YO.com.
India’s satellites are blind at night or in cloudy conditions, a lacuna highlighted during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last year.
China provided Pakistan with support during the fighting, helping Islamabad adjust its satellite coverage, a research group under India’s Ministry of Defence said last year.

China and Brazil begin building joint space laboratory (Mid of December) ▼

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

Azista Space demonstrates India's first indigenous in-orbit snooping capability (Start of February) ▼

Azista Space has become the first Indian aerospace firm to demonstrate in-orbit snooping by capturing images of the International Space Station (ISS) from another satellite.
The demonstration was conducted using the ABA First Runner (AFR), an 80-kg indigenous earth-observation satellite.
The AFR satellite was launched into space on 13 June 2023, by the Falcon-9 rocket of SpaceX as part of the Transporter-8 mission.
The company successfully tracked the ISS at ranges of approximately 250 km and 300 km, capturing 15 distinct frames with 2.2m sampling.
Azista Space operates a satellite and payload manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat, which is capable of producing 50 satellites annually.
This achievement is a significant step towards strengthening India's Space Situational Awareness (SSA), which involves monitoring and tracking man-made satellites and space debris.
Personnel from the firm have been involved in over 12 missions of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Researchers identify 5,300-year-old metal bow drill in Egypt as earliest rotary tool

[Egypt]

Key Updates:

Researchers from Newcastle University and the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna identified a tool from a Predynastic cemetery in Badari, Upper Egypt, as the oldest known metal drill in the country.
The artifact dates to the late fourth millennium BCE and measures 63 millimetres in length with a weight of approximately 1.5 grams.
Portable X-ray fluorescence analysis revealed the tool is composed of a copper alloy containing arsenic, nickel, silver, and lead to increase hardness.
Microscopic inspection of the tip showed fine parallel lines and rounded edges, confirming its function as a rotary tool rather than a piercing instrument.
The presence of dried leather coils on the shaft indicates the tool was part of a bow drill system where a cord was used to spin the shaft.

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Zapotec tomb discovery in Oaxaca: 1,400-year-old archaeological find (Start of February) ▼

A 1,400-year-old Zapotec tomb has been discovered in the Central Valleys region of southern Mexico.
The discovery was made by a team of researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).
The tomb complex features an antechamber and a funerary chamber with a depiction of an owl representing night and death in Zapotec iconography.
Calendrical information was found on a frieze at the entrance to the funerary chamber.
A mural within the funerary chamber, painted on stucco with pigments, shows a funerary procession carrying offerings of copal incense.
Researchers from INAH are working to stabilize the microclimate and document the mural and relief sculptures.

Kuwait Launches First Geological Park to Showcase Rock Formations and Desert Landscapes (Start of December) ▼

Kuwait has launched its first geological park as a public, educational and eco-tourism project designed to showcase the country’s rock formations, desert landscapes and natural heritage while supporting research, schools and sustainable tourism.
The GeoPark features outdoor geological trails, interpretive signage, interactive exhibits and a visitor centre to explain Kuwait’s Earth history and biodiversity.
The park includes diverse rock formations, important fossil sites, an Interactive Mineral Garden, educational trails, guided nature walks, workshops and sand injectite ground-surface features resembling the landscape of Mars.
The site preserves evidence of Neolithic communities and archaeological sites dating back over 10,000 years, including those linked to the ancient Ubaid civilization, and Kuwait's first oil exploration well, Bahra-1, drilled in 1936.
The project aligns with New Kuwait 2035 Vision and aims for inclusion in the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network (GGN), with Phase 1 developing 20 square kilometers and Phase 2 expanding to 1,000 square kilometers including planting over 300 native plant species like ghaf and acacia trees.

67,800-year-old hand stencil in Indonesian cave becomes oldest known rock art (End of January) ▼

A red hand stencil in Liang Metanduno cave on Muna Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia, is dated to at least 67,800 years ago, making it the oldest rock art discovered.
Indonesian and Australian archaeologists used uranium-thorium laser analysis of cave popcorn calcite to determine the minimum age.
The stencil is over 1,000 years older than Neanderthal-attributed hand stencils in a Spanish cave and more than 15,000 years older than previous Sulawesi art found by the same team.
The cave shows repeated use for rock art, with some works painted over up to 35,000 years later.
The discovery supports the northern migration route for Homo sapiens from Asia through Sulawesi to Papua New Guinea and into the ancient supercontinent Sahul that included Australia.

United States Smithsonian Museum to return three ancient bronze sculptures to India (End of January) ▼

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) in Washington DC announced the return of three ancient bronze sculptures to the Government of India after provenance research confirmed they were illegally removed.
The three artefacts include a Shiva Nataraja from the Chola period (dated circa 990), a Somaskanda from the Chola period (12th century), and Saint Sundarar with Paravai from the Vijayanagar period (16th century).
The Shiva Nataraja originally belonged to the Sri Bhava Aushadesvara Temple in Tirutturaippundi taluk of Tanjavur district, Tamil Nadu.
The Somaskanda sculpture was identified from the Visvanatha Temple in Alattur village, Mannarkudi taluk, while the Saint Sundarar with Paravai was from the Shiva Temple in Veerasolapuram village, Kallakuruchchi taluk.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) reviewed the findings and concluded that the sculptures were removed in violation of Indian law.
The Indian government has agreed to place the Shiva Nataraja on a long-term loan to the NMAA to be displayed in the exhibition titled The Art of Knowing in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas.
The provenance investigation was supported by the Photo Archives of the French Institute of Pondicherry, which provided photographic evidence of the sculptures in their original temples between 1956 and 1959.
The NMAA is working with the Embassy of India to finalise the arrangements for the return and the loan agreement.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India launches Goa's first biodiversity and cultural map

[World Wildlife Fund (WWF)]

Key Updates:

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) India has developed the first biodiversity and cultural features map of Goa to be used as an educational tool in schools.
The map features 48 commonly found species in Goa, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, sea animals, mangroves, and insects.
Cultural aspects represented on the map include Kaavi art, the dressing of Kunbi women, the folk dance of Ghoddemodni, and the practice of crocodile worship known as manngetapnni.
The map was created by artist Sudarshan Shaw using a folk indica art style to interest students.
The initiative is integrated with the National Education Policy (NEP), under which WWF has trained approximately 450 teachers in government and government-aided schools starting from Class VI.
The map was released by Stephen Alter at the Goa Art and Literature Festival.

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Goa becomes second Indian state to publish comprehensive Bird Atlas (Start of February) ▼

Goa has become the second state in India, after Kerala, to publish a comprehensive state-level bird atlas.
The Bird Atlas of Goa was released during the ninth Bird Festival of Goa, which was formally inaugurated at Valpoi.
The ninth edition of the bird festival was organised under the theme Majestic Mhadei.
A publication titled Birds of Goa: Konkani Nomenclature – Olakh Suknayanchi was released to popularise avifauna documentation in the local language.
The Goa Forest Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ResQ Charitable Trust to enhance wildlife rescue and rehabilitation coordination across the state.
Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of Forests, C Candavelou, served as the chief guest for the festival inauguration.

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.

Arunachal Pradesh Government's Initiative for Securing GI Tags for Indigenous Products (End of November) ▼

The traditional Arunachal Pradesh Dao has been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognizing its unique cultural and geographical heritage.
The certification was granted by the Geographical Indications Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, as part of the Arunachal Pradesh government's aggressive pursuit of GI registrations.
The GI tag aims to safeguard authenticity by ensuring only Daos produced in Arunachal Pradesh using traditional methods bear the label, enhance economic opportunities for artisans, promote tourism and branding, and preserve endangered skills.
The government plans to support artisans through specialized training programs, branding initiatives, improved marketing linkages, and collaborations with organizations like NABARD for post-GI marketing and skill development, aligning with its “Brand Arunachal” initiative.
The state hosted its first GI Mahotsav in New Delhi in 2025, displaying certified products to a national audience, as part of its broader strategy to empower rural artisans and boost the local economy.

Sansha Yongle Blue Hole loses deepest-blue-hole record yet remains key natural archive

Key Updates:

The Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, also called the Dragon Hole, sits in the South China Sea and was once confirmed as the deepest known blue hole at 301.19 metres.
In 2017 scientists deployed a high-grade underwater robot with precise navigation tools to produce the first full three-dimensional map and confirm the depth of 301.19 metres.
The hole’s interior bends and tilts so that its deepest point lies more than 100 metres sideways from the surface entrance.
Rock ledges inside the hole align with ancient lower sea levels and contain fossilised shells and coral fragments.
Oxygen nearly vanishes below 90–100 metres and hydrogen sulphide becomes detectable, leaving deeper water layers largely undisturbed.

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NIOT-led India to build world’s deepest 6,000-m underwater lab in Indian Ocean (Mid of November) ▼

Project agency: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) under Dr Balaji Ramakrishnan
Target depth: 6,000 m—"far deeper than any existing structure of its kind"
Demonstrator phase: 500-m module will host three scientists for >24 h
Key capabilities: 360° transparent viewport, regulated life-support, docking for deep-sea vehicles
Scientific goals: deep-sea biodiversity surveys, chemical/geological sampling, high-pressure human physiology, biotech and drug discovery from rare microbes

India flags off INS Sagardhwani for Sagar Maitri V oceanographic mission (End of January) ▼

INS Sagardhwani, India's oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO, was flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri (SM-5) initiative from Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
Sagar Maitri is a flagship collaborative initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO, aligned with the Government of India's vision of 'Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR)'.
The initiative seeks to build sustained scientific collaboration with eight Indian Ocean Rim countries: Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
Under the Sagar Maitri programme, INS Sagardhwani will retrace the historic routes of INS Kistna, which participated in the International Indian Ocean Expedition during 1962-65.
The ongoing mission marks the launch of collaborative oceanographic studies with the Maldives, enabling joint research and professional exchanges among scientists from IOR nations.

National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) Robots Unearth 10,000-Year-Old Pottery in Lake Biwa (Start of December) ▼

Robotic sensors discovered a nearly intact pottery vessel more than 10,000 years old resting upright in the silt near Tsuzuraozaki underwater ruins.
The vessel measures about 25 centimeters tall with a tapering pointed base and engraved motifs characteristic of early Jomon craft traditions.
Specialists attribute the vessel to either the Jinguji-style or the Konami Upper-layer tradition between 11,000 and 10,500 years ago.
The survey used a next-generation 3-D scanning system with four synchronized cameras at 64 meters deep.
NMRI transformed deep-sea robotics including AUVs with high-resolution sonar into tools for inland archaeology.
Lake Biwa’s deep basins create still pockets with minimal sediment accumulation while tectonic activity keeps the lakebed exposed preserving objects.

Esha Singh claims India’s maiden gold at Asian rifle and pistol championship

Key Updates:

Esha Singh won the 10m air pistol women’s final at the Asian rifle and pistol championship held in New Delhi.
India secured gold in the women’s 10m air pistol team event.
Samrat Rana won individual bronze in the men’s 10m air pistol event.
Indian men’s air pistol team of Samrat Rana, Sharvan Kumar and Varun Tomar secured team silver.
Vladimir Svechnikov of Uzbekistan won the men’s individual gold and Valeriy Rakimzhan took silver.
Uzbekistan won the men’s team gold in 10m air pistol.
Vietnam took silver and Chinese Taipei bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol team event.

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Manu Bhaker wins silver medal at Asian Shooting Championships 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker won the silver medal in the 25m pistol final at the Asian Shooting Championships 2026 held in New Delhi.
Thuy Trang Nguyen of Vietnam secured the gold medal after defeating Bhaker in a shoot-off, following a tied score of 35.
India's Esha Singh finished the competition in the third position to claim the bronze medal in the 25m pistol event.
Meghana Sajjanar won a bronze medal at the same championships while competing in her eighth month of pregnancy.
Bhaker qualified for the final with a score of 584 and used a new pistol from the Italian manufacturer Pardini.
Bhaker previously won two bronze medals in the 25m pistol event at the 2021 and 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cups.
Bhaker finished in seventh place in the 10m air pistol final five days prior to winning the silver medal.
The qualification cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics is scheduled to commence on 31 July 2026.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) was the body associated with the event's documentation.

Meghana Sajjanar wins Bronze at Asian Championships (Start of February) ▼

Indian shooter Meghana Sajjanar clinched the individual bronze medal and team gold in the 10m air rifle competition at the Asian Championships held in New Delhi.
The 32-year-old athlete from Bengaluru achieved the podium finish while in the eighth month of her pregnancy.
Elavenil Valarivan won the individual gold medal in the event with a score of 252.0, while Misaki Nobata of Japan secured the silver medal.
Meghana Sajjanar maintained a score of 104.1 after the first ten shots and defeated compatriot Arya Borse to confirm her bronze medal.
This achievement follows her previous bronze medal win at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup held in Ningbo, China, in September 2025.
The athlete is scheduled to participate in the 10m mixed air rifle team event alongside Rudrankksh Patil before taking a competitive break.

China Tops Medal Tally at ISSF World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025 (End of November) ▼

The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championship Rifle/Pistol 2025 was held in Cairo, Egypt.
The championship featured 720 shooters from 70 National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
China topped the medal tally with 21 medals (12 gold, 7 silver, 2 bronze).
South Korea secured the second position with 14 medals (7 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze).
India finished third with 13 medals (3 gold, 6 silver, 4 bronze).
Indian gold medalists included Samrat Rana in Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Ravinder Singh in Men’s 50m Standard Pistol, and the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Team.
Germany’s Jacob Hoffman set a new world record in the men’s target sprint event.
Poland’s Tomasz Bartnik won gold while equalling the world record in the men’s 300m rifle 3 positions.
China’s Yao Qianxun claimed gold by setting a new world record in the women’s 50m pistol.
China won gold with a team score of 1881.3, setting a new world record in the Men’s 50m Rifle Prone Team event.
Anish Bhanwala won silver in Men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol, becoming the first Indian individual pistol shooter to medal in an Olympic event at the World Championships.

India hosts Asian Championship Rifle/Pistol 2026 in New Delhi (Start of February) ▼

The Asian Championship Rifle/Pistol 2026 is being held at the Dr. Karni Singh shooting range in New Delhi from 4 February to 13 February 2026.
A total of 311 athletes from 20 countries are participating in the 10-day continental competition across junior, senior, and youth categories.
India has fielded the largest squad of 118 athletes, while Kazakhstan has the second-largest contingent with 35 athletes.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) is organising the event with support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The competition features 30 medal sets and serves as an assessment for the upcoming Asian Games and the World Championships.
All finals of the championship are available for live streaming on the FanCode Over-The-Top (OTT) platform.

Aakriti Dahiya wins silver medal at Asian Championship

Key Updates:

The Asian Championship for rifle and pistol events was held in New Delhi.
Aakriti Dahiya won the silver medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event.
Olympian Anjum Moudgil secured the bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event.
Sofiya Shulzhenko of Kazakhstan won the gold medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions with a new world record score of 358.2.
The Indian women’s team, comprising Aakriti Dahiya, Anjum Moudgil, and Aashi Chouksey, won the silver medal with a total score of 1756-86x.
Prachi Gaikwad won the gold medal in the junior women’s 3P final with a score of 353.3.
Tomiris Amanova of Kazakhstan won the silver medal in the junior women’s 3P final with a score of 351.4.
Anushka Thokur won the bronze medal in the junior women’s 3P final with a score of 341.1.
Vidarsa Kochalumkal Vinod, a Ranking Points Only (RPO) athlete, topped the qualification chart with 590 points.

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

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

Manu Bhaker wins silver medal at Asian Shooting Championships 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker won the silver medal in the 25m pistol final at the Asian Shooting Championships 2026 held in New Delhi.
Thuy Trang Nguyen of Vietnam secured the gold medal after defeating Bhaker in a shoot-off, following a tied score of 35.
India's Esha Singh finished the competition in the third position to claim the bronze medal in the 25m pistol event.
Meghana Sajjanar won a bronze medal at the same championships while competing in her eighth month of pregnancy.
Bhaker qualified for the final with a score of 584 and used a new pistol from the Italian manufacturer Pardini.
Bhaker previously won two bronze medals in the 25m pistol event at the 2021 and 2023 International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cups.
Bhaker finished in seventh place in the 10m air pistol final five days prior to winning the silver medal.
The qualification cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics is scheduled to commence on 31 July 2026.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) was the body associated with the event's documentation.

Archery Premier League (APL) wins 'Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year' (Start of December) ▼

The Archery Premier League (APL) clinched the 'Emerging Professional Sports Event of the Year' title at the 2025 India Sports Awards.
The honor was announced at the FICCI TURF 2025: 15th Global Sports Summit, held at the FICCI Federation House, New Delhi.
APL is organized by the Archery Association of India (AAI).
APL's inaugural season ran from October 2 to 12, 2025, at Yamuna Sports Complex in New Delhi.

Suruchi Phogat and Samrat Rana win silver in 10m air rifle mixed team at Asian Shooting Championship (Start of February) ▼

Suruchi Phogat and Samrat Rana secured the silver medal in the 10m air rifle mixed team event at the Asian Shooting Championship held at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
The pair topped the qualification stage but faced a new four-team final format with elimination stages, differing from the previous playoff system.
Gold medallists were Kamalov Mukhammad and Nigina Saidkulova from Uzbekistan.
Phogat, aged 19, had won three of the four ISSF World Cups in 2025 and a gold at the World Cup finals.
Rana, aged 21, claimed a World Championship gold medal earlier, becoming only the third Indian to achieve this feat after Abhinav Bindra and Rudrankksh Patil.

National Productivity Day observed on 12 February 2026 with theme Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs

Key Updates:

National Productivity Day is observed annually in India on 12 February to promote awareness about productivity, economic growth, and efficiency.
The day marks the founding anniversary of the National Productivity Council (NPC), which was established on 12 February 1958.
The NPC is a premier autonomous organisation functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
The theme for National Productivity Day 2026 is Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).
The observance of this day initiates the National Productivity Week, which is held from 12 February to 18 February.

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Lokpal of India inaugurates State-of-the-Art Data Centre for Paperless Complaint Processing (Mid of January) ▼

Lokpal inaugurated a newly built state-of-the-art data centre aimed at providing end-to-end robust and digitised, paperless processing of complaints to enhance efficiency and ensure confidentiality.
Lokpal benches have increased sittings consistently, ensuring minimal pendency and timely disposal of complaints.
Lokpal chairperson Justice AM Khanwilkar stated that the number of complaints received has increased steadily over the last two years, reflecting greater citizen engagement.

National Newborn Week observed from November 15–21 with theme “Newborn Safety: Every Touch, Every Time, Every Baby” (End of November) ▼

National Newborn Week will be observed across the country from November 15 to 21 with the theme “Newborn Safety: Every Touch, Every Time, Every Baby.”
The theme underscores the urgent need to prioritize newborn safety at every stage of care.
The week-long initiative aims to reinforce a culture of safety through health workers, parents, and hospital systems.

National Startup Day 2026 highlights India’s startup-driven future (Mid of January) ▼

National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025.
DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024.

NDRF Raising Day observed on January 19 (End of January) ▼

NDRF Raising Day is observed every year on January 19.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was formed on January 19, 2006 under the Disaster Management Act.
The NDRF comprises 16 Battalions based at 68 locations across the nation.

CM unveils two books by Bishwabhushan Harichandan

Key Updates:

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi unveiled the Odia book 'E Mati Katha Kahe' and the English book 'Buxi Jagabandhu: The Great Commander' written by former Governor Bishwabhushan Harichandan on 8 February 2026 in Bhubaneswar.
The English book highlights the 1817 Paika Rebellion, which the state wants recognised as India’s First War of Independence.
The Odia book contains 30 essays on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, world peace, and the Jagannath Nabakalebara Yatra.

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Biswabhusan Harichandan releases two books in Odisha (Start of February) ▼

Biswabhusan Harichandan, former Odisha Cabinet Minister and former Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, authored the Odia book 'E Mati Katha Kahe' and the English book 'Buxi Jagabandhu: The Great Commander'.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati released both books at a function in Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the book release event.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Sambad Group founder Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, and Professor Bhagaban Jayasingh (translator of the English book) also addressed the gathering.

Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood book release on December 20 (End of December) ▼

HarperCollins India is publishing Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood on December 20.
The book is authored by award-winning writer Mohar Basu.
It is described as 'a love letter, a fan's tribute and a deep dive into the incredible phenomenon called Salman Khan'.

Centres of Excellence for Classical Languages Literary Works Release (Start of January) ▼

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled 41 literary works by Centres of Excellence for Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia.
A 45-episode Sign Language interpretation series of the Tirukkural was announced, developed by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil.
The Minister emphasized that budgetary constraints are not an issue as a supporting framework is being established.

Shrinivasa Varakhedi presented 233-year-old Valmiki Ramayana manuscript to Nripendra Misra (End of January) ▼

Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, presented the Valmiki Ramayana manuscript with Tattvadipikatika commentary to Nripendra Misra, Chairman of the Executive Council of Prime Ministers Museum and Library.
The manuscript was gifted to the Antarrashtriya Ram Katha Sangrahalaya (International Ram Katha Museum) in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
The 233-year-old manuscript, written in Sanskrit in Devanagari script, includes five principal kandas: Balakanda, Aranyakanda, Kiskindhakanda, Sundarakanda, and Yuddhakanda.

Safer Internet Day observed on 10 February 2026 with theme Smart Tech, Safe Choices

Key Updates:

Safer Internet Day is observed globally on the second Tuesday of February, which falls on 10 February in 2026.
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2026 is Smart Tech, Safe Choices: Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI.
The initiative began in 2004 under the European Union (EU) SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network in 2005.
Safer Internet Day is currently observed in more than 160 countries and territories across the world.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will organise the India AI Impact Summit 2026 from 15 to 20 February in New Delhi.
The Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project will conduct a large-scale awareness campaign involving workshops and public awareness drives.

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Data Privacy Day observed on January 28 (End of January) ▼

Data Privacy Day is observed on January 28 every year.
India notified the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules ahead of Data Privacy Day 2026.
The DPDP Rules aim to strengthen digital privacy governance as nearly a billion Indians use online services.

India ranks 2nd globally in enterprise AI usage; security risks loom (Mid of February) ▼

India ranks second only to the United States in enterprise AI/ML transactions according to Zscaler's ThreatLabz 2026 AI Security Report.
Indian enterprises logged 82.3 billion AI/ML transactions between June and December 2025, accounting for 46.2 per cent of all AI activity in the Asia-Pacific region.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi from 16–20 February and will host global tech leaders including NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, and Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon.
AI activity in India was led by the Technology & Communication sector with 31.3 billion transactions, followed by Manufacturing (15.7 billion), Services (12.6 billion), and Finance & Insurance (12.2 billion).
Zscaler warns that enterprise AI systems tested under adversarial conditions show a median time to first critical failure of 16 minutes, with 90 per cent compromised in under 90 minutes.
Globally, over 18,000 terabytes of data were funnelled into AI applications in 2025, with ChatGPT alone linked to 410 million Data Loss Prevention policy violations.

Azerbaijan hosts World Telecommunication Development Conference WTDC25 in Baku (End of November) ▼

Azerbaijan hosted the World Telecommunication Development Conference WTDC25, bringing together ITU members, ministers and global digital leaders to advance inclusive connectivity.
Delegates highlighted cybersecurity, data protection, and the need for ethical deployment of emerging technologies.
Discussions focused on bridging rural-urban gaps, reducing connectivity costs, and supporting developing nations.
With more than 2,500 participants, the event marked a record for ITU development conferences and positioned Azerbaijan as a key digital collaborator.
Leaders agreed that affordability, sustainability and global cooperation are essential to narrowing the digital divide.

World Usability Day 2025 Theme: Emerging Technologies and the Human Experience (Mid of November) ▼

World Usability Day hosted on, November 13, 2025.
The theme for this year's World Usability Day is Emerging Technologies and the Human Experience.
The event will share practical insights on creating digital government services that are not only compliant with accessibility requirements, but usable by all.

World Unani Day observed on 11 February 2026

Key Updates:

World Unani Day was observed on 11 February 2026 at the Mini-Secretariat in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was organised by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with the Information Department.
The theme for the 2026 observance was Innovation and Evidence in Unani Practice, focusing on scientific validation and quality assurance.
A publication titled Handbook of Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Care was released during the occasion.
A Kashmiri skit titled Aalow was presented by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to promote traditional healthcare systems.
Clinical kits were distributed to Multipurpose Health Workers of Ayush Centres to enhance healthcare delivery in the Shopian district.
The event was attended by the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Shopian, Dr Nasir Ahmed Lone, and the District Ayush Officer, Dr Javid Ahmed.

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International Day of Human Fraternity observed on 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February 2026.
The 2026 message was delivered by the UN Secretary-General.
The day celebrates equality, dignity and mutual understanding.
The Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together declaration was co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

World Cancer Day 2026 observed on February 4 with theme 'United by Unique' (Start of February) ▼

World Cancer Day is observed on February 4 every year.
The theme for World Cancer Day 2026 is 'United by Unique'.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported an estimated 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer-related deaths globally in 2022.
India reported over 15 lakh cancer cases in 2024, up from 13.5 lakh in 2019.
Cancer cases in India rose from 13.9 lakh in 2020 to 14.2 lakh in 2021, 14.6 lakh in 2022, and 14.9 lakh in 2023.

Human Rights Day 2025 observed on December 10 with theme 'Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials' (Mid of December) ▼

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

International Human Solidarity Day observed on 20 December 2025 with theme 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future' (End of December) ▼

International Human Solidarity Day is celebrated annually on 20 December to mark the core value of solidarity in international relations and a driving force to achieve sustainable development and social justice.
The theme for 2025 is 'Solidarity for Sustainable Development: Uniting Communities for a Shared Future.'
On 22 December 2005, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 20 December as International Human Solidarity Day, recognizing solidarity as a universal value for the 21st century.