Daily Current Affairs: 13 February 2026

Analysis for 13 February 2026

PM Modi pays tribute to Swami Dayanand Saraswati on 202nd birth anniversary

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Arya Samaj founder Swami Dayanand Saraswati on his 202nd birth anniversary on 12 February 2026.
Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born on 12 February 1824.
He founded Arya Samaj in 1875 to counter prevalent social inequities.
He gave the call for Swaraj as 'Indian for India' in 1876.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah remembered him as the pioneer of Swaraj, Swadeshi, and self-reliance.

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National Youth Day: January 12 (Mid of January) ▼

National Youth Day is celebrated on January 12 to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12, 1863, as Narendranath Dutta in then Calcutta.
President Droupadi Murmu stated that Swami Vivekananda "instilled national pride among Indians and inspired the youth to contribute to nation-building.
Swami Vivekananda is described as a timeless visionary and spiritual icon who preached that inner strength and service to humanity were foundations of a meaningful life.

National Mathematics Day observed on December 22 (End of December) ▼

National Mathematics Day is observed every year on December 22 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan.
The observance was formally instituted by the Government of India in December 2011.
December 22 was designated as National Mathematics Day in recognition of Ramanujan’s extraordinary contributions to the discipline.

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2026 was observed as Parakram Diwas on January 23 (End of January) ▼

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2026 was observed on January 23, marking his 129th birth anniversary.
The day was celebrated as Parakram Diwas to honour Netaji’s courage, leadership and role in India’s freedom struggle.
Parakram Diwas commemorated Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the iconic leader of the Indian National Army (INA).
The term Parakram, meaning valour, reflected Netaji’s fearless and revolutionary spirit.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born on January 23, 1897, in Cuttack, Odisha.
He had resigned from the Indian Civil Service to dedicate himself fully to the independence movement.
Netaji led the INA and founded the Forward Bloc to strengthen resistance against British rule.
The Government of India had designated January 23 as Parakram Diwas to honour his sacrifices.
Schools and colleges organised debates, essay writing and cultural programmes across the country.
Tributes were paid at Netaji’s statues and memorials, especially in Cuttack, Kolkata and Delhi.

9th Siddha Day celebrations on 3 January 2026 themed 'Siddha for Global Health' (Start of January) ▼

Siddha Day is annually observed on 6 January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sage Agathiyar, revered as the father of Siddha medicine.
The 9th Siddha Day celebrations will be held on 3 January 2026 at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai.
The theme of the 9th Siddha Day is 'Siddha for Global Health'.
The Vice President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, will preside over and inaugurate the 9th Siddha Day celebrations.

Gen MM Naravane authored unpublished memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny'.

Key Updates:

Gen MM Naravane served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from December 2019 to April 2022.
Penguin agreed to publish his memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny' after a casual conversation at a March 2023 book launch for General Bipin Rawat.
The memoir was scheduled for publication in April 2024 but remains unpublished pending Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance since 2023.
The unpublished book contains 448 pages and covers events from Galwan to the Agnipath scheme.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated the book is withheld because its contents are not factually correct.
On 4 February 2026 Rahul Gandhi displayed a printed copy in Parliament and quoted Naravane’s claim that the PM’s message during the 2020 border tensions was 'Jo uchit samjho, woh karo'.

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Deeksharambh Programme: Patriotism and Personality Development Initiative (Mid of December) ▼

The Deeksharambh programme was launched under the guidance of the Vice-Chancellor of Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU).
The initiative focuses on instilling patriotism, discipline, and national pride among students while contributing to their overall personality development.
Academic leaders noted that the programme has emerged as a model for other universities seeking to embed civic values within campus life.

Hugh Gantzer, Renowned Travel Writer and Padma Shri Recipient, Passes Away at 95 (Start of February) ▼

Hugh Gantzer, a veteran travel writer and former Commander in the Indian Navy, passed away at the age of 95 in Mussoorie.
Hugh and his late wife Colleen Gantzer were jointly awarded the Padma Shri in 2025 for their extensive contributions to travel literature.
The duo authored approximately 3,000 articles and a dozen books, including a 1974 work on Kerala commissioned by the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).
They hosted the popular 1980s television series titled Looking Beyond With Hugh & Colleen Gantzer on Doordarshan.
The couple wrote a series of mystery thrillers under the pseudonym Shyam Dave, which are considered among the first English-language thrillers written in India.
Hugh Gantzer was the founder of the Save Mussoorie Society and the Surahit Himalaya, through which he campaigned against limestone quarrying and unregulated development.
His notable literary works include Mussoorie’s Mythhistory, a book containing 12 stories that blended the history of the hill station with fiction.
Hugh Gantzer was laid to rest at the Camel’s Back Cemetery in Mussoorie.

CM unveils two books by Bishwabhushan Harichandan (Mid of February) ▼

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.

André Béteille, pioneering Indian sociologist, died at 91. (Start of February) ▼

André Béteille died in New Delhi on Tuesday night after a prolonged age-related illness at the age of 91.
He was born in West Bengal to a French father and an Indian mother and completed his MA at Calcutta University before joining the Delhi School of Economics (DSE) in 1959.
Béteille taught at DSE from 1959 until his retirement in 1999 and was known for never missing classes except for a few visiting fellowships abroad.
His major books include Caste, Class and Power (1965), Society and Politics in India (1991), and Equality and Universality: Essays in Social and Political Theory (2002).
He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005 for his contribution to literature and education.
After retirement, he was associated with the Indian Council of Social Science Research and served as Chancellor of Ashoka University from 2014 to 2017.

Andrey Gyurov appointed interim Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

[Bulgaria]

Key Updates:

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova appointed Andrey Gyurov as interim Prime Minister on Thursday.
Gyurov serves as deputy governor of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB).
The caretaker government will organise national elections scheduled for April 19.
Gyurov must propose cabinet members within seven days for presidential approval.
He previously served as a lawmaker and floor leader of the reformist 'We Continue the Change' group in parliament.
Bulgaria joined the eurozone at the beginning of 2026.

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Bulgaria Adopts Euro on January 1, 2026 (Start of January) ▼

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st country to join the single currency.
The European Central Bank (ECB) president Christine Lagarde welcomed Bulgaria to the euro family.
Bulgaria abandoned the lev, its national currency since the late 19th century, at midnight on January 1, 2026.

Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as Venezuela’s interim President (Start of January) ▼

Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as interim president of Venezuela.
The swearing-in took place amid pro-Maduro national protests.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by the United States.

Shaya Mohsen Zindani appointed as Prime Minister of Yemen (Mid of January) ▼

Shaya Mohsen Zindani, the foreign minister, has been appointed as the new Prime Minister of Yemen.
He replaces Salem bin Breik, who tendered his resignation accepted by the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council.
Zindani has been tasked to form a new cabinet.

European Union (EU) welcomes Bulgaria as 21st eurozone member (Start of January) ▼

Bulgaria becomes the 21st of 27 EU members to adopt the euro, raising the euro-using population to 350 million.
The lev retires after being pegged to the Deutschmark and later the euro since 1997.
Euro becomes sole legal tender in Bulgaria from February 1, following a one-month dual-currency period.
Membership grants Bulgaria a seat on the European Central Bank (ECB) Governing Council that sets eurozone interest rates.
Consumer protection rules require all shops to display dual prices to curb unjustified price hikes during the changeover.

Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa Passes Away at 31

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

Brazilian MMA fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa passed away at the age of 31 in São José.
The death occurred due to an electrocution accident involving a metal ladder and a high-voltage power line while he was installing an air-conditioning unit.
Costa competed in amateur and semi-professional bouts in Muay Thai, MMA, and Jiu-Jitsu, and had previously won a champion's trophy in Jiu-Jitsu.
His coach, Mateus Nascimento, stated that Costa was being prepared for a professional career in combat sports prior to the accident.
His wake was held on 7 February 2026 in São José.

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Carlos Alcaraz Withdraws from Davis Cup Finals Due to Injury (Mid of November) ▼

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Davis Cup Finals due to an injury.
The Spanish star injured himself in the first set of the final against Jannik Sinner, where he lost 7-6, 7-5.
He has edema in his right hamstring and the medical recommendation is not to compete.
Earlier, Jannik Sinner also pulled out from the event.
Spain were preparing to face Czechia in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
With the world No. 1 out, Spain are likely to field Jaume Munar and Pablo Carreno Busta in the singles matches, while Marcel Granollers and Pedro Martinez will handle the doubles.

Gramma, Galápagos Tortoise and San Diego Zoo's Oldest Resident, Dies (End of November) ▼

Gramma, estimated to be about 141 years old, died on November 20.
She arrived at the San Diego Zoo from the Bronx Zoo in either 1928 or 1931 as part of the zoo's first group of Galápagos tortoises.
She was euthanized after suffering from bone conditions related to her old age that had progressed recently.

Khaleda Zia passed away at age 80 (End of December) ▼

Khaleda Zia served three terms as Prime Minister of Bangladesh.
She was the first woman to lead the Bangladesh government.
Her funeral is scheduled at 2 pm at the South Plaza of the Parliament complex on Manik Mia Avenue.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will attend the funeral in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced her death.
In January 2025, the Supreme Court acquitted her in the last corruption case, allowing her to contest the February election.
Her son Tarique Rahman, acting chairman of the BNP, returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad.

State Award-winning actor Akhil Vishwanath found dead at 30. (Mid of December) ▼

Akhil Vishwanath, a State Award-winning actor, was found dead at his home.
He was discovered by his mother while she was getting ready to leave for work.
Akhil began his career as a child artist and won the State Government Award for Best Child Artist for the telefilm 'Mangandi'.
He gained wider attention through the film 'Chola', directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, which won the State Film Award in 2019.
Director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan expressed grief, stating that Akhil came into cinema from a life filled with severe hardships.
Actor Joju George also expressed his grief with the message 'Rest In Peace Akhil'.

James Van Der Beek dies at 48 after colorectal cancer diagnosis.

Key Updates:

James Van Der Beek passed away at the age of 48, as confirmed by his publicist Whitney Tancred and announced by his wife Kimberly on Instagram.
He was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in November 2024 and had auctioned career items to help pay for treatment.
Van Der Beek rose to fame as Dawson Leery on 'Dawson's Creek' (1998–2003) and starred in the 1999 film 'Varsity Blues'.
He married Kimberly Brook in 2010 and they have six children together.
An online fundraiser had pledged almost $1.3 million to his family as of Thursday morning.

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Gil Gerard died at 82 (Mid of December) ▼

Gil Gerard played television’s sci-fi hero William “Buck” Rogers in NBC’s “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”
He died in hospice as a result of a rare, aggressive form of cancer.
He was featured in a number of other TV shows and movies, including starring roles in the 1982 TV movie “Hear No Evil” and the short-lived “Sidekicks” in 1986.

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) researchers unveil first molecular classification of oral cancer for precision therapy (End of December) ▼

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) researchers analysed over 8,000 scientific articles and genomic data to create the world’s first systematic molecular classification of oral cancer.
The study identifies five distinct biological groups: Cell-Cycle Dysregulation (CCD), Immune-Mediated (IM), Xenobiotic Metabolism-Associated (XMA), Inflammatory Pathway Activation (IPA), and Viral Protein Activation (VPA).
Each group is directly linked to specific actionable genes and pathways, guiding clinicians to select targeted therapies such as HER2 inhibitors, PARP inhibitors, or specific immunotherapies.
Unlike Western classifications, this model emphasises pathways influenced by tobacco and betel quid use (XMA and IPA), making it highly relevant for the Indian population.
The classification clarifies that HPV is a minor driver in most Indian oral cancers, preventing the misapplication of Western treatment protocols.

Lee Soon-jae, South Korea's 'TV dad', passed away at age 91. (End of November) ▼

Lee Soon-jae died on Tuesday at the age of 91, according to his agency.
He was known as the 'national TV dad' for roles in 'What on Earth is Love' and 'High Kick!'.
He won the grand prize at the KBS Drama Awards for 'Dog Knows Everything'.
He was the oldest South Korean actor to win the KBS Drama grand prize.
Lee appeared in about 140 TV shows and acted on stage until October 2024.
He served as a member of parliament for the Democratic Liberal Party from 1992 to 1996.

Renuka Iyer, MD appointed as Chief Medical Officer of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) (Start of December) ▼

Renuka Iyer, MD has been appointed as the new Chief Medical Officer of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN).
She previously served as Section Chief of Gastrointestinal Oncology and Medical Director for Medical Oncology at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Dr. Iyer has served on the NCCN Guidelines Steering Committee and will now oversee clinical leadership for the NCCN Guidelines program.

India-US trade deal locks 18% tariff on $900 billion US global imports, zero duty on $150 billion

[United States]

Key Updates:

India secured 18% tariff on nearly $900 billion worth of US global imports and zero-duty access on $150 billion.
Indian exports to the US stood at $86.35 billion in 2024.
Tariffs on $30.94 billion of Indian goods slashed from up to 50% to 18%.
$10.03 billion of Indian exports now enjoy zero-duty access to the US.
Silk products secured zero-duty access to a $113-billion US market.
Textiles and apparel tariffs reduced from peaks of 50% to 18%.
Machinery and engineering exports tariffs cut to 18% in a $477-billion market.
India’s current machinery exports to the US are $2.35 billion.
$1.36 billion worth of Indian farm exports enter the US with zero additional duties.
Products valued at $1.035 billion assured zero reciprocal tariffs including spices, tea, coffee, fruits, nuts, and processed foods.
Dairy, meat, poultry, cereals, millets, and oilseeds remain fully protected under exemption.
Gems and jewellery tariffs reduced from 50% to 18% for a $61-billion market.
Diamonds and platinum secured 0% duty access covering a $29-billion segment.
Home décor tariffs dropped to 18% for a $52-billion market; 0% duty for $13-billion segment including chandeliers and seats.
Toy sector tariffs cut from 50% to 18% for an $18-billion market.
Leather and footwear industry gains 18% tariff cap in a $42-billion market.
India is the 5th largest exporter of digitally delivered services with exports of $0.28 trillion in 2024, up 10.3% year-on-year.
Zero additional duty access secured for industrial exports valued at $38 billion covering aircraft parts, generic drugs, and elementary auto parts.

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India and United States (US) reach framework for first phase of bilateral trade agreement (Start of February) ▼

India and the United States (US) have announced a framework for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement to reduce import duties on various goods.
The legal agreement is expected to be signed by mid-March, with duty concessions taking effect on the day of implementation.
India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on US industrial goods and agricultural products including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, soybean oil, wine, and spirits.
Specific US goods such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, lentils, high-end cars, and motorcycles will enjoy duty concessions in India.
Duty benefits will be extended to American medical devices including pacemakers, X-ray valves, diagnostic reagents, hearing aids, and artificial joints.
American aircraft, semiconductor chips, and high-quality machinery will be allowed into India under the pact.
India has fixed minimum import prices on products like apples to protect the interests of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers.
Indian exports including spices, tea, coffee, cashew, mango, pineapple, and cocoa products will attract zero reciprocal tariffs in the US market.
The agreement aims to address non-tariff barriers affecting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods and medical devices.

India and United States reach framework for first-phase bilateral trade agreement (Start of February) ▼

India and the United States announced a framework for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement on Saturday.
The framework will be converted into a legal agreement expected to be signed by mid-March.
India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on all US industrial goods and a wide range of American food and agricultural products including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum for animal feed, tree nuts, fresh and processed fruit, soybean oil, wine and spirits.
India will grant duty concessions on US goods such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, some lentils, high-end cars and motorcycles.
India agreed to address long-standing barriers to trade in US medical devices and eliminate restrictive import licensing procedures for US Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods.
Minimum import prices have been fixed on certain products like apples to protect interests of MSMEs and farmers.
India will eliminate import duties on certain US goods on the day the agreement comes into force, while duties on other items may be phased out over time.
India will extend duty benefits on certain American medicines for neuro, heart and diabetes, cosmetics, medical devices, X-ray valves, diagnostic reagents, pacemakers, imaging apparatus, hearing aid, and artificial joints.
India will allow American aircraft, semiconductor chips, and high quality machinery into its market.
India's exports to the US including spices, tea, coffee, copra, coconut oil, areca nut, cashew, Brazil nut, chestnut, avocado, banana, guava, mango, kiwi, papaya, pineapple, shiitake mushroom, vegetable planting material and saplings, roots and tubers such as taro, barley, canary seeds, bakery goods, cocoa and cocoa products, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and fruit jams and pastes will attract zero reciprocal tariffs in the American market.

BHARATI Initiative to Showcase Top 10 Agri-Food & Agri-Tech Startups on Global Platforms (Start of January) ▼

APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) launched BHARATI—Bharat's Hub for Agritech, Resilience, Advancement and Incubation for Export Enablement—to empower agri sector start-ups.
Top 10 startups under BHARATI will get the opportunity to showcase their products at international platforms.
APEDA-promoted agri exports grew 7% during April-November 2025-26 to USD 18.6 billion and are expected to cross USD 30 billion this fiscal.

United States (US) President Donald Trump Threatens New Tariffs on Indian Rice Imports (Start of December) ▼

United States (US) President Donald Trump hinted at potential new tariffs on Indian rice imports, citing 'dumping' as damaging domestic growers.
Indian rice exporters on Dalal Street faced a significant downturn following the US President's remarks.
Kohinoor Foods stock fell 9.9% to Rs 24.41, reaching its intraday and 52-week low on the BSE.
LT Foods stock dropped 6.5% to Rs 368, while KRBL stock retreated 2.7% to Rs 370.05.
The US had previously imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods in August, consisting of an already levied 25% tariff and an additional 25% duties.
The US alleged the additional duties were due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil.
US President Donald Trump also hinted that Canadian fertiliser imports could face higher duties, with earlier proposals suggesting a rise of up to 10%, potentially reaching 45%.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases January 2026 CPI at 2.75% under new 2024=100 base

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)]

Key Updates:

Retail inflation stood at 2.75 per cent in January 2026 under the new Consumer Price Index (CPI) series with base year 2024=100.
Year-on-year inflation based on the All India CPI (Base 2024) for January 2026 stood at 2.75 per cent (provisional) compared with January 2025.
The corresponding inflation rates were 2.73 per cent for rural areas and 2.77 per cent for urban areas.
Food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) stood at 2.13 per cent, with rural food inflation at 1.96 per cent and urban food inflation at 2.44 per cent.
Housing inflation for January 2026 stood at 2.05 per cent, with rural housing inflation at 2.39 per cent and urban housing inflation at 1.92 per cent.
The new CPI series replaces the earlier 2012 base and is based on the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2023-24.
The revised framework adopts 12 consumption divisions in place of six earlier groups, in line with the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP) 2018 framework.
The total number of weighted items has increased to 358 from 299 earlier, with goods items rising to 308 from 259 and services items increasing to 50 from 40.
The series introduces rural house rent for the first time and strengthens coverage of modern consumption patterns such as online services and cleaner fuels like CNG and PNG.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records December CPI inflation at 1.33% (Mid of January) ▼

India’s headline retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 1.33 per cent in December 2025 from 0.71 per cent in November.
Retail food prices fell 2.71 per cent year-on-year in December after falling by 3.91 per cent the previous month.
The December 2025 retail inflation figure is the last under the existing CPI series; a new series with base year 2024 will be introduced next month.
The October–December CPI inflation averaged ~0.8 per cent, about 20 basis points higher than the Monetary Policy Committee’s Q3FY26 forecast.
Core inflation rose to 4.6 per cent in December from 4.4 per cent the previous month, driven by gold and silver price surges.
Gold inflation hit a record high of 68.66 per cent and silver inflation reached 97.07 per cent in December.
Excluding gold and silver, December CPI inflation would have been 0.26 per cent.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expects inflation to average around 4 per cent in the first half of 2026-27.

Ministry of Industry data shows Wholesale Price Index inflation at 0.83% in December 2025. (Mid of January) ▼

Wholesale price inflation recorded at 0.83% in December 2025, returning to positive territory after negative readings of (-)0.32% in November and (-)1.21% in October.
Retail inflation rose to 1.33% in December from 0.71% in November, driven by rising food prices.
Deflation in vegetables narrowed to 3.50% in December from 20.23% in November.
Inflation in manufactured products increased to 1.82% in December from 1.33% in November.
Deflation in fuel and power sectors continued at 2.31% in December compared to 2.27% in November.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has cut policy interest rates by 1.25 percentage points during the current fiscal year.
RBI lowered inflation projection for the current fiscal to 2% from the earlier 2.6%.
RBI reduced key policy interest rates by 25 basis points to 5.25% last month.
RBI raised FY26 GDP growth projection to 7.3% from the previous 6.8%.
India registered GDP growth of 8.2% in the September quarter and 7.8% in the June quarter.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records CPI inflation at 0.71% for November 2025. (Mid of December) ▼

Headline inflation rose to 0.71% in November 2025, up from 0.25% in October.
The All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) shows a year-on-year inflation rate of -3.91% for November 2025.
Rural headline inflation reached 0.10% in November 2025, up from -0.25% in October.
Urban headline inflation increased to 1.40% in November 2025 from 0.88% in October.
Fuel and light inflation stood at 2.32% year-on-year in November 2025, rising from 1.98% in October.

WPI Inflation Hits 27-Month Low of (-)1.21% in Oct 2025 on GST Cuts, Favourable Base (Mid of November) ▼

Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation stood at (-)1.21 per cent in October 2025, down from 0.13 per cent in September and 2.75 per cent in October last year.
Deflation in food articles was 8.31 per cent in October, with vegetables at 34.97 per cent, pulses at 16.50 per cent, potato at 39.88 per cent and onion at 65.43 per cent.
Fuel and power recorded deflation of 2.55 per cent in October, marking seven consecutive months of decline.
Manufactured products inflation eased to 1.54 per cent in October from 2.33 per cent in September.
Retail inflation fell to an all-time low of 0.25 per cent in October, down from 1.44 per cent in September.
The Reserve Bank of India kept the benchmark policy repo rate unchanged at 5.5 per cent in its last review.
India Ratings and Research expects wholesale deflation in November 2025 to be under 1 per cent.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank loans to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as Priority Sector Lending (PSL)

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)]

Key Updates:

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, has announced that loans sanctioned by banks to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) classification.
This eligibility is applicable for loans sanctioned with effect from 19 January 2026.
The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
These loans must be for purposes and activities as laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
The measure aims to strengthen the financial health, governance, and digital inclusion of cooperative banks while enhancing deposit security and credit availability.

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RCMS Bank Wins Best Profit-Making Bank Award in Belagavi District (End of November) ▼

Rani Channamma Mahila Sahakari Bank (RCMS Bank) was honoured as the Best Profit-Making Bank in Belagavi District for 2025.
The award was presented during the 72nd All India Cooperative Week celebrations held in Haveri.
The Karnataka State Urban Cooperative Banks Federation, Bengaluru, presented the award.
RCMS Bank is headquartered in Belgaum.
The felicitation was received by the bank’s Chairperson, Preeti Kore Daddwad.
Coop Kumbh 2025 was held in New Delhi.
Coop Kumbh 2025 was inaugurated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah.
RCMS Bank’s Professional Director, Ms. Beena Achar, highlighted the bank’s journey during Coop Kumbh 2025.
NAFCUB Chairman Emeritus H. K. Patel was present at the award event.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Issues Transaction Account Directions, Eases Limits (Mid of December) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released final guidelines on transaction account directions.
The final guidelines removed restrictions on cash credit (CC) accounts.
The revised rule permits any lending bank with more than 10% exposure to open a current or overdraft account for the borrower.
In situations where no bank or only one bank meets this threshold, the two lenders with the largest exposure will be allowed to operate such accounts.
The requirement to transfer funds from collection accounts to designated transaction accounts within two working days remains unchanged.
The guidelines will come into effect from April 1.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Approves Risk-Based Pricing for Deposit Insurance (End of December) ▼

The central board of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved a proposal to transition to a risk-based pricing system for deposit insurance.
The new model replaces the uniform premium currently charged to banks under the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) scheme.
Under the existing flat-rate system, banks pay a premium of 12 paise for every Rs 100 of assessable deposits.
The proposed framework will charge lower premia to banks with stronger capital adequacy, better asset quality, and sound governance, while weaker banks will pay higher rates.
The DICGC, established under the DICGC Act, 1961, has operated the deposit insurance framework on a flat-rate basis since 1962.
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra introduced the reform measures alongside the October monetary policy decision to help better-rated banks save significantly on premium costs.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Issues Guidelines for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) Licensing and Classification (Mid of December) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Urban Co-operative Banks – Licensing, Scheduling and Regulatory Classification Guidelines, 2025.
The RBI stated that no fresh proposals for the organization of new UCBs or the conversion of cooperative credit societies into UCBs are being considered.
A four-tiered regulatory framework has been adopted for UCBs based on deposit size as of March 31 of the preceding financial year.
Tier 1 UCBs include all unit UCBs, salary earners’ UCBs, and other UCBs with deposits up to ₹100 crore.
Tier 2 UCBs are defined as those with deposits of more than ₹100 crore and up to ₹1000 crore.
Tier 3 UCBs consist of those with deposits of more than ₹1000 crore and up to ₹10,000 crore.
Tier 4 UCBs include those with deposits exceeding ₹10,000 crore.
UCBs transitioning to a higher Tier are allowed a glide path of up to two years to comply with higher regulatory requirements.
To be included in the Second Schedule to the RBI Act, 1934, a UCB must maintain Tier 3 deposit levels for two consecutive years.
UCBs seeking scheduling must maintain a Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of at least three per cent more than the minimum requirement.
The eligibility for scheduling also requires the absence of major regulatory and supervisory concerns based on the latest RBI inspection or audited financials.

Ministry of Education (MoE) reports 31 per cent decline in Indian students studying abroad between 2023 and 2025

[Ministry of Education (MoE)]

Key Updates:

According to data shared by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education fell from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry recorded 7.7 lakh students going abroad in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 31 per cent over the three-year period.
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar cited affordability, access to bank loans, and aptitude for specific disciplines as key determinants for overseas study decisions.
Major study destinations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have implemented tighter immigration rules, higher financial proof requirements, and caps on certain visa categories.
The MoE linked the decline to domestic strengthening of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on infrastructure, accreditation, and research.
A total of 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up campuses in India, while five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
The University of Surrey is among the international institutions that have announced plans to establish a physical presence in India.
Indian students are increasingly diversifying to alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France due to lower tuition costs and clearer post-study work frameworks.

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QS Best Student Cities 2026 report (Start of February) ▼

Delhi has emerged as the world's most affordable city for international students, ranking first globally in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Best Student Cities 2026 report.
The report titled India's 155 Million Student Mandate was released by Knight Frank, Deloitte India, and QS.
Mumbai is ranked 11th and Bengaluru is ranked 15th globally in the affordability parameter for students.
The rankings assessed 150 cities across six categories including affordability, employer activity, university ranking, city desirability, student voice, and student mix.
India is home to the world's largest 18-23 age cohort, comprising nearly 155 million young adults.
The report notes that India is transitioning from a traditional outbound student market to a core geography for offshore university campuses.

National Statistics Office (NSO) proposes Survey on Migration for July 2026-June 2027 (Start of February) ▼

National Statistics Office (NSO) will conduct a Survey on Migration during July 2026-June 2027 to update migration data.
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2020-21 recorded an all-India migration rate of 28.9 percent.
PLFS 2020-21 showed male migration rate at 10.7 percent and female migration rate at 47.9 percent.
Marriage accounted for 86.8 percent of female migration while 22.8 percent of male migration was for employment or better employment.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) organises migration surveys to inform policy on urban planning, housing, transportation, employment, social security and skill development.

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

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

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.

Adani Power forms nuclear energy unit as India opens sector to private players

[Adani Power]

Key Updates:

Adani Power has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary to undertake nuclear power generation activities.
The move follows the Government of India allowing private sector participation in nuclear power generation.
The subsidiary will explore opportunities in nuclear energy as part of India’s clean energy transition.

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SHANTI Bill, 2025: India targets 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047 (End of December) ▼

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, allows private players to enter the operations side of the tightly-governed nuclear power sector.
The law replaces two key legislations: the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (AE Act) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA).
The legislation is a key step towards achieving India’s target of 100 gigawatt of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
The new law allows public and private companies to set up nuclear power plants and undertake activities related to the transport, storage, import and export of nuclear fuel, technology, equipment and minerals.
The Bill grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to ensure its independence from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
The law adopts graded liability caps for nuclear power operators based on their size of installation and removes the 'right of recourse' against suppliers for defects in equipment or sub-standard services.
It provides for the establishment of the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission to handle grievances and severe nuclear damage cases.

Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025: India targets 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 (Mid of December) ▼

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025, which was passed in Parliament Thursday, allows private players to enter the operations side of the tightly-governed nuclear power sector.
Once notified, the law will replace two key legislations — the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (AE Act) and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) — and effectively redraw India’s N-power regime.
The law is a key step towards achieving India’s target of 100 gigawatt of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
The new law allows public and private companies to set up nuclear power plants and undertake activities related to the transport, storage, import and export of nuclear fuel, technology, equipment and minerals.
The new law grants statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which previously depended on the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for its budget and administration.
The law omits the provision regarding the 'right of recourse' which previously allowed operators to seek compensation from suppliers for incidents resulting from 'supply of equipment or material with patent or latent defects or sub-standard services'.
The new law adopts graded liability caps for nuclear power operators based on their size of installation, marking a departure from the previous flat liability limit of Rs 1,500 crore.
The legislation provides for the establishment of the Atomic Energy Redressal Advisory Council to address grievances and a Nuclear Damage Claims Commission to handle cases involving severe nuclear damage.
It designates the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity as the appellate authority to hear and dispose of appeals under the bill.

SHANTI Bill opens nuclear power sector to private players with 49% FDI (Mid of December) ▼

The Union Cabinet has greenlit the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill to open India’s nuclear power sector to private companies.
The bill proposes allowing up to 49% foreign direct investment and amending civil liability laws to cap supplier liability.
It aims to help achieve 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 and support India’s net-zero targets.

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

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

Union Budget 2026-27 announces seven new bullet train corridors with ₹16 lakh crore investment

[Union Budget]

Key Updates:

Indian Railways is finalising Detailed Project Reports for seven high-speed rail corridors announced in Union Budget 2026-27.
The seven corridors are Mumbai–Pune, Pune–Hyderabad, Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai, Chennai–Bengaluru, Delhi–Varanasi and Varanasi–Siliguri.
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has been directed to take immediate action for timely progress.
Railway Board estimates the combined length of the corridors at nearly 4,000 km and projected investment of approximately ₹16 lakh crore.
Standardisation of high-speed rail systems, creation of dedicated core teams and initiation of pre-construction activities have been approved.
Planning for trained technical manpower for upcoming high-speed rail projects has been emphasised.
India’s first bullet train, the 508 km Mumbai–Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor, is planned to operate on a 100 km stretch by 2027.

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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.

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 TS-01 Mid-Life Rehabilitation (End of December) ▼

TS-01, the first Delhi Metro train introduced into service in 2002, completed 23 years of service.
After mid-life rehabilitation last year, it now features CCTV cameras, integrated passenger emergency alarms, LCD-based dynamic route maps and public information boards.
The train has run over 2.9 million kilometres, carrying more than 60 million passengers with 2.4 million door operations.

Cabinet Clears ₹9,857 Cr Pune Metro Phase-II Project (End of November) ▼

The Union Cabinet approved Line 4 Kharadi–Hadapsar–Swargate–Khadakwasla and Line 4A Nal Stop–Warje–Manik Baug under Phase-2 of the Pune Metro Rail Project.
The project has an estimated cost of Rs 9,857.85 crore, to be jointly funded by the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral funding agencies.
Line 4 and 4A will connect IT hubs, commercial zones, educational institutions, and residential clusters across East, South, and West Pune.
The approval was made on November 26, 2025.

White Revolution 2.0: Target to Increase Milk Procurement to 1,007 Lakh Kilograms Per Day

Key Updates:

The Minister of State (MoS) for Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, announced the targets for White Revolution 2.0 in the Rajya Sabha.
The initiative aims to increase milk procurement by dairy cooperatives by 50 per cent from the present level over the next five years.
The government has set a target to increase milk procurement from 660 lakh kilograms per day to 1,007 lakh kilograms per day by the end of 2028-29.
The government proposes to establish 75,000 new multipurpose Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS) across the country to strengthen market access and enhance income opportunities.
The programme focuses on bringing more women dairy farmers into the organised dairy cooperative sector to promote women’s empowerment and inclusive growth.
The initiative aims to boost dairy cooperative coverage, generate employment, and improve nutritional availability across India.

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Union Budget 2026 allocates ₹1.63 lakh crore for high-value agriculture and allied sectors (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated ₹1,62,671 crore to the agriculture sector in Union Budget 2026-27, a 7% rise from 2025-26’s revised estimate of ₹1,51,853 crore.
The government will support high-value crops such as coconut, sandalwood, cocoa, cashew, agarwood, walnut, almond and pine nut under dedicated programmes for rejuvenating old orchards and expanding high-density cultivation.
A new coconut promotion scheme targets replacing non-productive trees with improved varieties in major coconut-growing states, benefiting around 30 million people including nearly 10 million farmers.
A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa aims to make India self-reliant in raw material production and processing and to establish these products as premium global brands by 2030.
Sandalwood cultivation will receive focused support through partnerships with state governments to promote scientific farming and post-harvest processing.
The Budget proposes integrated development of 500 reservoirs and water bodies to strengthen the fisheries value chain, with emphasis on market linkages and support to startups, women-led groups and fish farmer producer organisations.
A credit-linked subsidy programme will be introduced for animal husbandry to promote entrepreneurship, modernise livestock enterprises and scale up integrated value chains across dairy, poultry and livestock sectors.
The government announced the launch of Bharat Vistar, a multilingual AI tool integrating AgriStack portals and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) practices to deliver customised advisory support and boost farm productivity.

ICAR–NDDB MoU Targets Climate-Resilient, High-Productivity Dairy Value Chain (Mid of January) ▼

ICAR and NDDB signed an MoU to deepen multidisciplinary research, innovation and capacity building across the entire dairy value chain.
Partnership focuses on translating science into impact for millions of small and marginal dairy farmers.
Key technical areas include integrated farming systems, climate resilience, low livestock productivity and value chain development.
Initiatives will deploy modern technologies emerging from ICAR institutes for fodder, manure management, biogas utilisation and gaushala-based stray cattle management.
NDDB and ICAR will jointly develop, validate and deploy technologies, share knowledge, run training programmes and create scalable, replicable models across diverse agro-climatic zones.

Indian Micro-Fertilisers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) to organise 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit & B2B Expo in Mumbai on 5-6 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

Indian Micro-Fertilisers Manufacturers Association (IMMA) will hold the 6th National Crop Nutrition Summit & B2B Expo on 5 and 6 February 2026 at National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai.
The summit theme is 'Converge, Collaborate & Co-create' and will focus on crop nutrition, specialty fertilisers, biologicals, micronutrients, and India’s role in global agri-input manufacturing.
Minister of Marketing & Protocol, Government of Maharashtra, Jayakumar Jitendrasinh Rawal, will inaugurate the summit.
Agriculture Commissioner, Government of India, Dr P. K. Singh, will attend as Guest of Honour and outline government perspective on agri-input reforms, ease of doing business, export competitiveness and specialty crop nutrition products.
Participants include senior officials from Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), national research institutions, State Agriculture Departments, and Commissioners of Agriculture from several states including Maharashtra.
Day 1 themed 'Converge & Collaborate' will feature inaugural session, policy dialogue on One Nation, One License proposal, farmer recognition program, roundtable on integrating micronutrients and biologicals into fertiliser policy, 'Media Speaks' session, startup pitch platform, and industry networking sessions.
Day 2 themed 'Co-Create' will focus on structured B2B meetings, masterclasses on international trade, institutional and government business, fundraising, and sessions on manufacturing, data analytics and digital technologies.
The summit will conclude with an Industry–Government–Startup Conclave and a closing policymakers’ interaction.
IMMA will highlight policy priorities such as implementation of One Nation, One License, faster approval processes for micronutrients, biologicals and specialty fertilisers, differentiation between subsidised and non-subsidised agri inputs, export-oriented regulations, and stronger enforcement against counterfeit and sub-standard products.

Banas Dairy commissions bio-CNG plant, adopts circular-economy model (Start of December) ▼

Union home and cooperation minister Amit Shah inaugurated a bio CNG plant by Banas Dairy.
Shah stated the dairy will be turned into a circular economy system, directly benefiting cattle rearers.
The cooperative model implemented by Banas Dairy has become an inspiration for the country and the world.

Odisha Government to Introduce QR Codes on Land Ownership Documents for Instant Verification

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Revenue and Disaster Management in Odisha will introduce Quick Response (QR) codes on land ownership documents, known as Record of Rights (RoR) or pattas.
The QR codes will allow users to instantly verify a property’s full profile, including its location, parcel map, and transaction history beyond the standard 30-year window of an Encumbrance Certificate (EC).
This initiative is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP), a 100% centrally funded scheme launched by the Union Government in 2016.
The digitally generated records will be tamper-proof, and any unauthorised modifications to the RoR will trigger automatic alerts to revenue inspectors and tehsildars.
The state will conduct a comprehensive land survey integrating spatial data from satellite imagery with maps from the Survey of India (SoI) and Forest Survey of India (FSI) onto a unified Geographic Information System (GIS) platform.
The GIS platform will represent each plot as a closed polygon identified by a unique plot number linked to the RoR database to synchronise map data with textual records.

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Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Mandates QR Codes on Road Signage for Enhanced Accountability and Maintenance (Start of January) ▼

The Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi has issued guidelines making the incorporation of QR codes mandatory on all future road signages to provide details on manufacturers and materials.
The QR codes will be printed on the bottom right corner of the signage and will contain information such as the manufacturer’s name, manufacturing date, reflective sheeting code, and warranty details.
The policy aims to establish standardised guidelines to ensure uniformity and improved visibility of road signage across Delhi, following a 2024 audit by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
The PWD is integrating these QR codes with the ‘PWD Sewa’ mobile application, enabling citizens to scan them to lodge complaints regarding road repairs, potholes, streetlights, or signages.
A mandatory warranty period of 10 years from the date of installation has been fixed for retro-reflective sheeting, ensuring free replacement for any defects during this period.

BHASHINI–Survey of India MoU enables AI-driven creation of National Place Name Database covering over 16 lakh locations (End of January) ▼

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology signed an MoU with Survey of India to digitise, transcribe and standardise geographical place names using AI-based speech and language technologies.
Survey of India, the national nodal agency for standardisation and maintenance of geographical names, will integrate BHASHINI’s speech-to-text and language processing capabilities to convert audio recordings into structured digital text for a validated Toponymy Database covering more than 16 lakh locations.
The collaboration will support the National Geographical Name Information System by processing field-collected audio data into multiple scripts including local language scripts, Devanagari and Roman formats, ensuring consistency across national maps and governance platforms.

New Aadhaar App launched for secure digital identity and QR-based verification (End of January) ▼

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), launched the new Aadhaar App on 28 January 2026 at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
The application was developed by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) as a core component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure vision.
The budget outlay for the new Aadhaar App was not specified in the article.
The app targets residents across India, allowing them to manage up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device linked to the same mobile number.
Security features include biometric lock and unlock, facial authentication, encrypted Quick Response (QR) code-based verification, and selective attribute sharing.
The app enables digital storage of Aadhaar, address and mobile number updates, contact card QR codes, and logs of usage and authentication history.
The Pathik App, an Aadhaar-enabled guest verification system by the Gujarat Police in collaboration with UIDAI, was also highlighted for contactless Know Your Customer (KYC) and hotel check-ins.

Census 2027 Digital-First System With New Training And Coding Framework (Start of February) ▼

Census 2027 will operate on a fully digital backbone using mobile applications for data collection, Self-Enumeration, Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) and Housing Listing Block Creation (HLBC) web portals and real-time data transmission.
A new nationwide location coding structure assigns structured identifiers from states down to enumeration blocks to ensure uniform digital mapping.
Urban wards will be numbered in continuous sequence beginning from '0001', and outgrowth settlements adjoining towns will receive incremental codes linked to their parent units.
The training framework introduces a standardised cascade model: national trainers prepare master trainers who train field trainers responsible for enumerators and supervisors.
Nationwide training is scheduled between April and September 2026, with all enumerator and supervisor training to be completed at least one week before field operations begin.
Training attendance and progress will be tracked digitally through the CMMS portal.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approves procurement of 114 Rafale jets worth Rs 3.25 lakh crore

Key Updates:

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by defence minister Rajnath Singh approved the procurement of 114 Rafale fighter jets from France.
The government-to-government deal with Dassault Aviation is estimated at Rs 3.25 lakh crore, making it India’s biggest defence deal since Independence.
About 20 aircraft will be bought in fly-away condition and are expected to join the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet by 2030.
The remaining jets will be manufactured in India with Dassault-HAL collaboration and up to 50-60% indigenous content.
IAF currently operates 36 Rafale jets; Indian Navy has ordered 26 naval variants, bringing the eventual total to 150 Rafales.
DAC also cleared procurement of P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Boeing, combat missiles, high-altitude pseudo satellite, anti-tank mines (Vibhav), overhaul of T-72 tanks, BMP-II infantry combat vehicles and armoured recovery vehicles, and an electro-optical infra-red system for Coast Guard Dorniers.
The combined value of all acquisitions approved on Thursday is Rs 3.6 lakh crore.

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India and France to finalise ₹3,200 crore deal for SCALP cruise missiles (Mid of February) ▼

India and France are negotiating a defence deal worth approximately 300 million euros (₹3,200 crore) for the procurement of SCALP long-range cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The SCALP missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is an air-launched cruise missile with a strike range exceeding 250 kilometres, designed for deep-penetration attacks against high-value targets.
The IAF operationally deployed SCALP missiles during Operation Sindoor on 6-7 May to strike terrorist headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur districts.
Operation Sindoor involved the use of SCALP missiles alongside BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions to target nine terror-linked sites.
The IAF targeted 12 major air bases and destroyed high-value assets, including fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, during the cross-border precision strike.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also in the process of ordering Meteor air-to-air missiles for the Rafale fleet, including the 26 Rafale Marine fighters ordered for the Indian Navy.
The IAF is preparing a proposal for the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to acquire 114 additional Rafale combat aircraft to increase its projected fleet strength to 200 aircraft over the next 15 years.
The SCALP missile system uses a combination of Inertial Navigation, Global Positioning System (GPS), and terrain-reference navigation with an infrared imaging seeker for pinpoint accuracy.

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accords Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for Armed Forces proposals worth Rs 79,000 crore (End of December) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: 'The decisions taken today will help in enhancing operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.'
AoN approved for Loiter Munition System for Artillery Regiments, Low Level Light Weight Radars, Long Range Guided Rocket Ammunition for Pinaka MRLS, and Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction System Mk-II for Indian Army.
For Indian Navy: AoN accorded for procurement of Bollard Pull (BP) Tugs, High Frequency Software Defined Radios (HF SDR) Manpack, and leasing High Altitude Long Range (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
For Indian Air Force: AoN approved for Automatic Take-off Landing Recording System, Astra Mk-II Missiles, Full Mission Simulator for LCA Tejas, and SPICE-1000 Long Range Guidance Kits.

India signs ₹2,095.70 crore deal with Bharat Dynamics for INVAR anti-tank missiles (Mid of November) ▼

Contract value: ₹2,095.70 crore signed between Ministry of Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Equipment: INVAR laser-guided anti-tank missiles to be inducted into Indian Army’s T-90 tanks
Objective: Strengthen lethality and firepower of T-90 tanks and enhance mechanised warfare capabilities

Ministry of Defence signs Rs 4,666 crore contracts for CQB Carbines and Heavy Weight Torpedoes (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 4,666 crore for procurement of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbine and Heavy Weight Torpedoes.
Over 4.25 lakh CQB carbines, along with accessories worth Rs 2,770 crore, were contracted with Bharat Forge Ltd and PLR Systems Pvt Ltd for the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
The CQB Carbine provides rapid, decisive lethality in confined spaces and replaces legacy systems under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' vision.
The contract for 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes for Kalvari Class Submarines (P-75) of the Indian Navy, worth Rs 1,896 crore, was signed with WASS Submarine Systems S.R.L., Italy.
Delivery of torpedoes will commence in April 2028 and be completed by early 2030.

India and Thailand to conduct joint air exercise near Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026

[Thailand]

Key Updates:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.

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South Korea and United States Air Forces hold 2025 first Buddy Squadron exercise at Osan Air Base (Mid of February) ▼

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.

Saab showcases RBS-15 Gungnir missile capabilities against Russian S-400 components on January 14, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

Swedish aerospace and defence company, Saab (Saab), has showcased the capabilities of its RBS-15 missile to destroy the componenets Russian S-400 system.
RBS15 Gungnir, utilising the RBS15 Mk4 anti-ship missile (RBS15), is a highly optimised anti-ship missile with land attack capability, designed to give the forces an edge in increasingly complex conflict scenarios.
The RBS15 can integrate with aircraft, ships and trucks to provide a complete system solution, including the JAS 39 Gripen (Gripen) fighter jet and Visby-class corvette.
A Gripen-launched missile destroyed a target identified as a Russian 91N6 surveillance and tracking radar—the backbone of the S-400 'Triumf', which is a 3D radar with a claimed detection range of up to 600 km.
The promotional video also demonstrated that one of the launchers from a Russian surface-to-air missile system is also destroyed and the naval target, meanwhile, was the Chinese Type 052D destroyers.
The RBS15 has evolved since 1984, and the Swedish defence ministry previously ordered the RBS-15 Mk4 Gungnir in 2017.

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

Ministry of Defence signs Rs 2,312 crore deal with HAL for 8 Dornier 228 aircraft on 12 February 2026

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract worth Rs 2,312 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the acquisition of eight Dornier 228 aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The agreement was signed in New Delhi under the Buy (Indian) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The aircraft will be manufactured by the Kanpur-based Transport Aircraft Division of HAL and will include Operational Role Equipment.
The Dornier 228 is a twin-engine turboprop multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft used for maritime surveillance, marine pollution contingency, search and rescue, and medical evacuation.
The ICG currently operates this aircraft in two variants, specifically the 228-100 and 228-200 series.
This is the second major deal with HAL in the current financial year, following a Rs 62,370 crore contract signed in September 2025 for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A.
The LCA Mk1A procurement for the Indian Air Force (IAF) includes 68 fighters and 29 twin-seaters, with deliveries scheduled to commence in 2027-28.
The programme is expected to support a network of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and create opportunities in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and life cycle technical support.

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Adani Aerospace & Defence and Embraer sign MoU to assemble regional jets in India under Make in India (End of January) ▼

Adani Aerospace & Defence and Brazil’s Embraer signed an MoU to assemble Embraer regional jets in India.
The MoU was announced at an event attended by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu.
Facility location and final partnership structure are still being finalised.
Embraer is the world’s third-largest aircraft manufacturer after Airbus and Boeing.
The collaboration targets a full regional transport aircraft ecosystem including manufacturing, supply chains, MRO and pilot training.
Embraer currently operates around 50 aircraft across 11 variants in India for the Indian Air Force, government agencies and Star Air.
Embraer forecasts India will need at least 500 aircraft in the 80–140 seat category over the next 20 years.
Embraer will showcase E195-E2 and E175 at Wings India 2026 starting 28 January.

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.

India signs ₹2,095.70 crore deal with Bharat Dynamics for INVAR anti-tank missiles (Mid of November) ▼

Contract value: ₹2,095.70 crore signed between Ministry of Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
Equipment: INVAR laser-guided anti-tank missiles to be inducted into Indian Army’s T-90 tanks
Objective: Strengthen lethality and firepower of T-90 tanks and enhance mechanised warfare capabilities

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

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

Indian Air Force (IAF) instructors to train British pilots at Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley for first time

[United Kingdom]

Key Updates:

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy three Qualified Flight Instructors (QFI) to Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley under an agreement reached at the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi.
The deployment marks the first time Indian QFIs will impart fast jet training to British pilots at RAF Valley and will initially last for two years.
IAF instructors will instruct on the BAE Hawk T2 or Texan T1 aircraft while remaining under IAF command and working for RAF commanders on instructional duties.
An agreement on cooperation in military training was signed between the UK and India during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai in October 2025.
The development follows the maiden deployment in January 2026 of an IAF officer as an instructor to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
Indian officers now serve as instructors at all three British military academies: Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth (Indian Navy officer since May 2024), Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Indian Army officer since May 2025), and Royal Air Force College Cranwell (IAF officer since January 2026).

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

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.

Captain Hansja Sharma Becomes Indian Army's First Woman Pilot of Rudra Armed Helicopter (End of January) ▼

Captain Hansja Sharma, aged 27, became the first woman in the Indian Army qualified to fly the Rudra armed helicopter.
She topped her training at the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS) in Nashik and became the first woman to receive the Silver Cheetah Trophy for best combat aviator.
She commanded the 251 Army Aviation Squadron at the 2026 Army Day Parade held in Rajasthan on 15 January.
During the parade, she led the showcase of the HELINA missile system, highlighting the role of women in combat aviation.
She also secured the top position in the 107th Air Traffic Management course at the Air Force Academy (AFA).
Born on 9 March 1998 in Jammu, she is a former National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadet who studied Zoology at the University of Jammu.

India-UK conduct 8th 'Ajeya Warrior-25' joint military exercise in Rajasthan (Mid of November) ▼

Exercise name: 'Ajeya Warrior-25' (8th edition)
Location: Mahajan field firing ranges, Bikaner district, Rajasthan
Participants: 240 personnel with equal representation from Indian Army (Sikh Regiment) and British Army
Focus: Counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban environment under UN mandate
Training components: joint mission planning at Brigade level, integrated tactical drills, simulation-based scenarios, company-level field training exercises

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

Assam Rifles to induct Indian dog breeds under Atmanirbhar Bharat push

Key Updates:

Assam Rifles will induct Indian dog breeds into its squad as part of the central government’s indigenisation drive.
The Tangkhul Hui breed from Manipur has already been introduced as a pilot project.
The Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu will begin induction in April.
Full induction of both breeds is expected by March 2027.
Training will be conducted at the Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC) in Jorhat, Assam.
The ARDTC currently houses 104 dogs and 174 handlers in various stages of training.
Assam Rifles currently operates 253 dogs against an authorised strength of 344 across Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
The force has four breeds: Labrador, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Tangkhul Hui.
Six Tangkhul Hui dogs inducted in 2022 are deployed in narcotics detection.
Selected handlers receive advanced training at CRPF Bengaluru and the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut.

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Endangered Asiatic Wild Dog sighted for first time in Madhya Pradesh's Ratapani Tiger Reserve (End of January) ▼

The Asiatic Wild Dog (Dhole), listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been camera-trapped for the first time in Ratapani Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
PCCF (Wildlife) Shubharanjan Sen stated this is the sixth rare wildlife species recorded on camera in the reserve during 2026.
Wildlife expert Amey Vikram Singh noted that Dholes were previously believed restricted to Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench protected areas.

Punjab Dog Sanctuary inaugurated to curb dog bites and provide stray care (End of January) ▼

Punjab’s first ‘Dog Sanctuary’ inaugurated at Haibowal Dairy Complex, Ludhiana with capacity to house around 500 dogs.
Sanctuary launched as pilot project to reduce dog bite incidents and ensure medical care, shelter and treatment for stray dogs.
Local Government Minister Sanjeev Arora stated more such sanctuaries will be set up across Punjab based on its success.
Sanctuary will follow Supreme Court guidelines on stray dog management and welfare.

Indian Railways (IR) deploys Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to protect wildlife (End of December) ▼

Indian Railways (IR) has rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Intrusion Detection System (IDS) to safeguard wildlife, including elephants, lions, and tigers, on railway tracks.
The technology utilizes a Distributed Acoustic System (DAS) to detect animal presence and alert loco pilots and control rooms 0.5 kms in advance.
The AI-enabled system generates real-time alerts for loco pilots, station masters, and control rooms to facilitate swift preventive action.
Initially implemented across 141 RKms on the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the system is being expanded by 981 RKms to achieve a total coverage of 1,122 RKms.
The initiative follows a collision in the Jamunamukh - Kampur section under the Lumding Division of NFR involving the Sairang - New Delhi Rajdhani Express.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed enquiry into the death of seven elephants resulting from the train collision.

Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police conduct joint exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh (Start of February) ▼

The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) conducted a six-day joint training exercise named Agni Pariksha from 19 to 24 January.
The exercise was held at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh to enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational integration.
Spearhead gunners under the Spear Corps led the training for personnel from infantry regiments and the ITBP.
The primary objective of the exercise was to familiarise non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions.
Infantry and ITBP personnel were trained to independently conduct multiple artillery firing drills under the supervision of experienced gunners.
The initiative represents the first phase of a collaborative firepower training programme aimed at developing integrated combat capabilities for future battlefields.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to visit India from February 18-22, 2026

[Brazil]

Key Updates:

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He will participate in the 2nd AI Summit scheduled in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, 2026.
Formal bilateral talks between India and Brazil are scheduled for February 21, 2026.
On February 21, 2026, President Lula will be hosted by the President of India as part of the official programme.
Vice President of India and other dignitaries are expected to call on President Lula during the visit.
President Lula will be accompanied by ministers and representatives from the Brazilian business community.
Events to engage the visiting Brazilian business delegation aim to expand economic and commercial cooperation.

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French President Emmanuel Macron to visit India for AI Impact Summit and bilateral talks (Mid of February) ▼

French President Emmanuel Macron will pay an official visit to India from 17 February at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the three-day visit Macron will hold wide-ranging talks with PM Modi and attend the AI Impact Summit, the first global AI summit to be hosted in the Global South, in New Delhi.
The leaders will discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple areas and exchange views on regional and global issues including Indo-Pacific cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
PM Modi and President Macron will jointly inaugurate the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai, aimed at deepening collaboration in innovation, technology, research and people-to-people exchanges throughout the year in both countries.
The visit follows PM Modi’s visit to France in February 2025 and reflects the mutual trust and depth of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

India and Spain unveil Dual Year logo and Spain joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) (End of January) ▼

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares jointly unveiled the logo for the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence on 21 January 2026 in New Delhi.
The unveiling marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain.
Spain formally acceded to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) by handing over the signed Declaration of Accession to Jaishankar during the visit.
India launched the IPOI in November 2019 at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
Discussions between the ministers covered trade, investment, defence, technology, education and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar thanked Spain for supporting deeper India-European Union cooperation across multiple domains.

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

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

Brazil Hands Over BRICS Chair to India for 2026 Summit (Mid of December) ▼

Brazil hosted the 17th BRICS Summit earlier this year.
India will assume the BRICS chair for 2026.
Brazilian Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin stated: "BRICS is not aimed against any country" and "not to replace the US dollar".
Alckmin confirmed President Lula’s visit to India is scheduled for February 2026.
Brazil and India are exploring defence cooperation in aerospace, naval projects and joint research.
Brazil is evaluating India’s Akash missile system; discussions include joint production and technology transfer.
Brazil and India are working on interoperability between India’s UPI and Brazil’s PIX digital payment systems.
Brazil has announced a business e-visa for Indian travellers; system launch date not specified.
Both governments target direct India-Brazil flights by end-2026.
Brazil became the second BRICS member after India to decline joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Pune marks World Radio Day 2026 with UNESCO theme Radio and Artificial Intelligence

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

World Radio Day 2026 was observed in Pune with an evening of talks and a documentary screening at Firodia Hall, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute.
The event aligned with UNESCO’s theme for the year — Radio and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Marathi author and Akashvani content creator Mangala Godbole spoke on radio’s role in shaping daily routines and nurturing local talent.
Filmmaker Makarand Waikar presented the 68-minute documentary My Radio My Life, which has been screened in 36 countries and recognised at over 80 international film festivals.

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Prasar Bharati Initiative for Thadou Language Live Broadcast on AIR Imphal (Start of January) ▼

Prasar Bharati has asked AIR Imphal for inputs on recruiting staff to resume live broadcasts in Thadou and other major dialects.
The move follows a request by Thadou Inpi Manipur to either reinstate previous Thadou staff or hold fresh recruitment.
Fresh auditions for major dialects including Thadou have been proposed to AIR’s zonal office and Directorate.

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

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

National Conference of State Election Commissioners (SECs) to build synergy in electoral processes (Start of February) ▼

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host a National Conference of the State Election Commissioners (SECs) on February 24, 2026.
The conference is being organised after a gap of over 25 years, with the previous meeting held in 1999.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will chair the event, joined by Election Commissioners (ECs) Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
The conference will be attended by all SECs and the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all States and Union Territories (UTs).
The primary objective is to build synergy between the ECI and SECs regarding electoral processes and logistics within their respective legal frameworks.
State Election Commissions (SECs) are created under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments for elections to Panchayats and Municipal Bodies.
Discussion topics include the recently launched ECINET digital platform, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and electoral laws on elector eligibility.

Raipur to host national transgender sports meet (Mid of December) ▼

Raipur is set to host the national transgender sports meet 2025 themed 'Samta Ka Mahotsav' on Dec 19–20.
The event will be held at Swami Vivekanand athletic stadium in Raipur.
Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Samiti, a community for transgenders and LGBTQ, is organising the meet with support from the department of social welfare.

Indian Air Force to demonstrate firepower in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran on 27 February 2026

Key Updates:

Exercise Vayushakti-26 will be held at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on 27 February 2026.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft.
A total of 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives will be used during day, dusk and night missions.
Platforms participating include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be showcased.
The exercise reaffirms the IAF’s role in long-range precision targeting and multi-domain operations using indigenous platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

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

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.

India conducts Military Civil Fusion exercise Sanjha Shakti at Khadki Military Station (Mid of January) ▼

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

India showcases battle formations in first Republic Day parade after Operation Sindoor (End of January) ▼

India will display military assets in phased battle array format, starting with reconnaissance platforms and ending with the debut of the Bhairav light commando battalion.
Surveillance platforms will be showcased first in high mobility reconnaissance vehicles equipped with drones and anti-tank missiles.
Aerial display will include Apache and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand helicopters.
Armoured columns will feature T-90, Main Battle Tank Arjun, BMP-II, and NAMIS-II Nag Missile System.
Animal contingent will include Zanskar ponies, Bactrian camels, and dogs with handlers.
Flypast will showcase Rafale, Su-30, P8I, C-295, MiG-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, and Mi-17 in different formations.

India to showcase military might in phased battle array format during 77th Republic Day parade (End of January) ▼

India will showcase its military might in a phased battle array format during the 77th Republic Day parade, the first such event after Operation Sindoor.
The newly-raised Bhairav light commando battalion will make its debut in the parade, marching in ‘Uncha Kadam taal’.
Military assets will be displayed in the specific sequence they would appear during actual combat, starting with reconnaissance followed by logistics and armored units.
The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry and seven marching contingents.
The display will feature indigenous platforms including the Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, NAMIS-II Nag Missile System, ATAGS, and Dhanush artillery.
Advanced technology on display includes the Integrated Operational Centre (IOC), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), robotic mules, and robotic dogs.
The animal contingent will include Zanskar ponies, double-humped Bactrian camels, and a dog squad with handlers.
The aerial flypast will showcase aircraft such as the Rafale, Su-30, P8I, C-295, Apache, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.

Saudi Arabia to host HCI Conference 2026 in Riyadh

[Saudi Arabia]

Key Updates:

The HCI Conference 2026 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The conference focuses on human-computer interaction across healthcare, smart cities, education, accessibility, gaming, virtual reality, and future workplaces.
Riyadh was selected for its smart infrastructure, modern venues, advanced connectivity, growing tech ecosystem, and strong government support for research and development.
The event aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, emphasising digital transformation, knowledge-based economies, and human-centred development.
HCI 2026 will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, research presentations, workshops, and interactive exhibitions on artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, human-centred AI, smart cities, digital health, immersive experiences, accessibility technologies, and future user interfaces.
The conference will bring together thousands of participants from universities, corporations, research institutes, and startups worldwide.
Hosting the event is expected to generate economic benefits for Riyadh through hospitality, tourism, transport, and local business activity.
Saudi universities and innovation centres anticipate increased global collaboration and opportunities for local talent to showcase work on an international stage.

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World Governments Summit 2026 commences in Dubai with participation from over 150 nations (Start of February) ▼

The World Governments Summit 2026 is being held in Dubai from 3 to 5 February under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'.
More than 6,000 participants, including over 35 heads of state and government and over 500 ministers, are attending the summit.
Leaders confirmed to attend include King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Alar Karis of Estonia, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia.
Prime Ministers of Spain, Albania, Georgia, Egypt, and Bhutan are among the heads of government participating.
The summit features 24 specialised global forums, more than 35 ministerial and high-level meetings, and over 320 sessions with more than 450 global figures.
Over 100 international and regional organisations are participating, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, OPEC Fund, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
India Today anchors will moderate four sessions: 'Are Governments Building Systems or Buying Products?' on 4 February, 'Carbon Costs: Preparing for the Next Trade Barrier', 'Building The Next Economic Systems: Lessons from Emerging Market Founders', and 'Design Digital Lifestyles: From Infrastructure to Experience' on 5 February.
The summit will issue 36 strategic reports and present four global awards for innovation, reform, sustainability, and educational leadership.

Saudi Arabia and China sign mutual visa exemption for diplomats and officials (Mid of December) ▼

Saudi Arabia and China signed a mutual visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders.
The agreement was signed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Riyadh, hosted by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
The visit marked the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and China.
High-level talks during the visit covered economic cooperation, regional security, Vision 2030 developments, and support for a two-state solution for Palestine.
Prince Faisal and Wang Yi attended the fifth session of the Political Committee of the Saudi-Chinese High-Level Joint Committee.
Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its commitment to the One China policy, recognizing that Taiwan is part of China.
China expressed support for Saudi efforts to strengthen relations with Iran and acknowledged the Kingdom’s role in fostering regional and international security and stability.
The Chinese delegation praised Saudi Arabia’s economic progress under Vision 2030.
Both sides welcomed the results of the Riyadh Arab-Chinese Summit for Cooperation and Development held in December 2022.
Saudi Arabia expressed support for China hosting the Second China-Arab Summit and the Second Gulf-Chinese Summit in 2026.
China confirmed its readiness to participate in Expo 2030, which will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
Both countries reiterated support for a comprehensive and just solution to the Palestinian question, advocating an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

India to host 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) in January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

42 of 56 Commonwealth countries have confirmed participation, marking the highest turnout in CSPOC history.
61 Speakers and Presiding Officers are expected to attend the conference hosted by the Parliament of India.
Pakistan will not participate; Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are among the confirming nations.
Conference agenda focuses on the future of parliamentary democracy, including use of artificial intelligence and technology-driven legislative processes.
A web-based and mobile application is being developed to facilitate interaction between participating countries and their media.

Saudi Arabia-Russia Mutual Visa Exemption Agreement signed on December 1, 2025 (Start of December) ▼

Saudi Arabia and Russia have signed a historic mutual visa exemption agreement allowing citizens of both countries to stay visa free for up to 90 days.
The agreement covers all passport types for tourism, business, and visiting relatives.
Russia becomes the first country with which Saudi Arabia has signed a mutual visa exemption agreement that includes holders of regular passports.
The agreement was signed by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, and His Excellency Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.

Bangladesh holds first election since Gen Z protests ousted Sheikh Hasina

[Bangladesh]

Key Updates:

Over 2,000 candidates contested 300 parliamentary seats in Bangladesh’s first election since Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student-led protests.
The Awami League, Hasina’s party, was banned from contesting the polls.
The main contest is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Results are expected on Friday, with 49% turnout reported by 14:00 local time.
Nearly 120 million people were eligible to vote, with about 40% under the age of 37.
Nearly a million police and soldiers were deployed for security during the election.
Sheikh Hasina, currently in exile in India, was convicted and sentenced to death in absentia for ordering the crackdown that killed up to 1,400 protesters.
Voters also cast ballots on a referendum for constitutional change proposed by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

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Sheikh Hasina Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment as Deposed Prime Minister of Bangladesh (Start of February) ▼

The Dhaka Special Judge's Court sentenced 79-year-old deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in absentia across two corruption cases.
The sentencing involves alleged irregularities in the allocation of residential plots under the Rajuk New Town Project in Purbachol.
The court sentenced Hasina's nieces, Tulip Siddiq (United Kingdom (UK) Labour Member of Parliament (MP) and former British minister) and Azaman Siddiq, and her nephew, Radwan Mujib Siddiq Bobby, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in absentia.
Other accused individuals, including a former junior minister for housing, a former secretary of the ministry, and a former Rajuk Chairman, were sentenced to five years of imprisonment.
Khurshid Alam, a senior official of Rajuk, was the only individual among the 16 accused who was tried in person and present during the verdict.
Sheikh Hasina was previously sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment on 27 November following a complaint by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Her children, Sajeeb Wazed Joy and Saima Wazed Putul, were each handed five-year prison sentences in a separate case involving Rajuk plots.
A special tribunal earlier sentenced the former Prime Minister, currently in exile in India, to death for crimes against humanity during the July Uprising on 5 August 2024.

Anutin Charnvirakul Wins Thailand General Election as Prime Minister (Start of February) ▼

Anutin Charnvirakul and the Bhumjaithai Party secured a victory in the Thailand general election held on 8 February 2026.
The Bhumjaithai Party won approximately 192 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives, according to preliminary results from the Election Commission (EC).
Anutin Charnvirakul assumed the role of Prime Minister following the ousting of Paetongtarn Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai party over a border crisis with Cambodia.
The People's Party, led by Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut, secured 117 seats and announced it would serve as the opposition.
A survey conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (NIDA) correctly projected the Bhumjaithai Party as the winner of the election.
Voters also approved a referendum to replace the 2017 military-backed constitution by a margin of nearly two to one.
The Bhumjaithai Party campaign included pledges to implement a consumer subsidy programme and cancel a maritime claims agreement with Cambodia.

Pakistan and Bangladesh resume direct air connectivity on 29 January 2026 (End of January) ▼

Pakistan and Bangladesh resumed direct air connectivity on 29 January 2026 after a 14-year suspension.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated the inaugural flight, BG341, from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka to Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
Direct flights between the two countries had been suspended since 2012, previously requiring travel via Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha.
The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) welcomed the inaugural aircraft with a traditional water cannon salute at Karachi.
The resumption follows diplomatic discussions between Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the Dhaka–Karachi route twice-weekly to promote trade, tourism, and cultural ties.
The two nations are geographically separated by approximately 1,500 km of Indian territory.
Bilateral cooperation also included the resumption of cargo shipping between Karachi and Chittagong in November 2024.

Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to Revert to Ballot Papers for Local Polls (Start of February) ▼

The Karnataka Cabinet approved the introduction of the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to replace Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers for local body elections.
The amendment aims to ensure transparency and confidentiality in the election process for local authorities including Gram Panchayats.
The State Election Commission (SEC) will be entrusted with the responsibility of independently preparing and revising electoral rolls for local bodies.
The SEC conducts polls for rural local bodies such as Zilla, Taluk, and Gram Panchayats, and urban local bodies including Municipal Corporations and Town Panchayats.
Upcoming elections for five city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) are scheduled to be held using ballot papers after May 2026.

India Ranks 3rd in Stanford University Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025

[Stanford University]

Key Updates:

India secured the 3rd position in the Global AI Vibrancy Ranking 2025 published by Stanford University.
The Artificial Intelligence (AI) market in India expanded from USD 2.97 billion in 2020 to USD 7.63 billion in 2024, with a projected growth to USD 131.31 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 42.2%.
According to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) AI Adoption Index, 87% of Indian enterprises were actively using AI solutions as of December 2025.
India recorded 100.29 crore internet connections in June 2025 and possesses the world’s second-largest 5G subscriber base with over 400 million users.
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has recognised more than 2,00,000 startups across the country.
India leads the world in AI talent acquisition with an annual hiring rate of approximately 33% and was the second-largest contributor to GitHub AI projects globally in 2024, accounting for 19.9% of projects.
The relative penetration of AI skills in India is 2.5 times greater than the global average across the same set of occupations.
Major AI job hubs in India include Bangalore (11% share), Hyderabad (9.57%), Pune (6.95%), and Chennai (6.62%).
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) oversees the National Program on Artificial Intelligence, which rests on four pillars: National Center on AI, Data Management Office, Skilling in AI, and Responsible AI.
The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative, delivered in partnership with Microsoft, HCL Technologies, and NASSCOM, enrolled 1.34 lakh students and teachers as of December 2025.
India improved its position by four slots to reach the 45th rank in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025 report prepared by the Portulans Institute.
The BHASHINI initiative, leveraging AI for over 36 languages, has recorded more than 1.2 million mobile app downloads to break communication barriers in the digital economy.

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

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

IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 to spotlight population-scale AI deployment and governance (Start of February) ▼

The IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 will be held in New Delhi and positions India as a leader in real-world AI deployment rather than model development.
Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), CEO of IndiaAI Mission, and Director General of National Informatics Centre (NIC), oversees the summit.
GPUs under the IndiaAI Mission are available at ₹65 per GPU hour to democratise access to high-performance computing.
About twelve foundational models are under development and some will be launched ahead of the summit.
The Bhashini initiative provides speech-to-speech and speech-to-text APIs to address India’s linguistic diversity.
The summit features flagship challenges AI for All, AI for Her, and YUVAi, with participation from 136 countries.
YUVAi programme has reached nearly 100,000 students within two weeks and targets over one million learners by the summit.
Stanford AI Index ranked India as the third-largest AI ecosystem globally, up from seventh two years earlier.
Global firms Nvidia, Google, OpenAI, Anthropic, Qualcomm, Intel, and Schneider Electric, plus academics from Stanford, will attend the summit.
NIC is deploying AI in judicial systems, agriculture, healthcare, and education integrated with India’s digital public infrastructure.

AI4India, Intel India and IHFC host Pre-Event for India-AI Impact Summit 2026 to spotlight inclusive AI (End of January) ▼

The Official Pre-Event for the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 will be held at the Research & Innovation Park, IIT Delhi.
IHFC (Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi) will offer funding of up to Rs 2 crore to promising AI ventures.
An EXPO will feature 25 emerging AI startups presenting technologies for climate resilience, healthcare accessibility, digital education and smart governance.

IndiaAI Mission and UPDESCO ink MoU to build Uttar Pradesh AI ecosystem (Mid of January) ▼

The MoU was exchanged during the Uttar Pradesh AI and Health Innovation Conference between Anurag Yadav, Principal Secretary, IT and Electronics Department, Uttar Pradesh, and Abhishek Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the IndiaAI Mission.
UPDESCO will act as the state nodal agency for implementation.
A total of 65 Data and AI Labs are proposed to be set up across the state under the IndiaAI Mission.
At present, two such labs are operational at National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) centres in Lucknow and Gorakhpur, while another has been established in Pilibhit with industry support.
The state government has already approved the establishment of 49 additional Data and AI Labs, with implementation currently underway.
The labs will be equipped with modern infrastructure and advanced technical resources to support hands-on AI training.

India approves two new telescopes and Himalayan Chandra Telescope upgrade in Ladakh

[Ladakh]

Key Updates:

Union Budget sanctioned National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), a 2-metre aperture solar telescope to be built in Merak near Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh.
NLST will operate in visible and near-infrared wavelengths and help study solar dynamics, magnetism, energetic solar events, and space-weather processes affecting Earth and national space assets.
NLST will be India’s third ground-based solar observatory, joining Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (Tamil Nadu, 1899) and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Rajasthan, 1975).
National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 13.7-metre segmented-mirror telescope with 90 hexagonal segments, to be built in Hanle, Ladakh.
NLOT will enable frontier research on exoplanets, stellar and galactic evolution, supernovae, and origins of the universe, leveraging Ladakh’s high altitude and clear skies.
Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) will be upgraded from 2-metre to 3.7-metre segmented primary mirror and continue optical-infrared observations of transient astronomy.
Upgraded HCT operations will complement international facilities like LIGO-India and the Square Kilometre Array.
Hanle village in Ladakh is India’s first and only Dark Sky Reserve.

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Union Budget 2026-27 allocates over ₹500 crore for four mega-telescope projects (Mid of February) ▼

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.

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.

India launches first national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

Key Updates:

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, funds the national biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) led by the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology, Institute of Human Genetics (FRIGE) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The biobank integrates biological samples and clinical-genetic data of 530 patients from 28 institutions across 15 states collected over 17 years (2008-2025).
Of the 530 patients, 60% have died and only 8 are currently receiving treatment: 4 for Gaucher disease, 2 for Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), 1 for MPS IVA, and 1 for Fabry disease.
The biobank covers 8 LSD subgroups encompassing 27 disorders, with Gaucher disease (70), Tay-Sachs disease (62), Mucolipidosis II/III (44), and Morquio-A (40) as the most common.
Collaborations include the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru, for stem cell-based disease models, the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Hyderabad, for general therapies, and the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Bengaluru, for spectrometry-based screening technology.

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J P Nadda released 10th edition of Indian Pharmacopoeia (Start of January) ▼

J P Nadda, Union Health Minister, released the 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia at Dr Ambedkar International Centre.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia 2026 incorporates 121 new monographs, raising the total to 3,340 monographs.
The compendium is recognised in 19 countries of the Global South.
India improved its rank from 123rd during 2009-2014 to 8th in 2025 in contributions to WHO's pharmacovigilance database.
The 10th edition includes, for the first time, 20 blood component monographs for transfusion medicine.

Union Minister J P Nadda announces India ranks 8th globally in World Health Organization (WHO) Pharmacovigilance Contributions (Start of January) ▼

India now stands at the 8th position globally in World Health Organization (WHO) Pharmacovigilance Contributions, rising from the 123rd position held ten years ago.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released the 10th edition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026, which serves as the official book of drug standards for India.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) 2026 has incorporated 121 new monographs, increasing the total count to 3,340 monographs.
India has become the first country to include 20 blood component monographs to expand research in blood transfusion, thalassemia, hemophilia, and anaemia.
The new monographs are designed to benefit the National TB Elimination Programme, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, and the Universal Immunisation Programme.
The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) is currently recognized as a standard in 19 Global South countries.

IPC–Jharkhand Pharmacy Council MoU to Strengthen Pharmacovigilance and Medicine Safety (Mid of November) ▼

MoU signed between Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ghaziabad and Jharkhand State Pharmacy Council (JSPC) to promote safe and rational medicine use in Jharkhand.
Objective: build capacity of registered pharmacists in adverse drug reaction (ADR) reporting, pharmacovigilance, materiovigilance and safe medicine use.
Key feature: strengthen utilisation of the National Formulary of India (NFI) as standard reference across Jharkhand healthcare facilities for rational dispensing.
Initiatives include awareness programmes for hospital and community pharmacists, mandatory NFI use in institutional pharmacy settings, and joint observance of National Pharmacovigilance Week.

1 Bio: First Bioprocess Design Hub to Boost Biologics Innovation (End of November) ▼

1 Bio has been established by the Telangana government through Telangana Lifesciences and Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) in partnership with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Thermo Fisher Scientific.
The public-private partnership project saw the Telangana government facilitate an investment of Rs 150 crore in infrastructure, while Thermo Fisher Scientific contributed Rs 90 crore for the bioprocess design centre and its co-located customer experience centre.
The 1 Bio hub is expected to attract another Rs 500 crore in private investment from its tenant companies and generate over 500 highly skilled jobs.
These facilities will provide end-to-end process development and pilot scale validation, enabling startups and established companies to cut down on capital investment and accelerate development.

2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered inside Egypt’s Valley of the Kings royal tombs

[Egypt]

Key Updates:

Approximately 30 Tamil-Brahmi and Prakrit inscriptions dated to 2,000 years ago were documented inside six rock-cut royal tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.
The inscriptions were recorded by Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne and Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies.
The name ‘Cikai Korran’ appears in eight locations, with one inscription reading ‘Cikai Korran vara kanta’ meaning ‘Cikai Korran came and saw’.
The discovery confirms that ancient Tamil traders travelled beyond Egyptian port cities and visited inland heritage sites during the early historic period.
The findings were presented on 11 February at the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy organised by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology in Chennai.
Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 30,000 documented inscriptions in India, providing an unbroken historical record from the 6th century BCE.

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CCRAS–CSU workshop transliterates five rare Ayurvedic manuscripts in Kerala. (End of January) ▼

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Sanskrit University (CSU) completed a 15-day Transliteration Capacity Building Workshop on Ayurvedic Manuscripts at CSU Puranattukara (Guruvayoor) Campus, Thrissur, Kerala from 12 to 25 January 2026.
The workshop trained 33 scholars—18 from Ayurveda and 15 from Sanskrit—in manuscriptology, palaeography, technical Ayurvedic terminology, and scripts including Grantha and Vattezhuthu.
Five rare unpublished manuscripts were transliterated: Dhanwanthari (Vaidya) Chinthamani (146 palm-leaf pages from Grantha to Sanskrit), Dravyashuddhi (110 pages Grantha to Sanskrit), Vaidyam (59 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), Roga Nirnaya Part I (75 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), and Vividharogangal (78 pages Vattezhuthu to Malayalam and Sanskrit).
The event was held under the MoU between CCRAS and CSU as part of CCRAS’s national initiative to document, digitise and enable research-based utilisation of classical Ayurvedic manuscripts.
Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, stated this was the second such workshop; the first at CSU Puri Campus, Odisha, transliterated 14 Ayurvedic manuscripts.

Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Granth Kutir Library at Rashtrapati Bhavan (End of January) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Granth Kutir, a library housing 2,300 books and manuscripts at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The library features reading material in 11 Indian classical languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
The collection includes approximately 50 manuscripts handwritten on traditional materials such as palm leaf, paper, bark, and cloth.
The initiative aligns with the Gyan Bharatam Mission of the Union government to preserve, digitise, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage.
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) provided professional expertise for the conservation, documentation, and display of the manuscripts.
The library replaces colonial-era works, including the speeches of Lord Curzon and works of William Hogarth, which have been relocated within the estate.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan recently established Param Vir Dirgha, a gallery featuring portraits of 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees to replace portraits of British Aide-De-Camps.

Punjab Department of Archaeology recovers 2nd-century AD Kushan bronze coins bearing Emperor Vasudeva at Bhir Mound, Taxila (Start of January) ▼

Specialists from the University of Peshawar confirmed that the coins bear the image of Emperor Vasudeva.
The obverse of the recovered coins depicts Vasudeva, while the reverse features a female religious deity.
Fragments of metamorphic decorative stone identified as lapis lazuli were also uncovered.

Maharashtra grassland labyrinth hints at Indo-Roman trade links (End of December) ▼

Archaeologists have discovered a remarkable circular stone labyrinth in the Boramani grasslands of Solapur, Maharashtra, identified as the largest of its kind ever recorded in India.
The labyrinth consists of 15 concentric stone circuits, each carved with meticulous precision.
The structure's patterns are reminiscent of those found on ancient Roman coins, suggesting possible connections to trade routes.
The site’s location along historic Indo-Roman trade routes points to potential cultural exchanges between ancient India and distant empires.
The discovery emerged when a wildlife NGO, monitoring Great Indian Bustards and local wolf populations, noticed the stone arrangement in the tall grass.

Russia blocks WhatsApp, promotes state-backed MAX messenger amid wider digital clampdown

[Russia]

Key Updates:

Russia has blocked WhatsApp for alleged legal breaches, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Peskov attributed the ban to WhatsApp’s reluctance to comply with Russian law.
Users are urged to switch to MAX, a state-backed platform offering messaging, e-government services and payments.
MAX openly declares it will share user data with authorities and lacks end-to-end encryption, unlike WhatsApp.
Since December, many Russians access WhatsApp only via VPN, Reuters reported.
Russia had already limited WhatsApp and Telegram calls last year, accusing them of withholding information from fraud and terrorism probes.
State regulator Roskomnadzor announced fresh restrictions on Telegram this week for similar legal non-compliance.
Russia has also blocked Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and imposed curbs on Apple’s FaceTime and YouTube services.

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

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

DoT mandates SIM-device binding, periodic logouts for WhatsApp, Signal, other OTT apps (End of November) ▼

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued the order under the new Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules, 2025.
All over-the-top (OTT) communication platforms have 90 days to implement continuous SIM-to-device binding.
Web and app-based platforms must enforce periodic logouts — at least once every six hours — and provide QR-code-based re-authentication.
These platforms, now designated as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs), must submit a detailed compliance report to the DoT within 120 days.
Non-compliance could invite action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 (as amended), and other laws.

Russia President Putin signs into federal law key military pact with India (Mid of December) ▼

President Vladimir Putin signed into federal law the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Support (RELOS) agreement with India.
The State Duma ratified the RELOS agreement on December 2 and the Council of Federation on December 8.
The agreement sets the procedure for sending military formations, warships and military aircraft of Russia to India and vice versa, and the organisation of their mutual logistical support.
The established procedure will be used during joint exercises, training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief efforts, and in other cases as agreed.
Ratification will facilitate mutual use of the two countries' airspace and port calls by Russian and Indian warships.

Malaysia Blocks Access To Grok Over Sexualised AI Images (Mid of January) ▼

Malaysia on Sunday temporarily blocked access to Grok after the generative artificial intelligence chatbot allowed users to create and publish sexualised images.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it would restrict access to Grok following repeated misuse of the tool 'to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors.'
xAI, the Elon Musk-led firm behind Grok, on Thursday said it would restrict image generation and editing to paying subscribers.

Italy thrash Nepal by 10 wickets for first-ever T20 World Cup win

[Italy, Nepal]

Key Updates:

Italy recorded their maiden men’s T20 World Cup victory by bowling Nepal out for 123 and chasing 124 without losing a wicket.
Brothers Anthony Mosca (62 not out off 32 balls) and Justin Mosca (60 not out off 44 balls) shared an unbroken opening stand to finish the chase with 7.2 overs remaining.
Ben Manenti returned 2 for 9 and Crishan Kalugamage 3 for 18 as Italy’s spinners restricted Nepal to 123 all out.
The match was played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, and was only Italy’s second-ever T20 World Cup fixture after a 73-run loss to Scotland.

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Sonam Yeshey of Bhutan records first T20 8-wicket haul against Myanmar (End of December) ▼

Sonam Yeshey became the first player in T20 history, across international and domestic cricket, to take eight wickets in a single match.
The 22-year-old left-arm spinner achieved record-breaking figures of 8/7 from four overs during the third T20I against Myanmar.
The match was held at Gelephu Mindfulness City on December 26, 2025.
Bhutan successfully defended a total of 127/9 by dismissing Myanmar for 45 runs.
Yeshey surpassed the previous T20I records of seven-wicket hauls held by Syazrul Idrus of Malaysia and Ali Dawood of Bahrain.
The spinner has taken a total of 12 wickets in the series so far, bringing his career tally to 37 wickets in 34 T20Is.

India defeats England to win 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup (Start of February) ▼

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash reward of ₹7.5 crore for the Indian Under-19 cricket team following their 2026 Under-19 World Cup victory.
India defeated England by 100 runs in the final at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, to secure their sixth International Cricket Council (ICC) Under-19 World Cup title.
India posted a total of 411/9 in the final, featuring an innings of 175 runs off 80 balls by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Captains Ayush Mhatre and Abhigyan Kundu contributed to the total before the bowlers dismissed England for 311 in 40.2 overs.
Caleb Falconer scored 115 runs off 67 balls for England in the final match.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed the reward includes the players, coaching staff, support staff, and the Junior Cricket Committee.
BCCI President Mithun Manhas noted that India currently holds both the men’s and women’s Under-19 World Cup titles.

Italy Clinches Third Consecutive Davis Cup Crown in Bologna (End of November) ▼

Italy clinched its third consecutive Davis Cup title.
This victory marked Italy's fourth overall Davis Cup crown.
The Davis Cup final, where Italy triumphed over Spain, was held in Bologna.
Italy's current achievement marks its third consecutive title since the 1971 Challenge Round abolition.

Abhishek Sharma slams second-fastest T20I half-century against New Zealand (End of January) ▼

Abhishek Sharma recorded the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in 14 balls.
The record was achieved during the third T20I against New Zealand at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.
Abhishek Sharma hit five fours and four sixes to surpass Hardik Pandya’s previous second-fastest record of 16 balls.
Yuvraj Singh holds the record for the fastest T20I half-century by an Indian, achieved in 12 balls against England in 2007.
India successfully chased a target of 154 runs in 10 overs, posting 94/2 during the PowerPlay overs.
The fastest T20I half-centuries by Indians include Yuvraj Singh (12 balls vs England, 2007), Abhishek Sharma (14 balls vs New Zealand, 2026), Hardik Pandya (16 balls vs South Africa, 2025), Abhishek Sharma (17 balls vs England, 2025), KL Rahul (18 balls vs Scotland, 2021), and Suryakumar Yadav (18 balls vs South Africa, 2022).

Cyclone Gezani strikes Madagascar with 195 km/h winds

[Madagascar]

Key Updates:

Cyclone Gezani made landfall late Tuesday with wind speeds exceeding 195 km/h.
The National Office for Risk and Disaster Management reported at least 31 deaths and 36 serious injuries.
Over 6,000 people were displaced and four remain missing after the cyclone hit Toamasina.
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, in power since an October military coup, surveyed damage in Toamasina.
About 75 percent of Toamasina’s infrastructure was damaged or destroyed according to the president’s office.
Gezani is the second cyclone to hit Madagascar in two weeks, after Cyclone Fytia killed 12 people on January 31.

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Tropical Cyclone Fina threatens Darwin with destructive winds and flooding (End of November) ▼

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said Fina, a Category 3 cyclone sitting in the Van Diemen Gulf with wind gusts up to 165 kilometres per hour (102 miles per hour), was forecast to hit the region’s remote Tiwi Islands and Cape Hotham on Saturday afternoon.
It would then likely pass north of Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, on Saturday as a “severe tropical cyclone”.
Weather bureau senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said that while the cyclone was not expected to make landfall, it would bring “widespread heavy rainfall and damaging-to-locally destructive winds” to Darwin, which has a population of about 140,000 people.
Kirsten Engels, the Northern Territory Emergency Operations Centre incident controller, urged everyone in affected areas to activate their household emergency plans and move to public shelters if needed.
The warning for Darwin conjures painful memories of Cyclone Tracy, which destroyed much of the city on Christmas Day in 1974, killing 71 people, in one of Australia’s worst-ever natural disasters.

India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu to restore road connectivity in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka (Mid of December) ▼

Operation Sagar Bandhu is India’s humanitarian mission delivering rescue, medical, and relief assistance to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah.
A second Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster landed in Colombo carrying Bailey bridge units and a 25-member team of engineers and medical experts.
Indian field engineers who arrived with Bailey Bridge units have begun reconnaissance and restoration work on key routes damaged by the cyclone.
Indian Air Force helicopters are conducting ongoing rescue operations near Kotmale.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall in Sri Lanka on November 28, causing severe flooding, heavy rainfall, and landslides across multiple districts.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne, stated that more than 400 people have lost their lives due to the cyclone.

India Provides Aid to Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah (End of November) ▼

Sri Lanka has made an appeal for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 132.
India was the first to respond, sending two planeloads of relief supplies.
An Indian warship already in Colombo on a previously planned goodwill visit donated its rations to help victims.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the deaths in Sri Lanka and said New Delhi was ready to send more aid.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya had met with Colombo-based diplomats to update them on the situation and seek the help of their governments.

IMD issues cyclone alert over Bay of Bengal, heavy rain likely in Andaman (End of November) ▼

India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued alert due to cyclonic circulation over Bay of Bengal likely to intensify
Heavy to very heavy rainfall (07-20 cm) very likely at one or two places in Nicobar Island; heavy rainfall (07-11 cm) expected in Andaman Island
Squally weather with surface wind speed 35-45 kmph gusting to 55 kmph very likely over Andaman Sea
Local Cautionary Signal-3 issued at Port Blair Port; fishermen advised not to venture into Andaman Sea till November 23
Directorate of Shipping Services likely to reschedule or cancel inter-island vessels and harbour/ferry services at short notice for safety

68th National Productivity Week 2026 observed from 12 to 18 February 2026 with theme Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs

Key Updates:

National Productivity Council (NPC) will celebrate its 68th Foundation Day on 12 February 2026 and observe National Productivity Week from 12 to 18 February 2026 across the country.
The theme for the 68th National Productivity Week is 'Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs'.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and President, National Productivity Council, Shri Piyush Goyal, emphasised strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), enhancing manufacturing competitiveness and promoting sustainable industrialisation.
NPC has 12 Regional Directorates located at Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai and Patna.
Twenty-four Local Productivity Councils, concerned Ministries of the Government of India, State Governments, industry associations and academic institutions will collaborate in conducting outreach and awareness activities during the week.
National Productivity Council (NPC), an autonomous society under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, was established in 1958.
NPC is a constituent of the Tokyo-based Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), an inter-governmental body of which the Government of India is a founding member and the current Chair.

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National Productivity Day observed on 12 February 2026 with theme Clusters as Growth Engine: Maximizing Productivity in MSMEs (Mid of February) ▼

National Productivity Day is observed annually in India on 12 February to promote awareness about productivity, economic growth, and efficiency.
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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.

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

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

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