Daily Current Affairs: 19 January 2026

Analysis for 19 January 2026

Narendra Modi pledges global recognition for Assam's culture

[Assam]

Key Updates:

Narendra Modi declared his commitment to ensuring Assam’s cultural heritage receives global recognition.
Modi attended the Bagurumba Dwhou event in Guwahati and praised the Bagurumba dance as a living celebration of Bodo traditions.
He accused previous Congress governments of neglecting Bodoland and encouraging illegal infiltration for vote bank politics.
Modi highlighted the transformation of Assam under BJP governance, attributing peace to the Bodo Peace Accord.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Adwa Victory Memorial and Museum in Ethiopia (Mid of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lays a wreath at the Adwa Victory Memorial and Museum in Addis Ababa.
The memorial commemorates Ethiopia’s victory in the 1896 Battle of Adwa against Italian forces.
The museum houses artefacts, weapons, historical dioramas, conference halls, an amphitheatre, and a library.
PM Modi’s visit highlights India’s recognition of Ethiopia’s legacy of independence and anti-colonial resistance.

South India Natural Farming Summit: Key Details and Features (Mid of November) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Coimbatore on Nov 19 to inaugurate the South India Natural Farming Summit at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex here.
Modi will speak during the summit, organized by the farmers' associations in Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister will interact with 50 scientists specializing in organic agriculture.
The three-day summit will feature an exhibition with 300 stalls, interactive sessions by eminent scientists and policymakers, live demonstrations and a focus on youth and women engagement.

PM Modi Assam Visit on Dec 20-21 to Inaugurate Projects Worth Rs 15,600 Crore (End of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 15,600 crore in Assam on Saturday and Sunday.
The New Terminal Building of Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport in Guwahati will be inaugurated, designed to handle up to 1.3 crore passengers annually.
PM Modi will perform Bhoomipujan for Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project of Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited at Namrup in Dibrugarh.
The Ammonia-Urea Fertilizer Project is stated to be built with an estimated investment of over Rs. 10,600 crore.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally drives Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hotel during State visit (Mid of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Addis Ababa for a two-day State visit to Ethiopia at the invitation of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received PM Modi at the airport and drove him to the hotel.
PM Modi was taken on an unscheduled visit to the Science Museum and Friendship Park by the Ethiopian leader.
PM Modi will hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali covering all aspects of bilateral relations.
PM Modi is expected to address a joint session of the Ethiopian Parliament and meet the Indian diaspora.
Addis Ababa is the headquarters of the African Union, which was admitted as a permanent member of the G20 during India’s 2023 Presidency.

Lt KM Sudha won gold medal at National Cadet Corps (NCC) event

Key Updates:

Lt KM Sudha, an assistant professor in the history department and an associate NCC officer at Royal Global University under the 30 Assam Battalion NCC, became the first person from the northeast to win a gold medal at the NCC event.
The event was held at the Officer Training Academy (OTA) in Gwalior.
She was adjudged the best firer of the OTA after competing among 127 associate NCC officers from across the country.
She was formally commissioned with the rank of lieutenant and secured an ‘A’ grade in the final merit list.

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East Bengal defeats APF FC to win inaugural SAFF Women's Club Championship (End of December) ▼

East Bengal FC clinched the title of the inaugural edition of the SAFF Women’s Club Championship with a dominant 3-0 win over hosts APF FC in the final at the Dasrath Stadium.
Ugandan star striker Fazila Ikwaput scored a brace while India international Shilky Devi Hemam netted once to complete the flawless campaign for the Moshal girls.
Fazila also won the golden boot with nine goals in five games.
Anthony Andrews’ side scored 14 goals and conceded none in their five matches during the tournament.
East Bengal thus became the first Indian women’s club to win an international tournament.

Rajasthan United FC drub Sikkim Himalayan FC (End of November) ▼

Rajasthan United FC began their campaign at the 41st Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup with a confident and disciplined 3–0 win against Sikkim Himalayan FC.
The match was played at the historic Paljor Stadium.
Goalkeeper Babhindra Malla was awarded the Man of the Match for his exceptional performance and match-winning saves.

Alpine SG Pipers clinches Global Chess League (GCL) title (End of December) ▼

Alpine SG Pipers scored a convincing victory in the final of the Global Chess League (GCL) over Continental Kings — the winner of the first two editions — at the Royal Opera House on Tuesday.
SG Pipers claimed an advantage by winning the first match 4-2 before settling the tie and clinching the crown with a dominating 4.5-1.5 victory in the second.
Anish Giri shone brightest in the final for them, beating Wei Yi twice.
Earlier, PBG Alaskan Knights took the third place, beating Ganges Grandmasters in tie-breaks.
It was indeed a superb show by SG Pipers, whose campaign hadn’t got off to the brightest of starts, losing both its first matches.

Punjab’s Namitbir Singh Walia becomes International Master after 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament (End of October) ▼

Namitbir Singh Walia secured the fourth overall position at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament in France.
He is the second player from Punjab to earn the International Master title, after Dushyant Sharma.
Walia won the Senior State FIDE Rating Open Chess Championship earlier this year.

Keshav Poddar Sworn In as Jersey City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development

Key Updates:

Indian-origin attorney Keshav Poddar was sworn in as the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development of Jersey City.
He took the official oath of office on the Bhagwat Gita.
He was selected for the position by Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, after serving as the executive director of the transition team.
He previously served as an advisor on economic policy in the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration, including roles at the National Security Council (NSC) and on the staff of Vice President Kamala Harris.
He served as the economic policy manager for Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign.
He held the position of counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s Covid-19 response and criminal justice reform.
He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Government from Dartmouth College.

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Zohran Mamdani Projected as New York City's 111th Mayor (Start of November) ▼

Zohran Mamdani will be New York City's 111th mayor, CBS News projects.
Mamdani will make history as the city's first Muslim mayor.
Mamdani has served as state assemblyman since 2021, representing Astoria, Astoria Heights and Ditmars-Steinway in Queens.
Mamdani was born in Uganda and moved to New York City when he was 7.
His parents are political science professor Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair.
Mamdani is married to artist Rama Duawaji.

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

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

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta appointed as Chief Justice of Uttarakhand High Court (Start of January) ▼

Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, senior-most judge of the Allahabad High Court, was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.
He succeeds Justice Guhanathan Narendar, who retired on January 9, 2026.
He took oath as Chief Justice on January 10, 2026.

Nitish Kumar to be sworn-in as Bihar Chief Minister for 10th time (Mid of November) ▼

Nitish Kumar unanimously elected leader of JD(U) legislature party
Will take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for the 10th time at Gandhi Maidan
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan will administer the oath, becoming the eighth governor to swear in Kumar

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Conferred With Exemplary Governance Leadership Award

Key Updates:

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, the Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, was conferred with the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress.
The award ceremony was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi following a selection process involving over 1,400 global nominations.
He was one of only seven individuals shortlisted for the honor by the Congress’s Awards and Appreciation Committee.
Under his leadership, IIM Rohtak secured international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA).
He spearheaded the launch of the Integrated Programme in Management and the Integrated Programme in Law, the latter being the first such law programme among IIMs.
He was recognized in a 2023 Stanford University list as being among the world’s top 2% researchers.
IIM Rohtak shifted to its permanent campus in 2018, with the project completed below estimated costs during his tenure.

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BSE wins Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at Hong Kong Leadership Awards (Mid of January) ▼

BSE (BSE) received the Asia Best Employer Brand Award 2026 at the Hong Kong Leadership Awards for excellence in workplace culture and employee engagement.
Indian Bank redeemed ₹2,000 Crore Tier-2 bonds and paid ₹123.6 Crore in interest.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) appointed Takafumi Kadono as Country Director for Papua New Guinea and Aaron Batten as Country Director for Thailand.
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) formed an expert committee to develop a framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS).
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) invited emergency tenders for repair works at the ₹800MW North Chennai Power Project.
NLC India Limited (NLC) revised the record date for its FY26 interim dividend to January 20.
Axis Bank allotted 88,198 equity shares under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), increasing its paid-up capital.
THDC India Limited (THDC) secured a credit rating upgrade to “AA+”.
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) appointed Sunil Kumar Ranjan as Government Nominee Director.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi won the strategy case challenge organized by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ranchi and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

Smt. N. Bhuvaneswari conferred Distinguished Fellow of Institute of Directors as Heritage Foods bags Golden Peacock Award for Governance Excellence (Start of November) ▼

Smt. N. Bhuvaneswari, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, Heritage Foods Limited, received the Distinguished Fellow of the Institute of Directors for 2025.
Heritage Foods Limited was awarded the Golden Peacock for Excellence in Corporate Governance at the IOD India London Global Convention.
Heritage Foods was the sole FMCG company among the 11 national winners recognised at the 2025 award ceremony.

BW Legal World announced winners of 6th Edition of 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025 (End of December) ▼

BW Legal World announced the winners of the 6th Edition of 40 Under 40 Lawyers and Legal Influencers Awards 2025.
The awards ceremony was held in Delhi and recognised emerging legal professionals for exceptional contributions in corporate advisory, dispute resolution, regulatory practice, technology transactions and cross-border mandates.
Abhinav Mishra, Founder of Chambers of Abhinav Mishra, was among the award winners.
Aditya Ganju, Partner at AG Chambers, was among the award winners.
Akshay Sachthey, Partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co., was among the award winners.
Deepika Narayan Bharadwaj, Director of Ekam Nyaay Foundation, was among the award winners.
Shashank Agarwal, Founder of Legum Solis, was among the award winners.
Varun Singh, Founder & Managing Partner of Foresight Law Offices India, was among the award winners.

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

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

International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) provide USD 350 million to Piramal Finance.

[International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Piramal Finance]

Key Updates:

Piramal Finance secures USD 350 million in multilateral funding from IFC and ADB.
IFC commits USD 200 million and ADB commits USD 150 million.
Facilities have a five-year tenor and will be drawn in tranches through March 2026.
Capital will be deployed to expand affordable housing, MSME, and women-focused lending in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.
Piramal Finance targets an additional USD 150 million from development finance institutions, raising total pipeline to USD 500 million.
In FY25, the NBFC raised USD 815 million via external commercial borrowings, with ECBs forming 9 percent of total borrowings.

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Sagarmala Finance Corporation Ltd (SMFCL) sanctions Rs 4,300 cr loans to enter maritime financing. (Start of January) ▼

SMFCL board approves loans of Rs 4,300 crore for disbursement in the current fiscal.
SMFCL targets a loan book size of Rs 8,000 crore by FY 2025-26.
SMFCL is India’s first maritime sector-specific NBFC registered with RBI.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways designates SMFCL as nodal agency for Rs 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund.
Maritime Development Fund comprises Rs 20,000 crore Maritime Investment Fund and Rs 5,000 crore Interest Incentivization Fund.
SMFCL will channelise the Rs 5,000 crore Interest Incentivization Fund.
Notification of Rs 44,700 crore Shipbuilding Financing Assistance Scheme guidelines to open new investment avenues for SMFCL.
SMFCL will offer tailored short-term, medium-term, long-term loans and non-fund-based products to government and private maritime entities.

1729 Capital gets RBI nod to raise Suryoday stake (End of November) ▼

RBI granted approval to foreign portfolio investor 1729 Capital to hold a total stake of 7.14% in Suryoday Small Finance Bank.
As of September 30, the foreign portfolio investor held a 3.81% stake in the bank.
The RBI clarified that prior consent will be required for any further increase in aggregate shareholding or voting rights.
If the aggregate shareholding falls below 5%, the investor will again need prior RBI approval to raise the holding to 5% or more.

NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) targets 135 million households via digital and assisted channels. (End of November) ▼

NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) currently covers 70-80 million households.
NBBL plans to expand Bharat Connect and bill payment platforms to reach about 135 million households.
CareEdge projects MSME and retail segments to drive 12% credit growth in FY26.
NBFC borrowings projected to reach $750 billion by FY27 as markets shift towards capital markets.
Piramal Finance eyes Rs 1 lakh crore AUM by FY26 as its retail portfolio scales up.

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

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

Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award carries Rs 5 lakh cash prize

Key Updates:

The Tamil Nadu government will institute annual literary awards named 'Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award' for best works in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odiya, Bengali and Marathi.
Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and will be given every year.
Selection will be entrusted to independent experts through language-specific committees of reputed writers to ensure quality and transparency.

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Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan releases 55 literary works on January 6, 2026 (Start of January) ▼

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan officially released 55 volumes of literary works in classical Indian languages on January 6, 2026.
The literary works include volumes in Kannada, Odia, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil, along with a sign-language series of the Tirukkural by poet Thiruvalluvar.
A total of 41 books were developed by the Centres of Excellence for Classical Languages under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL).
The Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) brought out 13 books and the sign language series of the Tirukkural.
The released works include Malayalam translations of Sangam-period books such as Purananooru, Pathitrupathu, and Pathuppattu.
A Telugu translation of Silappathikaram, recognized as one of the five great epics, was included in the collection.
Odia literary works such as Charyapada and Madalapanji were released to introduce the rich vocabulary of the Odia language to non-Odia readers.
The collection includes research books such as the Sangam Literature Dictionary and Akananuru Akaramuthali (Verb and Noun words).
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advances the vision of education in Indian languages to preserve the nation's historical and cultural wealth.

LNF Literary Award 2025 announced for Velamala Simmanna (End of November) ▼

Velamala Simmanna has been chosen for this year’s Lok Nayak Foundation’s literary award.
The award carries ₹2 lakh in cash and will be presented on January 18, 2026.
LNF literary awards are presented to eminent persons who have contributed to the promotion of Telugu language and literature.
The awards are presented every year on January 18 to commemorate the death anniversaries of former Chief Minister N. T. Rama Rao and noted poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

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

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

Education Ministry To Conduct Fourth Kashi Tamil Sangamam From December 2 (End of November) ▼

The Ministry of Education will host the fourth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam (KTS) 4.0 starting December 2.
This event will be celebrating the profound civilisational links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
This initiative honours the cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people connections between the two regions, embodying the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat.
The theme for 2025 is “Learn Tamil – Tamil Karkalam", aiming to promote Tamil learning across India and foster appreciation for India’s classical linguistic and literary heritage.
In KTS 4.0, more than 1,400 delegates from Tamil Nadu will participate under seven categories.
Delegates will undertake an 8-day experiential tour, including visits to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya, with interactions, seminars, cultural performances, and exposure to local cuisine, handicrafts, and heritage.
They will visit significant Tamil heritage locations in Varanasi, such as the ancestral house of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharatiyar, Kedar Ghat, the Kasi Madam in the “Little Tamil Nadu" area, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Mata Annapurna Temple.
Additionally, they will visit the Tamil Department at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for academic and literary interactions.
The programme is organised by IIT Madras and BHU Varanasi, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
Major Initiatives under KTS 4.0 include Sage Agasthya vehicle expedition from Tenkasi to Kashi; teaching Tamil in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh schools; and Tamil learning study tours for students of Uttar Pradesh.
Interested candidates can apply at kashitamil.iitm.ac.in.
The registration window will close at 8 PM on November 21, 2025, and a selection quiz will be conducted on November 23, 2025 from 10 AM to 5 PM.

NITI Aayog proposes convergence of MSME schemes to unlock efficiency

Key Updates:

NITI Aayog released the report 'Achieving Efficiencies in MSME Sector through Convergence of Schemes' recommending convergence of 18 Ministry of MSME schemes.
The report recommends an AI-powered central portal integrating schemes, compliance, finance and market intelligence.
It proposes integrating the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) with the MSE–Cluster Development Programme under a unified governance structure.
A dedicated Marketing Assistance Wing with domestic and international components is suggested to streamline market access.
Skill development initiatives are to be rationalised into a three-tier structure covering entrepreneurship, technical skills and training for rural and women artisans.
The report stresses safeguarding targeted initiatives such as the National SC/ST Hub and programmes for the North Eastern Region, while retaining flagship schemes like PMEGP and PM Vishwakarma.

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Niryat Protsahan Sub-Scheme: Interest Subvention & Collateral Support to Boost MSME Exports (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Commerce announced two interventions under the Niryat Protsahan sub-scheme of the Export Promotion Mission.
A base interest subvention of 2.75 per cent on pre- and post-shipment rupee export credit has been provided.
Guarantee coverage of up to 85 per cent for micro and small exporters and up to 65 per cent for medium exporters, with a maximum outstanding guaranteed exposure of Rs 10 crore per exporter in a financial year, is being introduced in partnership with CGTMSE.
An exporter-wise annual cap of Rs 50 lakh for each firm has been prescribed for FY 2025-26 under the interest subvention intervention.

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with ₹41,863 Crore Investment Approval (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has approved 22 new proposals, including from Dixon Technologies, Samsung Display Noida, Foxconn, and Hindalco Industries, under the third tranche of the ambitious Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
The newly approved projects under the ECMS involve a projected investment of ₹41,863-crore and a production value of ₹2,58,152-crore.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had notified the ECMS on April 8, 2025, with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore.
These new approved projects are expected to generate 33,791 jobs directly.
The projects span eight states -- Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan -- aligned with the Centre's vision on ensuring 'geographically-balanced' industrial growth.
The ECMS will run for six years, with one year as a gestation period, and offers investment, turnover-linked, and capital expenditure (capex)-linked incentives across sub-assemblies, supply chain ecosystem, and telecom sub-assembly.
The scheme aims to develop a robust component manufacturing ecosystem to increase domestic value addition (DVA) and increase India’s share of exports in global electronic trade.

InDApp to streamline ease of doing business for MSMEs (Start of December) ▼

NIRDC, an autonomous not-for-profit institution under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), launched InDApp.
InDApp is designed as a single-window system to accelerate access to government approvals, real-time market information and business opportunities across the country.
InDApp integrates physical outreach with digital services for entrepreneurs across sectors and geographies to access information on industrial opportunities, export schemes, financial subsidies and technology upgrades.
InDApp has been developed in coordination with seven Union Ministries — Food Processing Industries; Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Commerce and Industry; Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Corporate Affairs; and New and Renewable Energy.
Target beneficiaries are micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

GSH India and IIIT Manipur sign MoA for joint research and skill development in sustainable facility management (Mid of November) ▼

GSH India Private Ltd (Indian arm of US-based GSH Group UK) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with IIIT Manipur to collaborate on facility management, IoT, sustainability and smart building systems.
The partnership will focus on joint research, internships, training and skill development programs to bridge the industry-academy gap and promote innovation in sustainable technology-driven facility management.
GSH India also signed an extended MoA with Anna University to strengthen collaboration in energy management, sustainability and technical skill development through expert lectures, internships, joint research and training programs.
The MoA was signed at the fifth GSH Sustainable Energy Forum in Chennai, a biennial event fostering dialogue and innovation for a cleaner, greener future.
Discussions at the forum covered renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, carbon accounting and market mechanisms of energy purchase.

Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP) registrations open for 8th batch; MoU signed with IIIPI–ICAI to strengthen insolvency talent pipeline

Key Updates:

Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) announced opening of registrations for the 8th Batch of Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP).
IICA signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI (IIIPI–ICAI) to foster collaboration in insolvency education, training and research.
The MoU aims to enhance academic exchange, curriculum development, training programmes and knowledge sharing in insolvency and bankruptcy.
IIIPI–ICAI will offer specialised modules including preparation for the Limited Insolvency Examination and PREP-like assessments to PGIP students.

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Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) revamps liquidation filings for efficiency. (Start of January) ▼

IBBI introduced revised electronic forms for liquidation to lessen compliance burdens and enhance regulatory filing quality.
The updated forms follow amendments to the IBBI Liquidation Process Regulations, 2016.
Insolvency practitioners must file these forms electronically within specified times.
The forms will be phased in from January 2026 with full implementation by February 2026.

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

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

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

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

Bank of Baroda and SIDBI Sign MoU to Boost Credit Access for MSMEs and Startups (Mid of November) ▼

Bank of Baroda and SIDBI Sign MoU to Boost Credit Access for MSMEs and Startups Across India.
Partnership aims to enhance joint financing, streamline digital working capital, and expand global opportunities for small businesses and startups under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The MoU was formalised in the presence of Mr. M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services DFS, who attended as the Chief Guest.
Both institutions will combine SIDBI’s deep expertise in MSME development with Bank of Baroda’s strong national footprint to enhance credit delivery and expand financial inclusion among small businesses.
Bank of Baroda’s digital Working Capital Platform will be operationalised for SIDBI-approved borrowers, ensuring seamless, technology-driven working capital access.
The partnership will reinforce startup support through SIDBI’s Venture Debt Programme and BOB’s specialised Startup Banking solutions, including advisory services and customised financial products.
Bank of Baroda’s extensive international network will be leveraged to assist MSMEs and startups in exploring export opportunities, gaining market insights, and availing global banking solutions.
The Small Industries Development Bank of India SIDBI is the principal financial institution for the promotion, financing, and development of MSMEs and startups in India.

Composite Salary Account for Central Govt Staff Unveiled; Integrates Banking, Card & Insurance Benefits

Key Updates:

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, has launched a composite salary account package for central government employees.
The scheme integrates banking facilities, insurance coverage, and card services under a single account.
Banking features include zero-balance salary accounts, free fund transfers via RTGS, NEFT, and UPI, concessional loan rates, and waivers on locker rentals.
Insurance coverage comprises personal accident insurance up to ₹1.50 crore, air accident insurance up to ₹2 crore, and term life insurance up to ₹20 lakh with top-up options.
Card-related benefits include airport lounge access, rewards and cashback programmes, unlimited transactions, and no maintenance charges.

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Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) constitutes high-level committee to enable assured payouts under National Pension System. (Mid of January) ▼

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has constituted a high-level committee to formulate guidelines and regulations for establishing a framework for assured payouts under the National Pension System (NPS).
The committee will be chaired by Dr. M. S. Sahoo, Founder of Dr. Sahoo Regulatory Chambers and former Chairperson of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI).
The 15-member panel comprises experts from law, actuarial science, finance, insurance, capital markets, and academia.
The committee has been established as a standing advisory committee on structured pension payouts.
Its core objectives include formulating regulations for assured payout products, designing an end-to-end framework for transition from accumulation to payout phase, and enabling legally enforceable, market-based guarantees for assured payouts.
The committee will define operational parameters such as lock-in periods, withdrawal limits, pricing methodologies, and fee and cost structures for service providers.
It will establish capital and solvency requirements for providers and examine tax implications for payout options within the NPS architecture.
The committee will develop standardized disclosure norms to prevent mis-selling and align subscriber expectations with market-based guarantees.

EPFO Single-Window Service Centres Revamp (End of December) ▼

Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced that EPFO offices will be revamped into modern, technology-enabled, single-window service centres.
All upcoming and several existing EPFO offices will be redesigned on the lines of passport seva kendras, allowing citizens to resolve any EPF-related issue at any regional office nationwide.
EPFO will undertake mission-mode KYC verification and launch a dedicated digital platform for simplified claim filing and faster settlements.
Claims up to ₹5 lakh are now settled automatically and withdrawals of up to 75 percent of EPF balances have been eased.
EPFO will introduce EPF Suvidha Providers—authorised facilitators to assist members in accessing benefits and resolving grievances.

EPFO's Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025: Objectives and Provisions (Start of November) ▼

**Scheme Name:** "Employee Enrollment Scheme 2025"
**Rolled out by:** "Labour and employment minister Mansukh Mandaviya"
**Aim:** "aimed at encouraging employers to voluntarily declare and enrol eligible employees under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation"
**Operational Date:** "Operational from November 1, 2025"
**Key Provision (Employer Contribution):** "employers will not be required to remit the employee’s share of contribution if not deducted earlier"
**Key Provision (Penal Damages):** "only nominal penal damages of Rs 100 will apply"
**Broader Goals:** "The scheme seeks to enhance workforce formalisation and promote ease of doing business"

EPFO ties up with City Union Bank for EPF remittance facility (Start of November) ▼

City Union Bank (CUB) has tied up with the Employees’ Provident Fund Office (EPFO) for remittance of EPF payments.
The EPF payment facility was officially launched by R. Vijay Anandh, executive director, CUB, and Maneesh Agnihotri, Regional PF Commissioner, Tamil Nadu, in Chennai.
Many MSMEs and SMEs within CUB's network would be the primary focus for clients targeted by the bank.
This EPF remittance facility will enable the employers with CUB accounts to make the EPF remittance seamlessly through net banking.

Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard hold 22nd high-level meeting in New Delhi

[Japan]

Key Updates:

This was 22nd such high-level meeting between the two forces.
Deliberations focused on enhancing collaboration in Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), Marine Pollution Response (MPR), Maritime Law Enforcement (MLE) and capacity building.
Discussions also covered cooperation in emerging areas, including the use of technology, information sharing, training initiatives, and personnel exchanges.
A Japan Coast Guard National Strike Team (NST) is also visiting Mumbai and will conduct a joint exercise with the ICG pollution response team, focusing on Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) spill response.

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Indian Navy First Training Squadron embarks on long-range training deployment to Southeast Asia (Start of January) ▼

Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron embarks on a long-range deployment to Southeast Asia, combining officer training with port calls, joint exercises and maritime diplomacy under India’s Act East Policy.
Three naval ships and an ICG vessel of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron will be part of the long range training deployment to South East Asia.
The ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy — INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship Sarathi — will be proceeding on an LRTD to South East Asia as part of a training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
The squadron is scheduled to undertake port calls at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
The 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course includes six international officer trainees.
Personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have also embarked for the deployment.

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.
The exercise involved 16 civil agencies including Maharashtra Police’s elite Force One commandos and over 350 civilian personnel.
It focused on enhancing interoperability, rapid response, and coordinated action in emergency and security scenarios.

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.

Indian Coast Guard conducts RPREX-2025 off Mumbai coast to strengthen maritime pollution response (End of December) ▼

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) executed the regional level pollution response exercise (RPREX-2025) off the coast of Mumbai.
RPREX-2025 validated the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
The exercise involved ONGC, Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA), forest department’s mangrove cell, coastal police, fisheries department, JSW Port, Angre Port, and various oil handling agencies.

India to host second Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January

Key Updates:

The second Global Buddhist Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January.
Organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit as chief guest.
The theme for this year’s gathering is ‘Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence’.
More than 200 delegates are expected, including heads of national Buddhist Sanghas, supreme patriarchs, and senior figures from various countries.
A major highlight will be a live demonstration of NORBU, described as a ‘Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding’.

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World Meditation Day observed globally on 21 December (End of December) ▼

World Meditation Day is observed globally on 21 December.
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed 21 December as World Meditation Day last year.
The observance aims to raise awareness about the benefits of meditation for physical and mental health.

Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 to be held in New Delhi to Showcase Global Energy Leadership (Mid of January) ▼

The Ministry of Power (MoP) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) announced that the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 will be held from March 19 to 22, 2026, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
The four-day Summit will be held under the theme 'Electrifying Growth. Empowering Sustainability. Connecting Globally' to showcase India's leadership in the global energy transition.
The event is expected to host more than 500 exhibitors, welcome over 25,000 attendees, and attract more than 1,000 delegates and 300 speakers from India and abroad.
A key feature of the Summit will be a 'Buyer Seller Meet' aimed at accelerating partnerships and unlocking new business opportunities across the global power supply chain.
The Summit will serve as a platform for global policymakers, CEOs, government leaders, electricity experts, investors, regulators, innovators, suppliers, and solution providers to engage and network.

Indian ambassador to Bhutan explores Odisha’s ancient Buddhist heritage (Start of January) ▼

India’s ambassador to Bhutan, Sandeep Arya, visited the historic Buddhist sites of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri, known as the ‘Diamond Triangle’ in Jajpur district.
At the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) museum in Ratnagiri, Arya explored a vast collection of 3,535 Buddhist antiquities, with 244 items on display across four galleries.
During his visit to the museum at Lalitgiri, the ambassador paid respect to the relic of Lord Buddha kept in a casket in the museum.

All About Kalachakra Ceremony: Buddhist Ritual PM Modi Attended In Bhutan (Mid of November) ▼

PM Narendra Modi attended the Kalachakra ceremony in Bhutan on the second day of his visit.
He inaugurated the sacred Kalachakra 'Wheel of Time' Empowerment alongside Bhutan's King and the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.
The ceremony was presided over by His Holiness the Je Khenpo.
The Kalachakra Ceremony is one of the most sacred rituals in Tibetan Buddhism, rooted in the Kalachakra Tantra.
It represents the cycles of time and existence, both cosmic and personal, and the path to liberation.
The ceremony includes the construction of an intricate sand mandala, sacred dances, prayers, and empowerment rites.
PM Modi and Bhutan's King jointly inaugurated the 1,020 MW Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project.
PM Modi and the Bhutanese King offered prayers before the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha at Thimphu's Tashichhodzong.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India on January 19, 2026, to boost strategic ties

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on Monday, January 19, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated the visit will allow both leaders to “chart new frontiers” for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s third official visit since assuming office as United Arab Emirates (UAE) president and his fifth in the past decade.
Bilateral trade between the two nations touched an all-time high of $100.06 billion in FY 2024–25.
The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the second-largest export destination, with exports crossing $36.63 billion in FY 2024-25.
Relations are bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (SCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Defence cooperation between the nations now spans joint exercises and maritime dialogues, following a recent visit by India’s army chief to the UAE.
India is set to take over the BRICS presidency in 2026, a grouping the UAE joined in its recent expansion phase.
Indians constitute the largest expatriate group in the UAE, numbering about 4.3 million people, or roughly 35% of the population.
The visit coincides with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, scheduled for January 19-23.

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India Expands Visa-on-Arrival Program for UAE Nationals: Key Features and Eligibility (End of November) ▼

India has expanded its Visa-on-Arrival program for UAE nationals to three new airports – Kochi, Calicut, and Ahmedabad, joining six existing hubs.
With this update, UAE citizens can now obtain a Visa-on-Arrival at nine major Indian airports: New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Calicut, Ahmedabad.
The VoA facility is available exclusively to UAE nationals who have previously obtained an Indian e-Visa or a regular paper visa.
Purpose of visit: Allowed for tourism, business, conferences, or medical treatment only.
Duration of stay: Maximum of 60 days.
Entry limit: Allows double entry within the 60-day period.
Visa fee: 2,000 INR (DH83) or equivalent in foreign currency per passenger, including children.
The move aims to simplify travel and strengthen bilateral ties.

India and Oman sign Joint Vision Document and four MoUs during PM Modi visit (Mid of December) ▼

A Joint Vision Document and Executive Programme were signed, outlining strategic cooperation, including innovation in agriculture and food industries.
Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were inked, covering cooperation in maritime heritage and museums, scientific research and innovation, skills development, agriculture, and trade cooperation between Oman’s Chamber of Commerce and India’s Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
Both countries are on track to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a trade pact expected to boost bilateral commerce, investment and strategic economic alignment across sectors such as energy, logistics, and manufacturing.

India and Jordan conclude landmark bilateral visit on December 16, 2025 (Mid of December) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a landmark two-day visit to Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The current full bilateral visit is taking place after an interval of 37 years, following a previous transit visit in February 2018.
India and Jordan maintain strong economic and strategic ties, with bilateral trade nearing USD 2.9 billion.
Jordan is a key supplier of phosphates and potash to India, with cooperation also spanning fertilisers, pharmaceuticals, IT, healthcare, defence and renewable energy.
The relationship spans political, economic and defence cooperation, as well as strong people-to-people ties, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The visit to Jordan was the first leg of a four-day, three-nation tour that includes subsequent travel to Ethiopia and Oman.

India Pavilion Inaugurated at Dubai Air Show 2025 to Promote Defence Technology Cooperation (Mid of November) ▼

Event: Dubai Air Show 2025 – India Pavilion inaugurated by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth
Participants: Indian delegation includes senior defence officers, MEA & Armed Forces reps; global aerospace firms and 100+ air forces
Focus: Promoting defence technology and manufacturing cooperation; HAL, DRDO and Indian startups showcase advanced technology

India invited to join Donald Trump-led Board of Peace for global conflict resolution

[United States]

Key Updates:

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

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State Bank of India (SBI) facilitates rupee trade settlement with Israel (Start of January) ▼

State Bank of India (SBI) is the only Indian bank with a presence in Israel.
SBI Tel Aviv has all requisite approvals to facilitate settlement of exports and imports in Indian rupees.
Israel has been identified as a partner country under the RBI mechanism for rupee trade settlement.
SBI Tel Aviv is working to streamline rupee remittances for over 40,000 Indian workers in Israel.
SBI opened its Israel branch in 2007 and operates from the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan.

India participates in Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security in Eilat, Israel (Mid of January) ▼

Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh arrived in Eilat, Israel, on Monday to partake in a global summit dedicated to blue food security.
The 'Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security: Sea the Future' is set against the backdrop of the southern coastal city from January 13 to 15.
The event focuses on enhancing food production in harsh climates through innovative technologies and highlights the surge in strategic ties between India and Israel.

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

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

Hostage Remains Transferred in Gaza Ceasefire (Start of November) ▼

Palestinian militants handed over remains of two hostages to the Red Cross in Gaza.
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed it had facilitated the transfer of the remains as a 'neutral intermediary.'
The transfer is part of 'the fragile ceasefire agreement' between Israel and the Hamas militant group, which 'began Oct. 10.'
Hamas militants have previously returned the remains of 15 hostages since the start of the ceasefire.

ASEAN and India reaffirm shared commitment to strengthen regional digital cooperation

[Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)]

Key Updates:

The 6th ASEAN-India Digital Ministers Meeting was held virtually under the theme Adaptive ASEAN: From Connectivity to Connected Intelligence.
The meeting was co-chaired by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal and Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung.
The ASEAN-India Digital Work Plan 2026 was approved, covering ICT training, the India-ASEAN Regulators’ Conference and telecom ICT solutions deployment.
A special ASEAN-India Fund for the Digital Future was operationalised.
India highlighted its Digital Public Infrastructure such as Aadhaar, UPI and DigiLocker, and the Sanchar Saathi initiative for telecom user protection and fraud prevention.
India underlined cooperation in Artificial Intelligence through the IndiaAI Mission, emphasising safe and trusted AI.

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India to Host 16th ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi (Mid of January) ▼

India will host the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism (CT) in New Delhi from January 14 to 16, 2026.
The 16th EWG on Counter-Terrorism will be co-chaired by India and Malaysia.
Participation will include 11 ASEAN member states, 7 ADMM-Plus dialogue partners (Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, United States and Russia), and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.
Malaysia will host the Table Top Exercise (TTX) in 2026 and India will conduct the Field Training Exercise (FTX) in 2027.

India and Germany sign Joint Declaration of Intent on Telecommunications Cooperation (Mid of January) ▼

India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation during German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s official visit to India.
The JDI was signed by Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal and German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann.
The declaration was concluded between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation.
Both sides agreed to promote collaboration in emerging and future technologies, policy and regulatory frameworks, manufacturing, and ease of doing business in telecom and ICT sectors.
The pact establishes a framework for regular consultations, high-level annual meetings, and multi-stakeholder engagement involving government, industry, academia, and research institutions.
India and Germany will jointly develop a work plan outlining specific goals and areas of mutual interest aligned with national priorities.
Both countries will work together in international fora to promote common understanding on telecommunications and digital development.

India Hosts 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter Terrorism (Mid of January) ▼

India co-chaired the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia.
The meeting was addressed by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence.
India highlighted its Act East Policy and ASEAN's centrality in its Indo-Pacific vision.
India and Malaysia launched the current cycle of the 14th EWG meeting last year in Delhi.
A tabletop exercise will be hosted by Malaysia in 2026 and a field training exercise by India in 2027.

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

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

India and Israel sign Joint Ministerial Declaration to deepen fisheries and aquaculture cooperation

[Israel]

Key Updates:

India and Israel signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent on 14 January 2026 to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture.
The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
The Declaration was signed during the Second Global Summit on 'Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026' held in Eilat, Israel.
Key cooperation areas include Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Biofloc systems, Cage culture, Aquaponics, and Aquarium systems.
Both countries will explore the establishment of new Indo-Israel Centres of Excellence for Fisheries and Aquaculture.

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State Bank of India (SBI) facilitates rupee trade settlement with Israel (Start of January) ▼

State Bank of India (SBI) is the only Indian bank with a presence in Israel.
SBI Tel Aviv has all requisite approvals to facilitate settlement of exports and imports in Indian rupees.
Israel has been identified as a partner country under the RBI mechanism for rupee trade settlement.
SBI Tel Aviv is working to streamline rupee remittances for over 40,000 Indian workers in Israel.
SBI opened its Israel branch in 2007 and operates from the Diamond Exchange in Ramat Gan.

India participates in Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security in Eilat, Israel (Mid of January) ▼

Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh arrived in Eilat, Israel, on Monday to partake in a global summit dedicated to blue food security.
The 'Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security: Sea the Future' is set against the backdrop of the southern coastal city from January 13 to 15.
The event focuses on enhancing food production in harsh climates through innovative technologies and highlights the surge in strategic ties between India and Israel.

Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in India’s EEZ: Key Features (Mid of November) ▼

Name: Rules for Sustainable Harnessing of Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) notified by Government of India
Announced in: Union Budget 2025-26
Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Objective: "create an enabling framework for sustainable fisheries from India's EEZ and high seas, with a special focus on the Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands"
Key provision: "prioritise Fishermen Cooperative Societies and Fish Farmer Producer Organisations (FFPOs) for deep-sea fishing operations and management of technologically advanced vessels"
Export boost: "promoting value addition, traceability, and certification"
Innovation: "introduction of the mother-and-child vessel concept, which will allow mid-sea transshipment under strict monitoring in line with Reserve Bank of India regulations"
Support measures: "training, international exposure visits, and capacity-building initiatives across the value chain -- including processing, branding, and marketing"
Credit access: "through flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)"
Prohibited practices: "LED light fishing, pair trawling, and bull trawling"
Conservation tools: "Minimum legal fish sizes and Fisheries Management Plans"
Alternate livelihoods: "Mariculture activities like sea-cage farming and seaweed cultivation"
Digital system: "fully digital Access Pass system ... through the ReALCRaft portal for mechanised vessels"
Traceability: "Integration with MPEDA and EIC will facilitate traceability and eco-labelling for global seafood exports"
Safety & security: "mandate transponders and QR-coded ID cards to enhance sea safety and coastal security"

India and Vietnam Sign Agreements to Expand Defence Cooperation (Mid of November) ▼

India and Vietnam inked a pact to set up a framework for submarine search, rescue and support mechanism in case of any eventualities.
The two sides also signed a letter of intent LoI to strengthen bilateral defence industry collaboration.
The documents were signed after the two sides held the 15th edition of India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue DPD in Hanoi.
A Memorandum of Agreement MoA was signed for 'mutual submarine search, rescue support and cooperation'.
The letter of intent on strengthening defence industry cooperation aims to promote transfer of technology, prioritise core-technology domains and to undertake joint cooperation in research.

India launches first open-sea marine fish farming project in Andaman Sea

[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]

Key Updates:

The pilot project focuses on the open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed under natural ocean conditions, combining scientific innovation with livelihood generation.
The project is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, its technical arm the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Union Territory Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Under the marine flora component, seaweed seeds were handed over to local fishing communities to encourage deep-water seaweed cultivation in the open sea.
Under the marine fauna component, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based farming, using NIOT-developed open-sea cages specifically designed to operate in natural oceanic environments.

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Government of India (GoI) doubles fish production and creates 74.66 lakh jobs in a decade. (Mid of January) ▼

India’s fish production surged 106 percent to 197.75 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25 from 95.79 lakh tonnes in FY 2013–14.
Average aquaculture productivity improved to 4.77 tonnes per hectare.
India is now the world’s second-largest fish producer and leads in shrimp production and exports.
Seafood exports reached 16.98 lakh tonnes worth Rs 62,408 crore in 2023–24.
Government approved projects worth Rs 32,723 crore under PMMSY, PMMKSSY, FIDF and Blue Revolution since 2014–15, with total investments of Rs 38,572 crore.
74.66 lakh direct and indirect jobs created under various fisheries schemes since 2014–15.
34.71 lakh fishers covered under group accident insurance.
4.49 lakh Kisan Credit Cards worth Rs 3,569.60 crore issued to fishers.
4.33 lakh fisher families receive nutritional support during lean fishing periods.

India participates in Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security in Eilat, Israel (Mid of January) ▼

Fisheries Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh arrived in Eilat, Israel, on Monday to partake in a global summit dedicated to blue food security.
The 'Second Global Summit on Blue Food Security: Sea the Future' is set against the backdrop of the southern coastal city from January 13 to 15.
The event focuses on enhancing food production in harsh climates through innovative technologies and highlights the surge in strategic ties between India and Israel.

PMMSY, PMMKSSY, FIDF and Blue Revolution Schemes Generate 74.66 Lakh Jobs with Rs 38,572 Crore Investment (Mid of January) ▼

Government of India approved projects worth Rs 32,723 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) and Blue Revolution schemes since 2014–15, with total investments announced at Rs 38,572 crore.
74.66 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities have been created under these fisheries schemes since 2014–15.
34.71 lakh fishers are covered under group accident insurance and 4.49 lakh Kisan Credit Cards worth Rs 3,569.60 crore have been issued to fishers.

Lakshadweep hosts first-ever investors' meet to unlock fisheries, aquaculture potential (Mid of December) ▼

The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD), Government of India joined hands with the Lakshadweep administration to organise the event.
Investors called for value-added facilities for sashimi-grade tuna, fish oil refining capacities, the requirement of skilled labour, and ornamental fish brood banks for the strategic utilisation of Lakshadweep's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEC).
Union ministers Rajiv Ranjan Singh, SP Singh Baghel and George Kurian, along with Praful Patel, the Administrator of Lakshadweep, attended the event.

NCBS develops Disobind AI to predict binding of intrinsically disordered proteins

Key Updates:

Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have developed an open-source deep-learning model named Disobind that predicts how intrinsically disordered proteins or regions bind to specific partners.
Disobind uses protein language models trained on millions of known protein sequences and considers both proteins in an interaction, achieving higher accuracy than leading predictors including AlphaFold-based multimer models.
The tool applies to immune signalling pathways and proteins involved in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, aiding disease research, drug design and understanding of complex biological systems.

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Adani Group partners Vidya Pratishthan to launch Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence in Baramati (End of December) ▼

The Sharadchandra Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence has been established under Vidya Pratishthan, Baramati, Maharashtra with funding from Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani.
An MoU has been formally signed between Adani Group and Vidya Pratishthan to enhance AI collaboration.
This partnership is a commitment to build applied technological capability, where AI research, engineering, and execution move together in an integrated fashion.

Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) starts state’s first government AI clinic in Noida (Start of January) ▼

Govt Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kasna has launched a clinic that will use artificial intelligence and genetic screening to detect and treat serious diseases such as cancer and heart, kidney and liver ailments at an early stage.
Officials said it is UP's first AI-powered govt clinic within a govt hospital.
The clinic will use artificial intelligence along with genetic screening to analyse diagnostic inputs, including blood tests, imaging scans and other clinical data.
AI tools will also be used to analyse X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI reports and laboratory investigations, particularly for critically ill patients.
According to doctors at GIMS, the use of robotics combined with AI can improve surgical precision across multiple specialities, including abdominal, orthopaedic, neurological and cardiac procedures.
The AI clinic was inaugurated online by the additional director general of health services (ADGHS), govt of India.

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.

Indian Scientists Develop AI Framework For Personalised Cancer Therapy (End of November) ▼

Scientists at the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (S N Bose) introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) framework that could change how we understand and treat cancer, and also pave the way for personalised therapies.
The framework, developed in collaboration with Ashoka University, gives a new lens to look at cancer -- not by its size or spread alone, but by its molecular personality.
The new AI framework titled OncoMark can read the molecular “mind” of cancer and predict its behaviour.
The team at S N Bose, led by Dr. Shubhasis Haldar and Dr. Debayan Gupta, used OncoMark to analyse 3.1 million single cells across 14 cancer types.
S N Bose is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
OncoMark achieved over 99 per cent accuracy in internal testing and remained above 96 per cent across five independent cohorts.
It was validated on 20,000 real-world patient samples from eight major datasets, showing broad applicability.
The new framework, published in the Nature journal Communications Biology, reveals which hallmarks are active in a patient's tumour.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Observes Massive Phytoplankton Bloom Near Chatham Islands

[United States]

Key Updates:

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-20 satellite captured images of a phytoplankton bloom encircling the Chatham Islands on January 10, 2026.
The Chatham Islands are situated on the Chatham Rise, an underwater plateau that extends eastward from the South Island of New Zealand and separates areas of deeper water.
Phytoplankton blooms are common in this region where cold, nutrient-rich currents from the Antarctic and warm, nutrient-poor water from the subtropics converge.
The well-mixed water and long daylight hours in the austral summer boost phytoplankton populations, which serve as the base of the local food web.
The waters around the islands support productive fisheries for species such as pāua, rock lobster, and blue cod, as well as five seal species and 25 whale and dolphin species.
Despite the biological abundance, the Chatham Islands are a known hotspot for whale and dolphin strandings, where hundreds of animals are sometimes beached.

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Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington-led team finds largest black coral off Fiordland, New Zealand (Mid of January) ▼

Marine scientists have discovered the largest black coral ever found in the sea off New Zealand.
The coral measures more than 13 feet high and about 15 feet wide and is estimated to be around 300 to 400 years old.
Large and old corals are important breeding sources for this slow-growing species.
Black corals are protected under the Wildlife Act, making it illegal to deliberately collect or damage them.
These corals are mostly found in deep waters and are used for medicine and jewelry in many cultures.

American Scientist Toby Kiers Wins Tyler Prize for Revealing Hidden Fungal Networks (Mid of January) ▼

American evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers has been awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for her work on mycorrhizal networks.
Mycorrhizal fungi draw down 13.12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, around a third of total emissions from fossil fuels.
Kiers and her team launched a worldwide Underground Atlas last year to chart the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungi.
In 2011, she published a landmark paper in Science showing that mycorrhizal fungi behave like traders in a 'biological marketplace,' moving phosphorus from abundance to scarcity to secure more carbon.
Kiers co-founded the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) to map fungal biodiversity and advocate for its protection.
SPUN is launching an 'Underground Advocates' programme to train scientists in legal tools to protect fungal biodiversity.

Heat Stress and Rare Disease Wipe Out Goniopora Coral Colonies on Great Barrier Reef (Mid of December) ▼

Three-quarters of Goniopora corals at One Tree Reef have died after bleaching and black band disease.
The losses occurred during the fourth global mass bleaching event, affecting 84% of reefs worldwide.
Extreme heat weakened corals, enabling rapid, unprecedented spread of the disease.
Goniopora are usually thermally tolerant, making the event a major warning for global reef resilience.
Severe bleaching triggered by extreme ocean temperatures was followed by an unprecedented outbreak of black band disease (BBD).
Black band disease (BBD) is a rare but aggressive bacterial infection that kills coral tissue as it spreads across a colony.
Black band disease, common in the Caribbean but historically rare in the southern Great Barrier Reef, appeared in a few colonies in February 2024.
By April, 61 per cent of bleached colonies were infected, and the disease spread in an epizootic-like manner.
The disease occurred only on corals that had bleached.
During the bleaching event, water temperatures exceeded 28°C for 74 consecutive days.
Temperatures peaked at 34-35°C during the year.
One Tree Reef’s (OTR) offshore location means it is largely sheltered from coastal stressors like pollution and nutrient loading, which are often associated with BBD.
The current trajectory of climate change is progressing too quickly for corals to adjust.
Recurrent anomalous heatwaves and mass bleaching are the greatest threat to coral reef survival.
The loss of these large, structure-forming corals would have long-term repercussions on reef biodiversity, coastal protection and food security.

7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit | January 29-30 (Start of December) ▼

The 7th India International Seaweed Expo and Summit 2026 will be hosted by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
Jointly organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), CMFRI, and the CSIR–Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI).
Expects participation from countries including Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.
Key feature will be the 'Seaweed 2030' panel presenting a national roadmap.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers rare subterranean amphibian species Gegeneophis valmiki

Key Updates:

Indian scientists have discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra and named it Gegeneophis valmiki.
The discovery, made by a multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), has been published in the international journal Phyllomedusa.
The species was first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, senior scientist at ZSI, during surveys on the Valmiki Plateau in Maharashtra's Satara district.
Members of the genus Gegeneophis, commonly called blind caecilians, live almost their entire lives underground with eyes hidden beneath bone.
According to ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee, 41 per cent of amphibians are threatened with extinction globally.

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Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers Neelus sikkimensis, first Neelus genus Collembola in India (End of December) ▼

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have identified a new species of Collembola named Neelus sikkimensis in Sikkim's high-altitude regions.
Neelus sikkimensis is the first of its genus to be recorded in India, expanding the global genus count to eight.
The ZSI's Apterygota Section, led by Gurupada Mandal and Kusumendra Kumar Suman, conducted the research and published findings in the Journal of the Entomological Research Society.
The species possesses unique biological traits suited for life in deep soil and moss, and Collembola play a crucial role in maintaining terrestrial ecosystem health.

Rare Clouded Leopard Sighted in Kakoi Reserve Forest (RF) Highlights Conservation of Smaller Habitats (End of December) ▼

The Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is a vulnerable and Schedule I–protected species.
The species was sighted at the Kakoi Reserve Forest (RF) located in the eastern Himalayan foothills of Assam.
The sighting was recorded during a routine camera-trap exercise.
The presence of the species highlights the vital role smaller reserve forests play in the conservation of threatened carnivores.
A Siberian tigress was spotted with five cubs in China.
Forest officials in Panchkula have deployed drones for rescue teams following an alert over a leopard sighting.
A rare red fox appeared near Pangong Tso, leading an IFS officer to flag conservation concerns.
The Nature Conservancy is restoring habitat for a rare moth and other prairie species.

Six New Butterfly Species Discovered in Arunachal's Siang Valley, Brahmaputra's Biogeographic Role Noted (Start of November) ▼

Six new butterfly species were found in Arunachal's Siang Valley.
This is for the first time, the species have been documented in India.
The new species include Litin Onyx Horaga takanamii, Narrow-banded Royal Dacalana vui, Tibetan Duke Euthalia zhaxidunzhui, Tibetan Sergeant Athyma yui, Tibetan Junglequeen Stichophthalma neumogeni renqingduojiei, and Mountain Columbine Stiboges elodinia.
These species were earlier documented in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and southeastern Tibet.
A team of conservationists believe that the river Brahmaputra played a critical biogeographic role in facilitating their faunal continuity.
The documentation was carried out by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment ATREE and the Litin Community Conservation Society.
A paper on these findings was published in the latest issue of Entomon journal.

Citizen science unveils new shieldtail snake Rhinophis siruvaniensis in Western Ghats plantations (Mid of December) ▼

Rhinophis siruvaniensis, a new burrowing shieldtail snake, was discovered in a coffee plantation at Jellipara village, Palakkad district, Kerala.
The species was formally described in the journal Evolutionary Systematics by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Wayanad Wild and the Kalinga Foundation.
Shieldtails belong to the Uropeltidae family; India and Sri Lanka together host 73 known species, with the genus Rhinophis containing 26 species.
Genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA shows R. siruvaniensis is a 2–4% sequence divergent sister taxon to R. melanoleucus from Wayanad.
The study relied on three specimens collected outside protected areas, highlighting that unknown biodiversity can persist in plantation landscapes.
Researchers preserved specimens in ethanol, examined scale counts and colour patterns under a stereo microscope and amplified mitochondrial DNA via PCR for species delimitation.
Herpetologists caution that exclusive use of mitochondrial DNA can mislead taxonomy; nuclear DNA or low-coverage genome sequencing is needed for firmer species status confirmation.
Burrowing snakes possess highly specialised skulls and narrow diets, making them vulnerable to climate change and soil perturbations.
The Shieldtail Mapping Project (SMP), a citizen-science platform founded in 2021, has already geo-referenced over 1,200 shieldtail records, six-fold the data gathered by a single researcher in a decade.
Future work will micro-CT scan shieldtail skulls to test whether environmental conditions drive morphological change, continuing collaboration between Indian and London Natural History Museum researchers.

CSIR-CIMFR completes India’s first safety assessment of hydrogen compressor-dispenser

Key Updates:

CSIR-CIMFR conducted the country’s first-ever comprehensive safety assessment of a hydrogen compressor-dispenser.
The assessment covered the entire integrated system for safe operation in Gas Group IIC explosive environment.
The hydrogen compressor-dispenser system uses flameproof and intrinsically safe electrical, instrumentation and mechanical components.
The safety evaluation was performed on the unit installed at NTPC Ltd’s NETRA campus in Greater Noida.
Successful assessment removes the need for equipment relocation and enables rollout of hydrogen fuel pumps across India.

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Indian Railways (IR) Prepares India’s First Hydrogen Train for Pilot Run on Jind–Sonipat Route (Start of January) ▼

The Northern Railway (NR) is entering the final stages of a pilot project to launch India’s first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind–Sonipat route in Haryana.
The train features 10 coaches, including two driving power cars and eight passenger coaches, designed and manufactured indigenously at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Chennai.
A state-of-the-art hydrogen production plant with a 3,000-kg storage capacity has been established at Jind to generate green hydrogen using the electrolysis process.
The project involves retrofitting a Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) with hydrogen fuel technology, delivering a total output of 2,400 kW across two power cars.
The Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO) laid down the technical specifications for the hydrogen train-set as part of a green mobility initiative.
The train is designed to reach an operational speed of 110 km per hour and is capable of covering 180 km using 360 kg of hydrogen.
The coaches are equipped with metro-style features, including two doors on each side and safety mechanisms that ensure doors are fully closed before departure.
The hydrogen plant at Jind is supported by a stable 11 kV power supply to ensure uninterrupted electrolysis for fuel generation.
Target dates for trial runs have been reported as January 26, 2026, according to project officials and state government statements.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) commissions 3.55 million tonnes-per-year residue upgradation facility at Visakhapatnam refinery (Start of January) ▼

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) has commissioned a 3.55 million tonnes-per-year residue upgradation facility (RUF) at its Visakhapatnam refinery.
The facility includes India's first residue hydrocracking unit and the world's first LC-Max unit.
The unit is capable of converting approximately 93 per cent of low-value bottom-of-the-barrel oils into high-value petroleum products.
The project lifts the Visakhapatnam refinery's Nelson Complexity Index to 11.6, making it one of India's most advanced deep-conversion refineries.
The new unit will increase distillate yields at the refinery by up to 10 per cent from pre-modernisation levels.
The facility features three LC-Max reactors weighing about 2,200 tonnes each, which are among the heaviest globally.
Engineers India Ltd (EIL) provided project management consultancy services for the facility, while Larsen & Toubro (L&T) served as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor.

Sarbananda Sonowal flags off India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel (Mid of December) ▼

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India's first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel in Varanasi.
The hydrogen-powered vessel reflects India's growing technological capabilities and its commitment to sustainable energy.
Hydrogen engines are an emerging technology offering clean, sustainable energy with near-zero emissions.
Research and testing are still underway before full-scale commercial adoption of hydrogen engines.
India has now joined the list of countries such as China, Norway, the Netherlands, and Japan that operate hydrogen-powered vessels.
The initiative aligns with long-term strategic frameworks, including the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (MAKV 2047), which outline the roadmap for greener transport, smart infrastructure, and increased use of alternative fuels on inland waterways.

Indian Railways debuts world’s longest Broad-Gauge hydrogen train with zero emissions (Mid of December) ▼

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

Wikimedia Enterprise signs Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Perplexity, and Mistral AI to paid high-volume API access deals

[Microsoft, Meta, Amazon]

Key Updates:

Wikimedia Enterprise sells high-speed API access to Wikipedia’s 65 million articles at higher speeds and volumes than the free public APIs provide.
Bandwidth used for downloading multimedia content had grown 50 percent since January 2024, with bots accounting for 65 percent of the most expensive requests to core infrastructure.
Human traffic to Wikipedia had fallen approximately 8 percent year over year after the organization updated its bot-detection systems and discovered that much of what appeared to be human visitors were actually automated scrapers built to evade detection.

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Elon Musk's xAI launches AI-generated Grokipedia to rival Wikipedia (End of October) ▼

Grokipedia is an AI-generated site developed by Elon Musk's company xAI
Content is generated by artificial intelligence and the generative AI assistant Grok
The site had more than 885,000 articles by Monday evening
Musk stated the goal is 'the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth'
Launch was delayed to 'purge out the propaganda'

One Nation, One Licence, One Payment: Mandatory Blanket Licence for AI Training (Mid of December) ▼

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

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

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

OpenAI Secures $38 Billion Cloud Computing Deal with Amazon Web Services for AI Infrastructure (Start of November) ▼

OpenAI has come to terms on a massive 7-year, $38 billion deal with Amazon Web Services.
The deal is to secure cloud computing capabilities needed to power its suite of advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT and Sora.
OpenAI will gain access to hundreds of thousands of Nvidia chips housed in Amazon’s global data centers.
Full capacity from the agreement is slated to come online by the end of 2026, with expansion continuing through 2027 and beyond.
OpenAI will use Amazon’s UltraServer clusters — racks of Nvidia GB200 and GB300 processors — to train and run its models, process ChatGPT queries, and expand its “agentic AI” systems.
The partnership marks the first time OpenAI has turned to Amazon for infrastructure, breaking years of exclusive reliance on Microsoft’s Azure cloud.
OpenAI restructured its ownership to gain more freedom in financing and operations, which removed Microsoft’s right of first refusal to supply cloud services.
OpenAI has now committed nearly $600 billion in new cloud contracts across Amazon, Microsoft, Oracle, and Google to solve “severe computing shortages”.

Chile Declares State of Catastrophe in Ñuble and Biobío Regions

[Chile]

Key Updates:

Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in the regions of Ñuble and Biobío.
The wildfires have killed at least 16 people and forced the evacuation of nearly 20,000 residents.
The fires have destroyed 250 homes and burned nearly 8,500 hectares (around 21,000 acres).

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Peru declares 30-day state of emergency in Lima and Callao to combat rising crime (End of October) ▼

Peru’s President Jose Jeri announced a 30-day state of emergency in Lima and Callao.
The measure allows the armed forces to assist police in maintaining public order.
Jeri stated: 'We are moving from defence to offence in the fight against crime.'
The decision follows recent protests that left one person dead and over 100 injured.
This is the first major action by Jeri, who took office after former President Dina Boluarte was removed.
The state of emergency can include military patrols and restrictions on civil liberties.
Crime has severely impacted the transportation sector, with at least 47 bus drivers killed this year in suspected extortion-related attacks.

Jose Antonio Kast elected as 38th President of Chile (Mid of December) ▼

Jose Antonio Kast defeated Jeannette Jara in run-off to become Chile's 38th president.
Kast won nearly 58 percent of vote, marking third attempt and first successful bid.
Jeannette Jara conceded defeat on social media wishing success for Chile.

Christian Aid pegs 2025 climate-disaster bill above USD 122 billion (End of December) ▼

Heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, and storms cost the world more than USD 120 billion in 2025.
The single costliest event, California wildfires, caused USD 60 billion in damage and over 400 deaths.
November cyclones and floods across Southeast Asia inflicted USD 25 billion in damage and killed more than 1,750 people.
China’s floods led to USD 11.7 billion in damage, displaced thousands and killed at least 30.
Asia accounted for four of the top six costliest disasters, including flooding in India and Pakistan that killed over 1,860 people and cost up to USD 6 billion.
Typhoons in the Philippines caused more than USD 5 billion in damage and displaced over 1.4 million people.
Flooding in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo affected thousands, with potentially up to 700 deaths in Nigeria alone.
Drought in Brazil, summer wildfires in Spain and Portugal, and February cyclones in Australia and Réunion island all inflicted major losses.
Record-breaking sea temperatures and coral bleaching in Western Australia were recorded alongside worrying extremes in Antarctica.
Christian Aid stresses that continued fossil-fuel expansion and political delay are driving these predictable disasters.

India's Wildfire Management Resolution Adopted At UNEA-7 (Mid of December) ▼

India's resolution on strengthening global wildfire management was adopted at the seventh session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, with wide support from member states.
The resolution responds to the rising number, scale and intensity of wildfires worldwide and calls for stronger international cooperation, early warning systems and better access to finance for prevention and management.
Wildfires, once seasonal, have become frequent and prolonged due to climate change and human activities.
UNEP's global report 'Spreading Like Wildfire' warns that wildfires may increase by 14 per cent by 2030, 30 per cent by 2050 and 50 per cent by 2100 if current trends continue.
Global efforts are moving towards integrated fire management based on early warning systems, risk mapping and satellite-based monitoring, supported by local communities and frontline personnel.
The Global Fire Management Hub, set up in 2023 by FAO and UNEP, is an important mechanism for international cooperation.
India's resolution calls for stronger cooperation to develop early warning systems, risk assessment tools and satellite- and ground-based monitoring, along with community-based alert mechanisms.