Daily Current Affairs: 21 January 2026

Analysis for 21 January 2026

Satyaki Ghosh appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Raymond Lifestyle

[Raymond Lifestyle]

Key Updates:

Satyaki Ghosh has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and key managerial personnel of Raymond Lifestyle Ltd with effect from January 19, 2026.
Ghosh brings over 25 years of experience across FMCG, textiles, retail, and consumer businesses, including B2B and B2C environments.
He joins from Aditya Birla Group where he most recently served as Chief Executive Officer, Cellulosic Fashion Yarn, Grasim Industries.

Similar Coverage

Vikas Chadha appointed as Global Chief Executive Officer of TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited (TVSSCS). (Mid of January) ▼

Vikas Chadha has been appointed as the Global Chief Executive Officer of TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited (TVSSCS) with effect from January 22, 2026.
He succeeds Ravi Viswanathan, who will retire during the 2026-27 financial year.
During the transition, Viswanathan will continue as Managing Director and work closely with Chadha to ensure leadership continuity.

Jeyandran Venugopal appointed President and CEO of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL) (Start of December) ▼

Jeyandran Venugopal has been appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd (RRVL).
He will work closely with Isha Ambani and the leadership team of Reliance Retail under the guidance of Mukesh Ambani and Manoj Modi.
Prior to this, Venugopal served as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Flipkart.

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

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

Tata Trusts appoints Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat as Trustees (Mid of November) ▼

Neville Tata, son of chairman Noel Tata, has been inducted to the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).
He will serve for a term of three years.
Neville Tata is already on the board of the JRD Tata Trust, Tata Social Welfare Trust and RD Tata Trust.
He later went on to lead Zudio, the value fashion brand.
Bhaskar Bhat, a group veteran and former Titan managing director, has been inducted to the board of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT).
He will serve for a term of three years.
Bhaskar Bhat is an IIT Madras and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus.
During his 17-year tenure as managing director, he steered Titan to expand beyond watches into eyewear, jewellery, fragrances, accessories and sarees (Taneira).

Ilaiyaraaja to receive Padmapani Award at Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF) 2026

Key Updates:

Ilaiyaraaja will be honored with the Padmapani Award at the 2026 Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival (AIFF).
The award presentation will take place during the opening ceremony on January 28 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
He will receive a Padmapani Memento, a letter of honor, and a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh.
The selection committee was led by film critic Latika Padgaonkar and included filmmakers Ashutosh Gowariker, Sunil Sukthankar, and Chandrakant Kulkarni.
Past recipients of the award include Javed Akhtar and Om Puri.

Similar Coverage

Semmozhi Illakiya Virudhu Classical Language Literary Award carries Rs 5 lakh cash prize (Mid of January) ▼

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.

98th Academy Awards nominations announcement on January 22 (Start of January) ▼

Five Indian films, including Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Sister Midnight, Mahavatar Narsimha, Tanvi the Great, and Tourist Family, have secured eligibility for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards.
Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound is India’s official submission and has been shortlisted among the top 15 finalists in the Best International Feature category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) requires films to complete the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form to meet eligibility requirements for the Best Picture race.
Final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, with 10 nominees selected for Best Picture and five for other categories.
Bollywood actor Dharmendra (1935-2025), widely known as the 'He-Man' of Indian cinema, passed away.

Art director Thota Tharani conferred France’s Chevalier Award (Mid of November) ▼

Thota Tharani has been conferred the French government’s prestigious Chevalier Award
He is a Padma Shri awardee and has won two National Film Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, three Nandi Awards and a Kerala State Film Award
The award will be conferred by the French Ambassador at Alliance Française of Madras, Chennai

Jury and Chairperson for Kerala State Film Awards 2025 (Start of November) ▼

A seven-member jury, chaired by veteran actor Prakash Raj, selected the winners for the Kerala State Film Awards 2025.
The Kerala State Film Awards are presented by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA).
KSCA is the abbreviation for Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

Valentino Garavani passed away at 93

Key Updates:

Valentino Garavani died at home in Rome at age 93, according to an announcement by his foundation on social media.
His body will lie in repose at the foundation's headquarters in Rome on Wednesday and Thursday, with the funeral scheduled for Friday at the Basilica Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri.
Valentino founded the house of Valentino on Rome's Via Condotti in 1959 and retired in 2008.
He was succeeded as creative director by Alessandra Facchinetti, who was later replaced by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli; Chiuri left for Dior in 2016, and Piccioli exited in 2024, with Alessandro Michele taking over thereafter.

Similar Coverage

John Cena retired after final WWE match (Mid of December) ▼

John Cena's in-ring career ended at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., after more than 20 years in WWE.
Cena tapped out to Gunther in his final match, a nearly 24-minute contest at the 2025 Saturday Night Main Event.
The WWE locker room, along with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, The Undertaker, CM Punk, and Cody Rhodes, gathered to honor Cena after the match.

Béla Tarr Passed Away as Hungarian Director and Producer (Start of January) ▼

Hungarian director, screenwriter, and producer Béla Tarr passed away at the age of 70 after a long illness.
He was a prominent figure in contemplative cinema, known for directing films such as 'Sátántangó', 'Werckmeister Harmonies', and 'The Turin Horse'.
He received the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize at the 61st Berlin Film Festival in 2011 for his psychological drama 'The Turin Horse'.
He was a member of the European Film Academy (EFA) since 1997 and received the Honorary Award of the EFA President and Board in 2023.
He established the international film school known as film.factory in Sarajevo following his retirement from filmmaking.
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., known for his roles in 'The Wire' and 'Veep', passed away at the age of 71.
Legendary French actress Brigitte Bardot passed away at the age of 91.
Singer Chris Rea, famous for the song ‘Driving Home For Christmas’, passed away at the age of 74.

Agnivesh Agarwal dies as Vedanta Group director (Start of January) ▼

Agnivesh Agarwal, son of metals tycoon Anil Agarwal, passed away at the age of 49 following a cardiac arrest after a skiing accident in the US.
He had been recovering at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York before the sudden cardiac arrest.
He was the chairman of Talwandi Sabo Power (TSPL), a subsidiary of Vedanta.
He previously served as chairman of Hindustan Zinc from November 2005 to February 2019.
He studied at Mayo College in Ajmer and later set up Fujairah Gold, a metal refinery in the UAE.

Davinder Singh Garcha passes away at 73 (Mid of January) ▼

Davinder Singh Garcha, former international hockey player and 1980 Moscow Olympics gold-medallist, passed away at his Jalandhar home.
He played six matches and scored eight goals in the 1980 Olympics where India defeated Spain 4-3 in the final.
He was the top scorer for India at the Champions Trophy held in Karachi.
He played more than 30 international matches across three tournaments and scored 19 goals.
He received the Dhyan Chand award in 2021.
Besides hockey, he served as an IPS officer and was DIG of Punjab Police.
He was president of the Olympian Surjit Hockey Society which organizes an annual hockey tournament.

Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor appointed Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

[Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)]

Key Updates:

Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, former Haryana Director General of Police, was appointed as Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre and then DG of ITBP, was appointed as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer and then Special DG of National Investigation Agency (NIA), was appointed as Director General of NIA.

Similar Coverage

Rakesh Aggarwal appointed Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) (Mid of January) ▼

Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the regular Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
He had been serving as interim head of NIA after the premature repatriation of incumbent Sadanand Date.
Praveen Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, has taken over as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
He was earlier serving as ITBP DG while also holding additional charge as BSF DG.
Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990 batch IPS officer and former DGP of Haryana, has been appointed as Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Lav Aggarwal appointed as Director General of Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) (Start of January) ▼

Lav Aggarwal, previously Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, appointed as Director General of DGFT.
Rabindra Kumar Agarwal appointed to head Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Srikant Nagulapalli assigned role in Ministry of Petroleum.

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

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

Vishvajit Sahay assumes charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (Start of November) ▼

Vishvajit Sahay, 1990-batch IDAS officer, took over as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA)
Alumnus of St. Stephen's College, Delhi; previously served as Additional Secretary & FA, Dept of Science & Technology, Joint Secretary, Dept of Heavy Industry, and Finance Manager (Acquisition Wing), MoD
Held key posts in Defence Accounts Dept: Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) Prayagraj, Joint CGDA, and Special CGDA

C P Radhakrishnan releases Hindi edition of Palanivelu GUTS

Key Updates:

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan released the Hindi edition of 'Palanivelu GUTS', the autobiography of eminent surgeon C Palanivelu.
C Palanivelu introduced laparoscopic surgery in Coimbatore in 1991, establishing the first such centre in southern India.
The event was attended by Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh, Chairman of National Medical Commission Abhijat Sheth, and Chairman of Board of Governors of Inter-University Centre for Teacher Education J S Rajput.

Similar Coverage

Sanitation Worker Unveils Book on President Draupadi Murmu (Start of January) ▼

The biography titled 'Agni Sarassulo Vikasinchina Kamalam Draupadi Murmu' was authored by former MP and academician Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad.
The book release took place under a tree on the Andhra University campus in Visakhapatnam.
A sanitation worker employed at Andhra University unveiled the book in a symbolic gesture underscoring social inclusion.

NAMO Book Fest First Edition Held in New Delhi (Mid of January) ▼

India’s first NAMO Book Fest is being held in Delhi.
Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, released two books titled ‘Gen V Bano’ and ‘Mahatma’ at the fest.
The fest features a curated exhibition of books on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and brings together authors, thinkers, and youth.

CP Radhakrishnan participates as Chief Guest at multiple events during visit to Puducherry, Kerala and Tamil Nadu (Start of January) ▼

CP Radhakrishnan, Vice-President of India, attended the 30th Convocation of Pondicherry University as Chief Guest.
He unveiled the statue of Mahakavi Bharathiar and launched a housing project under the Smart City Mission in Puducherry.
He participated as Chief Guest at the valedictory ceremony of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam 4.0 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.
He inaugurated the public meeting concluding the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram.

Dharmendra Pradhan releases Urdu book on PM Narendra Modi's Independence Day speeches (Start of January) ▼

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education, released the Urdu book 'Khutbat-e-Modi: Lal Qila Ki Faseel Se' in Delhi.
The book compiles Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day addresses from the Red Fort delivered between 2014 and 2025.
The National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL), New Delhi, published the book under the Ministry of Education.

Dezan Shira & Associates (Dezan Shira) ranks China atop Asia Manufacturing Index 2026

[China]

Key Updates:

China commands 30 percent of worldwide manufacturing production.
Malaysia rises to second place in AMI 2026, overtaking Vietnam.
Vietnam drops to third despite GDP growth of 8.02 percent in 2025.
Singapore advances to fourth; South Korea ranks fifth.
India remains sixth in AMI 2026 with first-place Workforce and third-place Economy pillars.
Thailand climbs from tenth to eighth place.
Japan ranks ninth; Philippines tenth; Bangladesh stays eleventh.
Asia accounts for over 65 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity as of 2023.
China holds 32.4 percent share of Asia Pacific semiconductor materials market in 2024.
Vietnam records total trade value of $930.05 billion, an 18.2 percent year-over-year growth.
India’s logistics costs fall to 7.97 percent of GDP.
India’s Bharatmala Phase I spent ₹4.72 lakh crore (88 percent of outlay) but completed only 54 percent of target road length.
Manufacturing MSMEs in India face over 1,450 regulatory obligations annually.
Bangladesh labor productivity stands at $8.7 per hour in 2025.
Thailand R&D spending is 1.16 percent of GDP versus 2 percent government target.
Southeast Asia semiconductor market valued at $23.9 billion in 2024, projected to exceed $55 billion by 2033.

Similar Coverage

State Bank of India (SBI) Projects 7.5% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼

The State Bank of India (SBI) projects India’s real GDP growth for FY26 could reach 7.5% following the revision of the base year to 2022-23.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) first advance estimates place real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26, an increase from the 6.5% recorded in FY25.
The NSO projects Gross Value Added (GVA) growth at 7.3% and nominal GDP growth at 8% for the FY26 period.
Per capita national income is projected to increase by ₹16,025 annually to reach ₹2,47,487 in FY26.
The services sector is expected to expand by 9.1% in FY26, compared to the 7.2% growth recorded in the previous year.
Industrial growth is estimated at 6.0% for FY26, supported by a manufacturing output growth of 7.0%.
Agriculture and allied activities are projected to grow by 3.1% in FY26, down from 4.6% in FY25.
Mining output is expected to decline by 0.7% in FY26, compared with a growth of 2.7% in FY25.
The historical gap between GDP growth estimates from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the NSO has remained within a range of 20–30 basis points.
The NSO is scheduled to release the second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, on February 27, 2026.

Government of India (GoI) Projects 7.4% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼

The Government of India (GoI) projects the real GDP growth at 7.4% for fiscal year 2025–26, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expectation of 7.3%.
Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% for the current fiscal year, compared to 9.7% recorded in the previous year.
India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, following a 7.8% expansion in the April–June quarter.
Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to expand by 7.3% in FY26, an increase from 6.4% in FY25.
Nominal GVA is projected to grow at 7.7% in the current fiscal, down from the 9.3% growth recorded in the previous financial year.
Government spending is estimated to rise by 5.2% in fiscal 2025-26, compared to a 2.3% increase in the previous year.
Manufacturing and construction sectors are both estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
The agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow by 3.1% during FY26, down from the 4.6% growth witnessed in FY24.

India Achieves Major Power Status, Ranks Third in Asia Power Index 2025 (Mid of December) ▼

The Asia Power Index 2025, published by the Lowy Institute in November, evaluates the resources and influence of countries to rank their relative power.
India holds the No. 3 position in the Asia Power Index 2025, with a comprehensive power score of 40.0 points, indicating it is a “major power”.
The United States is the leading power in Asia, followed by China, according to the index.
The index defines power as a country’s capacity to affect the behaviour of other states and non-state actors and influence the outcomes of international affairs.
The Asia Power Index extends beyond Asian countries to include Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Japan is ranked No. 4 and Russia is ranked No. 5 in the Asia Power Index 2025.

India secures 3rd place in Lowy Institute Asia Power Index 2025 (End of November) ▼

India has secured the third position in the Asia Power Index 2025, on the back of economic growth and military capability based on its performance in Operation Sindoor, Australia-based think tank Lowy Institute said.
The 2025 edition shows India's overall power score crossing 40 points, the threshold for classification as a 'major power'.
India ranks third for two measures - economic capability and future resources.
Increases in its inward investment have seen India rise to ninth place in economic relationships.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recognises Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI) as self-regulatory organisation for authorised dealers.

[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI)]

Key Updates:

The Reserve Bank of India has recognised the Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI) as a self-regulatory organisation for all authorised dealers under its Omnibus framework for SROs.
FEDAI had applied for recognition in March 2024.
The central bank has given FEDAI one year to align its governance and operations with the Omnibus SRO framework and to extend its membership to all categories of authorised dealers.

Similar Coverage

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

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

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

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

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approves NHAI-sponsored Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust as Public InvIT (End of December) ▼

NHAI-sponsored Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust (RIIT) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).
The Public InvIT aims to unlock the monetisation potential of the National Highway assets while creating a high-quality, long-term investment instrument primarily targeting retail and domestic investors.
NHAI had incorporated Raajmarg Infra Investment Managers Pvt Ltd (RIIMPL) as the Investment Manager for RIIT.
RIIMPL has been established as a collaborative venture with equity participation from State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, NaBFID, Axis Bank, Bajaj Finserv Ventures Ltd., HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, IndusInd Bank, and Yes Bank.
NRVVMK Rajendra Kumar, Member (Finance), NHAI, will be the Managing Director and CEO (Additional Charge) of the investment manager company.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels registration of 35 NBFCs and accepts surrender from 16 others. (Start of January) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration of 35 NBFCs including Satya Prakash Capital Investment Limited and Sunlife Securities Private Limited for regulatory non-compliance.
The cancellations were effective between December 9, 2025, and December 31, 2025, under Section 45-IA(6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The affected companies are no longer permitted to carry out the business of non-banking financial institutions.
16 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their Certificate of Registration to RBI leading to its cancellation for reasons including exit from NBFC business, meeting criteria for unregistered Core Investment Companies (CICs), and ceasing to be a legal entity due to merger, amalgamation, dissolution, or voluntary strike-off.

Canara Bank Integrates NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) UPI Technology

[Canara Bank]

Key Updates:

Canara Bank will integrate NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) bank plugins to offer Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services on its banking app, Canara ai1Pe.
Canara Bank is the first financial institution to adopt this technology stack approach from NBSL to host UPI features and upgrades.
NBSL was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2024.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded 21.63 billion transactions worth ₹27.97 trillion at the end of 2025.
The Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Bank index grew by 31% in 2025, outperforming the Nifty for the fifth consecutive year.
The Indian Rupee (INR) breached the 91 per US Dollar mark as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) sold ₹29,300 crore in 2026.
In 2025, BHIM presented a proof of concept for BHIM Vishwas, a technology stack designed for white-labeling payment capabilities for banks.

Similar Coverage

Canara Bank (CB) launches Canara ai1Pe unified UPI app for secure digital payments. (End of December) ▼

Canara Bank (CB) launches Canara ai1Pe, a unified UPI app enabling instant payments, shared expenses via UPI Delegate, spend analytics, UPI Lite, and rewards.
The app allows users to link bank accounts from any bank for instant money transfers, merchant payments, and bill settlements.
Payments are secured through UPI PIN authentication and device-binding that restricts transactions to the registered mobile handset.
UPI Delegate (UPI Circle) lets a primary account holder add trusted family members as delegates who can spend up to ₹15,000 per month.
Spend analytics provide month-on-month spending insights, expenditure categorisation and financial trends.
UPI Autopay automates recurring payments for subscriptions, EMIs, SIPs and utility bills.
UPI Lite permits small-value payments without entering UPI PIN for every transaction.
The app features a widget-based QR scan for quick scan-and-pay from the home screen and offers real-time transaction updates, payment reminders, transaction history access, plus rewards and cashback eligibility.

BHIM launches UPI Circle Full Delegation for controlled third-party payments (End of November) ▼

NPCI BHIM Services Limited introduced UPI Circle Full Delegation on the BHIM Payments App.
Primary users can authorise trusted contacts to make UPI payments up to Rs 15,000 per month.
The feature allows setting a monthly spending limit of up to Rs 15,000 and an expiry duration of up to 5 years.
Secondary users can initiate and complete UPI payments directly from the primary user’s account without needing their own bank-linked UPI ID.
Use-cases include senior citizens making small-valued transactions independently and parents enabling controlled access for young adults’ daily or educational expenses.
Business owners can delegate operational payments such as fuel and tolls to staff while maintaining transparency and eliminating cash handling.
Identity verification is done using Aadhaar or other available documents during the delegation setup.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) grants TPAP licence to RediffPay for UPI launch. (End of December) ▼

Rediff.com India has received final approval from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) for its Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) license.
RediffPay positions itself as India’s first UPI app focused on financial wellness.
The app will support Credit Line on UPI, allowing users to make merchant payments up to ₹1 lakh per day and withdraw up to ₹10,000 in cash via pre-approved credit lines.
Axis Bank will serve as the Payment System Provider (PSP) bank for the platform.
Infibeam Avenues reported processing transactions worth ₹8.67 lakh crore across payments and platform services in FY25.

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

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

Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) sign commercial cooperation framework to deepen ties

[Air India, Singapore Airlines]

Key Updates:

Singapore Airlines holds a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India.
The carriers will explore ways to improve connectivity between Singapore and India.
Subject to regulatory approvals, the airlines aim to allow customers to book flights across both airlines under a single unified journey.
The pact could expand to include greater cross-participation in the airlines' corporate travel programmes.
The airlines will explore plans to progressively enhance privileges beyond the current Star Alliance benefits for members of Air India's Maharaja Club and SIA's KrisFlyer frequent flyer programmes.
The two airlines currently codeshare on 61 points in 20 countries and territories.

Similar Coverage

Akasa Air joins International Air Transport Association (IATA) as fifth Indian carrier member. (Start of January) ▼

Akasa Air becomes the fifth Indian airline to join IATA after Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet.
IATA members account for more than 80 per cent of global air traffic.
Akasa Air qualified the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in December, a mandatory prerequisite for membership.
Akasa Air has served over 23 million passengers and connects 26 domestic and six international cities.
Akasa Air aims to operate a fleet of 226 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over ten years and currently operates 31 aircraft of the same model.
In FY25, Akasa Air registered a revenue growth of 49% and improved EBITDA margins by 50%.
The airline registered industry-leading load factors of over 87% and grew ASKs by 48% compared to FY24.
Unit Cost per Available Seat Kilometre (CASK), excluding fuel, reduced by 7%.
Ancillary portfolio expanded to over 25 products, contributing to a diversified revenue model.
Akasa Air carried nearly 100,000 tonnes of cargo by March 2025 and built a network of more than 1,150 corporate partners.

IndiGo plans codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines (Mid of November) ▼

IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Southern Airlines to establish a codeshare and cooperation agreement aimed at improving air connectivity between India and China.
The partnership, subject to regulatory approvals, will allow passengers to book seamless travel on both airlines’ networks with single-ticket convenience and through check-in services.
IndiGo started direct daily flights from Delhi to Guangzhou.
IndiGo resumed flights between Kolkata and Guangzhou, marking commencement of direct air connectivity between India and China after more than five years.
Direct flights were operational between the two countries till early 2020 before being suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Services remained suspended in view of the eastern Ladakh border row.
Following the recent diplomatic initiatives, it was decided to resume the direct flights between the two countries.

Air India and airBaltic sign codeshare agreement (Start of January) ▼

Air India has signed a codeshare agreement with Latvia’s national carrier airBaltic to improve travel connectivity between India and the Baltic region.
The airline announced the partnership on December 30, 2025.
Under the unilateral codeshare, Air India has started placing its ‘AI’ flight code on airBaltic-operated services between Riga and several major European cities.

Union Civil Aviation Ministry (MoCA) clears Al Hind Air, FlyExpress, Shankh Air to break IndiGo-Air India duopoly. (End of December) ▼

Al Hind Air and FlyExpress received no-objection certificates from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry this week.
Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air already holds an NOC and targets commercial launch in 2026.
IndiGo and the Air India Group together control more than 90% of India’s domestic market, with IndiGo alone exceeding 65%.

India’s First Tailings Policy for Critical Minerals Recovery

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Mines announced India’s first tailings policy to set guidelines for exploration of critical minerals from primary as well as secondary sources like mine dumps and tailings of existing mines.
Indian Bureau of Mines, Central Mine Planning & Design Institute and Atomic Minerals Directorate are to conduct sample analysis of dumps and tailings of all existing mines to identify quantity and likely availability of critical and strategic elements.
The policy aims to frame a roadmap for recovery of critical minerals from tailings, ensuring increased domestic production and reduced import dependency.

Similar Coverage

Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) approved with an outlay of ₹7,280 crore (End of December) ▼

The Government has approved the ‘Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnet’ (REPM) with a financial outlay of ₹7,280 crore.
The scheme aims to establish 6,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of integrated REPM manufacturing capacity in India, covering the full chain from rare-earth oxides to finished magnets.
The total capacity will be distributed among up to five beneficiaries through a global competitive bidding process, with each beneficiary eligible for up to 1,200 MTPA, ensuring diversification along with adequate scale.
The scheme includes a strong incentive structure, with ₹6,450 crore earmarked as sales-linked incentives for REPM production over five years.
A ₹750 crore capital subsidy will support the establishment of advanced, integrated REPM manufacturing facilities.
The scheme will be implemented over seven years, comprising a two-year gestation period for setting up the integrated REPM facilities followed by five years of incentive disbursement linked to REPM sales.
This also complements India’s broader focus on strengthening its critical mineral value chain through the National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), which aims to improve availability and processing capabilities for key minerals, including rare-earth elements utilised across advanced sectors.
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) has been reformed under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2023 to strengthen India’s critical minerals ecosystem by opening private participation in all spheres of mineral exploration.

Cabinet Approves New Royalty Rates for Critical Minerals: Graphite, Caesium, Rubidium, Zirconium (Mid of November) ▼

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the rationalisation of royalty rates for four critical minerals — graphite, caesium, rubidium and zirconium.
The move is aimed at promoting the auction and domestic production of these minerals, which are used in high-tech and green energy applications.
Caesium and rubidium will each attract a 2% royalty based on the average sale price (ASP) of the respective metal contained in the ore produced.
Zirconium will have a royalty rate of 1% of ASP.
Graphite will be charged 2% of ASP on an ad valorem basis for ore with 80% or more fixed carbon and 4% for ore with less than 80% fixed carbon.
The new royalty structure is expected to encourage the auction of mineral blocks, boost domestic production, reduce import dependence, and create employment opportunities.
The decision comes as the government advances the Sixth Tranche of auctions for critical mineral blocks, notified on September 16, 2025.

Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) sanctions ₹7,280 Cr to build 6,000 TPA integrated rare-earth magnet capacity. (Start of December) ▼

Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) allocates ₹6,450 Cr in sales-linked incentives and ₹750 Cr in capital subsidies for five beneficiaries (1,200 TPA each).
India currently imports ~100 % of its rare-earth magnet demand; imports stood at ~2.3 kilo tons in 2024 with ~65 % sourced from China.
Domestic rare-earth reserves are estimated at ~7 Mn Tons and are monazite-based, requiring radiological safeguards due to thorium content.

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

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

Mumbai Climate Week 2026: City-Led Initiative to Showcase Climate Action as Fundamental Child Right

Key Updates:

Mumbai is slated to host the ‘Mumbai Climate Week 2026’ from February 17 to 19, marking India’s first city-led initiative dedicated to fostering local action through citizen-driven solutions.
UNICEF India and YuWaah have been named the official youth engagement partners for the event.
The initiative is curated by Project Mumbai in collaboration with UNICEF and YuWaah to empower the next generation to become active agents of change within their communities.

Similar Coverage

Panchamrit Commitments: National Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2070 (Mid of January) ▼

India has committed to a pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2070 as part of the Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26. "Referring to the Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26, he observed that India’s pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2070 is both ambitious and realistic."
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global leadership initiative by India to mobilise countries of the Global South for affordable solar solutions. "He highlighted India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance, which has mobilised countries of the Global South around affordable and scalable solar solutions."
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) focuses on strengthening global infrastructure systems against climate-induced shocks. "the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which focuses on strengthening infrastructure systems against climate-induced shocks."
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) integrates civilisational ethics of environmental stewardship into India's urbanisation and infrastructure strategies. "Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs... situating contemporary climate policy within a broader civilisational ethic... values that continue to inform India’s urbanisation and infrastructure strategies."
India is transitioning towards domestic clean-technology manufacturing to ensure energy security and a future-ready economy. "It must rest on homegrown clean technologies, resilient manufacturing and a future-ready workforce."

Global Leaders to Gather for 17th GRIHA Summit on Climate Resilience in New Delhi (Start of November) ▼

Global leaders are set to gather in New Delhi for the 17th GRIHA Summit, themed 'Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World'.
The summit aims to drive scalable climate solutions for India's built environment.
Organised by the GRIHA Council, the event will feature over 50 eminent speakers across four plenary and four technical sessions, along with three innovation-driven exhibition pavilions.
Discussions will focus on policy frameworks, technology advancements, market mechanisms, and partnerships to strengthen the resilience of cities, infrastructure, and communities.
The Nirmaan Exhibition will showcase cutting-edge sustainable technologies and products, including a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facade demonstration.
A new publication, 'GRIHA Infrastructure Rating for Metro Stations,' developed in collaboration with BMRCL, will be launched to assess the environmental performance of metro stations nationwide.
GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is India's indigenous green building rating system, jointly developed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
GRIHA is recognized by the Government of India under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC and provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from habitats.

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.

India Emphasizes Fair Adaptation Metrics at COP30 in Brazil; Updates on National Climate Contributions (Start of November) ▼

The COP30 U.N. Climate Summit is scheduled to take place in Belem, Para state, Brazil, from November 10 to 21.
India's environment ministry stated that the rationalisation of adaptation indicators will be a major issue at COP30, stressing that these indicators must not disadvantage developing countries and should reflect national circumstances.
The framework discussed at COP30 should also enable transparent tracking of finance, technology transfer and capacity building support from developed nations.
Countries are required to submit their third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), referred to as 'NDCs 3.0' for the 2031-2035 period this year.
India's updated NDC submitted in August 2022 committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions-intensity of GDP by 45 per cent (relative to 2005) by 2030, and achieving around 50 per cent cumulative installed electric-power capacity from non-fossil-fuel based energy resources by 2030.
The Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) was created under the Paris Agreement in 2015 to track and strengthen adaptation efforts.

Delhi to Launch 112 Helpline for Unified Access to Police, Fire and Ambulance Services

[Delhi]

Key Updates:

Delhi will implement the national emergency number 112, integrating police, fire, ambulance and disaster management services.
The system will operate through Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0, a technology-driven platform for handling alerts from calls, app, SMS and online sources.
Real-time location tracking will enable automatic identification of the caller’s location, allowing immediate dispatch of the nearest emergency vehicle.
Citizens can seek help via phone calls, mobile app, panic button, SMS and online platforms, especially useful when victims cannot speak.
The rollout will be done in phases: integration of existing numbers, technical upgrades, public awareness, and system refinement.

Similar Coverage

Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) Reconstituted with Statutory Powers (Mid of December) ▼

The Union environment ministry (MoEFCC) has reconstituted the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) with statutory powers.
The December 1 notification for the Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) was issued under powers conferred by sub-section (3) of Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) will be responsible for issuing permissions related to use of the Delhi Ridge, and monitoring and acting against encroachments and other violations.
The Delhi Ridge Management Board (DRMB) will have 13 members and be headed by the chief secretary of the Delhi government.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Delhi Expansion Adds 81 New Centres (Mid of January) ▼

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated 81 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, raising the city’s total to 319 centres.
Patients can now book OPD appointments and access medical records through mobile phones.
The BJP government targets 15 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs per Assembly constituency and 1,100 centres across Delhi.
Over six lakh Delhi residents have registered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with thousands receiving free treatment.

Delhi Government signs MoU with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for Yamuna rejuvenation and infrastructure capital expenditure. (Start of January) ▼

Delhi Government and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sign MoU making RBI the banker, debt manager and financial agent for Delhi.
Market borrowings via State Development Loans will carry interest of around seven per cent, replacing earlier high-cost borrowings at 12-13 per cent.
Surplus funds of Delhi Government will be automatically invested daily through RBI mechanisms.
Access to Ways and Means Advances and Special Drawing Facilities is enabled for managing temporary cash-flow mismatches.
All borrowed funds must be used exclusively for capital expenditure with priority sectors being Yamuna rejuvenation, drinking water supply, health infrastructure, public transport, roads and flyovers.

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.

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Kutch and Saurashtra: 5,492 MoUs Worth Rs 5.78 Lakh Crore Signed

[Gujarat]

Key Updates:

Cabinet Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani announced that 5,492 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving investments worth Rs 5.78 lakh crore were signed during the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
The state government has prepared a clear roadmap to develop Saurashtra and Kutch by 2047.
Initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, and Make in India are being realized under the Prime Minister's leadership, directly benefiting Gujarat's entrepreneurs and industrial units.
Gujarat will become a hub for the semiconductor sector by 2027.

Similar Coverage

Tripura to host 2nd Prabashi Tripurabasi Summit 2025-26 (End of December) ▼

Tripura is scheduled to host the second Prabashi Tripurabasi Summit 2025-26 to reconnect with natives of the state residing beyond its borders.
The summit is organized by the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT).
The initiative aims to nurture emotional, cultural, and developmental bonds with Prabashi Tripurabasi, who are individuals originally from Tripura now spread across India and abroad.
The gathering seeks to foster dialogue, collaboration, and shared participation in the progress of Tripura by integrating the diaspora into the state's social, economic, and cultural advancement framework.

Odisha hosts Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 to advance India’s renewable energy transition (Start of December) ▼

Odisha is hosting the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit (GELS) 2025 at Puri from 5 to 7 December.
GELS 2025 is positioned as a cooperative federalism platform for states to share replicable clean-energy innovations.
Odisha’s Vision 2047 targets at least 33% of the state’s power from renewables by 2036, rising to 50% by 2047.
The summit focuses on execution-oriented themes such as grid management, energy storage, financing mechanisms and demand-side models.

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

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

18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Expo 2025: Objectives and Focus Areas (Mid of November) ▼

The Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL) will host the 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Expo 2025 in Gurugram.
The objective of the event is sharing best practices in urban mobility at the national and global level.
The conference will feature technical sessions related to urban transportation, modernising public transport, e-mobility, road safety, traffic management, and sustainable development.
Experts, policymakers, city planners, and industry representatives from across the country and abroad will be attending the event.

Medium-Calibre Ammunition Facility Inauguration by Rajnath Singh

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a medium-calibre ammunition facility built by Solar Industries in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The facility is part of the government’s push to modernise the Indian Army and boost indigenous defence production.
During the visit, Singh will also tour Economic Explosives Limited, another defence-related unit in Nagpur.

Similar Coverage

Raj Kumar Arora assumes charge as Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Ministry of Defence (Start of November) ▼

Shri Raj Kumar Arora, 1990-batch Indian Defence Accounts Service officer, has assumed charge as Financial Advisor (Defence Services) in the Ministry of Defence.
Immediately prior, he served as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), the topmost post in the Defence Accounts Department.
He will be the principal advisor to the Raksha Mantri on all financial matters related to the Army, Navy, Air Force, DRDO and other defence establishments.

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

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

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

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

New Chhattisgarh Assembly Building Inaugurated: Key Features and Vision (Start of November) ▼

**Initiative Name**: Chhattisgarh’s new Assembly building in Nava Raipur.
**Inaugurated by**: Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
**Estimated Cost**: Rs 324.93 crore.
**Area**: Spanning over 57,800 square metres (around 6.22 lakh sq ft), built on approximately 51 acres.
**Capacity**: Main Assembly Hall can currently accommodate 90 legislators, with the capacity to expand to 200.
**Vision**: Designed with a 100-year perspective, integrating advanced technology, environmental balance, and scalability.
**Symbolism**: Described as a “pilgrimage site of democracy” and symbolizing transparency, accountability, and progress, reflecting Chhattisgarh’s rich heritage and aspirations for a developed India.

Indian Navy Signs Contract with MSME Shipyard for Construction of Three 200-tonne Barges on 16 January 2026

Key Updates:

The Indian Navy (IN) concluded a contract for the construction and delivery of three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges with M/s Suryadipta Projects Private Limited, Thane, an MSME shipyard, on 16 January 2026.
The barges will be designed and constructed entirely in India under the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to quality, safety and national maritime standards.
The project stands as a strong endorsement of the Government of India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, showcasing the growing capability of Indian MSME shipyards to deliver specialised naval auxiliary platforms.
The initiative contributes directly to the strengthening of India’s domestic shipbuilding ecosystem, in alignment with the goals of the Maritime India Vision 2030, which emphasises self-reliance, innovation, and capacity building.

Similar Coverage

Indian Navy receives third indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft 'Anjadip' built by GRSE (End of December) ▼

The Indian Navy has taken delivery of 'Anjadip', the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC).
The warship has been indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
The ASW SWC project is executed under a Public–Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
These vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes, indigenously developed anti-submarine rockets, and advanced shallow water SONAR systems.
Anjadip carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya-class corvette decommissioned in 2003.
The ship derives its name from Anjadip Island, located off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivers Anti-Submarine Warfare warship 'Anjadip' to Indian Navy in 2025 (End of December) ▼

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd delivered 'Anjadip', the third of eight such platforms being built at the shipyard to the Indian Navy at the Chennai Port Trust.
Anjadip is the 115th warship built by GRSE and the 77th warship delivered to the Navy.
The warship is also fitted with an indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun, manufactured by GRSE, and has nearly 88% indigenous content.
The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) is armed with lightweight torpedoes as well as anti-submarine warfare rockets and features on-board Combat Management Systems.
The vessel requires a draught of 2.7 metres, allowing her to access the coasts easily in search of sub-surface threats and is powered by three water jets.
GRSE delivered four other warships in 2025, including the Advanced Guided Missile Frigate Himgiri, the first two ASW SWCs of the series Arnala and Androth, and the Survey Vessel (Large) Ikshak.

Indian Navy stitched-sail vessel INSV Kaundinya to undertake maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar to Muscat (End of December) ▼

INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s pioneering stitched sailing vessel that revives India’s ancient shipbuilding and seafaring traditions, will undertake its maiden overseas voyage on the 29th of this month.
The vessel will be flagged off from Porbandar, Gujarat, for Muscat, Oman, symbolically retracing the historic maritime routes that connected India with the wider Indian Ocean world for millennia.
According to the Defence Ministry, INSV Kaundinya represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship and modern naval expertise.

Govt scraps sign-on/sign-off and shore leave pass for crew of Indian flag ships engaged in coastal trade (End of November) ▼

The Ministry of Home Affairs has scrapped the coastal sign-on/sign-off and shore leave pass (SLP) procedures for crew and supernumerary of Indian flag ships solely engaged in coastal trade, dredgers, barges and research vessels operating within port limits.
The shore access of crew, supernumerary of Indian flag coastal vessels plying exclusively on local routes shall, henceforth, be regulated by the port authorities.
The move follows demands from the shipping industry to ease the procedures as Indian seafarers were facing difficulties with the existing immigration process.
The Home Ministry has asked the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to direct the port authorities concerned to keep a record/data of the crew, supernumerary of the Indian flag coastal run vessels.
The Bureau of Immigration shall conduct periodical surprise inspections and seek crew lists from the Indian flag coastal run vessels, dredgers, barges, research vessels and similar types/categories of vessels operating within port limits.

India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) strengthen strategic partnership during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit on January 19, 2026

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

India and the UAE aim to double bilateral trade to over $200 billion by 2032, from $84 billion in 2023–24, with focus on MSMEs and platforms like Bharat Mart.
A long-term LNG supply deal was signed for 0.5 million metric tonnes annually; the UAE is India’s second-largest LNG supplier after Qatar.
A Letter of Intent was signed to work towards a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework, covering defence industrial cooperation, advanced technologies, and cyber security.
Both sides agreed to cooperate in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), building on India’s SHANTI Act, 2025.
Artificial Intelligence identified as a priority area, with agreement on setting up a supercomputing cluster in India, UAE investments in data centres, and exploration of a ‘data embassy’ concept.
Letters of Intent were signed for space cooperation and infrastructure development, including joint space infrastructure and UAE participation in the Dholera Special Investment Region (airport, port, rail, energy, smart city).
A food safety agreement was signed to boost Indian agricultural exports to the UAE, alongside broader strategic cooperation during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit on January 19, 2026.

Similar Coverage

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India on January 19, 2026, to boost strategic ties (Mid of January) ▼

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.

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 to showcase military might in phased battle array format during 77th Republic Day parade

Key Updates:

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

Similar Coverage

Armed Forces Veterans' Day observed on January 14 (Mid of January) ▼

Armed Forces Veterans' Day is celebrated on January 14 every year.
The day marks the birth anniversary of the Late Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953.
Field Marshal Cariappa was the First Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the Indian Army.

Indian Army Day observed on January 15, 2026: Year of Networking and Data Centricity (Mid of January) ▼

India will observe Indian Army Day on January 15, 2026, marking 78 years since the country took full command of its own Army after Independence.
The theme for 2026, Year of Networking and Data Centricity, focuses on digital transformation within the Indian Army.
On January 15, 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, replacing British General Sir Francis Roy Bucher.
In 2026, the main ceremony will take place in Jaipur, where the Chief of Army Staff will take the salute at a grand parade.
The Indian Army supports Atmanirbhar Bharat through indigenous systems like Tejas aircraft and Akash missiles.
India remains one of the largest contributors to United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Previous themes, including the Year of Reforms in 2025, reflect the Army’s push for continuous structural and technological upgrades.
Recruitment initiatives such as Agnipath encourage young Indians to serve the nation.

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

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

India Celebrates BSF Raising Day Marking Border Security Force Foundation (Start of December) ▼

BSF Raising Day is celebrated every year on 1 December.
BSF Raising Day marks the foundation of the Border Security Force in 1965.
Border Security Force (BSF) is one of the world’s largest border-guarding forces.
BSF plays a role in border security, disaster relief, internal security and humanitarian operations.
BSF Raising Day honours the courage, sacrifice and duty of personnel guarding India’s borders.

India hosts 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in Lucknow

Key Updates:

The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference (AIPOC) began in Lucknow.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla flagged the declining duration of State Assembly sessions as a matter of concern.
Presiding Officers from Legislative Assemblies of 28 states, 3 Union Territories, and 6 Legislative Councils are participating.
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel inaugurated the three-day conference.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent greetings highlighting the importance of debates and discussions in democracy.

Similar Coverage

UP Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 Convenes in Lucknow Jan 12-13 (Mid of January) ▼

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

Odisha Integrated Secretariat & Assembly Complex: Rs 3,623 crore outlay for 50-year administrative needs (Mid of January) ▼

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation for a Rs 3,623 crore integrated Lok Seva Bhawan and assembly complex spread over 71 acres.
The complex is designed to meet the state’s administrative and legislative needs for the next 50 years, anticipating an increase in assembly seats from 147 to about 196 after delimitation.
The new assembly hall will have seating capacity for 300 members and include basement parking, modern amenities and advanced security systems.

PPP-Model Medical Colleges in Madhya Pradesh Tribal Districts (End of December) ▼

Madhya Pradesh to set up India’s first PPP-model medical colleges in Dhar and Betul tribal districts.
State government provides up to 25 acres of land on lease; private partners build academic and clinical infrastructure.
Associated district hospitals upgraded as per National Medical Commission norms while remaining under State administrative control.
Two more PPP colleges planned at Katni and Panna; foundation ceremonies for these to follow.
Chief Minister announces similar PPP medical colleges will also come up in Bhind, Morena, Khargone, Ashoknagar, Guna, Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Sidhi, and Shajapur districts.

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

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

Election Commission of India (ECI) to host inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 from January 21 to 23, 2026

[Election Commission of India (ECI)]

Key Updates:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (IICDEM) 2026 from January 21 to 23, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The theme for the conference is ‘Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient, and sustainable world’.
The 3-day international conference is being organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
Almost three dozen member states of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) will participate, including the United States (US), Mauritius, Brazil, and South Africa.
The event will feature 42 Election Management Bodies (EMBs) from across the world and more than 90 international delegates.
The summit will include 36 thematic groups covering 11 modern international electoral standards and 25 best practices, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi, will hold over 40 bilateral meetings with international delegates.

Similar Coverage

India fields largest-ever CEO delegation at World Economic Forum 2026 Davos summit (Mid of January) ▼

More than 80 Indian CEOs are slated to attend the World Economic Forum's 56th annual conference in Davos from January 19 to 23.
Senior Union ministers and delegations from a record nine states will spotlight efforts to engage global investors.
Expected Indian corporate attendees include N Chandrasekaran of Tata Sons, Sunil Mittal of Bharti Group, Sajjan Jindal of JSW Group, Anish Shah of Mahindra Group, and Infosys non-executive chairman Nandan Nilekani.
States sending delegations include Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Kerala, some led by chief ministers such as Devendra Fadnavis and N Chandrababu Naidu.
The WEF 2026 will feature six leaders of the G7, 65 heads of state and government, 850 top CEOs and chairpersons and around 100 leading unicorns and technology leaders.

Election Commission of India (ECI) to host India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (Start of January) ▼

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The three-day conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
Representatives from 42 election management bodies and over 90 international delegates, including from the United States and Bhutan, will participate.
The conference will discuss voter roll management, technological interventions, and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises.
India assumes the chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.
The conference will launch ECINet, the ECI’s integrated digital platform.
Thematic sessions will cover seven global electoral themes, 11 model international electoral standards, and 25 best-practice sessions.

Election Commission of India (ECI) to host India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management (Start of January) ▼

The Election Commission of India (ECI) will host the inaugural India International Conference on Democracy and Election Management from January 21 to 23 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The three-day conference is organised by the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) under the aegis of the ECI.
Representatives from 42 election management bodies and over 90 international delegates, including from the United States and Bhutan, will participate.
The conference will discuss voter roll management, technological interventions, and Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises.
India assumes the chair of the Council of Member States of International IDEA for 2026.
The conference theme is 'Democracy for an inclusive, peaceful, resilient and sustainable world.'
Over 40 bilateral meetings are scheduled between the Chief Election Commissioner and heads of participating election authorities.
The conference will launch ECINet, the ECI’s integrated digital platform.
Thematic sessions will cover seven global electoral themes, 11 model international electoral standards, and 25 sessions on best practices.

India-Danish Business Council Launched to Promote Investments & Innovation (Start of November) ▼

The Indo-Danish Business Council (IDBC) has been launched in Copenhagen as a strategic think tank and collaboration platform.
It aims to foster deeper innovation, policy, and investment ties between India and the Nordic region across life sciences, deep tech, healthcare, sustainability, and venture ecosystems.
The launch extends the spirit of the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark into innovation, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange.
Established in Copenhagen and New Delhi in 2025, IDBC works to connect startups, investors, policymakers, and academic institutions.
Its core pillars include Thought Leadership & Policy Insight, Startup & Industry Collaboration, and an Annual Summit Platform.
IDBC announced plans to host an annual Indo-Nordic Innovation & Leadership Summit.

Japan and India hold 18th Japan–India Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue in New Delhi

[Japan]

Key Updates:

The 18th Japan–India Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue was held in New Delhi, marking the substantive core of Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu’s official visit to India.
Both sides decided to initiate a Private Sector–led Business-to-Business Dialogue on Economic Security in early 2026.
A Japan–India AI Strategic Dialogue was formally established to cooperate on artificial intelligence governance, innovation, and competitiveness.
Japan will contribute to India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
The next round of Senior Officials’ Talks on Economic Security and the Joint Working Group on Critical Minerals will be convened.
The Japan–India Startup Support Initiative (JISSI) was reviewed to promote collaboration between Japanese and Indian startups.
The Japan–India Intellectual Conclave (Kizuna Dialogue) is scheduled in Shillong in February 2026.
Foreign Minister Motegi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming the Japan–India partnership as a 'natural partnership' anchored in shared democratic values and strategic interests.

Similar Coverage

PM Modi launches projects worth over ₹11,000 crore in West Bengal and Assam (Mid of January) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit West Bengal and Assam to inaugurate, lay foundation stones and flag off rail, road, port and inland water transport projects worth more than ₹11,000 crore.
The projects include India’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper Train between Howrah and Guwahati, new Amrit Bharat Express services, highway works and port-linked infrastructure.
In West Bengal, projects worth more than ₹3,250 crore include a new rail line between Balurghat and Hili, freight maintenance facilities at New Jalpaiguri, and rail electrification works on the New Coochbehar–Bamanhat and New Coochbehar–Boxirhat sections.
In Assam, the ₹6,950-crore Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project involves four-laning of the Kaliabor–Numaligarh section of NH-715, including a 35 km elevated wildlife corridor through Kaziranga National Park.

India and Indonesia Hold Third Defence Ministers' Dialogue on November 27, 2025 (End of November) ▼

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co-chaired the Third India-Indonesia Defence Ministers' Dialogue with Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in New Delhi.
Both nations adopted a shared vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
Discussions focused on furthering defence cooperation and strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
An enhanced agreement on defence cooperation was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia in May 2018.
President Prabowo Subianto made a state visit to India from January 23 to 26, 2025, and was the chief guest of India's Republic Day parade.
India and Indonesia are maritime neighbors and two leading democracies in Asia, sharing values of pluralism, inclusiveness, and the rule of law.

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.

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

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

India flags off INS Sagardhwani for Sagar Maitri V oceanographic mission

Key Updates:

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

Similar Coverage

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

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

Supreme Court stays 100-metre Aravalli definition, forms new expert panel (End of December) ▼

Supreme Court stays its November 20 order accepting the Centre’s 100-metre height definition for Aravalli Hills.
A new High-Powered Expert Committee will be constituted to resolve critical ambiguities.
The stay will remain in effect till the new committee is constituted.
The Court issued notice on the suo motu case returnable on January 21.

India dispatches 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu (End of November) ▼

Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft landed in Colombo with nearly 12 tonnes of relief material including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items.
Indian Naval Ship Vikrant and Indian Naval Ship Udaygiri delivered 4.5 tonnes of dry rations and 2 tonnes of fresh rations to cyclone-affected families.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated on X: 'Operation Sagar Bandhu unfolds. Indian Air Force C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid... lands in Colombo.'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X: 'India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital HADR support under Operation Sagar Bandhu.'

Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill to establish commission for independent higher education institutions (Mid of December) ▼

The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill proposes to establish a commission to facilitate universities and other higher educational institutions to become independent self-governing institutions.
The commission aims to promote excellence through a robust and transparent system of accreditation and autonomy in higher education.
It will formulate and suggest schemes to improve the quality of education and advise the Centre and states for the holistic development of higher education in the country.
The proposed Commission will comprise three wings: the Regulatory Council, Accreditation Council, and the Standards Council.
The legislation will cover all Institutions of National Importance, other institutions established by Parliament, Universities in India, colleges, and institutions regulated under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
The bill proposes to develop a roadmap for integration and promotion of Bharatiya knowledge, languages, and arts across the multi-disciplinary higher education system.
A steep fine of minimum ₹10 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs is proposed if an educational institution contravenes the provisions of the new law, with higher penalties or suspension for repeated offences.

Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) bags SKOCH Award 2025 for indigenous Cell Broadcast Solution powering India’s disaster early-warning infrastructure

[Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)]

Key Updates:

C-DOT’s Cell Broadcast Solution is a fully integrated national platform that connects disaster-alert originators, approval authorities, and telecom operators on a single automated system.
The platform enables near real-time, geo-targeted delivery of life-saving alerts to millions of mobile users simultaneously without network congestion or dependence on internet connectivity.
CBS supports multi-hazard alerting across weather, floods, tsunamis, landslides and forest fires with geo-fenced targeting and multi-lingual messaging in 21 Indian languages.
The solution aligns with the United Nations’ “Early Warnings for All (EW4All)” initiative, the ITU Call to Action, and multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Similar Coverage

Chennai-based Photonics Odyssey wins NASA Space Apps 2025 Most Inspirational Award with sovereign phased-array satellite internet concept (Mid of December) ▼

An Indian team’s satellite internet concept emerged as a global winner of NASA’s 2025 International Space Apps Challenge.
The Chennai-based team, Photonics Odyssey, proposed a sovereign, phased-array satellite internet infrastructure to expand broadband access across remote regions and won the Most Inspirational Award.
The project aims to reduce ground dependency and help connect more than 700 million people in India who currently lack access to broadband connectivity.
NASA said the 2025 edition of its flagship global hackathon brought together more than 1 lakh 14 thousand participants across 5 hundred and 51 local events in 1 hundred and 67 countries and territories.

Indian Railways commissions Kavach 4.0 on Gujarat’s Bajwa (Vadodara)–Ahmedabad Section (Start of January) ▼

Kavach 4.0 has been commissioned in Gujarat’s first Bajwa(Vadodara)–Ahmedabad section(96-km).
The project covers 17 stations and includes robust infrastructure such as 23 towers, 20 Kavach buildings/huts, 192 km of optical fibre cable, and installation of 2,872 RFID tags.
Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system of Indian Railways, designed to provide the highest level of operational safety.
It is a highly technology-intensive system certified to Safety Integrity Level–4 (SIL-4), one of the highest safety standards in signalling systems.
Kavach assists Loco Pilots by automatically applying brakes in situations where prescribed speed limits are exceeded or when safety is compromised.
Key enhancements in Kavach 4.0 include improved location accuracy, better signal aspect information in large and complex station yards, station-to-station Kavach interface through optical fibre cable, and direct integration with existing electronic interlocking systems.

Kyivstar and Starlink Bring Europe’s First Direct-to-Cell Service Live in Ukraine (End of November) ▼

Kyivstar is now offering direct-to-cell services for its customers by working with SpaceX’s Starlink constellation.
Around 200,000 Kyivstar customers have already registered on the Direct to Cell network.
More than 16,000 SMS messages were sent and received just on Monday when the service went live.
The service will support customers during prolonged blackouts and Ukrainians in areas near the front line and in de-occupied territories where the terrestrial network is damaged or under restoration.
The coverage extends across Ukraine’s territory but does not include occupied areas, border regions, and active combat zones.
The Starlink Direct to Cell technology is compatible only with Android smartphones with 4G support, and integration with iOS is expected soon.

C-DOT wins IEEE SA Corporate Award 2025 (Mid of December) ▼

C-DOT has become the first organisation from India to receive the IEEE SA Corporate Award.
It is only the fifth organisation globally to be honoured by the 140-year-old IEEE.
The award recognises C-DOT’s contributions to advancing IEEE standards in wireless broadband, rural 5G, telecom education and in building globally recognised, standards-based innovation frameworks from India.

China Meteorological Administration reports Fengyun-3D satellite shows A23a iceberg in final stage of disintegration

[China, China Meteorological Administration]

Key Updates:

China's Fengyun-3D satellite has found that A23a, once the world's largest iceberg, has entered the final stage of its disintegration.
True-color images with 250-meter resolution captured on January 14 showed that the iceberg's main body has reduced to just 506 square kilometers.
The iceberg has shrunk to less than one-eighth its initial size of 4,170 square kilometers when it broke away from the Antarctic ice shelf in 1986.
The primary cause of this rapid breakup is hydrofracturing.
Satellite images showed blue-colored meltwater accumulating in the iceberg's center, held there by natural bulges on the edges.

Similar Coverage

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV-C62 mission hits anomaly after third stage (Mid of January) ▼

The PSLV-C62 mission lifted off at 10:18:30 IST from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
ISRO acknowledged 'a deviation of sort in the flight path' after the end of the third stage and is analysing the data.
The 44.4-metre-tall four-stage PSLV-C62 carried the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites.
The rocket was to inject payloads into a Sun Synchronous Orbit at an altitude of around 511 km.
The fourth stage (PS4) was planned to restart for a controlled de-boost manoeuvre to re-enter and splash down the Kestrel Initial Technology Demonstrator (KID) capsule in the South Pacific Ocean.
EOS-N1 is an Earth observation satellite for environmental monitoring, resource mapping, and disaster management support.
KID, developed by a Spanish startup, is a small-scale re-entry vehicle prototype for technology demonstration.
The mission is the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the ninth dedicated commercial mission executed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Falcon 9 launches Sentinel-6B satellite to extend 30-year sea-level record (End of November) ▼

Sentinel-6B satellite launched by Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
Joint U.S.-European mission involving NASA, ESA, European Commission, NOAA, Eumetsat, CNES
Spacecraft will operate in 1,336-kilometer orbit at 66-degree inclination, weighing 1,190 kilograms
Extends unbroken sea-level record dating to 1992 TOPEX-Poseidon mission; current rise rate ~4 mm/year
Data improves hurricane forecasts and supports SpaceX booster recovery weather models

China’s Shenzhou-22 Launches Emergency Mission to Tiangong Space Station (End of November) ▼

China has deployed a replacement return capsule to its space station, marking the first emergency launch in its crewed space programme.
The Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, loaded with 600 kg of supplies, including food and material needed to repair a damaged return vehicle, lifted off at 12.11 PM (local time) on Tuesday.
It linked up with the Tiangong space station in under four hours.
The astronauts had been forced to rely on the fresh capsule because their designated Shenzhou-20 return ship was found to have tiny cracks in one of its portholes, damage suspected to be caused by space debris.
The flaw made it unsafe for a crewed descent.
Shenzhou-20 will be repaired and sent back to Earth at a later stage, but only as a cargo vessel without astronauts.
Zheng Wei, a researcher at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), explained the complexity of repairing the affected glass.
According to SCMC, Zheng said removing the glass was too risky, meaning repairs could only be done internally, strengthening the structure from within.
Shenzhou-22 was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China on a Long March-2F Y22 rocket.
According to Xinhua, the spacecraft includes several upgrades — such as enhancements to the instrument system, more room for payload installation and refinements to various components — improvements that will be incorporated into future vessels.

Unprecedented Brightening of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS Reported (Start of November) ▼

Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS exhibited an unprecedented and rapid increase in brightness as it approached the Sun.
The finding is significant because the internal composition of 3I/ATLAS could suggest that the planetary system from which it originates has a unique chemical makeup.
The unusual event was detected by several space-based observatories, including the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), the GOES-19 meteorological satellite, and NASA’s twin spacecraft, STEREO-A and STEREO-B (Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory).
Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third known interstellar object to enter our solar system, following the elongated asteroid ‘Oumuamua and 2I/Borisov.
Karl Battams of the Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC, and Qicheng Zhang of the Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona, reported the findings in a new paper published on the research repository arXiv.
The rapid brightening of 3I/ATLAS far exceeds the brightening rate of most Oort Cloud comets at similar radial distances.
Researchers have proposed multiple hypotheses for the anomaly, including the comet’s high velocity as it approaches the Sun, or intrinsic differences in its composition or structure compared to typical Oort Cloud comets.
Carbon dioxide sublimation seemed to dominate the comet’s activity even when it was just three times farther from the Sun than Earth, suggesting that cooling effects might have delayed water-ice sublimation.

CUSAT-led team establishes new genus and species of microscopic crustacean from Kavaratti lagoon

[CUSAT]

Key Updates:

The crustacean belongs to the family Laophontidae within the Copepoda class.
Named Indiaphonte bijoyi, the generic name honours India and the species name commemorates S. Bijoy Nandan, Dean, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).
Females range from 518 to 772 micrometres in body length; males from 508 to 756 micrometres.
As meiofauna, these organisms produce omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA essential for fish and shellfish growth and human nutrition.
Harpacticoid copepods serve as reliable bio-indicators of pollution, oil spills, heavy metals and climate change.

Similar Coverage

Scientists Identify New Reed Snake Species Calamaria mizoramensis in Mizoram (Start of January) ▼

Scientists have identified a new species of reed snake, Calamaria mizoramensis, in Mizoram, India.
The breakthrough came with a fresh round of research published in Zootaxa.
The snake showed more than a 15 per cent genetic difference from its closest known relatives.
This newly identified snake is non-venomous and mostly active at night.
It prefers moist, forested hills and has been found at elevations between 670 and 1,295 metres.

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.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Observes Massive Phytoplankton Bloom Near Chatham Islands (Mid of January) ▼

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.

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.

DNA analysis confirms Brandt’s hedgehog as first-time Indian species in Jammu & Kashmir

[Jammu & Kashmir]

Key Updates:

DNA analysis and morphometric study proved that this a new species not only for J&K but the whole India
The animal was found to match with Brandt’s Hedgehog which presently has been reported from the countries of Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen but has not been reported in India until now
The discovery shows that the species has expanded its distribution
The confirmation of the presence of Brandt’s Hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas) is a noteworthy addition to the biodiversity of UT of Jammu and Kashmir
The study suggests a potential range expansion for the species, which could be attributed to various ecological factors such as climate change, habitat connectivity, and food availability
The discovery of Brandt’s Hedgehog highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts to be initiated with clear objectives and conservation strategies
To ensure the habitat availability and the extent of sites with suitable habitat, a detailed habitat analysis is to be done
Further studies are recommended to monitor the population dynamics of hedgehog species in the area

Similar Coverage

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.

Discovery of Albino Checkered Kneelback Snake in Assam (Mid of November) ▼

A juvenile albino checkered kneelback snake, a rare hypopigmentation anomaly, has been documented for the first time in Guwahati at the Assam State Zoo.
This discovery adds the state to an exclusive list of regions that reported hypopigmentation anomalies in this species.
The snake displayed the character of albinism, a genetic anomaly causing absence of melanin, resulting in pale yellow skin and distinctive red eyes.
The finding was published in the international journal ‘Reptiles and Amphibians’ by a team of researchers including Rupankar Bhattacharjee, Ashwini Kumar, Jayaditya Purkayastha, Pranjal Mahananda, and Debabrata Phukon.
The identity of the snake was confirmed through detailed inspection of its appearance and scalation, which matched published descriptions for the Fowlea piscator.
Albino snakes face significant difficulty to survive in the wild, making discoveries of such species rare and scientifically valuable, as they rarely get the chance to grow to adulthood.
After careful observation and study by the state zoo researchers, the snake was released safely into a protected forest habitat within three days of its finding.
The albino snake found was a juvenile measuring 290 mm.

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.

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.

Madhya Pradesh Government Ramps Up Detection and Treatment Following Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) Outbreak

[Madhya Pradesh]

Key Updates:

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a disease in which a patient's immune system mistakenly starts attacking the peripheral nervous system.
In GBS patients, parts of the body suddenly become numb, muscle weakness develops, and they may also face difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
The disease is sometimes linked to eating undercooked poultry, unpasteurised dairy, or consuming water contaminated with sewage.
Samples of patients' blood serum, food items and other materials have been sent to institutes in Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune for testing.

Similar Coverage

West Bengal on Nipah alert as two nurses test positive; hospitals activate isolation wards and PPE protocols (Mid of January) ▼

Two nurses from a private hospital in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, have tested positive for Nipah virus and are on ventilator support due to severe lung and brain infection (encephalitis).
All government and private healthcare units must immediately report patients with high-grade fever, acute respiratory distress, or encephalitis to the state health department.
Major private hospitals like CMRI and Manipal Hospital have activated dedicated isolation wards and conducted mock drills following Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and West Bengal Health Department guidelines.
The Union Health Ministry has deployed the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), led by All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, to assist the state.
Nipah virus has two known strains—NiV-Malaysia (NiV-M) and NiV-Bangladesh (NiV-B)—and the strain in West Bengal is yet to be confirmed.

TB Mukta Panchayat: Aims to Eliminate Tuberculosis by 2027 (End of November) ▼

The TB Mukta Panchayat (TMP) is an initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The TMP was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, 2023.
The initiative aims to involve elected members of the panchayats to eliminate tuberculosis by 2027.
The criteria for declaration of the tuberculosis-free panchayat includes collection of at least 30 samples per 1000 population, and the number of TB patients in the panchayat should be zero or less than one per cent per 1,000 population.
A panchayat will be qualified to be TB Mukt Panchayat, only if all criteria related to test result, treatment and all notified cases benefited from Nikshay Mitra under Prime Minister TB Mukta Bharat Abhiyan.

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

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

Maharashtra Government Declares Leprosy a Notifiable Disease (Start of November) ▼

The Maharashtra government has officially declared leprosy a “notifiable disease.”
It is now mandatory for all doctors and healthcare institutions to report every diagnosed case of leprosy within two weeks to the respective district health office, Assistant Director (Health Services – Leprosy), and local municipal health authorities.
The state had set a goal of achieving a ‘Leprosy-Free Maharashtra by 2027.’
Objectives include completely breaking the chain of infection, reducing disease transmission to zero, eliminating deformities among children, and eradicating social discrimination against persons affected by leprosy.
All doctors—both in public and private sectors—as well as pathologists, microbiologists, healthcare staff, and field officers are required to ensure proper treatment, follow-up all diagnosed cases, and administration of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to their close contacts.
Leprosy was declared notifiable in 2005 uniformly under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP), Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and was once again redeclared as notifiable in 2017 to strengthen the surveillance.

Nagaland University & University of Science and Technology Beijing turn waste apple leaves into 96.2% corrosion shield for copper

[Nagaland, China]

Key Updates:

Carbon quantum dots derived from discarded apple leaves delivered 96.2% corrosion protection for copper in acidic environments.
The apple-leaf carbon quantum dots (ACDs) achieved 94% inhibition efficiency at low concentrations, rising to 96.2% over longer exposure.
Using a green hydrothermal process, the team converted apple leaves into sulfur- and nitrogen-doped nanoscale carbon particles that form a compact, stable protective film on copper.
Advanced theoretical modelling revealed that specific nitrogen-containing groups anchor the protective layer to the metal surface.
The study supports circular economy models by converting agricultural residue into high-value functional nanomaterials.

Similar Coverage

India Cultivates Coffee under Unique Two-Tier Shade System Enhancing Biodiversity (Start of December) ▼

Indian coffee is cultivated under a unique two-tier shade system of evergreen and leguminous trees, with nearly 50 varieties enhancing soil health and biodiversity.
Western Ghats form one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world and provide ideal conditions for coffee.
Coffee serves as both an environmentally sustainable and economically vital plantation crop.
Coffee Board of India develops high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties and standardizes modern cultivation technologies.
India produces shade-grown, handpicked, and sun-dried coffees positioned in premium markets.

CSIR–CFTRI develops annatto-based natural colourants for dairy and food sectors (Mid of December) ▼

CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR–CFTRI) has developed a batch-type percolation technique to extract annatto dye into crystal-like form usable as water-soluble, oil-soluble or refined powder formulations.
A continuous power-operated annatto seed separator of 100 kg/hr input and 40 kg/hr seed output was engineered for low-cost, easy-to-fabricate pod seed separation.
Tailor-made water-soluble carbonate annatto formulations suit hard-boiled candies, vermicelli, gold fingers, biriyani and vegetable manchurian, while PG-based versions suit butter, cheese, biscuit cream, bakery cream, icing cream and traditional sweets like boondi laddu and motichoor laddu.
Forest College and Research Institute (FC & RI), Mettupalayam, has framed precision silvicultural and canopy management practices to maximise annatto seed yield under its moderate drought-tolerant, low-water requirement profile planted during June–September monsoon.

DAE Launches India’s First Nitric-Oxide Wound Dressing and Indigenous Rare Earth Elements Reference Material (Mid of November) ▼

DAE, in collaboration with Cologenesis Pvt. Ltd., launched ColoNoX, India’s first nitric-oxide-releasing wound dressing for diabetic foot ulcers DFU.
The wound dressing was developed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre BARC and clinically validated through Phase II and III trials, receiving DCGI approval for commercial manufacturing.
DAE released an indigenously developed Certified Reference Material CRM titled Ferrocarbonatite FC – BARC B140, to support exploration, extraction and process control in Rare Earth Elements REEs.
The CRM was created jointly by BARC’s NCCCM National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials and the Atomic Minerals Directorate AMD, Hyderabad.
The Ferrocarbonatite FC – BARC B140 CRM provides certified values for thirteen rare-earth elements and six major elements.
Officials noted that this CRM is the first of its kind developed in India and only the fourth in the world.

Semiophore Ltd. Joint Venture to Commercialize Indian Pheromone Technologies Globally (Start of December) ▼

ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd. (India) and Luxembourg Industries Ltd. (Israel) signed licensing agreements to establish Semiophore Ltd., a 50-50 Indo-Israeli partnership.
Semiophore Ltd. will manufacture and commercialize 18 Indian-developed pheromone-based crop protection technologies in Israel and export them to markets including Brazil and the United States.
The technologies are designed to reduce insecticide use by more than 80%, offering a low-toxicity alternative to chemical pesticides.

Abu Dhabi named World’s Safest City for 10th consecutive year on January 20, 2026

Key Updates:

Abu Dhabi has once again been named the world’s safest city in the latest Numbeo Global Safety Index, marking the tenth consecutive year the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital has topped the global rankings.
The city’s unbroken reign as the world's safest city began in 2017, when it first captured the world’s No. 1 safety ranking.
The 2026 safety report evaluated 400 cities across more than 150 countries and placed Abu Dhabi at number one for overall safety.
Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi serves as the Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police.
According to the broader Numbeo Safety Index, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently secured the title of the safest country globally, ahead of other high-ranking nations.
Other cities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that ranked among the world’s safest include Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Sharjah, and Dubai.

Similar Coverage

Qatar successfully trials first autonomous eVTOL urban flight (Mid of November) ▼

Qatar has successfully trialed its first autonomous eVTOL air taxi, marking a milestone in smart urban mobility.
The AI-powered flight operated without human intervention, conducted between the Old Doha Port and Katara Cultural Village.
The Ministry of Transport (MoT), under the leadership of HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, demonstrated a safe, AI-enabled flight.
The trial flight leveraged a full self-control system powered by artificial intelligence and advanced air navigation technologies.
The MoT plans phased development, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure upgrades to integrate safe, efficient, and eco-friendly air transport into Qatar’s future mobility network.
The unmanned air taxi project will advance in multiple consecutive phases, carefully considering technical, operational, and regulatory requirements.
The initiative supports Qatar’s broader goals under the National Development Strategy 3 (NDS3) and Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030), particularly in reducing carbon emissions and improving quality of life.

UAE declares paid New Year holiday for private sector employees on January 1 (Mid of December) ▼

The UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has announced a paid holiday on January 1 for private sector employees.
The announcement was made through an official X post following the UAE cabinet’s approved list of holidays for public and private sector employees.
It remains unclear whether offices will reopen on Friday, January 2.

UAE 2025 Foster Law opens fostering to expatriate families (Mid of December) ▼

Federal Decree-Law No. 12 of 2025 fundamentally reshaping who can foster and how fostering works across the country.
Fostering in the UAE is open not only to Muslim nationals but also to expatriate families of any nationality and religion, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Any married couple, Muslim or non-Muslim, Emirati or expatriate, aged 25 years or older, may apply.
Single women aged 30+ from any nationality or religion may also foster.
The law applies specifically to children of unknown parentage.
Foster parents are strictly prohibited from imposing their cultural or religious beliefs on foster children.
Fostered children retain their legal identity and personal status as registered under the UAE state.
Foster families do not gain inheritance rights, as fostering remains a custodial, not adoptive, arrangement.

GCC Approves Landmark One-Stop Travel System (Mid of November) ▼

The Gulf Cooperation Council has approved a landmark one-stop travel system designed to streamline movement across member states.
the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain selected to pilot the initiative starting in December 2025.
the trial will initially apply to air travel between the two countries.
The new system will allow Gulf citizens to complete all travel procedures including immigration, customs and security checks at a single checkpoint.
The initiative relies on a shared electronic platform that allows member states to coordinate procedures and share data.
The initiative complements the GCC Grand Tours Visa, a Schengen-style unified tourist visa with its pilot launch set for the fourth quarter of 2025.
the Gulf Railway Authority has confirmed that GCC countries are continuing efforts to complete the regional rail network according to schedule, with December 2030 set as the final deadline for completion.

Historic Hindu Temple in Durban Faces Financial Crisis Amid Fraud Allegations

Key Updates:

The 151-year-old Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam temple in Durban is a national monument.
The temple faces potential discontinuation of civic services due to an unpaid bill exceeding half a million rand.
Allegations of misuse of funds have surfaced, with claims that donations were channeled to private accounts instead of the temple's.
The South African Hindu Maha Sabha has rallied community support to preserve the temple's integrity.

Similar Coverage

Swabhiman Parv: January 5, 2026 - 1,000 Years of Somnath Temple's Invasion (Start of January) ▼

Swabhiman Parv is marked on January 5, 2026, to reflect on 1,000 years since the first invasion of the revered temple of Somnath.
The Somnath Temple is located in Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, situated on the western coast by the Arabian Sea.
In January 1026, Mahmud of Ghazni attacked the temple in a violent and barbaric assault aimed at dismantling a symbol of faith and civilisation.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel announced the rebuilding of the temple at the same place after a visit during Diwali in 1947.
On May 11, 1951, the restored temple opened its doors to devotees in the presence of then President Rajendra Prasad.
KM Munshi authored the book "Somanatha: The Shrine Eternal," which played a crucial role in preserving the temple's legacy.
Ahilyabai Holkar is remembered for her historical "efforts to restore worship and dignity to Somnath."
Swami Vivekananda visited Somnath in the 1890s and delivered a lecture in Chennai in 1897 regarding the temple's resilience.

New Zealand protesters use Māori haka against Sikh Nagar Kirtan amid immigration debate (End of December) ▼

A Sikh Nagar Kirtan in Manurewa, South Auckland, was blocked by protesters performing the traditional Māori haka.
Protest leader Brian Tamaki claimed the procession displayed Khalistan flags and slogans calling for violence against Indian PM Modi.
Tamaki framed the protest as resistance to 'mass immigration without assimilation' and 'imported political conflicts'.

Madras High Court reaffirms exclusive ritual rights of Thengalai sect at Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram (Start of December) ▼

Madras high court has reaffirmed that only the Thengalai sub-sect of Sri Vaishnava holds exclusive rights to lead religious recitations and rituals at the Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram.
The court observed that earlier landmark judgments from 1882, 1915, 1939, and 1969 already determined that the Adhyapaka Mirasi rights belong exclusively to the Thengalai sect residing in Kanchipuram.
The bench ruled that these findings continue to remain legally valid and enforceable, noting that the Vadagalai sect’s participation must be limited to joining the recitation as worshippers without independent invocation.

Thousands witness Makaravilakku at Sabarimala Temple in Kerala (Mid of January) ▼

Thousands of devotees waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the Makarajyoti and witness the Makaravilakku deeparadhana performed atop the Ponnambalamedu hillock.
The 26-member team carrying the sacred ornaments from the Pandalam Palace formally handed over the jewellery casket to Tantri Mahesh Mohanaru and Melsanthi E.D. Prasad.
The temple recorded total collections of ₹429 crore during the Mandala–Makaravilakku season, with revenue from appam and aravana sales alone amounting to ₹190 crore.

Responsible Nations' Index (RNI) launched on January 19, 2026

[Singapore]

Key Updates:

Singapore ranked first and India 16th in the Responsible Nations' Index (RNI) launched by former president Ram Nath Kovind.
The RNI is a global evaluative framework developed by the think tank World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) in academic collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and methodological validation by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai.
The index is anchored in three core dimensions -- internal responsibility, environmental responsibility and external responsibility.
The RNI has been operationalised through seven dimensions, 15 aspects and 58 indicators.
Switzerland was second, Denmark third and the Central African Republic stood last on the 154-nation index.
Sudhanshu Mittal, Founder and Secretary, WIF, said the RNI represents a shift from power-centric assessments to responsibility-centric evaluation of nations.
India's neighbour Pakistan was in the 90th place, while China was ranked 68th and the US 66th, according to the RNI.

Similar Coverage

Responsible Nations Index launch by Ram Nath Kovind on January 19 (Mid of January) ▼

Responsible Nations Index (RNI) will be launched by former president Ram Nath Kovind on January 19.
RNI is developed by World Intellectual Foundation (WIF) in academic collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and methodological validation by Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Mumbai.
RNI evaluates countries on internal responsibility, environmental responsibility, and external responsibility.
The index covers 154 countries and will be released every year in March.
RNI is operationalised through seven dimensions, 15 aspects, and 58 indicators sourced from globally recognised datasets.

Climate Change Performance Index 2026: Denmark leads as India drops 13 places (Mid of November) ▼

CCPI 2026 published at UN COP30 Climate Summit lists Denmark (80.52 pts) in 4th place as top-ranked country; top three ranks remain vacant as no nation achieved 'very high' rating
India fell 13 positions—from 10th to 23rd—with a score of 61.31, now classed as a 'medium' performer
Report jointly released by Germanwatch, NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network
Saudi Arabia ranks lowest at 67th (11.9 pts); Iran 66th, United States 65th and China 54th also placed among bottom performers
Index evaluates countries on GHG emissions, renewable energy, energy use and climate policy

Panchamrit Commitments: National Pathway to Net-Zero Emissions by 2070 (Mid of January) ▼

India has committed to a pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2070 as part of the Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26. "Referring to the Panchamrit commitments announced at COP-26, he observed that India’s pathway towards net-zero emissions by 2070 is both ambitious and realistic."
The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is a global leadership initiative by India to mobilise countries of the Global South for affordable solar solutions. "He highlighted India’s leadership in the International Solar Alliance, which has mobilised countries of the Global South around affordable and scalable solar solutions."
The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) focuses on strengthening global infrastructure systems against climate-induced shocks. "the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which focuses on strengthening infrastructure systems against climate-induced shocks."
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) integrates civilisational ethics of environmental stewardship into India's urbanisation and infrastructure strategies. "Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs... situating contemporary climate policy within a broader civilisational ethic... values that continue to inform India’s urbanisation and infrastructure strategies."
India is transitioning towards domestic clean-technology manufacturing to ensure energy security and a future-ready economy. "It must rest on homegrown clean technologies, resilient manufacturing and a future-ready workforce."

UNEP: Global GHG emissions hit record 57.7 Gt CO2e in 2024, India posts largest jump (Start of November) ▼

Global greenhouse-gas emissions rose 2.3 % in 2024 to a record 57.7 gigatonnes CO2 equivalent (UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2025).
India recorded the biggest year-on-year increase in emissions, followed by China, Russia, Indonesia and the United States.
Indonesia had the fastest growth rate at 4.6 % and India at 3.6 %, while China’s emissions grew 0.5 %.
The European Union was the only major economy to reduce emissions in 2024.
Current fully-implemented climate pledges still put the world on track for 2.3 °C–2.5 °C warming by 2100, well above the Paris Agreement 1.5 °C limit.

NDRF Raising Day observed on January 19

[National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)]

Key Updates:

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

Similar Coverage

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness observed on December 27 (End of December) ▼

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness is observed annually on December 27.
The United Nations General Assembly officially designated this day in December 2020 through Resolution 75/27.
The initiative was spearheaded by Vietnam and supported by several other nations.
The first observance took place on December 27, 2020.

SSB Raising Day observed on December 20 (End of December) ▼

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Raising Day is observed on December 20 every year.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended greetings to SSB personnel and their families on the 62nd Raising Day of the force.
The SSB was raised in 1963 and has a strength of about 90,000 personnel under the Union home ministry.

World Tsunami Awareness Day observed on November 5: Theme 'Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness' for 2025 (Start of November) ▼

World Tsunami Awareness Day is observed annually on November 5, following its establishment by the UN General Assembly in December 2015 through Resolution 70/203.
The day aims to raise global awareness of the tsunami hazard, promote risk-reduction measures, and build resilient coastal communities.
It was designated at the request of Japan, acknowledging that tsunamis are rare but potentially catastrophic events that threaten coastal communities globally.
The current theme is 'Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness.'
The first recorded tsunami occurred in 479 BC in Potidaea, Greece, following an earthquake.
At least 58 tsunamis occurred in the past 100 years, resulting in more than 260,000 deaths.
The catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami claimed approximately 230,000 lives, affecting 14 countries.
Around 80% of tsunamis occur in the Pacific Ocean’s 'Ring of Fire' due to frequent undersea earthquakes.
Tsunamis can travel at up to 800 km/h across the open ocean and strike within minutes of the triggering event in nearby coastlines.
It is the deadliest natural disaster on average per event.
A Japanese folk tale 'Inamura-no-hi' (the burning of rice sheaves) inspired the selection of this date because the fire signalled an imminent tsunami and saved lives.
The day aligns closely with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-30).
2015: First time proposed by Japan, a country with long experience in tsunami preparedness and disaster risk reduction.
2025: The theme calls for 'Be Tsunami Ready: Invest in Tsunami Preparedness' all across the vulnerable regions.

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims observed on November 16, 2025, with the theme "Safe Speeds Save Lives" (Mid of November) ▼

November 16, 2025, is World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.
Over 300 small flags will represent those who have died on our roads since the last World Day of Remembrance in 2024.
This year’s theme is Safe Speeds Save Lives, focusing on the need to use more effective – but under-used – tools to discourage dangerously high speeds.”