Daily Current Affairs: 21 February 2026

Analysis for 21 February 2026

Nagaland University conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five chemists.

[Nagaland University]

Key Updates:

Nagaland University presented the awards to prof AK Mallik, prof VS Raja, prof MA Quraishi, prof M Indira Devi, and prof Nitin Chattopadhyay during ICCMR–2026 held from Feb 18-20 at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami.
Prof AK Mallik of Punjabi University, Patiala, is noted for advances in materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science.
Prof VS Raja of IIT Bombay is acclaimed for corrosion science and engineering research.
Prof MA Quraishi, formerly of IIT-BHU Varanasi, is credited with over 380 publications and over 15,000 citations in corrosion science and green chemistry.
Prof M Indira Devi of Nagaland University specialises in lanthanide complexation and nanomaterials and has served as dean of the school of sciences.
Prof Nitin Chattopadhyay, former professor and dean at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is renowned for photophysics, photochemistry, and fluorescence sensing and is a CSIR emeritus scientist.

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Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launches Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award (Mid of February) ▼

Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev launched the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award to recognise individuals for their contributions to the growth and well-being of the nation.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the launch event as the chief guest and felicitated the award recipients during the Mahashivaratri celebrations.
The award recognises contributions across seven categories: national security, business, arts and entertainment, sports, community welfare, science and technology, and literature and academia.
Noted violinist N Rajam was among the individuals honoured with the Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award.
Former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman S Kiran Kumar received the award as a representative of the organisation for its decades of work in space technology.
The Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award is a national honour established by the Isha Foundation.

Bakul Limbasiya received APO National Award for pioneering contributions to lab-grown diamond sector (End of January) ▼

Bakul Limbasiya, founder of Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (BTPL), was conferred the APO National Award administered by the National Productivity Council (NPC) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.
He is credited with producing India’s first-ever lab-grown diamond in 2004 and has been associated with the industry since 1998.
BTPL, based in Surat, is one of the world’s leading producers of lab-grown CVD diamond reactors and advanced technologies for lab-grown diamonds.

Dr A. E. Muthunayagam Awarded Padma Shri 2026 in Science and Engineering (End of January) ▼

Dr A. E. Muthunayagam, a veteran scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) from Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, was awarded the Padma Shri 2026 in the field of Science and Engineering.
He served as the founding Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) from November 1985 to April 1994.
He was the Project Manager for the Vikas engine project, developed with a French aerospace company, and oversaw liquid propulsion systems for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
He was among the first batch of scientists recruited by Vikram Sarabhai in 1966 for India’s emerging space programme.
He held the position of Chairman of the Board of Governors at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras from 2005 to 2008.
He previously served as the Secretary of the Department of Ocean Development and Executive Vice-President of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment.
He holds an engineering degree from the University of Madras, a master's from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), a doctorate from Purdue University, and an LLB from the University of Kerala.
He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), and a foreign member of the Academy of Cosmonautics, Moscow.

Anke Gowda And 44 Others Named As Padma Awardees 2026 (End of January) ▼

A total of 45 distinguished individuals have been selected for the Padma Awards 2026, comprising the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, announced one day ahead of Republic Day.
The President of India will personally confer the awards upon the recipients at a ceremonial function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Karnataka’s Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old former bus conductor, was recognised for establishing Pustak Mane, a library housing over two million books and rare manuscripts in 20 languages.
Mumbai-based paediatrician Armida Fernandes was selected for her contribution to improving infant survival through the initiation of Asia’s first human milk bank.
The awardees include 90-year-old Tarpa player Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda from Maharashtra, Bundeli war art trainer Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir social worker Brij Lal Bhatt.
The list features Budri Thati for establishing schools in Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh, Santhali author Charan Hembrom, brass engraving expert Chiranji Lal Yadav, and Hyderabad-based geneticist Kumaraswamy Thangaraj.
Other recipients include Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya, Gaffaruddin Mewati Jogi, Haily War, Inderjit Singh Sidhu, K Pazhanivel, Kailash Chandra Pant, Khem Raj Sundriyal, Kollakkayli Devaki Amma ji, Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Meer Hajibhai Kasambhai, and Mohan Nagar.
The awardees also include Naresh Chandra Dev Verma, Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala, Nuruddin Ahmed, Othuvar Tiruthani Swaminathan, Padma Gurmeet, Pokhila Lekthepi, Punniyamurthy Natesan, R Krishnan, Raghupat Singh, and Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar.
The final set of awardees consists of Rajastapathi Kaiiappa Gounder, Rama Reddy Mamidi, Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole, SG Sushila Amma, Sangyusang S Pongenor, Shafi Shouk, Shrirang Devba Lad, Shyam Sundar, Simanchal Patro, Suresh Hangawadi, Taga Ram Bhil, Techie Gubin, Thiruvarur Bhaktavatsalam, Vishva Bandhu, and Yumnaam Jatra Singh.

Mani Shankar Mukherjee (Shankar) passes away at 92.

Key Updates:

Mani Shankar Mukherjee, popularly known as Shankar, died at the age of 92 on Friday.
He was born in 1933 in Bongaon, North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal.
Shankar received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2021.
Notable works include Chowrangi, Kato Ajanare, Simabuddha, Janaaranya, and Kumkum Prabhu.

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Geeta Patnaik Passes Away at 73 as Iconic Odia Singer (Mid of February) ▼

Renowned Odia vocalist Geeta Patnaik passed away at the age of 73 while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack, Odisha.
The singer had been hospitalised after suffering a brain stroke and was declared brain dead on Sunday.
Her musical career spanned over five decades, during which she became one of the most influential voices in the Odia music industry.
She was widely recognised for her frequent collaborations with the legendary Odia singer Akshaya Mohanty.
One of her most notable contributions to Odia cinema was lending her voice to the popular song Phur Kina Udigala Bani from the film Jajabar.
Condolences were expressed by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik.

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

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

Mark Tully, veteran journalist and former BBC New Delhi bureau chief, dies at 90. (End of January) ▼

Mark Tully passed away at Max Hospital Saket in Delhi on 25 January 2026 at the age of 90.
He was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 October 1935 to British parents.
Tully served as the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) New Delhi bureau chief for 22 years.
He was knighted in 2002 and received the Padma Bhushan from the Government of India in 2005.
His notable books on India include No Full Stops in India, India in Slow Motion and The Heart of India.

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

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

Sameer Kanodia won CEO of the Year® Award for second consecutive year.

Key Updates:

Sameer Kanodia is the Managing Director and CEO of Lumina Datamatics.
He received the CEO of the Year® Award at Taj Lands' End, Mumbai.
The award is part of The Business Leader of the Year®.
Lumina Datamatics also holds the Great Place to Work Award®.

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Kenta Kon appointed as Toyota CEO (Start of February) ▼

Kenta Kon will assume the role of Toyota CEO effective April 1.
Current CEO Koji Sato will become vice chairman and chief industry officer.
Kenta Kon is currently Toyota's CFO and is described as a longtime confidant of former CEO Akio Toyoda.
Executive vice president Yoichi Miyazaki will succeed Kon as CFO.

Jensen Huang awarded 2026 IEEE Medal of Honor (Start of January) ▼

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, has been named the recipient of the 2026 IEEE Medal of Honor.
The award carries a USD 2 million prize and is the highest accolade of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
He is recognized for visionary leadership and pioneering work in accelerated computing that propelled NVIDIA to the forefront of technological innovation.
Under his guidance, NVIDIA invented the first graphics processing unit (GPU) in 1999, revolutionizing computing and enabling advancements across medicine, engineering, robotics, autonomous vehicles, and manufacturing.
Huang joins past laureates such as Vinton G. Cerf, Robert Kahn, Bradford W. Parkinson, and Morris Chang.

Baba Kalyani wins Indian of the Year 2025 in Business category (End of November) ▼

Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, received the Indian of the Year 2025 award in the Business category at CNN-News18’s annual ceremony.
He was honoured for advancing India’s “Make in India” footprint in the defence sector.
Under his leadership, Bharat Forge and its defence subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) built a major private-sector defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Bharat Forge has become a defence exporter, delivering artillery systems to Europe.

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

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

Eric Dane dies at 53 after Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis.

[United States]

Key Updates:

Eric Dane passed away following a battle with ALS.
He was 53 years old at the time of his death.
Dane publicly revealed his ALS diagnosis in April 2025.
He was best known for playing Dr Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy and Cal Jacobs on Euphoria.
He joined the board of Target ALS in December and helped one of its campaigns exceed a $500,000 fundraising target.
Time magazine named him one of its 100 most influential people in health for his ALS advocacy.

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Sophie Kinsella, bestselling author, passed away at 55 (Mid of December) ▼

Sophie Kinsella, the bestselling author behind the Shopaholic series, passed away at 55.
She died after battling glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Kinsella was diagnosed with glioblastoma at the end of 2022.
More than 50 million copies of her books have been sold across 60 countries.
Her 2024 novella What Does It Feel Like? was inspired by her cancer journey.

International Epilepsy Day 2026 to be observed on 9 February with theme 'Turning Stories into Action' (Start of February) ▼

International Epilepsy Day 2026 falls on Monday, 9 February, the second Monday of February.
The 2026 theme 'Turning Stories into Action' is led by the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE).
The #EpilepsyPledge invites individuals, workplaces, schools, and organisations to commit to actions such as learning seizure first-aid, challenging myths, or sharing accurate information.
Purple is the global colour of epilepsy awareness.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent, unprovoked seizures caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
With proper treatment, seizures can often be managed or controlled.

Actor Pravina Deshpande passes away at 60. (Mid of February) ▼

Pravina Deshpande died on 17 February 2026 after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 60.
Her cremation was held on 17 February 2026 at 3:00 pm at Hindu Crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, Andheri East.
She was a member of Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) since 2008.
Her Hindi film credits include Ready, Ek Villain, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran and Jalebi.
Her television appearances include Ghar Ek Mandir, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Karam Apnaa Apnaa and Kulfi Kumar Bajewala.
Her final screen appearance was in the Netflix web series Taskaree.

Ira 'Ike' Schab, WWII Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor, died at 105. (End of December) ▼

Ira 'Ike' Schab, one of the last remaining survivors of the 1941 Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, died at home in Beaverton, Oregon.
He was a 21-year-old sailor aboard the USS Dobbin during the attack and helped feed ammunition to an anti-aircraft gun.
After the war, Schab worked as an electrical engineer for General Dynamics on the Apollo spaceflight program.
He regularly attended Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremonies to honor those who did not survive.

Veteran filmmaker MM Baig found dead at his Mumbai home.

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

MM Baig was discovered dead at his residence after neighbours alerted police about a foul smell.
Police broke in around 1:30-2:00 am and sent the body to Cooper Hospital for post-mortem.
Baig directed Chhoti Bahu (1994) and the unreleased Massom Gawah (1990).
He assisted directors J Om Prakash, Vimal Kumar and Rakesh Roshan on films including Aadmi Khilona Hai and Kala Bazaar.
His daughter Shahinda Baig, known as Baby Guddu, acted in 1980s Hindi films such as Aakhir Kyon?, Nagina and Aulad.

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Frederick Wiseman Dies at Age 96 as Honorary Academy Award Winning Filmmaker (Mid of February) ▼

Frederick Wiseman, the celebrated director of Titicut Follies and dozens of other documentaries, died at the age of 96.
He was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2016 and completed more than 35 documentaries during his career.
His filmography includes notable works such as High School, Hospital, Public Housing, Basic Training, Boxing Gym, High School II, At Berkeley, Monrovia, Indiana, and Crazy Horse.
His documentaries are preserved by the Library of Congress and were produced through his production company, Zipporah Films.
He was an alumnus of Williams College and Yale Law School and served in the United States (US) Army in 1955.
Beyond filmmaking, he had a career in theatre and appeared as an actor in the 2025 films Jane Austen Wrecked My Life and Eephus.
His filmmaking style was unique for avoiding narration, title cards, and prerecorded soundtracks, often serving as his own sound engineer.

Mohammad Bakri, acclaimed Palestinian actor and filmmaker, passed away at 72 (End of December) ▼

Mohammad Bakri died at Galilee Medical Centre in Nahariya after suffering from heart and lung problems.
He was best known for his 2002 documentary Jenin, Jenin, which captured testimonies from Palestinian residents following an Israeli military operation.
Israeli authorities banned the documentary from screening in 2021, and the Supreme Court upheld the prohibition in 2022.
Bakri was born in 1953 in the Galilee village of Bi’ina and studied Arabic literature and theatre at Tel Aviv University.
He made his film debut at age 30 in Costa-Gavras’s Hanna K, playing a Palestinian refugee.

SP Venkatesh Passes Away as Veteran Music Director (Start of February) ▼

Veteran music director SP Venkatesh passed away at the age of 70 at his residence in Chennai following a cardiac arrest.
He began his film career in 1971 as a guitarist and later served as an assistant music director in Kannada cinema in 1975.
He made his debut as an independent artist in 1981 with the Telugu film Prema Yuddham.
He won the Kerala State Film Award for best music director in 1993 for the films Paithrukam and Janam.
His notable works in Malayalam cinema include Rajavinte Makan, Kilukkam, Minnaram, Johnnie Walker, Dhruvam, Valsalyam, Sphadikam, Mannar Mathai Speaking, and Manthrikam.
He was also known for his background scores in films such as Devasuram, Mahayanam, No. 20 Madras Mail, Appu, Sopanam, and Highway.

Brazilian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Fighter Pablo Oliveira Costa Passes Away at 31 (Mid of February) ▼

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

Amazon overtakes Walmart Inc. as world’s largest company by revenue

[United States]

Key Updates:

Amazon reported $717 billion in sales for calendar year 2025.
Walmart Inc. reported $713 billion in sales for the fiscal year ended 31 January.
Amazon’s revenue without cloud computing was $588 billion.
Amazon is the world’s biggest data center owner.

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Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and Amazon sign MoU to launch Amazon Chair Professorship for logistics research (Mid of December) ▼

The Chair will serve as a strategic anchor for collaborative research projects, case studies, real-time industry problem-solving, and innovation pilots relevant to India’s logistics infrastructure.
The MoU includes provisions for co-developing specialized courses, student training modules, internships, and faculty–industry immersion programmes.
GSV, established as a Central University through an Act of Parliament in 2022, functions under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.

China overtakes US as world’s top R&D spender in 2024; India ranks 7th (Start of February) ▼

Global R&D expenditure reached an estimated $2.87 trillion in 2024, up 3% year-on-year, according to World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) data from the Global Innovation Index Database released in December 2024.
China led with $785.9 billion R&D spending in 2024, marking a 20-fold rise since 2000 and a 23 percentage point gain in global share.
The United States (US) ranked second with $781.8 billion R&D spending in 2024, doubling since 2000 but losing 9.7 percentage points in global share.
Japan placed third with $186.0 billion R&D spending in 2024, recording a 7.2 percentage point decline in global share.
Germany was fourth at $132.2 billion, Republic of Korea fifth at $126.4 billion, and United Kingdom sixth at $86.5 billion in 2024 R&D spending.
India ranked seventh globally, spending $75.7 billion on R&D in 2024, tripling since 2000 and equalling roughly one-tenth of China’s expenditure.
France, Türkiye, and Brazil occupied eighth, ninth, and tenth positions with $65.8 billion, $43.2 billion, and $38.4 billion R&D spending respectively in 2024.
Asia accounted for about 45% of total global R&D spending in 2024, with China, Japan, and Republic of Korea among the top 10 spenders.
Emerging economies Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Poland, and Saudi Arabia increased their global R&D presence during 2024.
Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Russia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom recorded declines in their shares of global R&D spending.

Amazon announces $35 billion investment in India by 2030 (Mid of December) ▼

Amazon pledges a $35 billion investment in India by 2030.
The investment builds on Amazon's existing $40 billion-plus capital in India since 2010.
The new funds will focus on AI-driven digitization, export growth, and job creation.
Amazon aims to support a total of 3.8 million jobs in India by 2030.
Amazon targets enabling $80 billion in cumulative e-commerce exports from India by 2030.
The company plans to deliver AI benefits to 15 million small businesses.
Amazon aims to tap into four million government school students with AI education and career exploration opportunities.
Microsoft committed a $17.5 billion investment plan for India.
In 2024, Amazon supported approximately 2.8 million jobs in India.
Amazon-enabled exports from India have surpassed $20 billion.

Walmart becomes first traditional retailer to achieve $1 trillion market valuation (Start of February) ▼

Walmart has become the first traditional retailer to reach a market valuation of $1 trillion (£730 billion).
The company transitioned its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) to the Nasdaq to reinforce its position as a digital and technology-driven firm.
Walmart recorded a 28% increase in e-commerce sales in the United States (US) during the three months ending 31 October.
The retailer announced a partnership with OpenAI in October to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) for meal planning and product discovery.
The company joins an elite group of firms with valuations exceeding $1 trillion, including Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon, and Berkshire Hathaway.
John Furner reached the $1 trillion milestone during his first week as the Chief Executive (CE) of the company.
John David Rainey serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the retail giant.
India link not mentioned in the article.

Waaree Energies to Establish ₹8,175 Crore Lithium-ion Battery Gigafactory in Andhra Pradesh

[Andhra Pradesh, Waaree Energies]

Key Updates:

Waaree Energies will set up an integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory at Rambilli in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
The project involves a total investment of ₹8,175 crore and is expected to generate approximately 3,000 direct jobs.
The greenfield facility will have a production capacity of 16 GWh, covering cell manufacturing, battery packs, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has granted in-principle approval for the project.
The facility is designed to support renewable energy expansion, electric mobility, and grid stability while enhancing strategic manufacturing independence.

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International Finance Corporation (IFC) commits $50 million to GFCL EV Products Ltd for India’s first integrated battery-materials plant. (Start of December) ▼

International Finance Corporation (IFC) commits about $50 million to GFCL EV Products Ltd, a subsidiary of Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd (GFL).
The investment will support large-scale production of lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), electrolyte formulations, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials, and PVDF/PTFE binders.
The greenfield facility is located at Jolva near Bharuch in Gujarat.

Bank of Baroda (BoB) ranks Andhra Pradesh as top investment destination with 25.3% share of proposed capital in FY26. (Start of January) ▼

Andhra Pradesh captured 25.3% of all proposed investments nationwide in the first nine months of FY26.
Odisha and Maharashtra followed with 13.1% and 12.8% shares respectively.
The combined share of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra reached 51.2% of India’s total proposed capital investment.
Nationwide investment announcements totaled Rs 26.6 lakh crore, marking an 11.5% year-on-year increase.
Power sector led with 22.6% of investments, with renewables dominating the segment.
Metals accounted for 17.3% of proposed investments, supporting capital formation across roads, automobiles, and housing.
Construction maintained a steady 4% share, covering both housing and commercial complexes.
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh attributed the performance to consistent reforms, fast decision-making, and investor-friendly policies.

NITI Aayog Unveils ASSET Blueprint for Andhra Pradesh Clean Energy Hub by 2035 with ₹7.5 Lakh Crore Investment (Start of February) ▼

National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) unveiled a draft blueprint under the Accelerating Sustainable State Energy Transition (ASSET) platform to transform Andhra Pradesh into a top renewable energy hub by 2035.
The plan proposes a total sectoral investment of ₹7.5 lakh crore, comprising ₹3.3 - ₹3.4 lakh crore for the state energy transition and ₹4 - ₹4.2 lakh crore for a renewable energy export hub.
Private players are expected to contribute 90% of the total investment, which is projected to create 5-6 lakh new jobs.
For domestic needs, the state aims to add 35 Gigawatt (GW) of solar, 12 GW of wind, and 55-60 Gigawatt-hour (GWh) of storage capacity by 2035.
The export-oriented capacity targets include 30 GW of solar, 25-30 GW of wind, and 10-12 GW of pumped storage projects for national supply.
Infrastructure investments include ₹65,000-₹70,000 crore for transmission modernisation through green corridors and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines, plus ₹40,000 crore for distribution networks.
NITI Aayog estimates power purchase costs will fall to ₹3.90 - ₹4 per unit, while supply costs will be maintained below ₹6 per unit.
The blueprint is scheduled for finalisation by March 2026, with implementation beginning in mid-March 2026 under the monitoring of a dedicated Energy War Room.

ASSET (Accelerating Sustainable State Energy Transition) platform aims to make Andhra Pradesh a top-three renewable energy hub by 2035. (Start of February) ▼

NITI Aayog unveiled a draft blueprint under the ASSET platform to transform Andhra Pradesh into one of India’s top three renewable energy hubs by 2035.
The plan envisages total sectoral investments of Rs 7.5 lakh crore, with 90% expected from private players and the creation of 5-6 lakh new jobs.
Andhra Pradesh targets adding 35 GW solar, 12 GW wind, and 55-60 GWh storage capacity for domestic needs, plus 30 GW solar, 25-30 GW wind, and 10-12 GW pumped storage for national exports by 2035.
Power purchase costs are estimated to fall to Rs 3.90 - Rs 4 per unit, with supply costs kept below Rs 6 per unit, benefiting households, farmers, and industries.
Infrastructure upgrades include Rs 65,000-Rs 70,000 crore for transmission modernisation and Rs 40,000 crore for strengthening distribution networks.
The blueprint will be finalised by March 2026 and implementation is expected to begin mid-March, monitored by a dedicated ‘Energy War Room’.

US President Trump signs 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of Trade Act 1974 effective 24 Feb.

[United States]

Key Updates:

US President Donald Trump signed a 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974, effective 12:01 a.m. ET on 24 February.
The new levy applies for up to 150 days and requires Congressional approval for extension.
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled 6–3 that Trump exceeded authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based import tariffs.
The IEEPA tariffs of 10% to 50% were declared illegal as the 1977 statute does not explicitly authorise duties.
Twelve US states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont—joined legal challenges against the IEEPA tariffs.
The Congressional Budget Office estimated maintaining the tariffs could have an economic impact of roughly $3 trillion over the next decade.

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US President Donald Trump raises tariffs on South Korean imports to 25% (End of January) ▼

US President Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on South Korean imports from 15% to 25% across automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals and other reciprocal tariffs.
South Korea exported goods worth about $123 billion to the US last year, with car exports accounting for about $30 billion.
South Korea’s Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan will visit Washington to meet US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
The October deal included South Korea’s pledge to invest $350 billion in the US, partly in shipbuilding.
The agreement was submitted to South Korea’s National Assembly on 26 November and is likely to be passed in February.

India-US trade deal locks 18% tariff on $900 billion US global imports, zero duty on $150 billion (Mid of February) ▼

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

United States (US) cuts reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. (Start of February) ▼

The United States (US) reduced the reciprocal tariff on imports from India from 25% to 18% effective immediately.
India agreed to cut its tariffs and non-tariff barriers on US goods to zero.
US President Donald Trump announced the trade deal after a phone conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India committed to stop buying Russian oil and increase purchases from the United States and potentially Venezuela.
The White House stated the additional 25% tariff imposed over Russian oil purchases will be dropped.
WTI crude oil futures fell more than 4.5% to around $62.2 a barrel on Monday.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting Washington for discussions on critical minerals.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal stated negotiations for closing the trade deal are progressing quickly.

Mexico Senate approves up to 50% tariffs on China and other non-FTA countries (Mid of December) ▼

Mexico Senate passed new tariffs of up to 50% on over 1,400 products including metals, cars, clothing and appliances.
The levies will take effect on 1 January 2026 and apply to countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico, including China, Thailand, India and Indonesia.
President Claudia Sheinbaum stated the measures are needed to boost domestic production.
China’s commerce ministry spokesperson said the tariffs will substantially harm the interests of trading partners including China and urged Mexico to correct its decision.
The move comes as Mexico negotiates with the US over threatened US tariffs on Mexican steel and aluminium.

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) Secures $360 Million Contract from CMA CGM Group

[France, Cochin Shipyard]

Key Updates:

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has signed an international shipbuilding contract worth approximately $360 million (around ₹3,267 crore) with the France-based CMA CGM Group.
Under the agreement, CSL will construct and deliver six Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered container vessels.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 1,700 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and is estimated to cost approximately $60 million.
The vessels will be designed by Korea Maritime Consultants Co., Ltd. (KOMAC) and manufactured at the CSL facility in Kerala.
The first vessel is expected to be delivered by February 2029, with a subsequent delivery target of two vessels per year.
This contract has increased the total order book of CSL to approximately ₹23,000 crore.
The supply agreement was signed in the presence of Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

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Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) sign MoU to form shipbuilding consortium (Mid of February) ▼

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) signed an MoU in Kolkata on Monday to form a consortium for a national shipbuilding programme.
The consortium will undertake construction of maritime platforms and support India’s maritime infrastructure and operational capability.
The MoU was signed by Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding) at GRSE, and Capt Ganti Venkateswarlu, IN (Retd.), Officiating Chairman and Managing Director at HSL, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
GRSE and HSL stated the consortium will leverage the strengths of both shipyards to expand indigenous shipbuilding capacity and contribute to technological self-reliance.

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

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

India inaugurates Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on 13 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), DG Paramesh Sivamani, inaugurated the Waterjet Production and Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
India has become the third country globally, after the United States and South Korea, to host such a specialised production and testing capability.
The facility was commissioned under a Manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework to establish a domestic supply chain for waterjet propulsion systems.
The ICG currently operates over 100 MJP waterjet propulsion systems across its fleet, with 42 additional systems planned for ships under construction.
The new facility will serve as a regional hub for South Asia and adjoining regions while enhancing indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities.
DG ICG reviewed the progress of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
The ACV project is India’s first indigenous programme of its kind, featuring approximately 50 per cent indigenous content with the first delivery scheduled for May 2026.

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), and port authorities form Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) with ₹15,000 crore joint funding. (Start of February) ▼

Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Chennai Port Authority, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) signed an agreement on Tuesday to form Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL).
The agreement provides for joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for eligible projects aimed at port capacity expansion under the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
India will place orders for 15 domestically manufactured container vessels through BCSL during fiscal 2026-27 as part of a strategy to procure 51 vessels in the next five years under phase one.
The initiative is aligned with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Union Budget 2026-27.

Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launches India Grids of the Future Accelerator with $25 million funding

Key Updates:

The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) launched the India Grids of the Future Accelerator at Mumbai Climate Week 2026 to modernise power distribution and integrate renewable energy.
The initiative is supported by the All India DISCOM Association (AIDA), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and designated Champion Utilities.
GEAPP will deploy up to $25 million by 2028, aiming to unlock a total of $100 million by 2030 to support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of the Government of India.
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with AIDA and distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Delhi and Rajasthan as the first cohort of Champion Utilities.
The accelerator aims to support 15 or more utilities and impact nearly 300 million people through its D4 framework of Digitalisation, Distributed energy resources, Democratisation, and Development.
The third edition of the Energy Transitions Innovation Challenge (ENTICE 3.0) was launched to focus on energy storage and grid digitalisation.
GEAPP was founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity.

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L&T partners with NVIDIA to build gigawatt-scale AI data centre under IndiaAI Mission (Mid of February) ▼

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and NVIDIA will jointly develop a gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence data centre in India as part of the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
The partnership will expand NVIDIA GPU cluster capacity to 30 megawatts at L&T’s 300-acre Chennai data centre campus, designed for future gigawatt-scale expansion.
A separate 40 megawatt data centre is under development in Mumbai to host additional AI infrastructure.
The infrastructure will integrate NVIDIA’s GPUs, CPUs, networking systems and enterprise platforms with L&T’s engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
Target sectors for AI workloads include manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare and public services.

India adds record 52.5 GW power capacity in first 10 months of FY26 (Mid of February) ▼

India added 52,537 MW (52.5 GW) of power generation capacity from all sources in April 2025–January 2026, raising total installed capacity to 520.6 GW as of January 2026.
Over 75% of the new capacity came from renewable energy sources, while the remainder was from thermal sources.
Renewable capacity additions comprised 39.7 GW, including 35 GW of solar and 4.6 GW of wind power.
Large hydro projects contributed 3.4 GW, thermal sources 8.8 GW, and nuclear 700 MW during FY 2025-26.
Fossil fuel-based capacity totals 248.5 GW and non-fossil fuel capacity stands at 272 GW.
Projects under construction include 158 GW of renewable, 39.6 GW of thermal, 13 GW of hydro-electric, and 6.6 GW of nuclear capacity.
Contracts for 22.9 GW of coal- and lignite-based projects have been awarded, with another 24 GW in planning stages; 48.8 GW of renewable, 4.3 GW of hydro-electric, and 7 GW of nuclear projects are also under planning.

Gujarat becomes India’s renewable energy powerhouse with 42.583 GW installed capacity (Start of February) ▼

Gujarat accounts for 16.5 % of India’s total renewable energy with an installed capacity of 42.583 GW.
The state leads India in wind power capacity at 14,820.94 MW and in rooftop solar with over 11 lakh installations generating 6,412.80 MW.
Gujarat ranks second in total solar power capacity at 25,529.40 MW.
Major solar parks in Gujarat include Charanka (749 MW), Radhanesda (700 MW), and Dholera (300 MW).
Khavda Renewable Energy Park in Gujarat is planned to be the world’s largest at 37.35 GW, with 11.33 GW already achieved.
Under PM-KUSUM, 12,700 standalone solar water pumps have been installed in Gujarat.
Gujarat targets 105 GW renewable energy capacity by 2030.

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.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) grants final approval to ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group to operate as mutual fund investment manager.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group]

Key Updates:

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has given final regulatory nod to ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group to commence operations as investment manager for its mutual fund business in India.
ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group secured in-principle clearance from SEBI in March 2025 to enter the mutual fund space.
The firm will offer active equity, passive strategies, hybrid, and fixed-income products.
ASK Mutual Fund will cater to retail investors, long-term savers, HNIs and institutional participants.
ASK has over four decades of experience in India’s equity markets through Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and alternative investment platforms.
In 2022, Blackstone-managed private equity funds acquired majority stake in ASK Asset & Wealth Management Group.

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Central Bank of India (CBI) partners with HSBC Asset Management India (HSBC AMC) to distribute mutual fund products (Start of February) ▼

Central Bank of India (CBI) has entered into a distributorship agreement with HSBC Asset Management India Pvt Ltd (HSBC AMC) to offer mutual fund products to its customers.
HSBC AMC, which acquired the L&T Investment Management business in November 2022, recorded a daily average Assets Under Management (AUM) of ₹1.39 lakh crore in December 2025.
CBI reported a 31.6% year-on-year increase in net profit to ₹1,262 crore for the December quarter.
The net interest income of CBI for the December quarter stood at ₹3,503 crore, reflecting a 1% decline compared to the previous year.
The asset quality of CBI improved during the quarter, with Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) declining to 2.7% and Net NPAs easing to 0.45%.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) Revamps Mutual Fund Regulations and Rationalises Brokerage Caps (Mid of January) ▼

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has notified revamped Mutual Fund Regulations that will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
Sebi has introduced a provision allowing mutual fund schemes to charge a base expense ratio (BER) linked to the performance of the scheme.
The new regulations introduce the concept of a base expense ratio (BER) which represents only the fee charged by an Asset Management Company (AMC) for managing investors’ money.
Levies such as brokerage, securities transaction tax, stamp duty, and exchange fees must now be disclosed separately rather than being aggregated under the total expense ratio.
The brokerage ceiling in the cash market has been reduced to 6 basis points (bps) from an effective 8.59 bps.
The net brokerage cap in the derivatives segment has been lowered to 2 bps from 3.89 bps.
The framework expands the responsibilities of trustees and key managerial personnel to tighten oversight and reinforce governance standards across AMCs.

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

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

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) mandates NISM certification for Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) compliance officers from 2027. (Start of January) ▼

Sebi requires the Compliance Officer of Manager of an AIF to obtain certification from the National Institute of Securities Market by passing the NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund) Certification Examination.
From January 1, 2027, only certified persons can be appointed or continue as compliance officers of managers of AIFs.
Trustee/sponsor/managers of AIFs must reflect compliance with this requirement in the 'Compliance Test Report' prepared by the manager.

Axis Bank partners IndiGo to launch two co-branded travel credit cards on RuPay and Visa networks.

[Axis Bank, IndiGo, RuPay, Visa]

Key Updates:

Axis Bank and IndiGo launched the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card priced at ₹799 plus GST targeting mass retail customers.
The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card is priced at ₹5,000 plus GST and is positioned for affluent customers.
Both cards are linked to IndiGo’s loyalty programme IndiGo BluChip and allow users to earn reward points on eligible retail and travel spends.
The IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card offers one BluChip per ₹100 spent on eligible categories, two BluChips per ₹100 on grocery and dining spends, and three BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo transactions.
Cardholders of the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card receive a 1,200 BluChips voucher on joining, renewal and on achieving specified spending milestones.
The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card offers seven BluChips per ₹100 spent on IndiGo bookings, three BluChips per ₹100 on hotel and grocery spends, and two BluChips per ₹100 on other eligible transactions.
The premium variant provides vouchers worth 5,000 BluChips on joining, renewal and milestone spends, complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, and a reduced forex markup of 2.5% on international transactions.
The products will be available on both the RuPay and Visa networks.

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Axis Bank launches Rooftop Solar Finance for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) (Start of February) ▼

Axis Bank has launched Rooftop Solar Finance, a tailored financing solution to support Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in transitioning to solar energy.
Under this programme, MSMEs can avail collateral-free loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore.
The financing scheme offers flexible repayment tenures ranging from 4 to 7 years.
The product is available nationwide through the branch network of Axis Bank.
Axis Bank has partnered with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and a Technology Partner to provide transparency regarding system costs and projected savings.

Axis Bank launches Digital Merchant Cash Advance Loans for MSMEs (End of December) ▼

Axis Bank offers unsecured digital loans from ₹2 lakh to ₹20 lakh to micro and small businesses.
Eligibility is evaluated through cash-flow intelligence instead of traditional financial statements.
Applicants receive an instant credit decision within minutes and funds are disbursed within a few days.
Repayments are collected through daily instalments aligned with the merchant’s actual sales.

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (Utkarsh SFBL) partners with Axis Securities to launch 3-in-1 account. (End of November) ▼

Utkarsh Small Finance Bank (Utkarsh SFBL) has partnered with Axis Securities to launch a 3-in-1 account that integrates a savings account with Utkarsh SFBL and a demat and trading account with Axis Securities.
Customers can access the 3-in-1 account through branch services, Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, and assisted services.
Axis Securities will provide technology-led trading platforms, research insights, and flexible brokerage plans to support customer investment needs.
Govind Singh, Managing Director & CEO of Utkarsh SFBL, stated the partnership strengthens the bank’s service offerings, enabling customers to invest and build wealth through a unified platform.
Pranav Haridasan, MD & CEO of Axis Securities, added that the partnership aims to make investing simpler, intuitive, and more accessible for Utkarsh customers.

Axis Finance Ltd (AFL) launches Vyapar business loan up to ₹10 lakh for MSMEs. (Start of January) ▼

Axis Finance Ltd (AFL) offers collateral-free Vyapar business loan up to ₹10 lakh.
The loan targets micro and small entrepreneurs in retail, service and trading segments.
Flexible tenures and zero collateral requirements are key features of the product.

Bihar Cabinet Approves Sonepur International Airport Project and ₹1,302 Crore Land Acquisition Allocation

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

The Bihar state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar, approved the construction of an international airport at Sonepur in Saran district.
The proposed airport will feature a 4,200-metre runway designed to handle wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
The project is spread over 4,228 acres and is targeted for completion by the year 2030.
The Bihar government has allocated ₹1,302 crore for the land acquisition process for the airport, which will be developed in the area between Hajipur and Dumaria.
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has granted site clearance and in-principle approval for the project, which was also mentioned in the Union Budget.
The state cabinet sanctioned ₹70 crore for anti-erosion work along an embankment between Ismailpur and Bindtoli in Bhagalpur district.
Bihar currently has operational airports at Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna, as well as in Gaya, Darbhanga, and Purnia.
A total of 35 proposals from various departments were approved during the cabinet meeting.

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PM Modi Inaugurates Infrastructure Projects Worth ₹5,450 Crore in Assam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated multiple infrastructure projects in Assam worth over ₹5,450 crore to enhance connectivity, digital infrastructure, and urban mobility.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a 2.86-km-long, six-lane extradosed Prestressed Concrete (PSC) bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati.
The Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu was constructed at an approximate cost of ₹3,030 crore and is the first extradosed bridge in Northeast India.
The bridge incorporates base isolation technology using friction pendulum bearings and a Bridge Health Monitoring System (BHMS) for real-time condition monitoring.
The Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) was inaugurated on the Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh district, developed in coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The ELF is a 4.2-km-long reinforced concrete stretch designed to handle fighter aircraft up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
The facility serves as a strategic alternative to Dibrugarh Airport and the Chabua Air Force Station, strengthening military infrastructure near the India-China border.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra river (Mid of February) ▼

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel to be built under the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
The 33.7-km long project includes a 15.8-km twin tube tunnel under the river and will be developed at a cost of ₹18,662 crore in Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.
The tunnel will connect Gohpur on NH-15 and Numaligarh on NH-715, reducing the distance between the two Assam cities from 240 km to 34 km and travel time from six hours to 20 minutes.
The project alignment integrates with Rangia-Mukongselek Railway Section under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Gohpur side and Furkating-Mariani loop line section under Tinsukia Division of NFR on Numaligarh side.
The Cabinet also approved three Railways multi-tracking projects at a cost of ₹18,509 crore and three highway projects at a cost of ₹11,079 crore.

Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on National Highway-37 in Moran, Assam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at the first Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) of the northeast at Moran on National Highway-37 in Dibrugarh district, Assam.
The Rs 100-crore ELF is a 4.2-km reinforced stretch on the Moran Bypass and was inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
The facility will serve as a strategic and multi-functional runway for Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and transport aircraft.
It is designed for both civil and military use and will act as an alternative to Dibrugarh airport during emergencies.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Air Chief Marshal A P Singh attended the event.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) clears Rs 11,000 crore highway projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana (Mid of February) ▼

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved highway projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana.
In Maharashtra, the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway-160A will be rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of Rs 3,320.38 crore.
The 154.635-km NH-160A project in Maharashtra will be executed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
In Gujarat, the CCEA approved four-laning of the 107.67-km Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha sections of National Highway-56 at a cost of Rs 4,583.64 crore.
The NH-56 four-laning project in Gujarat is designed for 100 km per hour speed and is expected to cut travel time by 40 per cent.
In Telangana, the CCEA cleared widening of the 80.01-km Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar stretch of National Highway-167 at a cost of Rs 3,175.08 crore.
The NH-167 widening project in Telangana will be executed under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) through the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] scheme.

Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) Phase 2 Launched with ₹6,839 Crore Outlay

Key Updates:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in a border village in the Cachar district of Assam.
The second phase of the programme has a total financial outlay of ₹6,839 crore and will be implemented until the financial year 2028-2029.
The VVP Phase 2 aims to cover 1,954 villages across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
A total of 140 villages located in Assam have been included for development under the second phase of the scheme.
The first phase of the VVP was launched in April 2023 at Kibithoo in Arunachal Pradesh, covering 662 villages in 19 districts along the northern border.
The programme focuses on comprehensive development through security-related initiatives, scheme saturation, and connectivity programmes to transform border villages into India’s first villages.

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Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana (MGY) launched with ₹663 Crore outlay for 2,666 village panchayat offices (Start of February) ▼

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana (MGY) at Bhadran village in Anand district on 30 January 2026.
The scheme involves the construction of new panchayat offices-cum-talati residences across 2,666 villages at a total cost of ₹663 crore.
Under the first phase of the MGY, villages under 114 taluka headquarters will be covered.
The scheme aims to provide urban equivalent facilities including road infrastructure, water, sanitation, solar street lights, e-grams, and community halls to rural areas.
The MGY is planned to eventually expand to all village panchayats in Gujarat with a population exceeding 10,000.
Each Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the state has been allocated a special grant of ₹50 lakh for rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge under the Catch the Rain campaign.
The launch event coincided with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour his message of gram swaraj.

Land Stack and Glossary of Revenue Terms (GoRT) launched to modernise India’s land governance (Start of January) ▼

Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, launched the Land Stack in pilot locations of Chandigarh and Tamil Nadu.
Land Stack is an integrated GIS-based digital platform that aggregates land and property information from multiple government departments into a single-window interface.
Glossary of Revenue Terms (GoRT) standardises land-related terminology across states and is available in English and all 22 scheduled languages.
Both initiatives are part of the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).

Pulse Self-Reliance Mission launched to make India world’s largest pulse exporter (Start of February) ▼

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide Pulse Self-Reliance Mission at Sehore, Madhya Pradesh.
The mission mandates every state to prepare a customised regional roadmap for expanding pulse cultivation based on local needs.
Farmers will receive seed kits and Rs 10,000 per hectare support for model cultivation under a cluster-based approach.
Up to Rs 25 lakh subsidy per unit will be given to establish 1,000 dal mills across the country, including 55 in Madhya Pradesh.
Seed release ceremonies will now be held in states among farmers instead of Delhi.

Raj Unnati Initiative: Rajasthan CM Reviews Projects and Schemes Worth ₹2,000 Crore (End of January) ▼

Chief Minister (CM) Bhajanlal Sharma chaired the first meeting of the Raj Unnati initiative to review seven projects and two schemes involving an estimated expenditure of ₹2,000 crore.
The CM directed the implementation of a cashless alternative model for the PM Suryaghar 150 Units Free Electricity Scheme (PM Suryaghar) to accelerate rooftop solar installations.
Instructions were issued to complete the annual verification of beneficiaries under special disability pensions and the Palanhaar Scheme to release pending payments.
Infrastructure projects reviewed include the Hira Pura Bus Terminal in Jaipur, land acquisition for the Ajmer–Chanderia broad-gauge railway doubling project, and the establishment of girls’ military schools.
The review encompassed the development of solid waste processing plants, faecal sludge treatment plants, and sports and health infrastructure.
The CM mandated the use of the Rajasthan Sampark Helpline for verifying grievance redressal and ordered the replacement of burnt or faulty transformers within a prescribed time frame.
District Collectors were instructed to expedite land allotment for development projects and ensure tenders are issued promptly after allocation.

Kerala Cabinet approves Kerala Nativity Card Bill to certify state residency

[Kerala]

Key Updates:

The Kerala Cabinet approved the Kerala Nativity Card Bill to issue a formal card as an authorised document to certify a person as a Keralite.
A native is defined as a person born in Kerala or whose parent or ancestor was born in Kerala, provided they have not acquired foreign citizenship.
Persons born outside Kerala due to employment or livelihood-related reasons of their parents are also treated as natives if they do not hold foreign citizenship.
Tahsildars will issue the card, and the Village Office will maintain a nativity card register to track the issued documents.
The District Collector is empowered to review, modify, or cancel orders passed by the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) regarding card applications.
The Cabinet decided to establish new fire stations at Mavoor, Neriamangalam, Cheemeni, and Rajakkad, creating 18 posts for the Mavoor station.
Specific posts sanctioned for the new stations include Assistant Station Officers (ASTO), Senior Fire and Rescue Officers, and Fire and Rescue Officers (Driver).
The Cabinet approved the creation of 20 Police Constable Driver posts and two Assistant Professor posts in the Department of Forensic Science at Calicut University.
The Forest Department will supply up to 5,000 metric tonnes of bamboo free of cost annually to the Kerala State Bamboo Corporation from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2030.

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

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

Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 withheld by Governor (Start of February) ▼

Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot withheld assent to The Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crime (Prevention) Bill, 2025 and reserved it for the President’s consideration.
The Governor’s communication cited vague definition of hate speech, overlap with existing laws, and risk of misuse for political malice.
The Bill reclassifies non-cognisable and bailable offences as cognisable and non-bailable for individuals and organisations.
Lok Bhavan noted the Bill could grant authorities arbitrary power to prohibit speech or events likely to cause hatred.
Governor observed the Bill was passed without meaningful consultation with civil society, media bodies, digital rights groups or constitutional experts.

Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 levies cess on paan masala units to fund defence and public health (Start of December) ▼

The Lok Sabha passed the Health Security se National Security Cess Bill 2025 to levy a cess on machines or processes used to manufacture paan masala and similar goods.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the cess proceeds will be shared with states as public health is a state subject.
The Bill aims to raise resources for national security and public health expenditure.

Akka Pade Scheme State-wide Rollout to Protect Women and Minor Girls (Mid of January) ▼

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

Bihar Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme incentivises Maoist Suresh Koda with ₹11.71 lakh package

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

Under Bihar’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme, Suresh Koda will receive ₹3 lakh as the declared reward, ₹5 lakh as incentive assistance, and ₹3.6 lakh as vocational training allowance spread over 36 months.
An additional ₹71,515 will be paid to Koda as incentive for the surrendered weapons and ammunition.
The state government is processing further benefits under the rehabilitation policy for Koda and his family.

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Jammu and Kashmir Government to Revive Tulbul Navigation Project and Chenab Water Lifting Scheme (Mid of February) ▼

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced the revival of the Tulbul Navigation Project (TNP) and a project to lift water from the Chenab river near Akhnoor for Jammu city.
The TNP, also known as the Wular Barrage, involves a 135-metre long and 12-metre wide lock-and-control structure at the confluence of the Jhelum river and Wular lake in Sopore.
The project is designed to store 30,000 acre-feet of water during high-discharge periods to maintain uniform water levels for year-round navigation in the Jhelum river.
Construction of the TNP originally commenced in 1984 but was suspended in 1989 following objections from Pakistan regarding the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and the eruption of militancy.
The Government of India put the IWT in abeyance in May 2025 following a terror attack in Pahalgam and a subsequent four-day conflict under Operation Sindoor.
The J&K government had previously launched the ₹389-crore centrally sponsored Wular Conservation Project in 2010 to increase the lake's water-holding capacity and promote tourism and fisheries.
The proposed barrage in the Ningli neighbourhood of Sopore functions as a hydraulic structure combining a river control dam with a navigation lock.

Brahmaputra's Warrior: How Lachit Borphukan turned Assam's rivers into a fortress against Mughals (End of November) ▼

Lachit Divas is observed annually on November 24th, honoring the legendary Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan.
Lachit Borphukan successfully halted the Mughal Empire's advance into the Northeast.
He is renowned for his extraordinary courage and naval brilliance.
Lachit Divas commemorates his pivotal role in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat, where he led the Ahom army to a decisive victory against a much larger Mughal force.
Lachit Borphukan, the son of Momai Tamuli Borbarua, revolutionized defensive strategy by transforming the Brahmaputra river into a battlefield advantage.
He deployed swift Ahom war boats, camouflaged river outposts, floating fortifications, and utilized local boatmen and clans skilled in hydrology.
Modern military scholars consider him one of the earliest practitioners of integrated riverine defence.
During the night fortification of the Brahmaputra, Lachit executed his maternal uncle for dereliction of duty, delaying construction of barricades and embankments.
At Saraighat, despite being weakened by illness, Lachit Borphukan rose from his sickbed to lead his troops when some Ahom commanders hesitated.
The Ahom navy surged forward, outmanoeuvring the Mughals with speed and intimate knowledge of the river’s changing currents.
Assam remained unconquered, being the only major region of India the Mughals could never annex.
Lachit Borphukan passed away shortly after the victory.
He is remembered as a beacon of leadership grounded in ethics, a strategist ahead of his time, and a patriot.
The Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is awarded annually at the National Defence Academy.

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

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

Gujarat regains Tiger State status after 33 years as NTCA confirms tiger presence in Ratanmahal sanctuary (End of December) ▼

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) confirmed the presence of a tiger in the Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary in central Gujarat.
Forest officials detected pugmarks of a tiger in the Pipalgota Round of the Kanjeta Range in the sanctuary.
Analysis of camera trap data revealed an image of a tiger captured at 2:40 am.
The NTCA included Gujarat in the national Tiger Census and suggested steps to strengthen the ecosystem.
The Gujarat Forest Department has increased the number of camera traps and is ensuring availability of water, prey base, security, and fire prevention.
Prey base species such as antelopes and spotted deer were released in the area during the monsoon.
Forest department officials will be trained in conservation and breeding of tigers.
Attempts are on to bring a female tiger to increase the tiger population in the region.
Gujarat has become the only state in India to host three big cat species — lion, tiger and leopard — simultaneously.

Three-day Itkhori Mahotsav inaugurated in Chatra

[Jharkhand]

Key Updates:

State finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore inaugurated the three-day Rajkiya Itkhori Mahotsav in Chatra on Thursday.
Excise minister Yogendra Prasad and Chatra MP Kalicharan Singh were also present on the occasion.
The ministers launched the official website of Bhadrakali Temple and released a coffee table book.
The first day featured colourful cultural performances, including traditional folk dances.
Various cultural, spiritual and tourism-related activities have been lined up over the next two days.

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Eastern Naval Command (ENC) inaugurates MILAN Village ahead of International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam (Mid of February) ▼

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), inaugurated the MILAN Village at the ENC base in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The MILAN Village is set up at the ENC Sailors’ Institute and will serve as the social and cultural hub for Exercise MILAN 2026 and the International Fleet Review.
The village features stalls from various Indian States and participating foreign navies, displaying traditional handicrafts, artwork and cultural exhibits.
The International City Parade on RK Beach Road, Visakhapatnam, is scheduled for 19 February 2026 evening with over 70 countries participating.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will attend the parade as chief guest.
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. with an aerial display by Indian Naval fighter aircraft and helicopters.
Marching contingents and military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will participate, along with ceremonial units from foreign navies.
Cultural troupes and thematic tableaux highlighting India’s maritime legacy and the traditions of visiting nations will be part of the event.
The evening will conclude with synchronised fireworks, a laser light show and a drone display, with illuminated warships anchored off the Visakhapatnam coast.

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

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

Batadrava Than Redevelopment and ₹177-Crore Smart Surveillance System Launched in Assam (End of December) ▼

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the redeveloped Batadrava Than at the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev in Assam on 29 Dec 2025.
A Smart Surveillance System (ICSS) was launched in Assam with an outlay of ₹177-crore.
The Batadrava Cultural Project at the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva was inaugurated with a budget of ₹227-Crore.
The infrastructure projects also included the launch of a mega auditorium and the guwahati auditorium inauguration.

Prime Minister inaugurates Panchjanya and attends Shaheedi Diwas event in Kurukshetra (End of November) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the newly built ‘Panchjanya,’ a structure dedicated to the sacred conch of Lord Krishna.
He will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra, an immersive centre showcasing key events from the Mahabharata.
PM Modi will take part in a special programme marking the 350th Shaheedi Diwas of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur and release a commemorative coin and stamp in his honour.
He will offer Darshan and perform Pooja at the sacred Brahma Sarovar, associated with the divine revelation of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita.
His visit coincides with the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra.

IICA Forms Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business to Modernise Corporate Regulations

[Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA)]

Key Updates:

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), operating under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has constituted a high-level Advisory Group on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
The panel is chaired by Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the IICA.
The group was established following an MCA order dated 31 December 2025 and is aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The primary objective of the initiative is to modernise India’s corporate regulatory framework and simplify compliance procedures under the Companies Act, 2013.
The Advisory Group will focus on rationalising e-forms, reducing procedural duplication, and exploring event-based compliance systems.
The panel includes representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI), and Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI).
Industry bodies represented in the group include the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
The School of Business Environment at the IICA will serve as the Secretariat for the Advisory Group.
The IICA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MCA for a research study titled Re-envisioning Ease of Doing Business for Viksit Bharat 2047.

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Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) sign MoU for customised executive training programmes. (Mid of February) ▼

Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) and Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) signed an MoU to design, deliver, and certify customised training programmes and workshops for IOB’s senior leadership and executives.
The MoU was signed during IOB’s 90th Foundation Day celebrations.
IOB announced the establishment of a dedicated centre of excellence (CoE) for training and capacity building.
IIM-K will operate through its Kochi campus (IIMK-Kochi) and IOB through its staff college and the newly inaugurated CoE to jointly develop high-impact learning interventions.
The programmes will target IOB’s top executives, senior management, and selected officers, aligned with the bank’s strategic priorities and vision of becoming a leading institution anchored in sound and prudent banking principles.

Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) System: Strengthening Consumer Trust and India's Quality Ecosystem (Start of January) ▼

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA) through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has expanded Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID)-based gold and silver hallmarking, with more than 20 lakh silver articles already hallmarked.
India's standards regime has achieved significant global alignment, with about 94% of Indian Standards harmonised with ISO and IEC to help products gain wider acceptance in international markets.
BIS standards now cover renewable energy, electric mobility, energy storage and electric agricultural tractors, reflecting India's transition towards clean energy and sustainable growth.
The MoCA is focusing on modernising laboratories, expanding digital platforms, and empowering women through initiatives such as Manak Mitra.
The implementation of hallmarking has brought a significant change in the bullion market, protecting consumers in rural areas from the sale of substandard gold.

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

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

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

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

Tamil Nadu Interim Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 2.55 lakh crore

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented a Rs 2,55,391 crore interim budget for 2026-27.
Rs 4,000 crore allocated for the DMK’s flagship scheme of free bus travel for women.
Education sector received the highest allocation of Rs 57,039 crore.
Urban development allocated Rs 35,773 crore and health department Rs 22,090 crore.
Transport Department allocated Rs 13,062 crore in the Interim Budget Estimates.

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United States Department of State launches $200 million Edge AI Package for Indo-Pacific

[United States Department of State]

Key Updates:

The United States Department of State (US State Department) announced the Edge AI Package on 19 February 2026.
The programme offers up to $200 million in competitive funding to support secure and affordable smartphones across the Indo-Pacific region.
It is framed within the broader Pax Silica strategy launched in December 2025 to secure global AI and semiconductor supply chains.
Pax Silica reportedly includes the United States, Japan and South Korea, with India set to join on 20 February 2026.
Proposals are invited from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for distributing low-cost, AI-ready smartphones in designated Indo-Pacific countries.
Interested parties must email EdgeAI@state.gov to request technical requirements and the submission window remains open for 90 days.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

BEL AI Policy and CoE-AI launched to boost indigenous defence innovation (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and formally launched BEL’s AI Policy.
BEL was commended for progress in electronic warfare systems, avionics, naval platforms, electro-optics, and tank electronics.
Indigenous air defence and anti-drone systems developed by BEL were utilised during Operation Sindoor.
The minister urged BEL, other Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and industry partners to advance AI and quantum computing for real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, cyber defence, and precision operations.

Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February) ▼

Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) to develop space-based AI data centres (End of January) ▼

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced plans to construct gigawatt-class space digital-intelligence infrastructure over the next five years.
The project aims to create an industrial-scale Space Cloud by 2030 by integrating space-based solar power with artificial intelligence (AI) computing.
The initiative is identified as a core pillar of China's 15th Five Year Plan, which serves as the national economic development roadmap.
The space data centres will integrate cloud, edge, and terminal device capabilities to enable data from Earth to be processed directly in orbit.
SpaceX plans to launch solar-powered AI data centre satellites within the next two to three years, utilizing orbital solar panels that produce five times more power than terrestrial ones.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) aims to commence flight operations for suborbital space tourism and develop orbital space tourism within five years.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) inaugurated the School of Interstellar Navigation to focus on frontier fields including interstellar propulsion and deep space navigation.
China achieved a record 93 space launches last year as part of its strategic goal to become a world-leading space power by 2045.
India link not mentioned in the article.

India attends inaugural meeting of Board of Peace for Gaza reconstruction as observer on 19 February 2026

Key Updates:

India participated as an observer in the first meeting of the Board of Peace convened by United States (US) President Donald Trump.
The meeting was held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on 19 February 2026, focusing on the reconstruction of Gaza and the mobilisation of an international stabilisation force.
Namgya C Khampa, the Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC, represented India at the proceedings.
India is one of 12 countries participating as observers, a group that includes Germany, Italy, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom (UK).
More than 40 countries and the European Union (EU) sent officials to the meeting, which the US President referred to as the Gaza peace plan.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the event as a member of the board alongside other participating world leaders.

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Indonesia preparing to deploy up to 8,000 soldiers to Gaza (Mid of February) ▼

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

India joins United Nations (UN) statement condemning Israel's West Bank actions (Mid of February) ▼

India joined more than 100 countries and international organisations in endorsing a joint statement at the United Nations (UN) condemning Israel's efforts to consolidate control over the West Bank.
The joint statement asserts that Israeli actions violate international law and undermine prospects for peace and stability in the region.
The declaration calls for the immediate reversal of unilateral Israeli measures aimed at expanding presence in the West Bank.
The statement firmly opposes any form of annexation and rejects measures intended to alter the demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Israel next week and is expected to address the Israeli parliament.

Israel and Azerbaijan accept invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace (End of January) ▼

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has agreed to join the board.
Azerbaijan foreign ministry stated: 'Azerbaijan, as always, is ready to actively contribute to international cooperation, peace, and stability.'
Armenia has also joined the Trump-led peace board.
India received an invitation letter dated January 16 from Trump inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the Board of Peace.
Current members of the Board of Peace are: Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, Belarus.

India and UAE to co-chair 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi (End of January) ▼

The 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in New Delhi on Saturday, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Foreign ministers of 20 Arab League member states and the Arab League Secretary-General will participate in the meeting.
The first India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in Bahrain in 2016, and the current meeting occurs after a 10-year gap.
The 2016 meeting identified five priority cooperation verticals: economy, energy, education, media and culture.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin urged increased Indian participation in Gaza reconstruction and continued support to UNRWA for Palestinian refugees.
India has supported Palestinian education through schools in the West Bank and higher education centres in Gaza, some of which were destroyed in the last two years.
The Gaza peace plan and regional peace and stability are expected agenda items at the meeting.

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026

[International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Russian, Belarusian]

Key Updates:

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.

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India tops World Anti-Doping Agency list as worst dope offender for third straight time (Mid of December) ▼

India recorded 260 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) in 2024, the highest among nations that conducted 5,000 or more tests.
India's positivity rate stood at 3.6 per cent, based on 7,113 tests conducted by the National Anti-Doping Agency (Nada).
France tested 11,744 samples and recorded 91 anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs), a 0.8 per cent positivity rate.
Russia had 76 ADRVs from 10,514 samples, a 0.7 per cent rate.
China recorded 43 dope failures with a 0.2 per cent positivity rate from 24,214 samples.
The US anti-doping agency conducted 6,592 tests and had a positivity rate of 1.1 per cent.

Canada’s seven-time Olympic medallist Penny Oleksiak banned for two years (End of November) ▼

Canada's most decorated Olympian, swimmer Penny Oleksiak, has accepted a two-year ban from competing following an anti-doping rule violation.
The International Testing Agency announced that Oleksiak committed three 'whereabout failures' over 12 months.
The Toronto-born swimmer is a seven-time Olympic medallist.
She can return to competition in July 2027.

Vinesh Phogat announces comeback targeting LA 2028 Olympics (Mid of December) ▼

Vinesh Phogat scrapped her retirement plans and set her sights firmly on the LA 2028 Olympics.
She revealed the decision via her X account: 'So, here I am, stepping back toward LA28 with a heart that’s unafraid and a spirit that refuses to bow.'
Her Paris 2024 campaign ended in disqualification from the 50 kg freestyle final for weighing slightly over the permissible limit on the morning of the bout.

Milano Cortina 2026 hosts Winter Olympics from 6 February (Start of February) ▼

The 2026 Winter Olympics, officially known as Milano Cortina 2026, will take place from 6 February to 22 February 2026.
The opening ceremony of the Games is scheduled to be held in Milan.
Ski mountaineering will make its debut as a new sport at this edition of the Winter Olympics.
Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be making their first-ever appearances at the Winter Olympics.
India will be represented by two athletes: Arif Mohammad Khan in Alpine Skiing and Stanzin Lundup in Cross-Country Skiing.
Both Indian athletes are scheduled to begin their respective campaigns on 7 February 2026.
Viacom18 holds the official broadcasting rights for the Games in India, with live streaming on JioCinema and television coverage on Sports18.
Ice hockey will return in full form with the participation of National Hockey League (NHL) players.
The 16 disciplines featured are Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, Bobsleigh, Cross-Country Skiing, Curling, Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Ice Hockey, Luge, Nordic Combined, Short Track Speed Skating, Skeleton, Ski Jumping, Ski Mountaineering, Snowboarding, and Speed Skating.

India hosts India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam featuring eight-year-old Ranvir Sachdeva as youngest speaker

Key Updates:

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Eight-year-old coder Ranvir Sachdeva became the youngest keynote speaker to address the summit.
The keynote address covered the linkage of ancient Indian philosophies with modern Artificial Intelligence (AI), global approaches to AI development, and the application of a recently released Indian AI model.
Sachdeva met global technology leaders including Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
He previously met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
He was recognised as the world’s youngest TEDx speaker at age six and won a gold medal as a Super Presenter in the 2022 Global Reading Challenge.
The coder developed a prototype rocket ship for Mars exploration which was recognised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
Sachdeva, who started coding at age three, met Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2023 during the launch of the Apple store in New Delhi.
He discussed his contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and his role in driving AI literacy.

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Aditya Pandya became India's youngest male analog astronaut. (Mid of February) ▼

Aditya Pandya, 17, led hardware, IoT, and intelligence systems for AAKA Space Studio's lunar habitat simulation.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)-affiliated AAKA Space Studio conducted the mission from February 1 to 8 in Dholavira, Kutch.
Pandya contributed to designing sensor modules, biometric systems, embedded hardware, and modular components during a six-month development phase.
The four-member crew tested isolation, habitat living, and autonomous operations under Moon-like conditions using a digital twin framework for real-time monitoring.

Pune marks World Radio Day 2026 with UNESCO theme Radio and Artificial Intelligence (Mid of February) ▼

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

Amar Subramanya appointed as Vice President of AI at Apple (Start of December) ▼

Amar Subramanya will report to Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering.
He will lead critical areas, including Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and AI Safety and Evaluation.
John Giannandrea will retire as Apple's current AI chief in 2026.
He most recently served as corporate vice president of AI at Microsoft.
He spent 16 years at Google, where he rose to head of engineering for Gemini.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (End of December) ▼

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP) at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award, which is India’s highest civilian honor for children between the ages of 5 and 18.
He is the 14-year-old vice-captain of the Bihar team and became the youngest player to score a century in men’s List A cricket at the age of 14 years and 272 days.
During a Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) match against Arunachal Pradesh, he scored a century in 36 balls and the fastest 150 in men’s List A cricket in 59 deliveries.
He became the youngest player to score a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and recorded the second-fastest century in the league's history while playing for the Rajasthan Royals (RR).
He will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 VHT to attend a conditioning camp in Bengaluru before joining the India Under-19 (U-19) squad for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe.

India formally joins United States-led Pax Silica Declaration during India AI Impact Summit 2026

[United States]

Key Updates:

India signed the Pax Silica Declaration on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
Pax Silica is the United States Department of State’s flagship framework for building a trusted technology and industrial partner network.
Signatories to the Pax Silica Declaration include Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Singapore, the UAE and the UK.
Non-signatory participants include Canada, the Netherlands, the European Union (EU), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Taiwan.
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor described India’s entry as a pivotal moment in the evolving global technology order.
US Under Secretary of State Jacob Helberg stated the initiative rejects weaponised dependency and aims to secure the full technology stack from critical minerals to AI deployment.
The declaration aligns with the India–United States COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership and Accelerated Commerce and Technology) framework.
Both countries pledged to promote pro-innovation regulation, strengthen the physical AI stack and drive free enterprise under the Pax Silica framework.

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India and South Korea conduct 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul (Mid of February) ▼

The 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) between India and South Korea was held in Seoul.
The dialogue was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Park Yoon-joo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
Both nations reviewed bilateral relations including security and defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and economic issues.
The two sides agreed to work towards enhancing their Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed commitments to global cooperation.
The engagement followed parliamentary talks between the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and South Korean legislators to reinforce strategic ties.

United States invites India into Pax Silica initiative (Mid of January) ▼

Pax Silica is a US-led initiative focused on securing AI and tech supply chains, aimed at bringing 'friendly and trusted' countries together to ensure that key technologies are safe, reliable, and not controlled by hostile play.
The initiative was launched on December 12 to 'reduce coercive dependencies' and build a 'secure, prosperous, and innovation-driven silicon supply chain'.
India was initially left out of the initiative, which included countries such as Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel, UAE and Australia.
US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor announced that India will be invited to join Pax Silica as a full member next month.
The initiative includes measures such as 'pursuing new joint ventures and strategic co-investment opportunities'.
India stands to gain from likely investments and partnerships under the initiative, as it currently lacks global-scale AI infrastructure.
US companies Microsoft and Google announced major AI infrastructure investments in India in December, with Microsoft planning to spend $17.5 billion and Google over $15 billion.

Air India and Singapore Airlines (SIA) sign commercial cooperation framework to deepen ties (End of January) ▼

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.

India, Australia, and Canada Form New Trilateral Technology and Innovation Alliance (End of November) ▼

India, Australia and Canada agreed to form a new trilateral technology and innovation alliance called the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership.
The three sides agreed to strengthen their ambition in cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, to complement existing bilateral initiatives.
The initiative will draw on the natural strengths of the three countries and have an emphasis on green energy innovation and building resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.
It will deepen their respective ambition and strategic collaboration towards net zero and drive further diversification of supply chains towards a secure, sustainable, and resilient future.
The Partnership will also examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence to improve the lives of our citizens.
They agreed that officials should convene in the first quarter of 2026 to take the initiative forward.
Separately, Modi met his British counterpart Keir Starmer and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, Modi called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters and proposed setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team.

India to inaugurate MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise in Visakhapatnam

Key Updates:

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally inaugurate MILAN 2026 on Thursday at the Samudrika Auditorium inside the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will attend the inauguration.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February.
The harbour phase of MILAN 2026 began on Wednesday with cultural performances and a formal dinner for delegates.
A two-day international maritime seminar starts on Thursday ahead of the official inauguration.
The sea phase of MILAN 2026 is scheduled from 21 February to 25 February.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and conduct advanced drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and search-and-rescue operations.
MILAN 2026 has drawn participation from 70 nations, up from 42 nations in the 2022 edition.
Initiated by the Indian Navy in 1995, MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval engagement that began with Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The inaugural edition was held at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The venue was shifted to Visakhapatnam in 2020 due to its more extensive and advanced naval infrastructure.
MILAN originally aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and later became part of the ‘Act East’ policy and the SAGAR vision.

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Mansukh Mandaviya leads first anniversary of Fit India Sundays on Cycle (End of December) ▼

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya led the first anniversary celebrations of the ‘Fit India Sundays on Cycle’ initiative at the Rock Beach promenade.
The initiative was conducted at over 700 districts in 2 lakh locations across the country, with more than 20 lakh people taking part over the course of the year.
The event was simultaneously held in more than 10,000 locations, including Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Khelo India centres across cities such as Hazaribagh, Kargil, Patiala, and Visakhapatnam.
The Fit India Mobile App Carbon Credit Incentivization was launched to allow citizens to earn and redeem carbon credits through cycling.
Three cyclists who earned the highest carbon credits were felicitated during the event for their performance.
The celebration included participation from legendary hockey goalkeeper P R Sreejesh, table tennis icon Sharath Kamal, and Arjuna Awardee archers Jyothi Surekha and Abhishek Verma from SAI Sonipat.

Eastern Naval Command (ENC) inaugurates MILAN Village ahead of International Fleet Review 2026 in Visakhapatnam (Mid of February) ▼

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), inaugurated the MILAN Village at the ENC base in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The MILAN Village is set up at the ENC Sailors’ Institute and will serve as the social and cultural hub for Exercise MILAN 2026 and the International Fleet Review.
The village features stalls from various Indian States and participating foreign navies, displaying traditional handicrafts, artwork and cultural exhibits.
The International City Parade on RK Beach Road, Visakhapatnam, is scheduled for 19 February 2026 evening with over 70 countries participating.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will attend the parade as chief guest.
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. with an aerial display by Indian Naval fighter aircraft and helicopters.
Marching contingents and military bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard will participate, along with ceremonial units from foreign navies.
Cultural troupes and thematic tableaux highlighting India’s maritime legacy and the traditions of visiting nations will be part of the event.
The evening will conclude with synchronised fireworks, a laser light show and a drone display, with illuminated warships anchored off the Visakhapatnam coast.

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

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

Chandigarh University defends Khelo India University Games 2025 title (Start of December) ▼

Chandigarh University topped the KIUG 2025 medal table with 42 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals.
Lovely Professional University finished runner-up with 32 gold, 25 silver and 22 bronze medals.
The Games were held across seven cities in Rajasthan: Jaipur, Ajmer, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota and Bharatpur.
Jain University’s Srihari Nataraj was the most successful athlete, winning nine gold and two silver medals.
Pooja Singh broke the Khelo India University Games high jump meet record with a 1.77 m clearance.

India to commission third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridhaman by May

Key Updates:

India is nearing the commissioning of its third homegrown nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, which is expected to enter service by May.
The submarine was constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme in Visakhapatnam and weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.
INS Aridhaman is powered by an 83-megawatt nuclear reactor and features advanced indigenous sonar systems named USHUS and Panchendriya.
The vessel is designed to carry nuclear-capable missiles, including the K-15 Sagarika with a 750-km range and the K-4 missile with a 3,500-km strike range.
Upon commissioning, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) will operate three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
The submarine will eventually be stationed at Project Varsha, an ultra-secure naval base situated near Visakhapatnam.
India is also scheduled to induct the Russian-built nuclear attack submarine Chakra III by 2027-28 and is negotiating with Germany for six submarines under Project-75(I).
Pakistan is reportedly procuring eight Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines from China as part of a 5 billion dollar deal signed in 2015.

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India commissions first indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala (Start of February) ▼

INS Arnala, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam on 18 June 2025.
The 77-metre, 1,490-tonne vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) under a Ministry of Defence programme and incorporates over 80 per cent indigenous content.
Powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, INS Arnala is the largest Indian naval warship using this technology, enabling high manoeuvrability and shallow-draught operations.
The warship is equipped with advanced underwater sensors, mine-laying capability, modern command-and-control systems and stealth features to reduce radar, acoustic and infrared signatures.
Named after Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, the vessel is optimised for coastal anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations.

India hosts third edition of tri-services future warfare course in Delhi (Start of February) ▼

The third edition of the tri-services future warfare course runs from 2 to 25 February 2026 in New Delhi.
The course is conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
The venue is the Manekshaw Centre at Delhi Cantonment.
The curriculum covers specialised subjects, domain-specific warfare developments, critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities and regional and global geopolitics.
Participants include officers from the three services ranging from majors to major generals, plus representatives from defence industry start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private industry.
The course aims to align operational priorities of the armed forces with the capabilities of the indigenous defence industry.

India to induct third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) INS Aridhaman soon: Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi (Start of December) ▼

India will soon induct its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman.
INS Arighaat, the second SSBN, was commissioned into the Strategic Forces Command in Visakhapatnam in August.
Once INS Aridhaman enters service, India will have three operational ballistic missile submarines at sea for the first time.
INS Aridhaman is undergoing advanced trials.
INS Aridhaman is designed to carry more long-range nuclear-tipped missiles than predecessors INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
A fourth SSBN is currently under construction.
Upcoming submarines have the capacity to load additional K-4 missiles due to their larger build.
The four platforms are part of the classified Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project launched in the 1990s with an outlay of over ₹90,000 crore.
China operates six Jin-class SSBNs equipped with JL-3 missiles (10,000-km range) and six SSNs.
The US has 14 Ohio-class SSBNs and 53 nuclear attack submarines.

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.

DRDO conducts successful qualification test for Gaganyaan Drogue Parachute

[Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)]

Key Updates:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the qualification level load test of the Drogue Parachute for the Gaganyaan programme on 18 February 2026 at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
The test was jointly carried out by teams from Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), ISRO, Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), DRDO and TBRL.
The RTRS dynamic test simulated qualification level loads higher than maximum flight loads, demonstrating additional design safety margin of the parachute.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, ISRO and Industry on the achievement, stating it advances the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated the teams involved in the successful test.

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Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Completes Drogue Parachute Qualification Tests for Gaganyaan Mission (End of December) ▼

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully completed a series of qualification tests for drogue parachutes developed for the Gaganyaan mission's Crew Module.
The tests were conducted at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility in Chandigarh on 18 and 19 December.
The parachute-based deceleration system of the Gaganyaan Crew Module consists of ten parachutes of four different types to ensure a controlled and safe descent.
The deployment sequence involves two apex cover separation parachutes, followed by two drogue parachutes, three pilot parachutes, and three main parachutes.
Drogue parachutes are designed to stabilise the Crew Module and significantly reduce its velocity during atmospheric re-entry.
The tests were carried out with participation from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), DRDO, and the TBRL.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) join to develop indigenous sensor tech for Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) high-altitude operations. (Mid of February) ▼

Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) under DRDO and Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) under CSIR will jointly develop wearable sensors for real-time physiological monitoring of defence personnel in varied environmental and service conditions.
Joint research will assess how extreme temperatures, high altitude and hypoxia affect soldiers’ cognitive performance and decision-making abilities.
Studies will also examine impact of high-altitude air operations on pilots’ judgment, reaction time and overall mission effectiveness.
After the 2020 stand-off with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), sustained military deployment in extreme high-altitude areas became the new normal, giving unprecedented impetus to R&D for supporting troops.
Post-2020, India inducted over 68,000 soldiers, around 90 tanks, 330 BMP infantry combat vehicles, radar systems, artillery guns and other equipment; Indian Air Force deployed fighters, attack helicopters and surveillance aircraft to bolster defence capabilities.
CSIO, a constituent laboratory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), focuses on research, design and development of scientific and industrial instruments and has worked on armed-force projects involving sensors and electro-optics.
DIPAS undertakes physiological and biomedical research to improve performance and well-being of soldiers in harsh desert and high-altitude conditions, covering military physiology, life support systems, ergonomics, clinical and cellular biochemistry, anthropometric data compilation, nutrition, man-machine interface and occupational health.

India successfully conducts high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system (Start of December) ▼

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system.
The test was conducted at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh.
The test validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and complete aircrew recovery.
The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The complex dynamic test placed 'India in an elite club of nations with advanced in-house escape system testing capability'.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh hailed the test as a significant milestone in India’s indigenous defence capability and a step forward towards self-reliance.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carries out high-speed rocket-sled test of fighter aircraft escape system at 800 km/h (Start of December) ▼

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out a high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled (RTRS) facility of the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
The test achieved a controlled velocity of 800 km/h, validating canopy severance, ejection sequencing and full aircrew recovery.
The test was conducted in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The system carried the forebody of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
A dual-sled system with the LCA aircraft forebody was propelled to precisely controlled velocity through phased firing of multiple solid-propellant rocket motors.
The canopy-fragilisation pattern, ejection sequence and complete aircrew-recovery process were simulated using an instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Dummy.
DRDO established the four-kilometre Rail Track Rocket Sled Penta Rail Supersonic Track at TBRL in 2014.
ISRO has previously used the facility for Rail Track Rocket Sled deployment tests of the Gaganyaan pilot parachutes and Apex Cover Separation parachutes in cluster configuration.

Nepal and India sign Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters

[Nepal]

Key Updates:

The Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters was signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in Kathmandu.
The agreement enables Nepal and India to cooperate in criminal investigations and legal proceedings.
It aims to strengthen cooperation in investigation, prosecution and judicial processes related to criminal cases.
The agreement facilitates exchange of legal assistance including evidence collection, information sharing and coordination between competent authorities.
It is expected to help minimise financial crime in Nepal and make criminal investigation, accusation and judicial procedure more effective.
The agreement will also help combat money laundering and financial investment in terrorist activities.
Joint Secretary Binod Kumar Bhattarai signed on behalf of the Nepal government.
Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava signed on behalf of the Indian government.

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India and Saudi Arabia sign Visa Waiver Agreement to boost official travels and bilateral exchanges (Mid of December) ▼

Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ajaz Khan and Abdulmajeed bin Rashed Alsmari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, signed the bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement.
The agreement covers holders of diplomatic, special and official passports and aims to facilitate official travels and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that the Parliament of India will soon constitute the India-Saudi Arabia Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Major General Abdul Rahman bin Sanhat Al-Harbi, Chairman of the Saudi-India Parliamentary Friendship Committee from the Shura Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, met with Speaker Birla to emphasize parliamentary diplomacy and institutional collaboration.

India and Netherlands sign Letter of Intent to strengthen defence cooperation (Mid of December) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel to discuss security and defence topics.
A Letter of Intent on defence cooperation was signed and exchanged between India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Netherlands' Ambassador to India Marisa Gerards.
The ministers prioritised co-development and co-production of defence equipment and agreed to craft a Defence Industrial Roadmap.

TVS Supply Chain Solutions and ALA Group sign MoU to target India’s $28 billion aerospace and defence market

[TVS Supply Chain Solutions]

Key Updates:

TVS Supply Chain Solutions (TVS SCS) signed an MoU with Italy-based ALA Group to jointly pursue opportunities in India’s aerospace and defence supply chain sector.
India’s aerospace and defence market is estimated at around $28 billion.
TVS SCS will leverage its domestic presence and UK defence experience; its aerospace, defence and utilities business generates approximately $140 million in annual revenue.
ALA Group reported revenues of $345 million in 2024 and will contribute aerospace and defence domain expertise, global technology platforms and OEM relationships across Europe, the US and the UK.
The partnership will focus on integrated production and aftermarket services including production support, spare parts distribution, inventory optimisation, defence-grade logistics, logistics engineering, and MRO support.

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Indian Army launches Depot Integration Management Edition digital platform (Mid of January) ▼

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

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clears proposal to buy 114 Rafale jets from France with 90 to be manufactured in India (Mid of February) ▼

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under an inter-governmental deal for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Of the 114 jets, 90 will be manufactured in India with close to 50 per cent indigenous content.
The DAC also cleared the procurement of six additional P-8I maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the United States for the Indian Navy.
Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for multiple proposals worth an estimated Rs 3.60 lakh crore by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafales, and the Indian Navy will induct 26 Rafale M aircraft for carrier operations.
The P-8I aircraft will be procured in a fly-away condition with no offsets, technology transfer, or other obligations.
AoNs were also granted for Combat Missiles, Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine based Electric Power Generator, Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav), and overhaul of Vehicle Platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 Tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II).
The DAC also accorded AoN for procurement of Electro-Optical/Infra-Red system for Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

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.

Adani Group and Leonardo tie up to build helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. (Start of February) ▼

Adani Group and Leonardo signed a Memorandum of Understanding in New Delhi to establish an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India.
The partnership targets Indian Armed Forces' requirements for Leonardo's AW169M and AW109 TrekkerM helicopters.
The collaboration will deliver phased indigenization, maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities, and comprehensive pilot training.
Indian Armed Forces project demand for over 1,000 helicopters in the coming decade.
India has a helicopter penetration density of less than 250 helicopters for the country's population and will need around 100 helicopters annually for the next 10 years.
The announcement follows Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer's strategic collaboration to set up a regional aircraft manufacturing facility in India.

Reliance to invest Rs 10 lakh crore in AI compute, green energy and applications

Key Updates:

Reliance Industries and Jio will invest Rs 10 lakh crore over seven years to build India’s sovereign AI infrastructure, scale green energy and develop affordable AI applications.
Jio Intelligence will create gigawatt-scale data centres and a nationwide edge network, with a 120 megawatt campus under construction in Jamnagar, Gujarat scheduled to go live in the second half of 2026.
Reliance will utilise up to 10 gigawatts of green power surplus anchored by solar projects in Kutch, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh to power the AI infrastructure.
Jio Shikshak provides AI-powered teaching assistance in 22 Indian languages, Jio Arogya AI delivers first medical guidance in under five minutes on any phone, Jio Krishi offers voice-first farm advisory to 140 million farmers, and Jio Bharat IQ serves as a voice-first AI companion.
Jio Intelligence will follow five principles: AI for deeptech and advanced manufacturing, multilingual AI across Indian languages, responsibility and data residency, job creation through high-skill work, and ecosystem building with enterprises, startups, IITs, IISc and research institutions.

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L&T partners with NVIDIA to build gigawatt-scale AI data centre under IndiaAI Mission (Mid of February) ▼

Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and NVIDIA will jointly develop a gigawatt-scale artificial intelligence data centre in India as part of the government’s IndiaAI Mission.
The partnership will expand NVIDIA GPU cluster capacity to 30 megawatts at L&T’s 300-acre Chennai data centre campus, designed for future gigawatt-scale expansion.
A separate 40 megawatt data centre is under development in Mumbai to host additional AI infrastructure.
The infrastructure will integrate NVIDIA’s GPUs, CPUs, networking systems and enterprise platforms with L&T’s engineering and infrastructure capabilities.
Target sectors for AI workloads include manufacturing, energy, financial services, healthcare and public services.

Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February) ▼

Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 releases AI Impact Startup Book mapping 100 deep-tech innovators (Mid of February) ▼

The AI Impact Startup Book was launched on the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The compendium maps 100 high-impact AI-driven solutions across sectors, technologies and geographies.
AI innovation is expanding beyond healthcare into foundation models, indigenous AI infrastructure, waste-tech, voice- and vision-based Indian applications, and edge AI integrated with hardware.
Nearly 47% of early-stage ventures retain strong local presence, while about 68% of growth-stage startups operate internationally.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Director General of NIC, Additional Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, called the book a repository for ministries and states to evaluate and scale AI solutions.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, highlighted eight insights, noting India is building its own foundation models, AI infrastructure and edge innovation.

Reliance Industries (RIL) announces people-first Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform and global clean energy hub (Mid of January) ▼

Jio will launch a people-first artificial intelligence platform built in India, for India, and the world.
In Jamnagar, we are building India's largest artificial intelligence-ready data centre with a single goal -- affordable AI for every Indian.
At Jamnagar, we are building the world's largest integrated clean energy ecosystem, spanning solar, battery energy storage, green hydrogen, green fertilizer, sustainable aviation fuel, and maritime fuels, and advanced materials.
Our multi-gigawatt utility scale solar project, among the world's largest, will deliver round-the-clock clean power through advanced storage and modern grid integration.
Jamnagar, once the largest hydrocarbon energy exporter, will in the coming years become India's largest exporter of green energy and material, from Gujarat.

Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at India AI Impact Summit

Key Updates:

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, a voluntary framework adopted by global frontier AI companies and Indian innovators.
The framework aims to promote inclusive and responsible AI development with a Global South perspective.
The first pledge focuses on advancing understanding of real-world AI usage through anonymised and aggregated insights to support evidence-based policymaking on jobs, skills and economic transformation.
The second pledge aims to strengthen multilingual and contextual evaluations of AI systems to ensure effective functioning across languages, cultures and practical use cases.
The India AI Impact Summit was held in New Delhi and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global technology leaders.

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India unveils first AI governance guidelines ahead of AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi (Mid of February) ▼

The Government of India unveiled the nation's first comprehensive Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance guidelines to manage risks while promoting innovation.
The framework is anchored in seven broad principles or sutras: trust, people first, innovation over restraint, fairness and equity, accountability, understandable by design, and safety, resilience, and sustainability.
The guidelines outline the development and usage of AI across key sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, and governance.
The government proposed the establishment of three new national institutions: an AI governance group, a technology and policy expert committee, and an AI safety institute.
The five-day AI Impact Summit 2026 is scheduled to commence in New Delhi on 16 February 2026.
The framework emphasises reliance on existing legal structures such as Information Technology (IT) rules, data protection laws, and criminal statutes instead of a standalone AI law.
The Delhi declaration is expected to be considered for adoption during the summit to position India as a global voice in responsible AI governance aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
High-risk AI applications affecting safety, rights, or livelihoods are required to follow stronger safeguards and maintain human oversight under the new guidelines.

PM Modi Unveils MANAV Vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Delhi Summit (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the MANAV vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.
The MANAV vision stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Accessible and inclusive, and Valid and legitimate.
Moral and ethical systems (M) signify that AI development should be based on ethical guidance.
Accountable governance (A) refers to the implementation of transparent rules and robust oversight.
National sovereignty (N) emphasizes data rights, specifically whose data, his right.
Accessible and inclusive (A) aims to ensure AI acts as a multiplier rather than a monopoly.
Valid and legitimate (V) ensures that AI systems are lawful and verifiable.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 releases AI Impact Startup Book mapping 100 deep-tech innovators (Mid of February) ▼

The AI Impact Startup Book was launched on the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The compendium maps 100 high-impact AI-driven solutions across sectors, technologies and geographies.
AI innovation is expanding beyond healthcare into foundation models, indigenous AI infrastructure, waste-tech, voice- and vision-based Indian applications, and edge AI integrated with hardware.
Nearly 47% of early-stage ventures retain strong local presence, while about 68% of growth-stage startups operate internationally.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Director General of NIC, Additional Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, called the book a repository for ministries and states to evaluate and scale AI solutions.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, highlighted eight insights, noting India is building its own foundation models, AI infrastructure and edge innovation.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi inaugurated the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as a key component of the India AI Impact Summit.
The Expo spans over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and is designed to scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) from demonstrations to industrial deployment.
The event features over 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations structured across three thematic chakras: People, Planet, and Progress.
A total of 13 country pavilions are featured, including France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Russia, United Kingdom (UK), Africa, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, and Tajikistan.
More than 600 high-potential startups are participating to showcase working AI solutions already deployed in real-world settings.
The five-day summit includes over 500 sessions with more than 3,250 speakers, including OpenAI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sam Altman.
Global leaders attending the summit include French President Emmanuel Macron, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and Brazilian President Lula da Silva.
The government estimates the event will attract over 2.5 lakh visitors, including international delegates and technology experts.

GalaxEye's Mission Drishti to carry NVIDIA Jetson Orin for AI-driven Earth observation

Key Updates:

GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space technology company, will deploy NVIDIA Jetson Orin on its upcoming satellite mission, Mission Drishti.
Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, integrating Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on a single satellite platform.
The satellite is designed to accelerate processing and interpretation of Earth observation data in space and quickly deliver insights to customers.
Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource management.
The mission will explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres (ODC), where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes.
GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.

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NewSpace India Limited (Nsil) partners with GalaxEye to distribute private satellite data for first time (Mid of February) ▼

NewSpace India Limited (Nsil) signed a channel partnership with Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye to resell high-resolution OptoSAR data.
GalaxEye’s first satellite "Drishti" is scheduled for launch on 25 February 2026 aboard a SpaceX mission.
Drishti weighs 160 kg and is claimed to be India’s largest privately built commercial satellite.
GalaxEye plans a 10-satellite constellation to be deployed over the next four years, all covered under the Nsil agreement.
Drishti carries proprietary "SyncFused OptoSAR" technology combining optical and synthetic aperture radar data on a single platform.
The satellite will provide 1.5-metre resolution imagery with a global revisit time of seven to ten days.
Nsil will market both raw data and downstream products to government agencies and commercial clients.

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) to develop space-based AI data centres (End of January) ▼

China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced plans to construct gigawatt-class space digital-intelligence infrastructure over the next five years.
The project aims to create an industrial-scale Space Cloud by 2030 by integrating space-based solar power with artificial intelligence (AI) computing.
The initiative is identified as a core pillar of China's 15th Five Year Plan, which serves as the national economic development roadmap.
The space data centres will integrate cloud, edge, and terminal device capabilities to enable data from Earth to be processed directly in orbit.
SpaceX plans to launch solar-powered AI data centre satellites within the next two to three years, utilizing orbital solar panels that produce five times more power than terrestrial ones.
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) aims to commence flight operations for suborbital space tourism and develop orbital space tourism within five years.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) inaugurated the School of Interstellar Navigation to focus on frontier fields including interstellar propulsion and deep space navigation.
China achieved a record 93 space launches last year as part of its strategic goal to become a world-leading space power by 2045.
India link not mentioned in the article.

Digantara partners with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to build space-debris protection tools (Start of February) ▼

Bengaluru-based Digantara Industries and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) signed an agreement to co-develop Space Situational Awareness (SSA) tools for protecting Singapore’s national satellites from space-debris collisions.
The partnership was announced on the sidelines of the Space Summit 2026 in Singapore.
Digantara will provide DSTA with flight-dynamics services and conjunction-screening alerts for Singapore satellites approaching orbiting debris.
The collaboration includes integrating Digantara’s sensor data with AI-driven analytics to enhance satellite-tracking accuracy.
Singapore’s government will participate in assembly, integration and testing of a space-based sensor on an upcoming Digantara mission as part of Singapore’s broader space strategy.
Digantara views the Singapore deal as a gateway to expand into other Asia-Pacific markets such as South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

TakeMe2Space and EON Space Labs ship 14-kg MOI-1 satellite to ISRO’s Sriharikota for PSLV-C62 launch (Start of January) ▼

Two Hyderabad start-ups — TakeMe2Space and EON Space Labs — completed testing and integration of the 14-kilogram Earth observation satellite MOI-1 at Azista BST Aerospace in Ahmedabad.
MOI-1 will ride as a co-passenger on ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission slated for early January 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The satellite carries MIRA, a miniaturised space telescope and imaging hardware developed by EON Space Labs to NASA-equivalent thermal-vacuum standards.
Once in 500-km low Earth orbit, MOI-1 will deliver multispectral imagery with 9.2-metre resolution and 18.7-kilometre swath across nine spectral bands for agriculture, urban mapping, ship detection and construction monitoring.
An on-board Nvidia GPU enables in-orbit AI processing, sending processed actionable data instead of raw images to cut downlink costs and serve commercial and defence users.

PM Modi announces India-France Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at Kanpur

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.
The Centre will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
France will collaborate in establishing the Centre, which will offer advanced training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations, airport management, and defence production.
A Letter of Intent was exchanged between MSDE and the French government to formalise cooperation under PM-SETU, building on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on vocational education and training.

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India and France upgrade bilateral ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership during Mumbai talks (Mid of February) ▼

India and France elevated their relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership after talks in Mumbai between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The meeting produced 21 outcomes covering defence, critical minerals, technology, startups, advanced materials, health and skilling.
Modi and Macron virtually inaugurated the H125 light utility helicopter final assembly line of Tata-Airbus in Karnataka.
The first 'Made in India' H125 helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2027 and will be exported within the South Asian region.
The two leaders launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
An annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue was established to review implementation of the elevated partnership and Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement and agreed on a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran to produce Hammer missiles in India.
Both countries decided on reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group on Critical and Emerging Technologies including defence was constituted.
A Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals was issued.
The Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and France was amended.
Letters of Intent were signed between T-Hub and Nord France on startup ecosystems and between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ANRS on infectious disease research.
An agreement established the Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences and a Letter of Intent launched the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty on Renewable Energy Cooperation was renewed.

Airbus inaugurates Centre of Excellence for aerospace research at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in Vadodara (Start of February) ▼

Airbus has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for aerospace studies at the Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) in Vadodara, Gujarat.
The CoE will focus on Research and Development (R&D) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and supporting student-led innovations in future aerospace technologies.
A key objective of the centre is to develop groundbreaking technologies that transform Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) into Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The partnership includes a full scholarship programme for 45 meritorious and underprivileged students, with one-third of these scholarships reserved for women.
Airbus has established a Chair Professor for Aerospace Studies at GSV to support undergraduate, postgraduate, and short-term executive programmes.
GSV was established as a Central University by an Act of Parliament in 2022 to cover the entire transportation sector, including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, and Maritime.
The university is headed by Chancellor Ashwini Vaishnaw, who is the Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology.

BEML, IISc Bengaluru and FSID sign tripartite research pact for aerospace, defence and green tech. (Start of February) ▼

BEML Limited, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru and Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) signed a Tripartite Master Research Agreement (MRA) at IISc campus.
The collaboration targets blue-sky, applied and translational research in aerospace and defence, rail and metro systems, mining and construction equipment, maritime technologies, next-generation mobility, green technologies and advanced manufacturing.
The partnership will be anchored through BEML’s newly established Central Research Facility (CRF) for joint knowledge creation, simulation, prototyping, technology validation and intellectual property generation.
BEML has committed significant R&D investments to sustain the collaborative programmes aligned with national priorities of indigenisation and self-reliance.

India and France elevate ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership and launch H125 helicopter assembly line in Karnataka (Mid of February) ▼

India and France upgraded their bilateral relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron’s meeting in Mumbai.
The two leaders jointly inaugurated the H125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line of Tata Airbus in Vemagal, Karnataka.
The H125 is claimed to be the world’s only helicopter capable of flying to the height of Mount Everest and will be manufactured in India for domestic use and exports.
The first Made-in-India H125 helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2027.
A total of 21 outcomes were announced covering defence, tech and innovation, startups, critical minerals, advanced materials, health and skilling.
The facility will produce helicopters for civil and parapublic roles such as emergency medical services, law enforcement and passenger transport.
Modi and Macron virtually launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.

Palaeontologists discover new dinosaur species Spinosaurus mirabilis in Niger’s Sahara

[Niger]

Key Updates:

Spinosaurus mirabilis, a massive fish-hunting dinosaur, lived 95 million years ago in present-day Niger.
The species features a rare curved, scimitar-shaped crest on its skull.
University of Chicago palaeontologist Paul Sereno led the excavation that began with first bones found in 2019 and resumed in 2022.
The findings were published in the journal Science.
Unlike coastal relatives, this spinosaur was discovered hundreds of kilometres inland, indicating freshwater river hunting in a once forested landscape.

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Thousands of dinosaur footprints discovered in Stelvio National Park (SNP) (Mid of December) ▼

Thousands of dinosaur footprints dating back 210 million years have been found in a national park in northern Italy.
The footprints - some of which are up to 40cm (15in) in diameter - are aligned in parallel rows, and many show clear traces of toes and claws.
It is thought the dinosaurs were prosauropods - herbivores with long necks, small heads and sharp claws.
In the Triassic period - between about 250 and 201 million years ago - the wall was a tidal flat, which later became part of the Alpine chain.
The prosauropods, which could be up to 10m (33ft) long, walked on two legs but in some cases handprints were found in front of footprints.
The area is remote and not accessible by paths, so drones and remote sensing technology will be employed instead.
The Stelvio National Park (SNP) is located in the Fraele valley by Italy's border with Switzerland, near where the Winter Olympics will take place next year.

Fossil discovery in Gujarat identifies giant snake from Eocene era (End of December) ▼

Fossil evidence discovered in Gujarat has attracted scientific notice due to evidence of a snake of extraordinary size that existed during what is loosely defined as the Eocene era, some 47 million years ago.
The species was identified as a related member of the extinct madtsoiid species, the clade of species recognised for having evolved the largest species of snake throughout history.
The fossils of the collected Gujarat species are dominated by well-preserved vertebrae in sedimentary deposits from the early Eocene period.
Described in the study published in Scientific Reports, the species has outstanding vertebral features compared with similar species of the madtsoiid genus.
The Eocene was a time when the planet saw hot conditions year-round, and the polar regions were mostly devoid of ice.
Analysis of the geological and palaeobotanical data available for Gujarat has revealed a landscape dominated by rivers, deltas, and dense forests.
Madtsoiids have been found on various southern continents: Africa, South America, and Australia; these continents all comprised the supercontinent Gondwana.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) Discovers New Caecilian Species Gegeneophis valmiki in Maharashtra (End of January) ▼

A multi-institutional research team led by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species named Gegeneophis valmiki.
The discovery was made in the northern Western Ghats on the Valmiki Plateau in the Satara district of Maharashtra.
The species belongs to the genus Gegeneophis, commonly known as blind caecilians, which live underground and have eyes hidden beneath bone.
The findings were published in the international journal Phyllomedusa based on specimens first collected in 2017 by K P Dinesh, a senior scientist at the ZSI.
The species is named after the Maharshi Valmiki Mandir located near the discovery site.
ZSI Director Dhriti Banerjee stated that 41 per cent of amphibians globally are currently threatened with extinction.

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.

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) discovers 3-mm crab Galathea balasubramaniani in Lakshadweep coral reefs

[National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lakshadweep]

Key Updates:

National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Kochi, discovered a 3-mm crab species named Galathea balasubramaniani from Agatti coral reefs in Lakshadweep.
The species belongs to the genus Galathea, reef-dwelling anomuran crabs known as squat lobsters.
The crab was identified through morphological comparison and DNA analysis, and findings published in Zootaxa.
The new species honours T Balasubramanian, former director and dean of Faculty of Marine Sciences at Annamalai University.
Galathea balasubramaniani differs from its closest relative G mauritiana in leg structure and genetic markers.
The specimen has been deposited in the national depository of aquatic organisms maintained by NBFGR at Lucknow.

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Researchers discover new pistol shrimp species Alpheus madhusoodanai in Kochi backwaters (Mid of February) ▼

Researchers from the School of Industrial Fisheries at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) discovered a new species of pistol shrimp, also known as snapping shrimp, in the Kochi backwaters.
The newly identified species belongs to the family Alpheidae and has been named Alpheus madhusoodanai.
The species is named in honour of Prof B Madhusoodana Kurup, the first vice-chancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and a noted fisheries scientist.
The discovery was published in the Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
This is the first alpheid shrimp species to be recorded from an estuary in the Kochi region.
The shrimp contributes to the health of mangrove ecosystems by releasing toxic gases trapped in swampy soil through its burrowing tendency.
The research team included scholars KP Vishnu, AbhaiKrishna U, and Nidhin B M, led by Prof M Harikrishnan of Cusat.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new polychaete worm species in Bay of Bengal (Start of February) ▼

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, in Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.
Namalycastis solenotognatha inhabits sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood, and possesses a channeled jaw structure with multiple pulp-cavity canals.
Nereis dhritiae was found inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged at high tide and is named after ZSI’s first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
Both species tolerate heavy human activity and industrial pollution, highlighting their resilience and potential as bioindicators for monitoring coastal health.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) clears Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar Mega Infrastructure Project (Mid of February) ▼

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) special bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, upheld the environmental clearance for the Rs 81,000-crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project.
The project covers 166 sq km and involves the construction of a transshipment port, an integrated township, a civil and military airport, and a 450-MVA gas and solar power-based plant.
The development requires the diversion of 130 sq km of forest land and the felling of nearly one million trees on Great Nicobar Island.
A High-Powered Committee (HPC) headed by former environment secretary Leena Nandan was constituted to review the project environmental clearance (EC) and compliance.
The NGT confirmed that the project adheres to the Island Coastal Regulation Zone (ICRZ) notification, 2019, and does not fall within prohibited coastal areas.
The tribunal mandated specific conservation measures for endemic species, including the leatherback sea turtle, Nicobar megapode, saltwater crocodiles, robber crab, and Nicobar macaque.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) reported that no coral reefs exist within the immediate project area and recommended the translocation of scattered coral reefs.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is directed to prevent shoreline erosion and protect sandy beaches used as nesting sites for turtles and birds.

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

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

University of Auckland team discovers insulin-like growth factor (IGF) molecule that promotes lymphatic vessel growth, offering potential lymphoedema therapy.

[University of Auckland]

Key Updates:

Scientists at the University of Auckland identified insulin-like growth factor (IGF) as a driver of lymphatic vessel growth in zebrafish and human cells.
Approximately 20 percent of New Zealand women who undergo lymph-node removal during breast-cancer treatment develop lymphoedema.
The research team included Dr Jonathan Astin, Dr Wenxuan Chen, Dr Kate Lee, Dr Justin Rustenhoven and Professor Stefan Bohlander from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland.
The next experimental step is to test IGF-based therapy in mice with lymphoedema.

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Cancer cells reprogram neutrophils to produce CCL3, aiding tumour growth: University of Geneva-led study (Start of February) ▼

Cancer cells reprogram neutrophils to produce the chemokine CCL3, which promotes tumour growth.
The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Geneva and the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research in Switzerland.
Neutrophils, usually defenders against infection, lose their pro-tumour action when CCL3 is absent.
The findings were published in the Cancer Cell journal.

Cipla, Stempeutics Launch Stem Cell Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis (Start of December) ▼

Cipla Limited, in partnership with Stempeutics Research, launched Ciplostem, an innovative allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy for knee osteoarthritis (knee OA).
The treatment is approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).
The treatment offers to slow disease progression and promote cartilage maintenance for patients with Grade II and III knee OA.
Ciplostem is an allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapy, which implies that this is not customised or patient-specific stem cell therapy, and can be administered off the shelf.
Ciplostem is administered as a single-dose, intra-articular injection containing 25 million cultured adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), co-administered with hyaluronic acid.
The therapy works at a cellular level to reduce inflammation and pain, enhance joint function, and help preserve cartilage quality.
The launch addresses a critical unmet need in India, where knee OA affects over 48.4 million people.

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

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

World Health Organization (WHO) Issues First Guideline on GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medicines, Recognizes Obesity as Chronic Disease (Start of December) ▼

WHO issued its first guideline on GLP-1 therapies including liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Obesity affects more than one billion people worldwide and was linked to 3.7 million deaths in 2024.
WHO recognizes obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive and lifelong care.
GLP-1 therapies mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar and digestion.
WHO recommends conditional long-term use of GLP-1 therapies for adults living with obesity, except during pregnancy.
WHO added GLP-1 therapies to its Essential Medicines List in 2025 for managing type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups.

University of Warwick (UoW) astronomers discover unique inside-out planetary system around star LHS 1903

[University of Warwick]

Key Updates:

Astronomers from the University of Warwick (UoW) have discovered a unique planetary system around a cool red dwarf star named LHS 1903.
The discovery was made using the European Space Agency (ESA) CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS).
The system consists of four planets arranged in an unusual rocky-gaseous-gaseous-rocky order, which challenges traditional planetary formation models.
The research, published in the journal Science, proposes a theory of inside-out planet formation where planets develop one after another rather than simultaneously.
The outermost rocky planet in the LHS 1903 system is believed to have formed in a gas-depleted environment after the system ran out of gas required for gaseous atmospheres.
Scientists from the University of Birmingham contributed to the analysis and confirmation of the planetary system properties.

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NASA’s SPHEREx Mission Tracks Brightening of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS (Start of February) ▼

NASA’s SPHEREx mission observed comet 3I/ATLAS in December 2025, detecting infrared light from dust, water, organic molecules, and carbon dioxide in its coma.
Comet 3I/ATLAS is only the third interstellar object discovered passing through our solar system.
SPHEREx detected organic molecules including methanol, cyanide, and methane within the comet’s coma.
The comet showed a dramatic brightness increase two months after its closest approach to the Sun, due to sublimation of water, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
The mission is managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and launched on March 11, 2025.
SPHEREx completed the first of four planned all-sky infrared maps of the cosmos in late 2025.
Comet 3I/ATLAS was discovered by the NASA-funded ATLAS survey telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, on July 1, 2025.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captures galaxy cluster MACS J1149.5+2223 (End of January) ▼

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has captured a detailed image of the massive galaxy cluster MACS J1149.5+2223.
The galaxy cluster is located approximately 5 billion light-years away from Earth in the constellation Leo.
The image demonstrates gravitational lensing, a phenomenon where the immense gravity of the cluster distorts light from background galaxies into arcs and elongated streaks.
MACS J1149.5+2223 contains over 300 verified galaxies and is identified as one of the largest gravitationally bound objects in the universe.
A lensed spiral galaxy within the cluster, resembling a pink jellyfish, previously hosted the most distant single star ever discovered and a supernova seen four times due to lensing.
The observations were conducted using the Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec), and Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) instruments.
The study is part of the Canadian NIRISS Unbiased Cluster Survey (CANUCS) programme, which aims to investigate the first generations of galaxies and the era of reionisation.

Astronomers Spot Possible Primordial Cluster Beyond Neptune (End of November) ▼

Astronomers believe they may have discovered evidence of a mysterious structure far beyond Neptune, hidden deep inside the Kuiper Belt.
The Kuiper Belt extends approximately 30 to 50 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun and contains icy remnants left behind during the solar system's formation.
A team of scientists from Princeton University, led by astrophysicist Aamir Siraj, has identified a new structure at a distance of approximately 43 AU.
They believe it could be a 'primordial cluster'—a group of icy objects that has existed virtually unchanged since the early solar system.
The extremely calm and stable orbits of these objects indicate the region's antiquity and minimal disruption.
This discovery could help explain how giant planets formed and gradually reached their current orbits.
The new structure shows even lower eccentricity than the previously identified 'kernel' region, suggesting it may be even older and more stable.
According to Princeton researchers, the classical belt's structure should be understood as consisting of three major components: a 'hot' component and two 'cold' components called the core and the kernel.

Durham University-led team detects impossible bow shock from discless white dwarf RXJ0528+2838 (Mid of January) ▼

A powerful outflow generating a persistent bow shock has been discovered around the white dwarf RXJ0528+2838, 730 light-years away.
The star is described as a ‘supposedly quiet, discless system’ yet drives a spectacular nebula.
The shock wave indicates the dead star has been ejecting material for at least 1,000 years, contradicting current understanding.
Researchers state the finding challenges the standard picture of how matter moves and interacts in extreme binary systems.

BioAsia 2026 Concludes with Record 4500 Delegates and 4000 B2B Meetings

Key Updates:

BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded in Hyderabad with over 4500 delegates and 4000 high-impact B2B meetings.
The event theme was ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution’.
More than 120 startups were shortlisted and 40+ most innovative startups exhibited solutions in MedTech, Medical Devices, BioPharma, Cell and Gene Therapy, AI and ML, Nutraceuticals, and Biomarkers.
BioAsia 2026 Innovation Awards were presented to Achala Health Services Private Limited, Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Helex, Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd.
Achala Health Services Private Limited is building India’s first healthcare-focused Small Language Model (SLM) that automates hospital workflows and integrates with EMR, LIMS, RIS, HIS, and pharmacy data.
Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd integrates next-generation digital vaccine vial monitors with AI-enabled authentication and real-time tracking to predict residual vaccine shelf-life and reduce wastage.
Helex develops non-viral gene therapies for renal diseases using a proprietary kidney-targeting lipid nanoparticle to restore PKD1 gene expression for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).
Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd offers Virulina, a triple-action herbal product targeting respiratory viruses, with patent-protected antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd develops BioMap Markers for biopsy procedures that are ultrasonography-sensitive, biocompatible, non-calcified, and metal-free to ensure accurate placement and diagnostic outcomes.

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BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February) ▼

BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026.
The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the forum at 9:30 am on 17 February at HITEX Hall 4.
The 2026 edition theme is 'TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution'.
The exhibition footprint expanded to 9,000 square metres, up from 7,000 square metres in 2025.
175+ exhibitors span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medtech, digital health and advanced manufacturing.
Startup Pavilion hosted 40 emerging startups, Innovation Pavilion featured 16 exhibitors, and 22 MSME exhibitors participated.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Howard Y. Chang (Amgen) and Pushmeet Kohli (Google DeepMind).
Global firms Novartis, Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sanofi, MSD and Miltenyi Biotec, alongside Indian leaders Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Biocon Biologics, featured prominently.

BIRAC–RDI Fund: ₹2,000 crore national call announced to scale high-impact biotechnology innovations (Mid of February) ▼

Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the first national call for the BIRAC–RDI Fund, a ₹2,000 crore financing window under the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) is appointed as the second-level fund manager and will deploy the amount over up to five years.
The fund will support technologies from TRL-4 to TRL-9 through equity, convertible instruments and long-term debt.
Phase-1 submissions for eligible startups, SMEs and industry partners close on 31 March 2026.
India’s biotechnology startups expanded from around 50 in 2014 to more than 11,000 today.
The bioeconomy grew from about $8 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, targeting $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2047.
Biotechnology experiments using domestically developed kits are being conducted in space for plant and life sciences research.

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

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

Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine commences in New Delhi (End of December) ▼

The Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine kicked off on Wednesday, with a focus on 'Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-Being,' at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasised the importance of traditional medicine in global healthcare.
The three-day global scientific gathering is held from December 17th to 19th, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to grace the closing ceremony of the Summit on December 19th, 2025.
The summit is being jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.

IIT Madras Global launches Applied AI Innovation Centre in Dubai CommerCity

[IIT Madras, United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

IIT Madras Global Research Foundation will establish its inaugural Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity.
MCA Gulf is the partner for the centre.
The centre will initially onboard six early-stage applied AI startups backed by IIT Madras Global.
The combined valuation of the six startups is estimated near USD 118 million.
Projections indicate nearly USD 281 million in revenue over five years.
Details of the centre’s formation were announced during WORLDEF Dubai 2026.
Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, dean of Global Engagement at IIT Madras, stated the facility will scale academic research into industry adoption and advance responsible, people-oriented AI design.
The centre will focus on local product development, solution deployment, intellectual property creation, and collaboration with government entities, industry stakeholders, and innovation ecosystem partners.
Amna Lootah, Director-General of Dubai CommerCity and Dubai Airport Freezone, said the partnership reinforces Dubai’s role as a digital trade and advanced technologies hub.

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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Columbia University partner to establish AI Centre for Manufacturing (Mid of February) ▼

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Columbia University have signed an agreement to establish the Columbia-IIT Bombay Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Manufacturing.
The centre is a joint research and translation facility designed to build robust, scalable, and human-centric AI systems for real-world factory applications.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has initiated four different AI centres so far, including this new collaborative project.
The centre aims to address diverse sectors including semiconductors, robotics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, refining, petrochemicals, construction, transport, and logistics.
The initiative will develop interoperable industrial AI infrastructure to manage shop-floor realities such as legacy equipment, noisy data, real-time constraints, and multilingual workforces.
The project focuses on supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), nurturing startups, and releasing foundational datasets and models as public goods.

India AI Impact Summit 2026 releases AI Impact Startup Book mapping 100 deep-tech innovators (Mid of February) ▼

The AI Impact Startup Book was launched on the third day of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The compendium maps 100 high-impact AI-driven solutions across sectors, technologies and geographies.
AI innovation is expanding beyond healthcare into foundation models, indigenous AI infrastructure, waste-tech, voice- and vision-based Indian applications, and edge AI integrated with hardware.
Nearly 47% of early-stage ventures retain strong local presence, while about 68% of growth-stage startups operate internationally.
Shri Abhishek Singh, Director General of NIC, Additional Secretary at Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and CEO of IndiaAI, called the book a repository for ministries and states to evaluate and scale AI solutions.
Sushant Kumar, Founder and CEO of Kalpa Impact, highlighted eight insights, noting India is building its own foundation models, AI infrastructure and edge innovation.

Google and Telangana Government Launch Google for Startups AI Hub at T-Hub Hyderabad (Mid of December) ▼

Google and the Telangana government launched the Google for Startups hub at T-Hub in Hyderabad.
Selected AI-first startups will receive free, year-long coworking seats and curated access to venture investors.
Startups will gain mentorship, hands-on AI expertise, and global visibility through the Google for Startups network.
T-Hub is a public-private partnership between the Telangana government, IIIT Hyderabad, Indian School of Business (ISB), NALSAR Law University, and private entities.
Google experts will conduct in-depth sessions on AI/ML, product, UX, and go-to-market for startups, student founders, and developers.
The initiative supports women entrepreneurs, tier-II innovators, and university talent.
Google will provide its full stack to startups, including AI capabilities on Google Cloud, Android, Play, and ads.

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

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

Harmanpreet Kaur becomes most capped international player in women's cricket history

Key Updates:

Harmanpreet Kaur surpassed Suzie Bates to become the most capped player in women's international cricket with 356 matches.
She achieved the record during the second T20I of the three-match series against Australia on February 19.
Ellyse Perry follows with 349 international appearances for Australia.
Harmanpreet has played 6 Tests, 161 ODIs and 189 T20Is, scoring 200, 4,409 and 3,784 runs respectively.
She has also featured in 35 Women's Premier League, 62 Women's Big Bash League and 10 Women's 100 matches.

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Laura Wolvaardt wins ICC Women's Player of the Month (Mid of January) ▼

South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt has been awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December.
Wolvaardt scored three centuries across formats in the month, including an unbeaten 115 in the opening T20I.
She accumulated 255 runs in the ODI series at an average of 127.50 and 137 runs in the T20I series.

Smriti Mandhana wins BBC Indian Sportswoman of Year 2025 (Mid of February) ▼

Smriti Mandhana was named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year 2025 for her key role in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory.
Chess player Divya Deshmukh (20) received the Emerging Player award after her FIDE Women’s World Cup win.
Preethi Pal won Para-Sportswoman award for two bronze medals at 2024 Paris Paralympics in track and field.
Anjali Bhagwat received Lifetime Achievement Award as India’s first woman shooter to reach an Olympic final.
Award winners were chosen by jury of Leander Paes, Deepa Malik and Anju Bobby George.
BBC Star Performers 2025: Indian Women’s Cricket Team, Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji, Preethi Pal, Indian Women’s Cricket Team for the Blind, Indian Women’s Kabaddi Team.
BBC Changemakers 2025: Indian Women’s Ice Hockey Team, Rajbir Kaur, Savita Punia, Paani Devi.

Nat Sciver-Brunt becomes first centurion in Women's Premier League history (End of January) ▼

Nat Sciver-Brunt scored the first-ever century in Women's Premier League history during Match 16 of the TATA Women’s Premier League 2026.
She reached the century in 57 deliveries with 16 fours and 1 six.
The match was played between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, India on January 26, 2026.
Hayley Matthews supported with 56 runs as Mumbai Indians posted a competitive total.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to field first.
Amelia Kerr returned to Mumbai Indians' playing XI while Nicola Carey missed out due to injury.
Mumbai Indians have two wins from six matches and must win both remaining games to stay in playoff contention.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead the points table with 10 points from six games and have already qualified for the playoffs.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta hails Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team as champions of T20 World Cup and life. (End of January) ▼

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta praised the Indian Blind Women's Cricket Team for their courage, confidence, and unstoppable determination.
Gupta described the team as true champions of both the T20 World Cup and life, emphasising that victory is measured by self-belief and perseverance.
She expressed support for promoting inclusive sports and recognised the team's role in inspiring young athletes and highlighting the potential of differently-abled sportspersons.

United States of America (USA) defeats Canada to win 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games women's ice hockey gold

[United States, Canada, Italy]

Key Updates:

The United States of America (USA) defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to secure the gold medal in women's ice hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.
Megan Keller scored the game-winning goal for the USA 4:07 into the overtime period.
USA captain Hilary Knight scored her 15th career Olympic goal, setting a new record for the most goals in the history of the national team.
Canada received the silver medal, with Kristin O'Neill scoring their only goal of the match.
USA goaltender Aerin Frankel recorded 30 saves during the final, ending a tournament shutout streak of 352 minutes and 17 seconds.
Switzerland won the bronze medal by defeating Sweden 2-1 in overtime, with Alina Muller scoring the decisive goal.
The victory marked the third Olympic gold medal for the USA in women's ice hockey and their eighth consecutive win against Canada across all competitions.
The USA and Canada have contested seven of the eight gold medal matches since the sport's Olympic debut at the 1998 Nagano Games.

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Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo anchors Norway to relay gold, becomes winningest Winter Olympian with nine golds (Mid of February) ▼

Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo won his ninth Winter Olympics gold medal in the men’s 4x7.5km cross-country skiing relay.
Team Norway finished first, Team France took silver 22.2 seconds behind, and Team Italy claimed bronze 47.9 seconds behind.
Italy’s bronze was its first cross-country skiing medal of the Milan Cortina Games.
Klaebo’s gold tally surpasses fellow Norwegians Marit Bjorgen, Ole Einar Bjorndalen and Bjorn Daehlie.
Norway’s relay team consisted of Emil Iversen, Martin Loewstroem Nyenget, Einar Hedegart and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.
The 4x7.5km relay was the fourth men’s cross-country event contested in Italy.

Germany wins FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025 (Mid of December) ▼

Germany won the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup 2025.
Germany defeated Spain with a 3-2 win in the tie-breaker after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time.
The final match was held at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
Germany won the FIH Junior World Cup for a record-extending eighth time.

Sjoerd Marijne returns as India women’s hockey chief coach (Start of January) ▼

Sjoerd Marijne has been appointed as the chief coach of the Indian women’s hockey team.
He guided India to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics.
Marijne takes over from Harendra Singh, who resigned in December citing ‘personal reasons’.
His first assignment will be the World Cup qualifying tournament in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14.

Canada’s seven-time Olympic medallist Penny Oleksiak banned for two years (End of November) ▼

Canada's most decorated Olympian, swimmer Penny Oleksiak, has accepted a two-year ban from competing following an anti-doping rule violation.
The International Testing Agency announced that Oleksiak committed three 'whereabout failures' over 12 months.
The Toronto-born swimmer is a seven-time Olympic medallist.
She can return to competition in July 2027.

Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram Statehood Day celebrated on February 20

[Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram]

Key Updates:

Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate their Statehood Day on February 20 every year.
The article marks 12 years of transformative change in both states since 2015-16.
Arunachal Pradesh recorded a 166% increase in GSDP since 2015-16.
Mizoram maintained an average annual real GSDP growth of 10.1% between 2012 and 2022.

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

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

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

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

PESA Mahotsav 2025: Celebrating Community-Led Governance under PESA Act (End of December) ▼

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is celebrating a two-day PESA Mahotsav: Utsav Lok Sanskriti Ka on December 23 and 24 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The Mahotsav marks the anniversary of the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act, 1996, which empowers tribal communities by extending Panchayati Raj provisions to their scheduled lands.
The objective is to spread awareness on the Act and improve capabilities of local bodies in Scheduled Areas.

77th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2026 to feature 30 tableaux and mark 150 years of Vande Mataram (End of January) ▼

The parade showcased 30 tableaux: 17 from states and Union Territories, 13 from ministries, departments and services.
The overarching themes are ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Assam’s tableau theme is ‘Asharikandi – Terracotta Craft Village of Assam’.
Chhattisgarh’s tableau theme is ‘The Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram’.
Gujarat’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram’.
Himachal Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Dev Bhoomi, Veer Bhoomi’.
Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau will display Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir.
Kerala’s tableau theme is ‘Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Maharashtra’s tableau theme is ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’.
Manipur’s tableau theme is ‘Towards Prosperity: From Agricultural Fields to International Markets’.
Nagaland’s tableau theme is ‘The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance’.
Odisha’s tableau theme is ‘Soil to Silicon: Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Innovation’.
Puducherry’s tableau will highlight the Rich Heritage of Craft, Culture and Auroville’s Vision.
Rajasthan’s tableau theme is ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’.
Tamil Nadu’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Prosperity: Self-Reliant India’.
Uttar Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’.
West Bengal’s tableau theme is ‘Bengal in the Freedom Movement of India’.
Madhya Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Punyashlok Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’.
Punjab’s tableau theme is ‘350th Year of Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’.
Air HQs tableau theme is ‘Veteran Tableau – Nation Building through War’.
Naval HQs tableau theme is ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’.
Department of Military Affairs tableau theme is ‘Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor, Victory through Jointness’.
Ministry of Culture tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’.
Department of School Education & Literacy tableau theme is ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’.
Ministry of AYUSH tableau theme is ‘AYUSH KA TANTRA, SWASTHYA KA MANTRA’.
Ministry of Home Affairs (NDMA & NDRF) tableau theme is ‘Bhuj Earthquake: 25 Years of Resilience’.
Ministry of Home Affairs (BPRD) tableau theme is ‘Jan Kendrit Nyay Pranali - Enactment of the Three New Criminal Laws – 2023’.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (CPWD) tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting tableau theme is ‘Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti’.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj tableau theme is ‘SVAMITVA Scheme – Aatmanirbhar Panchayat se Samriddh evam Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Ministry of Power tableau theme is ‘Prakash Ganga: Powering an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat’.
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship tableau theme is ‘Powered by Skills: Building a Self-Reliant, Future-Ready India’.

78th Zomi National Day celebrated in Manipur

[Manipur]

Key Updates:

The 78th edition of Zomi National Day was celebrated at the Centenary Hall of the Evangelical Baptist Convention (EBC) in Churachandpur, Manipur.
Manipur deputy chief minister Losi Dikho attended as chief guest, accompanied by Karong MLA K Kumo Sha, Autonomous District Council (ADC) members of Senapati, deputy commissioner Dharun Kumar S, and representatives from the 27 Sector Assam Rifles.
The programme included cultural exchanges, special dance performances, choirs from different communities, choreography, mass prayers and a one-minute silence in honour of departed leaders.
Dikho announced that the turf ground funded under Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been granted, with construction works set to begin soon.

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Nagaland Statehood Day on December 1 (Start of December) ▼

Nagaland Statehood Day is observed every year on 1 December.
Nagaland was formally declared India’s 16th state on 1 December 1963.
Kohima was chosen as the capital of Nagaland.
Nagaland was carved out of the Naga Hills district within Assam.
The Naga People’s Convention (NPC) was formed in 1957.
A 16-point agreement was reached in 1960 between the NPC and the central government.
The State of Nagaland Act, 1962 received the President’s assent on 4 September 1962.

Foundation Day of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura celebrated on 21 January (End of January) ▼

Every year on 21 January, the nation celebrates the Foundation Day of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura, commemorating the day these three states attained full statehood in 1972.
The North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 played a key role in this transformation.
As a result, on 21 January 1972, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura officially became full-fledged states of the Indian Union.

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

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

National Women’s Day 2026 observed in India on 13 February (Mid of February) ▼

National Women’s Day 2026 in India is observed on 13 February.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India.
Sarojini Naidu became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1925.
She was appointed the first woman Governor of an Indian state, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), in 1947.
India celebrates a separate National Women’s Day on 13 February, while International Women’s Day is marked worldwide on 8 March.

World Day of Social Justice observed on 20 February 2026

Key Updates:

World Day of Social Justice is observed globally on 20 February every year.
Department of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) will observe the day on 20 February 2026 at National Law University (NLU), Dwarka, New Delhi.
Shri B. L. Verma, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, will read the Preamble to the Constitution of India during the event.
The observance aims to reaffirm constitutional values of justice, equality, liberty, and fraternity.
Senior officers of DoSJE, officials of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), NLU faculty, and students will participate in the programme.

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International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 on December 3 (Start of December) ▼

International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) is celebrated annually on December 3.
In 2025, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) falls on a Wednesday.
The theme for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2025 is 'Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress'.
The global observance was first celebrated annually in 1992, following its proclamation by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 47/3.
In 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted.
António Guterres stated, 'When inclusion is real, everyone benefits. Let’s commit to working side-by-side with people with disabilities to build more resilient societies.'
According to the United Nations (UN), about 1.3 billion people experience significant disability, representing 16 per cent of the world’s population.
The significance behind the global observance is to raise awareness of the experiences of people with disabilities in all facets of political, social, economic, and cultural life.

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

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

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

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

UNICEF Foundation Day 2025: December 11, Theme 'My Day, My Rights' (Mid of December) ▼

UNICEF Foundation Day is observed on December 11 every year.
The official theme for UNICEF Foundation Day 2025 is 'My Day, My Rights'.
UNICEF was established on December 11, 1946 to supply food, clothing, and medical care to children in post-World War II Europe.
UNICEF stands for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, a name used until 1953.
UNICEF was founded in 1946 by Ludwik Rajchman.

International Asperger’s Day observed on 18 February

Key Updates:

International Asperger’s Day is observed annually on 18 February to raise awareness about the neurodevelopmental condition.
The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Hans Asperger, an Austrian paediatrician and researcher born in Vienna on 18 February 1906.
Hans Asperger first described the syndrome in 1944, which is now classified under the broader umbrella of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The condition is characterised by average intelligence and strong language skills, alongside challenges in social communication and understanding.
Research indicates that ASD is more commonly diagnosed in males, while females often receive later diagnoses due to less visible symptoms.

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