Ravi Shankar Chhabi Appointed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
[Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)]
Key Updates:
- Ravi Shankar Chhabi was appointed as the DIG in the CRPF following an order issued on January 19, 2026.
- He is a 2007-batch Regular Recruit (RR) officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS) belonging to the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
- Prior to this appointment, he served as the DIG of Public Grievances at the Director General of Police (DGP) Headquarters in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- He performed duties as a Police Observer for the 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency during the 2024 General Elections.
- His previous assignments include serving as the DIG of Prison Administration and Reforms and as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for the Women Power Line 1090.
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- Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, former Haryana Police chief, has been appointed as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- He succeeds Praveen Kumar, who has become the head of the Border Security Force (BSF).
- Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer, had been relieved from the post of Haryana DGP following controversy related to the suicide of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar.
- Kapoor will serve as ITBP chief until October 31, 2026.
- Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994 batch IPS officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, has been appointed as the regular Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA).
- He had been serving as interim head of NIA after the premature repatriation of incumbent Sadanand Date.
- Praveen Kumar, a 1993 batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, has taken over as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
- He was earlier serving as ITBP DG while also holding additional charge as BSF DG.
- Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990 batch IPS officer and former DGP of Haryana, has been appointed as Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- Praveen Kumar has taken additional charge of BSF Director General following the retirement of Daljit Singh Chawdhary.
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary handed over the responsibilities to Praveen Kumar at a BSF camp in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.
- Praveen Kumar is the 35th Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary is a 1990-batch IPS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre.
- Praveen Kumar is a 1993-batch officer of West Bengal cadre.
- Daljit Singh Chawdhary took charge as BSF Director General in August 2024.
- Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, former Haryana Director General of Police, was appointed as Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
- Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre and then DG of ITBP, was appointed as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
- Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer and then Special DG of National Investigation Agency (NIA), was appointed as Director General of NIA.
Sunita Williams retired from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
[National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States]
Key Updates:
- Sunita Williams retired from NASA after 27 years of service, effective December 31, 2025.
- She completed three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
- She ranks second on NASA’s all-time list for cumulative time in space with 608 days.
Similar Coverage
- A U.S.-Russian crew of three began a mission on the International Space Station after being launched there on a Russian spacecraft.
- A Soyuz booster rocket lifted off from the Russia-leased Baikonur launch facility in Kazakhstan to put the Soyuz MS-28 into orbit.
- The spacecraft carried NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Russian crewmates, Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov.
- The craft docked at the International Space Station.
- The three are expected to spend about eight months at the orbiting outpost.
- NASA said this is the first spaceflight for Williams, a physicist, and Mikaev, a military pilot.
- This is the second flight for Kud-Sverchkov.
- Already on the space station are NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman and Jonny Kim, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)’s astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexei Zubritsky and Oleg Platonov.
- Williams will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and benefiting life on Earth, NASA said.
- Roscosmos space corporation (Roscosmos) said in a statement Thursday evening that the crew was “in good health” after the flight.
- A routine inspection of the launch pad, conducted after the liftoff, identified “damage to several launch pad components.”
- The extent of the damage was being assessed, but “all necessary spare components are available for repairs, and the damage will be repaired shortly,” Roscosmos said.
- Dr Tessy Thomas held the position of Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Dr Tessy Thomas was Vice-Chancellor of Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education.
- Dr Tessy Thomas served as Project Director for the Agni-IV ballistic missile at DRDO.
- The award recognises her outstanding contribution in women empowerment, space and missile technology.
- Dr Tessy Thomas was mentored by former President and Director General, DRDO, APJ Abdul Kalam.
- Discovered two asteroids—2020 CM24 in Class VIII and 2021 CM37 two years later—through the International Astronomical Collaboration’s Asteroid Search Campaign
- Represented India at the 2021 Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition in Germany and won a Silver Honour
- Underwent 10-day basic astronaut training at the International Air and Space Program, becoming the youngest Indian to do so
- Chosen by Titans Space Industries (Florida) for 2026-2029 advanced astronaut training among 150 candidates from 36 countries; programme includes zero-gravity, scuba diving, and hiking modules ahead of a planned 300 km Earth orbit mission
- Plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics in Germany
- The UltraViolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat, India’s first dedicated space observatory, has completed ten years of operations.
- UVIT is India’s only ultraviolet space instrument and one of the few worldwide capable of far-UV observations apart from the Hubble Space Telescope.
- In ten years the telescope has observed 1,451 targets and contributed to about 300 research papers and 19 doctoral theses.
- Findings include hot compact companions to Be stars, blue stragglers in clusters, extended UV discs in dwarf galaxies, novae in Andromeda, UV emission from distant galaxies at redshift 1.42 and links between UV and X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei.
- The telescope is built as a twin system: one unit studies the near-UV (200–300 nanometres) and visible bands, while the other captures the far-UV (130–180 nanometres).
- The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) built and delivered the telescope from its Hosakote campus, designed to capture ultraviolet light that cannot be studied from the ground.
- Development involved a national consortium including the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and multiple ISRO centres.
- Improved image products are being uploaded to ISRO’s PRADAN archive and discussions point to a proposed successor mission, the Indian Spectroscopic and Imaging Space Telescope.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Approves Re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as HDFC Bank Deputy Managing Director
[Reserve Bank of India (RBI), HDFC Bank]
Key Updates:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of Kaizad Bharucha as the Whole-time Director and Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank.
- The re-appointment is for a tenure of 3 years, effective from April 19, 2026.
- Shares of HDFC Bank closed at ₹931.15 on the BSE, reflecting an increase of 0.38 per cent.
- Lodha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to invest ₹1 trillion in a data centre park.
- RMZ partnered with the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate investments totaling up to $10 billion.
- Eternal recorded a 73 per cent increase in Q3 FY26 profit to ₹102 crore, while revenue grew by 202 per cent.
Similar Coverage
- The board of ICICI Bank approved the reappointment of Sandeep Bakhshi as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer for a two-year term from October 4, 2026 to October 3, 2028.
- The reappointment is subject to approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the bank’s shareholders and other statutory authorities.
- Bakhshi took over as MD & CEO in October 2018 and has been credited with steering the bank through tighter risk controls, improved asset quality and steady growth across retail and corporate banking.
- The board noted the reappointment aligns with RBI’s Commercial Banks: Governance Directions, 2025.
- HDFC Bank has integrated the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) into its online merchant payment platform, SmartGateway.
- The integration enables merchants to accept payments via the Digital Rupee at zero transaction cost.
- The Digital Rupee is offered as a secure and sovereign-backed digital payment option alongside existing modes such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI), cards, and net banking.
- The enhancement allows customers to access an instant and secure digital payment experience within the HDFC Bank checkout ecosystem.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval through a letter dated December 15 for HDFC Bank and its group entities to hold up to 9.50% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of IndusInd Bank.
- The approval remains valid for one year until December 14, 2026.
- Aggregate holding covers HDFC Bank and group entities including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Pension Fund Management Limited, and HDFC Securities Limited.
- HDFC Bank stated it does not intend to invest directly in IndusInd Bank.
- The application for raising the investment limit was submitted on October 24, 2025, after combined holdings of group entities were expected to exceed the previous 5% threshold.
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the re-appointment of Ratan Kumar Kesh as executive director of Bandhan Bank Limited.
- The re-appointment is effective from March 31, 2026, for an additional three-year term.
- Kesh also serves as the chief operating officer and a key managerial personnel of the bank.
- The approval was communicated via an RBI letter dated December 26, 2025.
- The re-appointment is contingent upon the approval of the bank's shareholders and Kesh will remain subject to retirement by rotation.
- Bandhan Bank confirmed that Kesh has no relations with other directors of the bank and is not debarred or disqualified from holding a directorship by any order from the Securities and Exchange Board of India or any other relevant authority.
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) Secures Rs 300 Crore Contracts for Unmanned Systems
[Bharat Forge Limited (BFL)]
Key Updates:
- The aerospace division of Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) has secured contracts of around Rs 300 crore under the ongoing Emergency Procurement – VI framework of the government.
- The contracts cover a range of indigenous unmanned systems, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and loitering munitions for the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
- The contracted platforms, namely Omega One, Omega Nine, Bayonet, and Cleaver, are developed to meet urgent operational requirements across diverse terrains and mission profiles.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) awarded BFL a Rs 1,661 crore contract for the supply of over 2.55 lakh units of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines to the Indian Army.
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- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 22 proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with projected investments of Rs 41,863 crore and estimated production of Rs 2.58 lakh crore.
- The approved proposals include applications from Dixon, Samsung Display Noida Pvt Ltd, Foxconn’s Yuzhan Technology India Pvt Ltd, Hindalco Industries, Tata Electronics, Amara Raja-ATL, Motherson and Vital Electronics, among others.
- Together, the projects are expected to generate 33,791 direct jobs.
- The Union Cabinet approved the scheme in March 2025 with an outlay of Rs 22,919 crore as part of the government’s broader push to make India self-reliant in electronics manufacturing and reach $500 billion in electronics production by 2030-31.
- Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has secured additional orders worth Rs 2,461.62 crore from the Indian Army since the last disclosure on November 13, 2025.
- Major orders include supply of Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) and Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) under emergency procurement.
- ATGM contracts are scheduled to be fulfilled over a period of 42 months, while the SAM orders are expected to be completed within 12 months.
- Shares of Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) jumped 2.12% to their day’s high of Rs 1,561.95 on the BSE following the order announcement.
- Scheme Name: PLI 1.2 (third round of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for speciality steel) launched by Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
- Objective: "to encourage production of high-value, high-grade steels used in sectors such as defence, aerospace, energy, automobiles, and infrastructure" and "accelerate India's journey towards becoming a global hub for high-grade steel production."
- Financial Outlay: Total scheme outlay of Rs 6,322 crore with incentive rates "range from 4 per cent to 15 per cent, applicable for five years starting 2025-26."
- Coverage: Covers 22 product sub-categories including "super alloys, CRGO, alloy forgings, stainless steel (long and flat), titanium alloys, and coated steels."
- Capacity Target: Aims "to add about 26 million tonnes of speciality steel capacity over the next few years."
- Investment Attracted: "So far, the PLI scheme has attracted investment commitments worth Rs 43,874 crore...and is expected to add 14.3 million tonnes of new specialty steel capacity in India."
- Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) partnered with the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) of DRDO.
- The agreement is a licensing agreement for transfer of technology (LAToT) for manufacturing steel sheets.
- BSL is granted a non-exclusive license to utilise the technology for manufacture of DMR 249A steel sheets.
- The DMR 249A steel sheets are vital for India's defense initiatives, including advanced naval vessels like INS Vikrant, INS Nilgiri, INS Kiltan, INS Mahendragiri & INS Vindhyagiri.
- Over 46,500 tonnes of DMR 249A steel have been produced so far for key naval defence platforms.
- The agreement was signed in Hyderabad.
International Labour Organization (ILO) projects global unemployment rate to remain at 4.9% through 2027
[International Labour Organization (ILO)]
Key Updates:
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates global unemployment at 186 million people in 2026.
- The ILO warns that 465 million jobs depend on foreign demand through exports of goods and services and related supply chains.
- Nearly 300 million workers live in extreme poverty on less than $3 a day.
- About 2.1 billion workers are expected to hold informal jobs in 2026 with limited social protection and job security.
- Youth unemployment among 15 to 24-year-olds is projected at 12.4% for 2025, with 260 million young people not in education, employment or training.
- Women account for only two-fifths of global employment, highlighting entrenched gender inequalities.
Similar Coverage
- The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reported the unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above at 4.8 per cent in December 2025.
- The rural unemployment rate remained stagnant at 3.9 per cent, while the urban unemployment rate increased to 6.7 per cent from 6.5 per cent in the previous month.
- The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) among persons aged 15 years and above improved to 53.4 per cent in December 2025 from 53.2 per cent in November 2025.
- The overall labour force participation rate (LFPR) among persons aged 15 years and above rose to 56.1 per cent in December 2025 compared to 55.8 per cent in November 2025.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised its 2026 global growth projection by 0.2 percentage points to 3.3%.
- The IMF now assumes an effective U.S. tariff rate of 18.5 per cent, down from around 25 per cent in earlier estimates.
- The IMF upgraded its U.S. growth forecast for 2026 to 2.4 per cent and trimmed the 2027 outlook to 2.0 per cent.
- Spain’s 2026 forecast was raised to 2.3 per cent, while Britain’s projection remained unchanged at 1.3 per cent.
- China’s 2026 growth forecast was lifted to 4.5 per cent, below its stronger-than-expected 5 per cent performance in 2025.
- The euro zone 2026 projection was lifted to 1.3 per cent, driven by higher public spending in Germany and better performance in Spain and Ireland.
- Brazil’s 2026 forecast was cut to 1.6 per cent as tighter monetary policy weighs on growth.
- Global inflation is expected to ease from 4.1 per cent in 2025 to 3.8 per cent in 2026 and 3.4 per cent in 2027.
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
- IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
- World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
- Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
- IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
- IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
- Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.
- Unemployment Rate for persons aged 15 years and above declined to 4.7% in November 2025, the lowest since April 2025.
- Rural unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November 2025, while urban unemployment rate decreased to 6.5%.
- Female unemployment rate dropped to 4.8% in November 2025 from 5.4% in October 2025.
- Male unemployment rate decreased to 4.6% in November 2025 compared to 5.1% in October 2025.
- Worker Population Ratio for persons aged 15 years and above rose to 53.2% in November 2025 from 52.8% in April 2025.
- Labour Force Participation Rate among persons aged 15 years and above increased to 55.8% in November 2025, the highest since April 2025.
- Rural female Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 35.2% in June 2025 to 39.7% in November 2025.
Brand Finance ranks Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys in top three global IT services brands.
[Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys]
Key Updates:
- Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) holds a brand value of USD 21.2 billion and is the world's second most valuable IT services brand.
- Infosys, with a brand value of USD 16.4 billion, is the third most valuable IT services brand and the fastest growing over the past six years with a brand value CAGR of 15 per cent.
- India and the United States each have eight firms featured in the top 25 IT services brands worldwide.
- Accenture retains the top position with a brand value of USD 42.2 billion.
- HCLTech and Wipro are also ranked in the top 10, while Tech Mahindra holds the 12th position.
- The collective brand value of the world's top 25 IT services brands stands at USD 167.2 billion.
Similar Coverage
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has been recognised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge as one of the Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars (CSS) globally.
- BPCL is the only Indian organisation included in this year’s international ranking.
- The Corporate Startup Stars Awards 2025 identified 100 companies from the Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune Global 500 lists.
- The awards honor leading corporates for their efforts in promoting open innovation, engaging with startup ecosystems, and supporting new technology development.
- Sanjay Khanna serves as BPCL's Chairman and Managing Director (CMD).
- BPCL’s startup initiative is named Ankur.
- Ankur was launched in 2016.
- Ankur has supported 30 startups.
- BPCL established the BPCL Ankur Fund to invest in promising early-stage companies.
- John W. H. Denton AO is the Secretary General of ICC.
- Alberto Onetti is the Chairman of Mind the Bridge.
- 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).
- India’s 100 most valuable brands are worth a combined $523.5 billion, equal to roughly 13% of the nation’s GDP.
- HDFC Bank retained the top rank with a brand value of $44.99 billion after an 18% year-on-year increase.
- The overall brand list value grew 6% year-on-year, with 34 brands increasing in value and 18 newcomers entering the ranking.
- Tata Consultancy Services is valued at $44.23 billion, Airtel at $41.07 billion, Infosys at $25.54 billion, and ICICI Bank at $20.63 billion.
- UltraTech Cement debuted at No. 7 with a valuation of $14.5 billion after Kantar introduced a new Materials category.
- Zomato was India’s fastest-growing brand for the second consecutive year, jumping 10 spots to No.21 and boosting its valuation 69% to $6 billion.
- India Global Forum (IGF) announces a first-of-its-kind $250 million fund anchored by Ved Family Office and Ananta Capital.
- The fund targets Indian consumer and industrial brands for expansion into Middle East, Africa, Europe and beyond.
- IGF partners with DP World to provide participating companies access to world-class logistics and market-entry support.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves acquisition of 51% to 74% stake in RBL Bank Limited (RBL) by Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. (ENBD)
[Competition Commission of India (CCI), RBL Bank Limited (RBL), Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. (ENBD)]
Key Updates:
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of a shareholding between 51% and 74% in RBL Bank Limited (RBL) by Emirates NBD Bank P.J.S.C. (ENBD) on 20 January 2026.
- The transaction includes a mandatory open offer under SEBI regulations representing up to 26% of the expanded voting capital of RBL.
- The deal involves a preferential allotment of equity shares amounting to up to 60% of the total paid-up equity share capital of RBL.
- The proposal includes the amalgamation of ENBD’s Indian banking operations, which operate through a network of 3 branches, into RBL on a going concern basis.
Similar Coverage
- ICICI Bank executed a share purchase agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd to purchase an additional 2% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd.
- The purchase price is fixed at ₹2,140 crore for the 2% stake.
- Reserve Bank of India accorded approval for the bank to purchase up to 2% additional shareholding through its letter dated September 12, 2025.
- ICICI AMC had total assets of ₹4,827 crore as of September 30, 2025.
- ICICI AMC reported turnover of ₹2,949 crore and profit after tax of ₹1,618 crore for H1FY26.
- ICICI Bank currently holds 51.0% and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd holds 49.0% in ICICI AMC.
- Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) offloaded its entire 3.45% stake in RBL Bank for about Rs 678 crore through a block deal.
- The floor price for M&M's sale was pegged at Rs 321 per share.
- M&M had invested Rs 417 crore in July 2023 to acquire the stake at Rs 197 per share, yielding a 63% return.
- Emirates NBD will acquire a 60% stake in RBL Bank through a preferential equity issue worth Rs 26,853 crore (around $3 billion) at Rs 280 per share.
- The bank’s board has approved the issue and allotment of 96 crore new shares to the Dubai-based banking group.
- The transaction marks the largest-ever foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s financial services sector.
- Emirates NBD will also make a mandatory open offer to acquire up to an additional 26% stake in RBL Bank at the same price.
- Shares of RBL Bank ended Tuesday’s session at Rs 322.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain businesses from ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited by ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited.
- The Acquirer is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Plc.
- Target Businesses include managing and/or sponsoring five SEBI-registered alternative investment funds and providing non-exclusive, non-binding advice to an identified offshore investment fund.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted approval through a letter dated December 15 for HDFC Bank and its group entities to hold up to 9.50% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights of IndusInd Bank.
- The approval remains valid for one year until December 14, 2026.
- Aggregate holding covers HDFC Bank and group entities including HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life Insurance Company Limited, HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited, HDFC Pension Fund Management Limited, and HDFC Securities Limited.
- HDFC Bank stated it does not intend to invest directly in IndusInd Bank.
- The application for raising the investment limit was submitted on October 24, 2025, after combined holdings of group entities were expected to exceed the previous 5% threshold.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited acquiring additional 30.58% stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited.
[Competition Commission of India (CCI), Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited]
Key Updates:
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of an additional 30.58% shareholding in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.
- Post-acquisition, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited’s shareholding in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited will rise from 68.84% to 99.42%.
- Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited is the publicly listed parent of the Apollo Hospitals group and provides healthcare services across India.
- Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited offers primary and secondary healthcare, diagnostics, and telemedical consultation services in India.
Similar Coverage
- ICICI Bank executed a share purchase agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd to purchase an additional 2% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd.
- The purchase price is fixed at ₹2,140 crore for the 2% stake.
- Reserve Bank of India accorded approval for the bank to purchase up to 2% additional shareholding through its letter dated September 12, 2025.
- ICICI AMC had total assets of ₹4,827 crore as of September 30, 2025.
- ICICI AMC reported turnover of ₹2,949 crore and profit after tax of ₹1,618 crore for H1FY26.
- ICICI Bank currently holds 51.0% and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd holds 49.0% in ICICI AMC.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain businesses from ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited by ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited.
- The Acquirer is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Plc.
- Target Businesses include managing and/or sponsoring five SEBI-registered alternative investment funds and providing non-exclusive, non-binding advice to an identified offshore investment fund.
- RBI granted approval to foreign portfolio investor 1729 Capital to hold a total stake of 7.14% in Suryoday Small Finance Bank.
- As of September 30, the foreign portfolio investor held a 3.81% stake in the bank.
- The RBI clarified that prior consent will be required for any further increase in aggregate shareholding or voting rights.
- If the aggregate shareholding falls below 5%, the investor will again need prior RBI approval to raise the holding to 5% or more.
- ICICI Prudential Asset Management's IPO will be entirely an offer for sale (OFS) worth ₹10,000 crore.
- Prudential Corporation Holdings will sell 1.76 crore shares in the OFS.
- ICICI Bank owns 51% of ICICI Prudential AMC; Prudential Corporation Holdings holds the remaining 49%.
- Annu Projects' IPO comprises a fresh issue of 2.2 crore shares.
- Technocraft Ventures will raise capital through a fresh issue of 95.05 lakh shares and an OFS of 23.76 lakh shares.
- Powerica's IPO includes a fresh issue of ₹700 crore and an OFS of ₹700 crore.
Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves combination involving Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd, JSW Sambalpur Steel, JFE Steel Corp and JSW Kalinga Steel.
[Competition Commission of India (CCI), Bhushan Power and Steel Ltd, JSW Sambalpur Steel, JFE Steel Corp]
Key Updates:
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposed combination between Bhushan Power and Steel Limited (BPSL), JSW Sambalpur Steel Limited (JSW Sambalpur), JFE Steel Corporation (JFE) and JSW Kalinga Steel Ltd (JSW Kalinga).
- The combination involves transfer of BPSL’s steel business undertaking (Target Business) to JSW Sambalpur by way of slump sale.
- JFE will acquire 50% direct shareholding in JSW Kalinga, resulting in indirect acquisition of 50% shareholding in JSW Sambalpur.
- Post-transaction, JSW Kalinga and JSW Sambalpur will operate as a 50:50 joint venture between JFE and JSW Steel Ltd.
- JSW Kalinga is a wholly owned subsidiary of Piombino Steel Limited, which is a subsidiary of JSW Steel Limited.
- JSW Sambalpur is a wholly owned subsidiary of JSW Kalinga and is yet to commence commercial operations.
- BPSL is currently an indirect subsidiary of JSW Steel, held through Piombino Steel Limited.
Similar Coverage
- Adani Enterprises Ltd ’s copper arm, Kutch Copper Ltd (KCL), has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Caravel Minerals Ltd for strategic collaboration on the Caravel Copper Project.
- The partnership sets up an exclusive framework for negotiating a life-of-mine offtake agreement covering up to 100% of Caravel’s copper concentrate output, expected to be around 62,000 to 71,000 tonnes of payable copper per annum in the project’s initial years.
- The concentrate would supply Adani’s $1.2 billion (AUD 1.8 billion) Kutch Copper Smelter in Gujarat.
- The Caravel Copper Project is among Australia’s largest undeveloped copper resources, with an estimated 1.3 million tonnes of payable copper and an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) forecast at USD 2.07 per pound.
- KCL has secured first rights to participate in direct equity or project-level investments during the term of the MoU, aligned with the project’s AUD 1.7 billion initial capital expenditure.
- The MoU also lays out collaborative workstreams, including co-engineering, joint procurement, and initiatives leveraging the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- Global copper demand is forecast to surge 50% by 2040 on the back of electrification and renewable-energy expansion.
- The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has granted environmental clearance for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s (AM/NS) 8.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) steel plant at Anakapalli in Andhra Pradesh.
- Backed by an overall investment of Rs 1.5 lakh crore, the project will be India’s largest greenfield steel manufacturing plant.
- The plant will be developed in multiple phases, with the first targeting an 8.2 MTPA integrated steel capacity and an eventual expansion to 24 MTPA.
- AM/NS, a joint venture of ArcelorMittal and Japan’s Nippon Steel, began its engagement with the Andhra Pradesh government in August 2024.
- With the MoEF’s clearance, all major approvals for the project have been obtained within 14 months.
- State-owned CIL has entered into a partnership with Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) to expand a thermal power project in Jharkhand at an estimated cost of Rs 21,000 crore.
- Under the joint venture agreement, the two companies will also explore possibilities of jointly undertaking other thermal power and renewable energy projects.
- The upcoming coal-fired project at the existing site of DVC's Chandrapura TPS, Jharkhand, will comprise two ultra supercritical units of 800 MW each aggregating to a total installed capacity of 1,600 MW.
- The estimated project cost is pegged at nearly Rs 21,000 crore and would be on a 50:50 equity sharing basis.
- The plants are targeted to commence commercial operations by 2031-32, aligning with India's expanding energy demand.
- Coal for these plants would be sourced from CIL's Jharkhand-based subsidiary, Central Coalfields Ltd.
- CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal production.
- Scheme Name: PLI 1.2 (third round of the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for speciality steel) launched by Union Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
- Objective: "to encourage production of high-value, high-grade steels used in sectors such as defence, aerospace, energy, automobiles, and infrastructure" and "accelerate India's journey towards becoming a global hub for high-grade steel production."
- Financial Outlay: Total scheme outlay of Rs 6,322 crore with incentive rates "range from 4 per cent to 15 per cent, applicable for five years starting 2025-26."
- Coverage: Covers 22 product sub-categories including "super alloys, CRGO, alloy forgings, stainless steel (long and flat), titanium alloys, and coated steels."
- Capacity Target: Aims "to add about 26 million tonnes of speciality steel capacity over the next few years."
- Investment Attracted: "So far, the PLI scheme has attracted investment commitments worth Rs 43,874 crore...and is expected to add 14.3 million tonnes of new specialty steel capacity in India."
Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves Tata Steel Ltd acquisition of 50.01% equity in Thriveni Pellets Pvt Ltd.
[Competition Commission of India (CCI), Tata Steel Ltd]
Key Updates:
- Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of 50.01% equity share capital of Thriveni Pellets Pvt Ltd by Tata Steel Ltd.
- Tata Steel Ltd is a public limited listed entity engaged in integrated steel manufacturing operations including mining, steelmaking, and further processing.
- Thriveni Pellets Pvt Ltd is a private limited company engaged in the sale of iron ore pellets in India.
- TPPL’s wholly owned subsidiary, Brahmani River Pellets Limited, is also engaged in production and sale of iron ore pellets in India.
Similar Coverage
- ICICI Bank executed a share purchase agreement with Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd to purchase an additional 2% shareholding in ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Ltd.
- The purchase price is fixed at ₹2,140 crore for the 2% stake.
- Reserve Bank of India accorded approval for the bank to purchase up to 2% additional shareholding through its letter dated September 12, 2025.
- ICICI AMC had total assets of ₹4,827 crore as of September 30, 2025.
- ICICI AMC reported turnover of ₹2,949 crore and profit after tax of ₹1,618 crore for H1FY26.
- ICICI Bank currently holds 51.0% and Prudential Corporation Holdings Ltd holds 49.0% in ICICI AMC.
- The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of certain businesses from ICICI Venture Funds Management Company Limited by ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited.
- The Acquirer is a joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited and Prudential Corporation Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential Plc.
- Target Businesses include managing and/or sponsoring five SEBI-registered alternative investment funds and providing non-exclusive, non-binding advice to an identified offshore investment fund.
- ICICI Prudential Asset Management's IPO will be entirely an offer for sale (OFS) worth ₹10,000 crore.
- Prudential Corporation Holdings will sell 1.76 crore shares in the OFS.
- ICICI Bank owns 51% of ICICI Prudential AMC; Prudential Corporation Holdings holds the remaining 49%.
- Annu Projects' IPO comprises a fresh issue of 2.2 crore shares.
- Technocraft Ventures will raise capital through a fresh issue of 95.05 lakh shares and an OFS of 23.76 lakh shares.
- Powerica's IPO includes a fresh issue of ₹700 crore and an OFS of ₹700 crore.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary Eco-Sensitive Zone Notification
[Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary]
Key Updates:
- The Centre has declared the biodiversity-rich area, ranging from zero to one kilometre around Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary, located in one of the most fragile ecosystems of the Aravali range in Rajasthan, as an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ).
- The move will prohibit environmentally hazardous human activities within the earmarked zone of 243 sq km.
- Prohibited activities within the ESZ include commercial mining, stone quarrying and crushing units; setting up of industries causing water, air, soil and noise pollution; setting up of brick kilns; and erection of new wind mills among others.
- New construction of hotels and resorts shall not be allowed within one km from the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of the eco-sensitive zone, whichever is nearer.
- Forests, horticulture areas, agricultural areas, parks and open spaces earmarked for recreational purposes in the zone will not be used or converted into areas for major commercial or residential or industrial activities.
Similar Coverage
- The Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur district was officially declared Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar Site.
- The declaration places Kopra Reservoir on the global map of wetlands of international importance.
- The State Wetland Authority, environmental experts, forest officials, researchers, and local communities made joint efforts for this designation.
- Kedar Kashyap is the forest and climate change minister of Chhattisgarh.
- Vishnu Deo Sai is the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
- The Chhattisgarh Anjor Vision 2047 includes a major target of securing Ramsar status for 20 wetlands by 2030.
- Kopra Reservoir is highlighted as a suitable habitat for species such as the river tern, common pochard, and Egyptian vulture.
- Oman was elected to the International Coordinating Council of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme for the term 2025–2029.
- The Environment Authority represented Oman during the election held at the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan.
- Oman already has two reserves listed in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves: Al-Sareen Nature Reserve and Al Jabal Al Akhdar Landscape Reserve.
- The MAB Programme’s objectives include expanding protected areas, conserving biodiversity, supporting climate-change research, and granting research support to youth and researchers.
- The Supreme Court directed the Jharkhand government to declare the Saranda forests as a wildlife sanctuary and conservation reserve.
- The directive prohibits any mining activity within a one-km radius of the boundary of the declared sanctuary and conservation reserve.
- The bench directed the state government to notify the area comprising 126 compartments as notified in 1968 notification, excluding six compartments, as a wildlife sanctuary within three months from the date of the judgment.
- The Supreme Court stated that the state cannot run away from its duty to declare the extent of 31,468.25 hectares as Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary, overruling the state’s plan to declare only a part of the forest as sanctuary.
- The bench directed the state “to give wide publicity to the fact that by this judgment, neither the individual rights nor the community rights of the tribals and the forest dwellers in the said area would be adversely affected” and that “in view of the provision of… the Forest Rights Act, all rights of tribals and forest dwellers, both individually as well as of community, shall stand protected”.
- The directive is based on “the mandate of Articles 48A and 51A(g) of the Constitution, Section 26A of the Wildlife Protection Act, and particularly in the light of the report of the Wildlife Institute of India”.
- The top court reiterated its direction that “mining within the National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, and within an area of 1 km from the boundary of such National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary shall not be permissible.”
- The National Wildlife Action Plan 2017-31 “recognises the need to enhance the protected area network (broadly including national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, community reserves etc.) and to demarcate boundaries for protected areas” and “further stresses on in situ conservation of threatened species, and the need for immediate conservation measures including the protection of critical habitations”.
United Arab Emirates (UAE) partners with Telangana to develop Bharat Future City
[United Arab Emirates (UAE), Telangana]
Key Updates:
- Bharat Future City is India’s first Net-Zero Greenfield Smart City.
- Spread over 30,000 acres, the city is envisioned as a multi-sectoral, sustainable urban-industrial hub with dedicated spaces for Artificial Intelligence (AI), education, health, industries, residential and entertainment zones.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government and Telangana agree to collaborate for development of Bharat Future City as a top global city.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with Reliance Group's Vantara to establish a new zoo in Future City.
Similar Coverage
- India and the UAE aim to double bilateral trade to over $200 billion by 2032, from $84 billion in 2023–24, with focus on MSMEs and platforms like Bharat Mart.
- A long-term LNG supply deal was signed for 0.5 million metric tonnes annually; the UAE is India’s second-largest LNG supplier after Qatar.
- A Letter of Intent was signed to work towards a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework, covering defence industrial cooperation, advanced technologies, and cyber security.
- Both sides agreed to cooperate in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), building on India’s SHANTI Act, 2025.
- Artificial Intelligence identified as a priority area, with agreement on setting up a supercomputing cluster in India, UAE investments in data centres, and exploration of a ‘data embassy’ concept.
- Letters of Intent were signed for space cooperation and infrastructure development, including joint space infrastructure and UAE participation in the Dholera Special Investment Region (airport, port, rail, energy, smart city).
- A food safety agreement was signed to boost Indian agricultural exports to the UAE, alongside broader strategic cooperation during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit on January 19, 2026.
- The Adani group is setting up a 48-megawatt green data center in Telangana with an investment of Rs 2,500 crores.
- This facility will be at the forefront of cutting-edge AI, cloud technology, and high performance computing.
- The group has so far invested nearly Rs 10,000 crores in the last three years in building state infrastructure and manufacturing facilities in Telangana.
- India’s Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Pralhad Joshi, delivered the national statement at the 16th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on January 12, 2026.
- Joshi reaffirmed India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and Net Zero emissions by 2070.
- India achieved 50 percent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement NDC target.
- India’s renewable energy capacity now exceeds 266 GW, with nearly 50 GW added in 2025 alone.
- Under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, 2.5 million households gained rooftop solar in under two years, targeting 10 million by March 2027.
- PM-KUSUM has been deployed for 2.17 million farmers via diesel pump replacements and solarised agricultural feeders.
- India requires USD 300 billion by 2030 for renewables, storage, green hydrogen, grids, and manufacturing.
- Joshi urged international collaboration on technology transfer, low-cost finance, capacity building, and standards harmonisation, especially for developing nations.
- In a bilateral meeting, Joshi discussed with the UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, ways to deepen ties in renewables, decentralised energy, manufacturing, storage, and blended finance.
- Vingroup commits $3 billion investment to establish a multi-sector ecosystem covering smart urban development, electric mobility, healthcare, education, tourism and renewable energy across approximately 2,500 hectares in Telangana.
- Telangana government will facilitate land allocation, fast-track approvals and coordinate planning for the project.
- The $3 billion plan surpasses Vingroup's $2 billion VinFast factory under construction in North Carolina, United States, making it the conglomerate's biggest potential investment outside Vietnam.
- VinFast, Vingroup's electric vehicle arm, already operates a manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu and announced a $500 million expansion of the plant last week.
- Vingroup reported a net profit of 7.565 trillion dong ($287.42 million) for the first nine months of 2025, nearly double its earnings from the same period in 2024.
- Vingroup's total debt stood at $12.35 billion as of September 2025, with approximately half tied to bank loans and syndicated credit facilities.
- The Telangana projects will include a 1,080-hectare smart city, a 350-hectare theme park, and a 500 MW solar farm.
Geological Survey of India (GSI) Hosts 65th Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) Meeting
[Geological Survey of India (GSI)]
Key Updates:
- The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, will host the 65th meeting of the Central Geological Programming Board (CGPB) on 21 January 2026 at the A. P. Shinde Symposium Hall, ICAR, Pusa, New Delhi.
- The CGPB serves as GSI’s apex coordination platform where the organisation’s Annual Field Season Programme (FSP) is presented, scrutinised, and finalised.
- Exploration focuses on critical and strategic minerals such as lithium, rare earth elements (REEs), graphite, platinum group elements (PGEs), vanadium, scandium, and cesium, in alignment with India’s energy transition goals.
- The GSI will adopt next-generation exploration technologies, including AI and machine learning-based data integration, advanced geophysical surveys, hyperspectral remote sensing, deep drilling, and mineral system-based studies.
- The Annual Programme for Field Season 2026–27 comprises 1,068 rigorously peer-reviewed projects across multiple earth-science disciplines, including carbon sequestration studies and offshore exploration.
- Environmental initiatives include landslide hazard zonation and slope stability studies, with a focus on disaster risk reduction in the Himalayan and North-Eastern regions.
Similar Coverage
- COP30 is being held in Belém, Brazil, from 10–21 November 2025, according to the UN announcement.
- Brazil launched a new Brazil-led fund at a pre-COP30 summit to place forest protection at the heart of climate action.
- UN satellite tracking now detects major methane leaks, but companies and governments act on only about 12 per cent of alerts.
- Developing countries are receiving less than 10 per cent of the money they need to adapt to extreme weather, the UN reported ahead of COP30.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres used the conference to urge a fair, fast and final shift to clean energy, calling it the cheapest source of new electricity in nearly every country.
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent convened finance ministers to discuss critical minerals.
- Australia invited to Washington meeting alongside G7 members.
- India invited; acceptance status unclear.
- Global leaders are set to gather in New Delhi for the 17th GRIHA Summit, themed 'Innovate to Act for a Climate Resilient World'.
- The summit aims to drive scalable climate solutions for India's built environment.
- Organised by the GRIHA Council, the event will feature over 50 eminent speakers across four plenary and four technical sessions, along with three innovation-driven exhibition pavilions.
- Discussions will focus on policy frameworks, technology advancements, market mechanisms, and partnerships to strengthen the resilience of cities, infrastructure, and communities.
- The Nirmaan Exhibition will showcase cutting-edge sustainable technologies and products, including a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) facade demonstration.
- A new publication, 'GRIHA Infrastructure Rating for Metro Stations,' developed in collaboration with BMRCL, will be launched to assess the environmental performance of metro stations nationwide.
- GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is India's indigenous green building rating system, jointly developed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
- GRIHA is recognized by the Government of India under its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC and provides a comprehensive framework to evaluate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from habitats.
- The Zonal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Chennai, is organizing the Regional Conference on Environment, 2025 on the 6th and 7th of December 2025.
- The conference will include three Technical Sessions; The First session will address "Environmental Law Enforcement & Biodiversity Conservation Role of Regulatory Authorities".
- The second session will discuss "Solid Waste and Biomedical Waste Management Policy Overview".
- The Third session will focus on "Challenges in Protecting Coastal Zones".
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and NMCG launch project to protect Indian Skimmer and river birds in Ganga Basin
[Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)]
Key Updates:
- The project titled 'Safeguarding breeding habitats of Indian Skimmer and sympatric birds through monitoring and community participation in the Ganga Basin' was launched at Dehradun and inaugurated by Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil.
- The project builds on BNHS’s successful conservation model in the National Chambal Sanctuary, where community participation significantly improved nesting success of riverine birds.
- Local residents will be trained as Nest Guardians and River Guardians to protect nests, monitor bird populations, reduce local threats and assist in scientific data collection.
Similar Coverage
- The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), under the Union government’s Jal Shakti Ministry, has issued a stern show-cause notice to the Bhopal-based Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) regarding the safety of the Bargi Dam in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
- The notice alleges non-compliance with the statutory provisions of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, stating that the operation and maintenance of the Bargi Dam poses a potential threat to public safety and downstream populations.
- The NDSA warned that legal action may be initiated under Sections 41 and 42 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021, which include penal provisions for responsible officials if mandatory provisions are not followed.
- The Dam Safety Act, 2021 mandates regular inspections, risk assessments, emergency action plans, and modern monitoring systems for all designated dams in the country.
- The NVDA has 30 days to respond to the show-cause notice regarding persistent leakage and inadequate monitoring systems at the dam.
- The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) conducted a joint Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) response drill in Mumbai.
- Japan Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Yoshio Seguchi led a high-level delegation visiting the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters West.
- Inspector General Bhisham Sharma, Commander, Coast Guard Region West, held a courtesy meeting with Admiral Seguchi.
- The joint training exercise was conducted onboard the Indian Coast Guard’s pollution response vessel ICGS Samudra Prahari.
- The ICG Pollution Response Strike Team and the JCG National Strike Team (NST) participated in the drills.
- Prior to the sea exercise, planning sessions, rehearsals, and classroom interactions were held in Mumbai focusing on response protocols for hazardous chemical spills at sea.
- A joint demonstration of HNS response procedures was reviewed by the JCG Commandant and the ICG Regional Commander onboard Samudra Prahari.
- The Japanese delegation also visited Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited to gain insight into India’s shipbuilding capabilities.
- India and Bangladesh have begun talks on renewing the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, set to expire in Dec 2026 - 30 years after it was signed - according to officials.
- Both started measuring water levels in the Ganga and Padma, with measurements to be recorded every 10 days till May 31.
- Central Water Commission (CWC) deputy director Saurabh Kumar and CWC assistant director Sunny Arora are in Bangladesh, while a four-member Bangladeshi team is in India, the officials said.
- Senior Bangladesh water resource ministry official Shibber Hossain said 'special attention' was being given to the Indian team's security.
- Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), nodal agency under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), signed 25 MoUs for inland waterways development.
- The MoUs aim to strengthen river cruise tourism, ship repair infrastructure, multimodal connectivity and clean-energy transportation along National Waterway-1 (Ganga).
- Uttar Pradesh receives substantial share of commitments focused on expanding operations in Varanasi and along the Ganga corridor.
- Key MoUs include ₹800 crore for cruise tourism, ₹350 crore ship repair facility in Varanasi with UP government, ₹200 crore for two river cruise terminals in Varanasi, ₹100 crore for electric vessel charging infrastructure, ₹200 crore Regional Centre of Excellence in Varanasi, ₹1,000 crore with Rhenus Logistics for tug-barges, ₹1,500 crore with NTCPWC of IIT-Madras for dredging supervision, and ₹1,500 crore with IPRCL for rail connectivity DPR and PMC services.
Google Gemini secures IPL sponsorship deal with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
[Google, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)]
Key Updates:
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has inked a Rs 270 crore sponsorship deal with Google's AI platform Gemini.
- The three-year partnership will begin with the 2026 Indian Premier League.
- Gemini's rival ChatGPT is already a sponsor of the ongoing Women's Premier League.
Similar Coverage
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named the goodwill ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first international cycling road race.
- The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is a UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day continental road cycling race for men.
- The race covers a 437-km route across the Deccan Plateau and the Sahyadri range.
- A total of 171 riders from 29 teams across 35 countries will participate in the event.
- India will field two teams: the Indian National Team led by Naveen John and the Indian Development Team, featuring a total of 12 Indian riders with four substitutes.
- Asian Paints has officially secured a three-year partnership with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), becoming the Official Colour Partner of India Cricket.
- The deal covers all men’s, women’s, and domestic home series, encompassing over 110 matches.
- The partnership aims to strengthen Asian Paints’ presence inside Indian homes by leveraging cricket’s unparalleled reach across generations, geographies, languages, and gender.
- Innovative activations like the Asian Paints Colour Cam and Colour Countdown segment will integrate home décor and colour trends directly into the broadcast.
- Unlike traditional sponsorships, the partnership is anchored around the theme of colour, allowing the brand to create a holistic and emotionally resonant association with the game.
- Hockey India will launch its centenary celebrations – marking 100 years of Indian hockey – on November 7 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
- Organised in association with the Sports Authority of India SAI, the event will mark the beginning of a series of initiatives celebrating the sport’s illustrious history while laying the groundwork for its future growth.
- The occasion also commemorates the founding of the Indian Hockey Federation on November 7, 1925.
- As part of the celebrations, over 1000 hockey matches will be played simultaneously across 500 districts nationwide, involving more than 36,000 players.
- Olympians Zafar Iqbal, Jagbir Singh, Dilip Tirkey and World Cup winner Ashok Kumar gathered at the National Stadium as Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya formally announced the celebrations.
- Air India and Air Canada reinstated their codeshare agreement effective December 2.
- Air India places its ‘AI’ designator on Air Canada flights from Vancouver to Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montréal and Halifax.
- Air India also places its code on Air Canada flights from London Heathrow to Vancouver and Calgary.
- Air Canada customers gain domestic India connectivity to Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kochi via Delhi, and to Delhi and Mumbai via London Heathrow.
- Travellers on connecting flights operated by both carriers can use a single ticket and unified baggage allowance.
- Frequent flyers continue to earn and redeem points/miles on both airlines, with Maharaja Club elites enjoying Star Alliance Gold benefits on Air Canada flights.
Foundation Day of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura celebrated on 21 January
[Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya]
Key Updates:
- 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.
Similar Coverage
- Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh and became India’s 27th state on November 9, 2000.
- The day is celebrated every year as the state’s foundation day.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Uttarakhand as a 'sacred land today accelerating progress in every field, including tourism'.
- The Government of India has unveiled an ambitious plan to develop 50 new destinations of global standards by 2029.
- The vision is to create world-class experiences that reflect India’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and modern aspirations.
- The initiative seeks to showcase India’s unparalleled cultural and natural wealth through destinations that meet international benchmarks, spanning from Kashmir valleys to Kerala backwaters, Gujarat coasts to Assam hills.
- Each state and union territory has been asked to submit proposals within the next month, identifying potential sites for development.
- Once approved, states will have three to four years to complete the transformation of these sites.
- A uniform development framework, designed by the Centre, will guide these projects to ensure global standards of infrastructure, sustainability, and visitor engagement.
- Every state and union territory is expected to have at least one flagship destination under the project, ensuring equitable representation and regional balance.
- These sites are expected to draw global attention, drive employment, and give a significant push to local economies once complete.
- Event Name: Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada; Organiser: Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) under National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India.
- Duration: 1st to 15th November 2025; culminates in Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on 15th November 2025 marking the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.
- Objective: "to inspire students by highlighting the legacy of India’s tribal freedom fighters and by celebrating the vibrant expressions of tribal art, culture, and heritage."
- Key Activities: creative, cultural, and educational activities; Padyatras and thematic events across all EMRSs.
- Recognition: "Two best-performing schools will be felicitated for their outstanding participation and innovative activities during the Pakhwada."
- Participation: "more than 1.5 lakh students from 497 EMRSs across India are expected to participate."
- 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.