📰 Daily Briefing Friday, Jan 30

Daily Current Affairs: 30 January 2026

Analysis for 30 January 2026

Brig. Rakesh Kumar Bora paid tribute to martyrs during foundation day of 5th Bihar Battalion.

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

  • 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.

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77th Republic Day Parade held at Kartavya Path with theme 150 years of Vande Mataram (End of January) ▼
  • The 77th Republic Day Parade was held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi with the dominant theme of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
  • The Bhairav light commando battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, a specialised assault infantry unit designed for rapid response, made its debut in the national parade.
  • The Shaktiban Regiment, a newly raised artillery unit equipped with drones, counter-drones, and loiter munition, was showcased for the first time.
  • The Universal Rocket Launcher System (Suryastra) with deep-strike capabilities and the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were displayed.
  • For the first time, the mounted 61 Cavalry contingent appeared in combat gear, departing from their traditional ceremonial uniform.
  • Double-humped Bactrian camels and Zanskar ponies were included in the ceremonial event for the first time.
  • A mixed scouts contingent comprising members from Ladakh Scouts, Dogra Scouts, Arunachal Scouts, Kumaon Scouts, Garhwal Scouts, and Sikkim Scouts participated in heavy thermal gear.
  • The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent featured raptors (kites) and Army dogs as part of the marching display.
  • Key military assets showcased included the BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), and Dhanush artillery gun.
  • The parade featured 18 marching contingents and 13 bands, lasting approximately 90 minutes.
NDRF Raising Day observed on January 19 (End of January) ▼
  • NDRF Raising Day is observed every year on January 19.
  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was formed on January 19, 2006 under the Disaster Management Act.
  • The NDRF comprises 16 Battalions based at 68 locations across the nation.
SSB Raising Day observed on December 20 (End of December) ▼
  • Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Raising Day is observed on December 20 every year.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended greetings to SSB personnel and their families on the 62nd Raising Day of the force.
  • The SSB was raised in 1963 and has a strength of about 90,000 personnel under the Union home ministry.
77th Republic Day celebrated with theme '150 years of Vande Mataram' (End of January) ▼
  • The 77th Republic Day celebrations had the theme '150 years of Vande Mataram'.
  • President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were the chief guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
  • This year marks the first Republic Day after Operation Sindoor where India showcased its military might.
  • The parade began with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute at Kartavya Path.
  • A total of 29 Indian Air Force aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters, participated in the flypast.
  • For the first time, the parade showcased a phased Battle Array Format of the Indian Army, including the aerial component.
  • A military contingent from the European Union (EU) participated, marking the EU’s first participation in such an event outside of Europe.

Captain Hansja Sharma Becomes Indian Army's First Woman Pilot of Rudra Armed Helicopter

Key Updates:

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

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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to set up MRO hub at Missamari in Assam (End of January) ▼
  • Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will establish a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub at Missamari in Assam.
  • The foundation stone was unveiled by the GOC, Blazing Sword Division, and P.B. Rangarao, Chief Executive Officer of Helicopter Complex, HAL.
  • The MRO hub aims to reduce repair turnaround time and provide sustained support to Army Aviation and the Indian Air Force.
  • The initiative aligns with the Government of India's vision of #AtmanirbharBharat.
India inaugurates DHRUV-NG next-generation civil helicopter at HAL Bengaluru (End of December) ▼
  • Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated DHRUV-NG, the next-generation civil helicopter, at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
  • DHRUV-NG is a 5.5-tonne, light twin-engine, multi-role helicopter engineered to master the diverse and demanding requirements of the Indian terrain.
  • The helicopter is equipped with twin Shakti 1H1C engines and features a civil-certified Glass Cockpit compliant with AS4 requirements.
  • It has a maximum take-off weight of 5,500 kg, a maximum speed of 285 km/h, and can carry up to 14 passengers.
  • HAL offers a 'One-Stop Solution' for manufacturing, maintenance, and upgrades, with operational support through Power-By-Hour (PBH) and Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) models.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received Ashoka Chakra; Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A received Shaurya Chakra. (End of January) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission in June last year.
  • Lieutenant Commander Dilna K sailed over 25,600 nautical miles through the Indian, Pacific, Atlantic and Southern Oceans during Navika Sagar Parikrama II aboard INSV Tarini between October 2, 2024 and May 29, 2025.
  • The gallantry decorations include three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras (one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry) (five posthumous), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Lt Col Roopa A and Lt Col Dilna K won CNN-News18's Youth Icon Award (End of November) ▼
  • Lt Col Roopa A and Lt Col Dilna K received the CNN-News18 Youth Icon Award.
  • They were honored for completing a historic circumnavigation as the first Indian duo to sail around the globe in double-handed mode aboard INSV Tarini under the Navika Sagar Parikarma II mission.
  • They completed a nearly 250-day voyage aboard INSV Tarini, covering 25,400 nautical miles (50,000 km), crossing four continents, three oceans, and three Great Capes.
  • They are the first Indian duo to circumnavigate the globe in double-handed mode.
  • The 15th edition of the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year was held on Friday, November 28.
  • Lt Col Dilna K hails from Kozhikode, Kerala, and was commissioned into the Indian Navy’s Logistics branch in June 2014, having excelled in national-level rifle shooting through the National Cadet Corps (NCC).
  • Lt Col Roopa A is from Pondicherry and joined the Indian Navy in June 2017, having previously pursued aeronautical engineering at Anna University and worked at the National Aerospace Laboratories in Bengaluru.

Economic Survey 2025–26 projects India’s FY27 real GDP growth at 6.8–7.2% and FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP.

Key Updates:

  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2025–26 in the Lok Sabha on 30 January 2026.
  • The Survey forecasts India’s real GDP growth at 6.8–7.2% for 2026–27, marginally below the current fiscal’s 7.4%.
  • Retail inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025, with anchored core inflation reflecting improved supply conditions.
  • The central government’s fiscal deficit for FY25 stood at 4.8% of GDP, better than budgeted, with a 4.4% target set for FY26.
  • India’s foreign-exchange reserves rose to $701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports and 94% of external debt.
  • Capital expenditure more than quadrupled from ₹2.63 lakh crore in FY18 to ₹11.21 lakh crore in FY26 Budget Estimates, with effective capex at ₹15.48 lakh crore.
  • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 sectors have attracted over ₹2.0 lakh crore actual investment, generating incremental production/sales exceeding ₹18.7 lakh crore and over 12.6 lakh jobs by September 2025.
  • India’s share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.
  • Foodgrain production is estimated at 3577.3 lakh metric tonnes for agriculture year 2024–25, up 254.3 lakh metric tonnes over the previous year.
  • India remains the world’s largest recipient of remittances, receiving $135.4 billion in FY25.
  • High-speed railway corridors expanded nearly ten-fold from 550 km in FY14 to 5,364 km by December 2025, with 3,500 km of new railway lines added in FY26.
  • The number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025, making India the 3rd largest domestic aviation market.
  • Discoms posted a historic positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time.
  • India ranks 3rd globally in overall renewable energy and installed solar capacity.
  • India became the 4th nation to achieve autonomous satellite docking (SpaDeX) capability.
  • The E-Shram Portal registered over 31 crore unorganised workers by January 2026, with 54% women.
  • NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index shows poverty falling from 55.3% in 2005–06 to 11.28% in 2022–23.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) projects global unemployment rate to remain at 4.9% through 2027 (End of January) ▼
  • 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.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) estimates Real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released the First Advance Estimates of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26.
  • Real GDP is estimated to grow by 7.4% in FY 2025-26, compared to a growth rate of 6.5% in FY 2024-25.
  • Nominal GDP is projected to grow at 8.0% in FY 2025-26, reaching an estimated level of ₹357.14 lakh crore.
  • Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is estimated to grow by 7.3% to reach ₹184.50 lakh crore in FY 2025-26.
  • Nominal GVA is estimated to attain a level of ₹323.48 lakh crore, registering a growth rate of 7.7%.
  • Financial, Real Estate & Professional Services and Public Administration, Defence & Other Services are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 9.9% at constant prices.
  • Trade, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting sector is estimated to grow by 7.5% at constant prices.
  • Manufacturing and Construction sectors in the secondary sector are estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices.
  • Agriculture & Allied Sector is estimated to grow by 3.1%, while Electricity, Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services is estimated at 2.1%.
  • Real Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) is estimated to attain a growth rate of 7.0% during FY 2025-26.
  • Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) is estimated to grow by 7.8% at constant prices, compared to 7.1% in the previous financial year.
  • MoSPI is currently revising the base year of National Accounts from FY 2011-12 to FY 2022-23.
  • The Second Advance Estimates of GDP for FY 2025-26 under the new base year are scheduled for release on 27.02.2026.
World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼
  • The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
  • India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 and edge up to 6.6% in FY28.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India's FY26 growth at 7.4% on January 7.
  • South Asia’s growth is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026.
  • Global growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
  • The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% from 2.1%, while China's economic growth is forecast to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
  • The WB projections assume that 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.
International Monetary Fund (IMF) upgrades 2026 global growth forecast to 3.3% (Mid of January) ▼
  • 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.

LSEG–Ipsos PCSI places India second globally in consumer confidence for January 2026

Key Updates:

  • India’s LSEG–Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) rose 1.4 points to 60.7 in January 2026, ranking it second among 30 countries.
  • Indonesia led the index at 62.6, with India and Indonesia the only markets above 60 points.
  • India’s PCSI Economic Expectations Sub-Index increased 6.6 points and the Employment Sub-Index climbed 6.3 points.
  • The Current Personal Financial Conditions Sub-Index for India slipped 0.6 points and the Investment Climate Sub-Index declined 2.0 points.
  • The Global Consumer Confidence Index (GCCI) improved 0.5 points to 49.9 in January 2026, up 1.3 points year-on-year.
  • Survey covered over 21,000 adults under 75 across 30 countries from 24 December 2025 to 9 January 2026.

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Moody's Ratings pegs India GDP growth at 7% for 2025 (End of November) ▼
  • Moody's Ratings forecasts India’s GDP to grow 7.0% in 2025 and 6.4% in 2026.
  • India will lead growth among emerging markets and across APAC excluding Greater China.
  • APAC GDP growth will stay steady at 3.4% in 2026 versus 3.3% in 2024, with 3.6% expected in 2025.
  • Emerging markets in the region will average 5.6% GDP growth compared with 1.3% in advanced markets.
  • Most rated Indian companies have active currency risk management or strong financial buffers against Rupee weakness.
  • Rated companies in oil and gas, airline, telecom and ride-hailing sectors face dollar exposure due to currency mismatches.
  • Moody’s identifies trade, weakening macroeconomic conditions and financial markets as the three main channels through which 50% US tariffs will transmit risk to companies.
  • Geopolitical tensions, especially US-China frictions, inform APAC geopolitical risk and threaten semiconductor supply chains.
  • Moody’s outlook for APAC is stable; it would turn negative if geopolitical tensions escalate or China slows sharply, and positive if interest rates decline broadly and earnings growth strengthens.
Fitch Ratings raises India FY26 GDP forecast to 7.4% from 6.9% (Start of December) ▼
  • Fitch Ratings has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.4% from 6.9%.
  • Private consumer spending is the main driver of growth this year, supported by strong real income dynamics and increased consumer sentiment.
  • India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, up from 5.6% in the same quarter last year.
  • Consumer price inflation fell to an all-time low of 0.3% in October, driven by lower food and drink prices (-3.7% in the year to October).
  • Fitch expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to cut the policy rate once more in December to 5.25%, following 100bp of cuts in 2025.
  • Fitch projects India’s GDP growth to slow to 6.4% in FY27 and further to 6.2% in FY28.
  • India faces one of the highest ETRs on its exports to the US (about 35%); a trade agreement that lowers the ETR would boost external demand.
World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼
  • The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, an increase from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
  • India’s growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27, assuming 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.
  • The WB projects India’s growth to edge up to 6.6% in FY28, supported by resilient services activity, a recovery in exports, and a pickup in investment.
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for FY26 at 7.4% on January 7.
  • Growth for South Asia is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026, reflecting the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s exports.
  • Global economic growth is expected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
  • The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% in 2026, while China’s economic growth is projected to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼
  • The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
  • India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
  • India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
  • Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
  • On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
  • The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
  • The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
  • Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
  • The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
  • China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

India and Canada commit to boost energy trade and critical mineral supply

[Canada]

Key Updates:

  • Canada will export more crude oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to India.
  • India will ship higher volumes of refined oil to Canada.
  • Canadian Energy Minister Tim Hodgson and India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri discussed higher investment in biofuels, batteries, electricity systems and critical minerals including Uranium.
  • Total India-Canada trade reached $9.7 billion in 2024.
  • India accounted for 1 per cent of Canada’s critical mineral exports in 2024.
  • Under the proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), India is likely to sign a 10-year agreement worth 2.8 billion Canadian dollars for Canadian uranium supply.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to visit India in the first week of March to advance CEPA negotiations.

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United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reports India FDI inflows surge 73% to $47 billion in 2025 (End of January) ▼
  • The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released the Global Investment Trends Monitor report highlighting global investment shifts.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to India increased by 73 per cent to reach USD 47 billion in 2025.
  • The surge in India was primarily driven by large investments in services including finance, Information Technology (IT), and Research and Development (R&D), as well as manufacturing.
  • Global FDI reached an estimated USD 1.6 trillion in 2025, representing a 14 per cent increase from the previous year.
  • FDI inflows to China declined for the third consecutive year, falling by 8 per cent to an estimated USD 107.5 billion.
  • The United States remained the world’s largest FDI recipient, recording a 2 per cent increase in inflows during 2025.
  • India ranked 7th globally as a host country for data centre projects, while France, the United States, and the Republic of Korea occupied the top three positions.
  • Total greenfield investment in data centres surpassed USD 270 billion, accounting for more than one-fifth of all investment projects globally.
  • Cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) activity declined by 22 per cent to USD 132 billion, despite growth in the semiconductors and telecommunications sectors.
  • The total value of international project finance increased by 7 per cent to USD 218 billion, although activity in this segment declined in India and Egypt.
  • Major global financial centres including the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Ireland added more than USD 140 billion to the global FDI total.
Chinese customs data records India-China bilateral trade at all-time high of USD 155.62 billion in 2025. (Mid of January) ▼
  • Indian exports to China rose to USD 19.75 billion in 2025, up USD 5.5 billion from the previous year.
  • Chinese exports to India increased 12.8% to USD 135.87 billion in 2025.
  • The India-China trade deficit widened to a record USD 116.12 billion in 2025, crossing the USD 100-billion mark for the second time since 2023.
  • In 2024, the trade deficit stood at USD 99.21 billion with China’s exports at USD 113.45 billion and India’s exports at USD 14.25 billion.
  • China’s global trade surplus reached almost USD 1.2 trillion in 2025, up 20% from 2024, with exports at USD 3.77 trillion and imports at USD 2.58 trillion.
Government of India (GoI) Projects 7.4% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼
  • The Government of India (GoI) projects the real GDP growth at 7.4% for fiscal year 2025–26, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expectation of 7.3%.
  • Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% for the current fiscal year, compared to 9.7% recorded in the previous year.
  • India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, following a 7.8% expansion in the April–June quarter.
  • Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to expand by 7.3% in FY26, an increase from 6.4% in FY25.
  • Nominal GVA is projected to grow at 7.7% in the current fiscal, down from the 9.3% growth recorded in the previous financial year.
  • Government spending is estimated to rise by 5.2% in fiscal 2025-26, compared to a 2.3% increase in the previous year.
  • Manufacturing and construction sectors are both estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
  • The agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow by 3.1% during FY26, down from the 4.6% growth witnessed in FY24.
India, Canada to resume trade pact talks (End of November) ▼
  • India and Canada have agreed to formally resume talks on an ambitious Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
  • India aims to increase bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030, while Canada sets a target of $70 billion by the same year.
  • In 2024, the India-Canada bilateral trade in goods and services was around $22.6 billion.
  • The difference in trade targets reflects a bullish estimate of the Indian market’s potential by Canadian businesses.
  • Canada and India launched talks 15 years ago for such a trade deal, but it was downgraded to a sectoral deal.
  • India and Canada have been taking steady steps to mend a relationship that was in tatters for around two years.
  • In late 2023, Ottawa suspended trade talks after allegations regarding the killing of a Canada-based Khalistan separatist, a charge India rejected.
  • Both countries began rebuilding their relationship after the change of guard in Ottawa in March.
  • Canadian Prime Minister Carney accepted Prime Minister Modi’s invitation to visit India in early 2026.
  • Indian envoy Dinesh Patnaik stated that both countries need a relationship where they discuss how people can be safe on the streets.
  • Patnaik also said India would take actions if evidence is presented in court that substantiates Canada’s allegations, adding India does not have evidence at this time.
  • The leaders agreed to enhance diplomatic staffing levels following the return of high commissioners in August 2025.
  • Prime Minister Carney welcomed the progress being made in the law enforcement dialogue between the two countries.
  • Both sides reaffirmed their longstanding civil nuclear cooperation and noted ongoing discussions on expanding collaboration, including through long-term uranium supply arrangements.
  • The two-way engagement assumes significance at a time when India-US ties have dipped over tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration, and Canada has also faced US tariffs.

Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) approves NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme pilot under regulatory sandbox.

[Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)]

Key Updates:

  • The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) issued the circular on Tuesday.
  • The pilot NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme operates under the Regulatory Sandbox Framework as a proof of concept.
  • Subscribers can withdraw up to 25 per cent of their own contributions for medical expenses with no cap on the number of withdrawals.
  • A minimum accumulated corpus of Rs 50,000 is required before the first withdrawal.
  • Full premature exit with 100 per cent lump sum is allowed if inpatient medical expenses exceed 70 per cent of the total corpus in a single instance.
  • Subscribers above 40 years (excluding government sector) may transfer up to 30 per cent of contributions from their existing NPS common account to the Swasthya Pension Scheme account.
  • Pension funds (PFs) must obtain prior PFRDA approval and may partner with fintech firms, health benefit administrators (HBAs), or third-party administrators (TPAs).
  • The pilot runs for a limited period with a restricted subscriber base; unviability will allow corpus transfer back to the common NPS account.

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Narayan Ramachandran heads PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) constituted 9-member SAARG committee. (End of January) ▼
  • Narayan Ramachandran, former country head and CEO of Morgan Stanley India, chairs the SAARG committee formed by PFRDA.
  • The committee includes former whole-time member Ananth Narayan, Motilal Oswal Co-founder Raamdeo Agrawal, DSP Mutual Fund MD & CEO Kalpen Parekh, and First Global Founder & CMD Devina Mehra.
  • PFRDA mandates the SAARG committee to review and modernise the National Pension System (NPS) investment framework within 9 months.
  • The panel will benchmark NPS guidelines against leading global pension systems and the evolving Indian investment ecosystem.
Government of India Approves Wage and Pension Revision for PSGICs, NABARD, and RBI (End of January) ▼
  • The Government of India has approved a 12.41% hike in the wage bill for Public Sector General Insurance companies (PSGICs), effective from August 2022.
  • The revision for PSGICs incorporates a uniform family pension rate of 30% and an increase in NPS contribution from 10% to 14% for employees who joined after April 2010.
  • The total financial implication for the PSGIC wage and pension revision is approximately ₹8,170 crore, benefiting 46,322 employees, 23,570 pensioners, and 23,260 family pensioners.
  • The PSGICs covered under the revision include National Insurance Company Ltd (NICL), New India Assurance Company (NIACL), Oriental Insurance Company (OICL), United India Insurance Company (UIICL), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC), and Agriculture Insurance Company of India Ltd (AICIL).
  • The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will implement a hike of approximately 20% in pay and allowances for all Group 'A', 'B', and 'C' employees.
  • The government has approved a 10% enhancement in pension and family pension on basic pension plus dearness relief for Reserve Bank of India (RBI) retirees, effective from November 1, 2022.
  • The RBI pension revision results in an effective enhancement of the basic pension by a factor of 1.43 for 30,769 beneficiaries, including 22,580 pensioners and 8,189 family pensioners.
  • The NABARD revision is expected to benefit approximately 3,800 serving and former employees.
SAMPANN Portal Integrated with DigiLocker to Provide One-Click Digital Access to DoT Pensioners (End of January) ▼
  • The Office of the Principal Controller of Communication Accounts (Pr CCA), Delhi has integrated the System for Accounting and Management of Pension (SAMPANN) pension portal with DigiLocker.
  • SAMPANN is a government-run digital platform designed to make pension services easier for Department of Telecommunications (DoT) retirees.
  • The integration enables pensioners to access key documents such as e-Pension Payment Orders (e-PPOs), gratuity sanction orders, communication sanctions, and Form-16 online.
  • The SAMPANN platform was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2018.
  • The platform is developed and managed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts and handles pension payments and related financial work online.
  • The platform has digitised the entire pension lifecycle—from initiation and processing of cases to issuance of e-Pension Payment Orders, disbursement, accounting, reconciliation, financial reporting, audit facilitation, and grievance redressal.
Atal Pension Yojana extension ensures monthly pension for informal sector (End of January) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Atal Pension Yojana (APY) till 2030-31.
  • The scheme provides a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 from age 60 based on contributions.
  • Government funding continues for outreach, development work and gap funding to keep the scheme financially viable.
  • As of January 19, 2026, more than 8.66 crore people have enrolled under APY.

Reliance Industries Ltd and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) sign MoU for sharing offshore resources.

[Reliance Industries Ltd, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC)]

Key Updates:

  • Reliance Industries Ltd and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) signed an MoU on the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW) to share offshore supply vessels and other resources.
  • The pact targets enhanced operational efficiency, faster execution of offshore projects, and stronger synergies between India's largest oil and gas producer and the nation's most valuable company.
  • The collaboration aims to allow a vessel approved by authorities to move between adjacent blocks, such as ONGC’s KG-DWN-98/2 and Reliance-BP’s KG-DWN-98/3 in the Krishna Godavari basin, without fresh approvals.
  • Currently, securing fresh approvals for a foreign-flagged offshore supply vessel from the ministries of defence and home affairs and the director general of shipping takes 45 days and is area- and duration-specific.
  • The companies will jointly approach the government to permit use of any fully-approved vessel anywhere in the Indian sedimentary basin.
  • This is the second recent collaboration between ONGC and Reliance after they partnered with BP in 2024 to bid for the 5,454-sq-km Block GS-OSHP-2022/2 in the Saurashtra Basin under Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) bid round IX.

Similar Coverage

GAIL (India) Ltd to acquire equity stake in Singapore-based LNG ship-owning company. (End of January) ▼
  • GAIL (India) Ltd will take an equity stake in a Singapore-based LNG ship-owning company through its wholly owned subsidiary GAIL Global IFSC Ltd registered in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City).
  • The LNG vessel is under construction in South Korea and is linked to a long-term charter signed by GAIL.
  • Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd (K LINE) and J M Baxi Marine Services will also be equity partners in the ship-owning company.
  • GAIL already holds a 26 per cent stake in the LNG carrier ‘GAIL Bhuwan’ hired from Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) form joint venture to enter ethane shipping segment. (Start of January) ▼
  • ONGC subscribes to 2,00,000 equity shares of ₹100 each in Bharat Ethane One IFSC Private Limited and Bharat Ethane Two IFSC Private Limited.
  • Each joint venture company will own and operate one Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC) under the Indian flag.
  • The vessels will transport ethane from the United States to ONGC Petro additions Limited (OPaL), a subsidiary of ONGC.
GAIL-Chhattisgarh MoU for 12.7 LMT gas-based urea project (End of December) ▼
  • GAIL signed an MoU with the Chhattisgarh government to undertake detailed techno-economic studies for a greenfield gas-based fertiliser project.
  • The project includes a 12.7 lakh metric tonne urea plant proposed along GAIL’s Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda natural gas pipeline corridor.
  • The state government will support feasibility studies, land identification and allocation, statutory approvals, and enabling infrastructure.
IIT Ropar and iDG10 Solutions Launch India's First Subsea Pipeline Design Training and Consultancy Program (Start of November) ▼
  • The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar) and iDG10 Solutions Private Limited have signed an MoU to launch India’s first industry-anchored training, validation, and consultancy partnership in Subsea Pipeline Design Technology.
  • The collaboration aims to build domestic capability in a niche and strategic field critical to India’s offshore and energy infrastructure development.
  • This 60-month partnership will leverage IIT Ropar’s academic and research expertise along with iDG10’s proprietary Subsea Pipeline Design Tool (SPDT) software.
  • iDG10 will provide educational and validation licenses of its SPDT and related software tools to IIT Ropar for student and research use.
  • A flagship Subsea Pipeline Design course will offer five days of classroom learning at IIT Ropar followed by a 21-day live project using SPDT for hands-on design experience.
  • IIT Ropar and iDG10 will offer joint consultancy to sectors including Oil & Gas, Water & Wastewater, Hydrogen transport, District heating and cooling, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCTSU), Mining, and Thermal power infrastructure.
  • The programme will issue a joint certificate from IIT Ropar and iDG10 Solutions upon completion.
  • Eligible participants include final-year B.Tech/M.Tech students (Mechanical or Civil) and professionals in Oil & Gas, offshore, marine, and related sectors.

SAMARTH Panchayat Portal: Dhamtari Becomes First District to Collect Property Tax Online

Key Updates:

  • Dhamtari district in Chhattisgarh has become the first in India to launch online property tax collection through the SAMARTH Panchayat portal.
  • The digital initiative was rolled out at Sankara gram panchayat in Nagri block, making it the first gram panchayat in India to establish an end-to-end digital payment system.
  • The system allows rural citizens to pay taxes from their homes using a Unified Payments Interface (UPI) linked online payment gateway.
  • The initiative is being implemented across nearly 400 gram panchayats in Dhamtari to simplify administration and reduce pending tax arrears.
  • The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Secretary, Vivek Bhardwaj, stated that the system provides gram panchayats with an independent source of revenue to promote financial self-reliance.

Similar Coverage

Haryana District Notification and Delhi Revenue Reorganisation: Formation of Hansi and 13 New Districts (End of December) ▼
  • The Haryana government has issued a notification making Hansi a separate district, effective from December 22, 2025.
  • With this, the state now has a total of 23 districts.
  • The Governor of Haryana hereby varies the limits and alters the number of sub-division of district Hisar, so as to form a new District to be called Hansi comprising of the sub-divisions of Hansi and Narnaund.
  • Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the land registration process in all tehsils across the state is entirely online, significantly reducing opportunities for corruption.
  • The Delhi Cabinet approved the landmark proposal to reorganise Delhi's 11 existing revenue districts into 13 new revenue districts that will be fully co-terminus with the 12 MCD zones, NDMC, and Delhi Cantonment Board.
  • The move aims to end decades-old jurisdictional confusion between revenue districts and MCD zones, increasing the number of subdivisions from 33 to 39 and the number of Sub-Registrar offices from 22 to 39.
SAMPANN Portal Integrated with DigiLocker to Provide One-Click Digital Access to DoT Pensioners (End of January) ▼
  • The Office of the Principal Controller of Communication Accounts (Pr CCA), Delhi has integrated the System for Accounting and Management of Pension (SAMPANN) pension portal with DigiLocker.
  • SAMPANN is a government-run digital platform designed to make pension services easier for Department of Telecommunications (DoT) retirees.
  • The integration enables pensioners to access key documents such as e-Pension Payment Orders (e-PPOs), gratuity sanction orders, communication sanctions, and Form-16 online.
  • The SAMPANN platform was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2018.
  • The platform is developed and managed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts and handles pension payments and related financial work online.
  • The platform has digitised the entire pension lifecycle—from initiation and processing of cases to issuance of e-Pension Payment Orders, disbursement, accounting, reconciliation, financial reporting, audit facilitation, and grievance redressal.
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.
Delhi to have two more revenue districts, SDM count to go up (End of November) ▼
  • The Delhi government is preparing for a major administrative overhaul to streamline governance.
  • Under the proposed changes, the number of revenue districts in the capital will be increased to 13.
  • The number of SDM offices will be expanded to 39 from 33.
  • Officials believe the new structure will significantly reduce delays and minimise the need for the public to visit multiple government offices for routine work.
  • At present, the capital has 11 revenue districts, each headed by a district magistrate.
  • The districts operate separately from the MCD, which is divided into 12 zones led by deputy commissioners.
  • The new district boundaries are being planned on the basis of Delhi’s 11 municipal zones.
  • The Delhi Cabinet has given an in-principal approval to the proposal that currently awaits the L-G’s approval.
  • The government has been planning to establish a mini-secretariat in every district to bring all departmental services except law and order under one roof.
  • The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area functions as a separate entity within the New Delhi district that usually witnesses confusion over its jurisdiction.
  • The government has planned to merge NDMC and Delhi Cantonment areas into the New Delhi district and align MCD zones with revenue districts.
  • In September 2012, new districts were created when South-East Delhi and Shahdara were carved out.
  • The current restructuring will require a major redraw of Delhi’s administrative map, leading to the addition or exclusion of villages and localities.

Supreme Court Stays University Grants Commission (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026

[Supreme Court of India, University Grants Commission (UGC)]

Key Updates:

  • The Supreme Court (SC) of India stayed the University Grants Commission (UGC) (Promotion of Equity in Higher Education Institutions) Regulations, 2026, citing concerns that they could divide society.
  • A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi ordered that the 2012 Regulations will continue in force under Article 142 until further orders.
  • The SC directed the Central Government to constitute a committee of eminent jurists to address the issue and obtain court approval for its setup.
  • Petitioners challenged Section 3(1)(c) of the regulations for defining discrimination only against members of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) while excluding the general category.
  • The court flagged the omission of ragging as a specific form of discrimination and expressed concern over provisions indicating separate hostels, classrooms, or mentorship groups.
  • The 2026 Regulations were developed following a 2019 petition seeking anti-discrimination mechanisms in higher education institutions.

Similar Coverage

Allahabad HC clarifies wife’s degrees no ground to deny maintenance under Section 125 CrPC (Mid of January) ▼
  • Allahabad High Court ruled that a wife cannot be denied maintenance solely because she is highly educated or holds professional qualifications.
  • The court set aside the family court’s order that had rejected the woman’s maintenance plea on the basis of her educational background.
  • The High Court emphasized that potential to earn is not the same as actual earning, and many educated women are unable to work due to household responsibilities.
  • The case has been sent back to the Family Court in Bulandshahr to pass a fresh, well-reasoned order within one month.
Government of India (GoI) Notifies Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 (End of December) ▼
  • The Government of India (GoI) has notified the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, under the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025.
  • The new rules replace the system of multiple licenses with a single petroleum lease covering exploration, development, and production of all hydrocarbons, including shale.
  • The regulatory framework provides lease tenures of up to 30 years, which are extendable for the full economic life of a field.
  • Criminal penalties for violations have been removed and replaced with financial penalties of ₹25 lakh, plus ₹10 lakh per day for continuing breaches.
  • Applications for the grant of a petroleum lease must be decided within a time-bound period of 180 days.
  • The Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) is designated as the competent authority for offshore safety, audits, and standard-setting in exploration and production operations.
  • Environmental provisions mandate time-bound plans for zero gas flaring and reduced greenhouse emissions at oilfields.
  • The rules permit lessees to jointly develop or share infrastructure facilities by mutual agreement and require an annual declaration of infrastructure capacity.
  • The seat of arbitration for disputes involving foreign companies may be a neutral seat, while New Delhi is the seat for disputes where all lessees are Indian-incorporated companies.
Supreme Court stays 100-metre Aravalli definition, forms new expert panel (End of December) ▼
  • Supreme Court stays its November 20 order accepting the Centre’s 100-metre height definition for Aravalli Hills.
  • A new High-Powered Expert Committee will be constituted to resolve critical ambiguities.
  • The stay will remain in effect till the new committee is constituted.
  • The Court issued notice on the suo motu case returnable on January 21.
Uttar Pradesh State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (UP-SEIAA) cancels Environmental Clearance for sand mining in Jhansi (End of December) ▼
  • The Uttar Pradesh State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (UP-SEIAA) cancelled the environmental clearance (EC) for sand mining on river Dhasan in Jhansi district.
  • The EC was previously cancelled after gross irregularities were discovered during the excavation of sand from the riverbed.
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench stated in their judgment dated Dec 24 that the appeal was barred by the limitation of the appeal time, which is a maximum period of 90 days.
  • The court fined Saxena Rs 25,000 for his false claim of not receiving the order of cancellation of the EC.

Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Welfare Board Notified under 2025 Act

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

  • The Karnataka government formally notified the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers’ Welfare Board under Section 33 of the Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers Social Security and Welfare Act, 2025.
  • The 16-member board is chaired by the Labour Minister as the ex-officio chairperson and includes a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) functioning as Member Secretary.
  • The board composition includes five government representatives, four aggregator platforms, four gig worker unions, and two civil society organisations.
  • Aggregator representatives on the board include Porter, Zomato, Uber, and Amazon, while the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy and IT for Change represent civil society.
  • Gig worker representatives include Vinay Sarathy of United Food Delivery Partners’ Union (UFDPU), Mohammed Inayath Ali of Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT), Satyananda of AITUC Karnataka, and Tanveer Pasha of Ola Uber Drivers’ and Owners’ Association.
  • The state government will levy a welfare fee of 1-1.5% on every transaction on aggregator platforms to fund social security benefits including accident insurance, health coverage, and maternity benefits.
  • The Act mandates algorithmic transparency in automated decision-making systems and requires a 14-day notice period with written reasons for the termination of workers.
  • Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives has been named as a special invitee and technical expert on digital platforms and data for the board.
  • The Act includes a reconciliation clause ensuring welfare fees paid to the state count toward contributions required under the Central Code on Social Security, 2020.

Similar Coverage

Code on Social Security 2020: 90-day engagement rule for gig-worker social-security cover (Start of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Labour and Employment pre-published draft rules under the Code on Social Security, 2020 proposing that a gig or platform worker must be engaged for 'not less than 90 days with an aggregator, or in the case of multiple aggregators, not less than one hundred and twenty days, in the last financial year' to qualify for social-security benefits.
  • A worker is counted as 'engaged' on a calendar day if they earn any income, irrespective of amount, for work done for an aggregator on that day.
  • If a worker is associated with multiple aggregators, engagement days across all aggregators will be added together; being engaged with three aggregators on the same calendar day will be counted as three separate days of engagement.
  • Stakeholders have 30 to 45 days to submit objections and suggestions before the rules are finalised for implementation alongside all four labour codes from 1 April.
Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing Portal launched to showcase women entrepreneurs' products globally (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, has launched the Gruha Lakshmi Digital Marketing portal under the guidance of Chief Minister Sri Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister Sri D.K. Shivakumar.
  • The portal, accessible at gruhalakshmidigital.org, serves as a state-backed e-commerce marketplace to promote women entrepreneurship across Karnataka.
  • Women entrepreneurs can register on the portal through the website, via District In-charge Officers, or by visiting the Department Head Office.
Jharkhand Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill 2025: Minimum Wage & Welfare Board (Mid of December) ▼
  • The Bill enables formation of a Gig Workers’ Welfare Board chaired ex-officio by the labour department minister.
  • Aggregators engaging gig workers must register with the Board; violation attracts a fine of up to ₹10 lakh.
  • The Act will ensure minimum wages for gig workers based on duration and nature of work and provide for social security, identity cards and medical insurance.
Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) provides 125 days of guaranteed wage employment (End of December) ▼
  • "President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025, which replaces the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), 2005."
  • "The VB-G RAM G provides for a new rural job programme with the statutory wage employment guarantee of 125 days per financial year."
  • "The Ministry of Law and Justice (MLJ) published a notification in the official gazette, declaring that the President gave her assent on December 20."
  • "As per the Section 3(1) of the Act, the State government shall within six months from the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, make a scheme consistent with the provisions of this Act."
  • "The provision for unemployment allowance in case of failure to provide work has been further strengthened and there is also a provision for providing additional compensation if wages are delayed."
  • "With the guarantee of 125 days of employment, provisions have also been made to ensure that small farmers do not face difficulties during agricultural work."

PANCHAM Chatbot and Rural Governance Initiatives Launched by MoPR

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) will launch the PANCHAM – Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot, developed in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
  • MoPR will release the 17th issue of Gramoday Sankalp magazine and the Compendium of Basic Statistics on Panchayati Raj Institutions–2025.
  • The Ministry will introduce the Expert Committee Report on Service Delivery at the Panchayat Level and the PESA Performance and Implementation Rank Indicators.
  • Around 240 panchayat heads, including Sarpanches, Mukhiyas, and Gram Pradhans, will be felicitated for achieving saturation in flagship Central Government schemes.
  • The MoPR tableau for the Republic Day Parade 2026 is themed SVAMITVA Scheme: Aatmanirbhar Panchayat se Samriddh evam Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
  • Nearly 450 special guests, including heads of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs), will attend the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path.
  • Prizes and certificates will be awarded to winners of the Know Your Constitution Quiz and Essay Competition organised as part of Constitution Day–2025.

Similar Coverage

Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Awards Conferred with Top Prizes of ₹1 Crore (End of January) ▼
  • Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, conferred the National Awards for Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 28 January 2026.
  • The MYGS initiative involved over 28,000 students from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) participating in simulated Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat proceedings.
  • In the JNV category, JNV Una (Himachal Pradesh) won the first prize of ₹1 crore, JNV Kannur (Kerala) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and JNV Ukhrul-I (Manipur) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • In the EMRS category, EMRS Kosambuda (Chhattisgarh) secured the first prize of ₹1 crore, EMRS Hirli (Odisha) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and EMRS Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Prime Minister’s vision of nurturing one lakh young leaders across the country through experiential civic learning.
  • A comprehensive MYGS Compendium in English and Hindi was released to document the journey of students gaining first-hand exposure to grassroots governance and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
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.
Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Initiative: Key Features and Launch Details (Start of November) ▼
  • Initiative Name: Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) – jointly by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • Launch: Unveiled in New Delhi; rollout planned across "over one thousand schools nationwide."
  • Objective: "Strengthen Janbhagidari and promote participatory local governance by engaging students in simulated Gram Sabha sessions."
  • Key Features: Includes release of a "Training Module on Model Youth Gram Sabha" and the "MYGS Portal."
  • Ministers Attending: Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel and Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey.
PDUNASS Team receives two Bhavishya Nidhi Awards 2025 for capacity-building and RGDE initiative (Start of November) ▼
  • Shri Kumar Rohit, Director, PDUNASS, jointly received the award for 'Best Achievement in Capacity Building' and 'Special Initiative – Reimagining Governance: Discourse for Excellence (RGDE)'
  • Shri Uttam Prakash, RPFC-I, received the RGDE award as Moderator of the RGDE Series since its inception
  • Shri Ankur P. Gupta, RPFC-I, jointly received the 'Best Achievement in Capacity Building' award

Odisha CM launches Samikshya portal for real-time tracking of local body projects

[Odisha]

Key Updates:

  • Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Samikshya portal at Lok Seva Bhawan alongside receiving the 6th State Finance Commission (SFC) report.
  • The portal provides real-time updates on implementation and progress of projects funded under grants of the SFC and the Central Finance Commission (CFC).
  • Projects covered include roads, drinking water supply, sanitation, street lighting, parks and other public utilities across rural and urban local bodies.
  • Citizens, elected representatives and stakeholders can access the portal at https://samikshya.odisha.gov.in to track development works and strengthen accountability.

Similar Coverage

Odisha Integrated Secretariat & Assembly Complex: Rs 3,623 crore outlay for 50-year administrative needs (Mid of January) ▼
  • Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi laid the foundation for a Rs 3,623 crore integrated Lok Seva Bhawan and assembly complex spread over 71 acres.
  • The complex is designed to meet the state’s administrative and legislative needs for the next 50 years, anticipating an increase in assembly seats from 147 to about 196 after delimitation.
  • The new assembly hall will have seating capacity for 300 members and include basement parking, modern amenities and advanced security systems.
DFS Launches Startup Common Application Journey on Jan Sammarth Portal for Credit Access (Mid of November) ▼
  • The Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance launched the Startup Common Application Journey on the Jan Sammarth Portal.
  • The initiative aims to "simplify and streamline access to credit for startups across India."
  • The Startup Common Application Journey was "developed jointly by the IBA and PSB Alliance."
  • The Jan Sammarth Portal will now serve as "a single digital platform where startups can apply for loans, compare offers from various Public Sector Banks, and track their applications through one unified digital system."
  • The initiative allows startups to secure "loans of up to Rs 20 crore under the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS)."
  • The Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS) is "operated by the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)."
  • The platform "integrates key data sources such as PAN, GST, Udyam registration, Income Tax Returns, and credit bureau information to ensure quick verification and processing."
  • The scheme "includes special interest concessions for women entrepreneurs."
Swadesh Darshan Yojana (SDY): Rs 148 Crore Sanctioned for Bhoramdev Corridor Project (Start of January) ▼
  • The Bhoramdev Corridor project has been approved under the Central Government's Swadesh Darshan Yojana.
  • An amount of Rs 148 crore has been sanctioned for the project to develop the 1,000-year-old Bhoramdev Temple corridor.
  • Development work will be carried out here for Rs 148 crore, which includes the launch of a tribal corridor and a convention centre.
  • Chhattisgarh has 219 projects worth Rs 7.83 lakh crore across 18 sectors now advancing rapidly since November 2024.
  • These initiatives are poised to generate over 1.5 lakh jobs across 26 of the state's 33 districts.
  • Of the total investment, nine marquee projects valued at Rs 6,063 crore are already operational, while 109 projects, representing Rs 2.10 lakh crore and 87,132 jobs, are in advanced stages of construction.
Union Minister for Home and Cooperation Amit Shah launches Sahakar Sarathi to digitally empower rural cooperative banks. (Mid of December) ▼
  • Sahakar Sarathi Private Limited is a shared-services technology platform designed to revolutionise India’s rural cooperative banking ecosystem.
  • The platform unveiled 14 digital products including Sahakar Setu, digiKCC, ePACS, Cooperative Governance Index and the World’s Largest Grain Storage Plan Portal.
  • Expert-as-a-Service modules launched under the platform are CISO Sarathi, Tax Sarathi, CBS Sarathi, Regulatory Compliance Sarathi and Shiksha Sarathi.
  • Additional services include AI-driven Cross Sell Sarathi, Campaign Sarathi, unified Collections Sarathi call-centre service and bank.in migration support.
  • NABARD–BCG report The Future of Rural Banking released, outlining a strategic roadmap to enhance rural credit and strengthen cooperative banking institutions.
  • Rural economy budget has grown 3.75 times since 2014, reflecting the government’s commitment to India’s villages.
  • Government targets 50 crore Indians participating in cooperatives, tripling their contribution to India’s GDP.

NITI Aayog launches Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 to saturate 5 KPIs in Aspirational Districts and 6 KPIs in Aspirational Blocks

[NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

  • NITI Aayog launched the 3-month Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 campaign running from 28 January to 14 April 2026.
  • The campaign targets saturation of 5 Key Performance Indicators in 112 Aspirational Districts and 6 Key Performance Indicators in 513 Aspirational Blocks.
  • Shri B.V.R Subrahmanyam, CEO, NITI Aayog, inaugurated the campaign in the presence of Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme, NITI Aayog.
  • Aspirational Blocks will focus on indicators including percentage of children aged 6 months to 6 years receiving Supplementary Nutrition under ICDS, measurement efficiency of Anganwadi-enrolled children, functional toilets and drinking water in operational Anganwadi Centres, adequate girls' toilet facilities in schools, and percentage of bovine animals vaccinated against Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
  • Aspirational Districts will prioritise indicators such as proportion of live births weighed at birth, Tuberculosis case notification rate, conduct of Village or Urban Health Sanitation & Nutrition Days, functional girls' toilets in schools, and percentage of animals vaccinated.
  • Districts and Blocks will prepare a 3-month Action Plan, track monthly progress, run awareness and behaviour change campaigns, and conduct concurrent monitoring field visits.
  • NITI Aayog will collaborate with relevant Central Ministries, States, and Union Territories to improve planning, implementation, capacity building, and sustainable service delivery.

Similar Coverage

NITI Aayog–NIIT Foundation MoU for 100% Aspirational Blocks coverage (End of January) ▼
  • NITI Aayog has partnered with NIIT Foundation to achieve 100% coverage in digital literacy, financial inclusion and employability across select Aspirational Blocks.
  • The collaboration targets approximately 1.2 lakh beneficiaries with at least 40% women participation.
  • NIIT Foundation will lead on-ground implementation through trained mobilisers, trainers, and by building capacity of community facilitators, self-help group leaders and peer educators.
PM-DevINE scheme and Ashtalakshmi vision drive ₹365 crore projects in Tripura (End of January) ▼
  • Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia laid the foundation stone for eight development projects worth ₹365 crore in Tripura.
  • Five completed projects worth ₹270 crore were inaugurated, including the 13.775 km Jatanbari-Mandirghat via Tirathmukh Road and the 28.90 km improvement of KA Road from Erarpar to Ambassa.
  • The 8.00 km Gandacherra-Raishyabari-Narikel Kunja Road will connect tribal habitations to district headquarters.
  • The Amarpur (Fatiksagar) to Chabimura connectivity project will boost Tripura’s heritage and tourism potential.
  • Under the PM-DevINE scheme, a Solar Micro Grid project will provide clean electricity in remote areas to strengthen education, healthcare and livelihoods.
  • Foundation stones were laid for three new road projects costing ₹95 crore: Kowaifung (Panjirai) to Karbook Road (9.10 km), Jampui (PMGSY Point) to Kangrai Road, and Burighat to Sermun-II Road.
  • Over the last 12 years, the Central Government has invested more than ₹6.5 lakh crore in the Northeast, with every Central Ministry spending 10 per cent of its budget in the Northeastern States.
Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Awards Conferred with Top Prizes of ₹1 Crore (End of January) ▼
  • Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, conferred the National Awards for Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 28 January 2026.
  • The MYGS initiative involved over 28,000 students from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) participating in simulated Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat proceedings.
  • In the JNV category, JNV Una (Himachal Pradesh) won the first prize of ₹1 crore, JNV Kannur (Kerala) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and JNV Ukhrul-I (Manipur) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • In the EMRS category, EMRS Kosambuda (Chhattisgarh) secured the first prize of ₹1 crore, EMRS Hirli (Odisha) won the second prize of ₹75 lakh, and EMRS Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) won the third prize of ₹50 lakh.
  • The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Prime Minister’s vision of nurturing one lakh young leaders across the country through experiential civic learning.
  • A comprehensive MYGS Compendium in English and Hindi was released to document the journey of students gaining first-hand exposure to grassroots governance and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI).
Bihar Cabinet approves 'Saat Nishchay-3' to double per capita income and create one crore jobs (End of December) ▼
  • The Bihar government approved the 'Saat Nishchay-3' (SN-3) programme for the period 2025-2030 to bring Bihar into the category of most developed states.
  • The SN-3 programme aims to double the average per capita income of people of Bihar to ensure double employment and double income.
  • A target has been set to create jobs and employment opportunities for one crore youth over the next five years, supported by the newly constituted Department of Youth, Employment and Skill Development (DYESD).
  • The Bihar government aims to ensure at least Rs 50 lakh crore of private investment in the state over the next five years.
  • The scheme will prioritise the 94 lakh poor families identified during the cast-based survey of 2023 in terms of providing employment.
  • In the healthcare sector, a policy will be introduced to provide separate incentives for doctors and to prohibit private practice by government doctors.
  • The education sector reforms include the development of old educational institutions into 'centres of excellence' alongside the establishment of an education city.
  • The agriculture sector will focus on accelerating the 4th Agriculture Roadmap for 2024 to 2029 and the preparation of a Makhana Roadmap to promote its production and processing.

High-Level Committee Formed to Strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) has constituted a high-level committee to review Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and recommend strategies for enhancing their scale and reach in Tamil Nadu.
  • The panel is mandated to submit its comprehensive report within two months.
  • The committee includes representatives from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium-Tamil Nadu (SFAC-Tamil Nadu).
  • Other members of the panel include officials from the ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), FPOs, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • The committee will investigate institutional governance, management practices, business operations, sustainability, technical support, and value addition.
  • Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan initiated the formation of the panel following a visit to Erode.
  • Target beneficiaries: Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu.

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Vrutti and HSBC India launch FPO Shakti blended finance facility targeting 100+ FPOs (Start of December) ▼
  • Vrutti and HSBC India introduce FPO Shakti, a blended, stage-based financing facility for Farmer-Producer Organisations.
  • Facility supported by Friends of Women's World Banking (FWWB) India as Facility Manager.
  • India hosts over 44,000 registered FPOs, with fewer than one-third accessing formal credit.
  • Initial cohort of 15 early-growth FPOs to be supported, scaling to 100+ organisations.
  • Facility combines revolving funds, guarantees, revenue-linked finance and technical assistance via Business Support Organisations.
  • Each FPO undergoes a 24-month acceleration journey covering governance, market systems, financial discipline and digital enablement.
Tamil Nadu Government–UN Women MoU for Gender-Responsive Governance (Start of January) ▼
  • The MoU aims to strengthen institutional capacities for gender-responsive governance and planning.
  • It focuses on achieving Sustainable Development Goals through a gender-equality perspective.
  • It seeks to strengthen gender-responsive planning and budgeting and create economic opportunities for women.
  • UN Women will provide technical support to the Government of Tamil Nadu for implementing these initiatives.
  • The Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department, Home, Prohibition and Excise Department, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department will be directly involved.
EPFO Constitutes Four-Member Committee for Cadre Restructuring (End of November) ▼
  • The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has set up a four-member committee for cadre restructuring of the retirement fund body.
  • The committee, headed by BP Sharma, the former secretary of the department of personnel and training, will submit its report by March 31, 2026.
  • It will undertake a comprehensive review of the existing workload of EPFO, identify imbalances, overlaps and inefficiencies in the present workforce structure and evaluate the requirement for rationalisation, optimisation or augmentation of human resources in line with functional necessities.
  • The committee will benchmark the cadre structure of officers and employees of the central board and recommend appropriate restructuring measures to enhance efficiency, service delivery and institutional effectiveness, while ensuring that manpower deployment remains commensurate with the functional workload.
  • It will recommend a suitable framework for induction of officers on deputation from the central government and other public institutions for bringing in talent, best practices, and cross-sectoral expertise to EPFO.
  • The committee will also recommend a framework for EPFO officers and staff to go on deputation or exchange programmes to other organisations to facilitate exposure to new ideas, professional development, and adoption of innovative practices.
PM VIKAS: Skill Training for 2,110 Minority Youth through NIFTEM-K (End of December) ▼
  • The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) has selected the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) Kundli as a Project Implementing Agency (PIA) to implement the PM VIKAS scheme.
  • Under this project, NIFTEM-K will train a total of 2,110 beneficiaries from the minority community.
  • The training will be conducted across seven locations in the states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
  • The program includes three training categories: Multi Skill Technician (Food Processing), Millet Products Processor, and Assistant Baking Technician.
  • The project will provide National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) compliant skill training through National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) approved courses.
  • The initiative aims to facilitate placement in wage employment, self-employment, or apprenticeship, with certification from institutions approved by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
  • The program is scheduled to be rolled out in January 2026.

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 Notified to be Effective from April 1, 2026

Key Updates:

  • The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
  • The SWM Rules, 2026, will supersede the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and come into full effect from April 1, 2026.
  • The rules mandate four-stream segregation of solid waste at source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste.
  • Bulk Waste Generators (BWG) are defined as entities with a floor area of 20,000 square metres or more, water consumption of 40,000 litres per day or more, or solid waste generation of 100 kg per day or more.
  • The rules introduce Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR), making BWGs accountable for processing wet waste on-site or obtaining an EBWGR certificate.
  • Industrial units using solid fuel, including cement and waste-to-energy plants, are mandated to replace it with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) at a substitution rate increasing from 5 per cent to 15 per cent over six years.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will develop a Centralised Online Portal to track waste generation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.
  • Environmental compensation will be levied based on the Polluter Pays principle by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) and Pollution Control Committees (PCC).
  • Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) are formally recognised as facilities for sorting solid waste and may act as deposition points for various waste streams.
  • Special provisions for hilly areas and islands include the levy of user fees on tourists and regulation of tourist inflow based on available waste management facilities.
  • State-level committees for effective implementation will be chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State or Head of the Union Territory (UT) Administration.

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BIS notifies IS 19445:2025 standard for bomb disposal systems to boost security infrastructure (End of December) ▼
  • The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has notified IS 19445:2025, a dedicated standard for bomb disposal systems.
  • Developed at the request of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory.
  • The standard is intended for voluntary adoption by procurement agencies, manufacturers, and testing bodies.
  • It establishes comprehensive guidelines for evaluating bomb disposal systems against blast loads and splinter effects.
  • The standard specifies requirements for test equipment, test range conditions, and evaluation procedures to objectively assess system effectiveness.
National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) Launches Reports to Strengthen Circular Economy in Waste Sectors (End of January) ▼
  • National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) released three reports focusing on the circular economy in end-of-life vehicles (ELVs), waste tyres, e-waste, and lithium-ion batteries.
  • The reports were shared during the International Material Recycling Conference (IMRC) organised by the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) in Jaipur.
  • NITI Aayog recommended the development of modern recycling infrastructure and the formalisation of informal recycling activities to improve resource recovery.
  • The reports suggest strengthening the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework to address challenges in waste management and enforcement.
  • The government of India aims to achieve 30% electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030, following a rise in EV sales from 50,000 units in 2016 to 2.08 million units in 2024.
  • Lithium-ion battery demand is projected to grow from 29 GWh in 2025 to 248 GWh by 2035.
  • The number of ELVs is projected to increase from 23 million in 2025 to 50 million by 2030.
  • E-waste generation in India is expected to rise from 6.19 million metric tonnes in 2024 to 14 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Goa GWMC Approves Five-Way Waste Segregation in Educational Institutions and Other Initiatives (Start of November) ▼
  • The Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) approved the introduction of five-way waste segregation in educational institutions.
  • The initiatives were approved to strengthen the state’s waste management system.
  • Under the new five-way segregation system, dry waste bins will separately collect plastics; paper and cardboard; metal and glass; and non-recyclables such as thermocol, while the wet waste bin will hold food waste.
  • Domestic biomedical waste such as sanitary napkins and diapers will be segregated separately.
  • Other approvals include the installation of sanitary waste incinerators and dispensers in all government offices.
  • An MoU will be signed with the directorate of skill development and entrepreneurship (DSDE) and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) to launch a waste management technician course and establish a centre of excellence for training urban local bodies (ULBs).
DoP-DA&FW MoU: PAN-India Sample Logistics for Agri-Input Quality Control (Start of January) ▼
  • Department of Posts (DoP) and Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) signed an MoU to create a nationwide logistics mechanism for transporting pesticide, seed and fertiliser samples to designated laboratories.
  • India Post will provide end-to-end logistics support for secure, traceable and time-bound movement of samples collected by Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Inspectors.
  • The collaboration is part of the PAN-India Online Pesticide, Seed and Fertiliser Quality Management System being developed by the Centre for Research and Industrial Staff Performance (CRISP).

New Aadhaar App launched for secure digital identity and QR-based verification

Key Updates:

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

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UIDAI launches Udai mascot to simplify Aadhaar services (Start of January) ▼
  • UIDAI launched the Aadhaar mascot 'Udai' as a resident-facing communication companion to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services.
  • The mascot will support clearer communication on services such as Aadhaar updates, authentication, offline verification, selective data sharing, adoption of new technologies, and responsible usage.
  • UIDAI selected the mascot through an open national design and naming competition conducted on the MyGov platform, receiving 875 entries from across the country.
  • Arun Gokul from Thrissur, Kerala, won the first prize in the mascot design competition, and Riya Jain from Bhopal won the first prize in the naming competition.
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) expands to Odisha and Delhi with Rs 5 lakh annual health cover (End of December) ▼
  • Odisha and Delhi signed MoU with the health ministry for implementation of AB-PMJAY, leaving only West Bengal outside the scheme’s coverage.
  • Ayushman Vay Vandana cards provide free treatment benefits up to Rs 5 lakh per year to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of socio-economic status.
  • An Android-based ‘Ayushman app’ launched by National Health Authority enables self-verification and supports face-auth, OTP, IRIS, and fingerprint modes for Ayushman card creation.
Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) records 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in November (Start of December) ▼
  • UIDAI records 231 crore Aadhaar authentication transactions in November, marking an 8.47% rise over the same month last year.
  • Face authentication transactions rose to 28.29 crore in November 2025, up from 12.04 crore a year earlier.
  • November recorded 47.19 crore e-KYC transactions, a rise of more than 24% compared with November 2024.
  • Nearly 60% of all Digital Life Certificates issued to pensioners in November used Aadhaar's face authentication tool.
Aadhaar Vision 2032: UIDAI's Strategic and Technological Review for Future Digital ID (Start of November) ▼
  • The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has begun work on preparing Aadhaar for the future and making sure it remains inclusive and up-to-date by leveraging the latest available technology.
  • UIDAI “has embarked on a comprehensive strategic and technological review to shape the next decade of Aadhaar’s evolution through a new ‘Aadhaar Vision 2032’ framework”.
  • The review is being conducted to create a “forward-looking roadmap” to strengthen Aadhaar’s “technological foundation, integrate emerging digital innovations, and ensure that India’s digital identity platform remains robust, inclusive, and future-ready”.
  • An Expert Committee will work to create the technological and strategic roadmap for the future of Aadhaar, integrating AI, blockchain and quantum computing.
  • Neelkanth Mishra, the chairperson, of UIDAI will also play the role of the chairperson of the high-level expert committee, which includes eminent experts and leaders from academia, industry, and administration.
  • The Aadhaar Vision 2032 framework will focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Quantum Computing, Advanced Encryption, and next-generation Data Security mechanisms.
  • The Aadhaar Vision 2032 document will outline the framework for “next-generation Aadhaar architecture” that will align with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, and emerging global standards of privacy and cybersecurity.

India and UAE to co-chair 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi

[United Arab Emirates (UAE)]

Key Updates:

  • 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.

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India participates as first-ever partner country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai from January 26 to 30, 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • Gulfood 2026, the world's largest annual food and beverage event, is being held from January 26 to 30, 2026, in Dubai.
  • India is participating as the partner country for the first time in the history of the global exhibition.
  • The event is the first exhibition to operate simultaneously across two venues, the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and the newly expanded Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai.
  • The DEC hosts the World Food Hall, Pulses, Grains and Cereals Hall, and Gulfood Green, while the DWTC hosts the Beverage Hall and the Startup Hall.
  • India's participation includes 161 exhibitors showcasing the country's agri-food ecosystem, with the Indian pavilion doubling in size compared to the previous year.
  • The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) launched the Bharati Pavilion to promote export-ready agri-food and agri-tech startups.
  • The Bharati Pavilion, located in the Startup Zone at the DWTC, features eight high-potential Indian startups selected from more than 100 applicants.
  • The exhibition recorded a 100 per cent expansion in a single year, featuring more than 8,500 exhibitors showcasing 1.5 million products from 195 countries.
  • Major participating markets include India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United States, with 40 per cent being first-time exhibitors.
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 Hosts 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus Experts Working Group on Counter Terrorism (Mid of January) ▼
  • India co-chaired the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia.
  • The meeting was addressed by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence.
  • India highlighted its Act East Policy and ASEAN's centrality in its Indo-Pacific vision.
  • India and Malaysia launched the current cycle of the 14th EWG meeting last year in Delhi.
  • A tabletop exercise will be hosted by Malaysia in 2026 and a field training exercise by India in 2027.
India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) strengthen strategic partnership during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit on January 19, 2026 (End of January) ▼
  • 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.

India and European Union adopt Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda at 16th summit

[European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

  • India and the European Union (EU) endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda during the 16th India-EU summit held in New Delhi.
  • The agenda covers five pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global challenges, and enabling factors such as skills, mobility, business and people-to-people ties.
  • Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Comprehensive Framework on Co-operation on Mobility to boost mobility of Indians to Europe.
  • They agreed to conclude an Investment Protection Agreement to provide high, predictable standards of protection for investors and promote investment in high-growth sectors.
  • An Agreement on Geographical Indications will be concluded to ensure effective protection of iconic products and boost trade opportunities.
  • The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will expand discussions on economic security to include research security and protection of sensitive technologies.
  • The EU-India Semiconductor Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented to strengthen supply chains and promote collaboration in chip design, heterogeneous integration, sustainable semiconductor technologies and manufacturing technology development.
  • An EU-India Business Forum will be established to meet regularly and provide business perspectives to inform policymaking across TTC work strands.
  • India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership cooperation will cover energy technologies, smart grids, storage, electricity sector regulation and energy and climate diplomacy.
  • Collaborative research will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, clean tech and biotech under the technology and innovation pillar.
  • India-EU Innovation Hubs will be set up to support dialogue, knowledge exchange and joint projects in critical emerging technologies.
  • An India-EU Startup Partnership will be established to deepen cooperation in innovation.
  • Cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy will be promoted under the India-Euratom agreement.
  • Under the security and defence pillar, both sides will consult on respective initiatives, exchange on defence industry-related matters and explore cooperation aligned with mutual security priorities.

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India and European Union sign new security and defence partnership (End of January) ▼
  • India and the European Union (EU) have signed a security and defence partnership pact focusing on maritime domain cooperation and Indo-Pacific engagements.
  • The partnership will facilitate stronger participation of the Indian defence industry in the European market.
  • An industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum will be established with official participation as observers and associating EU member states.
  • A dedicated annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue has been announced.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian defence industry can contribute meaningfully to the EU's 'ReArm initiative' aimed at diversifying suppliers and de-risking dependencies.
India and European Union sign Free Trade Agreement conclusion document during 16th Summit in New Delhi (End of January) ▼
  • India and the European Union (EU) formally signed the conclusion document for their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on 27 January 2026.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 16th India–EU Summit in New Delhi with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
  • The EU leaders served as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India, marking the first time EU leaders have held this position.
  • A military contingent representing the European Union Military Staff and EU Naval Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.
  • Under the FTA, India will reduce car import tariffs from 110% to 10% and phase out duties on auto components over a period of 5 to 10 years.
  • The leaders adopted the Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda to guide cooperation in prosperity, technology, security, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
  • The India–EU Security and Defence Partnership was signed as the first overarching framework to enhance cooperation in maritime security, cyber threats, and counter-terrorism.
  • Both parties agreed to launch negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified information.
  • The India–EU Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation was renewed until 2030, with talks beginning on India’s association with the Horizon Europe research programme.
  • New initiatives established include the India–EU Task Force on Green Hydrogen and the India-EU Wind Business Summit scheduled for 2026.
  • The two sides signed an Administrative Arrangement on Disaster Risk Management to enhance coordination in disaster preparedness and response.
  • A pilot European Legal Gateway Office will be launched to support the movement of workers, initially focusing on the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
  • The leaders agreed to launch an Education and Skills Dialogue in 2026 to facilitate the recognition of qualifications and promote vocational education.
  • The 17th India–EU Summit is scheduled to take place in Brussels in 2027.
India's Nuclear Power Generation Capacity to Reach 21,880 MW by 2032 (Start of December) ▼
  • India's nuclear power generation capacity is set to rise from the current 8,780 megawatt (MW) to 9,480 MW by the end of the current financial year 2025-26, 13,480 MW by 2029-30 and 21,880 MW by 2031-32.
  • Three 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units — RAPS-8 (700 MW) at Rawatbhata in Rajasthan and GHAVP-1 & 2 (two units of 700 MW each) at Gorakhpur in Haryana — are presently under construction.
  • Ten reactors of 700 MW each are at various stages of pre-project activities — two each at Kaiga in Karnataka, Chutka in Madhya Pradesh and Gorakhpur in Haryana, and four at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.
  • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has initiated design and development works on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
  • BARC is developing the 200 MWe Bharat Small Modular Reactor (BSMR-200), 55 MWe Small Modular Reactor (SMR-55) and an up to 5 MW thermal high-temperature gas-cooled reactor meant for hydrogen generation.
  • BSMR-200 and SMR-55 can be deployed as captive power plants for energy-intensive industries such as aluminium, steel and metal, repurposing retiring fossil fuel-based power plants and for providing energy for remote as well as off-grid locations.
  • Hydrogen produced from high-temperature gas-cooled reactors can be utilised as a clean fuel in the transport sector and in process industries.
  • The Nuclear Energy Mission envisages reaching 100 gigawatt nuclear power capacity by 2047.
India-Russia to Deepen Nuclear Cooperation at Upcoming Summit (Mid of November) ▼
  • The upcoming 23rd India-Russia annual summit is scheduled for December.
  • The summit is expected to significantly advance bilateral cooperation in civil nuclear energy, with a special focus on small and modular reactors (SMRs) and greater localisation of nuclear plant equipment.
  • Discussions ahead of the summit involved Rosatom director general Alexei Likhachev and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, director general of the department of atomic energy (DAE).
  • A detailed review of progress at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu was conducted.
  • Units 1 and 2 of KNPP were connected to India’s national power grid in 2013 and 2016.
  • Units 5 and 6 — part of the project’s third phase — are actively under construction.

European Union leaders attend 77th Republic Day of India as Chief Guests and co-chair 16th EU-India Summit

[European Union (EU)]

Key Updates:

  • President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen paid a State Visit to India on 25–27 January 2026 as Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India.
  • A contingent of the European Union Military Staff and the European Union Naval Operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES participated in the Republic Day Parade for the first time.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the 16th EU-India Summit with President Costa and President von der Leyen in New Delhi on 27 January 2026.
  • The EU-India Free Trade Agreement negotiations were successfully concluded during the Summit.
  • The EU-India Security and Defence Partnership, the first overarching defence and security framework between the two sides, was signed.
  • The leaders condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025 and the terror incident near Red Fort, New Delhi on 10 November 2025.
  • The EU-India Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda 'Towards 2030' was adopted to advance cooperation across five pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global challenges, and enabling factors.

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India and Spain unveil Dual Year logo and Spain joins Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) (End of January) ▼
  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares jointly unveiled the logo for the India-Spain Dual Year of Culture, Tourism and Artificial Intelligence on 21 January 2026 in New Delhi.
  • The unveiling marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Spain.
  • Spain formally acceded to the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) by handing over the signed Declaration of Accession to Jaishankar during the visit.
  • India launched the IPOI in November 2019 at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Discussions between the ministers covered trade, investment, defence, technology, education and people-to-people ties.
  • Jaishankar thanked Spain for supporting deeper India-European Union cooperation across multiple domains.
India and Germany to unveil defence and security roadmap during Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s first bilateral visit to India (Mid of January) ▼
  • India and Germany will unveil a defence and security roadmap that will strengthen the defence manufacturing network base in India.
  • German technology for India’s defence preparedness will be part of the bilateral conversation.
  • Chancellor Merz is accompanied by a 25-member delegation of CEOs, including top executives of a leading submarine manufacturer, signalling strong defence ties on the agenda.
India and Germany Strengthen Bilateral Economic Cooperation During Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Official Visit on 12-13 January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Friedrich Merz, paid an official visit to India from 12-13 January 2026, marking his first visit to Asia as Chancellor.
  • The visit follows the completion of 25 years of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership in 2025 and the commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
  • The 7th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) were previously held in New Delhi on 25 October 2024.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chancellor Merz addressed the India-Germany CEOs Forum and held delegation-level talks in Ahmedabad on 12 January 2026.
  • India-Germany bilateral trade in goods and services surpassed USD 50 billion in 2024, accounting for over 25% of India's trade with the European Union (EU).
  • The Ministry of Finance (FinMin) is in discussions with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regarding cryptocurrency exchange regulations for the Budget 2026-27.
  • Bloomberg has decided not to include Indian bonds in its Global Aggregate Index for the current period.
  • The Bharat Coking Coal Initial Public Offering (IPO) was booked 147 times, drawing bids worth ₹1.2 trillion.
India and European Union sign new security and defence partnership (End of January) ▼
  • India and the European Union (EU) have signed a security and defence partnership pact focusing on maritime domain cooperation and Indo-Pacific engagements.
  • The partnership will facilitate stronger participation of the Indian defence industry in the European market.
  • An industry-led India-EU Defence Industry Forum will be established with official participation as observers and associating EU member states.
  • A dedicated annual EU-India Security and Defence Dialogue has been announced.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that the Indian defence industry can contribute meaningfully to the EU's 'ReArm initiative' aimed at diversifying suppliers and de-risking dependencies.

President approves gallantry and service medals for Indian Coast Guard personnel on 77th Republic Day

Key Updates:

  • President of India approved Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for ADG Donny Michael, PTM, TM.
  • DIG KS Sitaram received the Vishisht Seva Medal.
  • P/Nvk ME Saumyaranjan Behera was awarded the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
  • IG Iqbal Singh Chauhan and IG Datwinder Singh Saini received the President's Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished Service.
  • Late Comdt Rakesh Kumar Rana, Late Comdt JG Vipin Babu and Late P/Nvk RP Karan Singh were posthumously conferred the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry).
  • Comdt JG Shailendra Singh Bisht, P/Nvk RP Gautam Yadav and P/Nvk RP Banti Kumar received the Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry).
  • Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service) was awarded to DIG Vinod Kumar Parmar, DIG Arun Kumar Bhardwaj, DIG Sudhakar Patil, Comdt Indu P and Adh RO Tapas Kumar Banerjee.

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President Droupadi Murmu conferred Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards-2025 on 30 individuals. (End of January) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu approved the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak for six persons.
  • Six persons received the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak.
  • Eighteen persons were awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak.
  • Six of the 30 awardees are being honoured posthumously.
  • The awards recognise meritorious acts of human nature in saving a life.
Sudhir Kumar and 11 Jharkhand Police Personnel Awarded President's Medals (End of January) ▼
  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
  • Sudhir Kumar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ), was awarded the PSM in recognition of his outstanding 25-year career in police service.
  • Eleven personnel from Jharkhand were honoured with the MSM, an award designated for completing 18 years of outstanding service.
  • The MSM recipients include Inspector General (IG) Anup Birtharay (JJ), IG Patel Mayur Kanhaiyyalal (Provisions), and DSP Sanjay Kumar of Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)-1.
  • Havildars Krishna Kumar Khetri (JAP-I), Marcus Sunwar (JAP-I), and Arun Kumar Ojha (JJ) were also named as recipients of the MSM.
  • The list of MSM awardees includes Constable Jaidev Pradhan (JAP-I), Women Constables Janet Margret Lakra and Kumudini Kujur (JAP-10), and Constables Sufal Odeya and G Wasim Akhtar (JJ).
President Droupadi Murmu announced gallantry medals for 70 Armed Forces and security personnel. (End of January) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu announced 70 gallantry medals on the eve of the 77th Republic Day 2026.
  • The awards include one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Air Force) received the Ashok Chakra.
  • Major Arshdeep Singh (Army), Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba (Army) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Air Force) were awarded the Kirti Chakra.
  • Six of the 70 gallantry awards were given posthumously.
Santosh Kumar Singh and Other Madhya Pradesh Police Officers Receive President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (End of January) ▼
  • The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced gallantry and service medals for 982 personnel from police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services across India for Republic Day 2026.
  • Madhya Pradesh Police secured 21 national honours, comprising four President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 17 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
  • The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) was awarded to Santosh Kumar Singh (Commissioner of Police), Mithelesh Kumar Shukla (Inspector General), Awadhesh Kumar Goswami (Deputy Inspector General), and Shiv Kumar Patel (Inspector).
  • The Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) was conferred upon Krishnaveni Desavatu (Inspector General), Manoj Kumar Rai (Superintendent of Police), Gitesh Kumar Garg (Superintendent of Police), Durgesh Kumar Rathore (Superintendent of Police), and Praveen Singh (Inspector ARMR).
  • Other MSM recipients include Rajendra Prasad Gupta (Inspector ARMR), Nidhi Shrivastava (Inspector ARMR), Sanjay Singh Thakur (Deputy Superintendent of Police), Shaffali Takalkar (Inspector ARMR), and Shriram Mishra (Head Constable).
  • The list of MSM awardees also features Shushil Kumar Choubey (Constable), Prem Kishore Vyas (Sub-Inspector), Umrao Prasad Jatav (Sub-Inspector), Mahendra Singh Negi (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Santosh Mehra (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Ravindra Mishra (Constable), and Raju Gurane (Inspector ARMR).

Karnataka hosts 39% of India’s 890 GenAI startups as ecosystem triples in H1 2025

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

  • Karnataka accounts for 39% of India’s Generative AI (GenAI) startups as per Economic Survey 2025-26.
  • India’s GenAI startup count surged threefold to 890 in the first half of 2025 from 240 in the first half of 2024.
  • GenAI startups raised $76.4 million year-to-date across 18 funding rounds as per Tracxn data.
  • Deep tech industry funding rose 78% during calendar year 2024.
  • Karnataka leads the country with 43 State Public Universities supporting the talent pipeline.
  • India’s technology startup ecosystem is ranked third-largest globally.
  • India operates a deep-tech Fund of Funds under the ₹1 lakh crore RDI initiative to finance advanced research.
  • Karnataka’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities are witnessing spill-over growth in deep-tech and advanced manufacturing.
  • India’s space sector is projected to reach $44 billion by 2047 with over 300 startups, with Bengaluru and Belagavi as key hubs.

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Prime Minister Modi celebrates decade of Startup India movement (Mid of January) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Startup India Movement on National Startup Day.
  • He congratulated stakeholders and highlighted the courage, spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial zeal of India’s youth powering India’s rise in the global startup ecosystem.
  • Modi emphasized reforms creating a conducive atmosphere for startups to venture into areas like space and defence.
  • He noted Indian startups are contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat by turning youth into problem solvers.
  • The Prime Minister acknowledged the role of mentors, incubators, investors and academic institutions in supporting startups.
  • Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016 to nurture innovation and promote entrepreneurship.
  • Over the past decade more than 2,00,000 startups have been recognised across India, driving employment and innovation-led economic growth.
National Startup Day 2026 highlights India’s startup-driven future (Mid of January) ▼
  • National Startup Day is observed every year on January 16 across the country.
  • India currently ranks as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of early 2025.
  • DPIIT-recognised startups have generated over 16.6 lakh direct jobs across sectors as of October 31, 2024.
Galgotias University Inaugurates IIT Mandi Catalyst Satellite Centre to Boost Deep-Tech Startups (Mid of January) ▼
  • The centre aims to support early-stage startups, promote deep-tech innovation, and bridge the gap between research and real-world application.
  • Two strategic MoUs were signed—between Galgotias University and the National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur, and between Galgotias University and Jharkhand University of Technology, Ranchi—for joint research, faculty and student exchange, co-creation of deep-tech startups, shared labs, and incubation programmes.
  • The collaborations are expected to strengthen the innovation pipeline by translating academic research into market-ready solutions, enhancing funding access, and creating nationwide pathways for student entrepreneurs and startups.
NITI Aayog and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham workshop advances R&D integration in state institutions (Mid of January) ▼
  • NITI Aayog convened a two-day national workshop titled "Sustaining Innovation: Embedding R&D in State Institutions" at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore.
  • The workshop was organised in collaboration with Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology.
  • Tamil Nadu is currently at the forefront of patent filings in India, with nearly 5,000 to 6,000 applications filed annually.
  • Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed an MoU to facilitate collaboration on research and science-and-technology-related initiatives.

Google DeepMind unveils AlphaGenome AI to predict DNA mutations and disease risk

[Google DeepMind]

Key Updates:

  • Google DeepMind’s AlphaGenome AI model reads up to one million DNA letters with single-letter precision to predict how genetic changes cause diseases.
  • AlphaGenome targets the 98 percent of non-coding DNA, formerly called junk DNA, that regulates gene activity and influences RNA splicing.
  • In a leukaemia case study, the model compared normal and mutated DNA sequences and predicted increased activity of nearby genes linked to the cancer.
  • The model is freely available to scientists for non-commercial research but is not intended for clinical use.
  • Robert Goldstone, head of genomics at the Francis Crick Institute, described AlphaGenome as a breakthrough that turns the genome into a decipherable language for discovery.
  • Ben Lehner of the Wellcome Sanger Institute warned that most existing biological datasets are too small and poorly standardised for optimal AI training.

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NCBS develops Disobind AI to predict binding of intrinsically disordered proteins (Mid of January) ▼
  • Researchers at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) have developed an open-source deep-learning model named Disobind that predicts how intrinsically disordered proteins or regions bind to specific partners.
  • Disobind uses protein language models trained on millions of known protein sequences and considers both proteins in an interaction, achieving higher accuracy than leading predictors including AlphaFold-based multimer models.
  • The tool applies to immune signalling pathways and proteins involved in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, aiding disease research, drug design and understanding of complex biological systems.
Google Rolls Out Gemini 3 Deep Think Mode with Strongest Reasoning Capabilities (Start of December) ▼
  • Google has started rolling out Gemini 3 Deep Think mode to Google AI Ultra subscribers using the Gemini app.
  • The feature is designed for demanding maths, science and logic tasks, supported by advanced parallel reasoning.
  • CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted how the new mode can handle highly complex tasks, calling it a feature that “brings our strongest reasoning capabilities yet.”
  • Deep Think mode is built for tough maths, science and logic problems that push the limits of current AI systems.
  • Gemini 3 Deep Think leads key benchmarks such as Humanity’s Last Exam at 41.0% (without tools) and ARC-AGI-2 at 45.1% (with code execution).
  • Google attributes this performance to advanced parallel reasoning, allowing the model to test several ideas at once.
  • With Deep Think mode, Gemini uses iterative rounds of reasoning, resulting in more refined, nuanced code that helps you visualize, prototype and experiment with noticeably richer detail.”
Runway Gen-4.5 Beats OpenAI Sora 2 and Google Veo 3 in Text-to-Video Benchmark (Start of December) ▼
  • Runway Gen-4.5 secured an Elo score of 1247, ahead of Google Veo 3 (1226) and OpenAI Sora 2 Pro (1206).
  • The model delivers ‘unprecedented physical accuracy’ and visual precision, generating realistically moving objects and accurate dynamics for flowing liquid.
  • Gen-4.5 handles styles from cinematic to photorealistic animation while maintaining the speed and efficiency of Gen-4.
  • Built in collaboration with Nvidia, training and inference run on Blackwell and Hopper GPUs.
  • The model is available across all subscription plans for creators and companies.
IIT Delhi-led team creates AILA, an AI agent that autonomously operates Atomic Force Microscope (End of December) ▼
  • The AI system can operate scientific instruments, make decisions during experiments, and analyse data without human involvement.
  • AILA was trained to operate an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), a highly sensitive instrument used to study materials at the nanoscale.
  • With AILA, optimising microscope parameters for high-resolution, noise-free images that earlier took an entire day is now completed in just seven to ten minutes.
  • AI systems that perform well in theoretical or quiz-based assessments often struggle in dynamic laboratory environments that require rapid adaptation.
  • The AI agent occasionally deviated from instructions, underscoring the need for robust safeguards to prevent equipment damage or accidents.

Nagaland University Researchers Discover New Plant Species Hoya nagaensis in Phek District

[Nagaland]

Key Updates:

  • Researchers from Nagaland University (NU) have discovered a new plant species named Hoya nagaensis in the Phek district of Nagaland.
  • The species was identified in the Kavünhou Community Reserved Forest, a high-altitude community-protected area in the Eastern Himalaya.
  • The research team was led by Principal Investigator Gyati Yam from the Department of Forestry at NU, alongside researchers Vieneite-o Koza and Joynath Pegu.
  • The findings regarding the new species were published in the Kew Bulletin, a peer-reviewed international journal for plant and fungal taxonomy.
  • Hoya nagaensis has been provisionally assessed as critically endangered due to its restricted distribution and threats from shifting cultivation and forest disturbance.
  • The discovery highlights the effectiveness of traditional forest stewardship practiced by local Naga communities in conserving biodiversity.

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St. Xavier’s College researchers discover Hemileccinum indicum mushroom in Uttarakhand oak forests (End of January) ▼
  • Researchers at St. Xavier’s College, Jharkhand, identified Hemileccinum indicum, a new mushroom species, in the oak forests of Uttarakhand at 2,600 m altitude.
  • This is the first record of the genus Hemileccinum in India.
  • DNA sequencing and electron microscopy revealed the species’ distinctive pitted spores.
New Plant Species Strobilanthes riteshii Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh (End of January) ▼
  • Scientists from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) discovered a new flowering plant species named Strobilanthes riteshii in Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The species was identified near Chayangtajo village in the East Kameng district at an elevation of approximately 1,600 metres.
  • The plant is named in honour of Dr Ritesh Kumar Choudhary, a taxonomist from the ARI, for his contributions to plant taxonomy and molecular systematics.
  • Researchers recorded fewer than 25 mature individuals of the species, leading to its provisional assessment as Data Deficient under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria.
  • The discovery was published in the Indian Journal of Forestry by a team including researchers from the BSI and ARI Pune.
  • India hosts approximately 168 species of the genus Strobilanthes, with Arunachal Pradesh alone home to at least 44 species.
  • The species is genetically distinct but closely related to plants found in India, China, and Tibet, highlighting the eastern Himalaya as a key biogeographical corridor.
  • Conservation efforts have commenced with individuals of the species being maintained at the BSI Arunachal Pradesh Regional Centre.
Botanists Discover Parakaempferia alba, New Ginger Species in Arunachal Pradesh (End of January) ▼
  • Parakaempferia alba belongs to the Zingiberaceae (Ginger) family.
  • The species was discovered in Siang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • It grows at 150–400 meters altitude on shaded, humid stream banks with sandy soil.
  • The discovery was announced by Indian researchers and published in a peer-reviewed botanical journal.
Citizen science unveils new shieldtail snake Rhinophis siruvaniensis in Western Ghats plantations (Mid of December) ▼
  • Rhinophis siruvaniensis, a new burrowing shieldtail snake, was discovered in a coffee plantation at Jellipara village, Palakkad district, Kerala.
  • The species was formally described in the journal Evolutionary Systematics by scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Wayanad Wild and the Kalinga Foundation.
  • Shieldtails belong to the Uropeltidae family; India and Sri Lanka together host 73 known species, with the genus Rhinophis containing 26 species.
  • Genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA shows R. siruvaniensis is a 2–4% sequence divergent sister taxon to R. melanoleucus from Wayanad.
  • The study relied on three specimens collected outside protected areas, highlighting that unknown biodiversity can persist in plantation landscapes.
  • Researchers preserved specimens in ethanol, examined scale counts and colour patterns under a stereo microscope and amplified mitochondrial DNA via PCR for species delimitation.
  • Herpetologists caution that exclusive use of mitochondrial DNA can mislead taxonomy; nuclear DNA or low-coverage genome sequencing is needed for firmer species status confirmation.
  • Burrowing snakes possess highly specialised skulls and narrow diets, making them vulnerable to climate change and soil perturbations.
  • The Shieldtail Mapping Project (SMP), a citizen-science platform founded in 2021, has already geo-referenced over 1,200 shieldtail records, six-fold the data gathered by a single researcher in a decade.
  • Future work will micro-CT scan shieldtail skulls to test whether environmental conditions drive morphological change, continuing collaboration between Indian and London Natural History Museum researchers.

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moves Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight

[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]

Key Updates:

  • The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved the Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight on 27 January 2026, marking its closest point to catastrophe in nearly 80 years.
  • Alexandra Bell, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, cited nuclear weapons, climate change, and disruptive technologies as primary existential risks.
  • Daniel Holz, chair of the science and security board, noted that a 2010 strategic arms treaty between the United States (U.S.) and Russia is set to expire.
  • Environmental data indicates that atmospheric carbon dioxide and global sea levels have reached record highs, leading to intensified and erratic droughts, fires, and floods.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) is identified as an accelerating disruptive technology that supercharges mis- and disinformation, complicating responses to global threats.
  • The Doomsday Clock was first unveiled in 1947 following the use of atomic bombs by the U.S. against Japan in World War II (WWII).
  • The farthest the clock has been from midnight was 17 minutes in 1991, following the end of the Cold War and the signing of a strategic arms reduction treaty.
  • In recent years, the clock moved to 100 seconds in 2020, 90 seconds in 2023, and 89 seconds in 2025 before reaching the current 85-second setting.

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Earth’s Rotation Day observed on January 8 (Start of January) ▼
  • Earth’s Rotation Day is annually observed on January 8.
  • The day marks Léon Foucault’s 1851 pendulum experiment proving Earth’s rotation.
  • Foucault first conducted his pendulum experiment in the Paris Observatory, then the Panthéon.
Winter Solstice 2025 falls on December 21 (End of December) ▼
  • The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
  • The solstice will fall on Sunday, Dec. 21.
  • The winter solstice marks the beginning of astronomical winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Dictionary.com's 2025 Word of the Year: '67' (Start of November) ▼
  • Dictionary.com announced it has chosen "67" as its 2025 Word of the Year.
  • The term "67" is pronounced "six seven," not sixty-seven.
  • "67" is the first word of the year in a really long time that's actually more of an interjection.
  • "67" is an example of brainrot slang and is intended to be nonsensical and playfully absurd.
  • The term "67" originated from a song by rapper Skrilla, "Doot Doot (6 7)".
NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Rubin) discovers fastest-spinning large asteroid (Start of January) ▼
  • Astronomers analyzing data from the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Rubin) have discovered the fastest-ever spinning asteroid with a diameter over half a kilometer.
  • The identified asteroid, named 2025 MN45, is 710 meters (0.44 miles) in diameter and completes a full rotation every 1.88 minutes.
  • This is the first published, peer-reviewed scientific paper that uses data from the Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, which is the largest digital camera in the world.
  • The study identified 19 newly discovered fast rotators that are all longer than 90 meters (100 yards), with most located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
  • Scientists calculate that 2025 MN45 must have a cohesive strength similar to that of solid rock to remain intact while spinning at such high speeds.
  • Rubin is a joint program of the NSF NOIRLab (NOIRLab) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC).
  • The LSST is a 10-year mission designed to repeatedly scan the southern hemisphere night sky to create a time-lapse record of the universe.

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and CAYEIT partner for AI-driven innovation

[All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)]

Key Updates:

  • The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), an apex institution under the Ministry of AYUSH, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Ayurveda Education, Innovation & Technology (CAYEIT) in New Delhi.
  • The partnership aims to modernise Ayurveda through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) enabled data analysis, and digital-first education models.
  • The collaboration focuses on developing personalised, Prakriti-based treatment models and utilising network pharmacology to provide scientific evidence for Ayurvedic formulations.
  • The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vd.) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Prof. Dr. Abhimanyu Kumar, Chairman and CEO of CAYEIT.
  • Following this agreement, AIIA now maintains a total of 74 national and 20 international collaborations.

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IREDA MoU Performance Review 2024-25: 96.42/100 Score (Start of January) ▼
  • IREDA secured an ‘Excellent’ MoU rating for the fifth consecutive year with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), scoring 96.42 out of 100.
  • Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Shri Pralhad Joshi stated the sustained top-tier performance reflects the organisation’s institutional strength, reform-driven governance, and professional execution.
  • IREDA’s CMD Shri Pradip Kumar Das said the recognition is a testament to the dedication of employees, trust of stakeholders, and consistent guidance of the Government of India.
Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) to be set up at GIFT City through PPP model (End of December) ▼
  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gave in-principle approval for the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) to strengthen research and development in artificial intelligence.
  • The facility will be set up through a tripartite partnership involving the state and Central governments, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance under the PPP model.
  • IAIRO will be constituted as a non-profit institute under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
  • An estimated budget of approximately ₹300 crore has been earmarked for the first five years, with equal contribution of 33.33% each from the state government, the Centre, and the private partner.
  • The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has joined as the anchor private partner and will contribute ₹25 crore for the year 2025-26.
  • IAIRO will function under a hybrid compute model, integrating on-premise GPU infrastructure along with national platforms such as the IndiaAI Cloud.
IWAI signs MoUs worth over ₹6,000 crore for development of Inland Waterways on National Waterway-1 (Ganga) (Start of December) ▼
  • 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.
ICAI signs MoU with Indian Army for real-time UDIN verification (Start of November) ▼
  • ICAI has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Army Purchase Organisation (APO), Directorate General of Supply and Transport (DGST), Indian Army to enable real-time verification of Unique Document Identification Numbers (UDINs).
  • The verification will be carried out through an application programming interface integrated within the vendor registration process of the Army Purchase Organisation.
  • The API integration aims to automate verification of Chartered Accountant-certified documents submitted by vendors, ensuring document authenticity, minimising manual errors, and mitigating fraud risk.

Google, MSDE, and CCSU collaborate to establish AI-enabled university in India

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CCSU), and Google announced a collaboration to establish an AI-enabled university in India.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Google, MSDE, and CCSU to support capacity building and AI-focused education initiatives during the AI Impact Summit 2026.
  • Google introduced AI-powered Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main practice tests through its Gemini AI platform, allowing students to personalise difficulty levels and receive interactive explanations.
  • The Gemini AI Academy was launched to assist educators in creating lesson plans and quizzes, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
  • Google is deploying SynthID to identify AI-generated content and integrating Gemini into Google Classroom to provide AI-assisted feedback and usage insights.
  • Google Workspace Studio was introduced to allow the creation of no-code AI agents for classroom and administrative workflows.
  • Wadhwani AI, supported by Google.org, announced an expansion of its AI-for-Education initiatives to reach 75 million students and 1.8 million educators by December 2027.

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Telangana inks pact with Deakin University to set up India’s first AI Centre of Excellence (Mid of December) ▼
  • The Telangana government signed an MoU with Australia’s Deakin University to establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence.
  • The Centre will be housed within the upcoming AI University at the Future City and jointly run by Deakin’s Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute.
  • Focus sectors for research and skill development include governance, healthcare, education, IT, life sciences, agriculture, critical minerals and rare earth metals.
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh launches AI-focused startup platform 'Campus Tank' and 'CU AI Space' (Start of November) ▼
  • Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh launches 'Campus Tank' - India's first university-led startup launchpad for young innovators
  • University earmarks USD 6 million (~Rs. 50 crore) fund to support Campus Tank startups from ideation to market launch
  • CU AI Space unveiled as a collaborative environment with AI-powered tools for students, startups, and industry professionals
  • Over 1,000 startups onboarded under Campus Tank; 10 selected startups secured funding after pitching to investors
  • Chandigarh University's TBI Center has incubated 200+ startups, with 11 achieving annual turnover exceeding Rs. 50 lakh
VijAIpatha Labs launched to democratise AI, STEM and Robotics education in Karnataka government schools (End of December) ▼
  • Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched Cyient AI Labs (CyAILS) — 'VijAIpatha' — to provide Artificial Intelligence, STEM and Robotics education in government schools.
  • Under the pilot phase, five world-class AI, STEM and Robotics laboratories are being established in government schools, starting with a girl's government school in Hosapete taluk.
  • Each lab will be equipped with high-performance computers, AI-ready software, robotics kits, IoT devices, sensors and secure broadband connectivity.
  • The programme integrates CBSE's AI curriculum and is aligned with NEP 2020, Digital India and the mission of Viksit Bharat 2047.
  • The initiative targets rural and semi-urban areas, aiming to build early digital fluency, computational thinking and innovation capacity among students.
  • It will benefit over 2,000 students and train more than 200 teachers, serving as a scalable CSR model for national AI education rollout.
YUVA AI for ALL foundational course launched to equip 10 million citizens with essential AI skills (Start of January) ▼
  • Simplilearn has teamed up with the IndiaAI Mission, operating under India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, to launch the national 'YUVA AI for ALL' foundational course.
  • This collaborative effort endeavors to foster AI literacy across India, targeting 10 million citizens for vital AI education.
  • The educational program is free and widely accessible, seeking to democratize AI knowledge.

BISAG-N and QNu Labs sign MoU to build quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions

[BISAG-N, QNu Labs]

Key Updates:

  • BISAG-N and QNu Labs have signed an MoU to develop indigenous quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.
  • The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s preparedness against future quantum computing threats.
  • The initiative will advance secure digital infrastructure within the country.

Similar Coverage

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released to integrate quantum technologies into tri-services (End of January) ▼
  • Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the 'Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework' to integrate quantum technologies into the tri-services.
  • The framework covers four pillars: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
  • It aims to prepare the armed forces for future battlefields and achieve technological dominance.
  • The document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
  • The Ministry of Defence stated the framework will guide the incorporation of quantum technology through joint efforts of all three services.
  • The release event was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
TN iTNT Hub inks LoI with XeedQ GmbH for state-backed quantum computing access (Mid of January) ▼
  • Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) signed a Letter of Intent with Germany-based XeedQ GmbH to launch one of India’s first state-backed quantum computing programmes.
  • XeedQ will provide remote access, quantum hardware, technical expertise, and learning support.
  • Students and startups will work on an actual 4-qubit quantum computer rather than simulators or cloud-access.
DST Secretary Inaugurates National Quantum Communication Hub at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) (Mid of December) ▼
  • Department of Science & Technology (DST) secretary Prof Abhay Karandikar virtually inaugurated India’s National Hub for Quantum Communication at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
  • The hub has been established at IIT Madras Research Park, the IITM C-DOT Samgnya Technologies Foundation, under DST's National Quantum Mission.
  • This hub is one of the most well-funded among the four hubs set up under the National Quantum Mission.
  • The hub aims to lead India’s initiatives in quantum secure communication technologies and national-scale testbeds and pilot deployments through collaboration with academia, industry and global partners.
  • The Foundation's focus areas include Quantum Cryptography and Post-Quantum Security, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Networks, Quantum Memory and Repeaters besides Satellite-based Quantum Communication.
  • Live demonstrations showcased India’s emerging strengths in quantum key distribution (QKD) systems, integrated testbeds and startup-led innovations.
Google's Willow Quantum Processor Achieves First Verifiable Quantum Advantage (Start of November) ▼
  • Google's Willow quantum processor has achieved the world’s first verifiable quantum advantage.
  • This milestone was published in Nature on October 22, 2025.
  • The breakthrough centres on a new algorithm, Quantum Echoes, which runs 13,000 times faster than one of the world's most powerful supercomputers.
  • Unlike previous demonstrations of “quantum supremacy,” the results from Quantum Echoes are verifiable.
  • The new algorithm can explain interactions between atoms in a molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance.
  • The finding is powered by the Willow chip’s 105 high-fidelity qubits.
  • This marks the first algorithm demonstrating verifiable quantum advantage in hardware, paving a path towards future uses in drug discovery and materials science.

S G Roshini wins gold at 29th All India National Martial Arts’ Championship 2026

Key Updates:

  • S G Roshini, a Class IX student from Vedavalli Vidyalaya, NPS Senior Secondary School in Ranipet (TN), won the gold medal at the 29th All India National Martial Arts’ Championship 2026.
  • The championship was held in Goa on January 25.
  • The event selected promising talent in traditional Indian martial arts including silambam.

Similar Coverage

Manu Bhaker wins senior women’s 25m sports pistol gold at 68th NSCC (Mid of December) ▼
  • Manu Bhaker claimed gold in the senior women’s 25m sports pistol final with a score of 36 at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi.
  • Divya T.S. took silver with 32 hits and Anjali Choudhary secured bronze with 28 hits in the same event.
  • Simranpreet Kaur Brar won the junior women’s 25m sports pistol gold, scoring 39 in the final.
Inika Mazumder becomes National champion in Kyokushin Full Contact Karate (Start of December) ▼
  • Inika Mazumder won gold medals in both Kihon and Kumite at the National Kyokushin Full Contact Championship.
  • Inika Mazumder clinched the Gold Medal in Kihon.
  • Inika Mazumder won the National Champion title in Kumite.
Arshi Gupta becomes India’s first female National Karting Champion (Mid of November) ▼
  • Arshi Gupta becomes India’s first female to win a National Karting Championship title.
  • Arshi clinched the 2025 FMSCI Indian Rotax Max National Karting Championship at the Meco Kartopia circuit in Bengaluru.
  • Arshi competed in the Micro Max class in a mixed grid of boys and girls.
  • Arshi races under Leapfrog Racing.
  • Arshi made her National debut in karting in early 2024.
  • She also has a record in her name in the India Book of Records as the youngest female to receive the National Karting License.
  • In September 2025, she was selected by FMSCI to be a part of Team India for the Asia Pacific Motorsports Championships in Sri Lanka.
  • She finished fourth in the Karting Sprint event in the Mini category for 8 to 12-year-olds.
Giovanna de Sequeira wins bronze at World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi (End of November) ▼
  • Giovanna de Sequeira earned international acclaim, winning bronze medal at the World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi, competing in the below 28kg Infant/Girls Gi category.
  • The ten-year-old demonstrated remarkable determination, technical skill, and composure on the global stage to finish among the top three.
  • Giovanna’s achievement is even more significant considering her recent recovery from a knee surgery just five months ago.

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

Key Updates:

  • 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.

Similar Coverage

Uttarakhand CM Dhami hails past decade as golden chapter for Indian sports (End of January) ▼
  • CM Pushkar Singh Dhami termed the past decade a 'golden chapter' for Indian sports while inaugurating the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship virtually.
  • He highlighted India's 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics and the Women's Blind Cricket team's World Cup victory as landmark achievements.
  • Dhami credited Prime Minister Modi's policies and increased sports budget for the transformation and noted Uttarakhand's progress toward becoming a national 'Land of Sports'.
Indian Women Clinch Inaugural Blind T20 Cricket World Cup (End of November) ▼
  • India won the inaugural T20 Blind Women's World Cup after defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the final at the P Sara Oval in Colombo.
  • India restricted Nepal to 114 for 5 after opting to bowl.
  • India coasted to 117 for 3 in just 12 overs to win the title.
  • Nepal managed only a single boundary in their innings.
  • Phula Saren top-scored for India in the run chase with 44 not out.
  • India had beaten Australia in the first semifinal.
  • Nepal had won against Pakistan in the second semifinal.
  • Co-hosts Sri Lanka won only one game—against the USA—out of five preliminary round games.
  • Pakistan's Mehreen Ali scored over 600 runs in the tournament, including a 78-ball 230 against Sri Lanka and 133 against Australia.
Armless Archer Sheetal Devi Qualifies for First Able-Bodied International Event (Start of November) ▼
  • Armless archer Sheetal Devi qualifies for her first international able-bodied event: ‘I have not seen myself as lesser than anybody’
  • On Thursday morning, Sheetal Devi sealed her spot in the Indian junior team for Asia Cup 2025 Stage 3 to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from December 10 to 15, breaking new ground once more.
  • It would be the first time that the newly-crowned Para Archery World Champion would be playing in an able-bodied tournament.
  • Devi finished third in the trials in Sonepat behind Tejal Rajendra Salve and Vaidehi Jadhav, and forms the Indian team along with fourth-placed Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe.
  • Earlier this year, Devi had claimed the silver medal in the Khelo India NTPC National Ranking Archery event in Delhi , an able-bodied event where she lost against Ekta Rani in the final.
  • Sharma shares that they have next year’s Asian Games in sight, with plans for Devi to appear at the trials in January next year.
Armless archer Sheetal Devi qualifies for Indian junior team for Asia Cup 2025 Stage 3 (Start of November) ▼
  • Sheetal Devi secured third place in the trials held in Sonepat to earn her spot in the four-member Indian junior team for Asia Cup 2025 Stage 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • She is the newly-crowned Para Archery World Champion and this will be her first international able-bodied tournament.
  • Devi scored 2103 out of 2160 points in the first round of the trials and won six of her 11 round-robin matches in the second event.
  • Earlier this year, she won the silver medal in the Khelo India NTPC National Ranking Archery event in Delhi, an able-bodied competition.

CISF Vande Mataram Coastal Cyclothon 2026 flagged off from New Delhi

[Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)]

Key Updates:

  • 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.

Similar Coverage

India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives Conduct 17th Edition of DOSTI Exercise in Male on January 17, 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • The 17th edition of the trilateral exercise 'DOSTI' is being held in Male, involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
  • The harbour phase of the exercise includes collaborative Marine Pollution (MARPOL) exercises, joint Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills, and pollution response demonstrations.
  • A four-member delegation from the ICG, led by Director General Paramesh Sivamani, is participating in the exercise to foster reciprocal learning and capacity augmentation.
  • The exercise features tabletop exercises and the implementation of cross-boarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance interoperability.
  • Originally started as a bilateral exercise between India and the Maldives in 1991, DOSTI transitioned into a trilateral framework in 2012 with the addition of Sri Lanka.
  • The trilateral engagement reflects India's 'Security and Growth for All in the Region' (SAGAR) vision and its 'Neighbourhood First' policy.
Centre designates CISF as safety regulator for 250 Indian seaports (End of November) ▼
  • The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued order on 18 November categorising CISF as nodal regulator for port security.
  • CISF will act as nodal regulatory authority for all port-security matters including counter-terrorism and anti-sabotage operations at EXIM ports.
  • Non-core tasks like traffic management and gate control to be handled by private agencies or state police.
  • Hybrid security model combining CISF and private personnel, upgraded screening systems and dedicated training institutions introduced.
  • Plan to be operational within six months; CISF may need up to 80,000 personnel for 80 major ports.
Falcon 9 launches Sentinel-6B satellite to extend 30-year sea-level record (End of November) ▼
  • Sentinel-6B satellite launched by Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California
  • Joint U.S.-European mission involving NASA, ESA, European Commission, NOAA, Eumetsat, CNES
  • Spacecraft will operate in 1,336-kilometer orbit at 66-degree inclination, weighing 1,190 kilograms
  • Extends unbroken sea-level record dating to 1992 TOPEX-Poseidon mission; current rise rate ~4 mm/year
  • Data improves hurricane forecasts and supports SpaceX booster recovery weather models
Ariane 6 launches Sentinel-1D radar imaging satellite for Copernicus program (Start of November) ▼
  • Sentinel-1D, a 2,184-kg C-band synthetic aperture radar satellite built by Thales Alenia Space, launched on Ariane 6 from Kourou, French Guiana.
  • The satellite separated 33½ minutes after liftoff and operates in a 693-km sun-synchronous orbit.
  • Sentinel-1D carries an Automatic Identification System (AIS) payload to detect non-transmitting vessels for maritime security.
  • It replaces the 11-year-old Sentinel-1A, which is still operating but in a degraded propulsion mode.
  • ESA plans to lower Sentinel-1A’s orbit within 25 years after end-of-mission to meet responsible-space guidelines.

Haryana wins overall team title at Khelo India Winter Games 2026

[Haryana]

Key Updates:

  • Haryana won the team championship title of the Ladakh phase of Khelo India Winter Games 2026 after securing four gold medals.
  • Indian Army team retained the men’s ice hockey title by defeating Chandigarh in the final with the match-winner scored three minutes before full-time.
  • Ladakh, Maharashtra and Telangana each won two gold medals and were separated by silver count: Ladakh (5 silver), Maharashtra (3 silver), Telangana (2 silver).
  • National coach Mohammad Abbas Nordak stated that the overall standard of ice skating improved noticeably compared to the previous five editions.
  • Muthakani Vishnu Vardhan (Telangana) and Sachin Singh (Haryana) delivered strong individual performances in men’s events.
  • Among women skaters, Nayana and Skarma stood out with consistent and competitive performances.

Similar Coverage

Chandigarh University defends Khelo India University Games 2025 title (Mid 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.
Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 to provide Rs 5 lakh annual scholarship for eight years to identified athletes (End of December) ▼
  • The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, will conduct the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) starting February 14, 2026 in Chhattisgarh.
  • Promising athletes identified during KITG will be inducted as Khelo India Athletes and receive Rs 5 lakh per year for eight years, including financial support and 360-degree assistance.
  • The Games will feature seven competitive disciplines—Archery, Athletics, Football, Hockey, Wrestling, Swimming and Weightlifting—and two demonstration sports showcasing indigenous traditions.
Uttarakhand CM Dhami hails past decade as golden chapter for Indian sports (End of January) ▼
  • CM Pushkar Singh Dhami termed the past decade a 'golden chapter' for Indian sports while inaugurating the National Paralympic Powerlifting Championship virtually.
  • He highlighted India's 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics and the Women's Blind Cricket team's World Cup victory as landmark achievements.
  • Dhami credited Prime Minister Modi's policies and increased sports budget for the transformation and noted Uttarakhand's progress toward becoming a national 'Land of Sports'.
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.

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026 held on January 29

Key Updates:

  • The Beating Retreat ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on January 29, 2026.
  • The ceremony marks the formal conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations.
  • The event featured performances by the bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that the ceremony commenced at 5:00 pm.
  • Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi stated that the event showcases the discipline, traditions, and valour of the armed forces.

Similar Coverage

Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Republic Day 2026 animal contingent debuts Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies and raptors (End of January) ▼
  • The Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) will for the first time present Bactrian camels, Zanskar ponies, Army dogs and four raptors in the 2026 Republic Day parade.
  • Captain Harshita Raghav, one of the first women inducted into the RVC in 2023, will lead the 2026 contingent.
  • Bactrian camels inducted for Ladakh’s cold deserts can carry up to 250 kg and operate above 15,000 ft along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
  • Indigenous Zanskar ponies from Ladakh carry 40-60 kg loads and patrol high-altitude areas including Siachen.
  • Army dogs inducted under the 2023-2025 indigenous breeds drive include Mudhol, Rampur, Chippipara, Kombai and Rajapalayam.
  • The RVC traces its origin to the 1779 Stud Department in Bengal and received the President’s Flag in 1989.
National Unity Day observed on November 4 in Russia (Start of November) ▼
  • National Unity Day is observed on November 4.
  • On National Unity Day, Russia commemorates the victory of the patriotic forces in 1612.
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that National Unity Day was of particular importance because the concept of unity meant preserving Russia's sovereignty.
  • Mikhail Shvydkoi noted that the roots of National Unity Day go deep into national history, reminding that the strength of the country lies in the unity of its people.
77th Republic Day celebrated with theme '150 years of Vande Mataram' (End of January) ▼
  • The 77th Republic Day celebrations had the theme '150 years of Vande Mataram'.
  • President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen were the chief guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations.
  • This year marks the first Republic Day after Operation Sindoor where India showcased its military might.
  • The parade began with President Droupadi Murmu taking the salute at Kartavya Path.
  • A total of 29 Indian Air Force aircraft, including 16 fighter jets, four transport aircraft and nine helicopters, participated in the flypast.
  • For the first time, the parade showcased a phased Battle Array Format of the Indian Army, including the aerial component.
  • A military contingent from the European Union (EU) participated, marking the EU’s first participation in such an event outside of Europe.
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’.

12th Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth (SIFFCY) held from 28 January to 3 February 2026

Key Updates:

  • SIFFCY 2026, organised by Smile Foundation in partnership with Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and Delegation of the European Union to India, runs from 28 January to 3 February 2026.
  • The festival theme is Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility through cinema.
  • SIFFCY 2026 presents the ECFA Award, CIFEJ Award and FCCI Award.
  • Finnish Ambassador Kimmo Lähdevirta announced the first SIFFCY screening of Moomins as part of their 80th anniversary celebrations.
  • Estonian Ambassador Marje Luup highlighted Estonia’s participation with six short films made by children, including Ukrainian refugee children.

Similar Coverage

Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference – Kutch and Saurashtra: 5,492 MoUs Worth Rs 5.78 Lakh Crore Signed (End of January) ▼
  • Cabinet Minister Shri Jitubhai Vaghani announced that 5,492 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) involving investments worth Rs 5.78 lakh crore were signed during the two-day Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference.
  • The state government has prepared a clear roadmap to develop Saurashtra and Kutch by 2047.
  • Initiatives such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Startup India, and Make in India are being realized under the Prime Minister's leadership, directly benefiting Gujarat's entrepreneurs and industrial units.
  • Gujarat will become a hub for the semiconductor sector by 2027.
Smart India Hackathon 2025 Grand Finale: 8,160 students code across 60 centres (Mid of December) ▼
  • The eighth edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale is being held simultaneously at 60 nodal centres—42 software hubs and 18 hardware hubs.
  • A total of 72,165 ideas were submitted by 68,766 student teams, out of which 1,360 teams comprising 8,160 students qualified for the 36-hour national coding and prototyping marathon.
  • Among the finalists, 2,993 are female students including 53 all-women teams, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to women-led innovation.
CBSE Hosts First International Sahodaya Conference in Dubai (Start of November) ▼
  • "The first International and 31st Annual Conference of Sahodaya School Complexes opened today at the Grand Hyatt Dubai."
  • "Organised by the Central Board of Secondary Education and guided by the National Education Policy 2020, the conference serves as a platform for exploring future-ready learning while blending India’s educational ethos with global aspirations."
  • "The two-day landmark event brought together over 1,000 school leaders, educators, and stakeholders from CBSE-affiliated institutions worldwide to foster collaboration, share innovative practices, and reimagine holistic learning under the theme “Rooted in Wisdom, Rising with Vision: Reimagining Education through NEP 2020.”"
  • "CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh announced that starting from the 2026-27 academic year, CBSE will introduce subjects at two levels-standard and advanced-from Class 9 onwards, beginning with ten subjects, and unveiled the CBSE Global Curriculum 26."
44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025: 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' Theme (End of November) ▼
  • The 44th India International Trade Fair (IITF) will take place at the Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, with the theme ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ for 2025.
  • The fair will run from November 14 to November 27.
  • Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, launched the exhibition on Monday.

Supreme Court declines to entertain appeal against Madhya Pradesh HC order on VIP darshan at Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple

[Madhya Pradesh, Supreme Court of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Supreme Court (SC) declined to entertain an appeal challenging the Madhya Pradesh High Court’s dismissal of a petition against VIP entry into the garbhagriha of Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and comprising Justices R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi stated that in the presence of Mahakal, nobody is VIP.
  • The SC advised the petitioner to approach the relevant authority instead of the courts for decisions on temple entry rules.

Similar Coverage

Madras High Court reaffirms exclusive ritual rights of Thengalai sect at Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram (Start of December) ▼
  • Madras high court has reaffirmed that only the Thengalai sub-sect of Sri Vaishnava holds exclusive rights to lead religious recitations and rituals at the Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram.
  • The court observed that earlier landmark judgments from 1882, 1915, 1939, and 1969 already determined that the Adhyapaka Mirasi rights belong exclusively to the Thengalai sect residing in Kanchipuram.
  • The bench ruled that these findings continue to remain legally valid and enforceable, noting that the Vadagalai sect’s participation must be limited to joining the recitation as worshippers without independent invocation.
Tamil Nadu govt clarifies no clearance given for housing inside undelineated Pallikaranai Ramsar wetland (Start of November) ▼
  • Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest notified as 698 hectares under Tamil Nadu Forest Act, 1882; additional 550 ha to be added after delineation to form 1248 ha Ramsar Site
  • National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) assigned boundary delineation with specific survey numbers in November 2024
  • State environment dept states building approvals granted only on 'private patta lands' outside current Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest boundaries
  • Integrated Management Plan (IMP) for the Pallikaranai Ramsar Site preparation is underway
Uttar Pradesh State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (UP-SEIAA) cancels Environmental Clearance for sand mining in Jhansi (End of December) ▼
  • The Uttar Pradesh State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (UP-SEIAA) cancelled the environmental clearance (EC) for sand mining on river Dhasan in Jhansi district.
  • The EC was previously cancelled after gross irregularities were discovered during the excavation of sand from the riverbed.
  • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) bench stated in their judgment dated Dec 24 that the appeal was barred by the limitation of the appeal time, which is a maximum period of 90 days.
  • The court fined Saxena Rs 25,000 for his false claim of not receiving the order of cancellation of the EC.
Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025 allows persecuted minorities entry till December 31 2024 (Start of December) ▼
  • The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025 on September 1 this year.
  • The order exempts Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31 2024 due to religious persecution to stay without valid travel documents.
  • The Supreme Court has sought the Centre’s response on whether this order violates the Assam Accord’s March 25 1971 deadline.

International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust observed on 27 January

Key Updates:

  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 60/7 designated 27 January as the annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust in 2005.
  • The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz Birkenau German Nazi Concentration and Death Camp on 27 January 1945.
  • The Holocaust led to the adoption of foundational documents by the United Nations (UN) in 1948, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
  • The UNGA established the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme in 2005 to mobilize outreach for combatting antisemitism and defending human rights.
  • Key UNGA resolutions related to this observance and the prevention of Holocaust denial include A/RES/60/7, A/RES/61/255, and A/RES/76/250.
  • The annual observance is held at the UN Headquarters in New York and through the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs).

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International Migrants Day observed on December 18 with theme 'My Great Story: Cultures and Development' (Mid of December) ▼
  • International Migrants Day is observed each year on December 18 to acknowledge the millions of people who leave their homes in search of safety, opportunity and dignity across borders.
  • The theme for International Migrants Day 2025 is 'My Great Story: Cultures and Development.'
  • On December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly officially designated December 18 as International Migrants Day.
International Day of Commemoration & Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide & the Prevention of this Crime observed on 9 December (Start of December) ▼
  • The International Day of Commemoration & Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide & the Prevention of this Crime is observed on 9 December.
  • The Secretary-General, António Guterres, stated that 'Genocide is an abomination. It is a horrendous crime. And it is the solemn duty of all States to prevent and punish it.'
  • The 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted as a pledge against eradication due to nationality, ethnicity, race or religion.
  • Human Rights Day is observed on 10 December.
  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is described as the bedrock of the global community, defining what every person needs to survive and thrive.
  • International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development is observed on 5 December.
  • Jan Marian presented his credentials as the new Permanent Representative of Czechia to the United Nations (Vienna).
  • John Brandolino is the Acting Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People observed on 29 November (End of November) ▼
  • The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is observed annually on 29 November.
  • The day commemorates the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly in 1947 on partitioning Palestine into two independent States, one Arab and one Jewish.
  • Annalena Baerbock is the president of the UN General Assembly.
  • Rattray, Chef de Cabinet, spoke on behalf of the UN Secretary-General.
  • UNRWA is the UN agency that assists Palestinian refugees.
  • UNCTAD stands for the UN Conference on Trade and Development.
International Day for Tolerance observed on November 16 annually (Mid of November) ▼
  • International Day for Tolerance is observed annually on November 16.
  • In 1995, UNESCO adopted the UNESCO Declaration of Principles on Tolerance.
  • The UN General Assembly (UNGA) invited UN member states to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16 the following year.
  • The International Day for Tolerance reminds the world to embrace diversity, reject discrimination, and promote peace, compassion, education, and peaceful coexistence for all.
  • To highlight the cause of peaceful coexistence and non-violence, the UN established in 1995, the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.
  • This award is given to people who promote a spirit of non-violence and tolerance, in scientific, artistic, cultural and communication fields.
  • Madanjeet Singh, born in 1924, at Lahore, devoted his life to creating communal harmony and peace and was even made the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.

Republic Day Parade 2026 winners announced for Best Tableaux and Popular Choice

[Ministry of Defence (India), Indian Navy, Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

  • Indian Navy was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among the three Services.
  • Delhi Police was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces.
  • Maharashtra's tableau ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
  • Jammu & Kashmir's tableau ‘Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
  • Kerala's tableau ‘Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ was adjudged Best Tableau among States/UTs.
  • Ministry of Culture’s tableau ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’ was adjudged Best Tableau among Central Ministries/Departments.
  • Central Public Works Department (CPWD) tableau ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’ received a Special Prize.
  • ‘Vande Mataram: The Eternal Resonance of India’ Dance Group received a Special Prize.
  • Assam Regiment was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among the three Services in the Popular Choice category.
  • CRPF was adjudged Best Marching Contingent among CAPFs/other auxiliary forces in the Popular Choice category.
  • Gujarat's tableau ‘Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram’ topped the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
  • Uttar Pradesh's tableau ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’ ranked among the top three in the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
  • Rajasthan's tableau ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’ ranked among the top three in the Popular Choice category on MyGov portal.
  • Department of School Education & Literacy’s tableau ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’ was adjudged Best Tableau among Central Ministries/Departments in the Popular Choice category.

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Super-100 of Veer Gatha 5.0 felicitated by Raksha Rajya Mantri and Minister of State for Education. (End of January) ▼
  • Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth and Minister of State for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (I/C) Shri Jayant Chaudhary felicitated the Super-100 winners of Veer Gatha 5.0 in New Delhi on 24 January 2026.
  • Veer Gatha 5.0 recorded over 1.92 crore student participants from more than two lakh schools, including 28,005 international students from CBSE schools abroad.
  • Among the 100 national winners, 64 are girls.
  • Each Super-100 awardee received ₹10,000 cash, a medal and a certificate, and will attend the Republic Day Parade 2026 at Kartavya Path on 26 January 2026.
  • Senior attendees included Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Secretary Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Ex-Servicemen Welfare) Ms Sukirti Lekhi, and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat.
77th Republic Day Parade held at Kartavya Path with theme 150 years of Vande Mataram (End of January) ▼
  • The 77th Republic Day Parade was held at Kartavya Path in New Delhi with the dominant theme of 150 years of Vande Mataram.
  • The Bhairav light commando battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry regiment, a specialised assault infantry unit designed for rapid response, made its debut in the national parade.
  • The Shaktiban Regiment, a newly raised artillery unit equipped with drones, counter-drones, and loiter munition, was showcased for the first time.
  • The Universal Rocket Launcher System (Suryastra) with deep-strike capabilities and the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) were displayed.
  • For the first time, the mounted 61 Cavalry contingent appeared in combat gear, departing from their traditional ceremonial uniform.
  • Double-humped Bactrian camels and Zanskar ponies were included in the ceremonial event for the first time.
  • A mixed scouts contingent comprising members from Ladakh Scouts, Dogra Scouts, Arunachal Scouts, Kumaon Scouts, Garhwal Scouts, and Sikkim Scouts participated in heavy thermal gear.
  • The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) contingent featured raptors (kites) and Army dogs as part of the marching display.
  • Key military assets showcased included the BrahMos, Akash missile system, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), and Dhanush artillery gun.
  • The parade featured 18 marching contingents and 13 bands, lasting approximately 90 minutes.
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’.
Veterans Day Parade held on Marine Drive, Mumbai (Mid of January) ▼
  • Mumbai is the only city in India that holds a Veterans Day parade.
  • The parade is conducted by the Navy Foundation Mumbai Chapter (NFMC) with HQ Western Naval Command (HQWNC) actively supporting it.
  • Tri-Services Veterans Day is celebrated every year on January 14, the day in 1953 when Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE, the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army post-Independence, retired after distinguished service to the nation.
  • The first parade was held in 2020 and, after the Covid induced hiatus, the subsequent editions were held in 2023, 2024 and 2025.