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Dinesh Khatak, a senior officer of the Central Reserve Police Force from Jind district in Haryana, was conferred the Union Home Minister’s Efficiency Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to national security. His career is marked by exemplary leadership, operational excellence, and disciplined service across some of the most sensitive regions of the country. He has served extensively in Jammu and Kashmir during challenging periods, contributed significantly to counter-insurgency training at CIAT Shivpuri, and is currently posted in the Naxal-affected Bijapur district. The award reflects both his personal dedication and the crucial role of the CRPF in maintaining internal security.

Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Education Minister, was honoured with the Kalinga Ratna Award 2024 by President Droupadi Murmu. The award ceremony took place in Cuttack, Odisha, during the 600th birth anniversary celebration of Adikabi Sarala Das. The Kalinga Ratna Award is an annual recognition given by the Sarala Sahitya Sansad to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the fields of education, literature, culture, or public service. This prestigious recognition highlights Pradhan’s contributions in the area of education and public service at the national level.

HSBC India has introduced the ‘Innovation Banking’ initiative to provide customised financial and banking solutions for startups at various stages of growth—from seed funding to IPO. The program includes a $1 billion allocation in non-dilutive debt capital, enabling startups to access funding without giving up equity. This move aims to strengthen India’s startup ecosystem by offering long-term financial support and innovative credit solutions, reflecting HSBC’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial ventures and driving economic growth through technological innovation and business development.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has become the first public sector bank in India to migrate its corporate website to the highly secure ‘.bank.in’ domain, complying with the RBI’s directive on enhancing cybersecurity in the banking sector. This transition was supported by the Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT), ensuring stronger digital security and trust in online banking services. The initiative highlights PNB’s commitment to safeguarding customer data and adapting to modern technological advancements. With its roots established by Dyal Singh Majithia and Lala Lajpat Rai, PNB continues to uphold its legacy under the leadership of MD & CEO Ashok Chandra.

Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has taken a significant step by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), based in Bhubaneswar. This agreement allows SCCL to enter the critical minerals sector, focusing on the exploration and production of valuable resources using advanced technologies. These critical minerals are vital for various high-tech and clean energy applications. Through this MoU, SCCL aims to enhance its resource base and contribute to the strategic mineral supply chain, underlining the growing importance of indigenous capabilities in securing future mineral needs.

Air India SATS Airport Services Private Limited (AISATS), a joint venture involving Air India, inaugurated the AISATS BLR Logistics Park at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. With an investment of ₹200 crore, this park is now one of the largest on-airport logistics facilities in South India. Spread over eight acres, it is designed to enhance cargo handling capacity and streamline logistics operations within the airport. The initiative reflects Air India's strategic focus on expanding its role in aviation infrastructure and logistics services, supporting both domestic and international trade through enhanced supply chain efficiency.

INS Anjadip was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 27 February 2026 at Chennai Port as the fourth ship under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff, marking a major boost to India’s littoral and coastal defence capabilities. The 77-meter vessel, with a displacement of 1,400 tons, is specially designed for shallow-water anti-submarine operations. With over 80% indigenous content, including defence electronics and weapon systems, it highlights India’s strong commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing and maritime security preparedness.

The Indian Air Force participated in Exercise INIOCHOS-25, which took place in Greece from March 31 to April 11, 2025. This biennial multinational air exercise involved Su-30 MKI fighters and support aircraft, with the goal of enhancing air force skills, tactical knowledge, and international cooperation among 15 participating countries. The exercise aimed to improve operational capabilities and strengthen strategic defence partnerships, reflecting Greece’s role as the host nation for this important military drill.

Operation Nader was launched in the Nader area of Tral, located in Awantipora, as part of India’s continued counter-terrorism efforts. The joint operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), highlighting inter-agency coordination. Tral has been a sensitive region in Jammu and Kashmir, often witnessing security operations against militant activity. This operation was based on specific intelligence input and follows previous successes such as Operation Sindoor, demonstrating a sustained and focused approach by Indian forces in combating terrorism and maintaining regional stability in Kashmir.

In July 2025, India’s Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation stood at -0.58%, marking the second consecutive month of deflation in wholesale prices. This decline was largely influenced by falling prices of food articles, mineral oils, crude petroleum, natural gas, and basic metals. WPI inflation reflects the overall change in prices at the wholesale level, differentiating it from the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures changes at the consumer level. The negative WPI figure indicates easing cost pressures for businesses, potentially impacting input costs, supply chains, and the broader inflation trajectory of the economy in the coming months.

In February 2025, India's Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation stood at 2.38%. This increase was driven by higher prices in food products, textiles, and manufacturing. Additionally, the WPI Food Index dropped, and food inflation declined from 7.47% to 5.94%. The Fuel & Power index rose by 2.12%, while Primary Articles decreased by 1.74%, and Manufactured Products saw a 0.42% increase month-over-month.

Amazon Pay introduced a PIN-free UPI payment feature in India that allows users to authenticate transactions through fingerprint or facial recognition on Android devices. Launched on 16 December 2025, this facility supports transactions up to ₹5,000 and covers services such as Send Money, Scan & Pay, and merchant payments. By relying on device-bound biometrics that remain securely stored on the user’s phone, the feature enhances convenience, speed, and security. This innovation aims to simplify digital payments, promote one-handed usage, and encourage wider adoption of UPI-based transactions.

India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the media and entertainment sector as part of their ongoing strategic partnership. The two nations share a longstanding diplomatic relationship that reached its 50th anniversary in 2022. In 2016, the bilateral ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting mutual trust and growing collaboration across various domains. This recent initiative in media and entertainment is a reflection of the deepening engagement and shared cultural interests between the two countries, promoting people-to-people connections and economic opportunities in the creative industries.

The Vegetable Oil Products, Production and Availability (Regulation) Order was first introduced in 2011 under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It was later amended and reintroduced as the VOPPA Order, 2025. The 2011 version served as the foundational regulatory framework governing the production, processing, and distribution of edible oils in India, ensuring quality control, fair trade practices, and consumer protection. The 2025 amendment builds upon this framework by introducing mandatory registration for all participants in the edible oil supply chain.

The 86th All India Presiding Officers’ Conference was organized in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, from 19 to 21 January. The conference was inaugurated by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, while the keynote address was delivered by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The event witnessed participation from Presiding Officers representing 28 states, 3 Union Territories, and 6 legislative councils. Key discussions during the conference focused on the use of legislative technology, capacity building of legislators, and enhancing accountability in parliamentary and legislative procedures.

The Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district, bordering Tamil Nadu. Declared a sanctuary in 2013, it forms a crucial tiger corridor connecting Karnataka's BRT Tiger Reserve and Tamil Nadu's Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Karnataka, which has India's second-highest tiger population (563), may get its third tiger reserve if MM Hills is upgraded. The sanctuary's diverse ecosystems support tigers, elephants and indigenous Soliga communities, though recent tiger deaths highlight growing human-wildlife conflicts in this ecologically sensitive zone bordering two states.

India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve is situated in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, and has recently gained global recognition at the World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. Established in 2022 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the reserve spans over 12,250 hectares of vital seagrass meadows, which serve as the primary feeding grounds for dugongs. Dugongs, also known as "sea cows," are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, making their protection critical. This reserve not only safeguards the dugong population but also promotes the conservation of marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.

ISRO has announced that the first test flight of India’s maiden human space mission, Gaganyaan, will take place in December 2025. This unmanned test will validate crucial systems such as the crew escape mechanism, orbital module, and launch dynamics. Out of the 9,000 required tests for the mission, around 7,700 (80%) have already been successfully completed, with the rest expected by March 2026. The Gaganyaan mission is designed to send three astronauts into low Earth orbit for up to seven days, showcasing India’s capability in human spaceflight and marking a milestone in the country’s growing space exploration journey.

India has reached the 6th position globally in patent filings, marking a major leap in its innovation journey. With over 64,000 patent applications submitted—more than half by resident innovators—the country is strengthening its intellectual property ecosystem. This rise reflects the impact of a vibrant start-up culture, supportive government policies, and increased emphasis on applied sciences and skill development. The improvement in India’s rank on the Global Innovation Index, from 81st to 38th, further reinforces this upward trajectory. Collectively, these achievements demonstrate India’s transition from being primarily a consumer of technology to an emerging global creator and contributor in research, innovation and IP generation.

Israel successfully launched the Ofek-19 satellite on 2nd September 2025 using a Shavit rocket from the Palmachim Airbase. Ofek-19 is a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-based reconnaissance satellite designed to provide high-resolution images with sub-half-metre accuracy, offering effective all-weather and day-night surveillance. Its primary role is to monitor regional threats from Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, significantly strengthening Israel’s defence and intelligence-gathering capabilities. This launch further enhances Israel’s independent space program and highlights its strong security and technological cooperation with the United States, marking a major step in safeguarding national and regional security interests.