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Sipan Garg has taken on the additional responsibility of CMD of THDC India Ltd beginning November 16, 2025, after the sudden passing of R K Vishnoi. Alongside this new role, he continues to serve as Director (Finance), a position he has held since August 17, 2024. With over 24 years of experience in finance, taxation, and power-sector operations, he brings deep expertise to this leadership post. His earlier engagements as CFO in prominent NTPC subsidiaries further strengthen his capability to guide THDC during a crucial period of operational continuity and strategic expansion.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 6.5%, down from its earlier estimate of 6.7%. This revision reflects the impact of elevated U.S. tariffs, which are expected to affect around 60% of India’s exports to the U.S., slowing growth momentum in the second half of 2025-26. Despite strong domestic demand, infrastructure investment, and ongoing structural reforms, global trade challenges are likely to dampen India’s expansion. The ADB also projected a similar 6.5% growth rate for FY27, highlighting continued caution amid external headwinds for the Indian economy.

OpenAI achieved a $500 billion valuation following a $6.6 billion secondary share sale to SoftBank. This sale involved shares from current and former employees and reflects investor confidence in OpenAI’s rapid growth and strong revenue performance. The transaction did not dilute company capital but provided liquidity for early stakeholders. OpenAI’s revenue for the first half of 2025 reached $4.3 billion, driven by the expansion of ChatGPT Enterprise and Pro plans, integrations with Microsoft Copilot, and demand for custom AI solutions. SoftBank’s investment highlights the global interest in generative AI and positions OpenAI for potential strategic opportunities in technology and capital markets.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration aims to promote a global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources while ensuring environmental sustainability. The partnership focuses on balancing energy transition goals with conservation priorities, minimizing ecological impacts, and supporting sustainable development practices. By uniting conservation expertise and renewable energy advocacy, IUCN and IRENA intend to foster greener, more responsible energy systems for a sustainable global future.

World Patient Safety Day is observed every year on September 17 as a global initiative led by the World Health Organization. Established in 2019, the day seeks to highlight the critical importance of ensuring safe healthcare practices, reducing preventable harm, and promoting accountability in medical systems. In 2025, the theme focuses on “Safe Care for Every Newborn and Every Child,” emphasizing the protection of vulnerable groups such as infants and young children. The observance not only raises awareness but also encourages collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients to strengthen systems for safer, more reliable care worldwide.

India has committed to funding the construction of a modern Accident & Emergency Unit in Mannar, Sri Lanka, with a grant of LKR 600 million. The MoU for this project was signed by Indian envoy Santosh Jha and Sri Lankan Health Secretary Anil Jasinghe. The facility will be a two-storey unit equipped with advanced medical infrastructure, aimed at strengthening emergency care services and easing overcrowding in hospitals. This initiative is part of India’s broader healthcare support to Sri Lanka, which also includes contributions to the Suwa Seriya 1990 ambulance service and multiple hospital upgrade projects, reflecting strong bilateral cooperation in public health.

The International Government Communication Forum (IGCF) 2025 concluded in Sharjah, underscoring the critical role of communication in improving quality of life. The event featured the Sharjah Government Communication Award (SGCA) under the theme “Communication for Quality of Life.” Experts from around the globe participated in discussions on pressing issues such as artificial intelligence, food security, health, education, and sustainability. They highlighted the importance of ethical, human-centered communication in effective policymaking. Hosting this significant forum in Sharjah reflects the city’s growing role as a hub for dialogue on global governance, innovation, and social well-being.

The 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from December 17 to 19, 2025. Co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s Ministry of AYUSH, the summit will bring together around 7,000 participants, including global health leaders, researchers, and traditional medicine practitioners. The event, themed “Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being,” aims to promote evidence-based traditional medicine, strengthen universal health coverage, and foster collaboration between science, innovation, and indigenous wisdom for sustainable healthcare development worldwide.

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched a nationwide Aadhaar Mascot Design Contest, inviting citizens to create an official visual ambassador for Aadhaar. The mascot is intended to embody Aadhaar’s core values, including trust, inclusivity, empowerment, and digital innovation, and to enhance public engagement. Participants can submit original designs via the MyGov platform by 31 October 2025, with a total prize pool of ₹1 lakh distributed among top winners. Beyond monetary rewards, the selected mascot will be used in public campaigns, serving as a symbolic representation of Aadhaar’s mission and national identity.

Dr. Kanad Das made history by becoming the first mycologist to assume the role of Director of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), taking charge as its 13th Director. The BSI, functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), has been a premier institution since 1890 for cataloguing, documenting, and conserving India’s vast plant biodiversity. Headquartered in Kolkata with 11 regional centres across the country, the BSI plays a crucial role in protecting floral resources. Dr. Das’s appointment highlights the growing recognition of mycology in India’s biodiversity conservation framework.

Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri was recently sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court at Raj Bhavan, Patna. The oath was administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary. The Patna High Court, established in 1916, has been pivotal in delivering landmark rulings across constitutional, criminal, and socio-economic matters. This appointment strengthens the leadership at the court, ensuring continuity in judicial excellence and upholding constitutional values in the state of Bihar.

The 69th National School Games began in Jammu & Kashmir, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services & Sports of the region. The event brought together 30 teams representing different States and Union Territories, competing across six venues in various sports such as Football, Wushu, Taekwondo, and Table Tennis. The inauguration was carried out by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, highlighting Jammu & Kashmir’s commitment to promoting youth sports and fostering national-level athletic talent.

Jannik Sinner, the 24-year-old Italian tennis player, clinched his maiden Rolex Paris Masters title by defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4, 7-6(4) in the final. This victory marked his fifth ATP Masters 1000 crown and his return to the World No. 1 position in the PIF ATP Rankings. Sinner’s achievement also extended his impressive streak to 26 consecutive indoor match wins. Notably, he became the first player since Carlos Alcaraz in 2023 to win a Masters title without dropping a single set, underscoring his consistency and dominance on indoor courts.

The Gujarat government launched a massive financial initiative by disbursing more than ₹1,000 crore under the Namo Lakshmi Yojana to benefit 10.49 lakh girls studying in Classes 9 to 12. Each girl receives ₹50,000 spread across four years, regardless of whether she is already covered under other scholarships, with payments streamlined through a dedicated Namo Lakshmi portal. In addition, 1.5 lakh students pursuing science education were supported with ₹161+ crore through the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana. This program underscores Gujarat’s focus on encouraging education, particularly for young girls, and promoting STEM learning among students.

The state of Bihar is home to both Gokul Jalashaya in Buxar (448 hectares) and Udaipur Jheel in West Champaran (319 hectares), which have been designated as Ramsar Wetlands. Ramsar sites are globally recognised as wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Their inclusion emphasises Bihar’s ecological contribution in maintaining biodiversity, supporting migratory birds, and providing essential ecosystem services such as groundwater recharge and flood control. With these new sites, India’s total number of Ramsar wetlands has reached 93, covering an expansive area of 13,60,719 hectares, reflecting its growing commitment to wetland conservation.

The ‘Anbu Karangal’ (Hands of Love) scheme was launched in Tamil Nadu by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on September 16, 2025. This welfare initiative provides ₹2,000 monthly financial support to orphaned children until they complete school education or reach the age of 18. In its first phase, over 6,000 children across Tamil Nadu will directly benefit. The scheme ensures uninterrupted education, protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, and access to digital resources such as laptops for college-bound orphans. Additionally, a mobile app developed with the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency enables transparency, real-time monitoring, and grievance redressal, ensuring effective implementation statewide.

Vedanta Group has announced an additional investment of ₹1 lakh crore in Odisha, aimed at boosting industrial growth and employment in the state. The investment plans include a ₹2,000-crore ferro-alloys plant in Keonjhar and the development of two aluminium parks, one in Jharsuguda and another location identified by the state government. This strategic move is expected to generate over 1 lakh direct and indirect jobs, enhancing Odisha’s industrial infrastructure and positioning it as a significant hub for the metals and mining sector in India.

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced December 15, 2025, as the target date to ensure pure tap water supply to every household in the Vindhya and Bundelkhand regions. This initiative falls under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission – Har Ghar Nal Yojana’, a flagship program aimed at improving rural water accessibility and public health. So far, more than 1.98 crore rural households across 85,364 villages have already been provided with tap water connections. The project highlights the state’s commitment to improving living standards, promoting hygiene, and ensuring equitable access to clean drinking water for all citizens.

The first photographic documentation of the Pallas’s cat in India was made in Arunachal Pradesh during a wildlife survey. The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is a rare and little-studied species of wild cat, known for its gray or tan coat that adapts seasonally to provide camouflage. While its distribution has previously been confirmed in regions like Sikkim, Bhutan, and Nepal, this evidence from Arunachal Pradesh marks an important extension of its known range in the eastern Himalayas. This finding adds to the ecological significance of Arunachal Pradesh and highlights the importance of continued biodiversity surveys in the state.

Google’s Project Suncatcher is an ambitious initiative aimed at building AI data centres in orbit, powered by solar energy. The project plans to deploy satellites equipped with TPUs, solar panels, and high-speed optical communication systems to form a distributed computing network around Earth. By operating in space, these AI data centres would have uninterrupted access to solar power, eliminate the need for water-based cooling, and reduce carbon emissions. While promising a sustainable and scalable alternative to traditional data centres, Project Suncatcher still faces major engineering challenges related to communication, station-keeping, and radiation resistance in space.