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Madhya Pradesh has announced 2026 as the ‘Year of Agriculture’ as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen its agricultural sector and improve farmer livelihoods. The state has increased its agriculture budget to ₹27,000 crore, marking a substantial rise compared to allocations made two decades earlier. The initiative focuses on technology transfer, income enhancement, promotion of natural farming practices, innovation, and wider access to e-Mandi platforms for nearly 40 lakh farmers. Guided by the theme ‘prosperous farmers–prosperous state’, the policy also aims to boost agricultural productivity and exports, reinforcing agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.

Nnena Kalu made history by becoming the first learning-disabled artist to win the Turner Prize, the United Kingdom’s most prestigious award in visual arts. A 59-year-old Scottish artist, she lives with autism and has limited verbal communication, yet her work has gained wide recognition for its originality and expressive power. Her achievement represents a significant milestone for inclusivity and representation in the global art community. The award ceremony took place in Bradford, northern England, where she was honoured with the £25,000 prize money, highlighting the growing recognition of diverse voices and abilities in contemporary art.

Oil India Limited was honoured with the FIPI Award 2025 for ‘Oil & Gas Production Company of the Year’ (more than 1 MTOE) during India Energy Week in Goa. The award was presented by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry in recognition of the company’s strong production growth and contribution to India’s energy security. As a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, OIL has expanded exploration activities, enhanced recovery from mature fields, and adopted advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and strengthen domestic energy production.

Bharti Airtel announced a key leadership transition as part of its long-term succession and strategic planning. Shashwat Sharma, who was serving as CEO-designate, has been approved by the company’s board to take over as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Airtel India starting 1 January 2026. His appointment is for a five-year term and he will also serve as a Key Managerial Personnel. This leadership change ensures continuity in Airtel’s operations while allowing senior leaders to focus on strategy, governance, and financial oversight in a highly competitive telecom market.

Kotak Mahindra Bank appointed Anup Kumar Saha as its Whole-Time Director as part of a strategic move to strengthen senior leadership amid rapid digital transformation in the banking sector. Effective from January 12, 2026, his role includes oversight of consumer banking, marketing, and data analytics—key growth drivers for modern private banks. Saha brings prior experience from Bajaj Finance, where he worked extensively in consumer finance and data-driven operations. His appointment reflects the growing emphasis on analytics-led decision-making, customer-centric services, and digital innovation in India’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Google launched its first-ever global credit card in India, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital payments landscape. Issued in partnership with Axis Bank and operating on the RuPay network, the card is integrated with Google Pay and can be directly linked to UPI for merchant payments. This enables users to make seamless credit-based UPI transactions, a feature not supported by Visa or Mastercard cards. The card also introduces an instant rewards system, allowing users to redeem benefits immediately after each transaction, highlighting India’s growing leadership in fintech innovation and digital payment solutions.

The 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 will be conducted in Himachal Pradesh at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh. This joint military exercise between India and the United States aims to enhance defence cooperation, interoperability, and counter-terrorism capabilities. The drill includes close-quarter battle exercises, urban warfare simulations, high-altitude training, and realistic combat scenarios. Conducted alternately in both countries, Vajra Prahar reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the two democracies. Such exercises strengthen mutual trust, improve joint operational readiness, and reinforce shared commitments toward regional stability and security cooperation.

The H125 Project was launched by Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron as part of an upgraded India-France partnership. The initiative establishes India’s first private-sector helicopter manufacturing facility in Karnataka, featuring a Final Assembly Line for H125 helicopters. The project supports domestic production and exports, with an initial capacity of 10 helicopters per year. Known for its high-altitude performance, including landing on Mount Everest, the H125 will serve civil and potential military needs, strengthening India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission and deepening strategic aerospace collaboration between the two nations.

INSV Kaundinya has been chosen by the Indian Navy to symbolize and revive India’s rich ancient maritime traditions. The vessel is named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian mariner associated with historic sea voyages to Southeast Asia. The planned journey will commence from Porbandar in Gujarat and conclude at Muscat in Oman, highlighting India’s long-standing seafaring links with the region. The initiative reflects a blend of cultural revival and naval outreach and has been developed through a tripartite memorandum of understanding involving the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations.

The initiative to verify informal micro enterprises on the Udyam Assist Platform is a collaborative effort between the Department of Posts and SIDBI. In this arrangement, India Post is responsible for conducting nationwide, geo-tagged Contact Point Verification through its extensive field network. The responsibility for providing the technological backbone lies with SIDBI, which supplies the CPV mobile application, supporting systems, and necessary training. This ensures accurate data collection and helps verified enterprises gain smoother access to institutional credit, aligning with SIDBI’s role in promoting MSME development.

World Radio Day 2026 is observed on February 13 each year to recognise the enduring importance of radio as a powerful and accessible medium of communication. The date commemorates the launch of United Nations Radio in 1946, symbolising global cooperation and information sharing after World War II. The 2026 theme, “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice,” highlights the supportive role of technology in broadcasting while preserving human creativity and credibility. The observance also acknowledges the radio’s role in education, disaster communication, cultural preservation, and community engagement worldwide.

National Tourism Day is celebrated every year on January 25 in India to highlight the importance of tourism for economic growth, cultural preservation, and global recognition. The day encourages citizens to explore India’s diverse destinations while promoting responsible and sustainable travel practices. Activities include cultural programs, travel fairs, seminars, and awareness campaigns organised by tourism departments, educational institutions, and cultural organisations. By observing this day, India aims to strengthen tourism’s contribution to local livelihoods, heritage conservation, and international cultural exchange, making tourism a key driver of national development.

India became a formal member of the BRICS Centre for Industrial Competencies with the objective of enhancing industrial capabilities and supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises. Through this partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the initiative focuses on strengthening manufacturing competitiveness across BRICS nations. Within India, the National Productivity Council has been designated as the BCIC centre and operates under the guidance of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade. The effort emphasizes capacity building, adoption of Industry 4.0 practices, and productivity enhancement, contributing to sustainable industrial growth and economic development.

Bhutan is collaborating with India to strengthen cooperation in the power sector, with special emphasis on hydropower development. This partnership combines India’s financial investment capacity with Bhutan’s technical expertise in hydropower generation. The initiative aims to expand cross-border electricity trade, ensure a reliable energy supply, and enhance bilateral economic ties. By focusing on renewable and sustainable energy, the collaboration supports long-term development goals while addressing environmental concerns. The agreement also reflects the strong strategic relationship between the two countries and their shared commitment to clean energy and regional energy security.

Israel announced its decision to withdraw from seven United Nations agencies after conducting an internal review of its multilateral engagements. The move was driven by concerns over alleged political bias, repeated hostile positions, and bureaucratic inefficiency within certain UN bodies. The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in January 2026 and reflects a shift toward more selective participation in international forums. Israel had already disengaged from some agencies earlier, including UN Women and offices linked to armed conflict issues, and plans to reassess or exit additional UN-affiliated organisations in the future.

The Cities of Care Conference 2026 was jointly hosted by IIT Madras, along with the University of Toronto India Foundation and the University of Toronto in Chennai. The conference aimed to translate climate ambitions into actionable outcomes for urban India. A key focus of the event was the Water-Food-Waste Nexus, which is critical for building urban resilience as India’s population is projected to double by 2050. The conference also witnessed the launch of the “Sustainable India 2025” report, highlighting practical strategies to address environmental and sustainability challenges in rapidly growing cities.

Bharat Taxi is scheduled for its full-scale rollout in Delhi in January 2026, marking a significant development in India’s ride-hailing sector. After pilot operations in Delhi and parts of Gujarat in December 2025, the platform plans to expand operations with a cooperative, driver-owned model. Its zero-commission approach, at least in the initial phase, aims to improve driver earnings and welfare while offering affordable and transparent pricing for passengers. The January 2026 rollout is expected to intensify competition with established players like Ola and Uber, potentially reshaping the dynamics of the urban mobility market in India.

Anant Rana, a 33-year-old athlete from Jamshedpur, achieved a remarkable milestone by successfully completing the Full Ironman New Zealand triathlon in 11 hours and 50 minutes. The challenging endurance event took place in Taupo, New Zealand, and includes three demanding segments: a 3.8 km swim, a 180 km cycling race, and a 42.2 km marathon run. Rana completed the swimming segment in 1 hour 28 minutes, the cycling portion in 6 hours 19 minutes, and the marathon in 3 hours 46 minutes. Finishing well within the official 17-hour time limit, he demonstrated exceptional endurance and determination. He is associated with the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation and resides in Sonari, Jamshedpur.

The initiatives highlighted involve major dairy and cooperative infrastructure developments inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. These include the Vita Milk Chilling Centre at Salempur village in Bhiwani district, constructed by the Haryana Dairy Cooperative Development Federation at a cost of ₹3.30 crore, and the HAFED Flour Mill at Jatusana in Rewari district. Additionally, a portal dedicated to the International Year of Cooperatives was launched. All the locations mentioned—Bhiwani and Rewari districts—are administrative regions within the state of Haryana, clearly identifying Haryana as the state where these projects were inaugurated.

Maitri II is envisioned as India’s modern, all-weather Antarctic research station that will replace the existing Maitri I facility. The project timeline was revised from earlier estimates, reflecting the scale and complexity of constructing advanced infrastructure in the harsh Antarctic environment. The new completion target aligns with India’s long-term scientific and logistical planning, allowing sufficient time for design, site preparation, and construction. By aiming for completion in 2032, the project ensures the development of state-of-the-art laboratories and reliable support systems to strengthen India’s contribution to global climate, glaciology, and environmental research.