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Aparna Garg, a seasoned IRAS officer from the 1987 batch, has taken charge as the Member (Finance) of the Railway Board. With more than 36 years of experience, she has served in several key roles such as Divisional Railway Manager at Mysore, Chief Financial Advisor at the Rail Wheel Factory, and Director General of IRIFM. She is also a Chevening Fellow with an Advanced Master’s degree in Transport Economics and executive training from reputed global institutions. Her extensive background and leadership capabilities have made her well-suited for this prestigious position.

Air India was awarded the Best Domestic Airline title at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year. The recognition is significant as it is entirely based on reader and passenger votes, reflecting real travel experiences rather than jury assessments. The award highlights growing customer trust in Air India during its large-scale transformation phase, which includes fleet modernization, improved onboard comfort, enhanced service quality, and better operational reliability. With major investments such as large aircraft orders and fleet upgrades, the airline is strengthening its domestic market credibility and working toward becoming a world-class aviation brand.

Capt. Ganti Venkateswarlu assumed additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Shipyard Limited following the superannuation of Cmde Girideep Singh on January 31, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he was serving as Director (Shipbuilding) at HSL and had been closely associated with major shipbuilding and refit initiatives. The leadership transition comes at a significant time, as the shipyard has completed important refit projects and made steady progress on large-scale programmes for the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard, reinforcing HSL’s strategic role in India’s maritime and defence manufacturing ecosystem.

Federal Bank introduced the ‘Fortuna Wave’ brand identity to refresh its image and reinforce its positioning as a digital-first, pan-India banking institution. The launch, held in Mumbai, was aimed at attracting younger and tech-savvy customers while maintaining trust among existing users. Federal Bank emphasized core values such as authenticity, prosperity, and togetherness through this new identity. By creating a unified visual language across both digital platforms and physical branches, Federal Bank seeks to strengthen brand recognition, enhance customer engagement, and align itself with the evolving landscape of modern banking in India.

Jio has partnered with NHAI to introduce a telecom-based highway safety alert system designed to improve real-time communication for road users. The system will send warnings through SMS, WhatsApp, or voice calls about accident-prone areas, fog-affected stretches, and cattle-frequent zones. Using Jio’s existing 4G and 5G infrastructure, the initiative avoids the need for additional roadside hardware, making it efficient and quickly scalable. It also integrates seamlessly with platforms such as Rajmargyatra and the 1033 emergency helpline. A pilot is being launched in select regions, with an ambition to expand nationwide by including more telecom operators for broader coverage.

The Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), was successfully flight-tested at the KK Ranges located in Maharashtra. This advanced third-generation missile features a fire-and-forget capability, an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, and a tandem warhead designed to defeat modern armored battle tanks. The test validated its performance against moving targets during both day and night conditions. With Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited as production partners, the missile system has now been cleared for induction into the Indian Army, strengthening India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

The projection highlights a growth range between 6.8% and the upper bound mentioned, indicating a steady expansion of the Indian economy despite global uncertainties such as oil price fluctuations and geopolitical tensions. It reflects confidence in domestic demand, investment activity, and financial sector stability. The estimate also aligns with moderate inflation and fiscal deficit levels, suggesting balanced macroeconomic conditions. Additionally, India’s increasing integration into global value chains and resilience of key sectors like banking and services contribute to maintaining this growth trajectory over the financial year.

IIT Guwahati signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Coventry University Group (UK) to enhance collaboration in research, innovation, and academic exchange. The partnership focuses particularly on advancing developments in Artificial Intelligence and healthcare through joint initiatives. The agreement includes provisions for academic and research mobility, joint doctoral programmes, and collaborative research projects. A major theme of the partnership is “AI for One Health,” which aims to integrate artificial intelligence with healthcare systems to address societal health challenges. This collaboration builds on the earlier AI Impact Pre-Summit event hosted in January 2026, which emphasised using AI to strengthen healthcare integration and interdisciplinary innovation.

Cyclone Ditwah is the cyclonic storm forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal and moving toward the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh. It intensified from a deep depression into a cyclonic storm on November 27, 2025, and prompted the IMD to issue an orange alert for Puducherry from November 28 to December 1. The system’s projected path places several districts of Andhra Pradesh under the risk of heavy rainfall and strong winds. With increasing post-monsoon cyclonic activity in the North Indian Ocean, Ditwah has become the third storm of the season and underscores the need for enhanced disaster preparedness.

The World Bank has approved substantial technical and financial assistance amounting to ₹5,700 crore to support the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project. This initiative is aimed at achieving water self-reliance through large-scale restoration and modernisation of canal infrastructure across the state. The funding will be released in phases between 2026 and 2032 and will contribute to upgrading hundreds of canals. Along with support from state funds and NABARD, the World Bank’s involvement highlights its role in strengthening water resource management, improving irrigation efficiency, and promoting sustainable agricultural and water practices in the region.

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.

Minorities Rights Day is observed in India on December 18 to highlight the importance of protecting and promoting the rights of minority communities. The day commemorates the United Nations’ 1992 declaration on minority rights and has been observed in India since 2013 under the National Commission for Minorities. It emphasizes safeguarding constitutional provisions, particularly Articles 29 and 30, which ensure cultural, linguistic, and educational rights. The observance promotes inclusion, equality, and safety while recognizing the social, cultural, and economic contributions of the six officially notified minority communities in the country.

World Homoeopathy Day is observed annually on April 10 in India to honour the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy. The day highlights the importance and contributions of homoeopathy in healthcare. Various events, seminars, and awareness programs are conducted to promote its role in sustainable health. Homoeopathy has a long history in India, dating back to the early 19th century, and is supported by government initiatives such as the National AYUSH Mission to integrate it into mainstream healthcare systems.

China has achieved a major infrastructure milestone by opening the world’s longest expressway tunnel, the Tianshan Shengli Tunnel, located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Stretching 22.13 km, the tunnel significantly reduces travel time across the Tianshan Mountains and improves connectivity between northern and southern Xinjiang. It forms a critical part of the G0711 Urumqi–Yuli Expressway and supports the efficient transport of energy resources, agricultural products, and industrial materials. The project showcases advanced engineering, including operation in extreme geological and climatic conditions, while contributing to economic integration, tourism growth, and regional development.

India signed a ₹7,900 crore agreement with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme to support its MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fleet. The deal includes spare parts, technical assistance, maintenance training, and the establishment of repair facilities in India. It strengthens India’s maritime defence capabilities and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting local MSME participation in defence logistics. The MH-60R helicopters, developed by Lockheed Martin, are advanced multi-role platforms for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and naval operations. This agreement reflects the deepening strategic and defence partnership between India and the United States.

The G7 Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting was held in Washington DC, which is the capital of the United States. The meeting brought together ministers from G7 nations to discuss strategies for securing and strengthening global supply chains of critical and strategic minerals, which are essential for clean energy, technology, and industrial growth. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw represented India at this important forum and highlighted the significance of resilient critical minerals supply chains in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. The United States, as a major G7 member, hosted the meeting to facilitate global coordination on this issue.

Belgium secured its maiden Sultan Azlan Shah Cup title in 2025 with a narrow 1-0 victory over India in the final held in Ipoh, Malaysia. The match was tightly contested, with Belgium creating more scoring opportunities and taking the lead through a goal by Thibeau Stockbroekx in the 34th minute. India fought hard until the final whistle, supported by strong goalkeeping efforts, but could not find an equaliser. This victory marked a historic milestone for Belgium, especially considering it was only their second appearance in the tournament, showcasing their rapid progress in world hockey.

Telangana hosted the Rising Global Summit to accelerate economic growth and position itself as a hub for advanced industries. The summit saw the signing of 35 MoUs worth ₹2.43 lakh crore and secured a ₹75,000 crore investment from Brookfield/Axis Ventures for Bharat Future City. These commitments reflect the state’s focus on deep tech, green energy, aerospace, and digital infrastructure, demonstrating investor confidence. The event underscores Telangana’s vision of becoming a next-generation technology and industrial hub, aligning with its long-term economic target of achieving a $3-trillion economy by 2047, supported by strategic government initiatives and robust policy frameworks.

The Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2025 represents a significant labour reform initiative aimed at protecting workers engaged in the gig and platform economy. By approving this legislation, Jharkhand has created a formal legal framework to ensure minimum wages, social security benefits, and welfare measures for gig workers across sectors such as transport, delivery, and logistics. The law also establishes a dedicated Gig Workers Welfare Board to oversee registration, implementation of schemes, and regulatory compliance. This step highlights Jharkhand’s proactive approach in addressing employment vulnerabilities in the rapidly expanding digital economy.

Japan introduced the world’s first freight-only Shinkansen by converting an existing high-speed passenger train into a dedicated cargo carrier. Developed by East Japan Railway Company, the modified E3 series can transport goods at speeds of up to 275 kmph. The innovation focuses on the rapid delivery of time-sensitive and high-value items such as seafood, pharmaceuticals, and precision instruments. Structural reinforcements and redesigned interiors enable efficient cargo handling while maintaining aerodynamic performance. This initiative also addresses labour shortages in the logistics sector and promotes a more sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to air and road transport.