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Vandana Gupta, a 1990 batch officer of the Indian Post & Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS), officially took charge as the Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA) on September 22, 2025. With over three decades of experience, she has served in key telecom circles across Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, along with critical roles in the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Department of Posts (DoP). Her career also includes senior positions at GASAB under the CAG, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the National Commission for Women, and GGSIP University. Her appointment reflects her leadership in telecom finance, audits, and governance.

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.

India’s overall unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 4.8% in December 2025, slightly higher than November’s 4.7%. While rural unemployment remained steady at 3.9% and urban female joblessness decreased to 9.1%, the overall rate reflects the aggregate of rural and urban employment trends. The Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 56.1%, and the Worker Population Ratio reached a yearly high of 53.4%, indicating a marginal improvement in workforce engagement. These figures provide insights into employment dynamics, highlighting both stability and gradual changes in the Indian labour market.

India’s merchandise exports in July 2025 registered a 7.3% growth, reaching $37.24 billion. This rise was driven by strong performances in sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, chemicals, and gems & jewellery. Notably, electronic goods exports rose sharply by 34%, highlighting India’s increasing role in global high-tech supply chains, aided by Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. While exports rose, imports also increased by 8.6% to $64.59 billion, pushing the trade deficit to an eight-month high of $27.35 billion. Despite this imbalance, the export growth indicates resilience in India’s trade sector amid volatile global market conditions.

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has partnered with IIT Guwahati to pioneer biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics. As part of this initiative, eco-friendly compostable bed-roll bags have been introduced on trains, replacing traditional plastic bags used for distributing linen. The material, developed at IIT Guwahati’s R&D facility, is fully biodegradable, compostable, and designed to meet operational standards while ensuring environmental safety. This collaboration demonstrates how academic research can provide practical solutions to environmental challenges, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like the Northeast. By reducing plastic waste, this initiative supports India’s mission to phase out single-use plastics and promote sustainable practices.

Aryaman Finance Ltd is the entity that obtained registration from the Reserve Bank of India on December 24, 2025, as a Type II Non-Banking Financial Institution, classified as a non-deposit taking Investment and Credit Company. This regulatory approval allows the company to legally operate in the lending and credit space. With this development, the parent company, Aryaman Financial Services Ltd, gains the ability to diversify its business operations beyond merchant banking. The RBI license is significant because it marks a strategic expansion into regulated financial activities, strengthening the group’s overall financial services portfolio.

National Consumer Day is observed annually in India on December 24 to commemorate the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, which came into force on the same date in 1986. The day highlights the importance of consumer rights and awareness, encouraging fair trade practices and accountability among businesses. In 2025, the theme focuses on efficient and speedy disposal of consumer grievances through digital justice. The observance also reflects the evolution of consumer protection laws, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority in July 2020.

The 23rd General Conference of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) was hosted in Phuket, Thailand, from 19–21 August 2025. During this event, India was elected as the Chairman of the AIBD Executive Board with the highest number of votes, marking a return to leadership after last serving in 2016. The conference carried the theme “Media for People, Peace & Prosperity,” bringing together global broadcasting stakeholders to deliberate on content collaboration, media development, and policy exchange. Hosting the conference in Thailand reinforced its role as a hub for regional cooperation in media and broadcasting development.

The 16th ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Counter Terrorism is being co-chaired by India and Malaysia, highlighting strong defence cooperation between the two nations. The meeting is scheduled to take place in New Delhi from January 14 to 16, 2026, and will involve ASEAN member states along with dialogue partner countries. Discussions during the event will focus on reviewing ongoing initiatives and planning future activities aimed at strengthening multilateral counter-terrorism cooperation. As part of the agreed roadmap, Malaysia will host a Table Top Exercise in 2026, followed by a Field Training Exercise hosted by India in 2027.

India’s engagement with Georgia marked an important step in expanding cooperation in sericulture and textiles. During the Nov 17–21 visit, Indian representatives showcased innovations such as the “5-in-1 Silk Stole” and advancements in wild silk, reinforcing India’s position as a global silk leader. The discussions focused on improving market access, developing collaborative research, and exploring opportunities in hybrid silkworm technology. This partnership aimed to benefit both nations by enhancing knowledge-sharing and technological development. The visit also aligned with the 11th BACSA International Conference – CULTUSERI 2025, providing a platform for broader regional cooperation.

Maitri 2.0 is the second edition of the India-Brazil Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech, launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The initiative is designed to promote collaboration between Indian and Brazilian innovators to strengthen the agri-food ecosystem. It emphasises sustainable agriculture, the use of digital technologies, and improved value chains to make food systems more resilient. Brazil’s strong agricultural base and India’s innovation potential make this partnership strategically important, as it enables knowledge sharing, joint research, and the adoption of best practices to address global food security challenges.

As per the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) Air Quality Snapshot for October 2025, Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, recorded the cleanest air in India with an average PM2.5 concentration of just 10 μg/m³. In contrast, Dharuhera in Haryana topped the list of polluted cities with a PM2.5 level of 123 μg/m³, while other highly polluted cities included Ghaziabad, Delhi, and Noida. The report emphasized the need for consistent and year-round air quality management rather than short-term, seasonal interventions such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Indian Railways has set a clear long-term target to double the originating train capacity in 48 major cities by the year 2030. This timeline aligns with broader efforts to modernise rail infrastructure and address rapidly growing passenger demand in urban and peri-urban areas. The plan includes expanding terminals, constructing new platforms, developing additional stabling and maintenance facilities, and upgrading signalling systems. By setting 2030 as the milestone, the initiative aims to future-proof the rail network, reduce congestion at busy stations, improve punctuality, and enhance overall passenger comfort while supporting sustainable economic growth.

The revised draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0 has been issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, which oversees regulatory frameworks related to transport safety, vehicle standards, and road-crash prevention measures in India. By expanding the scope of safety assessment areas, increasing mandatory crash tests, introducing advanced test devices, and adding structured evaluation criteria for pedestrian and post-crash protection, the ministry aims to push India’s automobile ecosystem closer to global safety benchmarks. This strengthens public safety, encourages manufacturers to adopt robust safety technologies, and enhances consumer awareness, ultimately contributing to safer mobility and improved road-transport infrastructure across the country.

Hansi has been officially declared a new district in the state of Haryana following a government decision to reorganise the existing Hisar district. With this administrative change, Hansi becomes the 23rd district of Haryana, marking an important step in improving governance and administrative efficiency in the region. The newly formed district comprises the Hansi and Narnaund subdivisions. The notification for this change was issued under the provisions of the Haryana Land Revenue Act, 1887, and the Registration Act, 1908, ensuring the legal framework for the district’s formation.

IIT Delhi is the location where India Post introduced its first Gen Z-themed Post Office, reflecting a shift toward modernizing postal services for younger, tech-savvy users. The revamped Campus Post Office includes features such as Wi-Fi zones, vibrant graffiti and artwork created by the institute’s Fine Arts Society, and QR-based parcel booking systems that offer convenient Speed Post discounts for students. This initiative is part of a broader nationwide plan to update 46 campus Post Offices across major educational institutions, aiming to make postal facilities more appealing, accessible, and relevant to the evolving needs of today’s youth.

The Sultan of Johor Cup 2025 was held in Malaysia, where India clinched the silver medal after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Australia in the final. This marked India’s fifth runners-up finish in the tournament, following bronze medals in the previous two editions. The event highlighted competitive international youth hockey, with Australia breaking their three-final losing streak by avenging their 2022 defeat to India. Hosting such tournaments in Malaysia emphasises the country’s growing role in promoting field hockey and providing a platform for emerging talent in the sport across Asia.

Dhordo, located in Kutch, Gujarat, was dedicated as India’s fourth solar powered village by PM Modi during the ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’ programme in Bhavnagar. This initiative ensures that every residential electricity connection in Dhordo benefits from solar energy under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Gujarat has been a pioneer in promoting solar villages, with Modhera, Sukhi, and Masali being the other solar powered villages in the state. Dhordo’s recognition as the ‘Best Tourism Village’ by the UNWTO highlights its potential for sustainable tourism alongside renewable energy adoption, making it a model for green development in India.

The government of Odisha has announced the establishment of the “Gyana Yagnya Mandap” digital library in Puri. This initiative aims to digitally preserve and provide access to rare records, manuscripts, and sacred documents related to the Jagannath Temple. The library will be constructed on the site of the old Raghunandan Library near the temple premises. By combining technology with cultural preservation, this project will benefit devotees, researchers, and historians, ensuring that valuable religious and historical knowledge remains accessible to future generations while promoting Odisha’s rich spiritual heritage.

Kerala is set to construct its first underwater tunnel between Vypin and Fort Kochi as part of the state’s coastal highway project. The ₹2,672 crore project will reduce the travel distance from 16 km to just 3 km under the Arabian Sea. Developed by the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), the tunnel features a twin-tube design, emergency stops, escape passages, and advanced safety systems. This initiative will significantly cut travel time, reduce commuting costs, and minimize disruption to port operations, marking a major milestone in Kerala’s infrastructure and transport development.