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IDFC FIRST Bank introduced the Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card in January 2026, targeting frequent international travelers and premium lifestyle users. The card eliminates foreign exchange markup, making overseas spending and online international purchases cost-effective. It also offers extensive benefits, including travel insurance, airport lounge access, meet-and-greet services, and reward points on hotels, flights, and other spending. With a digital-first application process, annual fee waivers on high spends, and a robust rewards ecosystem, this launch strengthens IDFC FIRST Bank’s presence in the premium credit card segment and enhances convenience and value for global and lifestyle-oriented customers.

Suzlon achieved a significant global milestone by being ranked among the top 10 companies in the 2026 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations list. It stood out as the only Indian company to reach this elite group, reflecting its strong performance in sustainability-driven metrics. The ranking process evaluated over 8,000 publicly listed companies with revenues exceeding $1 billion, focusing on sustainable investments and consistent growth in sustainable revenue. Suzlon’s emphasis on renewable energy solutions and long-term environmental responsibility helped it secure a place alongside leading global firms from Europe.

Garuda Aerospace partnered with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to supply indigenous Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to India’s defence forces. Under this collaboration, BEL serves as the lead bidder, while Garuda Aerospace contributes its expertise in drone design, manufacturing, and deployment. The partnership aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence technology (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) by delivering fully Indian, mission-ready UAS solutions for both defence and internal security applications. This collaboration highlights the growing role of private Indian companies in enhancing the country’s indigenous defence capabilities.

INS Sagardhwani is a DRDO-operated oceanographic research vessel that plays a key role in India’s maritime scientific outreach. It was flagged off from Kochi for the fifth edition of the ‘Sagar Maitri’ mission, a Navy–DRDO initiative aligned with the MAHASAGAR vision. The mission focuses on strengthening scientific collaboration and capacity-building among Indian Ocean Rim countries. By retracing historic sea routes and undertaking joint ocean research with eight regional partners, beginning with the Maldives, the mission reinforces India’s role as a trusted maritime partner and a leader in cooperative ocean science.

The Global Research Foundation was launched to strengthen international collaboration in education, research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. IIT Madras is positioning itself as a globally networked academic hub with a long-term vision of becoming the world’s first multinational university. The initiative was inaugurated by the External Affairs Minister and reflects the institution’s expanding global footprint, including its overseas campus in Tanzania. Through this foundation, IIT Madras aims to foster cross-border research partnerships, attract global talent, and enhance India’s role in international higher education and innovation ecosystems.

Peru has taken a landmark step in environmental conservation by granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees through local ordinances passed in two municipalities. This decision recognises the ecological and cultural importance of these ancient pollinators, which play a crucial role in maintaining rainforest biodiversity and supporting key crops. By legally protecting their right to exist, survive, and thrive in a healthy environment, Peru has extended the concept of rights of nature to insects for the first time globally. The move also reflects growing awareness of indigenous knowledge and the urgent need to address threats such as deforestation and climate change.

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.

Namibia is the country with which India has agreed to broaden cooperation across key strategic sectors, including defence, critical minerals, and Digital Public Infrastructure. High-level talks co-chaired by representatives from both nations reviewed bilateral relations in areas such as trade, health, education, and agriculture. The discussions emphasised strengthening partnerships in investment, capacity building, and cultural exchanges. This expanded engagement reflects a shared interest in long-term collaboration and mutual development, particularly in strategically important sectors like minerals and defence that are increasingly significant in the global geopolitical and economic landscape.

The commissioning of the upgraded Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Loudi reflects China’s sustained focus on expanding and modernising its naval power. China has equipped the warship with advanced radar systems, enhanced weapons, and networked combat capabilities that strengthen air defence, maritime strike, and task-force command functions. This development is part of China’s rapid shipbuilding programme, which adds naval vessels at an exceptional pace. Through continuous modernisation and fleet expansion, China now operates the world’s largest navy by ship count, reinforcing its growing role in regional and global maritime security.

Turkmenistan has introduced a significant economic reform by legalizing cryptocurrency mining and exchanges starting January 2026. The move reflects a cautious shift toward digitalization in one of the world’s most tightly controlled economies. The new law brings virtual assets under civil legislation and establishes a licensing framework regulated by the central bank, ensuring strong state oversight. Although cryptocurrencies will not be treated as legal tender or currency, the reform aims to reduce dependence on natural gas exports and attract technological investment. This development signals limited economic modernization while maintaining strict control over financial and digital activities.

The Delhi government has partnered with IIT Kanpur to develop the Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System, an AI-powered platform aimed at improving public grievance redressal. IIT Kanpur is responsible for system integration, ensuring secure API connectivity, conducting cybersecurity audits, and performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. The collaboration leverages IIT Kanpur’s technical expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity. By integrating multiple grievance portals into a single dashboard, the initiative seeks to reduce delays, eliminate duplication, enhance transparency, and enable data-driven governance, ultimately strengthening citizen trust in public service delivery.

Major Swathi Shantha Kumar from Bengaluru received the UN Secretary General’s Award 2025 for her project “Equal Partners, Lasting Peace” in South Sudan. Her work focused on integrating women into local-level peacekeeping operations and enhancing their participation in decision-making processes. Leading the Indian Engagement Team under the UN Mission in South Sudan, she promoted gender parity and grassroots engagement, ensuring women played a meaningful role in sustaining peace. This recognition highlights her contribution to advancing gender equality in international peace operations and the impact of inclusive approaches in conflict resolution.

Israel announced that Donald Trump will be awarded the Israel Prize for Peace in 2026, marking a historic departure from tradition. This is the first time in 80 years that Israel’s highest civilian honour will be given to a non-Israeli and also the first-ever awarding of the Peace category under the Israel Prize. The decision reflects Israel’s recognition of Trump’s role in Middle East peace initiatives and strong support for Israel’s security. The announcement followed high-level talks in Florida, underscoring continued diplomatic engagement between Israel and Trump-era leadership.

The multimodal infrastructure projects worth over ₹830 crore were launched at Singur in the Hooghly district of West Bengal. These initiatives include the Balagarh Extended Port Gate System with an Inland Water Transport terminal and a road over bridge, designed to handle 2.7 million tonnes of cargo annually across a vast area. The projects aim to decongest Kolkata, reduce pollution, and improve logistics efficiency. By strengthening connectivity and transport infrastructure in West Bengal, the initiatives are expected to support MSMEs, agriculture, and generate large-scale local employment.

The BSL-4 Biocontainment Facility is being developed at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar, where the foundation stone was laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This advanced laboratory will become India’s second-largest BSL-4 facility after Pune and is expected to play a major role in strengthening national health security. It will also support high-end research in areas such as antimicrobial resistance. The initiative aligns with India’s rapidly expanding bioeconomy, which has seen substantial growth over the last decade due to innovation, startups, incubators, and increased patent activity.

The launch of India’s first hydrogen-powered train marks a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward clean and sustainable transportation. Haryana has been selected for this pilot project, which will operate on the Jind–Sonipat route under Indian Railways. The initiative uses green hydrogen produced through electrolysis and aims to reduce carbon emissions by offering an alternative to diesel-powered trains on non-electrified routes. With a dedicated hydrogen plant set up at Jind and strong coordination between state and railway authorities, Haryana is playing a key role in advancing India’s green mobility and climate commitments.

India reported 166 tiger deaths in 2025, marking a sharp rise compared to the previous year. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of deaths at 55, making it the most affected state. Other states with significant tiger mortality included Maharashtra, Kerala, and Assam, though their numbers were lower than Madhya Pradesh. Experts attribute these deaths largely to habitat saturation, loss of wildlife corridors, and territorial conflicts among tigers, particularly affecting cubs. Despite strong anti-poaching efforts and regular forest patrols, increasing pressure on limited habitats continues to pose serious challenges for tiger conservation across these states.

Madhya Pradesh is set to become the first state in India to introduce medical colleges under the public-private partnership model. The initiative involves establishing new medical colleges in the districts of Dhar and Betul, where private partners will be responsible for building the required infrastructure. At the same time, the state government will retain administrative control over the associated district hospitals. These hospitals will be upgraded in strict compliance with National Medical Commission norms, ensuring quality medical education and healthcare delivery. This model aims to strengthen medical infrastructure while maintaining public oversight.

The largest 34 MW solar captive open access project commissioned by Solidus Techno Power in collaboration with Blue Sky NRG is located in Punjab. This project, with a capacity of 34 MW (51 MWp), supplies around 71 million units of clean energy annually to Madhav KRG Ltd., significantly reducing carbon emissions by nearly 67,000 tons each year. The commissioning of this project strengthens Punjab’s renewable energy ambitions and supports industrial sustainability in line with the state’s Green Energy Policy, showcasing a strong commitment to clean and sustainable power generation.

The Kamala Hydroelectric Project is located in Arunachal Pradesh, a state known for its vast hydropower potential due to its river systems and mountainous terrain. The project is situated on the Kamala River across the districts of Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey. With an installed capacity of 1,720 MW, it is a storage-based hydropower project that also includes flood moderation features. The initiative supports India’s renewable energy expansion, strengthens power supply in the Northeast, generates employment, and contributes to the country’s long-term net-zero emissions target.