Infrastructure
Wildlife-Safe Highway Infrastructure
NHAI’s initiative on NH-45 (Hiran-Sindoor stretch) in Madhya Pradesh includes wildlife underpasses and table-top red markings to prevent animal-vehicle collisions in ecologically sensitive zones, demonstrating integration of conservation with road development.
International
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Italian cuisine received UNESCO recognition as intangible cultural heritage, emphasizing its role as a social tradition and community practice beyond just recipes, expected to boost cultural tourism and national pride.
Banking
SBI Leadership Succession
Ravi Ranjan appointed as MD of SBI, transitioning from Deputy Managing Director, showcasing internal succession planning and leadership continuity in India’s largest public sector bank.
Development Finance
India-ADB Multi-Sector Loan Package
$2.2+ billion ADB loan covers five diverse projects: skilling programs, rooftop solar, tertiary healthcare in Assam, Chennai Metro expansion, and sustainable livelihoods in Meghalaya, reflecting comprehensive development priorities across infrastructure, clean energy, and human capital.
Banking Regulations
Cross-Bank Strategic Investments
RBI approved HDFC Bank’s acquisition of up to 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank, covering aggregate holdings including group entities like HDFC Mutual Fund, HDFC Life, and HDFC ERGO, indicating strategic positioning in the banking sector.
Governance
Right to Information Framework
Raj Kumar Goyal appointed as Chief Information Commissioner under the RTI Act, 2005, which governs transparency mechanisms and citizens’ access to government information in India.
Energy Sector
Coal India Leadership
B. Sairam, a mining engineer from NIT Raipur with 30+ years in coal operations, appointed as CMD of Coal India Limited, bringing extensive experience from Northern Coalfields subsidiary in mine operations and regulatory affairs.
Sustainability
Railway Energy Conservation
Miyana Railway Station won the National Energy Conservation Award 2025 for saving 9,687 electricity units through LED lighting, BLDC fans, and smart lighting systems, setting benchmarks for sustainable railway operations.
Defence
India-Brazil Naval Cooperation
Tripartite MoU among Indian Navy, Brazilian Navy, and MDL focuses on maintenance and life-cycle support for Scorpene-class submarines, including logistics, training, and defence R&D collaboration.
Technology
Indigenous Microprocessor Development
DHRUV64 – India’s first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz, 64-bit dual-core microprocessor developed by C-DAC for strategic and commercial applications in 5G, automotive, and industrial automation, reducing dependence on foreign chip technology.