🇮🇳 National News
The Delhi Government has entered into a collaboration with IIT Kanpur to develop an AI-powered Intelligent Grievance Monitoring System (IGMS).
The system will bring together multiple grievance platforms such as CPGRAMS and the LG Listening Post into a single, unified digital dashboard.
Using AI and ML, IGMS will speed up grievance resolution, identify root causes of recurring complaints, predict the responsible department automatically, and enhance transparency in grievance handling.
The initiative aims to strengthen citizen-centric governance, improve inter-departmental coordination, and promote data-driven decision-making in public administration.
By the end of 2025, India’s reform approach transitioned from regulation-heavy systems to outcome-oriented governance models.
Key reforms include:
- Income Tax Reforms: Tax exemption limit raised to ₹12–12.75 lakh; new Income Tax Act, 2025 focuses on simpler structures, greater certainty, and digital compliance
- Labour Reforms: Consolidated 29 existing labour laws into 4 labour codes, expanding social security for gig and platform workers
- Rural Employment: Shift from MGNREGA to Viksit Bharat Rozgar Mission with up to 125 days of employment and creation of durable community assets
- MSME Reforms: Easier credit access, reduced compliance burden, and better scaling opportunities
Collectively, these reforms strengthened economic resilience, predictability, and long-term growth prospects.
India registered more than 5.5 lakh trademarks during FY 2024–25, marking the highest-ever registrations in a single year.
The surge was driven by digitisation of IP services, faster application examination timelines, and government-led awareness campaigns.
Key sectors leading trademark filings included pharmaceuticals, veterinary products, and healthcare services.
This milestone aligns with India’s broader goal of strengthening the innovation ecosystem, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting economic growth under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.
💼 Business & Economy
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is reassessing the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) amid rising systemic risks and closer interlinkages between NBFCs and banks.
NBFCs contribute nearly 15% of India’s GDP and are classified into four layers based on size and risk.
| Layer | Criteria | Asset Share |
|---|---|---|
| Base Layer | Assets below ₹1,000 crore | Lighter norms |
| Middle Layer | Larger NBFCs | 64.6% |
| Upper Layer | Systemically important | 30.2% |
| Top Layer | Extreme systemic risk | Reserved |
The framework ensures that regulatory intensity is proportionate to systemic impact.
As per RBI’s “Trend and Progress of Banking in India FY25” report, the total number of ATMs declined slightly to 2.51 lakh.
The reduction is attributed to rapid adoption of digital payment systems, especially UPI, and decreased dependence on cash withdrawals.
White Label ATMs increased, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Bank branches grew by 2.8% to 1.64 lakh, led mainly by public sector banks.
This trend reflects India’s shift toward a digital-first yet financially inclusive banking ecosystem.
India has surpassed Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a GDP of $4.18 trillion.
India recorded 8.2% real GDP growth in Q2 of FY 2025–26, maintaining its position as the fastest-growing major economy.
The growth has been driven by strong domestic consumption, structural economic reforms, and accelerated investment activity. India is projected to overtake Germany by 2030, reinforcing its expanding influence in the global economic order.
The Finance Ministry has officially notified rules allowing 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the insurance sector.
While governance norms have been relaxed, at least one key leadership role (CEO, MD, or Chairperson) must be held by an Indian resident.
The reform aims to attract global capital inflows, improve competition and solvency in the insurance market, and increase insurance coverage and penetration. The move supports the government’s “Sabka Bima” vision.
🤝 Agreements
The National Test House (NTH) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance quality, safety, and transparency in national highway construction projects.
Established in 1912, NTH will test construction materials used in NHAI projects through its 8 regional laboratories and provide digital test reports.
The partnership ensures scientific third-party quality verification, reduction in construction defects and cost overruns, and development of durable, world-class highway infrastructure.
👔 Appointments
The Ministry of Home Affairs has assigned Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, additional charge as Director General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The appointment follows the early repatriation of Sadanand Date. Currently serving as Special DG of NIA, Aggarwal will hold the charge until a regular DG is appointed.
He will ensure continuity and operational stability while overseeing ongoing sensitive counter-terrorism investigations.
📊 Index & Rankings
A NITI Aayog report has recognised Gujarat Biotechnology University (GBU) at GIFT City as a pioneering institution for globalising higher education in India.
Established in 2020, GBU aligns with NEP 2020 and Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. It has partnered with leading global institutions, notably the University of Edinburgh.
The model aims to retain Indian talent within the country, reduce brain drain, and position India as a global education hub. It highlights how international collaboration, world-class research infrastructure, and policy-driven governance can deliver global-quality education domestically.
🛡️ Defence
The Ministry of Defence signed defence procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore to strengthen combat capabilities of the Indian Army and Indian Navy.
The contracts include:
- Over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines worth ₹2,770 crore for urban and close-combat operations
- 48 Heavy Weight Torpedoes worth ₹1,896 crore for Kalvari Class submarines
The procurement enhances land and underwater strike readiness, supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, promotes indigenous defence manufacturing, and improves operational preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region.
🔬 Science & Technology
The Gujarat Government has approved the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organization (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. Gujarat becomes the first state to set up such an AI institute under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The institute will begin operations from January 1, 2026 as a Section 8 non-profit organisation. Total outlay: ₹300 crore over five years, equally funded by Gujarat State Government, Central Government, and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
Aligned with the IndiaAI Mission, IAIRO will focus on advanced AI research, AI-based solutions, intellectual property creation, capacity building, and developing a future-ready AI workforce to strengthen India’s position in global AI innovation.
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