📊 Index & Rankings
Roshni Nadar, Chairperson of HCL Technologies, has become the first Indian woman to enter the global top 10 list of richest women. She is ranked 5th in the Hurun Global Rich List 2025 with an estimated net worth of ₹3.5 lakh crore.
- Rank – 5th, Hurun Global Rich List 2025
- Net worth – ₹3.5 lakh crore
- Source of wealth – Inherited a 47% stake in HCL Technologies from her father Shiv Nadar
- Role – Chairperson, HCL Technologies
Roshni Nadar is the first Indian woman to feature in the top 10 of the global richest women list, underlining the rising influence of Indian business families on the world stage.
Person: Roshni Nadar, Chairperson — HCL Technologies. Rank: 5th in Hurun Global Rich List 2025. Net worth: ₹3.5 lakh crore. First: first Indian woman in global top 10 richest women. Wealth source: 47% stake in HCL Technologies (from father Shiv Nadar).
🇮🇳 National News
India has overtaken Sri Lanka to become the world’s second-largest tea exporter in 2024, trailing only Kenya. Exports rose to 254 million kg in 2024 (up from 231 million kg in 2023), generating earnings of ₹7,112 crore.
| Rank | Country | Export Volume (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenya | >500 million kg |
| 2 | India 🇮🇳 | 254 million kg |
| 3 | Sri Lanka (displaced) | — |
- India’s 2023 exports – 231 million kg (year-on-year growth)
- Export earnings (2024) – ₹7,112 crore
India: 2nd largest tea exporter globally (2024). Displaced: Sri Lanka. Top exporter: Kenya (>500 mn kg). India’s export: 254 mn kg (up from 231 mn kg in 2023). Earnings: ₹7,112 crore.
Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan inaugurated Techkriti 2025 — described as Asia’s largest tech and startup event — hosted by IIT Kanpur. The event’s theme was “Panta Rhei” (Greek for “Everything Flows”).
- Event – Techkriti 2025, Asia’s largest tech and startup event
- Host – IIT Kanpur
- Theme – “Panta Rhei” — Everything Flows
- Key highlight – ‘Rakshakriti’ Defence Expo: showcased indigenous AI-powered drones and advanced defence systems under Atmanirbhar Bharat
- Topics highlighted by CDS – AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, and Cognitive Warfare in military modernisation
Event: Techkriti 2025 — Asia’s largest tech & startup event. Host: IIT Kanpur. Theme: “Panta Rhei” (Everything Flows). Inaugurated by: CDS Gen Anil Chauhan. Highlight: Rakshakriti Defence Expo — indigenous AI drones & defence systems. Focus: AI, Cybersecurity, Quantum Computing, Cognitive Warfare.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah introduced ‘Sahkar’, a cooperative-run taxi service aimed at challenging aggregators like Ola and Uber. The model empowers drivers as co-owners, offering equitable income and profit-sharing.
- Platform – Sahkar (cooperative taxi service)
- Announced by – Union Minister Amit Shah (Home & Cooperation)
- Model – Drivers as co-owners; equitable income and profit-sharing
- Legislative backing – Aligned with Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- Vision – Part of ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’ — strengthening India’s cooperative movement
Platform: Sahkar (cooperative taxi). Announced by: Amit Shah (Home & Cooperation Minister). Competes with: Ola, Uber. Model: drivers as co-owners with profit-sharing. Legal basis: Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Vision: ‘Sahkar se Samriddhi’.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has unveiled a Digital Crop Survey (DCS) System that uses mobile technology for real-time field data collection on crops sown, improving accuracy in acreage estimation and agricultural forecasting.
- System – Digital Crop Survey (DCS)
- Ministry – Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
- Technology – Mobile technology for real-time field data collection
- Purpose – Accurate acreage estimation, better crop forecasting, improved agricultural planning
System: Digital Crop Survey (DCS). Ministry: Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Method: mobile technology for real-time crop data. Use: improve acreage estimation and agricultural forecasting & planning.
Punjab & Sind Bank has received the “Top Improvers” award under the EASE 6.0 Reforms Index, recognising significant advances in digital banking, financial inclusion, and customer service under its MD & CEO Swarup Kumar Saha.
- Award – “Top Improvers” under EASE 6.0 Index
- Recognised for – Digital banking expansion, financial inclusion, and enhanced customer service
- MD & CEO – Swarup Kumar Saha
Award: “Top Improvers” (EASE 6.0 Reforms Index). Bank: Punjab & Sind Bank. MD & CEO: Swarup Kumar Saha. Recognised for: digital banking, financial inclusion, customer service. EASE = Enhanced Access and Service Excellence — a PSB reform index.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) finalised contracts worth approximately ₹2,500 crore under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category for indigenously developed weapon systems and military vehicles.
| Item | Supplier | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nag Missile System (NAMIS) | AVNL | Tracked anti-tank weapon system |
| Light Vehicles (~5,000 units) | Force Motors & Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | For armed forces |
Both contracts fall under ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ — Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured — reinforcing India’s self-reliance in defence production. NAMIS is a key anti-tank asset for mechanised warfare.
Contract value: ~₹2,500 crore. Category: ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’. Missile: Nag Missile System (NAMIS) — tracked anti-tank weapon; supplier: AVNL. Vehicles: ~5,000 light vehicles from Force Motors & Mahindra & Mahindra.
💼 Business & Economy
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has entered into a loan agreement of $150 million with Shriram Finance Limited to expand access to credit for India’s MSMEs and to finance eco-friendly commercial vehicle purchases.
- Loan amount – $150 million
- Lender – ADB (Asian Development Bank)
- Borrower – Shriram Finance Limited
- Focus – MSME business loans and eco-friendly / EV commercial vehicles
- Special emphasis – Women-owned enterprises and enterprises in economically underdeveloped states
Loan: $150 million. Parties: ADB → Shriram Finance Ltd.. Purpose: MSME credit + eco-friendly commercial vehicle financing. Special focus: women-owned enterprises and underdeveloped states.
Axis Bank has become the first India-based bank to offer round-the-clock USD clearing services using Kinexys Digital Payments (KDP), powered by J.P. Morgan. The facility enables near real-time cross-border payments using blockchain infrastructure.
- Service – 24/7 USD clearing via Kinexys Digital Payments (KDP)
- Powered by – J.P. Morgan
- Technology – Blockchain infrastructure
- Features – Programmable payments, multi-bank cash concentration
- Historic first – First India-based bank to offer this service
Bank: Axis Bank — first India-based bank for 24/7 USD clearing. Platform: Kinexys Digital Payments (KDP) by J.P. Morgan. Technology: blockchain. Enables: near real-time cross-border payments with programmable features.
Bank of India has formalised a partnership with New India Assurance Co. to offer a broad range of general insurance products through its network of over 5,200 branches nationwide, expanding insurance accessibility for its customers.
- Partners – Bank of India + New India Assurance Co.
- Distribution network – 5,200+ Bank of India branches
- Product range – General insurance products
Partnership: Bank of India + New India Assurance Co. Product: general insurance distribution. Bank’s network: 5,200+ branches. Objective: expand insurance accessibility using BoI’s branch reach.
Bank of Baroda has implemented the Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi) Scheme, a central government initiative providing education loans to ensure financially deserving students are not denied access to higher education.
- Scheme – Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi)
- Implementing bank – Bank of Baroda
- Purpose – Financial assistance for meritorious students seeking higher education
- Initiated by – Central Government
Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Vidyalaxmi (PM-Vidyalaxmi). Implementing bank: Bank of Baroda. Type: education loan scheme by Central Government. Goal: ensure financial constraints do not block meritorious students from higher education.
👔 Appointments
Yusuf Pachmariwala has been appointed Managing Director and CEO of Hitachi Cash Management Services, a subsidiary of Hitachi Payment Services. He succeeds Anup Neogi, who is retiring.
- Role – MD & CEO, Hitachi Cash Management Services
- Parent company – Hitachi Payment Services
- Predecessor – Anup Neogi (retiring)
Appointment: MD & CEO, Hitachi Cash Management Services. Person: Yusuf Pachmariwala. Parent: Hitachi Payment Services. Replaces: Anup Neogi (retiring).
Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah has been signed as the brand ambassador for L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF), a major NBFC known for rural lending, farm equipment financing, and two-wheeler loans. LTF operates in over 2 lakh villages with more than 12,500 distribution points across India.
- Brand – L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF)
- Type – NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company)
- Focus segments – Rural lending, farm equipment financing, two-wheeler loans
- Reach – 2 lakh+ villages, 12,500+ distribution points
Ambassador: Jasprit Bumrah (cricketer). Brand: L&T Finance Ltd. (LTF) — an NBFC. Focus: rural lending, farm equipment, two-wheeler loans. Presence: 2 lakh+ villages, 12,500+ distribution points.
IAS officer Atul Kumar Tiwari (1990 batch, Karnataka cadre) has been given additional charge as Chairperson of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). He currently serves as Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The appointment has received post-facto approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
- Additional charge – Chairperson, NCVET
- Current role – Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
- IAS batch & cadre – 1990 batch, Karnataka cadre
- Approved by – Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) (post-facto)
Role: Additional charge — Chairperson, NCVET (National Council for Vocational Education and Training). Person: Atul Kumar Tiwari, IAS (1990 batch, Karnataka cadre). Also: Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Approved by: ACC (post-facto).
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