International Trade
AYUSH Global Recognition
India’s AYUSH system gained formal recognition through bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. These agreements cover herbal products and wellness services, providing regulatory clarity for traditional medicine exports.
Green Transport
India’s First Hydrogen Train
India’s first hydrogen-powered train pilot project will operate on the JindβSonipat route in Haryana. This initiative demonstrates hydrogen as a clean alternative to diesel on non-electrified railway lines.
Judicial Cooperation
India-Bhutan Supreme Court MoU
Under the Supreme Court of IndiaβBhutan MoU, Bhutanese law clerks will serve in India’s apex court for three months. They receive equal honorarium as Indian clerks with travel expenses covered by the Court.
Politics
AHINDA Coalition in Karnataka
AHINDA (Alpasankhyataru, Hindulidavaru, Dalitaru) is a social justice coalition in Karnataka representing minorities, backward classes, and Dalits. CM Siddaramaiah is closely associated with this political framework.
Education
Sanskaar Shaala Initiative
The Assam Governor launched Sanskaar Shaala to promote value-based education for children. The program emphasizes ethics, compassion, and Indian cultural values alongside formal academic learning.
Archaeology
Kushan-Era Discovery at Taxila
Kushan-era bronze coins discovered near Taxila were found with lapis lazuli fragments. This indicates extensive long-distance trade networks connecting Central and South Asia during the Kushan period.
Capital Markets
SEBI’s Stock Data Lag Proposal
SEBI proposed a uniform 30-day lag on stock price data usage in investor education programs. This aims to prevent misuse of near-real-time market data while maintaining educational content integrity.
Digital Banking
Axis Bank’s Safety Centre
Axis Bank launched Safety Centre, a feature enabling customers to control banking/UPI limits and activate fraud-protection tools in real time. It includes SMS Shield and payee management features.
Banking Regulation
RBI’s 75% Dividend Cap
The RBI proposed a 75% cap on banks’ dividend payouts to strengthen capital buffers and long-term resilience. This encourages banks to retain profits for absorbing future risks and supporting credit growth.
Technology & AI
ISO/IEC 42001 for AI Governance
Financial Software and Systems (FSS) received ISO/IEC 42001 certificationβthe world’s first standard for AI management systems. It focuses on governance, transparency, and risk mitigation in AI-driven operations.