📊 Index & Rankings
According to a Bank of America (BofA) report, India has become the largest global market for AI applications in terms of daily and monthly active users.
The growth is driven by high smartphone penetration, low-cost data availability, and a young, tech-savvy population.
Popular AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Perplexity have seen rapid adoption in India.
Increased AI usage is expected to boost telecom revenues for companies like Jio and Airtel through higher data consumption and improved Average Revenue Per User (ARPU).
🇮🇳 National News
Sai Jadhav (23) has made history by becoming the first-ever woman officer to graduate from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, breaking a 93-year-long tradition of male-only officer training.
She has been commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, marking a landmark moment for women’s representation in India’s armed forces.
Her achievement signifies a major step forward in gender inclusion within the Indian Army, reflecting evolving military policies and societal norms. Sai Jadhav’s success serves as a source of inspiration for aspiring women candidates.
India’s labour market recorded significant improvement in November 2025, as per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
| Indicator | November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) | 55.8% |
| Worker Population Ratio (WPR) | 53.2% |
| Unemployment Rate (UR) | 4.7% |
The Unemployment Rate of 4.7% is the lowest level since April 2025. A notable rise was observed in female workforce participation, particularly in rural areas, pointing towards more inclusive and gender-balanced employment growth.
Bharat Taxi, a driver-owned ride-hailing service, will be fully rolled out across India in January 2026.
The platform is operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited and aims to compete with major players like Ola, Uber, and Rapido.
Key Features:
- Zero-commission model – drivers retain full earnings
- No surge pricing – predictable ride costs
- Transparent fare structures – affordable transportation
As a home-grown cooperative mobility initiative, Bharat Taxi focuses on driver welfare, fair income distribution, and affordable transportation, potentially reshaping India’s ride-hailing ecosystem.
The 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine commenced in New Delhi on 17 December 2025.
It is jointly hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s Ministry of Ayush.
“Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being”
The three-day event focuses on integrating traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into modern healthcare.
Key Discussion Areas:
- Scientific validation of traditional medicine
- Regulatory frameworks and policy implementation
- Protection of Indigenous knowledge
The summit is aligned with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
Jammu and Kashmir is hosting its first-ever International Indian Style Wrestling (Dangal) event.
The event also features the Rustam-e-Jammu Kashmir Title 2025, held at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu.
Over 100 national and international wrestlers are participating in the championship.
Winners of the Rustam-e-JK Title will receive a cash prize of ₹50,000 along with traditional honours. The event is open to the public free of cost.
The initiative aims to promote traditional Indian wrestling, physical fitness, cultural heritage, and sports tourism, representing a significant effort to revive India’s wrestling legacy.
Air India has been awarded the Best Domestic Airline title at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Awards 2025.
This marks the second consecutive year the airline has received the honour.
The award is based entirely on reader (passenger) votes, reflecting growing customer confidence.
The recognition highlights improved service standards, enhanced operational reliability, and customer satisfaction. The achievement aligns with Air India’s ongoing Tata Group–led transformation, including a massive fleet expansion plan with orders for 570 new aircraft.
💼 Business & Economy
Amazon Pay has rolled out biometric authentication for UPI transactions in India, allowing Android users to make payments using fingerprint or facial recognition.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Transaction Limit | Up to ₹5,000 |
| Authentication Method | Fingerprint / Facial Recognition |
| Data Storage | On user’s device (secure) |
| Adoption Rate | Over 90% |
The feature eliminates the need to enter a UPI PIN for small-value payments, improving payment convenience and transaction speed while maintaining safety standards. This positions Amazon Pay as a leader in password-less UPI payment solutions.
🌐 International News
India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement in Riyadh.
The agreement provides mutual exemption from short-stay visas for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports.
This step is aimed at simplifying official travel procedures and facilitating smoother movement of government officials. It is expected to enhance high-level engagement, coordination, and cooperation under the India–Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.
India and Argentina have signed the ICAR–INTA Work Plan for 2025–27 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agriculture.
The agreement focuses on agricultural research collaboration, technology sharing, and capacity building.
Key Focus Areas:
- Sustainable farming practices
- Biotechnology and digital agriculture
- Germplasm exchange
- Climate-resilient agriculture
The partnership aims to enhance science-driven agricultural development, food security, and modern farming systems in both countries.
Singapore’s Changi Airport has been awarded the World’s Best International Airport 2025 by Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards.
The title is based on reader voting, emphasizing passenger experience and satisfaction.
Changi Airport Highlights:
- Sky-lit terminals and lush indoor gardens
- World’s tallest indoor waterfall
- Seamless transit facilities
- Premium dining, shopping options, and leisure zones
The airport is globally regarded as a benchmark for operational efficiency, innovation, and passenger comfort.
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