🇮🇳 National News
The Union Government has officially designated the Parvati–Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote sustainable eco-tourism.
Covering approximately 1,084 hectares in the Gangetic plains, it serves as a key stopover site for migratory birds from Central Asia and Tibet along an important international migratory bird corridor.
The wetland ecosystem supports a rich diversity of resident and migratory bird species and plays a crucial role in maintaining regional water balance and supporting nature-based livelihoods for local communities.
The Government of India has approved a Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM), a strategic step towards achieving self-reliance in critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
These magnets are vital for:
- Clean energy technologies
- Electric vehicles
- High-end electronics and advanced industrial applications
The scheme aims to establish India’s first fully integrated domestic ecosystem for manufacturing sintered rare earth permanent magnets, aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The Himachal Pradesh government has launched the ‘Green to Gold’ initiative to promote industrial hemp cultivation, with a vision to make the state self-reliant by 2027.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the programme to transform the rural economy, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen the state’s bio-economy.
Industrial hemp is a high-value, multi-purpose crop with applications in medicinal products, textiles, paper & packaging, cosmetics, and biofuels.
Under the new policy, hemp has been reclassified from its traditional association with illegal drug trade (in districts like Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba) to a regulated industrial crop.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under MoEFCC has approved the Dulhasti Stage-II Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab River in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Installed Capacity: 260 MW (two units of 130 MW each) | Estimated Cost: Over ₹3,200 crore
The Chenab River basin falls under the Indus Waters Treaty, which has been suspended with effect from 23 April 2025. Following the suspension, the Central Government is accelerating hydropower development in the Indus basin.
💼 Business & Economy
The Central Government has announced a major revision in the taxation framework for tobacco and pan masala products, effective from 1st February.
A new tax regime will replace the existing compensation cess, imposing additional excise duty and a new cess on sin goods in addition to GST.
GST Rates: Pan masala, cigarettes, tobacco – 40% | Biris – 18%
Additional Levies: Pan masala → Health and National Security Cess | Tobacco products → Additional excise duty
This policy change is expected to impact retail prices, government revenue, and public health outcomes.
BRISKPE, a fintech startup backed by Prosus, has received final authorisation from the RBI to operate as a Payment Aggregator–Cross Border (PA-CB) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
Founded in 2023, BRISKPE offers real-time payment tracking, local virtual bank accounts, competitive forex rates, and digital-first onboarding. It is one of the youngest Indian fintech firms to secure PA-CB authorisation.
The licence enables BRISKPE to facilitate both inward and outward cross-border payment transactions, positioning it as a fully compliant end-to-end cross-border payments platform for Indian businesses.
Rediff.com India Limited, a subsidiary of Infibeam Avenues Limited, has received final approval from NPCI to operate as a Third-Party Application Provider (TPAP) under the UPI framework.
The company has commenced Closed User Group (CUG) testing of its digital payments platform RediffPay ahead of its public UPI launch. Axis Bank is the designated Payment System Provider (PSP) bank.
Infibeam Avenues Limited, proposed to be renamed AvenuesAI, holds an 82% controlling stake in Rediff.com.
The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), the incubation arm of IIT-Delhi, has partnered with IDFC First Bank to launch a new cohort of the IGNITE programme (Innovation Growth & Nurturing Initiative for Technology Entrepreneurs).
The programme, implemented as part of IDFC First Bank’s CSR initiative, focuses on helping startups move from proof-of-concept to market-ready commercialisation.
The new cohort includes startups working in climate technology, clean energy, healthcare, agri-tech, mobility solutions, education technology, and AI for social good.
🌐 International News
Syria has unveiled a new series of banknotes at a formal ceremony in Damascus, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Central Bank Governor Abdul Qadir Husrieh.
The reform involves removing two zeros: 10,000 old SYP = 100 new SYP. The new Syrian Pound will be issued in denominations from 10 to 500 pounds, entering circulation from 1 January 2026.
The measure aims to ease the effects of hyperinflation. Authorities have clarified that the redenomination will not affect purchasing power, and all bank deposits and electronic balances will be automatically converted on the first day of implementation.
🤝 Agreements
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed an MoU with IIT Madras to jointly develop an indigenous digital communication system for airborne platforms, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence technology.
Air Vice Marshal R. Guruhari (Commandant, SDI) | Professor V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras) | Dr. M. J. Shankar Raman (CEO, Pravartak Technologies Foundation)
The collaboration integrates the operational expertise of the Indian Air Force with the research and technological strengths of IIT Madras, focusing on creating secure digital communication tools for airborne environments.
🔬 Science & Technology
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu flagged off the inaugural flight of the Dhruv-NG helicopter at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru on 30 December 2025.
Dhruv-NG (Next Generation) is an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) developed indigenously by HAL – a 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role civil aircraft suitable for VIP transportation, air ambulance, offshore operations, law enforcement, disaster relief, and search & rescue missions.
Max Take-off Weight: 5,500 kg | Passengers: Up to 14 | Max Speed: 285 km/h | Range: 630 km | Endurance: 3 hrs 40 min | Service Ceiling: 6,000 m
Powered by twin Shakti 1H1C engines, it offers higher power output, enhanced reliability, and fully indigenous maintenance capability.
📅 Important Days
Global Family Day 2026 is observed on 1st January, also referred to as World Peace Day. The day promotes the ideals of peace, unity, and global brotherhood.
In 1997, the UN General Assembly declared the International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. Linda Grover played a significant role in promoting the concept in the United States.
Following the success of publications like “One Day in Peace – January 1, 2000”, the United Nations officially proclaimed Global Family Day as an annual observance in 2001, highlighting the belief that all people are interconnected regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or borders.
📤 Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
