1. Government Approves Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) Rates for Rabi 2025-26

The Union Cabinet approved the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for the Rabi season 2025-26, ensuring affordable fertilizers for farmers.

The total subsidy outlay is estimated at ₹22,000 crore to support the agricultural sector during the winter cropping season.

The NBS scheme provides subsidies on Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertilizers based on their nutrient content (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Sulphur).

This move aims to ensure balanced fertilizer usage, improve soil health, and enhance crop productivity across India.

The scheme directly benefits farmers by keeping fertilizer prices stable despite global price volatility.

2. Indian Army Creates Modern Warfare Force 'Bhairav' with Over 1 Lakh Drone Operatives

The Indian Army launched 'Bhairav', a specialized modern warfare force comprising over 1 lakh trained drone operatives.

This initiative is part of India's military modernization to enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat capabilities using unmanned aerial systems.

The force will be equipped with indigenous drones developed under the 'Make in India' initiative, reducing dependency on imports.

Bhairav will play a crucial role in border security operations, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC).

This marks a significant shift toward technology-driven warfare and strengthens India's defense preparedness against modern threats.

3. IAF Commemorates 25th Anniversary of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft's First Flight

The Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft's maiden flight, which took place on January 4, 2001.

Tejas is India's first indigenously designed and manufactured 4th generation multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The aircraft has been inducted into the IAF with several squadrons already operational, strengthening India's air defense capabilities.

Tejas Mark 1A variant features advanced avionics, radar systems, and weapons integration, with production orders worth over ₹50,000 crore.

This milestone underscores India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technological advancement in aerospace engineering.

4. FSS Becomes First Payments Company to Receive ISO/IEC 42001 Certification

Financial Software and Systems (FSS) became the first payments technology company globally to receive ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems.

This certification validates FSS's robust framework for responsible AI development, deployment, and governance in financial services.

The ISO/IEC 42001 standard focuses on establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving AI management systems.

FSS processes over 180 billion transactions annually across 50+ countries, serving banks, fintechs, and payment processors worldwide.

This achievement positions FSS as a leader in ethical AI adoption and strengthens trust in AI-powered payment solutions.

5. IDFC FIRST Bank Launches Zero Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Bank launched the Diamond Reserve Credit Card with zero foreign exchange markup fees, targeting premium travelers.

The card offers unlimited complimentary airport lounge access in India and internationally, along with golf privileges at select courses.

Cardholders receive accelerated reward points on international spending, travel bookings, and dining at partner establishments.

The card provides comprehensive travel insurance coverage including baggage delay, trip cancellation, and emergency medical assistance.

This launch positions IDFC FIRST Bank competitively in the premium credit card segment against established players.

6. India's Growth Seen at 6.9% in FY27 Despite Global Pressures – Ind-Ra

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projected India's GDP growth at 6.9% for fiscal year 2026-27, showing resilience amid global headwinds.

The rating agency estimates FY26 growth at 6.4%, driven by strong domestic consumption and government capital expenditure.

Key growth drivers include robust manufacturing expansion, digital economy growth, and infrastructure development under National Infrastructure Pipeline.

Global challenges such as geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions, and monetary policy tightening in advanced economies pose downside risks.

India's economic trajectory remains positive due to demographic dividend, policy reforms, and increasing foreign direct investment inflows.

7. India's AYUSH System Gains Global Boost Through Deals with Oman and New Zealand

India signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Oman and New Zealand to promote AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) systems globally.

The agreements facilitate establishment of AYUSH wellness centers, training programs, and research collaborations in both countries.

India will provide technical expertise, traditional medicine practitioners, and quality certification for AYUSH products and services.

These partnerships align with India's vision to position AYUSH as a mainstream healthcare alternative worldwide.

The global AYUSH market is projected to reach $23 billion by 2027, with India leading traditional medicine exports.

8. SEBI Proposes 30-Day Lag on Market Price Data for Investor Education

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a 30-day lag on real-time market price data for investor education purposes.

This measure aims to prevent misuse of market data by unauthorized entities while ensuring legitimate educational content remains accessible.

The proposal balances data accessibility for learning with the need to protect market data integrity and revenue for stock exchanges.

Educational platforms and institutions can continue using delayed data for teaching technical analysis, trading strategies, and market fundamentals.

SEBI invited public comments on the proposal, with implementation expected after stakeholder consultation by March 2025.

9. Supreme Court Signs MoU for Law Clerks Exchange with Singapore

The Supreme Court of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Supreme Court of Singapore for a bilateral law clerks exchange program.

The program enables Indian and Singaporean law clerks to work in each other's apex courts, fostering cross-jurisdictional legal learning.

Participating clerks will gain exposure to comparative constitutional law, judicial processes, and legal research methodologies of both countries.

This initiative strengthens judicial diplomacy and promotes understanding of common law traditions between India and Singapore.

The first batch of law clerks under this exchange program is expected to commence in April 2025 for a six-month tenure.

10. Siddaramaiah Becomes Karnataka's Longest-Serving Chief Minister

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah surpassed the record to become the state's longest-serving Chief Minister with a total tenure exceeding 10 years.

Siddaramaiah first served as Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018 and returned to office in May 2023 after Congress's electoral victory.

During his tenure, he implemented significant welfare schemes including Anna Bhagya (free rice), Gruha Jyoti (free electricity), and Shakti (free bus travel for women).

His governance focused on social justice, empowerment of backward communities, and rural development across Karnataka.

This milestone makes him one of India's most experienced state leaders in contemporary politics.

11. Haryana to Launch India's First Hydrogen-Powered Train

Haryana announced plans to launch India's first hydrogen-powered train on the Jind-Sonipat route by mid-2025.

The project is developed in collaboration with Indian Railways and aims to demonstrate green mobility solutions for sustainable transportation.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology produces zero carbon emissions, with water vapor as the only byproduct, contributing to climate action goals.

The train will have a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers and can achieve speeds up to 140 km/h.

This initiative positions Haryana as a pioneer in adopting clean energy transportation and aligns with India's net-zero emissions target by 2070.

12. RBI Proposes 75% Cap on Banks' Dividend Payouts

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed a 75% cap on dividend payouts by banks to ensure adequate capital retention for growth and risk mitigation.

This regulation applies to all scheduled commercial banks and aims to strengthen their capital buffers amid evolving financial sector challenges.

Banks will need to retain at least 25% of their net profits to support lending capacity, technology investments, and regulatory compliance.

The measure is designed to enhance banking sector resilience during economic downturns and maintain depositor confidence.

RBI has invited feedback from stakeholders before finalizing the guidelines, with implementation expected in the next fiscal year.

13. Centre Unveils ₹17 Lakh Crore PPP Project Pipeline for Next Three Years

The Government of India unveiled a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project pipeline worth ₹17 lakh crore for implementation over the next three years.

The projects span across sectors including highways, railways, airports, ports, renewable energy, urban infrastructure, and healthcare facilities.

This initiative aims to leverage private sector expertise and capital to accelerate infrastructure development and create employment opportunities.

The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) targets achieving $5 trillion economy goal and improving India's global competitiveness ranking.

Key focus areas include green energy projects, smart cities, logistics parks, and digital infrastructure to support economic growth.

14. Ramesh Kumar Juneja Takes Charge as Chairman of Council for Leather Exports

Ramesh Kumar Juneja assumed office as the Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) for a two-year term.

CLE is the apex body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for promoting Indian leather and leather products globally.

India is the second-largest global exporter of leather goods, with exports valued at approximately $5.5 billion annually.

Juneja's priorities include enhancing product quality, expanding into new markets, and supporting MSMEs in the leather sector through skill development.

The leather industry employs over 4 million people in India and contributes significantly to export earnings and rural employment.

15. Axis Bank Launches Safety Centre to Boost Digital Banking Security

Axis Bank launched its dedicated Safety Centre to enhance cybersecurity awareness and protect customers from digital banking fraud.

The Safety Centre provides real-time alerts, educational resources, and guidelines on identifying phishing attempts, fake calls, and fraudulent links.

Customers can report suspicious activities directly through the platform, enabling quick response and fraud prevention measures.

This initiative is part of Axis Bank's commitment to digital safety amid rising cyber threats in India's rapidly expanding digital payment ecosystem.

The bank also introduced advanced authentication mechanisms and AI-powered fraud detection systems to safeguard customer accounts.

16. GI Council Appoints S. Prakash as CEO for Health Insurance Ecosystem

The General Insurance Council appointed S. Prakash as the Chief Executive Officer to lead initiatives in developing India's health insurance ecosystem.

Prakash brings extensive experience in insurance regulation, product development, and customer protection from his previous roles.

His mandate includes improving health insurance penetration, standardizing policy terms, and enhancing claim settlement processes across the industry.

The health insurance sector in India has grown rapidly post-pandemic, with gross premiums reaching ₹85,000 crore in FY24.

This appointment reflects the industry's commitment to making health insurance more accessible, affordable, and customer-centric.

17. Assam Governor Launches Sanskaar Shaala for Value-Based Education

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria launched 'Sanskaar Shaala', a value-based education initiative to promote ethical and cultural learning among students.

The program integrates traditional Indian values, moral education, and life skills into the existing school curriculum across Assam.

Sanskaar Shaala focuses on character building, respect for diversity, environmental consciousness, and civic responsibility.

The initiative will be implemented in partnership with educational institutions, NGOs, and community organizations statewide.

This aligns with the National Education Policy 2020's emphasis on holistic education and values-based learning in Indian schools.

18. 2,000-Year-Old Kushan Coins from King Vasudeva's Era Found in Pakistan's Rawalpindi

Archaeologists discovered 2,000-year-old coins from the Kushan Empire's King Vasudeva I era in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

The gold and copper coins feature Sanskrit inscriptions and depict Hindu deities including Lord Shiva, highlighting the empire's religious syncretism.

The Kushan Empire (1st to 3rd century CE) was a major power in Central and South Asia, facilitating trade along the Silk Road.

King Vasudeva I ruled around 191-232 CE and was known for promoting Buddhism while respecting Hindu traditions.

This discovery provides valuable insights into ancient Indo-Scythian history, coinage systems, and cultural exchanges in the region.

19. Government Relaxes DSIR Norms to Boost Deep Tech Startups

The Government of India relaxed norms under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) to accelerate growth of deep tech startups.

Startups can now avail tax benefits and R&D recognition with simplified documentation and faster approval processes.

The move aims to promote innovation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, space technology, and advanced materials.

DSIR recognition provides access to customs duty exemptions on imported R&D equipment and weighted tax deductions on R&D expenditure.

This policy reform is expected to attract more investment in deep tech sectors and position India as a global innovation hub.