Economy & Trade
The **Asian Development Bank (ADB)** has significantly raised India's growth forecast for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) to 7.2%, an increase of 70 basis points. This optimistic outlook is attributed to stronger consumption following recent tax cuts and a lowered inflation estimate as prices soften. India had already reported an impressive 8.2% GDP growth in the second quarter of FY26, the fastest in six quarters, supported by robust private consumption.
Meanwhile, **India and the United States** began a two-day round of negotiations in New Delhi to advance a bilateral trade agreement. The discussions aim to resolve issues related to tariffs on Indian goods and strengthen overall economic ties, with a goal to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030. Adding a potential challenge to trade relations, the US President reportedly warned of new tariffs on agricultural imports, particularly rice from India.
The Department of Commerce's **2025 Year-End Review** highlighted a strong performance in India's foreign trade, marked by significant export growth, transformative policy reforms, and expanding global partnerships. This includes new agreements like the India–EFTA TEPA and a Free Trade Agreement with the Maldives.
Science & Technology
A major boost to India's technological landscape came with **Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's announcement** of a historic USD 17.5 billion investment to enhance India's Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. This funding is aimed at building infrastructure, developing skills, and positioning India as a leader in emerging technologies. Complementing this, India is embarking on a vision for a "**One Nation, One Compute Grid**," designed to democratize access to High-Performance Computing (HPC), AI, and quantum platforms, accelerate research, and foster innovation across various sectors.
In the energy sector, the government is actively implementing the **National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)**, with the objective of establishing India as a global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives. Incentives have been awarded to 18 companies for green hydrogen production, and pilot projects for its use in the shipping sector are underway.
Significant strides are also being made in forensic science with the approval of the **National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme**. This initiative, with a financial outlay of ₹2254.43 crore, aims to create a robust scientific framework for evidence-based investigations by upgrading infrastructure and enhancing manpower. Furthermore, India is progressing towards achieving **100 GW nuclear power generation capacity by 2047**, with plans for setting up ten 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and developing Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
Politics & Governance
The **winter session of Parliament** saw Home Minister Amit Shah declare the government's resolve to "detect, delete and deport" illegal immigrants from the country, leading to an Opposition walkout in the Lok Sabha.
A political tussle erupted in West Bengal as Chief Minister **Mamata Banerjee publicly tore up new MGNREGA norms**, accusing the Centre of imposing "valueless" conditions and withholding funds. She framed this as a "battle for dignity and federal rights."
The **Supreme Court** has mandated the Union Government to provide comprehensive nationwide data on missing children for the past six years and directed the Home Ministry to appoint a dedicated nodal officer within two weeks. Additionally, Karnataka has introduced the **Hate Speech and Hate Crimes (Prevention) Bill, 2025**, marking India's first state-level law to explicitly define hate speech.
International Relations & Culture
In a significant cultural recognition, **India's Deepavali (Diwali)**, the festival of lights, was officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from **Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu**. The leaders discussed strengthening the India-Israel Strategic Partnership, reiterated their zero-tolerance approach towards terrorism, and exchanged views on the situation in West Asia, with PM Modi reaffirming India's support for a just and durable peace in the region, including the Gaza Peace Plan. Discussions were also held regarding ongoing **India-UK Defence Partnership**, focusing on operational interoperability, maritime cooperation, and defence industrial synergy.
Social Welfare & Appointments
The evolution of **pension reforms in India** was highlighted, showcasing a gradual shift from welfare-based social assistance to a more participatory inclusion framework to address the needs of the rapidly aging population. In a concerning report, the NCRB recorded 24 cases of **untouchability** against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Protection of Civil Rights Act for 2023, underscoring persistent social challenges.
In a notable appointment, Indian-origin **YouTube chief Neel Mohan** was named “TIME CEO of the Year 2025,” acknowledging his leadership in expanding the platform's global reach.
Sports (Non-Cricket)
India achieved a bronze medal in the **FIH Men's Junior Hockey World Cup**, defeating Argentina 4-2.