Science & Technology
India has made notable advancements in the scientific and technological domain. IIT Bombay has developed and unveiled the nation's first indigenous Quantum Diamond Microscope (QDM), alongside a new cryogenic facility. This breakthrough is set to enhance high-precision cancer diagnostics and advanced biomedical imaging research, marking a significant upgrade in India's scientific infrastructure.
Further bolstering its position in cutting-edge technology, India is establishing four state-of-the-art quantum fabrication and central facilities across IITs Delhi, Bombay, Kanpur, and IISc-Bengaluru, with an investment of ₹720 crore. These facilities, under the National Quantum Mission (NQM), aim to achieve technological sovereignty in quantum sensing, computing, and materials.
In the realm of Artificial Intelligence, "BharatGen" has been lauded as India's first sovereign multilingual and multimodal AI-driven Large Language Model (LLM). This model is designed to support over 22 Indian languages and integrates text, speech, and document vision, reflecting India's linguistic and cultural diversity.
The National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) has introduced India's first scientific model for the dignified recycling of retired national flags and high-performance aramid fibres. This initiative includes the establishment of the Atal Centre of Textile Recycling and Sustainability at Panipat, set up under IIT Delhi, promoting sustainability in the technical textiles sector.
In a boost to India's private space sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace's Infinity Campus and unveiled "Vikram-I," the company's first orbital launch vehicle capable of deploying satellites.
The Union Cabinet has also approved a significant ₹7,280-crore scheme to promote the manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets (REPM). This initiative aims to reduce import dependence and establish India's first integrated REPM ecosystem.
Economy
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a robust economic growth of 6.6% for India in fiscal year 2025-26. The IMF noted that recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms have played a crucial role in cushioning the economy from the impact of high US tariffs. The Finance Ministry's Monthly Economic Review for October highlighted that GST rate rationalization has significantly boosted consumption and contributed to retail inflation reaching an all-time low of 0.25% in October 2025. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also commended the 'One Nation, One Tax' (GST) reform for simplifying the tax structure and fostering national growth.
A report by Union Bank of India further supports this positive outlook, forecasting India's Q2 FY26 GDP growth at 7.5%, a notable increase from the previous year, despite global trade uncertainties.
International Relations
India and Mauritius have elevated their bilateral relations to an "enhanced strategic partnership" following a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This includes signing agreements to strengthen cooperation in areas like maritime security and trade using local currencies. India also launched "MAHASAGAR" (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), a new initiative for the Global South.
Discussions between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) focused on enhancing economic ties through improved market access, data sharing, gold import quotas, and regulatory cooperation. Bilateral trade between the two nations surpassed $100 billion in 2024-25.
Symbiosis International University is set to host the 10th International Relations Conference (IRC), with the theme "India at the Epicenter: Strategic Responses to Global Turbulence – Navigating Conflicts, Competition, and Diplomatic Challenges," bringing together global experts and policymakers.
In a significant international appointment, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will assume the Chairship of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) for the year 2026.
Politics & Governance
The Central government has appointed new Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs) for Rajasthan, Assam, Chandigarh, and Haryana under the recently enacted Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. This comprehensive legislation, which came into effect on September 1, 2025, repealed four older Acts to streamline regulations concerning foreigners and immigration.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has advocated for a uniform national judicial policy aimed at reducing inconsistencies in rulings across various High Courts and Supreme Court Benches.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Indian Railways regarding a complaint alleging that only halal-processed meat is served on trains, raising concerns about freedom of choice and religion.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has deactivated over two crore Aadhaar numbers of deceased individuals as part of a clean-up initiative.
Awards
Renowned Konkani novelist Mahabaleshwar Sail will be honored with the prestigious 'Kuvempu National Award – 2025' for his significant contributions to Indian literature.
The Tamil Nadu government presented the Ilakkiya Maamani Award 2025 to three distinguished Tamil scholars: Gnanasundaram (Traditional Tamil), Kamarasu (Research Tamil), and Somasundaram “Kalapriya” (Creative Tamil), each receiving ₹5 lakh, a gold medal, and a citation.
Sports (Non-Cricket)
Ahmedabad has been officially confirmed as the host city for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the event's return to India after two decades.
In men's hockey, India secured a 3-2 victory over New Zealand in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. In badminton, 16-year-old Tanvi Sharma delivered a surprising performance by defeating Nozomi Okuhara to advance to the quarterfinals of the Syed Modi International tournament.
The Indian sports landscape is witnessing a year-round growth, with non-cricket sports like Pro Kabaddi, Women's Premier League, football, and hockey attracting significant viewership and sponsorships, indicating a diversifying sports business in the country.