The President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 at a ceremony held at Gantantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan on December 23, 2025. This second edition of the awards recognized 24 distinguished scientists across four categories: Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva, and Vigyan Team, aiming to honor significant contributions in science, technology, and innovation. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering scientific research and technological advancement in the country, thereby …

In her address at the IB Centenary Endowment Lecture on December 23, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the importance of community participation in enhancing national security as a cornerstone of the “Viksit Bharat” vision. She highlighted the Indian Bureau’s pivotal role in maintaining the nation’s integrity and urged citizens to take active responsibility for security, underscoring that a collaborative approach is vital for addressing multi-dimensional threats including terrorism, insurgency, and cybercrimes. The President pointed out …

The Indian Navy is set to host the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 in Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25, marking a significant milestone in India’s maritime diplomacy and strategy. This prestigious event will witness participation from over 100 nations, showcasing naval capabilities and fostering partnerships to enhance collective maritime security against evolving threats such as piracy, hybrid warfare, and climate-induced disruptions. It aims to facilitate interoperability through advanced joint exercises and enhance dialogue among …

President Droupadi Murmu granted assent to the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill on December 20, 2025, following its passage by Parliament during the Winter Session. The legislation repeals the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010, establishing a unified framework that permits private companies and joint ventures to build, own, operate, and decommission nuclear power plants under government licenses, ending …

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Army officer Lt Col Deepak Kumar Sharma, who was on deputation to the Department of Defence Production, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 3 lakh from a Dubai-based logistics company as part of a larger criminal conspiracy. During searches at his residence, authorities recovered over Rs 2.23 crore in cash. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has cited this incident as a demonstration of the government’s zero …

In Jammu’s Sidhra area near NIA headquarters, Jammu Rural Police on December 21, 2025, seized a Chinese-made weapon-mountable telescope discovered by a six-year-old boy in a garbage dump in Asrarabad, prompting heightened security and SOG searches amid concerns over foreign-sourced arms infiltration. Concurrently, in Samba district’s Diani village, 24-year-old Tanvir Ahmad from Anantnag was detained the same day after a Pakistani (+92) phone number surfaced on his mobile, fueling probes into cross-border links. From an …

The Indian Air Force’s MI-17 helicopter airlifted three-year-old tigress PN-224 from Madhya Pradesh’s Pench Tiger Reserve to Rajasthan’s Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve on December 21, 2025, marking India’s first interstate tiger translocation by chopper. After eluding teams for 24 days, the tigress was surrounded by elephants, tranquilized on Sunday afternoon, and flown from Sukatra airstrip around 4:55-6:00 PM, landing in Jaipur before road transfer and release into the Bajalia enclosure by Monday morning. Coordinated by …

Indian H-1B visa holders returning to India for work permit renewals are facing significant disruptions due to the U.S. State Department’s intensified social media vetting procedures, leading to widespread appointment cancellations from December 15-26. This policy, which now affects H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents, has left many professionals stranded, with immigration lawyers reporting at least 100 clients affected. The U.S. government’s new measures, seen as part of the Trump administration’s immigration curbs, threaten job …

The Chinese Embassy in India has launched an online visa application system, allowing applicants to complete forms and upload documents digitally, marking a significant development in bilateral relations following a five-year suspension of certain visas post-2020 clashes. With the visa regime for Chinese nationals now fully operational, this initiative aims to enhance efficiency and reduce processing errors, facilitating greater people-to-people contact and economic ties, particularly in tourism and trade, which exceeds $100 billion annually. While …

IIT-Madras Director Prof V Kamakoti emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary education, citing Operation Sindhoor as a model that integrated 10-11 engineering disciplines. Speaking at the 93rd annual South Indian Music Conference, he encouraged parents to foster musical skills in children, linking music to scientific foundations like mathematics. The institution is advancing its interdisciplinary focus by establishing a bamboo-based mic-less auditorium and the Ilaiyaraya Centre for Excellence in Music. This approach aims to enhance educational frameworks, …

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to lay the foundation stone for a ₹10,000 crore fertiliser project at the Namrup Fertilizer Plant, the town has been placed under tight security, with the Indian Air Force deploying helicopters on standby and multiple checkpoints established to manage access. The project, aimed at making Assam self-reliant in fertiliser production, is anticipated to enhance annual output to 12 lakh metric tonnes and reduce import dependency, thereby supporting the …

The Indian Army concluded the third edition of its youth initiative, Kashmiruk Fankaar, in Bandipora with a vibrant finale that highlighted local culture and community engagement. With over 3,000 spectators braving harsh winter conditions, the event featured 2,100 participants across various activities, including sports, social awareness, and cultural performances. Major General Tushar Sharma emphasized the initiative’s role in fostering trust between the Army and local communities, showcasing the potential for youth engagement to contribute to …

The Indian Navy will host the International Fleet Review (IFR) in Visakhapatnam from February 15 to 25, 2026, aimed at enhancing maritime security and naval cooperation among over 100 participating nations. Captain S. Venkatesh Kumar emphasized that the IFR will serve as a practical platform for interoperability and addressing contemporary maritime threats, such as cyber attacks and hybrid warfare. The event will include joint exercises simulating hybrid threats, showcasing advanced technologies like drones and AI …

Apple is reportedly negotiating with Indian semiconductor companies for the assembly and packaging of iPhone chips, marking a significant step in India’s semiconductor ambitions and the Make in India initiative. This partnership, likely with CG Semi in Gujarat, aims to localize chip integration processes currently dominated by East Asia. The move is expected to create high-skill jobs, enhance supply chain resilience, and attract further investment in the sector. By shifting operations to India, Apple aims …

Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, participated in the World Meditation Day celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana, emphasizing meditation’s universal significance in promoting inner peace and social harmony. He acknowledged India’s pivotal role in co-sponsoring the United Nations resolution declaring December 21 as World Meditation Day, marking a global recognition of the practice’s benefits for mental and spiritual well-being. Shri Radhakrishnan highlighted India’s rich civilizational heritage in meditation, citing teachings from the …

An Army officer, Lieutenant Colonel Deepak Kumar Sharma, and a middleman, Vinod Kumar, were arrested by the CBI for alleged bribery linked to defense-related clearances. The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed its commitment to its “Zero Tolerance Against Corruption” policy, emphasizing a proactive approach to curb corruption within its ranks. Investigations revealed Sharma’s involvement in accepting bribes from private defense companies, including a Dubai-based firm, in exchange for undue favors. Significant cash seizures during searches at …

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has confirmed that 202 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian armed forces since 2022, with 26 confirmed fatalities and seven individuals currently reported missing. The government has successfully facilitated the early discharge of 119 of these citizens and is actively working to repatriate 50 more who remain enlisted. Reports indicate that many of these individuals were lured to Russia under false pretenses, such as promises of …

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile on December 24, 2025, at 08:54 AM IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This mission, designated LVM3-M6, represents a significant commercial partnership through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. The BlueBird Block-2 satellites feature expansive phased-array antennas covering nearly 2,400 square feet, making them the largest commercial arrays ever deployed in low …

India has launched the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) to enhance the safety of its maritime trade and port facilities, following a meeting led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The BoPS, modeled after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, will be directed by an IPS officer and will focus on a risk-based approach to security, including a dedicated division for cyber security. The initiative is part of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and emphasizes …

On Goa Liberation Day, President Droupadi Murmu led tributes to the freedom fighters who played a crucial role in liberating Goa from Portuguese colonial rule, emphasizing their sacrifices for India’s integration. Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted the historical significance of December 19, noting that until 1961, Indians required permission to visit Goa. The Congress party also commemorated the day, acknowledging the collective efforts that culminated in Goa’s liberation through Operation Vijay, a swift military …

The Karnataka High Court on December 18, 2025, directed the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs, along with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, to expeditiously process the citizenship application of Nighat Yasmeen, a Pakistani national married to Indian citizen Mohammed Younus since April 2009 and mother of two Indian children, before her long-term visa expires on April 6, 2026. Justice Suraj Govindaraj noted delays due to post-India-Pakistan conflict visa policy changes, including an April …

ISRO achieved a pivotal milestone for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight program by successfully completing drogue parachute deployment qualification tests on December 18-19, 2025, at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility of DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh. These rigorous trials validated the parachutes’ stability and deceleration under extreme re-entry conditions, forming a key part of the crew module’s 10-parachute system—starting with apex cover separation, followed by drogue stabilization, pilot extraction, and main parachutes for …

The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, recently addressed a conference in Hyderabad organized by the Brahma Kumaris Shanti Sarovar to celebrate its 21st anniversary. In her speech, she emphasized the pressing global transformations and challenges such as mental health issues and social conflicts, urging a balance between material development and inner stability, emotional intelligence, and a value-based approach. She highlighted the ancient Indian principles of truth, non-violence, and peaceful coexistence from the sage tradition, …

Rajnath Singh recently addressed the Indian Air Force (IAF) Commanders Conclave in New Delhi, emphasizing the critical role of the IAF in India’s defense strategy amidst evolving geopolitical challenges. He highlighted the importance of enhancing operational readiness and integrating advanced technologies to bolster air defense capabilities. Singh underscored the need for continuous training and collaboration with allied forces, particularly in the context of Indo-American military partnerships. This initiative reflects India’s commitment to strengthening its defense …

A Delhi court on December 20, 2025, ordered the release of British arms dealer Christian Michel James from custody in the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case tied to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, invoking Section 436A CrPC after his seven-year detention exceeded the maximum seven-year penalty under PMLA. Extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and accused as the key middleman who allegedly received €30 million in kickbacks to sway the €556 million 2010 deal for …