The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, and Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd. (HMN) have, on December 1, 2025, entered into a partnership through the signing of a SoI (Statement of Intent). The purpose of the strategic alignment between these two organizations is the development and use of a single Innovation Platform called, "MStarTM Global AI Connect", which will rely upon Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other innovative technologies to help build a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout India.

The SoI was signed by Dr. Deepak Bagla, AIM Mission Director, NITI Aayog; and Dr. Bharat Kaushal, Executive Chairman, Hitachi India and Managing Director, Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd.

The collaboration between AIM and Hitachi MGRM Net Ltd. will be instrumental in realization of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for a "Viksit Bharat". It will enable building a federated, national-scale digital backbone that links together schools throughout rural, suburban, and urban areas within India to mentors, research institutions, incubators, accelerators, and industry players. The visionary goal of this initiative is to build out the school-to-startup pipeline, accelerate the lab-to-market translation of Indian innovations, and ensure that Indian innovations are exportable.

State-run Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a subsidiary of Oil India Limited (OIL), has been officially granted "Navratna" status by the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), Ministry of Finance, said a regulatory filing by OIL on Wednesday. The filing stated, "We would like to inform that Numaligarh Refinery Limited, our Material Subsidiary, has been granted 'Navratna' status by Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India".

The "Navratna" status is a recognition accorded to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) that enables them greater autonomy in operational and financial matters compared to other CPSEs. This status is granted by the government to PSUs that demonstrate significant financial performance, operational efficiency, and contribute to the national economy. Navratna CPSEs have enhanced powers to make investments and enter joint ventures without requiring government approval up to specified limits.

Indian Railways’ freight operations under the Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminal (GCT) policy have recorded a fourfold increase in revenue over the past three years, reaching ₹12,608.05 crore in 2024-25, according to information shared by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The GCT policy, introduced in 2021 to promote the development of cargo terminals on both private and railway land, has accelerated private participation and multimodal logistics infrastructure. Since its rollout, Indian Railways has approved 306 GCT proposals across the country, of which 118 terminals have already been commissioned. These terminals together offer an estimated freight handling capacity of 192 million tonnes per annum and have attracted private investment worth approximately ₹8,600 crore.

Freight revenue generated through Gati Shakti Multi-Modal Cargo Terminals has risen sharply over the past three years. According to official data, revenue increased from ₹2,901.86 crore in 2022–23 to ₹7,712.36 crore in 2023–24, and further to ₹12,608.05 crore in 2024-25, marking a more than fourfold jump since the introduction of the GCT policy.

The IAF contingent has returned to India on December 2 after the successful culmination of the 8th edition of Exercise Garuda, a bilateral Indo-French air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) which concluded at Air Base 118, Mont-de-Marsan, France, Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

The exercise between the two forces concluded on November 27.

As per the Ministry of Defence, during the exercise, the IAF participated with Su-30MKI fighters, supported by IL-78 air-to-air refuelling aircraft and C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and both air forces conducted a range of complex air operations in a realistic operational environment.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched a pole-mounted mist spray system for dust and pollution control in the ITO area in the central parts of the Capital, an official said.

She said that at ITO, nearly 35 poles have been equipped with mist sprayers.

“The government is preparing to install mist sprayers on 305 poles at nine hotspots where pollution is a very serious problem,” said CM Gupta, referring to the constitution of a panel to tackle the city’s pollution.

Each pole has five nozzles, and each nozzle has six tiny holes, enabling 30 spray points per pole. Every pole uses approximately 84 litres of treated water per hour, supported by four 5,000-litre storage tanks. A similar setup has been installed along a 900-metre stretch on Shanti Path and a 500-metre stretch on Lodhi Road.

AssisTech Foundation (ATF), India's first ecosystem enabler for Assistive Technology (AT), is proud to announce that Prateek Madhav, Co-Founder and CEO at ATF, has been conferred the prestigious National Award for the empowerment of persons with disabilities (PwDs) by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ & E), Government of India.

Prateek Madhav received the award under the Individual Excellence category: Divyagata ke Kheshtra Mein Sarvshresth Anusandhan / Navpravartan / Utpad Vikas (Best Research / Innovation / Product Development in the Field of Disability). He was honoured with this award at New Delhi by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions towards the empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. (SAM) is proud to announce that its Executive Chairman, Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, has been conferred the prestigious ACES 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award, a recognition reserved for leaders whose integrity, governance standards, and long-standing influence have shaped Asia's corporate landscape. The ACES (Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability) Awards are among the region's most respected platforms celebrating leadership and sustainability.

Accepting the accolade at a gala ceremony in Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Dr. Shroff expressed deep gratitude to the ACES jury and to the many individuals who have contributed to his journey. "This award belongs not to me alone, but to every person who has walked this journey with me," he said, acknowledging his family, partners, colleagues, and generations of young professionals who continue to inspire him. Emphasising the values of purpose and courage in a rapidly transforming world, he urged young leaders to "stay curious, stay principled, and be bold."

The central government has so far released around Rs 37,000 crore as grant under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for improving the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and efficient distribution sector.

The funds released so far account for 38 per cent of the total sanctioned Gross Budgetary Support for the scheme, Minister of State for Power Shripad Yesso Naik said in a written reply in Parliament on Thursday.

The release of funds under the scheme is contingent upon distribution companies (DISCOMs) achieving milestones and completing other requirements as per fund release guidelines, without delay.

West Indies right-arm offspinner Sunil Narine has become only the third bowler to take 600 wickets in T20 cricket. The mystery spinner, famous for his variations, reached the milestone during an ILT20 match. Playing for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Narine secured his 600th wicket by dismissing the Sharjah Warriors’ Tom Abell.

Narine is now the second spinner, after Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, and the third bowler overall, after his compatriot Dwayne Bravo, to register 600 or more wickets in T20 cricket. The 37-year-old has represented the West Indies in 51 T20Is, taking 52 wickets.

He has one five-wicket haul in T20s, with his best bowling figures being 5 for 19. Narine averages 22.09 with the ball, and his economy rate of 6.16 is the best among all-time top-ten wicket-takers. Over the years, Narine has played for the Kolkata Knight Riders, Melbourne Renegades, Oval Invincibles, Sydney Sixers, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Trinbago Knight Riders, and Los Angeles Knight Riders across various global leagues.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, who began the week in a modest manner, closed it in a masterly fashion to become the first player to win three times on IGPL Tour. Bhullar, who opened the week with a round of 1-under 71, that included a hole-in-one, added solid rounds of 67-67 on the last two days to total a winning 11-under at the splendid Glade One Resort and golf club.

The 21-year-old Raghav Chugh gave it all but with three pars in last three holes, he fell one short and ended a creditable sole second. Chugh shot 4-under 68 and totalled 10-under for the week.

Three internationals, Filipino Justin Quiban, Mexican Santiago de la Fuentes and Indian-American Manav Shah, all hoping to become the first international to win on the IGPL were thwarted at the finish, and ended Tied-third at 8-under.