On October 13, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) proposed a new 100-metre definition for Aravallis to the Supreme Court. The very next day, the apex court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) wrote to the amicus curiae assisting the bench that they did not examine or approve the recommendation.

On November 20, the Supreme Court accepted the 100-metre recommendation of the ministry.

The CEC is a body set up by the SC in 2002 to monitor and ensure compliance of its orders related to environment and forests.

The 40-day harshest winter period, known as “Chilai Kalan”, began in Kashmir on Sunday amid snowfall in the upper reaches, including the tourist resorts of Gulmarg and Sonamarg, and rain in the plains, including Srinagar.

‘Chilai Kalan’, the coldest phase of winter in Kashmir, starts on December 21 and ends on January 31.

During this 40-day period, the Valley remains in the grip of intense cold, with the highest chances of snowfall and rainfall, while night temperatures mostly stay several degrees below the freezing point.

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda on Monday said the state budget for 2026-27 will be prepared in accordance with public expectations, keeping in mind the basic spirit of democracy. To make the 2026-27 budget more public-friendly, practical, and result-oriented, the state government organised 'Budget Dialogue Programme' in which economists, budget experts, intellectuals, and experts from various fields participated.

Interacting with experts for the upcoming budget, Deva said, "As an innovation, indicative budget estimates for 2027-28 and 2028-29 are also being prepared along with the budget estimates for 2026-27. Thus, Madhya Pradesh will become the first state in the country to initiate the preparation of a rolling budget for the next three years." Rolling budgets are one of the methods of budget analysis that has gained popularity in recent years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the closing ceremony of the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine in New Delhi today.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister will address the gathering and launch several landmark Ayush initiatives, including My Ayush Integrated Services Portal, a master digital portal for the Ayush sector. He will also unveil the Ayush Mark, which is envisioned as a global benchmark for the quality of Ayush products and services.

During the programme, Mr Modi will also release the WHO technical report on training in Yoga and the book From Roots to Global Reach: 11 Years of Transformation in AYUSH. He will release a commemorative postal stamp on Ashwagandha, symbolising the global resonance of India’s traditional medicinal heritage. He will felicitate the recipients of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion and Development of Yoga for the years 2021-2025, recognising their sustained dedication to Yoga and its global promotion. These awards reaffirm Yoga as a timeless practice for balance, well-being, and harmony, contributing to a healthier and stronger New India.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) have signed an agreement to foster collaboration in the areas of research, education, training, and technology support for defence and internal security. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked by Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Production Coordination and Services Interaction), Dr Chandrika Kaushik, and Vice Chancellor, RRU, Professor Dr Bimal N. Patel, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today.

The MoU aims to strengthen country’s self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies, in line with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the whole-of-nation approach during Amrit Kaal. It reflects a shared commitment to integrating technology, knowledge and operational insight to enhance national security preparedness and reinforce India’s strategic autonomy in internal security.

India and New Zealand successfully concluded negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Christopher Luxon announced on Monday (December 22, 2025) following a phone call between the leaders.

This is India’s seventh FTA in the last few years after Oman, UK, EFTA countries, UAE, Australia and Mauritius.

Government sources said that the two leaders agreed that the conclusion of the FTA in “a record time of 9 months reflects the shared ambition and political will to further deepen ties between the two countries”.

I've just spoken with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the conclusion of the NZ-India Free Trade Agreement.

The Indian Postal Department and Telecommunication Accounts and Finance Service (IP&TAFS) celebrated its 51st Foundation Day as 'Communication Finance Accounts Day' here on Monday.

IP&TAFS has expanded its role over time

The Union Ministry of Communications stated that the conference discussed a wide range of topics, including finance, accounting, pensions, training, and digital reforms. Controller General of Communications Accounts Vandana Gupta noted that IP&TAFS has expanded its role over time, citing responsibilities such as revenue assurance, license fees, spectrum usage charges, internal audit, and pension management.

The importance of digital applications was explained

Darshan M. Dabral, Advisor (Finance) at the Department of Telecommunications, emphasized the need for introspection, noting that in the era of liberalization and digital transformation, IP&TAFS has evolved from a service provider to a regulatory and strategic financial partner. He also highlighted the importance of digital applications such as Sampann, IT 2.0, and SARAS.

While major powers slowed their push on renewable energy, India - often portrayed as a champion of fossil fuels - did the unthinkable. In 2025, it achieved a major climate milestone, with 50 per cent of its installed power generation capacity now coming from non-fossil fuel sources, five years ahead of its 2030 target under the Paris Agreement signed in December 2015.

The world's fastest-growing economy now has a total installed generation capacity of about 510 gigawatts, comprising 247 GW of fossil-fuel sources and 262 GW of non-fossil fuel sources (including 254 GW from renewable energy sources).

India added around 50 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2025, backed by investments of nearly Rs 2 trillion, taking its total non-fossil fuel capacity to about 262 GW. The government expects to sustain a similar pace of capacity addition in 2026, even as challenges related to land acquisition, right-of-way issues and delays in signing power purchase agreements continue to constrain fresh projects.

The Indian Army signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) to collaborate in the development of software and AI-based solutions for the army on Monday. According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, students and faculty at NSUT will participate in live problem-solving projects conducted by the Indian Army.

NSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and tailor-made programmes for the Indian Army. In a post on X, ADGPI said, "The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) to collaborate in the development of software and AI-based solutions for the Indian Army. Under the MoU, the students and the faculty of NSUT will participate in live problem-solving projects of Indian Army and get hands on experience. NSUT will also facilitate capacity building through Faculty Development Programmes (FDPs) and tailor-made programmes for Indian Army, strengthening indigenous innovation-driven defence preparedness."

In a major boost to the government’s Make in India initiative, India Optel Limited (IOL) has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for the transfer of production of two high-precision, combat-proven defence systems for local manufacturing.

The agreement marks a key step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Under the collaboration, IOL will manufacture the SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars, and the CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.