DPIIT enters into a landmark partnership with ITC to boost India’s startup ecosystem and innovation

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1 DPIIT enters into a landmark partnership with ITC to boost India’s startup ecosystem and innovation

 In a significant move to promote  entrepreneurship and innovation in a big way  , the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry  of Commerce and Industry has entered into a key partnership with ITC Limited  , one of India’s leading business conglomerates   . The collaboration is in line with the shared vision of creating a structured marketplace for startups across the country and accelerating startup growth and technological advancement. This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will create a particularly dynamic partnership environment wherein the vast experience and expertise of ITC’s wide market network will complement DPIIT’s initiatives in supporting startups across the country. Under the partnership, ITC will provide startup solutions in key areas such as digital platforms for manufacturing execution systems (MES), integration of renewable energy opportunities for manufacturing sites, energy storage systems, etc.

2 India became the fourth country to achieve space docking

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)  has   achieved a historic milestone by successfully completing the docking process of two satellites namely  Chaser and Target  under  the SPIDEX mission . With the success of the indigenously developed Indian Docking System by ISRO, India has become the fourth country  to use this technology after  the US, Russia and China . Docking technology is important in building space stations and manned missions. This technology provides important facilities including construction of heavy infrastructure in micro gravity and refueling in orbit. Docking is the process with the help of which two space objects come together and connect. It can be done using various methods.

3 Prime Minister approved the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission

Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  has   approved the formation of the Eighth Pay Commission . Soon its chairman and two members will be appointed.  Since 1947,  the Pay Commission has been formed at regular intervals. So far, seven Pay Commissions have been formed. The recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission were implemented in 2016. Its term is going to end in 2026. Before this, the Finance Commission has been set up in 2025 to review it on time and implement the recommendations on time. The  7th Pay Commission was formed on 28 February 2014   during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh  . Generally, the next Pay Commission is formed every 10 years.

4 The Defense Ministry signed a deal worth Rs 2,960 crore with ‘Bharat Dynamics’ to make missiles

The Defence Ministry  on Thursday signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)  for the supply of Medium-Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM)  to   the Indian Navy at a cost of around  Rs 2,960 crore  . The MRSAM system is a standard fitment on several Indian naval ships and is planned to be fitted on platforms planned for future acquisition. The missiles will be supplied by BDL under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category with a significant amount of indigenous content.

5 C-DOT and IIT Bombay sign agreement for “Optical Transceiver Chipsets for High-bandwidth 6G Wireless Links”

 As part of the ongoing process to develop   indigenous hardware  for next generation telecom technology , Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)  , the premier telecom R&D centre of   Department of Telecommunications (DoT) , Government  of India has signed an agreement with Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) for development of   “ Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-bandwidth 6G Wireless Links ”  . The agreement has been signed under the 6G Call for Proposals under Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) from Department of Telecommunications, Government of India. The Call for Proposals is for accelerated research on 6G ecosystem to lead the way in designing, developing and deploying 6G technology based on affordability, sustainability and ubiquity by 2030.

6 Startup India completes nine years: 1.59 lakh startups recognized

India  is celebrating  9 years of the Startup India initiative  on January 16. The country has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its entrepreneurial landscape. Startup India’s transformational journey  began in 2016.  Designated as National Startup Day, the occasion celebrates the country’s progress in fostering a robust and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Launched as a flagship initiative of the Government of India, Startup India aims to spur innovation and catalyze the growth of startups across the country. Let us tell you,  as of October 31, 2024 , DPIIT-recognized startups  have created over 16.6 lakh direct jobs  across various sectors , contributing significantly to employment generation.  The IT services industry  leads with 2.04 lakh jobs, followed by healthcare and lifesciences with 1.47 lakh jobs, and business and commercial services with around 94,000 jobs.

7 Central employees will now be able to use LTC in trains like Tejas, Vande Bharat and Humsafar

The central government  has issued an order allowing its  employees  to travel in Tejas, Vande Bharat and Humsafar Express trains  under  the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) scheme. The aim is to provide more convenient and faster travel options to employees to visit their hometowns or tourist destinations during holidays. Central government employees get reimbursement of ticket cost for to and fro journey as per their rank and pay under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC scheme). Some premium trains like Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi and Duronto were already covered under the scheme, but the recently introduced Tejas and Vande Bharat trains were outside the purview of the scheme.

8 Now passports will be made for students in schools and colleges itself, mobile passport service van launched

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla  has   launched a unique initiative for students in  Kota . Speaker Birla on Thursday launched a mobile passport service van  from Lawrence Mayo School  in  Srinathpuram under the   ‘ Student Connect Program ‘ , under which students will get the facility to make passports in school and college itself. Through this initiative, registration camps will be organized in major educational institutions of the city, in which students will be made aware about the importance of passport. Along with this, the process of passport application will also be made simple and accessible for the students.

9 UGC stops three universities of Rajasthan from conducting PhD admissions

The University Grants Commission  (UGC)  has banned three universities  of   Rajasthan  from taking admission in PhD for the next five years  . This decision has been taken because these universities did not follow the rules and academic norms set for PhD. UGC Chairman M. Jagadeesh Kumar said, “We cannot compromise on the quality and reputation of higher education. Strict action is being taken against universities which have violated the rules. Other universities are also being investigated and if they are found guilty, action will be taken against them as well.” According to the notice issued by UGC Secretary Manish R. Joshi on Thursday,  OPJS University  of  ChuruSunrise University   of  Alwar , and Singhania University  of   Jhunjhunu  will no longer be able to take admission in PhD from the academic session 2025-26 to 2029-30.

10 India and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement to set up 60 smart classrooms in the plantation areas of the island

India and Sri Lanka  have signed an agreement to set up 60 smart classrooms in plantation areas  of the island  . The project is funded by a grant of  508 million Sri Lankan rupees  from the Government of India . The agreement was signed by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Plantation Ministry Secretary B.K. Prabhat Chandrakeerthi. The initiative will benefit 48 schools in Nuwara Eliya and six each in Kandy and Badulla. It aims to integrate technology in school classrooms and improve education for students.

11 Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in collaboration with DSCI launches ‘Cyber ​​Security Grand Challenge 2.0’ with combined prize money of Rs 6.85 crore

Shri S. Krishnan,  Secretary   ,  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)  launched the second edition of  the Cyber ​​Security Grand Challenge  i.e.  CSGC 2.0 . The Data Security Council of India (DSCI)  is implementing the CSGC 2.0. The total prize money in the Cyber ​​Security Grand Challenge has increased significantly from Rs. 3.2 crores to Rs. 6.85 crores as compared to the first edition. This makes it one of the most attractive and rewarding cyber security challenges in the country. MeitY invites innovators, startups and budding entrepreneurs to participate in the Grand Challenge.

12 Hindenburg Research Company, which presented the report on Adani, closed down

American short-selling firm Hindenburg  Research is going to shut down. The company’s  founder Nathan Anderson  announced this late on January 15. Hindenburg Research  was started in 2017.  Hindenburg Research’s reports caused billions of dollars in losses to many companies including  India’s Adani Group  and  Icahn Enterprises  . In August 2024, Hindenburg claimed in its report that  Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)  Chief  Madhabi Puri Buch  and her husband  Dhawal Buch  have a stake in an offshore company linked to the Adani Group.

13 Djokovic became the player who played the most Grand Slam matches

Defending champion Novak Djokovic defeated  Portugal  ‘s Jaime Faria   to reach the third round of the Australian Open 2025. Djokovic  has become the first player to touch the   430 mark. He  surpassed  Swiss player Roger Federer (429) . America’s Serena Williams (423)  is third on the list. Djokovic won 3 out of 4  Grand Slam  tournaments last year, including the Australian Open in January, the French Open in June and the US Open in September. In September, he won the US Open and won the 24th Grand Slam of his career.

14 Sitanshu Kotak becomes the new batting coach of the Indian team

On  January 16,  the  Board  of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Sitanshu Kotak  as  the new batting coach of the Indian team  . Sitanshu has previously taken over as the head coach of the Indian team in 2023. Sitanshu Kotak  got the responsibility of the head coach of the Indian team for the first time in the absence of Rahul Dravid  . He has also been associated with the India-A team since 2019. Sitanshu did not get a chance to play international cricket but he  has played domestic cricket for Saurashtra  . Earlier, there was no special batting coach officially in India’s coaching staff.   Apart from  head coach Gautam Gambhir, the staff includes Morne Morkel (bowling coach) , Abhishek Nair (assistant coach), Ryan ten Doeschate (assistant coach) and T Dilip (fielding coach).