1 Bharat Taxi to be launched in January 2026
India’s ride-hailing market is set to undergo a major transformation from January 2026 , when Bharat Taxi begins full operations. It is an indigenous, driver-owned mobility platform aimed at challenging established apps like Ola, Uber, and Rapido . Bharat Taxi is operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited and is being presented as an alternative model that prioritizes driver welfare and fair earnings. Pilot operations began in December 2025 in New Delhi and parts of Gujarat.
2 India and Saudi Arabia sign bilateral visa waiver agreement in Riyadh
India and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral visa waiver agreement in Riyadh . This will facilitate official travel and promote bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Suhel Ejaz Khan to Saudi Arabia , and Abdulmajeed bin Rashid Alsamari, Deputy Minister of Protocol Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreement waives the mandatory short-term visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports of the two countries.
3 Ponduru Khadi gets GI tag
In a significant boost to India’s traditional handloom heritage , Andhra Pradesh ‘s distinctive Ponduru Khadi —renowned for its handspun and handwoven cotton fabric— has been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry . This recognition comes nearly 100 years after Mahatma Gandhi himself praised the exceptional fineness and exquisite craftsmanship of Ponduru Khadi. The GI tag will not only strengthen the identity and preservation of Ponduru Khadi but also bolster the livelihoods of local weavers. Ponduru Khadi is a traditional hand-spun and hand-woven cotton fabric, renowned for its extremely fine texture and strength. What distinguishes it from other Khadi varieties is the use of locally grown cotton and traditional spinning techniques , often using a special wooden charkha and strengthening the yarn with rice bran. Historically, Ponduru Khadi gained special recognition during India’s freedom struggle, when Mahatma Gandhi promoted it as a symbol of self-reliance and the Swadeshi movement.
4 Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary: Conservation Challenges and Ecological Importance
Recently, scientists and conservation experts have raised serious concerns about the Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary . Limestone mining activities and nearby cement factories are posing a long-term threat to the sanctuary’s fragile ecosystem. This region is one of the most biodiverse and ecologically rich areas of Meghalaya . Narpuh Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Jowai, in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. It was officially declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2014. It is the only protected area in the Jaintia Hills region. The sanctuary’s ecological importance is further enhanced by its geographical location: it is surrounded by reserve forest on all sides, and only its southwestern border borders the state of Assam. Consequently, Narpuh serves as an important ecological corridor between Meghalaya and Assam .
India’s national carrier, Air India, has once again won the prestigious title of ‘ Best Domestic Airline ‘ at the Travel + Leisure India & South Asia Best Awards 2025. This is the second consecutive year that Air India has received this honour. This achievement comes at a time when Air India is undergoing one of the largest and most ambitious transformation programmes in the global aviation sector, with a special emphasis on fleet renewal, service quality, and customer experience. The awards are organised by Travel + Leisure India and South Asia. These are entirely reader-voted awards, not decided by a jury.
6 Singapore Changi Airport wins the title of World’s Best Airport 2025
Singapore’s Changi Airport has once again proven its superiority in the global aviation sector , winning the title of ‘ World’s Best International Airport ‘ for the year 2025. The accolade was presented at Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2025, where readers from across the world ranked Changi top based on travel experience, comfort and facilities. The award was announced as part of the 14th edition of Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards, which recognises excellence in the travel and hospitality sector.
7 Prime Minister Modi honoured with the Order of Oman
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of Oman by Sultan Hisham bin Tariq of Oman for his outstanding contribution and visionary leadership to India-Oman relations . The conferment of this honor during the Prime Minister’s visit to Oman, marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adds special significance to the occasion and the strategic partnership. Earlier, India and Oman achieved a significant milestone in their bilateral economic relations by signing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) . This agreement will ensure fair and predictable employment and labor mobility for India’s workforce, while fully respecting Oman’s sovereign employment policy. The agreement was signed by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Qais Al Yousuf, in the presence of Sultan Hisham bin Tariq of Oman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is Oman’s second Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with any country in 20 years, reflecting Oman’s importance to India as a friendly nation. This will increase employment opportunities, provide better market access to businesses and also enhance economic opportunities for both countries.
In a significant boost to India’s defence logistics and operational preparedness, the Indian Army airlifted tanks and artillery guns to the Kashmir Valley through a special military train. . This achievement is being considered a major logistical milestone, demonstrating the Army’s ability to rapidly transport heavy military equipment to strategically sensitive areas. This deployment was part of a validation exercise, in which the Indian Army successfully transported tanks, artillery guns, and dozers from the Jammu region to Anantnag in the Kashmir Valley. This movement was carried out via a specially coordinated military train, demonstrating seamless coordination between the Indian Army and Northern Railways. This operation validates the Army’s ability to timely and effectively deploy heavy armored weapons deep within the valley, significantly enhancing its operational flexibility.
9. Loans can be taken against pension, lump sum withdrawal up to 80%
In a significant reform aimed at providing greater retirement flexibility , the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has announced significant changes to the National Pension System (NPS) rules. Under the revised provisions , non-government (private sector) NPS subscribers can now withdraw up to 80% of their total pension corpus , up from the previous 60% limit . This decision marks a major shift in India’s pension system, giving private sector subscribers greater control over their retirement savings. Previously, both government and non-government NPS subscribers could withdraw only 60% of their corpus, with the remaining 40% mandated to be invested in annuities. The new rules will apply only to non-government subscribers. The existing 60:40 ratio for government employees will continue. If a non-government subscriber’s total corpus exceeds ₹12 lakh, they can withdraw up to 80% in a lump sum and only 20% must be invested in annuities.
In a major milestone for India’s digital payments ecosystem, Google has launched its historic first- ever credit card in India. The card is issued in partnership with Axis Bank and is based on the RuPay network . This credit card is integrated with Google Pay and can be directly linked to UPI, allowing users to easily make UPI merchant payments using credit . This Google–Axis Bank co-branded credit card is based on the RuPay network, making it fully compatible with UPI merchant payments. This is its biggest advantage, as Visa and Mastercard credit cards cannot be linked to UPI. A key innovative feature of the card is its instant rewards system. Unlike traditional credit cards, where rewards or cashback are accrued at the end of the month, this card provides instant rewards for every transaction, which can be used immediately for the next payment.
11 The government released a new logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
The government released a new logo for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) . The Finance Ministry said the logo symbolises progress, nutrition and knowledge , reflecting the core values of RRBs in serving rural India. Currently, there are 28 RRBs across the country with a vast network of over 22,000 branches in over 700 districts, playing a vital role in promoting financial inclusion and supporting rural development.
12 1600 series number mandatory for insurance companies, TRAI’s big directive
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a significant directive on December 16, 2025 , making it mandatory for all entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to adopt phone numbers in the ‘ 1600 ‘ series . Insurance companies must adopt this number series by February 15, 2026, for service and transaction-related calls to consumers. This order was issued in consultation with IRDAI. According to TRAI, this move aims to enhance consumer confidence, curb spam calls, and reduce voice call fraud. Previously, TRAI issued similar directives for entities regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA). As part of this initiative, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has allocated numbers in the 1600 series to entities in the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector and government organizations.
13 Jharkhand beat Haryana by 69 runs to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the first time.
Jharkhand defeated Haryana by 69 runs to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the first time . Jharkhand scored 262 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 20 overs. Captain and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan scored a brilliant 101 runs in 49 balls. Kumar Kushagra played a brilliant inning of 81 runs in 38 balls. In reply, Haryana team could score only 193 runs. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was started in 2007. In 2010, it was renamed in the honour of the great cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali.
14 FIFA Best Football Awards 2025
The FIFA Best Football Awards 2025 were held in Doha, Qatar , honoring players, coaches, goalkeepers, fans, and exemplars of sportsmanship who excelled in world football over the past year. Ousmane Dembélé and Aitana Bonmati were named the men’s and women’s Players of the Year, respectively, at the ceremony. Ousmane Dembélé (France/Paris Saint-Germain) was named the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year 2025. He won the honor after a stellar season, including the Ballon d’Or. Dembélé played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble victory, including the club’s much-awaited UEFA Champions League title. His pace, creativity, and match-winning performances set him apart. Aitana Bonmati (Spain/Barcelona) won the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year for the third consecutive time.