India is the world’s largest market in terms of number of IPOs: Sebi Chairman

January 16, 2026

1 India is the world’s largest market in terms of number of IPOs: Sebi Chairman

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kant Pandey stated that India has emerged as the world’s largest market in terms of number of initial public offerings (IPOs) and the third largest by value . He added that capital markets are playing a central role in funding economic growth. Speaking at the 14th SEBI Annual Conference in Mumbai, Mr. Pandey stated that ₹17 lakh crore was raised through 311 IPOs in the first nine months of the current fiscal year. He added that increased investor participation has led India’s market capitalization-to-GDP ratio to exceed 130 percent, up from 69 percent in FY 2016. The number of investors has increased from 43 million to 137 million in FY 2020, while the number of mutual fund investors has now exceeded 59 million. The SEBI chairman outlined measures such as reducing the IPO listing timeline to T+3 days, easing rules for rights issues, increasing anchor investor participation and improving disclosure standards.

2 SpaceX successfully returned four NASA astronauts for medical assistance from the International Space Station for the first time.

Elon Musk ‘s SpaceX successfully returned four NASA astronauts to Earth for the first medical aid from the International Space Station . NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke , Japan National Space Agency astronaut Kimiya Yui and Russia National Space Agency astronaut Oleg Platonov returned to Earth aboard SpaceX ‘s Dragon capsule . SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft landed successfully near the San Diego coast of California.

3 World Bank raises GDP growth forecast to 7.2% for 2025-26

There’s good news for India on the economic front . The World Bank has raised its GDP growth forecast for the current fiscal year 2025-26 to 7.2 percent , driven by strong domestic demand and tax reforms. This is 0.9 percent higher than its June estimate. In its flagship report, “Global Economic Prospects,” the World Bank stated that India’s GDP growth is projected to be 7.2 percent in the current fiscal year 2025-26. The report also stated that India’s economic growth rate could slow to 6.5 percent in the upcoming fiscal year 2026-27. Furthermore, the report stated, “Growth is expected to accelerate to 6.6 percent in fiscal year 2027-28, supported by strong service activity, improved exports, and accelerated investment.”

4 National Highways Authority of India launches pilot project of real-time safety alert system for stray animals on national highways

To commemorate ” Road Safety Month 2026 ” and reduce accidents caused by stray animal attacks on national highways , the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), in collaboration with telecom service providers, has launched a pilot initiative to provide instant safety alerts to national highway users when they approach stray animal-infested areas. The initiative aims to reduce accidents caused by stray animal attacks on national highways, especially during fog and low visibility. This pilot project is being implemented on the Jaipur-Agra and Jaipur-Rewari National Highway corridors , which have been identified as areas prone to stray animals. Under this pilot project, location-based alerts will be issued to national highway travelers approximately 10 kilometers before identified high-risk areas. This will give travelers time to take precautions. To ensure effective communication with national highway travelers, the safety alert during the pilot project will be delivered via a flash SMS followed by a voice alert. Flash SMS alerts will be issued in Hindi, stating: “There is a stray animal-infested area ahead. Please drive slowly and with caution.” This will be followed by a voice alert with the same safety message. To avoid disruption, alerts will not be sent repeatedly to the same user within a 30-minute period.

5 Mitchell Starc and Laura Wolvadt have been named ICC Player of the Month for December 2025.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Australia’s Mitchell Starc as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2025. He was awarded this award for his outstanding bowling performance in the Ashes series played at home to Australia. Previously, Pat Cummins received this award in December 2023. In the women’s category , South Africa’s Laura Wolvadt was selected for this award . She received this award for crucial victories in the Twenty20 and One Day Internationals against Ireland. This is Wolvadt’s second Player of the Month award. She previously received this award in October 2025.

6 Senior IPS officer Shatrughan Kapoor appointed as Director General of ITBP

On January 14 , former Haryana DGP and IPS officer Shatrujeet Kapoor was appointed Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) . He received the appointment after the Cabinet Appointments Committee (ACC) approved the proposal. He will hold the post of Director General of the ITBP until October 31 or until further orders. He replaced Praveen Kumar, who has now been appointed the head of the BSF and will hold the post until September 30, 2026.

7 India and Israel sign Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent to strengthen cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture

A high-level Indian delegation, led by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Honorable Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, made a successful visit to Israel from January 13-15, 2026. The delegation participated in the 2nd Global Summit on ” Blue Food Security: Sea the Future 2026 ” held in Eilat, Israel. This visit was an important step towards further strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Israel in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Israel’s advanced technologies and innovations in aquaculture and fisheries, water management, and India’s vast aquatic resources were highlighted. Taking these into account, the two sides signed a Joint Ministerial Declaration of Intent for the first time to strengthen cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture .

8 Government launches AI challenge to check quality of financial reporting

To monitor the quality of financial reporting and speed up government operations, the government has launched a new AI initiative . This initiative, called the ” India AI Financial Reporting Compliance Challenge ,” aims to develop digital solutions using artificial intelligence ( AI) to simplify and expedite financial reporting audits . This initiative, launched in partnership with the National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and India AI , invites companies and startups to develop innovative AI-based ideas and technologies. A total prize pool of ₹1.5 crore (approximately $ 15 million) is available for participants. The 10 teams selected in the virtual stage will receive ₹5 lakh each. Additionally, one winning team could receive a two-year contract with the NFRA, worth up to ₹1 crore (approximately $10 million). This technology will be used across the country. Indian companies and DPIIT-accredited startups are eligible to participate in this challenge.