1 India ranks 9th globally in terms of total forest area
India has achieved another significant success in the field of global environmental protection . According to the Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2025 released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Bali , India has reached the 9th position in the world in terms of total forest area . Also, the country has maintained its third position in annual forest area increase. This achievement is one step up from the previous assessment (10th position). The Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA) 2025 has been launched by FAO in Bali.
2 Coal India Limited signs MoU with IIT Madras to set up Centre for Sustainable Energy
Coal India Limited (CIL) has signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy . The Ministry of Coal stated that the centre will focus on cutting-edge research and development in sustainable energy. It aims to develop low-carbon technologies, reuse coal mines, and create innovative solutions to support the country’s clean energy transition. CIL Chairman P.M. Prasad said the partnership reflects Coal India’s transformation from a traditional energy provider to a leading player in the country’s clean energy future. IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti also highlighted the importance of industry-academia collaboration in the country’s low-carbon transition.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the book “Civil Military Fusion as a Metric of National Power and Comprehensive Security, ” written by retired Lieutenant General Raj Shukla in New Delhi . Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of Army Staff Upendra Dwivedi also attended the event. In his address on the occasion, the Defence Minister congratulated the author, saying that through this book, Lieutenant General Raj Shukla has done a remarkable job by compiling his experiences gained in the Army.
4 India-led Codex panel finalises standards for these products
Marking a significant milestone in international spice trade and quality standards , the 8th session of the Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) finalized International Codex Standards for three more spices – Vanilla, Large Cardamom, and Coriander. With this achievement, International Standards have been developed for a total of 19 spices since the Committee’s inception in 2013. India not only hosts the Secretariat of the CCSCH but is also playing a leading role in developing scientific and consensus-based standards in line with the protocols of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). Codex Standards are international food standards designed to protect consumer health and ensure fair trade between countries. These standards are developed by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It was established in 1963 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.
5-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra honored with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
India’s star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist, Neeraj Chopra, was conferred the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army of the Indian Army on Wednesday . Defense Minister Rajnath Singh formally presented the honorary insignia to Neeraj at a grand ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi. Neeraj Chopra was commissioned into the Rajputana Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army in 2016. Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, Neeraj has made not only India but also the Indian Army proud with his performances. He created history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, winning India’s first Olympic gold medal in track and field. He subsequently brought glory to the country by winning a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and a gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. In addition, Neeraj has also won several gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League. He recently set a new milestone in Indian athletics history by achieving a personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025).
6 India to take 6G leap, joins hands with UK to launch connectivity and innovation centre
India is fully prepared to take the leap into 6G . In this regard, India has joined forces with the UK to launch a new Connectivity and Innovation Centre . Sharing the information on the social media platform X , UK in India wrote, “The UK and India have joined forces to launch a new Connectivity and Innovation Centre, a major leap towards building the future of 6G.” This agreement between India and the UK is a move by both countries to further improve telecommunications facilities. Recently, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited India. He arrived in Mumbai with a delegation of 125 people. In Mumbai, various meetings were held regarding trade between India and the UK. Four major agreements were reached in the technology and innovation sector , including the establishment of the India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre , the establishment of the India-UK Joint Centre for AI , the launch of Phase II of the UK-India Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory, and the establishment of a new satellite campus at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad . Additionally, an agreement was reached to establish the Critical Minerals Industry Guild to strengthen green technology and supply chains. Two significant agreements were reached in the education sector, including the transfer of a Letter of Intent for Lancaster University to open a campus in Bengaluru and approval for the University of Surrey to open a campus in GIFT City, Gujarat. Three agreements were reached in the area of trade and investment, including the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted India-UK CEO Forum and the reconstitution of the India-UK Joint Economic Trade Committee (JETCO), which will support the implementation of CETA and promote economic growth and job creation in both countries. A joint investment in the Climate Technology Startup Fund, a strategic initiative under the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the State Bank of India, is to support innovative entrepreneurs in areas such as climate technology and AI. Additionally, three significant initiatives were launched in the climate, health, and research sectors, including the launch of Phase III of the Biomedical Research Careers Programme and the establishment of the Offshore Wind Taskforce. Furthermore, a Letter of Intent on Health Research was signed between India’s ICMR and the UK’s NIHR.
India has crossed the $20 billion mark in total and new investment commitments in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by 2025, establishing itself as an emerging leader in the global AI race. This achievement includes investments from both the government and private sector, reflecting India’s rapid progress towards a technology-driven digital economy. According to the latest estimates from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this growth has exceeded expectations due to infrastructure development, the growth of startups, and international partnerships. According to the Stanford AI Index Report 2025, private sector AI investment in India reached $11.1 billion between 2013 and 2024. When government contributions are included, this figure would reach $12.3 billion by the end of 2024. According to the latest MeitY projections for 2025, combined investments from both the public and private sectors have crossed $20 billion — reflecting the surge in domestic and foreign investments in the country’s AI ecosystem.
8 Gujarati communities across the world are celebrating their New Year ‘Bestu Varsha’.
Gujarati communities around the world celebrated the New Year on October 22. Celebrated in Gujarat as “Bestu Varsha, ” the New Year falls on the first day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu Vikram Samvat calendar.
9 India upgrades Kabul mission to full embassy status
India has formally upgraded its Technical Mission in the Afghan capital, Kabul, to a full-fledged Indian Embassy . The decision marks India ‘s first formal diplomatic expansion initiative since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The announcement came just before Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India – signaling the start of a new phase of bilateral dialogue and development cooperation between the two countries.
Peruvian President José Jeri has declared a 30-day State of Emergency in the country’s capital Lima and Callao province due to rising crime rates and public discontent . The order came into effect from midnight, under which the Peruvian Armed Forces will now be deployed to maintain law and order with the help of the police. The decision was taken following the deteriorating public security situation across the country and recent violent protests that left one person dead and over 100 injured.
11 Abhinav Bindra has been chosen as the torchbearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra has been selected as the torch-bearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy) from February 6 to 22, 2026. Bindra won the gold medal for India in the 10m air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics . This will be the fourth time Italy will host the Winter Olympics. This edition will feature a total of 116 medal events across 16 disciplines, an increase of 7 events and 1 new discipline compared to Beijing 2022.