Indian startups, products, funding, policy and research.
India announced the Padma Awards 2026 list, recognising contributions across arts, public affairs, social work, science and sports. Veteran actor Dharmendra, veteran leader Shibu Soren and cricketer Rohit Sharma featured among the prominent names, as the government highlighted a wide cross-section of achievers from different states and fields.
Indian hockey midfielder Manpreet Singh is two matches away from becoming the country’s most-capped player, with 411 appearances and the record currently at 412. Even as the milestone nears, questions remain about his future role in the national setup, highlighting the tension between legacy, selection cycles, and team transitions.
Assam authorities said security forces intercepted and pushed back 15 Bangladeshi nationals during the intervening night of January 24, 2026, as part of intensified border surveillance. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed the action on social media and signalled continued enforcement against illegal crossings.
A fire at a girls’ hostel in Telangana’s Medchal-Malkajgiri district early on January 25, 2026 was reportedly triggered by an air-conditioner blast linked to a short circuit. Six students in a room were found unconscious and shifted to hospital, underscoring ongoing safety concerns around electrical loads, maintenance and emergency preparedness in densely occupied hostels.
Ahead of the Union Budget 2026–27, the gems and jewellery industry has asked for GST rationalisation, duty changes and smoother customs procedures to stay competitive amid global trade shifts. Industry bodies flagged costs, compliance frictions and the need for faster clearances, while also pitching measures like a Tourist GST Refund pilot at major airports to boost retail demand.
On January 25, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu addressed the nation on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, emphasising constitutional values, unity and inclusive development. She also underlined the importance of citizen participation in democracy, referencing National Voters’ Day as a reminder of the voter’s role in strengthening institutions.
From Davos, SAP’s leadership said India remains a priority market and indicated plans to expand its physical presence, building on the Bengaluru innovation park inaugurated in August 2025. The remarks underline how global tech firms are doubling down on India for talent, delivery capacity and product development amid continued enterprise AI adoption.
With chikungunya cases rising in several parts of India, ICMR has moved to accelerate development of an RNA-based antiviral approach and has invited Indian pharma companies to collaborate on research and manufacturing. The initiative reflects growing focus on therapies for mosquito-borne diseases that can cause long-lasting joint pain and heavy public-health burden.
RJD elevated Tejashwi Yadav as national working president at its Patna meeting, a move seen as a formal leadership transition and organisational reshuffle. The decision comes amid visible friction within the wider Yadav family’s political ecosystem, and party leaders described it as a generational shift meant to strengthen control over day-to-day organisation and strategy.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the state’s practice of signing MoUs at the summit, saying each agreement carries a large foreign direct investment component. The discussion gained traction amid political criticism, while data-centre investments were highlighted as part of Maharashtra’s growth narrative.
On January 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used National Voters’ Day and his Mann Ki Baat outreach to push a clear message: as soon as Indians turn 18, they should enrol and participate in elections. He framed voting not only as a right, but as a responsibility that strengthens institutions and keeps democracy responsive.
A senior Department of Telecommunications official said India is willing to work with ASEAN countries on AI capacity building, standards development and real-world deployments. The comments, made at an ASEAN–India digital ministers’ forum, position AI governance and cross-border collaboration as a key plank of India’s digital diplomacy.