Indian startups, products, funding, policy and research.
Payments major PhonePe has received SEBI approval to proceed toward an IPO, a key regulatory milestone for one of India’s most watched fintech listings. Reports say the public issue is expected to be structured as an offer for sale, with existing investors including Walmart among those likely to pare holdings, and the company expected to file updated draft papers next.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in New Delhi for a four-day visit focused on advancing India–EU engagement, with plans for summit-level talks on January 27. The agenda includes movement on a long-pending free trade agreement, a strategic defence partnership and a mobility framework aimed at easing pathways for Indian professionals.
Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur are set to receive the Padma Shri, recognising their contributions and impact on Indian cricket across formats. The honours were reported on January 25, 2026.
Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the Election Commission of misusing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging it is being used to undermine citizens’ voting rights. The comments come amid rising political friction over election processes.
India midfielder Manpreet Singh has 411 international appearances and needs two more matches to surpass Dilip Tirkey’s record of 412 caps. However, reports say there is growing speculation he may miss upcoming selection for Pro League matches in Rourkela, creating uncertainty around when—and whether—he will break the landmark record.
A KPMG note from the World Economic Forum 2026 points to India’s accelerating semiconductor and AI ambitions, highlighting approvals for multiple semiconductor fabrication plants and increased focus on deep-tech research and development. The message frames India’s next phase as execution-led, with ecosystem building across fabrication, testing, packaging, talent and upstream inputs.
Indian stock exchanges will remain closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, for Republic Day. The holiday covers all major trading segments, meaning investors won’t be able to trade equities or derivatives until markets reopen the next session.
Ahead of the Union Budget, market sentiment has turned cautious with Nifty trading below its 200-day moving average. Analysts flag higher volatility risk as FII selling and a softer rupee add pressure, while traders watch key technical levels.
In the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on young citizens to register as voters as soon as they turn 18. He framed voting as both a constitutional responsibility and a vital step for strengthening India’s democratic values, linking the message to the Republic Day context.
Senior US envoys met Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to push for progress into the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Talks include the Rafah crossing, monitoring mechanisms, and questions around hostages and Israeli troop deployments.
A report cited by ETTelecom says India’s semiconductor demand is expected to rise sharply in the AI era, with downstream firms indicating stronger appetite for AI accelerators, custom silicon and memory-heavy chips as deployments scale.
West Bengal has reported suspected Nipah virus cases, prompting isolation protocols, contact tracing and quarantine measures. The Centre has deployed a joint outbreak response team as authorities stress strict infection control in hospitals and heightened surveillance.