Yala Glacier, situated in Nepal's Langtang National Park, has been a focal point for glaciological studies due to its significant retreat over recent decades. New analyses predict that this glacier may vanish by the 2040s, underscoring the profound impacts of climate change on the Himalayan cryosphere.
Yala Glacier is the only Himalayan glacier included in the Global Glacier Casualty List, highlighting its critical status. This list, launched in 2024, identifies glaciers worldwide that are critically endangered or have already disappeared.
PNB MetLife Partners with Truhome Finance to Offer Credit Life Insurance to Home Loan Customers
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) announced a strategic partnership with Truhome Finance, formerly known as Shriram Housing Finance Limited, to provide Group Credit Life insurance to home loan customers of Truhome Finance.
The collaboration is a significant step in PNB MetLife's mission, Milkar Life Aage Badhein, emphasising the insurer's commitment to expanding its reach and enhancing financial inclusion. The Group Credit Life Insurance solutions will be available across 165 Truhome Finance branches in 17 states, offering homeowners and their families the assurance of financial protection by covering outstanding loan liabilities in unforeseen circumstances.
Centre Introduces Diamond Imprest Authorisation Scheme to Revive Sector
The Department of Commerce, Government of India, launched the Diamond Imprest Authorisation (DIA) Scheme, as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the country's foothold in the global diamond trade. The initiative seeks to simplify and reduce the costs associated with importing and handling diamonds for exporters, further positioning India as a key player in the international diamond market.
This move came in response to policies in diamond-producing countries like Botswana and Namibia, where manufacturers must process diamonds locally. India's DIA Scheme aims to keep investments and jobs within the country, helping small and medium diamond exporters (MSMEs) compete globally.
Indian IT Giants Lead 2025 Brand Finance IT Services Rankings
India secured the second position, contributing 36 per cent of the total brand value, a significant achievement fuelled by a 14 per cent increase in brand value, according to Brand Finance 2025 ranking.
India follows the US, which maintains its dominant position in IT services brand value, holding 40 per cent of the total brand value.
The collective brand value of the top 25 IT Services brands stands at $163 billion in 2025. 15 out of the top 25 brands have seen an increase in their brand values, underscoring the continued importance of IT services in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Despite recent economic challenges, IT services companies are witnessing a resurgence in brand value growth, largely driven by the improved economic outlook for 2025-2027.
While Accenture leads the list, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) retains its position as the world's second most valuable IT services brand for the fourth consecutive year.
India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympics has taken a significant step forward, as officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and experts from diverse fields gather in Gujarat for a pivotal four-day event from January 27 to 30. This meeting, organised in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focuses on developing strategies and innovative economic models to build sustainable sports infrastructure, essential for positioning India as a strong contender for hosting the prestigious global event.
The high-profile event is set to feature keynote sessions, discussions, and collaborative brainstorming on various critical aspects of hosting the Olympics. The goal is to create a robust roadmap for India's Olympic aspirations while ensuring sustainability, inclusivity, and global competitiveness.
Pacer Arshdeep Singh became the highest wicket taker for India in the T20Is, surpassing Yuzvendra Chahal. Arshdeep, who now has 97 T20I wickets, reached the milestone during the IND vs ENG 1st T20I in Kolkata.
Arshdeep also took just 61 innings to reach this milestone, while Chahal had taken 80 T20Is for his 96 wickets.
National Tribal Health Conclave 2025 under DhartiAabaJanjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan
Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), organised the National Tribal Health Conclave 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. This landmark event is a pivotal initiative under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, aimed at addressing the critical health and well-being challenges faced by India's tribal communities.
The National Tribal Health Conclave 2025 brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development, AYUSH, Social Justice and Empowerment, senior state government officials, NHM representatives, AIIMS directors, tribal health experts, premier institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, and more. The event has focused on identifying priority areas for policy intervention, action-oriented research, and course-correction initiatives to strengthen the tribal healthcare system.
The Uttar Pradesh government approved a new Aerospace and Defence Unit policy to attract Rs. 50,000 crore of investments and generate jobs for 1 lakh people. The state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Prayagraj also approved an FDI policy among 10 key proposals aimed at accelerating the state's development.
Among these, the groundbreaking Aerospace and Defence Unit and Employment Promotion Policy 2024 was introduced to position UP as a leader in the sector.
The Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defence Unit and Employment Promotion Policy 2024 aims to position Uttar Pradesh as a leading aerospace and defence hub, accelerating indigenous capabilities, fostering innovation, and promoting global collaboration to enhance national security and economic prosperity.
Senior IPS Officer Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal Appointed as BSF ADG
Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, a 1994-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Tamil Nadu cadre, was appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF). This appointment was confirmed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Aggarwal will serve in this capacity for four years from the date he assumes charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Prior to this appointment, Aggarwal was serving as the Special Director General of Police, Armed Police, in Tamil Nadu.
Previously he has held significant positions, including Commissioner of Police in Chennai and Madurai.
Every year on January 23, India commemorates Parakram Diwas to celebrate the birth anniversary of one of the nation's greatest freedom fighters, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Known as Parakram Diwas, or the "Day of Valour," this day serves as a tribute to Bose's indomitable spirit and his unparalleled contributions to India's struggle for independence.
The Government of India officially designated January 23 as Parakram Diwas in 2021 to mark the 124th birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose. The decision was a symbolic gesture to honour Netaji's indomitable spirit and his pivotal role in India's freedom movement.
The theme for Parakram Diwas 2025 is "Netaji: Honoring Courage, Determination and Patriotism".
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad, Selected for Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad was selected for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar-2025 in the Institutional Category, recognising its exceptional contributions to disaster management.
Established by the Government of India, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar honors individuals and organisations for their outstanding work in disaster management. The award is announced annually on January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and includes a cash prize and certificate.
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is an autonomous organisation of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, located in Pragathi Nagar, Hyderabad.
Chhattisgarh CM Launches Rs. 10K Annual Aid Scheme for Labourers
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a scheme to provide Rs. 10,000 a year financial assistance to landless farm labourers, and said that the measure will augment their net income and secure their own future.
More than 5.62 lakh beneficiaries will be covered under the scheme titled, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Bhoomihin Krishi Majdoor Kalyan Yojana, which besides landless farm labourers, also covers a host of financially vulnerable social groups.
Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 annually will be given to landless farm labourers (in a single instalment), declared the CM.
Odisha Fixes Class 1 Enrolment Age in Schools at 6-plus Years from 2025-26 Academic Session
The Odisha government fixed the age of enrolment to Class-1 at 6-plus years as on September 1 from the 2025-26 academic session.
From the new academic year, all primary schools will open an additional pre-school class called 'Sishu Vatika'.
Children in the age group of 5-6 years can take admission in the pre-school.
The revision in the state curriculum framework will be initiated in a phased manner from the 2025-26 session, with the National Curriculum Framework Foundational Stage (NCF FS), being adopted in the first phase.
Education Minister Launches IGNOU MBA Study Materials in Odia
The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) released MBA study materials in Odia language. The Union Minister of Education, Darmendra Pradhan launched the study materials in regional language in an event.
Odisha government's Suryabanshi Suraj, Minister of Higher Education, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Sports and Youth Services, and Sampad Chandra Swain, minister of State for Skill Development, Technical Education and Industries, were also present during the launch event.
The 13th Edition of the India Art Festival captivates art enthusiasts in Mumbai, welcoming the largest collection of 40 art galleries and 550 artists at the Nehru Centre, Worli, from January 23 to 26, 2025. Following the grand success of its editions in Delhi and Bengaluru, the festival offers a dazzling array of 5,500+ artworks across diverse styles, mediums, and themes. The event was inaugurated by Prof. John Douglas, Dean, Sir, J J School of Art, Prof. Jayaram Poduval, HOD, Art History Dept, M S University Baroda and renowned artist Vilas Shinde on January 23, 2025.
Founded in 2011, the India Art Festival has grown into a premier platform for contemporary art, particularly for emerging and mid-career artists and mid-level art galleries.
Supreme Court Confers Senior Designations on 4 Former High Court Chief Justice/Judges
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and the other judges of the Supreme Court including members of the Collegium comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Surya Kant, Hrishikesh Roy and Abhay S. Oka designated the following former Chief Justice/Judges of the High Courts as Senior Advocates with effect from January 22:
Arvind Singh Sangwan, former Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad
C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy, former Judge of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Goutam Bhaduri, former Judge, High Court of Chhattisgarh
S. Vaidyanathan, former Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya
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