Railways to confer Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar on 100 employees
Indian Railways will confer the Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 on 100 employees, including officers and staff across various divisions. The awards will be presented on January 9 at the India International Convention & Expo Centre in New Delhi, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and other railway officials in attendance. The ceremony recognises exemplary service, safety, efficiency, innovation and contributions to revenue and operations. This broad recognition reflects the Railways’ ongoing emphasis on workforce excellence and public service delivery across a wide spectrum of railway functions.
Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar 2025 to be awarded to 100 employees.
Ceremony on January 9 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi; Vaishnaw to attend.
Awards cover safety, efficiency, innovation and service excellence.
Recognises a broad range of railway personnel across divisions.
Highlights government emphasis on workforce recognition and public service.
UIDAI launches Udai, a mascot to simplify Aadhaar communication
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched Udai, a mascot designed to simplify public understanding of Aadhaar services. Udai was chosen from entries submitted through a national design and name competition on the MyGov platform. The mascot aims to improve outreach and clarity for residents seeking Aadhaar-related information and services. UIDAI described Udai as a people-friendly asset to help users navigate identity services more easily. The move aligns with efforts to enhance accessibility and awareness around biometric UID programs across diverse Indian communities.
UIDAI launches mascot Udai to simplify Aadhaar communication.
Udai selected via MyGov national design and name competition.
Mascot aims to improve public understanding of Aadhaar services.
Part of broader efforts to boost accessibility of identity programs.
Represents UIDAI’s focus on user-friendly public outreach.
NHAI marks four Guinness World Records along Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada corridor
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced four Guinness World Records linked to the Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor (NH-544G). Official releases state that on January 6, 2026, two records were set near Puttaparthi as part of the project’s execution excellence and engineering prowess. The feat showcases India’s growing infrastructure capabilities and project delivery speed. The records come amid ongoing efforts to accelerate highway development and regional connectivity, supporting freight movement and regional growth. NHAI emphasized safety, quality, and timely completion as core pillars of the corridor’s implementation.
NHAI reports four Guinness World Records for NH-544G corridor.
Two records achieved near Puttaparthi on January 6, 2026.
Part of Bengaluru–Kadapa–Vijayawada economic corridor project.
Highlights India’s infrastructure capability and execution speed.
Emphasis on safety, quality, and timely completion.
Jan 11, 2026
AYUSH recognised in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts
India’s traditional medicine system AYUSH has gained formal recognition in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Commerce Ministry officials stated the pacts were finalised in December 2025 and include dedicated annexures on health‑related services and traditional medicine. The recognition is expected to boost collaboration in AYUSH products and services and support standardisation efforts. Exports of AYUSH and herbal products grew by 6.11 percent, rising from 649.2 million US dollars in 2023‑24 to 688.89 million dollars in 2024‑25. The agreements align with India’s push to expand traditional medicine on international markets and strengthen regulatory cooperation.
AYUSH gains formal recognition in Oman and New Zealand trade pacts.
Agreements finalised in December 2025 with health services annexures.
Exports of AYUSH products rose to 688.89 million USD in 2024‑25.
Move supports standardisation and international market access for AYUSH.
Jan 10, 2026
Tamil Nadu unveils first Deep Tech Start-up Policy (2025–26) at UmagineTN 2026
Tamil Nadu announced India's first dedicated Deep Tech Start-up Policy for 2025–26 at UmagineTN 2026, launched by Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. The policy aims to back 100 deep-tech startups and mobilise ₹100 crore in public and private investments over five years. Implemented through the iTNT Hub, TNDTSP seeks to bridge the lab-to-market gap, boost patent filings, enable technology transfer, and help startups reach global markets. The policy complements existing Tamil Nadu startup initiatives and emphasizes a strong ecosystem for IP-intensive ventures in science-led industries, aligning with the state’s broader mission of innovation-led growth.
Aims to increase patents, tech transfer, and global market access
Jan 08, 2026
BHU launches 121 INI‑Swayam courses for Jan–Apr 2026
Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has launched 121 Institutes of National Importance (INI)‑SWAYAM online courses for the January–April 2026 session. BHU is offering 71 courses in January 2026, spanning sciences, engineering, management, medicine, education, humanities and interdisciplinary studies. AMU contributes 48 courses, with sessions beginning January 26 and February 16, 2026. SWAYAM is an Education Ministry initiative to provide free online education. The Rashtriya Raksha University provides two courses in Defence and Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting. Interested learners can enrol via swayam.gov.in/INI for flexible, accessible higher learning.
BHU offers 121 INI‑SWAYAM courses for Jan–Apr 2026.
BHU: 71 courses in January; AMU: 48 courses.
SWAYAM is an Education Ministry online learning program.
Sessions start January 26 and February 16, 2026.
RRU offers two courses in Defence & Strategic Studies and Forensic Accounting.
Jan 07, 2026
Delhi Government signs MoU with RBI to join RBI framework
In a key governance move, the Delhi Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Reserve Bank of India to bring Delhi under the RBI banking, cash management, and debt framework. The RBI will act as banker, debt manager, and financial agent for the capital, enabling market borrowings through State Development Loans and professional cash management. The agreement is designed to ensure lower-cost liquidity, efficient surplus cash management, and enhanced financial stability within the national capital. The MoU aligns Delhi with central government and RBI guidelines, supporting public projects and cash flow planning. The development follows ongoing fiscal governance reforms at the state level.
Delhi RBI framework: RBI to act as banker, debt manager, financial agent
Effective cash management and market borrowings via State Development Loans
Professional surplus cash management and access to low-cost liquidity
MoU aligns with central government and RBI Act provisions
Aimed at improving efficiency in Delhi’s public finances