Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a MoU with the Bhaane Group, a subsidiary of Shahi Exports Pvt Ltd, the largest manufacturer of apparel. This collaboration will launch incubation programs for startups specialising in manufacturing, along with other production areas and foster relationships with international startup ecosystems.
This is part of government’s thrust on promoting new manufacturing entrepreneurs in the country.
Through its extensive experience, the private firm will support upcoming startups by providing access to market insights. The firm will facilitate them to create a holistic understanding of the workings of foreign markets,
along with guidance on operational knowledge throughout the startup lifecycle.
Anand Ahuja, CEO Co-Founder of Bhaane Group said, “Global brands are eyeing investing in Indian startups, as it is one of leading players in the South Asian market. DPIIT’s mission with Start Up India aligns with our outlook to foster innovation and global competitiveness among Indian startup".
More than 200 solar physicists from India and abroad have come together in Bengaluru this week to discuss research in areas like Solar magnetism, Solar-stellar connection and space weather at an international conference.
The conference on ‘Sun, Space Weather, and Solar-Stellar Connections’ has been organised by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA),
to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the Kodaikanal Solar Observatory. The Observatory has been providing invaluable insights into the Sun's behaviour and its impact on Earth through its repository of photographic images, and was the harbinger of the birth of solar astrophysics in the country.
The conference is being organized as a testament to KSO’s enduring legacy, between 20–24 January 2025. With a vibrant scientific program put together by the international Scientific Organizing Committee of 20 eminent solar astronomers, with leads from the Solar Physics group of IIA,
leading solar physicists from around the globe are discussing the latest advancements in the field and exploring the connections between solar and stellar phenomena. It has attracted 205 participants, half of them being students and a third from outside India.
With themes like Solar magnetism over long time scales, Solar magnetism in high resolution, Energetic phenomena,
Solar-stellar connection, and Heliosphere and space weather, the conference features a diverse program of presentations, discussions, and poster sessions, allowing participants to share their latest findings, exchange ideas, foster collaborations, and strengthen international cooperation.
National Girl Child Day is celebrated every year on January 24. This year, it falls on a Friday. The day also marks the anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) scheme, launched on January 22, 2015.
Established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, this day highlights the importance of empowering and protecting girl children.
National Girl Child Day seeks to highlight the unique challenges faced by girls while raising awareness about the need to combat discrimination.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged-off ‘SANJAY - The Battlefield Surveillance System (BSS)’ from South Block, New Delhi on January 24, 2025. SANJAY is an automated system which integrates the inputs from all ground and aerial battlefield sensors, processing them to confirm their veracity,
preventing duplication and fusing them to produce a Common Surveillance Picture of the battlefield over secured Army Data Network & Satellite Communication Network.It will enhance battlefield transparency and transform the future battlefield through a Centralised Web Application which provide inputs to Command & Army Headquarters and the Indian Army Decision Support System.
The BSS is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and cutting-edge analytics. It will monitor the vast land borders, prevent intrusions, assess situations with unparalleled accuracy and prove to be a force multiplier in Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance. This would enable commanders to operate in both conventional & sub-conventional operations,
in a Network Centric Environment.
SANJAY has been indigenously & jointly developed by the Indian Army and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) creating a conducive ecosystem towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ as a follow up to the Indian Army’s ‘Year of Technology Absorption’.
These systems will be inducted to all operational Brigades, Divisions & Corps of the Indian Army in three phases w.e.f. March to October of 2025, which has been declared as ‘Year of Reforms’ in the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This system has been developed under the Buy (Indian) category at a cost of Rs 2,402 crore.
Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched ‘Shubh Muhurat,’ a life insurance solution and help parents save for their child’s wedding.
A report by investment banking and capital market firm Jefferies India hosted over 80 lakh weddings last year with an estimated spend of Rs. 10.7 lakh crore.
On average, Indian weddings cost about Rs. 12.5 lakh—twice as much as the expenditure on education from pre-school to graduation.
Luxury weddings dominate the market, with expenses often rising above Rs 1 crore.
It also provides a solution that in the unforeseen event of the loss of life of the parent, the goal is protected.
The solution is suited for parents aged between 31 and 50 years, having children in the age group of 1 to 20 years. Investing in this solution early can give the parent long enough to accumulate the desired corpus for the child’s grand wedding, said the company.
Shubh Muhurta gives capital guarantee with equity exposure.
The guaranteed lump sum ensures that wedding plans remain on track, unaffected by market uncertainties.
By safeguarding the policy proceeds under the Married Women’s Property Act, Shubh Muhurat ensures that the funds intended for the child’s marriage are legally protected and will only be available to the nominee regardless of external financial claims.
Venky Iyer, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer- Tata AIA Life Insurance.
SBI Payments and Pine Labs have announced an expanded strategic alliance, building on their successful 12-year partnership. This collaboration aims to enhance the digital payments landscape in India, leveraging the combined strengths of SBI Payments, a joint venture between the State Bank of India and Hitachi Payment Services, and Pine Labs.
Currently powering over 200,000 digital checkout points across India, the partnership seeks to accelerate the adoption of digital payments and commerce solutions nationwide. By combining SBI Payments’ extensive distribution network and advanced payment acceptance ecosystem with Pine Labs’ tailored solutions,
the alliance aims to deliver seamless checkout experiences and empower merchants with a comprehensive suite of digital tools to streamline workflows and drive business growth.
Sujay Kumar Yadav, Managing Director & CEO, SBI Payments.
Hitachi Payment Services, a leading provider of end-to-end payments and commerce solutions in India, has announced a strategic partnership with IvyCamp, the global alumni-based engagement initiative of IvyCap Ventures, to propel fintech innovation through the Hitachi Payments Accelerator (HPX) program.
The HPX program is designed to engage with fintech startups and foster groundbreaking technological solutions in areas such as ERP/Billing, Embedded Finance, Payments Compliance, AI/Gen AI, Core Banking, Web 3.0/CBDC, and more. Selected startups will gain access to extensive customer networks, integration with Hitachi Payment Services’ advanced technology stack.
IDBI Bank’s Board of Directors has approved the reappointment of Rakesh Sharma as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) for a three-year term, effective from March 19, 2025. The decision follows the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) approval.
Rakesh Sharma has been leading IDBI Bank since October 10, 2018.
Before this role, he served as the MD & CEO of Canara Bank from September 2015 until his retirement in July 2018.
The re-appointment comes amid ongoing efforts by IDBI Bank’s promoters — Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), which holds a 49.24% stake, and the Government of India, with a 45.48% stake — to disinvest their holdings.
IDFC FIRST Bank has come up with a UPI-enabled FIRST EA₹N RuPay Credit Card, marking the collaboration between the bank and RuPay to provide a convenient and rewarding option for customers. This credit card is an excellent option for individuals who are new to using credit cards, as it is secured by a fixed deposit (FD) and is easily accessible to anyone.
In addition, users can enjoy cashback rewards on UPI payments, making it an attractive and cost-effective financial solution. The process of creating a Fixed Deposit is seamlessly incorporated into the credit card application for all customers.
Customers have the opportunity to receive a yearly interest rate of 7.25% on a fixed deposit with a duration of 1 year and 1 day.
The Global Firepower Military Strength Ranking for 2025 has unveiled the list of the world's most powerful militaries, analysing the capabilities of 145 countries based on over 60 distinct factors.
The ranking provides a Power Index score, where 0.0000 is considered ‘perfect,’ offering a nuanced perspective on global military might.
The United States continues its reign as the undisputed leader, maintaining its top position since 2005. With a Power Index score of 0.0744, the USA’s dominance stems from its vast manpower, robust financial resources, immense material reserves, and advanced industrial output.
Russia holds the second rank with a Power Index score of 0.0788, despite the strain of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Strategic alliances with nations like Iran, North Korea, and China bolster its standing on the global stage.
Followed by Russia is China, sharing a score of 0.0788. Coupled with a robust industrial base,
It continues to expand its military capabilities through substantial investments in defence and development.
With a score of 0.1184, India secures its spot at fourth. According to the Global Firepower Review, India comes in the Top 5 World Power which had a top GFP placement for at least 10 consecutive years.
South Korea ranks fifth, reflecting its growing investment in defence and strategic partnerships. Japan follows at seventh, Türkiye at eighth, and Iran secures the 14th position, showcasing the rising defence capabilities of these nations, driven by increased defence budgets and industrial growth.
Global Firepower evaluates nations based on a detailed methodology incorporating approximately 60 factors. Key considerations include troop numbers, military hardware, financial stability, geographic positioning, and natural resources. This holistic approach ensures a fair assessment of nations with varying military strengths.
To celebrate the true essence of vibrant India National Tourism Day is observed on 25th January each year. This day aligns with the timeless philosophy of "Atithi Devo Bhava" and emphasizes the transformative power of travel. It highlights how tourism not only drives economic growth, creates employment and fosters infrastructure development,
but also positions India as a thriving global tourism destination, captivating the world with its unparalleled beauty and culture.
Reflecting this growing potential India has risen to 39th place out of 119 countries in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024.
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.
The right to education is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Under the theme “AI and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation”, the 2025 International Day of Education encourages reflections on the power of education to equip individuals and communities to navigate, understand and influence technological advancement.
IIFL Fintech Fund, one of India’s leading early-stage fintech-focused funds, has successfully closed its second fund, IIFL Fintech Fund – Series II, raising Rs. 200 crore. The capital was secured from top family offices, Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individuals (UHNIs), and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs).
The fund aims to back the next generation of Indian fintech startups, with a special emphasis on generative artificial intelligence in financial services.
Established in 2021, IIFL Fintech Fund has built a strong track record of identifying and investing in promising early-stage fintech startups.
The Series I fund boasts a portfolio of 14 companies, including Leegality, FinBox, DataSutram, Finarkein Analytics, and Trendlyne, which have collectively delivered a remarkable 22.5X revenue growth over three years. Notably, 40% of the portfolio companies are EBIDTA positive, with zero write-offs to date.
Prakash Bulusu- Joint CEO, IIFL Capital Services Limited.
