Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today presented data on India’s 5G success and the growth of telecom exports before the Lok Sabha. He informed that India’s telecom exports have increased by 72% over the last five years,
while imports have remained stable at the same level. These figures reflect the story of India’s growing self-reliance in the telecom sector. Responding to a question, Union Minister Shri Scindia stated that India’s telecom exports have risen from ₹10,000 crore in 2020–21 to ₹18,406 crore in 2024–25, marking a growth of 72%,
while imports have remained capped at around ₹51,000 crore. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is not only moving rapidly towards self-reliance in the telecom sector but is also preparing itself for global leadership. In response to supplementary question, Shri Scindia highlighted India’s achievements in 5G deployment.
He informed that out of 778 districts in the country, 767 districts have already been connected to the 5G network. He further stated that India currently has 36 crore 5G subscribers, a number expected to rise to 42 crore by 2026 and reach 100 crore by 2030.
Speaking about SATCOM, Union Minister Shri Scindia said that worldwide experience shows that areas which cannot be connected through conventional BTS or backhaul, or through broadband connectivity using optical fibre cable, can only be served through satellite communications.
In this context, India has taken a decisive step to ensure that SATCOM services are made available to customers across the length and breadth of the country. He noted that the objective of the government is to offer a full bouquet of telecom services to every customer, enabling individuals to make informed choices based on their needs and preferred price points.
The Union Minister highlighted that the SATCOM policy framework is firmly in place, with spectrum slated for administrative assignment. Three licences have already been issued — to Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance.
He further explained that two key aspects must be addressed before operators can commence commercial services. The first pertains to spectrum assignment,
including the determination of administrative spectrum charges, which falls under the purview of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). TRAI is currently engaged in finalising the pricing framework.
The second aspect relates to security clearances from enforcement agencies. To facilitate this process,
operators have been provided with sample spectrum to conduct demonstrations, and all three licensees are currently undertaking the required compliance activities.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina, have signed a Work Plan 2025-2027 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research, capacity building, and technology exchange.
Dr M.L.Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, and H.E. Mariano Augustin Caucino, Argentinian Ambassador to India exchanged the signed ICAR–INTA Work Plan today, marking a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral agricultural collaboration.
The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), an organisation under the Ministry of Culture, has received two prestigious PRSI National Awards 2025 from the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI).
The honours include one award for the Har Ghar Museum initiative in the Best Use of social media in a Corporate Campaign category, and another for the “Waste to Art” publication under the Special/Prestige Publication category.
The “Waste to Art” publication documents a flagship initiative of the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) launched under Special Campaign 4.0 and Swachhata Hi Sewa, capturing the powerful intersection of creativity, sustainability, and public participation.
Through compelling visuals and narratives, the publication showcases how approximately 1,250 kg of waste-including metal scrap, electronic components, and discarded containers-was transformed across NCSM units nationwide into meaningful art installations that also functioned as educational exhibits promoting circular economy principles.
Inspired by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Har Ghar Museum campaign was launched by the National Council of Science Museums, Ministry of Culture, with the belief that every home preserves a fragment of India’s living history - be it an heirloom, artefact, antique, or unique collectible.
The awards were presented at the 47th All India Public Relations Conference, organised by PRSI from 13 to 15 December 2025 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, on the theme “Empowering Growth, Preserving Roots – The PR Vision for 2047.” The conference saw participation from senior policymakers, communication professionals, industry leaders, and academicians from across the country.
On behalf of NCSM, the awards were received by Shri Rajib Nath, Director (Hqrs.), and Shri Satyajit N. Singh, PRO, NCSM.
An Indian Army contingent has departed for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in the second edition of the India-UAE Joint Military Exercise DESERT CYCLONE-II, scheduled to be conducted at Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 18 to 30 December 2025.
The Indian contingent comprises 45 personnel, primarily from a battalion of The Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
The UAE Land Forces contingent, of similar strength, will be represented by the 53 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and foster defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the UAE Land Forces through joint training in an urban environment, with a focus on sub-conventional operations under a United Nations mandate,
enabling both forces to operate together in peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and stability operations.
Over nearly two weeks, troops from both countries will jointly train on a wide spectrum of tactical drills including fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations and detailed mission planning.
Building on the momentum of the successful visit of the Commander, UAE Land Forces, on 27-28 October 2025 and Commander UAE Presidential Guard on 15-19 December 2025, Exercise DESERT CYCLONE–II will further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between India and the UAE.
The population of Parsis (Zoroastrians), a notified minority community under the National Commission of Minorities Act 1992, has declined from 1,14,000 in 1941 to 57,264 in 2011 as per census data. In order to arrest the decline in population and reverse the trend, the Government of India through the Ministry of Minority Affairs launched the Jiyo Parsi Scheme in 2013-14.
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed for industrial performance validation of sodium-ion pouch cells made from Sodium Vanadium Phosphate (NVP) cathode powder material. The validation of the technology can help commercialisation of sodium- ion batteries,
which can be safer and lower in cost than lithium-ion batteries that are widely used today for portable electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy storage systems.
The International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D centre under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India,
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Voltasun Technologies Pvt. Ltd. on 15 December 2025 for development and supply of 80 Nos of 5Ah pouch cells, evaluation and potential commercialisation of sodium-ion battery technology developed by ARCI.
ARCI has developed Sodium Vanadium Phosphate (NVP) cathode powder material and demonstrated its performance through the fabrication of NVP-based sodium-ion pouch cells under the ANRF, MAHA EV project. The cells have been validated at the standard laboratory scale, with testing and validation under field conditions currently in progress.
As part of the Republic Day Celebrations–2026 (RDC-26), the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, through the MY Bharat Portal, has launched a dedicated webpage to conduct national-level youth competitions, including Essay Writing, Painting, and Slogan/Signature Competitions.
The initiative seeks to promote patriotism, creativity, and civic engagement among youth across the country.
Prize money has been provisioned for top performers, and selected youth will be invited to participate in the Republic Day Celebrations–2026 Parade.
The World Health Organization (WHO)’s Second Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, jointly organized with the Government of India, opens today, bringing together government ministers, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and practitioners from more than 100 countries.
Singapore Changi Airport has been voted the best international airport in the world for 2025 at India’s Best Awards, by Travel+Leisure. As per the report, readers' votes ranked Changi highest for overall travel experience, comfort, and facilities among global airports.
Changi Airport stood out for offering more than efficient transit. The airport is known for its sky-lit interiors, indoor gardens, and attractions that turn long layovers into relaxed experiences. Features such as the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, butterfly gardens, and art-filled spaces allow passengers to move through terminals that feel open and calm.
The recognition was announced as part of the 14th edition of India’s Best Awards, which honours leading names in travel and hospitality based on an online voting process. Readers from across the world selected winners across airports, airlines, cruises, hotels, and destinations, making the results a direct reflection of traveller preference.
At India’s Best Awards 2025, T+L highlighted how leading airports now play a larger role in shaping travel memories. Changi Airport was recognised for setting global benchmarks by combining efficiency with comfort and design, making it a destination in itself rather than just a transit point.
Singapore will end its Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme from 1 June 2026, citing widespread misuse of the programme by syndicates and non-operating entertainment outlets.
According to The Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the country will stop accepting new applications under the scheme from that date, while existing permit holders can continue working until their passes expire or are cancelled.
The Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme was introduced in 2008 to allow licensed public entertainment outlets, such as bars, hotels and nightclubs,
to hire foreign performing artistes of any nationality for short-term stints of up to six months.
However, MOM said recent enforcement operations carried out with the Singapore Police Force uncovered abuse of the scheme. Investigations found syndicates linked to non-operating public entertainment outlets hiring foreign performers and,
then releasing them to work at other locations.
From June 1, 2026, MOM will no longer accept new applications to hire foreign workers under the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme. Businesses that already employ foreign performing artistes under the scheme can retain them until their permits expire or are cancelled.
Air India has been named Best Domestic Airline at the Travel + Leisure India and South Asia’s Best Awards 2025 for the second consecutive year, the airline said in a release. The award was decided through a reader vote, reflecting feedback from passengers who travelled with the carrier.
According to Air India, the recognition comes at a time when Indian travellers are increasingly focused on comfort, service quality, and consistency across their journeys.
The Travel + Leisure Best Awards are determined through votes cast by readers, making the recognition a reflection of customer preference rather than a jury-led decision.
The airline also noted that the honour recognises the efforts of its frontline staff, who play a key role in delivering day-to-day services across airports and onboard flights.
In 2026, Air India is scheduled to receive six new widebody aircraft, including B787-9 and A350-1000 models.
By the end of 2026, the airline expects 96% of its narrowbody fleet and nearly 60% of its widebody fleet to be new or upgraded.
Air India said it will continue to focus on gradual improvements as part of its long-term plan to strengthen operations and customer experience.
The ultra-conservative former congressman José Antonio Kast has been elected as Chile’s next president.
With more than 99% of polling stations counted, Kast took 58.16% of the vote, against 41.84% for the leftist Jeannette Jara, a former labour minister under the current president, Gabriel Boric.
This was Kast’s third attempt at the presidency: in 2021, he was defeated by Boric in the runoff.
The son of a Nazi party member, an admirer of the dictator Augusto Pinochet and a staunch Catholic known for opposing abortion and same-sex marriage, Kast built his campaign on a promise to expel tens of thousands of undocumented migrants.
India's central bank barred The Gauhati Co-operative Urban Bank from issuing new loans and suspended deposit withdrawals of more than 35,000 rupees ($387.31) for six months, citing supervisory concerns and liquidity issues with the lender.
The Reserve Bank of India said the directions were necessary due to concerns arising from the "bank's current liquidity position", and to protect the interest of depositors, without elaborating on the specifics of these concerns.
It also directed the co-operative bank not to make any investments or borrow funds.
