Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country's leading public sector steel producer, has been recognised with eight prestigious national awards by the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI). The awards were presented during the 47th All India Public Relations Conference, held in Dehradun from December 13 to 15, 2025.
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster collaboration in the areas of research, education, training and technology support for defence & internal security.
The MoU was inked by Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction) Dr Chandrika Kaushik and Vice Chancellor, RRU Prof (Dr) Bimal N Patel in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at South Block, New Delhi on December 22, 2025.
The MoU aims to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies, in line with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the whole-of-nation approach during Amrit Kaal.
Rashtriya Raksha University, an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the University Grants Commission (UGC)-designated Nodal Centre for Defence Studies, brings strong academic, training and policy expertise in the domain of internal security.
Under the MoU, both organisations will collaborate on joint research projects, PhD & fellowship programmes and specialised training & capacity-building programmes for security forces. The collaboration will also include studies on emerging operational challenges, technology gap analysis, forecasting of future requirements, and
life-cycle management of DRDO-developed systems inducted into the Central Armed Police Forces and other agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
DRDO, the nation’s premier defence R&D organisation, contributes cutting-edge indigenous technologies and system-level expertise to meet the requirements of the Armed Forces and security agencies.
In a major milestone in the Make-in-India program envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India Optel Limited (IOL), a Mini Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking, has signed a collaboration agreement with Safran Electronics & Defense for Transfer of Production of two high-precision, combat-proven systems, paving the way for their local manufacturing.
The systems are: SIGMA 30N Digital Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System, used in artillery guns, air defence systems, missiles and radars; and CM3-MR Direct Firing Sight, designed for artillery guns and anti-drone systems.
The agreement was signed by CMD, IOL Shri Tushar Tripathi and Head of the Defence Global Business Unit for Safran Electronics & Defense Mr Alexandre Ziegler in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar in New Delhi on December 22, 2025.
Building on the MoU signed in January 2024, this new agreement confirms the commitment of both the partners to manufacture and support these advanced systems in India. Under the partnership, IOL will be responsible for manufacturing, final assembly, testing, quality control and full life-cycle support, ensuring the systems meet the operational needs of the Indian Army.
India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation on maritime heritage, marking a significant step toward developing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
The MoU was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel.
It brings together the NMHC, being developed under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
Under the agreement, the two sides will collaborate on the exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices in maritime museum design, curation and conservation.
The partnership will also facilitate joint exhibitions, research projects and cultural exchange programmes, while exploring innovative approaches to enhance visitor experience, education and public outreach.
The NMHC at Lothal is envisioned as a world-class heritage complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.
IIFL Finance appointed former Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor B P Kanungo as the non-executive chairman of its board, strengthening its leadership with a seasoned central banking and regulatory expert.
Kanungo brings more than four decades of experience in central banking, monetary policy, and financial regulation.
He served as Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 2017 to 2021 and was also a member of the Monetary Policy Committee.
He is currently a non-executive independent director on the board of IIFL Finance Ltd.
The company said its board approved Kanungo’s appointment with immediate effect at a meeting, signalling confidence in his leadership, independence.
The Indian Navy on Monday (December 22, 2025) received Anjadip, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
The delivery took place in Chennai, marking another significant step in India’s drive towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
The Navy informed that the ASW SWC project is being executed under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli. The vessels have been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), demonstrating the success of collaborative defence manufacturing in the country.
Anjadip is named after Anjadip Island off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka and is a reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Anjadip, a Petya-class corvette that was decommissioned in 2003. The naming underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its extensive maritime domain.
With this delivery, GRSE has achieved the rare feat of delivering five warships to the Indian Navy in a single year. Anjadip is the 115th warship built by the shipyard and the 77th delivered to the Navy. The vessel was accepted by Rear Admiral Gautam Marwaha, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Eastern Naval Command.
India and New Zealand have concluded a comprehensive, balanced and forward-looking Free Trade Agreement (FTA) under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, marking a major economic and strategic milestone in India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
HarperCollins India is delighted to bring out the 'Bollywood book of the year' by award-winning writer Mohar Basu – Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood. This book is not just a biography, but a love letter, a fan's tribute and a deep dive into the incredible phenomenon called Salman Khan – through his iconic roles, memorable one-liners, unforgettable songs,
rare photos and fan anecdotes, bringing to life an icon's larger-than-life journey and his stardom that has only grown stronger with time. The book will be out on 20th December 2025.
About the author –
Mohar Basu is an award-winning author and the Chief Correspondent (Entertainment) at Midday. She has previously worked as a film critic at Koimoi.com, and
reviewed movies for The Times of India. Her work focuses on the dynamics of the Hindi film industry. In 2024, she was recognized by the Indian Achiever's Club in their '40 under 40' list. She has previously authored Shah Rukh Khan, published by HarperCollins in 2024.
Star batter Smriti Mandhana shattered a huge India record during the 1st Women's T20I against Sri Lanka in Visakhapatnam. The 29-year-old became the first Indian to breach the 4,000-run mark in women's T20Is. Overall, she is the second after New Zealand's Suzie Bates, who has scored 4,716 runs in 177 matches.
In the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Mandhana scored a run-a-ball 25 before holing out in the ninth over of India's 122-run chase. However, Mandhana is quickest to do so in terms of balls taken (3227) than Bates, who took 3675 balls to reach the 4000 runs milestone.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra, chaired the 'Chintan Shivir' of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
According to an official statement, all Secretaries of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Chairmen of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India were also present at the brainstorming session.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and associated departments also attended the event.
In her remarks, Sitharaman reflected on the historical significance of the Vijayanagara region, noting that it represents one of the closest examples of an Indian empire at its peak barely 500 years ago,
with its imprint visible across large parts of the subcontinent.
She also drew attention to the contrast within the same district -- where magnificent monuments coexist with drought-prone areas facing low agricultural productivity and human-animal conflict , underscoring the need to remain grounded in present-day developmental realities, it added.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar (December 23, 2025) announced a $450-million reconstruction package for Sri Lanka, to support the island nation in its recovery from Cyclone Ditwah.
In a press statement in Colombo, along with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, he said India “stands firmly with Sri Lanka” at this difficult time.
The $450 million will include $350 million in concessional Lines of Credit, and $100 million in grants, Mr. Jaishankar said, adding that the assistance will focus on sectors most affected in the cyclone.
The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), has unveiled its new official logo ahead of the fifth season, signalling the league’s revival after a seven-year hiatus. The Pro Wrestling League is scheduled to return in January 2026, featuring top Indian and international wrestlers.
The newly launched logo is a modern, dynamic emblem inspired by the traditional red-and-blue wrestling mat, symbolising strength, balance and competitive spirit. The logo represents a complete reset for the Pro Wrestling League, which has undergone a significant structural and operational overhaul under its new ownership and management.
PWL’s renewed mission is to create a world-class professional platform for wrestlers by bridging the gap between grassroots akhadas and the global competitive stage. Speaking on the occasion, Akhil Gupta, CEO, PWL, said, the new logo reflects their vision for the future of the Pro Wrestling League – modern, aggressive and world-class.
The National Farmers Day also known as Kisan Diwas is celebrated on 23rd December every year to mark the Birth Anniversary of the 5th Prime Minister of India, Shri Choudhary Charan Singh.
The day is observed to honour the country’s farmers’ unwavering dedication and recognise their pivotal role in shaping the nation’s progress.
Recognising the vital role of farmers, the government has taken several initiatives to support their socio-economic upliftment and ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
These programmes include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana.
India has handed over three Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to Myanmar. These projects are dedicated to the socio-economic benefit of the people of Mandalay Region of Myanmar. Under this project, a flexible rapier loom, a modern high-tech weaving machine made in India, has been installed at the Saunder Weaving and Vocational Institute in Amarapura, Mandalay Region.
