India and Germany have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on Telecommunications Cooperation during the official visit of Mr. Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, to India from 12–13 January 2026.
The JDI was signed as one of the key outcomes of the engagements between the Prime Minister of India and the Federal Chancellor of Germany. The Declaration was concluded between Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, and the Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation (BMDS), Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Joint Declaration reflects the shared commitment of both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation in the fields of telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), building upon the strong momentum in India-Germany relations and sustained high-level engagements.
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, marked two significant milestones recently. Starting with the formal opening of registrations for the 8th Batch of the Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP) on 15th January 2026;
the institute also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI (IIIPI–ICAI).
The event witnessed the presence of senior officials of IICA, faculty members, students and key stakeholders like IBPS, the examination partner for PGIP.
The MoU aims to foster collaboration in areas such as academic exchange, capacity building, research, training programmes, and knowledge sharing in the field of insolvency and bankruptcy.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mishra- Chairman & Director, IIIPI–ICAI.
Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh- Director General & CEO, IICA.
In a significant boost to India’s e-commerce and MSME exports, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has extended export-related benefits under the Duty Drawback, Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) schemes to exports made through the postal mode in electronic form,
with effect from 15th January 2026.
This landmark measure aims to provide a level playing field for exporters using the postal channel and to create a conducive and inclusive ecosystem for the growth of cross-border e-commerce.
The initiative is expected to significantly enhance the competitiveness of MSME exporters, especially those located in smaller towns and remote areas, and give a major fillip to postal exports.
To operationalise these benefits, CBIC has approved amendments to the Postal Export (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2022,
enabling exporters to claim Duty Drawback, RoDTEP and RoSCTL benefits for goods exported through the postal route. Accordingly, Notification No.07/2026–Customs (N.T.) amending the Postal Export (Electronic Declaration and Processing) Regulations, 2022 and Circular No. 01/2026 –
Customs explaining the amendments and detailing the operational modalities have been issued on 15 January 2026.
Over recent years, the Government of India has undertaken a series of policy initiatives, digital reforms and regulatory measures to transform India’s e- commerce export ecosystem.
The Union Government has released ₹15.20 crores for rural local bodies of Mizoram under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants. The release made during financial year 2025-26, pertains to the second instalment of untied grants for the financial year 2024-25. The funds will benefit all 808 eligible Village Councils of the State.
Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends release of XV-FC grants to States for Rural Local Bodies, which are then released by Ministry of Finance. The allocated grants are recommended and released in 2 installments in a financial year.
The Hon’ble President of India vide warrant dated December 12, 2025 and by virtue of the power vested under Section 4 (1) of the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003 has appointed Shri Praveen Vashista as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission.
Shri Praveen Vashista made and subscribed oath on 16th January 2026 as Vigilance Commissioner before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who was authorized by the President of India in pursuance of the provision contained in Section 5 (3) of the CVC Act 2003.
Shri Praveen Vashista is an Indian Police Service officer of the Bihar Cadre of 1991 batch.
Shri Praveen Vashista has worked as IG of the Economic Offences Wing and Criminal Investigation Department of Bihar. As Superintendent of Police, he maintained law and order in critical Districts like Ranchi, Dumka and Garhwa. He has also served as SP and DIG in CBI.
The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, provides for the appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners. The tenure of the Vigilance Commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) notified the revamped Mutual Fund Regulations, marking a comprehensive overhaul of the three-decade-old framework.
The changes introduce a revised structure for expenses, sharper disclosure requirements and strengthened governance norms for fund houses.
The Reserve Bank of India will establish a centralised receipt and processing centre (CRPC) to conduct initial scrutiny of complaints received through electronic mode (email) and physical form to assess their admissibility under the provisions of the scheme, the central bank said while releasing the revised norms on the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme.
“While considering the complaints, the RBI Ombudsman or RBI Deputy Ombudsman shall take into account the principles of banking law and practice, as also the directions, instructions, guidelines or regulations issued by the Reserve Bank to regulated entities from time to time and such other factors as may be relevant,” the norms said.
The scheme will come into force from July 1, 2026.
Complaints filed online will be registered on the RBI’s Complaint Management System portal, while those received through email or post will be processed centrally by the CRPC.
“The Integrated Ombudsman Scheme aims to provide a cost-effective, expeditious, non-adversarial alternate grievance redress mechanism for the resolution of complaints against regulated entities covered under the scheme,” the RBI said.
Also, there is no limit on the amount in a dispute that can be brought before the RBI Ombudsman, for which the RBI Ombudsman or RBI Deputy Ombudsman can facilitate a settlement or pass an award.
“However, for any consequential loss suffered by the complainant, the RBI Ombudsman shall have the power to provide compensation up to Rs 30 lakh,” it said.
In addition, the RBI Ombudsman will also have the power to provide compensation up to Rs 3 lakh for the loss of the complainant’s time, expenses incurred, and harassment or mental anguish suffered, if any, by the complainant.
The Union Minister of State (MoS) for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, inaugurated a two-day regional conference in Jaipur, with an agenda of facilitating the smooth implementation of the four new labour codes.
This is the second of six regional conferences planned by the central government, covering all states, Union Territories and key stakeholders.
The objective of these conferences is to facilitate the smooth implementation of the four labour codes and deliberate on related issues concerning the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY).
The conference saw detailed deliberations on issues relating to the framing of rules under the codes, and the feasibility of integrating state systems with the central IT framework.
The four new labour codes were brought into force on November 21, and the government put them out for public consultation on December 30.
The four new labour codes were brought into force on November 21, and the government put them out for public consultation on December 30. Upon releasing the draft rules, the Centre invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders for a period of 30 to 45 days.
The government has previously said that it aims to make the four codes fully effective in the next financial year, FY27. Before that, it will notify the finalised rules once stakeholder consultations are concluded and the suggestions are taken into account.
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) proposed allowing foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to net funds across cash market transactions executed on the same day, a move aimed at easing liquidity pressure and lowering funding costs, especially during high-volume trading sessions such as index rebalancing days.
Under the current framework, FPIs must settle all purchase and sale transactions on a gross basis, even when buy and sell values offset each other. This often leads to higher funding costs and operational inefficiencies. FPIs had sought such a relaxation from the regulator last year.
The Donald Trump administration has indefinitely suspended the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries in one of its most expansive efforts yet to restrict legal entry pathways to the United States. The freeze would take effect on January 21 and target individuals based on their nationality, encompassing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East,
and Eastern Europe.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Somalia, Russia, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand are among the affected countries.
Team Trump has already imposed stricter vetting rules for foreigners and would-be residents over the past year, layering new restrictions onto a visa-screening system long considered among the most stringent in the world.
The United States has long rejected visas from people who appear likely to end up needing government welfare, but the State Department said it would now use the same authority for a blanket suspension of immigrant visas based on nationality.
The latest move does not affect tourist, business or other visas, including for soccer fans seeking to visit for this year's World Cup, although the Trump administration has vowed to vet all applicants' social media histories.
Exceptions will also be granted to people with dual nationality and a valid passport for a country not on the list, or
if the applicant is able to demonstrate their travel would serve an "America First" national interest. If a visa has already been approved, but it has not been printed, the consular officer "must refuse the case," according to a cable issued by the US State Department.
American evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers has now been awarded the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement — sometimes called the "Nobel for the environment" for her work bringing this underground world into focus.
By charting the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungi in a worldwide Underground Atlas launched last year, Ms. Kiers and her colleagues have helped illuminate below-ground biodiversity — insights that can guide conservation efforts to protect these vast carbon stores.
Yemen's Saudi-backed presidential leadership council has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Salem bin Breik and appointed Foreign Minister Shaya Mohsen Zindani as the country's new prime minister.
Bin Breik formally submitted the resignation, which was approved by the council, before Zindani was named to form the next cabinet.
A UAE-backed separatist group, the Southern Transitional Council, gained control of areas across southern and eastern Yemen in December, advancing to within reach of the Saudi border, which the kingdom considered a threat to its national security. Saudi-backed fighters have since largely retaken those areas.
Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was named ambassador of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, India’s first international multi-stage professional road cycling race, scheduled to be held in Pune from January 19 to 23.
The event has attracted 171 riders from 29 teams across 35 countries.
The five-day ‘Continental Road Cycling Race for Men’ will wind through a 437-km route across the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, featuring sharp bends and challenging elevations.
Leading the international charge will be Spain’s Pro Team Burgos Burpellet BH, ranked 25th in the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) rankings, followed by China’s Li Ning Star (36th) and
Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team (37th).
The host challenge will be led by renowned rider Naveen John. India will also field a ‘Development Team’, thereby featuring a total of 12 Indian riders, along with four substitutes, who will have the opportunity to prove their mettle in home conditions.
Startup India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), launched on 16 January 2016 with the vision of building a strong and inclusive startup ecosystem across the country.
Over the past decade, the initiative has introduced key programmes and policy measures to support entrepreneurs, encourage innovation, and enable startups to grow and scale.
As Startup India completes 10 years, National Startup Day 2026 marks an important milestone in India’s entrepreneurial journey.
January 16, designated as National Startup Day by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, stands as a national recognition of India’s entrepreneurial spirit. As Startup India enters its second decade, National Startup Day 2026 is not only a moment to celebrate past achievements, but also a call to action to build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready startup ecosystem.
