NATIONAL NEWS

Ministry of Rural Development Sanctions 27 Roads Under PM-JANMAN

In a major step towards enhancing rural connectivity and economic growth, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has approved 27 roads spanning 50.13 km under the Connectivity Component of PM-JANMAN in Maharashtra.

This initiative involves an investment of ₹50.35 crore and aims to uplift Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the state.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

All-Weather Road Connectivity: Ensuring reliable infrastructure for 27 PVTG habitations in remote areas.

Socio-Economic Upliftment: Improving living standards and economic opportunities for PVTGs.

Bridging Rural-Urban Gap: Strengthening connectivity between remote villages and urban centres.

Boosting Trade and Commerce: Enhancing local economies by facilitating transportation of goods and services.

Improved Access to Essential Services: Enhancing healthcare, education, and market accessibility.

Employment Generation: Creating job opportunities and stimulating local economies.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Chinese Scientists Build The World’s First Deep-Sea Radar

China has developed the world’s 1st deep-sea radar system capable of detecting and tracking high-altitude aircraft from a depth of 1,000 metres

This system marks a significant advancement in anti-submarine warfare, potentially transforming submarines from prey to predators.

The system uses an acoustic sensor arraydeployed on the seabed to capture faint sound waves emitted by aircraft.

These sound waves, after reflecting off the seabed and sea surface, are used to estimate the aircraft’s coordinateswith high accuracy.

Sound waves from aircraft are typically reflected back into the skyby the sea surface, with only a small fraction penetrating the water.

These waves become distorteddue to varying temperatures, densities, salinities, and ocean currents.

The research team, led by Zhang Bo and Peng Zhaohui, developed a method to exploit reflected sound wavesto enhance detection sensitivity.

BANKING

Finvasia, YES Bank Introduce Jumpp Super App for Digital Finance

Finvasia, YES Bank Introduced Jumpp Super App.

Jumpp is a super app that combines banking, payments, savings, investing, and borrowinginto one platform.

It allows users to consolidate their financial accounts through account aggregationand enables instant YES Bank savings account openings.

It is designed for online shoppers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

It focuses on financial inclusion with multilingual AI-driven assistance (English and Hindi) and voice-based interactions for users with limited digital literacy.

It aims to onboard 1 million users by January 2026.

It expands services beyond metro cities and integrates with India’s Account Aggregator (AA) framework, which has recorded over 100 million consents for secure data sharing.

HDFC and Startup India to Launch ‘Manufacturing Accelerator Program’

HDFC, in collaboration with Startup India’s Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, has launched the Manufacturing Accelerator Programto foster innovation and drive growth in India’s manufacturing sector.

The program supports startups addressing critical manufacturing challenges using cutting-edge solutions.

Applications are open until 15 February.

It is a joint initiative by HDFC Bank, DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), and riidl Somaiya Vidyavihar University.

It aims to build a thriving ecosystem for innovation, scalability, and global competitiveness in manufacturing.

It will enhance manufacturing efficiency through real-time monitoring and upgraded machinery.

It will also promote sustainable manufacturing by reducing carbon emissions and waste.

Paytm Unveils ‘Receive Money QR Widget’ For Android

One 97 Communications (OCL) owns Paytm, India's leading payments and financial services distribution company, has launched a new ‘Receive Money QR Widget’ for Android users, enabling instant payment collection directly from a smartphone’s home screen.

Paytm is a pioneer in QR codes, Soundbox, and mobile payments.

The widget is designed to benefit influencers, shopkeepers, freelancers, delivery partners, and small businessesby simplifying and speeding up payment collection.

The feature was first introduced for iOS usersand received a positive response, prompting its extension to Android.

Paytm introduced a distinct coin-drop soundfor real-time payment notifications.

This sound provides an instantly recognizable alert, enhancing user experience and ensuring payment transparency.

Paytm's launch of these features reflects its commitment to continuous innovationbased on user needs, offering greater convenience and confidence in mobile payments.

ECONOMY

IRDAI Restricts Health Premium Hikes for Seniors to 10% Annually

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has directed insurers not to increase health insurance premiumsfor senior citizens (aged 60 and above) by more than 10% without prior approval.

Insurers must seek regulator approvalbefore discontinuing health policies for senior citizens.

To control rising healthcare costs, insurers have been urged to standardise hospital empanelmentand negotiate package rates similar to the government’s PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).

Premium rates for health insurance are determined by factors such as estimated claims, administrative costs, and acquisition expenses.

A major driver of premium increases is the lack of standardised hospitalisation costsin private insurance, unlike PMJAY, which negotiates uniform package rates.

Senior citizens have reported instances where their premiums nearly doubled, especially when crossing into a higher age bracket or during insurer pricing revisions.

Health insurance premiums are annualand lack a level premium structure (unlike term insurance), leading to fluctuations due to rising medical expenses.

Currently, health insurance does not offer premium discountsfor maintaining good health. The primary incentive for early purchase is the continuity benefit, which ensures claims are not rejected due to pre-existing conditions.

Under new IRDAI guidelines, insurers must disclose the rationalebehind price hikes, ensuring transparency for policyholders.

SPORTS

Logo and Mascot Unveiled for 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025

The official logo and mascot for the 23rd National Para Athletics Championship 2025 were unveiled.

The mascot represents determination and resilience, reflecting the spirit of para-athletes who push boundaries despite challenges.

The logo incorporates elements that symbolize the dynamic nature of para-athletics and the championship's values of empowerment and equality.

The World Championships will provide a global platform for Indian para-athletes to showcase their talents, elevating the profile of para athletics in India.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Union Home Minister Releases "Indian Renaissance: The Modi Decade" Book

The book "Indian Renaissance: The Modi Decade" was released by Shri Amit Shah, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, in New Delhi.

Shri Manohar Lal, Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Kartikeya Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP, and Aishwarya Pandit, the book's editor, were present at the event.

Shri Amit Shah described the past 10 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the end of one era and the beginning of a new one, with India's history being rewritten.

He predicted that even Modi’s critics would acknowledge this period as one marked in golden letters in future history books.

Amit Shah outlined a vision where India's history will be divided into three parts:

Before and After Independence,

Before and After the Emergency,

Before and After Modi Ji.

He affirmed that under Modi's leadership, India is progressing towards becoming a fully developed nation by 2047.