NATIONAL NEWS

Prasar Bharati to Resume Thadou Language Broadcasts in Manipur

Prasar Bharati has initiated efforts to resume live radio programmes in the Thadou language from All India Radio Imphal, halted during Manipur’s ethnic violence in 2023.

The step follows requests from Thadou community organisations and is aimed at cultural inclusion and confidence-building in the state.

Administrative and staffing preparations have begun, including recalling earlier Thadou staff or recruiting new personnel for live broadcasts.

Prior to the violence, live Thadou programmes were aired daily; currently, only recorded Thadou songs are broadcast from 5:00–5:30 pm.

Live programmes are seen as crucial for preserving language, culture, and social identity of the Thadou community, while promoting peace and mutual respect among ethnic groups.

The move aligns with wider assertions of Thadou identity following events such as the killing of Thadou leader Nehkam Jomhao in August 2024 and the Thadou declaration in Guwahati, November 2024 reaffirming them as an independent indigenous tribe.

Thadou Tribe Key Facts:

Indigenous to hill areas around Imphal Valley, Manipur, with smaller populations in Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Delhi.

Population in Manipur: 190,595 (Census 2011), second-largest tribe after Meiteis.

Language: Thadou and Chin, part of Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan family.

Cultural affiliation: Shares heritage with Chin–Kuki–Mizo community.

The initiative highlights the role of Prasar Bharati and regional language broadcasting in promoting social harmony, cultural preservation, and nation-building.

India Releases Literary Works to Promote Classical Languages and Inclusive Access

Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan will release 55 literary works developed by Centres of Excellence for Classical Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia, along with Tirukkural books and a sign language series in New Delhi.

The publications aim to preserve ancient texts, support research and education, and are designed for both scholars and general readers.

The works are developed under the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), which promotes linguistic diversity, multilingual education, and documentation of Indian languages.

The Tirukkural series includes 13 books, and a 45-episode sign language interpretation series improves access for persons with hearing disabilities.

The initiative strengthens cultural continuity, encourages young learners to engage with ancient texts, promotes inclusive education, and reinforces India’s multilingual and multicultural identity.

India has 11 classical languages officially recognized for their ancient origins and rich literary traditions: Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Sanskrit, Odia, Marathi, Assamese, Pali, Prakrit, and Marathi. Dedicated institutions support their study and promotion, forming the foundation of India’s cultural heritage.

India’s AYUSH System Gains Global Recognition

India’s traditional healthcare system AYUSH has been formally recognised in bilateral trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand, finalized.

The agreements cover traditional medicine and health-related services, providing regulatory clarity and facilitating smoother trade.

AYUSH recognition in these agreements strengthens India’s presence in global traditional medicine markets and promotes herbal products and wellness services.

AYUSH systems include Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy, focusing on preventive and holistic healthcare.

Global recognition enhances credibility, supports Indian exporters entering regulated markets, and encourages research and wellness collaborations. It also advances India’s soft power through health diplomacy.

Export growth highlights rising global demand: AYUSH and herbal exports increased by 6.11%, from USD 649.2 million (2023–24) to USD 688.89 million (2024–25).

The sector includes medicines, wellness services, and education, with export promotion being a key government focus.

India to Launch First Hydrogen-Powered Train in Haryana

India’s first hydrogen-powered train is set to operate in Haryana.

The pilot project between Jind and Sonipat is in the final commissioning stage, with the hydrogen plant ready at Jind.

The train is a Northern Railway pilot project aimed at demonstrating hydrogen as a clean fuel for rail transport.

The train-set has been manufactured and tested.

A hydrogen plant with 3,000 kg storage capacity has been set up at Jind.

Hydrogen is produced using the electrolysis process, powered by a stable 11 kV electricity supply for uninterrupted operation.

Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi coordinated with Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam to monitor power supply.

The project follows RDSO specifications to ensure safety and performance.

Hydrogen trains produce zero carbon emissions at the point of use and serve as a sustainable alternative to diesel trains on non-electrified routes.

The initiative supports India’s green energy and climate goals.

Tamil Nadu Announces TAPS for Government Employees

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS) guaranteeing 50% of last drawn monthly salary as pension for state government employees and teachers.

The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, following a 23-year demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Under TAPS, employees will contribute 10% of their basic salary, while the remaining share will be borne by the State Government. Under OPS, the government fully funded pensions.

Employee unions, who had threatened an indefinite strike from January 6, have withdrawn their protest after the announcement.

Although the official statement did not mention an implementation date, government sources indicated that TAPS may come into force from January 1, 2027.

The scheme will impose a significant financial burden on the state, including a one-time contribution of ₹13,000 crore and annual expenditure of ₹11,000 crore, which will be revised with salary hikes.

Pensioners will receive Dearness Allowance (DA) hikes every six months, similar to serving employees.

In case of a pensioner’s death, 60% of the pension will be provided as family pension to eligible dependents.

Gratuity up to ₹25 lakh will be provided at retirement or in case of death during service, based on length of service.

TAPS ensures minimum pension for employees retiring without completing qualifying service and provides compassionate pension for CPS employees who retired without pension before TAPS.

Tamil Nadu’s committed expenditure already stands at 62% of revenue receipts, including pensions (14%), and is expected to rise with TAPS implementation.

The announcement follows recommendations of a committee headed by IAS officer Gagandeep Singh Bedi and fulfils the DMK’s 2021 election promise on pension reform.

India’s Largest Integrated Inland Rainbow Trout Farm Inaugurated in Telangana

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, along with Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated India’s largest integrated inland Rainbow Trout farm in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana.

The farm has been established by SmartGreen Aquaculture, a startup, with an estimated investment of around ₹50 crore.

The project is notable because Rainbow Trout is traditionally a cold-water species, usually farmed only in high-altitude Himalayan regions, but this farm enables trout cultivation in the warm Deccan Plateau climate using advanced engineering and innovative technology.

The initiative marks a major technological milestone in aquaculture, supporting diversification of fish species and boosting inland fish production.

On the occasion, the Union Minister assured full support for trout export through the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), enhancing opportunities for international trade and farmer income.

                                          

BANKING                   

IBBI Introduces Revised Electronic Forms for Liquidation Process

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has introduced revised electronic forms for the liquidation process, effective January 2026, to simplify compliance and improve the quality of regulatory filings.

The revision follows amendments to the IBBI (Liquidation Process) Regulations, 2016, notified on January 2, 2026, requiring insolvency professionals to submit liquidation-related forms with supporting enclosures on IBBI’s electronic platform within prescribed timelines.

The move aims to strengthen transparency and reduce procedural complexity in the liquidation process.

The existing liquidation forms have been comprehensively revised to remove duplication and rationalise data requirements, leveraging technology to auto-populate information already available on the portal.

The new system is expected to reduce time and effort for regulatory compliance while maintaining availability of critical information.

Under the revised framework, four forms (LIQ-1 to LIQ-4) will now cover the entire lifecycle of liquidation, including commencement and public announcement, periodic progress reporting, asset realisation and distribution, unclaimed proceeds, stakeholders’ consultation meetings, and receipts and payments up to dissolution or closure.

All revised forms, except LIQ-2, will be available from January 1, 2026, while LIQ-2 will be enabled from February 1, 2026; existing forms will be discontinued from these dates.

To ensure a smooth transition, IBBI has granted penalty relief for delayed filings during January–March 2026.

A form-modification utility with OTP-based authentication has been introduced to correct errors, while non-filing or submission of inaccurate information may attract regulatory action.

IDFC FIRST Bank Introduces Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Bank launched the ‘Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card’, a premium credit card designed for frequent international travellers, offering zero foreign exchange (Forex) markup along with travel and lifestyle benefits.

The card can be applied online via the bank’s website or mobile app, with a ₹500 gift voucher on spending ₹5,000 within 30 days of card activation.

It provides domestic and international airport lounge access on a minimum monthly spend of ₹20,000, and airport meet-and-greet services on USD 1,000 annual spend.

It includes trip cancellation cover of ₹25,000, coverage for lost baggage and flight delays, ₹1 crore air accident insurance, and ₹10 lakh personal accident cover.

It carries a ₹3,000 GST joining and annual fee, waived on ₹6 lakh annual spend, with dynamic interest rates starting from 8.5% per annum, and 0% interest on global ATM withdrawals till due date (₹199 withdrawal fee applicable).

It also offers fuel surcharge waiver at select outlets and supports international ATM withdrawals with minimal charges.

Cardholders earn up to 60 reward points per ₹150 spent on hotels, 40 points on flights, and 10 points on other spends, with each reward point valued at ₹0.25.

Reward points come with lifetime validity, no earning cap, and can be redeemed online, enhancing long-term value for users.

 

ECONOMY

India Ratings Forecasts 6.9% GDP Growth for India in FY27

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fitch Group, projected India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth at 6.9% in FY27, lower than the estimated 7.4% growth in FY26.

The FY27 growth outlook faces several risk factors, including a possible El Niño pattern from mid-2026, weak investment momentum, sluggish global trade growth, and soft current demand conditions.

Base effect risks arise due to the proposed change in base year for GDP to 2022-23 and Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2024, replacing earlier base years 2011-12 and 2012, respectively.

Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE), a key indicator of household demand, stood at 5.6% in FY24, increased to 7.2% in FY25, and further improved to 7.5% in H1 FY26 (April–September).

Ind-Ra projected PFCE growth at 7.6% year-on-year in FY27, highlighting its importance as PFCE accounts for nearly 55.9% of GDP (Q2 FY26) from the demand side.

The agency stated that India’s inflation outlook for Q4 FY26 and FY27 remains benign, supporting macroeconomic stability.

 

DEFENCE       

Indian Army Launches ‘Bhairav’ Modern Warfare Force with Large-Scale Drone Integration

Indian Army (IA) announced the creation of a modern warfare force named ‘Bhairav’, aimed at enhancing combat capabilities through large-scale drone integration and creation of a pool of over 1 lakh trained drone operatives.

Bhairav units are being trained to handle the complexities of modern warfare, with a strong focus on advanced drone-based operations.

The Bhairav battalions are fully trained in the use of drones for real-time targeting of enemy bases and formations during operations.

These battalions have been raised as a high-speed offensive force, capable of executing Special Forces–type tasking at multiple operational levels.

The primary aim of Bhairav battalions is to bridge the gap between Para Special Forces (SF) and regular Infantry units, enabling special operations from tactical to operational depth.

At present, the Indian Army has raised about 15 Bhairav battalions, which are deployed across various formations along both borders.

The IA plans to raise around 25 additional Bhairav battalions in the near future to further strengthen modern combat readiness.

The Bhairav battalions will make their first public appearance at the Indian Army Day Parade in Jaipur, Rajasthan on January 15, 2026.

As part of broader modern warfare restructuring, the Indian Army has also created ‘Rudra Brigades’, which are all-arms formations integrating infantry, mechanised units, tanks, artillery, Special Forces, and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs).

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ida Liu Named Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Private Bank

HSBC Private Bank appointed Ida Liu as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective from January 05, 2026.

She succeeds Gabriel Castello, who had been serving as the interim CEO since December 2024.

Ida Liu brings over 25 years of global experience across wealth management, strategic advisory, and business transformation.

She has extensive expertise in advising Ultra-High-Net-Worth (UHNW) clients on investment, liquidity, and legacy planning.

Before joining HSBC, she served as the Global Head of Citi Private Bank from 2007.

During her tenure at Citi Bank, she held several key leadership roles, including Head of Citi Private Bank North America.

She also served as Head of Citi Private Bank New York (USA).

Additionally, she led the Asian Clients Group, highlighting her strong international and cross-regional leadership experience.