NATIONAL NEWS

Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the Fifth National Conference of Chief Secretaries in New Delhi.

The conference will be organised under the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat”, reflecting the government’s focus on transforming India’s population into skilled, productive and future-ready human capital to achieve the goal of a developed nation.

The event seeks to strengthen structured Centre–State collaboration on critical development priorities.

Deliberations will focus on early childhood education, school education, skilling, higher education, and sports and extracurricular activities, with emphasis on inclusive, sustainable and people-centric growth.

Special sessions will cover deregulation in States, technology in governance, AgriStack for smart supply chains, One State One World-Class Tourist Destination, Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi, and a roadmap for a post–Left Wing Extremism future.

Informal discussions will also take place on heritage and manuscript preservation and digitisation and Ayush for All, highlighting the integration of traditional knowledge with modern governance.

Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, senior central officials and experts will participate.

Previous editions were held at Dharamshala (June 2022), New Delhi (January 2023), New Delhi (December 2023) and New Delhi (December 2024).

Ministry of Civil Aviation Grants No Objection Certificates to New Airlines

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to two new airlines, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress.

These approvals clear the way for their commercial launch in 2026.

Another new carrier, Shankh Air, which has already secured its NOC earlier, is also expected to begin operations next year.

Together, these developments indicate increased activity and competition in India’s domestic aviation sector.

Granting of an NOC is the first major regulatory step for launching an airline in India.

It signifies that the proposed airline has met initial requirements related to ownership structure, financial capability, and security clearances.

The approvals come at a time when India’s aviation market is witnessing rapid passenger growth, along with concerns over market concentration and resilience.

India is currently the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, driven by rising incomes, improved regional connectivity, and increasing air travel demand.

At present, there are nine scheduled domestic airlines operating in the country.

World’s Largest Open-Air Theatre Dhanu Yatra Inaugurated in Bargarh, Odisha

Dhanu Yatra, the world’s largest open-air theatre festival, was inaugurated in Bargarh district of Odisha.

It is an eleven-day cultural festival that celebrates Indi an mythology, tradition, and folk performance, attracting thousands of visitors from across Odisha and other parts of India.

The festival is based on the mythological re-enactment of the life of Lord Krishna, starting from his birth and culminating in the death of King Kansa, his demon uncle.

A unique feature of Dhanu Yatra is that the entire town of Bargarh is transformed into the mythical city of Mathura.

Streets, palaces, riverbanks, and courtyards become live performance spaces, turning the town itself into a theatre.

Key locations such as the Rangamahal, Nanda Raja’s court, and other public spaces serve as natural stages where different episodes of Krishna’s life are enacted sequentially.

Unlike conventional theatre, there is no fixed stage or seating, and the boundary between performers and audience is blurred, creating a fully immersive and interactive experience.

Dhanu Yatra plays an important role in preserving and promoting the cultural and mythological heritage associated with Lord Krishna.

Ola Electric Bags ₹366.78 Crore Incentive Under PLI-Auto Scheme

Ola Electric has received a sanction order of ₹366.78 crore from the Ministry of Heavy Industries under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components (PLI-Auto).

The sanctioned incentive pertains to FY 2024–25 and is issued under the Demand Incentive for Determined Sales Value component of the scheme.

The incentive amount will be disbursed through IFCI Limited, which acts as the designated financial institution for implementing the PLI-Auto Scheme.

The PLI-Auto Scheme is aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing, encouraging advanced automotive technologies, and enhancing global competitiveness of India’s automobile and auto components sector.

The scheme supports India’s broader objective of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and the transition towards electric mobility and clean transportation.

 

BANKING

SEBI Doubles Threshold to ₹10 Lakh to Simplify Issuance of Duplicate Securities

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has simplified the procedure for issuance of duplicate securities by doubling the monetary threshold for simplified documentation from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

The revised norms aim to make the process faster, efficient, and investor-friendly, while reducing compliance burden and procedural inconsistencies.

The decision follows a consultation paper issued in November 2025, focused on ease of investor services and uniformity in procedures.

Effective immediately, the new guidelines also apply to applications currently under process.

Investors holding securities valued up to ₹10 lakh will now be required to submit fewer documents, simplifying recovery of lost or damaged securities.

All duplicate securities will be issued only in demat mode, promoting dematerialisation and stronger investor protection.

For securities above ₹10 lakh, SEBI has prescribed a standardised Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bond format with rationalised documentation.

Securities up to ₹10,000: Investors can submit a simple undertaking on plain paper.

Securities above ₹10,000 and up to ₹10 lakh: Submission of only a standard Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bond on appropriate non-judicial stamp paper is required.

Securities above ₹10 lakh: Investors must additionally submit a copy of FIR, police complaint, court order, or complaint containing full details of the securities.

For securities valued above ₹10 lakh, the listed company must publish an advertisement about the loss of securities in a widely circulated regional newspaper on a weekly basis.

Life Insurance Corporation of India Partners with Sahaj Insurance Services

Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Sahaj Insurance Services Private Limited to expand life insurance penetration in rural and semi-urban India.

The partnership aims to improve insurance access and awareness in underserved and low-literacy regions, supporting India’s broader goals of financial inclusion and social security.

Under the agreement, Sahaj’s assisted digital service network will enable citizens to understand, enrol in, and manage LIC life insurance policies, simplifying insurance processes at the last mile.

The collaboration will leverage digitally enabled rural centres to provide services such as policy onboarding, policy servicing, and claims assistance.

The partnership aligns with its long-standing objective of providing life insurance protection to all sections of society, especially beyond urban centres.

Sahaj Insurance Services highlighted that the initiative combines LIC’s trusted brand with Sahaj’s last-mile delivery and assisted digital model.

Sahaj Insurance Services Private Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sahaj Retail and operates under the Kanoria Foundation initiative.

Sahaj Insurance Services has recently received a corporate agency licence from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), enabling it to distribute insurance products nationwide.

IRDAI Slaps ₹1 Crore Penalty on Reliance General Insurance for Regulatory Violations

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) imposed a ₹1 crore monetary penalty on Reliance General Insurance for violation of regulatory norms.

IRDAI observed irregular payouts of ₹5.16 crore in FY19 made by the insurer to Glitterbug Technologies, the parent company of Coverfox Insurance Broking.

The regulator also flagged arbitrary payments made to an individual agent of Oriental Insurance Company, amounting to ₹1.14 crore (FY19), ₹27 lakh (FY20) and ₹28.67 lakh (FY21).

IRDAI directed Reliance General Insurance to place the penalty order before its Board, submit the Board meeting minutes, and file an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 90 days.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

President Presents Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025

President of India Droupadi Murmu presented the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 at a ceremonial function held in New Delhi.

The award recognises children below 18 years for exceptional achievements, bravery and exemplary conduct, highlighting the role of youth in shaping India’s future.

The Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar is India’s highest civilian honour for children.

It is awarded in six categories: Bravery, Social Service, Environment, Sports, Art and Culture, and Science and Technology.

The scheme replaced the earlier National Bravery Awards and aims to encourage, inspire and recognise young role models whose actions positively impact society.

Vaka Lakshmi Pragnika (7 years) was praised for her achievements in chess, contributing to India’s growing global stature in the sport.

Acts of bravery by Ajay Raj and Mohammed Sidan P, who saved lives through courage and presence of mind, were commended.

Vyoma Priya (9) and Kamlesh Kumar (11) were remembered with reverence for losing their lives while saving others, symbolising supreme sacrifice at a young age.

Shravan Singh (10) was lauded for supplying water, milk and lassi to Indian soldiers during Operation Sindoor in a border area despite risks.

Achievements across diverse fields were also recognised.

Shivani Hosuru Uppara, a differently abled sportsperson, was praised for overcoming economic and physical challenges to excel in sports.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi was commended for his record-breaking achievements in cricket at a young age, reflecting India’s growing sporting talent.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Odisha Names Anu Garg as State’s First Woman Chief Secretary

The Government of Odisha has appointed Anu Garg, a senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, as the Chief Secretary (CS) of Odisha, making her the first woman to hold the state’s top bureaucratic post.

The appointment of Anu Garg will come into effect on 1 January 2026, following the retirement of incumbent Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on 31 December 2025.

Anu Garg is a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, with over 30 years of experience in public administration.

In February 2023, she created history by becoming the first woman Development Commissioner of Odisha, the second-highest bureaucratic position in the state administration.

She has served at the Union Government level as Joint Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

At the state level, she has held key positions including Principal Secretary of the Labour Department and the Women and Child Development Department of Odisha.

Anu Garg was a member of the High-Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) constituted by the Planning Commission of India.

Prior to her appointment as Chief Secretary, she served as Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary, overseeing the Planning and Convergence Department and the Water Resources Department of Odisha.

 

SPORTS

Alpine SG Pipers Win Global Chess League 2025 Season 3

Alpine SG Pipers, led by Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri, won the Global Chess League 2025 Season 3, defeating defending champions Triveni Continental Kings in the finals held in Mumbai.

This victory marked the first-ever Global Chess League title for Alpine SG Pipers and highlighted India’s growing dominance in international chess, with Indian players excelling in high-pressure global team formats.

The finals were played in a two-match format, where overall consistency and team strength were decisive.

Alpine SG Pipers won the first match by 4–2, gaining an early advantage through aggressive and tactically sharp play.

In the second match, the team dominated further, registering a 4.5–1.5 win to clinch the championship convincingly.

Anish Giri played a decisive role in the finals by delivering a tactical masterclass against Wei Yi and winning both games with the Black pieces.

His exceptional performance earned him the Most Valuable Player of the Finals award.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa delivered a crucial victory in the second match by defeating Vidit Gujrathi in a 35-move tactical game, displaying composure, maturity and attacking precision at a critical stage.

Another key contribution came from Alireza Firouzja, who defeated Fabiano Caruana in the first match, underlining the strong collective performance of Alpine SG Pipers.

The Global Chess League is a franchise-based international chess tournament designed to make chess more spectator-friendly by combining rapid-format games, team strategies and high-intensity matches.

Season 3 featured elite grandmasters and emerging talents from across the world and concluded with a high-quality final in Mumbai, further strengthening the league’s global appeal.