India Pushes for BRICS Digital Currency Link to Boost Trade and Tourism India’s central bank has proposed that BRICS nations connect their official digital currencies to simplify cross-border trade and tourism payments, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The move could ease dependence on the U.S. dollar at a time of growing geopolitical tensions. Proposal for BRICS 2026 Summit The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has recommended that the government include the plan to link central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) on the agenda for the upcoming 2026 BRICS summit, which India will host later this year. If approved,…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
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A Decade of Startup India: Scaling Innovation and Shaping India’s Growth Story India’s entrepreneurial landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade, fuelled by the Startup India Initiative launched in 2016. As of December 2025, more than two lakh startups have been recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), positioning India among the world’s largest and most dynamic startup ecosystems. This milestone marks a decisive shift from policy support to sustainable scale, innovation, and inclusion. Building a Nationwide Ecosystem for Innovation Startup India has evolved into a full-lifecycle platform supporting entrepreneurs through ideation, funding, mentorship,…
India to Ease Foreign Investment Rules in Defence Sector India plans to significantly relax restrictions on foreign investment in defence companies, two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter have said. The reform aims to attract greater overseas participation in domestic defence manufacturing, aligning with the country’s push to strengthen its industrial base following last year’s conflict with Pakistan. Raising Investment Limits and Simplifying Rules Under the proposal, the cap on foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence firms with existing licences via the automatic route—where government approval is not required—is expected to increase from 49% to 74%, the officials…
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative Strengthens India’s Scientific Workforce The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been driving a major national effort to boost skill development through its Integrated Skill Initiative, a flagship programme aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Skill India missions. The initiative aims to close the gap between scientific research and industry needs by providing hands-on, industry-oriented training to a wide spectrum of learners across the country. Bridging Science, Industry, and Skills As India’s premier R&D organisation, CSIR leverages its extensive network of laboratories, cutting-edge research infrastructure, and scientific expertise to integrate technical…
Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 Highlights State’s Push for AI-Driven Governance The Madhya Pradesh Regional AI Impact Conference 2026 concluded in Bhopal, showcasing how artificial intelligence is transforming governance and public service delivery across the state. Jointly organised by the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the conference underlined the growing alignment between national and state-level AI priorities. Strengthening AI Education and Infrastructure A major highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the IndiaAI Mission and the Government of Madhya…
Ancient Wolf Pup Stomach Reveals DNA from Woolly Rhino, Offering Clues to Ice Age Extinction About 14,400 years ago, a young wolf pup in northeastern Siberia ate its final meal — meat from a woolly rhinoceros — before dying on the unforgiving Ice Age tundra. Now, scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery by extracting DNA from the undigested rhino meat found in the pup’s stomach, preserved for millennia in permafrost near the village of Tumat. The recovered DNA enabled researchers to reconstruct the rhino’s genome, offering rare insight into the evolutionary history and extinction of the woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis).…
SpaceX Crew Returns to Earth Early After Astronaut’s Medical Emergency A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying four astronauts made a safe emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean early on Wednesday, after one crew member developed a serious but undisclosed medical condition. The spacecraft, named Endeavour, splashed down off the coast of San Diego at about 12:45 a.m. EST (0845 GMT), completing a 10-hour descent from the International Space Station (ISS). Safe Splashdown Marks a Historic First The return marked the first time NASA has ended an ISS mission early due to a medical emergency. The capsule’s fiery re-entry through Earth’s…
NASA Conducts ISS Command Handover Amid Emergency Crew Return NASA marked a historic milestone aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, 12 January, with a ceremonial change of command commemorating 25 years of continuous human presence in space. U.S. astronaut Mike Fincke handed leadership of Expedition 74 to Russian cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov during a brief but symbolic ceremony. “The ISS is a wonder of engineering, science, and diplomacy,” Fincke said as he relinquished command. Kud-Sverchkov, pledging continued cooperation, responded, “Let’s continue working together.” Medical Emergency Prompts Unprecedented Early Return The ceremony took place amid news of a serious medical…
Digital India Ask Our Experts Highlights India AI Impact Summit 2026 as a Turning Point in the Nation’s AI Journey The 38th episode of Digital India Ask Our Experts, held on 9 January 2026, spotlighted the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 as a defining event for India’s Artificial Intelligence ecosystem. The discussion positioned the summit as a landmark moment that will shape the nation’s path towards responsible, inclusive, and human-centred AI development. Shaping the Future through People, Planet, and Progress Officials from IndiaAI and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) — including Shikha Dahiya, Joint Director for…
BHASHINI Samudaye: Building India’s Inclusive Language AI Future The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) successfully hosted BHASHINI Samudaye: Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem at Nalanda Hall, Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, in collaboration with Wadhwani AI. The workshop marked a key milestone in uniting India’s growing language AI ecosystem through collaboration, participatory governance, and shared digital infrastructure. Strengthening India’s Multilingual AI Infrastructure The event opened with welcome remarks, felicitation of guests, and a formal inauguration by senior MeitY officials. Leaders from the Digital India BHASHINI Division outlined a national vision…