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Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes the Youngest Indian to Ski to South PoleEighteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan, Skier from Mumbai (Maharashtra), became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole of 2,385 meter (m), on December 27, 2025, after trekking 115 Kilometer(km) in -30°C(degree Celsius) temperatures and gale-force winds while pulling a sled with expedition load.The Indian Navy(IN) congratulated her historic achievement.What? Kaamya Karthikeyan Skis to South PoleWhen? December 27, 2025Significance: Youngest Indian and second-youngest woman worldwideJourney Distance: 115 Km from 89° South to the South PoleBroader Vision: Explorers Grand SlamAbout Kaamya Karthikeyan:Overview: Kaamya Karthikeyan is an adventurer, mountaineer, and is the daughter of an Indian Navy (IN) officer.Expedition Details: Started from 89° South, covered 60 nautical miles (~115 km) over 11 days across featureless Antarctic ice. Continuous daylight, extreme cold tested endurance.Achievements: In 2019, she became the youngest girl to scale Aconcagua (Argentina) of 6,962 m, the highest peak in South Africa. In 2023, she became the youngest Indian to summit Mount (Mt) Everest (Nepal and China) from the Nepal side.In 2024 and 2025, she completed the seven summits challenge, finishing with Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, becoming one of the youngest climbers globally to achieve it.About Seven Summits Challenge: It is one of the most prestigious mountaineering achievements in the world. It involves climbing to the highest peak on each of the seven continents, including:Mt Everest (8,849 m), AsiaAconcagua (6,692 m), South AmericaMt McKinley (6,194 m), North America (Alaska, United States of America, USA)Mt Elbrus (5,642 m), Europe (Russia)Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), Africa (Tanzania)Mt Vinson (4,892 m), AntarcticaMt Kosciuszko (2,228 m), Oceania (Australia)About Explorers Grand Slam: It is one of the toughest adventure challenges in the world. It involves the completion of the Seven Summits and skiing to both the North Pole and the South Pole.
Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes the Youngest Indian to Ski to South PoleEighteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan, Skier from Mumbai (Maharashtra), became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole of 2,385 meter (m), on December 27, 2025, after trekking 115 Kilometer(km) in -30°C(degree Celsius) temperatures and gale-force winds while pulling a sled with expedition load.The Indian Navy(IN) congratulated her historic achievement.What? Kaamya Karthikeyan Skis to South PoleWhen? December 27, 2025Significance: Youngest Indian and second-youngest woman worldwideJourney Distance: 115 Km from 89° South to the South PoleBroader Vision: Explorers Grand SlamAbout Kaamya Karthikeyan:Overview: Kaamya Karthikeyan is an adventurer, mountaineer, and is the daughter of an Indian Navy (IN) officer.Expedition Details: Started from 89° South, covered 60 nautical miles (~115 km) over 11 days across featureless Antarctic ice. Continuous daylight, extreme cold tested endurance.Achievements: In 2019, she became the youngest girl to scale Aconcagua (Argentina) of 6,962 m, the highest peak in South Africa. In 2023, she became the youngest Indian to summit Mount (Mt) Everest (Nepal and China) from the Nepal side.In 2024 and 2025, she completed the seven summits challenge, finishing with Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, becoming one of the youngest climbers globally to achieve it.About Seven Summits Challenge: It is one of the most prestigious mountaineering achievements in the world. It involves climbing to the highest peak on each of the seven continents, including:Mt Everest (8,849 m), AsiaAconcagua (6,692 m), South AmericaMt McKinley (6,194 m), North America (Alaska, United States of America, USA)Mt Elbrus (5,642 m), Europe (Russia)Mt Kilimanjaro (5,895 m), Africa (Tanzania)Mt Vinson (4,892 m), AntarcticaMt Kosciuszko (2,228 m), Oceania (Australia)About Explorers Grand Slam: It is one of the toughest adventure challenges in the world. It involves the completion of the Seven Summits and skiing to both the North Pole and the South Pole.
Kaamya Karthikeyan Becomes the Youngest Indian to Ski to South PoleEighteen-year-old Kaamya Karthikeyan, Skier from Mumbai (Maharashtra), became the youngest Indian and second-youngest woman in the world to ski to the South Pole of 2,385 meter (m), o...
Air India & airBaltic Sign Codeshare Agreement to Strengthen Travel Between India and Baltic regionOn December 30, 2025, India’s national flag carrier airline Air India and airBaltic, the national airline of Latvia, signed a new unilateral codeshare agreement aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and the Baltic region through European hubs.A codeshare enables one airline to sell tickets on flights operated by another airline using its own flight code.What? Unilateral Codeshare agreement signedEntities: Air India and airBalticPurpose: To enhance connectivity between India and Baltic regionBaltic Cities Covered: Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania)Key Details of Codeshare Agreement:Arrangement: Under the agreement, Air India will market and sell select airBaltic-operated flights using its “AI” code.Seamless Travel: The agreement enables passengers to book one single ticket from India to Baltic cities and enjoy smooth connections.Routes Covered: As part of the agreement, Air India’s code will be placed on airBaltic flights between Riga (Latvia) and European hubs such as Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Milan (Italy), Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), and London (United Kingdom, UK).From these European cities, Indian passengers can easily connect to Riga, Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania).Baltic Region: This region consists of three Northern European nations: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, situated along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
Air India & airBaltic Sign Codeshare Agreement to Strengthen Travel Between India and Baltic regionOn December 30, 2025, India’s national flag carrier airline Air India and airBaltic, the national airline of Latvia, signed a new unilateral codeshare agreement aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and the Baltic region through European hubs.A codeshare enables one airline to sell tickets on flights operated by another airline using its own flight code.What? Unilateral Codeshare agreement signedEntities: Air India and airBalticPurpose: To enhance connectivity between India and Baltic regionBaltic Cities Covered: Riga (Latvia), Tallinn (Estonia), Vilnius (Lithuania)Key Details of Codeshare Agreement:Arrangement: Under the agreement, Air India will market and sell select airBaltic-operated flights using its “AI” code.Seamless Travel: The agreement enables passengers to book one single ticket from India to Baltic cities and enjoy smooth connections.Routes Covered: As part of the agreement, Air India’s code will be placed on airBaltic flights between Riga (Latvia) and European hubs such as Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Copenhagen (Denmark), Milan (Italy), Vienna (Austria), Zurich (Switzerland), and London (United Kingdom, UK).From these European cities, Indian passengers can easily connect to Riga, Tallinn (Estonia), and Vilnius (Lithuania).Baltic Region: This region consists of three Northern European nations: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, situated along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
Air India & airBaltic Sign Codeshare Agreement to Strengthen Travel Between India and Baltic regionOn December 30, 2025, India’s national flag carrier airline Air India and airBaltic, the national airline of Latvia, signed a new unilateral codeshare ...
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India Overtakes Japan to Become World’s 4th Largest Economy at USD 4.18 Trillion In December 2025, the Government of India (GoI) announced that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s 4th largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valued at USD 4.18 trillion.With this, India now lags behind only the United States of America (USA) which continues to be the world’s largest economy, followed by China (2nd) and Germany (3rd).Key Details:Other Key Projections: The GoI further mentioned that India is on track to surpass Germany and become the world’s third-largest economy within the next 2.5–3 years, with its GDP projected to reach approximately USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.GDP Growth: As per the GoI’s official data, India’s real GDP has increased by 8.2% in 2nd Quarter(Q2: July-September) of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) compared to 7.8% and 7.4% recorded in Q1FY26 and Q4FY25, respectively.Key Target: India aims to attain the High Middle-Income (HMI) status by 2047, marking the centenary (100th) of the country’s Independence.Foreign Exchange Reserves: As of November 2025, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 686.2 billion, providing a strong import cover of over 11 months.Current Account Deficit (CAD): The CAD moderated from 2.2% of GDP in Q2 FY25 to 1.3% in Q2 FY26. Inward remittances rose by 10.7% year-on-year in Q2 FY 2025-26.Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The FDI captured strong momentum in H1 FY26. From April to September 2025, Gross FDI grew 19.4% to USD 51.8 billion from USD 43.4 billion a year ago, while Net FDI surged 127.6% to USD 7.7 billion from USD 3.4 billion.
India Overtakes Japan to Become World’s 4th Largest Economy at USD 4.18 Trillion In December 2025, the Government of India (GoI) announced that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s 4th largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) valued at USD 4.18 trillion.With this, India now lags behind only the United States of America (USA) which continues to be the world’s largest economy, followed by China (2nd) and Germany (3rd).Key Details:Other Key Projections: The GoI further mentioned that India is on track to surpass Germany and become the world’s third-largest economy within the next 2.5–3 years, with its GDP projected to reach approximately USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.GDP Growth: As per the GoI’s official data, India’s real GDP has increased by 8.2% in 2nd Quarter(Q2: July-September) of Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) compared to 7.8% and 7.4% recorded in Q1FY26 and Q4FY25, respectively.Key Target: India aims to attain the High Middle-Income (HMI) status by 2047, marking the centenary (100th) of the country’s Independence.Foreign Exchange Reserves: As of November 2025, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at USD 686.2 billion, providing a strong import cover of over 11 months.Current Account Deficit (CAD): The CAD moderated from 2.2% of GDP in Q2 FY25 to 1.3% in Q2 FY26. Inward remittances rose by 10.7% year-on-year in Q2 FY 2025-26.Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The FDI captured strong momentum in H1 FY26. From April to September 2025, Gross FDI grew 19.4% to USD 51.8 billion from USD 43.4 billion a year ago, while Net FDI surged 127.6% to USD 7.7 billion from USD 3.4 billion.
India Overtakes Japan to Become World’s 4th Largest Economy at USD 4.18 Trillion In December 2025, the Government of India (GoI) announced that India has overtaken Japan to become the world’s 4th largest economy with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) va...
SEBI Mandates NISM Certification for AIF Compliance Officers from January 2027In December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated that compliance officers of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers must obtain certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) by passing the NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund) Certification Examination, effective from January 1, 2027.What? NISM certification made compulsory for AIF Compliance OfficersBy Whom? Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).Exam Required: NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund)Issuing Body: National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)Effective Date: January 1, 2027Key Purpose: Strengthen governance and standardise compliance qualifications in the AIF sectorAbout NISM Certification Mandate for AIFs:Eligibility: From January 1, 2027, only individuals who have cleared the NISM Series-III-C certification examination will be eligible to be appointed as, or continue to serve as, compliance officers of AIF managers.Compliance Reporting: SEBI has directed trustees, sponsors, and managers of AIFs to explicitly disclose adherence to the certification mandate in the annual Compliance Test Report.Implementation: AIF managers and existing compliance officers are advised to proactively register for and complete the NISM Series-III-C certification examination well ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline.In parallel, firms should update their internal compliance frameworks, policies, and reporting systems to incorporate the new certification requirement in compliance records and annual reports.Growth: AIF assets in India have increased from Rs 28,000 crore to over Rs 15 lakh crore in ten years, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 49%.
SEBI Mandates NISM Certification for AIF Compliance Officers from January 2027In December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated that compliance officers of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers must obtain certification from the National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) by passing the NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund) Certification Examination, effective from January 1, 2027.What? NISM certification made compulsory for AIF Compliance OfficersBy Whom? Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).Exam Required: NISM Series-III-C: Securities Intermediaries Compliance (Fund)Issuing Body: National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)Effective Date: January 1, 2027Key Purpose: Strengthen governance and standardise compliance qualifications in the AIF sectorAbout NISM Certification Mandate for AIFs:Eligibility: From January 1, 2027, only individuals who have cleared the NISM Series-III-C certification examination will be eligible to be appointed as, or continue to serve as, compliance officers of AIF managers.Compliance Reporting: SEBI has directed trustees, sponsors, and managers of AIFs to explicitly disclose adherence to the certification mandate in the annual Compliance Test Report.Implementation: AIF managers and existing compliance officers are advised to proactively register for and complete the NISM Series-III-C certification examination well ahead of the January 1, 2027 deadline.In parallel, firms should update their internal compliance frameworks, policies, and reporting systems to incorporate the new certification requirement in compliance records and annual reports.Growth: AIF assets in India have increased from Rs 28,000 crore to over Rs 15 lakh crore in ten years, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 49%.
SEBI Mandates NISM Certification for AIF Compliance Officers from January 2027In December 2025, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandated that compliance officers of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) managers must obtain certificatio...
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RBI Grants Final PA-CB Authorisation to BRISKPEIn December 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to BRISKPE, the Prosus-backed cross-border payments platform, to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act, 2007), enabling it to facilitate both inward and outward payment flows.What? RBI Granted Final Approval for PA-CB authorisationTo whom? BRISKPECategory: Cross-Border Inward & Outward PaymentsGoverning Law: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007About BRISKPE PA-CB Operations:Regulatory Adherence: Robust Know Your Customer (KYC), merchant due diligence, Electronic Foreign Inward Remittance Advice/Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-FIRA/e-BRC) enablement.Banking: Partners with global banks for collections and Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks in India for settlements, supporting inward export collections and outward import payables up to Rs 25 lakh per transaction.Cross-Border: Offers Account-to-Account (A2A) and Cross-border Payment Interface (XPI) products to streamline international payments, covering the full trade cycle for exporters and importers.About BRISKPE:Platform: Founded in 2023, BRISKPE streamlines payments with real-time tracking, virtual accounts, competitive forex, and digital onboarding.Technology & Security: BRISKPE holds International Organization for Standardization 27001 (Information Security Management Standard) (ISO 27001); Service Organization Control 2, Type II (security and process controls audit) (SOC-II-Type-II) certifications; General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant, and Data Protection and Digital Accountability(DPDA)-ready.
RBI Grants Final PA-CB Authorisation to BRISKPEIn December 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to BRISKPE, the Prosus-backed cross-border payments platform, to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (PSS Act, 2007), enabling it to facilitate both inward and outward payment flows.What? RBI Granted Final Approval for PA-CB authorisationTo whom? BRISKPECategory: Cross-Border Inward & Outward PaymentsGoverning Law: Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007About BRISKPE PA-CB Operations:Regulatory Adherence: Robust Know Your Customer (KYC), merchant due diligence, Electronic Foreign Inward Remittance Advice/Electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-FIRA/e-BRC) enablement.Banking: Partners with global banks for collections and Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks in India for settlements, supporting inward export collections and outward import payables up to Rs 25 lakh per transaction.Cross-Border: Offers Account-to-Account (A2A) and Cross-border Payment Interface (XPI) products to streamline international payments, covering the full trade cycle for exporters and importers.About BRISKPE:Platform: Founded in 2023, BRISKPE streamlines payments with real-time tracking, virtual accounts, competitive forex, and digital onboarding.Technology & Security: BRISKPE holds International Organization for Standardization 27001 (Information Security Management Standard) (ISO 27001); Service Organization Control 2, Type II (security and process controls audit) (SOC-II-Type-II) certifications; General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant, and Data Protection and Digital Accountability(DPDA)-ready.
RBI Grants Final PA-CB Authorisation to BRISKPEIn December 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) granted final authorisation to BRISKPE, the Prosus-backed cross-border payments platform, to operate as a Payment Aggregator-Cross Border (PA-CB) under t...
India Post Discontinues Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services from January 1, 2026On December 30, 2025, India Post, also known as Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, announced the discontinuation of certain outward international letter mail services to improve reliability, tracking, customs compliance, and security from 1 January 2026.What? Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services discontinuedWho? India Post (Ministry of Communications)Effect From: 1 January 2026Discontinued Services: Registered Small Packet (for goods), Outward Small Packet (Sea/SAL/Air), Surface Letter Mail, SAL Letter MailUnchanged Services: Registration for document-only items (Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature, M-bags)India Post International Mail Rationalisation:Discontinuation: India Post will discontinue Registered Small Packet (for goods, with registration limited to document-only items as per Universal Postal Union (UPU) norms; Outward Small Packet services for goods sent via Sea, Surface Air Lifted (SAL), or Air; and Surface Letter Mail and SAL Letter Mail services for outward letter post items.Unchanged Provisions: Registration will be available for documents such as Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature, and Mail(M)-bags sent by air.Blind Literature and M-bags will continue under existing UPU rules, with exemptions where applicable.ITPS: DoP emphasized the use of International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services for faster delivery, tracking, security, and customs compliance.
India Post Discontinues Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services from January 1, 2026On December 30, 2025, India Post, also known as Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, announced the discontinuation of certain outward international letter mail services to improve reliability, tracking, customs compliance, and security from 1 January 2026.What? Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services discontinuedWho? India Post (Ministry of Communications)Effect From: 1 January 2026Discontinued Services: Registered Small Packet (for goods), Outward Small Packet (Sea/SAL/Air), Surface Letter Mail, SAL Letter MailUnchanged Services: Registration for document-only items (Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature, M-bags)India Post International Mail Rationalisation:Discontinuation: India Post will discontinue Registered Small Packet (for goods, with registration limited to document-only items as per Universal Postal Union (UPU) norms; Outward Small Packet services for goods sent via Sea, Surface Air Lifted (SAL), or Air; and Surface Letter Mail and SAL Letter Mail services for outward letter post items.Unchanged Provisions: Registration will be available for documents such as Letters, Post Cards, Printed Papers, Aerograms, Blind Literature, and Mail(M)-bags sent by air.Blind Literature and M-bags will continue under existing UPU rules, with exemptions where applicable.ITPS: DoP emphasized the use of International Tracked Packet Service (ITPS) and other international parcel services for faster delivery, tracking, security, and customs compliance.
India Post Discontinues Certain Outward International Letter Mail Services from January 1, 2026On December 30, 2025, India Post, also known as Department of Posts (DoP), under the Ministry of Communications, announced the discontinuation of certain o...
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NMCG Approves Dedicated Project to Save Indian Skimmer & Other Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga BasinIn December 2025, the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General (DG) of NMCG, approved a new project to protect the breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), for the conservation of Endangered (EN) bird species in the Ganga Basin, during its 68th meeting held in New Delhi, Delhi.The project, in line with Namami Gange Mission-II, outlines key focus areas like: long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation.What? Approval of new project to save Indian Skimmer and other sandbar nesting birds in Ganga BasinApproved during: 68th meeting of EC of NMCGFocus Species: Avifauna, along with dolphins, fish, and turtlesLocations: Chambal River (MP/Rajasthan), Lower Ganga; new activities in Bijnor, Narora, Prayagraj (UP)Key Details of Project:Species Covered: This newly approved project, a first-of–its -kind initiative, mainly focuses on Avifauna. It will complement NMCG’s work on dolphins, fish, and turtles, among others.Nest Monitoring: It will continue in the Chambal River (Madhya Pradesh, MP/Rajasthan) and the Lower Ganga, while new activities will begin in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh(UP).Community Involvement: Trained local communities will help in protecting sensitive sandbars, reducing human interference and supporting awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
NMCG Approves Dedicated Project to Save Indian Skimmer & Other Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga BasinIn December 2025, the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General (DG) of NMCG, approved a new project to protect the breeding habitats of sandbar-nesting birds, including the Indian Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), for the conservation of Endangered (EN) bird species in the Ganga Basin, during its 68th meeting held in New Delhi, Delhi.The project, in line with Namami Gange Mission-II, outlines key focus areas like: long-term monitoring, community participation, and evidence-based conservation.What? Approval of new project to save Indian Skimmer and other sandbar nesting birds in Ganga BasinApproved during: 68th meeting of EC of NMCGFocus Species: Avifauna, along with dolphins, fish, and turtlesLocations: Chambal River (MP/Rajasthan), Lower Ganga; new activities in Bijnor, Narora, Prayagraj (UP)Key Details of Project:Species Covered: This newly approved project, a first-of–its -kind initiative, mainly focuses on Avifauna. It will complement NMCG’s work on dolphins, fish, and turtles, among others.Nest Monitoring: It will continue in the Chambal River (Madhya Pradesh, MP/Rajasthan) and the Lower Ganga, while new activities will begin in Bijnor, Narora, and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh(UP).Community Involvement: Trained local communities will help in protecting sensitive sandbars, reducing human interference and supporting awareness and capacity-building initiatives.
NMCG Approves Dedicated Project to Save Indian Skimmer & Other Sandbar-Nesting Birds in Ganga BasinIn December 2025, the Executive Committee (EC) of the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), chaired by Rajeev Kumar Mital, Director General (DG) of ...
GOI Imposes Final Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports Till 2028Government of India(GoI) imposed final safeguard duty on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products imports via Notification No. 02/2025-Customs (SG) dated December 30, 2025, protecting domestic industry from sudden import surge confirmed by DGTR (Director General of Trade Remedies) investigation.Provisional duty (April 21, 2025) converted to definitive 3-year measure effective immediately.What? Safeguard duty on steel flat products (HTS 7208-7212, 7225-7226)Rates? 12% (Apr21’25-Apr20’26), 11.5% (Apr21’26-Apr20’27), 11% (Apr21’27-Apr20’28)Authority? DGTR final findings (Aug 16, 2025); MoF notification Dec 30Products? Hot/cold rolled coils, plates, metallic/colour coated sheetsAbout Safeguard Duty: It is a temporary import tax imposed to protect domestic industries from a sudden surge in imports that threatens or causes serious harm. It is time-bound, applied to specific products, and gradually reduced over a few years.Imposed Safeguard Duty for Imports: Duty Structure: 12% from April 21, 2025, to April 20, 202611.5% from April 21, 2026, to April 20, 202711% from April 21, 2027, to April 20, 2028Covered Products: Duty applies to hot rolled coils/sheets/plates, plate mill plates, cold rolled coils/sheets, metallic coated coils/sheets (galvanneal, zinc/aluminium-zinc), colour coated coils/sheets under Customs Tariff headings 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225, 7226.Background: In April 2025, GOI issued the provisional safeguard duty, which was imposed based on the findings of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
GOI Imposes Final Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports Till 2028Government of India(GoI) imposed final safeguard duty on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products imports via Notification No. 02/2025-Customs (SG) dated December 30, 2025, protecting domestic industry from sudden import surge confirmed by DGTR (Director General of Trade Remedies) investigation.Provisional duty (April 21, 2025) converted to definitive 3-year measure effective immediately.What? Safeguard duty on steel flat products (HTS 7208-7212, 7225-7226)Rates? 12% (Apr21’25-Apr20’26), 11.5% (Apr21’26-Apr20’27), 11% (Apr21’27-Apr20’28)Authority? DGTR final findings (Aug 16, 2025); MoF notification Dec 30Products? Hot/cold rolled coils, plates, metallic/colour coated sheetsAbout Safeguard Duty: It is a temporary import tax imposed to protect domestic industries from a sudden surge in imports that threatens or causes serious harm. It is time-bound, applied to specific products, and gradually reduced over a few years.Imposed Safeguard Duty for Imports: Duty Structure: 12% from April 21, 2025, to April 20, 202611.5% from April 21, 2026, to April 20, 202711% from April 21, 2027, to April 20, 2028Covered Products: Duty applies to hot rolled coils/sheets/plates, plate mill plates, cold rolled coils/sheets, metallic coated coils/sheets (galvanneal, zinc/aluminium-zinc), colour coated coils/sheets under Customs Tariff headings 7208, 7209, 7210, 7211, 7212, 7225, 7226.Background: In April 2025, GOI issued the provisional safeguard duty, which was imposed based on the findings of Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I).
GOI Imposes Final Safeguard Duty on Steel Imports Till 2028Government of India(GoI) imposed final safeguard duty on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products imports via Notification No. 02/2025-Customs (SG) dated December 30, 2025, protecting domestic...
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MoS&T Signs Agreement with VMSPL under the IC-CIR&D ProgrammeIn December 2025, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), signed an agreement with Vijai Marine Services Private Limited (VMSPL), Goa for the “Smart Sea Project by Vijai Autonomous Craft for Environment (VACE)”.What? Smart Sea Project by VACE: 20-passenger electric boatAgreement? TDB-DST with VMSPL (Goa) under IC-CIR&DPartners? Canadian: ACEL Power Inc (electric propulsion)Vessel? FRP hull (IRS certified), electric motors, battery systemsObjectives? Reduce emissions, noise; green waterwaysAbout Smart Sea Project by VACE:Framework: The project is supported under the Indo-Canada Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme (IC-CIR&D), a joint initiative of DST and National Research Council (NRC), Canada, and Global Affairs Canada.Purpose: The project aims to develop and demonstrate a 20-passenger electric boat, supporting Government of India (GOI)’s goals of clean waterways, reduced fossil fuel use, and sustainable tourism.Features: Under the agreement, VMSPL will build an Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)-certified lightweight Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) electric boat, fitted with electric propulsion, batteries, and a digital control system by ACEL Power Inc.
MoS&T Signs Agreement with VMSPL under the IC-CIR&D ProgrammeIn December 2025, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), signed an agreement with Vijai Marine Services Private Limited (VMSPL), Goa for the “Smart Sea Project by Vijai Autonomous Craft for Environment (VACE)”.What? Smart Sea Project by VACE: 20-passenger electric boatAgreement? TDB-DST with VMSPL (Goa) under IC-CIR&DPartners? Canadian: ACEL Power Inc (electric propulsion)Vessel? FRP hull (IRS certified), electric motors, battery systemsObjectives? Reduce emissions, noise; green waterwaysAbout Smart Sea Project by VACE:Framework: The project is supported under the Indo-Canada Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Programme (IC-CIR&D), a joint initiative of DST and National Research Council (NRC), Canada, and Global Affairs Canada.Purpose: The project aims to develop and demonstrate a 20-passenger electric boat, supporting Government of India (GOI)’s goals of clean waterways, reduced fossil fuel use, and sustainable tourism.Features: Under the agreement, VMSPL will build an Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)-certified lightweight Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) electric boat, fitted with electric propulsion, batteries, and a digital control system by ACEL Power Inc.
MoS&T Signs Agreement with VMSPL under the IC-CIR&D ProgrammeIn December 2025, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Ministry of Science & Technology (MoS&T), signed an agreement with Vijai Mari...
Western Railways Commissions Indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ on Bajwa-Ahmedabad SectionIn December 2025, Vadodara division of Western Railways, Ministry of Railways (MoR), officially commissioned the indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ system on the 96 kilometer (km)-long Bajwa(Vadodara)-Ahmedabad section, covering 17 stations, in Gujarat.Sankalp Fast (59549/59550) was the 1st Kavach-enabled train on this route.What? Commissioning of indigenous Kavach 4.0Commissioned by: Vadodara division of Western Railways, MoRWhere? Bajwa (Vadodara)-Ahmedabad section (Gujarat)Purpose: To enhance train safety, prevent collision and improve speed controlOverall Deployment: Over 2,200 route km implemented so farAbout Kavach System:Purpose: Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) of Indian Railways (IR), is designed to prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), control over-speeding, and avert head-on and rear-end collisions.Safety Level: The system operates at Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), the highest safety standard for train control systems.Key Technologies Used: It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communication, enabling real-time exchange of data between track equipment, signals, and locomotives, and providing continuous alerts to loco pilots.Till date, IR has implemented Kavach on over 2,200 route km.About Kavach 4.0:Advanced Version: In July 2024, Kavach 4.0 received the formal approval from the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), a technical body of the MoR.Key Enhancements: The upgraded Kavach system features improved location accuracy, enhanced signal detection in complex yards, seamless interlocking integration, and optical fibre–based station-to-station connectivity.
Western Railways Commissions Indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ on Bajwa-Ahmedabad SectionIn December 2025, Vadodara division of Western Railways, Ministry of Railways (MoR), officially commissioned the indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ system on the 96 kilometer (km)-long Bajwa(Vadodara)-Ahmedabad section, covering 17 stations, in Gujarat.Sankalp Fast (59549/59550) was the 1st Kavach-enabled train on this route.What? Commissioning of indigenous Kavach 4.0Commissioned by: Vadodara division of Western Railways, MoRWhere? Bajwa (Vadodara)-Ahmedabad section (Gujarat)Purpose: To enhance train safety, prevent collision and improve speed controlOverall Deployment: Over 2,200 route km implemented so farAbout Kavach System:Purpose: Kavach, an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) of Indian Railways (IR), is designed to prevent Signal Passing at Danger (SPAD), control over-speeding, and avert head-on and rear-end collisions.Safety Level: The system operates at Safety Integrity Level-4 (SIL-4), the highest safety standard for train control systems.Key Technologies Used: It uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio communication, enabling real-time exchange of data between track equipment, signals, and locomotives, and providing continuous alerts to loco pilots.Till date, IR has implemented Kavach on over 2,200 route km.About Kavach 4.0:Advanced Version: In July 2024, Kavach 4.0 received the formal approval from the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), a technical body of the MoR.Key Enhancements: The upgraded Kavach system features improved location accuracy, enhanced signal detection in complex yards, seamless interlocking integration, and optical fibre–based station-to-station connectivity.
Western Railways Commissions Indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ on Bajwa-Ahmedabad SectionIn December 2025, Vadodara division of Western Railways, Ministry of Railways (MoR), officially commissioned the indigenous ‘Kavach 4.0’ system on the 96 kilometer (km)-lo...
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