Khaleda Zia funeral draws regional dignitaries; diplomatic outreach and regional security stories dominate foreign headlines.
A mass state funeral for former prime minister Khaleda Zia drew large public attendance and South Asian dignitaries; India's External Affairs Minister handed a letter from the Indian prime minister to BNP leader Tarique Rahman at the funeral, reflecting diplomatic outreach amid tight security. The bulletin also records Quad envoys meeting in Beijing, Pakistan's deputy prime minister's planned strategic dialogue visit to China, regional military escalation between India and Pakistan in 2025, shifts toward diversified India-Russia economic ties, renewed India-Sri Lanka engagement, and UNFPA commentary on Pakistan's population as a development priority.

Appointment of Maharashtra Police DGP places a counterterrorism veteran on a two-year state policing leadership role.
Appointment of Sadanand Vasant Date as Director General of Maharashtra Police establishes a senior administrative leadership change with a fixed tenure of two years. The appointment follows his premature repatriation from central deputation as head of the National Investigation Agency and places him in charge of statewide law-and-order administration during a local election period.

Centre's fiscal deficit at 62.3% of the budget estimate through November, with receipts and expenditure diverging.
The Centre's fiscal deficit stood at Rs 9.76 lakh crore (62.3% of the 2025-26 annual budget target of Rs 15.69 lakh crore), up from 52.5% year on year; receipts were Rs 19.49 lakh crore (55.7% of BE) and total expenditure Rs 29.25 lakh crore (57.8% of BE), with Rs 22.67 lakh crore on revenue account and Rs 6.58 lakh crore on capital account.

DPE: CPSEs achieved 49.1% of 2025-26 CAPEX; two CPSEs granted Navratna status and MSE procurement hit 47.21%.
The Department of Public Enterprises monitored CAPEX for select CPSEs and related agencies, recording Rs.3.85 lakh crore (49.1% of the Rs.7.85 lakh crore BE) for April-September 2025; organised workshops to promote Industry 4.0 adoption across CPSEs; granted Navratna status to IRCTC and IRFC; and reported CPSE procurement from Micro and Small Enterprises at 47.21%, exceeding the 25% mandate.

Gig workers likely to strike, risking disruptions to app-based food and quick-commerce services on New Year's Eve.
Gig and platform workers in Mumbai and Maharashtra are poised to join a nationwide strike seeking higher payouts and better working conditions, likely affecting app-based food delivery and quick-commerce services during peak New Year's Eve demand. Police are monitoring developments and coordinating with employers and organisers to maintain public order and prevent untoward incidents, anticipating limited major disruptions but possible service interruptions for major delivery platforms.

Modern Diagnostic launches an IPO to raise funds for equipment, working capital, debt repayment and expansion.
Modern Diagnostic & Research Centre Limited proposes an Initial Public Offering on the BSE SME platform of up to 40,99,200 equity shares at a ?85-?90 price band to raise about ?36.89 crore, with specified share allocations among anchor investors, QIBs, non institutional and individual investors, and a market maker; net proceeds are to be used for capital expenditure on medical equipment, working capital, repayment of borrowings and general corporate purposes.

Operation Sindoor: India launched multi-domain strikes on terror camps and suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
Operation Sindoor was a 2025 multi domain military campaign targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir using precision strikes, integrated air land sea capabilities and counter UAS systems, coupled with non kinetic measures including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty as a deterrent lever; the operation was supported by accelerated defence procurement, nuclear and maritime force modernisation, and enhanced international defence cooperation.

Rupee fell about 5% in 2025 as foreign investor outflows and importer dollar demand pressured the exchange rate.
The rupee depreciated about 5% in 2025 due to sustained foreign portfolio investor outflows (approximately USD 16.5 billion) and increased importer dollar demand, leading to intra-year lows near 91.08 and a year-end level around 89.88; the central bank's Financial Stability Report linked the depreciation to falling terms of trade and slower capital flows while describing the financial system as resilient but exposed to near-term external risks.

Vodafone Idea moratorium and AGR dues freeze approved, payments deferred and reassessed under a binding committee.
The government froze Vodafone Idea's outstanding AGR dues and granted a five year moratorium, deferring repayment obligations with a scheduled start in 2031-32 and anticipated clearance by 2040-41; AGR liabilities for FY2017 18 and FY2018 19 remain payable over 2025-26 to 2030-31. Frozen dues will be reassessed by a committee based on audit reports, and that reassessment will be binding on both parties. The measures aim to protect government interests as shareholder, ensure orderly recovery of dues, preserve competition, and protect consumers, while noting the company's continued reliance on policy support and fresh capital.

Appointment of Sadanand Date as Maharashtra DGP for a two-year term, succeeding the retiring incumbent.
Appointment of Sadanand Date as Director General of Police of Maharashtra by the state home department for a two-year term, succeeding Rashmi Shukla upon her retirement; Date is a 1990-batch IPS officer repatriated to the Maharashtra cadre, formerly DG of the NIA and Maharashtra ATS chief, and recipient of the President's Police Medal for Gallantry for his role in the 26/11 attacks.

Indian economy projected to sustain high growth despite external volatility; regulators stress financial stability and guarded innovation.
The RBI foreword emphasises prioritising financial stability alongside promotion of innovation, consumer protection and regulatory efficiency through pragmatic supervision and policy reforms. It projects high economic growth driven by domestic consumption and investment despite an unfavourable external environment, citing healthy balance sheets, sizeable buffers, benign inflation and prudent reforms, and indicates continued strengthening of macroprudential guardrails to mitigate external spillovers and protect the financial system.

NH-326 widening project approved to upgrade a two-lane stretch to two-lane with paved shoulder under EPC mode.
The Cabinet approved widening and strengthening NH-326 by upgrading the two lane stretch to a two lane highway with paved shoulder from 68.600 km to 311.700 km under EPC mode, at a total capital cost of Rs 1,526.21 crore including Rs 966.79 crore for civil construction; the upgradation aims to improve travel safety and reliability and to enhance regional access to markets, healthcare, education, employment and tourism along the Gazette notified NH 326 route.

Stock markets ended 2025 higher as DIIs bought while FIIs sold, lifting Sensex and Nifty into annual gains.
Indian equity benchmarks closed the final 2025 session higher-Sensex up ~0.64% to 85,220.60 and Nifty up ~0.74% to 26,129.60-contributing to annual gains of ~9% and 10.50% respectively. The advance was driven primarily by short covering and selective buying, with DIIs net buyers (~Rs 6,159.81 crore) and FIIs net sellers (~Rs 3,844.02 crore). Stock level winners included Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Reliance; laggards included TCS, Tech Mahindra and Infosys. Brent crude traded near USD 61.53/barrel amid mixed global market cues.

Indian economy likely to sustain strong growth as banks, NBFCs and insurers show resilience amid external risks.
The Financial Stability Report finds the domestic financial system resilient, with SCBs holding strong capital and liquidity buffers, improved asset quality and profitability; macro stress tests show banks can withstand adverse scenarios while maintaining capital above regulatory minima. Mutual funds, clearing corporations, NBFCs and insurers also exhibit balance sheet resilience, with insurers' consolidated solvency ratios remaining above the minimum threshold, though near-term external geopolitical and trade risks warrant monitoring.

Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot six lane greenfield corridor approved as a BOT toll project to cut travel time and boost logistics.
The Union Cabinet approved a six-lane access-controlled greenfield Nashik-Solapur-Akkalkot corridor (374 km) at Rs 19,142 crore to be implemented on BOT (Toll) mode, designed with close tolling and 60 km/h average speeds (100 km/h design) to reduce travel time by about 17 hours and distance by 201 km while enhancing freight connectivity to key NICDC nodes and linking to major national corridors.

Hyundai Motor India price increase of 0.6% from Jan 1, 2026 due to higher precious metal and commodity costs.
Hyundai Motor India Ltd will implement a weighted-average price increase of around 0.6 per cent across its model range, effective January 1, 2026, in response to rising precious metal and commodity costs and after efforts to optimise costs and minimise customer impact.

Property attachment near Buckingham Palace linked to alleged bank loan fraud and money laundering involving S Kumars Nationwide.
A provisional PMLA attachment was issued for a London immovable property valued at Rs 150 crore, held in the beneficial ownership of Nitin Kasliwal and family, based on allegations that Kasliwal diverted bank consortium funds of about Rs 1,400 crore abroad and concealed assets through a network of offshore trusts and companies, including the Catherine Trust and Catherine Property Holding Limited; the ED conducted raids, seized material, and will seek cooperation from foreign agencies to take possession.

Jammu Crime Branch EOW registered 67 FIRs and pursued complex economic offences with extensive evidence and arrests.
Jammu Crime Branch EOW recorded 67 new FIRs in 2025-the highest in 25 years-disposed 1,186 complaints, charged cases valued at about Rs 20 crore, and arrested 22 accused. Investigations targeted complex economic crimes including land frauds, impersonation, visa frauds, misappropriation of public funds, misuse of official position and illegal job consultancies, relying on documentary and digital evidence, interagency coordination, and extensive crime-scene photographic documentation covering 3,599 scenes.

Hettich expands experiential presence in Chennai with upgraded Experience Centre and first HeX exclusive retail store opening.
Hettich expanded in Chennai by upgrading its company-owned Experience Centre to showcase its full portfolio with immersive displays and free design support and by launching the city's first franchise-led Hettich Exclusive (HeX) Store offering curated walk-throughs, hands-on product interaction and complimentary design consultations to enable customers to visualise and procure Hettich solutions.

Tea industry posts higher output and exports but faces pesticide rules, enforcement over blending, labour cost and climate risks.
The tea sector saw higher overall output and export growth in 2025 driven by small-grower production, causing CTC price pressure while orthodox tea remained firm. Exporters face potential disruption from impending pesticide legislation in the EU/UK, and the Tea Board has issued show cause notices over alleged blending and mislabelling of imported inferior tea. Anticipated labour cost increases and elevated inventory pose margin and price risks, while climate-driven crop losses have prompted research into resilient varieties and climate-smart practices.