The Indian government has confirmed that over 200 of its citizens were recruited by Russian agents to fight in Ukraine, resulting in 26 deaths and 7 missing. Efforts are ongoing to repatriate remaining individuals, with 119 already discharged and returned home.
Dense fog has caused significant disruption to IndiGo flights across major Indian airports, particularly in North and East India, leading to numerous cancellations and delays. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses and allow extra travel time as visibility remains low.
The Indian Navy has commissioned its second MH-60R (Romeo) helicopter squadron, INAS 335 'Ospreys', at INS Hansa in Goa. Presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, the event marks a significant enhancement of the Navy's anti-submarine warfare and multi-role capabilities on the Western Seaboard, following the induction of the first squadron in March 2024.
India's Lok Sabha has passed the landmark Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, 2025. This legislation ends the state's decades-long monopoly, allowing private Indian and international firms to invest in, build, and operate civil nuclear power plants, aiming to boost energy capacity and meet climate goals. The bill also overhauls the nuclear liability framework.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Ethiopia's highest civilian award, 'The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia', by his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali on December 16, 2025. This marks the first time a global Head of State or Government has received this prestigious accolade, recognizing Modi's contributions to strengthening India-Ethiopia ties and his global leadership.
West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigned on December 16, 2025, after widespread chaos and mismanagement marred Lionel Messi's event in Kolkata. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has temporarily assumed the sports portfolio, and an inquiry into the incident is underway.
US consular posts in India have unilaterally rescheduled numerous H-1B and H-4 visa interviews, pushing appointments to mid-2026, due to new expanded social media vetting requirements. This policy, effective December 15, 2025, has also led to 'prudential revocations' of some visas, impacting thousands of Indian professionals.
India's Lok Sabha is set to introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, during the Winter Session. This new legislation aims to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), increasing guaranteed workdays to 125 and revising funding patterns.
Bihar Minister and five-term MLA Nitin Nabin has been appointed as the National Working President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The 45-year-old leader's appointment by the party's parliamentary board is seen as a significant move towards a generational shift in leadership within the party.
The Government of India initiated a National Cyber Safety Awareness Campaign on December 14, 2025, aimed at educating students across the nation on critical aspects of online safety, digital responsibility, and data protection. The comprehensive program will utilize workshops, digital modules, and awareness drives to foster a secure digital environment for young learners.
India's Union Cabinet approved a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Oman on December 12, 2025, aiming to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment. The pact is set for signing during Prime Minister Modi's visit to Oman from December 17-18, marking a new chapter in economic cooperation and strengthening strategic ties.
Delhi has reinstated strict GRAP-3 anti-pollution measures following a sharp deterioration in its air quality, which entered the 'severe' category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented the curbs on December 13, 2025, banning non-essential construction, restricting certain vehicles, and advising hybrid learning for schools.
A recent US congressional hearing highlighted a significant erosion of political trust between India and the United States, primarily due to contentious tariff policies and new H-1B visa restrictions. Lawmakers and experts expressed concern that these issues are jeopardizing a crucial strategic partnership, particularly in the context of countering China.
SIMEST, an Italian state-backed company, and the Indian Chamber of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Mumbai on December 11, 2025, to boost economic cooperation and bilateral investments. The agreement aims to foster joint initiatives, support investments, and enhance information sharing between Italian and Indian businesses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to undertake a four-day visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman from December 15 to 18, 2025. The tour aims to strengthen India's strategic presence in West Asia and Africa, focusing on enhancing bilateral ties, economic cooperation, and regional stability. Key discussions will include trade, investment, defense, and cultural exchanges, marking significant diplomatic anniversaries with Jordan and Oman.
Opposition members walked out of the Lok Sabha on December 10, 2025, during Home Minister Amit Shah's speech on electoral reforms. The walkout was a protest against Shah's strong remarks regarding illegal immigrants and the government's 'detect, delete, and deport' policy, which he linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
India's Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against 30 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, in a massive ₹1000 crore cyber fraud case. The scam, known as the HPZ Token Investment Fraud, allegedly siphoned funds from Indian investors through fake cryptocurrency mining apps and other fraudulent schemes during the COVID-19 lockdown. The accused exploited payment aggregation systems and shell companies to launder money overseas.
India's vibrant festival of lights, Deepavali, has been officially added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The inscription, announced on December 10, 2025, during a session hosted by India in New Delhi, marks a significant global recognition for the ancient tradition, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Telangana government for a proposed $3 billion phased investment. This significant agreement, formalized at the Telangana Rising Global Summit, aims to develop a multi-sector ecosystem across approximately 2,500 hectares, encompassing smart urban development, electric mobility, healthcare, education, tourism, and renewable energy.
Microsoft has announced a monumental investment of $17.5 billion in India, its largest in Asia, to bolster the nation's AI and cloud infrastructure. This commitment, spanning from 2026 to 2029, follows a meeting between CEO Satya Nadella and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on scaling infrastructure, enhancing AI skills, and ensuring data sovereignty.
