ISRO launched the NVS-03 navigation satellite aboard the GSLV-F18 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The satellite is part of the second-generation constellation designed to strengthen India’s indigenous positioning system—NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation)—which delivers real-time positioning services across India and extends up to 1,500 km beyond its borders.

The joint report published by the FAO, UNEP, and the CBD Secretariat at COP17 recognized India’s conservation initiatives under Project Dolphin (launched in 2020) for the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica). Declared India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009, it serves as a vital umbrella species whose protection safeguards entire freshwater river ecosystems.

Manisha Bhanwala (from Jind, Haryana) won the Gold medal in the women’s 59 kg category at the Senior World Wrestling Championships in Astana by defeating USA’s Abigail Nette 8–6. She is the first Indian woman to win a Senior World Wrestling Championship gold, and only the second Indian wrestler overall to achieve this feat after Sushil Kumar.

India is hosting the maiden BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Led by the Indian Navy, the exercise brings together navies and coast guards from all seven member nations under the theme: “Shared Seas, Shared Security, and Shared Prosperity.”

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force, succeeding Amar Preet Singh. Consequently, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia was appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff. The motto of the IAF is “Nabhaḥ-Spṛśaṁ Dīptam” (Touch the Sky with Glory), taken from Chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita.

The Ministry of Culture named Jantar Mantar, New Delhi as a premier venue for the second edition of the India Biennial (4 December 2026 – 21 March 2027), an exhibition celebrating art, architecture, and design. The observatory was commissioned in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur.

Mayon Volcano, an active stratovolcano situated in Albay province on Luzon Island in the Philippines, erupted violently with an ash column rising 3,000 meters into the atmosphere. Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, authorities designated a 6-km permanent danger zone around the volcano following a level-3 alert.

Under the expanded Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card provides up to ₹5 lakh in annual cashless health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or socioeconomic status.

Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh became the first Indian bowler to claim 150 wickets in T20 Internationals, achieving the milestone in Auckland against New Zealand by dismissing captain Mitchell Santner. He also holds the distinction of being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 T20I wickets.

The Government of India officially announced that the National Census will commence on 25 January 2027. This will be the first fully digital census in Indian history, utilizing dedicated mobile applications and electronic data collection. Mritunjay Kumar Narayan serves as the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.