Mumbai civic life, transport, business, culture and sport.
Hyderabad-based Eon Space Labs planned to fly its indigenous multispectral Earth-imaging payload MIRA on ISRO’s PSLV-C62 mission to demonstrate on-board AI processing. The system is designed to analyse images in orbit and transmit insights instead of raw imagery, aiming to reduce bandwidth requirements for Earth observation workflows.
Veteran banker and industrialist Uday Kotak has been named among the Padma Bhushan awardees as part of the Padma Awards 2026 list announced on the eve of Republic Day. The recognition highlights his long-standing contribution to India’s financial sector and the evolution of banking and capital markets.
The Padma Awards 2026 list has been announced ahead of Republic Day, with 131 recipients approved across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The honours span arts, public affairs, medicine, sports, industry and social work, and include posthumous recognitions and awardees from across India and abroad.
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Indian health authorities have confirmed two Nipah virus cases in West Bengal involving two nurses at a private hospital near Kolkata, with one reportedly in a coma. Officials traced possible exposure to a suspected index patient, expanded testing and quarantine for high-risk contacts, and intensified surveillance including sampling of bats as investigations continue.
Rashtriya Janata Dal has appointed Tejashwi Yadav as its national working president, signalling a generational transition and a structural change within the party. The move, announced at the party’s national executive meeting in Patna, comes amid reported family and organisational tensions and debate over the party’s direction.
Hardik Pandya produced a standout fielding moment during India’s third T20I against New Zealand in Guwahati, completing an athletic leaping catch that removed opener Devon Conway early. The moment came with India leading the five-match series 2-0 after choosing to bowl first.
A 25-year-old Hindu man, Chanchal Bhowmik, died after being burnt while asleep in a garage in Bangladesh’s Narsingdi. While the fire initially appeared accidental, investigators said CCTV footage showed suspicious movement near the site, prompting a probe into whether the blaze was deliberate or due to an electrical fault.
ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan said the Gaganyaan mission remains unaffected despite a major deviation during the third stage of the recent PSLV-C62 mission. Speaking in Coimbatore, he also reiterated India’s long-term plans for a national space station, with work expected to begin in 2028 and the target for completion set at 2035.
Thiruvananthapuram district reported a surge in fever cases from January 1 to 22, 2026, with over 11,000 people seeking treatment. Officials confirmed leptospirosis and dengue among multiple illnesses tracked, including one death linked to leptospirosis and two dengue-related deaths. Authorities have intensified surveillance and vector-control efforts in identified hotspot localities.
India’s gems and jewellery sector has urged the Centre to rationalise GST, reform customs procedures and recalibrate import duties to boost export competitiveness before Union Budget 2026-27. Industry bodies say changing global trade conditions and higher tariffs in key markets make lower friction and clearer policy frameworks critical for keeping India strong in diamonds and jewellery value chains.
In the 130th episode of Mann Ki Baat aired on January 25, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians to register as voters the moment they turn 18, describing it as a major life milestone and a constitutional responsibility. He linked the appeal to National Voters’ Day and the run-up to Republic Day, urging wider participation to deepen democratic values.
On January 25, 2026, PM Narendra Modi called on eligible citizens—especially those turning 18—to enrol as voters, saying the act strengthens democracy and fulfils a constitutional duty. He positioned the appeal around National Voters’ Day and Republic Day, underscoring voting as a form of active citizenship rather than a routine formality.