Mumbai civic life, transport, business, culture and sport.
India’s Padma Awards 2026 list includes major sporting names, with Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur receiving the Padma Shri for their contributions to cricket. The honours spotlight recent achievements and long-term impact, alongside other athletes and sports contributors recognised across disciplines.
Delhi recorded its cleanest air in over three months after rain and gusty winds brought the AQI down to a ‘moderate’ level. Forecasts, however, suggest pollution levels may worsen again, with ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories expected around January 25–27, alongside shifting winter weather conditions linked to western disturbances.
The Union government has announced the Padma Awards 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, recognising distinguished service across public affairs, arts, industry, medicine, literature, sports and more. The list features 131 awardees across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories, including several posthumous honours and recipients from the NRI/OCI/foreigner category.
The ICC has issued an updated schedule for the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka) after Bangladesh pulled out, with the board citing lack of clearance and security concerns for travel to India.
With SEBI approval in hand, PhonePe’s planned IPO is now moving to the next stage. The development highlights how India’s UPI-driven payments boom is feeding into new fintech products, from lending tie-ups to insurance and broking.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has arrived in New Delhi for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening India–EU cooperation, with major conversations expected on trade, defence collaboration and mobility arrangements.
In his January 25 Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked young Indians to get on the electoral rolls immediately after turning 18, framing voting as both a constitutional duty and a way to strengthen democracy.
Walmart-owned PhonePe has received SEBI approval for its IPO, with reports indicating an offer-for-sale structure of around ₹12,000 crore and a likely valuation near $15 billion, making it among India’s most watched fintech listings.
A report says the India–EU Free Trade Agreement may be announced on January 27, 2026, with expectations of lower trade costs and new opportunities across sectors while keeping some sensitive items limited.
Hospitals in Kolkata are reporting a surge in cough and cold cases amid fluctuating winter temperatures, with doctors linking the rise to common respiratory viruses and warning against unnecessary antibiotic use.
Vodafone Idea has revised an agreement with Vodafone Group to recover around ₹5,836 crore linked to legacy contingent liabilities, including a structure that earmarks shares whose sale proceeds can flow to the telco.
A 25-year-old Hindu man in Bangladesh died after being burnt while sleeping, with authorities investigating the circumstances and cause of the fire as community members seek clarity and accountability.