NATIONAL NEWS

India Sets Record in Trademark Registrations, Strengthening IP Ecosystem

• FY 2024–25 marked a historic peak as India registered over 5.5 lakh domestic trademarks, the highest annual figure so far.

• The milestone was highlighted by Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who linked the surge to growing trust in India’s innovation and business climate.

• Improved digital IP systems have simplified trademark filing through online applications, quicker scrutiny, and reduced backlogs.

• Startups and small enterprises are increasingly protecting brands early, reflecting rising awareness about intellectual property rights.

• Policy reforms and outreach efforts have strengthened confidence in India’s trademark framework and enforcement mechanisms.

• Pharmaceuticals, healthcare, and veterinary products led registrations, indicating India’s expanding footprint in global health manufacturing.

• The Trade Marks Act, 1999 continues to anchor brand protection, offering legal safeguards, renewable validity, and enforcement remedies.

• Overall, the record numbers signal a maturing innovation ecosystem, where IP protection is seen as a key driver of entrepreneurship and economic growth.

8th Pay Commission: Timeline, Salary Revision and Key Clarifications

• The 8th Pay Commission was constituted in November 2025 to reassess pay, allowances and pensions of central government employees and retirees.

• January 1, 2026 is only the reference date, not the date from which higher salaries will be paid immediately.

• Actual rollout of revised pay is likely in 2027–28, after the commission submits its report and the Union Cabinet gives approval.

• Employees will not see a salary hike from January 2026, but the revised structure will apply prospectively once cleared by the government.

• Arrears will be calculated from January 1, 2026, and paid in a lump sum after implementation, as per established practice.

• The commission has an 18-month window to submit recommendations, followed by further time for government review and acceptance.

• Previous pay commissions followed the same pattern, with delayed implementation but retrospective financial benefits.

• The expected fitment factor is estimated between 1.83 and 2.46, broadly in line with the methodology used in the 7th Pay Commission.

APPOINTMENT

Rakesh Aggarwal Given Additional Charge as DG of National Investigation Agency

• The Union Home Ministry has entrusted Rakesh Aggarwal with the additional responsibility of Director General, NIA, to maintain leadership continuity in the agency.

• The arrangement is temporary in nature, and will remain in force until a full-time DG is appointed or further instructions are issued.

• This decision follows the early repatriation of Sadanand Vasant Date, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Maharashtra cadre.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Date’s repatriation, which came while multiple high-sensitivity terror and security cases were under review.

• Rakesh Aggarwal belongs to the 1994 IPS batch of the Himachal Pradesh cadre and is presently serving as Special Director General of the NIA.

• He was elevated to the post of Special DG in September 2025, after his ADG position was temporarily upgraded for a fixed tenure.

• The National Investigation Agency functions under the NIA Act, 2008, and serves as India’s lead body for counter-terror and national security investigations.

• The agency handles cases linked to terrorism, terror financing, radicalisation and cross-border threats, making stable leadership at the top crucial for internal security.

SPORTS

National Shooting Championship

• Neeru Dhanda clinched the women’s trap gold at the National Shooting Championship held at Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, New Delhi, adding to her credentials as an Asian Championships gold medallist.

• Kirti Gupta (Delhi) and Pragati Dubey (Madhya Pradesh) completed the podium in the women’s trap event with silver and bronze respectively.

• In the junior men’s trap category, Aryavansh Tyagi emerged as the champion, showcasing strong future potential in the discipline.

• Keshav Chauhan secured silver while Zuhair Khan took bronze in the junior men’s individual trap competition.

• Madhya Pradesh topped the women’s trap team standings, while Delhi and Punjab finished second and third respectively.

• The junior men’s trap team title was won by Haryana, with Gujarat claiming silver and Rajasthan settling for bronze.

• Delhi dominated the junior women’s trap team event by winning the gold medal.

• Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan followed in the junior women’s team rankings, earning silver and bronze respectively.

Deepti Sharma Creates History in Women’s T20 International Cricket

• Deepti Sharma set a new world record by becoming the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals.

• She achieved the landmark in the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka at Thiruvananthapuram by dismissing Nilakshika Silva.

• With 152 T20I wickets, Deepti surpassed Australia’s Megan Schutt, who previously held the top position.

• India defended a target of 175 runs and won the match by 15 runs, sealing Deepti’s record-breaking outing.

• The milestone came during a dominant 5–0 home series victory for India over Sri Lanka.

• Deepti stands among an elite global group, with Nida Dar and Sophie Ecclestone also featuring high on the all-time wicket list.

• She is one of only two Indian women—alongside Radha Yadav—to have taken more than 100 T20I wickets.

• Already the world No.1 T20I all-rounder, Deepti is also the first player in international cricket to combine 1,000 runs with 150 wickets in the format.

India Bags Two Bronzes at 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships

• Indian chess players made a strong impact at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championships by winning two bronze medals in Doha, Qatar.

• Arjun Erigaisi finished on the men’s podium, securing third place with 9.5 points after 13 intense rounds.

• Magnus Carlsen of Norway clinched the men’s title, scoring 10.5 points to claim his sixth World Rapid crown, while Vladislav Artemiev took silver.

• In the women’s category, Koneru Humpy earned bronze, adding another international medal to India’s tally.

• Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina emerged champion in the women’s event with a dominant performance.

• Humpy’s medal underlines her consistency at the elite level, having earlier won world rapid gold in 2019 and 2024.

• The championships featured top global players, highlighting the competitive depth of rapid chess.

• India’s twin podium finishes reaffirm its growing stature in international chess across both men’s and women’s events.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCE

AI Impact Summit 2026: India at the Centre of Global AI Dialogue

• India will host the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi from 15 to 20 February next year, positioning the country as a key convenor on global AI governance.

• The summit focuses on building inclusive, ethical and resilient AI systems, aligned with long-term human and societal needs.

• Its framework rests on three core pillars—people, planet and progress, highlighting responsible innovation, environmental sustainability and equitable growth.

• Reducing digital and technological divides is a central objective, with emphasis on fair access to AI tools and applications worldwide.

• A dedicated Research Symposium will run alongside the summit, encouraging dialogue on AI’s real-world impact.

• Scholars, innovators and industry professionals will collaborate, sharing research insights and developing cross-border partnerships.

• More than 300 lead-up events have already been conducted across 100+ cities around the world to build momentum.

• Experts and policymakers from over 140 countries will participate, with strong focus on AI use in healthcare, education and agriculture.