President Murmu Launches ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’ to Empower India with AI Readiness

Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, announced the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, urging citizens, policymakers, educators, professionals and youth to actively participate in India’s AI learning movement by enrolling in the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) course on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). She called the initiative a significant step towards equipping the nation with future-ready capabilities in Artificial Intelligence and advancing India’s journey towards a technologically empowered and inclusive society.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s flagship programme SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness, launched in July 2025, enables accessible AI learning for all through structured micro-credential courses.

SOAR is designed to make AI simple, ethical, responsible and aspirational. Over six months, more than 1.59 lakh learners across India have enrolled, with thousands completing certifications.

15 Members of Parliament who have completed the SOAR AI course module

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, has successfully completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ module. He nominated Shri Nara Lokesh Rao, Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, and Mr. Nitin Narang to take up the challenge, creating a cascading national movement.

Commenting on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary said:

India’s future workforce must not only be digitally aware but AI confident. Through the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, we want to inspire every citizen to embrace learning and prepare for an AI-enabled future. SOAR is not just a skilling programme; it is a national mission to build confidence, capability and curiosity in AI, ensuring that every learner — wherever they are — has the opportunity to benefit from this technology and contribute to the nation’s growth story. 

He further added:
“India’s future workforce must not only be digitally aware but AI confident. I am glad to have personally completed the SOAR AI learning module, and it has further strengthened my belief that learning must begin from leadership itself. It gives me great satisfaction to nominate my fellow colleagues to join this movement, so together we can inspire every citizen to embrace AI learning and prepare for an empowered, future-ready India.”

A group of 17 select students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh received AI course certificates from the President of India.

15 Members of Parliament have completed the SOAR AI course module, reflecting strong leadership commitment towards AI readiness.

S. No.	Name of MP	House (Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha)
1	Shri Chandan Singh Chauhan	Lok Sabha
2	Ms. Swati Maliwal	Rajya Sabha
3	Shri Ummendaram Ram Beniwal	Lok Sabha
4	Shri Narayan K Bhandage	Rajya Sabha
5	Ms. Kamal Jeet Sehrawat	Lok Sabha
6	Ms. Manju Sharma	Lok Sabha
7	Ms. Shobhanaben Baraiya	Lok Sabha
8	Shri G. M. Harish Balayogi	Lok Sabha
9	Ms. Sangeeta Yadav	Rajya Sabha
10	Ms. Fauzia Khan	Rajya Sabha
11	Shri P. V. Abdul Wahab	Rajya Sabha
12	Shri Sujeet Kumar	Rajya Sabha
13	Ms. Bijuli Kalita Medhi	Lok Sabha
14	Shri Haris Beeran	Rajya Sabha
15	Shri P. P. Chaudhary	Lok Sabha

New Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) to Drive Innovation from Gujarat

Gujarat has approved the establishment of the Indian AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) at GIFT City, Gandhinagar. It will operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) involving the state government, central government, and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, with an initial ₹300 crore budget for five years.

Key Highlights of IAIRO at GIFT City

• Approval Date: December 30, 2025
• Location: GIFT City, near Gandhinagar, Gujarat
• Structure: Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), registered as a non-profit entity under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013
• Partnership Model: Tripartite collaboration between Gujarat State Government, Government of India, and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA)
• Funding: ₹300 crore for the first five years; contributions split equally (33.33%) among partners; IPA to contribute ₹25 crore in FY 2025–26
• Operational Start: January 1, 2026

Objectives of IAIRO

• Strengthen AI R&D with cutting-edge research and applications
• Accelerate India’s AI ecosystem in line with national innovation goals
• Encourage industry-academia collaboration
• Drive sectoral impact in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, fintech, and governance

Why This Matters

Aspect	Significance
Location (GIFT City)	India’s premier financial and tech hub, offering global connectivity and regulatory flexibility
PPP Model	Ensures shared responsibility and funding between government and private sector
Budget Allocation	₹300 crore signals strong commitment to long-term AI research
Anchor Partner (IPA)	Pharma industry’s involvement highlights AI’s role in drug discovery and healthcare analytics
National Strategy	Reinforces India’s ambition to be a global AI leader

Challenges & Considerations

• Execution risks due to coordination among multiple partners
• Need for sustained investment in AI education and talent pipeline
• Global competition from established AI hubs
• Importance of ethical AI and data governance

In short: The Indian AI Research Organisation at GIFT City is a landmark step in India’s AI journey, blending government vision with private sector expertise. If executed well, it could position Gujarat—and India—as a global hub for AI innovation.

‘Made in India’ CQB Carbines: Bharat Forge Wins ₹1,661.9 Cr MoD Contract

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) a Rs. 1,661.9 crores contract for supply of 255,128 CQB Carbines (5.56 x 45 mm) to the Indian Army. The contract signed on 30th December, 2025, sets forth order execution within five years.

A carbine is a lightweight, short-barreled rifle designed for easier handling and mobility compared to full-length rifles. CQB carbines are compact rifles specifically designed for Close Quarter Battle (CQB) — combat in confined spaces such as urban warfare, anti-terror operations, and room-to-room fighting.

Here, CQB = Close Quarter Battle → Refers to combat at very short ranges, often under 100 meters. Hence, CQB Carbine = A compact firearm optimized for speed, agility, and precision in tight environments.

The 5.56 x 45 mm CQB Carbine is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured (IDDM) compact firearm jointly developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), DRDO and Bharat Forge Ltd., Pune.

Aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, we – BFL, and our wholly- owned defence subsidiary Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), remain dedicated to equipping the Indian Armed Forces with ‘Made in India’ advanced defence equipment and platforms.

About Bharat Forge: Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), a Pune-based Indian multinational, is a technology driven global leader in providing high performance, innovative safety critical components and solutions for several sectors including automotive, power, oil and gas, construction & mining, rail, marine, defense and aerospace. BFL has global manufacturing footprint with presence across five countries, with the largest repository of metallurgical knowledge and offers full service supply capability to its geographically dispersed marquee customers from concept to product design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation. To learn more, visit www.bharatforge.com

India Pushes Self-Reliance in Defence: $46 Billion in Capital Approvals During 2025

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) closed 2025 with major reform milestones, including ₹3.84 lakh crore worth of capital acquisition approvals and ₹1.82 lakh crore in signed contracts, marking a decisive push toward indigenisation, jointness, and modernization of India’s armed forces.

Key Achievements in the "Year of Reforms 2025"

• Capital Acquisition Push
  • Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved proposals worth ₹3.84 lakh crore since January 2025.
  • MoD signed contracts worth ₹1.82 lakh crore by December 2025, achieving 80% utilization of the capital acquisition budget.
• Indigenisation & Private Sector Role
  • Strong emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
  • Increased participation of private industry to secure supply chains and reduce import dependency.
• Operational Readiness
  • Reforms were accelerated after Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam terror attack, which highlighted gaps in preparedness.
  • India conducted joint military exercises with the US, France, Russia, and others to strengthen interoperability.
• Policy & Structural Changes
  • Review and revision of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.
  • Encouragement of foreign direct investment (FDI) in defence.
  • Rationalisation of restricted distance norms near defence establishments.
• Welfare & Governance
  • Improved welfare delivery mechanisms for personnel.
  • Whole-of-government approach to build a modern, integrated, and future-ready defence ecosystem.

Snapshot of Progress

Reform Area	Key Progress in 2025	Strategic Impact
Capital Acquisition	₹3.84 lakh crore approved; ₹1.82 lakh crore signed	Boosts modernization & readiness
Indigenisation	Private sector role expanded	Strengthens self-reliance, supply chain security
Policy Framework	DAP 2020 revised, FDI encouraged	Streamlined procurement & global partnerships
Operational Preparedness	Joint exercises, post-Operation Sindoor reforms	Enhanced combat readiness & interoperability
Welfare & Governance	Improved delivery mechanisms	Better morale & efficiency

Challenges & Trade-offs

• Budgetary Pressure: High capital expenditure may strain fiscal priorities.
• Technology Gaps: Despite indigenisation, advanced systems still rely on imports.
• Geopolitical Risks: Reforms were partly reactive to cross-border tensions, raising sustainability questions.
• Private Sector Integration: Balancing speed with quality assurance in defence manufacturing remains complex.

Strategic Outlook

The Year of Reforms 2025 positioned India’s defence sector on a trajectory toward greater self-reliance, jointness, and modernization. However, sustaining momentum will require:

• Continued investment in R&D.
• Stronger public-private collaboration.
• Vigilant monitoring of geopolitical developments.

This reform wave reflects India’s intent to transform its armed forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready team while ensuring welfare and governance improvements.

Sold property? Deposit gains in ICICI Bank’s new account, save tax & earn interest

ICICI Bank today announced the launch of the Capital Gains Account Scheme (CGAS), enabling customers to deposit un-invested long term capital gains or sale proceeds from the sale of specified capital assets*. This facility allows them to avail tax exemptions* for up to three years while earning interest on deposited funds.

The launch follows the Government’s approval of ICICI Bank as an authorised institution to handle CGAS deposits.

Starting January 1, 2026, this scheme is available for Resident individuals and Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs). It will be available for non-individuals and NRIs shortly. It benefits taxpayers who are unable to reinvest long term capital gains before the Income Tax Return (ITR) filing deadline. Customers can open a Capital Gains Account by visiting their nearest ICICI Bank branch (except rural locations, as per CGAS rules).

An ICICI Bank spokesperson said, “We thank the Government of India for recognising ICICI Bank as an authorised institution for CGAS deposits. With this scheme, customers can park un-invested long term capital gains, earn interest, and claim tax exemptions, while planning reinvestment up to three years. This offering reinforces our commitment to deliver financial solutions that meet evolving customer needs.”

Key features & benefits of CGAS:

• Type A (Savings Account): Flexible withdrawals linked to approved reinvestment purposes
• Type B (Term Deposit Account): Cumulative or non-cumulative formats for fixed-tenure deposits. 
• Tax exemption: Deposit un-invested capital gains or sale proceeds before the ITR due date to claim exemption on long-term capital gains under relevant Income Tax sections. 
• Temporary parking of funds: Up to three years to plan reinvestment without losing exemption eligibility
• Interest earned: Similar to regular savings account or fixed deposits.
• Flexible reinvestment: Proceeds can be invested in property, agricultural land, or new capital assets of industrial undertaking in non-urban areas/ special economic zones depending on the CGAS chosen; withdrawal of proceeds requires proof of usage of funds. 

* Customers should consult their tax advisors for claiming tax exemption and for guidance on specified capital assets under CGAS.