World Cancer Day is observed annually on February 4th to increase awareness of the disease. Central government under Narendra Modi was introduced the Ayushman Bharat policy in 2018, is turning out to be a game-changing effort.

This is primarily observed to increase awareness of cancer, promote early identification, prevention, and treatment for a large number of people in the nation and around the world, and lower the number of cancer-related deaths.

Launched on September 23, 2018, the Indian government’s nationwide public health insurance program, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), intends to give low-income workers in the nation free access to health insurance coverage. This program is available to the poorest 50% of the population.

Later on, it was broadened to encompass all elderly residents over 70, irrespective of their financial situation. The program guarantees that even the most impoverished residents can obtain life-saving medical treatment by lowering the cost of healthcare.

On World Cancer Day, Bollywood star Emraan Hashmi, who most recently starred in the streaming series “Showtime,” has a message for the Indian populace.

“My son Ayaan’s cancer diagnosis completely upended our world, but thanks to his strength and the amazing support we received, we learned how important early detection and prompt treatment are in this battle,” he added. He then praised government programs like PMJAY and Ayushman Bharat.

Tahira Kashyap, a filmmaker, writer, and cancer advocate, praised the Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) program for enabling treatment for a large number of people, irrespective of their financial situation.

“On World Cancer Day, I want to commend the Ayushman Bharat and PMJ Initiative for making timely cancer treatment accessible to so many regardless of their financial background,” said Tahira, who received a cancer diagnosis in 2018 at the age of 35.

“Cancer is a journey that truly tests your strength, resilience, and faith,” she continued. However, survival depends on early diagnosis and reasonably priced treatment, and millions of people can now look forward to a better future because of such government programs. Together, we can defeat cancer, therefore let’s keep encouraging one another and spreading knowledge on early breast cancer detection.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made history when She announced the Budget 2025, promising that anyone making up to Rs 12 lakh a year, including regular deductions (totaling Rs 12.75 lakh), would not be subject to income tax.

By announcing an increase in tax rebates in Budget 2025, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman provided a significant boost to the nation’s struggling middle class. Under the new tax system, the previous income tax refund cap was Rs 7 lakh.

Up to Rs 12.75 lakh of individual income will be tax-free when the standard deduction of Rs 75,000 is taken into account. But only income from salaries is covered by this; income from other sources, such capital gains, is still subject to taxes.

Under the new tax regime, the income tax exemption limit increased from Rs 7 lakh annually to Rs 12 annually, which is the largest increase since the UPA era in 2005. The income tax exemption limit was Rs 1 lakh in 2005 under the UPA government, and it took seven years for the Manmohan Singh administration to double it to Rs 2 lakh in 2012.

PM Modi raised the income tax exemption ceiling by 25% to Rs 2.5 lakh in 2014 in response to the middle-class, salaried taxpayers’ long-standing demand.

In an effort to meet the demands of India’s youthful, ambitious workforce, the Modi administration implemented a simpler new tax system in FY 2020–21 that offered taxpayers reduced tax rates without any common deductions or exemptions.

In a post on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the significant increase in the income tax exemption limit that was revealed in the Union Budget 2025–2026 and stated, “PM Modi always has the middle class in mind.”

There is no income tax up to Rs 12 lakh. The middle class’s financial well-being will be greatly improved by the proposed tax exemption. On this occasion, congratulations to all the beneficiaries.

About 1.5 crore people with incomes between Rs 7 lakh and Rs 12 lakh would benefit from the change since they would no longer be required to pay taxes on their salaried income. It is important to remember that the government has raised the tax refund cap rather than the fundamental exemption.

For taxpayers, the income threshold for a refund under Section 87A has been raised from Rs 7 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. The reimbursement amount under clause (a) of Section 87A’s first proviso has also been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 60,000.

You would therefore be required to pay taxes in accordance with the tax slabs if your salaried income exceeds Rs 12 lakh (or Rs 12.75 lakh when the standard deduction is taken into account).

Here are the Revised Tax slabs:

Income Range (Rs)                                                             Tax Rate

Upto Rs 4 Lakh                                                              No Tax
Rs 4 Lakh –  Rs 8Lakh                                                      5%
Rs 8 Lakh – Rs 12 Lakh                                                   10%
Rs 12Lakh – Rs 16 Lakh                                                   15%
Rs 16 Lakh – Rs 20 Lakh                                                 20%
Rs 20 Lakh – Rs 24 Lakh                                                25%
Above Rs 24 Lakh                                                           30%

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated on Saturday that India’s economy is the fastest-growing in the world and that the government will guarantee massive growth in the upcoming years across the board on the path to achieving “Viksit Bharat.”

Wearing an off-white handloom silk saree embellished with Madhubani artwork, which was gifted to her by Padma Shri recipient Dulari Devi, she presented her ninth straight Union Budget. This saree draws attention to the Mithila region of Bihar’s artisans and showcases India’s rich cultural legacy.

The Finance Minister, who is presenting her 8th straight budget and the second complete Union Budget of the NDA government’s third term, stated that the budget’s main objectives are to help MSMEs, empower farmers, ensure innovation, and boost exports while fostering agricultural growth.

“Some of our growth engines are MSMEs, agriculture, and exports, and we will continue to strengthen these sectors,” she stated.

The government’s efforts to ensure inclusive development and boost growth are maintained in this budget. In her opening remarks, FM Sitharaman stated, “It seeks to stimulate private sector investments, improve household sentiments, and strengthen the power of India’s growing middle class.”

Beginning on Friday, the Budget Session of Parliament will be held in two stages: the first will begin on January 31 and run through February 13; the second will start on March 10 and go through April 4.

Highlights of Budget 2025

• The Finance Minister declared, “The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana will help 1.7 crore farmers and seeks to create plenty of opportunities in rural areas so that migration becomes an option, not a necessity.” The nation’s consumption of fruits and vegetables is rising in tandem with rising income levels.
• Launch of the National Manufacturing Mission would promote manufacturing in India. As the nation emerges as a bright spot on the global manufacturing map, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a National Manufacturing Mission on Saturday to further advance the ‘Make In India’ campaign across industries.
• 10,000 more seats in medical schools and childcare cancer centers are part of the Union Budget 2025–2026. According to her, “an additional 10,000 seats will be added to medical colleges next year, and 75,000 seats will be added over the next five years.”
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a significant announcement on Saturday, stating that a new income tax bill will be introduced by the government the following week. The Finance Minister stated during the presentation of the Budget 2025–2026 that the IT Department will “trust first, scrutinize later” when the new Income Tax Code is released the following week.
• The ‘Make in India‘ campaign gained momentum when the Finance Minister announced plans to scale up and facilitate toy production. In order to develop a competent workforce, she also disclosed intentions to create clusters and an ecosystem for toy manufacture.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared on Saturday that salaries up to Rs 12 lakh and Rs 12.75 lakh for salaried taxpayers (including standard deduction) would not be subject to income tax, which is a huge benefit for the middle class in India.
• FM Sitharaman’s announcements regarding gig workers’ social security and internet in government schools. A social security strategy for gig workers and a significant focus on closing the educational gaps in government-run schools are two of her “Viksit Bharat” blueprints. “50,000 Atal tinkering laboratories will be installed in schools to encourage scientific temper and curiosity. “All government secondary schools will have access to broadband connectivity,” she stated. “To help students understand subjects in their language, we propose to implement the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak scheme,” she continued.
• She has maintained a downward trajectory for the budget deficit objective, which will drop from 4.8% of GDP in 2024–2025 to 4.4% in 2025–2026. According to the Finance Minister, net market borrowing for the budget has been set at Rs 11.54 crore, with small savings plans providing the remaining cash.
• She provided medical tourism a significant boost and announced waivers from basic customs tax on 36 life-saving medications. According to the FM, “36 life-saving medications are exempt from basic customs duty, while six life-saving medications will be subject to 5% customs duty.”
• On Saturday, the Union cabinet enhanced the defense pension by 14% and gave the Ministry of Defence (MoD) more than Rs 6.81 lakh crore. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been given Rs 7,146.50 crore under the capital item to improve the border infrastructure and make it easier for military personnel to move across difficult terrain. This amount is 9.74% more than the BE for 2024–2025.
• The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, which will help 1.7 crore farmers, was unveiled by the Union Finance Minister. Increased agricultural output, crop diversification, post-harvest storage at the panchayat and block levels, irrigation support, and improved short- and long-term finance availability are all goals of the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana.

According to a survey released on Thursday, the percentage of people who believe that manufacturing is a great place to work has increased to 87% in 2025, and workers in the greatest workplaces in India are 2.7 times more likely to remain in psychologically healthy surroundings.

According to the Great Place To Work study, as India’s manufacturing sector moves closer to Industry 5.0, it is more important than ever for businesses to put their employees’ welfare and technological innovation first.

“As Industry 5.0 progresses, the emphasis is shifting from smarter machinery to creating work environments that put employees’ well-being first. Organizations are using measures to increase employee engagement, promote work-life balance, and make leaders more approachable in an effort to counteract employee burnout“, said Balbir Singh, CEO of Great Place To Work, India.

Leaders are creating a culture of psychological safety and trust, and when workers feel appreciated, they are 2.7 times more likely to stick around. Organizations must empower their staff and listen to them constantly in order to overcome obstacles and influence the direction of the sector,” he continued.

According to the survey, difficulties still exist even when businesses work to create inclusive and positive cultures. Employee voices constantly emphasize the need for greater action in the areas of care, psychological safety, and equitable growth.

In response, Best Workplaces have introduced flexible shifts to meet the needs of their employees, ensured equitable task distribution, and put in place systems for regular feedback.

These businesses have implemented flexible work arrangements, increased paid time off, and established leadership and career development opportunities for their corporate and company workers.

In order to accommodate the various demands of their teams, they have also increased the scope of their benefits packages to include wellness initiatives, interest-free loans, bonuses, and a wider range of support networks, according to the research.

According to the research, Apollo Tyres (NSE:APLO), Orient Cement, Tata Steel (NSE:TISC) India, Amara Raja Power Systems, Sula Vineyards (NSE:SULA), and Bajaj Energy are a few of the top manufacturing workplaces that have been recognized for their outstanding culture and employee satisfaction.

According to the research, “these businesses are dedicated to creating an environment where employees thrive, grow, and feel valued—they are not just focused on producing goods.”

On a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). NASA said Thursday that the mission will launch “no earlier than spring 2025”. As a member of Axiom Mission 4, he is one of four private astronauts. The fourth commercial astronaut mission the corporation will send to the ISS will be piloted by him.

Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer and ISRO astronaut, will serve as the pilot of the Axiom Mission 4, or Ax-4, which will depart from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and go to the ISS no early than Spring 2025, the US space agency announced Thursday.

Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, both ESA (European Space Agency) project astronauts, are the two mission specialists.Dana Weigel, manager of NASA’s International Space Station Program at the agency’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, expressed her excitement at the ongoing interest in and commitment to the private astronaut flights on the ISS.

“As NASA looks toward the future of low Earth orbit, private astronaut missions help pave the way and expand access to the unique microgravity environment,” according to the US space agency.

In April 2022, Axiom flight 1, the first private astronaut flight to the station, departed for a 17-day stay inside the orbiting laboratory. Whitson also oversaw the launch of Axiom Mission 2, the second commercial astronaut mission to the station, which carried four private astronauts for eight days in space in May 2023.

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
A notable pilot in the Indian Air Force is Shubhanshu Shukla. He is the youngest astronaut-designate, having been chosen at 39. He was personally chosen as one of the four astronauts for the historic Gaganyaan mission, the country’s first attempt at human spaceflight, which was organized by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

On October 10, 1985, Shukla was born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. According to reports, Shubhanshu finished his higher studies at Lucknow’s City Montessori School. He received his degree from the National Defence Academy (NDA), which prepares upcoming Indian army, navy, and air force officers.

In June 2006, Shukla was commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) jet wing, marking the beginning of his quest. He has 2,000 hours of flight experience in a variety of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. He is a combat leader and seasoned test pilot.

When Shubhanshu joined the program in 2018–19, his path to becoming an astronaut officially began. According to Suchi Shukla, Shubhanshu Sharma’s sister, “He spent the entire period in Russia for training during the coronavirus pandemic.”

Axiom trip 3, the most recent private astronaut trip, launched in January 2024 and docked to the space station for 18 days.”Working with the talented and diverse Ax-4 crew has been a deeply rewarding experience,” Whitson stated.”

It is really amazing to see their unselfish devotion to broadening horizons and establishing chances for their countries in space exploration. Our mission is not only a scientific endeavor but also a demonstration of human inventiveness and teamwork, as each crew member contributes distinct abilities and viewpoints,” Whitson continued.

On Thursday, NASA announced that it and SpaceX are “working expeditiously” to safely return astronauts Butch Willmore and Sunita Williams, who are Indian-origin, who had been trapped in the ISS for 238 days.

NASA made this announcement after Elon Musk, the billionaire and founder of SpaceX, said that US President Donald Trump had ordered him to expedite Williams and Wilmore’s return.

On the anniversary of his passing, Mahatma Gandhi’s great contributions to the country and his everlasting dedication to truth and non-violence were honored at the Gandhi Smriti Memorial in Rajghat.

Along with other top dignitaries, President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the somber ceremony honoring the Father of the Nation.

On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was killed. Since then, the day has been commemorated as Martyrs’ Day, also called “Shaheed Diwas” or “Sarvodaya Day,” in remembrance of him and the innumerable others who gave their lives in defense of India’s independence.

The devotional song “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram,” which Mahatma Gandhi himself popularized, was played throughout the occasion as a tribute. The bhajan has long been connected to Mahatma Gandhi’s political and spiritual development.

Prime Minister Modi paid his respects on X ,” Tributes to Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi. His ideals motivate us to build a developed India. I also pay tributes to all those martyred for our nation and recall their service as well as sacrifices.”

J.P. Nadda, the president of the BJP and a Union minister, too paid his condolences, highlighting Gandhi’s belief in independence and wrote on X, “I pay my heartfelt tribute to the eternal worshiper of truth and non-violence, the great leader of the Indian freedom movement, ‘Father of the Nation’ Mahatma Gandhi, on his death anniversary.”

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his tribute, highlighted Mahatma Gandhi’s role in uniting the nation and his global impact.

“On behalf of the grateful nation, I pay my tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the leading figure of the Indian freedom movement, who popularised the Indian values of truth, non-violence, and the fight against injustice across the world, on his death anniversary. Mahatma Gandhi strengthened the freedom movement by binding the country in the thread of unity. His thoughts towards cleanliness, self-reliance, and the empowerment of rural India will continue to inspire the countrymen” he wrote on X.

Respected as the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded India’s independence movement by promoting civil disobedience and nonviolence as effective strategies against colonial control. Global movements for justice and peace are still motivated by his teachings.

The Government of Odisha is hosting the flagship Global Investment Summit, the Utkarsh Odisha-Made in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar, with the goal of establishing the state as the focal point of the Purvodaya vision and a premier industrial hub and investment destination in India.

The Make in Odisha Exhibition, which showcases the state’s accomplishments in creating a thriving industrial ecosystem, opened by Prime Minister Modi. The conclave will take place over two days, from January 28 to 29. It will provide a forum for business executives, financiers, and legislators to get together and talk about the advantages Odisha provides as a top investment location.

CEO and leader roundtables, industry-specific seminars, business-to-business gatherings, and policy talks to draw in international investors are some of the event’s main attractions. In order to ensure focused interaction with investors worldwide, the conclave will include CEOs and Leaders’ Roundtables, Sectoral Sessions, B2B interactions, and Policy Discussions.

The two-day summit is anticipated to draw about 7,500 delegates, including some prominent businesspeople, it said. According to officials, LN Mittal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Karan Adani, Sajjan Jindal, and Naveen Jindal are among the businessmen anticipated to attend the summit.

Additionally, the PM will open the ‘Make in Odisha‘ exhibition, which will highlight the state’s accomplishments in creating an industrial ecosystem. In order to ensure focused interaction with investors worldwide, the conclave will include CEOs and Leaders’ Roundtables, Sectoral Sessions, B2B interactions, and Policy Discussions.

IT, renewable energy, textiles, chemicals, and food processing are the five main industries that will be the focus of the conclave. Australia, Malaysia, Japan, Germany, Poland, and Cuba are among the twelve nations that have been invited to attend the conclave as “Countries of Focus.”

To establish Odisha as a major industrial hub, the government wants to attract investments totaling Rs 5 lakh crore. During the massive event, up to 100 Memorandums of Understanding are anticipated to be signed.

In addition to offering the complete Mahakumbh mapping, the AI chatbot will also share links to Google Maps and detailed information on each sector. At the Mahakumbh 2025, a new iteration of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot is now directing pilgrims to parking lots, food courts, and medical facilities within a one-kilometer radius of the devotees.

These three new functions are included in the chatbot’s updated persona, which is intended to help devotees. In addition to offering the complete Mahakumbh mapping, the AI chatbot will also share links to Google Maps and detailed information on each sector. Devotees can obtain information about parking, transportation, banking, public water ATMs, and other amenities in a matter of seconds by using this chatbot.

The government claims that, according on their preferences, devotees can use the chatbot to download real-time PDFs with information about restrooms, lost and found centers, exhibitions, and other important areas.

Information about important locations can be easily accessed on a mobile device by scanning a QR code. This AI chatbot has already been used by millions of enthusiasts.

The government stated, “With its effective and user-friendly design, it is greatly enhancing the convenience for those attending the Mahakumbh.” The chatbot’s integration of faith and technology is simplifying and organizing the greatest religious gathering in the world.

To improve accessibility in 11 languages, the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj has integrated Bhashini, an AI-driven language translation tool from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Through the “Digital Lost & Found Solution,” Bhashini‘s language translation ecosystem will assist attendees of the largest spiritual gathering in the world.

In addition to using the technology to translate text and voice in real time for convenient communication during the massive event, people can use it to record lost or found objects using voice in their original tongues. Additionally, it offers multilingual chatbot support for kiosk navigation and inquiries.

Devotees can communicate with police officers easily and translate recommendations into their native tongues using the mobile app. The Bhashini App and the Uttar Pradesh Police Department have partnered to teach field officers to use the app’s Converse feature to comprehend the complaints of concerned devotees requesting assistance when there is a language barrier.

On the eve of Republic Day, 2025, 942 members of the Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defense (HG&CD), and Correctional Services received medals for their courage and service.

On Republic Day 2025, the Central government recognized 942 members of the police, fire, home guard, and civil defense forces by announcing the recipients of heroism and service awards. Five recipients of posthumous gallantry medals are on this list. The honors recognize outstanding service and bravery in life-threatening circumstances.

According to a government statement released on Saturday, 942 members of the police, fire, civil defense, home guard, and correctional services had their names revealed for the various categories of service and heroism awards on the eve of Republic Day. This includes 95 gallantry awards given to employees for their exceptional bravery and valor, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in a statement.

Of those who received the gallantry award, 28 were stationed in areas plagued by left-wing extremism, 28 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), three in the northeast, and 36 in other parts of the nation.

In addition, 101 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM) were given out, 85 to police officers, five to firefighters, seven to home guard and civil defense troops, and four to correctional professionals. 634 of the 746 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM) were awarded to police officers, 37 to firefighters, 39 to house guards and civil defense, and 36 to correctional officers.

Medals for Gallantry (GM) are awarded for “exceptional and noteworthy acts of bravery in saving lives and property, or in preventing crime and apprehending criminals,” the central government said in a statement. Additionally, the responsibilities and obligations of the concerned officer are carefully taken into account when determining the level of risk involved.

While the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) recognizes valued service characterized by ingenuity and dedication to duty, the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is given for outstanding service records. The honors are a testament to the dedication and courage of the staff in preserving public order under trying conditions and protecting lives and property.