English-language national news, explainers and fact checks.
Google’s Republic Day 2026 Doodle celebrated India’s space journey, spotlighting ISRO and the country’s growing profile in global space science through an illustration featuring rockets, satellites and tricolour motifs.
Karnataka has approved a new AI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru aimed at speeding up AI adoption, deeptech innovation and digital transformation across sectors. The project, planned with NASSCOM, is positioned to support startups, MSMEs and research institutions, and is intended to reinforce the state’s role as a leading hub for applied AI in India.
Google released a Republic Day 2026 Doodle celebrating India’s space exploration story and saluting ISRO’s contributions to science and technology. The artwork ties national pride to innovation and the country’s growing visibility in space missions.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked officials to deepen tech-driven governance and increase the use of AI tools to speed up grievance redressal. He also cited the state’s WhatsApp-based service delivery platform and pushed training and audits to support the shift.
A new white paper from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser outlines a ‘techno-legal’ framework aimed at operationalising AI governance in India. The proposal focuses on building institutional mechanisms that manage risk while supporting innovation.
India’s telecom security certification regime is being broadened and made cheaper for labs and smaller firms, with reduced application fees for designated testing labs and simplified certification pathways for ONT devices from 1 January 2026. The moves aim to speed up secure product time-to-market while keeping tighter scrutiny over telecom equipment and network functions.
Ahead of Union Budget 2026, Nasscom has called for broader ESOP tax deferment and greater clarity on cloud regulation and taxation for foreign cloud providers operating through Indian data centres, aiming to strengthen startup confidence and investment.
Ahead of the India Artificial Intelligence (AI) Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi (16–20 February), the Delhi government began fast-tracked upgrades at roundabouts and public spaces to improve lighting, aesthetics and safety. Work includes decorative fountains, colour-changing LED lights and repairs along likely delegate routes, with Bharat Mandapam set to host the main inauguration on 19 February.
ISRO planned to open its 2026 launch calendar with PSLV-C62, scheduled for liftoff on 12 January 2026 from Sriharikota to place the EOS-N1 Earth Observation Satellite into orbit along with several co-passenger satellites. The mission, involving NSIL’s commercial operations, also included additional in-orbit activities and technology demonstrations, underlining the expanding mix of domestic and international payloads on PSLV flights.
A KPMG note tied to WEF 2026 says India is moving from policy intent to execution on semiconductors via fab approvals, deep-tech R&D funding and broader ecosystem work spanning inputs, packaging and talent.
Ahead of 26 January 2026, Delhi Traffic Police rolled out a tech-first traffic plan for invitees and spectators, including AI-generated explainer videos, QR-based parking access and mapped entry-exit routes to reduce confusion and congestion.
OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman is expected to visit India in mid-February 2026, with the trip likely aligning with an AI summit in New Delhi that is projected to bring together top global technology leaders. The timing underscores India’s growing relevance in the global AI ecosystem, amid rising user adoption and heightened competition among major platforms.