Daily Current Affairs: 1 April 2026

Analysis for 01 April 2026

Dr Thomas Pucadyil Appointed Director of Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS)

[Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council - National Centre for Cell Science]

Key Updates:

Dr Thomas Pucadyil has been appointed as the Director of the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) in Pune.
Prior to this appointment, Dr Pucadyil served as a Professor in the Department of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He will assume the charge from Dr Manisha Inamdar, who had been serving as the interim director of the institution.
Dr Pucadyil was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2018 and is a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS).
His scientific research focuses on understanding membrane integrity-disrupting proteins in cells.
BRIC-NCCS is located within the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and hosts the National Cell Repository which distributes animal cell lines to research institutions in India.
The institute also hosts the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded National Centre for Microbial Research (NCMR), which maintains the third-largest microbial collection in the world.

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Krishna Kumar Thakur takes charge as Director (Personnel) of NMDC Limited (NMDC) (End of March) ▼

Krishna Kumar Thakur, a 1998 batch Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer, assumed the role of Director (Personnel) at NMDC Limited (NMDC) on Thursday.
He previously served as the Director (Human Resources) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), where he implemented organisational restructuring and multi-skilling initiatives.
During his career in Indian Railways, he managed human resource functions in the Solapur, Bhopal, and Mumbai divisions.
As the Chairman of the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of Western Railway, he led the recruitment of approximately 12,000 employees.
He has served as the Head of Human Resources at Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) and worked on an international train operations project in Saudi Arabia with RITES Limited (RITES).
He is an alumnus of Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Human Resources from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

Ravichandran Purushothaman elected Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region Chairman for 2026-27 (End of March) ▼

Ravichandran Purushothaman has been elected as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region for the term 2026-27.
His election was announced in the article without specifying the exact date of election or assumption of office.
The article does not mention his predecessor or any specific agenda for his tenure.
No additional details about his previous roles or organisational affiliations are provided in the article.

Harsharan Kaur Trehan became Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) Director (Commercial). (End of February) ▼

Harsharan Kaur Trehan assumed charge as Director (Commercial) of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on 21 February 2026.
She is the first woman technocrat to reach board level in PSPCL.
Her appointment order was issued on 20 February 2026 by Basant Garg, Secretary, Power, Punjab Government, for a two-year tenure.
Trehan had earlier become the first woman Engineer-in-Chief of PSPCL in May 2021 and retired from that post in October 2022.
She joined the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board as an Assistant Engineer in 1987 after graduating from Delhi College of Engineering.

Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor appointed Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) (End of January) ▼

Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, former Haryana Director General of Police, was appointed as Director General of Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
Praveen Kumar, a 1993-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre and then DG of ITBP, was appointed as Director General of Border Security Force (BSF).
Rakesh Aggarwal, a 1994-batch IPS officer and then Special DG of National Investigation Agency (NIA), was appointed as Director General of NIA.

Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Suriname’s ex-President and investigator of 1982 political killings, dies at 67.

[Suriname]

Key Updates:

Chandrikapersad Santokhi served as President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025.
He previously held the post of Minister of Justice and Police from 2005 to 2010.
As a police commissioner, Santokhi led the probe into the December 1982 killings of 15 political opponents.
He chaired the Progressive Reform Party from 2011 after Ramdien Sardjoe’s resignation.
Suriname’s economic stabilisation during his presidency was partly supported by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
His austerity measures included phasing out fuel, water and electricity subsidies, triggering protests in February 2023.
Voters denied him a second term in the May 2025 general election.

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K P Unnikrishnan, former Union minister and seven-term Vadakara MP, died at 89. (Start of March) ▼

K P Unnikrishnan died in Kozhikode at the age of 89.
He represented Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency for seven consecutive terms from 1971 to 1996.
He served as Union minister for Surface Transport, Shipping and Telecommunications in the V P Singh government between 1989 and 1990.
He was among the first to raise the Bofors issue in Parliament during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure.
He began his career as a journalist with Blitz in Mumbai in the early 1950s.
He was a close confidant of Indira Gandhi and managed V K Krishna Menon's 1962 Mumbai Lok Sabha election campaign.
He contested and won Lok Sabha elections in 1971, 1977, 1980, 1984, 1989, and 1991 from Vadakara.
He lost the 1996 Lok Sabha election after rejoining Congress in 1995.

Ricky Andrew J Syngkon laid to rest; Meghalaya government declares holiday in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. (End of February) ▼

Ricky Andrew J Syngkon, 54, Shillong Lok Sabha MP and founding member of Voice of the People Party (VPP), died on Thursday evening at a hospital in Shillong after a sudden cardiac arrest while playing futsal in Mawlai Mawiong.
His mortal remains were laid to rest at Sumer Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ri-Bhoi district on Saturday.
The Meghalaya government observed a holiday in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region on Saturday as a mark of respect.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma visited Syngkon’s residence at Pohkseh locality in Shillong on Friday to pay homage.
The Meghalaya legislative assembly adjourned its ongoing budget session on Friday after paying tributes to the late MP.
Syngkon had served as assistant professor in the department of economics at North-Eastern Hill University before entering politics.
In the 2024 general elections he won the Shillong parliamentary seat as a VPP candidate, defeating three-time Congress MP Vincent H Pala by 3,71,910 votes.

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie Arrives in India for First State Visit (Start of February) ▼

Seychelles President Patrick Herminie arrived in Chennai for his first State visit to India, which is scheduled to continue until 10 February.
The visit commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Seychelles.
President Herminie will hold discussions with Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional, and international issues of mutual interest.
The President is scheduled to visit Chennai and Mumbai to participate in various business events.
Seychelles is designated as a key maritime neighbour under India's Vision MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Patrick Herminie was sworn in as the sixth President of Seychelles in October 2025.
Vice President (VP) CP Radhakrishnan represented India at the swearing-in ceremony of President Herminie in Victoria in October 2025.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the visit follows the previous visit of the Indian VP to Seychelles in October 2025.
Historical records from 1770 indicate that a group of five Indians were among the first recorded inhabitants of the Seychelles islands.

Kabindra Purkayastha passes away at 95; former Union Minister and BJP stalwart. (Start of January) ▼

Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after prolonged illness.
He joined BJP in 1980 and led the party to its first-ever Lok Sabha seats from Assam in 1991.
Born in Kamarkhal village, now in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, he migrated to Silchar post-Partition.
He is survived by son Kanad Purkayastha, Rajya Sabha MP, a daughter, and grandchildren.

William Walsh Appointed CEO of IndiGo

[IndiGo]

Key Updates:

IndiGo has announced the appointment of William Walsh as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
He succeeds Pieter Elbers, who stepped down from the position of CEO on 11 March.
William Walsh currently serves as the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
His tenure at IATA concludes on 31 July 2026, and he is expected to join IndiGo by 3 August 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
He has previously served as the CEO of British Airways and the International Airlines Group (IAG).
The IAG portfolio includes airlines such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level, and Vueling.
In his new role, he will oversee the overall management and strategic direction of the airline, focusing on operational performance and network strategy.
The appointment was confirmed by IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta and Managing Director (MD) Rahul Bhatia.

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Pieter Elbers resigns as IndiGo CEO (Mid of March) ▼

Pieter Elbers resigned as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IndiGo with immediate effect on 10 March 2026 citing personal reasons.
Rahul Bhatia, promoter and Managing Director (MD) of IndiGo, will serve as interim CEO until a new leader is appointed.
Elbers had been appointed IndiGo CEO in September 2022 after Ronojoy Dutta’s tenure from 2019 to 2022.
Under Elbers, IndiGo placed a record order for 500 aircraft to support aggressive domestic and international expansion.
Following IndiGo’s December 2025 operational meltdown, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a ₹22.2 crore penalty on the airline.

Ida Liu appointed Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Private Bank (Start of January) ▼

Ida Liu has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Private Bank effective 5 January 2026.
She joins HSBC from Citigroup where she most recently served as Global Head of Citi Private Bank.
Liu brings more than 25 years of international experience in wealth management and private banking.

Captain Rohit Rikhye appointed Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) of IndiGo. (End of February) ▼

Captain Rohit Rikhye replaced Jason Herter as Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) at IndiGo with immediate effect.
He will report to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Isidre Porqueras.
Rikhye has served IndiGo for over 11 years and was previously Chief Pilot -- Standards, QA & Ops Safety.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed penalties totalling Rs 22 crore on IndiGo and directed dismissal of a senior vice-president after December flight disruptions.
The OCC oversees real-time flight operations including flight planning, tracking, dispatch, crew scheduling and rostering in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Baroruchi Mishra appointed Managing Director & CEO of Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Ltd (HOEC). (End of February) ▼

Baroruchi Mishra will assume charge as Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Ltd (HOEC) from 1 April 2026.
The Board approved Mishra’s appointment for a term of three consecutive years from 1 April 2026, subject to shareholder approval.
Current Managing Director Ramasamy Jeevanandam will cease to hold office at the close of business hours on 31 March 2026.
The Board, on 25 February 2026, also approved Mishra’s redesignation as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director effective the same date, subject to shareholders’ nod.
Dr. Jagadip Narayan Singh was appointed Additional Director (Non-Executive Independent) and Chairman for a five-year term, subject to shareholder approval through postal ballot.

Nitish Kumar announces ex gratia after Nalanda temple stampede.

[Bihar]

Key Updates:

Eight women died in the stampede at Maa Sheetla Mandir in Maghra village, Nalanda district, Bihar.
The incident occurred during Tuesday morning prayers when overcrowding and inadequate security triggered the stampede.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sanctioned Rs 6 lakh ex gratia for each deceased’s next of kin, comprising Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque confirmed the death toll and stated that rescue operations were underway.

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Operation Demolishment targets over 200 Naxal memorials in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. (End of February) ▼

Security forces demolished 203 Naxal memorials and monuments in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh under Operation Demolishment.
Chhattisgarh recorded 149 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, with 130 razed in 2026 alone.
Maharashtra reported 55 demolitions from 2023 to 2026, including 45 removed in 2026.
Officials state the memorials were used by Naxal outfits for ideological outreach and recruitment in remote forested regions.
Operation Demolishment is part of a broader counterinsurgency strategy to dismantle the military and ideological backbone of Naxalism.

Ram Navami 2026 to be observed on 26 and 27 March (End of March) ▼

Ram Navami, also known as Shri Ram Janmotsav, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ram, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The festival coincides with the final day of the nine-day Chaitra Navratri fast.
In 2026, the Ram Navami tithi begins at 11:48 AM on 26 March and concludes at 10:06 AM on 27 March.
The festival will be observed by most devotees on 26 March 2026, while Vaishnava Ram Navami will be celebrated on 27 March 2026.
Key rituals include the recitation of the Ramcharitmanas and the performance of kanya pujan, where young girls are worshipped as forms of Goddess Durga.
Grand celebrations featuring devotional singing and the ceremonial bathing of idols with Panchamrit are held in temples, particularly in Ayodhya.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) begins excavation at Balirajgarh in Bihar (End of March) ▼

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has commenced a large-scale scientific excavation at the Balirajgarh site in the Madhubani district of Bihar.
The site is believed to have served as a major administrative hub of the ancient Videha Kingdom and the legendary capital of King Bali.
The ASI Patna Circle aims to reach the virgin soil to determine the exact beginning of human settlement and verify if the site predates the Mauryan era.
The excavation will investigate the cultural continuity across five distinct phases: Mauryan (NBPW), Sunga, Kushan, Gupta, and Pala periods.
The site features a massive brick fortification spanning approximately 176 acres and was declared a protected site by the ASI in 1938.
Modern tools, including satellite imagery and systematic mapping, are being utilised to identify high-interest areas and navigate technical hurdles like high water tables.
Previous explorations at the site have yielded historical artefacts such as punch-marked coins, terracotta figurines, copper objects, and bone tools.

Bihar Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme incentivises Maoist Suresh Koda with ₹11.71 lakh package (End of February) ▼

Under Bihar’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme, Suresh Koda will receive ₹3 lakh as the declared reward, ₹5 lakh as incentive assistance, and ₹3.6 lakh as vocational training allowance spread over 36 months.
An additional ₹71,515 will be paid to Koda as incentive for the surrendered weapons and ammunition.
The state government is processing further benefits under the rehabilitation policy for Koda and his family.

Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman and Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away at 87 in Mumbai.

[Raymond]

Key Updates:

Vijaypat Singhania died in Mumbai at the age of 87.
He was the former chairman of Raymond Group and led the company for around two decades until 2000.
He transferred his entire 37 per cent stake in Raymond to his son Gautam Singhania.
Singhania held the world record for the highest altitude reached in a hot air balloon.
He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award.
His last rites will be performed on Sunday as announced by a company spokesperson.

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Satyaki Ghosh appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Raymond Lifestyle (End of January) ▼

Satyaki Ghosh has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer and key managerial personnel of Raymond Lifestyle Ltd with effect from January 19, 2026.
Ghosh brings over 25 years of experience across FMCG, textiles, retail, and consumer businesses, including B2B and B2C environments.
He joins from Aditya Birla Group where he most recently served as Chief Executive Officer, Cellulosic Fashion Yarn, Grasim Industries.

Datta Meghe, four-time Lok Sabha MP and veteran BJP leader, passed away at 89. (End of March) ▼

Datta Meghe died on Sunday evening at the age of 89.
He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Nagpur, Ramtek and Wardha constituencies.
He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2002 to 2008.
Meghe began his political career with the Congress, later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, and switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and grandchildren; his son Sandeep Meghe is the Hingna MLA and another son Sagar Meghe is a former MLC.

E.A. Rajendran passes away at 71. (End of March) ▼

E.A. Rajendran, veteran Malayalam actor-director, died at age 71 at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam.
He was a graduate of the National School of Drama and appeared in around sixty Malayalam films.
Rajendran served as Chairman of the State Horticulture Corporation.
His funeral rites will be held at his residence in Thrithallur, Thrissur district.

Biren Singh Engti passed away at 81, former Union Minister and five-time Lok Sabha MP. (Mid of March) ▼

Biren Singh Engti, veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister, died at the age of 81 in a private hospital in Guwahati.
He represented the Diphu constituency in Lok Sabha five times.
Engti served as chief executive member of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
He served under the Rajiv Gandhi government.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and State Congress president Gaurav Gogoi condoled his death.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reports Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth at 5.2% for February 2026

[Index of Industrial Production]

Key Updates:

India’s Index of Industrial Production (IIP) expanded 5.2% year-on-year in February 2026, up from 4.8% in January 2026.
Manufacturing sector grew 6.0% in February 2026, contributing the largest share to overall industrial growth.
Mining output rose 3.1% and electricity generation increased 2.3% during February 2026.
IIP stood at 159.0 in February 2026, compared with 151.1 in February 2025.
Among 23 NIC two-digit manufacturing groups, 14 recorded positive growth in February 2026.
Basic metals grew 13.2%, motor vehicles and trailers 14.9%, and machinery and equipment 10.2% in February 2026.
Infrastructure and construction goods grew 11.2%, capital goods 12.5%, and intermediate goods 7.7% in February 2026.
Consumer durables rose 7.3%, while consumer non-durables contracted 0.6% in February 2026.
Cumulative industrial production for April–February 2025–26 remains broadly in line with the previous year.
February 2026 data is based on quick estimates with a weighted response rate of 88.64% and will undergo revisions.

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Government of India (GoI) Reports Core Sector Growth Eases to 2.3% in February (End of March) ▼

India's core sector growth slowed to a three-month low of 2.3% year-on-year in February, down from 4.7% in January.
The eight core industries account for 40.27% of the total weight in the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
Cement recorded the strongest expansion among the eight industries at 9.3%, while steel production grew by 7.2%.
Electricity generation growth dropped to a three-month low of 0.5%, and coal output eased to 2.3%.
Output in energy-related industries contracted, with crude oil declining by 5.2%, natural gas by 5%, and refinery products by 1%.
Fertilisers output fell to a five-month low of 3.4% during the month of February.
Overall core sector growth for the financial year FY26 (up to February) stood at 2.9%, compared to 4.4% in the corresponding period of the previous year.
India's industrial output growth, measured by the IIP, slowed to a three-month low of 4.8% in January from 8% in December.

Economic Survey 2025–26 projects India’s FY27 real GDP growth at 6.8–7.2% and FY26 fiscal deficit at 4.4% of GDP. (End of January) ▼

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2025–26 in the Lok Sabha on 30 January 2026.
The Survey forecasts India’s real GDP growth at 6.8–7.2% for 2026–27, marginally below the current fiscal’s 7.4%.
Retail inflation averaged 1.7% during April–December 2025, with anchored core inflation reflecting improved supply conditions.
The central government’s fiscal deficit for FY25 stood at 4.8% of GDP, better than budgeted, with a 4.4% target set for FY26.
India’s foreign-exchange reserves rose to $701.4 billion as of 16 January 2026, covering 11 months of imports and 94% of external debt.
Capital expenditure more than quadrupled from ₹2.63 lakh crore in FY18 to ₹11.21 lakh crore in FY26 Budget Estimates, with effective capex at ₹15.48 lakh crore.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes across 14 sectors have attracted over ₹2.0 lakh crore actual investment, generating incremental production/sales exceeding ₹18.7 lakh crore and over 12.6 lakh jobs by September 2025.
India’s share of global merchandise exports nearly doubled from 1% in 2005 to 1.8% in 2024.
Foodgrain production is estimated at 3577.3 lakh metric tonnes for agriculture year 2024–25, up 254.3 lakh metric tonnes over the previous year.
India remains the world’s largest recipient of remittances, receiving $135.4 billion in FY25.
High-speed railway corridors expanded nearly ten-fold from 550 km in FY14 to 5,364 km by December 2025, with 3,500 km of new railway lines added in FY26.
The number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 164 in 2025, making India the 3rd largest domestic aviation market.
Discoms posted a historic positive PAT of ₹2,701 crore in FY25 for the first time.
India ranks 3rd globally in overall renewable energy and installed solar capacity.
India became the 4th nation to achieve autonomous satellite docking (SpaDeX) capability.
The E-Shram Portal registered over 31 crore unorganised workers by January 2026, with 54% women.
NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index shows poverty falling from 55.3% in 2005–06 to 11.28% in 2022–23.

State Bank of India (SBI) Projects 7.5% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼

The State Bank of India (SBI) projects India’s real GDP growth for FY26 could reach 7.5% following the revision of the base year to 2022-23.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) first advance estimates place real GDP growth at 7.4% for FY26, an increase from the 6.5% recorded in FY25.
The NSO projects Gross Value Added (GVA) growth at 7.3% and nominal GDP growth at 8% for the FY26 period.
Per capita national income is projected to increase by ₹16,025 annually to reach ₹2,47,487 in FY26.
The services sector is expected to expand by 9.1% in FY26, compared to the 7.2% growth recorded in the previous year.
Industrial growth is estimated at 6.0% for FY26, supported by a manufacturing output growth of 7.0%.
Agriculture and allied activities are projected to grow by 3.1% in FY26, down from 4.6% in FY25.
Mining output is expected to decline by 0.7% in FY26, compared with a growth of 2.7% in FY25.
The historical gap between GDP growth estimates from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the NSO has remained within a range of 20–30 basis points.
The NSO is scheduled to release the second advance estimates, incorporating additional data and revisions, on February 27, 2026.

United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼

The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

ICRA projects India GDP growth at 6.5% for FY27 amid West Asia conflict

[Investment Information and Credit Rating Agency]

Key Updates:

ICRA forecasts India’s GDP growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 from 7.6% in FY26.
The projection assumes average crude oil price at USD 85 per barrel in FY27.
ICRA expects India’s current account deficit (CAD) to widen to 1.7% of GDP in FY27 from 1% in FY26.
Elevated energy prices and concerns around energy availability due to the West Asia conflict are cited as key downside risks.
ICRA anticipates an extended pause on policy rates by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) through FY27.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) revises India GDP growth to 7.8% for Q3 FY26 and raises FY26 estimate to 7.6% (Start of March) ▼

India’s GDP growth slowed to 7.8% in Q3 FY26 from 8.4% in Q2 FY26 but exceeded ET poll estimate of 7.4%.
GDP growth for FY26 has been revised upwards to 7.6% from the earlier first advance estimate of 7.4%.
The new GDP series uses 2022-23 as the base year, replacing the previous 2011-12 series.
Manufacturing sector recorded double-digit growth in FY2023-24 and FY2025-26.
The ‘Trade, Repair, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting and Storage’ segment grew by 10.1% in FY2025-26.
Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) both grew by more than 7% in FY2025-26.
The GDP series now incorporates double deflation for agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
The Proportional Denton Benchmarking method has been adopted for aligning quarterly and annual GDP estimates.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) revises GDP base year to 2022-23 and lifts FY26 growth estimate to 7.6% (Start of March) ▼

India’s Q3 FY26 GDP growth slowed to 7.8% from the preceding quarter’s 8.4%.
The new GDP series uses 2022-23 as its base year, replacing the earlier 2011-12 series.
MoSPI’s second advance estimate pegs FY26 GDP growth at 7.6%, up from the first advance estimate of 7.4%.
Manufacturing posted double-digit growth in FY2023-24 and FY2025-26.
The ‘Trade, Repair, Hotels, Transport, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting and Storage’ segment grew 10.1% in FY2025-26.
Private Final Consumption Expenditure (PFCE) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) each rose over 7% in FY2025-26.
The series adopts double deflation for agriculture and manufacturing to improve real value-added measurement.
Proportional Denton Benchmarking replaces the pro-rata method for quarterly national accounts to align quarterly and annual estimates.

ICRA projects India’s GDP growth to moderate to 7.2% in Q3 FY26 (End of February) ▼

ICRA forecasts India’s YoY GDP growth at 7.2% in Q3 FY2025-26, down from 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Services GVA growth eased to 7.8% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 9.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Agriculture GVA growth slowed to 3.0% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 3.5% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Industrial sector GVA hit a six-quarter high of 8.3% in Q3 FY2025-26 versus 7.7% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Government of India’s gross capital expenditure contracted 23.4% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 after 40.0% YoY growth in H1 FY2025-26.
GoI’s gross capex fell to Rs. 2.1 trillion in Q3 FY2025-26 from Rs. 3.1 trillion in Q2 FY2025-26.
Combined Central and state non-interest revenue expenditure rose marginally by 0.3% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 against a 0.6% decline in Q2 FY2025-26.
India’s services exports growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 7.5% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 at USD 111.2 billion.

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) projects India GDP growth at 6.9% for FY27 (Start of January) ▼

India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) forecasts real GDP growth of 6.9% in FY27.
Ind-Ra expects retail inflation to average 3.8% in FY27.
Union government debt as a percentage of GDP is projected to decline to 55.5% in FY27 from an estimated 56.3% in FY26.
Ind-Ra anticipates the Indian Rupee to average 92.26 against the US dollar in FY27, compared with 88.64 in FY26.
Ind-Ra estimates total budget size to rise to Rs 52 lakh crore in FY27 from the budgeted Rs 50 lakh crore in FY26.
Tax revenue is expected to fall short by Rs 2 lakh crore in FY26, to be offset through higher non-tax revenue and slightly lower capex.
Fiscal deficit for FY26 is retained at the budgeted 4.4% of GDP, amounting to Rs 15.69 lakh crore in absolute terms.

Government data shows India’s April–February fiscal deficit at Rs 12.53 lakh crore, 80.4% of FY26 aim

Key Updates:

India’s fiscal deficit for April–February was Rs 12.53 lakh crore, equal to 80.4% of the FY26 budget estimate.
Total receipts up to February stood at Rs 27.92 lakh crore, 82.0% of the revised estimate.
Total expenditure for the period was Rs 40.45 lakh crore, 81.5% of the revised estimate.
Tax revenue reached Rs 21.45 lakh crore, 80.2% of the budget target.
Non-tax revenue stood at Rs 5.81 lakh crore, 87.0% of the estimate, boosted by transfers from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Revenue expenditure was Rs 31.15 lakh crore, 80.5% of the revised estimate.
Capital expenditure totalled Rs 9.29 lakh crore, 84.8% of the budgeted target.
Interest payments during April–February were Rs 10.65 lakh crore.
Revenue deficit for the period was Rs 3.89 lakh crore, 73.8% of the full-year estimate.
Primary deficit stood at Rs 1.87 lakh crore, 65.9% of budget estimates.
Major subsidies amounted to Rs 3.90 lakh crore, 91% of revised estimates, with food subsidy at Rs 1.93 lakh crore and fertiliser subsidies near full-year targets.
Petroleum subsidy spending was Rs 8,823 crore, 58% of estimates.

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Revised GDP series raises FY27 fiscal deficit ratio to 4.46% and debt-to-GDP to 57.5% (Mid of March) ▼

The new GDP series (FY23 base) pegs FY26 nominal GDP at ₹345.47 lakh crore, 3.3% lower than the budget estimate based on the old series.
With a 10% nominal growth assumed for FY27, the targeted fiscal deficit of ₹16.96 lakh crore equals 4.46% of GDP against the budgeted 4.31%.
The FY26 fiscal deficit target becomes 4.51% of GDP instead of 4.36% unless the absolute deficit is cut.
The FY24 and FY25 fiscal deficit ratios are revised upwards to 5.7% and almost 4.95% of GDP from 5.5% and 4.8% respectively.
The debt-to-GDP ratio for FY27 is now estimated at 57.5%, 1.9 percentage points higher than the budgeted 55.6%.
ICRA chief economist Aditi Nayar stated the consolidation path to FY31 is relatively steeper under the new series.
India Ratings chief economist DK Pant said fiscal consolidation and nominal growth rates must be stronger than previously assumed to meet targets.

Government sets record Rs 17.2 lakh crore gross market borrowing for 2026-27. (Start of February) ▼

Gross market borrowing for 2026-27 fixed at Rs 17.2 lakh crore.
Net market borrowing pegged at Rs 11.7 lakh crore.
Gap of Rs 5.5 lakh crore between gross and net borrowing reflects repayment of earlier debt.
Capital expenditure target for FY27 set at Rs 12.2 lakh crore.
Borrowing programme overseen by Department of Expenditure in coordination with Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Ministry of Commerce (MoC) records $27.10 billion merchandise trade deficit for February 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $27.10 billion in February 2026, compared with $14.42 billion in the same month of the previous year.
Merchandise exports for February 2026 stood at $36.61 billion, while imports were recorded at $63.71 billion.
The cumulative merchandise exports for the April–February 2025–26 period reached $402.93 billion, marking a 1.84% increase from $395.66 billion in the corresponding period last year.
The trade deficit for February 2026 narrowed from the $34.68 billion deficit recorded in January 2026.
Trade Secretary Rajesh Agrawal stated that exports to West Asia have been impacted by regional conflict and the government is considering support measures for Middle East exports.
India has increased its procurement of Russian oil this month to manage volatility in global energy markets.
Potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could impact approximately half of India’s monthly imports, particularly oil and energy-linked shipments.

Government data shows India’s April-January fiscal deficit at ₹9.81 lakh crore, 63% of FY26 target (Start of March) ▼

India’s fiscal deficit for April-January stood at ₹9.81 lakh crore, 63% of the 2025-26 budget estimate.
The deficit narrowed from 74.5% recorded in the same period of the previous year.
Total receipts during April-January were ₹27.09 lakh crore, 79.5% of the budget target.
Total expenditure for April-January was ₹36.90 lakh crore, 74.3% of the budget target.
Tax revenue receipts were ₹20.94 lakh crore, 78.3% of the budget estimate.
Non-tax revenue receipts were ₹5.57 lakh crore, 83.5% of the budget estimate.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved a dividend of ₹2.69 lakh crore to the central government, up from ₹2.11 lakh crore last year.
Revenue deficit was ₹1.96 lakh crore, 37.3% of the fiscal year’s budget target.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set the fiscal deficit target for 2025-26 at 4.4% of GDP.
The fiscal deficit target for 2026-27 was set at 4.3% of GDP.
Expenditure on major subsidies (food, fertilisers, petroleum) was ₹3.55 lakh crore, 83% of the revised annual aim.

Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) targets India as global pharma innovation hub by 2026

Key Updates:

India Pharma 2026 will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
The 9th edition is organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
Theme of the event is 'Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation'.
Conference will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars.
FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.

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Research Advisory Board (RAB) of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) holds first meeting (End of March) ▼

The first meeting of the Research Advisory Board (RAB) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) took place to deliberate on national initiatives and governance reforms.
The reforms are designed to guide the transformation of BRIC into a cohesive, decentralised national biotechnology laboratory.
The RAB is responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring the research activities conducted by BRIC Institutes (iBRIC) and fostering deliberations for developing new missions.
Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), stated that the RAB should focus on designing mission-focused objectives tailored for a growing bioeconomy.
Experts underscored the need to leverage the country’s demographic advantages, biodiversity, and extensive data resources to support the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Boehringer Ingelheim India and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli sign MoU to advance pharmaceutical education and research (End of February) ▼

Boehringer Ingelheim India Private Limited and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli signed an MoU on 22 Feb 2026 at the Department of Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi.
The MoU covers collaboration in pharmaceutical technologies, novel drug delivery systems, joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and capability-building programmes.
Boehringer Ingelheim will provide NIPER Raebareli access to its open science portal opnMe® to accelerate healthcare innovation.
The partnership will also explore symposia, conferences, short-term courses, and scholar engagement to strengthen scientific exchange.

Economic Survey 2025-26 highlights India's pharma shift to value-driven innovation (Start of February) ▼

India's pharmaceutical industry is the world's third-largest by volume, meeting approximately 20 per cent of global generics demand.
In FY25 the sector's annual turnover reached Rs 4.72 lakh crore, with exports growing at a CAGR of 7 per cent over the last decade (FY15 to FY25).
India exports pharmaceuticals to 191 countries in FY25, with over 50 per cent of exports directed to highly regulated markets such as the US and Europe.
India ranks 11th globally in pharmaceutical exports by value, with a 3 per cent share.
Medical devices exports have grown from USD 2.5 billion in FY21 to USD 4.1 billion in FY25.
India provides a majority of the world's diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DPT), Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and measles vaccines.
India's medical devices sector exports to 187 countries in FY25 and now manufactures high-end equipment including MRI and CT scanners, linear accelerators, cardiac stents, and ventilators.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh lays foundation for cGMP facility at BRIC-RGCB (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre--Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram.
He dedicated the National Facility for Recombinant Cells & Sensors, housing 600-700 types of stable cells covering several cancer targets, positioning it among the leading global resource centres for such innovative tools.
Singh inaugurated the annual National Science Day programme at the BRIC-RGCB campus.
The minister highlighted India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy as a dedicated biotechnology policy aimed at making the economy bio-driven.
He noted the Union Budget announcement of the Biopharma SHAKTI Mission, signalling policy recognition that future global economies will increasingly be driven by biotechnology.
Singh urged BRIC-RGCB to explore interdisciplinary collaborations with the private sector in the liberalised nuclear medicine domain.
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director General, BRIC, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, stated that the government launched the HPV vaccination drive based on data generated by BRIC-RGCB.
Prof VPN Nampoori of CUSAT, Kochi, authored the National Science Day book 'Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years' released by the minister on the occasion.

Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025

[Periodic Labour Force Survey]

Key Updates:

Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 59.3% in 2025.
LFPR for males was 79.1% and for females 40.0%.
Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) for persons aged 15 years and above was 57.4%.
WPR for males was 76.6% and for females 38.8%.
Unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above was 3.1% in 2025.
Rural unemployment rate was 2.4% and urban unemployment rate was 4.8%.
Youth unemployment rate (15–29 years) declined from 10.3% in 2024 to 9.9% in 2025.
Share of self-employed workers declined from 57.5% in 2024 to 56.2% in 2025.
Share of regular wage/salaried employment increased to 23.6% in 2025.
Share of employment in agriculture declined from 44.8% in 2024 to 43.0% in 2025.
Share of employment in manufacturing increased from 11.6% to 12.1%.
Share of employment in services increased from 12.2% to 13.1%.
44.4% of females cited childcare and domestic responsibilities as the main reason for not participating in the labour force.
69.8% of males cited education as the main reason for not being in the labour force.
Average years of formal education for persons aged 15 years and above was 10.0 years.
67.8% of the population had attained at least secondary education.
Only 4.2% of persons aged 15–59 years had received formal vocational or technical training.
25.0% of persons aged 15–29 years were not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Total number of employed persons aged 15 years and above was estimated at 61.6 crore.

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Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) revises India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) base year to 2022–23 (Mid of March) ▼

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has updated the base year for India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 2011–12 to 2022–23.
The updated GDP series was officially released on 27 February 2026 and utilises the National Industrial Classification (NIC)-2025 for expanded coverage of economic activities.
The base year for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) has also been revised to 2022–23 to reflect the current industrial structure and manufacturing output.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2024 series now employs Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) for digital data collection through handheld devices.
The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) system has been modernised with secure online data transmission and real-time submission of price data for improved verification.
MoSPI has introduced nowcasting techniques to estimate current economic performance using high-frequency indicators such as GST collections, electricity consumption, and bank credit growth.
The Economic Survey 2025–26 presents a framework that combines high-frequency indicators to estimate GDP growth in near real-time.
Key indicators used for economic monitoring include railway freight, port cargo traffic, and the Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI).

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records India unemployment rate at 6.5% in 2025 (End of March) ▼

India’s unemployment rate declined to 6.5% in 2025 from 7.0% a year earlier under the usual status measure for persons aged 15 years and above.
Urban female unemployment edged lower to 6.4% in 2025 from 6.7% in the previous year.
The aggregate unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above stood at 3.1% in 2025.
Youth unemployment (15–29 years) eased to 9.9% in 2025 from 10.3% a year earlier.
Share of workers in regular wage or salaried jobs rose to 23.6% in 2025 from 22.4% in 2024.
Employment in manufacturing and services saw an uptick while agriculture’s share declined in 2025.
Nominal earnings rose across categories with female wages growing faster than men’s in self-employment and salaried roles.

Government mulling bringing unorganised sector workers under EPFO and ESIC (End of March) ▼

The government is deliberating bringing unorganised, gig and platform workers under the ambit of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, stated this in Lok Sabha during Question Hour on 30 March 2026.
The Ministry is examining domestic and international models to design a suitable social security scheme for these workers.
The proposed model involves worker’s voluntary contribution plus government subsidy due to funding constraints.
The ESIC expansion aims to cover at least 32 crore unorganised, gig and platform workers as per ongoing deliberations.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Reports India Unemployment Rate at 4.9% in February 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for February 2026.
India’s overall unemployment rate eased to 4.9% in February from 5% in January, based on the Current Weekly Status (CWS).
The female unemployment rate declined to 5.1% in February from 5.6% in January, while the male unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8%.
Urban unemployment dropped to 6.6% from 7% in the previous month, while the rural unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%.
Youth unemployment in the 15-29 years age group rose slightly to 14.8% in February from 14.7% in January.
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) remained unchanged at 55.9%, with female LFPR increasing to 35.3% from 35.1%.
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR), or employment rate, rose to 53.2% in February compared with 53.1% in January.
The survey covered 89,333 households and 374,879 individuals across rural and urban areas to track employment activity.

Gyan Bharatam Mission launched for manuscript preservation and digitisation

Key Updates:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission to preserve and digitise ancient manuscripts using modern technology.
The mission involves digitisation, scientific preservation and archiving of manuscripts.
Citizens are encouraged to upload manuscripts kept in personal custody under the mission.

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Three-day Itkhori Mahotsav inaugurated in Chatra (End of February) ▼

State finance minister Radha Krishana Kishore inaugurated the three-day Rajkiya Itkhori Mahotsav in Chatra on Thursday.
Excise minister Yogendra Prasad and Chatra MP Kalicharan Singh were also present on the occasion.
The ministers launched the official website of Bhadrakali Temple and released a coffee table book.
The first day featured colourful cultural performances, including traditional folk dances.
Various cultural, spiritual and tourism-related activities have been lined up over the next two days.

Seva Teerth complex becomes new permanent PMO hub, freeing North & South Blocks for Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the Seva Teerth complex.
Seva Teerth now houses the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Cabinet Secretariat, and the National Security Council Secretariat.
The relocation date was chosen to coincide with the 95th anniversary of New Delhi being declared the capital.
North and South Blocks are being transformed into the Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum, set to be the world’s largest museum at 1.55 lakh square metres.
The museum will display 80,000–100,000 artefacts across 30 galleries and over 950 rooms.
India has partnered with France Muséums Développement for technical expertise in conservation and visitor experience.
The first glimpse gallery, showcasing 100 key artefacts, is scheduled to open by December 2026.
The fully operational museum expects nearly 10 million visitors annually within the next three years.

Narendra Modi inaugurates Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics (Start of January) ▼

Narendra Modi inaugurated the Grand International Exposition of Sacred Piprahwa Relics titled 'The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One' at the Rai Pithora Cultural Complex.
The exposition marked the reunification of the Piprahwa gem relics of Lord Buddha after 127 years.
The exhibition displays relics, gem relics and ancient reliquaries excavated from the Piprahwa site in 1898 and during subsequent excavations between 1971 and 1975.
The repatriated relics are exhibited alongside artefacts preserved in the collections of the National Museum in New Delhi and the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
Modi paid tributes to social reformer Savitribai Phule and freedom fighter Rani Velu Nachiyar on their birth anniversaries.

Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 introduce four-stream segregation and digital monitoring

Key Updates:

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 on 27 January 2026 to replace the 2016 framework.
Rules come into force on 1 April 2026 and mandate four-stream segregation at source: Wet waste (biodegradable), Dry waste (recyclable), Sanitary waste, and Special care waste.
Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) makes large institutions, hotels and residential complexes accountable for collection, segregation, transport and environmentally sound disposal of their waste.
A centralised online portal enables real-time digital tracking of collection, transportation, processing and disposal of waste to improve compliance and reporting.
Cement plants and waste-to-energy units must raise Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) substitution from the current 5% to 15% within six years.
Urban and rural local bodies, State and Union Territory governments and central ministries are assigned clearly defined responsibilities and graded land-allocation criteria for faster setting up of waste-processing facilities.

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Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban: Lucknow achieves 100% scientific municipal solid-waste processing (End of January) ▼

Lucknow has become the first city in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100 per cent scientific processing of municipal solid waste under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
The city now operates three waste-processing facilities, each with a capacity of 700 MT per day, collectively handling over 2,100 MT daily.
Door-to-door waste-collection efficiency has reached 96.53 per cent and source-segregation levels have crossed 70 per cent.

Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 Notified to be Effective from April 1, 2026 (End of January) ▼

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The SWM Rules, 2026, will supersede the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and come into full effect from April 1, 2026.
The rules mandate four-stream segregation of solid waste at source into wet waste, dry waste, sanitary waste, and special care waste.
Bulk Waste Generators (BWG) are defined as entities with a floor area of 20,000 square metres or more, water consumption of 40,000 litres per day or more, or solid waste generation of 100 kg per day or more.
The rules introduce Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR), making BWGs accountable for processing wet waste on-site or obtaining an EBWGR certificate.
Industrial units using solid fuel, including cement and waste-to-energy plants, are mandated to replace it with Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) at a substitution rate increasing from 5 per cent to 15 per cent over six years.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will develop a Centralised Online Portal to track waste generation, collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.
Environmental compensation will be levied based on the Polluter Pays principle by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB) and Pollution Control Committees (PCC).
Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) are formally recognised as facilities for sorting solid waste and may act as deposition points for various waste streams.
Special provisions for hilly areas and islands include the levy of user fees on tourists and regulation of tourist inflow based on available waste management facilities.
State-level committees for effective implementation will be chaired by the Chief Secretary of the State or Head of the Union Territory (UT) Administration.

Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) launched to achieve Zero Dumpsite India by September 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.
DRAP targets scientific remediation of 8.8 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste across 1,428 dumpsites in India.
Sites with over 45,000 metric tonnes of waste are prioritised; no minimum limit for Union Territories and Northeastern states.
Central financial support under DRAP is ₹550 per tonne of waste.
States must prepare Micro Action Plans and monitor progress through the DRAP Portal.

Giriraj Singh releases report on India's textile recycling market. (Mid of March) ▼

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh released the report titled 'Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India'.
The report projects India's textile recycling market to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2030.
The report estimates the market could generate around one lakh green jobs.
India generates approximately 70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste annually.
Panipat is emerging as a major hub for mechanical textile recycling.

Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2026 to declare Amaravati as state capital

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2026 will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on 1 April 2026.
The bill seeks to amend section 5 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014 to designate Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
The amendment clarifies that Amaravati includes all areas notified under the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority Act 2014.
The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on 28 March 2026 requesting the Centre to enact the amendment.
The proposed amendment will be effective retrospectively from 2 June 2024.

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Andhra Pradesh CM launches ‘Araku Kouni’ tribal millet menu to mainstream indigenous cuisine (Mid of March) ▼

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu launched ‘Araku Kouni’, the state’s first tribal millet-based food menu, during the Collectors’ Conference at the Secretariat.
The menu features traditional recipes sourced from indigenous communities in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district.
Dishes include Korra Payasam, Ragi Chapati, Samala Pulihora, Kantla Ambali, Corn Vada and Toor Dal Curry.
The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) will introduce the menu in all Haritha restaurants across ASR district and later extend it to other tourism outlets in the state.
The ASR district administration led the initiative with support from tribal anganwadi workers, the Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati, and the Department of Tourism.
Ingredients are cultivated without chemical fertilisers or pesticides.
The district tourism team and the Indian Culinary Institute documented recipes along with nutritional values, calorific indices and health benefits.

Waaree Energies to Establish ₹8,175 Crore Lithium-ion Battery Gigafactory in Andhra Pradesh (End of February) ▼

Waaree Energies will set up an integrated lithium-ion battery gigafactory at Rambilli in Anakapalli district, Andhra Pradesh.
The project involves a total investment of ₹8,175 crore and is expected to generate approximately 3,000 direct jobs.
The greenfield facility will have a production capacity of 16 GWh, covering cell manufacturing, battery packs, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The Andhra Pradesh State Investment Promotion Board, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has granted in-principle approval for the project.
The facility is designed to support renewable energy expansion, electric mobility, and grid stability while enhancing strategic manufacturing independence.

Andhra Pradesh Signs MoU with FICCI-FLO to Establish 30-Acre Industrial Park for Women Entrepreneurs (End of January) ▼

The Andhra Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO) to establish an exclusive industrial park for women entrepreneurs.
The agreement involves the development of a 30-acre industrial park in Amaravati under the state policy for private industrial parks with plug-and-play industrial infrastructure (4.0) for the period 2024-29.
The proposed park is dedicated to women entrepreneurs who are members of FICCI-FLO to promote enterprise creation, economic self-reliance, and employment generation.
The initiative aligns with the state government plan to establish 175 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) parks, with one situated in each assembly constituency.
The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) will facilitate land allotment, statutory approvals, and infrastructure development for the project.
The MoU was signed by the Minister for Industries and Commerce and Food Processing, TG Bharath, and FICCI-FLO National President, Poonam Sharma.
The budget outlay for the industrial park is not specified in the article.
The specific launch date for the commencement of the park is not specified in the article.

Amaravati Quantum Valley to host India's first 133-qubit quantum computer with £600-million investment. (Start of February) ▼

Andhra Pradesh government earmarked 50 acres at Uddandarayunipalem village in Thullur mandal for the Amaravati Quantum Valley.
The foundation stone was laid on 7 February by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
The Valley will house India's first 133-qubit quantum computer through partnerships with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
The project represents a £600-million investment aligned with India's National Quantum Mission.
The state will sign memoranda of understanding with nine leading companies during the foundation ceremony.
The Quantum Valley building is scheduled for completion by August, with quantum computer installation targeted for December.
The initiative is expected to create approximately 88,000 jobs and train hundreds of thousands of students.

Amrit Sarovar campaign creates 70,000 water bodies nationwide.

[Tripura]

Key Updates:

The Amrit Sarovar campaign has led to the creation of 70,000 water bodies across the nation.
Nearly 5 million artificial water harvesting structures have been built under the eleven-year-old water conservation campaign.
Vangmun village in Tripura's Jampui Hills has installed rooftop rainwater harvesting systems in almost every house.
Over 1,200 farmers in Koriya district of Chhattisgarh have built small recharge ponds and soak pits in their fields.
400 families in Mudhigunta village of Mancherial district, Telangana, constructed soak pits in their homes improving groundwater levels and reducing waterborne diseases.

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National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0: ₹1.51 Lakh Crore Outlay for 100% Rural Tap Water Coverage (End of March) ▼

The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) signed a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya government under the National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0.
Meghalaya is the 12th state in India to sign the agreement under JJM 2.0, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
The Union Cabinet approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission, with approximately ₹67,300 crore allocated in the Union Budget for 2025-26.
The national deadline for providing 100 per cent tap water coverage and sanitation has been extended from May 2024 to December 2028.
Meghalaya has achieved 83.59 per cent rural tap water coverage and aims to reach 100 per cent coverage by December 2028.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) stated that Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will be empowered to manage in-village water supply systems.
The MoU was signed by Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary of the DDWS, and Praveen Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
Meghalaya adopted a comprehensive Water Policy in 2019 and has constituted a climate council involving multiple departments to address water-related issues.

Musi River Rejuvenation Project faces BJP and expert criticism over cost and approach (End of March) ▼

The Telangana government’s Musi River Rejuvenation Project is estimated to cost Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
BJP state president N. Ramchander-Rao questioned the funding feasibility given the state’s unpaid pension dues.
The Gandhi Sarovar Project, a part of the Musi initiative, saw its cost rise from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,000 crore within days.
Rao emphasised the project’s impact across South Telangana and called for a holistic approach from catchment to Krishna River confluence.
Vedire Sriram, water adviser to the Maharashtra government, described the works as superficial beautification rather than true revival and noted rejuvenation takes at least 20 years.
Sriram stated the Central Water Commission (CWC) has not been consulted, which jeopardises prospects of international funding.
He offered a revised DPR free of cost, claiming the Rs 160-crore DPR is riddled with loopholes and suggests sourcing water from Singur and Manjeera for Rs 100 crore instead of Rs 1,000 crore from Mallanna Sagar.
Sriram underlined the need for stakeholder participation, catchment-area percolation structures, massive afforestation and sewage treatment to reduce water pollution to below 3 PPM.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Launches Development Projects Worth ₹47,800 Crore in Assam (Mid of March) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and launched multiple development projects worth ₹47,800 crore in Assam.
Under the Assam Mala 3.0 Road Infrastructure Initiative, approximately 900 km of roads will be constructed at a cost of over ₹3,200 crore.
Six infrastructure projects, including four flyovers and two bridges, will be implemented in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) at a cost of over ₹1,100 crore.
A Railway Periodic Overhaul (POH) workshop will be established at Basbari in Kokrajhar district to strengthen maintenance capacity.
Three new train services were introduced: Kamakhya–Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express, Guwahati–New Jalpaiguri Express, and Narengi–Agartala Express.
The 22nd installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) was released, with 18.59 lakh farmers in Assam receiving ₹371 crore.
The Kopili Hydroelectric Project, valued at over ₹2,300 crore, will be implemented in Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts.
The capacity of the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL) will be expanded from 3 MMTPA to 9 MMTPA through the Numaligarh–Siliguri Product Pipeline Expansion.
The North-East Gas Grid – Phase I will connect Guwahati, Numaligarh, Gohpur, and Itanagar, with a branch extending to Dimapur.
A rail-connected Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) terminal will be established at Panchgram in Hailakandi district.
Railway electrification projects covering Rangia–Murkongselek, Chaparmukh–Dibrugarh, Badarpur–Silchar, and Badarpur–Churaibari sections were completed at a cost of over ₹2,250 crore.
The Furkating–Tinsukia railway line will be doubled over a distance of 194 km at a cost of over ₹3,600 crore.
Inland waterway projects include cruise terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Nemati, and a Regional Centre of Excellence for Maritime Training at Bogibeel.
A ropeway project will be constructed between Kamakhya Railway Station and Kamakhya Temple to transport approximately 17,000 passengers daily.
A PM Ekta Mall will be established in Guwahati to showcase handicrafts, handloom products, and One District One Product (ODOP) items.
The Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, spanning 166 km, will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹22,860 crore.
A new Agriculture College will be established at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.

Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses Aawa Paani Jhoki water conservation drive (Start of March) ▼

The Centre's Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari campaign endorses the community-driven 'Aawa Paani Jhoki' movement in Chhattisgarh's Korea district.
Farmers voluntarily allocated 5% of their land to build small recharge ponds and terraced pits for rainwater harvesting.
Over 440 traditional ponds have been revived, raising groundwater levels by 3–4 metres in several areas.
More than 2,000 soak pits have been constructed under the initiative.
Women volunteers called 'Neer Nayikas' and youth volunteers known as 'Jal Doots' lead education and community engagement activities.
Over 500 homes have participated through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

National PNG Drive 2.0 extended till 30 June 2026 to sustain PNG expansion momentum

[Nagaland]

Key Updates:

The Government has extended the National PNG Drive 2.0 till 30th June 2026 to sustain momentum in PNG expansion across the country.
City gas distribution entities have been directed to speed up domestic PNG connections.
During March, more domestic PNG connections were given than in any previous month since the drive began.

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Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA) Agreement: 46 Subjects Devolved for Six Eastern Nagaland Districts (Start of February) ▼

The Government of India, the Government of Nagaland, and the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) signed an agreement in New Delhi on 5 February 2026 to create the Frontier Nagaland Territorial Authority (FNTA).
The FNTA will cover six districts of Nagaland: Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator.
Powers related to 46 subjects will be transferred to the FNTA.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will provide a fixed annual allocation and bear the initial establishment expenditure for the FNTA.
The agreement includes provisions for a mini-Secretariat headed by an Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary and sharing of development outlay proportional to population and area.
The arrangement does not affect Article 371(A) of the Constitution of India.

PM unveils ₹23,550 crore infrastructure projects in Assam's Silchar (Mid of March) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled projects worth ₹23,550 crore in Silchar, Assam on Saturday ahead of the assembly elections.
The ₹22,864 crore access-controlled expressway between Silchar (Cachar district) and Shillong (Meghalaya) is the first of its kind in the Northeast.
The 166-km four-lane greenfield high-speed corridor will cut Guwahati-Silchar distance from 295 km to 252 km and travel time from 8.5 hours to around 5 hours.
An elevated corridor on NH-306 from Trunk Road near Capital Point to Rangirkhari Point in Silchar will be built at ₹565 crore to ease congestion and improve links with Mizoram, Tripura and Manipur.
The PM laid the foundation stone for the ₹122 crore College of Agriculture at Patharkandi in Karimganj district.
These projects are part of ₹47,800 crore worth of projects unveiled by the PM in Assam since Friday.

Uttar Pradesh launches Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to streamline investor approvals (End of March) ▼

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Nivesh Mitra 3.0, an upgraded single-window investment portal, in Lucknow.
The portal consolidates over 530 services from 43 departments into fewer than 200 simplified services.
Key features include PAN-based single login, dynamic common application form, AI-powered chatbot, real-time application tracking, automated alerts, and integration with NSWS, IGRS, and GIS-based land bank systems.
The state government disbursed ₹2,781.12 crore in incentives to 85 industrial projects across manufacturing, automobiles, electronics, cement, and food processing sectors.
₹73 crore was allocated to IT and electronics projects and ₹20 crore to food processing units.
45 companies received incentives and 62 companies were issued Letters of Comfort (LoCs), together representing nearly ₹50,000 crore in investment potential and an estimated 50,000 job opportunities.
The earlier complex land-use approval process under Section 80 has been removed; approval under the master plan now grants automatic land-use clearance.
Between 2012 and 2017, only 16 Letters of Comfort were issued, rising to 3,367 in the last nine years, reflecting growing investor confidence.

Assam Government Launches Mission Basundhara 3.0 for Land Patta Distribution (Start of March) ▼

Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma launched Mission Basundhara 3.0 at Deuri Beel in Dhemaji to provide land titles to indigenous landless families.
A total of 1,06,905 beneficiaries across Assam received land pattas during the launch, with 44,700 individuals belonging to the Dhemaji district.
In Dhemaji, land titles were distributed to 14,319 beneficiaries from Dhemaji constituency, 10,744 from Sissiborgaon, and 19,637 from Jonai.
Land pattas were granted to 13,637 educational institutions, 8,406 religious institutions, and 2,213 clubs and cultural organisations across the state.
Land settlement was initiated in 769 previously un-surveyed (NC) villages where surveys were completed under the Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme.
Forest land rights were granted to 538 individuals in the Subansiri and Jiadhal Reserved Forests under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.
The government fixed a nominal premium of ₹500 per bigha for granting land titles to poor families.
The CM inaugurated a newly constructed Integrated District Commissioner (DC) Office in Dhemaji, involving a financial outlay of ₹49 crore.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is scheduled to formally launch the distribution of land pattas to tea garden workers on 13 March.
Urban land holding regulations in Dhemaji were revised to allow individuals to hold up to three bighas within the designated town area, up from the previous limit of one and a half kathas.
Land rights were granted to Ahom, Chutia, and other communities residing in Tribal Belts and Blocks in areas such as Dhemaji and Dhakuakhana.
Mission Basundhara 4.0 and 5.0 will address land reclassification and the granting of land titles to eligible non-tribal residents of forest villages.
The state government has cleared 1.5 lakh bighas of encroached land over the past five years and aims to free another 5 lakh bighas in the future.

India takes delivery of fifth stealth frigate Dunagiri under Project 17A

Key Updates:

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered the stealth frigate Dunagiri (Yard 3023) to the Indian Navy on 31 March 2026.
Dunagiri is the fifth Nilgiri-class frigate built under Project 17A and was constructed in 80 months compared to 93 months for the first ship of the class.
The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missile, MF-STAR radar, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, and close-in weapon systems.
Dunagiri uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with Controllable Pitch Propellers and an Integrated Platform Management System.
The frigate attains 75% indigenous content and its construction involved over 200 MSMEs, generating direct employment for about 4,000 personnel and indirect employment for more than 10,000 personnel.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the vessel was built using the Integrated Construction philosophy under supervision of the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata).

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Indian Navy to commission stealth frigate INS Taragiri on 3 April 2026 (End of March) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will preside over the commissioning ceremony of INS Taragiri (F41) on 3 April 2026.
INS Taragiri is the fourth 6,670-tonne guided-missile frigate of Project 17A built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
The warship exceeds 75 per cent indigenous content with components sourced from over 200 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
It features a stealth hull design for reduced radar cross-section and uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system.
Its weapons suite includes supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, and an anti-submarine warfare suite integrated through a Combat Management System.
The frigate is configured for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Project 17A is an upgraded iteration of the Shivalik-class frigates and involves seven ships being built by MDL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

Indian Navy frigate INS Nilgiri joins Exercise Kakadu 2026 sea phase in Australia (End of March) ▼

INS Nilgiri is participating in the sea phase of Exercise Kakadu 2026 in Australia during its deployment to the Western Pacific.
Exercise Kakadu is a multilateral maritime exercise hosted by Australia that brings together navies from across the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise aims at strengthening interoperability, cooperation and maritime understanding among participating navies.
The Indian Navy will commission its latest stealth frigate Taragiri (F41) on 3 April 2026.
Taragiri, built under Project 17A by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited in Mumbai, has over 75 per cent indigenous content.
The 6,670-tonne Taragiri is equipped with surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missile systems and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

India to commission third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridhaman by May (End of February) ▼

India is nearing the commissioning of its third homegrown nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, which is expected to enter service by May.
The submarine was constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme in Visakhapatnam and weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.
INS Aridhaman is powered by an 83-megawatt nuclear reactor and features advanced indigenous sonar systems named USHUS and Panchendriya.
The vessel is designed to carry nuclear-capable missiles, including the K-15 Sagarika with a 750-km range and the K-4 missile with a 3,500-km strike range.
Upon commissioning, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) will operate three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
The submarine will eventually be stationed at Project Varsha, an ultra-secure naval base situated near Visakhapatnam.
India is also scheduled to induct the Russian-built nuclear attack submarine Chakra III by 2027-28 and is negotiating with Germany for six submarines under Project-75(I).
Pakistan is reportedly procuring eight Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines from China as part of a 5 billion dollar deal signed in 2015.

India commissions first indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft INS Arnala (Start of February) ▼

INS Arnala, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam on 18 June 2025.
The 77-metre, 1,490-tonne vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) under a Ministry of Defence programme and incorporates over 80 per cent indigenous content.
Powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, INS Arnala is the largest Indian naval warship using this technology, enabling high manoeuvrability and shallow-draught operations.
The warship is equipped with advanced underwater sensors, mine-laying capability, modern command-and-control systems and stealth features to reduce radar, acoustic and infrared signatures.
Named after Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, the vessel is optimised for coastal anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations.

India inducts fourth ASW SWC 'Agray' built by GRSE on 30 March 2026

Key Updates:

The Indian Navy inducted 'Agray', the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) on 30 March 2026.
'Agray' is designed for shallow coastal waters and carries over 80% indigenous content under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The vessel uses waterjet propulsion, making it the largest Indian naval warship with this technology.
It is equipped with Lightweight Torpedoes, Indigenous Rocket Launchers, and advanced shallow water SONAR systems.
The ASW SWCs are built in compliance with classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
'Agray' is the fourth of eight ASW SWCs planned under the programme to enhance coastal defence in the Indian Ocean Region.

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Indian Navy to commission third ASW Shallow Water Craft Anjadip on 27 February 2026 (End of February) ▼

The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission Anjadip, the third ship in the eight-vessel Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project.
The commissioning ceremony will be held at Chennai Port on 27 February 2026, led by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
The warship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence.
Designed for littoral operations, the 77-metre vessel is nicknamed the Dolphin Hunter and is capable of reaching speeds up to 25 knots.
The ship is equipped with an indigenous weapons and sensor package, including the Hull Mounted Sonar Abhay, Lightweight Torpedoes, and ASW Rockets.
Anjadip will join the Eastern Naval Command to strengthen maritime security along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.
The vessel is designed to conduct coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and search and rescue missions.
The warship is named after Anjadip Island located near Karwar.

Indian Navy to commission INS Anjadip at Chennai port on 27 February (Start of March) ▼

INS Anjadip is the third of eight vessels built under the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft project.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the 77-metre-long ship achieves 25 knots via water-jet propulsion.
The vessel carries the indigenous hull-mounted sonar Abhay, Lightweight Torpedoes and ASW Rockets for littoral anti-submarine warfare.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will attend the commissioning ceremony on Friday.
Named after Anjadip island off Karwar, North Karnataka, the ship will operate in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry waters.

Indian Navy signs contract with Shoft Shipyard for four 500T Self-Propelled Fuel Barges (Start of March) ▼

Indian Navy concluded a contract on 02 Mar 2026 with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane (MSME Shipyard) for construction of 04 X 500T Self Propelled Fuel Barges.
The barges will be built under the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Their primary role is replenishment of fuel to ships and submarines in harbour and at anchorage.
The project supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives and aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030.

Indian Navy joins US-led Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 in Guam (Mid of March) ▼

Exercise Sea Dragon 2026, a US-led multinational anti-submarine warfare drill, is under way at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
The two-week exercise involves P-8A Poseidon and P-8I aircraft tracking simulated and live submarine targets.
Indian Navy has deployed one Boeing P8I maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to the exercise.
Participating forces include Indian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.
Royal Australian Air Force has committed a P-8A Poseidon aircraft and 50 aviators from the recently re-formed 12 Squadron.

Indian Armed Forces conduct tri-service 'Ex Dweep Shakti' amphibious exercise

Key Updates:

Exercise Dweep Shakti was conducted from 24 to 28 March by the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The tri-service exercise executed coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations and complex beach landing drills.
Next-generation equipment and drones were employed during the high-intensity drills.
The exercise validated integrated capability for rapid response along coastal and island defence operations.

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Indian Army Southern Command concludes 13-day mechanised warfare exercise Amogh Jwala in Uttar Pradesh (End of March) ▼

The Southern Command of the Indian Army conducted a 13-day exercise named Amogh Jwala at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Uttar Pradesh.
The exercise commenced on 6 March and aimed to validate technology-driven mechanised warfare capabilities in a multi-domain operational environment.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, witnessed the culmination of the drills.
The exercise integrated mechanised forces with Attack Helicopters, Fighter Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and counter-drone systems.
It focused on the seamless integration of land, air, cyber, space, Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.
The drills featured real-time drone-enabled surveillance, target acquisition, precision engagement, and advanced battlefield technologies.

India conducts Military Civil Fusion Exercise Sanjha Shakti at Khadki Military Station (Mid of January) ▼

A joint Military Civil Fusion (MCF) exercise, Sanjha Shakti, was successfully conducted on January 8 and 9 at the Dighi Range, Khadki Military Station.
The exercise involved 16 civil agencies including Maharashtra Police’s elite Force One commandos and over 350 civilian personnel.
It focused on enhancing interoperability, rapid response, and coordinated action in emergency and security scenarios.

Indian Army tests new Shaurya drone squadrons for armoured regiments at Babina (End of March) ▼

The Indian Army (IA) is equipping its armoured regiments with dedicated drone units known as Shaurya Squadrons to support surveillance, precision strikes, electronic warfare, and logistics.
A 13-day drill was conducted at the Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi to demonstrate the integration of drone assets with mechanised forces and attack helicopters.
The exercise was led by the White Tiger Division under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps and witnessed by the Southern Army Commander, Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth.
The Shaurya Squadrons aim to compress the sensor-to-shooter cycle and enhance battlefield awareness by providing real-time surveillance for tank formations.
Approximately five to six Shaurya Squadrons have been activated so far, though formal raising will occur after official approval is received.
The IA operates 63 armoured regiments with a total fleet of roughly 4,500 tanks, including T-90S Bhishma, upgraded T-72 M1 Ajeya, and Arjun MK1/MK1A variants.
The initiative draws lessons from Operation Sindoor and drone-centric global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war to institutionalise Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capabilities.
The IA has previously raised Ashni platoons in the infantry for tactical intelligence and Divyastra batteries in the artillery to integrate UAV-based targeting with conventional guns.

Indian Air Force conducts Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 at Pokhran Field Firing Range (Start of March) ▼

Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range with President Droupadi Murmu as Chief Guest.
The theme of the exercise was 'From Inception to Execution'.
A total of 77 aircraft including Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, C-17, C-130J, IL-76, IL-78, AN-32 and Embraer participated.
Indigenous systems Akash and SPYDER air defence systems successfully neutralised simulated aerial threats.
Chinook helicopters airlifted M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in underslung mode for the first time.
Approximately 120 tonnes of ordnance were delivered over a two-square-kilometre area in three hours.
A first-ever drone show depicted India’s map, Air Force formations, 1965 Sargodha strike, Kargil’s Tiger Hill bombing, Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor.

Indian Army signs first-ever Capital Procurement Contract via GeM Portal

[Indian Army]

Key Updates:

Indian Army executed its first capital procurement contract through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
Contract covers supply of 93 Telescopic Handlers under Buy (Indian) category.
Contract signed with M/s JCB India Ltd at total cost of Rs 25.90 Cr.
Procurement aims to compress timelines while maintaining procedural integrity.
Move reinforces Government’s push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence and promotes Indian industry participation.
GeM portal was developed in five months based on recommendations of a Group of Secretaries.

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India Ministry of Defence signs Rs 858 crore contracts for Tunguska missile system and P8I aircraft maintenance (End of March) ▼

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth a total of Rs 858 crore to enhance the air and maritime defence capabilities of India.
A contract valued at Rs 445 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia, for the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System.
The Tunguska system is intended to strengthen multi-layered air defence against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
A maintenance contract worth Rs 413 crore was executed with Boeing India Defense Pvt Ltd for the P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.
The P8I aircraft contract involves 100% indigenous content for depot-level maintenance to ensure in-country upkeep for the Indian Navy.
The agreements were signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The P8I maintenance initiative aligns with the Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat programmes of the government.

Dassault Aviation signs long-term contract with Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies for Rafale critical control systems (Mid of March) ▼

Dassault Aviation awarded a long-term contract to Bengaluru-based Hical Technologies for manufacturing mission-critical products for Rafale fighter aircraft control systems.
Hical Technologies will deliver products meeting Dassault Aviation's stringent engineering, qualification and reliability standards.
The contract comes as India nears finalisation of a deal for 114 Dassault Rafale jets worth over Rs 3.25 lakh crore.
Hical's inclusion positions India as a strategic contributor to the Rafale platform and the global aerospace and defence value chain.

Brazil's Embraer and India's Mahindra Group deepen partnership to develop C-390 MRO capabilities in India (End of February) ▼

Embraer and Mahindra Group announced plans to develop Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
The MRO facility is contingent on the C-390 Millennium's selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
The collaboration builds on a strategic partnership formed in October 2025 to produce the C-390 Millennium in India.
The initiative supports the Indian Air Force's MTA program and aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative.
The MRO facility will provide base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component overhaul, avionics support, and training.
Embraer is exploring India as a regional MRO hub for other C-390 operators.
The C-390 Millennium has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and a mission completion rate above 99%.
Embraer has nearly 50 aircraft of 11 types operating in India across commercial, defense, and business aviation.

NIBE secures Rs 292.69 crore Indian Army order for Universal Rocket Launcher System (Start of January) ▼

NIBE has secured a domestic defence contract worth Rs 292.69 crore from the Indian Army under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
The order involves the manufacturing and supply of ground equipment, accessories, ESP and ammunition for a Universal Rocket Launcher System capable of integrating multiple rocket types, including long-range rockets with strike capabilities of 150 km and 300 km.
The company is required to furnish a performance-cum-warranty bank guarantee equivalent to 10% of the total contract value within 30 days of signing the agreement.
The contract will be executed in tranches over a period of 12 months.
The total consideration of Rs 292.69 crore is inclusive of all taxes and duties.

Science City of Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) inks MoU with CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR)

[Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research]

Key Updates:

The Science City of Andhra Pradesh (SCAP) signed an MoU with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) on 30 March 2026.
The collaboration aims to strengthen science popularisation and promote joint research in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy.
SCAP CEO Venkateswarlu Kesineni and CSIR-NIScPR director Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam signed the agreement.

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University of New South Wales (UNSW) opens Bengaluru campus at Manyata Tech Park (Mid of January) ▼

UNSW will offer undergraduate programmes in commerce, media, computer science and data science, along with a postgraduate programme in cyber security.
UNSW’s academic council will directly oversee the Bengaluru campus, ensuring students gain industry exposure and skill-focused learning at Manyata Tech Park.
UNSW already has close academic and institutional links with organisations such as IIM Bengaluru, IISc, the National Law University, the Union Ministries of Highways and Steel, and the State Renewable Energy Development Corporation.

NCR States MoU for Road Dust Control to Cut PM10 Levels (End of February) ▼

Four MoUs signed on 24 February 2026 between Public Works/Urban Development Departments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi.
The agreements operationalise the Standard Framework for Paving and Greening of Urban Roads issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on 7 January 2025.
Total road length identified: Delhi ~10,099 km, Haryana ~10,133 km, Uttar Pradesh ~6,891 km, Rajasthan ~1,747 km.
Web-GIS-based Road Asset Management System (RAMS) will enable preventive maintenance and PCI-based evaluation using technologies like NSV, FWD, GPR and AVCC.
MoUs valid for three years with each state to designate a nodal agency and create a dedicated Paving and Greening Cell.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signs MoUs with research institutes for disaster policy research (End of February) ▼

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes to enhance disaster management policy research and risk reduction.
The collaboration involves the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR).
The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for academic programmes, capacity building, and effective policy communication to bridge the gap between scientific and policy communities.
CSIR-NIScPR is tasked with spearheading academic programmes and policy research to ensure effective public engagement.
The NDMA, AcSIR, and CSIR-NIScPR have launched a PhD programme in disaster management to nurture future experts in the field.
The initiative aims to develop research-based solutions for disaster resilience in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and CSIR-NIScPR sign MoU to advance evidence-based science policy and communication. (Mid of February) ▼

Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) signed an MoU on 10 February 2026 at INSA, New Delhi.
The MoU targets long-term collaborative activities in science communication and evidence-driven science policy research to support informed policymaking and sustainable STI development in India.
Dr. Brajesh Pandey, Executive Director of INSA, delivered welcome remarks highlighting the need for partnerships bridging scientific research with communication and policy engagement.
Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, Former Senior Advisor at the Department of Science and Technology (DST), emphasised that sustained collaboration between scientific institutions is essential for advancing evidence-based STI policy research.
Dr. Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director of CSIR-NIScPR, noted the partnership will harness respective strengths in science communication, policy research and academic engagement to create actionable STI policy frameworks.
Prof. Anurag Agrawal, Vice President (Policy) at INSA, stressed that evidence-driven approaches are crucial for aligning national scientific progress with long-term developmental goals.
Prof. Shekhar C. Mande, President of INSA, described strong policy foundations as essential for advancing science and technology and ensuring societal well-being.
Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member of NITI Aayog, highlighted the need for policy frameworks supporting responsible, ethical and human-centric adoption of disruptive technologies.
The MoU covers joint policy research studies, co-authored publications, pilot projects for policy innovation, capacity-building programmes and outreach activities.
The collaboration will engage government institutions, international organisations, think tanks, researchers and young scholars to strengthen India’s STI policy ecosystem.

India Pharma 2026 to position India as global life-sciences innovation hub

Key Updates:

India Pharma 2026, 9th edition, will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) are jointly organising the event.
Theme of the conference is “Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation”.
Event will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars to shift sector from volume-based to value-led growth.
FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.

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Research Advisory Board (RAB) of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) holds first meeting (End of March) ▼

The first meeting of the Research Advisory Board (RAB) of the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) took place to deliberate on national initiatives and governance reforms.
The reforms are designed to guide the transformation of BRIC into a cohesive, decentralised national biotechnology laboratory.
The RAB is responsible for guiding, reviewing, and monitoring the research activities conducted by BRIC Institutes (iBRIC) and fostering deliberations for developing new missions.
Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), stated that the RAB should focus on designing mission-focused objectives tailored for a growing bioeconomy.
Experts underscored the need to leverage the country’s demographic advantages, biodiversity, and extensive data resources to support the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Boehringer Ingelheim India and National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli sign MoU to advance pharmaceutical education and research (End of February) ▼

Boehringer Ingelheim India Private Limited and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) Raebareli signed an MoU on 22 Feb 2026 at the Department of Pharmaceuticals, New Delhi.
The MoU covers collaboration in pharmaceutical technologies, novel drug delivery systems, joint research initiatives, academic exchange, and capability-building programmes.
Boehringer Ingelheim will provide NIPER Raebareli access to its open science portal opnMe® to accelerate healthcare innovation.
The partnership will also explore symposia, conferences, short-term courses, and scholar engagement to strengthen scientific exchange.

BioAsia 2026 Concludes with Record 4500 Delegates and 4000 B2B Meetings (End of February) ▼

BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded in Hyderabad with over 4500 delegates and 4000 high-impact B2B meetings.
The event theme was ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution’.
More than 120 startups were shortlisted and 40+ most innovative startups exhibited solutions in MedTech, Medical Devices, BioPharma, Cell and Gene Therapy, AI and ML, Nutraceuticals, and Biomarkers.
BioAsia 2026 Innovation Awards were presented to Achala Health Services Private Limited, Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Helex, Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd.
Achala Health Services Private Limited is building India’s first healthcare-focused Small Language Model (SLM) that automates hospital workflows and integrates with EMR, LIMS, RIS, HIS, and pharmacy data.
Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd integrates next-generation digital vaccine vial monitors with AI-enabled authentication and real-time tracking to predict residual vaccine shelf-life and reduce wastage.
Helex develops non-viral gene therapies for renal diseases using a proprietary kidney-targeting lipid nanoparticle to restore PKD1 gene expression for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).
Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd offers Virulina, a triple-action herbal product targeting respiratory viruses, with patent-protected antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd develops BioMap Markers for biopsy procedures that are ultrasonography-sensitive, biocompatible, non-calcified, and metal-free to ensure accurate placement and diagnostic outcomes.

Union Minister J P Nadda allocates ₹13,000 crore for Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three Chemical Parks. (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Shri J P Nadda announced a Budgetary provision of ₹13,000 crore for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission and three dedicated Chemical Parks.
₹10,000 crore of the allocation is earmarked for the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI Mission over the next five years.
The global pharmaceutical market is expected to have 40% biologics by 2035, with patents worth $300 billion expiring by 2030.
Securing a 1% share of the global biosimilars market could create an annual opportunity of ₹2 lakh crore for India.
Plans include developing 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country to expand research and innovation capacity.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) will be strengthened to ensure faster regulatory approvals.
India’s chemical industry currently generates output worth ₹19.4 lakh crore and holds a 3% global share.
₹3,300 crore is allocated for developing three world-class chemical parks aimed at reducing costs by 20–40% through industrial symbiosis.
The roadmap targets raising India’s global chemical sector share to 5–6% by 2030 and achieving a $1 trillion turnover by 2040.

Anuvadini AI partners with Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) to translate Ayurveda research into 13 regional languages

Key Updates:

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under the Ayush Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with Anuvadini AI, a platform developed by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) under the Ministry of Education.
Anuvadini AI will translate CCRAS's research outputs and educational materials into 13 regional languages, including Hindi.
CCRAS operates a network of 30 institutes across 25 states in India.
The collaboration aims to expand public access to evidence-based Ayurveda knowledge across India and reduce misinformation.

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CCRAS–CSU workshop transliterates five rare Ayurvedic manuscripts in Kerala. (End of January) ▼

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and Central Sanskrit University (CSU) completed a 15-day Transliteration Capacity Building Workshop on Ayurvedic Manuscripts at CSU Puranattukara (Guruvayoor) Campus, Thrissur, Kerala from 12 to 25 January 2026.
The workshop trained 33 scholars—18 from Ayurveda and 15 from Sanskrit—in manuscriptology, palaeography, technical Ayurvedic terminology, and scripts including Grantha and Vattezhuthu.
Five rare unpublished manuscripts were transliterated: Dhanwanthari (Vaidya) Chinthamani (146 palm-leaf pages from Grantha to Sanskrit), Dravyashuddhi (110 pages Grantha to Sanskrit), Vaidyam (59 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), Roga Nirnaya Part I (75 pages Medieval Malayalam to Malayalam), and Vividharogangal (78 pages Vattezhuthu to Malayalam and Sanskrit).
The event was held under the MoU between CCRAS and CSU as part of CCRAS’s national initiative to document, digitise and enable research-based utilisation of classical Ayurvedic manuscripts.
Prof. Vaidya Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General of CCRAS, stated this was the second such workshop; the first at CSU Puri Campus, Odisha, transliterated 14 Ayurvedic manuscripts.

All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) and CAYEIT partner for AI-driven innovation (End of January) ▼

The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), an apex institution under the Ministry of AYUSH, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Ayurveda Education, Innovation & Technology (CAYEIT) in New Delhi.
The partnership aims to modernise Ayurveda through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) enabled data analysis, and digital-first education models.
The collaboration focuses on developing personalised, Prakriti-based treatment models and utilising network pharmacology to provide scientific evidence for Ayurvedic formulations.
The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vd.) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Prof. Dr. Abhimanyu Kumar, Chairman and CEO of CAYEIT.
Following this agreement, AIIA now maintains a total of 74 national and 20 international collaborations.

SAHI and BODH initiatives launched to integrate ethical AI into India’s health system (Mid of February) ▼

Union Health Minister JP Nadda launched the Strategy for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare for India (SAHI) and the Benchmarking Open Data Platform for Health AI (BODH) at Bharat Mandapam during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 Day 2.
SAHI serves as a national guideline for responsible AI adoption in healthcare, covering governance, data management, validation and monitoring of AI tools.
BODH was developed by IIT Kanpur in collaboration with the National Health Authority (NHA) and operates under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to evaluate and benchmark AI models using privacy-preserving techniques.
The summit features over 20 Heads of State, 60 ministers and hundreds of global AI experts, with an AI Expo hosting 300+ exhibition pavilions and 600+ startups across 70,000 square metres at Bharat Mandapam.
Organisers expect more than 2.5 lakh visitors during the five-day event.

Ashwini Vaishnaw unveils New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments at India AI Impact Summit (End of February) ▼

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments, a voluntary framework adopted by global frontier AI companies and Indian innovators.
The framework aims to promote inclusive and responsible AI development with a Global South perspective.
The first pledge focuses on advancing understanding of real-world AI usage through anonymised and aggregated insights to support evidence-based policymaking on jobs, skills and economic transformation.
The second pledge aims to strengthen multilingual and contextual evaluations of AI systems to ensure effective functioning across languages, cultures and practical use cases.
The India AI Impact Summit was held in New Delhi and attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and global technology leaders.

Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve to assume control of 652.20 sq km buffer notified area from April 1

[Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve]

Key Updates:

Navegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve (NNTR) in Maharashtra’s Gondia will take control of the buffer notified area from April 1.
The decision was made through a government resolution on December 24 last year.
The buffer notified area measures 652.20 square kilometres.
After the transfer, NNTR’s total size will rise to 1305.88 square kilometres.
The transfer is expected to boost managerial efficiency, curb man-animal conflicts, and allow year-round safaris in the buffer zone.
Plans include new safari gates, home stay facilities, and adventure sports facilities.

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Telangana Village Relocation from Amrabad Tiger Reserve Allocates ₹62.55 Crore (End of March) ▼

The Telangana government is relocating 417 families from four villages—Sarlapally, Kudichintalabailu, Tatigundala Penta, and Kollampenta—inside Amrabad Tiger Reserve at a cost of ₹62.55 crore.
160 families opting for cash compensation receive ₹15 lakh each, totalling ₹24 crore.
257 families will receive a house in Bacharam colony plus five acres of agricultural land per family, with ₹38.55 crore earmarked for house construction.
Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka handed over ₹15 lakh cheques to 14 families on Wednesday in Hyderabad.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr C. Suvarna stated the relocation will restore about 1,500 hectares of forest.

Assam government proposes new Reserved Forest adjacent to Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary to boost habitat connectivity. (End of March) ▼

The Assam government has proposed the creation of a new Reserved Forest adjacent to Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district.
Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary lies on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
The sanctuary is part of the Laokhowa–Burachapori ecosystem and lies between Kaziranga National Park to the east and Orang National Park to the west.
Vegetation includes wet alluvial grasslands, riparian forests, semi-evergreen forests, and supports species such as Hollong, Mekai, Dhuna, Udiyam, Nahar, and Samkothal.
Fauna includes the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig, elephants, Bengal Florican, Black-necked Stork, Mallard, Teal, and Whistling Duck.
The proposed Reserved Forest aims to improve habitat continuity, reduce fragmentation, and facilitate wildlife movement across protected areas in the Brahmaputra floodplain ecosystem.

Karnataka HC directs inclusion of left-out Kappatagudda Reserve Forest in Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of March) ▼

Karnataka High Court Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha dismissed petitions by Shivaganga Stone Crushing Industries and others.
Court ordered state government to notify inclusion of remaining Kappatagudda Reserve Forest areas into Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary as per 9 January 2019 resolution of Karnataka State Board for Wildlife.
11th meeting of Karnataka State Board for Wildlife on 9 January 2019 had resolved to declare entire 300 sq km of reserve forest as sanctuary.
State’s 16 May 2019 notification declared only 244.15 sq km (24,415.73 hectares) in Gadag, Mundaragi and Shirahatti taluks as sanctuary, leaving out about 55 sq km.
Petitioners’ stone crushing units fall within Eco-Sensitive Zone notified on 4 June 2025 and cannot operate.
Court clarified state may later alter sanctuary boundaries to exclude any part of the left-out reserve forest, provided it follows due legal process.

All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 kicks off in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Start of January) ▼

The first phase of All-India Tiger Estimation-2026 commenced in Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary under Erode Forest Division.
Census teams are using the line transect method to record pugmarks, animal droppings, and direct sightings.
Wildlife species enumerated include tigers, leopards, gaur, elephants, and bears.
Large herbivores such as elephants, gaur, and deer will be enumerated in the subsequent three days.
Scavenging birds like vultures and vegetation details including tree species, grass varieties, weeds, shrubs, and undergrowth are also documented.
Field-level survey data will be compiled and submitted to the National Tiger Conservation Authority by January 31.

U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) COP15 adds 40 species to global protection list

[Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals]

Key Updates:

The U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) COP15 summit concluded in Campo Verde, Brazil, with representatives from 132 countries and the European Union.
CMS Parties approved listing 40 new species for international protection, including the snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica), great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), and giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis).
A pre-summit report found 49 percent of CMS-catalogued species show declining numbers and nearly one in four are threatened with global extinction.
CMS-listed countries are legally bound to protect at-risk species, conserve and restore habitats, remove migration barriers, and cooperate with other range states.
A major U.N. assessment released during the summit warned migratory freshwater fish populations are in freefall due to habitat destruction, overfishing, and water pollution.

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Tajikistan and Uzbekistan propose inclusion of Striped Hyena in CMS Appendices I and II (Start of March) ▼

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have submitted a proposal to include the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) in Appendix I and II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
The proposal will be considered during the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CMS COP15) scheduled for March 23-29 in Campo Grande, Brazil.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the Striped Hyena is classified as Near Threatened globally and Vulnerable within the Mediterranean region.
The global population of mature Striped Hyenas is estimated to be between 5,000 and 9,999 individuals.
The Striped Hyena is one of four species belonging to the family Hyaenidae, which also includes the Spotted Hyena, the Brown Hyena, and the Aardwolf.
The species is found across North and Sub-Saharan Africa, West Asia (Middle East), and Central and South Asia, including India.
Listing under both Appendices would obligate member states to implement measures to safeguard the species and its habitats through coordinated transboundary conservation actions.
Major threats to the species include habitat loss, fragmentation due to urbanisation and agricultural expansion, illegal hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) records nine new species in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Mid of March) ▼

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) scientists discovered nine new species during faunal surveys at Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern Western Ghats.
The surveys conducted between 2018 and 2022 documented 977 species across 21 faunal groups.
New species include the jumping spider Stenaelurillus megamalai, two mayflies Edmundsula meghamalaiensis, and the damselfly Protosticta sholai endemic to the Megamalai–Periyar landscape.
The sanctuary forms part of the 1,016 sq km Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve notified in 2021.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species (End of March) ▼

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species in pursuance of National Green Tribunal directions.
The Committee is chaired by Shri Dhananjai Mohan, IFS (Retd.), former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, with Prof. (Dr.) A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, as Co-Chair.
The Committee will prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on State-wise inputs, identify high-risk species, and recommend science-based management strategies and national-level guidelines for prevention, control, and eradication.
The Committee includes representatives from Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, ICAR research bureaus, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Wildlife Institute of India, Forest Survey of India, and State Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Assam.
The Committee will function for a period of two years.

India submits first Nagoya Protocol implementation report to Convention on Biological Diversity (Mid of March) ▼

India filed its first national report on Nagoya Protocol implementation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 27 February 2026.
The report covers implementation from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and fulfills monitoring obligations under Article 29 of the protocol.
India’s access and benefit sharing framework operates under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, supported by the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and the Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations, 2025.
More than 276,653 Biodiversity Management Committees have been established nationwide to support biodiversity governance and benefit sharing with local communities.
Between 2017 and 2025, India issued 12,830 approvals under its access and benefit sharing framework, with 5,913 granted by the National Biodiversity Authority and 6,917 by State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils.
India published 3,556 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance on the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing-House, representing over 60 percent of the global total under the Nagoya Protocol.
The National Biodiversity Authority mobilised ₹216.31 crore and distributed ₹139.69 crore to benefit claimers including Biodiversity Management Committees, farmers, local communities, and holders of traditional knowledge.
State Biodiversity Boards and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils generated ₹51.96 crore through approvals granted to Indian entities.
Non-monetary outcomes under 395 approvals included training, technology transfer, collaborative research, and capacity-building initiatives.
The National Biodiversity Authority received 41 declarations in Form 10 related to the use of foreign biological resources under Rule 18 of the Biological Diversity Rules, 2024, and Section 36A of the Biological Diversity Act.
A total of 256,393 individuals participated in 3,724 workshops and programmes, with over 600 additional initiatives supporting biodiversity governance across the country.

Varkala selected in UN’s inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative

Key Updates:

Varkala in Kerala is among the 20 cities chosen for the inaugural 20 Cities Towards Zero Waste initiative led by the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Board on Zero Waste with support from UN-Habitat and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
The selected cities are Accra (Ghana), Bologna (Italy), Chefchaouen (Morocco), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Dehiwala City (Sri Lanka), Florianopolis (Brazil), Gaziantep (Turkey), George Town (Malaysia), Hangzhou City (China), Iloilo City (Philippines), Kisumu (Kenya), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Lilongwe (Malawi), San Fernando (Philippines), San Francisco (United States), Sanya City (China), Suzhou City (China), Varkala (India), Yokohama (Japan), and Zapopan (Mexico).
The initiative recognises cities demonstrating ambitious and innovative approaches to reducing waste, advancing circular economy solutions, and building sustainable, resilient, and inclusive urban systems.
International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on 30 March and is jointly facilitated by UNEP and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
This year’s International Day of Zero Waste focuses on food waste, with around 60 per cent of food waste occurring at the household level and nearly 19 per cent of all food available to consumers wasted every year.
Humanity generates more than 2.1 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, making cities critical in tackling the waste crisis and its impacts on climate, biodiversity, public health, and livelihoods.

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Global Recycling Day 2026 marked by SOMANY Ceramics waste tile reuse initiative (End of March) ▼

Global Recycling Day 2026 was marked by SOMANY Ceramics expanding its waste tile reuse initiative.
The initiative repurposed 8,100 sq. ft. of waste tile, diverting 12 tons from landfills and cutting an estimated 4.8 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Over 3,000 students across 40 institutes—including Manipal University Rajasthan, Amity University Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, KIIT School of Architecture and Planning Odisha, Sushant University Haryana, Indian Institute of Art and Design Delhi, and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers Hyderabad—participated in the campaign.

Zero Prize launched as India’s first ₹5 crore results-based environmental award (End of February) ▼

Zero Prize is India’s first national results-based environmental award linking financial reward to independently verified reductions in air, water, and land pollution.
Convened by the School of Policy and Governance (SPG), the initiative is supported through philanthropic contributions, corporate CSR partnerships, and institutional stakeholders.
Total corpus of ₹5 crore will award ₹1 crore each across three categories — Air, Water, and Land — to solutions demonstrating scientifically validated pollution reduction within defined geographies.
Announcement event held at India Habitat Centre with award-winning actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza as Chief Guest.
Prize open to startups, NGOs, corporates, municipal bodies, research institutions, and individual innovators across India.
Eligible applicants must implement a real-world pilot within defined urban or peri-urban contexts and undergo independent third-party monitoring and validation.
Each shortlisted solution will establish a documented baseline and demonstrate quantifiable reduction over a 12-month challenge period.
Applications open in March 2026 and close in August 2026, with winners announced in February 2027 after technical evaluation, pilot implementation, and independent validation.
Prize follows milestone-based disbursement aligned with successful pilot execution and verification.

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban: Lucknow achieves 100% scientific municipal solid-waste processing (End of January) ▼

Lucknow has become the first city in Uttar Pradesh to achieve 100 per cent scientific processing of municipal solid waste under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.
The city now operates three waste-processing facilities, each with a capacity of 700 MT per day, collectively handling over 2,100 MT daily.
Door-to-door waste-collection efficiency has reached 96.53 per cent and source-segregation levels have crossed 70 per cent.

Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) launched to achieve Zero Dumpsite India by September 2026 (Start of February) ▼

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Program (DRAP) under Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U) 2.0.
DRAP targets scientific remediation of 8.8 crore metric tonnes of legacy waste across 1,428 dumpsites in India.
Sites with over 45,000 metric tonnes of waste are prioritised; no minimum limit for Union Territories and Northeastern states.
Central financial support under DRAP is ₹550 per tonne of waste.
States must prepare Micro Action Plans and monitor progress through the DRAP Portal.

MoEFCC designates CMLRE's Bhavasagara as National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna

Key Updates:

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) designated the Bhavasagara Referral Centre of the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) as a National Repository for Deep-Sea Fauna under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The Kochi-based repository holds over 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced specimens of marine invertebrates and vertebrates.
As a National Repository, Bhavasagara will serve as the official custodian for newly discovered deep-sea species in Indian waters and provide authenticated specimens for research.
The facility aligns with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and supports India’s blue economy and marine governance objectives.

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Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new polychaete worm species in Bay of Bengal (Start of February) ▼

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new marine worm species, Namalycastis solenotognatha and Nereis dhritiae, in Digha and Bankiput regions of Purba Medinipur, West Bengal.
Namalycastis solenotognatha inhabits sulfide-rich, foul-smelling mudflats and decomposing mangrove wood, and possesses a channeled jaw structure with multiple pulp-cavity canals.
Nereis dhritiae was found inside wooden dock piles on sandy beaches submerged at high tide and is named after ZSI’s first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
Both species tolerate heavy human activity and industrial pollution, highlighting their resilience and potential as bioindicators for monitoring coastal health.

Integrated Aqua Park Project: ₹100 Crore Sanctioned for Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. (Mid of March) ▼

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced sanction of a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement was made during the first national conference on Cold Water Fisheries held in Srinagar.
The Integrated Aqua Park will strengthen aquaculture infrastructure, boost cold-water fisheries development, increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the region.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and other dignitaries jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management during the conference.
The guidelines cover scientific seed stocking, cage- and pen-based aquaculture, leasing and governance mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, value chain linkages and monitoring systems.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised scaling up trout production and strengthening incomes of cold-water fish farmers by enhancing productivity, improving value addition and tapping export markets.
The Union Minister urged organising fish farmers through cooperatives and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and encouraged states and Union Territories to support farmers in accessing schemes, infrastructure and credit.
The ₹100-crore Aqua Park sanctioned for Anantnag and funding under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) will enable local enterprises to scale up operations.
Minister of State SP Singh Baghel highlighted the potential of India’s cold-water fisheries sector and stated that sustained government investments, including the ₹100-crore Aqua Park in Jammu and Kashmir, will serve as hubs for innovation, training, processing and aggregation.

Indian Navy to commission INS Anjadip at Chennai port on 27 February (Start of March) ▼

INS Anjadip is the third of eight vessels built under the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft project.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the 77-metre-long ship achieves 25 knots via water-jet propulsion.
The vessel carries the indigenous hull-mounted sonar Abhay, Lightweight Torpedoes and ASW Rockets for littoral anti-submarine warfare.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will attend the commissioning ceremony on Friday.
Named after Anjadip island off Karwar, North Karnataka, the ship will operate in coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry waters.

India launches first open-sea marine fish farming project in Andaman Sea (Mid of January) ▼

The pilot project focuses on the open-sea cultivation of marine finfish and seaweed under natural ocean conditions, combining scientific innovation with livelihood generation.
The project is being implemented through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, its technical arm the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), and the Union Territory Administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Under the marine flora component, seaweed seeds were handed over to local fishing communities to encourage deep-water seaweed cultivation in the open sea.
Under the marine fauna component, finfish seeds were provided for cage-based farming, using NIOT-developed open-sea cages specifically designed to operate in natural oceanic environments.

Andhra Pradesh to unveil India's first open-access quantum computer in Amaravati

[Andhra Pradesh]

Key Updates:

Andhra Pradesh (AP) will launch India's first open-access quantum computer on 14 April 2026 at the SRM University campus in Amaravati.
The quantum computer is a collaborative initiative between SRM University and Qubit Force to provide research and testing access to students and researchers.
The state government has established the Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) to facilitate indigenous quantum hardware manufacturing, system integration, and algorithm development.
AP is the first state in India to implement a dedicated quantum computing policy, with the State Quantum Computing Mission currently operating from Medha Towers in Vijayawada.
The project aligns with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and aims to position AP as one of the top five global quantum hubs by 2030.
International Business Machines (IBM), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) are partnering with the state to establish these computing capabilities.
The initiative involves participation from central institutions including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed stakeholders to achieve domestic manufacturing of quantum computing hardware within the next two years.

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Ministry of Science and Technology approves quantum teaching facilities at 23 institutions under National Quantum Mission (Mid of March) ▼

The Union government approved establishing quantum teaching facilities or laboratories in 23 academic institutions across India under the National Quantum Mission.
100 more institutions are under consideration for similar facilities to support advanced research and training in emerging quantum technologies.
The decision was disclosed during a joint monthly meeting of secretaries of science ministries and departments led by Minister Jitendra Singh.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed preparations for the next PSLV mission expected later this year and upcoming satellite launches.
Plans for launching the next navigation satellite for the Navy around May were discussed.
A large technology exhibition is proposed in New Delhi from May 11 to 13 for National Technology Day celebrations.
The exhibition is expected to bring together over 3,000 stakeholders and showcase more than 500 technologies and innovations.
The Department of Science and Technology is examining updates to manpower guidelines for project staff to align with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) framework.

BISAG-N and QNu Labs sign MoU to build quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions (End of January) ▼

BISAG-N and QNu Labs have signed an MoU to develop indigenous quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.
The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s preparedness against future quantum computing threats.
The initiative will advance secure digital infrastructure within the country.

Amaravati Quantum Valley to host India's first 133-qubit quantum computer with £600-million investment. (Start of February) ▼

Andhra Pradesh government earmarked 50 acres at Uddandarayunipalem village in Thullur mandal for the Amaravati Quantum Valley.
The foundation stone was laid on 7 February by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh.
The Valley will house India's first 133-qubit quantum computer through partnerships with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
The project represents a £600-million investment aligned with India's National Quantum Mission.
The state will sign memoranda of understanding with nine leading companies during the foundation ceremony.
The Quantum Valley building is scheduled for completion by August, with quantum computer installation targeted for December.
The initiative is expected to create approximately 88,000 jobs and train hundreds of thousands of students.

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released to integrate quantum technologies into tri-services (End of January) ▼

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the 'Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework' to integrate quantum technologies into the tri-services.
The framework covers four pillars: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
It aims to prepare the armed forces for future battlefields and achieve technological dominance.
The document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
The Ministry of Defence stated the framework will guide the incorporation of quantum technology through joint efforts of all three services.
The release event was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.

WWF India and MoEFCC mark Earth Hour 20th anniversary with nationwide awareness drive

[World Wide Fund for Nature]

Key Updates:

WWF India and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised Earth Hour outreach in Gwalior on 28 March.
Activities were held under WWF-India’s Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme (EIACP).
Nameeta Prasad, Joint Secretary, MoEFCC, and Lipika Roy, Joint Director, attended the programme.
Trainees of the Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) on “Nature Conservator cum Eco-Tourism Guide” participated.
An awareness campaign and exhibition took place at The Scindia School, Gwalior.
The initiative continued at Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), Gwalior, with Dr. Chandra Shekhar Barua present.
Lights were symbolically switched off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to promote energy conservation.
Earth Hour began in 2007 and now spans over 190 countries.
In India, activities include clean-up drives, tree plantation, biodiversity walks, cycling campaigns and sustainability workshops.
Dr. G. Areendran, Director – Tech for Conservation, WWF-India, stressed youth engagement and capacity building.
Students from more than 15 States and Union Territories conveyed Earth Hour messages and pledged sustainable lifestyles.
GSDP students nationwide joined the unified switch-off to support Mission LiFE and the Save Energy theme.
Iconic monuments, heritage sites and government buildings across India switched off lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

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Earth Hour 2026 observed on March 28 (End of March) ▼

Earth Hour 2026 was observed on 28 March 2026 from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
India marked 20 years of Earth Hour participation in 2026.
Mysore Palace in Karnataka and Monsoon Palace in Rajasthan switched off their lights for the event.
WWF-India stated that India witnessed one of its largest-ever participations with iconic monuments, heritage sites, and government buildings switching off lights.
Participating Delhi landmarks included Akshardham, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun's Tomb, Jantar Mantar, and Safdarjung Tomb.
Mumbai landmarks included Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.
Shanti Stupa in Ladakh, Kerala Legislative Assembly and Kanakakunnu Palace in Kerala, and Dr B. R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat, State Museum, Golconda Fort, Raj Bhavan, Charminar, and Buddha Statue on Tank Bund in Telangana also participated.
Kolkata dimmed Rabindra Setu (Howrah Bridge), Vidyasagar Setu, Victoria Memorial, Tata Centre, Lok Bhawan, and Victoria House.
Chennai's Ripon Building, Victoria Public Hall, and Napier Bridge joined the switch-off.

Earth Hour marks 20th anniversary, urges sustained eco-friendly habits beyond 60-minute lights-off (End of March) ▼

Earth Hour is organised annually by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Participants switch off non-essential lights for 60 minutes from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on March 28.
The movement began in Sydney in 2007 and now involves millions across more than 190 countries.
The 20-year milestone campaign emphasises reducing waste, conserving energy daily, and engaging in community conservation efforts.
In the Philippines, an in-person celebration will be held in Pasig City with environmental advocates and youth groups.

Mumbai hosts India’s first city-led climate initiative framing climate action as a child right (End of January) ▼

Mumbai is slated to host the ‘Mumbai Climate Week 2026’ from February 17 to 19, marking India’s first city-led initiative dedicated to fostering local action through citizen-driven solutions.
UNICEF India and YuWaah have been named the official youth engagement partners for the event.
Campus Climate Roadshows will be organised across select Mumbai colleges from February 9 to 16, featuring a signature electronic waste installation under the education ministry’s ‘Mission LiFE’.

Mumbai Climate Week 2026: City-Led Initiative to Showcase Climate Action as Fundamental Child Right (End of January) ▼

Mumbai is slated to host the ‘Mumbai Climate Week 2026’ from February 17 to 19, marking India’s first city-led initiative dedicated to fostering local action through citizen-driven solutions.
UNICEF India and YuWaah have been named the official youth engagement partners for the event.
The initiative is curated by Project Mumbai in collaboration with UNICEF and YuWaah to empower the next generation to become active agents of change within their communities.

UNESCO reports 273 million children out of school; UNEP flags 50% decline in protected migratory species

[UNESCO]

Key Updates:

UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report states 273 million children and young people are out of school worldwide.
One in six school-age children are excluded from education and only two in three complete secondary school.
Progress in school participation has slowed across most regions since 2015, with conflict and population growth as key drivers.
Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly affected by the slowdown in educational participation.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities during 23-24 March.
The 23-24 March attacks killed at least six people, injured almost 100, and damaged residential areas, medical facilities, and energy infrastructure.
Targets included a monastery in Lviv and a maternity hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk region.
More than 15,000 civilian killings have been confirmed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago.
3.7 million people are internally displaced in areas controlled by the Kyiv government.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre report nearly half of migratory species requiring protection are declining.
Species threatened by extinction have risen to 24% from 22% two years earlier.
UNEP's Elizabeth Maruma Mrema stated protecting migratory species depends on coordinated international action.
Environmental multilateralism works and is essential for protecting migratory species that cross borders and oceans.

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International Labour Organization (ILO) projects global unemployment rate to remain at 4.9% through 2027 (End of January) ▼

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates global unemployment at 186 million people in 2026.
The ILO warns that 465 million jobs depend on foreign demand through exports of goods and services and related supply chains.
Nearly 300 million workers live in extreme poverty on less than $3 a day.
About 2.1 billion workers are expected to hold informal jobs in 2026 with limited social protection and job security.
Youth unemployment among 15 to 24-year-olds is projected at 12.4% for 2025, with 260 million young people not in education, employment or training.
Women account for only two-fifths of global employment, highlighting entrenched gender inequalities.

International Day of Education observed on January 24 with theme The power of youth in co-creating education (End of January) ▼

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) will celebrate the International Day of Education 2026 on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The theme for the International Day of Education 2026 is The power of youth in co-creating education.
UNESCO will host key activities and hybrid events for the observance at its headquarters in Paris, France.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution 73/25 on December 3, 2018, proclaiming January 24 as the International Day of Education.
The first observance of the International Day of Education took place on January 24, 2019.
The day aims to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.
Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore is the only Indian institute to feature in the global top 100 of the Times Higher Education (THE) Subject Rankings 2026.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) as part of its 2025 achievements.

Ministry of Education (MoE) reports 31 per cent decline in Indian students studying abroad between 2023 and 2025 (Mid of February) ▼

According to data shared by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education fell from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
The Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry recorded 7.7 lakh students going abroad in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 31 per cent over the three-year period.
Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar cited affordability, access to bank loans, and aptitude for specific disciplines as key determinants for overseas study decisions.
Major study destinations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have implemented tighter immigration rules, higher financial proof requirements, and caps on certain visa categories.
The MoE linked the decline to domestic strengthening of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on infrastructure, accreditation, and research.
A total of 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up campuses in India, while five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
The University of Surrey is among the international institutions that have announced plans to establish a physical presence in India.
Indian students are increasingly diversifying to alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France due to lower tuition costs and clearer post-study work frameworks.

European Space Agency (ESA) launches first Celeste satellites from New Zealand to test LEO navigation layer for Galileo

[European Space Agency, New Zealand]

Key Updates:

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the first two Celeste satellites aboard a Rocket Lab Electron launcher from New Zealand on 28 March at 10:14 CET.
The satellites separated into a quasi-polar low Earth orbit at 510 km and signal acquisition has been confirmed for both spacecraft.
Celeste is an in-orbit demonstration mission to assess a complementary LEO layer for Galileo and aims to enable an operational PNT constellation from 2030.
The current IOD phase plans 11 satellites in orbit plus one ground spare, totalling 12 satellites to be launched by end-2027.
The next nine satellites, scheduled for launch by end-2027, will occupy a 560 km quasi-polar orbit with larger, more advanced payloads and extended frequencies.
Two parallel industry consortia lead development: GMV Spain with OHB Germany, and Thales Alenia Space France with Thales Alenia Space Italy, involving over 50 entities.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiates $30 million plan to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (End of March) ▼

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has signed a $30 million (₹283.8 crore) agreement with Katalyst Space Technologies to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth.
The observatory was launched into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2004 using a Delta 7320 rocket as part of the Medium Explorer (MIDEX) programme.
Increased solar activity has heated the upper atmosphere, causing the observatory to lose altitude and fall below its operational orbit of 400 kilometres.
Katalyst Space Technologies is developing a three-armed robotic spacecraft to dock with the observatory and push it to a higher altitude of 550 kilometres.
The rescue craft will be launched using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, which is deployed from a modified jet aircraft.
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is equipped with a Burst Alert Telescope to detect gamma-ray bursts, which are the most powerful explosions in the universe.
The successful completion of the reboost mission is expected to extend the operational lifespan of the observatory by approximately one decade.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bellatrix Aerospace sign MoU to develop Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite technologies. (Start of March) ▼

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace signed an MoU on Thursday to collaborate on design, development and manufacturing of satellite systems and payloads for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) operations.
VLEO altitude ranges between 100 and 450 kilometres, enabling higher-resolution images, faster communications and better atmospheric science.
Bellatrix Aerospace, founded in 2015, specialises in satellite propulsion technologies and satellite subsystems.

ISRO and ESA sign new Earth observation cooperation pact (Start of March) ▼

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed the 'ESA–ISRO Arrangement concerning Joint Calibration and Validation Activities and Scientific Studies for Earth Observation Missions' on 4 March 2026.
ISRO Scientific Secretary M. Ganesh Pillai and ESA Director of Earth Observation Programmes Simonetta Cheli signed the agreement virtually.
The collaboration covers Earth observation, navigation systems, ground station support and human spaceflight cooperation.
The partnership between ISRO and ESA began in 1978 and was renewed in 2002.
The upcoming ESA Fluorescence Explorer (FLEX) mission will benefit from joint calibration and validation campaigns.
ISRO and ESA have previously cooperated on ground station support for Chandrayaan and Aditya missions and on deep-space communications.

SpaceX Falcon 9 launches second-generation Italian COSMO-SkyMed CSG-FM3 satellite (Start of January) ▼

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and deployed COSMO-SkyMed CSG-FM3 into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 618 kilometers.
COSMO-SkyMed is a dual-use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system operating in low Earth orbit, supporting civilian and military applications including natural-disaster monitoring under all weather conditions, day and night.
CSG-FM3, with a launch mass of about 2,207 kilograms and a deployed span of 16.66 meters, features a new antenna that ‘is more flexible and efficient, allowing a single pass to observe multiple areas and respond to multiple user requests at the same time.’
The satellite carries a new laser reflector array that ‘enables millimeter-level accuracy in georeferencing SAR imagery.’
Thales Alenia Space builds the satellites and handles the overall mission, Telespazio develops the ground segment and manages civilian operations, e-GEOS distributes commercial data, and Leonardo supplies additional onboard technologies; the Italian Ministry of Defense manages security and defense signal processing.

Jannik Sinner beats Jiří Lehečka to win 2026 Miami Open

Key Updates:

Jannik Sinner defeated Jiří Lehečka 6-4, 6-4 in the men’s singles final of the 2026 Miami Open on 29 March.
The victory gave Sinner the rare 'Sunshine Double' after also winning Indian Wells earlier in 2026.
The match was delayed 90 minutes at the start and halted again for 80 minutes in the second set due to rain.
Sinner extended his ATP Masters 1000-level winning streak to 34 consecutive sets.
The final was played in Florida, United States of America.

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Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title (End of February) ▼

Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the ITF Women’s Open W100 singles final in Bengaluru.
Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009.
Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 points and $8,147.

Hanne Vandewinkel defeats Vaishnavi Adkar to win ITF Women’s Open Bengaluru W100 singles title (End of February) ▼

Hanne Vandewinkel defeated Vaishnavi Adkar 6-0, 6-1 in the ITF Women’s Open W100 singles final in Bengaluru.
Vaishnavi Adkar became the first Indian woman to reach a W100 singles final since Sania Mirza in 2009.
Vandewinkel earned 100 WTA ranking points and $15,239, while Adkar received 65 points and $8,147.

Novak Djokovic beats Pedro Martinez to set new all-time record at Australian Open (Start of February) ▼

Novak Djokovic defeated Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round at Rod Laver Arena.
The match marked Djokovic's 81st men's Grand Slam main draw appearance, equalling the all-time record held by Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.
Djokovic became the first male player to win 100 or more matches at three separate Grand Slam events: French Open (101), Wimbledon (102), and Australian Open (100).
He now has the chance to surpass Federer's record of 102 Australian Open wins and become the first man to reach 400 Grand Slam match wins overall.

Kimi Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to become youngest F1 championship leader

Key Updates:

Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 29 March 2026.
Antonelli became the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the world championship standings at 19 years old.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished second and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari third.
George Russell of Mercedes, who started the day leading the championship, finished fourth.
Lando Norris of McLaren was fifth, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari sixth, Pierre Gasly of Alpine seventh, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull eighth.
The next race is the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May 2026 after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled due to war in the Middle East.

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Kimi Antonelli wins maiden Formula One Chinese Grand Prix (Mid of March) ▼

Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula One victory in the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
Mercedes secured a one-two finish with George Russell second, 5.515 seconds behind Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton finished third, marking his first podium for Ferrari.
Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history before converting it into victory.
Both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the race due to car problems.
Max Verstappen retired on lap 46, continuing Red Bull’s poor start to the season.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, followed by Oliver Bearman fifth for Haas.

George Russell wins 2026 Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes (Start of March) ▼

George Russell (No. 63 Mercedes) won the season-opening 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Russell secured pole position and led a Mercedes 1-2 finish with teammate Kimi Antonelli (No. 12) in second place.
Charles Leclerc (No. 16 Ferrari) finished third after Ferrari’s strategy error.
Oscar Piastri (No. 81 McLaren) crashed 40 minutes before the start after hitting a curb and did not start the race.
The Mercedes power-unit, under scrutiny from rival teams, remains legal and powered Russell to victory.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 moved in Lok Sabha

[Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code]

Key Updates:

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman moved the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill 2025 in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The Bill is the seventh amendment since the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) came into force in 2016 and the first since 2021.
The Bill proposes a creditor-initiated, largely out-of-court resolution framework with a 150-day deadline.
The new framework allows unrelated financial creditors and the debtor to reach an informal rescue plan, with National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) limited to affirming moratorium and approving the plan.
Between April and December 2025, average resolution time rose to 764 days, against the IBC stipulation of 330 days including litigation time.
The Bill includes a framework aligned with a model United Nations (UN) law for faster resolution of cross-border and corporate group insolvency cases.

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Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP) registrations open for 8th batch; MoU signed with IIIPI–ICAI to strengthen insolvency talent pipeline (Mid of January) ▼

Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA) announced opening of registrations for the 8th Batch of Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP).
IICA signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI (IIIPI–ICAI) to foster collaboration in insolvency education, training and research.
The MoU aims to enhance academic exchange, curriculum development, training programmes and knowledge sharing in insolvency and bankruptcy.
IIIPI–ICAI will offer specialised modules including preparation for the Limited Insolvency Examination and PREP-like assessments to PGIP students.

MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary reports Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) Gross NPAs at historic low of 2.15% (Mid of February) ▼

The Gross Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) ratio of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) for domestic operations declined to a historic low of 2.15% as of September 2025.
According to provisional data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Gross NPA ratio stood at 2.50% for Public Sector Banks (PSBs), 1.73% for Private Sector Banks (PVBs), and 0.80% for foreign banks.
The slippage ratio for PSBs improved to 0.8% in September 2025, compared with 1.8% for private sector banks, indicating stronger underwriting standards.
The government and RBI implemented the 4R’s strategy involving transparent recognition of NPAs, resolving and recovering value, recapitalising PSBs, and reforms in the financial ecosystem.
As of March 2025, over 30,000 cases involving underlying defaults of ₹13.78 lakh crore were settled at the pre-admission stage under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016.
Recovery measures include amendments to the SARFAESI Act, expansion of Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), and enhanced oversight of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs).
Public sector banks have adopted automated Early Warning Systems (EWS) with nearly 80 triggers and established specialised stressed asset management verticals.
The Asset Quality Review (AQR) initiated by the RBI in 2015 and mandatory registration of security interests with CERSAI were cited as key regulatory contributors to asset quality improvement.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) revamps liquidation filings for efficiency. (Start of January) ▼

IBBI introduced revised electronic forms for liquidation to lessen compliance burdens and enhance regulatory filing quality.
The updated forms follow amendments to the IBBI Liquidation Process Regulations, 2016.
Insolvency practitioners must file these forms electronically within specified times.
The forms will be phased in from January 2026 with full implementation by February 2026.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposes mandatory Ind AS adoption for insurers from April 2026. (Start of March) ▼

IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.

Mahavir Jayanti observed on March 31, 2026

Key Updates:

Mahavir Jayanti marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, who was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.
Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BC into a royal family of the Kshatriya caste in Kundalpur, Vaishali, Bihar.
At the age of 30, Lord Mahavira renounced worldly life to pursue a spiritual path.
The five great vows of Lord Mahavira include Nonviolence, Truth, Asteya (not taking what is not yours), Celibacy, and Aparigraha (non-possession).
The philosophy of live and let live is a central teaching of Lord Mahavira, emphasizing compassion for every living being.
Lord Mahavira taught that internal traits such as anger, greed, pride, and hatred are the real enemies of an individual.
The teachings of Lord Mahavira state that every soul is pure, knowledgeable, and blissful by nature.

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 observed on February 19 (Mid of February) ▼

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti 2026 was observed on February 19 as per the Gregorian calendar.
According to the Hindu calendar the day falls on March 10.
Shivaji Jayanti is recognised as a public holiday in Maharashtra.
Shivaji Maharaj was born on February 19, 1630, at the Shivneri Fort.
He was crowned as the ruler of the Maratha Empire in 1674 at the Raigad Fort.

Bhupendra Patel released Gujarati biography of ISKCON founder Srila Prabhupada. (End of February) ▼

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel released the Gujarati biography 'Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada' in Gandhinagar.
The book chronicles the life, struggles, and global spiritual journey of ISKCON Founder-Acharya Srila Prabhupada.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured Srila Prabhupada on his 150th birth anniversary by releasing a commemorative coin and postal stamp.
Dr Usha Upadhyay is the author of the biography 'Vishwaguru Srila Prabhupada'.
Sri Chanchalapathi Dasa is the Co-Mentor and Vice Chairman of the Global Hare Krishna Movement.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation serves 5 lakh children daily in Gujarat and 23.5 lakh children nationwide.

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya releases book "Mahatma: A Great Communicator" (Start of March) ▼

Union Minister of Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, released the book "Mahatma: A Great Communicator" at Gandhi Darshan, Rajghat, New Delhi.
The book was authored by Additional Director General Akashvani, Dr Dhiraj Kakadia.
The book is published in Hindi, English, and Gujarati languages.
The book focuses on Mahatma Gandhi's life and the impact of his communication skills during the freedom movement.

Vice President releases book "Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response" on January 21, 2026 (End of January) ▼

Vice President of India Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book titled “Chalice of Ambrosia: Ram Janmabhoomi – Challenge and Response”, authored by former Secretary to the Government of India Shri Surendra Kumar Pachauri.
Shri Nripendra Mishra serves as the Chairman of the Construction Committee of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust led a crowd-funded campaign that mobilised over ₹3,000 crore from devotees worldwide.
The Dhwaja-rohan ceremony of the Shri Ram Mandir was held on 25 November 2025.
The event was attended by Shri Vinod Rai, former Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, and Shri Deepak Gupta, former Chairperson of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

Global Buddhist Peace Meet held on 25 March 2026

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

The Global Buddhist Peace Meet commenced on 25 March 2026 at Buddhavanam in Telangana.
The conference was organised by Buddhavanam, a unit of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation, in association with the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha.
Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao inaugurated the international event.
The primary objective of the meet is to showcase Buddhavanam as a Buddhist Heritage Theme Park to the global community.
The event aims to encourage Buddhist nations to establish monasteries and educational institutions at the site to attract pilgrims from India and South-East Asia.
Delegates from leading Buddhist nations participated in the sessions to present scholarly papers.

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Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi Releases New Book Karuna: The Power of Compassion (End of March) ▼

Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi has released his latest book titled Karuna: The Power of Compassion.
The book has been published by HarperCollins in association with The Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion.
The official unveiling was attended by Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) of the Supreme Court of India (SCI), and Dr. Kiran Bedi, the former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.
Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his five decades of work in defending the rights and dignity of marginalised children.
The book explores the concept of compassion as a transformative force for addressing global conflicts, inequality, and indifference.

India acknowledges covert Myanmar operation in July 2025 through Shaurya Chakra citation (End of January) ▼

Shaurya Chakra citation formally acknowledged an Indian Army covert operation inside Myanmar between 11 and 13 July 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 Para (Special Forces) received the award for planning and leading the precision strike.
The operation destroyed a fortified militant camp and eliminated nine armed cadres, including senior leaders of an anti-national group.
United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) had alleged that three of its top leaders were killed in drone and missile strikes in Myanmar’s Sagaing region in July 2025.
ULFA-I operates mobile camps along the 1,600-kilometre Indo-Myanmar border and seeks a sovereign Assam through armed struggle.

India to host second Global Buddhist Summit in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January (Mid of January) ▼

The second Global Buddhist Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 24 and 25 January.
Organised by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) in collaboration with India’s Ministry of Culture.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the summit as chief guest.
The theme for this year’s gathering is ‘Collective Wisdom, United Voice, and Mutual Coexistence’.
More than 200 delegates are expected, including heads of national Buddhist Sanghas, supreme patriarchs, and senior figures from various countries.
A major highlight will be a live demonstration of NORBU, described as a ‘Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding’.

'Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat' campaign launched to promote selfless service rooted in spiritual values. (Mid of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu launched the nationwide 'Karmayoga for Empowered Bharat' campaign during the All-India Conference of the Brahma Kumaris in New Delhi.
The campaign was inaugurated alongside the silver jubilee celebrations of the Om Shanti Retreat Centre in Gurugram.
The President emphasised that Karmayoga involves fulfilling responsibilities while adhering to high spiritual principles and practicing selfless service in everyday life.
She stated that morality and spirituality must guide economic growth and technological advancement to prevent social and environmental imbalances.
Smt. Murmu highlighted that spirituality offers a moral framework based on integrity, compassion, non-violence and service essential for just governance.
The campaign aims to inspire citizens to contribute to India’s sustainable and inclusive development by harmonising economic progress with ethical values.

International Day of Zero Waste observed on 30 March

Key Updates:

International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on 30 March.
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022.
It is facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
The observance promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns and raises awareness of the global waste crisis.

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Global Recycling Day 2026 marked by SOMANY Ceramics waste tile reuse initiative (End of March) ▼

Global Recycling Day 2026 was marked by SOMANY Ceramics expanding its waste tile reuse initiative.
The initiative repurposed 8,100 sq. ft. of waste tile, diverting 12 tons from landfills and cutting an estimated 4.8 tons of CO₂ emissions.
Over 3,000 students across 40 institutes—including Manipal University Rajasthan, Amity University Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, KIIT School of Architecture and Planning Odisha, Sushant University Haryana, Indian Institute of Art and Design Delhi, and the Institute of Indian Interior Designers Hyderabad—participated in the campaign.

Theme of the Year 2026: Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063 (End of March) ▼

The African Union (AU) designated 2026 Theme of the Year as 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063'.
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s 50-year development blueprint for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
The Theme of the Year 2026 Concept Note was released on July 11, 2025.

Zero Prize launched as India’s first ₹5 crore results-based environmental award (End of February) ▼

Zero Prize is India’s first national results-based environmental award linking financial reward to independently verified reductions in air, water, and land pollution.
Convened by the School of Policy and Governance (SPG), the initiative is supported through philanthropic contributions, corporate CSR partnerships, and institutional stakeholders.
Total corpus of ₹5 crore will award ₹1 crore each across three categories — Air, Water, and Land — to solutions demonstrating scientifically validated pollution reduction within defined geographies.
Announcement event held at India Habitat Centre with award-winning actor and environmental advocate Dia Mirza as Chief Guest.
Prize open to startups, NGOs, corporates, municipal bodies, research institutions, and individual innovators across India.
Eligible applicants must implement a real-world pilot within defined urban or peri-urban contexts and undergo independent third-party monitoring and validation.
Each shortlisted solution will establish a documented baseline and demonstrate quantifiable reduction over a 12-month challenge period.
Applications open in March 2026 and close in August 2026, with winners announced in February 2027 after technical evaluation, pilot implementation, and independent validation.
Prize follows milestone-based disbursement aligned with successful pilot execution and verification.

International Day of Clean Energy observed on 26 January (End of January) ▼

The International Day of Clean Energy is observed annually on 26 January.
The date marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in 2009.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially proclaimed 26 January as the International Day of Clean Energy in 2023.
The theme for 2026 focuses on accelerating the global transition to renewable, affordable, and sustainable energy for all.
The observance aims to raise awareness for achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
India link not mentioned in the article.