DailyConnects.in
Friday, May 01

Daily Current Affairs: 1 May 2026

Analysis for 01 May 2026

Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) maintains federal funds rate in 3.5%–3.75% range

[United States, Federal Reserve]

Key Updates:

  • The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is projected to maintain the federal funds rate within the 3.5%–3.75% range.
  • The Federal Reserve (Fed) last conducted a rate cut in December 2025.
  • Year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for March 2026 reached 3.3%, surpassing the Fed target of 2%.
  • Jerome Powell's tenure as Fed Chair concludes on May 15, 2026.
  • Kevin Warsh, who served on the Federal Reserve Board from 2006 to 2011, has been nominated by President Trump to replace Jerome Powell.

Similar Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) keeps repo rate at 5.25% and projects FY26 GDP at 7.6% (Start of April) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously voted to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retained a neutral stance.
  • RBI maintained FY26 real GDP growth forecast at 7.6% and set FY27 growth at 6.9% with quarterly paths of 6.8% in Q1, 6.7% in Q2, 7% in Q3 and 7.2% in Q4.
  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for 2027 is projected at 4.6% average, expected at 4% in Q1, 4.4% in Q2, 5.2% in Q3 and 4.7% in Q4.
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $697.1 billion as of 3 April after falling to $688.058 billion on 27 March.
  • Under a higher crude oil price scenario, RBI models real GDP growth at 6.7% for 2026-27 and 6.4% for 2027-28.
Morgan Stanley (MS) cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.2% on Gulf conflict supply shocks (Start of April) ▼
  • Morgan Stanley lowered India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast by 30 basis points to 6.2%.
  • Crude oil price assumption raised to $95 per barrel amid Gulf conflict.
  • Inflation projection revised upward to 5.1% from earlier 4%.
  • Current account deficit (CAD) seen widening to 2.5% of GDP.
  • Pharmaceuticals, paints, textiles and toys sectors face margin pressures from higher oil and gas costs.
  • Textiles sector reports job losses due to limited pricing power.
  • If oil spikes to $150 per barrel for a quarter, GDP growth could slow to 5.7%, inflation may exceed 6% and CAD could reach 3% of GDP.
  • India imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements with about half sourced from the Gulf region transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Oil and gas account for 80% of India’s total commodity trade balance, tracking at 3.5% of GDP.
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) likely to hold policy rates steady at 5.25% initially, with non-rate tools such as managing oil marketing companies’ dollar demand, tightening outward direct investment flows and encouraging NRI deposits.
Finance Ministry keeps small savings rates unchanged for April–June 2026 quarter. (Start of April) ▼
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) continues at 8.2% per annum.
  • Public Provident Fund (PPF) remains at 7.1% per annum.
  • Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) stays at 8.2% per annum.
  • National Savings Certificate (NSC) VIII Issue holds at 7.7% per annum.
  • 5 Year Time Deposit offers 7.5% per annum.
  • 3 Year Time Deposit offers 7.1% per annum.
  • 2 Year Time Deposit offers 7.0% per annum.
  • 1 Year Time Deposit offers 6.9% per annum.
  • Post Office Savings Account offers 4.0% per annum.
  • 5 Year Recurring Deposit Scheme offers 6.7% per annum.
  • Monthly Income Account offers 7.4% per annum.
S&P Global Ratings raises India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1% (End of March) ▼
  • S&P Global Ratings revised India’s FY27 growth forecast upward to 7.1%.
  • The agency lifted its FY28 forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2%.
  • India’s GDP is officially estimated to expand 7.6% in FY26.
  • S&P projects inflation to rise to 4.3% in FY27 and expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to keep rates unchanged with a neutral stance.
  • The RBI monetary policy committee held the repo rate at 6.50% in February and is scheduled to meet early next week.
  • S&P assumes Brent crude to average $92 per barrel in the June quarter and around $80 per barrel in 2026.
  • In a severe disruption scenario, Brent could average $185 per barrel in the June quarter and nearly $130 per barrel in 2026.
  • S&P expects one 25 bps rate hike by India’s central bank in the second half if energy-driven inflation persists.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) operationalises PaRRVA framework for performance verification

[Securities and Exchange Board of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has operationalised the Past Risk and Return Verification Agency (PaRRVA) framework to standardise the reporting and verification of investment performance.
  • Care Ratings has been recognised as the first PaRRVA, and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will serve as the PaRRVA Data Centre (PDC).
  • The PaRRVA platform is scheduled to go live on May 4.
  • Investment Advisers (IAs) and Research Analysts (RAs) are required to enrol with PaRRVA by August 3 to continue sharing certified past performance with clients.
  • After May 2028, only PaRRVA-verified risk and return metrics can be communicated, and historical performance data from the pre-PaRRVA period will no longer be permitted in client communication.

Similar Coverage

Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026: ₹10,000 Crore Investment Target (End of April) ▼
  • The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Maharashtra Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026, aiming to attract over ₹10,000 crore in investment and generate 1.5 lakh jobs by 2031.
  • The policy proposes the establishment of a Maharashtra AI Mission, five AI innovation cities, and six sectoral Centres of Excellence (CoE).
  • The six sectoral CoEs will focus on healthcare, agriculture, education, urban development, Marathi language and culture, and finance and revenue.
  • The state targets the training of two lakh youth and professionals through the Maharashtra Centre for Advanced AI Training (MCAT).
  • A common computing backbone featuring at least 2,000 Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) will be created under a compute-as-a-service model for government departments.
  • The policy includes the creation of datasets in Marathi, regional dialects, and tribal languages, alongside a State AI Data Exchange.
  • A 20 per cent subsidy on AI adoption will be provided to 5,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
  • A ₹500 crore AI startup venture fund will be established with equal contributions from the government and private sector.
  • Twelve AI incubators will be set up, providing grants of up to ₹1 crore for startups and up to ₹1.25 crore for women-led ventures.
  • The state has set a target to support at least one AI unicorn.
  • A Maha AI Tools Hub will be established as a common platform to support AI adoption.
  • Investment incentives include up to 20 per cent capital subsidy, 100 per cent stamp duty exemption, and a power tariff subsidy of ₹2 per unit for up to 10 years.
  • The policy mandates annual AI readiness audits across all government departments.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) extends IPO validity and relaxes minimum public shareholding norms till September 2026. (Start of April) ▼
  • Sebi extended the validity of observation letters expiring up to 30 September 2026, giving over two dozen IPO-bound firms a six-month one-time relaxation.
  • Issuers using the extension must file updated offer documents and a lead-manager undertaking confirming compliance with ICDR regulations.
  • Sebi also granted a one-time exemption from penal action on minimum public shareholding (MPS) shortfalls for compliance deadlines between 1 April and 30 September 2026.
  • Stock exchanges and depositories were instructed to withdraw any penal measures initiated since 1 April 2026 during this relief window.
  • In FY26, 112 mainboard IPOs raised a record ₹1.78 trillion, surpassing the previous high of ₹1.62 trillion raised via 78 issues.
  • Currently, 144 Sebi-approved companies aiming to raise ₹1.75 trillion await market launch, while 63 firms seeking ₹1.37 trillion are in the approval pipeline.
  • During FY26, 18 companies allowed nearly ₹22,000 crore worth of approvals to lapse and 15 firms withdrew draft papers for offerings worth ₹9,200 crore.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launches SUPCOMS, e-adjudication portal, and C-SAC platforms (Mid of April) ▼
  • Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman launched three IT platforms on 24 March.
  • SUPCOMS replaces email-centric interactions and centralises all official communications with external entities.
  • The e-adjudication portal digitally enables quasi-judicial proceedings and allows entities to download Show Cause Notices, submit replies, and attend online hearings.
  • C-SAC is an AI-enabled platform that analyses cyber audit reports submitted on the SI Portal, identifies compliance gaps, and provides risk scores to strengthen cybersecurity supervision.
BharatGen and L&T Arms to Build India's Sovereign AI Compute Platform (End of April) ▼
  • L&T Semiconductor Technologies Ltd (LTSCT), Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma, and BharatGen Technology Foundation (BharatGen) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an end-to-end Sovereign AI compute platform.
  • The collaboration focuses on defining sovereign AI reference architectures and establishing benchmarks for performance, energy, and security.
  • LTSCT will provide custom AI chips, including AI ASIC and xPU silicon platforms, to handle sovereign AI workloads based on BharatGen models.
  • Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma will enable AI-ready compute environments through a 30 MW facility in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, and its hyperscale data centre infrastructure.
  • BharatGen will define representative AI workloads encompassing Large Language Models (LLMs), Large Multimodal Models (LMMs), and Small Language Models (SLMs).
  • BharatGen received formal approval from IndiaAI under the Digital India Corporation, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), to develop and deploy nationally aligned foundational AI models at scale.
  • The partnership involves the development of a phased three-year implementation roadmap.

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to launch E-PRAAPTI portal for inoperative accounts

[Employees' Provident Fund Organisation]

Key Updates:

  • The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is launching the E-PRAAPTI (EPF Aadhaar-Based Access Portal for Tracking Inoperative Accounts) portal to enable members to access inoperative accounts through Aadhaar-based authentication.
  • The E-PRAAPTI portal will facilitate the identification, tracking, Universal Account Number (UAN) linking, and activation of old EPF accounts, specifically for members without a UAN or those with physical accounts.
  • The portal will initially operate on a member ID basis and will later expand to include members who cannot recall or access their old member IDs.
  • As of March 31, 2025, the EPFO has 31.83 lakh inoperative accounts amounting to ₹10,181 crore, excluding international workers.
  • The EPFO’s Central Board of Trustees has approved the auto-settlement of inoperative accounts with an unclaimed balance of ₹1,000 or less to registered bank accounts.
  • An EPF account is treated as inoperative if no contribution is received for a continuous period of three years after the member attains 55 years of age or from the date of retirement, whichever is later.
  • The EPFO has a consolidated corpus of over ₹28.34 lakh crore, with 27.05 lakh establishments under its purview and 34.63 crore members.
  • The EPFO settled a record 8.31 crore claims in 2025-26, compared to 6.01 crore in FY25.
  • In 2025-26, 5.51 crore claims were for advance or partial withdrawals, of which 71.11% were processed in auto mode.
  • For the current financial year starting April 1, 61.03 lakh claims have been settled, with 98.7% of total claims settled in less than 20 days.

Similar Coverage

South Indian Bank partners with Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to launch EPF payment services (Mid of March) ▼
  • South Indian Bank has integrated EPFO payment services into its internet banking platform SIBerNet.
  • Employers and establishments can now remit EPF contributions, dues, remittances and related charges directly through the EPFO portal using South Indian Bank's net banking facility.
  • The integration was completed between the Thrissur-based bank and EPFO.
SAMPANN platform adopted by Goa government and Cochin Port Authority for digital pension disbursement (Start of April) ▼
  • The Government of Goa and the Cochin Port Authority signed agreements to join the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) digital platform SAMPANN for pension disbursement.
  • The signing ceremony was presided over by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in New Delhi.
  • SAMPANN, developed by the Office of the Controller General of Communication Accounts (CGCA), is an end-to-end digital platform covering the entire pension lifecycle.
  • Currently, SAMPANN directly credits pensions for approximately 4.8 lakh telecom pensioners of DoT, BSNL, MTNL, and VSNL.
  • DoT is offering SAMPANN as a 'Platform as a Service' (PaaS) to other departments, state governments, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
Mansukh Mandaviya chairs 239th Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting of Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). (Start of March) ▼
  • Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour and Employment, chaired the 239th meeting of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) in New Delhi.
  • The CBT recommended an annual interest rate of 8.25% to be credited to EPF accumulations for the financial year 2025-26.
  • The government will officially announce the 8.25% interest rate before EPFO credits it into subscribers' accounts.
  • The Board approved a one-time amnesty scheme to address compliance issues arising from trusts recognized by income tax.
  • New simplified SOP on EPF exemption and updated EPF, EPS, and EDLI schemes aligned with the Code on Social Security, 2020, were approved to enhance efficiency, transparency, and ease of compliance.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas, which will come into force from 1 July 2026.
  • The directions apply to commercial banks, small finance banks, local area banks, cooperative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and All India Financial Institutions.
  • Lenders are permitted to extend relief measures to all borrowers without waiting for requests, with an opt-out clause available for 135 days from the date of natural calamity declaration.
  • Banks may operate calamity-affected branches from temporary premises or provide services through satellite offices, extension counters, or mobile banking facilities.
  • Banks can provide a waiver or reduction of fees and charges for customers in calamity-declared areas for a period not exceeding one year.
  • Borrowers are eligible for resolution if their accounts are classified as Standard and are not in default for more than 30 days as of the date of the calamity.
  • Accounts that became Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) between the date of the calamity and the implementation of the resolution plan shall be upgraded to Standard upon implementation.
  • Banks are mandated to make an additional specific provision of 5 per cent of the outstanding debt for borrowers under a resolution plan, subject to a ceiling of 100 per cent.

Similar Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues draft directions for loan recovery framework effective July 1, 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the draft RBI (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Second Amendment Directions, 2026, to tighten loan recovery rules.
  • The new framework is scheduled to come into effect from July 1, 2026, following the Budget 2026 announcement by the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
  • Regulated entities and stakeholders are required to submit feedback on the draft directions on or before March 6, 2026.
  • The draft directions apply to Commercial Banks, Small Finance Banks (SFBs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).
  • Banks must implement a mandatory recovery policy, a code of conduct for recovery agents, and a formal grievance redressal mechanism.
  • Recovery agents or bank employees are permitted to contact or visit borrowers only between 08:00 hours and 19:00 hours.
  • The RBI has mandated that banks must record the content or text of all recovery-related calls and document the time and number of calls made to the borrower or guarantor.
  • Recovery agents are strictly prohibited from contacting relatives, friends, or co-workers of the borrower and must interact only with the borrower or the guarantor.
  • Banks are required to publish a list of all empanelled recovery agents on their branches, mobile applications, and websites.
  • The draft explicitly bans harsh practices including the use of abusive language, sending inappropriate social media messages, making anonymous calls, and physical or verbal intimidation.
  • For microfinance loans, recovery must occur at a mutually decided designated place, though field staff may visit residences if the borrower fails to appear on two or more successive occasions.
  • Banks are prohibited from initiating legal action as a first resort and must provide a written notice before taking possession of security or initiating legal measures.
  • Where a grievance is lodged by a borrower, the bank cannot forward the recovery case to an agent until the grievance is finally disposed of, unless the complaint is found to be frivolous.
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.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposes draft regulatory framework for bank lending to REITs and InvITs (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft norms permitting banks to lend to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • To be eligible for bank financing, a REIT must be listed, have a minimum three-year operational track record, and have reported positive net distributable cash flows in the preceding two financial years.
  • The aggregate credit exposure of all banks to a REIT, its underlying Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), and holding companies is capped at 49% of the asset value as of March 31 of the preceding financial year.
  • Banks are permitted to extend loans only for operational or completed assets, while financing for land acquisition is strictly prohibited.
  • The draft framework mandates amortised repayment schedules for loans and explicitly disallows bullet or balloon repayment structures.
  • Lending must be fully secured through the mortgage of identified assets and a charge over receivables or escrow arrangements to prevent cash-flow diversion.
  • Overseas branches of Indian banks are permitted to lend to overseas REITs provided the jurisdiction has an effective statutory insolvency or bankruptcy framework.
  • The proposed directions are scheduled to come into force from July 1, 2026.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases Rs 2.54 lakh crore state borrowing calendar for April-June 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • RBI announces indicative calendar for state market borrowings worth Rs 2,54,509 crore during April-June 2026.
  • Nine pilot states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh—adopt Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS).
  • Pilot states to raise Rs 1,53,900 crore under BIS framework.
  • Remaining states and Union Territories to borrow Rs 1,00,609 crore through traditional methods.
  • RBI retains right to revise auction dates and amounts in consultation with states.

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases approach paper on Index of Service Production (ISP)

[Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (India)]

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has released an approach paper for compiling the Index of Service Production (ISP) for the formal sector of the economy.
  • The ISP is designed to capture short-term movements in the services sector, which contributes more than half of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI proposes to use aggregated Goods and Services Tax (GST) data to monitor the progress of the services sector.
  • The GST was implemented in India on July 1, 2017.
  • A Technical Advisory Committee on ISP (TAC-ISP) comprising 24 members was constituted in May 2025 to prepare the approach paper.
  • The approach paper analyses more than 40 sub-sectors of the services sector.
  • Key sub-sectors covered include wholesale and retail trade, transport, banking, insurance, communication, hotels and restaurants, real estate, professional, scientific and technical services, arts, entertainment and recreation.
  • MoSPI has invited comments and suggestions on the proposed methodology from stakeholders by May 5, 2026.

Similar Coverage

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).
S&P Global releases HSBC India Manufacturing PMI data for March 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 53.9 in March 2026 from 56.9 in February, the lowest since June 2022.
  • Input cost inflation hit a 43-month high in March, driven by higher prices for aluminium, chemicals, fuel, jute, leather, fabric, oil, rubber and steel.
  • Manufacturers raised output charges at the slowest pace in two years as firms absorbed most cost increases.
  • Export orders expanded the most since September 2025, with gains from Australia, Brazil, Canada, mainland China, Europe, Japan, the West Asia, Turkiye and Vietnam.
  • Employment rose at the fastest pace in seven months while backlogs declined for the first time in nearly 18 months.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) reports Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth at 5.2% for February 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • 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.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) to release new GDP, CPI, IIP series with revised base years (Mid of February) ▼
  • The government will release the new GDP series on 27 February 2026, the new CPI series on 12 February 2026, and the new IIP series on 28 May 2026.
  • The GDP base year has been revised to 2022-23 to reflect current economic structures.
  • The CPI base year has been revised to 2024, updating the consumption basket and weights for rural and urban households.
  • The IIP base year has been revised to 2022-23 and aligned with the new national accounts series.
  • Base year revision is guided by respective Technical Advisory Committees comprising experts from Academia, Central and State governments, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • CPI and GDP follow the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Special Data Dissemination Standards (SDDS) covering coverage, periodicity, timeliness, public access, integrity, and quality of data.

DTDC Express and India Post sign MoU to expand logistics reach to 9,000 pin codes

[Department of Posts (India), DTDC]

Key Updates:

  • DTDC Express and India Post (Department of Posts) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 27 in New Delhi.
  • The MoU was signed by Neeraj Kumar Jha, General Manager, Parcel Directorate, Department of Posts, and Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO of DTDC Express Ltd.
  • The partnership is operational across 21 states and has expanded service coverage to over 9,000 additional pin codes.
  • The collaboration aims to strengthen delivery services and improve last-mile connectivity in rural areas and small towns.

Similar Coverage

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises signs MoU with NICDC Logistics Data Services to boost data-driven logistics (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NICDC Logistics Data Services Limited (NLDS) to strengthen a data-driven logistics ecosystem for MSMEs.
  • The collaboration aims to create a digital framework for seamless data exchange through API-based integration to improve policymaking and supply chain efficiency.
  • NLDS operates under the guidance of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust.
  • The MoU was signed by Anuja Bapat, Deputy Director General at the Office of the Development Commissioner (MSME), and Arvind Devaraj, Chief Operating Officer of NLDS.
  • The initiative aims to help MSMEs gain access to logistics insights, reduce inefficiencies, optimise costs, and enhance competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
National Career Service (NCS) Portal – Creation of 30 Lakh Jobs by 2030 (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies on 13 April 2026 to expand employment opportunities through the NCS portal.
  • Over 7 lakh vacancies are currently active on the NCS portal and nearly 59 lakh establishments have registered.
  • The NCS portal has registered over 6 crore jobseekers and mobilised more than 9 crore vacancies since its inception.
  • Porter aims to generate approximately 6 lakh logistics and driving opportunities annually via NCS and around 30 lakh opportunities by 2030.
  • Gigin Technologies aims to create at least 2–3 lakh verified job opportunities annually with over 1.5 lakh employer engagements through NCS.
  • The collaborations are expected to mobilise nearly 10 lakh job opportunities annually for youth.
  • Budget outlay: Not specified in the article.
  • Launch date of the MoUs: 13 April 2026.
  • Target beneficiaries are youth and jobseekers registered on the NCS portal.
Department of Posts–TRIFED MoU to Establish Nationwide Logistics Backbone for Tribal E-Commerce (End of March) ▼
  • The Department of Posts (DoP) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) to create a nationwide logistics backbone for tribal e-commerce.
  • The partnership leverages the DoP network of over 1.5 lakh post offices, with more than 90% located in rural areas, to deliver goods sold via the Tribes India e-marketplace.
  • The DoP will provide end-to-end logistics solutions including order pickup from TRIFED regional hubs, nationwide transmission, and final delivery to urban, rural, and remote areas.
  • Technological features of the collaboration include real-time shipment tracking, API-based integration for automated order processing, and Management Information System (MIS) reporting.
  • A Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) account will be established for TRIFED under the National Account Facility of the DoP to enable deferred payments for bulk shipments and simplified accounting.
  • The initiative aims to benefit over 10 lakh tribal artisans and forest produce gatherers by expanding market access for indigenous handicrafts, handlooms, and natural products.
  • The MoU is initially valid for a period of two years and includes provisions for review and potential expansion to other rural and artisan-based sectors.
  • The collaboration aligns with national visions including Digital India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and the Vocal for Local initiative.
MoU Signed on 4 February 2026 to Modernise Delhi Prepaid Taxi System (Start of April) ▼
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 4 February 2026 between Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Limited (STCL) and Delhi Traffic Police to modernise Delhi’s prepaid taxi services.
  • The MoU covers 34 prepaid taxi booths located at 21 key points in the national capital.
  • Delhi Traffic Police will manage booth operations, recruit staff, verify drivers, ensure passenger safety, and establish a control room mechanism for monitoring and coordination.
  • STCL will handle digital integration, financial management including staff salaries, maintenance of booths, and branding initiatives.
  • As of 23 March 2026, approximately 130 personnel are engaged in various support and operational roles under the cooperative model.
  • STCL operates on a no-profit, no-loss basis under a self-sustaining cooperative framework.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduces Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework for banks

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued amendments to the framework for classification of assets, income recognition, and provisioning, shifting to an Expected Credit Loss (ECL) based approach.
  • The new directions will come into force from April 1, 2027, replacing existing norms.
  • The ECL framework adopts a three-stage classification system: Stage 1 for assets with no significant increase in credit risk (12-month ECL), Stage 2 for assets with significant increase in credit risk (lifetime ECL), and Stage 3 for credit-impaired assets (lifetime ECL).
  • The RBI has retained existing non-performing assets (NPA) norms, where a financial asset is classified as NPA if interest or principal remains overdue for more than 90 days for term loans, or if accounts are out of order in overdraft or cash credit facilities.
  • Asset classification will be applied at the borrower level, meaning if one exposure becomes NPA, all exposures to that borrower will be treated as NPA.
  • ECL computation will be based on three key parameters: Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), and Exposure at Default (EAD).
  • A rebuttable presumption of significant increase in credit risk is established when contractual payments are more than 30 days past due.
  • The Effective Interest Rate (EIR) method is mandated for income recognition, with all loans outstanding as of March 31, 2027, required to transition to this regime by March 31, 2030.
  • The RBI has prescribed prudential floors across loan categories to serve as a regulatory backstop for ECL estimates.
  • Upon transition on April 1, 2027, banks must fair value their entire loan portfolio, with any difference between fair value and carrying amount adjusted against retained earnings.
  • Governance of the ECL implementation must be overseen by a Board or Board-approved committee, including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Similar Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) bars banks from offering non-deliverable INR derivatives and rebooking cancelled contracts (Start of April) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has barred authorised dealers from offering non-deliverable derivative contracts involving the Indian rupee to residents or non-residents.
  • Deliverable foreign exchange derivatives allowed only for hedging and users must not hold offsetting non-deliverable positions.
  • Rebooking of any cancelled foreign exchange derivative contract involving INR is not permitted after the circular issued on Wednesday.
  • Authorised dealers are prohibited from undertaking INR derivative transactions with related parties as defined under Ind AS 24 or IAS 24.
  • The revised directions are effective immediately and issued under FEMA provisions until further review.
  • The Indian rupee appreciated 2 per cent to 92.94 per dollar following the central bank’s measures to curb speculative trading.
Sanjay Malhotra outlines Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Utkarsh 2029 strategy. (Mid of April) ▼
  • Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • Utkarsh 2029 is the RBI’s medium-term strategy for April 2026 to March 2029.
  • The strategy rests on six pillars: robust regulation, customer-centric and inclusive finance, competitive markets, effective technology, a future-ready organisation, and a global India focus.
  • Project Sa-Mudra aims to modernise currency management under Utkarsh 2029.
  • The central bank will expand the central bank digital currency (CBDC) for more efficient cross-border payments.
  • The unified lending interface (ULI) will be scaled up to widen access to credit.
  • The RBI will develop regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence and quantum computing in the financial sector.
  • The framework builds on Utkarsh 2.0 foundations, including internationalisation of the rupee and global expansion of UPI.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) mandates Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for OTC derivatives (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has mandated the use of a Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for all Over-the-Counter (OTC) derivative transactions to improve traceability and systemic risk monitoring.
  • The new framework for UTI implementation is scheduled to become applicable from 1 January 2027.
  • The mandate covers Foreign Exchange (FX) derivatives (forwards and swaps), Rupee interest rate derivatives (overnight index swaps and MIBOR-linked swaps), forward contracts in government securities, and credit derivatives.
  • The Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL) is expected to issue detailed operational guidelines for the implementation of the UTI framework in due course.
  • Responsibility for generating the UTI will follow a waterfall mechanism, starting with central counterparties or electronic trading platforms, and falling back on the trade repository of the CCIL.
  • Routine amendments to derivative contracts will not require a new UTI, but lifecycle events such as novations that create a new reportable trade will trigger fresh identifiers.
  • The RBI had previously issued a draft regarding the UTI requirement in October 2025.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Digital Payments: E-mandate Framework, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Digital Payments: E-mandate Framework, 2026, consolidating all existing guidelines on recurring digital payments into a single master framework.
  • The framework applies to recurring domestic and cross-border transactions processed through cards, prepaid payment instruments (PPIs), and Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
  • Customers opting for recurring payment facilities must complete a one-time registration process requiring validation through an Additional Factor of Authentication (AFA).
  • Issuers must send pre-transaction notifications at least 24 hours before the debit, including merchant name, transaction amount, date and time of debit, reference number of the e-mandate, and reason for the debit.
  • Pre-transaction notifications are not required for auto-replenishment of FASTag balances and National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) balances.
  • The RBI retained a threshold allowing recurring transactions of up to ₹15,000 per transaction without additional authentication.
  • Recurring payments of up to ₹1 lakh per transaction without additional authentication are permitted for insurance premium payments, mutual fund subscriptions, and credit card bill payments.
  • No charges may be levied on customers for availing e-mandate services for recurring transactions.
  • The RBI repealed multiple earlier circulars issued between 2019 and 2024 relating to recurring payment processing through cards, UPI, and other digital channels.

Flipkart, Axis Bank and PayU introduce biometric authentication for card payments

[Flipkart, Axis Bank, PayU]

Key Updates:

  • Flipkart, Axis Bank and PayU have introduced biometric authentication for card payments, replacing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) with fingerprint and Face ID approvals.
  • The biometric authentication feature is currently available for Axis Bank cardholders on Flipkart.
  • The system operates through a coordinated stack where Flipkart manages the front-end, PayU handles merchant-side infrastructure and security, and Axis Bank manages issuer-level authentication via Wibmo.
  • The move aligns with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) push towards stronger, risk-based authentication mechanisms.
  • Digital fraud in India surged past ₹1,400 crore in Financial Year (FY) 2024.

Similar Coverage

Paytm enables biometric UPI payments with Face ID/fingerprint and cardless ATM withdrawals (Mid of April) ▼
  • Paytm app now allows UPI payments verified by Face ID or fingerprint instead of entering a UPI PIN.
  • Biometric data is neither stored nor accessed by Paytm or the bank.
  • Biometric UPI payments initially support transactions up to ₹5,000 per payment as per NPCI guidelines.
  • Cardless ATM withdrawals support up to ₹10,000 per transaction, with daily limits varying by bank.
  • Users can enable the feature by selecting ‘Pay with Fingerprint’ or ‘Pay with Face ID’ in the Paytm app Settings, choosing the bank account, and completing on-screen biometric authentication.
PayU and GoKwik Partner to Launch India's First Integrated Conversion-to-Completion Stack for D2C Brands (Mid of March) ▼
  • PayU and GoKwik have entered into a strategic partnership to launch India's first Integrated Conversion-to-Completion stack specifically for the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) sector.
  • The collaboration combines GoKwik's conversion intelligence with the payments infrastructure of PayU to address revenue leakage caused by checkout drop-offs and payment failures.
  • PayU is a fintech platform regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that empowers over 4.5 lakh businesses and supports more than 100 online payment methods.
  • GoKwik is an e-commerce enablement platform that serves over 15,000 brands and maintains a network of more than 200 million shoppers.
  • The integrated solution aims to simplify the commerce stack for digital-first Indian brands by improving transaction success rates and reducing operational complexity.
Axis Bank partners IndiGo to launch two co-branded travel credit cards on RuPay and Visa networks. (End of February) ▼
  • Axis Bank and IndiGo launched the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card priced at ₹799 plus GST targeting mass retail customers.
  • The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card is priced at ₹5,000 plus GST and is positioned for affluent customers.
  • Both cards are linked to IndiGo’s loyalty programme IndiGo BluChip and allow users to earn reward points on eligible retail and travel spends.
  • The IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card offers one BluChip per ₹100 spent on eligible categories, two BluChips per ₹100 on grocery and dining spends, and three BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo transactions.
  • Cardholders of the IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card receive a 1,200 BluChips voucher on joining, renewal and on achieving specified spending milestones.
  • The IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card offers seven BluChips per ₹100 spent on IndiGo bookings, three BluChips per ₹100 on hotel and grocery spends, and two BluChips per ₹100 on other eligible transactions.
  • The premium variant provides vouchers worth 5,000 BluChips on joining, renewal and milestone spends, complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, and a reduced forex markup of 2.5% on international transactions.
  • The products will be available on both the RuPay and Visa networks.
NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) integrates Axis Bank into Banking Connect platform, expanding interoperable netbanking reach to 37 million customers. (Mid of April) ▼
  • NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) announced that Axis Bank is now live on the Banking Connect platform.
  • Banking Connect platform was launched in 2025 and provides interoperability between payment aggregators and banks for netbanking transactions.
  • Axis Bank joins State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank on the platform.
  • The integration enables Axis Bank’s 37 million customers to experience faster checkout across more than 4,800 merchants in India.
  • Eight banks and 11 payment aggregators are currently live on the Banking Connect platform.
  • NBBL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Ministry of Panchayati Raj releases Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Report

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 Report for FY 2023–24 on National Panchayati Raj Day, celebrated on 24th April 2026.
  • PAI 2.0 recorded a national participation of 97.30 per cent, with 2,59,867 Gram Panchayats (GPs) across 33 States and Union Territories submitting validated data.
  • Based on composite scores, 3,635 GPs are categorized as Front Runners and 1,18,824 GPs (approximately 45.72% of participating GPs/Traditional Local Bodies) are placed in the Performer category.
  • Under the theme Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods in Panchayats, 3,313 GPs/Traditional Local Bodies (TLBs) achieved the A+ grade.
  • Under the theme Healthy Panchayats, 1,015 GPs/TLBs attained the A+ grade.
  • PAI 2.0 evaluates GPs against 150 indicators and 230 data points across nine thematic areas under the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
  • The nine LSDG thematic areas include Poverty, Health, Child Welfare, Water, Environment, Infrastructure, Social Justice, Good Governance, and Women’s Empowerment.
  • The index classifies GPs into five performance categories: Achiever (A+: 90 and above), Front Runner (A: 75 to below 90), Performer (B: 60 to below 75), Aspirant (C: 40 to below 60), and Beginner (D: below 40).
  • West Bengal has not on-boarded in the PAI 2.0 exercise.

Similar Coverage

Rao Inderjit Singh holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). (Start of April) ▼
  • Rao Inderjit Singh is Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
  • He also holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Planning.
  • He serves as Minister of State in Ministry of Culture.
  • He provided the information in Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026.
National Panchayati Raj Day observed on April 24 (End of April) ▼
  • National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually on April 24.
  • The theme for National Panchayati Raj Day 2026 is “Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas" (Empowered Panchayats, Holistic Development).
  • The day commemorates the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which came into effect on April 24, 1993.
  • The Panchayati Raj system operates on a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (intermediate level), and Zilla Parishad (district level).
  • e-GramSwaraj is an online platform aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in Panchayat administration.
  • The observance aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
  • Panchayat elections are held every five years, with at least 50% of seats reserved for women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
  • India currently has 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats, 6,687 Panchayat Samitis, and 666 Zilla Panchayats.
  • National Panchayati Raj Day has been an annual event since its establishment in 2010.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launches 'Say No To Proxy Sarpanch' campaign (Start of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched the 'Say No To Proxy Sarpanch' social media campaign on 8 March 2026 to combat the 'Sarpanch Pati' practice.
  • The campaign runs from 8 March to 18 March 2026 and targets proxy leadership where male relatives exercise authority in place of elected women sarpanches.
  • An advisory committee set up by MoPR in September 2023 recommended exemplary penalties for proven proxy leadership cases and a helpline-based reporting mechanism with whistleblower rewards.
Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0: Tripura ranks first in grassroots governance (Start of February) ▼
  • Tripura has secured the top position in the national Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 for its performance in local self-governance and village-level administration.
  • Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in the Sepahijala district of Tripura ranked first nationwide with a score of 88.44 among nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
  • South Nalchar gram panchayat in Sepahijala district secured the third rank with a score of 88.14, while Chesrimai gram panchayat followed in fourth place with a score of 87.85.
  • For the financial year 2023-24, all 1,176 gram panchayats in Tripura achieved 100% data submission and verification across all administrative levels.
  • Ministry: Not specified in the article.
  • Budget Outlay: Not specified in the article.
  • Target Beneficiaries: Gram panchayats and village committees across India.
  • Launch Date: Not specified in the article.

Ganga Expressway: ₹36,230 Crore Infrastructure Project in Uttar Pradesh

[Uttar Pradesh]

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ganga Expressway in Uttar Pradesh on 29 April 2026.
  • The Ganga Expressway is a 594-kilometre-long, six-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor.
  • The project was constructed at an estimated cost of ₹36,230 crore and completed in less than 3.5 years.
  • The route starts from Bijoli village in Meerut district and ends at Judapur Dandu village in Prayagraj district.
  • Travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj is reduced from 10–12 hours to approximately 6 hours.
  • The expressway passes through 12 districts of Uttar Pradesh and connects 519 villages.
  • A 3.5 km stretch in Shahjahanpur district has been developed as a dedicated Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The expressway is designed for speeds up to 120 km/h and includes provisions for future expansion to eight lanes.
  • Work has commenced to extend the Ganga Expressway from Meerut to Haridwar.
  • The project is expected to result in fuel savings of approximately 30%.

Similar Coverage

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway – ₹12,000-crore Highway Reduces Travel Time (Mid of April) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the six-lane Delhi-Dehradun Expressway on 14 April 2026.
  • The expressway is a 213-km access‑controlled corridor costing ₹12,000 crore.
  • Travel time between Delhi and Dehradun is expected to fall from five‑six hours to about 2‑2.5 hours.
  • The corridor links the Uttar Pradesh towns of Baghpat, Baraut, Shamli and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun.
  • It will integrate with the Delhi‑Mumbai, Delhi‑Katra and Delhi‑Meerut expressways.
Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) oversees expansion of 20-plus expressways (Mid of March) ▼
  • Uttar Pradesh has more than 20 expressways operational, under construction, or in the planning stage.
  • Yamuna Expressway spans 165.5 km with six lanes, completed in 2012 at an estimated cost of ₹13,300 crore.
  • Agra–Lucknow Expressway stretches 302 km and reduced travel time between Agra and Lucknow to about three and a half hours.
  • Purvanchal Expressway covers 340 km, connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur and passing through Sultanpur, Azamgarh, and Ambedkar Nagar districts.
  • Bundelkhand Expressway is 296 km long and supports the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.
  • Ganga Expressway will connect Meerut to Prayagraj over 594 km and is expected to be completed around 2026.
  • Proposed expressways include Lucknow–Kanpur, Ghaziabad–Kanpur, Ayodhya–Varanasi, Gorakhpur–Siliguri, and Gorakhpur–Shamli corridors.
  • Total expressway length in Uttar Pradesh could exceed 3,000 kilometres once upcoming projects are completed.
Project GANGA: High-Speed Internet for 20 Lakh Rural Households in Uttar Pradesh (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the State Transformation Commission (STC) and One OTT Entertainment Limited (OIL), a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group, to implement Project GANGA.
  • The initiative aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to over 20 lakh households in rural and semi-urban areas over the next two to three years.
  • The project is expected to generate more than 1 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities across the state.
  • Under the project, 8,000 to 10,000 local entrepreneurs at the Nyaya Panchayat level will be developed as Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
  • The government has set a target of 50% participation of women among the digital entrepreneurs to promote women-led entrepreneurship in rural areas.
  • The project will focus on providing connectivity to remote and border districts, specifically naming Shravasti, Bahraich, and Balrampur.
  • Selected DSPs will receive training, financial assistance, network infrastructure support, and access to modern technology to build digital service networks.
  • The initiative complements a scheme launched in January 2024 that provides youth with interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh for entrepreneurship.
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.

Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage

Key Updates:

  • Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on April 30 to recognise the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
  • PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
  • The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
  • It targets over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore individuals), focusing on the poorest 40% of the population identified by SECC 2011 data.
  • The programme is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
  • The scheme covers pre-existing conditions and provides access to over 1,900 medical procedures at empanelled public and private hospitals.
  • Beneficiary groups include low-income families, people with chronic illnesses, hospitalised patients, women, the elderly, and interstate migrants.
  • The coverage includes maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and rehabilitation care.
  • By late 2025, more than 5.38 crore Ayushman cards were issued, with 74.4 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh receiving free treatment.
  • Over 1 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) have been operationalised to expand healthcare access in underserved areas.
  • The Ask Ayushman chatbot on WhatsApp is utilised to help users find hospitals and check eligibility.

Similar Coverage

Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2026 celebrated on 7 March to promote affordable generic medicines (Start of March) ▼
  • Jan Aushadhi Diwas is observed every year on 7 March to raise awareness about the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • PMBJP was launched in November 2008 by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, in collaboration with Central Pharma Public Sector Undertakings.
  • The scheme provides quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated outlets called Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).
  • Week-long events are organised across the country from 1 to 7 March to support the initiative.
All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) signs MoU with General Insurance Council (GIC) for cashless treatment (Mid of February) ▼
  • The All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), New Delhi, signed a Common Empanelment Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Insurance Council (GIC) on 10 February 2026.
  • AIIA has become the first Ayush institution in India to enter into a formal empanelment with the GIC to provide cashless treatment facilities.
  • The agreement enables AIIA to be empanelled with all 32 general insurance companies under the GIC for eligible Ayurveda-based healthcare services.
  • The Ministry of Ayush has launched India’s first dedicated Ayush Health Insurance Helpline with the toll-free number 1800-11-0008 to assist beneficiaries.
  • The GIC is a statutory body established under the Insurance Act, 1938, and has been functioning since 2001 under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
  • The MoU was signed by Prof. (Vaidya) P. K. Prajapati, Director of AIIA, and Shri Segar Sampathkumar, Director (Health) of the GIC.
  • AIIA is the apex institute for Ayurveda established under the Ministry of Ayush and operates a 200-bed referral hospital with 25 specialty departments.
Janaushadhi Saptah 2026: Nationwide Health Check-Ups Launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 began today with health check-up camps across the country to raise awareness about affordable and quality generic medicines.
  • The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF) stated that the week-long celebrations will culminate in the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas.
  • The Department of Pharmaceuticals is organising health check-up camps at over 250 locations nationwide until the 5th of this month.
  • On the first day, health camps were held at approximately 50 locations offering general health check-ups, free blood tests, blood pressure, and thyroid tests.
  • Free distribution of Janaushadhi medicines, physiotherapy consultations, eye check-ups, and child health initiatives were also organised at several centers.
  • Special attention was given to women and senior citizens at the camps.
  • Over 18,000 Janaushadhi Kendras are operating across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • The government targets expanding the network to 25,000 Kendras by 2027.

Sikkim Development Package: ₹4,000 Crore Outlay

[Sikkim]

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹4,000 crore in Gangtok as part of Sikkim's 50th Year of Statehood celebrations.
  • Transport infrastructure projects include two double-lane steel arch bridges over the Teesta river at Sirwani and Lower Samdong, and the upgraded Birdhang–Namchi road via Kitchudumra.
  • Education projects include the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, the administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence, Helen Lepcha Medical College in Gangtok, Dentam Professional College in Gyalshing, and IT-enabled learning infrastructure across 160 schools.
  • Healthcare initiatives include a 100-bed Ayurveda hospital at Yangang and a 30-bed Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at Deorali.
  • Urban development works include the Jan Seva Sachivalaya at Lumsey, a Civil Service Officers Institute in Gangtok, housing projects for low-income residents and police personnel, and a public utility centre at MG Marg.
  • Tourism infrastructure includes the redevelopment of Gangtok’s Ridge Precinct, eco-tourism facilities in Soreng, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra support facilities, and an eco-pilgrimage complex in Gyalshing.
  • The power sector will see an upgraded transmission and distribution network in Gangtok to improve electricity reliability.
  • The Sikkim Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) Processing Plant was inaugurated to strengthen agro-processing and farmer incomes.

Similar Coverage

PM Modi to launch projects worth Rs 19,000 crore in Vav-Tharad district. (Start of April) ▼
  • PM Modi will visit Gujarat on 31 March to inaugurate or lay foundation stone of developmental projects worth around Rs 19,000 crore in Vav-Tharad district.
  • Vav-Tharad became Gujarat’s 34th district after being carved out of Banaskantha district in September 2025.
  • The public event will be held at Nani village near Deesa at Air Force Station.
  • Projects cover railways, power, defence, urban development and belong to both state and central governments.
  • CM Bhupendra Patel, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi and concerned Union ministers will accompany PM Modi.
PM Modi launches development projects worth ₹16,450 crore in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (Mid of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched multiple development projects worth approximately ₹16,450 crore across Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11 March.
  • In Kerala, projects worth about ₹10,800 crore were launched, including the foundation stone for a Polypropylene Unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) costing over ₹5,500 crore.
  • The Polypropylene Unit at the BPCL Kochi Refinery will have a production capacity of 400 kilo tonnes per annum to boost domestic polymer manufacturing.
  • The Prime Minister inaugurated the six-laning of the Thalapady-Chengala section of National Highway (NH) 66 (₹2,650 crore) and the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara (₹2,140 crore).
  • Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), three redeveloped railway stations were inaugurated in Kerala: Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram Railway Station, and Changanassery Railway Station.
  • The Prime Minister dedicated the Shoranur-Nilambur Road railway line electrification and flagged off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi.
  • A 50 MW floating solar project foundation stone was laid at West Kallada in Kollam district, Kerala, to enhance renewable energy capacity.
  • In Tamil Nadu, projects worth ₹5,650 crore were launched, including a City Gas Distribution (CGD) Network by BPCL in The Nilgiris and Erode districts with an investment of over ₹3,680 crore.
  • A Lube Blending Plant with a capacity of 672 thousand metric tonnes per annum, developed by Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) at Manali for ₹1,490 crore, was dedicated to the nation.
  • Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), 23 rural roads in Kerala and 89 rural roads covering 370 kilometres in Tamil Nadu were inaugurated.
  • The Prime Minister flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains, and a passenger train service to improve connectivity between Tamil Nadu and states like Telangana, Karnataka, and Kerala.
  • The foundation stone was laid for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on National Highway 81 in Tamil Nadu.
PM Modi to launch Assam Mala 3.0 road projects and PM-KISAN 22nd instalment (Mid of March) ▼
  • PM Modi will perform bhoomi poojan of Assam Mala 3.0 road projects worth over ₹3,200 crore in Kokrajhar district.
  • Under Assam Mala 3.0 more than 900 kilometres of roads will be constructed across Assam.
  • Modi will release the 22nd instalment of PM-KISAN scheme to over 9.3 crore farmers from Guwahati.
  • Eligible farmers receive ₹2,000 directly into their bank accounts under PM-KISAN.
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.

Google Cloud India AI Hub: $15 Billion Investment in Visakhapatnam

[Andhra Pradesh, Google]

Key Updates:

  • Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Google Cloud India AI hub in Visakhapatnam on April 28, 2026.
  • The project is valued at over $15 billion.
  • The data centre is aimed to have an initial capacity of 1 GW, with the Andhra Pradesh government aiming to boost this to 6.5 gigawatts.
  • The hub will be established over 600 acres in the villages of Adavivaram, Rambilli, and Tarluvada.
  • The project is being developed as part of the 'Speed of Doing Business' policy of the Andhra Pradesh government.

Similar Coverage

IBM AI GovTech Innovation Centre and Software Lab inaugurated by UP CM Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow (End of February) ▼
  • Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the IBM AI GovTech Innovation Centre and Software Lab in Lucknow on 22 February 2026.
  • The 500-seater facility is located at Platinum Mall in Sushant Golf City and is IBM’s first software lab in Northern India.
  • The centre will focus on advancing Generative AI and Agentic AI technologies for government and enterprise use cases.
  • It will operate under IBM India Software Labs (ISL), contributing to IBM’s global portfolio in data and AI, automation, cybersecurity, and sustainability.
  • The lab will develop AI-powered solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs) for Indian and global markets.
  • CM Yogi Adityanath stated the lab will boost Uttar Pradesh’s economy by creating jobs and engaging local talent.
  • The state government aims to develop Lucknow as an “AI city” and supports IBM’s expansion to strengthen the IT and ITeS sector.
  • The lab will offer roles in software engineering, application development, technical testing, and UX design.
  • IBM Software Labs in India currently operate from Bengaluru, Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Kochi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
IBM launches first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in India at Bengaluru ISDL campus (Start of March) ▼
  • IBM opened the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center inside its India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus in Bengaluru on 5 March 2026.
  • The centre will co-create secure, scalable enterprise AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners.
  • A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study found 58% of Indian organisations have raised infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand and projected a 19% growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025.
  • 43% of Indian organisations are establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence as enterprises shift from experimentation to scaled AI deployment.
Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February) ▼
  • Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
  • The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
  • Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
  • Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
  • Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.
IBM opens first Infrastructure Innovation Centre in India at India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus (Start of March) ▼
  • International Business Machines (IBM) launched its first Infrastructure Innovation Centre named Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Centre housed within the new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus.
  • The collaborative engineering hub will unite IBM systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners.
  • A recent IBM Institute for Business Value study found 58 per cent of Indian organisations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand and projected a 19 per cent growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025.
  • 43 per cent of organisations are establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence as enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment.

India's DRDO and Indian Navy conduct maiden Salvo launch of NASM-SR missiles on 29 April 2026

[Defence Research and Development Organisation]

Key Updates:

  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy conducted the maiden Salvo launch of the Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
  • The trial involved the launch of two missiles in quick succession from a single helicopter platform.
  • The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO, in collaboration with the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, completed the Hydrodynamic Performance Assessment and Model Testing of a Frontline Indian Naval Ship Project.
  • The naval ship project testing covered critical parameters including hull hydrodynamic, CFD-based simulation, resistance, propulsion, sea keeping, and manoeuvrability.
  • Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked and Wheeled), developed by the Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, were unveiled at the DRDO laboratory in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
  • The armoured platforms are integrated with an indigenously developed 30 mm Crewless Turret and a 7.62 mm PKT gun, with the capability to launch Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.
  • The platforms feature STANAG level 4 and 5 protection and are amphibious with hydro jets for improved water obstacle crossing.
  • The current indigenous content of the armoured platforms is 65%, with plans to increase it to 90%.

Similar Coverage

Pakistan Navy test-fires 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile on April 21, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired the indigenously developed 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) on April 21, 2026.
  • The Taimoor ALCM is an anti-ship weapon system capable of striking land and sea targets at ranges of up to 600 km.
  • The test was conducted under the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
  • The Pakistan Navy conducted a live weapon firing of a homegrown ship-launched anti-ship missile on April 16.
  • In January, the Pakistan Navy fired a surface-to-air missile during a comprehensive exercise in the north Arabian Sea.
  • India's BrahMos cruise missile has a speed of Mach 2.8–3 and a strike range of 450-800 km.
  • The BrahMos can carry a 200–300 kg warhead and can be launched from land, ships, submarines, and Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
  • On May 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) used the Barak-8 missile system to intercept and destroy a Pakistani ballistic missile targeting Delhi.
  • Air Commodore Rohit Kapil of the IAF 45 Wing was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for leading the Barak-8 interception operation.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveils advanced armoured platforms on April 25, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) unveiled two indigenous advanced armoured platforms, one tracked and one wheeled, on April 25 at the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) facility in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra.
  • The platforms were unveiled by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO.
  • Both vehicles are integrated with an indigenously developed 30 mm crewless turret and a 7.62 mm PKT gun, and are configured to launch anti-tank guided missiles.
  • The platforms provide STANAG Level 4 and Level 5 protection using modular ballistic and blast protection systems.
  • The vehicles feature amphibious capability incorporating hydro-jet systems for crossing water obstacles.
  • The systems were manufactured through collaboration with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited, supported by a network of micro, small and medium enterprises.
  • The indigenous content of the platforms is currently estimated at 65 per cent, with plans to increase it to 90 per cent.
  • The unveiling involved senior scientists from multiple DRDO laboratories, including the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, Armament Research and Development Establishment, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment, and Research and Development Establishment (Engineers).
DRDO successfully completes three VSHORADS flight-trials in Chandipur, Odisha (Start of March) ▼
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three flight-trials of the indigenously developed VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
  • VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
  • The missile system is intended to meet the requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
  • All missiles intercepted and destroyed high-speed aerial targets mimicking enemy aircraft in various threat scenarios.
  • Tests were carried out in final deployment configuration with target acquisition and missile firing by field operators.
  • Flight data collected by Telemetry, Electro-Optical Tracking System, and Radars at ITR, Chandipur, confirmed VSHORADS effectiveness against a broad spectrum of aerial threats.
  • User validation trials were witnessed by Joint Forces representatives and senior DRDO and industry officials.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry, stating the system can soon be inducted.
Indian Navy receives three GRSE-built warships including frigate Dunagiri and ASW craft Agray (Start of April) ▼
  • Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered three frontline platforms to the Indian Navy.
  • The delivered vessels include the guided missile frigate Dunagiri, the survey vessel Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft Agray.
  • Dunagiri is the second advanced guided missile frigate built by GRSE under Project 17A and measures 149 metres in length with a displacement of 6,670 tonnes.
  • Dunagiri is equipped with BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles and an integrated combat management system for multi-dimensional operations.
  • Sanshodhak is the last of four large survey vessels built by GRSE and is equipped for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and data collection for defence applications.
  • Agray is one of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft being built by GRSE and is armed with lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets for coastal sub-surface surveillance and attack missions.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited signs tech transfer pact with DRDO lab for naval systems on April 28, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) entered into a licensing agreement for transfer of technology (LAToT) with the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam.
  • NSTL is a constituent laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The agreement pertains to the gas turbine–infrared suppression system (GT-IRSS) for naval vessels.
  • BHEL will undertake the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the LM2500 gas turbine infrared suppression system developed by NSTL-DRDO.
  • The pact aligns with the government's 'Make in India' initiative to strengthen indigenous capabilities in naval systems.
  • BHEL reported a provisional and unaudited turnover of approximately ₹32,350 crore for FY26.
  • The total outstanding order book of BHEL was about ₹2.4 lakh crore at the end of FY26.

Similar Coverage

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Dhruva Space Private Limited sign MoU for satellite solar panels (Start of April) ▼
  • NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Dhruva Space Private Limited (DHRUVA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of solar panels.
  • The partnership aims to address the solar panel requirements of global Satellite Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
  • NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space (DoS) and functions as the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • DHRUVA is a Hyderabad-based private aerospace company providing full-stack space engineering solutions across space, launch, and ground segments.
  • The collaboration will utilise the programme management and product assurance expertise of NSIL to scale the production of space-grade solar panels.
  • The timing of the agreement aligns with the solar industry entering a restructuring phase in 2026, amid rising demand for satellite solar panels.
  • DHRUVA has existing engagements with NSIL in Earth observation missions, satellite deployers, and ground segment development.
India signs Rs 1,950 crore deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for two mountain radars for Indian Air Force (Start of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,950 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of two mountain radars and associated infrastructure for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The mountain radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The radars will be manufactured by BEL and their installation will enhance India’s air defence and reduce dependence on foreign equipment.

SkyHop Aviation becomes India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator

Key Updates:

  • SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
  • The company is India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator.
  • Test flights were conducted at Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand and the Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh on April 6, 2026.
  • The airline will begin operations using a 19-seater modified De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
  • In the first phase, SkyHop plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and the mainland.

Similar Coverage

Modified UDAN scheme cleared with ₹28,840 crore outlay to expand regional air connectivity (End of March) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme with a total outlay of ₹28,840 crore.
  • The scheme will fund development of 100 new airports through a challenge-based mode with budgetary support of ₹12,159 crore.
  • 200 modern helipads will be developed in hilly regions, the North-East, island territories and aspirational districts with funding of ₹3,661 crore.
  • ₹400 crore is allocated to support acquisition of domestically manufactured aircraft.
  • Enhanced viability gap funding (VGF) will provide 80–90 per cent Central support to airlines on regional routes, tapering over five years, with an allocation of ₹10,043 crore.
  • Operational and maintenance (O&M) support for three years is approved for RCS aerodromes with an annual ceiling of ₹3 crore per airport and ₹90 lakh per helipad, totalling ₹2,577 crore.
  • The revised scheme targets connecting 120 new destinations and enabling air travel for around 4 crore additional passengers.
  • Since its launch, UDAN has operationalised 663 routes and 95 aerodromes with 10 airline operators, carrying about 1.62 crore passengers on over 3.41 lakh flights.
Skyroot Aerospace Completes Pre-Launch Milestones for Vikram-1 Rocket (End of April) ▼
  • Skyroot Aerospace has completed the Integrated Electrical Test (IET) Campaign-Phase 3 for its Vikram-1 rocket.
  • The Vikram-1 rocket is named after Indian space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai and is designed to place small satellite payloads into low Earth orbit.
  • Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy flagged off the launch vehicle from Skyroot's Max-Q Campus in Hyderabad to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
  • The development is part of space sector reforms led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
India and European Union (EU) sign working arrangement for industrial aviation production (End of March) ▼
  • India and the European Union (EU) signed a working arrangement in the field of industrial aviation production on 23 March 2026.
  • The agreement between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aims to align manufacturing with global safety standards.
  • The arrangement facilitates the assembly of Airbus Helicopters H125/AS350 helicopters in Karnataka under the Make in India initiative.
  • Civil aviation safety was identified as a priority area under the Strategic Joint Agenda during the EU-India Summit in January 2026.
  • A regional workshop was conducted in New Delhi from 24 to 26 March 2026 under the EU-South Asia Aviation Partnership Programme.
  • The workshop was organised by EASA in partnership with DGCA and supported by the European aircraft manufacturer ATR.
India inaugurates Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on 13 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), DG Paramesh Sivamani, inaugurated the Waterjet Production and Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
  • India has become the third country globally, after the United States and South Korea, to host such a specialised production and testing capability.
  • The facility was commissioned under a Manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework to establish a domestic supply chain for waterjet propulsion systems.
  • The ICG currently operates over 100 MJP waterjet propulsion systems across its fleet, with 42 additional systems planned for ships under construction.
  • The new facility will serve as a regional hub for South Asia and adjoining regions while enhancing indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities.
  • DG ICG reviewed the progress of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
  • The ACV project is India’s first indigenous programme of its kind, featuring approximately 50 per cent indigenous content with the first delivery scheduled for May 2026.

China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3

Key Updates:

  • China launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province.
  • The satellite was launched using a Long March-6 carrier rocket.
  • PRSC-EO3 is the fourth Pakistani satellite launched by China since last year.
  • Two Pakistani nationals arrived in Beijing on April 24 for training at the Astronaut Centre of China.
  • The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that one of the trainees will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to board the Tiangong space station.

Similar Coverage

Pakistan and China sign three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on 27 April 26 (End of April) ▼
  • Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between institutions from Pakistan and China during a ceremony held in Changsha.
  • The ceremony was attended by Asif Ali Zardari.
  • The Sindh Local Government Department and Loxin Environmental Technology Group signed an MoU to collaborate on a seawater desalination project to increase urban water supply.
  • An agreement to enhance cooperation in agricultural technology was signed between the Sindh Local Government Department and Longping High-Tech Information Company.
  • An MoU to support the development of the tea industry and strengthen economic, trade, and people-to-people ties was signed between Muske and Femte Trading Company, Hunan Tea Group, and Jialong International Technology Hainan.
China resumes direct flights to North Korea after six-year suspension (End of March) ▼
  • Air China resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday, 30 March 2026.
  • The flight was welcomed by Chinese ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and other diplomats.
  • Passenger train service from China to North Korea had resumed on 12 March 2026.
  • Flights and passenger trains to North Korea were suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
  • North Korean carrier Air Koryo resumed flights between the capitals in 2023.
  • North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic and began easing restrictions with a Russian tour group entering in 2024.
  • Chinese tour groups accounted for 90% of all visitors to North Korea prior to the ban.
  • China is Pyongyang’s biggest trading partner and major ally.
  • North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a Chinese military parade in Beijing in September, the first such attendance in decades.
China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) Selects Pakistani Astronauts for Tiangong Space Station (End of April) ▼
  • The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) selected Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud as the first foreign reserve astronauts for space mission training.
  • One of the selected candidates will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist on board the Tiangong space station.
  • The Tiangong space station currently orbits approximately 400 km above the Earth and has been in orbit for nearly five years.
  • The agreement for the mission was signed between the CMSA and Pakistan's Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in February last year.
  • The Tiangong space station was developed by China after its reported exclusion from the International Space Station (ISS).
ISRO to Launch GISAT-1A Earth Observation Satellite via GSLV Mk II (Start of February) ▼
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the GISAT-1A (EOS-05) earth observing satellite on 20 February 2026.
  • The mission will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II), which is a fourth-generation three-stage vehicle.
  • The GSLV Mk II rocket features four liquid strap-ons and an indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) as its third stage.
  • The satellite is designed to operate from a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to facilitate continuous observation of the Indian sub-continent.
  • The GISAT-1A mission aims to provide quick monitoring of natural hazards and disaster management.
  • The launch will be conducted from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), formerly known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Since January 2014, the GSLV Mk II vehicle has achieved four consecutive successful launches.
  • ISRO is headquartered in Bangalore and functions as the space agency of the Government of India.

West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 recorded historic 92.47% turnout on April 29, 2026

Key Updates:

  • West Bengal recorded a combined voter turnout of 92.47% across two phases in the 2026 Assembly elections, the highest since Independence.
  • The Election Commission (EC) reported a turnout of 93.19% in Phase 1 and 91.66% in Phase 2 of the polls.
  • A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls resulted in the deletion of over 90 lakh voters, approximately 12% of the total electorate.
  • The total electorate in the state was reduced from 7.66 crore to 6.77 crore following the revision process.
  • Significant voter deletions were recorded in the districts of North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Malda, and Kolkata.
  • The Bhabanipur constituency and the city of Kolkata both recorded a voter turnout of approximately 87%.
  • Purba Bardhaman district registered a voter turnout of 92.46% during the electoral process.

Similar Coverage

Supreme Court of India (SC) refuses voting rights to 34 lakh West Bengal residents with pending electoral roll appeals. (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Supreme Court of India (SC) bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to permit 34 lakh appellants excluded from West Bengal electoral rolls to vote in the 2026 polls while their appeals remain pending.
  • The Court was hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and a suo motu case on the gherao of judicial officers in Malda district.
  • Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that allowing excluded persons to vote would undermine the voting rights of those already included in the rolls.
  • Justice Bagchi clarified that appellants whose appeals are allowed by 9 April will be included in the electoral roll even if the decision comes shortly after the 6 April list publication.
  • The bench directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government to continue security for judicial officers until elections conclude and to withdraw protection only by further Court orders.
International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 showcases Assembly Polls in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Election Commission of India (ECI) organised the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) 2026 during the Assembly elections in Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry.
  • A total of 38 delegates representing 22 nations participated in the programme to witness the electoral process firsthand on 8 and 9 April 2026.
  • The delegates observed the systematic movement of polling parties and visited CCTV control rooms monitoring 100 per cent webcasting of polling stations.
  • The visit included the observation of mock polls and the inspection of inclusive facilities such as ramps, wheelchairs, and creches at polling stations.
  • Specialised polling stations managed entirely by women and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) were showcased to the international participants.
  • The IEVP is a flagship initiative designed to foster engagement between the ECI and international Election Management Bodies (EMBs).
Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0: Tripura ranks first in grassroots governance (Start of February) ▼
  • Tripura has secured the top position in the national Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 for its performance in local self-governance and village-level administration.
  • Jugal Kishore Nagar Village Committee in the Sepahijala district of Tripura ranked first nationwide with a score of 88.44 among nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats.
  • South Nalchar gram panchayat in Sepahijala district secured the third rank with a score of 88.14, while Chesrimai gram panchayat followed in fourth place with a score of 87.85.
  • For the financial year 2023-24, all 1,176 gram panchayats in Tripura achieved 100% data submission and verification across all administrative levels.
  • Ministry: Not specified in the article.
  • Budget Outlay: Not specified in the article.
  • Target Beneficiaries: Gram panchayats and village committees across India.
  • Launch Date: Not specified in the article.

International Jazz Day observed on 30 April

Key Updates:

  • International Jazz Day is observed globally every 30 April.
  • The day was established by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011.
  • International Jazz Day is recognised by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
  • The 15th edition of the All-Star Global Concert took place on 30 April in Chicago, United States of America.
  • The concert lineup, announced by UNESCO and the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz, featured musicians Gregory Porter (United States of America), James Morrison (Australia), Tiger Okoshi (Japan), Mandisi Dyantyis (South Africa), Antonio Sánchez (Mexico), and Mino Cinélu (Martinique, France).
  • International Jazz Day reaches more than 2 billion people annually across all continents through education programmes, performances, and media.

Similar Coverage

International Dance Day observed on 29 April (End of April) ▼
  • International Dance Day, also known as World Dance Day, is celebrated every year on 29 April.
  • The official message for International Dance Day 2026 was written by Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, highlighting dance as a human language.
  • The date marks the birth anniversary of Jean-Georges Noverre, a French dancer and ballet reformer born in 1727.
  • The day was introduced in 1982 by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI), an organisation associated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
  • Indian classical dance forms include Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathakali, and Mohiniyattam.
  • Indian folk dances include Garba, Bhangra, Ghoomar, Bihu, Lavani, and Chhau.
Trump's $400 million White House ballroom project faces design criticism (End of March) ▼
  • The New York Times published a critique of President Donald Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom on Sunday.
  • The 90,000-square-foot ballroom is set to be more than three times the size of the White House.
  • Design flaws highlighted include fake windows on the north side, columns blocking interior views, stairs leading nowhere, and an oversized rooftop.
  • White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, 28, criticised the article and its authors on platform X.
  • Leavitt stated the ballroom will be privately funded and claimed President Trump and his lead architect have built world-class buildings globally.
  • Trump demolished the historic East Wing in October 2025 despite earlier promises to leave it untouched.
  • The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to vote on the ballroom project on April 2.
  • About 98 percent of 32,000 public comments received by the Commission oppose the ballroom construction.
  • James McCrery II was removed as chief architect in December after raising concerns over the ballroom's size.
Rotaract Festival scheduled for March 14 in Uganda (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Rotaract Festival is scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Legends Rugby Grounds to mobilise resources for community development projects.
  • The event marks the conclusion of the annual Rotaract Week, which is observed from March 9 to March 14.
  • Geoffrey Martin Kitakule serves as the District Governor of Rotary District 9213.
  • Rotaract is a global youth leadership programme operating under the aegis of Rotary International.
  • The organisation adheres to the official motto Service Above Self.
  • Rotaract clubs in Uganda support community initiatives in sectors including health, education, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment.
North East Spring Festival 2026 to begin on February 26 (End of February) ▼
  • The three-day North East Spring Festival 2026, also known as the Festival of the North East, begins on February 26, 2026, at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Complex in Dimapur, Nagaland.
  • The festival is organised by the NEZCC in collaboration with the South-Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC), Nagpur, under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture.
  • The event is celebrated alongside the Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 to foster cultural exchange between the Northeastern and South-Central regions of India.
  • A total of 130 folk artists from the eight Northeastern states and 83 artists from Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh will showcase traditional art forms.
  • The Madhya Dakshini Festival 2026 is coordinated with initiatives under Bharat Ko Jano and the Border Area Programme.
  • Extended festival programmes will be held in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh, from March 2nd to 3rd and in Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya, from March 5th to 6th.
  • Featured musical groups include Blue Temptation from Shillong, Coronation Choir from Dimapur, Bhramos from Kohima, and 6 Strings from Guwahati.
  • Dr Prasanna Gogoi serves as the Director of the NEZCC, Dimapur.

World Immunization Week observed from April 24 to April 30 with theme "For Every Generation, Vaccines Work"

Key Updates:

  • World Immunization Week is observed every year from April 24 to April 30.
  • The theme for World Immunization Week 2026 is "For Every Generation, Vaccines Work".
  • The 2026 campaign focuses on lifelong immunisation, spanning infancy, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
  • Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives globally.

Similar Coverage

Bangladesh launches emergency measles-rubella campaign on 5 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on 5 April 2026.
  • The campaign targets over 1.2 million children in 30 upazilas.
  • Partners include UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
  • Expansion to four City Corporations starts 12 April 2026, followed by nationwide rollout from 3 May 2026.
  • Children aged 6 to 59 months in high-risk areas are prioritised.
  • Since 2007, Gavi has invested more than US$2.2 billion in measles and measles-rubella immunisation across 57 lower-income countries, reaching over 1.3 billion children.
National Vaccination Day observed on 16 March with theme 'Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible' (Mid of March) ▼
  • National Vaccination Day is observed every year on 16 March in India.
  • The theme for 2026 is 'Immunisation for All is Humanly Possible'.
  • The day commemorates 16 March 1995 when the first dose of oral polio vaccine was given under the Pulse Polio Immunisation Programme.
  • India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is one of the world’s largest public health initiatives providing free vaccines to children and pregnant women.
WHO prequalifies Biological E. Limited’s novel oral polio vaccine type 2 to boost outbreak response (Mid of February) ▼
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified an additional novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) on 13 February 2026.
  • Biological E. Limited manufactures the vaccine using bulk material transferred from PT Bio Farma.
  • UNICEF and other UN agencies can now procure the vaccine for outbreak response programmes.
  • nOPV2 is more genetically stable than traditional oral polio vaccine, lowering the risk of seeding new outbreaks.
  • WHO noted that expanding nOPV2 manufacturers improves supply reliability for countries facing circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2, especially in under-immunised communities.
  • WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported a significant decline in wild polio cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-year-old girls launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
  • The campaign uses a single-dose 'Gardasil 4' quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
  • The vaccine protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11.
  • The Union Health Ministry directed all states on 25 February to administer the vaccine at government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Community Health Centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals.