Vir Vikram Yadav appointed Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
[Directorate General of Civil Aviation]
Key Updates:
- Vir Vikram Yadav, a 1996-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Odisha cadre, has been appointed as the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved his appointment as part of a broader bureaucratic reshuffle.
- Yadav will assume the role in the rank and pay of an additional secretary to the Government of India.
- He succeeds Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre, who has been appointed as additional secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
- Yadav currently serves as additional secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and has been based in New Delhi since April 2025.
- He holds an M.Tech in Building Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, and has experience in infrastructure and environmental governance across state and central governments.
Similar Coverage
- Karunakaran Azhisur has been appointed country head of Guardian India, the global capability centre for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America.
- He will continue to serve as chief information officer (CIO) of Guardian India alongside his new role.
- He joined Guardian as CIO in November 2024.
- He will report to Michael Prestileo, chief strategy officer and chair of the Guardian India board.
- Guardian India operates centres in Chennai and Gurugram.
- 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.
- The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) has recommended Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi for the position of Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re).
- The FSIB conducted an interface with five eligible candidates on 24 February 2026 before making the recommendation.
- Hitesh Rameshchandra Joshi currently serves as the Executive Director with additional charge of CMD at GIC Re.
- Joshi holds a postgraduate degree in Accountancy from Mumbai University and a Master’s Degree in Financial Management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
- He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India.
- Captain Rohit Rikhye replaced Jason Herter as Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC) at IndiGo with immediate effect.
- He will report to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Isidre Porqueras.
- Rikhye has served IndiGo for over 11 years and was previously Chief Pilot -- Standards, QA & Ops Safety.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed penalties totalling Rs 22 crore on IndiGo and directed dismissal of a senior vice-president after December flight disruptions.
- The OCC oversees real-time flight operations including flight planning, tracking, dispatch, crew scheduling and rostering in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan Appointed Chairman & Managing Director of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID)
[Power Grid Corporation of India (POWERGRID)]
Key Updates:
- Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan has assumed charge as the Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID).
- The appointment was approved by the Board of Directors following an order issued by the Ministry of Power on March 18, 2026.
- His tenure as CMD will continue until July 31, 2030, or until the date of his superannuation.
- Before this elevation, he served as the Director Projects at POWERGRID and has over 33 years of experience in the power transmission and telecom sectors.
- He previously served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Powergrid Teleservices Limited and was a founding member of the Regulatory Cell at POWERGRID.
- POWERGRID is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) that operates one of the largest electricity transmission networks in the world.
Similar Coverage
- RM Nachammai assumed charge as Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 effective March 15.
- She is the first woman to head operations of a functional NPCIL nuclear power plant.
- Nachammai joined NPCIL in 1991 and has over 35 years of experience in nuclear power plant operations.
- She received the Vikram Sarabhai Award for topping the second batch of NPCIL engineer trainees.
- Nachammai was awarded the NPCIL Special Contribution Award in 2010, 2014, and 2017.
- Kaiga Nuclear Power Station currently operates four 220 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors with a total installed capacity of 880 MW.
- NPCIL employs nearly 10,000 people, of whom about 900 are women.
- Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) sanctioned orders on 27 January 2026 for merging 17 wholly owned subsidiaries of Power Grid Corporation of India.
- The sanction orders were received by the company on 4 February 2026.
- The restructuring uses two composite schemes: Scheme/Group-A and Scheme/Group-B.
- Twelve subsidiaries, including several regional transmission systems, will merge into POWERGRID Khavda II-C Transmission Limited.
- Five subsidiaries—POWERGRID Bhadla III and POWERGRID Ramgarh II among them—will amalgamate into POWERGRID Vataman Transmission Limited.
- The mergers take effect retrospectively from the appointed date of 1 April 2024.
- Disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements Regulations, 2015.
- Ravichandran Purushothaman has been elected as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region for the term 2026-27.
- His election was announced in the article without specifying the exact date of election or assumption of office.
- The article does not mention his predecessor or any specific agenda for his tenure.
- No additional details about his previous roles or organisational affiliations are provided in the article.
- Deepak Gupta, Director Projects, GAIL (India) Ltd, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
- The appointment is effective from the date he assumes charge on or after 1 March 2026.
- He will serve as CMD until his superannuation on 28 February 2029 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Ashwini Bhide becomes first woman Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
[Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)]
Key Updates:
- Ashwini Bhide, a 1995-batch Maharashtra cadre IAS officer, assumed charge as the 32nd Municipal Commissioner of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday.
- She succeeded Bhushan Gagrani and is the first woman to head India’s richest civic body.
- Bhide previously served as Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and as Managing Director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL).
- She led the 10.58-km Mumbai Coastal Road project and the 33.5-km underground Metro Line 3 connecting Colaba to SEEPZ.
- Her appointment was part of a wider bureaucratic reshuffle ordered by the Maharashtra government on March 31.
Similar Coverage
- RM Nachammai assumed charge as Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 effective March 15.
- She is the first woman to head operations of a functional NPCIL nuclear power plant.
- Nachammai joined NPCIL in 1991 and has over 35 years of experience in nuclear power plant operations.
- She received the Vikram Sarabhai Award for topping the second batch of NPCIL engineer trainees.
- Nachammai was awarded the NPCIL Special Contribution Award in 2010, 2014, and 2017.
- Kaiga Nuclear Power Station currently operates four 220 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors with a total installed capacity of 880 MW.
- NPCIL employs nearly 10,000 people, of whom about 900 are women.
- Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated India’s first Flat Rolled Products (FRP) aluminium unit at the Aditya Aluminium plant of Hindalco Industries Limited (Hindalco) at Lapanga in Sambalpur.
- The CM inaugurated a specialised battery foil unit established with an investment of ₹834 crore.
- A foundation stone was laid for the expansion of the smelter plant involving an investment of ₹21,162 crore.
- Hindalco Industries Limited (Hindalco) Managing Director (MD) Satish Pai stated that the total investment in these projects is envisaged at ₹50,000 crore.
- The projects are expected to generate employment for 15,000 youths, including the recruitment of 4,500 women across facilities in Keonjhar, Rayagada, and Sambalpur.
- The CM inaugurated the 25th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Enterprise Odisha Exhibition 2026 in Rourkela.
- Nivedita Dubey assumed charge as Member (Human Resources) at the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
- She became the first woman to serve on the Board of AAI.
- Her previous role within AAI was Regional Executive Director for the Eastern Region.
- She brings over 30 years of experience spanning airport operations, administration, and people management.
- Bhumika Shrestha has been confirmed as Nepal's first transgender lawmaker by the Election Commission.
- She was elected as a proportional-representation Member of Parliament (MP) from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
- The election for the 275-member House of Representatives was held on March 5.
- Bhumika Shrestha is a 37-year-old activist from Kathmandu who has been associated with the Blue Diamond Society.
- She received the International Women of Courage Award in 2022 for her work in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and social justice.
- She was one of the first individuals to travel internationally using a passport marked under the other gender category.
- Her advocacy contributed to the recognition of a third gender category in official documents in Nepal.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) notifies Ind AS norms for insurers with one-year forbearance
[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)]
Key Updates:
- Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) issued final regulations for transition to Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) effective 1 April 2026.
- Insurers may request forbearance until 30 April 2026 if unable to comply with Ind AS; forbearance can be granted for one year.
- Parallel reporting under Ind AS alongside existing Indian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (IGAAP) framework permitted for two years.
- Multi-stakeholder expert committee proposed with representatives from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Actuaries of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).
Similar Coverage
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved certificates of registration for two insurance entities during its 134th Authority meeting held on March 9, 2026.
- Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited was granted approval to operate as a reinsurer in India.
- Kiwi General Insurance Limited received a licence to commence operations as a general insurer.
- IRDAI initiated steps to align its regulatory framework with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025.
- The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, was notified on December 21, 2025, and came into effect on February 5, 2026.
- The new legislation introduces amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, and the IRDA Act, 1999.
- IRDAI granted in-principle approval for drafting and publishing regulations for stakeholder consultation to fast-track reforms under the new law.
- IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
- The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
- IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
- Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
- Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.
- 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.
- A.V. Girija Kumar, former Chairman and Managing Director of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., was appointed Chairman of the reconstituted Reinsurance Advisory Committee (RAC) by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
- The reconstituted RAC includes Praveen Vashishta, former CEO and Managing Director of Howden Insurance Brokers India Pvt. Ltd.; Roopam Asthana, former CEO of Liberty General Insurance; and T.L. Alamelu, former Whole-Time Member of IRDAI.
- The committee has been constituted for a tenure of three years under Section 101B of the Insurance Act, 1938.
- The Deputy General Manager (Reinsurance) at IRDAI will function as Secretary to the RAC.
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) mandates Ind AS accounting for all insurers from 1 April 2026
[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India]
Key Updates:
- IRDAI approved the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
- All insurers — life, general, stand-alone health insurers and reinsurers — must prepare financial statements under Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) effective 1 April 2026.
- Parallel reporting under Ind AS and the existing accounting framework will continue for two years or as specified by IRDAI.
- Insurers unable to shift immediately may receive a one-year forbearance, during which they must still submit Ind AS-based information to IRDAI.
- The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) welcomed the adoption and pledged support to insurers and professionals.
Similar Coverage
- Alwar has become the first district in India to achieve 100% insurance coverage under the central government's Insurance for All by 2047 roadmap.
- The roadmap is a joint initiative of the Government of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a statutory body under the Ministry of Finance.
- The achievement is part of the national vision of Secure India–Insured India at the grassroots level.
- A total of 1,367 uninsured individuals over the age of 10 from nine villages were brought under coverage following systematic door-to-door surveys.
- The nine villages formally declared as fully insured are Bhulla Ka Bas, Bichpuri, Palankheda, Antapada, Hanumanta, Kalyanpura, Morodkhurd, Kodalka, and Lalpur.
- Insurance policies for the beneficiaries were issued by the government-owned United India Insurance Company Ltd.
- The insurance premiums for all eligible adults in the nine villages were funded by a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to ensure coverage without financial burden.
- The Telangana government announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to provide a life insurance cover of ₹5 lakh to every family in the state.
- The scheme is scheduled to come into force from 2 June 2026 and will cover 1 crore 15 lakh families regardless of their economic background.
- The state government will introduce digital health cards for the citizens of Telangana to provide quality healthcare services.
- The health department budget has been increased by 10.3 per cent to ₹13,679 crore for the 2026-27 financial year from ₹12,393 crore in 2025-26.
- The Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) will be transformed from a grant-in-aid institution into a full-fledged government secondary healthcare department.
- The government sanctioned retirement benefits of ₹2 lakh for Anganwadi teachers and ₹1 lakh for helpers upon voluntary retirement at the age of 60 years.
- An amount of ₹3,662.81 crore has been allocated to the Director of Medical Education, while ₹1,844.04 crore is earmarked for the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare.
- The budget for public health services under the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare is set at ₹1,183.56 crore to cover primary healthcare and disease control programmes.
- The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) approved certificates of registration for two insurance entities during its 134th Authority meeting held on March 9, 2026.
- Allianz Jio Reinsurance Limited was granted approval to operate as a reinsurer in India.
- Kiwi General Insurance Limited received a licence to commence operations as a general insurer.
- IRDAI initiated steps to align its regulatory framework with the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Act, 2025.
- The Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act, 2025, was notified on December 21, 2025, and came into effect on February 5, 2026.
- The new legislation introduces amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, and the IRDA Act, 1999.
- IRDAI granted in-principle approval for drafting and publishing regulations for stakeholder consultation to fast-track reforms under the new law.
- IRDAI has released a consultation paper proposing mandatory adoption of Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) for all insurers effective April 1, 2026.
- The move would bring life insurers, general insurers, health insurers, and reinsurers under a globally aligned financial reporting framework converged with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
- The new standards introduce market-consistent liability valuation, expected credit loss methodology, and different underwriting performance from investment returns.
- IRDAI has been preparing the sector since 2022 through mandatory gap assessments, training programmes, and phased submission of Ind AS-compliant proforma financial statements.
- Most major insurers have already submitted proforma statements for FY 2023–24 and FY 2024–25.
- Stakeholders have until March 24, 2026 to submit feedback to IRDAI.
MSRTC rolls out NCMC smart card for digital, hassle-free bus travel
[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)]
Key Updates:
- Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) launched the NCMC smart card for digital ticketing and concession access.
- The launch was inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.
- NCMC smart cards linked to Aadhaar will be issued to students, senior citizens, divyang persons with disabilities, women, and other concession holders.
- Registration and distribution of the cards will be carried out at all depots and bus stations across Maharashtra, with around 3,000 authorised centres facilitating the process.
- Passengers can use the cards for wallet-based payments, with a minimum top-up of Rs 100.
- Recharge options will be available through ETIM machines on buses, the official website, mobile app, and authorised agents.
- The cost of the NCMC smart card has been fixed at Rs 199.
Similar Coverage
- PhonePe has launched the RuPay On-The-Go Card, a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), to enable offline tap-and-pay transactions across public transport services.
- The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s One Nation One Card vision to digitise public transport payments through a unified mobility platform.
- The card functions without internet connectivity using a prepaid stored-value model where the balance is stored directly on the card’s chip.
- Users can load a maximum balance of ₹2,000 on the card, with a limit of ₹500 for individual offline transactions.
- The initial rollout has commenced with the Hyderabad Metro in partnership with L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL).
- The card is fully interoperable and can be used across NCMC-enabled public transport systems in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
- Commuters can purchase the card at Hyderabad Metro ticket counters after a one-time password verification of their phone number.
- The card supports transactions across various NCMC-enabled services including metros, buses, suburban trains, toll plazas, and parking facilities.
- South Central Railway (SCR) launched the Rail Parcel Logistics app on Wednesday during a conclave at Rail Nilayam.
- The app offers end-to-end parcel booking, doorstep pickup and delivery, real-time consignment tracking, automated transit updates, and secure multi-mode digital payments.
- Pilot rollout covers Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
- SCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) to conduct demand forecasting, competitiveness analysis, and infrastructure assessment for a long-term freight logistics strategy targeting national freight loading goals by 2030.
- NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) signed an agreement with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet) to enable QR-based merchant payments between India and Malaysia.
- Indian travellers will scan DuitNow QR codes using UPI-enabled apps during the first phase of the rollout.
- Malaysian travellers will scan UPI QR codes using DuitNow apps in a subsequent phase.
- The integration will give Indian users access to millions of DuitNow QR acceptance points across Malaysia, including restaurants, retail outlets and tourist establishments.
- Malaysian visitors will gain acceptance across millions of UPI QR-enabled merchant locations in India.
- NPCI International Payments was incorporated in April 2020 as a wholly owned subsidiary of NPCI to deploy UPI and RuPay systems overseas.
- Ministry of Railways (MoR) will discontinue the UTS mobile app from 1 March 2026.
- Passengers must migrate to the RailOne super app launched in 2025.
- RailOne supports existing UTS and RailConnect login credentials.
- Users booking unreserved tickets via RailOne receive a 3% discount on all digital payment modes from 14 January 2026 to 14 July 2026.
- The 3% R-wallet cashback for unreserved tickets continues unchanged.
Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): Centre Approves 29 Projects with ₹7,104 Crore Investment
[Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)]
Key Updates:
- The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) approved 29 new applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) involving an investment of ₹7,104 crore.
- The approved projects have the potential to produce goods worth ₹84,515 crore and generate employment for 14,246 persons.
- The initiative marks the first-ever manufacturing of surface-mount device (SMD) passives, including Tantalum polymer capacitors, and rare-earth magnets from rare-earth oxides in India.
- Major investment commitments include Dixon Display (₹1,100 crore), Lohum Cleantech (₹700 crore), Indo-MIM (₹592 crore), ASM Technologies (₹565 crore), Syrma (₹385 crore), and Ratnaveer Precision (₹338 crore).
- Other approved companies include Wangda Technologies (₹250 crore), Vishay Components (₹225 crore), OEN India (₹216 crore), BG Electrical (₹195 crore), Titan Engineering (₹192 crore), Bharat FIH Limited (₹192 crore), Terminal Technologies (₹175 crore), and Nest Advanced Technology (₹102 crore).
- Additional participants include SFO Technologies (₹82 crore), Molex (₹70 crore), TDK India (₹67 crore), Vishay Precision (₹65 crore), Permanent Magnets Limited (₹62 crore), VVDN Technologies (₹50 crore), Amphenol (₹50 crore), and Dhruv Industries (₹18 crore).
- The ECMS was approved in April 2025 with an initial financial outlay of ₹22,919 crore, which was increased to ₹40,000 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.
- Under the programme, the government has approved total projects worth ₹61,671 crore against an initial target of ₹59,350 crore.
- The total production potential of all projects approved under ECMS to date is ₹4.51 lakh crore with an employment potential for 65,040 individuals.
Similar Coverage
- Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 22 proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with projected investments of Rs 41,863 crore and estimated production of Rs 2.58 lakh crore.
- The approved proposals include applications from Dixon, Samsung Display Noida Pvt Ltd, Foxconn’s Yuzhan Technology India Pvt Ltd, Hindalco Industries, Tata Electronics, Amara Raja-ATL, Motherson and Vital Electronics, among others.
- Together, the projects are expected to generate 33,791 direct jobs.
- The Union Cabinet approved the scheme in March 2025 with an outlay of Rs 22,919 crore as part of the government’s broader push to make India self-reliant in electronics manufacturing and reach $500 billion in electronics production by 2030-31.
- The Maharashtra cabinet approved Rs4,775 crore for the completion of the long-pending Bembla river project in Yavatmal district.
- Once completed, the scheme is expected to bring irrigation to 58,768ha of cultivable land across Ner, Babhulgaon, Kalamb, Ralegaon and Maregaon talukas of Yavatmal district.
- An allocation of Rs89.32 crore was approved for the rehabilitation of Mouza Dhamak village in Amravati district.
- The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has approved 22 new proposals, including from Dixon Technologies, Samsung Display Noida, Foxconn, and Hindalco Industries, under the third tranche of the ambitious Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS).
- The newly approved projects under the ECMS involve a projected investment of ₹41,863-crore and a production value of ₹2,58,152-crore.
- The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government had notified the ECMS on April 8, 2025, with an outlay of ₹22,919 crore.
- These new approved projects are expected to generate 33,791 jobs directly.
- The projects span eight states -- Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan -- aligned with the Centre's vision on ensuring 'geographically-balanced' industrial growth.
- The ECMS will run for six years, with one year as a gestation period, and offers investment, turnover-linked, and capital expenditure (capex)-linked incentives across sub-assemblies, supply chain ecosystem, and telecom sub-assembly.
- The scheme aims to develop a robust component manufacturing ecosystem to increase domestic value addition (DVA) and increase India’s share of exports in global electronic trade.
- Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) operationalised PAIMANA (Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation-building) portal to monitor central sector infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above, replacing OCMS-2006.
- As of December 2025, 1,392 ongoing projects with a revised cost of Rs 35.10 lakh crore are reported on PAIMANA portal.
- Cumulative cost overrun for these projects is Rs 5.42 lakh crore, with revised cost at Rs 35,10,920 crore against original cost of Rs 29,68,248 crore.
- Out of 1,392 projects, 585 are 'mega' projects (Rs 1,000 crore and above) with revised cost of Rs 31.44 lakh crore, and 807 are 'major' projects (Rs 150 crore to Rs 1,000 crore) amounting to Rs 3.66 lakh crore.
- Transport & Logistics sector accounts for 896 projects with revised estimates of Rs 17.70 lakh crore.
- 469 projects have achieved over 80 percent physical progress and 221 projects have crossed 80 percent financial completion.
- PAIMANA is integrated with DPIIT's Integrated Project Monitoring Portal (IPMP/IIG-PMG), enabling automatic information sharing and reducing manual data entry with about 60 percent of projects updated automatically.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA sign MoU to formalise Aircraft Maintenance Engineer education
[Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya]
Key Updates:
- Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya signed an MoU with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in the presence of Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday.
- The partnership focuses on formalising the education of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) to meet global standards.
- The MoU aims to resolve professional bottlenecks faced by maintenance staff who possess high-level skills but lack formal degrees.
- The university will provide the curriculum and degree certificates to AMEs trained through DGCA-approved organisations.
- The Cabinet recently approved an additional Rs 28,000 crore for the UDAN scheme to boost regional connectivity and helicopter operations.
- India has 1,700 aircraft on order, double the current fleet, and will require 10,000 to 12,000 additional pilots over the next decade.
Similar Coverage
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy three Qualified Flight Instructors (QFI) to Royal Air Force (RAF) Valley under an agreement reached at the 19th UK-India Air Staff Talks in New Delhi.
- The deployment marks the first time Indian QFIs will impart fast jet training to British pilots at RAF Valley and will initially last for two years.
- IAF instructors will instruct on the BAE Hawk T2 or Texan T1 aircraft while remaining under IAF command and working for RAF commanders on instructional duties.
- An agreement on cooperation in military training was signed between the UK and India during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai in October 2025.
- The development follows the maiden deployment in January 2026 of an IAF officer as an instructor to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
- Indian officers now serve as instructors at all three British military academies: Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth (Indian Navy officer since May 2024), Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Indian Army officer since May 2025), and Royal Air Force College Cranwell (IAF officer since January 2026).
- The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed a Flexible Memorandum of Understanding (Flexi-MoU) with Bajaj Auto Ltd. to provide industry-integrated training in advanced automotive manufacturing.
- Bajaj Auto will conduct the training at its manufacturing facilities located in Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
- The programme aims to enrol 1,000 trainees in the first year, with structured training durations lasting up to 24 months.
- The initiative is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF), and successful candidates will be awarded a National Trade Certificate (NTC).
- The Flexi-MoU Scheme requires industry partners to ensure the placement of at least 50 per cent of the trained candidates.
- The agreement between DGT and Bajaj Auto is valid for 10 years and includes industry-led practical assessments and DGT-conducted computer-based theory exams.
- 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.
- Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) signed an MoU with GATI Foundation on 13 March 2026 to strengthen overseas workforce mobility.
- The MoU was signed in the presence of Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, and Shri Niranjan Kumar Sudhansu, Additional Secretary, MSDE.
- This is the first Central government partnership for the GATI Foundation.
- The partnership aims to align national skilling priorities with state-level implementation for overseas employment pathways.
- Arnab Bhattacharya, CEO, GATI Foundation, stated the goal is to accelerate India’s journey toward becoming the global skills capital by 2047.
Energy Statistics India 2026 released by National Statistics Office (NSO)
[National Statistical Office]
Key Updates:
- The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released the 33rd edition of 'Energy Statistics India 2026' on 30 March 2026.
- The publication integrates data on reserve, capacity, production, consumption, and import/export of all energy commodities including Coal, Lignite, Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Renewable Energy.
- New additions include credit flow to domestic energy sectors, world energy statistics, consumption of domestic coal through e-auction, imported non-coking coal, sub-sectoral electricity consumption under industry from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), industry-wise HSD distribution through retail/reseller, and international aviation and marine bunker data for the first time.
- Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) for FY 2024-25 grew by 2.95% to 9,32,816 KToe.
- India’s renewable energy potential reached 47,04,043 Megawatt as on 31 March 2025, with solar energy at 33,43,378 Megawatt (71% share), wind at 11,63,856 Megawatt, and large hydro at 1,33,410 Megawatt.
- Rajasthan (23.70%), Maharashtra (14.26%), Gujarat (9.10%), Andhra Pradesh (9.1%), Karnataka (8.59%), and Madhya Pradesh (8.09%) together account for over 70% of the total renewable energy potential.
- Installed renewable electricity capacity rose from 90,134 Megawatt on 31 March 2016 to 2,29,346 Megawatt on 31 March 2025, recording a CAGR of 10.93%.
- Gross electricity generation from renewables increased from 1,89,314 GWh in FY 2015-16 to 4,16,823 GWh in FY 2024-25, a CAGR of 9.17%.
- Per-capita energy consumption grew from 15,296 Mega Joule/person in FY 2015-16 to 18,096 Mega Joule/person in FY 2024-25, a CAGR of 1.89%.
- Transmission and distribution losses reduced from about 22% in FY 2015-16 to about 17% in FY 2024-25.
- Coal (including lignite) remained the dominant energy source, with supply rising from 3,87,761 Ktoe in FY 2015-16 to 5,52,315 Ktoe in FY 2024-25.
- Total Final Consumption (TFC) of energy increased by 30.41% from 4,69,212 Ktoe in FY 2015-16 to 6,08,578 Ktoe in FY 2024-25.
- Credit flow to the energy sector expanded over six-fold from ₹1,688 crore in 2021 to ₹10,325 crore in 2025.
Similar Coverage
- The Union Cabinet approved India’s 2035 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- The NDC targets raising the share of non-fossil fuel sources to 60% of total electricity generation capacity by 2035.
- It aims to reduce the emissions intensity of India’s economy by 47% from 2005 levels by 2035.
- It seeks to increase India’s nature-based carbon sink to 3.5–4.0 billion tons by 2035.
- The Cabinet considered the first Global Stocktake (GST), the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), and equity while finalising the targets.
- Non-fossil fuels already account for 52% of India’s electricity generation capacity and emissions intensity is 36% below 2005 levels.
- The NDC lists eight goals including climate-resilient infrastructure, clean economic development, Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), green finance, and capacity building & innovation.
- The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Carbon Brief reported India’s CO₂ emissions grew only 0.7% in 2025, the lowest in two decades.
- Clean energy subsidies have driven a fivefold rise in renewable energy capacity since 2014.
- The Central Electricity Authority has set a domestic target of 70% non-fossil fuel capacity by 2035.
- The maiden Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concluded at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with over 35,000 exhibition attendees, 28 States/Union Territories, 200+ exhibiting companies including 80+ Start-ups, 6,000+ delegates, 300+ speakers, and 100+ conference sessions.
- India has crossed over 50% non-fossil fuel capacity and targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
- Union Power Minister Manohar Lal announced that the next edition of BES will be held in 2028 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Three reports were released: Rating Regulatory Performance of States and Union Territories 2025 by Power Foundation of India; Ash Generation and Utilisation at coal/lignite-based Grid Connected thermal power stations for 2024-25 by Central Electricity Authority (CEA); and Establishing a Sodium-ion Battery Ecosystem in India by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
- Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan emerged as the strongest performers in the market enablers dimension of the Indian States’ Electricity Transition (SET) report.
- The report was released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember.
- The SET report assessed 21 states that account for 95% of India’s power demand.
- Karnataka remained the top performer in the decarbonisation dimension.
- Chhattisgarh recorded a negligible power supply shortage of 0.07% in FY25.
- Bihar recorded the best improvement in smart meter deployment with 78% of its sanctioned meters installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) as of March 2025.
- Central Electricity Authority (CEA) report released on 19 March 2026 at Bharat Electricity Summit projects India’s installed power generation capacity at 1,121 GW by 2035-36.
- Non-fossil fuel sources are projected to contribute 786 GW, accounting for 70% of total installed capacity.
- Solar sector is projected to contribute 509 GW, coal 315 GW, wind 155 GW, large hydro 77 GW, nuclear 22 GW, gas 20 GW, biomass 16 GW, and small hydro 6 GW.
- As of 31 January 2026, India’s installed capacity stood at 520.5 GW with 52% from non-fossil sources.
- During FY 2025-26 (till 31 January 2026), 52.5 GW capacity was added, including 43 GW from renewable energy.
- Peak electricity demand is projected to grow at 5.58% CAGR to reach 459 GW by 2035-36.
- Total electricity requirement is projected to grow at 6.41% annually to 3,365 billion units by 2035-36.
- Energy storage capacity of 174 GW / 888 GWh is envisaged, including 80 GW / 321 GWh of battery energy storage systems and 94 GW / 567 GWh of pumped storage projects.
Thailand to host 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok
[Thailand, International Monetary Fund, World Bank]
Key Updates:
- Thailand will host the IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings in October 2026, its second time after 1991.
- The Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok is the official venue.
- Over 15,000 participants from 191 countries are expected to attend.
- Thailand’s official theme is 'Thailand's New Horizons: Empowering People, Building Resilience'.
- The Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Thailand form the 'Thailand Planning Team' organising the event.
- Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the IMF, visited Thailand in early March 2026.
- The Ministry of Finance will recruit 200 student volunteers to support the meetings.
Similar Coverage
- India will host the 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter-Terrorism (CT) in New Delhi from January 14 to 16, 2026.
- The 16th EWG on Counter-Terrorism will be co-chaired by India and Malaysia.
- Participation will include 11 ASEAN member states, 7 ADMM-Plus dialogue partners (Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, United States and Russia), and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.
- Malaysia will host the Table Top Exercise (TTX) in 2026 and India will conduct the Field Training Exercise (FTX) in 2027.
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) will convene its 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) from March 26 to 29, 2026, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- The Ministerial Conference (MC) is the highest decision-making body of the WTO and generally meets once every two years to decide on WTO law.
- A total of 166 WTO member countries are expected to participate in the conference to deliberate on global trade rules.
- Key agenda items include the potential incorporation of plurilateral agreements, such as the Investment Facilitation for Development and the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, into the WTO rulebook.
- The conference will address the e-commerce moratorium, an agreement not to impose tariffs on electronic transmissions, which is scheduled to expire on March 31.
- Members will discuss Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) for developing countries and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to provide special rights based on economic standing.
- The United States (U.S.) has proposed prohibiting larger economies, including India, China, Brazil, and Indonesia, from accessing SDT special rights.
- The conference aims to address the paralysis of the WTO dispute settlement system caused by the lack of appointments to the Appellate Body.
- Since its establishment in 1995, the WTO has successfully created only two new major agreements: the Trade Facilitation Agreement and the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
- India co-chaired the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts Working Group (EWG) on Counter Terrorism with Malaysia.
- The meeting was addressed by Amitabh Prasad, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), Ministry of Defence.
- India highlighted its Act East Policy and ASEAN's centrality in its Indo-Pacific vision.
- India and Malaysia launched the current cycle of the 14th EWG meeting last year in Delhi.
- A tabletop exercise will be hosted by Malaysia in 2026 and a field training exercise by India in 2027.
- The 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting concluded in Davos on 23 January 2026.
- U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the agenda with his claim to Greenland, prompting strong European resistance.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew in for talks as a U.S.–Russia discussion on Ukraine continued; Russian Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev held talks at the USA House, the first Russian official to visit Davos since 2022.
- U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a panel that global oil production needs to more than double to meet rising energy demand and criticised Europe and California for overspending on green energy.
- Elon Musk stated the U.S. could meet all electricity needs via solar from a small area of Utah, Nevada or New Mexico but noted high tariff barriers hamper deployment.
- Trump discussed a secret sonic weapon allegedly used in the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro and predicted increased U.S. and European defence spending.
Spain bars US warplanes involved in Iran war from its airspace and bases
[Spain, United States, Iran]
Key Updates:
- Spain has closed its airspace to United States (US) aircraft participating in attacks on Iran.
- Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that Madrid will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota military bases for any acts related to the war in Iran.
- Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said the decision aims to avoid encouraging escalation in the war.
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described US and Israeli attacks on Iran as reckless and illegal.
- Spain denied every US flight plan related to operations in Iran, including those of refuelling aircraft.
- US bombers involved in Iran operations are stationed at RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom (UK).
- Aircraft must bypass Spanish airspace by flying over the eastern Atlantic or France.
- Spanish newspaper El País reported that US aircraft may transit or land in Spain only in emergencies.
- The Iranian embassy in Spain indicated Tehran would consider Spanish transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz due to Spain’s commitment to international law.
- Around 20% of global oil supply normally transits the Strait of Hormuz.
Similar Coverage
- The United States (US) and Israel initiated a military conflict against Iran on 28 February 2026.
- United States President Donald Trump proposed a 15-point peace plan delivered to Iran via Pakistan, suggesting a one-month ceasefire.
- The plan mandates the dismantling of Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
- The proposal requires Iran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
- The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping at the start of the conflict, later permitting passage for Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese-flagged vessels.
- Brent crude oil prices rose from a pre-war benchmark of approximately $65 to over $100 per barrel during the hostilities.
- Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026.
- The Bushehr civil nuclear plant, located 750 kilometres south of Tehran, is the only commercial nuclear power facility in Iran.
- The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the 2015 nuclear agreement from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
- The 15-point plan includes the removal of sanctions and the ending of the United Nations (UN) mechanism for reimposing them.
- The Iranian health ministry reported 1,500 fatalities and 18,551 injuries in Iran as of 25 March 2026.
- Ukraine and Qatar signed a 10-year mutually beneficial partnership agreement in the defence sector during a meeting in Doha.
- The agreement between Ukraine and Qatar includes collaboration in technological fields, development of joint projects, defence investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
- The pact provides for joint defence industry projects, the establishment of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies.
- Ukraine signed an air defence agreement with Saudi Arabia to support the kingdom in countering drone-related threats.
- Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence, specifically regarding drone responses.
- Ukraine has deployed anti-drone specialists to Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to leverage its experience in countering aerial threats.
- Ukraine proposed swapping its drone interceptors for air-defence missiles used by Gulf nations to counter missile strikes.
- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General created a Task Force led by Under-Secretary-General Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
- The Task Force includes representatives from United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), International Maritime Organization (IMO), and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).
- The mechanism aims to facilitate fertilizer trade and related raw materials movement through the Strait of Hormuz.
- The initiative draws on previous UN mechanisms: UN Verification, Inspection and Monitoring Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM), Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), and UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza.
- Panama Canal Authority (PCA) administrator Ricaurte Vasquez stated the canal is operating at top capacity with 36-38 vessels transiting daily.
- The waterway will offer one LNG tanker slot per day, up from four per month, due to increased U.S. LNG demand triggered by the Iran war.
- The Strait of Hormuz, vital for Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain energy exports, has been closed, prompting shippers to seek the Panama route.
- A March-September maintenance programme will not affect traffic, and seasonal low container-ship demand from Asia frees additional slots for energy tankers.
India signs Rs 1,950 crore deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for two mountain radars for Indian Air Force
[Bharat Electronics Limited]
Key Updates:
- 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.
Similar Coverage
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed an MoU with SASMOS HET Technologies Limited to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.
- The MoU was exchanged between BEL chairman and managing director Manoj Jain and SASMOS chairman and managing director H G Chandrashekar in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- The collaboration will focus on localising critical components, increasing domestic value addition and strengthening production capabilities as well as exports.
- The MoU covers high-reliability photonics and fibre optic systems, avionics and mission-critical electronic systems, aerospace-grade interconnect solutions, electro-mechanical assemblies and sub-systems for airborne, naval and land-based platforms.
- The partnership aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and defence supply chains.
- BEL shares ended trading 2% higher at ₹469.60 on the NSE and have given a YTD return of 18%.
- Indian Army executed its first capital procurement contract through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
- Contract covers supply of 93 Telescopic Handlers under Buy (Indian) category.
- Contract signed with M/s JCB India Ltd at total cost of Rs 25.90 Cr.
- Procurement aims to compress timelines while maintaining procedural integrity.
- Move reinforces Government’s push towards Aatmanirbharta in defence and promotes Indian industry participation.
- GeM portal was developed in five months based on recommendations of a Group of Secretaries.
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth a total of Rs 858 crore to enhance the air and maritime defence capabilities of India.
- A contract valued at Rs 445 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russia, for the Tunguska Air Defence Missile System.
- The Tunguska system is intended to strengthen multi-layered air defence against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles.
- A maintenance contract worth Rs 413 crore was executed with Boeing India Defense Pvt Ltd for the P8I Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft.
- The P8I aircraft contract involves 100% indigenous content for depot-level maintenance to ensure in-country upkeep for the Indian Navy.
- The agreements were signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
- The P8I maintenance initiative aligns with the Make-in-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat programmes of the government.
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighter jets from France under an inter-governmental deal for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Of the 114 jets, 90 will be manufactured in India with close to 50 per cent indigenous content.
- The DAC also cleared the procurement of six additional P-8I maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft from the United States for the Indian Navy.
- Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for multiple proposals worth an estimated Rs 3.60 lakh crore by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
- The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafales, and the Indian Navy will induct 26 Rafale M aircraft for carrier operations.
- The P-8I aircraft will be procured in a fly-away condition with no offsets, technology transfer, or other obligations.
- AoNs were also granted for Combat Missiles, Air-Ship Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (AS-HAPS), 4 MW Marine Gas Turbine based Electric Power Generator, Anti-Tank Mines (Vibhav), and overhaul of Vehicle Platforms of Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs), T-72 Tanks and Infantry Combat Vehicles (BMP-II).
- The DAC also accorded AoN for procurement of Electro-Optical/Infra-Red system for Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers delivers three warships to Indian Navy
[Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers]
Key Updates:
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered three frontline platforms to the Indian Navy.
- The delivered vessels include the guided missile frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and the anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft INS Agray.
- INS 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.
- INS Dunagiri is equipped with BrahMos anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles and an integrated combat management system for multi-dimensional operations.
- INS Sanshodhak is the last of four large survey vessels built by GRSE and is equipped for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys.
- INS 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.
Similar Coverage
- The Indian Navy has begun work on a new base in Haldia, West Bengal, close to Bangladesh.
- The base will be a detachment for small warships like the Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) and the New Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (NWJFAC).
- The Defence Acquisition Council cleared the Navy's request for 120 FICs and 31 NWJFACs in 2024.
- The FICs are about 100 tonnes, have a speed of 45 knots, and are armed with machine-guns.
- The Haldia base will help keep an eye on activities in Bangladesh.
- In November, the Pakistan Navy sent PNS Saif, a Chinese-built guided missile frigate, to Bangladesh.
- Two-star level staff talks between the navies of Pakistan and Bangladesh were held for the first time in November.
- China handed over two submarines to the Bangladesh Navy and is completing a submarine base off Chittagong.
- The Indian Navy inducted 'Agray', the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) on 30 March 2026.
- 'Agray' is designed for shallow coastal waters and carries over 80% indigenous content under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- The vessel uses waterjet propulsion, making it the largest Indian naval warship with this technology.
- It is equipped with Lightweight Torpedoes, Indigenous Rocket Launchers, and advanced shallow water SONAR systems.
- The ASW SWCs are built in compliance with classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- 'Agray' is the fourth of eight ASW SWCs planned under the programme to enhance coastal defence in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered the stealth frigate Dunagiri (Yard 3023) to the Indian Navy on 31 March 2026.
- Dunagiri is the fifth Nilgiri-class frigate built under Project 17A and was constructed in 80 months compared to 93 months for the first ship of the class.
- The warship is equipped with BrahMos supersonic surface-to-surface missile, MF-STAR radar, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), 76 mm Super Rapid Gun Mount, and close-in weapon systems.
- Dunagiri uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system with Controllable Pitch Propellers and an Integrated Platform Management System.
- The frigate attains 75% indigenous content and its construction involved over 200 MSMEs, generating direct employment for about 4,000 personnel and indirect employment for more than 10,000 personnel.
- Designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the vessel was built using the Integrated Construction philosophy under supervision of the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata).
- Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron embarks on a long-range deployment to Southeast Asia, combining officer training with port calls, joint exercises and maritime diplomacy under India’s Act East Policy.
- Three naval ships and an ICG vessel of the Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron will be part of the long range training deployment to South East Asia.
- The ships of the First Training Squadron (1TS) of the Indian Navy — INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship Sarathi — will be proceeding on an LRTD to South East Asia as part of a training curriculum of the 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course (IOTC).
- The squadron is scheduled to undertake port calls at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
- The 110th Integrated Officers’ Training Course includes six international officer trainees.
- Personnel from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force have also embarked for the deployment.
NAAC accreditation freeze for 2024-2025 academic year
[National Assessment and Accreditation Council]
Key Updates:
- No university or college received fresh accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) during the 2024-2025 academic year.
- NAAC had accredited 1,790 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the 2023-2024 academic year.
- NAAC received accreditation requests from 2,300 institutions for 2024-2025.
- As of 14 August 2025, NAAC had accredited 509 universities, 7,783 colleges, and 290 autonomous colleges.
- This represents less than 20% of about 50,000 colleges and roughly 40% of 1,170 universities in the country.
- The Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill proposes a new Accreditation Council to oversee state agencies, replacing the Bengaluru-based NAAC monopoly.
- Ten NAAC members were arrested in February 2025 after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into bribery allegations for granting A++ accreditation to the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh.
- A senior education official stated that the revamped accreditation process is expected to restart within a couple of months.
Similar Coverage
- The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is likely to be granted deemed-to-be-university status by the end of January.
- Once accorded the status, NCERT will be able to initiate expanded in-house research programmes and function as a full-fledged research university.
- Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the decision to transform NCERT into a deemed university in 2023.
- The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has launched the National Olympic Education and Development Programme (NOEDP) and formally revived the National Olympic Academy (NOA).
- PT Usha, IOA chief, was confirmed as president of the National Olympic Academy.
- Olympic medallist and IOA vice president Gagan Narang was appointed director of the academy.
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration of 35 NBFCs including Satya Prakash Capital Investment Limited and Sunlife Securities Private Limited for regulatory non-compliance.
- The cancellations were effective between December 9, 2025, and December 31, 2025, under Section 45-IA(6) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
- The affected companies are no longer permitted to carry out the business of non-banking financial institutions.
- 16 NBFCs voluntarily surrendered their Certificate of Registration to RBI leading to its cancellation for reasons including exit from NBFC business, meeting criteria for unregistered Core Investment Companies (CICs), and ceasing to be a legal entity due to merger, amalgamation, dissolution, or voluntary strike-off.
- According to data shared by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in the Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students travelling overseas for higher education fell from 9.08 lakh in 2023 to 6.26 lakh in 2025.
- The Bureau of Immigration under the Union Home Ministry recorded 7.7 lakh students going abroad in 2024, representing a cumulative decline of nearly 31 per cent over the three-year period.
- Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar cited affordability, access to bank loans, and aptitude for specific disciplines as key determinants for overseas study decisions.
- Major study destinations including the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia have implemented tighter immigration rules, higher financial proof requirements, and caps on certain visa categories.
- The MoE linked the decline to domestic strengthening of higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on infrastructure, accreditation, and research.
- A total of 14 foreign institutions have received approval to set up campuses in India, while five overseas universities have been cleared to operate in GIFT City, Gujarat.
- The University of Surrey is among the international institutions that have announced plans to establish a physical presence in India.
- Indian students are increasingly diversifying to alternative destinations such as Germany, Ireland, and France due to lower tuition costs and clearer post-study work frameworks.