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Sunday, May 03

Daily Current Affairs: 3 May 2026

Analysis for 03 May 2026

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announces 98.47% of Rs 2,000 notes returned since withdrawal announcement

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) stated that 98.47% of Rs 2,000 denomination banknotes in circulation as on May 19, 2023 have been returned as of April 30, 2026.
  • The withdrawal of Rs 2,000 notes from circulation was announced on May 19, 2023 as part of currency management.
  • The total value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation stood at Rs 3.56 lakh crore at the close of business on May 19, 2023.
  • The value of Rs 2,000 banknotes in circulation declined to Rs 5,451 crore at the close of business on April 30, 2026.
  • RBI clarified that Rs 2,000 banknotes continue to remain legal tender.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows banking system CASA ratio drops to 37.9% in December 2025 quarter. (Start of April) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data placed the banking system’s CASA ratio at a two-year low of 37.9% in December 2025 quarter against 40.1% in December 2023 quarter.
  • Savings account share within total deposits fell 210 basis points to 28.9%.
  • Aggregate bank deposits rose 10% year-on-year to ₹239.8 lakh crore by December 2025, slower than the 11% growth in the year-earlier quarter.
  • Savings account balances grew 8% year-on-year to ₹69.4 lakh crore in December 2025 quarter, up from 5% growth a year earlier.
  • Current account deposits expanded 10% to ₹21.4 lakh crore in December 2025 quarter versus 9% growth in December 2024 quarter.
  • Certificates of deposit issuances by banks hit a record ₹15.5 lakh crore in FY26, marking a 17% year-on-year increase.
  • Credit-deposit ratio touched an all-time high of 83.0% driven by seasonal tax-related deposit outflows.
  • Total bank credit stood at ₹207.7 lakh crore as of 15 March 2026, recording 13.5% year-on-year growth compared with 11.1% a year earlier.
  • Aggregate bank deposits reached ₹250.1 lakh crore, rising 10.8% year-on-year, up from 10.2% growth in the previous year.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues Master Direction on Facility for Exchange of Notes and Coins (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the Master Direction – Facility for Exchange of Notes and Coins on April 01, 2026.
  • The guidelines were issued under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, for providing note and coin exchange facilities to the public.
  • The consolidated Master Direction aims to ensure uniform implementation by banks across the country by bringing all existing instructions into a single reference document.
  • All previous circulars and master directions on the subject of note and coin exchange facilities stand withdrawn from the date of issuance.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) injects ₹48,014 crore via 7-day VRR auction (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) infused ₹48,014 crore into the banking system through a seven-day variable rate repo (VRR) auction.
  • The funds were injected at a cut-off and weighted average rate of 5.26 per cent.
  • The auction amount was significantly lower than the notified ₹1.50 lakh crore.
  • Surplus liquidity in the banking system dropped to around ₹75,483.63 crore as of March 16 from ₹2.08 lakh crore on March 15 due to advance tax outflows.
  • Since January 2026, the RBI has infused ₹3.50 lakh crore of durable liquidity through open market purchases (OMO) of government securities.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) caps banks’ daily net open forex exposure at $100 million. (Start of April) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) instructed banks to limit their net open exposure to the currency in the foreign exchange market to $100 million by the end of each day.
  • The new cap must be complied with by April 10.
  • Previously, banks could hold net open positions up to 25 per cent of their total capital.
  • India’s forex reserves have fallen by over $30 billion, to $698.34 billion, since the West Asia conflict began.
  • The RBI has used dollars from its forex kitty to stabilise the rupee, which breached 95-per-dollar.

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) retains India on Special 301 priority watch list

[United States Trade Representative]

Key Updates:

  • USTR retained India on its Special 301 priority watch list, along with China, Russia, Indonesia, Chile, and Venezuela.
  • Vietnam was designated as a Priority Foreign Country, the first such designation in 13 years, and USTR will decide on a Section 301 investigation within 30 days.
  • Argentina was removed from the priority watch list, while the European Union was added to the watch list.
  • USTR criticised India's patent regime, weak enforcement of copyrights and trademarks, and high customs duties on IP-intensive products such as ICT, solar energy equipment, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods.
  • USTR stated that India remains 'one of the world's most challenging major economies' with respect to the protection and enforcement of intellectual property.

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Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme Launched with ₹497 Crore Outlay (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Government of India introduced the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) scheme with a total budget outlay of ₹497 crore.
  • The Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC) will implement the scheme to support exporters affected by disruptions from the West Asia conflict.
  • The RELIEF scheme covers export consignments to approximately 17 countries where global reinsurers have reduced coverage, including routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • The scheme provides enhanced insurance coverage of up to 100% for losses in eligible cases, compared to the standard 70-80% risk cover currently provided by the ECGC.
  • The package includes automatic extensions of export obligations and logistical support to assist smaller exporters facing high freight rates and limited working capital.
  • The intervention applies to both shipments already dispatched during the disruption window and upcoming exports.
India slashes Chabahar Port aid to zero in Union Budget 2026-27 (Start of February) ▼
  • Union Budget 2026-27 allocated ₹0 to Iran’s Chabahar Port, down from ₹400 crore in FY 2024-25 and ₹100 crore initially in FY 2025-26.
  • US sanctions on Iran and a potential 25% tariff warning from the Trump administration influenced the funding pause.
  • India holds a six-month US exemption for Chabahar Port participation ending 26 April 2026.
  • Bhutan remains the largest aid recipient at ₹2,288 crore in Budget 2026-27.
  • Bangladesh’s allocation dropped to ₹60 crore in Budget 2026-27 after being revised to ₹34 crore in FY 2025-26.
  • Maldives received ₹550 crore, Sri Lanka ₹400 crore, Nepal ₹800 crore, Myanmar ₹300 crore, Afghanistan ₹150 crore, Mongolia ₹25 crore, African countries ₹225 crore, Mauritius ₹550 crore, and Seychelles ₹19 crore under Aid to Countries in Budget 2026-27.
  • Total Aid to Countries outlay for FY 2026-27 is ₹5,686 crore, about 4% higher than FY 2025-26 Budget Estimates of ₹5,483 crore.
India remains world’s 2nd largest arms importer despite Make-in-India push: SIPRI report (Start of March) ▼
  • India held 8.2% of global major arms imports between 2021 and 2025, ranking second worldwide.
  • Russia’s share of Indian arms imports fell from 70% in 2011-15 to 40% in 2021-25.
  • France and Israel raised their shares to 29% and 15% respectively in 2021-25.
  • India’s arms imports dropped 4% compared with the 2016-2020 period owing to emphasis on indigenous production.
  • Planned purchases include 114 Rafale fighters from France (approx. ₹3.25 lakh crore), six AIP-equipped submarines from Germany, six additional P-8I aircraft from the United States, and missile defence plus drone deals with Israel.
  • The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) cited Operation Sindoor and the dual threat from China and Pakistan as drivers for India’s import volumes.
  • Pakistan sourced about 80% of its arms from China and rose to become the 5th largest global recipient in 2021-25, up from 10th in 2016-20.
  • Top five arms importers for 2021-25 were Ukraine, India, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Pakistan, together accounting for 35% of global imports.
  • Global arms transfers grew 9.2% in 2021-25 versus 2016-20.
  • The United States (US) led exporters with 42% of global exports, followed by France (9.8%) and Russia (6.8%).
  • Europe became the largest importing region (33%) for the first time since the 1960s, followed by Asia and Oceania (31%) and West Asia (26%).
Portulans Institute Ranks India 45th in Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025 (Mid of February) ▼
  • India climbed four spots to secure the 45th rank globally in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2025, released by the Portulans Institute.
  • The country's overall score improved to 54.43 out of 100 in 2025, up from 53.63 recorded in 2024.
  • The NRI 2025 evaluated 127 economies based on 53 indicators grouped under four pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact.
  • India ranked first globally in annual investment in telecommunication services, Artificial Intelligence (AI) scientific publications, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) services exports, and e-commerce legislation.
  • The report placed India second globally in fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and building internet subscriptions, mobile broadband internet traffic, and international internet bandwidth.
  • India secured the third position globally in domestic market scale and income inequality metrics.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notifies Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 with e-OCI and minor child passport restrictions

Key Updates:

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which came into force on April 30, 2026.
  • Under the new rules, a minor child cannot simultaneously hold a passport of another country while holding an Indian passport.
  • Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) registration must now be submitted fully online through the portal https://ociservices.gov.in.
  • OCI cards can be issued either as a physical card or as an electronic (e-OCI) registration, with records maintained electronically in revised Form 30.
  • OCI applicants must provide consent for sharing biometric data for automatic registration under the Fast Track Immigration Programme.

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Depali Das receives Indian citizenship certificate under Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) (Start of March) ▼
  • Depali Das, a 60-year-old resident of Cachar district in Assam, received a certificate of naturalisation under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
  • The citizenship was granted on the grounds that she entered India from Bangladesh in February 1988 due to religious persecution.
  • She had previously been declared a foreigner by a Foreigner’s Tribunal (FT) in February 2019 and spent over two years in a detention camp at Silchar Central Jail.
  • The naturalisation certificate was issued through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) CAA citizenship portal.
  • The proof of her Bangladeshi nationality was established using an official inquiry report prepared by a sub-inspector of the Assam Police.
  • The police report identified her original address as Parani Baniachung, Sylhet, in Bangladesh.
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes expansion of Lok Sabha to 850 members (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to increase the Lok Sabha strength to 850 members, comprising 815 representatives from States and 35 from Union Territories.
  • The Bill amends Article 82 to delete the proviso linking delimitation to the post-2026 Census, allowing the use of the 2011 Census data for immediate boundary redrawing.
  • It amends Article 334A to decouple the one-third women’s reservation from the post-2026 Census, enabling implementation once the 2026 Delimitation exercise is complete.
  • A Delimitation Commission 2026 will be established under the chairmanship of a serving or retired Supreme Court Judge, with the Chief Election Commissioner and State Election Commissioners as ex-officio members.
  • NITI Aayog released the Ease of Doing Research & Development (R&D) in India reports, focusing on four pillars: Funding, Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, and Research Translation.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) liberalised branch expansion rules for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), allowing those with Net Owned Funds (NOF) above ₹50 crore and a credit rating of AA or higher to open branches anywhere in India without prior approval.
  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) increased the latitude for altering Initial Public Offering (IPO) fresh issue size from 20% to 50% without refiling the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) until 30 September 2026.
  • The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies to generate job opportunities via the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
  • The Maharashtra government signed a $6.5 billion MoU with Vietnam’s Vingroup for electric mobility and smart township projects.
  • The Department of Posts (DoP) and Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (PMML) signed an MoU to promote democratic heritage through exhibitions and philatelic initiatives.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) and GE Aerospace signed an agreement to establish a domestic depot for F404 engines to enhance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
Cabinet Extends IVFRT 3.0 Scheme with ₹1,800 Crore Outlay (End of March) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) scheme for a period of five years starting from 1 April 2026.
  • The project has been allocated a total budget outlay of ₹1,800 crore to modernise immigration processes and strengthen border management.
  • The extension follows the enactment of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, to create a technologically advanced immigration ecosystem.
  • The IVFRT 3.0 phase will focus on three primary areas: emerging technology innovations, transformation of core infrastructure, and optimisation of technology-enabled service delivery.
  • The modernisation drive includes the implementation of mobile-based services, self-service kiosks, and automated e-gates under the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme.
  • The digital platform currently spans 117 immigration posts, 15 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRRO), and 854 district-level registration authorities across India.
  • The system has enabled a 100% contactless visa process and reduced average passenger clearance time at checkpoints to approximately 2.5-3 minutes.
  • Over 91% of e-visa applications have been processed within 72 hours under the existing framework, which now provides more than 30 immigration-related services.
Delhi CM launches CM Jan Sunwai Portal and app for integrated grievance redressal (End of February) ▼
  • Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the CM Jan Sunwai Portal and mobile app for public grievance submission.
  • Complaints can be registered via portal, app, call centre (1902), or offline through the Chief Minister’s Office.
  • A three-tier grievance redressal mechanism—Grievance Redressal Officer, Appellate Authority, and Final Appellate Authority—has been implemented.
  • Each complaint receives a unique reference ID and SMS updates at every stage.
  • Negative feedback triggers automatic escalation to a higher authority.
  • The system operates on 100% feedback-driven monitoring to ensure officer accountability.
  • A secure, cloud-based e-admission portal for EWS, DG, and CWSN categories replaced the earlier outdated software.
  • Aadhaar-based identity verification and digital birth-certificate verification are mandatory to prevent fraud.
  • Income certificates will be verified through an integrated online system.
  • Over 7,000 active Common Service Centre (CSC) centres across Delhi will deliver e-District services locally.
  • The Delhi government is already providing 75 e-District services online, including income, caste, residence, birth and death certificates, and services related to social welfare, food and civil supplies, labour, and education.
  • CM Pragati portal created the first comprehensive digital record of all Delhi government land and building assets.

Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system: reduces travel time and decongests highways

Key Updates:

  • The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) operationalised India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Choryasi toll plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat on May 1, 2026.
  • The MLFF system uses high-performance Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to read FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number, removing the need for boom barriers and vehicles to stop for toll collection.
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued new National Highway Fee rules for unpaid user fees: commuters must pay double the applicable toll amount, but if paid within 72 hours, only the original fee applies; an e-notice with vehicle details is issued, and a grievance redressal mechanism allows challenging the e-notice within 72 hours.
  • Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) has awarded MLFF contracts for toll plazas at Gharaunda (Haryana), Boariach (Gujarat), Daulatpura, Manoharpura, Shahjahanpur (Rajasthan), Mundaka (Delhi), Nemili, Chenasamudram, Paranur (Tamil Nadu), Kasepalli, Amakathadu, Marur (Andhra Pradesh), Chalakwadi, Hiwargaon Pavsa (Maharashtra), and Badarpur Faridabad (Haryana); bids have been invited for an additional 108 fee plazas.
  • According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the MLFF is projected to be implemented across all four-lane and above national highways and expressways by March 2029.

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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) increases FASTag Annual Pass fee to ₹3,075 (Mid of March) ▼
  • The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a revision in the FASTag Annual Pass fee for the financial year 2026–27.
  • The annual pass fee will increase from ₹3,000 to ₹3,075, effective from April 1, 2026.
  • The revision is implemented under the provisions of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008.
  • The pass is valid for one year or 200 toll crossings, whichever is earlier, across approximately 1,150 fee plazas on National Highways and Expressways.
  • The scheme is applicable to eligible non-commercial vehicles such as cars, jeeps, and vans possessing a valid FASTag.
  • The FASTag Annual Pass was launched on August 15, 2025, and currently has over 56 lakh subscribers.
  • Vehicle owners can activate the pass through the Rajmarg Yatra mobile application or the official website of the NHAI.
FASTag Annual Pass Crosses 50 Lakh User Mark with ₹3,000 One-Time Fee (Start of February) ▼
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reported that the FASTag Annual Pass has crossed 50 lakh users with over 26.55 crore transactions recorded within six months of launch.
  • The initiative was launched on August 15, 2025, to provide financial relief to commuters using national highways.
  • The pass is applicable for all non-commercial vehicles with a valid FASTag and requires a one-time fee payment of ₹3,000.
  • The validity of the pass is for one year or 200 toll plaza crossings, applicable at approximately 1,150 fee plazas on National Highways and National Expressways.
  • Chandigarh leads in usage accounting for 14 per cent of total transactions, followed by Tamil Nadu at 12.3 per cent and Delhi at 11.5 per cent.
  • Bijwasan Fee Plaza in Delhi NCR is the leading location with 57 per cent of car crossings using the pass, followed by Mundaka in Delhi NCR and Jhinjholi in Sonipat at 53 per cent each.
  • The pass can be activated within two hours through the Rajmargyatra App or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) website.
NHAI discontinues cash toll payments from 1 April 2026 (End of February) ▼
  • National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will stop accepting cash at all national toll plazas from 1 April 2026.
  • All toll payments will be processed only through digital modes using FASTag or Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
  • Vehicles entering a toll plaza without a valid FASTag are charged twice the applicable user fee if payment is made in cash.
  • Users paying via UPI are charged 1.25 times the user fee for the applicable vehicle category.
  • Over 98% penetration of FASTag has transformed toll collection practices across the country.
  • More than 1,150 fee plazas on various National Highways and Expressways will implement the digital-only payment system.
National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 Notified to Impose Double Toll for Defaults (End of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026, to strengthen toll compliance.
  • Under the new regulations, the unpaid toll fee for missed FASTag payments shall be twice the original amount.
  • Users who settle their dues within 72 hours of receiving an e-notice are required to pay only the original toll amount without any additional penalty.
  • A grievance redressal mechanism has been introduced requiring authorities to resolve cases within five days, failing which the claim for unpaid fees will lapse.
  • If dues remain unpaid beyond 15 days and no dispute is pending, the outstanding amount will be recorded in the VAHAN system.
  • The amendment aims to support the transition towards a seamless, barrier-free tolling ecosystem on India’s national highways.

Indian Navy receives delivery of fourth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate Mahendragiri from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL)

[Indian Navy (India)]

Key Updates:

  • The Indian Navy has received delivery of Mahendragiri, a Project-17A Nilgiri-class frigate from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL).
  • The Nilgiri-class frigates are an improvement over the Project-17 Shivalik-class and are designed in-house by the Naval Design Bureau.
  • The primary offensive weapons are eight Brahmos supersonic anti-ship missiles, and the air defence is provided by the Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MR-SAM).
  • The ship is named after a peak in the Eastern Ghats; previous ships include INS Taragiri, and two ships INS Himgiri and INS Udaygiri were commissioned together in August last year.
  • The navy has ordered seven Nilgiri-class frigates, with MDL building four and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) building the other three, and is working on the Next Generation Frigates under Project-17B.

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INS Malwan delivered to Indian Navy as second ASW shallow water craft. (Start of April) ▼
  • Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered INS Malwan on 31 March 2026.
  • Malwan is the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) under a Ministry of Defence-approved programme.
  • The vessel is about 80 metres long, displaces around 1,100 tonnes and uses a waterjet propulsion system.
  • Over 80% of the ship’s content is indigenous and it is built to DNV classification rules.
  • Malwan is named after the coastal town of Malwan in Maharashtra associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s maritime legacy.
  • The craft carries lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced sonar and radars for littoral operations.
  • Besides anti-submarine warfare, the ship can conduct mine-laying, coastal patrol and low-intensity maritime operations.
  • The eight-vessel series includes Mahe, Malwan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Munroe, Makkah and Mandavi.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers delivers three warships to Indian Navy (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 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.
Indian Navy receives INS Sanshodhak, completing four-vessel Large Survey Ship programme (Start of April) ▼
  • Indian Navy took delivery of fourth Survey Vessel (Large) INS Sanshodhak on 30 March from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata.
  • Contract for four survey vessels was signed in October 2018 and project spanned eight years.
  • Earlier ships INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak were commissioned between February 2024 and November 2025.
  • INS Sanshodhak displaces approximately 3,400 tonnes, measures 110 metres in length and can exceed 18 knots speed.
  • Vessel is fitted with autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles and digital side-scan sonar.
  • Indigenous content surpasses 80 per cent by cost.
  • Keel was laid in June 2022, vessel launched in June 2023 and underwent extensive harbour and sea trials.
  • Survey Vessel (Large) class designed by Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built to Indian Register of Shipping classification rules.
  • Vessels conduct coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys and collect oceanographic and geophysical data for defence and civilian use.
  • GRSE also delivered stealth frigate Dunagiri and anti-submarine craft Agray on same day, taking shipyard's total to 118 warships built including 80 for Indian Navy.
India commissions stealth frigate INS Taragiri under Project 17A (Start of April) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the stealth frigate INS Taragiri into the Indian Navy in New Delhi.
  • INS Taragiri is the fourth stealth frigate built under the Navy’s Project 17A by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
  • The 6,670-tonne warship has over 75 per cent indigenous content.
  • The frigate replaces a Leander-class Taragiri that served from 1980 to 2013.
  • It is equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles and an advanced anti-submarine warfare system.
  • The vessel uses a combined diesel or gas propulsion system and carries advanced indigenous sonar systems.
  • INS Taragiri is designed for multi-domain warfare and missions including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

India and Italy strengthen defence ties; Rajnath Singh meets Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto, exchange Military Cooperation Plan

[Italy]

Key Updates:

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in New Delhi and exchanged a Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan (MCP) for 2026-27.
  • The meeting was held at the Manekshaw Centre and focused on enhancing military engagements and expanding defence industrial cooperation between India and Italy.
  • Both ministers reaffirmed that the India-Italy Strategic Partnership is rooted in shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated that the newly exchanged MCP outlines a roadmap for structured military interactions between the armed forces of both nations over the next year.
  • Earlier in the day, Guido Crosetto paid tribute to fallen soldiers by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial and was accorded a ceremonial tri-service Guard of Honour at the Manekshaw Centre.

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India welcomes Japan's review of Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology (End of April) ▼
  • India welcomed Japan's review of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology to expand bilateral defence cooperation and industrial collaboration.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the move aligns with the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
  • The review aims to ease constraints on defence exports, allowing transfers under tighter but more flexible conditions, particularly to trusted partners.
  • Both nations committed to deepening practical cooperation in line with their Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.
  • Defence engagement between the two countries includes the 2+2 dialogue, joint exercises, and maritime cooperation.
  • The shift is expected to facilitate technology sharing, supply chain integration, and the co-development of defence platforms.
India and Austria seal 15 deals across defence, counter-terrorism, technology and trade (Mid of April) ▼
  • India and Austria concluded 15 arrangements covering defence, technology, innovation and trade.
  • A Joint Working Group on counter‑terrorism was agreed to be set up between the two countries.
  • A Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence will provide an institutional framework for cooperation in military matters, defence industrial and technology partnership.
  • The defence LoI builds on the India‑European Union (EU) Defence and Security Partnership signed on 27 January 2026.
  • The LoI on counter‑terrorism will advance cooperation and establish a Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Austria’s tunnelling expertise in projects such as the Delhi Metro and the Atal Tunnel.
  • Modi mentioned collaboration in defence, semiconductors, quantum technology and biotechnology.
India and Italy agree for urgent implementation of initiative to counter terror financing (End of March) ▼
  • India and Italy agreed on expeditious implementation of the India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism during the 9th India-Italy Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) held in New Delhi on March 20.
  • The Indian delegation was led by Sibi George, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
  • The Italian delegation was led by Ambassador Nicoletta Bombardiere, Director General for Globalisation and Global Issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
  • Both sides expressed satisfaction on progress of the Joint Strategic Action Plan (JSAP) 2025-29 in sectors including trade, technology, space, defence, counter-terrorism and renewable energy.
  • First Maritime Security Dialogue is being planned to enhance maritime collaboration.
India and Greece sign Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation (Start of February) ▼
  • India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.
  • The agreement was signed after bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Greek counterpart Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre.
  • The declaration will pave the way for developing a five-year roadmap for India-Greece defence partnership.
  • Greece will position an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram, to enhance maritime cooperation.
  • A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was exchanged to chart military engagements between the armed forces of both countries.
  • Both ministers reaffirmed that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
  • The countries agreed to expand their indigenous defence industries through partnership between India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Greece’s ‘Agenda 2030’ defence reforms.

India explores sixth-generation fighter partnership, AMCA RFP to be issued soon; DRDO ready for Agni-VI: Defence Secretary and DRDO Chief

Key Updates:

  • Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that the request for proposal (RFP) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is likely to be issued soon to shortlisted private sector players.
  • India has reached out to two international three-country programmes for collaboration on developing sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
  • Singh said India is working towards developing a multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges.
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Samir V Kamat said India's LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile programme has reached an advanced stage, with initial trials expected soon.
  • Kamat said the Agni-VI ballistic missile programme depends on a government decision, and the agency is fully prepared to proceed when approval is granted.

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India and United States seal technical pact on fighter jet engine coproduction (Mid of April) ▼
  • GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) have reached an agreement on technical matters for coproduction of fighter jet engines.
  • The agreement covers transfer of manufacturing technology for the F414 engine, with GE Aerospace owning about 80% of the engine's intellectual property rights.
  • A contract has been signed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to set up a depot facility for F404 engines that power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
  • The sixth F404 engine has arrived in India, and GE Aerospace is focusing on timely deliveries while maintaining safety and quality standards.
  • Under the deal, 99 engines will be manufactured in India to power the Mk2 variant of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) projects a demand for 120‑130 Tejas Mk2 fighters, which could increase the engine order beyond 99 units.
  • The first two squadrons of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are expected to be powered by the same engine.
  • GE Aerospace is interested in discussions with India to develop higher thrust engines of the 120 kN class for next‑generation fighter jets.
  • The final contract signing is expected in the current financial year, with HAL planning to set up a manufacturing facility in India within two years of signing.
  • The partnership between GE Aerospace and HAL spans 40 years, and the technical agreement is described as a landmark step for economic growth and national security.
India approves Rs 39,000 crore Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft programme (Start of April) ▼
  • The Defence Ministry approved the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, formerly called Ghatak, valued at Rs 39,000 crore.
  • DRDO will adopt a development-cum-production partner model and invite industry bids to build six prototypes at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
  • Following prototype development, over 60 unmanned stealth fighters will be ordered, sufficient to form four squadrons.
  • The aircraft are targeted for induction in eight years and will have more than 80% indigenous content.
  • The stealth drones will be capable of deploying locally developed weapons including future versions of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles and next-generation air-to-ground systems.
  • The programme is being developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft under Vision 2047 to enable manned-unmanned teaming.
  • Formal tenders to select industry partners for the RPSA project are expected shortly.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) clears proposal to buy 114 Rafale jets from France with 90 to be manufactured in India (Mid of February) ▼
  • 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).
Indian Air Force to demonstrate firepower in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran on 27 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Exercise Vayushakti-26 will be held at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on 27 February 2026.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft.
  • A total of 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives will be used during day, dusk and night missions.
  • Platforms participating include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
  • Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be showcased.
  • The exercise reaffirms the IAF’s role in long-range precision targeting and multi-domain operations using indigenous platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Prime Minister Modi to undertake week-long Europe visit from around May 18, likely to meet Pope

Key Updates:

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a week-long visit to Europe from around May 18, with a possible stop at the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope.
  • Modi will first visit Norway to participate in the third India-Nordic summit in Oslo alongside leaders from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland.
  • The India-Nordic summit is expected to focus on green energy, climate change, blue economy, innovation, digitalisation, and Arctic cooperation.
  • Modi is also likely to visit the Netherlands (key partner in water management, agriculture, technology, semiconductor industry) and Italy for his first bilateral visit (discussions on defence, energy, investment, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor).
  • In mid-June, Modi will visit France for the G7 Outreach summit.

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India Prime Minister addresses Lok Sabha on West Asia crisis and national security (End of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Lok Sabha (LS) regarding the West Asia conflict, highlighting its impact on India’s energy security and the safety of nearly 1 crore Indian citizens in the region.
  • The Government of India has facilitated the return of approximately 1,000 Indians from Iran and established 24/7 helplines through Indian missions for on-ground support.
  • India has diversified its energy imports from 27 to 41 countries over the last 11 years and currently imports Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from 41 nations.
  • The country maintains Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) of 5.3 million metric tonnes (MMT), with plans to add an additional 6.5 MMT to strengthen fuel security.
  • Ethanol blending initiatives have resulted in a reduction of 4.5 crore barrels of oil imports annually.
  • India’s renewable energy capacity has reached approximately 250 GW, including 140 GW of solar power and 40 lakh rooftop solar installations.
  • Domestic coal production has exceeded 100 crore tonnes, while the agriculture sector has been supported by the deployment of over 22 lakh solar pumps.
  • The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled examinations in the Middle East due to the ongoing crisis.
India and Israel elevate ties to special strategic partnership and advance mutually beneficial FTA (Start of March) ▼
  • India and Israel elevated their relationship to a special strategic partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel.
  • Both sides agreed to soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
  • India and Israel signed multiple agreements to expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace and digital payment.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extremely fruitful and wide-ranging talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog to enhance cooperation in education, start-ups, innovation, tech and connectivity.
  • Modi and Herzog planted an oak tree at the President’s residence as a symbol of friendship and shared future.
  • Prime Minister Modi addressed the Knesset, becoming the first Indian to speak in Israel’s Parliament.
  • Modi voiced strong support for the Gaza peace initiative and stated that terrorism anywhere threatens peace everywhere.
  • The Speaker of the Knesset conferred the Speaker of the Knesset Medal on Prime Minister Modi for his exceptional contribution to strengthening India-Israel strategic relations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend G7 summit in France from 15-17 June (End of March) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed his participation in the G7 summit scheduled in France from 15 to 17 June.
  • External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed Modi’s confirmation during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 foreign ministers' meeting at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay.
  • France highlighted India’s contribution to G7 work on macroeconomic imbalances and international partnerships, noting India’s current BRICS presidency.
  • Jaishankar and Barrot agreed to continue close coordination to ensure safety of the Strait of Hormuz amid West Asia conflict-related energy disruptions.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi, during Macron’s 17-19 February India visit, elevated bilateral ties to a 'Special Global Strategic Partnership' and jointly inaugurated the 2026 India-France Year of Innovation in Mumbai.
India and France upgrade bilateral ties to Special Global Strategic Partnership during Mumbai talks (Mid of February) ▼
  • India and France elevated their relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership after talks in Mumbai between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
  • The meeting produced 21 outcomes covering defence, critical minerals, technology, startups, advanced materials, health and skilling.
  • Modi and Macron virtually inaugurated the H125 light utility helicopter final assembly line of Tata-Airbus in Karnataka.
  • The first 'Made in India' H125 helicopter is scheduled for delivery in early 2027 and will be exported within the South Asian region.
  • The two leaders launched the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health, Indo-French Centre for Digital Science and Technology, and National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
  • An annual Foreign Ministers Dialogue was established to review implementation of the elevated partnership and Horizon 2047 Roadmap.
  • India and France renewed their defence cooperation agreement and agreed on a joint venture between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Safran to produce Hammer missiles in India.
  • Both countries decided on reciprocal deployment of officers at Indian Army and French Land Forces establishments.
  • A Joint Advanced Technology Development Group on Critical and Emerging Technologies including defence was constituted.
  • A Joint Declaration of Intent for Cooperation in Critical Minerals and Metals was issued.
  • The Protocol on the Double Tax Avoidance Agreement between India and France was amended.
  • Letters of Intent were signed between T-Hub and Nord France on startup ecosystems and between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and ANRS on infectious disease research.
  • An agreement established the Indo-French Centre for Metabolic Health Sciences and a Letter of Intent launched the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
  • The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial, Energy and Digital Sovereignty on Renewable Energy Cooperation was renewed.

National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) to install high-frequency radar along Karaikal coast

Key Updates:

  • The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will deploy a high-frequency (HF) radar along Puducherry's coastline.
  • The radar will measure surface currents and waves up to 200 km offshore.
  • The HF radar will support real-time ocean monitoring, data validation, and early warning of severe weather events including cyclones.
  • NIOT has identified two suitable locations for installation: Kilinjalmedu and Akkempettai in Karaikal.
  • The HF radar station in Karaikal will operate in pairing mode with the existing station at Cuddalore to improve accuracy and resolution of coastal current measurements.

Similar Coverage

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) installs X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar (End of April) ▼
  • The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) commissioned an X-band dual-polarisation Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar under the Mission Mausam initiative.
  • The radar is installed at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) at an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres above sea level.
  • The system provides hyperlocal nowcasting forecasts up to three hours ahead for Pune, Satara, Mumbai, and parts of Konkan.
  • The radar operates at 9.45 GHz using solid-state power amplifier technology with a spatial resolution of 75 metres and updates every 6–10 minutes.
  • Real-time data from the radar is shared with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
  • The dual-polarisation capability of the radar enables the detection of microphysical parameters such as ice, graupel, hail, and snow.
  • The radar will support the defence sector for nowcasting severe weather events as Pune is an Air Force station.
India's DRDO and Indian Navy conduct maiden Salvo launch of NASM-SR missiles on 29 April 2026 (Start of May) ▼
  • 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%.
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) successfully tests indigenously developed Floating LiDAR Buoy System off Muttom, Tamil Nadu. (Mid of March) ▼
  • The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducted the successful sea trial of an indigenous Floating LiDAR Buoy System off the coast of Muttom in Tamil Nadu.
  • The buoy integrates a buoyant platform with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to measure wind speed and direction profiles up to 300 metres above sea level.
  • The system will enhance Indian Navy operational effectiveness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by improving weather-ocean situational awareness and maritime-domain awareness.
  • The buoy supports coordination with the Coast Guard and other agencies under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) framework for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
  • The high-resolution offshore wind data will aid cyclone tracking, storm intensity forecasts, marine safety advisories, and offshore wind resource assessment for renewable energy development.
  • Engineering challenges of constant buoy motion and power management were addressed through advanced motion compensation algorithms and energy-efficient battery systems.
  • Real-time data transmission from remote offshore locations is achieved via satellite links and compression techniques.
  • The project aligns with Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives to promote domestic innovation and self-reliance in ocean technologies.
INS Malwan delivered: Second ASW SWC commissioned on 31 March 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • INS Malwan, the second of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC), was delivered on 31 March 2026.
  • Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, the vessel has over 80% indigenous content.
  • Length: ~80 metres; Displacement: ~1,100 tonnes; Propulsion: waterjet system.
  • Armed with lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets; fitted with advanced sonar and radar sensors.
  • Designed for littoral operations including anti-submarine warfare, mine-laying, and coastal surveillance.
  • Named after Malwan town in Maharashtra, associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s maritime legacy.
  • Part of an eight-vessel series: Mahe, Malwan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Munroe, Makkah, Mandavi.
  • Programme approved by Ministry of Defence to replace older Abhay-class corvettes.

DRDO announces readiness for Agni VI ballistic missile and hypersonic glide missile programme on April 30, 2026

Key Updates:

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat confirmed that the Agni VI missile project is ready to begin once the Centre grants approval.
  • Agni VI is a proposed next-generation, nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of 6,000–10,000 km and advanced MIRV technology.
  • DRDO is making strong progress on the hypersonic glide missile (LR AShM) and initial trials are expected soon.
  • DRDO is working on two hypersonic programmes: the Hypersonic Glide Missile and the Hypersonic Cruise Missile.
  • The Pralay short-range ballistic missile system is in its final testing stages and could join the armed forces soon.

Similar Coverage

India to evaluate Israeli 'Sky Sting' long-range BVRAAM during PM Modi visit to Israel (Start of March) ▼
  • India is likely to advance discussions on procuring the Israeli-origin 'Sky Sting' long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on Wednesday.
  • The Sky Sting missile, with an engagement envelope of around 250 km, is pitched to plug a critical gap in the Indian Air Force's long-range air combat capability.
  • The proposal is likely to follow a phased route, with an initial off-the-shelf acquisition followed by localised production with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
  • The system will undergo trials and integration validation before induction and operationalisation.
  • Israel has been pitching the missile for integration on the Tejas Mk1A, with the initial tranche equipped with the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radar.
  • HAL's delivery delays of the Tejas Mk1A are partly due to integration challenges of the radar with the indigenous Astra BVRAAM.
  • The Sky Sting, unveiled around three years ago, is under development and has not yet been inducted into operational service.
  • India already operates Rafael-origin systems including the I-Derby ER and Python-5 air-to-air missiles, the SPYDER air defence system, and precision strike weapons such as SPICE and Rampage.
  • India is a key partner in the development of the Barak-8 air defence system deployed across the three services.
  • The IAF's current BVRAAM inventory includes the indigenous Astra Mk1 with a range of around 110 km, produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
  • The Astra Mk2 is under development to extend range beyond 200 km, and the Astra Mk3, based on solid fuel ducted ramjet technology, is projected to reach 350 km.
  • The IAF also operates Russian-origin R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI fleet, alongside the Meteor with range exceeding 200 km, the MICA with range up to 80 km, and the I-Derby ER.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between the Indian and Israeli defence ministries ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to move towards co-development and co-production of next-generation systems.
India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile from Odisha (Start of February) ▼
  • India successfully carried out a test launch of the Agni-III intermediate-range ballistic missile on 06 Feb 2026.
  • The missile was fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
  • The launch met all mission objectives and validated operational and technical parameters.
  • The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
India inducts third nuclear-powered ballistic submarine INS Aridhaman at Visakhapatnam (Start of April) ▼
  • India inducted its third nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Aridhaman, into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.
  • INS Aridhaman is the third Arihant-class submarine and displaces 7,000 tonnes.
  • The submarine is equipped with eight vertical launch tubes and can carry either eight K-4 missiles or up to 24 K-15 missiles.
  • K-15 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) have a range of up to 750 km, while K-4 SLBMs can hit targets 3,500 km away.
  • INS Aridhaman strengthens India’s sea-based nuclear deterrent and completes a fleet of three operational SSBNs for the first time.
  • India’s nuclear triad comprises land-based nuclear missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons, and sea-based SSBNs.
  • India’s nuclear doctrine follows a “no first use” policy, and SSBNs ensure a retaliatory second-strike capability.
  • India joined the United States, Russia, China, and France as countries with full nuclear triad capabilities.
  • The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) collaborated with private firms and Russia for the nuclear submarine project.
  • INS Arihant, commissioned in 2016, conducted its first deterrence patrol in 2018 and successfully launched an SLBM in October 2022.
  • INS Arighaat, commissioned in 2024, is armed with indigenously built K-15 missiles and powered by 83 MW pressurised light-water nuclear reactors.
  • India’s fourth SSBN, codenamed S4
  • , is under construction and will carry additional K-4 missiles.
  • India plans to build two indigenous nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSN) and lease one from Russia by 2027-28.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru (Mid of February) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Missile Integration facility at Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bengaluru.
  • He flagged-off the Akash 3rd and 4th Regiment Combat systems and unveiled the Mountain Fire Control Radar.
  • Singh remotely inaugurated the Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence (CoE-AI) in Pune and launched BEL's AI Policy.
  • He was briefed on indigenous defence technologies including AI-based solutions developed by Indian start-ups.
  • BEL showcased ongoing R&D aligned with programmes such as Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile Systems (QRSAM), Light Combat Aircraft Mark II (LCA Mk II), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Project Kusha (MR SAM/LR SAM), Counter Drone Systems, and Naval Weapon Control Systems.
  • Indigenously developed air defence and anti-drone systems were effectively utilised during Operation Sindoor.

Vietnamese President To Lam to visit India from May 5-7

[Vietnam]

Key Updates:

  • Vietnamese President To Lam will undertake a State visit to India from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.
  • President To Lam, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation.
  • During the visit, President To Lam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 6 and will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Modi covering bilateral relations and regional/global issues.
  • President Droupadi Murmu will also meet the visiting leader, and President To Lam will visit Bodh Gaya and Mumbai as part of his itinerary.
  • The visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of the elevation of India-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016.

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South Korean President Lee Jae-myung conducts three-day state visit to India on 19 April 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung arrived in India for a three-day state visit, the first by a South Korean leader in over eight years.
  • The visit aims to advance the India–South Korea Special Strategic Partnership, a status elevated in 2015.
  • President Lee Jae-myung, who took office in June 2025, will hold a bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House.
  • The bilateral talks will focus on expanding cooperation in semiconductors, defence production, green energy, trade, and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
  • The South Korean President is scheduled to attend a business forum at Bharat Mandapam and meet President Droupadi Murmu.
  • The Special Strategic Partnership between New Delhi and Seoul covers cooperation in manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, and defence.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to visit India from February 18-22, 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
  • He will participate in the 2nd AI Summit scheduled in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, 2026.
  • Formal bilateral talks between India and Brazil are scheduled for February 21, 2026.
  • On February 21, 2026, President Lula will be hosted by the President of India as part of the official programme.
  • Vice President of India and other dignitaries are expected to call on President Lula during the visit.
  • President Lula will be accompanied by ministers and representatives from the Brazilian business community.
  • Events to engage the visiting Brazilian business delegation aim to expand economic and commercial cooperation.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to visit India from Feb 18-22 (End of February) ▼
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will undertake a five-day visit to India from 18 to 22 February.
  • He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 February and review the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
  • President Lula will participate in the AI Impact Summit in India from 19 to 20 February.
  • He will be accompanied by about 14 ministers and a large delegation of top CEOs of Brazilian companies.
  • The accompanying ministers will have meetings with their Indian counterparts and the CEOs will participate in a business forum during the visit.
  • This will be President Lula's sixth visit to India; his first visit was in 2004 as Guest of Honour for Republic Day and his last visit was for the G20 Summit in September 2023.
  • India and Brazil share a Strategic Partnership since 2006 and Brazil is India's largest trading partner in Latin America.
To Lam elected as Vietnam's president for five-year term. (Start of April) ▼
  • To Lam was unanimously elected as Vietnam's president by all 495 deputies present at the National Assembly session.
  • To Lam holds the dual role of Communist Party Secretary General and state president, consolidating unprecedented power.
  • The parliament will elect a new prime minister later on Tuesday to replace outgoing Pham Minh Chinh.
  • To Lam pledged to maintain peace and stability as the foundation for fast and sustainable growth.
  • He proposed a new growth model targeting double-digit annual growth for the next five years.

India plans multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges

Key Updates:

  • The announcement was made by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0 in New Delhi on 30 April 2026.
  • Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Samir V Kamat, confirmed that the proposed missile force will include ballistic missiles for short, medium and extended ranges, complemented by cruise missiles and hypersonic systems.
  • The Pralay short-range ballistic missile has reached final testing stages and is expected to be operational shortly, according to DRDO.
  • India is developing two hypersonic programmes: a glide missile (nearest initial trials) and a cruise missile with a scramjet engine (awaiting formal approval).
  • DRDO achieved a milestone by sustaining scramjet propulsion for over 1,000 seconds; converting this technology into an operational missile system would require approximately five years.

Similar Coverage

India Unveils Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap for Future-Ready Military (Mid of March) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the document titled Defence Forces Vision 2047: A Roadmap for a Future-Ready Indian Military in New Delhi on Tuesday.
  • The roadmap envisages the transformation of the military into an integrated, multi-domain, and agile force capable of deterring adversaries and responding to conflicts.
  • The vision document was released eight months after a military conflict between India and Pakistan that occurred from May 7 to 10.
  • A central pillar of the vision is the emphasis on jointness and synergy among the services to promote coordination in planning, operations, and capability development.
  • The plan prioritises Aatmanirbharta in defence by promoting the development of indigenous technologies and strengthening domestic defence manufacturing.
  • The roadmap outlines prioritised capability goals across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines to build a world-class defence force by India’s independence centenary.
  • The document advocates for a whole-of-nation approach that integrates military strength with diplomatic, technological, and economic power to safeguard national interests.
  • The vision aims to contribute to the goal of a strong and resilient Viksit Bharat by establishing a technologically advanced and combat-ready military.
India and France to finalise ₹3,200 crore deal for SCALP cruise missiles (Mid of February) ▼
  • India and France are negotiating a defence deal worth approximately 300 million euros (₹3,200 crore) for the procurement of SCALP long-range cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
  • The SCALP missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is an air-launched cruise missile with a strike range exceeding 250 kilometres, designed for deep-penetration attacks against high-value targets.
  • The IAF operationally deployed SCALP missiles during Operation Sindoor on 6-7 May to strike terrorist headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in Pakistan’s Muridke and Bahawalpur districts.
  • Operation Sindoor involved the use of SCALP missiles alongside BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions to target nine terror-linked sites.
  • The IAF targeted 12 major air bases and destroyed high-value assets, including fighter jets and surveillance aircraft, during the cross-border precision strike.
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also in the process of ordering Meteor air-to-air missiles for the Rafale fleet, including the 26 Rafale Marine fighters ordered for the Indian Navy.
  • The IAF is preparing a proposal for the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) to acquire 114 additional Rafale combat aircraft to increase its projected fleet strength to 200 aircraft over the next 15 years.
  • The SCALP missile system uses a combination of Inertial Navigation, Global Positioning System (GPS), and terrain-reference navigation with an infrared imaging seeker for pinpoint accuracy.
India to evaluate Israeli 'Sky Sting' long-range BVRAAM during PM Modi visit to Israel (Start of March) ▼
  • India is likely to advance discussions on procuring the Israeli-origin 'Sky Sting' long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel on Wednesday.
  • The Sky Sting missile, with an engagement envelope of around 250 km, is pitched to plug a critical gap in the Indian Air Force's long-range air combat capability.
  • The proposal is likely to follow a phased route, with an initial off-the-shelf acquisition followed by localised production with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems.
  • The system will undergo trials and integration validation before induction and operationalisation.
  • Israel has been pitching the missile for integration on the Tejas Mk1A, with the initial tranche equipped with the Israeli ELM-2052 AESA radar.
  • HAL's delivery delays of the Tejas Mk1A are partly due to integration challenges of the radar with the indigenous Astra BVRAAM.
  • The Sky Sting, unveiled around three years ago, is under development and has not yet been inducted into operational service.
  • India already operates Rafael-origin systems including the I-Derby ER and Python-5 air-to-air missiles, the SPYDER air defence system, and precision strike weapons such as SPICE and Rampage.
  • India is a key partner in the development of the Barak-8 air defence system deployed across the three services.
  • The IAF's current BVRAAM inventory includes the indigenous Astra Mk1 with a range of around 110 km, produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
  • The Astra Mk2 is under development to extend range beyond 200 km, and the Astra Mk3, based on solid fuel ducted ramjet technology, is projected to reach 350 km.
  • The IAF also operates Russian-origin R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI fleet, alongside the Meteor with range exceeding 200 km, the MICA with range up to 80 km, and the I-Derby ER.
  • A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently inked between the Indian and Israeli defence ministries ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to move towards co-development and co-production of next-generation systems.
India to commission third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine INS Aridhaman by May (End of February) ▼
  • India is nearing the commissioning of its third homegrown nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, which is expected to enter service by May.
  • The submarine was constructed under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme in Visakhapatnam and weighs approximately 7,000 tonnes.
  • INS Aridhaman is powered by an 83-megawatt nuclear reactor and features advanced indigenous sonar systems named USHUS and Panchendriya.
  • The vessel is designed to carry nuclear-capable missiles, including the K-15 Sagarika with a 750-km range and the K-4 missile with a 3,500-km strike range.
  • Upon commissioning, the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) will operate three nuclear ballistic missile submarines, alongside INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.
  • The submarine will eventually be stationed at Project Varsha, an ultra-secure naval base situated near Visakhapatnam.
  • India is also scheduled to induct the Russian-built nuclear attack submarine Chakra III by 2027-28 and is negotiating with Germany for six submarines under Project-75(I).
  • Pakistan is reportedly procuring eight Hangor-class diesel-electric attack submarines from China as part of a 5 billion dollar deal signed in 2015.

India and Sri Lanka conduct 4th edition of bilateral diving exercise IN-SLN DIVEX 2026

[Indian Navy, Sri Lanka Navy]

Key Updates:

  • The fourth edition of the bilateral diving exercise IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 was conducted at Colombo from April 21-28.
  • The Indian Navy's Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel INS Nireekshak participated alongside diving teams from both navies.
  • A key highlight was the execution of mixed gas dives off Colombo over World War-era wrecks SS Worcester and SS Perseus.
  • Divers from both navies successfully executed deep-sea dives beyond 55 metres, enhancing joint underwater search, rescue, and salvage capabilities.
  • Two BHISM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) cubes were handed over under India's Aarogya Maitri initiative during the exercise.

Similar Coverage

India and Sri Lanka conduct 4th joint diving exercise from April 21-27, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Nireekshak, a diving support and submarine rescue vessel of the Indian Navy (IN), arrived at the port of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
  • The vessel is participating in the 4th India-Sri Lanka joint diving exercise scheduled from April 21-27, 2026.
  • The ship is commanded by Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi.
  • Under the Indian government's Aarogya Maitri initiative, the ship will present two BHISM cubes to the Sri Lankan authorities.
  • The IN will hand over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN).
  • The maritime engagement is aligned with the vision of MAHASAGAR to foster stability, cooperation, and collective growth in the Indian Ocean Region.
France and United Kingdom convene international conference to establish Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative on April 17, 2026 (Mid of April) ▼
  • French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired an international conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on April 17, 2026.
  • The summit focused on the Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative, a defensive mission intended to restore free passage through the waterway.
  • Approximately 30 to 40 countries participated in the meeting, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni.
  • The initiative is a response to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, a chokepoint through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes.
  • The United Kingdom (UK) has discussed the deployment of mine-hunting drones from the ship RFA Lyme Bay as part of the military planning.
  • France has dispatched a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, a helicopter carrier, and several frigates to the region for the mission.
  • The mission is designated as strictly defensive and limited to non-belligerent countries, with the United States (US) excluded from the current discussions.
MoPSW and KOICA Sign Implementation Plan to Boost Shipbuilding Skills (Start of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed an implementation plan with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on April 2, 2026.
  • The partnership aims to enhance skill development in India’s shipbuilding and marine industries to build a future-ready workforce.
  • The Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training will support the project by identifying skill gaps and creating a talent development roadmap.
  • The agreement proposes the establishment of a Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center in India to provide industry-focused training.
  • The initiative aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seeks to establish India as a global hub for maritime services.
Indian Navy commences second edition of IOS SAGAR with 16 IONS nations (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Indian Navy (IN) has commenced the second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative to enhance collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Naval personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries belonging to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) are participating in the event.
  • The IN assumed the chair of the IONS in February 2026.
  • The initiative supports the Government of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) framework.
  • The programme includes professional training interactions at naval training establishments in Kochi followed by sea deployment onboard an IN ship.
  • The sea phase involves operational activities, maritime engagement, and port visits to foster professional linkages and exchange best practices.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Conducts Nationwide Test of Indigenous Cell Broadcast Emergency Alert System

[National Disaster Management Authority (India)]

Key Updates:

  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) conducted a nationwide test of the indigenous Cell Broadcast emergency alert system on May 2, 2026.
  • The system is being developed by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications and the NDMA.
  • The platform used for the system is SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT).
  • The alert messages, labelled 'Extremely Severe Alert', were sent to mobile phones across the country simultaneously.
  • The test aimed to enhance the speed of safety message delivery during actual disasters.

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Google and Bharti Airtel partner to integrate AI spam filters and sender ID checks into RCS chats on Google Messages app (Start of March) ▼
  • Google and Bharti Airtel announced their partnership on 1 March 2026 to deploy Airtel’s AI-powered spam filters and threat detection within RCS chats on the Google Messages app.
  • The collaboration enables Google’s RCS platform to validate message sender identity using business identity checks performed by Airtel.
  • The platform will respect users’ Do Not Disturb (DND) preferences by categorising messages as promotional or transactional and applying restrictions accordingly.
  • If both Google and Airtel’s AI filters flag a sender as suspicious, the platform will throttle the number of messages that account can send.
  • The partnership aligns with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) SIM-binding mandate for over-the-top (OTT) messaging apps that took effect on 1 March 2026.
  • Airtel reports its anti-spam measures have blocked 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam SMSes, cutting financial losses from scams by 68.7% on its network.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Launches 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has launched the second edition of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2026.
  • The initiative is organised under the 100 5G Use Case Labs Initiative to develop scalable solutions using 5G and allied technologies.
  • The hackathon is open to students, start-ups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and independent innovators across India.
  • Submissions are accepted from 20 March 2026 until 17 April 2026 through designated nodal centres at academic institutions.
  • A seed funding pool of ₹50 lakh has been allocated for prototype development, while the total prize pool exceeds ₹10 lakh.
  • Prize rewards are structured as ₹5,00,000 for the first prize, ₹3,00,000 for the runner-up, ₹1,50,000 for the second runner-up, and ₹50,000 for the Best Idea Award.
  • Up to 25 teams will receive assistance for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) filing to protect and commercialise their solutions.
  • Final results will be announced on 1 October 2026, and winners will showcase their innovations at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026.
  • Focus areas include 5G Advanced, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G RedCap (Reduced Capability), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia leads India’s engagements at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona (Start of March) ▼
  • Mobile World Congress 2026 is being held from March 2–5, 2026 at Fira Barcelona Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain.
  • Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia delivered the Closing Keynote at the GSMA Ministerial Programme session themed 'Breaking the Cost Barrier'.
  • He addressed the MWC Main Stage keynote session titled 'Built for What’s Next'.
  • The Bharat Pavilion was inaugurated by the Minister, with 40 Indian companies showcasing telecom solutions.
  • India Mobile Congress 2026 was announced to be held from 7th–10th October 2026 in New Delhi.
  • Tejas Networks launched the TJ1600-D3 Hyper-scalable DCI Platform engineered in India.
  • Shri Scindia met ITU Secretary General Ms Doreen Bogdan-Martin during the visit.
  • Bilateral meetings were held with Eutelsat and Viasat to advance connectivity frameworks for India.
  • Interactions took place with Bharti Group led by Sunil Bharti Mittal.
  • Demonstrations were witnessed at booths of Meta, Rakuten, VVDN Technologies, Ericsson, Nokia, Intel, Cisco and Qualcomm.
  • MWC 2026 is organised by GSMA and themed 'The IQ Era'.
  • India’s participation is organised by Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council (TEPC), supported by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) hosts Demo Day for Cohort-II of Samarth Incubation Program (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an autonomous R&D institution under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), hosted the Demo Day for Cohort-II of the Samarth Incubation Program in New Delhi.
  • Launched in March 2025, the Samarth program supports up to 36 startups across two cohorts in areas such as 5G/6G technologies, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum technologies.
  • Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and TiE (The Indus Entrepreneurs) serve as the implementation partners for this telecom and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector incubation initiative.
  • Selected startups are provided with a financial grant of ₹5 lakh, fully furnished office space, and access to C-DOT lab facilities at its Delhi and Bengaluru campuses.
  • The five startups selected for the Stage-II grant under Cohort-II are Huebits Tech Private Limited, Khageshvara Aviation Technology Private Limited, Xpectro Solutions (OPC) Private Limited, Zepto Logic Technologies Private Limited, and Vocbot.Ai Technology Private Limited.
  • Startups progressing through the program qualify for additional financial support and potential partnerships through the C-DOT Collaborative Research Program (CCRP).

Karnataka launches India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru

[Karnataka]

Key Updates:

  • The Karnataka government launched the country's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru on May 1, 2026.
  • The Centre was established by the Karnataka government through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association India (SIA-India).
  • The Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge.
  • The CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies.
  • The Centre has formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access.

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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).
Department of Posts releases commemorative stamps honouring ISRO's space milestones (Mid of April) ▼
  • Department of Posts (DoP) released two commemorative postage stamps to mark India's space achievements led by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • The stamps depict India's journey from its first satellite Aryabhata to the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
  • ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station, attended the unveiling event in Bengaluru.
  • The stamps and accompanying souvenir sheets highlight India's goal to establish an Indian space station named Bharatiya Antariksha by 2035.
SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL) to deploy ₹1,005 crore Antariksh Venture Capital Fund for Indian space startups from FY2027 (Start of April) ▼
  • The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL), will begin investing in Indian space startups from the first quarter of FY2027.
  • The fund has a committed corpus of ₹1,005 crore aimed at boosting private sector innovation in India’s space economy.
  • SVCL received Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registration for the fund on 31 October 2025.
  • The fund completed its initial closing on 10 November 2025 after appointing a custodian and registering with depositories for issuing alternative investment fund units.
  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the first round of funding approvals is expected soon.
Skyroot Aerospace to Launch Vikram-1 Orbital Rocket in April 2026 (Start of March) ▼
  • Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup founded in 2018, is scheduled to debut its Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle in April 2026.
  • The Vikram-1 rocket is designed to deliver a payload of approximately 350 kg to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
  • The company is developing a second vehicle, Vikram-2, which will utilise a cryogenic upper stage to increase payload capacity to 1,100 kg.
  • Skyroot Aerospace employs advanced technologies including solid propellant boosters, carbon composites, and 3D printed engines.
  • The firm has invested in capital expenditure to establish an in-house production capacity of 12 rockets per year.
  • For the 2026 financial year, the company aims to conduct between four and six launches, depending on launch port availability.
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is transitioning operational activities in satellite manufacturing and launching to the private sector under India’s new space policy.
  • The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (InSPACe) acts as the regulatory and promotional body for the domestic space sector.
  • The Indian government expects to require launches for approximately 100 small satellites over the next five to six years.

Russia successfully test-launches Soyuz-5 rocket from Baikonur

[Russia]

Key Updates:

  • Russia successfully test-launched its new Soyuz-5 rocket from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
  • The Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) confirmed the flawless lift-off.
  • The Soyuz-5 is equipped with the world's most powerful liquid-fuelled engine.
  • The rocket can carry up to 17 metric tonnes into near Earth orbit.
  • The development aims to reduce launch costs and create new jobs in Russia and Kazakhstan.

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Russia launches nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk designed to carry Poseidon underwater drone (Start of February) ▼
  • Russia launched its newest nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk on 1 November 2025 at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk.
  • The submarine is designed to carry the underwater nuclear drone Poseidon, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed system capable of intercontinental underwater travel.
  • Poseidon is intended to strengthen Russia’s strategic deterrence, bypass existing missile defence systems, and serve as a second-strike weapon.
  • The launch ceremony was led by Andrei Belousov, Russia’s Defence Minister, and attended by Alexander Moiseyev, Chief of the Russian Navy.
  • The Khabarovsk is part of Russia’s next-generation underwater systems programme aimed at modernising its nuclear forces amid rising global security tensions.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully tests CE20 cryogenic engine at 22-tonne thrust (Mid of March) ▼
  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) conducted a sea-level hot test of its CE20 cryogenic engine at 22-tonne thrust at the ISRO Propulsion Complex on March 10.
  • The CE20 engine powers the upper cryogenic stage of the LVM-3 launch vehicle.
  • The test lasted 165 seconds and used a nozzle protection system and a multi-element igniter.
  • ISRO plans to operate future LVM-3 missions with an uprated C32 cryogenic stage delivering 22-tonne thrust to enhance payload capability.
  • The cryogenic engine has undergone a record 20 successful hot tests demonstrating technologies including ignition using a multi-element igniter and engine qualification for Gaganyaan at 20-tonne thrust level.
Iran unveils Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile with 2,000 km range (Mid of February) ▼
  • Iran deployed the Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, also called Kheibar, inside underground missile cities.
  • The missile was publicly shown for the first time during the unveiling of a new missile city belonging to the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
  • Khorramshahr-4 has a range of approximately 2,000 kilometres and can carry a 1,500-kilogram warhead.
  • The missile uses an Arvand engine with self-igniting fuel, enabling launch from mobile platforms in under 15 minutes.
  • It reaches speeds of about Mach 16 outside the atmosphere and Mach 8 inside it, with total flight time of 10 to 12 minutes.
  • The missile features mid-flight guidance and a manoeuvring warhead with tactical engines to improve terminal accuracy and counter electronic warfare.

US-India NISAR Mission Tracks Rapid Land Subsidence in Mexico City

Key Updates:

  • The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was launched in July 2025.
  • Data from NISAR shows parts of Mexico City subsiding by more than 2 centimetres per month, using its L-band radar system that captures surface changes regardless of weather or time of day.
  • Mexico City, built over an ancient lakebed, has experienced subsidence due to decades of groundwater extraction and urban infrastructure weight, with some areas sinking as much as 35 centimetres annually by the late 20th century.
  • NISAR is the first satellite equipped with dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar, orbiting Earth every 12 days and deploying a 12-metre reflector, the largest radar antenna ever used by NASA.
  • Key landmarks within the subsidence zone include Benito Juárez International Airport and the Angel of Independence, where additional steps have been added over time due to ground level changes.

Similar Coverage

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Unveils Detailed Ocean Floor Map Using SWOT Satellite (End of March) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) have developed a new map of the ocean floor using data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite.
  • Launched in December 2022, the SWOT satellite scans approximately 90 per cent of the planet every 21 days to monitor oceans, lakes, and rivers.
  • The satellite employs gravity mapping to measure subtle bulges in water height caused by the gravitational pull of large underwater features like mountains and hills.
  • The SWOT satellite can identify seafloor features less than half a kilometre in size, a significant improvement over previous satellites that could only detect features taller than one kilometre.
  • Researchers anticipate that the mission will increase the number of known seamounts from approximately 44,000 to as many as 100,000.
  • The project contributes to a broader international effort to achieve a complete map of the global seafloor by the year 2030.
  • Detailed seafloor mapping is essential for improving maritime navigation, laying underwater communication cables, and studying plate tectonics and ocean ecosystems.
NASA’s PACE satellite pinpoints air-pollution sources with kilometre-scale precision (Mid of April) ▼
  • NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite was launched on 8 February 2024.
  • PACE’s Ocean Colour Instrument (OCI) detects nitrogen dioxide emissions from individual highways, power plants and shipping facilities at ~1 km spatial resolution.
  • OCI senses 340 nm–2260 nm wavelengths to deliver vertical column density of nitrogen dioxide at nadir.
  • Nitrogen dioxide’s short atmospheric lifetime allows daily tracking of emission signatures back to specific sources.
  • PACE data complement NASA’s TEMPO mission that monitors pollution movement over North America every hour.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Maps Every Village in India Using Satellite Data (End of April) ▼
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has completed high-resolution land use and land cover mapping for every village in India.
  • The mapping was conducted at a scale of 1:10000, where 1cm on the map represents 100 metres on the ground.
  • The satellite data is integrated as an information layer on the Grammanchitra web portal of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
  • The dataset is designed to support gram panchayat development plans, decentralised planning, monitoring of assets, and the identification of land resources and usage patterns.
  • The initiative incorporates satellite imagery from ISRO's Bhuvan geoportal for agricultural planning, disaster management, and infrastructure development in rural and remote areas.
  • ISRO announced the completion of this mapping on National Panchayati Raj Day.
NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite captures Mount St. Helens radar image through clouds (End of March) ▼
  • NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joint mission NISAR obtained a radar image of Mount St. Helens on 10 November 2025.
  • NISAR's radar penetrates clouds, enabling year-round monitoring of Earth's surface changes.
  • Colour-coded radar maps highlight roads and buildings in magenta, landforms or moisture in yellow, forests and wetlands in yellow-green, water or bare mountaintops in dark blue, and human impact areas like deforestation in purple.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Team Visits Japan for Chandrayaan-5 Launch Site Assessment

[Japan]

Key Updates:

  • Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team visited Japan to evaluate launch site preparations for the 2028 Chandrayaan-5 mission.
  • The visit aimed at assessing launch facility preparations, technical compatibility, and joint mission planning between ISRO and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
  • ISRO and JAXA have increased cooperation in satellite technology, earth observations, and lunar exploration.
  • Deliberations included evaluation of launch mechanism, safety considerations, and environmental conditions for deep space missions.
  • Chandrayaan-5 is expected to be equipped with advanced devices, conduct extensive lunar research, and improve landing systems.

Similar Coverage

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Identifies Landing Site for Chandrayaan-4 Mission (Start of February) ▼
  • The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has identified a landing site near Mons Mouton in the Moon’s south polar region for the Chandrayaan-4 mission.
  • Researchers at the Space Applications Centre (SAC) selected the specific site labelled MM-4, located at 84.289 degrees south latitude and 32.808 degrees east longitude.
  • The MM-4 site was chosen for its manageable average slope of approximately 5 degrees, minimal large rocks, and continuous sunlight exposure for 11 to 12 days.
  • Chandrayaan-4 is India’s first lunar sample return mission and is currently scheduled for launch around 2028.
  • The mission architecture includes five distinct components: a propulsion module, descender, ascender, transfer module, and re-entry module.
  • The landing site discovery was made by analysing high-resolution images from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter and using digital elevation models.
  • The mission aims to collect lunar soil and rock samples using robotic systems and return them to Earth via the ascender module.
India and Japan Commence 7th Edition of Dharma Guardian Exercise in Uttarakhand (End of February) ▼
  • The 7th edition of the annual India–Japan Joint Military Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN commenced at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, in Uttarakhand.
  • The two-week exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 24 February to 9 March 2026.
  • The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) is represented in the exercise by 120 personnel from the 32nd Infantry Regiment.
  • The Indian Army contingent comprises 120 personnel drawn from the Ladakh Scouts.
  • The exercise is designed to enhance combined operational capabilities in semi-urban terrain and integrate modern military technologies.
  • Tactical activities include establishing a Temporary Operating Base (TOB) and developing an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) grid.
  • Participating forces will conduct Mobile Vehicle Check Posts, Cordon and Search Operations, Heliborne Operations, and House Intervention Drills.
  • The exercise is conducted alternately in India and Japan as a key pillar of their Special Strategic and Global Partnership framework.
India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile from Odisha (Start of February) ▼
  • India successfully carried out a test launch of the Agni-III intermediate-range ballistic missile on 06 Feb 2026.
  • The missile was fired from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha.
  • The launch met all mission objectives and validated operational and technical parameters.
  • The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

Thomas and Uber Cup 2026: India men and women teams begin campaigns in Horsens, Denmark

Key Updates:

  • The 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup championships are being held in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3.
  • Indian men face defending champions Canada in Group A, while the women's team takes on Denmark in the opening round.
  • Both Indian teams are seeded eighth in the tournament based on their individual players' world rankings.
  • The Indian men created history by winning the 2022 edition of the Thomas Cup.
  • The Indian women's team won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the Uber Cup.

Similar Coverage

India defeats England to enter record fourth men’s T20 World Cup final (Start of March) ▼
  • India became the first team to qualify for four men’s T20 World Cup finals after beating England by seven runs in the semifinal at the Wankhede.
  • India had previously reached the finals in 2007, 2014 and 2024.
  • With this win India became the third team to make successive T20 World Cup finals, after Pakistan (2007 and 2009) and Sri Lanka (2012 and 2014).
  • England is the only other team to reach at least three T20 World Cup finals: 2010, 2016 and 2021.
  • India will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
India edges England to reach T20 World Cup 2026 final (Start of March) ▼
  • India defeated England by 7 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
  • India scored 253 for 19 sixes and 18 fours; England replied with 246 for 15 sixes and 21 fours.
  • Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his 42-ball 89 runs.
  • Jacob Bethell hit 105 off 48 balls for England before being run out by Hardik Pandya’s throw.
  • Axar Patel took two decisive catches, including a diving catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling and a boundary-line relay catch with Shivam Dube.
  • India will face New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
India defeats New Zealand to defend T20 World Cup title (Start of March) ▼
  • India defended their T20 World Cup title by beating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
  • India posted 255 for 5 in 20 overs; Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 off 46 balls.
  • New Zealand were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs; Tim Seifert made 52 off 26 balls.
  • Jasprit Bumrah took 4 wickets for 15 runs in 4 overs for India.
India thrash Pakistan by 61 runs in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup group stage match on 15 February 2026.
  • India scored 175 for 7 in 20 overs with Ishan Kishan top-scoring with 77 runs off 40 balls.
  • Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in 18 overs at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • India won the toss and elected to bat first.
  • India topped Group A with three wins out of three matches.
  • Pakistan remained second in Group A and need to beat Namibia to qualify for the Super 8s.

India defeats Chinese Taipei to reach Thomas Cup semifinals

Key Updates:

  • India assured its second Thomas Cup medal by defeating Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
  • The quarterfinal match was held in Horsens.
  • Lakshya Sen defeated Chou Tien Chen 18-21, 22-20, 21-17 in the first singles.
  • Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated Wang Chi Lin and Chiu Hsiang Cheh 23-21, 19-21, 21-12 in the doubles.
  • Ayush Shetty defeated Lin Chun-Yi 21-16, 21-17 in the second singles to seal the win.

Similar Coverage

Services beats Kerala in extra-time to lift eighth Santosh Trophy title (Mid of February) ▼
  • Services defeated Kerala 1-0 in extra-time to win the Santosh Trophy 2025-26 final at Dhakuakhana Football Stadium in Assam.
  • Abhishek Pawar scored the winning goal in the 109th minute of the match.
  • Services received the winner’s trophy and a cheque of Rs 5 lakh, while Kerala received the runner-up trophy and Rs 3 lakh.
  • This was Services’ eighth Santosh Trophy title and Kerala’s second consecutive final loss.
India defeats England to enter record fourth men’s T20 World Cup final (Start of March) ▼
  • India became the first team to qualify for four men’s T20 World Cup finals after beating England by seven runs in the semifinal at the Wankhede.
  • India had previously reached the finals in 2007, 2014 and 2024.
  • With this win India became the third team to make successive T20 World Cup finals, after Pakistan (2007 and 2009) and Sri Lanka (2012 and 2014).
  • England is the only other team to reach at least three T20 World Cup finals: 2010, 2016 and 2021.
  • India will face New Zealand in the final on Sunday in Ahmedabad.
India edges England to reach T20 World Cup 2026 final (Start of March) ▼
  • India defeated England by 7 runs in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium.
  • India scored 253 for 19 sixes and 18 fours; England replied with 246 for 15 sixes and 21 fours.
  • Sanju Samson was named Player of the Match for his 42-ball 89 runs.
  • Jacob Bethell hit 105 off 48 balls for England before being run out by Hardik Pandya’s throw.
  • Axar Patel took two decisive catches, including a diving catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling and a boundary-line relay catch with Shivam Dube.
  • India will face New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final.
Indian archers claim two bronze and reach two finals in Asia Cup Stage-1 (End of March) ▼
  • Indian archers won two bronze medals and advanced to the finals of the men’s recurve and women’s compound team events at the Asia Cup World Ranking Tournament Stage 1 in Bangkok.
  • The women’s compound team of Chikitha Taniparthi, Raj Kaur and Tejal Salve defeated Thailand 229-226 in the semifinal and will face Kazakhstan in the final.
  • The men’s compound team of Rajat Chauhan, Rishabh Yadav and Uday Kamboj lost 233-234 to Vietnam in the semifinal but beat Bhutan 234-232 to secure bronze.
  • The men’s recurve team of Devaang Gupta, Sukhchain Singh and Juyel Sarkar beat Malaysia 5-1 to enter the final where they will face Kazakhstan.
  • The women’s recurve team of Ruma Biswas, Kirti and Ridhi Phor defeated Malaysia 5-1 to win bronze.

Ippa Puvvu Panduga (Mahua flower festival) celebrated in Adilabad, Telangana on April 30, 2026

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

  • The Mahua flower festival, locally known as Ippa Puvvu Panduga, was celebrated in Adilabad district of Telangana.
  • The festival was held at Jamidi village in Narnoor mandal on April 30, 2026.
  • The event was organised under the aegis of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Utnoor, in association with Adivasi (Gondwana) organisations.
  • Adilabad Collector Rajarshi Shah emphasised the role of ippa (mahua) flowers in supporting the tribal economy and called for scientific collection.
  • The collector also highlighted the need for conserving trees and preserving the glorious tribal heritage.

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Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden opens in Srinagar on March 16, 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah inaugurated the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar on March 16, 2026.
  • The garden is situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Mountains near Dal Lake and is recognised as the largest tulip garden in Asia.
  • For the 2026 season, nearly 18 lakh tulips representing more than 70 varieties have been planted across the garden.
  • The garden also features approximately one lakh other bulbous flowers, including daffodils, hyacinths, and narcissus.
  • The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden was established in 2007 and has since become a major tourist attraction in the Kashmir Valley.
  • The opening of the garden marks the arrival of the spring season and the commencement of the tourism season in the region.
Holi celebrated across India under different regional names (Start of March) ▼
  • Lathmar Holi is celebrated in Barsana and Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Phoolon Ki Holi is celebrated in Vrindavan by showering flowers instead of coloured powder.
  • Dol Jatra is celebrated in West Bengal and Odisha with idols of Krishna and Radha placed on decorated swings.
  • Hola Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated in Punjab emphasising martial traditions and community discipline.
  • Shigmo is celebrated in Goa marking the arrival of spring and the harvest season.
  • Yaoshang is a multi-day celebration in Manipur blending Holi traditions with local cultural practices.
Indian Orchid Festival 2026 on theme 'Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity' concludes at Pakyong district in Sikkim (Mid of March) ▼
  • Indian Orchid Festival 2026 concluded at Pakyong district in Sikkim.
  • Theme of the festival: 'Orchids for Beauty & Prosperity'.
  • Organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Research Centre for Orchids (ICAR-NRCO).
  • Chief Guest: Puran Gurung, Minister for Agriculture & Horticulture Department, Government of Sikkim.
  • Director ICAR-NRCO Pakyong: Dr. SP Das.
  • Participants included orchid growers, entrepreneurs, stakeholders from many states, renowned nurseries, tissue culture companies and marketing companies.
  • Four-day festival featured technical sessions where experts shared practical knowledge with growers.
  • Puran Gurung promised to organise such events at North East India Level in collaboration with State Governments.
  • Dr. N.P. Singh, Ex-Director, National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, appreciated the initiative.
Chapchar Kut spring festival celebrated in Mizoram on March 13 with theme 'Zo Nun Ze Mawi: Inremna'. (End of March) ▼
  • Chapchar Kut is celebrated in March after the completion of the most arduous stage of the jhum cultivation cycle.
  • The festival’s origin is traced by historians to between 1450 and 1700 AD in the village of Suaipui near present-day Myanmar.
  • The festival declined after the arrival of Christian missionaries in the late 19th century and was revived on a large scale in 1973 without animistic practices or alcohol.
  • The 2026 grand finale was held at the Lammual ground in Aizawl on March 13.
  • The week-long festivities began on March 9 across Mizoram.
  • Chief Minister Lalduhoma attended as the 'Kut Pa' and urged self-accountability and reconciliation as core Mizo values.
  • Governor V K Singh and Art and Culture Minister C Lamsawivunga joined the gathering.

QS Executive MBA Rankings 2026: South Korea enters for first time, IIM Bangalore slips to 64th

[Quacquarelli Symonds, Indian Institute of Management Bengaluru]

Key Updates:

  • South Korea entered the QS Executive MBA Rankings for the first time in 2026, with Korea University Business School placed 76th globally.
  • Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) released the Executive MBA Rankings 2026.
  • The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIM Bangalore) is ranked 64th globally, down from 50th last year.
  • Seven Indian business schools feature in the QS Executive MBA Rankings 2026.
  • India is the second-most represented country in the Asia-Pacific region after China in the rankings.

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Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026 released (Start of May) ▼
  • The Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2026 evaluated 929 universities across 36 countries and territories.
  • Tsinghua University of China secured the top position for the eighth consecutive year.
  • India is the most represented nation in the rankings with 128 institutions.
  • The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru is the highest-ranked Indian institution at 43rd position and the only Indian representative in the top 100.
  • India has 12 institutions in the top 200.
  • The Indian institutions ranked in the top 200 are: Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, KIIT University, Aligarh Muslim University, National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela, Lovely Professional University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, and University of Delhi.
  • The University of Tokyo is the only Japanese university in the top 10.
  • Several Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campuses, including Delhi, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Roorkee, and Guwahati, boycotted the rankings.
QS Subject Rankings 2026 released on 26 March 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • QS Subject Rankings 2026 were released on 26 March 2026.
  • India secured 599 entries across 99 institutions, the highest ever.
  • India has 27 subjects in the global top 50, up from 12 in 2024.
  • IIT Delhi has five core engineering subjects in the global top 50.
  • IIT Bombay shows strong presence across engineering and sciences.
  • IIT Kharagpur’s Petroleum Engineering entered the top 30.
  • IIM Ahmedabad’s Marketing subject is ranked 21 globally.
  • O P Jindal Global University (JGU) is ranked 35 in Law and in the top 100 in Politics & International Relations.
  • BITS Pilani is expanding its global footprint across STEM and management disciplines.
  • Computer Science entries from India doubled from 23 in 2021 to 44 in 2026.
  • Engineering entries from India increased by 65% over the past five years.
  • India recorded the highest improvement rate globally at 44%.
  • India continues to lag in Arts & Humanities and medical sciences with limited top-tier representation.

Rohit Jain Appointed as RBI Deputy Governor

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • Rohit Jain was appointed as Deputy Governor (DG) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) by the appointments committee of the cabinet.
  • His appointment is for a period of three years from the date of joining on or after May 3, 2026.
  • He replaced T Rabi Sankar, whose tenure ended on May 3, 2026, after receiving two extensions in 2024 and 2025.
  • Jain had served as an Executive Director (ED) at the RBI since December 2020 and has spent about 30 years at the central bank, handling functions including banking supervision.
  • Jain became one of the two deputy governors promoted from within the RBI, along with SC Murmu, while the other deputy governors include Poonam Gupta and Swaminathan J.

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Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth appointed as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS). (Start of March) ▼
  • Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth will move from General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, Pune, to Army Headquarters as Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) from 1 April.
  • Lt Gen P.P. Singh, currently Vice Chief of Army Staff, will take over as Western Army Commander at Chandimandir, succeeding Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar.
  • Lt Gen V.M.B. Krishnan, presently Quartermaster General at Army Headquarters, will assume charge as Eastern Army Commander in Kolkata from 1 April, succeeding Lt Gen Ram Chander Tiwari.
  • Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, now Chief of Staff at Southern Command, will be promoted to Southern Army Commander in Pune, replacing Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Jose Joseph Kattoor as South Indian Bank Chairman (End of March) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) sanctioned the appointment of former RBI Executive Director Jose Joseph Kattoor as non-executive part-time chairman of South Indian Bank on 3 February 2026.
  • Kattoor’s chairmanship is effective 23 March 2026 for a three-year term.
  • He served at RBI from 1991 to 2023 and led departments including enforcement, corporate strategy, currency, and human resources.
  • Kattoor has been an independent director on South Indian Bank’s board since 18 July 2024.

Bharat Khera Assumes Charge as MSME Secretary

[Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (India)]

Key Updates:

  • Bharat Khera, a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre, has taken charge as Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
  • Prior to this appointment, he served as Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs.
  • He served as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence from 2014 to 2020, handling matters related to the Indian Air Force and coordinating Republic Day celebrations for four consecutive years.
  • Khera has worked in the Cabinet Secretariat and held state-level positions in Himachal Pradesh including Home Secretary and Principal Secretary across multiple departments.
  • He holds an engineering degree from BITS Pilani, a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University, and was a Chevening Gurukul Fellow at the London School of Economics.

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B Ramesh Babu reappointed as MD & CEO of Karur Vysya Bank (End of April) ▼
  • B Ramesh Babu has been reappointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Karur Vysya Bank.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the reappointment.
  • The appointment is for his third term.
Narendra Bhooshan appointed Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development. (Start of April) ▼
  • Narendra Bhooshan is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
  • He has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
  • His prior experience spans infrastructure development, public service delivery, and governance reforms.
  • He is expected to accelerate land record modernisation and promote transparency through technology integration.
NSIC upgraded to Schedule A CPSE status by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) (Start of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) announced the upgrade of National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) to Schedule A Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) status.
  • Schedule A recognition enhances NSIC’s managerial, operational and financial powers.
  • NSIC received an “Excellent” rating from the Department of Public Enterprises for 2024–25.
Chanchal Kumar appointed Information and Broadcasting Secretary (Start of April) ▼
  • Chanchal Kumar, a 1992-batch Bihar cadre IAS officer, was appointed Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 31 March 2026.
  • Sanjay Jaju moved from Information and Broadcasting Secretary to Secretary, Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
  • Rohit Kansal, 1995-batch AGMUT cadre, appointed Secretary, Department of Rural Development after Shailesh Kumar Singh’s superannuation.
  • Bhuvnesh Kumar, 1995-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre, appointed Secretary, Ministry of Tourism replacing Srivatsa Krishna.
  • Srivatsa Krishna appointed Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs replacing Chandra Sekhar Kumar.
  • Chandra Sekhar Kumar appointed CEO, National Rainfed Area Authority under Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
  • Bharat Harbanslal Khera appointed Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
  • Abhishek Singh shifted from Director-General, National Informatics Centre to Director-General, National Testing Agency under Ministry of Education.

Ashutosh Gowariker appointed festival director for 57th International Film Festival of India

Key Updates:

  • Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed as the festival director for the 57th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
  • Gowariker succeeds filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, who served as festival director for the 55th and 56th editions of IFFI.
  • IFFI is held annually in Goa and was established in 1952 as one of Asia's premier film festivals.
  • Gowariker is known for directing films such as Lagaan, Swades, and Jodhaa Akbar.
  • The Information and Broadcasting Ministry stated that Gowariker has a distinguished contribution to Indian cinema and a long association with IFFI, including serving as Jury President for International Cinema in 2024.

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Chetak Screen Awards 2026 held on 5 April (Start of April) ▼
  • The Chetak Screen Awards 2026 ceremony was held in Mumbai on Sunday, 5 April.
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and businesswoman Nita Ambani presented the Best Film award to Karan Johar for the movie Homebound.
  • Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, won the award for Best Film.
  • The film Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, won a total of 14 trophies including the Best Director award.
  • Ranveer Singh was named Best Actor (Male) and Akshaye Khanna won Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) for the film Dhurandhar.
  • Yami Gautam received the Best Actor (Female) award for her performance in the film Haq.
  • The winners were selected by the Screen Academy, an independent not-for-profit body comprising 53 filmmakers, artistes, and cultural voices.
  • The selection process was led by Dr Priya Jaikumar, Chair of Cinema and Media Studies at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts.
  • The ceremony was hosted by Alia Bhatt, Zakir Khan, Sunil Grover, and Saurabh Dwivedi, the Editor – Hindi at The Indian Express (IE).
Sayani Gupta named Harvard South Asian Association (SAA) Person of the Year (Mid of April) ▼
  • The SAA has named actor Sayani Gupta as its Person of the Year for her contribution to storytelling and global cultural impact.
  • The honour recognises individuals whose work has significantly influenced South Asian representation and identity on a global stage.
  • Sayani Gupta will be felicitated for this award at Harvard University later this month.
  • Previous recipients of this recognition include Vikas Khanna, who received the award in the preceding year.
  • Sayani Gupta is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
  • She is set to debut as a writer-director with the short film Aasmani, which will premiere at the WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival on 25 April.
  • Her notable acting credits include projects such as Four More Shots Please, Axone, Article 15, Inside Edge, and Delhi Crime.
Park Chan-wook named president of jury for 79th Cannes Film Festival. (End of February) ▼
  • South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will preside over the 79th Cannes Film Festival scheduled for 12-23 May 2026.
  • He becomes the first Korean and the third Asian to serve as Cannes jury president, after Japan’s Tetsurō Furukaki in 1962 and Hong Kong’s Wong Kar-wai in 2006.
  • Park has premiered four films in Competition at Cannes: Oldboy (2004), Thirst (2009), The Handmaiden (2016), and Decision to Leave (2022).
  • His Cannes accolades include the Grand Jury Prize for Oldboy, the Jury Prize for Thirst, and Best Director for Decision to Leave.
  • Festival President Iris Knobloch and Director Thierry Frémaux praised his inventiveness and visual mastery in the announcement.
Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta wins Best Director at New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Dr Partha Sarathi Mahanta, IGP of Assam Police and Commissioner of Police, Guwahati, directed the animated short film 'CHYIMI'.
  • 'CHYIMI' received the Best Director Award at the New York Short Animation Festival (NYSAF) 2026.
  • NYSAF 2026 is partnered with Cine Universitario UACJ in Mexico for additional screenings of selected films.
  • The festival recognises outstanding animated storytelling and provides a global platform for filmmakers.

Anugraha Narayana Das assumed charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts

[Controller General of Defence Accounts (India)]

Key Updates:

  • Anugraha Narayana Das, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) with effect from May 1.
  • He previously served as Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts and has over three decades of experience in defence financial management and public administration.
  • He is an alumnus of Utkal University and ICPE University of Ljubljana, and has undergone professional training at Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and Duke University.
  • His key assignments include Director in the Ministry of Water Resources, Additional Financial Adviser and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Principal Integrated Financial Adviser at Army Headquarters, and Special Controller General of Defence Accounts at CGDA Headquarters.

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Rakesh Bhanot appointed acting Director General of Competition Commission of India (CCI) (End of April) ▼
  • Rakesh Bhanot, an advisor at the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has been appointed as the acting Director General (DG).
  • He succeeds Ansuman Pattanaik, who was appointed as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on March 31, 2026.
  • The CCI has extended the deadline for applying for the full-time DG post until May 5, 2026.
  • The DG's office is responsible for investigating all contraventions against the Competition Act.
  • The DG's office is currently investigating cases involving Indigo Airlines for abuse of dominant position and Google for its practices in digital advertising.
  • Amendments made to the Competition Act in 2023 empower the commission to appoint the DG with prior approval from the Centre.
  • Section 16 of the Competition Act stipulates that the DG and other director generals be appointed from persons of integrity and outstanding ability with experience in investigation and knowledge of accountancy, management, business, public administration, international trade, law, or economics.
Vir Vikram Yadav appointed Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). (Start of April) ▼
  • 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.
Divakar Jayant assumed charge as Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (MoD). (Start of February) ▼
  • Divakar Jayant, a 1991-batch Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS) officer, took over as DGONA on 2 February 2026.
  • He succeeded P. Upadhyay, who superannuated on 31 January 2026.
  • Jayant joined the Naval Armament Organisation of the Indian Navy on 28 December 1992.
  • He is an Electrical Engineering graduate from IIT Delhi and specialises in torpedo life-cycle management.
  • He has served as Chief General Manager and General Manager/Principal Director at Naval Armament Depots in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, and Alwaye.
M Anitha (IRS) appointed Director in Department of Defence. (Start of February) ▼
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the appointment of M Anitha, IRS (Income Tax: 2007), as Director in the Department of Defence under the Central Staffing Scheme.
  • The Civil Services Board (CSB) recommended her lateral shift from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), where she is currently Director.
  • Her tenure in the Department of Defence will last up to 26 September 2026, the balance period of her five-year deputation at the Director level, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
  • The appointment takes effect from the date she assumes charge of the post.

Vishvajit Sahay assumes charge as Defence Finance Secretary

Key Updates:

  • Vishvajit Sahay, a 1990-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as Secretary (Defence Finance) in the Ministry of Defence on 1 May 2026.
  • Prior to this appointment, he served as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA).
  • He is an alumnus of St. Stephen's College, University of Delhi, and a law graduate with over three decades of experience in defence finance and public administration.
  • His previous key positions include Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Science and Technology, Joint Secretary in the Department of Heavy Industries, Finance Manager in the Acquisition Wing of the Ministry of Defence, and Director in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
  • Within the Defence Accounts Department, he has also served as Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions) in Prayagraj, Joint CGDA, and Special CGDA, and represented India at training programmes at the University of Cambridge and the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies.

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Rajesh Kumar Agarwal assumed charge as Director (Finance) of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) (End of April) ▼
  • Rajesh Kumar Agarwal assumed charge as Director (Finance) at the state-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) on April 23, 2026.
  • His tenure is for a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
  • Prior to this appointment, he held the post of Executive Director (Finance) at PFC.
  • He has over three decades of experience in the power and financial sectors and has been with PFC since 2009.
  • He holds a Bachelor's degree in Commerce (Honours) and is a Member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
  • His experience at PFC includes Corporate Accounts, Taxation, Fund Management & Banking, Lending Policy Compliance, Restructured Assets Management, Fund Raisings, and Loan Disbursement.
India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in Bishkek on April 27-28, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the Defence Ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
  • The high-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Bishkek on April 27–28, 2026.
  • The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on terrorism, extremism, and regional security concerns.
Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman presents Union Budget 2026 (Start of February) ▼
  • Union Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 on 1 February 2026.
  • State Bank of India (SBI) opened a Global Trade Finance Centre (GTFC) in Kolkata to strengthen its trade and international banking operations.
  • Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ajay Kumar Srivastava stated the budget provides a roadmap for Viksit Bharat by balancing industrial scaling with job creation.
  • Heritage Foods Ltd Executive Director Brahmani Nara described the budget as a landmark step for strengthening the dairy and livestock ecosystem in India.
  • Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Alexander Schoen noted the budget places manufacturing, infrastructure, and supply-chain resilience at the centre of economic policy.
  • The Indian space sector is exploring derived demand for products and services from the defence sector following the FY27 budget proposals.
Ministry of Finance (MoF) hikes defence Budget 15.3% to Rs 7.84 lakh crore for FY27 (Start of February) ▼
  • Total FY27 defence allocation set at Rs 7.84 lakh crore, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore in FY26, marking a 15.3% rise.
  • Revenue expenditure for defence services fixed at Rs 3.65 lakh crore.
  • Capital outlay raised 21.8% to Rs 2.19 lakh crore against revised estimate of Rs 1.86 lakh crore.
  • Defence pensions allocated Rs 1.71 lakh crore and civil defence spending Rs 28,554.61 crore.
  • Basic customs duty exempted on components for manufacture of civilian, training and other aircraft.
  • Basic customs duty waived on raw materials imported for maintenance, repair or overhaul by defence units.
  • Indigenous defence production touched record Rs 1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
  • Defence exports hit all-time high of Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25.
  • Domestic share in defence equipment now 65%, with Defence Public Sector Undertakings contributing 77% of output.
  • Two Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have attracted over Rs 9,145 crore investments.
  • 788 industrial licences issued to 462 companies under liberalised FDI and Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) regime.
  • Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) 2025 streamline capital acquisition.

Social activist Dijo Kappen passed away

Key Updates:

  • Dijo Kappen, a noted social activist for consumer and farmer rights, passed away at the age of 69 at a private hospital in Pala.
  • He served as the Kerala University Union general secretary in 1982 and was a member of the academic council and senate at Kerala University.
  • He was the state president of Kerala Students Congress from 1983 to 1985 and state president of Kerala Youth Front from 1989 to 1991.
  • After retiring from active politics in 1998, he worked at the Center for Consumer Education and secured favourable verdicts in at least two dozen public interest litigations in the Supreme Court and high court.
  • He held leadership roles including president of the Public Transport Protection Committee, Sabari Railway Central Action Council, and Democratic Human Rights and Environment Protection Forum.
  • He was a senate member at Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University) for 10 years.

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World Consumer Rights Day 2026: Safe Products, Confident Consumers (Mid of March) ▼
  • World Consumer Rights Day is observed every year on March 15.
  • The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2026 is Safe Products, Confident Consumers.
  • World Consumer Rights Day was first observed in 1983.
  • On March 15, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy introduced the Consumer Bill of Rights to the US Congress.
Shiv Ratan Agarwal passes away as founder of Bikaji Foods International (End of April) ▼
  • Shiv Ratan Agarwal was the founder and promoter of Bikaji Foods International.
  • He passed away at the age of 75.
  • He transformed the traditional Bikaneri snacks business into the internationally recognised Bikaji brand.
Rohit Kumar Singh appointed Chair of Global Value Chains Committee of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) (Start of February) ▼
  • Rohit Kumar Singh, 1989-batch IAS officer of Rajasthan cadre, has been appointed Chair of the Global Value Chains Committee of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF).
  • He has also been appointed advisor to the USISPF Board of Directors.
  • Singh formerly served as Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Government of India.
  • He led India’s first AI-enabled grievance redressal ecosystem, bringing a paradigm shift to consumer protection.
R. Nallakannu, Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) Leader and Freedom Fighter, Passes Away at 101 (End of February) ▼
  • Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and freedom fighter R. Nallakannu passed away at the age of 101 on 25 February 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
  • Born on 25 December 1925 in Srivaikuntam, he joined the CPI in 1944 and later served as the State Secretary of the party in Tamil Nadu for 13 years.
  • He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1949 in the Nellai conspiracy case for organising a land for tillers agitation and was released in 1956.
  • The Government of Tamil Nadu conferred the Thagaisaal Tamilar (Scholarly Tamil) award upon him in 2022, which carried a cash prize of ₹15 lakh.
  • He received the Ambedkar Award for the year 2007 from the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
  • He donated the ₹15 lakh prize money from the Thagaisaal Tamilar award to the Chief Minister’s relief fund and returned a car and ₹1 crore gifted by party cadres to the CPI.
  • At the age of 95, he successfully argued a petition before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court to secure a five-year ban on illegal sand mining in the Thamirabarani river.
  • His body was donated for medical research in accordance with his final wishes.

V Hanumantha Rao appointed as Backward Classes (BC) welfare adviser

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

  • V Hanumantha Rao, former MP and senior Congress leader, was appointed as adviser for the Backward Classes (BC) welfare department by the Telangana government with the status of a minister of state.
  • He will receive a monthly salary of Rs 1,00,000 and a house rent allowance of Rs 50,000 per month if a government quarter is not allotted.
  • He will be eligible for a conveyance allowance of Rs 30,000 per month and fuel expenses of Rs 15,000 for using his personal vehicle on official duties.
  • He will have access to a government vehicle with a driver and medical expense reimbursement on par with All India Services officers and ministers.
  • Special staff, including a private secretary, a data entry operator, two office subordinates, and a driver, will be allocated for his advisory role, with expenditure met from the BC welfare department's regular budget.

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Telangana declares cancer as notifiable disease and launches cancer registry (Start of April) ▼
  • Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha declared cancer a notifiable disease and launched a cancer registry on Tuesday.
  • About 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases are reported in the state annually.
  • Every cancer case will now be registered under the notifiable disease notification.
  • The cancer registry will provide accurate data for better cancer control planning.
  • The state government has established Day Care Cancer Centres in all district headquarter towns.
  • Health checks are being conducted for 46 lakh members of women self help groups (SHGs).
  • The government will start Regional Cancer Centres and use AI for disease detection.
  • A LINAC (Linear Accelerator) was inaugurated in the cancer block of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad.
  • A comprehensive trauma care policy was launched for accident and emergency victims.
  • The health department signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to conduct AI-enabled lung cancer screening in 20 government hospitals.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nadendla Bhaskar Rao Passes Away at 90 (End of April) ▼
  • Nadendla Bhaskara Rao, the former Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, passed away at the age of 90 at Continental Hospitals in Hyderabad.
  • He served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for a brief period in 1984.
  • He began his legislative career in 1978 after being elected as a Congress Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA).
  • He held ministerial positions in the state government under leaders including N. T. Rama Rao, Marri Chenna Reddy, and T. Anjaiah.
  • His son, Nadendla Manohar, currently serves as the Civil Supplies Minister of Andhra Pradesh and the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) Chairman of the Jana Sena Party.
  • Nadendla Manohar also held the position of the last Speaker of the united Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Telangana Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 3.24 lakh crore with focus on infrastructure and poll promises. (End of March) ▼
  • Telangana government presented a budget of Rs 3.24 lakh crore for 2026-27, an increase of nearly Rs 20,000 crore over the previous year.
  • Revenue expenditure is pegged at Rs 2,34,406 crore and capital expenditure at Rs 47,267 crore.
  • Agriculture sector received Rs 23,179 crore, Energy sector Rs 21,285 crore.
  • Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department allocated Rs 17,907 crore.
  • Medical and Health Department set aside Rs 13,679 crore.
  • Flagship programmes include Musi Riverfront beautification and Hyderabad Metrorail Phase 2 and 3.
  • Telangana's GSDP for 2025-26 is Rs 17,82,198 crore with a growth rate of 10.7%.
  • Per capita income for 2025-26 stood at Rs 4,18,931, recording a growth of 10.2%.
Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026 passed to ensure financial security for senior citizens (End of March) ▼
  • The Telangana Assembly passed the Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026, to ensure financial security for senior citizens.
  • The legislation mandates that public representatives, government employees, and private employees must provide care for their elderly parents.
  • Failure to comply with the Bill will result in a deduction of 15 per cent of the salary or ₹10,000, whichever is lower, payable to the parents.
  • Chief Minister (CM) A Revanth Reddy stated that the Bill aims to go beyond the existing national law, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
  • The Bill was supported by various political entities including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI).

Om Birla rejigs 4 House panels for 2026-27; most chiefs stay on

Key Updates:

  • Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reconstituted four parliamentary committees for the 2026-27 financial year.
  • The committees were officially reconstituted on May 1, 2026, and will serve till April 30, 2027.
  • BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste was reappointed chairperson of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • Congress leader KC Venugopal was reappointed chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
  • The Public Accounts Committee consists of not more than 22 members, comprising 15 elected by the Lok Sabha and not more than seven from the Rajya Sabha.

Similar Coverage

CPA India Region Zone VII Conference focuses on transparent and inclusive governance (Mid of April) ▼
  • Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla addressed the inaugural session of the First CPA India Region Zone VII Conference in Goa.
  • The conference brought together legislators from Maharashtra, Goa, and Gujarat under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region.
  • Shri Birla urged lawmakers to rise above personal and political interests to fulfil public aspirations.
  • He described young lawmakers as central to achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
  • The CPA Zone VII comprises Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa.
Om Birla faces no-confidence motion as Lok Sabha Speaker. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on 10 February 2026.
  • Removal of Speaker requires a resolution passed by majority of all then members of Lok Sabha under Article 94(c).
  • Notice for removal must be in writing to Lok Sabha Secretary-General and needs at least 14 days’ notice.
  • Motion needs minimum 50 members to rise in favour for leave to be granted.
  • Previous no-confidence motions against Speakers occurred in December 1954, November 1966 and April 1987.
  • During consideration of removal, Speaker can speak and vote only in first instance, not in case of tie.
No-trust motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defeated during Budget Session 2026 (Mid of March) ▼
  • A no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was defeated on Wednesday during the Budget Session of Parliament.
  • The motion was introduced by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and backed by more than 50 MPs, enabling its formal discussion.
  • 118 Opposition MPs signed the motion, alleging that Om Birla displayed partisan behaviour and failed to maintain impartiality.
  • BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, presiding, allowed the motion and allotted 10 hours for debate.
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Speaker, stating that even the Supreme Court could not judge the ruling of the Speaker.
  • Amit Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, "When sessions come, he plans foreign trips. So, how will he speak here from abroad?"
Om Birla Constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 Nations (End of February) ▼
  • Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries to deepen dialogue and exchange best practices with international legislatures.
  • Each friendship group comprises 11 members, including representatives from both the LS and the Rajya Sabha (RS).
  • Indian National Congress (INC) leaders appointed to chair groups include Shashi Tharoor (France), P Chidambaram (Italy), K C Venugopal (Portugal), Manish Tewari (Australia), and Gaurav Gogoi (Philippines).
  • Other Opposition chairpersons include K Kanimozhi (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)) for Greece, Derek O’Brien (Trinamool Congress (TMC)) for Chile, Abhishek Banerjee (TMC) for Algeria, Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT) for Morocco, and Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP)) for Singapore.
  • Additional Opposition leaders heading groups are Asaduddin Owaisi (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)) for Oman, Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party (SP)) for Japan, Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) for Egypt, Sanjay Singh (Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)) for Caribbean countries, and N K Premachandran (Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP)) for Madagascar.
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders appointed as chairpersons include Ravi Shankar Prasad (United Kingdom (UK)), Baijayant Panda (United States of America (USA)), Nishikant Dubey (Russia), Anurag Thakur (European Union (EU) Parliament, Brussels), Rajiv Pratap Rudy (Switzerland), Bhartruhari Mahtab (Israel), Hema Malini (South Africa), Ashok Chavan (Argentina), Samik Bhattacharya (New Zealand), and Aparajita Sarangi (Tanzania).
  • Other group leaders include Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena) for Indonesia, Sanjay Jha (Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))) for Germany, M Thambidurai (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)) for Nigeria, and Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Telugu Desam Party (TDP)).
  • Members appointed to various groups include Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Japan), Manickam Tagore (Indonesia), Gurjeet Singh Aujla (Italy), Hibi Eden (Singapore), Amrinder Singh Raja Warring (UK), Prashant Padole (Trinidad and Tobago), Dean Kuriakose (Saudi Arabia), C Kiran Kumar Reddy (South Korea), and S Venkatesan (Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))) for Cuba.
  • The groups are intended to facilitate discussions on trade, technology, social policy, culture, and global challenges faced by democracies.