Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and Chamber India Sign MoU to Globalise Startup Ecosystem
Key Updates:
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chamber India to strengthen the nation's startup ecosystem and promote innovation-led growth.
Under the collaboration, DPIIT-recognised startups will receive a 50% discount on Chamber India's privileged membership fees.
The partnership provides access to services including export facilitation, intellectual property advisory, business matching opportunities, and participation in global delegations.
DPIIT has over 200,000 recognised startups in India, which have created more than 21 lakh jobs nationwide.
The MoU aims to bridge domestic innovation with international market opportunities through Chamber India's established network.
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DPIIT and KRAFTON India sign MoU to support gaming and digital entertainment startups. (End of March)▼
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with KRAFTON India Pvt Ltd on 26 March 2026 in New Delhi.
The collaboration will organise innovation challenges under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge and targeted hackathons, workshops, and masterclasses in game design, animation, immersive technologies, esports management, and AI applications.
Selected startups may gain pilot collaboration opportunities and further engagement based on outcomes.
Startups will receive mentorship, industry insights, knowledge exchange platforms, and curated engagement opportunities.
The partnership will facilitate Proof-of-Concept development, market access, and integration into industry ecosystems.
The MoU was signed by Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, T L K Singh and Head of Government Relations, KRAFTON India Pvt Ltd, Vibhor Kukreti.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) launches first State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura to strengthen State-led innovation ecosystem (Start of March)▼
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog launched the first State Innovation Mission (SIM) in Tripura at the Hapania International Exhibition Centre in Agartala.
SIM is part of the approved AIM 2.0 programme under NITI Aayog’s State Support Mission (SSM) and will be institutionalised under the Tripura Institution for Transformation (TIFT).
T-NEST (Tripura – Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups), a dedicated incubation and innovation facility, was inaugurated to incubate startups and promote Make from Tripura solutions.
Innovation Centres will be created in each of Tripura’s 8 districts and linked to T-NEST to promote innovation among women and tribal communities.
Tripura launched one of India’s first District Innovator Fellowships (DIF) to identify and nurture grassroots innovators with structured lifecycle support.
Tripura will formulate a State AI Policy aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of responsible and inclusive AI and establish an AI City in Agartala with support from global technology enablers.
SIM will support Tripura in strengthening innovation education and entrepreneurial exposure from the school level and enable startups to access infrastructure, mentorship, and funding support.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signs MoU with Blue Star Limited to boost manufacturing and startup innovation. (End of March)▼
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) signed an MoU with Blue Star Limited on 24 March 2026.
The partnership targets startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs in HVAC technologies, digital solutions, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain innovation.
Startups will gain access to industry mentorship, R&D facilities, testing infrastructure, and pilot opportunities.
The initiative supports proof-of-concept development and integration into existing industry value chains.
DPIIT and Blue Star will organise innovation challenges and hackathons under the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge focused on manufacturing, HVAC, and digital technologies.
The MoU was signed by T. L. K. Singh, Deputy Secretary, DPIIT, and B Thiagarajan, Managing Director, Blue Star Limited.
Revised Startup Recognition Norms Increase Turnover Limits and Add Deep-Tech Category (Start of February)▼
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified revised startup recognition criteria on 5 February 2026.
General startup turnover limit raised from ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore.
New 'Deep Tech Startup' sub-category introduced with age limit extended to 20 years and turnover cap of ₹300 crore.
Multi-State Cooperative Societies registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 and cooperative societies under State/UT Acts now eligible for startup recognition.
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partners with Juspay to launch switch and SDK for Banking Connect platform
Key Updates:
NPCI Bharat BillPay Ltd (NBBL) partnered with Juspay to introduce a switch and software development kit (SDK) for its Banking Connect platform.
The solution provides a single integration layer for banks and partners.
It enables routing to a central switch and supports structured data delivery for risk and fraud monitoring systems.
The initiative is expected to reduce onboarding time and standardise integration processes.
The announcement was made on April 30, 2026.
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Reliance Jio and Bank of Baroda (BoB) launch bob World Lite for JioPhone Prima 4G (Mid of April)▼
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (Jio) and Bank of Baroda (BoB) have partnered to launch 'bob World Lite', a mobile banking application for feature phone users.
The application is specifically designed for the JioPhone Prima 4G device to expand digital banking access in semi-urban and rural areas.
The app features a lightweight, low-bandwidth architecture that supports keypad navigation and secure access.
Services offered include Unified Payments Interface (UPI) enabled Scan & Pay, money transfers, bill payments, and recharges.
The platform allows self-onboarding for both BoB customers and customers of other banks.
The app comes pre-loaded on new JioPhone Prima 4G devices and is available for download via the JioStore for existing users.
NPCI Bharat BillPay Limited (NBBL) onboards Postal Life Insurance (PLI) on Bharat Connect (End of April)▼
NBBL has integrated PLI as a biller under the insurance category to enable premium payments via digital and offline channels.
State Bank of India (SBI) is acting as the Biller Operating Unit for this integration.
PLI is operated by the Department of Posts and services over 1.25 crore active policies.
PLI processes approximately 2.5 lakh transactions daily.
The insurance category on Bharat Connect now includes 65 billers following this addition.
Bharat Connect hosts more than 22,640 billers across over 29 categories and is accessible through over 700 apps and 5 lakh offline agents.
Noopur Chaturvedi serves as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NBBL.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants NBFC licence to One MobiKwik Systems (End of April)▼
One MobiKwik Systems has received approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence to launch its in-house lending business.
The company will establish a wholly owned subsidiary named MobiKwik Financial Services Private Limited to expand regulated lending operations and roll out credit products for consumers and merchants.
The NBFC licence is intended to help the fintech firm strengthen its full-stack financial services, improve lending margins, and accelerate the launch of new products.
MobiKwik plans to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning models to offer personalised financial products and expand credit access in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
The company, which has a user base of over 186 million users, will commence operations after receiving a certificate of registration from the RBI.
Following the announcement, the share price of One MobiKwik Systems surged by 14.02% to ₹230.26.
NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) integrates Axis Bank into Banking Connect platform, expanding interoperable netbanking reach to 37 million customers. (Mid of April)▼
NPCI Bharat BillPay (NBBL) announced that Axis Bank is now live on the Banking Connect platform.
Banking Connect platform was launched in 2025 and provides interoperability between payment aggregators and banks for netbanking transactions.
Axis Bank joins State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank on the platform.
The integration enables Axis Bank’s 37 million customers to experience faster checkout across more than 4,800 merchants in India.
Eight banks and 11 payment aggregators are currently live on the Banking Connect platform.
NBBL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 expanded to include mental health conditions and non-communicable disease risk factors
Key Updates:
The revised Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 guidelines expand child health screening to include mental health conditions and early risk factors for diabetes and hypertension among children aged 0-18 years.
The earlier focus on screening for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays (4Ds) has been broadened under the revised framework.
Screenings are conducted by Mobile Health Teams visiting anganwadi centres and schools for early identification of health conditions.
The revised framework introduces digital health cards for longitudinal tracking of a child's health status and real-time data systems.
A referral tracking mechanism has been introduced to ensure children receive diagnosis and follow-up treatment without dropping out of care.
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World Homoeopathy Day 2026 observed on April 10 with theme 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health' (Mid of April)▼
World Homoeopathy Day 2026 was observed by the Ministry of Ayush at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 10, 2026.
The theme for 2026 was 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health'.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the role of research institutions Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH).
Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha mentioned initiatives like the Ayush Grid for digital integration of the Ayush ecosystem.
Study warns of surging metabolic diseases in Asia-Pacific region (Start of March)▼
A study published in the journal Metabolism, based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data, warns of rapidly rising metabolic diseases across the Asia-Pacific.
High blood pressure is the largest disease burden in the region, responsible for over 6.2 million deaths and 138 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
Approximately 310 million people in the Asia-Pacific live with type-2 diabetes, resulting in more than 1.1 million deaths last year.
In India, type-2 diabetes accounted for over 21 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly 5.8 lakh deaths in 2023.
Obesity was linked to around 55 million DALYs and approximately 1.3 million deaths across the region in 2023.
India, China, and Indonesia carry the largest shares of the metabolic disease burden in the region.
The burden of metabolic conditions has grown between 1.7 and nearly four times across different diseases since 1990.
Most metabolic risks are projected to continue rising across the Asia-Pacific region until at least 2030.
National Arogya Fair 2026 to promote Ayush medicine systems and farmer livelihoods (End of February)▼
President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Arogya Fair 2026 at Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan in Shegaon, Buldhana, Maharashtra on February 25.
The fair is organised by the Ministry of Ayush (MoA) in collaboration with All India Ayurvedic Congress from February 25 to 28.
Free health check-ups, consultations and medicines will be provided across Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy systems.
Farmers from Buldhana district will be encouraged to adopt agroforestry and medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable income.
A special programme on 'Ayurvedic Farming, Production and Marketing' is scheduled on February 27 at 3 pm at Visava premises.
National Arogya Fair 2026 inaugurated in Shegaon to promote AYUSH systems (End of February)▼
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 on 26 February 2026 at Shegaon in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
The President felicitated six senior Vaidyas during the event in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine.
The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has aligned research and drug development guidelines with international standards to enhance global credibility.
The fair highlighted the role of AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha, in supporting public health and complementing modern medicine.
The President emphasised that the cultivation of medicinal plants boosts the incomes of farmers and supports soil conservation while ensuring sustainable raw materials for medicines.
Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children: First-ever national guidelines with free comprehensive care package
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the 'Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children' at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery.
The guidelines introduce universal screening for all children from birth to 18 years through schools and community-level health services.
Children diagnosed with diabetes will receive free care at public health facilities, including diagnostic tests, lifelong insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips, and regular follow-ups.
The guidelines highlight the '4Ts' for early detection: Toilet (frequent urination), Thirsty (excessive thirst), Tired (constant fatigue), and Thinner (sudden weight loss).
Training will be provided to families and caregivers on insulin use, blood sugar monitoring, emergency care, and daily disease management.
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WHO Foundation–Novo Nordisk initiative to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes (Mid of March)▼
The WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk have launched a joint initiative in India to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes.
The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme and WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework.
It aims to provide financial support for obesity prevention and strengthen health-system readiness.
The project focuses on promoting early-life healthy environments and integrating health education in schools.
Lancet Study Flags Inaccuracies in HbA1c Tests for Diabetes Diagnosis in India (Mid of February)▼
A study published in The Lancet Regional Health found that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) tests may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels, potentially misrepresenting India’s diabetes burden.
The study indicates that conditions affecting hemoglobin quantity, structure, or lifespan, such as anemia, hemoglobinopathies, and red blood cell enzyme (G6PD) deficiency, can distort HbA1c values.
Exclusive reliance on HbA1c could delay the diagnosis of Type-2 diabetes by up to four years in men with undetected G6PD deficiency.
According to data from 2025 cited in the study, more than 50% of the population in some Indian regions are nutritionally challenged with widespread iron deficiency anemia.
For low-resource settings, the researchers recommend the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) for diagnosis, involving two glucose values taken fasting and two hours after ingesting 75 gm of glucose.
The study suggests Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) using glucose metres two to three times weekly, combined with basic hematologic screening, for monitoring in low-resource areas.
In tertiary care settings, the framework suggests combining HbA1c with OGTT for diagnosis and using Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) with alternative markers like fructosamine for monitoring.
India ranks second globally in childhood obesity, projected to have 20 million obese children by 2040: World Obesity Atlas 2026 (Start of March)▼
India ranks second globally in childhood obesity after China, overtaking the United States, according to the World Obesity Atlas 2026.
In 2025, India had 14.9 million children aged 5–9 and over 26 million aged 10–19 who were overweight or obese.
By 2040, India is projected to have 20 million children living with obesity and 56 million either overweight or obese.
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 predicts BMI-attributed hypertension in Indian children will rise from 2.99 million to 4.21 million between 2025 and 2040.
Hyperglycaemia cases are projected to increase from 1.39 million to 1.91 million, and high triglycerides from 4.39 million to 6.07 million in the same period.
India leads the WHO South-East Asia Region with over 45 million young people aged 0–19 overweight or obese.
The World Obesity Federation (WOF) warns India is among the fastest-rising countries, with nearly 5% annual increase in childhood overweight and obesity.
Only 35.5% of Indian school-age children receive school meals, and 74% of adolescents aged 11–17 fail to meet recommended physical activity levels.
The Atlas urges stronger prevention policies, including healthier school food environments, protection from marketing of unhealthy foods, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.
International Childhood Cancer Day observed on 15 February with the theme Demonstrating Impact (Mid of February)▼
International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is observed globally on 15 February every year to raise awareness about childhood cancer and support survivors and their families.
The theme for the year 2026 is Demonstrating Impact, which highlights the accomplishments of the global community in overcoming obstacles and reducing inequities.
The day was first recognised in 2002 and was organised by the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parents Organisations (ICCCPO) in partnership with other global organisations.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 400,000 infants and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Common types of childhood cancers include leukaemias, brain tumours, lymphomas, and solid tumours such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour.
Key warning signs in children include persistent fever, unexpected weight loss, painless lumps or swelling, excessive fatigue, regular headaches, and eye abnormalities like a white glow in the pupil.
Other symptoms to monitor include chronic joint or bone pain, excessive sweating, and significant bruising or spontaneous bleeding on the skin.
PMGSY-IV: ₹1,698-crore rural road projects to be launched in Rayagada, Odisha on May 1, 2026
Key Updates:
Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will launch the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV) road projects worth ₹1,698.04 crore in Rayagada, Odisha on May 1, 2026.
A total of 827 road projects covering 1,701.84 kilometres will be undertaken, providing all-weather road connectivity to 898 habitations for the first time.
The launch programme will be held at the IACR Ground in Barijhola, Rayagada.
Chouhan will hand over the PMGSY-IV approval letter to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during the event.
In Odisha, under previous PMGSY phases, 17,963 roads covering 74,725 kilometres and 707 bridges have been sanctioned, with 17,760 roads covering 71,742 kilometres and 658 bridges completed.
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Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) Extended with Revised Outlay of ₹83,977 Crore (Mid of April)▼
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) until March 2028.
The total financial outlay for the scheme has been revised to ₹83,977 crore, marking an increase from the previous allocation of ₹80,250 crore.
The extension aims to complete rural road and bridge projects to improve connectivity to agricultural markets, higher secondary schools, and hospitals.
Infrastructure works in plain areas and roads in hilly regions are scheduled for completion by March 2028, while bridge construction in hilly areas has been extended until March 2029.
The government will sanction and implement 161 long-span bridges along approved road alignments at an estimated cost of ₹961 crore.
Projects sanctioned before 31 March 2025 that have not yet been awarded are now eligible for tendering and execution under the extended period.
Rao Inderjit Singh holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). (Start of April)▼
Rao Inderjit Singh is Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
He also holds Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Planning.
He serves as Minister of State in Ministry of Culture.
He provided the information in Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026.
Indian Army to host Surya Devbhoomi Challenge 2.0 in Uttarakhand from 16 to 20 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
The Indian Army, in association with IconMetrix, will host the Surya Devbhoomi Challenge 2.0 in the Uttarakhand Himalayas.
The high-altitude endurance event will span 113 kilometres in the Badrinath–Kedarnath corridor from 16 to 20 April 2026.
The event is organised with the support of the Government of Uttarakhand and Uttarakhand Tourism.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan will interact with athletes during the Expo on 16 April.
The challenge will feature participation from the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The event aims to promote sustainable mountain tourism and border region engagement.
The closing ceremony on 20 April is expected to feature the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami.
PM Modi to launch ₹16,450 crore projects in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (Mid of March)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11 March 2026 to inaugurate and lay foundation stones for projects worth ₹16,450 crore.
In Ernakulam, Kerala, Modi will launch projects worth about ₹10,800 crore, including a 400 kilo tonnes per annum polypropylene unit at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) Kochi refinery with an investment exceeding ₹5,500 crore.
Modi will inaugurate the six-laning of the Thalapady–Chengala stretch of National Highway 66 developed at a cost of over ₹2,650 crore and the Kozhikode bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara built at about ₹2,140 crore.
He will inaugurate 23 rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Modi will inaugurate redeveloped Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery railway stations and dedicate the Shoranur–Nilambur railway line electrification project.
He will flag off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi and lay the foundation stone for a 50-MW floating solar project in West Kallada, Kollam district.
In Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Modi will launch projects worth about ₹5,650 crore, including a city gas distribution network by BPCL in Nilgiris and Erode districts at over ₹3,680 crore to provide piped natural gas to more than 8.8 lakh households and establish over 201 CNG stations.
He will dedicate Indian Oil Corporation’s lube blending plant at Manali, Chennai, built at about ₹1,490 crore with a capacity of 6,72,000 metric tonnes per annum.
Modi will inaugurate 89 rural roads covering 370 km under PMGSY in Tamil Nadu and lay the foundation stone for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on National Highway 81.
He will flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains, and a passenger service to improve rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other states.
Women and Men in India 2025 report: Highlights progress in education, jobs and health
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 27th edition of 'Women and Men in India 2025' at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” in Bhubaneswar.
The sex ratio at birth improved from 904 in 2017-19 to 917 in 2021-23 at the all-India level.
Gender parity has been achieved across all levels of school education from primary to higher secondary.
Female labour force participation in rural areas increased from 37.5% to 45.9% between 2022 and 2025.
Women in managerial roles saw a 102.54% increase between 2017 and 2025, compared to 73.80% for men.
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NITI Aayog releases report on women’s credit market in New Delhi (Mid of April)▼
NITI Aayog released the second edition of its report “From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market” on 7 April 2026 in New Delhi.
The report was prepared by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting (MSC) under the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).
Women borrowers hold ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, accounting for 26% of total system credit.
Credit exposure of women expanded 4.8 times since 2017.
Number of credit-active women borrowers grew at a CAGR of 9% between December 2017 and December 2025.
Credit penetration among women increased from 19% to 36% during the same period.
Total credit outstanding to women rose from ₹16 lakh crore in 2017 to ₹76 lakh crore in 2025.
Credit to women business borrowers registered a CAGR of 31% between 2022 and 2025.
19% of active Microfinance Institution (MFI) borrowers now hold individual retail or commercial loans.
Northern states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show increased growth in women’s credit access alongside southern and western states.
The report analysed longitudinal credit bureau data of approximately 16 crore credit-active women and primary research with 161 rural women nano-entrepreneurs.
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) releases Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Annual Report 2025 (Start of April)▼
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 59.3% in 2025.
LFPR for males was 79.1% and for females 40.0%.
Workforce Participation Rate (WPR) for persons aged 15 years and above was 57.4%.
WPR for males was 76.6% and for females 38.8%.
Unemployment rate (UR) for persons aged 15 years and above was 3.1% in 2025.
Rural unemployment rate was 2.4% and urban unemployment rate was 4.8%.
Youth unemployment rate (15–29 years) declined from 10.3% in 2024 to 9.9% in 2025.
Share of self-employed workers declined from 57.5% in 2024 to 56.2% in 2025.
Share of regular wage/salaried employment increased to 23.6% in 2025.
Share of employment in agriculture declined from 44.8% in 2024 to 43.0% in 2025.
Share of employment in manufacturing increased from 11.6% to 12.1%.
Share of employment in services increased from 12.2% to 13.1%.
44.4% of females cited childcare and domestic responsibilities as the main reason for not participating in the labour force.
69.8% of males cited education as the main reason for not being in the labour force.
Average years of formal education for persons aged 15 years and above was 10.0 years.
67.8% of the population had attained at least secondary education.
Only 4.2% of persons aged 15–59 years had received formal vocational or technical training.
25.0% of persons aged 15–29 years were not in employment, education or training (NEET).
Total number of employed persons aged 15 years and above was estimated at 61.6 crore.
UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development launched to empower women in emerging sectors (End of April)▼
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, launched the UNESCO Chair on Gender Inclusion and Skill Development.
The initiative was unveiled at the International Conference on "Women Leading the Future of Work" held at Symbiosis Skills and Professional University (SSPU) in Pune.
The initiative was launched in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The UNESCO Chair aims to promote gender-inclusive skilling frameworks and support research, training, and policy development focused on equity in workforce participation.
The initiative seeks to strengthen women's participation in sunrise sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, semiconductors, and defence technology.
Key themes of the conference included Defence technology and advanced manufacturing, Robotics and Industry 4.0, AI and semiconductors, and Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
The event featured international expertise from the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNESCO Global Skills Academy, and UNESCO-UNEVOC.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) records India unemployment rate at 6.5% in 2025 (End of March)▼
India’s unemployment rate declined to 6.5% in 2025 from 7.0% a year earlier under the usual status measure for persons aged 15 years and above.
Urban female unemployment edged lower to 6.4% in 2025 from 6.7% in the previous year.
The aggregate unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above stood at 3.1% in 2025.
Youth unemployment (15–29 years) eased to 9.9% in 2025 from 10.3% a year earlier.
Share of workers in regular wage or salaried jobs rose to 23.6% in 2025 from 22.4% in 2024.
Employment in manufacturing and services saw an uptick while agriculture’s share declined in 2025.
Nominal earnings rose across categories with female wages growing faster than men’s in self-employment and salaried roles.
Centre approves 58 companies under critical mineral recycling incentive scheme with ₹1,500 crore outlay
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies for participation under the incentive scheme for promotion of critical mineral recycling.
The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
It aims to develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, and industrial scrap to reduce import dependence and support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Participants have pledged capacity of about 850 thousand tonnes per annum and pledged investment of about ₹5,000 crore.
Selected companies represent segments including battery recycling, e-waste processing, and recovery from other waste, with the next stage being project execution.
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Union Cabinet approves National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with ₹16,300 crore expenditure and ₹18,000 crore expected investment. (Mid of April)▼
The Union Cabinet approved the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) with an expenditure of ₹16,300 crore and an expected investment of ₹18,000 crore by public sector undertakings (PSUs) and other stakeholders.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the mission in the Union Budget 2024-25.
The NCMM will cover exploration, mining, processing, and recycling stages of the value chain.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has 195 ongoing exploration projects in FY 2024-25 and plans 227 projects for FY 2025-26.
Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) has acquired 15,703 hectares in Argentina’s Catamarca province for lithium exploration and mining.
The government removed customs duties on most critical minerals in the Union Budget 2024-25.
Ministry of Mines notifies Offshore Areas Mineral Prevention of Illegal Mining and Transportation Rules, 2026 (Start of February)▼
The Ministry of Mines notified the Offshore Areas Mineral Prevention of Illegal Mining and Transportation Rules, 2026, which came into force on February 3, 2026.
The rules are framed under the Offshore Areas Mineral Development and Regulation Act, 2002 (OAMDR Act) to regulate all offshore minerals except mineral oils and hydrocarbons.
Operating right holders are mandated to deploy real-time electronic monitoring systems for vessel tracking, weight recording, and continuous video capture of offshore operations.
A digitally signed transit permit issued via a regulation portal is required for dispatching minerals, with the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) sharing these permits with state governments.
Companies exporting minerals directly from offshore areas must obtain clearance from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) at least seven days before export.
Mandatory weighment systems must be installed at the first onshore point of discharge to match weight records against dispatch data.
Penalties for illegal mining include imprisonment up to five years and fines ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, plus an additional daily penalty of ₹5 lakh for continuing offences.
Proceeds from the public auction of seized minerals and property will be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
Government promotes domestic recycling and circular economy in solar sector (Mid of March)▼
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) estimate India will generate about 600 kilo-tonnes of solar waste by 2030.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules 2022 mandating safe recycling of solar power system waste.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) operates an online Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) portal for collection, storage and disposal of solar panel waste.
MNRE launched the Innovation Challenge for Circularity in Renewable Energy Technologies funding research on recycling, second-life applications and sustainable design of solar modules and batteries.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) invited proposals to develop economically viable recycling methods through academia-industry partnerships.
The Ministry of Mines set up a Rs. 1,500 crore (US$ 162.3 million) recycling incentive under the National Critical Mineral Mission to recover critical minerals from renewable energy e-waste.
The India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) launched a dedicated Self Help Group (SHG) savings account with zero balance and zero charges.
The account is aimed at strengthening financial inclusion and empowering women-led groups across rural India.
Key features include no minimum deposit requirement, no monthly average balance condition, maximum balance of ₹2 lakh, quarterly interest payouts, free cash deposits and withdrawals, and one free monthly statement.
IPPB will leverage its postal network of approximately 1.65 lakh post offices and doorstep banking services via postmen and Gramin Dak Sevaks.
The initiative supports SHGs linked to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and NABARD programmes, and aligns with IPPB's mission to make banking accessible.
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India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) launches zero-balance Self Help Group (SHG) savings account (Start of May)▼
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), under the Department of Posts, launched a dedicated Self Help Group (SHG) savings account to strengthen financial inclusion for rural women.
The SHG savings account features zero balance, zero charges, no minimum deposit requirement, and no monthly average balance condition.
The account allows a maximum balance of ₹2 lakh and provides quarterly interest payouts.
The account offering includes free cash deposits, withdrawals, and one free monthly statement.
IPPB will leverage its network of approximately 1.65 lakh post offices, postmen, and Gramin Dak Sevaks to deliver doorstep banking services.
The bank will utilize digital onboarding and biometric-enabled banking to ensure ease of access.
The initiative is linked to the National Rural Livelihoods Mission and programmes supported by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
Launched in 2018, IPPB has reached over 13 crore customers across more than 5.5 lakh villages and towns.
Mission Shakti Scheme strengthens women safety via One Stop Centres, Women Help Desks, Helpline-181 (End of March)▼
Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) runs Mission Shakti Scheme adopting holistic and victim-centric approach for safety, security and empowerment of women.
One Stop Centre Scheme operational since 2015 provides integrated services like medical aid, legal assistance, temporary shelter, police facilitation and psycho-social counselling.
926 One Stop Centres are operational across the country and have assisted over 13.37 lakh women up to 31 December 2025.
15,049 Women Help Desks set up in police stations of which 14,363 are headed by women police officers.
Women Helpline-181 and Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)-112 provide emergency and support services; Women Helpline handled over 2.88 crore calls and assisted over 99.09 lakh women.
Mission Shakti Portal launched on 22 January 2025 enhances accessibility of government services for women and builds capacity of functionaries under schemes and legislations.
SHe-Box Portal offers centralised platform to file and track complaints related to workplace sexual harassment under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.
State Bank of India (SBI) launches $500 million syndicated social loan for women empowerment (Start of March)▼
State Bank of India (SBI) announced a $500 million syndicated social term loan facility focused exclusively on women’s economic empowerment.
The facility includes a greenshoe option and was launched ahead of International Women’s Day.
SBI stated the transaction supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.
SBI Chairman C S Setty said the loan reflects the bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and creating opportunities for women.
SBI noted the facility is expected to become the largest gender-themed loan globally by an Indian financial institution.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves $300 million loan to IIFL Home Finance for women-focused affordable housing. (Start of March)▼
IIFL Home Finance Limited signed a $300 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The loan targets women in low-income communities in peri-urban and urban areas and lagging states of India.
Over 25% of the loan proceeds are earmarked for green-certified affordable homes.
The financing package includes $150 million from ADB and $150 million in parallel loans from MUFG, Emirates Bank, Sampath Bank, and Hatton National Bank.
This marks IIFL Home Finance’s first syndicated external commercial borrowing.
Khuarel App launched to enhance real-time disaster reporting in Mizoram
Key Updates:
The Mizoram government launched the 'Khuarel' mobile application on 29 April 2026.
The app was unveiled by Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Lalnilawma in Aizawl.
The platform aims to enable instant communication between the public, government agencies, and disaster management authorities.
It allows people to quickly report disaster incidents and enables authorities to respond more efficiently.
The system will maintain structured and reliable disaster data.
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Pondicherry University launches Blue Voice app for coastal fishers (End of March)▼
Pondicherry University (PU) launched a mobile application titled Blue Voice to enhance safety and disaster preparedness among coastal fishing communities.
The application provides real-time, location-specific weather updates in a user-friendly format to address language barriers and complex interfaces.
The platform enables fishers to share experiential knowledge alongside modern weather alerts to create a participatory digital space for decision-making at sea.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Conducts Nationwide Test of Indigenous Cell Broadcast Emergency Alert System (Start of May)▼
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.
Aarogya Maitri: Portable Healthcare Infrastructure in Jamaica (Start of May)▼
India deployed the Aarogya Maitri portable healthcare system in Jamaica to enhance diplomatic and humanitarian ties.
The initiative is part of the India-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) engagement strategy and India's Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework.
The project is driven by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and executed in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The modular medical system includes the BHISHM Cube, which is designed for rapid deployment in emergencies across challenging environments.
RailTel Corporation of India Limited (RailTel) and Green Genome India Pvt Ltd are the key partners involved in the initiative.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signs MoUs with research institutes for disaster policy research (End of February)▼
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three research institutes to enhance disaster management policy research and risk reduction.
The collaboration involves the Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) and the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR).
The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for academic programmes, capacity building, and effective policy communication to bridge the gap between scientific and policy communities.
CSIR-NIScPR is tasked with spearheading academic programmes and policy research to ensure effective public engagement.
The NDMA, AcSIR, and CSIR-NIScPR have launched a PhD programme in disaster management to nurture future experts in the field.
The initiative aims to develop research-based solutions for disaster resilience in alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
India conducts second test of long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile off Odisha coast
Key Updates:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the second flight test of its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM) off the Odisha coast.
The missile has a strike range exceeding 1,500 km and attains speeds up to Mach 10, with an average speed of Mach 5 during its glide phase.
The second trial focused on validating the LR-AShM's two-stage hypersonic glide vehicle configuration.
The LR-AShM can carry multiple payloads and strike both stationary and moving targets using indigenously developed sensors for precision targeting.
The missile programme was developed by laboratories under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad in collaboration with multiple DRDO labs and industry partners.
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India plans multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges (Start of May)▼
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.
DRDO announces readiness for Agni VI ballistic missile and hypersonic glide missile programme on April 30, 2026 (Start of May)▼
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.
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%.
Pakistan Navy test-fires 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile on April 21, 2026 (End of April)▼
The Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired the indigenously developed 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) on April 21, 2026.
The Taimoor ALCM is an anti-ship weapon system capable of striking land and sea targets at ranges of up to 600 km.
The test was conducted under the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The Pakistan Navy conducted a live weapon firing of a homegrown ship-launched anti-ship missile on April 16.
In January, the Pakistan Navy fired a surface-to-air missile during a comprehensive exercise in the north Arabian Sea.
India's BrahMos cruise missile has a speed of Mach 2.8–3 and a strike range of 450-800 km.
The BrahMos can carry a 200–300 kg warhead and can be launched from land, ships, submarines, and Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
On May 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) used the Barak-8 missile system to intercept and destroy a Pakistani ballistic missile targeting Delhi.
Air Commodore Rohit Kapil of the IAF 45 Wing was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for leading the Barak-8 interception operation.
South Korea's CAS500-2 Earth-observation satellite successfully enters orbit via SpaceX Falcon 9
Key Updates:
A South Korean Earth-observation satellite, the Compact Advanced Satellite (CAS) 500-2, successfully entered low-Earth orbit after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The satellite was carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that lifted off at 12 a.m. on Saturday (U.S. time) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) confirmed that the satellite separated from the launch vehicle about one hour after liftoff and successfully entered orbit.
The CAS500-2 has a mass of 534 kilograms and features a ground resolution of 0.5 metres in black-and-white images and 2 metres in colour.
The satellite was developed for disaster monitoring and agricultural observation and will begin joint operations with CAS500-1 in the second half of the year after a four-month initial operation period.
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China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 (Start of May)▼
China launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province.
The satellite was launched using a Long March-6 carrier rocket.
PRSC-EO3 is the fourth Pakistani satellite launched by China since last year.
Two Pakistani nationals arrived in Beijing on April 24 for training at the Astronaut Centre of China.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that one of the trainees will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to board the Tiangong space station.
North Korea tests ballistic missiles with cluster-bomb warheads (Start of April)▼
North Korea conducted a three-day testing spree starting Monday, firing multiple missiles including Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles armed with cluster-munition warheads.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected missiles launched Wednesday flying 240–700 km before falling into the sea, and at least one projectile fired Tuesday from near Pyongyang.
Japan's Defence Ministry confirmed none of the Wednesday weapons entered its exclusive economic zone, while the US military stated the launches posed no immediate threat to the United States or its allies.
North Korean state media claimed the cluster warhead system can reduce to ashes any target covering 6.5–7 hectares with the highest-density power.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in North Korea on Thursday for a two-day visit.
North Korea conducts strategic cruise and anti-warship missile tests on 12 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
North Korea test-fired two strategic cruise missiles and three anti-warship missiles from the 5,000-ton Choe Hyon-class destroyer.
The tests were conducted off the western coast of the country to verify the integrated weapons command system and the accuracy of upgraded navigation systems.
The strategic cruise missiles recorded flight times ranging from 7,869 to 7,920 seconds, while the anti-warship missiles flew for 1,960 to 1,973 seconds.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the drills were supervised by Kim Jong Un to strengthen the national nuclear war deterrent and naval strike capabilities.
The North Korean administration confirmed the construction of a third and fourth Choe Hyon-class vessel as part of a plan to build two additional destroyers in 2026.
The exercise aimed to train naval crews in missile-launch procedures and verify the anti-jamming performance of the warship's systems.
ISRO to Launch GISAT-1A Earth Observation Satellite via GSLV Mk II (Start of February)▼
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the GISAT-1A (EOS-05) earth observing satellite on 20 February 2026.
The mission will be launched using the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark II (GSLV Mk II), which is a fourth-generation three-stage vehicle.
The GSLV Mk II rocket features four liquid strap-ons and an indigenously developed Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) as its third stage.
The satellite is designed to operate from a Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO) to facilitate continuous observation of the Indian sub-continent.
The GISAT-1A mission aims to provide quick monitoring of natural hazards and disaster management.
The launch will be conducted from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), formerly known as the Sriharikota Range (SHAR), in Andhra Pradesh.
Since January 2014, the GSLV Mk II vehicle has achieved four consecutive successful launches.
ISRO is headquartered in Bangalore and functions as the space agency of the Government of India.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raises Alert Level 3 as Mayon Volcano erupts
Key Updates:
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported strombolian activity and short-lived lava fountaining from Mayon Volcano, one of the Philippines' most active volcanoes.
Nearly 1,500 families were evacuated to relief centres after the eruption, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Phivolcs recorded 32 volcanic earthquakes within 24 hours and maintained a permanent danger zone within a six-kilometer radius of the volcano's crater.
The Civil Aviation Authority issued a flight safety advisory imposing airspace restrictions above Manila due to potential hazards from volcanic ash and airborne particles.
Mayon, the most active among the Philippines' 24 volcanoes, has erupted nearly 50 times in the last four centuries, with its most destructive eruption in February 1841 killing 1,200 people.
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7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes near Ternate, Indonesia; tsunami waves recorded, one fatality reported. (Start of April)▼
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia at 06:48 local time on Thursday, with epicentre roughly 120 km from Ternate.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.8 and located it in the Molucca Sea.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported tsunami wave heights of 20 cm in Bitung and 30 cm in West Halmahera.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) recorded 5 cm waves in Davao, southern Philippines, and lifted the wider tsunami threat about three hours after the quake.
One person was killed and several houses and buildings were damaged, according to officials quoted by the Associated Press (AP).
Volcán de Fuego eruption sends ash up to 15,000 feet on February 1, 2026 (Start of February)▼
Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala erupted on February 1, 2026, producing ash plumes reaching 14,000 to 16,000 feet.
Instituto Nacional de Sismologia, Vulcanologia, Meteorologia e Hidrologia (INSIVUMEH) confirmed the heightened eruptive activity.
Ashfall was reported in communities including Panimache, Morelia, and Santa Sofia.
Volcanic Ash Advisories were issued by the Volcanic Ash Advisory Center in Washington.
Philippines declares national energy emergency amid fuel supply crisis (End of March)▼
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr declared a national energy emergency on 25 Mar 2026 citing the US-Israel war on Iran and imminent danger to the country’s energy supply.
The emergency declaration empowers the government to procure fuel and petroleum products and, if necessary, pay part of contract amounts in advance for one year.
A committee has been formed to ensure orderly movement, supply, distribution and availability of fuel, food, medicine, agricultural products and other essential goods.
Secretary of Energy Sharon Garin stated the country has about 45 days of fuel supply left based on current consumption levels.
The government is working to procure 1 million barrels of oil from countries within and outside Southeast Asia to build buffer stock.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said Manila is seeking US exemptions to purchase oil from countries under US sanctions, with all options including Iranian and Venezuelan oil under discussion.
Transport unions and senators criticised the government for lacking coordinated action; Piston federation called the emergency declaration a superficial band-aid.
The government is providing free bus rides for students and workers in some cities and a 5,000 peso ($83) subsidy to motorcycle taxi drivers and other public transport workers nationwide.
Piton de la Fournaise volcano erupts again on Réunion, alert level 2-1 activated (Mid of February)▼
Piton de la Fournaise volcano on Réunion island began a second eruption on 13 February 2026 at around 1:00 PM local time.
The eruption is confined to the Enclos Fouqué caldera with lava flows descending the Grandes Pentes.
Authorities activated the ORSEC Alert 2–1 protocol and closed all access to the Enclos Fouqué, including the Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob trail.
By 9:30 PM on 13 February, the lava front was nearing National Road 2 (RN2) in the Route des Laves area; the road remains open but drivers are advised not to stop.
Monitoring equipment recorded 551 volcano-tectonic earthquakes at the summit on 13 February 2026.
GNSS stations detected inflation at both summit and distant locations, indicating magma pressure build-up beneath the surface.
No significant ash emissions have been reported and no populated areas are currently at risk.
The previous eruption occurred from 18 January 2026 at 7:42 PM local time, triggered by a seismic crisis that began at 4:34 PM beneath the summit.
During the January eruption, four fissures opened between 7:45 PM and 8:54 PM along the northern flank of the terminal cone within the Enclos Fouqué.
Lava discharge rates during the first 24 hours of the January eruption ranged between 2 and 27 cubic metres per second based on satellite thermal data.
Between 21 and 28 January, monitoring networks recorded an average of about 20 shallow volcano-tectonic earthquakes per day at depths of 1.5–2.2 kilometres beneath the summit.
On 6 February 2026, a swarm of 343 very small (magnitude <1.0) volcano-tectonic earthquakes occurred between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM beneath the summit, accompanied by slight ground deformation.
GalaxEye launches world's first OptoSAR satellite Mission Drishti
Key Updates:
GalaxEye successfully launched its Mission Drishti satellite, described as the world's first OptoSAR satellite.
The 190-kilogram satellite is the largest ever built by an Indian private company.
Mission Drishti integrates electro-optical and synthetic aperture radar sensors for all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation.
The satellite was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California as part of the CAS500-2 rideshare mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated GalaxEye on the launch, calling it a major achievement.
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NewSpace India Limited (Nsil) partners with GalaxEye to distribute private satellite data for first time (Mid of February)▼
NewSpace India Limited (Nsil) signed a channel partnership with Bengaluru-based space start-up GalaxEye to resell high-resolution OptoSAR data.
GalaxEye’s first satellite "Drishti" is scheduled for launch on 25 February 2026 aboard a SpaceX mission.
Drishti weighs 160 kg and is claimed to be India’s largest privately built commercial satellite.
GalaxEye plans a 10-satellite constellation to be deployed over the next four years, all covered under the Nsil agreement.
Drishti carries proprietary "SyncFused OptoSAR" technology combining optical and synthetic aperture radar data on a single platform.
The satellite will provide 1.5-metre resolution imagery with a global revisit time of seven to ten days.
Nsil will market both raw data and downstream products to government agencies and commercial clients.
GalaxEye's Mission Drishti to carry NVIDIA Jetson Orin for AI-driven Earth observation (End of February)▼
GalaxEye, a Bengaluru-based private space technology company, will deploy NVIDIA Jetson Orin on its upcoming satellite mission, Mission Drishti.
Mission Drishti will feature the world’s first SyncFused OptoSAR architecture, integrating Electro-Optical (EO) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensors on a single satellite platform.
The satellite is designed to accelerate processing and interpretation of Earth observation data in space and quickly deliver insights to customers.
Insights from Mission Drishti are expected to benefit sectors including agriculture, disaster management, and natural resource management.
The mission will explore the feasibility of Orbital Data Centres (ODC), where multiple satellites operate as interconnected compute nodes.
GalaxEye plans to scale Mission Drishti to a constellation of 10 satellites by 2030.
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bellatrix Aerospace sign MoU to develop Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite technologies. (Start of March)▼
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bengaluru-based Bellatrix Aerospace signed an MoU on Thursday to collaborate on design, development and manufacturing of satellite systems and payloads for Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) operations.
VLEO altitude ranges between 100 and 450 kilometres, enabling higher-resolution images, faster communications and better atmospheric science.
Bellatrix Aerospace, founded in 2015, specialises in satellite propulsion technologies and satellite subsystems.
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).
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) inaugurates Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University
Key Updates:
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, established the Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam.
The Open-Field Observatory of C-ART was inaugurated on 1st May 2026 by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
This testbed is a key component of the Mission Mausam initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at enhancing observational network and model prediction.
Instruments installed at the site include an impact disdrometer, 2-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD), 3D printed Automatic weather station (3D-PAWS), conventional AWS, and eddy covariance tower.
The C-ART will serve as a national user facility to improve early warning systems for cyclones and extreme weather, supporting disaster management.
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Karnataka launches India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru (Start of May)▼
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.
Tamil Nadu Forest Department establishes state's first Dark Sky Park in Kolli Hills (Start of March)▼
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has established the state's first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Forest in the Kolli Hills of Namakkal district.
Developed at a cost of ₹1 crore, the facility is equipped with three advanced telescopes to support structured sky observation sessions.
The initiative aims to protect natural night skies from artificial light pollution and promote eco-sensitive astro-tourism and scientific awareness.
Solar panels have been installed at the site to ensure an uninterrupted and sustainable power supply for on-site operations.
The centre will organise whole-night stargazing camps two to three times a month, specifically during significant astronomical events and the new moon phase.
Accommodation for visitors has been arranged at the Agaya Gangai eco-huts with transport services provided by the department.
The facility will also operate during the daytime to conduct educational programmes for students, researchers, and visitors.
Yashwant Gupta conferred with MP Birla Memorial Award (Mid of March)▼
The MP Birla Planetarium (MPBP) conferred the MP Birla Memorial Award on Yashwant Gupta, the director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
The biennial award was instituted in 1993 and was last presented to Prof Thanu Padmanabhan in 2019.
The award ceremony resumed after a six-year hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and renovation work at the planetarium.
Notable past recipients of the award include Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, Govind Swarup, K Kasturirangan, and APJ Abdul Kalam.
The award was not presented in 2015 and 2017 as the MPBP was undergoing renovation during those years.
India approves two new telescopes and Himalayan Chandra Telescope upgrade in Ladakh (Mid of February)▼
Union Budget sanctioned National Large Solar Telescope (NLST), a 2-metre aperture solar telescope to be built in Merak near Pangong Tso lake, Ladakh.
NLST will operate in visible and near-infrared wavelengths and help study solar dynamics, magnetism, energetic solar events, and space-weather processes affecting Earth and national space assets.
NLST will be India’s third ground-based solar observatory, joining Kodaikanal Solar Observatory (Tamil Nadu, 1899) and Udaipur Solar Observatory (Rajasthan, 1975).
National Large Optical–Near Infrared Telescope (NLOT) will be a 13.7-metre segmented-mirror telescope with 90 hexagonal segments, to be built in Hanle, Ladakh.
NLOT will enable frontier research on exoplanets, stellar and galactic evolution, supernovae, and origins of the universe, leveraging Ladakh’s high altitude and clear skies.
Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) will be upgraded from 2-metre to 3.7-metre segmented primary mirror and continue optical-infrared observations of transient astronomy.
Upgraded HCT operations will complement international facilities like LIGO-India and the Square Kilometre Array.
Hanle village in Ladakh is India’s first and only Dark Sky Reserve.
Ishank Singh becomes youngest to swim across Palk Strait, sets new world record
Key Updates:
Ishank Singh, a 7-year-old boy from Ranchi, Jharkhand, swam 29 km across the Palk Strait in 9 hours and 50 minutes on April 30.
He began his swim at Talaimannar in Sri Lanka and finished at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu.
The Universal Records Forum recognised Ishank Singh as the youngest and fastest swimmer to cross the Palk Strait.
The previous record was held by Jay Jashwanth of Tamil Nadu, who completed the feat in 10 hours and 30 minutes at the age of 10 in 2019.
The swim covered a distance of 29 km across the Palk Strait, a challenging waterway known for strong currents and unpredictable weather.
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India and Sri Lanka conduct 4th edition of bilateral diving exercise IN-SLN DIVEX 2026 (Start of May)▼
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.
Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup (Start of April)▼
Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol.
The event was held in Granada.
The Indian duo set a new junior world record with an aggregate score of 487.7 in the final.
In the final round, Mukesh scored 244.7 and Palak recorded a score of 243.0.
China's Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu secured the silver medal with a score of 484.8.
Hungary's Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy won the bronze medal with a combined total of 414.9.
The Indian pair qualified for the medal match with a score of 581-17x in the qualification round.
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.
Ria Solanki wins gold in shot put at national para-athletics championship (End of March)▼
Ria Solanki, 19, won gold in shot put at the national para-athletics championship in Bhubaneswar.
She was born without her left hand below the elbow and began training in shot put in 2018.
Her mother Sakshi works as a housemaid in Meerut and the family faced severe financial constraints to support her training and nutrition.
Ishank Singh becomes youngest and fastest swimmer to conquer Palk Strait
Key Updates:
Ishank Singh, a seven-year-old from Dhurwa, Ranchi, successfully swam across the Palk Strait covering 29 kilometres from Talaimannar (Sri Lanka) to Dhanushkodi (India).
He completed the crossing in 9 hours and 50 minutes on April 30, 2026.
The Universal Records Forum (URF World Records) awarded him a world record certificate as the Youngest and Fastest Palk Strait Swimmer.
Ishank trained for 4-5 hours daily at Ranchi's Dhurwa Dam under the guidance of coaches Aman Kumar Jaiswal and Bajrang Kumar.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren congratulated Ishank on his achievement.
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Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma Sets Guinness World Record (GWR) for Fastest 50-Metre Limbo Skating (Start of March)▼
Shrishti Dharmendra Sharma achieved the fastest time to limbo skate under descending poles over a distance of 50 metres.
She completed the distance in 7.46 seconds on 28 February 2025 at Sai Dham City in Umbred, Maharashtra.
This performance broke her previous GWR mark of 9.59 seconds set in Monza, Italy, in 2023.
GWR officially announced the record in March 2026.
Limbo skating is a sport where participants on roller skates glide under low horizontal rods without making contact.
Sawan Barwal breaks Shivnath Singh's 48-year-old marathon national record (Mid of April)▼
Sawan Barwal clocked 2:11:58 at the Rotterdam Marathon to break Shivnath Singh's 1978 national record of 2:12:00.
Barwal finished 20th in the elite race; fellow Indian Gopi Thonakal finished 23rd in 2:13:16.
The 28-year-old from Joginder Nagar, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, achieved the feat in his marathon debut.
Barwal won gold in 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2025 National Games in Uttarakhand and 10,000m gold at the 2025 Federation Cup.
Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup (Start of April)▼
Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol.
The event was held in Granada.
The Indian duo set a new junior world record with an aggregate score of 487.7 in the final.
In the final round, Mukesh scored 244.7 and Palak recorded a score of 243.0.
China's Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu secured the silver medal with a score of 484.8.
Hungary's Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy won the bronze medal with a combined total of 414.9.
The Indian pair qualified for the medal match with a score of 581-17x in the qualification round.
Ria Solanki wins gold in shot put at national para-athletics championship (End of March)▼
Ria Solanki, 19, won gold in shot put at the national para-athletics championship in Bhubaneswar.
She was born without her left hand below the elbow and began training in shot put in 2018.
Her mother Sakshi works as a housemaid in Meerut and the family faced severe financial constraints to support her training and nutrition.
World Press Freedom Day observed globally on May 3
Key Updates:
World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on May 3 every year.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed World Press Freedom Day in 1993.
The recommendation for the day was adopted at the 26th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference in 1991.
The Windhoek Declaration, produced by African journalists in 1991, is a benchmark for ensuring press freedom worldwide.
India ranked 157 in the World Press Freedom Index 2026, placing it in the 'very serious' category.
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Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by Transparency International (Mid of February)▼
Transparency International released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 covering 182 countries and territories.
India improved its rank to 91st from 96th in the previous year.
India’s CPI score rose by one point to 39 in 2025.
The CPI scale ranges from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
Denmark topped the index with 89 points, followed by Finland and Singapore.
South Sudan and Somalia shared the lowest score of 9 points.
The United States (US) was ranked 29th and the United Kingdom (UK) 20th.
The report listed India among countries dangerous for journalists reporting on corruption.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) directs BARC to withhold TRP reporting for news channels. (Start of March)▼
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) ordered the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to immediately stop reporting Television Rating Points (TRPs) for news channels for four weeks or until further orders.
The directive invoked Clause 24.2 of the policy guidelines which mandates compliance with Ministry orders.
The order cited unwarranted sensationalism and speculative content on the Israel-Iran conflict by certain TV news channels that may create public panic.
BARC, established in 2010, is the sole body authorised to measure and publish television audience data in India.
A similar suspension of TRP ratings for news channels was imposed in 2020 over data manipulation allegations.
Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2026 presented in New Delhi (End of March)▼
The 20th edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards was presented by Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan at Hyatt Regency, New Delhi.
The Ramnath Goenka Foundation instituted the awards to recognise 24 journalists across 19 categories for work in print, digital and broadcast platforms.
The jury included Justice B N Srikrishna, Prof C Raj Kumar, Prof K G Suresh, Rohini Nilekani and Dr S Y Quraishi.
Avadhesh Akodia (Dainik Bhaskar) won in Print (Hindi).
Sarvapriya Sangwan (BBC News Hindi) won in Broadcast/Digital (Hindi).
Muhammad Sabith & Akhil Sivanand (Mathrubhumi) won in Print/Digital (Regional Languages).
Fousiya Musthafa (News Malayalam 24×7) won in Broadcast/Digital (Regional Languages).
Jayashree Nandi & Tannu Jain (Hindustan Times) won in Environment, Science & Technology Reporting.
Rohini Krishnamurthy & Dhruval Parekh (Down to Earth) won in Environment, Science & Technology Reporting (Broadcast/Digital).
Vijay Pal Dudi (Dainik Bhaskar) won in Uncovering India Invisible.
Basant Kumar (NewsLaundry) won in Uncovering India Invisible (Broadcast/Digital).
Praveen Paramasivam, Munsif Vengattil & Aditya Kalra (Thomson Reuters) won in Business & Economic Journalism.
Deeptiman Tiwary (The Indian Express) won in Reporting on Politics and Government.
Rishika Kashyap (Deccan Herald) won in Reporting on Politics and Government (Broadcast/Digital).
Srikkanth Dhasarathy (DT Next) won in Sports Journalism.
Mridulika Jha (Aaj Tak) won in Investigative Reporting (Print/Digital).
Sreya Chatterjee (India Today) won in Investigative Reporting (Broadcast).
Vidheesha Kuntamalla (The Indian Express) won in Feature Writing.
Sandip Dighe (The Times of India) won in Civic Journalism.
Sreya Chatterjee & Arvind Ojha (India Today) won in Civic Journalism.
Praveen Jain (The Print) won in Photojournalism.
Aparajith Ramnath (Penguin Random House) won in Books (Non-Fiction).
Global Soft Power Index 2026 released on 27 January 2026 (Start of February)▼
Brand Finance released the Global Soft Power Index 2026, which ranks 193 United Nations (UN) member states across 55 metrics.
The United States (US) retained the top position with a score of 74.9 out of 100, despite recording the sharpest decline of 4.6 points compared to the previous year.
China secured the second rank with a score of 73.5 and was the only country in the index to record an increase in its soft power score.
India ranked 32nd globally with a score of 48.0, slipping two positions and declining by 1.8 points from the previous year.
India achieved high rankings in specific indicators including familiarity (13th), influence (17th), and culture and heritage (19th).
India recorded weaker scores in reputation (73rd), governance (100th), and net positive impact (123rd).
The top 10 countries in the 2026 index are the US, China, Japan, United Kingdom (UK), Germany, France, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UK fell to the fourth position with a score of 69.2, marking its lowest rank since the inception of the index.
Switzerland was identified as the most resilient country, ranking 1st in reputation, trust, effective governance, and economic stability.
Soft power is defined in the report as a nation’s ability to shape preferences and behaviours through attraction and persuasion rather than coercion.
Indian Railways rolls out 100th Vande Bharat train on May 3, 2026
Key Updates:
Indian Railways rolled out the 100th Vande Bharat train on May 3, 2026, from Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli.
The first Vande Bharat train was introduced in 2018 with only two such trains.
The 100th trainset is a 16-coach chair-car trainset and will undergo oscillation trials before regular passenger service.
Production of Vande Bharat trains started at Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai and has now been extended to Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala and MCF in Raebareli.
The MCF-manufactured trainset incorporates engineering and performance enhancements aimed at improving reliability and safety.
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India completes successful trial run of first hydrogen-powered trainset (End of March)▼
India completed a successful trial run of its first hydrogen-powered trainset.
The oscillation trial was conducted by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO).
The train is planned to operate between Jind and Sonipat in Haryana.
The 10-coach train was built in Chennai and is the world's most powerful hydrogen train on broad-gauge track.
The train only releases water vapour instead of carbon dioxide.
Hydrogen fuel for the train is supplied from a special plant in Jind.
Vande Mataram Frames National Filmmaking Competition launched by Ministry of Culture (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has launched the Vande Mataram Frames National Filmmaking Competition to celebrate 150 years of the national song Vande Mataram.
The competition features a total prize pool of up to ₹50 lakh.
Participants must be aged 15 years and above and can enter individually or in teams of up to three members.
The competition consists of three categories: Reel Category (up to 60 seconds), AI Film Category (3–5 minutes), and Short Film Category (up to 15 minutes).
Prizes for the Reel Category are ₹1,50,000 for 1st, ₹1,00,000 for 2nd, and ₹50,000 for 3rd place.
Prizes for the AI Film Category are ₹5,00,000 for 1st, ₹3,00,000 for 2nd, and ₹1,50,000 for 3rd place.
Prizes for the Short Film Category are ₹15,00,000 for 1st, ₹12,00,000 for 2nd, and ₹10,00,000 for 3rd place.
The competition themes include stories from India’s freedom struggle, unsung heroes and historical narratives, cultural diversity and heritage, and modern expressions of patriotism.
The deadline for submissions through the official portal vandemataram150.in is April 23, 2026.
Coffee Table Book on Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train launched on 23 February 2026 (End of February)▼
Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, launched the coffee table book 'Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train: Journey of a Thousand Shrines' at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi, on 23 February 2026.
The book documents the Karnataka Bharat Gaurav Train initiative under Indian Railways’ Bharat Gaurav Policy.
The initiative was conceptualised and driven by Dr. Anup Dayanand, IRTS (Retd.).
46 trips have been operated, carrying 28,786 pilgrims and generating ₹25.57 crore in earnings for Indian Railways.
Seven High-Speed Rail Corridors Project and ₹16 Lakh Crore Investment (Start of February)▼
The Government of India announced seven new high-speed rail corridors: Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.
The new corridors will span approximately 4,000 km and involve an estimated investment of ₹16 lakh crore.
The Ministry of Railways (MoR) will utilise indigenous technologies for the development of track works, slabs, viaducts, signalling systems, and overhead electricals.
Future Bullet trains for these corridors will be manufactured in India by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).
The MoR is currently manufacturing 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and plans to implement 52 commodity-wise reforms in the freight sector this year.
An East-West dedicated freight corridor is being planned to connect industrial hubs in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to ports on the East and West coasts.
The propulsion systems for these trains, including converters, inverters, and motors, are already being manufactured in India and exported to Europe and the United States.
CMFRI annual marine fish landing estimates for 2025 released
Key Updates:
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) is an institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The Fishery Resources Assessment, Economics and Extension Division of CMFRI prepares the annual marine fish landing estimates.
Indian mackerel was the most landed marine fish resource in 2025 at 2.70 lakh tonnes.
Tamil Nadu overtook Gujarat to become the top state in marine fish landings with 6.85 lakh tonnes.
India's total marine fish production in 2025 was 35.7 lakh tonnes, a 3% increase over 2024.
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India hosts first National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries in Srinagar (Mid of March)▼
Department of Fisheries, Government of India, organised the National Conference on Cold Water Fisheries at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre, Srinagar on 14 March 2026.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh guided the conference.
Participants included Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying SP Singh Baghel, George Kurian, and Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Production Minister Javid Ahmad Dar.
Cold-water fisheries in India cover over 5.33 lakh sq km across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
Government has sanctioned Rs 2,299.56 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for cold-water states to strengthen hatcheries, seed and feed systems, raceway facilities, cold chain and transport networks.
Union Minister released model guidelines for cold-water fisheries development and distributed scheme benefits to fishers, cooperatives and Kisan Credit Card beneficiaries.
National Vision for Cold Water Fisheries 2030 aims to double trout and mahseer production and generate livelihoods in hilly regions.
Under PMMSY, 5,600 raceways, 54 hatcheries, 5,600 trout rearing units, 293 cold storages, 8,044 transport vehicles and 260 feed mills have been approved.
Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) reports record seafood exports of ₹72,325.82 crore in FY 2025-26 (End of April)▼
India's seafood exports reached an all-time high of ₹72,325.82 crore ($8.28 billion) with volumes of 19.32 lakh metric tonnes in Financial Year (FY) 2025-26, according to the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA).
Frozen shrimp was the primary growth driver, contributing ₹47,973.13 crore ($5.51 billion) and accounting for over two-thirds of total export earnings.
Shrimp exports grew by 4.6 per cent in volume and 6.35 per cent in value.
The United States remained the largest export destination with imports totalling $2.32 billion, although shipments declined by 19.8 per cent in volume and 14.5 per cent in value.
Total taxes on Indian shrimp in the United States market rose to 58 per cent since August last year, including a 50 per cent levy, countervailing duty, and anti-dumping duty, before being reduced to 18 per cent.
China, the second-largest destination, recorded an increase in exports of 22.7 per cent in value and 20.1 per cent in volume.
Exports to the European Union (EU) increased by 37.9 per cent in value and 35.2 per cent in volume.
Under a finalized free trade agreement with the EU, the existing tariff of 26 per cent on seafood is set to be reduced to zero.
Exports to Southeast Asia rose by 36.1 per cent in value and 28.2 per cent in volume.
Exports to Japan grew by 6.55 per cent in value, while shipments to West Asia declined by 0.55 per cent.
The top five ports—Vizag, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Kochi, Kolkata, and Chennai—accounted for nearly 64 per cent of the total export value.
Odisha becomes first state to implement Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) for integrated coastal management (Mid of April)▼
Odisha is the first state in India to implement the Marine Spatial Plan (MSP) in the second phase.
The Odisha government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences to launch the MSP.
The MSP is part of the Indo-Norway Integrated Ocean Initiative under an MoU signed between India and Norway in 2019.
The first phase of the MSP was implemented in the Union territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.
The MSP aims to boost the blue economy and strengthen climate resilience through sustainable and integrated ocean management.
The NCCR will conduct benthic mapping (mapping vegetation below water) and study water salinity and temperature to identify areas suitable for fisheries, tourism, seagrass, and seaweeds.
Odisha has a coastline of more than 550km featuring lagoons, mangroves, and estuaries.
In August 2025, the Odisha government launched the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor (OMBRIC) to promote biotechnology for marine environmental protection and economic development.
Integrated Aqua Park Project: ₹100 Crore Sanctioned for Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. (Mid of March)▼
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced sanction of a ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park Project to be established in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The announcement was made during the first national conference on Cold Water Fisheries held in Srinagar.
The Integrated Aqua Park will strengthen aquaculture infrastructure, boost cold-water fisheries development, increase fish production and create employment opportunities in the region.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and other dignitaries jointly released the Model Guidelines for Reservoir Fisheries and Aquaculture Management during the conference.
The guidelines cover scientific seed stocking, cage- and pen-based aquaculture, leasing and governance mechanisms, biodiversity conservation, value chain linkages and monitoring systems.
Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised scaling up trout production and strengthening incomes of cold-water fish farmers by enhancing productivity, improving value addition and tapping export markets.
The Union Minister urged organising fish farmers through cooperatives and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs) and encouraged states and Union Territories to support farmers in accessing schemes, infrastructure and credit.
The ₹100-crore Aqua Park sanctioned for Anantnag and funding under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF) will enable local enterprises to scale up operations.
Minister of State SP Singh Baghel highlighted the potential of India’s cold-water fisheries sector and stated that sustained government investments, including the ₹100-crore Aqua Park in Jammu and Kashmir, will serve as hubs for innovation, training, processing and aggregation.
Sikkim declared first paperless state judiciary in India
Key Updates:
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant declared Sikkim as the first paperless state judiciary in the nation.
The declaration was made during the inaugural session of the two-day National Conclave on Technology and Judicial Education in Gangtok.
The CJI stated that digital reform is a practical necessity for sustaining the rule of law.
The e-Courts project has transformed the relationship between litigant and law, moving from paper trail to a digital ecosystem.
The CJI emphasised that integrating technology dismantles geographical barriers, helping litigants overcome terrain, finance, and distance.
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Sugam Digital Gujarat initiative digitises 20 high-demand citizen services (End of March)▼
Gujigarh Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched Sugam Digital Gujarat initiative on 24 March 2026 at Mahatma Mandir.
The initiative digitises 20 high-transaction services across five major departments based on the fifth report of Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC).
Services including income and caste certificates, ration cards, and affidavits become faceless, cashless, and paperless.
Citizens can access these services from home and need not submit the same documents for different services due to digital data systems.
A digital locker system is being introduced to support the digital transformation.
Indian Army launches Sikkim's first border village community radio station Sikkim Sundari on 12 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army launched Sikkim Sundari, the first border village community radio station in the state of Sikkim.
The radio station is designed to improve communication and access to information in remote high-altitude areas.
The station will broadcast local news, weather updates, and information regarding various government schemes.
The initiative serves as a platform to promote local culture and encourage youth participation in community engagement.
The Additional Director General (ADG) of Border Roads (East), Jitendra Prasad, visited Taramchu in North Sikkim to assess landslide damage.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is currently conducting restoration work to maintain connectivity for local communities and border access.
Sikkim Development Package: ₹4,000 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹4,000 crore in Gangtok as part of Sikkim's 50th Year of Statehood celebrations.
Transport infrastructure projects include two double-lane steel arch bridges over the Teesta river at Sirwani and Lower Samdong, and the upgraded Birdhang–Namchi road via Kitchudumra.
Education projects include the permanent campus of Sikkim University at Yangang, the administrative block of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University of Excellence, Helen Lepcha Medical College in Gangtok, Dentam Professional College in Gyalshing, and IT-enabled learning infrastructure across 160 schools.
Healthcare initiatives include a 100-bed Ayurveda hospital at Yangang and a 30-bed Integrated Sowa Rigpa Hospital at Deorali.
Urban development works include the Jan Seva Sachivalaya at Lumsey, a Civil Service Officers Institute in Gangtok, housing projects for low-income residents and police personnel, and a public utility centre at MG Marg.
Tourism infrastructure includes the redevelopment of Gangtok’s Ridge Precinct, eco-tourism facilities in Soreng, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra support facilities, and an eco-pilgrimage complex in Gyalshing.
The power sector will see an upgraded transmission and distribution network in Gangtok to improve electricity reliability.
The Sikkim Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO) Processing Plant was inaugurated to strengthen agro-processing and farmer incomes.
Army launches Sikkim’s first border village community radio station (Mid of April)▼
Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps launched Sikkim’s first border village community radio station named Radio ‘Sikkim Sundari’.
The station aims to boost communication and information access in remote high-altitude border areas of Sikkim.
It broadcasts local news, weather updates, government schemes, and promotes local culture and youth participation.
The inauguration was attended by senior officers of Trishakti Corps, civil administration representatives, and local community members.
International Labour Day observed globally on May 1, 2026
Key Updates:
International Labour Day (also known as May Day) is observed globally on May 1, 2026.
Labour Day originated in the United States in the 1880s as a protest for an eight-hour workday.
The United States does not observe May 1 as a public holiday for Labour Day.
The European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, called for solidarity and protection of workers' rights.
The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each earned over $100 million in pay and bonuses last year.
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International Labour Day observed on May 1 with theme Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment (Start of May)▼
International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Antrarashtriya Shramik Diwas in India, is observed annually on May 1.
The theme for International Labour Day 2026, selected by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.
The day originated from the Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886, where labourers demonstrated for an 8-hour workday.
In India, the day is used to draw attention to issues including child labour, wage disparity, and the absence of social security for unorganised workers.
The article notes Chennai's worker movement in 1923.
The Indian states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala observe May Day as a public holiday.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work observed on 28 April (End of April)▼
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed annually on 28 April to promote safe, healthy and decent work.
The day has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003.
Occupational accidents or work-related diseases cause 6,300 deaths daily, totaling more than 2.3 million deaths per year.
There are 317 million accidents on the job annually.
The economic burden of poor occupational safety and health practices is estimated at 4 per cent of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) each year.
International Day of Women in Industry observed on 21 April 2026 (End of April)▼
The first global celebration of the International Day of Women in Industry was observed on 21 April 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
The event was led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the UN House.
The celebration marked the first UNIDO-led inter-agency initiative in Armenia, involving the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The event saw the participation of 92 representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, and development partners.
International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members observed on 25 March 2026 (End of March)▼
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Solidarity with Detained and Missing Staff Members on 25 March 2026.
In 2025, 179 UN personnel were arrested or detained.
As of the observance date, 118 UN colleagues remain in detention.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reaffirmed the call for the immediate release and safe return of unlawfully detained staff.
Dr R Balasubramaniam and Dr Joram Aniya Appointed Full-Time Members of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)
Key Updates:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the appointment of Dr R Balasubramaniam and Dr Joram Aniya as full-time members of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog).
Dr Joram Aniya's inclusion marks a historic moment as she brings an eminent intellectual voice from Arunachal Pradesh to national policymaking.
She is the first woman from the Nyishi community to earn a PhD and the first in Hindi language in the state.
She has over 18 years of experience in teaching, research, and public policy and serves as an Associate Professor and member of the Arunachal Pradesh Private Educational Regulatory Commission.
The appointments take effect from the date of assumption of charge and until further orders, on terms applicable to full-time members.
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Ashok Lahiri to be Vice-Chairman of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) (End of April)▼
Former Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) Ashok Lahiri will be the next Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog.
He will replace Suman Bery in the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India.
Ashok Lahiri is a member of the 15th Finance Commission and a current member of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
He previously served as the CEA in December 2002 during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Gobardhan Das, the Director of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, will become a member of NITI Aayog.
The Prime Minister of India serves as the Chairman of NITI Aayog.
NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission launch ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana (Start of April)▼
NITI Aayog and the Atal Innovation Mission launched the ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana.
The initiative will provide structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs in the state.
Vardhaman College of Engineering has been onboarded as the nodal institution for Telangana under the programme.
The programme clusters ATLs regionally and connects them with local institutions for continuous mentorship, teacher training, and startup support pathways.
The rollout builds on AIM’s national mission of establishing over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across India.
NITI Aayog releases reports on "Ease of Doing Research & Development in India" (Mid of April)▼
The reports titled “Ease of Doing Research & Development in India” and “Survey Report on Ease of Doing R&D in India” were released on 9 April 2026 in New Delhi.
The release was officiated by Shri Suman Bery, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science & Technology (MoST).
The exercise leading to the reports spanned approximately nine months and involved outreach to over 400 institutional leaders and insights from more than 850 distinguished scientists and researchers across the country.
The event featured senior officials including Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog; Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Senior Adviser, NITI Aayog; Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Former President, Indian National Science Academy (INSA); Prof. Vinod Kumar Singh, President, National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI); Dr. Shekhar C. Mande, President, INSA; and Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.
The reports propose actionable recommendations to improve funding mechanisms, institutional governance, regulatory frameworks, and research translation in India’s R&D ecosystem.
NITI Aayog–JICA Phase II pact for SDG push in Aspirational Districts and Blocks (Start of March)▼
NITI Aayog and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed the Record of Discussions for Phase II of the Japan–India Cooperative Actions towards Sustainable Development Goals.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Mission Director of the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme at NITI Aayog, and Takeuchi Takuro, Chief Representative, JICA India.
Phase II focuses on institutional capacity-building and improving governance systems at district and block levels under the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
The initiative covers six themes: global partnership, health and nutrition, education, agriculture and water resources, financial inclusion and skill development, and basic infrastructure.
Key activities include capacity-building exchanges, Japan–India knowledge forums, identification and dissemination of best practices, and targeted support to selected Aspirational Districts and Blocks.
Sudesh Kumar, actor and producer of 'Uljhan', passes away
Key Updates:
Sudesh Kumar, actor and producer, passed away at his residence in Mumbai at the age of 95.
He was best known for playing the tragic protagonist in the 1961 film 'Saranga' and for producing the 1975 thriller 'Uljhan'.
He was born in Peshawar in 1931 and later graduated in science from Elphinstone College in Bombay.
He acted in several successful Southern productions including 'Chhoti Bahen' (1959), 'Bharosa' (1963), and 'Khandan' (1965).
Before turning producer, he assisted director Raj Khosla in the film 'Do Badan' (1966).
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Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Passed Away Bengali Actor (End of March)▼
Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passed away at the age of 43 due to accidental drowning at Talsari Beach in Digha.
The incident occurred on Sunday, 29 March, near the Odisha-West Bengal border during the filming of a television serial titled Bhole Baba Par Karega.
He was pronounced dead at 6:10 pm at the Digha Sub-divisional Hospital located approximately 10 to 12 kilometres from the site of the incident.
Banerjee rose to prominence in the Bengali entertainment industry with his role in the 2008 romantic drama film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar.
His film career included performances in notable titles such as Zulfiqar, Byomkesh Gotro, and Biday Byomkesh.
He was a well-known face on television, appearing in shows such as Hargouri Pice Hotel and Mohonna.
He hosted a podcast show titled Sohoj Katha, which featured discussions on theatre and cinema with various personalities.
Actor Pravina Deshpande passes away at 60. (Mid of February)▼
Pravina Deshpande died on 17 February 2026 after a prolonged battle with cancer at the age of 60.
Her cremation was held on 17 February 2026 at 3:00 pm at Hindu Crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, Andheri East.
She was a member of Cine & TV Artistes’ Association (CINTAA) since 2008.
Her Hindi film credits include Ready, Ek Villain, Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran and Jalebi.
Her television appearances include Ghar Ek Mandir, Kumkum – Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan, Karam Apnaa Apnaa and Kulfi Kumar Bajewala.
Her final screen appearance was in the Netflix web series Taskaree.
Madhu Malhotra passes away at 71. (Mid of March)▼
Madhu Malhotra died in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 71.
She acted in over 100 Hindi films, mostly in minor roles, during the 1970s and 1980s.
She featured in Subhash Ghai's films 'Vishwanath' (1978), 'Karz' (1980), 'Vidhaata' (1982), and 'Hero' (1983).
She lip-synced the song 'Lambi judaai' in 'Hero' (1983).
She was one of the leading ladies in the 1982 multi-starrer 'Satte Pe Satta' and was paired with comic actor Paintal in that film.
She appeared in horror films 'Khooni Murda' (1989) and 'Roohani Taqat' (1991) directed by Mohan Bhakri.
E.A. Rajendran passes away at 71. (End of March)▼
E.A. Rajendran, veteran Malayalam actor-director, died at age 71 at his residence in Pattathanam, Kollam.
He was a graduate of the National School of Drama and appeared in around sixty Malayalam films.
Rajendran served as Chairman of the State Horticulture Corporation.
His funeral rites will be held at his residence in Thrithallur, Thrissur district.