Government of India (GoI) records 5.12% growth in net direct tax collections reaching ₹23.40 lakh crore
Key Updates:
India’s net direct tax collections reached approximately ₹23.40 lakh crore as of 31 March.
The net direct tax collection figure represents a 5.12% increase compared to the previous period.
Gross direct tax collections for the financial year grew by 4% year-on-year to reach ₹28.1 lakh crore.
Tax refunds witnessed a decline of approximately 1% compared to the previous year.
The dip in refund payouts contributed to a stronger net revenue position despite moderate growth in gross receipts.
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India records gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections of ₹2.42 lakh crore in April (Start of May)▼
India's gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections for April reached a record high of ₹2.42 lakh crore, an 8.7% increase compared to the same month last fiscal year.
The previous record high was ₹2.37 lakh crore in April 2025.
Net GST collections for April 2026 stood at ₹2.11 lakh crore, marking a 7.3% year-on-year increase.
Total refunds rose 19.3% year-on-year to ₹31,793 crore, leading to a net GST revenue of ₹2,10,909 crore for the month.
Gross import revenue increased by 25.8% to ₹57,580 crore, while gross domestic revenue rose by 4.3% to ₹1.85 lakh crore.
Net revenue from customs (GST on imports) surged by 42.9%, while net domestic revenue grew by 0.3%.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Gujarat continued to anchor collections with steady growth.
Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, and Telangana recorded healthy gains or strong increases.
Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, and Jharkhand saw declines in pre-settlement revenues.
Double-digit growth was recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, and Lakshadweep.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections rise 8.2% in March 2026 to Rs 1.78 lakh crore (Start of April)▼
Net GST collections for March 2026 reached Rs 1.78 lakh crore, up 8.2% from the previous month.
Gross GST revenue for March 2026 stood at Rs 2 lakh crore, an 8.8% increase over March 2025.
Domestic GST revenue grew 5.9% to Rs 1.46 lakh crore, while import GST revenue surged 17.8% to Rs 0.54 lakh crore.
Refunds issued in March 2026 totalled Rs 0.22 lakh crore, 13.8% higher than in March 2025.
Maharashtra led pre-settlement collections at Rs 0.13 lakh crore, followed by Karnataka and Gujarat.
Post-settlement SGST collections rose in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Post-settlement SGST collections declined in Jammu and Kashmir, Chandigarh, Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Finance Ministry records 8.1% YoY rise in February GST collections to ₹1.83 lakh crore (Start of March)▼
India’s gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection reached ₹1.83 lakh crore in February 2026, up 8.1% YoY.
Cumulative gross GST revenue for FY26 up to 28 February stood at ₹20.27 lakh crore, marking an 8.3% YoY increase.
Total refunds issued in February were ₹22,595 crore, up 10.2% YoY, yielding net GST revenue of ₹1.61 lakh crore.
Gross Domestic Revenue grew 5.3% to ₹1.36 lakh crore, while Gross Import Revenue surged 17.2% to ₹47,837 crore.
Net cess revenue declined to ₹5,063 crore from ₹13,481 crore in February 2025.
Maharashtra led pre-settlement SGST with ₹10,286 crore, followed by Karnataka and Gujarat.
Post-settlement SGST growth was positive in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Post-settlement SGST contracted in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Tripura and Jammu and Kashmir.
ICRA projects India’s GDP growth to moderate to 7.2% in Q3 FY26 (End of February)▼
ICRA forecasts India’s YoY GDP growth at 7.2% in Q3 FY2025-26, down from 8.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Services GVA growth eased to 7.8% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 9.2% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Agriculture GVA growth slowed to 3.0% in Q3 FY2025-26 from 3.5% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Industrial sector GVA hit a six-quarter high of 8.3% in Q3 FY2025-26 versus 7.7% in Q2 FY2025-26.
Government of India’s gross capital expenditure contracted 23.4% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 after 40.0% YoY growth in H1 FY2025-26.
GoI’s gross capex fell to Rs. 2.1 trillion in Q3 FY2025-26 from Rs. 3.1 trillion in Q2 FY2025-26.
Combined Central and state non-interest revenue expenditure rose marginally by 0.3% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 against a 0.6% decline in Q2 FY2025-26.
India’s services exports growth slowed to a seven-quarter low of 7.5% YoY in Q3 FY2025-26 at USD 111.2 billion.
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) launches Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)
Key Updates:
The NSE launched EGRs on May 4, 2026, to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and formalisation to the gold market.
EGRs are dematerialised securities representing ownership of physical gold stored in Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accredited vaults.
The NSE successfully demonstrated the dematerialisation of a 1000-gram gold bar into a secure and tradable digital instrument as part of the launch.
Sriram Krishnan, Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO) of the NSE, stated that the platform aims to reduce dependence on fragmented benchmarks.
The exchange stated that EGRs will allow investors to participate with smaller quantities and enable seamless conversion between physical and digital formats.
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Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Authorises Banks to Import Gold and Silver (Mid of April)▼
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has authorised 15 banks to import both gold and silver and two banks to import only gold for a period of three years.
The authorisation is effective from April 1, 2026, and remains valid until March 31, 2029.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued the list of nominated banks on April 6.
Banks authorised to import both gold and silver include Axis Bank, Bank of India, Federal Bank, HDFC Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Deutsche Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, and Punjab National Bank.
Union Bank of India and Sberbank are authorised to import only gold.
Due to a delay in the notification, more than 5 metric tonnes of gold and around 8 metric tonnes of silver were stalled for customs clearance.
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) to launch natural gas derivatives linked to domestic benchmark GIXI (Start of April)▼
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and Indian Gas Exchange Ltd (IGX) will introduce exchange-traded derivatives based on natural gas traded on the IGX platform.
NSE will launch Indian natural gas derivative contracts linked to IGX’s benchmark price index GIXI (Gas IndeX of India).
Pricing of the contracts will be tied to actual trades on the exchange.
The move aims to strengthen India’s domestic gas market by offering risk management tools to stakeholders across the value chain.
The contracts will provide a transparent mechanism for hedging price risks and offer financial institutions, brokers and investors exposure to the domestic natural gas derivatives market.
NSE has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to launch Indian natural gas futures.
Launch date to be announced later.
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) crosses ₹18.4 lakh crore GMV (Start of April)▼
Government e-Marketplace (GeM) cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) reached ₹18.4 lakh crore.
GeM recorded ₹5 lakh crore procurement in FY 2025–26 alone.
68 per cent of total orders on GeM in FY 2025–26 were executed by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
MSEs accounted for 47.1 per cent of the platform’s total GMV in FY 2025–26.
Over 11 lakh MSEs are registered on GeM, securing 51 lakh orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore in FY 2025–26.
More than 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs registered on GeM received orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore in FY 2025–26.
SC/ST entrepreneur-owned enterprises secured procurement orders worth over ₹6,000 crore in FY 2025–26.
Startups accounted for orders exceeding ₹19,000 crore on GeM in FY 2025–26.
Procurement by States and Union Territories on GeM grew by 38.3 per cent in FY 2025–26.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) grants Centralised Payment System (CPS) membership to Pay Point India Network (End of April)▼
Pay Point India Network has become the first private-sector fintech to gain membership in the Centralised Payment System (CPS) operated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Access to CPS was previously limited to banks and institutions including National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), and stock exchanges.
Pay Point India now has direct access to Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) and National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) without relying on partner banks.
The company has been assigned its own IFSC code and maintains a current account and a settlement account directly with the RBI.
RTGS is used for large-value, real-time transactions, while NEFT supports smaller, retail payments processed in batches.
Both RTGS and NEFT operate 24/7 throughout the year.
Fire Safety Week to strengthen awareness and preparedness in healthcare facilities
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will observe a nationwide Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10, 2026.
The initiative focuses on prevention, mitigation, and emergency response mechanisms within hospitals and related facilities.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava will inaugurate the week-long observance at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi.
A nationwide pledge on fire safety in health facilities will be administered during the opening ceremony to reinforce safety protocols.
The programme will include awareness campaigns, mock drills, and capacity-building exercises for healthcare workers and administrators.
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National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026) launched to enhance hospital safety (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched a nationwide Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10 to strengthen fire prevention and response systems in healthcare facilities.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the initiative under the theme Fire Safety in Health Facilities and released the National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026).
The new guidelines introduce stricter safety protocols for high-risk zones including Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Neonatal and Pediatric ICUs (NICUs/PICUs), and operation theatres.
States and institutions are required to upload fire safety audit details on the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) to ensure continuous monitoring and compliance.
Over 50,000 participants have completed fire safety training courses through government platforms, with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) planning further regional preparedness programmes.
International Firefighters Day observed globally on May 4 (Start of May)▼
International Firefighters Day is observed annually on May 4 to recognise the commitment and bravery of firefighters who protect lives, property, and the environment.
The establishment of this day was prompted by a tragic bushfire in Linton, Australia, on 2 December 1998, which led to the deaths of five firefighters.
JJ Edmondson, a volunteer firefighter from Victoria, advocated for the international day of recognition through a proposal sent on 4 January 1999.
The first International Firefighters Day was officially observed in 1999 and coincides with the feast day of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.
The day is symbolised by a red and blue ribbon, where red represents the intensity of fire and blue represents water and emergency services.
National Fire Service Day observed on April 14 (Mid of April)▼
National Fire Service Day is observed every year on April 14 across India.
The day commemorates the Bombay Dock Explosion that occurred on April 14, 1944, at Victoria Dock in Mumbai.
The disaster involved a British freighter, SS Fort Stikine, which was carrying ammunition, cotton bales, and gold.
A total of 66 firefighters lost their lives while battling the blaze during the 1944 explosion.
Fire Service Week is observed annually from April 14 to April 20.
The theme for this year's National Fire Service Week is "Safe School, Safe Hospital & Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention".
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.
Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0) Approved with ₹2.55 Lakh Crore Credit Flow
Key Updates:
The Union Cabinet approved the fifth version of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS 5.0) to provide financial support to businesses facing liquidity pressures due to the West Asia crisis.
The scheme aims to facilitate a total additional credit flow of ₹2.55 lakh crore, which includes a specific earmark of ₹5,000 crore for the airline sector.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) will receive 100 per cent guarantee coverage on additional credit, while non-MSMEs and scheduled passenger airlines will be covered up to 90 per cent.
Eligible borrowers include MSMEs and airlines with standard accounts as of March 31, 2026, with credit caps set at ₹100 crore for general borrowers and ₹1,500 crore for airlines.
The loan tenure is fixed at five years for MSMEs and seven years for the airline sector, with the scheme remaining applicable for loans sanctioned until March 31, 2027.
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Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions 2.0 introduced to facilitate credit flow. (End of March)▼
The Government of India launched Credit Guarantee Scheme for Microfinance Institutions-2.0 (CGSMFI-2.0) on 21 March 2026.
The scheme provides guarantee cover through National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) to Banks and Financial Institutions against losses on loans to NBFC-MFIs and MFIs.
Guarantee coverage is 80% for small, 75% for medium and 70% for large NBFC-MFIs/MFIs.
Guarantee fee is 0.50% per annum on sanctioned amount in first year and on outstanding amount thereafter.
Interest rate cap is EBLR or MCLR + 2% per annum on loans by MLIs to NBFC-MFIs or MFIs.
On-lending to small borrowers must be at 1% below the average lending rate of the past 6 months.
The scheme is valid till 30 June 2026 or until Rs 20,000 crore of loans are guaranteed, whichever is earlier.
Approximately 36 lakh MFI borrowers are expected to benefit from the scheme.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduces Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework for banks (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued amendments to the framework for classification of assets, income recognition, and provisioning, shifting to an Expected Credit Loss (ECL) based approach.
The new directions will come into force from April 1, 2027, replacing existing norms.
The ECL framework adopts a three-stage classification system: Stage 1 for assets with no significant increase in credit risk (12-month ECL), Stage 2 for assets with significant increase in credit risk (lifetime ECL), and Stage 3 for credit-impaired assets (lifetime ECL).
The RBI has retained existing non-performing assets (NPA) norms, where a financial asset is classified as NPA if interest or principal remains overdue for more than 90 days for term loans, or if accounts are out of order in overdraft or cash credit facilities.
Asset classification will be applied at the borrower level, meaning if one exposure becomes NPA, all exposures to that borrower will be treated as NPA.
ECL computation will be based on three key parameters: Probability of Default (PD), Loss Given Default (LGD), and Exposure at Default (EAD).
A rebuttable presumption of significant increase in credit risk is established when contractual payments are more than 30 days past due.
The Effective Interest Rate (EIR) method is mandated for income recognition, with all loans outstanding as of March 31, 2027, required to transition to this regime by March 31, 2030.
The RBI has prescribed prudential floors across loan categories to serve as a regulatory backstop for ECL estimates.
Upon transition on April 1, 2027, banks must fair value their entire loan portfolio, with any difference between fair value and carrying amount adjusted against retained earnings.
Governance of the ECL implementation must be overseen by a Board or Board-approved committee, including the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO).
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas, which will come into force from 1 July 2026.
The directions apply to commercial banks, small finance banks, local area banks, cooperative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and All India Financial Institutions.
Lenders are permitted to extend relief measures to all borrowers without waiting for requests, with an opt-out clause available for 135 days from the date of natural calamity declaration.
Banks may operate calamity-affected branches from temporary premises or provide services through satellite offices, extension counters, or mobile banking facilities.
Banks can provide a waiver or reduction of fees and charges for customers in calamity-declared areas for a period not exceeding one year.
Borrowers are eligible for resolution if their accounts are classified as Standard and are not in default for more than 30 days as of the date of the calamity.
Accounts that became Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) between the date of the calamity and the implementation of the resolution plan shall be upgraded to Standard upon implementation.
Banks are mandated to make an additional specific provision of 5 per cent of the outstanding debt for borrowers under a resolution plan, subject to a ceiling of 100 per cent.
Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd (IRFC) raises JPY-equivalent $400 million overseas loan (End of February)▼
The Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd (IRFC) has signed a loan agreement for a JPY-equivalent $400 million External Commercial Borrowing (ECB).
The loan was raised from a consortium comprising Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), GIFT City Branch, and MUFG Bank Ltd, GIFT City Branch.
The ECB has a five-year tenor and is benchmarked to the Tokyo Overnight Average Rate (TONAR).
This transaction marks the second overseas borrowing for IRFC in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26), following a $300 million raise in December 2025.
The facility agreement was executed on February 25, 2026, and the loan is unsecured in nature.
The proceeds will be utilised for financing projects with forward or backward linkages to the railway sector or other projects compliant with ECB guidelines.
Rail Multi-Tracking Projects Approved with ₹23,437 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved three multi-tracking railway projects worth ₹23,437 crore to expand the national rail network by 901 kilometres.
Managed by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), the projects cover 19 districts across Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
The approved corridors include the Nagda–Mathura 3rd and 4th Line, Guntakal–Wadi 3rd and 4th Line, and Burhwal–Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line, with a completion target of 2030–31.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP), the projects aim to provide connectivity to 4,161 villages and handle an additional 60 million tonnes of freight per annum.
The initiative is expected to reduce oil imports by 37 crore litres and cut carbon emissions by 185 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting approximately 7 crore trees.
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Indian Railways approves ₹647.58 crore connectivity projects in Gujarat and Bihar (End of March)▼
Indian Railways sanctioned two projects worth ₹647.58 crore on 24 March 2026 to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
The rail-over-rail flyover at Kosamba, Gujarat, spans 9.20 km and costs ₹344.38 crore to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada gauge conversion section with the Mumbai–Vadodara main line.
The 13.38 km bypass line at Bhagalpur, Bihar, costs ₹303.20 crore and will link Gonudham Halt on the Barahat–Bhagalpur section with Sabour on the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section.
The Barahat–Bhagalpur section currently operates at over 125 per cent capacity utilisation, causing congestion and requiring engine reversal at Bhagalpur junction.
Union Cabinet approves infrastructure projects worth Rs 12,236 crore across railways, aviation, urban transport, power and agriculture (End of February)▼
The Union Cabinet approved infrastructure and policy proposals worth Rs 12,236 crore, covering railways, aviation, urban transport, power sector reforms and agriculture.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared three railway projects—Gondia-Jabalpur doubling, Punarakh-Kiul third and fourth line, and Gamharia-Chandil third and fourth line—costing Rs 9,072 crore.
These railway projects span Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand, adding 307 km to the network and enhancing connectivity to 5,407 villages with a population of nearly 98 lakh.
The railway capacity augmentation is expected to handle 52 million tonnes of additional freight traffic per annum, save 6 crore litres of oil and cut CO2 emissions by 30 crore kg.
CCEA approved a new civil enclave at Srinagar International Airport at a cost of Rs 1,677 crore, featuring a 71,500 square metre terminal with peak-hour capacity of 2,900 passengers and annual capacity of 10 million passengers.
The Srinagar airport project includes a 1,000-car multi-level car park, apron for 15 aircraft and targets a 5-star GRIHA rating.
The Cabinet cleared a 3.33-km Ahmedabad Metro extension from GIFT City to Shahpur at Rs 1,067.35 crore with three elevated stations to be implemented by Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
The Ahmedabad Metro extension is projected to serve over 23,700 passengers daily by 2029 and nearly 58,000 by 2041.
Power sector reforms enhanced delegation to Powergrid, raising per-project equity investment limit for subsidiaries from Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 7,500 crore to boost participation in high-value tariff-based competitive bidding projects.
The Cabinet approved renaming Kerala to 'Keralam' through the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, to be referred by the President to the Kerala Legislative Assembly under Article 3 of the Constitution.
The Cabinet fixed the minimum support price (MSP) for raw jute (TD-3 grade) at Rs 5,925 per quintal for 2026-27, an increase of Rs 275 per quintal over the previous year.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra river (Mid of February)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel to be built under the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
The 33.7-km long project includes a 15.8-km twin tube tunnel under the river and will be developed at a cost of ₹18,662 crore in Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.
The tunnel will connect Gohpur on NH-15 and Numaligarh on NH-715, reducing the distance between the two Assam cities from 240 km to 34 km and travel time from six hours to 20 minutes.
The project alignment integrates with Rangia-Mukongselek Railway Section under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Gohpur side and Furkating-Mariani loop line section under Tinsukia Division of NFR on Numaligarh side.
The Cabinet also approved three Railways multi-tracking projects at a cost of ₹18,509 crore and three highway projects at a cost of ₹11,079 crore.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) clears Rs 11,000 crore highway projects in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana (Mid of February)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved highway projects worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Telangana.
In Maharashtra, the Ghoti–Trimbak (Mokhada)–Jawhar–Manor–Palghar stretch of National Highway-160A will be rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of Rs 3,320.38 crore.
The 154.635-km NH-160A project in Maharashtra will be executed under Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
In Gujarat, the CCEA approved four-laning of the 107.67-km Dhamasiya-Bitada/Movi and Nasarpore-Malotha sections of National Highway-56 at a cost of Rs 4,583.64 crore.
The NH-56 four-laning project in Gujarat is designed for 100 km per hour speed and is expected to cut travel time by 40 per cent.
In Telangana, the CCEA cleared widening of the 80.01-km Gudebellur to Mahabubnagar stretch of National Highway-167 at a cost of Rs 3,175.08 crore.
The NH-167 widening project in Telangana will be executed under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) through the National Highways (Original) [NH(O)] scheme.
Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to increase judge strength to 37
Key Updates:
The Union Cabinet approved a proposal to increase the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37, excluding the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
The decision facilitates the introduction of the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to revise the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956.
Article 124 of the Constitution of India provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court and empowers Parliament to determine the number of judges.
The expenditure on salaries, staff, and associated infrastructure for the additional judges will be met from the Consolidated Fund of India.
The judicial strength has been revised multiple times since Independence, including increases to 10 judges in 1956, 13 in 1960, 17 in 1977, 25 in 1986, 30 in 2008, and 33 in 2019.
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Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 and Delimitation Bill Shelved Following Lok Sabha Vote (Mid of April)▼
The Government of India decided to drop the Delimitation Bill 2026 after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, secured 278 votes in favour and 211 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the delimitation exercise was interconnected with the women’s reservation amendment and the proposed extension of the quota to Union Territories (UTs).
The delimitation exercise, mandated under Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution of India, involves redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on census data.
Under the shelved proposal, most states were expected to see a 50% increase in seat allocation, while Sikkim, Nagaland, and Mizoram would have seen no increase in parliamentary seats.
The legislation also included a proposal for a marginal rise in representation for Scheduled Castes (SC) in the Lok Sabha.
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill – Lok Sabha Strength Raised to 850 Seats (Mid of April)▼
The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes to increase the total strength of the Lok Sabha from the current 545 to 850 members.
The Delimitation Bill, 2026 provides for a Delimitation Commission headed by a Supreme Court judge, with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and State Election Commissioners (SECs) as members.
The Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 makes changes to the laws for Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry.
The amendment removes the constitutional freeze on readjustment of Lok Sabha seats that was based on the 1971 Census and allows delimitation based on the latest published census figures.
One-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, including within SC and ST quotas, will be operationalised, with seats to be rotated after each delimitation cycle for a period of 15 years.
The amendment raises the cap on elected members from states to 815 and from Union Territories to 35.
The Delimitation Commission will allocate seats, redraw constituency boundaries, and determine reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women, ensuring constituencies are geographically compact and consider physical features, administrative boundaries, communication facilities, and public convenience.
Centre proposes 850-seat Lok Sabha expansion with 33% women’s quota from 2029 elections. (Mid of April)▼
The Centre circulated three bills on 16 April 2026: Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Delimitation Bill 2026, and Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill 2026.
Article 81 amendment will expand Lok Sabha from 543 to around 816 seats with an upper cap of 850.
The women’s reservation will create roughly 273 reserved seats, advancing implementation to the 2029 polls instead of 2034.
A three-member delimitation commission led by a current or retired Supreme Court judge and including Election Commission of India (ECI) representation will redraw constituencies.
The bills require a two-thirds majority in Parliament and ratification by at least 50% of states for passage.
Reserved seats for women will be rotated across constituencies in every election cycle.
The quota will apply to Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, and Puducherry, with ECI acting as delimitation authority for 24 vacant assembly segments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The reservation will initially last 15 years unless extended by a future law.
Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha to clarify repeal continuity (Mid of February)▼
Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha through supplementary agenda.
The Bill seeks to avoid future confusion over repeal of Trade Unions Act 1926, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946 and Industrial Disputes Act 1947 by section 104 of Industrial Relations Code 2020.
Section 104 and February 2026 notification confirm repeal occurred by operation of the Code itself, not by executive delegation.
Uttar Pradesh Action Plan for Cow Dung-Based Economy to Boost Farm Incomes
Key Updates:
The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing a comprehensive action plan to integrate agriculture with animal husbandry and expand the production of cow dung-based products.
Animal Husbandry Minister Dharampal Singh directed the Animal Husbandry and Agriculture departments to transform cow shelters into production centres for compost, biogas, Jeevamrit, and Ghanamrit.
The project aims to restore soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers by promoting the scientific use of cow dung for large-scale organic manure production.
The state government is reviewing successful biogas and organic manure models in Jhansi, Chandauli, Farrukhabad, Kanpur, and Barabanki for statewide expansion.
The plan includes standardising cow dung-based manure by setting norms for packaging and moisture content while ensuring distribution through cooperative societies.
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Maharashtra Goseva Commission to organise Gau-Tech 2026 exhibition in Pune (End of March)▼
The Maharashtra Goseva Commission, in collaboration with the Global Confederation of Cow-Based Industries (GCCBI), will organise the Gau-Tech 2026 exhibition from March 20 to 23.
The event will be hosted at the Agriculture College in Pune, Maharashtra.
The primary objectives of the exhibition include promoting cow-based agriculture, strengthening the rural economy, and boosting village industries.
The initiative aligns with the Developed India 2047 vision by enhancing market opportunities and showcasing technologies for cow conservation.
The exhibition will showcase new technologies and business opportunities aimed at empowering the rural economy through cow conservation.
Uttar Pradesh First Economic Survey: GSDP to touch Rs 36 lakh crore in 2025-26 (Mid of February)▼
Uttar Pradesh tabled its first-ever Economic Survey in the Assembly on Monday.
State’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) more than doubled from Rs 13.30 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 30.25 lakh crore in 2024-25, registering a CAGR of 10.8%.
Per capita income doubled from Rs 61,142 in 2016-17 to Rs 1,26,304 in 2024-25.
State budget size rose from Rs 3.47 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 8.33 lakh crore for 2025-26.
Public debt-to-GSDP ratio declined to 28% in 2024-25 from 29.3% in 2016-17, staying within FRBM limits.
Agriculture contributes 25.8%, industry 27.2%, and services 47% to the state’s GSDP.
Over 3.22 lakh jobs generated under the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
State signed MoUs worth over Rs 2.94 lakh crore at the World Economic Forum 2026 in sectors including data centres, renewable energy, defence manufacturing, and food processing.
Exports more than doubled from Rs 0.84 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 1.86 lakh crore in 2024-25.
Ayushman Bharat covers 5.46 crore beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh.
Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela unveils roadmap for Viksit Krishi–Atmanirbhar Bharat reforms (End of February)▼
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the three-day Pusa Krishi Vigyan Mela at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) campus in Pusa, Delhi.
He announced that agencies or state governments withholding farmers’ money will pay 12% interest on the withheld amount.
The Centre is exploring direct transfer of its share to farmers if states delay payments under schemes.
Over ₹2 lakh crore annual fertiliser subsidy is under review for possible Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to farmers’ accounts.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans charge 4% effective interest for about 75% of small farmers; banks must ensure zero-delay disbursement.
Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will be developed as district-level agricultural reform command centres to bridge research and extension.
Pesticide licensing will be simplified through reduced layers, fixed timelines and full transparency to speed quality product availability.
Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement window to be compressed from three months to a maximum of one month in coordination with states.
The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ will resume in April with scientist teams visiting villages ahead of the kharif season to transfer latest technologies.
Seven farmers received the IARI Krishi Adhyeta Award during the inaugural session.
MTP Act: SC suggests amendment to remove gestational limits for minor rape survivors
Key Updates:
The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act, last amended in 2021, prescribes a general upper limit of 20 weeks for termination.
Termination may extend up to 24 weeks for categories including survivors of rape or sexual assault, minors, women facing change in marital status, women with disabilities or mental illness, and cases of substantial foetal abnormalities.
Beyond 24 weeks, termination is allowed only to save the life of the woman or for significant foetal abnormalities diagnosed by a state-level Medical Board.
The Supreme Court suggested amending the MTP Act to remove time limits for unwanted pregnancy due to rape of a minor girl, citing delays in reporting and trauma.
The Court clarified that statutory gestational limits do not constrain constitutional courts under Article 142, and that a medical institution cannot override the minor's autonomy.
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Supreme Court (SC) Rules on Reproductive Autonomy under Article 21 (End of April)▼
The Supreme Court (SC) allowed a 15-year-old minor to terminate a seven-month pregnancy, citing reproductive autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution.
A bench comprising Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan stated that a woman's choice outweighs the interest of the unborn foetus in such cases.
The plea was filed as the pregnancy had exceeded the statutory limit prescribed by the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
The SC ruled that the right to make decisions concerning one's body is an integral facet of personal liberty and privacy under Article 21.
The court noted that compelling a minor to carry a pregnancy to full term against her will could inflict grave mental, emotional, and physical trauma.
The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) was identified as the official body for child adoption processes in India.
Dowry Prohibition Act: SC shields aggrieved dowry givers from prosecution (Mid of April)▼
The Supreme Court (SC) clarified that dowry givers, including the bride and her family members, are shielded from prosecution if they are the aggrieved persons.
The SC bench, comprising Justices Sanjay Kumar and K Vinod Chandran, stated that Section 7(3) of the Dowry Prohibition Act protects aggrieved parties who confess to giving dowry while filing complaints of domestic violence or harassment.
The amendment to introduce Section 7(3) was based on a Joint Parliamentary Committee report which suggested that dowry givers should not be dealt with on equal footing as takers.
The committee recommended that parents who give dowry should be viewed as victims rather than criminals, as they are often compelled by societal and customary norms rather than free will.
Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill 2026: Stringent Punishments for Sacrilege (Mid of April)▼
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave assent to the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The legislation focuses exclusively on protecting the sanctity of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Standard acts of sacrilege attract a minimum imprisonment of 7 years, extendable up to 20 years, and a fine ranging from ₹2 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
Offences committed as part of a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony carry a minimum of 10 years imprisonment, extendable to life imprisonment, and fines between ₹5 lakh and ₹25 lakh.
The offences are classified as non-bailable and cognisable, triable by a sessions court.
Investigations must be conducted by officers not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police.
The law replaces the terms Bir and Birs with Saroop and Saroops to align with Sikh religious terminology.
Only the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) or entities authorised by it can print, publish, store, or distribute Saroops.
The SGPC is mandated to maintain a centralised physical and electronic register of all Saroops, updated monthly, with public access via the SGPC website within 45 days of the law coming into force.
The legislation introduces the concept of a custodian, encompassing individuals, institutions, and gurdwara committees responsible for the care and protection of a Saroop.
Sacrilege is broadly defined to include physical acts such as burning, tearing, or theft, as well as spoken, written, symbolic, or electronic actions.
Government rejects lowering age of consent to protect child safety under Pocso Act (Start of February)▼
Minister for Women and Child Development (WCD) Annpurna Devi stated that any dilution of the age of consent or introduction of exceptions would undermine child safety and weaken India's commitment to protecting children.
The age of consent is uniformly fixed at 18 years across statutes including Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Pocso Act 2012, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006, Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act 1956, Juvenile Justice Act 2015, and Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act 1956.
Pocso Act does not explicitly define 'consent' and treats any sexual act with a person below 18 years as an offence irrespective of purported consent.
South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone to Commence Operations from June 1, 2026
Key Updates:
South Coast Railway (SCoR) is the 18th zone of Indian Railways (IR), with its headquarters located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The zone was established under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014 and received ex post facto approval from the Union Cabinet on February 7, 2025.
SCoR comprises four divisions, namely Guntakal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam, created by carving areas from East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR).
A total of ₹184 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the zonal headquarters on 52.2 acres of land at Mudasarlova.
Operations for the new zone are expected to commence from June 1, 2026, to manage railway projects worth approximately ₹1,06,000 crore currently underway in Andhra Pradesh.
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Silchar–Sairang Passenger Train Service to Commence from 20 February (Mid of February)▼
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will introduce regular passenger train operations between Silchar and Sairang starting 20 February 2026.
The new service, numbered 55669/55670, will operate five days a week to enhance rail connectivity to the state of Mizoram.
The Silchar–Sairang service will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, while the return service will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The train will be hauled by a diesel locomotive and will have a composition of seven coaches, including second-class and luggage-cum-brake vans.
The service was virtually inaugurated by the Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
The rail link to Sairang, located near the Mizoram capital Aizawl, was inaugurated in September 2025 to connect the state with cities such as Kolkata and Guwahati.
Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line prioritises environmental safeguards with elephant passages. (Start of March)▼
The Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line is a 301 km project conceived before Indian independence and is nearing completion by early next year.
The line passes through Khurda, Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur and Balangir districts, providing rail connectivity to Nayagarh (2017), Sonepur (2024) and Boudh (2025).
East Coast Railway (ECoR) constructed seven tunnels covering 12.76 km and multiple wildlife underpasses and overpasses, including a 4.77 km viaduct that serves as an elephant underpass.
Odisha reports an average of 85 elephant deaths annually; the project features 12 elephant underpasses and six overpasses between Mahipur and Jhatarabha stations.
The ₹5,000 crore project saved approximately two lakh trees by using high-rise viaducts instead of massive embankments and was designed in consultation with the forest department.
Currently, 226 km of the line is operational with 20 stations, and around 5,000 passengers travel daily on four Khurda Road-Daspalla and three Balangir-Purunakatak trains.
South Central Railway (SCR) launches Rail Parcel Logistics app and signs MoU with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) for 2030 freight strategy. (End of February)▼
South Central Railway (SCR) launched the Rail Parcel Logistics app on Wednesday during a conclave at Rail Nilayam.
The app offers end-to-end parcel booking, doorstep pickup and delivery, real-time consignment tracking, automated transit updates, and secure multi-mode digital payments.
Pilot rollout covers Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur, Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
SCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) to conduct demand forecasting, competitiveness analysis, and infrastructure assessment for a long-term freight logistics strategy targeting national freight loading goals by 2030.
Reform Express initiative introduces five new reforms to boost cargo and passenger services (End of March)▼
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced five new reforms under the Reform Express initiative, raising the 2026 total to nine.
Indian Railways launched stainless steel containers with top-loading and hydraulic side-discharge systems for salt transport to cut corrosion and handling damage.
Flexible wagon designs tailored to route-specific tunnels and bridges will be introduced to raise the current 24% share of passenger vehicle movement by rail.
Stricter contractor eligibility, fixed 2% bid security, mandatory bid-capacity evaluation, tighter subcontracting rules, and extra performance guarantees for under-priced bids will improve infrastructure project quality.
Aadhaar-based OTP verification and deletion of nearly three crore fake IRCTC accounts have been implemented to curb ticketing misuse.
Passengers may now cancel tickets 72, 24, or 8 hours before departure aligned with revised chart timings, cancel counter tickets at any station, receive automatic e-ticket refunds, upgrade class up to 30 minutes before departure, and change boarding stations digitally within the same timeframe.
Cell Broadcast Alert System launched for real-time disaster warnings
Key Updates:
Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, launched the Cell Broadcast Alert System under the guidance of Union Home and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah.
The system was developed with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to deliver critical information related to disasters and public safety directly to mobile phones.
The indigenous Integrated Alert System SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), powers the alerts based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
A nationwide test of the system was successfully conducted on 2 May 2026 by the NDMA, where mobile users received emergency alerts in the form of flash SMS accompanied by a loud alarm tone and a flashing message.
Following the testing phase, the NDMA will operationalise the system to provide alerts for tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and man-made hazards like gas leaks or chemical incidents in multiple Indian languages.
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Khuarel App launched to enhance real-time disaster reporting in Mizoram (Start of May)▼
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.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) inaugurates Coastal Atmospheric Research Testbed (C-ART) at Andhra University (Start of May)▼
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.
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.
Meghalaya government signs Letter of Intent with Starlink India for satellite-based internet pilot in remote hill regions. (Start of April)▼
The Meghalaya government and Starlink India signed a Letter of Intent on Wednesday to pilot satellite-based internet in remote hill regions.
The pilot will cover education, healthcare, disaster management, and economic development sectors affected by poor connectivity.
Starlink cannot start commercial services in India as it has not been allocated satellite spectrum and must complete security compliance and set up ground infrastructure like earth stations.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated that Meghalaya’s rugged terrain makes conventional telecom infrastructure expensive and impractical, leaving large population pockets offline.
SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell attended the signing and described Meghalaya’s technology adoption efforts as encouraging.
The agreement was signed by Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar; no financial terms were disclosed.
Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0: Sustainable rural tap water coverage
Key Updates:
Reform-linked memoranda of understanding (MoUs) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 were signed on 29 April with Uttarakhand, Karnataka, and Tripura.
The JJM 2.0 is extended until December 2028 to achieve complete rural tap water coverage, shifting focus from infrastructure creation to sustainable service delivery.
Karnataka has established 88.06 lakh functional household tap connections out of 101.31 lakh rural households, achieving 87 per cent progress.
Uttarakhand has achieved 98 per cent coverage with 14.20 lakh connections out of 14.48 lakh rural households and conserved over 6,500 water sources and 3.5 million cubic metres of rainwater harvesting through its Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority.
Tripura's tap water coverage rose from 3 per cent in 2019 to 86 per cent, providing piped water to 4,319 schools and 8,585 Anganwadi centres.
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Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and NBCC (India) Limited sign two MoUs for Delhi redevelopment and asset monetisation. (Mid of April)▼
HUDCO and NBCC (India) Limited (NBCC) signed two MoUs on 11 April 2026.
First MoU covers redevelopment of leasehold plot of approx. 18,830 sq mt at Block No. 25, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi.
First MoU includes techno-economic feasibility study, construction, project management, and monetisation of built-up space.
Second MoU focuses on asset monetisation for NBCC's self-sustainable model projects.
HUDCO will provide funds for ongoing and upcoming NBCC projects with permission of Government of India.
NBCC will provide project management and consultancy services under the agreements.
Each MoU is valid for 2 years from execution date and is subject to annual review.
Either party can exit the MoUs by giving one month's written notice.
National Career Service (NCS) Portal – Creation of 30 Lakh Jobs by 2030 (Mid of April)▼
The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies on 13 April 2026 to expand employment opportunities through the NCS portal.
Over 7 lakh vacancies are currently active on the NCS portal and nearly 59 lakh establishments have registered.
The NCS portal has registered over 6 crore jobseekers and mobilised more than 9 crore vacancies since its inception.
Porter aims to generate approximately 6 lakh logistics and driving opportunities annually via NCS and around 30 lakh opportunities by 2030.
Gigin Technologies aims to create at least 2–3 lakh verified job opportunities annually with over 1.5 lakh employer engagements through NCS.
The collaborations are expected to mobilise nearly 10 lakh job opportunities annually for youth.
Budget outlay: Not specified in the article.
Launch date of the MoUs: 13 April 2026.
Target beneficiaries are youth and jobseekers registered on the NCS portal.
Uttar Pradesh signs Rs 200-crore MoU with RAILONE GmbH to boost rail infrastructure (Start of March)▼
The Uttar Pradesh government signed a Rs 200-crore MoU with Germany-based RAILONE GmbH during Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya’s visit to the company’s manufacturing plant in Germany.
The MoU aims to provide Uttar Pradesh with access to advanced technology, high-quality standards and international expertise in rail infrastructure.
The initiative targets strengthening connectivity, building a robust transport network and accelerating industrial development in Uttar Pradesh.
National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0: ₹1.51 Lakh Crore Outlay for 100% Rural Tap Water Coverage (End of March)▼
The Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) signed a reform-linked Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Meghalaya government under the National Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0.
Meghalaya is the 12th state in India to sign the agreement under JJM 2.0, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 10 March 2026.
The Union Cabinet approved an additional outlay of ₹1.51 lakh crore for the Mission, with approximately ₹67,300 crore allocated in the Union Budget for 2025-26.
The national deadline for providing 100 per cent tap water coverage and sanitation has been extended from May 2024 to December 2028.
Meghalaya has achieved 83.59 per cent rural tap water coverage and aims to reach 100 per cent coverage by December 2028.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) stated that Gram Panchayats and Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) will be empowered to manage in-village water supply systems.
The MoU was signed by Swati Meena Naik, Joint Secretary of the DDWS, and Praveen Bakshi, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Public Health Engineering (PHE) department.
Meghalaya adopted a comprehensive Water Policy in 2019 and has constituted a climate council involving multiple departments to address water-related issues.
Telangana Government acquires 100% equity of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited for ₹1,461.47 crore
Key Updates:
The Telangana government acquired 100 per cent equity shares of L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited (LTMRHL) through Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) for ₹1,461.47 crores.
The debt of LTMRHL, amounting to ₹13,538.53 crores as of April 30, 2026, will be refinanced with a guarantee issued by the Government of Telangana.
LTMRHL has operated Hyderabad Metro Rail Phase I since November 2017, which spans three corridors with a total network length of 69 km.
The Metro Rail network currently serves an average daily ridership of approximately 4.5 lakh passengers and has recorded about 86 crore passenger trips since its inception.
The acquisition aims to ensure closer strategic alignment between the existing Phase I and the proposed Phase II network for better integration in planning, execution, and service delivery.
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V Hanumantha Rao appointed as Backward Classes (BC) welfare adviser (Start of May)▼
V Hanumantha Rao, former MP and senior Congress leader, was appointed as adviser for the Backward Classes (BC) welfare department by the Telangana government with the status of a minister of state.
He will receive a monthly salary of Rs 1,00,000 and a house rent allowance of Rs 50,000 per month if a government quarter is not allotted.
He will be eligible for a conveyance allowance of Rs 30,000 per month and fuel expenses of Rs 15,000 for using his personal vehicle on official duties.
He will have access to a government vehicle with a driver and medical expense reimbursement on par with All India Services officers and ministers.
Special staff, including a private secretary, a data entry operator, two office subordinates, and a driver, will be allocated for his advisory role, with expenditure met from the BC welfare department's regular budget.
Telangana Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 3.24 lakh crore with focus on infrastructure and poll promises. (End of March)▼
Telangana government presented a budget of Rs 3.24 lakh crore for 2026-27, an increase of nearly Rs 20,000 crore over the previous year.
Revenue expenditure is pegged at Rs 2,34,406 crore and capital expenditure at Rs 47,267 crore.
Agriculture sector received Rs 23,179 crore, Energy sector Rs 21,285 crore.
Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department allocated Rs 17,907 crore.
Medical and Health Department set aside Rs 13,679 crore.
Flagship programmes include Musi Riverfront beautification and Hyderabad Metrorail Phase 2 and 3.
Telangana's GSDP for 2025-26 is Rs 17,82,198 crore with a growth rate of 10.7%.
Per capita income for 2025-26 stood at Rs 4,18,931, recording a growth of 10.2%.
Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to Provide ₹5 Lakh Cover (End of March)▼
The Telangana government announced the Indiramma Family Life Insurance Scheme to provide a life insurance cover of ₹5 lakh to every family in the state.
The scheme is scheduled to come into force from 2 June 2026 and will cover 1 crore 15 lakh families regardless of their economic background.
The state government will introduce digital health cards for the citizens of Telangana to provide quality healthcare services.
The health department budget has been increased by 10.3 per cent to ₹13,679 crore for the 2026-27 financial year from ₹12,393 crore in 2025-26.
The Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) will be transformed from a grant-in-aid institution into a full-fledged government secondary healthcare department.
The government sanctioned retirement benefits of ₹2 lakh for Anganwadi teachers and ₹1 lakh for helpers upon voluntary retirement at the age of 60 years.
An amount of ₹3,662.81 crore has been allocated to the Director of Medical Education, while ₹1,844.04 crore is earmarked for the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare.
The budget for public health services under the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare is set at ₹1,183.56 crore to cover primary healthcare and disease control programmes.
₹12.66 crore Challenge Fund launched to boost women and youth-led rural enterprises. (Start of March)▼
The Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) partnered with TBIS BITS Pilani Hyderabad, T-Hub and Telangana government’s WE Hub to launch the fund.
The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) backs the fund that will focus on women and youth-led enterprises at the grassroots level.
The initiative will enable 300 women and young entrepreneurs through institutional support, enterprise formalisation, capability enhancement and scalable growth.
Japan and Philippines Enhance Security Cooperation During Balikatan Exercise on 5 May 2026
Key Updates:
Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Manila on 5 May 2026 to meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and discuss the potential transfer of used Japanese destroyers.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed in 2024 allows Japan to deploy 1,400 military personnel as regular participants in the annual Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises.
Japan is evaluating the transfer of up to six Abukuma-class destroyers to the Philippines to enhance maritime patrol capabilities after scrapping its ban on lethal weapons exports on 21 April.
During the exercise in Paoay, Japanese forces will utilise Type 88 missiles in a mock attack on a decommissioned warship alongside units from the United States (US) and Canada.
Representatives from 16 countries, including India and Australia, are expected to witness the live-fire maneuvers involving Philippine, US, Japanese, and Canadian firepower.
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United States and Philippines conduct Balikatan 2026 exercise featuring HIMARS live-fire on 27 April 2026 (Start of May)▼
The United States (US) Army deployed the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from Palawan during the Balikatan 2026 exercise to reinforce archipelagic coastal defence.
The exercise, running from 20 April to 8 May 2026, is the largest to date with over 17,000 troops involved, including approximately 10,000 from the US.
Participating nations in the Palawan drills included the Philippines, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, while Japan joined the broader Balikatan exercise for the first time.
The M142 HIMARS launcher used in the training was operated by the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division/Multi-Domain Command-Pacific.
The live-fire event on 27 April 2026 integrated multiple weapon systems including Stinger missiles, Javelin systems, and TOW missiles to validate readiness against simulated coastal assaults.
Japan relaxes arms export rules to sell lethal weapons to 17 countries (End of April)▼
Japan has relaxed restrictions on arms exports, allowing the sale of lethal weapons to 17 countries with which it has defence agreements, including the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).
The previous restrictions limited arms exports to five categories: rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and minesweeping.
The policy change was announced under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who assumed office in October 2025.
A ban on arms sales to countries involved in conflict remains in place, except for those that have defence pacts with Japan.
Japan's Self-Defence Forces (SDF) participated as combatants for the first time in annual war games between the US and the Philippines.
Japan's post-World War Two constitution, written in 1947, contains Article 9 which renounces war.
Previous shifts in defence policy include the 2014 relaxation of the blanket ban on military sales by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the 2023 allowance of finished lethal weapon exports by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
India welcomes Japan's review of Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology (End of April)▼
India welcomed Japan's review of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology to expand bilateral defence cooperation and industrial collaboration.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the move aligns with the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
The review aims to ease constraints on defence exports, allowing transfers under tighter but more flexible conditions, particularly to trusted partners.
Both nations committed to deepening practical cooperation in line with their Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation.
Defence engagement between the two countries includes the 2+2 dialogue, joint exercises, and maritime cooperation.
The shift is expected to facilitate technology sharing, supply chain integration, and the co-development of defence platforms.
South Korea and United States Air Forces hold 2025 first Buddy Squadron exercise at Osan Air Base (Mid of February)▼
The South Korean Air Force and the United States Air Force began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of 2025 on Monday at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province.
The exercise runs through Friday and is the 26-1 iteration under a revised framework reducing annual iterations from eight to four while more than doubling participating aircraft and sorties.
Participating aircraft include South Korean KF-16 fighters, F-35A stealth fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and United States F-16 fighters.
The Buddy Squadron exercise, renamed from Friendship Training in 1997, started in 1991 to enhance combined operational capabilities through joint training.
India and Vietnam discuss BrahMos missile sale during President To Lam's visit from 5 May to 7 May
Key Updates:
Vietnamese President To Lam is visiting India from 5 May to 7 May to discuss expanding defence ties and the potential purchase of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.
BrahMos is a joint venture between Indian and Russian government entities, and India has previously sold these missiles to the Philippines and signed a contract with Indonesia in March.
A potential deal with Vietnam for the missiles could be valued at approximately 60 billion rupees ($629 million), including training and logistical support.
Bilateral trade between India and Vietnam exceeded $16 billion in the last fiscal year, with both nations seeking to further expand economic cooperation.
India previously gifted the indigenously built missile corvette Kirpan to the Vietnamese military in 2023 and continues to provide military training.
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Vietnamese President To Lam to visit India from May 5-7 (Start of May)▼
Vietnamese President To Lam will undertake a State visit to India from May 5 to 7 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.
President To Lam, who also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will be accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, senior officials, and a business delegation.
During the visit, President To Lam will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 6 and will hold wide-ranging discussions with Prime Minister Modi covering bilateral relations and regional/global issues.
President Droupadi Murmu will also meet the visiting leader, and President To Lam will visit Bodh Gaya and Mumbai as part of his itinerary.
The visit coincides with the 10th anniversary of the elevation of India-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Vietnam in 2016.
India explores sixth-generation fighter partnership, AMCA RFP to be issued soon; DRDO ready for Agni-VI: Defence Secretary and DRDO Chief (Start of May)▼
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated that the request for proposal (RFP) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is likely to be issued soon to shortlisted private sector players.
India has reached out to two international three-country programmes for collaboration on developing sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
Singh said India is working towards developing a multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Samir V Kamat said India's LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile programme has reached an advanced stage, with initial trials expected soon.
Kamat said the Agni-VI ballistic missile programme depends on a government decision, and the agency is fully prepared to proceed when approval is granted.
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.
Defence Ministry signs Rs 5,083 crore contracts for ALH Mk-III helicopters and Shtil missiles (Start of March)▼
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-III (Maritime Role) and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch - Shtil missiles.
The ALH Mk-III contract valued at Rs 2,901 crore was signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The helicopters include operational role equipment, an engineering support package, and performance-based logistics support for the Indian Coast Guard.
The Shtil missile contract valued at Rs 2,182 crore was signed with JSC Rosoboronexport of the Russian Federation.
The acquisition aims to enhance the Indian Navy's layered air defence and the Indian Coast Guard's maritime security capabilities.
India and Japan Hold 3rd Joint Committee Meeting on Healthcare on 05 May 2026
Key Updates:
The 3rd Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Healthcare between India and Japan was convened on 05 May 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, and Kimi Onoda, Minister in charge of Healthcare Policy, Japan.
The JCM was conducted under the framework of the India-Japan Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in Healthcare and Wellness.
The platform aims to advance the bilateral partnership through regular dialogue, deeper mutual understanding, and constructive deliberations.
The cooperation is guided by a shared vision of strengthening health systems, improving accessibility, and promoting innovation for better health outcomes.
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Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare hosts first BRICS Health Working Group meeting 2026 (Mid of April)▼
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) chaired the First Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting under the BRICS framework for 2026 in New Delhi.
India is the BRICS Chair for 2026, guided by the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
The meeting included delegates from BRICS member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Indonesia.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava proposed two new priority areas under India's Chairship: BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles and Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness.
The BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles focuses on addressing risk factors including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.
The HWG deliberated on nine priority areas: BRICS TB Research Network, collaboration among BRICS Medical Products Regulatory Authorities, BRICS Integrated Early Warning System for prevention and response to mass infectious diseases, Digital Health Architecture for continuum of care, BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles, promotion of mental health and wellness, Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), fight against diseases driven by social determinants of health (DDSDH), and BRICS Network of National Public Health Institutes.
IIT Guwahati and Gifu University sign LoI to create North East Region–Japan International Academic and Research Consortium (Mid of March)▼
IIT Guwahati (IIT-G) and Gifu University, Japan, jointly organised the two-day Japan-NER Academia-Industry Cooperation Symposium 2026 (JNTCS 2026).
22 institutions from Northeast India signed the Letter of Intent (LoI) to join the North East Region–Japan International Academic and Research Consortium.
IIT-G will be the nodal institution on the Indian side and Gifu University the coordinating institution on the Japanese side.
Japan designated Northeast India a strategic priority under the MEXT Inter-University Exchange Project in 2022.
The consortium targets 5,000 students from Northeast Indian institutions visiting Japanese universities and an equal number coming to India within the next five years.
BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February)▼
BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026.
The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the forum at 9:30 am on 17 February at HITEX Hall 4.
The 2026 edition theme is 'TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution'.
The exhibition footprint expanded to 9,000 square metres, up from 7,000 square metres in 2025.
175+ exhibitors span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medtech, digital health and advanced manufacturing.
Startup Pavilion hosted 40 emerging startups, Innovation Pavilion featured 16 exhibitors, and 22 MSME exhibitors participated.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Howard Y. Chang (Amgen) and Pushmeet Kohli (Google DeepMind).
Global firms Novartis, Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sanofi, MSD and Miltenyi Biotec, alongside Indian leaders Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Biocon Biologics, featured prominently.
India sets up seven inter-ministerial groups to tackle West Asia crisis (End of March)▼
The Cabinet Secretariat constituted seven Groups of Secretaries (GoS) covering security, economy, energy, fertiliser, logistics, essential commodities and public outreach.
Around 60-65 senior officials are involved, with each group including about two officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and one from the Cabinet Secretariat.
The strategic issues group is headed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and includes Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The economic, finance and supply chain group led by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Anuradha Thakur has 11 members including eight secretaries.
The petroleum, LNG and LPG group headed by Neeraj Mittal comprises 10 members including the Chairmen and Managing Directors of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
The fertiliser group led by Rajat Kumar Mishra has 11 members including heads of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and KRIBHCO.
The price and essential commodities group chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has seven officials.
The transport and logistics group headed by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar has six members.
The information, communication and public engagement group led by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Secretary Sanjay Jaju has 10 members.
Canada's Cape Breton University (CBU) signs three MoUs during India outreach from 27 April to 2 May
Key Updates:
A delegation from Canada's Cape Breton University (CBU), led by President David C Dingwall, visited New Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad to deepen higher education partnerships.
CBU signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BML Munjal University's School of Engineering and Technology to facilitate student and faculty exchanges and joint research initiatives.
The university designated the National Education Forum (NEF) as its official convening partner in India and formalised a partnership with Lok Jagruti Kendra University in Gujarat.
Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood discussed an Educity model with the delegation, involving an integrated campus framework for global universities to share infrastructure in the capital.
The delegation met Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi to discuss talent pipelines in emerging sectors including semiconductors, renewable energy, and automotive manufacturing.
Discussions were held with Parul University and Navrachana University to expand collaborations and build a regional academic network focused on student mobility and jointly developed programmes.
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University of Delhi and Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) MoU to strengthen maritime education and research (End of April)▼
University of Delhi (DU) and Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen maritime education and research.
The MoU was signed at the Delhi School of Economics to enhance capacity building, skill development, and interdisciplinary research aligned with India's Blue Economy vision.
The collaboration focuses on developing academic frameworks, joint research projects, training programmes, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
The initiative aligns with government programmes including Sagarmala and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
The partnership targets opportunities for students and researchers in maritime logistics, green shipping, and supply chain management.
India's seafaring workforce currently contributes about 12 per cent to the global maritime workforce, with a target to reach 20 per cent by 2030.
India possesses an 11,000-km coastline and 111 national waterways.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways facilitated the exchange of the MoU.
The Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and the Delhi School of Economics signed an additional MoU to promote joint programmes in public policy research and training.
Pondicherry University and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) sign MoU to advance disability rights (Start of March)▼
Pondicherry University signed a memorandum of understanding with the office of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The MoU aims to advance accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities through joint initiatives in research, internships, academic exchanges, conferences, and related scholarly activities.
The partnership will create structured avenues for students and scholars of Pondicherry University to engage with the CCPD through practical exposure and academic contributions.
India hosts BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026 (Mid of March)▼
India hosted the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Young Professionals Exchange Programme in Maharashtra from 9 to 15 March 2026.
The programme brought together 30 young innovators, technology developers, and entrepreneurs from BIMSTEC member countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the initiative aimed to promote knowledge exchange and provide exposure to India’s innovation, start-up, and research ecosystems.
The exchange programme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 6th BIMSTEC Summit to strengthen engagement among the youth of the Bay of Bengal region.
Participants called on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who highlighted the state’s potential as a platform for international partnerships in technology.
ASSOCHAM and ICCC sign MoU to strengthen India-Canada business collaboration (Mid of March)▼
The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and the Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) signed an MoU on Monday during the India-Canada Business Roundtable held in New Delhi.
The MoU provides a framework for collaboration to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between members of both organisations.
Both organisations will facilitate exchange of information on trade policies, economic laws, and investment opportunities in India and Canada.
Joint initiatives under the MoU include trade missions, business delegations, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, and workshops.
Notable attendees included Anil K Agarwal (Past President & Chairman, ASSOCHAM International Council), Kam Rathee (Chair of the Advisory Board, ICCC), Prashant Srivastava (President, ICCC), Kunwar Shekhar Vijendra (Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education), Ed Jager (Trade Commissioner, High Commission of Canada to India), and Nina Tangri (Associate Minister of Small Business, Government of Ontario).
India and Jamaica Strengthen Strategic Ties as MEA S. Jaishankar Hands Over BHISHM Cubes in Kingston
Key Updates:
Minister of External Affairs (MEA) S. Jaishankar met Jamaican Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Holness in Kingston to explore ways to deepen political, economic, and people-to-people cooperation.
India handed over 10 Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes, which are mobile hospital units designed for rapid deployment during disasters and emergencies.
The handover of the BHISHM Cube system occurred in the presence of Jamaica’s Health Minister Christopher Tufton and Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith.
As part of the shared cricketing heritage, India gifted a new scoreboard to the Sabina Park stadium in Kingston to symbolise the enduring friendship between the two nations.
The visit to Jamaica is part of a nine-day tour of the Caribbean by the MEA, which includes official stops in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.
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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.
India and Azerbaijan launch Confidence Building Mechanism during high-level meeting in Baku (Start of April)▼
India and Azerbaijan initiated a process towards a Confidence Building Mechanism (CBM) during a senior-level meeting in Baku.
The Indian delegation was led by the Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, who met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov.
The two nations reviewed bilateral cooperation in the sectors of economic and trade relations, energy, tourism, and education.
Political consultations were conducted between the MEA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, led by Sibi George and Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov.
India expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for the support provided during the evacuation of Indian citizens from Iran.
The representatives exchanged views on regional and international security issues, including the current tensions in the Middle East.
Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry sign MoU to strengthen bilateral trade (End of March)▼
Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) signed an MoU on 25 March 2026 to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
CCCI becomes the second Indian chamber and the first in South India to sign an MoU with LCCI.
Saurabh Pramod Shah, Indian Representative to Latvia, highlighted opportunities for Indian businesses in Latvia’s pharmaceuticals, education and wood industry sectors.
India’s current exports to Latvia include rubber, chemicals and vegetables.
Latvia, an EU and NATO member, offers access to a 450 million-strong European consumer base.
India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visits United States for Critical Minerals Ministerial from 2 to 5 February 2026 (Start of February)▼
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar embarked on a three-day visit to the United States (US) from 2 February to 5 February 2026.
The EAM will participate in the Critical Minerals Ministerial convened by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
The ministerial meeting focuses on supply chain resilience, clean energy transitions, and strategic cooperation in critical minerals.
S. Jaishankar is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Marco Rubio to discuss a proposed trade deal and address the downturn in strategic relations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the visit includes meetings with senior members of the US administration.
Earlier on 29 January 2026, the EAM held talks with the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, covering defence, trade, and critical minerals.
India Urges Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Scale Up Lending and Implement Reforms
Key Updates:
Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary addressed the annual board of governors meeting of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
India urged the ADB to scale up its lending capacity to address global challenges including energy insecurity, food shortages, rising debt levels, and supply chain disruptions.
The Minister proposed capital expansion measures, such as hybrid and callable capital, to ensure exposure limits do not constrain the development financing of larger Developing Member Countries (DMCs).
India called for reforms in Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to deliver on the billions to trillions agenda by increasing risk appetite and improving balance sheet utilisation.
The government underscored the role of the ADB as a knowledge partner in supporting digital public infrastructure and mobilising private sector participation for climate transition.
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Asian Development Bank (ADB) signs USD 108 million debt financing with Aavas Financiers (End of February)▼
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a senior secured debt financing package of up to USD 108 million (approximately ₹983 crore) with Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) Aavas Financiers.
The package includes USD 8 million in concessional debt financing through the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA).
The financing aims to expand access to affordable housing loans for lower-income households and business loans for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in underserved Indian states.
Under the agreement, at least 70 per cent of the ADB debt financing is earmarked for housing loans for lower-income borrowers.
A minimum of 50 per cent of the housing loans will be allocated to women property owners as sole or joint owners.
The remaining 30 per cent of the total financing will be onlent to MSMEs to support entrepreneurship and job creation.
The transaction includes up to USD 1,50,000 in technical assistance to build institutional capacity and boost market awareness of green housing solutions.
CANPA is a trust fund managed by ADB, established in 2024 with a commitment of 360 million Canadian dollars from the Canadian government.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves USD 182 million loan for Assam flood management (Mid of February)▼
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 182 million in additional financing to strengthen Assam's resilience to chronic flooding and riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra.
The funding supplements the ongoing USD 200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project approved in October 2023.
The project will extend integrated risk management measures into four additional high-priority reaches of the Brahmaputra river.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit approximately 600,000 rural residents, including poor households, women, and disadvantaged groups.
Under the expanded scope, ADB will support the construction of 63.5 kilometres of riverbank protection and the installation of pro-siltation measures to reclaim eroded land.
Nature-based solutions, including reed propagation and wetland restoration, will be implemented to reduce flooding and improve ecological resilience.
The financing will enhance knowledge-based river management through flood risk maps, asset condition surveys, erosion prediction models, and early warning systems.
The project includes community disaster preparedness programmes and the upgrading of disaster-resilient flood embankments.
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.
India deploys 'Aarogya Maitri' health cube in Jamaica for humanitarian emergency response
Key Updates:
India has deployed the Aarogya Maitri portable healthcare infrastructure in Jamaica for humanitarian emergency response.
The deployment was coordinated under the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) framework, guided by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) and executed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The initiative utilizes an indigenously developed modular medical system, such as the BHISHM Cube, designed for rapid deployment in disaster and emergency scenarios.
RailTel Corporation of India Limited, a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking, and Green Genome India Pvt Ltd are the partners responsible for implementation and portable diagnostics.
The deployment is part of India's broader outreach to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to enhance healthcare, disaster resilience, and capacity building.
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MeHEALTH app launched by Kerala Health Department to provide nearby public health-care facility information (Start of March)▼
Kerala Health Department launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to help users access information about nearby public health-care facilities and services.
Users can view details of nearby hospitals, specialty departments, laboratory tests, test rates, blood banks, paywards, radiology services, and pharmacies.
The app allows advance booking of appointments in hospitals where the e-Health project is implemented.
Information on Janakeeya Aarogya Kendrams (formerly subcentres), government homoeopathy hospitals, and Karunya pharmacies is available through the app.
Users must install the app and log in using their phone number and OTP; linking Aadhaar enables online OP ticket and doctor appointment booking.
The app shows the exact distance and route to health-care facilities using integrated Google Maps navigation.
The 'Nearby Services' option displays hospitals within a 10-km radius and allows filtering by specialty, services, ambulances, blood banks, laboratories, paywards, radiology, JAK centres, pharmacies, and homoeopathy clinics.
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.
Maharashtra government launched the ₹65.25 crore 'Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon' rural healthcare initiative on World Health Day.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the campaign in Mumbai in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar.
Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar outlined the campaign’s vision to strengthen rural healthcare systems and make villages disease-free.
The initiative emphasises preventive healthcare including sanitation, clean drinking water, wastewater management, nutrition, and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
It prioritises maternal and child health, mental health, and lifestyle-related illnesses.
Administrative committees have been set up from state to village level for implementation.
Villages meeting predefined health indicators will be recognised as 'Arogyasampann Gaon'.
Researchers from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) identify bacteriophage to treat drug-resistant infections
Key Updates:
Researchers Sovon Acharya and Parmanand Kushwaha, mentored by Prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), identified a bacteriophage capable of killing hospital-linked bacteria.
The newly discovered virus targets Proteus mirabilis, a bacterium known for causing severe urinary tract infections and resisting treatment through protective biofilms.
The bacteriophage has been named Proteus phage ram_arti_1324 in memory of the researcher Parmanand Kushwaha's late mother.
The scientific breakthrough was published in the journal Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology by the publisher Springer.
The research provides a potential solution for drug-resistant infections that are typically difficult to treat due to the bacterial ability to form biofilms.
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India Pharma 2026 to position India as global life-sciences innovation hub (Start of April)▼
India Pharma 2026, 9th edition, will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) are jointly organising the event.
Theme of the conference is “Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation”.
Event will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars to shift sector from volume-based to value-led growth.
FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.
Dr Thomas Pucadyil Appointed Director of Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) (Start of April)▼
Dr Thomas Pucadyil has been appointed as the Director of the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) in Pune.
Prior to this appointment, Dr Pucadyil served as a Professor in the Department of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He will assume the charge from Dr Manisha Inamdar, who had been serving as the interim director of the institution.
Dr Pucadyil was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2018 and is a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS).
His scientific research focuses on understanding membrane integrity-disrupting proteins in cells.
BRIC-NCCS is located within the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and hosts the National Cell Repository which distributes animal cell lines to research institutions in India.
The institute also hosts the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded National Centre for Microbial Research (NCMR), which maintains the third-largest microbial collection in the world.
Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) targets India as global pharma innovation hub by 2026 (Start of April)▼
India Pharma 2026 will be held on 13-14 April at Federation House, New Delhi.
The 9th edition is organised by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
Theme of the event is 'Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation'.
Conference will focus on drug discovery, complex generics and biosimilars.
FICCI, established in 1927, represents over 2.5 lakh companies across sectors.
5000-year-old Psychrobacter SC65A.3 from Scarisoara Ice Cave resists 10 modern antibiotics. (Mid of February)▼
The Institute of Biology Bucharest team extracted a 25-metre ice core from Scarisoara Ice Cave in Romania’s Apuseni mountains.
Psychrobacter SC65A.3, dormant for 5000 years, carries over 100 resistance-related genes and withstands 28 tested drugs including rifampicin, vancomycin, trimethoprim and metronidazole.
The genome of SC65A.3 encodes 11 antimicrobial compounds and nearly 600 genes of unknown function, offering potential for new antibiotics and cold-active industrial enzymes.
Researchers warn that melting ice could release these ancient resistance genes, which may spread to modern pathogens via horizontal gene transfer.
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Secures Order for Coal-to-Ammonium Nitrate Plant in Odisha
Key Updates:
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded a large contract by Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) to construct a coal-to-ammonium nitrate plant in Odisha.
Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) is a joint venture established by Coal India Ltd (CIL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL).
The facility is designed with a production capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day (TPD) to convert coal into chemicals for the mining and infrastructure sectors.
India aims to achieve 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030 under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to enhance industrial self-reliance.
The gasification technology will be used to produce value-added products including ammonium nitrate, methanol, ammonia, Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG), and fertilisers.
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Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) sign land lease for 2,000-tonnes per day coal-to-ammonium nitrate project. (Start of April)▼
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) signed a land lease agreement for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy.
The project will have a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day and will come up on 350 acres.
The project has received support of Rs 1,350 crore.
The project will use indigenous technology developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
Two major contracts have been awarded to BHEL and two others to Larsen & Toubro.
The Centre has approved an outlay of Rs 8,500 crore to promote coal gasification.
Seven coal gasification projects have been finalised, including three where groundbreaking ceremonies have been completed.
L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd and Japan's ITOCHU Corporation sign green ammonia supply deal (End of April)▼
L&T Energy GreenTech Ltd (LTEGL) signed a long-term agreement with Japan's ITOCHU Corporation to supply 300,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.
The green ammonia will be supplied from the upcoming LTEGL facility in Kandla on a long-term, take-or-pay basis.
The project is intended to position Kandla as a key export hub for low-carbon fuels in line with the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
ITOCHU Corporation plans to use the ammonia primarily for marine fuel applications, particularly in Singapore.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appoints CFO and approves petrochemicals joint venture (End of April)▼
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) appointed Yogish Nayak S as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective from May 1, 2026.
ONGC approved the formation of a joint venture (JV) for integrated petrochemicals marketing and trading with Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) and ONGC Petro additions Ltd (OPaL).
The JV will have a shareholding structure of 50:25:25 between ONGC, MRPL, and OPaL, respectively.
ONGC will contribute ₹25 crore towards equity share capital for the JV, subject to approval from the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
ONGC approved an equity investment of up to ₹79.48 crore and a corporate guarantee of up to ₹185.45 crore for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd.
The funding for Indradhanush Gas Grid Ltd is for the Duliajan feeder line project, which is part of the North East Gas Grid initiative.
BCGCL and MCL sign Odisha land lease for 2,000 TPD coal-to-ammonium nitrate plant using BHEL technology (Start of April)▼
Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd (BCGCL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) signed a land leasing pact in Odisha for a 2,000 tonnes per day coal to ammonium nitrate project.
The facility will be built on about 350 acres of land possessed by MCL.
The project uses indigenous BHEL technology and is India’s first coal gasification initiative of this scale.
Recent Ministry of Coal policy reforms allow coal-bearing land to be used for coal gasification projects.
Astronomers Identify 27 Potential Circumbinary Planets Using NASA TESS Data
Key Updates:
Astronomers have discovered 27 potential circumbinary planets, which are planetary bodies that orbit two stars.
The discovery was made using data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which was launched in 2018.
The researchers employed a technique called apsidal precession, which involves studying the wobble in stars that orbit and eclipse each other to detect a third body.
The candidate planets are located between 650 and 18,000 light years from Earth and range in size from Neptune-like planets to bodies ten times the mass of Jupiter.
The study was led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
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Astronomers detect two Earth-like planets 120 light-years away in unconventional solar system (Start of April)▼
Astronomers discovered an alien solar system located 120 light-years from Earth containing two Earth-like planets.
The system defies standard formation models by placing a rocky planet beyond gas giant planets.
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and ESA's Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) provided the observational data.
NASA identifies X-ray dot 3DHST-AEGIS-12014 using Chandra and Webb telescopes (Start of May)▼
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chandra X-ray Observatory and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) identified a unique object named 3DHST-AEGIS-12014, also known as an X-ray dot.
The X-ray dot is located approximately 11.8 billion light-years from Earth and provides a link to a class of mysterious early universe objects called Little Red Dots (LRDs).
Researchers propose that LRDs are supermassive black holes embedded in dense gas clouds, and the X-ray dot represents a transition phase where gas is being consumed.
The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, were led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra programme, while the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) controls its science operations.
European Southern Observatory (ESO) completes first observations with PoET telescope (Start of May)▼
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) successfully completed the first observations using the Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) located on the Paranal Plateau in Chile.
The PoET instrument is designed to help astronomers distinguish signals from exoplanets by filtering out astrophysical noise caused by stellar activity such as sunspots, flares, and convective movements.
Equipped with a 60-centimetre-diameter mirror, the telescope simultaneously studies specific regions of the solar disk and records the total light from the entire visible disk of the Sun.
Data from the telescope is processed by the ESPRESSO spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), allowing the instrument to be utilised during the day while it searches for distant stars at night.
Developed by Portuguese researchers with funding from the European Research Council (ERC), the system is undergoing final calibration before regular scientific data collection begins.
NASA's Juno spacecraft finds Jupiter smaller and flatter than earlier estimates (Start of February)▼
NASA's Juno spacecraft revealed Jupiter is about 8 kilometres narrower at the equator and 24 kilometres flatter at the poles than previously believed.
The measurements were derived from 13 close flybys of Jupiter using the radio occultation technique.
Earlier size estimates relied on six radio occultation experiments by NASA's Pioneer and Voyager missions during the 1970s.
The findings were published on February 2, 2026, in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Jupiter's updated dimensions will improve models used to study giant exoplanets beyond our solar system.
The Juno mission is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Launches AI Pathogen Tool and New Clinical Trial Mandates
Key Updates:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven pathogen detection tool designed to predict the spread of serious diseases and future pandemics.
A new mandate from the ICMR requires medical clinical trials to prioritise Indian body types and lifestyles to ensure greater accuracy in health data.
The ICMR has commenced human trials for an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), an infectious disease prevalent in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra.
The ICMR announced a syndromic surveillance plan that uses priority-wise categorisation of pathogens to identify and catch potential outbreaks before they spread.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General (DG) of the ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR), advocated for a robust One Health approach to strengthen India's pandemic preparedness.
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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Implements Syndromic Surveillance for Early Outbreak Detection (Start of May)▼
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) introduced a syndromic surveillance approach in 2025 to track symptom patterns and provide early warnings for potential disease outbreaks.
The surveillance method focuses on primary symptoms including fever, cough, diarrhoea, neurological symptoms, and rashes to detect clusters before laboratory confirmation.
ICMR has developed standardised syndrome-wise pathogen lists categorised into Priority 1 (High risk), Priority 2 (Medium risk), and Priority 3 (Low risk) to manage public health caseloads.
The tracked respiratory viruses include seasonal influenza A, seasonal influenza B, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human respiroviruses 1 and 3, human rubulaviruses 2 and 4 (formerly human parainfluenzaviruses 1-4), human metapneumovirus, and measles virus.
The bacterial pathogens identified for surveillance include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bordetella pertussis, and Gram-negative bacilli such as K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.
India builds home-grown AI tools to predict preterm births early (End of March)▼
India’s largest pregnancy cohort study under the GARBH-INi initiative has enrolled about 12,000 pregnant women to develop indigenous AI-driven solutions to prevent preterm births.
The study has created a repository of over 1.6 million well-characterised biospecimens and over one million ultrasound images.
The initiative has established a national biorepository and the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data-sharing platform for wider research access.
Union Minister of State for Science & Technology Dr Jitendra Singh stated that the programme supports AI-based pregnancy dating models tailored for Indian populations, microbiome-based predictors, rapid diagnostics, and genetic markers for early risk assessment.
Technology transfer initiatives, including microbiome-based biotherapeutics, were formalised during the event.
Dr V K Paul, Member of NITI Aayog, emphasised that the next phase should focus on effectively utilising the developed predictive models and platforms.
BioAsia 2026 Concludes with Record 4500 Delegates and 4000 B2B Meetings (End of February)▼
BioAsia 2026, the 23rd edition of Asia’s premier life sciences and health-tech forum, concluded in Hyderabad with over 4500 delegates and 4000 high-impact B2B meetings.
The event theme was ‘TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation, and the Biology Revolution’.
More than 120 startups were shortlisted and 40+ most innovative startups exhibited solutions in MedTech, Medical Devices, BioPharma, Cell and Gene Therapy, AI and ML, Nutraceuticals, and Biomarkers.
BioAsia 2026 Innovation Awards were presented to Achala Health Services Private Limited, Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd, Helex, Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd, and Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd.
Achala Health Services Private Limited is building India’s first healthcare-focused Small Language Model (SLM) that automates hospital workflows and integrates with EMR, LIMS, RIS, HIS, and pharmacy data.
Exquinz Life Sciences Pvt Ltd integrates next-generation digital vaccine vial monitors with AI-enabled authentication and real-time tracking to predict residual vaccine shelf-life and reduce wastage.
Helex develops non-viral gene therapies for renal diseases using a proprietary kidney-targeting lipid nanoparticle to restore PKD1 gene expression for Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD).
Natural Solutions & Nutraceuticals Pvt Ltd offers Virulina, a triple-action herbal product targeting respiratory viruses, with patent-protected antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Sree Guravey Life Sciences OPC Pvt Ltd develops BioMap Markers for biopsy procedures that are ultrasonography-sensitive, biocompatible, non-calcified, and metal-free to ensure accurate placement and diagnostic outcomes.
India and France inaugurate Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS Delhi (Mid of February)▼
Union Minister for Health JP Nadda and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
The IF-CAIH has been established under a joint MoU between AIIMS, Sorbonne University, and Paris Brain Institute, with additional collaboration from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and other leading French institutions.
The launch coincided with the Rencontres Universitaires et Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (RUSH) 2026, held at AIIMS on February 18 and February 19, coordinated by the French Embassy.
President Macron emphasised that India and France are committed to developing computing capacity and talent to build trusted AI systems.
The initiative builds on ongoing India-France cooperation in Digital Health, Antimicrobial Resistance, Human Resources for Health, and responsible use of health data.
Indian journalists R.K. Anand and Suparna Sharma win Pulitzer Prize on May 4, 2026
Key Updates:
Indian journalists R.K. Anand and Suparna Sharma won the Pulitzer Prize in the Illustrated Reporting and Commentary category.
The award was conferred for their work highlighting digital surveillance and cyber fraud through a project titled trAPPed.
The journalists shared the prestigious honour with Natalie Obiko Pearson of Bloomberg.
The winning entry narrates the account of a neurologist in India who was held under a digital arrest through her phone.
The Pulitzer Prize Board announced the winners of the 2026 awards on Monday, May 4, 2026.
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World Press Freedom Day observed globally on May 3 (Start of May)▼
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.
Govind Mohan urges stronger response to online crimes against women and children. (Mid of March)▼
Govind Mohan, Home Secretary, addressed the inaugural session of the national dialogue on 'online crimes against women and children' (OCWC) organised by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) launched a master trainers induction programme for states and UTs to create a national pool of trained officers for capacity-building against online crimes targeting women and children.
The national dialogue brought together senior officials from state and UT law enforcement agencies, representatives from Union ministries, social media intermediaries, internet service providers, academia, civil society organisations, legal experts, and student representatives.
Discussions covered emerging trends in online crimes against women and children, strengthening investigative frameworks and digital forensics, improving victim support and reporting mechanisms, and enhancing coordination with digital platforms for timely removal of harmful content.
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).
Sundar Pichai, Ranbir Kapoor and Vikas Khanna Named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Sundar Pichai was named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026 for democratising Artificial Intelligence, with Google integrating tools such as Gemini CLI, NotebookLM and Antigravity under his leadership.
Ranbir Kapoor was the sole Indian actor on TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, praised for blending stardom with nuanced storytelling and elevating Indian cinema for a global audience.
Vikas Khanna was included in TIME's 100 Most Influential People of 2026, recognised for his Michelin‑starred culinary work, humanitarian efforts and the FeedIndia initiative that provided 30 million meals during the pandemic.
The 2026 list marks Sundar Pichai's third appearance on the TIME100.
World Press Freedom Index 2026 released on 30 April 2026
Key Updates:
Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF), also known as Reporters Without Borders, is a Paris-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) that publishes the annual World Press Freedom Index.
The first World Press Freedom Index was produced by RSF in 2002, and the 2026 report notes that global press freedom has fallen to its lowest level in 25 years.
Norway, the Netherlands, and Estonia are the top three of only seven countries to achieve a good rating in the 2026 index, which evaluates 180 nations.
India is ranked 157th in the index, which also lists Egypt (169th), Georgia (135th), Turkiye (163rd), and Hong Kong (140th) as examples of state-imposed crackdowns.
Russia (172nd) and Iran (177th) are ranked in the bottom ten, while other rankings include France at 25th, the United States at 64th, Argentina at 98th, Israel at 116th, and El Salvador at 143rd.
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World Press Freedom Day observed globally on May 3 (Start of May)▼
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.
Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 released by Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) (End of March)▼
Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 published by Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP).
Pakistan ranked 1st with score 8.57, recording 1,139 deaths and 1,045 incidents in 2025.
Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Somalia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo placed among top 10.
Syria ranked 6th, Cambodia 9th, Israel 10th; Afghanistan 11th, India 13th, Myanmar 14th.
India scored 6.43, reporting 142+ incidents, 100+ fatalities, and 118 injuries in 2025.
Iran ranked 18th, United States (US) 28th in GTI 2026.
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.
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.
World Asthma Day observed on 5 May 2026
Key Updates:
World Asthma Day 2026 was observed on 5 May with the theme Access to anti-inflammatory inhalers for everyone with asthma - still an urgent need.
The event is organised by The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) in collaboration with professional and patient organisations to raise awareness of asthma and asthma treatment.
Asthma affects over 360 million people worldwide and caused 442,000 deaths in 2023, with 96% of global asthma deaths occurring in low-middle income countries.
The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) implements the Asthma Right Care change programme, which includes practical tools such as the Reliever Reliance Test and the short-acting beta2 agonists (SABA) Slide Rule.
Since January 2025, npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine has served as the official journal of the IPCRG, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, José Luis Castro.
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World Immunization Week observed from April 24 to April 30 with theme "For Every Generation, Vaccines Work" (Start of May)▼
World Immunization Week is observed every year from April 24 to April 30.
The theme for World Immunization Week 2026 is "For Every Generation, Vaccines Work".
The 2026 campaign focuses on lifelong immunisation, spanning infancy, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
Vaccines have saved more than 150 million lives globally.
No Smoking Day 2026 observed on March 11 (Mid of March)▼
No Smoking Day 2026 is observed on March 11, the second Wednesday of March.
The theme for 2026 is 'A Smoke-Free Life Starts With A Smoke-Free Day'.
No Smoking Day was first launched in 1984 in the United Kingdom.
World Malaria Day observed on April 24, 2026 with theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must” (End of April)▼
World Malaria Day 2026 is observed on April 24.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must”.
Dr. Regina Rabinovich is the Director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative at ISGLOBAL at the University of Barcelona.
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has launched the Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative.
World Autism Awareness Day 2026 theme 'Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value' (Start of April)▼
World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April every year.
The 2026 theme is 'Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value'.
April is observed as World Autism Acceptance Month by the National Autistic Society.
Assembly Election Results 2026
Key Updates:
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed the magic number of 148 seats in West Bengal, where Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by 15,105 votes.
In Assam, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third term by winning 81 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while the Indian National Congress (INC) secured 15 seats.
The TVK party emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu with 76 seats, and its chief Vijay won the Perambur seat by a margin of over 49,000 votes.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) won the Kerala Assembly elections by crossing the 71-seat halfway mark, with the INC alone securing 63 of the 140 available seats.
The NDA is set to form the government in Puducherry after the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) secured 10 seats and the BJP won four seats.
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West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 recorded historic 92.47% turnout on April 29, 2026 (Start of May)▼
West Bengal recorded a combined voter turnout of 92.47% across two phases in the 2026 Assembly elections, the highest since Independence.
The Election Commission (EC) reported a turnout of 93.19% in Phase 1 and 91.66% in Phase 2 of the polls.
A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls resulted in the deletion of over 90 lakh voters, approximately 12% of the total electorate.
The total electorate in the state was reduced from 7.66 crore to 6.77 crore following the revision process.
Significant voter deletions were recorded in the districts of North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, Malda, and Kolkata.
The Bhabanipur constituency and the city of Kolkata both recorded a voter turnout of approximately 87%.
Purba Bardhaman district registered a voter turnout of 92.46% during the electoral process.
Supreme Court of India (SC) refuses voting rights to 34 lakh West Bengal residents with pending electoral roll appeals. (Mid of April)▼
The Supreme Court of India (SC) bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi declined to permit 34 lakh appellants excluded from West Bengal electoral rolls to vote in the 2026 polls while their appeals remain pending.
The Court was hearing petitions challenging the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal and a suo motu case on the gherao of judicial officers in Malda district.
Chief Justice Surya Kant stated that allowing excluded persons to vote would undermine the voting rights of those already included in the rolls.
Justice Bagchi clarified that appellants whose appeals are allowed by 9 April will be included in the electoral roll even if the decision comes shortly after the 6 April list publication.
The bench directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the West Bengal government to continue security for judicial officers until elections conclude and to withdraw protection only by further Court orders.
Rajasthan Budget 2026–27 allocates ₹6,10,956 crore for infrastructure, social sector and governance reforms. (Mid of February)▼
Total budget outlay for 2026–27 is ₹6,10,956 crore, 41 per cent higher than 2023–24.
Capital expenditure on infrastructure set at ₹53,978 crore, more than double the 2023–24 allocation.
₹4,000 crore earmarked for the VBG Ram Ji irrigation scheme.
₹32,000 crore proposed to bring Yamuna water to Shekhawati region.
Work orders worth ₹26,000 crore issued under Ramjal Setu Link Project.
₹200 crore allocated for restoration of over 660 Shekhawati havelis and an ultra-luxury tourism zone planned in Khuri, Jaisalmer.
Education allocation raised to ₹69,000 crore, up 35 per cent, including upgrade of 400 schools into CM Rise schools.
Healthcare allocation stands at ₹32,526 crore, 53 per cent higher than 2023–24, with a 500-bed IPD tower at JK Lon Hospital, Jaipur and a 200-bed paediatric IPD at RUHS.
Green Budget outlay is ₹33,476 crore, up 20.81 per cent.
Under Kisan Samman Nidhi, ₹10,900 crore transferred via DBT to 76 lakh farmers.
Mukhyamantri Nari Shakti Udyam Protsahan Yojana loan limit for women SHGs raised from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore and Lakhpati Didi limit from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh.
Over one lakh government jobs filled against a five-year target of four lakh; recruitment underway for 1.54 lakh posts and calendar issued for another one lakh.
Rajasthan State Testing Agency to be set up for online competitive exams.
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 proposes expansion of Lok Sabha to 850 members (Mid of April)▼
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to increase the Lok Sabha strength to 850 members, comprising 815 representatives from States and 35 from Union Territories.
The Bill amends Article 82 to delete the proviso linking delimitation to the post-2026 Census, allowing the use of the 2011 Census data for immediate boundary redrawing.
It amends Article 334A to decouple the one-third women’s reservation from the post-2026 Census, enabling implementation once the 2026 Delimitation exercise is complete.
A Delimitation Commission 2026 will be established under the chairmanship of a serving or retired Supreme Court Judge, with the Chief Election Commissioner and State Election Commissioners as ex-officio members.
NITI Aayog released the Ease of Doing Research & Development (R&D) in India reports, focusing on four pillars: Funding, Governance, Regulatory Frameworks, and Research Translation.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) liberalised branch expansion rules for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), allowing those with Net Owned Funds (NOF) above ₹50 crore and a credit rating of AA or higher to open branches anywhere in India without prior approval.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) increased the latitude for altering Initial Public Offering (IPO) fresh issue size from 20% to 50% without refiling the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) until 30 September 2026.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E) signed MoUs with Porter and Gigin Technologies to generate job opportunities via the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
The Maharashtra government signed a $6.5 billion MoU with Vietnam’s Vingroup for electric mobility and smart township projects.
The Department of Posts (DoP) and Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya (PMML) signed an MoU to promote democratic heritage through exhibitions and philatelic initiatives.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and GE Aerospace signed an agreement to establish a domestic depot for F404 engines to enhance maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities.
World Migration Report 2026 released by International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Key Updates:
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), a United Nations (UN) agency, released the World Migration Report 2026, stating that 304 million people lived outside their country of birth as of mid-2024.
The Mexico-to-United States (US) corridor remains the largest migration route globally with 11 million people, followed by Afghanistan-to-Iran (3.7 million) and Syria-to-Turkiye (3.5 million).
The India-United Arab Emirates (UAE) corridor is the fifth-largest globally, with over three million Indians residing in the UAE, making them the top nationality in that country.
The India-US corridor is the sixth-largest globally with 3.2 million migrants, and the report highlights the influence of the United States-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) on bilateral trade and defence cooperation.
Other significant India-centric routes in the top 20 international corridors include the Bangladesh-India corridor at the 11th spot and the India-Saudi Arabia corridor at the 14th spot.
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United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) projects India's economy to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027 (End of April)▼
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released the Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific 2026.
India's economy is projected to grow at 6.4% in 2026 and 6.6% in 2027.
India's growth rate for 2025 was 7.4%, supported by rural economy consumption, goods and services tax rate cuts, and export frontloading.
Inflation in India is projected to be 4.4% in 2026 and 4.3% in 2027.
Economies in South and South-West Asia grew by 5.4% in 2025 and 5.2% in 2024.
India's exports to the United States declined by 25% in the second half of 2025 following the introduction of 50% tariffs in August 2025.
India attracted the largest share of greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the first three quarters with $50 billion, followed by Australia ($30 billion), Republic of Korea ($25 billion), and Kazakhstan ($21 billion).
India was the world's largest remittance recipient in 2024 with $137 billion.
The United States has levied a 1% tax on all remittances since January 2026.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimated that India has 1.3 million green jobs, which is 8% of the global total of 16.6 million.
India's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme provides incentives for domestic manufacturing of solar photovoltaic, batteries, and green hydrogen.
Census 2027: Launch of Toll-free Helpline and WhatsApp Chatbot (End of April)▼
The Registrar General of India (RGI) launched a national toll-free helpline, 1855, and a WhatsApp chatbot for Census 2027.
The multi-lingual service is designed to support enumerators, supervisors, and the general public.
Census 2027 is the eighth Census since Independence and is the first to be fully digital with self-enumeration options.
The first phase, Housing Listing and Housing Enumeration (HLO), is scheduled from April to September 2026.
The second phase, population enumeration, is set for February 2027.
Specific queries will be forwarded to the respective state Directorate of Census Operations for resolution.
Women and Men in India 2025 report: Highlights progress in education, jobs and health (Start of May)▼
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.
UNESCO reports 273 million children out of school; UNEP flags 50% decline in protected migratory species (Start of April)▼
UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report states 273 million children and young people are out of school worldwide.
One in six school-age children are excluded from education and only two in three complete secondary school.
Progress in school participation has slowed across most regions since 2015, with conflict and population growth as key drivers.
Sub-Saharan Africa is particularly affected by the slowdown in educational participation.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) reported Russia launched nearly 1,000 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities during 23-24 March.
The 23-24 March attacks killed at least six people, injured almost 100, and damaged residential areas, medical facilities, and energy infrastructure.
Targets included a monastery in Lviv and a maternity hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk region.
More than 15,000 civilian killings have been confirmed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago.
3.7 million people are internally displaced in areas controlled by the Kyiv government.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre report nearly half of migratory species requiring protection are declining.
Species threatened by extinction have risen to 24% from 22% two years earlier.
UNEP's Elizabeth Maruma Mrema stated protecting migratory species depends on coordinated international action.
Environmental multilateralism works and is essential for protecting migratory species that cross borders and oceans.
World Tuna Day observed on 2 May 2026 with theme 'Advocating for Tuna Conservation'
Key Updates:
World Tuna Day is observed globally on 2 May 2026.
The theme for World Tuna Day 2026 is 'Advocating for Tuna Conservation'.
The United Nations (UN) officially recognised World Tuna Day in 2016.
The first global observance of World Tuna Day took place in 2017.
Pacific island nations, particularly members of the Parties to the Nauru Agreement, played an important role in pushing global recognition of the day.
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UN proclaims 1 March as World Seagrass Day to spotlight conservation (Start of March)▼
The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/76/265 in May 2022 proclaiming 1 March as World Seagrass Day.
Seagrasses cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor yet store up to 18% of the world’s oceanic carbon.
Seagrass meadows exist in 159 countries across six continents and cover over 300,000 km².
Almost 30% of global seagrass area has been lost since the late nineteenth century.
At least 22 of the world’s 72 seagrass species are in decline.
Conserving and restoring seagrass meadows can help countries achieve 26 targets and indicators linked to ten Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Only about a quarter of all seagrass meadows fall within marine protected areas.
World Water Day 2026: Water and Gender (End of March)▼
World Water Day 2026 is observed on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
The official theme for 2026 is 'Water and Gender' with the campaign slogan 'Where water flows, equality grows'.
World Water Day was first observed on Monday, March 22, 1993, following United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/47/193 adopted on December 22, 1992.
UN-Water is the coordinating body for World Water Day, with UNICEF and UN Women as the 2026 campaign co-leads.
The UN World Water Development Report 2026, titled 'Water for all people: Equal rights and opportunities', was launched on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
2.2 billion people — approximately 27% of the global population — lack access to safely managed drinking water.
Women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours per day collectively collecting water.
Women hold fewer than 20% of leadership roles in the water sector across most regions.
WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
SDG 6 calls for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation for all by 2030.
World Earth Day 2026 Observed with Theme 'Our Power, Our Planet' (End of April)▼
World Earth Day is observed annually on 22 April to promote environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability.
The theme for World Earth Day 2026 is 'our power, our planet', which emphasises human agency and collective action.
Campaigns in 2026 focus on civic mobilisation, environmental literacy, and democratic action through activities such as voter registration drives, teach-ins, and town halls.
World Earth Day began on 22 April 1970 in the United States (US) following protests against environmental degradation in cities including New York and Boston.
The 1970 movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and key environmental laws.
The movement expanded globally in 1990 with participation from 141 countries.
International Women's Day 2026 observed on March 8 with theme 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls' (Start of March)▼
International Women's Day 2026 is observed globally on March 8.
The United Nations (UN) announced the 2026 theme as 'Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls'.
The UN officially recognised International Women's Day in 1975.
International Leopard Day observed on May 3
Key Updates:
International Leopard Day is observed on May 3.
The day was celebrated with a nature walk at Etawah Safari Park, organised by the safari park and the Society for Conservation of Nature.
Etawah Safari Park currently houses 26 leopards rescued from various parts of Uttar Pradesh.
The distinctive black markings on a leopard's body are rose-shaped and known as rosettes.
India is home to several leopard types, including the Indian leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, and black leopard.
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World Day for Glaciers marked at Zangser Kangri Glacier on 21 March 2026 (End of March)▼
March 21 is designated as the World Day for Glaciers.
The Zangser Kangri Glacier is located within the Changtang National Nature Reserve in the Xizang Autonomous Region of China.
The Changtang National Nature Reserve in southwest China serves as a habitat for herds of wild yaks.
Wild yaks were observed and photographed near the Zangser Kangri Glacier in March 2026.
Saudi Arabia to observe International Day of the Arabian Leopard on 10 February 2026 (Start of February)▼
The International Day of the Arabian Leopard is observed annually on 10 February to raise global awareness about the critically endangered big cat.
The official theme for the 2026 observance is Protecting the Pride of Arabia.
The day was officially established by Saudi Arabia to spotlight conservation challenges including habitat loss, illegal hunting, and declining prey populations.
The initiative aligns with regional biodiversity goals and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which prioritises environmental sustainability and wildlife protection.
The Arabian leopard is native to the mountainous regions of the Arabian Peninsula, with fewer than a few hundred individuals estimated to survive in the wild.
The species plays a vital ecological role in regulating prey populations and serves as a symbol of natural and cultural identity in the region.
World Penguin Day observed on April 25 (End of April)▼
World Penguin Day is observed on April 25.
The African penguin is the only penguin species endemic to the coastlines of South Africa and Namibia.
The African penguin was uplisted to Critically Endangered in 2024 on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
There are currently fewer than 10,000 breeding pairs of African penguins left.
Scientists have warned that the African penguin could be extinct in the wild by 2035.
The City of Cape Town has invested in a Penguin Ranger Team in partnership with SANCCOB and South African National Parks.
World Day for Laboratory Animals observed on April 24 (End of April)▼
World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as World Day for Animals in Laboratories or World Lab Animal Day, is observed annually on April 24.
The day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) based in the United Kingdom.
The date April 24 was chosen to mark the birthday of Hugh Dowding, a British Air Chief Marshal and anti-vivisectionist who served as president of NAVS.
The observance focuses on raising awareness about cruel animal tests and promoting advanced non-animal alternatives.
The week surrounding the day is referred to as World Week for Animals in Laboratories, Lab Animal Week, or World Laboratory Animal Liberation Week.
Runiel Debbarma Appointed Chief Executive Member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC)
Key Updates:
Runiel Debbarma was appointed as the new Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) by the TIPRA Motha party (TMP).
Debbarma replaced the former CEM Purna Chandra Jamatia.
Bhaba Ranjan Reang was appointed as the chairman of TTAADC, replacing Jagadish Debbarma.
The TTAADC polls were held on April 12 and recorded a voter turnout of over 83%.
The TMP won 24 out of 28 seats in the TTAADC polls, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won four seats.
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Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Election Results 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Tipra Motha won 24 out of 28 seats in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) elections.
The TTAADC governs nearly 70 per cent of the territory of Tripura and covers 20 tribal-reserved seats in the State Assembly.
Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma launched a new political entity called One Northeast to foster tribal unity across the region.
The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the conduct of ADC village council elections in July after a gap of 10 years.
Security deployment for the election counting included 24 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR).
Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) Election Results April 18, 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Tipra Motha Party won 24 out of 28 seats in the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) local body elections.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured four seats in the council, including two unreserved seats.
Tipra Motha supremo Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma launched a new political party named One Northeast.
The One Northeast party includes Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and former Nagaland minister Mmhonlümo Kikon.
The TTAADC governs approximately 70 per cent of the territory in Tripura and influences 20 tribal-reserved seats in the State Assembly.
Security for the counting process involved 24 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and the Tripura State Rifles (TSR).
Village council elections for the TTAADC are scheduled to be held in July after a 10-year gap following a Supreme Court (SC) order.
Tripura to pilot Nari Adalat scheme in 10 gram panchayats across 8 districts (Start of March)▼
Tripura council of ministers approved rollout of the central government’s Nari Adalat scheme as a pilot in 10 selected gram panchayats.
Scheme spearheaded by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) to function as panchayat-level arbitration forum for violence, abuse and atrocities against women.
Each Nari Adalat committee will comprise up to nine members chosen for community reputation and standing to support and counsel women in adversity.
Pilot covers gram panchayats from all eight districts of Tripura with village-level courts as local justice and dispute-resolution platforms for women.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Nanaji Deshmukh Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar 2025 conferred on three Tripura panchayats (Start of April)▼
Sepahijala district of Tripura ranked best District Panchayat in India.
Kanchabari Gram Panchayat topped the Health-Friendly category.
Baikunthapur Gram Panchayat placed third in the Women-Friendly category.
Winners will receive financial assistance ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹5 crore.
Claire Mazumdar named successor to Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Key Updates:
Biocon founder and chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw named her 37-year-old niece Claire Mazumdar as her successor for the biotechnology company.
Claire Mazumdar is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bicara Therapeutics, a National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) listed firm with a market capitalisation of over $1.6 billion.
Claire Mazumdar holds degrees from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University, including a PhD in cancer biology.
Shreehas Tambe has taken over as the CEO and Managing Director (MD) of Biocon Biologics, while Siddharth Mittal is set to lead Syngene International from 1 July.
Biocon has merged its generics and biologics businesses, with biosimilars currently accounting for approximately 60% of its revenue.
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Dr Thomas Pucadyil Appointed Director of Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) (Start of April)▼
Dr Thomas Pucadyil has been appointed as the Director of the Biotechnology Research Innovation Council-National Centre for Cell Science (BRIC-NCCS) in Pune.
Prior to this appointment, Dr Pucadyil served as a Professor in the Department of Biology at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune.
He will assume the charge from Dr Manisha Inamdar, who had been serving as the interim director of the institution.
Dr Pucadyil was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in 2018 and is a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the Indian Academy of Sciences (IAS).
His scientific research focuses on understanding membrane integrity-disrupting proteins in cells.
BRIC-NCCS is located within the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and hosts the National Cell Repository which distributes animal cell lines to research institutions in India.
The institute also hosts the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)-funded National Centre for Microbial Research (NCMR), which maintains the third-largest microbial collection in the world.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh lays foundation for cGMP facility at BRIC-RGCB (Start of March)▼
Union Minister Jitendra Singh laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) facility at the Akkulam campus of Biotechnology Research and Innovation Centre--Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram.
He dedicated the National Facility for Recombinant Cells & Sensors, housing 600-700 types of stable cells covering several cancer targets, positioning it among the leading global resource centres for such innovative tools.
Singh inaugurated the annual National Science Day programme at the BRIC-RGCB campus.
The minister highlighted India's BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment, and Employment) Policy as a dedicated biotechnology policy aimed at making the economy bio-driven.
He noted the Union Budget announcement of the Biopharma SHAKTI Mission, signalling policy recognition that future global economies will increasingly be driven by biotechnology.
Singh urged BRIC-RGCB to explore interdisciplinary collaborations with the private sector in the liberalised nuclear medicine domain.
Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Director General, BRIC, Dr Rajesh Gokhale, stated that the government launched the HPV vaccination drive based on data generated by BRIC-RGCB.
Prof VPN Nampoori of CUSAT, Kochi, authored the National Science Day book 'Quantum Physics: One Hundred Magical Years' released by the minister on the occasion.
UB Pravin Rao named Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation (Mid of April)▼
UB Pravin Rao succeeded Rostow Ravanan as Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation.
Rao previously served as Vice-Chairperson and Chairman of Nasscom.
He was Chief Operating Officer of Infosys from 2014 to 2021.
Nasscom Foundation focuses on digital inclusion, employability, women entrepreneurship, and tech-enabled NGO support.
The Foundation works with corporates, NGOs, government, and ecosystem partners for scalable social interventions.
BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February)▼
BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026.
The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the forum at 9:30 am on 17 February at HITEX Hall 4.
The 2026 edition theme is 'TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution'.
The exhibition footprint expanded to 9,000 square metres, up from 7,000 square metres in 2025.
175+ exhibitors span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medtech, digital health and advanced manufacturing.
Startup Pavilion hosted 40 emerging startups, Innovation Pavilion featured 16 exhibitors, and 22 MSME exhibitors participated.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Howard Y. Chang (Amgen) and Pushmeet Kohli (Google DeepMind).
Global firms Novartis, Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sanofi, MSD and Miltenyi Biotec, alongside Indian leaders Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Biocon Biologics, featured prominently.
Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson Win 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary
Key Updates:
Mumbai-based artist Anand RK and freelance journalist Suparna Sharma, along with Bloomberg’s Natalie Obiko Pearson, won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for their work titled trAPPed.
The winning entry, published by Bloomberg, is a visually driven investigative report that exposes a sophisticated cyber-fraud network targeting a neurologist in India.
The Pulitzer Prizes, established in 1917 and administered by Columbia University, awarded The Washington Post the Public Service prize and The New York Times the Investigative Reporting prize.
Other journalism winners include Saher Alghorra for Breaking News Photography, the Minnesota Star Tribune for Breaking News, and the Associated Press (AP) for International Reporting.
In the arts and letters categories, Daniel Kraus won for fiction with Angel Down, Bess Wohl for drama with Liberation, and Jill Lepore for history with We the People.
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Ayesha Karim won Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 title. (Mid of February)▼
Ayesha Karim, Class IV student of Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Amingaon, Guwahati, secured place in Veergatha 5.0 Super 100 winners.
She created a sketch depicting Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ashok Chakra, during 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
She is the only student from Assam in five years to win this competition.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) gave her cash award, medal, certificate and invitation to 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on 26 January.
Veergatha Project is annual flagship initiative of Government of India to inspire school students to honour bravery of armed forces through essays, poems, paintings and creative forms.
Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay received Saraswati Samman 2025 for 'Hara Parbati Katha'. (End of March)▼
Ramkumar Mukhopadhyay's Bengali novel 'Hara Parbati Katha' won the Saraswati Samman for 2025.
The K.K. Birla Foundation established the Saraswati Samman in 1991.
The award is given annually to an outstanding literary work written in any Indian language by an Indian citizen and published within the last 10 years.
The recipient receives ₹15 lakh, a citation, and a plaque.
William Dalrymple won 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize for The Golden Road. (Mid of March)▼
William Dalrymple received the Mark Lynton History Prize 2026 for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.
The award carries a cash prize of $10,000 and is administered jointly by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Columbia University School of Journalism.
The prize citation praised the book for its blend of literary grace, commitment to serious research and social concern.
Previous winners of the prize include Adam Hochschild, Jill Lepore and Robert Caro.
The 2026 shortlist also featured works by Nicholas Boggs, Sven Beckert, Siddharth Kara and Martha A. Sandweiss.
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).