India and Vietnam set $25 billion bilateral trade target by 2030
Key Updates:
India and Vietnam agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two nations established a bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD to be achieved by 2030.
Investment flows will be expanded across high-technology manufacturing, renewable energy, logistics, electric vehicles, and digital services.
Market access was approved for Indian grapes and Vietnamese durians, with commitments to fast-track access for pomegranates and pomelos.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) entered an agreement to facilitate cross-border digital payments using QR-based systems.
Vietnam will host a liaison officer at the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located in Gurugram.
India has implemented 66 quick impact projects across most provinces in Vietnam as part of its development partnership.
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India and Vietnam discuss BrahMos missile sale during President To Lam's visit from 5 May to 7 May (Start of May)▼
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.
India and Republic of Korea (ROK) target $50 billion bilateral trade by 2030 (End of April)▼
India and the Republic of Korea (ROK) aim to increase bilateral trade from $27 billion to $50 billion by 2030.
The two nations decided to upgrade the India-Korea trade agreement by next year.
An India-Korea financial forum, an industrial cooperation committee, and an economic security dialogue focused on critical technologies and supply chains will be launched.
The India-Korea digital bridge was launched to deepen partnerships in Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and information technology.
A Korean industrial township will be established to facilitate the entry of Korean Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) into India.
The ROK formally joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
India signed to join the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).
A comprehensive framework for partnership in shipbuilding, shipping, and maritime logistics was signed.
Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for cooperation in the field of ports and for technology and trade for steel supply chains.
The two leaders agreed to hold leader-level meetings annually.
Meetings of joint commissions led by foreign, finance, and science and technology ministers will be held this year.
India and South Korea sign 16 MoUs on 20 April 2026 to enhance trade and technology ties (End of April)▼
India and South Korea signed 16 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on 20 April 2026, focusing on e-mobility, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
The two nations aim to double bilateral trade from $27 billion to $54 billion by 2030, targeting an annual growth rate of approximately 18 per cent.
Priority sectors identified for cooperation include semiconductors, electronics, e-mobility, green energy, shipbuilding, and digital trade.
An India-Korea Industrial Cooperation Committee has been established with four working groups covering trade, industry, strategic resources, and clean energy.
Both countries are working to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was originally signed in 2009.
The partnership envisions the establishment of a Korea-specific industrial township in India with plug-and-play infrastructure to boost investment.
Cooperation was established under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement to enable carbon market collaboration through the trading of emission reductions.
India and South Korea reiterated their respective net-zero targets of 2070 and 2050.
Diplomatic relations between India and South Korea were established in 1973.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement between India and the United States is almost finalised.
Commerce Ministry data shows China overtakes US as India's largest trading partner in FY26 (Mid of April)▼
Bilateral trade between India and China reached USD 151.1 billion in FY26.
India's trade deficit with China widened to USD 112.16 billion in FY26.
The United States was India's largest trading partner for four consecutive years until FY25.
India's exports to China rose 36.66 per cent to USD 19.47 billion in FY26.
India's imports from China increased 16 per cent to USD 131.63 billion in FY26.
The trade deficit with China swelled to an all-time high of USD 112.6 billion in FY26, up from USD 99.2 billion in FY25.
India's outbound shipments to the United States grew 0.92 per cent to USD 87.3 billion in FY26.
India's imports from the United States increased 15.95 per cent to USD 52.9 billion in FY26.
India's trade surplus declined to USD 34.4 billion in FY26 from USD 40.89 billion in FY25.
China was India's top trading partner from FY13-14 to FY17-18 and again in FY20-21.
Before China, the United Arab Emirates was India's largest trading partner.
The United States has been India's largest partner since FY21-22.
Negative export growth in FY26 was recorded with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Australia, France, South Africa and Malaysia.
Positive export growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Nepal, Brazil, Spain, Belgium and Vietnam.
Negative import growth in FY26 was recorded with Russia, Iraq, Indonesia, Australia, Qatar and Taiwan.
Positive import growth in FY26 was recorded with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Germany, Thailand and Malaysia.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Launches Critical Minerals-to-Manufacturing Financing Partnership Facility
Key Updates:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched the Critical Minerals-to-Manufacturing Financing Partnership Facility to secure supply chains for clean energy, batteries, electric vehicles, and digital technology.
The Government of Japan committed USD 20 million and the Government of the United Kingdom contributed USD 1.6 million to the grant window for early-stage project work and technical assistance.
Korea Eximbank and the Korean Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) signed memorandums of USD 500 million each to provide cofinancing and risk-sharing under the catalytic finance window.
The ADB is currently supporting battery manufacturing and recycling in India, geological data mapping in Mongolia, and regulatory reforms in the Philippines as part of its regional value chain strategy.
The bank established a Critical Minerals Database to track supply chain information and improve policy coordination while ensuring projects adhere to strict environmental and social requirements.
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United States (US) and Philippines to develop 4,000-acre industrial hub under Pax Silica initiative (Mid of April)▼
The Philippines has joined the United States (US)-led Pax Silica initiative as its 13th member to secure technology supply chains for semiconductors and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A 4,000-acre industrial hub will be developed in the Luzon Economic Corridor, covering Manila and surrounding industrial zones, under a trilateral framework involving the US, Japan, and the Philippines.
The Pax Silica programme includes international partners such as India, South Korea, Singapore, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The industrial hub is designed to support the processing of critical resources including nickel, cobalt, and copper to strengthen the global minerals-to-chips ecosystem.
The European Union (EU) and the US are coordinating a framework for critical mineral supplies that includes minimum price guarantees for non-Chinese suppliers.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has placed 27 out of 45 sub-Saharan African countries under financial programmes due to fiscal strain from regional conflicts and reduced foreign aid.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) to invest $70 Billion in Asia-Pacific infrastructure by 2035 (Start of May)▼
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support $70 billion in new energy and digital infrastructure projects across the Asia-Pacific region by 2035.
Under the Pan-Asia Power Grid Initiative, ADB aims to mobilise $50 billion for cross-border power infrastructure, including 22,000 circuit-kilometers of transmission lines.
The power initiative targets the integration of 20 gigawatts of renewable energy and aims to reduce regional power sector emissions by 15% by 2035.
The Asia-Pacific Digital Highway will mobilise $20 billion to finance digital corridors, subsea fibre networks, and satellite links to provide broadband access to 200 million people.
ADB President Masato Kanda advised countries like India to strengthen domestic economies and build reserves to ensure resilience against global order stress tests.
India Urges Asian Development Bank (ADB) to Scale Up Lending and Implement Reforms (Start of May)▼
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.
Centre approves 58 companies under critical mineral recycling incentive scheme with ₹1,500 crore outlay (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies for participation under the incentive scheme for promotion of critical mineral recycling.
The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
It aims to develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, and industrial scrap to reduce import dependence and support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Participants have pledged capacity of about 850 thousand tonnes per annum and pledged investment of about ₹5,000 crore.
Selected companies represent segments including battery recycling, e-waste processing, and recovery from other waste, with the next stage being project execution.
PRASHAST 2.0: NCERT's Digital Tool for Disability Screening
Key Updates:
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) developed PRASHAST 2.0, which stands for Pre-Assessment Holistic Screening Tool.
The platform is a digital tool for the early detection of disabilities in school children, covering all 21 types of disabilities listed under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016.
It facilitates the issuance of disability certificates and access to support services under the Samagra Shiksha programme.
The tool employs a two-part screening process where Part I is for mainstream teachers and Part II is for special educators, counselors, or school heads.
The platform is integrated with national data sources such as UDISE+, APAAR ID, and the Swavlamban Card Portal to track enrolment, screening, and intervention.
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Prashast 2.0 to identify 21 types of disabilities in children (End of April)▼
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Government of India (GoI), will launch the upgraded Prashast 2.0 app in May.
The app is designed to screen 21 types of disabilities and simplify the certification process for children with special needs (CWSN).
Students identified with potential disabilities through the app will be linked to special support services under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
The app enables school-level screening by automatically connecting school heads, teachers, special educators, and students.
The User Acceptance Testing (UAT) programme was organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) with participants from Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 expanded to include mental health conditions and non-communicable disease risk factors (Start of May)▼
The revised Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 guidelines expand child health screening to include mental health conditions and early risk factors for diabetes and hypertension among children aged 0-18 years.
The earlier focus on screening for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays (4Ds) has been broadened under the revised framework.
Screenings are conducted by Mobile Health Teams visiting anganwadi centres and schools for early identification of health conditions.
The revised framework introduces digital health cards for longitudinal tracking of a child's health status and real-time data systems.
A referral tracking mechanism has been introduced to ensure children receive diagnosis and follow-up treatment without dropping out of care.
Bhopal Passport Office launches Braille script and sign language services to boost accessibility for differently-abled applicants. (Start of April)▼
Regional Passport Office (RPO) Bhopal introduced passport-related information in Braille script for visually impaired applicants.
A series of sign language videos were launched for speech and hearing-impaired applicants to guide them through the passport application process.
Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Programme) and Chief Passport Officer, B S Mubarak, inaugurated the Braille initiative and sign language video series at RPO Bhopal.
Special Braille booklets detailing the application process, including ECR and Non-ECR categories, Normal and Tatkal applications, and key do's and don'ts, were published.
Braille signage plates were installed within the office premises to assist in navigation for visually impaired applicants.
The sign language videos provide guidance on procedures at Counter A (biometric enrolment), Counter B (document verification), and Counter C (granting of applications).
The videos include QR codes for direct access to relevant online resources.
A dedicated Grievance Redressal Cell was inaugurated at RPO Bhopal to ensure prompt resolution of passport-related complaints.
Supreme Court seeks Centre and states' response on PIL over RTE Act and NEP 2020 implementation. (Mid of April)▼
Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notices to Centre, all states and Union Territories on PIL by advocate Haripriya Patel.
PIL alleges uneven implementation of Right to Education (RTE) Act across states since its enactment over a decade ago.
Petition highlights disparities in National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rollout with states following different timelines and approaches.
Plea urges bringing pre-primary education within enforceable ambit of RTE Act to ensure foundational learning rights.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: ₹5,659.22 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026-27 to 2030-31) with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.
The mission aligns with the '5F vision' (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and aims to increase cotton production to 498 lakh bales by 2031.
It seeks to enhance lint productivity from 440 kg/hectares to 755 kg/hectares by 2031.
The mission will benefit approximately 32 lakh farmers and initially focus on 140 districts across 14 states and 2,000 ginning/processing factories.
The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Textiles, involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRPs).
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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves Rs 1,718.56 crore MSP funding to Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). (End of March)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Rs 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for cotton procurement operations during the cotton season 2023-24.
CCI is designated as the central nodal agency for undertaking Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in cotton.
The funding enables direct price support to cotton farmers across India whenever market prices fall below MSP levels.
Cotton sustains the livelihoods of approximately 60 lakh farmers and supports 400-500 lakh people engaged in allied activities including processing, trade, and textiles.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare releases Second Advance Estimates of Production of major agricultural crops Kharif & Rabi for 2025-26 (Mid of March)▼
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved the second advance estimate of crop production for 2025-26.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the estimates covering both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
India’s combined kharif and rabi foodgrain output is projected 3% higher at 349 million tonnes in 2025-26.
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.
Vadinar Ship Repair Facility: ₹1,570 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a ₹1,570 crore project to establish a ship repair facility at Vadinar, Gujarat.
The project will be jointly implemented by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
DPA will invest ₹650 crore for civil infrastructure, including a 650-metre jetty, while CSL will invest approximately ₹920 crore for ship repair infrastructure, including two large floating dry docks.
The brownfield facility will be capable of repairing vessels up to 300 metres in length and is expected to be completed within 36 months.
The project is projected to generate around 290 direct jobs and over 1,100 indirect employment opportunities.
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Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) forge strategic alliance for ship repair and building (Start of April)▼
Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) entered into a strategic alliance to strengthen ship repair and shipbuilding capabilities across South Asia.
The agreement covers ship repair and dry-docking services, technical knowledge sharing, and joint exploration of shipbuilding projects.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Colombo, marking a significant step in maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) Lays Foundation for World's First Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of March)▼
Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) laid the foundation stone for the world's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh authorised the allocation of 29.58 acres of land for the project to enable direct sea access for vessel construction, testing, and deployment.
The centre will focus on developing platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and intelligent navigation systems.
The facility will deploy digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of vessels and shipyard infrastructure for performance simulation and design optimisation.
Manufacturing operations will include robotic fabrication systems for automated welding, cutting, painting, and assembly.
The shipyard will utilise Autonomous Material Handling (AMH) systems, including robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), to transport components.
The facility will employ additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the rapid production of specialised maritime components and spare parts.
The initiative aims to support smart fishing fleet networks by providing real-time fish location maps and weather alerts through satellite and cloud-based systems.
Indian Navy signs contract with Shoft Shipyard for four 500T Self-Propelled Fuel Barges (Start of March)▼
Indian Navy concluded a contract on 02 Mar 2026 with M/s Shoft Shipyard Private Limited, Thane (MSME Shipyard) for construction of 04 X 500T Self Propelled Fuel Barges.
The barges will be built under the Classification Rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
Their primary role is replenishment of fuel to ships and submarines in harbour and at anchorage.
The project supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives and aligns with Maritime India Vision 2030.
MoPSW and KOICA Sign Implementation Plan to Boost Shipbuilding Skills (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed an implementation plan with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on April 2, 2026.
The partnership aims to enhance skill development in India’s shipbuilding and marine industries to build a future-ready workforce.
The Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training will support the project by identifying skill gaps and creating a talent development roadmap.
The agreement proposes the establishment of a Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center in India to provide industry-focused training.
The initiative aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seeks to establish India as a global hub for maritime services.
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM): ₹3,936 Crore Investment for Two New Units in Gujarat
Key Updates:
The Union Cabinet approved two semiconductor manufacturing projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in Gujarat with a combined investment of ₹3,936 crore.
Crystal Matrix Limited (CML) will establish India's first commercial Mini/Micro-LED display manufacturing unit based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology in Dholera.
The CML facility will produce 72,000 square metres of Mini/Micro-LED display panels and 24,000 sets of RGB GaN epitaxy wafers annually.
Suchi Semicon Private Limited (SSPL) will set up an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Surat with an annual capacity of over 1,033 million chips.
Total semiconductor projects under ISM have reached 12, with cumulative investments of approximately ₹1.64 lakh crore.
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Delhi Semiconductor Policy: Aimed at Investment and Employment (End of April)▼
The Delhi government is drafting the Delhi Semiconductor Policy to position the capital as a hub for semiconductor design, advanced research and development, and assembly and allied activities.
The policy is aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
The policy is structured around five key pillars: semiconductor design and intellectual property development; research, development and innovation; manufacturing-enabling activities including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT) along with ancillary industries; talent development and skilling; and strengthening of the startup and industrial ecosystem.
The framework envisages financial and non-financial incentives, capital subsidies, and infrastructure development to promote ease of doing business and attract private investment.
The policy aims to generate high-quality job opportunities in the fields of chip design, semiconductor research, and advanced packaging.
3D Glass Solutions establishes India's first 3D semiconductor packaging unit in Odisha (End of April)▼
The foundation stone for India's first advanced 3D semiconductor packaging unit was laid at Info Valley in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The project is developed by 3D Glass Solutions with an investment of nearly ₹2,000 crore.
The facility is expected to produce 70,000 glass panels annually and millions of advanced semiconductor units.
Commercial production is expected to begin by 2028, with full-scale operations targeted by 2030.
The initiative is part of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
The unit will cater to sectors including data centres, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, telecommunications, automotive technologies, aerospace, and defence systems.
India’s First Chip Fabrication Plant – Rs 91,000 Cr Investment (Mid of April)▼
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified a special economic zone (SEZ) for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat.
Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited proposes an investment of Rs 91,000 crore to set up India’s first chip fabrication unit.
The SEZ will cover 66.166 hectares and is expected to generate employment for 21,000 persons.
The SEZ is designed to support electronic hardware, software and IT‑enabled services, with dedicated infrastructure and an approval mechanism.
The government amended SEZ rules in June 2025, reducing the minimum contiguous land requirement for semiconductor SEZs from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
Four additional semiconductor and electronics component SEZ proposals have been approved: Micron Semiconductor Technology India Pvt Ltd (Rs 13,000 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging in Sanand, Gujarat), Aequs Group (electronic component manufacturing in Dharwad, Karnataka), Kaynes Semicon Ltd (Rs 681 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging), and CG Semi Ltd (Rs 2,150 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging).
PM Modi inaugurates ₹3,300 crore Kaynes semiconductor plant in Gujarat (Start of April)▼
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kaynes Technologies’ ₹3,300 crore semiconductor facility at Sanand, Ahmedabad.
The plant has started commercial production of Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), each module containing 17 chips.
Output will be supplied to California-based Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOS).
Full-phase capacity target: 6.33 million units per day.
It is India’s second operational semiconductor unit under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) after Micron Technology’s project.
The facility is an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT/ATMP) unit, marking an Indian EMS firm’s entry into chip manufacturing.
Mission Mausam: IITM Launches ₹60 Crore Urban Climate Observatory in Chennai
Key Updates:
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, established an Urban Testbed and Aerosol Observatory in Chennai under the Mission Mausam initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Inaugurated on May 6, 2026, at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Ramapuram, the facility is India's first integrated urban weather and aerosol observatory.
The observatory houses approximately 15 scientific instruments valued at over ₹60 crore and is capable of monitoring nearly 50 categories of atmospheric parameters.
The facility's infrastructure includes around 100 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), three X-band radars, and a phased-array radar for continuous monitoring of rain bands and convective systems.
Mission Mausam, launched in September 2024, aims to strengthen weather forecasting and disaster preparedness for sectors including agriculture, water resources, aviation, disaster management, and energy planning.
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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.
World Meteorological Day 2026 observed with theme Observing today, protecting tomorrow (End of March)▼
World Meteorological Day is observed annually on March 23 to commemorate the formal establishment of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2026 is Observing today, protecting tomorrow.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN) that coordinates global weather and climate activities.
The first-ever World Meteorological Day was celebrated in 1961, eleven years after the establishment of the WMO in 1950.
The WMO facilitates international collaboration for weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and the sharing of crucial weather data between countries.
The organisation supports research on climate change, water resources, and environmental monitoring while promoting technological innovations like satellite technology and supercomputers.
The WMO provides data that assists governments in disaster preparedness, helps farmers with crop strategies, and enables safer operations for airlines and fishermen.
Nagaland signs MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD) to boost weather forecasting (Start of March)▼
Nagaland higher education department signed an MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, at the directorate of higher education in Kohima.
The MoU was signed in the presence of higher education minister Temjen Imna Along, secretary of higher and technical education Sarita Yadav, ex-officio director of higher education V Lovitoly Sema, and IMD representatives.
The collaboration will install one X-Band Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Dimapur Government College under the ‘Mission Mausam Scheme’ initiative of the Government of India.
The initiative focuses on urban meteorology, disaster preparedness, and agricultural advisories to enhance public safety and protect lives and property.
The institutional cooperation will promote academic engagement, research collaboration, and capacity building in meteorological and atmospheric sciences.
Mumbai Climate Week 2026 inaugurated; Maharashtra targets over 50% green energy by 2030 (Mid of February)▼
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the three-day Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) 2026.
MCW 2026 is India’s first platform dedicated to accelerating transformative, citizen-driven climate action in the Global South.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on ‘Urban Heat Mitigation, Passive Cooling and Nature-based Resilience systems, Climate adaptation frameworks’ with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Resources Institute (WRI), C40, and Urban Land Institute (ULI).
Fadnavis stated Maharashtra aims for more than 50% of its energy from green sources by 2030, up from 21% renewable share in its current 48 GW installed capacity.
Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy Prahlad Joshi announced 1 lakh additional solar pumps for Maharashtra under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM Kusum) scheme.
Under PM Kusum in Maharashtra, energy production cost is Rs 3 with Rs 5 savings, and excess power is fed into the grid.
India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 to Retain Pari Passu Model with ₹76,000 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
The Government of India will retain the pari passu model for the upcoming phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, where government incentives are released in proportion to a company’s own capital expenditure.
The first phase of the mission, ISM 1.0, was launched in 2021 with an outlay of ₹76,000 crore, and cumulative investment commitments reached ₹1.64 lakh crore by May 5, 2026, surpassing the original target of ₹1.60 lakh crore.
Under the ISM, the Centre provides 50 per cent fiscal support for project costs, which is disbursed step-by-step as firms invest their own funds rather than being front-loaded.
The Union Cabinet has approved two additional projects by Crystal Matrix Limited and Suchi Semicon, bringing the total number of sanctioned projects under the mission to 12.
The approved projects include the country’s first commercial mini/micro-LED display facility using gallium nitride (GaN) technology and a semiconductor packaging unit, both to be established in Gujarat.
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Delhi Semiconductor Policy: Aimed at Investment and Employment (End of April)▼
The Delhi government is drafting the Delhi Semiconductor Policy to position the capital as a hub for semiconductor design, advanced research and development, and assembly and allied activities.
The policy is aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
The policy is structured around five key pillars: semiconductor design and intellectual property development; research, development and innovation; manufacturing-enabling activities including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) and Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Testing (OSAT) along with ancillary industries; talent development and skilling; and strengthening of the startup and industrial ecosystem.
The framework envisages financial and non-financial incentives, capital subsidies, and infrastructure development to promote ease of doing business and attract private investment.
The policy aims to generate high-quality job opportunities in the fields of chip design, semiconductor research, and advanced packaging.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Dhruva Space Private Limited sign MoU for satellite solar panels (Start of April)▼
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and Dhruva Space Private Limited (DHRUVA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, manufacture, testing, and supply of solar panels.
The partnership aims to address the solar panel requirements of global Satellite Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
NSIL is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Department of Space (DoS) and functions as the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
DHRUVA is a Hyderabad-based private aerospace company providing full-stack space engineering solutions across space, launch, and ground segments.
The collaboration will utilise the programme management and product assurance expertise of NSIL to scale the production of space-grade solar panels.
The timing of the agreement aligns with the solar industry entering a restructuring phase in 2026, amid rising demand for satellite solar panels.
DHRUVA has existing engagements with NSIL in Earth observation missions, satellite deployers, and ground segment development.
Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): Centre Approves 29 Projects with ₹7,104 Crore Investment (Start of April)▼
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) approved 29 new applications under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) involving an investment of ₹7,104 crore.
The approved projects have the potential to produce goods worth ₹84,515 crore and generate employment for 14,246 persons.
The initiative marks the first-ever manufacturing of surface-mount device (SMD) passives, including Tantalum polymer capacitors, and rare-earth magnets from rare-earth oxides in India.
Major investment commitments include Dixon Display (₹1,100 crore), Lohum Cleantech (₹700 crore), Indo-MIM (₹592 crore), ASM Technologies (₹565 crore), Syrma (₹385 crore), and Ratnaveer Precision (₹338 crore).
Other approved companies include Wangda Technologies (₹250 crore), Vishay Components (₹225 crore), OEN India (₹216 crore), BG Electrical (₹195 crore), Titan Engineering (₹192 crore), Bharat FIH Limited (₹192 crore), Terminal Technologies (₹175 crore), and Nest Advanced Technology (₹102 crore).
The ECMS was approved in April 2025 with an initial financial outlay of ₹22,919 crore, which was increased to ₹40,000 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Under the programme, the government has approved total projects worth ₹61,671 crore against an initial target of ₹59,350 crore.
The total production potential of all projects approved under ECMS to date is ₹4.51 lakh crore with an employment potential for 65,040 individuals.
India’s First Chip Fabrication Plant – Rs 91,000 Cr Investment (Mid of April)▼
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry notified a special economic zone (SEZ) for Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited at Dholera, Gujarat.
Tata Semiconductor Manufacturing Private Limited proposes an investment of Rs 91,000 crore to set up India’s first chip fabrication unit.
The SEZ will cover 66.166 hectares and is expected to generate employment for 21,000 persons.
The SEZ is designed to support electronic hardware, software and IT‑enabled services, with dedicated infrastructure and an approval mechanism.
The government amended SEZ rules in June 2025, reducing the minimum contiguous land requirement for semiconductor SEZs from 50 hectares to 10 hectares.
Four additional semiconductor and electronics component SEZ proposals have been approved: Micron Semiconductor Technology India Pvt Ltd (Rs 13,000 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging in Sanand, Gujarat), Aequs Group (electronic component manufacturing in Dharwad, Karnataka), Kaynes Semicon Ltd (Rs 681 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging), and CG Semi Ltd (Rs 2,150 crore, assembly‑testing‑packaging).
Waste Tyre Management Overhaul: NITI Aayog Proposes GST Cuts and National Standards for Recycled Products
Key Updates:
NITI Aayog and the Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) organised the Paryavaran NITI Manthan conference in New Delhi on 4 May 2026 to reform waste tyre management.
India recycled approximately 3 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of tyres in 2024-2025, including 1.6 MMT from domestic waste and 1.4 MMT from imports.
The proposal introduces national standards for Tyre Pyrolysis Oil (TPO) and recovered Carbon Black (rCB) to recover an estimated annual revenue loss of ₹7,500 crore.
NITI Aayog recommended reducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on recycled tyre products from 18 per cent to 5 per cent and introducing separate six-digit Harmonised System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes.
Proposed regulations include mandatory continuous emission monitoring for pyrolysis units and formalising recyclers through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Udyam Assist initiative.
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Centre approves 58 companies under critical mineral recycling incentive scheme with ₹1,500 crore outlay (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Mines approved 58 companies for participation under the incentive scheme for promotion of critical mineral recycling.
The scheme has an outlay of ₹1,500 crore and is part of the National Critical Mineral Mission.
It aims to develop domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, and industrial scrap to reduce import dependence and support clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
Participants have pledged capacity of about 850 thousand tonnes per annum and pledged investment of about ₹5,000 crore.
Selected companies represent segments including battery recycling, e-waste processing, and recovery from other waste, with the next stage being project execution.
Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 introduce four-stream segregation and digital monitoring (Start of April)▼
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 on 27 January 2026 to replace the 2016 framework.
Rules come into force on 1 April 2026 and mandate four-stream segregation at source: Wet waste (biodegradable), Dry waste (recyclable), Sanitary waste, and Special care waste.
Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) makes large institutions, hotels and residential complexes accountable for collection, segregation, transport and environmentally sound disposal of their waste.
A centralised online portal enables real-time digital tracking of collection, transportation, processing and disposal of waste to improve compliance and reporting.
Cement plants and waste-to-energy units must raise Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) substitution from the current 5% to 15% within six years.
Urban and rural local bodies, State and Union Territory governments and central ministries are assigned clearly defined responsibilities and graded land-allocation criteria for faster setting up of waste-processing facilities.
Arun Mammen re-elected as Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA). (Mid of March)▼
Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, was re-elected as Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director of Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, was appointed Vice Chairman of ATMA.
Sanjay Chatterjee will succeed Rajiv Budhraja as Director General of ATMA on 31 March 2026.
ATMA, established in 1975, represents India’s over $12 billion automotive tyre industry.
ATMA member companies account for more than 80 per cent of India’s tyre production.
India exports tyres worth around $250–260 million annually to West Asia.
ATMA warned that the West Asia crisis could disrupt exports, raise raw material costs, and strain logistics.
Crude derivatives constitute 60–70 per cent of tyre manufacturing input costs.
Giriraj Singh releases report on India's textile recycling market. (Mid of March)▼
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh released the report titled 'Mapping of Textile Waste Value Chain in India'.
The report projects India's textile recycling market to reach USD 3.5 billion by 2030.
The report estimates the market could generate around one lakh green jobs.
India generates approximately 70.73 lakh tonnes of textile waste annually.
Panipat is emerging as a major hub for mechanical textile recycling.
Duty-free imports of yellow peas and black gram extended until March 2027 to curb pulse prices
Key Updates:
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has extended the duty-free import window for yellow peas and black gram until 31 March 2027.
For yellow peas, the government has removed the minimum import price and lifted port restrictions, allowing shipments to enter through any port.
Traders importing yellow peas are required to register under the Import Monitoring System.
The duty-free exemption for yellow peas applies to all shipments with a bill of landing issued on or before 31 March 2027.
The free import policy for black gram, which was previously valid until March 2026, has been extended by one year until 31 March 2027.
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Government of India (GoI) Resumes Wheat Exports with 5 Million Tonnes Allocation (Start of May)▼
The Government of India (GoI) has authorised the resumption of wheat exports after a four-year hiatus, lifting the ban originally imposed in 2022.
India, the world's second-largest wheat producer after China, has permitted traders to export a total of 5 million tonnes of wheat in two tranches of 2.5 million tonnes each.
ITC Limited (ITC) has commenced loading 22,000 metric tons of wheat at the Kandla port for shipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The export deal for the shipment to the UAE was finalised at a price of approximately $275 per ton on a free on board basis.
Indian wheat is currently at least $20 per ton more expensive than supplies from Australia or the Black Sea region, which are priced between $290 and $300 per ton.
World Pulses Day observed globally on February 10 (Mid of February)▼
World Pulses Day is celebrated annually on February 10 to highlight the importance of pulses in nutrition, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
The United Nations (UN) first declared the observance of World Pulses Day in 2019.
India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses globally.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), pulses currently feed over 3 billion people worldwide.
Pulses are defined as edible seeds from leguminous plants, including lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, and pigeon peas.
Pulses are known as the poor man's protein because they provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive animal-based proteins.
These crops support environmental sustainability by naturally fixing nitrogen in the soil and requiring low amounts of water.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves raw jute Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹5,925 for 2026-27 (End of February)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has increased the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute by ₹275 to ₹5,925 per quintal for the 2026-27 marketing season.
The new MSP ensures a return of 61.8 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production.
The decision follows the Budget 2018-19 principle of fixing the MSP at a level of at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
The Jute Corporation of India (JCI) will remain the central government nodal agency to undertake price support operations.
The MSP for raw jute has risen from ₹2,400 per quintal in 2014-15 to ₹5,925 per quintal in 2026-27, representing a 2.5-fold increase.
Total MSP payments to jute farmers reached ₹1,342 crore between 2014-15 and 2025-26, compared to ₹441 crore during the 2004-05 to 2013-14 period.
The CCEA meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held at the new Prime Minister's Office (PMO) named Seva Teerth.
India and United States (US) reach framework for first phase of bilateral trade agreement (Start of February)▼
India and the United States (US) have announced a framework for the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement to reduce import duties on various goods.
The legal agreement is expected to be signed by mid-March, with duty concessions taking effect on the day of implementation.
India will eliminate or reduce tariffs on US industrial goods and agricultural products including dried distillers' grains, red sorghum, tree nuts, soybean oil, wine, and spirits.
Specific US goods such as walnuts, almonds, pistachios, lentils, high-end cars, and motorcycles will enjoy duty concessions in India.
Duty benefits will be extended to American medical devices including pacemakers, X-ray valves, diagnostic reagents, hearing aids, and artificial joints.
American aircraft, semiconductor chips, and high-quality machinery will be allowed into India under the pact.
India has fixed minimum import prices on products like apples to protect the interests of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and farmers.
Indian exports including spices, tea, coffee, cashew, mango, pineapple, and cocoa products will attract zero reciprocal tariffs in the US market.
The agreement aims to address non-tariff barriers affecting Information and Communication Technology (ICT) goods and medical devices.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: ₹5,659.22 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.
The mission aligns with the '5F vision' (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) to enhance cotton productivity and promote high-quality cotton exports.
It aims to achieve a production of 498 lakh bales (170 kg lint each) by 2031 by increasing lint productivity from 440 kg/hectares to 755 kg/hectares.
About 32 lakh farmers will benefit, with an initial focus on 140 districts in 14 states and 2,000 ginning/processing factories.
The mission will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Textiles, involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRPs).
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Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves Rs 1,718.56 crore MSP funding to Cotton Corporation of India (CCI). (End of March)▼
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved Rs 1,718.56 crore to the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) for cotton procurement operations during the cotton season 2023-24.
CCI is designated as the central nodal agency for undertaking Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations in cotton.
The funding enables direct price support to cotton farmers across India whenever market prices fall below MSP levels.
Cotton sustains the livelihoods of approximately 60 lakh farmers and supports 400-500 lakh people engaged in allied activities including processing, trade, and textiles.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare releases Second Advance Estimates of Production of major agricultural crops Kharif & Rabi for 2025-26 (Mid of March)▼
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved the second advance estimate of crop production for 2025-26.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) released the estimates covering both Kharif and Rabi seasons.
India’s combined kharif and rabi foodgrain output is projected 3% higher at 349 million tonnes in 2025-26.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows India displaces China as largest cotton products exporter to US in 2025 (Mid of March)▼
India displaced China as the largest supplier of cotton products such as apparel and home textiles to the United States during 2025.
US cotton product imports from India were around 0.6 million tonnes in 2025.
US cotton product imports from China reduced to about 0.5 million tonnes in 2025.
US cotton product imports remained flat at 3.3 million tonnes in calendar year 2025.
US announced several rounds of tariffs on China ranging from 10-125 per cent.
Other suppliers gaining US market share include Vietnam, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico and Cambodia.
US cotton product imports from China have dropped 60 per cent since peaking in 2010.
US retail sales at clothing stores rose 5 per cent to a new record in 2025.
Global cotton production for 2025-26 is forecast up 1.1 million bales to 121 million bales.
Global cotton consumption is forecast down more than 0.1 million bales to 118.6 million.
Global cotton trade is raised by 0.2 million bales to 43.9 million.
Global ending stocks are raised nearly 1.3 million bales to 76.4 million.
Make in India procurement norms: 60% local content target for HVDC substations by 2035
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Power (MoP) revised the "Make in India" procurement norms for the power sector via an official order dated April 30.
The MoP introduced a phased roadmap to achieve a minimum of 60 per cent local content in High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) substations of the LCC type.
The revised roadmap applies to HVDC substations under the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) or turnkey project category.
The changes fall under the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) framework, which provides purchase preference linked with local content in the power sector.
The phased local content targets are 30% until 31.03.2028, 40% from 01.04.2028 to 31.03.2030, 50% from 01.04.2030 to 31.03.2032, and 60% from 01.04.2032 to 31.03.2035.
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Ministry of Power (MoP) targets 143 GW inter-regional transmission capacity by 2027 (Mid of March)▼
Union Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Rajya Sabha that India's inter-regional transmission capacity is set to reach 143 GW by 2027 and 168 GW by 2032.
The inter-regional transmission capacity of the National Grid stood at 120 GW as of December 2025.
The expansion of the National Grid is aimed at meeting a projected peak electricity demand of 388 GW by 2032.
Under the National Electricity Plan (NEP) Volume II Transmission, the transmission network of 220 kV and above is planned to expand to 6.48 lakh ckm by 2032.
The transformation capacity is projected to increase to 2,345 Giga Volt Ampere (GVA) by 2032.
Right-of-Way (RoW) issues have impacted the project timelines of 25 Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects.
Energy Statistics India 2026 released by National Statistics Office (NSO) (Start of April)▼
The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released the 33rd edition of 'Energy Statistics India 2026' on 30 March 2026.
The publication integrates data on reserve, capacity, production, consumption, and import/export of all energy commodities including Coal, Lignite, Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Renewable Energy.
New additions include credit flow to domestic energy sectors, world energy statistics, consumption of domestic coal through e-auction, imported non-coking coal, sub-sectoral electricity consumption under industry from the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), industry-wise HSD distribution through retail/reseller, and international aviation and marine bunker data for the first time.
Total Primary Energy Supply (TPES) for FY 2024-25 grew by 2.95% to 9,32,816 KToe.
India’s renewable energy potential reached 47,04,043 Megawatt as on 31 March 2025, with solar energy at 33,43,378 Megawatt (71% share), wind at 11,63,856 Megawatt, and large hydro at 1,33,410 Megawatt.
Rajasthan (23.70%), Maharashtra (14.26%), Gujarat (9.10%), Andhra Pradesh (9.1%), Karnataka (8.59%), and Madhya Pradesh (8.09%) together account for over 70% of the total renewable energy potential.
Installed renewable electricity capacity rose from 90,134 Megawatt on 31 March 2016 to 2,29,346 Megawatt on 31 March 2025, recording a CAGR of 10.93%.
Gross electricity generation from renewables increased from 1,89,314 GWh in FY 2015-16 to 4,16,823 GWh in FY 2024-25, a CAGR of 9.17%.
Per-capita energy consumption grew from 15,296 Mega Joule/person in FY 2015-16 to 18,096 Mega Joule/person in FY 2024-25, a CAGR of 1.89%.
Transmission and distribution losses reduced from about 22% in FY 2015-16 to about 17% in FY 2024-25.
Coal (including lignite) remained the dominant energy source, with supply rising from 3,87,761 Ktoe in FY 2015-16 to 5,52,315 Ktoe in FY 2024-25.
Total Final Consumption (TFC) of energy increased by 30.41% from 4,69,212 Ktoe in FY 2015-16 to 6,08,578 Ktoe in FY 2024-25.
Credit flow to the energy sector expanded over six-fold from ₹1,688 crore in 2021 to ₹10,325 crore in 2025.
Indian States’ Electricity Transition (SET) report highlights best performers in electricity transition (End of February)▼
Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan emerged as the strongest performers in the market enablers dimension of the Indian States’ Electricity Transition (SET) report.
The report was released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) and Ember.
The SET report assessed 21 states that account for 95% of India’s power demand.
Karnataka remained the top performer in the decarbonisation dimension.
Chhattisgarh recorded a negligible power supply shortage of 0.07% in FY25.
Bihar recorded the best improvement in smart meter deployment with 78% of its sanctioned meters installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) as of March 2025.
Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 supported by Ministry of Power and major PSUs (Mid of March)▼
Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is scheduled from 19-22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The event is held under the patronage of India’s Ministry of Power and supported by POWERGRID, NTPC, PFC, REC and NHPC.
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) is the Association Partner for the summit.
The summit convenes global policymakers, CEOs, government leaders, electricity experts, investors, regulators, innovators, suppliers and solution providers.
It aims to advance progress across the electricity value chain from generation and transmission to distribution, storage and smart consumption.
Accessible India Campaign: BIS Publishes Six New Standards for Priority Assistive Products
Key Updates:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) published six new standards for medical assistive technologies under the National List of Essential Assistive Products (NLEAP) initiative of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
The mobility aid standards include IS 18558 (Part 1) for Elbow crutches, IS 5145 for Walking sticks, IS 18558 (Part 4) for Walking sticks with three or more legs, and IS 19631 for Portable Ramps.
Accessible design standards were introduced for Information Contents, Figuration and Display Methods of Tactile Guide Maps (IS 19189) and Application of Braille on Signage Equipment and Appliances (IS 19190).
The BIS Technical Committee (MHD 09), chaired by Dr. Sanjay Wadhwa of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, includes experts from Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) Kanpur and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) Jaipur.
These standards support the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyaan) of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
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Supreme Court Endorses Minimum ICU Standards for Hospitals (End of April)▼
The Supreme Court (SC) endorsed minimum standards for intensive care units (ICUs) specifying infrastructure, equipment, and staffing requirements.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan directed states and Union Territories to submit action plans by May 18.
The norms were framed by a three-member committee comprising All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) doctor Nitish Naik, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, and advocate Karan Bharioke.
The standards are detailed in a report titled Guidelines for the Organisation and Delivery of Intensive Care Services.
ICUs are classified into three levels: Level 1 for basic stabilisation and single organ care, Level 2 for continuous monitoring and multiple organ care, and Level 3 for advanced care and multi organ care.
Nurse to patient ratios are mandated between 1:2 and 1:3, and 1:1 for ventilated or critically ill patients.
Essential equipment requirements include monitors, ventilators, defibrillators, crash carts, infusion and syringe pumps, glucometers, and ECG machines.
For rural and remote areas, the guidelines suggest interim staffing norms and the use of e-ICU or tele-ICU support to link smaller units with larger centres.
Prashast 2.0 to identify 21 types of disabilities in children (End of April)▼
The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Government of India (GoI), will launch the upgraded Prashast 2.0 app in May.
The app is designed to screen 21 types of disabilities and simplify the certification process for children with special needs (CWSN).
Students identified with potential disabilities through the app will be linked to special support services under the Samagra Shiksha initiative.
The app enables school-level screening by automatically connecting school heads, teachers, special educators, and students.
The User Acceptance Testing (UAT) programme was organised by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) with participants from Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
KSRTC Dhwani Spandana: Award for innovation aiding visually impaired (Mid of March)▼
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) received the Governance Now 12th PSU National Award in the 'Excellence in Innovation' category for its Dhwani Spandana initiative.
KSRTC implemented the Dhwani Spandana — Onboard Bus Identification and Navigation System on 200 Mysuru city transport buses with support from the German company GIZ.
KSRTC Director Personnel and Vigilance Gayithri KM received the award in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Bhopal Passport Office launches Braille script and sign language services to boost accessibility for differently-abled applicants. (Start of April)▼
Regional Passport Office (RPO) Bhopal introduced passport-related information in Braille script for visually impaired applicants.
A series of sign language videos were launched for speech and hearing-impaired applicants to guide them through the passport application process.
Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Programme) and Chief Passport Officer, B S Mubarak, inaugurated the Braille initiative and sign language video series at RPO Bhopal.
Special Braille booklets detailing the application process, including ECR and Non-ECR categories, Normal and Tatkal applications, and key do's and don'ts, were published.
Braille signage plates were installed within the office premises to assist in navigation for visually impaired applicants.
The sign language videos provide guidance on procedures at Counter A (biometric enrolment), Counter B (document verification), and Counter C (granting of applications).
The videos include QR codes for direct access to relevant online resources.
A dedicated Grievance Redressal Cell was inaugurated at RPO Bhopal to ensure prompt resolution of passport-related complaints.
Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children: Free-of-cost care package for children
Key Updates:
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released the Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery.
The document establishes a standardised national framework for the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of childhood diabetes.
The initiative aims to ensure universal screening of all children from birth to 18 years through community and school-based platforms.
The framework provides a comprehensive, free-of-cost care package at public health facilities, including screening, diagnostic services, lifelong insulin therapy, monitoring devices such as glucometers and test strips, and regular follow-up care.
The initiative promotes the 4Ts awareness framework—Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, and Thinner—to enable the recognition of early warning signs of Type 1 Diabetes.
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Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children: First-ever national guidelines with free comprehensive care package (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the 'Guidance Document on Diabetes Mellitus in Children' at the National Summit on Best Practices in Public Healthcare Service Delivery.
The guidelines introduce universal screening for all children from birth to 18 years through schools and community-level health services.
Children diagnosed with diabetes will receive free care at public health facilities, including diagnostic tests, lifelong insulin therapy, glucometers, test strips, and regular follow-ups.
The guidelines highlight the '4Ts' for early detection: Toilet (frequent urination), Thirsty (excessive thirst), Tired (constant fatigue), and Thinner (sudden weight loss).
Training will be provided to families and caregivers on insulin use, blood sugar monitoring, emergency care, and daily disease management.
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 expanded to include mental health conditions and non-communicable disease risk factors (Start of May)▼
The revised Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) 2.0 guidelines expand child health screening to include mental health conditions and early risk factors for diabetes and hypertension among children aged 0-18 years.
The earlier focus on screening for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays (4Ds) has been broadened under the revised framework.
Screenings are conducted by Mobile Health Teams visiting anganwadi centres and schools for early identification of health conditions.
The revised framework introduces digital health cards for longitudinal tracking of a child's health status and real-time data systems.
A referral tracking mechanism has been introduced to ensure children receive diagnosis and follow-up treatment without dropping out of care.
World Oral Health Day 2026: Impact of Oral Hygiene on Systemic Diseases (End of March)▼
World Oral Health Day was observed on 20 March 2026 to highlight the connection between oral care and overall systemic health.
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is a chronic inflammatory condition that can allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect other organs.
Research indicates that individuals with gum disease may face a higher risk of developing cardiovascular conditions due to inflammation and the impact of oral bacteria on blood vessels.
Diabetes and oral health share a bidirectional relationship where diabetics are more prone to gum infections, and severe gum disease can make blood sugar control more difficult.
Bacteria present in the mouth can be inhaled into the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections in older adults or individuals with weakened immunity.
Severe gum disease during pregnancy is associated with potential complications such as early delivery or low birth weight.
Preventative measures for maintaining oral health include brushing twice daily, regular flossing, staying hydrated, and attending routine dental check-ups.
WHO Foundation–Novo Nordisk initiative to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes (Mid of March)▼
The WHO Foundation and Novo Nordisk have launched a joint initiative in India to prevent childhood obesity through school-based programmes.
The initiative aligns with the Indian government’s Ayushman Bharat School Health and Wellness Programme and WHO’s Health Promoting Schools framework.
It aims to provide financial support for obesity prevention and strengthen health-system readiness.
The project focuses on promoting early-life healthy environments and integrating health education in schools.
South Coast Railway (SCoR) Notified with Visakhapatnam Headquarters
Key Updates:
The Union government notified the creation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, effective from June 1, 2026.
The new zone has been established under sub-section (4) of Section 3 of the Railways Act, 1989, by carving it out of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and South Central Railway (SCR).
SCoR will comprise the Guntakal, Guntur, and Vijayawada divisions of the SCR and a truncated Waltair division, which will be renamed the Visakhapatnam division.
A new Rayagada division will be constituted under the ECoR, which is headquartered at Bhubaneswar, effective from June 1, 2026.
The SCR, headquartered at Secunderabad, will retain the Hyderabad and Nanded divisions along with a reorganised Secunderabad division.
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South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone to Commence Operations from June 1, 2026 (Start of May)▼
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.
Postal Training Centre Saharanpur Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Stamp Released on 02-04-2026 (Start of April)▼
Postal Training Centre (PTC) Saharanpur completed 75 years since its establishment on April 2, 1951.
Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia released a commemorative postage stamp at Rang Bhawan Sabhagaar, Akashwani Bhawan, New Delhi on 02-04-2026.
PTC Saharanpur trains nearly 3,000 employees annually across 56.71-acre campus.
The centre serves postal personnel of eight States and Union Territories in Northern India.
The commemorative stamp is available at Philatelic Bureaus across India and through India Post’s official online portal.
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.
Kerala government signs ₹2,000 crore MoUs with central PSUs for Vizhinjam logistics master plan (End of February)▼
Kerala government signed MoUs with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) for a ₹2,000 crore logistics plan at Vizhinjam International Seaport.
IOCL will invest ₹700 crore to set up large-scale bunkering facilities for mother ships at Vizhinjam.
CONCOR will invest ₹600 crore to build rail-linked infrastructure including inland container depots and container freight stations.
CWC will invest ₹700 crore to develop a 50-acre multimodal logistics park with cold storage and export-oriented units.
The agreements were executed in the presence of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at the Legislative Assembly Building.
The initiative aims to prevent monopolisation in cargo handling, guarantee fair pricing, and keep critical infrastructure under public sector oversight while the port operates on a Public-Private Partnership model.
Colombia and Netherlands launch Santa Marta Conference to accelerate transition away from fossil fuels
Key Updates:
The Santa Marta Conference was launched by Colombia and the Netherlands to initiate multilateral coordination for the transition away from fossil fuels (TAFF).
The coalition consists of 57 countries and the European Union (EU), representing one third of global GDP and one third of fossil fuel consumption.
The second Conference is scheduled to be held in 2027 in Tuvalu, co-organised by Tuvalu and Ireland.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced its departure from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on 28 April.
Three priority workstreams were established with support from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), and the NDC Partnership coalition.
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France Unveils Roadmap to Phase Out Fossil Fuels by 2050 (End of April)▼
France announced a roadmap to phase out coal by 2030, oil by 2045, and gas by 2050 for energy purposes.
The plan was unveiled during a global conference in Santa Marta, Colombia, which was co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands.
France aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% per year over the 2024-2028 period.
The roadmap includes commitments to phase out fossil fuel production and electrify sectors such as heating and transport.
The Santa Marta conference was established after a proposal for a global fossil fuel roadmap was blocked at the COP30 climate summit in November.
Nearly 60 nations attended the conference, including the European Union (EU), Canada, Norway, Angola, Nigeria, and Tuvalu.
Netherlands and India Collaborate on Sustainable Spice Value Chains (May 06, 2026)
Key Updates:
The Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for South India and the World Spice Organisation (WSO) organised a seminar on “Sustainable Spice Value Chains”.
India exports over 250 varieties of spices and value-added products to more than 180 countries.
The Spices Board promotes Good Agricultural Practices, Scientific Crop-Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, Hygienic Processing Systems, and Farmer-Capacity Building Programmes.
The Netherlands collaborates with India through trade partnerships and sustainability initiatives aligned with United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals.
The National Sustainable Spices Program (NSSP), launched in 2019, covers chilli, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and pepper, involving over 35,000 farmers through Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs).
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National Mission on Cocoa – Aim for Self‑sufficiency by 2040 (Mid of April)▼
The knowledge paper recommends launching a National Mission on Cocoa to achieve self‑sufficiency by 2040‑41.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will shape a dedicated policy framework for cocoa, aligned with the Union Budget 2026‑27.
Phase 1 (2026‑28) proposes establishing a Centre of Excellence and creating nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
Phase 2 (2028‑30) aims to set up regional CoE hubs and train about 1 lakh farmers, with a target of supplying 25 million seedlings and launching a pilot digital farmer registry.
Phase 3 (2030‑35) seeks to expand cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares, improve yields, and scale up R&D, targeting 50 percent of domestic cocoa demand.
Phase 4 (2035‑40) envisions full self‑sufficiency in cocoa production and positioning India as a global cocoa processing hub, with 100 percent digital traceability.
Domestic cocoa consumption is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, growing at a CAGR of 5.5 percent.
Current imports exceed $866 million annually, with India meeting less than 20 percent of its cocoa requirement.
The roundtable “India’s Cocoa Future: Self Sufficiency and Global Value Chain Integration” was held in New Delhi, launching the knowledge paper.
Naveen Kumar Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture), Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, highlighted the need for a dedicated cocoa policy.
Syed Junaid Altaf, Chairperson, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Task Force on Horticulture, emphasised cocoa’s potential to boost farmer incomes and export‑oriented growth.
Cocoa Self‑Sufficiency Roadmap – Targeting Domestic Production by 2040 (Mid of April)▼
The roadmap is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW).
It proposes the establishment of a National Mission on Cocoa.
Phase 1 (2026‑28) includes launching the mission, setting up a Centre of Excellence and creating nearly 250 hectares of polyclonal seed gardens across states.
Phase 2 (2028‑30) aims to train nearly 1 lakh farmers, supply around 25 million seedlings, establish regional CoE hubs and pilot a digital farmer registry and traceability system.
Phase 3 (2030‑35) targets expanding cocoa cultivation to 1 lakh hectares and meeting 50 percent of domestic cocoa demand.
Phase 4 (2035‑40) envisions self‑sufficiency in cocoa production, positioning India as a global processing hub and achieving 100 percent digital traceability.
Domestic cocoa consumption is projected to reach 4.67 lakh tonnes by 2040, growing at a CAGR of 5.5 percent.
India currently meets less than 20 percent of its cocoa requirement, with annual imports exceeding $866 million.
Implementation begins in 2026.
Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) formalises technology transfer from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) to advance science-backed food and beverage innovations. (End of February)▼
Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) formalised the transfer of indigenously developed food and nutrition-focused technologies from Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) on 19 February 2026 in Bangalore, Karnataka.
CSIR-NIIST's advanced formulation technology for nutritionally enhanced 'Smarter Rice' delivers higher protein content, lower glycaemic index, and improved micronutrient availability.
CSIR-NIIST's indigenous coffee crema technology enhances crema stability and improves the sensory experience of brewed coffee.
Tata Consumer Products and CSIR-NIIST will jointly undertake sponsored research to develop low-sodium salt formulations that enable sodium reduction without compromising flavour.
Tata Consumer Products has a consolidated annual turnover of Rs. 17,618 Crs and reaches over 275 million households in India.
National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K) to host ANVESH–2026 to position India at the centre of global food dialogue (End of February)▼
NIFTEM-K, an Institute of National Importance under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), will host the International Conference on Advanced Next Generation Vision for Emerging and Sustainable Healthy Foods (ANVESH–2026) from 26–28 February 2026.
The conference will convene global experts from over 25 countries and is expected to host more than 1,000 delegates from academia, industry, and government.
The Government of India has invested approximately ₹15,000 crore in the food processing ecosystem over the past four to five years.
MoFPI has set a target to increase the processing of India’s agricultural produce from the current 12–13 percent to 25 percent within the next five years.
The food processing sector has recorded a steady Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 7 percent over the past decade, with processed food exports doubling in the same period.
Annual post-harvest losses in India are estimated at nearly ₹1.10 lakh crore, and the conference will highlight the food as medicine paradigm for preventive healthcare.
The event will feature over 50 exhibitors: startups, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.
Participating global institutions are Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), McGill University, Wageningen University & Research, the Volcani Institute, and The University of Queensland.
The conference will address emerging themes: digital compliance frameworks, food safety and traceability, alternative proteins, nutraceuticals, waste management, circular economy approaches, and agri-food entrepreneurship.
Key speakers proposed for the event are Union Minister for MoFPI Chirag Paswan, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog Member Ramesh Chand, MoFPI Secretary Avinash Joshi, and NIFTEM-K Director Harinder Singh Oberoi.
India and Japan sign agreements in quantum technology and health research on May 06, 2026
Key Updates:
India and Japan exchanged agreements in quantum science and medical devices during a high-level bilateral meeting in New Delhi on May 06, 2026.
A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in health and medical devices was signed between the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
A Letter of Intent (LoI) on cooperation in Quantum Science and Technology was signed between Japan's Cabinet Office and the DST.
The engagement is part of the India-Japan Science, Technology and Innovation Partnership, building on the outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in August 2025.
India's deep-tech focus includes national missions in Quantum Technologies, Cyber-Physical Systems, Electric Mobility, Clean Energy, and Advanced Computing.
Collaboration under India's National Quantum Mission covers quantum computing, communication, sensing, and secure communication networks.
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World Quantum Day observed on April 14 (Mid of April)▼
World Quantum Day is an annual event observed on April 14 to promote awareness and understanding of quantum science.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) hosted a STEM Open House for local high school students to mark the occasion.
Dr. Rick Mukherjee is the inaugural director of the UTC Quantum Center.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) has introduced a Quantum Information Science and Engineering (QISE) certificate.
A study by McKinsey & Company forecasted the quantum sector to be a trillion-dollar industry.
India and Japan Hold 3rd Joint Committee Meeting on Healthcare on 05 May 2026 (Start of May)▼
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.
Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) launched to build India’s first sovereign quantum hardware ecosystem (Mid of April)▼
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the Amaravati Quantum Reference Facilities (AQRF) in Amaravati.
AQRF comprises Amaravati 1S located at a private college and Amaravati 1Q located at Medha Towers.
The facility is part of the broader Amaravati Quantum Valley project backed by IBM, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
The Quantum Valley is expected to attract about $1 billion in investments by 2029.
The state targets starting production and export of quantum computers within two years.
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.
India to host first International Big Cat Alliance Summit in New Delhi on June 1 and 2
Key Updates:
India will host the inaugural summit of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in New Delhi on June 1 and 2.
The summit is themed “Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem”.
Launched in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the IBCA focuses on seven big cat species: lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas.
The summit will result in the adoption of the “Delhi Declaration”, which is expected to be the first global framework dedicated exclusively to big cat conservation.
The event will involve participation from Heads of State, government representatives, more than 400 experts, and officials from 95 big cat range countries.
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40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair inaugurated on 11 March 2026 (Mid of March)▼
The 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated on 11 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Italy is the partner country for the 40th edition, marking the first time the fair has featured a partner country.
The event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and spans an area of 125,000 square metres.
The fair features 1,800 participants, including 155 international participants from 17 countries.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal noted that India is the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.
India’s annual food and agricultural exports have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore, exceeding USD 55 billion.
The official AAHAR digital app was introduced to facilitate QR-enabled interactions, B2B networking, and hall navigation.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will provide support to exporters under the Export Promotion Mission.
India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the past three and a half years, providing preferential market access to 38 countries.
Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 supported by Ministry of Power and major PSUs (Mid of March)▼
Bharat Electricity Summit 2026 is scheduled from 19-22 March 2026 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi.
The event is held under the patronage of India’s Ministry of Power and supported by POWERGRID, NTPC, PFC, REC and NHPC.
FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) is the Association Partner for the summit.
The summit convenes global policymakers, CEOs, government leaders, electricity experts, investors, regulators, innovators, suppliers and solution providers.
It aims to advance progress across the electricity value chain from generation and transmission to distribution, storage and smart consumption.
First Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concludes with focus on clean energy transition (End of March)▼
The maiden Bharat Electricity Summit (BES) concluded at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, with over 35,000 exhibition attendees, 28 States/Union Territories, 200+ exhibiting companies including 80+ Start-ups, 6,000+ delegates, 300+ speakers, and 100+ conference sessions.
India has crossed over 50% non-fossil fuel capacity and targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal announced that the next edition of BES will be held in 2028 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Three reports were released: Rating Regulatory Performance of States and Union Territories 2025 by Power Foundation of India; Ash Generation and Utilisation at coal/lignite-based Grid Connected thermal power stations for 2024-25 by Central Electricity Authority (CEA); and Establishing a Sodium-ion Battery Ecosystem in India by Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
Bharat Steel 2026 scheduled for 16-17 April at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi (Start of March)▼
Bharat Steel is India’s premier annual steel industry event convened under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
The 2026 edition will be held on 16 and 17 April 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Stall booking for the event is currently open.
Russia, Oman, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, Mozambique, Brazil and Sweden are listed as International Partners.
Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Maharashtra are listed as State Partners.
Vietnam President To Lam arrives in India on 5 May 2026 on first state visit
Key Updates:
Vietnam President To Lam arrived in India on 5 May 2026 on his first state visit since assuming office earlier that month.
He was received at the airport by Union Minister Nityanand Rai and accorded a warm welcome.
The visit marks ten years of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
President To Lam also serves as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
His itinerary includes visits to Bodh Gaya and Mumbai, reflecting cultural and economic dimensions of the partnership.
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India and Vietnam discuss BrahMos missile sale during President To Lam's visit from 5 May to 7 May (Start of May)▼
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.
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.
Finland President Alexander Stubb arrives in India for State Visit and Raisina Dialogue 2026 (Start of March)▼
Finland President Alexander Stubb arrived in New Delhi for a state visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and trade.
The President was received at the airport by the Minister of State for External Affairs K V Singh.
President Stubb will serve as the Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker at the Raisina Dialogue 2026.
The visiting dignitary is scheduled to meet with the President of India and Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
Discussions between PM Modi and President Stubb will focus on bilateral ties, regional issues, and global matters of mutual interest.
The Finland President was accorded a ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour upon his arrival.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to visit India from February 18-22, 2026 (Mid of February)▼
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will undertake a State Visit to India from February 18 to 22, 2026, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He will participate in the 2nd AI Summit scheduled in New Delhi from February 19 to 20, 2026.
Formal bilateral talks between India and Brazil are scheduled for February 21, 2026.
On February 21, 2026, President Lula will be hosted by the President of India as part of the official programme.
Vice President of India and other dignitaries are expected to call on President Lula during the visit.
President Lula will be accompanied by ministers and representatives from the Brazilian business community.
Events to engage the visiting Brazilian business delegation aim to expand economic and commercial cooperation.
India and Myanmar discuss boosting defence ties and maritime security in Bay of Bengal region (May 2-5, 2026)
Key Updates:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi visited Myanmar from May 2-5, 2026, to intensify the 'Act East Policy'.
Admiral Tripathi met Admiral Htein Win, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Navy, in Naypyitaw on 04 May 2026 to enhance maritime security in the Bay of Bengal region under MAHASAGAR.
The naval engagements focused on capacity building, training exchanges, mobile training teams (MTTs), hydrography, and greater interoperability.
Admiral Tripathi met Myanmar's defence minister General Htun Aung and naval commanders Rear Admiral Aung Aung Naing and Rear Admiral Khun Aung Kyaw.
The Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) Sagar entered Yangon Harbour as part of India's maritime engagement in the region.
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India and Myanmar sign MoU to construct school in Nay Pyi Taw (Mid of April)▼
India and Myanmar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Small Development Project to build a school in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, India's Minister of State for External Affairs, visited Myanmar and oversaw the MoU signing.
Singh engaged with the Myanmar Institute of Strategic and International Studies, the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, and universities in Yangon to deepen bilateral cooperation.
India and Greece sign Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation (Start of February)▼
India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.
The agreement was signed after bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Greek counterpart Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre.
The declaration will pave the way for developing a five-year roadmap for India-Greece defence partnership.
Greece will position an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram, to enhance maritime cooperation.
A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was exchanged to chart military engagements between the armed forces of both countries.
Both ministers reaffirmed that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
The countries agreed to expand their indigenous defence industries through partnership between India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Greece’s ‘Agenda 2030’ defence reforms.
Indian Navy commences second edition of IOS SAGAR with 16 IONS nations (Mid of March)▼
The Indian Navy (IN) has commenced the second edition of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative to enhance collaborative maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Naval personnel from 16 friendly foreign countries belonging to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) are participating in the event.
The IN assumed the chair of the IONS in February 2026.
The initiative supports the Government of India's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions (MAHASAGAR) framework.
The programme includes professional training interactions at naval training establishments in Kochi followed by sea deployment onboard an IN ship.
The sea phase involves operational activities, maritime engagement, and port visits to foster professional linkages and exchange best practices.
Nepal President promulgates Constitutional Council Ordinance on May 5, 2026
Key Updates:
President Ramchandra Paudel of Nepal promulgated the Constitutional Council (Functions, Duties, Powers and Procedure) Ordinance, 2026 on May 5, 2026.
The ordinance enables the government to appoint individuals to key positions in constitutional bodies, including the post of Chief Justice.
The Constitutional Council is a six-member body chaired by the Prime Minister.
The council includes the Chief Justice, Speaker, and National Assembly Chair as members.
The remaining members of the council are the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives.
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Nepal objects to Kailash Mansarovar Yatra via Lipulekh; India rejects claims as unjustified (Start of May)▼
On May 3, 2026, Nepal's Foreign Ministry objected to India and China planning the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through the Lipulekh pass, asserting that the area is Nepali territory.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the territorial claims are neither justified nor based on historical facts and evidence, and that the Lipulekh pass has been a route for the Yatra since 1954.
Nepal claimed that Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh, and Kalapani east of the Mahakali River are integral parts of Nepal since the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.
Lipulekh pass became a point of discord in 2020 when the then Nepalese government under K P Sharma Oli objected to India building infrastructure and a road there, leading Nepal to publish its own map claiming Lipulekh.
India announced the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra on April 30, 2026, to take place from June to August 2026; trade via Lipulekh had resumed in August 2025 before the GenZ protests toppled the government in September 2025.
Sushila Karki Retired as Nepal's First Woman Prime Minister. (End of March)▼
Sushila Karki served as Nepal's interim Prime Minister after the 2025 anti-corruption protests that toppled the government.
She assumed office at the request of the Gen Z protest movement and left after guiding the nation to elections.
During her tenure, a commission she established recommended prosecuting her predecessor KP Sharma Oli for the protest violence.
Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper, succeeded her as Prime Minister following the March 5 vote.
Karki had earlier served as Chief Justice of Nepal from 2016 to 2017 and was the country's first female chief justice.
In 2012, she was part of the Supreme Court bench that jailed a serving government minister for corruption, a first in Nepal.
Sindhi Bhasha Diwas observed on 10 April 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Sindhi Bhasha Diwas is observed annually on 10 April.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, the Vice-President of India, released the updated version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language on 10 April 2026.
The updated Constitution was released in two formats: the first edition in Devanagari script and the second edition in Persian script.
The Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice prepared the updated versions through the Regional Languages Officers in the Official Languages Wing.
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, highlighted the inclusion of the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
Former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was recognised for his pioneering efforts in including the Sindhi language in the Eighth Schedule.
The event was attended by Shri Vasudev Devnani, the Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly, and Shri Shankar Lalwani, Member of Parliament (MP).
Dr. Rajiv Mani serves as the Secretary of the Legislative Department under the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Constitution of India released in Tamil and Gujarati on International Mother Language Day (End of February)▼
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan released updated versions of the Constitution of India in Tamil and Gujarati at Uprashtrapati Bhavan on International Mother Language Day.
The 8th Edition of the Legal Glossary (English–Hindi) was also released alongside the constitutional translations.
In the past decade, the Constitution was officially translated for the first time into Bodo, Dogri and Santhali.
Last year, the Constitution was released in Nepali for the Nepali-speaking population of India.
The Legal Glossary aims to make legal terminology accessible to lawmakers, students, judicial officers, researchers, translators and policymakers.
India to host 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31
Key Updates:
India will host the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31, marking the first such event in a decade.
The theme of the summit is 'India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience and Inclusive Transformation (IA SPIRIT)'.
The main summit will be followed by the Big Cat Alliance summit, which is expected to see participation from around 10 African countries.
Africa is currently the second-largest recipient of India's overseas development partnership support.
India has extended over 190 lines of credit (LoCs) amounting to over $10 billion to 41 African countries.
India has completed 20 projects worth $4.5 billion in priority sectors: power, water supply, agriculture, transport, rural electrification, and digital connectivity.
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India launches logo, theme, and website for 4th India-Africa Forum Summit 2026 (End of April)▼
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the logo, theme, and website of the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.
The summit is scheduled to take place from May 28 to May 31.
The event will focus on expanding cooperation in digital technology, fintech, innovation, sustainability, and global governance.
India is expanding its diplomatic missions in Africa.
The inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the Group of Twenty (G20) was highlighted.
India and Algeria hold 7th Foreign Office Consultations in Algiers (Start of April)▼
The 7th round of India-Algeria Foreign Office Consultations was held in Algiers.
The consultations were co-chaired by Indian Secretary (South) Neena Malhotra and Algerian Secretary General Lounes Magramane.
Discussions focused on political, trade, investment, and cultural exchanges.
Both sides committed to counterterrorism cooperation.
Trade expansion was emphasised in pharmaceuticals, energy, and education sectors.
The meeting followed President of India's historic state visit to Algeria in October 2024.
Both nations pledged to collaborate across multilateral platforms such as the United Nations (UN).
Secretary Malhotra explored hydrocarbon alliances with the Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
Potential partnerships were explored in Constantine's pharmaceutical and academic sectors.
The next consultation will be held in India.
Observer Research Foundation and Research and Information System for Developing Countries launch inaugural BRICS Academic Forum on April 17-18, 2026 (End of April)▼
The inaugural convening of the BRICS Academic Forum was hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) on April 17 and 18, 2026, in New Delhi.
India assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026, with the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
The year 2026 marks two decades since the establishment of BRICS.
The BRICS Academic Forum is a Track II platform designed to generate recommendations for leaders ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The Forum will host 13 international speakers and multiple convenings across India and abroad in the coming months.
Samir Saran serves as the President of ORF and Chair of the BRICS Think Tanks Council, India.
Sudhakar Dalela is the Secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs and India's BRICS Sherpa.
India to host BRICS senior officials meeting bringing Iran and UAE together (Mid of April)▼
India is hosting a BRICS senior officials meeting under its BRICS presidency that will see Iran and the UAE face to face for the first time since the West Asian conflict.
The meeting agenda covers broader West Asian and North African issues including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are all BRICS members.
BRICS could not issue a statement on the war earlier as consensus eluded it due to differences between Iran and UAE.
Egypt, a BRICS member and India's strategic partner, is assisting India to hold the meeting and subsequent events including the foreign ministers' meet in May and the summit in September.
Russian support has also been extended to India's BRICS Presidency.
United States pauses 'Project Freedom' initiative in the Strait of Hormuz
Key Updates:
The United States (US) launched 'Project Freedom', a humanitarian initiative designed to guide commercial ships stranded by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas pass.
Approximately 22,500 mariners on 1,550 commercial vessels from 87 countries were reported trapped in the Gulf.
US Central Command (Centcom) deployed guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members to support the operation.
The initiative was paused by President Donald Trump at the request of Pakistan, which is serving as the intermediary in negotiations between the US and Iran.
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United States launches Project Freedom to secure transit in the Strait of Hormuz (Start of May)▼
United States (US) President Donald Trump announced Project Freedom to guide neutral commercial ships safely out of the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's closure of the waterway.
United States Central Command (Centcom) deployed guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, and 15,000 service members to support the operation.
According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), an estimated 20,000 sailors and 2,000 ships have been trapped in the Gulf since the start of the conflict.
Centcom reported that US forces sunk six Iranian small boats targeting civilian vessels and confirmed that two US-flagged merchant vessels successfully transited the strait.
A tanker affiliated with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) state-owned oil company, Adnoc, and a South Korean cargo vessel were reportedly targeted during the hostilities.
India-flagged Tanker Jag Vikram Transits Strait of Hormuz Following United States-Iran Ceasefire (Mid of April)▼
The India-flagged Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker Jag Vikram crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first such transit by an Indian vessel since the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran.
Jag Vikram is owned by the Mumbai-based Great Eastern Shipping Company and is a mid-sized gas carrier with a deadweight capacity of over 26,000 tonnes.
India imports approximately 88 per cent of its crude oil, around 50 per cent of its natural gas needs, and nearly 60 per cent of its LPG requirement.
More than half of India's crude imports, about 40 per cent of gas, and up to 85-90 per cent of LPG shipments originate from Gulf countries and pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to MarineTraffic data, 426 tankers, 34 LPG carriers, and 19 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels were effectively stranded in the region during the disruption.
The Government of India prioritised Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transport and piped cooking gas for households while partially restoring supplies to fertiliser plants.
UN Security Council postpones vote on Strait of Hormuz defensive force resolution (Start of April)▼
The UN Security Council (UNSC) postponed a scheduled Friday vote on a draft resolution brought by Bahrain to authorise defensive force to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks.
The postponement was due to the United Nations observing Good Friday as a public holiday.
No new date for the vote has been announced, though it is now expected on Saturday.
Bahrain, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the UNSC, submitted the draft resolution.
The final draft authorises countries to use all defensive means necessary in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters for at least six months to secure passage and deter interference with international navigation.
Russia, China and France, all veto-wielding members of the 15-member UNSC, had expressed opposition to approving the use of force.
Iran proposes 10-point peace plan amid United States and Israel attacks and 7 April 2026 deadline (Start of April)▼
Iran has proposed a 10-point peace plan to end the conflict as the United States (US) and Israel intensify military attacks on Iranian territory.
US President Donald Trump set a deadline of 8:00 PM Washington time on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.
Pakistan is mediating talks in Islamabad and has put forward a 45-day ceasefire proposal to both US and Iranian negotiators.
The Iranian 10-point plan includes clauses for ending regional conflicts, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction.
A previous 15-point US proposal delivered via Pakistan included a 30-day ceasefire, dismantling of nuclear facilities, and missile limits in exchange for sanctions removal.
The US proposal also offered support for electricity generation at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent military strikes on 6 April 2026 targeted Iran’s top university, a major petrochemical plant, and a synagogue in Tehran.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of 1.2 million people in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks.
Iran has increased its uranium enrichment levels to nearly 60 percent purity following the 2021 attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.
The United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog stated that Iran was not currently in a position to manufacture a nuclear weapon.
World's Most Polluted Cities 2026 Ranking Released
Key Updates:
As of 4 May 2026, the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) Ranking 2026 identifies Cobh in Cork, Ireland, as the most polluted city in the world with an AQI of 208.
The top three most polluted cities globally are Cobh (208), Dungarvan (196), and Clonmel (192), all located in Ireland.
Kashgar in Xinjiang, China, is ranked fourth with an AQI of 162, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is ranked ninth with an AQI of 146.
Five Indian cities are listed among the top 10 most polluted: Bikaner, Rajasthan (AQI 160), Patna, Bihar (AQI 154), Aurangabad, Bihar (AQI 152), Begusarai, Bihar (AQI 150), and Muzaffarpur, Bihar (AQI 136).
Pollution drivers in these Indian cities include the construction industry and dry winds in Bikaner, traffic and construction dust in Patna, industrial presence in Aurangabad and Begusarai, and vehicular emissions and seasonal fires in Muzaffarpur.
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Gurgaon topped India’s pollution chart in March 2026, Haryana held four of top 10 polluted cities: CREA (Start of April)▼
Gurgaon recorded the highest monthly average PM2.5 level of 116 μg/m³ in March 2026, making it India’s most polluted city that month.
Haryana contributed four cities—Gurgaon, Bahadurgarh, Faridabad and Manesar—to the national top 10 most polluted list for March.
The other top 10 polluted cities in March were Singrauli, Mandideep, Ghaziabad, Bhiwadi, Noida and Nandesari.
Across the full financial year 2025-26, Ghaziabad emerged as India’s most polluted city.
Haryana had nine out of 24 monitored cities exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5, the highest among states.
Uttar Pradesh followed with eight out of 21 cities breaching the NAAQS.
Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), nine Uttar Pradesh cities cut PM10 by over 40 % versus the 2017-18 baseline.
Maharashtra posted three, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Punjab two each, and Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Assam one city each with similar >40 % PM10 reductions.
Odisha led with five cities registering an increase in PM10, while Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh each had two cities showing higher concentrations relative to the baseline.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) achieved the steepest PM10 reduction of 75 % compared to 2017-18.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) recorded the highest PM10 increase at 73 % over the same period.
Delhi reported a 17 % reduction in PM10 levels since 2017-18.
NASA’s PACE satellite pinpoints air-pollution sources with kilometre-scale precision (Mid of April)▼
NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, Ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite was launched on 8 February 2024.
PACE’s Ocean Colour Instrument (OCI) detects nitrogen dioxide emissions from individual highways, power plants and shipping facilities at ~1 km spatial resolution.
OCI senses 340 nm–2260 nm wavelengths to deliver vertical column density of nitrogen dioxide at nadir.
Nitrogen dioxide’s short atmospheric lifetime allows daily tracking of emission signatures back to specific sources.
PACE data complement NASA’s TEMPO mission that monitors pollution movement over North America every hour.
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025 ranks India 6th most polluted globally (End of March)▼
India is the sixth most polluted country for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) according to the World Air Quality Report 2025 published by IQAir.
Uttar Pradesh’s Loni is the world’s most polluted city with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 µg/m³, a 23% rise from 2024.
Delhi is the fourth most polluted city globally; other Indian cities in the global top-10 are Byrnihat, Ghaziabad and Ula.
Only 14% of global cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, down from 17% the previous year.
Wildfires intensified by climate change contributed about 1,380 megatons of carbon, degrading air quality in Europe, Canada and the United States.
The end of the US State Department’s global air quality monitoring programme in March 2025 weakened monitoring in 44 countries and left six without any monitoring.
Pakistan Ranked World's Most Polluted Country in 2025 IQAir Report (End of March)▼
IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring firm, released its annual report identifying Pakistan as the world’s most polluted country in 2025.
The World Health Organization (WHO) air quality standard for healthy air is an average fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of no more than 5 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Pakistan recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 67.3 microgrammes per cubic metre, which is over 13 times the WHO recommended level.
Bangladesh and Tajikistan were ranked as the second and third most polluted countries respectively, while Chad ranked fourth.
Loni, a city in northern India, was identified as the world’s most polluted city in 2025 with average PM2.5 levels of 112.5 microgrammes per cubic metre.
Hotan in China’s Xinjiang region was ranked the second most polluted city globally with PM2.5 levels of 109.6 microgrammes per cubic metre.
The report found that all of the world’s top 25 most polluted cities were located in China, India, and Pakistan.
Only 13 countries and territories, including Australia, Iceland, Estonia, and Panama, successfully met the WHO air quality guidelines.
Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 is linked to premature births and neurodegenerative conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Record levels of biomass burning from wildfires in Europe and Canada released approximately 1,380 megatonnes of carbon in 2025.
150-Million-Year-Old Archaeopteryx Fossil Reveals Evolution of Powered Flight
Key Updates:
Scientists have analysed a 150-million-year-old Archaeopteryx fossil from the Jurassic period that serves as a critical evolutionary link between dinosaurs and modern birds.
The Archaeopteryx specimen possesses a unique mix of anatomical features, including bird-like wings and feathers combined with dinosaur-like teeth, claws, and a long tail.
A report by the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) indicates that specialised feathers acted as an aircraft fairing to fill the gap between the wing and torso to prevent turbulent drag.
The fossil evidence suggests that Archaeopteryx was capable of active powered flight rather than simple gliding, proving that complex flight mechanics were present during the Jurassic era.
Research published in The Royal Society highlights that early birds developed advanced feeding adaptations and complex mouth structures alongside flight capabilities to enhance survival.
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Apogee Aerospace and Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) Partner for Albatross 2.0 Seaplanes (Start of February)▼
Apogee Aerospace has placed an order for 15 Albatross 2.0 amphibian aircraft with Australia's Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI) for a total value of Rs 3,500 crore.
The Albatross 2.0 is a transport category amphibian aircraft with a capacity of up to 28 seats that can operate on both water and land.
Apogee Aerospace will invest Rs 500 crore to establish tail-section manufacturing, maintenance, overhaul, training, and advanced systems integration capabilities in India.
AAI plans to establish its second full Albatross manufacturing and assembly line in India, following its existing facility in the United States (US).
The first Albatross 2.0 aircraft is expected to enter the Indian market within the next 18 to 24 months.
The Union Budget for 2026-27 proposed a Seaplane Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme to support operations and incentivise the indigenisation of seaplane manufacturing.
Scientists Discover New Flying Reptile Species Bakiribu waridza in 100-Million-Year-Old Fossilised Vomit (Mid of March)▼
Scientists have identified a new species of flying reptile named Bakiribu waridza from a 100-million-year-old regurgitalite, which is fossilised dinosaur vomit.
The fossil was retrieved from the Romualdo Formation located in the Araripe basin of Northeast Brazil.
The discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, marks the first time an extinct species has been described entirely from fossilised puke.
Bakiribu waridza was a filter-feeding pterosaur that possessed several hundred long, needle-like teeth used to strain microorganisms from water, similar to modern-day flamingos.
The fossilised regurgitate contained bones from two individuals of the pterosaur species along with four fossil fish.
Researchers suggest the predator responsible for the vomit was likely a Spinosaurid dinosaur, a large predator that inhabited the Araripe basin 100 million years ago.
The prey in the fossil showed a head-first alignment, a technique used by modern fish-eating birds to avoid choking on sharp fins.
Scientists discover 289-million-year-old reptile skin fossil in Oklahoma (Mid of March)▼
Palaeontologists discovered a 289-million-year-old fossilised reptile skin fragment in the Richards Spur cave system in Oklahoma, United States.
The specimen is identified as the oldest known preserved epidermis, extending the record of preserved skin by more than 130 million years.
The skin is believed to belong to Captorhinus aguti, an early Permian reptile featuring pebbled, non-overlapping scales similar to those of a crocodile.
The research, led by Ethan Mooney from the University of Toronto, was published in the journal Current Biology in January 2024.
The fossil was preserved in remarkable three-dimensional detail due to a unique environment involving fine clay, low oxygen, and Permian oil that mummified the skin.
Scientists used uranium-lead dating on associated stalagmites to confirm the age of the fossil as being between 286 and 289 million years old.
The discovery provides critical insights into the evolution of amniotes, including reptiles, birds, and mammals, and their adaptation to terrestrial life.
Scientists discover 200-million-year-old bipedal reptile species Sonselasuchus cedrus in USA (Start of March)▼
Paleontologists from the University of Washington (UW) and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture have identified a new ancient reptile species named Sonselasuchus cedrus.
The species belongs to the shuvosaurid group and existed during the Late Triassic period, approximately 225 to 201 million years ago.
Fossils of the reptile were discovered in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, United States (US), with nearly 950 specimens recovered since 2014.
Sonselasuchus cedrus stood approximately 25 inches tall and featured a toothless beak, large eye sockets, and hollow bones.
The creature exhibited bipedalism, transitioning from walking on four legs to two legs as its hind legs grew longer and stronger with age.
The discovery indicates that traits such as bipedalism and toothless beaks, typically associated with ornithomimid dinosaurs, also evolved independently within the crocodilian lineage.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Establishes Deep-Tech Centre in California
Key Updates:
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras) Global Research Foundation established its first centre in the United States at Menlo Park, California, on April 24.
The centre will be developed with a total planned investment of USD 7.5 million, including a greenfield investment of USD 4.5 million from IITM Global.
Enabled through a partnership with CA Startups, the centre serves as a launchpad for Indian deep-tech startups to access global capital, markets, mentorship, and partnerships.
IITM Global announced plans to establish a second centre on the US East Coast to connect with policy, financial, and academic ecosystems.
The IIT-Madras incubated deep-tech startups showcased include Atri AI, Zerowatt, Satori XR, Greenvironment, and ePlaneCompany.
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Karnataka launches India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru (Start of May)▼
The Karnataka government launched the country's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru on May 1, 2026.
The Centre was established by the Karnataka government through the Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society (KITS) in collaboration with the Satcom Industry Association India (SIA-India).
The Centre was inaugurated by Minister for Electronics, IT/BT, and Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Priyank Kharge.
The CoE SpaceTech Foundation has been established under a Memorandum of Agreement between KITS and SIA-India to drive research and innovation in space technologies.
The Centre has formalised strategic MoUs with multiple industry and academic partners to support research in space biotech and microgravity, enable collaboration, build talent pipelines, and provide startups with training and market access.
NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission launch ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana (Start of April)▼
NITI Aayog and the Atal Innovation Mission launched the ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana.
The initiative will provide structured mentorship and institutional support to 379 Atal Tinkering Labs in the state.
Vardhaman College of Engineering has been onboarded as the nodal institution for Telangana under the programme.
The programme clusters ATLs regionally and connects them with local institutions for continuous mentorship, teacher training, and startup support pathways.
The rollout builds on AIM’s national mission of establishing over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across India.
HCLTech and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur sign MoU to advance deep tech innovation for Global Capability Centres. (Start of March)▼
HCL Technologies (HCLTech) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed an MoU to convert research into real-world pilots and scalable solutions for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
The collaboration focuses on advanced engineering and deep tech including AI, robotics and next-generation technologies.
The partnership enables GCCs to accelerate complex research, access niche skills without building internal labs and reduce time-to-market.
IIT Kanpur brings translational R&D expertise in AI, intelligent systems, robotics, cybersecurity and other next-generation technologies.
The MoU bridges academic research and enterprises to co-develop innovative technologies with measurable impact.
Google unveils America-India Connect subsea cable and frontier AI partnerships for Indian government bodies (Mid of February)▼
Google will build new subsea cable routes between India, the United States, Singapore, South Africa and Australia under the America-India Connect initiative.
The project establishes an international subsea gateway in Visakhapatnam and four strategic fibre-optic routes to boost network connectivity.
Google had previously announced a $15 billion investment over five years for an AI data centre in Andhra Pradesh.
Google DeepMind will partner with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) to provide access to frontier AI for Science models including AlphaGenome, AI Co-scientist and Earth AI.
Google DeepMind will also partner with NITI Aayog’s Atal Tinkering Labs to integrate robotics, coding, Gemini into teacher workflows and build a safeguarded AI assistant for students.
Google.org launched the $30-million Google.org Impact Challenge: AI for Science, an open call for researchers, nonprofits and social enterprises in India and worldwide using AI for scientific breakthroughs.
Envirocatalysts Launches Air Quality Dashboard Highlighting Ozone Rise in Delhi and NCR
Key Updates:
Envirocatalysts, a Delhi-based research and public policy think tank, launched a public air quality dashboard based on Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data since 2015.
Delhi's annual average ozone levels rose from 52 µg/m³ in 2021 to 66 µg/m³ in 2025, with peaks occurring in May due to photochemical reactions between nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds.
Regional ozone increases were recorded in Meerut (53 to 76 µg/m³), Noida (54 to 74 µg/m³), and Muzaffarnagar (55 to 73 µg/m³), while Bharatpur recorded annual averages of 84 µg/m³ in both 2024 and 2025.
Between 2015 and 2025, Delhi's PM2.5 levels declined from 117.5 µg/m³ to 96.4 µg/m³, and PM10 levels fell from 244 µg/m³ to 197 µg/m³.
In April 2026, the highest PM2.5 levels were recorded in Ghaziabad (99 µg/m³), Gurgaon (92 µg/m³), and Faridabad (82 µg/m³).
PM2.5 levels rose sharply in April 2026 across Hapur (36 to 67 µg/m³), Meerut (55 to 84 µg/m³), Gurgaon (73 to 92 µg/m³), Ghaziabad (81 to 99 µg/m³), and Noida (53 to 66 µg/m³).
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Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) marks 25th Foundation Day with new logo, mobile app and RCO portal launch (Start of March)▼
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 1 March 2026.
Shri Manohar Lal, Cabinet Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, attended as Chief Guest and unveiled the BEE@25 logo.
India has reduced the emissions intensity of its GDP by 36% from 2005 levels and achieved 52% non-fossil fuel installed capacity ahead of the 2030 target.
The Renewable Consumption Obligation (RCO) Portal (http://www.rco.beeindia.gov.in) was launched to strengthen monitoring and compliance under energy efficiency programmes.
The BEE Star Label Mobile Application, developed with CLASP, allows consumers to scan QR codes on star-labelled appliances to access energy performance and compliance details.
Key BEE initiatives include the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme, Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE), ADEETIE scheme for MSMEs, Standards & Labelling (S&L) Programme, and Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC).
Gurgaon topped India’s pollution chart in March 2026, Haryana held four of top 10 polluted cities: CREA (Start of April)▼
Gurgaon recorded the highest monthly average PM2.5 level of 116 μg/m³ in March 2026, making it India’s most polluted city that month.
Haryana contributed four cities—Gurgaon, Bahadurgarh, Faridabad and Manesar—to the national top 10 most polluted list for March.
The other top 10 polluted cities in March were Singrauli, Mandideep, Ghaziabad, Bhiwadi, Noida and Nandesari.
Across the full financial year 2025-26, Ghaziabad emerged as India’s most polluted city.
Haryana had nine out of 24 monitored cities exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM2.5, the highest among states.
Uttar Pradesh followed with eight out of 21 cities breaching the NAAQS.
Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), nine Uttar Pradesh cities cut PM10 by over 40 % versus the 2017-18 baseline.
Maharashtra posted three, West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Punjab two each, and Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Nagaland, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Assam one city each with similar >40 % PM10 reductions.
Odisha led with five cities registering an increase in PM10, while Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh each had two cities showing higher concentrations relative to the baseline.
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) achieved the steepest PM10 reduction of 75 % compared to 2017-18.
Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) recorded the highest PM10 increase at 73 % over the same period.
Delhi reported a 17 % reduction in PM10 levels since 2017-18.
Gujarat launches 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative with ₹10 crore outlay for real-time air and lake monitoring (Mid of March)▼
Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM) will launch the 'Lake and Air Watch' initiative under the state’s Urban Development and Urban Housing Department.
Air quality monitoring stations will be installed in 17 municipal corporations and 152 municipal areas to provide real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) information.
The initiative has an estimated provision of Rs 10 crore to strengthen environmental protection and promote sustainable urban development.
Satellite technology will analyse lake areas, waste presence and algae growth, and timely alerts will be issued for conservation action.
An integrated digital platform will consolidate lake health and air quality data at the state level through a centralised dashboard with maps, trends and alerts.
IQAir World Air Quality Report 2025 ranks India 6th most polluted globally (End of March)▼
India is the sixth most polluted country for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) according to the World Air Quality Report 2025 published by IQAir.
Uttar Pradesh’s Loni is the world’s most polluted city with an annual average PM2.5 concentration of 112.5 µg/m³, a 23% rise from 2024.
Delhi is the fourth most polluted city globally; other Indian cities in the global top-10 are Byrnihat, Ghaziabad and Ula.
Only 14% of global cities met the World Health Organization (WHO) annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, down from 17% the previous year.
Wildfires intensified by climate change contributed about 1,380 megatons of carbon, degrading air quality in Europe, Canada and the United States.
The end of the US State Department’s global air quality monitoring programme in March 2025 weakened monitoring in 44 countries and left six without any monitoring.
Scientists Discover New Giant Tree Genus Daturodendron in the Andes
Key Updates:
A new genus of giant tree named Daturodendron has been officially recognised in the Andean cloud forests, reaching heights of 66 feet (20 metres).
The tree belongs to the Solanaceae family and the Datureae tribe, making it a relative of tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and Brugmansia.
Researchers from the University of Cartagena and the Royal Botanic Gardens identified the genus using phylotranscriptomic analysis of nearly 300 genes.
The Daturodendron genus is found exclusively in the high-altitude Andes of Colombia and Peru.
The tree produces tropane alkaloids, specifically scopolamine and hyoscyamine, and provides insights into the evolution of fleshy berries into dry dehiscent capsular fruits.
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New Flowering Plant Species Impatiens nagorum Discovered in Nagaland (End of February)▼
Botanists discovered a new flowering plant species named Impatiens nagorum in the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary located in the Kiphire district of Nagaland.
The research was conducted by experts from Kohima Science College, Nagaland University, University of Warsaw, and the Botanical Survey of India (BSI).
The new species was formally described in the international journal Phytotaxa.
Impatiens nagorum belongs to the genus Impatiens, commonly referred to as balsams or touch-me-nots, known for seed pods that burst open when touched.
The plant was found at an elevation of 2,336 metres within moist temperate broadleaf forests and is currently known only from its type locality.
The species grows up to 35 cm tall, features purple flowers, serrated leaves, and a lower sepal that tapers into a hooked spur.
The specific epithet nagorum honours the indigenous Naga tribes of Nagaland.
A population of approximately 20 individuals was recorded, suggesting the species is rare and potentially vulnerable.
Scientists discover new frog Oreobates shankusacha in Peru's San Martin cloud forest, flag habitat loss threat. (Start of February)▼
Scientists discovered the new frog species Oreobates shankusacha in Peru's San Martin cloud forest region.
The frog measures about an inch long and has golden eyes.
The species is nocturnal and inhabits the forest floor among leaves, moss, and ferns.
Nature Conservation Action and the Ararancha Association - Ecology and Conservation reported the discovery in the journal Salamandra.
The name shankusacha derives from the Kichwa-Lamista phrase meaning "heart of the forest".
Cloud forests where the frog lives exceed 4,430 feet above sea level.
Approximately 60 percent of the regional forest has been destroyed by coffee cultivation, cattle grazing, and illegal logging.
Scientists classify Oreobates shankusacha as endangered due to deforestation and its limited range.
World Wildlife Day 2026 highlights medicinal plants amid rising global demand (Start of March)▼
World Wildlife Day is observed annually on 3 March and in 2026 focuses on medicinal and aromatic plants.
Danna J. Leaman, outgoing co-chair of the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), stated that plants are critical for ecosystems and economies.
Around 30,000 plant species are documented as medicinal or aromatic based on published evidence and trade data.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recognises that many species in international trade are plants.
Nardostachys jatamansi, a Himalayan herb used in Ayurveda and valued for its aromatic roots, is listed as critically endangered on IUCN’s Red List.
The species grows in high-altitude regions of Nepal, India and China, and harvesting its root usually kills the plant.
Nepal has imposed trade restrictions on wild Nardostachys jatamansi to promote conservation while affecting rural livelihoods dependent on its harvest.
SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches CAS500-2 and 45 Rideshare Payloads
Key Updates:
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on May 3.
The primary payload was CAS500-2, a 500-kilogram imaging satellite developed by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
Indian startup GalaxEye launched Mission Drishti, which is the world's first "OptoSAR" satellite combining an optical imager and a synthetic aperture radar.
The mission carried seven Hawk for Earth Observation (HEO) satellites built by Argotec for the IRIDE constellation, which has received over 1 billion euros in investment from the Italian government.
Other secondary payloads included three Pelican satellites by Planet, six imaging satellites by EarthDaily, two SAR satellites by Iceye, one BRO-21 satellite by Unseenlabs, two satellites by Lynk Global, and one Jackal spacecraft by True Anomaly.
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Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) Completes India's First Intra-City Drone Delivery Trials in Bengaluru (End of April)▼
Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) completed India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
The trials were conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras.
The aerial route of 39-42 km reduced the one-way transit time to nearly 21 minutes, compared to a 53-km road journey that typically takes over 60 minutes.
The flight path involved coordinated navigation through Airport Yellow and Red Zones with permissions granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The research agenda of the FedEx SMART Centre includes air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting.
South Korea's CAS500-2 Earth-observation satellite successfully enters orbit via SpaceX Falcon 9 (Start of May)▼
A South Korean Earth-observation satellite, the Compact Advanced Satellite (CAS) 500-2, successfully entered low-Earth orbit after launching from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The satellite was carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that lifted off at 12 a.m. on Saturday (U.S. time) from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.
The Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) confirmed that the satellite separated from the launch vehicle about one hour after liftoff and successfully entered orbit.
The CAS500-2 has a mass of 534 kilograms and features a ground resolution of 0.5 metres in black-and-white images and 2 metres in colour.
The satellite was developed for disaster monitoring and agricultural observation and will begin joint operations with CAS500-1 in the second half of the year after a four-month initial operation period.
China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 (Start of May)▼
China launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province.
The satellite was launched using a Long March-6 carrier rocket.
PRSC-EO3 is the fourth Pakistani satellite launched by China since last year.
Two Pakistani nationals arrived in Beijing on April 24 for training at the Astronaut Centre of China.
The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that one of the trainees will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to board the Tiangong space station.
China resumes direct flights to North Korea after six-year suspension (End of March)▼
Air China resumed direct flights between Beijing and Pyongyang on Monday, 30 March 2026.
The flight was welcomed by Chinese ambassador to North Korea Wang Yajun and other diplomats.
Passenger train service from China to North Korea had resumed on 12 March 2026.
Flights and passenger trains to North Korea were suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
North Korean carrier Air Koryo resumed flights between the capitals in 2023.
North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic and began easing restrictions with a Russian tour group entering in 2024.
Chinese tour groups accounted for 90% of all visitors to North Korea prior to the ban.
China is Pyongyang’s biggest trading partner and major ally.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a Chinese military parade in Beijing in September, the first such attendance in decades.
China and Korea claim Thomas and Uber Cup 2026 titles
Key Updates:
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) Thomas & Uber Cup 2026 was held in Horsens, Denmark.
The Republic of Korea won the Uber Cup by defeating the People's Republic of China 3-1 on 3 May 2026.
The Republic of Korea has now secured Uber Cup titles in 2010, 2022, and 2026.
The People's Republic of China won the Thomas Cup by defeating France 3-1.
The People's Republic of China has won two consecutive Thomas Cup titles, having previously defeated Indonesia in 2024.
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Shi Yuqi defeats Ayush Shetty to win Badminton Asia Championships 2026 (Mid of April)▼
Shi Yuqi won the men’s singles title at the Badminton Asia Championships 2026 by defeating Ayush Shetty in the final.
The final score was 21-8, 21-10 in favour of Shi Yuqi.
The final was held in Ningbo, the People’s Republic of China.
Ayush Shetty’s silver is India’s first men’s singles medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in eight years.
Dinesh Khanna remains the only Indian to have won gold in the men’s singles at the event, achieving it in 1965.
India has secured six bronze medals in men’s singles at the championships, the latest by HS Prannoy in 2018.
The country’s most recent medal across all events was the men’s doubles gold won by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty in 2023.
Earlier in the tournament, Ayush Shetty defeated world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semi‑finals.
He also beat world No. 7 Li Shi Feng of China in the opening round and world No. 4 Jonatan Christie of Indonesia in the quarter‑finals.
France defeats India in Thomas Cup 2026 semi-finals (Start of May)▼
The Indian men's badminton team secured a bronze medal at the Thomas Cup 2026 after losing to France in the semi-finals.
This achievement marks India's second medal in the history of the tournament, following their gold medal victory in 2022.
The competition was held in Horsens, Denmark, from 24 April to 3 May 2026, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
India's top-ranked player Lakshya Sen was unable to play the semi-final due to an elbow injury sustained during the quarter-final against Chinese Taipei.
In the singles matches, Ayush Shetty lost to Christo Popov (21-11, 21-9), Kidambi Srikanth lost to Alex Lanier (21-16, 21-18), and HS Prannoy lost to Toma Junior Popov (21-19, 21-16).
Thomas and Uber Cup 2026: India men and women teams begin campaigns in Horsens, Denmark (Start of May)▼
The 2026 Thomas and Uber Cup championships are being held in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3.
Indian men face defending champions Canada in Group A, while the women's team takes on Denmark in the opening round.
Both Indian teams are seeded eighth in the tournament based on their individual players' world rankings.
The Indian men created history by winning the 2022 edition of the Thomas Cup.
The Indian women's team won bronze medals in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the Uber Cup.
Shi Yu Qi defeats Ayush Shetty to win Badminton Asia Championships men's singles title (Mid of April)▼
Shi Yu Qi of China beat India's Ayush Shetty 21-8, 21-10 in the Badminton Asia Championships final at Ningbo.
Ayush Shetty became only the second Indian men's singles player after Dinesh Khanna to reach the continental final.
Dinesh Khanna remains the lone Indian singles champion, having won the title in 1965.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are the only other Indians to lift the trophy, winning men's doubles in 2023.
16th-century Telugu inscription discovered in Anantapur on May 06, 2026
Key Updates:
A Telugu inscription dating back to the 16th century was discovered on the north wall of the Sri Bugga Ramalingeswara Swamy temple in Tadipatri, Anantapur district.
Historian MyNaa Swamy estimated the inscription dates to either 1574 or 1634 CE based on the Telugu cyclic year of Bhava recorded on Chaitra Bahula Dwadashi.
The inscription records the obeisance paid by Basavappa, son of Satram Cheruvupalli Kalayya from Mahimaluru in Udayagiri Seema, to Sri Tatiparti Rameshwara Deva.
During the Vijayanagara Empire, Tadipatri served as an important part of the Pennabadi Seema within the Gutti Kingdom.
The base of the inscription carries carvings of Basavappa and his wife Naga Easwaramma, using the word Pendlamu which is characteristic of the local Rayalaseema dialect.
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Gajapati Dynasty Inscriptions Discovery: 14 March 2026 (Mid of March)▼
A 15th-century Telugu medieval inscription belonging to the Gajapati rulers of Odisha was discovered at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.
The inscription identifies Kumaraguru Mahapatra as a steward officer serving under the Gajapati King Purushottama Deva.
The stone pillars containing the inscriptions were originally situated at the Kondaveedu Fort before being moved to Guntur.
The text provides instructions for ritual milk offerings and mentions pastoral communities, potentially the Koyas, for the custody of ritual cows.
Epigraphist Bishnu Mohan Adhikari stated that the findings reflect the Hari-Hara mode of worship, which integrated Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions.
A related Odia inscription at Kondaveedu records officer Srichandana Mahapatra donating Panapasa village for the Amruta Manohi Seva ritual.
Ancient rock carvings discovered in Manchirevula rock shelter by Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB) and Climate Front Telangana researchers. (Mid of March)▼
Two petroglyphs carved on a flat rock slab located about 50 feet high inside a rock shelter behind Beerappa Temple in Manchirevula.
One carving shows prongs with sharpened tips above a circle and a handle-like shape, interpreted as a trident-circle motif.
Researchers state the trident-circle petroglyph resembles the ‘Paanch’ (hand/palm) of the ‘Peeri’ carried during Muharram processions.
A second carving depicts the traditional indoor strategy game Daadi Aata, played with 9 pieces (kaayalu), similar to Nine Men's Morris.
A comparable Daadi Aata carving exists on Golankonda hill in Alair mandal.
2,000-year-old Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions discovered inside Egypt’s Valley of the Kings royal tombs (Mid of February)▼
Approximately 30 Tamil-Brahmi and Prakrit inscriptions dated to 2,000 years ago were documented inside six rock-cut royal tombs in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings.
The inscriptions were recorded by Professor Ingo Strauch of the University of Lausanne and Professor Charlotte Schmid of the French School of Asian Studies.
The name ‘Cikai Korran’ appears in eight locations, with one inscription reading ‘Cikai Korran vara kanta’ meaning ‘Cikai Korran came and saw’.
The discovery confirms that ancient Tamil traders travelled beyond Egyptian port cities and visited inland heritage sites during the early historic period.
The findings were presented on 11 February at the International Conference on Tamil Epigraphy organised by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology in Chennai.
Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 30,000 documented inscriptions in India, providing an unbroken historical record from the 6th century BCE.
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad hosts three-day national conference on Ancient Indian Text, Science and Technology. (End of February)▼
The three-day national conference on “Ancient Indian Text, Science and Technology” commenced on Wednesday at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
The conference is sponsored by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research and the Anusandhan National Research Foundation.
It is jointly organised by the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems and the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad.
The inaugural session was held at the Golden Jubilee Lecture Theatre on campus.
CD Sebastian of IIT Bombay delivered the chief guest lecture on “Sānkhya Thought and Modern Science.”
Swami Kripamayanand Avadhut was the guest of honour and spoke on the complementary relationship between spirituality and science in Indian traditions.
The conference will continue till February 27 with parallel sessions and a cultural programme.
World Laughter Day 2026 observed on May 3, 2026
Key Updates:
World Laughter Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May to promote health, happiness, and world peace through laughter.
Largest laughter yoga class record set by students of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 29 August 2017 with 15,991 tribal students led by Dr. Madan Kataria.
Most number of people laughing simultaneously record set by Achariya World Class Educational Institutions, Puducherry on 12 December 2012 with 12,000 participants laughing non-stop for five minutes.
Longest marathon laughter therapy class record set by Harish Rawat in Noida, Uttar Pradesh from 30 June to 1 July 2018 for a total duration of 36 hours and 2 minutes.
Longest duration of laughing by an individual record set by Sunilkumar S.V. in Kochi, Kerala on 10 May 2022 for 4 hours, 1 minute, and 14 seconds.
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International Day of Happiness observed on 20 March 2026 with theme Social Media & Happiness (Mid of March)▼
The International Day of Happiness 2026 is observed on Friday, 20 March 2026, with the theme Social Media & Happiness.
The United Nations (UN) organises the day in partnership with Action for Happiness and the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.
The observance was proclaimed through UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 66/281 on 12 July 2012 and was first observed on 20 March 2013.
The philosophical origin of the day traces to Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) framework, introduced by King Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 1972.
Jayme Illien, a UN advisor and founder of the happytalism economic philosophy, led the advocacy campaign that resulted in the adoption of the UN resolution.
Finland retained its position as the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in 2026 with a Cantril Ladder score of 7.741.
The top five happiest countries in the 2026 rankings are Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
The World Happiness Report (WHR) 2026 is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
The report uses the Cantril Ladder, a self-anchoring scale from 0 to 10, to rank countries based on a three-year average of Gallup World Poll responses.
Six variables used to explain happiness scores include GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption.
The 2026 report incorporates WELLBYs (Well-Being-Adjusted Life Years), a metric developed at the London School of Economics (LSE), as a policy evaluation unit.
The 2026 theme framework includes the Choose, Connect, Curate model and the secondary pillars of Keep Calm, Stay Wise, Be Kind.
International Labour Day observed globally on May 1, 2026 (Start of May)▼
International Labour Day (also known as May Day) is observed globally on May 1, 2026.
Labour Day originated in the United States in the 1880s as a protest for an eight-hour workday.
The United States does not observe May 1 as a public holiday for Labour Day.
The European Trade Union Confederation, which represents 93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries, called for solidarity and protection of workers' rights.
The International Trade Union Confederation reported that at least four CEOs of major corporations each earned over $100 million in pay and bonuses last year.
World Voice Day 2026 – 16 April, Theme Caring for Our Voices! (Mid of April)▼
World Voice Day is observed annually on 16 April.
The theme for World Voice Day 2026 is Caring for Our Voices! as chosen by the World Voice Day Committee.
World Voice Day was first observed in 1999 and was initiated by the World Voice Day Committee.
The article was published from Mumbai, India.
World Parkinson’s Day 2026: Theme 'Bridge the Care Gap' (Mid of April)▼
World Parkinson’s Day 2026 theme is 'Bridge the Care Gap'.
Early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD) accounts for roughly 5–10% of global cases according to a 2025 review in The Lancet Neurology.
The Lancet Neurology review highlighted increasing identification of EOPD in younger working-age adults.
World Portuguese Language Day observed on 5 May 2026
Key Updates:
World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated annually on 5 May to honour a language spoken by approximately 265 million people globally.
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted that the Portuguese language is spoken across four continents, including cities such as Lisbon, Maputo, São Paulo, and Dili.
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) is marking its 30th anniversary in the year 2026.
Cape Verdean writer and poet Corsino Fortes is noted for describing the language as the homeland that individuals carry within themselves.
The UN emphasises that multilingualism is a core requirement for achieving mutual understanding and effective multilateralism.
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Spanish Language Day observed on April 23 (End of April)▼
Spanish Language Day (Día del Idioma Español) is observed annually on April 23.
The day was established by the United Nations (UN) to celebrate the history, culture, and use of Spanish.
The date coincides with the anniversary of the death of Miguel de Cervantes in 1616, the author of Don Quixote.
The holiday was originally created in 1926 by Spanish writer Vicente Clavel Andrés and was later adopted by the UN in 2010.
Spanish is the official language in 21 countries and is the second most spoken language in the world by native population, with over 500 million native speakers.
The Real Academia Española (RAE) is the institution that regulates the Spanish language.
Don Quixote is cited as the first modern novel and is the most translated book after the Bible.
Spanish is the most studied second language in the United States.
English Language Day observed on April 23 (End of April)▼
English Language Day is observed on April 23 to commemorate the contributions of William Shakespeare.
The date marks the birth and death anniversary of William Shakespeare, who added over 1,700 new words and phrases to the English language.
English Language Day was officially established by the United Nations (UN) in 2010.
English is one of the two official working languages of the UN, alongside French.
International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day observed on 20 March (End of March)▼
International Day of La Francophonie and French Language Day is observed on 20 March.
French brings together hundreds of millions of people around the world.
At the United Nations (UN), French is part of everyday life, shaping debates and work on the ground.
UN Chinese Language Day observed on 20 April with theme 'Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World' (End of April)▼
The United Nations (UN) Chinese Language Day virtual forum is scheduled for 20 April.
The theme for the event is “Fluent Futures Forum: Chinese Learning and Youth Engagement for a Multilingual UN 2.0 World”.
The forum is organised by the Language and Communications Training Unit (LCTU) in the Capacity Development and Operational Training Services (CDOTS) within the Office of Support Operations (OSO) of the Department of Operational Support (DOS).
The programme includes a keynote address by the UN Youth Office.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Resigns as Chief Minister (CM) of Assam
Key Updates:
Himanta Biswa Sarma submitted his resignation as the CM to Governor Laxman Acharya at Lok Bhawan following the formal notification of the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 results.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third consecutive term in the state by winning 102 out of 126 assembly seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the largest party with 82 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won 10 seats each.
The BJP appointed J. P. Nadda as the central observer and Nayab Singh Saini as the co-observer to oversee the selection of the legislative party leader.
The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 19 seats, falling short of the 22 seats required to claim the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly.
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Samrat Choudhary sworn in as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister, becomes first BJP leader to hold post. (Mid of April)▼
Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister on Wednesday at Lok Bhawan.
Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office and secrecy.
JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were sworn in as members of the Council of Ministers.
Choudhary was elected leader of the BJP legislature party after Nitish Kumar’s resignation.
He previously served as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar from January 2024 and held portfolios including Home, Finance, Health, Urban Development, and Panchayati Raj.
Born on 16 November 1968 in Lakhanpur village, Munger district, Bihar.
Appointed Bihar BJP president in March 2023, succeeding Sanjay Jaiswal.
Runiel Debbarma Appointed Chief Executive Member of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) (Start of May)▼
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.
Samrat Choudhary to be sworn in as Bihar Chief Minister (Mid of April)▼
Samrat Choudhary was unanimously elected leader of the NDA legislative party.
Choudhary will take oath as Chief Minister of Bihar.
Nitish Kumar proposed Choudhary’s name and gave his blessings in the NDA legislative party meeting.
The BJP is the single largest party in the 243-member Bihar assembly with 89 MLAs.
The NDA has 202 members in the Bihar assembly.
Justice Yashwant Varma resigns from Allahabad High Court amid impeachment proceedings (Mid of April)▼
Justice Yashwant Varma of the Allahabad High Court resigned via a letter addressed to President Droupadi Murmu.
His resignation ends the Lok Sabha committee investigation under the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968.
Justice Varma was due to retire in 2031 and is now entitled to the same pension benefits as a superannuating judge.
He also sent a copy of his resignation letter to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
The controversy involved alleged discovery of burnt cash at his Delhi residence last year.
Kumar Mangalam Birla Appointed Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited
Key Updates:
Kumar Mangalam Birla was appointed Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea Limited with effect from May 5, 2026.
Ravinder Takkar stepped down as Non-Executive Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited on May 5, 2026.
Ravinder Takkar was appointed Non-Executive Vice Chairman of Vodafone Idea Limited with effect from May 5, 2026.
Both Kumar Mangalam Birla and Ravinder Takkar continue to serve as Non-Executive Directors on the board.
The company filed the disclosure with the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and BSE Limited (BSE) pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Regulations, 2015.
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Om Birla rejigs 4 House panels for 2026-27; most chiefs stay on (Start of May)▼
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reconstituted four parliamentary committees for the 2026-27 financial year.
The committees were officially reconstituted on May 1, 2026, and will serve till April 30, 2027.
BJP MP Faggan Singh Kulaste was reappointed chairperson of the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Congress leader KC Venugopal was reappointed chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.
The Public Accounts Committee consists of not more than 22 members, comprising 15 elected by the Lok Sabha and not more than seven from the Rajya Sabha.
Sunil Mittal to retire as Chair of Airtel Africa in July 2026; Gopal Vittal appointed Non-Executive Chair (End of March)▼
Sunil Bharti Mittal will retire as Chair of Airtel Africa Board at the conclusion of the July 2026 AGM after serving since the company’s 2019 listing.
Gopal Vittal will become Non-Executive Chair of Airtel Africa from the same date, nominated by the controlling shareholder under the 17 June 2019 relationship agreement.
Shravin Bharti Mittal will assume the role of Deputy Chair of Airtel Africa from July 2026 and will liaise with the Airtel Money Board and the Dubai headquarters.
Annika Poutiainen will also retire as a Non-Executive Director at the July 2026 AGM, having served over seven years.
Gopal Vittal is currently Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel and Board Chair of the GSMA, and was appointed a non-executive director of Airtel Africa in October 2024.
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approves Sanjay Khanna as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) chairman & managing director (Mid of April)▼
Sanjay Khanna appointed chairman & managing director (C&MD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Khanna, previously director (refineries) at BPCL, will serve until 31 May 2029 or until further orders.
He is a Chemical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli and holds a postgraduate degree in Finance Management from Mumbai University.
Under his leadership BPCL will invest ₹75,000 crore over five years, including ₹50,000 crore Bina Petrochemical and Refinery Expansion Project (BPREP) at Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
Khanna also serves as Director on the Boards of Bharat PetroResources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.
William Walsh Appointed CEO of IndiGo (Start of April)▼
IndiGo has announced the appointment of William Walsh as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
He succeeds Pieter Elbers, who stepped down from the position of CEO on 11 March.
William Walsh currently serves as the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
His tenure at IATA concludes on 31 July 2026, and he is expected to join IndiGo by 3 August 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
He has previously served as the CEO of British Airways and the International Airlines Group (IAG).
The IAG portfolio includes airlines such as Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level, and Vueling.
In his new role, he will oversee the overall management and strategic direction of the airline, focusing on operational performance and network strategy.
The appointment was confirmed by IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta and Managing Director (MD) Rahul Bhatia.
Ted Turner Dies Media Mogul
Key Updates:
Ted Turner, the founder of Cable News Network (CNN), died at the age of 87.
He launched CNN in 1980 as the first dedicated rolling news channel.
He established the Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) and launched channels including TNT, Turner Classic Movies, and Cartoon Network.
He won the America's Cup in 1977 and owned sports teams including the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, and Atlanta Thrashers.
He donated $1bn to the United Nations (UN) and invested in clean energy.
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Frederick Wiseman Dies at Age 96 as Honorary Academy Award Winning Filmmaker (Mid of February)▼
Frederick Wiseman, the celebrated director of Titicut Follies and dozens of other documentaries, died at the age of 96.
He was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2016 and completed more than 35 documentaries during his career.
His filmography includes notable works such as High School, Hospital, Public Housing, Basic Training, Boxing Gym, High School II, At Berkeley, Monrovia, Indiana, and Crazy Horse.
His documentaries are preserved by the Library of Congress and were produced through his production company, Zipporah Films.
He was an alumnus of Williams College and Yale Law School and served in the United States (US) Army in 1955.
Beyond filmmaking, he had a career in theatre and appeared as an actor in the 2025 films Jane Austen Wrecked My Life and Eephus.
His filmmaking style was unique for avoiding narration, title cards, and prerecorded soundtracks, often serving as his own sound engineer.
Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) 2026 ranks Gautam Adani as Asia's richest individual (Mid of April)▼
Gautam Adani, Founder-Chairman of Adani Group, reclaimed the title of Asia’s richest person with a net worth of $92.6 billion, ranking 19th globally.
Mukesh Ambani, head of Reliance Industries, ranked 20th globally with a net worth of $90.8 billion after experiencing a wealth decline of $16.9 billion.
Elon Musk retained the top global position with a net worth of $656 billion, followed by Larry Page at $286 billion and Jeff Bezos at $269 billion.
The top 10 global rankings include Sergey Brin ($266 billion), Mark Zuckerberg ($239 billion), Larry Ellison ($230 billion), Michael Dell ($170 billion), Jensen Huang ($164 billion), Bernard Arnault ($164 billion), and Jim Walton ($150 billion).
Elon Musk recorded the highest wealth gain of $36.7 billion between 2025 and 2026, while Bernard Arnault saw the steepest decline of $44 billion.
In the regional rankings, Zhang Yiming and Zhong Shanshan followed Adani and Ambani with net worths of $68.7 billion and $68.2 billion respectively.
Gautam Adani ranked 19th among those who added the most to their fortunes, with a net worth increase of $8.10 billion over the year.
Shiv Ratan Agarwal passes away as founder of Bikaji Foods International (End of April)▼
Shiv Ratan Agarwal was the founder and promoter of Bikaji Foods International.
He passed away at the age of 75.
He transformed the traditional Bikaneri snacks business into the internationally recognised Bikaji brand.
Martial artist and actor Chuck Norris passes away at age 86 (End of March)▼
Chuck Norris, born Carlos Ray Norris on 10 March 1940, was a six-time undefeated World Professional Middleweight Karate champion.
He served in the United States Air Force (USAF) during the Korean War, where he began practicing martial arts.
He founded a Korean-based American hard style of karate known as Chun Kuk Do and the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF).
The UFAF has awarded more than 3,300 Chuck Norris System black belts worldwide.
He made his film debut in 1968 and starred alongside Bruce Lee in the 1972 film The Way of the Dragon.
He played the title role in the television series Walker, Texas Ranger, which aired on the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) for eight years.
In 2010, he was named an honorary Texas Ranger by then-Governor Rick Perry and was later named an honorary Texan by the Texas Senate.
Ted Turner Dies Founder of Cable News Network (CNN)
Key Updates:
Ted Turner, the founder of Cable News Network (CNN), died at the age of 87 in Lamont, Florida.
He launched CNN in 1980 as the first 24-hour cable news network.
His media empire included cable channels TBS, TNT, and Turner Classic Movies.
He owned the Atlanta Hawks for 19 years and the Atlanta Braves for 20 years, during which the Braves won the 1995 World Series.
He brought the America's Cup yachting trophy back to the United States in 1977 and devoted land to save the American bison.
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Frederick Wiseman Dies at Age 96 as Honorary Academy Award Winning Filmmaker (Mid of February)▼
Frederick Wiseman, the celebrated director of Titicut Follies and dozens of other documentaries, died at the age of 96.
He was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2016 and completed more than 35 documentaries during his career.
His filmography includes notable works such as High School, Hospital, Public Housing, Basic Training, Boxing Gym, High School II, At Berkeley, Monrovia, Indiana, and Crazy Horse.
His documentaries are preserved by the Library of Congress and were produced through his production company, Zipporah Films.
He was an alumnus of Williams College and Yale Law School and served in the United States (US) Army in 1955.
Beyond filmmaking, he had a career in theatre and appeared as an actor in the 2025 films Jane Austen Wrecked My Life and Eephus.
His filmmaking style was unique for avoiding narration, title cards, and prerecorded soundtracks, often serving as his own sound engineer.
Forbes World’s Billionaires List released on March 12, 2026 (End of March)▼
The 40th annual edition of the Forbes World’s Billionaires list was released on March 12, 2026, identifying a record 3,428 billionaires globally.
Elon Musk retained the top spot with a fortune of $839 billion, becoming the first individual to cross the $800 billion wealth mark.
The total wealth controlled by billionaires worldwide increased to $20.1 trillion in 2026 from $16.1 trillion in 2025.
The United States (US) leads the global billionaire count with 989 individuals, followed by China with 539 and India with 229.
Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries (RIL) remains the richest person in India and Asia, while Savitri Jindal of the OP Jindal Group is the wealthiest woman in India.
The top five richest individuals globally are Elon Musk, Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg.
A total of 20 individuals now possess fortunes exceeding $100 billion, an increase from 15 individuals recorded in 2025.
New additions to the list include Greg Abel, the future Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Berkshire Hathaway, and tennis legend Roger Federer.
India’s 10 wealthiest individuals hold a combined fortune of approximately $368 billion, accounting for over one-third of the total wealth of Indian billionaires.
The 2026 rankings included 20 Indian women billionaires, with Savitri Jindal leading the group.
Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman and Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away at 87 in Mumbai. (Start of April)▼
Vijaypat Singhania died in Mumbai at the age of 87.
He was the former chairman of Raymond Group and led the company for around two decades until 2000.
He transferred his entire 37 per cent stake in Raymond to his son Gautam Singhania.
Singhania held the world record for the highest altitude reached in a hot air balloon.
He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award.
His last rites will be performed on Sunday as announced by a company spokesperson.
Pravindra Singh Chauhan and nine advocates elevated as judges of Punjab and Haryana High Court
Key Updates:
The Supreme Court (SC) Collegium approved the elevation of 10 advocates as judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on May 4.
The elevated advocates are Pravindra Singh Chauhan, Harmeet Singh Deol, Rajesh Gaur, Minderjeet Yadav, Monica Chhibber Sharma, Puja Chopra, Sunish Bindlish, Navdeep Singh, Divya Sharma, and Ravinder Malik.
Pravindra Singh Chauhan served as the Advocate General of Haryana and was a member of the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Other appointments include Rajesh Gaur (Additional Advocate General of Haryana), Minderjeet Yadav (former Deputy Advocate General and former chairman of the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana), and Monica Chhibber Sharma (Senior Deputy Advocate General for Punjab).
Navdeep Singh is a retired Army Major, Divya Sharma served as Senior Panel Counsel for the Union Government, and Sunish Bindlish was the standing counsel for the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
These appointments will increase the strength of the Punjab and Haryana High Court from 58 to 68 judges.
The sanctioned strength of the Punjab and Haryana High Court is 85 judges, comprising 64 permanent and 21 additional judges.
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Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026 to increase judge strength to 37 (Start of May)▼
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.
Supreme Court clarifies DGP appointment rules: Follow state law or Prakash Singh guidelines (Mid of March)▼
The Supreme Court of India (SC) clarified that states with a specific law for appointing Directors General of Police (DGPs) must follow that legislation.
States without such a law must adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case on police reforms.
A bench headed by Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, closed contempt proceedings against Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana after noting the states had sent proposals to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for DGP appointments.
Under the Prakash Singh judgment (2006), states send a list of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC, which evaluates their service records and prepares a panel of three suitable candidates, from whom the state government appoints one as DGP.
The court directed that the selected DGP should normally be given a minimum fixed tenure of two years.
Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have enacted their own laws governing the appointment of DGPs.
Jharkhand’s law provides that the selection of the police chief is carried out by a committee headed by a retired High Court judge.
The court sought responses from the governments of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand within two weeks regarding the status of their DGP appointments.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati Appointed Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC)
Key Updates:
The Government of India notified the appointment of Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the chairperson of the CBFC for a three-year term effective from the date of joining.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and a co-founder of AI4India Org, an organisation working to democratise artificial intelligence technology.
Prasoon Joshi, who served as the CBFC chairperson for over eight years, has been appointed as the chairman of Prasar Bharati.
The CBFC functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate the public exhibition of films under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
The organisation is headquartered in Mumbai and maintains nine regional offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack, and Guwahati.
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Prasoon Joshi Appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the appointment of lyricist and writer Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board on 3 May 2026.
Prasoon Joshi has served as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since 2017 and is a trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
He previously held senior leadership roles in the advertising sector, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McCann World Group India and Chairman of McCann World Group Asia Pacific.
Prasar Bharati is India's public service broadcaster established under the Prasar Bharati Act of 1990 and comprises All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
The broadcaster has launched the Waves Over-The-Top (OTT) platform to expand its free-to-air digital service offerings in the spirit of public broadcasting.
Rakesh Bhanot appointed acting Director General of Competition Commission of India (CCI) (End of April)▼
Rakesh Bhanot, an advisor at the Competition Commission of India (CCI), has been appointed as the acting Director General (DG).
He succeeds Ansuman Pattanaik, who was appointed as the additional secretary in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on March 31, 2026.
The CCI has extended the deadline for applying for the full-time DG post until May 5, 2026.
The DG's office is responsible for investigating all contraventions against the Competition Act.
The DG's office is currently investigating cases involving Indigo Airlines for abuse of dominant position and Google for its practices in digital advertising.
Amendments made to the Competition Act in 2023 empower the commission to appoint the DG with prior approval from the Centre.
Section 16 of the Competition Act stipulates that the DG and other director generals be appointed from persons of integrity and outstanding ability with experience in investigation and knowledge of accountancy, management, business, public administration, international trade, law, or economics.
Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approves Sanjay Khanna as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) chairman & managing director (Mid of April)▼
Sanjay Khanna appointed chairman & managing director (C&MD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Khanna, previously director (refineries) at BPCL, will serve until 31 May 2029 or until further orders.
He is a Chemical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli and holds a postgraduate degree in Finance Management from Mumbai University.
Under his leadership BPCL will invest ₹75,000 crore over five years, including ₹50,000 crore Bina Petrochemical and Refinery Expansion Project (BPREP) at Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
Khanna also serves as Director on the Boards of Bharat PetroResources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three months. (Mid of March)▼
HDFC Bank part-time Chairman and Independent Director Atanu Chakraborty resigned with immediate effect citing ethical concerns over certain practices within the bank.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank effective 19 March for three months.
Keki Mistry was Vice-Chairman of HDFC Ltd before its merger with HDFC Bank.
HDFC Bank is the second largest bank with a market capitalisation of Rs 12.97 lakh crore.
Atanu Chakraborty joined HDFC Bank board in May 2021 and oversaw the merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank.
Chakraborty is a retired IAS officer of Gujarat cadre and served as Secretary in Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) during FY 2019-20.
R. B. Choudary Passes Away as Film Producer; he was 76
Key Updates:
R. B. Choudary died in a car accident near Udaipur on May 5.
He was a veteran film producer and the founder of Super Good Films.
He entered Tamil cinema in 1989 after previously working in the steel, exports, and jewellery sectors and the Malayalam film industry.
He produced several films including Cheran Pandian, Nattamai, Poove Unakkaga, Suryavamsam, Thullatha Manamum Thullum, Aanandham, Jilla, and Godfather.
His final project was the film Maareesan, featuring Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil.
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Prasoon Joshi Appointed Chairman of Prasar Bharati (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the appointment of lyricist and writer Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board on 3 May 2026.
Prasoon Joshi has served as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since 2017 and is a trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
He previously held senior leadership roles in the advertising sector, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of McCann World Group India and Chairman of McCann World Group Asia Pacific.
Prasar Bharati is India's public service broadcaster established under the Prasar Bharati Act of 1990 and comprises All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD).
The broadcaster has launched the Waves Over-The-Top (OTT) platform to expand its free-to-air digital service offerings in the spirit of public broadcasting.
Frederick Wiseman Dies at Age 96 as Honorary Academy Award Winning Filmmaker (Mid of February)▼
Frederick Wiseman, the celebrated director of Titicut Follies and dozens of other documentaries, died at the age of 96.
He was awarded an honorary Academy Award in 2016 and completed more than 35 documentaries during his career.
His filmography includes notable works such as High School, Hospital, Public Housing, Basic Training, Boxing Gym, High School II, At Berkeley, Monrovia, Indiana, and Crazy Horse.
His documentaries are preserved by the Library of Congress and were produced through his production company, Zipporah Films.
He was an alumnus of Williams College and Yale Law School and served in the United States (US) Army in 1955.
Beyond filmmaking, he had a career in theatre and appeared as an actor in the 2025 films Jane Austen Wrecked My Life and Eephus.
His filmmaking style was unique for avoiding narration, title cards, and prerecorded soundtracks, often serving as his own sound engineer.
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee Passed Away Bengali Actor (End of March)▼
Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passed away at the age of 43 due to accidental drowning at Talsari Beach in Digha.
The incident occurred on Sunday, 29 March, near the Odisha-West Bengal border during the filming of a television serial titled Bhole Baba Par Karega.
He was pronounced dead at 6:10 pm at the Digha Sub-divisional Hospital located approximately 10 to 12 kilometres from the site of the incident.
Banerjee rose to prominence in the Bengali entertainment industry with his role in the 2008 romantic drama film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar.
His film career included performances in notable titles such as Zulfiqar, Byomkesh Gotro, and Biday Byomkesh.
He was a well-known face on television, appearing in shows such as Hargouri Pice Hotel and Mohonna.
He hosted a podcast show titled Sohoj Katha, which featured discussions on theatre and cinema with various personalities.
Veteran Kannada filmmaker Joe Simon dies at 80. (Mid of February)▼
Joe Simon died of a heart attack at the age of 80 while attending a meeting at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) in Bengaluru.
Simon directed popular Kannada films such as Sahasa Simha, Snehada Kadalalli, Simha Jodi, and Mr Vasu.
He had served as the Vice President of the Kannada Film Directors Association.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka paid tribute to his contributions to the Kannada film industry.
Alex Zanardi Dies Former Formula One (F1) Driver and Paralympic Champion
Key Updates:
Alex Zanardi, a former Formula One (F1) driver and Paralympic champion, died at the age of 59 on 1 May.
He made his F1 debut in 1991 and won back-to-back championships in the CART series in the United States in 1997 and 1998.
He won four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
Zanardi claimed 12 World Championship gold medals in para-cycling.
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) called for a minute's silence at all sports events in Italy in his honour.
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Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka win Laureus World Sports Awards 2026 (End of April)▼
Carlos Alcaraz was named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.
Aryna Sabalenka was named the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was named Team of the Year.
Lando Norris received the Breakthrough of the Year award.
Rory McIlroy won the Comeback of the Year award.
Gabriel Araújo of Brazil was named the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
Chloe Kim of the United States won the Action Sportsperson of the Year award.
Lamine Yamal was crowned the Young Sportsperson of the Year.
Toni Kroos of Germany received the Sporting Inspiration Award.
Fútbol Más won the Sport for Good Award.
Nadia Comăneci of Romania received the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award.
The 2026 award ceremony was hosted by Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu.
Kimi Antonelli wins maiden Formula One Chinese Grand Prix (Mid of March)▼
Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula One victory in the Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit.
Mercedes secured a one-two finish with George Russell second, 5.515 seconds behind Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton finished third, marking his first podium for Ferrari.
Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history before converting it into victory.
Both McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to start the race due to car problems.
Max Verstappen retired on lap 46, continuing Red Bull’s poor start to the season.
Charles Leclerc finished fourth for Ferrari, followed by Oliver Bearman fifth for Haas.
Kimi Antonelli wins Japanese Grand Prix to become youngest F1 championship leader (Start of April)▼
Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on 29 March 2026.
Antonelli became the youngest driver in Formula One history to lead the world championship standings at 19 years old.
Oscar Piastri of McLaren finished second and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari third.
George Russell of Mercedes, who started the day leading the championship, finished fourth.
Lando Norris of McLaren was fifth, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari sixth, Pierre Gasly of Alpine seventh, and Max Verstappen of Red Bull eighth.
The next race is the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May 2026 after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races were cancelled due to war in the Middle East.
Infosys appoints Carlos Alcaraz as global brand ambassador in multi-year AI partnership (Mid of April)▼
Infosys has named tennis star Carlos Alcaraz as its global brand ambassador in a multi-year partnership.
The partnership will use Infosys Topaz, an AI-first platform, for advanced match analytics and a personalised performance application.
The collaboration will also involve joint social impact initiatives between Infosys and the Carlos Alcaraz Foundation.
Carlos Alcaraz is a former World No. 1 in men’s tennis and a multiple Grand Slam winner.
Sumit Virmani, Chief Marketing Officer at Infosys, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to digital innovation.
Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office Act, 2023: Challenge to CJI's Exclusion
Key Updates:
The Supreme Court (SC) is hearing petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioner Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office Act, 2023.
The Act, enacted by Parliament in December 2023, removed the Chief Justice of India (CJI) from the committee responsible for appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners.
Under the 2023 Act, the selection committee consists of the Prime Minister, a Union minister nominated by the Prime Minister, and the leader of Opposition or leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
The petitions challenging the law were filed by multiple petitioners, including the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Congress leader Jaya Thakur.
The SC noted that the Constitution bench in the Anoop Baranwal case had previously laid down an interim mechanism for appointments until Parliament enacted a law.
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One Nation One Election: JPC tenure extended till Monsoon session (Mid of March)▼
Lok Sabha extended the tenure of the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC) examining simultaneous polls Bills till the last week of the Monsoon Session.
The JPC is chaired by senior BJP MP PP Chaudhary and has 39 members.
The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 were introduced on 17 December 2024 and referred to the JPC.
The JPC held its first meeting on 8 January 2024 and has met 17 times so far.
The JPC received its fourth extension during the Winter Session last year.
EAC-PM working paper estimates ONOE could cut polling personnel deployment by 28 % or 26 lakh personnel.
Simultaneous polls could save around 1.4 crore personnel-days over a five-year cycle according to the EAC-PM paper.
Election Commission estimates nine polling personnel are needed for separate polls but only six for simultaneous polls.
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 notified after President’s assent (Mid of April)▼
The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 was notified on 9 April 2026 after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent.
The Act is an umbrella law regulating recruitment, deputation, promotion and other service conditions for officers of all five CAPFs: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
It mandates that 50% of inspector general rank posts will be filled through deputation from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
A minimum of 67% of additional director general rank posts will be filled through IPS deputation.
Posts of special director general and director general will be filled through deputation only.
The legislation follows an October 2025 Supreme Court directive that IPS deputation up to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in CAPFs be progressively reduced within an outer limit of two years.
Supreme Court (SC) reiterates right to vote and contest elections are statutory, not fundamental rights. (Mid of April)▼
Supreme Court bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan set aside Rajasthan High Court orders that had struck down eligibility conditions for District Milk Producers’ Cooperative Unions elections.
Verdict dated April 10, 2026 held that neither right to vote nor right to contest election is a fundamental right and both are purely statutory rights that can be regulated by law.
Court upheld bye-laws requiring minimum milk supply and operational continuity as valid eligibility criteria, not unconstitutional disqualifications.
Supreme Court ruled cooperative societies are not 'State' under Article 12, so writ petitions under Article 226 were not maintainable and statutory remedies under Rajasthan Cooperative Societies Act should have been exhausted first.
Gyanesh Kumar retains post as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker reject Opposition impeachment motions. (Start of April)▼
Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected Opposition impeachment notices against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 6 April 2026.
The Lok Sabha motion carried 130 MP signatures and the Rajya Sabha motion 63 MP signatures, meeting the minimum 100 and 50 MP thresholds respectively.
The presiding officers cited Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 in their Parliamentary Bulletin notifications giving no detailed reasons for refusal.
The removal process for a Chief Election Commissioner mirrors that for a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) requiring a special Parliamentary majority and Presidential order.