Daily Current Affairs: 8 April 2026

Gyanesh Kumar retains post as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker reject Opposition impeachment motions.

Key Updates:

• 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.

Narendra Bhooshan appointed Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development.

Key Updates:

• Narendra Bhooshan is a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
• He has been appointed as Secretary, Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development.
• His prior experience spans infrastructure development, public service delivery, and governance reforms.
• He is expected to accelerate land record modernisation and promote transparency through technology integration.

Menaka Guruswamy became first openly queer MP in Rajya Sabha.

Key Updates:

• Menaka Guruswamy took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
• She is India’s first openly queer MP.
• Guruswamy is a Senior Advocate and a constitutional law expert.
• She played a key role in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that decriminalised homosexuality.

Santhosh Viswanathan appointed Vice-President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific and Japan at Intel.

[Intel Corporation]

Key Updates:

• Santhosh Viswanathan previously served as Vice-President and Managing Director of Intel India.
• He will now oversee business operations, brand, and customer engagements across the Asia Pacific and Japan region.
• Earlier, Viswanathan led Intel operations in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
• He also served as Global Director of Operations in the United States, overseeing sales operations strategy and planning for Intel's global sales organisation.
• Intel stated that Viswanathan helped position India as a key growth market during his tenure as India head.

Payal Nag wins double gold at World Archery Para Series Bangkok

Key Updates:

• Payal Nag defeated world No.1 Sheetal Devi 139-136 to claim the compound women’s individual gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok.
• She partnered Sheetal Devi to secure the team gold, helping India finish atop the medal table with seven gold, five silver and four bronze medals.
• The 18-year-old quadruple amputee from Balangir, Odisha, became the world’s first quadruple amputee archer to compete internationally after World Archery approved her customised equipment.
• Coach Kuldeep Vedwan spotted her through a 2023 social-media post, obtained district-collector permission to shift her from Parbati Giri Bal Niketan orphanage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board academy in Katra.
• Vedwan designed a steel device fitted to her right prosthetic leg that enables her to lift and shoot the bow, and she trains nearly eight hours daily.
• Payal made her international debut at the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai and earlier defeated Sheetal Devi for double gold at the 2025 Jaipur Nationals.

To Lam elected as Vietnam's president for five-year term.

[Vietnam]

Key Updates:

• To Lam was unanimously elected as Vietnam's president by all 495 deputies present at the National Assembly session.
• To Lam holds the dual role of Communist Party Secretary General and state president, consolidating unprecedented power.
• The parliament will elect a new prime minister later on Tuesday to replace outgoing Pham Minh Chinh.
• To Lam pledged to maintain peace and stability as the foundation for fast and sustainable growth.
• He proposed a new growth model targeting double-digit annual growth for the next five years.

Campbell Wilson Resigns as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India

[Air India]

Key Updates:

• Campbell Wilson has announced his resignation as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Air India.
• He was appointed to the position in 2022 on a five-year contract that was originally scheduled to conclude in July 2027.
• Wilson will continue to serve in his current role until a successor is announced and positioned by the Tata Group-owned carrier.
• N. Chandrasekaran serves as the Chairman of both Air India and the Tata Group.
• Singapore Airlines (SIA) maintains a 25% stake in the airline alongside the Tata Group.
• The carrier's projected losses for the Financial Year (FY) 2025-26 are estimated to reach ₹20,000 crore.
• Prior to his tenure at Air India, Wilson served as the founding CEO of Scoot, a subsidiary of SIA.
• The airline has faced significant challenges including the closure of Pakistan's airspace and a Boeing plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in 260 fatalities.

R.K. Raghavan launched autobiography 'A road well travelled'.

Key Updates:

• R.K. Raghavan served as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
• His autobiography 'A road well travelled' was launched in Chennai on Sunday.
• The book is described as an upgraded version of the first edition.
• Raghavan recounted his career from State police training to heading the Intelligence Bureau and the CBI.
• He worked with leaders including Atal Bihari Vajpayee, M.G. Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa.

Worldline India records UPI transactions at 228.5 billion and QR base crossing 731 million in 2025

Key Updates:

• UPI processed 228.5 billion transactions in 2025, registering a 33% year-on-year increase.
• UPI transaction value rose 21% to ₹299.74 trillion in 2025.
• Average UPI ticket size declined to ₹1,314 in 2025 from ₹1,437 in 2024.
• UPI QR deployments crossed 731 million in 2025, up from over 633 million in 2024.
• PoS terminals grew 15% year-on-year to 11.48 million in 2025.
• Total card transactions reached ₹28.73 trillion in 2025, up 6% year-on-year.
• Credit card transaction value increased 11% to ₹23.65 trillion in 2025.
• Credit card transaction volumes rose 27% to 5.69 billion in 2025.
• Debit card transaction volumes fell 23% and transaction value declined 13% in 2025.
• Bharat BillPay transaction volumes rose 40% to 3.05 billion in 2025.
• Bharat BillPay transaction value nearly doubled to ₹14.84 trillion in 2025.

MoSPI launches first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)

Key Updates:

• The National Statistics Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), launched the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) in April 2026.
• The survey covers corporate entities in the services sector registered under the Companies Act, 1956/2013 or the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 across all States and Union Territories.
• ASISSE has a sample size of approximately 1.21 lakh enterprises and covers sectors including trade, transport, hospitality, information technology, education, and health.
• The survey is conducted under the provisions of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (amended in 2017) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
• Data for the survey will be collected through a secure web-based portal to generate key operational and economic indicators for evidence-based policymaking.
• The NSO released an accompanying explainer document titled Know Your Survey: A User Guide to ASISSE to promote transparency and ease of compliance.
• ASISSE, together with the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE), provides a holistic view of the non-agricultural economy.

Government e-Marketplace (GeM) crosses ₹18.4 lakh crore GMV

[Government e Marketplace]

Key Updates:

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) cumulative Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) reached ₹18.4 lakh crore.
• GeM recorded ₹5 lakh crore procurement in FY 2025–26 alone.
• 68 per cent of total orders on GeM in FY 2025–26 were executed by Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).
• MSEs accounted for 47.1 per cent of the platform’s total GMV in FY 2025–26.
• Over 11 lakh MSEs are registered on GeM, securing 51 lakh orders worth ₹2.36 lakh crore in FY 2025–26.
• More than 2.1 lakh women-led MSEs registered on GeM received orders exceeding ₹28,000 crore in FY 2025–26.
• SC/ST entrepreneur-owned enterprises secured procurement orders worth over ₹6,000 crore in FY 2025–26.
• Startups accounted for orders exceeding ₹19,000 crore on GeM in FY 2025–26.
• Procurement by States and Union Territories on GeM grew by 38.3 per cent in FY 2025–26.

Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) Launched for 2024-25

[National Statistical Office]

Key Updates:

• The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) announced the launch of the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE).
• The survey has its first reference period of 2024-25 and is scheduled to commence from April 2026 across all states and Union Territories.
• The NSO will use the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) database as a sampling frame to survey more than 1.21 lakh enterprises.
• The survey covers corporate entities registered under the Companies Act, 1956/2013 or the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008.
• The scope of ASISSE includes services such as trade, transport, hospitality, information technology, education, and health.
• The survey is conducted under the provisions of the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (amended in 2017) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.
• Data will be collected through a secure web-based portal and will be supported by a user guide titled Know Your Survey: A User Guide to the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE).
• ASISSE aims to provide a holistic view of the non-agricultural economy alongside the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) and the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE).

Administrative Capacity Building Programme for Scientists and Academicians Launched under Mission Karmayogi

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the first-ever Administrative Capacity Building for Scientists and Academicians programme under the Mission Karmayogi framework.
• The programme aims to equip academic leaders and scientists with governance skills and decision-making capabilities for leadership roles.
• The initiative was announced during a Special Session of SADHANA Saptah held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Capacity Building Commission (CBC) will develop structured modules for administrative functions, including a focused course on answering Parliamentary Questions.
• The Minister launched the revamped UNNATI portal to strengthen institutional capacity-building ecosystems.
• A roadmap for the national rollout of the Karmayogi Kartavya Karyakram was introduced during the event.
• The CBC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) to foster global knowledge partnerships.
• The CBC-RIS collaboration focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) in governance, digital transformation, and public sector innovation.
• Short-format orientation modules will be designed for early-career civil servants and Assistant Secretaries to familiarise them with governance systems.

NITI Aayog and Atal Innovation Mission launch ATL Sarthi and Mentor India Academy in Telangana

[NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

• 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.

France hosts One Health Summit in Lyon on 7 April 2026

[France, Group of Seven]

Key Updates:

• The One Health Summit will be held in Lyon (France) on 7 April 2026, marking World Health Day.
• For the first time, Heads of State and Government from around the world will gather to step up the implementation of the One Health approach.
• The One Health approach recognises the interlinkage between human, animal and ecosystem health and seeks to strike a balance between them.
• The Summit is the ninth One Planet Summit and is being held in synergy with France’s 2026 G7 Presidency.
• A One Health Festival is being held in France and abroad from 16 March to 15 May 2026, involving more than 150 events.

Russia’s First Deputy PM Denis Manturov arrives in New Delhi for strategic India–Russia talks

[Russia]

Key Updates:

• Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for high-level consultations covering defence, energy, trade, and other critical areas of bilateral cooperation.
• India’s Ministry of External Affairs noted Manturov’s role as co-chair of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological & Cultural Cooperation.
• Manturov will meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during the visit.
• Key topics include defence and security collaboration, energy supply, and trade relations, with particular attention to the implications of the ongoing West Asia conflict.
• Russia has recently resumed its position as India’s largest crude oil supplier following a month-long US sanction waiver.
• Earlier consultations in New Delhi were co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

India's First Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Attains Criticality at Kalpakkam

Key Updates:

• The first indigenous 500-megawatt electric (MWe) Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has attained criticality.
• Criticality signifies the initiation of a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction, a vital milestone before full power generation.
• The reactor is a key component of the second stage of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) three-stage nuclear power programme.
• The project is managed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), which was incorporated in 2003 to build and operate the reactor.
• Upon commissioning, India will be the second country after Russia to have a commercial operating FBR.
• The FBR uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel surrounded by a Uranium 238 (U238) blanket that undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel.
• The first stage of the nuclear programme involves Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium and heavy water (deuterium oxide) as coolant and moderator.
• India currently has an installed atomic power capacity of 8,180 MWe through the first stage PHWRs.
• The third stage of the programme aims to utilise thorium reserves found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Astronomers detect two Earth-like planets 120 light-years away in unconventional solar system

Key Updates:

• Astronomers discovered an alien solar system located 120 light-years from Earth containing two Earth-like planets.
• The system defies standard formation models by placing a rocky planet beyond gas giant planets.
• NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and ESA's Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) provided the observational data.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers two new marine nematode species off Tamil Nadu coast.

[Tamil Nadu]

Key Updates:

• Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) researchers identified two new free-living marine nematode species along the Tamil Nadu coast.
• The findings were published on March 25, 2026, in the international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.
• Corononema dhriti becomes only the fourth known species of its genus worldwide and is named after ZSI's first woman director Dhriti Banerjee.
• Epacanthion indica possesses specialised mandibles and tooth-like structures, making it a microscopic predator within the benthic food chain.
• Marine nematodes recycle nutrients by breaking down organic matter, maintain sediment health and act as bio-indicators of environmental change.

Porcupines invade Kashmir saffron fields, devouring corms and slashing production

[Jammu and Kashmir]

Key Updates:

• Porcupines are damaging saffron fields in Pampore, Lethpora and adjoining areas in south Kashmir.
• Porcupines eat corms, the bulb-like structures essential for saffron growth.
• Saffron production has fallen from about 27,000 kg a decade-and-a-half ago to nearly 1,000 kg now.
• Pampore MLA Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi estimates constituency loss at Rs 500 crores.
• Farmers cannot harm porcupines as they are a protected species.
• The government has deployed a dedicated wildlife team to inspect affected saffron fields.
• Authorities advise farmers to clear caves, crevices, bushes and undergrowth to remove porcupine shelters.
• Farmers are recommended to install 1.5-metre-deep mesh barriers around saffron karewas to block burrowing.
• Reflective white paint on tree trunks or white gunny bags are suggested as low-cost nocturnal deterrents.
• Motion-activated lighting and sound sensors along field perimeters are advised to startle porcupines at night.
• Capturing cages are being placed for live-trapping and subsequent translocation of porcupines to forest habitats.
• Wildlife Protection staff have been directed to patrol around saffron fields in Lethpora and adjacent villages during night hours.

EU Parliament tightens water pollution standards to curb PFAS, microplastics and pharmaceuticals

[European Union]

Key Updates:

• The European Union (EU) Parliament approved updated water pollution standards on 26 March 2026.
• The updated lists add Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals such as painkillers, industrial substances, pesticides, microplastics and antimicrobial resistance indicators.
• Tighter environmental quality standards now apply to several pollutants already regulated under previous directives.
• The directive amends Directive 2000/60/EC, Directive 2006/118/EC and Directive 2008/105/EC.
• EU countries must align national rules by 21 December 2027.
• The measures support the European Green Deal goal to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050.
• The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) warns full compliance is not required until 2039, with possible extensions to 2045.

Centre proposes first-ever Tar-balls Management Rules 2026 under polluter pays principle

Key Updates:

• The Union government has for the first time proposed dedicated Tar-balls Management Rules 2026 to manage weathered oil residue polluting India’s western coast.
• Tar balls are sticky lumps formed by weathering of oil from leaks, spills, effluents and marine accidents and contain toxic contaminants like heavy metals and persistent-organic pollutants.
• The Rules assign responsibilities for generation, collection, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of tar balls, including repurposing as fuel in cement production.
• Oil facilities—defined as entities that own, control or operate ships, vessels and facilities handling crude or fuel oil—must pay environmental compensation under the polluter pays principle for any oil spill causing damage.
• State governments are to declare coastal tar ball pollution as a state disaster and act under the Disaster Management Act.
• A steering committee with members from seven ministries and pollution control boards will advise coastal states and Union Territories on implementation.
• Tar balls with calorific value above 1,500 kilo-calories can be used as fuel in cement industries after authorisation from the concerned state pollution control board.

First complete mitochondrial genome of Madras hedgehog decoded

[Madras]

Key Updates:

• The complete mitochondrial genome of the Madras hedgehog (Paraechinus nudiventris) was sequenced for the first time, yielding a 17,232-base-pair sequence with 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs.
• The study ‘Mitochondrial genome of the lesser known Madras hedgehog: genomic characterization and comparative analysis within Erinacidae’ appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Mitochondrial DNA Part A.
• Researchers Brawin Kumar, Harald Meimberg and Thapasya Vijayan from BOKU University, Vienna, Austria, assembled and analysed the genome.
• DNA samples were collected from hedgehogs killed by vehicles across 62 km² in Thoothukudi district.
• Analysis shows the Madras hedgehog diverged from its sister species, the Indian hedgehog (Paraechinus micropus), about 3.69 million years ago during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene.
• The species inhabits semi-arid plains, dry grasslands, thorn forests and rocky landscapes of southern India.

India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) Achieves Criticality at Kalpakkam

Key Updates:

• India's first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, achieved criticality on 6 April at 8:25 pm.
• The achievement marks the formal entry into the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.
• The 500 MWe reactor is designed to produce more fuel than it consumes, making it a self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction.
• The PFBR uses a Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel comprising Plutonium-239 and Uranium-238, with liquid sodium as a coolant.
• India will be the second country after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor once the indigenously designed unit is commissioned.
• The reactor uses fast neutrons to convert Uranium-238 into fissile Plutonium-239, which will eventually feed stage three reactors.
• Stage three of the programme aims to achieve energy independence by utilising India's thorium reserves, which are the third-largest in the world.
• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) will oversee low power physics experiments before the plant reaches full commercial operation, expected by late 2026 or early 2027.
• Stage one of the national nuclear doctrine involved Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural Uranium-238 to generate energy and Plutonium-239.

Palak and Mukesh win gold at ISSF World Cup

Key Updates:

• Indian shooters Palak and Mukesh Nelavalli won the gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team competition at the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup for rifle and pistol.
• The event was held in Granada.
• The Indian duo set a new junior world record with an aggregate score of 487.7 in the final.
• In the final round, Mukesh scored 244.7 and Palak recorded a score of 243.0.
• China's Qianxun Yao and Kai Hu secured the silver medal with a score of 484.8.
• Hungary's Veronika Major and Akos Karoly Nagy won the bronze medal with a combined total of 414.9.
• The Indian pair qualified for the medal match with a score of 581-17x in the qualification round.

Blanka Vlasic appointed International Event Ambassador for TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2026

[Croatia]

Key Updates:

• Blanka Vlasic, double Olympic medallist and two-time World Champion, has been named the International Event Ambassador for the 2026 TCS World 10K Bengaluru.
• The 18th edition of the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) World 10K Bengaluru is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026.
• The race is a World Athletics Gold Label Race promoted by Procam International.
• Vlasic won Olympic silver at Beijing 2008 and bronze at Rio 2016, and set a Croatian national record of 2.08 m in 2009.

Prevention of Blindness Week observed from April 1–7 with the theme Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World

Key Updates:

• Prevention of Blindness Week is observed annually from April 1 to April 7 to raise awareness about eye health and preventable vision loss.
• The theme for the year 2026 is Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World, highlighting global efforts to combat the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• The week aims to educate the public on the importance of eye care and preventing vision loss caused by conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy.
• Glaucoma is responsible for approximately 8 million cases of blindness globally and is often referred to as the silent thief of sight because it develops without noticeable symptoms.
• The initiative encourages regular eye screenings for individuals over the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, or those at risk due to factors like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 concludes in Delhi on Sunday

Key Updates:

• Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), concluded on Sunday at Sunder Nursery in New Delhi.
• The 19-day festival recorded a footfall of over 1.5 lakh visitors and multi-crore sales.
• More than 200 stalls were set up with participation from over 300 tribal artisans and representatives from more than 75 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras.
• Top-performing tribal artisans and sellers were felicitated across ten categories including pottery, cane and bamboo, jewellery, cuisines, textiles, and forest-based products.
• The RISA brand was launched on March 18 by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur.
• The festival featured 17 live craft demonstrations and over 30 tribal food stalls with more than 120 tribal chefs presenting traditional cuisines.

India ranks among world’s most optimistic nations in Ipsos March 2026 survey

Key Updates:

• 65 per cent of Indian respondents believe the country is heading in the right direction, placing India third globally behind Singapore (78 per cent) and Malaysia (73 per cent).
• The Ipsos “What Worries the World” survey for March 2026 covered 29 markets and found that 25 countries had majority pessimism, while India and select Southeast Asian economies showed net optimism.
• 74 per cent of Indians describe the current economic situation as good, and the Economic Expectations Sub-Index for India rose 6.6 percentage points earlier in 2026.
• India’s Real GDP is estimated to grow at approximately 7.4 per cent in FY 2025-26, with the economy valued at over US$ 2.2 trillion.
• Inflation is the top worry for 47 per cent of Indian respondents, followed by unemployment (40 per cent), education (30 per cent), crime and violence (27 per cent), and financial and political corruption (26 per cent).
• The survey was conducted between 20 February and 6 March 2026 with approximately 2,200 participants in India, primarily representing urban populations across socio-economic classes A, B, and C in metropolitan and tier 1–3 cities.