📰 Daily Briefing Thursday, Apr 09

Daily Current Affairs: 9 April 2026

Analysis for 09 April 2026

Mohsina Kidwai, Congress veteran and former Union minister, passes away at 94.

Key Updates:

  • Mohsina Kidwai died at the age of 94, as confirmed by her family.
  • She won her first election from Barabanki at the age of 28.
  • Kidwai held Union ministerial portfolios of railways, civil aviation and urban development.
  • She remained actively involved in Congress organisational work in Punjab, Assam and Chandigarh alongside Sonia Gandhi.
  • She secured a major electoral victory in the post-Emergency period despite nationwide Congress setbacks.

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Madhu Malhotra passes away at 71. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Madhu Malhotra died in Mumbai on Friday at the age of 71.
  • She acted in over 100 Hindi films, mostly in minor roles, during the 1970s and 1980s.
  • She featured in Subhash Ghai's films 'Vishwanath' (1978), 'Karz' (1980), 'Vidhaata' (1982), and 'Hero' (1983).
  • She lip-synced the song 'Lambi judaai' in 'Hero' (1983).
  • She was one of the leading ladies in the 1982 multi-starrer 'Satte Pe Satta' and was paired with comic actor Paintal in that film.
  • She appeared in horror films 'Khooni Murda' (1989) and 'Roohani Taqat' (1991) directed by Mohan Bhakri.
Datta Meghe, four-time Lok Sabha MP and veteran BJP leader, passed away at 89. (End of March) ▼
  • Datta Meghe died on Sunday evening at the age of 89.
  • He was elected to the Lok Sabha four times from Nagpur, Ramtek and Wardha constituencies.
  • He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2002 to 2008.
  • Meghe began his political career with the Congress, later joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in 1999, and switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014.
  • He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters and grandchildren; his son Sandeep Meghe is the Hingna MLA and another son Sagar Meghe is a former MLC.
Parbati Giri remembered on birth centenary (End of January) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to freedom fighter Parbati Giri on her birth centenary.
  • Parbati Giri (born on 19 January 1926) was a freedom fighter and social reformer from Odisha, popularly known as the “Mother Teresa of Western Odisha”.
  • She joined the freedom struggle at a young age, actively participating in the Individual Satyagraha and the Quit India Movement, and was imprisoned for her resistance.
  • After Independence, she dedicated her life to social service, working for famine relief, tribal welfare, prison reforms, and leprosy eradication.
  • On her 100th birth anniversary, her life of service, sacrifice, and Gandhian values is being remembered as an inspiration for future generations.
Mojtaba Khamenei speculated as successor after Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death. (Start of March) ▼
  • Mojtaba Khamenei is the second-eldest son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
  • He was born on September 8, 1969 in Mashhad, Iran.
  • He studied at the Qom Seminary and maintains strong ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia.
  • He has never held an official government position but is considered an influential behind-the-scenes political figure.
  • Reports speculate Mojtaba as a potential successor, though no formal appointment is confirmed in the article.

Bank of Baroda (BoB) launches AI platform bob SAMVAD across 250 branches

[Bank of Baroda]

Key Updates:

  • Bank of Baroda (BoB) launched its artificial intelligence-powered conversational platform bob SAMVAD on March 28 in Mumbai.
  • The platform enables real-time two-way communication in 22 languages to reduce language barriers at branches.
  • Initial rollout covers 250 branches across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.
  • The system was developed in-house and uses AI-based speech and language technologies for low-latency communication.

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Razorpay and Sarvam AI partner to launch voice-led conversational commerce in India (End of March) ▼
  • Razorpay has partnered with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Sarvam AI to introduce voice-led conversational commerce for India's multilingual population.
  • The technology allows users to search for products, place orders, and complete transactions using natural language and Indian languages.
  • The initiative will first go live on the food delivery platform Swiggy via the Indus App.
  • The partnership integrates Sarvam AI's models and agentic stack with Razorpay's agentic payments infrastructure.
  • Razorpay is also developing AI-powered agents for payments using Anthropic's Claude chatbot to manage tasks like recovering abandoned purchases and resolving disputes.
  • Sarvam AI has partnered with EkStep Foundation and AI4Bharat to roll out multilingual voice AI agents under the Listen at Scale initiative.
  • A pilot of the voice assistant has been introduced on The Derma Co's website, allowing users to buy products using voice commands.
BHASHINI–PFRDA MoU integrates multilingual AI and voice technologies into India’s pension ecosystem (End of March) ▼
  • Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) signed a strategic MoU under the initiative 'BHASHINI for Seva / Sanchalan – A BHASHINI Sahayogi Program'.
  • The collaboration enables seamless access to pension services in all 22 scheduled Indian languages.
  • PFRDA platforms will use BHASHINI translation APIs for real-time multilingual content, AI-driven language models for contextual communication, and voice-enabled interfaces to simplify user interaction.
  • The integration aims to bring first-time savers into the pension ecosystem, improve financial literacy, and enhance trust and engagement with digital platforms.
  • BHASHINI, developed under the Digital India programme, provides real-time translation across Indian languages, speech-to-text and text-to-speech systems, and AI models adaptable to sector-specific needs.
  • The MoU includes structured enrichment of linguistic datasets to improve accuracy and contextual understanding of AI models and enable domain-specific customisation for pension-related communication.
  • Voice-based access will allow users to seek pension information through spoken queries, navigate services without complex interfaces, and interact with systems in natural, conversational language.
Razorpay launches AI-powered Agent Studio for payment automation (Mid of March) ▼
  • Razorpay has launched Agent Studio, described as the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) platform for payments built on Anthropic’s Claude Agent Software Development Kit (SDK).
  • The platform was unveiled at the FTX 2026 event to automate business tasks including dispute resolution, cart recovery, and cash-flow forecasting.
  • Razorpay introduced an Agentic Experience Platform that enables businesses to manage payment operations through natural-language commands instead of traditional dashboards.
  • The AI agents can automatically intervene during abandoned purchases and integrate with third-party platforms such as Shopify, Shiprocket, and WhatsApp.
  • The company is integrating these capabilities into in-app commerce with partners including Zomato, Swiggy, and PVR Inox.
  • The initiative builds on previous developments with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and technology firms Anthropic and OpenAI.
  • The platform allows businesses to complete onboarding by submitting basic details such as Permanent Account Number (PAN) and website information.
DBS Bank and Visa pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce for AI agent-initiated payments in Asia Pacific. (Mid of February) ▼
  • DBS Bank is the first issuer in Asia Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce (VIC) for agent-initiated payments.
  • VIC uses integrated APIs and Visa’s secure infrastructure to enable consent-driven payments by AI agents on behalf of consumers.
  • Close to 77% of Singapore residents use generative AI tools such as chatbots in daily life.
  • Eight in ten Singapore consumers rely on AI assistance when shopping online.
  • DBS and Visa demonstrated AI-powered agents completing food and beverage transactions using DBS/POSB credit and debit cards.
  • Future trials will explore agentic commerce in online shopping and travel bookings.
  • DBS is validating AI-ready credentials, advanced authentication, and intent-driven transaction controls for agent-led commerce.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) keeps repo rate at 5.25% and projects FY26 GDP at 7.6%

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously voted to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retained a neutral stance.
  • RBI maintained FY26 real GDP growth forecast at 7.6% and set FY27 growth at 6.9% with quarterly paths of 6.8% in Q1, 6.7% in Q2, 7% in Q3 and 7.2% in Q4.
  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation for 2027 is projected at 4.6% average, expected at 4% in Q1, 4.4% in Q2, 5.2% in Q3 and 4.7% in Q4.
  • India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to $697.1 billion as of 3 April after falling to $688.058 billion on 27 March.
  • Under a higher crude oil price scenario, RBI models real GDP growth at 6.7% for 2026-27 and 6.4% for 2027-28.

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Finance Ministry keeps small savings rates unchanged for April–June 2026 quarter. (Start of April) ▼
  • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) continues at 8.2% per annum.
  • Public Provident Fund (PPF) remains at 7.1% per annum.
  • Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) stays at 8.2% per annum.
  • National Savings Certificate (NSC) VIII Issue holds at 7.7% per annum.
  • 5 Year Time Deposit offers 7.5% per annum.
  • 3 Year Time Deposit offers 7.1% per annum.
  • 2 Year Time Deposit offers 7.0% per annum.
  • 1 Year Time Deposit offers 6.9% per annum.
  • Post Office Savings Account offers 4.0% per annum.
  • 5 Year Recurring Deposit Scheme offers 6.7% per annum.
  • Monthly Income Account offers 7.4% per annum.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.1% (End of March) ▼
  • Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reduced India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.1% from 6.2%.
  • India’s FY28 growth projection remains unchanged at 6.4%.
  • India’s GDP is officially estimated to grow 7.6% in FY26.
  • India will remain the fastest-growing economy ahead of China (4.4%), United States (2%), Japan (0.9%), and United Kingdom (0.7%).
  • Global growth outlook for 2026 stays at 2.9%; 2027 revised down to 3% from 3.1%.
  • OECD expects India’s inflation to rise sharply to 5.1% in FY27 from 2% in FY26.
  • Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
  • OECD projects India to temporarily raise policy rates in Q2 2026.
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate steady at 5.25% in February.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases Rs 2.54 lakh crore state borrowing calendar for April-June 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • RBI announces indicative calendar for state market borrowings worth Rs 2,54,509 crore during April-June 2026.
  • Nine pilot states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh—adopt Benchmark Issuance Strategy (BIS).
  • Pilot states to raise Rs 1,53,900 crore under BIS framework.
  • Remaining states and Union Territories to borrow Rs 1,00,609 crore through traditional methods.
  • RBI retains right to revise auction dates and amounts in consultation with states.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and projects 7.4% GDP growth for FY26. (Start of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25%.
  • RBI retained the monetary policy stance at "neutral".
  • RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra stated that the MPC met on 4th, 5th and today to deliberate and decide on policy repo rate.
  • RBI set its real growth expectation for 2025-26 at 7.4%.
  • RBI raised its inflation forecast for Q1 and Q2 of FY27 to 4% and 4.2%, respectively.
  • RBI sold $30 billion from its foreign exchange reserves between September and November.
  • The benchmark 10-year yield has barely fallen over the past year despite large rate cuts.

Textile Ministry Survey unveils domestic textiles market size at Rs 14.95 lakh crore in 2024

[Ministry of Textiles]

Key Updates:

  • Textiles market size grew from Rs 4.89 lakh crore in 2010 to Rs 14.95 lakh crore in 2024 at 8.3% CAGR.
  • Man-made fibre (MMF) and blended products account for 52.2% of the product basket.
  • Cotton-based products contribute 41.2%, silk 5.2%, and woollen 1.3%.
  • Household sector contribution rose from Rs 4.18 lakh crore in 2010 to Rs 8.77 lakh crore in 2024.
  • Per capita demand increased from Rs 2,119 in 2010 to Rs 6,066 in 2024, marking 7.8% CAGR.
  • Women consumers drive 55.5% of textile purchases against 44.5% by men.
  • Sustainable textiles demand reached Rs 37,000 crore in 2024, with reused/retailored items forming 58%.
  • Rural households consume 58% of technical textiles, urban 42%.

Similar Coverage

Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) Scheme Extended till 30 September (Start of April) ▼
  • The Ministry of Textiles extended the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) scheme for apparel, garments, and made-ups until 30 September.
  • The extension, effective from 1 April, follows the conclusion of the scheme’s previous validity on 31 March.
  • The RoSCTL scheme refunds embedded taxes and levies, including Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel, mandi taxes, and electricity duties, which remain outside the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework.
  • Benefits are provided through transferable duty credit scrips or e-scrips via a digitised customs ledger system to be used for paying basic customs duty.
  • A committee led by the Department of Expenditure, including representatives from the Department of Revenue, Department of Commerce, and the Ministry of Textiles, will conduct quarterly reviews of the scheme.
  • India’s readymade garment (RMG) exports rose to approximately $16.01 billion in FY25 from $14.55 billion in FY24.
  • The Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) reported that India’s share in global apparel exports is 3%, while Bangladesh and Vietnam hold 7% and 6% respectively.
Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) unveils modernised Consumer Price Index with food weight dropping to 36.8 percent. (Start of February) ▼
  • Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) announced new CPI 2024 series to release on 12 February.
  • Food and beverages weight declines from 45.9 percent in 2012 to 36.8 percent in 2024, a 9.1 percentage point reduction.
  • Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels category weight rises from 16.9 percent to 17.7 percent.
  • House rent index compilation extended to rural areas for first time using Census 2011 dwelling type weights.
  • Six rented dwellings selected per rural village versus 12 per urban market under revised Index.
  • Transport category weight increases marginally to 8.8 percent.
  • Health category weight rises to 6.1 percent.
  • Education services weight declines to 3.3 percent from 4.5 percent.
India hosts National Textiles Ministers’ Conference in Guwahati to weave growth, heritage and innovation (Start of January) ▼
  • The two-day National Textiles Ministers’ Conference commenced in Guwahati, Assam, organised by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.
  • Theme of the Conference: “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation”.
  • Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh urged States and UTs to formulate investor-friendly policies to attract greater investment in the textile sector.
  • Minister of State for Textiles Shri Pabitra Margherita stated India has set an ambitious target of building a USD 350 billion textile economy.
  • Handloom Census 2019–20 highlighted that the Northeastern region contributes around 52 per cent of the country’s total handloom output.
  • Report released: India’s Textile Atlas: State Compendium 2025.
Tamil Nadu leads India’s textile exports with $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, says NIRYAT data. (End of March) ▼
  • Tamil Nadu exported textiles worth $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, accounting for 21.84% of India’s total textile exports.
  • India’s overall textile exports stood at $36,610 million during 2024-25.
  • Gujarat ranked second with textile exports of $5,646.01 million, followed by Maharashtra at $3,831.28 million.
  • Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal occupied the next positions in the export rankings.
  • Tamil Nadu’s textile exports rose from $6,193.39 million in 2020-21 to $7,997.17 million in 2024-25, an increase of $1,803.78 million (≈29%).

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) grants PMS licence to Bajaj Alternate Investment Management.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India]

Key Updates:

  • Bajaj Alternate Investment Management (Bajaj Alts) has received SEBI approval to commence portfolio management services (PMS).
  • The PMS will target high net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra high net-worth individuals (UHNIs).
  • Lakshmi Iyer is Group President – Investments and Managing Director & CEO of Bajaj Alts.
  • Jitendra Gohil serves as CIO – Listed Equities at Bajaj Alts.

Similar Coverage

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) approves Wealth First Portfolio Managers to launch mutual fund business. (End of March) ▼
  • Wealth First Portfolio Managers received Sebi approval to start mutual fund operations.
  • Lakshya Asset Management Company, sponsored by Wealth First Portfolio Managers, will be India’s first AMC headquartered in Ahmedabad.
  • Lakshya AMC has onboarded Sanjiv Shah, Rajan Mehta, and Sanjay Gaitonde, former key members of Benchmark Asset Management Company.
  • Benchmark AMC launched India’s first ETF Nifty BeES, India’s first gold ETF Gold BeES, and the world’s first money market ETF Liquid BeES.
  • India’s mutual fund industry AUM grew from about ₹1 lakh crore in 2001 to over ₹82 lakh crore in early 2026.
  • Passive investing represents 19–20% of total mutual fund AUM in India compared with over 50% in the United States.
SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL) to deploy ₹1,005 crore Antariksh Venture Capital Fund for Indian space startups from FY2027 (Start of April) ▼
  • The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL), will begin investing in Indian space startups from the first quarter of FY2027.
  • The fund has a committed corpus of ₹1,005 crore aimed at boosting private sector innovation in India’s space economy.
  • SVCL received Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) registration for the fund on 31 October 2025.
  • The fund completed its initial closing on 10 November 2025 after appointing a custodian and registering with depositories for issuing alternative investment fund units.
  • Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the first round of funding approvals is expected soon.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approves AIF, FPI, InvIT, REIT and governance reforms in 213th board meeting. (End of March) ▼
  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) held its 213th board meeting in Mumbai on 23 March 2026.
  • SEBI amended AIF Regulations 2012 to allow Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with no active fund management to retain residual assets for up to 3 years subject to 75% investor approval.
  • SEBI introduced net settlement for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the cash market to cut funding and forex conversion costs.
  • SEBI expanded retail access to Social Impact Funds (SIFs) by lowering minimum investment and easing disclosure norms.
  • SEBI allowed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to invest in greenfield projects, hold multiple SPVs, borrow for capex and refinancing, and undertake maintenance expenses.
  • SEBI revised fit-and-proper criteria to bar persons with pending FIRs for economic offences or securities law violations and reduced disqualification period to six months in specified cases.
  • SEBI mandated SEBI staff to liquidate or freeze personal securities holdings, file initial, annual and event-based conflict disclosures, and recuse from decisions when conflicts arise.
  • SEBI approved creation of an Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), a digital monitoring system and a whistle-blower framework for stronger conflict-of-interest oversight.
Union Cabinet clears ₹5,000 crore equity infusion into Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to boost MSME credit. (End of January) ▼
  • The equity capital will be infused by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in a phased manner over three years.
  • Of the total amount, ₹3,000 crore will be infused in FY26 at a book value of ₹568.65 per share as on March 31, 2025.
  • The remaining ₹2,000 crore will be infused in two equal tranches of ₹1,000 crore each in FY27 and FY28 at the book value as on March 31 of the respective preceding financial years.
  • The number of MSMEs receiving financial assistance is projected to rise from 76.26 lakh at the end of FY25 to about 1.02 crore by the end of FY28.
  • The additional MSMEs supported by SIDBI are estimated to generate employment for about 1.12 crore people by the end of FY28.
  • The equity infusion will help SIDBI maintain a Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) above 10.5 per cent even under high-stress scenarios and above 14.5 per cent under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 norms over the next three years.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels licence of Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank effective 6 April 2026.

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of The Shirpur Merchants' Co-operative Bank due to inadequate capital and earning prospects.
  • The bank ceases all banking operations from the close of business on 6 April 2026.
  • The Commissioner for Cooperation, Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Maharashtra has been requested to order winding up and appoint a liquidator.
  • Depositors will receive up to Rs 5 lakh per account from Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
  • As per bank data, 99.7% of depositors are eligible to receive the full amount of their deposits from DICGC.
  • As on 31 January 2026, DICGC has already paid Rs 48.95 crore of total insured deposits based on depositors' willingness.

Similar Coverage

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) classifies bank loans to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) as Priority Sector Lending (PSL) (Mid of February) ▼
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in consultation with the Government of India, has announced that loans sanctioned by banks to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for Priority Sector Lending (PSL) classification.
  • This eligibility is applicable for loans sanctioned with effect from 19 January 2026.
  • The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs), Small Finance Banks (SFBs), and Local Area Banks (LABs).
  • These loans must be for purposes and activities as laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
  • The measure aims to strengthen the financial health, governance, and digital inclusion of cooperative banks while enhancing deposit security and credit availability.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancels 36 NBFCs’ Certificate of Registration and accepts surrender of 9 licences in February 2026. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the Certificate of Registration (CoR) of 36 NBFCs in February 2026.
  • Nine NBFCs surrendered their CoR to RBI during the same month.
  • Cancellation dates for the 36 NBFCs range from 16 February 2026 to 24 February 2026.
  • Among the cancelled NBFCs, Excellence Broking & Finance (P) Ltd. had its CoR issued on 1 November 2006 and cancelled on 16 February 2026.
  • Manglam Vanijya Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 19 August 2013 and the surrender was accepted on 11 February 2026.
  • KKR India Asset Finance Private Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 29 May 2024 and the surrender was accepted on 23 February 2026.
  • Premier Ferro Alloys & Securities Limited surrendered its CoR issued on 23 October 2003 and the surrender was accepted on 16 February 2026.
RBI classifies NCDC on-lending loans as priority sector lending (Mid of February) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that loans sanctioned by banks to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) w.e.f. 19 January 2026 for on-lending to cooperative societies are eligible for classification as priority sector lending.
  • The classification applies to banks other than Regional Rural Banks, Urban Cooperative Banks, Small Finance Banks and Local Area Banks.
  • The loans must comply with purposes and activities laid down in the Master Direction on Priority Sector Lending, 2025.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes ₹2.20 crore penalties on Union Bank, Central Bank, Bank of India, Pine Labs (End of March) ▼
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed penalties of ₹95.40 lakh on Union Bank of India, ₹63.60 lakh on Central Bank of India, ₹58.50 lakh on Bank of India, and ₹3.10 lakh on Pine Labs for regulatory non-compliance.
  • Union Bank of India failed to credit amounts related to unauthorised electronic transactions within 10 working days of notification as of 31 March 2025.
  • Bank of India violated Priority Sector Lending directions by levying ad hoc charges on loans up to ₹25,000 and not paying interest on some matured Term Deposit Receipts until repayment.
  • Central Bank of India breached KYC and Financial Inclusion norms concerning Basic Savings Bank Deposit Accounts.
  • Pine Labs issued full-KYC Prepaid Payment Instruments without completing proper KYC verification during July 2024–May 2025.

Morgan Stanley (MS) cuts India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.2% on Gulf conflict supply shocks

[Morgan Stanley]

Key Updates:

  • Morgan Stanley lowered India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast by 30 basis points to 6.2%.
  • Crude oil price assumption raised to $95 per barrel amid Gulf conflict.
  • Inflation projection revised upward to 5.1% from earlier 4%.
  • Current account deficit (CAD) seen widening to 2.5% of GDP.
  • Pharmaceuticals, paints, textiles and toys sectors face margin pressures from higher oil and gas costs.
  • Textiles sector reports job losses due to limited pricing power.
  • If oil spikes to $150 per barrel for a quarter, GDP growth could slow to 5.7%, inflation may exceed 6% and CAD could reach 3% of GDP.
  • India imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements with about half sourced from the Gulf region transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Oil and gas account for 80% of India’s total commodity trade balance, tracking at 3.5% of GDP.
  • Reserve Bank of India (RBI) likely to hold policy rates steady at 5.25% initially, with non-rate tools such as managing oil marketing companies’ dollar demand, tightening outward direct investment flows and encouraging NRI deposits.

Similar Coverage

ICRA projects India GDP growth at 6.5% for FY27 amid West Asia conflict (Start of April) ▼
  • ICRA forecasts India’s GDP growth to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 from 7.6% in FY26.
  • The projection assumes average crude oil price at USD 85 per barrel in FY27.
  • ICRA expects India’s current account deficit (CAD) to widen to 1.7% of GDP in FY27 from 1% in FY26.
  • Elevated energy prices and concerns around energy availability due to the West Asia conflict are cited as key downside risks.
  • ICRA anticipates an extended pause on policy rates by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) through FY27.
Goldman Sachs Cuts India 2026 Growth Forecast to 5.9% (End of March) ▼
  • Goldman Sachs has lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Iran war estimate of 7%.
  • The bank predicts a 50 basis points increase in policy rates by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) due to currency depreciation pressures.
  • India’s inflation is projected to rise to 4.6% in 2026 from an earlier forecast of 3.9%, while remaining within the RBI target range of 2-6%.
  • The Current Account Deficit (CAD) of India is projected to widen to 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2026 from 1.3% in the October-December 2025 period.
  • Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
  • The RBI kept the benchmark repo rate unchanged at 5.25% during its February meeting.
  • Brent crude prices are projected to average $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April before declining to $80 per barrel in the fourth quarter of the year.
  • Growth forecasts for other economies were revised to 4.7% for China, 1.9% for South Korea, and 1.8% for Hong Kong.
  • The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the RBI is scheduled to meet earlier next week.
Goldman Sachs (GS) cuts India’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.9% (End of March) ▼
  • Goldman Sachs lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Gulf conflict estimate of 7%.
  • The revision follows the Gulf conflict and higher Brent crude price projections of $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April.
  • India’s inflation is forecast to rise to 4.6% in 2026, prompting Goldman Sachs to expect a 50-basis point hike in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy rate.
  • Goldman Sachs projects India’s current account deficit to widen to 2% of GDP in 2026 from 1.3% in October-December 2025.
  • Among major economies, India faces the largest growth forecast cut, compared with China (4.7% from 4.8%), South Korea (1.9% from 2%), and Hong Kong (1.8% from 2.6%).
Fitch Ratings (Fitch) Raises India FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.5% (Mid of March) ▼
  • Fitch Ratings (Fitch) upgraded India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to 7.5% from the previous projection of 7.4%.
  • The agency revised the India FY27 growth estimate upward to 6.7% from the earlier projection of 6.4%.
  • India’s GDP grew by 7.8% in the third quarter of FY26 and 8.4% in the second quarter, while the FY25 growth was recorded at 7.1%.
  • Global GDP growth is projected at 2.6% for 2026, assuming oil prices do not exceed $70 per barrel.
  • Inflation in India is projected to reach 4.5% by December 2026.
  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the policy rate at 5.25% in February, which Fitch expects to remain unchanged through next year.
  • Brian Coulton serves as the Chief Economist of Fitch.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana crosses ₹40 lakh crore in collateral-free loans in 11 years

[PM Mudra Yojana]

Key Updates:

  • Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) completed 11 years on 8 April 2026.
  • Over 58 crore collateral-free loans worth more than ₹40 lakh crore have been disbursed since 2015.
  • PMMY provides loans up to ₹20 lakh for non-corporate, non-farm income-generating activities.
  • Loans are classified as Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (₹50,000–₹5 lakh), Tarun (₹5–10 lakh), and Tarun Plus (₹10–20 lakh).
  • Two out of every three Mudra loans are sanctioned to women beneficiaries.
  • The scheme covers manufacturing, trading, services, and allied agriculture activities like dairy, poultry, and beekeeping.

Similar Coverage

National Campaign on Entrepreneurship to Train 50,000 Community Resource Persons and 50 Lakh SHG Members (Mid of January) ▼
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the “National Campaign on Entrepreneurship” under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
  • The key objective of the campaign is to “train and build capacity of 50,000 community resource persons (CRPs) on enterprise promotion and impart EDP training to 50 lakh SHG members of DAY-NRLM.”
  • The campaign was launched on 12th January 2026 with the theme “Promoting Rural Women Entrepreneurship – Har Ghar Udyam, Har Gaon Samriddh.”
  • The initiative supports the MoRD commitment to “enabling at least 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, i.e., SHG women members earning ₹1 lakh or more per annum.”
  • The campaign aims to “catalyse millions of rural entrepreneurs, paving the way for a resilient, inclusive, and self-reliant non-farm rural economy.”
  • The program focuses on the “promotion of non-farm rural enterprises” as a critical pathway to bring transformational change in the income levels of rural women.
DPIIT-Razorpay MoU empowers startups with zero-fee incorporation, mentorship and fintech tools (End of March) ▼
  • Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) partnered with Razorpay on 26 Mar 2026 to provide financial tools, founder enablement programmes and ecosystem support to startups.
  • Startup Sahayak platform launched to give end-to-end assistance including company incorporation, access to central and state government schemes, funding guidance and structured interface for ecosystem support.
  • DPIIT-recognised startups will receive incorporation support with zero professional fees, excluding applicable government charges.
  • Selected startups will be onboarded into curated founder communities for peer learning, networking and domain-specific support in engineering, hiring and marketing.
  • Knowledge sessions on applied artificial intelligence, marketing, product development and financial management will be conducted through Startup India Hub.
Prime Minister Modi celebrates decade of Startup India movement (Mid of January) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Startup India Movement on National Startup Day.
  • He congratulated stakeholders and highlighted the courage, spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial zeal of India’s youth powering India’s rise in the global startup ecosystem.
  • Modi emphasized reforms creating a conducive atmosphere for startups to venture into areas like space and defence.
  • He noted Indian startups are contributing to Atmanirbhar Bharat by turning youth into problem solvers.
  • The Prime Minister acknowledged the role of mentors, incubators, investors and academic institutions in supporting startups.
  • Startup India was launched on 16 January 2016 to nurture innovation and promote entrepreneurship.
  • Over the past decade more than 2,00,000 startups have been recognised across India, driving employment and innovation-led economic growth.
Startup India programme widened to include deep-tech firms and cooperative societies (Start of February) ▼
  • Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) notified revised norms expanding Startup India eligibility.
  • General startups now recognised up to 10 years from incorporation with annual turnover not exceeding ₹200 crore.
  • Deep-tech startups eligible for 20 years from incorporation with turnover cap raised to ₹300 crore.
  • Multi-state and state-registered cooperative societies included as eligible entities under the framework.
  • Entity formed by splitting or reconstruction of an existing business cannot qualify as a startup.
  • Deep-tech startup must focus on new scientific or engineering knowledge, incur high R&D expenditure, and create significant novel intellectual property.
  • Recognised startups gain access to government funding schemes, tax exemptions and regulatory relief.
  • India has recognised more than 200,000 startups since Startup India launch in 2016.

Maharashtra launches ₹65.25 crore 'Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon' rural healthcare initiative

[Maharashtra]

Key Updates:

  • Maharashtra government launched the ₹65.25 crore 'Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon' rural healthcare initiative on World Health Day.
  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the campaign in Mumbai in the presence of Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar.
  • Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar outlined the campaign’s vision to strengthen rural healthcare systems and make villages disease-free.
  • The initiative emphasises preventive healthcare including sanitation, clean drinking water, wastewater management, nutrition, and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
  • It prioritises maternal and child health, mental health, and lifestyle-related illnesses.
  • Administrative committees have been set up from state to village level for implementation.
  • Villages meeting predefined health indicators will be recognised as 'Arogyasampann Gaon'.

Similar Coverage

Maharashtra Launches Country’s First Menopause Clinics to Provide Integrated Healthcare Support for Women (End of January) ▼
  • Maharashtra has established the country’s first dedicated menopause clinics across government hospitals and urban health facilities.
  • The initiative was launched on 14 January 2026, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, under the guidance of the Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar.
  • The clinics provide expert medical consultation, mental health counselling, and screening for bone, heart, and hormonal health at a single location.
  • The programme aims to address physical changes, mental stress, hormonal imbalance, bone-related problems, sleep disorders, and depression in women.
  • Maharashtra is the first state in India to introduce such specialised clinics exclusively for women during the menopause phase.
Janaushadhi Saptah 2026: Nationwide Health Check-Ups Launched (Start of March) ▼
  • Janaushadhi Saptah 2026 began today with health check-up camps across the country to raise awareness about affordable and quality generic medicines.
  • The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoCF) stated that the week-long celebrations will culminate in the 8th Janaushadhi Diwas.
  • The Department of Pharmaceuticals is organising health check-up camps at over 250 locations nationwide until the 5th of this month.
  • On the first day, health camps were held at approximately 50 locations offering general health check-ups, free blood tests, blood pressure, and thyroid tests.
  • Free distribution of Janaushadhi medicines, physiotherapy consultations, eye check-ups, and child health initiatives were also organised at several centers.
  • Special attention was given to women and senior citizens at the camps.
  • Over 18,000 Janaushadhi Kendras are operating across the country under the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
  • The government targets expanding the network to 25,000 Kendras by 2027.
National Arogya Fair 2026 inaugurated in Shegaon to promote AYUSH systems (End of February) ▼
  • President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 on 26 February 2026 at Shegaon in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
  • The President felicitated six senior Vaidyas during the event in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine.
  • The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has aligned research and drug development guidelines with international standards to enhance global credibility.
  • The fair highlighted the role of AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha, in supporting public health and complementing modern medicine.
  • The President emphasised that the cultivation of medicinal plants boosts the incomes of farmers and supports soil conservation while ensuring sustainable raw materials for medicines.
Maharashtra Budget 2026-27: Crop loan waiver up to ₹2 lakh and Ladki Bahin Yojana to continue (Start of March) ▼
  • Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis presented the state Budget 2026-27, becoming the first CM to do so.
  • Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmafi Yojna will waive crop loans up to ₹2 lakh for farmers with arrears up to September 2025.
  • Farmers who are regular in loan repayments will receive a ₹50,000 incentive under the scheme.
  • Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for women will continue with adequate government funding.
  • The budget aims to make Maharashtra a $5 trillion economy by 2047.
  • A memorial will be built for late NCP leader and former Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who died in an air crash near Baramati in January.
  • Concrete roads will be provided in villages with a population of over 1,000.

INS Sunayna arrives in Male under IOS SAGAR to boost India-Maldives maritime cooperation

[Maldives]

Key Updates:

  • INS Sunayna, a Saryu-class Offshore Patrol Vessel, reached Male on Sunday as part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative.
  • The deployment is the first international stop of a 50-day overseas mission and carries 39 multinational crew from 16 Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
  • Prior to berthing, INS Sunayna and Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard units completed joint seamanship training covering tactical station-keeping, advanced signalling, small-arms firing, damage control and firefighting drills.
  • During the three-day visit, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) will be held to consolidate maritime domain awareness.
  • The Indian Navy currently chairs the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) after assuming the role in February 2026.
  • IOS SAGAR is aligned with India’s SAGAR vision (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the broader MAHASAGAR framework.

Similar Coverage

Indian Navy launches Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR with 16 friendly nations (Start of April) ▼
  • INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Navy, set sail from Mumbai as Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR.
  • Sanjay Seth, Minister of State for Defence, flagged off the ship carrying naval personnel from India and sixteen maritime forces of Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs).
  • IOS SAGAR harbour phase was completed from March 16-29, and the sea phase runs from April 2 to May 20 across the South-Eastern Indian Ocean Region.
  • Port calls during deployment include Colombo (Sri Lanka), Phuket (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Singapore, Chittagong (Bangladesh), Yangon (Myanmar), Male (Maldives), and Kochi (India).
  • Training modules cover seamanship, navigation, communication procedures, maritime safety, firefighting, damage control, VBSS operations, and advanced bridgemanship.
National Maritime Day observed on April 5 (Start of April) ▼
  • National Maritime Day is observed in India on April 5 to commemorate the historic voyage of the country's first modern merchant ship.
  • India possesses a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres and handles approximately 95 per cent of its trade by volume through maritime routes.
  • The Indian Navy (IN) operates Operation Sankalp to maintain a constant vigil and provide security escorts for merchant vessels in the Gulf region.
  • The Sagarmala Programme is a government initiative designed to modernise ports, improve connectivity, and reduce logistics costs across India.
  • The India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) is a strategic project aimed at linking India to Europe through maritime and overland routes via the Middle East.
  • India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil, with nearly 80 per cent of its energy imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Historical maritime milestones include the Harappan port of Lothal and the naval dominance of the Chola Empire in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
  • The Indian government has implemented strategic visions such as Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and MAHASAGAR to enhance cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
  • Major Indian ports mentioned as gateways to trade include Mumbai, Kandla, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Kochi, Paradip, and Tuticorin.
  • Advanced naval assets deployed for maritime security and deterrence include the warship INS Surat and the submarine INS Aridhaman.
India gifts Maldives first high-speed ferry under 12-ferry transport link project (Mid of February) ▼
  • India handed over the first of 12 high-speed ferries to the Maldives to launch Raajje Transport Link (RTL) services in Faafu and Dhaalu Atolls.
  • The ferry was built with Indian assistance under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) Phase III MoU signed in January 2025.
  • India will provide a total of 12 high-speed ferries to the Maldives as part of the existing agreement.
  • India signed 13 MoUs with the Maldives on 18 May 2024 for enhancing ferry services under HICDP Phase III with an MVR 100 million grant.
  • The total grant for the 13 projects under HICDP Phase III amounts to MVR 100 million (about ₹55.28 crore).
  • Indian High Commissioner to the Maldives G Balasubramaniam stated that India has provided USD 29.5 million to the Maldives over four phases for transport, sports, coastal protection, health, and education projects.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Maldives in July 2024 and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu visited India in October 2024.
India hosts Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) maritime exercise IMEX TTX 26 in Kochi (End of March) ▼
  • Indian Navy hosted the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) maritime exercise at Maritime Warfare Centre of Southern Naval Command in Kochi last Friday.
  • The exercise brought together delegates from IONS member navies to deliberate on evolving non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
  • Participating countries included Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Timor-Leste.
  • India assumed the IONS chairmanship for the 2026–2028 cycle after a gap of 16 years.
  • IMEX TTX 2026 marks a key milestone in strengthening regional maritime leadership.

Russia and China veto UN Security Council resolution on Strait of Hormuz security

[Russia, China, United Nations]

Key Updates:

  • The UN Security Council (UNSC) failed to adopt a resolution on boosting security in the Strait of Hormuz after Russia and China exercised their veto on 7 April 2026.
  • Eleven countries voted in favour, Colombia and Pakistan abstained, and permanent members China and Russia voted against the draft resolution.
  • The draft was submitted by Bahrain together with Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
  • The draft resolution encouraged States to coordinate defensive efforts to ensure safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and demanded Iran immediately cease all attacks on shipping.
  • Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani stated that the Council’s failure to adopt the resolution sends the wrong signal that threats to international waterways can pass without decisive action.
  • United States Ambassador Mike Waltz declared that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be held hostage and must not be weaponized by any one State.
  • Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticised the draft for presenting Iranian actions as the sole source of tensions while omitting illegal attacks by the United States and Israel.
  • Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong said the draft failed to capture the root causes and the full picture of the conflict comprehensively and in a balanced manner.
  • Iran’s Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani claimed the draft sought to punish Iran for defending its sovereignty while providing cover for further unlawful acts by aggressors.
  • The UNSC comprises 15 members, of which 5 permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States—hold veto power.

Similar Coverage

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.
Russia to ban gasoline exports from 1 April 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • Russia plans to ban gasoline exports for the nation’s producers from 1 April 2026.
  • Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak ordered the Energy Ministry to prepare draft legislation barring gasoline exports starting next month.
  • The export ban aims to meet domestic demand as global fuel prices surge amid the war in Iran.
China stations over 200 converted J-6 fighter drones near Taiwan Strait (End of March) ▼
  • Satellite imagery reviewed by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies shows rows of ageing J-6 aircraft positioned across at least six bases in Fujian and Guangdong provinces.
  • Senior fellow J Michael Dahm said the People’s Liberation Army has deployed an estimated 200 or more such platforms near the strait.
  • The J-6 fighter, derived from the Soviet-era MiG-19, has been converted into drones designated J-6W.
  • Dahm estimates that more than 500 such aircraft may have been converted, with a significant portion now positioned near Taiwan.
  • Kuwait Petroleum CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Sabah said, "There is no substitute for the Strait of Hormuz," underlining the global stakes after Iran restricted access through the strait.
United States proposes naval coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks (End of March) ▼
  • Iran has struck more than a dozen ships in the 21-nautical-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began two weeks ago.
  • US President Donald Trump publicly called on China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom to send warships to secure the strait.
  • Trump later extended the invitation to all countries that receive oil through the strait and specifically asked NATO member states to join, threatening consequences for non-participation.
  • UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain is 'intensively looking' at what it can do to help reopen the maritime passage.
  • Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated Japan has 'not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships'.
  • France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs confirmed France will not send ships, maintaining a defensive posture.
  • South Korea, which imports 70 percent of its oil from the Gulf, said it was 'closely monitoring' and exploring measures to ensure safe energy transport.
  • Australia confirmed it will not send naval ships to assist in reopening the strait.
  • Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers have been allowed by Iran to sail through the strait, while a Turkish-owned vessel was similarly granted passage after direct negotiations.
  • Fourteen more Turkish vessels are awaiting clearance from Tehran.
  • France and Italy are reportedly in talks with Iranian officials to negotiate passage for their vessels, though no official confirmation has been given.

Indian Army releases Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions

[Indian Army]

Key Updates:

  • Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), released the Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions (LM).
  • The roadmap aims to increase long-term visibility of army requirements in UAS and channelise domestic industry, R&D bodies and academia.
  • Combat roles sought include counter-UAS, loitering munitions, helicopter-launched littoral systems, bomb-delivery drones and mine-laying drones.
  • Support roles sought include reconnaissance, land survey, electromagnetic jamming, radio relay and long-range logistics.
  • The mission covers operational needs across Himalayas, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and all intermediate terrains.
  • Emphasis is placed on boosting MSME and start-up participation in the indigenous drone ecosystem.

Similar Coverage

India approves Rs 39,000 crore Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft programme (Start of April) ▼
  • The Defence Ministry approved the Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) programme, formerly called Ghatak, valued at Rs 39,000 crore.
  • DRDO will adopt a development-cum-production partner model and invite industry bids to build six prototypes at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
  • Following prototype development, over 60 unmanned stealth fighters will be ordered, sufficient to form four squadrons.
  • The aircraft are targeted for induction in eight years and will have more than 80% indigenous content.
  • The stealth drones will be capable of deploying locally developed weapons including future versions of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles and next-generation air-to-ground systems.
  • The programme is being developed alongside the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft under Vision 2047 to enable manned-unmanned teaming.
  • Formal tenders to select industry partners for the RPSA project are expected shortly.
Indian Air Force to demonstrate firepower in Exercise Vayushakti-26 at Pokhran on 27 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Exercise Vayushakti-26 will be held at Pokhran Air-to-Ground Range, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on 27 February 2026.
  • The Indian Air Force (IAF) will deploy 77 fighter aircraft, 43 helicopters and eight transport aircraft.
  • A total of 277 weapons and 12,000 kg of explosives will be used during day, dusk and night missions.
  • Platforms participating include Tejas, Rafale, Jaguar, Mirage-2000, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Hawk, C-130J, C-295, C-17, Chetak, ALH MK-IV, Mi-17 IV, LCH, Apache, Chinook and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA).
  • Advanced weapon systems such as Short Range Loitering Munitions (SRLM), Akash, SpyDer and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) will be showcased.
  • The exercise reaffirms the IAF’s role in long-range precision targeting and multi-domain operations using indigenous platforms in line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Indian Army Southern Command concludes 13-day mechanised warfare exercise Amogh Jwala in Uttar Pradesh (End of March) ▼
  • The Southern Command of the Indian Army conducted a 13-day exercise named Amogh Jwala at the Babina Field Firing Ranges in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The exercise commenced on 6 March and aimed to validate technology-driven mechanised warfare capabilities in a multi-domain operational environment.
  • Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, witnessed the culmination of the drills.
  • The exercise integrated mechanised forces with Attack Helicopters, Fighter Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), and counter-drone systems.
  • It focused on the seamless integration of land, air, cyber, space, Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), and Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.
  • The drills featured real-time drone-enabled surveillance, target acquisition, precision engagement, and advanced battlefield technologies.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrates 68th Foundation Day with record AoN worth Rs 1.30 lakh crore (Start of January) ▼
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated its 68th Foundation Day on January 01, 2026.
  • 22 Acceptance of Necessity accorded by Defence Acquisition Council & Services Procurement Board for DRDO systems worth approx. Rs 1.30 lakh crore to be manufactured by Indian Industries in 2025, highest in any single year in history.
  • 11 contracts for acquisitions valued at Rs 26,000 crore signed with DRDO production partners.
  • Notable systems for which AoN accorded: Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS), Conventional Ballistic Missile System, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile System ‘Anant Shastra’, Long Range Air to Surface Supersonic Cruise Missile (LRASSCM), Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System (IDDIS) MK II, Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra Mk-II, Anti-Tank NAG Missile System (Tracked) Mk-2, Advanced Light Weight Torpedo, Processor-based Moored Mine – Next Generation (PBMM NG), Air-borne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Mk-1A, Mountain Radars, Full Mission Simulator for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A.
  • Contracts signed for Nag Missile System, Ashwini Low Level Transportable Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar (ADFCR), Electronic Warfare Suite for Mi-17 V5 Helicopter, Area Denial Munition (ADM) Type-1, High Explosive Pre-Fragmented (HEPF) Mk-I (Enhanced) for Pinaka MLRS, Infantry Foot Bridge Floating, Wargaming System, Automatic Chemical Agent Detector & Alarm (ACADA), Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS).

Gurgaon topped India’s pollution chart in March 2026, Haryana held four of top 10 polluted cities: CREA

[Gurugram]

Key Updates:

  • 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.

Similar Coverage

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.
Ghaziabad and Delhi ranked most polluted Indian cities in January 2026 by CREA (Start of February) ▼
  • Ghaziabad was the most polluted city in India in January 2026, recording a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 184 micrograms per cubic metre.
  • Delhi ranked as the second most polluted city with a monthly average PM2.5 concentration of 169 micrograms per cubic metre, nearly three times the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
  • According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi recorded 24 Very Poor days, 3 Severe days, 2 Poor days, and 2 Moderate days during the month.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines Air Quality Index (AQI) categories as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderate (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500).
  • Across India, 123 out of 248 cities recorded monthly average PM2.5 concentrations above the national standard, and none met the World Health Organization (WHO) daily safe guideline of 15 micrograms per cubic metre.
  • Of the 97 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) with sufficient data, all 97 breached the WHO daily safe guideline.
  • The ten most polluted cities in January 2026 were Ghaziabad, Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Greater Noida, Dharuhera, Gangtok, Singrauli, Bhiwadi, and Narnaul.
  • Uttar Pradesh and Haryana each had three cities featured in the top ten most polluted list.
  • PM2.5 are defined as fine particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less that can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.

Tagged Sanderling completes 7,472 km Australia-to-Andamans migration

Key Updates:

  • A Sanderling tagged on 13 April 2025 at Brown Bay, South Australia, was photographed on Narcondam Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • The bird covered 7,472 km in just over two months before being spotted in June 2025.
  • Photographer G Thikanna, an Andaman Police officer, recorded the bird during a routine shoreline check.
  • The 40–100 gram wader carried a red flag marked ‘DYM’ and a yellow tag enabling origin confirmation.
  • Mumbai-based ornithologist Dr Raju Kasambe stated this is the first recorded re-sighting of a tagged bird on Narcondam Island.
  • The sighting underscores the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a migratory route spanning 37 countries from the Arctic to Australia and New Zealand.
  • Narcondam Island, located about 140 nautical miles from Port Blair, is noted for biodiversity including the Narcondam Hornbill.
  • The bird was originally tagged by Maureen Christie as part of South Australian shorebird monitoring efforts.

Similar Coverage

Hudsonian godwit population declines by 95 percent over four decades (End of March) ▼
  • The Hudsonian godwit, a migratory shorebird, has experienced a 95 percent population decline over the past 40 years.
  • The species is among 42 proposed for international protection at the upcoming meeting of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) in Brazil.
  • The bird performs a 30,000-kilometre annual journey from the Arctic to South America and is capable of flying 11,000 kilometres in a single stretch without stopping.
  • Environmental pressures include climate change in the Arctic, expanded salmon and oyster farming in Chile, and agricultural changes in the United States.
  • A recent report indicates that 49 percent of species listed under the CMS are now experiencing population declines, up from 44 percent two years ago.
Shaheen falcons spotted nesting in Kochi, Kerala (End of March) ▼
  • A pair of Shaheen falcons, a subspecies of the Peregrine falcon, was found nesting in a multi-storey residential complex under construction in Kochi, Kerala.
  • While Shaheen falcons are found across the Indian subcontinent in rocky or hilly regions, they are considered rare in the state of Kerala.
  • The species is known for the stoop, a hunting dive that can exceed speeds of 300 kilometres per hour.
  • Physical characteristics of the Shaheen falcon include a greyish-black upper body, a pale lower body, yellow talons, and a dark vertical stripe from the eye to the side of the face.
  • The birds in Kochi were observed preying on bats from the nearby Mangalavanam area, as well as pigeons, mynahs, and bulbuls.
  • Conservationists indicate that the adaptation of these cliff-dwelling birds to urban landscapes is a sign of environmental degradation and the loss of traditional nesting habitats.
Endangered Steppe Eagles extend Rajasthan stay as Middle-East conflict disrupts traditional flyway (End of March) ▼
  • The steppe eagle is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, power-line collisions, human persecution and illegal trafficking.
  • Over 2,000 steppe eagles have been recorded in recent surveys at Jorbeer Conservation Reserve near Bikaner and Desert National Park near Jaisalmer.
  • Jorbeer Conservation Reserve and Desert National Park are included in the Global Action Plan for Conservation of the Steppe Eagle 2026–2035 approved under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species.
  • Ongoing conflict and increased aerial activity in Iran and Iraq are pushing the eagles away from traditional wintering zones toward the Thar Desert in Rajasthan.
Delhi team uses deep transfer learning to confirm painted stork nest site fidelity (End of March) ▼
  • Researchers tracked a male painted stork named Ringo with a neck scar inside Delhi’s National Zoological Park for four breeding seasons (2022-2025).
  • A total of 2,349 high-resolution images of Ringo and 1,755 images of other storks were collected to build a deep transfer learning (DTL) model.
  • Scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) identified Ringo’s scar and feather pattern, achieving 98% individual identification accuracy.
  • Repeated sightings of Ringo at the same nest site across four years confirmed strong nest site fidelity in the species.
  • The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, was led by University of Delhi, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Uttarakhand High Court stays felling of oak trees in Mussoorie for construction

[Uttarakhand]

Key Updates:

  • The Uttarakhand High Court stayed the felling of oak trees in Mussoorie on April 1 after a PIL revealed no NOC was sought from the forest department.
  • Oak belongs to the genus Quercus in the Fagaceae family and 35 species are reported in Indian Himalayan regions between 800 and 3,000 metres above sea level.
  • In Uttarakhand the oak species are Banj oak, Moru oak, Kharsu oak, Rianj oak, and Phaliath oak.
  • Oak forests support 440 bird species in Tehri Garhwal, 391 in Rudraprayag, 491 in Almora, 311 in Bageshwar, 383 in Chamoli, and 366 in Champawat according to eBird data.
  • A 2022 Ranichauri study recorded 24 butterfly species in Banj oak forests alone.
  • Degradation of oak forests in the Indian Himalaya occurs at 0.36 sq km per year due to natural calamities and anthropogenic disturbances including developmental activities.
  • Average fuel wood collection by locals in the study area ranged between 25 and 30 kg per household per day and fodder collection between 15 and 22 kg per household per day.

Similar Coverage

Karnataka High Court halts on-ground work for Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project (Mid of March) ▼
  • The Karnataka High Court directed that no work or activities related to the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and Kalkatte Bridge construction be carried out in the forest without the court’s permission.
  • A Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C M Poonacha passed the interim order while hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Akhilesh Chipli, Ravindranath Shanbhogue, and Manohar Kumar CB.
  • Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty stated that the petition was premature as the matter is with the National Wildlife Board and no approval has been granted to the project so far.
  • Senior Advocate Dhyan Chinnappa, representing the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, contended that there is no impediment in Section 29 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, in carrying out non-forest activities in a sanctuary.
  • The bench noted that the Sharavathi valley sanctuary was declared inter alia for preservation of lion-tailed macaques, and disruption of habitat of such endangered species would prima facie mitigate one of the principal purposes of declaring the sanctuary.
International Day of Forests 2026 observed with theme Forests and Economies (End of March) ▼
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared March 21 as the International Day of Forests in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of forest ecosystems.
  • The theme for the International Day of Forests 2026 is Forests and Economies, focusing on the role of forests in supporting livelihoods and driving economic prosperity.
  • According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 1.6 billion people globally depend on forests for subsistence, income, or employment.
  • The forest sector provides at least 13 million formal jobs and approximately 45 to 50 million jobs in informal and small-scale forest-based enterprises.
  • Mukurthi National Park, which comprises grasslands and the Shola ecosystem, is considered the heart of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in India.
  • Forests contribute to a sustainable bioeconomy by offering nature-based alternatives to carbon-intensive materials and protecting watersheds.
  • The 2026 observance aims to place forests at the centre of resilient and long-term economic planning across sectors.

Parakneria thysi shellear fish scale 15 m Luvilombo Falls in Congo Basin

[Congo]

Key Updates:

  • Thousands of Parakneria thysi, a shellear fish species, climb the 15 m (50 ft) Luvilombo Falls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • Observations were recorded in April–May 2018 and 2020 during seasonal floods at the end of the rainy season.
  • Only small to medium-sized fish (3.7–4.8 cm) ascend; larger individuals about 9.8 cm are too heavy to climb.
  • Fish use pectoral and pelvic fins plus tiny hook-like unculi to grip wet rock in the splash zone and wiggle upward.
  • A single fish may take nearly 10 hours to reach the top, resting frequently and risking fatal falls from sudden water jets.
  • Lead author Pacifique Kiwele of Université de Lubumbashi published the findings in the journal Scientific Reports.
  • Threats to the species include illegal fishing with fine-mesh mosquito nets and water extraction for irrigation depleting the Luvilombo River.

Similar Coverage

U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) adds 40 species to global protection list at COP15 in Brazil (Start of April) ▼
  • The U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) approved listing 40 new species for international protection at the COP15 summit in Campo Verde, Brazil.
  • The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica), great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) are among the newly protected species.
  • Representatives from 132 countries and the European Union attended the COP15 summit on migratory species.
  • CMS Parties are legally obliged to protect listed species, conserve and restore their habitats, prevent migration obstacles and cooperate with other range states.
  • A pre-summit report indicated that 49 percent of CMS-catalogued species show declining numbers and nearly one in four are threatened with global extinction.
  • A separate U.N. assessment released during the summit warned that migratory freshwater fish populations face collapse due to habitat destruction, overfishing and water pollution.
Guinness World Records confirms 7.22 m reticulated python Ibu Baron as longest measured snake (Start of February) ▼
  • Guinness World Records verified the female reticulated python Ibu Baron at 7.22 metres (23 ft 8 in) from Maros County, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
  • Under anaesthesia the snake could relax to an estimated 7.9 m (26 ft), but Guinness World Records does not permit anaesthesia solely for measurement.
  • Conservationist Budi Purwanto acquired the snake in December 2025 to protect her after local discovery.
  • Wildlife guide Diaz Nugraha and natural-history photographer Radu Frentiu measured the snake on site.
  • Reticulated pythons have killed and swallowed humans in Indonesia, with South Sulawesi recording two such fatalities in mid-2024.
Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle reintroduced to Ganga after 30 years under Namami Gange Mission (End of March) ▼
  • The endangered Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) was released into the Ganga on 26 April after a 30-year absence.
  • Twenty captive-bred turtles were freed in the Haiderpur Wetland Complex, Uttar Pradesh, by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the Namami Gange Mission.
  • The turtles were reared at the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Centre under the National Chambal Sanctuary.
  • Sonic tags fitted on each turtle will monitor their movements for two years to assess survival and dispersal.
  • One group was released above the barrage and another downstream in the main river channel to compare soft versus hard release techniques.
  • Haiderpur Wetland connects fully with the Ganga during monsoon, aiding natural dispersal of the species.
  • The goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles in the Ganga.
Palaeontologists discover new dinosaur species Spinosaurus mirabilis in Niger’s Sahara (End of February) ▼
  • Spinosaurus mirabilis, a massive fish-hunting dinosaur, lived 95 million years ago in present-day Niger.
  • The species features a rare curved, scimitar-shaped crest on its skull.
  • University of Chicago palaeontologist Paul Sereno led the excavation that began with first bones found in 2019 and resumed in 2022.
  • The findings were published in the journal Science.
  • Unlike coastal relatives, this spinosaur was discovered hundreds of kilometres inland, indicating freshwater river hunting in a once forested landscape.

UAE becomes world’s first ‘10 giga’ nation with commercial U6GHz network launch

[United Arab Emirates]

Key Updates:

  • The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) announced the world’s first commercial upper 6GHz (U6GHz) network at the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2026.
  • The U6GHz band operates between 6425–7125 MHz and is termed the ‘golden spectrum’ for balancing coverage and speed.
  • The network delivers download speeds up to 10Gbps and upload speeds up to 1Gbps under advanced 5G technology.
  • Global technology firms Huawei, Nokia and GSMA, together with UAE telecom operators du and e&, supported the rollout.
  • The U6GHz spectrum was allocated for mobile services in 2024, field tests reached 10Gbps in 2025, and commercial deployment began in 2026.

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Meghalaya government signs Letter of Intent with Starlink India for satellite-based internet pilot in remote hill regions. (Start of April) ▼
  • The Meghalaya government and Starlink India signed a Letter of Intent on Wednesday to pilot satellite-based internet in remote hill regions.
  • The pilot will cover education, healthcare, disaster management, and economic development sectors affected by poor connectivity.
  • Starlink cannot start commercial services in India as it has not been allocated satellite spectrum and must complete security compliance and set up ground infrastructure like earth stations.
  • Chief Minister Conrad Sangma stated that Meghalaya’s rugged terrain makes conventional telecom infrastructure expensive and impractical, leaving large population pockets offline.
  • SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell attended the signing and described Meghalaya’s technology adoption efforts as encouraging.
  • The agreement was signed by Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar; no financial terms were disclosed.
du and Datawave Networks invest in Singapore-India-Gulf subsea cable system (Mid of February) ▼
  • UAE-based telecom operator du has partnered with Cyprus-based Datawave Networks to invest in the Singapore-India-Gulf (SING) subsea cable system.
  • The SING cable will connect six strategic landing points: Kalba (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Mumbai and Chennai (India), Kedah (Malaysia), and Singapore.
  • The system will feature 16 fibre pairs and support tens of terabits per second of data capacity.
  • Industry estimates suggest the cable could go live by 2030.
Centre delicensed 5925-6425 MHz of 6 GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi (End of January) ▼
  • The Centre delicensed the lower portion (5925-6425 MHz) of 6 GHz spectrum band for enabling indoor Wi-Fi use.
  • The government notified the “Low Power and Very Low Power Wireless Access Rules, 2026.”
  • The framework exempts license if users follow the mandatory technical rules and mandates users to share the frequency.
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had proposed delicensing 500 MHz in the 6 GHz band (5925-6425 MHz) for unlicensed indoor Wi-Fi usage in May 2025.
  • The development will enable original equipment makers (OEMs) to unveil a new range of Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 compatible routers and devices.
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and The Boring Company to build Dubai Loop (Start of February) ▼
  • Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) signed an agreement with The Boring Company during the World Governments Summit 2026 to develop the Dubai Loop underground transport system.
  • The Dubai Loop is an express underground network using electric vehicles in dedicated tunnels to provide high-speed, point-to-point travel without intermediate stops.
  • The pilot phase of the project covers a 6.4 km route with four stations, linking the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area with the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa zone.
  • The full network is planned to expand to 22.5 km with 19 stations, stretching toward the Dubai World Trade Centre and Business Bay.
  • The tunnels will have a diameter of 3.6 metres and are constructed using high-speed boring methods to minimise surface disruption and costs compared to traditional metro systems.
  • The pilot route is estimated to cost 154 million US Dollars and handle 13,000 passengers daily, while the full system is priced at 545 million US Dollars with a capacity of 30,000 passengers daily.
  • Dubai will become the second location globally, after California, to adopt this specific tunnel transport model.
  • Safety features include 24-hour communication with an operations control centre, emergency exits, fire detection, ventilation systems, and camera coverage.

India records highest-ever annual wind capacity addition of 6.05 GW in FY26

Key Updates:

  • India added 6.05 GW of wind capacity in FY26, a 46% increase year-on-year.
  • The previous record annual wind capacity addition was 5.5 GW in FY17.
  • Total installed wind power capacity in India has crossed 56 GW.
  • Gujarat, Karnataka and Maharashtra led the capacity additions in FY26.
  • The expansion included standalone wind projects and hybrid wind-solar installations.
  • Green energy open access supported demand from commercial and industrial consumers.
  • Government measures include concessional customs duty on key components and waiver of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges until June 2028.
  • The National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) provided technical support for project development.
  • The record capacity addition supports India’s target of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

Similar Coverage

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) ranks India third-largest renewable energy market in 2025 (Start of April) ▼
  • India added 45 GW of renewable capacity in 2025, raising total installed renewable energy capacity to 250.5 GW from 175.9 GW in 2023.
  • Solar capacity additions in India reached 37 GW in 2025, making it the second-highest contributor globally after China.
  • India’s wind energy capacity increased by 6.3 GW in 2025, marking its highest annual increase.
  • Hydropower installed capacity in India grew from 52 GW in 2024 to 56 GW in 2025, while pumped hydro rose from 4.7 GW to 7.2 GW.
  • Globally, renewable share of total installed power capacity rose to 49.4 per cent in 2025 from 46.3 per cent in 2024.
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.
India adds record 52.5 GW power capacity in first 10 months of FY26 (Mid of February) ▼
  • India added 52,537 MW (52.5 GW) of power generation capacity from all sources in April 2025–January 2026, raising total installed capacity to 520.6 GW as of January 2026.
  • Over 75% of the new capacity came from renewable energy sources, while the remainder was from thermal sources.
  • Renewable capacity additions comprised 39.7 GW, including 35 GW of solar and 4.6 GW of wind power.
  • Large hydro projects contributed 3.4 GW, thermal sources 8.8 GW, and nuclear 700 MW during FY 2025-26.
  • Fossil fuel-based capacity totals 248.5 GW and non-fossil fuel capacity stands at 272 GW.
  • Projects under construction include 158 GW of renewable, 39.6 GW of thermal, 13 GW of hydro-electric, and 6.6 GW of nuclear capacity.
  • Contracts for 22.9 GW of coal- and lignite-based projects have been awarded, with another 24 GW in planning stages; 48.8 GW of renewable, 4.3 GW of hydro-electric, and 7 GW of nuclear projects are also under planning.
Ministry of Power (MoP) records historic 52,537 MW power capacity addition in FY 2025–26 (Start of March) ▼
  • The Ministry of Power (MoP) reported a record addition of 52,537 MW in power generation capacity during the financial year 2025–26 up to 31 January 2026.
  • The current addition represents a growth of more than 11 per cent in the total installed capacity and surpasses the previous record of 34,054 MW set in FY 2024–25.
  • Renewable energy sources accounted for 39,657 MW of the total capacity added, including 34,955 MW from solar power and 4,613 MW from wind power.
  • India’s total installed power generation capacity reached 520,510.95 MW as of 31 January 2026.
  • Non-fossil fuel sources now form the larger share of the total capacity base at 271,969.33 MW, while fossil fuel-based plants account for 248,541.62 MW.
  • The non-fossil fuel category comprises 263,189.33 MW from renewable energy sources and 8,780 MW from nuclear power.

Jindal Stainless appoints Ranveer Singh as first brand ambassador

[Jindal Stainless]

Key Updates:

  • Jindal Stainless appointed actor Ranveer Singh as its first-ever brand ambassador on 7 April 2026.
  • The campaigns will run across television, digital and social media platforms to boost stainless steel awareness.
  • The collaboration will highlight stainless steel usage in infrastructure, transport, defence, aerospace and daily life.
  • Jindal Stainless Managing Director Abhyuday Jindal stated Singh’s dynamic personality makes him a fitting partner.
  • Jindal Stainless reported a turnover of ₹40,182 crore in FY25.
  • The company is expanding capacity to 4.2 million tonnes by FY27 and operates 16 facilities in India, Spain and Indonesia.

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Jasprit Bumrah joined Uniqlo as brand ambassador for India. (Mid of March) ▼
  • Uniqlo announced Jasprit Bumrah as its brand endorser in India.
  • The partnership launched with a campaign featuring Bumrah that highlights Uniqlo’s LifeWear philosophy.
  • The campaign is live across digital, social media, in-store displays and outdoor platforms.
  • Nidhi Rastogi, Marketing Director of Uniqlo India, welcomed Bumrah to the Uniqlo family.
Shikhar Dhawan appointed brand ambassador of Delhi Khel Mahakumbh by Delhi Government (Mid of February) ▼
  • Shikhar Dhawan, former India cricketer and Arjuna Awardee, has been appointed as the brand ambassador of the inaugural Delhi Khel Mahakumbh.
  • The Delhi Khel Mahakumbh is an initiative of the Directorate of Education and Sports, Government of NCT of Delhi.
  • The event aims to strengthen grassroots sports participation and talent identification across Delhi.
  • The inaugural edition will be held from February 13 across 16 venues in the capital.
  • Sports included are basketball, football, athletics, kabaddi, wrestling, squash, and volleyball.
  • Participation is expected from thousands of young athletes representing all 12 districts of Delhi.

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda observed on 7 April

[Rwanda]

Key Updates:

  • International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is observed on 7 April every year.
  • The 2026 commemoration at UN Headquarters included survivors Serge Gasore and Marcel Mutsindashyaka sharing their experiences.
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres honoured victims and stressed rejecting hatred and incitement to violence.
  • The Outreach Programme on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the United Nations coordinates global remembrance events.
  • The Outreach Programme was established by the UN General Assembly in 2005 to mobilise civil society for remembrance and education.

Similar Coverage

International Day of Conscience 2026: April 5 (Start of April) ▼
  • International Day of Conscience observed annually on 5 April.
  • United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed day in 2019.
  • 2026 theme: 'Acting with Conscience for a Peaceful and Sustainable World'.
Gambia and Myanmar begin International Court of Justice (ICJ) hearings on 12 January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼
  • Public hearings opened on 12 January 2026 at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in a landmark case brought by the Gambia against Myanmar, alleging violations of the Genocide Convention.
  • The proceedings, held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, mark the start of the merits phase in the case, after years of preliminary legal arguments.
  • Judge Iwasawa Yuji, President of the ICJ, outlined a detailed schedule that includes two rounds of pleadings by Gambia and Myanmar, as well as closed sessions to hear testimony.
  • Gambia filed its application in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of breaching the Genocide Convention through acts allegedly committed during 'clearance operations' carried out by the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw.
  • In January 2020, the Court unanimously ordered provisional measures, directing Myanmar to take all steps within its power to prevent genocidal acts against the Rohingya and preserve evidence.
  • The ICJ is the United Nations’ (UN) principal judicial organ; it settles legal disputes between States and determines State responsibility rather than trying individuals.
India dispatches 1,000 tonnes of rice to Burkina Faso amid humanitarian crisis (Start of April) ▼
  • India sent 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Burkina Faso as humanitarian assistance, announced Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
  • The consignment aims to support food security for vulnerable communities and internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso.
  • Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African nation, faces one of the world's most neglected humanitarian crises due to insecurity and adverse climatic conditions.
  • United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA) reports at least 4.5 million people in Burkina Faso need humanitarian assistance in 2026.
  • Over two million people have been displaced by years of insecurity, though more than 1.1 million internally displaced persons had returned to their communities by 31 October 2025.
  • Burkina Faso's military junta banned all political parties in January, suspending their activities since the 2022 coup.
  • Suspected jihadists killed at least 12 civilians in a March village attack, as the country combats violence linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups.
United Nations Observes International Day for the Right to the Truth on 24 March 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims on 21 December 2010.
  • The observance commemorates Monsignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero, a human rights defender in El Salvador who was murdered on 24 March 1980.
  • The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the coup d’état in Argentina, which initiated a military junta dictatorship lasting from 1976 to 1983.
  • The Joinet/Orentlicher Principles, formally known as the Updated Set of Principles for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights through Action to Combat Impunity, define the right to truth as an inalienable right.
  • Historical truth-seeking bodies include the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons (CONADEP) established in Argentina in 1984 and the Commission for the Clarification of Truth in Colombia in 2017.
  • The United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence is Bernard Duhaime.
  • The UN Special Rapporteur is preparing a report on negationism, revisionism, and politicization for the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
  • A report regarding emerging technologies in the context of transitional justice will be submitted for the 81st session of the UNGA.