S&P Global Market Intelligence (S&P Global) Cuts India FY27 Growth Forecast to 6.6%
Key Updates:
S&P Global Market Intelligence (S&P Global) has lowered India's economic growth forecast for the financial year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6.6% from an earlier projection of 7.1%.
The revision is driven by risks associated with the Iran war, which may lead to narrowing fiscal space and potential constraints on infrastructure-related capital expenditure.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the financial year 2025-26 (FY26) is estimated at 7.6% according to official figures.
The debt-to-GDP ratio is expected to rise to 57.5% from 56.1% in FY26, which could delay the long-term target of 49-51% by the financial year 2030-31 (FY31).
The services sector is anticipated to expand its share in the national GDP to nearly 55% by 2030, supported by services-focused free trade agreements (FTAs) and medical tourism.
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S&P Global Ratings raises India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1% (End of March)▼
S&P Global Ratings revised India’s FY27 growth forecast upward to 7.1%.
The agency lifted its FY28 forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2%.
India’s GDP is officially estimated to expand 7.6% in FY26.
S&P projects inflation to rise to 4.3% in FY27 and expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to keep rates unchanged with a neutral stance.
The RBI monetary policy committee held the repo rate at 6.50% in February and is scheduled to meet early next week.
S&P assumes Brent crude to average $92 per barrel in the June quarter and around $80 per barrel in 2026.
In a severe disruption scenario, Brent could average $185 per barrel in the June quarter and nearly $130 per barrel in 2026.
S&P expects one 25 bps rate hike by India’s central bank in the second half if energy-driven inflation persists.
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.
SBI Research projects India GDP growth between 6.8% and 7.1% for FY27 (End of April)▼
SBI Research projects India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth between 6.8% and 7.1% for FY27.
India's growth for FY26 is estimated at 7.6%.
For FY27, inflation is projected to average 4.5% and the fiscal deficit is estimated between 4.5% and 4.6%.
The report identifies the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) GIFT City as a stable global financial destination.
Indian airports may emerge as alternative transit hubs due to airspace risks over parts of the Middle East and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to maintain its current monetary policy status quo.
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.
Department of Financial Services (DFS) approves Viability Plan 2.0 for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
Key Updates:
The Department of Financial Services (DFS) has approved Viability Plan 2.0 for Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) to strengthen financial stability and improve operational efficiency.
The revised plan is approved for a three-year period from 2025-26 to 2027-28.
Viability Plan 2.0 comprises 30 performance parameters anchored around four pillars: operational excellence, asset quality, profitability, and growth.
Key critical metrics include Capital to Risk-weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR), credit-deposit ratio, digital adoption, Non-Performing Asset (NPA) levels, recovery performance, profitability ratios, and performance in implementation of central government schemes.
The initiative is expected to improve operational efficiency across all 28 RRBs and ensure alignment with national priorities of rural credit expansion, digital inclusion, and financial outreach.
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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued revised guidelines for relief measures in calamity-affected areas, which will come into force from 1 July 2026.
The directions apply to commercial banks, small finance banks, local area banks, cooperative banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and All India Financial Institutions.
Lenders are permitted to extend relief measures to all borrowers without waiting for requests, with an opt-out clause available for 135 days from the date of natural calamity declaration.
Banks may operate calamity-affected branches from temporary premises or provide services through satellite offices, extension counters, or mobile banking facilities.
Banks can provide a waiver or reduction of fees and charges for customers in calamity-declared areas for a period not exceeding one year.
Borrowers are eligible for resolution if their accounts are classified as Standard and are not in default for more than 30 days as of the date of the calamity.
Accounts that became Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) between the date of the calamity and the implementation of the resolution plan shall be upgraded to Standard upon implementation.
Banks are mandated to make an additional specific provision of 5 per cent of the outstanding debt for borrowers under a resolution plan, subject to a ceiling of 100 per cent.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) exempts small non-deposit taking NBFCs from registration (Start of May)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will exempt non-deposit-taking Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) with an asset size of less than ₹1,000 crore from registration and reserve fund requirements effective from July 1, 2026.
To qualify for the exemption, NBFCs must not avail public funds and must not have any customer interface.
The exemption applies to the provisions of sections 45IA and 45IC of the RBI Act, 1934.
Section 45IA concerns registration requirements, while Section 45IC requires NBFCs to transfer 20 per cent of their annual net profit into a reserve fund.
Existing eligible NBFCs, including those holding Certificate of Registration as Type I NBFC, can apply for deregistration by December 31, 2026.
These changes are introduced via the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies - Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Amendment Directions, 2026.
The RBI has set the asset size of ₹1,000 crore as the threshold level for systemic significance requiring oversight.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposes 6-year Kisan Credit Card (KCC) tenure and higher loan limits. (Mid of February)▼
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed merging all existing KCC instructions into a single unified guideline for banks.
The proposed KCC framework extends total facility validity to six years.
Credit limits will be aligned with the officially approved Scale of Finance for each crop season.
Expenses on technological interventions such as modern farm equipment and agri-tech tools may be formally included as eligible uses under KCC.
Under the Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS), farmers can access short-term crop loans at 7 per cent interest through KCC.
The government provides 1.5 per cent interest subvention to lending institutions under MISS.
Timely repayment gives farmers an additional 3 per cent prompt repayment incentive, reducing the effective interest rate to 4 per cent per year.
The loan limit under MISS has been raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh in the latest Budget.
For animal husbandry and fisheries, interest benefit is available on loans up to ₹2 lakh under MISS.
By 31 December 2024, about 5.9 crore farmers had been mapped on the Kisan Rin Portal (KRP).
Interest subvention claims worth over ₹1.08 trillion had been processed through KRP by 31 December 2024.
As of March 2024, there were around 7.75 crore KCC accounts with outstanding credit of about ₹9.81 lakh crore.
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.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) constitutes 'cyber-suraksha.ai' task force
Key Updates:
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a dedicated task force named "cyber-suraksha.ai" to examine cybersecurity risks arising from advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.
SEBI identified AI-driven vulnerability detection tools, such as "Claude Mythos", as sources of new risks for regulated entities.
The "cyber-suraksha.ai" task force includes representatives from Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs), Qualified Registrar and Transfer Agents (QRTAs), regulated entities, and other stakeholders.
The task force aims to devise a uniform mitigation strategy and facilitate the sharing of threat intelligence, best practices on vulnerability management, use cases, and playbooks.
SEBI emphasised accelerating onboarding to Market Security Operations Centres (M-SOC) established by the National Stock Exchange of India and BSE for real-time cyber threat monitoring.
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Global Financial Regulators Assess Risks of Anthropic Mythos AI to Banking Systems (Start of May)▼
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) are monitoring Anthropic’s Mythos AI model for its potential to destabilise banking systems.
South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) convened with banks and insurance companies to review vulnerabilities associated with the AI tool.
The National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) in the Netherlands reported that Mythos can construct chain attacks by combining small, seemingly harmless software bugs into serious exploits.
The Canadian Financial Sector Resiliency Group (CFRG) and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) met with executives from Canada’s six largest banks to discuss AI-related cybersecurity risks.
Anthropic has restricted Mythos from public release to prevent the tool from being weaponised to detect and exploit software vulnerabilities within the global financial sector.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and Jumps Automation LLP Partner to Launch AI-Powered Cybersecurity Platform (End of April)▼
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the Government of India's premier telecom R&D institution, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jumps Automation LLP to develop a gamification-based cybersecurity awareness platform.
The collaboration is formalised under the C-DOT Collaborative Research Programme (CCRP) and is tailored for individuals, enterprises, and institutions.
The platform features a dynamic gaming arena, leaderboards, Learning Management System (LMS) modules, interactive discussion forums, and simulation-driven scenarios.
The simulation-driven scenarios cover phishing detection, malware response, social engineering tactics, and crisis management.
The platform incorporates an AI-powered behavioural analytics engine to monitor user performance and dynamically adjust the complexity of challenges.
The solution will be developed, tested, and validated at C-DOT facilities in New Delhi to ensure compliance with national security standards.
The platform is expected to be launched as a commercial-grade Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution.
The initiative is designed to support the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by building indigenous, scalable cybersecurity solutions.
Government forms panel under State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman to assess AI platform Mythos risks (End of April)▼
The Government of India has formed a panel led by State Bank of India (SBI) Chairman C S Setty to assess risks from the AI platform Mythos and devise mitigation strategies.
C S Setty also leads the Indian Banks' Association (IBA).
Mythos is an AI model developed by Anthropic that possesses advanced coding capabilities to detect and exploit cybersecurity weaknesses in operating systems.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is consulting with various governments and technology companies to understand the issue.
The panel will facilitate interaction among banks to identify threats and determine necessary additional investments to counter AI-driven challenges.
Regulators across Asia, Europe, and the US have warned banks to review their defences against the potential for Mythos to disrupt banking systems.
Mission Jagrook: SEBI's nationwide investor awareness initiative (End of April)▼
The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs launched 'Mission Jagrook', a nationwide investor awareness initiative by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
SEBI implemented the Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Framework in April 2025.
SEBI introduced "SEBI Check", a tool that allows investors to verify the payment details of registered intermediaries before transferring money.
The SEBI Data Analytics and Digital Forensics Laboratory utilises Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) models to detect network-based frauds and complex market manipulation patterns.
SEBI, in collaboration with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and market institutions, conducted 'Niveshak Shivir' programmes to reduce unclaimed financial assets.
India has over 5,900 listed companies and more than 140 million unique investors.
The primary market in India facilitates capital formation of nearly ₹10 trillion annually.
S&P Global (S&P) and Crisil Lower India’s FY27 GDP Growth Projection to 6.6%
Key Updates:
S&P Global (S&P) has lowered India’s economic growth projection for the financial year 2026-27 (FY27) to 6.6% from its earlier estimate of 7.1%.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth for the financial year ended March 2026 (FY26) has been pegged at 7.6%.
Crisil Chief Economist Dharmakirti Joshi stated that disruption in energy supplies is likely to push India’s retail inflation to 5.1% in FY27 from around 2% the previous year.
India’s annual GDP growth averaged 7.3% between FY23 and FY26, while the fiscal deficit was reduced from 9.2% in 2020-21 to 4.4% in 2025-26.
The report noted that Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation is likely to surpass Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation in the coming months.
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S&P Global Ratings raises India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 7.1% (End of March)▼
S&P Global Ratings revised India’s FY27 growth forecast upward to 7.1%.
The agency lifted its FY28 forecast by 0.2 percentage points to 7.2%.
India’s GDP is officially estimated to expand 7.6% in FY26.
S&P projects inflation to rise to 4.3% in FY27 and expects the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to keep rates unchanged with a neutral stance.
The RBI monetary policy committee held the repo rate at 6.50% in February and is scheduled to meet early next week.
S&P assumes Brent crude to average $92 per barrel in the June quarter and around $80 per barrel in 2026.
In a severe disruption scenario, Brent could average $185 per barrel in the June quarter and nearly $130 per barrel in 2026.
S&P expects one 25 bps rate hike by India’s central bank in the second half if energy-driven inflation persists.
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.
Annual Health Check-Up Initiative: Free health screenings for workers aged 40 and above
Key Updates:
Union Minister of Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will launch the nationwide free 'Annual Health Check-Up Initiative' for workers aged 40 years and above on May 7, 2026.
The initiative will be formally inaugurated from the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, with simultaneous events at 11 other ESIC hospitals across the country.
The initiative is aligned with the 'Shramev Jayate' framework and the four New Labour Codes, which consolidate 29 central labour laws.
The Code on Social Security, 2020, extends coverage to unorganised, gig, and platform workers and establishes a Social Security Fund.
Medical check-ups are mandatory irrespective of age for workers engaged in hazardous or dangerous operations, including those handling chemicals, toxic substances, or heavy machinery.
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Fire Safety Week to strengthen awareness and preparedness in healthcare facilities (Start of May)▼
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will observe a nationwide Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10, 2026.
The initiative focuses on prevention, mitigation, and emergency response mechanisms within hospitals and related facilities.
Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava will inaugurate the week-long observance at Kartavya Bhawan in New Delhi.
A nationwide pledge on fire safety in health facilities will be administered during the opening ceremony to reinforce safety protocols.
The programme will include awareness campaigns, mock drills, and capacity-building exercises for healthcare workers and administrators.
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY): ₹5 Lakh Health Coverage (Start of May)▼
Ayushman Bharat Diwas is celebrated annually on April 30 to recognise the impact of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
PM-JAY was launched on September 23, 2018, in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The scheme provides cashless health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
It targets over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore individuals), focusing on the poorest 40% of the population identified by SECC 2011 data.
The programme is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations (UN) under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The scheme covers pre-existing conditions and provides access to over 1,900 medical procedures at empanelled public and private hospitals.
Beneficiary groups include low-income families, people with chronic illnesses, hospitalised patients, women, the elderly, and interstate migrants.
The coverage includes maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health, and rehabilitation care.
By late 2025, more than 5.38 crore Ayushman cards were issued, with 74.4 lakh beneficiaries in Uttar Pradesh receiving free treatment.
Over 1 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) have been operationalised to expand healthcare access in underserved areas.
The Ask Ayushman chatbot on WhatsApp is utilised to help users find hospitals and check eligibility.
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'.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya delivers keynote at ESIC 75th Year of Service celebrations. (End of February)▼
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, delivered the keynote address at the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) 75th Year of Service celebrations held at Bharat Mandapam.
Ms. Vandana Gurnani, Secretary, Labour & Employment, stated that ESIC has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s social security architecture.
ESIC signed an MoU with the National Health Authority to converge the ESI Scheme with Ayushman Bharat–PM-JAY.
ESIC signed an MoU with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) to strengthen quality assurance in laboratories.
Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for Sugarcane: ₹365 per quintal for 2026–27 Season
Key Updates:
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of ₹365 per quintal for sugarcane for the 2026–27 sugar season.
The FRP is fixed for a basic sugar recovery rate of 10.25 per cent, with a premium of ₹3.56 per quintal for every 0.1 per cent increase in recovery above this level.
The government decided that there will be no deduction in FRP for mills where recovery falls below 9.5 per cent, ensuring farmers receive at least ₹338.3 per quintal.
The approved price is 2.81 per cent higher than the 2025–26 season and was determined based on recommendations from the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
This policy is expected to benefit approximately 5 crore sugarcane farmers and their dependents, along with nearly 5 lakh workers employed in sugar mills and related industries.
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Draft Sugarcane (Control) Order 2026: Regulatory Revamp and Ethanol Integration (End of April)▼
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution released the draft Sugarcane (Control) Order 2026 to replace the 1966 regulations.
The draft order recognizes ethanol as a core output of sugar mills and brings khandsari sugar under the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) regime.
For sugar units producing ethanol from sugarcane juice, syrup, and B-heavy molasses, 600 litres of bio-fuel will be counted as equivalent to one tonne of sugar.
The draft rules prohibit the establishment of new sugar factories within a 25-km radius of an existing unit, increasing the distance from the current 15 km.
Under the draft order, mills are required to pay for sugarcane within 14 days of delivery, with delayed payments attracting interest at 15% per annum.
The order integrates by-product valuation for bagasse, molasses, and press mud to align sugar policy with the national biofuel programme.
In the 2024-25 crop year, the total estimated sugarcane production was 43.5 million tonne (MT), with 13.5 MT used for manufacturing jaggery, juices, and khandsari.
Khandsari sugar is primarily manufactured by approximately 370 units located in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: ₹5,659.22 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity (2026-27 to 2030-31) with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.
The mission aligns with the '5F vision' (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) and aims to increase cotton production to 498 lakh bales by 2031.
It seeks to enhance lint productivity from 440 kg/hectares to 755 kg/hectares by 2031.
The mission will benefit approximately 32 lakh farmers and initially focus on 140 districts across 14 states and 2,000 ginning/processing factories.
The programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Textiles, involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRPs).
The Maharashtra Cabinet approved the Compressed Biogas (CBG) Policy, 2026, with an outlay of ₹500 crore for 2026-27.
The policy aims to convert urban waste, farm residue, agricultural residue, and cattle waste into clean fuel and organic fertiliser.
Biogas plants with a minimum capacity of 200 tonnes per day will be established under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The government will provide land on lease, a single-window system for fast-track approvals, and a digital platform to connect waste suppliers and developers.
Urban local bodies will lead the implementation by linking segregated biodegradable waste from cities to biogas plants.
Mission for Cotton Productivity: ₹5,659.22 Crore Outlay (Start of May)▼
The Union Cabinet approved the Mission for Cotton Productivity for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹5,659.22 crore.
The mission aligns with the '5F vision' (Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign) to enhance cotton productivity and promote high-quality cotton exports.
It aims to achieve a production of 498 lakh bales (170 kg lint each) by 2031 by increasing lint productivity from 440 kg/hectares to 755 kg/hectares.
About 32 lakh farmers will benefit, with an initial focus on 140 districts in 14 states and 2,000 ginning/processing factories.
The mission will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Textiles, involving the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRPs).
Swasth Bharat Portal: Integration of Digital Health Systems
Key Updates:
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the Swasth Bharat Portal on May 7, 2026, during the 10th National Summit on "Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India's Health Future".
The portal was developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to integrate multiple digital applications used in national health programmes for service delivery, monitoring, and reporting.
It functions as an aggregator platform using an API-based federated architecture to create a unified digital layer and ensure interoperability across programmes.
The portal aims to reduce the administrative burden on frontline health workers, including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Community Health Officers (CHOs), and Medical Officers (MOs).
The portal is Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) compliant and supports integration with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and Health Facility Registry (HFR).
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JANANI: Digital Maternal and Child Healthcare Platform for Unified Health Services (Start of May)▼
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) launched JANANI (Journey of Antenatal, Natal and Neonatal Integrated Care) to unify pregnancy tracking and newborn care under a digital system.
Developed as an upgraded version of the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal, the platform was unveiled at the National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India’s Health Future.
The platform has recorded 1.34 crore beneficiary registrations, over 30 lakh registrations of pregnant women, over 30 lakh Mother and Child Health (MCH) cards, and over 1 lakh biometric verifications.
JANANI features QR-enabled digital MCH cards and interoperability with other platforms including U-WIN and POSHAN for seamless data exchange.
Registration is available through Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), Aadhaar-linked OTP or biometric verification, and mobile numbers.
MeHEALTH app launched by Kerala Health Department to provide nearby public health-care facility information (Start of March)▼
Kerala Health Department launched the MeHEALTH mobile application to help users access information about nearby public health-care facilities and services.
Users can view details of nearby hospitals, specialty departments, laboratory tests, test rates, blood banks, paywards, radiology services, and pharmacies.
The app allows advance booking of appointments in hospitals where the e-Health project is implemented.
Information on Janakeeya Aarogya Kendrams (formerly subcentres), government homoeopathy hospitals, and Karunya pharmacies is available through the app.
Users must install the app and log in using their phone number and OTP; linking Aadhaar enables online OP ticket and doctor appointment booking.
The app shows the exact distance and route to health-care facilities using integrated Google Maps navigation.
The 'Nearby Services' option displays hospitals within a 10-km radius and allows filtering by specialty, services, ambulances, blood banks, laboratories, paywards, radiology, JAK centres, pharmacies, and homoeopathy clinics.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and ABDM: Digital-First Future charted at NHA Chintan Shivir (End of April)▼
The National Health Authority (NHA) conducted a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune to accelerate healthcare transformation for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
The National Medical Commission (NMC) announced that the integration of hospital management systems (HMIS) with ABDM platforms is now mandatory.
Service delivery in medical colleges will be evaluated based on Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)-linked patient data.
The ABDM State Adoption Index, developed with World Bank support, tracks performance across core digital registries, adoption and usage metrics, and budget utilisation.
The NHA is working to integrate multiple schemes, including PM RAHAT, onto the PM-JAY platform.
Karnataka implemented an online referral system to optimise resource utilisation and strengthen public healthcare institutions.
Gujarat introduced clinical governance reforms comprising Online Tumor Board Certification, digital verification mechanisms, and data-driven monitoring systems.
PM-JAY incentives were utilised to upgrade infrastructure at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The NHA presented 18 PM-JAY Awards across categories including pre-authorisation efficiency, bio-authentication, training completion, and claims processing.
ABDM Awards for digital adoption were granted to Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tripura.
The event discussed the System Integrator Model to achieve scalable and standardised digital health integration across India.
Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHA.
Samriddh Gram Initiative nominated for WSIS Prizes 2026 (End of April)▼
The Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model is enabled by BharatNet, an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The initiative has been nominated for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2026 under the Action Line AL C6: Enabling Environment category.
The project establishes Samriddhi Kendras as one-stop community hubs providing integrated services in healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, financial inclusion, and e-commerce.
The model utilizes high-speed broadband, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity, and public Wi-Fi to enable telemedicine, smart classrooms, and digital governance services.
Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated India's first Samriddhi Kendra at Umri Village in Guna district, Madhya Pradesh.
The WSIS Forum 2026 is scheduled to be held from 6–10 July 2026 in Geneva.
Bihar Cabinet approves $500 million World Bank loan for urban economic zones
Key Updates:
The Bihar Cabinet approved an in-principle proposal to secure a $500 million (Rs 4,700 crore) loan from the World Bank to strengthen urban centres and promote integrated urban economic zones.
E-voting for the 2026 municipal elections was cleared to facilitate remote voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with serious illnesses, and voters residing away from their registration place.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, was selected as the implementing agency for e-voting at an estimated cost of Rs 31.45 lakh.
The Cabinet approved structured AI-governance training for members of both Houses of the state legislature and government officials under the Bihar Finance (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
Multiple erosion control projects along the Ganga river were cleared with a combined outlay of over Rs 174 crore.
Land allotments were approved for Kendriya Vidyalayas in Arwal and Sheikhpura districts.
Eighteen non-gazetted posts were created for additional courts in Darbhanga and Madhubani to ensure faster disposal of cases under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.
A proposal was approved enabling state government employees and pensioners to avail advance salary, pension, and loans through banks and financial institutions.
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World Bank (WB) approves USD 225 million loan for Rajasthan highway modernisation (Mid of April)▼
The World Bank (WB) has approved a USD 225 million loan for the highway modernisation project in Rajasthan.
The project aims to benefit more than 3 million people and stimulate job creation across the agriculture, industrial, mining, and tourism sectors.
The funding will support the transformation of the Rajasthan State Highway Authority into a modern, service-oriented highway agency.
Approximately 800 km of selected highway corridors will be upgraded and maintained to be safer and climate-resilient.
The loan is provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) with a final maturity of 35 years.
The IBRD loan includes a grace period of 5 years and a step-up loan feature.
Rajasthan connects 40 per cent of India's markets and recorded an annual growth rate of 11 per cent between 2015-16 and 2023-24.
World Bank (WB) releases USD 340 million for Amaravati Capital Phase-I development (Mid of April)▼
The World Bank (WB) has released USD 340 million for the Amaravati Capital Phase-I development in Andhra Pradesh as of April 2026.
The WB and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have committed a total of USD 1,600 million for the project, with each entity contributing USD 800 million.
The Central Government will fund ₹1,400 crore out of the ₹15,000 crore committed for the capital development.
The loan has a 29-year final maturity and a six-year grace period, with repayment scheduled to begin on June 15, 2031.
The interest rate for the funding is approximately 8% to 8.5% and will fluctuate based on international rates.
The Amaravati Integrated Urban Development Programme (AIUDP) is being implemented under the Program for Results framework, linking disbursements to milestones.
Flood management works have achieved over 35% completion across six locations in the capital region.
World Bank (WB) signs $300 million loan for Uttar Pradesh Clean Air Management Program. (Mid of March)▼
The World Bank (WB) signed a $300 million loan agreement with Uttar Pradesh for the UP Clean Air Management Program.
The program targets transport, agriculture, and industry to adopt cleaner technologies.
Around 200 new air quality monitors will be deployed under the initiative.
The project anticipates leveraging an additional $150 million in private investment.
Over 700 brick kilns will shift to eco-friendly technology.
3.9 million households will gain access to clean cooking solutions.
Juhi Mukherjee from the Ministry of Finance, B Chandrakala from Uttar Pradesh Government, and Paul Procee from the World Bank attended the signing.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves USD 182 million loan for Assam flood management (Mid of February)▼
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved USD 182 million in additional financing to strengthen Assam's resilience to chronic flooding and riverbank erosion along the Brahmaputra.
The funding supplements the ongoing USD 200 million Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project approved in October 2023.
The project will extend integrated risk management measures into four additional high-priority reaches of the Brahmaputra river.
The initiative is expected to directly benefit approximately 600,000 rural residents, including poor households, women, and disadvantaged groups.
Under the expanded scope, ADB will support the construction of 63.5 kilometres of riverbank protection and the installation of pro-siltation measures to reclaim eroded land.
Nature-based solutions, including reed propagation and wetland restoration, will be implemented to reduce flooding and improve ecological resilience.
The financing will enhance knowledge-based river management through flood risk maps, asset condition surveys, erosion prediction models, and early warning systems.
The project includes community disaster preparedness programmes and the upgrading of disaster-resilient flood embankments.
India's DRDO and IAF conduct maiden flight-trial of indigenous TARA glide weapon system on 8 May 2026
Key Updates:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully carried out the maiden flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha.
TARA is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons using a modular range extension kit.
The weapon system was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a Hyderabad-based DRDO laboratory, in collaboration with other facilities.
The TARA system incorporates state-of-the-art low-cost technologies and was developed with the support of Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPPs) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Indian defence industries have already initiated production activities for the TARA system, which aims to enhance the range, accuracy, and lethality of low-cost munitions.
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SkyHop Aviation becomes India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator (Start of May)▼
SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The company is India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator.
Test flights were conducted at Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand and the Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh on April 6, 2026.
The airline will begin operations using a 19-seater modified De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
In the first phase, SkyHop plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and the mainland.
Southern Air Command (SAC) conducts joint maritime exercise Kalari Leap in Lakshadweep on 24 February 2026 (Start of March)▼
Southern Air Command (SAC) conducted the joint maritime exercise Kalari Leap in the Lakshadweep and Minicoy archipelago on 24 February 2026.
The exercise involved the participation of the Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD) and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
The operations encompassed airborne and air-landed insertions, special heliborne missions, amphibious assault, anti-ship strike, and maritime search and rescue.
Air assets utilised during the exercise included An-32, Mi-17V5, and Su-30MKI aircraft.
The ICG deployed ships and Gemini boats, while its Dornier 228 aircraft was used for search and rescue missions and shepherding fighters for maritime strikes.
AFSOD special forces were integrated for Combat Free Fall insertions and amphibious assaults to validate joint planning and rapid force projection.
India and Thailand to conduct joint air exercise near Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026 (Mid of February)▼
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) will commence a joint air exercise near the Malacca Strait on 9 February 2026.
The drill will be conducted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the North Malacca Strait, marking the first international air exercise for the IAF in 2026.
India will deploy four to six Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, mid-air refuelling tankers, and an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
The RTAF will participate with four to six Gripen fighter jets operating from Thai air bases.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and test logistics endurance and operational sustainability in island territories within the Indian Ocean Region.
The joint drill will include maritime search and rescue operations supported by naval vessels deployed at sea.
Defence cooperation between the two nations is institutionalised under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January 2012 and India’s Act East policy.
The IAF is scheduled to participate in three additional major air exercises with France, the United States, and Greece over the next two months.
DRDO successfully completes three VSHORADS flight-trials in Chandipur, Odisha (Start of March)▼
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted three flight-trials of the indigenously developed VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) from Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners.
The missile system is intended to meet the requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
All missiles intercepted and destroyed high-speed aerial targets mimicking enemy aircraft in various threat scenarios.
Tests were carried out in final deployment configuration with target acquisition and missile firing by field operators.
Flight data collected by Telemetry, Electro-Optical Tracking System, and Radars at ITR, Chandipur, confirmed VSHORADS effectiveness against a broad spectrum of aerial threats.
User validation trials were witnessed by Joint Forces representatives and senior DRDO and industry officials.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry, stating the system can soon be inducted.
India hosts first-ever International Ophthalmology Research Summit in New Delhi on 9 May 2026
Key Updates:
The Armed Forces hosted the first-ever International Ophthalmology Research Summit.
The conference is designated as AIOS-AFOU 2026.
Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the landmark conference.
The event was conducted in New Delhi.
The summit took place on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
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Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh Selected for Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award 2026 (Mid of February)▼
Dr Haripriya Aravind and Dr R Venkatesh from the Aravind Eye Hospital in Puducherry have been selected for the Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award for 2026.
The award is presented by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Foundation to recognise service and compassion in the field of cataract blindness and disability.
The presentation ceremony will be held during the ASCRS Foundation’s conference in Washington DC on 11 April 2026.
The award includes a prize of $100,000, which is donated to the non-profit organisation of the awardee's choice.
The doctors have earmarked the $100,000 cash prize for the Aravind Eye Care System.
The Chang-Crandall Humanitarian Award was instituted in 2017 and is endowed by a gift from David and Victoria Chang.
Dr Haripriya Aravind serves as the chief of cataract and intraocular lens services, and Dr R Venkatesh is the chief medical officer at the hospital.
BioAsia 2026 begins in Hyderabad with record 4,000 delegates (Mid of February)▼
BioAsia 2026, Asia's premier life sciences and health-tech forum, commenced in Hyderabad on 17 February 2026.
The two-day event drew over 4,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, marking its largest edition to date.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy inaugurated the forum at 9:30 am on 17 February at HITEX Hall 4.
The 2026 edition theme is 'TechBio Unleashed: AI, Automation & the Biology Revolution'.
The exhibition footprint expanded to 9,000 square metres, up from 7,000 square metres in 2025.
175+ exhibitors span pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medtech, digital health and advanced manufacturing.
Startup Pavilion hosted 40 emerging startups, Innovation Pavilion featured 16 exhibitors, and 22 MSME exhibitors participated.
Keynote speakers included Prof. Bruce Levine (University of Pennsylvania), Dr. Howard Y. Chang (Amgen) and Pushmeet Kohli (Google DeepMind).
Global firms Novartis, Eli Lilly, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sanofi, MSD and Miltenyi Biotec, alongside Indian leaders Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Biocon Biologics, featured prominently.
India to host India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20 (Mid of February)▼
India is scheduled to host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from February 16 to 20, 2026.
The Summit is organised under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is built around three foundational Sutras: People, Planet, and Progress.
The event will see participation from ministerial-level delegations representing over 45 countries and the United Nations (UN) Secretary General.
Confirmed attendees from Europe include President Emmanuel Macron (France), President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon (Spain), Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (Finland), Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Greece), Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (Croatia), President Alar Karis (Estonia), President Peter Pellegrini (Slovakia), President Aleksandar Vucic (Serbia), President Guy Parmelin (Switzerland), Prime Minister Dick Schoof (Netherlands), and Hereditary Prince Alois (Liechtenstein).
Leaders from the Americas and Asia-Pacific attending include President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Brazil), Vice President Edmand Lara Montano (Bolivia), Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (Guyana), Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay (Bhutan), President Anura Kumara Disanayaka (Sri Lanka), and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov (Kazakhstan).
Participants from Africa, the Indian Ocean, and the Middle East include Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam (Mauritius), Vice President Sebastien Pillay (Seychelles), and Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (United Arab Emirates).
India to host BRICS Agriculture Ministers' meeting in Indore from June 12 to 13
Key Updates:
The meeting of agriculture ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) will be held in Indore from June 12 to 13 under India's presidency.
A three-day meeting of officials under the BRICS agriculture working group will be conducted in Indore from June 9 to 11.
The gathering will deliberate on food security, farmer welfare, nutrition, climate-resilient smart agriculture, facilitation of international agricultural trade, supply chains, digital agriculture, research, knowledge exchange, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics.
BRICS nations account for approximately 42 per cent of the world's agricultural land, 68 per cent of farmers, and 45 per cent of global grain production.
The Madhya Pradesh government has declared 2026 as Agriculture Welfare Year.
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India chairs BRICS MENA meeting in New Delhi on 24 April 2026 (Start of May)▼
Dr. Neena Malhotra, Secretary South of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), chaired the meeting of BRICS Deputy Foreign Ministers and Special Envoys for the Middle East and North Africa (BRICS MENA) in New Delhi.
The discussions focused on the Palestine issue, the Gaza situation, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The meeting emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism, welcomed the ceasefire in Lebanon, and addressed the unacceptability of attacks on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The participants discussed post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation in Syria.
The meeting covered the political settlement in Yemen, stability and development in Iraq, the political process in Libya, and the humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Observer Research Foundation and Research and Information System for Developing Countries launch inaugural BRICS Academic Forum on April 17-18, 2026 (End of April)▼
The inaugural convening of the BRICS Academic Forum was hosted by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in partnership with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) on April 17 and 18, 2026, in New Delhi.
India assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2026, with the theme Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
The year 2026 marks two decades since the establishment of BRICS.
The BRICS Academic Forum is a Track II platform designed to generate recommendations for leaders ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
The Forum will host 13 international speakers and multiple convenings across India and abroad in the coming months.
Samir Saran serves as the President of ORF and Chair of the BRICS Think Tanks Council, India.
Sudhakar Dalela is the Secretary (ER) in the Ministry of External Affairs and India's BRICS Sherpa.
India to host BRICS senior officials meeting bringing Iran and UAE together (Mid of April)▼
India is hosting a BRICS senior officials meeting under its BRICS presidency that will see Iran and the UAE face to face for the first time since the West Asian conflict.
The meeting agenda covers broader West Asian and North African issues including Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
Iran, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are all BRICS members.
BRICS could not issue a statement on the war earlier as consensus eluded it due to differences between Iran and UAE.
Egypt, a BRICS member and India's strategic partner, is assisting India to hold the meeting and subsequent events including the foreign ministers' meet in May and the summit in September.
Russian support has also been extended to India's BRICS Presidency.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit Delhi on 14-15 May for BRICS foreign ministers meeting (Start of April)▼
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit New Delhi on 14-15 May to attend the BRICS foreign ministers meeting.
The meeting will finalise the general outlines of the documents to be submitted to the BRICS summit under India’s 2026 presidency.
Lavrov will hold a separate working visit to meet External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Tests High-Power Lithium-Fed Plasma Engine for Mars Missions
Key Updates:
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) successfully conducted high-power testing of a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thruster at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California.
The prototype engine achieved a power output of 120 kilowatts (kW), marking a 25-fold increase over the electric propulsion systems used in current deep-space probes like the Psyche spacecraft.
The MPD thruster operates by heating a tungsten electrode to over 2,800 degrees Celsius to transform lithium vapor into plasma, which is then accelerated through a magnetic field to generate constant thrust.
NASA plans to integrate this technology with Nuclear Electric Propulsion (NEP) systems, such as the proposed Space Reactor-1 Freedom, to meet the 2 to 4 megawatt power requirement for crewed Mars missions.
The engine technology aims to use 90% less propellant than traditional chemical rockets and must demonstrate the capability to operate continuously for over 23,000 hours for interplanetary travel.
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and SpaceX to launch European Space Agency (ESA) Rosalind Franklin Mars rover (Mid of April)▼
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) confirmed that SpaceX will launch the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosalind Franklin Mars rover as soon as late 2028.
The mission will be launched using a Falcon Heavy rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Rosalind Franklin rover is expected to reach Mars in 2030.
The mission will be the first to extract and analyse soil samples from as deep as 6 feet (2 metres) into the Martian crust.
The rover features novel mobility capabilities, including six-wheel steering and wheel walking.
NASA is providing a mass spectrometer to analyse Martian soil, braking engines for landing, and nuclear-powered heaters for the electronics.
The rover was built by Airbus in the United Kingdom, the carrier spacecraft was manufactured by OHB in Germany, and Thales Alenia Space of Italy is responsible for the overall assembly.
Akasha300 high-temperature 3D printer delivered to Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) (End of March)▼
The Akasha300 is a high-temperature multi-material extrusion 3D printer developed in India.
It was successfully launched and delivered to the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiyamala.
The printer uses dual-extrusion technology operating at temperatures up to 350°C, with future upgrades expected to reach 500°C.
Its heated bed reaches up to 110°C (upgradeable to 150°C) and its enclosed chamber can sustain up to 80°C.
The development was supported by the Space Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre at IIST and the Kerala Startup Mission.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) selects SpaceX Falcon Heavy for ESA Mars Rover Mission (Mid of April)▼
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has selected the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket to launch the European Space Agency (ESA) Rosalind Franklin rover mission to Mars.
The launch is scheduled for late 2028 under the Rosalind Franklin Support and Augmentation (ROSA) project.
The launch contract is valued at $175.7 million, which includes the launch service and other mission-related costs.
NASA is providing braking engines, electronics, a mass spectrometer, and Radioisotope Heater Units (RHUs) that use the decay of plutonium to generate heat for the rover.
The mission was restructured after ESA ended cooperation with Russia, which was originally providing the Proton launch vehicle and landing stage.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) utilises Devon Island for Mars simulation research (Mid of March)▼
Devon Island, located in Nunavut, Canada, is the world's largest uninhabited island and serves as a primary site for Mars research.
The island is classified as a polar desert, characterized by freezing temperatures, extreme dryness, and a lack of vegetation.
The Haughton Impact Crater, a 20-kilometre-wide formation on the island, is used to simulate the cratered terrain of Mars.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses the island to test next-generation hardware, including analogue pressurised rovers, autonomous drones, and deep-drilling systems.
The Haughton-Mars Project (HMP) conducts the Arthur Clarke Mars Greenhouse experiment to study plant growth in sterile, Mars-like soil.
Scientists study endolithic colonisation on the island, a process where microorganisms survive extreme ultraviolet (UV) radiation by living inside rocks.
IndiaAI and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Partner for Responsible AI in Healthcare
Key Updates:
IndiaAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to advance healthcare outcomes through the responsible and scalable application of artificial intelligence (AI).
The collaboration integrates IndiaAI's technology infrastructure and AI ecosystem with ICMR's biomedical research expertise and its Medical Information Data for AI Solutions (MIDAS) framework.
ICMR will contribute anonymised health research datasets, AI models, and toolkits developed under the MIDAS framework to the AIKosh platform for broader access by researchers and startups.
IndiaAI will provide ICMR with access to GPU-based and high-performance computing infrastructure at subsidised rates to address infrastructure gaps in scaling advanced AI research.
IndiaAI and ICMR's National Institute for Research in Digital Health and Data Sciences (NIRDHDS) are recognised as Pioneer Countries under the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN).
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Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (CUUP) launches Centre of Excellence in Smart Healthcare (End of March)▼
Chandigarh University Uttar Pradesh (CUUP) inaugurated the Centre of Excellence in Smart Healthcare at its Unnao campus.
The centre is powered by 168 GB GPU memory using NVIDIA Blackwell Architecture.
CUUP will train 1.5 lakh Uttar Pradesh youth in responsible AI use within five years through its AI Ethics Training Program launched with upGrad.
The CoE will assist five AI startups in the next two years.
Short-term goals include research collaboration with hospitals, validation of models, research projects and publications.
Focus areas include medical imaging and diagnostics for X-rays, MRIs and CT scans, predictive analytics, precision medicine and large healthcare datasets.
CUUP hosted a national symposium on 'AI in Governance: Policy, Practice and People-Centric Transformation' with panel discussions on AI use cases in government and roadmap for AI-enabled governance.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and ABDM: Digital-First Future charted at NHA Chintan Shivir (End of April)▼
The National Health Authority (NHA) conducted a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune to accelerate healthcare transformation for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM).
The National Medical Commission (NMC) announced that the integration of hospital management systems (HMIS) with ABDM platforms is now mandatory.
Service delivery in medical colleges will be evaluated based on Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)-linked patient data.
The ABDM State Adoption Index, developed with World Bank support, tracks performance across core digital registries, adoption and usage metrics, and budget utilisation.
The NHA is working to integrate multiple schemes, including PM RAHAT, onto the PM-JAY platform.
Karnataka implemented an online referral system to optimise resource utilisation and strengthen public healthcare institutions.
Gujarat introduced clinical governance reforms comprising Online Tumor Board Certification, digital verification mechanisms, and data-driven monitoring systems.
PM-JAY incentives were utilised to upgrade infrastructure at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The NHA presented 18 PM-JAY Awards across categories including pre-authorisation efficiency, bio-authentication, training completion, and claims processing.
ABDM Awards for digital adoption were granted to Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Tripura.
The event discussed the System Integrator Model to achieve scalable and standardised digital health integration across India.
Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NHA.
IIT-Guwahati (IIT-G) partners with Coventry University Group (CUG) for AI in healthcare (Start of March)▼
The Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Coventry University Group (CUG), UK, to strengthen global research in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare.
The strategic partnership aims to expand research collaboration, support academic mobility, and enable joint degree initiatives between the two institutions.
The collaboration is structured around academic and research mobility, including short-term faculty and student exchanges.
The agreement includes the establishment of joint doctoral programmes featuring a dual-award PhD under a joint supervision framework.
The partnership focuses on AI for One Health, which aligns with the National AI Mission of India.
The MoU was formalised during a visit to IIT-G by a delegation from CUG led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Richard Dashwood.
India launches world’s first doctor-led AI healthcare ecosystem iLive Connect (Start of February)▼
iLive Connect is the world’s first doctor-led, AI-powered healthcare ecosystem providing 24/7 home medical monitoring.
Developed by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Rahul Chandola and senior interventional cardiologist Dr Viveka Kumar.
System uses FDA- and CE-approved wearable biosensor patch on chest and wristband to track two-lead ECG, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature, blood pressure trends, physical activity, and heart rate variability.
Data transmitted to secure cloud platform monitored round-the-clock by specialised doctors at central medical command centre.
Doctors alert patient and family within two minutes at first sign of harmful physiological change and provide immediate medical guidance.
10-week observational study of 410 patients showed 76% reduction in hospital readmissions with early detection of cardiac, metabolic, and post-discharge complications.
Technology especially beneficial for senior citizens, high-risk patients, elderly living alone, and recently discharged patients.
India’s first green methanol plant to use invasive Prosopis juliflora as feedstock
Key Updates:
India’s first green methanol production plant is being established at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Kandla, Gujarat, to produce fuel for ocean-going ships.
The plant will use the invasive shrub Prosopis juliflora, known locally as gando baval or vilayati keekar, as the primary biomass feedstock for methanol production.
The project is being built by Pune-based Thermax Energy using gasification technology from Vadodara-based Ankur Scientific and will have a production capacity of five tonnes per day.
The initiative aligns with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2023 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Strategy, which aims for net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050.
The Government of India offers a flat 30% subsidy for vessels propelled by green fuels, including methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, under its amended shipbuilding financial assistance policy.
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CSIR-NCL Pune develops indigenous Dimethyl Ether technology as LPG alternative (Mid of March)▼
Scientists at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) in Pune have created a patent-protected process to produce Dimethyl Ether (DME) from methanol using a cost-effective catalyst.
The Bureau of Indian Standards allows up to 20 per cent DME blending with LPG under standard IS 18698:2024, and up to 8 per cent blending needs no change in existing LPG cylinders, regulators, hoses or burners.
India imported nearly 21 million tonnes of LPG in 2024; replacing 8 per cent with DME could save around ₹9,500 crore in foreign exchange annually.
The pilot plant scales 250 kg per day, and an industrial demonstration plant of 2.5 tonnes per day is planned within six to nine months.
A patented burner prototype developed by CSIR-NCL can operate from 100 per cent LPG to 100 per cent DME and was tested at the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd secures $39 million SCI contract for India’s first methanol-powered platform supply vessel (End of March)▼
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) signed a $39 million shipbuilding contract with Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) on 18 March for a 3,000 Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) methanol dual-fuel platform supply vessel.
SCI reduced the order to one vessel from the original plan of two firm and two optional platform supply vessels due to high costs quoted by Indian yards.
The methanol-powered dual-fuel platform supply vessel is funded under India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission.
SCI selected high-pressure injection technology for the dual-fuel engine to lower pilot fuel percentage despite higher capital expenditure.
World Wildlife Day 2026 highlights medicinal plants amid rising global demand (Start of March)▼
World Wildlife Day is observed annually on 3 March and in 2026 focuses on medicinal and aromatic plants.
Danna J. Leaman, outgoing co-chair of the Medicinal Plant Specialist Group of the Species Survival Commission at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), stated that plants are critical for ecosystems and economies.
Around 30,000 plant species are documented as medicinal or aromatic based on published evidence and trade data.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) recognises that many species in international trade are plants.
Nardostachys jatamansi, a Himalayan herb used in Ayurveda and valued for its aromatic roots, is listed as critically endangered on IUCN’s Red List.
The species grows in high-altitude regions of Nepal, India and China, and harvesting its root usually kills the plant.
Nepal has imposed trade restrictions on wild Nardostachys jatamansi to promote conservation while affecting rural livelihoods dependent on its harvest.
Skyroot Aerospace Becomes India's First Space-Tech Unicorn
Key Updates:
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has achieved a valuation of $1.1 billion, making it the first space-technology startup in India to reach unicorn status.
The company raised nearly $60 million in a funding round co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and GIC, with participation from BlackRock and the Shanghvi Family Office.
Skyroot Aerospace is preparing for the upcoming launch of Vikram-1, which aims to be the first privately developed Indian rocket to place satellites into orbit.
Founded by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, the firm previously launched India's first private suborbital rocket, Vikram-S, in 2022.
The Vikram-1 rocket utilises 3D-printed components and is designed to carry payloads of up to 350 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
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SkyHop Aviation becomes India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator (Start of May)▼
SkyHop Aviation has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The company is India's first dedicated commercial seaplane operator.
Test flights were conducted at Tehri Lake in Uttarakhand and the Ganga Barrage in Rishikesh on April 6, 2026.
The airline will begin operations using a 19-seater modified De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.
In the first phase, SkyHop plans to connect five islands in Lakshadweep with each other and the mainland.
Skyroot Aerospace Completes Pre-Launch Milestones for Vikram-1 Rocket (End of April)▼
Skyroot Aerospace has completed the Integrated Electrical Test (IET) Campaign-Phase 3 for its Vikram-1 rocket.
The Vikram-1 rocket is named after Indian space pioneer Vikram Sarabhai and is designed to place small satellite payloads into low Earth orbit.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy flagged off the launch vehicle from Skyroot's Max-Q Campus in Hyderabad to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
The development is part of space sector reforms led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Skyroot Aerospace to Launch Vikram-1 Orbital Rocket in April 2026 (Start of March)▼
Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian space startup founded in 2018, is scheduled to debut its Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle in April 2026.
The Vikram-1 rocket is designed to deliver a payload of approximately 350 kg to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
The company is developing a second vehicle, Vikram-2, which will utilise a cryogenic upper stage to increase payload capacity to 1,100 kg.
Skyroot Aerospace employs advanced technologies including solid propellant boosters, carbon composites, and 3D printed engines.
The firm has invested in capital expenditure to establish an in-house production capacity of 12 rockets per year.
For the 2026 financial year, the company aims to conduct between four and six launches, depending on launch port availability.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is transitioning operational activities in satellite manufacturing and launching to the private sector under India’s new space policy.
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (InSPACe) acts as the regulatory and promotional body for the domestic space sector.
The Indian government expects to require launches for approximately 100 small satellites over the next five to six years.
Tracxn reports Indian tech startups raise USD 11.7 billion in FY26, down 18% from FY25 (Mid of April)▼
Indian tech startups raised USD 11.7 billion in FY 2025-26, an 18% decline from USD 14.3 billion in FY 2024-25.
Early-stage funding surged 33% to USD 4.8 billion in FY26 from USD 3.6 billion in FY25.
India ranked fourth-highest funded country globally in FY26, behind the US, UK, and China.
FinTech firms secured USD 2.4 billion in FY26, up 14% from USD 2.1 billion in FY25.
Enterprise Applications received USD 3.6 billion in FY26, same as FY25.
Late-stage startups raised USD 5.6 billion in FY26, down 38% from USD 9.2 billion in FY25.
Seed-stage funding declined 15% to USD 1.3 billion in FY26 from USD 1.5 billion in FY25.
India witnessed 13 funding rounds above USD 100 million in FY26, compared to 23 in FY25.
India Tech recorded 47 IPOs in FY26, up 52% from 31 IPOs in FY25.
Six unicorns were created in FY26, a 50% increase from four in FY25.
Apaar Saxena earns International Master title
Key Updates:
Apaar Saxena from Karnataka has achieved the International Master (IM) title.
The IM title is awarded by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE).
Saxena secured all three required IM norms during tournaments held across Europe.
Requirements for the IM title include achieving three IM norms and a FIDE rating of 2400 at some stage.
The IM title is one of the highest official chess titles after the Grandmaster (GM) title.
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Aronyak Ghosh becomes India's 95th Grandmaster (End of April)▼
Aronyak Ghosh from Kolkata became the 95th Grandmaster (GM) of India.
He achieved his final GM norm at the Bangkok Chess Club Open, finishing tied for first place with a score of 7/9.
Ghosh won the rapid section of the Nationals at Ranchi with a score of 9.5/11.
He secured his first GM norm in August 2022 at the 23rd Sants International Open in Spain.
He achieved his second GM norm at the Annemasse Masters.
He won bronze medals at the U16s, World Youth, and Pune Nationals.
Ghosh is an employee of the Eastern Railway.
His career-high Elo rating is 2555.
He crossed the 2500 rating mark at the Athens of East meet in Madurai.
Jharkhand Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kalpana Soren Receives Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award (End of March)▼
Kalpana Soren was honoured by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) at the WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026.
The award ceremony was held in New Delhi and hosted by the women empowerment vertical of the BRICS CCI.
The recognition was conferred for her contributions towards advancing women-led initiatives and community development.
The summit was attended by several dignitaries, policymakers, and international representatives.
Karan Adani received Business Leader of the Year award from All India Management Association (AIMA). (End of February)▼
Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Limited, was honoured as Business Leader of the Year at the Foundation Day of All India Management Association (AIMA).
He dedicated the award to employees of the Adani Group, stating they work day and night at plants and remote sites across the country.
Karan Adani credited his father for teaching him perseverance, hard work and long-term thinking.
He thanked his mother for teaching him compassion, humility and the need to be a better human being.
He acknowledged the support of his three brothers and his wife Paridhi for their constant encouragement.
He expressed gratitude to his three daughters for inspiring him daily to be a better father and person.
The award recognised leadership that combines business growth with strong human values.
BCCI Naman Awards 2026 honour Shubman Gill, Smriti Mandhana and domestic stars (Mid of March)▼
Shubman Gill won the Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) 2024-25.
Smriti Mandhana won the Best International Cricketer (Women) 2024-25 for the fifth time.
Roger Binny, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj received the Col. C. K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award.
Harshit Rana won Best International Debut (Men) 2024-25.
N Sree Charani won Best International Debut (Women) 2024-25.
Deepti Sharma took the most wickets for India Women in ODIs during 2024-25.
Ayush Mhatre (Mumbai) won the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-rounder in Domestic Limited-Overs Competitions 2024-25.
Harsh Dubey (Vidarbha) won the Lala Amarnath Award for Best All-rounder in Ranji Trophy 2024-25.
Ira Jadhav (Mumbai) won Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Jr Domestic) 2024-25.
Shafali Verma (Haryana) won Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Woman Cricketer (Sr Domestic) 2024-25.
Mumbai Cricket Association won Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments 2024-25.
Ulhas Gandhe (Vidarbha C A) won Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket 2024-25.
IOC lifts restrictions on Belarusian athletes
Key Updates:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has lifted restrictions on the participation of Belarusian athletes, including teams.
Belarusian athletes may compete as a delegation at the Los Angeles Summer Olympics in 2028, including participation in the opening ceremony and the medal table.
A total of 17 Belarusians competed as Individual Neutral Athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Seven Belarusian athletes competed as Individual Neutral Athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games in February.
The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has been suspended since autumn 2023 for placing sports organisations of four occupied Ukrainian regions under its authority.
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IOC limits Olympic women's sport to biological females from 2028 (End of March)▼
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that the women's category of Olympic sports will be limited to biological females from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Eligibility will be determined by a once-in-lifetime SRY gene test to detect the sex-determining region Y gene.
Athletes who fail the test remain eligible for male categories, open categories, or mixed events that include a designated male slot.
The policy will also apply to almost all athletes with a Difference of Sex Development (DSD) who have gone through male puberty.
The only exemption is for athletes with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) who have not experienced male puberty.
The IOC based its decision on an 18-month review of scientific evidence, an online athlete survey with over 1,100 responses, and interviews with impacted athletes.
World Athletics, which already enforces similar rules, welcomed the IOC move as promoting a consistent approach across all sports.
World Athletics classifies India as extremely high doping risk nation (End of April)▼
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Board moved the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) from Category B to Category A under Rule 15 of World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules.
Category A is designated as the highest risk, Category B as medium risk, and Category C as low risk.
India's Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) were 48 in 2022 (ranked 2nd), 63 in 2023 (ranked 2nd), 71 in 2024 (ranked 1st), and 30 in 2025 so far (ranked 1st).
India topped the AIU list of ineligible athletes with 148 suspended athletes, surpassing Kenya.
Under Rule 15.3.3, the AIU reviews each federation's category every three years.
Category A federations must establish an Anti-Doping Monitoring Committee under Rule 15.5.3.
Athletes from Category A federations must undergo at least three no-notice out-of-competition tests in the 10 months before the AIU deadline to participate in the Olympic Games or World Athletics Championships.
Blood testing for Category A federations must follow the Athlete Biological Passport system as per World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for Milano-Cortina 2026 (End of February)▼
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has officially lifted the ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will be permitted to compete under their national flags, and their national anthems will be played during medal ceremonies.
The IPC confirmed that National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Russia has been awarded six slots: two in Para-alpine skiing, two in Para-cross country skiing, and two in Para-snowboard.
NPC Belarus has been awarded four slots in total, all in the discipline of cross-country skiing.
The decision marks the first time the Russian flag will appear at a Winter Paralympics since 2014, following previous restrictions linked to a doping scandal and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
The IPC clarified that this policy change applies strictly to the Paralympics, while restrictions for the 2026 Winter Olympics remain separate.
India tops Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) list of suspended track and field athletes due to doping (Start of April)▼
India leads with 148 suspended track and field athletes on the latest Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) ineligibility list updated up to 1 April 2026.
Kenya is second and Russia third with 66 suspended athletes.
Notable Indians on the list include Dutee Chand, Parvej Khan and Dhanalakshmi Sekar.
Dutee Chand is serving a four-year suspension from 2022, Parvej Khan is banned until July 2030, and Dhanalakshmi Sekar has an eight-year suspension after a second offence last year.
Mother's Day observed on May 10, 2026
Key Updates:
Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The modern version of Mother's Day in the United States (US) traces back to the early 20th century through the efforts of activist Anna Jarvis.
President Woodrow Wilson officially designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day, a legal national holiday, in 1914.
Alabama's U.S. Representative J. Thomas Heflin introduced a joint resolution in Congress seeking a nationwide Mother's Day.
Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas helped move the proposal for a nationwide Mother's Day forward.
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Earth Day (International Mother Earth Day) observed on April 22 (End of April)▼
Earth Day, also known as International Mother Earth Day, is observed annually on April 22.
The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, in the United States.
The movement was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson following the 1969 oil spill in Santa Barbara, California.
Activist Denis Hayes organised the first national demonstration, which involved 20 million participants.
The initial movement led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts in the United States.
In 1990, Earth Day events were organised for 200 million people across 141 countries.
The United Nations (UN) Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially designated April 22 as International Mother Earth Day in 2009.
The day served as a launchpad for major international agreements, including the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2016.
International Day of the Midwife observed on May 5, 2026 (Start of May)▼
International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5, 2026.
Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide.
Midwives support women and gender-diverse people before, during, and after birth.
The observance involves the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), its partners, allies, and more than 135 midwives’ associations.
The participating midwives' associations span across more than 115 countries.
International Mother Language Day 2026 observed on 21 February with theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education' (End of February)▼
International Mother Language Day 2026 is observed on 21 February 2026.
UNESCO marks the day under the theme 'Youth voices on multilingual education'.
The observance reinforces UNESCO’s commitment through the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Dr. Naga Lakshmi Chelluri, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Hyderabad, highlights the need to preserve ancient languages in a globalized multicultural world.
National Women’s Day 2026 observed in India on 13 February (Mid of February)▼
National Women’s Day 2026 in India is observed on 13 February.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Sarojini Naidu, known as the Nightingale of India.
Sarojini Naidu became the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in 1925.
She was appointed the first woman Governor of an Indian state, the United Provinces (now Uttar Pradesh), in 1947.
India celebrates a separate National Women’s Day on 13 February, while International Women’s Day is marked worldwide on 8 March.
International Thalassemia Day observed on May 8 with theme Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed
Key Updates:
International Thalassemia Day is observed annually on May 8.
The theme for 2026 is Hidden No More: Finding the Undiagnosed. Supporting the Unseen.
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that impacts the body's ability to produce healthy hemoglobin.
Patients with this condition often require specialised treatment and regular blood transfusions.
The day is marked by community initiatives and educational programmes to promote screening and genetic counselling.
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World Liver Day observed on April 19 with theme 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver' (Mid of April)▼
World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise global awareness about liver health and the importance of preventing liver-related diseases.
The theme for World Liver Day 2026 is 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver'.
Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) affects nearly one in three adults worldwide and is linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Nearly 90% of liver disease is preventable through consistent lifestyle choices.
The 2026 observance is significant in India due to the rising intersection of diabetes and liver disease.
The 'Solid Habits' campaign focuses on four pillars: balanced plant-forward diet, physical activity, re-evaluating alcohol, and routine screenings.
Recommended routine screenings for liver health include Liver Function Tests (LFTs) and FibroScans.
The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) highlighted that the best time to protect the liver is before treatment becomes necessary.
World Protein Day observed on 27 February 2026 (End of February)▼
World Protein Day is observed on 27 February to raise awareness about protein as a fundamental building block for immunity, muscle repair, and metabolic health.
Medical experts recommend a daily protein intake of 0.8 to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight for an average adult.
Protein deficiency is reported to be particularly prevalent among women and elderly populations in India, often resulting in weakness and slow recovery from illness.
Recommended protein-rich food sources include eggs, milk, curd, dal, chana, paneer, soy, nuts, fish, and chicken.
Indian dairy firm Provilac, founded by Siddharth Runwal, launched high-protein milk providing 25g of protein per serving using an ultra-filtration process.
The dietary shift in India focuses on integrating protein into daily meals rather than relying solely on carbohydrates like rice or roti.
Zydus Lifesciences’ oral anaemia drug Desidustat wins China marketing nod (Mid of March)▼
China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved Desidustat for renal anaemia in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients not on dialysis.
Zydus licensed the drug to CMS International Development and Management Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of China Medical System Holdings, in 2020.
Desidustat is an oral Hypoxia-Inducible Factor–Prolyl Hydroxylase Inhibitor (HIF-PHI) that boosts endogenous erythropoietin and improves iron availability.
China has over 120 million CKD patients; anaemia prevalence rises from 22% in CKD stage 1 to 98.2% in stage 5.
Phase III trials in China met the primary efficacy endpoint and showed long-term haemoglobin maintenance with acceptable safety.
Desidustat is marketed in India under the brand Oxemia; more than 100,000 Indian CKD patients have used it since 2022.
World Malaria Day observed on April 24, 2026 with theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must” (End of April)▼
World Malaria Day 2026 is observed on April 24.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must”.
Dr. Regina Rabinovich is the Director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative at ISGLOBAL at the University of Barcelona.
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has launched the Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative.
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report 2024
Key Updates:
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2024 reveals that Delhi recorded 2,905 suicides, the highest among 53 Indian cities.
Bengaluru reported the second-highest number of suicides at 2,403 with a rate of 16.7 per lakh population, while Mumbai recorded 1,406 cases.
Married individuals constituted the largest demographic among suicide victims in Delhi, accounting for 1,616 cases or more than 55.6% of the total.
Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against children among metropolitan cities with 7,662 cases, including 5,404 incidents of kidnapping and abduction.
Under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Delhi registered 1,553 cases in 2024, followed by Mumbai with 1,416 and Bengaluru with 594.
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NIMHANS launches CALM-Brain, India's first psychiatric disorder data repository (End of March)▼
The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) launched CALM-Brain, India's first digital repository of data on brain structure and function for major psychiatric disorders.
The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind (CBM), which is a partnership between NIMHANS and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) - TIFR.
CALM-Brain serves as a repository for clinical, neuro-imaging, behavioural, and genetic datasets focusing on five disorders: addiction, bipolar disorder, dementia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia.
The repository is linked to a biorepository of stem cells to facilitate biological research into the origins of severe mental illnesses.
The project currently contains data from over 2,000 participants across 900 families, with phase-wise data gathering having started in 2016.
The initiative was funded through the Accelerator programme for discovery in brain disorders using stem cells, jointly supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Pratiksha Trust.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, India faces an economic loss of USD 1.03 trillion due to mental health conditions.
The NIMHANS-led National Mental Health survey of 2015-2016 reported that 10.6 per cent of Indian adults suffered from mental illness.
Savills ranks Bengaluru as world's fastest-growing major city through 2035 (Start of May)▼
Global real estate advisory firm Savills identified Bengaluru as the world’s fastest-growing major city through 2035 in its Growth Hubs Index.
The index evaluated 245 cities globally based on indicators including projected Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to 2035, personal wealth expansion, and inward migration.
India emerged as a standout performer with multiple cities featuring in the top 20, reflecting broad-based urban growth momentum across the country.
Bengaluru's top position is attributed to its strong talent pool and its growing appeal as a destination for Global Capability Centres (GCCs).
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the rankings, accounting for 85% of the top 20 and approximately 75% of the top 50 fastest-growing cities globally.
Global Mind Health 2025 report ranks Indian youth 60th and elderly 49th in mental well-being. (End of February)▼
Indian adults aged 18–34 scored 33 on the Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) and ranked 60th among 84 countries.
Indians aged 55 and above scored 96 on the MHQ and ranked 49th globally.
The study analysed 78,093 internet-enabled, literate Indian respondents, including 29,594 aged 18–34 and 24,088 aged 55+.
India ranks 28th on family closeness for both age groups.
Ultra-processed food consumption is 44% among 18–34-year-olds and 11% among those 55 and above.
India ranks 71st on first-time smartphone exposure, with the average age being 16.5 years.
India's maternal mortality drops nearly 80% since 1990: Global study (End of March)▼
India's maternal mortality ratio fell from 508 per one lakh livebirths in 1990 to 116 per one lakh livebirths in 2023.
India recorded 24,700 maternal deaths in 2023.
The Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021-23 places India's Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) at 88 per lakh live births.
India has achieved an 86% reduction in MMR since 1990, surpassing the global average reduction of 48%.
The global maternal mortality ratio declined from 321 per one lakh livebirths in 1990 to 190.5 in 2023.
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target is an MMR below 70 per one lakh livebirths by 2030.
104 of 204 countries and territories have not yet met the SDG maternal mortality target.
World Ovarian Cancer Day observed on May 8 with theme No Woman Left Behind
Key Updates:
World Ovarian Cancer Day is observed annually on May 8 to raise awareness about the disease and promote early symptom recognition.
The theme for World Ovarian Cancer Day 2026 is No Woman Left Behind, which continues a multi-year campaign.
The campaign is led by the World Ovarian Cancer Coalition (WOCC), an organisation dedicated to improving ovarian cancer awareness and care globally.
World Ovarian Cancer Day was established in 2013 by several ovarian cancer advocacy organisations to create a united global effort against the disease.
Ovarian cancer is often called a silent disease because its symptoms can appear vague and are frequently mistaken for common health issues.
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Telangana declares cancer as notifiable disease and launches cancer registry (Start of April)▼
Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha declared cancer a notifiable disease and launched a cancer registry on Tuesday.
About 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases are reported in the state annually.
Every cancer case will now be registered under the notifiable disease notification.
The cancer registry will provide accurate data for better cancer control planning.
The state government has established Day Care Cancer Centres in all district headquarter towns.
Health checks are being conducted for 46 lakh members of women self help groups (SHGs).
The government will start Regional Cancer Centres and use AI for disease detection.
A LINAC (Linear Accelerator) was inaugurated in the cancer block of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad.
A comprehensive trauma care policy was launched for accident and emergency victims.
The health department signed an agreement with AstraZeneca to conduct AI-enabled lung cancer screening in 20 government hospitals.
International Day of the Midwife observed on May 5, 2026 (Start of May)▼
International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5, 2026.
Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide.
Midwives support women and gender-diverse people before, during, and after birth.
The observance involves the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM), its partners, allies, and more than 135 midwives’ associations.
The participating midwives' associations span across more than 115 countries.
International Childhood Cancer Day observed on 15 February with the theme Demonstrating Impact (Mid of February)▼
International Childhood Cancer Day (ICCD) is observed globally on 15 February every year to raise awareness about childhood cancer and support survivors and their families.
The theme for the year 2026 is Demonstrating Impact, which highlights the accomplishments of the global community in overcoming obstacles and reducing inequities.
The day was first recognised in 2002 and was organised by the International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parents Organisations (ICCCPO) in partnership with other global organisations.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), approximately 400,000 infants and adolescents aged 0 to 19 years are diagnosed with cancer annually.
Common types of childhood cancers include leukaemias, brain tumours, lymphomas, and solid tumours such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour.
Key warning signs in children include persistent fever, unexpected weight loss, painless lumps or swelling, excessive fatigue, regular headaches, and eye abnormalities like a white glow in the pupil.
Other symptoms to monitor include chronic joint or bone pain, excessive sweating, and significant bruising or spontaneous bleeding on the skin.
National Safe Motherhood Day 2026: Focus on maternal health advocacy and safe pregnancies (Mid of April)▼
National Safe Motherhood Day is observed annually on 11 April in India.
The day was first established in 2003 by the White Ribbon Alliance India (WRAI).
The date honours Kasturba Gandhi's birth anniversary.
The 2026 observance highlights the need for improved maternal care in underserved rural regions.
The day advocates collective action to prioritise maternal health and prevent preventable deaths.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026 observed on May 8
Key Updates:
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026 is observed on Friday, May 8, 2026, commemorating the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The theme for World Red Cross Day 2026 is 'On the Side of Humanity'.
The first World Red Cross Day was celebrated in 1948, and it was officially renamed World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 1984.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was established in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement operates in more than 190 countries and is guided by seven core principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
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World Social Work Day observed on the third Tuesday in March; observed on March 17 (Mid of March)▼
World Social Work Day is observed annually on the third Tuesday in March to recognise the contributions of social workers and social justice advocates.
The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) first established the observance in 1983.
The International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) later joined the IFSW to make the event a worldwide observance.
The day is currently celebrated in over 140 countries through conferences, public marches, and educational seminars.
The themes for the day are often derived from the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development, which is a ten-year plan developed by international social work bodies.
In 2026, the event will be observed on 17 March, followed by 16 March in 2027 and 21 March in 2028.
World Understanding and Peace Day observed on February 23 (End of February)▼
World Understanding and Peace Day is observed annually on February 23 to commemorate the founding of Rotary International (RI).
The first Rotary Club meeting was held on February 23, 1905, in Chicago by Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey.
The 59th World Day of Peace, celebrated by the Vatican on January 1, 2026, features the theme Peace be with you all: Towards an unarmed and disarming peace.
RI selects 75 scholars annually for the Rotary Peace and Conflict Resolution Program to study peacebuilding and diplomacy at Rotary Peace Centers.
The six major humanitarian focus areas of RI include disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, economic and community development, and peace and conflict prevention/resolution.
World Malaria Day observed on April 24, 2026 with theme “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must” (End of April)▼
World Malaria Day 2026 is observed on April 24.
The theme for World Malaria Day 2026 is “Driven to End Malaria: Now we can. Now we Must”.
Dr. Regina Rabinovich is the Director of the Malaria Elimination Initiative at ISGLOBAL at the University of Barcelona.
The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has launched the Defeating Malaria: From the Genes to the Globe Initiative.
World NGO Day observed on February 27 (End of February)▼
World NGO Day is observed on February 27 every year.
Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a Latvian-British philanthropist, established World NGO Day in 2010.
The concept was officially recognised on April 17, 2010, by the 12 member countries of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The first global celebration took place on February 27, 2014, in Helsinki, Finland, hosted by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The observance has received support from the European Union (EU) and leaders within the United Nations (UN).
India's national pavilion "Geographies of Distance: remembering home" at 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia from May 9 to November 22
Key Updates:
India returned to the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia after seven years, having last participated in 2019.
The national pavilion, titled “Geographies of Distance: remembering home”, was presented by the Ministry of Culture in partnership with the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and Serendipity Arts.
The exhibition is hosted at the Arsenale venue in Venice and is scheduled to run from May 9 to November 22.
Curated by Amin Jaffer, the exhibition features works by artists Alwar Balasubramaniam (Not Just for Us), Ranjani Shettar (Under the same sky), Sumakshi Singh (Permanent Address), Skarma Sonam Tashi (Echoes of Home), and Asim Waqif (Chaal).
A performance programme curated by Serendipity Arts will be held across Venice, inspired by the theme In Minor Keys.
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40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair inaugurated on 11 March 2026 (Mid of March)▼
The 40th edition of AAHAR – The International Food & Hospitality Fair was inaugurated on 11 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Italy is the partner country for the 40th edition, marking the first time the fair has featured a partner country.
The event is organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and spans an area of 125,000 square metres.
The fair features 1,800 participants, including 155 international participants from 17 countries.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal noted that India is the seventh largest exporter of agricultural produce globally.
India’s annual food and agricultural exports have reached nearly ₹5 lakh crore, exceeding USD 55 billion.
The official AAHAR digital app was introduced to facilitate QR-enabled interactions, B2B networking, and hall navigation.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry will provide support to exporters under the Export Promotion Mission.
India has concluded nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) over the past three and a half years, providing preferential market access to 38 countries.
India boosts tourism at ITB Berlin 2026 with new partnerships and 10% GDP share goal (Start of March)▼
On 5 March 2026 India held tourism talks with Indonesia and Germany at ITB Berlin 2026 led by Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Discussions covered increased tourism flows, air connectivity, sustainable travel and people-to-people ties.
Shekhawat met UNWTO’s Shaikha Al Nowais to explore sustainable tourism models.
India launched a 700 sq m Incredible India Pavilion featuring 37 companies and six states showcasing heritage, culture, wellness and wildlife.
The Ministry of Tourism announced a Netflix partnership to promote Indian destinations through cinematic storytelling and new tourism films.
The government reiterated its goal to raise tourism’s GDP share from 6% to 10%, emphasised during the 33rd South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange in New Delhi that gathered over 2,000 exhibitors.
Upgraded Indian Culture Portal launched with AI chatbot 'Bharti' (Start of March)▼
Ministry of Culture (MoC) Secretary Vivek Aggarwal launched the upgraded Indian Culture portal in New Delhi on 06-03-2026.
The portal features an AI-powered chatbot named 'Bharti' integrated with the Government of India's Bhashini platform to respond in 22 Indian languages.
It offers 46 curated cultural categories and new sections such as Iconic Battles of India, Folktales of India, Healing Through the Ages, Legendary Figures of India, and Classical Dances of India.
The upgraded portal functions as a Progressive Web App (PWA) enabling app-like access across devices without app store downloads.
It includes 3D walkthroughs and 360-degree virtual tours of heritage monuments and interactive cultural games, quizzes, puzzles, and crosswords for all age groups.
PM Modi to launch projects worth Rs 19,000 crore in Vav-Tharad district. (Start of April)▼
PM Modi will visit Gujarat on 31 March to inaugurate or lay foundation stone of developmental projects worth around Rs 19,000 crore in Vav-Tharad district.
Vav-Tharad became Gujarat’s 34th district after being carved out of Banaskantha district in September 2025.
The public event will be held at Nani village near Deesa at Air Force Station.
Projects cover railways, power, defence, urban development and belong to both state and central governments.
CM Bhupendra Patel, Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi and concerned Union ministers will accompany PM Modi.
African World Heritage Day observed on May 5
Key Updates:
African World Heritage Day is observed annually on May 5.
The day was proclaimed by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in November 2015.
The date commemorates the founding anniversary of the African World Heritage Fund (AWHF), an intergovernmental organisation launched in 2006.
African sites constitute 12% of all World Heritage Sites.
As of 2022, 23 out of 52 properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger are located in Africa.
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International Day for Monuments and Sites observed on April 18 (End of April)▼
The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also referred to as World Heritage Day, is observed on April 18.
The observance was first proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) during a symposium in Tunisia on April 18, 1982.
The General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the proposal in 1983 during its 22nd session.
The date April 18 marks the anniversary of the Second International Congress of Architects and Technicians of Historic Monuments held in Venice in 1964.
The Venice Charter, which established fundamental international principles for the conservation and restoration of monuments and sites, was adopted during the 1964 Venice congress.
The event is supported by national committees in over 100 countries.
Rotaract Festival scheduled for March 14 in Uganda (Mid of March)▼
The Rotaract Festival is scheduled to take place on March 14 at the Legends Rugby Grounds to mobilise resources for community development projects.
The event marks the conclusion of the annual Rotaract Week, which is observed from March 9 to March 14.
Geoffrey Martin Kitakule serves as the District Governor of Rotary District 9213.
Rotaract is a global youth leadership programme operating under the aegis of Rotary International.
The organisation adheres to the official motto Service Above Self.
Rotaract clubs in Uganda support community initiatives in sectors including health, education, environmental conservation, and youth empowerment.
India launches logo, theme, and website for 4th India-Africa Forum Summit 2026 (End of April)▼
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar launched the logo, theme, and website of the 4th India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi.
The summit is scheduled to take place from May 28 to May 31.
The event will focus on expanding cooperation in digital technology, fintech, innovation, sustainability, and global governance.
India is expanding its diplomatic missions in Africa.
The inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the Group of Twenty (G20) was highlighted.
World Heritage Day observed on April 18 (Mid of April)▼
World Heritage Day, also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, is observed every year on April 18.
The theme for 2026 is Emergency Response for Living Heritage in Contexts of Conflicts and Disasters.
The day was established by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in 1982 and later approved by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
India is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal and the Ajanta Caves.
International No Diet Day observed on May 6
Key Updates:
International No Diet Day (INDD) is observed annually on May 6 to focus on body acceptance and a healthy lifestyle.
The day was created by Mary Evans Young, the director of the group Diet Breakers, and first celebrated in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1992.
In 1993, the observance became international with support from feminist groups in India, United States, Canada, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, and Israel.
The symbol of the observance is a light blue ribbon.
INDD aims to raise awareness of weight discrimination, fat phobia, sizism, and the potential dangers of commercial diet plans.
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International Day of Zero Waste observed on 30 March (Start of April)▼
International Day of Zero Waste is observed annually on 30 March.
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2022.
It is facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.
The observance promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns and raises awareness of the global waste crisis.
World Liver Day observed on April 19 with theme 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver' (Mid of April)▼
World Liver Day is observed annually on April 19 to raise global awareness about liver health and the importance of preventing liver-related diseases.
The theme for World Liver Day 2026 is 'Solid Habits, Strong Liver'.
Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) affects nearly one in three adults worldwide and is linked to obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
Nearly 90% of liver disease is preventable through consistent lifestyle choices.
The 2026 observance is significant in India due to the rising intersection of diabetes and liver disease.
The 'Solid Habits' campaign focuses on four pillars: balanced plant-forward diet, physical activity, re-evaluating alcohol, and routine screenings.
Recommended routine screenings for liver health include Liver Function Tests (LFTs) and FibroScans.
The Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) highlighted that the best time to protect the liver is before treatment becomes necessary.
World Protein Day observed on 27 February 2026 (End of February)▼
World Protein Day is observed on 27 February to raise awareness about protein as a fundamental building block for immunity, muscle repair, and metabolic health.
Medical experts recommend a daily protein intake of 0.8 to 1 gram per kilogram of body weight for an average adult.
Protein deficiency is reported to be particularly prevalent among women and elderly populations in India, often resulting in weakness and slow recovery from illness.
Recommended protein-rich food sources include eggs, milk, curd, dal, chana, paneer, soy, nuts, fish, and chicken.
Indian dairy firm Provilac, founded by Siddharth Runwal, launched high-protein milk providing 25g of protein per serving using an ultra-filtration process.
The dietary shift in India focuses on integrating protein into daily meals rather than relying solely on carbohydrates like rice or roti.
No Smoking Day 2026 observed on March 11 (Mid of March)▼
No Smoking Day 2026 is observed on March 11, the second Wednesday of March.
The theme for 2026 is 'A Smoke-Free Life Starts With A Smoke-Free Day'.
No Smoking Day was first launched in 1984 in the United Kingdom.
Suvendu Adhikari Appointed as West Bengal Chief Minister
Key Updates:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Suvendu Adhikari as the first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister of West Bengal.
The announcement followed the victory of the BJP in the West Bengal assembly elections.
The swearing-in ceremony for the new state government is scheduled to be held on May 9.
The Brigade Parade Ground has been selected as the venue for the official swearing-in event.
The party is reportedly planning to appoint two Deputy Chief Ministers as part of the new state leadership structure.
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Assembly Election Results 2026 (Start of May)▼
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crossed the magic number of 148 seats in West Bengal, where Suvendu Adhikari defeated Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in the Bhabanipur constituency by 15,105 votes.
In Assam, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third term by winning 81 seats in the 126-member Assembly, while the Indian National Congress (INC) secured 15 seats.
The TVK party emerged as the single largest party in Tamil Nadu with 76 seats, and its chief Vijay won the Perambur seat by a margin of over 49,000 votes.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) won the Kerala Assembly elections by crossing the 71-seat halfway mark, with the INC alone securing 63 of the 140 available seats.
The NDA is set to form the government in Puducherry after the All India N.R. Congress (AINRC) secured 10 seats and the BJP won four seats.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Resigns as Chief Minister (CM) of Assam (Start of May)▼
Himanta Biswa Sarma submitted his resignation as the CM to Governor Laxman Acharya at Lok Bhawan following the formal notification of the Assam Assembly Elections 2026 results.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured a third consecutive term in the state by winning 102 out of 126 assembly seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the largest party with 82 seats, while its allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People's Front (BPF) won 10 seats each.
The BJP appointed J. P. Nadda as the central observer and Nayab Singh Saini as the co-observer to oversee the selection of the legislative party leader.
The Indian National Congress (INC) secured 19 seats, falling short of the 22 seats required to claim the post of the Leader of the Opposition in the assembly.
Dinesh Trivedi set to be appointed High Commissioner to Bangladesh (Mid of April)▼
Dinesh Trivedi, a leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is likely to be appointed as India's next High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Trivedi previously served as the Railway Minister and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government as a member of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
He has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal and as a Lok Sabha MP from Barrackpore.
Trivedi joined the BJP in February 2021 after leaving the TMC.
Pranay Verma, the former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, was appointed as the next Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union (EU).
Pranay Verma is a 1994-batch diplomat who took charge as High Commissioner in Dhaka in September 2022.
Samrat Choudhary sworn in as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister, becomes first BJP leader to hold post. (Mid of April)▼
Samrat Choudhary took oath as Bihar’s 24th Chief Minister on Wednesday at Lok Bhawan.
Governor Syed Ata Hasnain administered the oath of office and secrecy.
JD(U) leaders Vijay Kumar Choudhary and Bijendra Prasad Yadav were sworn in as members of the Council of Ministers.
Choudhary was elected leader of the BJP legislature party after Nitish Kumar’s resignation.
He previously served as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar from January 2024 and held portfolios including Home, Finance, Health, Urban Development, and Panchayati Raj.
Born on 16 November 1968 in Lakhanpur village, Munger district, Bihar.
Appointed Bihar BJP president in March 2023, succeeding Sanjay Jaiswal.