Daily current affairs for 9 May 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.
Editorial note for exam revisionLast updated: 9 May 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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'…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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).
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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).
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.
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…
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.…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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).
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5, 2026. Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide.
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.
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.
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'.
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…
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…
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”.
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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.
International Day of the Midwife is observed on May 5, 2026. Midwives provide essential sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn and adolescent health services worldwide.
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…
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).
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.
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…
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…
World NGO Day is observed on February 27 every year. Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a Latvian-British philanthropist, established World NGO Day in 2010.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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…
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…
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.
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.
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.
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'.
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…
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…
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)…
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…
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.
