Daily Current Affairs: 10 April 2026

Analysis for 10 April 2026

Deep Jariwala appointed UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices.

Key Updates:

Deep Jariwala will assume the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices in January 2027.
The position is a joint appointment between the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
He will be based in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee.
The UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair programme is managed by the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute.
Jariwala has published more than 180 research papers and holds multiple patents in quantum materials and devices.

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Keshav Poddar Sworn In as Jersey City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development (Mid of January) ▼

Indian-origin attorney Keshav Poddar was sworn in as the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development of Jersey City.
He took the official oath of office on the Bhagwat Gita.
He was selected for the position by Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, after serving as the executive director of the transition team.
He previously served as an advisor on economic policy in the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration, including roles at the National Security Council (NSC) and on the staff of Vice President Kamala Harris.
He served as the economic policy manager for Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign.
He held the position of counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s Covid-19 response and criminal justice reform.
He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Government from Dartmouth College.

Deepak Gupta appointed Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (Mid of February) ▼

Deepak Gupta, Director Projects, GAIL (India) Ltd, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
The appointment is effective from the date he assumes charge on or after 1 March 2026.
He will serve as CMD until his superannuation on 28 February 2029 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

RN Ravi Appointed Governor of West Bengal, Taranjit Singh Sandhu Appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. (Start of March) ▼

President of India Droupadi Murmu approved a major reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across states and Union Territories.
RN Ravi, former Tamil Nadu Governor, became Governor of West Bengal after CV Ananda Bose resigned.
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the United States, was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.
Shiv Pratap Shukla shifted from Himachal Pradesh Governor to Telangana Governor.
Jishnu Dev Varma moved from Telangana Governor to Maharashtra Governor.
Nand Kishore Yadav, former Bihar Legislative Assembly Speaker, was appointed Governor of Nagaland.
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Ata Hasnain was named Governor of Bihar.
VK Saxena, Delhi Lieutenant Governor, was transferred to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, was given additional charge as Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Kavinder Gupta, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh.

Supreme Court clarifies DGP appointment rules: Follow state law or Prakash Singh guidelines (Mid of March) ▼

The Supreme Court of India (SC) clarified that states with a specific law for appointing Directors General of Police (DGPs) must follow that legislation.
States without such a law must adhere to the guidelines laid down in the Prakash Singh vs Union of India case on police reforms.
A bench headed by Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, closed contempt proceedings against Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana after noting the states had sent proposals to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for DGP appointments.
Under the Prakash Singh judgment (2006), states send a list of eligible senior IPS officers to the UPSC, which evaluates their service records and prepares a panel of three suitable candidates, from whom the state government appoints one as DGP.
The court directed that the selected DGP should normally be given a minimum fixed tenure of two years.
Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh have enacted their own laws governing the appointment of DGPs.
Jharkhand’s law provides that the selection of the police chief is carried out by a committee headed by a retired High Court judge.
The court sought responses from the governments of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand within two weeks regarding the status of their DGP appointments.

Abhay Karandikar leads Department of Science and Technology (DST) as secretary.

Key Updates:

Abhay Karandikar is the secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
He announced the 1,000-km quantum communication milestone under the National Quantum Mission.
The milestone was achieved in less than two years after the mission’s launch in October 2024.
The network uses indigenous technology developed by QNu Labs, a startup supported under the mission.

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Andhra Pradesh to unveil India's first open-access quantum computer in Amaravati (Start of April) ▼

Andhra Pradesh (AP) will launch India's first open-access quantum computer on 14 April 2026 at the SRM University campus in Amaravati.
The quantum computer is a collaborative initiative between SRM University and Qubit Force to provide research and testing access to students and researchers.
The state government has established the Amaravati Quantum Valley (AQV) to facilitate indigenous quantum hardware manufacturing, system integration, and algorithm development.
AP is the first state in India to implement a dedicated quantum computing policy, with the State Quantum Computing Mission currently operating from Medha Towers in Vijayawada.
The project aligns with the National Quantum Mission (NQM) and aims to position AP as one of the top five global quantum hubs by 2030.
International Business Machines (IBM), Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) are partnering with the state to establish these computing capabilities.
The initiative involves participation from central institutions including the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed stakeholders to achieve domestic manufacturing of quantum computing hardware within the next two years.

BISAG-N and QNu Labs sign MoU to build quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions (End of January) ▼

BISAG-N and QNu Labs have signed an MoU to develop indigenous quantum-resilient cybersecurity solutions.
The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s preparedness against future quantum computing threats.
The initiative will advance secure digital infrastructure within the country.

Ministry of Science and Technology approves quantum teaching facilities at 23 institutions under National Quantum Mission (Mid of March) ▼

The Union government approved establishing quantum teaching facilities or laboratories in 23 academic institutions across India under the National Quantum Mission.
100 more institutions are under consideration for similar facilities to support advanced research and training in emerging quantum technologies.
The decision was disclosed during a joint monthly meeting of secretaries of science ministries and departments led by Minister Jitendra Singh.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed preparations for the next PSLV mission expected later this year and upcoming satellite launches.
Plans for launching the next navigation satellite for the Navy around May were discussed.
A large technology exhibition is proposed in New Delhi from May 11 to 13 for National Technology Day celebrations.
The exhibition is expected to bring together over 3,000 stakeholders and showcase more than 500 technologies and innovations.
The Department of Science and Technology is examining updates to manpower guidelines for project staff to align with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) framework.

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released to integrate quantum technologies into tri-services (End of January) ▼

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan released the 'Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework' to integrate quantum technologies into the tri-services.
The framework covers four pillars: quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.
It aims to prepare the armed forces for future battlefields and achieve technological dominance.
The document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
The Ministry of Defence stated the framework will guide the incorporation of quantum technology through joint efforts of all three services.
The release event was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, and Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.

Team LeBroom from IIM Rohtak wins BIMTECH’s Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0 debate competition.

Key Updates:

Team LeBroom from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak won the national-level debate Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0 organised by Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH).
The competition theme was “Should Countries Prioritize Energy Independence to Ensure Global Energy Security Amid Rising Geopolitical Uncertainty?”.
Team Magnus from FORE School of Management secured the second position and Team Strategy from Shri Ram College of Commerce became the second runners-up.
The event recorded over 250 registrations and a total prize pool of ₹60,000.
Participants represented 12 nations: United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, Australia, United States, and Japan.
The final evaluation panel included Mr. Rajeev Kher, IAS (Retd.), Former Commerce Secretary, Government of India, and Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, IAS (Retd.), Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry.

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

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

India launches Nyaya Setu AI chatbot to democratise access to justice (Start of April) ▼

Nyaya Setu, a voice-first multilingual AI legal assistant, was unveiled by the Vice-President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, at the DISHA programme in Vigyan Bhawan.
The chatbot was developed by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Nyaya Setu integrates Automatic Speech Recognition, Multilingual Natural Language Processing, and Conversational AI aligned with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The platform supports 36 text languages and 23 voice languages, including tribal dialects, and processes over 15 million daily AI inferences.
Its mascot ‘Dishika’ guides users through legal queries with simplified explanations and interactive engagement.
BHASHINI’s Shrutlekh system demonstrated real-time transcription and multilingual translation of speeches during the launch event.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to organise BHASHINI Samudaye Workshop (Mid of January) ▼

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will organise the BHASHINI Samudaye workshop, Strengthening India’s Language AI Ecosystem, in New Delhi.
BHASHINI Samudaye is a BHASHINI-led collaborative initiative that brings together language experts, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and data practitioners to co-create, govern, and scale language AI solutions for India.
The workshop will feature focused sessions on scaling BHASHINI, including discussions on platform capabilities, strategic priorities, and pathways for collaboration with stakeholders and implementation partners.

Razorpay and Sarvam AI partner to launch voice-led conversational commerce in India (End of March) ▼

Razorpay has partnered with the Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup Sarvam AI to introduce voice-led conversational commerce for India's multilingual population.
The technology allows users to search for products, place orders, and complete transactions using natural language and Indian languages.
The initiative will first go live on the food delivery platform Swiggy via the Indus App.
The partnership integrates Sarvam AI's models and agentic stack with Razorpay's agentic payments infrastructure.
Razorpay is also developing AI-powered agents for payments using Anthropic's Claude chatbot to manage tasks like recovering abandoned purchases and resolving disputes.
Sarvam AI has partnered with EkStep Foundation and AI4Bharat to roll out multilingual voice AI agents under the Listen at Scale initiative.
A pilot of the voice assistant has been introduced on The Derma Co's website, allowing users to buy products using voice commands.

Deep Jariwala appointed UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices.

[United States]

Key Updates:

Deep Jariwala will assume the UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices in January 2027.
The Governor’s Chair is a joint programme between the University of Tennessee system and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Jariwala will hold a joint academic appointment in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee.
He plans to establish a materials deposition and characterisation laboratory at the University of Tennessee’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing.
The UT-ORNL partnership participates in the Department of Energy’s Quantum Science Center, a $125 million programme.

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Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti Appointed Chairperson of National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) (End of March) ▼

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti assumed charge as the chairperson of the NCBC in New Delhi on 19 March 2026.
The NCBC is a constitutional body established to safeguard the rights, welfare, and development of socially and educationally backward classes.
Jyoti belongs to the Nishad community, which is categorised under the Other Backward Classes (OBC).
The 59-year-old leader served as a Union Minister in the Government of India for ten years from 2014 to 2024.
She was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Fatehpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
Her previous political experience includes serving as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from the Hamirpur Sadar seat in 2012.
She has also held the position of National Joint Secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
Pankaj Chaudhary, the MP from Maharajganj, was appointed as the president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Uttar Pradesh.

Keshav Poddar Sworn In as Jersey City Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development (Mid of January) ▼

Indian-origin attorney Keshav Poddar was sworn in as the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development of Jersey City.
He took the official oath of office on the Bhagwat Gita.
He was selected for the position by Jersey City Mayor-elect James Solomon, after serving as the executive director of the transition team.
He previously served as an advisor on economic policy in the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration, including roles at the National Security Council (NSC) and on the staff of Vice President Kamala Harris.
He served as the economic policy manager for Kamala Harris during her presidential campaign.
He held the position of counsel to former New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, where he worked on the state’s Covid-19 response and criminal justice reform.
He is a graduate of Yale Law School and holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Government from Dartmouth College.

Jagat Prakash Nadda chairs reconstituted Hindi Advisory Committee of Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers. (Start of March) ▼

The government reconstituted the Hindi Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda will serve as the chairman of the committee.
The committee includes six nominated Members of Parliament.
The committee will review and recommend measures for the progressive use of Hindi in the ministry’s official work and its subordinate offices.

Deepak Gupta appointed Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (Mid of February) ▼

Deepak Gupta, Director Projects, GAIL (India) Ltd, has been appointed as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
The appointment is effective from the date he assumes charge on or after 1 March 2026.
He will serve as CMD until his superannuation on 28 February 2029 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues draft TReDS Master Direction 2026 with ₹25 crore net worth norm

[Reserve Bank of India]

Key Updates:

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued draft Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) Directions, 2026 on 9 April 2026.
New TReDS platform operators must hold minimum net worth of ₹25 crore; existing entities must comply by 31 March 2027.
Draft directions permit financiers to avail guarantee cover and insurance for TReDS transactions, with premium not levied on MSME seller.
Buyers accepting invoices on TReDS must give unconditional commitment to pay on due date and cannot later raise set-offs or disputes.
TReDS platforms must register assignment of receivables with Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest (CERSAI).
Authorised TReDS entities must submit monthly transaction statistics and annual audited net worth certificates to RBI.
Earlier TReDS guidelines of December 2014 and subsequent circulars will be repealed once the Master Direction is finalised.

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Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL) declares maiden interim dividend of 21.6% (End of January) ▼

Receivables Exchange of India Ltd (RXIL), promoted by SIDBI and National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) along with State Bank of India (SBI), ICICI Bank and Yes Bank, declared and paid an interim dividend of 21.6% on Rs 10 face-value shares.
RXIL is the first Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) platform in India to return capital to stakeholders.
RXIL turned profitable in 2023, wiped off accumulated losses in FY24 and reported net profit of about Rs 52 crore in FY25.
RXIL expects net profit of Rs 72 crore in FY26.
RXIL’s throughput scaled from ₹223 crore in FY18 to ₹80,457 crore in FY25.
RXIL facilitates monthly receivables financing transaction volumes of around ₹12,000 crore.
Since 2016, RXIL has enabled financing of over ₹2.6 lakh crore across more than one crore invoices, supporting over 57,000 MSMEs.

Cabinet Extends IVFRT 3.0 Scheme with ₹1,800 Crore Outlay (End of March) ▼

The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the Immigration, Visa, Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) scheme for a period of five years starting from 1 April 2026.
The project has been allocated a total budget outlay of ₹1,800 crore to modernise immigration processes and strengthen border management.
The extension follows the enactment of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, to create a technologically advanced immigration ecosystem.
The IVFRT 3.0 phase will focus on three primary areas: emerging technology innovations, transformation of core infrastructure, and optimisation of technology-enabled service delivery.
The modernisation drive includes the implementation of mobile-based services, self-service kiosks, and automated e-gates under the Fast Track Immigration-Trusted Traveller Programme.
The digital platform currently spans 117 immigration posts, 15 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRRO), and 854 district-level registration authorities across India.
The system has enabled a 100% contactless visa process and reduced average passenger clearance time at checkpoints to approximately 2.5-3 minutes.
Over 91% of e-visa applications have been processed within 72 hours under the existing framework, which now provides more than 30 immigration-related services.

Kreditbee secures $280 million to enter unicorn club at $1.5 billion valuation

[KreditBee]

Key Updates:

Kreditbee raised $280 million in a round led by Hornbill Capital, MUFG-backed Dragon Funds and Motilal Oswal Alternates.
The round comprises $220 million primary capital and $60 million secondary share sales.
The Bengaluru-based digital lender achieved a post-money valuation of $1.5 billion.
Kreditbee recorded operating revenue of Rs 805 crore and net profit of Rs 137 crore for Q3 FY26.
The company closed FY26 with total disbursals of Rs 30,000 crore and assets under management of Rs 15,000 crore.
Kreditbee plans to complete the merger of its technology and NBFC entity and begin its IPO process within two to three months.

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Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) restructures Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) stake; Meta subsidiary acquires 30% stake (Start of March) ▼

Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) allotted 85,31,75,000 equity shares of face value Rs 10 each at par.
Reliance Intelligence Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), received 59,66,22,500 equity shares aggregating Rs 596.6 crore.
Facebook Overseas Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc, received 25,65,52,500 equity shares aggregating Rs 256.6 crore.
Post allotment, Reliance Intelligence Limited holds 70% of REIL's total equity capital and Facebook Overseas Inc holds 30%.
REIL has ceased to be a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of RIL and has become a step-down subsidiary.

Elon Musk Surpasses $800 Billion Net Worth Following SpaceX-xAI Merger (Start of February) ▼

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the first person in history to surpass a net worth of $800 billion, reaching a total of $852 billion.
The wealth surge followed the merger of his rocket company SpaceX and artificial intelligence company xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25 trillion.
Musk holds a 43% stake in the newly combined SpaceX-xAI entity, which is estimated to be worth $542 billion.
Prior to the merger, Musk held a 42% stake in SpaceX valued at $336 billion and a 49% stake in xAI worth $122 billion.
Musk owns approximately 12% stake in Tesla valued at $178 billion, along with stock options worth $124 billion.
A previous merger in March 2025 combined xAI and social media platform X, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion.
Musk reached the $500 billion milestone in October 2025, $600 billion on 15 December 2025, and $700 billion on 19 December 2025.
India link not mentioned in the article.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company (KMCC) divests 30.99% stake in Infina Finance for ₹1,293.91 crore. (End of March) ▼

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited (KMCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank, signed definitive agreements on 21 March 2026 to sell 30.99% of its holding in Infina Finance Private Limited.
KMCC will transfer 9.90% stake (2,17,899 equity shares) to Derive Trading and Resorts Private Limited and Bright Star Investments Private Limited for ₹413.35 crore.
KMCC will sell 12.10% stake (2,66,321 equity shares) to the estate of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala through its trusts for ₹505.20 crore.
KMCC will divest 8.99% stake (1,97,870 equity shares) to existing shareholder KF Trust for ₹375.35 crore.
Post-transaction, KMCC’s stake in Infina will drop to 19%, and Infina will cease to be an associate company of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
The transactions are expected to complete on or before 31 March 2026, subject to customary conditions precedent.

IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures launch Rs 600-crore deeptech fund with Rs 400-crore greenshoe option (Start of February) ▼

IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures have launched the IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I with a corpus of Rs 600 crore and an additional Rs 400 crore greenshoe option.
The fund will invest Rs 8-10 crore each in over 25 early-stage, IP-led deeptech startups.
Target sectors include robotics, space technology, defence tech, semiconductors, and medical technology.
Most investments will target startups at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-4, with some follow-on backing up to TRL 7-9.
The 10-year fund, with a two-year extension option, will deploy around 60% of the corpus for initial portfolio and 40% for follow-on rounds.
A large portion of investments will focus on startups emerging from the IIT Madras ecosystem, including those incubated at the IIT Madras Research Park and the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.

World Bank (WB) raises India FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.6%

[World Bank]

Key Updates:

World Bank upgraded India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.6%, 30 basis points higher than its October 2025 projection of 6.3%.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projects FY27 growth at 6.9%.
World Bank expects inflation to rise in FY27 on strong demand, normalising food prices and higher energy prices.
Government reduced additional excise duty on petrol and diesel by ₹10 per litre and exempted customs duty on critical petrochemical products amid West Asia conflict.
India’s new free trade agreements with European Union and United Kingdom will double global market access for domestic firms from one-sixth to one-third of global GDP.
South Asia’s 2026 growth forecast revised upwards by 50 basis points to 6.3%, with India driving the region’s outperformance among Emerging Markets and Developing Economies.

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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.1% (End of March) ▼

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reduced India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.1% from 6.2%.
India’s FY28 growth projection remains unchanged at 6.4%.
India’s GDP is officially estimated to grow 7.6% in FY26.
India will remain the fastest-growing economy ahead of China (4.4%), United States (2%), Japan (0.9%), and United Kingdom (0.7%).
Global growth outlook for 2026 stays at 2.9%; 2027 revised down to 3% from 3.1%.
OECD expects India’s inflation to rise sharply to 5.1% in FY27 from 2% in FY26.
Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
OECD projects India to temporarily raise policy rates in Q2 2026.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate steady at 5.25% in February.

Goldman Sachs (GS) cuts India’s 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.9% (End of March) ▼

Goldman Sachs lowered India’s 2026 growth forecast to 5.9% from its pre-Gulf conflict estimate of 7%.
The revision follows the Gulf conflict and higher Brent crude price projections of $105 per barrel in March and $115 in April.
India’s inflation is forecast to rise to 4.6% in 2026, prompting Goldman Sachs to expect a 50-basis point hike in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) policy rate.
Goldman Sachs projects India’s current account deficit to widen to 2% of GDP in 2026 from 1.3% in October-December 2025.
Among major economies, India faces the largest growth forecast cut, compared with China (4.7% from 4.8%), South Korea (1.9% from 2%), and Hong Kong (1.8% from 2.6%).

Fitch Ratings (Fitch) Raises India FY26 GDP Growth Forecast to 7.5% (Mid of March) ▼

Fitch Ratings (Fitch) upgraded India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) to 7.5% from the previous projection of 7.4%.
The agency revised the India FY27 growth estimate upward to 6.7% from the earlier projection of 6.4%.
India’s GDP grew by 7.8% in the third quarter of FY26 and 8.4% in the second quarter, while the FY25 growth was recorded at 7.1%.
Global GDP growth is projected at 2.6% for 2026, assuming oil prices do not exceed $70 per barrel.
Inflation in India is projected to reach 4.5% by December 2026.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) maintained the policy rate at 5.25% in February, which Fitch expects to remain unchanged through next year.
Brian Coulton serves as the Chief Economist of Fitch.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 and edge up to 6.6% in FY28.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India's FY26 growth at 7.4% on January 7.
South Asia’s growth is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026.
Global growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% from 2.1%, while China's economic growth is forecast to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
The WB projections assume that 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.

World Bank (WB) projects India to lead South Asia with 7.6% growth in FY26

[World Bank]

Key Updates:

World Bank (WB) forecasts India’s GDP growth at 7.6% in FY26 and 6.6% in FY27.
WB had earlier pegged India’s growth at 6.3% for FY25 in its October 2025 update.
South Asia’s regional growth is projected to slow to 6.3% in 2026 from 7.0% in 2025.
Regional growth is expected to recover to 6.9% in 2027, keeping South Asia the fastest-growing among emerging market and developing economies.
Bangladesh is projected to expand 3.9% in FY26 as it recovers from political unrest.
Bhutan is expected to grow 7.1% in FY26, driven by hydropower projects.
Sri Lanka’s growth is seen slowing to 3.6% in 2026 from 5.0% in 2025 amid rising energy costs.
Maldives is forecast to decelerate sharply to 0.7% in FY26 due to tourism, fuel prices, and financing pressures.
Nepal is expected to grow 2.3% in FY26, with a recovery anticipated as domestic disruptions ease.
Pakistan and Afghanistan will be covered separately in WB’s Middle East and North Africa update.

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Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowers India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6.1% (End of March) ▼

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reduced India’s FY27 growth forecast to 6.1% from 6.2%.
India’s FY28 growth projection remains unchanged at 6.4%.
India’s GDP is officially estimated to grow 7.6% in FY26.
India will remain the fastest-growing economy ahead of China (4.4%), United States (2%), Japan (0.9%), and United Kingdom (0.7%).
Global growth outlook for 2026 stays at 2.9%; 2027 revised down to 3% from 3.1%.
OECD expects India’s inflation to rise sharply to 5.1% in FY27 from 2% in FY26.
Retail inflation in India rose to 3.21% year-on-year in February from 2.74% in January.
OECD projects India to temporarily raise policy rates in Q2 2026.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept the repo rate steady at 5.25% in February.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) revises India’s FY 2025-26 growth forecast to 7.3% (Mid of January) ▼

International Monetary Fund (IMF) raised India’s 2025 growth projection by 0.7 percentage point to 7.3% from 6.6% in October 2025.
IMF lifted India’s 2026 growth estimate to 6.4% from 6.2%.
World Bank pegs India’s FY2026 growth at 7.2%, an upward revision of 0.9 percentage points.
Government estimates India’s GDP growth at 7.4% for FY 2025-26, up from 6.5% last FY.
IMF projects global growth at 3.3% for 2026 and 3.2% for 2027.
IMF forecasts US growth at 2.4% in 2026, Euro area at 1.3% in 2026 and 1.4% in 2027, China at 4.5% in 2026 and 4.0% in 2027.
Global headline inflation seen easing to 3.8% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027 from 4.1% in 2025.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, up from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27 and edge up to 6.6% in FY28.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India's FY26 growth at 7.4% on January 7.
South Asia’s growth is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026.
Global growth is projected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% from 2.1%, while China's economic growth is forecast to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.
The WB projections assume that 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, an increase from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India’s growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27, assuming 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.
The WB projects India’s growth to edge up to 6.6% in FY28, supported by resilient services activity, a recovery in exports, and a pickup in investment.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for FY26 at 7.4% on January 7.
Growth for South Asia is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026, reflecting the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s exports.
Global economic growth is expected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% in 2026, while China’s economic growth is projected to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.

LPG carrier Green Asha delivers 15,400 tonnes of LPG to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)

Key Updates:

The India-flagged LPG carrier Green Asha berthed at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) on Tuesday.
The vessel carried 15,400 tonnes of LPG and transited through the Strait of Hormuz.
JNPA’s liquid terminal is operated by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
The arrival is expected to stabilise LPG supplies in Mumbai and Maharashtra where dependence on imported fuel is high.

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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.

Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki carrying 80,886 MT crude oil reaches Mundra Port in Gujarat (Mid of March) ▼

Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki carrying 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat on 18 March 2026.
The crude oil was sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and loaded at Fujairah Port.
Jag Laadki measures 274.19 metres in length and 50.04 metres in beam, with a deadweight tonnage of approximately 164,716 tonnes.
Adani Ports, which operates Mundra Port, stated the delivery supports major refinery operations and India’s energy security during regional supply disruptions.
LPG carrier Nanda Devi carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district on 17 March 2026 after navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.
Another LPG carrier, Shivalik, docked at Mundra Port on 16 March 2026.
India imports about 88% of its crude oil, 50% of natural gas, and 60% of LPG needs.
Before recent West Asia conflict escalations, over half of India’s crude imports, about 30% of gas, and 85-90% of LPG imports came from Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

National Maritime Day observed on April 5 (Start of April) ▼

National Maritime Day is observed in India on April 5 to commemorate the historic voyage of the country's first modern merchant ship.
India possesses a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres and handles approximately 95 per cent of its trade by volume through maritime routes.
The Indian Navy (IN) operates Operation Sankalp to maintain a constant vigil and provide security escorts for merchant vessels in the Gulf region.
The Sagarmala Programme is a government initiative designed to modernise ports, improve connectivity, and reduce logistics costs across India.
The India-Middle-East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) is a strategic project aimed at linking India to Europe through maritime and overland routes via the Middle East.
India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil, with nearly 80 per cent of its energy imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Historical maritime milestones include the Harappan port of Lothal and the naval dominance of the Chola Empire in the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia.
The Indian government has implemented strategic visions such as Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and MAHASAGAR to enhance cooperation in the Indian Ocean.
Major Indian ports mentioned as gateways to trade include Mumbai, Kandla, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Kochi, Paradip, and Tuticorin.
Advanced naval assets deployed for maritime security and deterrence include the warship INS Surat and the submarine INS Aridhaman.

Indian Navy launches Operation Urja Suraksha on 26 March 2026 to secure vessels in Strait of Hormuz (End of March) ▼

The Indian Navy (IN) launched Operation Urja Suraksha to ensure the safe passage of India-bound cargo vessels through the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict.
More than five frontline warships, including destroyers and frigates, have been deployed to escort merchant vessels carrying crude oil, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The operation provides real-time navigation guidance and layered security for vessels moving from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Oman.
Merchant vessels are advised to display their Indian status through the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to avoid being targeted in the high-tension zone.
The IN is coordinating with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Directorate of Naval Operations to monitor maritime traffic and conduct ground assessments.
LPG carriers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, carrying a combined 92,000 tonnes of cargo, successfully navigated the strait under this operation.
Other vessels that previously crossed the chokepoint under naval presence include the LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, and the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki.
The Iranian government has permitted the transit of non-hostile ships from friendly nations, specifically naming India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Iraq, and Bangladesh.

Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) sign AED 20 billion currency swap agreement.

[United Arab Emirates, Bahrain]

Key Updates:

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) signed a currency swap agreement worth AED 20 billion (BHD 2 billion).
The five-year arrangement was formalised during a virtual ceremony by Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, and Khalid Humaidan, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain.
The agreement aims to strengthen coordination between the two central banks and support trade and investment flows by encouraging the use of local currencies.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank of Japan (BoJ) Renew $75 Billion Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) (Start of March) ▼

The RBI and the BoJ renewed the BSA with effect from 28 February 2026.
The size of the facility remains unchanged at up to $75 billion.
The BoJ acted as the agent for Japan’s Ministry of Finance to sign the third amendment and restatement agreement of the BSA.
The arrangement is a two-way currency swap framework allowing both authorities to exchange local currencies for the US dollar.
The pact aims to strengthen financial safety nets and contribute to regional and global financial stability.

India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ink terms of reference on 5 February for starting FTA talks (Start of February) ▼

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will sign terms of reference on 5 February to launch negotiations for a free trade agreement.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will preside over the signing ceremony.
GCC comprises Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain.
India already implemented a free trade pact with the UAE in May 2022.
India and Oman signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 18 December 2025.
Earlier negotiations between India and GCC were held in 2006 and 2008; third round deferred.
India's exports to GCC rose 1% to USD 57 billion in 2024-25.
India's imports from GCC rose 15.33% to USD 121.7 billion in 2024-25.
Bilateral trade reached USD 178.7 billion in 2024-25.
UAE was India's third-largest trading partner in 2024-25 with a trade deficit of USD 26.76 billion.
Saudi Arabia was India's fifth-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 18.36 billion.
Qatar was India's 22nd-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 10.78 billion.
Oman was India's 28th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 2.48 billion.
Kuwait was India's 29th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 6.35 billion.
Bahrain was India's 65th-largest trading partner with a trade deficit of USD 45.97 million.

India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) strengthen strategic partnership during President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit on January 19, 2026 (End of January) ▼

India and the UAE aim to double bilateral trade to over $200 billion by 2032, from $84 billion in 2023–24, with focus on MSMEs and platforms like Bharat Mart.
A long-term LNG supply deal was signed for 0.5 million metric tonnes annually; the UAE is India’s second-largest LNG supplier after Qatar.
A Letter of Intent was signed to work towards a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework, covering defence industrial cooperation, advanced technologies, and cyber security.
Both sides agreed to cooperate in advanced nuclear technologies, including large reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), building on India’s SHANTI Act, 2025.
Artificial Intelligence identified as a priority area, with agreement on setting up a supercomputing cluster in India, UAE investments in data centres, and exploration of a ‘data embassy’ concept.
Letters of Intent were signed for space cooperation and infrastructure development, including joint space infrastructure and UAE participation in the Dholera Special Investment Region (airport, port, rail, energy, smart city).
A food safety agreement was signed to boost Indian agricultural exports to the UAE, alongside broader strategic cooperation during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit on January 19, 2026.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit India on January 19, 2026, to boost strategic ties (Mid of January) ▼

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit India on Monday, January 19, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated the visit will allow both leaders to “chart new frontiers” for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
This marks Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s third official visit since assuming office as United Arab Emirates (UAE) president and his fifth in the past decade.
Bilateral trade between the two nations touched an all-time high of $100.06 billion in FY 2024–25.
The UAE is currently India’s third-largest trading partner and the second-largest export destination, with exports crossing $36.63 billion in FY 2024-25.
Relations are bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Local Currency Settlement (SCS) system, and the Bilateral Investment Treaty.
Defence cooperation between the nations now spans joint exercises and maritime dialogues, following a recent visit by India’s army chief to the UAE.
India is set to take over the BRICS presidency in 2026, a grouping the UAE joined in its recent expansion phase.
Indians constitute the largest expatriate group in the UAE, numbering about 4.3 million people, or roughly 35% of the population.
The visit coincides with the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, scheduled for January 19-23.

World Bank (WB) projects India GDP growth at 7.6 per cent for FY26

Key Updates:

The World Bank (WB) estimated India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth to have accelerated to 7.6 per cent in Financial Year 2025-26 (FY26) from 7.1 per cent in FY25.
The WB projected India's growth to slow to 6.6 per cent in FY27, an upward revision from the 6.5 per cent forecast made in the January Global Economic Prospects report.
India remains the fastest-growing large economy in the world in FY26, supported by strong domestic demand and export resilience.
The WB identified high foreign exchange (Forex) reserves, fiscal space, and low inflation as strong policy buffers to weather global energy shocks.
The growth estimates for FY27 are based on an assumed oil price range of USD 90-100 per barrel.
Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) lowered its India GDP growth estimate for FY27 to 6 per cent due to the West Asia conflict.
Domestic consumption was bolstered by income tax cuts and Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate reductions implemented in the previous year.
The WB noted that India's growth momentum is supported by positive policies including the European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and new labour laws.

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Government of India (GoI) Projects 7.4% GDP Growth for FY26 (Start of January) ▼

The Government of India (GoI) projects the real GDP growth at 7.4% for fiscal year 2025–26, exceeding the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) expectation of 7.3%.
Nominal GDP growth is estimated at 8% for the current fiscal year, compared to 9.7% recorded in the previous year.
India’s GDP growth accelerated to a six-quarter high of 8.2% in the second quarter of FY26, following a 7.8% expansion in the April–June quarter.
Real Gross Value Added (GVA) is expected to expand by 7.3% in FY26, an increase from 6.4% in FY25.
Nominal GVA is projected to grow at 7.7% in the current fiscal, down from the 9.3% growth recorded in the previous financial year.
Government spending is estimated to rise by 5.2% in fiscal 2025-26, compared to a 2.3% increase in the previous year.
Manufacturing and construction sectors are both estimated to achieve a growth rate of 7.0% at constant prices in FY 2025-26.
The agriculture and allied sector is estimated to grow by 3.1% during FY26, down from the 4.6% growth witnessed in FY24.

Moody's Projects India Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Growth at 6.4% for FY27 (Mid of February) ▼

Moody's (Moody's) forecasts India's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 6.4% in Fiscal Year 2026-27 (FY27).
India is expected to record the fastest growth pace among the Group of Twenty (G-20) economies according to the ratings agency.
The Economic Survey 2026 projects India's real GDP expansion to range between 6.8% and 7.2% for FY27.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised its growth projections for FY27 to 6.9% for the first quarter and 7.0% for the second quarter.
Structural reforms including the rationalisation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and income tax reductions are expected to boost domestic consumption.
A trade agreement reached between India and the United States (US) in February 2026 is anticipated to improve conditions for export-linked Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

United Nations (UN) upgrades India's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 6.6% and projects 6.7% for 2027. (Start of January) ▼

The UN has raised India's 2026 GDP growth projection to 6.6% from the earlier 6.4%.
India's GDP is forecast to grow 6.7% in 2027.
India's GDP is expected to expand 7.4% in 2025.
Inflation in India is forecast at 4.1% in 2026.
On a financial year basis, India's economy is estimated to grow 7.2% in 2025-26 and 6.6% in 2026-27.
The US has imposed a 50% tariff on India, including a 25% penalty for importing Russian oil.
The US accounts for around 18% of India's exports.
Globally, GDP growth is projected at 2.7% in 2026, marginally lower than the estimated 2.8% for 2025.
The US economy is anticipated to grow 1.9% in 2025 and 2% in 2026.
China's growth is forecast at 4.9% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026.

World Bank (WB) raises India’s FY26 growth forecast to 7.2% (Mid of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) raised India’s growth forecast for FY26 to 7.2%, an increase from the 6.3% projected in June 2025.
India’s growth is estimated to moderate to 6.5% in FY27, assuming 50% tariffs by the United States remain in place throughout the forecast horizon.
The WB projects India’s growth to edge up to 6.6% in FY28, supported by resilient services activity, a recovery in exports, and a pickup in investment.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) estimated India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth for FY26 at 7.4% on January 7.
Growth for South Asia is expected to rise to 7.1% in 2025 and slow to 6.2% in 2026, reflecting the impact of higher US tariffs on India’s exports.
Global economic growth is expected to moderate to 2.6% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025.
The United States economy is estimated to rise to 2.2% in 2026, while China’s economic growth is projected to slow to 4.4% from 4.9%.

Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF) achieves ₹1 trillion brand turnover milestone

Key Updates:

The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (GCMMF), which markets the Amul brand, recorded a brand turnover of ₹1 lakh crore in the financial year 2025-26.
The brand turnover represents an 11% increase over the previous year's base of ₹90,000 crore.
The sales turnover of GCMMF reached ₹73,450 crore in 2025-26, marking an 11.4% rise compared to ₹65,911 crore in 2024-25.
Amul was ranked as the world's No 1 cooperative by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
The federation represents 3.6 million farmers and manages a daily milk procurement of approximately 31 million litres.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched the Sardar Patel Cooperative Dairy Federation Limited (SPCDF) on July 6, 2025.
The SPCDF is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and aims to integrate dairy cooperatives into a unified network to usher in a Second White Revolution.
GCMMF distributes over 24 billion packs of dairy products annually, including milk, butter, cheese, ghee, and ice cream, across more than 50 countries.
The brand expanded its global presence during the year by launching fresh milk in markets including Europe and the United States.

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Government e-Marketplace (GeM) crosses ₹18.4 lakh crore GMV (Start of April) ▼

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

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) data shows UPI transactions hit record ₹29.52 trillion in March (Start of April) ▼

UPI transactions reached an all-time high of ₹29.52 trillion in March 2026, up 10% from ₹26.84 trillion in February.
Transaction volume rose 11% to 22.64 billion in March from 20.39 billion in February.
Daily UPI transactions in March averaged 730.36 million, marking a 24% increase over the previous fiscal.
For FY26, UPI value grew 21% to ₹314.23 trillion and volume surged 30% to 241.616 billion.
Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) volume increased 9% to 366 million and value rose 15% to ₹7.4 trillion in March.
FASTag transactions grew 4% to 364 million with value up from ₹6,925 crore to ₹7,193 crore in March.
Aadhaar Enabled Payment System (AePS) transactions jumped 23% to 111 million and value climbed 24% to ₹31,956 crore in March.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) restructures Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) stake; Meta subsidiary acquires 30% stake (Start of March) ▼

Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) allotted 85,31,75,000 equity shares of face value Rs 10 each at par.
Reliance Intelligence Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), received 59,66,22,500 equity shares aggregating Rs 596.6 crore.
Facebook Overseas Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc, received 25,65,52,500 equity shares aggregating Rs 256.6 crore.
Post allotment, Reliance Intelligence Limited holds 70% of REIL's total equity capital and Facebook Overseas Inc holds 30%.
REIL has ceased to be a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of RIL and has become a step-down subsidiary.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) forms sub-committee to review private health insurance ecosystem

[Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC)]

Key Updates:

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has constituted a sub-committee under its Insurance Advisory Committee to undertake a comprehensive review of India’s private health insurance ecosystem.
The panel will examine coverage, claims experience, product design, grievance redressal mechanisms, and overall consumer experience.
It will recommend regulatory, policy, and operational measures to drive innovation, expand coverage, and improve financial protection for policyholders.
The sub-committee will assess healthcare provider networks, hospital tariffs, fraud control mechanisms, and digital infrastructure.
It will explore complementarity, portability, and convergence between private health insurance and public health assurance schemes.
The panel will incorporate recommendations from working groups set up by the Confederation of Indian Industry, including a joint code of conduct for insurers and healthcare providers and scaling up of the National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX).

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Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) launches Shri Health Suraksha 2.0 insurance suite (Mid of March) ▼

Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) has launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an indemnity health insurance plan featuring unlimited restoration of the sum insured within a policy year.
The policy removes standard industry caps on room and ICU charges, allowing policyholders to select facilities without budget-based restrictions.
The plan offers a cumulative bonus of up to 250% for claim-free years and includes a zero co-payment structure where the insurer handles the full admissible claim amount.
Coverage under the suite extends to air ambulance expenses up to the opted sum insured and includes medical consumables and traditional AYUSH treatments.
SGIC is a joint venture between the Shriram Group and the Sanlam Group of South Africa.
As of 31st December 2025, SGIC manages assets worth ₹14,249 Crore and maintains 69 lakh live policies across 285 branches in India.
The company reported an employee strength of 4,219 as of the end of December 2025.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) retains LIC, GIC Re, New India Assurance as D-SIIs for FY26 (Start of April) ▼

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has retained Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC Re), and The New India Assurance Company Ltd. as Domestic Systemically Important Insurers (D-SIIs) for FY 2025-26.
The list remains unchanged from FY 2024-25 following IRDAI's annual assessment.
D-SIIs are insurers whose distress or failure could significantly disrupt the domestic financial system.
IRDAI mandates these insurers to strengthen corporate governance standards, enhance risk identification processes, and promote a robust risk management framework.
The identified insurers will continue to be subject to enhanced regulatory supervision.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) notifies Ind AS norms for insurers with one-year forbearance (Start of April) ▼

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) issued final regulations for transition to Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) effective 1 April 2026.
Insurers may request forbearance until 30 April 2026 if unable to comply with Ind AS; forbearance can be granted for one year.
Parallel reporting under Ind AS alongside existing Indian Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (IGAAP) framework permitted for two years.
Multi-stakeholder expert committee proposed with representatives from Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Institute of Actuaries of India, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), and National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA).

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) mandates Ind AS accounting for all insurers from 1 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼

IRDAI approved the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Actuarial, Finance and Investment Functions of Insurers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
All insurers — life, general, stand-alone health insurers and reinsurers — must prepare financial statements under Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) effective 1 April 2026.
Parallel reporting under Ind AS and the existing accounting framework will continue for two years or as specified by IRDAI.
Insurers unable to shift immediately may receive a one-year forbearance, during which they must still submit Ind AS-based information to IRDAI.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Institute of Actuaries of India (IAI) welcomed the adoption and pledged support to insurers and professionals.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) extends IPO validity and relaxes minimum public shareholding norms till September 2026.

[Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)]

Key Updates:

Sebi extended the validity of observation letters expiring up to 30 September 2026, giving over two dozen IPO-bound firms a six-month one-time relaxation.
Issuers using the extension must file updated offer documents and a lead-manager undertaking confirming compliance with ICDR regulations.
Sebi also granted a one-time exemption from penal action on minimum public shareholding (MPS) shortfalls for compliance deadlines between 1 April and 30 September 2026.
Stock exchanges and depositories were instructed to withdraw any penal measures initiated since 1 April 2026 during this relief window.
In FY26, 112 mainboard IPOs raised a record ₹1.78 trillion, surpassing the previous high of ₹1.62 trillion raised via 78 issues.
Currently, 144 Sebi-approved companies aiming to raise ₹1.75 trillion await market launch, while 63 firms seeking ₹1.37 trillion are in the approval pipeline.
During FY26, 18 companies allowed nearly ₹22,000 crore worth of approvals to lapse and 15 firms withdrew draft papers for offerings worth ₹9,200 crore.

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Finance Ministry (DEA) reduces minimum public shareholding for IPOs to 2.5% (Mid of March) ▼

Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) notified amendments to Securities Contracts (Regulation) Rules, 1957 on 13 March.
Minimum mandated public shareholding of a listed stock reduced from 5% to 2.5%.
Companies with post-issue capital ≤ ₹1,600 crore must offer at least 25% of each class of equity shares or debentures to the public.
Companies with post-issue capital > ₹1,600 crore but ≤ ₹4,000 crore must offer at least a percentage equivalent to ₹400 crore.
Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹4,000 crore but ≤ ₹50,000 crore must offer at least 10% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹50,000 crore but < ₹1 lakh crore must offer at least ₹1,000 crore and at least 8% of each share or debenture, subject to increasing public shareholding to at least 25% within three years.
Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹1 lakh crore but ≤ ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 2.75% of each share or debenture, subject to achieving specified timelines.
Companies with post-listing valuation > ₹5 lakh crore must offer at least 1% of each share or debenture if public shareholding at listing is <15%, increasing to at least 15% within five years and 25% within ten years.
Amendment clears the way for Reliance-owned Jio Platform and National Stock Exchange IPOs.

PM KUSUM deadline extended to March 2027 for eligible projects (Start of April) ▼

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) extended the commissioning deadline for PM KUSUM projects with power purchase agreements or letters of intent signed or issued on or before 31 December 2025 to 31 March 2027.
PM KUSUM targets adding 34,800 MW of decentralised solar capacity in the agricultural sector by March 2026 with central financial support of ₹34,422 crore.
Department of Expenditure informed that committed liabilities of PM KUSUM will be subsumed under the proposed PM KUSUM 2.0 scheme now under discussion.

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

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

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approves AIF, FPI, InvIT, REIT and governance reforms in 213th board meeting. (End of March) ▼

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) held its 213th board meeting in Mumbai on 23 March 2026.
SEBI amended AIF Regulations 2012 to allow Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) with no active fund management to retain residual assets for up to 3 years subject to 75% investor approval.
SEBI introduced net settlement for Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) in the cash market to cut funding and forex conversion costs.
SEBI expanded retail access to Social Impact Funds (SIFs) by lowering minimum investment and easing disclosure norms.
SEBI allowed Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to invest in greenfield projects, hold multiple SPVs, borrow for capex and refinancing, and undertake maintenance expenses.
SEBI revised fit-and-proper criteria to bar persons with pending FIRs for economic offences or securities law violations and reduced disqualification period to six months in specified cases.
SEBI mandated SEBI staff to liquidate or freeze personal securities holdings, file initial, annual and event-based conflict disclosures, and recuse from decisions when conflicts arise.
SEBI approved creation of an Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), a digital monitoring system and a whistle-blower framework for stronger conflict-of-interest oversight.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance launches Promise4Wealth market-linked savings plan.

[Canara HSBC Life Insurance]

Key Updates:

Canara HSBC Life Insurance introduced Promise4Wealth, a market-linked savings plan.
The product offers three variants: Maximiser, Shield, and LongLife.
Policyholders gain access to a passive fund linked to the BSE 500 Enhanced Value 50 Index.
The plan carries a Zero Premium Allocation Charge.

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Bank of Baroda (BoB) launches bob Women Sapphire Savings Account with ₹10 lakh cancer cover (Mid of March) ▼

Bank of Baroda (BoB) has introduced the bob Women Sapphire Savings Account, a premium savings product designed specifically for women.
The account mandates a Monthly Average Balance (MAB) of ₹1 lakh and includes a complimentary cancer care coverage plan worth ₹10 lakh for women aged between 18 and 60 years.
It features the bob Bhoomi RuPay Select Debit Card, which provides benefits such as domestic airport lounge access, gym memberships, and Over-the-Top (OTT) subscriptions.
Health and wellness benefits include free online doctor consultations for up to six family members, a 15% concession on medicines, and a 20% concession on pathology tests.
The account offers a 50% waiver on home loan processing fees and a 20% discount on locker charges up to a maximum of ₹500.
Account holders are eligible for the BOBCARD Tiara Credit Card, featuring a 50% first-year fee waiver in the form of reward points and unlimited domestic airport lounge access.

Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) launches Shri Health Suraksha 2.0 insurance suite (Mid of March) ▼

Shriram General Insurance Company (SGIC) has launched Shri Health Suraksha 2.0, an indemnity health insurance plan featuring unlimited restoration of the sum insured within a policy year.
The policy removes standard industry caps on room and ICU charges, allowing policyholders to select facilities without budget-based restrictions.
The plan offers a cumulative bonus of up to 250% for claim-free years and includes a zero co-payment structure where the insurer handles the full admissible claim amount.
Coverage under the suite extends to air ambulance expenses up to the opted sum insured and includes medical consumables and traditional AYUSH treatments.
SGIC is a joint venture between the Shriram Group and the Sanlam Group of South Africa.
As of 31st December 2025, SGIC manages assets worth ₹14,249 Crore and maintains 69 lakh live policies across 285 branches in India.
The company reported an employee strength of 4,219 as of the end of December 2025.

SBI Life Insurance launches SBI Life - Smart Platina Advantage guaranteed savings plan. (Mid of January) ▼

SBI Life - Smart Platina Advantage is an individual, non-linked, non-participating life insurance savings product offering long-term guaranteed benefits and life insurance protection throughout the policy term.
The product provides assured guaranteed additions every policy year and allows premium payment for a limited period while maintaining life cover for the entire policy term.
Tax benefits are available as per applicable provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Policyholders can opt to receive maturity proceeds in instalments, providing post-maturity liquidity and financial flexibility.

Canara Bank Integrates NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) UPI Technology (End of January) ▼

Canara Bank will integrate NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) bank plugins to offer Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services on its banking app, Canara ai1Pe.
Canara Bank is the first financial institution to adopt this technology stack approach from NBSL to host UPI features and upgrades.
NBSL was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2024.
The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded 21.63 billion transactions worth ₹27.97 trillion at the end of 2025.
The Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Bank index grew by 31% in 2025, outperforming the Nifty for the fifth consecutive year.
The Indian Rupee (INR) breached the 91 per US Dollar mark as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) sold ₹29,300 crore in 2026.
In 2025, BHIM presented a proof of concept for BHIM Vishwas, a technology stack designed for white-labeling payment capabilities for banks.

DBS Bank India (DBIL) Launches DBS Aspire for Emerging Affluent Segment

[DBS Bank India]

Key Updates:

DBS Bank India (DBIL) has introduced the DBS Aspire banking proposition and a signature Aspire debit card tailored for the emerging affluent segment.
The proposition is available to clients maintaining a total relationship value of ₹10 lakh or a minimum monthly savings account average balance of ₹2 lakh.
DBIL offers an interest rate of 5% per annum on savings account balances between ₹2 lakh and ₹50 lakh under this program.
The DBS Aspire program provides zero forex mark-up on international spends and zero charges on all banking transactions and services.
The bank's existing wealth management platform, DBS Treasures, serves clients with a total relationship value of ₹30 lakh and above.
CRISIL Ratings reaffirmed the CRISIL AAA/Stable rating for the corporate credit facility and CRISIL A1+ for the certificate of deposits programme of DBIL in 2025.
DBIL expanded its network to approximately 350 locations across 19 Indian states following the merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank in November 2020.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) wins Central Banking Initiative of the Year Award for launching .bank.in domain (Mid of March) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) received the Initiative of the Year Award from London-based Central Banking for creating the .bank.in domain.
India became the first country globally to mandate a secure and exclusive Internet domain for its banking system.
Only RBI-regulated entities are permitted to use the .bank.in domain to combat phishing and look-alike website frauds.
Banks were mandated to migrate their net banking websites to the .bank.in domain by 31 October 2025.
Major banks including SBI, HDFC, and ICICI have migrated their websites to the new domain format www.bankname.bank.in.
The initiative involved the Indian government, NIXI, IDRBT, and banks according to an official statement.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releases Payments Vision 2028 themed 'Shaping India’s Payment Frontier'. (End of March) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Payments Vision 2028 on 27 March 2026.
Vision 2028 targets full interoperability across Trade Receivables Discounting Systems (TReDS) and expands receivables financing to export MSMEs.
Payments Switching Service (PaSS) is proposed to let customers migrate payment instructions when switching bank accounts.
RBI plans an enable/disable facility for all digital payment modes and a shared liability framework covering issuer and beneficiary banks for unauthorised transactions.
Cyber Key Risk Indicators (KRI) framework will be introduced for non-bank Payment System Operators.
Cheque design and security standards will be reviewed and electronic cheques will be explored.
Single-window authorisation under Payment and Settlement Systems Act and FEMA is being examined for cross-border payments.
Small Payment System Providers (SPSPs) will be recognised under a perpetual regulatory sandbox.

Bank of Baroda (BoB) Obtains RBI Approval for Standalone Primary Dealership Subsidiary (Mid of January) ▼

Bank of Baroda (BoB) received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to transfer its existing bank primary dealer authorization to a proposed wholly-owned subsidiary.
The new subsidiary will undertake Standalone Primary Dealer (SPD) business to enhance liquidity and price discovery in the government securities (G-Sec) market.
The RBI introduced the Primary Dealers (PDs) system in 1995 to strengthen G-Sec market infrastructure and underwriting capabilities.
Commercial banks were permitted to conduct PD business departmentally starting from the 2006-07 period.
The Indian banking sector currently features 7 Standalone Primary Dealers and 14 Bank Primary Dealers.
Current Bank PDs include BoB, Canara Bank, Union Bank of India, and IDBI Bank.

DBS Bank and Visa pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce for AI agent-initiated payments in Asia Pacific. (Mid of February) ▼

DBS Bank is the first issuer in Asia Pacific to pilot Visa Intelligent Commerce (VIC) for agent-initiated payments.
VIC uses integrated APIs and Visa’s secure infrastructure to enable consent-driven payments by AI agents on behalf of consumers.
Close to 77% of Singapore residents use generative AI tools such as chatbots in daily life.
Eight in ten Singapore consumers rely on AI assistance when shopping online.
DBS and Visa demonstrated AI-powered agents completing food and beverage transactions using DBS/POSB credit and debit cards.
Future trials will explore agentic commerce in online shopping and travel bookings.
DBS is validating AI-ready credentials, advanced authentication, and intent-driven transaction controls for agent-led commerce.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) partners with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to offer collateral-free short-term loans to sellers.

[Punjab National Bank, GeM]

Key Updates:

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed an MoU with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to provide swift, collateral-free short-term loans against GeM purchase orders.
The facility targets Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and small businesses facing hurdles in securing timely and affordable credit.
Loan processing will be transparent, efficient, digital, and paperless as per PNB.

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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Emirates NBD's 60% stake acquisition in RBL Bank (Start of April) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of a 60% stake in RBL Bank.
Emirates NBD Bank will acquire the stake for approximately Rs 26,853 crore, marking the largest takeover of an Indian lender by a foreign financial institution.
The transaction includes amalgamation of Emirates NBD's India operations with RBL Bank, subject to regulatory clearances.
Emirates NBD will launch a mandatory open offer to acquire up to 26% of RBL Bank's expanded voting share capital at Rs 280 per share, covering around 415.58 million shares.
The open offer is expected to commence as early as next week, pending approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Authorises CRED as Payment Aggregator (Mid of March) ▼

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted final authorisation to CRED (Dreamplug Paytech Solutions Private Limited) to operate as a payment aggregator.
The license enables the Bengaluru-based fintech firm to onboard merchants, collect payments on their behalf across instruments, and handle settlements and refunds.
CRED and its subsidiaries now hold two RBI authorisations, including the Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) license.
The company reported a 16 per cent growth in consolidated operating revenue to ₹2,735 crore in the financial year 2024-25 (FY25).
Operating losses for the firm reduced to ₹298 crore in FY25 from ₹609 crore in the previous financial year (FY24).
The fintech platform, founded by Kunal Shah, currently maintains a member base of over 1.5 crore.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) launches LUXURA Metal Credit Card on Visa Infinite platform (Start of February) ▼

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has launched its LUXURA Metal Credit Card on the Visa Infinite platform, expanding its premium credit card portfolio and increasing the card’s global acceptance.
The LUXURA Metal Credit Card is now available on both RuPay and Visa networks, allowing wider international usability for cardholders.
The card provides 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent, with higher rewards for travel and dining purchases.
Customers are eligible for bonus reward points upon reaching specified annual spending thresholds.
The card includes zero foreign currency mark-up on international transactions and complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges.
Cardholders can access benefits under the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection, which may include complimentary breakfast, room upgrades, late check-out and food and beverage credits, subject to availability.
Additional dining benefits are offered under the Visa Dine & Save programme at select restaurants.
Travel-related benefits include discounts on flight and hotel bookings through third-party platforms such as Ixigo, Agoda, Expedia and Trip.com.
The card provides lifestyle benefits such as movie ticket offers, grocery discounts, and a fuel surcharge waiver of up to ₹350 per billing cycle.
PNB has integrated 24x7 Visa Concierge Services with the card, covering assistance for travel, dining, healthcare, entertainment and shopping.
The joining fee for the PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card is ₹4,999 plus GST, while the annual fee is ₹1,999 plus GST.

Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) launches first co-branded RuPay Credit Card among Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). (Start of February) ▼

Tripura Gramin Bank (TGB) launched its first-ever co-branded RuPay Credit Card in collaboration with sponsor bank Punjab National Bank (PNB).
TGB becomes the first RRB among the eight RRBs sponsored by PNB and the first in India to roll out a co-branded RuPay Credit Card.
The bank operates through 150 full-fledged branches and 12 ultra-small branches across Tripura.
The launch event was attended by Rakhi Biswas, Director (Small Savings, Group Insurance & Institutional Finance), TGB Chairman Satyendra Singh, and Deepak Kumar, General Manager, Punjab National Bank (Head Office).
TGB is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year of establishment.
The initiative aims to enable customers in rural and semi-urban areas to access modern credit facilities within the RuPay ecosystem.

KreditBee enters unicorn club with $280 million funding at $1.5 billion valuation.

[KreditBee]

Key Updates:

KreditBee raised $280 million in a round led by Hornbill Capital, MUFG-backed Dragon Funds and Motilal Oswal Alternates.
The round comprises $220 million primary capital and $60 million secondary capital.
The Bengaluru-based digital lender is now valued at $1.5 billion post-money.
KreditBee plans to complete the merger of its technology and NBFC entity within two to three months.
The company awaits final approval from the National Company Law Tribunal before launching its IPO.
Competitors Fibe, Moneyview and Kissht are also preparing for public listings.
KreditBee recorded operating revenue of Rs 805 crore and net profit of Rs 137 crore for Q3 FY26.
Total disbursals for FY26 stood at Rs 30,000 crore with assets under management of Rs 15,000 crore.

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Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) partners with HyperVerge to deploy AI-driven Video KYC system. (End of January) ▼

Suryoday Small Finance Bank (SSFB) has partnered with technology firm HyperVerge to implement an AI-driven Video KYC system for digital onboarding.
The Video KYC system enables verification agents to complete nearly twice the number of approved calls per day compared with earlier processes.
The system has been integrated into the bank’s existing digital channels and is being used across products that require identity verification.
Baskar Babu, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SSFB, stated that the partnership supports the bank’s effort to make banking simpler and more accessible.
Vishal Singh, Chief Information Officer and Head of Digital Banking at SSFB, said the solution improves conversions without compromising customer experience.
HyperVerge Chief Executive Officer Kedar Kulkarni said the Video KYC platform supports higher conversions, compliance, and scalable operations for regulated financial institutions.

DPIIT-Razorpay MoU empowers startups with zero-fee incorporation, mentorship and fintech tools (End of March) ▼

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) partnered with Razorpay on 26 Mar 2026 to provide financial tools, founder enablement programmes and ecosystem support to startups.
Startup Sahayak platform launched to give end-to-end assistance including company incorporation, access to central and state government schemes, funding guidance and structured interface for ecosystem support.
DPIIT-recognised startups will receive incorporation support with zero professional fees, excluding applicable government charges.
Selected startups will be onboarded into curated founder communities for peer learning, networking and domain-specific support in engineering, hiring and marketing.
Knowledge sessions on applied artificial intelligence, marketing, product development and financial management will be conducted through Startup India Hub.

IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures launch Rs 600-crore deeptech fund with Rs 400-crore greenshoe option (Start of February) ▼

IIT Madras and Unicorn India Ventures have launched the IITM Unicorn Frontier Fund I with a corpus of Rs 600 crore and an additional Rs 400 crore greenshoe option.
The fund will invest Rs 8-10 crore each in over 25 early-stage, IP-led deeptech startups.
Target sectors include robotics, space technology, defence tech, semiconductors, and medical technology.
Most investments will target startups at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-4, with some follow-on backing up to TRL 7-9.
The 10-year fund, with a two-year extension option, will deploy around 60% of the corpus for initial portfolio and 40% for follow-on rounds.
A large portion of investments will focus on startups emerging from the IIT Madras ecosystem, including those incubated at the IIT Madras Research Park and the IIT Madras Incubation Cell.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company (KMCC) divests 30.99% stake in Infina Finance for ₹1,293.91 crore. (End of March) ▼

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Limited (KMCC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kotak Mahindra Bank, signed definitive agreements on 21 March 2026 to sell 30.99% of its holding in Infina Finance Private Limited.
KMCC will transfer 9.90% stake (2,17,899 equity shares) to Derive Trading and Resorts Private Limited and Bright Star Investments Private Limited for ₹413.35 crore.
KMCC will sell 12.10% stake (2,66,321 equity shares) to the estate of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala through its trusts for ₹505.20 crore.
KMCC will divest 8.99% stake (1,97,870 equity shares) to existing shareholder KF Trust for ₹375.35 crore.
Post-transaction, KMCC’s stake in Infina will drop to 19%, and Infina will cease to be an associate company of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
The transactions are expected to complete on or before 31 March 2026, subject to customary conditions precedent.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves Advent International’s 14.3% stake acquisition in Aditya Birla Housing Finance.

[Competition Commission of India, Advent, Aditya Birla Housing Finance]

Key Updates:

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Advent International’s proposal to acquire 14.3% equity in Aditya Birla Housing Finance (ABHFL) through a preferential private placement to Indriya Ltd.
Aditya Birla Capital and ABHFL boards had earlier cleared a ₹2,750 crore primary capital infusion from Indriya, an Advent International entity.
ABHFL provides home loans, loans against property, construction finance loans, and lease rental discounting loans.
CCI separately cleared Citrus Investment LLC’s acquisition of an additional 0.4% shareholding in Hitachi Construction Machinery Co and sole control of its 50:50 joint venture HCJI Holdings K K.
CCI also approved Indus Infra Trust’s acquisition of 100% stake in KNR SPVs from KNR Constructions.

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Competition Commission of India (CCI) Approves MUFG Bank Stake Acquisition in Shriram Finance (End of March) ▼

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the proposal by Japan's MUFG Bank Ltd to acquire a stake in Shriram Finance Limited.
MUFG Bank, a part of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Inc (MUFG), will acquire a 20 per cent minority stake in the non-bank lender for ₹39,618 crore (approximately USD 4.4 billion).
The transaction represents the largest cross-border investment in India's financial sector to date.
Shriram Finance Limited is classified as an investment and credit company by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and categorised as an NBFC-Upper Layer.
The CCI also approved the acquisition of Groww Asset Management Ltd by State Street Global Advisors, Inc., which is a subsidiary of State Street Corporation (SSC).
Groww Asset Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Billionbrains Garage Ventures and manages various schemes of Groww Mutual Fund (Groww MF).

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited acquiring additional 30.58% stake in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited. (End of January) ▼

Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of an additional 30.58% shareholding in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited by Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited.
Post-acquisition, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited’s shareholding in Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited will rise from 68.84% to 99.42%.
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited is the publicly listed parent of the Apollo Hospitals group and provides healthcare services across India.
Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited offers primary and secondary healthcare, diagnostics, and telemedical consultation services in India.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Emirates NBD's 60% stake acquisition in RBL Bank (Start of April) ▼

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved Emirates NBD Bank's proposed acquisition of a 60% stake in RBL Bank.
Emirates NBD Bank will acquire the stake for approximately Rs 26,853 crore, marking the largest takeover of an Indian lender by a foreign financial institution.
The transaction includes amalgamation of Emirates NBD's India operations with RBL Bank, subject to regulatory clearances.
Emirates NBD will launch a mandatory open offer to acquire up to 26% of RBL Bank's expanded voting share capital at Rs 280 per share, covering around 415.58 million shares.
The open offer is expected to commence as early as next week, pending approval from Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approves Central Bank of India’s acquisition of additional stake in GCICL and GCLICL (Start of March) ▼

Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved Central Bank of India’s acquisition of 1.09% additional equity in Generali Central Insurance Company (GCICL) and 0.82% additional equity in Generali Central Life Insurance Company (GCLICL) on 03 March 2026.
Post-acquisition, Central Bank of India’s shareholding in GCICL will rise from 24.91% to 26%.
Post-acquisition, Central Bank of India’s shareholding in GCLICL will rise from 25.18% to 26%.

Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendments Approved to Reserve 273 Lok Sabha Seats

Key Updates:

The Union Cabinet approved a draft amendment bill to operationalise the Women’s Reservation Act, aiming for implementation by the 2029 general elections.
The proposed amendment modifies the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
Under the new proposal, the total number of Lok Sabha seats is expected to increase from 543 to 816.
A total of 273 seats, which is approximately 33% of the proposed total, will be reserved for women.
The reservation will follow a vertical quota system to ensure representation within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories.
The government plans to conduct the delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census instead of waiting for the 2027 Census.
A special three-day sitting of Parliament has been scheduled from 16 April to 18 April for the introduction and passage of the amendment bill.

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Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana: Punjab Cabinet clears monthly aid of ₹1,000–₹1,500 for over 97% women (Start of April) ▼

The Punjab Cabinet approved the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana to provide ₹1,000 per month to all other women and ₹1,500 per month to Scheduled Caste women.
The scheme is expected to benefit more than 97% of women in Punjab.
A budgetary provision of ₹9,300 crore has been sanctioned for the scheme in 2026-27.
Eligible women must be 18 years or above, registered as voters in Punjab, possess a valid Aadhaar card with Punjab residency, and hold a valid Voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India.
Financial assistance will be transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts under the Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
There is no restriction on the number of eligible women in a family, and existing social security pensioners will continue to receive full benefits under this scheme in addition to their pensions.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Launches Say No To Proxy Sarpanch Campaign (Mid of March) ▼

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) launched a nationwide social media campaign titled Say No To Proxy Sarpanch to combat the practice of proxy representation in Gram Panchayats.
The campaign aims to empower elected women Sarpanches and raise awareness against male relatives, often called Sarpanch Pati or Pradhan Pati, exercising authority in their stead.
Launched on International Women’s Day, the initiative is being conducted in collaboration with state panchayati raj departments and will continue until 18 March 2026.
The MoPR had previously formed an advisory committee in September 2023, following a Supreme Court order, to address the issue of proxy participation.
The committee’s report, titled Transforming Women’s Representation and Roles in Panchayati Raj Systems and Institutions: Eliminating Efforts for Proxy Participation, recommended enforcing exemplary penalties for proxy leadership.
Proposed measures include a robust reporting mechanism through helplines, women's watchdog committees for confidential complaints, and whistleblower rewards for verified cases.
The report was based on extensive consultations and four intensive regional workshops involving 14 States.

Supreme Court clarifies Merit-Based Allocation for Reserved Category Candidates (Mid of January) ▼

The Supreme Court ruled that reserved category candidates who score above the general category cutoff must be adjusted against unreserved seats.
The Court stated that the 'unreserved' category is an open pool based strictly on merit, not a quota for general candidates.
The judgment emphasized that such merit-based adjustment is required under Article 14 and Article 16 of the Constitution.

Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan and Nirbhay Raho Initiative: ₹4,35,236 Crore Allocated for Rural Bodies (Mid of March) ▼

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) organised a national conference in Delhi to commemorate the first anniversary of the Sashakt Panchayat - Netri Abhiyan.
The Nirbhay Raho initiative was launched under the Nirbhaya Scheme to enhance women's safety and leadership in rural governance.
The initiative aims to provide capacity building and legal rights training to 14.5 lakh elected women representatives.
A total of 17.5 lakh male representatives will be sensitised on gender equality as part of the programme.
The financial allocation for rural bodies has been increased to ₹4,35,236 crore for the 2026-31 period.
The conference showcased the Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled SabhaSaar platform designed to improve inclusive local governance.

ICAR Special Task Force to safeguard India's agricultural resilience amid global geopolitical uncertainties

[Indian Council of Agricultural Research]

Key Updates:

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has constituted a high-level Special Task Force to counter emerging global challenges and safeguard India's agricultural sector.
The Task Force chaired by M L Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, outlined a comprehensive framework for national food and input security.
It will intensify the 'Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav' campaign, prioritising 100 aspirational districts to deliver complete packages of agricultural practices and build grassroots confidence.
Dedicated officers across divisions will track weekly progress and align actions under a unified plan.
A campaign for balanced fertiliser and bio-input use will be launched, with district-level assessments to rationalise consumption in wheat and rice.
Technological solutions like Direct Seeding of Rice will be scaled up under strengthened agrometeorology programmes with real-time advisories.
The Task Force will meet as situational exigencies demand and provide data-driven inputs to the government through institutional feedback mechanisms.

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India and Germany strengthen climate resilience cooperation through EUR 20 million grant (End of February) ▼

India and Germany held a high-level climate talk titled From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Adaptation Policy Pathways at the German Embassy in New Delhi on Wednesday evening.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is currently finalising India's National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
Germany and India are deepening cooperation to support the implementation of the NAP, specifically for strengthening climate resilience in forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
Under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), Germany launched a new Large Grant project for India with a funding volume of up to EUR 20 million.
The IKI project aims to enhance resilience in high-risk ecosystems across the Himalayas, island regions, the Western Ghats, the North-East, and the Lower Gangetic floodplains.
The initiative supports ecosystem-based approaches (EbA) including forest restoration, biodiversity corridor connectivity, flood and erosion control, groundwater recharge, and community-led natural resource management.
The project will explore innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, biodiversity credits, and insurance schemes to support the NAP.
Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN), participated in the dialogue with World Resources Institute (WRI) India.
In 2024, Germany's total international climate finance contribution amounted to EUR 11.8 billion, with nearly half of public budget resources supporting adaptation measures.

National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge to Strengthen Rural Climate Resilience (Start of March) ▼

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) launched the National Climate Stack Innovation Challenge in collaboration with The Gates Foundation and Dalberg Advisors.
The initiative aims to build a National Climate Stack to strengthen climate resilience in rural India by integrating fragmented climate datasets and forecasting models.
The challenge seeks proposals for credible near-term (10-15 year) climate hazard forecasting frameworks and practical use-case dashboards for agriculture and rural finance.
The open call for proposals from research institutions, universities, startups, and private-sector innovators is scheduled for 6th March 2026.
The screening and shortlisting of high-potential teams based on eligibility and methodology will take place between March and April 2026.
Shortlisted teams will participate in a 6-8 week guided model development sprint between April and May 2026 to refine climate hazard models.
Technical validation and jury-led selection of final awardees will be conducted between May and June 2026 based on scientific rigour and scalability.
The target beneficiaries include the agriculture, rural finance, and public planning sectors in rural India.
The initiative aligns with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of leveraging technology to democratise climate data for a more resilient rural India.
The Ministry and total budget outlay for the initiative are not specified in the article.

Global Conference on the Role of Women in Agri-Food Systems (GCWAS-2026) inaugurated (Mid of March) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the inaugural session of GCWAS-2026 in New Delhi on 12 March 2026.
United Nations has declared 2026 as ‘The International Year of the Woman Farmer’.
GCWAS-2026 is jointly organised by Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA).
The three-day conference aims to deliberate on strengthening policy frameworks to mainstream gender participation in agri-food systems.
President stated that girls comprise over 50 percent of students in state agricultural universities and over 60 percent in many universities.
President urged greater role for women in agriculture in policy formulation, decision-making and leadership positions.
President highlighted initiatives promoting women-led Self-Help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations as effective in women empowerment in agriculture.

High-Level Committee Formed to Strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu (End of January) ▼

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) has constituted a high-level committee to review Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and recommend strategies for enhancing their scale and reach in Tamil Nadu.
The panel is mandated to submit its comprehensive report within two months.
The committee includes representatives from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), and Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium-Tamil Nadu (SFAC-Tamil Nadu).
Other members of the panel include officials from the ICAR–National Research Centre for Banana (NRCB), FPOs, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
The committee will investigate institutional governance, management practices, business operations, sustainability, technical support, and value addition.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan initiated the formation of the panel following a visit to Erode.
Target beneficiaries: Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Tamil Nadu.

Union Government Notifies New Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002

[National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Aquatic Resources Institute (ARI)]

Key Updates:

The Union Government notified two institutional clusters as designated repositories under Section 39 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) enabled the notification in consultation with the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The newly designated repositories include the Referral Centre Bhavasagara at the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) in Kochi.
The MACS Collection of Microorganisms and the National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI) at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune were also added to the national network.
Referral Centre Bhavasagara maintains more than 3,500 taxonomically identified and geo-referenced voucher specimens focusing on deep-sea biodiversity.
The MACS Collection of Microorganisms specializes in anaerobes and extremophiles, while the NFCCI serves as a dedicated fungal germplasm repository.
The national network of repositories under Section 39 previously consisted of 18 designated institutions before this expansion.
Under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, any person discovering a new taxon is required to inform the designated repository and deposit relevant voucher specimens.
The designated institutions are mandated to accept and safeguard holotypes, isotypes, paratypes, and other biological materials to support Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) tracking.

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National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launches short-term internship programme to expand Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme (BSIP) (End of March) ▼

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a short-term internship programme of up to 3 months for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The programme offers project-based, experiential learning by engaging students with NBA’s ongoing biodiversity governance, conservation strategies, and policy support initiatives.
The Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme (BSIP) is in its sixth cycle with 24 interns selected through an all-India competitive process.
BSIP interns are deployed across State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Union Territory Biodiversity Councils (UTBCs) for one year.
Top-performing BSIP candidates can extend their internship for up to two additional years.
BSIP is implemented collaboratively by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The programme was first launched on 22 May 2020, the International Day for Biological Diversity.
NBA invests approximately ₹1 crore annually in these internship programmes.

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launches online portal for digital issuance of origin certificates for cultivated medicinal plants. (Start of February) ▼

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has operationalised a web-based portal enabling fully digital submission, review, and issuance of certificates of origin for cultivated medicinal plants.
The portal replaces paper-based workflows with automated online verification and real-time data validation, cutting administrative effort for AYUSH practitioners, seed producers, and research institutions.
Built under the Biological Diversity Act amendments approved by Parliament in 2023 and the Biological Diversity Rules notified in 2024 and amended in 2025, the system supports Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) compliance without physical document handling.
Applications are processed through secure agency-managed logins, with instant cross-department updates and digital storage to strengthen traceability and regulatory oversight.

India leads globally with 56% of Nagoya Protocol compliance certificates (Start of April) ▼

India has issued 3,561 Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol, accounting for over 56% of the global total of 6,311.
The Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework of the Nagoya Protocol ensures fair sharing of benefits from the use of biological resources with local communities and farmers.
Out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House, only 34 have issued IRCCs; India is followed by France (964), Spain (320), Argentina (257), Panama (156), and Kenya (144).
IRCCs serve as official evidence that prior informed consent has been obtained and mutually agreed terms established between users and providers of genetic resources.

U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) adds 40 species to global protection list at COP15 in Brazil (Start of April) ▼

The U.N. Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) approved listing 40 new species for international protection at the COP15 summit in Campo Verde, Brazil.
The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus), Hudsonian godwit (Limosa haemastica), great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) are among the newly protected species.
Representatives from 132 countries and the European Union attended the COP15 summit on migratory species.
CMS Parties are legally obliged to protect listed species, conserve and restore their habitats, prevent migration obstacles and cooperate with other range states.
A pre-summit report indicated that 49 percent of CMS-catalogued species show declining numbers and nearly one in four are threatened with global extinction.
A separate U.N. assessment released during the summit warned that migratory freshwater fish populations face collapse due to habitat destruction, overfishing and water pollution.

Bhopal Passport Office launches Braille script and sign language services to boost accessibility for differently-abled applicants.

Key Updates:

Regional Passport Office (RPO) Bhopal introduced passport-related information in Braille script for visually impaired applicants.
A series of sign language videos were launched for speech and hearing-impaired applicants to guide them through the passport application process.
Joint Secretary (Passport Seva Programme) and Chief Passport Officer, B S Mubarak, inaugurated the Braille initiative and sign language video series at RPO Bhopal.
Special Braille booklets detailing the application process, including ECR and Non-ECR categories, Normal and Tatkal applications, and key do's and don'ts, were published.
Braille signage plates were installed within the office premises to assist in navigation for visually impaired applicants.
The sign language videos provide guidance on procedures at Counter A (biometric enrolment), Counter B (document verification), and Counter C (granting of applications).
The videos include QR codes for direct access to relevant online resources.
A dedicated Grievance Redressal Cell was inaugurated at RPO Bhopal to ensure prompt resolution of passport-related complaints.

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DEPwD–Coalition of the Willing MoU for life-cycle empowerment of persons with hearing impairment (Mid of March) ▼

Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment signed an MoU with the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ on 12 March 2026 in New Delhi.
The coalition includes Yunikee (Gopalakrishnan Foundation for the Deaf), Blee Tech Innovations Pvt. Ltd., Training and Educational Centre for Hearing Impaired (TEACH), WinVinaya Foundation, Buddy4Study India Foundation, VCrop Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).
The partnership will design and implement interventions covering awareness, assistive technologies, early identification, education, skill development, employment, scholarships, Indian Sign Language digital content and sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative aims to create an integrated life-cycle empowerment model for persons with hearing impairment from early intervention to social inclusion.

BOBCARD Limited (BOBCARD) launches Braille-enabled Premier Credit Card (Mid of February) ▼

BOBCARD, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda (BoB), introduced the Braille-enabled BOBCARD PREMIER Credit Card.
The launch event was held at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) campus to promote accessibility in financial services.
The initiative coincided with the felicitation of the Indian Blind Women’s Cricket Team, winners of the inaugural Blind Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup.
The card provides accelerated reward points on travel, international, dining, and lifestyle spending, along with select airport lounge access.
BOBCARD was established in 1994 and offers a range of credit products including shopping, co-branded, professional, and premium travel cards.

Pondicherry University and Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) sign MoU to advance disability rights (Start of March) ▼

Pondicherry University signed a memorandum of understanding with the office of the chief commissioner for persons with disabilities (CCPD), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The MoU aims to advance accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities through joint initiatives in research, internships, academic exchanges, conferences, and related scholarly activities.
The partnership will create structured avenues for students and scholars of Pondicherry University to engage with the CCPD through practical exposure and academic contributions.

Maharashtra launches Divyang Sahayak Portal for paperless disability scheme access (Start of March) ▼

Maharashtra government launched the country’s first integrated Divyang Sahayak Portal to streamline welfare schemes for persons with disabilities.
The portal enables online applications, real-time tracking and automatic approvals without physical documents.
It integrates with Unique Disability ID, Aadhaar through Meri Pehchan and Direct Benefit Transfer platform; integration with PAN, TAN, GST, bank details, e-Sign, UDISE and RBSK is underway.
Artificial intelligence tools scan uploaded documents for clarity and allocate grievances to the appropriate desk.
The portal is structured into 11 modules; the first four—unified scheme delivery, institution information management, citizen grievance redressal and department dashboard—are ready to go live.
A mobile application has been created and submitted to the Government of India for listing on its app store.

Telangana declares cancer as notifiable disease and launches cancer registry

[Telangana]

Key Updates:

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.

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Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026 passed to ensure financial security for senior citizens (End of March) ▼

The Telangana Assembly passed the Telangana Employees Accountability and Monitoring of Parental Support Bill, 2026, to ensure financial security for senior citizens.
The legislation mandates that public representatives, government employees, and private employees must provide care for their elderly parents.
Failure to comply with the Bill will result in a deduction of 15 per cent of the salary or ₹10,000, whichever is lower, payable to the parents.
Chief Minister (CM) A Revanth Reddy stated that the Bill aims to go beyond the existing national law, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
The Bill was supported by various political entities including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (CPI).

Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines released to standardise cancer care (Start of February) ▼

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda released India’s first national, evidence-based guidelines for lung cancer treatment and palliation at Kartavya Bhavan.
The document, titled Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines, outlines 15 recommendations covering diagnosis, treatment pathways, and palliative care.
The guidelines were developed by experts under the Department of Health Research (DHR) and the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
The framework is applicable to both public and private healthcare systems to address regional variations and reduce treatment gaps in lung cancer management.
The guidelines are tailored to India’s specific disease burden and healthcare realities rather than relying solely on Western clinical models.
The initiative aims to improve early diagnosis, standardise care across states, and reduce disparities between public and private hospitals.
A plain-language summary will be issued alongside the technical document to help patients and caregivers understand treatment options.

Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia for patient in 13-year vegetative state on March 11, 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

The Supreme Court (SC) of India permitted the withdrawal of artificial life support for Harish Rana, marking a historic first for a patient in a permanent vegetative state (PVS).
The decision was delivered by a bench comprising Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice K V Viswanathan.
The court classified Clinically Assisted Nutrition and Hydration (CANH) as a medical treatment rather than basic sustenance, allowing its withdrawal under specific legal requirements.
The SC directed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, to admit the patient to its palliative care department to implement the end-of-life care plan.
The ruling follows the 2018 landmark judgment in the Common Cause vs Union of India case, which recognised the legality of passive euthanasia for terminally ill patients.
The SC urged the Central Government to enact comprehensive legislation addressing end-of-life care to prevent decisions influenced by financial distress or socio-economic vulnerability.
The court directed Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of all districts to prepare and maintain a panel of registered medical practitioners for nomination to secondary medical boards.

Union Budget 2026–27: Basic Customs Duty Removed on 17 Cancer Drugs and Rare Disease Medicines (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the complete removal of basic customs duty on 17 cancer-related drugs and medicines in the Union Budget 2026–27.
Customs duty relief was extended to seven additional rare diseases, exempting personal imports of drugs, medicines, and foods for special medical needs.
The exemption aims to reduce the financial burden on patients relying on imported oncology medicines for complex and advanced treatments.
The measure is intended to lower out-of-pocket expenditure for patients, particularly those lacking comprehensive health insurance coverage.
The Union Budget 2026–27 also provided a 69% increase in funding for the Intelligence Bureau (IB) to strengthen internal security.

Iran proposes 10-point peace plan amid United States and Israel attacks and 7 April 2026 deadline

[Iran, United States]

Key Updates:

Iran has proposed a 10-point peace plan to end the conflict as the United States (US) and Israel intensify military attacks on Iranian territory.
US President Donald Trump set a deadline of 8:00 PM Washington time on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, for Iran to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy corridor through which 20 percent of the world's oil and gas supplies pass.
Pakistan is mediating talks in Islamabad and has put forward a 45-day ceasefire proposal to both US and Iranian negotiators.
The Iranian 10-point plan includes clauses for ending regional conflicts, a protocol for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, and reconstruction.
A previous 15-point US proposal delivered via Pakistan included a 30-day ceasefire, dismantling of nuclear facilities, and missile limits in exchange for sanctions removal.
The US proposal also offered support for electricity generation at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in exchange for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent military strikes on 6 April 2026 targeted Iran’s top university, a major petrochemical plant, and a synagogue in Tehran.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in the displacement of 1.2 million people in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks.
Iran has increased its uranium enrichment levels to nearly 60 percent purity following the 2021 attack on the Natanz nuclear facility.
The United Nations (UN) nuclear watchdog stated that Iran was not currently in a position to manufacture a nuclear weapon.

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Spain bars US warplanes involved in Iran war from its airspace and bases (Start of April) ▼

Spain has closed its airspace to United States (US) aircraft participating in attacks on Iran.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles stated that Madrid will not authorise the use of Morón and Rota military bases for any acts related to the war in Iran.
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares said the decision aims to avoid encouraging escalation in the war.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described US and Israeli attacks on Iran as reckless and illegal.
Spain denied every US flight plan related to operations in Iran, including those of refuelling aircraft.
US bombers involved in Iran operations are stationed at RAF Fairford base in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom (UK).
Aircraft must bypass Spanish airspace by flying over the eastern Atlantic or France.
Spanish newspaper El País reported that US aircraft may transit or land in Spain only in emergencies.
The Iranian embassy in Spain indicated Tehran would consider Spanish transit requests through the Strait of Hormuz due to Spain’s commitment to international law.
Around 20% of global oil supply normally transits the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Israel Peace Proposal for Iran War on 25 March 2026 (End of March) ▼

The United States (US) and Israel initiated a military conflict against Iran on 28 February 2026.
United States President Donald Trump proposed a 15-point peace plan delivered to Iran via Pakistan, suggesting a one-month ceasefire.
The plan mandates the dismantling of Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow.
The proposal requires Iran to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping at the start of the conflict, later permitting passage for Indian, Pakistani, and Chinese-flagged vessels.
Brent crude oil prices rose from a pre-war benchmark of approximately $65 to over $100 per barrel during the hostilities.
Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 28 February 2026.
The Bushehr civil nuclear plant, located 750 kilometres south of Tehran, is the only commercial nuclear power facility in Iran.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is the 2015 nuclear agreement from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018.
The 15-point plan includes the removal of sanctions and the ending of the United Nations (UN) mechanism for reimposing them.
The Iranian health ministry reported 1,500 fatalities and 18,551 injuries in Iran as of 25 March 2026.

United States official says Hamas disarmament in Gaza to be accompanied by amnesty (End of January) ▼

A United States (US) official stated that disarmament by Hamas in Gaza will be accompanied by "some sort of amnesty" for the Palestinian group.
The US official made the comment on Monday after the recovery of the body of the last Israeli captive in Gaza, paving the way for the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal agreed in October.
US President Donald Trump's 20-point Gaza plan states that Hamas members who decommission weapons will be given amnesty and safe passage if they wish to leave Gaza.
Hamas said the return of captive remains underscored its commitment to phase one of the ceasefire and demanded Israel open the Rafah crossing without restrictions and withdraw completely from Gaza.
Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met Hamas officials in Ankara on Monday to discuss the second phase of the ceasefire and humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

Israel and Azerbaijan accept invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace (End of January) ▼

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has agreed to join the board.
Azerbaijan foreign ministry stated: 'Azerbaijan, as always, is ready to actively contribute to international cooperation, peace, and stability.'
Armenia has also joined the Trump-led peace board.
India received an invitation letter dated January 16 from Trump inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the Board of Peace.
Current members of the Board of Peace are: Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Argentina, Belarus.

India withdraws offer to host COP33 climate summit in 2028

Key Updates:

India is no longer inclined to host the COP33 climate meeting in 2028, according to official sources.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had offered to host COP33 during the COP28 meeting in Dubai in December 2023.
A COP33 cell was set up under the Climate Change division in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) last year to prepare for hosting the event.
COP33 is scheduled to carry out the second Global Stocktake (GST) to assess progress on the Paris Agreement target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 or 2 degree Celsius.
The first GST was held at COP28 in Dubai in 2023.
As host and President, India would be expected to champion the global climate cause, potentially conflicting with its national positions on climate issues.

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Switzerland announces Geneva as host city for next AI Summit in 2027 (End of February) ▼

Swiss President Guy Parmelin announced that Switzerland will host the next AI Summit in Geneva in 2027.
Parmelin is attending the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi along with around 20 global leaders.
He stated that the summit will advance global dialogue on responsible AI use and its international governance and regulation.

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.

India to host 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth (CSPOC) in January 2026 (Mid of January) ▼

42 of 56 Commonwealth countries have confirmed participation, marking the highest turnout in CSPOC history.
61 Speakers and Presiding Officers are expected to attend the conference hosted by the Parliament of India.
Pakistan will not participate; Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are among the confirming nations.
Conference agenda focuses on the future of parliamentary democracy, including use of artificial intelligence and technology-driven legislative processes.
A web-based and mobile application is being developed to facilitate interaction between participating countries and their media.

World Governments Summit 2026 commences in Dubai with participation from over 150 nations (Start of February) ▼

The World Governments Summit 2026 is being held in Dubai from 3 to 5 February under the theme 'Shaping Future Governments'.
More than 6,000 participants, including over 35 heads of state and government and over 500 ministers, are attending the summit.
Leaders confirmed to attend include King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan, President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, President Daniel Noboa of Ecuador, President Alar Karis of Estonia, and President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova of North Macedonia.
Prime Ministers of Spain, Albania, Georgia, Egypt, and Bhutan are among the heads of government participating.
The summit features 24 specialised global forums, more than 35 ministerial and high-level meetings, and over 320 sessions with more than 450 global figures.
Over 100 international and regional organisations are participating, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank, OPEC Fund, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
India Today anchors will moderate four sessions: 'Are Governments Building Systems or Buying Products?' on 4 February, 'Carbon Costs: Preparing for the Next Trade Barrier', 'Building The Next Economic Systems: Lessons from Emerging Market Founders', and 'Design Digital Lifestyles: From Infrastructure to Experience' on 5 February.
The summit will issue 36 strategic reports and present four global awards for innovation, reform, sustainability, and educational leadership.

Indian Army contingent departs for Egypt for fourth edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise Cyclone-IV

Key Updates:

An Indian Army contingent has departed for Egypt to participate in the fourth edition of the India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise Cyclone-IV scheduled at Anshas from April 9-17.
The Indian contingent comprises 25 personnel from special forces units.
The exercise aims to enhance joint mission planning capabilities and improve interoperability through exchange of best practices in special operations.
Troops will undertake training activities focused on special operational tactics, techniques and procedures in desert and semi-desert terrain.

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India to inaugurate MILAN 2026 multilateral naval exercise in Visakhapatnam (End of February) ▼

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will formally inaugurate MILAN 2026 on Thursday at the Samudrika Auditorium inside the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi will attend the inauguration.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, inaugurated the MILAN Village on 15 February.
The harbour phase of MILAN 2026 began on Wednesday with cultural performances and a formal dinner for delegates.
A two-day international maritime seminar starts on Thursday ahead of the official inauguration.
The sea phase of MILAN 2026 is scheduled from 21 February to 25 February.
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime domain awareness, and conduct advanced drills in anti-submarine warfare, air defence, and search-and-rescue operations.
MILAN 2026 has drawn participation from 70 nations, up from 42 nations in the 2022 edition.
Initiated by the Indian Navy in 1995, MILAN is a biennial multilateral naval engagement that began with Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The inaugural edition was held at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The venue was shifted to Visakhapatnam in 2020 due to its more extensive and advanced naval infrastructure.
MILAN originally aligned with India’s ‘Look East Policy’ and later became part of the ‘Act East’ policy and the SAGAR vision.

India and Seychelles commence 11th edition of Lamitiye exercise (Start of March) ▼

The 11th edition of the biennial Joint Military Exercise 'Lamitiye' is being held in Seychelles from 9 March to 20 March 2026.
The exercise is conducted at the Seychelles Defence Academy and involves the tri-service Indian contingent and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF).
The Indian contingent includes personnel from the Assam Regiment, Indian Navy ship INS Trikand, and an Indian Air Force C-130 aircraft.
Exercise Lamitiye, meaning 'friendship' in Creole, has been held in Seychelles since 2001.
The 12-day programme features field training exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and a two-day validation exercise.

India hosts third edition of tri-services future warfare course in Delhi (Start of February) ▼

The third edition of the tri-services future warfare course runs from 2 to 25 February 2026 in New Delhi.
The course is conducted under the aegis of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) in partnership with the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS).
The venue is the Manekshaw Centre at Delhi Cantonment.
The curriculum covers specialised subjects, domain-specific warfare developments, critical and rare earth elements, supply chain vulnerabilities and regional and global geopolitics.
Participants include officers from the three services ranging from majors to major generals, plus representatives from defence industry start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and private industry.
The course aims to align operational priorities of the armed forces with the capabilities of the indigenous defence industry.

North Korea tests ballistic missiles with cluster-bomb warheads

[North Korea]

Key Updates:

North Korea conducted a three-day testing spree starting Monday, firing multiple missiles including Hwasong-11 ballistic missiles armed with cluster-munition warheads.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected missiles launched Wednesday flying 240–700 km before falling into the sea, and at least one projectile fired Tuesday from near Pyongyang.
Japan's Defence Ministry confirmed none of the Wednesday weapons entered its exclusive economic zone, while the US military stated the launches posed no immediate threat to the United States or its allies.
North Korean state media claimed the cluster warhead system can reduce to ashes any target covering 6.5–7 hectares with the highest-density power.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in North Korea on Thursday for a two-day visit.

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United States tests Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile from Vandenberg Space Force Base (Start of March) ▼

The United States Air Force Global Strike Command launched an unarmed LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile at 11:01 p.m. Pacific Time on 3 March from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
The missile, designated GT 255, carried two test re-entry vehicles that traveled thousands of miles to a pre-determined target at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
The test launch was scheduled years in advance and was not conducted in response to current world events, according to the Office of Public Affairs of the Air Force Global Strike Command.
The LGM-30G Minuteman III is a silo-launched, surface-attack intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 9,650 kilometers and a speed of approximately 24,000 kilometers per hour at burnout.
The current force structure comprises 400 Minuteman III missiles assigned across three missile wings: the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming; the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana; and the 91st Missile Wing at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota.
The Air Force plans to replace the Minuteman III with the LGM-35A Sentinel to modernize the land-based leg of the US nuclear triad.

US and South Korea begin Freedom Shield military exercise amid Middle East war (Mid of March) ▼

Freedom Shield exercise started on Monday and runs through March 19.
About 18,000 South Korean troops are participating in Freedom Shield.
Freedom Shield is one of two annual command-post exercises; the other is Ulchi Freedom Shield held in August.
Warrior Shield field training accompanies Freedom Shield with 22 field exercises, down from 51 last year.
North Korea describes allied drills as invasion rehearsals and uses them to justify military demonstrations and weapons tests.

South Korea and United States Air Forces hold 2025 first Buddy Squadron exercise at Osan Air Base (Mid of February) ▼

The South Korean Air Force and the United States Air Force began their first Buddy Squadron exercise of 2025 on Monday at Osan Air Base in Gyeonggi Province.
The exercise runs through Friday and is the 26-1 iteration under a revised framework reducing annual iterations from eight to four while more than doubling participating aircraft and sorties.
Participating aircraft include South Korean KF-16 fighters, F-35A stealth fighters, FA-50 light attack aircraft, and United States F-16 fighters.
The Buddy Squadron exercise, renamed from Friendship Training in 1997, started in 1991 to enhance combined operational capabilities through joint training.

Indian Army Konark Corps tests Strela-10 VSHORADS in Pokhran on 19 February 2026 (End of February) ▼

The Blazing Skies Brigade of the Indian Army (IA) Konark Corps conducted a high-intensity test firing of the Strela-10 Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS).
The exercise was carried out at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan to validate combat readiness against low-altitude aerial threats.
The Strela-10 is a Soviet-designed surface-to-air missile system launched from a BMP-based mobile platform.
The system has an effective engagement range of approximately 6 to 10 kilometres and is designed to neutralise helicopters and drones.
Unlike radar-dependent systems, this VSHORADS relies significantly on visual target acquisition for operational success.
India is currently developing an indigenous version of the VSHORADS with an approximate engagement range of 6 kilometres.
The IA drill in the desert terrain aimed to sharpen crew coordination and test engagement protocols under realistic battlefield conditions.

Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) forge strategic alliance for ship repair and building

[Colombo Dockyard]

Key Updates:

Dredging Corporation of India Limited (DCIL) and Colombo Dockyard PLC (CDPLC) entered into a strategic alliance to strengthen ship repair and shipbuilding capabilities across South Asia.
The agreement covers ship repair and dry-docking services, technical knowledge sharing, and joint exploration of shipbuilding projects.
The memorandum of understanding was signed in Colombo, marking a significant step in maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

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MoPSW and KOICA Sign Implementation Plan to Boost Shipbuilding Skills (Start of April) ▼

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) signed an implementation plan with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on April 2, 2026.
The partnership aims to enhance skill development in India’s shipbuilding and marine industries to build a future-ready workforce.
The Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training will support the project by identifying skill gaps and creating a talent development roadmap.
The agreement proposes the establishment of a Shipbuilding Workforce Development and Technology Cooperation Center in India to provide industry-focused training.
The initiative aligns with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which seeks to establish India as a global hub for maritime services.

Bharat Container Shipping Line MoU signed with ₹15,000 crore joint funding for port capacity expansion (Start of February) ▼

The Union Government signed an MoU on 4 February 2026 to establish the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The MoU was signed among Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA), Chennai Port Authority, and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL).
A separate tripartite MoU was signed between VOCPA, Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited (IRFC), and Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) to finance the Outer Harbour Project at Tuticorin.
The agreements provide for joint funding of up to ₹15,000 crore for eligible projects to expand port capacity under the Sagarmala Programme and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
The financing framework will use a Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) focusing on debt funding for breakwater construction and allied onshore-offshore facilities.
The initiatives align with the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) announced in Union Budget 2026-27 and support the Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047 vision.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) sign MoU to form shipbuilding consortium (Mid of February) ▼

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) signed an MoU in Kolkata on Monday to form a consortium for a national shipbuilding programme.
The consortium will undertake construction of maritime platforms and support India’s maritime infrastructure and operational capability.
The MoU was signed by Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding) at GRSE, and Capt Ganti Venkateswarlu, IN (Retd.), Officiating Chairman and Managing Director at HSL, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
GRSE and HSL stated the consortium will leverage the strengths of both shipyards to expand indigenous shipbuilding capacity and contribute to technological self-reliance.

Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports: Union Minister flags off ₹235 crore port infrastructure and digital projects (Start of January) ▼

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the projects during the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme in Chennai.
The Centre rolled out port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth ₹235 crore at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, aimed at improving safety, resilience and port operations ('The Centre on Thursday rolled out port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth ₹235 crore at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited').
Of the total outlay, ₹129.36 crore has been allocated to projects at Chennai Port Authority, while ₹105.64 crore will support initiatives at Kamarajar Port Limited ('Of the total outlay, ₹129.36 crore has been allocated to projects at Chennai Port Authority, while ₹105.64 crore will support initiatives at Kamarajar Port Limited').
The MoPSW launched an e-port clearance portal aligned with the One Nation–One Port Process to allow online submission and issuance of port clearance certificates ('The minister also launched an e-port clearance portal aligned with the One Nation–One Port Process').
The MoPSW inaugurated the Enterprise Business System, a SAP-based digital platform developed at a cost of ₹45 crore to integrate finance, port operations, and human resources ('Sonowal also inaugurated the Enterprise Business System, a SAP-based digital platform developed at a cost of ₹45 crore').
The projects were officially announced on January 9, 2026, as part of efforts to modernise ports and improve ease of doing business ('Published On Jan 9, 2026 at 08:46 AM IST').

Meta unveils Muse Spark, its first small but fast AI model from Meta Superintelligence Labs

[Meta]

Key Updates:

Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) developed Muse Spark, the inaugural model of Meta’s new Muse AI family.
Alexandr Wang leads MSL after Meta acquired his startup Scale AI in a multi-billion-dollar deal.
Muse Spark was built from scratch in about nine months and targets complex reasoning in science, mathematics and health.
The model includes a "contemplating mode" where multiple AI agents work in parallel to solve problems.
Muse Spark will power Meta AI assistants across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Meta’s smart glasses.
Meta claims Muse Spark performs competitively in multimodal reasoning, scientific problem solving, health-related analysis and agent-based workflows.
Unlike Meta’s earlier open-source Llama models, Muse Spark is closed source and currently accessible only through a private API preview for selected partners.
Safety evaluations showed Muse Spark refused high-risk queries related to biological or chemical misuse during internal testing.
Larger Muse family models are under development with new infrastructure being built to support them.

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OpenAI debuts GPT-5.4 Mini and Nano compact AI models (Mid of March) ▼

OpenAI announced the release of GPT-5.4 mini and GPT-5.4 nano, describing them as its most advanced compact AI models to date.
GPT-5.4 mini runs more than twice as fast while approaching GPT-5.4 performance levels on several benchmarks.
GPT-5.4 nano, the smallest variant, targets simpler tasks such as classification, data extraction, ranking, and basic coding support.
Within Codex, GPT-5.4 can manage planning and oversight while GPT-5.4 mini handles subtasks such as codebase searches or file reviews, using 30% of GPT-5.4 quotas at about one-third the cost.

Meta acquires Artificial Intelligence (AI) social media network Moltbook (Mid of March) ▼

Meta has acquired Moltbook, a social media networking platform designed for Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots to communicate with each other.
The Moltbook team will be integrated into Meta's Superintelligence Labs to develop new methods for AI agents to assist individuals and businesses.
Moltbook was developed using OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent tool that functions as a personal digital assistant to manage tasks like writing emails and building applications.
Meta previously acquired Manus, a Chinese-founded AI firm specialising in general-purpose bots, in December to compete with rivals like OpenAI and Google.
Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, was hired by OpenAI in February to assist in developing the next generation of personal agents.
China's cyber security agency has issued warnings regarding the risks associated with OpenClaw after local governments and technology firms began experimenting with the tool.

National Statistics Office (NSO) launches Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for AI data integration (Start of February) ▼

The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) launched a beta version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) server on February 6.
The MCP server is integrated with the eSankhyiki portal, which serves as the national repository for official statistics.
The technology allows users to query datasets in real time without downloading large files, enabling direct integration of official statistics into artificial intelligence tools and analytics platforms.
The beta release includes seven major statistical products: Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), Consumer Price Index (CPI), Annual Survey of Industries (ASI), Index of Industrial Production (IIP), National Accounts Statistics (NAS), Wholesale Price Index (WPI), and Environmental Statistics.
The launch precedes the AI Impact Summit scheduled to be held from February 15 to February 20, 2026.

PM Modi Unveils MANAV Vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Delhi Summit (Mid of February) ▼

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the MANAV vision for Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi on 19 February 2026.
The MANAV vision stands for Moral and ethical systems, Accountable governance, National sovereignty, Accessible and inclusive, and Valid and legitimate.
Moral and ethical systems (M) signify that AI development should be based on ethical guidance.
Accountable governance (A) refers to the implementation of transparent rules and robust oversight.
National sovereignty (N) emphasizes data rights, specifically whose data, his right.
Accessible and inclusive (A) aims to ensure AI acts as a multiplier rather than a monopoly.
Valid and legitimate (V) ensures that AI systems are lawful and verifiable.

Superb Realty and Praan deploy AI-powered air purification in Mumbai

Key Updates:

Superb Realty has partnered with the deep-tech firm Praan to deploy an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based air purification system across developments spanning over 1 million sq ft in Mumbai.
The deployment will initially serve as a pilot at the commercial project Superb Altura before being scaled across residential and mixed-use developments.
The proprietary technology combines real-time environmental sensing with AI-led optimisation and adaptive purification to remove ultrafine particles and harmful gases.
The initiative addresses findings by the World Health Organization (WHO) that indoor air can be 2–5 times more polluted than outdoor air due to particulate matter and volatile organic compounds.

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Tech Mahindra and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) sign MoU for 3D Digital Twin project (End of March) ▼

Tech Mahindra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) to develop a 3D Digital Twin of the institute's Gymkhana building.
The collaboration leverages advanced 3D modelling and rendering technologies, Digital Twin frameworks, Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration, spatial data integration, and a cloud-based visualisation platform.
The project aims to create an immersive, web-based interface for the Gymkhana building to enable enhanced visualisation, real-time tracking, and predictive maintenance of infrastructure assets.
The solution developed by Tech Mahindra and IIT Bombay will integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices and advanced analytics for operational optimisation and automated resource allocation.
The initiative serves as a practical deployment of Digital Twin technology to create a benchmark reference model replicable across other smart campuses and public infrastructure projects.

IIT Bombay and Honeywell Partner to Establish Centre of Excellence for Sustainability Skills in Mumbai (Mid of March) ▼

The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Honeywell have partnered to establish the IIT Bombay–Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation at the Powai campus in Mumbai.
The initiative is funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation and aims to train more than 100,000 students in sustainability-related fields by 2030.
The centre will offer certificate-based programmes and research grants to undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students from across India.
The curriculum focuses on five specific learning tracks: sustainability reporting, sustainable finance, energy security, sustainability infrastructure, and policy advocacy.
A two-month pilot phase will establish core infrastructure and train an initial cohort of 250 students, with subsequent phases targeting 20,000 students annually.
The project aims to address the skilled professional shortage in the renewable energy sector as India targets the creation of 3.4 million green jobs by 2030, according to the Economic Survey 2023-24.

Maharashtra signs MoUs for Innovation City and Small Modular Reactors (SMR) at World Economic Forum (WEF) (End of January) ▼

The Tata Group has pledged to invest $11 billion in developing the ecosystem for India's first ‘Innovation City' near Navi Mumbai airport.
The investments are in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, quantum processing, renewable energy, green skill, electric vehicles, urban transformation, green steel, shipbuilding, sustainability, fintech, digital infrastructure and textiles.
Maharashtra will also be the first in the country to set up small modular reactors (SMR) for generating atomic electricity.
The initiative is in line with the passage of Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill in Parliament.
The state has also signed an MoU with US-based Supervity AI to set up the world's first AI Global Capability Centre (GCC) hub in BKC.
The state has held talks with govt nuclear energy entities in India and Russia to fulfill the power demand of data centres.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Columbia University partner to establish AI Centre for Manufacturing (Mid of February) ▼

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Columbia University have signed an agreement to establish the Columbia-IIT Bombay Centre of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Manufacturing.
The centre is a joint research and translation facility designed to build robust, scalable, and human-centric AI systems for real-world factory applications.
The Ministry of Education (MoE) has initiated four different AI centres so far, including this new collaborative project.
The centre aims to address diverse sectors including semiconductors, robotics, pharmaceuticals, food processing, refining, petrochemicals, construction, transport, and logistics.
The initiative will develop interoperable industrial AI infrastructure to manage shop-floor realities such as legacy equipment, noisy data, real-time constraints, and multilingual workforces.
The project focuses on supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), nurturing startups, and releasing foundational datasets and models as public goods.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Tracks Asteroid 2026 GD during Close Flyby

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]

Key Updates:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) tracked a house-sized asteroid named 2026 GD during its close approach to Earth on 9 April 2026.
The asteroid passed at a minimum distance of approximately 156,000 miles (251,000 kilometres), which is closer than the Moon's mean orbital radius of 239,000 miles.
Asteroid 2026 GD measures approximately 54 feet in diameter and is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO).
NASA confirmed that the flyby posed no danger to the planet as the asteroid was not categorised as a hazardous object and its orbit did not intersect with Earth.
Continuous monitoring of such objects is conducted to improve orbit predictions and assist in the development of protective systems for Earth against future space threats.

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NASA rules out 2024 YR4 asteroid impact on Moon in 2032 after James Webb Space Telescope data (Mid of March) ▼

NASA confirmed asteroid 2024 YR4 will miss the Moon on 22 December 2032, reducing collision risk from 4.3% to zero percent.
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) near-infrared camera provided refined trajectory showing a flyby distance of 13,200 miles.
Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) discovered 2024 YR4 in Chile during late 2024.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 measures roughly 200 feet in diameter, comparable to a 15-story building.
A lunar impact would have excavated a 1.2-mile-wide crater on the Moon's surface.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiates $30 million plan to rescue Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (End of March) ▼

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has signed a $30 million (₹283.8 crore) agreement with Katalyst Space Technologies to prevent the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory from crashing to Earth.
The observatory was launched into Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2004 using a Delta 7320 rocket as part of the Medium Explorer (MIDEX) programme.
Increased solar activity has heated the upper atmosphere, causing the observatory to lose altitude and fall below its operational orbit of 400 kilometres.
Katalyst Space Technologies is developing a three-armed robotic spacecraft to dock with the observatory and push it to a higher altitude of 550 kilometres.
The rescue craft will be launched using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, which is deployed from a modified jet aircraft.
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is equipped with a Burst Alert Telescope to detect gamma-ray bursts, which are the most powerful explosions in the universe.
The successful completion of the reboost mission is expected to extend the operational lifespan of the observatory by approximately one decade.

NASA DART impact altered orbit of both Dimorphos and Didymos around Sun (Mid of March) ▼

NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft crashed into Dimorphos at roughly 14,000 mph in September 2022.
The mission shortened Dimorphos' 12-hour orbit around Didymos by 33 minutes.
New study published 6 March in Science Advances found Didymos' 770-day solar orbit changed by a fraction of a second.
NASA stated this marks the first time a human-made object has measurably altered the path of a celestial body around the Sun.
European Space Agency (ESA) spacecraft Hera launched 7 October 2024 atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and is scheduled to reach the Didymos system by end-2026.
NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, established in 2016, catalogues near-Earth objects that could crash into Earth.
NASA's NEO Surveyor telescope, set to launch no earlier than September 2027, is designed to discover 90% of asteroids and comets 460 feet or larger within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit.

NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Rubin) discovers fastest-spinning large asteroid (Start of January) ▼

Astronomers analyzing data from the NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory (Rubin) have discovered the fastest-ever spinning asteroid with a diameter over half a kilometer.
The identified asteroid, named 2025 MN45, is 710 meters (0.44 miles) in diameter and completes a full rotation every 1.88 minutes.
This is the first published, peer-reviewed scientific paper that uses data from the Rubin Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Camera, which is the largest digital camera in the world.
The study identified 19 newly discovered fast rotators that are all longer than 90 meters (100 yards), with most located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists calculate that 2025 MN45 must have a cohesive strength similar to that of solid rock to remain intact while spinning at such high speeds.
Rubin is a joint program of the NSF NOIRLab (NOIRLab) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC).
The LSST is a 10-year mission designed to repeatedly scan the southern hemisphere night sky to create a time-lapse record of the universe.

Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0 Debate Competition won by IIM Rohtak

[Indian Institute of Management Rohtak, Birla Institute of Management Technology]

Key Updates:

Team LeBroom from IIM Rohtak won the Hermes’ Dialogue 6.0 organised by Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida.
The 2026 theme was ‘Should Countries Prioritize Energy Independence to Ensure Global Energy Security Amid Rising Geopolitical Uncertainty?’
The competition recorded 250+ registrations from premier business schools across India and offered a total prize pool of ₹60,000.
12 nations represented were the United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Brazil, Russia, Germany, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, China, Australia, the United States, and Japan.
Finalists included IIM Udaipur, IIM Rohtak, BIMTECH, Shri Ram College of Commerce, IIT Patna, International Management Institute, FORE School of Management, Great Lakes Institute of Management, National Insurance Academy and NIA Pune.
Team Magnus from FORE School of Management secured the second position and Team Strategy from Shri Ram College of Commerce became the second runners-up.
The jury panel comprised Mr. Rajeev Kher, IAS Retd., Former Commerce Secretary, Government of India, and Mr. Sumanta Chaudhuri, IAS Retd., Principal Advisor, International Trade Policy, Confederation of Indian Industry.

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India hosts inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative on 5 March 2026 (Start of March) ▼

The first edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was held on 5 March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The initiative was jointly launched by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
Around 80 scientists, policymakers, diplomats, innovators and scholars from across the world participated in the closed-door event.
Principal Scientific Adviser Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood chaired the initiative; co-chairs were Sir Peter Gluckman (International Science Council), Prof. Marilyne Andersen (GESDA) and Dr. Vijay Chauthaiwale (BJP Foreign Affairs Department).
The first roundtable 'Science Diplomacy in the Era of Strategic Autonomy' was chaired by Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary in the PSA Office.
The second roundtable 'Science Diplomacy and Governance of Disruptive Technologies' was chaired by Prof. Marilyne Andersen.
ORF President Dr. Samir Saran stated that Raisina SDI aims to become a global platform for developing contemporary frameworks for science diplomacy.
The initiative is planned as an annual platform to explore science and technology roles in international policy and governance.

British Council and SPARK – The 100K Collective sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support women entrepreneurs (Mid of March) ▼

The British Council and SPARK – The 100K Collective signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on 17 March 2026.
The partnership aims to strengthen the support ecosystem for women-led enterprises in India by building skills and expanding professional networks.
The British Council will provide expertise in English language training and skills development to enhance the communication and business capabilities of women entrepreneurs.
The initiative seeks to enable inclusive economic participation and support women in scaling sustainable enterprises.
The event was attended by Smriti Irani, Founder of the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, and Scott McDonald, Chief Executive of the British Council.

BRICS CCI WE Summit 2026 held in New Delhi from March 21 to 23 (End of March) ▼

The 6th edition of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) Women Empowerment (WE) Annual Women’s Summit & Felicitations 2026 was held in New Delhi from March 21 to 23.
The summit theme was 'Women in Innovation, Science Leadership, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (WISE) – Inspiring Change, Shaping Tomorrow'.
Ruby Sinha, President of BRICS CCI WE, launched the commemorative coffee table book 'WISE Collective: Echoes of Excellence' during the summit.
A memorandum of understanding was signed with SEBRAE, Brazil’s Micro and Small Business Support Service, to enhance collaboration for women-led enterprises.
The convocation ceremony of the third edition of the BRICS CCI WE Global Women Leadership Programme took place at the summit.
Mission ShakthiSAT was unveiled by Meenakshi Lekhi, former Minister of State for External Affairs and Global Chair of the initiative.
Actor Shabana Azmi received the BRICS CCI WE Trailblazer: Living Legend recognition for her five decades in Indian cinema.
Debjani Ghosh, Distinguished Fellow at NITI Aayog and former President of NASSCOM, was conferred the Lifetime Achievement recognition.
Kalpana Murmu Soren, MLA from Gandey, Jharkhand, was recognised as the BRICS CCI WE Inspiring Woman of the Year.
Actor and climate advocate Bhumi Pednekar was felicitated as a BRICS CCI WE Woman Icon.

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma Conferred With Exemplary Governance Leadership Award (Mid of January) ▼

Prof. Dheeraj Sharma, the Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Rohtak, was conferred with the Exemplary Governance Leadership Award at the 46th World Management Congress.
The award ceremony was held at the India International Centre in New Delhi following a selection process involving over 1,400 global nominations.
He was one of only seven individuals shortlisted for the honor by the Congress’s Awards and Appreciation Committee.
Under his leadership, IIM Rohtak secured international accreditations from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA).
He spearheaded the launch of the Integrated Programme in Management and the Integrated Programme in Law, the latter being the first such law programme among IIMs.
He was recognized in a 2023 Stanford University list as being among the world’s top 2% researchers.
IIM Rohtak shifted to its permanent campus in 2018, with the project completed below estimated costs during his tenure.

Global Agencies issue joint warning on food insecurity on April 9, 2026

Key Updates:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) released a joint statement on April 9, 2026.
The statement highlights growing risks of food insecurity and potential surges in hunger due to escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
The institutions noted that fertiliser prices are closely linked to natural gas prices, which directly influence global food inflation.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has triggered significant volatility in global oil and commodity prices.
Energy costs directly affect agricultural production, transportation, and supply chains, placing upward pressure on global food inflation.

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World Economic Forum releases 2026 Global Risks Report highlighting geoeconomic confrontation as top business worry (Mid of January) ▼

Geoeconomic confrontation leaps to the top spot on the list of business worries over the next two years.
The potential for adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence moved from 30th place among short-term risks as of last year to fifth place among long-term risks.
Global power rivalries and strategic standoffs top the list of most severe near-term risks heading into 2026.
Misinformation and disinformation rank second on the WEF's list of short-term risks, followed by societal polarization.
Extreme weather remains the top concern among surveyed leaders for the next decade.

Study warns of surging metabolic diseases in Asia-Pacific region (Start of March) ▼

A study published in the journal Metabolism, based on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 data, warns of rapidly rising metabolic diseases across the Asia-Pacific.
High blood pressure is the largest disease burden in the region, responsible for over 6.2 million deaths and 138 million years of healthy life lost in 2023.
Approximately 310 million people in the Asia-Pacific live with type-2 diabetes, resulting in more than 1.1 million deaths last year.
In India, type-2 diabetes accounted for over 21 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and nearly 5.8 lakh deaths in 2023.
Obesity was linked to around 55 million DALYs and approximately 1.3 million deaths across the region in 2023.
India, China, and Indonesia carry the largest shares of the metabolic disease burden in the region.
The burden of metabolic conditions has grown between 1.7 and nearly four times across different diseases since 1990.
Most metabolic risks are projected to continue rising across the Asia-Pacific region until at least 2030.

World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reports 65-year peak in Earth energy imbalance (End of March) ▼

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released the State of the Climate 2025 report, revealing that Earth’s energy imbalance has reached its highest level in at least 65 years.
Approximately 91 per cent of excess energy is absorbed by the oceans, while 5 per cent warms the land, 3 per cent melts ice, and 1 per cent heats the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide levels in 2024 reached a 2-million-year high, while methane and nitrous oxide concentrations are at their highest in 800,000 years.
Global sea levels by the end of 2025 were 11 centimetres higher than in 1993, with the rate of rise increasing from 2.65 mm per year (1993-2011) to 4.75 mm per year (2012-2025).
The global mean temperature in 2025 was approximately 1.43°C above the pre-industrial baseline of 1850-1900, while 2024 remains the warmest on record at 1.55°C above the baseline.
Ocean surface pH levels have declined to their lowest in at least 26,000 years, with significant acidification observed in the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
Around 1.2 billion people, representing more than one-third of the global workforce, are exposed to extreme heat annually, particularly in the agriculture and construction sectors.
The report indicates that rising emissions threaten United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 14, and SDG 15.

World Obesity Day 2026 highlights 8 billion reasons to change the obesity story (Start of March) ▼

World Obesity Day is observed annually on 4 March and led by the World Obesity Federation.
The 2026 theme is '8 Billion Reasons to Change the Story'.
World Obesity Day was first launched in 2015 and has been observed globally on 4 March since 2020.
According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, around 180 million children aged 5–19 were living with obesity in 2025 and the number could rise to about 227 million by 2040.
National survey data show that 24 per cent of women and 22.9 per cent of men in India are overweight or obese.
The World Obesity Atlas 2026 reports that nearly 14.9 million Indian children aged 5–9 years and more than 26.4 million aged 10–19 years were living with overweight or obesity in 2025.

International Romani Day observed on 8 April

Key Updates:

International Romani Day is observed every year on 8 April.
The day marks the anniversary of the first World Roma Congress held on 8 April 1971 at Cannock House boarding school, South London.
The Congress was attended by 23 Romani delegates of the International Gypsy Committee representing 10 countries.
The Congress adopted a flag featuring a sixteen-spoked red chakra on a green field and blue sky, and an anthem titled 'Gelem gelem'.
The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) states that the day commemorates Romani existence, culture, and rights.

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World Theatre Day 2026 observed on March 27 with theme 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace' (End of March) ▼

World Theatre Day 2026 is observed on March 27.
The theme for 2026 is 'Theatre and a Culture of Peace'.
World Theatre Day was established in 1962 by the International Theatre Institute (ITI).
Willem Dafoe delivers the international message for 2026.

Theme of the Year 2026: Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063 (End of March) ▼

The African Union (AU) designated 2026 Theme of the Year as 'Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063'.
Agenda 2063 is Africa’s 50-year development blueprint for inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.
The Theme of the Year 2026 Concept Note was released on July 11, 2025.

International Day of Human Fraternity observed on 4 February 2026 (Start of February) ▼

International Day of Human Fraternity is observed on 4 February 2026.
The 2026 message was delivered by the UN Secretary-General.
The day celebrates equality, dignity and mutual understanding.
The Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together declaration was co-authored by His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb.

77th Republic Day parade on 26 January 2026 to feature 30 tableaux and mark 150 years of Vande Mataram (End of January) ▼

The parade showcased 30 tableaux: 17 from states and Union Territories, 13 from ministries, departments and services.
The overarching themes are ‘Swatantrata ka Mantra: Vande Mataram’ and ‘Samriddhi ka Mantra: Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Assam’s tableau theme is ‘Asharikandi – Terracotta Craft Village of Assam’.
Chhattisgarh’s tableau theme is ‘The Mantra of Freedom – Vande Mataram’.
Gujarat’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Swadeshi – Self-Reliance – Freedom: Vande Mataram’.
Himachal Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Dev Bhoomi, Veer Bhoomi’.
Jammu and Kashmir’s tableau will display Handicrafts and Folk Dances of Jammu & Kashmir.
Kerala’s tableau theme is ‘Water Metro & 100% Digital Literacy: Aatmanirbhar Kerala for Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Maharashtra’s tableau theme is ‘Ganeshotsav: A Symbol of Aatmanirbharta’.
Manipur’s tableau theme is ‘Towards Prosperity: From Agricultural Fields to International Markets’.
Nagaland’s tableau theme is ‘The Hornbill Festival – Celebrating Culture, Tourism & Self-Reliance’.
Odisha’s tableau theme is ‘Soil to Silicon: Rooted in Tradition, Rising with Innovation’.
Puducherry’s tableau will highlight the Rich Heritage of Craft, Culture and Auroville’s Vision.
Rajasthan’s tableau theme is ‘Golden Touch of the Desert: Bikaner Gold Art (Usta Art)’.
Tamil Nadu’s tableau theme is ‘Mantra of Prosperity: Self-Reliant India’.
Uttar Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Culture of Bundelkhand’.
West Bengal’s tableau theme is ‘Bengal in the Freedom Movement of India’.
Madhya Pradesh’s tableau theme is ‘Punyashlok Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar’.
Punjab’s tableau theme is ‘350th Year of Martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji’.
Air HQs tableau theme is ‘Veteran Tableau – Nation Building through War’.
Naval HQs tableau theme is ‘Samudra Se Samriddhi’.
Department of Military Affairs tableau theme is ‘Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor, Victory through Jointness’.
Ministry of Culture tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – The Soul Cry of a Nation’.
Department of School Education & Literacy tableau theme is ‘National Education Policy 2020: Rocketing Indian School Education on the Path to Viksit Bharat’.
Ministry of AYUSH tableau theme is ‘AYUSH KA TANTRA, SWASTHYA KA MANTRA’.
Ministry of Home Affairs (NDMA & NDRF) tableau theme is ‘Bhuj Earthquake: 25 Years of Resilience’.
Ministry of Home Affairs (BPRD) tableau theme is ‘Jan Kendrit Nyay Pranali - Enactment of the Three New Criminal Laws – 2023’.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (CPWD) tableau theme is ‘Vande Mataram – Commemoration of 150 Years’.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting tableau theme is ‘Bharat Gatha: Shruti, Kriti, Drishti’.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj tableau theme is ‘SVAMITVA Scheme – Aatmanirbhar Panchayat se Samriddh evam Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Ministry of Power tableau theme is ‘Prakash Ganga: Powering an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat’.
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship tableau theme is ‘Powered by Skills: Building a Self-Reliant, Future-Ready India’.