Daily Current Affairs: 11 April 2026

Analysis for 11 April 2026

Vibhor Jain appointed MD and CEO of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)

[Open Network for Digital Commerce]

Key Updates:

Vibhor Jain assumed charge as managing director and chief executive officer of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on 7 April.
He had been serving as acting CEO after former CEO Thampy Koshy quit in April last year and was earlier the chief operating officer of ONDC.
Rohit Lohia joined as chief business officer and Manoj Thakur as chief technology officer of ONDC.
ONDC recorded a 127% rise in total revenue to Rs 33.41 crore for 2024-25 while narrowing its net loss to Rs 147.13 crore in the same period.
The network facilitated 288 million orders between January 2023 and August 2025 and currently has 167,500 retail sellers.

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Dan Bailey appointed President of Jio Platforms to lead international expansion. (Start of March) ▼

Dan Bailey has been appointed as President of Jio Platforms to spearhead its global business initiatives.
Bailey will be based in London and will join the company’s Executive Committee.
He will report to Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm.
Bailey has over 35 years of experience and previously served as Chairman of Deutsche Bank’s technology, media and telecom (TMT) practice.
Jio Platforms is backed by Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and aims to export its 5G and digital ecosystem capabilities to international markets.

Kiran Mani appointed as OpenAI Asia Pacific managing director. (End of March) ▼

Kiran Mani stepped down as CEO of Digital at JioStar and will join OpenAI as managing director for Asia Pacific.
He is expected to assume the newly created role in June and will report to OpenAI’s chief strategy officer Jason Kwon.
Mani will relocate from India to Singapore for the position.
He joined Viacom18 in 2023 as CEO for digital ventures and after the 2024 merger of Viacom18 with Disney-owned Star India he oversaw digital operations at the formed entity JioStar.
At JioStar he played a role in the development and integration of JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar into the single streaming platform JioHotstar launched in February 2025.
Earlier he served as managing director for Android and Google Play in Asia Pacific at Google and has held roles at Microsoft and IBM.

Coforge promotes Sunil Fernandes to Chief Operating Officer (COO). (Start of April) ▼

Sunil Fernandes has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Coforge.
Fernandes will oversee global delivery and key Coforge operations including admin, facilities and internal IT services.
He will continue to report to Coforge CEO and Executive Director Sudhir Singh.
Fernandes has served as Coforge’s Chief Delivery Officer since 2024.
He previously held leadership roles at Accenture, Infosys Technologies and Cognizant Technology Solutions.

Department of Posts becomes logistics provider on Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) (Mid of January) ▼

The Department of Posts has initiated its services as a logistics provider on the Open Network for Digital Commerce ONDC platform.
It handled its first shipment for an order placed by UdyamWell, marking a new milestone in supporting Indian entrepreneurs through efficient logistics solutions.
Vendors using ONDC-enabled applications can now select the Department of Posts for logistics needs, including parcel pickup, booking, transmission, and delivery across the country.
Services operate under the 'Click & Book' model, allowing sellers to generate digital pickup requests and choose the Department of Posts as their logistics partner.

C.D. Gopinath, India’s oldest Test cricketer and member of first-ever Test-winning team, dies at 96.

Key Updates:

C.D. Gopinath passed away at the age of 96, ending his status as India’s oldest living Test cricketer.
He was part of India’s first-ever Test victory, an innings and eight-run win over England in Chennai.
Gopinath played eight Tests between 1951 and 1960, scoring 242 runs at an average of 22.
Born on March 1, 1930, in Chennai, he scored 4,259 runs in 83 first-class matches at an average of 42.16.
After retirement, he served as chairman of selectors and managed India’s 1979 England tour.

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Manik Gupta Passes Away Veteran Cricket Umpire (Mid of February) ▼

Veteran cricket umpire Manik Gupta passed away at the age of 65 following a bee swarm attack in Shuklaganj, Unnao.
He was a three-decade veteran of junior cricket and was associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA).
The incident occurred at the Rahul Sapru ground on 18 February 2026 during an under-13 match between YMCA and Paramount.
He was declared dead upon arrival at the LLR Hospital in Kanpur after sustaining more than 150 bee stings.
Medical experts at the GSVM Medical College stated that the bee venom triggered severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest.
The deceased was a resident of Pheelkhana and had been a prominent figure in the local cricket officiating community for 30 years.

Vijaypat Singhania, former Raymond chairman and Padma Bhushan awardee, passed away at 87 in Mumbai. (Start of April) ▼

Vijaypat Singhania died in Mumbai at the age of 87.
He was the former chairman of Raymond Group and led the company for around two decades until 2000.
He transferred his entire 37 per cent stake in Raymond to his son Gautam Singhania.
Singhania held the world record for the highest altitude reached in a hot air balloon.
He was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan award.
His last rites will be performed on Sunday as announced by a company spokesperson.

Gurjant Singh retired from international hockey. (End of March) ▼

Gurjant Singh announced his retirement from international hockey during the 8th Hockey India annual awards on 27 March 2026.
He won two Olympic medals and scored 48 goals in 130 appearances for India.
Persistent back injuries and competition from Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh influenced his decision to retire.
He plans to continue playing in domestic tournaments and the Hockey India League while serving in a government job in Punjab.

Inderjit Singh Bindra, former BCCI president, passed away. (End of January) ▼

Inderjit Singh Bindra died at the age of 84.
He served as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1993 to 1996.
Bindra was president of the Punjab Cricket Association from 1978 to 2014.
The PCA stadium was renamed IS Bindra Stadium in 2015 to honour his administrative work.
He played a key role in organising the 1987 Reliance Cup, the first World Cup held outside England.
In 1994 he approached the Supreme Court of India to break Doordarshan’s monopoly on cricket broadcasting.

NASA chief Jared Isaacman responds to 10-year-old Kaela’s request to restore Pluto as ninth planet.

[National Aeronautics and Space Administration]

Key Updates:

Kaela, a 10-year-old, wrote to NASA requesting Pluto be reinstated as the ninth planet.
NASA chief Jared Isaacman replied, “Kaela, We are looking into this.”
Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh at Lowell Observatory.
Pluto was reclassified from planet to dwarf planet in 2006.

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YUVIKA programme engages 1,320 Class 9 students across India to boost space science interest (Start of April) ▼

Yuva Vigyani Karyakram (YUVIKA), launched in 2019, targets Class 9 students nationwide.
The programme has enrolled 1,320 students, with 15% reservation for rural and remote areas.
Selection involves online academic screening and quiz performance followed by verification.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Lok Sabha that YUVIKA aims to build early talent for India’s space sector.

NASA's Juno spacecraft finds Jupiter smaller and flatter than earlier estimates (Start of February) ▼

NASA's Juno spacecraft revealed Jupiter is about 8 kilometres narrower at the equator and 24 kilometres flatter at the poles than previously believed.
The measurements were derived from 13 close flybys of Jupiter using the radio occultation technique.
Earlier size estimates relied on six radio occultation experiments by NASA's Pioneer and Voyager missions during the 1970s.
The findings were published on February 2, 2026, in the journal Nature Astronomy.
Jupiter's updated dimensions will improve models used to study giant exoplanets beyond our solar system.
The Juno mission is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.

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.

Carl Grillmair, NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal awardee, fatally shot at 67. (End of February) ▼

Carl Grillmair, 67, was found shot dead on his porch in Llano, Antelope Valley on 16 February 2026.
He was a research scientist at Caltech's Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC).
Grillmair received NASA's Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 2011 for his 2007 paper detecting water on an exoplanet.
His research focused on dark matter, Milky Way structure, stellar populations and exoplanets.
Freddy Snyder, 29, was arrested and charged with Grillmair’s murder, carjacking and first-degree burglary.
On 20 December 2025 Grillmair had called deputies to remove Snyder from his property.

Nitish Kumar takes oath as Rajya Sabha member.

Key Updates:

Nitish Kumar took oath as a Rajya Sabha MP.
He resigned from his membership of the Bihar Legislative Council after his election to the Rajya Sabha.
Janata Dal (United) MLC Sanjay Kumar submitted the resignation to council chairman Awadhesh Narayan Singh.
Kumar had served as Chief Minister of Bihar for two decades.
His move to the Rajya Sabha completes his service in every legislative house in India.

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Nitish Kumar to take oath as Rajya Sabha member on April 10. (Start of April) ▼

Nitish Kumar is set to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on April 10.
Senior National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony.
Kumar will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah during his Delhi visit.
After the oath, Kumar will return to Patna and hold a meeting with Janata Dal (United) (JDU) leaders.
Kumar is likely to resign as Bihar chief minister on April 13.
He is expected to attend Parliament's three-day special session beginning April 16.
Deputy chief minister Samrat Choudhary is among the frontrunners to succeed Kumar as chief minister.
JDU may get the deputy chief minister's post and could also demand the Speaker's post.

No-trust motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defeated during Budget Session 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

A no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was defeated on Wednesday during the Budget Session of Parliament.
The motion was introduced by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and backed by more than 50 MPs, enabling its formal discussion.
118 Opposition MPs signed the motion, alleging that Om Birla displayed partisan behaviour and failed to maintain impartiality.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, presiding, allowed the motion and allotted 10 hours for debate.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Speaker, stating that even the Supreme Court could not judge the ruling of the Speaker.
Amit Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, "When sessions come, he plans foreign trips. So, how will he speak here from abroad?"

Gyanesh Kumar retains post as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker reject Opposition impeachment motions. (Start of April) ▼

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected Opposition impeachment notices against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 6 April 2026.
The Lok Sabha motion carried 130 MP signatures and the Rajya Sabha motion 63 MP signatures, meeting the minimum 100 and 50 MP thresholds respectively.
The presiding officers cited Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 in their Parliamentary Bulletin notifications giving no detailed reasons for refusal.
The removal process for a Chief Election Commissioner mirrors that for a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) requiring a special Parliamentary majority and Presidential order.

Vice President releases Sudha Murty’s book 'Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament' on 1 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼

Vice President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (RS) Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan released the book 'Tides of Time: Bharat’s History through Murals in Parliament' authored by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Smt. Sudha Murty at Samvidhan Sadan on 1 April 2026.
The 124-mural documentation is published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat (LSS).
The murals span from the Indus Valley Civilization to freedom struggle icons Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, covering intellectual figures Maharishi Valmiki and Chanakya, spiritual leaders Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, rulers Emperor Ashoka and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and cultural landmarks like the Konark Sun Temple and the Bhakti movement.
The Vice President highlighted ancient democratic practices such as Vaishali’s republican traditions and the Kudavolai system of southern India.
He linked the Chola-era Sengol installed in the new Parliament building to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s integration of heritage with governance.
Shri Radhakrishnan listed Dialogue, Debate, Dissent, and Discussion as core parliamentary democratic principles.
He reiterated the Prime Minister’s 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' vision anchoring Viksit Bharat @ 2047.
The release event was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla, Union Ministers Shri J. P. Nadda and Shri Manohar Lal, Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Shri Harivansh, MPs, and senior officials of both Houses.

Harivansh Nominated for Third Term in Rajya Sabha

Key Updates:

President Droupadi Murmu nominated senior Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)) leader Harivansh for a third six-year term in the Rajya Sabha.
Harivansh currently serves as the Deputy Chairperson of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), a position he has held since September 14, 2020.
He previously served his first term as the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha between August 9, 2018, and April 2020.
First elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2014, he has served on the Standing Committee on Defence and the Joint Committee on the Bill to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) holds 141 seats in the 245-member House, including 105 for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), five for the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), and four for the JD(U).
JD(U) patriarch Nitish Kumar is scheduled to take the oath as a member of the Rajya Sabha and demit office as the Chief Minister of Bihar.

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Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Amendments Approved to Reserve 273 Lok Sabha Seats (Start of April) ▼

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.

No-trust motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla defeated during Budget Session 2026 (Mid of March) ▼

A no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla was defeated on Wednesday during the Budget Session of Parliament.
The motion was introduced by Congress MP Mohammad Jawed and backed by more than 50 MPs, enabling its formal discussion.
118 Opposition MPs signed the motion, alleging that Om Birla displayed partisan behaviour and failed to maintain impartiality.
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, presiding, allowed the motion and allotted 10 hours for debate.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Speaker, stating that even the Supreme Court could not judge the ruling of the Speaker.
Amit Shah also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, "When sessions come, he plans foreign trips. So, how will he speak here from abroad?"

Om Birla Constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 Nations (End of February) ▼

Lok Sabha (LS) Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with 64 countries to deepen dialogue and exchange best practices with international legislatures.
Each friendship group comprises 11 members, including representatives from both the LS and the Rajya Sabha (RS).
Indian National Congress (INC) leaders appointed to chair groups include Shashi Tharoor (France), P Chidambaram (Italy), K C Venugopal (Portugal), Manish Tewari (Australia), and Gaurav Gogoi (Philippines).
Other Opposition chairpersons include K Kanimozhi (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)) for Greece, Derek O’Brien (Trinamool Congress (TMC)) for Chile, Abhishek Banerjee (TMC) for Algeria, Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena-UBT) for Morocco, and Supriya Sule (Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP)) for Singapore.
Additional Opposition leaders heading groups are Asaduddin Owaisi (All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM)) for Oman, Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party (SP)) for Japan, Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) for Egypt, Sanjay Singh (Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)) for Caribbean countries, and N K Premachandran (Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP)) for Madagascar.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders appointed as chairpersons include Ravi Shankar Prasad (United Kingdom (UK)), Baijayant Panda (United States of America (USA)), Nishikant Dubey (Russia), Anurag Thakur (European Union (EU) Parliament, Brussels), Rajiv Pratap Rudy (Switzerland), Bhartruhari Mahtab (Israel), Hema Malini (South Africa), Ashok Chavan (Argentina), Samik Bhattacharya (New Zealand), and Aparajita Sarangi (Tanzania).
Other group leaders include Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena) for Indonesia, Sanjay Jha (Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))) for Germany, M Thambidurai (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)) for Nigeria, and Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Telugu Desam Party (TDP)).
Members appointed to various groups include Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (Japan), Manickam Tagore (Indonesia), Gurjeet Singh Aujla (Italy), Hibi Eden (Singapore), Amrinder Singh Raja Warring (UK), Prashant Padole (Trinidad and Tobago), Dean Kuriakose (Saudi Arabia), C Kiran Kumar Reddy (South Korea), and S Venkatesan (Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))) for Cuba.
The groups are intended to facilitate discussions on trade, technology, social policy, culture, and global challenges faced by democracies.

Kota Ravi recommended as CMD of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). (End of January) ▼

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) recommended Shri Kota Ravi for the post of Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited during PESB Meeting No. 8/2026.
Shri Kota Ravi is currently serving as Director (Operations) at HAL.
The PESB recommendation will now be placed before the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval.

C.D. Gopinath, India’s oldest Test cricketer and member of first-ever Test-winning team, dies at 96.

Key Updates:

C.D. Gopinath passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday, ending his status as India’s oldest living Test cricketer.
He was part of India’s maiden Test victory, an innings and eight-run win over England in Chennai, contributing 35 runs in that match.
Gopinath made his Test debut against England at Brabourne Stadium in 1951 and played his final Test against Australia at Eden Gardens in 1960.
In eight Tests, he scored 242 runs at an average of 22, with his highest Test score being an unbeaten 50 on debut.
In 83 first-class matches, he amassed 4,259 runs at an average of 42.16, including nine centuries and 23 fifties.
After retirement, he served as chairman of selectors and managed the Indian team during the 1979 England tour.
With his passing, 95-year-old Chandrakant Patankar has become India’s oldest surviving Test cricketer.

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KG George, 1965 India-Pakistan War Veteran and Vir Chakra Recipient, Dies at 95 (Start of March) ▼

Retired Lance Havildar K G George, a veteran of the 1965 India-Pakistan War, passed away at the age of 95 in Kottayam, Kerala.
He was a recipient of the Vir Chakra, which is the third highest wartime gallantry award in India.
George served in the Indian Army's Corps of Signals, a unit that was established on 15 February 1911.
He was cited for restoring disrupted communications in the Wagah Sector in Pakistan under persistent enemy shelling between 6 and 10 September 1965.
On the night of 8 and 9 September 1965, he established a vital line of communication from Brigade Headquarters to forward battalions during an enemy attack.
Born in February 1931 in Kerala, the veteran was recognised for displaying courage and devotion to duty of a high order during his military service.

Manik Gupta Passes Away Veteran Cricket Umpire (Mid of February) ▼

Veteran cricket umpire Manik Gupta passed away at the age of 65 following a bee swarm attack in Shuklaganj, Unnao.
He was a three-decade veteran of junior cricket and was associated with the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA).
The incident occurred at the Rahul Sapru ground on 18 February 2026 during an under-13 match between YMCA and Paramount.
He was declared dead upon arrival at the LLR Hospital in Kanpur after sustaining more than 150 bee stings.
Medical experts at the GSVM Medical College stated that the bee venom triggered severe allergic reactions and cardiac arrest.
The deceased was a resident of Pheelkhana and had been a prominent figure in the local cricket officiating community for 30 years.

Prashant Tamang Passed Away As Indian Idol Season 3 Winner (Mid of January) ▼

Prashant Tamang, the winner of Indian Idol Season 3, passed away at the age of 43 due to a suspected cardiac arrest in Delhi.
He served as a constable in the Kolkata Police and was a member of the police band before winning the national singing competition in 2007.
He was a significant figure in the Gorkhaland movement in Darjeeling, West Bengal, and was supported by the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) and the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM).
He debuted in the Nepali film industry with the movie Gorkha Paltan in 2010 and later starred in Nishani (2014) and the series Pataal Lok Season 2.
Known as 'Pahad Ka Gaurav' (Pride of the Hills), he released his winning music album titled Dhanyavaad in 2007 which featured the song Bir Gorkhali.
He was declared dead at the Mata Chanan Devi Hospital in Delhi and is survived by his mother, two sisters, and wife Geeta Thapa.

Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh to assume charge as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Western Command. (Start of March) ▼

Lt Gen Pushpendra Pal Singh will take over as GOC-in-C of Western Command at Chandimandir at month-end upon the retirement of Lt Gen M K Katiyar.
He is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) since 31 July 2025.
He was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment on 19 December 1987.
He has participated in Operation Pawan (Sri Lanka), Operation Meghdoot (Siachen Glacier), Operation Rakshak (counter-insurgency) and Operation Orchid.
He commanded a Special Forces Unit in the Kashmir Valley and along the Line of Control, an Infantry Brigade, a Mountain Division along the Line of Actual Control, and 9 Corps at Yol, Himachal Pradesh.
He has served as Chief of Staff, Central Command and Director General, Operational Logistics & Strategic Movement at Army Headquarters.
He is an alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

UB Pravin Rao named Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation

[Nasscom Foundation]

Key Updates:

UB Pravin Rao succeeded Rostow Ravanan as Chairperson of Nasscom Foundation.
Rao previously served as Vice-Chairperson and Chairman of Nasscom.
He was Chief Operating Officer of Infosys from 2014 to 2021.
Nasscom Foundation focuses on digital inclusion, employability, women entrepreneurship, and tech-enabled NGO support.
The Foundation works with corporates, NGOs, government, and ecosystem partners for scalable social interventions.

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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.

Government appoints Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as Whole-Time Member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Mid of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three years.
Murty is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and previously served as the Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts.
The appointment increases the total number of whole-time members on the SEBI board to four, alongside Sandip Pradhan, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, and Amarjeet Singh.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is the current Chairman of SEBI, having assumed the position on March 1, 2025.
The SEBI board structure consists of a chairman, four whole-time members, and four part-time members representing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Murty previously served as a part-time member on the SEBI board as a representative of the MCA.

Jim Whittaker, First American to Summit Mount Everest, Dies Aged 97

[United States]

Key Updates:

Jim Whittaker, the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, died at the age of 97 at his home in Port Townsend, Washington.
He achieved the historic ascent of the 29,032-foot peak on 1 May 1963, accompanied by Sherpa climbing partner Nawang Gombu.
He was awarded the Hubbard Medal by former United States (US) President John F Kennedy for his mountaineering achievement.
Whittaker was the first full-time employee of the outdoor company Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) and served as its second President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 1971 to 1979.
He served as the state chairman for Senator Robert F Kennedy’s presidential campaign and climbed a 14,000-foot peak in Canada with him, which was later named Mount Kennedy.
His environmental advocacy contributed to the establishment of North Cascades National Park and Pasayten Wilderness in Washington, and Redwood National Park in California.
He documented his mountaineering experiences and life in his memoir titled A Life on the Edge.

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Divya Singh cycles to Everest Base Camp in 14 days (Start of April) ▼

Divya Singh from Uttar Pradesh became the first woman of India to reach Everest Base Camp by bicycle after a 14-day journey from Kathmandu.
She cycled 10–12 hours daily, carrying her bicycle on shoulders when trails were too steep or unrideable.
A viral video shows her holding the Indian flag at Everest Base Camp upon completion of the expedition.

Bhupatiraju Anmish Varma Sets Guinness World Record (GWR) for Seven Volcanic Summits Challenge (End of March) ▼

Bhupatiraju Anmish Varma from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, established a new Guinness World Record (GWR) by completing the Seven Volcanic Summits challenge.
Varma achieved the mountaineering feat in a record time of 92 days, 4 hours, and 45 minutes.
GWR officially announced the achievement in March 2026, marking a new global benchmark in adventure sports.
The Seven Volcanic Summits challenge is recognised as one of the most demanding pursuits in mountaineering, requiring immense endurance and skill.

Ueli Kestenholz Died as Olympic Snowboard Medalist (Mid of January) ▼

Ueli Kestenholz, a Swiss snowboarder and Olympic bronze medalist, passed away at the age of 50.
He won the bronze medal in the snowboard giant slalom at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, which was the debut event for the sport.
He was a two-time snowboardcross champion at the X-Games and competed in two additional Winter Games during his career.
The Swiss ski federation confirmed he died after being trapped in an avalanche in the Lötschental valley of Valais canton.
The incident occurred at an altitude of 2,400 meters while he was snowboarding with a friend.

NIM and JIM&WS Joint Team Summits Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina (End of February) ▼

A six-member joint team from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Uttarkashi and the Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering & Winter Sports (JIM&WS), Pahalgam successfully summited Mt. Aconcagua in Argentina on February 22, 2026.
Mt. Aconcagua is the highest peak in South America and the second-highest peak in the world outside of Asia.
The team was led by Col Hem Chandra Singh, Principal of NIM and JIM&WS, and was ceremonially flagged off by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on February 5, 2026.
The team reached the summit at 14:10 hours after completing acclimatisation at Bonete Peak (5,050m).
The expedition members included Capt G Santhosh Kumar, Shri Deep Bahadur Sahi, Shri Vinod Gusai, Nb Sub Bhupinder Singh, and Hav Ramesh Kumar.

Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approves Sanjay Khanna as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) chairman & managing director

[Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited]

Key Updates:

Sanjay Khanna appointed chairman & managing director (C&MD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) by Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Khanna, previously director (refineries) at BPCL, will serve until 31 May 2029 or until further orders.
He is a Chemical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirapalli and holds a postgraduate degree in Finance Management from Mumbai University.
Under his leadership BPCL will invest ₹75,000 crore over five years, including ₹50,000 crore Bina Petrochemical and Refinery Expansion Project (BPREP) at Bina, Madhya Pradesh.
Khanna also serves as Director on the Boards of Bharat PetroResources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.

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Arun Mammen re-elected as Chairman of Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA). (Mid of March) ▼

Arun Mammen, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of MRF Ltd, was re-elected as Chairman of the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA).
Rajarshi Moitra, Managing Director of Bridgestone India Pvt Ltd, was appointed Vice Chairman of ATMA.
Sanjay Chatterjee will succeed Rajiv Budhraja as Director General of ATMA on 31 March 2026.
ATMA, established in 1975, represents India’s over $12 billion automotive tyre industry.
ATMA member companies account for more than 80 per cent of India’s tyre production.
India exports tyres worth around $250–260 million annually to West Asia.
ATMA warned that the West Asia crisis could disrupt exports, raise raw material costs, and strain logistics.
Crude derivatives constitute 60–70 per cent of tyre manufacturing input costs.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approves Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank for three months. (Mid of March) ▼

HDFC Bank part-time Chairman and Independent Director Atanu Chakraborty resigned with immediate effect citing ethical concerns over certain practices within the bank.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the appointment of Keki Mistry as interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank effective 19 March for three months.
Keki Mistry was Vice-Chairman of HDFC Ltd before its merger with HDFC Bank.
HDFC Bank is the second largest bank with a market capitalisation of Rs 12.97 lakh crore.
Atanu Chakraborty joined HDFC Bank board in May 2021 and oversaw the merger of HDFC Ltd with HDFC Bank.
Chakraborty is a retired IAS officer of Gujarat cadre and served as Secretary in Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) during FY 2019-20.

Government appoints Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as Whole-Time Member of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (Mid of March) ▼

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of Kompella Venkata Ramana Murty as a whole-time member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a period of three years.
Murty is a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS) and previously served as the Additional Controller General of Defence Accounts.
The appointment increases the total number of whole-time members on the SEBI board to four, alongside Sandip Pradhan, Kamlesh Chandra Varshney, and Amarjeet Singh.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey is the current Chairman of SEBI, having assumed the position on March 1, 2025.
The SEBI board structure consists of a chairman, four whole-time members, and four part-time members representing the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Murty previously served as a part-time member on the SEBI board as a representative of the MCA.

CA Prasanna Kumar D elected President of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for 2026–27, CA Mangesh Kinare elected Vice-President. (Mid of February) ▼

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) elected CA Prasanna Kumar D as its 74th President for the 2026–27 term.
CA Mangesh Pandurang Kinare was elected as Vice-President of ICAI for 2026–27.
Prasanna Kumar D served as Vice-President of ICAI during 2025–26.
He was a member of the ICAI Central Council in its 24th, 25th, and 26th Councils.
He chaired the Visakhapatnam Branch of ICAI in 2001–02 and the Southern India Regional Council in 2013–14.
As President, he will chair ICAI’s Executive, Finance, Disciplinary, and Examination Committees and serve as Editor in Chief of The Chartered Accountant journal.

Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) launches Aluminium Bharat initiative to boost downstream capacity utilisation

[ALEMAI]

Key Updates:

Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) launched the ‘Aluminium Bharat’ initiative in New Delhi on 7 April 2026.
The initiative targets strengthening India’s aluminium value chain that supports over 10 lakh jobs.
ALEMAI will host ‘Aluminium Bharat 2026’ exhibition alongside Alumex India 2026 at Gandhinagar from 26 to 29 September 2026.
Midstream and downstream aluminium segments report production decline of 40-50 per cent.
Installed domestic capacity is 4.2 million tonnes, with extrusion units operating at 1.2-1.3 million tonnes and rolled/flat products at about 1.5 million tonnes.
Rising raw material and energy costs, limited aluminium scrap availability, and higher input costs versus global peers erode competitiveness.
Domestic manufacturers face tariff imbalances from low-cost imports benefiting from foreign subsidies and trade agreements.

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Odisha CM inaugurates India's first Flat Rolled Products (FRP) aluminium unit in Sambalpur (End of January) ▼

Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated India’s first Flat Rolled Products (FRP) aluminium unit at the Aditya Aluminium plant of Hindalco Industries Limited (Hindalco) at Lapanga in Sambalpur.
The CM inaugurated a specialised battery foil unit established with an investment of ₹834 crore.
A foundation stone was laid for the expansion of the smelter plant involving an investment of ₹21,162 crore.
Hindalco Industries Limited (Hindalco) Managing Director (MD) Satish Pai stated that the total investment in these projects is envisaged at ₹50,000 crore.
The projects are expected to generate employment for 15,000 youths, including the recruitment of 4,500 women across facilities in Keonjhar, Rayagada, and Sambalpur.
The CM inaugurated the 25th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Enterprise Odisha Exhibition 2026 in Rourkela.

Dezan Shira & Associates (DSA) Releases Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026 (End of January) ▼

Dezan Shira & Associates (DSA) released the third edition of the Asia Manufacturing Index (AMI) 2026 on January 12, 2026.
China retained the top position as Asia’s leading manufacturing economy for the third consecutive year.
Malaysia climbed to second place in the AMI 2026, overtaking Vietnam in the rankings.
Singapore advanced to fourth place, reinforcing its role in high-value and advanced manufacturing.
India and Indonesia maintained their positions at sixth and seventh place, respectively.
Thailand recorded an improvement in the index, moving from 10th to eighth place.
Bangladesh ranked 11th among the 11 major Asian manufacturing economies analyzed in the report.
The AMI 2026 introduced an archive and exact scores on a standardized 1–100 scale for every parameter.
Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines experienced incremental ranking changes reflecting stable but competitive positions.
Targeted industrial policy, infrastructure investment, and regulatory reform are narrowing performance gaps across Asian manufacturing economies.
Manufacturing economies in the region increasingly compete across similar cost, scale, and capacity factors.

Dezan Shira & Associates (Dezan Shira) ranks China atop Asia Manufacturing Index 2026 (End of January) ▼

China commands 30 percent of worldwide manufacturing production.
Malaysia rises to second place in AMI 2026, overtaking Vietnam.
Vietnam drops to third despite GDP growth of 8.02 percent in 2025.
Singapore advances to fourth; South Korea ranks fifth.
India remains sixth in AMI 2026 with first-place Workforce and third-place Economy pillars.
Thailand climbs from tenth to eighth place.
Japan ranks ninth; Philippines tenth; Bangladesh stays eleventh.
Asia accounts for over 65 percent of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity as of 2023.
China holds 32.4 percent share of Asia Pacific semiconductor materials market in 2024.
Vietnam records total trade value of $930.05 billion, an 18.2 percent year-over-year growth.
India’s logistics costs fall to 7.97 percent of GDP.
India’s Bharatmala Phase I spent ₹4.72 lakh crore (88 percent of outlay) but completed only 54 percent of target road length.
Manufacturing MSMEs in India face over 1,450 regulatory obligations annually.
Bangladesh labor productivity stands at $8.7 per hour in 2025.
Thailand R&D spending is 1.16 percent of GDP versus 2 percent government target.
Southeast Asia semiconductor market valued at $23.9 billion in 2024, projected to exceed $55 billion by 2033.

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) outlay raised to ₹40,000 crore (Start of March) ▼

Union Budget 2026-27 increased the outlay for the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) to ₹40,000 crore to deepen domestic electronics manufacturing capacity.
NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery met Tata Electronics MD & CEO Randhir Thakur to discuss scaling electronics production, strengthening resilient supply chains and enhancing India’s participation in global value chains.
The policy push aligns with the government’s atmanirbhar Bharat drive in the semiconductor and electronics space.
India’s electronics production has risen nearly six-fold in the past eleven years, creating 25 lakh jobs and establishing the country as a major electronics-manufacturing hub.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 notified after President’s assent

Key Updates:

The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 was notified on 9 April 2026 after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent.
The Act is an umbrella law regulating recruitment, deputation, promotion and other service conditions for officers of all five CAPFs: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
It mandates that 50% of inspector general rank posts will be filled through deputation from the Indian Police Service (IPS).
A minimum of 67% of additional director general rank posts will be filled through IPS deputation.
Posts of special director general and director general will be filled through deputation only.
The legislation follows an October 2025 Supreme Court directive that IPS deputation up to Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) in CAPFs be progressively reduced within an outer limit of two years.

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Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 to retain IPS dominance in CAPF leadership (End of March) ▼

The Union Cabinet cleared the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 on 11 March 2026 to retain IPS officers on deputation in five CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
The Bill mandates 50% of Inspector General posts to be filled by IPS deputation, minimum 67% of Additional Director General posts by IPS deputation, and Special DG and DG posts exclusively by IPS deputation.
It empowers the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to override any court judgment and frame recruitment, promotion and deputation rules for CAPF Group A officers.
The Supreme Court on 23 May 2025 had ordered progressive reduction of IPS deputations in DIG and IG ranks within two years, citing stagnation and morale loss among CAPF officers.
Retired CAPF officers oppose the Bill, alleging career stagnation, non-implementation of non-functional upgradation since 2006, and exclusion of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) oversight.

President Droupadi Murmu undertakes sortie in indigenous Light Combat Helicopter Prachand on 27 February 2026 (End of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a flight in the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand from the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
The LCH Prachand is the first combat helicopter to be indigenously designed and developed in India, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The LCH is designed for operations in diverse terrains including deserts and high-altitude regions, with the capability to operate at altitudes exceeding 5,000 metres.
The helicopter is equipped with advanced avionics, stealth characteristics, night-attack capability, and a weapon suite comprising air-to-ground missiles, air-to-air missiles, rockets, and a 20 mm gun.
The President is scheduled to attend the IAF firepower demonstration exercise Vayu Shakti at the Pokhran Field Firing Range near the India–Pakistan border.
President Murmu previously flew in a Rafale fighter aircraft at Ambala in October 2025 and a Sukhoi-30 MKI at Tezpur in April 2023, becoming the first Indian President to fly in two different IAF fighter aircraft.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 mandates IPS dominance in senior CAPF leadership (End of March) ▼

The Centre will introduce the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 in the Rajya Sabha on 23 March 2026.
The Bill replaces fragmented rules of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB with a single unified administrative framework.
At least 50 per cent of Inspector General posts will be reserved for IPS officers on deputation.
A minimum 67 per cent of Additional Director General posts will be reserved for IPS officers on deputation.
The posts of Special Director General and Director General will be filled exclusively by IPS deputationists.
All current recruitment rules in the Second Schedule stay valid until amended, preventing administrative vacuum.
The Bill explicitly states it involves no expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of India.

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) 25th Foundation Day celebrations

[National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation]

Key Updates:

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram will lead the 25th Foundation Day celebrations of the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) on Friday.
The main event will be held at the World Youth Center in New Delhi.
NSTFDC was established in 2001 as an apex organisation for the economic development of Scheduled Tribes across the country.
The corporation provides concessional financial assistance for income-generating activities through state channeling agencies.
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durga Das Uike and Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Ranjana Chopra will also attend the event.

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Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 concludes in Delhi on Sunday (Start of April) ▼

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

ITDC–Ministry of Tribal Affairs launch capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners (Mid of March) ▼

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) launched a capacity building programme for tribal homestay owners in New Delhi.
The inaugural ceremony was held at Kautilya Hall, Hotel Samrat.
The first batch comprises 40 participants from Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat.
Training is delivered by IHM Ashok under ITDC.
MoTA Secretary Ranjana Chopra and ITDC Managing Director Mugdha Sinha attended the launch.
The ‘Tribal Homestay – Operation & Development Manual 2026’ was released; it is multilingual, including Hindi and Gujarati versions.

Oil India and NSTFDC MoU: ₹86.27 Lakh Sanctioned for Tribal Healthcare Infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh (Mid of March) ▼

Oil India Limited (OIL) signed an MoU with the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) on 12 March 2026 at OIL’s corporate office in Noida.
The MoU sanctions ₹86.27 lakh for upgrading healthcare facilities in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, an Aspirational District under the Government of India’s programme.
Funds will strengthen Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) by providing ambulances, life-care and diagnostic equipment, ventilators, CPAP machines, BiPAP machines, and USG machines.

India and Vietnam elevate tribal cooperation to ministerial level, push for institutional partnership (End of March) ▼

India and Vietnam elevated collaboration on tribal and ethnic development to the ministerial level through a bilateral meeting in New Delhi on 18 March 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram, and Vietnam’s Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, H.E. Dao Ngoc Dung.
This is the first ministerial engagement exclusively focused on tribal and ethnic development between the two nations.
The dialogue built on prior discussions led by Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and H.E. Y Thong, Deputy Minister of Vietnam, on 17 March 2026.
Key areas explored included rights-based approaches to tribal welfare, community-led development models, institutional mechanisms for cultural preservation, and use of digital platforms for tribal outreach.
Shri Jual Oram emphasized Vietnam’s pivotal role in India’s Act East Policy and broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
India’s tribal population exceeds 104 million people (over 8.6% of the population), while Vietnam is home to 54 officially recognized ethnic groups.
A draft Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at institutionalizing bilateral engagement in tribal and ethnic affairs was reviewed; Vietnam confirmed approval on its side.
Vietnam invited Shri Jual Oram for an official visit to formally sign the MoC.
The year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves ₹40,175.33 crore for Kamala and Kalai-II Hydropower Projects in Arunachal Pradesh

[Arunachal Pradesh]

Key Updates:

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a total investment of ₹40,175.33 crore for the construction of two hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh.
The 1,720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project (HEP) will be developed in Kamle, Kra Daadi, and Kurung Kumey districts with an outlay of ₹26,069.50 crore.
The Kamala HEP will be implemented through a joint venture between NHPC Ltd (NHPC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The 1,200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project will be developed on the Lohit river in Anjaw district with an outlay of ₹14,105.83 crore.
The Kalai-II project will be developed through a joint venture between THDC India Ltd (THDC) and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
The Government of India will provide central financial assistance of ₹750 crore towards the state’s equity share for each of the two projects.
Arunachal Pradesh will receive 12 per cent free power from both projects along with an additional 1 per cent for the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
The Kamala HEP is expected to generate 6,870 million units (MU) of energy, while the Kalai-II project is expected to generate 4,852.95 MU annually.
Other hydropower projects being developed by NHPC in the region include Subansiri Lower (2,000 MW), Dibang Multipurpose (2,880 MW), and Etalin (3,097 MW).

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Small Hydro Power Scheme Approved with ₹2,584.60 Crore Outlay (Mid of March) ▼

The Union Cabinet approved a ₹2,584.60 crore scheme to support small hydro power projects for the period between the financial years 2026–27 and 2030–31.
The scheme targets the addition of approximately 1,500 MW of capacity through projects with individual capacities ranging from 1 MW to 25 MW.
For North Eastern states and districts along international borders, central financial assistance is set at up to ₹3.6 crore per MW or 30 per cent of the project cost, capped at ₹30 crore per project.
In other states, the government will provide financial support of up to ₹2.4 crore per MW or 20 per cent of the project cost, with a maximum cap of ₹20 crore.
An allocation of ₹30 crore has been earmarked for state and central agencies to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for approximately 200 projects.
The initiative is expected to attract an investment of around ₹15,000 crore and generate 51 lakh person-days of employment during the construction phase.

Bembla River Project approved with Rs4,775 crore outlay (Mid of January) ▼

The Maharashtra cabinet approved Rs4,775 crore for the completion of the long-pending Bembla river project in Yavatmal district.
Once completed, the scheme is expected to bring irrigation to 58,768ha of cultivable land across Ner, Babhulgaon, Kalamb, Ralegaon and Maregaon talukas of Yavatmal district.
An allocation of Rs89.32 crore was approved for the rehabilitation of Mouza Dhamak village in Amravati district.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approves India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel under Brahmaputra river (Mid of February) ▼

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel to be built under the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
The 33.7-km long project includes a 15.8-km twin tube tunnel under the river and will be developed at a cost of ₹18,662 crore in Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.
The tunnel will connect Gohpur on NH-15 and Numaligarh on NH-715, reducing the distance between the two Assam cities from 240 km to 34 km and travel time from six hours to 20 minutes.
The project alignment integrates with Rangia-Mukongselek Railway Section under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Gohpur side and Furkating-Mariani loop line section under Tinsukia Division of NFR on Numaligarh side.
The Cabinet also approved three Railways multi-tracking projects at a cost of ₹18,509 crore and three highway projects at a cost of ₹11,079 crore.

World Bank approves Rs 5,700 crore for Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project (End of January) ▼

The World Bank (WB) has approved Rs 5,700 crore for Haryana under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’ to be released in phases between 2026 and 2032.
The project will restore 115 canals at Rs 2,325 crore with WB support, 284 canals at Rs 2,230 crore from the state budget, and 279 canals at Rs 2,880 crore through NABARD funding.
Of 15,562 minor canals, 400 will be restored at Rs 450 crore with WB assistance, 1,500 at Rs 1,250 crore by the state, and 61 at Rs 402 crore via NABARD.
WB will provide Rs 900 crore for micro-irrigation across nearly 70,000 acres and Rs 600 crore to reuse treated sewage water to irrigate 28,000 acres in Jind, Kaithal and Gurugram.
Around 80 new water bodies will be built in southern Haryana for groundwater recharge and Rs 886 crore will promote crop diversification, direct rice seeding and water-saving practices.

Union Cabinet clears Rs 1.74 lakh crore proposals including nutrient-based subsidy for Kharif 2026, HPCL Rajasthan refinery expansion, Jaipur Metro Phase 2 and two hydropower projects

[Jaipur Metro]

Key Updates:

The Union Cabinet approved a nutrient-based subsidy (NBS) scheme worth Rs 41,534 crore for phosphatic and potassic fertilisers for the Kharif 2026 season from 1 April 2026 to 30 September 2026.
Retail price of DAP (Di-Ammonium Phosphate) kept stable at Rs 1,350 per 50 kg bag.
Cabinet approved revised cost of Rs 79,459 crore for HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd project in Pachpadra, Balotra district, Rajasthan with HPCL equity contribution of Rs 19,600 crore.
The 9 MMTPA refinery is scheduled to start commercial operations in July 2026 and is expected to generate about 1 lakh construction jobs and 10,000 direct operational jobs.
Jaipur Metro Phase 2 covering the 41 km Prahladpura to Todi Mod corridor approved at an estimated cost of Rs 13,038 crore.
Cabinet cleared Kamala Hydro Electric Project (1,720 MW) at Rs 26,070 crore and Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project (1,200 MW) at Rs 14,106 crore to boost renewable energy capacity.

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Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs launches National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0) with ₹16.72 lakh crore target (End of February) ▼

Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman launched the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0), projecting proceeds of ₹16.72 lakh crore over five years starting April 2025.
Developed by Niti Aayog, the second phase is based on the Asset Monetisation Plan 2025-30 mandate announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
The first phase, NMP 1.0, achieved 89% of its ₹6 lakh crore target during the four-year period from 2021-22 to 2024-25.
The total monetisation potential of ₹16.72 lakh crore includes private investments estimated at ₹5.8 lakh crore.
The transport sector is expected to raise ₹4.42 lakh crore through the monetisation of 21,300 kilometres of highways, 15 Multi-Modal Logistics Parks (MMLPs), and six ropeways.
Estimated sectoral values include Power (₹2.77 lakh crore), Ports (₹2.64 lakh crore), Railways (₹2.62 lakh crore), Coal (₹2.16 lakh crore), and Mines (₹1 lakh crore).
Other sector targets include Urban Infrastructure (₹52,000 crore), Civil Aviation (₹27,500 crore), Petroleum and Natural Gas (₹16,300 crore), Warehousing and Storage (₹10,000 crore), Telecom (₹4,800 crore), and Tourism (₹1,200 crore).
Specific projects include listing a minority stake in GAIL Gas and the divestment of Airports Authority of India (AAI) holdings in one subsidiary and four joint-venture airports.
The pipeline involves auctioning approximately 94 coal mines and leasing 38 land parcels of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on a long-term basis.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) will serve as a key mode of monetisation to attract private investment and reduce public debt through capital recycling.
The largest portion of proceeds under NMP 2.0 is expected to accrue to the Consolidated Fund of India.

Indian Railways approves ₹647.58 crore connectivity projects in Gujarat and Bihar (End of March) ▼

Indian Railways sanctioned two projects worth ₹647.58 crore on 24 March 2026 to improve connectivity and reduce congestion.
The rail-over-rail flyover at Kosamba, Gujarat, spans 9.20 km and costs ₹344.38 crore to connect the Kosamba–Umrapada gauge conversion section with the Mumbai–Vadodara main line.
The 13.38 km bypass line at Bhagalpur, Bihar, costs ₹303.20 crore and will link Gonudham Halt on the Barahat–Bhagalpur section with Sabour on the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section.
The Barahat–Bhagalpur section currently operates at over 125 per cent capacity utilisation, causing congestion and requiring engine reversal at Bhagalpur junction.

Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman proposes ₹20,000 crore for CCUS and customs duty relief in Union Budget 2026-27 (Start of February) ▼

The Union Budget 2026-27 proposes an outlay of ₹20,000 crore over the next five years to support Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
The CCUS funding aims to scale up projects and improve technology readiness across five industrial sectors: power, steel, cement, refineries, and chemicals.
The basic customs duty exemption on capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion cells is extended to cover energy storage systems.
The existing customs duty exemption on the import of goods required for nuclear power projects is extended until the year 2035.
The customs duty exemption for nuclear power is expanded to cover all nuclear power plants, irrespective of their capacity.
A basic customs duty exemption is proposed on the import of sodium antimonate for use in the manufacture of solar glass.
The Budget proposes a basic customs duty exemption on the import of capital goods required for processing critical minerals in India.
The entire value of biogas will be excluded while calculating the central excise duty payable on biogas-blended Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The Finance Minister (FM) proposed to restructure the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) to improve efficiency.
The mineral-rich states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu will be supported to establish dedicated Rare Earth Corridors for mining and processing.

Uttar Pradesh launches Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to streamline investor approvals (End of March) ▼

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath launched Nivesh Mitra 3.0, an upgraded single-window investment portal, in Lucknow.
The portal consolidates over 530 services from 43 departments into fewer than 200 simplified services.
Key features include PAN-based single login, dynamic common application form, AI-powered chatbot, real-time application tracking, automated alerts, and integration with NSWS, IGRS, and GIS-based land bank systems.
The state government disbursed ₹2,781.12 crore in incentives to 85 industrial projects across manufacturing, automobiles, electronics, cement, and food processing sectors.
₹73 crore was allocated to IT and electronics projects and ₹20 crore to food processing units.
45 companies received incentives and 62 companies were issued Letters of Comfort (LoCs), together representing nearly ₹50,000 crore in investment potential and an estimated 50,000 job opportunities.
The earlier complex land-use approval process under Section 80 has been removed; approval under the master plan now grants automatic land-use clearance.
Between 2012 and 2017, only 16 Letters of Comfort were issued, rising to 3,367 in the last nine years, reflecting growing investor confidence.

Skills Outcomes Fund launched to scale outcomes-based financing in India’s skilling ecosystem

Key Updates:

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Jayant Chaudhary launched the campaign to build the Skills Outcomes Fund on 8 April 2026.
The fund will be anchored by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
It aims to mobilise public and private capital to scale outcomes-based financing (OBF) and link investments directly to verified employment outcomes for youth from low-income backgrounds.
The initiative builds on the success of India’s first OBF initiative, the Skill Impact Bond, launched by NSDC in 2021 with an outlay of approximately ₹130 crore.
The Skill Impact Bond has trained over 34,000 youth across 21 states in 16 sectors for more than 30 job roles, with 92% certified, 76% placed, and 62% retained in jobs.
The Skills Outcomes Fund will use a blended finance model, supplementing government funding with private sector funding and focusing on employer-led, demand-driven skilling in sectors such as IT-ITeS, BFSI, automotive, healthcare, logistics, green jobs, and electronics.

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National Campaign on Entrepreneurship to Train 50,000 Community Resource Persons and 50 Lakh SHG Members (Mid of January) ▼

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) launched the “National Campaign on Entrepreneurship” under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
The key objective of the campaign is to “train and build capacity of 50,000 community resource persons (CRPs) on enterprise promotion and impart EDP training to 50 lakh SHG members of DAY-NRLM.”
The campaign was launched on 12th January 2026 with the theme “Promoting Rural Women Entrepreneurship – Har Ghar Udyam, Har Gaon Samriddh.”
The initiative supports the MoRD commitment to “enabling at least 3 crore Lakhpati Didis, i.e., SHG women members earning ₹1 lakh or more per annum.”
The campaign aims to “catalyse millions of rural entrepreneurs, paving the way for a resilient, inclusive, and self-reliant non-farm rural economy.”
The program focuses on the “promotion of non-farm rural enterprises” as a critical pathway to bring transformational change in the income levels of rural women.

Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai Campaign Launched to Promote Skill India Digital Hub (End of February) ▼

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Jayant Chaudhary launched the nationwide awareness campaign Badhna Hai Toh Yahan Judna Hai on 23 February 2026.
The campaign was introduced on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 to accelerate progress toward a Viksit Bharat through digital skilling.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan has been brought on board to strengthen awareness and participation in the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), India's integrated platform for skilling and employment.
The SIDH platform has already onboarded more than 1.5 crore registered candidates, emerging as one of the largest unified digital skilling platforms in the country.
The mobile-first, AI-enabled platform offers industry-aligned courses and is available in more than 21 Indian languages to ensure inclusion and ease of access.
Key features of SIDH include Aadhaar-based eKYC registration, OTP-enabled mobile access, QR-code-enabled personalised digital CVs, and digitally verified credentials.
The campaign targets a diverse user base including youth, women, professionals, entrepreneurs, and differently-abled citizens to support the vision of Lifelong Learning for Prosperity.

Indian Army completes Operation HimSetu evacuating over 1,400 stranded in North Sikkim

Key Updates:

Operation HimSetu evacuated 1,321 tourists and 84 local residents within 48 hours after a landslide-induced bridge collapse near Tarum Chu cut road links to Lachen.
The Trishakti Corps under the Army’s Eastern Command led the evacuation amid heavy snowfall near the India-China border.
A foot bridge installed by the Army at the collapse site enabled stranded persons to cross on foot before transport to Gangtok.
Reception centres provided food, shelter and medical care; Army vehicles towed civilian vehicles across difficult terrain.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) coordinated with the Army and civil administration for road clearance and snow removal.

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Indian Army contingent departs for Egypt for fourth edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise Cyclone-IV (Start of April) ▼

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.

BRO rescue operation in Jammu and Kashmir (End of January) ▼

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) rescued 60 people, including 40 soldiers, stranded due to heavy snowfall in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir.
Operating under Project Sampark, the BRO cleared 38 km of snow-covered road at Chatergala Pass, enabling safe evacuation by January 25.
The BRO also undertook snow clearance in Rajouri district, restoring vital road connectivity within hours.

India acknowledges covert Myanmar operation in July 2025 through Shaurya Chakra citation (End of January) ▼

Shaurya Chakra citation formally acknowledged an Indian Army covert operation inside Myanmar between 11 and 13 July 2025.
Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 Para (Special Forces) received the award for planning and leading the precision strike.
The operation destroyed a fortified militant camp and eliminated nine armed cadres, including senior leaders of an anti-national group.
United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) (ULFA-I) had alleged that three of its top leaders were killed in drone and missile strikes in Myanmar’s Sagaing region in July 2025.
ULFA-I operates mobile camps along the 1,600-kilometre Indo-Myanmar border and seeks a sovereign Assam through armed struggle.

India and United States commence 16th edition of Exercise Vajra Prahar 2026 in Himachal Pradesh (End of February) ▼

The 16th edition of the bilateral Special Forces exercise, Vajra Prahar 2026, is being conducted between the Indian Army and the United States (U.S.) Army.
The exercise is hosted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
The exercise is conducted annually to enhance interoperability, operational coordination, and the exchange of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
The 2026 edition focuses on counter-terrorism operations, precision strikes, intelligence-driven missions, and joint planning under simulated battlefield conditions.
The drill aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and enhance the capability of Special Forces to operate in diverse environments.

India elected to three UN Economic and Social Council subsidiary bodies for 2027-2030

[United Nations]

Key Updates:

India was elected by acclamation to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) subsidiary bodies: Commission on Science and Technology for Development 2027-2030, Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations 2027-2030, and Committee for Programme and Coordination 2027-2029.
Indian Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the term 2027-2030.
The UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) holds an annual intergovernmental forum for discussion on issues affecting science, technology and development.
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations considers applications for consultative status and requests for reclassification submitted by NGOs.
The Committee for Programme and Coordination reviews the programmes of the United Nations and assists ECOSOC in its coordination functions.
The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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India sets up seven inter-ministerial groups to tackle West Asia crisis (End of March) ▼

The Cabinet Secretariat constituted seven Groups of Secretaries (GoS) covering security, economy, energy, fertiliser, logistics, essential commodities and public outreach.
Around 60-65 senior officials are involved, with each group including about two officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and one from the Cabinet Secretariat.
The strategic issues group is headed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and includes Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The economic, finance and supply chain group led by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Anuradha Thakur has 11 members including eight secretaries.
The petroleum, LNG and LPG group headed by Neeraj Mittal comprises 10 members including the Chairmen and Managing Directors of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
The fertiliser group led by Rajat Kumar Mishra has 11 members including heads of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and KRIBHCO.
The price and essential commodities group chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has seven officials.
The transport and logistics group headed by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar has six members.
The information, communication and public engagement group led by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Secretary Sanjay Jaju has 10 members.

Sarvesh Ranjan promoted to Chief General Manager of Union Bank of India. (Start of February) ▼

Sarvesh Ranjan assumed the post of Chief General Manager at Union Bank of India on 1 February 2026.
He succeeded Bhaskara Rao Kare who superannuated on 31 January 2026.
Prior to promotion, Sarvesh Ranjan was serving as General Manager in the same bank.
He presently heads the Central Reconciliation, Transaction Monitoring and Anti-Money Laundering departments of Union Bank of India.
Sarvesh Ranjan is an engineering graduate with nearly 30 years of banking experience.
He has completed leadership programmes at the University of Applied Sciences (Switzerland), ISB Hyderabad and IDRBT Hyderabad and holds IT and cyber security certifications.

India pays $35.18 million to United Nations (UN) Regular Budget for 2026, joins honour roll (Start of February) ▼

India paid USD 35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget for 2026 on 3 February 2026.
The UN Committee on Contributions listed 47 Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period.
India is now part of the UN 'honour roll' of Member States that have paid their dues on time.

Chile endorses India’s bid for permanent seat on United Nations Security Council (Mid of January) ▼

Chile supports India's aspiration of being a permanent member of the Security Council because we believe this body should better reflect the realities of today.
India can be a stabilising factor, an established factor, in global affairs.
Chile have been supporting reforms of the system.

Indian Army Clears Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit for Promotion to Brigadier Rank

Key Updates:

The Indian Army has cleared Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit for promotion to the rank of Brigadier.
The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) stayed the retirement of the officer, which was scheduled for 31 March 2026, pending a decision on his statutory complaint.
The Mumbai National Investigation Agency (NIA) court acquitted the officer and six others on 31 July in the 2008 Malegaon blast case.
The other individuals acquitted alongside the officer include former MP Sadhvi Pragya, Major (retired) Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi, and Sameer Kulkarni.
The Malegaon blast incident occurred on 29 September 2008 in Maharashtra, resulting in six deaths and 95 injuries.
The investigation was transferred from the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to the NIA in 2011.

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Gyanesh Kumar retains post as Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok Sabha Speaker reject Opposition impeachment motions. (Start of April) ▼

Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla rejected Opposition impeachment notices against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on 6 April 2026.
The Lok Sabha motion carried 130 MP signatures and the Rajya Sabha motion 63 MP signatures, meeting the minimum 100 and 50 MP thresholds respectively.
The presiding officers cited Section 3 of the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 in their Parliamentary Bulletin notifications giving no detailed reasons for refusal.
The removal process for a Chief Election Commissioner mirrors that for a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) requiring a special Parliamentary majority and Presidential order.

Delhi LG approves 20% quota for ex-Agniveers in Delhi Police constable recruitment (End of February) ▼

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena approved 20% reservation for former Agniveers in Delhi Police male constable recruitment.
The quota was created by amending Rule 9 of Delhi Police Appointment & Recruitment Rules, 1980.
Ex-Agniveers are exempted from physical efficiency tests and receive three years of age relaxation; the first batch gets five years relaxation above the upper age limit of 25 years.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed Lok Sabha on 10 February that an ex-Agniveer wing and an ex-Agniveer cell under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have been created for rehabilitation policies.

Sudhir Kumar and 11 Jharkhand Police Personnel Awarded President's Medals (End of January) ▼

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on the eve of Republic Day 2026.
Sudhir Kumar, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Jharkhand Jaguar (JJ), was awarded the PSM in recognition of his outstanding 25-year career in police service.
Eleven personnel from Jharkhand were honoured with the MSM, an award designated for completing 18 years of outstanding service.
The MSM recipients include Inspector General (IG) Anup Birtharay (JJ), IG Patel Mayur Kanhaiyyalal (Provisions), and DSP Sanjay Kumar of Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP)-1.
Havildars Krishna Kumar Khetri (JAP-I), Marcus Sunwar (JAP-I), and Arun Kumar Ojha (JJ) were also named as recipients of the MSM.
The list of MSM awardees includes Constable Jaidev Pradhan (JAP-I), Women Constables Janet Margret Lakra and Kumudini Kujur (JAP-10), and Constables Sufal Odeya and G Wasim Akhtar (JJ).

Santosh Kumar Singh and Other Madhya Pradesh Police Officers Receive President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (End of January) ▼

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced gallantry and service medals for 982 personnel from police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services across India for Republic Day 2026.
Madhya Pradesh Police secured 21 national honours, comprising four President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 17 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) was awarded to Santosh Kumar Singh (Commissioner of Police), Mithelesh Kumar Shukla (Inspector General), Awadhesh Kumar Goswami (Deputy Inspector General), and Shiv Kumar Patel (Inspector).
The Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) was conferred upon Krishnaveni Desavatu (Inspector General), Manoj Kumar Rai (Superintendent of Police), Gitesh Kumar Garg (Superintendent of Police), Durgesh Kumar Rathore (Superintendent of Police), and Praveen Singh (Inspector ARMR).
Other MSM recipients include Rajendra Prasad Gupta (Inspector ARMR), Nidhi Shrivastava (Inspector ARMR), Sanjay Singh Thakur (Deputy Superintendent of Police), Shaffali Takalkar (Inspector ARMR), and Shriram Mishra (Head Constable).
The list of MSM awardees also features Shushil Kumar Choubey (Constable), Prem Kishore Vyas (Sub-Inspector), Umrao Prasad Jatav (Sub-Inspector), Mahendra Singh Negi (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Santosh Mehra (Assistant Sub-Inspector), Ravindra Mishra (Constable), and Raju Gurane (Inspector ARMR).

Indian Army conducts 'Brahmastra' live firing exercise with Boeing AH-64 Apache in Rajasthan

Key Updates:

The Indian Army conducted a live firing exercise named 'Brahmastra' at the Pokhran Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on 09 April 2026.
The exercise demonstrated the combat capabilities of the Boeing AH-64 Apache, a multi-role attack helicopter equipped with a 30 mm chain gun.
The Boeing AH-64 Apache utilised AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles and Hydra rockets to strike designated targets during the drill.
The helicopter features advanced targeting systems including the Longbow radar and night-vision sensors for all-weather and night operations.
The drill was carried out by the Apache 451 Squadron to test operational readiness and coordination between aircrew and ground maintenance teams.
The Indian Army highlighted the induction of the Boeing AH-64 Apache alongside indigenous platforms such as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Rudra.
The LCH and ALH, together with the Boeing AH-64 Apache, are designed to provide immediate fire support to land force commanders in network-centric warfare.
The exercise involved precision strikes using gun ammunition, rockets, and missiles during both day and night simulated battlefield conditions.

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Indian Army conducts Exercise Agni Varsha in Pokhran (End of February) ▼

Exercise Agni Varsha was conducted by the Southern Command of the Indian Army in Pokhran deserts, Rajasthan.
The exercise featured unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-drone systems, precision strike rockets, modern artillery platforms and surveillance assets.
Foreign defence journalists from 25 countries witnessed the exercise.
The Integrated Manoeuvre Force comprised T-90 Main Battle Tanks, infantry combat vehicles, K-9 Vajra self-propelled howitzers, Sharang and Bofors artillery systems, rocket platforms, indigenous weapon systems, Apache attack helicopters and a range of surveillance and strike drones.

Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police conduct joint exercise Agni Pariksha in Arunachal Pradesh (Start of February) ▼

The Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) conducted a six-day joint training exercise named Agni Pariksha from 19 to 24 January.
The exercise was held at Sigar in the East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh to enhance inter-force combat synergy and operational integration.
Spearhead gunners under the Spear Corps led the training for personnel from infantry regiments and the ITBP.
The primary objective of the exercise was to familiarise non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures, coordination mechanisms, and the execution of firing missions.
Infantry and ITBP personnel were trained to independently conduct multiple artillery firing drills under the supervision of experienced gunners.
The initiative represents the first phase of a collaborative firepower training programme aimed at developing integrated combat capabilities for future battlefields.

India to showcase military might in phased battle array format during 77th Republic Day parade (End of January) ▼

India will showcase its military might in a phased battle array format during the 77th Republic Day parade, the first such event after Operation Sindoor.
The newly-raised Bhairav light commando battalion will make its debut in the parade, marching in ‘Uncha Kadam taal’.
Military assets will be displayed in the specific sequence they would appear during actual combat, starting with reconnaissance followed by logistics and armored units.
The Indian Army will be represented by a mounted column of 61 Cavalry and seven marching contingents.
The display will feature indigenous platforms including the Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun, NAMIS-II Nag Missile System, ATAGS, and Dhanush artillery.
Advanced technology on display includes the Integrated Operational Centre (IOC), Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), robotic mules, and robotic dogs.
The animal contingent will include Zanskar ponies, double-humped Bactrian camels, and a dog squad with handlers.
The aerial flypast will showcase aircraft such as the Rafale, Su-30, P8I, C-295, Apache, and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.

Indian Air Force conducts Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 at Pokhran Field Firing Range (Start of March) ▼

Exercise Vayu Shakti 2026 was held at the Pokhran Field Firing Range with President Droupadi Murmu as Chief Guest.
The theme of the exercise was 'From Inception to Execution'.
A total of 77 aircraft including Rafale, Su-30MKI, MiG-29, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, C-17, C-130J, IL-76, IL-78, AN-32 and Embraer participated.
Indigenous systems Akash and SPYDER air defence systems successfully neutralised simulated aerial threats.
Chinook helicopters airlifted M-777 Ultra-Light Howitzers in underslung mode for the first time.
Approximately 120 tonnes of ordnance were delivered over a two-square-kilometre area in three hours.
A first-ever drone show depicted India’s map, Air Force formations, 1965 Sargodha strike, Kargil’s Tiger Hill bombing, Balakot air strike and Operation Sindoor.

India elected to four subsidiary bodies of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

[United Nations Economic and Social Council]

Key Updates:

India was elected by acclamation to the Commission on Science and Technology for Development for the term 2027-2030.
India was elected by acclamation to the Committee on Non-Governmental Organisations for the term 2027-2030.
India was elected by acclamation to the Committee for Programme and Coordination for the term 2027-2029.
Ambassador Preeti Saran was re-elected to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the term 2027-2030.

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India sets up seven inter-ministerial groups to tackle West Asia crisis (End of March) ▼

The Cabinet Secretariat constituted seven Groups of Secretaries (GoS) covering security, economy, energy, fertiliser, logistics, essential commodities and public outreach.
Around 60-65 senior officials are involved, with each group including about two officials from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and one from the Cabinet Secretariat.
The strategic issues group is headed by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and includes Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
The economic, finance and supply chain group led by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Anuradha Thakur has 11 members including eight secretaries.
The petroleum, LNG and LPG group headed by Neeraj Mittal comprises 10 members including the Chairmen and Managing Directors of Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), GAIL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
The fertiliser group led by Rajat Kumar Mishra has 11 members including heads of Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative and KRIBHCO.
The price and essential commodities group chaired by Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare has seven officials.
The transport and logistics group headed by Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar has six members.
The information, communication and public engagement group led by Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Secretary Sanjay Jaju has 10 members.

Professor B Ravindran Appointed to United Nations (UN) Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI) (End of February) ▼

Professor B Ravindran of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been appointed to the United Nations (UN) Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The panel was established through a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution in August 2025 to serve as a global scientific body assessing the impact of AI on societies.
Professor B Ravindran currently serves as the Head of the Wadhwani School of Data Science and AI and is the Founding Head of the Centre for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (CeRAI) at IIT Madras.
The appointment of the 40 leading experts to the panel was announced by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held in Delhi.
Professor B Ravindran will represent India and the voice of the Global South on this international panel of experts.

Chile endorses India’s bid for permanent seat on United Nations Security Council (Mid of January) ▼

Chile supports India's aspiration of being a permanent member of the Security Council because we believe this body should better reflect the realities of today.
India can be a stabilising factor, an established factor, in global affairs.
Chile have been supporting reforms of the system.

India pays $35.18 million to United Nations (UN) Regular Budget for 2026, joins honour roll (Start of February) ▼

India paid USD 35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget for 2026 on 3 February 2026.
The UN Committee on Contributions listed 47 Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full within the 30-day due period.
India is now part of the UN 'honour roll' of Member States that have paid their dues on time.

March 2026 Arctic ice and global heat hit record lows amid rising El Niño odds

Key Updates:

Arctic sea ice extent in March 2026 fell 5.7% below normal, the lowest March level ever recorded.
Global surface temperatures for January-March 2026 ranked as the fourth-highest on record.
March 2026 became the fourth-warmest globally at 1.48°C above pre-industrial levels.
Sea surface temperatures (SST) reached 20.97°C, the second-highest ever observed behind the 2024 El Niño peak.
Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported daily SST levels approaching 2024 record highs.
US NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information stated March 2026 temperatures were 1.31°C above the 20th-century average, tying 2024 as the second-warmest March.
All ten warmest March records since 1850 have occurred after 2015.
Europe recorded its second-warmest March with notably drier conditions.
Significant heat anomalies occurred across the western United States, much of the Arctic, northeast Russia, and parts of Antarctica.
Cooler-than-average conditions persisted in Alaska, most of Canada, southern Greenland, and northwest Siberia.
NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center forecasts an 80% chance of ENSO-neutral conditions through April-June 2026.
The likelihood of El Niño rises to 61% between May-July 2026 and 85% into September 2026.

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University of Reading study shows lethal moist heatwaves during southwest monsoon can be predicted weeks in advance (Start of March) ▼

Moist heatwaves occur when high temperature combines with high humidity, preventing sweat evaporation and raising risk of fatal heatstroke within hours.
University of Reading (UoR) scientists analysed 1940-2023 weather data and found timings and locations of moist heatwaves align with active and break phases of the southwest monsoon (SWM).
During active SWM phase, northern plains and central India receiving rainfall face moist heatwave risk; during break phases the risk shifts to southern and eastern India.
The large-scale weather pattern governing these events is the Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation, a 30-90 day pattern of storm movement between Indian and western Pacific Oceans from June to September.
Forecast lead time for moist heatwaves is two to four weeks, with heatwave occurrence over northern India rising 125% above normal during a specific phase of this pattern.
Globally accepted human survivability wet bulb temperature limit is 35°C, but November 2023 Nature Communications paper revised limits to 25.8-34.1°C for younger adults and 21.9-33.7°C for older adults.
Between 1940 and 2023 there were 188 monsoon break periods and 261 active phases, with breaks influenced by dry desert winds from the west.

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.

Vantara launches world’s first global university for wildlife and veterinary sciences in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Key Updates:

Vantara University, the world’s first integrated global university dedicated to wildlife conservation and veterinary sciences, was launched in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Anant Ambani, Reliance Industries Executive Director and founder of Vantara, stated that the university is shaped by witnessing animals in distress and recognising the need for greater capability in their care.
The university will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, fellowship, and specialised programmes across disciplines including wildlife medicine and surgery, nutrition, behavioural sciences, genetics, epidemiology, One Health, conservation policy, and naturalistic animal care environment design.
The foundation ceremony, conducted in accordance with Hindu traditions, brought together representatives from academia, science, conservation, and public life.

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Vishwamitri River hosts 442 mugger crocodiles amid 2-million-plus Vadodara city. (End of January) ▼

The Vishwamitri River flows 21 km through Vadodara city, Gujarat, and holds 442 mugger crocodiles according to a 2025 GEER Foundation census.
The river originates from the Pavagadh Hills and travels nearly 200 km westward before emptying into the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea.
Major tributaries feeding the river are the Surya, Jambuva and Bhukhi rivers, boosting flow mainly in monsoon months.
Between Kala Ghoda and Akota Bridge, crocodile density reaches about 44 individuals in just 1.4 km of urban river stretch.
Monsoon flooding pushes crocodiles onto public roads, residential compounds and even under parked vehicles, causing frequent human-crocodile encounters.
Pollution discourages human river activities, while fish, stray dogs and pigs provide prey, aiding crocodile survival inside the city.
The Vishwamitri Riverfront Development Project and the Vaho Vishwamitri Abhiyan aim to clean the river and restore its ecology using drone-supported plantations.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2026 nominations open from 28 March to 11 May 2026 (End of March) ▼

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2026 nominations opened on 28 March 2026 and will close on 11 May 2026.
Nominations, including self-nominations, are submitted online through the Ministry of Home Affairs Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
RVP is administered by the RVP Secretariat, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India (GOI).
The awards cover 14 domains: Agricultural Science, Atomic Energy, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Defence Technology, Earth Science, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Science, Mathematics & Computer Science, Medicine, Physics, Space Science and Technology, Technology & Innovation, and Others.
Four award categories are Vigyan Ratna (VR) for lifetime achievements, Vigyan Shri (VS) for distinguished contributions, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) for scientists up to 45 years, and Vigyan Team (VT) for collaborative teams of three or more researchers.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, urged institutions and individuals to nominate deserving candidates.

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.

Union Budget 2026-27: New Initiatives for Livestock, Fisheries, and High-Value Agriculture (Start of February) ▼

Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman announced a loan-linked capital subsidy scheme to increase the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000.
The veterinary scheme will support the establishment of private colleges, veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and breeding facilities.
The government will undertake the integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars to strengthen the fisheries value chain.
Fisheries development will be enabled through market linkages involving startups, women-led groups, and Fish Farmers Producer Organisations (FFPOs).
A credit-linked subsidy programme will be launched for animal husbandry entrepreneurship development and the modernisation of livestock enterprises.
The Coconut Promotion Scheme aims to replace old and non-productive trees with new varieties in major coconut-growing states.
A dedicated programme for Indian cashew and cocoa aims to achieve self-reliance and transform them into premium global brands by 2030.
The government will partner with states to promote sandalwood cultivation and post-harvest processing to restore the Indian sandalwood ecosystem.
A dedicated programme for hilly regions will support the rejuvenation of old orchards and high-density cultivation of walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts.

Botanists discover new sedge species Fimbristylis wayanadensis in Kerala's Wayanad

Key Updates:

Fimbristylis wayanadensis, a grass-like sedge, was discovered in the high mountains of the Western Ghats in Wayanad district, Kerala.
The plant was found during fieldwork in the Thollayiram forest and Chembra peak areas in late 2022.
It grows at elevations up to 1,900 meters in transitional zones between rocky landscapes and high-altitude grasslands.
The species has long leaves taller than or equal to its hairy stems, fewer chestnut-brown spikelets, and larger, smoother nuts with microscopic rectangular patterns.
It is currently known only from a few scattered high-altitude locations and is classified as "Data Deficient" due to unknown population size.

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Union Government Notifies New Repositories under Biological Diversity Act, 2002 (Start of April) ▼

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.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new cockroach species Neoloboptera peninsularis in Deccan plateau (End of March) ▼

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Prof. Ramkrishna More College have identified a new cockroach species named Neoloboptera peninsularis in the Deccan plateau.
The species was recorded from agricultural landscapes in Nathachi Wadi, Daund, near Pune, where it lives in decomposing leaf litter and beneath palm shrubs.
Neoloboptera peninsularis is characterised by a yellowish-brown glossy body, fully developed wings, asymmetrical cerci, and a whip-like male genital component.
Prior to this finding, only two species within the genus Neoloboptera had been documented in India, with the last one described in 1995.
The research team, led by Shabnam Ansari and Dr K P Dinesh, employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological analysis with modern DNA sequencing.
The study provides the first DNA barcode for the genus, addressing the Darwinian shortfall regarding evolutionary relationships.
The discovery addresses the Linnaean shortfall concerning species diversity and the Wallacean shortfall regarding species distribution in the Deccan peninsula.
Genetic analysis conducted during the study indicated several distinct undocumented lineages in Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) discovers new cockroach species Neoloboptera peninsularis in Deccan plateau (End of March) ▼

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Pune identified the new cockroach species Neoloboptera peninsularis from agricultural landscapes in Nathachi Wadi, Daund near Pune.
The species exhibits a yellowish-brown glossy body, fully developed wings, asymmetrical cerci and a whip-like male genital component.
Prior to this finding only two species within the genus Neoloboptera had been documented in India, the latest described in 1995.
The study employed an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological analysis with DNA sequencing and provided the first DNA barcode for the genus.
Distinct genetic lineages from Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka indicate potential for further undescribed species in India.

New earthworm species Drawida vazhania discovered in Kerala’s Western Ghats (Mid of March) ▼

Researchers identified the new earthworm species Drawida vazhania from the Vazhani dam area of the Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary in Thrissur district, Kerala.
Drawida vazhania belongs to the genus Drawida and the family Moniligastridae, and the discovery has been published in the journal Zootaxa.
The species is a member of the Barwelli species group, raising the group’s total to seven species.
India hosts about 71% endemic genera and 89% endemic species of earthworms, with the Western Ghats and west coast plains accounting for 58.4% of all known Indian earthworm species.
With Drawida vazhania, India now has 83 reported Drawida species, of which 55 occur in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
Kerala holds the highest number of Drawida species among Western Ghats states, recording 31 species including 16 endemic to the state.

Jitendra Singh announces Doppler weather radar and seismological observatory for Jammu and Kashmir

Key Updates:

Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced the establishment of a Doppler weather radar in Doda and a permanent seismological observatory in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir.
The Doppler weather radar will strengthen weather forecasting capabilities in the region.
The permanent seismological observatory will improve earthquake monitoring and enhance disaster preparedness.
Site selection for automated weather stations in Paddar and Machail (Kishtwar) has been completed and installation will begin soon.
Development of an airstrip in Kishtwar under the UDAN scheme was discussed, focusing on acquiring additional land.
The proposal for developing a Saffron Park in Kishtwar, pending for 12 years, was reviewed and authorities were directed to finalise land suitability.
Promotion of cumin seeds under the One District One Product initiative was emphasised to boost local produce.

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NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite captures Mount St. Helens radar image through clouds (End of March) ▼

NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joint mission NISAR obtained a radar image of Mount St. Helens on 10 November 2025.
NISAR's radar penetrates clouds, enabling year-round monitoring of Earth's surface changes.
Colour-coded radar maps highlight roads and buildings in magenta, landforms or moisture in yellow, forests and wetlands in yellow-green, water or bare mountaintops in dark blue, and human impact areas like deforestation in purple.

India signs Rs 1,950 crore deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for two mountain radars for Indian Air Force (Start of April) ▼

The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,950 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of two mountain radars and associated infrastructure for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The mountain radar is indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The radars will be manufactured by BEL and their installation will enhance India’s air defence and reduce dependence on foreign equipment.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) to deploy 200 Automatic Weather Stations across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune (Mid of January) ▼

200 Automatic Weather Stations will be installed—50 each in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune—to enable hyper-local, real-time weather monitoring.
The dense network will generate high-resolution spatial data for accurate prediction of sudden downpours, thunderstorms, heatwaves and rapid pressure changes.
IMD’s forecast accuracy has improved by 40–50 per cent over past decades, with cyclone track prediction accuracy up by 35–40 per cent.
Weather radar coverage has expanded to about 87 per cent of India’s geographical area, and forecasts now reach lead times as precise as three hours.
India shares weather data and satellite-based support with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, reinforcing regional disaster preparedness.
IMMD headquarters runs fully on solar power, feeding surplus electricity back into the national grid.

Nagaland signs MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD) to boost weather forecasting (Start of March) ▼

Nagaland higher education department signed an MoU with India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, at the directorate of higher education in Kohima.
The MoU was signed in the presence of higher education minister Temjen Imna Along, secretary of higher and technical education Sarita Yadav, ex-officio director of higher education V Lovitoly Sema, and IMD representatives.
The collaboration will install one X-Band Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Dimapur Government College under the ‘Mission Mausam Scheme’ initiative of the Government of India.
The initiative focuses on urban meteorology, disaster preparedness, and agricultural advisories to enhance public safety and protect lives and property.
The institutional cooperation will promote academic engagement, research collaboration, and capacity building in meteorological and atmospheric sciences.

NTPC signs MoU with Électricité de France (EDF) to explore nuclear power projects in India

[France, NTPC Limited, Électricité de France]

Key Updates:

NTPC and Électricité de France (EDF) signed a non-binding MoU on 8 April 2026 to explore cooperation in developing nuclear power projects in India.
The agreement sets a framework for jointly assessing the feasibility of deploying EDF’s European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) technology in India.
The collaboration covers evaluation of technology suitability for Indian requirements, localisation opportunities, economic and tariff aspects, training programmes, site identification, and technical support.
NTPC has an installed capacity of more than 89 GW, with 32 GW under construction, and targets 149 GW total capacity by 2032 including 60 GW from renewable energy sources.
The MoU was signed by Arnada Prasad Samal, CGM (Nuclear Cell), NTPC, and Vakisasi Ramany, Senior Vice President, International Nuclear Development, EDF.

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RM Nachammai becomes first woman Chief Superintendent of functional Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) nuclear plant. (Start of March) ▼

RM Nachammai assumed charge as Chief Superintendent of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 effective March 15.
She is the first woman to head operations of a functional NPCIL nuclear power plant.
Nachammai joined NPCIL in 1991 and has over 35 years of experience in nuclear power plant operations.
She received the Vikram Sarabhai Award for topping the second batch of NPCIL engineer trainees.
Nachammai was awarded the NPCIL Special Contribution Award in 2010, 2014, and 2017.
Kaiga Nuclear Power Station currently operates four 220 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors with a total installed capacity of 880 MW.
NPCIL employs nearly 10,000 people, of whom about 900 are women.

Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 targets 2,000 kWh per capita consumption and 100 GW nuclear capacity (End of January) ▼

The Ministry of Power (MoP) launched the Draft National Electricity Policy (NEP) 2026 on Jan 21, 2026, to transform India’s power sector to meet the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
The Draft NEP 2026 sets a target of 2,000 kWh per capita electricity consumption by 2030, rising to over 4,000 kWh by 2047.
The policy mandates a 45% reduction in emissions intensity by 2030 (vs 2005) and aims for net-zero emissions by 2070.
The NEP 2026 promotes low-carbon pathways through large-scale renewable integration and nuclear expansion to 100 GW by 2047.
By 2030, renewable energy sources will have equal scheduling and deviation rights as conventional sources like coal.
The policy aims for single-digit Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and mandates N-1 Redundancy for cities with over 10 lakh people by 2032.
The NEP 2026 introduces functional unbundling of State Transmission Utilities (STUs) to create independent SLDCs and mandates that all power sector data must be stored in India.
The MoP proposes exempting cross-subsidies for industries, railways, and metros to lower power costs and boost manufacturing competitiveness.

India and European Union adopt Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda at 16th summit (End of January) ▼

India and the European Union (EU) endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda during the 16th India-EU summit held in New Delhi.
The agenda covers five pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global challenges, and enabling factors such as skills, mobility, business and people-to-people ties.
Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Comprehensive Framework on Co-operation on Mobility to boost mobility of Indians to Europe.
They agreed to conclude an Investment Protection Agreement to provide high, predictable standards of protection for investors and promote investment in high-growth sectors.
An Agreement on Geographical Indications will be concluded to ensure effective protection of iconic products and boost trade opportunities.
The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will expand discussions on economic security to include research security and protection of sensitive technologies.
The EU-India Semiconductor Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented to strengthen supply chains and promote collaboration in chip design, heterogeneous integration, sustainable semiconductor technologies and manufacturing technology development.
An EU-India Business Forum will be established to meet regularly and provide business perspectives to inform policymaking across TTC work strands.
India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership cooperation will cover energy technologies, smart grids, storage, electricity sector regulation and energy and climate diplomacy.
Collaborative research will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, clean tech and biotech under the technology and innovation pillar.
India-EU Innovation Hubs will be set up to support dialogue, knowledge exchange and joint projects in critical emerging technologies.
An India-EU Startup Partnership will be established to deepen cooperation in innovation.
Cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy will be promoted under the India-Euratom agreement.
Under the security and defence pillar, both sides will consult on respective initiatives, exchange on defence industry-related matters and explore cooperation aligned with mutual security priorities.

Robot 'Nila' deployed to greet voters at Puducherry polling booth during 2026 assembly elections

[Puducherry]

Key Updates:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) reported 9.50 lakh eligible voters and 1,099 polling stations for the 2026 Puducherry assembly elections.
Robot 'Nila', an event-based voting assistance robot with audio feedback, welcomed voters at VOC Government School polling booth.
Of the 1,099 polling stations, 30 are managed exclusively by women staff.
Special arrangements including wheelchair facilities and 2,200 young voter volunteers assist elderly and differently-abled voters.

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ECINet KYC module launched for Assembly elections 2026 (Start of April) ▼

Election Commission of India (ECI) activated the Know Your Candidates (KYC) module on ECINet for 2026 Assembly elections.
Voters can view criminal antecedents, assets, liabilities, education and verified social media handles of candidates.
Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are among states set for Assembly polls.
Users access the module under the Conduct of Elections section on ECINet and can download candidate affidavits (Form 26).
ECINet integrates over 40 applications and portals into a single electoral service ecosystem.

National Voters’ Day observed on January 25 (End of January) ▼

National Voters’ Day is celebrated every year on January 25 to mark the establishment of the Election Commission of India (ECI) on January 25, 1950.
The day was first observed in 2011 and 2025 marks the 14th National Voters’ Day.
The minimum voting age in India was lowered from 21 to 18 years by the 61st Constitutional Amendment that came into effect in 1988.
Key objectives of the day are to encourage voter registration, promote ethical and informed voting, highlight the importance of free and fair elections, and strengthen democracy through public participation.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) deploys humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam station (End of January) ▼

East Coast Railway (ECoR) introduced the humanoid robot ‘ASC Arjun’ at Visakhapatnam Railway Station, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in Indian Railways.
The robot supports security, passenger assistance, crowd management, cleanliness monitoring and safety awareness.
ASC Arjun uses Face Recognition System (FRS) for intrusion detection and sends IoT-enabled alerts to Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel.
It delivers autonomous public announcements in English, Hindi and Telugu and performs semi-autonomous platform patrol with obstacle avoidance.
The robot provides fire and smoke detection with instant alerts and interacts with passengers using cultural gestures such as Namaste and salute to RPF officers.
Designed and developed indigenously in Visakhapatnam over more than one year, ASC Arjun integrates real-time IoT connectivity with RPF control rooms.

National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) launched for Paperless Legislative Processes (Start of February) ▼

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla launched the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) at the Bihar Assembly to transition to paperless legislative processes.
NeVA is a workflow system deployed on the National Informatics Centre (NIC) cloud designed to facilitate the digital conduct of legislative business.
The application enables members to access rules of procedures, the list of businesses, notices, bulletins, bills, questions and answers, and committee reports via hand-held devices.
The project aims to integrate all legislatures across India to establish a massive centralised data depository.
The launch event was attended by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

World Homoeopathy Day 2026 observed on April 10 with theme 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health'

Key Updates:

World Homoeopathy Day 2026 was observed by the Ministry of Ayush at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 10, 2026.
The theme for 2026 was 'Homoeopathy for Sustainable Health'.
The day marks the birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav highlighted the role of research institutions Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), National Commission for Homoeopathy (NCH), and National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH).
Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha mentioned initiatives like the Ayush Grid for digital integration of the Ayush ecosystem.

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Maharashtra launches ₹65.25 crore 'Majha Gaon, Arogyasampann Gaon' rural healthcare initiative (Start of April) ▼

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

World Unani Day observed on 11 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼

World Unani Day was observed on 11 February 2026 at the Mini-Secretariat in Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir.
The event was organised by the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) in collaboration with the Information Department.
The theme for the 2026 observance was Innovation and Evidence in Unani Practice, focusing on scientific validation and quality assurance.
A publication titled Handbook of Osteoarthritis & Musculoskeletal Care was released during the occasion.
A Kashmiri skit titled Aalow was presented by the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to promote traditional healthcare systems.
Clinical kits were distributed to Multipurpose Health Workers of Ayush Centres to enhance healthcare delivery in the Shopian district.
The event was attended by the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Shopian, Dr Nasir Ahmed Lone, and the District Ayush Officer, Dr Javid Ahmed.

National Arogya Fair 2026 to promote Ayush medicine systems and farmer livelihoods (End of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the National Arogya Fair 2026 at Visava Maidan of Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan in Shegaon, Buldhana, Maharashtra on February 25.
The fair is organised by the Ministry of Ayush (MoA) in collaboration with All India Ayurvedic Congress from February 25 to 28.
Free health check-ups, consultations and medicines will be provided across Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy systems.
Farmers from Buldhana district will be encouraged to adopt agroforestry and medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable income.
A special programme on 'Ayurvedic Farming, Production and Marketing' is scheduled on February 27 at 3 pm at Visava premises.

National Arogya Fair 2026 inaugurated in Shegaon to promote AYUSH systems (End of February) ▼

President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the National Arogya Fair 2026 on 26 February 2026 at Shegaon in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.
The President felicitated six senior Vaidyas during the event in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the field of traditional Indian medicine.
The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) has aligned research and drug development guidelines with international standards to enhance global credibility.
The fair highlighted the role of AYUSH systems, including Ayurveda, Yoga, and Siddha, in supporting public health and complementing modern medicine.
The President emphasised that the cultivation of medicinal plants boosts the incomes of farmers and supports soil conservation while ensuring sustainable raw materials for medicines.

Archaeological survey of 200 sites in Greece: 2021–2025

[Greece]

Key Updates:

The Swiss School of Archaeology in Greece (ESAG) identified over 200 ancient sites in the Eretrian plain region of Evia, Greece.
The archaeological survey was conducted between 2021 and 2025 using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.
The discovered sites document continuous human activity spanning a period of 6,000 years, from prehistoric settlements to the end of the 19th century.
The survey mapped more than 30 square kilometres of land, identifying ancient farms, industrial quarries, and medieval roads.
Findings include rock-cut olive presses and connections to the Sanctuary of Artemis at Amarynthos.
Researchers utilised Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyse high-resolution 3D terrain maps of buried walls and ancient routes.
According to the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, the region maintained a persistent agrarian population under Mycenaean, Roman, and Ottoman administrations.

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Göbekli Tepe in Turkey recognised as the world's oldest temple dating to 9600 BCE (Mid of March) ▼

Göbekli Tepe, located in southern Turkey, is considered the oldest temple in the world, dating back nearly 12,000 years.
The site was discovered in the 1990s and was extensively studied by German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt.
The temple dates back to approximately 9600 BCE, predating both Stonehenge and the pyramids.
The structure consists of large circular buildings with massive T-shaped limestone pillars decorated with symbols and animals like foxes, lions, and birds.
The site was constructed by hunter-gatherers before the advent of farming, settled communities, or the domestication of plants.
Archaeological research indicates that the site was deliberately buried under tons of dirt and debris by humans around 8000 BCE.

Giant fragment of 3,200-year-old Ramesses II statue discovered at El Ashmunein (Mid of March) ▼

Archaeologists uncovered a 3.8-metre limestone fragment of Ramesses II’s statue at El Ashmunein, Minya Governorate, Egypt.
The fragment completes a colossal seated statue first found in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder.
When reassembled, the statue will stand about 7 metres tall.
The joint mission was conducted by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Colorado Boulder.
The excavation was co-directed by Basem Gehad and Yvona Trnka-Amrhein.

Archaeologists recover 3.8-metre limestone fragment completing 7-metre Ramesses II statue buried 96 years at El Ashmunein (Mid of March) ▼

The 3.8-metre limestone fragment was uncovered at El Ashmunein, Minya Governorate, about 150 miles south of Cairo.
The fragment matches the lower half of a colossal seated statue of Ramesses II found in 1930 by German archaeologist Günther Roeder.
The joint 2024 mission was conducted by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the University of Colorado Boulder.
When reassembled the statue will stand roughly 7 metres tall and show Ramesses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt topped by a royal cobra.
The find lies within Hermopolis Magna, ancient Khemnu, a major religious centre devoted to the god Thoth.

Baylor University-led team unearths intact 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb in central Italy (Start of March) ▼

The San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project (SGARP), led by Baylor University, discovered an undisturbed Etruscan chamber tomb at the San Giuliano necropolis approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Rome.
The sealed tomb dates to the 7th century BC and contains the remains of four individuals laid on carved stone beds surrounded by over 100 grave goods including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze ornaments, and silver hair spools.
The excavation operates under Italy’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Virgil Academy in Rome and the town of Barbarano Romano.
Since 2016 Baylor University students have participated in the excavation through the ‘Archaeology Research in Italy’ study abroad programme, gaining hands-on experience in stratigraphic excavation and artifact documentation under Italian heritage law frameworks.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Shaurya Diwas observed on 09 April

[Central Reserve Police Force]

Key Updates:

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) observes Martyrs’ Day, also known as Shaurya Diwas, annually on 09 April.
The day commemorates the 1965 battle at Sardar Post in the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, where CRPF personnel repelled a Pakistani military assault.
During the 1965 conflict, a contingent of 32 CRPF personnel successfully held off superior enemy forces to protect the post.
The CRPF has a service legacy spanning 85 years in addressing internal security, terrorism, Naxalism, and natural disasters.
The motto of the CRPF is identified as One Foremost in the Service of the Nation.

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Odisha Police awarded President's Police Colour on 90th police foundation day (Start of April) ▼

Odisha Police received the President’s Police Colour, the highest honour for a police force, on 1 April 2026.
The award was announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and coincided with Odisha’s 90th police foundation day celebrated on Utkal Divas.
Director-general of police Y B Khurania stated the honour recognises the force’s exceptional service, professionalism and achievements.
Additional director-general (headquarters) Prateek Mohanty noted the award is given for maintaining law and order, crime prevention, bravery, discipline and milestones including anti-Maoist operations.

Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 to retain IPS dominance in CAPF leadership (End of March) ▼

The Union Cabinet cleared the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 on 11 March 2026 to retain IPS officers on deputation in five CAPFs: BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
The Bill mandates 50% of Inspector General posts to be filled by IPS deputation, minimum 67% of Additional Director General posts by IPS deputation, and Special DG and DG posts exclusively by IPS deputation.
It empowers the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to override any court judgment and frame recruitment, promotion and deputation rules for CAPF Group A officers.
The Supreme Court on 23 May 2025 had ordered progressive reduction of IPS deputations in DIG and IG ranks within two years, citing stagnation and morale loss among CAPF officers.
Retired CAPF officers oppose the Bill, alleging career stagnation, non-implementation of non-functional upgradation since 2006, and exclusion of Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) oversight.

Beating Retreat Ceremony 2026 held on January 29 (End of January) ▼

The Beating Retreat ceremony was held at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi on January 29, 2026.
The ceremony marks the formal conclusion of the Republic Day celebrations.
The event featured performances by the bands of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that the ceremony commenced at 5:00 pm.
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi stated that the event showcases the discipline, traditions, and valour of the armed forces.

India showcases battle formations in first Republic Day parade after Operation Sindoor (End of January) ▼

India will display military assets in phased battle array format, starting with reconnaissance platforms and ending with the debut of the Bhairav light commando battalion.
Surveillance platforms will be showcased first in high mobility reconnaissance vehicles equipped with drones and anti-tank missiles.
Aerial display will include Apache and Light Combat Helicopter Prachand helicopters.
Armoured columns will feature T-90, Main Battle Tank Arjun, BMP-II, and NAMIS-II Nag Missile System.
Animal contingent will include Zanskar ponies, Bactrian camels, and dogs with handlers.
Flypast will showcase Rafale, Su-30, P8I, C-295, MiG-29, Apache, LCH, ALH, and Mi-17 in different formations.

NITI Aayog releases report on women’s credit market in New Delhi

[NITI Aayog]

Key Updates:

NITI Aayog released the second edition of its report “From Borrowers to Builders: Women and India’s Evolving Credit Market” on 7 April 2026 in New Delhi.
The report was prepared by TransUnion CIBIL and MicroSave Consulting (MSC) under the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP).
Women borrowers hold ₹76 lakh crore credit portfolio, accounting for 26% of total system credit.
Credit exposure of women expanded 4.8 times since 2017.
Number of credit-active women borrowers grew at a CAGR of 9% between December 2017 and December 2025.
Credit penetration among women increased from 19% to 36% during the same period.
Total credit outstanding to women rose from ₹16 lakh crore in 2017 to ₹76 lakh crore in 2025.
Credit to women business borrowers registered a CAGR of 31% between 2022 and 2025.
19% of active Microfinance Institution (MFI) borrowers now hold individual retail or commercial loans.
Northern states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh show increased growth in women’s credit access alongside southern and western states.
The report analysed longitudinal credit bureau data of approximately 16 crore credit-active women and primary research with 161 rural women nano-entrepreneurs.

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Bank of Baroda (BoB) launches first UPI-based ₹5,000 overdraft facility for women SHG members. (End of March) ▼

Bank of Baroda (BoB) is the first bank in India to offer an Overdraft Facility on Credit Line via UPI for verified women Self-Help Group (SHG) members holding Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts.
The facility was unveiled at the 25th Central Level Coordination Committee (CLCC) meeting in Hyderabad.
Eligible members receive ₹5,000 overdraft credit accessible through bob इ Pay or any UPI-enabled app.
The initiative partners with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).
Users can link OD accounts for merchant QR payments, balance checks, transaction tracking, and digital repayment without branch visits.

State Bank of India (SBI) launches $500 million syndicated social loan for women empowerment (Start of March) ▼

State Bank of India (SBI) announced a $500 million syndicated social term loan facility focused exclusively on women’s economic empowerment.
The facility includes a greenshoe option and was launched ahead of International Women’s Day.
SBI stated the transaction supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: Achieve Gender Equality and Empower all Women and Girls.
SBI Chairman C S Setty said the loan reflects the bank’s commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and creating opportunities for women.
SBI noted the facility is expected to become the largest gender-themed loan globally by an Indian financial institution.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) approves $300 million loan to IIFL Home Finance for women-focused affordable housing. (Start of March) ▼

IIFL Home Finance Limited signed a $300 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The loan targets women in low-income communities in peri-urban and urban areas and lagging states of India.
Over 25% of the loan proceeds are earmarked for green-certified affordable homes.
The financing package includes $150 million from ADB and $150 million in parallel loans from MUFG, Emirates Bank, Sampath Bank, and Hatton National Bank.
This marks IIFL Home Finance’s first syndicated external commercial borrowing.

L&T Finance Ltd (LTF) launches Spoorthi to extend specialised Home Loan and Loan Against Property to women entrepreneurs. (Start of March) ▼

L&T Finance Ltd (LTF) announced Spoorthi on Women’s Day to provide Home Loans and Loan Against Property (LAP) for business expansion and working capital to women entrepreneurs.
Spoorthi offers extended tenors up to 25 years for Home Loans and LAP, and up to 12 years for Industrial LAP.
The programme provides enhanced eligibility norms, higher debt-to-income ratios, lower interest rates, and relaxed business vintage requirements.
Initial rollout covers Mumbai MMR, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.
Woman borrower must hold at least 50% stake in the business and contribute minimum 50% of total appraised income when clubbed with other borrowers.
Business must show annual cash profit of at least Rs. 5 Lakhs as per latest Income Tax Return (ITR) and no net loss in the last two years.
For loans up to Rs. 75 Lakhs, the minimum business vintage requirement is reduced to two years.