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Monday, May 11

Daily Current Affairs: 11 May 2026

Analysis for 11 May 2026

US Department of Labour (DOL) proposes 30 per cent increase in minimum wages for H1B workers

Key Updates:

  • The US Department of Labour (DOL) proposed a rule on March 27 to increase minimum wages for H1B visa program employees by 30 per cent over previously fixed limits.
  • The proposed rule is titled 'Improving Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Foreign Nationals in the United States'.
  • The DOL seeks to increase the prevailing wage for entry-level workers from USD 73,279 to USD 97,746, representing a hike of 33.39 per cent.
  • The proposed changes will affect the H1B, H1B1, E-3, and PERM labour certification programmes.
  • A presidential order issued on September 19, 2025, had previously imposed a USD 100,000 fee for H-1B candidates located outside the US.

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Uttar Pradesh hikes interim minimum wages by up to 21% effective April 1, 2026 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Uttar Pradesh government announced an interim increase in minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers effective April 1, 2026.
  • Workers in Noida and Ghaziabad districts will receive the highest hike of 21%.
  • Workers in other municipal corporation districts will see a wage rise of nearly 15%.
  • Workers in remaining districts of Uttar Pradesh will receive a wage increase of 9.21%.
  • The government clarified that rumours of a Rs 20,000 statewide minimum wage are baseless.
United States Lawmakers Introduce Keep Innovators in America Act on 23 March 2026 (End of March) ▼
  • United States (US) lawmakers introduced the Keep Innovators in America Act to formally codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme into law.
  • The bipartisan bill was introduced by US Representatives Sam Liccardo, Jay Obernolte, and Raja Krishnamoorthi to provide statutory backing for the post-study work programme.
  • The OPT programme currently allows international students on F-1 visas to work in the US for 12 months, while Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates are eligible for a two-year extension.
  • According to the Open Doors survey for 2024-25, a total of 3,63,019 Indian students were enrolled in US institutions.
  • Participation in the OPT programme among Indian students surged to approximately 1,43,740, making them the largest cohort of international students in the US.
  • The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) stated that international students contribute more than $40 billion annually to the US economy and support hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief Hike: 2% Increase for Central Government Employees and Pensioners (End of April) ▼
  • The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from 1 January 2026.
  • The DA rate has been raised from 58% to 60% of basic pay.
  • The hike benefits approximately 50.46 lakh central government employees and 68.27 lakh pensioners.
  • The annual financial implication on the exchequer is estimated at ₹6,791.24 crore.
  • The revision is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
  • DA and DR are revised twice annually, on 1 January and 1 July, based on the All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers published by the Labour Bureau.
  • The December 2025 index data showed a 12-month average of 145.54 points, resulting in a calculated DA rate of 60.33%, rounded down to 60%.
  • The decision was announced by the Ministry of Finance (MoF).

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report reveals non-tariff measures impose higher trade costs than tariffs for 88% of countries.

Key Updates:

  • UNCTAD's May 2026 report titled 'Invisible Barriers: The Costs of Non-Tariff Measures' finds that non-tariff measures (NTMs) now generate higher export costs than tariffs for 88% of countries globally.
  • Developing economies face a 'double burden' as global tariffs on exports rose by 16% for developing countries and 18% for least developed countries (LDCs) in 2025.
  • Improving transparency around trade regulations could reduce trade costs linked to non-tariff barriers by nearly 19%, according to the report.
  • LDCs lose around 10% of their exports to G20 markets due to inability to comply with NTMs, and they accounted for only 1.1% of world exports in 2024.
  • Stronger international regulatory cooperation could lower NTM-related trade costs by 15% to 30%, as estimated by UNCTAD.

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US Department of Commerce (DOC) imposes 123.04% anti-dumping duty on Indian solar imports (End of April) ▼
  • The US Department of Commerce (DOC) has announced a preliminary anti-dumping duty of 123.04% on solar cells and modules from India.
  • The DOC identified critical circumstances for imports from companies including Mundra Solar Energy, Mundra Solar PV, Kowa, and Premier Energies.
  • The suspension of liquidation will apply to shipments entered for consumption up to 90 days prior to the publication of the order.
  • The combined tariff burden on Indian supplies exceeds 200%, which includes existing countervailing duties of over 125%.
  • The National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) and the Indian Solar Manufacturers Association (ISMA) have initiated processes to contest the findings.
US Commerce Department imposes preliminary antidumping duties on solar imports from India, Indonesia and Laos (End of April) ▼
  • The US Commerce Department announced preliminary antidumping duties on solar cells and panels imported from India, Indonesia and Laos.
  • The preliminary duty rates, known as dumping margins, are 123.04 per cent for India, 35.17 per cent for Indonesia, and 22.46 per cent for Laos.
  • India, Indonesia and Laos accounted for $4.5 billion in US solar imports last year, representing approximately two-thirds of the total.
  • The petition for these duties was filed by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, which includes First Solar, Qcells, Talon PV and Mission Solar.
  • The US Commerce Department will announce final decisions for solar cells from India and Indonesia on or around July 13, and for imports from Laos on or around September 9.
  • Preliminary countervailing duties were announced for India, Indonesia and Laos in February.
World Trade Organization (WTO) Members Negotiate Extension of E-commerce Tariff Moratorium in Cameroon (End of March) ▼
  • The World Trade Organization (WTO) is holding a ministerial meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, to discuss the extension of the global moratorium on e-commerce tariffs.
  • The moratorium, which prohibits customs duties on electronic transmissions such as digital downloads and streaming, is due to expire this month.
  • India signalled a potential shift in its position by suggesting a two-year prolongation of the e-commerce moratorium.
  • The United States (US) Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Washington seeks a permanent extension of the ban rather than a temporary one.
  • The e-commerce moratorium has been maintained through temporary extensions for nearly 30 years to provide regulatory predictability for global businesses.
  • India reiterated its opposition to incorporating plurilateral agreements into the WTO rulebook, citing concerns over the erosion of the organisation's foundational principles.
  • A group of 66 WTO members agreed to implement a separate baseline on digital trade rules among consenting participants, bypassing traditional adoption hurdles.
  • The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and US officials highlighted that bilateral and plurilateral deals are essential for reforming the WTO system.
US President Trump signs 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of Trade Act 1974 effective 24 Feb. (End of February) ▼
  • US President Donald Trump signed a 10% global tariff order under Section 122 of the Trade Act 1974, effective 12:01 a.m. ET on 24 February.
  • The new levy applies for up to 150 days and requires Congressional approval for extension.
  • The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled 6–3 that Trump exceeded authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based import tariffs.
  • The IEEPA tariffs of 10% to 50% were declared illegal as the 1977 statute does not explicitly authorise duties.
  • Twelve US states—Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Vermont—joined legal challenges against the IEEPA tariffs.
  • The Congressional Budget Office estimated maintaining the tariffs could have an economic impact of roughly $3 trillion over the next decade.

State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) Clears ₹2,200 Crore Royal Enfield (RE) Investment in Andhra Pradesh

Key Updates:

  • RE, a brand under Eicher Motors Ltd (EML), will invest ₹2,200 crore in two phases, with completion targets of 2029 and 2032, to establish a manufacturing facility and vendor park in Andhra Pradesh.
  • The project marks the first manufacturing expansion for RE outside Tamil Nadu since the brand commenced its operations in the state in 1955.
  • The facility, spanning 276 acres in Vanelluru and Rallakuppam villages of Satyavedu in Tirupati district, aims to increase RE's annual capacity by 900,000 motorcycles from the current 1.46 million units.
  • The SIPB cleared the proposal which is estimated to create 5,000 jobs, supporting RE's 88% domestic market share in the mid-size motorcycle segment.
  • Tamil Nadu recorded the highest real Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate among Indian states in FY25 at approximately 11.19%.

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India inaugurates first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Karnataka (Mid of February) ▼
  • India’s first private sector helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) was inaugurated at Vemagal in the Kolar district of Karnataka.
  • The facility is a partnership between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and the European aerospace major Airbus to manufacture H125 helicopters.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated the facility, which was originally announced during the 2024 Republic Day celebrations.
  • The plant will produce the civilian H125 helicopter and the military H125M version, which is intended to succeed the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters used by the Indian armed forces.
  • The facility has an initial annual production capacity of 10 helicopters, with the first made-in-India delivery expected in early 2027.
  • Helicopters manufactured at the Vemagal site will be compliant with standards set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
  • Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus also operate a separate FAL for the C295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • The project aims to serve the Indian market and the broader South Asia region, including Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
  • The H125M variant is designed for high-altitude logistics, tactical reconnaissance, surveillance, and medical evacuation operations.
  • The collaboration builds on a 60-year industrial relationship between Airbus and the government undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL).
Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) Lays Foundation for World's First Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding Centre in Andhra Pradesh (Mid of March) ▼
  • Sagar Defence Engineering (SDE) laid the foundation stone for the world's first Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre at Juvvaladinne fishing harbour in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Government of Andhra Pradesh authorised the allocation of 29.58 acres of land for the project to enable direct sea access for vessel construction, testing, and deployment.
  • The centre will focus on developing platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and intelligent navigation systems.
  • The facility will deploy digital twin technology to create virtual replicas of vessels and shipyard infrastructure for performance simulation and design optimisation.
  • Manufacturing operations will include robotic fabrication systems for automated welding, cutting, painting, and assembly.
  • The shipyard will utilise Autonomous Material Handling (AMH) systems, including robots and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), to transport components.
  • The facility will employ additive manufacturing (3D printing) for the rapid production of specialised maritime components and spare parts.
  • The initiative aims to support smart fishing fleet networks by providing real-time fish location maps and weather alerts through satellite and cloud-based systems.
Brazil's Embraer and India's Mahindra Group deepen partnership to develop C-390 MRO capabilities in India (End of February) ▼
  • Embraer and Mahindra Group announced plans to develop Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capabilities in India for the C-390 Millennium aircraft.
  • The MRO facility is contingent on the C-390 Millennium's selection for the Indian Air Force's Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program.
  • The collaboration builds on a strategic partnership formed in October 2025 to produce the C-390 Millennium in India.
  • The initiative supports the Indian Air Force's MTA program and aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative.
  • The MRO facility will provide base and heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component overhaul, avionics support, and training.
  • Embraer is exploring India as a regional MRO hub for other C-390 operators.
  • The C-390 Millennium has a payload capacity of up to 26 tons and a mission completion rate above 99%.
  • Embraer has nearly 50 aircraft of 11 types operating in India across commercial, defense, and business aviation.
Seven High-Speed Rail Corridors Project and ₹16 Lakh Crore Investment (Start of February) ▼
  • The Government of India announced seven new high-speed rail corridors: Mumbai-Pune, Pune-Hyderabad, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai, Chennai-Bengaluru, Delhi-Varanasi, and Varanasi-Siliguri.
  • The new corridors will span approximately 4,000 km and involve an estimated investment of ₹16 lakh crore.
  • The Ministry of Railways (MoR) will utilise indigenous technologies for the development of track works, slabs, viaducts, signalling systems, and overhead electricals.
  • Future Bullet trains for these corridors will be manufactured in India by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).
  • The MoR is currently manufacturing 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains and plans to implement 52 commodity-wise reforms in the freight sector this year.
  • An East-West dedicated freight corridor is being planned to connect industrial hubs in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha to ports on the East and West coasts.
  • The propulsion systems for these trains, including converters, inverters, and motors, are already being manufactured in India and exported to Europe and the United States.

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) System and Mandatory e-KYC for Ration

Key Updates:

  • The Department of Civil Supplies has directed beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) to complete mandatory e-KYC registration for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) system.
  • The CBDC system was introduced in the Union Territory of Puducherry on 26 February 2026, replacing the previous Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) - Cash model.
  • Under the new scheme, beneficiaries are issued a digital currency (e-wallet) that remains valid for a period of three months from the date of issuance.
  • Beneficiaries must visit the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) with their Aadhaar and Ration cards to complete the e-KYC process free of cost.
  • The digital currency provided through the e-wallet is specifically intended for purchasing ration, such as rice, within the three-month validity period.

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CBDC-Based Food Subsidy Pilot under PMGKAY launched in Puducherry (End of February) ▼
  • The Government of India will launch a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Food Subsidy Distribution Pilot under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Puducherry on 26 February 2026.
  • Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the pilot.
  • Eligible PMGKAY beneficiaries will receive food subsidy as programmable CBDC tokens credited directly to their CBDC wallets issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
  • The tokens will be redeemable exclusively for entitled foodgrains and usable only at authorised Fair Price Shops (FPS) and designated merchants.
  • The pilot integrates the RBI-issued Digital Rupee into the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) framework to create a secure, instant, traceable and programmable subsidy distribution mechanism.
  • Implementing partners include the Government of Puducherry, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Canara Bank as the designated banking partner.
  • Following the Puducherry rollout, the pilot will be expanded in a phased manner to additional beneficiaries and other Union Territories based on performance and outcomes.
Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) Scheme: Deferred Customs Duty Payment Facility (Start of March) ▼
  • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) introduced the trust-based Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) scheme effective 1 April 2026.
  • Online applications for the EMI scheme open from 1 March 2026 and the facility runs through 31 March 2028.
  • Approved EMIs can clear imported goods without paying customs duty at clearance and pay the duty monthly under the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016.
  • Applicant must be a manufacturer-importer with valid IEC, active GST registration, minimum 25 export-import documents filed in previous FY, and annual turnover above ₹5 crore.
  • Entity must have conducted business for at least two financial years, filed all pending GST return-3B forms, and show positive net worth for last two years certified by a chartered accountant.
  • Customs commissioners will monitor usage through ICES dashboards and can suspend or revoke approval if eligibility conditions are breached.
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.
Amit Shah launches CBDC-enabled PDS in Gujarat to digitise ration distribution. (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-enabled Public Distribution System (PDS) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
  • Shah stated that India now accounts for half of the world’s digital transactions.
  • The new system aims to make ration distribution more transparent and efficient.

DHruva and DigiPIN: Digital Address System for Improved Postal Delivery

Key Updates:

  • The Department of Posts (DoP) has completed the first trial of the Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address (DHruva).
  • The pilot project for DHruva was conducted across five states with approximately 30 users utilizing speed post services.
  • The system incorporates the Digital Postal Index Number (DigiPIN), which identifies exact locations using grid squares measuring 4 metres by 4 metres.
  • Each location under the DigiPIN system is assigned a unique 10-character alphanumeric code.
  • A nationwide rollout of the digital address system is expected within approximately one-and-a-half years.

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DTDC Express and India Post sign MoU to expand logistics reach to 9,000 pin codes (Start of May) ▼
  • DTDC Express and India Post (Department of Posts) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 27 in New Delhi.
  • The MoU was signed by Neeraj Kumar Jha, General Manager, Parcel Directorate, Department of Posts, and Abhishek Chakraborty, CEO of DTDC Express Ltd.
  • The partnership is operational across 21 states and has expanded service coverage to over 9,000 additional pin codes.
  • The collaboration aims to strengthen delivery services and improve last-mile connectivity in rural areas and small towns.
India and Bhutan sign MoU on Postal Cooperation during 19-22 March 2026 visit (End of March) ▼
  • Secretary (Posts), Ministry of Communications, Government of India and Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal Government of Bhutan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Postal Cooperation on 19-22 March 2026.
  • The MoU provides a structured framework for collaboration between India Post and Bhutan Post in postal operations, technology development, capacity building, logistics connectivity, philately, and knowledge exchange.
  • The UPU-UPI cross-border remittance initiative will be launched to integrate the Universal Postal Union (UPU) PosTransfer system with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for affordable remittance services between India and Bhutan.
  • Bhutanese postal officials will attend training programmes in India at the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy and other Department of Posts training centres.
  • India and Bhutan agreed to share experience on digital postal systems and the Digital Address Code for improved logistics and service delivery.
  • Bhutan Post was invited to participate in philatelic exhibitions organised in India to continue cultural exchange.

One-Time Traffic Challan Settlement Scheme 2026: Reduced Payment for Pending Challans in Bihar

Key Updates:

  • The Bihar government introduced the One-Time Traffic Challan Settlement Scheme, 2026 to dispose of pending traffic challan matters with a reduced amount.
  • The settlement of challans under this scheme will be conducted during the National Lok Adalat on May 9, 2026.
  • The Patna High Court directed that payments for the settlement must be made through online deposit facilities, prohibiting the use of cash.
  • The Transport Department is required to notify registered vehicle owners about the reduced challan amounts and event details via mobile phones or contact numbers.
  • The Bihar State Legal Services Authority (BSLSA) suggested the establishment of help and coordination desks to verify documents including registration certificates, driving licenses, and challan notices.

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Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system launched for barrier-less collection on NH-48 (Start of May) ▼
  • Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Nitin Gadkari launched India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system on 1 May 2026.
  • The system is implemented at the Chorayasi toll plaza on the Surat–Bharuch stretch of National Highway 48 (NH-48) in Gujarat.
  • The MLFF technology utilises Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and FASTag-based radio frequency identification to collect tolls without requiring vehicles to stop.
  • High-performance sensors read FASTag data and vehicle registration numbers to allow uninterrupted traffic flow and reduce travel time at toll points.
  • The initiative aims to modernise national highway infrastructure, improve fuel efficiency, and lower vehicle emissions by removing physical barriers at toll plazas.
Bihar Cabinet approves $500 million World Bank loan for urban economic zones (Start of May) ▼
  • The Bihar Cabinet approved an in-principle proposal to secure a $500 million (Rs 4,700 crore) loan from the World Bank to strengthen urban centres and promote integrated urban economic zones.
  • E-voting for the 2026 municipal elections was cleared to facilitate remote voting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, those with serious illnesses, and voters residing away from their registration place.
  • The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Hyderabad, was selected as the implementing agency for e-voting at an estimated cost of Rs 31.45 lakh.
  • The Cabinet approved structured AI-governance training for members of both Houses of the state legislature and government officials under the Bihar Finance (Amendment) Rules, 2024.
  • Multiple erosion control projects along the Ganga river were cleared with a combined outlay of over Rs 174 crore.
  • Land allotments were approved for Kendriya Vidyalayas in Arwal and Sheikhpura districts.
  • Eighteen non-gazetted posts were created for additional courts in Darbhanga and Madhubani to ensure faster disposal of cases under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.
  • A proposal was approved enabling state government employees and pensioners to avail advance salary, pension, and loans through banks and financial institutions.
Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system: reduces travel time and decongests highways (Start of May) ▼
  • The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) operationalised India's first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) barrier-less tolling system at the Choryasi toll plaza on the Surat–Bharuch section of NH-48 in Gujarat on May 1, 2026.
  • The MLFF system uses high-performance Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to read FASTag and Vehicle Registration Number, removing the need for boom barriers and vehicles to stop for toll collection.
  • The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued new National Highway Fee rules for unpaid user fees: commuters must pay double the applicable toll amount, but if paid within 72 hours, only the original fee applies; an e-notice with vehicle details is issued, and a grievance redressal mechanism allows challenging the e-notice within 72 hours.
  • Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL) has awarded MLFF contracts for toll plazas at Gharaunda (Haryana), Boariach (Gujarat), Daulatpura, Manoharpura, Shahjahanpur (Rajasthan), Mundaka (Delhi), Nemili, Chenasamudram, Paranur (Tamil Nadu), Kasepalli, Amakathadu, Marur (Andhra Pradesh), Chalakwadi, Hiwargaon Pavsa (Maharashtra), and Badarpur Faridabad (Haryana); bids have been invited for an additional 108 fee plazas.
  • According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, the MLFF is projected to be implemented across all four-lane and above national highways and expressways by March 2029.
Bihar Surrender-cum-Rehabilitation Scheme incentivises Maoist Suresh Koda with ₹11.71 lakh package (End of February) ▼
  • Under Bihar’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation scheme, Suresh Koda will receive ₹3 lakh as the declared reward, ₹5 lakh as incentive assistance, and ₹3.6 lakh as vocational training allowance spread over 36 months.
  • An additional ₹71,515 will be paid to Koda as incentive for the surrendered weapons and ammunition.
  • The state government is processing further benefits under the rehabilitation policy for Koda and his family.

Election Commission of India (ECI) Lifts Model Code of Conduct (MCC) Following 2026 Assembly Elections

Key Updates:

  • The ECI announced the lifting of the MCC across Assam, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and the Union Territory (UT) of Puducherry.
  • The MCC ceased to be in operation following the declaration of results for the 2026 General Election to the Legislative Assemblies by the respective Returning Officers.
  • The MCC was also lifted for by-elections held in the Assembly Constituencies of Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.
  • The MCC remains in force in the 144-Falta Assembly Constituency in West Bengal, where fresh voting is scheduled for 21 May 2026 and counting for 24 May 2026.
  • The ECI ordered fresh polling for all 285 polling stations in Falta due to severe electoral offences and subversion of the democratic process on 29 April 2026.

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Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) Scheme: Deferred Customs Duty Payment Facility (Start of March) ▼
  • Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) introduced the trust-based Eligible Manufacturer Importer (EMI) scheme effective 1 April 2026.
  • Online applications for the EMI scheme open from 1 March 2026 and the facility runs through 31 March 2028.
  • Approved EMIs can clear imported goods without paying customs duty at clearance and pay the duty monthly under the Deferred Payment of Import Duty Rules, 2016.
  • Applicant must be a manufacturer-importer with valid IEC, active GST registration, minimum 25 export-import documents filed in previous FY, and annual turnover above ₹5 crore.
  • Entity must have conducted business for at least two financial years, filed all pending GST return-3B forms, and show positive net worth for last two years certified by a chartered accountant.
  • Customs commissioners will monitor usage through ICES dashboards and can suspend or revoke approval if eligibility conditions are breached.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) relaxes CAFE-3 emission slopes, steering automakers toward EVs and hybrids (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) circulated an updated CAFE-3 draft on 8 April, covering 2027-32 and relaxing the permissible emission slope to 0.00158 for 2027-28 and 0.00131 for 2031-32.
  • The relaxed slope grants small cars an 11-13 g per km emission benefit while tightening the target by 10-12 g per km for larger cars.
  • Automakers selling higher-emission vehicles will face financial penalties, whereas credits from EVs and strong hybrids can offset these penalties.
  • Manufacturers must comply within a three-plus-two year block period—three years (2027-28 to 2029-30) and two years (2030-31 and 2031-32)—with credits or debits carried forward within each block.
  • Penalties for non-compliance will be assessed at the end of each block and paid into the Central Energy Conservation Fund, of which 90% will be redistributed to states proportional to vehicle sales and 10% retained by the Centre.
Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviews 175 inspections for air pollution abatement in National Capital Region (NCR) (Start of April) ▼
  • The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Enforcement Task Force (ETF) reviewed 175 inspections and enforcement actions conducted in the National Capital Region (NCR) between 14 March and 26 March.
  • The 128th meeting of the ETF resulted in proposed closures for 10 units and the sealing of diesel generator sets for 27 units.
  • Show Cause Notices (SCNs) were issued to eight units, and Environmental Compensation (EC) was proposed for one unit for violating environmental norms.
  • The inspections included 114 diesel generator set violations, 37 industrial sector units, and 23 construction and demolition sites.
  • Sectoral enforcement in 16 zones across Meerut and Faridabad revealed 140 violations, leading to directions for corrective actions by municipal bodies.
Chhattisgarh Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Implementation and Property Fee Concession for Women (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Chhattisgarh government approved the proposal to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to ensure legal uniformity and empowerment of women.
  • A high-level committee headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai has been constituted to prepare the draft framework for the UCC.
  • The UCC seeks to replace religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and family matters with a simplified legal structure.
  • The state cabinet announced a 50 percent concession in property registration fees for assets registered in the name of women.
  • The property registration fee concession is estimated to result in a revenue impact of approximately ₹153 crore to the state exchequer.
  • Uttarakhand was the first state to implement the UCC in 2024-25, while Goa follows the Portuguese Civil Code of 1867.
  • The UCC committee will consult citizens, legal experts, and stakeholders before placing the draft bill before the state Assembly.

Indian Coast Guard commissions ICGS Achal into North West fleet on May 9, 2026

Key Updates:

  • On May 9, 2026, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Achal was commissioned at Goa Shipyard Limited by Additional Secretary & DG (Acquisition) A. Anbarasu in the presence of senior officials.
  • ICGS Achal is an Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited with over 50 per cent indigenous components.
  • The 51-metre vessel is powered by two 3000 kW advanced diesel engines, achieving a top speed of 27 knots and an operational endurance of 1500 nautical miles.
  • It is armed with a 30 mm CRN-91 gun and two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns, and features an Integrated Bridge System and Integrated Machinery Control System.
  • The ship will be stationed at Vadinar, Gujarat, under Commander Coast Guard Region (North West), commanded by Commandant (JG) Naveen Kumar with a complement of 5 officers and 34 personnel.

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Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launches INS Shachi and delivers ICGS Achal in single-day milestone (Start of April) ▼
  • Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched INS Shachi (Yard 1280), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), for the Indian Navy.
  • GSL delivered Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Achal (Yard 1274) to the Indian Coast Guard on the same day.
  • INS Shachi incorporates around 76 percent indigenous components.
  • ICGS Achal has been built with over 65 percent indigenous content.
  • GSL has launched 14 vessels in the past 600 days, averaging one vessel every 40–43 days.
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launches INS Shachi and delivers ICGS Achal in single-day milestone (Start of April) ▼
  • Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) launched INS Shachi (Yard 1280), a Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), for the Indian Navy.
  • GSL delivered Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Achal (Yard 1274) to the Indian Coast Guard on the same day.
  • INS Shachi incorporates around 76 percent indigenous components.
  • ICGS Achal has been built with over 65 percent indigenous content.
  • Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti attended the launch ceremony of INS Shachi.
  • GSL has launched 14 vessels in the past 600 days, averaging one vessel every 40–43 days.
India inaugurates Waterjet Production and Testing Facility in Goa on 13 February 2026 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), DG Paramesh Sivamani, inaugurated the Waterjet Production and Testing Facility of Marine Jet Power (MJP) India in Goa.
  • India has become the third country globally, after the United States and South Korea, to host such a specialised production and testing capability.
  • The facility was commissioned under a Manufacturing and Transfer of Technology (ToT) framework to establish a domestic supply chain for waterjet propulsion systems.
  • The ICG currently operates over 100 MJP waterjet propulsion systems across its fleet, with 42 additional systems planned for ships under construction.
  • The new facility will serve as a regional hub for South Asia and adjoining regions while enhancing indigenous repair and overhaul capabilities.
  • DG ICG reviewed the progress of six indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at Chowgule and Company Private Limited.
  • The ACV project is India’s first indigenous programme of its kind, featuring approximately 50 per cent indigenous content with the first delivery scheduled for May 2026.

India and Suriname Review Bilateral Ties During 9th Joint Commission Meeting in Paramaribo on 7 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Suriname Foreign Minister Melvin Bouva co-chaired the 9th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in Paramaribo during a three-nation tour including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
  • A six-point roadmap was proposed focusing on people-to-people ties, development projects, defence cooperation, trade, tourism, and sharing India’s digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise.
  • India offered new lines of credit for priority projects and highlighted development cooperation such as a passion fruit processing unit under the India Caribbean Community (CARICOM) initiative.
  • EAM Jaishankar paid tribute at the Monument for the Fallen Heroes in Mariënburg, honouring those who lost their lives in the 1902 uprising against colonialism.
  • Suriname’s engagement with India includes participation in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), and the India United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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Chandrikapersad Santokhi, Suriname’s ex-President and investigator of 1982 political killings, dies at 67. (Start of April) ▼
  • Chandrikapersad Santokhi served as President of Suriname from 2020 to 2025.
  • He previously held the post of Minister of Justice and Police from 2005 to 2010.
  • As a police commissioner, Santokhi led the probe into the December 1982 killings of 15 political opponents.
  • He chaired the Progressive Reform Party from 2011 after Ramdien Sardjoe’s resignation.
  • Suriname’s economic stabilisation during his presidency was partly supported by an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
  • His austerity measures included phasing out fuel, water and electricity subsidies, triggering protests in February 2023.
  • Voters denied him a second term in the May 2025 general election.
India and Vietnam Review Defence Ties and Sign 13 Agreements in New Delhi on 6 May 2026 (Start of May) ▼
  • Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, in New Delhi on 6 May 2026.
  • The two nations signed 13 agreements to provide for deeper two-way engagement and reviewed the growing strategic trust under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  • Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in key areas including maritime security, defence industry collaboration, and joint research, co-development, and co-production.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to working with Vietnam under the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region (MAHASAGAR) vision.
  • Vietnam President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on his maiden visit to India during the high-level exchanges.
India and Brazil sign critical minerals and rare earths cooperation agreement in New Delhi (End of February) ▼
  • Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in New Delhi on Saturday.
  • Both leaders signed an agreement to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths.
  • The agreement aims to reduce India's dependence on China for these resources.
  • Brazil is the world's second-largest holder of critical minerals after China.
  • Nine additional agreements were signed, covering areas such as digital cooperation and health.
  • Modi stated that bilateral trade will be taken beyond $20 billion within five years.
  • In 2024, Indian exports to Brazil totalled $7.23 billion, with refined petroleum as the main export.
  • Brazilian exports to India in 2024 reached $5.38 billion, with raw sugar as the main export.
India and Seychelles Adopt SESEL Joint Vision and Announce USD 175 Million Economic Package (Mid of February) ▼
  • India and Seychelles adopted a comprehensive Joint Vision for Sustainability, Economic Growth and Security through Enhanced Linkages (SESEL) on 9 February 2026.
  • The visit of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie coincides with the 50th anniversary of Seychelles' Independence and 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
  • India announced a USD 175 million Special Economic Package for Seychelles, consisting of a USD 125 million Rupee-denominated Line of Credit and USD 50 million in grant assistance.
  • Seven Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed covering pharmacopoeial cooperation, meteorological collaboration, a Cultural Exchange Programme (2026-2030), digital transformation, maritime research, civil servant training, and food procurement.
  • India will provide a gratis refit for the patrol ship PS Zoraster and gift 10 ambulances, 10 utility vehicles, and five Laser Radial class boats to the Seychelles Defence Force.
  • The package includes the provision of 1,000 metric tonnes of grains and lentils and the establishment of a Seychelles Hydrographic Unit with Indian assistance.
  • Seychelles has decided to become a full member of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC).
  • President Patrick Herminie reaffirmed Seychelles' support for India's permanent membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
  • The partnership is framed under India's MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision for the Indian Ocean Region.
  • India will support Seychelles in building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and digitising governance systems, including digital payments and financial inclusion.

India conducts maiden test of nuclear-capable ICBM off Odisha coast on 9 May 2026

Key Updates:

  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the maiden test of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) off the coast of Odisha.
  • The Agni-6 missile possesses a strike range of over 10,000 km and utilizes Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.
  • The development of ICBM technology demonstrates mastery in re-entry technology, guidance systems, and complex rocket propulsion.
  • DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF) jointly conducted the first flight-trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation weapon off the Odisha coast.
  • The Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation weapon is an indigenous modular range extension kit used to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.

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India conducts second test of long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile off Odisha coast (Start of May) ▼
  • The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the second flight test of its long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile (LR-AShM) off the Odisha coast.
  • The missile has a strike range exceeding 1,500 km and attains speeds up to Mach 10, with an average speed of Mach 5 during its glide phase.
  • The second trial focused on validating the LR-AShM's two-stage hypersonic glide vehicle configuration.
  • The LR-AShM can carry multiple payloads and strike both stationary and moving targets using indigenously developed sensors for precision targeting.
  • The missile programme was developed by laboratories under the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad in collaboration with multiple DRDO labs and industry partners.
DRDO announces readiness for Agni VI ballistic missile and hypersonic glide missile programme on April 30, 2026 (Start of May) ▼
  • Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V Kamat confirmed that the Agni VI missile project is ready to begin once the Centre grants approval.
  • Agni VI is a proposed next-generation, nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range of 6,000–10,000 km and advanced MIRV technology.
  • DRDO is making strong progress on the hypersonic glide missile (LR AShM) and initial trials are expected soon.
  • DRDO is working on two hypersonic programmes: the Hypersonic Glide Missile and the Hypersonic Cruise Missile.
  • The Pralay short-range ballistic missile system is in its final testing stages and could join the armed forces soon.
Pakistan Navy test-fires 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile on April 21, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • The Pakistan Navy successfully test-fired the indigenously developed 'Taimoor' air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) on April 21, 2026.
  • The Taimoor ALCM is an anti-ship weapon system capable of striking land and sea targets at ranges of up to 600 km.
  • The test was conducted under the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
  • The Pakistan Navy conducted a live weapon firing of a homegrown ship-launched anti-ship missile on April 16.
  • In January, the Pakistan Navy fired a surface-to-air missile during a comprehensive exercise in the north Arabian Sea.
  • India's BrahMos cruise missile has a speed of Mach 2.8–3 and a strike range of 450-800 km.
  • The BrahMos can carry a 200–300 kg warhead and can be launched from land, ships, submarines, and Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
  • On May 10, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) used the Barak-8 missile system to intercept and destroy a Pakistani ballistic missile targeting Delhi.
  • Air Commodore Rohit Kapil of the IAF 45 Wing was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for leading the Barak-8 interception operation.
India plans multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges (Start of May) ▼
  • The announcement was made by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0 in New Delhi on 30 April 2026.
  • Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Samir V Kamat, confirmed that the proposed missile force will include ballistic missiles for short, medium and extended ranges, complemented by cruise missiles and hypersonic systems.
  • The Pralay short-range ballistic missile has reached final testing stages and is expected to be operational shortly, according to DRDO.
  • India is developing two hypersonic programmes: a glide missile (nearest initial trials) and a cruise missile with a scramjet engine (awaiting formal approval).
  • DRDO achieved a milestone by sustaining scramjet propulsion for over 1,000 seconds; converting this technology into an operational missile system would require approximately five years.

China Confirms On-Site Technical Support to Pakistan During Operation Sindoor

Key Updates:

  • China confirmed providing on-site technical support to Pakistan during a four-day conflict with India known as Operation Sindoor.
  • Technical support was provided by Zhang Heng, an engineer from the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Chengdu Aircraft Design and Research Institute.
  • The Pakistan air force operates a fleet of J-10CE jets produced by an AVIC subsidiary.
  • Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt General Rahul R Singh asserted that China used satellites to monitor Indian military deployment during the conflict.
  • Reports indicate that China plans to sell the J-35 stealth bomber to Pakistan.

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Pakistan puts $1.5 billion weapons sale to Sudan on hold following Saudi Arabia objection (End of April) ▼
  • Pakistan has suspended a $1.5 billion agreement to supply weapons and jets to Sudan.
  • The deal was put on hold after Saudi Arabia requested its termination and declined to finance the purchase.
  • The conflict in Sudan involves the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
  • Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defence pact last year, treating aggression against either nation as an attack on both.
  • A separate $4 billion deal between Pakistan and the Libyan National Army is also reportedly in jeopardy.
Government of India sets 60-day FDI clearance for 40 sub-sectors from land-bordering nations (Start of May) ▼
  • The Government of India has established a 60-day timeline to process and decide Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals from countries sharing land borders, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
  • The expedited clearance applies to 40 sub-sectors under six broad categories: capital goods manufacturing, electronic capital goods and electronic component manufacturing, polysilicon wafers, advanced battery components, rare earth permanent magnets, and rare earth processing.
  • Specific sub-sectors identified for fast-track approval include insulation items, castings and forgings for power plants, machine tools, display components (plasma, polymer, LCD, LED), camera modules, electronic capacitors, speakers and microphones for ICT products, Li-ion batteries, wearables, and rare earth metal facilities.
  • A mandatory condition for these proposals is that the majority shareholding and control of the investee entity must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned and controlled entities at all times.
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) mandated that Indian investee firms must report investment details prior to inward remittance under the Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019, for access by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Pakistan and China sign three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on 27 April 26 (End of April) ▼
  • Three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between institutions from Pakistan and China during a ceremony held in Changsha.
  • The ceremony was attended by Asif Ali Zardari.
  • The Sindh Local Government Department and Loxin Environmental Technology Group signed an MoU to collaborate on a seawater desalination project to increase urban water supply.
  • An agreement to enhance cooperation in agricultural technology was signed between the Sindh Local Government Department and Longping High-Tech Information Company.
  • An MoU to support the development of the tea industry and strengthen economic, trade, and people-to-people ties was signed between Muske and Femte Trading Company, Hunan Tea Group, and Jialong International Technology Hainan.
China launches Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 (Start of May) ▼
  • China launched the Pakistani satellite PRSC-EO3 from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in Shanxi Province.
  • The satellite was launched using a Long March-6 carrier rocket.
  • PRSC-EO3 is the fourth Pakistani satellite launched by China since last year.
  • Two Pakistani nationals arrived in Beijing on April 24 for training at the Astronaut Centre of China.
  • The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) announced that one of the trainees will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut to board the Tiangong space station.

India and Australia hold 10th Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi on May 8

Key Updates:

  • The 10th Australia-India Defence Policy Talks were held in New Delhi on May 8, led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad for India and First Assistant Secretary Bernard Philip for Australia.
  • The Ministry of Defence (MoD) noted the establishment of the annual Australia-India Defence Ministers' Dialogue in 2025.
  • India will make its inaugural participation in Exercise Talisman Sabre and Exercise Puk Puk in 2025.
  • Both nations reaffirmed maritime collaboration through multilateral engagements including Exercise Milan and Exercise Kakadu.
  • Defence industrial cooperation initiatives include the first Australia-India Defence Industry Roundtable in Sydney in 2025 and a strategic roundtable held during the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

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India and Vietnam Review Defence Ties and Sign 13 Agreements in New Delhi on 6 May 2026 (Start of May) ▼
  • Union Minister for Defence Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang, in New Delhi on 6 May 2026.
  • The two nations signed 13 agreements to provide for deeper two-way engagement and reviewed the growing strategic trust under the India-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  • Discussions focused on expanding cooperation in key areas including maritime security, defence industry collaboration, and joint research, co-development, and co-production.
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India’s commitment to working with Vietnam under the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth for All in the Region (MAHASAGAR) vision.
  • Vietnam President To Lam was accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on his maiden visit to India during the high-level exchanges.
India Unveils Defence Forces Vision 2047 Roadmap for Future-Ready Military (Mid of March) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the document titled Defence Forces Vision 2047: A Roadmap for a Future-Ready Indian Military in New Delhi on Tuesday.
  • The roadmap envisages the transformation of the military into an integrated, multi-domain, and agile force capable of deterring adversaries and responding to conflicts.
  • The vision document was released eight months after a military conflict between India and Pakistan that occurred from May 7 to 10.
  • A central pillar of the vision is the emphasis on jointness and synergy among the services to promote coordination in planning, operations, and capability development.
  • The plan prioritises Aatmanirbharta in defence by promoting the development of indigenous technologies and strengthening domestic defence manufacturing.
  • The roadmap outlines prioritised capability goals across short-, medium-, and long-term timelines to build a world-class defence force by India’s independence centenary.
  • The document advocates for a whole-of-nation approach that integrates military strength with diplomatic, technological, and economic power to safeguard national interests.
  • The vision aims to contribute to the goal of a strong and resilient Viksit Bharat by establishing a technologically advanced and combat-ready military.
India and South Korea conduct 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue in Seoul (Mid of February) ▼
  • The 6th Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) between India and South Korea was held in Seoul.
  • The dialogue was co-chaired by P. Kumaran, Secretary (East) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Park Yoon-joo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Korea.
  • Both nations reviewed bilateral relations including security and defence cooperation, science and technology collaboration, and economic issues.
  • The two sides agreed to work towards enhancing their Special Strategic Partnership and reaffirmed commitments to global cooperation.
  • The engagement followed parliamentary talks between the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and South Korean legislators to reinforce strategic ties.
India and Greece sign Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation (Start of February) ▼
  • India and Greece signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.
  • The agreement was signed after bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Greek counterpart Nikolaos-Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre.
  • The declaration will pave the way for developing a five-year roadmap for India-Greece defence partnership.
  • Greece will position an International Liaison Officer at the Information Fusion Center-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), Gurugram, to enhance maritime cooperation.
  • A Bilateral Military Cooperation Plan for 2026 was exchanged to chart military engagements between the armed forces of both countries.
  • Both ministers reaffirmed that the India-Greece Strategic Partnership is based on shared values of peace, stability, freedom, and mutual respect.
  • The countries agreed to expand their indigenous defence industries through partnership between India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and Greece’s ‘Agenda 2030’ defence reforms.

Bangladesh measles outbreak kills at least 38 children in 2026, driven by vaccine gaps and malnutrition

Key Updates:

  • Bangladesh is facing a worsening measles outbreak that has claimed at least 38 children this year.
  • Health officials reported that 21 of the deaths occurred in March alone, though the actual toll could be higher due to incomplete reporting.
  • The outbreak has spread across multiple districts including Dhaka, Mymensingh, Rajshahi and Chattogram.
  • Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain stated that no measles vaccinations have been administered in the country over the past eight years.
  • Health experts warn that declining vaccination rates, vaccine shortages, and malnutrition are fuelling the surge in fatalities.

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Bangladesh launches emergency measles-rubella campaign on 5 April 2026 (Start of April) ▼
  • Bangladesh launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign on 5 April 2026.
  • The campaign targets over 1.2 million children in 30 upazilas.
  • Partners include UNICEF, WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
  • Expansion to four City Corporations starts 12 April 2026, followed by nationwide rollout from 3 May 2026.
  • Children aged 6 to 59 months in high-risk areas are prioritised.
  • Since 2007, Gavi has invested more than US$2.2 billion in measles and measles-rubella immunisation across 57 lower-income countries, reaching over 1.3 billion children.
Global Mumps Resurgence reported with 100,000 cases in 2025 (Start of March) ▼
  • Mumps is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects the parotid salivary glands, causing painful swelling near the jaw or cheeks.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported over 100,000 cases worldwide in 2025, primarily in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.
  • The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is the primary tool for prevention, with two doses providing approximately 88 per cent effectiveness and one dose offering 78 per cent protection.
  • According to WHO and CDC guidance, children should receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12–15 months and the second dose at 4–6 years.
  • Potential complications of the disease include orchitis (inflammation of testes), oophoritis (inflammation of ovaries), meningitis, encephalitis, pancreatitis, and hearing loss.
  • There is no specific antiviral treatment for mumps, and infected individuals should isolate for at least five days after symptoms appear to prevent transmission.
Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign Launched to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027 (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda launched the Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Campaign to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) by the end of 2027.
  • The national goal aims to eliminate LF as a public health problem three years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 2030.
  • The current campaign is being implemented across 719 blocks in 124 districts across 12 identified LF-endemic States to bring microfilaria prevalence below 1%.
  • From February 2026, the National LF Programme has transitioned to a single unified annual MDA campaign, replacing the previous biannual rounds held alongside National Deworming Day.
  • Hydrocele surgery for affected patients has been included under the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to ensure financial protection.
  • The MDA coverage in India has improved from 75% in 2014 to 85% in 2025, while districts stopping MDA after clearing the Transmission Assessment Survey (TAS-1) rose from 15% to 41%.
  • Online reporting for the elimination programme is being strengthened through the Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP).
  • The initiative involves multi-sectoral mobilisation with ministries including Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Women and Child Development, Education, Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs, and Agriculture.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) launches 'Road RADAR' initiative for real-time pollution monitoring

Key Updates:

  • The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) launched 'Road RADAR' (Real-time Air Pollution Detection Across Roads) to strengthen on-ground monitoring and rapid redressal of air pollution sources across the city's road network.
  • Under the initiative, 13 surveyors will cover approximately 18,000 km of roads spanning the jurisdictions of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Public Works Department (PWD), and Delhi Cantonment Board.
  • Surveyors will use the MCD-311 mobile application to conduct geo-tagged field surveys, with each surveyor tasked to raise at least 70 geo-located, photographic pollution-related issues daily to reach a collective target of around 1,000 issues.
  • The programme tracks 11 categories of air pollution sources: road dust from unpaved roads, broken footpaths, dividers and potholes; sand or loose material piled on roadsides; unregulated parking lots; garbage, including overflowing 'dhalaos' and roadside waste; biomass, garbage and plastic burning on roadsides; construction and demolition waste; barren roadsides and central verges requiring greening; dust from construction sites; and other dispersed sources of air pollution.
  • Identified issues are automatically routed via the MCD-311 App to concerned authorities, including MCD, PWD, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), Indian Railways, and other urban local bodies.

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US-India NISAR Mission Tracks Rapid Land Subsidence in Mexico City (Start of May) ▼
  • The NISAR satellite, a joint mission between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was launched in July 2025.
  • Data from NISAR shows parts of Mexico City subsiding by more than 2 centimetres per month, using its L-band radar system that captures surface changes regardless of weather or time of day.
  • Mexico City, built over an ancient lakebed, has experienced subsidence due to decades of groundwater extraction and urban infrastructure weight, with some areas sinking as much as 35 centimetres annually by the late 20th century.
  • NISAR is the first satellite equipped with dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar, orbiting Earth every 12 days and deploying a 12-metre reflector, the largest radar antenna ever used by NASA.
  • Key landmarks within the subsidence zone include Benito Juárez International Airport and the Angel of Independence, where additional steps have been added over time due to ground level changes.
Mission Mausam: IITM Launches ₹60 Crore Urban Climate Observatory in Chennai (Start of May) ▼
  • The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, established an Urban Testbed and Aerosol Observatory in Chennai under the Mission Mausam initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
  • Inaugurated on May 6, 2026, at the SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Ramapuram, the facility is India's first integrated urban weather and aerosol observatory.
  • The observatory houses approximately 15 scientific instruments valued at over ₹60 crore and is capable of monitoring nearly 50 categories of atmospheric parameters.
  • The facility's infrastructure includes around 100 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), three X-band radars, and a phased-array radar for continuous monitoring of rain bands and convective systems.
  • Mission Mausam, launched in September 2024, aims to strengthen weather forecasting and disaster preparedness for sectors including agriculture, water resources, aviation, disaster management, and energy planning.
National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal launched with Mobile Quality Control Vans (End of February) ▼
  • Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) rolled out Mobile Quality Control Vans (MQCVs) to monitor National Highway quality.
  • Pilot runs are underway in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Odisha.
  • Each MQCV is equipped with non-destructive testing tools such as ultrasonic pulse velocity meters, rebound hammers, asphalt density gauges and reflectometers.
  • MoRTH is developing a National Highway Quality Monitoring Portal with real-time GPS tracking of the vans.
  • Test results will be shared with MoRTH field offices for corrective action on quality deficiencies.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) installs X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar (End of April) ▼
  • The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) commissioned an X-band dual-polarisation Doppler Weather Radar in Mahabaleshwar under the Mission Mausam initiative.
  • The radar is installed at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) at an altitude of approximately 1,400 metres above sea level.
  • The system provides hyperlocal nowcasting forecasts up to three hours ahead for Pune, Satara, Mumbai, and parts of Konkan.
  • The radar operates at 9.45 GHz using solid-state power amplifier technology with a spatial resolution of 75 metres and updates every 6–10 minutes.
  • Real-time data from the radar is shared with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
  • The dual-polarisation capability of the radar enables the detection of microphysical parameters such as ice, graupel, hail, and snow.
  • The radar will support the defence sector for nowcasting severe weather events as Pune is an Air Force station.

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Analyses Surface Composition of Super-Earth LHS 3844 b

Key Updates:

  • Researchers used the Mid Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to study the geological properties and surface composition of the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b.
  • LHS 3844 b is a rocky super-Earth 30% larger than Earth, situated 48.5 light-years away, which orbits a cool red dwarf star once every 11 hours.
  • The planet is tidally locked and lacks an atmosphere, resulting in a constant dayside with an average temperature of approximately 1000 Kelvin (725 Degrees Celsius).
  • Data from MIRI and the Spitzer Space Telescope indicate the surface likely consists of dark basalt or magmatic rock rich in magnesium and iron, rather than an Earth-like silicate-rich crust.
  • The JWST is an international collaboration led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) alongside the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

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Astronomers Identify 27 Potential Circumbinary Planets Using NASA TESS Data (Start of May) ▼
  • Astronomers have discovered 27 potential circumbinary planets, which are planetary bodies that orbit two stars.
  • The discovery was made using data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), which was launched in 2018.
  • The researchers employed a technique called apsidal precession, which involves studying the wobble in stars that orbit and eclipse each other to detect a third body.
  • The candidate planets are located between 650 and 18,000 light years from Earth and range in size from Neptune-like planets to bodies ten times the mass of Jupiter.
  • The study was led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Astronomers detect two Earth-like planets 120 light-years away in unconventional solar system (Start of April) ▼
  • Astronomers discovered an alien solar system located 120 light-years from Earth containing two Earth-like planets.
  • The system defies standard formation models by placing a rocky planet beyond gas giant planets.
  • NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and ESA's Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) provided the observational data.
NASA identifies X-ray dot 3DHST-AEGIS-12014 using Chandra and Webb telescopes (Start of May) ▼
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Chandra X-ray Observatory and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) identified a unique object named 3DHST-AEGIS-12014, also known as an X-ray dot.
  • The X-ray dot is located approximately 11.8 billion light-years from Earth and provides a link to a class of mysterious early universe objects called Little Red Dots (LRDs).
  • Researchers propose that LRDs are supermassive black holes embedded in dense gas clouds, and the X-ray dot represents a transition phase where gas is being consumed.
  • The findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, were led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian.
  • NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center manages the Chandra programme, while the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Chandra X-ray Center (CXC) controls its science operations.
European Southern Observatory (ESO) completes first observations with PoET telescope (Start of May) ▼
  • The European Southern Observatory (ESO) successfully completed the first observations using the Paranal solar ESPRESSO Telescope (PoET) located on the Paranal Plateau in Chile.
  • The PoET instrument is designed to help astronomers distinguish signals from exoplanets by filtering out astrophysical noise caused by stellar activity such as sunspots, flares, and convective movements.
  • Equipped with a 60-centimetre-diameter mirror, the telescope simultaneously studies specific regions of the solar disk and records the total light from the entire visible disk of the Sun.
  • Data from the telescope is processed by the ESPRESSO spectrograph on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), allowing the instrument to be utilised during the day while it searches for distant stars at night.
  • Developed by Portuguese researchers with funding from the European Research Council (ERC), the system is undergoing final calibration before regular scientific data collection begins.

Delhi uses processed legacy waste from Bhalswa landfill to reclaim waterlogged land in North-West Delhi

Key Updates:

  • Authorities in Delhi are using processed legacy waste from the Bhalswa landfill to fill waterlogged low-lying areas in Roop Vihar and Sharma Colony.
  • The initiative serves two purposes: reducing the burden on the Bhalswa landfill and gradually restoring habitable ground in north-west Delhi.
  • The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has set a target to completely flatten and clear the Bhalswa site by December 2026.
  • The reclaimed land from the Bhalswa site is slated for public welfare activities, including a new Inter State Bus Terminal.
  • Processed legacy waste is being used to reclaim waterlogged land in north-west Delhi, addressing both landfill management and land restoration.

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University of California (UCLA) Report Identifies Two Indian Waste Sites Among Top Global Methane Emitters (End of April) ▼
  • The University of California (UCLA) released a report titled 'Spotlight on the Top 25 Methane Plumes in 2025: Landfills'.
  • The report utilised data gathered by Planet Labs' Tanager-1 satellite and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) EMIT instrument on the International Space Station.
  • A waste facility in Secunderabad, Telangana, ranks fourth globally, emitting 5.9 tonnes of methane per hour.
  • A waste facility in Mumbai, Maharashtra, ranks 12th globally, emitting 4.9 tonnes of methane per hour.
  • The global list is topped by a waste facility in Argentina, which emits 7.6 tonnes of methane per hour.
  • Methane is responsible for 30 per cent of global warming since preindustrial times, second only to carbon dioxide.
CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) partner to convert waste foundry sand into road-building material. (End of March) ▼
  • CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) have announced a collaborative effort to turn waste foundry sand into a beneficial material for road construction.
  • The initiative aims to mitigate environmental issues posed by large quantities of waste foundry sand generated by the metal casting industry.
  • Dr. N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, stated that the initiative aligns with sustainable development and the circular economy.
  • Sushil Sharma, President of IIF, highlighted that the Coimbatore foundry cluster, India’s largest, produces vast amounts of foundry sand waste which will be scientifically repurposed into infrastructure resources.
Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 introduce four-stream segregation and digital monitoring (Start of April) ▼
  • Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) notified the Solid Waste Management Rules 2026 on 27 January 2026 to replace the 2016 framework.
  • Rules come into force on 1 April 2026 and mandate four-stream segregation at source: Wet waste (biodegradable), Dry waste (recyclable), Sanitary waste, and Special care waste.
  • Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility (EBWGR) makes large institutions, hotels and residential complexes accountable for collection, segregation, transport and environmentally sound disposal of their waste.
  • A centralised online portal enables real-time digital tracking of collection, transportation, processing and disposal of waste to improve compliance and reporting.
  • Cement plants and waste-to-energy units must raise Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) substitution from the current 5% to 15% within six years.
  • Urban and rural local bodies, State and Union Territory governments and central ministries are assigned clearly defined responsibilities and graded land-allocation criteria for faster setting up of waste-processing facilities.
Delhi Green Budget 2026-27: Rs 260 cr for Free LPG Cylinders on Holi & Diwali (End of March) ▼
  • Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta presented the Delhi Budget 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 1,03,700 crore.
  • Government earmarked Rs 260 crore to provide one free LPG cylinder per household on Holi and on Diwali.
  • 21% of the entire budget is allocated as a 'green budget' for environment protection.
  • Revenue expenditure accounts for 70.3% and capital expenditure for 29.7% of the budget.
  • Delhi's revenue surplus is projected at Rs 9,092 crore for 2026-27.
  • Rs 7,887 crore is allocated to the Urban Development Department and Rs 5,921 crore to the Public Works Department (PWD).
  • Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will receive Rs 1,000 crore for road improvements and Rs 1,352 crore for dust-free roads.
  • Rs 350 crore is allocated for the MLA Local Area Development Scheme.
  • Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has been allocated Rs 9,000 crore and Rs 200 crore is provided for underground shifting of overhead electricity wires.
  • Rs 12,645 crore is allocated to the health sector and Rs 19,148 crore to the education sector.
  • Rs 90 crore is allocated to provide free cycles to 1.30 lakh Class-IX girl students in Delhi government schools.
  • Rs 5,110 crore is allocated for paying Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women beneficiaries.
  • Rs 300 crore is earmarked for the development of the trans-Yamuna area.

United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Activates Level 3 Emergency Response for Hantavirus Outbreak

Key Updates:

  • The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the hantavirus outbreak response as a Level 3 emergency activation.
  • The emergency response was triggered following international concerns linked to an outbreak on the MV Hondius cruise ship.
  • The outbreak involves the Andes strain of hantavirus, which is the only known variant capable of limited human-to-human transmission.
  • Hantavirus typically spreads through the inhalation of contaminated particles from infected rodent urine, saliva, or droppings.
  • Severe cases of the infection can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a potentially fatal respiratory illness that can cause respiratory failure and shock.

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World Health Organisation (WHO) reports suspected Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship (Start of May) ▼
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO), led by Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, reported three deaths and three illnesses following a suspected Hantavirus infection outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic.
  • Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne disease transmitted through contact with infected rodent droppings or urine that can cause life-threatening respiratory problems.
  • The cruise liner, operated by a Dutch company, departed from Argentina three weeks ago and is currently positioned off the coast of Cabo Verde in West Africa.
  • One case of the infection has been laboratory-confirmed and sequencing of the virus is ongoing, with one patient currently receiving intensive care in South Africa.
  • WHO is managing the situation under the International Health Regulations (IHR) 2005, a treaty that outlines the rights and obligations of countries in managing public health risks.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Launches AI Pathogen Tool and New Clinical Trial Mandates (Start of May) ▼
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven pathogen detection tool designed to predict the spread of serious diseases and future pandemics.
  • A new mandate from the ICMR requires medical clinical trials to prioritise Indian body types and lifestyles to ensure greater accuracy in health data.
  • The ICMR has commenced human trials for an improved vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), an infectious disease prevalent in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra.
  • The ICMR announced a syndromic surveillance plan that uses priority-wise categorisation of pathogens to identify and catch potential outbreaks before they spread.
  • Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General (DG) of the ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR), advocated for a robust One Health approach to strengthen India's pandemic preparedness.
BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant (Cicada) first identified in November 2024 (End of March) ▼
  • The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorised the BA.3.2 COVID-19 variant as a variant under monitoring.
  • The variant is nicknamed Cicada because it remained undetected for a long period before resurfacing, mirroring the behaviour of the insect.
  • The BA.3.2 variant was first identified in November 2024 in a respiratory sample in South Africa.
  • The variant is a descendant of the older BA.3 branch of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is genetically distinct from the JN.1 lineage.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has detected the variant in wastewater samples in at least 25 states in the United States.
  • The variant features approximately 70–75 mutations in its spike protein, which is the component that allows the virus to enter human cells.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Implements Syndromic Surveillance for Early Outbreak Detection (Start of May) ▼
  • The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) introduced a syndromic surveillance approach in 2025 to track symptom patterns and provide early warnings for potential disease outbreaks.
  • The surveillance method focuses on primary symptoms including fever, cough, diarrhoea, neurological symptoms, and rashes to detect clusters before laboratory confirmation.
  • ICMR has developed standardised syndrome-wise pathogen lists categorised into Priority 1 (High risk), Priority 2 (Medium risk), and Priority 3 (Low risk) to manage public health caseloads.
  • The tracked respiratory viruses include seasonal influenza A, seasonal influenza B, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, human respiroviruses 1 and 3, human rubulaviruses 2 and 4 (formerly human parainfluenzaviruses 1-4), human metapneumovirus, and measles virus.
  • The bacterial pathogens identified for surveillance include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Haemophilus influenzae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Bordetella pertussis, and Gram-negative bacilli such as K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa.

Pentagon Declassifies Files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP)

Key Updates:

  • The Pentagon has begun releasing files on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), with the effort led by the White House, the Director of National Intelligence, the Energy Department, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
  • The initial release consists of 162 files, including State Department cables, FBI documents, and NASA transcripts from crewed space flights.
  • A NASA photograph from the 1972 Apollo 17 mission shows three dots in a triangular formation, which a preliminary analysis suggests could be a physical object.
  • Congress established an office in 2022 to declassify UAP material, leading to a 2024 report that identified hundreds of new incidents.
  • The Pentagon's 2024 report stated there is no confirmed evidence that the United States government has recovered alien technology or confirmed the existence of alien life.

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Indian Army releases Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems and Loitering Munitions (Start of April) ▼
  • Lt Gen Rahul R Singh, Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development & Sustenance), released the Indian Army’s Technology Roadmap for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Loitering Munitions (LM).
  • The roadmap aims to increase long-term visibility of army requirements in UAS and channelise domestic industry, R&D bodies and academia.
  • Combat roles sought include counter-UAS, loitering munitions, helicopter-launched littoral systems, bomb-delivery drones and mine-laying drones.
  • Support roles sought include reconnaissance, land survey, electromagnetic jamming, radio relay and long-range logistics.
  • The mission covers operational needs across Himalayas, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and all intermediate terrains.
  • Emphasis is placed on boosting MSME and start-up participation in the indigenous drone ecosystem.
White House Establishes National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power (Mid of April) ▼
  • The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has launched the National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power to deploy reactors in orbit and on the moon.
  • The initiative sets a target to launch a lunar surface reactor by 2030 and begin orbital deployments as early as 2028.
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is tasked with leading the development of mid-power space reactors for lunar power and nuclear electric propulsion.
  • The Department of War (DoW) is directed to deploy a mission-ready reactor for national security use cases by 2031.
  • The OSTP has assumed the role of central integrator for coordinating federal space policy following the revocation of the National Space Council.
  • The Department of Energy (DoE) will collaborate with NASA and DoW to leverage national laboratories and existing infrastructure for reactor development.
  • The initiative prioritises milestone-based contracting and competitive design efforts with multiple commercial vendors to reduce costs and technical risks.
  • The long-term objective includes scaling to higher-power systems in the 2030s to support advanced space exploration and commercial activity.
United States announces tactical shift to precision gravity bombs in Iran military campaign (Start of March) ▼
  • United States (US) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a tactical pivot from standoff munitions to precision gravity bombs in the ongoing campaign against Iran.
  • The US military will deploy the Mark 80 series of conventional gravity bombs, specifically the 500-pound Mk 82, 1,000-pound Mk 83, and 2,000-pound Mk 84 variants.
  • Gravity bombs are unpowered munitions that are converted into precision weapons using Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) and steerable fins.
  • The shift follows the degradation of Iranian air defences, allowing the use of gravity bombs which cost approximately $25,000 to $30,000 per unit compared to more expensive standoff missiles.
  • Previous operations utilised standoff munitions such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones to dismantle radars and missile batteries.
  • The Mark 80 series can be deployed by various aircraft, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35 stealth jets, and B-52 Stratofortress heavy strategic bombers.
  • While the current campaign uses conventional bombs, the US arsenal also includes nuclear gravity bombs like the B61 and B83 series, which require explicit authorisation from the US President.
  • India link not mentioned in the article.
United States Department of State launches $200 million Edge AI Package for Indo-Pacific (End of February) ▼
  • The United States Department of State (US State Department) announced the Edge AI Package on 19 February 2026.
  • The programme offers up to $200 million in competitive funding to support secure and affordable smartphones across the Indo-Pacific region.
  • It is framed within the broader Pax Silica strategy launched in December 2025 to secure global AI and semiconductor supply chains.
  • Pax Silica reportedly includes the United States, Japan and South Korea, with India set to join on 20 February 2026.
  • Proposals are invited from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for distributing low-cost, AI-ready smartphones in designated Indo-Pacific countries.
  • Interested parties must email EdgeAI@state.gov to request technical requirements and the submission window remains open for 90 days.

Researchers Recommend Critically Endangered Status for Timor Green Pigeon

Key Updates:

  • The Timor green pigeon (Treron psittaceus) is a fruit-eating bird species endemic to the island of Timor, encompassing eastern Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
  • Researchers from Charles Darwin University (CDU) and BirdLife International have proposed up-listing the species from Endangered to Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
  • A longitudinal study conducted between 2002 and 2025 estimates that fewer than 500 individuals remain in Timor-Leste, while the population in Indonesia is considered functionally extinct.
  • Approximately 82% of recorded sightings occurred within protected areas, specifically the Nino Konis Santana National Park in Timor-Leste, which was established in 2008.
  • The species belongs to the Columbidae family and inhabits the Wallacea biogeographical zone, where it serves as a vital frugivore for seed dispersal and forest regeneration.

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Scientists and Indigenous rangers rediscover Night Parrot population in Australia (Mid of April) ▼
  • The night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis), a small green-and-yellow bird species, was studied in Ngururrpa Country in Australia’s interior.
  • Indigenous rangers and scientists from the University of Queensland (UQ) deployed weatherproof audio recorders and camera traps between 2020 and 2023.
  • The study found that the birds roost in mature, dense clumps of bull spinifex (Triodia longiceps) which provide essential thermal cover and protection.
  • Ecologists identified that dingoes play a vital role in the ecosystem by suppressing feral cat populations, which are primary predators of the night parrot.
  • The research team estimated a population of approximately 50 night parrots in the protected area of the Great Sandy Desert.
  • The study, published in the journal Wildlife Research, suggests that cooler-season controlled burns can prevent high-intensity wildfires from destroying parrot habitats.
Climate change threatens Nilgiri Wood Pigeon habitat in Western Ghats (Start of March) ▼
  • A research paper titled Biogeography and habitat suitability of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon using MaxEnt warns that climate change could restrict the habitat of the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) to isolated pockets by 2100.
  • The study, published in the Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, utilised MaxEnt, a machine-learning method, to model habitat suitability for the species.
  • The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (NWP) is endemic to the Western Ghats, inhabiting high-elevation wet evergreen and moist deciduous forests in the Nilgiris, Anamalai Hills, Biligirirangan Hills, Nandi Hills, and northern Maharashtra.
  • Researchers used 9,757 occurrence records from the eBird database, a citizen-science project, to identify 117 presence points and model environmental projections using nine bioclimatic variables.
  • The model predicts that habitat suitability will initially increase between 2021 and 2040 before witnessing sharp declines in high-suitability areas by the period 2081-2100.
  • The study highlights the phenomenon of up-slope shifting, where species move higher up mountain slopes as climate change alters their preferred habitats and food sources.
  • Although the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently down-listed the NWP to Least Concern, researchers from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) advocate for systematic ground surveys to validate population thresholds.
  • The NWP is one of 16 bird species occupying mid and high-elevation parts of the Western Ghats that are highly susceptible to climate change and anthropogenic pressures like deforestation.
First Great Indian Bustard chick born in Gujarat in decade via 770-km halt-free egg transfer from Rajasthan (End of March) ▼
  • The first Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick in a decade hatched in Gujarat on 26 March after a 770-km road transfer of a 15-day-old fertile egg from Sam, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan to Naliya, Kutch, Gujarat.
  • Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth as India’s first under the “jumpstart” method, where a captive-bred fertile egg replaced an infertile egg laid by a radio-tagged female GIB in Kutch.
  • The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and state forest departments of Rajasthan and Gujarat coordinated the 19-hour journey using a handheld shock-proof portable incubator carried without halts.
  • Gujarat now has only three surviving GIBs, all female; the national wild population is estimated at ~150, mostly in Rajasthan.
  • WII and Rajasthan forest department run two captive-breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra, Jaisalmer, holding 73 birds; eggs here are incubated artificially and chicks bred for founder stock.
  • A Supreme Court-appointed expert committee last July recommended the jumpstart egg-swapping technique; the Supreme Court accepted the recommendation in December.
  • Scientists will monitor the chick intensively for the first four weeks against predators such as desert fox.
Koala population rebound in southeastern Australia boosts genetic diversity and curbs inbreeding risks. (Start of March) ▼
  • Koala numbers in Victoria rebounded from ~500 in the early 20th century to nearly 500,000 by 2020.
  • Research published on 5 March in Science analysed genetic data from 418 koalas across 27 populations in eastern Australia.
  • Rapid population growth has increased beneficial genetic combinations and reduced rates of tooth and testicle malformations in Victorian koalas.
  • Northern koalas currently show higher genetic diversity but face a genetic bottleneck due to population decline.
  • Cesar Australia evolutionary biologist Collin Aherns compared the recovery pattern to the Roesel’s bush cricket in Sweden, which regained lost genetic diversity in 15 generations.
  • University of East Anglia evolutionary geneticist Cock van Oosterhout noted that wild-species data supporting evolutionary recovery theories remain limited.

Invasive Buff-tip Moth threatens Ladakh's farm-based economy

Key Updates:

  • Scientists have recorded the presence of the invasive moth Phalera cf. bucephala, commonly known as the buff-tip moth, in the Suru Valley of the Kargil district in Ladakh.
  • The research findings were published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa by a team from Government Degree College Zanskar, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kargil-I, and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
  • The larvae of the buff-tip moth are voracious feeders capable of causing complete defoliation of host plants, such as Salix alba (white willow), within a period of 30 days.
  • The moth infests various vegetation including poplar, sessile oak, apple, mountain ash, and walnut, and has been observed covering the valley from Minjee to Parkachik.
  • Experts link the arrival and establishment of this invasive species to climate change and gradual warming observed in the traditionally cold desert of Ladakh over the past two decades.

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Porcupines invade Kashmir saffron fields, devouring corms and slashing production (Start of April) ▼
  • Porcupines are damaging saffron fields in Pampore, Lethpora and adjoining areas in south Kashmir.
  • Porcupines eat corms, the bulb-like structures essential for saffron growth.
  • Saffron production has fallen from about 27,000 kg a decade-and-a-half ago to nearly 1,000 kg now.
  • Pampore MLA Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi estimates constituency loss at Rs 500 crores.
  • Farmers cannot harm porcupines as they are a protected species.
  • The government has deployed a dedicated wildlife team to inspect affected saffron fields.
  • Authorities advise farmers to clear caves, crevices, bushes and undergrowth to remove porcupine shelters.
  • Farmers are recommended to install 1.5-metre-deep mesh barriers around saffron karewas to block burrowing.
  • Reflective white paint on tree trunks or white gunny bags are suggested as low-cost nocturnal deterrents.
  • Motion-activated lighting and sound sensors along field perimeters are advised to startle porcupines at night.
  • Capturing cages are being placed for live-trapping and subsequent translocation of porcupines to forest habitats.
  • Wildlife Protection staff have been directed to patrol around saffron fields in Lethpora and adjacent villages during night hours.
New ‘Farmer-Friendly’ Wasp Chelonus mahadevi Discovered in Assam (Mid of March) ▼
  • Scientists have discovered a new species of tiny wasp named Chelonus mahadevi in Assam.
  • The wasp is an egg-larval parasitoid that lays its eggs inside the eggs of harmful crop-eating insects, killing the pest from within.
  • It acts as a natural bio-pesticide, helping tea farmers control pests without using chemical pesticides.
  • The discovery supports sustainable agriculture and aligns with SDG 2 (Sustainable Agriculture) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
  • Chelonus mahadevi is currently listed under the Not Evaluated (NE) category of the IUCN Red List.
ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR) Pune discovers new blossom midge pest Contarinia icardiflores damaging jasmine crops in India. (End of February) ▼
  • Scientists at ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR), Pune, discovered Contarinia icardiflores, a new species of blossom midge.
  • The pest was found causing significant economic losses in jasmine cultivation in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
  • Contarinia icardiflores is about 1.5 to 2 mm in size and completes its life cycle in 16 to 21 days.
  • The species is named in honour of ICAR-DFR to recognise the institute’s contributions to floriculture research.
  • Although C. icardiflores closely resembles C. maculipennis, the only other midge known to attack jasmine, it is genetically distinct.
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constitutes Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species (End of March) ▼
  • National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) constituted an Expert Committee on Invasive Alien Species in pursuance of National Green Tribunal directions.
  • The Committee is chaired by Shri Dhananjai Mohan, IFS (Retd.), former PCCF and Head of Forest Force, Uttarakhand, with Prof. (Dr.) A. Biju Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, as Co-Chair.
  • The Committee will prepare a consolidated national list of invasive alien species based on State-wise inputs, identify high-risk species, and recommend science-based management strategies and national-level guidelines for prevention, control, and eradication.
  • The Committee includes representatives from Zoological Survey of India, Botanical Survey of India, ICAR research bureaus, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, Wildlife Institute of India, Forest Survey of India, and State Forest Departments of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Assam.
  • The Committee will function for a period of two years.

Q Manivannan Elected Member of the Scottish Parliament

Key Updates:

  • Q Manivannan, an Indian-origin transgender candidate, was elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).
  • Manivannan won a seat representing the Scottish Greens in the Edinburgh and Lothians East region.
  • Originally from Tamil Nadu, Manivannan is an anthropologist and poet who moved to Scotland in 2021 to study international relations at the University of St Andrews.
  • Manivannan was elected to public office without holding citizenship or permanent residency of the United Kingdom (UK).
  • The candidacy was enabled by a rule change by the Scottish National Party (SNP) government allowing individuals with any valid visa to stand for election.

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Menaka Guruswamy became first openly queer MP in Rajya Sabha. (Start of April) ▼
  • Menaka Guruswamy took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
  • She is India’s first openly queer MP.
  • Guruswamy is a Senior Advocate and a constitutional law expert.
  • She played a key role in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that decriminalised homosexuality.
Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950: Supreme Court defines religion-based eligibility for Scheduled Caste status (End of March) ▼
  • The Supreme Court (SC) ruled that Scheduled Caste (SC) status is strictly limited to individuals professing Hindu, Sikh, or Buddhist religions.
  • Under Clause 3 of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, conversion to any religion other than those specified leads to the immediate loss of SC status regardless of birth.
  • The SC bench, comprising Justices P K Mishra and Manmohan, upheld an Andhra Pradesh High Court decision denying SC benefits to individuals who convert to Christianity.
  • The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, does not include religion-based exclusions, meaning Scheduled Tribe (ST) status depends on tribal identity and community acceptance rather than faith alone.
  • For an individual to reclaim SC status through reconversion, they must provide credible evidence of original caste membership and total dissociation from the converted religion.
  • The SC stated that the theological foundation of Christianity does not recognise the institution of caste, making it incompatible with SC status claims.
  • The ruling establishes that individuals professing religions outside the 1950 Order cannot seek protection under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 2015.
Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 and Delimitation Bill Shelved Following Lok Sabha Vote (Mid of April) ▼
  • The Government of India decided to drop the Delimitation Bill 2026 after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.
  • The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, secured 278 votes in favour and 211 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.
  • Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the delimitation exercise was interconnected with the women’s reservation amendment and the proposed extension of the quota to Union Territories (UTs).
  • The delimitation exercise, mandated under Articles 82 and 170 of the Constitution of India, involves redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies based on census data.
  • Under the shelved proposal, most states were expected to see a 50% increase in seat allocation, while Sikkim, Nagaland, and Mizoram would have seen no increase in parliamentary seats.
  • The legislation also included a proposal for a marginal rise in representation for Scheduled Castes (SC) in the Lok Sabha.
Bhumika Shrestha becomes Nepal's first transgender lawmaker on March 5 (Mid of March) ▼
  • Bhumika Shrestha has been confirmed as Nepal's first transgender lawmaker by the Election Commission.
  • She was elected as a proportional-representation Member of Parliament (MP) from the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).
  • The election for the 275-member House of Representatives was held on March 5.
  • Bhumika Shrestha is a 37-year-old activist from Kathmandu who has been associated with the Blue Diamond Society.
  • She received the International Women of Courage Award in 2022 for her work in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and social justice.
  • She was one of the first individuals to travel internationally using a passport marked under the other gender category.
  • Her advocacy contributed to the recognition of a third gender category in official documents in Nepal.

Kuljeet Kaur Marhas elected Fellow of The Meteoritical Society

Key Updates:

  • Kuljeet Kaur Marhas became the first Indian woman to be elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society for 2026.
  • She is a professor in the Planetary Science Division at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad and a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
  • She is the third Indian scientist to receive this honour, following Devendra Lal and JN Goswami.
  • Her research involves using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) and nanoSIMS techniques to analyse isotopic signatures in extraterrestrial materials.
  • She is a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and a recipient of the Devendra Lal Memorial Medal.

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Women and Men in India 2025 report: Highlights progress in education, jobs and health (Start of May) ▼
  • The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 27th edition of 'Women and Men in India 2025' at the National Deliberative Summit on “Data for Development” in Bhubaneswar.
  • The sex ratio at birth improved from 904 in 2017-19 to 917 in 2021-23 at the all-India level.
  • Gender parity has been achieved across all levels of school education from primary to higher secondary.
  • Female labour force participation in rural areas increased from 37.5% to 45.9% between 2022 and 2025.
  • Women in managerial roles saw a 102.54% increase between 2017 and 2025, compared to 73.80% for men.
Krishi Sakhi Initiative Launched to Empower Women Farmers (End of March) ▼
  • The Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) launched the Krishi Sakhi initiative on 18 March to empower women farmers and promote inclusive growth.
  • The initiative aligns with the United Nations (UN) recognition of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
  • AIC aims to encourage women's participation in agriculture and crop insurance through structured activities at its Head Office and Regional Offices.
  • The programme includes awareness campaigns on sanitation and hygiene in rural areas specifically targeting women farmers and rural households.
  • The state-owned insurer will publish related articles and interviews to recognise and engage women farmers across the country.
Menaka Guruswamy became first openly queer MP in Rajya Sabha. (Start of April) ▼
  • Menaka Guruswamy took oath as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.
  • She is India’s first openly queer MP.
  • Guruswamy is a Senior Advocate and a constitutional law expert.
  • She played a key role in the 2018 Supreme Court judgment that decriminalised homosexuality.
Jharkhand Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Kalpana Soren Receives Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award (End of March) ▼
  • Kalpana Soren was honoured by the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BRICS CCI) at the WE Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026.
  • The award ceremony was held in New Delhi and hosted by the women empowerment vertical of the BRICS CCI.
  • The recognition was conferred for her contributions towards advancing women-led initiatives and community development.
  • The summit was attended by several dignitaries, policymakers, and international representatives.

Jayen Mehta Elected as Chairman of SPCDF

Key Updates:

  • Jayen Mehta has been elected as the Chairman of the SPCDF.
  • The election for the position of Chairman was conducted unanimously.
  • Mehta currently holds the post of Managing Director (MD) at the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF).

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India elected to three UN Economic and Social Council subsidiary bodies for 2027-2030 (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.
India elected to four subsidiary bodies of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.
Shashi Shekhar Vempati Appointed Chairperson of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) (Start of May) ▼
  • The Government of India notified the appointment of Shashi Shekhar Vempati as the chairperson of the CBFC for a three-year term effective from the date of joining.
  • Shashi Shekhar Vempati is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and a co-founder of AI4India Org, an organisation working to democratise artificial intelligence technology.
  • Prasoon Joshi, who served as the CBFC chairperson for over eight years, has been appointed as the chairman of Prasar Bharati.
  • The CBFC functions as a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate the public exhibition of films under the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
  • The organisation is headquartered in Mumbai and maintains nine regional offices in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Cuttack, and Guwahati.
Ravichandran Purushothaman elected Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region Chairman for 2026-27 (End of March) ▼
  • Ravichandran Purushothaman has been elected as the Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region for the term 2026-27.
  • His election was announced in the article without specifying the exact date of election or assumption of office.
  • The article does not mention his predecessor or any specific agenda for his tenure.
  • No additional details about his previous roles or organisational affiliations are provided in the article.

Richard Lewer won Archibald Prize 2026

Key Updates:

  • Richard Lewer won the $100,000 Archibald Prize 2026 for his portrait of Pitjantjatjara elder and traditional healer Iluwanti Ken.
  • The award was presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW).
  • The winning work is the fifth painting of a First Nations person to win the Archibald Prize in its 105-year history.
  • Gaypalani Waṉambi won the $50,000 Wynne Prize for her metal sculpture titled The Waṉambi tree.
  • Lucy Culliton won the $40,000 Sulman Prize for her painting titled Toolah, artist model.

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Anand RK, Suparna Sharma, and Natalie Obiko Pearson Win 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary (Start of May) ▼
  • Mumbai-based artist Anand RK and freelance journalist Suparna Sharma, along with Bloomberg’s Natalie Obiko Pearson, won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Illustrated Reporting and Commentary for their work titled trAPPed.
  • The winning entry, published by Bloomberg, is a visually driven investigative report that exposes a sophisticated cyber-fraud network targeting a neurologist in India.
  • The Pulitzer Prizes, established in 1917 and administered by Columbia University, awarded The Washington Post the Public Service prize and The New York Times the Investigative Reporting prize.
  • Other journalism winners include Saher Alghorra for Breaking News Photography, the Minnesota Star Tribune for Breaking News, and the Associated Press (AP) for International Reporting.
  • In the arts and letters categories, Daniel Kraus won for fiction with Angel Down, Bess Wohl for drama with Liberation, and Jill Lepore for history with We the People.
Nagaland University conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five chemists. (End of February) ▼
  • Nagaland University presented the awards to prof AK Mallik, prof VS Raja, prof MA Quraishi, prof M Indira Devi, and prof Nitin Chattopadhyay during ICCMR–2026 held from Feb 18-20 at I Ihoshe Kinimi Hall, Lumami.
  • Prof AK Mallik of Punjabi University, Patiala, is noted for advances in materials chemistry, nanotechnology, and surface science.
  • Prof VS Raja of IIT Bombay is acclaimed for corrosion science and engineering research.
  • Prof MA Quraishi, formerly of IIT-BHU Varanasi, is credited with over 380 publications and over 15,000 citations in corrosion science and green chemistry.
  • Prof M Indira Devi of Nagaland University specialises in lanthanide complexation and nanomaterials and has served as dean of the school of sciences.
  • Prof Nitin Chattopadhyay, former professor and dean at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, is renowned for photophysics, photochemistry, and fluorescence sensing and is a CSIR emeritus scientist.
William Dalrymple won 2026 Mark Lynton History Prize for The Golden Road. (Mid of March) ▼
  • William Dalrymple received the Mark Lynton History Prize 2026 for his book The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World.
  • The award carries a cash prize of $10,000 and is administered jointly by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Columbia University School of Journalism.
  • The prize citation praised the book for its blend of literary grace, commitment to serious research and social concern.
  • Previous winners of the prize include Adam Hochschild, Jill Lepore and Robert Caro.
  • The 2026 shortlist also featured works by Nicholas Boggs, Sven Beckert, Siddharth Kara and Martha A. Sandweiss.
World Art Day observed on April 15 (Mid of April) ▼
  • World Art Day is observed on April 15.
  • The global observation celebrates culture, creativity, and artistic expression worldwide.
  • Science Central museum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, hosted a celebration to explore the intersection of art and science.
  • Local artists featured during the Science Central celebration included Eduar Paz, Ally Peck, Angelina Dolores Possemato, Bonnie “BonJo” Andrews, Megan Wiegand, and Kyla Covington.

Sir David Attenborough Honoured on 100th Birthday

Key Updates:

  • Sir David Attenborough is a veteran broadcaster and environmentalist born on 8 May 1926 in west London.
  • He joined the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in 1952.
  • The Natural History Museum named a species of parasitic wasp, Attenboroughnculus tau, after him.
  • The Attenboroughnculus tau is native to the Patagonian lakes of Chile.
  • Other species named after him include a wildflower, butterfly, grasshopper, dinosaur, and ghost shrimp.

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Desmond Morris Dies Veteran Zoologist and Author (End of April) ▼
  • Desmond Morris was a British zoologist, broadcaster, and author who died at the age of 98.
  • He authored the 1967 international bestseller 'The Naked Ape: A Zoologist’s Study of the Human Animal', which sold over 10 million copies across more than 36 countries.
  • His notable works include 'The Human Zoo', which examined the impact of urban life on human behaviour, and 'Manwatching', a guide to body language and social conduct.
  • Throughout his career, he published more than 90 titles covering human behaviour, animals, art, and popular culture.
  • He appeared on the Zootime TV Programme at London Zoo in 1956.
C.D. Gopinath, India’s oldest Test cricketer and member of first-ever Test-winning team, dies at 96. (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.
C.D. Gopinath, India’s oldest Test cricketer and member of first-ever Test-winning team, dies at 96. (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.
India hosts India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam featuring eight-year-old Ranvir Sachdeva as youngest speaker (End of February) ▼
  • The India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
  • Eight-year-old coder Ranvir Sachdeva became the youngest keynote speaker to address the summit.
  • The keynote address covered the linkage of ancient Indian philosophies with modern Artificial Intelligence (AI), global approaches to AI development, and the application of a recently released Indian AI model.
  • Sachdeva met global technology leaders including Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
  • He previously met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
  • He was recognised as the world’s youngest TEDx speaker at age six and won a gold medal as a Super Presenter in the 2022 Global Reading Challenge.
  • The coder developed a prototype rocket ship for Mars exploration which was recognised by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
  • Sachdeva, who started coding at age three, met Apple CEO Tim Cook in 2023 during the launch of the Apple store in New Delhi.
  • He discussed his contribution to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and his role in driving AI literacy.

Vikram Doraiswami appointed India's envoy to China

Key Updates:

  • Vikram Doraiswami presented a copy of his credentials to Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.
  • Doraiswami is a 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
  • Prior to his posting to Beijing, he served as India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
  • He is a Mandarin speaker and has previously served at diplomatic missions in Hong Kong and Beijing.
  • The appointment comes amid efforts to normalise relations following a military standoff in eastern Ladakh in April 2020.

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India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28 (End of April) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Bishkek on April 28.
  • The meeting will focus on regional and global security issues, including international peace, counter-terrorism, and defence cooperation.
  • The SCO was established in 2001 in Shanghai.
  • The members of the SCO include India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
  • India became a full member of the SCO in 2017.
  • India held the rotating chairmanship of the SCO in 2023.
Government of India sets 60-day FDI clearance for 40 sub-sectors from land-bordering nations (Start of May) ▼
  • The Government of India has established a 60-day timeline to process and decide Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) proposals from countries sharing land borders, including China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan.
  • The expedited clearance applies to 40 sub-sectors under six broad categories: capital goods manufacturing, electronic capital goods and electronic component manufacturing, polysilicon wafers, advanced battery components, rare earth permanent magnets, and rare earth processing.
  • Specific sub-sectors identified for fast-track approval include insulation items, castings and forgings for power plants, machine tools, display components (plasma, polymer, LCD, LED), camera modules, electronic capacitors, speakers and microphones for ICT products, Li-ion batteries, wearables, and rare earth metal facilities.
  • A mandatory condition for these proposals is that the majority shareholding and control of the investee entity must remain with resident Indian citizens or Indian-owned and controlled entities at all times.
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) mandated that Indian investee firms must report investment details prior to inward remittance under the Foreign Exchange Management (Mode of Payment and Reporting of Non-debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019, for access by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
India to attend Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in Bishkek on April 27-28, 2026 (End of April) ▼
  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the Defence Ministers' meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
  • The high-level meeting is scheduled to be held in Bishkek on April 27–28, 2026.
  • The agenda for the meeting includes discussions on terrorism, extremism, and regional security concerns.
India and China Hold First Bilateral SCO Consultations on 16-17 April (Mid of April) ▼
  • India and China conducted their first Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) bilateral consultations on 16-17 April following the resolution of the eastern Ladakh military standoff in 2024.
  • Both delegations met with the Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George, to review cooperation in security, trade, connectivity, and people-to-people ties.
  • The two sides discussed the implementation of decisions made by SCO leaders and the future course of the organisation.
  • China has pledged support for the ongoing BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) presidency held by India.
  • The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is expected to visit India for the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for 14-15 May.
  • The President of China, Xi Jinping, is anticipated to travel to India in September for the BRICS summit.
  • India reiterated that the original objectives of the SCO are to combat terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism.
  • India emphasised that regional connectivity initiatives must uphold the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity as enshrined in the SCO charter.

Bihar Police Reform: Abolition and Merger of Vigilance Investigation Cadre

Key Updates:

  • The Bihar Government has abolished the separate Vigilance Investigation Cadre and absorbed its personnel into the Bihar Police under the control of the Home Department.
  • The reform was implemented under the provisions of the Bihar Police Act 2007 to ensure uniformity in the state policing system and streamline administrative efficiency.
  • Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) rank officers from the vigilance wing will be inducted into the Bihar Police Service, with seniority counted from their initial appointment.
  • Police inspectors and sub-inspectors from the 2014 and 2023 batches will be absorbed into equivalent posts within the Bihar Police structure.
  • Absorbed officers will be placed after the last-ranked officers of their respective batches in the recommendation lists of the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) and Bihar Police Subordinate Services Commission (BPSSC).

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India to Host Inaugural Central Armed Police Forces Leadership Conference in Delhi in May 2026 (Mid of April) ▼
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the first-ever Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) leadership conference in Delhi in May.
  • The Intelligence Bureau (IB) is coordinating the planning and execution of the two-day conference under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • The event will be attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, chiefs of intelligence agencies, and senior CAPFs leadership.
  • India maintains five CAPFs: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
  • The combined manpower of the five CAPFs is approximately 10 lakh personnel tasked with border guarding, protecting vital installations, and counter-insurgency operations.
  • The conference aims to provide a unified platform for the top leadership to discuss internal security threats and synchronise efforts with state police forces.
  • The meeting follows the recent passage of the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, which seeks to create a unified legal framework for service conditions.
10th Battalion of Assam Police Headquarters: 124-Bigha Modern Campus in Kamrup (End of February) ▼
  • Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah laid the foundation stone for the 10th Battalion of Assam Police headquarters in Kamrup, Assam, on 21 February 2026.
  • The new headquarters will be constructed on a 124-bigha campus featuring barracks for 750 male and 450 female personnel, a hospital, and a training centre.
  • The infrastructure project includes a firing range, a modern surveillance centre, and a large sports complex for the 10th Battalion of Assam Police.
  • A proposed ₹27,000 crore semiconductor plant is being established in the state to promote industrial development in the North-East.
  • The state government has provided land rights to 2.5 lakh landless indigenous people and reclaimed approximately 1.45 lakh bighas of land from encroachment.
  • The Election Commission (EC) is conducting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to identify and remove the names of illegal entrants.
  • The Home Minister cited the Illegal Migrants (Determination by Tribunal) (IMDT) Act of 1983 as a previous legislative challenge to addressing infiltration.
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.
Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026 notified after President’s assent (Mid of April) ▼
  • 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.

Four Labour Codes: Consolidation of 29 Labour Laws and Universal Social Security

Key Updates:

  • The Central Government has fully operationalised four labour codes: the Code on Wages, 2019 (CW), the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IRC), the Code on Social Security, 2020 (CSS), and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSHWCC).
  • These four codes, which came into effect on 21 November 2025, consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a simplified framework to ensure minimum wage and universal social security for all workers.
  • The legal framework mandates the establishment of a National Reskilling Fund (NRF) to be utilised for reskilling workers who lose their jobs.
  • Key provisions under the CW, IRC, CSS, and OSHWCC include mandatory appointment letters, free health check-ups for workers aged 40 years and above, and equal work, pay, and opportunity for women.
  • The rules cap weekly working hours at 48 hours, mandate at least one rest day per week, and require payment of overtime for work performed beyond standard hours.

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Annual Health Check-Up Initiative: Free health screenings for workers aged 40 and above (Start of May) ▼
  • Union Minister of Labour & Employment Mansukh Mandaviya will launch the nationwide free 'Annual Health Check-Up Initiative' for workers aged 40 years and above on May 7, 2026.
  • The initiative will be formally inaugurated from the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College & Hospital, Basaidarapur, New Delhi, with simultaneous events at 11 other ESIC hospitals across the country.
  • The initiative is aligned with the 'Shramev Jayate' framework and the four New Labour Codes, which consolidate 29 central labour laws.
  • The Code on Social Security, 2020, extends coverage to unorganised, gig, and platform workers and establishes a Social Security Fund.
  • Medical check-ups are mandatory irrespective of age for workers engaged in hazardous or dangerous operations, including those handling chemicals, toxic substances, or heavy machinery.
International Labour Day observed on May 1 with theme Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment (Start of May) ▼
  • International Labour Day, also known as May Day or Antrarashtriya Shramik Diwas in India, is observed annually on May 1.
  • The theme for International Labour Day 2026, selected by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), is Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment.
  • The day originated from the Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886, where labourers demonstrated for an 8-hour workday.
  • In India, the day is used to draw attention to issues including child labour, wage disparity, and the absence of social security for unorganised workers.
  • The article notes Chennai's worker movement in 1923.
  • The Indian states of Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala observe May Day as a public holiday.
Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha to clarify repeal continuity (Mid of February) ▼
  • Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Lok Sabha through supplementary agenda.
  • The Bill seeks to avoid future confusion over repeal of Trade Unions Act 1926, Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946 and Industrial Disputes Act 1947 by section 104 of Industrial Relations Code 2020.
  • Section 104 and February 2026 notification confirm repeal occurred by operation of the Code itself, not by executive delegation.
Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – Uniform Legal Framework for Chhattisgarh (Mid of April) ▼
  • On 16 April 2026, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet approved a high‑level committee to prepare a draft of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework.
  • The committee is headed by retired Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
  • The committee will consult citizens, legal experts and stakeholders and may invite feedback through a web portal.
  • The draft prepared by the committee will be placed before the state Assembly after Cabinet approval.
  • Article 44 of the Constitution directs states to work towards implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens.
  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Uttarakhand implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in January 2025, becoming the first state to do so.
  • The Gujarat Assembly passed a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill last month.