The NSE launched EGRs on May 4, 2026, to bring greater transparency, efficiency, and formalisation to the gold market. EGRs are dematerialised securities representing ownership of physical gold stored in Securities and…
National Stock Exchange (NSE) Indices launches Nifty500 Ahimsa Index
Key Updates:
- NSE Indices, a subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE), has launched the Nifty500 Ahimsa Index, India's first stock market index based on non-violence towards animals.
- The index was developed in collaboration with the Ahimsagain Foundation using the Ahimsa Investment Movement (AIM) framework.
- Companies from the Nifty 500 universe are screened and classified into three categories: Green (aligned with Ahimsa principles), Orange (moderate concerns), and Red (significant involvement in activities that harm animals).
- Only companies classified under the Green category are eligible for inclusion in the index.
- Stock weighting in the index is based on free-float market capitalisation.
- The index is reconstituted semi-annually.
- The base date for the index is April 1, 2016, with a base value of 1,000.
- The index is expected to serve as a benchmark for passive investment products, including Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and index funds.
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BSE Index Services Pvt. Ltd. launches India's first Saatvik Index named BSE Saatvik 100 (End of June)
BSE Index Services Pvt. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), has launched the BSE Saatvik 100, which is India's first index focused on ethical and value-based investing. The index is derived…
Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 report ranks National Stock Exchange (NSE) as most valuable unlisted company (End of June)
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) is India's most valuable unlisted company with a valuation of ₹4.86 lakh crore according to the 2025 Burgundy Private Hurun India 500 report. The NSE has filed preliminary papers with…
Parag Agrawal, former Twitter CEO, has unveiled Index, a platform from his artificial intelligence (AI) startup Parallel Web systems. The Index platform is designed to fairly compensate content creators when AI agents…
India and New Zealand Set ₹35,000 Crore Trade Target by 2030
Key Updates:
- India and New Zealand have set a target to increase trade in goods and services to ₹35,000 crore (US$4 billion) by 2030.
- Bilateral trade was valued at US$2 billion in 2024, with Indian exports of goods and services accounting for US$1 billion.
- New Zealand has committed an investment of US$20 billion in India.
- The two nations signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to double annual trade in goods and services.
- India and New Zealand elevated their relations to a strategic partnership.
- New Zealand announced it will join the Global Biofuels Alliance.
- New Zealand nominated maritime security as its priority pillar under the India-led Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
- A memorandum of cooperation was signed between the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency of New Zealand for disaster risk management, earthquake resilience, tsunami preparedness, and coastal hazard mitigation.
- The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa and the University of Canterbury signed an MoU for collaboration in Antarctic research and scientific activities.
- The National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli, and Massey University signed an MoU to boost cooperation in research, academic exchanges, and student mobility.
- The two countries concluded agreements on hydrography and nautical cartography, tourism, and a joint action plan on sport.
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India and New Zealand to sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for USD 5 billion trade target (Mid of April)
India and New Zealand will sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on April 27, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The pact aims to attract USD 20 billion in investment over the next 15 years and double bilateral trade to…
India and New Zealand sign Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (End of April)
India and New Zealand have signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to enhance trade in goods and services, investment flows, and labour mobility. The FTA comprises 20 chapters covering goods, services, rules of origin…
India and Vietnam agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to an Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two nations established a bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD to be achieved by 2030.
India and France have set a five-year target to double their annual bilateral trade from the current $16 billion to $32 billion. The two nations unveiled the India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030 to deepen cooperation in…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Launches Three Surveys for Monetary Policy Inputs
Key Updates:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched three key surveys on 9 July 2026 to provide critical inputs for formulating monetary policy.
- The July 2026 round of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households captures subjective assessments on price movements and inflation across 19 cities.
- The Inflation Expectations Survey of Households seeks qualitative responses for the three-month and one-year ahead periods, and quantitative responses for current, three-month, and one-year ahead inflation rates.
- The July 2026 round of the Rural Consumer Confidence Survey collects perceptions and expectations on the general economic situation, employment, price situation, income, and spending from households in rural and semi-urban areas across 31 States and Union Territories.
- The July 2026 round of the Urban Consumer Confidence Survey seeks qualitative responses on sentiments regarding the general economic situation, employment, price level, income, and spending across 19 cities.
- The Urban Consumer Confidence Survey is conducted in 19 cities, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
- The next meeting of the rate-setting panel, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), is scheduled for 3 to 5 August 2026.
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The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unanimously decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25 per cent and retain its neutral policy stance. The RBI revised its real Gross Domestic…
Ravi Shankar has been appointed as the Executive Director (ED) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with immediate effect. Shankar will be responsible for overseeing the Department of Statistics and Information Management.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects India's economy to grow by 6.4% in FY26-27 and 6.7% in FY27-28 in its July 2026 World Economic Outlook (WEO) Update. The IMF expects global growth to moderate to 3.0% in…
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launches Mission SAKSHAM for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) (End of April)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra launched Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman), a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs). The…
DoP and TRAI MoU: Nationwide Village-Level Telecom Network Performance Survey
Key Updates:
- The Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on July 11, 2026.
- The survey will assess the mobile network performance of Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), specifically Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL.
- The initiative will cover over 5.68 lakh villages across all States and Union Territories.
- Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) will conduct the survey using a TRAI-developed Android-based mobile application, leveraging the DoP's network of more than 1.40 lakh rural Branch Post Offices.
- The partnership is established for a duration of one year to identify connectivity gaps and support evidence-based policy decisions for rural digital connectivity.
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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) project Samriddh Gram: Integrated Phygital Service Delivery Model Enabled by BharatNet was declared the global winner at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)…
Department of Posts (DoP) and Flipkart sign agreement for last mile parcel delivery services (End of May)
The Department of Posts (DoP), Ministry of Communications and Flipkart India Private Limited have signed an agreement for last mile parcel delivery services in New Delhi. Under the agreement, the DoP will provide last…
The Department of Posts launched the Drone-Based Mail Transmission Service in Himachal Pradesh to modernise postal operations in remote and mountainous regions. The initiative was announced by the Union Minister of…
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur Sign MoU for Telecom Technologies (Mid of June)
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the joint research, development, testing, deployment, and commercialisation of…
UP Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana: Loans up to ₹10 Lakh at 4% Interest
Key Updates:
- The Uttar Pradesh government provides loans ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹10 lakh to women entrepreneurs through the UP Mahila Nidhi under the UP Mahila Udyam Nidhi Yojana.
- Launched in 2016, the scheme offers credit at an interest rate of approximately 4% and requires no collateral for loan amounts up to ₹2 lakh.
- Eligible applicants must be female permanent residents of Uttar Pradesh aged between 18 and 60 years with an annual family income below ₹3 lakh.
- Priority for loan approval is given to Self Help Group (SHG) members, widows, women with disabilities, and women from minority communities.
- Applicants must possess an Aadhaar-linked bank account and a viable business plan, while a CIBIL score is considered only for higher-value loan amounts.
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The Government of Uttar Pradesh launched the UP Kisan Karj Mafi Scheme (UPKMS), also known as Uttar Pradesh Kisan Rin Mochan Yojana, in 2017 to waive agricultural loans for small and marginal farmers. The UPKMS provides…
UP Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana was launched by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in 2019. The scheme provides a total benefit of ₹25,000 to girl children in six instalments from birth to graduation or Class 12.
The Government of Uttar Pradesh launched the UP Rashtriya Parivarik Labh Yojana (National Family Benefit Scheme) in 2016. The scheme provides a lump sum payment of ₹30,000 to families below the poverty line (BPL) upon…
The Government of Uttar Pradesh launched the UP Berojgari Bhatta Yojana 2026, also known as the UP Rojgar Sangam Yojana, in 2015 to provide financial aid to unemployed youth. The scheme provides financial assistance…
Pink Saheli Smart Card Yojana: Free Bus Travel for Delhi Women
Key Updates:
- The Delhi government launched the Pink Saheli Smart Card Yojana on 2 March 2026 to provide free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses operated by the Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).
- The card is a National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) based digital smart card developed with technology partners Airtel Payments Bank and Muthoot Pay.
- Eligibility for the card is restricted to women and transgender residents of Delhi aged 5 years or above who possess a valid Aadhaar Card or Voter ID with a Delhi residential address.
- From 1 August, the existing paper-based pink tickets will be phased out, and free travel will only be available to those possessing a valid Pink Saheli Smart Card.
- Launched by President Droupadi Murmu, the scheme replaces a 2019 ticketing system and integrates with the Centre's One Nation, One Card initiative.
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The Delhi government has proposed to increase the income limit for ration card eligibility to ₹2.5 lakh per annum. The current income criterion for ration card eligibility in Delhi is capped at ₹1.2 lakh per annum.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal will implement Annapurna Bhandar, a Direct-Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for women, from June 1. Eligible women under Annapurna Bhandar are expected to receive…
DMRC has partnered with Airtel Payments Bank to launch co-branded RuPay On-The-Go NCMC. The NCMC is an open-loop card designed to enable seamless payments across metro systems, buses, and other transit networks…
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…
Jharkhand Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026–2031 with ₹1,150 Crore Outlay
Key Updates:
- The Jharkhand government proposed the Jharkhand Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy 2026–2031 during the National Stakeholders’ Consultation 2026 held in New Delhi.
- The state government proposed an investment of ₹1,150 crore over the next five years to build AI infrastructure and accelerate adoption across departments.
- The Chief Minister Data Intelligence Platform (CM-DIP) was introduced as an AI-enabled system to monitor government programmes in real time.
- The Health & Nutrition Vigilance System (HNVS) and the Critical Minerals Administration System (CMAS) have been designed using intelligent data analytics to strengthen state administration.
- The Jharkhand government signed 14 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth a proposed ₹99,639 crore to support digital capabilities and innovation.
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The Gujarat government is set to unveil the 'Gujarat Data Centre Policy 2026-29' to establish the state as a premier destination for data centre infrastructure, digital innovation, and cloud ecosystem development. The…
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the Data Centre Policy, 2026, aiming to attract investments of more than ₹2 lakh crore. The policy seeks to create over two gigawatts of additional data centre capacity to support green…
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the Government of Odisha-Eastern Investment Accelerator and Special Task Force (GO-EAST) to attract industries from eastern and northeastern states. A GO-EAST Cell and a special…
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet approved the Startup Policy 2026 and Data Centre Policy 2026 to strengthen the state's innovation ecosystem and digital infrastructure. The Startup Policy 2026 introduces a ₹1,000 crore Startup…
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM): 93.95 Crore Health Accounts Created
Key Updates:
- The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has created over 93.95 crore health accounts.
- The ABDM has linked 105 crore health records.
- A total of 5.33 lakh health facilities and 9.85 lakh healthcare professionals are registered on the national digital health registries.
- Approximately 2.72 lakh healthcare facilities have adopted ABDM-enabled software, generating around 24 crore scan and register tokens for faster OPD registration.
- The progress of the initiative was reviewed by Union Health Minister J P Nadda at the third meeting of the Mission Steering Group.
- The ABDM is being integrated with flagship government health programmes, including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), and Nikshay.
- The expansion of the ABDM across states and Union territories is being driven through initiatives such as Model Districts, Model Facilities, and Aarogya Setu 2.0.
- The ABDM is identified as a critical pillar in achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
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Aarogya Setu 2.0 and Digital Health Initiatives: Strengthening India's Digital Public Infrastructure for Health (Start of July)
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will convene the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) on June 29 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The CCHFW is the apex advisory…
Union Health Minister J P Nadda is set to launch Aarogya Setu 2.0, transforming the former COVID-19 contact-tracing application into a comprehensive personal health record platform. The platform is redesigned in line…
Swasth Bharat Portal: Integration of Digital Health Systems (Start of May)
The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, launched the Swasth Bharat Portal on May 7, 2026, during the 10th National Summit on "Innovation and Inclusivity: Best Practices Shaping India's…
Union Health Minister J P Nadda will launch e-Sushrut clinic, a lightweight, cloud-based Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The platform…
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Launches Hydrogen Fuel Transport Pilot on 10 Routes
Key Updates:
- Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the commencement of pilot trials for hydrogen-powered transport on 10 routes across India during the Prawaas 5.0 event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- The 10 selected routes for hydrogen trials are Greater Noida-Delhi-Agra, Bhubaneswar-Konark-Puri, Ahmedabad-Vadodara-Surat, Sahibabad-Faridabad-Delhi, Pune-Mumbai, Jamshedpur-Kalinga Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram-Kochi, Kochi-Edappally, Jamnagar-Ahmedabad, and NH-16 Visakhapatnam-Bayyavaram.
- The trials aim to evaluate the performance, refuelling logistics, safety protocols, and cost dynamics of hydrogen fuel for buses, trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has reduced bus-body approval testing charges by 50% and shortened the processing time from 16 weeks to six weeks to encourage quicker vehicle rollouts.
- India's automobile sector has grown from a valuation of ₹14 lakh crore to approximately ₹22 lakh crore, currently ranking third globally and supporting 4.5 crore jobs.
- The minister noted that India records roughly 5 lakh road accidents and 1.8 lakh deaths annually, with the economic toll estimated at 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
- Current domestic bus production in India is between 70,000 and 80,000 units per year, which is significantly lower than the estimated requirement of 3 lakh units annually.
- The pilot projects will assess various hydrogen production methods, including green hydrogen from renewables, and the infrastructure requirements for on-route refuelling.
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Maruti Suzuki launches India's first flex-fuel car and government announces hydrogen pilot projects (Start of June)
Maruti Suzuki launched India's first flex-fuel passenger car, the Wagon R, which is engineered to run on ethanol blends ranging from E20 to E100. The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways announced a pilot…
Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Ajit Kumar Mohanty, inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility based on the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle. The facility utilises nuclear…
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the 'Metro Monday' initiative following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal for fuel conservation amid the West Asia crisis. The initiative is part of the 'Mera Bharat, Mera…
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved a ₹10,000 crore support scheme to cap Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for domestic airlines. The initiative will reimburse state-run oil…
UN Women releases Beyond the Breaking Point report on humanitarian aid cuts
Key Updates:
- The United Nations (UN) gender equality agency, UN Women, reported that at least one million women and girls have lost access to critical humanitarian support since January 2025.
- The report, titled Beyond the Breaking Point, states that approximately 120 million women and girls worldwide currently require humanitarian assistance and protection.
- The findings are based on responses from 855 women-led organisations across 52 crisis- and conflict-affected countries.
- The report highlights severe humanitarian emergencies in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Haiti.
- According to the report, 92 per cent of surveyed organisations report growing poverty among the women they serve, and 82 per cent report more girls leaving school.
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The Rockefeller Foundation has secured a $350 million grant to reach approximately 731 million vulnerable individuals worldwide. The funding is intended to counter a projected historic decline in global aid disbursements…
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports first decline in global refugee numbers in a decade as of 2025 (Mid of June)
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a three percent drop in global refugee figures as of 2025. The decrease in numbers is largely attributed to increased voluntary returns to Afghanistan…
India reaffirms commitment to women-led development at SCO Women’s Forum 2026 in Bishkek (End of June)
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Women’s Forum 2026 was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi addressed the forum through a video message.
The Delhi Government will provide collateral-free loans of up to ₹10 crore to women's self-help groups (SHGs) and startups. The Delhi Government will act as the guarantor for these loans to facilitate financial access…
Indian Air Force Ranks Third in WDMMA Global Airpower List 2026
Key Updates:
- The World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) ranked the Indian Air Force (IAF) third in its 2026 global airpower rankings.
- The IAF outranked China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), which was placed fourth, for the fifth time since 2022.
- The United States Air Force (USAF) and the Russian Air Force secured the first and second positions respectively.
- WDMMA uses a proprietary True Value Rating (TVR) system to evaluate 103 air forces based on fleet size, composition, modernisation, and logistical support.
- The IAF fleet comprises 1,716 aircraft, including 542 fighters, 498 helicopters, 282 transports, and 374 trainers.
- The helicopter segment includes 222 Mi-17 units and 111 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Dhruv and Rudra helicopters.
- The IAF currently operates 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
- To address fleet gaps, the IAF has ordered 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighters and is pursuing the procurement of 114 Rafale fighters.
- The MiG-21 was retired from the IAF in September 2025, while Jaguars, Mirage 2000s, and MiG-29s are scheduled for retirement through the 2030s.
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Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor. He previously served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff…
Indian Air Force receives Final Operational Clearance for indigenous Netra AEW&C system on June 25 (End of June)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) received the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over…
India's Indian Air Force concludes 5th edition of Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme on 29 June 2026 (Start of July)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) concluded the fifth edition of the Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Programme (WASP). The culmination of the programme was marked by a Capstone Seminar held on 29 June 2026.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The exercise is scheduled to take place in Australia’s Northern Territory from 20 July to 7…
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Successfully Tests Prototype Reusable Rocket
Key Updates:
- The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully completed the first lift-off and landing test of its prototype reusable rocket.
- The test was conducted at the JAXA test site in Noshiro, Akita region, where the rocket reached an altitude of approximately 10 metres (33 feet).
- The flight of the prototype lasted about 40 seconds before it performed a successful landing.
- The technology aims to reduce launch costs by recovering the first launch stage, which is considered the most expensive component of a rocket.
- China achieved its first successful reusable rocket landing on 10 July 2026, a breakthrough that challenges United States (U.S.) dominance in the field.
- A subsidiary of Honda became the first Japanese company to successfully launch and land a reusable rocket in June of the previous year.
- JAXA successfully launched its flagship H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Centre on 12 June 2026.
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Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Successfully Launches Low-Cost H3 Rocket Variant (Mid of June)
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched a new low-cost variant of the H3 rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center. The mission debuted the H3's 30 configuration, which features triple…
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight test of the Pinaka Long-Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Balasore. The flight test…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a private sector defence manufacturing complex developed by NIBE Limited in Shirdi, Maharashtra. The Minister flagged off Suryastra, which is India’s first 300-km Universal…
India to acquire nine retired Jaguar fighter aircraft from United Kingdom for spare parts (End of June)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will acquire nine retired Jaguar fighter aircraft from the United Kingdom (UK) to serve as a source for spare parts and reusable sub-assemblies. The IAF currently operates six squadrons of…
Centre of Excellence on Human-Wildlife Conflict Inaugurated at WII-SACON
Key Updates:
- A national-level Centre of Excellence (CoE) on human-wildlife conflict has been established at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) in Coimbatore, a premier research institute of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- The CoE was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav.
- The CoE is designed to serve as a national hub for research, innovation, policy support, capacity building, and dissemination of best practices for scientific and evidence-based management of human-wildlife conflict.
- The CoE will focus on strategies to form policies for managing conflicts involving leopards, elephants, and tigers outside tiger reserves.
- The National Human-Wildlife Conflict Portal, a digital platform for data management, knowledge sharing, and decision support for conflict mitigation, was launched.
- A publication titled 'Current Status of Human–Wildlife Conflict in India: An Overview' was released.
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Centre for HR Information Systems, Research and Analytics in Governance (CHIRAG) inaugurated on May 26, 2026 (End of May)
The Centre for HR Information Systems, Research and Analytics in Governance (CHIRAG) was inaugurated at the SCR Grounds, adjacent to the Zonal Railway Training Institute (ZRTI) in Moula-Ali. The centre was inaugurated by…
Karnataka launches India's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru (Start of May)
The Karnataka government launched the country's first state-led Centre of Excellence for Space Technology in Bengaluru on May 1, 2026. The Centre was established by the Karnataka government through the Karnataka…
The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur) has established the Vikram Sodhi Centre of Excellence for AI-Enabled Geological and Mining Systems with a funding commitment of ₹15 crore. The centre is funded…
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) identifies 25 tiger reserves for priority intervention (Start of July)
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reported that 25 out of 58 tiger reserves in India are potential recipient sites requiring priority intervention due to low or absent tiger populations and…
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India and Australia launch Sports Collaboration Roadmap for bilateral cooperation
Key Updates:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the India-Australia Sports Collaboration Roadmap at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
- The MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai will host the opening fixture of the Australian Men's Big Bash League (BBL) between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers in December.
- The BBL match in Chennai marks the first time a foreign cricket league match will be staged in India.
- The roadmap focuses on four key areas: sports training and capacity building, sports science and technology, and sports industry and investment.
- Both nations will organise an India-Australia Youth Sports Festival to encourage interaction among young athletes and strengthen sporting links.
- The announcement was a central part of the G'Day Namaste festival, featuring Australian cultural, business, and sporting events across India.
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated the roadmap is a key element of the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Prime Minister Modi highlighted that India is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, while Australia will stage the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
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India and Australia elevate Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during 3rd Annual Summit in Melbourne (Mid of July)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held the 3rd India-Australia Annual Summit in Melbourne on 9 July. A new Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation was issued…
Sports Authority of India (SAI) partners with University of Tsukuba for sports excellence (Start of June)
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Tsukuba, Japan, to strengthen the high-performance sports ecosystem. The agreement was signed by Prof…
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry announced a three-year waiver of application fees for intellectual property rights (IPRs) related to the sports sector. The zero-fee waiver covers trademarks, copyrights, patents…
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026. These rules were…
World Population Day observed on 11 July
Key Updates:
- World Population Day is observed every year on 11 July to raise awareness about global population challenges.
- The theme for World Population Day 2026 is “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.”
- The annual observance is led by the United Nations (UN) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
- The global population has crossed 8.3 billion.
- The day reinforces global efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through inclusive and people-centric policies.
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International Day of Families observed on May 15 with theme "Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing" (Mid of May)
The International Day of Families 2026 will be observed on May 15, 2026. The theme for the 2026 observance is "Families, Inequalities and Child Wellbeing".
World Day Against Child Labour is observed on 12 June, and the theme for 2026 is Red card to child labour: Fair play for children, decent work for adults. The 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour held…
Statistics Day observed on June 29 with theme Unlocking the Potential of Administrative Data (End of June)
India will celebrate the 20th Statistics Day on June 29, 2026, to honor the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The event is organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation…
World Bicycle Day 2026 observed globally on June 3 (Start of June)
World Bicycle Day 2026 is observed globally on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. The theme for World Bicycle Day 2026 is 'Cycling for a Greener Future'.
Australia to Return Three Stolen Tamil Nadu Temple Antiquities to India on July 9, 2026
Key Updates:
- Australia has agreed to return three stolen ancient antiquities to India, comprising a six-headed Karttikeya, a Nandi, and a ceremonial trishul.
- The nine-century-old Karttikeya sculpture belongs to the Naganathaswamy Temple at Manambadi, which was built during the reign of the Chola king Rajendra Chola I.
- The Karttikeya idol depicts Shanmukha, also known as Murugan, and stands approximately 130 centimetres tall.
- The Nandi sculpture, carved from a single block of stone and dated between the 13th and 16th centuries, originates from the Kailasanathar Temple in Tiruvarur district.
- The Nandi idol is valued at approximately ₹4 crore by the Tamil Nadu Idol Wing Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
- The third artefact is a late Chola period ceremonial trishul topped with a figure of Goddess Bhadrakali from the Sri Kasiviswanathaswamy Temple.
- The repatriation request was processed under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty following First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in 2016.
- As a reciprocal gesture, India is returning the remains of an Australian First Nations ancestor held at the Government Museum in Chennai.
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Global Liveability Index 2026 released by Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
Key Updates:
- The Global Liveability Index 2026 was released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
- The index assessed and ranked a total of 173 cities based on liveability parameters.
- Copenhagen, Denmark, is ranked as the most liveable city in the world.
- Vienna, Austria, is ranked second and Melbourne, Australia, is ranked third.
- Among Indian cities, New Delhi is ranked 120th, Mumbai is ranked 121st, Chennai is ranked 123rd, and Bengaluru is ranked 127th.
- Western Europe is the strongest region for liveability, while Asia's average score has risen.
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2026 Global Passport Index published on July 5, 2026 (Start of July)
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India achieved its highest-ever position in the global United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, ranking 94th among 167 countries in the 2026 edition. The 2026 Sustainable Development Report was published…
India ranks 13th in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Future Skills Index 2027 released in June 2026 (End of June)
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Anil Menon to Travel to International Space Station (ISS) as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Astronaut
Key Updates:
- Anil Menon, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut of Indian descent, is scheduled to launch on an eight-month mission to the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
- He will travel aboard the Roscosmos Soyuz MS-29 spacecraft along with cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
- Menon is an emergency medicine physician and a United States (US) Space Force colonel.
- He began his career at NASA as a flight surgeon in 2014 and joined SpaceX in 2018 to establish the company's medical programme and assist in the development of the Starship rocket.
- He served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom with the US Air Force and worked for the Himalayan Rescue Association on Mount Everest.
- Menon spent a year in India as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar to study and support Polio vaccination initiatives.
- His mission objectives include studying the effects of microgravity on blood flow and composition, testing intravenous fluid production, and refining the in-space production of semiconductor crystals.
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